Valpomag

Alumni Ink

‘People of the Bear’
By Lori (Sterling ’80) Johnson
Rockton, Ill.
Mundania Press

Lori (Sterling ’80) Johnson’s work has appeared in local and national magazines. “People of the Bear” is a paranormal suspense. Lindy Anderson has fled to a secluded Minnesota cabin after a divorce and has sworn-off men—until she finds a wounded, naked man sprawled on her porch. Reluctantly taking him in, she discovers his ancient secret: Gareth is a Bearwalker, a shapeshifter able to exist as a human or a bear. Lindy vows to keep the Bearwalker clan safe from humans who threaten their survival.

‘The Broken Doll’
By Diane (Kingery ’73) Zuber
Granger, Ind.
Zuber Publishing

Diane (Kingery ’73) Zuber of Granger, Ind., taught music for many years. She is employed in the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp. Zuber’s book, “The Broken Doll,” is a Christmas story for children ages 4-9. It is the story of a family’s love for each other having more importance than the presence of expensive toys under a Christmas tree. In the book, a family’s struggles are overcome by unselfish love. A narrative CD, with eight original songs for children who cannot read but who like to follow along as they turn each page, comes with the book.

‘Capital Punishment—
A Capital Mistake’
By Glen Gierke ’48
Alamo, Calif.
Xlibris Corp.

Glen Gierke ’48 was a member of the early 1940s Valpo basketball team that was known as “The World’s Tallest Team.” In 2004, the 1944-’45 men’s team was inducted into the Valparaiso University Athletic Hall of Fame. In his recent book, Gierke asks readers to consider two main reasons for why the death penalty should be abolished. One reason deals with the question, “Do we want to kill people who commit a crime when we find that their thinking and patterns of behavior were formed early in life from causes over which they had no control?” The other reason relates to how we view punishment.

‘The Busy Mom’s Guide
to Spiritual Survival’
By Kelli (Blahnik ’99) Trujillo
Indianapolis
Wesleyan Publishing House

Kelli Trujillo is a busy stay-at-home mom, freelance writer and editor. In her latest book, “The Busy Mom’s Guide to Spiritual Survival,” Trujillo discusses the importance of practicing spiritual disciplines to maintain a vibrant spiritual life. She recommends realistic and practical ways to implement them into everyday life. Trujillo explains how busy mothers of young children can find the time to develop their relationships
with God.

‘Dakota White’
By Dave Rhody ’74
San Francisco, Calif.
iUniverse

David Rhody, a South Dakota native, has lived in San Francisco for the past 25 years. His lifelong exploration of Native American history became personal as he began to understand how it intersected with his family heritage. In “Dakota White,” a 45-year-old successful San Francisco event producer takes an odd and engaging trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota. The trip changes his life, and he becomes obsessed with the plight of the Lakota Sioux and with the role his family might have played in their oppression decades before.

‘Field Guide to Happiness:
A Manual for Identifying Happiness in its Natural Habitat’
By Barbara Ann (Hinton ’78) Kipfer
Ivoryton, Conn.
The Lyons Press

Barbara Ann Kipfer lives in Connecticut and is the author or editor of 40 books. She holds a Ph.D. in linguistics, as well as in archeology, and a master’s degree in Buddhist studies. In her latest book, “Field Guide to Happiness: A Manual for Identifying Happiness in its Natural Habitat,” Kipfer provides easy-to-use tools and techniques for helping readers “choose” happiness in their everyday lives. It provides steps to take toward reaching any goal, with sidebars about staying encouraged and redefining what makes you happy. Click Here to learn more.

Valpomag

Alumni Ink

AlumNotes

Web Exclusives