slloyd's blog

The PEI news media continues to take a healthy interest in the Conference and things Montgomery:

- CBC PEI has stories about the Friends of the LMMI and the Anne in China initiative;

- The Guardian (Charlottetown) captured some of the enjoyment of the Conference's first (full) day with this photo.

The newly-formed Friends of the LM Montgomery Institute, and their inaugural fundraiser, a Silent Auction running during the Conference, are featured on CBC-TV Charlottetown's Compass newscast (obligatory viewing for all Islanders and Islanders-at-heart). The Friends can be seen in the coveted "You're Watching Compass" intro spot, with the full story at about the 17min50sec mark. Head to http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/PEI/ and look for the "Compass June 20" video file. 

Thanks to Ryan Hicks and Denis Calnan (and the Friends themselves, of course) for a great story.

Though not, technically, a Conference event, Wednesday morning's Epperly Plaza Dedication was a huge success, with the sun breaking through at just the right moment, and nearly 100 people (including many Conference attendees) on hand. Betsy gave a beautiful, heartfelt speech dedicating the space to important women in her life, including her mother and (of course) Maud. It was wonderful to see so many Kindreds on hand, and we're excited to see more of you in the days ahead!

UPDATE:

-- Lovely article and photo by Jim Day of The Guardian

We note, with pleasure and appreciation, the interest shown by Prince Edward Island media in the Conference -- before it's even begun!

-- The Guardian newspaper has this story on its Website, highlighting young international scholars attending the Conference. 

-- Arts and entertainment journal The Buzz has this piece on Montgomery's "cultural memory". 

-- CBC-TV Charlottetown's Compass supper-hour newscast included a short interview on June 19 with Conference Co-Chair Simon Lloyd.  

The Guardian (Charlottetown) reports today that the Duchess of Cambridge spoke more about her love of Anne while meeting Tess Benger, the actress portraying Anne in this year's production of Anne of Green Gables: The Musical. Ms. Benger presented a copy of the book to the Duchess, who remarked that she was looking forward to reading it again.

CBC News' Ryan Hicks reports (via Twitter - http://yfrog.com/user/ryhicks/profile) that a young girl presented the Duchess with an early-edition Anne of Avonlea at the Charlottetown waterfront Monday morning; she later told reporters that the Duchess plans to "read it on the plane."

Somebody buy that girl a cordial!

Update (July 5): The very pleasant and helpful Mr. Hicks confirms that the astute young gift-giver's name is Lily Gillespie. Here is a photo -- also courtesy of Mr. Hicks -- of Lily being interviewed after the presentation.

The L.M. Montgomery Institute is pleased to join in welcoming Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, to Prince Edward Island July 3 - 4 (http://www.gov.pe.ca/royaltour/). As part of The Guardian (Charlottetown) team covering the Island leg of the tour, kindred spirit Jocelyne Lloyd was privileged to meet the Duchess at a media reception in Charlottetown July 3rd, and asked Her Highness about her reported love of Anne Shirley. The Duchess confirmed that she had been a fan ever since reading Anne of Green Gables at age 8, and remarked: "It's every little girl's dream to be Anne, I think." Montgomery's tradition of winning admirers in high places continues (to learn more, read this fine essay by Mary Beth Cavert: http://home.earthlink.net/~bcavert/id35.html) 

The following message is posted on behalf of the the LM Montgomery Society of Ontario:

TO ALL WHO APPRECIATE THE PRESERVATION OF THE HERITAGE OF L.M. MONTGOMERY:

The Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario has worked hard to preserve both the home of L.M. Montgomery in Leaskdale, a National Historic Site, and the nearby church that was an important part of her life. Four years ago the Society took out a $200,000 loan to buy the Church, and through a lot of hard work have reduced the mortgage to less than $80,000.

Please help us to preserve in Leaskdale, Ontario, the heritage of Lucy Maud Montgomery, an author whose legacy has touched so many Canadians and people around the world. 

We would like you to help us BURN A MORTGAGE!