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Local author publishes first book

Submitted Photo “Heart of Gold,” a children’s book written by local author Katherine Lydon Wollaston, is a tale of Ireland during the Irish potato famine.

A local author has published her first children’s book.

Katherine Lydon Wollaston, of Fredonia, spent over two years writing “Heart of Gold.” This is a tale of Ireland during the Irish potato famine, revolving around an impoverished family facing starvation and eviction.

The young son, Aidan, tries to formulate a plan to save his family by capturing a leprechaun and getting some of his gold. He and his sister, Bridget, discover that this is not an easy task.

“Heart of Gold” combines historical fiction and humor to demonstrate love that the impoverished Murray family has maintained throughout troubled times. It stresses the importance of the family unit, which should be the strength of modern society, and proves that in the end love conquers all.

Copies of her book can be found on dorrancepublishing.com or on Amazon and barnesandnoble.com

Katherine Lydon Wollaston

Wollaston is 1969 graduate of SUNY Fredonia with a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education. She also earned her master of science degree in education and reading. Eventually, she was awarded two degrees, a certificate of advanced study and school administration and supervision.

She worked 30 years teaching elementary children, primarily third grade. Twenty-one of those years were spent teaching at Westfield Academy and Central School.

Through the years, Wollaston was recognized many times for her work in the school and surrounding communities. Some of her proudest moments in teaching include being chosen by her peers as Teacher of the Year at Westfield Central School in 1992, having been recognized twice in Who’s Who Among America’s Teacher and being inducted into Delta Kappa Gamma, the women’s educational honor society.

Wollaston was president of the Westfield Teacher’s Association for more than 10 years. During her tenure, she was responsible for programs for which WTA received Community Relations awards at NEA/NY state conventions for nine years straight. She served on the National Education Association of New York Board of Directors and was chosen as political action committee chairsperson of the Southwestern District for many years.

Wollaston said she initiated Adopt-A-Grandparent Program while designing and implementing an Adopt-A-Classroom Program for kindergarten through fifth grade.

As a member of the Westfield/Ripley NY Kiwanis Club, she’s authored a “Handbook for Juvenile Diabetes,” which was published by Kiwanis Club International. As an elementary school principal, she authored “Honor Code” exemplifying expectations of student conduct and learning while Westfield Academy and Central School.

“Since my retirement in 2002, I am authoring a series of children’s books and thoroughly enjoying visiting my children and grandchildren,” Wollaston said. “I enjoy cruises and have been blessed to have traveled extensively in the U.S. and Ireland.”

Wollaston has been married to her husband, Daniel, for 48 years. They have two children, Kathleen Marie and Gregory Scott, and four grandchildren.

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