July 2008 - Nr. 7
Dick reports...
Midsummernight
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| The Golden Keys | |
Dancing into a summer's night |
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| ...and dancing with dad | |
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Of course the Almrausch Dancers provided additional
entertainment including an invitation to the audience for
joining them in a traditional folk dance. That is always great
entertainment.
| The Almrausch Dancers | |
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Regina’s ‘Dirndlstube’ had set up their display of beautiful
dresses and appropriate accessories and there seemed to be quite
a bit of interest, but not as much as before. The older
generation is passing on and the younger ones aren’t that eager
anymore.
And then there was another bit of excitement: A police car
pulled up in front of the building and the young policewoman,
that was driving it, explained that they had received a 911 call
from the Hansa Haus. It appeared to be a prank since no one
seemed to know about it. Another police cruiser arrived as well,
and after checking out the premises to see if anything was
amiss, they found nothing wrong and left.
Blondes have more fun…
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| Mr. CHIN contestants | |
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| Lenny Lombardo in front of Miss CHIN bikini contestants | |
…or so it seems. That was the
impression I got when the judging was going on at the Miss
Bikini International contest at the
CHIN Picnic in Toronto. Every time one of contestants was asked her particulars the
audience cheered – but loudest when the girl was a blonde. The
final result: Haylie McCulloch – a blonde - was crowned Miss
Bikini 2008!
The runners-up were Jersey McIntosh and Emilia Marinova (one of
them was a blonde too)
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| The winners | |
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I should of course also mention the Mr. CHINs : George
Chatjaveridis made the top spot and Vince DelMonte and Omari
Henry were the runner-ups.
But it was also the other entertainment that drew the thousands
of visitors to the 42nd Chin Picnic at the CNE Band
Shell, and there was plenty of it, some even imported from
Italy.
One of the entertainers was making and juggling pizza
dough on stage and launched the finished pizzas into the
audience – for a very messy, albeit appreciated, landing of
those unusual and moist frizzbys.
The weather also cooperated nicely without rain but a good cloud
cover to protect the visitors from sunburn – although the sun
did peek through occasionally.
| At the petting zoo | |
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How did this tradition begin? CHINs founder, Johnny Barbalinardo
Lombardi was born on Trinity Street – behind the Eaton Centre –
on a cold day in December 1915. He studied music as a child and
taught himself to play the Harmonica, Bugle and Trumpet and
later on joined a number of bands and also started his own.
Finally he joined the Benny Palmer Band in London, Ontario.
At the age of 12 he also – at $2.00 per week - joined the staff
of the Italian weekly "La Tribuna Italo-Canadese" and worked his
way up to back-page editor where he wrote his own column
entitled the ‘Snipper-Snooper’, like the famous Walter Winchell.
In 1942 he joined the Army for service during WW II in France,
Belgium, Germany and Holland where he also earned a number of
awards and decorations. He was one of the last Canadians to
leave Holland in 1946.
Back in Toronto he then started a grocery store at College and
Manning when he noticed that immigrants from Italy were settling
in Toronto in vast numbers. He imported specialty items from
Italy for this growing ethnic community – thing they were
familiar with from back home.
The grocery business grew and prospered. It moved to the corner
of Clinton and College and then to 637 College Street, Toronto.
His career as an impresario started in the early 50’s with
Italian singers brought over from Italy for concerts at Eaton’s
College and Bay store, Maple Leaf Gardens, O’Keefe centre and
Roy Thomson Hall. Jonny produced Italian radio programmes on
CHUM and the CKFH to promote his supermarket, concerts and
community events. Realizing he needed more radio time he applied
for a multicultural radio station – and CHIN was launched in
1966.
In an article about his life on the CHIN website it says:
"Johnny Lombardi symbolized an era that is irreplaceable, an era
that shall not pass this way again. Johnny lived and worked
throughout his 86 years of life with unrelenting energy and
enthusiasm, until his passing on March 18, 2002 within the
boundaries of ethnic Toronto, downtown at College and Grace
streets, giving him a razor-sharp insight into the pulse and
heartbeat of the multi-language communities which CHIN Radio
serves."
Johnny was the founder and host of the CHIN International Picnic
– the world’s largest free picnic – which has now been
celebrated since 1966.
He also remained a very active with his radio station, as a
concert promoter and impresario, his Italian TV programs on City
TV, an active fund-raiser for several charities including the
Hospital for Sick Children and will forever be remembered as the
pioneer of multicultural broadcasting, musician, Canadian
soldier, impresario, father, grandfather, husband and friend to
all who knew him.
His many medals and awards are testimony to his extensive
achievements and include the highest award Canada can bestow:
The Order of Canada.
His son Lenny is now the president of CHIN Radio and
automatically the host of the CHIN Picnic. He does seem to have
things well in hand – judging by the success of this and past
picnics and the dedication of his staff. He is aided by his
sisters: Theresa, VP Administration and Donina as VP for the TV
operations.
Many of the visitors to the picnic brought food of their own –
well, it was a ‘picnic’ – but there was also enough food in
kiosks throughout the grounds to provide everything from
Spaghetti to Sicilian ice cream. One of the owners told me that
he was confident that he would make money – even though the
booth space cost him $4000.00 to rent initially.
Happy Birthday Canada
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| Canada Day at Queen's Park |
As usual on this Canada Day the
swearing in of the new Canadian Citizen takes place at Queens
Park. It was a sombre, but also a happy occasion, as 61 new
Canadians from 24 countries received their Citizenship papers.
Of course it is also an opportunity for people to take advantage
of the variety of entertainment for young and old provided on
the grounds and the main stage all through the rest of the day.
| Face painting | |
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| Games & fun | |
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There were more celebrations at Harbourfrontcentre with the
Manitoba Chamber Orchestra leading the entertainment on the
Sirius stage at 2pm. Family Bunch Dance Party at Lakeside
Terrace with lots of kids and balloons – hosted by a Donut with
a Moose, a Mountie and special guest.
| Fun & Games at Harbourfront | |
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The Fort York Drums were on the Toronto Star Stage at 3pm
followed by Jackie Richardson & The Cougars . Later there was
the Canadian Fiddle, Great Canadian Campfire, Plants and Animals
– in the Brigandine Room, Cana Drum Journey of the Drums on the
Star Stage and Basia Bulat and Martha Wainwright on the Sirius
Stage and much more. All this in addition to the regular fare
offered at Harbourfront.
Some of you may have been lucky to experience the fireworks at
Ashbridge’s Bay. I watched it from my window at home – I was
bushed.
As always
Dick Altermann
