Wed - 26 Feb/14

Our RV park friends dropped off a brochure for the Butterfly Rainforest in Gainesville, FL this morning.

The Butterfly Rainforest is part of the University of Florida's Natural History Museum that is considered one of the top 5  museums of this type in the USA. It is about an hour and a half north (just off I-75) and well worth putting on our "To Do" list. Aren't RVers great?

Charlotte is missing Quilting and Arts and Crafts today. This is CANADA DAY in the Rec Hall. Activities including a catered lunch, begin at noon (which means arrive by 11:30 a.m.).

There were 81 in attendance at the Canada Day Event. Only a few Canadians couldn't make it. Met and talked to several folks we knew from other activity encounters.

Erie and Jack organized the event this year. Thanks Guys!

The event opened with a the singing of Oh Canada. There was a slight hesitation part way through - not that folks didn't know the words - just that they didn't know which version to continue singing. Several provinces sing a hybrid version that features both official languages. A few folks stalled for a moment to see if the next verse was going to be in French or English. We always like to acknowledge our French language compatriots; however, it continued in the English version.

Everyone stood and introduced themselves (and partner). They also included an anecdote about their home town. Later, after the group picture, Sue and Pierre came and introduced themselves. We had not realized they were in the park. They recognized our name and city (Long Sault, ON) during the introductions. Our children went to the same school, we were members of the same congregation and Pierre and myself were 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. Once again - you know - the Disney thing (It's a Small World).

The Canada Day committee, led by Erie, did a fantastic job of setting up the hall. this year. They decided on a catered lunch rather than a potluck. Down south a catered lunch means ribs - which were perfectly done. Dessert was the Canada cake topped with ice cream. The food was excellent and plentiful (enough for seconds). A rousing round of applause indicated that everyone would like this to be the format for next year.

We sat with wonderful folks from different regions of Canada. In our area the range was from "The Rock" (Newfoundland) to New Brunswick and Saskatchewan (Gee - think the Roughrider Football Sweaters gave it away). The Saskatchewan Roughriders won the 101st. Grey Cup" last year.

The Grey Cup is named after Albert Grey, the Governor General of Canada from 1904 until 1911. He donated the trophy to the Canadian Rugby Union in 1909 to recognize the top amateur rugby football team in Canada. By this time Canadian Football had become markedly different from rugby from which it developed.

Football was introduced to North America in Canada by the British Army garrison in Montreal, Quebec. They played a series of games with McGill University in 1874. Canadian Football is different from American Football. The most recognizable differences is that we have 12 players (USA 11) who use 3 Downs (plays)  in which to achieve a first down by moving the ball 10 yards towards the goal line (USA uses 4). Both games have the same number of players required at the line of scrimmage, so the twelfth player in the Canadian game plays a backfield position. We play on a larger field (110 x 60 yds vs 100 x 53 1/3) with a deeper end zone (20 yds vs 10 yds). Our Goal Posts are at the Goal Line (vs the End Line). Historically the CFL ball was slightly larger; however, since 1985 it is now fractionally smaller by an average 1/4 inch (both diameter and length). The CFL ball has white stripes near each end while the NFL ball has none. In the Canadian game the teams must be 1 yard apart at the line of scrimmage (11" in the US - the length of the football). There are also a myriad of procedural rules that I won't get into. ...now back to the party. (Can you tell I enjoy Football and Trivia - grin).

The lass from Newfoundland at our end of the table got up and read a Love Poem in Canada's 3rd Official Language ("Newfie" colloquialisms replete with accent) which was a wonderful thing, indeed. It was hilarious! I laughed so much tears ran down my leg (grin).

Terry did an excellent job writing the Canada Day Trivia Contest.

TOOT - TOOT (That's me blowing my own horn - I won - Eh! (grin). This year there was a prize - we will celebrate with a meal out in Mt. Dora.

Even though I am on the same Sunday Trivia team at the Rec Hall as Terry and his wife Marlene I swear I had no prior knowledge of the questions that were asked (grin).

It was a great event. We are already looking forward to attending Canada Day next year.

Remember, I said; "The rain is coming" previously in the blog. It is here! We got a little wet walking back to the RV. That's OK. The rest of the day will be a "PJ" day with TV in the evening. That's it - we are all washed up for today (grin).