TUESDAY APRIL 30TH, 2013

MORNIN' EVERYBODY....It's time for April's Swan Song and it's looking pretty nice as I kick off this blog. It's about 10 Celsius as we get ready to kick into May's Maze of Days. It will be be good to get rid of April 2013 because it's been a very trying month as far as weather is concerned, but many in the past have been much the same. It was very warm in 1990 with 10 days in a row of very warm weather and of course last year as well.  It was back in 84 we had a high of 22, but a big wind STORM with winds up to 120 km per hour came up and blew things all over the place and even the Blue Jays game had to be halted for 30 minutes because of it.
We did have some blue sky and sunshine but that has now evaporated.
 By the way today is Income Tax deadline day so many Happy Returns to you.

In 1789 George Washington was sworn in as the first U.S. President.
1803 saw Napoleon selling Louisiana to the U.S. for $15,000,000.00.  They had a look during Open House Sunday and liked what they saw.  Plus it was a big lot which included all the land between the Mississippi and the Rockies, so it pretty well added another third to the countries size. 

This map shows the purchase in Green and it even included a little bit of land in the northern part which eventually included a bit of land in the  southern part of  Alberta and Saskatchewan. The territory actually worked out at less than 3 cents per acre, so Napoleon wasn't the greatest real estate salesperson to ever live.

In 1808, an Italian named Pelligrini Turri finished the first practical Typewriter was finished on this date. I wonder if he used the QWERTY (which spells TREW backwards by the way). He made it for his Blind Girlfriend.

Pelligrini also invented Carbon Paper in 1806, again to help the blind write. He had started on the Typewriter in 1801.
On April 30th, 1900 Casey Jones died in a train wreck in Vaughn Mississippi, while try to make up time on the "Cannonball Express". He was immortalized in song and even got his own TV show much later on.



In 1903 Emily Stowe died.  She was the first female Doctor to practise medicine  in Canada.  She had to go to the U.S. to get her Licence however and even then it took a long time before they would let her practise.

1939 saw Lou Gehrig played his last baseball game for the Yankee's.  He set a record of 13 years without missing a game and he ended up with a .340 lifetime average in 17 seasons with the Yanks. He died 2 years later from the ALS which is now referred to as Lou Gherig's Disease.

In 1942 The Toronto Stock exchange hit an all time Low of 84.8 on news of German Victories.

In 1945, The Soviets fought their way into Berlin and Hitler and Eva Braun died in a double suicide just a day after they got married.

In 1981 It was Wintario Day in Elmvale...so that led to a big Buff-Fay dance,  The previous draw held been held in Wasaga Beach.

In 1983, one of the truly great Blues singers, Muddy Waters died on this date.  He influenced many including of course the Rolling Stones.  As a matter of fact they recorded one of his songs.

The Last council meeting was held on this date in 1985 at Old City Hall in Barrie.

In 1988 The Toronto Maple Leafs finished Dead Last in the NHL Season that year and they picked Scott Pearson, Tie Domi and Dean Anderson in the Draft.  When was the last time they Picked Number 1.  It was in 1985 and the player of course was Wendel Clark.  By the way congrats to the Barrie Colts and their Coaches etc. for winning their latest series last night.  Their coach of course is dale Hawerchuk who was the Number one Pick in 1981 (By Winnipeg).

On April 30th, 1993 The World Wide Web was Born at CERN in Switzerland and has been a Growing Con-CERN ever since.

Cloris Leachman is 87, Bobby Vee is 70 and unfortunately has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, William Randolph Hurst was born in 1863 and was the so called developer of "Yellow Journalism , Johnny Horton (North to Alaska etc) (1929-1960)., Dianna Agron (Quinn on Glee) is 27, Kirston Dunst is 31, Our Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Actor Paul Gross were born on the same  day 54 years ago. Canadian singer/songwriter Carolyn Dawn Johnson is 42, Al Lewis who played grandpa on the Munsters (1923-2006), Eve Arden (Our Miss Brooks) was born in 1908-1990.  and Kunak Nayyar is 31 and plays Rajesh on "The Big Bang Theory" (or is that the NRA's Motto).



and Finally.
I met a man playing "Dancing Queen" on a Didgeridoo. I thought to myself, "That's ABORIGINAL"  

lets gather round the May Pole tomorrow...Mornin' everybody Mornin' .                

MONDAY APRIL 29, 2013

Well here it is again....The Monday morning Blues.  I hope you had a good week-end at least and we did finally have some nice spring-time weather with some nice balmy temperatures on the way this week. LOOKING BACK at the 80's on this date it was mostly highs near 20 for the decade.  Back in 1982 there was a high of 18 and remember when the Wintario Draws were held on TV with Fay Dance.  It was held in Wasaga Beach on this date back in 1982.  I hope today comes up a winner for you today.

MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR TIME

In 1661, the Chinese Ming Dynasty occupied Taiwan.
In 1792 English  explorer George Vancouver reached Juan de Fuca Strait and later explored what are now Vancouver Island and the City of Vancouver (he left the latter very quickly after discovering how expensive it was).
In 1813 Rubber was patented after bouncing around for a few centuries, by J.F. Hummel.  It is harvested from Rubber Trees but is not nearly as tasty as Maple Syrup and it tends to bounce off Pancakes.

In 1903 the coal mining village of FRANK, Alberta was obliterated when about 70 Million Tonnes of rock fell from Turtle Mountain above the village, onto it, killing 70 people and wiping it out in less than 2 minutes.
In 1913, Gideon Sundback of Hoboken patented the all-purpose ZIPPER in the town that Frank Sinatra was born in 1915. Yes Frank did come from a ho-boken home.
In 1945, American soldiers liberated the Dachau concentration camp and on the same day Adolf Hitler married Eva Braun.
In 1974, Richard Nixon said he would release edited tapes made in the White House. Shortly after "The Gap" became very popular. 

In 1975 The very popular Gunsmoke TV show was cancelled on this date after a 20 year run.  Marshal  Matt Dillon was very upset and went to the Long BRUNCH Saloon for breakfast with Miss Kitty and even Chester didn't feel Goode. By the way they never did give a reason for "Chester's " leaving but Miss Kitty sure did keep the old "Welcome Matt" out for Mr. Dillon, all 6' 7"of him....they all had "get Outa Dodge Finally".



Alfred Hitchcock died on this date back in 1980 after directing many great films including "Psycho" and the most famous Shower seen ever.



Talk about "April Showers"

In 1992 Deadly Rioting erupted on this day In Los Angeles when a Simi Valley Jury acquitted 4 police officers of almost all charges in the video-taped beating of Rodney King.  I flew in there 2 days later for a cruise out of  Long Beach and the city was still SMOKIN".  It was a very scary view and situation. As it turned out The reason I was there turned out to be even scarier. I was going on my 2nd Honeymoon. :)

                                                 (not to be confused with my first wife or Karin)

In the year 2004 - Oldsmobile built its final car ending 107 years of Production.  It started out as the OLDS-CANARDLY...ROLLS DOWN ONE HILL CANARDLY MAKE IT UP THE NEXT :).

BIRTHDAY PEEPS TODAY....

Jerry Seinfeld is 59, Tommy James is 66 ("Hanky Panky) and " Mony Mony" in the words of Tommy James and it's a Trew Story

" I had the track done before I had a title. I wanted something catchy like "Sloopy" or "Bony Maroney," but everything sounded so stupid. So Ritchie Cordell and I were writing it in New York City, and we were about to throw in the towel when I went out onto the terrace, looked up and saw the Mutual of New York building (which has its initials illuminated in red at its top). I said, "That's gotta be it! Ritchie, come here, you've gotta see this!" It's almost as if God Himself had said, "Here's the title." I've always thought that if I had looked the other way, it might have been called "Hotel Taft."



Kate Mulgrew (who was Captain Janeway in the Star Trek Voyageur series who said "very funny Tuvac, Now beam my clothes through") is 58 today.  Michelle Pfeiffer is 56 as is Daniel Day Lewis (who just played LINCOLN).  Eve Plumb (of the Brady Bunch) is 55, Carnie Wilson is 45, Uma Thurman 43 (as is Andre Agassi) Dale Earnheart (1951-2001), Hockey's Jonathon Toews 25, Golf's Johnny Miller is 66 and Mrs. Hugh Hefner (Crystal Harris) 27.


AND FINALLY....

THERE ARE A LOT OF ROUND ROBIN SPORTS COMPETITIONS GOING ON THESE DAYS....WHY ARE THERE SO MANY "ROUND ROBINS"....
BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY "JUICY WORMS"

FRIDAY APRIL 26TH, 2013

Yeah, another TGIF and at least it's SUNNY SIDE UP with nary a cloud in the sky and the temperature is slightly above zero.  It was a beautiful day back in 2001 with a high of 21, gas was at 80 cents per litre, gold at $324 and inflation at 3.7%. We had a similar day 30 years ago, with a high of 20 and a low of +2 but it had been a cold April as well.  As a matter of fact the first batch of Aprils in the early 80's were all pretty cold ones.

In 1607 Captain John Smith landed in Virginia.  He met Pocahontas who taught him how to plant corn . "Pocahontas" was a nickname meaning "playful" or "mischievous one" and she reportedly saved the life of Smith and tried to promote peace between the Powhatan's and the English colonists.  She even converted to Christianity and married John Rolfe a Jamestown colonist, a union that brought the two groups together, but her untimely death in England hurt the chance for continued peace in Virginia between the Algonquians and the colonists. 

1625, saw Brebeuf, founder of the Huron mission sail for Quebec.

In 1778, Captain Cook sailed for Nootka Sound tracing the coast of B.C. and Alaska but his big Pencil broke and he had to stop tracing after a while.

In the year 25-25 (sorry I got carried away..that was a song).  It was in 1921 W.E.W. a radio station in St. Louis broadcast the first U.S. Government Weather forecast and they have been doing it every day since until they get it right.

Part of the reason they did it was the Great Depression, but it was on this date in 1930 that the Twin Popsicle was introduced so that children could share it.  It was a big hit, but of course over the years many table corners or maybe little brothers heads have been roughed up breaking them. :)

In 1949 "LOOK" magazine printed an article saying that Radio was DOOMED because of Television but of course that has not come to fruition, although in my opinion the big media companies that own most of the stations are doing their best to make it happen because they are more interested in pleasing their Stockholders than their listeners.

In 1986 the Worlds Worst Nuclear accident took place in Chernobyl in Russia although we didn't find out about it till two days later when Radiation Levels in the world started to rise.  Nice way to treat neighbours, Russia.  Then we started receiving "GLOWING" REPORTS. 

ON THE SAME DAY...Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger got married which kind of Blew-Up too although the the fall-out hasn't been as bad.

In 1989, one of the funniest and much-loved actresses of all-time, Lucille Ball died of a heart attack.

In the 30's she registered as a "Communist supporter" but she said her Grandfather had insisted she do that but since she was a big favourite of J.Edgar Hoover she managed to escape the wrath of "McCarthyism".

Hubby Desi helped diffuse speculation saying "the Only thing RED about Lucy is her hair and even that is not  legitimate. She was upset at the speculation and she never voted again.

In 1998, Prime Minister Chretien began a 2 day trip to Cuba on this date, meanwhile President Clinton began a 2 day trip to see Cuba Gooding Junior to keep pace. :)

 BIRTHDAY PEEPS FOR THIS APRIL 26TH

Carol Burnett is 80 years old, Twangy Guitar Guy Duane Eddy is 75 (Married of course to Shania Twang) 

Bobby Rydell is 71, in my opinion best of the Bobby singers along with the great Bobby Darin, Charles Richter (who came up with the Earthquake scale of measurement), Roger Taylor of Duran Duran is 53,

Jorgen Ingmann (another great guitar guy.."Apache") was born in 1925 this is his hit from 1961 and David Wilcox is 56 today.

It's a Double Twangy guitar day on the blog! Hope you enjoyed them....

and finally.....

This country is just not going to the Dogs....the Fat Cats are doing well too.

mornin' everybody....Mornin"

Sad News George Jones Has died at 81. "He stopped Lovin' her Today"

THURSDAY APRIL 25TH, 2013

Good morning and welcome again to "the House of the Rising Pun" .  It's a cold but sunny morning here at about zero as we recover yet again from another "Window on Winter day" yesterday with another return of snow. 30 years ago our top temp. was only +7 and a low of -2.  It was a sunny day but with a cool breeze.  
In 2001, Sunny with a high of 13 and Gas was in the neighbourhood of 80 cents per litre.

What Happened on this date?

Anders Celsius, the inventor of the Centigrade Thermometer died in 1744. He proposed the Celsius temperature scale in a paper to the Royal Society of Sciences in Sweden where his thermometer was calibrated with a value of 100 degree for the freezing point of water and 0 degrees for the boiling point. In 1745, a year after his death the scale was reversed by Carl Linnaeus to facilitate more practical measurement. Anders called his scale centigrade (derived the Latin for "Hundred Steps"). For years it was simply referred to as the Swedish thermometer. Today we need Mother Nature to Hop up those steps and give us some warmer weather.
In 1792, a French highwayman became the first person to tryout the Guillotine and he became a drop in the bucket in France's history I guess that's where we got the expression that "heads will roll".
In 1901 New York State became the first place to require vehicle licences.  There was a one dollar fee.
in 1916, the first convex mirror fishing Lure was created so the fish could maybe see their reflection and try to eat the other fish.  Of course the female fish would look at the reflection and see if their scales needed moisturizer.
In 1940,Quebec women were allowed to vote and run for office in provincial elections, 22 years after they were granted the federal vote. Of course today they would have to vote in French.
In 1956 Elvis had his very first Number One song with Heartbreak Hotel.  It was shortly after RCA bought his contract from Sam Philips for $35,000.
1959 on this date The St. Lawrence Seaway was opened to shipping and from that time on Canada has Shipped their Pants etc all over the world. To commenorate the event, Canada and the U.S. both issued a similar stamp. Some of the canadian issue got inverted resulting in this collector's dream.

1982 Britain recaptured the Falkland Islands from Argentina.
In 1985 Wayne Gretzky scored 7 goals in a Stanley cup game for the  Oilers for a second time.

By the way this is International Lingerie Week.....take a MERRY WIDOW to Lunch.


BIRTHDAY PEEPS TODAY

Guglielmo Marconi was born in 1874 and had his hand in many pies including radio which of course led to TV which in term led Sesame street to call him GUGLI -ELMO.

Also born on this day Al Pacino who is 73, Renee Zellweger who is 44, Russia's great goaltender Vladislav Tretiak is 61, Talia Shire is 67, Bjorn Ulvaeus of Abba is 68, Blues Singer Albert King born in 1924 (not related to BB King, by the way), The Great Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald "A Tisket, a Tasket" was born in 1918. Also born in 1599 Oliver Cromwell, the Puritan Lord Protector of England. and while we are over in Jolly Old England, William Roache who plays Ken Barlow on Coronation street is 81.  He has of course been there since the start (1960) and for a long time was the only original cast member.  The Actor who plays Dennis Tanner has returned.

 A little Birdie also tells me my favourite Real Estate Person Vera Penny is blowing out some candles today.

and finally.....DEJA MOO.....is the feeling that you've heard this BULL before.

mornin everybody...mornin'

WEDNESDAY APRIL 24TH, 2013

Hello....are we going for a fourth nice day in a row? It doesn't look like it but at least we don't have all the trouble our friends up north are having with flooding. We wish them well. It's the double dozenth day of April and 79 years ago the ice was gone finally on Kempenfelt Bay which was the 3rd longest ice-stay on the Bay.  The longest was till May 2nd in 1926.  Midland Bay would have been open around the same time.  In 1991 we had a terrible, rainy spring and the same in 1992 and 1993, as well.  1985 was a nice warm spring with
about 3 days of record temps.

We start way back in 1184 B.C when the Greeks captured Troy with the oldest trick in the book, The old TROJAN Horse Ploy.  After a fruitless 10 year siege, the Greeks constructed a huge wooden horse, and hid a select force of fighters inside.  They then pretended to sail away and the Trojans pulled the horse into their city as a victory trophy. That night the Greek force crept out of the horse and opened the gates for the rest of the Greek army, which had sailed back under cover of night.  The Greeks entered and destroyed the city of Troy, decisively ending the war. Today of course a Trojan Horse has come to mean a trick the Geeks try to cause a target to invite a foe into a computer.

This picture is from a museum in Germany.

                                 Don't forget the expression, Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts.

On this date in 1792, The French National Anthem was composed and adopted as the official anthem 2 years later. "The Marseillaise"

The first soda fountain was patented in 1858 (I'll Drink to that) and in 1895 Parliament decided not to bring in Prohibition and I'll drink to that too.

In 1942 Lucy Maude Montgomery (1874) died at the age of 68.  She had written 22 works of fiction, 450 Poems and 500 Short Stories including "Anne of Green Gables" and "Emily of New Moon".

Canadian Raymond Burr made his TV acting debut in 1952 on this date.  He later went on to star in Perry Mason and Ironside both very popular TV shows. I'll bet some of you remember the painting on the side of the barn of Raymond on old Barrie Road (thanks for the correction Allen Dale).  It was done of course by the same great artist Fred Lenz that did  most of the wonderful historic paintings in downtown Midland. 

This is apparently the biggest outdoor historic mural in North America which Fred did along with many others.

In 1959, "Your Hit Parade" first on radio then on to TV was cancelled.  It had been on since 1935.

In 1977 "Studio 54" opened up at the height of the DISCO craze and became the most well-known "Hot Spot". There is still a radio channel on Satellite radio called Studio 54. The music had to be played really loudly to be heard over the Swishing of Polyester.

It was a big day for SNOOKER in 1983 when Canadian Cliff Thorburn became the first person to record a maximum 147 Break at the World Snooker Championships in England. He was at the Barrie Legion just a few weeks ago for a demonstration. They should have called the break a Pocketful of Miracles.

In 1985 the Canadian Supreme Court ruled to allow Sunday Shopping in most Canadian provinces. Today of course it's "Old Hat" I guess. although you can get an old hat or new one even on a Sunday.

In 1990 The Giant Hubble Telescope was Piggybacked into space and after a fix in 1993 has sent back some amazing pictures. 

In 1992, Glam Rocker David Bowie and model Iman were married in Switzerland 21 years ago.  That is amazing for the entertainment industry.

David also was in quite a few movies including "The Last Temptation of Christ" in which he played Pontius Pilote.

HAPPY  BIRTHDAY PEEPS     

Shirley McLaine is 79 today....Barbra Streisand (People not Peeps) is 71.  She was first noticed doing the musical "I Can Get It for You Wholesale" (the Jack Benny Story :). She is one of the few entertainers who has won an Oscar Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award.

   

 Kelly Clarkson (the 1st American Idol winner) is 31, David Crombie is 77, Singer Luba  is 55, Baseball's Chipper Jones (41) and Carlos Beltran (36).  also blowing out candles is golf's Lee Westwood and Hockey's infamous Alan Eagleson is 80 years old today (I think your birthday card from Bobby Orr got lost in the mail). Daniel Dafoe was born on this date in 1731.  He of course wrote Robinson Crusoe (who of course coined TGIF). If you are celebrating I hope it's a terrific day for you.

and finally.....Deja Trew is the feeling that you' ve heard that PUN before.

mornin' everybody...mornin'

TUESDAY APRIL 23RD, 2013

IT'S HOWDY DUTY TIME....SO HOWDY AGAIN.  Lets look at the weather for the first 5 years of the 1980's....we only had one nice day out of the 5, that was in 1985 when it got up to a high of 30 C and a low of 12.  A couple of the days were simply Cold. WoW it is three nice days in a row for weather.  Lets enjoy TODAY to its fullest.

In 1597 Shakespeare's MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (not to be confused with The housewives of Vancouver) was first performed .  Queen Elizabeth I, was in attendance.  I presume all the actors were men.

In 1851 Sanford Fleming designed Canada's first Stamp.  It was called the 3 pence Beaver Stamp.  It of course was Fleming who came up with the idea of worldwide standard time zones as well and helped transform the face of the industrial world. 

This Beaver stamp is not to be confused with the other "Bieber Stamp" which of course is a picture of Justin Bieber stamping his foot when he doesn't get his own Way.

In 1906 The Alberta Legislature set the Provinces speed limits to 10 mph in the towns and cities and 20 mph on the country roads.

In 1924 Canadians heard a radio Broadcast of the voice of King George V opening the Empire Exhibition at Wembley.

In 1933 The Gestapo was established .  Although it is generally associated with SS leader Heinrich Himmler it was actually founded by Herman Goring.

In 1945 The Soviet Army fought its way into Berlin.

In 1950 Chaing evacuated Hainan, leaving Mainland China to Mao and the communists.

Hank Aaron the the Milwaukee Braves hit his first major-league home run on this date in history. "Hammerin' Hank broke Babe Ruth's Home run record and set his own record of 755 which I still prefer to think of as the record rather than Bobby Bonds tainted record.

Sirhan Sirhan was sentenced to death for killing Bobby Kennedy on this date but of course he never was and now there is a witness who has said she will witness for the defence that there were shots from more than Sirhan.  The lady now lives near Vancouver.  The U.S. District Court in L.A. is set to rule on a request by Sirhan, now 68, that he be released, retried or granted a  hearing on new evidence. She says the FBI got her testimony twisted. This picture was taken 2 years before and it is the lady on the right who is the witness involved. She is willing to testify there were bullets fired from another direction.

IN 1972, The Apollo 16 Astronauts explored the Moon's surface as to it's make-up as part of their flight and of course one of the most asked questions was "Who Cut the Cheese"

Speaking of the Moon, it was on this date in 1988 that Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" album finally fell off the Billboard 200 Chart after spending over 14 years on that chart.

There are a lot of Birthday Peeps today, including former Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson or "Mike".  he was born on this date in 1897 and died in 1972.  

Here he is, with 3 of his Cabinet cronies who went on to become Prime Ministers as well.

"Mike" won the Nobel Peace Prize before becoming Prime Minister and he passed a lot of very important legislation while he leading  the country for 5 years with a Minority Government. He was our 13th Prime Minister and in my opinion  its was a LUCKY Number 13 Canada had.

Goalie Tony Esposito is 70 years old today (won or shared in 3 Vezina Trophies), One of my all-time favourite Singers Roy Orbison was born on this day in Vernon Texas in 1936.  He died in 1988 but his SOARING VOICE will go on forever, luckily for us. I include my favourite here.

Ray Petterson (Tell Laura I love her) was born 3 years later to the day, Shirley Temple is 85 years old today. She was a child star of course and apparently Some of the movies she did would be classified as inappropriate now. Sandra Dee was born on this date (1942-2005), Lee Majors (6 Mil Man) is 74, Joyce de Witt is 64, Michael Moore is 59 , Baseballs' Warren Spaun (1921-2003), Melina Kanakaredes is 47 (CSI New York) and the beautiful Model from Kincardine, Jessica Stam is 27 today.

Oh yes I must not forget William Shakespeare (1564-1616) we started and must finish with The Bard. (he was baptized the 26th and some use that date.

finally

..It is Shakespeare's birthday today....known as the Greatest English writer of all, but he had his little idiosyncrasies ...for instance, he use to drive around his little Hamlet's roads BACKWARDS  in his RED "TUDOR PORTIA" but then he would get back to work with the words..."PARKING is such sweet sorrow."   Hope this Post is "as you Like It"








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MONDAY APRIL 22ND, 2013

A big Hi to you this morning.  I hope your week-end was a terrific one despite the return to winter on Saturday.  Around here the Maple Syrup festival was a big hit despite that horrible cold weather.  Back in 1986 today's date was a high of only plus 1 and a low of minus 6.  We had a cold day with flurries, but one year earlier in 1985 Mother Nature won the tug of war with Old Man Winter as the mercury topped out at  30 Celsius the hottest day of the year to that point.

In 1500, Pedro Alvarez Cabral sighted Brazil and claimed it for Portugal.  Shortly after he had the first Brazil wax done to keep looking sharp.
1509 was a trying time for England with the ascension to the throne of Henry the 8th who went to any lengths to gain a Male Heir.  He became a Serial marrier and serial killer at the same time while playing musical thrones with his Queens and sending them off to the local Chopping Centres.
In 1823, R.J. Tyers patented Roller Skates so history could really get Rolling. (It was immortalized with the almost out of tune song by Melanie "I got a brand new Key"



in 1876 The National Baseball League began it's first season with the Boston Braves beating the Philadelphia  Athletics 6-5.  On the very same day Tchaikovsky completed his Swan Lake Ballet which resulted in a TUTU tie which went into extra Innings.
In 1903, the New York Highlanders (the Yankees first name)  beat the Senators 3 to 1. The same team donned their Pinstripes and hat-in-the-ring Logo in 1915.
Also in 1915 the first product endorsement took place when FATTY ARBUCKLE told the world how wonderful MURAD cigarettes were. He did a smokin' job. I used to try and get those but when I pitched the Fleecy commercials, I "fluffed" my lines, I got a "bum wrap" from the Pampers people and lost out on Bounce when I got into a Downey-Brook.
In 1930 The New Welland Canal opened (original was 1829) it cut the time to get a ship from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie from 20 hours to 8 hours.
In 1962 The Maple  Leafs beat Chicago 4 games to 2 to take the Stanley Cup.  The Leafs of course clinched a play off spot for the first time in 9 years on Saturday night.  (certainly Brian Burke deserves a lot of the credit for that and the Leafs new ownership gets NO Credit for that). Apparently the Head Honcho of Bell didn't like him.
Lester B Pearson was sworn in as Canada's 13th Prime Minister on this date in 1963.
In 1970 the first "Earth Day" was held internationally to conserve natural resources and on the same day Something called FLAT EARTH day was held but People were a little EDGY with the idea that the earth is flat, as a matter of fact it's kind of Fallen Off in popularity.

In 1991 Johnny Carson announced he would retire as host of the Tonight show the next year (1992).  Of course Jay Leno has announced he will retire next year after over 20 years. No more JAY walking for him.

BIRTHDAY PEEPS FOR THIS DATE IN HISTORY.

Vladamir Lenin, also known as Nikolai, the Russian father of the Russian Revolution was born in 1870,
1923, Bettie Page the American Pin-up model and playboy model was born in 1923

Singer Mel Carter is 70...this is his biggest hit....



also born on this date:
Jack Nicholson who is 76 Baseballs' Terry Francona 54, Ex Jay great Jimmie Key is 52, and Canadian actress Catherine Mary Stewart is 54.  If you are blowing out some candles today have a good one.


and finally..

a woman credits stopping to buy a sticky bun with saving her life at the Boston Marathon, I guess for those keeping track of these things, sticky buns saving a person's life, 1. sticky buns killing people with heart disease and diabetes, 6 Million.

mornin' everybody....mornin'

FRIDAY APRIL 19TH, 2013

HI ho hi ho..'tis off to the week-end we go.   We certainly had a lot of rain last night but a really nice afternoon until the storm came back.  We were still looking for some nice spring weather in 1983 TO NO AVAIL, but it was very nice in 1992.  It was Easter Sunday and we topped off with a lovely day of weather.  Back in 1991 the Jays had 6 wins and 4 losses while right now they are a disappointing 6 and 9. The Leafs are also looking like they may not get to the play-offs with some ordinary hockey while in 5th place but a couple or 3 teams could pass them easily and make it 9 years in a row with no post season Play.

In 1667 Cardinal Richelieu signed the Charter of "the Company of 100 Associates to help develop Canada.n 1775 saw the American Revolutionary War ( Including the Shot that was heard round the World) Don't Americans love to Glorify their events.

In 1882 Charles Darwin died.  His theory simplified :

As many more individuals of each species are born than can possibly survive; and as, consequently, there is a frequently recurring struggle for existence, it follows that any being, if it vary however slightly in any manner profitable to itself, under the complex and sometimes varying conditions of life, will have a better chance of surviving, and thus be naturally selected. From the strong principle of inheritance, any selected variety will tend to propagate its new and modified form. 

Many thought it was a Bunch of Monkey Business.

The First RUNNING Automobile was built in the U.S. 121 years ago.

 

George Ellis with his 1892 Automobile in Wisconsin. According to documentation filed with the photograph, Ellis claimed that he successfully ran his automobile on February 28, 1892. Automobile is in the  McCormick Museum
Wisconsin Historical Society. He was wheely proud 

of this baby.

In 1904, a Huge fire raged through downtown Toronto causing millions of dollars in damage and destroying 104 buildings in it's path.  Luckily there were NO Deaths, but it left 14 acres of the city's business core in ice-covered ruins. "standing at the corner of Front and Bay Streets," writes a Globe reporter "one begins to realize the extent of the awful destruction that has been wrought" . This is a picture of the city rebuilt from 1910. 


In 1910 Halley's Comet was seen by the naked eye in Curacao at least that was the"Talk Around the Clock"

It was last seen in 1986 and will not be seen again until mid-2061 It was named after English Astronomer Edmond Halley but his name was spelled and pronounced in so many different ways It is uncertain what the proper pronunciation is actually unkown so if you want to name it after the group Bill Hailey and the Comets, go for it.

In 1934 Shirley Temple appeared in her first movie on this date.  It was called "STAND UP AND CHEER".

IN 1960, baseball Uni's started displaying the names of the players on the back of their uniforms which was a big help for those who wanted to yell out....."hey Trew you're a Bum...I've seen better batters from Aunt Jemina.

It was 20 years ago on this date the 51 day seige at the Branch Dividian compound near Waco Texas ended in a fire that cremated Waco Wacko David Koresh and his followers.

BIRTHDAY  PEEPS FOR THIS FRIDAY APRIL 19TH...

Dudley Moore (1935-2002) Hugh O'Brien (Wyatt Earp on TV) is 88, Former Governor-General Roland Michener was born in 1900 on this date. Eleanor Donahue who played the oldest daughter on 'Father Knows Best'and also Sheriff Andy Taylor's Girlfriend on "Andy of Mayberry" (Two of the great TV classics) is 76 .Tim Curry (Rocky Horror Picture Show,  not the Maple Leafs HOCKEY Horror Picture Show), is 67 today, Al Unser Junior is 51, 6 foot 2 inch Tennis Star Maria Sharapova is 26. Canadian Actor Hayden Christenson (2 of the Starwar's prequels) is 32, Kate Hudson is 34, Ashley Judd is 45, Darryl Sutter, coach of the L.A. Kings is 55, Jayne Mansfield (1932-1967) and Mariska Hargitay's Mom. Dick Sargent , the 2nd actor to play Elizabeth Montgomery's hubby in 'Bewitched' (1930-1994)

This is Dick Sargent

Dick York

Eliot Ness of the FBI was born on this date (1903-1957).  I didn't realize he was a real person after watching "The Untouchables" on TV (He was played by Robert Stack)

AND FINALLY......a friend's husband has decided that, at the ripe old age of 48, he needed to get into shape. They went to the gym where a trainer asked him if he could do the splits. 'Of course I can't', he answered. 'How flexible are you?' she asked. To which he replied 'Well, I can't do Tuesdays.'


MORNIN' EVERYBODY....MORNIN'







THEY CAUGHT THE FINAL BOMBER THIS NIGHT IN BOSTON

THURSDAY APRIL 18, 2013

Good Thursday morning...Yes I'm back after an Internet Meltdown yesterday which finally got fixed last night.  30 years back we were having a nasty spring with a high on this date of zero and a low of minus 4 and even a few snow flurries to sweeten the Pot. It was kind of cool in 81and 82, as well. We are finally getting some decent spring weather his spring but the week-end is another story.  The High for Saturday for our venture of cleaning up  Milligan's Pond is expected to only be a bit above Zero. By the way if you are getting a bit down on the Blue Jays these days.  Their 1993 start was only 6 wins and 7 loses. We are getting quite a storm at the moment 10:10 am with lightening and thunder. It's been a Lovely afternoon.


MAGICAL HISTORY TOUR.


In 1506, the first stone was laid for St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on this date.
1749 saw playing cards being used a lot by French Soldiers, so the Governor ordered them to be used as currency in a campaign called "Let's be Franc" (suited everyone)
South of the border in 1775, Paul Revere's Ride took place, leading to the poem by Longfellow which was rather "a long fellow" for a poem but it is still Revered to this day.
In 1793 The first Ontario Newspaper was published (the Upper Canada Gazette) edited by Louis Roy.  The first edition was only 4 pages long, but sure enough the wife of John Graves Simcoe (who wanted the newspaper published) said there were "too many ads"

The front page of this historic four-page folio consisted of the text of a speech by His Majesty King George III delivered to both Houses of Parliament on 13 December 1792 and a proclamation from
His Excellency Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe "for the suppression of Vice, Profanements & Immorality" in the province of Upper Canada.

In 1932 The Ford Motor company introduced the MODEL B to customers.
Gene Autry recorded "Back in the Saddle Again"in 1936 and it was a huge hit but his follow-up tune "Who Blew My Saddle Horn" didn't do nearly as well.
The Irish Republic was proclaimed on this date in 1949.  There was even a pub in rePUBlic.
In 1956 Movie star Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco got hitched after an almost non-TV version of the Batchelor, seen on TV by 30,000,000 people.  She died of a car accident in 1982

In his eulogy, James Stewart said:

“

You know, I just love Grace Kelly. Not because she was a princess, not because she was an actress, not because she was my friend, but because she was just about the nicest lady I ever met. Grace brought into my life as she brought into yours, a soft, warm light every time I saw her, and every time I saw her was a holiday of its own. No question, I'll miss her, we'll all miss her, God bless you, Princess Grace.

In 1980 Rhodesia became the independent nation of Zimbabwe.



BIRTHDAY PEEPS ON THIS DATE....

                                                     Barbara Hale is 91 today.  You remember her from Perry Mason's Girl Friday.  She was in her first movie way back in 1943 (Gildersleeves Bad Day) and many more until she got the Della Street gig (250 episodes)  from 1957 to 1966 and the 30 Made for TV movies.

Hayley Mills (Pollyanna) is 67. Actor James Woods in 66, Rick Moranis (one of the McKenzie Brothers introduced in 1980 on SCTV for the show's 3rd season) is 60 today and the thing is, he was on "the Great White North" segment of the show and the Shocking thing is HE WAS NOT CANADIAN.  TAKE OFF EH! ya hoser! Yet another says he was born in Toronto so I guess all is forgiven.  I think realtor Sadie is his mother.  You can put your toque back on.
Eric Roberts (actor and Bro of Julia) is 57. Kourtney Kardashion (older sister of Kim and Khloe) is 34 (so much money, so little Talent).  Also blowing out the candles Canadian actor Eric McCormack is 50 (Will and Grace), Jane Leeves (Frasier)  52 and Conan O'Brien is 50 (talk show host and great friend of Jay LET- GO. (who wouldn't let go of the Tonight show)

One of my favourite Doctor Who's (in fact he's on the list of WHO"S WHO of Doctor WHO'S) is 42.  He was born in Scotland and when he was very young he wanted to be an actor because he wanted to be Dr.WHO. (who'de thunk it).....here's is the theme during his years as the Time Lord.



and finally.....Why did Dr. Who spend so much time in the Police Call Box.....cause it was a Place to call Home....

mornin' everybody...mornin'

TUESDAY APRIL 16TH 2013

MOURNING....it's hard to find the Good in good mornin but we MUST, even after yesterday's senseless murder and carnage.

I GUESS we have Stay Calm and Carry On but Not Today.

Rest In Peace. Rita MacNeil 1944 - 2013....died April 16th, 2013

MONDAY APRIL 15TH 2013

Hi......Ken along with the Yawning of a new day and a new week....I hope you have your funny side up, because I have a few cracks about history things and birthday peeps to pass along including the fact that our man in space has had his "Saturday night bath" SCRUBBED over the week-end. :).  In 1985 we had our first real Spring-like day with a high of 23 C and a low of +10. In 1992 we were asking the same question as we are today.  Are we ever going to have any real spring weather? It is a nice morning so far.

"MAGICAL HISTORY TOUR"

We have a good opener for our file because on this date in 1738, the bottle opener was invented (the first not involving bashing it with a stone I guess.)
In 1814, The Kingston Navy Dockyard launched two warships, The Prince Regent and the Princess Charlotte (no, not the first of the Princess Cruise liners).  They restored Canadian control of Lake Ontario in the War of 1812 and ended the threat of US invasion.  It didn't do much to stop the invasion of Walmart though.
In 1878 "Ivory Soap" was first introduced by a fellow named Harley Proctor.
General Electric was formed and incorporated on this date in 1892.

On this date in 1912 the Titanic sank after hitting an iceberg the night before while Robert Hunston and James Goodwin, junior wireless radio operators at Cape Race, Newfoundland listened to their distress signals.  The wireless operator of the "Virginian", 200 miles away, reported they had been trying to reach the White Star" liner but the last signals at 12:27 am were blurred and ended abruptly. Hunston and Goodwin got their first request for information at 2 am which they refused because such information was confidential.
At 6am they received news that the "Carpathia" had picked up 20 Boatsloads of survivors. The unsinkable boat went under about 2 hours and 40 minutes after hitting the iceberg.  ONLY 31.6% of the passengers and crew survived, and one of those was Lt. Colonel Arthur Peuchen,  the owner of the Woodlands Estate, on Shanty Bay Road just outside of Barrie.  He bought the1867 estate in 1867, in 1907 and hid from the questions of how he managed to survive in a lifeboat full of women. The estate has been up for sale recently for $17 Million. If you enjoyed the movie by Canadian James Cameron and the love story of Jack and Rose, there were 13 Newlywed Couples on Board. (kind of an unlucky number) at least one couple survived but there are too many different stories to know for sure. Another source says there were 20 newlywed couples on board.

In 1920, The Canadian Small cent coin was released and of course The cent is now Cents-less.
In 1923, Insulin became available for most diabetics on this date.
1947 was the year that Jackie Robinson went hitless in his first regular season game in the Majors.  The movie  seems to be getting pretty good reviews.
In 1955 Ray Kroc Started the McDonalds Chain of Restaurants after buying out a couple of Brothers who actually opened the first McDonalds in 1940 in San Bernadino California.This is the oldest operating McDonalds.

ON THIS DATE 39 years ago, the first Oympic Lottery was held in Canada.
In 1997 Baseball honoured Jackie Robinson number 42 was Honoured by retiring the number for all teams.

BIRTHDAY PEEPS TODAY

Leonardo De Vinci in 1452, Elizabeth Montgomery ("Bewitched) 1933-1995)
Hockeys' Kevin Lowe is 54 as is actress Emma Thompson , Emma Watson of the Harry Potter series is 23 and apparently made 10 Million Pounds from that series.  Canadian Poet Bliss Carmen (1861-1929) How could you be anything but, with a first name of Bliss, and Distiller Joseph Seagram (1841-1919) was born in Cambridge Ontario on this date. Seth Rogan, Canadian actor is 31, Hockey's Tim Thomas is 39, Roy Clark was born 80 years ago and Nikita Khrushchev (1894-1971) and a SHOE -IN in for most Colourful Soviet Union Premier.

AND FINALLY...

With the No Surprise Election of Justin Trudeau as new Federal Liberal Leader Yesterday...if he becomes Prime Minister in the future (and I think he will with Canadians penchant for electing Trudeau-maniac star- power types) will he get to the point where he'll find  "THE BILLS-Bury Trudeau-Boy"


mornin' everybody....mornin'

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  for the unforgivable carnage at the Marathon today....may justice be swift and love to those who lost so much.