19: Summer's End
Plus a pile of summer reading, and some free gifts when you subscribed to Canada's Weekly Newsmagazine during the 1980s.
(Looking for generic “summer” images in Substack produced this totally random shot of a pineapple sitting on a beach. Because every beach has a pineapple sunbathing on it, right? Right?)
As I write this, August is nearly over. I’ve been taking some downtime this month - partly due to burnout, partly due to the usual late summer freelancing lull. Taking a break was a good idea, as my brain has recharged and I finally got to do some long overdue tasks around my office - mostly an overdue culling of my personal library, which should benefit a few institutions this fall. There have been moments where I’ve panicked about the quieter workflow before reminding myself it’s late August and a lot of people are taking a break before fall gets into full swing.
For various reasons, I’m really looking forward to fall this year. Less heat. More socializing. Seeing if the self-confidence I’ve been working on has personal and professional results. Reassessing my career path and finding new, interesting opportunities. More walks with my wife around the city and elsewhere. More going to museums, hearing live music, embracing the culture of the city in ways I haven’t done in eons. More writing stories that are interesting to research and enlighten readers.
Perhaps it’s a sense I still haven’t quite gotten back on track in the post-COVID world. Perhaps it’s the sense that a milestone birthday is coming in the next year and the clock is ticking on my life that I want to pack as many experiences into it in however many years I have left - which are hopefully are many.
What’s New
Five stories for your reading pleasure published by TVO…
First up, back when there was an LCBO strike (remember the LCBO strike?) a look at the introduction of self-serve liquor stores in Ontario, a concept that wasn’t allowed until 1969. Ontario’s paternalistic laws towards booze are always a fascinating subject to cover, especially whenever attempts were made to build in shame factors.
Next, a look at a man once dubbed “the terror of the traffic courts” and “one of the foremost nuisances of our time”: Zoltan Szoboszloi, whose refusal to put on a shirt while sunbathing led to making that practice legal. The media loved covering this guy in the mid-1960s, but I can see why they stopped following him as time went on and his behaviour became more problematic.
During the Summer Olympics, I wrote about Toronto’s failed attempts to secure the games (along with one attempt by Hamilton). Writing this piece reminded me of the obnoxious lengths some officials would go to overcome their inferiority complex about Toronto not being world class enough.
August marked the 25th anniversary of the bankruptcy which ended the Eaton’s department store chain. One of those things that I marvel at through Toronto history is the high esteem the Eaton family was held in, and how the fourth generation destroyed it through their arrogance and less-than-stunning retailing skills, and how the family vaporized from the public consciousness.
Finally, I looked at the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Metro Toronto Zoo, which was…chaotic. Researching this story became a game of trying to predict what mishap or stupid human behaviour would happen next.
Curio Collection
I’ve been browsing the Internet Archive’s collection of Maclean’s magazines, looking for potential future story material or beefing up my existing files. I’m currently in the late 1980s, where I’m finding more than a few stories that are still relevant (unaffordable housing, global warming, Israeli/Palestinian conflict, the mystery of Oak Island, etc.).
There are also a lot of ads for the goodies that could be yours if you bought a subscription to Canada’s main newsweekly!
Maclean’s, July 18, 1983.
The only one I remember around our house was this tiny grey calculator I often used as a kid, because calculators were fun toys!
Here’s a sampling of some of those promotional items…
Maclean’s, September 30, 1985.
I wonder if anyone ever pretended this was a microphone to allow them to broadcast the latest “hot news” while on vacation?
Maclean’s, May 11, 1987.
This might be the most 80s of the ads I’ve stumbled upon so far. What do you think she might be listening to?
Maclean’s, August 24, 1987.
Alas, “chronoalarm” never became a widely used part of the English language.
Maclean’s, September 14, 1987.
Given the timing, I wonder if this was intended as a back-to-school/beginning of fall work season item?
Maclean's, December 21, 1987.
Just in time for Christmas, the fancier upgraded version of the little grey calculator we had. BTW, the cover story shown here was related to the 1990 film Bethune: The Making of a Hero, with Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren.
Maclean’s, January 18, 1988.
The background vaguely reminds me of the 1980s opening of The National - a subtle nod to reinforce the newsiness of Maclean’s?
Maclean’s, February 22, 1988.
It’s not a “Hot News” bag to go with the hair dryer? Still, it;s “Exciting” with a capital E!
Maclean’s, June 13, 1988.
Finally for now, a globe to mark Maclean’s 10th anniversary as a newsweekly. Given the changes the world would undergo within the next 5 years (the disintegration of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia being the big ones), this globe would have quickly become outdated.
Hire Me
Seeking a writer/researcher/editor for your latest project? I am always taking on new work, especially now that fall is here and summer lulls come to an end. Beyond my historical niche, which often leads in surprising directions, I want to expand my horizons and explore new ways of utilizing my skills. I am interested in working on general projects in the corporate, educational, and non-profit sectors where clear communication and presenting solid facts are required. Privately message me at jamiebradburnwriting[AT]gmail[DOT]com if I can assist you.
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That’s it for this edition. See you next time.