Sarlo Books

Upon receiving his doctorate, Frank’s thesis, ‘Community Mobilization in a Small Canadian City’, was published in 2013 by the University of Bristol Press. It is an academic book based on thirty-one interviews of leaders involved in mobilizing the community to create positive change together. Their experiences are highlighted throughout and used to document the influences, processes and elements involved in successful community mobilizations. 

The second edition of ‘Hound Town: One of the Best Hockey Towns Anywhere’ follows the Soo Greyhounds from their entrance into the Ontario Hockey league in 1972 until 2016 through Frank’s eyes over these years as the team’s lawyer and often as owner and director. The book provides Soo Greyhounds’ fans and sports fans with a brief history of the first forty-four seasons; reflects on the overall success of the franchise, which made the Soo Greyhounds one of the most dynamic, successful and exciting teams in North America; provides brief background of the best hockey players in the world that played for the Soo Greyhounds, such as: Wayne Gretzky, Ron Francis, Joe Thornton, Paul Coffey, Adam Foote, John Vanbiesbrouck and Craig Hartsburg as they pursued their hockey and other dreams; reflects on the relationship between the Soo Greyhounds and its community; demystifies the operation of a hockey team in the OHL by providing accurate information to assist players, parents, advisors and fans; provides readers with a look at the ‘Program’ created by Soo Greyhounds’ management for its players; and provides an insiders perspective on a seminal OHL hockey club, and what it takes to make Sault Ste. Marie ‘one of the best hockey towns anywhere’.

‘Hound Town: One of the Best Hockey Towns Anywhere’ was written in 2016. Soo Greyhounds’ fans and others kindly expressed their appreciation for Frank’s story chronicling 44 years of Greyhound history. Over the following eight years, Frank was often asked to revisit Hound Town and bring it up to date. In 2024, at the urging of Bryan Davies, Tagona Press, publisher, Frank agreed that it was time. However, this time he enlisted the assistance of Brad Coccimiglio, a Sootoday sports journalist, who covers everything Soo Greyhounds and Bob Davies, the team photographer. Hound Town Revisited brings readers behind the scenes to today’s organization and a look to the future. The format from the earlier book has been changed to highlight the talents of both Brad and Bob.

“I always felt extremely fortunate having been born, raised and lived in Sault Ste. Marie most of my life. There is a genuine feeling of home providing familiarity and love. I think the first time that I started to believe Sault Ste. Marie was a special place was at an early age, experiencing the spirit of warmth and community, which I found in my multi-cultural neighbourhood.” Frank 

During his journey in writing about this special place, Frank realized that he had been taking many of the blessings of our city and area for granted. Over the course of his writing, Frank went out and, again, experienced many of those blessings. There is beauty throughout the city and Algoma both physically and spiritually. The Anishinaabe people recognized its blessings hundreds of years ago. Those that came later brought an industrial and financial age. The wisdom of earlier mayors and councillors, who worked to turn our waterfront from industry to a waterfront walkway and people place for residents and visitors to enjoy, is clear. The enhancement of the canal district creates a blending of our history, our culture, our cuisine and entertainment and the entrance, by train, to the wonders of the landscapes of the Cambrian Shield. The revitalization of the downtown business area, necessary in most cities, is a priority with the addition of a downtown plaza, farmer’s market and a reconstruction of our main street. 

‘A Special Place: Sault Ste. Marie’ is not about comparing Sault Ste. Marie and Area to other places but to reflect on its spirit and soul and that of our people, which make it a special place. It is the magnificent beauty of the waters and the mountains and forests of the Cambrian Shield. It is its unique history, the importance of the rapids and the healing powers of our waters, trees, plants and stones. It is a work to preserve Sault Ste. Marie’s history and create its future. It is its people’s generous and caring character combined with our independence, strength and resilience that call them to rally and meet the challenges that face them. It is the understanding that people from small cities can achieve big things. It is the strong leadership of its young people, which will lead us successfully into the future. Its people should shout about their blessings from the rooftops and the mountains of Algoma District. Sault Ste. Marie is a special place where you belong!

‘The West End: A Magical Place created by giants begins at the turn of the 20th century, when young men came by ship and then by train to find work and assist their families in escaping the pain of poverty. Having found work, scrimped and saved for years, these young men were able to bring their wives and children to join them. Some returned home to find partners to join them in making a new life.

Over the years, these strong and resilient people endured squalor, poverty, disease, tragedy, prejudice and hate to create a unique sense of community in the West End. They survived the Depression, World Wars and threats of internment while instilling a love for their new country and still retaining their Old World religion and culture.

These happy, strong, hardworking, friendly, kind, caring and generous people, who helped make their unique community magical for those that would follow were giants. Providing a legacy of a strong work ethic and spirit to succeed, the following generations from this small urban area fostered multi-cultural cooperation and understanding that surely far exceeded the dreams of those first immigrants. My memories of growing up in the West End from birth to when I left for university are also included.

The book contains an enjoyable foreword written by Jerry Bumbacco and Harvey Barsanti about their days growing up in the West End. Gene Ubriaco’s enduring sketches of his memories of the West End also enhance it.

‘The Thinking Chair’ is a reflection of a series of happenings of Frank’s experiences in community mobilizing over many years. His experiences have certainly been grassroots community organizing for matters, which he thought to be important and built a passion inside of him. In addition, throughout the book there are reflections and quotes from interviews some of the leaders used in his doctoral thesis. 

“The Thinking Chair stands as a testament to leadership grounded in wisdom, courage, and an unwavering belief in the possible” Asima Vezina – President and Vice-Chancellor – International Business University.

“The Thinking Chair is a must read for anyone tasked with the challenge of creating positive change. Businesses, organizations, and communities most often succeed when their members are effectively organized to pursue and achieve a common goal. Frank’s remarkable community mobilization experiences give The Thinking Chair its breadth, depth, and persuasive power. Frank not only explains how to achieve community mobilization through utilizing available assets in short time frames. Every chapter also includes practical insights that change makers everywhere can adapt to their own organizational needs. The Thinking Chair is a testament to Frank’s unique talents – a book where authenticity and hard-won experience drive Frank’s message forward.” Bryan Davies – Tagona Press (Sault Ste Marie)

It is our sincere hope that this book for mobilizing the community to create positive change together provides information and advice that will give people confidence to take leadership roles in mobilizations that they believe in and for which they have a passion. 

“I witnessed first hand the satisfaction that comes to the many involved in creating positive change together. I often look back and appreciate so many talented people that I worked with and the friendships that were developed, all while working to create positive change together.” Frank 

Although Frank’s involvement in mobilizing the community took place in Sault Ste. Marie, the influences and processes outlined in this book will apply anywhere. Understanding your community allows you to mobilize the community, organization or business for the positive change that benefits your community, organization or business whatever it may be.