Despite a career as a successful author of children’s books, Ken Munro grew up thinking that he would never be good enough.


“ I


always thought others were better than me. I hadn’t always received the best grades and even repeated 10th grade in high school,”


Ken said.


Te journey to becoming an author was not a straight line, but more of a thread woven into a colorful tapestry. Ken shared the story of what led him to become a reader and a writer.


When Ken was young, his parents worked hard to provide for his family. Unfortunately, his father was never able to shake his propensity for alcohol. His father’s drinking habit made it impossible for him to stay employed anywhere for long. Despite that, Ken, the oldest of three boys, still has a lot of good memories. His family moved around a lot, but this allowed him to develop a wide range of skills.


He worked in a photography shop, raised chickens in a coop, managed three stores, dabbled in hypnosis, performed magic shows and then finally landed at New Holland Machine Company in 1953. It was around that time that a neighbor said to him, “You would make a good teacher.”


Inspired, Ken went to college at Millersville. After graduation, Ken taught elementary school students — primarily at Mountville Elementary school in Hempfield school district for 24 ½ years. Along the way, he met his late wife, Elisa, and they had three girls. He loved teaching and inspiring his students. He especially had a heart for those who came from tough backgrounds.


When Ken retired from teaching, one of his daughters suggested that he write a book to promote reading. A new desire blossomed within him. “I remember hearing about a


Landis.org | FLOURISH | Spring 2023 • 17


Enriching


Lives, Together


stolen quilt from another daughter, and I began wondering, ‘Well, who would steal a quilt?’ I started to put together a plot and then my first book, ‘Te Quilted Message,’ was born. I said, ‘Tis will just be a hobby.’”


Ken ended up writing 23 books, 22 of them within the same children’s mystery series. His writing career took off, and next he knew, Barnes & Noble, New York, was calling him.


“Tey said they wanted to sell my books, but at the time they couldn’t because I had to have a publishing company. So I started my own publishing company called ‘Gaslight Publishers,’ and then Barnes and Noble sold my books at their locations.”


Even after Ken and Elisa moved to a retirement community in Lancaster, PA, he kept writing. His last mystery book was set within the community where he was living at the time.


Elisa passed away in 2021, and Ken experienced some health challenges which sent him into rehab at Landis Homes. “I liked it here so much, I decided to move here after being in rehab!”


Ken moved to Landis Homes in May of 2022. He keeps his door open so he can talk to anyone who passes by.


When asked if he is finished writing, Ken replies with a smile and a shrug. “Residents have encouraged me to write one more book. Just one more. Tey said it should be set at Landis Homes. I say I’m finished, but we’ll see…”


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