In September of 1965 Two Country Bumpkins from Nova Scotia arrived in the VERY big city of Toronto by train.  As we walked out of Union Station onto Front st. we looked up, up, up upon the largest building we had ever seen, the Royal York Hotel.  It was something out of this world.  What do we do now?

We contacted DeVry Tech as we were surposed to do upon arrival to find out.  We were told to take a taxi to the school. Our first problem!  We were told from people at home to not take taxis as they will cheat you by talking the long way to where you needed to go so it will cost more.  You see we had very little money when we arrived.  Well not knowing how else to get there we took the cab.  Knowing the city now I do not think they ceated us, but we were sure they did back then.

Once registered we were sent to the home shown in the picture.  This house was in North York just off of Wilsonheights Blvd.  This is where we spent our first night in Toronto in a small bedroon with two twin beds.

After settling in we went out to explore the area.  We walked down Wilsonheights Blvd to the larges highway (401) we had ever seen. Looking out at this 4 lane highway (now at least 10 lanes) we could not believe how many cars and especially trucks there were.  This was certainly not Nova Scotia.

Our next surprise was when we looked across the highway and seen the largest shopping mall in the world.  The parking lot we could see for Yorkdale Mall could hold both of our towns in Nova Scotia.

I know for Gord and myself that first day in Toronto was one of the most eye openning days in our lives.  We had arrive in the BIG CITY.  

The next two years will never be forgotton.  We went from Country Bumpkins to big city guys.  We never had a dull moment, developed a career and made so many lifetime friends.

Gord we lost touch over many years, but you will never be forgotten.  Rest in peace my friend.

OH, THE COMFORT-the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person,

Having neither to weigh thoughts,

Nor measure words-but pouring them

All right out-just as they are-

Chaff and grain together-

Certain that a faithful hand will

Take and sift them-

Keep what is worth keeping-

And with the breath of kindness

Blow the rest away.

                                                            Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

no stories posted yet so here goes... t'was the 1st of Aug 1967 long week-end. I had just finished working a Thurs night after school 4-12 shift at Frank Neurndoff's Shell on Lawrence Ave ( next door to DeVry). My shift supervisor was driving home to Liverpool NS to see his Mom and Sister and offered to take Gord & I home for the long-weekend for a three way split on the gas. Looked good in our eye, stretched out in the back seat of that big Delta 88 Olds, roaring east on the 401 to Cornwall border crossing. Scotties chips and pop were order of the day.. had to stay awake and keep our driver Frank Saunderland awake. Seems we were always just a bit over the posted limit and the pot holes on NY state highway to the Burlington VT ferry didnt seem to matter. After a great crossing on Lake Champlaine we headed for #2 east via state of Maine... I remember Gord saying .. man this is the life..and then out of no-where whoop whoop whoop and  funny blue lights in the rear-view mirror. We were in Rumford Maine, Frank pulled over, state troopers came up and put guns to our heads....  it was 3:30am and Frank was trying to explain to the state trooper... he had to catch the Saint John to Digby ferry at 8am to get these two homesick students home for a week-end visit with their parents . Didn't seem to matter..we were carted off to jail in Mexico, ME and charged with speeding (50mph in a 35 mph zone and trying to bribe an officer. We were slated to appear in court Monday morning to answer charges and fines.  Finally Frank convinced the jail guard to let us call a Judge to come over to the jailhouse to assess our plea. The fine ..US$300 ... but Gord and I had no money .. heck we were poor students. ..our FIRST STUDENT LOAN .. Frank bailed us out, ..and we were escorted thru Mexico/Rumford on our journey to Saint John. Rough crossing to Digby..we both got sick. Dropped Gord off at the Digby terminal and Frank and I proceeded across hwy#8 to Bridgewater.  The above photo is Gord and I at the Halifax Air Canada Terminal just prior to boarding a Vanguard for the five hour return flight to Toronto on Monday night ( one way ticket was $85.00)