Local resident releases new book

Dr. Dale Smith is an entertainer, an educator, a principal and the founder and director of the American Kids organization. Now, he can add the title of author to his list of accomplishments.

Smith, known to all as Dr. Dale, recently released a 210-page autobiography entitled “Meet My Angels.” The book is described by the publisher, American Real Publishing, as a Journey of Gratitude and Purpose. The book includes contributions from Dr. Dale's late wife, Carolyn Jane Snow.

"My goal was to acknowledge the many angels, in human form, that helped show me the path to follow," said Dr. Dale. "I never had a plan or specific goal in life. All of the wonderful opportunities I have had to serve others came to me as I continued the unplanned path I was on."

"Every calendar date is significant to me," Dr. Dale shared. "My deceased first wife, Virginia Judith Smith and I were married on April 11 in 1953. She was the one who insisted I go to college. The impact of her selfless influence and encouragement took me through so many opportunities for the growth I needed to accomplish the climb afforded me."

The book contains much more about Virginia ("Jenny"), as well as the late Carolyn Snow, Dr. Dale's wife and the co-founder of American Kids Inc. The book also shares the love story of how God allowed Dr. Dale to meet and marry his bride of two and a half years, Antonya Robinson.

"Years ago, in about 2014, I started posting on Facebook under the heading 'Dr. Dale Says.’ These posts, generally speaking, were tributes, birthday greetings, calendar dates, etc.," said Dr. Dale. "For example, on April 22, I would write something about the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889. Oklahoma is my home state and I have written several memorial songs about Oklahoma, so I wanted to acknowledge one of her history moments. In this post, I wrote tributes to acknowledge the people that have been helpful to me. Seems I began to re-discover their impact. I started putting these influencers in perspective when, after years of writing about these individuals, I saw how my life was directed through these people. We have all heard that 'God has a plan for your life.'  Yes, He does!"

Dr. Dale, who will turn 95 this October, continued, "When I reached the age of 90 I posted the question 'How can I finish strong?' I had a flood of encouragement from former students from the 1970s when I was principal of their high school in Bartlesville, OK, where I had a teaching career for 22 years. I got notes from members of my American Kids program. I got letters from their parents suggesting I write a book. I loved the idea! Once I decided to write it, I knew immediately that the title would be 'Meet My Angels.' There was never a consideration for any other name because it is a book about angels and people who bless us."

"Meet My Angels" by Dr. Dale J. Smith is available through Amazon, in both hardback and paperback form. The book is also available for Kindle.