Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen.

I'd like to thank each of you for joining us tonight in person and those that are with us in spirit. We are all gathered tonight to honour the newest celebrity in town, my Mum, Rose Daniel - the author.

As many of you know this has been a long harrowing road for Rose; eighteen years of dedication to this novel, while maintaining commitment to her family, friends, church, golf and not least of which, school. For those that don't know, my Mum's enrolled at York University working on completing her Bachelor of Arts and by all accounts she is as loved and respected by the staff and students there as she is by all of us.

Mum, I'm sorry to inform you, but most in the room know your age and that December 1st was your birthday. At any age to complete a novel is quite an accomplishment; but someone as experienced as you, to complete a novel while persevering with University, being the matriarch of an extended family and being very active in your church is one tremendously outstanding achievement.

For your first presentation, Rob & I would like you to have your real birthday present - the flowers were just to throw you off [give frame]. We have registered your novel's domain names and I will be meeting with the person who will be web mastering for you, Sharon Hay, very soon to have it operational before the novel is released.

All month I have been hearing from friends near and dear, as well as friends and family that I have not been in touch with for many years. We have participants that we see on a frequent basis; but we also have participants from Scotland, England, Holland, Australia, and the United States and from the far reaches of this country. The response has been overwhelming and speaks volumes of the people who have chosen to have us as part of their lives.

Each participant has received or will be receiving a "Certificate of Purchase" because, as you see Mum, we have been taking orders for and pre-selling copies of your novel. This book is a memento for this evening and includes your certificate of purchase which entitles you to book #1.

Mum, it is with great pride - in you - that I announce that as of 6:45 p.m. today, Saturday, December 3rd, we have orders for 250 copies of West Lights, A Novel by Rose Daniel and we present you with a cheque in the amount of $5,000.00

I would like to thank everyone who chose to be part of this event and by doing so, giving my Mum the confidence that her book will be a tremendous success. I'd especially like to thank all the friends that helped make tonight happen and all of those who networked outside of my network. I would especially like to express gratitude on all of our behalf to my Mum for the example she gives us and for never giving up when others might have.

Thank you all, and enjoy the evening.