Author Eleanor Corey Guderian will share stories from her book “Sticks, Stones and Songs: The Corey Story” at the Clallam County Historical Society’s History Tales presentation, set for 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at First United Methodist Church, 110 E. Seventh St., Port Angeles.

Parking and entry to the church’s social hall are on Laurel Street.

“Sticks, Stones & Songs: The Corey Story” is the true tale of a family of 12 that survives — even thrives — in mid-century rural America on half a ration, two-fold ingenuity and undeniable faith.

The chronicles begin in 1937 when itinerate preacher Arthur Corey purchases the abandoned Ramapo Grange hall near Joyce. The derelict building becomes the home into which babies, including the author, are born … one after another … after another. These children, raised in the shadow of their father’s powerful character and mentored by their creative mother, adapt throwaways into tools, transform hardships into strengths and mitigate chores with songs. They eat oatmeal or beans or beets when there is nothing else and become all too familiar with an outhouse where catalogs are used instead of toilet paper. “Sticks, Stones & Songs” is a remarkable story recounted by Guderian, child No. 7, whose love for her family and pluck for adventure outweigh all the miseries she and her siblings face.

Guderian says she has used words all her life — mostly to her advantage. Those words could be used to sweet talk her mother or give the smartest answers in class, but sometimes she got her mouth taped for blathering those words too quickly, too loudly and too often.Most of the Corey siblings will be at the presentation. The book will be available for purchase. If you already own a copy, bring it with you for Guderian to sign.

History Tales is free and open to the public.

For more information, call the Clallam County Historical Society’s office at 452-2662 or e-mail artifact@olypen.com.