Foothills Sentry - December 2022

Foothills Sentry Page 8 December 2022 Novice author hits the ground running Retired OUSD teacher and Or- ange resident John Ahern’s first novel “The Carnation Street Life Estate,” self-published and edited by friends and family “because,” he says, ”I could not afford to hire a professional editor,” won two literary awards over the sum- mer. The first award was in the suspense category of the 2022 Firebird Awards. The second, the 2022 American Fiction award, was announced in September. “The Carnation Street Life Es- tate” is centered around a house in Corona Del Mar that is left to the owner’s closest relative, a great-niece, but comes with a catch. The tenant who lives in the apartment above the home’s garage has been given a “life es- tate,” meaning he can stay there for the rest of his life. The tenant has a past, the niece’s husband gets recruited by an unsavory criminal with ties to indiscrimi- nate assassins. The characters, in way over their heads, must navigate a labyrinthian network of bad guys and not-so-innocent From left, Sandi Marple, Cliff and Lauri Flaugher and Craig Bryson line up to get their books signed. bystanders without knowing who they are, all the while juggling the complications of daily life. The book keeps the reader guessing until the very last. With two awards in hand for his first novel and first stab at authordom, Ahern was invited to present his book at a signing event at The Book Carnival on Tustin Street in October. Anovice at book signing events, Ahern relied on his past as an El Modena High School teacher. Flashbacks of his 37 years of writing lesson plans and speaking at numerous awards banquets helped him prep for that Saturday. He reminisced over the early 1980s when wave upon wave of El Modena students took part in his U.S. history and government classes. He also recalled the thousands of cross-country and track athletes listening to him and his co-head coach during team meetings before competition. He also revisited the Collaborative Technology Program (CTP) where project-based instruction served “at-risk students.” He saw the faces of his numerous teaching partners and how they developed a CTP family atmosphere. The recollections dusted off the writer’s dormant presentation skills. His self-introduction portion went well, as several attendees already knew him as either a teacher, neighbor, or fellow church member. Only one-third of the audience were unfamiliar with the author they came to meet that afternoon. Introducing the book was a little trickier, necessitating an ex- planation of life estates and how life estate bequeathments can unfairly victimize other heirs. Without dwelling too much on that plot feature, Ahern explained how forgiveness was a prevalent theme throughout the book. Every book event has an expec- tation that the author will read his or her work. The goal is to read passages that “tease,” without revealing too much. The pivotal segment that he read highlighted the anger of the niece’s husband when the life estate was an- nounced by the executor. The reading touched upon the anger that becomes the suspense and terror catalyst at the heart of the novel. The event ended with questions from the audience: it took about one year to write the book and another three years to edit it; his arrangement with Amazon might not have served him that well; he received excellent advice and support from his wife; and yes, there could be a sequel in the works. Broussards reach diamond anniversary Jean and John Broussard of Vil- la Park celebrated their 60th anni- versary with family and friends in August. They have three children and five grandchildren, and have made Villa Park their home since 1974. John had a CPA practice in Orange for 23 years, then worked for Prudential for 22 years. He Jean and John Broussard with their former selves. is a charter member and a past president of Villa Park Rotary. Jean is a Cal State Fullerton graduate and worked with John in his business. She is past president of Crescendo Chapter of Segerstrom Center for the Arts. They have been able to travel the world and visit all five conti- nents. Renee Carlos was inducted into the Soroptimist International Santa Ana Tustin on October 20 at the home of Tammis Berkheimer. Presi- dent Eligia Nicolai presented her with a name badge and Vice Presi- dent Chris Gregg provided the official Soroptimist pin. From left, President Nicolai; Renee Carlos; Gregg; Secretary Martha Sosa-Johnson; and Treasurer Sharon King. John Ahern