Keeping the Faith in Life and Sports: Writer Terry Pluto to Speak at New Philadelphia

  • By Teri Stein
  • July 7, 2013
  • 375
                        
Summary: “I don’t think God cares who wins the World Series or the Super Bowl, but I do think God expects us to do our best with the abilities He’s given us.” Agree or disagree but meet this fascinating writer on the topics of Cleveland professional sports and “Faith and You” on July 24 in New Philadelphia. What do sports, writing, faith, and prison ministry have in common? Find out when Terry Pluto of Akron, the award winning newspaper columnist and author of 23 books, visits the Tuscarawas County Public Library in New Philadelphia on Wed. July 24 from 7 to 8 p.m. “I love doing the library talks, they’re smaller venues and I like to talk to fans and find out where they are at. I’m looking forward to it,” said Pluto. The first half hour of the session will be a general talk including faith, writing, and what it takes to be a sports fan in Ohio. “It will be informal, a nice loose atmosphere,” Pluto added. The second half will be open to questions from the audience. Afterward, Pluto will sign copies of his latest book, Faith and You – Volume 2 – More Essays on Faith in Everyday Life. Copies of the book will be available for sale at the event but the author also encourages readers to bring their own copies of any of his other books to be autographed. Pluto’s column, Faith and You, appears in the Plain Dealer and discusses situations we all face in everyday life. Pluto has a sympathetic ear for beleaguered Cleveland sports fans. Chapter titles from his book, “Things I’ve learned from watching the Browns,” include: Being a Browns fan is completely, utterly irrational. But you already knew that; and Fans know the draft is important, which is why it often makes them scream. Pluto is also the author of “Our Tribe, A Baseball Memoir” and “Dealing: The Cleveland Indians’ New Ballgame.” Pluto’s most important volunteer work came into his life out of nowhere after he wrote an article on Bill Glass, a former Cleveland Browns defensive end, who did prison ministry. Now Pluto spends every Wednesday morning at the Summit County Jail as he has for the past 14 years. “Thirteen of those years have been in the same room each week,” said Pluto. Pluto helps lead a service with music, teaching and prayer which is attended by about 25 prisoners each week. “For many it’s the highlight of their week.” “Any high school teacher would love to have the attention we get from these prisoners,” the author joked. “They just don’t get to do a lot of stuff when they are in there. They are very grateful.” Pluto hopes that the men he works with can overcome their problems, but it is often a long shot as many are addicted to alcohol and drugs. “There is a program once they get out that teaches them about things like job interviews, most don’t bother to attend. You can give them the skills but if their hearts are a mess, they won’t do it.” “We can just do prayer and preparation and then it’s up to them. Like any teacher, you have to realize you can’t be responsible for what they do every minute of the day.” Since starting in the newspaper business when he was still in college in 1973, Pluto said the changes have been so dramatic that it’s been like working your way through the horse and buggy age to cars. “Who could have predicted the internet,” he said. “The key is that you have to keep up with technology. If you don’t, you’ll be out of a job.” The “Meet Terry Pluto” library program is offered at no cost to attendees and is open to the public. Space is limited so please call the library at 330-364-4474 to reserve your free seat. If you are unable to attend, but would like an autographed copy of “Faith and You – Volume 2” please call the library to reserve a book.


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