CBC Radio interview about 7Up with Terry MacLeod

Click Here to listen to the interview.

At The Shigawake Fair, August 17, 2014

The Women’s Institute, headed by Gloria Hayes (R) offered six books 

of The Alford Saga for sale at the Shigawake Fair, her sister 

Ruth and Bertha Hayes assisting.

Louise Hayes, Bertha’s daughter, helped sell The Gunner, the latest book.

They made a display…

...while in the music tent, Shaina Hayes and her partner 

provided one of the many wonderful entertainments…

...watched by an appreciative crowd.

A group of dancers, including dogs (!) joined in the excitement.

Taking Goats to the Shigawake Fair, August 17, 2014

Jay Iversen and I prepared departure with the goats’ master, Ted Wright.

Marie got in first.

Marty Robinson, our groundsman, helped.

Loaded with both Fran and Marie in the back seat of Ted’s new car, 

we set off for the Fair.

Happily without incident, we arrived at the Bonaventure Agricultural Fair.

Ted thoughtfully cut their favourite food, beef plant, for their stay.

Once there, the two began to attract attention. 

They later won first prize of course.

Preparing for the Shigawake Fair (the Bonaventure County Agricultural Society), August 16, 2014

From our large vegetable garden at the Old Homestead, 

where I wrote all eight books of The Alford Saga…

...we began to select vegetables for the County Fair.

We lined up the best cabbages and lettuce…

... and other vegetables, on the table.

Jay Iversen, associate producer on my film The Dance Goes On, 

and cousin Stephanie Hayes helped me.

 

Lo and behold! We won 14 prizes! 

McNally Robinson Booksellers, Winnipeg, August 13, 2014

Manitoba’s biggest – and best – independent bookstore, 

with many author gatherings…

...invited me to talk about The Gunner.

They put on a splendid display at the entrance.

And in their Travel Books section, I talked about 

The Alford Saga and signed books.

CBC "Up To Speed" Interview, Winnipeg, August 13, 2014

Listen to the interview

CBC’s “Up To Speed” asked me to talk about 

The Alford Saga with the lovely host, Sarah Penton.

We talked about the six books already 

published, especially The Gunner.

I went on to Terry McLeod’s popular Weekend Morning Show, 

and we spoke about the Saga books and my UK film SevenUp.

More on opening of WWI exhibit, Shilo, August 4, 2014

I was invited to open the WWI exhibit at the Royal 

Canadian Artillery Museum at CFB Shilo, Manitoba.

 I stayed with the Museum’s mastermind and retiring head, 

Major (Ret’d ) Marc George, and his wife, Caryl.

The exhibit was curated by the new acting head of 

the Museum, Kathleen Christensen…

... and film-maker to be, Nicholas Simonds (Great Grandson of 

General Guy Simonds), filmed the whole proceedings.  

Excerpts can be seen on my website.

After a short ceremony, we lined up for the ribbon cutting:

Mr. Larry Maguire, Member of Parliament Brandon-Souris

Honourary Colonel Rick Felstead, Chair of Museum Board of Directors

Paul Almond, Guest of Honour

Marc George, Director RCA Museum

Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen Joudrey, 

Base Commander Canadian Forces Base Shilo

Mr. Terry Goertzen, Manitoba Deputy Minister of Tourism, 

Culture, Heritage, Sport and Consumer Protection

I cut the ribbon.

Afterwards, we chatted happily.

I signed many books, especially this one for the Hon Colonel.

 I was honoured the Base Commander had his picture with me.

The Local Federal MP, Larry Maguire, bought a book…

...as did the pretty Mayor of Brandon, Shari Decter Hirst.

Then Marc took me on a tour of the museum, and we stood by a howitzer…

...such as the one fired by my father, Lieut Eric Almond.

The Museum Exhibit honoured him with 

a book plate in each sold book.

Paul opens the WWI Exhibit at CFB Shilo, Manitoba, August 4th, 2014