But before it even started …
A classic Canadian story was brewing. After one of the mildest winters on record, a snowstorm was forecast for the afternoon and evening of March 22nd, the day of our first event.
Mid-day, Steve Paikin started the drive from Toronto to Lakefield. And then it happened: he was caught in a four-car accident on the 401 highway that wrecked his car. Most importantly no one was hurt and, at that point, many would’ve called it a day.
Instead, Steve called John Boyko — our festival board chairman — and John made his way south to get Steve. Neither man was going to let Friday rush hour traffic, snowy weather, and a car wreck stop the show.
They made it!
Like it never happened
John kicked off the event without saying a word about the accident or the journey that followed.
He engaged us with intriguing questions for Steve who, in turn, offered his unique insights about the Canadian political landscape and, more specifically John Turner, the subject of his latest book:
John Turner: An Intimate Biography of Canada’s 17th Prime Minister.
All photos by Tracey Ormerod for the Lakefield Literary Festival