Chapter Two for Jama Joan’s Vintage Bookmobile By Nancy Foster
Flood Supplement
Chapter Two for Jama Joan’s Vintage Bookmobile By Nancy Foster
Joan Connor has always had a passion for books. In the summer of 2023, she brought that passion to life with Jama Joan’s Vintage Bookmobile—a 1968 travel trailer she and her husband Dave transformed into a whimsical haven for young readers. Her mission was simple: give books away for free.
The concept was an instant hit at the Heart of the Hills Farmers Market, at that time located at River Hills Mall. Connor watched children’s faces light up as they chose a book to keep. “Little kids couldn’t believe they got to pick one and it was theirs,” she said. Her “following” increased and when the Market moved to 741 Water Street last year, so did she.
Things were going well—until July 4th.
A Home in Ruins
That night, floodwaters surged into the Connors’ home in Bumblebee Hills, Ingram, and rose to within a foot of the ceiling. Dave woke to find six inches of water inside, and by the time Joan found a flashlight, the waters were raging. She grabbed their dog, Ava, an 8-year-old husky–collie rescue, and the couple swam to their pergola and climbed onto its bar until the water receded enough to wade to their truck. They spent an hour inside the truck - which was later deemed totaled - before being evacuated to Ingram Elementary. “At first, we didn’t realize how serious it was,” she said. “We had no idea people were drowning. Our house was a total loss except for a few items on the highest closet shelves.” After salvaging what they could, and buying a 28-foot trailer, they are now living at Buckhorn Lake Resort while waiting for inspections on their home so sheetrock work can begin.
Bookmobile Damaged
As the couple escaped, they saw their beloved vintage trailer floating down the road. They were able to pull it back close to the house, but the interior and books were ruined. “My daughter told us, ‘Forget the books. Get your priorities straight and go,’ so we did,” she recalled.
Later, with heavy fans, open windows, and disinfectant spray, they attempted to salvage the trailer. Then help arrived. “The ladies from Woodland’s Church came and cleaned the interior. Despite us having no water, they brought in mops and pails and made it spotless. They were our heroes,” she said, “and that was our turnaround moment.”
Rebuilding the Dream
Since the flood, the Connors have missed several Farmers Markets while they regroup. In the meantime, she’s collecting new inventory, inspecting, and cleaning each one before it will be
offered to a child. The bookmobile is registered as a Little Free Library, and Joan estimates she gives away about 1,000 books a year—roughly 20 per market day.
Joan, a former schoolteacher, and Dave, a retired trucking company owner, hope to reopen their market stall in September. Their joy lies in the personal connections. She says, “I love to see a child walking along the Farmers Market with a book tucked under their arm. That’s why I don’t put them in a sack.” she says with a laugh. She’s looking to a brighter future. “Jama Joan’s Vintage Bookmobile will continue, and we anticipate being at the next Heart of the Hills Market on September 6. We hope everyone will stop by.”
If you’d like to donate books, coloring books, or puzzles, please contact: joanconnor6@gmail.com jamajoans.com
# # #
