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Sunday Newsletter 2002-02Su. January 13, 2002. [John] As I mentioned at the top of Friday's Feature, we are back! No more reruns... for a while anyway. I would still like to take an actual vacation in May when my wife, Christine, ventures to Boston, Massachusetts, to take a painting course. I would love to accompany her so that, while she is hard at work each day, I can laze around at Fenway Park taking in a few Red Sox games. We'll see if it works out. We'd like to spend two weeks there so that we can spend the second week together exploring New England. Hopefully it will not be so hot and muggy in May, as it was when I last visited in August 1984. On that trip I never did make it north into Maine, but we definitely plan to do that this time. Anyway, enough of my potential plans for a vacation this year. Let's get on with the newsletter. _______-------=======^^^Ô^^^=======-------_______ \\ TABLE OF CONTENTS // \ Question of the week \ Biography — Thomas Dufferin Pattullo \ History this week \ Place names — Chomedey, Quebec \ Joke of the week \ Quote of the week \ Answer to this week's question \ Preview \ Links and resources \ Legal and subscription information _______-------=======^^^Ô^^^=======-------_______ \\ QUESTION OF THE WEEK // When I speak of "Province House" in Halifax, to what am I referring? _______-------=======^^^Ô^^^=======-------_______ \\ BIOGRAPHY // Thomas Dufferin Pattullo Those of you who reside in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia will be familiar with this gentleman's unique surname, as the bridge spanning the Fraser River between Surrey and New Westminster was named after him. The Pattullo Bridge was built during the depression years of 1936 and 1937 and was named for Mr. Pattullo, who was the premier of British Columbia at the time. Pattullo had a long and varied career prior to becoming premier of BC at the age of sixty. Born in Woodstock, Ontario, on January 19, 1873, Pattullo worked for a couple of newspapers towards the end of the 19th century. The papers were the "Woodstock Sentinel" and the "Galt Reformer", Pattullo becoming editor of the latter in 1896. His father had Liberal Party connections which helped him gain the position of secretary to James Morrow Walsh, the commissioner (Canada's senior representative in the Yukon) of the Yukon Territory in 1897. Pattullo worked in government service in Dawson City until 1902, when he became the acting assistant gold commissioner. A little Yukon history will explain that there was a commissioner in charge of gold, quite the commodity in this region for some decades. The Office of the Commissioner and the Office of the Administrator of the Territory were abolished on March 28, 1918, by an Order In Council. The powers of these offices were subsequently vested in the gold commissioner. Until 1932, the gold commissioner remained the Territory's chief executive, responsible to the minister of the interior. The positions of gold commissioner and comptroller combined in 1932 to be entitled comptroller. The spelling was changed to "controller" in 1936. During this time Pattullo formed a business partnership in the real estate and insurance markets and for a time was a member of the Dawson City council. In 1908 he moved to Prince Rupert, British Columbia, to open a new branch office of his firm. When he ran for office he was first elected as an alderman then mayor of this coastal British Columbia community. By 1916 Pattullo was elected to the British Columbia Assembly, becoming minister of lands in the Liberal government. The Liberals stayed in power until their defeat in 1928. Pattullo then became leader of the Opposition. He revitalized the Party and led it to victory, becoming British Columbia's premier on November 15, 1933. Although he and his party faced tremendous economic and social problems that were created by the great depression of the day, Pattullo was both creative and daring in extending the role of his government. However, his frustrations with the limitations of provincial powers lead him into a battle with Ottawa that resulted in a reappraisal of Canadian federalism. In 1941 there was an inconclusive election, and Pattullo refused to join in a coalition with the Conservatives and was given the brush off by his own party. Therefore he stepped down as premier on December 9, 1941. Later he was defeated in his own riding in Prince Rupert and he retired to Victoria in 1945, where he died on March 30, 1956. _______-------=======^^^Ô^^^=======-------_______ \\ HISTORY THIS WEEK // January 13: 1849 — The fear of American expansion northward caused Britain to lease Vancouver Island to the Hudson's Bay Company for ten years. 1913 — Philip Arthur Gaglardi, politician, born in Mission City, British Columbia. 1933 — Brydone James Duncan (who went by the name Brydon Paige in his professional life), dancer, teacher, choreographer and opera director, born in Vancouver, British Columbia. 1975 — The coldest wind chill since recordings began in 1953 occurred at Pelly Bay, Northwest Territories. The equivalent wind chill temperature was -92 degrees Celsius. At the time, the air temperature was -51 degrees Celsius and the wind speed was 56 kilometres per hour. January 14: 1862 — Carrie Matilda Derick, natural scientist and social activist, born in Clarenceville, Quebec. She holds the distinction of becoming the first woman in Canada to be made a full professor when she was appointed such at McGill University. 1896 — Gordon Merritt Shrum, physicist, born in Smithville, Ontario. He died in Vancouver, British Columbia, just six months shy of his 90th birthday. 1935 — The Montreal Symphony Orchestra, which was founded in 1934, presented its first concert. 1935 — Lucile Wheeler, alpine skier (winner of Canada's first Olympic medal in skiing, a bronze in Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy), appointed to the Order of Canada (1976), born in Montreal, Quebec. 1947 — Glenn Gould made his professional debut on the piano with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at the age of 15. 1956 — Ben Heppner, world-renowned opera tenor, born in Murrayville (Langley), British Columbia. 1974 — Jules Leger was installed as governor general of Canada. January 15: 1841 — Frederick Arthur Stanley, Baron Stanley of Preston and the 16th Earl of Derby, governor general of Canada (1888-1893), born in London, England. In 1893 he donated the Stanley Cup, to be awarded to the Canadian hockey champion. 1874 — James David Stewart, twice premier of Prince Edward Island (1923-1927 and 1931-1933), born in Lower Montague, Price Edward Island. He died in office in Charlottetown, PEI, on October 10, 1933. 1879 — Mazo de la Roche, one of Canada's most prolific and widely-read early 20th century writers, born in Newmarket, Ontario. Encyclopedia contributor C.J. Taylor called her one of the greatest 20th century writers, and one of the most underrated. 1895 — The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir presented its first concert in Massey Hall. January 16: 1948 — Clifford Charles Devlin Thorburn, snooker (pool) player extraordinaire, appointed to the Order of Canada (1983), born in Victoria, British Columbia. Thorburn holds many records, including the world's record of 19 perfect games (147 runs), and has also won the Canadian championship on five different occasions. January 17: 1820 — Hiram Blanchard, first premier of Nova Scotia (1867) after Confederation, born in West River, Nova Scotia. 1879 — Richard Gavin Reid, farmer and premier of Alberta (1934-1935), born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He died in Edmonton, Alberta, on October 17, 1980, a few months shy of his 102nd birthday. 1929 — Jacques Plante, goal tender in the National Hockey League and Hall of Fame member, born near Mont Carmel, Quebec. He retired to Switzerland in 1975 and died in Geneva on February 26, 1986. 1961 — The Columbia River Treaty was signed by Canada and the United States. 1962 — James "Jim" Carrey, actor, born in Newmarket, Ontario. Carrey started on the small stage and has made himself one of Hollywood's biggest money makers. (You can read Carrey's biography in FactsCanada.ca issue 2001-02Su.) January 18: 1880 — Sir Richard Anderson Squires, prime minister of Newfoundland (1928-1932, prior to their entering Confederation), born in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. 1915 — Charles Joseph Sylvanus "Syl" Apps Senior, all around athlete, winner of a gold medal for Canada in the 1934 British Empire Games in the pole vault, representative for Canada at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany, appointed to the Order of Canada (1977), football and hockey star, National Hockey League Hall of Fame member (1961), born in Paris, Ontario. 1950 — Gilles Villeneuve, auto racer, born in Berthierville, Quebec. He died in a qualifying race in Zolder, Belgium, on May 9, 1982. 1961 — Mark Douglas Messier, hockey player, born in Edmonton, Alberta. Messier will certainly be elected to the Hall of Fame on his first go around. 1984 — The Canadian Heritage Rivers System was established as a cooperative program, developed and run by the federal, provincial and territorial governments. The objectives of the program are to give national recognition to Canada's outstanding rivers, and to ensure long-term management and conservation of their natural, cultural and recreational value. January 19: 1911 — Henry "Busher" Jackson, hockey player and National Hockey League Hall of Fame member (1971), born in Toronto, Ontario. Jackson had a fine hockey career, and it was expected he would be elected to the Hall of Fame after his retirement. His induction did not come, however — some say because of his drinking problem. Finally, five years after his death in 1966, he was elected to the Hall. 1929 — The Nova Scotia coat of arms was reinstated by King George V. It was first granted by King Charles I in 1626. 1944 — Pierre Hebert, director of animated films and an engraver, born in Montreal, Quebec. 1950 — Peter Freuchen Ittinuar, first Inuk member of Parliament, grandson of Danish explorer Peter Freuchen, born in Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut (then the Northwest Territories). _______-------=======^^^Ô^^^=======-------_______ \\ PLACE NAMES // Chomedey, Quebec This community (unincorporated area) is actually part of the city of Laval, Quebec. It is located six kilometres southwest of Laval and six kilometres northwest of Montreal, on the northern of the two main islands that make up Montreal. While this island is most commonly known as Laval, its historical name is Ile Jesus. The name Chomedey is derived from the name of Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve, who was born in Champagne, France, about 1605, and who founded Montreal. A stockaded village, named Hochelaga, had been founded there in 1535 by French explorer and navigator Jacques Cartier, whose residents were area Natives. It was visited again in 1605 by explorer and cartographer Samuel de Champlain, who noted it was actually an island. Still, the French did not try settling there until Chomedey arrived on May 17, 1642, with priests, nuns and a hearty band of settlers. Chomedey founded Ville Marie de Montreal on the island, and the settlement began to grow as an important centre of the fur trade as well as a starting point for those venturesome enough to forge further west. Chomedey returned to France in 1665, where he died in Paris on September 9, 1676. He kept no memoirs that have ever been found. Although he died in obscurity, this area of Greater Montreal was eventually named after him, as many of the neighbouring communities like Vimont and Dollard des Ormeaux (DDO) were named after other explorers. Other communities near Chomedey, but part of Laval, are Ste.-Dorothee, Fabreville and Pont Viau. FactsCanada.ca map of Chomedey, Quebec _______-------=======^^^Ô^^^=======-------_______ \\ JOKE OF THE WEEK // American Martha Stewart has become a living icon to most every craft-, cooking- and gardening-oriented enthusiast in North America. Her empire has made her one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, with a fortune in the billions, and her money has been built one key-lime pie at a time. Below, reader and contributor Cathy Bates passes along this week's humour. Martha Stewart vs. Me Martha's way #1: Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips. My way: Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the cone, for Pete's sake. You're probably lying on the couch with your feet up eating it anyway. Martha's way #2: To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes. My way: Buy Hungry Jack mashed potato mix and keep it in the pantry for up to a year. Martha's way #3: When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake. My way: Go to the bakery. They'll even decorate it for you. Martha's way #4: If you accidentally over salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant "fix me up". My way: If you over salt a dish while you are cooking, that's too damn bad. My motto: I made it and you will eat it and I don't care how bad it tastes. Martha's way #5: Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks. My way: Celery? Never heard of the stuff. Martha's way #6: Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish. My way: The Mrs. Smith frozen pie directions do not include brushing egg whites over the crust and so I don't do it. Martha's way #7: Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away. My way: Martha, dear, the only reason this works is because you can't rub a lime on your forehead without getting lime juice in your eye, and then the problem isn't the headache anymore, it is because you are now BLIND! Martha's way #8: Don't throw out all that leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces. My way: Leftover wine? Martha's way #9: If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex dish-washing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy. My way: Go ask the very cute neighbour to do it. Martha's way #10: Potatoes will take food stains off your fingers. Just slice and rub raw potato on the stains and rinse. My way: Mashed potatoes will now be replacing the anti-bacterial soap in the handy dispenser next to my sink. _______-------=======^^^Ô^^^=======-------_______ \\ QUOTE OF THE WEEK // "The 2001 holiday season is a chance to reflect on how a year of adversity — a year that the world will never forget — has reaffirmed and renewed the true meaning of friendship and family." —Prime Minister Jean Chretien during his 2001 holiday message. _______-------=======^^^Ô^^^=======-------_______ \\ ANSWER TO THIS WEEK'S QUESTION // At the beginning of the newsletter I asked you, "When I speak of 'Province House' in Halifax, to what am I referring?" Province House is a building located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It's not just any building though. It is home to the Nova Scotia Parliament, their courts and many public service offices. It was built between 1811 and 1818 at a cost of £52 000, and the legislature met there for the first time on February 11, 1819, with the ninth Earl of Dalhousie (George Ramsay Dalhousie) reading his throne speech. The architectural style of Province House has been referred to as the finest example of "Palladian" found anywhere in Canada. Palladian style is named for Andrea Palladio (Andrea di Pietro della Gondola), an Italian Renaissance architect who died in 1580. Andrea Palladio is often described as the most influential, and most copied, architect in the Western world. Drawing inspiration from classical architecture, he created carefully proportioned, pedimented buildings that became models for stately homes and government buildings in Europe and the Americas, and especially in England. The final result in the case of Province House was a building of perfect proportion, endowed with the excellent architectural detail of the day. Today Province House stands as a glorious tribute to the builders, planners and artisans of an era long gone. _______-------=======^^^Ô^^^=======-------_______ \\ PREVIEW // Next time around I will reflect on the loss of Frank Shuster, test your knowledge of current provincial politics, profile Sir John Carling, and cover a little bit of sports history. _______-------=======^^^Ô^^^=======-------_______ [John] Back to the full pace next week, I hope. There is quite a bit happening in my life right now, but I trust you have enjoyed the read. _______-------=======^^^Ô^^^=======-------_______ == LINKS AND RESOURCES == FactsCanada.ca — http://www.factscanada.ca Today's resources Did you enjoy the read? Why not subscribe or donate? NinerNet Communications |
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