Category Archives: History
You know, the bus driver: a political career
Brian Mason reflects on his political life and the private life to come
Continue reading You know, the bus driver: a political career
Remember the beautiful souls of genocide
Edmonton to hold commemoration of Rwandan genocide in April
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Documentary reminds us to be neighbourly
Fred Rogers lived his life with the same kindness he portrayed in his show
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Jane’s Walk illuminates local history Spruce Avenue residents bring the past to life
History provided playwright with inspiration The Romeo Initiative tells a tale of deceit and love
A spy agency psychologically profiles a West German secretary and delivers her perfect man to embark on a romantic relationship with her to elicit confidential information.
Sounds fictional, right? But this actually happened during the Cold War and Trina Davies, a playwright who lived for years in Edmonton, found inspiration in history. Continue reading History provided playwright with inspiration The Romeo Initiative tells a tale of deceit and love
Saying goodbye after forty-four years Triumphs and legends were created on NHL’s best ice
The seven men reminiscing on the Coliseum ice last month worked together for over 30 years at the former home of the Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Oil Kings. Memories and laughter flowed. Continue reading Saying goodbye after forty-four years Triumphs and legends were created on NHL’s best ice
Honouring family and Remembrance Day My Father’s Cello brings popular wartime poem to life
One cello was destined to become a canvas when a 63-year-old musician with two cellos and an artist fresh out of high school regularly volunteered together at The Carrot. After all, Bernadette Alseth could not play both cellos simultaneously. During one of their conversations, Alseth asked the artist, Ariel Casapao Jr., to read John McCrae’s poem, In Flanders Fields.
Some people question the lasting importance of the poem. Those questioners may not know that Nov. 11, while honouring veterans of all wars, is really about the First World War. It commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front. The armistice took effect on the 11th month, 11th day, 11th hour, and 11th minute of 1918. Continue reading Honouring family and Remembrance Day My Father’s Cello brings popular wartime poem to life
Local historical home gets a facelift Achieving historical designation is giving the house new life
Knocking on the front door of the house 11425 95A St was tricky. The porch was being renovated, resulting in piles of broken concrete and earth. A deep pit was in front of the door. It would have taken the legs of an athlete to vault over the pit and knock. Walking to the back entrance gave me an opportunity to take in the historic exterior and find co-owner Sara Melli. Continue reading Local historical home gets a facelift Achieving historical designation is giving the house new life
Celebrate Canada Day with perspective Remember our history when celebrating our nation
Dominion Day was my favourite holiday as a child. My parents would load the family into the station wagon and we would drive off to watch the fireworks. That we were celebrating the founding of our nation didn’t factor into my jubilation. My joy was rooted in school being over for another year. That we were celebrating the founding of a nation that relied on a strategy of cultural genocide certainly didn’t cross my min Continue reading Celebrate Canada Day with perspective Remember our history when celebrating our nation