Several years ago Judi and I were
involved with the founding and organizing of a new festival in Port Hope. We
wanted to create a festival theme that would be specific to Port Hope. We found
that theme in the form of William Leonard Hunt or, as he
became known worldwide, the Great Farini!
Hunt, or Farini, was a larger than life character who roamed the world in
the mid to late 1800’s. From tightrope walking over the Niagara Falls to
inventing the Human Cannonball and beyond, Farini’s career was nothing short
of spectacular! In order to find out more about Farini and his life and feats,
we turned to Canadian author and Port Hope native, Shane Peacock! Shane’s book,
“The
Great Farini”, is the definitive reference book when it comes to
William Leonard Hunt. The Farini Festival only ran for 3 years, but Shane’s
input allowed us and the whole community to celebrate the extraordinary life of
one of Port Hope’s favourite, but largely forgotten, sons!
Over the years I have gotten to know and
appreciate Shane’s many talents. His ability to “spin a yarn” is second to know
one! The Farini biography could have been staid and stuffy, but that’s not
Shane’s style, nor was it Farini’s! Instead the book was a wonderful tail of
mystery, intrigue and adventure. Shane’s attention to accuracy and detail is
amazing. Since writing the Farini book in 1995, Shane has taken on many other
challenges. His play about another Port Hope native, Joseph Scriven who wrote
the Hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” played for two seasons at the 4th
Line Theatre in Millbrook. Other works have included
several children’s novels. His newest are sure to become classis. They are
about the “Boy Sherlock Holmes” and are rich in detail and mystery. Although
I purchased the first two in the series for my Grandson, I couldn’t miss that
opportunity of reading them first myself! They were both a great read and I
can’t wait until Shane brings out the next book! It’s great to know that Canada
breeds such amazing authors!
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