On December 5, 2024, the Mary Webb Centre in Highgate organized an Afternoon With Authors book sale as a fundraiser to restore the beautiful stained glass dome.
The Mary Webb Centre came to life in 2010 when a group of people in the Highgate area saw an opportunity where the wrecking ball threatened to demolish the 100 year old United Church. The vision was to create community centre, art gallery and concert hall and now in 2024, 14 years later, the 250 seat venue is a “must-play” address for renowned as well as up-and-coming musicians from across Canada and for local performers too.
Paul Langan is going to tell us about the legend of Orval Shaw—The Bandit of Skunk’s Misery. We often hear fragments of stories and myths. Paul has done the research. He is going to talk about the process of collecting information for historical books and about how this booklet came together.
Orval Shaw never killed anyone or committed any major crime, yet from 1921 to 1934, Orval’s life of petty crimes led to some of the most sensational police hunts to try and capture him.
On April 3, 1929, in Hespeler, Ontario, the greatest force of police anywhere in Canada was assembled to search for the “mystery man of Skunk’s Misery.” For the first time ever, historian and author Paul Langan has collected all the known published information on Orval into one book. Local connection: Paul’s mother’s family, the Doyle’s, are from 9th Concession of Raleigh Township.
Book released- 11/13/2024 – ISBN 978-1998829408
We will have books for sale at this book signing event.
In the meantime, to order his book(s):
WORDSWORTH BOOKS in Waterloo, Ontario carries all Paul Langan books in print.
Booklet is also available from Amazon. The Bandit of Skunk’s Misery is only paperback; no e-book options available .
Salvaged from the Ruins – A Novel of 1945. As One War Ends Another Begins.
Special price for book signing – $20 per book.
This is a hybrid event: Google Meet (zoom) AND in person! Arrive at the Archives at 6:45 p.m. for G&DHS business starting at 7:00 p.m. sharp.
Mr. McGregor’s in-person presentation starts at 7:30 p.m. Virtual attendees from afar can join any time after 7:00 p.m. (Be patient, it’s our first hybrid virtual event!)
Special book signing event price $20. This book is for readers who love their Canadian history served up with drama, great characters, and several intersecting storylines to keep things exciting. It’s hot off the press. Let’s help our local writer sell lots of copies.
Local author Al McGregor specializes in historical fiction. His books are based on the Canadian experience with an emphasis on Southwestern Ontario.
Salvaged from the Ruins is a story about the end of WWII when millions of refugees flood Europe – a time when compassion is another casualty of war. The story is set against the events of 1945 in Europe, Canada and the United States.
