We are celebrating the release of Anita Mae Draper's story RIDING ON A CHRISTMAS WISH this week. Anita has an amazing blog of her own where she shares her love of history--and it is certainly evident in the details she has put into this charming Christmas story for Guideposts Books. (YES I've read it twice!)
Riding on a Christmas Wish is set in Ontario, Canada in the year 1911. The best way to learn more about the era is to visit Anita's blog and follow the true life love story in her continuing series 1911 Courtship. Anita shares the real letters written between her husband's ancestors, Ethel and Noah Draper as they courted long-distance. Here's a link --
Is there any better way to delve into history than personal letters and journals? Absolutely not.
Historic Events of 1911
Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in NYC kills 145 young workers
The Stanley Cup goes to the Ottawa Senators for their defeat of the Port Arthur, Ontario team
First non-stop flight between London and Paris by Pierre Prier
The 37th running of the Kentucky Derby
The Titanic is launched
"Come Josephine, in my Flying Machine" hits #1
King George 5th is crowned in England
The one millionth patent is filed in US Patent Office (wow!)
Crisco is invented (not THAT patent, no)
Groundbreaking for Fenway Park (timely news)
Italy declares war on the Ottoman Empire
Scott's Expedition leaves for the South Pole
Orville Wright keeps his airplane aloft for over 9 minutes
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| Similar to Sadie's Bike? But certainly not as pretty! |
Please visit Anita's special Pinterest Page for more on this story!
Anita is generously giving away one copy of the 2-volume set A Cup of Christmas Cheer this week.
Please comment, and let us know if you'd like to be in the drawing.
She is also giving away a $10.00 Starbucks' Card.
CONGRATULATIONS ANITA MAE!!!
WE ARE SO HAPPY FOR YOU!
THIS STORY IS GOING TO BLESS SO MANY READERS!
Remember to leave a comment if you are interested in Anita's Giveaway! and Please visit her Author's page. The love letters are so amazing!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed compiling the list of what happened in 1911. I think we often forget what a 'busy' period that is... and threw in the Fenway Park - very timely, right?
Congrats again Anita.
PS =Check out Anita on Seekerville blog from Tuesday 11/5 post. SUPER FUN!
Thanks, Deb. You did a great job with that list.
DeleteMy experience at Seekerville yesterday was amazing! And I'm still receiving comments which is fine by me and I'll respond as long as I know they're there, although the draw opportunity ended at midnight.
But we're giving away a 2-volume set of Christmas Cheer books here this week, aren't we, Deb? When does it end? I didn't see a deadline for entering. But then, I could have missed it because I've been in such a dither. :D
I think I mentioned on Monday=that I'll look through them all on Sunday evening. If I didn't... oops. Was thinking it anyway!
DeleteSeekerville is a great place to visit, isn't it?
Wow, I didn't realize all that happened in 1911.
ReplyDeleteMe neither.
DeleteAnd about that 2nd event... Port Arthur was the twin city of Fort William which amalgamated to become Thunder Bay - part of my growing up years and where my mom still lives. I'm not sure if you knew that when you posted this, Deb, or if you just picked a sporting event, but I knew new Port Arthur even had an NHL team. Good to know. Thanks!
Um... can we change my comment to read... but I never knew Port Arthur...
DeleteI don't think 'knew new' is required here. LOL
I do know about Port Arthur and thought it was funny as it's such a small city now in comparison!
DeleteAh, Crisco. Now when I think of Crisco, I think of "The Help" and all that fried chicken.
ReplyDeleteI love the song titles from that era. I'm going to have to look up "Come Josephine in my Flying Machine" on you tube. Maybe there's an audio clip!
Thanks for the fun post, Deb. And...
Yay Anita!
Thank you, Susie. And thanks for your critting help with the story. Very much appreciated.
DeleteI think I'm missing something in regards to Crisco. I only know the shortening, but Deb's innuendo about a patent has me wondering what I'm missing.
Nothing really - just posted it out of interest. And yes, I saw a bit of The Help this week and saw the Crisco discussion!
Delete1911 World Series - Philadelphia Athletics beat the New York Giants.
ReplyDeleteLOL I thought you'd comment on the Fenway Park stat.
DeleteWell now, Anita, we could talk about it if you'd like. Green Monster, anyone?
DeleteActually, all I know is that it's a ball park. I have no idea why it would be in the news now. Didn't they tear it down? Or was that another one?
DeleteIt's in the news now because they just won the World Series, but they won it *in* Fenway for the first time since 1918. I think that was the year. Every other win has been on someone else's playground. So this one is extra special. And yes, I do think they redid the Green Monster a few years ago...or so. Time goes by so fast.
Deletehey there ladies! i really enjoyed Anita's visit to Seekerville yesterday. What a great post and so Anita. I also loved the title all you Inkies came up with: Perfect!
ReplyDeleteit's fun to see historical facts even though i'm not so good at digging them up. i'm always in awe of Anita's research skills.
Anyhoo, enjoying the week of celebrating Anita's first published story. YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!
Thank you, DebH. You know if you ever need a hand with research you can call on me, eh. My arm is up and I'm saying, "Pick me, pick me." :D
DeleteWow, it's so amazing! Reading the courtship letters and looking at your Pinterest page. I just don't think about everything that happened during those times, but it's remarkable. Thank you for the opportunity to enter this giveaway and please enter my name.
ReplyDeleteBarbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
You've got it Barbara.
DeleteI have a theory that the Titanic era outshone most other things in the news. Most people know of L.M. Montgomery's story of Anne of Green Gables, but many don't realize it happened in that first decade of the 1900's. And of those that do, many think of Prince Edward Island and the Maritimes, not inland Ontario. Probably because it was the era of steamships and ocean liners.
So sorry... didn't mean to lecture. I hope I don't scare you off, Barbara, you're just so nice to talk to. :)
Woot! What could be more important news than the awarding of the Stanley Cup! (forces rabid hockey fan self back into the closet)
ReplyDeleteAhem.
History is always fascinating to me. Can't believe this is all over a hundred years ago now.
Congratulations again, Anita!
Thanks, DeAnna.
DeleteHere's a story for you... I brought one of the Courtship Letters to a writing retreat because I needed to do the blog before I could write but I was having a hard time discerning a word. When I showed the letter to my writing peeps, one gasped and said, "But it's 100 yrs old." Well, yeah. And when I offered it to her to read, she stepped back, hands up and said I should be wearing white gloves. Now that's someone who knows how long 100 years is. :D
Well now, DeAnna! I happen to think the World Series is far more important than the Stanley Cup. But I love you anyway :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I love Anita's story. I know whoever wins the drawing will be happily satisfied.
Thank you, Suzie.
DeleteYes, Suzie, the World Series IS far more important -- to those who like watching paint dry and/or grass grow. :P
ReplyDelete(Tee hee._
You'd rather watch people beat each other up with sticks. I see how you are. ;)
DeleteWhat does it say about me when I love your banter, violent though it may be. Hahaha.
DeleteI don't know, Anita. Maybe that you love a good old fasioned donneybrook?
DeleteYES!!
ReplyDeleteWatching them beat each other (sadly, not often with sticks) is the best part! >:)
In the spirit of things, I'll overlook the Fenway Park references... (in true Scrooge style)...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Anita! The book looks wonderful!!!
God bless us everyone...even the lonely Cardinals fan...
Congratulations Anita on your release story riding on a Christmas Wish. I'm anxious to read your story. Quite an honor to have your story chosen by Guideposts Christmas book, when only a certain number of authors chosen. I would love to be in your drawing. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMaxie mac262(at)me(dot)com