(Toronto Sun)

Angela Hennessy, Toronto Sun

Published on Tue Aug 05 2014

TORONTO – Casa Loma is now marked in Mint history.

The Royal Canadian Mint has designed a coin inspired by a stain glass portion of the McClausland dome located inside the castle.

On Tuesday, the Mint unveiled its newest collector’s coin — covered in translucent and opaque enamel — as part of a three-coin series honouring Canadian landmarks.

“Casa Loma was built to celebrate the highest forms of architectural craftsmanship and decorative art, and few examples shine brighter than the McCausland dome,” federal Finance Minister Joe Oliver said.

Casa Loma had been a fledgling landmark in Toronto until earlier this year when Liberty Group took it over.

“It’s quite something that Casa Loma is going through right now as they try to renovate and bring it back to life and hopefully the coin will help with that,” Marc Brule, interim president for the Royal Canadian Mint, said.

Casa Loma CEO Nick Di Donato said he is excited about this commemoration.

“It’s an absolute thrill to see the McCausland stained glass dome forever captured by such expert craftsmanship,” he said.

“The idea is that Casa Loma becomes the prolific icon that it should be here in the City of Toronto. It’s a tribute to the arts and culture in Toronto.”

The coin, with a very limited mintage of only 7,500, has a face value of $20 and a retail value of $130.

The first in the stain glass-inspired coin series was revealed last spring and featured the Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria. The third coin is expected to be inspired from a landmark in Regina.

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The coin is a tribute to the stained glass McCausland dome that covers Casa Loma’s conservatory. (CBC/CBC News)

Published on Tue Aug 05 2014

Casa Loma, billed as Canada’s “most famous castle” and also often the centre of debate, has been immortalized on a commemorative coin.

The coin, made by the Royal Canadian Mint and unveiled on Tuesday, was created to celebrate the historic landmark.

The coin is a tribute to the stained glass McCausland dome that covers the building’s conservatory.

Finance Minister Joe Oliver says the coin is a fitting tribute to Casa Loma, which he describes as a “gothic revival jewel” celebrating the “highest form of architectural craftsmanship.”

It’s covered in translucent and opaque enamel to reflect light in the same way as stained glass.

Oliver says the “striking new coin” will serve as a tribute to one of Canada’s “artistic treasures.”

The silver Casa Loma coin, which has a face value of $20, is being sold for just under $130 by the mint and only 7,500 will be made.

A commemorative coin minted with the image of Casa Loma was unveiled Tuesday.

Plagued by money issues

Casa Loma, essentially Spanish for hill house, was the creation of Sir. Henry Pellatt at the turn of the 20th century.

Pellatt, new money known largely for his role in bringing Hydro-Electricity to the area, bought the land for the castle in 1903 with construction beginning in 1911.

The castle was built by 300 workers over a period of three year at the cost of about $3.5 million at the time, which regarding inflation would be about $70 million today, according to Richard Fiennes-Clinton, a local historian and the founder of Muddy York Walking Tours.

Pellatt and his wife lived there for about 10 years before financial issues forced them to leave.

“Taxation went up; Pellatt’s property tax went from being $600 a year to $1,000 per month so he was driven out of the house.” Fiennes-Clinton said on Metro Morning Tuesday.

The castle then became a luxury hotel, host to a live band and popular among wealthy Americans in the times of prohibition.

Because of a high amount of back taxes the city took procession of the building in 1933 and in 1937 it was leased to the Kiwanis Club until 2011.

After expensive restoration and continued debate, in 2014 the lease went to Liberty Entertainment Group, which agreed to do more updating restoration.

Listen to Richard Fiennes-Clinton talk more about Casa Loma’s history here, or by clicking the icon on above.

With files from The Canadian Press

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Phoebe Ho

Published on Thurs June 26 2014

More than 110 couples can now claim they had a wedding worthy of a celebrity–complete with a red-carpet entrance, media coverage, a prestigious guest list and a landmark castle in the backdrop.

But that wasn’t what made the mass Grand Pride wedding a signature event of the World Pride celebrations, at Casa Loma on Thursday special.

For many, who flew to Toronto from countries like Australia, Taiwan and Ghana, where same-sex marriage is illegal, it was a dream come true to finally be able to openly celebrate their love and tie the knot with the full support of the community at the largest LGBTQ Pride wedding ever in North America.

For Nora, 64, and Erna, 66, it marked a significant milestone in their 40-year-old love story.

The pair met at a bus stop by their university in the Philippines. They were “secret lovers,” who were eventually forced apart by the circumstances.

“(It was a) very Catholic country, very conservative families both of ours, and so I left the country after graduation. We kept in touch because we really cared for each other,” said Nora, now a social worker in Toronto. “I got married, I have two sons, (I) tried that because that’s what everybody says you’re supposed to do when you’re a woman … to get married to a man.”

Nora said they tried to stay away from each other for years until, eventually, they decided it was time to fight for their own rights as a couple years after moving to Canada – one of the 16 countries in the world where same-sex marriage is legal.

Coun. Kristyn Wong-Tam, Toronto council’s only openly gay member, was joined by Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly and many others to celebrate the event.

Wong-Tam, who got a standing ovation as she reached the stage, was just one of the more than one thousand guests who couldn’t help but get emotional when the 110 couples collectively said their “I do’s” after hearing officiants from 12 denominations give their blessings to the couples.

“I know I was weeping and certainly I recognized when I turned around there were a lot of teary eyes in the audience. For those who have been struggling with identity and acceptance, having this many people come together and celebrate them and their decision to join in life and matrimony, I think is just absolutely beautiful,” she said. “And in many ways, to me, it represents the very best of Toronto and Canadian values.”

With Liberty Group Entertainment, the organization which runs Casa Loma, footing the roughly $100,000 bill – excluding the cost of Ontario marriage licences – it took a huge burden off the couples’ shoulders.

“I think this is possibly the easiest wedding in the history of weddings,” said Helen Tweddle, a Toronto resident who arrived with her soon-to-be wife, Jennifer Neales, in a Rolls-Royce.

“It’s sort of everything we kind of dreamed we’d love if we could even make it possible financially,” Neales added. “It’s like a fairytale, it’s so amazing.”

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Happy couples take part in a Grand Pride Wedding at Casa Loma in Toronto on Thursday June 26, 2014. A total of 110 couples were married in the group ceremony, the largest group ceremony of its kind. (Dave Abel/Toronto Sun/QMI Agency)

Angela Hennessy, Toronto Sun

Published on Mon June 26 2014

TORONTO – Over 100 same-sex couples said “I do” at Casa Loma Thursday afternoon.

The Grand Pride Wedding saw 110 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) couples from around the world tie the knot at a monumental and historical event that celebrated both love and the ongoing WorldPride event in Toronto.

“This is really an honour to be part of history like this and to be part of this event,” said Inae Lee who married her partner of two years, Jen Chang Ho. “This is super amazing that they are having this for us and everyone has been so welcoming.”

There were over 1,000 guests who joined in celebration that also welcomed couples from countries that still do not allow gay marriage, such as Ghana and Australia.

“I feel so blessed to be in Canada and to get to marry the one I love,” said Jennifer Smith from Toronto, who married her long-time partner, Cheryl Taylor.

The Casa Loma grounds were fabulously decorated for the sunny outdoor wedding and champagne was served to guests while a brass band serenaded the crowd.

Also in attendance were city officials, Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly as well as city councillors Josh Matlow, Mary Fragedakis and Kristyn Wong-Tam.

“What a fantastic day for the city,” said Wong-Tam who later joined Kelly in front of the crowd to congratulate the couples.

The ceremony was officiated by leaders from 12 different religious denominations including the United Church, Judaism, Buddhism and Islam.

Each leader gave the crowd well wishes before officially pronouncing the couples married and then encouraging them to kiss the one they love.

The event was hosted by Liberty Group and CEO Nick Di Donato said the event was also a “coming-out” for Casa Loma.

The landmark in Toronto has inspired little excitement in past years, but Di Donato said that is going to change.

“We see Casa Loma as watching over part of the transformation of the city,” said Di Donato. “We are proud because it makes Torontonians realize how really privileged we are to live in such a great city.”

Jennifer Smith and Cheryl Taylor arrive during a Grand Pride Wedding at Casa Loma in Toronto on Thursday June 26, 2014. (Dave Abel/Toronto Sun/QMI Agency)

Ina Lee and Jen Chang-Ho arrive during a Grand Pride Wedding at Casa Loma in Toronto on Thursday June 26, 2014. (Dave Abel/Toronto Sun/QMI Agency)

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The Huffington Post Canada

Published on Thurs June 26 2014

Whether you love or hate weddings, it’s hard to deny the complete and absolute thrill of watching two people in love join their lives together. And when a couple is doing it despite despite so much adversity, it’s all the more poignant.

At Toronto’s Grand Pride Wedding held today at Casa Loma, 110 couples said “I do” to each other in what was likely a historic event. As announced in May, the wedding included Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, New Thought, and Humanist officiants in order to serve everyone present with the opportunity to be wed.

Toronto at its best, etc! RT @CBCharlsie: 12 different faiths represented here @PrideWeddingTO #sl pic.twitter.com/nFvoGJCLFN #prideweddingTO

— Pride Wedding TO (@PrideWeddingTO) June 26, 2014

Some couples came from countries where their unions would be illegal, like Cindy Su and Lana Yu, who travelled from Taiwan.

Meet Cindy Su and Lana Yu. They travelled here from Taiwan, where it’s illegal for them to get married. #pridewedding pic.twitter.com/QeNPk8FGff

— Diana Mehta (@dianamehta) June 26, 2014

Others had been together for years, and decided to make today their special day.

Lovely ladies from Toronto who have been living together for 20 years. Making it official today #sl @PrideWeddingTO pic.twitter.com/1TeWQm4JJR

— Charlsie Agro (@CBCharlsie) June 26, 2014

Check out these images from this beautiful event:

120 first kisses as a married couple. #prideweddingTO pic.twitter.com/XCWKT5py23

— Pride Wedding TO (@PrideWeddingTO) June 26, 2014

History in the making: first Sikh minister to officiate at a same sex marriage. #prideweddingto #worldpride pic.twitter.com/svCfJJLcRr

— 2life Weddings (@2lifeWeddings) June 26, 2014

A standing o for @DMayorKelly & @kristynwongtam, the City of Toronto’s champions of #PrideWeddingTO. pic.twitter.com/tjj5cLJHoW

— Pride Wedding TO (@PrideWeddingTO) June 26, 2014

They said YESSSSS!!! #prideweddingTO pic.twitter.com/vBGtgnf6NY

— Todd Соyne (@toddcoyne) June 26, 2014

Lots of love stories being shared today, including this couple who flew in from Korea for #PrideWeddingTO pic.twitter.com/upDV19YAGl

— Liberty Group (@LibertyGroup) June 26, 2014

William and Robert — celebrating 26 years together at #PrideWeddingTO. Fun fact: these 2 met in Hong Kong! pic.twitter.com/bfllgO8P0K

— Pride Wedding TO (@PrideWeddingTO) June 26, 2014

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Over 100 gay couples participate in a mass wedding during WorldPride 2014 at Casa Loma in Toronto, Ont., on Thursday, June 26, 2014. (The Canadian Press/Darren Calabrese)

Diana Mehta, The Canadian Press

Published on Thurs June 26 2014

TORONTO — Inae Lee knows she won’t have the support of her South Korean parents as she weds her partner in Toronto today, but she’s hoping the 109 other couples tying the knot beside her will make up for her family’s rejection of her relationship.

Lee will be just one of the participants in a mass wedding for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirited couples, which is considered the first of its kind in Canada.

The Grand Pride Wedding will involve couples from across Canada as well as participants from countries where same sex marriage is illegal.

For Lee, the event is historically significant.

“In my parents’ mind they don’t believe that this can be celebrated. In their mind it’s something that’s illegal, it’s something that’s not allowed, it’s very sinful,” said 28-year-old Lee.

“I really want to let them know that we are celebrated, and it’s ok for us to get married.”

Lee is getting married to Jenny Chang Ho, who is originally from Venezuela. The pair met in Toronto two years ago and have been together ever since.

“This actually makes us appreciate more that we’re able to do this and be able to live in Canada,” Chang Ho said. “It’s very accepting and more diverse than other countries.”

Canada’s first legal same-sex marriage took place on June 10, 2003, just hours after Ontario’s Court of Appeal pronounced the Canadian law on traditional marriage unconstitutional.

Other provinces followed suit and the federal government legalized same-sex marriage countrywide two years later with the gender-neutral Civil Marriage Act.

For Cindy Su and her partner Lana Yu, Canada is a leading example when it comes to the acceptance of same-sex couples.

“We’re really jealous of Canada,” said Su, who travelled with Yu from Taiwan to tie the knot in Toronto. “We’re looking forward to this happening in our country.”

Both women spent time studying in Canada years ago, but only met four years ago in Taiwan. Although Yu’s parents don’t know about Su, the couple is determined to move the relationship forward and has even planned to try in vitro fertilization in Vancouver after the wedding.

“We figured we didn’t really want any objection to stop us from doing what we want in life,” she said. “I’m actually looking forward to what happens when we go back. Obviously maybe in the future there will be some problems with the legality but now that we want to start a family, we have to be really brave.”

Organizers say up to 1,000 people are expected to attend Thursday’s Grand Pride Wedding, which is believed to be the largest of its kind in North America.

It’s being held at Casa Loma, a palatial Toronto home built between 1911 and 1914, which has since become a popular tourist attraction and event venue.

“What we see Casa Loma as is this grand lady at the top of the hill watching Toronto evolve,” said Nick Di Donato, president and CEO of the Liberty Entertainment Group which operates the facility and is hosting the event. “This is a dramatic part of that evolution.”

Di Donato’s company is taking on all costs for the event, with the couples only having to pay for an Ontario marriage licence.

“It’s a lifetime event and something they’ll remember forever,” he said. “Most of these couples are from outside Toronto — they become our ambassadors for the city of Toronto in terms of the openness of the city and the welcome that we’ve provided them.”

The venue is of particular significance for Windsor, Ont., resident Aaron Bergeron, who is marrying partner Kenneth Grundy. The couple first visited Casa Loma when they were in Toronto two years ago.

“We were walking around in it and I was like ‘how awesome would it be to get married here,”‘ Bergeron said. “When we found out that that’s where they were having the giant ceremony, I was like, this has to happen.”

Bergeron also loves the fact that his marriage is going to be part of a much larger celebration.

“We all get to come in and be part of this giant international thing where it doesn’t matter where you’re from or it doesn’t matter what you believe in,” he said.

“We’re all getting together because we love the person that we’re with and we want to express that.”

Despite the significance — and scale — of the celebration, some warn that the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, queers and two-spirited people (a First Nations term for individuals who are considered to be neither women nor men) still can’t be taken for granted.

“This says a lot about acceptance and change in our society, but I don’t think we should think that marriage is the great equator of equal rights and human rights,” said Helen Kennedy, executive director of national charity Egale, which was involved in planning the “big fat gay wedding”

“We constantly hear things like ‘oh, now you have marriage, now what do you want.”‘

Kennedy added that more work still needed to be done to combat issues like homophobic bullying, hate crimes and an overrepresentation of LGBTQ individuals among the homeless.

“It’s an amazing thing for these couples to express their love and devotion for each other in this ceremony, but we have to remember all of those other people who are still struggling.”

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STYLISH CELEBRATION: Trelawny Howell, great-grandniece of Casa Loma builder Sir Henry Pellatt, used the occasion to celebrate her birthday in style.

Eric Emin Wood

Published on Mon Feb 24 2014

Trelawny Howell celebrated her birthday in high style on Feb. 8, celebrating High Tea with 100-plus guests at Casa Loma.

Like the French maids and butlers serving tea and hors d’oeuvres in the dining room and conservatory, the great-grandniece of Casa Loma builder Henry Pellatt dressed for the occasion, wearing a vintage white satin dress with lace sleeves, accessorized by an egg-size red brooch.

Dessert was served from a three-and-a-half metre tea cake stand in the great hall, and guests were treated to organ music as they mingled.

“I said they needed to add this nine years ago,” Howell remarked, between sips of tea. “I’m delighted Liberty is doing it, and I think they’ll do a first-class job.”

It was all part of the annual citywide Winterlicious food celebration, and the first such event to be organized at the Toronto landmark by new operators Liberty Entertainment Group, which took over operations in January.

Liberty is the company Howell had recommended to city hall as an alternative operator to the Kiwanis Club, which had run Casa Loma operations for 74 years.

The city ended its relationship with the Kiwanis Club and assumed control in 2011. It appointed a board to plan the castle’s next direction. The board chose Liberty as the castle’s new operators in October.

“It’s a fantastic punctuation of, ‘There’s something grand happening here!’” new president Catherine Bridgman exclaimed about the event that was so well received extra sittings and extra dates had to be added.

A cornerstone of Liberty’s agreement with the city is the $7.4 million it pledged to restore the castle. The company has already installed a new bannister on the main staircase in the great hall, four vintage automobiles in the carriage room at the stables, and silver chandeliers in the dining room and library.

“We are going to respect the heritage and finish it where it needs to be finished,” company president Nick Di Donato said at the event.

One plan is to convert the unfinished swimming pool into a 60-person screening room that could be used for private screenings or during the Toronto International Film Festival.

“What we’d like to do, more than anything else, is make this the people’s castle again,” Di Donato said.

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