Welcome to the Reneer Family web site!
Reneer Family News
Bradley is enjoying serving on the Alpine City Council.
Ada Elaine, Farm Girl
July 2009
Marne’ Garlick Reneer, with the computer expertise help of her husband, has published two books originally written by her mom Elaine Hicken Garlick. The books are Ada Elaine, Farm Girl and Ada Elaine, The War Effort. Look for more information about these books at Reneer Books.
Here is a copy of the afterword explaining how these books came to be:
In February 2000 my mother, Elaine Hicken Garlick, brought me a large envelope containing stories about her childhood. On the envelope she had written four requests:
1. Please read
2. Mark corrections
3. Add comments
4. Critique seriously
As she requested, I read her stories. I marked some grammatical corrections. I added comments. I spent some time seriously consulting with her. My mom loved to write. It wasn’t the first time she had written some stories.
During the winter of 1999-2000 my mom didn’t feel well. She didn’t complain. She just continued to do what she usually did. She woke up early and typed ideas and stories into her old Macintosh. Usually my mom finished up her projects by photocopying them and having them bound by a friend who owned a laminating store. This was the first time that my mom had asked for help with a writing project. I sensed that she wanted more for these stories. I hoped I could help her turn them into a publishable book.
Then, as a family we were caught off guard by the diagnosis in May 2000 that my mom had cancer. By the first of July, after two chemotherapy treatments, she was gone.
My mom left a great legacy, priceless memories, and her unfinished stories. After my mom died, finishing her book became a joint effort between my mom and me. She recorded these memories, I took them, arranged them into a chronological order, and tried to make them more readable for children. I realized that my mom’s lengthy collection of stories would fit well into three time periods. From her original stories I will write three smaller books. They are tied together under the series name: Paradise of the Rockies.
It has taken me nearly seven years to complete the first book in the series. Throughout those years I have treasured the moments when I felt close to mom. My intent has always been to be true to my mom’s voice and original purpose. She was a story teller who loved a good audience. I hope these books bring joy to all who read them.
Marne’ Reneer