The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less by Terry Ryan

Monday, September 10 through Tuesday, October 2, 2001. Read by Catherine Brand.

Terry Ryan’s mother Evelyn was amazing. She raised 10 children, and supported her alcoholic husband, by entering — and winning one out of four — popular contests in the 1950’s. She wrote jingles, and poems, and a hundred variations on why one company or another was the best ever. Terry’s memoir is witty, warm-hearted, and touching. It’s also a clear-eyed view of the hardships her mother faced and overcame.

(Simon & Schuster; ISBN-10: 0743211227)

Theme: A selection of themes from television shows of the 50’s and 60’s: Donna Reed, Ozzie & Harriet, Danny Thomas, Father Knows Best, Ed Sullivan, The Honeymooners.