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.