A former employee is organizing a reunion on the 50th anniversary of the closing of the beloved and much celebrated nightclub and casino on Dougall Avenue.
“I have fond memories in my heart of the Elmwood,” Silvio Venerus told CTV News.
He used to work backstage at the Elmwood ‘as a youngster.’
“You were not a big entertainer until you came to the Elmwood,” said Venerus. “Back in the glory days of the Elmwood, all the big stars from North America came to the Elmwood.”
Acts like Sony and Cher, The Temptations, Louis Armstrong and even Sammy Davis Jr.
“He loved coming to Windsor because he was an avid golfer,” Venerus recalled. “I believe there was [a] driving range across the street called Woodall’s and he (Davis Jr.) used to go there during the afternoon and hit golf balls.”
When he worked as a bus boy, Venerus recalled how busy dinner service could be.
“They had two shows per night, and they fed 4-500 people at every show. So maybe 800 to 900 meals a night,” said Venerus.
The Elmwood Casino closed on Dec. 21, 1974.
When Venerus realized this is the 50th anniversary of the closure, he posted on social media looking for former colleagues and within minutes he had more than 300 responses.
“Most of the waiters and all the great cooks we had, they're all [gone]. But my boss is still alive. He's 94. Mark Brown,” Venerus said. “He has so many stories to tell, back in the day, in the glory days of the Elmwood.”
Venerus is inviting anyone to come to Dougall Avenue for a picture from the curb of the property where the Elmwood casino used to sit.
The property is now the location for Brentwood Recovery home.
Venerus hopes to meet former co-workers at 1 p.m., take a picture, and then go to the Windsor Sportsmens’ Clubs to share stories.
