Miss Liberty on Parade

Here are a few more pictures from the Assumption Fest from July 2014. So many people took a liking to Miss Liberty's book "The Big Squeal". It made her squeal with delight!

Our gal did not march in the Assumption Fest parade, but her post cards, book and mugs rode in a truck bed with "as told to author" Carol Alexander and Kevin Corley, "Sixteen Tons" author.  

Above are the first purchasers "The Big Squeal," were Sam and Lois Lechner. They are pictured with their dog, "Precious Heart."  



Pictured above is Laurie Mense, center, candidate for Christian County Clerk, and a throng of friends marched in the Assumption parade and rallied for Miss Liberty afterward. Pictured at far right is current clerk Linda Curtin.




Above, Pig farmers Bob and Joyce Adcock attended Miss Liberty's book signing and program at the Historical Society Building in Assumption.




"As told to author" Carol Alexander (center) inscribed a book for the triplet grandchildren of Bob and Carolyn Corzine of Assumption.





Bob LaCharitie of Champaign came home to Assumption for the festival.




As-told-to-author Carol Alexander shares Miss Liberty's story with Noah Nelson of Taylorville. Noah's aunt, Angela Ohl-Marsters, was president of Assumption Fest.



Thank you for checking in on Miss Liberty's blog!
More exciting highlight from Summer 2014 coming soon!

Miss Liberty entertains a Senator

Miss Liberty apologizes for being behind on her blogging. She has had a very busy summer and would like to share some memories of the highlights of the last few months:

Miss Liberty, best-selling author of 'The Big Squeal' on Amazon.com, entertained an Illinois State Senator on the Fourth of July!

Illinois State Senator Andy Manar of Bunker Hill strolled over to Liberty's yard after marching in Taylorville's patriotic parade.

Sen. Manar, his three children and a niece, were welcomed by Krista Alexander Bowers, the 1983 Christian County Fair Queen, who was visiting from California.

Formerly a starving orphan piglet, Miss Liberty found a home with Krista's parents, Hal and Carol Alexander.

Miss Liberty served her signature dish -- Pigs in the Blanket (beef of course).

Carol Alexander, Liberty's "as told to author," is pictured on the terrace with Sen. Andy Manar, his children and a niece.

Krista Alexander Bowers, a former Miss Christian County Fair, welcomed the Senator to Miss Liberty's "pignic."




At the 2014 Assumption Fest, Illinois State Sen. Andy Manar, right, said he keeps a copy of "The Big Squeal' on his office desk. The inspiring story of a homeless pig and Abraham Lincoln celebrates America's heartland. At left are Andy's friends Nolan Drea and his father Mike.



A little pig-headed, Miss Liberty declined to perform her favorite trick until after the Senator and his guests departed! Even apples placed atop the igloo as an incentive, did not persuade Miss Liberty.

The Big Squeal featured at Assumptionfest

Abe ‘booked’ for Assumption Festival

Abraham Lincoln’s sense of fun will add to the merriment at the Assumption Festival, scheduled for June 26, 27 and 28,

In the 1840s, noisy pigs wallowing under the Christian County courthouse floor were so loud that an amused Lincoln asked the judge for a “writ of quietus” for them.

That witty request has caused ripples of smiles ever since. The episode anchors the newly released second edition of “The Big Squeal,” a true story of the county’s “pigstory” written in the voice of a real life pig named “Liberty.

“As told to author” Carol Alexander of Taylorville will join “Sixteen Tons” writer Kevin Corley of Springfield at a special literary affair set for 2 p.m. Saturday, June 27 during Assumption’s annual festival. They will welcome visitors in front of the Assumption Historical Building.

Mingling with book lovers, the authors will display, inscribe and sell their books rooted in area history.

In honor of the county’s 175^th birthday this year, each copy of “The Big Squeal” is adorned by a gold medallion inscribed, “Collector’s Edition … 1839-2014.” The edition comes in soft and hard covers. 

Set in the often over-looked heartland of America, “The Big Squeal” is the memoir of a formerly starving, orphan piglet that discovered the Abe vs. courthouse pigs story while trotting along part of the old Eighth Judicial Circuit, known as Lincoln’s muddy road to the presidency.

Mini-stories introduce readers of all ages to Mr. Lincoln and his vital role in American history and to the circuit itself. Acclaimed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin of “Lincoln” the movie fame praised the book as “A rare glimpse into Abraham Lincoln’s lighter side…”

Colorful original illustrations portray real people of all ages and diversity, pioneering and current courthouses and other landmarks. Among the featured caricatures is Christian County Board Chairman Paul Schmitz of Pana.

A folk art map created by Taylorville High School students Camille Beyers and Mathen Campbell opens the book. It also adorns coffee/chocolate/juice mugs and postcards, which commemorate the county’s 175^th anniversary.

Both “The Big Squeal” and “Sixteen Tons” are available on amazon.com. A saga of coal mining history and union wars, “Sixteen Tons” may be purchased at Dana’s Book Exchange on the Taylorville Square. “The Big Squeal” is sold at Cottage Rose Gift Shoppe and PS Printing on the square. 

The book is also available at OTP's website at www.ShopOTPbooks.com

 

JOIN MISS LIBERTY'S LEGION!

You're invited to join Liberty's Legion!

Liberty, the only live pig on Amazon.com's roster of authors, invites fans to join the newly-launched "Liberty's Legion."

In late November, 2013, the formerly homeless pot-bellied pig became a published author when "The Big Squeal" was released by Oak Tree Press.

Already Liberty's TRUE inspiring story of hope in America's struggling heartland is being read in all 50 states, England, Kuwait, Canada, Mexico and other locales.

Dedicated to "saving" the often overlooked heartland, Liberty is taking her crusade nationally and globally, inviting everyone to join "Liberty's Legion."

To join, contact Oak Tree Press (otpoffice@aol.com). Membership is free, with recruits receiving a lapel pin and personal message from Liberty. Liberty hopes her new friends will wear the lapel pin on their vacations and become ambassadors for America's vanishing heartland and its warm-hearted people.

Residents of tiny Taylorville, IL took orphan Liberty under their wing when she trotted all over the hamlet as a starving piglet. Endowed with spunk, true grit and intelligence, Liberty overcame many obstacles, found a haven in the biggest yard in town and reigns as the town Ambassador.

Liberty invites one and all to Taylorville, site of the world's only statue of Abraham Lincoln and a pig. Porkers are a "pig deal" here because in the 1840s pigs living under the courthouse were so loud, Abe requested a "writ of quietus" for them.

Magical powers ignite when the bronze nose of the statue's pig is rubbed for good luck. Liberty's own snout-to-snout encounter is credited with a reversal of fortune culminating in her memoir on Amazon.com.

Liberty is also available for interviews!! Please contact otpoffice@aol.com.

The newest members of "Liberty's Legion" enjoyed a "play date" recently with the literary Liberty, author of "The Big Squeal," a true story of hope in America's heartland.

Pictured pointing to "Liberty's Legion" lapel pins are, from left, retired Taylorville, IL., reading teacher Gail Doyle and grandchildren Lakin, Tiana and Kiah Derrick of Union City, Tenn.

Liberty thanked her visitors by demonstrating her favorite trick -- rising on her hind legs and pushing her "pigloo" around the yard!

The End!