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Author‘s lost memories inspire new book emembering a treasâ€" R:lred tale from his hildhood was a magiâ€" cal moment for Taras (Terry) Joseph Oleksiw. Having suffered two strokes and losing much of his memory, the local artist was unsure if he‘d ever recapture some of the fables his father had passed down to him as life‘s lessons. But with the support and encouragement of his three children, Oleksiw made his way out of the fog and began to piece his past back together. _ "It was like being in a very, very dark room and having someone turn on all the lights at once," Oleksiw said in describing his breakâ€" through. But it wasn‘t an easy road back. After asking his children to tell and retell stories he‘d shared with them in their younger days, Oleksiw grew frustrated. Then one special story did the trick. "I could have been readâ€" ing Eskimo art," he said. "None of it made sense." It was a tale of an old farmer who tried to instill responsibility in his son, leaving the boy his farm to man after his death. The young son instead chose to shirk his duties and the farm suffered. The son later realized his mistake and tried to révive the family business, learnâ€" ing a valuable lesson in the process. "In the story. there‘s menâ€" tion of a ‘vorozhka‘, which means | wise, . mystical woman," Oleksiw recalled. "As soon as my children said ‘vorozhka‘, the story came back to me. "It was like rebooting a computer that‘s crashed." Before his strokes, Olekâ€" siw had intended to set the oral stories he‘d heard growâ€" ing up down in print. So in remembering this one story, he was able to reâ€" ‘This magic moment‘ By AnpreA Baiey Chronicle Staff _ establish his dream of becoming a children‘s book author. After a frustrating recovery from two strokes, local author Taras (Terry) Oleksiw remembered a story he heard as a child and decided to turn it into a modern children‘s book called "The Magic Dust". "I‘d always done a bit of writing, having studied art in university," Oleksiw said. "It‘s always seemed like an interesting challenge." An interesting challenge, yet a ‘serious responsibiliâ€" 7 ty, he added. It u "It‘s very serious _ to pluck someâ€" thing, crystalâ€" lize it and lock it into a cage of pages," Olekâ€" siw said But he managed to do just that. And the result is The Magic Dust. "No one that I know has ever heard it," Oleksiw said "But people seem to like it. "I‘ve had so many differâ€" ent reactions to it. People have said it‘s about politics, economic theory, philosoâ€" phy, the Communist Revoâ€" lution, the supernatural, you "It was like rebooting a computer that‘s crashed." â€"Taras Oleksiw local author UIFEFESITYL name it. But to me, it‘s just a simple story about a dad who tries to get his lazy kid to work." Oleksiw, who also did the illustrations for the book, said the bright pictures are especially appealing to young readers. younger generation, he said "Regardless of how bad things look, it‘s amazing how things can change if you just show up for work," he said. "My goal is to encourage kids to be more responsible. It seemed to work very well with my own kids." Oleksiw said writing the book has been a great going on in the book for kids," _ he said. "Visually. there‘s a lot And the m es s a ge behind the story is even more meanâ€" ingful to the «escape from the frustration of not being able to grasp other memories. "When you try to make words make sense along with pictures, you tend to understand yourself better," he said. He also said writing this book was a sentimental journey, which involved honouring the efforts of his father and making a stronger connection with his children. The experience also gave him the push to pursue a broader writing career. Oleksiw is now working on three more b6Gks â€" two for children and one for adults. A book launch party for The Magic Dust will be held Aug. 24, from 12:30â€"3:30 p.m., at King Street Trio on University, 65 University Ave. E. in Waterloo. "But considering how long it took to finish my first effort, I‘ll probably be 114 before 1 finish the others," he joked. ANDREA BAILEY PHOTO A Community Garden Workshop will take place Aug. 23 at Diversity Gardens in St. Agatha. â€" Sponsored by the Community Garden Network and Region of Waterloo Public Health, the focus of the workshop will be "Seed Saving Techniques and Garâ€" den Walk", featuring Theresa Schumilas of Diversity Gardens and Canadian Organic Growers. Come enjoy a stroll around a large organic garden and learn the best methods to save seeds for next year. The workshop will run from 9 a.m. to noon. Transportation is available; call to arrange a ride. Space is limited. Diversity Gardens is located adjacent to 1528 Notre Dame Dr. Bereaved Families of Ontario is taking registrations for a fall support group for men who are grieving the death of a significant person in their life. â€" Alzheimer Society of Kitchenerâ€"Waterioo is offering a presentation titled "Vignettes on Aging." This lightâ€"hearted presentation will feature enterâ€" taining stories about getting alder as told through local and professional storyteller, Maryâ€"Eileen McClear. The storyâ€"telling session will be held Aug. 27 from 1â€"3 p.m. at Luther Village on the Park, 139 Father David Bauer Dr., Waterloo. There is no cost to register. Individuals interested in attending should contact the Alzheimer Society of Kâ€"W at 742â€" 1422 by Aug. 25. Call 745â€"72801 for more information or visit the website: www.bfowaterlo0.on.ca. The farmers and villagers at Doon Heritage Cross roads will be reaping the bounty of the garden Aug. 24 The flower gardens are in full bloom and the yeg etable gardens are laden with fruit and vegetables. Beans, tomatoes, peppers, early apples and other garden produce are bending the vines at Doon. At the turn of the century it was an important chore for the farm family to capture the bounty of the garden at its peak in order m?ill their cellars for the long winter ahead. It‘s time to start putting away presgrvés for the cold months ahead. Come to the Crossroads Aug. 24 from 10 a.m.â€"4:30 p.m. and take in the atmosphere, pick up some recipes and enjoy a little bit of country in the city. Regâ€" ular admission applies Bounty of the Garden at Doon Heritage Crossroads BFO introduces fall support group for men Garden workshop highlights seedâ€"saving techniques Storyteller looks at lighter side of aging Conadioan Travel & Cruises Vacations on Sale 886â€"89