History Happy Hour: Crooked Furrow ? Writing a Memoir Rooted in Sandy Spring

Tom Canby will speak about his newly self-published memoir, Crooked Furrow. It is a story set on a dying farm in Sandy Spring and about the relationship of a son to his father. Tom will read from his book and will describe the process of writing a memoir. He will be available to sign books, afterwards, with all revenues going to the Sandy Spring Museum. Thomas Y. Canby spent thirty-one years reporting for the National Geographic Society, writing books, children?s stories, and 22 science articles for National Geographic Magazine, on topics from space exploration to El Nino to earthquakes to the First Americans. His articles won wide recognition, including the Westinghouse AAAS award and honors from the National Association of Science Writers, Western Writers of America and others. He described his career and the workings of National Geographic Magazine in From Botswana to the Bering Sea, Island Press, 1998. He wrote the books Our Changing Earth for the Society, Legends of the West for the USPS, and Sandy Spring Legacy for the Sandy Spring Museum. He wrote two plays, Hide Your Horses! and Quakers, Free They Slaves!, that were performed at Sandy Spring Friends School. Tom was born on August 2, 1930, in the Quaker community of Sandy Spring, Md., where his ancestors were farmers. He graduated from Sherwood High School, also the alma mater of his father and one of his two sons. He earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from George Washington University. He is active in his local community, where he served on the board of Montgomery General Hospital, the county Library Board, and the Sandy Spring Museum. He was active in politics, serving as campaign chairman for his Congressman and County Executive. He is an avid gardener and member of the Sandy Spring Horticultural Society. He is a member of the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC. $15 for members and advanced ticket purchases. $20 at door. Includes happy hour food and beverages. Click here to purchase tickets The 2015 History Happy Hour series is sponsored by Therrien Waddell Construction Group.