Recently, Clark Hunter of Mountain Topics stopped by Stratford Oaks Farm to interview Dr. Suzanne Mellow-Irwin and her friend, Zach Hamm, about Dr. Irwin’s book, Stratford Oaks Tales, The Tale of Gretchen. See an excerpt of the interview at the book’s website, www.stratfordoakstales.com
The book is the first in a series of children’s books about “the good life for the animals at Stratford Oaks Farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.” Each book will feature a different animal at the farm and will tell the (mostly) true story of their life. Some details have been necessarily changed for the targeted 3rd-grade level of reading ability and comprehension.
The book was illustrated by Zach Hamm, a young man from Alleghany County who was diagnosed with autism at an early age, so the story is told, “through the eyes of Zach.” Zach’s quiet nature lends itself to his artistic talents and his unique ability to re-create the farm and its inhabitants.
According to his mom, Donna, “Zach uses all that God has given him.” Would that we all could say that of our own lives.
Clark’s award-winning program, Mountain Topics currently airs on Alleghany Community Television.
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE