It may only be autumn, but J. William Zoldak is already thinking about the holiday season with his first book, “Grandpa’s Christmas Tree Story.”
“At some point, 10 to 15 years ago, I decided I wanted to leave some information about myself, to my grandchildren, about my experiences in Cornwall,” Zoldak said. “I started writing letters to them, telling them stories.”
When he started, Zoldak didn’t have any grandchildren, but now he has four, the oldest being 12-years-old. He’s since written about 20 to 25 letters.
“A few years ago I decided I would take some of the letters and have them illustrated and see if anyone had any interest in them.”
Although written for children, Zoldak said the book might have some interest for people of the older generation who remember Cornwall and how it was in the 1950s.
When Zoldak was born, he and his family moved several times in town before settling on Angola Road next to Jones Farm. He was eight-years-old at the time and would spend the next seven years living in a home surrounded by meadows and woods. Many of his stories re-tell the experiences he had exploring nature.
“Grandpa’s Christmas Tree Story” tells the tale of the time Zoldak carried a seven to eight-foot Christmas tree to school. Without transportation, he attempted to drag it to the Willow Street School, but eventually received some help from a bus driver.
Zoldak said writing the book was fairly easy, but locating the right illustrator proved to be a bit more challenging. A church friend recommended a publishing company which helps authors self-publish their work. The company also assists in designing a cover and distributing copies of the book.
About 500 copies have been printed and can be purchased from Barnes and Noble or Amazon. They were shipped around the world to the United Kingdom, Australia, and even Madrid. Locally, however, Zoldak’s book can be found at Jones Farm, the Shops at 277 Main, and Hazard’s Pharmacy.
Zoldak has been promoting the book locally and is considering a few book signings. He said he’ll push sales of the book through the end of the year, but has already started work on his second offering.
When he was growing up, Zoldak’s grandparents owned a tailor shop on Main Street, adjacent to where the Stone Agency is located today.
“I roamed Main Street all the time. One story is a walk down Main Street in 1950 and experience with businesses at that time.”
Zoldak is currently working with his illustrator and hopes to release the book sometime after the New Year.
