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The Gingerbread Train News

All is abuzz for The Gingerbread Train - Santa's Secret Gift Book, Baking Gift Set and author/entrepreneur, Ann Tarpley Francesco! Check out the latest news as The Gingerbread Train makes its way across the region and across the country!

NEWS RELEASES

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The Gingerbread Train Makes a Stop at Albemarle Nutrition
for Book Signing with Author, Ann Tarpley Francesco


Author's BRAVO Gingerbread Cookie recipe inspires samples to be shared
at Albemarle Nutrition's annual appreciation event on December 23rd


12/14/2017 - Concord, NC/Albemarle, NC -  Author, Ann Tarpley Francesco, who recently released  The Gingerbread Train – Santa's Secret Gift children's book and baking gift set, will appear at Albemarle Nutrition on Saturday, December 23rd for a book signing from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. in conjunction with the center's annual community appreciation event. An advocate for healthy lifestyles and living, Francesco was thrilled that Nancee Bowers, owner of Albemarle Nutrition, welcomed her to join the center's annual event as a part of the festivities. "There are so many aspects to a healthy lifestyle, from what we put into the food that we eat, to exercise, to strong emotional connections with family and friends," stated Francesco. "The baking gift set  encourages family interaction, and the recipe proves healthy can be tasty!"​ 

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Roanoke native, Ann Tarpley Francesco, climbs aboard
The Gingerbread Train to attend The Stocked Market


Author will introduce first in a series of children's books to inspire
imaginations, reading, baking, learning and more!


11/01/2017 - Concord, NC/Roanoke, VA -  Roanoke native and author, Ann Tarpley Francesco will be attending the Junior League of Roanoke Valley's The Stocked Market taking place November 10-12, 2017,  in the Berglund Center.  Francesco was born and raised in the nearby town of Salem, VA, until attending college at Lynchburg College for her BA in Business Administration, and then Radford University for her teaching certificate. After rewarding work as a college admissions counselor and then 5th grade teacher, she relocated to North Carolina in 1992 where she raised her family. 
​ 

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Author, Ann Tarpley Francesco, climbs aboard The Gingerbread Train for Arts & Crafts Book Tour in Virginia and Carolinas

Debut event in Chantilly, VA, included special appearance by illustrator,
Rebecca Solow, and gift sets traveling as far as England and Africa


10/31/2017 - Concord, NC/Chantilly, VA -  The Gingerbread Train – Santa's Secret Gift children's book and baking gift set made its debut in Chantilly, VA, on October 20th, and is traveling throughout the Carolinas and Virginia at juried Arts and Crafts events now through mid December.  The book is written by Ann Tarpley Francesco and illustrated by Rebecca Solow.  The book and gift set received rave reviews from show goers at its debut at the Craftsman Classic Arts & Crafts Show in Chantilly, VA.  Stories shared for what the book or gift set will mean to those who purchased were heart-warming and inspiring. Two different gift set purchasers shared that one gift set would be traveling to Africa as a gift to a niece, and another traveling to England as a gift to a nephew.  A family who purchased a gift set as a gift was excited for it to be shared between a grandfather, who was an actual train engineer, and his granddaughter, who loved to bake. "This is exactly why I was inspired to combine my love of baking with The Gingerbread Train," shared author, Ann Tarpley Francesco. "I wanted the book to inspire imagination and interaction in multiple ways." 
​ 

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Author, Ann Tarpley Francesco, intends to make
The Gingerbread Train a year-round holiday classic


The first in a series of children's books inspires imaginations,
reading, baking, learning and more!


10/15/2017 - Concord, NC -  The Gingerbread Train – Santa's Secret Gift children's book and baking gift set by author, Ann Tarpley Francesco, has been 13 years in the making. Inspired by Francesco's love of baking and teaching, combined with her son, Matthew, and his love of trains as a young child, she originally wrote a short story introducing The Gingerbread Train as a Christmas gift to her son when he was in first grade.  Building a gingerbread train with Matthew and Courtney, her daughter, as a family activity when they were young continued to inspire the possibilities for the story and her idea to evolve it into something magical. Over the years, she enjoyed life as a stay-at-home mother, elementary school teacher, college admissions counselor, and personal chef. All of these passions combined gave her the vision for what The Gingerbread Train could be. Her children, now grown, Francesco knew she had something more than a story to share, and decided it was now or never.  
​ 

IN THE NEWS
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Published on
November 30
2017

Ten questions with Ann Tarpley Francesco, Author and Salem Resident
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Published on December 11, 2017
Gingerbread Train stops by Concord 
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Published on December 13,
2017

UPCOMING EVENTS: Book signing with Ann Tarpley Francesco
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Published on December 21, 2017
Concord's Chocolatier Barrucand Hosts
Author Ann Tarpley Francesco, Creates
The Gingerbread Train Replica
  • Home
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