Apr 11, 2008 - 08:48 AM

By Jeff Hayward

UXBRIDGE -- If Lucy Maud Montgomery was alive today, she'd likely be thrilled how popular her first published book remains a century after its release.

Uxbridge has officially declared 2008 '100 Years of Anne', to commemorate the introduction of 'Anne of Green Gables' by the famous Canadian author, who resided and wrote half of her 22 novels in Leaskdale.

Shelley Macbeth, owner of Blue Heron Books, proudly displays at her store a 1914 copy of Anne of Green Gables, on loan from customer Lenore Hawley. The book was produced by New York publisher Grosset and Dunlap, now a division of Penguin Group, which recreated the novel for 2008. The new edition sits on display next to the 1914 copy, of which limited copies were printed. Internet resources suggest the 94-year-old book could fetch close to $1,000 on today's collector market.

The 100th anniversary has re-kindled excitement about the original novel, said Ms. Macbeth. "It's still a book that resonates today... it's the orphan story," she said.

Barbara Pratt, a LMM Society member, explained the author's husband, Reverend Ewan Macdonald, never took much stock in his wife's writing. "He never read her books," said Ms. Pratt. "He never said he was proud of her." It was Ms. Montgomery that supported their upscale lifestyle, she added. "She supported him... she was making good money and he was not."

Ms. Macbeth added many kids who have never heard of Anne are taking interest this year. On Thursday, April 17, about 600 Grade 5 and 6 students from around the region, including Uxbridge, will get a taste of the life of Lucy Maud Montgomery. During that day, the students will meet another author, Nova Scotia's Budge Wilson, who released her book 'Before Green Gables' to mark the centennial occasion. Tour guides dressed in period costume will lead the children through the Leaskdale manse, where Ms. Montgomery lived with her husband from 1911 to 1926. The students will also engage in craft-making.

The evening of April 17 will see another event take place in the original Leaskdale Presbyterian Church, where Ms. Montgomery's husband was minister. The LMM Society acquired the church from the congregation, with the help of a loan from the Township, in early 2007. Special guests for the evening affair, kicking off at 8 p.m. include Ms. Montgomery's granddaughter, Kate Macdonald Butler, Budge Wilson, and Professor Rollins Epperly, the editor of 'Imagining Anne: The Island Scrapbooks of LMM'. The evening will include music, readings, book signing and refreshments. The admission price for the evening at $50 (or $75 for two) includes a signed copy of 'Imagining Anne'.

Not long after, on May 10, the second annual Festival of Antiques and Artisans will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Leaskdale manse and church. The festival will feature 42 antique dealers and artisans offering items such as furniture, glassware, fine china, linens, jewelry and more. Two professional appraisers, John Lord and Heather Friesen, will also be in attendance. Visitors are invited to take their own items to the pair for appraisals for $20 per item.

Downtown merchants are gearing up for the following month, with a two-day LMM party planned for downtown Uxbridge and Leaskdale over June 14 and 15. The party will feature an Anne look-a-like contest, with the winner invited to Uxbridge's Anne of Green Gables booth at the Canadian National Exhibition this year. Downtown shops will feature Anne specials, with games and entertainment including pond fishing, pony and wagon rides, soapbox derby, and more. Vintage cars and airplanes will also be on display. "What we want is (for patrons) to walk down the street and feel like they're in 1908," said Ms. Macbeth. Admission to the downtown street party is free, she noted.

A tour of six gardens in Leaskdale will be available during that time, and Ms. Montgomery's own garden will be the site of a feast of strawberries and cream. Both events can be attended for the price of $20.

The York-Durham Heritage Railway is offering special rides between Uxbridge and Goodwood that weekend at $12 per passenger or $40 for a family of four.

Proceeds from the events will go toward upgrades of the Leaskdale manse and church, noted Ms. Pratt. Those planning to attend the April 17 evening event are requested to call or e-mail to reserve as space is limited, at 905-852-3517, 905-852-7493, or barbara_pratt@hotmail.com.

Ms. Pratt and others from the LMM Society will be heading to Prince Edward Island, the birthplace of Lucy Maud Montgomery, from June 21 to 24 for celebrations surrounding the author there.

For more information on events, visit www.lucymaudmontgomery.ca.