A Piggly Wiggly Christmas
Putnam, Nov 14 2010, $24.95
ISBN: 9780399156779
In Second Creek, Mississippi Laurie Lepanto is concerned with what the new MegaMart by the nearby highway exit is doing to the local small businesses. She initially talks with some of her fellow Nitwitts about her concern before approaching the returning honeymooners, Mayor “Choppy” Hale Dunbar and his new wife Gaylie Girl. The three of them and the other Nitwitts ladies’ club plan a Christmas gala to revitalize the town square in order to bring back the local shoppers and tourists.
However, an electrical fire damages the square, leaving the holiday celebration in jeopardy. Meanwhile Gaylie’s son Petey falls in love (again) this time with Meta, the daughter of formidable Nitwitt Renza Belford. Even though tension and depression rise to stratospheric levels, the Nitwitts never ever give up. They need a Yuletide miracle, but if any group could make it happen it is these determined females.
This is a fun regional small town tale that focuses on a major economic-social issue as the corporations replace mom and pop small businesses with big stores. Although series fans know how this will end unless they are a halfwit, readers will enjoy the antics of the Nitwitts and other eccentric residents of Second (to none) Creek.
Harriet Klausner
