I saw David Haig’s play Pressure at the Royal Alexandra Theatre on February 15th, 2023. The play stars Kevin Doyle as Dr. James Stagg, Malcolm Sinclair as General Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower, Laura Rogers as Lieutenant Kay Summersby, and Philip Cairns as Colonel Irving P. Krick.
Pressure is the story of the five days leading up to, and including the D-Day landings on June 6th, 1944. The play shows the conflicts between the American and British seniors advisors under General Eisenhower, specifically Dr. Stagg the Scottish meteorologist who argued that June 5th, the original day for the operation, known as Operation Overlord, would see bad weather despite a lengthy period of good weather and the opposite opinion of Col. Krick who doesn’t believe in the existence of jetstreams.
I also wrote about the retirement of the ALRV streetcars at the beginning of September 2019 in Toronto:
Followed by the retirement of the CLRV streetcars in December 2019:
The ALRV and CLRV fleet were replaced by the Flexity Outlook streetcars that started to enter service at the end of August, 2014 but would take five years to complete delivery due to delays in construction from Bombardier.
Mr. Onley was the 28th Lieutenant-Governor and served from 2007 to 2014. Prior to that he had a long career in journalism.
Queen Elizabeth II receives The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, The Honourable David Onley and Mrs Onley, at Buckingham Palace in London.Continue reading →
January 1st, 2023 marked the 25th anniversary of the City of Toronto becoming a ‘megacity.’
Prior to January 1st, 1998, the city we now call Toronto was comprised of six distinct cities: East York, EtobicokeNorth York, Scarborough, Toronto, and York. All those cities were in turn part of a regional municipality as well: Metropolitan Toronto (aka ‘Metro Toronto’ or simply ‘Metro’.)
On the 24th, Russia would invade Ukraine. The invasion would be ongoing throughout the year.
March
I attended the live HD broadcast of Don Carlos in the cimena on the 26th.
April
May
VIA Rail’s flagship train, the Canadian, went back to its’ pre-pandemic two day a week service. The first Wednesday departure of the train from Toronto departed May 4th. I was there to capture the departure.
I also attended some events during Doors Open Toronto at the end of the month.
June
In Ontario, a Provincial election occurred. The Progressive Conservatives under Doug Ford were returned to power with an increased majority.
On the 23rd, longtime owner and CEO of the WWE, Vince McMahon, retired after news reports that he had paid off female employees following relationships with them.
On October 8th, the Canadian Opera Company opened its’ first full season since the pandemic with a performance of The Flying Dutchman.
On the 11th, Dame Angela Landsbury passed away at 96.
In Ontario, municipal elections took place on the 24th. The election saw many mayors re-elected, including Bonnie Crombie, Patrick Brown, and John Tory as well as the election of former NDP leader and Leader of the Opposition, Andrea Horwath, as Mayor of Hamilton.
November
November 11th saw the first Remembrance Day services without restrictions sine 2019.
On the 21st, the Toronto Argonauts won a record 18th Grey Cup with a 24-23 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bomberrs in the 109th Grey Cup game from Regina. The Argonauts have now won the Grey Cup in seven straight appearances in the game, as well as winning all seven encounters in the Grey Cup game against the Blue Bombers. The Blue Bombers had won the previous two Grey Cups and were looking to create the first Dynasty since the Edmonton Eskimos won five straight Grey Cups from 1978-1982.
On December 4th, Bob McGrath passed away. He was famous for his work on “Sesame Street.”
Kirstie Alley would pass away on December 5th. She was well known for her roles on “Cheers” and in “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.”
Santa Claus Parades in many areas returned after a two year hiatus.
Argentina would win the World Cup on December 18th, beating defending Champions, France.
This year would also see the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, although most restrictions would be eased in many countries, with the return of normalcy in many countries.
I just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.
May you spend your Christmas with family and friends and have a wonderful and enjoyable Christmas.
The year is coming to a close and I would also like to thank everyone who has read my Blog this year for all the support as it is very appreciated. Thank you.
On November 24th, 2022, the Toronto Argonauts celebrated their win in the 109th Grey Cup game. The win marks their 18th title, the most of any team. They have also won the Cup in their last seven trips to the big game and beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers all seven times they faced them in the Grey Cup game.
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