Category Archives: Scratch Pad

Black History Month – Nat Turner and Slave Literacy

Posted on February 14, 2023 by Allen Mesch

On August 21, 1831, enslaved Virginian Nat Turner led a bloody revolt, which changed the course of American history. The uprising in Southampton County led to the murder of an estimated 55 white people, the execution of about 55 Black people, and … Continue reading →

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Black History Month – Corinth Contraband Camp

Posted on February 9, 2023 by Allen Mesch

As Federal forces occupied significant portions of the South, enslaved people escaped from farms and plantations and fled to safety behind Union lines. The number of freedom seekers increased considerably in Union-occupied Corinth after President Abraham Lincoln’s Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation … Continue reading →

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School District Bans Books

Posted on February 2, 2023 by Allen Mesch

Authors beware! Your book may be banned by school districts. Will Your Book be Banned? A letter to the editor in the January 30, 2023 Dallas Morning News caught my eye this morning. According to the writer, McKinney ISD changed … Continue reading →

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Desperate Writers Can Become Publishers’ Victims

Posted on January 26, 2023 by Allen Mesch

After spending two years researching and writing my book, I was anxious to find a publisher willing to print and distribute my manuscript. Of course, I hoped to find a “match made in heaven,” but instead I ended up “shaking … Continue reading →

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“The Pale Blue Eye” and the “Real” Edgar Allan Poe.

Posted on January 19, 2023 by Allen Mesch

The Netflix movie The Pale Blue Eye is a murder mystery that takes place at the United States Military at West Point. The Movie The Pale Blue Eye is a gothic mystery thriller film written and directed by Scott Cooper, adapted from the 2003 novel … Continue reading →

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Sam’s Club Awards Grant to Plano Kiwanis

Posted on January 2, 2023 by Allen Mesch

The Plano Kiwanis’ “Books and Buddies” program received a $500 grant from Sam’s Club. The grant, along with Plano Kiwanis funds, will be used to purchase bilingual books that will be given to Head Start children at an open house … Continue reading →

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Charlotte the Elf

Posted on December 17, 2022 by Allen Mesch

As some of you may know, Charlotte is a mischievous elf. She is employed by Santa Claus in his North Pole workshop. During the Christmas season, Charlotte makes unannounced visits to children around the world. Experts have not determined whether … Continue reading →

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The Third Rebellion

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Allen Mesch

The Third Rebellion is a novel about political and social unrest in the United States of America. The book is a work of fiction. The Third Rebellion is not a prediction of future events, a political manifesto, a condemnation of … Continue reading →

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The Forgotten Texas Statesman

Posted on October 12, 2022 by Allen Mesch

The revised and edited version of my biography of Ebenezer Allen is now available from Barnes and Noble Press. Who was this Man? Order Book The Forgotten Texas Statesman for $17.00 from Barnes and Noble Order E-Book The Forgotten Texas Statesman for … Continue reading →

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The Woman King

Posted on September 22, 2022 by Allen Mesch

The Woman King is a must viewing. Viola Davis is her great self. The Woman King is a true story that confirms that the all-female military regiment existed and was called the Agojie or Mino (Our Mothers). The Woman King … Continue reading →

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