Columbia/Hellam/Wrightsville
townlively.com
MARCH 22, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXIV • NO 4
Drawing on his talent BY CATHY MOLITORIS
pend five minutes with Donovan Spencer, and you’ll walk away in a better mood. Donovan radiates infectious enthusiasm and positivity, and he’s channeled that spirit into his art, which he’s now sharing with the public. The 26-year-old from Columbia has published two coloring books, one featuring Christmas pages and one called “Fun in the 4 Seasons.” Donovan, who is the son of Crystal and Tony Spencer, has loved to draw since he was a child. “I watched ‘Blues Clues,’ and I loved that show so much,” he recalled. “It inspired me.” Last September, he was coming home from his job at Walmart when his mom issued a challenge. “I said, ‘If you draw a page every day of October, a picture of something fun that reminds you of Christmas, I’ll give myself the challenge of getting it published,’” Crystal said. Donovan got right to work, and
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he completed 31 pages for the Christmas coloring book. “I wasn’t sure he was going to fulfill his part, but he did, so I said, ‘Well, I guess Mom has to fulfill her challenge now,’ so I started looking for publishers,” Crystal noted. A Google search led her to Arnold Printed Communications in Lancaster, and the company responded to her email inquiry almost immediately. “They said they wanted to make Donovan’s dream come true,” Crystal shared. Beyond creating a coloring book, Donovan has always had a bigger dream, he said. “I wanted to open my own company and make things that make people happy,” he remarked. The coloring book was his first project under the name Uncontainable Entertainment. “To put it simply, I named it that because of my enthusiasm,” he said. “I can’t help but be enthusiastic, and I let it burst out.” The Spencers ordered an initial run of 100 copies of the Christmas coloring book, and 10 sold to people
at the printing company before Donovan had even seen the finished product. He sold the rest at his church, the Lord’s House of Prayer in Lancaster. “They sold like hotcakes,” Donovan commented. They were so popular, another 100 copies were ordered and also sold out. While selling books at church, Donovan talked to a woman whose husband was part of a group from the church taking a mission trip to Kenya in mid-March. “She said she’d love for him to do another book, with proceeds going toward the trip,” Crystal said. “She wanted this coloring book to represent everyday things.” “Fun in the 4 Seasons” was published in late February. With two successful coloring books completed, Donovan doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. “I want to do a book series about animals in the stories in the Bible and fairytales,” he shared. Donovan, who has autism, said drawing is a way to help him process the world around him. He can often See Drawing pg 5
BY CATHY MOLITORIS
For an afternoon of art and literature, head to Columbia Public Library’s annual Fête. The event will take place on Sunday, May 21, at the library, 24 S. Sixth St. It will begin at 1:30 p.m. “We’ve done this twice before and we called it an auction, but we’re calling it a fête this year, because it’s more of a celebration for the library,” said Cle Berntheizel, committee member for the event. “We’ll have an auction, live music and refreshments.” From 1:30 to 2:15 p.m., people will
Join author Robert Dugoni for a talk BY CATHY MOLITORIS
There’s an occupational hazard Mary Ann Steinhauer faces as the leader of the Council of Friends of Public Libraries. “People will stop me in the street and ask, ‘Are you having another author event?’” she said with a laugh. Thankfully for Steinhauer, the answer is “yes.” The Council of Friends will host award-winning author Robert Dugoni on Thursday, April 13, at Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster. The event will begin at 11 a.m. Dugoni is perhaps best known for his crime mysteries and legal thrillers. His Tracy Crosswhite
be able to preview the auction items, which will include books and artwork, and they will also be able to browse the buy-it-now table, which will feature books, paintings, prints, photography and more. During this time, a jazz trio will perform outside the library and complimentary refreshments will be available, said Karen Spina, committee member. The entertainment will be provided by the Columbia School of Music. Local bakers will make a variety of cakes, which will auctioned off as well. “At 2:15, we’ll have a short program to let people know why we’re doing See Fête pg 2
police series has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide. Dugoni is also the author of the Charles Jenkins espionage series and the David Sloane legal thriller series. Additionally, he has written several standalone novels, including “The 7th Canon,” “Damage Control,” “The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell: A Novel” and “The World Played Chess.” Ticket holders for the April talk will receive a copy of Dugoni’s latest novel, “Her Deadly Game.” Dugoni will be joined on stage by Scott LaMar of WITF, who will facilitate the conversation. A book signing and a meet-and-greet with the author will be held after the event. See Author pg 4
Robert Dugoni
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Library fête will feature art and books
Donovan Spencer with his coloring books