Beverly Cleary Celebration
Four years ago after our youngest graduated from high school, our family made the move to a lovely rural property on the outskirts of the small agricultural community of Yamhill, Oregon. Last year I discovered that one of my childhood authors, Beverly Cleary, spent her early childhood in this small town. Her grandparents’ home, The Bunn House, where she and her family lived until moving to Portland, is still here, and on the National Registry of Historic Places. I also discovered that Ms. Cleary and I share the same birthday, April 12! To celebrate her 104th birthday last year, I was asked to design a coloring page for the Yamhill Downtown Association’s celebration of Ms. Cleary. For this year’s celebration, the YDA is opening up a literary tour of the town where Ms. Cleary lived and gained inspiration for her future stories. Though sadly Beverly Cleary passed away shortly before her 105th birthday this year, YDA also is including story and art contests as part of the celebration and tribute to Yamhill’s cherished author. Visit my friend Amy’s website to see more details.
