Alex Hewlitt: The book club's meeting in Port Hope was an annual highlight


This year, our book club is celebrating its 50th anniversary. It started in 1971 when we all attended a conference of Toronto and Montreal history teachers in the Laurentians. We decided to form a book club to widen our reading choices and to maintain social contacts. Babs and Ken were joined by Lil and Fred McFadden, Stan Pearl and Anne Christie, Muriel and Mike Roberts, Valerie and Alex Hewlitt, and later Rivi and George Ullman, Pat and Frank Plue, Lorna Earl, Sandra Steele, and Barb and Peter Lipman.  Eight times a year we met for dinner, drinks and a book discussion. 

Our gathering in Port Hope was an annual highlight. We were refreshed by libations, a swim (for some) and the discussion of our chosen book. The evening was topped by Babs’s baked ham and scalloped potatoes dinner. We enjoyed many years of gracious hospitality at the historic home at 5 King Street. 

Ken loved books and reading. Port Hope booksellers are in grief. 


He was politically active and shared his views with all. He was articulate and engaging. He had a wonderful whimsical sense of humour. 

We are all thankful for his life. May his family and friends be comforted in their loss. We are all the better for having had Ken as part of our lives.

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