Sudbury's Cheryl Cecchetto chronicles Hollywood experiences in new book
Cheryl Cecchetto says growing up in a large Italian family helped launch her into an event planning career
A Sudburian who hobnobs with celebrities in Hollywood is back in the city to launch her autobiography.
Author and event planner Cheryl Cecchetto runs Sequoia Productions in Los Angeles — with the Academy Awards' Governor's Ball as one of her high profile clients.
Cecchetto's book, Passion to Create: Your Invitation to Celebrate, traces her life from suppers with her large Italian family in Sudbury to standing behind the velvet rope at red carpet events in Los Angeles.
I do feel that my Canadian upbringing really grounded me.- Cheryl Cecchetto
She will launch her book on Saturday at the Sheridan Auditorium, as part of the local literary festival, Wordstock.
Cecchetto isn't simply flying in and out, however. She's in Sudbury for a month at her cottage, where her father lives next door, her sister is nearby — and where she and her husband and children can disconnect for awhile.
"I do feel that my Canadian upbringing really grounded me," she says.
"It's phenomenal and my kids love it when I bring them home. My son will be up there for a month with me, he's 15, and I love it when I'm at home with them."
The book was a production that came a little harder than some others.
"Writing a book nearly killed me, but it's extremely fulfilling once it's accomplished," Cecchetto said.
"And it's brought a lot of joy to a lot of people. I hope that I can inspire anyone in the audience [on Saturday] that would also like to write."