CC graduate describes Pick Up the Pieces
Contributed by the Ariail Chapter of the Columbia College Aumnae Club

Barbara Courtney Thomas

The Ariail Chapter of the Columbia College Alumnae Club held its first meeting of the 2007- 2008 year September 13, on the Columbia College campus.

Serving as hostesses were Beverly Owen Weymouth ('80), Mary Catherine Merritt Smith ('47), and Mary Jo Hodge Monts ('80). Mrs. Joyce Hart Mann ('56), president of the chapter called the meeting to order.

Mrs. Mary Beth Sjoberg ('50), vice president, introduced Mrs. Barbara Courtney Thomas ('57) from Chapin, S. C. who presented the program. Mrs. Thomas grew up in Epworth Orphanage. She graduated from Dreher High School in 1953 and Columbia College in 1957 where she was student

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& Universities, and was elected Most Womanly, the highest honor bestowed on a Columbia College student. She taught 30 years and was chosen District Teacher of the Year and one of five Honor Roll Teachers in 1984. Now retired, Mrs. Thomas presented how she came to write her recently published

autobiographical novel, Just

Pick Up the Pieces.

The novel is the story of two little girls, 11 and eight, "who meet with unspeakable tragedy and whose world is suddenly shattered like a beautiful fallen vase."

In her autobiographical novel, Mrs. Thomas takes the reader through tragedy, happy times, troubles, and trials she and her little sister faced as children. The story unfolds as they "eventually arrive at a safe place that will, over time, provide them with security, a stable environment, encouragement, guidance, opportunity, and a strong Christian faith." The Ariail Chapter of the Columbia College Alumnae Association was organized in 1963 and named in honor of Dr. & Mrs. J.M. Ariail. Regular meetings are held the second Thursday of September, November, February, and April. The next scheduled meeting is Thursday, November 8, 2007.