Hurd and Bannister to sign book at Cape San Blas Lighthouse

James E. Hurd, Jr. and Dr. Linda Bannister

James E. Hurd, Jr. and Dr. Linda Bannister, co-authors of the epic play, "Turpentine Jake" will be at the Cape San Blas Lighthouse Gift Shop in Port St. Joe Saturday, August 10,  at 1:00PM for a book signing and reading. 

Hurd a native of Wewahitchka, is a writer, actor and director. His family grew up around the Apalachicola, Wewahitchka area and his grandparents were Jake and Myrtle Hurd.  Dr. Bannister is a professor of English at Loyola Marymount University.

The co-authors based the drama on a true story of Hurd’s grandfather Jake and oral histories gathered from surviving turpentine workers. The play follows Jake, a legendary storyteller and mentor to the turpentine workers in the camps, as he spins tales and songs that help his fellow workers. 

Hurd and Bannister will also be performing select scenes from the play starting at 1:30 PM.  Turpentine Jake was nominated for two NAACP Theatre Awards, winning one. 

The Cape San Blas Lighthouse Gift Shop is located at 155 Captain Fred’s Place Port at the Maddox House on Shipyard Cove.  For more infomation, call (850) 229-1151.