“…let it be our pride that we ourselves may put meaning into our lives, and sometimes a significance that transcends death. If a man is fortunate he will, before he dies, gather up as much as he can of the civilized heritage and transmit it to his children”
-Will & Ariel Durant
Digital gathering and publishing of History and Heritage…
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-Just Released-
Truckbusters From Dogpatch
The Combat Diary of the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing in the Korean War, 1950-1953, e-Publication digital download
by Tracy D. Connors, Ph.D., CAPT USN (Ret)
“The story of this awesome and unique a Wing is long overdue. It is a saga that clearly illustrates the gathering and performance of the best, brightest and bravest group of combat fighter pilots and their exceptional support personnel that I have ever known. I honestly believe that no other Fighter Wing during the Korean War came even close to performing such diverse, challenging and tough missions, as did the Truckbusters.”
Lt. Gen. Devol “Rock” Brett, USAF (Ret.)
“Truckbusters from Dogpatch is a book that I thought would never be written and that, in fact, could not be written. As a pilot with the 18th Fighter-Bomber Group in the early days of the Korean War, I could see how difficult such an undertaking would be—how do you pull together all the personal stories, not only of the pilots, but also of the maintenance, armament, supply personnel—the guys that really kept the Wing in business—while never forgetting to integrate these with other events of the war as well of the world? It couldn’t and wouldn’t have been done without the incredible effort and talent of Capt. Tracy Connors, who initially set out to investigate and tell the story of his uncle, 1st Lt. Archie Connors, then a young fighter pilot with the 18th who heroically lost his life in combat. Tracy interviewed hundreds of Airmen and got their stories, which became a major part of the book.
It is a fascinating read for those of us who were there, but will be even more so for readers not personally familiar with the fighter pilot’s life at “Dogpatch,” and his flying combat in the great F-51 Mustang.
It’s all there—a part of our nation’s history and the acid test passed with flying colors for the newly created United States Air Force. A truly marvelous book by a great author!
Col. Edward J. Mason, USAF (Ret.)
Truckbuster Centurian 1950-1951
“Truckbusters From Dogpatch: The Combat History of the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing in the Korean War” is compelling reading for the Veteran who has been there and done that, as well as the casual reader wishing to get a feel or to understand what air combat is really like. It is a salute to those who fly and also a salute to the mechanics, technicians and other support personnel who—24/7—made it possible for them to get into the air. Truckbuster’s detail also makes it a must for military history researchers.”
Col. Charles E. McGee, USAF (Ret)
Truckbuster Centurian and Tuskegee Airman
The most comprehensive combat diary of any Korean War Air Force unit is now being published as an updated, expanded and Hyperlinked E-Pub.
Truckbusters From Dogpatch: The Combat Diary of the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing in the Korean War, 1950-1953, is the incredible story of the men—pilots, ground crew and supporting elements—whose achievements and records during that bloody conflict not only made U.S. Air Force history, but helped the newly fledged military service gain the confidence and respect it now enjoys.
Truckbusters From Dogpatch was written to honor the achievements and dedication of the men who served in and with the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing in Korea. It is their story, told as much as possible in their own words and photographs, taken from the monthly unit history reports, personal recollections, memoirs, scrap books and faded snap shots. Truckbusters attempts to convey for the reader a month-by-month sense of what was happening in the war overall, but especially at the Wing level, squadron level and in the tents and cockpits of the men who were trying to do their jobs, remain loyal to their fellow airmen, and to survive long enough to go home.
The 2023 E-Publication edition of The Combat Diary of the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing in the Korean War, 1950-1953 is updated with additional photographs, most in color. It also includes hyperlinks to external web sites that provide additional information or resources to readers.
A 62th Anniversary Tribute to the Wing that flew more combat missions during the Korean War than any other.
The Combat Diary of the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing in the Korean War, 1950-1953. “What a tremendous, true combat history of a fighting outfit. I have never read the equal of this book…When looking for a thorough, education history of the air war in Korea, readers cannot do any better.”
1950 & 1951 Now Available As Downloads…and 1952 & 1953 will soon be available…
We are delighted to report that the long-awaited e-Publication edition of Truckbusters from Dogpatch is now available, 1950-1951. The huge, 700+ page, 1,000 image original print edition is being updated and organized into four e-Publications, each covering a year of combat. With the advantages of e-Publication, color images will add more depth and immediacy. Hyperlinks will connect readers with additional information and resources. The e-Publication format will allow convenient, portable reading from iPads and similar devices.
The first e-Publication editions include 1950 and 1951. The 1952 and 1953 editions are nearing completion for publication.
Flavors of the Fjords 2023 ePublication Color-restored Edition
Flavors of the Fjords
by Faith Connors & Tracy Connors, Bjørn & Tove Fladvad
“The book may be the most detailed history of a Norwegian-American family yet published. Flavors of the Fjords exemplifies what dedicated compilers and relatives can do to preserve knowledge of their family’s complex past. This one family’s legacy should inspire others as well.”
– Royal Norwegian Embassy
Flavors of the Fjords “is the complete story of a family, their destinies, and the conditions under which they lived…[we wrote it] for people who want to have a better knowledge of Norway as it was in the past and what it is like today.” -Bjørn Fladvad-
Flavors of the Fjords has the largest number of traditional Norwegian holiday recipes–cakes, cookies, breads–ever put together in one book! Interwoven with fascinating bits of Norwegian social history, including explanations of Norwegian Holiday traditions and customs, many of them kept alive by millions of Norwegian-American families.
The new, digital, updated, expanded and color-restored edition of Flavors of the Fjords is now available. The remaining hard cover stock of “first edition” Flavors is not likely to be replaced.
Why not order your hard copy now to have at hand in your cooking library for convenient access?
-Free Download-
To Honor the sacrifice made in the Defence of Freedom by Wayne, Ron and Archie, BelleAire Press is offering Baited Trap as a FREE download for a limited time starting on June 25th, the 70th Anniversary of Mission 1890.
Simply apply the coupon provided on the Baited Trap page to immediately download the E-PDF of the 2022 Edition. This coupon is provided to honor these brave airmen on the 70th Anniversary of their incredible mission.
The 2022 E-Publication edition of Baited Trap, the Ambush of Mission 1890 is updated with additional photographs, all in color. It also includes hyperlinks to external web sites that provide additional information or resources to readers.
Baited Trap, The Ambush of Mission 1890 tells the story of the most dangerous Korean War helicopter rescue mission of the Korean War. “Captain Tracy Connors has presented a remarkably accurate picture of the courage and dedication of those pilots and airmen who risked and sometimes gave their lives that others may live during the Korean War….Those of us fortunate enough to have participated in the combat rescue of downed airmen live for the rest of our lives with a sense of gratitude that we were graced with that very rare opportunity….Baited Trap is a long overdue tribute to the Air Rescue Service and particularly for these airmen whose bravery, airmanship and dedication to life saving duty is unsurpassed in military history.” (LTC John Caldwell, USAF Ret.)
New At BelleAire Press…
EARTHQUEST
Now available in digital format…
the highly-acclaimed intergalactic love story and sci-fi best seller
is now a convenient, downloadable, and economical click away.
More relevant than ever…imagine what life would be like if our own planet were to overheat to the point where it was no longer habitable. Would we have sufficient technology to escape on a giant spaceship and survive on it indefinitely? This is what happened to the inhabitants of the ancient planet Yurok. A select few had escaped and, as they roamed endlessly in space, they hoped that their search for a new home, and a new source of red meat, would end within a few generations. Their quest seemed hopeless.
That is, until they came across a little planet called Earth…
This could have already happened!
EarthQuest is a compelling story by gifted writers Ginny Brinkley and Kathleen Perry that chronicles the epic voyage to Earth made by the survivors of an advanced civilization from their doomed planet. The science and the story are so believable that you may wonder if your own neighbor is from another planet.
You will never look at the night sky the same way again!
Enjoy your on-line downloadable e-copy of Earthquest in seconds. Click Here!
Just Off the Digital Press…
-A Sight for Eager Eyes-
Ant to Zebra is the first learn-to-read book that uses text, typography, imagery, and sight word clouds to introduce and emphasize the seven important areas of literacy, including:
- phonological awareness,
- alphabetic principle,
- phonemic awareness,
- sight words,
- decoding,
- fluency, and
- vocabulary…
to create a new, richer and more nuanced approach to introducing new readers to the fundamentals of learning to read.
- Full color e-book with Hyperlinks to other resources.
- Each page…
- Presents an interesting animal whose name begins with that letter.
- Includes a description of the animal that emphasizes rhyme, even as it offers factual information about that animal.
- Features an original drawing of that animal with text to convey basic information as sight words about that creature.
- Includes the capital and lower-case alphabet in both Roman and Cursive typefaces.
- Uses humorous, informative descriptions for each animal to provide information and interest.
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Over 350 Sight Words beginning with the highlighted letter are shown in a word cloud – this helps the new reader associate letters with sounds, emphasizes that words are composed of the sounds, and improves vocabulary.
- Active thinking and discussions by both reader and listener are encouraged.
- Rhyming tones convey musicality of the language.
- Unique combination of elements in Ant to Zebra contribute to improved comprehension.
- “Big Words” are selectively and appropriately introduced and included to familiarize new readers with the concept of multisyllabic words and how they are composed of morphemes that can be parsed/analyzed into logical components.
- Sight words beginning with the subject letter are included in word clouds to encourage and suggest reading and discussion by the reader to the listener that helps improve early vocabulary.
- The new reader’s vocabulary is broadened by the enriched content and inclusion of material not typically found in “cartoony” children’s books.
It’s Here…
Rhode 53 Island: A Memorable Teen Summer on Narragansett Bay
A charming memoir by author Faith Connors of the memorable summer of 1953 spent on picturesque Conanicut (Jamestown) Island in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island.
“In answering Andrew’s question about my favorite childhood summer, I rediscovered the importance of Conanicut Island, Jamestown, Rhode Island for my Newport family, and for me, especially during the summer of 1953.
Come and be whisked back in time to the summer of 1953 to a place called Jamestown, Rhode Island on an island in Narragansett Bay.”
Includes Connors’ Conanicut Brag Rag© knitting design saluting that historic and lovely Rhode Island community and nexus for Narragansett Bay.
The “Rhode Island” series of Spirit Knits by BelleAire Press honors Marie Fladvad Cottrell, a Norwegian immigrant who married into a Newport merchantile family in 1895, who taught her daughters and granddaughter to knit as her Mor in Norway had taught her, even as she launched a Newport business enterprise and became a Suffragette.
Marie and her family vacationed on Conanicut/Jamestown for many years from the late Twenties. Her husband, Charles Cottrell, died there in 1923.
Marie’s fascinating story is now available as an ePublication, Flavors of the Fjords.
Home schooling children?
Looking for “…a refreshing, true story of a young Florida girl with indomitable spirit!” (Reviewer) e-book that will be an interesting –and educational — reading experience for your young audience?
ePUB or Soft Bound with Teacher/Tutor Guide (free download)
Love Midgie
“…a refreshing, true story of a young Florida girl with indomitable spirit!”
by Faith Raymond Connors
A recent reader wrote the author: “I read and loved Love, Midgie within days after I received it. What a wonderful story and book. I was completely engaged in the “can’t put it down” way. I also was delighted to read the family stories in the Epilogue… I love reading family stories and Midgie’s was wonderful. So thank you again.” -Susan M.
Adventures based on a true story of an indomitable Florida girl
Love, Midgie’s incredible adventures are based on a true story and are illustrated with historic photographs and postcards, including photographs from Midgie’s actual family album. Readers are able to see views of the actual locations, neighborhoods, and houses Midgie saw in 1915-1920.
Over 100 antique postcards, family photographs, and the author’s illustrations provide story continuity, identification by the reader with the location and story, and interest for the reader.
Written to help readers understand and experience life for a young, spirited girl in Florida a century ago. Incredibly, much of the neighborhood and many of the same houses mentioned in the book have been preserved. Readers can much of Jacksonville’s historic Springfield Neighborhood much as it was when Midgie and her brother, Henry, grew up there.
Just Added: Reader’s Guide
Home schooling parents and adults reading to young people will find the new Love, Midgie Reader’s Guide an important and useful resource. The new, free download was prepared by author and reading educator Faith Connors to make the LM reading experience more fun and meaningful.
We are delighted to report that the long-awaited e-Publication edition of Truckbusters from Dogpatch 1950 is now available for convenient, immediate download to your favorite portable media device.
The huge, 700+ page, 1,000 image original print edition is being updated and organized into four e-Publications, each covering a year of combat. With the advantages of e-Publication, color images will add more depth and immediacy. Hyperlinks will connect readers with additional information and resources. The e-Publication format will allow convenient, portable reading from iPads and similar devices.
The first e-Publication edition covers 1950.
Learn why reviewers acclaimed Truckbusters from Dogpatch
The BelleAire Press “Cat-itorial Review Board” recently granted its CRB Seal of Excellence to a new work of feline historic fiction by Faith R. Connors, author of Flavors of the Fjords and Love, Midgie.
Pee Wee, The Clark’s Hill Cat is a cat’s tale, as told by himself to Connors. Actually, the story was the outcome of Connors’ discovery as a young girl that she knew what her cat was thinking. The result is a gripping tale of cat life in the Raymond household in Stamford, Connecticut during World War II. From blackouts and Victory Gardens, to a Sailor “borrowing” the family car, Pee Wee shares his unique experiences and outlook.
“Why do you want to read a book by me?” Pee Wee asks. “Is it because I am a cat?”
We believe you will agree with the BP CRB that Pee Wee’s tale is not too long, not too short, but just right.
Baited Trap, The Ambush of Mission 1890
…the incredible, true and heavily illustrated story of the heroic Airmen of Mission 1890, the Korean War’s most heroic, and tragic, combat helicopter rescue mission.
by Tracy D. Connors, Ph.D., CAPT USN (Ret)
Now Available As Hyperlinked E-Pub
The 2018 E-Publication edition of Baited Trap, the Ambush of Mission 1890 is updated with additional photographs, many in color. It also includes hyperlinks to external web sites that provide additional information or resources to readers.
Baited Trap, The Ambush of Mission 1890 tells the story for the first time of perhaps the most dangerous Korean War rescue mission in compelling detail gleaned from formerly classified official records, first person accounts, and family documents long unknown. “This story is a tragic, but wonderful, example of how war may affect the loved ones of those who are lost. It includes a ‘gold mine’ of documentary and photographic evidence at the family level.” (Dr. Forest Marion)
“Captain Tracy Connors has presented a remarkably accurate picture of the courage and dedication of those pilots and airmen who risked and sometimes gave their lives that others may live during the Korean War.” (LTC John Caldwell)
“I just had to let you that I am enthralled by the book…it is in indeed a part of history that should be told!” (Actual reader feedback)
If your interests include circus life as it was in the 19th century, the Civil War, and a true-to-life love story, you are invited under the tent flap to share The Great Southern Circus, a new digital e-Book by Nick West.
[Reviewer], “an adventure-filled love story rich with historical details and family history that explains circus life before and during the Civil War. A lovingly and authoritatively written history for current and future generations to enjoy and appreciate.”
You can follow James Johnston and Miranda Madeira from the time they met as teenagers near Albertville, Alabama, and then on to “the big top.” The James and Miranda love story is further enlivened with the once-in-a-lifetime adventure of traveling with the circus, essentially joining their close-knit family until it was torn apart by the Civil War.
West brings these rich characters back to life so that we are able to use their stories to reach a better understanding of who we all are as a nation – as Americans.
The Great Southern Circus explores the manner, social conditions, major events, and other history of the period depicted. The author highlights notable historical figures to allow readers to better understand how these individuals responded to the events and changes taking place in their environments.
The Great Southern Circus is based on true historical events, set in historical context and time. Although this story deals with real people and actual events, this is a work of historical fiction. The events chronicled here did happen, and the characters are all based on real people, but the author extrapolates from factual information derived from multiple sources to bring his characters to life.
Books and Digital Publications
Just published as e-Publication…
Calling All Volunteers
Dr. Jesse O. Bolinger, Ph.D., CNP
Calling All Volunteers offers value to the reader on many levels, from a better understanding of behavioral theory, including a suggested new hierarchy of needs and motivation, to explanations of generational cohorts focused on volunteer contributions and availability, and concluding with a suggested application process designed to enable a better fit between the volunteer and the position of service they might best fulfill in your organization.
Most nonprofit organizations rely on volunteers to help them fulfill their vital philanthropic purposes and missions. Recruiting and retaining quality volunteers has always been a challenge for charitable organizations, particularly for nonprofits in more rural areas. Today, with an aging population and a large number of baby boomers entering retirement years, new approaches to recruiting volunteers are needed. Dr. Jesse Bolinger is a strong believer in rural communities and in Volunteerism. Based on his extensive, real-world research, he suggests new and innovative ideas focused on recruiting and retaining volunteers. In this first e-PUB edition he presents a compelling case for an individual’s past work experience, educational background, and mental health to be included in the strategies and initiatives focused on volunteer recruiting and retention.
Just Published…
Spirit Knits© by BelleAirePress are original knitting designs created to capture the essential character, quality, energy, and temperament of subjects and activities we care deeply about. In short, to capture and reflect in its original designs, the character and essence of these topics, often reflecting gentle humor and fun.
Spirit Knits© by BelleAire Press includes an expanding number of original designs in a growing number of categories.
Introducing…
Beach Spirit Knits ©
Beach Spirit Knits© by BelleAire Press include original knit designs that help you go to the beach without actually leaving your home.
Caribbean color palettes that glow with the vibrant blues, oranges, and greens of southern seas. Original designs that reflect the laidback atmosphere, fiesty spirit — and witty humor — of life and relaxation near a shore.
Create your own waves lapping or crashing. Seagulls scolding. Wind blowing the warm, damp musk of salt water and sand dunes into your innermost reaches. Relaxing, peaceful, calming.
Choose from one or more of the growing selection of beach life designs from Beach Spirit Knits© by BelleAire Press.