Christmas in Central Alberta gets the early 1960s treatment in Harley Hay’s gently humourous and nostalgic new book.
Another Time, Christmas in Parkvale is a sequel to 2010’s Finding Time. In this latest book, 10-year-old school buddies Smitty, Chip and Marty romp through December 1963, discovering love and creating mayhem.
The romance plot line concerns a cute new girl who arrives in Grade 5 and threatens to create a rift between the childhood friends.
Like all of his stories, Hay said this one has roots in reality.
He remembers an actual skate night from his childhood when he and his best friend each held hands with the new girl — at the same time. “We were vying for her attentions,” he recalled with a chuckle.
Hay, an Advocate columnist, aimed to give his writing the quirky, vintage feeling of the film A Christmas Story, and hopes readers will enjoy his “80 per cent true” tales (with some embellishments) of growing up in a small town.
Everyone interested in learning more about Another Time can attend a book party at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery. There will be a book signing, a short film by Hay, music by the group Triage, and a cash bar.
Hay also plans to sign copies of the book from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Sunworks on Ross Street in Red Deer.