Summer Launches Blog #6 Shigawake

The Shigawake Municipal Hall was filled for my last book 

launch of the week.

Deacon Pat Hayes introduced me...

...and later posed with me for a shot.

Amazing so many lined up for signatures. 

Enid Legros, the Coast’s most distinguished ceramic

artist, came to get a book.

Grandson James Elkins came again.

 Cousin Gloria Hayes, head of the Bonaventure Women’s 

Institute and frequent hostess of the Almonds, and 

former basketball coach John Affleck.

 Octogenarian Sarah Mackenzie, a pillar of St. Paul’s, 

gets her book signed.

Kenneth Duguay, Mayor of Shigawake for more 

than a quarter century, got his book signed as 

wife Sarah watched.

Summer Launches Blog #5 New Richmond

The church of St Mary Magdalen and St. Andrew’s United Church 

got together to hold their launch of The Pilgrim in this 

splendid small Anglican church, which ended up, even on a Sunday 

warm Gaspesian evening, hosting a fine turnout.

I spoke about my aim of finishing book number eight this summer, 

and alerted everyone that there were four more books coming: 

The Chaplain next year, two more the following year, and 

the eighth book in 2015. 

Number one organiser and a direct descendant of the Deserter, 

the dynamic Joan Dow is known throughout the Gaspe Coast 

for having founded the British Heritage Village in New Richmond.  

This year again, she raised a goodly sum for St Andrew’s by 

selling many dozens of books among her parish of eight worshippers 

and other readers across Canada.

Equally dynamic, Gail Martin made a goodly sum 

for the United Church.

June Martin, Gail’s sister, married many times and now single, 

came on her “cadillac”, a powered wheel chair, to buy books.

 Dr. Danielle Cyr, the linguistics professor recently retired from 

Toronto’s York University, edited the only Micmac dictionary 

published this century.  She was thus a great help with 

The Deserter, as well as my other books.

  Garry Lovatt, who works with the venerable Archdeacon in 

administering several churches in the region, talked to Joan 

Dow’s highly-qualified journalist and executive daughter, 

Cynthia, and Tom Duncan. 

Plentiful refreshments are the norm on the Gaspe Coast.   The Rector’s 

Warden Shirley Duncan, former director of the huge Eastern Shores 

School Board, helped the hard-working volunteers.

Summer Launches Blog #4 New Carlisle

The Archdeacon of the Gaspe, the Venerable Randy Murray

(on the right), and his executive organiser, Garry Lovatt, 

invited me to St Andrew’s Anglican Church in New Carlisle 

for the launch of The Pilgrim. 

Philip Toone, the MP for Bonaventure, Gaspe and the 

Magdalen Islands, spoke about the NDP gains everywhere, 

and what they intend to do for the Gaspe Coast.

Afterwards, I signed books in front of Olive Smollett, 

who is the power behind the parish, and head 

of many volunteer organisations, including

the Senior Residence.  

Olive’s pretty granddaughter was on hand to 

help her with the refreshments.

Some readers were determined to stay

 to the end to get their books signed.

Summer Launches Blog #3 Pioneer Days

Pioneer Days in the Gaspe at Camp Haldemand is always 

a celebration. The Lord Bishop of Quebec, Dennis Drainville, 

spoke, as did the MP for Bonaventure, Gaspe, and 

the Magdalen Islands, Philip Toone.

Weston White, the Organiser, introduced me. 

I enjoyed extolling The Pilgrim, described by the Coast’s weekly 

newspaper, The Gaspe Spec, this week as 'Thrilling... 

enthralling... interesting and compelling.' 

I signed books for everyone, including this true Gaspesian. 

Cynthia Patterson, wife of the Bishop, chatted happily about 
the book to our MP, Philip Toone.

Summer Launches Blog #2 Bathurst NB

In Bathurst, New Brunswick, another splendid library, 

the Smurfit-Stone, in the Centennial building (constructed 

for the Winter Olympics less than a decade ago)...

  ...invited me to talk on Tuesday.

This library had set up a display, seen here with 

me and my grandson, James, who sold books. 

Jennifer Iannuzzelli came from Head Office in 

Cambellton to help other staff and to introduce me.

Diane Gauthier, a library clerk, was also 

instrumental in the gathering.

They set up the talk in the adjacent Council 

Chambers, where I obviously enjoyed myself.

I was interviewed for the local paper, The Northern 

Light, by a dynamic intern, Alex Vietinghoff.

After the morning launch and talk (at which we sold 
a lot of books) we were taken to lunch at an unusual
 and rather splendid café with a colourful proprietor, Lorne.

Summer Launches, Blog #1, Campbelton

 New Brunswick has wonderful libraries!

 Tanya Endiguer, head of research for the Campbeltown 

Centennial Library welcomed me with a splendid sign.

 

Tanya, Victoria, and their committee, decorated the 

walls with book covers and set up a wonderful display. 

Grandson James came to sell books on behalf of the 

United Church in Campbellton.

Before the talk, volunteers in costume passed out refreshments.

The distinguished MP for Bonaventure, Philip Toone, a forceful 

voice for the NDP in Ottawa, brought his associate, Guy Caron, 

the MP for Rimouski.

I was introduced by Tanya.

Very pleasing to me to meet a direct descendant of Isaac Mann, 

Sheriff of Bonaventure, who figures in my books.  

Isaac’s grandson and mine posed.

Also a delight to meet a Helen Busteed, direct descendant 

of the Busteeds, who figure in Books Three and Four.

Prof. Danielle Cyr edited a Micmac dictionary with 

Manny Metallic, and his relative came to the launch.

Paul & James gathered the volunteers from the United Church 

who serve meals to the poor.