Cooperstown-born Author Releases New Book

PIERRE, SD—Laura Beth Dean, a nurse and author born in Cooperstown and currently based in southwest Virginia, will release her second children’s book on Tuesday, August 13. “Georgia Jipp: Blizzard Pilot” follows the true story of the eponymous western South Dakota rescue pilot. Jipp earned her pilot’s license at age 19 and was married in an airplane circling over Philip, South Dakota two years later. During three months of record-breaking snowstorms in early 1949, she flew over 150 rescue missions to assist stranded ranchers, sick children and the American Red Cross.

The book features illustrations by Will Rogers Medallion Award winner Jeanne Bowman and is published by South Dakota Historical Society Press. For more information or to preorder a copy, visit sdhspress.com.