Category Archives: Past

Past

June Bash, Monday, June 8, 2026

The 2026 June Bash returned to the RCYC on the Island on Monday, June 8th We all enjoyed a perfect early summer evening as we had at the previous three very successful June Bashes. Peter Baines again arranged for a short tour of the RCYC’s island facilities conducted by an RCYC Archivist before the reception.

Join fellow Whiffers for the start of the next campaign on September 29th.

Join fellow Whiffers and guests at 6:00 pm on Monday, June 8th at the RCYC.

Please note: there is a limit of 125 attendees for this meeting.


Sorry, but the deadline to make or change an RSVP for the June Bash has passed.


You may send an email to RSVP@Whiff-of-Grape.ca to see if any late reservation slots are still available. Please do NOT send a money transfer until directed to do so by the Treasurer.

Need to cancel? Please send an email to Logistics@Whiff-of-Grape.ca

Past

Dr. Patrice Dutil, Reconciling with John A. Macdonald, April 28, 2026

Professor Patrice Dutil, MA, PhD, is one of Canada’s most energetic champions of political history—a political science professor, author, commentator, and all‑around ideas enthusiast who brings the past to life with curiosity and flair. He has written, co-authored, or edited fourteen books so far. He frequently comments on public affairs on the radio, TV and national media. Continue reading Dr. Patrice Dutil, Reconciling with John A. Macdonald, April 28, 2026 →
Past

Myke Healy, M. Ed. OCT, Can Schools Survive Artificial Intelligence? March 31, 2026

Myke Healy is Assistant Head – Teaching & Learning at Trinity College School in Port Hope, Ontario, where he leads academic strategy, faculty development, and curricular innovation.  Myke attended UCC and has BAH & B.Ed degrees from Queen’s University. He also holds a Professional Master of Education in assessment and evaluation from Queen’s and is a doctoral candidate at the University of Calgary, researching generative AI and academic integrity in K-12 education through interviews with independent school leaders across Canada.  Myke’s talk was riveting, insightful and thought provoking. Accompanied by an excellent presentation with informative graphics and videos, Myke covered the issues from the educators’, the students’, the parents’ and the institutions’ perspectives. His message was that there is no simple answer to the topic’s question but that some best practices are emerging to continue delivery of relevant and equitable education opportunities in the evolving new AI-dominated world. Continue reading Myke Healy, M. Ed. OCT, Can Schools Survive Artificial Intelligence? March 31, 2026 →
Past

Gideon Arthurs – Executive Director, Soulpepper Theatre – February 24, 2026

Theatre as an Antidote to Social Division

Gideon Arthurs is the Executive Director of Soulpepper Theatre Company and the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, a role he assumed in 2022. A seasoned arts leader with a strong track record in institutional transformation, Arthurs previously served as the CEO of the National Theatre School of Canada (2014–2022), where he spearheaded major initiatives to modernize the curriculum and enhance diversity, including the rescue and revitalization of the Sears Drama Festival. Whiffers heard a most impassioned presentation on Soulpepper’s strategy to be as relevant as possible in an increasingly disconnected society. Gideon elaborated about the real societal need for the theatre’s Public Domain initiative and its success in creating a free, open-access cultural hub that is strengthening social connection and civic life in Toronto through participation in the arts. Continue reading Gideon Arthurs – Executive Director, Soulpepper Theatre – February 24, 2026 →
Past

Ted Barris – Canadian Air Men in the Battle of Britain, January 27, 2026

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Ted Barris, C.M., is an acclaimed Canadian journalist, broadcaster, author, and professor who has made significant contributions to Canadian literature and historical writing. Ted provided a fascinating talk on the Battle of the Atlantic: Gauntlet to Victory to the Whiff in November 2022. We welcome him back in January to recount stories from his latest book, Battle of Britain: Canadian Airmen in Their Finest Hour. Continue reading Ted Barris – Canadian Air Men in the Battle of Britain, January 27, 2026 →
Past

Matti Siemiatycki – Toronto Congestion and Planning – November 25, 2025

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Matti Siemiatycki is on a mission to improve our cities. As Director of the Infrastructure Institute and a Professor at the University of Toronto, he’s a leading expert on how to build and pay for the large-scale projects that shape our urban lives. From subways to bridges, Matti’s work focuses on making sure these massive investments are smart, effective, and truly benefit the communities they’re meant to serve. He’s a go-to voice in the media on all things infrastructure and city planning, and he’s ready to share his insights on how we can tackle Toronto’s traffic woes. Continue reading Matti Siemiatycki – Toronto Congestion and Planning – November 25, 2025 →
Past

Andrew Coyne, “Media in Decline, Democracy in Crisis: How Each Can Be Turned Around”, October 28, 2025

Andrew Coyne is one of Canada’s most respected and influential political journalists. With a career spanning more than three decades, he has provided sharp, insightful commentary on national affairs for the country’s leading publications. Andrew last spoke to the Whiff in 2017 and a lot has transpired in Canadian and US politics since then for him to discuss with us this time. Continue reading Andrew Coyne, “Media in Decline, Democracy in Crisis: How Each Can Be Turned Around”, October 28, 2025 →
Past

David A. Wilson, Professor. Spies, Rogues, and Informers: Irish Revolutionaries and the Canadian Secret Police, Sept 30, 2025

David Wilson is Professor of Celtic Studies and History at the University of Toronto and General Editor of the Dictionary of Canadian Biography. He is the author or editor of twelve books, including a prize-winning two-volume biography of Thomas D’Arcy McGee. His most recent work, Canadian Spy Story: Irish Revolutionaries and the Secret Police, has won multiple awards. He was interviewed for his previous book The History of the Future here.

Continue reading David A. Wilson, Professor. Spies, Rogues, and Informers: Irish Revolutionaries and the Canadian Secret Police, Sept 30, 2025 →
Past

June Bash, Monday, June 9, 2025

The 2025 June Bash was held again at the RCYC on the Island on Monday, June 9th.  Despite a poor weather forecast, we all enjoyed another lovely an early summer evening as at the previous two very successful June Bashes. The event was still only $125 per person and it included:    — a launch pass to the island;    — a veranda reception with hors d’oeuvres from 6 -7;    — followed by a fine dinner with wine in the ballroom. Peter Baines again arranged for a short tour of the RCYC’s island facilities conducted by RCYC Archivist and Curator, Beverley Darville, before the reception. The 2025 June Bash pamphlet can be downloaded from here.
Your Junta is pleased to announce that the 2025 June Bash will be returning to the RCYC on the Island on Monday, June 9th.  We have already received confirmations from 60 Whiffers and guests that they will be attending the 2025 June Bash.  We are hoping for as lovely an early summer evening as we enjoyed at the previous two very successful June Bashes.

The event ticket is $125 per person and it includes:    — a launch pass to the island;    — a veranda reception with hors d’oeuvres from 6 -7;    — followed by a fine dinner with wine in the ballroom.

Peter Baines has again arranged for a short tour of the RCYC’s island facilities conducted by RCYC Archivist and Curator, Beverley Darville, before the reception. Please indicate in your RSVP if you would like to join the tour.
Please Note: RSVPs for the June Bash are NOT complete until your Interac pre-payment is received before June 5th and you receive a final confirmation notice.

Join fellow Whiffers and guests on Monday, June 9th at the RCYC  The reception at the RCYC begins at 6:00 pm.

Please note: there is a limit of 100 attendees for this meeting.

Past

Chris Fleming PhD, SGS Senior Metallurgical Consultant, “The Gold Market”, April 29, 2025

Chris Fleming has a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Cape Town in South Africa and has spent much of his 51-year career in research and management. He has authored or co-authored over 90 technical publications, been awarded 14 patents, and contributed to several technical books on various aspects of extractive metallurgy. He has directed research teams and consulted in the industry on many hydrometallurgical projects and operations, particularly in gold leaching and recovery. He is recognized throughout the industry for his contributions to the commercialization of the carbon-in-pulp and resin-in-pulp processes in gold extraction, as well as for the development of the SART, Augment, and Hannah process for cyanide recovery and the Platsol process for the simultaneous recovery of base metals and platinum group metals by pressure oxidation. Whiffers enjoyed an evening of real education on a topic that most of us did not know much about.  People particularly enjoyed the historical perspective and putting gold in the current context. Continue reading Chris Fleming PhD, SGS Senior Metallurgical Consultant, “The Gold Market”, April 29, 2025 →