Category: 2015Bios

Biographies of special festival guests

Jonathan Sandys

Jonathan SandysJonathan Sandys is the great-grandson of Britain’s wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, and is an internationally recognized author and public speaker. Since 2005, Jonathan has been communicating the morals, values and leadership skills of his great-grandfather and those of that “Greatest Generation” in a vibrant and interactive way to both young and old alike. Though born ten years after his illustrious relative’s passing, Jonathan very much credits his legacy as a major positive influence in his life. As a result, Jonathan found the never, never, never, never give in attitude of Churchill, was what made it possible for him to rise above the challenges of dyslexia and social isolation and become very successful. Jonathan’s life mission is to use both the experiences of his great-grandfather and his own to encourage and inspire people of all ages and walks of life to “Never Surrender!”

His first book, God & Churchill: How the Great Leader’s Sense of Divine Destiny Changed His Troubled World and Offers Hope for Ours, was released by Tyndale Momentum in the U.S. October 1, 2015.

“I have known four generations of the Churchill family. The noblest remaining of that family is Jonathan Sandys. He has both the vision and the voice to carry forth the legacy of his great-grandfather and is well worthy to offer this account of Churchill’s life and faith. God and Churchill has earned a place next to the greatest of books ever written on the master statesman.” (James C. Humes, Author and former presidential speech writer)

 

Bertram Hayes-Davis

Bertram Hayes-Davis

Bertram Hayes-Davis, a great great grandson of Jefferson Davis, is deeply committed to educating the public about the life and legacy of his distinguished ancestor.  Bertram has served since 1976 as the President of the Davis Family Association and since 1988 as the President of the Papers of Jefferson Davis.  He is the former Executive Director of Beauvoir, the last home of Jefferson Davis and the Presidential Library in Biloxi, Mississippi.  Over the last 35 years Bertram has traveled and spoken at a majority of Davis sights throughout the country. He has been interviewed by Life and People magazines  and is on several online interviews.

 

Bertram is currently serving as the President of the Beauvoir Foundation.  The Foundation’s mission is to support opportunities and exhibits to educate the public about the life of Jefferson Davis.  He and his wife Carol travel the country speaking on behalf of the Foundation.

 

Bertram has a Master’s of Science in Geology, and spent sixteen years in the Oil and Gas Exploration business.  Four of those years were spent working in Russia conducting studies to determine the oil potential in Western Siberia.  He has also worked in his hometown of Colorado Springs for Colorado College as both the Director of Corporate Support and the Director of Athletic Fund Raising.  Bertram was the Director of Development for The Pikes Peak Community Foundation, and the Director of External Relations for Peak Vista Community Health Centers; both organizations are located in Colorado Springs.  Bertram held positions in the financial industry for J.P. Morgan both as a Trust Advisor in Colorado Springs, and as the Vice President, Head of Oil and Gas Management in Dallas, Texas.

 

In addition to his varied work experience, Bertram is also involved with numerous charitable organizations.  He has served on boards in both Colorado and Mississippi such as The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, The Broadmoor Improvement Society, and the Combined Boards of Beauvoir.  In his free time, he enjoys travel and golf.

 

Tasha Dunagan ~ “Copy Mocker’s Song”

Tasha DunaganTasha Dunagan, author of “Copy Mocker’s Song,” grew up in Oklahoma and has worked for two newspapers as a photographer and reporter. In the late 1990’s, she also contributed stories and photos to “Birds and Blooms” magazine, as one of two field editors for Oklahoma. Tasha has lived in rural Missouri for the last 15 years, where she and her husband have raised two children. In 2009, she completed the “Writing for Children and Teenagers” course with the Institute of Children’s Literature. In addition to being a writer, she is currently a stay-at-home mom and library volunteer.

Tasha Dunagan will be among the local authors signing books at the Ella Dickey Literacy Awards on Thursday, April 23 at 4:30 PM at Marshfield Assembly of God.

Marilyn Smith ~ “A History of Highway 65, from the middle of the road”

Marilyn Smith

Marilyn K. Smith – Writing credits: Buffalo Reflex Newspaper (weekly column), The Ozarks Mountaineer, Springfield! Magazine, Springfield News-Leader (guest columnist), Ozark Senior Living (associate editor), Journal of the Ozarks (contributing editor), and others. Books: “A History of Highway 65, from the middle of the road” and “The Window Pane Inn.”

 

Marilyn K. Smith will be among the local authors signing books at the Ella Dickey Literacy Awards on Thursday, April 23 at 4:30 PM at Marshfield Assembly of God.

Cindi Elli ~ “The Dream Traveler”

Cindi ElliCindi Elli was a journalist for a group of community newspapers in southwest Missouri, including The Marshfield Mail.  In addition, she was a contributing writer for the Washington Missourian and West News Magazine in St. Louis, MO.  She has received numerous Missouri Press Association awards, including first place for a series of articles describing the life of the Amish community in Webster County, Missouri.

Elli currently resides in the Marshfield area with her husband and assortment of rescued dogs and cat, where she is the primary family caregiver and storyteller. The Dream Travelers – From the Beginning is her first novel.

www.TheDreamTravelersBook.com

Cindi Elli will be among the local authors signing her books at the Ella Dickey Literacy Awards on Thursday, April 23 at 4:30 PM at the Marshfield Assembly of God.