Remember when Nuns Island had only the farm & ruins of the Nuns residence/convent???
I wonder why it stood in such ruins,why was it only partially torn down,.was this the result of people dismantling it a little at a time or ???
THANKS for stopping by, I do my best to acknowledge when someone leaves a comment,you do not have to be a member here & everyone is welcome. Ps: This site is monitored but not actively posting on a regular basis. Mostly these are stories & some photos saved from a defunct site known as Verdun Connections which was on MSN Groups initially then on a social network called Multiply.
759 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 601 – 759 of 759As a matter of fact, the cistern that held the water was mounted high up on the wall, with a long chain with which to flush the toilet. I remember my grandmother's house had this kind of toilet.
OMG! Guy, I never mentioned it here because I thought it sounded crazy! The rats seemed to come up through our toilet as well. As kids, we even took the dog into the toilet room with us as night for "protection". Sewer rats were sure BIG!
Queenee....and everyone else. We also had one bathroom....no shower......5kids......plus adults...more than 2 at times.....AND...the only room in the back was rented out. Don't know where we all slept. Anyways, there was no privacy and the only place I could find was the bathroom. Every time, and I MEAN EVERY TIME... I would go inton the bathroom my siblings would start screaming to my mom; "Ma, ma, he is going into the bathroom!" My mother would yell at me, to get out of that bathroom. SOOOOOOOO....... I decided as a young kid, less than 10 years old....that if I ever built a house when I got older, that I would have enought bathrooms...so no waiting...no yelling for me to "GET OUT OF THERE"
Si I finally built a house. We basically have 3 bedrooms, plus a "library", family room, mud room,etc.... Anyways, each bedroom has its own full bathroom, shower, walk-in closet. Plus we have a full bathroom off the laundry room, and a full bathroom off the mud room.
Memories....arethey not wonderful!!!!!
Download Messenger. Join the i’m Initiative. Help make a difference today.
I Remember when in Order to 'modernize ' your flat,.you put plywood around the old clawfoot tub,.to make it 'square' & more modern looking,........You know the type,.where you could actually rest the bar of soap on the edge,...and not in one of those cage type of wire mesh soap holders that hung over the edge of the old round tub..............................hahahahahahah Remember you had one bar of soap (it was used for both the tub & the sink,roughly 2feet apart anyway)........hahahahahha & We had that Yellow Bar of Soap for the Heavy Duty jobs ,.usually on the back of the kitchen sink,...... That was the bar that was always bigger than the 'normal' ones,....and had no specific scent to it,.....................Wasn't it made of Lye??????? .......Hilarious all these memory's inspired by an ad for a Flat for Rent............... Love it....................................Have Fun & Remember Verdun
We lived on Melrose in the early 60s and had the odd rat come up the toilet bowl. To this day I still put the lid down.
I Remember standing on the bowl (seat down of course),.to 'fix' the chain,and a rat was lifting the lid ,with me standing on it,.......and it kept banging my head on the ceiling ( you know near where that tapered vent hole ,went up through the roof,.......and I had to call my parents who came in with a stick to 'jam' the toilet lid between the ceiling & the seat,.....so I could climb down,and go to school,.............and when I got home form school I had to climb back up on top of the seat to allow my mother to take the 'broom' that we were using to pin the lid closed against the ceiling,...out So as she could do the Floors that needed to be swept ,before my oldman got home from the shop............... Biggest Rats I had ever seen ...............................(Well not counting those 'two legged ones that seemed to populate the neighbourhood too !!!!!) It 's true ,I swear it,...................................hahahahahhahaha Have Fun & Remember Verdun........................(anyway you see it) hahahahahahhahahaha
.............Also Remember that familiar old ,reminder,...."Hey Pull the Chain", hahahahahhahaha I suppose these were the forunner to the rather voiceferous suggestion,.of nowadys "Hey 'Turn the Fan On".......................hahahahha
OMG! I remember the rats but not in the toilet, in the stairs that took us to our 3rd floor flat from the back lane! Now they are no longer enclosed stais, but nice wroght iron ones. But i do remember the pull flusing chains. We had a closet with the toilet in it and then off the kitchen we had the tub. But as cramped as it seemed, we all grew up without major psychological problems. Perhaps the smaller spcaes taught us how to deal with challenges better? :) In those days bathroom fans were newspapers that spread the fumes from the burning insence that sat on the back of the toilet! I still remember ours was a little red buddah..... sounds a little disrespectful for todays politically correct society, but I also remember the buddah had a wonderful smile on his face! Where do all these memeories sit, only to be revisited 50 years later! Ain't life grand! Susie
This message has been deleted by the author.
Hi Sandy! Les has a great sense of humour!!! On my way this weekend to see my Mom in Guelph and taking my daughter and her husband and the baby to meet Great Grandma. Looking forward to the 4 generations together. Life on the floathome is the best! Even with the impending flood on the Fraser River, we wouldn't live any where else. We may be evacuated but the house will be fine. It just goes up and down with the water levels, but the electrical and plumbing may be affected which would mean we will have to stay with the kids for a while! Pay back time!!! Great hearing from you! Susie XX
Sandy, Here is a picture I took a week ago on our deck. Can't beat that anywhere in the world
Sorry... here's the picture
Attachment: Golden Ears Mountain.jpg
Hi Susie,..................................that's why they call it "Super Natural BC" As you approach Vancouver, campsites get as rare as courtesy in rush-hour traffic. Out in the Fraser Valley, where folks have more breathing space and arguably better manners, there are a number of stunningly beautiful public campgrounds. Golden Ears is one of the largest provincial parks in British Columbia, encompassing an incredible 55,590 hectares of mostly undeveloped wilderness. It is also one of, and possibly the most popular park in the province. The park was named after the twin peaks of Mount Blanshard, which shine gold from the setting winter sun. Golden Ears lies in the Coast Mountains, north of the mighty Fraser River. It extends 55km north through untamed mountain wilderness to an impenetrable barrier of mountain peaks and steep-sided valleys that separate it from Garibaldi Provincial Park. Second-growth forests of western hemlock, western red cedar, and Douglas fir cover much of the landscape. At higher elevations, forests give way to alpine meadows and, at even higher elevations, permanent snowfields. Golden Ears Provincial Park in Maple Ridge is a destination with may possiblities. Once there, you can fan out through the park to explore on foot, by boat, by bike, or on horseback. ....................................That's the beauty of this province ,anywhere you go ,.there's some really incredible sites,.......... Here's a link ,for anyone who wants to see more from your "Neck of the Woods" http://www.britishcolumbia.com/parks/?id=105
This message has been deleted by the author.
We came home to our house on Manning Avenue one day and a rat had given birth to baby rats in the living room. My father chased the mother rat and she escaped by going down the toilet. My father got rid of the baby rats, I can't remember what he did with them. Thereafter we kept the toilet lid closed and a brick on top of the lid.
Yikes ,..........Rats do well in Montreal , Lore: "Man's worst animal pest" has been known to pop out of toilets and basement drains. Cats are not necessarily good rat-killers: rats have been known to skin cats alive. An old Montreal Star article cites a local exterminator who had killed one too many rats: "Mr. Leighton says he catches them in his sleep and often has nightmares in which swarms of evil gray vermin are the star performers."
Rat traps are not the best way to get rid of them: you may only end up killing the foraging adult in a family, while babies could survive or end up dying and creating a bad stench. Despite their reputation as a public health menace, rats are always the landlord's responsibility--not the city's. ............ http://www.montrealmirror.com/ARCHIVES/2000/030900/cover.html ........................................................... I Remember while working on the delivery truck for Gestetner Duplicaters,..that we always encountered many rats in Good old Downtown Montreal,..............many right in the lanes behind some of your favourite haunts ,......Bars & Restaurants..........and there's plenty of them: .....check out that Link to the same site I found that Rat story above,. and Montreal has plenty of animals that are not particulary wanted,. Also checkout how many litters a Rat can have ,.....and how many in each litter.......................That's a lot of Rats, ...........................but the Flip side is there's Rats everywhere,.but in Alberta they do have an actual 'rat patrol' of sorts,...but there are rats there too,despite,the thought that there are none,........they don't stop at the border,,,,,,,,,,,,hahahahahah & freight trains & trucks transport these furry little creatures ,everywhere,,,,,,Amazing we don't have another plaque,seeing they can travel on ships everywhere too........... ......................................HF&RV
back then, as a little kids we would go down to the
river bank, walk from woodland to torchy warfth
a long walk along the swamp, narrow trail
we would climb over sewage pipes, you would smell
and see all the sewage dumping into the river
back then it was a metro system for the rats
they would enter from the open end, all 4 inch pipes
going into the homes, the toilet has a p trap
only a quart of water to hold the smell, easy enter
for the rat,
years later, when they started the landfill from the metro
system filling the river bank,
they made a better sewage system, yes back then all our toilet stuff was dumped into the river.
you would know this if you as a kid played along the river banks, catching bullfrogs, tadpolls, etc.
Metalman ,.you also reminded me of the City Dump,.behind the Stadium,.filled with Garbage & big Rats,.....I Remember that well,.........I guess we figured it was an adventure to travel around down by the River,.....in te Winter when they dumped all the snow over the banks,...we used to make snow forts,...complete with a makeshift chimney,..and we'd have a little fire going in there,.....and we'd smoke our cigarettes to,...we found an old discarde wooden door from the dump,.and palced it over the opening so we could find the place........... Lucky we weren't all suffocated withthe collapse of the snow,........but it was well packed,down ..................YIKES,......hahahahahaha Crazy stuff we did as kids.........................
Hi Les, Metalman, I think you guys must of been following me around the river back then. Those snowforts with multible rooms sure were dangerous but we were too brave for our own good or stupid. Danny
Remember the methane gas seeping from the dump. It looked like smoke with no fire and then later they put pipes down into the earth to give the gas a place to exit and lit them on fire like a torch. If you were walking along and lit a cigarette and through the match down the ground it would ignite for a few seconds before the torches were put in.
hey-dannyb
remember we didn't go to school, sat in pops
shack smoked cigs, at times the shack was over
packed and full of cigerate smoke.
yes they dumped all of stuff, cars, garbage,
you name it they dumped it, then covered with
landfill?
today you would not see this kind of dumping.
Those were the days my friend, If I could go back I would more than likely do it again.
Sure glad I do not smoke these days. Talk about burning money. And now you can even go for a beer and come home and not smell like a cigarette butt. And the food in the bar actually tastes like it should.
dannyb
same for me, i can sit alone and think about
verdun life, and laugh to myself all day.
boy the history us verduners have its
hard for others to understand that never seen
or heard about verdun life.
So true. Verdun brings a whole new meaning of the expression street smarts after growing up in the lanes of Verdun. Great place to to learn the ropes of life in general. I know people that moved away and raised their kids in TO and their kids are scared to walk in Verdun and think it is such a scum ridden place. They must have been brain washed by their parents. Danny
dannyb
the best education i got was from the verdun.
school does not teach you street smarts nor
how to make a buck.
i do lots of traveling, just last week i was in boston
to pick up a car, the fellow i was meeting to pickup
the car was in a rough place for sure.
a ebay bid i won on a ta.
rite away the fellow asked for the green, here you go
he smiled, buddy's now, helping me load the car
on the trailor, i noticed he had a nice big gun
under his hoody.
my verdun thinking and boston thinking got along
very well.
he got his money for the car, i got the car
we shook hands, a deal is a deal.
I agree DannyB & Walter,..................We learned some invaluable lessons & certainly a Street Smart Survival,.........Guide Growing up in Verdun,.. but I suspect you we had to have some sort of direction,.as not all who lived there ( or anywhere for that matter),.Had the same wherewithall,.to use their Heads,...........................................If your head works ,it will be the only thing to help us in times of need,during ourlife,...............Perhaps we learned a lot of Common Sense,..as well as Street Sense,..................... Whatecer it is We learned ,it certainly has come in handy ,to be able to recognise ,the right moves to make,.and the right information to use, as well as knowing when to listen to your own head,.when it tells you ,your heading down the wrong path................ Thankfully most lessons ,we seemed to learn from other people's mistakes,... (but I admit ,.I learned a couple the hard way too.............hahahahahaha) HF&RV
Anyone Remember ,.....this fire of a car dealership,....50 years ago this past April............ Modern Car Dealer ???
The above photo of a fire scene on Dorchester Blvd. appeared 50 years ago today. Modern Motor Sales stood at the south side of Dorchester, on a site just below the present-day Crescent St. nightclub district. To be precise, the car dealership was at the corner of Aqueduct (now Lucien l'Allier), across from the old CBC headquarters in the former Ford Hotel. The smaller brown building in the background is the old Ogilvy's Department Store warehouse, which is still standing and now owned by Concordia. Nowadays, like so much of Montreal, this area is part of the city's exciting parking-lot district ,,,,See what happens when you keep searching,,,,,,,,,,,,, hahahahahaha HF&RV
Les, Messages 635 and 636 do not show up. Guy
Hello Guy,...........I just checked and I can see the two msg's ,........635 &6,.... As for the map I kind of thought it may get distored somewhat ,when enlarged,.as it didn't look that clear to start with,.However ,.seeing that your affiliated with a SHGV .....you may have some success by contacting Bilan De Siecle, directly,........and they may have a recirocal accomodation deal with other Library's or institutions,.and let you have a copy of the original documetn..............??? Just a thought,...............Hope it works
yesterday, in verdun i read the paper and found
a story about bens restaurant.
posted a picture from the paper big write up
about bens.
find the story in the gazette newspaper site?
I didn't see the article on Bens yesterday,.Metalman,.but I will see if I can find it,............. I did see this article last December Bens Restaurant closes forever Last Updated: Friday, December 15, 2006 | 8:59 PM ET CBC News Bens Restaurant, a Montreal deli favoured by luminaries from Liberace to Leonard Cohen, is closing permanently after a drawn-out labour dispute. The Kravitz family, which has owned the restaurant since its inception 98 years ago, announced Friday they've struck a deal with a local museum that has agreed to preserve the collection of tchotchkes and autographed pictures that decorated the yellow and chrome deli. Bens Restaurant was founded by Ben Kravitz when he immigrated to Montreal from Latvia, a century ago.
(Radio-Canada) The restaurant has been closed since workers went on strike July 20. Some employees, who boasted more than 50 years of service at the deli, complained Bens was increasingly neglected and growing dilapidated. They demanded higher wages and better working conditions, but negotiations between the employees' union and Bens' owners fell flat. A family spokesman said it had become too difficult for Bens to turn a profit since its employees joined the CSN union federation in 1995. "You know, you couldn't have your smoked meat sandwich and your coleslaw and your fries and your cherry Coke [for] under $10 in the present context," Bernard Voyer told CBC. ............................................................................... Well I can't seem to find yesterdays gazette article ,..... What was it about Walter,.are they opening somewhere else,.or tearing the old building down,...?????
Ok Metalman now I see the picture of the Gazette in your photo album,.... so they are going to wreck the building,.and build a new building,...... You should bid on that one,.....it would be a real nostalgia deal to be able to ad that building to the list of things you & your company have already done,..... I wonder what will become of the old sign,.?? In Vancouver they saved a lot of the old neon signs from being thrown away,.and have saved some of them,... That would be a neat thing to do in Montreal,.have a huge yard (like in Vegas) where the signs could be on display,..and people would probably pay to walk around and see all the old signs from days gone by,....... ?? ........I didn't see that paper yesterday I guess,............cause I would have posted it............. Thanks for bringing it to our attention Walter,........Merci biens
Here Winston,...I have posted this one before ,.but I just came across it again,.and thought I'd post it for you,...You did work in here ,didn't you..... I know I've put pics like this up sometime ago,.was this one of them??? ............................Lot's of Do-Re-Mi ,.....made & lost in that building............
Les, This would be the Montreal Stock Exchange building on St François Xavier st. in down town Montreal from the 40s and was converted to a stage theatre company. I worked at the corner of Notre Dame in 1945, the Anglo Canadian Telegraph Company wich was converted to a restaurant. Guy
Les. Yes, that is the place I worked. That was a great job. I don't think I could have ever been happier in any other job. What an experience. The Montrteal and Canadian Stock Exchanges were both great places to work. Thanks for that Picture.
More photos, more messages, more storage—get 2GB with Windows Live Hotmail.
les
the gazette, montreal, saturday, may 12, 2007
business C3
les this is the info on bens
Thanks Walter (Metalman ) for that info,...I have now asked a buddy of mine in Verdun to see if he can get a copy of that article & mail it to me,....... Btw How's the truck coming is it ready for the show.......??? I know you must be anxious after the years you've spent waiting for completion,.......I hope you win something like a 'Peoples Choice' Award' or something to make you feel good about your efforts.......(everyone likes to be recognised,...........it just makes us feel good)....So Good Luck with that: have fun & Remember Verdun
Terrifc Winston,.glad you have good memory's of that old building where you learned some incredible lessons on the workings of 'dough'.........I'm sure it served you well over te years,.....most people I have ever met who really liked something they did for a living,.also found a way to really enjoy their lives,.at whatever 'comfort zone ' they choose.............. Sounds like your a happy guy,.with family & friends to prove it: .........................................................Have Fun & Re,member Verdun...........
les
its been over 3 years, 80% complete
just put it on hold, i want the trans am first
it will be readdy in another 2 weeks.
when done will post pics.
then the truck to finish for tis august completion
Guess what's going to be ready soon ? Well it isn't really this far from opening.,.............hahahahaha but Our Summertime Escape from the sweltering Verdun heat,......is getting ready to open in a few weeks (beginning of June I think it is),.but the Natatorium,is being spruced up & readied for the coming Summer ,to entertain yet another generation,of Verdun kids (& adults),.to a place to go to escape for a few hours ...............Some neat old photos from the very early days,of contruction: .Seems like a real Verdun Fixture to us all,.That I couldn't Imagine a Verdun without this old building,..................How excited ,do you think the kids in 1939,would have been to anticipate the 'opening ' of their own Pool: Remember ,....how the Pool looked on any opening day,.with te water shimmerring and the place looked perfect,.......we threw our clothes in that old wire basket,.then pinned that metal ID Pin to our swimsuits,and we were in the pool for the day................................That was fun ................Have Fun & Remember Verdun...............
Hi Les, I learned how to swim in that pool and I remember the wire baskets and the numbered pins. We live at the other end of Verdun and bused (or was it the street car?) to the pool. I rememeber one day losing bus fare and having to walk all the way home. My Dad and sister and I went there as well. It was a true part of our growing up. Thanks for the pictures. Susie
Les, We only had the top photo of the Nat. I made copies of the other three for our archives at the SHGV. Guy
Those pictures sure brought back memories. I remember my father taking me out to see yhe pool being built when I was about 5 or 6. During the late 40s I worked in the check room for 3 years in the summers.I dated a girl who worked on the other end and have 45 years of happy memoriestogether . Were any of you around at that time?
Here's ashot down Dorchester ,............looks like a good mix of the old Basillica,..?? & more modern new buildings (new to me I think) I guess it's rene-quebec blvd now,....or levesque I should say,,,,,hahaha I suppose if we change ever name of every street eventually we won't know where we are.........hahahahaha Ypu would think that leading citizens of the country at it's birth would still have a place,.surely they could find other more fitting tributes to the more modern leaders,........change the name a hundered times I'll still think I'm flying into Dorval .............hahahahaha have fun & remember Verdun,............& Montreal too!!!
Hi Les,
I just finished watching a great show on HGTV (House & Garden TV) which will air again tonight at 12:30 am East Coast Time or 9:30 pm West Coast Time. The show is called "Buy Me" and subtitled "Downtown Digs For Sale." It's a Montreal couple trying to sell their condo and move to The South Shore. The husband was fed up with driving to work across The Victoria Bridge. I could not recognize where the condo was. It looked like The Point or Verdun. It was close to The Lachine Canal which is shown in the program. I also could not tell where they moved to on The South Shore but it looked like Greenfield Park. It's a great show to watch, it's on HGTV again in three hours. This is The American HGTV which I'm not sure if it's the same in Canada. For any Canucks living in Gringo Land I'm sure you'll like to see this show.
Just spent the last few hours upgrading my security & added memory for the computer,.and didn't get to see all these posts till now,............ HF&RV ....Fresco on today's 6pm news here in Victoria they have showed the plans to change our transit (one major route ,along Douglas St (main street)),...to bus lanes only down the center and choreographed lights,.to speed things up,......but the main long term plan is to change to a Portland Oregon type trams ,in the Bus's place,....I've seen the ones in Portland they look pretty neat,..might be a good plan (if it ever comes to be)
Les,
A couple of years ago The Today Show broadcast live from Portland and you could see the Portland Light Rail trams constantly going by. They looked great. I think it would be fantastic if you guys got them in Victoria. With the high cost of gas I think you'll see a lot of cities building light rail tramway systems. If Victoria gets those streetcars, who knows, Jean-Marie and I may come out to ride them-Fresco
I Haven't seen the inside of this building for over 35+ years,probably 40, but it's still neat to see the old Rink in the Verdun Auditorium, Remember watching all the Verdun Maple Leaf Games,.or the different events that happened there,......and seeing the Bus arrive with all the Montreal Canadiens,.coming for a practice,..........and also Anyone Remember the old Winter Carvivals that were held in there??? it would be absolutely packed to the rafters,for the carnival,.................... .......They sure have gotten their money's worth out of this old building,....... Although I'd like to see them remove that awful looking frontage,that they put on years ago,......It's Dead Ugly,...........(JMHO),............but I do like the Original Old Look,.far better than this 'feeble attempt to 'modernize the look back in the 70's I guess..................................... but at least it still serves the Community well,.................I would doubt if any of us here,in this Verdun Connections Group have not been in the 'Aud' at some point.................................. Have Fun & Remember Verdun
Les Re The Aud,,the Habs use it for practices.On the news the other night they announced they are constructing a new place in Brossard. Modern all that..they said no more bus rides in full equipment. Most of the team they said lives on Nun's Island. I read that old book The Game,,in the author Ken Dryden talks about the Avenues and Willibrord Park.Scotty Bowman lived on the aves. when he was young and played hockey there... You are right great place and thanks for reminding me about the winter carnivals there.First one we had at Bannantyne school was there... Lad
The Lad, If you check back, I posted a picture of the house where Scotty Bowman lived as well as his picture wich appeared in the VHS Yearbook I think was 1951. Guy
This message has been deleted by the author.
Sandy,
Glad you liked the show. I've seen two "Buy Me" shows so far and if every show turns out to be about Montreal, I'm hooked. As far as I can figure it out, this show is on HGTV (Home and Garden TV) at 8:30 pm and 12:30 am East Coast Time, Monday through Friday. In "Buy Me-Downtown Digs For Sale" I could see The Atwater Market about two blocks away. In "Buy Me-Moving For Profit" I thought the location was in Westmount. I liked this old Westmount house until the bill came in for needed repairs, $45,000...yikes!!! I already have my Tvo set to record the Monday & Tuesday Shows. I hope this show doesn't make me so homesick that I have to move back to Montreal. If I do at least I'll know where there are houses for sale-Fresco
Salut Guy I will look for that photo. Merci Lad
Sandy,
Don't forget the Montreal real estate show "Buy Me" on HGTV (House and Garden TV) tonight at 8:30pm-Fresco
I have just been told that the Montreal real estate show "Buy Me" airs at 7:30 pm in Canada if anyone else wants to watch it. That's a mere 15 minutes from now-Fresco
This message has been deleted by the author.
Sandy,
I watched The Westmount show today. No doubt that wife was a serial mover. She messed up big time by turning down that first offer. The fact that the 1905 built house was leaning was kind of scary. It became a horror show when the $45,000 estimate cost to repair the house came in. Yikes and Nasty !!! Walter
This message has been deleted by the author.
Hi Sandy!..Sounds like Holly and her friends had a super time in Montreal!!!....I don't think they missed anything except for Mr. Maltby!!!! And as you said, there is always next time!! Dianne
Sandy,
What a downer that last night's "Buy Me" show was not about Montreal. I thought all their shows were about Montreal real estate only. I laughed the second I saw where the show was though. Mt HOLLY, North Carolina. I knew you'd get a kick out of that. What a great time Holly has had in Montreal. Holly wasn't too far from Mr Maltby on the visit to Beaver Lake. I guess I shouldn't mention Mr Maltby and Beaver Lake in the same sentence. Mr Maltby is liable to rise (even more) from his grave-Walter
This message has been deleted by the author.
Sandy,
Glad to hear that Holly is home safe and sound. What a trip, what a trip! Tonight's house on "Buy Me" was in Montreal. It looked like the St Urbain Street area. It had a huge half inch structural crack on the outside brickwork and a huge half inch crack on the first floor. This is the second Montreal house shown on "Buy Me" that has structural cracks in them. I won't tell you the outcome of tonight's show but it had a better ending than The Sopranos did. Are Montreal houses safe? I have to track down Popdog and ask him this question-Walter
Just a shot of 4th & Verdun,..............I have never seen this place in person,.. but I guess this picture I found surfing ,.is from recent times??? ...........those glass block windows down the side ,don't seem familiar to me,...but I imagine those have been there for 80 years???? Any of you recall this building,........it reminds me of the side of the Pall Mall Tavern as you enter the Point (leaving Verdun)
Les which format are you using to post pictures? Some never open for me.
Bill
This is a deal and a half,..........................................10 Hotdogs YIKES It was a sign in the window of Rex's apparently ....................where's the Pizza??? Any of you know this place? Have Fun & Remember Verdun
The hot dog picture opened.
Here's a shot of Church Av & Verdun.................................apparently a restaurant has operated there for 50 years,.........?????
A little history of the Gurd's family,.........I hadn't realised they were from Griffintown to start with The Gurds of Montreal Charles Gurd was a Protestant Irishman who came to Montreal as a child and lived in Griffintown and watched three older siblings die in terrible living conditions before he himself triumphed and launched a hugely successful soft drink company. Another line of local Gurds were hugely influential in local medical history, although sadly the last of that line was five daughters dispersed outside the city. Here's a couple of articles about the company written during the War. Not sure when Gurds went belly up but from what I can tell the great grandson, an architect who lives here in Montreal and Vancouver, isn't hurting for cash.
..........Learn something everyday .....................................HF&RV
How about the old bridge over the tracks ,.this one from StAntoine at Guy?? I Remember the one at Mountain better cause my favorite Spruce Beer Shop was on NotreDame & Mountain roughly....... ..........but it's still a neat old photograph from days gone by: HF&RV
Well I wish I understood what my oldman meant ,.when he told me "Get lots when your young" Unfortunately I didn't know he meant real-estate Checkout this ad for Building lots on Park Avenue.............YIKES fifty cents a foot............................................................................................. ...............and I'll bet there were still people saying "are you nuts" it's not worth a penny over .35.....................hahahahahah HF&RV
Craig (aka St. Antoine) looking West from Bleury
..............................lots of ols memory's from these olf Montreal shots,........ Remember all the Pawn Shops on Craig St (Mendelson's comes to mind) ...................have fun and remember verdun
Berri & Craig (StAntoine)....................................a long time back 50's-ish Just some old time Montreal Memories......................look at the cobblestone............. Imagine the work that would have to have been done,.. the manhours alone would most likely make that completely cost prohibitive today........................ HF&RV
Les That rest.on the corner. Remember the old GiGi biscuits that was there? Before that dont remember what was there but restaurant of some type. Lad
Biscuits sounds familiar,.....................but I usually went to the other Biscuiy Store on Wellington btwn Galt Av & Church on the S side of Wellington opposite the big church,....Remember walking in there and the store always smelled of my favorite cookis,...the old Maple Leaf shaped Biscuits,......... I was like a kid in a candy store....................only biscuits.........hahahahahah HF&RV
Les Forgot about the store on Wellington.Good one. Lad
LES Tried to answer you about Rex's hope it went thru.Hot dog deal is good. Pizza still there too. Lad
Les. Same location for me....about the location for the spruce beer!!!!
PC Magazine’s 2007 editors’ choice for best Web mail—award-winning Windows Live Hotmail.
The photos in msg #680 can be enlarged just clicking on them ......... some of the photos posted today ( as Bill mentione re: the hot dog ad) can open up to a larger size..........allowing a little better access to the stuff in the photos..like signs and stuff,................. anyway you probably had figured that out,...........but if not,then now you know,........ Have Fun & Remember Verdun
Les, Photos in message 678, 679 and 681 do not show up. For some reason your pictures often do not show up. Guy
Yes Guy I see that,...........it is directly the site where I found the pictures,.sometimes the pictures can last a day ,.and then when I sign off ,.they sometimes disappear,..it must be something to do with a particular site that does not support a 'hot link' to it's site,.....which means you can post it & it will show,.but after the connection has been broken ,it no longer appears,.....So if you didn' t get to see the pics when they first went in ,.then I'd have to find that site again,.& repost it,....... That's why I suggest to everyone that if I post a picture & you want to save it ,.then by all means go ahead,..that way you will have it recorded in your own hard drive,....... Sites don't always tell you that they can't be 'hotlinked' so there's no way I'd really know,................. the above is #681 Guy St bridge over CNR tracks # 678 .......and here you go Guy # 679 in the 'trilogy of missing photo's I'll now write on the blackboard a million times,.. I"must not post empty pictures" I" must not post empty pictures" I must not post empty pictures" .......................Well You Get the picture.................hahahahaha Have Fun & Remember Verdun.........................
Les that photo on post 677 of the Gurds is amazing! At the risk of appearing like a nut, I feel I've been on that porch step in another lifetime, if you know what I mean. Those folks all seem very familar to me somehow. Old photos such as this one trigger memories of feelings. That picture is a keeper.
S.A.
Ya never know Bill ,.ya never know,...........maybe oneday you'll find out your right,..................... Deja-Vu all over again, glad you liked the picture,...............I'm not sure but the Gurd's I know lived in GriffinTown,.at some point,..so maybe that particular house was around when you were a kid,..or ones like it??????? I'll see if I can dig up some more old oics,.for comparison,.........but MamaSan has me filling the utility trailer with yard waste stuff..... (Father Day Present I think).......hahahahaha So I have to go back out ,just came in for a large Cold Glass of Water,......casue I was sweating like Georgw W . at a Spelling Bee,................hahahahahah see you all later,.......... HF&RV
Wow just checked my spelling ,.....hahahaha maybe George & I would have to have a tie-breaker,....................hahahahaha
We walked to the Nat from Willibrord until Therrien Pool opened ('67, I think). The trek along the boardwalk with our towel roll. That was an art that took some practice and pride. Getting the towel rolled tightly with our undergarments tucked inside. Most embarrassing to have the "unmentionables" fall out along the way. Re-rolling it afterwards with the wet bathing suits, walking home, towel tucked under our arms. No handy plastic grocery bags back then.
I guess the switch from the old Nat ,.to the new Therrien,.would have been quite exciting to kids,not to mentione cutting your walk time less than a third,....(More Time for Summer Fun) I don't think I have ever been inside the Therrien Pool,.....as that was just not on my radar,when I lived there ,even though it would have been a lot closer ,to where I lived on Wellington btwn: Gordon & Galt,........ but I left Verdun for Lasalle in 1968....................... HF&RV
One problem at Therrien is the lack of shade. At the Nat we could get close to the building. Also, at Therrien no hot dogs on the roof. Had to share the dog with at least two others. Couldn't afford another, Sunday school money only goes so far. Ed
An exterior shot of the old Bonaventure Station,............. ....now I'm sure JMH or Fresco, and a few others could tell me what kind of Bus that is travelling along that street? havefunandrememberVerdun
Look who's standing ,about to board a train outside Bonaventure Station,.. ..Well I know one thing 'Montreal Babes' are way better looking.............hahahahahaha HF&RV
Like the sign says,."Come in & visit, the Real Mohawks of the Iroquois ...now it's a 'cigarette store'..............hahahahahaha HF&RV
I give up Les, who is it?
Maggie Its Babe Ruth
thanks Roy. Never paid much attention to those cards we threw down the hallways and against the doors.
Hi Maggie I wish I had some of those cards to-day and the comic books. I used to hear all the time why do you waste your money on this stuff... If we only knew.. Lad
Hi Levisjeans,..Welcome back,...........!!! Have Fun & Remember Verdun Welome also to all the new members,.......hope you meet some old friends ,or make new ones,......and share some old days story's and if you have any pictures from those old Verdun,.Montreal Growing up Days ,..we hope you'll share 'em here too !!! HF&RV
Lad, I remember we used to pay .10 for a comic book back in the 40s. They were a source of immense pleasure. That was before TV. Guy
How's this for a gathering of kids,from a neighbourhood,.just to escape the heat of summer ,...check out the Fire Hydrant Spraying in the background, Cool Stuff eh....................hahahahahah Picture is from the Montreal area,.not exactly sure where in particular..............just thought it might bring back some old memories for some: .............Now tell me that neighbourhood ,couldn't put together a bunch of baseball,hockey ,.or football teams in a real hurry............... .that is if at least one person,.had a ball,puck or football........... hahahahaha have fun & remember Verdun
Here's some more Montreal kids having fun.................. .......................maybe I'll find a shot of the old water truck coming down the street..................................................I have seen similar pictures on the Point site (not these ones) but similar,........and I believ that the City of Montreal,.would go around and set up those canvas wading pools ,in various neighbourhoods,for the kids to play................ ......Now these kids all look like they are detting along 'just fine'....... No Adults around to tll them who they can & cannot get along with.............hahahahahaha Have Fun and Remember Verdun
Remember when we had 'Field Day' or a sort of Mini-Olympics fro 'ALL' the kids around Montreal,........and sometimes they would come to Our Stadium in Verdun,....or We might go to there's............ Does anyone recognise where this park might have been?? there seems to be some rather distinct type of building in the background... Can anyone Identify,.this park...........?? (I don't know,but would like to ) so if you know ,....help us out. SVP it is apparently in Montreal somewhere............nice looking park though ,with a running track around it........could it be part of the old McGill Grounds??? Btw: that's one large Union Jack flying there in the park,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, HF&RV
This shot is simply explained as Fireworks Display at a Verdun Winter Carnival.............???? ......that looks pretty fancy to me......................before my time I guess,. but I Remember the Winter Carnival Held in the old Auf everyyear..... HF&RV
Saint Lawerance & Van Horne ,..circa 1953ish http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/archives/500ans/portail_archives_en/rep_chapitre11/chap11_theme1_doc28_page1_l.html .......as found from the link of the Montreal Archives................... HF&RV
And an old time picture of Saint Antoine,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,busy spot it looks like http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/archives/500ans/portail_archives_en/rep_chapitre11/chap11_theme1_doc30_page1_l.html ........it too can be found at the posted link.............................. HF&RV
Now that's a whack of kids having fun 'sliding' in the park............... 1960 in laFontain park.....................................................................HF&RV
Welcome to the Childrens Jamboree ,Bienvenue Carnaval pour Enfants STEINBERG'S (sponsored this event) at all of Our favourites : Parc Belmont Park Have Fun and Remember Verdun
Check this traffic out all around the Jacques Cartier Bridge entrance,...... and what's that 5 cent sign for at the gas station,.....hahahaha I doubt you could get a 'nickel' these days for 5cents...............hahahaha This is a ver busy picture,..with traffic ,.lots of cars aound and a street car (trolley) whatever,......... JMH & Fresco know the driver,and his favourite route home ....................hahahaha scan around this picture ,.there's lots to see,.............. and if you were going to take the bridge ,then you had to get one of these ,.and hang on to it,.while your on the bridge (Why,.would they throw you off,.if you didn't retain it),........hahahahaha ..............................................................................................................hf&rv
Here'a Bus off to Belmont Park..................... Hey are you guys on this bus... it's a neat interior shot of an old City Bus HF&RV
What no body piercings, tattoos, orange hair nor attitudes! Disgusting!
Second Avenue
..........and here's some SaintCatherine Street ,.......passers'by ........and a few familiar stores and signs,,,,,,,,,,,Look up in the window,HFC ,.a legal loan shark,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, YIKES,.......also the Laura Secord store,.FWWoolworths etc etc .............................. Look how busy the street was for those years.................... neat old shot (JMO) .........HF&RV
Notice how neat looking those kids are with shirt, tie and jacket, not at all like today. Guy
No your right Bill (biking) if I boarded a bus 'anywhere,...and saw this bunch I would immediately look around to see where Rod Sirling was (the driver perhaps..........hahahahaha Picture if you will,.a Bus ,..going somewhere ,anywhere & yet nowhere.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzlG28B-R8Y HF&RV................hahahahaha
this is a 'conclusion' from the Montreal Archives site ,.in brief explaining Our City ,of which we all seem to be relatively proud,........ CONCLUSION In 1642, a tiny French colony took root on land once occupied by Iroquoian groups. Over the centuries, Montr챕al became an active commercial centre, then an important metropolis, transformed first by industrialization and then by the development of its service sector. Montrealers have developed a unique brand of culture, constantly seeking to make connections between their French and Québecois heritage and the contributions of other cultures. While the British in particular left a deep mark on the city’s economy, institutions and architecture, Montréal is also a strikingly American city. As a city of immigration where people of diverse origins have always settled and lived side by side, Montr챕al remains a city of communication, characterized by the circulation of individuals, ideas, goods, capital and technology. The cohabitation of its francophone and anglophone cultures gives these characteristics a unique flavour, making Montr챕al a fascinating city. pretty much covers things,.................and We all contributed too,.to this Vibrant City We all hailed from at some point... Have Fun and Remember Verdun (now I have been summoned to man the BBQ,......and get tonights steaks ready for dinner(supper) hahahahahaha and if I don't get out there ,I might expect a frying pan sailing this way........hahahahahahaha (empty of course)
the toll ticket says one passenger did they charge extra if you had a full car ??
WOW Neat pictures
Montrealer , Leonard Cohen ,celebrates his Sevety Third Birthday,today http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrPEM2qc-j8 ..Closing Time Listen to how this guys voice has changed over the years,........ I can Remember in one of our classes in school ,.we had to discuss this song (why ,I have no idea) probably a way for the teacher to listen to music in class??? Anyway this is the song called Suzanne,.........quite sometime ago we posted a picture of the real Suzanne (she's a free spirit ,.thats code for bit of a nut) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-r1cUTWZ90 This one from the movie Natural Born Killers: "Waiting for the Miracle" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FxqzQ0LwvY Cohen has written a lot of stuff over the years ,much recorded by other artists,....he's also done a lot of Poetry too,......... Happy Birthday Mr Cohen,...............(he's probably having a Smoked Meat for lucnh at Scwartz's ........he's known to frequent Downtown Montreal,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, HF&RV
The "Tower of Song" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQDNdl103v8 a montage of photo's over the years,of Cohen's time so far on this planet............................................................... HF&RV
Les Posting 714 Belmont Park all the kids dressed up.Never see that anymore.Know I am not in that pic.hahaha Lad
Les Posting 713 gas 5cents nice memory.. Somehow just seeing these pics now.Guess computer acting up. Lad
Les Posting 716 Ste.Catherine street 2ways.Anyone remember when they changed it? Lad
Hi the lad: No I'm not certain ,.what year they changed it,.but I do Remember the street being a two way street,......My guess would be 1966,getting ready for Expo possibly ,.it also may have been later 60's ,I'll try to find out,......... and I agree with the kids on the bus photo..........hahahahah I would not have been mistaken for one of them either,...( Although when I do look back,.as much as we thought we were individuals,we were Honour Students compared to some of the Safety Pin ,Kool-Aide coloured hair of today........hahahahaha HF&RV
Remember how simple it was to have fun,......as little kids,...even an old merry go round ( does tha sound right).........hahahahaha Carousel how's that......................... A simple swing going around in a circle brought smiles to People faces,.. Have Fun & Remember Verdun
A night out at the Carnival's , be it LaRonde,.or Belmont Park,..or even those travelling Carny's ,....like the one that used to set up on the otherside of the Boardwalk every year,...around 1st avenue ,2nd maybe,........close to the old Fire Station and the old Stadium & little playground that was up there..............................................all was Fun HF&RV
We were in Verdun briefly last weekend. We stopped first at St. Willibrord's Church (the reason for the trip was our anniverary Sept. 16/61) and then toured around the places I had lived and also relatives' flats on Rielle and Willibrord Aves. The boardwalk looks inviting and wonderful and I have never seen Verdun looking prettier. There are flowers everywhere and the updated front doors, windows, brickwork, galleries and stairways are most attractive. Wellington St. was totally foreign as we left in 1974 so didn't see a single thing we recognized. It was encouraging to see lots of pedestrians on Wellington. We parked behind City Hall and took the Metro downtown. In no time we were at Peel & St. Catherine with lots of hustle and bustle going on there. It felt so good. We were in Edmonton from 1974 to 2002 where downtown is very quiet. This trip we also spent time in the Eastern Townships. Hopefully we'll get back again. Maureen
Hello Maureen HF,.....that was a nice recount of your trip,.sort of like being along for the trip,............Did you get to take many pictures? If so I hope you've got some to share,........ Happy Anniversary Btw,.......... Thanks for the input Have Fun & Remember Verdun
Checkout this video made from film & stills from a few tourists ,who wer having fun visiting Montreal and touring around the Streets & places around Montreal,...their trip also takes in some Verdun spots,.as well as a shot of the rapids ..........................they seem to have themselves a nice holiday,....and shared their trip with us all via YouTube: so click on the link,and take a little Tour Of Our old City http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06k9a1aOg_M Have Fun & Remember Verdun
the old Firestation,.of course,.but look at the height of that Apartment/Condo building behind it................... from the angle it looks like it must have been built right in the old Richard Park,.........where the old Firetruck used to be,........ hf&rv
Look at the old famliar business's along StCatherine,.... HFC ......Laura Secord ( Easter's Coming Soon),......
Always neat to see the amount of people out walkning along StCatherine,.there's the old Woolworths in that picture ,as well as Reitmans ,...and a Movie Marquis on the right side ( not sure which theater this was) are you>? Have Fun & Remember Verdun......................
Les Looks like the old Loew's... Lad P.S. Did you read the Gazette and see the story of the OLF going after another anglo establishment. Best one I saw about this was the guy from Mtl. who was in from Alberta and visiting the bar. He said I have been gone over 30 years and we are still aruging over language...
St.Thomas Moore Church
Remember the Fort on St.Helen's Island Steve
Bombers flying over Verdun QC,....... click here to view this photo from it's origianl website : the McCord Museum http://www.mccord-museum.qc.ca/en/collection/artifacts/MP-1991.5.2 there are tools to allow you to view this shot ,full screen,.or you can use the tools to Zoom in / out etc etc : HF&RV
Those planes were known as Vampire Twin Boom Bombers phot is circa 1955 ( according to the Museums information) Havefun&RememberVerdun
I see the Pub story is now taking on a life of it's own,.aside from the Gazette Story (see previous posted Msg) ....the same topic was featured on GeorgeMcCraes Point St Charles site ( link on this site,too.....) I can see all the sabre rattling starting again,( especilally with Charest,.who is trying to gain favour with the electorate,but let's face it ,He's a spineless weakling ,who parachuted into what he thought was a job for life--------Wrong)......hahahaha I hope the bum gets thrown out,& someone who has some Common Sense gets in,.and finally put a stop to all the lunacy of separation rearing it's ugly head again........Most of the People are tired of this same old argument ,.and it's usually the people with the very least to lose ,.who create most of the problems,Watch all the gains Montreal ? Quebec has been gaining over the last few years ,will be erased by the Fear of Politiacl Uncertainty,..and Prices will fall again,..... The area has been doing well,& striving to get better,.well they need to ensure that the 'rights' of all it's inhabitants are protected,& not just the rights of some diehard separatists......( who Btw, are few in number ,relative to the level headed friends & neighbours that used to make up the general populus............Yikes .......... I have to agree that ,most people who left LaBelle Province ( for whatever reasons) have for the most part ,all done rather well,in their new homes of choice ( keyword 'Choice'_) I doubt that many of the people that left Quebec ,would ever go back to live,.( otherthan in a Nostalgic Way) the province no longer holds any mystique .... This type of stupidity,can only serve to rekindle the reasons Why so many corporations & good people Chose to leave in the first place....... 400 years and Counting,.the Lunacy goes on: (too bad !!) cause it is a nice place to Remember Have Fun and Remember Verdun
I would have thought that the people in Quebec would, by now, feel more secure within themseleves that they do not feel the need to trample on others. For God's sake, if you feel threatened by a sign, you are worse off than you thought. Seem's since I left in '83 everyhting- and nothing has changed. Come on my french friends, stand up, give your head a shake and if you can tell me that the languange laws are protecting you..... you have nothing worth protecting. Keith Harrison
Hi Les, Haven't been on this site or any other as a matter of fact for quite a while as I've been busy with my book. I use your site sometimes for research, and just happened to see the posts about the Irish pub. Have to agree with you. I thought things had changed but obviously not. Sad. Interesting tidbit, I recently met a guy at work who came to Edmonton from Montreal to study English. I was rather surprised that he didn't move to Toronto instead. Quite courageously he moved here last January not speaking a word of English, went to Norquest College to learn ESL and speaks English fluently now. I practice my French with him because I enjoy languages and don't want to lose what I have. How ironic! He said there aren't any opportunities in Quebec, that you have to be bilingual, and that means if you speak only French, you're in trouble. We are finding that more and more people are moving here from Ontario and Quebec which is changing the political face of the province especially as we're heading into a provincial election next month. Dolly
Hello Sabby,....the Western Provinces are growing ,many people coming from all over the country,.and I would think in a few years you will see more equality towards the Western Provinces,from Manitoba to BC,.they will start to garner more support, from Ottawa,....there may be a slight setback during the next few years for the Ontario & Quebec,due to the Economic Slowdown in the USA right now,....Ontario in particular relies very heavily on trade withte USA,....Amazing number of trucks on the Highways headed South loaded with goods,..but if people can't buy them ,.then were all in for a bumpy ride I would think Western Canada is wealthy in many things ,almost all Natural Resources,......but that can slow down too,.Next month's Alberta Election will be of Interest ,to a lot of Corporations wondering if Ed will be back in power...... Good Luck with your book Btw:.............................. HF&RV Congrats to your friend for having the courage to leave his home ,& learn something new,most people are pretty decent when you get to know them,and it only takes a few ,to harass the many,...(as is being experienced in LaBelle Province,in a little Pub ......Imagine the gall of the Irish Pub Owner,to even 'think' of putting up Irish Signs,,,,,,,Yikes doesn't he realise that the ambience would be far better suited ,if it had legends & tlaes of mayb Samuel Champlain,or maybe Marguerite Bourgeois(sp?) hahahahahaha ....Lunacy abounds:
Thanks Les, I'm hoping to finish 2nd draft by summer --- dam day job is interfering with my quest for notoriety! Am working on a writing conference here for July and I've connected with publishers who will be participating as part of our manuscript evaluations program. I'm the coordinator so hoping they'll remember me from the slush pile when the time comes. Some folks here might be interested in reading a book, Charles the Bold, by Yves Beauchemin, a well known Quebecois writer. It's the first in a trilogy and we follow Charles through his birth in the east end and life in Montreal. The backdrop is the political events that occur in his life and I found it interesting because my novel is similar in some respect and wanted to make sure mine was different (which it is). Verdun instead of east end. Ha! The three books have been translated into the English and can be bought on-line through Chapters. I highly recommend Beauchemin and this trilogy for anyone interested in Quebecois culture. BTW how is Joey doing with his book?
the lad: here's a shot that may help show which Theater was in that other photo: ....and here's the other one again,.a few Theaters along there,but it is definetly the same block,from a different angle: ............................I like these old shots from around Montreal HF&RV
The Harbour Front was always an busy & interesting place,with all the goings on ............ and the familiar old Ogilvy's Flour sign.... .......here's an unusual view of part of the city,& the Harbour: ..........................................................................................hf&rv
Remember the Central Station,.when it was exposed to the street hf&rv
A simpler time,...and certainly a very simple skyline, .............Montreal was just starting to awaken,to the world,all prior to the big party in '67..................... HF&RV
Does anybody remember the Bluebird fire? I'm looking for information about it. Where the club was located, how many people died, how did it start. I understand all exits were locked. Does anybody have personal stories about that night? Would appreciate any information. With thanks.
Sabby Hi I remember it well. I had been there a number of times myself with the gang from work. I worked shift work and was getting ready for work I was sitting at the kitchen table. It is one of those things that is burned into my mind. When it first happened many people thought it was the underworld but soon the truth came out. It was located on Union Ave. I googled montreal bluebird fire there is a few items listed. Ron
Thanks Ron, I goggled incorrectly. It was on Union ave and where? What kind of club was it? A pub? Dance? Western? What kind of people went there? Office workers? What was special about it? How large was it? What year? I'll see if I can find more on the site. Really appreciate the info.
Ron, Went to the site and found the info I needed. Thanks. If anyone wants to add, would appreciate it.
Dolly. My ex-wife was suppose to go that night to meet some of her girlfriends. That is what she told me. Later on while sitting at home by myself, I heard about the fire, and about some deaths. Well my ex was lieing to me. She was out screwing around as usual. Now having said that. I am glad she wasn't there that night regardless of the reason. If she had been there that night, it is a possibility that I would not have my first daughter. She is a lawyer and has just been promoted to Corporate Compliance Officer with her firm. That is in addition to all her other duties, including the head of Human Resources. Nor may I add would I probably be living in Vancouver, Washington, and being married for almost 28 years, to my Sweetie.
Dolly. I also want to mention that one of our 3rd Avenue boys, Mickey Walsh, was there that night assisting the firemen with body bags. There are a few people on this site that know Mickey. He lived at around the 700 blocks, across from the store.
Thanks Winston, That gives me some ideas. The fire was in September 1972 and my novel ends in 1971. I am using some factual events/places between 1967 to 1971 mixed with fiction. It's allowed. If I mentioned the Bluebird Fire, it wouldn't be true because it happened later than the period I am writing about, so will have to invent another club fire. That's all part of the writing process. You and I know, as we've talked about this before, that everything happens for a reason, good or bad, and it's always to move us to a better place. We might not believe that while it's happening. Thanks again Winston.
And Winston, Congratulations on your daughter's promotion! What an achievement! I can sense your pride and see your smile right through cyperspace! Take care.
from an old thread: Reply
Recommend Message 1 of 1 in Discussion From: ShirleyBH2 (Original Message) Sent: 3/8/2006 8:37 PM Heard a very interesting story today. My sisters know this guy who was a distributor or whatever they call it perhaps jobber for the Gazette. When the news of the Blue Bird Fire hit the radio - my family were living in the west end at the tine - I was living on Egan. Anyway news hits the radio and these guys hear about it and decide that they are going to go have a look see - one of the guys was Mike DeLeva and I forget the other guys name - so outside the Blue Bird the firemen have bodies lined up on the sidewalk with white X's on them so Mike DeLeva and friend are taking a look and they spot their friend - there is Alan with a white X on his body - they were shocked so they load Alan into their car and take him to the hospital - well Alan had suffered smoke inhalation but HE WAS NOT dead. The guys had got together this past week and were reminiscing about the fire and of course now it is a funny story - Alan is still going strong today - a girl my sister worked with at the Royal Trust was killed in that fire. I have to wonder how many other's with X's on them might have been saved. HF&RV
That's interesting and most helpful. Sets the old imagination going. I'm printing the post and if I use, I'll have to acknowledge VC as a source of information. Don't know how you found that thread but thanks Les.
another source for a brief mention of the Fire at the Bluebird actually the Fire known as the Bluebird Cafe Fire ,... The Bluebird was actually the principal business on the main floor,.the Wagon Wheel is where the fire was....... DISASTERS OF THE CENTURY VI | Out of the Blue On September 1st, 1972, patrons of Montreal’s Blue Bird Café and the Wagon Wheel, the country and western bar above the café, were celebrating the end of another summer. In the main entrance to the Wagon Wheel, however, 3 young men, drunk and upset over being refused entry to the bar began a fire on the staircase. With one exit now blocked by fire, victims sought out other means of escape. However, conflicting city regulations had left the Wagon Wheel with too few fire exits. This left only two escape routes, through the kitchen onto a foldaway fire escape, and through the window in the ladies washroom onto a car parked below. Due to these errors in judgement, 37 people were unable to escape the fire and smoke that night. Fire escape regulations have since been standardised to prevent another disaster of this magnitude.
The window wasn't in the washroom. The window was outside of the entrances to the washrooms I was going to go there that night,but the wife and I stayed home and relaxed.I used to go there a lot.It was a hang out sort of working at the Douglas. (Pete and the Country Gentlemen ) played there The Potts bothers were there that night (Gary and Wayne) one ended up with a broken leg jumping from that window.Guy was the doorman.Guy was a Montreal cop he wear a big handlebar moustach. Steve
There was a lot of people who used to frequent that club ( the WagonWheel) it just hapenned to be a very popular spot ,at that time,Most people would party at their favourite 'upholstered sewers' where they would drink copius amounts of a less expensive beer /or hard drinks,.....and then knowing that Montreal Bars almost never sleep would usually head Downton around 10 or 11pm,....... I was in the '50Club in Lasalle' when it came time to head Downtown we heard that there was a majot blaze going on, and only when they mentioned Union St did anyone realise that it had to be the WagonWheel,.......had the fire been a little later ,I have no doubt it would have claimed many more lives: It was a tragic fire,............as for doormen there they had many,& one of the Dubois brothers worked the door as well at times,...( and he wasn't a tool .like some of his brothers,.but I wouldn't want to piss him off)..... ...The main draw,to the WagonWheel was that it was known to have lots of gals,that liked to go there,many were nurses,....after this fire ,which effectively ended it's existence as ( a place to go,or the place to go) ,.a bar opened on Sherbrooke St....way down ,heading towards,Montreal West ( maybe still in NDG) on the South side of Sherbrooke, it too had a Western Theme,but I don't think it ever caught on,at least not that I Remember,anyone Remember that dump?? It's funny how Montreal would have all kinds of different cluubs ,that easch had their own draw,and would usually have a shelf life of popularity,.before Somewhere knew became the 'in Place' ......................I suppose that's exactly how things are todday,in every city in the world: A few years later another Bar would be set ablaze,...killing 13 people who were locked in a back room of the Gargantua Club,. Richard Blais was believed the ring leader of that murder,he locked the people in a back room & set fire to the place......... Now that's a Yikes !!!!
Wow Winston, pass on my congratulations to Jennifer! She is a well deserving person and I am so happy for her! Love Connie
Connie. Will do.
I posted this a little while back,.but have to laugh at the price of fuel on the sign at the Gas Station,..........this is from Msg #713 of this Verdun/Montreal Places & Stuff thread,..... was looking for the thhread that Guy mentioned ,.and came across this picture again,............Have a look ,....you will never see this price again ( for just about anything.......hahahaha) Never mind a Gallon of Gas...................Yikes!!!! .....this shot is taken leading to the entrance of the Jacques Cartier Bridge,.............................looks like late 50's based on some of the cars in the foreground.parked at the curb in the immediate left side of the picture at the bottom,.looks to be a '58-ish Ford Fairlane maybe ,.dual headlights was a '58ish sort of thing................. Have Fun & Remember Verdun also have a good weekend everyone ,.looks like it will be a soggy one here in Vicotira .............................Stay Safe
Post a Comment