This summer, I had the pleasure of meeting Krista Ginger at the Galena Art Fair.  We spoke about the Belden Boy books and, of course, Belden School.  Krista was excited to tell me that her Great-Grandmother, Evelyn Hansing (married name Wilmarth) was a student at Belden School and went on to graduate from Galena High School. She is the tall girl by the door with the black sweater.  Krista said that her Great-Grandmother was nicknamed "Tex”  since she rode her horse to school

Second camp was just as incredible as the first camp….fifteen young author’s graced the doors of Belden School. The temps kept rising along with the chance of rain each day. Everyone was hydrated and given an apple, but this time from the teachers.  Children were given incredible lessons on writing and illustrating  a children’s book just like our first camp, and of course, the camp t-shirts were worn like badges of honor. As before, not one pencil was quiet in our cozy one-r

Our first camp was incredible…how could it not?  We began the first day with twelve enthusiastic young authors waiting for the experience of a lifetime and four talented teachers ready to teach and engage our happy campers. Armed with camp t-shirts and a lesson on Belden School’s own history, our lessons began about writing and illustrating a children’s book. Ideas flowed.  Our authors perused samples of beautifully illustrated text. Pencils busily scribed words on paper.  No