A Summerland Stories Scrapbook

ABOUT: A SUMMERLAND STORIES SCRAPBOOK

A Summerland Stories Scrapbook: Memories & Memorabilia 1930s-1960s is a collection of three generations of stories and experiences from the Mott family in small-town Summerland, British Columbia. The book contains childhood memories recorded in story form by the author, Norma J (Wright) Hill; autobiographical material from her mom, Marjorie (Mott) Wright; and family letters written by Norma’s grandparents, John and Emily Mott; as well as poetry, photographs, autographs, and other memorabilia. It is not only a record of one family, but includes shared experiences, thoughts, and perceptions of many other community members in this particular historical period in Summerland. Thus, it reflects the culture, sense of community, ideas, beliefs, viewpoints, and values of this particular place—and is also a reflection of many small-town communities in Canada in this period.

The lifestyle recalled in this collection is one that many people in today’s busy, complex world sometimes find themselves nostalgically longing for. For those with roots in Summerland, it may recall and bring to life family memories. In the Summerland of this time period, family and community self-sufficiency was a normal part of life, as folks grew and canned their own foods, made and repaired their own clothes and other items, lived within their income rather depending on credit, engaged in orcharding and other agricultural work with its ties to the land, helped each other regularly, and offered hospitality, sharing meals and opening their homes to both friends and strangers needing a place to stay. There was a community emphasis on kindness, humility, love of God and neighbours, generosity, a kind of small-c conservatism, belief in democracy and freedom, and hope for a better future after some decades of war and depression.

This book provides a nostalgic perspective of a time which may seem simple and more hopeful compared to the present day, yet it also had its own struggles even amidst a sense of hope, progress, and optimism for the future. It is a record of a community and environment that still reflected old-time values, but which was also was moving forward into a very different modern world. It is the hope of the author that the stories in this book may prompt readers to consider how we might face our own times of struggle, and to ponder: Is there still room for hope today as there was in small-town Summerland as reflected in the stories in this book? Are there values and perspectives we can learn from and directions we might again take?

The author also encourages readers to gather whatever historical memorabilia they may have, even if only personal memories and passed-down stories, and record them for those coming after. Your memories have great value, even if they are from what may seem like a simple and ordinary life, and they too may offer, in our own current struggles, hope for a brighter future.

BOOK LAUNCH AND HOW TO ACCESS A Summerland Stories Scrapbook

A Summerland Stories Scrapbook: Memories & Memorabilia 1930s-1960s was officially launched on May 4 2015 at St. Stephen Anglican Church in Summerland, B.C., Canada, and the author, Norma J Hill, was be there to provide readers with a personally autographed copy of the book (for $20 cash), and answer their questions about the book and its self-published process. There was also raditional baked goodies from the book’s time period, a slide show of Summerland photos from the time, and more. Check it out: Summerland Stories 22: Successful Launch and Into Orbit!

If you couldn’t make it to the official book launch, no problem! Immediately after the “in person” launch, the book became available online on Amazon.ca, Amazon.com, and other Amazon sites. There will also be more “in person events” like local markets, book signings, and more, plus the books will become available in local libraries, museums, etc.

TESTIMONIALS

Hello my dear friend Norma! Congratulations on your excellent presentation yesterday evening! It was delightful and was made even more special by you reading and sharing some of the stories. Your collection of memorabilia was so impressive. It was like stepping back into my childhood [in Jersey] during the World War II years. There were no new toys to be purchased, and children relied on what they were able to get gifted to them by friends and relations…. I am simply glued to your delightful book. It is a page turner, really hard to put down and extremely addictive! WELL DONE, NORMA! I’m so proud of you and the way in which you have collated and presented your family history in words and photographs. You have painted beautiful descriptive pictures encompassing life in the Okanagan with your family. It provides information of family existence throughout earlier years, surviving hardship, with some natural bounty supplied by Mother Earth and by human endeavour, grit and determination. I feel so very proud to call you my friend. With my love, Wenda

Hi Norma, Loved the pictures and details about your book launch! What a marvelous day! Words escape me, Norma. So proud of you. The world is a beautiful place with you in it. Keep up the good work. Ivy Claire 😊

Just finished your book, and found in its microcosmic focus a meaningful macrocosmic commentary on all three of our terms for time: past, present, and future. With deep appreciation for your efforts in creating this treasure, Merle

Your charming book is sure to be a big success, even among people who don’t live in Summerland. It’s everyone’s home town memories. Aggie

POSTS DESCRIBING THE WRITING AND PUBLISHING PROCESS FOR THIS BOOK

Since this book project began in October 2024 (with original stories by the author going back to 2010, and source materials going back to the 1930s!), a series of posts here on normajhill.com have followed the development of the project. For those who are interested in self-publishing their own books, the series of posts will provide useful and practical information and guidance on the self-publishing process:

Norma J. Hill

a pen and paper mama site

A Summerland Stories Scrapbook

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