ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Like many who grew up in Gander, I’ve always been fascinated by stories of the early days, when the town was a hub of international aviation and post-war prosperity.

Thanks to Kay Donahue, Cecilia Nolan, and Frank Tibbo for sharing their memories of that era. Other essential resources include The Best of Aviation and Early History of Gander, both by Frank Tibbo; Life at the Crossroads of the World—an anthology of stories and memories compiled by the Gander Seniors Club; the Gander Airport Historical Society website; and material from the Centre for Newfoundland Studies at Memorial University.

This story is a work of fiction. I have taken liberties with historical detail and embellished where I saw fit. The version of Gander presented here is an invention, as are the characters and events.

I am grateful for the close reading and feedback of Sharon Bala, Melissa Barbeau, Carrie Ivardi, Matthew Lewis, Lisa Moore, Morgan Murray, Gary Newhook, and Susan Sinnott. Lisa Daly helped with details of aviation archaeology and plane-crash sites in the Gander area.

Kate Kennedy and Leslie Vryenhoek are heroes in the field of editing. Thanks also to James Langer, Rebecca Rose, and the entire team at Breakwater Books.

This novel could not have been written without the generous financial assistance of the Canada Council for the Arts, ArtsNL, and the City of St. John’s.

Finally, thanks to Danine Farquharson and Tess Fitzpatrick, who make everything possible.