Kilt Skate by the Henry Moore

We've been trying to bring kilt skating to Toronto, so when a conference brings you to the big city, then pack the skates and the kilt, bring along the flag, and see if you can make some friends. 

Best of all, you get to do like Murray McLaughlan and skate "down by the Henry Moore."

Murray, it should be noted, was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Moore unveiled "The Archer" at Nathan Phillips Square in 1966 -- the finishing touch to an iconic Toronto City Hall designed by Viljo Revell.

"I went down by the henry moore -- skated on in the square. the moon above my shoulder, and the ice was in my hair.."

But the school kids out on a morning outing weren't thinking about song writers or sculptors or architects or public space. They were having a blast on the ice.

But the purpose of coming to Toronto was not simply to skate at the Henry Moore in a fashion that would do credit to Murray McLaughlan's Scottish background. No, this is the week where teacher-librarians, children's writers, and publishers from across the province descend upon Toronto for the annual "Superconference" of the Ontario Library Association.

So like John the Baptist or Johnny Appleseed, we can spread the gospel or plant the seed in communities across Ontario. It's also a chance to meet new and old friends -- some of whom have not yet heard that we've taken to proselytizing on behalf of kilt skating. But the good thing about walking through the Toronto Convention Centre in a kilt, with skates over your shoulder, and carrying a Scottish saltire on a hockey stick, you never lack for conversation topics.

Karen Bass's new novel, "The Hill," will be released in March. She covets a hat!

Book signing: a Change to meet teachers and librarians and teacher-librarians from across ontario.

Making new friends, finding new readers, proselytizing the gospel of the kilt skate.

Lots of swag to be had!

Having finished his presentation, Colin Harkness takes a moment to relax.

After hours there's lots of time to catch up on news with old friends -- note that karen Bass still covets the hat! (Also note ty stuffed animals...) That's Wesley king standing behind Joanne richards and karen upper.

As ever, Karen Upper is so very generous with her gifts to her friends. This is "Ginger," she says. Ginger has a new home.

But the memory of the day must go to ... skating down at the henry moore!