The Jean Hibbert Memorial Award Winners
To view the winners and the write-ups for the winners of the
Jean Hibbert Memorial Award, click under the year when underlined.
for 2005 for 2006 for 2007 for 2008 for 2009
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for 2010 for 2011 for 2012 for 2013 for 2014
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A Thank You to Our Historian
ROBERT A. GIVEN
Appointed Historian Emeritus of the
Etobicoke Historical Society (E.H.S.)
on
Thursday, November 25th., 2010
It was around the 1st of November 2010. our Historian, Bob Given, and his wife, Joyce, moved into a seniors' residence in Mississauga, Ontario. The move will make it very difficult for Bob to participate in E.H.S. activities because of transportation issues.
This evening, we're taking this opportunity to pay tribute to Bob, who has made an overwhelming contribution to EHS for over 58 years.
Bob has lived in Etobicoke since 1931 – almost 80 years.
He and Joyce, raised their children here and made the Sunnylea area their home for
61 years, from 1949 to 2010.
Exploring Etobicoke's history has been an all-consuming hobby for Bob for over 70 years.
As boy, he enjoyed using his grandfather's old Underwood typewriter. When the Lambton Mills Women's Institute needed help typing their Tweedsmuir History of the Village, he volunteered. While typing, he became keenly interested in the local history he was reading. Bob was hooked: for him this grew into a lifelong pasttime of historical research and writing about Etobicoke.
His knowedge of Etobicoke's past is unparalled and he has been called
"Mr. Etobicoke".
While continuing a career in advertising at Eaton's, Bob was soon meeting others with similar interests to exchange information about Etobicoke's past. He spoke to school classes and adult groups, and led groups on historical walks.
In 1950, the Etobicoke's council asked Bob to write a book on the township's history for its Centennial. This book, The Story of Etobicoke,was distributed free to all students in the township and is still in many libraries – both personal and public.
Over 100 of Bob's stories of Etobicoke appeared in column called "Etobicoke in Pictures" in the local Etobicoke Press newspaper from 1955 to 1960.
It would be an understatement to say that Bob has played a major role in EHS.
He was one of our founding members, as well as a member of our first board of directors. At the first EHS meeting, he was appointed Historian, a position he has held ever since, except for two years as President.
He was Editor of our newsletter for at least 15 years, and has written historical articles for our newsletter for, literally, decades.
Bob designed the EHS crest, and his suggestion, The Aldernews, was chosen as the name of our newsletter.
He has assisted hundreds of people coming to EHS for answers to their history questions by doing research or providing guidance.
In 1962, Bob was one of several individuals instrumental in saving Montgomery's Inn from demolition when it was bought by a developer, Louis Mayzell.
After being persuaded by EHS members, including Bob, of the importance of preserving this building, Mayzell agreed to sell it at cost to Etobicoke's council. When they refused to buy it, he made same offer to EHS and gave them one year to raise the money.
EHS was unsuccessful in raising the money but, undaunted, five members, including Bob Given, personally guaranteed a bank loan to cover the $40,000 mortgage.
Bob has continued to support Montgomery's Inn by being an active volunteer there from the time it opened as a museum in 1975 to today.
Before moving last month, Bob donated his collection of history books to the Inn.
The Inn and its volunteers acknowledged Bob's significant contributions at a ceremony on November 3rd, announcing that the library at Montgomery's Inn has been named the Robert A. Given Library and unveiling a plaque for the library door.
Bob has twice been awarded the EHS Jean Hibbert Memorial Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to historical awareness and preservation in Etobicoke.
Bob also served for many years on boards of The James Shaver Woodsworth Homestead Foundation (Applewood) and Heritage Etobicoke Foundation.
Bob was named to Etobicoke Hall of Fame in 1974, and his picture hangs outside the council chamber in Etobicoke's Civic Centre.
The fire of historical curiosity still burns brightly in Bob. For him, researching and writing a new, updated history of Etobicoke was a labour of love that spanned 15 years, and his new book, Etobicoke Remembered, was published in 2007.
As mentioned. because of his move, Bob says we will not be seeing him as often, but we refuse to let him go. He is the last remaining original board member from 1958, and we simply will not be the same without him.
Bob, as far as we're concerned, you are a Board Member for life and are welcome at all meetings. To reinforce this, we have officially appointed you our "Historian Emeritus".
We would like to present you with this plaque to commemorate this appointment.
It's a small plaque (because we know you've downsized), but we want you to know that your place in our hearts is huge!
We thank you for your many years of service in preserving Etobicoke's heritage. You are truly be irreplaceable!
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A Very Special Presentation of the
Etobicoke Historical Society's
President's Award
was made on
Thursday October 28th., 2004
The Award was presented to the late Herb Jones
and
Police Constable James (Jim) Crawford
for their heroic deeds during Hurrican Hazel
Prior to the presentation by Steve Pitt, author of
"Rain Tonight" a book on Hurricane Hazel,
Nicholas Doran, Past President of the Etobicoke Historical Society
addressed the meeting.
Mr. Doran advised of a conversation had taken place with Mr. Jim Crawford,
A Toronto Police Constable at the time,
who during Hurricane Hazel on the 15th., of October, 1954 along with Herb Jones
and Herb's outboard motorboat made over 20 harrowing trips during five hours,
bringing more than 50 people to shore and to safety.
As a result of this conversation with Mr. Crawford,
it was learned neither Herb Jones nor Jim Crawford
were ever recognized for the valiant efforts during Hurricane Hazel.
The Board of the Etobicoke Historical Society was about to change that.
Mr. Doran called upon the Society's President, Gregory Wowchuk
to make a very special plaque presentation to Jim Crawford which read:
(A copy of the Award follows)
Etobicoke Historical Society
President's Award
awarded to
Jim Crawford
On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Hurricane Hazel.
"Canada's Storm of the Century"
This Award is presented by the Etobicoke Historical Society,
in recognition of their heroic action, while in the company of
Herb Jones and his outboard motorboat, made over 20 harrowing trips
during five hours, bringing more than 50 people to shore and to safety.
Thursday October 28, 2004
(signature of the President)
=================================================
The Etobicoke Historical Society
regrets to advise of the passing of Mr. Jim Crawford
on Tuesday, June 9th., 2009 in Keswick, Ontario
=================================================
Following the presentation to Jim Crawford, President Wowchuk called upon
Mrs Herb Jones to come forward along with Mrs Marsha Kennedy, daughter
to receive a plaque presented postumously to husband and father
Herb Jones, which read:
(A copy of the Award follows)
Etobicoke Historical Society
President's Award
awarded to
Herb Jones
On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Hurricane Hazel.
"Canada's Storm of the Century"
This Award is presented by the Etobicoke Historical Society,
in recognition of their heroic action, while in the company of
Jim Crawford and Herb's outboard motorboat, made over 20 harrowing trips
during five hours, bringing more than 50 people to shore and to safety.
Thursday October 28, 2004
(signature of the President)
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Following the presentation by Steve Pitt, he responded to questions from those gathered.
The President thanked Steve Pitt for an excellent presentation prsented him an
honourium as a token of thanks along with a membership to the Etobicoke Historical Society.
President Wowchuk related his own experience and advised he too was a Hurricane Hazel baby.
Mary, his mother, a 29 year old had exited a streetcar, and trudged through water halfway up to her knees to walk another half a mile home.
She felt ill, but went on to a girlfriend's home, her labour pains started.
The baby was not due for another month. She was taken by her husband to the hospital,
where on October 18th., 1954, Gregory Wowchuk was born by caesarean
