Stories I've Been Told

Richard Wilbur is the author of The Rise of French New Brunswick and the
co-author of Silver Harvest: The Fundy Weirmen’s Story.

Before his resignation, Brian Sutcliffe, longtime host of a very popular
(and still running) CBC program, conducted personal interviews with some
of his faithful listeners. The first three interviews took place in
Sydney, Nova Scotia. From there, Sutcliffe moved on to Halifax and rural
Nova Scotia, southwestern New Brunswick, and the lumbering and farming
communities along the Saint John and Miramichi rivers.

Annie Foot of Grand Manon reveals a formidable memory and wit as she
recalls her childhood years. Retired forest ranger Haywood Sturgeon of
Douglastown remembers intercepting poachers, fighting forest fires, and
rescuing several canoeloads of teenagers isolated by sudden spring
floods. Clayton Graham of Diligent River near Parrsboro, Nova Scotia,
contributes a vivid glimpse into his days as a fighter pilot in North
Africa (and an equally memorable tale about two lumberjacks who tried to
round up what they falsely assumed was the camp’s pet bear). These
storytellers could show television producers and writers a few things
about the art of entertaining.