I've noticed most of VC members have long ago left their childhood neighbourhood and many have left LA BELLE PROVINCE. How many of you make return visits to Montreal and especially Verdun? If you do, does it bring back happy memories, or are you saddened by the changes. We visit from Australia every 2 or 3 years, stay in downtown Montreal and our first move is to head out for Smoked Meat and buy a few May Wests, Cherry Blossoms etc etc. After a severe bout of indigestion, we walk the streets of Montreal and try to recapture our roots, not always an easy job. But we soon find our way, Crescent Street with delightful restaurants, Old Montreal and the talented street artists and the sight of the Cross at the end of University St always brings a lump to my throat. My husband Richard (Rosemounter) walks the grounds of McGill, remembering the carefree days. There are many changes and not all for the good, but you can still find delight in many places that overwhelms you with the feeling you've come home. Next year on our visit, I am definitely planning to walk the streets of Verdun (something I've been avoiding) to see if I recognise the place anymore. I know I'll be somewhat disappointed, but I also know that there will be a sight or two that takes me back down memory lane and the trip will all be worth it. Thanks to you all at VC for sharing your thoughts and memories with me and each other. Remember Verdun, have fun and I hope you have the opportunity to return to your old stomping grounds....Diane
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.
15 comments:
Have not been back for about 8 years. All my siblings are gone, all my nieces and nephews live eith in Calgary Alberta, or Vancouver, BC. So no reason to go back or to share the memories with. My wife and I went back about 4 times so she could see where I lived and visit my family. But the changes I found can be a little hard to accept. That is why I like Verdun connections so much. Great memories are relived here.
I don't know, you may want to see for yourself. Verdun is probably the hottest up and coming district on the island these days. The old factory jobs are all gone, but now we have a lot of artists, tech people, musicians, etc. I have have fabulous memories of the old days but I am also seeing some excitement too. Verdun is still a place to be quite proud of being from and one of it's most appealing features today is that it still has a nice working class feel to it, as opposed to being some kind of snobby trendy place. That isn't happening at all. It's all good.
Ken McLaughlin
Visit about every 4 to 5 months, Mom is still living in Ville Emard.
I frequently visit the New Verdun Restaurant and Bistro at the corner of 5th and Verdun.
Verdun has changed some, but i still enjoy walking around and driving the area, bring back a lot of memories.
Gabby
After we moved closer to La Belle Province in April of 2008, I have been back five times. Unfortunately, three of the five times it was raining like heck. The last time my brother was visiting from BC and we drove down to see his son in the Point and to visit our parents' grave site on the mountain. We initially stopped off at LaSalle and Second Avenueand got out of the car to look at the river. My oh my what a surprise to see that the boardwalk is no longer right next to the riverbank. Progress, ain't it grand. At least the memories of the days growing up there are still vivid.
Great to hear Verdun is going through a revival Ken. I used to visit my Aunt Lydia Ulley until she passed away several years ago, but I would take a taxi to her flat and then leave in one...don't get much of a feel for a place that way. I'll definitely spend at least a day there next year, walking around all the streets, check out my old home (676 3rd Ave) and Wellington St. I might drop in on Guy to see some of the Verdun archives etc. Looking forward to it all!.........Diane Roberts
last time I went to verdun was at night I walked around my old street and surrounding area. I saw a bunch of people outside the restaurant(Bingo) I sat down and listened to try to hear a name or nickname I knew, but alass. One time I went and near the old stone house they had a group playing and dancing the jive. I really enjoyed that. I noticed quite a lot of old buildings or store fronts changed into condo type living. When you walk you can look directly in their house, guess you need thick curtains. Will be back there soon I miss it.
I am only living "down the road" in the Toronto area. I visit about twice a year. Only one sister is left in the area as the rest of the family have gone west. Still nice to visit some old friends when i am there. Yes, Verdun HAS changed a lot, but there are still a lot of things there that will bring back fond memories.
The last time I was in Verdun was in the begining of January of this year.
have not been in a couple years planning to this year and take pictures too..
Norman's, Rex's,for good steamies....Mike's for a decent sub and the Bar B for the obivious...
DiLallo's for a decent burger....then I might go visiting....hahahaha
Hey Lad
Let me know when you decide to go and I will take that opportunity to try to make it down as well.
George
George
Will do.Hope you will be hungry.....!!
I just reread what Diane had posted and got me to thinking...
Those early spring days when the snow and ice was beginning to melt and sand was everywhere on the sidewalks and roads..taking out the bike for the first time and hearing it crunch the sand when you avoided some ice on the street.Watching the ice melt at the rink and knowing there goes another season of ball hockey.On the other hand knowing that the Sotball leaques would be starting soon.We always would be bat boys for the teams..anyone remember Parent Cleaners,Kouri PIckles,
they played at Willibrord. They break a bat and would give it to us ..seemed like a good deal at the time but looking back now the Do Re Mi would have been better but who cared..a free bat...
Les you like the Do Re MI line? Then down to the stadium to watch some football..and anyone remember when the Habs would come to Willibrord for a charity game..man I sat next to the Rocket one night and I will never forget it.The Als would come too..anyone remember King Corcoran who was a QB from the states..had the King mobile...Lincoln Mark 2 or 3 I think but he did it for the ladies he said..too much.Featured on t.v. about small teams in the states.He got cut in camp.AH good times..
Memories....
i go to verdun several times a month, lots of properties up for sale investors fleeing dump dump
finally they are building were kostas and iga was, now a new building 8 condo's,IGA under the condo's underground parking. thats the latest news on verdun stuff
Hi Everyone I haven't checked out this site in a long time. I've been busy with Yerdunourhometown. If you haven't been there yet, check it out. Lots of fun stories and comments, and the structure is really
well put together. fun!
The last time I went back to Verdun was in the summer of 07. I found Verdun to be pretty much the same. The doorways were all painted white but I didn't see a lot of change. I was disappointed with Wellington st. It seemed run down to me. Lots of cheap looking stores, but lots of great restaurants. I hope it doesn't change too much more. Smac
I keep trying to reply and don't see my message postage. Help!
I live in Baie D'Urfe and have since 1987. I have travelled to Verdun numerous times over the years and relive the great memories when I lived at 1181 Stephens Ave from 1957 to 1964. I plan to do some cycling through Verdun this summer to visit some of my old hangouts; Brown Blvd park where I played hockey no matter what the temperature was on the night. Dawson's Boys Club (great Friday night dances) on Woodland Ave and my old school VHS on Argyle Ave. Also soccer at Woodland Park beside the boardwalk at the corner of Woodland and Lasalle Blvd. Pat's Men's wear at the corner of Woodland and Verdun Ave. Great times and great memories
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