Smith speaks at library event
Special to the Banner

Smith County Sheriff J. B. Smith, coauthor of "Christmas Day Murders," a truecrime book, recounted his experiences of solving the 19-case and of writing the book at last week's annual Friends of the Library meeting.

"I see the worst of the worst," Smith said. "I have learned that I can't take life too seriously." He recounted details of his more than 30-year career as Smith County Sheriff.

He said he decided to become an auctioneer and afterdinner speaker to "take myself away from the misery I live with every day."

He entertained the audience with his auctioneering skills, showing how he mastered tongue twisters to perfect his technique.

Of the 168 murder cases he has worked on, he said this Christmas Day double murder stood out.

He recounted in detail how his team went about solving the crime. He said that some of the language and scenes in the book are pretty graphic, but he "told it like it is-not a pretty picture."

He explained how he and his co-author, Dr. Dana Adams, work together to produce a finished product.

More than 8,000 copies of the book have been sold since it appeared in bookstores late last year.

He said that he and Adams are already writing their next true crime, tentatively titled "Unholy Ghost Murder."

Before Sheriff Smith spoke, Tony Padrucco, Friends' president, announced that the second annual golf tournament was a success and netted almost $11,000 toward operating expenses for the library in 2008.

Treasurer Martha Dinwiddie reported that $11,300 has been transferred from the Friends' account to the Bullard Community Library budget. She also reported that the membership campaign is in full swing. So far a total of $2415 has been received in membership dues.

Board members elected for a three-year term include Carl Prokesh, Jean Nygaard, and Martha Dinwiddie.

Padrucco outlined activities of the Friends for the rest of the year.

The Picnic in the Park on Oct. 20 will culminate the kids' Change for a Change Campaign in behalf of funds for a new library.

In November Children's Book Week will feature a storyteller at the library on Nov. 17.

On Dec. 1 the Friends will hold their annual bake sale at Bullard Brookshire's.

Padrucco recognized Jane and Carl Prokesh for their leadership of the golf tournament committee.

Other committee members included Andie Rathbone, Padrucco, Doug Saunders, Judy Chance and Roger Nygaard.

Padrucco also thanked Jean Nygaard for coordinating arrangements for the annual meeting, as well as First United Methodist Church of Bullard for providing meeting space.

For more information on the Friends of the Bullard Community Library, go to www.bullardlibrary.org.