Diane DeVaughn Stokes to speak at ‘Coffee With the Authors’ April 14

CALABASH, NC – Sunset River Marketplace art gallery in Calabash will feature Myrtle Beach television and radio personality Diane DeVaughn Stokes on Thursday, April 14 from 10 – 11 a.m. as part of its Coffee With the Authors series. Stokes has written a book entitled “Floating On Air: A Broadcasting Love Affair.” It features four decades of stories from her time in the industry.

She dedicated the book to her mentor, Doug Williams of WOLS Radio, who, she says, steered her away from a writing career to a talking careen. “Floating On Air”” documents many humorous stories during the time Stokes was Williams’ co-host on The Holiday Show, which ran on WOLS in Florence, SC from 1973 to 1981. Also included are tales of Grand Strand Gazette from her tenure at WBTW, Pee Dee People from WPDE-TV and Southern Style and Studebakers Live from Time Warner. Celebrity interviews include Dolly Parton, Jimmy Carter, Dizzy Gillespie, Jerry Lewis, Nancy Kerrigan, Charles Kuralt, Robert Duvall, Mickey Spillane and more.

Stokes grew up in Florence and is a former Miss Florence County USA and a graduate of Francis Marion University, where she was also Miss Francis Marion and later named an Outstanding Alumnus. She and her husband own Stages Video Productions in Myrtle Beach, SC. She is the host and producer for Inside Out on HTC and the host of Diane At Six on EASY Radio.

The event at Sunset River Marketplace is free but due to limited seating, reservations are required. Call the gallery at 910.575.5999 or click here to hold your spot.

Sunset River Marketplace showcases work by approximately 150 North and South Carolina artists, and houses some 10,000 square feet of art work in virtually every genre. Custom framing, painting and pottery classes and art workshops are also offered through the gallery. Since opening its doors in 2002, Sunset River Marketplace has supported not only the visual arts, but literary and performing arts, as well. It has become a popular community center and art hub for both NC’s Brunswick County and nearby Horry County, SC.

Sunset River Marketplace is located at 10283 Beach Drive SW, Calabash, NC. Regular hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 910-575-5999 or visit the website: www. staging.careful-crib.flywheelsites.com. For daily updates, “like” the gallery’s Facebook page.

Sunset River Gallery