Robert Vesey BOSWELL
September 11, 1936 – January 7, 2021

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Robert Vesey Boswell, age 84, in Calgary, Alberta, on Jan. 7, 2021. He was born in Quebec City in 1936, to Col. James V. and Mrs. Beatrice (Hatch) Boswell.

We were pleasantly surprised that the Dec. 23 edition of the QCT arrived at our home on Thursday [Dec. 24]! The paper usually arrives on the Friday after publication or the following Monday. It was one of those things that made our day, especially during COVID. A Christmas miracle, considering the postal backup! Thanks to all the QCT staff for all your hard work!

Photo: Shirley Nadeau

Another creature has been added to the crèche scene at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, made by parishioner Miriam “Minum” Blair.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons - Public Domain

This street and a nearby park are named in honour of painter, engraver, ceramist and sculptor Jordi Bonet (1932-1979), who was born in Barcelona, Spain.

At the age of seven, Bonet lost his right arm in an accident. Art then became his refuge. At age 20, he already owned his own studio and exhibited with much older artists.

Robert Edward MONAGHAN
1932 - 2020

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Robert Edward Monaghan announces the peaceful passing of our devoted and cherished husband and father, on Dec. 20, 2020 at the age of 88, in Quebec City.

Given the current situation related to COVID-19, the funeral celebration will take place at a later date.

Photo: Screenshot from La Grande Chaîne trailer used with permission

As they packed up their equipment, the members of the Douglastown Dance Orchestra figured they had dodged a bullet. It was March 14, 2020.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons - Public Domain photo by Alex Groykhman

The year 2020 is now behind us, and in 2021, fans will get to see their share of sporting events. This will hopefully include the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo: Penguin Random House Canada

With the local sports scene pretty quiet, now is the time to check local bookstores, libraries and websites for a good sports book that will keep you busy for a while.

Photo: Cassandra Kerwin

For those still searching for some Christmas magic, visit the Trait-Carré sector of Charlesbourg, where Santa’s elves are busy decorating homes or playing tricks. During the day, the elves are easy to spot, while in the evening, Christmas lights add warmth and charm to this neighbourhood.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons - Public Domain

This street is named in honour of Joseph Vézina (1848-1924), a conductor, composer, organist and music professor who was born in Quebec City. His first music teacher was his father, François Vézina, a house painter and amateur musician, who taught him to play the piano.

Photo: Griffin Poetry Prize

Of all the places John le Carré took readers in his two dozen or so spy novels, only once did he make an extended stop in Canada. That place was Espérance, a bustling gold mining town in Quebec’s Abitibi region.

The Quebec government wants to ring in 2021 by tightening language laws to shore up the perceived erosion of French usage. Instead of auld lang syne it will be, with apologies for flippancy, an old language whine, so to speak.

Photo: Samson Learn Photography, courtesy of Nora Loreto

As of Dec. 21, Canada had recorded 14,228 known deaths from COVID-19. At least 11,041 of those deaths (77.6 per cent) were among people living in long-term care facilities. That number doesn’t come from a federal government source, but from records manually compiled by Quebec City writer and podcaster Nora Loreto.

Photo: Gaspé Speaks Podcast Series via Facebook

Expatriate Gaspesians stuck far from the peninsula this holiday season will be able to have a bit of home in their headphones, thanks to a new podcast series launched by New Richmond-based historian Tom Eden in partnership with Vision Gaspé-Percé Now and Canadian Heritage.