Back to the Manger Book Signing

In early December I had the pleasure of documenting a book signing by Margaret Philbrick and Sarah McGreevy for their new book titled “Back to the Manger.” This book has deep roots in the culture and life of Geneva, IL. To learn more about the story behind “Back to the Manger” read this article from mysuburbanlife.com

The book signing was at the Geneva History Center and took place during the Geneva Christmas Walk and Christmas tree lighting.

The nativity scene from “Back to the Manger” is historic. The figures were brought over from Italy in the early 1900s and it was displayed for years in The Little Traveler store in downtown Geneva. Many of the pieces were damaged by flood water in the 1960s and are currently undergoing restoration. Here is the baby Jesus

Surrounded by angels

My younger children admired the nativity during the Christmas walk.

More children enjoying the intricate nativity scene.

Margaret and Sarah’s book

This is the last page of the book, which has one of Sarah’s favorite paintings of a small angel.

Margaret (left) and Sarah (right), getting ready to sign “Back to the Manger”

Margaret signing

Busy signing more books

Checking out the intricate oil paintings that Sarah painted for the book

I took some time during the Christmas walk to photograph some of the buildings in downtown Geneva that are mentioned in the book. This is St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

The Little Traveler Store where the nativity was displayed for many years

Sarah’s oil painting of The Little Traveler (from the book)

Here is a photograph of one of the festivities during the Geneva Christmas walk. It really was a fun occasion, though the coldest night that we’d yet experienced this winter with temperatures in the low teens.

These Christmas trees were displayed in the History Center. Different Geneva charities put together these Christmas trees with themes from their charities. Visitors could buy tickets and use the tickets to vote on which tree was their favorite.