A few years ago, best-selling author Fannie Flagg stopped in Huntsville on a book tour through her home state of Alabama.
Her longtime friend, former local TV personality and community leader Missy Ming Smith, had asked her to help out a deserving non-profit, Free 2 Teach, by donating proceeds from a local book signing. That 2013 event raised $3,500 for Free 2 Teach, which provides free school supplies to thousands of teachers across Madison County.
While she was there, Flagg met Free 2 Teach co-founder Eula Battle, the wife of Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, who passed away last month after a long battle with cancer.
“She was just the dearest, most sincere, loving person,” Flagg said of Battle, comparing her to the kind of people she writes about in her books.
“If you see her in the streets, you wouldn’t know what a powerhouse she was.”
Indeed, Eula Battle was a powerhouse when it came to serving children and teachers. Free 2 Teach has provided more than $7 million in supplies since its founding a decade ago.
In honor of Eula Battle’s memory and legacy, Flagg is using the launch of her latest book, “The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop,” (the sequel to “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café”) to again raise money for Free 2 Teach.
Since COVID-19 precludes a traditional book signing, this time the event will be virtual. Since COVID-19 precludes a traditional book signing, this time the event will be virtual. For a donation to Free 2 Teach (www.free-2-teach.org/fannieflagg) you’ll receive a signed copy of “The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop.” And you can visit www.facebook/free2teach for a virtual conversation with Flagg.
Books cost $33 for in-person pick-up and $35 for those that need shipping. In-person pick-up will be Saturday, Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Free 2 Teach store at 3054 Leeman Ferry Road in Huntsville.
“Fannie, my dear friend, has been such a supporter of Free 2 Teach because our mission of supporting teachers and children is so close to her heart,” said Smith, who is a Free 2 Teach board member. “She, like many of us, can remember the remarkable teacher who impacted her life.”
Flagg was born in Birmingham, but later moved with her family to the Alabama Gulf Coast in Foley. It was at Foley Grammar School where her life was transformed by her sixth-grade teacher, Sybil Underwood.
Little Fannie was shy, and dyslexic, and Mrs. Underwood noticed she was having trouble keeping up with the rest of the class. So she encouraged her, and gave her special attention, sitting with her each day and reading a chapter from a Nancy Drew mystery novel.
“Oh, I couldn’t wait for the next day,” Flagg said. “She sparked my imagination and may have inspired me into writing.”
Indeed, Mrs. Underwood pushed Fannie to write, even though dyslexia (a condition she shared with Eula Battle) made it difficult for her to spell.
"I wrote a story called “Why I want to be bald-headed,'” Flagg said, recalling how her mother braided her hair do tight that it hurt her head.
Mrs. Underwood entered the story into a contest at the Baldwin County Fair.
“It took a prize, and that started me on my way,” Flagg said.
Mrs. Underwood had a lot to be proud of. “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café” (based on the Irondale Café in the Birmingham suburb of the same name) was turned into a movie in 1991 and earned Flagg an Oscar nomination for best screen play.
She had already become an accomplished comedian and actress, with roles on “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” “Candid Camera,” and “Match Game.” She’s written numerous best-selling books, many based in Alabama.
“I believe in what Free 2 Teach is doing and I was so happy to lend my support,” said Flagg. “I think that teachers deserve our recognition and support and their children should have everything they need to learn and grow.”
Shelly Haskins writes about points of pride statewide. Email your suggestions to shaskins@al.com, or tweet them to @Shelly_Haskins using #AlabamaProud
(Updated to reflect that the book cost is $33 and shipping is available)
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