Coming Soon

June Bug's Grocery and the Cornfield Jook: A South Albany Oral History 

The vibrant South Georgia scene was pure Americana—a picturesque, old-fashioned grocery store next to a thriving jook joint in the heart of a South Albany African-American community. Originally more secluded, this nucleus of the neighborhood became a familiar sight to all Albany residents with the opening in the 1980s of a roadway that passed by the scene and across a new bridge over the nearby Flint River. The waters of the Flint proved to be much too near in 1994, when a catastrophic flood damaged beyond repair the grocery, jook, and hundreds of homes along the river.

Deeply touched by that enormous community loss, Mary Sterner Lawson used her own 1987 photographs to paint a watercolor of the once-flourishing South Albany scene. She never imagined how overwhelming the public response would be when the painting was exhibited in the main lobby of a busy local hospital in 1996. A veritable flood of reminiscences came her way—tales of childhood memories, community gatherings, friendships, brotherhood, families, prostitution, moonshine, and murder. Inspired by the community members who encouraged and aided her efforts, Lawson began recording the rich recollections. June Bug’s Grocery and the Cornfield Jook registers these voices of the community, the voices behind the painting.

Mary Sterner Lawson has taught humanities, literature, and composition at Albany State University since 1973. A natural extension of her longtime involvement with people, art, oral history, and community development, this volume will find a treasured place on Albany bookshelves and will be embraced by young and old, black and white, for generations to come.

Ghost stories from St. Charles have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery! 

Welcome to spooky St. Charles, Missouri!

Stay alert! Ghosts lurk around every corner. Even the most unexpected places might be haunted by wandering phantoms.

Did you know that on moonlit nights, ghostly pioneers stroll St. Charles's historic Main Street? Or that at Grandma's Cookies, you might just meet a spirit with a sweet tooth? Can you believe that whispers from the past still echo at the Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum?

Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see St. Charles forever, and have you sleeping with the lights on!

Ghost stories from Orlando have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery! 

Welcome to spooky Orlando, Florida! 

Stay alert! Ghosts lurk around every corner. Even the most unexpected places might be haunted by wandering phantoms.

Did you know that restless spirits who went down with the ship may haunt Orlando's Titanic exhibit? Or that in Kissimmee, a headless horseman rides in search of his missing head? Can you believe that "the most magical place on earth" . . . might actually be crawling with ghosts?

Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see Orlando forever, and have you sleeping with the lights on!

Ghost stories from New Hampshire's White Mountains have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery! 

Welcome to the spooky White Mountains of New Hampshire!

Stay alert! Ghosts lurk around every corner. Even the most unexpected places might be haunted by wandering phantoms.

Did you know that playful ghosts haunt the Moat Mountain House in Conway? Or that the historic Blair Bridge in Campton is said to be cursed? Can you believe that on snowy nights in Woodstock and Lincoln, you may still hear the ghostly echoes of a plane lost long ago?

Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see New Hampshire's White Mountains forever, and have you sleeping with the lights on!