ETTIE NORTHUP PARKER was born in the mountains of Idaho near the Canadian border. Her father was a photographer, musician and a spellbinding storyteller, and he passed on to Ettie his creativity and love of learning. Ettie studied oil painting under Professor Pierre Rouchard and became an exceptionally fi ne painter and art instructor. She was also a newspaper photographer, and the official photographer for the Thomas Edison Estate in Fort Myers, Florida. She has written poetry, music and a previous book, and now A Girl Of e Ozarks. She made her home in Orlando, Florida until she passed away peacefully at the age of 100. She has two sequels which will soon follow this book. JOYCE ROSE PARKER, daughter of Ettie Parker, is a native Floridian. She is an accomplished oil painter, writer and professional singer. She has performed supporting roles with Orlando Opera Company and is a church soloist. Joyce is a retired bank officer and is active with the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is a former president of the Orlando Opera Company and was a board member of the Florida Symphony and the American Heart Association. Her home is in Orlando, Florida.