The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, C.C., C.C.C., C.D., and Mr. John Ralston Saul, C.C.

The Board of Toronto Historical Association is looking at options with regard to the THA website and would like your feedback. If you, or your organization has experience creating and/or maintaining a website, we would be interested in hearing from you. We want to revamp the THA website and make it more user friendly and dynamic. Ideally we would like to create links of our member organizations. As much as we would like to do however, we have to make the best use of our limited funds. Toronto’s heritage community is, without a doubt, the expert when it comes to stretching resources! That is why we would like to hear from you. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Congratulation to authors of new Heritage Books – Margaret McBurney for “ The Great Adventure – 100 years at The Arts and Letters Club” and Michael McClelland and Graeme
Stewart for “Concrete – Toronto – A Guide to Architecture from 1950 to 1970s”.

Marjorie (Maggie) Demeter, President of the North York Historical Society, passed away suddenly on Oct 10, 2007 at Willowdale United Church after opening the monthly program meeting. She joined the Society in 1991 and in 1992 was elected to the Board of Directors and took on the task of Membership Chair. In 1996 she was appointed to the North York Heritage Committee (LACAC and Gibson House Museum Board) and served until amalgamation. In 2002 she became Vice President and the following year was elected President. Maggie encouraged outreach through participation in heritage events across the City, initiated a plaquing program of heritage properties in the North York community and ensured preservation of the Society’s artifact collection. She was also an avid collector of antique teddy bears. Her car plate ”Mrs Bear” was well known and she will be remembered and missed by all who knew her.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Remember to reserve your groups table for the 2008 Heritage Showcase on Thursday, Feb. 28th in the Rotunda of the Toronto City Hall. They are allowing us 16 tables with 1 or 2 more that may sell goods. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 416-967-6432. Your group must be a member of THA.

Thurs. Nov 22, 7:30 at Montgomery’s Inn, 4709 Dundas St. West, the Etobicoke Historical Society will host the launching of the long awaited book “ Etobicoke Remembered” by Robert A. Given. Robert or Bob as he is known to his many friends, has been a devoted Etobicoke historian for the best part of his life, and in collaboration with the Heritage Etobicoke Foundation, the Society is pleased to share all his memories and research for the community at large. Copies of the book will be available at Montgomery’s Inn Gift Shop if you cannot attend the meeting.

Sunday, Dec. 2 noon to 4pm – The Scarborough Historical Museum will have a Christmas Social. Tour the festive decorated McCowan Log House & Cornell House and enjoy the aroma of Christmas baking. The museum is at 1007 Brimley Road just north of Lawrence in Thomson Memorial Park. Admission is pay as you wish

Sun. Dec. 2 from 1 to 4pm at Mackenzie House, 82 Bond. St. - “Up then, brave Canadians” A Commemoration of the Rebellion of 1837 – to celebrate the 170th anniversary of the 1837 Rebellion - Join walk leader Richard Fiennes-Clinton and storyteller Jeffrey Canton _in character as Mackenzie) as they bring the period, the people and the places to life. Join for a one-hour city-walk, a tour of the museum, a performance and Scottish-Canadian refreshments. Adults $30. Students & Seniors $26, Children $20. ( plus GST & PST). You must pre-register 416-392-6915

Wed. Dec. 5 at 7:30 at the Central United Church, 1 King West, Weston - The Weston Historical Society cordially invite you to attend their 27th Annual Christmas Carol and Hymn Sing. Christmas refreshments will be served.

Wed. Dec. 5, 7pm for a 7:30 meeting, the Gov. Simcoe Branch of the UEL is having as their speaker Dr.Rosemary Sadlier on “Black History.” The meeting will be held at St. David’s Church, 49 Donlands Ave. at the Danforth. www.uelgovsimcoe.org

Fri. Dec. 7 at 8pm – An Evening of Christmas Cheer with the Canadian Singers – At Montgomery’s Inn, 4709 Dundas St. West, enjoy your Christmas favourites performed by the Canadian Singers led by Harvey Patterson. Browse their delicious holiday season bake table. Admission includes a glass of mulled cider with a special treat. $20.
Pre-registration Only 416-394-8113.

Sat. Dec. 8 from 11am to 6pm – Attend a Christmas Cookie Sale at the Toll-Keeper’s Cottage on the NW corner of Bathurst and Davenport. Buy fancy, decorated, home-baked cookies from classic recipes with authentic ingredients. Buy for home celebrations or appropriate as gifts in fancy bags. You may order in advance to insure that the kind you want is available - 6 for $4 or dozen for $7.50. special prices for advance quality orders. Call 416-515-7546.

Wed. Dec. 12th Program at 8pm, desserts and coffee at 7:15 at the Willowdale United Church, 349 Kenneth Ave. The North York Historical Society are having as their subject for their Dec. meeting “A Wonderful Christmas Occasion”. Keneth Av.e is 2 blocks east of Yonge Street and North of North York City Centre subway. 416-916-8641.

Sat. Dec. 15 from 7:30 to 9:30 – The Christmas Ghost and Other Stories at Montgomery’s Inn, 4709 Dundas St. West - Nan Brien and her talented musical accompanists will give you a cosy evening of stories by the fireside with a seasonal glass of hot mulled cider. Pre-registration only $20. 416 394-8113

Fri., Dec 21st – 7 to 9pm A Winter Solstice Evening at Spadina Museum. Mark the shortest day of the year with a cosy evening of music and stories at Spadina. James Thompson will provide flute music while the Katari Storytellers will sing Japanese songs and tell stories Refreshments are included. Pre-registration at 416-392-6910 Adults $20 plus GST, Seniors and children $15 plus GST.

Sat. Dec. 22 from 10am to 1 - Celebrate Centerpieces at Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum and Art Centre, the bottom of Pottery Road and east of Bayview Ave. Learn how to adorn your table with stunning home-made festive centerpieces. Perfect for holiday entertainment. Pre-registration required. $27 per person includes all materials and refreshment 416-396-2819

Fri. Dec. 28 – 7 to 9pm – Hogmanay! – A Scottish New Year Celebration at Mackenzie House, 82 Bond St. Enjoy an evening of traditional music and food a the last home of Toronto’s first mayor
Hosts a house party to celebrate the New Year in 1850s style. Back by popular demand, acoustic band Gin Lane will share good humour and excellent repertoire. Guest will sample Scottish food in the historic kitchen. Original gas fixtures and candlelight will illuminate the house. Pre-registration & pre-payment required. Ticket price: $20. plus GST 416-392-6915

Fri. & Sat. Dec. 28 & 29 8 to 10:30pm at Gibson House, 5172 Yonge St. Two opportunities to experience David & Eliza Gibson’s gracious 1851 home by the candlelight and celebrate the festivities of the Scottish New Year. Stoke of the Midnight is a spellbinding evening of song and stories featuring Ontario traditional musicians Ian Bell and Geoff Somers. A light evening supper of Scottish food and beverages and a visit from the “first-footer” bringing good wishes for the coming year. Reservations required Tickets $20. (GST included) 416-395-7432


Don’t forget to send in your upcoming events for Jan. 2008. by the middle of Dec. to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or FAX 416-967-9728

Working together, bringing Toronto’s past into the future