Friday 12 April 2013

Upper Canada Village


THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY, HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Queen's Birthday was widely recognized as an important national holiday by the 1860's.  Although a few citizens probably disapproved of the additional unpaid day off, this holiday was extremely popular.  The Queen's Birthday presented a chance to get outdoors after a long winter and to celebrate the blessings of monarchy.  Traditionally, the Queen's Birthday was an appropriate time for the regular military and sedentary militia (non-uniformed civilian men of the local area) to muster, patriotic speeches, parades, and sporting and athletic demonstrations. 
Queen Victoria was born May 24, 1819.  On June 20, 1837, at the age of 18, she became the Queen of Britain.  She ruled from 1837 to 1901.  Queen Victoria and Albert were married in 1840.  The royal couple had 9 children.  The popularity of the Royal Family was reflected by the strong public interest when the Prince of Wales came to open Victoria Bridge in Montreal in 1860, and in the widespread and heartfelt grieving that took place throughout the Empire when the Queen's husband died in December, 1861.  In May 1866, the Queen was celebrating her 47th birthday, and the end of the 28th year of her reign.
See us at the Queen's Birthday Celebrations, Sunday May 19, 2013, 
Upper Canada Village, Morrisburg Ontario.

Sunday 6 January 2013

New Year's Day Levee, 2013


New Year's Day 2013 dawned brutally cold, about -12C. Realizing our duty to protect the City, a few of us that survived the festivities of the night before, made our way to City Hall. Once it was determined that there were no Fenians hiding in the snow banks, we joined with the Mayor and City Council and were piped inside by representatives of the Brockville Pipe Band. While thawing out,we received greetings and wishes from all levels of government and a presentation was made to our most senior member.

Ron Wills, uncle of John Karn, turns 90 years old this year. A WW II veteran of many fierce campaigns overseas, Ron is part of our support group and joins us on many celebratory occasions. He was presented with a Temperance Medal by Mayor David Henderson. He swore he "never" touches the stuff and is deserving of this award. If you believe that, I have some swamp land in Florida ..........
Congratulations Ron!

Perhaps because of the cold weather, visitor turnout was low, but many thanks to Mark, Brian, Tim, John K, Uncle Ron, and Gord for holding up the Red side. Denis stopped by, SSgt Mike made an appearance on crutches. You should see him march on those crutches. SPEEDY RECOVERY, Mike!

A small group of us made a traditional stop at the Brockville Rifles Levee and enjoyed their hospitality. It was good to see Jeff who threatens that we will see more of him this year.