Dear Mr Walters,

I am overwhelmed by your wonderful response. I feel that you wrote a whole story just for us. Thank You, Thank You. We are so looking forward to meet you in the spring. Your stories are always interesting, so please do not stop writing . I am sure that even if you did not write in the paper, you would still write on all the interesting subjects you cover.
We do not get the North Bay Nugget, but are considering it now.

Just a note to your staff editors. I look forward to the Saturday morning paper as I am a follower of George Walters. When it was on Wednesday I would still read him first. I am from the farm life, before I joined the Service, Now retired here in North Bay, I  can relate to his stories. I head for that section first then I read the rest. So pass this on to George please top keep up the stories.
Thank you Nugget Editors
Richard Barnard North Bay

These animals  were  photographed just north of the Wisconsin border on  a highway  near Marenisco , MI .

October is a busy month at the Powassan and District Library.

Oct. 15 is our Author’s Night featuring local author George Walters, whose column appears in The Nugget every Saturday. Everyone is welcome. His talk starts at 7 p.m. downstairs in the Mae Enever Room. Refreshments will be served by the Friends of the Library.

Hope to see you all there, looking forward to it too.

Well here is the story that I promised you called Style Of A Country School Teacher. It’s written in language anyone can grasp, so sit back and enjoy, it is full of wisdom, one just has to open their mind.  My treat to you, on this fine Thursday morning.  No Drugs Needed!

The Style of a Country

School Teacher

Years ago back in the old one room school house, things went a bit different from to-days schools. The teacher was always on top of things and for most parts us young ones enjoyed going to school. Also, got us away from the chores back home. Not saying now that was our reason for not missing a day. The teacher back then taught all eight grades, but she did it with a style of her own. She wasn’t just a teacher, she was family.

I remember at the end of every week on Fridays, she would take the morning and ask all eight grades to write down, what had occurred over the past week, at school and at home. The ones that couldn’t write, she would take off into a corner and talk to them about their week, while us older ones were putting our week of happenings on paper. She would then take them home and read each one.

Looking back there was more to it than just writing about our week. It helped us to come to grips with things and for some parts we even went home and corrected some things that needed correcting. After lunch, we all read our stories from the front of the room one at a time and to me I think it brought the whole class closer together. It was like a continuing story actually. Each week we got to find out what else was happening in each other’s life. Sure there was a lot, left out but for most of us we could read in between the lines.

With the teacher though, she just didn’t get a story from each child, she learned exactly what was happening in their lives. She knew when family members were sick, when they were having hard times and for most parts what was going through the young ones mind. She then could address the problem in a way, that would help the child and for that matter the child’s family.

I remember one young fellow that came to our school, he was so mean you couldn’t go near him. The teacher eventually got him to join in and write down his weeks events like the rest of us. Over time, she found out why he was so mean and wanting to fight all the time. Problem was his family was poor and his Dad having a hard time keeping up with all the farm work, was hollering at him a lot. He didn’t mean too, it just happened and the boy brought his anger to school.

Well the teacher I guess, got to thinking about this and mentioned it to Reg and Laura, my folks at the time. Once Reg heard about it, he did a bit of thinking and loaded a steer on the back of his truck. I went along, as I had to help calm down the critter in the back. Wasn’t too far, and we pulled in the driveway. The fellow came out of the house and in a mean tone asked, “What do you want? I don’t take cotton to folks, so you best be on your way.” Reg being a pretty good judge of character got out and introduced himself, which kind of broke the ice a bit. After a bit of talking, all one sided, Reg then said.

“I got this here steer and was wondering if you might like look after it for me, as I got so much on the go this summer I haven’t got the time to do it myself. I don’t expect your work for nothing, I was thinking we would share the meat with each other this winter, 50-50.” Well the fellow, he didn’t know really what to say and knowing a good deal when he saw one agreed, and we got busy and unloaded it.

Reg did a lot more to help out the fellow and his family and eventually others did the same.

The reason I am telling you this part about this fellow, is that the boy at school that was a bully, started to feel better about himself and his family. At year-end, he was the nicest fellow in the whole school, next to me of course. Just kidding, but in reality the one behind the whole thing, was our teacher.

That was just one thing she happened upon throughout her days as our teacher and many more were to follow. This teacher had taken it upon her self to look into each child’s life, in such a way, that the child and the family never knew. She figured it wasn’t all just teaching the child, and she took it upon herself to get to know the child.

Well there you have it, a teacher that did things, her own way, which made life a lot more comfortable for us young ones and affected the lives of many, without their knowing.

In Closing, I Would Like To Wish You Well.

Hi Folks, well Saturday at the Fall Fair in Magnetawan went well and got to say we sure had a good time.  The picture below is of The Craigs, Country Western Band. Gotta’ say they sure put on a good show for the folks that came.   They also brought back a lot of fine memories for me with their songs, as years ago where I was raised, we used to have different groups drop by for a barn dance on Saturday nights.  Met some pretty famous folks from them events.  Like Kitty Wells, Hank Snow, Hank Locklin, well just to many to name.  Makes me sad to think they are all but gone now. But artists like the Craigs will never let them leave us, as they keep bringing their music into the hearts of folks today.  I guess that is why I like writing so much, as I might not have a voice to carry the message through songs, but I do pretty well with story tellin’ and a pen.  The book signing and story tellin’ went well too. Gives me great pleasure to get up there and watch the faces of folks as I read some stories of days from the past.  I would also like to thank the band for introducing me when it came time for me to do my part, along with letting me use their microphone. Great Bunch Of Fellows.  So……….guess that is it for now. Just wanted to take a minute and let you in on how it went and to say:  “Thanks For Droppin’ By!  Meant A Lot To My Wife And I.”  Click On Pictures To Enlarge

Hi Folks, wanted to let you know that we are going to have a book signing in Magnetawan Saturday September 5/ 2009, tomorrow actually.  Will be speaking for an hour or so starting at 1:00 PM.  I will be speaking about country living,  farming and will also read a couple stories from my two books which are on the market now.  And……. if time,  one story from my new upcoming book next spring  called Moments In Time.  So…………….if your in the area Saturday, drop by and say hello.

Click Here For Directions: Magnetawan, ON

Well, Books By The Bay event is over for another year, and I have to say it sure was a pleasure being asked to be their first feature speaker of the year.  It was a great three days and my wife and I enjoyed it immensely, looking forward to next year.  I would also like to take a minute here and thank all those that took part and all those that dropped by and said hello to the wife and I.  Had to be well over a 100 people there at my talk on Friday night.  Also would like to say a special thanks to Suzanne, Owner of Gulliver’s in North Bay for all her help and asking us to be a part of the weekend.  Meant a lot to us.  Also on Saturday night the supper was fantastic, think I gained a few pounds too, no reason for anyone going home hungry, that’s for sure.  Everyone out did themselves that’s for sure.   Pictures below were done up by Jean and Carrie.  Got to say they did a fine job in taking them too.

Just thought I would keep you folks informed of the upcoming event, Books By The Bay.  It will be held in Callander July 17 – 19.   My lovely wife and myself will be speaking for a half hour or so on July 17th, at 7:30 PM.  Hope to see you all there and make sure you say hello.  Looking forward to it.  Here is the link, it will take you to a place where everything is explained.    Run your mouse over the Books By The Bay Below, click on it and wolla!!!

Books By The Bay

Just thought I would keep you folks informed of the upcoming event, Books By The Bay.  It will be held in Callander July 17 – 19.   My lovely wife and myself will be speaking for a half hour or so on July 17th, at 7:30 PM.  Hope to see you all there and make sure you say hello.  Looking forward to it.  Here is the link, it will take you to a place where everything is explained.    Run your mouse over the Books By The Bay Below, click on it and wolla!!!

Books By The Bay

Well wife and I sat out front of our home last night to watch the parade that went  passed our home. I gotta’ give all the participants a lot of credit, as they sure did a fine job.  Just makes me good inside. I know it’s not like the big city parades, but for us here in the small town of Port Loring, it sure was something.  Took some pictures and thought I would share.  Thanks goes out to all that took part in making this possible.

Just thought I would keep you folks informed of the upcoming event, Books By The Bay.  It will be held in Callander July 17 – 19.   My lovely wife and myself will be speaking for a half hour or so on July 17th, at 7:30 PM.  Hope to see you all there and make sure you say hello.  Looking forward to it.  Here is the link, it will take you to a place where everything is explained.    Run your mouse over the Books By The Bay Below, click on it and wolla!!!

Books By The Bay

Thought I would share a picture of my lovely wife and myself at our book signing in North Bay.  The picture was taken by our very good friend Suzanne Brooks, owner of Gulliver’s in North Bay.

I would also like to give you a link to Gulliver’s in North Bay, as my books are readily available for you there also, along with lots of others. Great folks to deal with too.    Here is the link. Just run your mouse over where it says, Gulliver’s – Home Page, click, and your on your way.

Gullivers – Home Page

Thought I would share a picture of my book signing at Gulliver’s Book store down town North Bay on May 9’2009.   Was a great day and had a great turn out too.  Would also like to say thanks to Suzanne,  her staff & Steve Hardy, managing editor from the North Bay Nugget and very importantly all you folks that dropped by, for making our day so enjoyable.  Great place and if your in need for books or gifts, or just a place to browse, well this is the store for you.   You won’t be disappointed.   Thanks Folks!

WHEN MY THREE-YEAR-OLD SON OPENED THE BIRTHDAY GIFT FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER, HE DISCOVERED A WATER PISTOL.. HE SQUEALED WITH DELIGHT AND HEADED FOR THE NEAREST SINK.
I WAS NOT SO PLEASED.. I TURNED TO MOM AND SAID, “I’M SURPRISED AT YOU. DON’T YOU REMEMBER HOW WE USED TO DRIVE YOU CRAZY WITH WATER GUNS?”
MOM SMILED AND THEN REPLIED…. “I REMEMBER!!”

For those that happens to be in the Marten River area tomorrow, drop by the community center and say hello, as I will be there signing books from around noon to three or so.  Have a great day.

The Canadian book world has lost a respected, thoughtful and knowledgeable observer.

Derek Weiler, editor of Quill and Quire,  died suddenly at home in Toronto on Sunday at the age of 40. Although no specific cause of death was given in the announcement on the periodical’s website, he was reported to have been in poor health for several years.

Weiler joined the staff of Quill and Quire, Canada’s leading publishing industry periodical, in 1999 as a writer, assuming the editor’s chair five years later. He will be missed.