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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday March 2, 2007 - 33 Author combined family folklore with historical research Continued from page 30 Armstrong, a long-time proponent of human and women's rights, has for the last 20 years been reporting on atrocities in places like Afghanistan and Bosnia. In her latest book, she wanted to shed light on Canadian women of Taylor's era. "We have some books and short stories about women in the 1800s, but not in the 1700s, and I was very interested to know what role they really played. The bonnets and crinoline thing didn't wash for me," said Armstrong, smiling. "I wanted to know what was going on." First setting out to write a non-fiction account, Armstrong realized that after all her research, she still had to make assumptions about her great-great-great grandmother's life. Family stories say Taylor and her lover ran away either to the West Indies or to the northern tip of New Brunswick, then Frenchoccupied. "I don't believe a British ship would have landed (in New Brunswick), so I had to presume they went to the West Indies," said Armstrong. "I had to make decisions and assumptions along the way." Currently a contributing editor to both Maclean's and Chatelaine magazines, Armstrong first wrote about Taylor in 1992 as editor-inchief of Homemakers Magazine. Her editorial sparked a lot of interest. "I heard back from her descendants from all over the "There was so much to research, I mean, 1775, that's a heck of a long time ago. She came from England by ship. Well, what did the ship look like? What did they eat? Where did they sleep? How did they manage? Just that little bit of it was huge." Author Sally Armstrong world. I heard from people from Saudi Arabia, England, Kenya, all over Canada, the U.S.," said Armstrong. "So I wrote to all of them, and I said one of these days I'm going to write a book about her. Tell me everything you know." Since then, Armstrong has on-and-off been compiling research and digging through archives, delving into her ancestor's history. "I was buried in shipping schedules and Mi'kmaq histo- ry and Acadian folklore," she said. "There was so much to research, I mean, 1775, that's a heck of a long time ago. She came from England by ship. Well, what did the ship look like? What did they eat? Where did they sleep? How did they manage? Just that little bit of it was huge." That historical research was melded with family stories ­ and when it comes to Charlotte Taylor, who Armstrong calls "a woman with a `past,'" there were plenty of those. "Words like "lover" and "land grabber" drifted down from the supper table to where we kids sat on the floor. There were whoops of laughter at her indiscretions, followed by sideways glances at us," Armstrong writes. "But for all the stories passed around, it was clear the family still had a powerful respect for a woman long dead." The Nine Lives of Charlotte Taylor will hit the shelves of major book stores on March 13, according to the Random House website. Armstrong keynote speaker at Women's Day fundraiser Women of Halton Action Movement (WHAM) is hosting The Dinner Party on March 7 to celebrate International Women's Day 2007, which is March 8. Keynote speaker for the event is Oakville's Sally Armstrong, who will discuss `Women taking control of their lives,' and give an update on the women of Afghanistan, a cause she's been championing since the 1990s. In 2002, Armstrong published her second book, Veiled Threat: The Hidden Power of the Women of Afghanistan. The renowned journalist, author, member of the Order of Canada and long-time women's rights activist, will also discuss her new book, The Nine Lives of Charlotte Taylor, which she'll be launching at the March 7 event. "I'm really proud to associate myself with Oakville women," said Armstrong, who has called Oakville home since 1978. "You look at the history of what Oakville women do, and when there's trouble, they're the first ones up to bat ­ always. "Whether it's changing a constitution, which they did, or responding to Steven Lewis' challenge on the Grandmother-to-Grandmother program, they were right there, immediately. Oakville women were up there rallying to the cause." The International Women's Day 2007 local fundraiser is for Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services (S.A.V.I.S), and for Canadians In Support of Afghan Women (C.S.A.W). The Dinner Party, at the Oakville Conference at Banquet Centre, 2525 Wyecroft Rd., begins at 5:30 p.m. It features a cash bar, the sale of Afghan crafts, Armstrong's book signing, a draw, door prizes and dinner. Tickets, $40, are available by calling S.A.V.I.S at 905-8253622. · Explore over 30 gardens by Canada's most creative landscape designers and architects. · Discover the Elemental Garden and pick up building tips at The Home Depot You-Can-Do-It Interactive Space. · Find big ideas for small spaces in our balcony, townhouse and terrace garden displays. · Learn answers to all your horticultural questions in non-stop workshops and demos by top gardening gurus. · Shop for the latest garden treasures, including gadgets and décor. FOR TICKETS VISIT WWW.CANADABLOOMS.COM OR SOBEYS ONTARIO STORES MARCH 7-11, 2007 METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE, SOUTH WED-SAT 10AM-9PM SUNDAY 10AM-6PM INFO 416.447.8655 ADULTS $18 SENIOR/STUDENTS $16 CHILD 12 AND UNDER FREE Looking For Something Fun for the Kids for March Break? Stage West is THE place to go During March Break. Adventure getaway package Wizard Wizard School ­ back by popular demand! Classes run daily March 12 to 16. A full day of fun yet educational Witch and Wizard classes plus lunch and 2 snack breaks. Classes include; · Fortune telling/spell casting/mind reading, · Wizard science, Wizard Games, · Making Magic Tricks, · Make your own cape, wand and hat · A Magic show featuring "Ryan the Magician" Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs of the Black Forest School Fundraiser March 3 for Miss World Canada contestant Oakville's representative in the Miss World Canada pageant, Alexandra Kane, will be featured at the Young Artists Showcase on Saturday. It's a fundraiser to help Kane offset some of the costs of the pageant. The showcase will feature Kane singing as well as other performances by talented musicians and comedians, a silent auction and raffle. A $5 cover includes a raffle ticket and proceeds will go towards Kane's quest to become the next Miss World Canada. The event is Saturday, March 3 from 3 ­ 9 p.m. at Webs Lounge, 2273 Dundas St. W., in Mississauga. ·Two nights suite accommodation ·Use of 3 storey indoor waterslide, new salt water pool · Four tickets to lunch performance of Snow White · Daily activities rooms including; Hershey Bingo, Ice Dogs hockey clinic, Kid's Hip Hop class, Kitchen Craft, Craft Room and more. Lunch performances March 10, 12, 13. 15, l6, 17, April 7 and 14 Dinner performance Thursday March 15 Tickets $ 34995 $ 4595 $ per package plus taxes for 2 nights/ Family of 4 sharing per child per day, plus tax Age 6-12 Limit; 150 children per day Tickets per person, per show, plus tax ONLINE BOOKING & TICKET PRINTING AT STAGEWEST.COM 2895 ONLINE BOOKING & TICKET PRINTING AT STAGEWEST.COM BOX OFFICE 905-238-0042 March 10-18 905-238-0042 www.stagewest.com