Alliance author to speak at CSC

Mrs. Halversonís book, ìThe Land of  Gone Before,î came off the presses last summer. She will discuss the book and the experiences that led her to write it. She said she chose the name for the book because that was what the Lakota people called the Sandhills. where she was born and raised. Her home was in Sheridan County, a few miles south of the Spade Ranch and where Old Jules Sandoz established his orchards and ranch after moving from the Mirage Flats.
    Mrs. Halverson said her father, Pat Hooper, was among the first white babies born in the Sandhills.  He became one of the main bronc busters at the Spade Ranch when it was still owned by Bartlett Richards and Will Comstock. Mari Sandoz interviewed Hooper while she was writing her book, ìThe Cattlemen.î<p>
She added that Mariís youngest sister, Caroline Sandoz Pifer, was her seventh-grade teacher.
    The program will be open to the public without charge.