MONDAY MAY 27TH, 2013

Good May 27th to you.  It looks like a lovely morning with sunshine and not much wind for a change.  At 8 am it was 7 C so the weather people really blew the "Frost Warning" issued yesterday for overnight. Back in 1983 the low was near freezing at + 2 and a high of 14.  We have had a couple of Scorchers too with a high of 28 in 1986 and 29.5 degrees in 2004.

Starting back in 1603 Champlain first set foot in Canada.  I wonder what those feet would have looked like. The fancy ones for those with money might have been like these, at least for the men with less money and in the Army.

Champlain being the famous explorer might have had more like these fancy boots.

These boots were made for Walkin' and explorin' I guess.

In 1647 The first recorded execution of a so-called Witch took place in Massachusetts. Her name was Alice Young and she was hanged.

In 1703 Tsar Peter The Great founded the city of St Petersburg on this date (or Leningrad for a while) but now back to St. Petersburg.

In 1813 (During the War of 1812) the Americans captured Fort George). It was basically where Niagara-on-the-Lake is now.

In 1919, Charles Strite patented the POP-UP toaster on this date.  "let's have a Toast to Charles" and not a burnt Toast. Made it a lot easier for Pop-Tarts too. (not to be confused with the Rhianna type of Pop Tart!

In 1936 "the Queen Mary" left England on it's Maiden Voyage.  I got a chance to do a tour when it was in Anaheim with the "Spruce Goose" It turned out to be the best thing that happened on that Honeymoon :)

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco was officially opened in 1937 on this date.  Without it where would Tony Bennett be?

This video also features Judy Garland as a bonus.

In 1939 DC COMICS produced it's second Superhero in their "Detective Comics" with BATMAN.

Batman and Robin are camping in the desert, set up their tent and are asleep. Some hours later, Batman wakes his faithful friend. “Robin, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.”

Robin replies, ” I see millions of stars.”
“What does that tell you?” asks Batman.
Robin ponders for a minute.
“Astronomically speaking, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets.
Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo.
Chronologically, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three.
Theologically, it’s evident the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant.
Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.
What does it tell you, Batman?”
Batman is silent for a moment, then speaks:
” Robin, you idiot, someone has stolen our tent.”

In 1941 The British Navy sank the Bismarck off France with a loss of 2300 lives. More than when the Bismarck sank the "Hood" Such horrible Stats.

In 1957 Toronto's 1050 CHUM A.M. became the first Canadian radio station to only broadcast Top 40 Rock and Roll. 

the First song they played was ELVIS' All Shook Up" Al Boliska did the morning show and used his "world's worst Jokes" and there were names such as John Sprague and Mike Darrow etc. and later on of course Bob McAdory Tom Rivers, and even our own areas Jim Van Horne.

Growing up in Midland of course I could not really get it on my little dark Blue transistor radio but I did get 590 CKEY Good Guys with Duff Roman, and JP Finnigan and of course when CKMP went on the air on July 1st 1959 and having the transmitter tower right behind our cottage really stimulated my interest and led to an over 40 year career in radio. here's a little info on CKMP.

1959

Midland-Penetang Broadcasting Ltd. opened CKMP on July 1, with studios at 196 Dominion Street in Midland. CKMP operated on 1230 kHz with a power of 250 watts, full-time (non- directional). The transmitter and single 150 foot tower were located on part of Lot 102, Concession 1, Tay Township. The "MP" in the call letters was for the towns of Midland and Penetanguishene.

1965
R. B. Armstrong was president of Midland-Penetang Broadcasting and manager of CKMP. B. Armstrong was program director. Ken Rowland was morning man. Jim Armstrong was chief engineer.

1967
On April 17, CKMP increased power to 1,000 watts day and 250 watts night, (non-directional), using the existing transmitter site and tower. 

In 1968, Montreal was awarded a National Baseball League franchise and they began to play at Jarry Park in 1969 .  They left Montreal in 2004. 

In 1969, Construction began on Walt Disney World in Florida.  "a People Trap operated by a mouse" It certainly was not a "Mickey Mouse Operation".

In 1977 Pierre and Margaret Trudeau separated.

IN 1991 "Dallas" was cancelled after 13 Seasons but it is back again and even with J.R. (Larry Hagman) dying it looks like it will be re-newed for a 3rd season.

In 1993 NAFTA was approved by the House of Commons.

BIRTHDAY PEEPS FOR today

In 1818 Amelia Bloomer who demonstrated Full Trousers for Women Bloomers). Christopher Lee is 91, Ramsay Lewis (The In Crowd) is 78, Lou Gossett Jr. is 77, Henry Kissinger is 90, Cilla Black is 70, Bruce Coburn is 68 (Wonder where the Lions are) and Franklin the cartoon Turtle theme song. I just spend an hour looking for this tune from Franklin but apparently the Americans have taken over a new series and installed a new voice (bummer).  Just ANOTHER ANNOYING THING THAT THE AMERICANS KEEP DOING "TAKING OVER EVERYTHING" Bruce wrote the theme song as well.

 Peri Gilpin (Frazier) is 52, Scary guy Vincent Price (1911-1993) Sam Snead (1912-2002) Jamie Oliver (The Naked Chef) is 38, Jan Arden is 51, and Wild Bill Hickcock (1837-1876) and the only Cowboy with his own Jingles :). Chris Colfer (Kurt On Glee) is 23, Todd Bridges (Different Strokes) is 48, and one of the Greatest Country Music writers and performers Don Williams is 74.

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and finally

I don't have anything funny because of the Ugly Americans. It's a good thing I am closing down the Blog on the 31st of May for the summer.  I am THE CURMUDGEON ON CALL.