Rivertown Social

Thought I’d post a second book club now, as it may be something to add to your holiday reading list.

ABOUT the BOOK
By Elinor Florence

A rollicking historical novel set in turn-of-the-century Alberta about a young woman on the run from her abusive husband who uses a legal loophole to claim a homestead in the Wild West—perfect for fans of Outlawed and The Giver of Stars.

Scottish newcomer Flora Craigie jumps from a moving train in 1905 to escape her abusive husband. Desperate to disappear, she claims a homestead on the beautiful but wild Alberta prairie, determined to create a new life for herself. She is astonished to find that her nearest neighbours are also female: a Welsh widow with three children; two American women raising chickens; and a Métis woman who supports herself by training wild horses.

While battling both the brutal environment and the local cynicism toward female farmers, the five women with their very different backgrounds struggle to find common ground. But when their homes are threatened with expropriation by a hostile government, they join forces to “fire the heather,” a Scottish term meaning to raise a ruckus. To complicate matters, there are signs that Flora’s violent husband is still hunting for her. And as the competition for free land along the new Canadian Pacific Railway line heats up, an unscrupulous land agent threatens not only Flora’s livelihood, but her very existence.

Hope to see you there!

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The Hilton Garden Inn offers food and beverage options via their concession area and full serve cafe.

Women and the American Revolution
St. Paul’s, Saturday, March 14, 1 pm

The experiences of women during the American Revolution were diverse, with the war impacting the lives of women in varying degrees across the landscape of the 13 states. This was not a distant, overseas conflict, where civilians followed the progress as engaged home-front observers. The Revolutionary War was a long struggle, right here, in the new nation, in a small, contained geographic area. In addition to the major battles, it involved countless local engagements, deep divisions between Loyalist and Patriots, disruption of daily lives and routines, sacrifice, violence and displacement. As a result, the revolution impacted the lives of women in many ways.

Experiences even differed among the prominent women who have come down to us as major historical figures, including two future First Ladies. Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams, struggled with an array of family, financial and personal challenges on her own, while her husband was away on political and diplomatic missions. Martha Washington joined the general at winter encampments at Morristown, Valley Forge and other frigid sometimes desperate places. Peggy Shippen Arnold, a teenage wife, struggled to understand and eventually accommodate her husband’s deep sense that he was not appreciated by the American cause at a time of a seemingly stalemated war. In our area, on a lesser known but equally significant level, Phoebe Ward tried to sustain her large family and navigate her husband’s political choices on the dangerous “neutral ground”. Anna Ward was one of many Black women who struggled with how the disruption of war could facilitate her personal freedom, and that of her daughter.

The compelling stories of these women come to life, in “Women and the American Revolution,” a free special program at St. Paul’s on Saturday, March 14, 1 PM. The public is invited to attend.

St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site
897 South Columbus Avenue, Mt. Vernon, NY
914-667-4116 www.nps.gov/sapa

There appears to be a small parking lot on site along with