All posts by Fred Valentine

Your Garden

Gardening Tips

  Clean up flowerbeds.

Clear away dead leaves or any other winter debris from the soil surfaces where you’re planning to plant annual flowers and vegetables. Remove protective winter mulch from around perennials and ornamental grasses (hedge trimmers make it easy to give grass clumps a clean, even look), and cut back last year’s dried foliage. To protect yourself from cuts and scrapes, remember to wear gardening gloves, especially when working with plants with prickly leaves.

 Divide your perennials.

A good time to divide many perennials is just before spring growth begins. Dividing perennials is a budget-friendly way to add more plants to your garden, or to share extras with friends. It also aids in keeping your existing perennials healthy. After a few years, if your plants grow in a large clump, the middle can thin out, leaving a bare spot. Dividing the clump will encourage new growth.

Holidays

What’s open, what’s closed New Year’s

What’s open, what’s closed New Year’s Day and eve

Buses won’t run on New Year’s Day, most retailers will close, city services will stop

closed sign
Most government offices, retail stores and grocery stores will be closed on New Year’s Day.

The New Year’s Day holiday falls on a Monday this year, which is when most government offices will close and public transportation will not operate.

Here’s a look at what’s open and what’s closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day across the province:

Retail and grocery

New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31:

  • Sobeys, Walmart, Atlantic Superstore will be open, hours depend on location.
  • N.B. Liquor will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Shoppers Drug Mart locations will be open, hours depend on location.
  • Saint John City Market will be closed.
  • Regent Mall in Fredericton will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • CF Champlain mall in Dieppe will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • McAllister Place in Saint John will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

New Year’s Day, Jan. 1:

  • Sobeys, Walmart, Atlantic Superstore will be closed.
  • N.B. Liquor will be closed.
  • Some Shoppers Drug Mart locations will be open.
  • Saint John City Market will be closed.
  • Regent Mall in Fredericton will be closed.
  • CF Champlain mall in Dieppe will be closed.
  • McAllister Place in Saint John will be closed.

Government offices, public services

New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31

  • Saint John Transit will run with regular service.
  • Some Saint John city arenas will operate as usual.
  • Codiac Transpo in Moncton will operate as usual and it will also offer a New Year’s Eve service until 2 a.m. for six of its routes.
  • Fredericton Transit will not operate.

New Year’s Day, Jan. 1:

  • Saint John Transit will not run.
  • Saint John city arenas will be closed.
  • Codiac Transpo in Moncton will not run.
  • Fredericton Transit will not run.
  • Fredericton arenas will be closed.
  • All public libraries will be closed.
  • Service Canada will be closed.
  • Service New Brunswick offices will be closed.
Famous

Scotty Bowman

This Weeks Famous Canadian

Scotty Bowman

NHL Coach Scotty Bowman

Full Name: William Scott Bowman
Profession: NHL Coach

Nationality:

Canada
Canadian

Biography: Holds the record for most wins in NHL history with 1,244 regular season wins and 223 Stanley Cup playoff wins.

Combined, as a player, coach, and executive, he has won 13 Stanley Cups.

Born: September 18, 1933
Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Age: 90 years old

Historical Events

  • 1984-12-19 Scotty Bowman wins his 691st regular season game, the most wins by any coach in NHL history
  • 1991-03-27 Scotty Bowman inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a “builder” of the game
  • 1997-02-02 Scotty Bowman becomes first coach in NHL history to win 1,000 games
  • 1997-12-22 Scotty Bowman’s Red Wings beat the Boston Bruins, 4-2 giving him 200 wins with Detroit, and making him the first NHL coach to record 200 wins with 3 different teams; also Montreal and Buffalo
  • 2002-06-13 Stanley Cup Final, Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, MI: Detroit Red Wings beat Carolina Hurricanes, 3-1 for a 4-1 series win; Red Wings’ 10th title; coach Scotty Bowman retires with record 9th title
Famous

William George Barker

This Weeks Famous Canadian

William George Barker

First World War Flying Ace William George Barker

Profession: First World War Flying Ace

Nationality:

Canada
Canadian

Biography: The most decorated serviceman in the history of Canada, and in the history of the British Empire and Commonwealth of Nations.

Born: November 3, 1894
Birthplace:Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada

Died: March 12, 1930 (aged 35)
Cause of Death: Plane crash

Historical Events

  • 1916-11-15 Canadian pilot William George Barker flying over Ancre River, spots concentration of German troops massing for counter-attack on Beaumont Hamel, sends emergency Zone Call to break up German infantry apart. Barker later receives Military Cross
My Thoughts

Remembrance Day

Three World War One Canadian Soldiers reburied at Loos British Cemetery

  As we approach Remembrance Day in Canada, a solemn occasion that honors the bravery and sacrifices of those who served in times of war and conflict, our hearts are heavy with the awareness that conflicts and tensions persist in various parts of the world. As we take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by our veterans and soldiers, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the need for peace and understanding remains more urgent than ever, particularly as we witness the ongoing turmoil in Ukraine and the tensions in Israel.

Canadian Military Tribute – Palm Springs Air Museum

   In the face of the devastating violence and unrest in Ukraine, and the perpetual conflict in Israel, it becomes clear that the lessons of the past must continue to guide us toward a more peaceful and harmonious future. Remembrance Day serves as a poignant reminder that the consequences of war are enduring, touching the lives of countless individuals, families, and communities. It compels us to strive for solutions that prioritize dialogue, diplomacy, and the promotion of mutual respect and understanding.

Five lessons we learned about Canada in wartime

   While we pay tribute to the brave souls who fought for our freedoms, we must also renew our commitment to pursuing avenues of peace and reconciliation. We owe it to those who sacrificed their lives and livelihoods to uphold the values of peace and unity. Let us honor their memory by working tirelessly to create a world where conflict gives way to cooperation and understanding.

A real face of war': Colourized photos offer new way to look at WW I | CBC News

   On this Remembrance Day, let us not only remember the fallen, but also actively advocate for global harmony and peaceful resolutions to the conflicts that persist in different corners of the world. May the bravery and resilience of our veterans serve as a beacon of hope, inspiring us to build a future where strife and conflict are replaced by compassion and collaboration. Together, let us strive for a world where Remembrance Day is not only a day of reflection, but also a day of progress towards lasting peace and understanding for all.