David FitzSimmons — Surviving a Tornado: My First Attempt

Sunday Service — 10:30 a.m.

Leader — Brian Moore

Speaker — David FitzSimmons

Title — Surviving a Tornado: My First Attempt

Topic — In June 2022, an F1 tornado hit our property, damaging our house and parts of our business. To our family, “surviving a tornado” doesn’t just mean making it through a short-duration storm; it means persevering through long-term effects: physical, emotional, and monetary. While sharing images of the damage, I will discuss impacts the twister had—and continues to have—on our lives. I will delve into psychology, celebrate community help, and offer advice to others facing traumas. I subtitled this “My First Attempt” not only because it will be the first time publicly speaking about the storm but also because, from a global warming perspective, the odds may be increasing that this might not be my last time experiencing the effects of a tornado.

Bio — David FitzSimmons is an award-winning photographer and writer. His more than two dozen children’s books have sold over 5 million copies and received numerous awards, including the IBPA’s best first picture book and best picture book. David’s books include Curious Critters, Curious Critters Backyard Animals, Curious Critters Marine, Curious Critters Birds, Curious Critters Raptors, Curious Critters Dogs, and numerous state-focused Curious Critters board books covering over one-third of the US (California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia). He also authored Animals of Ohio’s Ponds and Vernal Pools, Salamander Dance, and Wakem the Rooster: Up All Night. Five Curious Critters books were featured in Chick-fil-A’s kid’s meals, and David has licensed his books to Scholastic and PBS. His TV appearances include ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and The Weather Channel. David’s magazine credits include Outdoor Photographer, Popular Photography, Professional Photographer, and Shutterbug, among others.

An educator for twenty years, David worked first as high school English teacher and then as a university professor, having taught at Ashland University, Ohio State University, and Cornell University. He holds a Ph.D. in English from Ohio State, with a specialty in narrative theory—investigating the components of storytelling—something that influences his photography and writing.  Regularly visiting schools, David helps connect children with nature through writing and photography. He is an active leader in the Children & Nature movement.

David presents seminars and workshops to a wide variety of audiences, from public school, college, and university classes to photography groups, nature clubs, and civic organizations. His works have been exhibited at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, the National Center for Nature Photography, the Palm Beach Photographic Centre, and the Telluride Photo Festival.

Join us downstairs after service for coffee and conversation.

Masks are optional in the building, and we fully support individuals’ choices regarding their use.