50 Years Since Summit Series

Posted on September 28, 2022 by Edward Brain

On September 28th, 1972, the Summut Series ended in Moscow with Team Canada winning against the USSR Team with four wins, three losses, and one tie.

The USSR team dominated early in the series, winning three of the first five games, with Canada winning one game and the other game ending in a draw. The Canadians would win the last three games to win the series.

The first four games took place in Canada, and the last four took place in Moscow. The four games in Canada were spread out across the country: Montreal (Game #1), Toronto (Game #2), Winnipeg (Game #3), and Vancouver (Game #4.)

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Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has Passed Away

Posted on September 8, 2022 by Edward Brain

Buckingham Palace has announced the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, and 14 other realms. Her Majestyy passed away at 96 at Balmoral Castle, her home in Scotland.

Her Majesty reigned for over 70 after ascending the throne in February 1952 upon the death of her father, King George VI.

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Review: The Chancellor: The Remarkable Odyssey of Angela Merkel

Posted on August 28, 2022 by Edward Brain

I have finished ready a new biography about former German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, entitled The Remarkable Odyssey of Angela Merkel by Kati Marton.

The book, newly released following Ms. Merkel’s retirement as Chancellor after 16 years in power, is an easy read and enjoyable from start to finish.

We learn about Ms. Merkel’s upbringing in the then East Germany, the daughter of a Lutheran pastor who chose to move to East Germany.

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Warriors Day at the CNE

Posted on August 22, 2022 by Edward Brain

2022 marks the 100th Anniversary of the Warriors’ Day Parade at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE.)

This year’s Warriors’ Day Parade was the first to take place since the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the CNE the last two years and was held the first Saturday of the CNE, August 20th 2022.

The parade ran from the Princes’ Gates to Stanley Barracks.

Here are some pictures and videos of the parade:

Toronto Police Mounted Unit
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Team Canada at the XXII Commonwealth Games

Posted on August 11, 2022 by Edward Brain

Team Canada has completed its competition in the XXII (22nd) Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, England.

Canada placed third overall with 92 total medals: 26 Gold, 32 Silver, and 34 Bronze.

Official Logo, copyright (https://www.birmingham2022.com/)

A total of 269 athletes represented Canada in 17 different sports.

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Happy Simcoe Day 2022

Posted on August 1, 2022 by Edward Brain
Sir John Graves Simcoe. Portrait by George Theodore Berthon via Wikipedia

As today is Sir John Graves Simcoe Day in Ontario, I would like to discuss the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada from 1791 to 1796. Of course Upper Canada would later become the Province of Ontario.

Born in Cotterstock, England in 1752, Simcoe would be educated at Eton and spent one year at Oxford. He joined the 35th Regiment of Foot, as an ensign, in 1770. He purchased a captaincy in the 40th Regiment of Foot and was injured in battle during the American Revolution. He was responsible for a successful battle in the battle of Crooked Billet.

He became Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada in 1791 when the British Government created the Province of Upper Canada out of land around the Great Lakes that stayed part of the British Empire after the American Revolution. Simcoe would see to the building of two major roads: Yonge Street (named after Sir George Yonge then the Minister of War), and Dundas Street (named after Henry Dundas, later the 1st Viscount Melville.) Originally built for defensive purposes, later both streets served to help settlement Upper Canada, and as trading routes.

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Nichelle Nichols has Passed Away

Posted on July 31, 2022 by Edward Brain

Veteran actress Nichelle Nichols, best known for her role as Nyota Uhura in Star Trek: The Original Series, has passed away at 89.

Miss Nichols was born in Robbins, Illinois on December 28, 1932 to Samuel Earl and Lishia Nichols. Her father was elected Mayor of Robbins in 1929.

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Tony Dow has Passed Away

Posted on July 27, 2022 by Edward Brain

Tony Dow, the actor famous for playing Wally Cleaver on the hit sitcom Leave It to Beaver, has passed away at the age of 77.

Mr. Dow was born Anthony Lee Dow in Hollywood, California on April 15th, 1945.

Tony Dow (copyright: CBS/Photofest)
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Vince McMahon retires from WWE

Posted on July 23, 2022 by Edward Brain

Long time owner, Chairman, and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Vince McMahon has announced his retirement.

Mr. McMahon, the son of Vincent J. McMahon, purchased the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) from his father in 1984. The company would drop the word “Wide” and become the World Wrestling Federation (WWF.)

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2022 MLB All-Star Game Players Announced

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Edward Brain

The line-ups for the 2002 MLB All-Star Game in Los Angeles, California are set.

The game goes down on Tuesday July 19th, 2022 at Dodgers Stadium, making the National League the home team.

MLB All Star Game Logo (https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/fans/all-star-game)

The line-ups are as follows:

American League

Elected starters
C: Alejandro Kirk (TOR)
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)
2B: Jose Altuve (HOU)
3B: Rafael Devers (BOS)
SS: Tim Anderson (CWS)
OF: Aaron Judge (NYY)
OF: Mike Trout (LAA)
OF: Giancarlo Stanton (NYY)
DH: Shohei Ohtani (LAA)

Reserves
C: Jose Trevino (NYY)
1B: Luis Arraez (MIN)
2B: Andrés Giménez (CLE)
3B: José Ramírez (CLE)
SS: Xander Bogaerts (BOS)
SS: Corey Seager (TEX)
OF: Byron Buxton (MIN)
OF: Kyle Tucker (HOU)
OF: George Springer (TOR)
OF: Andrew Benintendi (KC)
OF: Julio Rodríguez (SEA)
DH: Yordan Alvarez (HOU)
DH: Miguel Cabrera (DET)
DH: J.D. Martinez (BOS)+

Starting pitchers
LHP: Shane McClanahan (TB)
RHP: Justin Verlander (HOU)
RHP: Alek Manoah (TOR)
LHP: Nestor Cortes (NYY)
RHP: Gerrit Cole (NYY)
RHP: Shohei Ohtani (LAA)
RHP: Paul Blackburn (OAK)
LHP: Martín Pérez (TEX)
LHP: Framber Valdez (HOU)

Relievers
RHP: Clay Holmes (NYY)
RHP: Emmanuel Clase (CLE)
RHP: Jorge López (BAL)
LHP: Gregory Soto (DET)

National League

Elected starters
C: Willson Contreras (CHC)
1B: Paul Goldschmidt (STL)
2B: Jazz Chisholm Jr. (MIA)
3B: Manny Machado (SD)
SS: Trea Turner (LAD)
OF: Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL)
OF: Joc Pederson (SF)
OF: Mookie Betts (LAD)
DH: Bryce Harper (PHI)

Reserves
C: Travis d’Arnaud (ATL)
1B: Pete Alonso (NYM)
1B: C.J. Cron (COL)
1B: Albert Pujols (STL)
2B: Jeff McNeil (NYM)
3B: Nolan Arenado (STL)
SS: Dansby Swanson (ATL)
OF: Kyle Schwarber (PHI)
OF: Starling Marte (NYM)
OF: Ian Happ (CHC)
OF: Juan Soto (WSH)
DH: William Contreras (ATL)
DH: Garrett Cooper (MIA)

Starting pitchers
RHP: Sandy Alcantara (MIA)
RHP: Corbin Burnes (MIL)
RHP: Joe Musgrove (SD)
LHP: Max Fried (ATL)
RHP: Tony Gonsolin (LAD)
RHP: Luis Castillo (CIN)
LHP: Clayton Kershaw (LAD)
LHP: Carlos Rodón (SF)+

Relievers
LHP: Josh Hader (MIL)
RHP: Edwin Díaz (NYM)
RHP: Ryan Helsley (STL)
RHP: David Bednar (PIT)
LHP: Joe Mantiply (ARI)

Due to injuries, Corey Seager will start in the outfield in place of George Springer and William Contreras will start at DH in place of Bryce Harper.

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