Well-received book presentation at historic home in Woodstock's downtown

The Shiretown Blogger took in a presentation of a new book, The Town That Drowned, by Riel Nason on September 29^th at the historic Hon. Charles Connell House in downtown Woodstock. Riel Nason was raised in Hawkshaw, New Brunswick (situated across the Saint John River from the town of Nackawic). Though Riel is now living in Quispamsis, she does not forget her roots in rural New Brunswick.

“I grew up in Hawkshaw, and although it isn't that far from here, it isn't well known. Back when I lived there, I would say the population was about twenty-five, including my parents and my two brothers,” Riel recalled with a smile.

 Riel discussed growing up following the construction of the massive hydroelectric dam at Mactaquac, and the raising of its headpond, which consumed much of the original community. She recalled being able to see evidence of building foundations, an old bridge over the Pokiok Falls and an old highway when the river was low, along with her fascination of what the community once was.

“I went to the river's edge often. My brothers and I loved to go fishing. Our favorite spot was at the end of a piece of the old highway—the remains of the Pokiok Falls. There was an old bridge under the water not far from there too. Our fish hooks would sometimes get caught in it. More than once, we had to cut our lines. And then sure enough, one spring, when the river went low, the little bridge re-emerged from the water, and sure enough, there were our little pieces of bait caught on the cement rail.”

“When I was a kid, the flood seemed like a novelty to me. It made our place different, and it was something interesting to brag about to friends from away,” Riel recalled.

 The Town That Drowned, Riel's debut novel, is fictional and is based on the true story of the permanent damage caused by the raising of the Mactaquac dam headpond in the late 1960s. Set in the 1960s in the fictional town of Haventon, The book tells the story of fourteen-year-old Ruby Carson, her eccentric brother Percy, and the construction of a massive dam downstream that will flood most of the community forever.

 

 

 The guest speaker was introduced by Carleton County Historical Society Executive Director Kellie Blue-McQuade.

 Riel Nason.

Riel Nason read three different passages from her book, The Town That Drowned.