It was a magical period in my life, of which I have many fond memories. I write about them to share with you what I sense was a golden period in my life, a feeling I would like to recover in some way.
I loved reading this, Perry. There is an area in East London called Mile End so at first I thought you had moved to Canada from England until I started reading. I'm sad that you had to move because of the fire, it sounds as though you were very happy there and obviously it has stayed in your heart. Like you, I feel very lucky we had such carefree childhoods, I wouldn't swap my childhood for one now for all the tea. in China. I think we would have been friends, one of my first LP's was The Sound of Music, I used to play it over and over again until I knew the words of every song off by heart.
Thank you; I found out recently about Mile End in London. Maybe the area in Montreal is named after it, given Canada's close connections to Britain.
Yes, it was a tragedy for me to leave an area, especially the mountain and a school I loved. I adjusted in the new school and new area, but it was not the same. The Sound of Music was magical. The record. The movie. Of course, who knows how many times I saw it on TV. At least once a year for many years. As I did Heidi, also set in the mountains.
I liked Heidi too, I remember reading the books. I know a lot of place names went over the water, and believe it or not, Perry, there was a school round the corner to me called Bancrofts, it’s still there. It’s a small world.
This was lovely, and I liked hearing about what life was like when and where you grew up. I was especially struck by the thought of having children so supervised and structured these days compared with the rest and free days you describe. It is surely different. Thanks for this heartfelt ode to a place and time you love ❤️
Oh Perry, I absolutely loved reading this! Also, one of my favourite places we traveled was to Montreal a few years ago. I was enthralled with Le Plateau and Mt. Royal park and we walked everywhere. I wondered why so many wrought iron circular staricases to the homes? being that the weather was very cold, snow melting? I found it beautiful architecturally. We figured the snow could melt through the iron openings? maybe not pack down as much? Do you know what I am speaking of? Different to the walkups in New York City with standard steps. But enough of that - Your story took me back to my neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley, so eclectic, mixed race, nationality, etc. What I felt in this piece is "childhood." Freedom to just be a child. Ride your bike, appreciate an ice cream, look up to older kids, etc. I remember hearing the Sound of Music too. I love your description of hearing it blast through the windows. Our friends would come from Canada to visit us and their two daughters and I would put the album on the old console and "perform" the entire album, ending with us carrying the youngest to bed. "So long farewell...." Parents chatting, drinking, eating and watching us, smiling. All dressed quite nicely I remember. We had to have everyone's attention. Other British friends, locally, would come over too making friends with our Canadian friends. You reminded me of a perfectly imperfect good life. I could see it all in your story. I pray better for the kids of today. They don't feel free for as free as we are supposed to be. Too much influence and not enough naturalness of spirit. Thank you Perry! This was wonderful :) oxox
There is a historical reason for the wrought iron staircases in the front. Reasons include saving on heat, space considerations, the Catholic Church and the number of artisans in the City. For more detailed information, here is a link to an article:
Great description--"a perfectly imperfect good life." It was. Truly was. No, our children and grandchildren do not have half as much freedom and adventure or fun as we did growing up. Like acting out The Sound of Music or Mary Poppins with the record playing on the old wooden console.
Oh thank you for the link. It's funny but I tried to find out why and didn't really stumble onto anything. This makes sense. I'll take a look!
Many young people today can't accept standard imperfections. They've bought too much into instant gratification, which leads to lack of compassion, .. and when things go wrong, they casually estrange, leave, quit. Many elements for this. Breaks my heart. On the other hand I do know there is a lot of good going on with families. Many have moved to farms, teaching their kids to run free, care for the earth, animals, etc. That will continue in the story of the world. There will be parents hoping for better and kids experiencing childhoods. I think it's more work though. Thank you again for this Perry! ox
Wow. I really liked this Perry. A wonderful trip down memory lane. The memories are flooding back. Our childhoods were indeed magical. How wonderful that you met Johnny Jellybean. I would run home from elementary school to watch him at lunch. I remember seeing a movie about Atlantis that was serialized on that show. And Enzio Pesto who continually got wrapped on the back of the head with a crowbar. God, the things we remember. I know your neighbourhood a little bit. Fletchers field and the road up the mountain. The lookout over Montreal East. I remember I bicycled past Belmont Elementary one day as a teenager after crossing the Jacques Cartier and then following my nose, going nowhere in particular. I looked it up on street view. Ya, that's the one. The freedom we had as children was the key to our young lives. We were our own programmers. Now I never see kids. I never had them myself and sometimes wonder if they even exist. I see them in the school yards sometimes. They must exist somewhere outside of school but not in places I see them. Not regularly anyways. I imagine them in basements playing video games. I don't know. As a child, I had total freedom, "Go play outside!" albeit with geographic boundaries, which for the most we did not cross, and when we did, it was like exploring unknown continents. For the most part we stayed close by. The local park. A nearby creek. A favourite tree. Our imaginations drove us. Our only rule, be home by supper. And in the evenings, come in when the street lights come on. I am also a child of the moon landing. That summer my parents took my brother and I to Florida. We saw the rockets on the launchpads at Cape Canaveral. We stayed for a month, until launch day. We watched them take off and then raced home to Montreal while they raced to the moon. We arrived at our destinations together. Like you say, It was a moment. But there were so many then. Expo 67 was also huge. Woodstock too, in '69. I ached to go but was too young. I didn't have that much freedom. I remember too as a child going to the Parc La Fontaine. This too was near you. I remember a whale. You could walk inside it. Do you remember that? Interesting what you said about pop and being skinny. Yes, skinny as rails. All of us. I look forward to reading more. Until then, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Love the Mary Poppins ending; yes we learned that at Bancroft Elementary, along with A Spoonful of Sugar. Yes, Parc Lafontaine and the zoo. Our father took us a few times. Thanks for the reminder. We went to Expo 67 a few times (no season pass), but who could forget the monorail, the American biosphere, the water luge, the crowds from all over the world.
I remember Woodstock, but I was only 11. And the rules were the same. These are the boundaries, home for supper, home when it gets dark.
I too would race home to watch Jolly Jellybean. Later The Flintstones.
Last thing I want to bring up. The fireworks for June 24th and July 1 were at Fletcher's Field, right near our house. Our parents let us stay up late to watch. Spectacular.
I practically lived at Expo. I was the official Expo 67 tour guide of our house, which was packed with guests all summer long, mostly relatives, some who I had never seen before, or since. My Uncle from California, a decorated marine, had VIP passes for the American pavilion that got us in the back door so we didn't have to line up. A different experience from the normal wait. I saw most of pavilions that summer. A heady experience for an 11 year old.
That must have been spectacular with the cross on the mountain as a backdrop. Montreal is now one of the fireworks capitals of the world. I hear they do fireworks off the Jacques Cartier Bridge now. In the City of St. Lambert, we had them on Victoria Day Weekend and Canada Day. St Jean Baptiste wasn't really a thing back then, not for us anyways; just a marker at the beginning of summer vacations. Now Victoria Day isn't a thing anymore.
Times change. People change. Places change. My city is gone.
Beautiful Perry! If we don’t know where we came from then we don’t know where we are. I felt myself going back to the multicultural new immigrant city centre roots of my own journey. Greeks, Italians, Poles, all just trying to make a new life. The freedom of a childhood wandering through those smells and a sense of belonging. Bless you 🙏❤️
Might have a hilarious true tale or even two for you.. from your ‘hood in Montreal.. as a freelance ‘documentary shooter - commuting Toronto to Montreal & Meteo Media as ‘The Weather Network launched. Was drivin an ONTARIO Plated - Black Chevy Extended Cab 3/4 Ton 4x4 ‘full size box & arriving & departing Downtown Montreal at Rush Hour.. or 1st dropping my Producer home post shootin .. near foot of the Mountain.. not far at all from Dusty’s.. Parking the heavy Chevy ‘legally was a nothin burger - but ‘departure could get dicey haha..
You were boxed in, I imagine, which happened a lot to me. I once owned a station wagon and it would take a few bumper to bumper (all metal) taps to get out. That is what bumpers were invented for. Right?
there’s two versions to that one - the police report and the reality as told by living witnesses.. one of whom - my fave SoundMan was aboard that weekend & we’d positively nailed that shoot & well before 5 - he had a late hot date in TO - but that dude kissin my rear bumper & strolling into his house with a big grin - musta thought it was NASCAR with warm up & parade laps .. before ‘boogity boogity !
Left that giant sport ute of his in the intersection cuz he wuz parked illegally on the corner & blocking the PEDESTRIAN Crossing ! All my Shoot Crews knew George Thoroughgood & The Destroyers were deployed at FullMetal levels entering & exiting Montreal at Rush Hour .. but just for FUN.. Sean cranked it out extra early - for ‘mood’ k’now.. & all widows down as we uh - DeParted - laughed later when Producers wife reported ‘Nobody on their Porches Saw Anything’ when the gendarmes arrived - apparently the guy had a rep for bein a silly willy 🦎🏴☠️🇨🇦
George Thoroughgood & The Destroyers I remember them well. They were a party favourites at McGill Engineering Pub Nites back in the late 70s early 80s.
Enjoy the space race and memories of the men and women that lost their lives. Freedom is another word that we need on the moon, not blasting Lazar beams of destruction, but hope to see earth from a distance and see problem’s woe to correct for humanity.
To capture a glance and hear “The Eagle has landed” past times of hope for future mankind. Hippies Woodstock would come and music rule the airwaves. War shell shocked soldiers returned but welcomed no, strung out, yes. More wars around the world; space race led to satellites but peace so far but still battle star galacticas threaten. Idyllic times do they exist for kids today? Wonder why game boys videos rule the minds air waves scream sirens speak loud every day in cities profound. United Nations neighbors can get along. They just meet in shelters huddled together hoping there will be food on the floor. Answers are in the past, they just need less management, to be free to see sunshine with out fear of skin melting moments away and reducing youth to rubble. I find home is where you place your ultra violet protection hat.
All good; I like the humour and irony, which acts as a needed antidote to the toxins of faux seriousness and fear. This part especially: "Answers are in the past, they just need less management, to be free to see sunshine with out fear of skin melting moments away and reducing youth to rubble."
I love Montreal and need to go back again to explore. I walked the city a lot, enjoyed the pastries, and the colorful buildings and food!
The Mile End feel reminds me of growing up in Mumbai. I am sorry you had to see your home go. Know that it’s never replaceable, but you can have two homes you can love…it’s what I tell myself as an immigrant who wonders where’s home.
I just learned that my childhood home in Mumbai—a tiny apartment in a big building—will be razed before a new one takes its place. It’ll be safer for mom. It’s a 100-years old. But I’ll miss it. I’ll get to see it one last time this summer❤️
“…because it was a childhood devoid of exhausting programming & child management so common in later decades.” Bingo! That was us. And it’s so different today…90% of life is spent managing my middle schooler’s life and activities!
Your childhood home might be 100 years old and not have all the modern touches that we see today, but it is the place of memories, dreams and imagination. This is the same for me in Mile End.
Yes, too much managing. We still have a high school-aged son at home. Life is much different for him than it was for me. I had much more freedom and adventure.
Yes indeed, a different life! I am helping my son learn his Romeo and Juliet lines this morning for his English class followed by ancient history for his quiz tournament...too many activities;-)
I really enjoyed this piece Perry. It is interesting to learn about that time in Montreal from the point of view of a resident rather than the typical tourist narrative. I like how your mother described the neighbourhood as a League of Nations. I had a similar experience in the late 1970s in the Victoria Park area of Toronto. My friends were mostly first generation kids whose parents were from Jamaica and Lebanon. Good times!
Lovely essay, Perry. A pleasure to read. I thought it was interesting how you pointed out the role of hope at that time versus now. Thank you for writing, I look forward to more essays like this.
I loved reading this, Perry. There is an area in East London called Mile End so at first I thought you had moved to Canada from England until I started reading. I'm sad that you had to move because of the fire, it sounds as though you were very happy there and obviously it has stayed in your heart. Like you, I feel very lucky we had such carefree childhoods, I wouldn't swap my childhood for one now for all the tea. in China. I think we would have been friends, one of my first LP's was The Sound of Music, I used to play it over and over again until I knew the words of every song off by heart.
Thank you; I found out recently about Mile End in London. Maybe the area in Montreal is named after it, given Canada's close connections to Britain.
Yes, it was a tragedy for me to leave an area, especially the mountain and a school I loved. I adjusted in the new school and new area, but it was not the same. The Sound of Music was magical. The record. The movie. Of course, who knows how many times I saw it on TV. At least once a year for many years. As I did Heidi, also set in the mountains.
I liked Heidi too, I remember reading the books. I know a lot of place names went over the water, and believe it or not, Perry, there was a school round the corner to me called Bancrofts, it’s still there. It’s a small world.
Yes, small world, indeed, with many connections :)
This was lovely, and I liked hearing about what life was like when and where you grew up. I was especially struck by the thought of having children so supervised and structured these days compared with the rest and free days you describe. It is surely different. Thanks for this heartfelt ode to a place and time you love ❤️
Yes, I find the over-supervision and managememt of children a problem that has an easy solution. Thanks for your response to my article.
True. They need time to be bored and problem solve for themselves.
Thank you, Perry, this is a wonderful series and I hope you’ll continue to write more installments. It’s a captivating, moving memoir.
Thank you, Heidi; I have a few more installments planned.
Looking forward to more reading! Thank you, Perry.
Oh Perry, I absolutely loved reading this! Also, one of my favourite places we traveled was to Montreal a few years ago. I was enthralled with Le Plateau and Mt. Royal park and we walked everywhere. I wondered why so many wrought iron circular staricases to the homes? being that the weather was very cold, snow melting? I found it beautiful architecturally. We figured the snow could melt through the iron openings? maybe not pack down as much? Do you know what I am speaking of? Different to the walkups in New York City with standard steps. But enough of that - Your story took me back to my neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley, so eclectic, mixed race, nationality, etc. What I felt in this piece is "childhood." Freedom to just be a child. Ride your bike, appreciate an ice cream, look up to older kids, etc. I remember hearing the Sound of Music too. I love your description of hearing it blast through the windows. Our friends would come from Canada to visit us and their two daughters and I would put the album on the old console and "perform" the entire album, ending with us carrying the youngest to bed. "So long farewell...." Parents chatting, drinking, eating and watching us, smiling. All dressed quite nicely I remember. We had to have everyone's attention. Other British friends, locally, would come over too making friends with our Canadian friends. You reminded me of a perfectly imperfect good life. I could see it all in your story. I pray better for the kids of today. They don't feel free for as free as we are supposed to be. Too much influence and not enough naturalness of spirit. Thank you Perry! This was wonderful :) oxox
There is a historical reason for the wrought iron staircases in the front. Reasons include saving on heat, space considerations, the Catholic Church and the number of artisans in the City. For more detailed information, here is a link to an article:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/montreal-plexes-outdoor-staircases
Great description--"a perfectly imperfect good life." It was. Truly was. No, our children and grandchildren do not have half as much freedom and adventure or fun as we did growing up. Like acting out The Sound of Music or Mary Poppins with the record playing on the old wooden console.
And this saddens me.
Oh thank you for the link. It's funny but I tried to find out why and didn't really stumble onto anything. This makes sense. I'll take a look!
Many young people today can't accept standard imperfections. They've bought too much into instant gratification, which leads to lack of compassion, .. and when things go wrong, they casually estrange, leave, quit. Many elements for this. Breaks my heart. On the other hand I do know there is a lot of good going on with families. Many have moved to farms, teaching their kids to run free, care for the earth, animals, etc. That will continue in the story of the world. There will be parents hoping for better and kids experiencing childhoods. I think it's more work though. Thank you again for this Perry! ox
Wow. I really liked this Perry. A wonderful trip down memory lane. The memories are flooding back. Our childhoods were indeed magical. How wonderful that you met Johnny Jellybean. I would run home from elementary school to watch him at lunch. I remember seeing a movie about Atlantis that was serialized on that show. And Enzio Pesto who continually got wrapped on the back of the head with a crowbar. God, the things we remember. I know your neighbourhood a little bit. Fletchers field and the road up the mountain. The lookout over Montreal East. I remember I bicycled past Belmont Elementary one day as a teenager after crossing the Jacques Cartier and then following my nose, going nowhere in particular. I looked it up on street view. Ya, that's the one. The freedom we had as children was the key to our young lives. We were our own programmers. Now I never see kids. I never had them myself and sometimes wonder if they even exist. I see them in the school yards sometimes. They must exist somewhere outside of school but not in places I see them. Not regularly anyways. I imagine them in basements playing video games. I don't know. As a child, I had total freedom, "Go play outside!" albeit with geographic boundaries, which for the most we did not cross, and when we did, it was like exploring unknown continents. For the most part we stayed close by. The local park. A nearby creek. A favourite tree. Our imaginations drove us. Our only rule, be home by supper. And in the evenings, come in when the street lights come on. I am also a child of the moon landing. That summer my parents took my brother and I to Florida. We saw the rockets on the launchpads at Cape Canaveral. We stayed for a month, until launch day. We watched them take off and then raced home to Montreal while they raced to the moon. We arrived at our destinations together. Like you say, It was a moment. But there were so many then. Expo 67 was also huge. Woodstock too, in '69. I ached to go but was too young. I didn't have that much freedom. I remember too as a child going to the Parc La Fontaine. This too was near you. I remember a whale. You could walk inside it. Do you remember that? Interesting what you said about pop and being skinny. Yes, skinny as rails. All of us. I look forward to reading more. Until then, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Love the Mary Poppins ending; yes we learned that at Bancroft Elementary, along with A Spoonful of Sugar. Yes, Parc Lafontaine and the zoo. Our father took us a few times. Thanks for the reminder. We went to Expo 67 a few times (no season pass), but who could forget the monorail, the American biosphere, the water luge, the crowds from all over the world.
I remember Woodstock, but I was only 11. And the rules were the same. These are the boundaries, home for supper, home when it gets dark.
I too would race home to watch Jolly Jellybean. Later The Flintstones.
Last thing I want to bring up. The fireworks for June 24th and July 1 were at Fletcher's Field, right near our house. Our parents let us stay up late to watch. Spectacular.
I practically lived at Expo. I was the official Expo 67 tour guide of our house, which was packed with guests all summer long, mostly relatives, some who I had never seen before, or since. My Uncle from California, a decorated marine, had VIP passes for the American pavilion that got us in the back door so we didn't have to line up. A different experience from the normal wait. I saw most of pavilions that summer. A heady experience for an 11 year old.
That must have been spectacular with the cross on the mountain as a backdrop. Montreal is now one of the fireworks capitals of the world. I hear they do fireworks off the Jacques Cartier Bridge now. In the City of St. Lambert, we had them on Victoria Day Weekend and Canada Day. St Jean Baptiste wasn't really a thing back then, not for us anyways; just a marker at the beginning of summer vacations. Now Victoria Day isn't a thing anymore.
Times change. People change. Places change. My city is gone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thu8DWsirJo
Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders, another memory. Yes, saw fireworks off the J-C Bridge with the music a number of times. It's a spectacle!
Beautiful Perry! If we don’t know where we came from then we don’t know where we are. I felt myself going back to the multicultural new immigrant city centre roots of my own journey. Greeks, Italians, Poles, all just trying to make a new life. The freedom of a childhood wandering through those smells and a sense of belonging. Bless you 🙏❤️
Precisely; the freedom of wandering and taking it all in.
Might have a hilarious true tale or even two for you.. from your ‘hood in Montreal.. as a freelance ‘documentary shooter - commuting Toronto to Montreal & Meteo Media as ‘The Weather Network launched. Was drivin an ONTARIO Plated - Black Chevy Extended Cab 3/4 Ton 4x4 ‘full size box & arriving & departing Downtown Montreal at Rush Hour.. or 1st dropping my Producer home post shootin .. near foot of the Mountain.. not far at all from Dusty’s.. Parking the heavy Chevy ‘legally was a nothin burger - but ‘departure could get dicey haha..
Lovin your tale ! 🦎🏴☠️🇨🇦
You were boxed in, I imagine, which happened a lot to me. I once owned a station wagon and it would take a few bumper to bumper (all metal) taps to get out. That is what bumpers were invented for. Right?
there’s two versions to that one - the police report and the reality as told by living witnesses.. one of whom - my fave SoundMan was aboard that weekend & we’d positively nailed that shoot & well before 5 - he had a late hot date in TO - but that dude kissin my rear bumper & strolling into his house with a big grin - musta thought it was NASCAR with warm up & parade laps .. before ‘boogity boogity !
Left that giant sport ute of his in the intersection cuz he wuz parked illegally on the corner & blocking the PEDESTRIAN Crossing ! All my Shoot Crews knew George Thoroughgood & The Destroyers were deployed at FullMetal levels entering & exiting Montreal at Rush Hour .. but just for FUN.. Sean cranked it out extra early - for ‘mood’ k’now.. & all widows down as we uh - DeParted - laughed later when Producers wife reported ‘Nobody on their Porches Saw Anything’ when the gendarmes arrived - apparently the guy had a rep for bein a silly willy 🦎🏴☠️🇨🇦
George Thoroughgood & The Destroyers I remember them well. They were a party favourites at McGill Engineering Pub Nites back in the late 70s early 80s.
one should ‘find your groove re Montreal.. & George delivered ‘tone’ 🦎🏴☠️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyhJ69mD7xI
Enjoy the space race and memories of the men and women that lost their lives. Freedom is another word that we need on the moon, not blasting Lazar beams of destruction, but hope to see earth from a distance and see problem’s woe to correct for humanity.
To capture a glance and hear “The Eagle has landed” past times of hope for future mankind. Hippies Woodstock would come and music rule the airwaves. War shell shocked soldiers returned but welcomed no, strung out, yes. More wars around the world; space race led to satellites but peace so far but still battle star galacticas threaten. Idyllic times do they exist for kids today? Wonder why game boys videos rule the minds air waves scream sirens speak loud every day in cities profound. United Nations neighbors can get along. They just meet in shelters huddled together hoping there will be food on the floor. Answers are in the past, they just need less management, to be free to see sunshine with out fear of skin melting moments away and reducing youth to rubble. I find home is where you place your ultra violet protection hat.
All good; I like the humour and irony, which acts as a needed antidote to the toxins of faux seriousness and fear. This part especially: "Answers are in the past, they just need less management, to be free to see sunshine with out fear of skin melting moments away and reducing youth to rubble."
I love Montreal and need to go back again to explore. I walked the city a lot, enjoyed the pastries, and the colorful buildings and food!
The Mile End feel reminds me of growing up in Mumbai. I am sorry you had to see your home go. Know that it’s never replaceable, but you can have two homes you can love…it’s what I tell myself as an immigrant who wonders where’s home.
I just learned that my childhood home in Mumbai—a tiny apartment in a big building—will be razed before a new one takes its place. It’ll be safer for mom. It’s a 100-years old. But I’ll miss it. I’ll get to see it one last time this summer❤️
“…because it was a childhood devoid of exhausting programming & child management so common in later decades.” Bingo! That was us. And it’s so different today…90% of life is spent managing my middle schooler’s life and activities!
Your childhood home might be 100 years old and not have all the modern touches that we see today, but it is the place of memories, dreams and imagination. This is the same for me in Mile End.
Yes, too much managing. We still have a high school-aged son at home. Life is much different for him than it was for me. I had much more freedom and adventure.
Thank you for your pertinent comment.
Yes indeed, a different life! I am helping my son learn his Romeo and Juliet lines this morning for his English class followed by ancient history for his quiz tournament...too many activities;-)
I really enjoyed this piece Perry. It is interesting to learn about that time in Montreal from the point of view of a resident rather than the typical tourist narrative. I like how your mother described the neighbourhood as a League of Nations. I had a similar experience in the late 1970s in the Victoria Park area of Toronto. My friends were mostly first generation kids whose parents were from Jamaica and Lebanon. Good times!
Yes, they were. The resident paints a more complete and truer picture.
Lovely essay, Perry. A pleasure to read. I thought it was interesting how you pointed out the role of hope at that time versus now. Thank you for writing, I look forward to more essays like this.
Thank you; more essays are in the works.