Earlier this year, with the help of your support, I was able to mount a speaking tour to 12 care homes and elderly daycares across western Nova Scotia!

Some of those locations include Rosedale Home (New Germany), Parkland (Truro), North Queens Nursing Home (Caledonia), and Mountain Lea Lodge (Bridgetown). Just as I've done for years at countless museums, historical societies, and community organizations — I show up as a stranger to a sea of friendly faces, telling tales and showing photos from my books. Lately, I've been pulling from "Outskirts of Ordinary", a collection of stories I've gathered from folks in Annapolis Valley.

The difference with these venues is that they're fully populated with folks who can't come out to see me. The gratitude and welcome they've shown me has been deeply moving, and I love connecting with what has often been my favourite age group. When I was growing up, I never made friends my own age, so elderly folks retain a particular pull on me.

The impact can often be very personal and emotional, sharing stories about places they know so well, and encouraging them to continue sharing stories of their own.

I hope you'll share this fundraiser around and let me continue booking visits to these wonderful folks. After quickly allocating 100% of the initial budget raised for my summer/fall tour, I was forced to turn down many additional requests that kept coming in. I hope to reach back to some and say that, yes, I can now come and speak to your residents! It means as much to me as it does to them.

Hold fast.