THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 10, 1996 TAG: 9603080269
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
Derek Nelson of Norfolk, author of ``Moonshiners, Bootleggers and Rumrunners,'' will be the speaker for the annual Author's Luncheon on March 23.
Sponsored by the Gamma Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, the benefit program will begin at noon at the Holiday Inn Portsmouth Waterfront.
Nelson has specialized in writing about Americana, sharing facts and foibles with his readers. His seven books have included some about advertising and posters from World War II.
At the luncheon, his topic will be ``A Glimpse of Nostalgia - Americana Style.''
A freelance magazine writer, Nelson's topics range from the Dismal Swamp to a Shenandoah overlook and trout fishing in the mountains. He also has written many golf articles and pieces about graphics and design. And, he has written about fireplace pokers as murder weapons and about the inventor of ice cream cones.
Nelson says he has published about 150 articles in local, regional and national publications over the past 15 years.
Bill Ruehlmann, a books columnist for The Virginian-Pilot, has described Nelson's work as ``an array of offbeat books with wit and wonder on subjects from golf to military history.''
His book about leather flight jackets, ``Hell-Bent for Leather,'' won an Award of Excellence from the Aviation Space Writers Association. He has been praised for his wry wit and for his skills in weaving together facts and humor.
Delta Kappa Gamma is an organization for educators. The annual luncheon funds the Katharine B. Woodward Scholarships for Portsmouth Public School students. Scholarships totaling $22,500 have been awarded since 1984. MEMO: Tickets for the luncheon cost $14.50 and must be bought in advance. For
ticket information, call Olivia Hinton at 488-103 or Donna Saffold at
484-4490. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Derek Nelson specializes in writing about Americana.
by CNB