The Top Two Per Cent
Or How the 2023 Christmas Newsletter Got Out of Hand
by Randy Burrows

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In a year when PEI was navigating the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona and preparing to host the Canada Winter Games, Randy Burrows captures the essence of family life with wit and heart. The Top Two Per Cent chronicles 2023—a remarkable period of resilience and transformation as the Island emerges from the pandemic to redefine its community spirit. Drawing on a style reminiscent of Stephen Leacock, Randy invites readers into his world, where everyday moments become unconventional tales in his year-end newsletter. From the triumphs and tribulations of raising teenagers to the excitement of competitive fencing, Randy’s storytelling is filled with laughter, love, and relatable reflections on the challenges of family life. Join him as he recounts the highs and lows of the Burrows family, navigating the complexities of school, sports, and the unique circumstances surrounding life in PEI in 2023. With an open heart and playful energy, Randy reminds us that even in times of uncertainty, joy can be found in the mundane while connection can be forged through shared experiences. Perfect for fans of humorous memoirs, The Top Two Per Cent offers a heartfelt tribute to the strength of family and community during a truly unique time on PEI—where every story is a testament to resilience, laughter, and togetherness.

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"Burrows has written a charming and engagingly comedic take on the trials of parenting through a pandemic, a hurricane, and the raising of two athletically active teenagers. His wit and self-deprecating style deliver each story of family life on PEI with humour and grace." —Todd MacLean, musician, writer, creator/editor of Global Chorus

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Randy Burrows grew up just outside Summerside, PEI, but resides in Charlottetown. He is an adult educator in all manner of subjects from wordprocessing to introductory accounting to high school math, but on the side has always enjoyed dabbling in storytelling and the written word. Recently, he decided to transform his annual Burrows family Christmas newsletter into a full-fledged book. When he’s not writing, he’s usually indulging in his love of film, including a film-based podcast. Randy also has a passion for theatre. He’s written, directed, and produced plays, winning the 2005 PEI Drama Festival award for Best Production. More frequently, though, he can be found hamming it up periodically in murder mystery dinner theatre shows across the Maritimes. Randy’s greatest loves are his wife and two teenage sons. As anyone close to him will tell you, they’re the ones who truly inspire him on a day-to-day basis and certainly inspire his writing as they are often the centerpieces of his greatest stories.

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Randy Burrows