Speaker Schedule

"A Century of famous movies"

An entertaining, multimedia, audience participation presentation showcasing the greatest movies of the past century. 

Rob Smythe was a secondary school teacher of science, mathematics, computer science, and music, with a special fondness for physics. He has written several textbooks, including the astronomy unit for Ontario Grade 9 science, and six novels that, he says, few people have read. He has performed in such musical stage productions as Damn Yankees, West Side Story, and The Marriage of Figaro. He has directed close to a dozen high school musicals, and conducted bands and choirs. He is an enthusiastic movie lover, enjoying thrillers, musicals, mysteries, historical epics, and science fiction.

Rob has hosted multimedia presentations to audiences in venues ranging from homes, to auditoriums, to cruise ships, and during COVID, on Zoom. He invites you to join him with a nostalgic, entertaining look at the most influential movies of the past century.

"Views from the Edge of the Earth"

For several years, my concern for the state of our planet has both driven and inspired my artwork. Views from the Edge of the Earth weaves poetic reflections with black-and-white images of my art and photography to celebrate the beauty of the natural world and remind us of what’s at stake. The muted tones of the book’s imagery enhance its message about habitat loss and species that are disappearing far too quickly.

This presentation is perfect for those who love poetry, art, and nature—or anyone who cares about the future of our shared home.

Wendie will have her book for sale at our meeting. Her short stories and poetry have been published in magazines and in poetry and literary collections, and her short essay, Mother Earth, won gold in Art Ascent Magazine.

FROM AMAZON BOOKS:

In Views from the Edge of the Earth, Donabie shares the beauty, the joy and, at times, the pain she experiences in living every day. Written in a simple, straightforward style, the poetry collection begins with a dire vision but ends with a message of hope. Some entries may cause you to think differently, others may simply bring a smile to your face.
Complementing the writing, Donabie shares black and white images of her paintings and photography. Views from the Edge of the Earth is printed in black with buff paper adding a more dramatic feeling to the poetic musings. For the e-Book version, Donabie chose colour to share the diverse beauty she paints and photographs as a further reminder of what we are losing every day.
 

“Donabie skilfully balances her artistry and her message, celebrating the glorious majesty of Mother Earth against dire warnings of her peril. The poetry is lush, powerful, and compelling. Not only will you immerse in the beauty of the experience, but it will have you seeing and thinking about the world in new and wonderful ways. The stunning artwork and photography deepen the journey.” - Cindy Watson, award-winning and best-selling author of The Art of Feminine Negotiation and Out of Darkness – The Jeff Healey Story.

"Ghost Towns of Ontario"

"Nobody knows Ontario like Ron Brown" is how the CBC once described this author, geographer, and travel writer. Best-selling author Ron Brown has long had a love affair with the landscapes of Canada and has included his vast knowledge in his many books.

His travel pieces have been published in the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, the Canadian Geographic Magazine, and VIA Rail Magazine. His 5000 image stock shot inventory includes views of Ontario's lesser-known landscapes, with a specialization in historic buildings, main streets, railway stations and ghost towns. He has provided consulting services to advertisers and film makers, including a History Channel series, seeking unusual locations at which to film. He has participated on TVO's Studio Two panels to determine Ontario's "most historic town," Ontario's "prettiest town," and Ontario's "best main street."

Following a 27-year career as a writer and community planner, including his role as an advisor to BIA's, with the Ontario government, Ron Brown now lectures on, and leads tours to ghost towns and heritage landscapes across Ontario. Ron is a member of the Travel Media Association of Canada, and is past chair of The Writers' Union of Canada.

In 2015, Ron received the Writers' Union of Canada Freedom to Read Award for his ongoing promotion of freedom to read and write in Canada.