Characters

Diana Rohler (Mom): Diana's background is in International Politics with a focus on the Developing World. She has spent many years in the delivery of medical care and in the financial services industry. Her passion is fighting hunger and is actively involved with the Full Belly Project spending week-ends making metal machine parts in the Full Belly Shop, serving on the Board of Directors in her "free" time. She loves mysteries, historical fiction and books addressing solutions to Third World problems.

Favorite Quote: "Today is the first day of the rest of your life."

Favorite Book(s):

The End of Poverty, Jeffrey Sachs

Banker to the Poor, Mohammed Yunnus

Diana passed away in June of 2009. Her generous legacy made it possible for us to buy the new building following our catastrophic building failure. More than that, her strength and guidance prepared us to carry on the business. She is still a vital part of everyday at the store.

Lloyd Rohler (Pop): Lloyd is a Professor of Communication Studies at UNCW. He is also the author of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Preacher and Lecturer, George Wallace: Conservative Populist, Great Speeches for Criticism and Analysis and a Video Series with Roger Cook. Lloyd has been building his home library since high school. He loves to read Popular Culture of the 1960's, Americana, and History.

Fav Quote: "Let's talk sense to the American people." Adlai Stevenson

Fav Book:

Look Homeward Angel by Thomas Wolfe

Recommended Reads: The poetry of John Donne

Gwenyfar: Gwenyfar is following in her father's footsteps as a writer: she is the author of two books: Your Health is in Your Kitchen and The Promise of Peanuts. She also writes the Live Local. Live Small Column in our Alternative Weekly, Encore (www.Encorepub.com). You will find her most days at the Book Store where she is slowly cataloging the inventory. She loves to read play scripts, mid 20 th century fiction, and the classics.

Fav Quote: Reading made Don Quixote a gentleman. Believing what he read made him mad. - George Bernard Shaw

Fav Book: Just Above My Head, James Baldwin; The Judgment of Paris, Gore Vidal; Fires in the Mirror, Anna Deavere Smith.

Recommended Reads: Anything by James Baldwin, Gore Vidal, Agatha Christie, Edith Wharton & Anna Deavere Smith.

Jock (Electrician and Bookshelf Designer):

Jock Brandis got sidetracked from his first love (Anthropology) by his long and distinguished film career. Inventing the Peanut Sheller and the development of the Full Belly Project finally got him back to his anthropology roots. Right now he is reading a lot of reports on third world economics, but for fun he unwinds with books on the history of primitive technology and innovation as well as Doonesbury and The New Yorker Comics.

Fav Quote: "We are such stuff as dreams are made on" – Mr. Bill Shakespeare

Fav. Book: The Complete New Yorker Comics

Recommended Reads: Gwyn Dyer (Jock's old Navy Commander), Thor Hyerdal. Conrad, The Economist

Austin (cousin): Austin is an avid cyclist and a graduate of UNCW's History program and CFCC's Marine Technology program. He spends his free time riding his two bicycles and organizing the Pedaling for Peanuts Mountain Bike Race that benefits the Full Belly Project. His guilty reading pleasure is books on professional wrestling history and the spectacle of its performance. He can be found many days shelving books in the store.

Favorite Quote: "On my bicycle, I've found freedom and more. With my two-wheeled connection to the world, I've no reason ever to be caged again, and that's been my salvation." Dan Trabue

Favorite Book: "On The Road" by Jack Kerouac, "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72" by Hunter S. Thompson