1ST REPORT OF THE LONDON ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HERITAGE

Meeting held on December 13,2006, commencing at 531 p.m.

PRESENT J. ONeil (Chair), D. Brock, J. Cushing, S. Edwards, G. Goodlet, G. Thompson, N. Van Sas, P. Wilkins and H. Lysynski (Secretary).

ALSO PRESENT: C. Carrothers, M. Kerr and D. Menard.

REGRETS: S. Gladwell and J. McGuffin.

I YOUR COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

Heritage 1. (24,30) That notice of the Municipal Council's intention to designate the Designation- Mathers Mathers Cemetery located at 3557 Colonel Talbot Road to be of historical and Cemetely- architectural value or interest BE GIVEN for the attached reasons under the 3557Co'one' provisions of subsection of the Heritage Act, R.S.O. 7990, c. 0.18; it Talbot Road 29(3) being pointed out that the owner of the subject properly (The Corporation of the City of London) has concurred in the above recommendation on the understanding that the land to be included in the designation will be as shown on the assessment roll.

401 2. (iii,25) That Tecumseh Public School, located at 401 Tecumseh Avenue East, Avenue BE INCLUDED on the City of London Inventory of Heritage Resources as a Priority 1 building.

180/186 3. (iii,21,25) That the Municipal Council and the Civic Administration BE Waterloo Street ADVISED it is the advice of the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) that the LACH does not object to the demolition of the accessorydwelling on the properly located at 180-186 Waterloo Street.

602Princess 4. (iii,25) That the Heritage Planner BE REQUESTED to ask the owner of the Avenue property located at 602 Princess Avenue to apply for designation status to preserve the heritage features of the property.

640 Talbot 5. (iii,25) That G. Goodlet, on behalf of the Stewardship Sub-committee, BE Skeet REQUESTED to prepare Reasons for Designation for the property located at 640 Talbot Street; it being noted that the LACH indicated its support for the owner's decision to preserve the front portion of the building; it being further noted that Mr. Goodlet will attend the Committee of Adjustment meeting dealing with this issue on Monday, December 18, 2006. (See attached added communication from the Heritage Planner).

Roy McKay 6. (32) That the following actions be taken with respect to the Roy McKay Clubhouse 8 Grandstand in Clubhouse and the Grandstand in : Labatt Park (a) the Civic Administration BE ASKED to take immediate steps to resolve the moisture issues being experienced in the Roy McKay Clubhouse;

(b) the Civic Administration BE ASKED to prepare plans to restore the Roy McKay Clubhouse to functional clubhouse condition;

(c) the Civic Administration BE ASKED to take immediate steps to resolve the humidity issues being experienced beneath the Grandstand in Labatt Park and to undertake the necessary repairs; it being noted that the Grandstand has been identified as a potential location for the Intercounty Hall of Fame; and

(d) the Civic Administration BE ASKED to prepare a feasibility study for its 2007 Budget deliberations as the InterCounty Baseball League team owners unanimously endorsed using the rooms underneath the grandstand for its Baseball Hall of Fame;

it being pointed out that the LACH heard verbal presentations from B. Wells and S. Harding and received communications from B. Wells, S.Harding and M. Temme with respect to this issue; it being further noted that the Heritage Planner identified that some work has been done in 2006 to address concerns that major renovations were not anticipated to be undertaken until the 2007 Budget year. (See attached added communications). LACH - 2

New Poiice 7. The Municipal Council and the Civic Administration BE ADVISED that Station the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) has the following comments with respect to the proposed new design for the London Police Station:

(a) the LACH expressed its concern with apparent features in the proposed Police Station alternation, namely the absence of green space, parking adjacent to Dundas Street, the presence of solid brick walls, and the lack of public art. As shown, the proposed structure does not enhance the site which is a gateway entrance to and from the Old East Village and presents an unfriendly appearance for pedestrians;

(b) the LACH notes that the Police Station site is an important link connecting three heritage conservation districts (including the downtown) and its design should complement its neighbouring heritage properties; and

(c) the City of London should set an example in urban design to the highest possible standard in its public buildings;

it being noted that the urban design guidelines for the design of the Police Station was referred to the Planning & Policy Sub-Committee for further comment.

Election of Chair 8. That, notwithstanding Council Policy 5(16A), section 12, which indicates that an advisory committee member shall not serve as a Chair or as a Vice Chair for more than two consecutive years, the election of J. O’Neil as Chair of the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) for his third consecutive term ending November 30,2007 BE APPROVED.

II YOUR COMMllTEE REPORTS:

Orientation 9. That the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) heard an orientation presentation from K. Bain, City Clerk.

Election of Vice IO. That the London Advisory Committee on Heritage elected George Chair Goodlet as its Vice Chair for the term ending November 30, 2007.

Education Sub- 11. (ii) That the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) heard a Committee verbal update from N. Van Sas with respect to the completion of the plaque for the Elsie Perrin Williams Estate Library.

Stewardship 12. (iii) That the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) reviewed Sub-Committee and received the attached report dated December 6,2006, from its Stewardship Sub- committee.

Finance Sub- 13. (iv) That the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) asked its Committee Committee Secretary to purchase $50.00 gift certificates from Attic Books for M. Blosh, S. Lorimer and T. Regnier; it being noted that the LACH has sufficient funds in its 2006 budget.

Heritage 14. (v,26) That the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) received a inventory Sub- Committee report from the General Manager of Planning and Development and heard a verbal update from D. Menard, Heritage Planner with respect to the Revised 2006 Inventory of Heritage Resources. The LACH was advised that the Inventory of Heritage Resources should be included in the Official Plan and that this requestwill be brought to LACH, for its approval, in January, 2007.

Heritage 15. That the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) heard a Propelty (vi) Monitoring Sub- verbal update from J. O’Neil with respect to the property tax relief for heritage property Committee owners program; it being noted that he is awaiting approval of the program before he continues with the maps for the wards.

Heritage 16. That the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) heard a Conservation (vii) District verbal update from D. Menard with respect to the following Heritage Conservation Representative Districts (HCD): LACH - 3

(a) the West Woodfield HCD has been recommended bythe Civic Administration and is going forward for Municipal Council's approval on December 18,2006; it being noted that upon Council approval the Request for Proposals will be completed by the end of December or early January;

(b) the Old South Community Association is prepared to wait until Spring 2007 to resume discussions with the Staff with respect to its request for a HCD; and

(c) the Heritage Planners are still discussing the potential for a Downtown HCD as part of a potential Dundas Street revitalization program;

it being noted that G. Thompson volunteered to serve on the Heritage Conservation District Sub-committee.

Landmarks 17. (viii) That the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) heard a London Representative verbal update from N. Van Sas with respect to the following:

(a) Landmarks London is conducting elections to fill vacancies; and

(b) Doors Open is organizing its 2007 event and is investigating new sites and canvassing its current participants to see who wish to open their doors again; it being noted that the Organizing Committee is looking for members; and

(c) the Lost Soul Stroll is being organized for 2007 and volunteers are being sought;

it being noted that N. Van Sas was nominated as the Landmarks London representative to the LACH.

Heritage 18. That the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) was advised London (ix) Foundation that G. Goodlet is the new representative from the London Heritage Foundation and Reoresentative will be reporting to the LACH on its activities.

Natural Heritage 19. That the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) was advised Representative that J. Cushing is the new representativefrom Mcllwraith Field Naturalists and will be reporting on natural heritage issues.

Heritaae 20. That the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) was advised EndoGment Fund Sub- that M. Kerr wishes to remain on the Heritage Endowment Fund Sub-Committee. Committee

Reasons for 21. That the London Advisory committee on Heritage (LACH) received the Designation - (29) 621 Waterloo revised Reasons for Designation for the property located at 621 Waterloo Street/ 323 Streetl323 Hyman Street. The LACH further amended the proposed Reasons for Designation Hyman Street and asked the Heritage Planner to forward the revised reasons to the property owner for signature.

Heritage 22. That the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) received a Designation (31) Application - 60 Heritage Designation application from C. Slabon with respect to the property located Bruce Street at 69 Bruce Street. The LACH referred the communication to its Stewardship Sub- committee to prepare reasons for designation.

Communities In 23. (33) That the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) received the Bloom attached communication from the Heritage Planner with respect to Communities In Bloom.

Firefighters' 24. That the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) heard a Museum verbal presentation from J. Fitzgerald with respect to a new location for the Firefighters' Association Museum. The LACH suggested that Mr. Fitzgeraldtake the following actions:

(a) enquire about available space at Wolseley Barracks, noting that long-term consideration is being given to the expansion of the Museum facilities there and further noting the historical relationship of the military with firefighters;

(b) consider a downtown location, if available, as it would be an opportunity for further addressing downtown revitalization initiatives; and LACH - 4

(c) contact the London Community Foundation to investigate establishing a not- for-profit status to facilitate fundraising initiatives for the proposed Museum.

West Woodfield 25. That the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) received the Heritage Conservation attached communications and heard a verbal presentation from the Heritage Planner District, with respect to the West Woodfield Heritage Conservation District, Ontarians with Ontarians wifh Disabilities Act, Communities In Bloom, First Hussars Temporary Museum Space, Disabilities Act, Communities In Council Resolution - Heritage Property Designations, Heritage Designation Website, Bloom, first the London & Middlesex Historical Society’s (L&MHS) event being held on January Hussars 17,2007 at 8:OO p.m., the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario’s (ACO) event being Temporary Museum Space. held on January 11, 2007, the joint ACO & L&MHS event being held in February, Council 2007, the Heritage London Foundation workshop being held the end of February or Resolution - Heritage early March, 2007 and an article dated December 6, 2006 relating to Alma College. Property Designations, Heritage Designation Website

Coves 26. That the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) was advised Subwatershed Group that M. Kerr is not returning to the Coves Subwatershed Group and appointed J. Cushing as her replacement.

27. That the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) received and noted the following:

12th Report of (a) (1) the 12th Report of the LACH from its meeting held on November 8, the LACH 2006;

Issuance of (b) (2,27) a Municipal Council resolution adopted at its meeting held on Demolition Permits November 6, 2006 and a report from the General Manager of Planning and Development with respect to the issuance of demolition permits as they relate to heritage properties;

195 Oundas (c) (3) a Municipal Council resolution adopted at its meeting held on Street November 6,2006 with respect to the application to renew the temporary parking lot on the properly located at 195 Dundas Street:

13 Prospect (d) (4) a Municipal Council resolution adopted at its meeting held on Avenue November 6,2006 with respect to the heritage alteration permit application relating to the property located at 13 Prospect Avenue:

134 St. George (e) (5) a Municipal Council resolution adopted at its meeting held on Street November 6,2006with respect to the application to demolish the properly located at 134 St. George Street: it being noted that the demolition application has been withdrawn;

New Owners of (6) a Municipal Council resolution adopted at its meeting held on Heritage (f) property November 6,2006 with respect to purchasers of heritage properties receiving a copy of the Ontario Heritage Act:

Site Plans - (9) a Municipal Council resolution adopted at its meeting held on Demolition (7) Applications November 6, 2006 with respect to the LACH’s request to receive site plans with demolition applications;

Western Fair a Municipal Council resolution adopted at its meeting held on Association (h) (8) Archives November 6, 2006 with respect to the Association’s archives;

Agricultural (i) (9) a Municipal Council resolution adopted at its meeting held on Zones and Rural November 27,2006 with respect to the retention of heritage properties in agricultural Sefflement zones and rural settlement designations; Designations

Woodlotat1959 (j) (IO) a Municipal Council resolution adopted at its meeting held on Wharncliffe RoadSouth November 27, 2006 with respect to the retention of the woodlot on the property located at 1959 Wharncliffe Road South: 101 Base Line (k) (11) a Municipal Council resolution adopted at its meeting held on Road West November 27, 2006 and a communication dated December 1, 2006 from K. Yakimovitch, Planner, with respect to the property located at 101 Base Line Road West;

Property Tax (I) (12) a Municipal Council resolution adopted at its meeting held on Relief - Heritage November 27,2006 with respect to heritage property owners being able to apply for Designated property tax relief; Properties

London Forks (m) a Notice from the General Manager of Planning and Developrnentwith Ltd. - 70 York (13) St 8 350 Ridout respect to an application submitted by London Forks Ltd. relating to the properties st located at 70 York Street and 350 Ridout Street;

Tahsin Akkila - (n) (14) a Notice from the General Manager of Planning and Development with 719 8 723 Adelaide Street respect to an application submitted by Tahsin Akkila relating to the properties located North at 719 & 723 Adelaide Street North;

The City of (0) (15) a Notice from the General Managerof Planning and Developmentwith London - 299 King Stseet respect to an application submitted by The City of London relating to the property located at 299 King Street;

2018129 (p) (16) a Notice from the General Managerof Planning and Development with Ontario inc. - 3463 White Oak respect to an application submitted by 2018129 Ontario Inc. relating to the property Road located at 3463 White Oak Road;

City of London - Community (4) (17) a Notice from the General Manager of Planning and Development with Shopping Area respect to an application submitted by the City of London relating to community shopping areas;

969726 Ontario (r) a Notice from the General Managerof Planning and Developmentwith Ltd. - 3777 (18) Westminster respect to an application submitted by 969726 Ontario Ltd. relating to the property Drive located at 3777 Westminster Drive;

Lafarge - 2538 a Notice from the General Managerof Planning and Developmentwith Sunningdaie (s) (19) Road East respect to an application submitted by Lafarge relating to the property located at 2538 Sunningdale Road East;

City of London - (t) (20) a Notice from the General Manager of Planning and Development with Zoning Change respect to an application submitted by the City of London relating to zoning changes ~ Six Existing School Sites to six existing school sites;

State Funeral a News Release from R. Griffiths, Executive Director, The Dominion for Last WW1 (u) (22) Veteran Institute with respect to its request for a state funeral for the last WW1 Veteran;

The TaTTLer (v) (23) a newsletter from the Thames Talbot Land Tmst entitled "the TaTTLer" for June, 2006; and

Fisher Topsoil & (28) a Notice from the General Manager of Planning and Development with Landscape (w) Supplies - 2350 respect to an application submitted by Fisher Topsoil & Landscape relating to the Oundas Street property located at 2350 Dundas Street.

Disclosure of 28. That C. Carrothers disclosed a pecuniary interest in clause 27(r) of this Pecuniary interest - C. Report having to do with the Notice from the Planning Division with respect to an Carrohers application submitted by 969726 Ontario Ltd. relating to the property located at 3777 Westminster Drive by indicating that he lives in the area and that he has worked in the Township of Westminster.

Next Meeting 29. That the next meeting of the London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH) will be held on Wednesday, January 10,2007 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 855 p.m. Reasons for Designation

Mathers Cemeterv. 3557 Colonel Talbot Road Mathers Cemetery is recommended for Designation undex Pslt IV of the Ontano Hefitage SCTas-a’siceaPtlermgc value. The cemetery contains graves of three members of the Mathers family who were early pioneers of W estminster Township.

Historical Reasons

The Mathers Cemetery is located at Lot 74 West Talbot Road (WTR), the northeast comer of the former Mathers Farm which is now called North Lamheth Subdivision. The cemetery plot size is 20 feet by 20 feet with one large pink granite monument set on a concrete base in the centre.

Stephen Mathers was born in England. In 1815 he petitioned Colonel Talbot for 200 acrw at Lot 74 WTR. He was granted the property in 1836. Stephen married Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Patrick and they had nine children. The Patrick family was one of the fvst settlers in the area. A one storey log home was built at the rear of the farm property on the east bank of Mill Creek, now known as Dingman Creek. In 1840 Stephen was murdered near the St. Clair River while delivering a horse that he bad sold. The family located Stephen’s body but found that the money had been stolen.

James Mathers, oldest son of Stephen, mamed Mercy McNaims and they had ten children. The homestead was sold to James andMercy in 1843. James served as school trustee of SS #17 Westminster Township for several years. He was Deputy Reeve for the Township for 1875-76.

lames Mathers laid out plans for a cemetery for the Mathers family in the northeast corner of the farm. The first burial was his son John, who had never married: born 1853 - died 1889. James’s wife, Mercy is buried there also: born 1820 - died 1892. In October 1892, James mamed Mary Ristotle, daughter of Samuel and Margret Ristotle. Andrew, the youngest son of James and Mercy, and his wife Elizabeth continued to farm the lot until James’s death in 1901. James is buried in the cemetery: born 1829 - died 1901. Mary sold the farm a short time after James’s death to Thomas Vanstone and George Bogue.

Andrew and Elizabeth, who had farmed with James, moved to Lot 31 Concession 1 Westminster Township.

Architectural Reasons

The single monument in the cemetery is a pink granite square colnmn. The cap has gothic gables set in each face. The main body of the spire has names in reverse etching on the east face. The other three faces are blank. The pink granite continues into a base block for the spire. The spire is set on a two-level concrete base. The upper level is cast with the Mathers name in relief and the lower level is cast in a rusticated pattern.

There are also two granite foot stones separate to the east of the column, one is etched ‘FATHER’, the other ‘MOTHER’. Posts and chains delineate the south and west sides of the plot and the two southerly comers are also marked with white granite posts set slightly above ground level, both engraved ‘M.

Owner’s Declaration - Agreement with Reasons

On behalf of the City of London, the current owner and steward of this property, I am in agreement with the Reasons for Designation as written above. ... . ,

.mHERITAGE BASEBALL

LONDON,ONT.--INTERNATIONAI. BASE Rlii.I.blriTCHBE~VEENTHETECUhlSEH CLUB OFLONDON, ANDTHEh.WPLE LEAFCLUB OFGUELPH. FUUll h swrn "I CJ. UYKS a CITYOF LONDON@ .

Origins of the and Base Ball in London By Barry Wells

DAPTED FROM THE BRITISH GAME of - and by extension, -the game of base ball or "townball" became vovular in the second auarter of the nineteenth centurY ..

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According to George Railton's 1856 London directory, the "London Base Ball Club," comprised of 22 memben with John K. Brown, Dr. J. Wdkinson, Joshua D. Dalton, H.P. Brown, George Garth, William Wdkinson and George Westland as its officers, played regularly on the military reserve, now Victoria Park.

The merger of the Forest City and London Base Ball clubs, both originating in the summer of 1867, to form the Tecumseh Base Ball Club of London (a team named after the Tecumseh House Hotel on the southwest corner of York and Richmond streets, immediately north of today's CN railway tracks) occurred in June of 1868 with John Brown as president. In 1868, the Temnsehs lost to the Woodstock Young Canadians 8946 in a fivehour game. Woodstock later defeated Maple Leafs 36-29 to win the Canadian Silver Ball Championship. During the early 1870s, the major rivals of the London Tecumsehs were the Gueiph Maple Leafs who were sponsored by brewer/ sportsman George Sleeman, proprietor of Silver Creek Brewery, and the Woodstock Young Canadians. The Guelph Maple Lea& was the Erst Ontario team to hire professional ball players from the US. to strengthen their team. When Jacob L. Englehart, a wealthy pioneer London oil refiner, became the president (and financial backer) 'of the Tecumsehs in late 1875, he too began looking for professional players from the US., later signing four Americans: firsebbasemad manager George "Juice" Latham, pitcher Fred Goldsmith of New Haven, Connecticut, catcher Phil Powers and hfielder/oudielder Joe 'Dutchy" Hornung from Carthage, .

After the military reserve was donated to the City for a public park in 1874, public protests in 1875 against the Tecumseh's use of a fenced area of the park prompted the club to move its games to the old Fair Grounds northeast of Richmond and Central, where they played until the end of the 1876 season, during which they defeated Guelph for the Canadian championship.

Goldsmith's Erst complete game with the Tecumsehs occurred on May 24,1876, when London played Guelph before 6,000 spectators at the Fair Grounds, a contest that London won 8-7 in 10 innings, largely owing to Goldsmith's "scientifw pitching," using his "skew ball." (Goldsmith is believed to be the inventor of the eweball.) For the 1877 season, the Tecumsehs moved into the newly ouditted, six-acre Tecunwh Park in the village of Kensington at the forks of the (now the Cityowned Labatt Memorial Park) with Richard Southam, brother of W~amSoutham, founder of the Southam newspaper chain, the team manager. (London-born George "Mooney" Gibson, catcher for.the 1909 Champions, was a nephew of the Southams). The first regular season game played in the new took place on Saturday, May 5,1877, against the Hartfords of , New York. The new field was lauded for its many amenities, including a 600-seat grandstand, piped-in water for maintaining the grass and facilities for scorers, \! telegraph operators and reporters. London won the International Association championship series in / October 1877 by defeating the Pittsburgh Alleghenies 5-2. Although the 1878 Tecumseh home opener attracted 4,000 fans, the crowds started to drop off and the team fell into debt.

L Despite a Free Press account about the Tecumsehs on June 21,1939 ("Fred Goldsmith Invented The Curve Ball"), that stated the team defeated the in three straight games to win the title series in 1878, it appears the writer was in error, instead referring to a two-game series in 1877 between the L Tecumsehs and the Chicago White Stockings. On August 22, 1878, the club folded due to insuffcient patronage. A new Tecumseh team was resurrected in 1888 and 1889, and later in the 1920s. Despite the absence of professional teams in London during these lapses, the park remained in use by a variety of city league teams, much in the way the Majors of the Senior Intercounty League continue on in the absence of pro ball clubs such as the London ngers, Werewolves or Monarchs. Today, Labatt Park is believed the world's oldest baseball park in continuous use in its original location.

Bamj W& is a Lond,onfreelance writer and tke founder of The .

Hezitage Baseball. City of London 3

I . Majors - a team for the ages By Bruce Huff -A

PORTS HERITAGE? You have ouly to look to baseball and Labatt Park. Labatt Park - that neat layout hard by the forks of the mighty Thanes -has been home loH in fornis Many a bas and \ baseball various since the nud-1800s. chani~iionship been won lost on these \' historic fields.

The London Tecnmsehs set the tone hi 1877 by winning tile "world" championship. What has followed is a litany of titles as teams of all calibres and ages have brought glory to the city. In the mix are the who for 80 years have been a leading proponent of aniatew baseball. Of course, the 1948 version that captured the National Baseball Congress North American championship is indelible in the book of memories.

Only thee players reniain froin that tea11 that beat the Fort Wayne General Electrics in a thrilling seven- game series at Labatt Park. They are outfielder Joe Bechard and catchers Jack Fairs and Gil Robertson. The others have gone to that big playing field in the sky but my, what stories they could tell if they were still here.

With Bill Farquharson at the reins as presidentlowner and the wily Clare VanHome as field manager, the Majors galvanized this city like no other team before them. They say 9,000 people jammed the park to 2-c watch the venerable Tonuny White mow down the US.clmnpiom froin Indiana 5-0 in Game 7. He also won Games 3 aid 6.

Later there was Frank (Lefty) Cobiian who played for the Pirates and the New York Yankees. We was a reserve first baseman-outfielder when the Yanks beat the Brooldyn Dodgers in 1947. When he retnrned from an 11-year pro career he bought the local team and won an Intercounty championship in 1956 and a Great Lakes title in 1958.

Toni (Tim) Burgess spent 28 years in pro conipany as a player, manager, coach and hitting instructor with time in the bigs as mi outfielder-fkst baseman with the Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals and . He was also a coach with the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves and . He was the Intercounty home run leader in 1951 with eight. In recent years he has been a coach and advisor with Team .

Counting the clianiyionslups the Army seniors won in 1943, London teams have won eight Intercounty titles, the last of whch was in 1975. Always a threat they have won seven IBL pennants as the Majors, three as the Poniiscs aid one as the Avcos. The Amy Leain before reverting to the Majoxs name also won Canadian Congress clianipionslups in 1943 and 1944. ,'-.// .,

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' Larry Haggitt batted ,412 to lead the IBL hi 1975 wlde ex-lnajor league lefty Mike Kilkeiuiy was unbeaten in

~ the regular season (9.0) and playoffs to earn Mvp honours. That tlie Bradford-born Kiikeiuiy isn't in tlie \,!I \,!I Canadian and London sports halls remains a mystery. ! Other MVP winners include Cohiiax (193G), outfielder Stan (Gabby) Anderson (1959), pitcher Rolf Sclieel

~ (1964) aid pitcher AI Greenburg (1965). L Tiie 1975 Majors were iiianaged by the late Roy McKay for whom the historic old ciubliouse is named. It seem iitting tliat they are part of London's 150tli anniversary.

.* And if you listen quietly, you cai hear the ghosts of yesterday - guys answering to names sue11 ws Males, ~ White, Evon, Wacky, McFadden, Slack, Coop, Simpson, Mayes, Deal&%Creighton, Czenveinicz, Pearen, McLain, Jenlcins, Gourley, Byers, Fenlon, Tlioiiipson and the redoubtable Eddie who rewrote the record books.

They are saying Happy Birthday London. We are saying tl~a~~lffifor the memories. . ..

128 Golden Summers of Baseball a at Labatt Memorial Park e \' I By Barry Wells

S INTERCOUNTY LEAGUE FANS enjoy another season of fast-paced London MaJors' baseb,all at lustoric Labatt Memorial Park, London's 150th anniversary as ai incorporated city is the perfect the to revisit the history of our iniinicipally-owned baseball "paradise gardens."

Labatt Park [nee Tecuiiseli Park in 1S77) is believed to be tlie "World's Oldest Baseball Park in continuous use ui its origbd location. The closest our American COUS~IS have to Labatt Park, is Rickwood Field in Buiiiiiigiiani, Alabama, wlucli was built in 1910. Still, on several official IUS.baseball Web sites, Riclovood Field is mistakenly referred rn as the "World's Oldest Ballpark" on the specious rationale tIut the stadium still retains some of its original 1910 grandstand. While Labatt Park is currently usuig its fourth main grandstand, the site and field is the oldest known balllmrk in continuous use in tlie world (baseball was invented in North America). Nineteen-ten isn't even close to 1877. Nestled at tlie Forks of the Thanies River, our landmark field has been the centre for London and area's spoa, recreational aid cultural activities for 128 years. Over the years, tlie park has been used for ination pictures, political rallies, civic receptions, public skating, soccer, baseball, , softhall, boaig, football, horse-jumping, tlie RCMP Musical Ride and even a 21-Giui Salute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I1 diuing to her visit to Victoria Park in 1997. In tlie suniiiier of 2001, Labatt Park was the innin baseball venue during the Canada Summer Games.

1870: According lo Canadian 1890s: Tecuiiiseh Park was home baseball lustoriadauthor Williaii to the London Alerts of the Huiiber, it's likely tliat this amateur and a '"coiiinions"pasture land ui varietv of City.1 leawe team. The Lolidon West was used for Tecu&el= were resurrected in baseball (ai adaption of tlie 1888 and 1889. British game of "rouiders")as early as 1870. 1892: A brick-dust track was built I,! I,! for amateur and professional 1877: The land was i,urcliiEed by bicycle racing.

Park. The Tecunsehs, with star bicycle race at Teciuiiseli Park. pitcher Fred Goldsiiutli (referred to in several Londoiiborn and raised catcher, George "Mooney" newspaper accounts as the inventor of the curve Gibson (1880-1967) went 011 to a stellar piaying ball), woii tlie International Association title, career with the , winning tlie beating the Pittsbugh Alleghenies. World Series in 1909.

1878: The Tecuiiiselis started tlie season with 4,000 1911-15: London joined tlie professional Canadian

siiectalors but the crowds started to droi, off mid League.~ .. vroducuig Earl "Greasy" Neal. wiio later tiie team fell into debt. starred witli Cincinnati.

1884 Pitchers were now allowed io throw 1919-22: The Tecunselrs joui the -Ontario "overhaid." League, winning tlie peimuit from 1920-19'222.

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George "Mooney" Gihua irden Eddie, a Majors player since 1967, purchases scveial early mj"r league SlarS got he Majors in 1976 and moves the teani back into their st?utpihying in the Old Tecwoseh grow~ls,George he old clubhouse in 1977. i, "Mooney'' Gibson wa~tiit most \' hous.~e aa~bomin~ondonin 1980s: Hall of Faiier Fergie Jenkins pitches for tlie 1880 and, nr1er a rei" SeaSOnB or vlajors in 19841985. laen1b*U, wcnt to tile Pit*tsbur!$ Pirates in 1006 a? a catcher. Hr 1990: Tlie London Tigers AA team wins the Eastern slnyed with tiieiii tiinti1 IOii. Their wins beSt.,w(:Br*aS IDUD wllell tl>l?Y ,eague title, the sanie year the park tiie Bemi defeated Detroit. in the World :lay Award as tlie best natural grass, minor league Series. He silent lw yeili~wlli, lhe leld in North America. Giants aid tlwn niiuisgcd UE Pirdtes (10"0.?4 and 1932-34) aid 1994: The City designates the park iuider tlie Ute Cubs f"or OILe SeUSOlL He >"U htario Heritage Act with a special plaque unveiling '6 the liBt Cnna~tiiui-bommiui~criii rhe maj'on imti WIL~elected to the m July 1(Canada Day). Canadian Birdxdi Hnll olF;une iii IOS7. 199G: The by-law "Reasons for Designation" of tlie ?ark are aniended to include the "Roy McKay 1924: Charlie 'Mechanical Man" Geliringer, who 2lubliouse." went on to become a star 2""baseman with the li , plays for tlie Teciuiiselm 1999: (September) The London Werewolves win 3ie title dnring their fxst of three 1936-37: The park is purcliased by the Labatt years in London. brewing faniily and donated to the City along with $10,000 for iniprovements on the condition that tlie 2000: During tlie Werewolves' home opener on park be renamed the '"JohnLabatt Memorial June 3, Wolves' pitcher Brett Gray pitches a record Athletic Field" and remain a public recreational 25 strikeouts against tlie Chillicothe (Ohio) Paints. park in perpetuity. The' Great Flood of 1937 washes Following the season, tlie main grandstand (circa away tlie grandstand; A new grandstand and 1937) is demolished. clubhouse (still standing) is constructed. 8001: A new, $1.97-millioli grandstand is completed 1940s: London ball hero Frank Colliiaii makes it to in the spring, prior to the Canada Summer Games. tlie Bigs. During the war years, women's ball An interpretive plaque detailing tlie park's history is flourishes at tlie park. The London Army team wins uistalled on the new grandstand. I,! I,! ! tlie Camdian Sandlot title in 1943 and 1944. Renamed tlie London Majors, tlie Majors win tlie 2002: The 1945 Majors are among tlie uiaugural 10 Intercounty title in 1947 and 1948. The 1948 Majors inductees into tlie London Spoils Hall of Faine at also win the Ontario title, tlie Canadian Sandlot title the JLC. aid the World Sandlot title bi September of 1948, beating the Fort Wayne (Indiana) General Electrics 2003: The London Monarchs of the fleclgbig e in a seven-game series at Labatt Park. play part of the season at tlie park before folding due to financial difficulties. 1950s: The Majors, starring Stan and Bill Slack, win the Intercounty title in 1951 and 1956. 2004: Oii Feb. 15, 2004, it's announced that longtime Majors owiier-player has sold 19GOs: Riiss Evon's London TV Cable fastball teani, tiie tean to 36-year-old mortgage consultant, Scott with star pitcher Dick Hanies, is one of tlie best Dart. Under Dart's tutelage, the London Majors fastball teains in Canada The London Pontiacs win enjoy an outstanding playoff run, finally bowuig out tlie Intercounty title in 1969. to the Guelpli Royals in the league fuial.

1970s: The Majors wln the Intercounty title in 1975. 2005: Fornier Intercounty umpire Joe Serratore Wallaceburg native gets married at home plate on Saturday, June lS, a first for the ball park.

Heritage B.aebail- Cily ~ILoiidoii7 I ,. .

't

Vintage Base Ball Rules C@

Vintage base ball clubs in America play by the rules dating from as early as 1845 to as late as \, 1924. The recreation of vintage base ball in the United States first became popular 1' in the early 1980s, and by the late 1990s there were over 70 programs in the United States playing by vintage rules.

Base Ball is a gentleman's ganie, so: 3ther rules of the gentleman's game include:

There slid be no bunting, sliding or running out Foul ticks (balls) are not considered strikes - ,, of the base path When fielding, the ball must be caught with the Uncivil language, ungentlenianly behavioiq HANDS -gloves, hats, or other items may not be spitting, alcohol consumption, chewing of used , tobacco, and wagering are not tolerated The umpire's determination if a batted ball is fair Balls and strikes are not called unless the umpire or foul is made by where it first hit the ground finds it necessary * A base runner may advance at his own risk when The ball is delivered underhand in a shallow arc a batted bcdl is caught on one bound, but nimt ,' to allow good striking return to his base on those caught in the air ,. -.-< A base runner can lead off at his own risk and Fielders play the following positions until the steal if the belund (catcher) muffs the ball (nialces hurled ball has crossed home base: an error) -AX disputes are arbitrated by the team captains 1": Z1,and 3"l baseman play on or within one foot aid the umpire. An umpire's decisions are final. of their respective bags He is always to be treated in a respectful and Short scout (shortstop) can position himself gentlenianly manner anywhere on the playing field Behind (catcher) plays not more than 45 feet belund home base Left, nuddle and riglit scouts (outfielders) play in the middle of their respective outfields

\,I A striker is dead (out) when:

A batted ball is caught on the fly, fair or foul Abattecl ball is caught on one bound, fair or foul Three hirled balk are swung at and niissed

A baserunner is dead (out) when he is:

* Forced out at base Tagged out Riuis thee feet or niore out of the base path

.I. J. Tjlmru>Regioiid Colleetion, D.B. WeldonLibriliy,UWO

Reproduced houi the 2000 Programme of the Akron Black Stockings Base Ball Club

8 Heritage Bmebull - Cily oILoirdoii

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aAutographs

10 Heritage Baseball - City of London -4

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CANADA

We gratefully acknowledge the following sponsors

CJB K Makes it easy‘”

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Landmark. 1 and~erltage Museum London I,+ Network

Zlondon Old Timem PportB pkwociation

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.. ! @ Ibl REPORT OF THE STEWARDSHIP SUB-COMMITTEE

LONDON ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HERITAGE (LACH)

Meeting on Wednesday 6 December 2006 at 7:30 pm, in Meeting Room 3, City Hall This was the November meeting, postponed for one week

PRESENT: P.Wilkins (chair), C.Carrothers, M.Evens, %Gladwell, G.Goodlet, J.Hunten, M.Kerr, T.Lynch; J.O’Nei1, D.Menard - part-time

Although it was not listed as an agenda item, during the course of the meeting, on a proposal by George Goodlet, the committee returned Peter Wilkins to the Chair for the coming year. ACTION By BUSINESS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS: 1. North Street United Cemeterv 1 Colonel Talbot Road Cliff Carrothers reported on recent enquiries that he has made regarding this cemetery. He has not been able to ascertain the location of a second site of this cemetery. He will continue to investigate. CLIFF

2. 401 Tecumseh Avenue East Tecumseh Public School: Don Menard circulated copies of photos that he has taken illustrating the front and rear of the school. Janet Hunten presented a completed evaluation sheet on the building which indicates that it should be listed in the Inventory as a priority 1. We will recommend to LACH that the school be added to the Inventory at the earliest possible opportunity. LACH On a related matter, Peter Wilkins reported on progress of his review of the lists of school buildings in the city. He is developing a short list of possible candidate buildings to be evaluated in a similar manner. PETER

3. 621 Waterloo street: Don Menard reported that the home owner has called the Heritage Planners’ office with regard to the Reasons drafted for the house and requested that notation of the slate roof be included. The owner also had comments on other points in the Reasons and he will be requesting some minor revisions. The request is expected within the next few days.

NEW BUSINESS: 4. 640 Talbot Street: We have a Council resolution pending requesting that LACH prepare Reasons for Designation of this building. It should be noted that the owner has submitted a site plan that indicates retention of the front portion of the building and replacement of the rear portion with an addition of- more housing units. Reasons for Designation should only consider the $ont portion of the housel:.. George Goodlet agreed to begin drafting the Reasons. GEORGE 3

-1- 5. 521 Chester- The owner of this house has applied for Designation. Shirley Gladwell offered to draft the Reasons. Don Menard noted that Anne McKillop also offered to work on the Reasons. Shirley will review the details with Anne. SHIRLEY

6. 180/186 Waterloo Sheet: There is an application to demolish an “accessory dwelling” on this property. We have been assured that the demolition does not involve the Designated building - the former Ward School. Notes from the Heritage Planners’ office indicate that there is no reason to object to this demolition and the committee concurred with this assessment. We will recommend the same to LACH. LACH

7. 602 Princess Avenue: Don Menard noted that this property is under an application for variance to add residential units in the building. The planners are considering a condition on the variance to require Designation of the existing house to preserve the heritage features. The committee agrees with such a condition and recommends that LACH concur with the condition. LACH

ITEMS FORWARDED TO LACH:

The following items are forwarded to LACH for action: -Tecumseh School - recommend add the school to the Inventory as a priority 1 -180/186 Waterloo St. - recommend no objection to demolish the accessory dwelling -602 Princess Avenue - recommend agreement with the Planners’ suggestion to require Designation as a condition of the requested variance

DEFERRED ITEMS:

The following properties remain deferred for possible future action: - 483 Tecumseh Avenue East - pending a grouping of the neighbouring owners - 837 Talbot Street -pending renewed contact from the Hospice Board - 208 Clarence Street - pending a decision by the owner on sale of the property - 1903 Avalon Street - pending a less-busy time for the Committee to research the Reasons - 516 Maitland Street - pending planned renovations to restore some heritage features

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 27 December 2006, but the committee agreed to cancel this meeting until the regular January meeting, 3 1 January 2007

ERRORS AND OMISSIONS: This Report was prepared by Peter Wilkins. Any errors or omissions should be noted with him by telephone at 660-1238 as soon as possible.

-2- PROGRAM INFORMATION Communltles in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organizatlon committed to fostering civic pride, envlronmental responsibility, beautification and to improving quality of life through community participation and the challenge of a national competition. "People, plank and pride.. . growing together is ourslogan, and it captures the essence of the progmm. History, Established with the guidance of Britain in Bloom, Tidy Towns of Ireland and Villes et villages Fleuris de France, Communities in Bloom heid its first edition in 1995 and 29 participating municipalities were honoured at the first awards ceremonies on Parliament Hili. The program now includes more than 500 municipalities across the country and an international challenge involving municipalities from the United States, Japan and several European countries allows participants to compete internationally. Proqram. The program consists of municipalities receiving information and being evaluated either provincially or nationally by a jury of professionals on the accomplishments of their entire community (municipal, private, corporate and institutional sectors, citizens) on eight key criteria: Tidiness, Environmental Awareness, Community Involvement. Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation, Urban Forestry, Landscaped Areas, Floral Displays, and Turf & Ground Cover Areas. Benefib. The pride, sense of community and feeling of accomplishment generated through participation are visible in municipallies all over Canada. These benefts make Communities in Bloom a program where everyone wins. Municipalities can benefit financially from the program through community tourism initiatives, business opportunities for the entire community, and other related projects. A valuable information exchange network allows communities to share accomplishments, best practices and projects. VisibilitvlPromotlon. All participants are showcased on the Communities in Bloom web site through the "Explore our Communities" section, with a description page and a link to their community web site. Celebration Magazine, published twice a year, also features participants, winners and special mentions with articles, photos and bloom ratings. Communities in Bloom is also present at several trade shows throughout the year and issues press releases before, during and after the evaluation. National SymDosium on Parks and Grounds. Held in conjunction with the annual national awards ceremonies, this event Is a unique opportunity for elected officials, parks and grounds professionals and community volunteers to learn and share about current issues, trends and challenges not only in horticulture and gardening, but in community tourism and projects, environmental awareness, and much more. Workshops and awards ceremonies are also held in ail provinces throughout the year. A winter edition -Winter Liclhts Celebrations -was created in 2001, featuring overall community efforts in the following categories: Winter Pleasures, Festive Celebrations, Visual Presentation, Goodwill Program and Tourism I Promotion.

PARTNERS AND SPONSORS Home Hardware Scotts Waste Management Canada Lands Company Zaunscherb Marketing National Capital Commission Swtk Turf Builder Em Sense Mirade Gro Round Up CN Tower Bail HorticulturalCompany Canadian Tourism Commission + Canadian Nursery Landscape Association Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia Municipal World Sullivan Renaissance LIN Lifsstylelnfonnatjon Netwofi Tree Canada Foundation Urban Pest Management Council Composting Council of Canada

People, piants and pride... growing together Ciiayens et espaces verk en hamonie ...une societe florissanle 112 Terry FOX, Kirkland (Quebec) H9H 4M3 Tei: (514) 694-8871 Fax: (514) 694-3725 Web site: w.mmmuniksinbioorn.ca E-Maii: [email protected] LACH Information Items -Wednesday, December 13

1, West Woodfieid Heritaae Conservation District -request for Phase 1 study approved by P.C. on December 11 as a consent item -RFP in preparation -ready to go in early January with target date of October for completion -Kate Rapson- chair of community steering committee -LACH membership on steering committee is normal -volunteers?

2. Ontaruans with Disabilities Act (approved in 2005) -curreAt public discussion re Customer Services Standards (on website) -may impact on all buildings used for commercial purposes in such areas as access ramps, entrance doors, elevators, washrooms, etc.-public or privately owned -have asked ACO and CHO for comments made at Provincial level

-3. Communities in Bloom National Level Cornaetition (on added aaenda) - London to participate for third year -first at National Level - seeking volunteers on various subject committees Sub-Committees- Floral Displays, Tidiness, Environmental Efforts, Community Efforts, Urban Forestry, Heritage, Landscaped Areas and Turf and Open Spaces - seeking to determine significant event dates and linking CIB to them

4. First Hussars Temoorarv Museum Saace -have considered i) use of #I Dundas - leased to Landmarks London for office use/ small / interfere with Forks of Thames exhibit ii) use of Flint Shelter -informally used by Hutton House for community support program several days a week in summer months iii) use of Flint Cottage -excellent in terms of display space -needs interior work re plaster, flooring, accessibility and functional accessible washroom -investigating financial costs -2007 budget items

5. Possio e Council RcsoL1:on re Heritaae Proaemv Desiqnarions -P.C. Dec. 11 recommended to Council (Dec. 18) that the LACH ..preDare a list of the 25 properties it would like to see designated under Part IV of the OHA -be “pro-active as opposed to “reactive” -matter rose in discussion related to proposed revisions to Property Standards Act to include specific reference to protection of designated heritage features.

6. Heritaqe Website Information (handout) -useful in itself but has links to other websites of interest

7. Other - L &MHS- event - January17,8:00 pm. -London Songs -Von Kuster Hail - ACO- event - January 11 -buildings you think are important - Joint ACO-L &MHS event- Feb.- Kingsmiils (on site) - HLF -end of February/March-Restoration Workshops with Dr. Chris Cooper - News Story re Alma College - (relates to item on added re Property Standards By- law) *oaalW# k@ Ontario ,Heritage Connection e n- Page 1 of 6

Here -- just in time for Christmas -- is the inside story! Tnc ONTARIO Nearly a decade in the making, Sally Gibson's new book, TRILLIUM Inside : Urban Interiors 1880s - 1920s, is the FOUNDATION first book to investigate the complex, interior life of a single city ... the ordinary and extraordinary places where Torontonians lived, worked, shopped, and performed the rituals of daily life ... [Read Morz] LA FONDATION TRILLIUM DE L'ONTRRIO

Collingwood Heritage Conservation District

Heritage Conservation Districts are a great tool. But on their own -- without constant monitoring, constant reinforcement, and constant political support -- they can't hold back the tide of destruction, either by outright demolition or inappropriate redevelopment. Collingwood offers a sad example with a glimmer of post-election hope... [Read More] Ar~h~es..af~O.~t~~~a. presents online exhibits about Ontario's rich heritage. Take a look, there's sure to be something to catch your fancy.

Since early September, a battle has been joined at the Ontario Municipal Board over the future Archives of antarb,~.~. of Toronto's "Queen West Triangle" located in the heart of the city's vibrant Art + Design ~O-n!Lne.G.a!kry District. And they're still at it ... [Read Mare] Tor~nto..Y_Arch.i?Les

lom.ao-H&rLa&e __Preservation Services. Ontario Xeritage Connection Page 2 of 6 @ MM

...... d-"L .- .-. LA.,!C! .... Queen Street Looking East from Gladstone Queen Street Looking East from Gladstone Permitted Height Limits Proposed Heights ALma .canese Ex!2!or~.onQr!a. history~- oIi.:!i!ix

Well, you found us at the Ontario Heritage Connection, so you must be used to surfing the FORESTS~~ net! Still, the web can be an intimidating and time-consuming place to find good, solid, helpful material. Here are three nifty and informative websites relating to various aspects of heritage. ~A~~~.~~~.~s~4~~~E.~~~-E They may help your work and they are definitely fun to browse... [Rea4F?oye.] ACH ILVEMENT~&W.A~R_D

HOPE ~~ISLAND L1.G-HISTAILO-N. sQsizaie.ontario sh!R.KC&kS Black ~isloy:Te!!.us Archaeology anyone? Have you ever wondered about Ontario's YOUKS! archaeological history? Would you like to join an archaeological dig -- in the comfort of your own home? Naw's the time. Why not ELtQn-LQEe3.W try some virtual archaeology along the Little Bonnechere River? It ~~hk~-~@-cL-Q-* should be fun --and easy... [Read More] ..Drift - ...... Dive Ends-WIth~A.. Wreck

c.K!adianWW!l~RU Ol: c.EaLed

Meeting

3nnfi-13-17 Oatario Heritage Connection Page 3 of 6

I Ontario's many beautiful churches are high up on the list of endangered buildings -- none more so than St. Brigid's in . lust look at what might be lost ... [Read More]

The minute we turn our back, more of our heritage is threatened. This time it's 250 lovely trees near Toronto's waterfront that are under attack ... [WM~LPI

Because buildings account for thirty-five percent of the total waste in Ontario landfills, the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario has recently produced a series of splendid new posters that ask: "Why are we turning our landmarks into garbage?"... [R-e.ad.M.we]

lust in time for Christmas, here's a handsome new book, A Heritage of Stone: Buildings of Niagara, St, Catharine's, the Hamilton Escarpment, Paris, Cambridge, Waterloo County, Guelph, Fergus and flora and St. Marys by Nina Chapple. It would be a welcome gift for anyone who cherishes Ontario's built heritage ... [Read Mple_l

The powers-that-be at all government levels cannot be asked too often or too strongly to make

httn://www .ontarioheritaeeconnection.ore/live/main 2006- 12-13 Ontario Heritage Connection Page 4 of 6

1 sure that Ontario's waterfront heritage is identified, preserved, and protected. Two enterprising Torontonians recently raised the alarm about threats to archaeological artifacts buried along Toronto's waterfront, one of which Is the Knapp Roller Boat. Elaine Wyatt of Save Ontario Shipwrecks (SOS) and archaeologist Michael Gregg have joined forces to create Preserve Archaeological Sites of Toronto (PAST) and have sponsored an online petition directed at Ontario's Minister of Culture, the Honourable Caroline Di Cocco... [ReadMore]

... ~ ......

The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario offers helpful hints for anyone Interested in preserving our built heritage. Here's a list of Myths and Facts -- they'll come in handy when you face the inevitable I naysayers.. . [R-e-adMore]

There's always so much to learn about Ontario's fascinating history. Few of us have heard of Erland and Janet Lee, a couple who settled near Stoney Creek more than a century ago -- and made today's world much safer ... [KepdMo~]

httwllwww nntarinheritaPeconnectinn org/live/main.nh~?nage=frnntnage.html 2006- 12- 13 Ontario Heritage Connection Page 5 of 6 I:

Ifyou'd like to know where, when -- or if -- heritage fits into the scheme of things for Toronto's mayoralty candidates, you might like to ask them. Mayor David Miller, along with candidates lane Pitfield and Stephen LeDrew will be at the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse on Wednesday, October 25th at 7:30 p.m. to discuss this too often ignored subject ... [ReadMore]

Dorothy Duncan has spent a lifetime studying Canadian history. She was, for many years, the executive director of The Ontario Historical Society, and therefore brings a wealth of knowledge to the table -- from the boardroom to the kitchen, from First Nations' tables to today's convenience foods, and a new trend called the "One-Hundred-Mile-Diet". It's all in her new book, Canadians at Table ... [Bw.dMare]

In a creative approach to anniversary celebrations, the Garden Club of Toronto will mark its sixtieth birthday at St. Anne's Anglican Church where a floral carpet will lead into this remarkable building the only Anglican Byzantine church in Canada. Thanks to murals by three members of the Group of Seven and other artists, the church is now a National Historic Site ... [BezLM~rre]

Crutches for trees what next? But it's a lovely story about one of Canada's most historic trees a gnarled red oak personally marked for protection by French-Canadian nationalist Louis-Joseph Papineau in 1848, and now the focus of a massive nursing project imported from Europe ... [Read More] Oritario Heritage Connection Page 6 of 6

Building satellite campuses helps revitalize their downtown cores

By James Bow - Business Edge Published: 07/20/2006 - Vol. 2, No. 15

Mayor Mike Hancock of is candid about the state of his city’s downtown core ten years ago. “You couldn’t give away property in our core. We know; we tried that. We even tried paying developers to take over property. The interest wasnit there.”

Brantford, a blue-collar municipality of 93,000 in south-, is famous as the home of inventor Alexander Graham Bell and hockey icon Wayne Gretzky. But the city encountered hard times in the 1980s ... [.Rsad&~]

rg;FAnyone interested in learning aboLt current shipwreck ,.,:;., investigations would 00 well to v:s t a splend,o web site (~~~.coI.cC~nsca_nJda,caf5_os1snp.wxcrs) that plots a course through tnis country’s un:que sh pwrecd reso-rces, with fascinating stories of marrime o sasters on our inlano maters, ;nc.uoing tnc Empress of Ireland and tne Noronic.

Our inland waters consist of the Canadian portions of four of the five Great Lakes --Superior, Huron, Erie and Ontario -- and the St. Lawrence Seaway and River, extending from just west of to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. Canada’s inland waters form the largest freshwater system in the world and its weather systems affecting shipping are diverse.

The wide expanse and enormous depth of Lake Superior can rival the oceans for the ferocity of its storms... [B~idm~g]

Wednesday December 13, 2006 at 7:07 am EST I) ALMA IN COURT BATTLE - Owners fight bylaw on property standards St. Thomas Times-Journal, Wednesday December 06, 2006 By Ian McCallum It would be easy to mistake the debris-strewn grounds of Alma College as the scene of a long forgotten conflict. In a week's time the derelict main building dating back to 1877 will in fact become a symbolic battleground as Alma Heritage Estates, owners of the former school for girls since 1998, launches an attack on a key provision contained in the Ontario Heritage Act. A spokesperson for the Zubick family of London, Ont., confirmed Tuesday that Alma Heritage Estates has applied to Ontario Superior Court of Justice to overturn a recently enacted city bylaw dealing with standards of maintenance relating to protection of designated properties as provided under the heritage act. St. Thomas is only the second Ontario community, following the lead of , to enact such a bylaw and the action by the Zubick family will be a test case closely watched by heritage committees across the province. A preliminary hearing will be held Dec. 12 at a yet-to-be determined location. Alma Heritage Estates is also proceeding with an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board of council's decision in August to deny a request for a permit to demolish the main building and chapel on the four-hectare property. That appeal hearing is scheduled for Feb. 13 at city hall. Ald. Heather Jackson-Chapman, council's representative on the Municipal Heritage Committee, feels the owners are trying everything in their power to avoid the expense of securing the four-storey main building from the elements. "It's very frustrating," she admitted, "because this is legislation from the province that gives municipalities the ability to protect these kinds of buildings and now it's being challenged." Why protect it when the intent is to demolish it, Jill Zubick of Alma Heritage Estates told the Times-Journal. "If you look at the heritage act to protect the building you are talking a lot of money, a few million dollars. And if you're applying for demolition it seems conflicting." The property currently is for sale and Zubick stressed the deteriorating condition of the building is proving a detriment to obtaining financing for any restoration project. "It's too bad because it's a beautiful building. We need someone with a vision and the money." Zubick estimated the cost of restoring the main building at anywhere from $15-21 million. "We still have three developers who are looking. One is developing with Alma but he cannot find the money. And two are developing without Alma." Zubick said talks with Alma College Foundation, a group of St. Thomas community leaders and academics from across the country are proceeding slowly. "That may go somewhere. Andrew (Gunn, foundation president) is offering less than land value. It's just a way for him to buy cheap land. I' Gunn's group has been negotiating with Alma Heritage Estates to purchase the Moore Street property with the intention of restoring the remaining buildings as faithfully as possible and putting a liberal arts college on the site, City clerk Wendell Graves indicated a report to council dealing with the court appeal will be discussed Monday in-camera. 1