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Casting Book Launch

Hello Friends, anglers and non-anglers alike,

I sincerely hope this email finds you safe and well. Adapting the adage of ‘better late than never,’ Wesley Bates and I are hosting an official launch of our book, Casting into Mystery, at Themuseum, in downtown Kitchener, on Tuesday, September 15, from 7 to 9 pm.

Our book is a celebration of the meditative sport of fly fishing and of the camaraderie and quietude to be found not only in the gentle flow of river currents, but in the community and culture of anglers past and present. Wesley and I are both avid anglers. We put ink to paper in homage to the venerable sport. Through text and image, we recall with fondness the ‘company of rivers’ that provides a glimpse inside the sporting culture. Part memoir, part objet d’art and part field guide, we hope our book delights passionate fly fishers and armchair anglers alike.

Chad Wriglesworth, an English prof at St. Jerome’s University, describes our book as follows:

‘Robert Reid and Wesley W. Bates have given us a beautiful and refreshing gift, a book where word and image join to form a vibrant reality that is shot through with mystery and meaning. Reid’s personal stories, accounts of local history and curious dives into literature, music, visual art and film are illuminated by Bates’s intricate engravings, images that awaken realities both seen and unseen. This book taps into an ancient metaphysical current, a deep place, where lurking questions about the sacred, time and mortality surface and strike again as new.’  
 
In these unsettling times we realize a public event of any kind raises concerns. However, we are taking every step possible to ensure your safety by following COVID-19 guidelines including social distancing, mandatory face masks, use of hand sanitizer and contact tracing. The event is being held in the Atrium, Themuseum’s largest room, to ensure comfort.

To comply with COVID protocol we are asking people to register for a free ticket through Eventbrite. Registering allows Themuseum to compile contact tracing information includes three routine screening questions.

The free ticket to the launch includes admission to the timely exhibition Alarm: Responding to Our Climate Emergency.

As usual there is construction ongoing throughout downtown Kitchener. However, free parking (after 6 pm) is available in the public lot adjacent to Charles Street, behind the Walper Hotel.

Should anyone be unable to attend I would be happy to hand deliver a copy of our book. Contact me through email. Anyone with any questions can reach me at rfreid30@gmail.com or by phone at 519-954-6309.

I know some of you have already purchased a book, for which Wesley and I are deeply grateful. We extend an extra thank you to those who have posted a comment on Amazon, Indigo/Chapter to Goodreads.

Please take care and stay healthy.

Cheers,

Rob and Wesley

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