Charles Taylor Prize

For the short list of nominees for the Charles Taylor Literary Non-Fiction Prize, go to http://www.thecharlestaylorprize.ca/
Previous winners include Carol Shields for Jane Austen, Wayne Johnston for Baltimore's Mansion and Tim Cook for Shock Troops: Canadians Fighting the Great War, 1917 - 1918, Vol.II and Ian Brown for The Boy In The Moon.
The 2011 winner will be announced on Monday, February 14.

Peter Etril Snyder

The Changing Seasons:

We have recently posted photographs depicting several seasons on the Grand. The following is what artist Peter Etril Snyder has to say:

"The changing of seasons offers me, as a painter, a whole new view of subjects and activities. Logic would suggest that after all the years that I have splashed the paint around, there would not, could not, be any surprises. Each season I discover previously unnoticed aspects of the land which is a real joy."

Painting The Grand River Valley, Peter Etril Snyder, Library and Archives Canada, 2005.
Visit Peter's website: http://www.snyder-gallery.com
Search your favourite landmarks including Ruthven, Caledonia Mill and the Bell Homestead.

Thought for Today:

"We've placed a lot of emphasis in this country on the idea of people's rights. (Italics the author's) That's how it should be, but it makes no sense to talk about rights without also talking about responsibilities."

The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch, Hyperion, 2008.

HELPLESS IN CALEDONIA, an interview with Christie Blatchford, Globe and Mail reporter, author of HELPLESS is available on Podcast, CBC, The Agenda with Steve Paikin.

Originally aired Thursday, January 13, 2011.

"Look-out" On the Grand River

Located on Ouse Street one block behind the bookshop. The sun came out today!

They Had A Dream, by accomplished author Harry B. Barrett, is a comprehensive and enjoyable history of the St. Williams Forestry Station, Norfolk County, Ontario. The book also documents the management or mismanagement of the early lumber industry ~ the indiscriminate logging of Canadian forests for profit.
In 1909 this labour-intensive operation was established. The handful of individuals who worked tirelessly to earn the respect of government and university officials as well as neighbouring land-owners were honoured with a commemorative plaque in 1954 ~ the last line of which reads: "...large areas of waste land have been restored to productivity." The evolution of the station into a thriving, modern operation is a fascinating read.

Barrett writes, "One wonders if their dream ever envisaged the 370 million tree seedlings that had gone to make up the plantations, forests and windbreaks of Southern Ontario."
Retired Superintendent of St. Williams Forestry Station once stated, "Anywhere you stand in Norfolk County you can see a tree that began its life at the St. Williams Forestry Station." *

This 191-page book ~ full of historical photographs ~ can prompt the reader to commit to a day-trip! http://www.forestryfarm.ca/dream.htm

*They Had A Dream, A History of the St. Williams Forestry Station, Harry B. Barrett, Port Rowan/South Walshingham Heritage Association, 2008. Available at The Neat Little Bookshop $25. Signed by author.

January On-The-Icy-Grand River ~ Ouse Street ~ a block behind the Bookshop.

For larger image, dbl. click on photo.