Thank you Moravian!

Another great year at the Moravian Book Shop. Thank you. We had a sell-out event and met wonderful book lovers and shoppers.

We'll be back next year!

Join me in Christmas City USA, Bethlehem PA December 11th

I look forward to this signing every year. We love Bethlehem- what a charming city. And, at Christmas time there are few cities as festive. The Moravian Book Shop is the oldest in the country- and has a great following of book lovers.

Join us, and meet my daughter Bahia, on Saturday December 11th from 1-3 PM.

We don't need to tell you what a great gift this book or audio book makes for your history buffs, military supporters, or anyone who just loves a great story of inspiration and compassion.

Happy holidays everyone. We'll see you in Bethlehem.

2010 and 2011 Events

Hello and happy holidays to all!

Please join us at some of our upcoming events. We are so excited to have such great plans on our calendar.

December 4th Open Book, Lewisburg WV 1-3 PM

December 11th Moravian Bookshop Bethlehem PA 1-3 PM

March 4-6th SWLFEST Plymouth Meeting PA

April 22-24th Idaho State Convention (Amateur Radio) Boise ID

May 20-22nd Hamvention Dayton OH

Event November 17, 2010 9:30-11:30 AM Waterfront (Homestead) Pittsburgh

Please join me in the Waterfront area of Pittsburgh as we celebrate veterans and their families.

The Community Bridge Building Network is one of the finest networking groups I have had the pleasure to be a part of. I've been a member for more than 3 years now.

This month we are dedicating our meeting to celebrating veterans. Mike Kraus, the curator of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, and myself will be the featured presenters.

If you are available to join us on 11/17 from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, cost is just $2, please email me ASAP for more information. RSVPs are required for the event as it always hits capacity a couple weeks before the meeting.

Join Us in Lewisburg WV December 4th from 1-3 PM

Visit us at Open Book on Saturday December 4th from 1-3 PM to pick up an autographed copy of the book or audio book and see one of the Howard 430 radios that was used by one of our heroes, Flavius Jankauskas.

Open Book is located at 113 E Washington St, Lewisburg WV 24901 Telephone (304) 645-7331.

We welcome book clubs, history lovers, students, radio groups/clubs, women's social groups and all of those people who love a great story!

November and December Events

Hello to everyone! We're excited about the great month of November approaching and specifically Veteran's Day. And, before you know it we'll be singing Jingle Bells! We hope to see you at an event in the coming months. Email me for more details about any event you can attend or if you want to add an event to our list. We are still available for speaking to your group or club for the wonderful holiday season ahead.

Join us at these events:

November 11th Friendship Village, South Hills

November 17th Community Bridge Building Network, Waterfront (Homestead)

December 4th Heinz History Center's Annual Author Fair, Pittsburgh PA

December 10th Kirkland Village, Bethlehem PA

December 11th Moravian Bookshop, Bethlehem PA

We're in Popular Communications Magazine!

Thank you Gerry Dexter and Edith Lennon! I am so honored to have a review in the November issue of Popular Communications Magazine.

Gerry turned a simple review into an thoughtful and educational 2-page read. He did his homework and highlighted a few things I didn't know about shortwave listening during WWII (namely Arthur Cushen).

Our book, World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion, salutes the men, women and children who were shortwave listeners and who took their time and spent their money helping POW families like mine during WWII. To be accepted and embraced by shortwave listeners today, in their top magazine, means the world to me. Thank you.

Bridgeville Historical Society Tonight (9/28)

I'll be speaking at the Bridgeville Historical Society tonight at the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Department.

Free Education for Veterans with CCAC

Veterans in Allegheny County may be eligible for free training through Community College of Allegheny County. See here for details: http://wduqnews.blogspot.com/2010/09/ccac-unveils-veteran-training-program.html

Buy One Get One (BOGO) on Audio Books for a Limited Time

We're making room for the nursery.


We're celebrating a belated July 4th.


We're trying to manage the heat with indoor tasks.



No matter what reason you like the best.... We're offering a GREAT deal on limited edition audio books! BOGO!



Use our online shopping cart at http://www.powletters.com/ and purchase two audio books for the price of one!



This offer won't last long. But we hope you'll use it as a way to say thanks to your veteran neighbor or friend, and thanks to his or her family for supporting them from the home front. Share this great story with someone today!

By the way, this photo is from WWII Weekend in Reading. I met some absolutely wonderful people and enjoyed the era-reenactments.

Whew. What a couple of weeks it's been!

First it was the Midtown Scholar Bookshop History Roundtable in Harrisburg and then it was World War II Weekend in Reading. Sprinkle in a number of private events filled with story sharing and .... I need to sit down. :)

The highlights are too many to describe but I wanted to share a few photos with you. More photos will be loaded to our World War II Radio Heroes page on Facebook. So be sure to visit us there.

Now, I'm going to put my feet up!

Join me in Harrisburg for a History Roundtable this Saturday, Memorial Day Weekend

The Midtown Scholar Bookstore has invited myself and two other authors to a history roundtable to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend. Our moderator will be from the Army Heritage Center.

The event will be Saturday, May 29th, from 2-4 PM.

Read more at: http://blog.pennlive.com/go/2010/05/midtown_scholar_bookstore_host.html

Visit the Midtown at: http://www.midtownscholar.com/

The Trib-Review Plugs WWII Radio Heroes!

Thanks Bob and the Trib-Review!

Bob Williams, freelance writer for the Trib, joined me at a luncheon for area seniors. The event was supported by Comfort Keepers, Beinhauer Family Services and Gateway Hospice. Seniors learned about the story told in WWII Radio Heroes and also shared some of their own adventures.

Visit the Trib-Review article here: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/print_680782.html

Get WWII Radio Heroes at Your Local Costco!

I am so excited to share this news with you. Our book, World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion is now available at Costco. Thanks Costco!

Please spread the word and tell people they should pick up their copy today.

Military Spouses Day May 7th- Thank You Spouses

We observe the Friday before Mother's Day to pay special attention to the role of the military spouse. We thank them for their contributions, which we know are great. They, too, make our military strong and effective in the support they offer from the homefront.

Thank you military spouses from the bottom of my heart.

For more on the day visit: http://www.army.mil/spouse/

Worth the Visit: Western Historic Radio Museum in Nevada

We were in Reno and Lake Tahoe last week and found our way to Virginia City, and most importantly, the Western Historic Radio Museum. What a super cool place! Hams Henry (WA7YBS) and Sharon Rogers (KK7EI)own and run the museum.

Henry gave Rob and I the grand tour and to say he's knowledgeable is an understatement! The equipment was in perfect condition and much of it sponsored or donated by the big names in radio- so he has some exquisite pieces.

You must stop by when in the Reno area or traveling through NV. It shouldn't be missed. It was the highlight of our Virginia City tour.

More pictures are posted on my Facebook Page. Search "Lisa Spahr" and once we're connected check out my albums.

The museums homepage is: www.radioblvd.com

Cancelling Oakmont 3/9/10 but Allentown was Amazing!

Good people,

I am very sorry to announce that we are cancelling our Oakmont Library event for 3/9/10. The library did not receive enough RSVPs. I don't know if I've ever cancelled an event before. It stings a little but rest assured we'll put another on- and I'll do a better job of getting the word out.

Conversely, our Allentown tour was a huge hit!

At Parkland Library on Thursday night we saw nearly 70 in the audience! The 10th grade of Parkland High was in full force as were their teachers. Erin was our host and she was extraordinary at making the event so successful.

From there we met with Eileen and the great residents of Luther Crest. We met a woman who told an incredible tale- her husband was shot down over China and he ejected. His parachute saved his life. He returned home and gave her the chute telling her to make a wedding dress out of it! (yes, that was his way of proposing). She did! The photo is below. It's stunning. She wore it and later her daughter and daughter-in-law did the same. Now it belongs to the Smithsonian!

Then, it was on to the main stage at the SWLFest, an annual gathering of the short-wave heroes I highlight in my book. To say we had a great time would be an understatement. Although running late because we got lost, we dashed in and delivered a story they had been waiting to hear for some time. We must have had 100+ in the room. This story brought a few tears, some incredibly nice comments and one person pointing out that we had received the first ever standing ovation in SWLFest history! That's kudos to how powerful this story is.

We wrapped up our tour with a stop at Country Meadows in Wyomissing. Verna and the fabulous residents of Country Meadows couldn't have been nicer hosts. One WWII veteran even wore his jacket to the talk. He joked that he couldn't button it anymore but it still fit everywhere else!

Thanks to all for a remarkable long weekend. We couldn't imagine spending it any other way.

And, for those who were planning to see us in Oakmont. My apologies. Let me know and I'll email you personally when we have another talk scheduled near you.

Allentown to Oakmont this weekend

We're delighted to have so many stops to make starting tomorrow. Once our Allentown and Wyomissing tour is complete on Sunday, we'll head back to Pittsburgh for a book discussion at the Oakmont Library on Tuesday, March 9th.

Join us for an enjoyable evening program starting at 6:30 PM. http://www.eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=Oakmont

Join Us in the Allentown Area March 4-5

We are delighted to be coming to the area of Allentown this coming week.

We'll be at the Parkland Library on Thursday, March 4th http://catalog.parklandlibrary.org/Parkland/default.asp

Friday, March 5th we'll be at the SWLFest
http://www.swlfest.com/

We'll have exhibits on hand and some great discussion about the role of short-wave radio during WWII.

Visit http://www.powletters.com/ for more information or email us at author@powletters.com

Iwo Jima Expert Sought by 2/18 for Media Inquiry

Iwo Jima Expert Sought

Submitted By: Fred W Hofmann
Title: Morning Producer
Media Outlet: KCPS Radio
Website: http://www.kcpsradio.com
Deadline: Thu, Feb 18, 2010 - 01:00 PM Central Standard Time

I became aware that Feb 19th is significant in history as the start of the land battle of Iwo Jima. I would like to interview (on live radio) an expert on the significance of that battle for 20-30 minutes. KCPS is a commercial talk radio station.
Click here to respond to this listing

Will You Help Make Soldiers & Sailors 100 Years Spectacular?

On behalf of Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, I am reaching out in every direction asking you to support what has been a cornerstone of history in Pittsburgh and the surrounding regions, as well as present your business at an event that will only happen once in a lifetime.

Soldiers & Sailors is marking a landmark birthday – 100 years!

We are planning the Cannon Ball Centennial Celebration, which will be held on October 9, 2010 at Soldiers & Sailors in Oakland. This event will commemorate the official opening achievements of Soldiers & Sailors and ring in the next 100 years. As a member of the Sponsorship Committee for the Cannon Ball Centennial Celebration, I am proud to do my part and ask for your help.

Aside from celebrating, the Cannon Ball is also an opportunity for the community to become involved in continuing to honor the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country. As a nonprofit entity, Soldiers & Sailors struggles to support the institution itself, let alone the veterans and their families who have relied on assistance over the past century.

As a sponsor, you will be the driving force behind this prestigious event. We will provide all of the resources necessary to ensure you make the most out of sponsoring, and you will have an opportunity to attend the black-tie event as a sponsor. There are numerous sponsorship opportunities available; therefore, your involvement and the amount of exposure received will be based on the sponsor level you choose. Several sponsorship levels also offer the opportunity to utilize Soldiers & Sailors’ beautiful ballroom or auditorium for any function (please email me for the sponsorship packet).

We must, together, continue our mission at Soldiers & Sailors for years and years to come. I appreciate your time in reviewing this information and hope you will join us for the big event!

Most sincerely,

Lisa Spahr

Author of World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion

Oakmont Library Rescheduled for March 9th

Hello dear friends.

Join us on March 9th at the Carnegie Library in Oakmont. Due to the weather we've decided to reschedule in the name of safety for all those who might have attempted to venture out. We're expecting another snowfall tomorrow night.

We'll see you in March. Thanks for your support.

Join me at the Oakmont Library February 9th at 6:30 PM

As seen in YourTwinBoros News released today....
http://www.yourtwinboros.com/event/world-war-ii-radio-heroes-letters-compassion-lisa-spahr

World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion by Lisa Spahr
Submitted by Oakmont Library on January 25, 2010 - 3:58pm.
Start: Feb 9 2010 - 6:30pm
End: Feb 9 2010 - 7:30pm

This a story about strangers helping each other during a time of war. The book features more than 30 letters and postcards sent to the author’s family in 1943, alerting them of her grandfather’s capture and status as a prisoner of war. Upon discovering these letters, Ms. Spahr began researching the people who did this, and why, and reached out to find them or their next of kin, more than 60 years after the fact. Her journey is detailed in WWII Radio Heroes.Everyone who learns about this effort - absolute strangers listening to enemy radio each night in hopes of delivering good news to an awaiting family - is moved. Few people know it occurred, but the author hopes that will change with this publication.

Please register for this program at our website, www.oakmontlibrary.org or by calling the library at 412-828-9532.

Heinz History Interview with Brian Butko on YouTube

I has the pleasure of being interviewed by Brian Butko at the Heinz History Center in December. Brian was also a community-voice on our audio book, along with his son.

I hope you'll take 10 minutes to watch the interview and continue to be excited about the story of our World War II Radio Heroes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_86pUots0MQ



Thanks Heinz and Brian!

A Veterans Hotline for When Help is Needed

I had the pleasure of meeting the Executive Director and the Director of Outreach for CONTACT Pittsburgh the other week. CONTACT Pittsburgh is a great resource for all people in crisis. I was delighted to learn they have a veterans hotline.

There is no shame in reaching out for help when you think you might need it. We all visit that place at some point in our lives.

CONTACT Pittsburgh's Veterans Hotline

412-820-HELP 24 hours / 7 days a week

The Veterans Hotline is incorporated into our 24 hour Crisis and Suicide Hotline to provide round-the-clock, immediate emotional support to returning soldiers and their families. Staffed by professionally trained volunteers, the Veterans Hotline was created in response to alarming increases in the rates of suicide among returning soldiers. The Veterans Hotline is supported by a grant from the American Psychiatric Foundation. This line is available to veterans and their families 365 days per year. All calls are free, confidential and anonymous.

http://www.contactpgh.org/veterans_hotline.php