December 22, 1968 , miniscule in the memories of most people except those who lived in the tiny town where the  event took place. The God fearing people of Portside, South Carolina, were shaken  down to the soles of their Weejuns and Hush Puppies. Saturday, December 21, had seen  the success of the annual Christmas dance at the town hall. The band's had been amazing. It had been Priscilla Gilbert's idea to have a "Battle of  the Bands" type event to mark the 30th consecutive year the town had hosted the event. Four bands had been chosen to represent the different decades (30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, ) and a prize of a golden trophy filled with 5,000 dollars and title of Best of Bands. it had gone so well that the event had surpassed their goal of raising $100,000 for a new wing for returning wounded servicemen.  Portside was only a short twenty mile ride from Paris Island, a Marine base as well as being close to Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard bases in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Many of the tickets were bought by people just to donate money to the cause so it wasn't a concern when they sold over 2,000 tickets for a venue that should not even hold 200 couples. With beautiful decorations, a yummy menu and a well stocked bar, the event was the most talked about local dance ever. The people tumbled into bed in the wee morning hours to be awakened by clanging telephones, impromptu visitors overflowing with information clambered for entry into the homes of friends, relatives, pastors and more. Life as Portside had defined it since it was settled in the early 1700's, was over forever.

The above is the beginning of a mystery/suspense book based on a True Story of an event that occurred 12/22/1968. 

My current blog follows the story through the ensuing 40 + years. Locations and names have been changed to protect those who have lived those 40+ years without the answers so richly deserved.Can the mystery be solved and justice delivered.