Aviation in Canada: The Pioneer Decades (2008) provides overview of Curtiss flying school at Long Branch, near Toronto

Aviation in Canada: The Pioneer Decades (2008) by Larry Milberry is described as “the first general interest book dedicated to Canada’s beginnings in flight.” I became interested in the book as a result of receiving a JPEG file of a photo (see below) by Bob Lansdale of a photo of the “Y” Squadron air crew, Long Branch. […]

March 29, 2013 Globe and Mail article notes Long Branch has until now been slow in becoming gentrified

A real estate article by Carolyn Ireland published in the March 29, 2013 print edition of The Globe and Mail, and appearing a day earlier on The Globe’s website, is entitled “How to find the home you never thought you wanted.” [To access the article, click on the link in the previous sentence.] A sidebar […]

The Henderson Motorcycle Marque – Comment from C. O’Marra about c. 1927 photo at Etobicoke Creek

I’ve recently mentioned that Jim Carr had Googled the logo in the photo and had found Henderson Brothers. I’ve placed half a dozen books on motorcycle history on hold at the Toronto Public Library and look forward to reading more about Henderson Brothers. I’m very pleased, in the meanwhile, to share with you the following […]

Update regarding photo from about 1927 of radial bridge over Highway 2 at Etobicoke Creek

In a previous blog post I’ve mentioned we’re seeking details about a photo from about 1927 at Etobicoke Creek. This is the photo we are using to publicize one of the 2013 Jane’s Walks in Long Branch. Jim Carr of Toronto sent me an email on March 24, 2013 in which he mentioned: “I googled […]

Colleen O’Marra adds to information related to the 1917 “Y” Squadron Long Branch photo

Colleen M. O’Marra has shared the following comments, regarding the “Y” Squadron photo sent by Bob Lansdale, which I read with interest. She’s given me permission to post her comments: Absolutely wonderful photo of the Long Branch 1917 flying squad. Perhaps Lester Pearson (P.M. and Nobel Prize winner) is in this picture. He certainly may have trained […]

Murray Smith years ago lived at 184 Lake Promenade in Long Branch

The following messages, which I read with much interest, are from Murray Smith, a visitor to this website He’s given me permission to quote him. Long Branch Memories March 15, 2013 Jaan: It’s fascinating to see the brief correspondence about the old hometown that you’ve collected. On occasion I will search different areas I remember […]

Great Lakes experiencing ‘new stresses’ – CBC News, March 15, 2013

I have a particular interest in the Great Lakes in the preparations for the May 4 and May 5, 2013 Jane’s Walks in Long Branch that Mike James and I will be leading near the shoreline of Lake Ontario. The following headline, photo, and opening sentences are from a March 15, 2013 CBC News report […]

Milton Glaser (2000) argues that anything purposeful can be called an act of design

How can we contextualize design? A good place to begin is with the genesis of Nathan Glaser’s career as a designer. Cats and bats Milton Glaser remarks in Art is work: Graphic design, interiors, objects and illustration (2000) that he’s drawn to the observation and drawing of animals. “I realize,” he explains (p. 95), “that what […]