The starter gun sounds. Half a dozen huge boats that had been sitting motionless on the water explode into action. Two dozen paddles per boat slice the water in unison. Slowly at first, then faster and faster the boats pick up speed. The fierce-eyed dragon heads tipping the prow of each boat seem almost alive as the boats drive forward to the throb of drums and chants of the paddlers. Shouts from thousands of people […]
Articles by Author
Canada Corner
Canoe Country
It’s a cool summer morning and you are gliding across the still water. Just above you is a layer of mist that is slowly vanishing. You take a deep breath and smile: For the next few hours it’s just you and your canoe.
Not everyone shares this passion, but recreational canoeing remains a popular Canadian activity. In fact, it’s estimated there are more than two million “active” paddlers in Canada. That estimate, […]
September 1, 2004, by Steve Pitt
Canada Corner
You Name It, We’ve Got It
Stare long enough at any map of Canada and strange things start to emerge. And I’m not talking about odd-shaped lakes or peninsulas. I’m referring to place names. For tucked among the dull and ordinary are hundreds of names for populated […]
May 1, 2004, by Steve Pitt
Canada Corner
Laughing Matters
From top: Comedy greats Johnny Wayne (left) and Frank Shuster at work in the 1959 Burning of Rome sketch; actors […]
November 1, 2003, by Steve Pitt
Canada Corner
Our New Citizens
Indonesian-born Kreato Adi Wijaya, 9, and his sister Majoli, 7, are among those taking the oath at a Toronto ceremony.
On a cold, dull April afternoon in Toronto, […]
July 1, 2003, by Steve Pitt
Canada Corner
Beware The Windigo
Ojibway artist Mary Ann Caibaiosai’s depiction of the Windigo. Stories of the beast were often used to keep children […]
January 1, 2003, by Steve Pitt
Canada Corner
Apple Country
From top: Beautiful apples sparkle under the sun in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley; Apple grower G.T. Turnbull examines […]
September 1, 2002, by Steve Pitt
Canada Corner
Wings In The Wilderness
A prospector unloads supplies from a bush plane at Taltheillie Narrows, N.W.T.
In 1919, most of Canada’s 3,700,000 square miles were still uncharted wilderness. […]
May 1, 2002, by Steve Pitt
Canada Corner
Hard-water Sailing
Spectators gather at the foot of Toronto’s Bay St. to view a variety of iceboats in 1907.
“There were the iceboats, which were a very […]
March 1, 2002, by Steve Pitt
Canada Corner
Rolling Out The Russell
Thomas Russell poses behind the wheel during a display of Russell cars in the early 1900s.
On a brisk February day in 1907, four brave […]
January 1, 2002, by Steve Pitt
Classified Ads
Books And Publications
Two books by Russ Martin. Secret Zapping of Planet Earth: Main cause of cancer, leukemia, genetic mutation pandemic is revealed in this book. Human Flight from Balloon to Moon to Jumbo Jet: Before and after the Wright Bros. (approx. 228 colored pictures). Trafford Publishing 2657 Wilfert Rd. Victoria BC V9B 5Z3, 1-888-232-4444, 604-535-7397.
Military Memorabilia
WANTED: POCKET & WRIST WATCHES— Any condition: Military, Rolex, Railroad, Omega, Patek any old watches. Call or email Kevin. Toll-free 1-877-765-3999 or kevin@harmonyjewellers.ca.
MASYA HOLDINGS – CANADA’S CHOICE FOR MILITARY HISTORY DVDs— Specializing in military history DVDs, we carry a large inventory of titles in stock. View our catalogue on-line, www.masya.ca.
Miscellaneous
ATTENTION: ALBERTANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY— Do you have any old military books laying around the house? Why not think of donating them to The Military Museums. Located in Calgary, The Military Museums is Canada's second largest tri-service military museum. The Military Museums Library and Archives has recently expanded its facility and is building up its military book collection for use by present and future generations. If you or your loved ones have military books please consider donating them to the Museum. The Archives are also interested in preserving personal histories of Canadians. We would greatly welcome diaries, letters, photographs, scrapbooks, as well as personal remembrances in non-paper form -- such as tapes, home-videos, films and negatives, or digital media -- in order that following generations may learn what Canadians experienced. If you would like to contribute, please contact John Wright at The Military Museums Library and Archives, 4520 Crowchild Trail SW, Calgary, AB T2T 5J4, 403-974-2831, jpwright@ucalgary.ca.
Travel
CANADIANS AT WAR–WW I & WW II BATTLE TOUR— May 28 – June 10, 2009. Hosted by The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Association. Relive the triumphs and tragedies of our brave Canadian soldiers during the great wars of the 20th century. Visit Ypres, Passchendaele, Beaumont Hamel, site of Battle of the Somme and Vimy Ridge, the scene of Canada’s greatest victory. Tour the beaches at Dieppe and Juno, finishing with a visit to Paris. Contact Ellison Tours 1-800-265-7022, vacations@ettravel.com.
