Canadian Junction: Town, City and Country by Neil Ross June 11 at Lambton House

Sunday @ Lambton House

Canadian Junction
Town, City and Country

Reading of a new one-act play by Neil Ross

When: Sunday June 11, 2017
Time: 2:00 pm (doors open at 12:30 pm)

Where: Lambton House
Address: 4066 Old Dundas Street, Toronto, ON M6S 2R6
T: 416-767-5472

Hey, friends and fans of Junction History, it's the Junction onstage!

CANADIAN JUNCTION: Town, City and Country by Neil Ross

Join Eileen Brown, Mikaela Cordero and Neil Ross for a reading of a new one-act play about the Junction experience and the birth of Canada. A diverse village and town becomes a city and joins Toronto as an equal (in its heart).

Featuring, from the Junction's past:  Nursing student Anne Leun who broke the colour barrier at a downtown Toronto theatre. Merchant and philanthropist Mrs. Brown – who introduced the telephone to the Junction. Journalist A.B. Rice – for sixty years the Junction was his beat.

Also a special guest interview with two-time Governor General Christopher Moore on 1867: How the Fathers Made a Deal.

Canadian Junction is a Canada 150 project of the West Toronto Junction Historical Society.


Please, find more information:

West Toronto Junction Historical Society: Special Event

Dave Cook Presenting His Book "Fading History, Volume 2": March 5

West Toronto Junction Historical Society: March 5, 2015

Special Presentation by Writer & Historian, David Cook

West Toronto Junction Historical Society

Thursday, March 5, 2015

8:15 pm

Book Presentation by Author

Fading History, Volume 2
Stories of Historical Interest

Special Guest: Dave Cook, Writer and Historian

Where: Annette Street Public Library
Lower Level, Committee Room 1
145 Annette Street, Toronto, ON M6P 1P3
(One and a half blocks west of Keele)


Fading History Vol. 2, has 11 chapters covering a wide range of stories of historical interest.

The first chapter looks at the Grand Duchess of Russia’s life in Canada, including the years she lived on Camilla Road in Cooksville. When she first arrived in Canada, she settled on a farm in Campbellville and in an amazing coincidence that brought two European families of note together in a remote farming community in Canada, she sold her Campbellville farm to Wolfgang Von Richthofen, the cousin of WWI German flying ace, the Red Baron. (And that’s just the first chapter!)

www.fadinghistory.ca

Book Cover "Fading History, Vol.2" by Dave Cook 

Image credit: http://www.fadinghistory.ca/

Tall Tales of The Junction: WTJHS FUNdraiser: January 15

Tall Tales Of The Junction

West Toronto Junction Historical Society FUNdraiser

at Junction Craft Brewery, 90 Cawthra Ave., unit 1

on Thursday, January 15, 2015, 6pm

On photo: The Junction town council assembles circa 1897

Courtesy of WTJHS

The West Toronto Junction Historical Society
only event this month - now on January 15, 2015!

West Toronto Junction Historical Society FUNdraiser

Tall Tales of The Junction

When: Thursday, January 15, 2015, 6pm

Venue: Junction Craft Brewery
Address: 90 Cawthra Avenue, unit 1
The Junction, Toronto, ON M6N 3C7


The fundraising event is not unlike those the WTJHS has hosted in the past. Junction “legends,” such as journalist A.B. Rice, first librarian Elizabeth MacCallum, chief coroner Dr. G.W. Clendenan, chief of police and first Mountie Josiah Royce and Rev T.E.E. Shore have made appearances at such events as 'The Wild Wild Junction' Ghost stories pub crawl.

Tall Tales of the Junction will be “like a pub crawl without the crawl,” said Ross, “because it’s winter.”

The Junction legends will again share their favourite stories while audience members will also be invited to share their own stories of the neighbourhood for a chance to win historical prizes.

The $20 admission fee will help the WTJHS continue to do its work, like advocating for the conservation of the neighbourhood’s built heritage. The event will include a presentation based on the most recent installment of the WTJHS’ graphic novel.

Admission includes snacks and a pint of ale from a Junction Craft Brewery special cask.

Tickets are available at Annette Street Library, 145 Annette St.

Read more: Bloor West Villager: Hear some ‘tall tales’ from the Junction’s history: Historical society and brewery team up to present fundraiser

Don't miss this!

Jane's Walk: Toronto: Junction of the Canadian Dream

Screenshot: Jane's Walk: Toronto: Junction of the Canadian Dream: Hangin' Out With History
Walk Leader: Neil Ross; Meeting Place: Runnymede Library — May 3, 2014, 2:30 PM
Credit: janeswalk.org: Canada: Toronto: Junction of the Canadian Dream: Hangin' Out With History

2014 Jane’s Walk annual global festival runs May 2nd, 3rd and 4th!

This year the Jane’s Walk turns eight, and there are more then 120 of great walks throughout Toronto. The walks get people to explore their cities and connect with neighbours. As always, Jane’s Walk is FREE and locally led walking tours run rain or shine.
No reservations are needed – JUST SHOW UP! 

Below are links to two Junction walking tours this weekend.

Junction of the Canadian Dream: Hangin' Out With History

Saturday, May 3, 2014 | 2:30 PM

Walk Leader: Neil Ross

Meeting Place: Runnymede Library
The exact meeting point is in the park immediately north of (behind) the Runnymede Library along Glendonwynne Road, Kennedy-Margdon Parkette. The closest transit stop is Runnymede subway station.

Ending Place: Annette Street Library
Participants can catch either the Junction 40 bus to Dundas West or the Keele bus to Keele station, both from Dundas and Keele.

About This Walk
Travel the Junction and learn its place in the heart of Canada.

Experience the coming together of the railways on the meeting point of First Nations trails. Explorers La Salle and Brûlé may well have passed through here, and there is some evidence La Salle actually stopped for a latte . . .

Neil Ross tells you his favourite Canadian stories and his favourite Junction stories in a walk from the Runnymede to Annette Street Libraries. Perfect bookends: Runnymede was designed to reflect a Canadian identity.  Annette Street was envisioned as the cultural centre of an independent city. "After all, we're all immigrants on this bus."
Duration: Approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes

About Neil Ross
Neil Ross is the co-author of One Hundred Years at the Junction Shul and of the screenplay Worthy of Such a Country: D'Arcy McGee. As president of the West Toronto Junction Historical Society, his historical walking tours have made NOW Magazine's Editors' Big Three Can't Miss Events -- along with Caribana and professional wrestling. Neil writes the graphic novel series Justice in the Junction: the Life and Times of Josiah Royce.

Screenshot: Jane's Walk: Toronto: A Crash Course on the Junction
Walk Leader: Leah Cooke; Meeting Place: Keele and Dundas — May 3, 2014, 5:00 PM
Credit: janeswalk.org: Canada: Toronto: A Crash Course on the Junction

A Crash Course on the Junction

Saturday, May 3, 2014 | 5:30 PM

Walk Leader: Leah Cooke, Junction BIA Staff

Meeting Place: Keele and Dundas
(SW Corner) at the benches beside the bus stop.

Ending Place: Indie Ale House Brewing Co.
We will be ending the walk at a licensed brewery, so those wishing to partake in this stop will need to be 19+ with valid ID.

About This Walk
On this walk, we will explore the historic Junction’s main commercial strip on Dundas Street West.

We will discover businesses that exemplify what the Junction is best known for: reclamation, design, art, innovative food and beer.  An overview of the area’s history will be discussed, and interesting buildings/shops will be pointed out while we go.  Come with questions about the area and we'll do our best to answer them!

As a bonus, CONTACT photography festival opening receptions will be happening in the area from 6-9 pm on the same night, so you can turn this into an evening outing in the Junction.

Duration: Approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes

About Leah Cooke
As a current Urban Planning graduate student, lifelong Junction resident and former Junction BIA intern, I'm excited to lead this walk in my area.

About Junction BIA Staff
Junction Business Improvement Area Staff - fan and advocate of the Junction neighbourhood, passionate about all the hidden gems and fantastic stories each retail building in the Junction holds.

Screenshot: Jane's Walk Toronto 2014: Ward 13 Parkdale-High Park (9)  
Credit: janeswalk.org: Canada: Toronto walks: Ward 13 Parkdale-High Park

In fact, at least a dozen other Jane's walks are coming to our neighbourhood of wards 13 and 14, Parkdale-High Park in Toronto this weekend.

Check it out #janeswalk:

• Twilight Labyrinth Walk in High Park — May 2, 6:30 PM
• Walk as workout! — May 2, 7:00 PM and May 3, 10:00 AM
• Bloor West Village - A century of development, heritage and community — May 3, 10:00 AM and May 4, 10:00 AM
• The Centre for Opportunities, Respect, and Empowerment presents! The Culture of Parkdale: Past, Present, and Future — May 3, 10:00 AM
• Belly Full: A History of Hunger Resistance in Parkdale (Bob Rose) — May 3, 10:30 AM
• Jane and Annette, Friends Forever (Madeleine McDowell) — May 3, 12:00 PM
• The World of Labyrinth Walkers: High Park on World Labyrinth Day — May 3, 12:00 PM
• Ghost River (Juliet Palmer, Diana Tso , Gib Goodfellow) — May 3, 1:00 PM
• Visions of Parkdale Past and Future, In the Balance ( Alec Keefer) — May 3, 1:00 PM
• Junction of the Canadian Dream: Hangin' Out With History (Neil Ross) — May 3, 2:30 PM
• A Crash Course on the Junction (Leah Cooke, Junction BIA Staff) — May 3, 5:00 PM
• Swansea, Past and Present (Swansea Historical Society, leaders) — May 3, 6:30 PM
• Celluloid and Popcorn: The history of Cinema on Roncesvalles (Keith Denning, Scott Worsley) — May 4, 1:30 PM
• Walking with Refugees in the West Bend (Romero House) — May 4, 2:00 PM

For more information visit: http://www.janeswalk.org/index.php/canada/toronto/

EVERY CITY HAS A STORY
On Friday May 2nd - Sunday May 4th 2014
Join the Jane's Walk Festival to Learn about Yours!

October Is Heintzman Month in the Historic Junction

Screenshot: West Toronto Junction Historical Society
Our Next Meeting ... Thursday October 13, 2011
Legends of the Junction Salute Heintzman
Credit: wtjhs.ca

WTJHS Upcoming Events

Historical Talk Show: Legends of the Junction Salute Heintzman

Thursday, October 13, 2011

7:30 PM
Refreshments and Business Meeting

8:30 PM
Kicking off Heintzman Month with our renowned historical talk show, with special guests George Heintzman and members of the Heintzman family

Where: Annette Street Public Library
Lower Level, Committee Room 1
145 Annette Street, Toronto, ON M6P 1P3
(One and a half blocks west of Keele)

West Toronto Junction Historical Society
Deluxe Walking Tour: Tickling the Keys:
the Heintzman Piano Company …
Sunday, October 23, 2011, 2 PM
Credit: wtjhs.ca

Deluxe Walking Tour: Tickling the Keys: The Heintzman Piano Company

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Time: 2 PM

Start: Annette Street Public Library
Lower Level, Committee Room 1
145 Annette Street, Toronto, ON M6P 1P3
(One and a half blocks west of Keele)

One of the world’s most famous piano manufacturers was based in the Junction. Follow in the footsteps of the Heintzman family and company employees during this 2 hour guided walking tour lead by members of the West Toronto Junction Historical Society.
Starts at Annette Street Public Library at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets $20, available at the local Junction sources below or by calling 416-763-3161.

Tour Tickets are available from:
Annette Street Public Library, 145 Annette Street
Ice Cream Junction, 3103 Dundas Street West
Pandemonium, 2862 Dundas Street West
Wise Daughters Craft Market, 3079B Dundas Street West

For more information:
wtjhs.ca
junctionhistorical@gmail.com
@WTJHS
416-763-3161

links:
thecanadianencyclopedia.com: The Canadian Encyclopedia: Heintzman & Co. Ltd.
Heintzman & Co. Limited ... Makers of Canada's Greatest Piano
by Helmut Kallmann, Patricia Wardrop

wikipedia.org: Heintzman & Co.
Heintzman & Co. Ltd was a celebrated Canadian piano manufacturer, based in the Toronto area, whose instruments retain a reputation for quality of workmanship and fineness of tone.

wikipedia.org: Theodor August Heintzman
Theodor August Heintzman (birth name Theodore August Heintzmann) (19 May 1817 – 25 July 1899) was a German-born Canadian piano manufacturer (Heintzman & Co.) and inventor, best known for founding the piano company which still bears his name.

heintzmanpiano.ca: Heintzman Pianos Ltd.: A tradition for five generations

wikitree.com: Mr. Theodor August Heintzman formerly Heintzmann
Profile manager: Douglas Heintzman

heritagetoronto.org: Heritage Toronto - Telling Toronto's Stories: The Heintzman & Co. Ltd
Toronto's piano company
For over one hundred years, Heintzman & Co., Ltd. was a Toronto-based company which produced some of the highest-quality pianos ever manufactured in Canada.
By David Wencer

ontariojewisharchives.org: The Congregation Knesseth Israel: Early History
"...a large number of Jewish residents with a background in carpentry and cabinetry found work at the Heintzman Piano factory, which was located on Keele Street. Several of these cabinet-makers were the same men who carved much of the Synagogue’s interior wooden architectural details."

junctionra.ca: JRA e-newsletter – Fire Safety, Walking tour plus more

torontopubliclibrary.ca: West Toronto Junction Historical Society

breakingprojects.com: WTJHS meeting Historical Walking Tour: Sunday, October 23 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Junction Shul Centennial Community Celebration: Open House, Street Fair, Walking Tour September 18

Poster: The Junction Shul @ 100
Congregation Knesseth Israel
Celebration a Century of Tradition
Upcoming Events (Save the date!)
September 2011
Credit: junctionshul.org

The Junction Shul's 100th Anniversary Street Fair

The Junction Shul is marking its 100th anniversary, and as part of its celebrations, the Junction Shul is hosting a community celebration and street party at The Shul (Congregation Knesseth Israel). The festival will run from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on September 18th on neighbouring streets adjacent to the synagogue (located at 56 Maria Street in the Runnymede and Dundas area) and will be the final event in a series of Centennial festivities running from September 7th to the 18th. Neighbourhood residents and the public are invited to significant event with music, entertainment, activities for both adults and children and food and beverages. There will also be tours of the synagogue and historical tours of the adjacent neighbourhood, led by local historians, and talks by past residents of the community.

Sunday, September 18, 2011
11 am - 3 pm
Community Celebration and Street Party
The Junction Shul @ 100
56 Maria Street & Shipman Street, around St. John's Place, Toronto ON
(north of Dundas, east of Runnymede)

Sunday, September 18, 2011
11:30 am and 1:00 pm
Junction Shul Centennial: A Hundred Years on Maria Street, a Walking Tour
Start Point: Maria Street and Runnymede Road, North East corner
Led by Neil Ross with Special Guests

More info at http://www.junctionshul.org/

links:
insidetoronto.com: Junction Shul marks 100th year with street party
As part of its centennial celebrations, the Junction Shul is hosting a street party from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 18. The Maria Street synagogue's celebration will feature music, entertainment, children's activities, guided tours, food and more. The Shul is located at 56 Maria St. in the Junction.

theshtetl.ca: Connecting Jewish Communities Across Canada: $28,000 OTF Grant Helps Junction Shul Mark its 100th Anniversary
By theshtetl

cjnews.com: The Canadian Jewish News: Junction Shul celebrates 100th anniversary
By JARED LINDZON, Special to The CJN

Maria spelling/pronunciation: Back in the 1800s, the English pronounced Maria the way we would pronounce Mariah: "ma-RYE-ah".

Ontario Heritage Foundation: Knesseth Israel Synagogue
"Jews began to settle in West Toronto in the late 19th Century, attracted, as were others, by the industrial and commercial opportunities generated by the nearby railway junction. Although some undoubtedly found employment at the Heintzman piano factory, most were artisans or proprietors of small shops. Some engaged in peddling and junk collecting, while others worked at construction. The majority were immigrants from Poland and Russia. ...
Maria Street seems to have had the densest concentration of Jewish residences and family names appear which still have a connection to the Knesseth Israel Congregation, “The Junction Shul”: Alexandroff, Goldstein, Greenblatt, Kronis, Tanenbaum, Usprich, to name just a few. "
2001

Junction Community Meet and Greet at Annette Street Library, September 10

Junction Community Meet and Greet
Saturday, September 10, 2011, 1-4 pm
@ Annette Street Library, 145 Annette Street
Credit: torontopubliclibrary.ca

Junction Community Meet and Greet

When: Saturday, September 10, 2011, 1-4 pm
Where: Annette Street Library
Location: 145 Annette Street Toronto, ON M6P 1P3
Closest major intersection: Keele and Annette Streets

Call for Participation at the Junction Community Meet and Greet

Hello Junction Community,

As you probably know, the Junction Arts Festival has been cancelled this year.

I had arranged to have a Toronto Public Library tent and have decided to keep that reservation. I am planning to have a "community meet and greet" that day here on the Annette Street Library lawn from 1 - 4 pm the day the Festival would have been, Saturday September 10.

We will have some activities for children and promote the programs happening at Annette Street and further afield in the Toronto Public Library. I welcome you to join us to promote your community activism / group / activities.

The West Toronto Junction Historical Society is planning to put up their tent as well.

I am very open to other ideas for the day.

I hope you'll consider joining us for some or all of the time; please let me know if you would like to attend and if you would like to do any kind of presentation/program.

Thanks very much,

Pam Mountain
Branch Head
Annette Street Library
Phone 416-393-7521
Fax 416-393-7412
pmountain@torontopubliclibrary.ca

Toronto Public Library Annette Branch Hosts a Community "Meet and Greet"
Saturday September 10, 2011; 1 - 4 p.m.
Kid's activities, local history, a local fire truck, comedy, and more!
Find out what's going on at the library and in the community.
Annette Street Branch: 145 Annette St., Toronto, ON M6P 1P3
Credit: torontopubliclibrary.ca

Preserving Built Heritage in the Junction: Discussing the idea of Heritage Conservation Districts

Poster: Preserving Built Heritage in the Junction
Monday, April 18, 2011 at 3049 Dundas Street West
Photo: 204 High Park (northwest corner of High Park & Humberside)
by photographer, John Huzil, 1995
Credit: JunctionRA.ca + WTJHS.ca

The Junction Residents Association and the West Toronto Junction Historical Society present

Preserving Built Heritage in the Junction

When: Monday, April 18, 2011
Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Venue: West Toronto Baptist Church
Location: 3049 Dundas Street West, The Junction, Toronto, ON M6P 1Z7

Preserving Built Heritage in the Junction, Monday, April 18th from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Architect Catherine Nasmith and Ward 13 Councillor Sarah Doucette have been invited to discuss the idea of Heritage Conservation Districts.

There has been a great deal of interest expressed locally in establishing a Heritage Conservation District in the Junction, and public discussion of the idea will follow.

The presentation is at the West Toronto Baptist Church, 3049 Dundas Street West, refreshments will be provided.

Presented by the Junction Residents Association and the West Toronto Junction Historical Society.

The JRA is streaming this and all of their meetings live on their website, http://junctionra.ca/jra-tv/ for anyone who can't make the meeting.

links:
Junction Triangle: The Junction Residents Association: Preserving Built Heritage in the Junction, Monday, April 18th from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

meetup.com: Junction Toronto: Preserving Built Heritage in the Junction

Junction Toronto: Uniting West Toronto Junction residents, non-profit organizations and businesses: "Preserving Built Heritage in the Junction" presented by JRA & WTJHS

Junctioneer: Preserving Built Heritage in the Junction, Monday, April 18th from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Junction Parents: "Preserving Built Heritage in the Junction" presented by the JRA & WTJHS

toronto craigslist: events: Preserving Built Heritage in the Junction (3049 Dundas Street West, Toronto)

insidetoronto: events: Meeting on Heritage Conservation in the Junction

People That Matter: Jane Jacobs Prize Recipient: Catherine Nasmith
Protecting buildings, neighbourhoods and streetscapes: Jane Jacobs Prize Ceremony September 14, 2010

Heritage Toronto: a charitable organization that works with the citizens of Toronto to advocate for, preserve, and promote a greater appreciation for our city's rich heritage.

City of Toronto: Heritage conservation districts: Policies and Terms of Reference for Designating Heritage Conservation Districts (HCD) in Toronto

Shawn Micallef Talks about His New Book Stroll, February 3 at Junction Historical Society Meeting

Collage: WTJHS Meeting Thursday, February 3, 2011
Shawn Micallef will talk about his book
Stroll: Psychogeographic Walking Tours of Toronto
Credit: wtjhs.ca + murmurtoronto.ca + thestar.com

West Toronto Junction Historical Society

Thursday February 3, 2011

8:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.

Shawn Micallef
will discuss his book
"Stroll: Psychogeographic Walking Tours of Toronto"
and will give an excerpt from on one of his 32 walks.

Shawn Micallef is a writer and urbanist with an abiding interest in all things Toronto. As senior editor of Spacing, columnist for Eye Weekly, and a co-founder of both the [murmur] project and the new Yonge Street online magazine, Shawn demonstrates an avante guarde perspective on life in Toronto. In Stroll, Micalleff takes us to well known spots such as the CN Tower, but also to overlooked treats and treasures of Toronto the Good.

Stroll: Psychogeographic Walking Tours of Toronto: Walk This Way for more Stroll goodies, including a special walks section and more maps!
By Shawn Micallef, Illustrated by Marlena Zuber
Details: Coach House Books

Where: Annette Street Public Library
Lower Level, Committee Room 1
145 Annette Street, Toronto, ON M6P 1P3
(One and a half blocks west of Keele)


West Toronto Junction Historical Society Schedule of Events
All meetings take place at the Annette Street Public Library, Committee Room 1, unless as otherwise noted.

Thursday March 3, 2011
7:30 p.m. Refreshments 7:50 p.m. Business Meeting
8:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Bob Roden will take us on an architectural tour of the grand homes of the Hudson Valley and surrounding area

Thursday, April 7, 2011
7:30 p.m. Refreshments 7:50 p.m. Annual General Meeting
8:30 p.m. TBA.

Thursday, May 5, 2011
7:30 p.m. Refreshments 7:50 p.m. Business meeting
8:15 p.m. Edwin Goldstein will present the significance of the Junction Shul and the Jewish community that created it.

June, July, August - no meetings, have a great summer!

Please join the West Toronto Junction Historical Society and help ensure the WTJHS is around for the Junction's next hundred years!

Toronto Junction Local Option Art Walking Tour
Photos: Toronto Junction Local Option Art Awards Guided Walking Tour, August 9, 2008
2011 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

Second Wild, Wild Junction Historical Mystery Tour: WWJ2HMT Continues October 24

Poster: Wild, Wild, Junction II: The Historical Mystery Tour Continues
West Toronto Junction Historical Society Fall Fundraiser and Pub Crawl
3PM, Sunday, October 24, 2010
Beginning at the Axis Gallery and Grill, 3048 Dundas Street West (@ High Park Ave)
Ending at SHOXS: The Local Option, 2827 Dundas Street West (@ Keele St)
Poster Design by Mark @ MasterEnglish.ca
Credit: wtjhs.ca

2nd Incredible Year!

The West Toronto Junction Historical Society presents:

Wild, Wild, Junction II
The Historical Mystery Tour Continues

Sunday, October 24, 3pm
Axis Gallery and Grill, 3048 Dundas West,
ending at Shox's, 2827 Dundas West

Join us for our fall fund raiser and pub crawl and the launch of

Justice in the Junction The Life and Times of Josiah Royce

• Relive the events that led the Junction to "go dry" for almost a century with the men and women who were there as the Legends of the Junction return.
• Examine the Junction's oldest cold case: The Death of Joseph Curley.
• Be sworn in as a jury member and vote. Accident or Murder?
• M.P.P. Cheri DiNovo will be reprising her hilarious performance as the Reverend Shore whose famous “Harlotry, Vice and Iniquity” sermon set the Junction on fire.
• Proceeds go to the Boom Times Artist/Mentors program working with local students to create original works of art about Junction history and culture.

We’ll also be officially launching our five part graphic novel series, Justice in the Junction, the Life and Times of Josiah Royce, with story by Neil Ross and art by Brendan FitzPatrick.

History meets community in the Junction!

Tickets $25, available at Pandemonium Books and Discs (2862 Dundas Street West) and Wise Daughters Craft Market (3079B Dundas Street West) and at the Annette Street Library (145 Annette Street).

Details and the spectacular Wild, Wild Junction 2 poster by Mark Dallas are on our homepage at: wtjhs.ca

Contact: Neil Ross, neilr@auracom.com

Photo-Collage: The First Wild, Wild Junction Historical Mystery Tour:
West Toronto Junction Historical Society Fall Fundraiser and Pub Crawl
Sunday, October 25, 2009 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

links:
WILD IN THE JUNCTION 2009: WTJHS Historical Mystery Tour asks the question: "How wild do you have to get to shut down your own bars?"
By David Wencer
Celebrate Toronto Heritage: Wild, Wild Junction I, Historical Mystery Tour
torontoartsonline.org: Wild Wild Junction 2, Historical Mystery Tour Continues
insidetoronto.com: Historical society reopens, reenacts Junction cold case
Wild, Wild Junction Historical Mystery Tour takes place Oct. 24
"It's the West Toronto Junction's oldest cold case: the death of Joseph Curley.
It was Curley's suspicious death that led to the railway town's appointment with abstinence some 100-plus years ago. Curley's tale is just one of many that make up the Junction's colourful past. Accident or murder? That's what the second Wild, Wild Junction Historical Mystery Tour delves into."
by Lisa Rainford

Rococo Brocade Book Launch & Fundraising at Latitude 44 Gallery

Invitation: Rococo Brocade Book Launch & Fundraising
September 23, 2010 at Latitude 44 Gallery Framing Décor
Photo: Olga Goubar

You are cordially invited to the book launch of "Rococo Brocade", a new novel written by Kara Bogaz-Gol and a fundraising event for the Junction Historical Society.

When: Thursday, September 23rd, 7 - 11 pm

Where: Latitude 44 Gallery Framing Décor
Location: 2900 Dundas St. W, Toronto ON M6P 1Y8

"Rococo Brocade" is basically an eighteenth century farce with a creative philosophy of social justice.
Proceeds from wine sales and the auction of 3 framed pieces of original 18th C. silk brocade, along with copies of the book, will go to the Junction Historical Society.

R.S.V.P. to either...
Latitude 44 Gallery
416•769•2900
latitude44gallery@bellnet.ca

Cara Reeves
905•967•2920
kbogazgol@gmail.com

Please come if you can,
This is going to be fun !!
Best wishes,
Cara

links:
latitude44gallery.ca: For Evite to Rococo Brocade in PDF format please click here

Twitter realtime results for "Rococo Brocade"

First Edition of "Rococo Brocade" arrived yesterday, 5 boxes of heaven on earth. Launch: Latitude 44 Gallery,Thurs Sept 23rd, 7-11pm. R.S.V.P
@karabogazgol

Rococo Brocade Book Launch & Fundraising at Latitude 44 Gallery: Invitation: Rococo Brocade Book Launch & Fundrais... http://bit.ly/donXlL
@High Park Web

eventful.com: Send the link to a friend

All Welcome at Humberside HOOPLA on Thursday, June 3, 6-9 pm

Poster: Boom Times Spring Fling at Humberside HOOPLA on Thursday June 3, 6-9 pm
Poster Art by Rhonda Nolan Design
Credit: JunctionRA.ca Culture Committee
Click on the image to listen on YouTube The Junction Suite, Main Theme, Music by Isaias Garcia - Film Composer
The Junction Suite Compositions: Original Music for the upcoming theatre production. Composed by Isaias Garcia.
Each of the compositions represent a variety of cultures and nations.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/user/canargentinemusic#grid/user/DF853D3C8996A911
Credit: canargentinemusic

Welcome to and Experience!

Boom Times Spring Fling
at the first annual Humberside HOOPLA
Local artists / mentors working with Humberside C. I. students
to co-create new Visual Art & Theatre

Thursday, June 3, 2010
Time: 6 - 9 pm

Location:
Humberside Collegiate Institute
280 Quebec Avenue, Toronto, ON
(Just north of High Park)
Admission is $2

SPRING FLING 2010

The West Toronto Junction Historical Society and the Junction Residents Association are sponsors of the Boom Times Spring Fling, a community driven art project. Humberside Collegiate students, mentored by local artists in traditional and non-traditional media, create original art and theatre that will be showcased at Humberside HOOPLA on Thursday June 3, 6-9 pm.
A Silent Auction will be held in support of the Local Option Art Project.

Come and experience the world debut of Junction History Mash-up featuring stand up/sketch comedy, archival photographs, comic book art, and original orchestral music by young composer Isaias Garcia, with direction by Neil Ross.
They will be appearing at historic Lismer Hall, HCI HOOPLA at 8 pm.

Artist/mentors Christopher Sears, Rhonda Nolan, Carol Barrett and Cathy Thorne have been working with students to create original cedar sculpture, textile sculpture, altered book and comic zines for the Local Option Art Exhibit.

The art will be on display at the HOOPLA and at Wise Daughters Craft Market during the month of June, starting Saturday June 5 at 2 pm. A Roving Exhibit will be in the Junction throughout the summer at patron businesses.

Poster: All welcome at Humberside HOOPLA on Thursday June 3, 6-9 pm
Credit: Humberside Collegiate Alumni Association

Spring Fling originated at the 2009 Amalgamation Celebration at Humberside C. I., a collaboration between Boom Times Cabaret, The WTJHS, the JRA, students, historians, artists, businesses and community groups.

Photo: The Junction Amalgamation Celebration, May 1, 2009
2009 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

Please read more about it in Cara Reeves's article:
The Junction Amalgamation Celebration, May 1, 2009: a Brilliant Folk Art Rendering of Democracy in the Junction.

Heritage Toronto’s Historic Walk in the Junction - Sunday, May 9

Screenshot: When the Junction Flickered by Eric Veillette
About the cinemas that once lined the West Toronto Junction
April 28, 2010
Credit: heritagetoronto.org

It's a great article provides some historical depth to the art cinema tradition in the Junction.
+
Come to the Heritage Toronto’s Historic Walk in the Junction along Dundas Street West on Sunday, May 9, 2010 to hear other stories of the Junction.

West Toronto Junction

Start: May 9 2010 - 1:30pm
End: May 9 2010 - 3:30pm

A centre of industry and commerce linked to the Dundas Highway and the junction of several railway lines, this prosperous little town voted to ban the sale of alcohol in 1904. Find out why - and hear other stories of "the Junction" - on this tour along Dundas Street West.

Leaders: West Toronto Junction Historical Society

Start Point: NW corner of Runnymede Rd and Dundas St W
Finish Point: Keele St and Dundas St W
Length: Approx. 2 hours

Walk Difficulty: * Walk on sidewalks * some rough ground

Source URL (retrieved on May 5 2010 - 11:48am): http://www.heritagetoronto.org/discover-toronto/map/walk/west-toronto-junction-0
Published on Heritage Toronto - Telling Toronto's Stories
(http://www.heritagetoronto.org)

West Toronto Junction Historical Society Meeting Tonight

West Toronto Junction Historical Society Current Events Calendar page
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The William Morris Society of Canada
Midwest Architecture Revisited Tour
Slide Presentation by Bob Roden
Credit: wtjhs.ca

Junction Historical Society Meeting

When: Thursday, February 4, 2010

• 7:30 p.m. Refreshments
• 7:50 p.m. Business Meeting
• 8:20 p.m. Bob Roden will provide a slide presentation and commentary on the William Morris Society of Canada’s nine-day September 2008 bus tour through Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The group viewed several outstanding examples of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture, including Taliesin, Wingspread, the Robie House, the Meyer May House, and Wright’s home and studio in Oak Park, Illinois. They also toured some spectacular buildings by architects such as Santiago Calatrava, Marion Mahoney, Henry Hobson Richardson, Louis Sullivan, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

Where: Annette Street Public Library
Lower Level, Committee Room 1
145 Annette Street, Toronto, ON M6P 1P3
(One and a half blocks west of Keele)

Please join The WTJHS for Bob Roden’s slide presentation and commentary.

Collage: Frank Lloyd Wright Designed Houses in Oak Park, IL
2008 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

Wild in The Junction: WTJHS Historical Mystery Tour

Photo-Collage: Wild, Wild Junction, a Historical Mystery Tour:
West Toronto Junction Historical Society Fall Fundraiser and Pub Crawl
Sunday, October 25, 2009 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

WILD IN THE JUNCTION

WTJHS Historical Mystery Tour asks the question:

"How wild do you have to get to shut down your own bars?"

By David Wencer

For nearly a hundred years, you couldn’t buy a drink in the Junction. In January of 1904, the citizens of the town voted to enforce local option, which enabled Ontario communities to voluntarily “go dry.” What caused the Junction to take such drastic measures?

On Sunday, the Legends of the Junction, a troupe of real figures from Junction history, recruited and lead by Junction historical society Vice-President/Boom Times Cabaret director Neil Ross, took some fifty people on a pub crawl, re-enacting events on the road to Local Option.


THE TROUBADOUR: WHO KILLED JOE CURLEY?

Samantha Martin belted out the Junction’s "national anthem", Junction Bound, then the historical characters and the audience considered the mysterious death of Joseph Curley in 1897. Curley had been drinking at the Subway Hotel (west side of Keele and Vine) with unsavoury characters. Later his body was found with his head crushed in under the Subway underpass. Did he fall or was he attacked?

Coroner George W. Clendenan (Gib Goodfellow) convened a coroner’s inquest and swore the audience in as jurors. Testimony was given by Junction Police Chief Josiah Royce (Ron Clark) who found a blood stained boulder near the body and Junction librarian Elizabeth McCallum who provided evidence of local footpads. Both Dr. Clendenan and Chief Royce were strongly inclined toward accidental death.

A.B. Rice was appointed chairman of the jury and then performed the Shooting of Dan McGrew with pianist Alice Deardon. (Rice was in fact the foreman of the jury, although his quoting Service may be apocryphal.)

The tour hit the street in search of more evidence, passing numerous historic sites, including the Avenue Hotel (Domino’s Pizza) which like all Junction hotels served its last drink on June 30, 1904.


HOLE IN THE WALL: HARLOTRY, INIQUITY AND VICE

The audience filed in to the sounds of When the Saints Come Marchin’ In to witness Annette Street Methodist Church’s Rev. T. E. E. Shore (Cheri DiNovo, MPP) resurrect the famous Harlotry, Iniquity and Vice sermon which galvanized the town in 1903. Rev. Shore attacked big business, liquor and the Liberals, not necessarily in that order.

REV SHORE: Many a poor fallen girl has told me down in yonder mission how she fell into sin and continued in her degradation in Junction hotels!

FEMALE VOICE FROM THE AUDIENCE: Halleluja!

Soon outside again, the next stop was the corner of Keele and Dundas, from where the jury could see the underpass where Curley’s body was found that fateful December.


SHOX: LAST CALL (BEFORE THE JUNCTION GOES DRY)

Foreman Rice turned the floor over to the jury and they peppered the historical characters with questions about Curley’s death. How far was the second bloodstain from the body? Had it been snowing that night? Was it a light snow? What exactly is a footpad? In the questioning, new evidence emerged about the suspects: the violent robber sought by the police and the mysterious motorman witnesses claimed was last seen with Curley.

Rice gave the jury the choice between "death by misadventure" or "murder by person or persons unknown" and called the vote. Twenty two to twenty two! Like the Junction a hundred years ago, the town could not make up his mind. As foreman, Rice himself cast the deciding vote for murder, citing footpads and Curley's pub companion as chief suspects.

Rice then provided some insights into cockfighting in the Junction, recounted the night ten thousand men surged into the Junction for one last drink; he then went; on to praise the Junction theatre district.

Mrs. Mary Brown (Eileen Jensen) recalled the Junction during the dry years and Anne Leung, "the Junction’s Rosa Parks". And finally, the landlord Gus Koutoumanos explained the historic story of how alcohol was eventually brought back to the Junction in the late 1990s.

The real cause of Josephs Curley’s death may never be known. Was it murder? The available records of the time suggest a great number of viable suspects. The case made a riveting background for a different kind of historical walking tour: with interactive historical characters, a coroner’s jury, gospel songs, an old time temperance sermon, a view of the scene of a crime and a spirited discussion of a hundred year old cold case by a modern audience in a pub.

Only in the Junction.

2009 © David Wencer

West Toronto Junction Historical Tour Today: How Wild Could A Town Get To Have To Close Down Its Own Bars?

Poster: Wild, Wild Junction, a Historical Mystery Tour:
West Toronto Junction Historical Society Fall Fundraiser and Pub Crawl
2PM, Sunday, October 25, 2009
beginning at the Troubadour, 3071 Dundas West (south side just east of Quebec.)
Poster Design by Mark @ MasterEnglish.ca
Credit: wtjhs.ca

Hi folks, just a reminder that tickets are still available for the most exciting event in Junction History!

Wild, Wild Junction, an Historical Mystery Tour

2PM, Sunday, October 25

beginning at the Troubadour
3071 Dundas West (south side just east of Quebec)

and ending at Shoxs
2827 Dundas St. W. (just east of Keele.)

It was a night of Legend, the night they closed the bars in the Junction. The newspapers claimed ten thousand men in the streets. The women weren’t even counted although they’d made their voice heard. West Toronto Junction was about to embark on a dry sea of temperance: the Local Option. But how wild could a town get to have to close down its own bars? Join us to find out for our fall fund raiser!

Musicians Samantha Martin and Alice Deardon, and MPP Cheri DiNovo will help the West Toronto Junction Historical Society to relive an extraordinary series of events, as we follow the path to temperance with what else, a pub crawl. Chief of Police Josiah Royce (Ron Clark) will lead a group of adventurous souls from tavern to saloon as the Legends of the Junction return to regale fiery sermon and the infamous Heydon House Brawl are all on tap.

(Our previous tours have been listed in Now Magazine’s Editors Top Three Can’t Miss events along with Caribana and professional wrestling!)

Refreshments will be provided.

Tickets are just $25.

Tickets at Pandemonium Books & Discs, 2862 Dundas W, at Agora Cafe, 3015 Dundas Street West, and at the door at the Troubadour.

For further information, contact,

Neil Ross
(416) 760-9057
neilr@auracom.com

Take a stroll down a dryer Junction. Pictured is an historical photo of the Subway Hotel where Joe Curly, a Junction legend, was supposedly killed. His death remains a mystery. Curly's story is just one that will be explained during the Wild, Wild Junction Historical Mystery Tour, Oct. 25. Courtesy image
Credit: insidetoronto.com

links:
insidetoronto.com: Take a stroll down a dryer Junction
by Lisa Rainford
breakingprojects.com/junctioneer: Two Junction events this weekend
junctionparents.ca: Historical Mystery Tour Oct.25th at 2pm
artjunction.blogspot.com: Celebrate Toronto Heritage: Wild, Wild Junction, Historical Mystery Tour
Follow #JunctionTO on Twitter

Celebrate Toronto Heritage: Wild, Wild Junction, Historical Mystery Tour

Poster: Wild, Wild Junction, a Historical Mystery Tour:
West Toronto Junction Historical Society Fall Fundraiser and Pub Crawl
2PM, Sunday, October 25, 2009
beginning at the Troubadour, 3071 Dundas West (south side just east of Quebec.)
Poster Design by Mark @ MasterEnglish.ca
Credit: wtjhs.ca

WTJHS presents fall fund raiser and pub crawl:
Wild, Wild Junction, an Historical Mystery Tour.
Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 2 pm - 4 pm
Chief Josiah Royce investigates the “Death of Joe Curly”;
“Harlotry, Iniquity and Vice”;
the “Heydon House Brawl”
and “Last Call in the Junction”.
Get your tickets for a fascinating glimpse
of the other side of Junction history,
beginning at the Troubadour tavern.
Route and times may vary.
Tickets $25 available at Pandemonium, 2862 Dundas W..
Please check wtjhs.ca for details.
City of Toronto continues to celebrate its 175th anniversary

WILD, WILD, JUNCTION
HISTORICAL MYSTERY TOUR
By Neil Ross

It’s gonna be fierce up there,
Ten thousand men out on a tear,
CPR boys loaded for bear.
Last call before the Junction goes dry.
There’s mud in the street;
Here’s mud in your eye.
Great Canadian party, eh?
It’s the Local Option Fling!
You hear ‘Up the Rebellion’
But ‘God Save the King.’
From Last Call (Before the Junction Goes Dry)

It was a night of Legend, the night they closed the bars in the Junction. The newspapers claimed ten thousand men in the streets. The women weren’t even counted although they’d made their voice heard. The Junction was about to embark on a dry sea of temperance: the Local Option. The hotels were closing their bars and the neighbourhood blind pigs were just thinking about opening.

These days your true historian, will pooh pooh the notion of ten thousand in the Junction, although no less a source than the New York Times will tell you that 250, 000 show up annually for the Junction Arts Festival. The Toronto papers were right there, one on one on the action, and if they happened to be counting double by the end of the night, they were barely half there by the next morning so that evened things out.

We’ll be making a moderate return to that night as we follow the path to temperance with what else, a pub crawl. Our fall fund raiser, Wild, Wild, Junction, a Historical Mystery Tour will tackle some of the great mysteries of the Junction. Chief of Police Josiah Royce (Ron Clark) will lead a group of adventurous souls from tavern to saloon as the Legends of the Junction return to regale us with tales of the wide open railway town that was. Perhaps the most intriguing mystery we’ll be following is what led the Junction to ban the sale of alcohol for almost a hundred years.

We’ll begin with the suspicious death that led the town to its appointment with abstinence. Once again, Chief Royce will investigate and ask Who Killed Joe Curley? that night outside the Subway Hotel just north of Keele and Dundas.

We’ll sit wide eyed and just a little prurient as the Reverend Shore preaches his famous sermon in which he castigates the Junction as a "Cesspool of Harlotry Iniquity and Vice."

We’ll shudder at tales of a weekend long dispute over a prostitute (See: Harlotry, above) between cattlemen from Union Station and railway workers from the CPR that ended in the Brawl at Heydon House.

We’ll end the night where the Local Option began as we relive Last Call Before the Junction Goes Dry in which all the mysteries will be solved. Or dismissed as too murky to understand.

Now, the logistics of the thing are very simple. Tickets are just $25 and you purchase your own libations. For a ticket, just send a cheque or money order to: WTJHS, 145 Annette Street, Toronto ON, M6P 1P3. Or drop by our booth at the Junction Arts Festival, Sept 12 and 13.

Or join us at the beginning of our "wetting" at the Troubadour bar at 2:00 pm on Sunday, Oct. 25 as we begin an historical, musical, poetic, architectural and libatious tour of the town that is dry no more.

We’ll be joined on the tour in protest by members of the Women’s Temperance Movement who will make a strong case for reconsidering.

On the tour we will be joining various drunks who drink a case against it.

NOTE: The poem at the start of this piece can be found on video at wtjhs.ca. Just scroll down on the homepage to Last Call (Before the Junction Goes Dry.)

Wild, Wild Junction, an Historical Mystery Tour. 2PM, Sunday, Oct. 25, beginning at the Troubadour, 3071 Dundas West (south side just east of Quebec.)

YouTube: LAST CALL (Before the Junction Goes Dry)
At 7:00 pm, April 30 1904, the railway town of West Toronto Junction, having voted to adopt the Local Option and forbid the selling of alcohol in public places, shut down its bars. As it happens, there was en election in the larger city of Toronto that day and bars were closed in that jurisdiction as well. This coincidence, the unavailability of drink in Toronto and the last chance to "get a wet" in the wide open Junction, drew an estimated crowd of 10,000 (figure agreed on by The Toronto Star and the Toronto Daily News) for one last drink. Former North West Mountie, Chief or Police Josiah Royce had a force of ten men to keep the peace. This poem, although fanciful, is a fairly accurate rendering of press reports from the night. For further and better particulars see The Leader and Recorder History of the Junction published by the West Toronto Junction Historical Society, or go to wtjhs.ca, click Celebrating the Centennial of West Toronto, Legends of the Junction, and Local Option.
Produced by: Muddy York Films

links:
City of Toronto continues to celebrate its 175th anniversary
West Toronto Junction Historical Society Events: September - October 2009
Fundraiser at the 2009 Junction Arts Festival: Dunking Dignitaries for Art and Youth in the Junction
Call for Junction Artists and Businesses for Boom Times Spring Fling 2010!
Another "Carnegie" Library, Toronto Public Library’s Annette Street Branch, Celebrates Its Centennial
An Exploration of Contemporary Art Scene in Toronto: Reflections on Life and Art
The Junction Amalgamation Celebration, May 1, 2009: a Brilliant Folk Art Rendering of Democracy in the Junction
Annette Street Public Library: Junction Literary Pub Crawl with Glen Downie
Toronto Junction: Jazz Beats, Raw Bites, Historic Bits and More