Category: Ontario

19th Century Toys & Giveaway

6/7/2017

Christmas 1960, Anita Mae Draper and Bonnie, Camp 5, Stevens, Ontario

For the record, the above photograph of me and my sister is about 50 years later than the ones you'll find over at Heroes, Heroines and History where I'm showing photographs of children and their late 19th century toys. Why? Because I want to show you some of the toys that can be found in the toy corner of my hero, Adam Hazelton's Emporium in my novella, Love in Store, which is contained in The Secret Admirer Romance Collection. And yes, my post includes a little tea set, although probably smaller than the one pictured above.

And I have a #giveaway of a copy of The Secret Admirer Romance Collection going on until midnight Sunday June 11th, but you have to leave a comment on my Late 19th Century Toys - and a Giveaway post to be entered.

Historical Haying Season Photo

6/5/2016

I'm blogging about Alberta Ranch Summer Haying over on the HHH blog today so if you're interested in seeing how ranches and farmers put hay up back in 1895-1900, you might want to pop in and take a look.

I'm including my own experience working a hay cutter and rake on my grandparents' farm back when I was 12 and other than changing the horses in for a tractor, there wasn't much difference in the way things were done.

Here's the image I used of me on the Heroes, Heroines, and History post. It's the same one I use on my website Long Bio page except I made it B&W to fit in with all the other images on the post.

Anita Mae Draper nee Muir, Ryland, Ontario

Pamila Draper White - Upper Canada Heroine

12/5/2015

Visit me at the Heroes, Heroines and History blog as I introduce you to a Draper ancestor who defended her Upper Canada home and family against half-drunk men using only a pair of tongs.

The question I'm asking at the bottom of the post is:
Do you have someone in your family tree that deserves to be talked about in today's 21st century? Please share.

A Plug Hat You Say?

10/5/2015

Nathan Gager 1787-1872

Bill Atkinson, barber, 1917. Courtesy of the Chapleau Public Library.

Today I'm blogging at Heroes, Heroines & History about my search to find what was meant by a plug hat back in 19th century York County, Ontario.

So if you're interested in period clothing, fashion, etc, you should check out Plug Hat - Bowler or Top Hat?

The post came about while researching our family history, aided by my recent trip to Ontario. If you get a chance to dig into your family history, take it because you'll find all sorts of unique stories that are waiting to be told.

Hope and the Sharon Temple

8/5/2015

The Sharon Temple, 1860 glass negative. Courtesy of Ontario Archives © Queen's Printer for Ontario

The glass negative above is held at the Ontario Archives and is said to be the oldest image of the Sharon Temple. The lines you see are the cracks in the glass and while I've seen other images that have been retouched to cover the cracks, I believe seeing it like this adds a unique dimension to this grand temple built by people who considered themselves as plain.

I'm blogging about a breakaway Quaker sect known as the Children of Peace over on the Heroes, Heroines and History blog today.

This first post goes into the history of the Children of Peace and their founder, David Willson. Most of the images are in historic except where needed to show detail.

Part 2 will be posted August 19th on the Inkwell Inspirations blog. This post will shown the photos taken while I toured the Sharon Temple Museum and grounds during my recent trip to York County, Ontario.

Part 3 will be posted on Sept 5th back on the HHH blog where I'll talk share the history of David Willson's music and the Sharon Temple Band. I have photos of the original barrel organs that are still in use, one being the oldest of its kind in Canada, and talk about the unique acoustic sounds of the Sharon Temple.

So head over to www.hhhistory.com/ and see what some fascinating Americans did when they arrived in Canada.

Meet Me at the Courting House?

7/5/2015

Undated Postcard: Courting House on Lake Simcoe. Courtesy of the Georgina Pioneer Village Archives.

I've just returned from my month-long trip to Ontario and one of the treasures I discovered and want to share is the Jackson Point Courting House on Lake Simcoe's Lake Drive in Georgina.

And yes, the Courting House is still there! And on today on the Heroes, Heroines and History blog I'm giving the history of this remarkable structure as well as the efforts to preserve it.

So what do you think... was it worth saving?

Write Canada Result

6/17/2015

Novotel North York Hotel, Toronto, June 2015

Last weekend I attended the Write Canada conference where one of my stories, Here We Come A-Wassailing, was up for a Word Guild award.

To my deepest chagrin, I didn't win.

But I enjoyed seeing the satisfaction, disbelief, and tears of those who did, and am sending out another hearty CONGRATULATIONS! to all the winners.

The above photo shows the Novotel Hotel which hosted the conference, but it's what's on the other side of the picket fence that's the subject of my Inkwell post, Travel Gems and World Knit in Public Day.

Note: People who knit and crochet DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS POST!

The post is also the public unveiling of my new image, taken at the conference by award-winning photographer, Stephen Woo.

Murdoch's Shipwreck in Georgina

3/18/2015

West facing window of St George's Anglican Church, Sibbald Point, Georgina, Ontario, Canada

If you like history, genealogy, cemeteries, old churches, Ontario, and Murdoch Mysteries, then I hope you'll join me over at Inkwell Inspirations where I'm posting about the making of Murdoch's episode, Shipwreck.

My post, Murdoch on Location in Georgina, talks about the historic locations of Sibbald Point and Sutton where the Shipwreck episode was filmed, and also explores the history of the beautiful stained glass window created by the daughters of Upper Canada's Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe and his wife, Elizabeth.

I also add in the genealogy aspect showing who in our family tree is buried in the famous cemetery where some of the scenes were shot.

Combining all these elements made the post a joy to write.

I'm sending out a shout-out to the Georgina Pioneer Village & Archives facebook page for the Feb 25th heads' up notice about the Shipwreck episode. Thank you!

Early 1900 Summer Fun Pictures

8/5/2014

If you're interested in photos of Early 1900 Summer Fun, you may want to zip over and check a blogpost I have up on the CFHS blog today.

This is just one of many photos I've posted for your enjoyment:

1910, Buffalo Lake near Stettler, Alberta. Courtesy of the UofA's Peel Library of Prairie Postcards

Today's question is: What's your favorite summer fun activity?

Blogging at CFHS about Beach Fashion

7/5/2014

Five Women in Bathing Suits, St. Mary's, Ontario. Photo courtesy of St. Mary's Museum and OurOntario.ca

Today I start a new adventure over on the Christian Fiction Historical Society blog where you can visit me on the 5th of every month.

As the above photo shows, my post this month is Photographs: Early 1900 Beach Fashions. Come on over and see what people wore a hundred years ago. I bet they'd get a shock to see what some people wear today!

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