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e a s t c o u n t y l e a d e r
july 2013
9
BUSINESS / BOOKS
“I just finished reading “The Aviator’s
Wife,” by Melanie Benjamin This is a
fascinating tale that marries compelling
history with fictional emotions.
The story follows the courtship and
marriage of Anne Morrow Lindbergh
and Charles Lindbergh. It is told through
the voice of Anne, a young girl who gets
caught up in the charisma and fame of
Charles. She spends a lifetime trying to
live up to his expectations while find-
ing her own way. I became caught up in
their story and found it hard to put the
book down. I am inspired to research
more about this couple and the history
of their time. It is an easy read and I
learned a lot too. I would definitely rec-
ommend this book!”
— Midge Collins, owner, The
Hangout Sports Bar and Grill
“When I was asked to do this book re-
view, I looked at my bedside table and
wondered which book should I pick
(there are always about 10 there waiting
to be read).
I selected “Sophie and the Rising Sun,”
by Augusta Trobaugh. The setting is
in the deep South, just as the Japanese
bombed Pearl Harbor. At the time, the
South has some very strict traditions and
moral, or rather social codes that were
followed particularly among the well
bred. This story is centered around cross-
ing the line between social and ethnic
classes, which at the time in the South
was something that was not done. We
see throughout the story how a couple
inter-racial friendships develop. The sto-
ry primarily depicts a budding relation-
ship between a gentleman of Japanese
descent and a proper Southern woman.
There are many surprise elements
throughout the book, which ends in a
twist, that illustrates the power of love
and the human spirit — and how nei-
ther can be crushed even by the most
stringent social codes. Overall, it was a
quick, good read.
— Alison Hart, CEO
Gresham Area Chamber of
Commerce and Visitors Center
The Aviator’s Wife
by Melanie Benjamin
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“We both just grew up in
the car business,” Jan said. “We
learned the sales stuff and worked
in the parts department. I rode
to work with Dad when I was in
high school and washed cars or
pressure washed the lot. Our dad
didn’t compel us to stay, but he did
a lot to help us get along.”
Jim Weston also imparted to
his sons his belief in supporting
the community. For more than 25
years, the dealership provided vehi-
cles to the Portland Rose Festival
for the transportation needs of the
court and visiting naval dignitar-
ies. They also supplied pace cars
for the annual Portland 200, Indy
CART Race at Portland Interna-
tional Raceway. Weston’s remains
a notable name as sponsor for area
athletic teams and assistance to
organizations and nonprofit groups
that serve the community.
But the core of Weston Buick
GMC, Jan said, really can be
summed up in one word — rela-
tionships. Establishing that rapport
with customers, employees and
the community inspires loyalty and
longevity.
“My dad always said, ‘We sell
cars, but we’re in the people busi-
ness,’” Jan explained. “We try to
help our sales people understand
that they have to find common
ground with the customer. Our
job is not to slam them into a car
and move on. Our job is to help
the customer find the truck or car
that fits their need. We’re all about
relationships.”
continued from 8
Sophie and the
Rising Sun
by Augusta Trobaugh
What’s on your
nightstand
?
What books to add to your reading l ist,
as recommended by local bibl iophi les