Monday, May 12, 2008

A Book Store...Where??



Mother Goose - Random House, 1949

Diana, one of my co-writers on Women Only Over Fifty (WOOF), is my guest blogger today. She was inspired to write about a very unusual Wisconsin bookstore that was featured on CBS Sunday Morning. (Video Segment below)

We love books, right? But just how much? Enough to set aside 12 buildings on our rural property where we house one million (yes, MILLION) tomes? Sure, we would if we could. But you gotta admit, THAT amount of effort takes an amazing passion for books.

Central Wisconsin, off County Road K, that’s where Lloyd Dickman cultivates wheat and corn while his wife Lenore grows the book collection. The Dickman’s bookstore is open regular business hours on Saturday and anytime by appointment…or if you happen to find them stocking shelves and not out procuring more books.

During an interview on CBS Sunday Morning, Lenore, who rather likes her Dickman system for cataloging instead of Dewey’s, pointed to a book table she says is the most important of all. The table does not labor under the weight of leather-bound classics like “Tale of Two Cities” or “Les Miserable.” Rather small, colorful reads such as “Mother Goose.”

“If a child knows eight nursery rhymes by the time he is four years old,” said Lenore, now retired, but who, with her husband’s support and sacrifice, earned a PhD, “that child will be an excellent reader by the time he is eight years old.”

Personally, I have to trust the opinion of someone ensconced by that much paper and ink; a person who when additional book space was needed, cleaned out, fixed up and roofed a huge storage bin that once held cow manure. Actually, that project was Lloyd’s contribution. Soon he’s going to turn over one-third of his tractor garage to Lenore’s ever-expanding stockpile.

That’ll bring their bookstore “chain” to 13. All that without serving one cup of coffee or surfacing the long dirt road leading to their store.

Yeah, one has to love books nearly as much as they do to venture out to their place. And that’s exactly what the Dickman’s count on.



CBS Sunday Morning - Bill Geist reporting

Women Only Over Fifty (WOOF) Summer 2008! (Echelon Press)

10 comments:

Chris Eldin said...

My kind of people!!!

I'll have to come back and watch the video, but I love this story! Thanks for sharing!
:-)

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know where exactly this book store is? I know it is on County Road K in WI. Any help would be much appreciated.

Mary Cunningham said...

You'll love the video, Chris. As always, thanks for posting, my friend.

Anonymous said...

Mary,

Did you mean to leave their phone number? I don't see it in your response unless I am missing something.

Mary Cunningham said...

Sorry I can't give you the exact location, c., but here's the phone #. 920-398-3375

I'm sure Lenore and Lloyd would be happy to give directions. Good luck, and, if you find it, please write back and tell us your experience!

Mary Cunningham said...

Sorry, c. I had to repost it :-)

Anonymous said...

Thank you. Will report back if I find my way there.

Anonymous said...

Some sad news to report: Lloyd Dickman suffered a stroke over the winter, and he's now in a nursing home. According to a friend who's seen him, the outlook is not good. Lenore's been by his side throughout this ordeal.

-despondentisthmus

Mary Cunningham said...

I am so sorry to hear that! Please keep us posted if you hear anything else.

Thanks for letting me know. I'll be thinking about both of them.

Anonymous said...

Happy Tale Book Shop
W1778 County Road K
Markesan, WI 53946

(920) 398-3375