NANA SAYS IT IS FUN TO REMEMBER SUMMERS PAST

I remember taking my girls to many local attractions yearly. They loved Canada's Wonderland which they could go alone when they were older. A season's pass was an annual purchase! I loved the Toronto Zoo so we would go at least once and even twice some years. The Black Creek Pioneer Village with its horse and wagon ride was fun. Local beaches like Lake Wilcox and the local pool consolidated winter swimming lessons. A few trips to Centre Island in Toronto with their father in tow was a fun day. Ontario Place had several visits from us. If invited, an overnight at a friend's cottage. One summer I took the girls and one friend each to a rental summer townhouse on Lake Simcoe for a week. Adolph came up during the week and Sundays! It was a blast! Another summer-1989- I took the girls west to see the folks in Westbank, BC. They had a fun visit with their cousins as well. With Adolph's busy summer schedule, the day trips were just me and the girls. Of course, when I first started genealogy, many trips to local museums and cemeteries searching for our roots! I would pay the girls a loonie even if they did not find a family name! I enjoyed the day trips but not the fighting in the car and "are we there yet?" What about you? What trips have you done so far? Are there favourite places you visit every year?

CANADIAN FOREST FIRES ARE SCARY EVENTS!

As a fire rages in Northern Ontario and the town of Kirkland Lake is on evacuation standby, it is always a reminder of the power of fire and nature combined. As we worry about the safety of the families living there, it is a time to remember we all must be on some form of evacuation order at some time. Even in large urban areas, with chemical spills looming at times we all could face such a stressful event. We are advised by emergency services to have supplies in our homes for power outages or other natural disasters like tornados. I am not sure I would be ready to evacuate on a moment's notice. What to throw in the car? I know I would grab my purse and camera. Perhaps thinking about an emergency bag like the one to be packed when waiting for a baby to be born housed in a front closet would be an idea. This event really reminds me of the fire in Westbank British Columbia in July 2009. My folks' home was in the way of a forest fire on the mountain. They only lost their front hedge and some siding on the house was damaged. The water from the helicopter that doused their house caused a little damage in the house-came in through the front door. Their neighbour had a car burnt and some damage to their garden on their slope. It was a very close call!!

It was called the Glenrosa fire. The saw mill, as can be seen in the picture, was saved by the workers as many actually lived in Glenrosa. When I stood on the road behind my folks' home and viewed the damage on the mountain ridge, it was a real blessing the homes were saved.

As with any disaster there are always people involved who do their job which can often mean risking their lives. There is a beautiful four sided tribute to the events of the Glenrosa fire of 2009 on the side of the ride.
Today there are crews from Ontario fighting our fire. There are 80 fire fighters coming from British Columbia to assist our guys. In 2009 crews from Ontario went to BC to help with not only the Glenrosa fire but others that had been occurring along the Okanagan Valley. In the forest fire fighting community there is a real commarderie of assisting each other regardless where the fire may occur. Here's to all the men and women doing their jobs. In my family I have a nephew, Tom who will be very involved today fighting this current fire. Do you have anyone in harm's way today? Perhaps we all need to say a little prayer for our loved ones!

A POSTCARD FROM THE OKANAGAN

Since our parents retired to the Okanagan in 1976, many family members have made trips and spent vacations there. They live in Westbank now called West Kelowna. During my trip there in 1989 with the girls, Adolph had to work in his businesses-summer was the busiest time- they were enthralled with the legend of Ogopogo. They were convinced they should see him! The famous lake monster whose legend came from earlier times is supposed to live in the lake. Many people claim they have seen him. Beaches, fruit, outdoor activities abound. Many vineyards throughout the valley make good wines. Visited Mission Hill once doing their wine tour with the folks! On one visit in June 1997 by myself, I sent a postcard to Adolph-" Hi Curly, Enjoying my visit- slower pace- reading, walking, eating etc. I'm taking care of my folks. Bought my Dad- Pesce Vino- wine in a fish bottle. He thought it was cute. We'll go out to dinner for Mom's Birthday. Love you, see you soon- Barb" It was Mom"s 75th birthday.

The Okanagan Lake is a long thin lake with many little communities along it- Kelowna is the larger one, Vernon, Peachland, Summerland, Penticton, Okanagan Falls, Oliver and Osoyoos- which is famous as it is very dry like a desert community!The mountains are a low range similar to the area around my husband's hometown of Cassino. The people are hospitable and cater to the tourists! Have you been to the Okanagan? Do you like the area? Do you believe in the legend of Ogopogo? Hey, wait I hear a splash in the water! Do you think it could be him?

If you would like your postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com and I will send you my address.