The City of Toronto kicked of its War of 1812 Bicentennial commemorative festivities at Fort York Thursday, June 14 with the noise and smoke of musket fire.

But the launch was just as much about the efforts to rejuvenate Fort York as it was about remembering the war that almost saw Canada become part of the United States.

The Fort York Foundation announced the W. Garfield Westin Foundation has made a lead gift of $1 million toward the Fort York Invigorated Capital Campaign; the gift will be directed toward rehabilitating Garrison Common. Read more in my article published in the Parkdale-Liberty Villager.

Gary Hilson is a writer, editor and digital media specialist for hire. He lives in Toronto.