A POSTCARD FROM THE RICHMOND HILL ONTARIO SANTA CLAUS PARADE-2014

From police on horseback!

A marching band-

Or two-

Or three!

Lots of horses pulling floats!

Trucks pulling trailers!

And the big man himself to the delight of all the children and "children at heart"!! A local parade but one reflective of many across the country!!

A CANADIAN SANTA CLAUS PARADE 2014

Every town or city or community across the country will be hosting Santa Claus/Christmas parades. Trying a different one this year, I went with one daughter and family to the Aurora-" Under the Stars" parade. Another town just north of Richmond Hill. It was different with the Christmas lights on the floats or wrapped around trucks or cars. Night pictures are difficult to take so I tried my hand anyway. It was just fun to be there with 3 of my grandchildren.

Going south down Yonge Street through the old town of Aurora. Floats pulled by horses!

Church groups come out.

Marching bands.

A child waving as Santa arrives!
Lots of locales come out for the event. Many visit from other communities. Throughout York Region there will be parades in every area. What about your town? What about your community? What can you report about the festive activities of the season?

A POSTCARD FROM SABLE ISLAND

Actually there will be no postcards from the latest protected National Park of Canada. 1 and a half hours by plane off the coast of Nova Scotia lies this majestic beauty. 90 km of shoreline it is really a large sand dune. Home to over 500 wild horses who may have landed there after a ship wreck or two which occurred over the centuries off the shore of Sable Island. Seals make their home there too. The only visitors allowed must be invited like scientists. A wonderful clip last night on CTV-W5- November 15, 2014 showed a wonderful glimpse of this island. Due to the oil in the Atlantic, there are several oil rigs that can be seen which may be the greatest threat to the island. No one swims in the water due to the abundance of sharks surrounding it. To have such a beautiful place that belongs to Canada makes one proud. So no postcards but wouldn't one be nice to see the documentary. Go online to CTV news and follow the links. Worth watching- what of Canada's treasures.

A POSTCARD FROM WOODBINE-CELEBRATING THE QUEEN'S PLATE

Each year in the Toronto at the Woodbine Racetrack, there is the running of the Queen's Plate. A tradition for over 100 years. I have attended a few Plates as they are known.

Woodbine was the original name for the track in the East End of Toronto. When the track was built by the airport and called Woodbine, Greenwood became the name of the original one. Eventually it was closed due to the lack of need for two tracks. It had become harness racing and not thoroughbred racing.

Adolph and I have been fortunate to attend several Queen's Plate in the Clubhouse when he was in business. He often was given tickets which we could use. We attended when the Queen Mom came in 1985 and Prince Andrew and Sarah in 1987. If a member of the Royal Family is not in attendence then either the Governor General of Canada or the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario attend in a horse driven carriage.

We have not been for several years so it is exciting as Adolph was given tickets by his girls for Father's Day. They are grandstand tickets so I do not need to wear a hat as one does in the Clubhouse. After perusing my collection of programs from previous plates I found the one from 1990.

I take a little betting money. Adolph reads the Forum and handicaps the horses. Me- $2.00 on a long shot is what I like. I always hope to break even.

Since it is the Queen's Jubilee year, there will be some additional activities. Perhaps I will tell you in another post or not!

If you want a postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com and I will send you my address so you can send me a postcard.