KAGAWONG—The Old Mill Heritage Centre (OMHC) museum has developed a strong reputation for both its eclectic exhibit collections and its dedication to historical education through the popular History Day in Kagawong and ‘Speakers Night in Kagawong’ fundraising lecture series.
This year the tradition continues as host of TVO’s ‘The Agenda,’ Kagawong summer resident and prolific author Steve Paikin will join fellow author Art Milnes onstage for ‘Recalling Historic Canadian and American Leaders and Events.’
The evening will explore the authors’ memories of such political notables as former US President Jimmy Carter, former Canadian prime ministers John Turner and Brian Mulroney, just to name three.
Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Mantha will reprise his “Johnny Carson” persona as master of ceremonies during the talk show format that proved so successful during the Canada 150 edition of the series.
“Steve offered to do a fundraiser for the museum” said OMHC Curator Rick Nelson. The two discussed ideas and Mr. Nelson suggested that they should repeat the talk show format again to coincide with Mr. Paikin’s launching of his new book on former Prime Minister John Turner. “Mike Mantha generously agreed to reprise his Johnny Carson role.” In that format, Mr. Nelson explained, Mr. Mantha will be calling each of the two guests up on stage in turn to ask questions.
“Steve wanted Art to be the second guest,” said Mr. Nelson. Since Mr. Milnes’ focus has tended to be Conservative leaders, so the two should provide an interesting counterpoint and balance to the evening.
Mr. Milnes, who hails from Kingston, Ontario is the editor/author of 15 books, including studies of prime ministers Sir John A. Macdonald, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, John Turner and others. He is also a recognized US presidential historian and has published books on Jimmy Carter (Mr. Milne’s hero by the by), George H.W. Bush and Franklin Roosevelt. His most recent book is ‘98 Reasons to Thank Jimmy Carter.’ He has also served as the memoirs’ assistant to the Right Hon. Brian Mulroney on the former prime minister’s best-selling autobiography and was a speechwriter to then Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Among the highlights of Mr. Milne’s public service in the Prime Minister’s Office was attending the funeral of Nelson Mandela in South Africa.
Mr. Paikin is the author of several books, the last one was on former Premier Bill Davis and now his latest on former Prime Minister John Turner, and he has a camp on Manitoulin Island.
Following the formal onstage presentation (there could be a “surprise” third act) time has been set aside to chat informally with the authors, who will also be on hand to sign copies of their respective books.
‘Speakers Night in Kagawong’ is a fundraising event for the Old Mill Heritage Centre but is free to attend (free-will offering donations to the museum are highly encouraged—there will be light refreshments following the presentations). It takes place Thursday, July 13 at the Park Centre in Kagawong and will run from 7:30 pm to “9 pm-ish.”
