TORONTO BRANCH - for United Empire Loyalists

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April's meeting brought us a serious note as Michael W. Lewis, Information Officer of Canadian Arctic
Gas Study spoke to us on the MacKenzie Valley Pipeline. This is a tremendous national project equalling
the building of the C.P.R. The estimated cost of the most expensive project is 5 1/2 billion dollars.
In May, Donald B. Kirkup, Public Relations and Research Director of A.E. LePage Limited spoke to us
on Toronto; Past - Present and Future, with a slide presentation. Mr. Kirkup is an avid student of the
history of Toronto and has published an illustrated book on this subject which he presented to each of the
Toronto members in attendance.
On Saturday June 8th, a Bus Trip and Picnic was held at Pioneer Village in Doon. The Bus passengers
enjoyed a tour of the Kitchener - Waterloo area before their arrival at Doon. After a picnic lunch, we
toured the very interesting buildings of the Village which re-create the history of Waterloo County, with
emphasis on its German Mennonite background. As well as the bus and carloads of Toronto members, we
were joined by a group of the Grand River Branch. In spite of a slight rain, the event was enjoyed by all.
1978 Autumn
T
he members of the Toronto Branch have enjoyed a wide variety of interesting and educational
programs during the first half of the year, commencing with a wine and cheese party in the
refurbished members' lounge in January, prior to the regular annual meeting.
In February the speaker was John Moil', Ph.D., Professor of History at Scarborough College, University
of Toronto, who gave a slide presentation entitled "History Behind the Iron Curtain". Various cities,
people and customs of the U.S.S.R. were depicted on the slides. Musical entertainment was provided by
Mrs. Arthur Staubietz, nee Dorothy Dingman, at the piano.
A Missionary Tour of India with the Rev. Frank West, S. J., as commentator was the March meeting's
agenda, followed in April by a trip to the Yukon illustrated with slides by the Rev. Dr. H. H. Hokeby-
Thomas.
In May the Toronto Branch played host to the successful three-day National Convention.
On Saturday June 9th Toronto Branch members joined with some eight from Governor Simcoe Branch
and Mr. Hugh Teed and family of New Brunswick at a picnic at the historic Todmorden Mills park in
East York. Mrs. E. H. Hargreaves and Mrs. J. C. Williamson organized games and gave out prizes. to the
winners. An enjoyable time was had by all.
It is sad to have to report that several members have passed away during the past year. Mr. W. H. Elliott,
Past President and Executive member, Mrs. V.E. Taplin, former Executive committee member, Mr.
Wyndham Johnston. Mr. Austin Smith. Mrs. Alfred Lunday, Mr. Charles Henry Grant of Edmonton,
Alberta, and Mr. George P. Wood on June 25, 1973.
1975 Spring
T
he October meeting was highlighted by the presentation of "Canadian National Exhibition films of
Yesteryears" by Michael Filey, noted Toronto historian whose column "The Way We Were" appears
weekly in the Toronto Sunday Sun. The first film of 1932 was black and white, made four years after
sound came to Canada; while the second one of 1947 was in colour.