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Gerber Baby Has New Book

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 25, 2008

TAMPA - As a chubby-cheeked baby, Ann Turner Cook served as the model for the drawing that became the trademark for Gerber products worldwide.

Eight decades later, she will present her fourth mystery novel, "Micanopy in Shadow," at a book signing and art show from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Life Enrichment Center, where she has taken writing classes for years.

"She actually wrote the books here and had them critiqued along the way," said the center's executive director, Ronna Metcalf.

Cook was born in Connecticut and grew up in Orlando. She taught English and served as department head at Hillsborough High School before retiring in 1989. She lives in University Village in North Tampa.

"I'm not saying anything negative about my teaching career," she said. "That's what I was meant to do, and I really enjoyed it. But writing was something I always wanted to try, so I took Joseph Campbell's advice to follow your bliss."

She received support and instruction as a member of the Tampa Writers Alliance and Mystery Writers of America.

"And I went to all the University of South Florida classes on writing and all the Suncoast Writers Conferences for 12 years," Cook said. "I've worked very hard to learn the craft."

Her books are set in familiar Florida locations, such as Homosassa and Cedar Key, and all feature Brandy O'Bannon as the hero and mystery-solver.

"Micanopy in Shadow" sells for $17.95 online and at local bookstores. It also can be purchased at the book signing
"The first book was published when I was 75," Cook said. "I say that I have a tale to tell seniors: That there is life after retirement."

The cover for her latest mystery was designed by Frank Bolock, who teaches watercolor and acrylic classes at the enrichment center, 9704 N. Boulevard.

"The publisher had done the other covers, but I wanted somebody that I had confidence could draw," Cook said. "Frank did a very nice cover, by far the best one."

It was the first book cover by Bolock, who started as an advertising graphic artist and has pursued art full time since retiring in 1997. He will exhibit about 30 of his recent watercolors and acrylics during the book signing.

"I work very realistically, but I do throw some fantasy and surrealism in there," said Bolock, 76, who moved to Tampa in 2001. "One of my idols is Dali."

Call Metcalf at (813) 932-0241 for information about the book signing or enrichment center classes. To see Bolock's works, go to www.art overture.com/frankbolock.

Fibers And Textiles Weave Their Magic

Convergence 2008, an international fiber and textile conference sponsored by the Handweavers Guild of America, continues through Saturday at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St.

For information on speakers and workshops, go to www.weavespindye.org.

From 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, almost 20 galleries in South and Central Tampa will be among those participating in a Gallery Crawl in conjunction with the conference. Some artists will be on hand to answer questions, and refreshments will be available.

A gallery guide, complete with maps, is available at the convention center, 333 S. Franklin St., and at the Tampa Museum of Art, 2306 N. Howard Ave.

Correspondent Esther Hammer can be reached at (813) 259-7662 or ehammer@tampatrib.com.

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