The New Republic
Meyersdale, PA - April 2001

Author to visit library
By Angie Brant

John Snyder, the author of  “The Golden Ring,” will be the guest of honor at the Meyersdale Public Library at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 17. 

As guest of the Friends of the Library, Snyder will be talking about his book and reading excerpts.

“The Golden Ring” is a Christmas story that takes place in Meyersdale.  The story is based on a story Snyder’s grandmother told him as a child.

“My grandmother lived in Meyersdale and my dad was born there, but I grew up in Cumberland, Md.,” he said.

Snyder spent several years writing and re-writing the story, which was released in 1999.  The magazine Family Circle published parts of the book last year, and Time-Warner has purchased the publishing rights to the book and plans to re-release the book this fall.

“The exposure in Family Circle has been pretty incredible,” he admitted.  “I’ve gotten mail and e-mail from all across the country.

Snyder is excited to come to Meyersdale later this month.  “When I got a call from the library I told them I would be glad to come and talk about my book,” he said.  “Coming to the town that is the setting of the book and where my grandmother lived seemed very appropriate.”

“I have traveled a great deal and its amazing, but everywhere I seem to go I meet someone with some kind of connection to Meyersdale,” Snyder added.  “I don’t get back to Meyersdale as often as I’d like, so I’m looking forward to my visit at the library.”