Deadly Burden: A Green Dory Inn mystery book 4

Janet Sketchley is a Canadian Christian writer who has written Devotions, Reader’s Journals and another series: Redemption’s Edge. She set the book close to home: Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. The actual setting of Christmas made it an ideal read for this time of year. The cover evokes the tragedy that unfolded in the death of the local gossip in a hut in the woods.

This is the fourth book in a series: “A Green Dory Inn Mystery”. The list of main characters is in the front of the book. It makes it easier to follow along. Many of the core characters in the series are related and have been core “victims” or “sleuths” in the earlier books. Landon Smith, the main character in the series has a challenging background. She is a strong Christian who has survived sexual abuse. Her surrogate mother Anna Young is the owner of the Green Dory In where most of the action takes place. In this book we meet Landon’s real mother and there is a reconciliation as they both deal with traumatic issues in their past.

As it is Christmas time the “death” is surrounded by Christmas decorations and traditional events. Janet uses the season as a way of “bringing good will to men” in a Christian context so that it is a time of celebration and good will, a time of promise in the future. Overall it is an upbeat book. Her books are available online. Looking forward to reading more of them,

Janet has an excellent way of weaving her Christian values of forgiveness into a mystery. She is willing to take on controversial topics such as human trafficking and show how faith can heal. In the Author’s Note she gives several links for more information about Human Trafficking in Canada and hot lines to get help. Her questions for readers challenge the readers concept of forgiveness. They make excellent questions for book club discussions.

Are any of her other books written to tackle serious social issues such as drug addiction or homelessness?

September 11, 2024

On September 11, 2001 my husband started work at Chalk River laboratories near Ottawa. He would finish his 30 plus year career at Atomic Energy in 2014 June. He started working for AECL on October 2nd 1980 at Whiteshell Labs in Pinawa, Manitoba. It was in that community that he love of golf increased as he belonged to the local golf course and played constantly during the summer.

When my husband retired 10 years ago his retirement party was held at the Petawawa Golf club in the upper banquet room. It was catered by Karin Cotey, wife of the present lease holder Paul Cotey. Bruce has continued to support the golf club by renewing his membership every year, playing first thing 7 days a week and most men’s nights. On Thursday though he does play at Pembroke Shores with a group on their Men’s night. Over the last 10 years his skill level improved so now he is one of the super seniors with a low handicapp.

Currently he is the Senior Ryder cup captain and the Senior Intersection captain for Petawawa and all ranks service club Golf club. He is also one of the two Super senior Legion golf members with Roy Barker who qualified three years in a row to go to the Provincial Legion tournament. Over time he has participated in various competitive events such as the 19 man scramble, which he won once, the Dave Findlay Ryder cup tournament and the regular intersectional. He also participated every year in the Earl Gray two day event on the August long weekend. When the senior division was created a few years ago he took turns coming in first or second.

I gave an overview of my husband’s commitment to the Petawawa Golf course club on Base Petawawa as some background. I know that life changes constantly with the military and that as a civilian we are privileged to play on the course on military property. I am fully aware that the military have ultimate authority on the base and that civilians are guests. We have been fortunate to have a good relationship with the present couple who run the golf course part: Paul Cotey, and his wife, Karin who runs the catering aspect. We lived in the Kitchener area for many years and have some knowledge of where they come from. We remember in 2001 and 2002 that there was more of a military presence on the course as each hole was sponsored by a unit on the base. Since Paul Cotey took over the running of the course there have been many changes to the focus. Paul initiated the Dave Findlay fundraiser event and the Dave Findlay Ryder cup. The fundraiser was sponsored by Dave Findlay widow Jackie to pay for the Junior program which has grown over time. The Ryder cup was a friendly two-day event among clubs in Renfrew County area. Paul has also supported the Emeritus tour and Soldier On tournament. My husband is planning on sponsoring a team on Thursday September 19. There have been many social events such as the July 1st nine and dine that have become part of our summer calendar. I would like to go on record that any business on a military facility has to go by military rules. However there has to be give and take and respect for the civilians and the community.

Petawawa golf club to close at end of fiscal year

The Petawawa golf course has been a fixture in the military community for over 50 years. The front of the building was known as the Centennial centre. It has been used as a social gathering place by military and civilians alike. Presently the manager civilian Paul Cotey, a golf pro has been managing the facility and golf course with his wife Karin Cotey, who looks after hospitality for the last ten years. There building and grounds are owned by the military sso they have ultimate control. The golf course and banquet facilities are run bby civilians. Karin and Paul have combined the catering with the golf to make as successful business. At present there is an active Junior program funded by Jackie Findlay in memory of her husband Dave. It has an enrollment of about 80 children. The golf course opened for plays mid-April

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Winter during covid year 2??

My golf addict husband has continued his friendship with Bob of garage golf fame! He has played golf on an occasional week day or Sunday evening or afternoon if there is a major sports event happening. A select few ate pizza, played golf ,told tall tales and watched the Grey cup last fall. This January he has another date on Sunday at 4pm probably for the Super Bowl? last Sunday it was at 12 noon til 4.. Wonder it it means his game will improve in the spring?

19 man shoot out! or how the old guys perserve!

My husband celebrated 7 years of retirement on Friday June 4th. His retirement party had been at the Petawawa Golf club. He has continued to support that establishment. He participated in the 19 man shoot out, the first event of the late golf season on Saturday June 5. Since he has played at least 18 holes every day since Premier Ford said it was ok to open the golf courses he was well practiced! Last year he had survived until the 13 hole. This year he came home at 5pm. I asked him how he did. He showed me the envelope with his name on: he won. The oldest player by far…

58th Earl Gray tournament

August long weekend 2020

Remember my sad tale about spending the August long weekend at the Petawawa Golf course? Well it was a challenging time. On Saturday I dropped by mid-afternoon to see how my husband was doing and find out if he needed any consoling! His initial tee off time was late (10:30) due to the combination of people in his group: Rem List, a student who was working for Paul had to be at the course early to mow the grass! ( Not sure if knowing the right people helps in that situation). The other members of that 4 some were Jeff List; Rem’s dad and his uncle Darren Roach.  The four of them play together in many of the club events. They are similar in temperament and skill level.However, as Bruce was registered in the senior division: Don Watson and wanted to defend his title, he played the second day with the rest of the top four in the seniors from the first day, Tom Renaud, Roy Barker and Ed Landry!

There was the usual chitchat among the wives as the three men had also played together at different times. Bruce and Tom were one point apart on the first day. So, the 10 people who were in the Don Watson flight were in three groups.

The play was stopped about 2pm as there was a deluge on the course and it was not playable. The D flight and Don Watson players all finished but the rest came in as drowned rats! Paul Cotey said the Saturday results would determine the prize winners. All players eat the provided meal and tried to warm up. About an hour later they made their way to the upper banquet hall to see who was awarded prizes.

Overall the club captains Tod Bursey and Pat Duguay were happy that the event took place. The Earl Gray tournament was named in memory of  Earl Gray ,a military member who volunteered his time  to assist in the building of the original  9 holes. In 1964 he died on the golf course when a piece of heavy equipment fell on top of him! Later that year a small group of  his buddies began this two-day event in honour of their  friend. It is always held the August long weekend. For many years people who had known Earl Gray attended. Even this year Mike Clarke, of Pembroke Denture Clinic attended with some of his friends. For many years he and his father sponsored the “A” flight prizes!

The Don Watson trophy was started a few years ago by Shawn Watson in memory of his father Don, Whipper Watson, who knew Earl Gray. The trophy is part of a family tradition as Shawn’s sons also help out at the golf event and help present the trophy. This year Tom Renaud was first place followed by my husband.

Although the overall attendance was down from last year there was one foursome who played for the first time. Frank Jordan and relatives enjoyed the experience except for the Sunday deluge! As they were a group that were not seeded, they played right after the seniors and D group so were among the few who finished their 18 holes on Sunday!

The club captains are looking forward to a more normal year in 2021 and hope that long time regular attendees such as Steve O’Donnell, from Nova Scotia will be able to attend .

To Golf or not to golf

I need to confess my sins early! I am not a golfer.

My husband is a golf addict. I knew what I was in for when I met his parents in 1976! I met his parents on a July weekend in 1976. On one of the days he went golfing with his father and his brother. They were away for 5 hours! I met the extended family at their annual golf tournament! It was held athttp://Lombardy Glen golf course Even my future mother in law participated in the event! I won the trophy for the most honest golfer with a score of over 110? for nine holes! I have not improved much since! For my countless friends who do not play golf a good score for nine holes of golf is anything around 40! My husband who has made golfing daily during the summer his main exercise is now an A flight golfer with an 8 handicap! In other words when he plays 18 holes, he usually gets a score of 8O! So, I have a problem!

What am I going to do on the August long weekend? Go camping? Go to Ottawa? No! Hang out on Sunday at the http://Petawawa golf club and All ranks service club! Why? It is the 58th Annual Earl Gray two-day tournament. Bruce has participated in this every year since we moved here in 2001! He has a very important reason for attending this year as he is defending the Don Watson cup! Last year he won the cup against his friend Bob McKeough. The criteria for the Don Watson cup are mostly by age as it is a Senior flight over