Peace Corps writers

  RONALD L. KRANNICH, Ph.D.(Thailand 1967) is one of today’s leading career transition and travel writers who has authored more than 100 books, including several self-help guides for people with difficult backgrounds. A Fulbright Scholar, university professor, and management trainer, Ron specializes in producing and distributing books, DVDs, training programs, and related materials on employment, career transition, addiction, anger management, criminal justice, life skills, and travel. Originally from Pekin, Illinois, Ron stumbled into the world of travel and international development based on one fateful decision in 1965 — he signed up for a newly offered foreign language as an undergraduate at Northern Illinois University — Thai. This became the classic “be careful what you wish for” experience. The rest is history as he completed his Thai language work at Cornell University and joined the Peace Corps, taught in a high school; completed a Ph.D. in Political Science with emphasis on Southeast Asia . . .

Many people have been met with significant moments in life that led to life-altering changes. Some people choose to be heavily affected by the trauma and negativity, or the uncontrollable, using them as a crutch for their sh*tty behavior. Others choose to rise above these things with grace. I am still actively working through some of my demons. Most of my good things have a lot to do with a single person who saved my life years ago. He came to me when I was too blind to ask for help, too ashamed to be truly seen, too afraid to be vulnerable, and too weak to admit that I wasn’t strong enough to face my internal struggles on my own. When I was 15, a new student had transferred to my high school. He was a handsome young man. He had bright blue eyes, a bright white smile you could see from . . .

  Illinois priest appointed as USCCB associate general secretary Catholic News Service Nov 20, 2020   WASHINGTON, D.C. — Father Michael J.K. Fuller [Swaziland 1990-92], a priest of the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois, has been named associate general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBB). In a Nov. 19 announcement, Msgr. Jeffrey Burrill, USCCB general secretary, said the appointment was effective immediately. Fuller has worked as the executive director of the USCCB’s Secretariat of Doctrine and Canonical Affairs since August 2016 and will continue to lead the secretariat and serve as the administrator of the conference’s pastoral offices. “I have had the privilege of working with Father Fuller for the last four years,” Burrill said in a statement released by the conference. “He has extensive experience working with conference committees and staff as well as with several of our key collaborating organizations.” He said Fuller “has gained the trust . . .

  Neighbors: Oral History From Madera, California, Volume 2 by Lawrence F. Lihosit (Honduras 1975-77) Self-Published 200 pages August 2020 $20.00 (Paperback) Review by Joanne Roll (Colombia 1963-65) • In the age of Twitter and Text, Lawrence Lihosit has once again demonstrated the power of the oral history interview. This is Lawrence Lihosit’s second volume of Neighbors. In Volume One of Neighbors, Lihosit published Oral Histories which he had recorded with some of his neighbors in this  California Central Valley town of Madera.  In Neighbors Volume Two,  Lihosit continues with 21 more Oral Histories. Lishosit and his family have lived in Madera since 1995 and these interviewees are truly his neighbors. His own history as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras (1975-1977) and his years of writing and traveling, as well as working as an urban planner, are reflected in the organization of the book as well as the care with which he . . .

  Andrew Tadross (Ethiopia 2011-13) has published a coloring book for all ages, entitled What is  Ethiopia? that comes at a disquieting time for Ethiopia, and attempts to show Ethiopia as the sum of its parts. The book takes you on a journey to understand “What is Ethiopia?” There are 24 pages of illustrations of  Ethiopian people, cultures, food, landscapes, wildlife, architecture, and history all to be colored.  The illustrations are complemented by engaging descriptions and narratives about Ethiopian life by Andrew. Additionally, there is a trivia quiz.   The sole artist of all 24 illustrations is Biniyam Alazar, a 19-year-old secondary school student from Bahir Dar. Biniyam aims to continue in the art profession. He has an interest in painting and has become proficient in digital illustration. As he develops his skills, Biniyam would like to get into graphic novels, comic books, and other mediums that are novel for Ethiopians. He would . . .

November 18, 2020 • Assistant Director of ACU’s Centre for Liturgy, Dr. Jason McFarland (China 2012-14), has been appointed to the National Liturgical Council to advise on matters pertaining to Catholic liturgical worship in the Australian context. Dr. McFarland teaches Liturgical Studies and Sacramental Theology and is Assistant Director of the Australian Catholic University (ACU) Centre for Liturgy. He is the author of the influential book Announcing the Feast: The Entrance Song in the Mass of the Roman Rite, which has informed liturgical practice in many parts of the English-speaking Church. The National Liturgical Council is an advisory body established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, advising the Bishops Commission for Liturgy on matters pertaining to Catholic liturgical worship. In announcing the appointment, the Chairman of the Bishops Commission for Liturgy Archbishop Pat O’Regan cited the appreciation of the Commission for Dr McFarland’s fine work as an editor at the . . .

  Robert M. Veatch (Nigeria 1962-64), PhD, Senior Research Scholar at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Professor Emeritus of Medical Ethics, and a Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Georgetown University died Monday, November 9, 2020 at age 81 after a short illness. Bob Veatch was a founding figure in the field of bioethics. He spent the majority of his long career at Georgetown University’s Joseph P. and Rose F. Kennedy Institute of Ethics (KIE) spending 40+ years there and serving as a former Director of the Institute from 1989-1996. He began the Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal (1991) and served as Senior Editor until 2011. He also cofounded and edited the Ethics and Intellectual Disability Newsletter. Before coming to Georgetown, he began his career at the Hastings Center in 1970. Bob held an MA and PhD in Religion and Society from Harvard University, with a focus on medical ethics that he proposed. . . . .

  For Bonnie Lee Black, writing and cooking have always been analogous. Both involve the thoughtful and loving preparation of something good for another’s consumption. This cookbook is a compilation of some of the author’s favorite, tried-and-true sweet tart recipes, along with related stories, drawn from her twenty-year culinary career. Her message to readers is simple: “I hope that Sweet Tarts will inspire you to make one or two–or more—of these recipes from time to time, especially on special occasions and enjoy them with your own sweethearts.” As Bonnie writes… This is the slimmest of my five published books, but it’s also the sweetest and the one that will likely always be the “baby of the family.” As any woman who has given birth to both a baby and a book might tell you, there are distinct similarities. There is the growing anticipation before the birth, and then the overwhelming . . .

by Mark Jacobs (Paraguay 1978-80) Delmarva Review November 2020 • Author’s Note: My stories fall into modes. Some are set in rural Virginia, others in countries overseas where I lived and worked. Some seek their setting in Western New York, where I grew up. Some, like “Famous People,” are lighthearted and come out of a sense of play. Contrary to the view that a writer needs to know where a story is going, I had no idea where this one would wind up. • I’M NOT A NEUTRAL PARTY. I HAVE MY POINT OF VIEW. But for what it’s worth, I believe that a goodly percentage of the hell that Aunt Elodie kicked up was intended to rectify a problem. You might agree with her, if you agree that a lack of any famous people where you grew up is a problem. For the sake of argument, let’s say you . . .

  A darkly funny thriller about one boy’s attempt to unravel the mysterious phenomenon affecting students in his new town, as he finds a way to resist sinister forces and pursue hope for them all. Wallace Cole is perpetually moving against his will. His father has some deeply important job with an energy company that he refuses to explain to Wallace who is, shall we say, suspicious. Not that his father ever listens to him. Just as Wallace is getting settled into a comfortable life in Kentucky, his father lets him know they need to immediately depart for a new job in a small town in Upstate New York which has recently been struck by an outbreak of inexplicable hysterics–an outbreak which is centered at the high school Wallace will attend. In the new town, go from disturbing to worse: trees appear to be talking to people; a school bully, . . .

  There are all sorts of history books. Some are based upon numbers from old records, others discuss ideas and some review facts. This book is based upon testimony. Called oral history, it begins with an interview which is then transcribed. . . . All subjects had the opportunity to edit factual errors and/or omissions. Numbers can offer insights. For instance, Madera has been a Hispanic town for decades. According to the 2015 U.S. Census estimate, more than three quarters of the inhabitants were Hispanic (79.8%). Nearly one third (32.2%) were born in another country and of these, the vast majority were born in Latin America. At time of this printing (2020), more than half of the population speaks Spanish or Spanish and English. Only about one third speak English only. The population is younger, less educated and much poorer than the California average.— Lawrence F. Lihosit • Neighbors: Oral History From . . .

Thanks for the ‘heads up” from Leita Kaldi (Senegal 1993-96)   Our RPCVGulf Coast Florida zoomed an extraordinary presentation last Saturday with the two authors of a “Brazilian Peace Corps Saga.”  I believe it would be of interest to PCW readers.  Here are the authors’ bios and an abstract.  It’s not in book form, but is an article that will be published in Brazil. — Leita Kaldi Jack Epstein (Brazil 1968-70) received a BA in Latin American Studies from UCLA. He is the foreign wire editor for the San Francisco Chronicle. He previously headed the newspaper’s foreign service department, overseeing coverage by freelancers and stringers from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. In 1993, he moved to Rio de Janeiro where he worked until 1999 primarily for the Associated Press and TIME magazine. Charles Fortin (Brazil 1968-70) earned his doctoral degree through the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex . . .

  Relicarios — finely crafted, bi-faced lockets of gold or silver that are artifacts of the Spanish Colonial era. These exquisite jewels containing devotional imagery protected by glass may include paintings on vellum, nacre, alabaster, copper, or ivory; prints; or miniature sculptures of boxwood, ivory, alabaster, or tagua. Although tons of relics were imported from Europe, particularly by Jesuits, in general only high-status individuals wore relicarios containing relics. Relicarios attest to colonists’ dedication to their favorite Virgins and saints as well as fealty to church and crown. As powerful amulets they protected wearers in a precarious world. Relicarios reflects forty years of the Martha’s research, including correspondence and interviews with relicarieros, art historians, curators, collectors, silversmiths, anticuarios, and clergy as well as the author’s collection of several hundred examples. Photos commissioned from leading art photographers in the Americas were mostly unpublished until this handsome volume. • Relicarios: The Forgotten Jewels of Latin America by . . .

  Geographer, adventurer, environmental educator, 2018 TED Fellow and National Geographic Society Emerging Explorer Dr. M Jackson studies and writes about glaciers and climate change worldwide. Seeking to understand the wild diversity and complexity that exists between people and ice, Jackson lived for a year on the south-eastern coast of Iceland, chronicling in The Secret Lives of Glaciers the cultural and societal impacts of glacier change on local communities. Jackson interviewed hundreds of Icelanders living in close proximity to ice, seeking to understand just what was at stake as the island’s ice disappeared. Painstakingly detailed, Jackson recounts stories of glaciers told by people throughout the region, stories exploring the often conflicting and controversial plasticity of glaciers, the power glaciers enact in society, the possible sentience of glaciers, and the range of intertwined positive and negative consequences glacier change produces throughout Iceland. The Secret Lives of Glaciers reaches beyond Iceland and touches on changing glaciers everywhere, . . .

Steve’s latest travel book on Sydney, Australia (Russia)   Australia is a country of superlatives, and Sydney is its principal gateway. “The Everything City” has a vibrant city center; the stunning Opera House overlooking bustling Sydney Harbour; world-class fine arts, contemporary, and maritime museums; the country’s largest zoo and its oldest botanical garden; an excellent bus, train, light rail, and ferry transit network; a multicultural population; superb beaches and the striking Blue Mountains; a lively and casual lifestyle; and always within reach, the sea. Author Steve Kaffen (Russia 1994-96) uses a hundred original photos accompanied by informative descriptions and observations to spotlight this great city of splendors. Included are Sydney’s famed New Year’s Eve celebration, showtime in the Opera House, and renowned Bondi Beach, plus a side trip to Melbourne. “Splendors of Sydney” is fun to read and sufficiently detailed to plan a visit to “The Everything City.” NOTE: Amazon.com . . .