Several days ago author Howard Mosher of Irasburg told the world he was in hospice care. Within the last hour his wife, Phyllis, has told the online world of his passing. In addition to being a great writer, he was a friend to many Northeast Kingdom writers.
Howard Frank Mosher of Irasburg is an amazing author and one of my biggest supporters in my life as a writer. For that matter, he believed in me long before I believed in myself. He has been a mentor to many other aspiring writers in their journeys. That is just the kind of guy he is – a stand up guy who has helped so many people in his life, a man I’ve known for many years – a man my wife, Penny, has known for decades. For that matter, Penny told me many stories about the Moshers – Howard and Phyllis and their children – Jake and Annie Mosher – long before I met them. She particularly told me how they were always helping people.
Today Howard wrote the saddest news imaginable on his FB page. It is not a piece of fiction that he is renowned for, although I wish it was. No, today he announced he is in hospice and preparing for the end of his journey. Penny and I cannot say how sorry we are for this wonderful, wonderful family. We are are thinking of all of them during this time, and as a writer, I commend him for even being able to write about the end. Thank you Howard for everything you have done for the two of us, and thank you for sharing your talents with the world, including helping preserve the history and culture of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.
With Love,
Scott and Penny
The following are Howard’s words:
Well, the best laid plans, as they say. In early December I thought I had an upper respiratory bug that has been going around. Well, it didn’t seem to respond to antibiotics, so I had a chest X-ray and a CAT scan that found cancer, and plenty of it, in my lungs. Then a PET scan showed tumors in lots of other places. I thought I would wait until I had a definite diagnosis and was in treatment before sharing this news with you all. Well, a week ago I learned that what I have is a very aggressive and all but untreatable form of cancer that was apparently induced by the radiation treatments I had for prostate cancer nine years ago. I am grateful for those nine good years. In less than two months, though, I have gone from feeling pretty good to being in hospice care. Our kids and grandkids have been with us, and I’m comfortable. I’m also grateful for all my bookseller friends, writer friends, reader friends and friends in general who have been so supportive of me and my work over these many years.
Phillis, my beloved wife of 52 years, has agreed to keep you informed of the status of POINTS NORTH as the publication date draws near. She’ll use this Facebook page (under her own name) as well as my other social media sites. I am happy to leave you all with the gift of what may be my best book in POINTS NORTH. Enjoy it with my compliments.
The March issue of the Northland Journal will include an article about the turtle races held at the Long Branch Restaurant in Newport in the 1970s. In the article, Roland “Buzzy” Roy, the owner of Brown’s Drug Store in Derby Line, tells about the races. Buzzy was the “Turtle Master” who cared for the turtles and helped organize the races. ——– Scott
The Northland Journal, for the last 15 years, has been the only magazine dedicated to sharing and preserving the history and heritage of the Northeast Kingdom. The monthly magazine is filled with stories of the Kingdom from an earlier time as told by the people who lived it. Each issue is also filled with historic photos of the region. The Journal comes in print and electronic versions.
To view a copy of the Journal click HERE
To subscribe to the Journal, send a check or money order for $25 (12 monthly issues), or $45 (24 monthly issues) to Vermont’s Northland Journal, PO Box 812, Derby, VT 05829. Or subscribe online HERE . You can also subscribe by calling: (802) 487-0254. Prices are based on delivery in the United States. Also check out our website www.northlandjournal.com
Questions? – email northlandjournal@gmail.com
Sugaring season in Vermont isn’t far away. The March issue of our monthly magazine, Vermont’s Northland Journal, will feature sugaring in VT’s Northeast Kingdom.
For the last 14 years, the Journal has been the only magazine dedicated to sharing and preserving the history and heritage of the Northeast Kingdom. The monthly magazine, which comes in both print and electronic versions, is filled with stories of the Kingdom from an earlier time as told by the people who lived it. Each issue is also filled with historic photos of the tri-county region. Check out our website HERE
Questions/Advertising:
If you have questions, or if you’d like to advertise in the Journal, please email northlandjournal@gmail.com .
First published in 2011, “When Salmon Was King: Voices from the Clyde River” has been out of print for three years. Because of popular demand, we are now reprinting a limited number of the books. They’ll be available within two weeks.
During the first half of the twentieth century, fishermen traveled from around New England to the farthest reaches of Vermont to fish for salmon that flourished in the short stretch of the Clyde River in Newport as it flows into Lake Memphremagog. By the middle of that century the salmon were all but a memory. What happened to the famed salmon? The book also explores the rise and fall of the rivers walleye population. Read the stories of some of the people who lived the history of the Clyde River fishery. The 152-page book is filled with stories and photos of a bygone era.
To buy a copy of the book, send $16.95 (plus $3.00 for shipping and handling in the U.S.) to Vermont’s Northland Journal, PO Box 812, Derby, VT 05829.
**To learn more about the book and/or to order it online, click HERE