FeedTell Me About My Small Cities And Win Big (Huge)
January 21, 2011 in Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens, Patrick Roy, Wayne Gretzky Tags: Brooks Robinson, Ilya Kovalchuk, Orillia, Powell River, Powell River Regals, super-duper contest, Wayne Gretzky
Introducing my newest contest, featuring 21 excellent prizes, all to be given as one big honkin’ prize to one winner.
You can enter as many times as you want, and all you have to do is tell me one small thing about either Orillia, Ont, my birthplace, or Powell River, BC, where I live now. As long as each time you enter you give a different fact about either place.
And once again, because I know there was some confusion the last time - all 21 items go to one person.
The prizes are things I’ve collected over the years, and now they can be yours. Also, I encourage any previous winners to enter again. There’s no law saying a person can’t win twice.
I also won’t be picking a winner (from a hat) until there’s a bunch. Hopefully there will be a lot. The prizes are pretty darn good.
1986-87 official team picture.
1993 Montreal Gazette special section about Habs Cup victory
Original Doug Harvey Group 2 Beehive (1944-64)
Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson authentic autograph on Topps Zellers baseball card.
1992 large Russian magazine “Hockey Panorama” with Pavel Bure cover.
1991 Official Calgary Cannons (Triple A) team photo from Photo Day.
1985 heavy stock paper lineup featuring Team Canada and Moscow Dynamo. Richard Sevigny and Craig Simpson were on the Canadian team., as was Helmut Balderis with Dynamo.
The Canadian National team played the Norway National team in Powell River about a decade ago, and this lineup is signed by the Norwegian squad.
Russian version of Jim Taylor’s Wayne Gretzky book. Published in Russia in 1980.
1982 Hockey News with a beautiful 12-page special on the Habs. “Les Canadiens Have Class.”
Mint Habs stickers
1994-95 Official Habs team picture.
Interesting 1989-90 Habs training camp brochure.
1999-2000 3-time Allan Cup champion Powell River Regals program featuring game against Dynamo-Energia Ekaterinburg, a team in the Russian Elite League before the KHL was hatched. The cover is autographed by the Russian team.
Signed 8×10 autographed Rick Tocchet glossy.
Limited edition 8×10 1991-92 Upper Deck Collector’s Series from Feb. 18, 1992 game between Toronto and Pittsburgh.
Two 1988-89 Esso NHL All-Star Albums – one with almost completed stickers (including Bobby Orr and Gordie Howe, and one album empty.
1982 Hockey Sticker Album, complete with stickers, including Gretzky and Lafleur.
The cover of the above album.
1993 partially-completed sticker album, shown above and below.
2002 Russian “Hockey World” with Kovalchuk cover.
1991 Sluggers Hockey Card Guide with Patrick Roy cover.
January 20th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Hi Dennis! Here’s my first fact about lovely Orillia, Ontario: The Village of Orillia was founded in 1867 (sharing the same birthyear as Canada), it was incorporated as a town in 1875 and then became a City in 1969.
January 20th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Thanks for starting it off, Tyg. I really hope I get good response for this contest. I didn’t know Orillia is the same age as Canada.
January 20th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
Dennis, the Powell River Tim Horton’s is located at 4680 Joyce Avenue and it opened its doors on June 26 2010.
January 20th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Dennis, the headquarters of the Ontario Provincial Police is located in Orillia, Ontario.
January 20th, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Excellent fact, Danno!
January 20th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
It is, Robert! Makes it tough for crooks. Thanks!
January 20th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
Dennis, the City of Powell River is currently undergoing Stage 3 of their Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP).
http://www.powellriver.ca/siteengine/activepage.asp?NewsID=135
January 20th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Hmm, stage 3, Danno. I wonder how many stages of liquid waste there are?
January 20th, 2011 at 7:29 pm
The City of Powell River is viewed by other Canadian cities and municipalities as one of THE most creative and proactive in Canada when working with Aboriginal peoples. Powell River has been invited many times to speakéshare at major intergovernmental conference throughout Canada. Powell River now sits on what was known as ‘Ayjoomixw’ (and meaning ‘good clear ground’ specifically referring to what is now called Willingdon Beach) by the Tla’Amin people before contact. The area surrounding Willingdon Beach was used by Sliammon, Homalco, Klahoose, Sechelt and other first nations as a recreation are where sports days were held. These events were used by the Aboriginal peoples for intermarriage and meeting/planning purposes. The word ‘Ayjoomixw’ appears at the stop light above the Westview Ferry Terminal right below the ‘Welcome to Powell River`sign. Powell River`s proactivity is demonstrated by the flying of the Sliammon Nation flag at the Viewpoint above the seawalk.
January 20th, 2011 at 7:34 pm
When we lived in Sarnia, my daughter had a softball tournament in Orillia. The team did well, and everyone was durn nice and friendly.
January 20th, 2011 at 7:38 pm
Even further back in time, I went on a field trip with other geography teachers and ate a restaurant in a train car in or near Orillia. The tour guide told us that the locals called the place something closer to Grillia or Gorillia (I can’t say which for sure or fer shore), but I’ve never actually heard anybody pronounce it that way — other than him.
DK, these are truly small things. Maybe not what you had in mind, but that’s all I’ve got.
January 20th, 2011 at 7:53 pm
Anvilcloud, they’re both great. Big or small, it doesn’t matter, Thank you and good luck.
January 20th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Good stuff, Mayo. Thanks!
January 20th, 2011 at 7:55 pm
Anvilcloud, that’s the train car down by the park. And no, locals don’t pronounce it like that at all. It’s simply “Orillia.”
January 20th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
Dennis, you’re crazy to be giving that stuff away! The Boston stuff, not so much.
January 20th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
I’m whittling things down, Mayo. It’s time.
January 20th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
The Patricia Theatre in Powell River is the oldest running movie theatre in Canada (1913).
January 20th, 2011 at 9:11 pm
Hey Dennis, Powell River was the first time I played hockey outside of Gold River, actually it was my first trip of many to Powell River that weekend in October of 1973.
January 21st, 2011 at 2:35 am
Powell River
The city is named after Israel Wood Powell who was British Columbia’s Superintendent of Indian Affairs in the 1880′s.
You were that close to living in Israel Wood, Dennis.
We used to have a TV show named Call My Bluff. Each member of a 3 person team had to define a word or words in a convincing manner. Of 3 definitions only one was right and the other team had to pick. Can you spot what is true and what is bluff?
The Powell River Queen is:
1) A well known local drag artist
2) A BC Ferry with a gross tonnage of 1486
3) A friendly neighbourhood bar famed for it’s spectacular fights on a Friday night
January 21st, 2011 at 2:36 am
Dennis, there are only two types of liquid waste. Number one and number two. There are however infinite levels of municipal planning and thus Stage 3 of the LWMP.
January 21st, 2011 at 2:50 am
orillia was the home of mike williamson
January 21st, 2011 at 3:25 am
Dennis, orcas (killer whales) can be spotted near Powell River…
This group of five was observed between Grant Reefs and Harwood Island — just off the coast of Powell River…
January 21st, 2011 at 3:29 am
Danno,
As a wit once said of matters lavatorial, “the job is never finished ’til the paperwork is done”.
January 21st, 2011 at 8:06 am
Thanks Bayou, I want to live in Israel Wood. And that pub you mnetion? It’s not the Powell River Queen, it’s the Westview.
January 21st, 2011 at 8:06 am
Hobo, and Rodney Rodent!
January 21st, 2011 at 8:09 am
Danno, we see whales here from time to time. My wife and I were having dinner at a restaurant awhile back and looked out and a whale was playing. It was great. And they’ve been seen where I work sometimes. Also, my house looks out over the water and I can see Harwood Island.
January 21st, 2011 at 8:14 am
As a kid growing up in the late 60′s we would be required to make the yearly summer vacation trek to the grandparents in St Thomas in southern Ontario.
One summer as a complete surprise from my parents we did not end up in St Thomas but a town called Orillia at a resort called Fern Cottage where we spent a week …..well being kids. It was a fabulous holiday and the one that brings back great memories of a town called Orillia, a town of which I have never been to since.
Just wondering Dennis……have you ever heard of the place and if so is it still there?
JW in Ottawa
PS Sens are awful and even with your injuries, you should put 2 points in the bank tonight. Good luck!
January 21st, 2011 at 8:23 am
In PR in the 1960′s and 70′s it seems to have been a common parental practice for parrents to go pubbing with their children on Friday and / or Saturday afternoons with their kids. We would be left outside in the car while parents socialized inside the Rodmay or Marine Inn. Occassionally french fries / hamburgers would be sent out while kids played in parking lots. If father didn’t get into a fight, we usually went straight home, possibly with group of other adults who would spend one or more nights on the couch. Wouldn’t be surprised if this took place in small towns across Canada, including Orillia.
January 21st, 2011 at 8:39 am
Hi JW. Thanks for this. And to add to your story, Bobby Orr and Mike Walton had a hockey school out at Fern Resort.
January 21st, 2011 at 8:41 am
Mayo, that kind of thing definitely took place everywhere. The Steelworkers Hall in Orillia and the Legion were two places lots of dads spent Saturday afternoon at.
January 21st, 2011 at 9:31 am
Dennis, the city of Orillia is known as the “Sunshine City” in the heart of Lake Country.
It has a proud history of being first in many areas, according to the City of Orillia’s official website…
Orillia had many firsts in North America such as: Orillia had the first municipal hydro electric transmission plant in America, Orillia printed its own money in 1936. Orillia was the very first municipality to introduce “daylight saving time” and it had the best-lighted main streets on the continent in the 1930’s. The Champlain Monument (a National Historic Site) has been called one of the finest bronze sculptures on the continent.
January 21st, 2011 at 10:04 am
Powell River is home to the cream of the BC Ferry employee crop. Workers from here are known to be efficient and courteous and doing the job over and above the call of duty, each and every day. Workers on the Tssawwassen run are a close second. lol
January 21st, 2011 at 2:14 pm
Excuse the spelling but the lake that laps the shores of Orillia is called Lake Couchiching but it’s aboriginal name is Lake of the Seven Winds.
January 21st, 2011 at 4:09 pm
gordon lightfoot, while he was a young teenager in orillia was 86ed from the local dance hall by the proprietor who claimed lightfoot was in fact lighthead from way too much booze and causing trouble. lightfoot responded threatening that when he becomes famous he would charge the proprietor way more than his going fee to play at his joint………. gordon kept his promise.
January 21st, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Danno, you see why I’m proud of Orillia? It has all kinds of things going for it.
January 21st, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Mayo, ferry workers here are absolutely awesome. I know a couple. Salt of the earth.
January 21st, 2011 at 4:31 pm
Mike, you only had one letter wrong which I fixed. You had it 99.99%. I didn’t know it was called Lake of the Seven Winds. I never noticed seven winds there before.
January 21st, 2011 at 4:32 pm
Hobo, was that your dad Ray who was involved? (Hobo’s dad owned the dance place, Club Pavilion, for years).
January 21st, 2011 at 5:21 pm
‘ Powell River is home to the cream of the BC Ferry employee crop.’
Mayo, while we all wish this were true this competition is all about hard facts not fantasy
January 21st, 2011 at 5:22 pm
Blue Bayou – HAH!
January 21st, 2011 at 5:56 pm
Just outside of Orillia is Casino Rama which drives me crazy with their repeated advertisements on Ontario TV stations. You’d think there’s money to be made in luring customers to gamble. Oops, that’s more commentary than fact.
January 21st, 2011 at 6:16 pm
Correction noted Blue Bayou. Thanks for the correction. Sorry Dennis, I tried.
January 22nd, 2011 at 8:34 am
Orillia hosted the first Mariposa Pop Festival.
January 22nd, 2011 at 10:11 am
The 10 ships that make up the floating “hulk” breakwater in front of the Catalyst pulp mill are all WW2 surplus “crockery” ships. The Peralta is the last of the WW1 concrete steamers and is the oldest concrete vessel still afloat in the world. The Quartz, formerly known as USS Quartz IX150 was used as floating wharehouse during Operation Crossroads in the Marshall Islands.
January 22nd, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Hi Dennis – what a fabulous idea ! I grew up in Orillia and didn’t realize how very pretty and down home it was until I left. I have so many great memories I could fill a book. The Amphitheatre in Couchiching Beach Park, close to The Pav. My two favourite hangouts growing up.
It was the kind of small town where you could walk the street at night and not be afraid, where has that feeling gone? I go back every once in a while, still have friends there. I love the small town ambiance, the waterfront and the people.
January 22nd, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Thanks, Jeremy. Those hulks are quite the thing.
January 22nd, 2011 at 2:01 pm
Mike, I was about 11 and went up and looked throught the fence at the Mariposa.I remember that.
January 22nd, 2011 at 2:03 pm
Thanks Wilma. I miss Orillia too. I live in a great place now – Powell River, but Orillia brings back childhood memories which are like gold. Thanks again.
January 23rd, 2011 at 10:33 am
Never been to either place but I grew up in Kenora and remember the Orillia Terrier’s during their Allan Cup years. We would get the Winnipeg paper and I remember them beating a Manitoba team for the championship. Then again my memory is getting a little murky on some things.
January 23rd, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Don, you’re absolutely right. The Orillia Terriers won the Allan Cup in (I think), 1972. Good one.
January 23rd, 2011 at 6:30 pm
MArine Avenue dining district has Mexican, Thai, and sushi fare to sample!
January 23rd, 2011 at 6:43 pm
It does, Mike! I love the Mexican and Thai but I have a hard time with sushi.
January 24th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
well, is this where i leave u something about one of the cities. if it is, i’d like to add this one. Powell River has the same initials as the Pocket Rocket.
Hope this counts
January 24th, 2011 at 9:23 pm
Heu Bobby, great reply – Powell River is the same initials as Pocket Rocket. I love it. You’re entered and good luck. There’s a ton of prizes for the winner.
January 29th, 2011 at 2:25 am
The Powell River is the second shortest river in the world. It is 5/8ths of a mile long
My dad keeps sending me these facts, I think he is a closet Montreal fan. I will be in PR in the next couple weeks, so I will haul out my collection of NHL memorabilia, including ticket stubs to Canadiens 1993 Stanley Play Off finals.
January 29th, 2011 at 2:34 am
One more fact. The current Commander of Maritime Pacific, Rear Admiral N.S. Greenwood is from Powell River.
February 11th, 2011 at 8:57 am
In 1936 Orillia printed its own money.
)
I wonder what the Federal Gov. thought about that!
I grew up in Orillia, best little town a kid could grow up in!! In 1979 I moved to BC. I can see the lights of Powell River from my front deck.
)
February 11th, 2011 at 9:04 am
Orillia was the first municipality in North America to introduce daylight savings time. Also, Orillia had the first hydro electric plant in North America.