I’d like to acknowledge and thank the Ontario Arts Council for a generous grant in support of this book.
I’m grateful to the editors of Maisonneuve for shaping, improving, and publishing “Emmylou” in their Winter 2017 issue.
Thanks to those who read and helped with early versions of these stories or this manuscript, especially Eric Fershtman, Seyward Goodhand, and Rick Taylor.
I’m indebted to several publications, including Sylva: The Lands and Forests Review, published by the government of Ontario from 1945–61, and Trees of Ontario by Linda Kershaw. For information and direction, thanks also to Todd Fleet and the staff of the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and to Michelle Curran and Scott Nichols of the Peterborough Multi-Sport Club.
If this book possesses any redeeming qualities whatsoever, they are the result of the efforts of Bryan Jay Ibeas, an extraordinary editor and a wonderful friend, with whom I have long wanted to work on such a project, and finally had the chance to do so. I hope there are more such opportunities in the future.
For company and support on adventures which fuelled many of these stories, thanks are due to Alice Winchester and John Dungavell.
I’m grateful to Leigh Nash and the entire Invisible team for their continued belief in my work.
Love and thanks to Denee and Gordon Forbes, to Sharron and John Curley, to Adelaide, Cormac, and Theo, and to the rest of my family, spread coast to coast. I’m sorry I haven’t visited more.
And finally, thank you to Christie Curley, for inspiring this book, and for making it possible.