'The Magic of Medora' book signing Oct. 11

A new book, "The Magic of Medora," will be featured in a book signing event to be held at Sapphire Gallery & Custom Framing in Carrington on Wednesday, October 11 from 4:30-7 p.m.

Written and illustrated by Sykeston native Linda Donlin and endorsed by the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, the book tells the story of Medora's past and present, as well as giving a glimpse into its future.

Donlin, a retired public relations professional, got the idea for the book while visiting Medora with one of her nine grandchildren. "Medora is real North Dakota history, rich with daring and intrigue, romance and passion, successes and failures – but it's complicated, and somewhat under-appreciated," she says. "My goal with this book was to create an easy-to-read, richly-illustrated resource that not only connects the dots among all of Medora's historical figures but also builds understanding about how the town became the treasure that it is today."

During 2022, Donlin and her grandchildren traveled to Medora several times for research and to interview Medora experts. Her grandchildren kept journals, took and posed for photos, and drew pictures documenting their findings. "While I wrote the manuscript and created the illustrations, our grandkids provided the inspiration," she says.

"I listened to their questions about Medora, observed what interested and excited them, and kept them involved every step of the way. They seemed most intrigued by Theodore Roosevelt's Medora story, motivating me to write the book in his voice – as if he's telling the story to his grandchildren."

Donlin wrote the manuscript last fall, created the illustrations last winter and launched the book in Medora on August 13. She drew each of the grandchildren into illustrations in the book.

Donna Stringer, retired elementary teacher from Sykeston who taught two of Donlin's children, was one of the reviewers of the book. Her testimonial is on the back cover: "Linda's book is a well-written account of the history of Medora that will pique the interest of the intended reading audience and beyond. Factual, without going into minute detail, it kept my attention and rekindled history lost in the recesses of my mind. With Theodore Roosevelt narrating, I could 'hear' his voice as I was reading. I foresee this becoming a best seller with Medora's tourist trade and a huge plug for North Dakota tourism."

Joe Wiegand, historian and Medora's Theodore Roosevelt reprisor, said, "The Magic of Medora combines history, storytelling and illustrations to reveal so much of what makes Medora and the Badlands a perfect place to encounter the life and legacy of Theodore Roosevelt. Linda Donlin has done a great service to provide a book that will inspire another generation to 'dare greatly!'"

Donlin says the book takes the readers on a journey through time from the geological formation of the Badlands to the planning of TR's Presidential Library. "While designed with young people in mind, it is my hope that this book will become a treasured historical resource for the whole family to enjoy – before, during and after they visit Medora."

Donlin's illustrations for the book and new Badlands-inspired paintings will be in an exhibition entitled "Across the Burning Hills" at The Capital Gallery in Bismarck in November and December. She will bring a selection of those pieces to the Sapphire Gallery for patrons to preview at the book signing event. Books are available at the Sapphire Gallery; at The Capital Gallery in Bismarck; at Ferguson bookstores in Grand Forks, West Fargo and Bismarck; at Main Street Books in Minot; in most shops in Medora and on shopmedora.com.