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Page 60-̂ 6hew/Free Press Mecfai Croup. Inc. 198* Fair Quid* Fair features 'Storyteller'Hall to appear at the fair The works of Hemingway, Faulkner and Sinc la i r Lewis l ine the bookshelves of Tom T. Hall's small jewel of a library. He sits back in a burnt-red leather chair reminiscing -- back to Olive Hill, KY WMOR radio; army days in Germany; and those early years in Nashville. With a professional career spanning more than two decades, Hall, who will perform at the McHenry County Fair grandstand on Saturday night, Aug.4, has written three books and a variety wmmm i SALES*SERVKE*PARIS TRUCK IESTHM MUSTANG'ESCORT TEMPOT-BIRD LTD'TRUCKS LIFETIME WARRANTY ON SERVICE REPAIRS 3936 W. MAIN IN McHENRY Showroom located on Rt. 120, % block W. of Rt. 31 (815)385-2000 MWTRAMSWUMa because your home gets more valuable every day. New easy-to-read Transurartce for Home Owners from Trans- america is affordable insurance protection that covers your, property, your possessions and your personal liability. •Special insurance protection to help you meet today's rising costs of home repair and rebuilding at the time of a loss. •Automatic coverage for furniture and other belongings. •Personal liability coverage and medical payments to others if someone is accidentally injured in your home. •Special condominium and tenant policies available. Compare cost and coverage before you renew! Northern States Insurance Agency, flnc "Your Full Service Agency " 338-1124 109 Newell • Woodstock, 1L 60098 Representing: Transamenca Insurance Services Home Officer los Angeles, CA of songs on such topics as old dogs and sneaky snakes, hypocritical teachers, beer, and miracles. Now his first novel, The l.aunhing Man of Woodman Cove, introduces us to more of Tom T. Hall, the man who has become known as "The Storyteller" for his ballads -- songs that capture the human condi­ tion. Uniquely honest and earthy, Hall i admits he has an insurmountable urge to ask why things happen. "I write so I can depict the inside work­ ings of people," he says. And The I aimhinf! Man of H oodmmii Cove is Hall's ultimate exploration in­ to this field. The story of John Friend and the questionable residents of Woodmont Cove explores the suf foca t ing realities of small-town life. Unsuc­ cessful attempts to numb the pain with drugs and sloe gin leave the Laughing Man, a local entertainer, as John's only escape from a surrealistic life of bizarre personalities and too poignant visions. Like the novels of Hemingway, there is an honest simplicity to Hall's work which blends realism with sen­ timentality. He writes and sings about subjects and people he has experienc­ ed in his life, and as is the case with any truly gifted writer, Hall's work contains all the elements of universal truth. He has the ability to convey the essence of life. One of eleven children born to a brickworker who later became an or­ dained minister, Hall organized his first band at the age of 16 and per­ formed around Olive Hill', eventually landing a fulltime job as a deejay on WMOR, a local Kentucky radio station. Following an eight-year stint with the U.S. Army in West Germany, Hall again became a disc jockey in Roanoke, VA. By this time the urge to write began to manifest itself and he started forwarding songs to publisher Jim Key in Nashville. Impressed with Hall's songs, Key urged him to move to Music City, so with a contract continued on page 78 Cleaning Closets? We need children's school clothes! | We Will Start Accepting Winter Clothing August 1 Bring us your CLEANED and PRESSED quality clothing. We can sell it on consignment and split the profits with YOU. •Infants *Boys •Girls •Women* •Rtens •Formats *Shoes •Small Appliances *J«welry •Books (Up t> 40 tfms pt visit) WOODSTOCK RESALE SHOP 105 Church St. (Next to Wayne's Bowling) 815/338-9490 Mon.-Thurs.: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Frl. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.«5 p.m. Ef:lfYvC Home Grown Vegetables BVtlV I a Buy a Bushel OUNTRY ORNER for Rt. 47 & Charles Rd.f Woodstock 815/338-0348 Open 7 Days - 9 a.m.-7 p.m. We carry a full line of fruits A vegetables Call or ahead - we'll pick It fresh for youl Sweet Corn... Delicious A Fresh Every Day!