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L.M. Montgomery Day 2015 in Leaskdale

Benjamin Lefebvre

Please join us in Leaskdale, Ontario, on Saturday, 24 October 2015, for the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario’s annual L.M. Montgomery Day, which commemorates Montgomery’s arrival in Leaskdale as a minister’s wife in October 1911.

This year’s theme is Maud’s Landscapes: The Effect of Nature on Her Writing, and the schedule of events is as follows:

8:45 a.m.: Coffee and Registration

9:30 a.m.: Melanie Whitfield, President, LMMSO, Welcome; Gwen Layton, LMMSO, “Maud in the Garden: L.M. Montgomery’s Sense of Place in Her Leaskdale Literary Landscape”

10:00 a.m.: Melanie Fishbane, “Fairy Slopes and Phantom Shadows: L.M. Montgomery as Teen Poet”

10:35 a.m.: Vanessa Brown, “Hester Gray’s Garden”

11:10 a.m.: Break

11:25 a.m.: Benjamin Lefebvre, “In Lands Afar: L.M. Montgomery and the Re-creation of Prince Edward Island in Ontario”

12:00 p.m.: Lunch

1:00 p.m.: Kate Macdonald Butler, “Reflections on Filming Anne of Green Gables in 2015”

1:30 p.m.: Launch of L.M. Montgomery’s Rainbow Valleys: The Ontario Years, 1911–1942, including remarks by editors Rita Bode and Lesley D. Clement

3:00 p.m.: Book signing and refreshments

4:00 p.m.: Walk to Rainbow Valley and Tour of the Leaskdale Manse

To obtain more information and to register, please visit the website for the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario.

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TPL Event on L.M. Montgomery’s Reflections on War

Benjamin Lefebvre

As I mentioned in my blog post last week, I will be speaking at an event called The  Canadian Home Front: L.M. Montgomery’s Reflections on War at the North York Central Library concourse next Tuesday evening, 27 January 2015. I’ll be talking about the responses Montgomery’s books published or set during the First World War received by reviewers (an aspect of Montgomery’s career that is covered in The L.M. Montgomery Reader, Volume 3: A Legacy in Review) alongside Laura M. Robinson and Melanie J. Fishbane. Here is a poster with all the details. Hope to see you there!

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The L.M. Montgomery Reader, Volume 3

Benjamin Lefebvre

The L.M. Montgomery Reader, Volume 3: A Legacy in ReviewI seem to have dropped the ball on my promise, made in November, to post either an extract of a review or an ad every single day on this website until I received my first copy of The L.M. Montgomery Reader, Volume 3: A Legacy in Review. Since mid-December, I’ve been so busy with the end-of-year rush, with illness, with the holidays, and with some behind-the-scenes updates on this website (including lists of journal articles, book chapters, paratexts, dissertations/theses, and reviews) that I haven’t posted anything in several weeks.

But I’m pleased to let you know that my first author’s copy of Volume 3 arrived last week, with the remaining author’s copies getting to me Thursday afternoon. As I mentioned on my own blog last week, the fact that this multi-year project has finally come to an end is bittersweet, and it’s been nice to clear my desk, both literally and figuratively, as I start to ponder what it is I’d like to tackle next. I do hope that the materials included in all three volumes will prove useful and interesting to Montgomery’s diverse readership, and of course I’m always happy to hear from readers in terms of questions, responses, and alerts to items I missed.

For those of you who are in the Toronto area: on the evening of Tuesday, 27 January, I will be joining Laura M. Robinson and Melanie J. Fishbane for an event called “The  Canadian Home Front: L.M. Montgomery’s Reflections on War” at the North York Central Library branch of the Toronto Public Library. I’ll be talking briefly about how Montgomery’s shifting vision of the war appeared in periodicals of the period, not only in terms of some of Montgomery’s essays and letters published prior to the writing of Rilla of Ingleside but also the ways in which all her war books—not only Rilla but also Rainbow Valley, Anne’s House of Dreams, and The Watchman and Other Poems—were reviewed in North American newspapers and magazines. It promises to be a terrific evening, so please join us if you can.

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Montgomery Christmas in Norval!

Benjamin Lefebvre 2 Comments

Please join us in Norval, Ontario, this Saturday, 29 November 2014, for the annual Montgomery Christmas. It’s a fun day of church bazaars, friendly people, and a chance to see the community where Montgomery and her family lived between 1926 and 1935 as well as the church where Montgomery’s husband was a minister throughout that time. I’m really looking forward to the performance of A Kindred Spirit Christmas, created and performed by the newly formed The Spirit of Maud Theatre Company.

I’ll be signing copies of the first two volumes of The L.M. Montgomery Reader at Crawford’s Village Bakery, where I’ll also be stocking up on jams and jellies and preserves, although this year it will be with a heavy heart because the Crawford family has recently announced that the bakery will be closing its doors the next day. Elaine Crawford and Kelly Crawford are the authors of Aunt Maud’s Recipe Book (1996), which deserves to be in everyone’s Montgomery collection.

Please see Deb Quaile’s blog L.M. Montgomery: The Norval Years for more details, and please join us if you can!

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Waterston and Rubio at Wolf Performance Hall, London, Ontario

Benjamin Lefebvre

Vanessa Brown’s article “L.M. Montgomery: Writer of the World” discusses a recent talk by Elizabeth Waterston and Mary Rubio at the Wolf Performance Hall in London, Ontario:

On September 30, supporters and members of Friends of the Library met at the Wolf Performance Hall to hear a talk by Elizabeth Waterston and Mary Rubio, the world’s foremost experts on Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery.

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Jane Urquhart at Toronto Reference Library

Benjamin Lefebvre 3 Comments

On Thursday, 12 November 2009 at 12:30, Jane Urquhart will be speaking at the Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street, just about Bloor Street) about her new book, L.M. Montgomery, part of the Extraordinary Canadians series. For more information about the lecture, go to the website for The eh List Author Series.

Thanks to Elizabeth MacLeod for bringing this to our attention.

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15th Annual Montgomery Christmas in Norval

Benjamin Lefebvre

The following announcement has been made concerning the L.M. Montgomery Christmas in Norval, Ontario. A whole day of activities have been scheduled for Saturday, November 29, 2008:

10:00 am–2:00 pm: Visit country church bazaars and lunches at the Norval Presbyterian Church, Norval United Church and St. Paul’s Anglican Church

1:00 pm–3:00 pm: Meet Dr. Mary Rubio, author of Lucy Maud Montgomery: The Gift of Wings at the L.M. Montgomery Museum at Crawford’s Village Bakeshop

3:00 pm: Watch a re-creation of the 1919 Anne of Green Gables movie at St. Paul’s Parish Hall, cost: $2

7:00 pm: Enjoy an evening at the Norval Presbyterian Church featuring L.M. Montgomery scholars:

  • Dr. Benjamin Lefebvre, University of Alberta
  • Dr. Irene Gammel, Professor, Ryerson University
  • Dr. Edith Smith, Professor Emerita, McMaster University

Music by Jack Hutton, ragtime pianist.

Tickets at the door or in advance, contact kgastle@norvalontario.com, 905-877-7059, cost: $10.

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Literary Lunch with Gammel and Epperly at TPL

Benjamin Lefebvre

The Toronto Public Library will host a Literary Lunch on “All about Anne and Lucy Maud Montgomery” on Thursday, 20 November 2008, between 12:30 and 2:00 PM:

Dr. Irene Gammel introduces her book Looking for Anne: How Lucy Maud Montgomery Dreamed Up a Literary Classic. Dr. Elizabeth Rollins Epperly discusses Imagining Anne: The Island Scrapbooks of L.M. Montgomery. Q&A. Bring your own lunch. Coffee and tea will be provided.

For more information, see the TPL announcement.

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Lectures and Exhibit at Toronto Public Library

Benjamin Lefebvre

The Toronto Public Library will host two lectures and an exhibit in the coming weeks. On 25 September 2008, at 8:00 PM, Mary Rubio will deliver the Second Annual Sybille Pantazzi Memorial Lecture, titled “In Search of My Subject: Writing the Biography of L.M. Montgomery,” in anticipation of her forthcoming biography, Lucy Maud Montgomery: The Gift of Wings, published by Doubleday Canada in late October. The lecture will be given in the Community Room at the Lillian H. Smith branch.

On Thursday, 23 October, at 8 PM, Deirdre Baker will deliver the Twenty-First Helen E. Stubbs Memorial Lecture at the Osborne Collection of Early Children’s Books. Her lecture, titled “L.M. Montgomery at Her Finest and Funniest: How Montgomery Has Kept Us Laughing for a Hundred Years,” will examine Montgomery’s humour to “show how its influence lives on and enlivens contemporary Canadian children’s books.”

The exhibit, “Anne of Green Gables: Celebrating 100 Years in Print,” will be open between 13 September and 5 December 2008. Their description is as follows:

Canada’s best-known novel for children, Anne is a favourite at home and abroad. The retellings continue to proliferate, as succeeding generations of children find fresh appeal in the red-haired heroine. The exhibit will range from formative books enjoyed by Montgomery in her lonely childhood through her own writings, and will include contemporary books that show the enduring influence of Anne.

The Osborne Collection is open 10-6 weekdays, 9-5 Saturdays, closed Sundays and holidays.

Groups welcome; please call ahead: 416-393-7753

Admission to the exhibit and to lectures is free. For more information, see the Events & Exhibits page and the news release on the TPL website.

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Alumni & Friends—Get Involved | University of Guelph

Jason Nolan

Just found this upcoming event for anyone in the Guelph area . . .
Alumni & Friends—Get Involved | University of Guelph

Wednesday, May 21, 2008:  AIA Annual Spring Luncheon
Join the Alumni-In-Action at their Spring Luncheon in the Arboretum. This annual event starts at 11:30 a.m. with a reception with lunch served at 12 noon. At 12:45 pm, Professor Mary Rubio, editor of the LM Montgomery Collection at the University of Guelph will speak on the topic entitled “Anne in the Archives.” 2008 marks the 100th anniversary of the publications of Lucy Maud Montgomerys novel “Anne of Green Gables,” and we have great reason to celebrate at the University of Guelph. The McLaughlin Library is home to the largest archival collection of LM Montgomery personal archival material in the world. Tickets are $20 per person. Registration can be done online, by email, by calling 519 824-4120 ext. 56934 or by mail: Alumni House, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1. Please note that the entrance to the Arboretum is now off College Avenue.

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Chronicles of My Inbox

Benjamin Lefebvre

Today I received notices of three separate L.M. Montgomery events and exhibits and a video.

From Mary Beth Cavert (Minnesota): A link to a page devoted to details and photos of the L.M. Montgomery Literary Society’s first Anne event;

From Rita Bode (Trent University): A notice that Robarts Library of the University of Toronto has launched its own exhibit titled “Picture of Green Gables Farm,” which runs from 21 April to 21 May 2008 on the first floor of the Robarts Library. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the publication of Anne of Green Gables, the collection includes a number of editions, translations, adaptations, other books by the author, and items related to Prince Edward Island.

From Helen Salmon (University of Guelph library): Between 23 and 26 October 2008, the University of Guelph will host “The Cultural Influence of Lucy Maud Montgomery,” a symposium that will focus on Guelph’s extensive archival collection of Montgomery materials:

The university has undertaken an extensive digitization project to make its extensive collection of Montgomery memorabilia—including her private journals, scrapbooks, handiwork, photographs, and other records—more accessible to Montgomery scholars and fans everywhere. The symposium will offer the very first opportunity to explore the newly launched collections website, examine the archival collections first-hand, view an L.M. Montgomery exhibit at the University’s art gallery, and listen to speakers who will explore her impact on readers, writers, and women in the 20th century. Join with Canada’s foremost Montgomery scholars, biographers, enthusiasts, and fans to recognize her world-wide legacy and explore the mystery of her creativity. This four day weekend event will include coach tours to view several of L.M. Montgomery’s residences in Ontario, the opening of an art exhibit,  film viewings, panel discussions, and scholarly presentations which will highlight author’s contributions to literary and popular culture.

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More News on Gammel Book and Exhibit

Benjamin Lefebvre

The “Anne of Green Gables: A Literary Icon at 100” exhibit is now open to the public at Spadina Museum: Historic House and Gardens (285 Spadina Road, open Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00–5:00 PM) until September 2. Be sure to also check out Irene Gammel’s blog for more information and updates. Also, the opening reception for the exhibit will coincide with the book launch for Looking for Anne on 1 May 2008 between 5:30 and 7:30 PM at Spadina Museum: Historic House and Gardens. If you care to attend, please send a message to rsvp@keyporter.com. Finally, Key Porter Books has launched its own website devoted to Looking for Anne, which includes a downloadable extract from the book, an interview with the author, little-known facts, and reviews.

UPDATE: The Key Porter Books website is no longer online.

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Press Release: Ryerson Showcase—The Anne of Green Gables Centenary

Benjamin Lefebvre 1 Comment

Heaslip House, 7th Floor, Ryerson University
Monday, April 7, 9 AM to 7 PM

Program Highlights

Patron Kate Macdonald Butler, Heirs of L.M. Montgomery, will address the audience

Organized by ASC 800 students, Ryerson University, the event involves 30 student and scholar participants from Ryerson and many other universities including University of Alberta, Brock University, Guelph University, University of London (UK), University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, and York University.

Participation by recognized scholars, creative writers, journalists, librarians such as

  • Dr. Hildi Froese Tiessen (Waterloo) & Dr. Paul Tiessen (Wilfrid Laurier), Authors of After Green Gables
  • Dr. Irene Gammel (Ryerson), Author of Looking for Anne
  • Dr. Helen Hoy (Guelph), Author of How Should I Read These?
  • Yuka Kajihara & Dr. Jason Nolan (Ryerson), L. M. Montgomery Research Group
  • Dr. Benjamin Lefebvre (Alberta), L. M. Montgomery Research Group
  • Elizabeth MacLeod (Toronto), Author of Lucy Maud Montgomery
  • Leslie McGrath, Head of Osborne Collection of Children’s Literature, Toronto Public Library
  • Dr. Margaret Steffler (Trent)
  • Judy Stoffman (Toronto Star) and many more

Installation of Anne merchandise (by Ryerson student Laura Brown) and exhibits of new books, cover images, the 1934 Hollywood film, etc.

Exhibit of costume including Anne’s Puffed Sleeves Dress (reconstructed by Ryerson Fashion student Katelyn van Massenhoven)

Original research findings on Hilton Hassell, Toronto illustrator of the first Canadian cover images of Anne of Green Gables, published with Ryerson Press in 1942 and 1964 (presented by Ryerson ACS student Mandy Wilson)

Creative Performances by Anne Shirley (aka Jessica Frey)

Refreshments throughout the day and Reception from 6-7 PM
All welcome free of charge
Book prizes

For more information
http://www.ryerson.ca/mlc/anne/ / click on STUDENTS
* To receive updates, please sign your name in the “Stay in touch” section

Contact
LAURA BROWN (16brown@ryerson.ca) OR
JULIE-ANN WASHINGTON (jwashing@ryerson.ca)
anne100@mlc.ryerson.ca
(416) 979-5000 ext. 4771

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Interviews from Last Night at the ROM

Jason Nolan

Before Green Gables and 100 Years of Anne Shirley

This episode comes to you from the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada, where a large group of people braved a moderate snowstorm to attend the launch of Before Green Gables, the prequel of Anne of Green Gables.

The book launch coincides with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the introduction of Anne Shirley to the world. To mark the occasion, Canada Post has unveiled two new stamps one for Anne Shirley and one for Prince Edward Island, the Royal Canadian Mint unveiled their new Anne Shirley quarter and Girl Guides of Canada have unveiled a new patch.

This episode of Just One More Book includes interviews with author Budge Wilson, editor Helen Reeves, LM granddaughter Kate Macdonald Butler, the Right and Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, LM Montgomery expert Betsy Epperly, publicist Alina Goldstein and the many voices of Anne Shirley enthusiasts.

Visit the site and click on the interview link for the audio.

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100 Years of Anne Celebration at ROM

Benjamin Lefebvre

The following event has been posted on the website of the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto for Tuesday, 12 February 2008, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM:

100 Years of Anne

Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables was published in 1908. This special evening features Budge Wilson, award-winning author of Before Green Gables, and Dr. Elizabeth Epperly, one of the world’s foremost scholars of L.M. Montgomery and editor of Imagining Anne: The Island Scrapbooks of L.M. Montgomery. Kate Macdonald, Montgomery’s granddaughter will be in attendance. The evening will be introduced by the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson. Book signing follows.

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