Coming of Age — Renee Riva

Four stories of young life and adventure to be enjoyed by the young and the young at heart. FARLEY'S FIVE AND DIME A charming waltz down memory lane. It was just me and Daddy and Sammy that made up our family after Mama went to heaven in 1956. I was only nine years old when she left us. I remember thinking she must have been needed pretty bad up there, 'cause I sure needed her down here, but heaven got her anyway. The three of us ran the dimestore winter, spring, summer, and fall, without any outside help. We lived right above the store with a slide that landed us in the backroom, so we could look forward to going to work everyday. Summers were my favorite time of all and got a little crazy at times-but a good kind of crazy-'cause when it got real busy, I got to work the soda fountain counter. The best part about that was getting to know everybody's business, and believe me, there was a lot of business to know in Hog Eye Holler. SUMMER OF THE CAROUSEL A charming time in a charming town Me and Nellie watch to see who won Miss Hog Eye Holler this year. You don't find out who won 'til she comes floating down Lavender Lane on her royal float, waving and chucking candy at everyone. How long ago was it that you won Miss Hog Eye Holler, Nellie? I ask her. Nellie shakes her head and laughs. Too many moons ago to count! she answers. Nellie is still pretty as can be so it couldn't have been that long ago. Just as we are talking about it, who should come around the bend but Miss Sandra Jane Jacobs in her long lavender sequin gown and purple high heels on top of her pink and purple floral float. Sandra Jane is the older sister of Emma Jean, who is the girlfriend of Billy Ray Baxter, who is the hunk of Hog Eye Holler. So I'm just a tinge bit jealous that Emma Jean gets to ride up there on that float with her beauty queen sister. I sure would like to ride on that float myself someday, I told Nellie, but only if I can wear my over-alls instead of that skimpy long dress and high heels. I would trip for sure in those tall shoes right off the side of that float, trying to wave and throw candy at same time. I'd bust my front teeth right out, and then I'd look just awful for the newspaper photo. This is what I say so when the time comes for me to lose the Miss Hog Eye Holler contest, I won't feel quite so bad. Nellie smiles. Oh, you still got a few years yet to practice. A summer like this comes along once a a life time. LIZA OF GREEN GABLES When Liza Braun tries out for the Rainier Theater Production of Anne of Green Gables, she has no idea that the assistant director is going to do everything she can to make sure her daughter, Charlotte, is the star of the show. But when Liza wins the lead role, the play is suddenly revised so the character of Diana Berry upstages Anne Shirley in every scene- TOAD-ALLY SMITTEN It's 10 years later. Dillon has finished his tour of duty with the Coast Guard and owns a marina. Liza has finished college and is on her way to Paris. The two friends have one last performance together in The Frog Prince before parting forever. Then Liza's red carpet is pulled out from under her. Keeping in step with her favorite Jane Austin heroine, Emma, Liza decides to play summer matchmaker ... Her plan backfires when her rival Shayla decides she likes Dillon instead of the guy Liza intended for her. Desperate, Liza comes up with a zinger to keep Shayla away from Dillon. Is a happily-ever-after possible when summer is so full of blunders?