By Jaime Polmateer
Local writer Lloyd Jeck will be hosting Author Talk, a video presentation and discussion of his books at the Barriere Library on Sept. 6, which will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Described as diligently researched Canadian history and trying personal experiences, his works include In the Shadow of the Peaks: Rocky Mountain Tales, British Columbia Trails Heading North and Chips from my Axe.
“I will be speaking on all three of the books in that short time at the Barriere Library; the first two are completely non-fiction, the third one has a bit of stretched detail in it, but it’s basically a non-fiction as well,” said Jeck.
He explained his first book involves a bit of family history and how his parents, both born in Ukraine, immigrated to Canada in 1894.
It then describes his life from his earliest memories up until 1979, with most of the book taking place in the Robson Valley, with some of it set in the McBride area of B.C. and extending into Alberta in some areas.
“It even covers my honeymoon with my wife in 1958,” Jeck said. “We entered into Clearwater, so it does mention Clearwater and Wells Gray Park.”
For his second work, Jeck said he researched five early pioneer adventurers that came to work in B.C. ahead of the railways and highways known today, tracing their histories back to when they were born and leading up to their arrivals in the province.
“That book I’ve titled British Columbia Trails Heading North, and it’s basically covering the trails they travelled on, which are now overrun by our highways and railways,” he said.
Jeck’s third book is a collection of pieces that include everything from crime in the Yukon to cowboy poetry.
One of the lengthier stories in the book, Chips from my Axe, is about a couple that moved to McBride in 1922 before acquiring property in Sechelt and heading to the coast with a wheelbarrow full of their belongings and a herd of goats in tow.
“(They travelled) over 500 miles at the back end of a wheelbarrow, so I detail that adventure,” said Jeck.
“There is another quite long story, I got permission from RCMP Retirement Association to print one of their Yukon stories of solving a murder case and that whole story is in there as well as other shorter articles.”
The video component of his presentation is made of about 30 images, some of which appear in the pages of his books, that pertain to the areas he describes and serve as talking points during the discussion.
He said he got the idea for the event through his many stops in Barriere and talking to residents who showed interest in his work.
“I had spoken with a few of the old time (Barriere) residents who are interested in my books, and because they are not in the Clearwater area, and being quite aware of my writing as closely as the Clearwater people are, that’s why I wanted to do the presentation there,” he said.
Author Talk: Lloyd Jeck is a free drop-in event and those interested in more information on the event can call 250-672-5811.