February 14, 2020

February 14th is the 45th day of the year. There are 321 days remaining until the end of the year.

VIA Rail has suspsended its service across Canada.

Blockades have been set up by anti-pipeline protesters, not allowing rail traffic through main corridors.

VIA says it is providing full refunds for all cancelled trips, which are being processed automatically but that due to the volume of transactions it may take up to 15 days to receive. The company will not accept any new bookings before February 18th.

Everyone is invited to Rondeau tomorrow for a Family Day Event from 10-1.

Bring the family for a campfire, traditional stories and songs, and lunch with refreshments!

The price of the event itself is free, you will just need a day-use permit to enter the park. For the winter season, the prices are as follows: regular $12.25 per vehicle, senior $9.75 per vehicle or disabled $6.00 per vehicle.

 Monday is Family Day.

Family Day is not a national statutory holiday, it is only observed in New Brunswick, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan and in British Columbia.

Family Day was originally created to give people time to spend with their families but it also provides a day off between New Years Day and Good Friday as they are approximately three months apart. It was added to the calendar after the 2007 Provincial Election. Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty promised to add it if he was named Premier.

Couple things to keep in mind for Family Day:
Garbage and recycling pick up will be delayed by one day next week.

The Thames Art Gallery and Chatham-Kent Museum will be open on Family Day Monday from 11-4. There is a free dance party at the Chatham Cultural Centre Kiwanis Theatre from 10-4.

The Blenheim Gable Rees Rotary Pool and Wallaceburg Sydenham Pool are open for their free swims from 10:30-noon and from 1-2:30. Space is limited.

Free Family Day skates are happening on Monday at:

• Memorial Arena Chatham noon-1:30
• Ridgetown Arena 2-3:30
• Dresden Ken Houston Memorial Agricultural Centre 1:30-3:30
• Tilbury Arena 2-3:30
• Wallaceburg Arena 2-3:30
• Wheatley Arena 1-2

Full schedule for free skating in February go here.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day is the the most widely celebrated unofficial holiday in the world.

A few interesting facts…

• The Catholic Church recognizes at least 3 different saints named Valentine, all of whom were martyred, one for performing secret weddings for young lovers.
• Pope Gelasius declared February 14th “St Valentine’s Day” around 498 AD, in part to replace an ancient Roman fertility festival.
• About 1 billion Valentine cards are exchanged, making it the 3rd largest card-sending occasion after Christmas and Fathers Day. It’s also the 4th-biggest flower-selling occasion.
• Teachers receive the most Valentines Day cards, followed by school children, mothers, wives, and then sweethearts.

Categorised in: 5 Things You Need To Know

This post was written by Chris McLeod