This morning we headed off to Oakridge to get our annual picture with Santa. Quinlan was a little shy and to forestall the hysterics I sat with Quinlan on my lap and Santa had Aidan. It is a little cheesy, but the more I see it, the more it grows on me.
Yanta!
Aftermath from the Halifax Explosion Overlooking the Waterfront
I understand why for most Canadians December 6th is a day of remembrance not for a disaster that killed 2000 people in Nova Scotia, but of a mad man shooting 14 women at an engineering school in Quebec. It was a horrible tragedy and I personally know some people who were attending the school at that time and they have talked about the fear and pain that they and the rest of the school went through on that day. For me though the first thing I think about on December 6th is the collision of the Imo and Mont Blanc during war time in Halifax Harbour.
A Building Damaged in the Explosion
After the explosion on one of Halifax's main street, Gottigen
The whole thing happened because of a mis-communication and a language barrier. Many people stood and watched the ship float closer to Halifax and many people tried to help the crew of the Imo, not knowing it was a munitions ship. When the fire spread and finally exploded it destroyed almost 2 km in radius. Many of the people that didn’t die from the explosion died from the Tsunami that resulted from the explosion. To make matters worse it got really cold and Halifax had its largest blizzard in a decade the next day. Those that were trapped in blown out houses died of exposure.
A house destroyed, though not flattened.
A view across the devastation of Halifax, looking toward the Dartmouth side of the harbour. IMO can be seen aground on the far side of the harbour after the explosion - Halifax 6th December 1917.
Halifax lost more people in the explosion than in the war overseas. Detailed estimates showed that among those killed, 600 were under the age of 15. As many as 1,600 people died immediately in the blast, the tsunami, and collapse of buildings, with about 9,000 more injured, most seriously. 1,630 homes were destroyed in the explosion and fires, with 12,000 more houses damaged. This disaster left roughly 6,000 people homeless and without shelter and 25,000 without adequate housing.
Soldiers worked throughout the blizzard to rescue as many people as they could.
With so many Canadians dead or injured, it always amazes me when I find out most people know nothing about the Halifax explosion. Most people don’t know why there is such a bond between Nova Scotia and Boston. Boston sent as many supplies and people as they could to help with the devastation the explosion caused. Nova Scotia to this day sends a huge Christmas tree as a thank you.
If you want to find out more, CBC has a good site, and a few years ago they made a docu-drama sort of thing about the explosion. You can also go to the Nova Scotia Archives and get more information as well. In fact they have a lot of photographs and a virtual exhibit happening right now.
Often at this time of year people are consumed about getting the perfect gift for their loved ones, friends, teachers and sometimes themselves. It can be very stressful to find things that are personal, practical and not something one might want to return for something else.
I have a number of younger cousins who are at the point where they are going out a lot more and while I may have been able to find a good book or an outfit they would have worn in the past, not any longer. I sometimes just give cash but I prefer to have a bit of a theme. I also like the idea of theme gift for teachers, babysitters and the teenagers in your life who are very hard to shop for. As luck would have it there are some great deals on gift cards including a great themed gift idea, a movie night.
Movie Night: Get a gift card for Empire with enough to cover a couple of people for the theatre. To make it a more interesting gift get your child to decorate a paper bag like a popcorn bag and fill it with some bulk candy, a microwave popcorn package, the gift card and a homemade card from your child. If your child isn’t giving the gift, then a nice card, the gift card and some great movie candy can really liven up an otherwise dull gift. You can also add a DVD or a movie rental card as well. If I lived in the same city (or even the same province) as my cousins I would attach the card to a few dates that they can pick to go with me to a movie. It is nice to have time to connect again.
In another post I will show some other interesting themes for your child’s teacher and ways to make the wrapping special.
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Disclosure: I am participating in the Empire “Give and Get” program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Empire Theatres. I recieved an Empire gift card and coupon bundle as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.
The Empire “Give and Get” program:
Offer: When you purchase $30 in Empire Theatres’ Gift Cards you’ll receive $30 in Empire Theatres Coupons – If you’re in the giving spirit, why not use the coupons for stocking stuffers too!
Timing: Ends: Friday, December 24th
Bundle: Full details on the contents can be found here
Available only: At theatres and online
Coupons: Coupons are valid in 2011; each coupon is valid for one month period.
Legal regarding the Promotion:
Just a few pictures from tonight’s sojourn to Bright Nights at Stanley Park.
The Imp
Quinlan is entranced.
Aidan also entranced.
Waiting patiently for the train.
The train is all lit as well.
On our way to a winter wonderland.
