A local author’s latest book is sure to stir memories for Queens County residents.
Tim McDonald’s new book is the third volume in the “Remembering Queens County, Nova Scotia” series.
McDonald said because it focuses on the 1950s and 60s it feels a lot less like the typical history books he usually writes.
“People really love it. It’s not just a book of history, it’s a book of memories because there are so many people that would remember what’s in this new book of mine,” said McDonald.
Along with stories, the book is full of photographs of the era. McDonald dedicated the book to the three photographers responsible for the images: Armand Wigglesworth, Ralph Morton and Ken Dagley.
He said part of the research for the book involved posting photos to social media, which, more often than not, would start a lively discussion. McDonald said history he may not have had access to comes pouring out when people recount their memories of a photo.
“People don’t realize I’m asking because it’s for a story I’m working on.,” said McDonald. “I’ll say, who worked at Liverpool Ladies Wear or who worked at the Worthmore store? It creates interest, it creates conversation, but it also gives me the information I need for my stories.”
McDonald began writing this book in the midst of writing his previous release and didn’t think he would have it published until 2021.
The pandemic changed all that for him, in the best possible way.
“With COVID, I was home an awful lot more. I expected this wouldn’t get done until next year,” said McDonald. “But because I was home so much in the spring, night after night, I had to do something.”
McDonald currently lives in Halifax and had planned to return to Liverpool to release the book in person but due to COVID-19 precautions, he decided travelling outside of metro wouldn’t be responsible.
Instead, he has sent a batch of autographed books and enlisted some local friends to sell them in his place Saturday between 10:00am and 2:00pm at Work Evolved, located in the formers Oscars space on Main Street.
McDonald is optimistic the book will resonate for a large swath of people in Queens.
“I think anybody that’s at least 40 years old or older and lived in Liverpool, there’s going to be something in this book they’re going to remember. But for the people my parent’s age, in their 70s or 80s, they’ll remember everything.”
Reported by Ed Halverson
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson