As the fifth month of our 2021 Authors Showcase draws to a close, it is a real pleasure to feature this third contribution from Carolyn Muir Helfenstein.
Enjoy reading her story Travelling in Switzerland was a Scream by clicking here.
Enjoy reading her story Travelling in Switzerland was a Scream by clicking here.
Carolyn Muir Helfenstein
1955 At the age of 17 Carolyn Muir began her teaching career in a one-room rural school, near Toronto. Attending Toronto Teachers’ College to complete her certification followed. She received the highest academic standing award that year.
After a period of teaching and marriage to British-born Harold Helfenstein, they fulfilled a dream to farm. And they had three children. Many of Carolyn’s short stories come from that era.
1986 The opportunity to buy the local newspaper arrived in the mail; her answer — Why not? CBC-TV learned of the farmers who bought a newspaper. Well-known entertainer Wayne Rothstad and CBC-TV crew spent three days filming the scenes and the interviews and the Teeswater News went prime-time in “Out Your Way.”
Carolyn was elected to the Board of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association; and eventually sat as president.
1991 The News produced an Extra that helped in savings a seniors’ home from being relocated. The community revolted. Another 1st prize provincial win.
1993 After reading of the government’s decision to close institutions for adults unable to live independently, Carolyn wrote Belonging. Her readers began to understand all they wanted was to belong and local communities made that happen. Belonging won 1stprize, provincial competition.
2008 Carolyn’s memoir Why Not? was published, filled with stories about running the Teeswater News. Her readers say they can follow the experiences, the laughter and the tears, as they read.
2010 Carolyn knew she wanted to regain her connections with Newfoundland where she was born. She learned that Waterloo University’s three-year Independent Studies Program would help her research. But she was 73… She graduated with a Bachelor of Independent Studies in 2013. Both Rock Solid and Why Not? are now in the Newfoundland Folklore Archives of Memorial University, NFLD. And Carolyn has regained her Newfoundland identity.
For more info— Google: Carolyn Muir Helfenstein -Spirit of the Hills
1955 At the age of 17 Carolyn Muir began her teaching career in a one-room rural school, near Toronto. Attending Toronto Teachers’ College to complete her certification followed. She received the highest academic standing award that year.
After a period of teaching and marriage to British-born Harold Helfenstein, they fulfilled a dream to farm. And they had three children. Many of Carolyn’s short stories come from that era.
1986 The opportunity to buy the local newspaper arrived in the mail; her answer — Why not? CBC-TV learned of the farmers who bought a newspaper. Well-known entertainer Wayne Rothstad and CBC-TV crew spent three days filming the scenes and the interviews and the Teeswater News went prime-time in “Out Your Way.”
Carolyn was elected to the Board of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association; and eventually sat as president.
1991 The News produced an Extra that helped in savings a seniors’ home from being relocated. The community revolted. Another 1st prize provincial win.
1993 After reading of the government’s decision to close institutions for adults unable to live independently, Carolyn wrote Belonging. Her readers began to understand all they wanted was to belong and local communities made that happen. Belonging won 1stprize, provincial competition.
2008 Carolyn’s memoir Why Not? was published, filled with stories about running the Teeswater News. Her readers say they can follow the experiences, the laughter and the tears, as they read.
2010 Carolyn knew she wanted to regain her connections with Newfoundland where she was born. She learned that Waterloo University’s three-year Independent Studies Program would help her research. But she was 73… She graduated with a Bachelor of Independent Studies in 2013. Both Rock Solid and Why Not? are now in the Newfoundland Folklore Archives of Memorial University, NFLD. And Carolyn has regained her Newfoundland identity.
For more info— Google: Carolyn Muir Helfenstein -Spirit of the Hills
