Neal Lemery, retired Tillamook County Justice of the Peace,
has published a new book. Homegrown
Tomatoes: Essays and Musings From My Garden explores mentoring youth
through gardening and other teaching opportunities.
“Growing young people is much like tending a garden,”
Lemery says. “We can all make a difference in the lives of young people,
helping them grow strong and self-confident.”
Judge Lemery will read from his book and
offer his book for sale at the Five Rivers Coffee Roasters author panel and
book fair in Tillamook November 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Homegrown
Tomatoes is available on Amazon.com as an e-book and paperback.
Lemery is the
author of Mentoring Boys to Men: Climbing
Their Own Mountains and is a volunteer mentor at the Tillamook campus of
the Oregon Youth Authority. His book emphasizes community and enriching the
lives of young men, by being present in their lives, and offering them support
and emotional strength.
He offers us hope in troubled times, and helps answer the
question: "What can I do to make a better world?"
“This new collection of short, powerful essays and poetry
took me by surprise, nevertheless. I found myself moved to tears, uplifted,
inspired, and even sometimes exalted as I read. I devoured HomegrownTomatoes in one sitting. These musings will inspire readers
to look with new eyes at their own backyards and to dream of new ways to take
action as peacemakers in our own communities.” says Rhonda Case, MA, Professor,
College of the Redwoods.