Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-12-06
Woodland Woman's Book Gets High
Acclaim From Literary Critics

Woodland - Literary critics in
the United States and abroad,
the adult and the adolescent
reading public. are unanimous in
praise Of River Treasure, the en-
tertaining book for juveniles
written by Mebane Holoman
Burgwyn, who is a member Of
the Woodland Junior Woman's
Club, and published by the Ok
ford University Press.
River Treasure has been re-
ceived with enthusiasm as meet
ing the need for good juvenile
reading at the age when d'sposi-
tions and habits are being form
ed. and the character Of the fu-
ture adult is assuming shape
and color.
Mrs. Burgwyn has been ac-
corded much recognition locally
and in other cities where she
has spoken before civic groups.
In Greensboro several book
stores and her Alma Mater. W.
c. U. N. c. arranged exhibits
Of the book, the original MS, or
isinal paintings and other inter-
esting data, and honored the au-
thor at several social functions.
She was speaker at 4 lunch
con during the Biennial meeting
Of the Southeastern Library As
sociation in Louisville, Kentuc-
ky; in October and was a guest
at an open forum of Librarians
held at the Louisville Public Ii
brary on the same day.
During Book Week Mrs. Bur
gwyn was speaker at a luncheon
given in her honor by Mrs. Ruth
Jeffreys, librarian of the Thorn.
as Hackney Braswell Memorial
Library, at the home Of Mrs.
Thornton in Westhaven, Rocky
Mount. Her speech was broad
cast over FM facilities to the
schools in Nash County. After
the luncheon, Mrs. Burgwyn
spoke to the grammer grade
children Of the James Craig
Braswell school in Rocky Mount.
Because Of her responsibilities
at home - and she says my
children come first" Mrs.
Burgwyn limits her speaking en-
gagements.
Mrs. Burgwyn is the daughter
Of Mr.. and Mrs. H. D. Holoman
Of Rich Square. She completed
grammar and high school grades
in the schools there. At W. c.
U. N. c.. from which institution
she received an A. B. in Pri-
mary Education in 1885, Mebane
was active in many campus Of
CARNATIONS. :
In August 1885 she was mar
ried to John Griffin Burgwyn,
son Of Judge W. H. S. Burgwyn
and Josephine Griffin Burgwyn
of Woodland. Mr.. and Mrs. Bur
gwyn lived in Jackson one year.
Except for 4 short stay on the
farm Immediately after the dew
astating flood in 1910. when they
returned to help distribute sup
plies to the destitute families,
they have lived in Woodland.
Their children are John IL yrs,
Josephine 8, Henry 4, and Ste
phen 2.
After her marriage, Mebane
moved her membership from the
Rich Square Baptist Church to
the Episcopal Church in Jackson.
the Burgwyn family church, and
here her four children have been
baptized. In Woodland, the fam
lily is active in the Sunday School
and church program Of the Meth
odist Church the family
church Of "Mama Jo"-(the af-
fectionate name for Grandmoth-
er Burgwyn).
Mrs. Burgwyn is one Of the
most active members Of the loc-
al Junior Woman's Club. S h e
has served a. its president, its
first chairman Of Youth Conser-
walton and on various commit
tees. She has served as presi-
dent, and in other offices Of the
local P. T. A.
She is a member Of the North
ampton County Library Board.
Her neighbors are justly proud
Of her accomplishment in t h E
field Of writing, but are prouder
still OF the unpretentious author
at-home.
There are 30 many personali-
ties wrapped up in the talented,
blond Mebane Burewyn; so
many admirable qualities that
help to make her a successful