Friends and fans of local author Father Douglas E. Neel will be pleased to know that his latest book titled “The Food and Feasts of the Apostle Paul” has just been published, and it is a remarkable sequel to “The Food and Feasts of Jesus” which was such a hit when it came out in 2012.
This new book again displays Father Doug’s talent for bringing extensive research, personal travel experiences, Biblical history and love of good food to life in a hugely readable, personable and inviting way.
For a start, the author’s skill with words makes his readers greatly enjoy learning about the culture and traditions of the First Century, a topic that might at first seem dull to some. This positive experience will come as no surprise to admirers of Father Doug’s sermons and homilies from when he was rector at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church here in Pagosa for 12 years until his retirement in 2020.
You’ll also learn myriad interesting facts such as how purple became the color of choice for emperors and kings, and how a marine snail is essential to making it happen.
This pleasant learning experience is amplified by the author’s inclusion of so many menus and recipes in every chapter that you will be tempted to start cooking right away. I confess that I made both his one-pot chicken and the roasted onions even before I finished reading the book.
As he weaves historical tales together with interesting discussions of food, Father Doug points out that worship in many early Christian communities included a full meal and Jesus’ parables were filled with images of food and feasts. The recipes in the book come from the banquets of very wealthy people with access to meat, game, poultry, fish, vegetables, sauces, fruits and multiple herbs and spices. They also showcase less elaborate but equally delicious meals of workers and farmers enjoying grains, legumes and soups with their families.
The recipes are authentic, sometimes with variations on ancient cooking techniques and the author’s own creative cooking ideas resulting from his lifetime love of food and fellowship with family and friends. Best of all, they are clearly explained, making them easy for you to cook at home.
The book is dedicated to Father Doug’s late wife Sally, who died in 2023 while the author was making edits to the final manuscript. “Her fingerprints are on every page of this book,” he says. As well, her memory still is very much alive among her many Pagosa admirers for her skills as music and choir director at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church and as a volunteer in many community activities. Readers will not be surprised to know that the author’s acknowledgments include the parishioners at St. Patrick’s for their help in testing his recipes.
Both of Father Doug’s books are available for your reading pleasure in the Local Authors section of your library. Or buy your own copy to have it handy on your cookbooks shelf.
Save the date for new Friends Book Club
The inaugural meeting of the Just Friends Book Club will take place Monday, January 13 at noon at the library when the Friends of the Library group will discuss “Lost Birds” by Anne Hillerman and choose books to read the rest of the year. Copies are available at the library. Please feel free to bring a brown bag lunch for yourself. If you have questions, email DonnaMosher@icloud.com, president of the Friends.
Cookie decorating
All ages are invited to join us for tasty fun at a free cookie decorating event tomorrow Friday, January 3, from 1-2:30 p.m. Sugar cookies and standard frosting will be provided.
Murder mystery fun
Teens and tweens are invited to solve the mystery of who the real murderer is tomorrow, Friday, January 3 from 3-5 p.m. Everyone is a suspect at this free event. Registration required as we are providing food and want to ensure adequate amounts for all participants.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged six-11 are invited to the free LEGO Club on Saturday, January 4 from 11 a.m. – noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours to free build.
Knitting and crochet lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Monday, January 6 at our free gathering from 2 – 3:15 p.m. for ages eight and up. All supplies provided.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4-6 p.m. Monday, January 6 for amateur musicians of all abilities and expertise to jam and sing with others.
Elementary tutoring
Children ages six-11 are welcome at these free sessions on Wednesdays from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. where they will build essential skills in core subjects. Pre-registration is required.
Dungeons & Dragons
Next Thursday, January 9 from 4 – 5:30 p.m., join our Dungeons & Dragons game free for teens, tweens and young adults. Pre-registration is required because space is limited. Contact Josie@pagosalibrary.org to join.
Writers Guild
Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. the Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for opportunities, support, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 2-4 p.m. Thursdays. Judy helps with basic questions relating to computers, smartphones and tablets and also provides assistance in accessing the library’s online resources. No appointment is needed, but please bring your device’s charger and passwords with you.
Pagosa Adult Learning Services (PALS)
Join Mark or Sally for free PALS sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 – 8 p.m. to help with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more. No appointment necessary. PALS stands for Pagosa Adult Learning Services.
Downloadable books
CloudLibrary has a wide variety of downloadable e-books and audiobooks for all ages. To access this free digital collection, download the cloudLibrary app, answer a few simple questions, select AspenCat Union Catalog for the name of your library, then enter your library card number and 4-digit PIN. Library staff are happy to help you set up your device if you need assistance.
Nonfiction books on CD
“Four Thousand Paws” by trail veterinarian Lee Morgan tells about the iconic Iditartod sled race dogs and how they are cared for. “A World on the Wing” by Scott Weidensaul explores the miracle of birds’ migrations. “A Walk in the Park” by Kevin Fedarko is the true story of a spectacular misadventure in the Grand Canyon.
Novels on CD
“Desolation Code” by Graham Brown is Clive Cussler Numa Files adventure. “A Tempest of Desire” by Lorraine Heath is the latest in the Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James romance series. “A Monsoon Rising” by Thea Guanzon is a Southeast Asian-inspired fantasy romance. “The French Winemaker’s Daughter” by Loretta Ellsworth follows a valuable bottle of wine across several generations. “Pick-up” by Nora Dahlia is a rom-com.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“Murder Island” by James Patterson and Brian Sitts features professor turned crime-fighter Dac Savage. “Tom Clancy Defense Protocol” by Andrews B. Wilson is a Jack Ryan adventure. “The Waiting” by Michael Connelly is a Ballard and Bosch mystery. “Truth and Claw” by Craig Johnson is a Walt Longmire and Henry Standing Bear mystery.
Other novels
“A Christmas Duet” by Debbie Macomber is a romance. “Behind You is the Sea” by Susan Muaddi Darraj gives voice to the diverse residents of a Palestine American community in Baltimore. “Prophet Song” by Paul Lynch, winner of the 2023 Brooker Prize, explores the horror of Ireland’s secret police from a mother’s point of view. “Medicine Walk” by Richard Wagamese brings an estranged father and son together after many years of absence and neglect.
Thanks to our donors
Thanks to George Neill, Nancy Cole, and Joanne and Victor Lucariello for their generous monetary donations. Thanks to everyone who donated to the Library Foundation this month through the Colorado Gives campaign. And thanks to our anonymous donors for their donations of high-quality used books.
Quotable Quote
“This year, be structured enough for success and achievement and flexible enough for creativity and fun.” – Taylor Duvall, writer, poet, editor, musician and book publisher.
Website
For more information on library books, services and programs – and to reserve books, e-books, books on CD and DVDs from the comfort of your home – please visit our website at https://pagosalibrary.org