In the year 1578, Martin Frobisher, on his mission to find a northern passage to the Pacific Ocean, landed in Newfoundland and held a formal ceremony to give thanks for surviving the long journey. Other explorers did the same and shared their food with the indigenous people of the area as well as setting up what became known as the “Order of Good Cheer.” As many more settlers arrived in Canada, celebrations of good harvest became common. Frobisher’s fleet of fifteen ships is still the largest maritime expedition ever mounted to the Arctic.
In 1957 the Canadian Parliament proclaimed Thanksgiving to be observed on its’ present date, the second Monday of October.
Pumpkin Dip
Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup frozen whipped cream, thawed
Gingersnap cookies, apples, or cinnamon graham cracker sticks
Directions:
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
Add in pumpkin, sour cream, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and ginger. Mix well.
Fold in the thawed whipped cream.
Serve with green apples, graham cracker sticks, or gingersnaps.
Store in refrigerator.
Preparation time: 15 min. Ready in 15 min
The Grape and Wine Festival is taking place September 16th to 25th.
Musical bands filling this weekend in Niagara include Tell Tommy, The Caverners – A Tribute to the Beatles, The Smoothies, Soul Jam, 351 Cleveland, Live Bait and Desire – A Tribute to U2.
Many will be celebrating Canada’s 144th year on Canada Day in grand style in the nation’s capital. Every year, tens of thousands of people flock to Parliament Hill to take part in the Canada Day Noon Show with the Governor General, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.
When the show ends about 1:30 p.m., the Duke and Duchess will go on stage to meet the artists. Then, about 1:45 p.m., they’ll begin what should be a highlight of the event — a walkabout among the crowds on the Parliament Hill lawn. This may be the best chance most people will have to get up close and personal with the royals in Ottawa.