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!