ABOUT
Author's Welcome
Welcome to Finest Kind: Tales of a Brant Rock Lobsterman! Join me as I take you on a captivating voyage through the maritime history of Brant Rock, Massachusetts. Through these tales, you'll uncover the vibrant life of the "Greatest Generation" and the enduring spirit of the fishing people of coastal New England. I invite you to explore the depths of the sea, immerse yourself in the world of lobsters, and connect with the rich heritage of small-town coastal living. Together, let's embark on a remarkable storytelling adventure that celebrates the essence of the sea and the indomitable human spirit.
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Connect with me on Instagram @Sandra.Staples.Bortner
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Author's Biography
Author and conservationist Sandra Staples-Bortner is the extraordinary Donal Staples’s daughter.
Raised on her father’s lobster boats—and his stories—Finest Kind was the organic product of a lifetime of hearing her father’s tales.
With the help of her siblings, her father’s friends, and a wealth of research, Sandra filled in the details. As she did, she realized Donal’s story was that of a generation of men who fought bravely in the Second World War, as well as of those who made their livelihood lobstering, contributing much to the foundation of coastal New England. Above all, it was the story of her family.
Sandra has had a three-decade-long career as a wildlife conservationist. She is especially proud of her tenure as the leader of Great Peninsula Conservancy, a non-profit land trust on Washington’s Puget Sound. Now retired, she volunteers her time helping to restore threatened Columbia River salmon.
Rooted in New England, Sandra has lived in the Pacific Northwest for thirty years, where she and her husband raised their two sons. Now living on an old farm, they grow hay, maintain habitat for wildlife, and try to keep up with their two Labrador retrievers.
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