DECEMBER 31ST 2012 MONDAY

WELL HERE WE ARE...the final day of 2012 and none too soon for many people...it's been a pretty shocking year for many...it's also the 7th day of Christmas where "my True love sent to me "Seven Swans a swimming" was the gift and it looks like the 7 swans will not be swimming at Springwater Provincial park as it is closing as we know it. "the 12 days of Christmas" song is a very old song...from the 2nd half of the 1700's apparently. If you have some time today you may want to Google if just to see the history of the Ditty as each item has quite a history in the religious world. Tonight is First Night, a non-alcoholic alternative New Year's Eve celebration of the arts, planned tonight in over 140 U.S. and Canadian cities. The first First Night in 1976 was in Boston....Barrie of course will continue it's NYE outdoor celebration tradition and this year will feature the TREWS (no relation to me despite the same spelling). There is no one in the group named TREW they got their name from TREWSERS...SCOTTISH for Trousers. The also happen to be my elder daughters favourite group. I don't know of any big ball dropping in Orr Lake unless its big snow flakes falling to the ground. IN 1929 Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadian GUYS played their theme song, "Auld Lang Syne," to usher in the new year at New York City's Hotel Roosevelt Grill, the beginning of a tradition. It means "old long since" or days gone by. 1907 was the year the big ball started dropping in the Big Apple (except a few years during the war) in 1947 Movie co-stars Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were married on horseback....and they were saddled with each other for till their deaths. In 1970 Paul McCartney filed a suit to dissolve the Beatles. Exactly, one year later, the group officially dissolved. In a direct swipe at the NRA IN THE USA... People DON'T GO out drinking tonight like THEY used to. It's not safe anymore to be out drunk on the town. When you're drunk, you just can't shoot straight. Today is New Year's Eve, the day to watch out for the party animals, especially the ones driving. Let's all start the new year right -- "ALIVE"...AS YOU PARTY OR SNORE IN THE NEW YEAR! CHEERS and remember A sunrise is God telling the world to lighten up."

FRIDAY DEC 28TH 2012

It's TGIF DAY AND BOXING DAY WEEK..there's a nip in the air with a -12 this morning. Looking back...good old 1982 was setting record high's all over Ontario with a 15 or 59 in our area with a logo of plus 2...the Leafs were last of course with 16 points in 32 Games....one year ago our high for the day was near minus 3 and a low of minus 11..over Meaford way it clocked in at ZERO for the high and a low near minus 12... On this date in 1795 work began on Canada's longest Street Yonge from York (Toronto) to Lake Simcoe. It was ordered by Gov. Simcoe and completed in April 1796. It would have been built faster but it was hard to re-route all the traffic. In 1763 John Molson was born in England, coming Montreal at age 19 where he founded his brewing company. Another Canuck, Steve Pasjack of Vancouver invented the Tuck-away beer carton handle in 1957 making it easier to "get a handle" on your beer consumption 1989. In Los Angeles photographer Ed Lange was inducted into the Nudist Hall of Fame after crusading to get Kodak to process and return photos of nude people..leading to stories such as GOLDILOCKS and the three Bares.In 1993, British heavy metal producer "Mutt" Lange and Canadian singer Shania Twain were married. Now of course they are like TWAINS passing in the night. Here's something to chew on...William Semple of Mount Vernon, Ohio, patented chewing gum on this day in 1869. The world champion gum chewer is Ricky Mathison of Victoria, British Columbia. In the summer of 1977 Ricky chewed the same piece of bubble gum for 100 days, over three months. In famous birthdays on this date...humourist Stephen Leacock was born in 1869 on DECEMBER 30TH NOT TODAYS DATE IN Hampshire, England and moved to Canada at the age of 6...he also brought along his parents and 10 other brothers and sisters. He was the most popular humourist in the English speaking world from 1915 to 1925. Jack Benny was one of many admirers and when introduced to Benny by Groucho Marx, Leacock folded his arms and said "WELLL" Denzel Washington is 58 and actress Maggie Smith is 78. here's a nice idea... Tonight why not Take a Drive and Enjoy the Christmas Lights ... for those who were too busy to do so before Christmas. To make it special, take an older person who no longer drives. Have a great one.... mornin' everybody..

THURSDAY DEC 27TH,2012

Hi there...how's it going...for us ORR Lakians...its -10 with 11 cm or 4 plus inches of new snow as of 7 am .In 1982 we had no snow and a hi of plus 2...in 1992 minus 5 was the high but colder with the wind chill. In 2002 it was minus 17 and minus 19 at Wasaga Beach and Beausoleil Island. On this date in 1789 the first stagecoach service started in Upper Canada between Queenston and Fort Erie. Today is Doody Day, marking THE premier of television's first successful children's show in 1947, "Howdy Doody," starring Buffalo Bob, and Clarabelle the Clown. Clarabelle the Clown was the mute partner of Howdy Doody. Three actors played Clarabelle. The first was Bob Keeshan, who later became Captain Kangaroo. Canada had it's own version with Timber Tom instead of Buffalo Bob, originating from the CBCs Toronto studios. The Canadian version starred James Doohan (Scotty on "Star Trek") and later Peter Mews as forest ranger Timber Tom. William Shatner, the future Captain Kirk of Star Trek, filled in for Timber Tom occasionally as "Ranger Bob". The Canadian Howdy Doody Show made its debut on November 15, 1954 3 times a week. Also on this date IN 1989, The album "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" by Elmo and Patsy was certified gold. Louis Pasteur was born on this day in 1822. Pasteur was the first guy to heat milk, And even though pasteurization keeps us from drinking germs, some people are still against it. Marlene Deitrich was born in 1904...Guitarist Scotty Moore was born on this date in 1931. He played for both the younger skinnier Elvis and the older fatter Elvis. You might say he stuck with Elvis through THIN and THICK. Whether it's your birthday or whether you are returning Presents to the store ....Many Happy RETURNS.

WEDNESDAY December 26th, 2012

Hello there...how was your Christmas Day? Hope it was a good one. It was a very nice day in Orr Lake and Midhurst where we celebrated with a high of about +1. Today is Boxing day of course, a day of the "big sales" and it has a nicer ring to it than Black friday. Apparently in England, eBay UK has an ad on it's site wanting you to sell your UNWANTED Christmas Presents. A new way of re-gifting I guess. Back in 1982 we were still basking in the warm temperatures of +13 and lows near +7. It was -10 this morning at 7am here at Orr Lake when I put the coffee on. Speaking of that in 1865 a patent for the coffee percolater was granted...PROVING THAT "AROMA WAS BUILT IN A DAY. The man who made professional wrestling a billion-dollar business in the late 1940s died flat broke at age 48 on this day in 1963. A girlfriend had to take up a collection to bury "Gorgeous George" Wagner in North Hollywood Today is Second Day of Christmas, observed as a holiday in many countries. Kwanzaa, a week-long American black family observance, begins today. "Kwanzaa" means "first fruit" in Swahili. 1954: The final episode of The Shadow was broadcast on national radio. The weekly series had lasted 17 years. "The weed of crime bears bitter fruit; the Shadow knows....."not to be confused with Wiarton Willie's big day in February...where we check on his shadow to see if winter is going to be long or short.THE SHADOW KNOWS or sometimes it doesn't. Things to do the day after Christmas: • Finish your last-minute Christmas shopping. • Try to find a place to hide the Limited Edition of the DRINK-SERVING BARTENDERING PICKLE Me Elmo toy. • Begin insulating the attic with leftover fruit cake. It's also a good day to box up all the guarantees and warranty cards and put them in a special place, so you won't be able to find them later AND FINALLY...re-arrange your cupboards to find room for all the new coffee cups you got for Christmas... If you are going to check out the Boxing day sales...be careful out there in your Close encounters of the HERD KIND"....CIAO FOR NOW

MONDAY DECEMBER 24TH 2012

Hello everyone...another CHRISTMAS EVE DAY...and it's going to be a White Christmas after all. It sure is not going to be a Christmas day like back in 1982 when there was no snow and we had a high in Barrie of +13. I can remember having our screen open on the front door. The next year however it was the opposite with a low of -25 and a high of minus 13...We had a Mild one in 1994 with a high of +5 and virtually no snow in Midland. CHRISTMAS was first celebrated in Canada in 1535 in Stadacona by Jacques Cartier and his crew...they all distributed Cartiers Diamonds. Meanwhile in 1652 the English Parliament abolished Christmas and 4 the next 8 years it was not observed. The idea came from King Scrooge the 1st. We admit it, a lot of crazy things happen in radio. But to better understand the radio industry, let's go back to where it all started. December 24, 1906 -- The father of radio, OUR Canadian genius, Reginald Fessenden, climbed a 400-foot tower in Massachusetts and transmitted music from an Edison phonograph across the Atlantic Ocean. Word came back immediately by telegraph: the broadcast was coming in loud and clear at a special receiving station in Scotland. Radio was born! Then, as Reg Fessenden, the world's foremost electronics genius, history's first radio personality, as he climbed down from that tower to the cheers of his colleagues, he got stuck. Yes, radio history buffs, stuck! You see, Reginald was a very chubby genius. His colleagues climbed up the tower to help. The pulled and pushed. He didn't budge. Well, to make a long story short, they stripped off Reginald's clothes, smeared him with axle grease, and finally slid him loose. Honest. It's a TREW story. He DID HAVE small hands THOUGH so he also introduced "WEE PAWS FOR STATION IDENTIFICATION". 1818: At St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria, 31-year-old teacher and organist Franz Gruber composed a melody on guitar for a poem written by 26-year-old Josef Mohr entitled "Stille Nacht." That evening "Silent Night" was sung for the first time. IT was allegedly written for guitar because mice had sabotaged the Organ...Mohr said that was a pretty Cheezy thing to do. A COUPLE OF THINGS TO REMEMBER.... Remember the First Rule of Christmas Eve: Read the Instructions First! ALSO..Remember, if the Energizer Bunny crosses your path on Christmas Eve, it means seven years of dead batteries. On Christmas Eve, I'm still a child. I hope you are, too. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND "GOD BLESS US EVERYONE" KEN

FRIDAY DEC 21ST 2012

I am still here and you are still there...I guess the Mayan calendar was Dated afterall. No end of the world but it seems to be the end of the green world here in Orr Lake with a fair bit of snow coming down.(enough to cover the ground at this point. This date equates to huge storms in 1979 and 1980 in our area so lets hope that doesn't. happen today. In 2012, the earliest winter since 1896 arrived with the solstice at 6:12 A.M. this morning...and it seems to be living up to that billing,although some reports put it on the 20th as well. The last time Winter Solstice was on the 20th was 2008. confusing yes? But not as confusing as the Mayan calendar. 1913: The first crossword puzzle was published, in the New York World..and its had an "up and down" career ever sense.1955: Singer Laverne Baker recorded "Jim Dandy:" in New York City. On the subject of music. Today marks the death of Captain Merton Plunkett of Orillia, founder of the DUMBELLS, a vaudeville group which brought laughter and good cheer to troops on the front line in World War 1. After the war they went on tour and became the first Canadian show and musical review to appear on Broadway 1993: TV Guide reported that early "Gilligan's Island" press releases gave Gilligan's first name as "Willy." The name never was used on the TV show. in our birthday dept actress Jane Fonda is 75 today and Jack Bauer better know as Kiefer Sutherland is 46. Today would have been Jane Fonda and Ted Turner's wedding anniversary, but things didn't work out. Reportedly, the marriage fell apart when Jane suggested he leave all those old movies alone and colourize his hair. On this day in 1891 the first basketball game was played, and it lasted only a couple of minutes because players hadn't taken off they snowboots and ended up dribbling all over the wooden floor. CHEERS

THURSDAY DECEMBER 20TH, 2012

HI HO HI HO...IT'S OFF TO BLOG I GO....mornin folks..hope you had a restfull night... it was a cold day in 1983...with Elmvale at -29 and -30 on the 6th of Medonte and Midland areas...Barrie near -25. also just before Christmas in 83...it was announced that Black and Decker was going to buy Barrie's GE. THIS LEAD TO Kenny Rogers buying Dolly Parton a Black and Decker BUST DUSTER for Christmas that year. Gas was at 47.2 cents at the pump and the Canuck Buck was 47.9. Terms of Endearment was playing at the Theatres. in 1984 the CBC cancelled THE FRIENDLY GIANT which lead to Jerome the giraffe to say it was a pain in the neck and Rusty the rooster to go off Half Cocked after thinking his job was "IN THE BAG". Both are probably still getting residuals. The CNR was organized in 1919 on this date and in 1895 the sod was turned for our Parliament buildings in Ottawa. 1879: Thomas Edison demonstrated his incandescent light at Menlo Park, New Jersey. 1920: English-born Leslie Townes Hope became a U.S. citizen at age 17. He had lived in the U.S. since he was five. Though he dreamed of becoming a boxer, instead he became comedian Bob Hope. He gave a lot of "hope" to a lot of soldiers. 1946: The film "It's a Wonderful Life" premiered in New York City. It starred Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey, Donna Reed as Mary Bailey, Henry Travers as Clarence Oddbody (trying to earn his wings) and Lionel Barrymore as Mr. Potter. and one of my all-time favourite Singers.. Bobby Darin died during heart surgery on this day in 1973. In 1958 Bobby has a hit song about taking a bath. Alone! Which shows how easy it was to write hit songs in those days. Today, a bath song would have to involve at least seven nude bathers to get airplay on MTV. Have a great day today...and hug someone (that doesn't mind being hugged or course) Ken

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2012

Midweek already..and a nice sunny morning to greet us. There was no snow either in 1984 and in 1983 it was very brisk with a low of -25 and anywhere from 3 to 12 inches of snow. It was a very entertaining evening last night in Midland with "A Day in the Life of Jerrold Karch" hosted by Fred Hacker (Midlands answer to Wayne and Shuster). It was held at the new Midland Cultural Centre. It was a terrific show about One of a handfulof Jewish families growing up, and fitting in, to a small town in Central Ontario in the 50's and 60's. It was nostalgic,touching and funny. Congrats to Jerrold and Fred on a very entertaining night. It was also great to see many old friends whom I hadn't seen in many years. (luckily no english teachers to check my grammar). I did not recognize one gentleman who I must apologize to. I took out the old year books and I knew him very well and he was a terrific guy but last night..the beard threw me completely. Another seniors moment. 1776: Thomas Paine published his first ''American Crisis'' essay. He wrote, 'These are the times that try men's souls.''...Yes they are still a big PAINE! 1843: "A Christmas Carol," by Charles Dickens, was first published in England...The ghosts are sometimes called "the Three Scrooges". singer James Cecil "Little Jimmy" Dickens is 92 today...(NO RELATION that I know of.) 1927: George Scott and Frank Elliot became the only drivers ever to travel by car 4,200 miles across Canada without gasoline. They talked 168 passing motorists into towing their car, which did not have a motor...that sure wouldn't happen today. On this day in 1917 the first NHL game on artificial ice was played in Toronto. Not to be confused with some of the ARTIFICIAL hockey that’s been played there recently. James McGill died on this day in 1813. Trapper Jim made a fortune in Canada selling furs and gave it all to found McGill University in Montreal. Ironically, not a single trapping course is now offered at McGill. Though one fraternity does have a short course on how to pick up girls. Today is Greetings from Space Day. On this date in 1958, President Dwight Eisenhower broadcast history's first Christmas greeting to outer space, a message transmitted from the U.S. satellite Atlas, expressing America's wish for "peace and goodwill toward men everywhere.".....lets conclude with ONE OF "TIM'S BITS...GOD BLESS US EVERYONE!

TUESDAY DECEMBER 18TH, 2012

Hi Tuesday types...still no snow here at Orr Lake...but on this date in 1985 we had a storm with Bus Cancellations and road closures..in 1979 we had a DOOZY with up to 3 feet in some areas...especially along the 5th of Oro...lots of closures in that Major storm.. It's getting mighty close to "Santas big night out with the"TOYS" and speaking of that Santa's reindeer have all signed their contracts "Terms of EnDEERment"...and Rudolph has been cleared of Running a Red light" last Christmas Eve. By the way it's Rudolphs birthday today...he is 73 (first published on this date AS A CHILDRENS BOOK)and made famous by Gene Autry. Gene Autry's recording hit No. 1 on the U.S. charts. Autry's version also holds the distinction of being the only chart-topping hit to fall completely off the chart after reaching No. 1. The official date of its No. 1 status was for the week ending January 7, 1950, making it the first No. 1 song of the 1950s.[2] The recording sold 2.5 million copies the first year, eventually selling a total of 25 million... 1719: Thomas Fleet of Boston published Mother Goose’s Melodies for Children. The stories had come from Fleet’s mother-in-law, Elizabeth Foster Goose.:) Actor Brad Pitt is 48 today. Women think he's one of the best looking guys around, though being born on this date has nothing to do with good looks because it's also Keith Richards' 69th birthday.I understand,if you look closely at his face you can find a city map of London England. Have a terrific day.

MONDAY DECEMBER 17TH,2012

Good Monday morn...hope your week-end was good and your shopping is getting Wrapped Up. about 3" of new snow for a total of 12" on the ground in Midland 30 years ago...32 years ago it was a Square Tire morning for the cars with a morning low of minus 30. Today is Wright Brothers Day. They made their first flights on December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, N.C. Orville flew an experimental plane, the Wright Flyer, 120 feet in 12 seconds; Wilbur flew 852 feet in 59 seconds. They made two other short flights with the Flyer before an ocean gust lifted and badly damaged the plane. After Wilbur died in 1912, Orville Wright came to our Georgian Bay, seeking the healing effects of an escape to the wilderness. It proved to be exactly what was needed, and before returning in 1916 he purchased his own island in paradise, Lambert Island, where he was to spend summers for the next quarter-century, close to nature, far from public attention, enjoying the low-key pleasures of fishing and boating...His boat the KITTYHAWK has been restored and is still seen in the Honey Harbour area. (this of course has been covered in detail on the Midland Site) 1849: Thomas and William Bowler sold the first "bowler" hat in London. William Coke ordered it for hunting...don't know whether it was for a 5 pin or 10 pin bowler:) 1955: Unable to sleep, guitarist Carl Perkins got up and wrote a song on a paper bag. Less than 48 hours later, he recorded it at Sun Records in Memphis. It would become the first song ever to reach #1 on the pop, country & western, and rhythm & blues music charts "Blue Suede Shoes."...of course Elvis did it as well... On this day in 1994 singer Celine Dion and Rene Angelil were married. Wow, lucky Rene. Free concert tickets. A true story: In 1877 a bishop and a college president had a heated argument. The bishop claimed that everything that could be invented had been. But the friend disagreed. He said, "Why, in 50 years, men will fly like birds." The bishop was shocked. He said, "That's blasphemy! Flight is for angels!" Then Bishop Milton Wright went home to his wife and sons, Orville and Wilbur. Furbies seem to be the hot toy for christmas this Year...as they were in 1998...and "tickle me Elmo was the hot toy in 96...of course this year look for chef Gordon Ramseys PICKLE ME ELMO. MORNIN EVERYBODY...

FRIDAY DECEMBER 14TH 2012

GOOD FRIDAY TO YOU...MILD and no snow a nice combination if you're not a skier...had a great time being santa yesterday. The kids just about hugged me to death. It is such a wonderful feeling being the Man. I was lucky though. One little guy was getting ready to check my authenticity by pulling my beard but I saw it coming and avoided a Claustastrophy. in 1983 on this date Gretzky had 90 points in 32 games and today is day 90 of the strike I think. 1961: The first ever million seller gold record awarded to a non-rock country song went to Jimmy Dean's "Big Bad John." 003: A 41-year-old Canadian man who pretended to be a police officer and inadvertently pulled over a real detective for speeding was sentenced to six months in jail. The detective suspected something wasn't right when he noticed the flashing red lights were on a white Neon...ya think? Roald Amundsen discovered the South Pole on this day in 1911. Roald , four companions, and about 30 sled dogs arrived at the South Pole. they were so excited...5 men doing a POLE DANCE and the dogs waiting in line for their turn at the Pole. on this date 144 years ago an ice storm damaged a silver maple at 62 Laing St in toronto and inspired Alexander Muir to write "the Maple Leaf Forever. Our final thought if your singing Carols this week..in "silent Night" the line is not "SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEAS" MORNIN

THURSDAY DEC 13TH 2012

GOOD MORNIN...this is the month that friday the 13th falls on a Thursday...this is the day I have to get my Santa On....so it'll be short and sweet. in 2001 it was a warm one with a high of 10 celsius..it was a good day to buy Gold in 1984 at $326.00. and there was no snow. It looks like the republican Party in the U.S. is at it's MITTS end. Today is Count the La's in "Deck the Halls" Day, so you can tell everybody you know how many la's there are. Be careful: don't go too "FA" 1835: Phillips Brooks was born in Boston. He became an American Episcopal clergyman and produced ten books of sermons. But most remember the song he wrote in 1868 for the children of his Sunday School, "O Little Town of Bethlehem." Italo Marcioni patented the ice cream cone on this day in 1903. The ice cream cone was a great invention, giving people everywhere a handy thing for their ice cream to fall off of. LETS ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM. On this date in 1942 the Canadian Army Radio Show debuted on CBC RADIO..Among the cast of the musical review..Johnny Wayne and Frank Shuster and it prompted a tour of entertaining the troops. 1843: A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, was first published. It sold 6,000 copies the first day and became one of the history's biggest best-sellers, yet it was priced so low Dickens received little or no royalties. GOD BLESS US EVERY ONE.

WEDNESDAY DEC 12 2012 (12-12-12)

GOOD DAY EH'....it's 12/12/12 and here we go with another well FROZEN words...the lake is frozen over and we had an overnight low of -6...but blue sky which is very nice. and no snow..it was the coldest day of the winter in 1994 with a minus 22 for the low and the same in 1982 and 1988...in 1944 snowstorms and blizzards killed 24 in southern Ontario. Today is Poinsettia Day, marking the 1799 birth of Dr. Joel Poinsett, who brought the poinsettia plant north from Mexico... 1899: The U.S. Patent Office issued patent #638,920 to George F. Grant of Boston for his invention of the golf tee. Before that, golfers placed the ball on a small mound of dirt, called a "tee."...another kind of Tea Party in the U.S. Bob Barker is 89 today. What a guy. After all these years he’s still trying to help control the pet population. Bob’s a shoo-in if there’s ever a Nobel Prize for Neutering...he's also told Ikea to stop Monkeying around. On this date in 1959 Marion Crane was stabbed to death in the shower of cabin #1 at the Bates Motel in Fairvale. It was in the movie "Psycho." I had nightmares. it was curtains for janet Leigh...and Mr. Bates formed a singing group of Christmas Carrollers and served Tab and Apple slices to celebrate...they were known as the Norman Tab and Apple choir. The world's first transatlantic radio signal was transmitted on this day in 1901. It originated in England and was picked up by Guglielmo Marconi in Newfoundland. It said, and I quote, "Dot dot dash dot." Which is Italian for, "we pause for station identification" have a great day...ciao for now.

TUESDAY DEC 11TH 2012

Good Tuesday to you...a crisp morning about minus 10 here..just of touch of snow overnight...20 years back we had about 6 inches of snow...30 yrs back (the very very Mild winter we had 1 inch of snow but it was -1 with a high of -8. In 1958 a can of roast beef was found intact in Canadian waters from 1823...I guess the best before date had expired...it was found on a British ship the Fury. in 1936 King Edward the 8th abdicated the throne after only 11 months to marry Mrs. Simpson...not Marge Simpson by the way (although the hair was similar). Today is Big Mama Day, marking the birth on this date in 1926 of Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton in Montgomery, Alabama. A popular blues singer in the 1940s and '50s, she recorded "Hound Dog" four years before Elvis. 1995: Reuters reported that Santa Claus was being flown from the U.S. to teach British Father Christmases to be more jolly. The 130-store Index chain had imported a U.S. Santa teacher to help British Father Christmases to get the "ho-ho-hos" right...the next year they worked on the "Ding Dongs" Film producer Carlo Ponti, who discovered and married Sophia Loren, was born on this day in 1913. Carlo and Sophia were the perfect match: Carlo's movies had the parts Sophia wanted, and Sophia had the parts Carlo wanted....also one of my all-time favourites Brenda Lee was born 68 years ago....so many great tunes...are you rockin around the christmas tree? have a terrific day.

december 10th, 2012

Just a titch of snow in Orr Lake this morning and around minus 1....2 weeks today is Christmas eve...in 1987...The snow we had up till that point had pretty well gone....after rain the day before. Today is Mighty Mouse Playhouse Day, marking debut of the popular Saturday morning cartoon show on this day in 1955. 1949: Fats Domino recorded "The Fat Man" in New Orleans. It would become his first million-seller...that's how he got his name. 1953: The first Playboy magazine went on sale featuring the famous calendar shot of Marilyn Monroe. There was no date on the issue. Happy 59th birthday to model-actress Susan Dey. Not to be confused with singer Gladys Knight. I know it's goofy, but there are people who can't tell the difference between Knight and Dey. We received a Christmas card from the Little Plumber Boy..."peace on Earth and Joy for all Mankind..let us help you Unclog your Sewer Line.. Morning everybody...and have a great day.

FRIDAY DEC 7TH,2012

TGIF DAY TODAY....cloudy and minus 2 this morning...It was much the same 30 years ago and gas was 44.8 cents/litre and speaking of Litres...Wayne Gretzky already had a 28 point lead in scoring in the NHL and Montreal and Chicago were tied for 1st...the leafs were 2nd last.THERE WERE 21 TEAMS..we still have no season start yet. 62 years ago..Phil Harris had the #1 song on the pop chart with THE THING and the top country tune was Hank Snow's..."I'm Movin On" (N0.1 for 21 weeks) In 1941 the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbout. The last manned mission to the moon was launched by the U.S. in 1972...and for some reason in 1911 China banned PIGTAILS...of course there were many more PIGTALES in North America when THE MUPPETS started on TV. Christmas lights are turned on simultaneously today at all legislatures across Canada. With more lights, maybe the politicians can see what they're NOT doing. Basketball's Larry Bird was born in French Lick, Indiana, on this day in 1956. Larry was the NBA's most valuable player in 1984, '85, and '86. He's still history's most famous French LICKER NEXT TO Louis XIII. In Dallas on this day in 1961 Johnny Cash and June Carter appeared together in concert for the first time. They didn't marry, however, until 1968 when Johnny finally conquered a tranquilizer addiction. Then "they got married in a fever hotter than a pepper sprout." HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU MORNIN EVERYBODY...

THURSDAY DEC 6TH, 2012

GOOD MORNING...a bit of a crispy one...about minus 8 here with no snow. One of those days that's worth its weight in Cold. The Orr Lake Opera Company will be presenting "Please don't squeeze the CARMEN...(just kidding). in 1990 Canada's jobless rate was at 9.1%...we had 3 inches of snow on the ground and Ottawa and Tampa Bay were awarded NHL franchises. Today was the day in 1988 roy Orbison died..I blew it yesterday. in 1917 The Great Halifax explosion took place killing 1,630 and damaging every building in the city. 2 ships carrying explosives collided in Halifax Harbour. Today is St. Nicholas Day. In many European countries, St. Nicholas brings fruit, cakes, and gifts to all good little children. The name "Santa Claus" evolved from St. Nicholas via a Dutch dialect form of the name, Sinte Klaas or Sinterklaas. St. Nick finishes up three weeks earlier than Santa Claus because St. Nick's elves are non-union. Today is Independence Day in Finland. That's where Santa Claus gets all his reindeer. He bought some economy reindeer once in Siberia, but all the other reindeer laughed and tried to find their pedals. Thomas Edison recorded "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on this day in 1877. It hit #1 immediately. Unfortunately, it was never awarded a Grammy because the kids didn't like the beat. KEN TREWSHUS SAY..."snow is the Peanut Butter of Nature..it's crunchy, kids love it and it sticks to the roof of your house... Have a great day...mornin Ken

wednesday Dec 5th,2012

good morning on this hump day....yesterday at this time about 10 or 12 and this morning its minus 1. In 1986 Rick hansen WHEELED in Barrie for 8:20 am at City Hall in his "Man in Motion" trek across Canada with a couple of inches of snow around. Today is Walt Disney Day, marking his birth on this date in 1901. The cartoonist, film maker, and amusement park developer died on December 15, 1966...SORRY ROY ORBISON DIED DEC 6TH NOT THE 5TH. According to legend, Robin Hood was murdered on this day in 1247. Being the macho fighter that he was, he died with his tights on. Little Richard Penniman came screaming into Macon, Georgia, on this date in 1932. Baby Richard took one look at the doctor who delivered him and screamed, "A wop bop a loo bop, a wop bam boom!"....good golly Miss Molly get out the holly he's 80 today I think it's going to be a rough winter. Yesterday I saw a flock of geese goosing each other south. mornin everybody...have a terrific day.

Tuesday December 4th 2012

Good morning…this is going to be a late blog because our internet is down on this 4th morning of December. A nice mild morning with the lake open again and virtually no snow at Orr Lake (but lots of rain.) The Grey Cup game was first played on this date in 1909 with 3,800 people turning out at Rosedale field in Toronto. U of T won over Parkdale 26-6. 86 years ago…Agatha Christie dropped from sight for 11 days and said she had no idea was happened. The radio soap “Ma Perkins” was first heard in 1933 on this date… History's fattest frog croaked on this day in 1884 at Lake Killarney, New Brunswick. He weighed 42 pounds, and you can see his skeleton at the museum in Fredericton. Raised on bugs, buttermilk, and whiskey, this frog was so fat he couldn't hop. Half the time he couldn't even stand up and they had to bring in Mike Holmes to re-construct his Lilly Pad. On this date in 1986 Ben Garcia arrived in Los Angeles after driving 2,801 miles from Maine on a riding lawn mower. It took only three months, but he sang "its a LAWN way to Trip a RAREY to pass the time. its been such a bad year at Fredericks of Hollywood…they are giving out PINK SLIPS to many of their workers. Today is Boom Boom Day, honoring guitarist Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon, who was born on December 4, 1940. He played lead guitar on the G-Clefs’ hit "Ka-Ding Dong" in 1956 and had solo hits "Tallahassee Lassie" and "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans." Real name: Frederick Picariello. A couple of Christmas thoughts….when it came to buying Christmas trees…..Ray conniff always picked CONIFERS Ken Trewshus say a Christmas Party is a place where you can meet the high and the MIGHTY HIGH. Have great day folks

Monday December 3rd,2012

Mornin'....where has all the snow gone...just a few outcroppings left around here..but back in 1980 on this date we had a heck of a big storm with winds up to 90 kmh and drifts up to a foot...highs near minus 11 and lows of minus 17...in 1982 it was a record high day in Toronto with a 19.9 celsius (we were near 18)..it was the 5th day in a row of Indian summer. 1965: Keith Richards was electrocuted and knocked unconscious during a Rolling Stones concert in Sacramento....thats why he looks so shocking. Charles Pillsbury was born on this date in 1842. He founded the largest flour mill in the world, and the company now honors his memory with a fat little naked dough boy. Mr. Pillsbury is probably rolling over in his flour sack...what was his name? On this day in 1967 Dr. Christian Barnard completed the world's first heart transplant, making Tony Bennett's "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" a possibility. MUCH BETTER THAN "I LEFT MY TUMMY TO SOME OLD RUMMEY" CHRISTMAS and overeating go hand-in-hand...TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOWLEY. morning everybody...