Heritage Toronto walks and ROMWalks

Jane's Walk may be over for this year, but fear not: Heritage Toronto has offered free neighbourhood walking tours for many moons.
Most are scheduled, but they also offer a free audio tour centred around the novel Consolation and its settings. The podcast is narrated by the author of the book, Michael Redhill, and you can download it and take it any time.
The ROM also offers ROMWalks, which are free and run throughout the summer.

Happy hoofing!
Vanessa

Bloor Cinema History Article

The Bloor Cinema has a long and interesting history that's written up by Heritage Toronto.

It's been in our area for almost a century, believe it or not, though it's changed quite a bit during the years.

Cheers,

Vanessa

BTW, the Bloor is showing A Christmas Story on Dec. 22 and 23rd.

Plaque Unveiling To Commemorate Kiboshing of Spadina Expressway

Sometimes it's the things that don't get built that affect a city more than those that do get built. An example is the Spadina Expressway, which would have intersected our neighbourhood with a busy highway had construction not been halted in 1971.

The non-creation of the Spadina Expressway, and the preservation of our lovely neighbourhood, will be commemorated with a plaque that is going to be unveiled on Monday from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.

Here are the details from Heritage Toronto:
"Location: Matt Cohen Park (725 Spadina Avenue, north of Bloor)

Speakers:

Councillor Adam Vaughan; Heritage Toronto Board Member Robert Prowse

In the 1960s, Spadina Road was to be transformed into the southern end of an expressway and subway line. The project was halted through community-led efforts and the intervention of the Government of Ontario.
Following the ceremony, please join us for a reception at Alliance Francaise De Toronto at 24 Spadina Road (Spadina Road, north of Bloor Street near Lowther Avenue)."
Enjoy,
Vanessa

Cruise and Dine On the Trillium Ferry July 2nd

The Trillium ferry has a special place in my heart... my family lived on the Toronto Islands many moons ago, prior to me being born. After we moved, my Dad would take us there regularly and we would visit the ferry, via canoe, as it sat, partially submerged and rotting, in a Toronto Island lagoon.

Eventually, the Trillium was rescued, restored and put back into occasional service. The grande dame turns 100 this year and Heritage Toronto is celebrating by hosting a dinner onboard and a cruise of Toronto harbour. Mike Filey will be on hand, too -- the historian championed the rescue and restoration of the lovely boat.

Tickets are $65, it takes place July 2nd when the Tall Ships are in port and it benefits Heritage Toronto. Who could resist?
Cheers,
Vanessa

Our Area's Hungarian Roots

If you've lived in Toronto all of your life, chances are you've spent time in The Annex even if you didn't live here; it's one of the city's destination spots, after all.
There were and are many reasons to land here, from the fabulous bargains at Honest Ed's, to catching a flick at the Bloor Cinema, to indulging in a fancy dinner out.
Years ago, I headed to this neck of the woods occasionally to indulge in Hungarian food in one of the many Hungarian restaurants dotting Bloor in our area. Transylvanian Platter, anyone?
Those crowded-with-students-on-a-budget establishments serving artery-clogging meals on wooden platters were as prolific in the area as sushi joints are today.
It's safe to say the The Blue Room was the most well-known. These days, the only remaining one that I'm aware of is Country Style Hungarian Restaurant on Bloor between Albany and Howland.
If you're curious about Hogtown's Hungarian roots that were the reason for those restaurants, the latest Heritage Toronto newsletter has an interesting article about it.
Cheers,
Vanessa