Book description
Pat Mestern, author of several earlier books and an ardent booster of
her hometown, has produced an entertaining personal account of Fergus,
while maintaining the historical perspective and utilizing the rich
oral history of the area. Her lighter look at some of the characters
and the escapades that add flavour to life in small-town Ontario make
this a delightful read. Ghost stories and "the legacy of the
one-legged chickens" are memorable examples of her Fergus.
The settlement of Fergus, originally known as Little Falls, was
founded by two Lowland Scots, Adam Fergusson and James Webster, both
advocates by profession. The practice they introduced of giving all
new streets Scottish names is still maintained by the local council.
"I first met Pat Mestern back in 1988 when I arrived in Fergus,
Ontario, to perform at the Highland Games. Her gracious reception was
the aperture to a community which directly conveyed to me a sense of
'The Auld Country.' The charm of the town and its surroundings along
with the enthusiastic greeting I received from the audience is
remembered well and has endeared the people of Fergus to me. I am
delighted that this community now has a publication to portray its
history so that kindred Celts can discover this 'Wee Bit o' Scotland'
in Canada."
- Alex Beaton, Glenfinnan Music Ltd., Woodland Hills, California.
Pat Mestern is the author of eight previous books, including No
Choice but Freedom and Magdalena's Song. She writes travel, lifestyle,
and local history columns for a variety of national and international
publications. She lives in Fergus, Ontario.
