EGANVILLE — Using “Mary Cook” and “Christmas” in the same sentence immediately creates a picture of simpler times; hot chocolate as a special treat, an orange in
your stocking, paper chains on the tree and asking for a doll for many years before actually getting one. With 11 best-selling books to her credit, including one dedicated to stories of her Christmas memories, Mary Cook has become a legend.
She will be the special guest speaker at the upcoming Christmas dinner held
by the Eganville and District Horticultural Society. It’s held at the Eganville Legion every year on the last Tuesday of November. The Society enjoys celebrating this holiday with the community so it’s open to the public. Tickets cost only $20. That includes a delicious turkey dinner prepared by the Ladies’ Auxiliary and an evening that the Society tries to make special. They feel that this year’s speaker does exactly that on her own.
As many Valley residents know, Mary Cook was raised in Northcote, a tiny farming community between Douglas and Renfrew, during the Depression years. Her books contain stories about her childhood and her memories of life in Northcote. Her columns, which are excerpts from her books, now appear weekly in many newspapers. These stories have been taped and are broadcast by Valley Heritage Radio on Saturday mornings.
She also had an incredible 48-year career at CBC Radio and won seven ACTRA awards from the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists in recognition of excellence in broadcast journalism. She’s well-known as an entertaining speaker and storyteller, and members of the Horticultural Society are excited that she has agreed to come to Eganville.
On November 24, the evening begins at 5 pm when the doors open for a Social
Hour and the bar is open then as well. Dinner is served at 6 pm and after dinner, Mary will take the stage. There is also a silent auction, door prizes and a selection of treats for purchase at the Candy and Bake Table. Bring someone out for the evening as an early Christmas present or organize a group of friends, relatives or co-workers but you need to act soon. For tickets, call Gail Heins at 613-628-2745 before November 16.
