Friday, November 30, 2007

taking "orders" at steinbergs

hi.
 
anyone remember going down to Steinbergs on Verdun and richard street on a friday night or saturday morning and walking around the store asking the ladies if you could "take their order"???. This meant that you would carry or cart their groceries back to their house and lug them up a couple of flights of stairs in the middle of winter ....FOR A DIME!!!!!
 
jd..

[Fwd: Golden Compass]




Norman

> Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 09:03:31 -0500
> Subject: [Fwd: Golden Compass]
> From: jaynorman@mountaincable.net
> To: jaynorman66@hotmail.com
>
> ---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
> Subject: Golden Compass
> From: "IreneGarcia"
> Date: Thu, November 29, 2007 11:23 pm
> To: "Irene Garcia"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> There will be a new children's movie out in December called "The Golden
> Compass". The movie has been described as "atheism for kids" and is based
> on the first book of a trilogy entitled "His Dark Materials" that was
> written by Phillip Pullman. Pullman is a militant atheist and secular
> humanist who despises C. S. Lewis and the "Chronicles of Narnia". His
> motivation for writing this trilogy was specifically to counteract Lewis'
> symbolisms of Christ that are portrayed in the Narnia series.
>
> Clearly, Pullman 's main objective is to bash Christianity and promote
> atheism. Pullman left little doubt about his intentions when he said in a
> 2003 interview that "my books are about killing God." He has even stated
> that he wants to "kill God in the minds of children". It has been said of
> Pullman that he is "the writer the atheists would be praying for, if
> atheists prayed."
>
> While "The Golden Compass" movie itself may seem mild and innocent, the
> books are a much different story. In the trilogy, a young streetwise girl
> becomes enmeshed in an epic struggle to ultimately defeat the oppressive
> forces of a senile God. Another character, an ex-nun, describes
> Christianity as "a very powerful and convincing mistake." In the final
> book, characters representing Adam and Eve eventually kill God, who at
> times is called YAHWEH. Each book in the trilogy gets progressively worse
> regarding Pullman's hatred of Jesus Christ.
>
> "The Golden Compass" is set to premier on December 7, during the Christmas
> season (and starring Nicole Kidman), and will probably be heavily
> advertised. Promoters hope that unsuspecting parents will take their
> children to see the movie, that they will enjoy the movie, and that the
> children will want the books for Christmas.
>
> Please consider a boycott of the movie and the books. Also, pass this
> information along to everyone you know (including church leaders). This
> will help to educate parents, so that they will know the agenda of the
> movie. I am sending this to those of you who have kids or friends with
> kids, grandkids or have influence with kids. So many things today are
> darkness concealed in what appears to be innocent. FYI.
>
> Don't let kids see "The Golden Compass"!
>
> For anyone with kids, grandkids other relatives or friends who this may
> concern, I have checked it out at
> http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp and it is true. Read
> the info in the link.


Your chance to win great prizes with Telus and Windows Live Messenger for Mobile. Click here for more information!

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Just joined a few days ago

Just wanted to say hi & tell you a bit about myself. I left a message on the "looking for" Giblins of Valiquette that bahama865 put up. That person didn't reply, so I guess he or she isn't around anymore.  I grew up on Valiquette St. As a child, I played with Loraine Giblin, Lynn Lean, AnnMarie Daoust, Carol Starzinski & the Salway Brothers & later Steve & Roddy Farrell & Debbie Humpfries.  As I grew older, I hung around Kostas too. Around 1964 & onward. Kostas then was owned by two Greek brothers named Johnnie & Denny. There was Dorothy Meenie, Melton Biffin, Brian  Spence; Johnnie Spascik, Pat Rodrigue, Jimmy Ramsey, Claude Maassen, Harry Daly & his girlfriend Lorraine Deshane(spelling?) & so many others. We all went to the VCH dances every second Saturday, the legion dances on Fridays, & the Point boys & girls club dances on alternate Saturdays. The only person I've kept in touch with was my best friend since I was 10, her name is Brenda Kenny. We talk at least twice a month, she now lives in LaSalle & I moved to Edmonton in  1976. Do these names ring any bells for anyone?

Verdun Population

The currant population of Verdun is 64,069 compared to a peek of 91,109 in 1970.
 
Guy

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

douglas hospital!!

how many of you took a dare to walk from bannentyne to champlain through the "dougie" (no disrespect intended to the Douglass Hospital) at midnight??? we used to do that and would sit up in the tree's waiting for some unsuspecting sap to walk through and we would jump out and scare the bee-gee-bers out of them..
 
jd
 

john daly VCHS class of '70

hi..
just found this site.. looks like fun.. i am still married to Janice Lawlor (class of '71). we have 2 boys, adam 28 school teacher and matthew 30 computer consultant. Matthew is married to a lovely gal named Andrea and they are expecting in may/08

Ethel Street, Before and After

The top photo was recently posted but the lower photo is recent so you can compare the progress over a hunndred year period. That Church Street at the end of Ethel Street.
Guy
 

Carol Salmena

Carol,
Check the "I am from Verdun Section", you will find your VHS photo.
Guy

Apple - iPhone - A Guided Tour

Has anyone purchased on of these puppies? I'm almost there.
Bill

http://www.apple.com/iphone/gettingstarted/guidedtour.html

Free On line Classes.


http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-podclass24nov24,0,7889823,full.story?coll=la-home-center?sr=hotnews

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

requesting membership

tonguelashes50, MSN Nicknamecordage2, MSN Nicknamesnerdley, MSN Nicknamewendie64, younglovers7,
 
Thank-you for visiting Verdun Connections. Your membership request was missing required information.  Please forward your first and last names along with your member ID within the next 7 days or your membersip request will be denied.
 
Maggie.

Queen in Concert

Hi
 
Anyone out there see Queen at the Forum in 1981? I just got the DVD of the concert...
 
Lad

An Unbreakable Surfboard.


http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/2070/127/

Sunday, November 25, 2007

De L'Église (Church) Bridge

Here is a photo of the De L'Église (Church) street bridge wich I took last May from the Galt street bridge looking north towards the Montreal skyscrapers on the right background as well as the Mount Royal mountain. I posted this photo before but I thought it wortth reproducing. Did you know that there are 10 bridges over the Aqueduc.
Guy
 
 

Madeleine McCann film


http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/nov/25/bbc?gusrc=rss&feed=media

When you retire would you move back to Verdun?

Wondering-I miss Verdun a lot-rent is still cheaper than Ontario-when you retire would anyone decide to spend their last (fun) years in Verdun?

Saturday, November 24, 2007

College Football

UH Warriors are WAC Champions, 11 and 0. Undefeated all season!
Bill

http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/2015/43/

Stop the emails!

I can not remove anyone from the mailing list. You have to change your own settings. Please take these steps to stop the notices:
1) Open the welcome page of Verdun Connections and make sure you are "signed in"
2) at the far right of the page there is a box titled Member Tools, Click on "My Email Settings" (it should bring you to a page with your information on it)
3) Scroll down and make sure you click on the boxes....
        Messages- On the Web
        Group Reports - Never
        Message Delivery by discussion - If any are listed, change them.
 
I hope this helps you. Please continue to read the messages here at Verdun Connections and contribute any time!
-maggie

400eme de Quebec

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Lunch in Brampton

Hi Margo:
 
Good to see that you are back on line. Our move went off great in the end. We are living in Rosedale Village (Dixie and Sandalwood - northwest quadrant).
I think that a Saturday or Sunday lunch would be a great idea.
Carole / Willie / anyone else - let us know your interest.
 
Gord Gibbons
Brampton, Ontario

Terry DiMonte leaving town.......

Hi
 
Saw on CH 12 last night that morning man Terry DiMonte is leaving CHOM this Friday and is moving to Calgary..he said he was not signed and took a chance when it came along..He took over for George Balcan once before when he left CHOM. Then moved back..Whenever I go back always tune him in...always feel good about being back and they make you laugh...another sign of the times I guess.
Montreal's loss and Calgary's gain..
This is one Verduner who made it big.
 
Lad
 

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to fellow Verdunites living in the U.S
Hope you all have lots to be thankful for. Have a great day!
Wendy

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Winter's Coming

Hi
 
Just heard that four letter word Sxxx is on the way..depends where you are. GTA not sure of how much maybe 5-10 tonite and again tomorrow. West of GTA could be 5-10 or so..guess it depends on how cold it gets..but hey remember it was worse back home...always like to watch the people panic here when it snows..like you never seen it before.
 
Lad

VERDUN REUNION IN TO

Bim,

I hope all is well? Just a reminder that the Verdun Reunion is coming up the first Friday night in December downtown Toronto at The Strathcona Hotel!!! You will know a ton of guy’s as it is run by The Boyle brothers and the Hurley’s show up as well as a cast of others!



Regards, Mike



Mike Butler

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

http://oldfortyfives.com/TakeMeBackToTheFifties.htm

If  you grew  up  in  the fifties  you  might  enjoy  this  internet  link .  Hope  it  works  .

Monday, November 19, 2007

Cambridge, Ontario

I seem to recall some members stating that they lived in Cambridge. Karen and I went to Southfork last Sunday.
The city has done a fantastic job in preserving the historic downtown core, I believe it was previously known as Galt. It must have been a pretty wealthy town at one time.
It also appears that Hespeler has been incorporated into Cambridge. I used to always buy Hespeler hockey sticks at Mackesey's for about $1.29.
 
Gord Gibbons
Brampton, Ontario

old friends

I am a newcomer to the group, who left Verdun in 1969. As usual with the passing of time, I lost touch with my friends. I wonder if anyone has knowledge of the following people-Lennie Savage, Bobbie Lawson,Doreen Benenati, Craig Mills, Ann Gray, Brenda Valley, Ralph Stopps. Thank you forany information

Mike McGraw and Bobby McGraw

Has anyone been in touch with Mike McGraw from Verdun-I was until several years ago....thanks!

real names

Is there ANY way that people (newbies and long-time members) can have their real names  posted....it's just awful that we don't really know who we are talking to,when it could be a great past  friend from Verdun High for example...I have posted a few times but find it frustrating that I don't know who I am writing to....I love it here but I feel like I am always "guessing" who I am responding to about the wonderful old days in Verdun! My name is Cathy Wilkins....and  I just wish that everyone here would be straight up and give us your names...imagine how nice it would be to re-connect with buddies from Verdun and know who we are talking to! Thanks,just my opinion....Cathy

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Verdun Avenue

Are there any photos of Verdun Avenue from the early 1900s or late 1800s?
Bill

Santa's coming to Town

As a mattr of fact,.he arrived in Montreal yesterday ,Remember the Santa Claus parade,when we were kids,.well seems they have the parade in Montreal again,..............that's kind of neat,.( they stopped it for awhile didn't they?)..............

Season's first sighting of P챔re No챘l brings out huge crowd

Santa blows kisses and ho-ho-hos his way through downtown on chilly, snowless day

ANNE SUTHERLAND, The Gazette

Published: 15 hours ago

Santa Claus ruled the downtown streets of Montreal yesterday as the annual holiday parade shut Ste. Catherine St. for several hours.

There were marching bands, clowns, Shriners in funny little cars, floats depicting elves making Christmas lists, a Christmas fairy and rapturous children clamouring for views of all of the above.

The crowd brought camp chairs, all manner of strollers, blankets to sit on and wagons to pull the overwrought children after the big event.

Organizers estimate more than 300,000 people witnessed yesterday's spectacle.

Entrepreneurs selling felt-covered and bell-bedecked reindeer antler headbands were doing a brisk business: $3 apiece, two for $5.

An a capella quartet in 1940s clothing serenaded the crowd behind the barricades on Drummond St. and some teenagers played street hockey on the deserted thoroughfare before the first marching band arrived.

Spectator Ashley Charette, who will be 2 on Dec. 19, was cozy warm in a fluffy leopard-print snowsuit as she sat on the sidewalk with her brother Kyle and her mother, Cynthia.

"She's having fun, although I don't know how much she understands," Charette said as stiff-legged toy soldiers marched by.

Ioan Bojdanas, 31/2, was a perpetual motion machine, waving his bare hands, both of them, at every float and cartoon character that passed.

Dancing snowmen with brooms, perambulating Christmas trees and a penguin lip-synching the Bing Crosby version of Let it Snow wowed the crowd, which in some places was six deep from the curb. Whoever did the facial make-up on the various elves, soldiers and fairies is to be commended; it was worthy of the Cirque du Soleil.

Elizabeth Garcia, age 3, and her mother, Stephanie, arrived 30 minutes before the parade began at 11 a.m. and got choice seats at the edge of the sidewalk near Bishop St.

"She understands the getting part (of Christmas) but I don't know if she gets the giving part," Garcia said of her daughter's comprehension of what was going on.

Alessandro Nielsen, 10, was at his second Santa Claus parade with his father, Bentley. They arrived on the commuter train from Kirkland to spend the day downtown, taking in the parade and just walking around.

"I used to write to Santa when I was younger," Alessandro said. "Now I just like the parade." With a mixture of sun and cloud and a temperature of zero degrees Celsius, the only snow at this parade was the artificial stuff the Fì±—te des Neiges characters were pitching into the crowd.

Crowd-pleasing stilt-walkers preceded the youngsters dressed up in pajamas, who urged the the spectators to chant ''P챔re No챘l, P챔re No챘l'' as if they weren't excited enough already.

And there he was, bringing up the rear, Santa himself, ringing a hand-bell, blowing kisses and ho-ho-ho-ing his way down Ste. Catherine from Fort St. to St. Urbain St.

An army of street-cleaning machines and their crew followed Santa at a respectful distance, vacuuming up the discarded cups, streamers and wrappers.

Ten minutes after Santa passed by, there was no evidence at all of a parade on the now-pristine street.

Except in the hearts of the youngsters who were there.

asutherland@ thegazette.canwest.com On the Web:

See the Santa Claus parade slideshow, only at montrealgazette.com

............................................Christmas not far off now............YIKES !!!

                                                                                                                  HF&RV

Hydro Power Dam in LaSalle

Someone recently was enquiring about the old power dam that was in LaSalle. Here is a picture that I had posted  on the 30th of July 2005 and wich I am reproducing. The picture is dated 1910. All that was left of the structure in the 40s and 50s when I lived in Verdun was the cement foundation and we crossed it at our risk. The foundation was replaced by an earth mound.
Translation:
in the autumn of  1895, about 20 rich Canadians and a rich Chicago businessman joined to form the LACHINE RAPIDS HYDRAULIC AND LAND CO. Their objective was to exploit the energetic resources of the Lachine rapids by uinvesting in the construction of AN electric energy.
A few months later, it is estimated that 400 workers were involved in the construction of the dam. It is to be noted that the invasion of these workers resulted in the construction of boarding houses in the Bronx district.
This hydro project, installed at the extremity of Bishop Power boulevard, was the most powerfull in America after the construction of the American side of the Niagara falls.
The official inauguration was held on the 25th of September 1897. During many years, this hydraulic project produced for the region. In 1931, the project discontinued its activities. At the time it was owned by the MONTREAL LIGHT HEAT AND POWER.
 
 

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Where We Used to Live

Hi, Everybody,
 
I thought this would be an interesting thread to start—where we used to live.
 
I lived with my foster parents at 1032 Melrose Avenue, between Bannantyne and Champlain, until I married at 25, in 1967, the year of Expo.
 
Some of the senior members here in VC might remember my older foster brothers and sisters—Fred Penny; and the Attanasoff family: Nick, Jeanne, Mary, and Mona.
 
Melrose was a terrific street to live on.  Woodland Public School was down at one end and Verdun High School at the other.  I had a great bunch of childhood friends; and the neighbours were warm and friendly, often looking out for each other but without interfering.
 
Below, here is where I used to call home, on the flat above the bicycle.
 
Fond memories, indeed . . .
 
Jack
 
 

i am from verdun

i am so glad to have found this site...a friend told me about it...my maiden name is Davy...i now live in Camrose Alberta...i use to hang around the pit...every night.i would show up with tina cloutier...i spoke with her last night about this...later...karen

The Magic Gopher

This will drive you nuts.  Go to the site below and follow the simple instructions.  The Magic Gopher will astound you!
 
 
Maybe somebody will be able to figure out how he does it.
 
Jack

Fall Classes for Men at the Local Junior College

Fall Classes for Men at

THE
ADULT LEARNING CENTER


REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED
by Monday, November 10,
2007

NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL
OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM



Class 1

How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays--Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.

Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.


Class 2

The Toilet Paper Roll--Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion.

Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.


Class 3

Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub? (Marking your territory!)--Group Practice.

Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.


Class 4

Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor--Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.

Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.


Class 5

Dinner Dishes--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video.

Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning
at 7:00 PM


Class 6

Loss Of Identity--Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups.

Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM


Class 7

Learning How To Find Things--Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming.
Open Forum

Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.


Class 8

Health Watch--Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health.
Graphics and Audio Tapes.

Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.


Class 9

Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost--Real Life Testimonials.

T uesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined.

Class 10

Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations.

4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.


Class 11

Learning to Live--Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife.
Online Classes and role-playing

Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined


Class 12

How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion
Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques.

Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 13

How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy--Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late.

Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.


Class 14

The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.

Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.


Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.

bahamas for december

anyone who is travelling to freeport bahamas during christmas season, i,d like to rendez vouswith you there,
just poste here
carolyn bennett [faddis]

Friday, November 16, 2007

Bobby's FM

Hello all, for those of you that enjoy on-line music, try www.bobbysfm.com. This gentleman is located in Belleville, Ont (so am I) and operates from his apartment. His music is advertised "for baby boomers +" and he has a wide range of great songs. I believe there are constraints (due to costs) re the number of simultaneous listeners, but - give it a try, I haven't been restricted yet.
 
Rgds
Ron Chapdelaine 

From a friend.

This story from a buddy is a tad long but inspiring.
Bill
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bill I was reading that collection of essays by Barbara
Kingsolver when I came upon that one. When I
Googled, there it was! ENJOY! Paul.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Small Wonder

ON A COOL OCTOBER DAY IN THE OAK-FORESTED HILLS of
Lorena Province in Iran, a lost child was saved in an
inconceivable way. The news of it came to me as a
parable that I keep turning over in my mind, a message
from some gentler universe than this one. I carry it
like a treasure map while I look for the place where
I’ll understand its meaning.

I picture it happening this way: The story begins with
a wife and husband, nomads of the Lori tribe near
Kayhan, walking home from a morning’s work in their
wheat. I imagine them content, moving slowly, the
husband teasing his wife as she pulls her shawl across
her face, laughing, and then suddenly they’re stopped
cold by the sight of a slender figure hurrying toward
them: the teenage girl who was left in charge of the
babies. In tears, holding her gray shawl tightly
around her, she runs to meet the parents coming home
on the road, to tell them in frightened pieces of
sentences that he’s disappeared, she has already
looked everywhere, but he’s gone. This girl is the
neighbor’s daughter, who keeps an eye on all the
little ones too small to walk to the field, but now
she has to admit wretchedly that their boy had strong
enough legs to wander off while her attention was
turned to—what? Another crying child, a fascinating
insect—a thousand things can turn the mind from this
to that, and the world is lost in a heartbeat.

They refuse to believe her at first—no parent is ever
ready for this—and with fully expectant hearts they
open the door flap of their yurt and peer inside,
scanning the dim red darkness of the rugs on the
walls, the empty floor. They look in his usual hiding
places, under a pillow, behind the box where the bowls
are kept, every time expecting this game to end with a
laugh. But no, he’s gone. I can feel how their hearts
slowly change as the sediments of this impossible loss
precipitate out of ordinary air and turn their insides
to stone. And then suddenly moving to the fluttering
panic of trapped birds, they become sure there is
still some way out of this cage—here my own heart
takes up that tremble as I sit imagining the story.
Once my own child disappeared for only minutes that
grew into half an hour, then an hour, and my panic
took such full possession of my will that I could not
properly spell my name for the police. But I could
tell them the exact details of my daughter’s eyes, her
hair, the clothes she was wearing, and what was in her
pockets. I lost myself utterly while my mind scattered
out, carrying nothing but the search image that would
locate and seize my child.

And that is how two parents searched in Lorena
Province. First their own village, turning every box
upside down, turning the neighbors out in a party of
panic and reassurances, but as they begin to scatter
over the rocky outskirts it grows dark, then cold,
then hopeless. He is nowhere. He is somewhere
unsurvivable. A bear, someone says, and everyone else
says No, not a bear, don’t even say that, are you mad?
His mother might hear you. And some people sleep that
night, but not the mother and father, the smallest
boys, or the neighbor’s daughter who lost him, and
early before the next light they are out again.
Someone is sent to the next village, and larger
parties are organized to comb the hills. They venture
closer to the caves and oak woods of the mountainside.

Another nightfall, another day, and some begin to give
up. But not the father or mother, because there is
nowhere to go but this, we all have done this, we bang
and bang on the door of hope, and don’t anyone dare
suggest there’s nobody home. The mother weeps, and the
father’s mouth becomes a thin line as he finds several
men willing to go all the way up into the mountains.
Into the caves. Five kilometers away. In the name of
heaven, the baby is only sixteen months old, the
mother tells them. He took his first steps in June. He
can’t have walked that far, everybody knows this, but
still they go. Their feet scrape the rocky soil;
nobody speaks. Then the path comes softer under the
live oaks. The corky bark of the trees seems kinder
than the stones. An omen. These branches seem to hold
promise. Lori people used to make bread from the
acorns of these oaks, their animals feed on the
acorns, these trees sustain every life in these
mountains—the wild pigs, the bears. Still, nobody
speaks.

At the mouth of the next cave they enter—the fourth or
the hundredth, nobody will know this detail because
forever after it will be the first and last—they hear
a voice. Definitely it’s a cry, a child. Cautiously
they look into the darkness, and ominously, they smell
bear. But the boy is in there, crying, alive. They
move into the half-light inside the cave, stand still
and wait while the smell gets danker and the texture
of the stone walls weaves its details more clearly
into their vision. Then they see the animal, not a
dark hollow in the cave wall as they first thought but
the dark, round shape of a thick-furred, quiescent
she-bear lying against the wall. And then they see the
child. The bear is curled around him, protecting him
from these fierce-smelling intruders in her cave.

I don’t know what happened next. I hope they didn’t
kill the bear but instead simply reached for the
child, quietly took him up, praised Allah and this
strange mother who had worked His will, and swiftly
left the cave. I’ve searched for that part of the
story—whether they killed the bear. I’ve gone back
through news sources from river to tributary to
rivulet until I can go no further because I don’t read
Arabic. This is not a mistake or a hoax; this
happened. The baby was found with the bear in her den.
He was alive, unscarred, and perfectly well after
three days—and well fed, smelling of milk. The bear
was nursing the child.

What does it mean? How is it possible that a huge,
hungry bear would take a pitifully small, delicate h
uman child to her breast rather than rip him into
food? But she was a mammal, a mother. She was
lactating, so she must have had young of her own
somewhere—possibly killed, or dead of disease, so that
she was driven by the pure chemistry of maternity to
take this small, warm neonate to her belly and hold
him there, gently. You could read this story and
declare “impossible,” even though many witnesses have
sworn it’s true. Or you could read this story and
think of how warm lives are drawn to one another in
cold places, think of the unconquerable force of a
mother’s love, the fact of the DNA code that we share
in its great majority with other mammals—you could
think of all that and say, Of course the bear nursed
the baby. He was crying from hunger, she had milk.
Small wonder. 
*
*

Thursday, November 15, 2007

"For Men Only"—Lost?

Hi, Les,
 
Did we lose the thread "For Men Only"?  It was in General last night when I responded to Bill and Sabby.
 
Thanks,
 
Jack

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

The Old and the New

The old picture of the Verdun Fire Station on LaSalle boulevard  I have dated as 1930 but I am only guessing. Perhaps someone can date it. As for the new photo, I took this picture last Saturday.
 
Guy
 
 

Classes 1960/61

I suspect there's a few members from these classes lurking in the dark recesses of Verdun Connections. Who is here who remembers me? Some friends at VHS were Cathy Delves, Donna Cox, Karen Kemball, Alan Scott, etc., etc. The mind boggles. Come out, come out wherever you are!
 
Love to hear from you.
 
Dale

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

One of the Good Things About Hawaii | Down Power Pole Shuts Road for Hours | Hi

This pole just missed me last night by seconds.
Bill


http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/1707/40/

Christmas In The Trenches

True Story Of WW 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9coPzDx6tA

Front Page Photo

To many people, especially those not from our hometown, it's just a photo of a back of houses.  But, to me, it's a terrific snapshot of where we used to play . . . on the back galleries, in the sheds, and in the lanes.  
 
Now, that's Verdun!
 
Thanks for the memories, Cookie,
 
Jack

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Book: Verdun 125 Years of History 1875-2000 in English

Bob Bowles,
The book: Verdun 125 Years of History 1875-2000 is available in English as I found a copy in our library yesterday. However , it may be difficulty to find outside the Montreal general area but you might find it at your local libray in Calgary, if they dont have it, they may able able to order for you. I was going through it yesterday and it is full of interesting photos and facts about Verdun. Enclosed is the cover.
 
Guy
 
 

Kilts and tartans

Good morning !

 

Photo by Stellapurple of Verdun Connections (Nov. 2007)

How many different tartans do you see on these kilts ?

Are they Irish or Scottish ?

To what clans or families they belong to ?

JM

WW 1


It was on this day in 1918 that the First World War came to an end. It's now considered one of the most wasteful and meaningless wars in human history, fought mainly because Austria, Serbia, Germany, Russia, France, and Great Britain got caught up in a tangle of alliances and none of them wanted to back down from a fight.

But nobody realized how the brutal the war would be, especially with the introduction of modern weapons like the machine gun, which could fire 600 bullets per minute. The machine gun turned the war into a long and intensely bloody stalemate. Most of the fighting took place along the Western front, stretching for 475 miles through Belgium and France, with about 10,000 soldiers per mile. Each side dug trenches for cover and then each tried to charge the other side, only to be mowed down by machine gun fire. There were numerous battles in which entire squadrons were wiped out in minutes. Some 260,000 French soldiers were killed in just the first month of fighting. On just one day in 1916, more than 50,000 British troops were killed without advancing a single foot. By the end of the war, on this day in 1918, 9 million soldiers had died and 21 million were wounded.

It has long been thought that the United States helped end the war by getting involved in 1917, but most historians believe that all the armies involved were ready to collapse — especially after the flu epidemic hit in 1918 — and the Germans just happened to collapse first. Rudyard Kipling was one of the millions of parents to lose a son in the war, and he wrote a poem about it that consisted of two lines: "If any question why we died, / Tell them because our fathers lied."

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Boardwalk (AsphaltWalk)

I just read an history book on Verdun published in 1942 that mentions that the boardwalk was made of asphalt so now we know what is was made of at that time so it was made before that date. My feeling is that it was asphalted a year or two shortly before namely 1940 or 1941 as I distinctly rremember it when is was made of wood . A member mentioned previously that it was transformed at the beginning of the 40s so he would be right. I had mentioned app. 1945. I will keep an eye out for the actual year of transformation.
Guy 

looking for an old friend

looking for jim hampton from lasalle graduated from lasalle catholic high 1968

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Fire 2nd avenue Verdun.

Apparently, there is a big fire going on in Verdun,on Second avenue close to Bannantyne.
 
Has anyone heard anything about it.
 

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Verdun Aqueduct

Les,
Regarding the enclosed photo wich you posted a while back, is this of the Verdun Aqueduct. Also, I have difficulty reading the text. I was going to show this picture in our society's magazine and I wish to publish the translated text. Perhaps you can reproduce the text and I will then translate it. My eyes are not that good. Do you have a clearer picture and where did you find the photo.
Guy
 

Help

Les 
I need your help. I am looking for pictures of the Fifth ave. theatre, the Palace theatre and of the Park ave theatre. I already have exterior photos of the present 4
buildings. I am looking mostly for the exterior to show the past and present but the interior would be a bonus. You have already posted the interior and exterior of the Savoy theatre and I already have interior photos of the Park theatre but not the exterior.
 This is to complete my file on all 4 theatres that will be kept in our archives at the SHGV for our present and future generations to consult. I will then make a collage of all 4 theatres to share with our members.
 
Guy

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Where did this pic come from?

I was wondering where the Verdun Connection pic came from,, The resto on Bannantyne and the Dollar store,,, my house it there?!!!

Roots Beneath the Pavement

Pasted below are messages from another thread that related to a book called "Roots Beneath the Pavement" by M. Laurel Buck. I have just received a note from the author that there are some copies available at $20.00 each. If anyone is interested you can contact her at: mlbuck@shaw.ca
 
From: MSN NicknameMaggieMcK Sent: 30/03/2007 5:03 PM
 EXCERPT FROM ROOTS BENEATH
            THE PAVEMENT, a Tribute to Verdun
                by one of her reluctant children,
                            1930s-1940s 
 
    In retrospect, there was a strong attitude of live and let live in Verdun. I recall that when we children became old enough to go  to school, eventually we would hear, of course, two different perspectives on what happened in the eighteenth century battle of the Plains of Abraham. Then we would call each other les maudis Anglais and French pea-soupers. Why? I didn't really know because my mother frequently made pea-soup which I greatly enjoyed.
    Were we Verdunites of those days, generally, the consummate example of the two solitudes? Perhaps, but each solitude was buttressed by institutions that created community that fostered culture as communities do. The German poet, M. Rainier Rilke, first coined the phrase, two solitudes, in reference, as I understand, to the need of respect for one another's individual identity within a relationship. I believe, therefore, the meaning of two solitudes was not to convey the inevitability of sharp division, but the challenge for a balance in relationship; it seems to me that the Canadian novelist, Hugh MacLennan meant to convey nothing less than this in his novel, Two Solitudes, set in Montreal.
    I remember the crest of Verdun, a fortress supported by two towers; beneath, are the words, E Viribus Duorum, [built on the strength] of two peoples. My perspective today, therefore, is that the Verdun of my childhood and youth, with few exceptions, was marked by tolerance, which, in spite of change in the makeup of the people, continues as an important part of Verdun's legacy.
 
provided by M. Laurel Buck:

Reply
Recommend Delete    Message 165 of 231 in Discussion 
From: MSN Nicknamegeniegal9 Sent: 30/03/2007 11:33 PM
Thanks for that excerpt, Maggie.  I believe those of us whose mother tongue is English and who grew up in Montreal before Bill-101 have a different world view from any other Canadians.  We were exposed to a richness of experience unavailable anywhere else in the country.  We lived in what is seen as two cultures. But we melded both so that for us it was just a single culture with many facets. Today Canadians from outside Quebec travel to Montreal and experience it as a culture very different from that of their home towns.  We, on the other hand, shared in it, modified it and were modified by it.  What a great place it was to grow up in.
Phyllis

Reply
Recommend Delete    Message 166 of 231 in Discussion 
From: MSN Nicknamebiking2006 Sent: 31/03/2007 12:29 AM
Maggie is this book published?

Reply
Recommend Delete    Message 167 of 231 in Discussion 
From: MSN NicknameMaggieMcK Sent: 31/03/2007 8:46 AM
Yes, Roots Beneath the Pavement was first published in 1998.
You can order a copy from the author, she has just had 100 copies reprinted by John Abbott College
 
The price of the book is $25.00 plus cost of mailing, approximately $2.70. 
 

Reply
Recommend Delete    Message 168 of 231 in Discussion 
From: MSN NicknameGuy5479 Sent: 31/03/2007 9:49 AM
80 year old Laurel Buck is the invited guest at the Dawson Cultural Centre on Woodland in Verdun on the 12th of April in the evening, organized buy Kathryn Harvey, historian. Needless to say, everyone is invited and no doubt her book Roots beneath the Pavement will be availbale.
Guy

VCHS CLASS 1963-64

 
I just posted 2 pics of the 63-64 VCHS grad class. Due to the size of the original, I was unable to compress it into one. Lettering may be hard to read, am sure some photos will be familiar.
 
Ron 

Baseball Team

I just posted a picture of the 1964 Verdun Police Midget Baseball team.
 
Members are;
 
1st row, L to R - Michel Primeau, Robert Bonhomme, Yvon Marotte, Peter Scott (Coach), Mario Charbonneau, Colin Lingard, Stewart Buchanan
 
2nd row, L to R - Leon Charron (Manager), Bob Racicot, Jim Webster, Ron Chapdelaine, Glen Viney, Michel Seguin, Bob Burke, Brent Pearce (Coach)
 
 
Rgds
Ron Chapdelaine

Verdun Institution Map

The following map shows the Verdun churches and other architectural buildings. It dates back a few years but I don't think there are any important changes since then. I hope it is not too small and clear enough to be viewed. Hopefully this may help those who left Verdun several years ago to familiarize themselves with the new Verdun. Also, interested members may want to enlarge and copy the map for better viewing. I had to scan the map, downsize it and scan it in 2 sections.
Guy 
 
 
ARCHIVES SHGV

good work

Keep up the good work. I love to see pictures of old verdun. I now live in Calgary but still miss my home. I lives on Valiquettte, then Woodland for many years, then over to Roland. I went to Riverview School and  Verdun High. No one can kae pizza like Woodlands. Plus Lafleurs Steemies( great) Take care,
 
Kyshalady

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Concerts you wished you'd seen

Hi all,
I've been to many, many concerts through the years and there's only about 3 that I can think of at the top of my head that I've missed that I would love to have seen  is:
Bruce Springsteen
Jimmy Buffett(came close,sold out)
U 2
Wendy

Old Verdun Stadium

Here is an unusual photo of the bicycle path under the old Verdun stadium. That should bring back memories.
Guy
Archives SHGV
 

Friday, November 2, 2007

Junebug

Hi, noticed you enquired about Judy Jean-Louis in the past. I am an old friend of Judy's and regret to inform you that she passed away in Montreal Jan 1, 2007 of cancer.

New to the site

Hello all. Recently joined; this is a great site. I lived on Godin, south of Bannantyne 1947-1969. Went to St. Thomas Moore & VCHS.

VAPA (Verdun Anti-Poverty Association)

Does anyone remember (or thoughts /experiences on) VAPA (Verdun Anti-Poverty Association)?
 
Earl.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

YouTube - My Videos

Any V.C. member who has been monitoring and participating here has known I have a number of addictions I'm struggling with. Anyway below is an URL of my humble contribution to one program of addiction. Eating disorders. Not easy to show my behind online believe me, but it helps one person out there I'm contented. Hope it opens for you, let me know okay.
peace and Love,
Bill

http://www.youtube.com/my_videos





Maureen O'neil

Hi, I just got off the phone with a good friend of mine, Maureen Bullard, and she was wondering if anyone knows where Maureen O'neil is or Tinita Lake? Let me know if you can,please.Thanks.
Wendy

The Sailor and the Fiendish Foot


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3gSIE2nt4Y

Halloween sure isnt the same

Anyone remember Halloween the way it used to be - we used to go just between two cross roads like lets say Verdun and Bannantyne and go up and down each street - when my son was 5 and my daughter 2 I took them out - ground floor 2nd floor 3rd floor carrying my daughter in her snow suit so that the big boys like 12 years old running up and down the stairs like they were crazed on sugar - had to carry my daughter or risk her being knocked down the stairs.  Now we have had perhaps 15 kids driven door to door by parents - we are on an acreage 2 km outside NW Calgary but seems like the kids are missing out going with their friends door to door - no exercise except hop out of the van at the door and back in again. It is about 8c and no snow so good night for them.