2025 make it a good one for you and your family, & friends

Happy New Year and let's make 2025 a safe and healthy year for everyone. Thanks for surfing by and checking out this old site Cheers ! LesF

The Corner Store, or as we call them in general Depaneurs a short vid appearing in the Gazette and now youtube.

The little corner stores we all grew up with buying candy as a kid cigs a little later and maybe played the pinball machine.It was and still is a part of life in Verdun/Montreal....although disappearing due to big box joints, I think we all need the corner store (or the middle of the block for those rare ones)

Merry Christmas from Verdun Connections

Hope all who pass this way have a peaceful.safe and Merry Christmas from Verdun Connections Cheers ! LesF

Familiar Old Sign Verdun Restaurant also an old House of Tom ad ( another rest in Verdun)

I know we posted a shot similar to this one many years ago ,same sign just a different angle. However this one just sparks memories.Nice to see it asgain (sent to me via an oldies Montreal site.......thanks for that) The 2nd photo is a sight I remember ,winter walking along Verdun Av, this is now New Verdun Restaurant which also had a restaurant at Gordon & Wellington STreet ,which later moved to the middle of the block on Wellinto across from Norman's Patats , it too ws called New Verdun Restauaran

Just a few more random pics from all over Montreal

Over the years we have posted a lot of photos a lot of them very early on in the beginings of the internet over 20+ years ago. We found a lot of photos and shared them here, or on MSN Groups to start with and finally made our way to this Blog site. I have seen them replicated on many different host sites,aside from their originals, most sites offer no referance to the initial websites where they were first hosted. Some people do try to mention where they got them. Other sites simply mark them as if they were part of their own private collections. In anycase I am glad they get shared.So enjoy these ones. There are some good sites who post these as they find them,so thank you .

Santa Claus Parade 2024

Well we all remember the Santa Claus Parade with it sailing down Saint Catherine and culminating at Eatons (think way back) we all rode the Eatons train and we have posted pics over the years,so this year the parade route is a straight line down Dorchester ( if you remember that name) but that is 2024 version in Montreal today Saturday Nov 23.so here is the following info all from today's Montreal Gazette............

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down René-Lévesque Blvd. Montreal’s Santa Claus Parade returns for its 72nd instalment Saturday, Nov. 23, at 11 a.m. The parade route will run east on René-Lévesque Blvd. from Bishop St., ending at St-Urbain St. This year’s parade will feature weightlifter and two-time Olympic medallist Maude Charron, who will play the Star Fairy. Map showing route of Montreal Santa Claus Parade, along René-Lévesque Blvd. from Bishop St. to St-Urbain St. starting at 11 a.m., with family activities at Dorchester Square as of 9 a.m. The parade will feature a series of floats, musical performances and dancers and will end with the Santa Claus float. Organizers are encouraging people to wear red to the parade. The route of the parade is easily accessible by métro, a short walk from the Guy-Concordia, Peel, McGill and Place des Arts stations on the Green Line or the Lucien-l’Allier, Bonaventure, Square Victoria-OACI and Place d’Armes stations on the Orange Line. Montréal centre-ville, an organization of nearly 5,000 member businesses, is organizing the parade. TVA will broadcast a recording of the parade Nov. 24 at 4:30 p.m. The parade is expected to last about an hour.

Remembrance Day 2024 Monday Nov 11th, We Will Remember Them

Happy Halloween

I would imagine Verdun is still a family friendly place for all the kids to trick or treat///////Have Fun Stay Safe from Verdun Connections 2024 Don't grow up to soon and let those kids have a ball.

2024 Poppy Campaign is Underway Remembrance Day Nov 11th is Coming Soon, will you Help

Would you consider helping support this years efforts. it is obviously totally up to you.

The Last Hab from the 5 Stanley Cups in a row dynasty: Donnie Marshall dies: the following is from Hockey Feed

If you grew up in Montreal in the 50's onward.You no doubt would know the name Donnie Marshall.The last of the Habs 5 Sanley Cups in a row dynasty has died: Read the following clip from the Hockey News Feed.

from the Hockey News: The Montreal Canadiens have announced the passing of long-time NHL forward Donald “Donnie” Marshall at 92 years of age. From the Canadiens’ official press release announcement: BOSTON – The Montreal Canadiens are saddened to learn of the passing of Donald Robert Marshall, who passed away at the age of 92. Marshall, who was known by the nickname “Donnie,” was the last surviving member of the Canadiens dynasty that won five consecutive Stanley Cups from 1956-1960. Marshall made his NHL debut in 1951-52, playing one game with the Canadiens before permanently establishing himself with the Habs during the 1954-55 season. The Montreal-born forward played 585 games with the Canadiens between 1951 and 1963, with whom he recorded 254 points (114G, 140A). Marshall mainly played on a line with Phil Goyette and Claude Provost during his time with the Canadiens. Marshall played in 1,176 career NHL games with Montreal, the New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabers and Toronto Maple Leafs. The 5’10”, 160-pound role player scored 265 goals and added 324 assists before retiring at the end of the 1971-72 season. The Canadiens extend their deepest condolences to Donnie’s family, friends and loved ones. Our thoughts are with them at during this difficult time. He will always be remembered as one of the great champions in the history of the organization. Rest in peace, Donnie. Gone, but never forgotten. RIP Donnie from Verdun Connections and all who appreciated the Bleu Blanc Rouge ......Cheers !

Ex Montreal Expo (for a brief time) Controversial all-time MLB hits leader Pete Rose dies at 83

Controversial all-time MLB hits leader Pete Rose dies at 83

Pete Rose, baseball’s career hits leader and fallen idol who undermined his historic achievements and Hall of Fame dreams by gambling on the game he loved and once embodied, has died. He was 83.

Somethings Never Change

I just had to share this photo from another Mtlctv site) It just reminded me that we always dreaded if we had to head up that far on the Decarie.......some places just are best left avoided if possible.....lol

Montreal Shots from the Air

Sharing a few old photos of Montreal mostly aerials from a while back. there might be something there you like. Again no watermarks so they can be shared.

Longtime Point St Charles resident George McRae passed away

George was always a good guy to deal with, sending me a pair of 3d glasses (20 years ago I guess) so I could view the 3d photos he used to post on his website. George along with a friend of his started the Point website just before this Verdun Connections site came into being. I spoke with him many times over the years and he was dedicated to preserving his community The Point. He also supported Verdun a little as well. He posted fantastic photos and stories about basically growing up in the Point. He did pass back in May of this year,but I thought it would be appropriate to allow some time for his family and friends to mourn his passing. I feel it is just the right thing to do,to honour his memory here on this blogsite (originally an MSN Groups site) George Thanks for being a decent guy and sharing history with us along the way. Many of us that hail from Verdun and now live all around the globe, also had roots or grew up in and around Griffintown, the Point, Goose Village even. Verdun became home for a lot of us but let's face it Montreal is home to all of us,and the Point was a big part of that. Below is George's obit as seen in the Montreal Gazette back in May.

Passed away peacefully on May 20, 2024 at the age of 87. Predeceased by his beloved parents, brothers and sisters, he is survived by his loving nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly. George will be remembered for his incredible kindness, generosity, enthusiasm, and his amazing sense of humour. With his impeccable memory and penchant for detail, he was a master story teller. A life-long resident of Point St Charles, George's passionate interest in technology and photography resulted in the co-creation of thepoint.ca, one of the first community-based websites on the early internet. Gregarious and charming, he was a friend to everyone he met and as an uncle, he was unmatched. A true gentleman with the biggest heart. Special thanks to the staff of the Verdun General Hospital for their compassion and support.

CANADA DAY 2024

Verdun Connections wishes all who surf by a safe and fun Canada Day

Verdun Beach---wow Imagine that back in the 60's

Oddly enough it stills seems strange to hear the words Verdun Beach. but really the river was so polluted by the time the late 50's and 60's rolled around that it wasn't that inviting. Besides we had the Natatorium, and also remember when the fire department would turn on their hydrants for local kids at the parks or whatever. .but Fast forward to2024 and the (newly invented description for a hot weather week in the summer) called a Heat Dome.......and I guess the beach sounds very inviting about now. Today's June 20th 2024 Montreal Gazette has this aerial shot of the beach. I imagine it gets a lot of use these days. Anyway the photo credit is listed below the picture.

Local residents took to the cooling waters of the St-Lawrence River at the Verdun Beach on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Local residents took to the cooling waters of the St-Lawrence River at the Verdun Beach on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette I've seen photos of the Natatorium that looked busier than this.but the kids of today are making their own Verdun Memories and I hope they are having a ball. Cheers ! Les F

Walking Wellington Street Summer 2024 (sans traffic) Checkout the Promenade Wellington site.

Wow can you imagine walking down Wellington without a care about traffic. Checkout the Promenade Wellington site, it looks like it has some interesting things going on. https://www.promenadewellington.com/en/evenement/the-pedestrian-wellington-street-life-is-well/