Taproot IV hits the bookshelves

Taproot IV: Poetry, Prose and Images of the Eastern Townships was launched at the Townshippers’ Day Arts Gala at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 18, at the Old Union Church Hall, 810 Route 208, Massawippi.

The Taproot tradition began in 1999, when the first edition was published in celebration of Townshippers’ Association’s 20th anniversary. It is only fitting that this newest Taproot celebrates the 30 year history of the Association.

“This collection of masterful works in English by local storytellers, poets, and visual artists enriches the community as a whole, and benefits writers and visual artists by providing them with exposure and a current book credit. Several writers who were published for the first time in the Taproot series have gone on to publish their works in national magazines and international literary journals,” said Brenda Hartwell, who led the book’s editorial team.

“Of the 31 individuals featured in Taproot IV, 17 have had work published in one of our earlier anthologies. Taproot IV will feature work by 14 new contributors,” Hartwell said.

Hartwell described the book as an exciting mix of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and photography.

“Works were selected according to artistic merit and the variety should please a wide readership,” she said. “Taproot IV is a celebration of form, theme, setting, style and language. It contains pieces that will touch your heart with their beauty, works that will surprise you with apt metaphors and unique insights, and diversions to tickle your funny bone.”

The Arts Gala launching this anthology was emceed by Nancy Beattie, dean of students at Champlain Regional College. A special guest was Graham Fraser, Canada’s Commissioner of Official Languages, in recognition of the 40th anniversary of Canada’s Official Languages Act. Music performed by Trisha Pope, Peter Mendietta and Sarah Biggs, whose CDs are available through Townships Expressions, was interspersed by readings by contributors of this newest Taproot anthology. Art by visual artists whose works were selected for the covers of the four books in the Taproot series adorned the walls.

Thanks to the generosity of Townshippers’ Research & Cultural Foundation, Literacy in Action, the Canadian Federation of University Women (Sherbrooke & District) and our private patrons, Townshippers’ Association is able to offer this unique collection of local works at an affordable price. Taproot IV: Poetry, Prose, and Images of the Eastern Townships is available for sale at any of Townshippers’ Association’s offices or check out the website at http://www.townshippers.qc.ca/C-townshipse.aspx.

The History of Taproot

The original Taproot was published ten years ago to mark the occasion of Townshippers’ Association’s 20th anniversary in 1999. It contained works by Townships writers and artists, both established and new. The 500 copies printed sold out almost immediately, and the book received many positive reviews. Taproot II was published in September 2002 and Taproot III was published in September 2004. Due to the success of the first book, submissions to the next two volumes were generally of a higher quality, resulting in superior final products. The second and third volumes enjoyed brisk sales and terrific reviews, building upon Taproot’s initial success.