A little bit of history
Enclosed is a copy of The Farmer’s Advocate, published in 1909 in London, Ont. I picked it up at an antique store in Perth, Ont., in August 2004. On the third page is an advertisement for the Ontario Agricultural College that I hope you find of interest.

I have often seen historical photos in The Portico, so I thought this might be worth printing. You may want to add it to the historical ephemera collection that I’m sure is in U of G’s possession. I realize it’s not in the best condition (I paid only $1 for it).

Brenda Irvine, B.Sc. ’84
Royal Palm Beach, Fla.

Poignant memories
As someone who always enjoys receiving The Portico, I was particularly pleased to see the note in the last issue about Guelph Queer Equality’s 30th anniversary. I was immediately reminded of my first meeting of Guelph Gay Equality way back in 1982. This memory was a poignant one and one that underscored the vital need for a club on campus such as GQE.

It wasn’t until my fourth year, my first year living off campus (there are few secrets living in residence!), that I went to my first meeting. Although I was apprehensive, I was welcomed by people of my own age who, like me, were only just coming out.

It’s hard to explain the sense of relief in knowing that I wasn’t alone, that other people in the same lecture hall also went to GQE meetings. Although it’s ancient history now, I clearly recall the fear of the consequences that would result should my profs, my classmates and particularly my residence neighbours found out that I, a gay person, moved among them.

Things are certainly much easier for the gay community than they were 20 years ago, but even now, for that 19-year-old student from rural Ontario who grew up feeling just plain different from everyone else, knowing there is a safe place to go can make all the difference in the world.

The value of a club such as GQE cannot be underestimated for those who made use of its services both then and now. I am grateful for the courage and support that the U of G community has shown toward GQE, thus allowing it to flourish for 30 years.

Viktor Kaczkowski, BA ’83
Regina, Sask.

Toronto the country
Is Toronto a country? Is Amsterdam a country?

I read with interest the article by Rachelle Cooper titled “Something for the Connoisseurs.”

Now I could stumble over her choice of the word connoisseurs because the meaning of this word does not quite fit in with the heading of the article. Webster defines the word connoisseur as “a person who has expert knowledge, especially in the fine arts.” Am I an expert? No, I am not. Did I like her article? Yes, I did.

I did stumble, though — almost fell out of my chair — when I read the following sentence: “His paintings have been featured in 80 solo exhibitions in countries around the world, including France, Amsterdam, Sweden, the United States, Germany and England.

Well, maybe I’m just too picky? She did have five correct out of six. But yet . . .

I do like the magazine. I believe its new name is excellent. It expresses a sense of what was, what is and what possibly can be (symbolically) when we older alumni pass through that portico and make our transition into an unknown, hopefully glorious, new dimension.

Keep up the good work.
Bert Van Reekum, BSA ’58
Olds, Alta.

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