Leaskdale's annual event, Lucy Maud Montgomery Day was held on Saturday, October 20th, 2001.
Leaskdale is the village where L.M. Montgomery lived from 1911 to 1926. She arrived there with her husband, Reverend Ewan Macdonald, just after their month-long honeymoon in England and Scotland. The Leaskdale Presbyterian Manse was the newlywed couple's house of dreams, "It was our home and I was its mistress" (Vol.II, p. 83).
This year's LMM day was organized by the L.M. Montgomery comittee and Cordially Yours Club members. The wonderful day was tinged with regret. It is deeply sad for me not to see Wilda Clark and Harold Clark anymore. Both had been a long-time tireless volunteers of the manse renovation project, and Wilda was a great adviser for the LMM comittee. She was the person who started to contact with governments in order to preserve the manse as LMM's home. After all, in 1997 the Canadian government recognised the manse as a national historic site and Cordially Yours Club was established in the same year. However, without seeing the manse under the renovation, Wilda passed away in December 2000, then one month later her husband followed her.
The LMM day was cloudy. Yet, our hearts were light and clear. My super-partner, Jason drove a mini van for Ben, Kelly and me. Ben recently received his masters degree of English from the Guelph University, for which he edited Montgomery's unpublished MSS The Blythes are Quoted. Kelly is a researcher with much interest in LMM. I am so called myself 'a long term LMM admirer'.
Less than one hour driving from downtown Toronto, the view changed drastically from many high-rise buildings to shining golden coloured trees. I enjoyed seeing silos, cows, horses, farms & wavy hills, and felt as if we were back to LMM's period.
We arrived at the Leaskdale church at 11:00. As the parking lot was full, we parked our van on the busy street beside the church. Here's what happened next:
|
|
When we entered the church, Kate Macdonald Butler was talking to many people sitting in pews. Kate is one of LMM's grandchildren ( LMM's youngest son, Stuart's daughter). In her speech, Kate called LMM "Grandmother Maud". Her talk reminded me of letters from Emily to her father in the Emily series. Kate quoted some passeges of LMM's love of nature from the entries of the Leaskdale period in the LMM's journals. After Kate returned to her seat, Luella Veijalainen spontaneously stepped on the platform. Luella's round face resembles her father, Chester who was LMM's first son. She looked at Kate with a mischievous smile, saying that LMM asked Luella not to call her "grandmother". LMM liked to be called "Donny" by Luella. "Donny" is from Macdonald, Luella added. I think that there was some mention about this term 'Donny' before we got there, because Kate then commented that though she'd heard the phrase 'Donny' she didn't know how it came to be. LMM loved her first grandchild Luella (born in May 17, 1934) so much that called her "Pussy":
|
|
|
This year's special activity was the unveiling of the Leaskdale Presbyterian Manse scale model by Kate Macdonald Butler. The historically accurate circa 1911-1926 model was created by Edward Powel. Mr. Powell used to work for the Quebec government to create historical models and who is famous for his detailed handmade dolls, including LMM's characters. He spent approximately 900 hours for this model. His work is simply amazing. When the model was uncovered, the people at the church spontaneously cheered and clapped! The model is complete with outbuildings, landscaped grounds and gardens. I was told that this accurate model is one of the greatest resources for Parks Canada which recently started renovation work for the manse. I could not take my eyes off it. Now we can easily imagine the old days when LMM lived there. Even LMM's horse was visible in the barn at the back! And garden looked lovely. I hope that near future the manse will be restored like this model and open the door to the LMM fans. |
 Me & Mrs. Elsie Bushby Davidson. She is now 98 years old! |
In the church,
I had a chance to talk with Elsie Bushby Davidson. It was my 4th meeting
with her. In the 20s, she worked for and lived with L.M. Montgomery
in the manse.
"Are you the person who found Lucky (LMM's beloved cat) when he was missing?" I asked Elsie with smile. "Oh, yes. I found him" she smiled back. "Cats used to visit my room." Elsie pointed to the model with her cane to show the location of her room: on the second floor, facing to the garden. "Do you remember the horse? Did Montgomery drive her?" "Yes, she did. I also drove the horse to take my friend who wanted to see girlfriends." "In which room did Montgomery write?" "Mainly, here." Elsie pointed toward the parlour (left side room from the main entrance) . My friend, Mrs. Otake from Japan told Elsie that her father was now in his 80s. With a big smile Elsie responded that he was still a chick! I explained the meaning to Mrs. Otake. Her eyes were stared at me in round-eyed with amazement. Elsie told us that she wanted at least to live up to 100. Elsie is such a lovely lady. She has full of humour and is as feisty as ever. No wonder LMM liked her. |
|
The special lunchon was happened in the basement of the church. About 100 people gathered. Mr. & Mrs. Otake, Kelly, Ben, Jason and I sat around the table. Kelly was so curious about Anne's popularity in Japan that asked many questions to Mr. & Mrs. Otake. They have often visited Anne & LMM related sites all over PEI and Ontario, including Leaskdale, Bala and Norval. The volunteers served us their delicious handmade sweets, sandwitches and drinks. The profit on this day was going to the fund of the Leaskdale Manse renovation project. |
Mr. Otake told us that he was particularly impressed by the volunteers' work and he felt that LMM was a respected writer and well accepted minister's wife by the people of Leaskdale. |
I also met Elizabeth MacLeod, the author of Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life. It is a wonderful little book for young readers. I recommend it to kids who are fans of Anne, and who want to know something about LMM. It is available from Kids Can Press. Just because we corresponded through email before meeting face to face, I felt warm feelings from her. I received her autograph for a copy of her book. This is my treasure now.
In the basement, I was a happily surprised to meet Wilda's daughter.
She was one of volunteers. When I looked at her, I could see Wilda in
her face. And I could hear her mother's warmth in her voice, especially
when she said, "My mother often talked about you and many Montgomery
fans in Japan. She must have brought happy memories of Japanese friends
with her to heaven." I deeply miss Wilda. Yet, I am glad to see many
volunteers including Wilda's daughter who are now following the path Wilda
started.
----------
A few days later, I heard that the LMM day event was truly successful.
First time in their history they made a profit! Don't miss your chance
to go next year.
For more information on the Leaskdala Manse, L.M.Montogmery and Cordially Yours Club, please visit at http://www.town.uxbridge.on.ca/history/historicSites/lmm/lmm.htm
Text copyright 2001 Yuka KajiharaAphotographs by Jason Nolan
|
|
|
|