Every life has a story
and the people of Lillooet are very much a part of mine.
As you read Terry's stories and recollections, your own growing up memories, will come flooding back to you. Although the setting is in Lillooet BC, which has its own little bit of magic, the stories, events, people, and his friends could have occurred to others in other communities. That’s what makes it readable by all.
Ron Verified Amazon purchaser
“Shoot Some Targets”
A winter read:
For Christmas 1955, Vern Tupper received a bow and arrow set, not a toy but a real deluxe target practice bow with weighted, blunt-headed arrows. None of us kids had ever seen anything like it. The set included several paper bull's-eye targets and the little leather ‘thingy’ you slip on the fingers which contact the drawstring. Also included was a leather snap-on lower arm protector to prevent skin burn when the tautly drawn string was released; at least that's what Vern said it was for.
Vern was the center of our collective admiration that Christmas, and when he announced he was going to "shoot some targets," we were delighted. No matter if there was a good 10 inches of snow on the ground, Vern was going to "shoot some targets." Clustered about him as if he were a modern day Robin Hood, our merry, excited little group of 11-and-12-year-olds accompanied him out into Russell's field through a courtesy-hole in the fence.
Vern was impressive, hitting the target on at least one occasion. Everyone wanted a try, but Vern at first, seemed oblivious to our pleas. Finally, he relented and commanded us to spread out. Not sure what was coming next, but keen to win favor, we did as we were told and scattered. When satisfied with our individual placement, Vern pointed an arrow skyward.
"Who's ever closest to the arrow when it lands gets to shoot at the target next," he shouted. He drew back the bowstring. “TWANG.”
Eerie silence, undoubtedly aided by the muffling properties of surrounding snow, enveloped our band of recently merry youngsters. A few put their hands over their heads while at least one scrunched his shoulders in an attempt to reduce his target profile.
Best book I have read in years! This is a wonderful book and was hard to put down. Oh, the memories of growing up in a small town.
Verified Amazon Purchaser
2024 Whistler Independent Book Awards
Evaluation of Growing Up Lillooet
· A personal account of the author’s life and growing up in the small community of Lillooet BC, from birth in 1943 to young adulthood in 1961.
· It is well written in an easy to read coherent and logical fashion guiding the reader from humorous chapter to humorous chapter.
· This book is well developed and will appeal to varied audiences, both younger to older, who either lived in similar communities during the same time period, or are curious about what life was like in small-town communities.
· A very thoughtful and well-researched book that presents various characters and their perspectives of incidents at that time.
· Well documented throughout each chapter with supportive photographs.
In summary, this is a wonderful accounting of a young boy growing up in a small BC community. It is well researched, well written, informative while also being humorous. I highly recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.
Professional Member
Canadian Authors Association
Growing Up Lillooet is available from these retailers!
Click to visit their websites.
www.buy-low.com
250-256-7922
www.whistlerbooks.com
1-800-659-1531
https://lovenorthernbc.com/
250-256-7711
250-256-4308
www.kumsheen.com
1-800-663-6667
lindellbeachgeneralstore.com
604-858-0346
https://gatherbookshop.com
778-862-5404
www.amazon.ca/
Growing-Up-Lillooet
A fabulous trip down memory lane. I loved this book. It captured all the fun and joy of living in a small town in the 50s, a time when people cared and life was so simple.
Patti Laplaca, Verified Amazon Purchaser
Chapter 1 - “Where to, Kid?”
Have you read Growing Up Lillooet ?
If you have, please share your opinion. You can reach Terry through the email listed below or through the contact us page on this website.
Great read full of humour. I loved reading this book. Thanks for the memories.
Gerri Hay, Verified Amazon Purchaser
Growing Up Lillooet “is a must-read for Lillooet residents — past or present — and anyone who enjoys stories about growing up in rural B.C.”
Bernie Fandrich, Author of BC’s Majestic Thompson River
“Thorne explores his childhood and coming of age with humour and candor, and brings Lillooet’s colourful characters to vivid life.
Christ’l Roshard, Former Mayor of Lillooet
Terry Thorne masterfully weaves his memories and humour into a wonderful, wistful mosaic which will entertain any reader.
Bruce MacLennan, Former Publisher Bridge River-Lillooet News
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Direct link to Growing Up Lillooet page on Amazon.ca
A magnificent job of accurately and truthfully telling our tales. I've had a hard time putting it down; for someone who isn't an avid reader, that's something!
Wayne Angman