Anne Hillerman and Don Strel premiere
Tony Hillerman book at
Scottsdale’s Poison Pen


Photos by Richard C. Kelleher, M.B.A. (copyrighted)

Author and journalist Anne Hillerman, daughter of Tony Hillerman, who passed Oct. 26, 2008 at 83, premiered a “road show” on her and husband’s, Don Strel, book about her father, Tony Hillerman, at Scottsdale’s Poison Pen bookstore.

The Nov. 1, 2009 show was, according to Hillerman, the first time it had been presented in support of their new book, Tony Hillerman's Landscape: On the Road with Chee and Leaphorn.

The slideshow with narration shows photos of the Southwest Tony Hillerman wrote about. It struck a little too close to home for me. First, I studied under her father. Second, she mentored me when she was at the Santa Fe New Mexican and I was a snot-nosed journalism student her father showed way too many favors to, like getting me a gig covering Albuquerque’s first mayoral election in 34 years. Hillerman, the father, persuaded the Albuquerque Journal I was the intern to handle this challenge. The Journal passed on seasoned political reporters in one of the most crucial reporting stories in its history. Hillerman had the Miley Cyrus touch throughout New Mexico – everything he touched turned to gold.

The part that hit too close to home was when Anne was talking about the Hubbell Trading Post, founded in 1878 by John Lorenzo Hubbell. It was not named for astronomer Edwin Hubbell. That’s the telescope in space, not the trading post in Ganado, Ariz.

During the time period Anne Hillerman was addressing, my brother was a BIA teacher in Ganado and served as a weekend tour guide at Hubbell. Ironic, my professor at the time may have met my brother.

Then Anne said her favorite spot was Fort Wingate, NM. You got it; while I was working on the newspaper where David Bowie was filming Man Who Fell to Earth, Anne was visiting the town my brother had transferred to as a school teacher. Small world.

Anne has finally hit the big time, too. After publishing books on small labels, like, Done in the Sun: Solar Projects for Children, Ride the wind: USA to Africa, Children's Guide to Santa Fe, Santa Fe Flavors: Best Restaurants and Recipes and Gardens of Santa Fe, she is now on her father’s label, Harper Collins (okay, I know I use music terms.). Sort of like Nancy Sinatra following Frank.

As I posted Miley Cyrus' tour schedule on TweenMusic.blogspot.com, here's Anne and Don's tour schedule (when you see them, ask about Tony mentioning Frontier sweet rolls in his book. For years I encouraged him, and he did!):

Nov. 5. 6.p.m. Student Union Ballroom,University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M. as a benefit for the Hillerman-McGarrity Scholarship in Creative Writing. Steve Carr, 505-277-9723.To purchase tickets

Nov. 7, 6-9 p.m. Inn at Rio Rancho, 1466 Rio Rancho Drive, Rio Rancho, N.M., .to benefit ReadWest Literacy Volunteers as part of their 20th anniversary celebration, 505-892-1131.

Nov. 8. 4 p.m.at the Santa Fe Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy St., Santa Fe, N.M. Presentation as a benefit for the Santa Fe Public Library, Tickets are available from the Lensic at 988-1234.Ƃ For more information, call Maria at 955Ć¢€“6789.

Nov. 9, 7 p.m. at Bookworks, 4022 Rio Grande Blvd, Albuquerque, 7 p.m signing 505-344-8139

Nov. 10 7:30 p.m. at Fuller Lodge, 2132 Central, Los Alamos. N.M. Presentation as a benefit for the Los Alamos Historical Society,
505-662-6272.

Nov. 13-14, Friday 10am to 9pm; Saturday 10am to 6pm. Weems Artfest, Expo New Mexico, State Fair Grounds, Central and San Pedro., Albuquerque, N.M. 505-293-6133 for information.

Nov. 15, 2 p.m. at the Besse-Forward Global Resource Center, Western New Mexico University, Silver City, N.M. Presentation and signing as a benefit for the museum. 575-538-6320.

Nov. 21, 2 p.m. at the Tony Hillerman Library, 8205 Apache N.E., Albuquerque, N.M. 505-291-6264.

Dec. 3, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.at the Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central, Phoenix, Az. as a benefit for the museum. 602-252-8842

Dec. 4, 6 p.m. Heard Museum North Scottsdale, AZ, 32633 N. Scottsdale Road, as a benefit for the museum. 480-344-3380

Dec. 5, Time, TBA Winslow, Az. location TBA. Benefit for the Winslow Public Library. 928-289-4982.

Dec. 10, 6 p.m. Collected Works Bookstore, 202 Galisteo St., Santa Fe, N.M. 505-988-4226

Dec. 15, 7 p.m. Taos, N.M. location TBA. Benefit for the Taos Public Library. 575-737-2587

2010 engagements:

Jan. 8 Presbyterian Women's Lunch, Albuquerque N.M.

Jan. 20 Rio Rancho Women's Club, Albuquerque, N.M

Feb. 13-14 Gunnison/Crested Butte Colo. Library, benefit presentation and signing

Feb. 17 Bud Werner Library Benefit, Steamboat, Colo.benefit presentation and signing

March 12-14 Tucson Book Festival, Tucson, Az.

March 31, University of New Mexico Continuing Education, Albuquerque, N.M.

April 18-23 Tony Hillerman and Native Americans in New Mexico, Elderhostel program at Ghost Ranch Santa Fe

April 26-28 International Reading Conference, Chicago, Il.


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