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Principal interest
The Vindicator
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From left, Seaborn Elementary School library aide Marci Buchanan, Principal Cynthia Mulgrew and her husband, Edward Mulgrew, with a copy of Tim McGraw's book "Love Your Heart" in Mineral Ridge. The book features a character named Mrs. Mulgrew but was not based on the Seaborn principal.
IF YOU GO
Who: Tim McGraw, with The Band Perry
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Covelli Centre
Tickets: range from $50 to $75.50 (plus applicable fees) through Ticketmaster; also available at Covelli box office
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Tim McGraw performs at a private concert for SiriusXM subscribers in New York, Wednesday, April 27, 2011.
Tim McGraw’s book, local school have something in common
By Mary Smith
MINERAL RIDGE
People do many things that wind up making them famous.
Some are country music singers and movie stars, such as Tim McGraw, who is famous to millions.
Others are principals of hundreds of children over the years such as Cynthia Mulgrew, principal at Seaborn Elementary School.
Their lives crossed recently in an unexpected way.
McGraw wrote his second book, “Love Your Heart,” designed for children, and in it was a great surprise for Mulgrew.
Her husband, Edward Mulgrew, explained it best in a letter he sent to Thomas Nelson Inc. of Nashville, Tenn., publisher of the book.
He sent the letter Sept. 20 to Tim McGraw, who is scheduled to perform at the Covelli Centre on Friday as part of his Emotional Traffic Tour.
Mulgrew wrote:
“My wife is the principal of Seaborn Elementary School in Mineral Ridge, Ohio. Seaborn is a kindergarten-through-fourth-grade elementary school in this small rural community just west of Youngstown. She told me about the very pleasant surprise she recently had when her library aide walked into her office holding a copy of your book ‘Love Your Heart’ and announced, ‘Mrs. Mulgrew, you have to take a minute and read this new book we received.’
“As my wife took the book from her hand, and looked at her rather quizzically, she was assured, ‘You’ll find this very interesting.’
“With a high level of curiosity, my wife began to read this very cute story. And then, much to her surprise, she came to a point in the story where “Katie” is addressed by her principal, Mrs. Mulgrew.
“Needless to say, she was shocked at the coincidence. Of course, the students of Seaborn who read your book all believed that the story is written about them, their school, and, of course, their principal, Mrs. Mulgrew! You have brought smiles to the faces of a lot of young readers.
“Mr. McGraw, if you’re ever on tour, and find your motor coach traveling along Interstate 80, midway between Cleveland, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pa., I am quite sure you would have an open invitation to stop in. My wife would love to have you meet her young readers, and have you autograph the library’s copy of your book.
“Thank you for brightening my wife’s day as well as those of all the staff and students at Seaborn Elementary School. Sincerely, Edward Mulgrew.”
Edward Mulgrew said recently he had contacted the publishing company, and had tried Nashville, Tenn., connections, but with no luck.
After several phone calls and emails to McGraw’s management company, Red Light Management, and emails to his publicist, he finally heard from Tim Beidler of Red Light in Nashville.
Beidler wrote in an email: “Thanks so much for reaching out to us and bringing this story to our attention. Unfortunately I will not be able to have Tim comment on the story or make a trip out there because of his busy schedule touring, movies and his family life. I will certainly put a book aside for the next time Tim is in the office so he can sign a copy for the real Principal Mulgrew.”