It Happened in Cambridge

07/11/2026

A new painting of Muskoka, based on a photograph taken by a man who was searching for iconic Group of Seven locations. His photograph, which inspired this painting, was taken when he was canoeing and a storm was approaching. Several years ago I visited a relative of Dr. MacKendrick, the grandson of his brother, John Noble MacKendrick, who lives in Connecticut and still spends summers at the rustic family cottage near Windermere. It wasn’t far from Dr. Moffat’s cottage. We spent a wonderful afternoon there and ended the day with dinner on the outdoor patio at Windermere House, also known as "Lady of the Lake,” overlooking Lake Rosseau. The sun set as we dined and it was beautiful. This painting reminds of me of the many Cambridge residents who have summered there for more than a century, like the MacKendricks, Bill and Eileen Bartels, the Moffat family, the Renwicks, and the Olivers, among many others. I have benefitted tremendously from the kindness they have extended to me. When I look at this painting it is in memory of them all. Check out our website and let us know what you think!

Learn about Cambridge, Ontario through its stories, history, writings and artwork.

06/14/2026

Proudly presenting ithappenedincambridge.com. Check out our music and audio downloads, all relating to local stories and books, and let us know what you think! https://ithappenedincambridge.com/shop/ols/categories/music--audio

http://ithappenedincambridge.com

04/30/2026

I’m very pleased to share that "Canada’s Hockey Team at Cortina: And the Olympic Winter of 1956" has just been published and was recently featured by CambridgeToday.

Signed copies of the book will be available at the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Cambridge Centre on Saturday, May 2 from noon to 3 p.m.

This richly-illustrated book tells the story of the Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen, chosen to represent Canada at the 1956 Olympic Winter Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, and at its heart is the remarkable lifelong friendship of Jack McKenzie and Don Rope — two outstanding athletes, teachers, coaches, and role models. As I say in the story, this is ultimately a book about friendship, memory, and the meaning of the Olympic ideal. (CambridgeToday.ca)

For years, Canada’s bronze medal in hockey at Cortina was seen as a disappointment, but with time the deeper meaning of that experience came into focus. I hope readers will find in these pages not only a forgotten chapter of Canadian hockey history, but also a moving human story. (CambridgeToday.ca)

Thank you to CambridgeToday for the coverage.

You can read the story here:
https://www.cambridgetoday.ca/local-news/cambridge-authors-book-revisits-complicated-1956-olympic-hockey-bronze-12203479?utm_source=cambridge%20spaces&utm_campaign=cambridge%20spaces%3A%20outbound&utm_medium=referral

The book is available now (both in print and e-book versions) through It Happened in Cambridge, with print copies available across Canada, and the ebook also on Apple Books. https://books.apple.com/ca/book/canadas-hockey-team-at-cortina-and-the-olympic/id6759878498

Cambridge residents can get free shipping by ordering the Cambridge version online. https://ithappenedincambridge.com/shop/ols/products/cambridge-residents-canadas-hockey-team-at-cortina-and-the-olympic-winter-of-1956

The Canada-wide version, which includes shipping costs, can be accessed at: https://ithappenedincambridge.com/shop/ols/products/canadas-hockey-team-at-cortina-and-the-olympic-winter-of-1956



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04/08/2026

A new painting has been added to ithappenedincambridge.com. Check it out and let us know what you think! The painting is of Canada's Lucile Wheeler, 1958 world champion alpine skier. There is a story that goes with the painting: https://ithappenedincambridge.com/blogs/f/memory-of-a-mountain

Learn about Cambridge, Ontario through its stories, history, writings and artwork.