IFOA PARRY SOUND 2011

The Charles W. Stockey centre rang with the voices of four internationally renowned authors on Wednesday evening, as Patrick de Witt, Will Ferguson, Helen Humphreys and Madeleine Thien read from their most recent books. The performance hall was filled with enthusiastic readers who enjoyed an evening spent with these impassioned authors.

The evening was sponsored by Seguin Township, John Sallinen of Remax Real Estate, Dr. Robert Guthrie, Barb Kerr of Investors Group, Dr. Colin Shapiro, Canadore College, Distler Construction, Parry Sound Books, Roy Hardie & Kerrie Mutrie of GED Achievement, Dr Margaret & Dr. Chris Ibey, Dr. Dennis Stern, Dr. Brad Hunkin & Dr. Maureen Thompson, Dr. Dan and Dr. Kathleen Moquin, Scotiabank, The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, and The Town of Parry Sound. Some of the sponsors joined the local committee for dinner prior to the reading for an opportunity to meet the authors before the evening began.

Patrick deWitt was surprised to find that Judy Cameron of Pointe au Baril had a photograph of his mother to show him – Judy and Patrick’s mother were childhood friends who have recently re-connected.

Will Ferguson was greeted by a couple who were his host family when he worked for Canada World Youth.

Madeleine Thien lives in Berlin with author Rawi Hage who read from his first novel, DeNiro’s Game, here in 2006 at the  Stockey Centre. Madeleine passed along his greetings, saying she now understands why Rawi talks so often about his wonderful experience in Parry Sound!

Helen Humphreys. who has read at the Stockey Centre twice before, has many fans in Parry Sound who were happy to welcome her once again.

This was the fourth time Parry Sound has hosted the International Festival of Authors, and they plan to return about this time of year again in 2012. Both our spectacular landscape and the exceptional venue of the Charles W. Stockey Centre make Parry Sound a top stop on this Literary Festival road trip.