Friday, December 31, 2010

Ski Hills of Blue Mountain

A great evening shot of the floodlit ski runs of Blue Mountain taken last Monday from Woodland Beach across Nottawasaga Bay. Photo by Joe Bickerstaff.

 

Ski Hills Lit, Dec 27.2010

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

** True Story of Rudolph**

 

A man named Robert L. May, depressed and brokenhearted,
stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling
December night.
His 4-year-old daughter Barbara sat on his lap quietly
sobbing.
Bobs wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer.
Little Barbara couldn't understand why her mommy
could never come home. Barbara looked up into her
dad's eyes and asked, "Why isn't Mommy just like
everybody else's Mommy?"
Bob's jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears.
Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger.
It had been the story of Bob's life. Life always had to
be different for Bob.
Small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by
other boys.
He was too little at the time to compete in sports.
He was often called names he'd rather not remember.
From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed
to fit in.
Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and
was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery
Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed
with his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyn's bout
with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob
and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room
apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days
before Christmas in 1938.
Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he
couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he
couldn't buy a gift, he was determined a make one - a
storybook!
Bob had created an animal character in his own mind
and told the animal's story to little Barbara to give her
comfort and hope.
Again and again, Bob told the story, embellishing it
more with each telling.
Who was the character? What was the story all about?
The story Bob May created was his own autobiography
in fable form. The character he created was a misfit
outcast like he was.
The name of the character? A little reindeer named
Rudolph, with a big shiny nose.

Rudolph

Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little
girl on Christmas Day.
But the story doesn't end there.
The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught
wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a
nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book.
Wards went on to print, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer" and distribute it to children visiting Santa
Claus in their stores.
By 1946, Wards had printed and distributed more than
six million copies of Rudolph.
That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase
the rights from Wards to print an updated version of
the book.
In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of
Wards returned all rights back to Bob May.
The book became a best seller.
Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May,
now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy
from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter.
But the story doesn't end there either.
Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song
adaptation to Rudolph.
Though the song was turned down by such popular
vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore , it was
recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry.
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released in
1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more
records than any other Christmas song, with the
exception of "White Christmas."
The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter
so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again
and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like
his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn't so
bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing.

 

Santa Rudolph cropped

 


* MERRY CHRISTMAS 2010*

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Solstice Eclipse Photographed by Enrique in Wasaga Beach

 

Total eclipse of the moon. The moon passed through the shadow of the Earth early Tuesday morning. Enrique Photo Art photo

WASAGA BEACH – A total lunar eclipse was viewable from North America early Tuesday morning and Wasaga Beach photographer Enrique Miranda braved the elements to photograph the event, which coincided with the arrival of the winter solstice.

The moon passed through the shadow of the Earth early Tuesday morning, turning it a deep reddish brown. Normally, the moon is illuminated by the sun, but the Earth cut off that light source for a few hours, creating a ghostly moon apparition in the night sky. The partial eclipse began at 1:33 a.m. Eastern, and the total eclipse lasted between 2:41 a.m and 3:53 a.m. The partial eclipse will end at 5:01 a.m.

The sky was clear over the Georgian Bay for a change, allowing the eclipse to viewed, much to the delight of local skywatchers. The full moon slowly slipped into shadow starting just after 1:30 a.m.  Scattered across the rest of the night sky, the stars appeared brighter than usual in contrast.

The last time the solstice coincided with a total lunar eclipse on the same calendar day was long before any of our lifetimes, experts say. The year, according to Geoff Chester, public affairs officer at the U.S. Naval Observatory, was 1638.

Courtesy simcoe.com

Monday, December 20, 2010

The Price of Gas in France

A thief in Paris planned to steal some paintings from the Louvre.

Louve

After careful planning, he got past security, stole the paintings, and made it safely to his van.
However, he was captured only two blocks away when his van ran out of gas.
When asked how he could mastermind such a crime and then make such an obvious error, he replied, 'Monsieur, that is the reason I stole the paintings.'

Monet

I had no Monet

degas

To buy Degas

van gogh 

To make the Van Gogh

degalle

See if you have De Gaulle to send this Link on to someone else

Toulouse

I posted this because I figured I had nothing Toulouse.

A hug from mom in Wasaga Beach is all one stranded Canadian traveller wants for Christmas

 

From Toronto Star.

Hethrow

LONDON—“All I want for Christmas is to hug my mom.”

Doesn’t seem like a very lavish present Becky Dobbs is asking for, but to many Canadians facing the possibility of spending a third night sleeping at Heathrow airport Monday because of snow and ice, reuniting with family is the perfect gift.

Dobbs, 27, a supply teacher working in London, was supposed to fly to Toronto on Saturday evening to spend Christmas with her family in Wasaga Beach. Instead, she spent the night sleeping on the floor of Terminal 3.

Her friend, Kerry Foley, 24, also a supply teacher, had her flight to Ottawa cancelled Sunday evening. Both are rescheduled for a flight to Toronto on Christmas Day, missing most of the holiday. Because of this, Foley and Dobbs have decided put their name on a waiting list, and sleep at the airport every night, in case a space opens up on an earlier flight.

The mass in front of the Air Canada counter has about 40 people all hoping to get a spot on Monday’s late flight to Toronto. Many like Dobbs and Foley, have been in the airport since the weekend. Some are even afraid to go to bathroom, in case they miss their name.

“They call the name twice and then move on,” said Akinola Simon, 25, from Trinidad.

He’s hoping to get any flight back to Canada, so that he can make it to Trinidad for Christmas. He had already missed his name earlier in the day.

“Every time there is a new flight, you have to put your name back on,” he said.

After three days in the airport, Dobbs said she had noticed that the situation was bringing out the best in some people.

“As I was trying to call my parents long distance on my cell phone, I started sobbing in a little corner of the airport,” said Dobbs. “There were quite a few strangers that purposefully came up to me and said, ‘is there anything I can do to help you?’ ”

Steve Baltzois, 35, has also been trying to lift people’s spirits since his flight to Sydney was cancelled Friday.

After realizing that there were a very limited number of power outlets at the airport, he used his own powerbar, chargers and bought two adapters to charge as many cell phones, laptops, iPads and Game Boys as he could.

“Right now I can accommodate six plugs,” he said, sitting beside a Christmas tree.

Baltzois, who was born in Montreal, but grew up in Philadelphia, said it helped him meet people from all over the world.

Wasaga Beach Snow Drift

I'm Dreaming Cartoon.png

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Candle Light Service this Christmas Eve! Woodland Beach Community Church

I promised you some Woodland Beach stuff. I'm sure you have been waiting and waiting ... thinking "I need to know more of the wee Church that Joe spoke of"... so here you go.Candle Light Service this Christmas Eve!                                                            Years ago, I took the text from a Tiny Township publication about the history of the Township... so it's here. Also, I have the "program" from the 50th Anniversary Service... that I scanned and it's attached. The pix are from yesterday as I drove by. Today they were digging out the entrance. It is almost across the street from where our old Woodland Beach cottage used to be. It's a great little Church and I wish I could go the the service this Christmas Eve. They have now been doing it for I think 4 years. Kinda cool I think!!

Joe Bickerstaff

Beach Booster Streetscapes Ltd.

Text from Recollections-Woodland Church

 WB Church50th_Page_01

WB Church50th_Page_07

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Latest Print Christmas Edition of Beach Booster


Click on images for Better Viewing

Celtic “Amazing Grace” This One is a Keeper

A Celtic (pronounced Keltic) "Amazing Grace" from the AndrĂ© Rieu orchestra, accompanied by the European Pipe Band in Hamburg, about three minutes in length.  You will wish it were way longer!
It begins with the leading notes being played on a pennywhistle (an instrument which
comes to us from Ireland)  ... then, the lead is taken over by a single bagpiper ...thereafter followed by an entire array of bagpipers!
Hope you have external speakers and that you'll really crank them up for this.

Watch and listen, it is beautiful.

 

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Lee Westwood - 'Yes, I'm the best in the world'

Lee Westwood

 

by Golf Digest Magazine on Sunday, December 12, 2010 at 8:57am

When Lee Westwood's father phoned him to congratulate him on his ascent to the top of the World Ranking, Westwood was wandering aimlessly down an aisle in a grocery story.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, hang on," Westwood told his father. "I can't find the mashed potatoes."

This anecdote comes from Anna Kessel's entertaining story in the Guardian that makes it abundantly clear that the new No. 1-ranked player in the world is a rather dramatic departure from the man he supplanted, Tiger Woods. "Chirpy, refreshingly down to earth," a Sydney Morning Herald headline over the same story said.

There is this anecdote, too: A flight attendant unaware of his celebrity and knowing nothing of golf, asked him where he got his tan.

"Playing a bit of golf," Westwood replied.

"Are you any good?" she asked.

Westwood contemplated how to respond for a moment.

"Yes," he said finally. "I'm the best in the world."

-- John Strege

Friday, December 10, 2010

Santa’s Pet Day at Stonebridge Wasaga Beach

Pet Day is for “Dog’s only” as Santa is allergic to cats! It will be Thursday December 16thfrom 4:30 to 7:30pm. Stonebridge Town Centre in Wasaga Beach at Santa’s Castle. Bring your dog and let him, her or “it” tell  Santa what they want for Christmas. Pictures and Recordings are available.

Jack-1

Sunday, December 5, 2010

At Gas Pumps Using the "CLEAR" button ~ Very important!

THIS IS SOMETHING I DID NOT KNOW, BUT SURE IS WORTH READING AND REMEMBERING THAT IS IF YOU CAN REMEMBER TO:
Using the "clear" button
Using credit/debit card?
Read this note very carefully.
I did not know about the clear button, but I will be pushing the clear button before I swipe my gas or debit card and after just to be safe.
Gas Pump
People are getting really desperate due to the constantly rising gas prices.
A friend just told me about something that happened to one of his co-workers.
She used her credit/debit card to purchase gas at the pump (like most of us do).  She received her receipt like normal.
However, when she checked her statement, there were 2  $50. charges added in addition to her purchase.  Upon investigation, she found out that because she did not press the 'clear' button on the pump, the employee inside the store was able to use her card to purchase his/her own gas!
To keep this from happening, after you get your receipt, you must press the 'CLEAR'  button or your information will be stored until the next customer inserts their card.
Be sure to tell all your friends/family so that this doesn't happen to them. I had never noticed the clear button but I got gas the other day and sure enough it is there.  I shall be using it from now on.
Gas Pump2

I know, I know, we’re getting dumped on but it’s time to think about Summer Promotions

SunSand 120510
Logos 112410_Page_2
beach BOOSTER promotions..
111-291 Main Street, Unit 2, Wasaga Beach, ON Canada  L9Z 0E8
info@beachbooster.com                                                                                                                                    705-812-5507 or 705-716-1670...GTA 416-230-6729

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Wasaga Dome installed in World Diabetes Day Virtual Museum

DSC_4871 

World Diabetes Day (WDD) is the primary global awareness campaign of the diabetes world.

  November 14 

It was introduced in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to the alarming rise in diabetes around the world. In 2007, the United Nations marked the Day for the first time with the passage of the United Nations World Diabetes Day Resolution in December 2006, which made the existing World Diabetes Day an official United Nations World Health Day.

Sponsored by the Wasaga Beach Lions Club in 2010 The Wasaga Dome in Wasaga Beach, Canada was lighted  BLUE to promote awareness, education and prevention of Diabetes. A photograph of the Wasaga Dome has been installed in World Diabetes Virtual Museum.

Thanks to all who supported this event in Wasaga Beach

Here is the link

http://www.worlddiabetesday.org/museum/?id=4701