Bob Hammel, a former sports editor at The Herald-Times who covered Indiana University sports for 40 years and was 16-time Indiana Sportswriter of the Year, said recently he’s always “relished being surrounded by books.” When Hammel and his wife recently downsized to a smaller residence, he said it was “almost terrifying” having to decide which books stayed and which needed someone else to read them.
So many of Hammel’s books and other items will be for sale at the Hoosier Hills Food Bank’s annual book sale that it’s been renamed the HHFB 40th Anniversary Bob Hammel Community Book Fair. The book fair will run Oct. 17-22 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds and will begin with a special reception.
Hammel was a regular patron of Monroe County book fairs, which were first sponsored by the American Red Cross. When that agency announced it would no longer conduct the book fair, Hoosier Hills Food Bank’s executive director Julio Alonso said his organization would take over.
“I am so indebted to the book fair,” Hammel said, giving praise to the American Red Cross workers and volunteers as well as those with HHFB. “I thought it was dead, that we had lost our book fair. Julio stepped up and took it over. It’s just a good cause.”
Not only a good cause, but the source for many of Hammel’s books.
“A lot of these books are going home,” Hammel said. Oftentimes Hammel spent two or three hours perusing the aisles, selecting enough volumes to fill up two boxes. After purchasing books on one day, he often returned for the final day, when the books are free, to pick up copies of the New York Times and Associated Press stylebooks, “The Elements of Style” and other writing guides for colleagues and young authors.
Hammel’s not just giving books to this year’s fair. He’s also donating memorabilia from his coverage of the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. He was there, with the then Herald-Telephone, to cover swimmer Mark Spitz, who won seven gold medals — each for a world-record.
“Spitz was the story going in,” Hammel recalled. “That was unusual; swimming was not considered one of the big sports. Until Spitz, no one had won more than four medals in any (swimming events).” The 1972 Olympics were the first Hammel covered for the newspaper, but not the last.
Parting with more personal items has been difficult for Hammel, who was still deciding if some would be included — from signed books written by friends to items related to IU athletics. “There are probably 10 to 20 that have personal attachments,” he said. “I do want to pass those on, but I’m still making up my mind on which.”
Is Hammel planning to shop the book fair this year?
Hammel said he expects to attend. “I probably won’t spend the hours I used to out there” but he’s looking to add to the shelves of a new bookshelf where he now lives.
A special tribute to Bob Hammel precedes HHFB book fair
In a first, this year’s book fair will begin the evening before, Oct. 16, with a preview reception to honor Hammel. WFIU’s Bob Zaltsberg will emcee. Speakers will include representatives from IU Athletics, local bestselling author Michael Koryta, and Karen Knight, widow of Hammel’s longtime friend, Coach Bob Knight, and Pete Yonkman, Cook Group president. Light refreshments will be served.
Attendees will get a look at many of the items in the book fair, but no sales will be made that evening. Attendance will be limited, although the exact number hasn’t been determined. There are no tickets and no admission charge, although there is a suggested donation of $20 per person that will be applied to the opening day admission fee for the book fair.
“We encourage people to get there early,” said HHFB executive director Alonso.
The special preview and reception honoring Hammel will be 5-7 p.m. Oct. 16.
What special items will be part of this year’s book fair?
Alonso said it took multiple trips to Hammel’s home to collect the more than 2,500 items that will be part of this year’s book fair. Posters (including from Indiana University’s Rose Bowl game in 1967) and memorabilia from the 1972 Summer Olympics will be for sale. History books on JFK, Abraham Lincoln and photos of IU sporting events are expected to go quickly.
“There are going to be a number of books that are signed,” Alonso said, adding inscriptions in many include thanks from the authors for Hammel’s help in reviewing the book. “That really struck me.”
In addition to Hammel’s contributions, there will be a large selection of music on CD from artists worldwide as well as country music LPs, movies, puzzles, games and collectibles.
Constellation Stage and Screen will promote an upcoming show on Saturday and will give a free copy of “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs,” to the first 50 kids on Oct. 19. The story is the basis for Constellation’s performance Oct. 25-Nov. 10.
Chocolate Moose ice cream will be available daily and food trucks will sell food on limited days.
What to know about this year’s HHFB book fair
The HHFB 40th book fair will be:
- 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 17: Opening day and Veteran’s Appreciation Day. $10 admission; veterans get in free.
- 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 18: Free admission.
- 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 19: Free admission. Constellation Partnership Day.
- 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 20: Free admission. Half-Price Day and Heroes Day (meet area firefighters)
- 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 21: Free admission. $10 Bag Day ($20 Better Books Bags)
- 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 22: Free admission. $5 Bag Day (Better Books closed)
Anyone who wants to donate books to the Hoosier Hills Food Bank is asked to wait until after this year’s book fair ends to do so.
Reach Carol Kugler at [email protected].
This post was originally published on here
