The Friends of the Woodland Public Library invite you to a rollicking question and answer session with Woodland native Johnny Newsom, author of Once a Hillbilly, and his editor Steve Venables. The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 10 at 1:30 PM in the Woodland Public Library Leake Room and will include refreshments.
Once a Hillbilly’s 300 pages are filled with 99 different stories covering Johnny’s life from childhood into old age. He was born in the hills and hollers of Tennessee during the Great Depression to a very poor family with an abusive and drunken father. He served in the Marines during the Korean War and then became a professional prize fighter.
After marrying, Johnny moved to Woodland and founded his own company. Mr. Newsom has been very ill, but recently recovered from a coma, with no ability to speak or walk, and is thrilled for an opportunity to share his experiences with the community.
Once a Hillbilly is a fascinating book filled with humor, memories of an adventurous childhood, the adversity of living in a fox hole for a year, and finally adulthood success built on a loving family and hard work. We hope you join us for this unique and interesting discussion.