AUTHOR ELMA SCHEMENAUER TO SPEAK AT HUMBOLDT LIBRARY
Elma Schemenauer
Saskatchewan is a land of living stories.
Elma (Martens) Schemenauer, author of the 1940s Saskatchewan novel CONSIDER THE SUNFLOWERS, will highlight the province’s history and literature at the Humboldt library, 705 Main Street, Wednesday August 31 at 7:30 PM. 
“I’m proud of my home province,” Elma says.
“Saskatchewan was multicultural from its early days. Germans settled in the Humboldt area, for example, Ukrainians at Yorkton, Black Americans near Maidstone, and Mennonites at Rosthern. Chinese immigrants settled in many Saskatchewan towns and cities, often running restaurants and other family businesses.
“Saskatchewan was the first Canadian province to use planes, parachutes, and courageous ‘smokejumpers’ to fight forest fires.
“In 1947 Saskatchewan introduced North America’s first universal hospital care plan.
“The Saskatchewan Arts Board, established in 1948, was the first organization of its kind in North America.
“The province has inspired creators of oral and written literature including Aboriginal storytellers, explorers, missionaries, biographers, poets, short-story writers, novelists, and others.”
Elma is one writer inspired by Saskatchewan, http://elmams.wix.com/elma. She was born and raised near Elbow, sinking deep roots into the prairie way of life and the traditions of her Mennonite family.
After graduating from the University of Saskatchewan, she worked in publishing in Toronto for many years. There she met her husband, Saskatchewan-born Robert Stuart Schemenauer. His relatives live in numerous areas of the province including Humboldt and surroundings.
Elma, who moved to Kamloops with her husband in 2006, is the author of 75 books, many of them about history and community life. Her most recent is CONSIDER THE SUNFLOWERS, published by Borealis Press of Ottawa.
This 299-page novel focuses on love, faith, and family on the Saskatchewan home-front during World War ll. One of the main characters, Tina Janz, is crazy about her boyfriend Frank Warkentin. He’s wild mushrooms and hot peppers, music and laughter. But after they’re married, bitter memories keep Frank from committing himself to her and their Mennonite faith. Can Tina, who carries emotional baggage of her own, find happiness with this charming but troubled man? You’ll need to read the book to find out.
CONTACT Elma Schemenauer, 250 374-1750, website http://elmams.wix.com/elma .
Janice L. Dick 