MONTHLY LETTER January 1956 THE CHRISTMAS DINNER ...

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architecture designed by him are brilliant combinations of modern feeling for
crispness and feeling for the age-old interest of building.
"Symbolism is good in such hands. Of particular interest are Mr. Aldwinckle's
symbolic drawings for the book Canada's Tomorrow, in which papers from the Quebec
Conference of 1953 are published. Note the taste of the education page, where the
young figure is comprised within the old tenderly; or the way triteness is avoided
in the page on Canada's world place."
After the wall decorations for Tropicornia are removed there will be an exhibit of
the Canadian Painter Etchers.
SIR ERNEST'S RETIREMENT FROM THE T.S.O.
Sir Ernest MacMillan ended his tenure as conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
at the final subscription concerts on April 9th and 10th. On both nights he was
given a heart-warming reception and Sir Ernest was visibly affected.
No doubt Sir Ernest's emotions were stirred even more than were those of many of
his auditors who had followed the artistic progress of the orchestra from its early
days, some of whom had dreamed of and worked for the establishment of such a band
as the TSO has become under its leader.
Among the presentations made to Sir Ernest was a portrait painted by Cleeve Home.
Among the interesting items concerning club members which the writer has
noticed recently is that Barney Sandwell is giving up book business and setting
up as a farmer, pigs and all. His new estate consists of 315 acres near Elora;
his chief interest will be raising beef cattle.
Another interesting item, gleaned from the press, concerns the marriage of
Mrs. Phyllis Ross Birks to Sir William McKie, organist of Westminster Abbey. Sir
William is a close personal friend of Healey Willan, and the music played during
the ceremony was a work specially written for the occasion by Dr. Willan.
An interesting light on the early education of Healey Willan, was given during
a talk on the radio which he gave on March 25th. He spoke of some of the incidents
of choir-school life with many flashes of his characteristic wit.
The gift of a portrait of the late L.A.C. Panton, President of the Club at
the time of his death, has been made to the Club by Mrs. Panton. It is the work
of R. York Wilson and will be included in the Club's portraits of presidents. The
Club gratefully acknowledges the gift.
A number of pictures of interest to members have been presented to the Club
by Mrs. Frank Gray, and are gratefully acknowledged.
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