Thursday, December 23, 1999
Section: METROPOLITAN LIFE
Page: C4
Denise Barnes
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Illustrations: Photos, (A&B) Conversations with his grandmother about
her early life gave John Snyder the inspiration for "The Golden
Ring."; B&C) The author signs his book for Marsha Walker of Waldorf,
Md., who bought two copies at a Borders store in Bowie., All By Mary F.
Calvert/The Washington Times
Businessman John Snyder's Christmas will have an extra "ring" to it this year thanks to an inspirational chat he had a few years ago with his beloved grandmother.
Mr. Snyder decided to write "The Christmas Ring" after a 2 1/2-hour conversation he had with Anna Snyder, who told him about one special Christmas in her hometown of Meyersdale, Pa. Over a cup of coffee and some buttery Christmas cookies, she talked about what life was like growing up in the early part of the 20th century. Mr. Snyder listened intently. It was important for him to record the family's history so he could pass it on to his children.
"I think the older generation has some wonderful stories to tell. They're heartwarming and informative; if only we'd listen," he says.
"I want it to inspire and encourage people to ask their elders about their early lives. That's the true history of this nation - it comes from our kitchens and front porches. We lose that if we don't ask - because they won't tell," says Mr. Snyder, 48.
His grandmother, who at the time lived in LaVale, Md., told him a story about a magical, mystical Christmas long ago that touched his heart. Her fond memories moved Mr. Snyder so much that before he returned to his home in Gambrills, Md., he took a detour.
"After we had our visit, I took my wife, Ruth Ellen, and my two daughters, Nikki and Carli, to my grandmother's hometown in Meyersdale," Mr. Snyder says.
"I remember going there as a child to visit my great-grandmother Elda Beal. It was a foggy day, almost eerie. But I wanted them to see the town where my grandmother grew up," he says.
As Mr. Snyder stood on the vacant lot where his grandmother's home used to stand at 525 North St., he could almost hear the sounds of children's voices and the magic that surrounds Christmas, he says.
What started out as a short story for his family evolved into a 164-page Christmas novel that took him three years to finish.
In the book's prologue, Mr. Snyder writes: "Christmas. . . . It conjures up images of days gone by, of happier times in our lives that we long to recapture. It awakens our perceptions and sharpens our senses. It instills in each of us the feelings of love, giving and goodness only Christmas can bring.
"Writing the book itself was an emotional experience for me," he says. "I cried many tears writing this book. My feelings about the Christmas holidays and my grandmother - it was an emotional time."
Mr. Snyder says he and his grandmother were very close. During the writing and editing process, he often consulted her.
The book was released locally the second week of November. It can be purchased at Borders Books and Music and Christian bookstores in the area.
Set in Meyersdale in 1918, "The Golden Ring" is full of nostalgia. Readers journey back to a time when life was simpler. It is a touching Christmas story about giving, faith, love and loss, Mr. Snyder says.
"It's a good, clean story that has family appeal. People of all ages have told me that they have enjoyed the book tremendously. . . . "When I go out to book signings, people come up to me and tell me how the book touched them," Mr. Snyder says with a smile.
The fictional story is based on his grandmother's memories. It revolves around 9-year-old Anna, a little girl with long brown curly hair that forms ringlets around her face and sparkling blue eyes. The youngster has a close relationship with her father, Joseph, an engineer for the B&O Railroad. The days leading up to Christmas bring both father and daughter closer together with a series of shared dreams and a golden ring.
"There are two morals to the story: Number one, we need to talk to the older generation and learn. And the other is the good that comes from giving," Mr. Snyder says.
"When Anna gives away her ring, a whole chain of events take place. At the end, it all comes back to her - if you give unselfishly, you will receive tenfold," he says.
Mr. Snyder, an entrepreneur who owns a public relations and advertising firm in Gambrills, published the book himself. Although New York publishing houses showed interest in his story, there was a feeling that the market was already inundated with Christmas books, Mr. Snyder says.
"I took a leap of faith and went a little in debt to publish the book," he says. "I had such a strong feeling about it. I knew it would work out, and it has.
"The most gratifying moment for me was holding the finished book in my hands," Mr. Snyder says.
Of course, being able to share the book's publication with his grandmother made it all the better.
"She said: `Oh, Johnny Howard.' There was a big smile on her face, and she was so happy to see it in print," Mr. Snyder says.
A few days after the two celebrated the book's publication, Mrs. Snyder died. She was 90.
"I knew I was racing against time. I wanted to get this project finished and in the hands of my grandmother before time took her from us," Mr. Snyder says. Fortunately, I was able to do that. Unfortunately, she won't be here to celebrate this Christmas with us," he says.
But through "The Golden Ring," Anna's story lives on, he says. Readers are invited to catch a glimpse of the sparkling story at www.thegoldenring.com. The Web site has a picture of the book's colorful jacket, its prologue and the first three chapters, which Mr. Snyder invites readers to share.
WHAT: "The Golden Ring" book signing with author John Snyder
WHERE: Borders Books and Music, 6701 Frontier Drive, Springfield
WHEN: Today and Monday
TIME: 4 to 8 p.m.
PHONE: 703/924-4894
WHAT: "The Golden Ring" book signing with author John Snyder
WHERE: Borders Books, 4420 Mitchellville, Road, Bowie
WHEN: Tomorrow and Tuesday
TIME: Noon to 2 p.m. tomorrow and 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday
PHONE: 301/352-5560