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Storytime Tapestry Newsletter
The newsletter devoted to
spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.
July 1, 2007
Today’s Announcements
Happy Canada
Day to all my Canadian subscribers; I hope you are spending the day with good
food, good times, and good friends.
Donations are always needed to help with
the operating expenses of running the newsletter and to keep Storytime Tapestry
the quality newsletter you are so accustomed to.
Please note that Storytime Tapestry is a
free newsletter to members and there will never be a cost for the newsletter.
Donations are purely voluntary and no member should ever feel guilty for not
making a donation at this time.
Today’s Stories
~**~**~
CANADA DAY
Hart Dowd
What does Canada Day mean to
you? If you're like many other Canadians, chances are it means a holiday spent
outdoors, in the company of others. Perhaps you pack a picnic lunch or take
part in a sporting event. In many places, the day ends with a fireworks
display.
Things haven't changed much from that first Canada Day,
known then as Dominion Day, celebrated on July 1st, 1867. We know from records
of the event, that "the day dawned fair and warm, with a clear,
cobalt-blue sky, and a little breeze that took the hottest edge off the bright
sun."
IN 1864, representatives from New Brunswick, Nova
Scotia, Quebec and Ontario met in Charlottetown, Prince
Edward Island, to
consider confederation. After some three
years of discussions and compromises, confederation became reality. On July 1st, 1867, the British North American Act proclaimed “the
Provinces . . . into one Dominion” under the name of Canada. The B.N.A.
Act was renamed the Constitution Act and was patriated in September of 1981.
CANADA DAY is celebrated all across the country by every one
of us who needs a chance to say how much we love to be here. Picnics, parades and fireworks displays are
the most common way to celebrate, but there are hundreds of uncommon
celebrations as well.
In Victoria, British Columbia, there are multicultural concerts; in Kamloops, B.C., there is a giant birthday cake and games for
the children.
In Edmonton, Alberta, there is an annual Canada Day fifteen-kilometre road race along with
citizenship court sessions and a multicultural dance extravaganza. People in Banff, Alberta enjoy sidewalk art, face painting and a Canada Day breakfast.
The village of Findlater, Saskatchewan, has volleyball games, tree and flower paintings,
horseshow competitions, races and a barbecue. In Eston, Saskatchewan, there is the “World Championship Gopher Derby.” Sixty-four
of these burrowing rodents are captured, names (as you would name thoroughbred
horses) and raced at the fairgrounds.
In Gimli, Manitoba, the national anthem is sung in English, Ukrainian,
and Icelandic, and cultural events are enjoyed by all.
In the Province of Ontario, the largest
celebration is in the nation’s capital, Ottawa. A
flag-raising ceremony, the Changing of the Guard, The Royal Canadian Mounted
Police musical ride, and speeches by the Governor General and by the Prime
Minister all take place on Parliament Hill as a prelude to a spectacular
fireworks display. There are other
events to be enjoyed, staged in parks and recreation areas all over the city.
Montreal, Quebec, often presents musical
fireworks displays featuring Canadian heritage themes. There are free street
concerts and a Canada day parade that ends in Place Du Canada, where a giant birthday cake is served, big enough to
feed 2,000 people.
Dawson Creek, in the Yukon Territory, features
THE Yukon Gold Panning Championships, which often coincide with Canada Day Celebrations.
The East Coast celebrations include a
lighted boat parade in Fredericton, New
Brunswick, a military fly-by in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Scottish highland
dancing in Summerside, Prince
Edward Island, and a sunrise ceremony in Cornerbrook, Newfoundland.
In whichever province you live, there are
literally hundreds of ways to celebrate our unity “from sea to sea.” Whether
young or old, people have come together to celebrate our country's anniversary.
It may be a simple picnic in a quiet spot, or a more organized series of
events, topped off with a spectacular fireworks display. Whatever the choice,
Canadians continue the tradition set that first Canada Day – July 1st, 1867 celebrating
our country's anniversary to the fullest.
The story of our national anthem,
an integral part of Canada Day celebrations, is an interesting one. In 1880, when “O Canada” was composed, the country was still dependent on Britain and the anthem was “God Save the Queen.”
In spring of that year, the St. Jean Baptiste Society of Quebec organized a festival for French-speaking people from
all across North America. The music
committee of the society decided that a song was needed.
Calixa Lavallee, a Quebec musician,
composed the music and Adolph-Basile Routhier wrote the verses in French. The official premiere was June 24th,
St. Jean Baptiste Day, 1880.
In 1908, in a competition organized by Colliers
Weekly, the words of Robert Stanley Weir came to be those of the official
English anthem.
In 1967, the words were amended to those
which we now sing with love and enthusiasm.
O Canada! Our home and
native land!
True patriot
love, in all thy sons command,
With glowing
hearts we see thee rise,
The True
North strong and free!
From far and
wide, O Canada,
We stand on
guard for thee.
God, keep
our land, glorious and free!
O Canada, we
stand on guard for thee
O Canada, we
stand on guard for thee!
Canada Day - Interesting Canadian Facts
· Canada was named
from the Huron and Iroquois word kanata,
which means village.
· Canada has
approximately three million lakes across the country. More than 30,000 of those
lakes are larger than three square kilometers!
· Princess Juliana
of the Netherlands gave Ottawa 100,000 tulip bulbs as a thank-you
gift in 1945 for keeping the Dutch Royal Family safe during World War II. The Netherlands was occupied
by the Nazis until Canadian soldiers
liberated the country in 1944-45.
· The Bank of Canada issued the
last $1 bill in 1989. It was replaced by the one dollar coin, known as the loonie, which came out in 1987.
· The world's only
flying saucer launching pad is in St. Paul, Alberta. It was built
in 1967.
· The largest mall in the world is the West
Edmonton Mall in Alberta. It has over
800 stores and restaurants, an amusement park, the world's largest indoor lake
with four working submarines, 26 movie theaters and a hockey-sized ice arena.
· More than 75% of
the world's maple syrup comes
from Canada.
Hartson Sager Dowd
hsdowd@telus.net
~**~**~
~**~**~
Poetry Corner
~**~**~
Joy
Cynthia Groopman
Where can joy be found
This question evokes thoughts that are very deep
and extremely profound.
On a spectacular day, with nature so calm and serene,
Joy permeates the radiant glowing scene.
As the brilliant sun shines so exquisitely bright,
Joy lies beneath God's precious heavenly light.
In the voices of a melodic choir that rejoicefully sings
Joy is like a chiming bell that sweetly rings.
As a mother gives her baby a loving caress,
Joy exudes such a lovely tenderness.
When all smile and join hands,
Joy will reign throughout all lands.
When the white dove of peace will sputter and fly,
Joy will fill the beautiful vast blue sky.
When God will answer each and every prayer,
Then, joy and gladness will prevail everywhere.
Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
Copyright ©2004 Cynthia L. Groopman
~**~**~
Leaves
Cynthia Groopman
Adorning the branches of each majestically tall
tree,
Lush green tiny leaves dance merrily.
Tossing to and fro, to the rhythmical melody
of the gentle breeze's melodic tune,
They add luster and splendor as Mother Nature dazzles us with her
breathtaking beauty blooming in the joyous month of June.
Shielding us from the very hot sun,
The little leaves provide us with a shady haven to take refuge,
after our work is done.
As autumn caress the tiny leaves in its fond embrace,
Smiles become frowns, and majestic hues adorn
their once sparkling leafy face.
For time marched on and it is time for the leaves to bid a sad good-bye,
As they begin to cascade from their branches that are so high.
Tiptoeing and swirling across the sun drenched ground,
The dried little leaves cry mournfully in a solemn mournful sound.
For time has come for them to pass away,
And we look forward to seeing them again, on a mild, glorious spring day.
Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
Copyright ©2004 Cynthia L. Groopman
~**~**~
The Symphony Of Voices
Cynthia Groopman
Voices possess a charming symphony,
Adorned with exquisite tones and majestic melody.
Some voices are richly high,
As lovely as the songs of the birds that cheerfully fly.
Other voices are deep and low,
Exuding a warmth as magnificent as sunshine's golden glow.
A voice of a child is full of energy,
As it chants happily.
A voice of an older person, is really mellow, and dear,
Filling loved ones with nostalgic cheer.
The voice of anger is harsh like a lion's roar,
For that voice, we do not appreciate or adore.
The voice of God is full of hope and love,
And the voice of angels are as soft as a tender caress of deep love.
Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
Copyright ©2006
~**~**~
God's Glow Of Elation
Cynthia Groopman
When sadness grips me in its frownful embrace,
God's glowing radiance brings elation to my face.
Gone are the clouds of sorrow,
For God has illuminated a glowing rainbow,
For a hopeful and brighter tomorrow.
When I hear a hummingbird rejoice and merrily sing,
Feelings of God's glowing elation,
Causes my heart to dance and to ping.
From the depths of the ocean so mighty and deep,
I know that God's glowing elation in a protective state,
All creation He will nurture and keep.
From the peaks of the mountains so awesome and majestically high,
God's glowing elation is radiating as we bask in the golden sunshine,
Beneath a glorious clear blue sky.
As voices lift their spirits in exquisite song and prayer,
God's glowing elation is felt by me as I stand there.
For, God's glowing elation kindles the candle, of deep love,
And spiritual enrichment deep into my soul and down into my heart,
Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
Copyright ©2006
Readers Feedback
Carol,
Diary of a Fat Girl touched me to the core... I was gawky and too thin as a
child and that, too, made me not fit in.
Tanja
Diary
of a Fat Girl by Carol Roach: When it comes to culture, it differ a little
bit. About 15 years ago in my country you have to be fat to actually gain
respect and be loved. Why? It was believed that fat people are
enjoying, have good job and is in good health. The period you referred to
was the same period where men, especially in Lagos
Nigeria long
for fatter ladies. They believed that fatter ladies are warmer in
temperature and has the best shape.
People
here believe that as soon as you get a better paid job you should be looking
fatter otherwise people would say that you are suffering at your place of work.
Again,
most Nigerian men do not care about weight in as much as you can provide them
with the essential amenities, you know, poverty has taken the will of some
people so has no choice.
I
believe that whoever welcomes you even if you are fat would love you
unconditionally and will never will disappointment you except if you fail.
Those people that are choosy does that for selfish reasons and such
relationship doesn’t last long. For example, supposed you get hooked up
with a lady because she is slim, what about when she add weight in excess, what
would you do? You loved her because she was slim, definitely, when she
increase, you will seize to love her! There are just few people who look
in the inside than the outward beauty or figure.
GEORGEWATERS
OJEIGBE – Lagos, Nigeria:
gojiegbe@oregun.jhplc.com
Carol,
This was a sharing from the heart and I hope that it touches
everyone out there who has struggled with their weight. I write this as a
person who was once 50 pounds heavier himself.
You are so right in that emotions are often tied to
what we eat. It takes not only determination, but a lot of self love to
be able to lose weight.
I still have to keep in mind everything I eat every
single day of my life. The only way I was able to lose weight
was little changes one at a time. It is true too that there is no such
thing as a successful diet. Anyone who wants to lose weight
will have to change what they eat everyday for the rest of their
lives.
Thanks for sharing your heart, struggles, and life
with us. I know how hard that can be. Wishing you every joy, Joe
AWWWWW Sharon what a sweet vet and tribute to him. Ones I
know are that way.
They understand our babies and our feelings. Mark Crider
This I Believe # 7 by Bill
Walker: I very much appreciate Bill’s
write ups. They are so inspiring. His mindset is opened to true
listening and unless if you do so would you be able to hear clearly from the
inner mind. The inner mind reveals a lot of things and unforeseen things
to us. I would have tagged him one of our prophets of this present
generation.
I will also advise people to
please to listen and ponder on whatever he has got to say because his words are
meaningful.
GEORGEWATERS OJEIGBE – Lagos, Nigeria: gojiegbe@oregun.jhplc.com
Storytime Tapestry Angels
Angels on earth, they exist they are out there. Angels come in all ages, shapes and sizes,
civil status, and religion. Their nature
is love and their purpose is giving to the less fortunate of this world. Storytime Tapestry angels are no
exception. These angels are loyal
members who have contributed to the upkeep of Storytime Tapestry newsletter so
that Storytime Tapestry can continue come to your email box 350 days of the year.
Here is our Storytime
Tapestry Angels: Also, I would like to thank those of you who chose to
be a silent angel and gave an anonymous donation to keep Storytime
Tapestry up and running.
Clara Westerfer, Mark Crider,
Rosanne Catalano, Paula Booher, Kay Seefeldt, Mariane Holbrook, Mary Ellen
Grisham, Louise Nomani, Sharon Bryant, Angela Walker, Hart and Helen Dowd,
Keith Ready, Ginger Morgenstern, Ellie Braun-Haley, Surinder Jandu, Bob Shaw,
Carol Meeks
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