May 6, 2010.

Successful launch in Kitchener

Rain changed to sun and hopes for a good attendance were realized on Saturday afternoon for the  Kitchener launch of Grandmothers’ Necklace at St. Philip’s Lutheran Church on Woodhaven Road.  People came from London, Stratford, Guelph, Drayton, and Listowel as well as from the Kitchener Waterloo area.

Audience members listened attentively to readings from the book. Readers were K-W area authors and a few beyond who read their contributions to the book. Readers included: Ruth Smith-Meyer, Glynis Belec. Theodore Oisin, Tracie Klaehn, myself, and Waterloo resident Karl Zaryski reading work by his aunt Ruth Zaryski Jackson of Mount Albert.

Other selections included a story by Isabel Pene, a granny of sub-Saharan Africa; Phil Callaway, of Three Hills, Alberta; Judy Maddren, former CBC journalist, and Mary Ann Wilson, a Kitchener contributor who could not attend the launch.

Omas Siskona, the Kitchener-Waterloo chapter of the Grandmother to Grandmother organization, provided coffee, tea, lemonade and delicious baked treats that made our launch feel like a party. Margie Warren told us of their activities to raise money for grannies in Africa, even as we are raising money for the grannies through this anthology. The Omas wore their colourful tshirts showing their group’s emblem.

Grandmothers’ Necklace was initiated and edited by Patricia Elford, member of the Petawawa Grannies of Pembroke area in Ontario. Both groups work toward the same cause under the banner of the Stephen Lewis Foundation—helping the grannies to raise their orphaned grandchildren. The Omas colourful and informative display showed off current and past projects. I wish I’d had more time to look at it and read their brochures.

I am pleased with the efforts of our launch team, assistance by our editor, Patricia Elford;  the availability of our church hall, permission to share many announcements, and the presence of some members on launch day. Our sound crew, Jan, also a member, and Sarah, did an excellent job of helping us with microphones and sound levels.

Our readers fulfilled their part with grace and clarity. Our bookseller, Wilma Marie, handled the sales efficiently, and thanks also go to my husband, Len, who willingly helped me with hauling a heavy box of books as well as rearranging tables, chairs and piano before and after the launch, so we could use the space most effectively.

Thanks to the many hands and voices involved in this project, those who advertised by social media and in person,  the prayers for our project, and some help from the media. May all this effort help, in some small way, those many struggling souls in sub-Saharan Africa—the grannies and their orphaned grandchildren.