SLNA News: Metrolinx Event; Youth in Leadership Program; Heritage Highlight

Metrolinx has invited our community to join them on June 17, 2021 at 6:30pm for a presentation and question-and-answer session about the Ontario Line transit project. The proposed Ontario Line "Corktown" stop (which the SLNA is advocating be called the "First Parliament" stop) will be located between Front and King streets at Berkeley.

The panel for this Q & A event will include experts from the project team. Live captioning will be provided.The virtual platform will allow participants to vote on the questions they would most like answered, and the order they will be answered will be based on popularity (total votes). Metrolinx encourages all to submit and vote on questions now. You may also submit questions during the meeting.
Attend



​Youth in Leadership Program

Local arts group Jamii is thrilled to have recently launched 4 new free programs designed for young girls ages 11-15 years of age. The programs will take place this Summer in our local St. Lawrence parks.

​Details are in the poster below (download for printing and posting). To register and learn more visit:  www.jamii.ca/laini

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​Heritage Highlight with Bruce Bell

By Local Historian, Bruce Bell
​
In 1820, in a back room of the popular Franks Hotel, the first theatrical performance made up entirely of local actors took place. That first play was a production of 'The School for Scandal' by Richard Sheridan.  Long gone, Franks Hotel stood facing Market Lane Park just north of Front between Jarvis and Church Sts.

Back then you entered the theatre using an outside staircase approximately where the household cleaning supply aisle of the Metro Grocery Store in Market Square stands today.

The first manager of Frank's was a Mr. Talbot and his wife Mrs. Talbot was the first star of the Toronto stage with her most famous role being 'Little Pickles' in a comedy of the same name. Women who appeared on stage in the late 18th and early 19th century often had to use the prefix 'Mrs.' rather than their first name so the audience would know that she was a “respectable” married women and had the permission of her husband to appear on stage.

FREE Tour of Old Town Toronto this Saturday June 19th at 10am

Join Bruce Bell and learn the fascinating history of Toronto's oldest neighbourhood from our First Nations past, to the French Regime, to the coming of the British, the rise of the Industrial Revolution and the decades that were to follow. Visit our first theatre site, the Great Fire of 1849 site, our first store, and many more!

When: Saturday June 19th at 10am 

Meeting place: Outside the front entrance to St. Lawrence Market - 92 Front Street E at Jarvis.

Reservations are a must! Email Bruce Bell at [email protected] to make a reservation or phone 647-393-8687 bewteen 9am to 5pm daily.

This group will be limited to 10 people. The tour will be outdoors and will last approximately 90 minutes -  rain or shine - all ages are welcome. Social distancing will be in effect and please bring a mask. Gratuities are welcome ($10 and $20 suggested).