The Orient Express

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
Ward A, Edmonton Public School Trustee Candidate
Lois Hole Public Library Terminal #VI
Edmonton, Alberta

July XXXth, MMX

Hon. David G. Hancock, QC, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Edmonton-Whitemud

Dear David:

I just received a fascinating tipoff here at Lois Hole Branch EPL. The staffers here recommended that if I wanted to find some books and magazines related to kids issues that I look at garage sales David. I am looking for some historical picture books on trains in regards to the building of Canada's original railway that are no longer in print. One of my nephews is really into train lore, especially Thomas the Tank Engine and such. I have taken him II train museums & Thomas the Tank Engine Kids Shows that are live & interactive in malls.

Now I want to have some real fun and take him into the past. Showing him and my other nephews and cousins how trains are built. Things such as architectural plans & blueprints and schematics. If he understands the technical schematics and the engine parts/components, maybe he will himself become an engineer one day. In his best interest, I am going to hunt down my videotape copy of "The National Dream" by Pierre Berton that was broadcast on CBC Television. I am sure he will be riveted by the tales of the construction & watching the engines chug along. When he is older, I will let him read the original tales of how the railway was built in Mr. Berton's original "The National Dream" & "The Last Spike" books. I bet you he will get the same charge I did in reading them.

All Aboard IV Learning David,

Rory

Source: "The National Dream" & "The Last Spike" by Pierre Berton.