Kent Monkman’s new exhibit offers powerful view of Indigenous history

November 10, 2022November 10, 2022 | juliatramontin

Monkman’s alter ego, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, takes visitors on a journey through time.

By Julia Tramontin

Two paintings on a wall — Two paintings depicting the creation of Miss Chief with *We Are Made of Stardust* on the left and *I Come From pâkwan kîsik, the Hole in the Sky* on the right at the ROM in Toronto on Nov. 6. (TMU/Julia Tramontin)

Entering Cree artist Kent Monkman’s new exhibit, visitors are greeted by two large acrylic paintings depicting people floating in the universe. In one of them, multi-coloured dinosaurs soar through space in a Michaelangelo-esque style. One of the figures appears in both paintings, posing ethereally with long flowing hair and high heels.

Monkman’s exhibit, “Being Legendary,” which opened at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto on Oct. 8, contains much more than physical objects. Rather, Monkman gives visitors a space to bear witness to history not taught in schools.

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Schoolhouse turned upscale eatery offers quaint escape with delicious food

October 27, 2022November 10, 2022 | juliatramontin

The trip to this small-town restaurant is well worth the drive.

By Julia Tramontin

Entering Mrs. Mitchell’s restaurant on a cloudy, blustering day feels like a refuge. As soon as you walk in, you are surrounded by what can only be described as a charming English cottage. On one wall, there is a large open fireplace. Odd antiques and knickknacks dot the wooden shelves and cabinets around the two intimate rooms serving as the dining area.

The dim lighting and hardwood flooring lend a cozy atmosphere to the space, harkening back to a bygone era, which is not surprising considering its rich history. The woodwork and elegant tables are far from what used to be there: chalkboards, desks, and students.

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**Despite De Armas’ stellar performance, Blonde disrespects Monroe’s legacy**

October 5, 2022November 10, 2022 | juliatramontin

It’s 2022, but Hollywood still exploits troubled women for entertainment.

By Julia Tramontin

From the glamour to her perfectly coiffed blonde hair, Marilyn Monroe is easily the most recognizable figure of Old Hollywood. The new Netflix film Blonde explores a fictionalized version of Monroe’s life beyond the allure, the dark underbelly of fame that left Monroe in turmoil behind the camera. This is a noble goal, but the film’s execution actually degrades Monroe and her legacy.

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Trump’s temper tested by Clinton during first presidential debate

September 28, 2022November 10, 2022 | juliatramontin

Despite Clinton’s composure, Trump’s chaotic performance took centre stage.

By Julia Tramontin

“She doesn’t have the look. She doesn’t have the stamina,” Donald Trump scoffed into the microphone in response to questioning about why he said Hillary Clinton doesn’t have the “presidential look.” Clinton continued to laugh to herself, looking unfazed.

This is just one example of Trump’s aggressive attacks on Clinton’s character and political record, along with countless interruptions and defensive remarks that he relied on to get through the first presidential debate. On the other hand, Clinton used her preparation to target Trump in a series of heated exchanges between the two, leaving little room for adequately addressing voter issues.

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Customer Service, the Old-Fashioned Way

May 19, 2022November 10, 2022 | juliatramontin

How Toronto’s oldest bookstore is surviving in an age of less human connection

By Julia Tramontin

A century ago, Main Street in the town of Weston was a quaint area. Trees dotted the dirt road on both sides, and farmland surrounded the area, sprinkled with buildings, including the Weston Library and Methodist Church. Today Main Street is called Weston Road. This area, known as Weston Village, is lined with towering condominiums and a hodgepodge of stores ranging from one of the largest Dollaramas in Ontario to a recently opened Osmow’s. Where stood Weston City Hall is now a Ward Funeral Home parking lot. The stores once on Main Street were lost to an ever-changing strip that sees retailers come and go. But one store has weathered the last century of rapid transformation. Housed in a former doctor’s office, a few doors away from the old site of Weston City Hall, stands Squibb’s.

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Nearly 100 years of bookselling and still going strong

March 4, 2022May 19, 2022 | juliatramontin

Nestled between a hair salon and an income tax service on Weston Road is Squibb’s Stationers, a nearly 95-year-old book and stationery store with a rich family history. First bought by the Squibb family in 1927 and then by Jack and Marilyn Weinberg in 1980, the store is still run by their daughter, Suri Weinberg-Linsky, and her husband. Here is a look at Squibb’s from past to present.

The storefront of Squibb’s Commercial Stationers on Feb. 11, 2022. Squibb’s has been standing in the same place on Weston Road for almost 95 years. (T•/Julia Tramontin)
Cary Squibb, the wife of the first owner of Squibb’s, poses in front of the store entrance in 1933. The picture was taken by her teenage son, Gordon. (SQUIBB’S STATIONER/ Suri Weinberg-Linsky)
Suri Weinberg-Linsky poses while wearing a mask in front of bookshelves at Squibb’s on Feb 11, 2022. She took over the store from her parents in 2000. (T•/Julia Tramontin)
Inside of Squibb’s on Mar. 1, 2022. The store has been selling books and stationery since 1927.(T•/Julia Tramontin)
The view of Weston Road, where Squibb’s stands, in 1900. The original Squibb’s was housed in the white building, but moved to the space between the buildings in 1935. (SQUIBB’S STATIONER/ Suri Weinberg-Linsky)
The shelf above the cash register at Squibb’s on Mar. 1, 2022. The shelf houses pictures of the Weinberg family and articles about Squibb’s. (T•/Julia Tramontin)
A picture included in an article published in The Weston Times on June, 1, 1980 when the Weinbergs purchased the store. Marilyn and Jack Weinberg are on the left. (WESTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY DIGITAL NEWSPAPER COLLECTIONS)
The Jewish section of books housed at Squibb’s on Mar. 1, 2022. Suri Weinberg-Linsky’s grandmother was murdered during the Holocaust and her father escaped and came to Canada in 1957. (T•/Julia Tramontin)
Suri Weinberg-Linsky holds up a sign commemorating family members murdered during the Holocaust, including her grandmother, for International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 21, 2022. She stands in front of a Jewish selection of books at Squibb’s. (SQUIBB’S STATIONER/ Suri Weinberg-Linsky)
The front window display of Squibb’s on Feb. 11, 2022. The display includes Weston memorabilia such as as a “Village of Weston” sign and vintage books. (T•/Julia Tramontin)

The survival of Toronto’s oldest bookstore

February 18, 2022May 19, 2022 | juliatramontin

From the sunflower chimes on the front doors to the antique signs sprinkled on the walls, Squibb’s Stationers offers a cozy refuge with a rich history tucked away from the bustle of Weston Road. Owner Suri Weinberg-Linsky discusses the impact her parents made on people in the Weston community and how Squibb’s has managed to survive the last few years on Feb. 11, 2022.