My fascination with Muskoka
began in the 1960s when, as a teenager, I stayed for weeks every summer at my
friend's cottage on Mazengah Island on Lake Rosseau. The cottage had been built
by her great-grandfather in 1879, so a family compound developed around it over
the next century. Hearing wonderful tales of the "old days", I knew then that
one day I would write about that genteel time in legendary Muskoka. My deepest
thanks to Fay (Patterson) Willsie, her parents, Art and Isla Patterson, and her
large, extended family for introducing me to Muskoka and a unique way of life.
Thanks to Barb Mason for lending the impressive Mazengah history compiled by
her father, Arthur D. Blachford.
The photo on the right is part of the
veranda of the original cottage on Mazengah Island.
Readers who enjoyed A Place To Call
Home may be interested to know that descendents of Rowena O'Shaughnessy
play major roles in the Muskoka novels, although these are not sequels
to A Place To Call Home. Fans of Moon Hall will meet ancestors of
Kit Spencer.
We all have soundtracks for our lives -
the music we listen to at different times and stages and places, which remind
us again and again of those times whenever we hear them. For me, summer in
Muskoka will always be associated with the Beatles, amongst others. Dancing at
the Kee to Bala, listening to a Boston radio station playing the Beatles late
at night, partying on the dock, under the stars. But we also listened to the
old favourites on the ancient gramophone; so we sang "By the Light of the
Silvery Moon" as readily as "I Want to Hold Your Hand". That's why music is
such a large factor in the novels and why I've created a soundtrack for each
book. My thanks to Bill Edwards for making the soundtrack idea a delightful
reality! The CD can be
ordered directly from Bill's website.
Discover
Muskoka:
For those who are unfamiliar with Muskoka or would like
more information, here are some useful links:
The
Real Muskoka Experience - The Segwun is a restored steamship that once
again plies the Muskoka Lakes. The new Boat and Heritage Centre next door is
definitely worth a visit.
Discover Muskoka -Tourism information about Muskoka.
The Muskoka Chautauqua - A vibrant arts-based community
Arts Council of Muskoka - Muskoka is rich with artists
Muskoka Heritage Foundation - important heritage preservation
info
