IN MEMORIAM | Linda Burger

Following several years of residing at the Extended Care Unit of the Welland Hospital, our dear friend Linda Burger passed away peacefully on Sun. Nov. 22, surrounded by her loving family.

I met Linda when I was going out with Rob Dennis. Linda was his aunt and even after he and I went our separate ways, I still visited her at Extended Care - usually joined by Linda's daughter Sandra or her sister Merry.

One of the things I remember most about Linda was her sense of humour, something her daughter Sandra inherited... in spades.

I don't know which was more fun. Watching Sandra's hilarious antics [like running over plush toys with a wheelchair and doing magic tricks with the hospital bed] or seeing Linda's face light up when Sandra was on a roll.

I had some very funny and memorable visits with Linda which I will always cherish. When Rob & I dressed up for Halloween, we made a point of dropping by to show her our costumes. She loved them and so did her roommates.

Another amusing moment was when I downloaded a Talking Tom Cat app on her smartphone. "Babycakes" Linda was like a kid at Christmas when she played with that silly app, as she and Sandra made the talking cat repeat swear words in its squeaky little voice. Man that was fun.

Linda's funeral on Nov. 26 was very emotional, but thankfully, family and friends supported each other, as we paid our respects.

Rest in peace Linda, you will never be forgotten.

SCRIBBLES VIDEO  |  Memories of Linda

SCRIBBLES VIDEO  |  Getting a Rise

This video from 2011 features Sandra Burger-Vedder making her mom Linda and her Aunt Merry - who operated the camera - laugh out loud, with her amusing 'Magical Hospital Bed' routine.

It took an extensive search to locate this hilarious clip. Due to the way this clip had been saved, it had to be re-recorded using the original, making it grainy....but still damn funny. The additional snorting and laughing heard is me cracking up as I re-recorded this treasured moment. 

 LINDA BURGER'S OBITUARY 

BURGER, LINDA DIANNE - It is with deep sorrow that the family of Linda Burger announce her passing at the Welland Hospital Site on Sunday, November 22, 2015 in her 65th year. 

She is reunited with her late husband Clifford Burger (2000). Beloved mother of Gloria Putman (Scott), Sandra Vedder (Dan), Karen McGuire (Steve) and Jessica Burger (Paul). 

Cherished grandmother of Bylynnda-Lynn, Blade, Michael and Emily. 

Dear sister of Barbara Townsend, Merry Proulx and Bill Bouck (Cyndy). 

Linda will be sadly missed by her many nieces, nephews and cousins. Predeceased by her parents Bill and Aileen Bouck, sister Debbie and brothers-in-law Harvey Townsend and David Conners. 

The family received friends on Wednesday, November 25th at the H.L. Cudney Funeral Home, 241 West Main Street, Welland.

The funeral was held in the Cudney Chapel on Thursday, November 26th. Interment at Pleasantview Memorial Gardens followed.

As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to Canada Diabetes Association or the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Linda’s family would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to the Extended Care Unit at the Welland Hospital for their care and compassion. Online condolences available at www.cudneyfuneralhome.com

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COSTUME CONTEST WINNER |

VIDEO | A "Flipping" Magician

This segment is from 'Britain's Got Talent' and it will have you scratching your head in disbelief. The opening sequence. where they show a clip of the magician prior to his performance is a bit long, but if you forward to about  the 1:38 min mark, that's where the magic begins.

YOU | Papa Ernie's Birthday

OPINION | by Ken Leavoy

In my opinion...

I find statements like this disturbing. In many cases I feel it's the retail chain stores and restaurants who chose to replace "Merry Christmas" with the more inclusive "Happy Holidays" since then, some people have gone on the defensive, while showing ignorance towards others.

Seriously, how many times have you been confronted by someone who is anti-Christmas?

Have  you ever been chased down the street by an angry mob, who wanted to take away that lush aromatic Christmas tree you just bought?

How many times has someone freaked out on you for saying Merry Christmas?

So far my total is zero. (the same number it was last Christmas, the one before and well, actually all past Christmases.)

And who exactly is it that's preventing you from saying Merry Christmas? What are the legal ramifications if you do get caught uttering those words?? Your freedom to say Merry Christmas still exists, to suggest otherwise is fear mongering.

Telling others that if they don't like our customs, they can leave our country and you'll help them pack, certainly isn't spreading the message of peace on earth....something ALMOST everyone on the planet wants, even those who celebrate a different holiday at this time of year. 

With all the hatred, terrorism, serial killings, refugees being attacked and refused entry to many countries, isn't it time we stopped this unnecessary annual jab at others? 

WHAT A CROCK indeed!

Hanging on to Hope

Dear Refugee:

It hurts deeply to turn on my TV and see what is happening to you.

First, you had to flee the only home you've ever known because it had been destroyed and you will be slaughtered if you try to return there.

You have fled with little more than the clothes on your back, with a new crisis...where do you go now?

That country doesn't want you, neither do those ones. Now you are hearing that even some places in America are starting to close their doors. The mental anguish alone must be overwhelming, let alone finding food and shelter.

Refugees please don't think that the entire world has abandoned you. Through no fault of your own, there are places across the planet, where you are not welcomed. But there are many other people and places doing all they can to help, like Canada's new government, with a plan to open its doors to 25,000 refugees. Other countries and people around the world also have this compassionate view. It doesn't excuse the ignorance of others, but hopefully it gives you some reassurance.

~Ken Leavoy

YOU | Birthday Wishes

SHOP | Crystal Beach Candy Brings You Back to a Unique Era

About the Crystal Beach Candy Company

The Crystal Beach Candy Co. is located in Fort Erie, Ontario, just minutes away from the site of the famous Crystal Beach Amusement Park. The Amusement Park was famous for many things including the "Comet" roller coaster, the beautiful Dance Hall, delicious Sugar Waffles, and the Hall's Original Suckers.

Sadly the park closed its doors for good on Labor Day 1989 after 101 years, leaving us with only the happy memories. The Crystal Beach Candy Co. has come to the rescue of those needing a sugar fix, by bringing back the suckers and sugar waffles using the original recipes used at the park.

Contact: Bob Steckley (905.871.7531)   Crystal Beach Candy is available at these locations!  ...or place your order online - Click Here

ENTERTAINMENT | A Gift from Dolly

Dolly Parton is promising an early Christmas present for us all this year: the premiere of the film Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, which will air in early December.

Parton shared her excitement — and the release date for the project that she is executively producing — via social media.

The TV movie is based off of the country star’s humble upbringing in the Tennessee Great Smoky Mountains in 1955. The film depicts the Country Music Hall of Famer and her family as they overcome tragedy and a raggedy patchwork coat that helped frame Parton’s career.

It was recently revealed that Jennifer Nettles will be portraying young Parton’s mother, Avie Lee Parton, in the feature. This marks the Sugarland singer’s second major gig as an actress, following her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago earlier this year.

Gerald McRaney (Southland, House of Cards) will play Grandpa Jake Owens and Ricky Schroder (24, NYPD Blue) will portray Dolly’s father, Lee Parton. Young actress Alyvia Lind scored the part of Dolly as a child in the film. Production for the project will begin in Atlanta this week.

Coat of Many Colors is part of the deal Parton penned in January with NBC. The network will develop several two-hour television movies based on the country staple’s songs, stories and life, and while they will contain music, the made-for-TV flicks won’t be musicals. The question is still out whether or not Parton will have a role in any of the films.

Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors will air Thursday, Dec. 10, from 9-11PM ET on NBC.

ENTERTAINMENT | Spend Some Time Together

The new official Carol Burnett You Tube channel is guaranteed to make you laugh, with its classic Carol humour.

"Carol Burnett is excited to invite you to her brand-new official YouTube Channel!", says the text at the new channel.  "With full-length sketches from her award-winning variety show - these clips will keep you glued to the channel for hours and hours of laugh-out-loud entertainment!"

You might want to bookmark this one..... Get your fix of Carol Burnett and her quirky co-stars and guests by CLICKING HERE 

YOU & ME | The Merit's of this Marvelous Island

Below, a few shots taken in summer 2013. 

I visited  Merritt Island at least once a week when I lived in Welland and it was a 5 minute drive down the street,

ABOVE; One side of the island and water that surrounds it. 

It's not unusual to see people rowing, kayaking and fishing. Swimming is strictly off limits, but you usually see teens jumping from the entrance bridge into the water below, especially of very hot and humid days. 

Not for me thank you very much. 

I have many "first time" experiences on Merritt Island. 

One of them was when AIDS Niagara held its annual AIDS Walk on Merritt Island.  It was so refreshing to see trees and birds and the surrounding water while completing the AIDS Walk, and it seemed a nicer view than the broken beer bottles and used condoms one could often find on the downtown St Catharines walk route. 

To my knowledge the walk did not return to Merritt Island, which is sad, because the island's natural beauty combined with raising funds and awareness made it very memorable. 

The large pillars on the right, were put there decades ago. 

They represent the old Welland Canal, which was what put Merritt Island on the map in the first place. 

I wish this was a video clip instead of a still photo.  For if this was a video, you could be chuckling along as Timmi's ears flap rapidly in the wind.

And when that wind really kicks up, a frightened Timmi looks like Rocky the Flying Squirrel as we return to the car.

Those were very great moments.

Merritt Island is only one of many great places to visit in Welland. And Timmi & I miss each and every one of them.

YOU & ME | Saturday Night Fever

My friend Deanna Gilligan and I indulged in one of our favourite activities on Saturday night, when we enjoyed Dunnville Community Theatre's presentation of Alfred Hitchcock's 'The 39 Steps'.

Scribbles will present its review of 'The 39 Steps' shortly, meanwhile... Here's Deanna and I with our dear friend, DCT producer Nancy Erskine, who - can I just say - was looking and smelling great. Not that I was sniffing her or anything.)

What a great time. Thanks for sitting with us at the play Nancy..it's always a real treat and pleasure to be sitting next to one of DCT's grand puhba's.

PETS | Calendar Hopefuls

PHOTO COURTESY BECKY LEE

Becky Lee has a knack for getting the attention of the folks at Ruffin's Pet Centres. Well actually, it's her pets that have Ruffin's tails and tongues waggin'.

Last year, a photo of Beck's now departed dog Raina won a coveted spot in Ruffin's 2015 Calendar.

Vying for a month of their own, this time around it's Becky's brother's dog Ram (above left) and Becky's dog Preston. The dogs are seen above in a photo from summer as they enjoy the view from the dock at the family's cottage at PaPineau Lake in Eastern Ontario. 

Fingers and paws crossed, maybe this photo will make it into 2016's calendar.

WOOF!

NEWS | Welland Shows Solidarity

ARTICLE/PHOTO COURTESY: WELLAND TRIBUNE -a division of SUN MEDIA

WRITTEN BY MICHELLE ALLENBURG  The Welland Canal bridge 13 was lit up with the colours of the French flag on Saturday night to show solidarity with France after deadly attacks occurred across Paris on Friday night.

Welland Mayor Frank Campion said Welland would light up the bridge because of concern over the people affected.

"That sort of thing should never happen," he said.

Campion said during Tuesday night`s council meeting council members will discuss what happened in Paris.

michelle.allenberg@sunmedia.ca

ENTERTAINMENT | "Practice, Practice, Practice!"

PHOTO BY: LUCAS LABRECQUE - USED WITH PERMISSION OF DUNNVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE

Above: Deep in character, Dunnville Community Theatre's Jordan Heron and Kathryn Stengel go through their lines and motions during rehearsal for 'The 39 Steps'.

DCT is presenting a comic adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's 'The 39 Steps'. In addition to Jordan and Kathryn, the cast also includes DCT favourites Diane Morris and Gordon Huffman.

DCT's 'The 39 Steps' is presented Fri. Nov. 13, Sat. Nov. 14, and Fri. Nov. 20 at the Dunnville Hunters and Anglers Conservation Club, 237 McLaughlin Rd, Dunnville, ON, which is the new location for DCT productions. Tickets are $15 each, doors open at 7 pm, showtime is 8 pm.

The show wraps up on Sat. Nov. 21 with a dinner theatre. Tickets for this evening are $35, which includes dinner and the show. Doors open at 5:30 pm, dinner served at 6 pm, showtime 8 pm.

And here's the wonderful menu created by Debb Davies:

Theatre Dinner Menu - November 21, 2015

A selection of bisquits and scones with preserves and butter.  The British Waldorf Salad with apple, herbs, blue cheese and mixed greens with celeriac
Herb crusted roast beef with a Savoury and Cheesy Popover with Caramelized butter mash potatoes and red peppers and green beans

Dessert
A Wonderful Old Fashion and Indulgent Ginger Parkin


Tickets may be purchased at Art Service in Dunnville, or message DCT to save your tickets at the door for show only nights Dinner/theatre tickets must be pre-paid and pre-ordered through Art Service.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT DUNNVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE'S FACEBOOK PAGE 

YOU | Here Come's...the Birthday Girl

MEGAN CELEBRATING HER 26TH BIRTHDAY WITH HER MOM. PHOTOS COURTESY MEGAN FOX

PETS | Soft Kitty

JOE FRIDAY |

These are Encore Pix - New Joe Soon

PHOTOS & TEXT BY JIM STEEL | LAYOUT BY SCRIBBLES

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!

Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Composed by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae at the battlefront on May 3, 1915 during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium

IN MEMORIAM | "Miss Kitty" Was Wild, But Gentle at Heart

VIDEO | Major Oldie "Happy Happy Birthday Baby" Still Memorable

When I was a little kid growing up in Renfrew, it was not unusual to hear this song playing on my mom's record player. Spinning at 78 rpm's, "Happy, Happy, Birthday Baby" was played at our home so often, it was practically worn out.

 

YOU & ME | Celebrating 20 Great Years Together

FAB PHOTO | by Jenn Young

When it comes to photography, Jenn Young is a name you hear regularly on Scribbles and with good reason.  Here's a shot of Jenn's furry friend Fuller, which was taken last fall.  I love this pix as I'm sure our Scribbles pals will as well.

YOUR COMMENTS | about Scribbles

KIDS | Splish Splash!

FAB PHOTO | by Clint Millar