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About Belonging by Jill Fordyce
Belonging is a poignant coming-of-age novel set in 1970s Bakersfield, California. It follows thirteen-year-old Jenny Hayes as she navigates a tumultuous childhood marked by neglect and loss. Spanning three decades, the story delves into themes of first love, friendship, family secrets, and the enduring quest for identity and belonging. |
An Evening with Jill Fordyce: Belonging at the Kern County Museum
Event Sponsors:
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🍷✨ Wine & Words at the Kern County Museum ✨🍷
An Evening with Jill Fordyce, Author of Belonging
📅 Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
🕠 Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Venue: Kern County Museum – Standard School Building, 3801 Chester Ave, Bakersfield, CA
Join the Kern Literacy Council for an unforgettable evening of wine, storytelling, and conversation as we welcome Jill Fordyce, Bakersfield native and author of the acclaimed novel Belonging. Explore the emotional landscapes of home, family, and identity as Jill shares insights into her writing journey and the story behind her debut novel.
🍷 Sip & Savor
Enjoy a curated selection of fine wines and appetizers while settling into the historic Standard School building, creating the perfect atmosphere for an evening of conversation, connection, and literary delight.
🖊️ Meet the Author
Get a chance to meet Jill, ask your questions, and have your copy of Belonging personally signed. Capture a photo with the author and connect with fellow readers and community supporters.
📚 Support Literacy
All proceeds benefit the Kern Literacy Council, helping to fund essential literacy programs across Kern County. Every ticket helps open doors through the power of reading.
🎟️ Tickets are limited — reserve your spot today!
Let’s raise a glass to stories, community, and the joy of literature.
#WineAndWords #Belonging #KernLiteracy #KCMuseumEvents
An Evening with Jill Fordyce, Author of Belonging
📅 Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
🕠 Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Venue: Kern County Museum – Standard School Building, 3801 Chester Ave, Bakersfield, CA
Join the Kern Literacy Council for an unforgettable evening of wine, storytelling, and conversation as we welcome Jill Fordyce, Bakersfield native and author of the acclaimed novel Belonging. Explore the emotional landscapes of home, family, and identity as Jill shares insights into her writing journey and the story behind her debut novel.
🍷 Sip & Savor
Enjoy a curated selection of fine wines and appetizers while settling into the historic Standard School building, creating the perfect atmosphere for an evening of conversation, connection, and literary delight.
🖊️ Meet the Author
Get a chance to meet Jill, ask your questions, and have your copy of Belonging personally signed. Capture a photo with the author and connect with fellow readers and community supporters.
📚 Support Literacy
All proceeds benefit the Kern Literacy Council, helping to fund essential literacy programs across Kern County. Every ticket helps open doors through the power of reading.
🎟️ Tickets are limited — reserve your spot today!
Let’s raise a glass to stories, community, and the joy of literature.
#WineAndWords #Belonging #KernLiteracy #KCMuseumEvents
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Standard School was founded by the Ellen Baker Tracy Guild. This 100 year old school received new interior walls, fresh paint and refinished wood floors in Spring 2018.
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An Evening with Jill Fordyce: Belonging
Join the Kern Literacy Council on November 13, 2025, at the historic Standard School House inside the Kern County Museum for an unforgettable evening of storytelling and conversation. Enjoy wine, appetizers, and an intimate setting as Jill Fordyce, Bakersfield native and author of Belonging, reads from her acclaimed novel and shares insights into her writing journey.
Tickets are $50 and include wine and appetizers. Attendees will also have the chance to meet Jill, ask questions, purchase signed copies of Belonging, and take photos with the author. Doors open at 5:30 PM, with the program beginning at 6:00 PM. Reserve your spot for an evening of wine, words, and community while supporting literacy programs throughout Kern County.
Join the Kern Literacy Council on November 13, 2025, at the historic Standard School House inside the Kern County Museum for an unforgettable evening of storytelling and conversation. Enjoy wine, appetizers, and an intimate setting as Jill Fordyce, Bakersfield native and author of Belonging, reads from her acclaimed novel and shares insights into her writing journey.
Tickets are $50 and include wine and appetizers. Attendees will also have the chance to meet Jill, ask questions, purchase signed copies of Belonging, and take photos with the author. Doors open at 5:30 PM, with the program beginning at 6:00 PM. Reserve your spot for an evening of wine, words, and community while supporting literacy programs throughout Kern County.
About the author:
Growing up in Old Stockdale, a leafy Bakersfield neighborhood of tall trees and wide streets, Jill enjoyed a quintessential 1970s childhood—riding bicycles to friends’ houses, attending slumber parties, playing basketball in the driveway, and listening to American Top 40 on Sundays. Even as a child, she loved writing and storytelling.
She attended public schools in Bakersfield and was a member of the State Championship Speech & Debate team at West High School. Two teachers had a profound influence on her: Don Vettel, the brilliant debate coach who taught his students not only how to research, write, and argue, but also how to connect with their audience and compete fearlessly; and Charles Rosengard, the AP English teacher who handed out Beatles lyrics alongside traditional literature, inspiring students to see music and poetry through the same analytical lens.
After graduating from the University of Southern California, she was honored with the Order of the Laurel, awarded to students whose leadership and service have a lasting impact on the university and beyond. Drawn to Santa Clara University Law School for its deep commitment to social justice, she devoted Fridays during law school to volunteering at Saint James Park in San Jose, conducting intake interviews for Senior Adults Legal Assistance.
Throughout her law career, she focused primarily on representing indigent criminal defendants on appeal, arguing cases before both the California Courts of Appeal and the California Supreme Court.
She met her husband, Craig, while at USC. They married in 1988 and are the proud parents of five children, now ages 20 to 33, and recently welcomed their first grandchild.
Outside of her professional life, she is passionate about books, music, film, and photography. She enjoys cooking, baking, and entertaining—especially when it means gathering family and friends around a crowded table with a carefully curated playlist that mixes unexpected genres, forgotten album cuts, and whatever her children are listening to. She also cherishes time spent at her family farm in Tennessee, where she enjoys walks in the woods, hosting friends, and attending live music events.
She is the co-founder of the Fred Zulfa Memorial Scholarship at West High School in Bakersfield.
She attended public schools in Bakersfield and was a member of the State Championship Speech & Debate team at West High School. Two teachers had a profound influence on her: Don Vettel, the brilliant debate coach who taught his students not only how to research, write, and argue, but also how to connect with their audience and compete fearlessly; and Charles Rosengard, the AP English teacher who handed out Beatles lyrics alongside traditional literature, inspiring students to see music and poetry through the same analytical lens.
After graduating from the University of Southern California, she was honored with the Order of the Laurel, awarded to students whose leadership and service have a lasting impact on the university and beyond. Drawn to Santa Clara University Law School for its deep commitment to social justice, she devoted Fridays during law school to volunteering at Saint James Park in San Jose, conducting intake interviews for Senior Adults Legal Assistance.
Throughout her law career, she focused primarily on representing indigent criminal defendants on appeal, arguing cases before both the California Courts of Appeal and the California Supreme Court.
She met her husband, Craig, while at USC. They married in 1988 and are the proud parents of five children, now ages 20 to 33, and recently welcomed their first grandchild.
Outside of her professional life, she is passionate about books, music, film, and photography. She enjoys cooking, baking, and entertaining—especially when it means gathering family and friends around a crowded table with a carefully curated playlist that mixes unexpected genres, forgotten album cuts, and whatever her children are listening to. She also cherishes time spent at her family farm in Tennessee, where she enjoys walks in the woods, hosting friends, and attending live music events.
She is the co-founder of the Fred Zulfa Memorial Scholarship at West High School in Bakersfield.
Sponsorship Opportunities
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Thank You Event Sponsors:
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