“Eleanor Corey drew me into the multi-generational memoir of her rural American family. She has embraced candor in telling the story of her clan within the context of community and history in a way that is vulnerable and transparent. Sticks Stones & Songs will inspire you to recover your own ancestral secrets.”
—Heidi Mitchell, Literary Agent, D. C. Jacobson & Associates, LLC.
“Sticks, Stones & Songs offers a rare glimpse of a bygone era and the people who made the woods of the wild Pacific Northwest their home. This is no sugar-coated account but life as it was with all its raw edges and loose ends.”
—Laura Frantz, Author of Best Seller Love’s Reckoning
“Sticks, Stones & Songs is a powerful recounting of faith in real life that crescendos through the years. I loved getting to know the Corey family through this story and was encouraged in my walk with God!”
—Margaret Phillips, MLP Reporting, Inc.
"I don't usually finish books I start, but this one I read to the very end. I had to know what happened to these people.They have become my family.”
—Dr. Don Hayes, Dentist (Dr. Hayes passed away soon after sharing these comments)
“My wife and I finished reading Sticks, Stones & Songs; for the past month I would read a chapter out loud before turning off the lights and going to sleep. We laughed, we felt the pain, the suffering, the joy, the spiritual blessings, and loved EVERY minute. Sticks, Stones & Songs was so powerful, it drew us into the "Corey family"… I was so choked up I couldn't read about the passing of the mother and father, my wife read those pages!! No book, other than the Bible, has had this effect on me in a very long time."
—David Robinson
“Eleanor Corey gave a superb presentation of her book Sticks, Stones and Songs at “History Tales.” The reading was captivating, entertaining and thought-provoking. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and have read it three times.”
—Kathy Rankin, Clallam County Historical Society (CCHS)
“Eleanor Corey wrote about her parents and their resilient family of ten children. She painted in words the experiences of growing up poor—materially–but being rich in expectation, ingenuity, and wonder. I could hardly put the book down.The mother Margaret was a creative, determined, amazing woman who, with hard work, made the best of things. Arthur, the father, believed God would provide if they had faith and worked hard. He travelled often, preaching to any and all. Neighbors, friends, family and strangers made it all work out for the family.I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys family and history of a time and place. It is a warm and loving adventure into the recent past of the Joyce area (on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State) and the families that made up the community.”
—Dona Cloud, Research Librarian for Clallam County Historical Society
“If you are looking for local history, the book Sticks, Stones and Songs will be perfect for you. It was so interesting, I stayed up until 2 am to finish it.”
—Alice Alexander, History column writer for Peninsula News, and author of local history books
“What a lot of research went into this great book, a truly well-written piece of work.”
—Caroline Wiebe (British Colombia)
“Reading the book we both laughed and cried. We were uplifted to read of this family’s life."
—James Thomas, writing on behalf of his bed-ridden wife, to whom he read the entire story.
“I loved the descriptive words and phrases that made me feel the full scope of emotions. The book really reveals what is important in life…the cherished memories with family and friends, and the grace to endure hardships and expand a family to include others who need love. I am glad that some of the hard, real life stuff was included.”
—Nancy Nelson, Development Director, Warm Beach Camps and Conference Center
“I bought and downloaded a digital copy of Sticks, Stones & Songs after a friend ‘googled’ Alan Troupe and found my name in the book. The story brought back many memories—riding ferries, driving cars around the place, sleeping wherever you could find a spot to lie down, making ice cream, trekking to the outhouse, searching Agate Beach for treasures……..(and) I’m not ignoring you.”
—Al Troupe
“Must confess the final chapter describing the passing of the parents brought tears to my eyes – I felt like I was saying my final goodbye to these godly people too. Eleanor Corey has captured her history – but more than that she has created the story in such a way that it was a pleasure to read even if it’s not about one’s own family.”
—Stephanie Hooper, Owner of Bayside Specialties, Inc.
“I remember when one of the boys complained he never got to eat a whole hot dog, I bought and counted out wieners for the family so every child could have his or her own ‘whole’ wiener.”
—Virginia Pennoyer
Eleanor Corey compiled vignettes, chronicled them historically, and made the family all persons to me. I ran the gamut of emotions; stirred up my own identifiable parental resentments that long needed to be recognized, forgiven, and released; praised our God Who takes each obedient child of His to the Wider Place; wiped tears as Dad Corey became a loving and compassionate family man; cheered for our project-focused friend who has achieved a treasure for her family and a blessing for the rest of us!
—Ruth Berg, pastor’s wife, Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, BC.
"The history of the area came alive…I'm from Kentucky and its history is so different."
—Laura Frantz, Best-selling Author
"I liked the remembrances of the train tracks and trestles."
—Randy Frantz
"Not only is it a good story but the author captured the atmosphere, personalities and adventures in a very delightful way. I find I look forward to settling down each evening to find out what impossible idea “Daddy” will come up with next or adventures the boys will find. Eleanor made her siblings very alive, and the warmth and chaos of their home feels very personal. It’s good to be reminded that life has not always been so “ordered” and regulated and safe. There was a time when we did what needed to be done the best way we knew how without the endless UTube mini classes on every possible topic. This book is a delight and is spurring me on to continue to write my family story. A happy reader."
—Renée Netterfield
Overheard:
“I couldn’t put the book down—so well written; and she’s a darn good speaker too.”
“I never would have guessed that Elizabeth was such a ‘twerp.’“