ALDERSON W.Va (WVDN) – Alderson Main Street has announced the arrival of its latest “History Highlights and Tantalizing Tidbits” book of Alderson history. Meticulously researched and written by Belinda Anderson and featuring never-before-published original material documenting the presence of a lion cub in Alderson, this book will delight young and old.
Anderson worked with staff at the Smithsonian Institution Archives to obtain copies of original correspondence about French and a document confirming his birth date as Oct. 3, 1890, in Alderson.
Volume XI is a combination of documented facts about French (that really was his name) and a re-telling of some of the lore that has grown up around his legend. Anderson includes a simple story suitable for reading to children, which she had written earlier for a history play station in Alderson.
Aptly called “French, the Friendly Lion,” the book also features art by some of the young people who created mural-sized lion paintings under the guidance of Cheryl Mansley during the inaugural Lion Days event in March 2024.
The book is available at the Alderson Artisans Gallery for $10 per copy. Given the unique nature of this book, there are two packages available for an additional cost. One includes two candy lion’s paws from Kevbot Chocolates and the second includes a small pillow with an appliqued lion and a pocket on the back in which the book can be inserted created by Deb Sorenson. All of these choices would make wonderful Christmas gifts for the little ones or adults who love all things Alderson.
Alderson Main Street President Don Sutherland said, “Once again, Belinda has outdone herself. We are so excited about this book. It works so well with the new event we started in March of 2024—Lion Days—and plan to continue in years to come.”
