Remembrance week talk at 408 & 437 Wing on Great Escape

The RCAF 408/437 Wing welcomes one of its members to speak on Remembrance night. On Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013, Ted Barris will talk about and present visuals from his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!. As always, he will have copies of his books for sale and autographing.

When: 6:30., Tuesday, November 12, 2013.

Where: Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 527, 948 Sheppard Ave. W., Toronto.

Contact: Jack Lumley, program chair, 416-449-9389, lujack_1@sympatico.ca

Barris brings Great Escape talk to Aircrew Remembrance Saturday

Longtime member and speaker for the Aircrew Association, Ted Barris returns to speak to the membership. On Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, he’s back to talk about and present visuals from his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!. As always, he will have copies of his books for sale and autographing.

When: 10 a.m., Saturday, November 9, 2013.

Where: Toronto Police Association, 180 Yorkland Blvd., North York, Ontario.

Contact: Jack Lumley, program chair, 416-449-9389, lujack_1@sympatico.ca

Principles worth competing for

Diane Jones (Konihowski) in full flight over hurdles early in her career. University of Saskatchewan photo.

She said it was one the most difficult decisions of her life. She weighed every option. She considered the reactions of her peers. She wondered what other Canadians might think of her, that her choice might turn fellow citizens against her at the time she most needed their support. She agonized over it as she prepared for perhaps the greatest opportunity of her career.

“I considered giving up my Canadian citizenship,” she told me back in the 1980s at her home in Saskatchewan.

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Kingston Aviation Christmas dinner features Great Escape talk

In past guest appearances at the annual Kingston Aviation Christmas dinner, Ted Barris has spoken about the Battle at Vimy Ridge and the instructors of the BCATP. On Saturday, November 30, 2013, he’s back to talk about and present visuals from his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!. As always, he will have copies of his books for sale and autographing.

When: 5:30 p.m., Saturday, November 30, 2013.

Where: The Italia Club, Kingston, Ontario

Contact: Lois & Dave Tisdale, 613-548-3753, loisdave@kingston.net

Morning delight

Sanitary truck at work, photo Miller Waste Management.

It’s one of the best feelings of the week. In our part of town, it usually happens Tuesday. I get up pretty early each day it happens. I make sure everything’s just so; sometimes I partly prepare things the night before. Then, about the middle of the morning, (since I’m on holidays this week, I’m actually around to see it happen) there’s that visit. There’s that telltale engine roar and sudden stop in front of my house. Sometimes it comes with a friendly wave.

“Have a nice day,” the guy in the Miller Waste truck says.

“You too,” I answer.

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The true story of the Great Escape for GM Retirees

Ted Barris has spoken at least half a dozen times to the G.M. Salaried Retirees Association of Oshawa and area. On Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, Barris returns, to talk about and present visuals from his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!. As always, he will have copies of his books for sale and autographing.

When: 1 – 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013.

Where: Woodview Park Community Centre, 151 Cadillac Avenue North, Oshawa, Ontario

Contact: Joe Rubel 905-728-4060 jrwrubel@rogers.com

Barris returns to Oshawa Kinsmen for Great Escape talk

The Oshawa Kinsmen have invited Ted Barris back for a fall stop. On Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, Barris returns, to talk about and present visuals from his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!.

Where: 420 Wing building, at Oshawa Airport (Stevenson Road)

When: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013

Contact: Todd Doyle, 905-243-0703, tdoyle8603@sympatico.ca

Barris tells Great Escape story to University Women (Durham)

On Wednesday, March 12, 2014, the Canadian Federation of University Women – Durham Region – has booked Ted Barris for a talk and visual presentation based on his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!.

When: 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 12, 2014.

Where: Kingsview United Church, Oshawa, Ontario.

Contact: Pat Boyd, CFUW speaker chair, 905-434-1609.

Barris reveals secrets of Great Escape in Whitby Library appearance

Earlier this fall, journalist/broadcaster Ted Barris interviewed fellow author Terry Fallis about his most recent book in front of an audience at the Whitby Public Library. On Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, Barris returns, to talk about his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!.

When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013.

Where: Whitby Public Library, 405 Dundas St. W., Whitby, Ontario.

Contact: Andrea Adair Tippins, 905-668-6531, aatippins@whitbylibrary.on.ca

Trafford and Barris repeat Great Escape presentation

Just in case you missed their talk at the Barbara Frum Library, earlier this week, Tyler Trafford and Ted Barris are repeating a joint presentation about their respective books on a near mythical story of the Second World War – The Great Escape. Over a luncheon, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, Barris and Trafford will speak at the main Toronto Public Library. Trafford’s new book Almost A Great Escape explores the love affair between his mother and Great Escaper Jens Muller. Meanwhile, Barris’s new book The Great Escape: A Canadian Story illustrates that the most famous mass breakout of POWs during the Second World War wasn’t full of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage.

When: 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013.

Where: Toronto Public Library, 789 Yonge St., Toronto.

Contact: Joseph Romain, Toronto Public Library, 416-395-5577,  jromain@torontopubliclibrary.ca