Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas (27 page)

Judy Lockhart DiGregorio
is an Army brat from San Antonio, Texas, who now lives in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. She is a humor columnist for
Senior Living
and
Eva Mag
and teaches humor writing workshops for the University of Tennessee and other organizations. A woman of small talents and big feet, Judy has published more than 100 humorous poems and essays.

Elsi Dodge
is a single, retired special-education teacher whose RV trips across the continent span more than a quarter-century. She travels with Lady, her dog, and Dolphin, who thinks he's a saber-toothed tiger. Elsi's book,
RV Tourist: Tips, Tools, and
Stories,
is available through her website:
www.RVTourist.com
.

Lindy B. Dolan
lives in Niagara Falls, New York, where she and her husband are raising their three beautiful girls. In her spare time, Lindy makes inspirational name plaques, reads tons of books, and hangs with her friends and family. Please e-mail her at [email protected].

Lawrence D. Elliott
is a nationally published author and has been an active Realtor in southern California since 1989. He lives in Ontario with his wife, Lisa, and his dog, Lacie. He also runs a network of real-estate websites, accessible through his main site at
www.LawrenceElliott.com
.

Debbie Farmer
writes a weekly syndicated column.

John
and
Carol Forrest
are retired from careers in education and health care. (respectively). They live in Orillia, Ontario, Canada, where they enjoy golfing, traveling, cruisin' in their classic '68 Mustang “ragtop,” and following the life adventures of their grown children, Rob and Dana. They will celebrate their thirty-eighth anniversary in 2007.

Valerie J. Frost
is a freelance writer and an office administrator at Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego, California. She and her husband, Terry, are parents of three grown children. They have thirteen energetic grandchildren, and two turbo-charged Jack Russell terriers named Rocket and Daphne.

Mark Geiger
received his bachelor of science from the University of California, Riverside, in 1991. He owns his own business,
LifeAfterCampus.com
, where he sells two dating books he wrote and self-published. He would like to thank his lovely wife, Amy, for her inspiration and support. Contact Mark at [email protected].

Kerry Germain
resides on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, where she writes and publishes children's picture books. She's a fan of inspirational reading and enjoys telling stories—or, as they say in Hawaii, “talking story.” Her newest picture book will be released in midsummer 2007. Visit her website at
www.surfsupforkimo.com
.

Loree Gold
is a writer/producer for television and film. Her company, GoldPitt Films, Inc., produces educational and social awareness documentaries. Loree's also a professional songwriter and has been an NPR commentator. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and enjoys traveling, boxing, studying foreign languages, and living like there's no tomorrow.

Carol Sue Hahn
received her M.Ed. from the University of Missouri. She has been a rehabilitation counselor and is now a special education professional. She enjoys hiking and traveling with her children, and her writing collection reflects the heart of her experiences.

Jeff S. Hamilton
is a financial specialist living in Spruce Grove, Alberta. Besides spending much of his free time writing, he is also a collector of rare books and an avid traveler. Contact Jeff and read more of his essays at
www.theduffzone.blogspot.com
.

Bonnie Compton Hanson
is the author of several books for adults and children, including the popular Ponytail Girls series, plus hundreds of articles and poems. She also speaks for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS), seniors, and women's and writing groups. Contact Bonnie at 3330 S. Lowell St., Santa Ana, CA 92707; [email protected].

Jonny Hawkins
dedicates the cartoons in this book to his sweet little baby, Kara Elise—a precious gift from God. His work can be seen in over 350 publications, in cartoon-a-day calendars, and in his latest book,
The Awesome Book of Healthy Humor.
He can be reached at [email protected] liveswith hiswife, Carissa, two boys (Nate and Zach), and baby Kara in Sherwood, Michigan.

E. M. Hector
is a lifelong creative writer. In high school, the National Council of Teachers of English chose her among 600 winners nationwide in their annual Achievement Award writing contest. Most of her writing, be it poetry, prose, or essay, has been inspired by her family. Her e-mail address is mywingdreams@ verizon.net.

Sheila S. Hudson
is published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, the Chocolate for Women series,
God Allows U-Turns, Stories from the Heart
(Volumes 1 and 2),
Taking Education Higher
, and
God's Vitamin C
. Sheila is a travel columnist for
Athens
Banner Herald,
contributor for several publications, and past president of the Southeastern Writers of America. She and her husband, Tim, are the proud grandparents of seven grandsons, known as the “magnificent seven.” E-mail her at [email protected].

Karen R. Kilby
resides in Kingwood, Texas, with her husband, David. As a certified personality trainer with CLASServices, Inc., Karen enjoys helping people understand themselves and others through her seminars. Karen is also a regional speaker trainer and speaker for Stonecroft Ministries. Please reach her at krkilby@ kingwoodcable.net.

Betty King
is the author of
It Takes TwoMountains toMake a Valley, but It Was in the Valleys
I Grew, The Fragrance of Life,
and
In the Palm of His Hand
. She is a newspaper columnist of two weekly columns and a public speaker who lives with multiple sclerosis.

Emily King
is the author of
Clopper the Christmas Donkey, Clopper and the Night
Travelers
and
The Twiggenbotham Adventures
. She also contributed to
Chicken Soup for
the Gardener's Soul
. Please visit Emily's website or contact her at
www.emilyking.net
or [email protected].

Cheryl Kirking
is an author, songwriter, and popular women's conference speaker who tickles the funny bones and tugs at the heartstrings of audiences nationwide. Her many books include the Christmas book with CD,
What Can I Give Jesus?
and her book for moms,
Crayons in the Dryer
. For booking information, visit
www.cherylkirking.com
.

Mimi Greenwood Knight
is a freelance writer and artist living in what's left of south Louisiana with her husband, David, four kids, four dogs, four cats, and one obnoxious bird. Her parenting essays and articles have appeared in
Parents,
American Baby, Working Mother, Christian Parenting Today, Today's Christian Woman,
and in anthologies including several Chicken Soup books.

Nancy Julien Kopp
lives in the Flint Hills of Kansas. She writes fiction, essays, articles, and poetry. She has been published in newspapers, magazines, e-zines, and anthologies, including three
Chicken Soup for the Soul
books. She is a former teacher who still enjoys teaching through the written word.

Cheryl M. Kremer
lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with husband, Jack, and her two children, Nikki and Cobi. She works as a preschool teacher's aide and spends the rest of her time watching her children play field hockey, soccer, and basketball. She has been published in several other Chicken Soup books and can be reached at [email protected].

William Livers
is a school social worker with Southwest Parke Community Schools District in Montezuma, Indiana. He earned a master's degree in psychology from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Illinois, and a master's degree in social work from Indiana University. William and his wife Tina have two children, Adam and Sarah. He enjoys spending time with his family and watching his kids do and say amazing things. He can be reached at [email protected].

Alice Malloy
lives with her husband on Long Island, New York. Since her recent retirement, her new life consists of long walks by the ocean, spending time with her children and grandchildren, and writing a memoir about growing up in the fifties. Alice can be reached at [email protected].

Jennifer Martin
is an author, speaker, television producer, and screenwriter living in Roseville, California. She gives workshops in writing for the metaphysical market and in Huna, the ancient tradition of the Hawaiian kahuna. You're invited to check out her website at
www.hunawarrior.com
or e-mail her at [email protected].

Lisa May
has enjoyed writing short stories and poems since she was young. She has had previous writings published in local and city papers, along with
Chicken
Soup for the Latter-Day Saint Soul.
Her talent of expressing life in words, from pen to paper, has always been fascinating to her. She is the mother of two wonderful children and lives in the beautiful country of Temecula, California, with her husband, children, and yellow Lab, Lucky.

Dahlynn McKowen
is the dedicated mother of two and a full-time author. She is an active coauthor for Chicken Soup for the Soul books and has created many titles, including
Fisherman's Soul, Entrepreneur's Soul, Soul in Menopause, Sisters' and Brothers'
Soul
and the upcoming
Female Entrepreneur's Soul.
www.publishingsyndicate.com
.

Sharon Melnicer
is a writer, artist, and teacher in Winnipeg,Manitoba, Canada. She also frequently broadcasts the “slice-of-life” pieces that she pens on CBC local and national radio. A high-school English teacher on leave, she teaches “Lifestory Writing” to seniors for “Creative Retirement Manitoba.” She is a busy, working artist who shows and sells throughout Canada and the United States.

Raymond L.Morehead,
KTJ, FSA, Scotland. AA degree/BusinessManagement with Highest Honors, Former USAF, Vietnam Veteran, father of three children and grandfather of seven, married thirty-seven years to his first and ony love. Raymond writes to inspire others and his grandchildren do the same. E-mail him at [email protected].

Brenda Nixon
(
www.brendanixon.com
) is dedicated to building strong families through parent empowerment. She is the author of
Parenting Power in the Early Years,
a resource for parents/caregivers of young children, a contributing author to twenty books, and a popular speaker at family events.

Mark Parisi
's “off the mark” comic panel has been syndicated since 1987 and is distributed by United Media. Mark's humor also graces greeting cards, T-shirts, calendars, magazines, newsletters, and books. Please visit his website at
www.offthemark.com
. Lynn, his wife/business partner, and their daughter, Jen, contribute with inspiration (as do three cats).

Denise Peebles
is from Rogersville, Alabama. She and her husband, Keith, have been married for twenty-four years. They have two children, Ashley and Jonathan. She has appeared in Chicken Soup several times and featured in magazines. Her dream is to publish a children's book. You can contact her at [email protected].

Christian novelist
Perry P. Perkins
was born and raised in Oregon. His writing includes
Just Past Oysterville
and
Shoalwater Voices
. Perry is a student of Jerry B. Jenkins ChristianWriter's Guild and a frequent contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies. Perry's work can be found online at
www.perryperkins books.com
.

Teacher
Marilyn Phillips
is a cum laude graduate of Texas Woman's University. Her articles have appeared in
Guideposts, Living with Teenagers, Obadiah, Home Life,
and
Parent Life
. Contributed stories appear in six books, including
Chicken Soup for the
Surviving Soul
. Marilyn has been married to Nolan since 1972 and has two children.

Stephanie Piro
lives in New Hampshire (not too far from the beach!) with her husband, daughter, and three cats. She is one of King Features' team of women cartoonists, “Six Chix.” (She is the Saturday chick!) Her single panel, “Fair Game,” appears in newspapers and on her website:
www.stephaniepiro.com
. Her new book,
My Cat Loves Me Naked,
is available at bookstores everywhere. She also designs gift items for her company Strip Ts.

Barbara Puccia
became a freelance writer after a twenty-year career in computers and education. She enjoys tennis and reading but spends most of her time dedicated to her children and volunteer work. Barbara is currently working on a series of humorous chapter books for early readers.

Kayleen Reusser
has published more than 1,000 articles in dozens of publications, including
Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul 2, Today's Christian Woman, Decision, The
Lookout,
and
Live
. She writes regularly for the travel and entertainment sections of a large metropolitan newspaper. Visit her website at
www.KayleenR.com
.

Phyllis Ring
's work has appeared in the
Christian Science Monitor, Writer's Digest,
and
Yankee.
An instructor for the Long Ridge Writers Group, she taught English to kindergartners in China and served as program director at Green Acre Baha'i School in southern Maine. She can be reached at
www.phyllisring.com
.