A Green Gables Christmas

This weekend, the Green Gables Heritage Place is holding a festive event called "A Green Gables Christmas." It is their third annual Christmas event, and this year they are also celebrating L.M. Montgomery’s 150th birthday.

Visitors will have the chance to meet with Anne Shirley and view the beautifully decorated Green Gables House. The event will also feature cookie decorating, carolers, a snow globe light display, food and drinks, and a group dance.

A Green Gables Christmas takes place on November 30 to December 1, 2024 at the Green Gables Heritage Place on 8619 Route 6 in Cavendish, PEI. Adult tickets cost $18.75 CAD, and admission is free for children under 17 (accompanied by an adult). Visitors can also purchase a Green Gables Christmas mini photo session and have special holiday photos taken in the Green Gables house for $120 CAD.

Event details:

Families and friends are invited to the third annual Christmas event at Green Gables! It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore Anne’s house, beautifully decorated for the holidays, while enjoying a variety of fun activities together.

Throughout the day, guests will have the chance to meet Anne, who will be greeting visitors and adding a special touch to the festivities!

Children can get creative by decorating Christmas cookies, listening to cheerful carolers, and capturing memories at the enchanting snow globe light display. There’s plenty of entertainment for everyone—kids will love the Tunes and Tall Tales read-and-sing holiday story, along with a special performance by The Nest, a multilingual children's music studio, happening on both Saturday and Sunday!

All attendees can indulge in yummy sweets and warm drinks provided throughout the event. And they won’t want to miss the chance to celebrate L.M. Montgomery’s 150th birthday with a festive birthday celebration and a fun guided group dance to cap off the day!

10:30 am - 11:00 am: Tunes & Tall Tales
11:00 am - 11:45 am: Live Music
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm: TBD
12:30 pm - 1:00 pm: UPEI Carolers
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Tunes & Tall Tales
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm: Montgomery's Birthday Celebration
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm: The Nest with Madame Abbey
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Group Dance with Historical Dance Society

It looks like such a fun way to start off the holiday season!

Official Websites:
A Green Gables Christmas - Celebrating Montgomery’s 150th Birthday - learn about the event at the Tourism PEI website
A Green Gables Christmas - Book tickets for the event at the Tourism Cavendish Beach website
A Green Gables Christmas – Celebrating Montgomery’s 150th Birthday at the Inspiring World of L.M. Montgomery: A Literary Tour website

Image Credit:
Photograph of Anne Shirley decorating the Christmas tree at Green Gables Heritage Place from A Green Gables Christmas – Celebrating Montgomery’s 150th Birthday.

Created November 25, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Behind the Veil: A Lucy Maud Concert Experience

Behind the Veil: A Lucy Maud Concert Experience is a new show produced in celebration of L.M. Montgomery's 150th birthday. The show was created by Alicia Toner and Mike Ross as a "song cycle," a collection of songs performed in sequence. Behind the Veil is made up of songs that blend Lucy Maud Montgomery's journal entries, letters, and poetry with original songwriting. Produced by Harmony House, the concert aims to pull back the veil to reveal L.M. Montgomery's true spirit and to celebrate her life and love of Prince Edward Island.

The show premieres today on November 15, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. The ensemble cast features Julain Molnar, Brielle Ansems, Carlie Howell, Alicia Toner, Mike Ross, and Garrett Sherwood. Five additional performances will take place on November 16th at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., on November 22nd at 8:00 p.m., and on November 23rd at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Tickets for the 2-hour concert cost $40.00. Harmony House is located at 19814 Route 2, Hunter River, PE C0A 1N0.

You can listen to Alicia Toner and Mike Ross discuss the show in an interview by Matt Rainnie on CBC Mainstreet. It sounds like such a special event!

Official Website
Harmony House

Image Credit:
Image advertising Behind the Veil: A Lucy Maud Concert Experience from Harmony House.

Created November 15, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

#Maud150 Events at Acadia University

Later this month, two #Maud150 events will take place at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada to commemorate L.M. Montgomery's 150th birthday.

The first is a speech by Dr. Brenton Dickieson of the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). He will present a talk titled, "Friends, Lovers, and Revivalist Shudders: L.M. Montgomery and Baptists" in the Reading Room of the Vaughan Memorial Library on November 18, 2024 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. The speech is free and open to the public.

Here is the description of the talk from the Acadia University website:

Acadia celebrates L.M. Montgomery's 150th birthday with a free talk titled "Friends, Lovers, and Revivalist Shudders: L.M. Montgomery and Baptists" by Dr. Brenton Dickieson (UPEI) in the Reading Room of Vaughan Memorial Library from 7-8 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

One of L.M. Montgomery’s more vividly drawn characters had “a holy horror of Methodists.” The main characters in the Anne series are thoroughly Presbyterian, but Montgomery has some fun playing with the cultural differences between the various Protestant denominations. The Cavendish Baptist church was part of Montgomery’s everyday life growing up, and she found herself frequenting the Baptists during her latter years in Toronto. Despite these connections, there were times when Montgomery’s journals reveal something like “a holy horror of Baptists.” From broken engagements to a threat of police action, a peek at Montgomery’s imagination of “Baptists” invites us to think about particular cultural moments in Eastern Canadian history and to enjoy her peculiar sense of religious humour that shapes our religious social imagination.

As a theologian of literature, Dr. Dickieson (UPEI) writes the popular website, A Pilgrim in Narnia, which explores the intersections of faith, fantasy, and fiction. With more than 2,000,000 views and fostering significant networks within the scholarly and readerly worlds of C.S. Lewis and the Inklings, Brenton has created a powerful platform for considering the literary, spiritual, and theological interest of some of our most famous world-builders, including C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, L.M. Montgomery, and others. Brenton also is the host of Maudcast: the official podcast of the L.M. Montgomery Institute at University of Prince Edward Island.

The second #Maud150 event is a mini-conference that will be held at the university. On November 25th and 27th, the honours and master's students enrolled in the course on "Adapting L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables" will host a mini-conference and present their research on L.M. Montgomery and Anne of Green Gables to the community. The conference will take place from 4:00-5:20 p.m. on November 25th and 27th in BAC203. This event is open to the public according to Acadia University's calendar of events.

Image Credit:
Poster advertising Brenton Dickieson's speech from Acadia University.

Created November 15, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Rare Anne of Green Gables Book at the Empire State Rare Book and Print Fair

The Empire State Rare Book and Print Fair is taking place this weekend at the City College of New York in New York City. The fair opened yesterday (September 27, 2024), and will continue through September 29th.

Among the many rare items offered is a first printing of Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery in one of five surviving jackets from 1909 or earlier. The book is valued at $40,000.

What a special treasure for a book collector.


Location:
The Great Hall, Shepard Hall,
City College of New York,
160 Convent Ave,
New York, NY 10031

Official Website:
Fine Book Fairs

Image Credit:
Photograph of select books featured at the The Empire State Rare Book and Print Fair from Fine Books & Collections.

Reference:
Empire State Rare Book & Print Fair Opens Today. (2024, September 27). Fine Books & Collections. Retrieved from: https://www.finebooksmagazine.com/fine-books-news/empire-state-rare-book-print-fair-opens-today.

Created September 28, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

L.M. Montgomery's 150th Birthday Events in Norval, Ontario

Over the coming months, there will be several events held in Norval, Ontario to celebrate L.M Montgomery's 150th birthday.

September 29, 2024 - Culture Days
Visitors are welcome at St. Paul's Anglican Church (14 Adamson St.), The Norval Studios and Gallery (Parish Hall, 16 Adamson St.), and the Caretaker’s Cottage (404 Draper St.), located next to the Manse where L.M. Montgomery once lived.

October 19, 2024 - Find my Fictional Maud: A Conversation with Melanie J. Fishbane
A book talk and signing with Melanie J. Fishbane, author of Maud: A Novel Inspired by the Life of L.M. Montgomery, will take place at 2 p.m. at the Norval Studios and Gallery. Read this article to learn more about with Fishbane's book and the event.

November 23, 2024 - The Kitchen of L.M. Montgomery
John Ota, author of The Kitchen, will give a book talk and sign copies of his book at 2 p.m in Parish Hall. Ota's book examines famous kitchens in history, and his speech will explore three of L.M. Montgomery's kitchens. Ota has visted L.M. Montgomery's kitchens in Norval, the Leaskdale Manse, and the Toronto Manse and welcomes questions from the audience. Read this article to learn more info about Ota's work and the event.

November 30, 2024 - Montgomery Christmas Sale
A Christmas sale will take place on L.M. Montgomery's 150th birthday. St. Paul’s Anglican Church and St. Elias The Prophet Ukranian Church (10193 Heritage Rd.) will host church bazaars from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Janet Wilson, author of Maud of Green Gables, will have a book signing at St. Paul’s Anglican Church. The Norval Studios will be open for shopping on November 30th and December 1st from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Read more about these events at Halton Hills Today.


Image credit:
Book covers of Maud: A Novel Inspired by the Life of L.M. Montgomery by Melanie J. Fishbane, The Kitchen: A Journey Through History in Search of the Perfect Design by John Ota, and Maud of Green Gables: How L.M. Montgomery's Anne Enchanted the World by Janet Wilson.

References:
Tanweer, Mansoor. (November 18, 2024). Author to entertain Norval guests about Lucy Maud Montgomery’s kitchens. HaltonHillsToday.ca. Retrieved from: https://www.haltonhillstoday.ca/local-news/author-to-entertain-norval-guests-about-lucy-maud-montgomerys-kitchens-9802934

Tanweer, Mansoor. (October 17, 2024). Author coming to Norval for chat about Lucy Maud Montgomery. HaltonHillsToday.ca. Retrieved from: https://www.haltonhillstoday.ca/local-news/author-coming-to-norval-for-chat-about-lucy-maud-montgomery-9648514

Tanweer, Mansoor. (September 11, 2024). Norval celebrating Lucy Maud Montgomery's 150th birthday. HaltonHillsToday.ca. Retrieved from: https://www.haltonhillstoday.ca/local-news/norval-celebrating-lucy-maud-montgomerys-150th-birthday-9473840

Created September 17, 2024. Last updated November 19, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Call Me Maud Exhibit

In commemoration of L.M. Montgomery's 150th birthday this year, Kawartha Lakes Economic Development is presenting an exhibit titled "Call Me Maud." The exhibit explores L.M. Montgomery's life and includes information on her surprising connection to Kawartha Lakes.

The exhibit opened on July 23, 2024 and is located on the second floor of the Kawartha Lakes City Hall at 26 Francis Street in Lindsay, Ontario. Visitors can view the exhibit from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until November 29, 2024. Admission is free of charge.

The Call Me Maud exhibit is based on research by Dr. Christy Woster who wrote an essay called "L.M. Montgomery and the Railway King of Canada" that was published in The Shining Scroll newsletter for the L.M. Montgomery Literary Society in 2005. In her article, Woster described how L.M. Montgomery’s father's second wife Mary Ann McRae was originally from the Kirkfield area in Kawartha Lakes. McRae was the niece of Sir William Mackenzie, the famous Canadian railway contractor and entrepreneur from Kirkfield. During the years that Montgomery lived in Ontario, she would often visit the Mackenzie estate, and she wrote about these visits in her journals.

To accompany the Call Me Maud exhibit, Kawartha Lakes Economic Development will present a virtual talk and in-person tea event on August 18, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. with support from the Kirkfield and District Historical Society and Museum. Dr. Emily Woster will give a virtual presentation on L.M. Montgomery's connection to Kirkfield and her time in Ontario. This event will take place at 992 Portage Road in Kirkfield, Ontario at the Kirkfield and District Museum and Historical Society. Refreshments will be served from L.M. Montgomery's personal recipe book. Tickets for the event cost $25.

The Call Me Maud exhibit webpage features four recipes from L.M. Montgomery's original ledger that were passed down through her family to Elaine Crawford and her daughter, Kelly Crawford. You can download PDFs for L.M. Montgomery's recipes for Marion's orange cake, Boston cookies, applesauce cake, and lemon crumbles. These recipes (and many more) were included in Elaine and Kelly Crawford's book Aunt Maud’s Recipe Book: From the Kitchen of L.M. Montgomery.


Official Website:
Call Me Maud Exhibit

Image Credit:
Image from the Call Me Maud Exhibit website.

References:
'Call Me Maud' Lucy Maud Montgomery exhibit comes to Lindsay. (2024, July 24). Kawartha Lakes. Retrieved from: https://www.kawarthalakes.ca/en/news/call-me-maud-lucy-maud-montgomery-exhibit-comes-to-lindsay.aspx.

Head, Bruce. (2024, July 24). New exhibit explores ‘Anne of Green Gables’ author’s connection to Kawartha Lakes. kawarthaNOW. Retrieved from: https://kawarthanow.com/2024/07/24/new-exhibit-explores-anne-of-green-gables-authors-connection-to-kawartha-lakes/.

Created July 30, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

A Nod to Maud Events Celebrating L.M. Montgomery's 150th Birthday in Leaskdale, Ontario

The Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario (LMMSO) is celebrating L.M. Montgomery’s 150th birthday with special “A Nod to Maud” events throughout 2024. Following L.M. Montgomery's wedding, she and her husband Ewen moved to Leaskdale, Ontario, a town located north of Uxbridge. They lived there in the Leaskdale Manse for 15 years.

Check the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario’s website for updates to their "A Nod to Maud” calendar of events.

Here are some of the highlights:

Throughout July and August, the LMMSO will hold their annual Summer Luncheon Teas at the Historic Leaskdale Church.

June 15, 2024 - Gardens of Uxbridge Tour.

July 21, 2024 - Downtown Summer Social - Actors dressed as Anne of Green Gables and Lucy Maud Montgomery will be at various locations in downtown Uxbridge and at the Farmer’s Market to meet fans and pose for photos. There will be an Anne of Green Gables look-a-like contest at Blue Heron Books and special displays in storefront windows. For more of the events, see this article by the Uxbridge Times-Journal.

August 15, August 17, and August 18, 2024 - The LMMSO will present a one-woman play called Maud of Leaskdale starring Jennifer Carroll as L.M. Montgomery at the Historic Leaskdale Church. On August 15th, attendees can enjoy dinner theatre beginning at 6:00 pm featuring a menu chosen from Maud’s time for $60. On August 17 and 18th at 3:00 PM, attendees can see the matinee show for $25.

November 30, 2024 - Maud’s Birthday Party in Leaskdale.

December 8, 2024 - The finale of "A Nod to Maud" includes a skating party at the Uxbridge Arena and cupcakes for all.


Official Website:
The Official Website of the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario

Image credit:
Poster for "A Nod to Maud" from The Official Website of the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario

References:
A 150th birthday party: Uxbridge celebrates Lucy Maud Montgomery on July 21. (2024, July 13). Uxbridge Times Journal. Retrieved from: https://www.durhamregion.com/things-to-do/a-150th-birthday-party-uxbridge-celebrates-lucy-maud-montgomery-on-july-21/article_86d97a65-d538-5fc4-b588-41b989e879ce.html.

Boyce, Conrad. (2024, July 19). Huge ‘nod to Maud’ happening with festivities this weekend. Penticton Herald. Retrieved from: https://www.pentictonherald.ca/spare_news/article_77417c4c-1ff3-595a-8b32-6c0dad73eb17.html.

Uxbridge marking 150th birthday of Lucy Maud Montgomery. (2024, July 10). Durham Post. Retrieved from: https://durhampost.ca/uxbridge-marking-150th-birthday-of-lucy-maud-montgomery.

Created July 11, 2024. Last updated July 19, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com