Local Author’s Memoir Tells Mountain Grove’s Story

Craig Bakay | Feb 03, 2017

As history books, however complete and comprehensive they may be, tend to be rather dry reads.

But Marion Sly Hart’s new offering, Hart to Heart, My Life in Poems is not one of those.

Make no mistake, it is a history book, the history of the Mountain Grove area and particularly its people. But it’s told more in the style of a memoir, with the unique twist of being primarily poems, most of which consist of rhymed couplets. And, it’s a very easy read, with many interesting historical photos and the inclusion of Hart’s family tree, which incidentally can be traced back to the Pilgrims and the Mayflower.

She has a rich cultural history with Mohawk, Scottish and English ancestry on her father’s side and Algonquin, French and English on her mother’s.

But Hart was born, raised, married and raised her family in Mountain Grove and therein lies the focus.

She’s been working on the book “since 1983 at least” compiling some of her dad’s stories in three ring binders and writing her poems from them and other source material.

For those who don’t know Hart, from her writing style you may be surprised to learn she didn’t get her Grade 12 until she was 36. She did however supplement this with several writing and word processing courses.

But, she freely admits she doesn’t know just how she writes her poems and prose.

“Most days, I can’t put two words together,” she said. “When I get writing, it just comes.

“I think it must come from the Lord.”

Her book should be an interesting read to anyone with Mountain Grove connections. She weaves many names, incidents and histories together and although told from her perspective, her poetic stories should strike many familiar notes.
And they’re told in a rather welcoming folksy style.

In particular, her account of the train bringing her grandfather, who had been killed in a hunting accident, home to Sharbot Lake makes one feel like they were standing on the platform with her on that day many years ago.

Hart credits Bill Willis with helping her get the book actually published and former Frontenac News editor Jule Koch with inspiration, writing tips and encouragement.

Most of the original run of 200 soft-cover books (176 at last count) have been “spoken for” (ie sold) but copies will be available at Pharmasave in Sharbot Lake and Shabot Obaadjiwan Smoke Shop. There’s a book signing planned at the Cardinal Cafe during the Heritage Festival as well as the Mountain Grove Seniors meeting Feb. 8 and the Bedford Jam in Glendower Hall Feb. 25.

As well, copies have been donated to GREC and Land O’Lakes Public School and the Kingston Frontenac Library has two copies, on in its local authors section and one in its archives.

$1 from each book sale will be donated to the Food Bank.