Don Harron's "Anne of Green Gables"

The longest running musical in Canadian history debuted on CBC in 1956.  It first appeared on the stage in 1965 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and Canadians fell in love with it http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/anne-of-green-gables-the-musicaltrade-emc/.

Based on Lucy Maud Montgomery's 1908 classic book, the musical features a red-haired pig-tailed orphan named Anne who arrives in Prince Edward Island looking for a home.  Marilla and her brother Matthew have requested a boy to help them on the farm, but are shocked to find a girl at the train station.  Despite their wishes, Anne works her way into their hearts and they keep her.

She falls in love with their home, Green Gables, and their community, Avonlea.  Anne dreams of one day being a famous author and enters a writing contest sponsored by the Rollings Reliable Baking Powder Company for which she wins first prize.  As she daydreams, Gilbert watches her from afar, the boy who tugged on her pigtails on that first day of school, to which she responded by smashing a slate over his head.  Anne's relationship with the tender hearted Matthew is precious.

The musical features songs like "Humble Pie", "Wondrin" and "Ice Cream".  Anne of Green Gables appeared on the London stage in 1969 and Off Broadway in 1971.  It continues to appear on Canadian stages and has been performed every year since 1965.

Megan Follows plays Anne of Green Gables on CBC series circa 1985 courtesy http://www.laineygossip.com/Anne-Of-Green-Gables-musical-movie-confirmed/28005.

Acrostic Poetry: A Hidden Message

Acrostic is derived from the French word "acrostiche".  "Stich" refers to a line or row of verse.  An acrostic is a poem in which the first letter, symbol or word of each line or paragraph spells out a word or message.  Acrostics date back to the Bible; examples can be found in the Book of Lamentations as well as the Psalms of the Hebrew Bible.  Psalm 145, which has an acrostic, is repeated three times a day in Jewish services.

Acrostics are also found in Medieval literature in which a poet is often highlighted; some acrostics were written as prayers to saints.  In chronicles, acrostics were often used in German and English. However, the Greeks also used acrostics; one such example spells out JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, SAVIOUR.  The Dutch national anthem is an example of an acrostic, spelling out the name WILLEM VAN NASSOV, referring to the Dutch royal William of Orange.  Examples of acrostics can be found in literature, such as the final chapter of Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass, which spells out the real Alice's full name, ALICE PLEASANCE LIDDELL.


Here is a French acrostic:

Paradis des monuments

Attend petits et grands

Reve des touristes et des enfants

Illumine par tous le temps

Sur la tour Eiffel c'est geant.

https://electricite-plus.com/2015/03/12/energie-eolienne-la-tour-eiffel-entre-dans-le-21e-siecle/

Here is a calendar acrostic to help remember the months of the year:

JANet was quite ill one day

FEBrile trouble came her way

MARtyr-like she lay in bed

APRoned nurses softly sped

MAYbe said the leech judicial

JUNket would be beneficial

JULeps, too, though freely tried

AUGured ill, for Janet died

SEPulchre was sadly made

OCTaves pealed and prayers were said

NOVices with ma'y a tear

DECorated Janet's bier.

http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-banner-months-year-set-image12958705

The following poem is my attempt at an acrostic:

Put her hair in braids today;

It may be your only chance.

Give her a nice red ribbon.

Time will pass very quickly

And before you tie the bow,

I think she'll be all grown up.

Little girls become young women fast;

So put her hair in pigtails, for it sure won't last.

http://ksoo.com/april-8-2013-kids-jokes/

Visit http://grammar.about.com/od/ab/g/acrosticterm.htm for more examples of acrostics.