Hong Kong Gardens/ Then and Now

Hong Kong Gardens at Royal York and Bloor has been here since 1947. This photo was taken in the late 50's. There's a nice Nash Metropolitan parked out front2010, I like the old neon sign better.

Sorry Cat

Sorry Cat sometimes makes an appearance attached to your clothes returned from the dry cleaners. They couldn't get the spot out but how can you be mad at a little cat?
Next time a big assignment is due and you're not ready, just show this instead.

Buffalo Bill Cody/The Mississauga Connection

This small Chapel at the N/E corner of Dundas and Cawthra in Mississauga was built in 1839 and still stands today. in 1847 Buffalo Bill Cody was baptized here.

Buffalo Bill later went on to be one of the founders of the Showmen's League.
From their website:

"On February 19, 1913 a small group of dedicated ‘out-of-doors showmen' met at the Saratoga Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. Those present agreed that the time had come for an international organization that would cater to the needs and wishes of carnival people everywhere, through good times and bad.

Thus, the Showmen's League of America was born.

Colonel William “Buffalo Bill” Cody, famed “Wild West” figure and showmen in his own right, was elected the group's first president.

The Elephant was selected as their symbol because “… the elephant in rampant with uplifted trunk, exemplifies in every particular the characteristics of the showmen, alter, sagacious, victorious.”

There is still a Toronto Chapter located on Beverly Street just south of College..

Advertisement for Buffalo Bill's Wild West show from the Toronto Globe 1885.

Lolita Daycare

This daycare in Mississauga seems quite oblivious to the connotations that their name may suggest. They have however been in business for a long time.

Gemini Firecrackers 1966

Front

Back

A few years ago I was lucky enough to find a case of these NOS vintage Martian Firecrackers. Sadly this is the last pack. These are probably circa 1965-66 and illustrate the fascination we all had with the space program. That's a Gemini space capsule on the front. These mini rockets are Cosmic Charged, Super Charged and Extra Loud!

Farmhouse Survivors/Now

A selection of farmhouses that have somehow survived. These are all located in Etobicoke.

Stoupy's Tavern/Royal Oak/ Then and Now

The Royal Oak Hotel at the corner of Dundas Street East and Ontario Street in 1945.

 

A more current view.

Later known as Stoupy's Tavern, the bar is now closed and used only as a film set.

Old New York Storefronts

More Old Signs Around Town

St. Lawrence Antique Market- Sundays

True Blue.

Green with Envy

Mauve Madness

Baby Blue
This week she had 2 tables set up.

More Old Motorbikes Around Town

These old Hondas are virtually bullet-proof and keep on going...

Gemini Spacecraft Model Contest

This ad ran on the back of comic books in 1967 and at the time seemed just too good to be true.
According to an old issue of Boys Life, the winner was Alen Hanshew (age 13) of Portland.
According to a Revell spokesperon:

To confirm for all, this was not a model. This was an actual replica that was produced by McDonald Douglas. The capsule had to be shipped via railroad direct to the museum. The prize was awarded via a sweepstakes type entry, in order to win; the winner had to agree that they would donate to a local museum for two reasons, (1) So that others may enjoy and (2) Because it had to be shipped via railroad direct to the donation site.

A little more trivia for you, the cost of building this kit was $5,000. In 1967 $5,000 was unheard for any type of prize. Plus the additional model kits that the kid won. At least the kid got to keep all the model kits as he watched his beloved capsule given away. There were numerous glitches along the way in production. At the last minute McDonald Douglas said they would not provide the capsule. However, after seeing all the press etc, they some how found a way to complete the project and deliver to the museum.

The capsule's current location is in the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

More Student Caricatures/Sheridan ATVF

Mike Nesbitt

Owen Devaney

Dave Hvizdos

More cruel and unflattering drawings of former students from Sheridan's ATVF Program.

New York Diner/Tribeca

This little diner, situated in Tribeca NY  may not be much to look at from the outside but the food is good and the ambiance is as well.

Old Mimico Barber Shop

This old barber shop on the Lakeshore in Mimico has been closed for several years but the owner (the barber's son) keeps it preserved as a tribute to his late father. It's been used in a number of period films. I put the vinyl graphic on the windows.