For many people, the Victoria Day long weekend marks the end of the winter and the unofficial start of the spring or summer season. This weekend is also a marker for gardeners to be reasonably sure there will be no more frost until the autumn so they can sow or plant out delicate crops and plants. However, since our weather patterns have changed, people have already begun spring planting.

It is also a time for barbeques, family gatherings, fireworks and festive outings planned in many towns and cities. Several stores are closed in many Canadian provinces and territories. Post offices across Canada are closed. Public transport services may run to a normal or reduced timetable.

Queen Victoria was born on May 24,1819 and became Queen of the United Kingdom on June 20, 1837, reigning until her death on January 22, 1901 (63 1/2 years). The monarch’s birthday has been celebrated in Canada since before the beginning of Queen Victoria’s reign. After her death, in 1901, May 25th became known as Empire Day. The sovereign’s official birthday was still celebrated, on the King’s or Queen’s actual birthday. In 1952, Empire Day was moved to the Monday before May 25 and since 1953, the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II has been celebrated on this date in Canada. The Monday before May 25 then became known as Victoria Day, which is a Canadian statutory holiday.

Thank you to those in the’ crowd’ above, who helped to raise $1225 for Community Care at the Annual Customer Appreciation Night.  A total of $2450 was donated by the Salisbury Team who matched the donation brought in from the night.

Don’t Forget US! We need HELP all year!

Although the religious significance of Halloween has passed for the general public, Halloween is a “magical” night for many!

On this magical night years ago, glowing jack-o-lanterns, carved from turnips or gourds, were set on porches and in windows to welcome deceased loved ones, but also to act as protection against malevolent spirits. Burning lumps of coal were used inside as a source of light, later to be replaced by candles.

When European settlers, particularly the Irish, arrived in American they found the native pumpkin to be larger, easier to carve and seemed the perfect choice for jack-o-lanterns. Halloween didn’t really catch on big in this country until the late 1800′s and has been celebrated in so many ways ever since!

Pumpkins are indigenous to the western hemisphere and were completely unknown in Europe before the time of Columbus. In 1584, the French explorer Jacques Cartier reported from the St. Lawrence region that he had found “gros melons”, which was translated into English as “ponpions,” or pumpkins. In fact, pumpkins have been grown in America for over 5,000 years.

Did you know that pumpkins are not a vegetable – they are a fruit!  Pumpkins, like gourds, and other varieties of squash are all members of the Cucurbitacae family , which also includes cucumbers, gherkins, and melons.

Google ‘pumpkin carving’ for an enormous menu of ideas for carving your pumpkin to welcome special visitors to your door this year!

Halloween Party Tips!

Thought we would share these ideas once again to enhance your Halloween event!

1.  Add to your table decor by using a pumpkin to hold your vegetables.  Cut a pumpkin almost in half, cutting the top in a jagged edge design.  Clean it out and dry well.  Display carrots, celery, broccoli, etc. in the pumpkin bowl.  Cut the top off a smaller pumpkin to use as a bowl for vegetable dip.

2.  Take clear food handling gloves (non latex gloves) and fill with water.  Freeze overnight.  Remove the material and add the icy hands to your punch bowl!

3.  To be the scariest looking house on the block, put a strobe light  in the window.  The effect from the outside looks like lightning and will bring all the neighbourhood kids to your door!

4. Do you like glow sticks?  Purchase a bunch at your local dollar store and attach some to your child’s costume so they can be seen in the dark.  Or, fill black balloons with helium and attach a long string or fishing line (so it is not visible).  Then tie on a glow stick somewhere on  the string/line.  Secure the string somewhere on the ground and let it float over your house for an eerie look.   (FYI: It is not safe for nature to release helium balloons into the sky and St. Catharines by-laws do not permit it.)

Looking for a Halloween Party?