A variety of interesting books show up on the Society's special sale bookshelves. Some cover important aspects of our general history, and others cover very specific topics.  One of the latter is The Bell Rings On, History of the Arcata United Methodist Church 1950 - 2000 by Martha Longshore.

       It is an historical sequel to a book published six years previously : A Bell Rings in Union Town, the First Hundred Years of Arcata and the Methodist Church, 1850 - 1950. The new book opens with a brief historical account of the land on which the church was built: the original Wiyot inhabitants, the early town of Union and the Bull family whose property was used.

       The book then launches into the story of building the new church and the people involved in each aspect of the construction - congregation members of all ages and skills. In a like manner, the book goes on to detailing all aspects of this ongoing church's life: the various committees and activities, administration, community and missionary outreach, singing and hand bell choirs, Sunday School, and its various social groups.  The participants in all these activities are listed as are the administrators and ministers. Photos abound.

       It might seem that for readers who are not members of that particular congregation, this book would be of little interest. But it actually reflects the history of Arcata as well and gives a heart-warming insight into what makes a community - people sharing certain values and pitching in to create something bigger than themselves.

       The presence of this book on the special sale shelves at the Barnum House also shows the value of people donating used books to sell there. This gives an opportunity to make every aspect of local history available to all of us while expanding our view of what makes a community -- in the past and the present.