UW Open House Caption Contest - Photo #3

"Although this episode of The Bachelor - Scotland may have seemed a little dull at first, Rick later revealed his impressive bagpipes to much rapture."

Source: University of Winnipeg Archives & Records Centre, University Relations & Communications Photograph Collection 10.41 - “People in front of Wesley College,” c. 1925.

UW Open House Caption Contest - Photo #2

"Sadly, Phil realized that this was the closest he would ever get to washboard abs."

Source: University of Winnipeg Archives and Records Centre, SC-4-3 84-661 - “United College – Residence Life,” 1960.

UW Open House Caption Contest - Photo #1

Tomorrow in the Duckworth Centre, between the hours of 9-2 and 6-8, the University of Winnipeg Library will be participating in the Information Fair at the annual Open House (http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/openhouse/). The Library's booth will be more awesome than the others as it will feature a Caption Contest encouraging witty remarks pertaining to three photos from the holdings of the Archives and Records Centre. The best caption will be awarded a $100 gift card from the UW Bookstore.  In order to encourage more participation, online submissions will also be accepted via this blog in the comments section.  I have captioned the three photos below to get those creative juices flowing. Remember to leave your name and an email address or phone number so that we can contact you if you are the winner. 

Online submissions will be received and vetted by the author of this blog prior to their publication online. Personal information will be removed from the submission prior to its publication on the blog. This information is collected under the authority of The University of Winnipeg Act, and pursuant to The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. It is used only to enter you into the contest. If you have questions regarding this collection please visit www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/admin-fippa.

Thanks and good luck everyone!

"For the first time, Bruce's shorts were not the most embarrassing part of Bruce's day."

Source: University of Winnipeg Archives and Records Centre, University Relations & Communications Photograph Collection 9.163 - “Trike race,” c. 1975.

Deep Thoughts: The 3rd Annual Historical Movember Recreation

Original image on left: University of Winnipeg Archives (SC-2-4 A0621-19298)

Greetings!  Since my last post I have started a new position as University Archivist/Digital Curator at the University of Winnipeg Archives & Records Centre.  This blog will now feature content from the University of Winnipeg Archives but all your favourite content from the University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections will remain on the site.

My new position coincided with the start of Movember and so, my initial UW Archives post is the 3rd Annual Historical Movember Recreation.  My colleague, and a fine moustachioed gentleman, Daniel Matthes, has joined me for this year's recreation.  Although we have only worked together for a month, I find it hard to believe that with this photo we have not reached the pinnacle of our professions.  Daniel's background in theatre is evident throughout every pixel.  

Thanks to Brianne Selman for taking the photo and to everyone who supported my Movember campaign, especially my new friends and colleagues at the UofW.  I am touched by your generosity.  I hope you will recognize me now that I have rid myself of that hideous face rat.

If anyone is interested, it is not too late to make a donation.  Please visit my site here.

When You Wish Upon A Star

Source: Winnipeg Tribune fonds (PC 18, A81-12), Box 23, Folder 420, Item 7

Photographer: Don Hunter; Date: August 6, 1964

 

It is Dream Big Week at the University of Manitoba campus and Archives & Special Collections has been celebrating via social media by posting photos of some historical dreamers.  Continuing in this vein, here we have Franklyn Shinn and John Stewart stargazing at the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Observatory in Winnipeg.  However, judging from the slightly menacing expression on Mr. Shinn's face, it appears to me as though his dreams may also be Mr. Stewart's worst nightmare.  Perhaps this apparent resentment is born out of jealousy due to Mr. Stewart's full head of neatly cropped hair and his decision not to choose a style of moustache adorned by one of history's greatest monsters.

Jolly Old St. Knickers-less

Source: University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections - Pugh Family fonds (MSS 289, A.99-33), Item 8

 

Since her nose is as red as Rudolph's, she may have partaken in a little too much Christmas cheer (if you catch my drift).  It's best that she settle her brain for a long winter's nap where no doubt visions of sugar bums will dance in her head.  Happy holidays everyone!

Jive Revival: The 2nd Annual Movember Historical Recreation

As Movember winds down for another year, and because my Movember team has raised way more than the $2000 limit I set to support research on prostate cancer and other men's health issues, I present to you the second annual Movember Historical Recreation.  To learn more about the original photograph on the left, visit this past blog post: http://whatthefonds.blogspot.ca/2010/01/jive-turkey.html.  Thanks to my wife Denise for taking the photo, being my jive partner, and for not leaving me when, really, after this, no one could blame her.

There is still time to donate. Visit my Mo Space here and thanks for your support: http://ca.movember.com/mospace/3085357.

Some Mo' Movember Historical Recreation

You may recall that in celebration of the end of Movember 2012, I, along with the assistance of several colleagues, recreated a classic moustache pic from the holdings of the Archives.  To refresh your memory, here's the pic:

To close out Movember 2013, I would again like to bring a historical moustache into the present.  But this year I will only do so if I reach my fundraising goal.  My Movember team (which includes fellow libary/archives colleagues James, Jesse, Jarad, and Lyle and other information professionals outside of Dafoe Library) is only $200 away from raising $2000 for prostate cancer research and other men's health issues.  If my team hits the $2000 mark, I will recreate this photo which has previously appeared on the blog:

Please donate here: http://ca.movember.com/team/996893.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to make me look even more foolish than usual.  And thanks for the support.

Brett

University Administration's Gorilla Tactics

The description in our database for this photo is "President Campbell accosted by 'gorilla'." I have no evidence to disprove this theory so will assume Dr. Ralph Campbell was simply on his way out of the Administration Building for a meeting when he was unsuspectingly and irrationally harrassed by this 'gorilla' who was, I assume, wreaking havoc on campus that day.



Whatever differences President Campbell and the 'gorilla' had seemed to be put behind them moments later when he appeared to offer the bearded gentleman on the right as a sacrifice to the 'gorilla' and the three of them posed to capture the moment for posterity.

 

This posting continues a disturbing trend I'm noticing in our photograph collections of costumed hooligans.  See :

http://www.whatthefonds.blogspot.ca/2013/06/hands-up-doc-summerspast.html

http://www.whatthefonds.blogspot.ca/2011/03/you-better-watch-out-you-better-not-cry.html

 

Source: University Relations and Information Office fonds (PC 80, A83-52), Box 1, Folder 6, Items 1-2

Date: April 7, 1977

Hand's Up, Doc! #summerspast

Source: University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections - Winnipeg Tribune fonds (PC 18/5092/18-4287-006)

Photographer: Jon Thordarson; Date: June 15, 1979

The streets of Winnipeg have a reputation for being tough but one summer afternoon they appeared to reach new lows as a woman was held up at carrot-point by a desperate rabbit with nothing to lose. In actuality, this rabbit was handing out carrots to passersby on Portage Avenue to advertise the opening of the outdoor summer market in Old Market Square.

#Movember Historical Recreation

To celebrate the end of Movember we decided to perform a historical recreation of a classic Archives & Special Collections moustache pic featured elsewhere on this blog.  We wish you love on this final day of Movember.  Thanks to Jeanette, Tyyne, Andrea, and Shelley for their assistance. 

Winter's Here - Gentlemen, Start Your Autoboggans!!

Winter arrived here in Winnipeg over the weekend.  There is finally enough snow for everyone to break out their Autoboggans - the automatic tobaggan!!  Looks like a comfy ride!  Pictured here is the inventor of the Autoboggan, H.C. Paul.  I kid but the Autoboggan is actually the prototype for what eventually would become Polaris snowmobiles.  And Mr. Paul, among his many achievements, was inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame. 

 

Date: February 8, 1958

Source: University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections - Winnipeg Tribune fonds (PC 18, A.81-12), Box 12, Folder 421, Item 2

The Most Interesting Man in the World

Date: December 19, 1963
Source: University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections - Winnipeg Tribune fonds (PC 18, A.81-12), Box 4, Folder 119, Item 7

Here we see former Minister of Northern Affairs, Walter Dinsdale, and his wife, Leonore, holding a goose while an ornithologist bands its leg. The name of that ornithologist? Manly. Last name? Miner. Middle name? Forest. Yup, Manly Forest Miner. He's my nomination to be Dos Equis' new Most Interesting Man in the World.

Tumblr Blog

Date: February 25, 1964
Source: University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections - Winnipeg Tribune fonds (PC 18, A.81-12), Folder 3024-3027, Item 49

This blog focuses on the more humourous items in our holdings but every once in a while I'll come across a photo like this one that is so cool it needs to be shared with the world.  This photo perfectly caputures the exact moment the Transport Building in North Bay, Ontario, structurally damaged by fire, came tumbling down to the ground.  Simply amazing.

St. Patrick's Day Massacre

Date: May 11, 1977; Photographer: Jim Walker
Source: University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections - Winnipeg Tribune fonds (PC 18, A.81-12), Folder 3402, Item 45

This picture depicts young Jon Kennedy admiring an 1835 Kentucky squirrel gun next to Derek Burdeny admiring a 7' 1775 Irish musket. They both have that same look of childlike wonderment on their faces as they think of all the great things they could shoot and maim with these. Kind of brings a tear to your eye, doesn't it?

This post was meant to have a St. Patrick's Day theme but I realize a photo featuring a big Irish gun is a pretty weak connection to St. Patty's Day.  So in honour of St. Patrick's Day tomorrow, I composed my first (and likely last) photo-related limerick:

There once was a young boy named Jon

Who's Kentucky squirrel gun made him yawn.

Derek's musket was Irish.

Made Jon feel less childish.

Now nothing is safe on Jon's lawn.

Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody!

Shop 'Til You Stop

Date: March 22, 1980; Photographer: Peter Levick
Source: University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections - Winnipeg Tribune fonds (PC 18, A.81-12), Box 63, Folder 6110, Item 4

7-year-old Evan Mancer tries to make sense of this senseless act of mayhem.  See, this is why I don't like to bring my kids grocery shopping.  This photograph was taken from the Winnipeg Tribune's folder on shopping carts.  You can imagine the tremendous research that has come out of this resource.

Speakers of the House

Date: April 2, 1979; Photographer: Jeff Debooy

Source: University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections - Winnipeg Tribune fonds (PC 18, A.81-12), Box 17, Folder 597, Item 3

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra French hornist Ken Strahl sits between two Fairfax "walls of sound" speakers, the centre-pieces of his state-of-the-art home stereo system.  The system occupied two rooms in his home and cost him $7500, which is a crazy amount of money to spend on a stereo in 1979.  But then again he's bringing in French hornist coin so he could obviously afford it.  This is the definition of a slow news day.

What a Drag

Date: ca. 1924
Source: Faculty of Human Ecology fonds (PC 49, A.86-42) - Box 2, Folder 45, Item 57

 
Home Economics students Hettie Frances Lyon, Sadie Robson, Louise Pettingell, and Evelyn Scott, dress as creepy looking mustachioed men for what I assume was a very good reason.  It appears as though the flash of the camera has turned them into Frankenstein-like monsters.

You Better Watch Out, You Better Not Cry ... Or Else!

Date: December 1, 1976; Photographer: University of Winnipeg Media Department

Source: University of Winnipeg Archives - Winnipeg Cinema Gallery photographs [not yet processed]

When Santa couldn't deliver on the chicken's wish, he called in his thugs and things got ugly.  Plush animals are no push overs.

This is the first contribution to What the Fonds? by an institution other than the University of Manitoba Archives.  Thanks to Gabrielle and Daniel at the University of Winnipeg Archives for this great photo.  To see more of this odd, yet cute, collection of photos, check out the photo gallery on the University of Winnipeg Archives' Facebook page.

Festival du Voyageur (#FDV2011) - The Parties!

These three photographs completely encapuslate the Festival du Voyageur experience for many people.

Date: February 18, 1975; Photographer: Jim Walker

Source: Winnipeg Tribune fonds (PC 18, A.81-12) - Box 37, Folder 3005-3006, Item 70

This photograph contains three key ingredients to a successful Festival du Voyaguer: beards, beer, and merriment.  The top three beard growers, Georges Forest, Nelson Fournier, and Paul Delveaux, join together in song and a toast to Festival.

Date: February 25, 1972; Photographer: Jim Haggarty

Source: Winnipeg Tribune fonds (PC 18, A.81-12) - Box 37, Folder 3005-3006, Item 158 

At the Cabaret du College, Raymond Ouimet, Régine Datremont, Gerald Laboissiere, and Pierre Palud (seated at the table) are joined in a toast and a song by a traveling pack of Voyageurs who led people in sing songs throughout the night.  Standing are Gisele Philippot, Jean-Pierre Dubé, Louis Dubé (whose expression could not be any better if he tried), Michael Langlois, Lina Legal, and Joanne Bonlet.

Date: February 25, 1972; Photographer: Jim Haggarty

Source: Winnipeg Tribune fonds (PC 18, A.81-12) - Box 37, Folder 3005-3006, Item 180

Andre Cote, Jean-Paul Bergeron, Johanne Robinson, Michel Cote, Danielle Sauve, Dennis Mavillierat, and Jeanne Pare raise a glass while at the Trading Post in St. Boniface.

A fitting sendoff to my Festival du Voyageur series.  Enjoy the weekend.  Hé ho!