CEDAR LINE LEGACY; Recollections and Reflections
A new book by Betty Green Rademacher is a chronological collection of twenty-eight brief vignettes that share her recollections of the first ten years (l935 to 1945) of her childhood in Grassy Township in rural Southern Illinois. Her stories include vivid descriptions of farm life and a way of life that no longer exists. She also writes about the impact of World War II on this rural community.
In the second half of her book, she reflects on her past and how she became who she is as a mother, wife, counselor, and university administrator. She believes that the values, hopes, dreams, and experiences that are important to us as children hold clues to those things that shape our lives as adults. Several of her original poems are included to compliment the stories.
Rademacher’s inspiration for writing this book comes from her father, Lee Booth’s, story about the origin of the cedar trees that became the symbol of his family’s living legacy. In her descriptions of the transitions and modernizations that occurred in Grassy Township following World War II, she notes that these did not change the “sight of brilliant autumn leaves, spectacular night skies, unusual rock outcroppings, or the sounds of wild geese honking across the horizon as they feed and migrate.” She challenges each of us to share our unique life’s stories as part of our living legacy.
“Betty’s thoughts as a teenager growing up in Marion, listening to her parents (Lee & Elva ‘Davis’ Booth’s) recollections of WWII stories and the many Schools of rural Williamson County are real treasurers for all of us to enjoy. Her first publication, Williamson County Schools from a Personal and Professional Perspective, (published in 1989) is a treasure for all aficionados of Southern Illinois History,” says Sam Lattuca, President of the Williamson County Historical Society.
Ms. Rademacher grew up in Grassy Township and in Marion, Illinois. She is a graduate of Marion High School and Southern Illinois University. She retired from Illinois State University and now spends several weeks each year with family at her Cedar Line Farm in Southern Township. She has maintained contact with several of her childhood friends and classmates.
Cedar Line Legacy is published by the Williamson County Historical Society. Copies are available at the Historical Museum. A book signing sponsored by the Williamson County Historical Society, 105 South Van Buren Street, Marion, Illinois will be held on Saturday, November 12 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, with a special reading by the author between 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm.