Book Club: 3 part series

Book Club: 3 part series Happy Land: by Dolen Perkins-Valdez 6:30 - 8:00 pm September 17, October 15, and November 19 $15/participant for three sessions Happy Land is historical fiction inspired by the true story of The Kingdom of the Happy Land, a communal community created by formerly enslaved people following the Civil War. Located near Hendersonville, in the mountains of western North Carolina, the town thrived from 1865 to 1882. Dolen Perkins-Valdez seamlessly weaves the stories of her two narrators, Nikki, who lives a life in Washington, DC, far removed from her ancestors, and Luella, the kingdom's queen, who is Nikki's great-great-great grandmother. By spending time together on the land and in the garden, where every flower is described in beautiful detail, Nikki develops a close bond with her grandmother, Mother Rita, and discovers the importance of protecting her family's land and legacy. Join Kate in exploring a little-known chapter in United States history, an important part of our past that we never learned about in school. Kate works on land justice at Shepherd's Corner and found the book so engrossing that she read it over just a few days. She hopes that you'll find it as fascinating as she did! There are several interesting videos about the Kingdom of the Happy Land on YouTube. In addition, these sites discuss the actual kingdom and are fascinating to browse Dolen Perkins-Valdez's website Sadie Smathers Patton, wrote a booklet about the Kingdom of the Happy Land in 1957. You can view it here. Article about the Kingdom of the Happy Land Register Here The Kingdom of the Happy Land Erwin Sherman, 2025 *participation waiver Shepherd's Corner is a non-profit organization providing access and programs focused on care of creation, connection to earth, and reflection. An individual's decision to participate in any activity or program at Shepherd's Corner Ecology Center is entirely voluntary. Visitors/participants assume all risks inherent to or associated with his, her, or their participation in the activity or event on Shepherd's Corner's property. Visitors/participants also take responsibility for their own level of fitness. In signing this waiver, I, intending to be legally bound for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators, waive, release and forever discharge any and all rights and claims for damages I have or may have against Shepherd's Corner or its employees, for any and all claims and damages, demands actions whatsoever in any manner, as a result of my participation in programs, events, or visitation. I hereby grant full permission to any and all of the foregoing to use my name and likeness in any broadcast, telecast, video or print media reporting or advertising of the event without compensation. This waiver extends and includes the minors in attendance for whom you are responsible.