As a former science teacher, Glenn Dykstra firmly believes in statistics – including the statistics on the progression of climate change. The local writer has just finished a book for children that addresses global warming, called “A Global Warming Christmas,” No Snow in Kalamazoo.
The book features Santa Claus at the North Pole as he realizes his annual, worldwide visits may have to be canceled due to the fact that he and his reindeer are stuck in the mud due to warm weather and no snow. A letter from a young girl helps him solve this dilemma.
“It certainly won’t hurt a child to understand the process of what could happen in the future with global warming even if it is portrayed as a subject in mythical circumstances,” Dykstra said. “Certainly a controversial subject, but I thought I would bring out to the public the cause of the problem, and that is the contamination of the atmosphere with CO2 from cars, coal burning and many other producers of contaminants that just float off into the air.”
While the book presents the problem of global warming to kids through a beloved figure, the outcome shows readers that although a serious problem exists, there are solutions when people become aware, and work together to help make things better.
“I must have believed in Santa Claus until I was 10 years old,” Dykstra said. “We just went through an Easter Egg Roll on TV and there are several other days on the calendar that bring out ‘fake truths’. We just went through St. Patrick’s day too. I think Santa is good folklore and should continue for the sake of small children’s anticipation of the biggest day of the year. There is no reason why they should not learn something meaningful from it as they grow and mature. It’s one thing we will never forget and it certainly didn’t hurt anyone.”
As an artist who uses many art forms to express himself, writing is only one of his creative talents.
A few years ago Dykstra created a model of the Krause Mansion, now the Ben Ferrel Platte County Museum in Platte City. At the time he happened to drive by the building, he had no idea what it was, but was impressed by its architectural beauty. He later learned its interesting history and decided to build the model.
While he has written many books, he is also a sculptor, a builder, a musician and painter. Along the way, he also had a long career as a teacher and administrator.
“When I was a science teacher I made sure that we did hands-on experiments,” Dykstra said. “I was very successful with my way of teaching science, but they worked me too hard, as I was an athletic coach also. After 25 years, I went back to school and got my administrative degree so I could be my own boss.”
Annual science fairs would offer the opportunity for his students to demonstrate to their parents and the public the importance of knowing how things work.
“It was before the invention of the computer or the iphone, so the physical demonstrations went over big-time,” Dykstra said. “Global warming was not an issue at the time.”
Being a multi-faceted artist is hard work, but Dykstra relishes the time he spends creating art.
“I think I have a creative disease,” Dykstra said. “I have sculptures of birds, horses, turtles and manikins all over the place. I’ve sold full-sized horses and birds (sculptures) all over the U.S. and Canada. My last big item (made from sheet metal) is now on the Threshing Bee Grounds in South Dakota. It’s eight feet high and 15 feet long.”
He has written nine novels, mostly about people he has known or places with great and interesting history.
In his book “Suddenly Seventy-Six” Dykstra says readers can find out a lot of things in his past at which he has failed.
“Believe me, if I were to put into print every crazy idea and brainstorm that ever entered this head, it would take 600 pages. That’s why I thought my secondary title should be, ‘Failure is a Gift.’”
Music is something Dykstra has always been interested in also.
“I was musically inclined as a singer, but I somehow developed Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome when I sang for my best friend’s funeral,” Dykstra said. “I started blubbering after the first few lines at his large funeral and had to sit down. To this day, I cannot sing a song without choking up. Something happened there and I don’t really know why. I’ve tried several times to come back, but It doesn’t work.”
He did have a few recordings of his songs produced in Nashville, Tenn., but he said that while they were flops, he learned a great deal. “One song was called, ‘Ode to an I.O. Test’ and the other was, ‘I wonder Why Nobody Likes Nebraska,’ both facetious songs, but they didn’t fly, other than performing them in clubs and street dances.”
He is hoping a CD called Global Warming Christmas will accompany the book.
“That may not be possible, but the second song on that CD always brings a tear to my eye,” Dykstra said.
He also praises local artist, Marty Mitchell, who did the illustrations for the book.
“The illustrations in the book are a story in itself, It’s very amazing.”
Global Warming Christmas is unique and Dykstra is working on local distributorship, while hoping the book will go nation-wide. “I think it could be huge at Christmas time. The two songs should sell themselves.”
For his next project he is thinking about buying a tractor and a brush-hog to keep his farm in beautiful shape. “I built this place 20 years ago when I was young and strong, Dykstra said. “Our house is one of a kind. Built from old, replaced telephone and electric poles and the services of a good sawmill guy.”
When asked if his lifelong love of art has made his life more enjoyable, Dykstra said, “More enjoyable? This is what keeps me alive. I’m 86 years old and have been this way my whole life. How lucky I am, and married to the same woman for 65 years. I have had some success and some luck, but I never stopped trying. If you never try, how would one ever know if your idea was a good one? Now go and build something.”
Anyone interested in ordering the book from Dykstra, including the (two-song CD) can call him at 660-386-3222 or email him at gcdykstra59@gmail.com. Large quantities of books can be printed and purchased from Gail's Graphics at 660-424-4337 in Rich Hill, Mo. They sell for $7 plus postage for just the book. The book and CD are $10 plus about $2.50 postage.