Vic Patterson

Our Government (Canadian) is giving away millions to foreign companies to come and build facilities for making batteries, we have most of the "ingredients" to make them, but the environmentalists rather we get others mine it, using less friendly methods.

Good reading, I would be six months old, and my late wife would be two months old. I'm surprised at the lack of news about the war, not the actual war but the effect it had, like rationing, coal rationing is about it. For sale items like proggy matts, (I remember helping make them) bantams etc, Five hens and a cockerel. The grateful person who's intention to go to prison was thankful to the Lady for the spirit the fine was paid!

1. In which decade did Coca-Cola start using Santa in their advertisements? 1920s 2. In the song Twelve Days of Christmas what is given on the 7th day? Seven Swans 3. How tall, plus or minus 25 feet, was the tallest cut Christmas tree? 221 feet. 4. How many Kings/wise-men does the bible say visited the baby Jesus? Three 5. What is the most popular meal for Christmas in Japan? KFC fried chicken. 6. In which European country might you receive gifts from a different ‘Yule Lad’ each night if you leave your shoes on the window-sill on each of the 13 days before Christmas? Iceland. 7. “Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents” is the opening line in which classic British novel? “Little Woman” 8. Christmas won’t be Christmas in most Swedish households if the family don’t drop everything they are doing and gather around the TV at 2pm to watch who? Hmm 2pm? 3 pm it’s time for Donald Duck. 9. What does the acronym LED mean on ‘fairy lights’? Light Emitting Diode (I knew that one) 10. For almost 70 years, which British city has received a gift of a Christmas tree from the Norwegian city of Bergen to show gratitude for its friendship during WW2? The Toon. 11. What Christmas gift did Harry Potter receive from the Dursleys in ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’? 50p piece 12. Which famous scientist was born 25 December 1642? Isaac Newton. 13. Under which sign of the Zodiac was he born? Capricorn 14. In which ocean can you find Christmas island? Indian Ocean 15. Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen. On what date did he look out? December 26th 16. In 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson described Christmas as a season to be jolly and ….. what else? Be jolly careful, especially with elderly relatives.. 17. In the Christmas song ‘Away in a Manger’, the cattle are lowing. Does this mean that they are: a) lying down? b) chewing the cud? Or c) making a noise? C, Making a noise. 18. In the film ‘Home Alone’, where did Kevin’s family travel to for Christmas? Paris. 19. In the song ‘Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer’, what is the name of Rudolph’s dad? Rankin/Bass, Donner, or GoodTimes Blitzen! 20. Studies show that the average American gains 3 lbs in weight between December 24 and January 6. True or false? True. One more movie to watch "It's a wonderful life" Merry Christmas everyone.

Congratulations, a very well deserved award, your work is greatly appreciated by so many. Thank you and Merry Christmas.

Thank you Alan, Merry Christmas to you and yours, Merry Christmas to all members.

I see there are several print shops nearby, might I suggest requesting a quote for a certificate explaining it's purpose, possibly getting break promoting their service on the certificate. For the work TFOWC did I would contribute towards the cost.

Posted somewhere would be great because of scheduling especially weekends and holidays. Thank you Mal.

A great suggestion Alan, I was truly impressed with the cemetery last year, a lot of work must have gone into it. I have had relatives visit it this year who were very impressed. Because I don't have anyone living locally has anyone thought of marking the lanes and rows, giving a 1 by A grid to assist giving directions. (I did this for my relatives)

Same year as my car!

Definitely same scarf with added white trim, added "Merry Christmas" and a missing or white eye!

After the way the past development has gone I would be concerned about the extension to five year from the usual three years! I wasn't able to see how it was to connect to the grid, otherwise a good project.

-7c and snowing! Yes most of the fires are out Alan, a few are still burning but not causing any problems. Everyone has returned to their homes, at least those who didn't loose them in the fires, and finally the smoke has gone, I think! I'll check when it stops snowing. Like yourselves we have just had some high winds, I hope they were the ones we usually get at Halloween! It was a beautiful fall.

Hi Alan, All is well here in GC I’d raining today, but there are still lots of fires around, mostly under control but many are not, Hay river was recently evacuated 1,500 km, (pop 4,000 mostly indigenous ) now its Yellowknife pop about 20,000. That’s a lot of people to move 1,500 km, very few gas station etc, (definitely no charging stations1) those without transportation are flown out including hospital patients and old folk. Edmonton and Calgary are making reception centres. Many come to GC because of family or other ties. Edson (10,000)and Drayton Valley (8,000)have been evacuated a few times? 2016 Fort McMurray pop 88,000 burnt down, again a very remote city, it’s been a tough year because of a dry spring , British Columbia are going through the same but a little later which helps the fire fighters a bit. Unfortunately several fire fighters have lost their lives. Travel distance and driving time is the first big difference we noticed coming to Canada, it’s a long distance between anywhere and nowhere but what a view! Wildfire status | Alberta.caAlbertahttps://www.alberta.ca › wildfire-status'Driving through embers': Hay River family flees wildfires in ...CBChttps://www.cbc.ca › news › canada › north › driving-...

I'm looking forward to the day EV is practical here, but it's still not here, there are two EV's here in town, both Tesla, but no charging stations within a 120 miles, they can reach the next town north but needs a partial recharge to get home, a full charge is needed to reach the city, same to return, a long time wasted if you're just picking up at he airport or for a short medical appointment. Regenerative braking is only good for inefficient driving! I often drive to the next town south 95 miles and not touch the brake, in the mountains and using cruise control, or to the city 300 miles and only brake at the gas station. I suspect the normal driving distances in Norway is much less and have a battery charging infrastructure in place, their winter is shorter and not as severe as here. For now Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) cars would be ideal. My daughter lives close to the city, drives a Prius and loves it.

Because in 1910 most vehicles were steam or electric powered and the horseless carriage wasn’t economically viable until gasoline (petrol) driven carriages were developed, Petrol was a cheap throw way byproduct! A similar situation as today’s EV’s until they are developed enough to be as practical replacements. I look forward to be able to buy and use an EV, but because of my location, climate and costs they are still prohibitive, my alternate vehicles only needs petrol to start but runs on anything flammable (moonshine etc!) and doesn’t need a battery. Alberta has an abundance of oil, gas and coal, No shortage here. ICE 30%. EV 80% Canada Government is blocking the use of Alberta pipelines! (we are landlocked) You do make a lot of good points three gee.

No ticket office! next they will be getting rid of the Station Master and Guard's van, who will be closing the doors and waving the red/green flags? RF tags next..." Heartbeat" just won't be the same.

I now understand the reason for referring the buildings North and South, my confusion comes from the building that looks like it will be the "new" station/ticket office, isn't assigned a title or number on the concept drawings (located between #7-#8-#9.) I thought it was being referenced as "North" as the consultant planner Gordon Haliday refers to it as the North building to the south of the "South" building that is being discussed for demolition. As does the illustrations!

Confused! The "South" building to be demolished is "North" of the "North" building that is to be retained, (but it is "South" of the signal box. )Who was holding the compass that day? If they couldn't use the original building name why not just assign a number or letter?

Good debate, lots of good points, correct decision , in my opinion.

Yes the weather is a major consideration in our daily lives, but I wouldn’t change it. The nearest towns are Hinton (100 miles) to the South and Grande Prairie to the North (120 miles) GP is a small city. NOTHING in-between towns, Edson is regarded as our pit stop, it’s half way to Edmonton (area) where our three daughters and their families are scattered around. Most small fires are first attacked using choppers dumping water, then larger fires get water bombing aircraft. Ground attack teams (heli-tack) is a big part of controlling the fire, cutting fire breaks to steer or extinguish the fires, we have teams from Africa, Australia and USA and other parts of the world. 2016 city of Ft McMurray burned to the ground. Pop 88,000. Canada 5,500 km east west, 4,500 km north south. One week just driving across, but I’m sure they won’t be driving coast to coast, but they can and would enjoy. I’m the smoke will be gone and they can see everything! Lots to see. Let me know if there is anything I can assist with their trip, (I was thinking of possibly visiting Blyth/Bedlington next August!)

Hi Alan, It has been an extremely bad year for fires and other weather conditions, we only had one local fire which was soon spotted and extinguished , but Alberta has suffered many large out of control fires. Many towns being evacuated, some several times. It started when we got 42c temperatures and no precipitation. A few of weeks ago I made a trip to the city to visit the family, (great grandson 1st birthday) nearing Edson (250km) it turned dark, actually darker than night! Headlights on, animals on the road, ash falling like snow, Edson was evacuated an hour later for the second time, population about 10,000. four days later on my return trip I was diverted 200km. Smoke has been a major issue, from our fires and those in British Columbia, sometimes so dense you cannot see down the street, breathing can be difficult especially those with existing breathing conditions. After the worst of fires were over it started raining, lots! The scorched earth could not hold the water, and yes Edson was flooded and evacuated again! Throw in a couple of tornados and yesterday I made a vet trip to Hinton (100km) and drove through 3’’ of slush! (Three weeks ago my potato crop was flattened with snow) Many remote northern towns only have winter access using ice roads and have no way out other than river or flights Canada has lost 10 million hectares of forest so far this year, Alberta 2 million. Hmmm I wonder how much % that contributes to "global warming"