Gary Saunders introduced us to Dr. Olds of Twillingate in his 1994 book of the same name. His latest book reveals the contents of a collection of witty sayings, which the supposedly humorless surgeon compiled during four decades of listening to his patients' fears and hopes. Olds, an American, cherished Newfoundland outport speech. These startling one-liners-OPDisms he called them-helped him survive many an anxious night on the wards. After this beloved physician died in 1985, his OPDisms began to gather dust. Saunders, by dusting them off and mounting them against the rich black cloth of outport culture, has created a unique tribute not only to Newfoundland health care workers but also to Newfoundland humor itself. No one knew better than Dr. Olds that laughter is the best medicine. Newfoundlander or no, this book will make you laugh.

Originally trained as a forester, Gary L. Saunders went on to study fine arts at Mount Allison University and the Ontario College of Art before taking a position with the Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forests extension program. Here, he honed his skills as an editor and writer. Saunders has been a frequent contributor to periodicals such as Atlantic Advocate, Rural Delivery, Atlantic Forestry Review and Saltscapes and is the author of numerous books, ranging from guidebooks (Trees of Nova Scotia and At a Glance: A Guide to Identifying and Managing Nova Scotia Hardwoods) to essays (Alder Music and September Christmas) to illustrated children’s books (The Brook and the Woodcutter). He lives in Clifton, Nova Scotia.

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