The seashore towns of New Jersey have been a haven for people of all ages to experience an idyllic world filled with the scents, sights and sounds of sea, sky, sun and sand. We played in the surf, sand dunes, back bays and walked the quaint streets feeling safe and happy! The Jersey seashore provided cherished experiences that taught us that paradise on earth was not only possible - it was what we were living - now! We all have wonderful Jersey seashore memories that we revisit over and over during those long winter months, comforting and assuring us that when the seasons change, we will return to renew our spirits and create new memories. These stories illustrate how the Jersey seashore is central in shaping many lives. The characters and events move across time like a seashell skipping on the surface of an incoming wave. I am aware that you, too, have many stories to tell. Perhaps one day we will meet strolling along the edge of the sea, and sit in the sand for a spell as we look upon the horizon and share our memories and create new ones.
About the Author: Francis O. Lynn was born in South Philadelphia and lived there for the first nineteen years of his life. The experience of growing up in a unique inner city community contributed significantly to his commitment to the education and development of people of all ages. He was inspired by his students to write the stories he told about the inner city and other experiences. The Ghetto Flowers novels are the fruition of that inspiration. Francis received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University, concentrating his studies in psychology, anthropology and education. He received his Masters degree in education from The College of New Jersey. He began his professional career working for the South Bend, Indiana Community School Corporation developing peer influence programs in several high schools. Francis created and directed the Youth Enrichment Program for the city of Bloomington, Indiana and served as a counselor in a shelter for runaway teenagers. He taught high school social studies and served as a counselor at the Harmony School, an independent K-12 school in Bloomington, Indiana. Francis served as Youth Programs Director at Powell House, a Quaker education and retreat center in Old Chatham, New York. There, he facilitated conferences designed to create a positive youth culture within the tradition of the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) for youth from multiple cultural backgrounds. As part of that work, Francis conducted trips to Costa Rica, England, Native American Reservations, and other areas of interest throughout the United States, introducing young people to principles of ecology and cultural diversity. Francis currently teaches language arts, math, science, social studies and leads education adventure programs for young people and adults. He lives in Princeton, NJ with his wife and four children, and spends vacations during the spring, summer and fall in Stone Harbor, NJ.