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By Lynne Ainsworth Writing a book bas sometimes been compared to having a chîld because a book, like a cbild, is born out of joy, anxiety and pain. Marie Parker, a poetess living on a farm just nortb and east of Bowmanv ille, is familiar with botb experiences. As a mother of two and the author of tbree new books, this 53-year-old grandmotber bas wrapped all of ber experiences into a package that is 100 per cent ber own. She bas not only written three books but also illustrated two of them witb pen and ink sketches. Most of Marie's poetry is born out of b er 'own experiences. A walk along the tielEts tmat noraer ner nome or a painting banging in ber living room become the subject matter for a poem. Even tbe most commonplace events magically become tender moments when Marie retelîs tbemn through poetry. Her first book, a collection of poetry and prose titled 'Inside Out', bas just recently been publisbed by tbe Highiway Book Sbop in Cobalt, Ontario. Copies of 'Inside Out' are available at the Bowman- ville, Ajax and Oshawa libraries. Her second collection of poetry and a cildren's book called 'George's Friend' will be printed later this year. Only one in every thousand would-be writers is lucky enougli to have lits or. her work published, and yet, despite ber success, Marie is unimnpressed witb ber newv-found famne. In fact, sbe is almost apologetic. A year ago Marie, at the suggestion of a friend, attended a writing worksbop in Cobalt. much to ber surprise the owner of the Highway Book Shop liked, Marie's work and wanted to publisb a collection of ber poetry in a soft cover book. -I went to Cobalt last year tbinking 1 was going to be the only dumb nut in a group of professional writers", says Marie. "But wben 1 started to *.read my work one woman began to cry and bad to leave tbe room." Witbout any formai training in either writing or art, Marie feels sbe is lacking necessary skills. But even without the formalized education she wants, ber ideas and emotions could neyer be made clearer. Borni 'Vancouver, Marie married in St. Catharines and later moved 'to Pickering wbere sbe and ber husband Fred owned a home. Today they live in a 147-year-old renovated stone farmhouse located just outside of Bowmanville. >Like ber farmbouse, Marie appears to be very traditional. But inside she's brigbt and modern. Dressed in a beige skirt and matcbing blouse she is a picture of tranquility. Wben she speaks ber eyes sparkle with a special glow suggesting an open is , she is certainly not a Bobemian artist living alone in the country. "Remember, first of ail Fra a bousewife, mother, grand- mother and then I'm me," she says. A reminder is indeed always present. From the neat and uncluttered appearance of ber home, family photos and housebold items peak out. In a back roomn designed as a bedroom, Marie does all ber work. Here in a bureau drawer she keeps ber poems and short stories. Below it is another drawer filled witb paints and brusbes. "Sometimes I'il sit down five or six times a week and write, otber times a week or a month may go by before I write anytbing," says Marie. This is the way she bas worked all ber life. Whenever a spare moment came along or the mood was just right she'd sit down to work. "I don't tbink I'm ever without a pencil in my band," she admits. Wbat began as a challenge to produce a Christmas card better designed and written tban the ones she received lias taken Marie a long way. But writing poetry is not Marie's only talent. She NOW OPEN FA YE'S RECORD and BOOK EXCHA4NGE Mon. - Fri1. 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Sot. 10:00 0.m. --4:900p.m. 133 King St. E. Bowmanville Openingý new doors tosjnall ]business MR. D. C. -COOK on@ of aur representatlves wll bat Diana Motel, Hwy. m1 and 35, Orono, Ontario, on Wednesday, September 6th, 1978, between 9:30 a.mn. to 3:30 p.m. Call 983-5229 for appointment. Branch Office: 22 King Street West, Oshawa, Ontario. Tel: 576-6800 sculpts, paints miniature oil paintings or dol ouses andi bas picked up enough carpentry skills from a two- year night school course to build a coffee table, desk, sbelf unit and a beadboard. And at one time she ran an English tea garden out of ber home in Pickering, an adventure that întroduced ber to all kinds of fascinating people. Her talents and interests bave developed beyond the hobby stage. For example ber miniature oil paintings for dol bouses, wbich began as a gif t for her granddaughter, are sold throughout Ontario. Her biggest ambition, tbough, is to read aloud to an audience from ber collection of poetry. "I'd like to take the book to a senior citizen home and read from it because the rhyme scheme is old-fashionied and the subject matter will appeal Wicker By Mary Ann Warkman Wicker, wicken everywhere. Wbetber a family bas inherited it or bunted for it, you'll see wicker gracing many verandahs and patios these days. Many pieces are being manufactuned today and you'll find tbem in abundance in department stores, gif t sbops and in shops such as one in Oshawa wbich specializes in wicker. If you want old wicker and not a reproduction, here's what to consider. The old wicker chairs have cane seats with wooden frames whereas the reproductions have flimsy, circular-woven reed seats. The reproductions are ligbter because the framework is of bamboo rather than wood. Victorian wicker is more durable than today's repro- duction and there's a good chance of restoring it unless the framework bas rotted. A good book on restoring wicker is called Collectîng and Restoring Wicker Furniture by Richard Saunders. It is published by Crown Publishers, Inc. in New York and by General Publishing in Canald . Mr. Saunders recommends a soft brush and warm soapy water for cleaning, using a more to an older generation," she explains. With this in mind 'Inside Out' has been published in large, bolEt print. Altbough fier poetry may be described as old-fashioned, it is a direct contrast to ber sketches and sculptures. Witb a feeling for bold, basic designs, Marie's sculptures take on an abstract form. Her work, although much more representational, can be compared to Henry Moore's. She says she chooses to draw basic desigs because in today's world there just isn't enough time to study things. "Today, we have to look at something, know wbat it is, and be gone. We just don't see detail," says Marie. It would seem that wbatever Marie turns ber band to she makes a success of it. But, as Marie knows, success cornes only after bard work and determination. And with ber track record, she and ber books are bound to be winners. tootbbrusb for the hard-to-get- at places. Periodic wiping should be done witb a soft wet cloth. Reed and willow pieces can be bosed off but wicker made of fibre (twisted paper) or sea grass should neyer be. To preserve wicker the unpainted, natural type sbould be left that way because it withstands the weather better and is more valuable in that state. To maintain its natural ligbt beige colour, apply a coat of colourless lacquer. A thin I HAND CRAFTED CANADIAN 1 PINE FU RNITURE She's an Author, Artist and Carp enter Too Section Two The Canadian Statesman. Bowrnanville, August 30, 1978 5 Ve rna Hooey Retires After 16 Years With Hospital solution of an acrylic resin (such as a polyurethane, type of varnish) will also give natural wicker a protective skin. But you'd rather have it painted white? Many people prefer painted wicker and Susan Miller has a lucrative business in Toronto catering to them. The wicker she seils in ber shop at 709 Mount Pleasant Road has been restored, repaired and painted a glossy white. She recommends using a base coat of paint and three coats of high gloss, marine enamel which can be sprayed on, to prepare your wicker for the elements - flot frost and snow tbough. In November Susan Miller will have a decorator display at Tbe Toronto Antique Show sponsored by the Wimodausis Club. Last year she sold out on opening night - to one customner! You've probably noted that in describing wicker I've used the names of. various materials. That's because wicker as the word is used today describes rattan, cane, reed, willow, raffia, fibre, rush and various' dried grasses. The origin of the word is believed to be Scandinavian - from the Swedisb "wika" to bend and, "vikker" meaning willow. Some furniture is made of a combination of the above materials as craftsmen found some material lent itself better to fancy scrollwork and otbers to simple weaving. Between 1865 and 1880 wicker .was used outdoors, lef t in its natural state or lightly stained. Water restored its elastic quality. In the Orient rattan is used as cables for moorings and even for suspension bridges whicb gives you an idea of its durabiity! Reed furniture was used 0e À Sii indoors and painted to match interior fumnisbings. In the mid-1870's, wicker' baby carniages or perambulators were turned out in great numbers. Also available in those days were picture frames, wbeel chairs (phaetons) and wbat-nots of wicker. The 1890's saw the Art Nouveau style which was easily adaptable to wicker altbough the Victorian styles remained popular. The Eaton's catalogue of 1901 advertised baby carriages priced from $6.50 to $22.50 and rocking chairs fromn $2.00 to $7.75. By that year in the U.S., elaborate pieces were replaced by angular, straight-lined Mission style furniture. During the 1920's, the Art Deco design principles were used. The diamond design was popular then wbich was some- times painted a darker colour and woven into the wicker pieces. This diamond is one of the keys to identifying wicker furniture from the 20's era. The bourglass was manufact- ured in the 20's as well and stili is but the design goes back to l7tb century China. If you know anything about the early manufacture of wicker in Canada, I'd like to bear from you. Please write to mie in cane of The Canadian Statesman. IBelleville Oshawa 234 North 167 Simcoe Front St. st. S. 968-4769 579-9311 TELEPHONE, 623-6555 JOHN MANUEL,, C.G.A. Incarne Tax a nd Related Accounting Services 118 King St. E., Suite 2 Bowmanville, Ontario LIC 1N4 MILLS BROS. FUELS LTD. 138 Wharf Rd. Bowmanville Phone 623-5051 24 Hour ~Co Home Fuel Service Iil 111Deliveries Furnace Cleanouts Hum idifiers Combustion E lectronic Air Efficiency Tests Cleaners Furnace Installations For the last 16 years, Verna Hooey has been a familiar face (and voice) at the Bowmanville Memoriai Hospital. Last Thursday afternoon, Mrs.,Hooey retired from her job as a relief switchboard operator at the hospital and about 20 co-workers and hospital officiais attended a retirement tea in her honor. Here, John Pogue, chairmnan of the hospital board, presents Mrs. Hooey with a plaque recognizing her work at the hospital. Looking on is Mrs. Gladys Ulley, a co-worker at the hospital. SMarie Parker takes time out from her duties as a housewife and mother to practise her craft.