British Columbia physician John Sebastian Helmcken had a lot of experience to draw upon when he sat down to write his memoirs in the 1890s. For starters, he had travelled the world, logging some 45,000 miles by sailing vessel. And later, while working as a surgeon for the Hudson’s Bay Company, he had piled up countless miles of rough wilderness travel by canoe and horse. In still another role, he was instrumental in B.C.’s decision […]
Articles by Author
Canada Corner
Ferry Land
It is a sun-drenched morning and any minute now the 20-metre motor vessel Maple City, owned by the Toronto Harbour Commission, will churn away from a dock on Toronto’s waterfront. On board are 15 walk-on passengers, three cars and a delivery truck, all bound for the Toronto City Centre airport on Toronto Island, a 90-second trip away on the world’s shortest ferry run.
Some 2,000 kilometres to the northeast, the flagship of Marine Atlantic’s […]
January 1, 2005, by Valerie Knowles
Canada Corner
The Haven Covenhoven
In 1890, the legendary railway baron Sir William Van Horne stopped off at the resort town of St. Andrews in the southwestern part of New Brunswick. He had come to negotiate a railway lease, but while soaking up the sights of the Loyalist town he fell in love with the beauty of Passamaquoddy Bay and its islands, so much so he decided to build a summer home on Minister’s Island, just around a point from […]
November 1, 2004, by Valerie Knowles
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Books And Publications
Two books by Russ Martin. Secret Zapping of Planet Earth: Main cause of cancer, leukemia, genetic mutation pandemic is revealed in this book. Human Flight from Balloon to Moon to Jumbo Jet: Before and after the Wright Bros. (approx. 228 colored pictures). Trafford Publishing 2657 Wilfert Rd. Victoria BC V9B 5Z3, 1-888-232-4444, 604-535-7397.
Military Memorabilia
WANTED: POCKET & WRIST WATCHES— Any condition: Military, Rolex, Railroad, Omega, Patek any old watches. Call or email Kevin. Toll-free 1-877-765-3999 or kevin@harmonyjewellers.ca.
MASYA HOLDINGS – CANADA’S CHOICE FOR MILITARY HISTORY DVDs— Specializing in military history DVDs, we carry a large inventory of titles in stock. View our catalogue on-line, www.masya.ca.
Miscellaneous
ATTENTION: ALBERTANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY— Do you have any old military books laying around the house? Why not think of donating them to The Military Museums. Located in Calgary, The Military Museums is Canada's second largest tri-service military museum. The Military Museums Library and Archives has recently expanded its facility and is building up its military book collection for use by present and future generations. If you or your loved ones have military books please consider donating them to the Museum. The Archives are also interested in preserving personal histories of Canadians. We would greatly welcome diaries, letters, photographs, scrapbooks, as well as personal remembrances in non-paper form -- such as tapes, home-videos, films and negatives, or digital media -- in order that following generations may learn what Canadians experienced. If you would like to contribute, please contact John Wright at The Military Museums Library and Archives, 4520 Crowchild Trail SW, Calgary, AB T2T 5J4, 403-974-2831, jpwright@ucalgary.ca.
Travel
CANADIANS AT WAR–WW I & WW II BATTLE TOUR— May 28 – June 10, 2009. Hosted by The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Association. Relive the triumphs and tragedies of our brave Canadian soldiers during the great wars of the 20th century. Visit Ypres, Passchendaele, Beaumont Hamel, site of Battle of the Somme and Vimy Ridge, the scene of Canada’s greatest victory. Tour the beaches at Dieppe and Juno, finishing with a visit to Paris. Contact Ellison Tours 1-800-265-7022, vacations@ettravel.com.
