Radio Interview – listen in

Radio Interview – listen in
I’m delighted to share a small joy. Last month I was interviewed for a radio program – Word on the Hills (Northumberland 89.7) in Cobourg. Co-hosts Felicity Sidnell-Reid and Gwynn Scheltema asked the questions. I talked about my experiences in writing Grace and why I chose to feature a hibiscus in the story. In each of the two segments, I read a story from the book. The program was broadcast on Nov 22, 2015.
If you’d like to listen in, go to http://wordonthehills.com and click on Recent Programs. Scroll down to find my name. Then click again to listen through your computer.
Millie Morton

Many Graces

I’ve received many letters from readers who identify a teacher like Grace – one who had a life-long love of teaching, learning, and contributing to community. One letter was from Gail, whose mother-in-law lived almost a hundred years (1911-2011) and was a teacher in Wisconsin. Lorene graduated from a one-year teacher training program in 1929, taught school in rural Wisconsin, married a dairy farmer, and raised five sons. Below are excerpts from her letter.
Millie

“During Lorene’s first year in the classroom, she wasn’t paid until the end of the school year (1930) when the community was finally able to come up with her salary. She sent most of her pay home to her parents to help keep their farm afloat. Many of the families in her school community spoke Norwegian at home – so Lorene asked her parents to help her with Norwegian (their first language) so she could work with her students.
Lorene was five feet tall and a bundle of energy and wisdom. After her marriage (1937) she made countless contributions to her community. She loved to go to auctions, often helping out by purchasing items at the church bazaar that no one else wanted. She never wanted donors to feel unappreciated.
At the age of 58, she began attending summer school to earn a teaching degree. At the time of her graduation, she was the oldest person to get a degree from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. During her last few years as a teacher, she had a class of special education students. Years later some of these students would see her on the street and come over to give her a hug.
I believe there were many many Graces and Lorenes who made significant contributions to rural communities in Canada and the US. Thank goodness for them. It was wonderful to read your book.”
Gail
British Columbia

Book Review – RTO magazine

Being an author brings many surprises. This week a friend sent me a copy of a book review that appears currently in Renaissance, the publication of the Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTO). I’m delighted to share it here, with the permission of the author and the RTO. (Click once on the image to enlarge for reading.)
Millie

 

 

What Readers Tell Me

Stories are memories that must be shared with the Universe  because if they aren’t  the Universe becomes a much smaller place
Drew Hayden Taylor, Canadian Ojibwa author and storyteller

In recent months I’ve received numerous letters from readers. A few were from Grace’s former students. Others appeared out of the blue from people who didn’t know Grace. All have added to my own joy in 2014.
I’ve shared a couple of reader comments below and added others to the What Readers Say page of this website. I appreciate all reader thoughts. Thanks to all of you and warm wishes for a happy holiday season.
Millie
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After reading your delightful book Grace, I feel I must know you. I am a “little old lady” of 90 who attended a one-room school a long time ago. The school was startlingly like the school where Grace began her career – though mine was 25 miles from Brockville. I wish I could have known her. Your stories about teaching in a one-room school were so real and poignant to me.
Berna
Ottawa
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When I was (Grace’s) pupil, she opened the door to learning for me. . . . Most days I couldn’t wait to go home and share what I had learned. Mrs. Morton was so passionate about teaching and life. I saw her strength and determination. She stood up for what she believed in.
As for the hibiscus, I have a large pink one too. I have had it for many years. It has become symbolic for me. . . . The delicate blooms remind me to be kind and compassionate to myself and others. The flowers don’t last – remind me how short life is.
Kim
Stratford, Ontario
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I have so enjoyed Grace. So much of her story was very similar to my own parents’ lives. Such strength of character, deep faith and love of humanity. How very fortunate we are to have had such wonderful examples to live up to. A favourite saying of my grandma was, “So many words, so many deeds, so many different creeds, when just the art of being kind is all this sad world needs.”
Brenda
South Cotswolds, England
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For more reader comments see the website page entitled What Readers Say.

Guelph – Author Recognition

Last month the University of Guelph celebrated campus authors – faculty, staff, students, and alumni who had books published recently.  In the photo, Rebecca Graham, Chief Librarian, is presenting me with a plaque recognizing my book. The university library acquired a copy of Grace and gave it a special bookplate indicating this honour. Along with many other books, Grace is highlighted on the website of the Campus Author Recognition Program and available through the library’s online catalogue.
Given the long-standing connection of the University of Guelph with agriculture and small communities, I appreciate this opportunity to share Grace’s stories from rural Ontario and the book’s insights into how Ontario changed during her lifetime.
Millie Morton

Ontario and Iowa had Similar One-Room Schools

Readers sent many letters this summer, often with interesting comments on parallels between their own experience and Grace’s stories. Here’s one from Clyde Eastman in New Mexico.

“I had trouble putting your book down. It is so easy to read and so fascinating. Grace was a truly remarkable lady. The story transported me back to my own early experience, so different from life today.
I grew up in rural Iowa and graduated from eighth grade at a one-room school. I walked or rode a pony over the two miles of dirt road. My sister is eleven years younger and went to town. The rural schools in Iowa were consolidated in the 50’s. My teacher was a young woman who drove a Model A Ford over several miles of dirt road. She had little college if any. Rural teachers could do normal training in high school. Your rural schools were definitely more substantial brick structures than anything I ever saw in rural Iowa. Iowa’s were all white clapboard frame structures although similar inside. The school only got electricity after the war. It had a coal-burning stove which the teacher stoked each morning. There were two outdoor toilets. School was from 9-4 with one hour for lunch which we carried in a lunch pail (often a lard bucket). A flood of fond memories.”

Millie Morton