Book Clubs and Fairs

Marlene and Lynn at Walnut Grove

​Hey Y’all,

Here it is at the end of August. I would love to tell you that I have been working hard on completing the book I lost, but alas, t’ain’t so. Somehow that get up and go, got up and hasn’t come back. I have been doing some short essays. One follows a few announcements. I hope you will enjoy it.

Marlene Buchanan and Lynn Hesse will be presenting at the Walnut Grove Library Book Club on September 7 at 11:00 am.  Visitors are welcome Lynn Hesse and Marlene Buchanan will be selling books at the Monroe Festival on October 8. They will be in front of the Monroe Walton Center for the Arts Building.

Monroe's Southern Sisters in Crime meets the last Sunday of each month at Monroe Walton Center for the Arts.  If you are interested in writing or reading mysteries, join us.  We meet in person from 3-5 pm.  Contact Marlene Buchanan
for more information mrat30052@aol.com.

On September 29, 2022, Georgiana Fields, Lynn Hesse, and Marlene Buchanan will be at the Book Festival at Gainesville Library from 3-98 pm.  This is a program reserved for local authors.

Monroe Walton Center for the Arts is developing a new program for writers. Although they offer several classes for people who wish to write or perform, the BOOK NOOK will feature published authors.  It will become a place for you to
sell your books, hold book fairs, book launches, meetings, etc.  If interested in participating contact Marlene mrat30052@aol.com.  The MWCA committee begins developing this new Author Featured program this September and hope to be fully underway in October. The cost--only a membership in MWCA ($25 for one year for seniors, $35 for others. special student price and family prices).
​
MWCA
205 South Broad Street
Monroe, Georgia 30655
770-207-8937

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Blackie, the Patrol Officer

My father was a City of Atlanta Policeman for over thirty years. The last twenty
plus were spend as a School Detective. What we think of as Resource Offices started out
in 1956 as School Detectives. There were two organizations. The city of Atlanta and the
Atlanta Police department in 1954 decided to join forces and establish a unit assigned
only the schools. In 1956, the money was allocated and the division was established.
Sargent J.D. Nash was placed as the unit commander. Daddy and Julian Stephens were
the second and third men hired, eventually six Atlanta policeman were assigned to the
School Detective Unit.

These men focused on crimes against the schools system and children. These men
were dedicated to providing a safe lifestyle for the children of Atlanta. Trust me, I have
been in the office when one of the detectives would be hot on the trail of child abuser.
Determination was strong. I don’t know about now, but for18 years Daddy held the
record for highest number of crimes solved.

My grandfather worked on the train that ran from Atlanta through Stone Mountain
Village. I have the lantern that Daddy would wave and his father would slow down and
my Grandmother would hand him dinner. Then he went to work for the Atlanta Police
Department. He solved one of the biggest bank robberies to happen in Atlanta.

But this story is about a dog named Blackie. Black was a black mixed breed dog
who lived in Bellwood, a division of Atlanta like Buttermilk Bottom and Cabbage Town.
Daddy was a foot patrol man when he started with the Atlanta police department.
Sometime in 1937, Patrolman Ratledge was assigned to a beat in Bellwood. He
asked for the beat route and was told, “Stand at the call box and wait for Blackie, a big
black dog.” Those were his only instructions.

Daddy reported for duty at the call box. A few minutes later Blackie reported for
duty. Blackie walked through the entire beat, stopped at each door that needed to be
checked, introducing his new partner to the store owner and residents.
Although most of the store owner has a little something to give Blackie, Daddy
began bringing an extra dinner with him. They shared their meal and then went back on patrol.

Apparently Blackie belonged to the neighborhood, not one person. Everyone knew
​him and treated him kindly. The officer with Blackie was treated with respect and appreciation.
​
When it was time for Daddy to move to the motorcycle unit, he bade Blackie
goodbye. He told the new patrol officer “Check in at the call box and wait for Blackie.
That is all you need to know.”​

Hope September brings you great happiness and wonderful health.
Hugs to you all,
Marlene, AKA Ms. Rat