One of the pastimes of the past that resonates for many is the pool hall. Whether one played the game of billiards, pool or snooker, it was generally played in a parlour, room or club that was often referred to as a pool hall or billiards room. These establishments would commonly offer additional forms of entertainment such…
Tag: History
Legacy Of Newmarket Teacher Lives On In Students, Community
In 1981, when I attended the 110th reunion of Newmarket High School, I was given a gift of a special reunion yearbook written by my uncle, George Luesby, published for the occasion. Everyone who attends a school reunion secretly longs to see their old teachers again and perhaps connect on a more personal level with them….
How Georgina Came To Be
My ongoing series on the hamlets of York Region has featured articles on the townships of East Gwillimbury, King, and Whitchurch-Stouffville. This column weekend focuses on Georgina. Georgina, although incorporated as a town, also operates as a township with the various communities in the area sharing a common administration. Located in the south-central area of Ontario,…
Newmarket Churches Fostered Connections With Friends
This column features some of the area churches that I may have missed in previous articles with a brief history. I am currently doing heritage walks of area churches and I thought it might be a perfect time to look at some of these churches. You can access my previous article featuring St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Trinity United…
St. Andrew’s College Remains True To Its Scottish Traditions
Just like our own Pickering College, Aurora’s St. Andrew’s College has a long and distinguished history. Both educational institutions decided to re-locate to our area in search of a home more in keeping with their educational ideals. St. Andrew’s College (SAC) was founded in September 1899 by Rev. Dr. George Bruce, the first headmaster, as a residential and…
Painter Made Mark On Canadian Arts Scene
This weekend on NewmarketToday, I will be featuring another prominent local artist who achieved worldwide acclaim within the art world. In past columns, I have featured several local artists including George W. Luesby and Dorothy Clarke McClure as well as the incomparable J.W. Jefferies, father of Canadian heritage art. This weekend, we shall examine the history…
The De Havilland Saga 2
Last weekend we looked at the early years of De Havilland and left off with the design and production of the Twin-Otter in the 1960’s. This weekend on Newmarket Today we shall pick up the story in the 1970’s and the advent of the Dash 7 and 8. In the 1970s, De Havilland Aircraft of…
The De Havilland Saga
When we talk about the major employers for the town of Newmarket and area, we usually identify Davis Leather, the Cane Woodworks, and the Office Specialty but there was another company that employed a huge number of the area’s workforce, the De Havilland Aviation Company in Downsview. Over the next two weeks I shall be…
Memories Of Newmarket School Days Mostly Sweet
As I prepare for the 100th anniversary of my alma mater, Stuart Scott School on June 10, I have noticed that more and more I am reflecting on my school days, my memories of life as an 11 and 12-year-old. I hope that some of my memories spark in you the same longing for a…
Different Public Holidays Celebrated Across Canada
When I began researching my column about Victoria Day, I discovered a whole treasure trove of information on public holidays in Canada, some of it new to me. Did you know that we have different categories of holidays in this country? I never really realized the complexity inherent in our system of public holidays! Perhaps I should start…
