Many of the stories in the book are relatable because he conjures up detailed memories of life on Wisconsin lakes and the Northwoods. There is the time he spent as a young boy on a boat with a small outboard motor, fishing and exploring the lake on his own. And then there were the experiences with travelers who came to their little resort:
“Our tavern/resort business was doing well, and when I was about twelve, my father said he would let me have the money from boat rentals, bait and gas sales if I would take care of it,” Harrigan wrote. “My mother and father ran the business themselves, and that was probably the only way to keep me there and working instead of hunting and fishing.”
He also talks a lot about his family’s faith during difficult times, such as when the family sold their beloved cabin to make ends meet and moved into an apartment. It’s those times that help develop a sense of gratitude, he said.
“The things we own (for most of us, they probably belong to the bank) and the things we have accomplished (through the cooperation of ourselves, God and our special angels) should be extremely satisfying,” he wrote.
His book tells stories of growing up in a bygone era in Wisconsin, when parts of the state still seemed quite wild to the settlers there. One harrowing trip his relatives made to the city is described as follows:
While Harrigan now enjoys retirement and small-town life in Monroe, he stays connected to the land and visits his son’s farm near Cadiz. He hasn’t ruled out writing another book.
The sale of each Harrigan’s Heritage book results in a small donation to a local charity. Harrigan said he has received a small amount of money so far from some initial sales and is now looking for a worthy local group to donate to.
“I wanted to do something, a small gesture to help the community,” he said. “It’s not much, but I hope we can do something to help.”
The paperback can be purchased online from Amazon, Apple iTunes, and Barnes and Noble, among others.
