Upcoming Events in Georgina
Come join me to discuss the book, read a chapter or two, get your copy signed.
Signed copies for sale at the events.
Georgina Centre for
Arts & Culture
Saturday, Feb. 15th, 2 - 4 pm
149 High St. Sutton
Refreshments served.
Admission by donation.
Event Info
Georgina Public Library
The Discovery Branch
Monday, Feb.17th, 11:30 - 2 pm
At the MURC
261 Garrett Styles Drive
(off Woodbine Ave. between Glenwoods & Ravenshoe)
Event Info
Georgina
Historical Society
Tuesday, Feb. 18, 7 pm
149 High St., Sutton
Non-members welcome.
More about the Society
Hello, Readers...
In 2017, my family ended our stewardship of The Briars property after 140 years, our home and base for a farm, community centre, golf course, live summer theatre, and year-round resort. There are so many stories to tell, about the property, the family and their visitors, Jackson's Point, Lake Simcoe and the points around it, that can be midwifed into great tales.
Despite their abundance, I had not planned on writing a novel, let alone a series. But when my plans for running historical tours in the village and local church were quashed by the COVID-19 pandemic, young Emily—my fictional protagonist—visited me and gave me permission to tell her story.
The current series is written to be enjoyable for middle school children, but adults who enjoy Anne of Green Gables will find Emily is much a kindred spirit from a later time period, when Ontario was not as rush-rush as it is today.
I'm thrilled to have published The Briars Between this past fall. I am working on the next Emily Twillum adventure, where I introduce my grandfather, but more importantly, my late cousin, young Jackie.
A little more
about me
Though I grew up in Jackson's Point, my summers were focused on our family's resort, The Briars. Swimming in Lake Simcoe was a manstay summer pasttime, with the constant hope in winter that the lake would also provide excellent skating.
In recent years, I enjoyed paddling on the Black River, a near-wilderness paradise adjacent to the Briars property. There I combined two passions, refining the skills to teach canoeing and watching a plethora of birds. In the winter, the Briars golf course helped me maintain the nordic skiing skills I used in teaching at the resort.
Since selling the resort, I have had the opportunity to explore my childhood interest in nature through courses at the TRCA. That made my birding more interesting. These outdoors interests are revealed in my books.
Having dragged my wife from Nova Scotia to Upper Canada (Ontario), after twenty-five years we returned to her roots. Two of our children and our grandchildren live nearby. Besides enjoying this new environs, and slaving away at training as "Andrew Sibbald, Author", I teach Shotokan karate in Halifax.