Jim Jackson and Gloria Underwood grew up about 15 miles apart, he in Tryon, she in Campobello. They attended grammar school in their respective communities. They went to rival colleges in South Carolina; he attended the Citadel for two years; she graduated from Furman University.

They never met. Jackson was working in his familys business, Cloth of Gold, attending Oberlin Seminary, and hitch-hiking across America. Underwood was teaching high school French and English, getting a PhD at the University of South Carolina, and grading papers. Several decades apart.

Their paths finally converged in August, 2008, when Underwood gave a presentation about her work as a personal historian. Having begun work on his memoirs 20 years earlier, Jackson was interested in the topic. At the encouragement of Tracey Daniels, Jackson approached Underwood about compiling his memoirs into a book.

This was two weeks before Election Day 2008, and Jim was trying to get both Barack Obama and Ray Gasperson elected. After many detours, several interviews and many cups of coffee at the Trade Street Galley Coffeehouse, the two formalized Jacksons memories with My Life in the Briar Patch, The Memories of James Chapman Jackson.

Join us on Thursday, October 14, at 6 p.m. in the Polk County Public Library Community Meeting Room as Jackson and Underwood discuss the process of working together to create this book. Jackson will also share stories about growing up in Tryon and hitch-hiking across America.

This event is free and open to the public.