Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008 • Former Herlong resident writes children’s book

Publisher’s note: This story originally appeared in the Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008, edition of the Lassen County Times.

At 82, Helen Hinman has published her first children’s book, “All You’re Meant To Be.”

Hinman, who now resides in Redmond Oregon, spent most of her adult life in Herlong, and she recently came back for a reunion with old friends.

“She read her first children’s book to us. We enjoyed it so very much and many of us bought a book or two from her,” said Marge Hopkins, who has known Hinman for years.

“All You’re Meant To Be” is available in most bookstores.

Helen and her husband Frank lived in Herlong for 52 years and they raised five lovely daughters here.  Shortly after Frank passed away in 1999, she moved to be near one of her daughters.

“Helen was always very active in her church and community in Herlong. Once she settled into her new home in Oregon she found a church and the people there embraced her with their love,” said Hopkins.

Besides writing books, Hinman stays busy teaching a painting class, reading to school-age children, she sings in her church choir and she includes swimming for her health three days a week. She works at improving her golf game too.

Hinman enjoys sharing her many talents with people of all ages. She loves to travel and keeps in touch with her many friends. She returns to Herlong yearly to visit with her friends locally and those living in the surrounding area, said Hopkins.

Helen has painted individual portraits of her five daughters, 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. She has not had the opportunity to paint her three latest great-grandchildren. All of her paintings are beautifully done in oils or watercolors.

Hinman is currently working on her second children’s book. The illustrations are nearly finished. She said she will continue to fine tune the book before she sends it off to the publisher.