Have you ever found yourself trying to search for the right words? Now you can find the right words about Vankleek Hill and the surrounding area in a book of word search puzzles!
Trena Byrne has written and published Vankleek Hill and Champlain Township Word Search, a book of 112-word search puzzles involving themes associated with life, business, landmarks, and history in Vankleek Hill and all surrounding parts of Champlain Township. There are a total of 600 references to local people, places, and organizations contained in the puzzles. For example, there are puzzles where all the words are names of streets in Vankleek Hill and L’Orignal, current directors of the Vankleek Hill Agricultural Society, retail businesses, and common local family names.
Byrne’s idea for a Vankleek Hill word search book began when she would purchase Newfoundland-themed word search books by Nick Cranford for her late Uncle Gerry Byrne, a fellow Newfoundland expatriate who lived in Brossard. Gerry Byrne enjoyed the puzzles because the words reminded him of home. Trena Byrne thought residents of Vankleek Hill and Champlain, or former residents who have moved away, would also enjoy word search puzzles with hometown content.
“I kind of wanted to bring it home,” she said.
“I wanted to do the same for the people in my community. I wanted to make something that folks would connect with. When they go through the puzzles and think of an old friend, I’m hoping that they’ll reach out and have a chat. This really is about community,” Byrne said.
Preparing the word search book took nine months. Byrne said it was a challenge to include so many aspects of the community in the puzzles.
“This product is all about inclusion and I didn’t leave anyone out on purpose,” she said.
While many people will say word searches are not their idea of passive recreation, Byrne would like them to reconsider. The book of puzzles offers something easy to do without the screens so many of us are continually looking at these days, whether on computers, phones, or televisions. Word searches are a low-technology way to spend some time. The local themes of the puzzles also give residents an opportunity to learn about their community, or for former residents to remember a place they once called home.
“They enjoy reminiscing about these old businesses so much,” Byrne commented.
Byrne has worked as a teacher at Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute (VCI) for 27 years. She also owned Vankleek Cottage and Gifts for 10 years. She described the word search book as a custom community project, and a way of encouraging small businesses and local organizations.
Vankleek Hill and Champlain Township Word Search sell for $20 each. The books are available at many local retailers, including The Review office in Vankleek Hill. Byrne is donating $5 from the purchase of each book to the food banks in Vankleek Hill and L’Orignal.
The word search books make a fine Christmas gift, and local food banks are always in need of support.
Byrne is also working on a future word search book based on themes in Hawkesbury.
