February 14, 2025

February 14, 2025 5:55 am Published by Chris McLeod

February 14th is the 45th day of the year. There are 320 days remaining until the end of the year.

Monday is Family Day.

Family Day is not a national statutory holiday, it’s 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 going on this Family Day weekend to get you out of the house:

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:

Ridgetown Arena 12-1:30
Thames Campus Chatham 1-2:30
Tilbury Arena 1-2:30
Wheatley Arena 1-2:30
Dresden Ken Houston Memorial Agricultural Centre 4-5:30

Full schedule for free skating in February go here.

This weekend will be the first (of four) free fishing periods in Ontario this year.

This means you do not need to buy a fishing license if you want to fish during:

Family Fishing Weekend (February 15-17)
Mother’s Day Weekend (May 10–11)
Father’s Day Weekend (June 14-15)
Family Fishing Week (June 28-29)

During all other time periods, Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64 years must purchase a valid fishing license to legally fish in Ontario.

Go here for more information or here.

Twenty years ago today, in 2005, YouTube launched from San Bruno, California.

It was created by three former PayPal employees – Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim.

Google bought it in November 2006 for $1.65 billion.

Jawed Karim uploaded the first YouTube video “Me at the zoo”.

Today is Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day is 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.