Topics of conversation:

• What is a GrayBoom Grandparent? 
• The "art" of "The ART of Grandparenting."
• How today's grandparent is different from previous generations.
• Personal insights from these authors about their three very different grandparenting roles.
• Pitfalls and joys of becoming a grandparent.
• How computer technologies - internet, facebook, twitter - is changing the face of grandparenting.

Valerie Connelly divides her time between publishing, writing, composing, painting and traveling. An educator and international traveler since her days as a Peace Corps volunteer in Togo, West Africa in 1969, Valerie Connelly taught French language and literature in Illinois from 1974-2005. She founded Nightengale Press in July of 2003. By the end of 2009 Nightengale Press will have published more than eighty-five books, many of them award-winning titles. Valerie hosts an internet radio talk show, Calling All Authors.

Like the heroine of her novel, Miriam the Medium, (Simon & Schuster,) Rochelle Shapiro is a phone psychic who lives in Great Neck, Long Island. She has written about her psychic work in New York Times (Lives) and Newsweek, My Turn, as well as having articles written about her in Jewish Week, The Jerusalem Post, and Redbook Magazine. Rochelle's novel is now selling in Holland, Belgium, the U.K. and in the U.S. Her poem, Second Story Porch has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize by The Schuykill Valley Review. Rochelle teachs writing at UCLA Extension and reviews books for Kirkus, PW, JBooks, and Southern California Review. And she adores her grandchildren. Now there are two—Jacen and Rebecca.

Gerri Helms is a Life and Health Coach, working with people who wish to make lifestyle changes that are conducive to weight loss and maintenance. She also leads teleseminars and workshops and spiritual retreats geared toward the betterment of women. Trust God and Buy Broccoli, a Spiritual Approach to Weight Loss was published in 2007. In this book she shares with readers how she lost over 100 pounds and has kept it off for sixteen years with concepts that may help readers in situations where they may experience difficulties in sticking to their diet. Prior to coaching, Gerri spent twenty-five years in the corporate arena, and today she shares that business experience with clients. She has also written for the Brevard County Magazine and has been featured on many radio and internet blog shows.