Richard James Moore: January 13, 1933-September 13, 2011

My father was a talented, intelligent, dedicated man with a love of family and an unwavering sense of ethics.  We thought him unstoppable, because he could fix anything: cars, lawn mowers, furnaces, washing machines . . . and of course the myriad of problems and messes we found ourselves in while growing up.  Dad was my compass, and an inspiration, both in my life and in my writing.  His values sustained me through a world that often demanded challenges and choices of me that tested my sense of fairness.  With his strength, I never waivered in my determination to do what is right.

While in the end, he did not prove absolutely unstoppable, my father's spirit and indominatable sense of values will prove unstoppable in those he left behind.  My brothers, my sister, and my Mom will remember him for his love and strength, and his dedication to family, for he was always there for us.

To those who joined the long line-up at the funeral home in Kingston to attend my dad's funeral, we thank you.  You gave heart to a greiving family, who understood fully on that difficult day, just how loved my father was in his lifetime, and how respected he is beyond. 

Richard James Moore

Richard James Moore: January 13, 1933-September 13, 2011

My father was a talented, intelligent, dedicated man with a love of family and an unwavering sense of ethics.  We thought him unstoppable, because he could fix anything: cars, lawn mowers, furnaces, washing machines . . . and of course the myriad of problems and messes we found ourselves in while growing up.  Dad was my compass, and an inspiration, both in my life and in my writing.  His values sustained me through a world that often demanded challenges and choices of me that tested my sense of fairness.  With his strength, I never waivered in my determination to do what is right.

While in the end, he did not prove absolutely unstoppable, my father's spirit and indominatable sense of values will prove unstoppable in those he left behind.  My brothers, my sister, and my Mom will remember him for his love and strength, and his dedication to family, for he was always there for us.

To those who joined the long line-up at the funeral home in Kingston to attend my dad's funeral, we thank you.  You gave heart to a greiving family, who understood fully on that difficult day, just how loved my father was in his lifetime, and how respected he is beyond. 

Richard James Moore

Words of the Season is Wednesday!

The Fall Season is upon us and Words of the Season returns!  I will be reading at this special event, and looking forward to seeing the other 12 writers and musicians perform as well.  Come out and cheer us on!  Here are the details:

WORDS of the SEASON in Poetry, Prose and Song is a celebration of local writers and musicians!

Read, sing or come along to cheer and celebrate the season!

 

Words of the Season in Poetry, Prose and Song

Date & Time: Wednesday, September 7, 7:00 pm - 9:00pm.

Place:  Jimmy O’Toole’s, 121 Brock Street South, Whitby (South of Dundas St. & North of Colbourn St. on the east side)

Admission:      FREE!

Each reader/performer will be allowed 5 minutes. 

Please pre-register for readings at: michael@durhamtheatrefestival.com

Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Hope to see you there!

Polar Explorer Wins a Gemini

I am so pleased to announce that the Polar Explorer documentary, on which I was proud to be credited as an Associate Producer, has won the Gemini Humanitarian Award. This incredible film, which the UN has designated environmental film of the year for 2011, has made a significant difference in the way climate change is viewed by UN countries. Filmmaker and explorer Mark Terry has proven, with his footage and comparisons of the Arctic and Antarctic, that the rate of polar ice melting is indeed accelerating.

Check out Mark's web site at:

http://www.polarexplorerfilm.com/

And for those you who still have not seen this amazing film, there are two screenings upcoming in the Durham region in November, one at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and an intimate evening screening at Ezra Annes Inn. I will post details of these screenings in future posts, or you can contact Mike Khashmanian at the Durham Theatre Festival at micheal@durhamtheatrefestival.com.

Congratulations to Mark Terry, and fellow producers and supporters for this important film, Dianne Schwalm, Jeff Steiner, Jordana Aarons, Mark Romoff, Shirley J. Mein Cox, Holly Lee, John Kelly, Sarah Haney, Mike Khashmanian and Bill Humber.

Ian Brown at WCDR September Breakfast!

The WCDR Breakfast Series is starting up on September 10, and the line-up this year is impressive!  Ian Brown, renowned non-fiction writer and author of The Boy in the Moon will be speaking in September.  We also have authors Wayson Choy and Suzanne Desrocher lined up for later in the 2011/12 season.  Check it out at: http://wcdr.ca/wcdr/  Hope to see you there!  You don't have to be a member to come out and have fun, and you don't have to be a writer to enjoy these events.

WCDR also has been busy this year forming partnerships and holding workshops designed to help emerging writers connect with a publisher.  The sessions with Robyn Read of Freehand Books in August proved inspirational to many, and the upcoming Algonkian Novel Writing conference at http://www.algonkian-niagara.com/ offers a $100 discount to WCDR members! 

There's lots more to see at the WCDR link above, including writing events, workshops, speaking engagements and other fun stuff, including Words of the Season on September 7 in Whitby!

Words of the Season Is Back!

Whitby is the site of the next Words of the Season, held by Mike Khashmanian of the Durham Theatre Festival, and sponsored by the Writers' Community of Durham Region.  I am delighted to be reading again on September 7, at Jimmy O'Toole's, 121 Brock Street South.  Hope to see you there!  Local writers and musicians will be offering you their words and entertainment, and if you wish to read yourself, contact Mike at DTF at michael@durhamtheatrefestival.com.  Looking forward to the event, and to seeing fellow writers and lovers of words and music!

WCDR continues to rock!

I am proud to be part of the Writers' Community of Durham Region, serving as Vice President this year, as well as Workshop Coordinator.  What a fine group of artists and writers, and every meeting and event confirms this for me!  The WCDR Slam competition was a whole lot of fun, and I was so honoured to serve as a judge for the finalists' event at Brock House.  Congratulations to Connie Dipietro-Sparacino for taking the top prize with her beautifully delivered piece!  Take a look at her performance on the WCDR site:

http://wcdr.ca/wcdr/?p=7215

Also live is the discussion over Suzanne Desrochers' new book about seventeenth century Quebec, Bride of New France.  Join in the discussion on WCDR's Reading As Writers site.  I will be guest hosting one week of the discussion and have already started this acclaimed historical fiction novel.  The site is also full of great links and resources for writers:

http://readingaswriters.ca/readingaswriters/

WCDR's next meeting is in September, when Suzanne will be speaking about the novel.  Meanwhile, we have planned some workshops with Robyn Read, Acquiring editor of Freehand Books, through WCDR in August.  Check the WCDR site for that as well!

http://wcdr.ca/wcdr/?p=6720

Have a great summer, and keep reading and writing everyone!