On November 8, I attended the launch of Jim Brownell’s latest book, “Lost…As the Waters Rose – A History in Narratives,” suitably held at the Lost Villages Brewery. In 73 narratives, the book relates the stories of the villages affected by the 1958 St. Lawrence Seaway and Power Project. Jim, a Moulinette native, was only 10 when he watched his hometown disappear. It is easy to see how this experience might have sparked his lifelong interest in the area’s history. Jim’s contribution will help ensure the stories of the Lost Villages are not forgotten.
A line-up was already forming when I arrived. Cindy Bickerstaffe, a board member of the Lost Villages Historical Society, greeted me at a table laden with Jim’s latest book, his second. I eagerly grabbed a copy. Having not yet been born at the time of this monumental event, I have no personal memories, but I feel as though I have lived with snippets of this history my entire life, not just because of the physical evidence that remains, but because of the lives that were, and continue to be, affected by it. As a curious adventurer, I was inspired by Jim’s first book, “A Tour Through the Lands of the Lost Villages,” to look more closely for clues of these former villages. It solved a few mysteries and taught me so much more.
Shortly after signing my copy, Jim spoke briefly to those in attendance. He chose to honour his mother, Catherine (McGIllis) Brownell, with his book, and he believes she would have loved it because of its short anecdotes.
“Raising twelve kids, she didn’t have much time to sit down and read it all, but Reader’s Digest was her book.”
The evocative photograph on the book’s cover depicts a family standing on a flooded roadway looking towards what was once the village of Moulinette. The photograph captures Harry Johnston, his son Lorne “Bud” Johnston (in white), Shirley (Mrs. Eugene Turney), Marion (Mrs. Lorne Johnston) and Shirley’s children, Debbie and Carole Turney.
Jim announced that one of the ‘stars’ of the photograph was in the room, as Bud Johnston had travelled from Orleans to join us. Coincidentally, we were seated at the same table. He introduced me to his son and shared details about the other people pictured. When I asked to take his picture, he agreed with a modest smile, insisting he wasn’t a star. As I snapped his photo, I said, “You are now! You’re in The Seeker.”
In closing, the author also hinted at a third book in progress, this one about the history of the 150+ houses Hydro moved into Long Sault. If you live in one of these houses, he would love to hear from you.
Signed copies of Lost…As the Waters Rose are next available for purchase at the Friendly Circle Senior Citizens Club Market at the South Stormont Community Centre, 2 Mille Roches Road, Long Sault, on Saturday, November 14th, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Other sale locations will be announced that day.
Shared on Facebook by Sylvie O’Rourke.
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