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20 GU I D E to Y E L L OW S P R I NG S | 2O22 – 2O23 she wrote more than 40 books, with a number of them earning critical praise and recognition. Hamilton died Feb. 19, 2002, at the age of 65, from breast cancer. Three of Hamilton’s books were published following her death: “Bruh Rabbit and the Tar Baby Girl,” “Wee Winnie Witch’s Skinny” and “Virginia Ham - ilton: Speeches, Essays, and Conversations,” edited by her husband, Arnold Adoff, and Kacy Cook. The Virginia Ham - ilton Reading Room in the YS Community Library is named in her honor. Following her death, Don Wallis, former editor of the YS News and a friend of Ham- ilton’s, contributed a guest column to the News pages. He reflected on her career, and on her importance as a fixture in the community — as both a writer and as herself. Excerpts from that column follow: “She was a truly great writer — even greater, I think, than all her honors and admirers attest. Her vast suc- cess as a writer of ‘children’s literature’ tends to obscure her surpassing greatness as a pure writer, a literary artist whose work transcends the limits of category. Her books are for and about children, and millions of young readers have read them — and they are complex, daring and origi - nal works of art that engage the most sophisticated adult readers in rewarding and meaningful, fulfilling ways. … Virginia spoke of her writ - ing as ‘liberation literature,’ a way of freeing ‘oppressed people and readers.’ She said: ‘Storytelling is my way of sharing in community. I see my books, and the language I use in them, as empowering me to give utterance to the dreams, the wishes, of African Americans. “For many of us in Yellow Springs, the sense of loss we felt when we learned of Virgin- ia’s death reflected our sense of her greatness as a writer — and also her valued pres- ence in the community, as an everyday friend and neighbor. … When I was editor of the News, she used to say to me with a twinkle in her eye, ‘Hey, you’re the man with the news — tell it to me, tell me all the news, tell me the stories you can’t print.’ She was joking, teasing, but there was a bit of truth to it. Always Virginia was drawn to the story. … “Virginia loved her work so much it was never work to her. It was her calling, it was her whole being, it was how she expressed all the love in her heart. She gave it to the world in every story she cre- ated. She knew this. She knew how much she loved her life and her work. “At home in Yellow Springs, she wrote: ‘I settle back with the coming of night to write in earnest. And that’s happi - ness.’” ♦ YSChamber.org | 937.767.2686 House of Ravenwood Metaphysical Rock Shoppe FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY 100 CORRY ST. 937-767-2819 FANTASY GIFTS, TUMBLED STONES, JEWELRY, TAROT DECKS, STATUES, METAPHYSICAL BOOKS & MORE Psychic Tarot Readings C. Baker Plumbing Services &Drain Cleaning LLC We are here for all your plumbing needs, commercial & residential OPEN 24/7 CRAIG BAKER Miami Valley Reg# 010284 937-956-9784 Jenni f er’s Touch Classic Contemporary • Unique Fine Jewelry Handmade Sterling & Gold 937-470-2680 • 220 Xenia Ave.