HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-03-19, Page 88 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Local dragon -slayer gives county
some ink in Johnston's book
CHSS alumni releases first
young adult novel
Gerard Creces
Clinton News -Record
Dragons in Clinton?
While it may seem unlikely, that's exactly
the case for young Owen, the dragon slayer
of Trondheim in a new book written by
CHSS alumni Kate Johnston.
The Story of Owen Dragon Slayer of
Trondheim blends Huron County people
and places into a fantastic story about drag-
ons, who are huge fans of fossil fuels.
In fact, dragons are everyday pests in the
book, albeit very destructive ones, and with
no local slayer, folks in these parts have to
go to town hall (who have to ask Queen's
Park) to have them taken care of.
The story revolves around Owen Thork-
shard, as told by his bard and algebra tutor,
Siobhan McQuaid. The young slayer in
training moves to Clinton (aka Trondheim)
where he faces the double challenges of life
SEAFORTH
MINOR
SOCCER
REGISTRATION
House League and Travel
There is still time
to Register until April 11
ALL REGISTRATIONS
SUBMITTED
AFTER APRIL IST
ARE SUBJECT TO TEAM
AVAILABILITY
* Coaches are needed for travel and house
league teams
* Volunteers are needed to set up and oversee
the house league program
Additional information and registration forms
can be found on the Screamin' Eagles
website at
seaforthminorsoccer.webs.com
or by contacting Dan or Carolyn
at 519-522-0114
Kate Johnston
in high school and living
up to his dragon -slaying
legacy.
Readers will easily recog-
nize many local landmarks
in the book. Johnston said
she combined many in her
story - Clinton, Seaforth
and Goderich - when cre-
ating the world around
Trondheim. Whether in the
halls of Trondheim Sec-
ondary School (Go Lanc-
ers!) or Piping Down the
Sun on Lake Huron to
being in the news in the
Hanover Post - there are
plenty of real life locations
mixed in with the fantasy,
and Johnston's humour
blends them all
seamlessly.
"I really wanted to write
a book set in Canada," she
said. "I set it at CHSS. I
wanted it to be recogniza-
ble and really local'
While many young adult
books are set in generic loca-
tions or in the city, Johnston
takes pride in the fact that people from Huron County will
be easily able to recognize the locations.
Written in 2011, Johnston said she revisited the end of
the book following the tornado that tore through Goderich
in August of that year. Since then, it's been editing, revi-
sion, and now, a sold out run of her first print on Amazon
and Chapters web sites. She hopes to have the book be
available at Huron County libraries as well.
Johnston launched The Story of Owen Feb. 28 at Family
and Company in Stratford, to an appreciative crowd.
Spoiler alert - there is going to be a sequel.
SEAFORTH
MINOR HOCKEY
ASSOCIATION
FOR THE 2014/2015 SEASON
REGISTRATION
Sat. March 22, 5:00-7:00 pm
and
Fri. April 4, 6:00-10:00 pm
Seaforth Community Centre
Check out the Seaforth Stars website
www.c4thstars.ca for more information
REGISTRATION REQUIRED PRIOR TO
REPRESENTATIVE TEAM SPRING TRYOUTS.
Seaforth and District
Horticultural Society
begins new season
Glenyce Kelly, Seaforth Horticultural Society
Seaforth and District Horticultural Society began the
2014 season with a potluck supper held on Wednes-
day, March 12 at Northside United Church. Thanks to
all those who braved the weather to attend. The deli-
cious meal was enjoyed by all.
Unfortunately, due to the winter storm that travelled
through our area on Wednesday, the guest speaker was
unable to attend.
An amazing list of events has been arranged for our
upcoming year including some great guest speakers
and garden tours.
Topics that we will be hearing more about include
Spring and Vegetable Gardening, Victorian Gardens,
Sea Buckthorn Bush and a special guest Jay Campbell,
to talk about the weather.
We have already begun planning for the Plant and
Bake Sale on May 10, just in time for Mother's Day.
The annual bus trip this year will be July 9, and we
will be touring the Brantford area Whistling Gardens.
Members will be busy snapping pictures for our
annual photo contest. There are some fun categories
including "Flowers around our Town".
Once the warmer weather arrives, be sure to take a
stroll to the Seaforth Library and rest with a book in
the new Outdoor Reading Area. Seaforth Horticultural
Society wants to thank Huron East and the Seaforth
Trust Fund for their contribution to this project.
Spring flowers will hopefully soon be peaking through
for all to enjoy.
2014 Annual Memberships are now available for $10
and entitles you to discounts at participating green-
houses. Next meeting will be held on Wednesday,
April 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Northside United Church, with
guest speaker Brenda Campbell from Cozyn's to speak
on Spring Gardening. All are welcome to attend, so
mark your calendar early for our upcoming events.
Be sure to check us out on our website at www.sea-
forthdhs.org for more information and photos.
Clinton Minor Baseball
FINAL REGISTRATION
2005 to 1996 born players
Saturday, March 22nd
Arena Meeting Room
Central Huron Community Complex
10am-1pm
www.clintonminorbaseball.ca