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For a Personalized Autographed copy of “STRAWBERRIES IN WINTERTIME” or “WOODEN & ME” mail a check for $25 to:
Woody Woodburn
400 Roosevelt Court
Ventura, CA 93003
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Bookworm’s Readers Encouraged to Type
Visitors to Mrs. Figs’ Bookworm, a magical independent bookstore in Camarillo, take in a wonderful greeting upon entering. I am not talking about a warm hello, although always they receive this as well.
Rather, three steps inside the front door and straight ahead so as not to be missed, The Typewriter Nook beckons.
Specifically, a grey 1955 Remington Quiet-Riter manual typewriter rests on a small table with a chair before it. There is always a sheet of paper in the vintage machine.
Also on the table, to the right of the typewriter, is a small, thin, red hardback titled: “Notes from a Public Typewriter.” The book is about a typewriter set out in a similar fashion for patrons of a bookstore in Ann Arbor to type messages. It was the inspiration for this special nook 2,300 miles away.
A few months past, Connie Halpern – also knows as Mrs. Figs – sent a copy of the little red book to Michael Mariani. She thought Michael, a Venturan who collects vintage typewriters, would relish it.
Connie, as usual with her book recommendations, was spot on. As a thank you, Michael gave the Quiet-Riter from his collection to Mrs. Figs’ Bookworm so its patrons could have a similar opportunity to express themselves on a public typewriter.
“It was a huge surprise,” Connie says of the refurbished antique gift. “It brought tears to my eyes.”
And so The Typewriter Nook came to be.
As a further welcome and enticement to sit down and express oneself, on the table just to the left of the typewriter is this message: “Valued Friend. You are important. Please enjoy this space. Take your message with you. Or leave it her to be shared with others.”
For the latter, there rests on the table a square jar labeled: “Messages in a Bottle!” Hundreds of notes, many brief and others quite lengthy, have filled the glass vessel to overflowing.
“Mrs. Figs” aka the wonderful Connie Halpern
“At least once a day, someone sits at the typewriter,” Connie says. “Always with a big smile on their face!”
She adds: “I would say the majority of the typists are youngsters – who have a giggling parent standing by, sharing how they used to type on one.”
Nostalgia for the grownups is new-fangled for the kids.
“Most will ask for help,” Connie shares. “Some frequent and repetitive – and precious and priceless – questions have been:
“How do you turn it on?” (You don’t need to, she answers.)
“Where is the number 1?” (You have to use a lower case “L” on this model, she tells them.)
“Where is the exclamation point?” (You have to use a period, then backspace and use an apostrophe over the period, she directs.)
“Where is the delete button?” (Mrs. Figs tries not to laugh.)
Connie continues: “There has not been one face that is not smiling, ear to ear, while exploring the typewriter.”
Has this enchanted reaction surprised her?
“To be honest, no,” Connie answers. “Because when I sat down to type on it the very first time – it had been almost 35 years since I had used one – I nearly cried tears of joy. I squealed! So I immediately knew that joy would be the overwhelming reaction.”
Always a lovely place to be, when someone sits down at the Quiet-Riter and the clickity-clack-click typing begins, Mrs. Figs’ Bookworm becomes even more so.
“If I were asked to describe the melody of the typewriter,” Connie says, “I would say it sounds like Yo-Yo Ma playing Bach Cello Suite No. 1.”
Next week, I will share some of the “musical” notes played in the Bookworm to date.
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Woody Woodburn writes a weekly column for The Ventura County Star and can be contacted at WoodyWriter@gmail.com.
Check out my memoir WOODEN & ME: Life Lessons from My Two-Decade Friendship with the Legendary Coach and Humanitarian to Help “Make Each Day Your Masterpiece” and my essay collection “Strawberries in Wintertime: Essays on Life, Love, and Laughter” …
- Personalized signed copies are available at WoodyWoodburn.com
- Unsigned paperbacks or Kindle ebook can be purchased here at Amazon
On the back of his 1950s Hermes Baby portable typewriter, which he took along on his “Travels with Charley” road trip around America, author John Steinbeck etched: “The Beast Within.”