Old friends and new friends, friends now forever at Historic Joy Kogawa House. Gary Geddes, John Asfour, “Joy Kogawa” life size photo, and Ann-Eriksson on the final event for John Asfour's inaugural writer-in-residence program. – photo Todd Wong

“John Asfour was the perfect choice to be the inaugural writer-in-residence for Kogawa House” said Richard Hopkins, board member of the Historic Joy Kogawa House Society.

Asfour, a Montreal poet, blind since the age of 13 because of the injuries from the Lebanese civil war, hosted an over-flowing audience on May 30th for a final event reading with special guests Gary Geddes and Ann Eriksson.  Shelagh Rogers was a surprise guest emcee for this event which took place on a beautiful late spring evening in the backyard of author Joy Kogawa's childhood home.

“It was another magical evening” said Shelagh Rogers who had previously hosted the “Al Purdy Party” at Kogawa House on April 20th.  Shelagh had initially planned to come to the event as a guest, partially because “Falsework” by Gary Geddes, was one of Shelagh's favorite books of 2008.  She gladly accepted the invitation to host from John Asfour.

Ann Erikson reads underneath the cherry and apple trees in the back yard of Historic Joy Kogawa House.

Ann Eriksson describes her new novel “In the Hands of Anubis” to Shelagh Rogers.

Gary read from his many works, and shared stories of traveling in the Middle East with John Asfour, describing the incident as “the lame leading the blind” because Gary had hurt his leg, and John would have his hand on Gary's arm, as they walked.

Two old chums share a smile and a glass of wine.

More to come….