Lecture by Robert N. Wilkins - Montreal 1901

Grandad's Montreal, 1901

Spealer: Robert N. Wilkins
When: Thursday, January 19, 2023, 19:30 - 21:00
Where: Centennial Hall,
             288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield, H9W 4A4
Lecture in English, followed by a bilingual question period

After explaining the reason he wrote this book and the title of the book, Mr Wilkins will make reference to just a few of the events that took place during the first year of the twentieth century: The death of Queen Victoria and how that news was received in Montreal; the massive Board of Trade fire of late January; the Redpath deaths in June of 1901, which were the result of one of the strangest shooting stories ever in this city’s history; the Royal Visit of September 1901; etc, etc.

Born in Montreal in 1947, Robert N. Wilkins was educated at Concordia University, Carleton University, and McGill University. High school teacher in the Montreal area for some 35 years, he was also a contributor to the Quebec Family History Society quarterly ‘Connections’, The Westmount Examiner, The Suburban, The Montreal Gazette, and, occasionally, other national newspapers as well. He published two books, 'Montreal, 1909' (Shoreline Press, in 2017) and 'Montreal Recorder’s Court', 1906 (in 2020) before his more recent book 'Grandad’s Montreal, 1901' (in 2022).

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Lecture by Yevgeniya Amis - The Zamenhofs of Montreal

The Lost and Found Z(S)amenhofs of Montreal ... and Beaconsfield

Speaker: Yevgeniya Amis
When: Thursday, February 16, 2023, 19:30 - 21:00
Where: Centennial Hall,
             288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield, H9W 4A4
Lecture in English followed by a bilingual question period

In 1910 L.L. Zamenhof, the creator of Esperanto, had his first and only trip outside Europe: to visit the International Congress of Esperanto in Washington, DC. But what very few people know also is that not only did he visit Washington, DC, but also Montreal and -- yes! -- Beaconsfield! Why Beaconsfield? Because some of his close relatives immigrated to Montreal in the 1880s and also had their summer residence in Beaurepaire - Beaconsfield. Yevgeniya will tell us all that is to know about the lost -- and found -- Zamenhofs of Canada.

Yevgeniya Amis speaks Esperanto every day with her husband Joel. She is a former editor of a socio-cultural magazine in Esperanto (Kontakto). She premiered recently as a playwright and producer of the play "1910" -- a "firsthand" story about Zamenhof's visit to Montreal that was put on stage during the World Esperanto Congress 2022 in Montreal. She and her husband, the Rev. Joel Amis (the incumbent of Christ Church Beaurepaire) were on the organizing committee of this World Congress (the second one in this part of the world... after the one in 1910 in Washington). Yevgeniys is working on a historical research into Zamenhof's family in Montreal that is planned to appear in a book form. She does many other Esperanto activities in her spare time (writing, editing, singing, etc.). She works for the National Film Board.

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Lecture by Donna George - Black Watch Window

THE FOREVER YOUNG CENTENARIAN:

The Black Watch Window of The Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul

Speaker: Donna George
When: Thursday, March 16, 2023, 19:30 to 21:00
Where: Centennial Hall,
       288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield, H9W 4A4
Lecture in English, followed by a bilingual question period

The Black Watch Window which dominates the whole sanctuary of The Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul was unveiled by General Sir Arthur Currie more than 100 years ago on Remembrance Sunday 1921. Even before the Armistice, there were plans for a massive memorial window to honour the staggering losses during the Great War of the church's two founding congregations as well as the unimaginable casualties of the church's Regiment, the Royal Highlanders of Canada.
Now known as The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, the Regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief is King Charles III.
Find out why the most famous element of the design, a Star of David, was not in the original approved “cartoon” for the Window and the story of the heroic Jewish officer who inspired the addition.
Learn more about the modest McLennan family who gifted the Window to the Church and so much more to Montreal and Canada.
Finally, discover why the “centenarian” Window seems forever young.

Donna George was educated at Sir George Williams and McGill Universities. She spent her career as an elementary and high school teacher in Montreal and then was the English Department Head at West Island College. Since 2018, she has been involved in historical research and writing projects for the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, including several published articles on the Black Watch Window.

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Lecture by Hélène Jasmin - Frédéric Back

Frédéric Back : une rencontre inusitée

Speaker: Hélène Jasmin
Qwhen: Jeudi 20 avril 2023, 19h30 à 21h
Where: Centennial Hall,
       288, Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield, H9W 4A4
Lecture in French, followed by a bilingual question period

Hélène Jasmin introduces Frédéric Back, artist and environmentalist, creator of « Crac » and « The man who planted trees » winner of two Oscars, Chevalier de l’Ordred du Québec and … friend.

Hélène Jasmin, author and speaker, was educated at UQAM in Sociology; at École de radio-télévision Pierre Dufault in Montréal; and Violin private class with Master Eugène Bastien, member of MSO. Her professional experience includes: freelance journalist for many newspaper, including her collaboration since 2020 to OUR CANADA, magazine by Readers Digest; freelance radio program host, Radio-Canada FM, Montréal; assistant curator for different exhibits; author of books on the history of theatre, arts and gardening.

She is co-owner and Vice-President of the enterprise La Belle Amérique specialized in cultural presentations and historical re-enactments.

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