"We were just so thrilled:" 81-year-old woman's poem chosen for 'bedtime stories' book

MENOMONEE FALLS -- Stories and poetry are the perfect way to share experiences while capturing people's attention -- and that's exactly what 81-year-old Aggi Thurner has loved to do since she was a little girl.

Aggi Thurner

"The teacher told me that I was going to be a writer someday -- so all my life I was going to be a writer, and then all of a sudden I realized I was a writer," said Thurner.

Dozens of Holiday Retirement communities across the country, including Village at the Falls where Thurner lives, hosted a story drive.

Only six would be published in the children's book "Bedtime Stories: Original Tales Shared from One Generation to the Next."

Thurner sent in her poem about a daddy-long-legs.

"Children like poetry. They like the rhyming because it helps them remember," said Thurner.

Out of more than 70 submissions, Thurner's poem was chosen.

"I was the one that asked her to write for the bedtime story book -- to submit something, and we were just so thrilled and proud of her," said Village at the Falls Enrichment Coordinator Mary Blasczyk.

Aggi Thurner

Thurner has had her work published in the past, and she keeps busy by hosting a writing group with her friends.

"I don't do it for the money. I do it for the satisfaction of having done it," said Thurner.

But she's most excited about reading her published poem to her grandchildren over the holidays.

If you're interested in buying "Bedtime Stories: Original Tales Shared from One Generation to the Next" CLICK HERE.