Susan (Stanton) Pryke -

Susan was one of the founding members of the Historical Society in 1984 and served as Secretary until 1988. She is a published author and " Still Smiling At The Front Desk" is her book on Sparrow Lake and the Stanton family. Susan is a freelance writer, author and editor. She grew up in Port Stanton and worked at her family's resort, Bayview-Wildwood, during her university years.

A new revised edition of "Still Smiling At The Front Desk " is available in bookstores now (May 2006). It is a very good book on the History of Port Stanton.

Prior to becoming a full time writer, Susan taught school in Orillia and Waterloo County. She accepted a teaching exchange position in Australia in 1981, where she met artist David Pryke, who is now her husband.She wrote her first book, Boom to Bust and Back Again, while in Australia.

As a freelance writer, she's had articles published in The Toronto Star, Cottage Life, This Australia, and CARPnews. As well, she operated a professional writing service for businesses and taught writing at Georgian College School of Continuous Education. From 1992 to 1997, she edited the popular summer newspaper, The Muskokan. Susan is a former board member of the Muskoka Lakes Museum.

Susan's BOOKS -

 

 

 

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Bruce McCraw

Bruce is an active member of the Historical Society and in1998 published a delightful postcard history book called --- " See You Next Summer " . This book is available at most local bookstores and is a must have item for anyone who has stayed on the lake. Bruce is a retired professor from the University of Guelph and first experienced Sparrow Lake as a toddler with his family in the 1930s. His father Donald McCraw is reputed to have caught the largest muskies ever taken from the lake. Bruce has been 'summering' at the lake ever since and his passion for collecting postcards has culminated into a vivid historical portrayal of life on the lake.

Bruce passed away in November 2010. he will always be remembered by his lovable nature and his great work with his postcard history book.

Mailing address is - 18 Kathleen St.,Guelph,ON, N1H4Y2

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James Angus

James T. Angus is a native of the Severn River community of Big Chute.He holds a master's degree from the University of Toronto and a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Alberta.Now, retired he devotes his time to research, writing and travel. He is the author of five books:

  • A Respectable Ditch: A History of the Trent-Severn Waterway 1833- 1920
  • A Deo Victoria: The story of the Georgian Bay Lumber Company 1871- 1942
  • Severn River, an illustrated history of the river including the Sparrow Lake area.
  • Mills and Mill Villages of Severn Township - a history of saw mills.
  • A Work Unfinished -  The Making of The Trent-Severn Waterway.
To order books contact -Severn Publications Ltd.,

95 Matchedash St. N. # 404 ,Orillia, ON , L3V4T9

................phone (705) 329-2127

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Betty Chish-Graham

B. Elizabeth Chish-Graham summers at Mutton Meadows Farm on McLeans Bay . Having lived some 35 years in the area, she spearheaded the Kilworthy Committee into compiling and publishing an anthology of the Kilworthy area of Sparrow Lake.

Due to her dedication to purpose, to preserve the' Legacy ', the stories of the pioneers, the book A Legacy Almost Lost was produced and published.

This is a wonderful collection of individual stories written by many families of the area and a joy to read and reread. This book is still available at local stores.

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