Requited Love: Magnus Walsh and Huntington

"If you know him, you love him, and if you don't know him, get to know him," proclaimed Town of Huntington Supervisor Frank Petrone at the Jan. 10 meeting.

The Town Board honored local author Magnus Walsh Tuesday night for the publication of his first book titled Five O'Clock and All's Well, a collection of nonfiction short stories centered around real-life experiences in Huntington.

"He knows the community so well, and he's an active member of the community," Petrone said.  "He's known for his ability to transform a bad or ordinary day into a great day with his humor."

Petrone also reported that Walsh's that Five O'Clock, released in mid-December, has been a hot item at the on New York Avenue, a trend expected to continue, with an upcoming book signing Jan. 19 at 7 p.m.

While Petrone's regard for Lloyd Harbor resident Walsh was on display Tuesday night at Town Hall, it is the author's adulation of the town that is reflected in the 83-page collection of vignettes.

"Every day is a joy to live, and you never know when a story can come along, especially in Huntington," said Walsh, who recently made a cameo on the film adaption of If I could Write a Book: The Beverly Fite Story.  "I love the process of writing a book, and how it opens so many doors to meet so many people and hear their stories."

One of his major inspirations for the book was the Great Gatsby, also centered around the North Shore of Long Island.

"I loved the theme running through the book, and that's not to be judgmental," explained Walsh.  

The writing process started after the "Miracle on the Hudson", the miraculous emergency airliner landing on the Hudson River, which Walsh says got him thinking of writing.

"I thought, look at that story," he said.  "I thought, what if you could take a story and make it into something good, that makes people feel better?  There's nothing better than that."

He'll be at the store, signing copies on Thursday at 7 p.m.  Follow him on Twitter.