Toronto: The Bedford Academy Event

Upon hearing news of my plans to be in Toronto, Peter Fosbery, Past President of The Royal Military College Alumni, Toronto Branch, invited me to speak and do a reading for a pub-night style event at Bedford Academy in Yorkville on Tuesday evening, September 10th, 2019. My first impression of the venue, when I walked in and was escorted behind the bar into a back room, was one of scepticism that I would be able to speak over the din of clinking glasses and general bar noise. There were wall-mounted televisions in every corner of the room, each blasting a different sports event, and a gourmet spread of delicious food was laid out across a table meant to be my podium.

When the evening kicked off and it was time to speak, the TVs were turned off, the music was silenced, and the room filled with Ex-cadets and guests—many of whom I had know for decades and some of whom were literally depicted in my book—my unease gave way to a feeling of being in my element and surrounded by friends, some family, and well-wishers.

My sober second thought of feeling at ease with the crowd turned out to be the reality of our evening together. So many laughs. Really great discussion. Tremendous support. Long lost connections remade and picked-up as if we’d just seen each other yesterday. I made many new friends too!

Thank you everyone for reading my book, your insightful questions, lively discussion, and ongoing support.

My apologies for the photo quality—it will be difficult to believe that I’ve chosen the best of them, but it’s true! xo