Below is a list of the North Country Authors, complete with biographical information. If you would like to meet any of the authors in-person, check out our scheduled events.
Kathy Baumgarten
A native of Niagara Falls, NY, Kathy is a retired Tech Sergeant with the USAF/VT Air National Guard, and a member of the Military Writers Society of America. She is a staff writer for the American Military Retirees Association (AMRA), and also serves as president of AMRA's NY Department.
A member of the Adirondack Center for Writing (Paul Smiths), Kathy has penned two books: Strictly A Loner: My Life and Times with Plattsburgh's Poorest Millionaire, and An Away Manger, a collection of twelve uniquely modern, yet touching, Christmas tales.
Eleanor Garrell Berger
Eleanor Berger is an essayist whose personal commentaries have been published in anthologies and magazines, and broadcast on regional public radio stations. She lives with her walking companions—one human, one canine—in northern New York.
Elle published her first book in 2008, entitled Stepping Out: A Tenderfoot's Guide to the Principles, Practices, and Pleasures of Countryside Walking, intended for both rambler and armchair traveler alike.
Dr. Richard Frost
Dr. Richard (Rich) Frost grew up in Glens Falls, New York, before leaving for warmer climates. Eventually he returned to northern New York, where he practices medicine and writes about travel and history.
Since 1988, Dr. Frost has written a weekly regional travel column (A Day Away) for the Press-Republican in Plattsburgh, New York. He has authored three books: Plattsburgh, New York: A City's First Century (2001); A Day Away: Journeys from Northeastern New York (1999) under the pseudonym of Richard Landon; and One Foot Forward: Walks in Upstate New York (2008).
He lives with his wife, Marty, and his Labrador retriever, Ripken, in the foothills of the northern Adirondacks.
Robert M. (Bob) Garrow
Bob Garrow, a North Country icon, has recently added author to his résumé. Bob has long been known across the region as a multi-sport star at the high school, college, and town-team level. He is almost as well-known for his service of distinction in the fields of education, politics, and sports officiating.
Bob is a charter member of the SUNY Plattsburgh Cardinal Hall of Fame; a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Hall of Fame; a recipient of the Irving Schwartz Award from the New York State Athletic Administrators Association; and served for eighteen years as chair of the College Council at PSUC.
Years of research on the subject of local baseball led in 2009 to the publication of Bob's first book, The Only Game in Town: A Century of North Country Town Team Baseball, 1860-1960.
He is already at work on a second title, picking up the story where the first book ended.
Lawrence P. Gooley
Lawrence P. (Larry) Gooley is a proponent of the North Country, a lover of books, and a history enthusiast. He operates Bloated Toe Enterprises (BTE), an internet-based business that currently includes Bloated Toe Publishing (BTP) and The North Country Store. The company has now produced ten books, with several more in various stages of preparation. A profile of Bloated Toe Enterprises appeared in the November 2009 issue of Strictly Business magazine.
Larry organized North Country Authors to help raise the profile of area authors and their works. The focus is on group Meet-and-Greet events where the attending authors sign and sell their books. Where venues support it, some authors will offer presentations related to their work.
Larry's writings have appeared in various magazines and newspapers. He has contributed to other works, including a recent piece in an annual book series, the Franklin County Review, and has provided editing services for several other titles.
He has also authored nine books:
A History of the Altona Flat Rock (1980) – the chapter titled The Blueberry Business won the McMasters Prize for Historical Writing
Lyon Mountain: The Tragedy of a Mining Town (2004)
Out of the Darkness: In Memory of Lyon Mountain's Iron Men (2005)
The Battle of Plattsburgh Question & Answer Book (2005)
A History of the Altona Flat Rock, Silver Anniversary Edition (2005)
Brendler's Boys: The House That George Built (2006)
Oliver's War: An Adirondack Rebel Battles the Rockefeller Fortune (2007) – winner of the Adirondack Literary Award for Best Book of Nonfiction
Terror in the Adirondacks: The True Story of Serial Killer Robert F. Garrow (2009)
History of Churubusco and the Town of Clinton, Clinton County, New York (2010)
Keith Herkalo
Keith has been at the forefront of many history projects over the years, and has been a persistent, dedicated researcher of North Country history, with a focus on Plattsburgh. His ongoing involvement includes Keith's current position as president of the Battle of Plattsburgh Association (BOPA).
In 2001, with the permission of the Averill family, he edited a reprint of The Journal of Henry K. Averill, Sr. In 2007, Keith produced a second work, September Eleventh 1814: The Battles at Plattsburgh. All proceeds from the sale of both books go to the benefit of BOPA.
Gordie Little
Gordie has been a strong supporter of everything North Country since he arrived in the area half a century ago. Following a career in radio, he has written a weekly column for the Press Republican for more than a decade. During that same period, Gordie has worked alongside Calvin Castine of Home Town Cable, producing hundreds of episodes of Our Little Corner, creating a film archive of the region's history. He also writes articles for Strictly Business magazine, a Plattsburgh publication.
A longtime fan of ghostly tales, Gordie published his first book, Ghosts of Clinton County (2009) in 2009. He also recently published his second book, a children's book entitled Little Champy Goes to School (2011). More books are in his plans for the future.
Thomas A. (Tom) Middleton
Tom Middleton, a combat medic with the Vermont Army National Guard, served a year in Iraq, where he fought in the Tameem District of Ramadi and was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor. His war experience led to the publication of his first book, Saber's Edge: A Combat Medic in Ramadi, Iraq.
A sixteen-year firefighter and emergency medical technician, he is currently the Assistant Fire Marshal in Burlington, Vermont, and is a part-time registered nurse. He and his family live in Essex Junction, Vermont.
James P. Millard
James P. (Jim) Millard is perhaps best known for his incredible website, America's Historic Lakes, and has established himself as one of the leading researchers and historians in the Champlain Valley.
Jim is a member of several historical organizations; the webmaster for multiple websites; a contributor to various magazines and other publications; and is the author of a growing number of books, having released his fourth title in 2009.
Jim's works include:
The Secrets of Crab Island (2004)
Lake Passages: A Journey Through the Centuries (2007)
Bastions on the Border: The Great Stone Forts at Rouses Point on Lake Champlain (2009)
Christina M. (Tina) Trombley
While serving as Chazy Town Historian, Tina discovered many hidden treasures in the form of photographs that documented the town's history. In anticipation of the town's bicentennial, she compiled an extensive collection of captioned photographs into a book entitled Chazy, published in 2003.