Kim Epple. (Contributed Photo)
Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
There are plenty of connections to Tillsonburg at the first-ever Port Burwell Writers’ Festival happening over the Victoria Day weekend.
Event organizer Kim Epple lived in Tillsonburg for many years and graduated from Glendale High School. She went to public school in Port Burwell until she turned eight, when her family relocated to Tillsonburg. After completing her nursing studies at Mohawk College, she worked as a nurse in various northern communities across Nunavut, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. This included time spent in Pickle Lake where she bumped into former residents Bev Hickey from Tillsonburg and Port Burwell.
Epple authored the book “Go North,” which chronicles her experiences up north. Now residing in St. Catharines, she writes for the local paper Merriton Matters, is part of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Writer’s Circle, and has had work in Canadian Nurse.
The idea for the writer’s festival came about during a school reunion that Epple attended in Port Burwell while staying at a bed and breakfast owned by Jim Hevenor, who also has ties to Tillsonburg. During their conversation, Epple mentioned her hobby of writing, prompting Hevenor to tell her about several writers living in Port Burwell. She suggested hosting a writer’s festival, which he thought was a fantastic idea.
“We have a boatload of writers who have come from the area and people are not aware of that,” she said.
The festival will center around Port Burwell itself. Epple has gathered 18 writers for this occasion.
“I focused on finding writers who have a connection to Port Burwell and the area,” she said. “All the writers who are participating have a connection to Port Burwell. I have had to say no to dozens of writers.”
Featured author Kelly Young has created two mystery series along with two thrillers. Originally from Tillsonburg, she lived in Port Burwell before earning her BA in English Literature and eventually retiring in Chatham-Kent.
“I wasn’t initially certain that I qualified as a ‘local’ author,” Young admitted recently, “but organizer Kim Epple assured me that authors who either currently live or previously lived in the area were welcome.”
Kelly Spencer-Tillsonburg councillor, business owner, and author-will be present as well. She wrote her second book titled “Destiny, Life and Self-Leadership” while staying at an old Catholic retreat near Pt. Burwell after meeting its owner Lesa Kirk while searching for a writing space.
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Another local talent David Stover now owns Rock’s Mills Press publishing house and will host a session on memoir writing Saturday at 12:30 p. m.< p
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We plan on making it an annual event! Organizers hope this year’s festival is just the beginning. Look out next year for more exciting events! The exact schedule can be found on Facebook under port burwillwritersfestival
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