I just came across this site,....which allows you to download books,...So for those who like to read,you may find something available online (they charge you for a book) but it may be of interest to some:
look at the name of the book ,how can you tell what I was searching for
hahaha 
here's their website address:
140 comments:
Actually some books can be downloaded for FREE,......which is a lot better,....I don't know how extensice their library is,....but the montreal Mysteries book is available here at : http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/8443 maybe they also have others ,...for what it's worth
Someone mentioned David Fennario ,a little while back,.he's the guy who wrote some plays about Montreal's Griffintown called Balconville,....and a few others,.well it seems this Montrealer also runs some walking tours of the city,.I think that would be an interesting little journey,as this guy pulls no punches apparently.....(I 'm not sure how old this story is,so if he still runs it or not) Fennario then leads the group westward, towards the outer edges of what was once the heavily Irish Griffintown. He then proceeds to smash another idol, Thomas D'Arcy McGee (whom he sees as a turncoat and squealer), and erect his own: tavern-owner and working-class philanthropist Joe Beef, who fed hundreds of starving canal workers so they could continue to strike for better conditions. Fittingly, for a Fennario hero, "he's got no statues, no schools and no streets named after him--just a tavern." Beginning his tour at Place d'Armes by the foot of the de Maisonneuve statue, Fennario immediately lets the audience know what to expect: "You got the Westmount version of our history, from the top down. But now I'm going to tell you the Verdun/Pointe St-Charles version of the same history, from the bottom up. It's amazing how history changes when you look at it from the point of view of the losers rather than the winners. All of the sudden good guys look like bad guys." the above 2 paragraphs are taken from the article that appears in the 'Front' newspaper....which is part of the Montreal Mirror http://www.montrealmirror.com/ARCHIVES/2001/071901/news5.html check it out if you like....................................................................................:
the following is also from the Montreal Mirror,.which I believe MaggieMck posted quite a while ago,......... here'san excerpt from the article by Kristian Gravenor: You know, undoubtedly, about the laughing cow landmarks that have been mysteriously put away from their familiar perch at the old Elmhurst dairy in the West End that officials keep promising to return but never do. Mysterious hidden treasures
by KRISTIAN GRAVENOR http://www.montrealmirror.com/ARCHIVES/2003/103003/kristian.html ........................you can read his whole article on some of Montreal's Mysteries
Les-F David Fennario will be a guest speaker at the Dawson Community Center sometime next year. I will post the date when I get it. Refer to my posting yesterday on the Verdun Memories poster. Guy
I hate missing all that Montreal Stuff,.... I think he'd be an interesting character,he's done a lot of different works,.... must be talented ,.....His ' Balconville is supposed to be well done, Do they hold the Speaking Engagements in the Gymnasium ,....I used to play floor hockey in there, ....it was well used Dawson;s facility,.......and apparently still is ,,,that's great
This must be scary for this poor gal,washed overboard in 7 metres seas,. and the search called off till early light,...... it must be horrible for all involved,.especially the young womans family back at home........ The woman was not wearing a life-jacket at the time and the seas were as high as seven metres, while winds reached gale-force strength. Dan Moreland, senior captain of the Picton Castle, said crew aboard the 55-metre barque have told him a massive wave washed over the ship as it was en route to Grenada after leaving Lunenburg, N.S., on Tuesday. .......read the whole story here on the CJAD newspage, http://www.cjad.com/node/450249
no Mystery here: "Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich"..........................wish I had one now,but I will have soon ,as I have some coming out just after Christmas (New Year actually)...........Yahoo.....................hahahahaha
Any what time did you say lunch is being served????
Some more Davie Fennario stuff on NFB: THE FILM Acclaimed playwright David Fennario has always called Montreal's working-class Verdun and Point Saint-Charles districts home. Their streets have inspired the work that's made him famous as a powerful storyteller and activist author. Join Fennario for a performance of his funny and touching one-man play Banana Boots. The show recounts his memories of Verdun's avenues and Fennario's journey to Belfast for the Irish premiere of his hit play Balconville. Banana Boots also recounts Fennario's own journey--how he has "worked his way down" from major theatrical performances to community theater--and his struggle to "create theater that can be used to fight back." Banana Boots marks Fennario's emergence as an actor in his own right, offering a stimulating reminder of how politics can be part of theater and vice versa. Some strong language. Viewer discretion is advised. check it out here: http://www.nfb.ca/trouverunfilm/fichefilm.php?id=33479&v=h&lg=en&exp=
In psot #7 of this thread I mentioned that it must be terribly hard on the parents of that young woman crew member who was swept off the deck,of a tall ship yesterday in 7 metre seas,the search had been called off,due to darkness,and was to resume at daybreak today: Well they have identified the young woman as the daughter of Canadiens GM Bob Gainey........
It's not looking good in the search for Bob Gainey's daughter,but they search & rescue team ,is stilll somewhat optimistic,because they waters are somewhat warmer than usual right now, This is the Tall Ship ,Laura GAiney was on, named the Picton Castle Apparently Laura was a really enthusiastic crew member,and joined this trip in the last 3 months of it's round the world journey (the Gazette,has most of this news,in this mornings paper) ...............................................................Our thoughts go out to the Gainey family
Ho boy, So that's what Fennario is up to! He's from the Pointe and lives in Verdun. Took his name from a Bob Dylan song. Balconville was about Verdun and his greatest success. He wrote a play about Joe Beef but wasn't successful.. He professes to be champion of the working man. I remember going to his house once and there were shelves of books by Marx --- untouched because the books were clean and perfect---all a facade. It was at the height of his popularity...after Balconville. I've never been impressed with him or his writing. I did enjoy Balconville though. I thought he was on to something. He captured life in Verdun and the French/English division very well. He always played that poor artist role, was given some great opportunities by Podbrey at the Centaur and just sneared his way back into the role of a self serving playwright. So he's a tour guide now. I understand that in recent years he's had some health issues and sorry to hear that but I can't stand these woeisme artists who spend their days gazing at their navel. Sorry if I offend anyone, but my opinion..
"I can't stand these woeisme artists who spend their days gazing at their navel."
I wouldn't mind reading his books if I had the time. I have so many other novels to get to. For instance I want to read all of Hemingway's stories again before the first of the year. Here is a novelist who is the extreme opposite to the exerpted statement above, but not necessarily a favorote of the female reader from what I understand.
GVPL (library) has 9 listings for David Fennario: the latest is something called : "Banana Boots" Both a book & a video ,counts as 2 listings His World on Stage Dooctor Thomas Neill Cream: mystery at McGill Joe Beef ( ahistory of Point Saint Charles) Balconville: a play Nothing to lose: a play On the Job: a play Without a parachute ......................................................Most of these have NFB label ,so I guess he was smart enough to get 'Funding'............... National Film Board does have a lot of movies available ,usually through your local library's ,,,,,,,I Rememeber they used to lend projectors & movies,but that's when they had offices all over Canada,..now they do it through the library system,......but I'm not sure if the equipment is available to borrow,you may have to use it only at the library itself,..(same as reference books,can't be taken out) Seems to me he's just an everyday kinda guy,who happend to write about some of the stuff around him........ We all lived Balconville,.....so seeing it in a play,might not be that great?? Although it might supply a laugh or two: ............... http://catalogue.gvpl.ca/search/Y?David%20Fennario&searchscope=1&SORT=D the link is to the page at the GVPL.....so I'm not sure it will allow a hotlink, basically it just shows ,the list I type in above: ........Funny thought though,...He secured Funding from, Gov't sources, and made a 'profit' from the Plays ...........put's put no money himself but profits from it: This man is clearly torn between Marxism...........& Capitalism......... hahahahahaha He sounds like a professional student:
David Fennario attended VHS and graduated in 66 I believe. His real name is David Wiper and has a sister Linda. I think they lived on 1st ave.
Hi Dave NC, I had never heard that info berfore,but right you are, David Fennario Anglophone playwright born David Wiper in Montreal, Quebec , 1947. He was raised in the working class district of Pointe-St-Charles, an area he would make the centre of most of his plays. He was one of six children, his father was a housepainter. His pen name, given to him by a girlfriend, was part of a Bob Dylan song, "Pretty Peggy-O." David Fennario has described his life as: "Born on the Avenues in the Verdun-Pointe Saint Charles working-class district of Montreal; one of six kids growng up in Duplessis' Quebec, repressed, depressed, oppressed and compressed. School was a drag. My working experience turned me into a raving Red calling for world revolution. The process of becoming a political activist gave me the confidence to be a writer. Up to then, I thought only middle-class people could become artists, because they were not stupid like working-class people, who were working-class because they were stupid. But reading Socialist literature convinced me that working-class people can change themselves and the world around them. We are not chained to fate, Freud, God, gender or a genetic code. We can make ourselves into what we want. I've been trying my best to do that ever since, and have had some success as a playwright and a prose writer." I found this information on the following site: http://www.talonbooks.com/index.cfm?event=authorDetails&authorID=63 Thanks again Dave I have to put this under the "I Learn Something New Everyday"............................................ Quite a knowledgeable group we seem to have here...................
Just another source reporting on Dave Fennario AKA:Wiper Posted by J. Kelly at 2:33 AM 0 comments Thursday, October 06, 2005 Return to Balconville.
Centaur Theatre is kicking off its all-Montreal season tonight with Condoville, David Fennario's sequel to his 1979 bilingual smash Balconville. I think it's amazing that Centaur is presenting seven new shows this year, all by local playwrights. I can't imagine any other English regional theatre in Canada pulling that off.
But it's not actually that huge a huge gamble. The Centaur's top three most financially-successful plays were all by Montrealers: Balconville, Michel Tremblay's For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again, and Steve Galluccio's Mambo Italiano.
My interview with Fennario is in the Post today and online gratis: Is it possible David Fennario has mellowed with age? Discussing his new play, Condoville, which resurrects the characters from his 1979 bilingual classic, Balconville, the working-class Pointe St-Charles playwright sounds positively sanguine on the subject of the middle-class theatre-goers who will see it at the Centaur Theatre in Montreal.
"I'm addressing an audience that I think will be more sensitive to the ideas I've been promoting for the last 20 years than they have in quite a while," says Fennario, who vowed to turn Westmount mansions into co-ops when he ran for the leftist Union des Forces Progressistes in the 2003 provincial election.
But any notion that Fennario's notoriously rough edges have been smoothed by his recent battle with the debilitating Guillain-Barre syndrome is quickly dispelled.
"By the way," he segues suddenly over the phone from the Centaur, where Condoville premieres tonight, "tell your editors they're f---ing assholes ... Everything that my play is against, your paper supports.
"Don't put my picture in there -- I don't want to be seen in your f---ing newspaper," he continues through the speakerphone, making it difficult to discern to what degree he is kidding. "That good enough for you? You think I've mellowed out?" The above blog spot was found at: http://fence.blogspot.com/2005_10_01_archive.html You never know what things you can learn ,by reading other stuff,...so Have a look ,if it is of any interest,..
Hi Sabby, I'm with you. David fennario wrote a column for the Montreal Gazette at one time. It was so bad that I wrote the Gazette asking them to stop listing him as a Verdun Playwright. His description of Verdun (Streets full of drunks) was so insulting and unfair to our city that many Verdunites were angered by it. Just his description told me he knew nothing about Verdun. In one of my classes at McGill, four out of nine had written the Gazette in anger. I watched one of his plays (Can't remember the title) but I don't believe that our founding Fathers of Confederation used foul four letter words every sentence. Ed
Yes I can't Remember ever hearing 4 letter words ,growing up in Verdun hahahahah..................I don't know the guy,& don't know if he's an a$$ or not,....but I do Remember the lesson of being careful when we point a finger,cause the rest of the fingers point back in the opposite direction,....... Could it be ,that he garnered some attention,...and that attention is the source of aggravation..........?? but aren't writers meant to be heard (or read),...and if it sparks some response,then like it or not ,.they must have been successfull........... I would make a point of taking this guy's tour of Montreal,(just to hear his version),.......I can hold my own with any Montrealer,.....and dismiss the goofs ,(but only after some assessment).......sometimes outspoken ,is misunderstood for arrogance or worse ignorance............but intelligence will shine through,regardless of detrimental revues............
Les, Being a writer myself, I have strong opinions about the subject of truth with oneself as a writer and with what you write. My brother hung around with Fennario in Verdun and later composed some of the music for some of his plays. I think Banana Boat or whatever it was called. I remember reading Without a Parachute when it first came out. I believe he was attending Dawson College at that time, and he started to keep this diary which became Without a Parchute. Podrey from the Centaur took him under his wings and groomed him. How hypocritical can he get, taking money from the establishment and then spitting at it! An actor friend was in a couple of his plays --- On the Job and then Nothing to Lose. I have the On the Job script which was given to me as I was thinking of writing plays at that time (which I later did). It taught me that a good director can make a bad play good and vice versa. His characters and script were original and the play was well directed, so On the Job was successful; Nothing to Lose, bad and Balconville gave him stature. My friend also played in Balconville and I thought wow finally someone is depicting Verdun and it was true and good and a great success. Balconville was awesome! However, Balconville has become his only claim to fame. How did Condoville do? Anything he wrote after that was crap. (Can I use that word?) The other thing you need to know is that at that time, the Canada Council was starting to give grants to theatres if they produced Canadian playwrights. Centaur like most theatres always need funding, so Podbrey did see an opportunity in producing Fennario. After the Balconville success David just became too full of himself. He got all this publicity and money which he accepted. To me he was a phoney from the start --- from his phoney name to his phoney lifestyle and phoney thinking. Les, you are too kind. Outspoken being misunderstood for arrogance and ignorance? He is a rude arrogant ignorant writer who is trying to propagate the portrait of the artist as a rebel. You don't have to swear at interviewers. You don't have to read socialist literature as he states "to convince himself that working class people can change themselves, that working class people are stupid." What!!!!! Fennario loves to provoke. I would suggest he expand his reading to include some books on etiquette and self help. Try reading period. They say that getting published is 95% work and 5% luck. This dude got 100% luck, 15 minutes of fame, then blew it. I would have more respect for Fennario as a human being and writer if he showed the same to the people of Verdun and live his beliefs (even if I disagree) and not take money from the hand he spits on. What a hypocrite! Sorry I say it as I see/experienced it. Dolly
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I went to school with Wiper and hung around with his sister as a teenager. Dave was alway a bit of a weirdo, but all in all not a bad dude. I think people are trying to take him to seriously, remember this was the 60's, and most everyone from that era didn't trust the gov. or anyone over 30, and was marching for 1 cause or another. BTW Peter MacNeil from I think Stephens Ave played the lead in Balconville, he went on to play the SGT. in the TV show Katt's and Dog. He did a lot of work in movies and TV as a cop. I also hung around with him and his brother Andy as a teen.
Good Point Dave ,....everyone was protesting something in the 60's(whether they knew it or not)........hahahaha Whether to be able to wear Jeans at school,...or whatever,........ As for a writer to want to 'provoke' .........isn't that what all writers really want at some point........ 'provoke thoughts' a book wouldn't be read at all ,if noone wanted to 'provoke' some thought.............hahahahah .....and imagine someone having a controversial 'opinion',or playing (Devils Advocate)........ a Verdun or Montrealer.........say it isn't so.............hahahah . What!!!!! Fennario loves to provoke (good observation,.....I agree)hahaha I also agree 95% work ,5% Luck,...(probably true of all types of work,) based on these figures,............old Dave's been Lucky a lot...........hahahaha Someone I read recently said ;"I make my life ,what I want it to be,---- ------------ I am the boss of me"............... perhaps Dave Wiper subscribes to these same sentiments,I suspect most people do........... (taken froma book ,funded by ) Canada Council for the Arts______ Conseil des Arts du Canada as well as funding from one of our western province's Foundation for the Arts....................................... ......Thankfully all these programs 'are' helping Canadian writers,artists,etc etc .........They help us get a steady feed ,of material,to 'provoke'us into thinking.........................Fortunately for us ,we live in a country ,where We Make the Choice ,..............and where everyone is allowed to have an Opinion ............of course this is Just my Opinion.......hahahahahah Btw: I have just put on hold from GVPL.... 'Banana Boots' I hope it's good,.....as I always like to Laugh...............hahahahahah
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I caught "Balconville" on TV quite a few years back. It reminded me of home. My grade 9 English teacher, Ross Dawe, brought in David Fennario as a guest speaker. I think they were classmates and "without a parachute" had just been published. I think that David made a statement about doing pretty good for a drop-out. Now I wonder if Guy can look him up in the 66 or 67 yearbook?
I guess some people see their heroes as they'd like them to be and some of us remember them the way they were. Ed
Isn't that what's nice about living in a democratic society? Chacun a son gout. Cheers.
I don't know about heroes ,...none of mine are writers .........hahahaha but a Mind & a Book are sometimes similar,.........You Have to Open them ,to get anything 'out' of them,...................hahahahahaha “The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it” Terry Pratchett quotes (English Writer, b.1948) ______________________________________ Hey what do you know ,a writer with a quote, guess it works both ways................hahahahahaha
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I saw no attacks ,..but then I'm not looking for one either,.. and I'm not judging anyone either(at least I don't think I was) but as I say that's the beauty of having an opinion,......don't take anything personally,there's really no need ,as I see it,... I really don't know ,if Dave Wiper has helped out the homeless,.....and I couldn't care less if he did...............hahahaha I would still like to hear the tour,....it just might be interesting,......from a different slant,........I wouldn't Attack him,..Nor will I defend him,......but I still will read his stuff,.............and that's the bottom line: I would guess that anyone could have someone say something about them (be it true or untrue),...that part of his life is not now ,nor has it ever been,of any importance to me,......clearly I understand that you have a different opinion ,cool:
Les, Some of us are more sensitive/intuitive than others. Creative types usually are. They observe the world and see things that others miss and then turn it into art. I couldn't care less either about Dave Wiper, what he was, is or will be, and never said not to read his stuff or hear the tour. On the contrary, the good thing about this debate is that it has made you and perhaps others curious/aware enough to look up his work or hear him speak which is a good thing. More Canadians should be reading Canadian books. And like other books you've read, you will form your opinion just as I have. This discussion also got some people's dander up because their Verdun is not Fennario's. So whose truth is it anyway? And why is it important? I bring this up because this fall I attended a workshop on writing both fiction and non-fiction and whether it was important for a writer to tell the truth. So for me it is an interesting topic ---if not for anyone else. I always seek my truth in my work and make it clear it is mine. Anyhow, I sidetracked. I approached this discussion/debate as in a book club where people form their opinions based on their tastes and passions. My remarks were not meant to be judgemental. Heck, an opinion by any other name is now a judgement? Look, I'm sure you and your buddies have gathered around the beer table to discuss the pros and cons of a hockey game, a player, give an opinion on a movie or TV show. I'm sure there was much discussion, arguing, and sarcastic remarks because not everyone agrees. In the end you all walked away knowing you didn't change anyone's mind and wasn't that a good beer! I threw in my 2 cents on the bar table when this topic opened up. I'm a writer, so I have things to say and I say it as I see it. I couldn't care less if anyone agrees with me or not. (And now I'm probably off the subject again), but wanted to clarify some things. and btw, the beer was good :-) Dolly.
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Wow, Joey! I'm impressed that you took so much time and at suppertime to respond to my juvenile opinions. Must have hit a nerve. Don't flatter yourself. Obviously you got lost in the translation. Dolly
SAbby ....
Don't sweat it
I'll still love you in the morning ?
joey
Joey, There you go flattering yourself again. :-)
The "Chez-Paree" was mentioned recently,........look who appeared there Montreal was a focal point ,for many musicians at one time rivalling the best & biggest of cites in North America:
Without saying anymore for or against Fenario's work, I'd like to establish a few truths about our city. 1. Verdun did not have drunks laying in the streets. Verdun Police picked up inebriated people and took them to the station on Church. Many a 'Drunk and disorderly' fine was paid in Verdun courts. Our City Fathers were tough on drunks especially with Mayor Ed Wilson being a teetotaller. 2. Verdun did not have a drinking problem. Certainly no more than any other city. Many families moved there because there were no taverns or clubs. 3. There was not a beer store on every corner. Most of the stores were depanneurs or 'corner stores' as they were called then. Corner stores sold Newspapers, soft drinks, ice cream, comics candy etc. The other stores were actually "Grocery stores' who also sold beer. Think about it. I remember only four stores on Bannantyne between Woodland and the Douglas. Think back honestly. How many of the stores in your area sold beer? Ed
Maggie, I will check it up but did David Fennario use his pen name or his real name and what is it. As mentioned previously, he will be a guess speaker next year at the Dawson Cultural Centre as an invited guess so I must not miss this event as he seems to be quite a character.The name of the event is VERDUN MEMORIES and I will advise everyone the date of his appearance. Guy
Les-F, Frank Sinatra has to be my all time favorite singer, no one surpasses him even today, of course that is my opinion.When I worked at Tony The Taylor in the early 50s, We clothed many known show business personalities, including french and english, also many Hockey players. Tony would charge them half price just for the publicity. I met Jean Beliveau, Bronco Horvath, Jacques Plante, Frank Hanley, and may others that I can't remember the names. We were above the Hale Hakala Club at the corner of Notre Dame and McGill and dressed many show personalities. Those were the years of wide open Montreal with corrupted cops and politicians prior to Jean Drapeau, Pacifique Plante, Lucien Saulnier and others. That was quite a period. Guy
It depends on the time frame you are talking about. I know that the police used to pick drunks up and throw them in the "tank" for the night. I also know that at 6 or 7 years old I could go to the corner store on 1st and LaSalle and they would load my wagon with a 24 for my dad. I also could do the same around the corner on Rielle between LaSalle and Wellington. The little store on LaSalle 2 doors away did not sell beer or wine and neither did the restaurant on Willibrord near the laneway at LaSalle. So I guess that makes about 50% in my neck of the woods. My time frame is the late 60's to 70's.
Ed.....
That's a great thought provoker .
Am I hearing you correct when I say that the booze distribution statistcs from Verdun would be an interesting study ?
Also what are the criteria for assesing truth in , newspaper reporting in and the many varied methods of it's delivery .
NEWSREPORT , COLUMNIST , EDITORIALIST , MAGAZINE STORY , FEATURE STORY , SHORT STORY , BACKGROUNDER , BIO , EXPOSE....the accent doesn't work on my computer ?
All of which is a gigantic topic of great historical significance
Glad to see that you are back to your humorus self .
That is if you ever left :)
joey
I can't remember when it changed either Maggie, but when I delivered for Johnny's Meat Market corner Argyle and Bannantyne (circa '48 - '50 ) He told me that to sell beer one needed to sell groceries. That was before the Steinberg's and IGA got big. I think the first big one was Bannantyne at Desmarchais. (A & P) Today every corner store can sell beer which gives the impression of a beer store on every corner but you might recall it was not so in those days. I remember being thabkful that not many ordered cases of beer. Those wood cases were heavy for a 12 year old. Most ordered 3 - 6 quarts. Ed
From my neck of the woods: Beer stores During the 50's there was a very small grocery store, next to the candy store on Verdun Ave, at the bus stop between Riverview and Godin. Ruth
You know Joey, Sabby makes a good point. Perhaps I have seen only the bad side of the man. I will read more of his work. If you have a suggestion where I should start I'm listening. Did he do any humour? I'm tired of laughing at myself. Ed
Ed, This is funny, but you were mentioning delivering beer. In Balconville one of the characters delivers groceries by bicycle ~ the kind with a small wheel in front and a big metal basket to hold groceries or whatever. Someone points out that one of the tires is flat, to which the character replies that it's okay, "cause it's only flat on the bottom". I think if you get a chance to see the play you'll get a better appreciation for it. Personally, I haven't read (or seen) anything else by this fellow. But this one in particular grabs the essence of our "hood". Cheers.
Well, what a difference a day makes! I don't understand why Joey's messages to me were deleted from last night. Ed, I see that your initial response to Joey's interpretation of life in Verdun is also missing here unless my old eyes are playing tricks on me. I had wanted to say to you that respect was not shown you re your statement about your life in Verdun. Not everyone came from dysfunctional alcoholic abusive families, and I took exception that Joey said you had lived a sheltered life and offered that you should read that book re McGill. No, respect was not shown you, and I do not see your comments as humourous but rather as serious insights from someone whose life in Verdun was much different than his. A good discussion was had by all which I'm sure kept the lurkers rivetted! (sp), and piqued people's interest in this dude who took his last name from a Bob Dylan song. I don't plan on deleting my comments because I am not ashamed of them. Guy, not to dwell on the subject further, but yes check out Fennario. Don't go by my or Joey's critiques because you are entitled to form your own opinion and I respect that. I do not know him today and my comments were based on my knowledge and experience from the late sixties/early seventies. As for me, you guys are keeping me away from writing the great Canadian novel! :-) But I will dip in whenever an interesting topic rears its ugly head. lol
Ed....
To me ,To be able to laugh at one's self is the pinnacle of human achievement .
An interesting point that can possibly frame this discussion is the self perceived function of a MARXIST artist .......
Or a SOCIALIST Artist ....it is quite different from what us folk have been conditioned to see as the function of those crafts .
I have made a clear distinction of classifying those endeavours as crafts not as some advocates would see as natural abilities . Hence might be a fulcrum point of departure.
You mentioned that some people may have only seen the bad side of a MARXIST artist .....that sometimes is the ultimate reward for the craftsman to return from being out in the desert completely disenfranchised from society and returning to hold out the deviance device of mirroring of what the artist sees and experiences of that society .....
Perceptions , real or immagined is inconsquential....and irrelevant .......for the purpose of this presentation of my point of view.....
Then the society and it's members reaction will range from one extreme to the other but extreme does cause change and that is the goal of the MARXIST artist .
There are lots of good articles out on the net which give better expose of the function of the ARTIST as Radical .
Or ARTIST , WRITER , as marxist revolutionary .
It's a totally different world of assesment and evaluation....
Inside out and backwords from our learning .
joey
Ed, if you're going to read Fennario, read or see Balconville. It is the work that he is best known for and is his best work. But by just reading Balconville, you do not get the full sense of his development as a writer. His first book Without a Parachut is a journal/diary non-fiction work which I remember enjoying and thought there were possibilities. Then the plays: On the Job and Nothing to Lose followed, and then Balconville. He peaked here. Next plays were Joe Beef, Banana Boot and his latest Condoville. Joey might want to correct me on these last ones or if he wrote others. I don't know his latest, Condoville, and I have not read any reviews. I usually don't go by reviews anyhow because whether it is a book or a play or a movie, it's always a subjective thing unless it is so obviously bad or magnificently great. But yes, Balconville was a good funny play and true to the character of Verdun. After that? I don't know. But check it out yourself and form your own opinion.
Gosh Joey, I'm showing my ignorance here but I haven't a clue about what you're talking about in post #51, nor am I interested in fining out. Had to read it twice. You see, my writing makes people laugh or cry or they come up to me after a reading and tell me I've changed their lives or made a difference. That's a powerful moment. I call it a Wow moment because I never expect it. The point is we all write for different reasons and there is a place for all sorts of writers both political and apolitical because there are all types of audiences and readers, both political and apolitical.. Personally, it's not my thing as you obviously can tell but, hey, whatever gets you through life!
Sabby.....
I'm glad for you...
And I never expected you to get it ....
joey
Joey, Again, you got lost in the translation. I tried to communicate in clear concise comprehensible vocabulary instead of getting caught up in some mumbo jumbo word play. First of all you are really defensive and misinterpreted everything, or glossed over what I've said, and obviously have some chip on your shoulder if the world disagrees with you. . It always amuses me when people sling words like backstabbing, envy, delusional whenever they get criticized because it usually means they are insecure, lack vocabulary or they mirror those words. You just don't get it. That's the pity. I gave my honest critique, a balanced view --- both what I liked and didn't because that is what is called an objective opinion.and you took exception to the fact that I didn't rave about a MARXIST artist and you took it personally. Maybe one day you'll accept everyone as individuals and show some respect. As I said, you're keeping me away from writing the great Canadian novel. I expect that you will have a tantrum again and delete your message as per usual. I'm not going to waste my time on you kid.
AMEN!!!!
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Ed, I don't know when you grew up in Verdun, but when delivered beer on a bicycle in the 60's there were tons of beer/grocery stores between Woodland and the Dougie. There were 2 between Argyle and Woodland on Bannantyne (I guess these don't officially count). 1 at Bannantyne and Egan. 2 at Bannantyne and Osborne 1 beside the Rec on Bannantyne 1 near Riverview school 1 at Beuling and Manning 1 at Beurling and Brown 1 at Beurling and I think Godin. Thats quite a few in just a few miles. There was also 1 at Bannantyne and Melrose and 1 at Bannantyne and Desmarchais
Yes I have to agree,all around where I lived,had Grocery Stores that would sell beer,& licensed restaurants,that sold beer,.not to mention a few private spots ,.one on Church Av upstairs near the corner of Church Av,.(army.navy ?? ) in anycase a friend of ours was a bartender in there,(& always seemed busy),.....Cote's grocery Gordon & Wellington also sold beer & would put it on your wagon for you as a kid to take home,....not to mention all delivery bikes all over the city (generally to deliver beer),......Curries on Verdun Av couldn't have exisited without beer sales,.....all down Wellington had licensed restaurants,.....as well as a Grocery store every few blocks ,...the side streets pretty much each had a small 'Epicerie' (now Depanneur),that sold beer......Old Harvey the Gentle Giant ,could be seen & especially heard,.whiile driving his delivery bike 'loaded ' with beer cases piled high, and I mean a real case '24' ,......not a half a case '12'.......There was plenty of Booze in Verdun,.......and 2 liquor stores, both on Verdun Av,. also any of these stores would deliver to your house within a very short time,.or you'd never order from there again,........Metro Grocery on Wellington St btwn 5th & 6th ,had 2 station wagons that delivered grocery's and the tailgate always had cases piled on it,.....? This is just a shot in the dark,but I'd say there was no shortage of Booze in Verdun,at any time (probably includes prohibition era),.........drive down 'any' street in the warmer weather & the front gallery's were full of people sitting out there having a beer........and if the Quebec Gov't hadn't made it against the law for the 'large chains' Dionnes,Steinberg's, etc to sell beer ,they would have had it too,....the Gov't didn't allow it,because they readily admitted that allowing it wouls all but 'spell' the demise of the small guys.......... So technically for all intents & purposes,Verdun may have been a dry town,but the exclusion of an actually Tavern,Hotel,Nightclub...........does not a dry town make: The big brewery's Molson's ,Labatt's,Dow, etc etc had their own trucks ,that could be seen at any given time 'making a delivery' to the Grocery/Epicerie's, and it was always a big production, out with that set of rollers and they would literally throw the cases to roll them down into the basement of the grocery stores; ...........and my guess would be that Currie's was the largest beer retailer of them all,I would doubt that they sold many grocery's relative to beer. Just my observations,and quite a few others here too.........Verdun had booze &lots of it
Ed....
I think that your observation regarding Quarts is very interesting....
I believe that in the years 40/50 early 60's Quarts were more the choice .....remember the Taverns mostly sold quarts and draft .
And the pics that I have of my father overseas all the guys were sitting around the table hanging onto their quarts .
so my point being that there was a shift from the old school quart to the next generation pints .....remember the old pint bottle versions were long slender which then were replaced by the stubbies which were then augmented with the American syle slenders .
I wonder what were the implications of those changes ?
And it's nice to see that the topic has morphed into a discussion of accesability to booze .......
It would be interesting to do a sociological study of the booze phenomina (sp) in Verdun ....would it be complicated by the fact that most of the people have moved away from the scene of the proverbial crime ?
joey
Fellow Verdun Expatriates.....
I am going to scan a picture of one of the most famous Verdun delivery boys of all time .....
I clicked him the last time that I was in Verdun about five years ago ......
I should get it done today ......be patient .
joey
Here is a picture that I took of "HARVEY" the delivery boy from Curries ,corner of Verdun and Fourth during the 60's .
I have a section in my book that includes some of the delivery people from Verdun and the zigs and Zags that their lives followed .
Should any of you people like to contribute your versions of your times and experiences . If you could include a photograph that would be great .
This is my third attempt to make this post....hope it works.
All that you have to do is remove the SPAMGUARD from the email address .
VERDUNspamguardSTORIES@hotmail.com
joey
Has he mellowed ?.........I can always Remember him bellowing at passing cars,as he balanced the load on the bike......... He always seemd gigantic,.....but the picture makes him seem somewhat normal size,....I guess the years have a way of equalizing.............hahahaha I would never have recognized him on the street as I still picture him much younger,probably have not seen him since 1970 ??? --ish, Are those parking meters in the background? I have seen them on Wellington St,......and didn't like the idea of them there,....They are dead ugly,and I think an afront to the people who live & shop in the area; Mind You we hate the meters here downtown as well :........hahahaha
Ed....
I've included some links where you may find some interesting search terms .
There is a wide spectrum of thought that I've included .
http://wilderdom.com/wilson/
http://home.ca.inter.net/~grantsky/colin.html
http://marxists.anu.edu.au/reference/index.htm
http://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC12/Campbell.htm
http://www.folkstory.com/
http://www.criticism.com/md/
http://www.chomsky.info/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literary_criticism
joey
Les....
Regarding HARVEY.....
He is still a giant ...the photo is too small to do him justice .
He is still larger than life . A beautiful VEDUNNER .
I didn't want to post a large photo cause some people may have had a hard time downloading it .
joey
Joey-verdun,......Harvey has Verdun Character stamped all over him..............hahahaha He was always (not always ) but almost always in a good mood,.......and helped people,.......
Hi joey-verdun, I don't recall Harvey working for Curries but I know he worked at Mickies on Wellington and 3rd which later was Rex's. And he worked at Tousineau's closer to 4th on Wellington. And I think he also worked a Gruman's on 4th and Verdun. That is a good picture of him. Do you have any others that worked on delivery, there is a long list of them. What about Biff or Dave Galliger, Tommy Hughs, Tommy Woodings, Charlie Watt. Danny
DannyB ,yes that's right on Wellington St ,......I didn't notice where joey said Currie's,......I may have missed it,.....that's what made it even more amazing was when he would pull out onto Wellington,.with the basket piled high,riding with one hand ,..and the other on top of the load.........hahaha I do sort of recall him leaving Tousignants (was it around when Tousignant got shot & killed across the street while making a bank deposit ??) but this mat have been briefly ,as he was at home there,.......or do I have it backwards,
Hi Les, Harvey also worked at the York Hotel on NotreDame Str. in the 70's.
DannyB you have an incredible memory ,..Dave Gallagher(sp?) ,and Watts, I would have been hard pressed to recall what was in Rex's prior to it being Rex's,....but yes the Pizza joint was a new & welcome addition to us all.I have a picture of Rex's somewhere around,......... Man I'm gonna have to get back one of these days ,for a memory prompting session,.......unless your planning to come out here,....and we'll sit on the deck,..and empty the fridge........hahahahaha After you guys get the official tour of Victoria of course,................. but it wouldn't be the same as sitting in any Montreal area bar,......hahahaha
Hey that is a picture I've been ttrying to find for years,......the York Hotel ,,,,,,,joey have you got one of those? That would be great to see DannyB when did they close down the York,.....it must have been around then??
Les I think it was after the shooting that he worked there. And yes he could carry more beer on a bike than anyone else that I have ever seen. He was and is very strong. A few people made the mistake of thinking that he would be a pushover and tried to rob him.
You see Dave, this is what I mean by telling it like it was. There was not two beerstores between Argyle and Woodland. One was Johnny's Meat Market which sold beer and The one I delivered for in the fifties. The other was the four brothers meat market which sold only meat. The one at Bannantyne and Egan you mention was the Thrift Store. The manager was Mr. Douaire, I worked for him part time. I lived around the corner next to Woodland Garage. They sold groceries and meat, no beer. You mention two at Osborne and Bannantyne. Sorry but only Trenmore Market on the West side sold beer. I owned half of the other one for a while in the sixties. We did not sell beer. The one next to the Rec was Proudfoot's. He did not sell beer but had the greatest choice of comic books. The one near Riverview school was a grocery which did sell beer. The rest you mention I don't know about. So what do you want to do. Tell it like it is or like Fenario go on making our beloved community look seedy. I love Verdun. I still live here. I've spent my life building sports, creating young people's groups, working in soup kitchens, working for fire victims and entertaining the elderly and psychriatric patients. All in Verdun. Wherever I go I try to speak well of Verdun. If you want to go on degrading it's memory, go ahead because at this point I don't give a damn. Ed
Les, Nick the former owner of Rex's, sold his second restaurant on Wellington just east of Hickson ( called Nick's Pizza ) after the death of his wife this summer.
Hi Ed...You sure do tell it like it is...or was...anyway, I sure do wish I had listened to you several months ago. Dianne
Yes I see it now, msg #63 this thread,..... I took of "HARVEY" the delivery boy from Curries ........but as I mentioned I sort of Remember him leaving Wellington St locale,....and working on Verdun Av,for a while,....funny thing is ,as small as Verdun really was (area wise) ,..it was possible for someone to just hang around a different block or whatever ,and no one would see them for years,...so Harvey's ;'presence' being as large & as loud as it was,....would definetly create a vaccuum of sorts ,until his return to Wellington,.........and we'd see him again,. (at least I would as I lived on Wellington)..........you always had the Verdun Av cased............hahahahah
That's sad DannyB is he still running aplace or retired now? I never was in the 2nd place........I've been out here for 30years,.......
Joey, Thanks for the links you sent me. They look interesting. I wish I had the time to get into some of them but I don't. As well as my work trying to keep our Church afloat I am preparing a class I will be teaching at McGill in the spring and I am hoping to write a novel myself this winter. I have three good ideas which I think will fly if I can only find the time. Ed
I believe he has retired. He joked with me a few years back to buy it from him so he could retire, he said he was tired. I have not seen him in a very long time and I feel sorry for him, It is such a great loss after working side by side all those years and not getting to share their retirement together.
Absolutely Right DannyB,.......... I could see you as owner of a neighbourhood store like that,....you've got the right attitude,.......... but you'd have to have a book for those who can't pay till pay-day,,,,,,,Remember all those little stores had a 'book',,,,,,,,,,hahahaha
Les I would more than likely go out of buisness because I would be giving the food away to whoever was hungry or had a good story.
Danny, Nick sold the restaurant hoping to take Annie back to Greece to die when they found out she had cancer but she died in the Verdun General without recovering. I know Nick is planning to go but for how long I don't know. The new owner has given the place a classy look with new tables and chairs and this morning I notice he has added a busboy. I think he might be going for a liquor licence. His fish and chips are not as good as Nick's home made cod but he seems to be holding the clientel. Ed
Hi Edbro,.......I didn't see Dave or anyone else degrade Verdun,..we all love the place or wouldn't be on this site,to start with,....but Verdun had booze and lot's of it,....that's not degrading to the place it's a fact,..... Being proud of your home is admirable,.but it doesn't mean anyone else is trying to attack it,.because they happen to Remember that the city sold Beer , It's not that big a deal,.....and evryone's input is good,....and participation is good ,from everyone,regardless if we all agree or not,.....i don't think I can recall meeting a Montrelaer,..from any area,who wasn't passionate in all matters of conversation,....from sports to beer stores........hahahahah Let's Have Fun and Remember Verdun..........................
Wow ,this sounds almost identiacal to the CBC documentary they did a few years ago,.of another fellow named Nick who ran a restaurant and thae same thing happenned his wife passed away before he could rertire,..with her: Just shows us to Appreciate the people & things we have right now,because we never know..............I can't Remember the name of his restaurant right now ,but it will come to me
Les what restaurant was that? dianne
Hi Ed, Do you have a phone number for Nick. I have looked in the book but I think I got the wrong spelling. I have not been to the restaurant since I had my amputation and have to stay with my wife she can not stay by herself. Danny
Les I have never been there and I am not sure I'd like to try the food as i am trying to watch my intake of fat....however i just helped my husband eat a bag of Lays salt and vinigar chips... Did you ever go to Greek restaurant on Green Aveune in Westmount? Dianne
CBC's program RoughCuts,..did the documentary called " Man of Grease"....................it's a laugh to watch,..he really is a character,..with the raspy voice,from years of smoking,.and he knows it,. really a neat story,....if you have a chance to see it,.check it out:Here's a little more information from a separate site: MAN OF GREASE
Thursday March 4, 2004 at 10 PM ET/PT
repeating Saturday March 6, 2004 at 10 PM ET
repeating Thursday December 23, 2004 at 10 PM ET/PT
repeating Saturday December 25, 2004 at 10 PM ET/PT
Cosmos is a cubbyhole of a greasy spoon in Montreal. Tony Koulakis, 66, has been sweating it out behind the grill on Sherbrooke St. for nearly 30 years. His all-day, cholesterol-laden breakfasts are legendary. Customers come far and wide to chow down on house specialties like "mish mash"-a combo of ham, sausage, bacon, salami, onions, tomatoes and eight eggs. Even Koulakis, a chain-smoker, sometimes warns his customers of the health risks. So when rumours of his impending retirement hit the street, filmmaker Ezra Soiferman was there to record the drama.
The result is a quirky, yet poignant documentary portrait of a local Montreal legend in Man of Grease.
Soiferman looks at how this dedicated, passionate and eccentric immigrant (known affectionately as "The God of Potatoes") turned his tiny restaurant into a city institution. One year before retiring, Koulakis placed his beloved Cosmos in the trust of his three children, and travelled-for the first time in nearly three decades-back to his homeland of Greece. There, Koulakis revisited his birthplace on the sun-drenched island of Crete.
The documentary features Koulakis's many loyal customers, friends and family who provide insight into the culture of diners and why they are so popular. Cosmos regulars don't come strictly for the food, but for the sense of belonging, the everyday drama, the counter conversations that often segue into philosophical debates and arguments about hockey, and above all else, for Tony Koulakis.
Man of Grease tells the story of a young man who arrived from a foreign land, worked hard to create something special, and many years later, looks back at what he has achieved.
Man of Grease is produced and directed by Ezra Soiferman of Perpetuum Productions of Montreal.
To find out more about the documentary or to obtain a copy, contact the producer. ..................................Just more montreal stuff....
Edbro, I am telling it like it is, maybe when you lived on Woodland that was the way it was, but when I lived there, there were 2 beer stores between Argyle and Woodland, the 1 on the corner of Argyle was Argyle Provisions and the other 1 was 4 brothers. Why does Fennario keep on coming up???? You asked us how Verdun was in are era and I'm telling you what I remember. When I was a teen both stores on Bann and Osborne sold beer. If you don't know or remember the others I mentioned how the hell can U tell me to tell it like it is. Not once did I ever mention that Verdun was seedy so I have no clue how you drew that conlusion. Wasn't trying to start yet another battle just stating the facts. BTW, you also mentiond that you will be teaching at, look up Dean Thomson (another good ol verdun boy) he is the Undergraduate Program Coordinator in the Psychology dept.
Currie's was on the corner of third ave. and verdun. I worker there after school and on weekends. I remember well carrying 2 fors in the basket, this was in the 50's before I joined the navy. bob
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DannyB ,yes that's right on Wellington St ,......I didn't notice where joey said Currie's,......I may have missed it,.....that's what made it even more amazing was when he would pull out onto Wellington,.with the basket piled high,riding with one hand ,..and the other on top of the load.........hahaha I do sort of recall him leaving Tousignants (was it around when Tousignant got shot & killed across the street while making a bank deposit ??) but this mat have been briefly ,as he was at home there,.......or do I have it backwards,
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Can anyone tell me what that sign in the window of Proudfoot's Store means ?? ........... "Biere Froide" seems to me it also says 1950 at the bottom of the picture......? ...................Say it isn't so............Beer sold at Proudfoot's (not in Verdun) ...............it just couldn't be,,,,,,,,,,,,, The one next to the Rec was Proudfoot's. He did not sell beer but had the greatest choice of comic books. ......Some other good photo's on this Verdun site: http://www.museevirtuel.ca/pm.php?id=record_detail&fl=0&lg=Francais&ex=00000141&rd=87858# Navigate around this site it has many good old Verdun Photos', and Guy would be familiar with the site ,.as it is part of the SHGV
I can Remember seeing the back doors of Curries open,...and it wasn't unusual in those days to see,some of them in there ,'enjoying a cool one' Hot Summer Days & Beer just seemed to go together,.....(cold winter nights & Hockey Games were a good time too),......as well as any week that started with a Monday........
Wasn't Curries on Bannantyne near Riverview in the 70's ? My father used to hang out there after he finished work in the afternoon and have some beers with friends at the back of the store. I remember his friends used to give me money to get candy from the Dep next store. And Danny B I remember you also from Curries and my dad if you are the same one :)
Curries usta have 2 stores. The 2nd was on Bannantyne and either Moffat or Manning. I also usta deliver beer onna bike for a store called Patenauds at Melrose and Bannantyne. If someone called in for more than beer and cigs., he sent me to the A&P to buy the stuff and he never marked it up.
Curries was at corner of Manning - 5773 Bannantyne Proudfoot's was next door - 5775 Bannantyne Do either exist today? An up todate photo would be neat!
I delivered for a store at the corner of Melrose and Bannantyne. There was an old fellow who lived on Melrose up towards VHS who would order 2 Qts almost every day. The problem was his wife would come after you with a broom when you tried to deliver his beer.
Hi Donna McFarlane, It must be Kenny Biggs you are thinking of at Curries on Bannantyne. I never hung around there. But I do know you from somewhere. Maybe VCHS. Danny
Hi WayneFeb2940, Was the quarts that he ordered in a green bottle or a brown bottle. I remember that some people would only drink from the green or only the brown bottles. Just like when you were in the tavern and someone would order a 50 or Dow tablett. You don't hear that anymore.
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DonnaMcFarlane, I guess you are to young to have been in VCHS when I was there. But your name is very familiar to me. Danny
You're right Les. It is Proudfoot's and it does say beer. I don't know who added the 1950 sign but it is definitely a crock. They were not called Depanneurs in 1950 and the fire hydrant style is definitely not 1950. Plus the back end of the car showing is at least seventies. I don't know why you and others delight in putting forth all these beer stores, it really has little to do with the important point. VERDUN DID NOT HAVE A DRINKING PROBLEM. People bought beer and took it home to drink. This is not a drinking problem. People sat on there galleries and drank beer. This is not a drinking problem.If there were more beer sold in stores in Verdun it would probably be because of the lack of bars, etc. This is not a drinking problem it is a good thing. You only give fuel to people like Fenario who says there were drunks lying in the streets. I thought this site was created to bring out the good memories of Verdun. Up to now it has been. Ed
Arbutus, I will take a photo tomorrow as I am going to Verdun, Guy
Hi Ed, Yes that is definitly the wrong year. Even the phone number would not have been like that it would have been PO7-3177 back in the 50's.
Hi Danny B....I think I know you too but I was sure it was from my dad. Maybe it wasn't Curries but somewhere else. Did you know John McFarlane or his friend Pat Donnelly ? My father used to work for Sealtest for 25 years...sorry folks, he has no idea what happened to the cow heads and nor do I but I do remember them very well. Anyways, it's always nice to chat on this site so thanks for writing back. Let me know if you remember how you know my name and I will do the same.I am off to a girls night out tonight so I have to go, have yourself a good evening. Donna
Hi Les, Now that you cannot smoke in the bars there will be a lot more people drinking at home and keeping those delivery people in jobs. I wonder how much they get as a tip these days. I would imagine they do pretty good at this time of year.
DannyB , another good point of thought,........I would think that ,a real good buck can be made these days........ Just like a good delivery person in those days did pretty well,for themselves,..........Tips were something people earned...........not like nowadays (out here at least) where they Expect a tip,.....and did nothing for it,........ I like Montreal.....and I suspect I may be living in the past on that topic a bit,........but I dated a gal who had to sign her check over to the bar manager,and she did really well for it,...basically it was buying your job,........she made a fortune ....everyone was happy......... I still think inspite of your nature to 'help' someone with a good story,........You would be a really good owner of a local business,....& most of your clientele would have respect for that ,and know that at the very least ,you would be Fair.............(you'd still lose a lot 'in the book'...........hahaha but you'd make a lot too)......... besides I think you would like doing that..........being amongst everyone & dealing/communicating with them...............and that ;s where you hear of all the deals anyway.............now you know that's the truth DannyB...........hahaha Can you get me a deal on a ........................................................
Les if I could go back about 25 years I might give it a try but the body is a lot older than the brain right now. I couldn't keep up the pace.
I hear you there DannyB,.........but I bet that somewhere in the back of the mind ,we all wonder,....Well Yea I think I can handle that.................hahaha Better to coach some one along the way now I guess,......... look towards your son,......one day he'll be surprising you DannyB,...... and not as far off as you might think,..........
Les here it is the 15 of Dec. and we had a thunder storm over the city today. Lots of lightning here in LaSalle and a lot of rumbling.
I miss those thunderstorms,........but that's rare for this time of year isn't it? the rinks should almost be coming into play soon........(shouldn't they?_
Les my son suprises me all the time. He is 14 years old and 170 lbs and 5'10" and really quite strong. Now if he would only do something anything except ask me for money. Maybe he should start delivering beer on a bike.
The boards have been up for weeks now. But not a square inch of ice anywhere to be seen. But it won't be long.
You've got the Reins DannyB,..........................but it's a tough deal when it's your own son,......think of the advice we'd give ,.........."cut the umbilical......." but That my friend is a lot harder to do when it's our own kid......................... but think of this ,while we were all kids growing up in the streets of Verdun,....we knew it was 'sink or swim'........even though we all swore we'd stick together..............hahahahhaha
I find it easy to get the urge to get out theere and skate around a bit,.......... but a few years back I did all tat stuff,......and truth be known ,.my feet were killing me............hahahahahah and I had some new skates ,.....something I never had as a kid...............hahahahaa
Do you Remember when kenny played for the VerdunPolice team,.........and got to play 'indoors',.......that was like being a pro for C'hris sake....hahahah I was the goal judge one time ,....you may have been there too,....in the old Auditorium,.....in that little cage ,behind the far end boards ,right behind the net,.,..........I seem to recall that particular team getting beat that day ,....by a lot..........9-1 or something just as bad,...........but we thought it was pretty cool ,to get to play in the AUD,...... any team we could get together ,just from kids in Willibrord Park,.....could have beaten this team,...........hahahahahah (Sorry Ken,......) but we were the outdoor kids,........and the police team was indoors..........
Les every time I walk it is like learning to skate again. This fake leg of mine got a mind of its own if the ground is wet or there is snow on it.
Listening to you two bantering back and forth , makes for wonderful memories , thanks jim p.s. Danny drop me a line @ jimnairn@hotmail.com jimmy
Just a little note of caution . There are email harvesting BOTS that spider the net looking for people's EMAIL address's .
So when you post yer addy it sometimes pays to use caution.
One of the methods that confuses the BOTS is to include some extra stuff in your addy ......but make sure that you instruct to remove the garbage.......or spamremoval statement example .
MYgarbagetoolADDRESS@anymail.com
MYspamremoval AddressTool@hotmail.com
Just hopeing to be helpfull.....
joey
I have to thank everybody for your emails .
I will reply to all your emails and questions later ......
There are sure some great memory provokers .
There is one name that was mentioned that sent me looking for my waytback notes "Dean Binky Thompson ."
He could be one of the greatest undiscovered and unlionized Musicians that was ever born in Verdun ......
Danny , Regarding the lists of delivery boys , there are sure some great people in there ........I've included a few more....
the Bootty brothers , Leonard (Leni) Thomas .
One of the funniest stories that I've included is one about Tommy , the dancer , last I seen him was just before I left Verdun twenty years ago....a quick five minit sighting .....if I remember correctly there is a member of this site that used to dance with him at the DAWSON's ......
Ed.....I am prepareing a special post for you.....one that asks a few questions . In particular about the time that you went to get the horse and walked down Bannantyne with him . Also concerning when you lived on Woodland as a child . Ya gotta give me time to get it together .
I'll finish this later.....
joey
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Les, You're right on with I've been trying to say. The reason I bring Fenario into it is because this whole thing started with him saying as a columnist in the Gazette years ago that Verdun had a drinking problem with drunks lying in the streets. We both know that was never true. The next thing I know several people seemed to be trying to point out that he was right , that Verdun did have a drinking problem . I've been trying to say that people drank beer everywhere and there's not a damn thing wrong with that.We just had a party here in the Church tonight after decorating for Christmas and went through rum and coke and several cases of beer. I have never claimed to know more than anyone but I have tried to point out that when I post something I make sure it's right. I have never tried to say there was no booze sold in Verdun. I am not an idiot. I'm trying to say that people drank in their homes or galleries which is perfectly all right. I think we're finally saying the same thing. I do take exception to your statement that "I suggest that no one else has any recollection or that I do because I volunteered everywhere." That hurts. The only reason I mentioned my involvement was because several statements were made that perhaps I never got out of the house enough. All I did was try to discredit Fenario's statements about Verdun and the next thing I knew people were trying to prove me wrong which made me feel they were proving him right. I felt it was an attack on our Heritage. I believe this site was created so people could remember our Heritage with fondness. So if I have put any one off with any of my statements I apologize to those who may have felt attacked. I shall try to keep the flag flying here in Verdun and carry on with good humor. Ed
Joey, I have some of those stories written out as I used them for my 'Creative writing' class at Mc gill. I'll dig them out for you and gladly answer any questions I can. My older sisters are amazed at how far back my memory goes. Far back is good. Yesterday I forget. Ed
Joey, I should have mentioned that I am at edbrown@videotron.ca or 514-768-4198. Ed
Well I guess were all on the same page........ I'll drink to that..........hahahaha Cheers Ed,................all anyone want s to do is be understood,. ..............now with that Christmas decorating thing,...I have been dealing with a very obstinate tree ,today ,that seems to want to lean every direction,... very frustrating ,as I cannot put the lights on it yet.......(my only job),...as our daughter gets back from Edmonton tomorow,& Teresa has set aside the decorating part ,.for her & Jill............hahahahaha So just like this thread,the Tree is taking some time to straighten out...........hahahahaha .......but I'm confident we have it figured out...........hahahahaha Have a Merry Christmas Ed,.to you and your family,& know that we appreciate your input ,....whether we differ at times or not,....... Now can I blame ,my obstinate leaning tree on all your cases of rum ?? hahahahahah
Ed. You don't need to explain. I know what you are saying, and also know you felt you were being attacked. I felt there was some "friction" there, for want of a better word. But, please try not to take anything to heart. You have contributed quite a bit to this site, which is more than appreciated. AND to say we love Verdun and what it means to us, is putting it mildly. With you still living there, you are our eyes and ears to what is happening, what changes are being made, and of course the pictures that show us those events. I will tell you, that I stopped drinking many years ago, but as I am writing this, I feel like I have that buzz you get when it seems that everything is right with our little world. I truely like, and will repeat what Les tells us to do. Hang tough...and remember Verdun. And of course in the sprit for which it was said by that great person that has been
arrested more times than I can count, and now the police won't even give him a second look, Rodney King,,,"Can't we all get along"? It is Sunday There in Verdun, and it is a Church day.... Say a prayer for all of us will you? And also thank God for the people that started this site, and the people that keep it going, and for what I now consider "my Verdun Connection family"!!!!
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Hi Winston ,..thanks for always attributing the saying 'Hang Tough' to me,........but as much as I like the saying,.and Remember it well from Montreal Days,....I have to say the saying has been from day 1 here on this site at least ,.......Directly Attributed to Our VerdunConnections first eye's & ear on the streets of Verdun,............. Jimmy ( Kungfu) Btw Jimmy if your reading this ,....we need an ongoing tour of one of your rides around Montreal/Verdun,......I always like the narrative,while you were driving down those old so familiar streets, on your way to watch your grandsons Hockey Games,............. those future stars,we hope to watch ,a few years down the road,........................Go Verdun,.......Go Habs ,...........
Can anyone expound on the more important memories of Verdun. Do you remember the 'Ice men' pitching quarters against a wall or curb. Do you remember the fruit & vegtable men putting apples in the slimy horse trough and trying to get kids to bob for them. Air Cadets, They gave me pants that were a mile too big. There were no hooks for a belt. But the tie I had was a mile too long so I pushed it down inside the pants and pulled it out through the fly then tied a knot in it. It worked fine except when I straightened up to attention, my pants got shorter. Do you remember getting ice off the wagon and trying to get someone else to suck it first to remove the sawdust insulation from the icehouse. Does anyone remember Mayor Wilson walking from his home on Woodland to his office on Church. During the war always had a police car following him. I remember playing in the half built buildings. Got more chases. Usually from the building inspector who drove a dark green 4 door dodge, circa '38. I don't remember buying a 1927 Essex. I had my first beers that day and my friends reminded me that I bought a car for fifteen dollars at the Ford dealer the night before. Sure enough it looked like it had been painted by a farmer using an inkwell and a rag. My Father wouldn't let me keep it in front of the house until it was painted. It ran terrible until we discovered the choke was on and after it ran fine. The rumble seat leaked and filled with water and the left front wheel kept coming off and running ahead of me. But I was proud. Ed
Hi Les and all, We have a game coming up in Verdun in January , shall give you my input , also a game in LaSalle , sorry not around that much, since my wife's breast cancer, my life has turned completely around, the chemo , surgery and radiation , did not work, so now experimental chemo at the Jewish General Hospital , boy life never prepared me for this, I always figured I was a tough S O B , but this is downright scarey , however as you say ,LES , if one wakes up on the good side of the turf , enjoy the 24 hours ahead. I enjoy all of the banter in here , and the odd arguement is bound to happen, however all gets solved one way or the other, without the leadership shown by the originators of this site, it would have been long gone, suffice it to say , I shall try to put more input into the site in future, hang tough my friends and enjoy every day of your life to your best abilities , yours in friendship Jimmy
Jimmy
As tough as it gets, you are not alone. We will keep you and your wife in our prayers.
BobB
We certainly will, Jimmy. God bless, Jack
Jimmy I am sorry to hear about your wife. I will remember you both in my prayers. Try to keep positive thoughts in your heart and mind. Dianne
Jimmy....
I offer a prayer for peace and strength.......
As Jesus said " What ever you command in my name shall be done " and he said "Peace be Still "
joey
Jimmy I will pray for your beloved wife in my rosary.today.
Peace and love,
Bill
Jimmy, If I can give you some thoughts of encouragement and positive inspiration. I watched my husband go through surgery, chemo and radiation 4 years ago and he survived. It is difficult to see a love one suffer and there are those moments... but I never for a moment thought he wouldn't be okay. You are going through a tough one right now and I know you and your wife will come out of this stronger than ever. I learned that cancer was a disease like any other and that's how I looked at it. There are so many different treatments out there now that weren't available 20 years ago. I know your wife is in good hands and will be well just as some of my friends with breast cancer overcame the disease. It's tough when you're going through it, but I am sending my postive thoughts your way.
I just found out tonight that there was/is a Ghost of Griffintown. Her name was Mary Gallagher and she was a lady of the evening. Her lady friend (and rival) got peeved at her for getting all the attention of a certain gentleman, and this friend beheaded her ~ cut her head right off. Ouch!!! Well, apparently every 7 years she appears to search for her head. I believe this is on William Street. Anybody else heard of this story? Cheers.
Linda, check the Griffintown site in the "Links" section here. A very interesting and spooky legend.
Thanks for the heads up MaggieMcK. Muchly appreciated. Cheers.
Hi Joey, The addresses you put down for span and garbage starts with MY, so I insluce that in the address list? Not very good with computers! DUH! Carole
Hi Joey, See what I mean??? That should have read ----INCLUDE not insluce! Carole
Carole, I'm glad that you cleared that up. I thought you were one of those people that like to use fancy words. I was actually going to look that one up! LOL Insluce: to introduce a slice into a whole ??????
Maggie, do you think I should start my own dictionary? Can you imagine how
good my typing would be if I had a drink, or two???? YIKES!!! We would
need a translator! lol
Carole
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When an oft-inebriated lady of the evening had her head chopped off by a jealous female acquaintance handy with a wood-axe, a life ended but a ghost was born. Since Mary Gallagher of Griffintown was murdered by jealous rival Susan Kennedy at a house at the corner of William and Murray on June 27, 1879, the chilling presence of Gallagher's troubled ghost has traumatized young souls from the area. Many unfortunate eyes have claimed to have seen the awful sight since, and local legend has it that Gallagher's ghost returns every seventh anniversary, with the next visit on Monday. As ritual has it, dozens of fearless souls - knowing that there's safety in numbers - overcome their jittery apprehensions and descend to the place where Gallagher was murdered.
Scrap the part about a "visit next Monday". I guess I should have read it before pasting it.
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