books

Idlewild & Woodland Park, MI (An African American Remembers) is an 86-page, diary format book of interviews by some of the individuals who helped to create the two communities. Each story is unique to their own family’s journey.
Idlewild & Woodland Park, MI (An African American Remembers) is an 86-page, diary format book of interviews by some of the individuals who helped to create the two communities. Each story is unique to their own family’s journey.

Just a Poor Country Girl is the story of Charley Louise Dorsey (Hammond) who was born in Natchez, Mississippi. As a young girl, Louise, as most people know her was taken away from her father, relocated to Chicago, Illinois, then to White Cloud, Michigan. She would marry, left to raise six children on welfare.
As quoted from the book, Charley Louise stated, “Welfare doesn’t pay enough to feed six mouths.” She was accepted into the Michigan State University Food Supervisory curriculum. Charley Louise and her class graduated in 1968. A class picture was purchased from the Michigan State University Archive Department. Gaining employment with Butterworth Hospital Charley Louise began to disconnect herself from the Welfare system, later in life to own Louisa’s Catering Services which was an established business in Grand Rapids, MI for many years until her retirement. She always tried not letting life define her, but she defining life.
Just a Poor Country Girl is a 254-page non-fiction novel and part two of the series.
As quoted from the book, Charley Louise stated, “Welfare doesn’t pay enough to feed six mouths.” She was accepted into the Michigan State University Food Supervisory curriculum. Charley Louise and her class graduated in 1968. A class picture was purchased from the Michigan State University Archive Department. Gaining employment with Butterworth Hospital Charley Louise began to disconnect herself from the Welfare system, later in life to own Louisa’s Catering Services which was an established business in Grand Rapids, MI for many years until her retirement. She always tried not letting life define her, but she defining life.
Just a Poor Country Girl is a 254-page non-fiction novel and part two of the series.

Transitions begins with a young Maggie Dorsey, a skinny-legged, shy, eleven-year-old, who like so many families come from a divided home. She is part of a siblingship of four brothers and one sister who live in a small, two-bedroom home on Rural Route 1, a dirt road, seven miles from the city limits of White Cloud. The mother is the sole provider and decision-maker. Transitions is a 187-page non-fiction novel and part two of the series..
coasters
The durable limited edition custom coasters measures 4" x 4", high-gloss top, corked back which prevents coaster from sliding. Each coaster has historical text taken from the books, "Idlewild & Woodland Park, MI (An African American Remembers)", "Just a Poor Country Girl," and "Transitions." Good for keepsakes, or purchased with the book tabletop protection. Designs are subject to change. BEFORE ORDERING PLEASE CHECK WITH VENDOR IF IN STOCK.