In 1908, 'Anne of Green Gables' by Lucy Maud Montgomery, who resided in Leaskdale, was published. It's a book "translated into many languages over the years and still read by many people worldwide today," said Kathy Wasylenky, president of the Lucy Maud Montgomery (LMM) Society of Ontario. "It is a book of timeless and ageless appeal."

To mark the milestone, Uxbridge council officially declared 2008 'Hundred Years of Anne' during its Feb. 25 meeting. To celebrate, the LMM Society and Township have events planned this year including an antiques festival in Leaskdale on May 10 and a Hundred Years of Anne festival and garden tour on June 14. Councillor Pat Mikuse, chairwoman of tourism and culture for Uxbridge, also announced at the meeting that the Township has been invited to promote its LMM history at the annual Canadian National Exhibition and is expected to organize a parade for the event.

Meanwhile, Ms. Wasylenky noted last year's Township-assisted purchase of the original Leaskdale Presbyterian Church, which was attended by the author and ministered by her husband in the early-1900s, "has been most rewarding." She added the LMM Society received a $24,000 grant from New Horizons for various projects. "The major part of the money will go towards a looping visual presentation at the entrance... for more information on Leaskdale and Lucy Maud Montgomery," she noted.

This is also the first year the LMM manse, where the author resided near the church, has furniture in it. "It's not an empty space to visit," said Ms. Wasylenky.