The Sounds and Smells of my Childhood is a warm hearted look at a happy childhood growing up in the 50’s and 60’s in Sault Ste. Marie. Anyone who grew up in this town will want to read Mike McCarthy’s book. It takes you back in time to a place that was bustling with activity—industries, a busy business district, two high schools, families living in specific neighborhoods, and an obvious mix of ethnic groups. Even if you didn’t grow up in that era, his vignettes of life here stir the imagination to think of Sault Ste. Marie in another time.
McCarthy takes a look at sounds that were familiar in that era–train whistles, factory horns, the Civil defense siren, and the laughter and music in his family home. Along with the sounds and smells, he remembers familiar places and people, some are gone, others are still here. The historic photos included with the book enhance his memories of this place.
In the forward Mayor Anthony Bosbous talks of efforts made to “create and maintain places for the community to gather, play, relax and serve. These efforts, which require the involvement of passionate citizens, are supported by exemplary individuals such as Mike McCarthy”. McCarthy is dedicating the proceeds of the book to Soo Theatre Project, a nonprofit corporation organized to bring cultural arts to the people of the Sault and the entire E.U.P.
In a letter to Soo Theatre Project, McCarthy states some of his reasons for choosing the Soo Theatre to receive the proceeds from his book. He feels Soo Theatre is an emerging economic driver with great potential. It is “critical to future entrepreneurship, which is still the long term answer for employment in the Soo”. Further he feels that “Soo Theatre Project is providing opportunities for our youth they never would have had, an outlet to that creative genius within each of us. That creative genius that lives within each of us needs to be cultivated and the Soo Theatre Project is where I want to place my bet for my home town’s future.”
McCarthy has spent his entire career in Economic Development both as a practitioner and as a fundraiser. He started at the Chippewa County EDC. Since then he has raised $375 million for Economic Development in 115 programs across the US and Canada. He recently felt a pull to do something in his home town and decided that the Soo Theatre was the non-profit he wanted to help.
He ends his letter with this plea: “Let’s watch the Soo Theatre rise again, and build a future for our citizens”.
The book is now available at the Soo Theatre office, at Chippewa County Historical Society and at The Island Book and Gifts. It makes a great Christmas gift!
Celebrate more of the season with Soo Theatre Project. THE ANNUAL TOUR OF HOMES starts today at 1:00p.m. Tickets are on sale at A Cut Above today and at Faith Lutheran Church starting at noon. You won’t want to miss this fun holiday tradition.
CHRISTMAS RECITALS for music students will be held on December 18th at 5:00 and 7:00p.m. at Central United Methodist Church.
THE NEW HORIZONS adult string group will be performing Christmas music at Avery Square at 1:00p.m. on December 17.
For more information on Soo Theatre Project, call 906 632-1930 or visit www.sootheatre.org.
