THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 12, 1996 TAG: 9601100164
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
A Portsmouth police lieutenant has launched a book sale project to raise funds for Stephanie Mutter, a 10-year-old Portsmouth girl who underwent heart transplant surgery in November.
Lt. Ken Teller said the funds will help offset the thousands of dollars in medical expenses not covered by insurance. Stephanie's father, Billy Mutter, is a police auxiliary detective.
``We have worked together on a number of cases,'' Teller said. ``We have faced danger together, but I was being paid to do it; he was doing it for free.''
Mutter was named Auxiliary Police Officer of the Year in 1989.
``He always pulled his load without hesitation or complaint,'' he said. ``Call this a chance for a little payback.''
While the project gives Teller the chance to help a friend, it also gives him the opportunity to push one of his favorite books, ``The Secret Guide to Computers,'' written by Russ Walter.
``As good as it is, the book is not widely known in this area,'' said Teller. ``I believe this is because Russ self-publishes and most of the advertising is by word of mouth.''
The books sell for $15 and, best of all, includes the phone number of author Russ Walter who Teller said is always happy to take questions from the public.
``I have called him with questions ranging from software recommendations to reformatting a hard drive. . . ,'' he said. ``He has always helped.''
Teller said the book will be sold at its cover price with all proceeds going to the Mutter family.
Pfeiffer's Book Store in the Prison Square Shops at 434 High St. has donated display space for copies of the book, he said.
So far, about $500 has been raised through the sales, Teller said.
Teller said he will deliver the book to Portsmouth buyers who cannot get to the bookstore.
The books also may be obtained from Chesapeake Police Detective Ronnie Young at 547-6251 or Alan Gollihue at 398-4661. by CNB