Tuesday 24 January 2012

Montreal Memories Facebook page a huge success


As described in my Suburban Newspaper column this week, the Montreal Memories Facebook group page is a great idea.

In just over a year, more than 3,300 people have signed on. Many of them are extraordinarily active and passionate about Montreal. The more ex-Montrealers log on, the more they miss our city. Members are posting some very nostalgic items.

Besides photos, folks like Allan Berbrier are finding things such as an old Miracle  Mart staff ID tag to post. Founder Barry  Zbar, an ex-Montrealer now in Toronto, posted  his old Northmount  High  School Grade 8  scheduler. A quiz on gas stations  that no longer exist attracted 43 comments.

Let me direct you to a post my sister  Lisa wrote about the fan page. She covers all of the bases here.

A few months ago CJAD's Aaron Rand did an interview with  Zbar whose colleague David Perelman  dressed it up as a neat slide show. See for yourself.



7 comments:

  1. Mike thanx kindly for that wonderful preview.....very much appreciated....in the interest of accuracy....Barry Zbar...myself..was/is the Sole Founder....no Co...thank-you very much!!

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  2. Barb NisensonJanuary 25, 2012

    As someone who had no prior connection to Montreal, I must praise Montreal Memories for sharing the warmth and and charm of the City with so much personal, and historical, experience and information, that one feels immediately welcome and at home. It is even more unique as it features real-life group activities for Montrealers in various cities, as well as providing referral information for obtaining specialty products. Chambers of Commerce would do well to take note of how a grass roots approach is the best invitation there is to attract interest in, and visitors to, their cities. This MM is much more than just a chocolate candy treat.

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  3. Kathryn O'DellJanuary 25, 2012

    great page - have been having a blast going down memory lane - even though my memories are a little behind a lot of the tad older group members!! Love it!! Thanks Barry and Lisa for creating it!!

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  4. I love Montreal Memories having lived most of my life in that beautiful city. I did live in Florida for a couple of years and now in western Pennsylvania as an American and dual citizen of both the U.S.A and Canada. I thank Barry Zbar for giving me the opportunity to re-connect with people whom I had lost contact with and for the wonderful memories that Barry has enabled me to have. Long live Montreal Memories! Daveda Gruber

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    1. I recently joined this group and have become addicted. Montreal Memories Anonymous anyone? Seriously it's great group.

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  5. The site was interesting, but I (and many others) have become completely turned off by the fact that the Moderator (who comes across above as being altruistic and a hobbyist) was moaning and whining about how this free Facebook page, hosted by FB at no cost, with the content created almost entirely by the posters and not him, was costing him money, and then engaging Bowser & Blue to run an on-line benefit concert for him as if he was a charity case. Sorry, I think that The Suburban got taken in on giving this site free publicity.

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    1. I agree. I was eventually blocked from the group because I defended another member for posting a 'mother's day' wish. It seemed that Barry wanted only his post to show. I guess he didn't know how to 'pin' a post.

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