Sky-high concrete

Photo by Barry Wallace

These monster delivery rigs never fail to impress me when they show up on King City's residential streets and off-load concrete into foundation forms for new houses.   When I was a teenager I worked for a couple of summers on new house building sites in King and pushed my share of wheelbarrows full of concrete.   I remember pushing what I thought were incredibly heavy loads of concrete over rough and uneven ground, up wobbly, slanted planks and other narrow spots, always pleading with myself, under my breath, not to spill a load.   I was strong, but I only weighed 150 lbs.    I was wobbly, but willing.   It was all part of life's rich pageant ... and I made few bucks too.

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Barry Wallace   

Banjo is actually a 'banjolin', says Bob

             Bob Wallace

My brother, and one-time member of  'The King City Slickers', Bob Wallace, has informed me that what I thought was a banjo (in an earlier blog) is actually a banjolin - see picture at left.   Bob's been pickin' and pluckin' stringed musical instruments all his adult life.   In a message he sent to me he says "The banjo in your picture is a "Banjolin"...eight strings and quite popular in its day for mandolin players".   Bob, along with King City friends Russ DeCarle and Keith Glass were original members of the bluegrass band 'The King City Slickers',  during and after high school, in the 70's.   Russ and Keith went on to be the founders of the acclaimed Canadian  country swing band PRAIRIE OYSTER.

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Barry Wallace

New Church Street in Schomberg & Lloydtown

Photo by Barry Wallace

Road rebuilding nears completion

This year has been a long haul for residents of Schomberg and Lloydtown who live on, or drive regularly on Church Street, between Main Street in Schomberg and Rebellion Way in Lloydtown.   The street has undergone a major face-lift which includes a new road surface, new sidewalks, curbs, retaining walls, street lights, driveway connections and signage.   The whole project greatly compliments the historic homes, churches and trees along this charming and vital street.

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Barry Wallace

On the sideroads...Thanksgiving Day

Photos by Barry Wallace

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Barry Wallace

Red Oak Tree was planted as a commemoration

                                                                                                                             Photos by Barry Wallace

Here's something I hadn't noticed before, until I took a recent stroll at the King City Cemetery.   The tree is a beautiful Red Oak and the plaque at its base is self-explanatory.   They are situated at the north-west part of the cemetery, adjacent to the old dead-house.

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Barry Wallace

Wider 400 will expropriate King properties

 Photos by Barry Wallace

A full page ad in in the September 29th edition of the King Connection newspaper advises that parts of 20 properties in King Township will be expropriated in connection with the widening of the highway.   Six other properties will be affected on a temporary basis to allow for access by vehicles and machinery in connection with the widening, during the construction phase.   The notice particularly refers to improvements at 400/Lloydtown Aurora Road interchange, the Highway 400 overpass at 16th Sideroad and associated widening (see photos).   Free right of passage and easements would be in effect until the end of 2020.

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Barry Wallace

'King Remembers: ART and WAR' at museum

Photos by Barry Wallace

King Cultural & Heritage Centre presents 'King remembers ART and WAR' from October 3 to November 17 at the centre in Kinghorn, at 2920 King Road.   Artwork and artifacts will be on display, such as the WW1 12" shell casing (at left) that was assiduously engraved in a military motif, marking the end of the war.   While actual war artifacts are few, there is a wealth of information and photography to tell the story of the times and events.   The museum is open Tuesdays to Saturdays. 

Above left is a WW1 banjo , which features a very short neck; an advantage no doubt for someone moving from place to place under the stress of constant warfare.  Upper right shows a soldier taking some time, in a rustic setting, to write in a diary or perhaps a letter home. 
                                                                    

At left is one of the interactive activities in which visitors can participate by trying to answer questions about the times and events early in the last century.


At bottom, even the floor of the museum temporarily and artistically presents a somewhat stoical sentiment. 

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Barry Wallace