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The story is set in prehistoric Portsmouth, Ohio (a Native American word), around the year 1000, centered on what is now Mound Park. At that time, the area was an important ceremonial center for the peoples who lived there, including two smaller centers across the river. The Portsmouth ceremonial center is depicted in Robert Dafford's Floodwall Mural, "The Mound Builders," a detail of which is used on my cover.
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The story is set in prehistoric Portsmouth, Ohio (a Native American word), around the year 1000, centered on what is now Mound Park. At that time, the area was an important ceremonial center for the peoples who lived there, including two smaller centers across the river. The Portsmouth ceremonial center is depicted in Robert Dafford's Floodwall Mural, "The Mound Builders," a detail of which is used on my cover.
Mound Park today has only one of the horseshoe earthworks remaining, and we are fortunate to have this 2000-year-old artifact with us, a reminder to each person of those who lived lives here and cared for the land.
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In 2009, w
hen I visited Mound Park and the Floodwall Murals, I began wondering about the lives people would have led then -- imagining the beautiful river valley, the lack of conveniences, yet the triumph of persevering. I began researching, visiting the Hopewell Cultural Park in Chillicothe on the way back to Philadelphia. I used to visit this park with my Mother and Dad in the 1950's when it was called "Mound City," and I started to reminisce:
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hen I visited Mound Park and the Floodwall Murals, I began wondering about the lives people would have led then -- imagining the beautiful river valley, the lack of conveniences, yet the triumph of persevering. I began researching, visiting the Hopewell Cultural Park in Chillicothe on the way back to Philadelphia. I used to visit this park with my Mother and Dad in the 1950's when it was called "Mound City," and I started to reminisce:
My Dad would often take Mother and me for a Sunday Drive. Twice a year, we would take the “Trail,” Rt. 23, from New Boston to Chillicothe. Dad’s stated objective for the drive was to visit Mound City, although I suspected that it was really all about his affection for Dairy Queen, a new ice cream only available in Chillicothe.
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On the Trail, we would pass the Stone Pipe Inn at Lowry Hollow, and further up the road, the sign for the Wakefield Mound, and then finally, we would arrive at Mound City State Park in Chillicothe; little did I know then that they were all historically connected, even the route that we drove, back and forth.
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My youthful imagination ran wild as we gazed at the mounds of earth and the low walls that had been built by ancient peoples many years before Columbus encountered this hemisphere. What did the mounds mean? How were they used? No one knew for certain...no written record had ever been found.
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Later, we would visit the Sulfur Springs in Chillicothe and Dad would have a drink, as would I; Mother refused, always. Then to get the taste of sulfur out of our mouths, we enjoyed a cone of twisted Dairy Queen Ice Cream, for the long ride home..The memory of Mound City never left my mind, nor the questions those mounds raised. Then, 2009, I realized that Portsmouth was also an important region for these people; I began to write.
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On the Trail, we would pass the Stone Pipe Inn at Lowry Hollow, and further up the road, the sign for the Wakefield Mound, and then finally, we would arrive at Mound City State Park in Chillicothe; little did I know then that they were all historically connected, even the route that we drove, back and forth.
.
My youthful imagination ran wild as we gazed at the mounds of earth and the low walls that had been built by ancient peoples many years before Columbus encountered this hemisphere. What did the mounds mean? How were they used? No one knew for certain...no written record had ever been found.
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Later, we would visit the Sulfur Springs in Chillicothe and Dad would have a drink, as would I; Mother refused, always. Then to get the taste of sulfur out of our mouths, we enjoyed a cone of twisted Dairy Queen Ice Cream, for the long ride home..The memory of Mound City never left my mind, nor the questions those mounds raised. Then, 2009, I realized that Portsmouth was also an important region for these people; I began to write.
For those who have read it, "Great Heats" is an enjoyable and easy adventure, which leaves the reader wanting more. In each chapter, the main character, an artist, is ten years older and has meaningful, even fateful, encounters. A contemporary "Epilogue" answers many of the questions left by the surprise ending. 
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Although Portsmouth--called "Ohi'yo" in my book--is the main setting, Chillicothe--another Native American word, called "Chi'cotha," in this story--also plays a prominent role as an important village and ceremonial center. Other centers were "N'urk" (Newark), "Cawnis" (Marietta), and "Pee'qwa" (Piqua). There is more information in the Preface.
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today from Ohio south to Florida and Mississippi and North to Wisconsin, is not only entertaining and enjoyable, but also that it connects us in a new way to our common history.
"Aiyee, my friends. Aiyee."
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"Horseshoe Mound" Photo by JQ Jacobs
http://www.jqjacobs.net/photos/