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PHOTOS BY GENIA GAZMAN
in
the
Oak Park’s
Got
The
Beat
Independent bookseller to
celebrate 35 years on Aug. 27.
TOP: Customer Lois Mann with co-owners Colleen
Kammer and Cary Loren. ABOVE: Kammer holds
up one of the many selections at the Book Beat.
RIGHT: Kammer designs the window displays at the
bookstore.
10
August 24 • 2017
jn
GENIA GAZMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
O
n a recent trip up north, I lis-
tened again to a recording of
The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo.
It was a timely reminder that we find
what we search for at the place we
left. And even though what we need-
ed was right there at the onset, the
journey brought us to appreciate the
treasure we could have had all along.
I share these words because yester-
day I found myself in the Book Beat
at the intersection of Greenfield Road
and Lincoln Street in Oak Park. I
was kitty-corner from the apartment
where I lived as a child. Since then, I
have lived in other parts of Michigan,
New Hampshire and Minnesota and
traveled to almost every continent. I
have developed a deep appreciation
for books.
I love the copy of Master and
Margarita bought for me by my father
in Ukraine, the collection of pho-
tography I bought on the streets of
Amsterdam, and I am still spellbound
by the M.I.L.K. books I was introduced
to during my travels in New Zealand.
All these places where I have sought
books … and yet yesterday was my
first time walking into Book Beat
across the street from where I once
lived and still frequently drive past.
What took me so long?
Book Beat is the very treasure of
legends. The kind of bounty one
holds tight with both arms in grati-
tude.
Colleen Kammer and Cary Loren,
the lovely and knowledgeable owners,
were more than kind in welcoming
me into their store. The two shared
stories about not just Book Beat, but
the whole Book Beat family. Colleen
probably never says, “Oh, here’s a
book I like.” No, she tells me about
how Rick Lieder and Helen Frost,
the photographer and the poet who
wrote and illustrated a book together
conceived the idea at Book Beat. She
shared story after story about the
lives of the authors of the books Book
Beat carries. They are her friends.
Creating a loving and welcoming
space does not stop within the walls
of Book Beat. I stood on the sidewalk
in front of the store with Colleen. She
pointed out for me places where she
has beautified the endless concrete
by planting flowers. Her creativity
also shines through with the window
displays she designs that are executed
by Stephen Dueweke. The detail is
exquisite! Stephen said he uses oils
and water-based pastels and special
techniques to bring ideas to life.
I asked Colleen and Cary what
words they would like to share with
the community on reaching Book
Beat’s 35th anniversary.
Colleen volunteered the words
of a Book Beat longtime customer
and friend. She told me how the
obituary for avid book collector
Toby Holtzman conveyed his mes-
sage for our community and future
generations: “Read to your children
and grandchildren. Bring them to the
library and bookstores.”
On Aug. 27, from noon-5 p.m., Book
Beat is celebrating its 35th anniver-
sary with a party people will talk
about for years. There will be authors,
music, food and lots of books — many
on discount.
Let us all take to heart Colleen and
Cary’s wisdom, “Books are about pos-
sibilities.” Join in celebrating Book
Beat, our community’s treasure! •
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