WEST PUBNICO, N.S. — West Pubnico author Laurent d’Entremont has long been popular for his colourful, gently-descriptive stories of the way life used to be in the “old days.” His sixth book – The Two-Acre Farm – is the latest for your library.
D’Entremont, a member of Storytellers of Canada, says in a way he’s come full circle: His first publication, a 38-page booklet written in 1970s, was also called Two-Acre Farm.
He wrote two more booklets – Golden Farm Memories and Meat Loaves do explode – and then began publishing full-fledged books: three volumes of Stories to Remember; Footsteps in the Night; and Aunt Emma Loved her Brandy.
D’Entremont began writing, he says, because he wanted to save his grandfather Adolph’s stories. Many were inspired by the farm Adolph owned.
“He was a great storyteller. A lot better than I could ever hope to be,” says d’Entremont, who has had hundreds of stories published in the Vanguard, as well as many for the Kentville Advertiser and Senior’s Advocate.
Printing costs have risen significantly since the printing of d’Entremont’s first book and the profit margin is shrinking.
“I don’t mind that, if I could sell them all,” he says.
“I’m not in it to make money.”
The Two-Acre Farm contains 20 pictures and 76 stories. Many have never been told, says d’Entremont.
He adds that there’s one thing he’s proud of in this new book. He graduated from Yarmouth Vocational School in 1961 and has included the name of everyone who graduated in that class in one of the chapters.
He remembers the Friday afternoons back then when the teacher would “turn a blind eye” and many of the students would hike downtown.
“One Friday afternoon near Christmas I took a walk downtown. I describe that walk in my book. Snowflakes were falling and I passed by the police station and Guest’s Hardware and eventually stopped at the Royal Store, which was the big one in Yarmouth those days.
“I had never realized how pretty a town Yarmouth was at Christmastime.”
D’Entremont has gained a reputation for his speaking engagements, which showcase his quick wit and humour.
To obtain an autographed copy of his book ($20) catch him at one of the many venues he’ll be at before Christmas:
Where to see Laurent d’Entremont with his books
Saturday, Nov. 23 at Saulnierville Legion hall craft show
Wednesday, Nov. 27, at Yarmouth Library, noon-hour break
Saturday Nov. 30, Yarmouth legion hall craft show
Monday, Dec 2, entertaining at Catholic Women's League supper at Saint Ambrose hall
Wednesday Dec. 4, (afternoon) Christmas show with old LP records and storytelling at Le Villa St. Joseph in Yarmouth
Saturday Dec. 7, at ERMES craft show in Shag Harbour
Saturday, Dec. 14, at Farmers Market in Yarmouth.
Saturday, Dec. 21 at Farmers Market in Yarmouth
Also stocked by:
Coles book store in Yarmouth
La Pharmacy in West Pubnico
Argyle Township Court House in Tusket
Bargain Center in Barrington
Shelburne museum
West Pubnico museum
Yarmouth museum
To order in the mail:
Send $25 with your mailing address to:
Laurent d'Entremont
BOX 72
Lower West Pubnico
Yarmouth County
BOW 2CO
D’Entremont can also be booked for speaking engagements. Contact him at 902-762-2421, or by email.
