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Brief Synopsis: The year is 1843 when six-year-old Monette, the pampered and beloved daughter of a French Creole sugar planter, is taken to New Orleans and sold into slavery. Sold along with her is Cyrus, a boy big for his age, torn from his mother without a chance to say goodbye.

Together they go to Fox Creek Plantation in “English” Louisiana, home to the Jensey family. While Cyrus is sent to the fields, Monette becomes the childhood playmate of Kate, the planter’s daughter, and catches the eye of Breck, the planter’s son. It’s easier and safer for Monette to pretend life is normal. That she belongs. To forget her past, even to forget Cyrus, whom she’d loved. But as the years pass, it becomes clear that children of color do not belong in the world of the white elite—at least, not as equals. So even as the planter’s children leave their childhood behind, the brutality and powerlessness of slavery begin to take their toll upon Monette. Who is she now? Who will protect her? And who is that big boy from the fields who keeps pestering her?

Author Bio: M. E. Torrey is the author of twelve books for children under the name, Michele Torrey. She is a two-time Thurber House Residency in Children's Literature nominee, plus a two-time winner of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association's (PNWA) literary awards in the mainstream novel and young adult categories. Among other honors, her books have received starred reviews from “Publisher’s Weekly” and “Kirkus,” been chosen by the Junior Library Guild and been nominated for numerous state medals.

“Fox Creek” won the Pacific Northwest Writers Association's (PNWA) award in the mainstream novel category. It was also a finalist for the International Page Turner Awards. It is her first novel for adults.

Torrey holds a degree in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Washington (’88), and a Master of Arts in Religion from Graceland University (’06). She resides in Fox Island, Washington, and has lived and traveled extensively throughout the world. In addition to her writing and traveling, she is a co-founder of Orphans Africa, a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity (www.orphansafrica.org). Orphans Africa works in Tanzania, building boarding schools for children orphaned by disease and poverty. Her organization now educates over 650 children, ages 3-19.

For more information, visit www.metorrey.com

*This is a free community event but your RSVP will help us with planning refreshments.

RSVP: https://buytickets.at/eventsonechobay/1807911

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Join us for a night of showbiz favorites with Jubilee Brass

The Jubilee Brass presents their show “That’s Showbiz”! Songs from stage, screen and TV. A retrospective of famous songs from the entertainment and show business repertoire. Featuring a wide variety of styles and eras including theme songs from Silverado, Pink Panther and more. Add in music from the opera Carmen and favorites like The Entertainer from The Sting and many more! This performance will bring a smile to your face.

The Jubilee Brass members have performed with many of the top groups in the South Sound including: The Tacoma Concert Band, the Olympia Jazz Senators and the Olympia Symphony. The group performs throughout the region and performed the Fox Island Chapel Christmas show two years ago, receiving a standing ovation from the appreciative audience.

Tickets at https://buytickets.at/eventsonechobay/1808252