Cougar Companions, Bute Inlet Country: Slide Show and Book Launch

Victoria Event Explores life of Early Bute Inlet Pioneers

Victoria’s Bolen Books is pleased to present an event with Judith Williams, who will be giving a talk and slide show based on her new book, Raincoast Chronicles 24: Cougar Companions, Bute Inlet Country and the Legendary Schnarrs ($26.95, Harbour Publishing), which explores the history of Bute Inlet and traces the remarkable story of the Schnarr family.

Williams’s presentation, which will be followed by a book signing, takes place on Tuesday, May 28 at 7pm.

Raincoast Chronicles 24 is an impeccably researched and richly illustrated history of Bute Inlet’s pioneering residents, including August Schnarr and his family. Schnarr, a trapper and a logger in the region from 1910 until the 1960s, was also an amateur photographer who faithfully took a Kodak camera on his many expeditions and used it to capture experiences on the family homestead.  

To create this fascinating history of these pivotal pioneers, Williams went on research trips to Bute Inlet and the Homathko Valley, conducted interviews and delved into oral history and old diaries. She also used Schnarr’s impressive collection of photos showing life on the remote BC coast—including those of floathouses, log booms, steam donkeys, residents with giant fish catches, boats and pictures documenting August’s daughters with their pet cougars.

Judith Williams is an assistant professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia and is also the author of Clam Gardens (New Star Books, 2006) and Dynamite Stories (New Star Books, 2003). She lives on Cortes Island, BC.

Bolen Books is located at Hillside Centre (1644 Hillside Avenue). Admission is free and books will be for sale at the event. For more information, please phone 250-595-4232 or visit www.bolen.bc.ca. 

www.harbourpublishing.com