The Townships Sun used to publish books under the “Sun Books” label. Some four decades later, we still get queries about long-out-of-print books. A number of them are by Bernard “Bernie” Epps, who hailed from Bury between the ‘60s and ‘90s.
For example, two books, Tales of the Townships (1980) and More Tales of the Townships (1985), were true stories told by a master storyteller, both published by Sun Books.
Other books abounded. There was Pilgarlic the Death (1967). Sheer fiction. Then The Outlaw of Megantic (1973), non-fiction, about Donald Morrison of Milan, near Scotstown, but brought to life by Epps’s extraordinary skill. He wrote prolifically, and his major source was Townships history.
“History isn’t boring; historians are boring,” Epps wrote in his introduction to The Eastern Townships Adventure. He’d likely deny being a historian himself. His books are full of stories. He was a colourful writer who was also a rigorous researcher.
“His stories of the characters and events and intrigues that shaped the early years of the Eastern Townships are anything but boring. They are lively and interesting and they help to bring the past back to life,” commented Matthew Farfan, executive director of the Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network.
So now, in the midst of a postal strike, the Townships Sun is going back to its roots, launching the newly published two-volume set of Epps’s The Eastern Townships Adventure. In mid-November, the editorial team―Jody Robinson of the ETRC, Angela Leuck of Shoreline Press, and myself―finished proofreading Volume 1 and then Volume 2, and okayed the presses to start.
We counted the days on our fingers. Would the books be printed on time for the December 1st launch? It was a rocky end of the road and simultaneous beginning of a new one.
Well, that’s also the fitting theme of the December/January Townships Sun, endings/beginnings―those of the universe, of the earth, of nature, of the year, of humans.
For example, Peter Moliner MD writes about end-of-life issues and need-to-know nuggets about navigating the health-care system. Adele Ernstrom writes about living through the creation of the atom bomb, and Noémi Blom writes about what she calls “the fourth trimester,” a new mother’s life after giving birth.
Because of the mail strike, print subscribers will receive a pdf of this issue by email. Then the print version will follow after the mail strike ends. For details, check TownshipsSun.ca. Wishing you a kind-hearted holiday season. Have courage.
