With the COVID-19 pandemic now more than a year old, CBC Ottawa is trying to inject some life into those stale neighbourhood walks by having local experts guide you through their communities. This week: the Franco-Ontarian history of Vanier.
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In this week s edition of Rewind Robert Smith takes readers back to the Golden Age of harness racing at the two major Raceways in Montreal. The weekly action, the intensity of competition and the level of talent both human and equine was virtually without parallel. He recalls some special happenings from way back when, and hopes this rekindles memories for those who remember and also shows what a great racing mecca both Blue Bonnets and Richelieu Park once were.
This week s piece takes the form of three separate short stories from the circa 1960 era along with a few old photos that accompany each one. These recaps help to illustrate the high level of racing that was being conducted in Montreal at this time and for many years following.
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This week s Rewind is the monthly feature
Years Ago and Robert Smith has selected a few old pictures and short clips related to the decade of the 1970 s. That means that names and faces from 40 to 50 years ago will be a part of this week s offering. My hope is that many of you will find an item or two that brings back a happy memory from the past.
1970 - Grise On The Rise
Photo courtesy of Montreal Gazette
July 1970 - Followers of the sulky scene at the big Montreal tracks are beginning to notice a rising star on the horizon and his name is Serge Grise. The now 26-year-old sulky sitter just scored his first hat trick of the season at Richelieu Park over the weekend. His victories came behind Lonesome Valley, Beaute Coloniale and Devil Mir and vaulted him into the top spot in the driver s standings based on his 52 wins. He seems almost certain to reach at least 100 victories for the season which wil
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In this week s Rewind Robert Smith recalls the career of a great trotting gelding from yesteryear named Homestead Dan and how he helped advance the careers and the lives of both his owner and long time trainer-driver. I am pleased to have some good pictures and first hand information to assist in putting this story together.
An artist s rendering shows Homestead Dan, the champion trotting gelding in motion at Montreal s Blue Bonnets track in 1958 with his trainer and driver Jack Gordon in the sulky
The long and colourful history of Canadian harness racing does not belong to a precious few. It might be likened to a huge patchwork quilt with each tiny square added by a separate person or family. From the smallest deed to the exploits of the world champions, everyone who ever raised, raced or owned a horse has contributed in some way. My story today is about a couple of fellows who were about to leave a p
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Even COVID-19 coupled with the fire that destroyed a beloved sugar shack can’t stop the sap from flowing at Vanier’s unique urban sugar bush.
Vanier Museopark’s scaled-back sugar season includes a new video about tapping the trees at Richelieu Park and a chance for a limited number of families to try it themselves, plus a host of virtual activities.
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“Even if the walls are not here this year,” the tradition goes on, said Aurélie Marié, the francophone museum’s manager of marketing and communications.