MORNINGLORY – A new book outlining the history of several authors, including Morninglory founder Robbie Anderman, features diverse stories ranging from life during the great wars to the power of activism.
The Shell Game by Richard Mansfield of Wellington, Ontario aims to emphasize the importance of optimism even in the face of struggle. Mansfield said he hopes readers will take away many things from the book, most importantly, hope.
The book is a family affair. Authors include Mansfield, his son-in-law Robbie Anderman of Morninglory near Killaloe (with snippets from Anderman’s wife and children), Mansfield’s late wife Beate Kaller, as well as second wife Linda Seaver.
Mansfield was born to a working-class family in East London in 1934. He went on to graduate from Cambridge University and emigrated to Canada afterward. He outlines life in England during World War II.
His first wife, Beate Kaller, lived in Germany and was forced to join the Hitler Youth. Although she passed away, she wrote down her memoirs which are included in the book.
Linda Seaver, Mansfield’s second wife whom he married more than a decade ago, details her life as a social worker – including time spent in a first-nations community in Northern Manitoba.
Anderman, who married Mansfield’s daughter Christina, was born to a Jewish family on July 8, 1948 in Middletown, New York. His paternal grandfather fled from Poland to the States. Anderman’s father, Irving, became a successful dentist in Middletown.
He never thought he would be writing a book with his father-in-law one day.
“I wasn’t exactly the prime material they had in mind for their daughter,” Anderman chuckled.
Mansfield had worked his way up to middle-class, and his first wife, Christina’s mother, had done so as well.
“Now Christina was going to marry me, [a man] who was back-to-the-land, off-grid,” Anderman said.
The two managed to see eye-to-eye after Mansfield remarried.
“His new wife was more open to me especially,” Anderman explained.
While Mansfield was being wheeled into open heart surgery, it was the first time he called Anderman, “son.”
Mansfield had been talking about writing a book several years ago. Anderman, who recently authored the book The Healing Trees, connected his father-in-law with his publisher.
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the January 9, 2019 Valley Gazette or subscribe online.