(by Dave Stewart)

Sterling Stratton’s pen is a key that opens doors in Charlottetown.

For the past 12 years, he’s been taking Islanders back in time.

Charlottetown resident Sterling Stratton is getting set to publish his seventh pen and ink sketch book.

Photo by Heather Taweel/The Guardian

Using pictures he takes of historic buildings across Prince Edward Island, Stratton creates detailed pen and ink sketches that impress even professional architects.

He presents a sketch to each home owner.

The door opens, a warm invitation is extended and the story begins.

Stratton compiles it all and puts it a book.

He’s about to publish his seventh book, entitled “Majestic Homes of Charlottetown”, 1865 to 1900, featuring 32 homes.

Stratton is proof that it’s never too late to pick up a new hobby.

He didn’t draw his first pen and ink sketch until he was 65 years old.

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If you are interested in any of Sterling’s books, he can be reached at sstratton@eastlink.ca or 902-367-5150.