While I’m taking pictures, I do have a chance to
make some general observations about Roy at the
Rivers Foundation events. He is a great
listener; he’ll give creative examples to
illustrate things he is trying to explain and
ask you questions if he doesn’t understand
something you are talking to him about. Also, I
noticed if there was someone at a table who
hadn’t joined the conversation, Roy made an
effort to talk to that person and draw that
person into conversation I certainly had the
impression from how Roy interacted with the
attendees that he very much appreciated each
person being there J
By all rights, Roy should have been asleep with
his head on the table. He had, after all,
returned from Paris the night before after the
last day of filming on L’Mort Instinct, worked
that morning dubbing for the US release of “The
Rocket” and had a meeting after that. But Roy
was really in a terrific mood, and smiled a lot
and easily.
I did set down at the second table (the same
table as Sanibelle & Henry) to talk to Roy.
Sani’s already mentioned some of the topics of
conversation. Roy said that rehearsals for for
“Blasted” were to begin that week. As he had in
June, Roy called the play “disturbing”, and he
seemed rather surprised when told so many fans
would be coming to see the play.
Roy also mentioned that he’s postponed his
lengthy sailing trip for a year because he was
unable to as much work as he had planned to do
on his boat this summer.
Roy and I talked about philosophy – he had
recommended two books to me a year ago. I hadn’t
had the chance to start them when I saw him in
June, but promised him I would get some reading
done by November. I did read about 1/3 of one of
the books, and needed to ask him a question.
This is just my opinion, but I think Roy’s whole
face changes when he starts talking about
philosophy and science and that shows how much
he’s really interested in those subjects. Roy
gave a lengthy and understandable answer to my
question and, he agreed when I told him it was a
book to read a little at a time, and stop and
think about what you’ve read. I told Roy that
what is so cool about him is that he’s what we
in education try and motivate students to become
– a lifelong learner. When something interests
him, he knows how to find out everything about
it. And I told him about teaching kids
information skills at school; trying to impress
upon them how important information is, and how
to use every tool at their disposal, not just
Google.
I brought Roy a book that I had actually read
nearly two years ago, thought he might be
interested in, but kept forgetting to bring it
with me on previous trips. As it turned out, it
was a book Roy said he’d heard of and had wanted
to read. So I told him that made me happy, that
it was a book he was already aware of. He asked
me a few questions about it, but I didn’t want
to tell him too much because I didn’t want to
influence his opinion before he read the book. I
don’t normally take Roy gifts – this book, and
the scrapbook in June were it.
Then Maxine was standing over my shoulder, and
it was time for Roy to sign our photos and get
ready to move to the next table. I had to go
find my photo, and Maxine handed him mine last
and said “This is for this Mary Anne”. I piped
up “The two word Mary Anne” because there is
another woman with the same name, but hers is
one word. Roy looked up at me and said “With
the e, yes?” and I replied “yes”. He thought for
a minute, looked up at me again and said “But it
doesn’t always have the e, sometimes it has a y,
right?” And I said “yes” in English, it has a y.
And he said “Which do you want, the French or
the English?” I laughed and said the “French
was fine” and Maxine said “Either – she’s
flexible”. I’m thinking how funny and cute that
Roy remembers he’s written my name both ways.
We all gathered for a group picture, and then
Roy moved on to his time with the last group. At
the end of their time with him, Michel came to
get Roy to go to a live interview with Flash.The
ladies in that group got their photo signed, but
didn’t get a group picture taken. Nice guy that
he is, Roy made up for that and took some
individual pictures with them at the conclusion
of the Soirée itself.
After Michel and Roy left, we all donned our
fleece Rivers Foundation scarves and gathered
for a “class picture” taken by the Foundation’s
photographer. We are all posed for the picture,
and those two clowns are walking back by the
theatre, see us, stand up on the window and
start making faces at us! It was hysterical!!! I
had given my camera to the Foundation’s
photographer so I’d have the “class picture” on
my camera for the CD, and I was so mad I didn’t
have my camera in my hands when they did that!
Of course the flash probably would have bounced
off the glass, and the picture wouldn’t have
come out anyway :/ But it was a great moment,
and a real shining example of what a great sense
of humor both Michel and Roy have!
After the photo, everyone hung out and ate,
relaxed, chatted about the experience, looked at
their photos and it was soon time to walk across
the street to Club Soda for the Soirée. Club
Soda appeared to me to be an old theatre that’s
been given a new life as an entertainment venue.
It was really a perfect location for the Soiree,
particularly since this year’s event was a
cabaret. We had great seats reserved for us in
the front on the left side of the stage. There
were 75 plumes (feathers) available to be
purchased for $25.00. Many, if not most, had a
door prize attached to them. There were even
several lucky winners of a $500.00 gift
certificate to Canuck’s! I won canoeing from Au
Caont Volant – that’s where we were last summer
on Rivire l’Assomption in Saint-Côme! Francois,
the owner, whom we met last summer, came to say
hello to us when we first arrive, but at that
point I didn’t know what I’d won :D
Before the program started, there was a
slideshow of photos from various Foundation
events and activities throughout the five year
history of the Foundation including some of the
“Fans du Roy”. There were some stunning pictures
of rivers we haven’t visited (yet!).
Others have mentioned the names of all the
performers in their debriefs. I really enjoyed
Raôul Duguay and Genevieve Bilodeau and a
guitarist who accompanied Roy during his
reading, as well as accompanying several other
people. The pacing of the program and the
diversity of the entertainment was just
excellent!
No matter how the format of this event changes,
there are two things that I come away from this
even with every year that are constant and
unchanging. First, are the numerous volunteers
that help make the event a success and the
people who travel from the various regions in
the province to attend the Soiree. I always get
the “warm fuzzy feeling” see so many people
there supporting the Rivers Foundation. And
secondly, attending this event, is like being a
native Québecois for an evening. I’ve truly
grown to love the Québec, so I cherish the
opportunity to experience its culture.
The auction was limited to a single item – Roy’s
trophy for Best Actor for “Shake Hands with the
Devil” from the Halifax Film Festival. He
struggled a bit in trying to remember the
English word for “auction” and that gave him the
giggles on stage :D After extensive bidding,
the trophy went to a very generous attendee for
$20,000.00 CAD! WOW! He came to her table for
some pictures and conversation, and then began
to make the rounds to say goodbye and thank
everyone for coming. I was sitting nearby, so I
got to talk to him right away. I remembered one
other thing I had wanted to ask him, and he
leaned in so he could hear me, and willingly
answered my question. I stood up then, and I
remember thanking him for everything. I was
holding my camera – as usual – and I think we
did the same half hug thing we did at last
year’s Soiree. But I’m here to tell you, your
brain kind of goes to mush when that man is
standing two inches away from you :D I do
remember him rubbing my left arm (my sweater
was really soft!) and telling me that it was
good that I was reading
J
And then he walked on to say goodbye to everyone
else.
There is not a doubt in my mind that Roy
appreciates everyone traveling to attend this,
and any other event, in support of his
Foundation. He is patient, gentle, kind,
good-natured to everyone who’s there. I don’t
pretend to “know” Roy as a person, but what I do
see of him, I admire more and more as time
passes. He’s a good guy
J
Most of us staying at the Lord Berri walked back
to the hotel together. We said goodbye to Maxine
and Michel on the way out, who were gathering
Roy’s things as he was getting ready to leave
too. The walk felt good, and gave us all some
time to chat about the program. I think I was
still carrying my camera out of the case,
thinking I’d take pictures of Christmas lights.
But of course I never did. My brain was still
stuck back in that minute when Roy was standing
two inches away from me, rubbing my arm
J
Who needs pictures of Christmas lights anyway?
LOL!
Mary Anne