document.write("Our name, <B>Heart of the Lakes Publishing</B>, comes from our location two miles outside of the village of Interlaken in Seneca County, halfway between Seneca and Cayuga lakes, the two largest of our beautiful Finger Lakes in upstate New York. For over thirty years we have produced quality books for individual authors, genealogists, historians, and organizations.\<br>\<br>Walt and Mary Steesy are the owner-partners and have lived here for over thirty-four years in an 1810 Federal style home that is still being remodeled. Tracing the history of our home brought us an appreciation of the published historical works from the 1800s. As a district sales manager traveling the northeast, Walter met other genealogists and historical researchers who were often looking for copies of older historical works. Thus was born Heart of the Lakes Publishing in an effort to make valuable NYS historical and genealogical source materials available again as quality reprints.\<br>\<br>We have learned a lot over the years from both experience and from asking questions of and leaning over the shoulders of many talented and experienced people in the printing industry. Walt handles production, including design, typesetting, and reproduction, while Mary is the bookkeeper and assists authors with editing.\<br>\<br>What started as a part-time business at a desk in the upstairs hall has grown to a roomy office building across the patio from our home. Walt and our sons, with some excellent help from two college mates, built the office building themselves. Our \"open office\" party in May 1987 was attended by family, authors, and industry friends from all over NYS. We both like the very short commute to work!\<br>\<br>As our business grew from strictly NYS research and family histories to include a few more general interest \"trade\" titles we established, in addition to <I>Heart of the Lakes Publishing</I> (HLP Books), two other imprints. <I>Empire State Books</I> is used for New York State subjects of more general interest including folklore and historical fiction. <I>Windswept Press</I> will be found on titles which are not New York State subjects.\<br>\<br>The rural area has been a great place to bring up our daughter and two sons; they all helped in the business until they went to college to pursue careers in other fields. Our two grandchildren, adopted in Russia in 1999, enjoy spending a week in the country with grandma and grandpa every summer.\<br>\<br>We do take time for other activities. Researching our families backgrounds for over 35 years led to Walt becoming the genealogist of all Olmste(a)ds. It has been a challenge but now with the computerization of the records we are compiling a new Olmste(a)d Family History.\<br>\<br>In 1990 we started writing and publishing a newsletter for the men and women who served at Sampson Air Force Base which was located here in Seneca County in the early 1950s; we now have over 7000 vets on our mailing list. Since 1990, we also have enjoyed hosting the annual reunion each fall that brings together Sampson AFB veterans and their spouses.\<br>\<br>In recent years we have taken a number of small groups on ocean cruises visiting many countries and learning about the history, culture, and people in other lands. You are invited to join us as we travel or we can assist you in forming your own group for an interesting vacation.\<br>\<br>And, now that we are \"seniors\" we spend time each winter in warmer climates, particularly in Florida in January and in the foothills of North Carolina where we are building our own rural winter getaway with a view of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.\<br>\<br>Despite all of these activities, we still keep tabs on our projects and with our authors via phone and a lap top computer that goes with us when we travel.\<br>\<br>We have met the nicest people over the years in our businesses and often learn as much from them as they do from us. We look forward to serving you with quality books at reasonable prices.");