Orland French: NOW A PLAYWRIGHT !

In November 2018 Orland's book Letters to Vimy was successfully presented as a play at the CORE Centre in Belleville. Orland was the playwright. Although a planned short run, the play was sold out each performance and was critically acclaimed by audience and reviewers alike. French hopes it will be picked up and taken on the road to other prestigious centres. Letters to Vimy was published in 2017.

"Playwright" is the latest extension of Orland's literary career. He is a writer, journalist, editor and publisher. For years he worked in the newspaper field for The Kingston Whig-Standard and The Ottawa Citizen as reporter and editorial writer, and The Globe and Mail as a daily columnist on provincial and federal politics. He has been published in a number of magazines. He has taught journalism at Loyalist College and the University of Regina.

Wallbridge House Publishing

From his home in Belleville, Ontario he established Wallbridge House Publishing and has produced a number of history books as listed elsewhere on this website. He has also been very active in the Hastings County Historical Society, serving as president for 10 years and past-president for another five. He is a past director of the Ontario Historical Society. He is currently a member of the board of trustees of the Old Hay Bay Church, a national historic site. Mr. French is also the recipient of the Governor-General’s Caring Canadian Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and Canada 150 Commemorative Coin, all for volunteer contributions to the community. He is also an Honourary Kentucky Colonel of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Orland French was born in Midland, Ontario in 1944. He is married to Sylvia who is also copy editor and guiding light of Wallbridge House Publishing.

Orland French, a history of:

President and CEO

Wallbridge House Publishing