The French-language version of a book about New Sudbury's history has been released.
Sudburian Arthémise Camirand-Peterson self-published the English version of “New Sudbury: Not as New as You Think” last year.
Its French name is “Nouveau Sudbury: N'est pas aussi nouveau que l’on pense.” The translation was done by Marc Forget.
The book documents the evolution of New Sudbury from a sleepy farming community on the outskirts of the city's downtown to the bustling shopping area and dense residential neighbourhood it is today.
The genesis of the book came from Camirand-Peterson's time as the chair of the New Sudbury Community Action Network.
The New Sudbury Historical Society was created as a subcommittee of the New Sudbury Community Action Network.
Camirand-Peterson began interviewing people who had information to share about New Sudbury's past, and scanning their photos. She eventually decided to spend what would become thousands of hours writing a book.
The 170-page book not only includes an overview of the area's history, but also information about the founding families of New Sudbury based on interviews conducted by Camirand-Peterson.
It also contains a wealth of photos — 140 in total — that Camirand-Peterson has collected.
She said it was always her intention to release the book in French, as well as English, as half of the New Sudbury Historical Society's membership is Francophone.
“Even at the library, they said, 'Oh good, we hardly ever get a French book,'” Camirand-Peterson said.
The author will be selling and signing the books, which cost $30 each, at the New Sudbury Library this Friday, Aug. 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The books will also be on display at the New Sudbury Centre during New Sudbury Days Aug. 27-28, although they won't be sold there.
If you can't make it out to the book signing, anyone interested in purchasing a copy — whether in English or French — is asked to contact Camirand-Peterson at [email protected] or phone her at 705-524-9436.
