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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-09-23, Page 28t Page 28 The Huron Expositor • September 23, 2009 News Melady's new book follows Canadians into space Susan Hundertmark While John Melady got the chance to interview almost all of the eight Canadians who've blasted off from Earth for his new book Canadians in Space, it's the experience of watch- ing a shuttle launch at the Kennedy Space Centre he can still feel in his bones. "The countdown to liftoff begins and you can't take your eyes off it. At first there's no motion, then huge clouds of smoke' and steam as big as an arena," remembers the Egmond- ville author. "The shuttle seems to wobble at first and then it gets 10 feet off‘the ground and the sound hits you in the chest, your skin becomes prickly and it takes your breath away - you're driven back by it. It's the loudest sound I've ever heard - it's an amaz- ing experience," says Melady. While watching a launch was the closest he got. to the danger and the excitement of the life of an astro- naut, Melady says writing about the brilliant Canadians who've become astronauts gave him an even greater appreciation of their accomplish- ments. "They are all daredevils, Type A personalities who are keen and bril- liant. If there's a challenge, they'll grab it. And, we as Canadians can be extremely proud of our astronauts," he says. Melady decided to write a book about Canadian astronauts when he realized that most people have no clue how many there have been or what their names are. The Municipality of Central Huron is pleased to announce the 8th annual Central Huron Donation Fund. The Municipality will again set aside funds to assist and promote community-based non- profit organizations. Funding is also available for national and inttional non-profit organizations whose programs demonstrate a direct benefit for the residents of our municipality. To Qualify • Organizations must be non-profit. Proposed programs or events must clearly demonstrate a direct social or economic benefit for residents of Central Huron. Successful organizations will be required to submit a post project report identifying the use of the funds. Application Applications for funding should include: ❖ Description of program or event • Date of program or event • Organization budget for proposed program or event ❖ Targeted resident group, if appropriate ❖ Supporting information including statistics for previous similar projects ❖ Amount of funding requested, specifying whether a cash or in-kind donation is required. Deadline for applications must be received by 12:00 noon October 2, 2009. If your organization has questions or comments they should be directed to the Municipal office at 519-482-3997. Applications are to be addressed as follows: "Cer! , al Huron Donation Fund" Attention: Brenda Maclsaac, Clerk Municipality of Central Huron P.O. Box 400, 23 Albert Street Clinton, Ontario NOM 1L0 The Municipality reserves the right to fund only programs or events aS deemed appropriate. • "I did some private surveys asking people if they knew anything about our astronauts and how many we have. I got answers of anywhere from one to 40. People often said `Garner,' rather than Marc Garneau and said 'that wom- an' when thinking of Roberta Bondar," he says. Taking advantage of the 25th anniversary of Canadians becom- ing involved in the U.S. space program, Melady pitched the idea to his publisher. "Canadians put a lot of money into the space program. We should know a little about it," he says. While he didn't get a chance to inter- view Roberta Bondar, Canada's first woman in space, Melady was able to interview each of the other seven, including Marc Garneau, Chris Hadfield, Steve MacLean, Ju- lie Payette, Robert Thirsk, Bjarni Tryggvson and Dave Williams. He was impressed by them all but admits his favourite was Julie Pay- ette. "She's a wonderful young woman - an absolute gem. She scuba dives, ca- noes, skis, is an accomplished singer who has sung with orchestras, had earned three degrees, is a jet pilot, speaks six languages and is married with two kids," says Melady. "To be able to tell Canadians we've got people of this calibre and are so amazing - it's wonderful," he says. Melady says all of the Canadian astronauts have had a great deal of education and many have aspired to travel into space from an early age. He points out how Hadfield watched Neil Armstrong's moon walk on TV in 1969 at age 9 and decided that moment that he would also become an astronaut. Melady says he asked all of them whether or not they were afraid when they blasted off into space. "They're well aware of what could happen with millions of litres of fuel igniting at once," he says, adding that the explosions of Challenger and Co- lumbia . are never far from anyone's mind everytime a shuttle lifts off. He says that a videotape that was found after Columbia blew up that showed the crew laughing right be- fore the explosion was a real comfort to the astronauts' families. "They saw that right to the end,. they loved what they were doing," he submitted photo Author John Melady poses with Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, whom he interviewed for his new book Canadians In Space. says. Melady. adds that some of the as- tronauts talked about addressing the issue of risk with their wives and families. He says astronaut Drew Feustal, who has dual citizenship in Canada and the U.S., sat his kids down and said, "This is something Dad wants to do more than any- thing." "His kids said, `Yeah' but his wife wasn't quite as enthused," he says. Williams told Melady that the risk was worth it. "'If Ferdinand and Isabella had told Columbus you can't go, where would we be' is what he told me," says Melady. Floating above the Earth at 17,000 mph where an orbit takes only 90 minutes, Melady said each of the .as- tronauts also expressed a great love of the planet and the sentiments of an environmentalist. "They all told me that to look at the beauty of the universe and the velvet blackness of space was awe- some. They were all very concerned what we're doing to the Earth since nothing else is out there that we know about. They said looking at the Earth, they realized all of human history and culture is there on one planet," says Melady. "Without exception, the astronauts talked about the importance of the Earth. They said if all Canadians could see what they have seen, we would all feel the same way," he says. Melady's book Canadians in Space, The Forever Frontier is published by Dundurn Press, Toronto.