The Good Folks of Lennox Valley: Spring & Summer 1998

by Kevin Slimp

Followed by millions of readers in hundreds of newspapers across America since 2015, The Good Folks of Lennox Valley is the story of growing up in a small farming town during the spring and summer of 1998.Readers soon learn that Lennox Valley was anything but quiet and peaceful in the spring and summer of 1998.With Raymond Cooper converting the town's only radio station to an "all talk" format in an effort to wage his unannounced campaign for town mayor, things were bound to turn a little unorthodox. Most folks considered Raymond a political nutcase. Cooper realized, however, that nutcases tend to attract other nutcases, and such was the case with his following. It didn’t take him too long to realize it only required 400 nut cases to win an election in The Valley, and that’s just what he intended to do.While Raymond was busy planning his secret campaign, the good folks at the Methodist Church were in for a surprise of their own. In May, they would learn the name of their soon-to-be appointed pastor, Sarah Hyden-Smith, The Valley's first female clergyperson.Never one to miss a beat, Iris Long served as editor of The Lennox Valley Hometown News. She knew Raymond Cooper was up to something and she was determined to find out what it was. Cooper's all-out war to discredit Iris divided The Valley between his supporters and those who trusted the words of a seasoned journalist like Iris Long.

206 pages, Paperback

Published May 12, 2017

Reviews

[Amy Large · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a breath of refreshment! The people of the United Methodist church have just been through the wringer. At the Holston Annual Conference in June, my husband bought me this book, autographed by the author and I thought “what?” I ended up giggling through much of the story and finished with a smile. Thank you, Kevin Slimp!

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really a cool book about the small town of Lennox Valley and their adventures which we all remember of small town America. Great summer read to lighten the heart. Apparently this is a compilation of a newspaper column written and carried across small town America. Maybe, like Mayberry with Andy and Opie and Aunt Bea, we should all slow down and pay attention.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so real to me - even some of the antics of the town's politicians. I grew up in a small mountain town, have spent most of my adult life working in small towns, and was editor of a small town paper for seven years. I could just see some of the scenes so vividly. I chuckled out loud several times and had to share some of the stories with my husband.

[Sheri Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and funny!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read reminiscent of Fannie Flagg's stories set in small southern towns.