THURSDAY MAY 2ND, 2013

WHAT A GORGEOUS MORNIN! Sun's out, birds are out tweeting on their own little computers, and it's time for me to get Blogging on my own little computer for the 2nd day of May. Not only are the birds tweeting but the black flies are out here.  I am sure liking May so far. Back in 86 we had wet snow and the Medonte Hills were covered in white and it was only around 0 degrees.  It was a sunny and warm day 30 years ago and there were a few Tornado warnings down around the Windsor. In 1992, I can also remember the red screen warnings on the weather network on this day as well, so it was a warm one.  Do they still do that red Screen thing?

The Hudson Bay Company was granted it's charter in 1670 on this date by King Charles II.  It was a very important event because it was responsible for opening up much of the country.  Their territory, was called Rupert's Land and it stretched from Labrador to the Rocky mountains.  They had the power to control the fur trade, rule the inhabitants, and even declare war.

 Other duties included prospecting for gold, silver and other precious minerals and finding the Northwest Passage. "The Merchant Adventurers trading in Hudson's Bay" did all their trading in outposts and forts across Canada for more than 200 years from it's headquarters at Moose Factory. It is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and at one time controlled 15% of the acreage of the continent.

                       This was an outpost on Lake Winnipeg in 1884 and here is a map of its teritory.

In 1729 "Catherine the Great" was born in Germany, married Peter Ulrich (the Heir to the Russian Throne and then conspired with her lover and got rid of Peter and became the sole ruler and her sex life became the talk of the nation.  I guess that is why she was called Catherine "The Great"

In 1885 "Good Housekeeping" magazine was first published.

On this day in 1926 was the latest date that Kempenfelt Bay got de-iced in the 20th Century.

Jack Benny's 1st Radio show premiered in 1932 "WELLLLL". His jokes were mainly about his thriftiness. George Burns once quipped "when Jack Benny has a party, you not only bring your own Scotch, you also bring your own Rocks".

1n 1938 Ella Fitzgerald recorded her big tune "a Tisket a Tasket"  

In 1945 Russian troops took Berlin and the German Army surrendered in Italy.

In 1964, Northern Dancer became the first Canadian owned horse to win the Kentucky Derby. You could tell it was Canuck by the way it made the Noise "Neigh Eh" Or he Winnied the Pooh.

 

In 1979 The Top Songs were "Reunited, HOT STUFF and "in the Navy"

 It was election day in Ontario in 1985 and it turned into a minority Government with Frank Miller. Eventually,  David Peterson and Bob Rae formed a coalition and Peterson took over as Premier. ending 42 years of Tory Rule in Ontario.

In 1986 Prince Charles and Princess Diana officially opened the Expos 86 in Vancouver and Anne Murray's

"Now and Forever" hit number 1.

In 1997 Donald Trump and Marla Maples announced they were splitting up.  I guess the Maples sap season had ended and Trump stopped tapping. She was nice, he wasn't.

BIRTHDAY PEEPS TO PEEP AT 

Doctor Spock (of parenting Book fame 1903-1998), Leslie Gore is 67 (no card from Judy I'll bet)

Englebert Humperdinck (the artist formerly known as Gerry Dorsey) is 77, Larry Gatlin is 65, Bianca Jagger is 68, David Beckham (who Likes "Old Spice" is 38), Canadian actor William Hutt (1920-2007.

Also born on this date,Christine Baranski ("The Good Wife") is 61, Donatella Versace is 58 (unfortunately her plastic surgeon went wild) and Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson (Wrestler/Actor?) is 41.  Happy birthday if it's your special day you are in pretty good company.

and finally....I went into a shop and said.....can someone help me buy a kettle...the bloke said "Kenwood" and I said "ok where is he?     

mornin' everybody...mornin'