Friday, July 13, 2018

Friday ~ The 13th

Friday the 13th is believed to be an unlucky day in many countries, but a lucky one in others.

The Ontario Provincial Police's Norfolk County detachment is asking for the public to be patient with expected increased motorcycle traffic on Friday, the 13th in Port Dover. Main Street will be closed. Vehicles will be prohibited from using Market Streets East & West, and Chapman Street West.”
“Motorcycle Days” in Port Dover are celebrated yearly
on Fridays, the 13th throughout the year.
It's a celebration for motorcyclists called PD13 attracting massive crowds
(no matter what the weather or season!)
Motorcycle Days in Port Dover for 2018 are April 13 and July 13.

Happy Friday the 13th!
Don't walk under any ladder.
Don't break any mirrors.
Don't spill any salt.
Don't open any umbrella indoors.
Don't pick up a penny facing down.
And don't walk by black cats ~
(truthfully, a black cat crossing your path
signifies that the animal is going somewhere).

Fear is the main source of superstition and one of the main sources of cruelty.
To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.
(unknown author)

Black Friday!
Every year, Black Friday could land on a different date on the 4th week of November. In 2017, it was November 24 ~ an opportunity for some of the biggest store sales of the year! Accordingly, Black Friday in 2018 is November 23. Originally, an American shopping spree, Canada has adopted this opportunity: a single intense 24 hours of shopping deals.
Facts About 'Black Friday' in Canada:
    1. million Canadians plan to be sick on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
      More than half of Canadians are expected to shop on these days.
Shoppers in Saskatchewan spent the most last year.
The most sought-after Black Friday item is clothing and accessories (52% of shoppers)
followed by tech (44%).
Black Friday has taken a bite out of Boxing Day.
Purchase by 'mobile shopping' will be made on laptop (more than 54%) and 24% on tablet.
Black Friday isn't as big in Canada as it is in United States.
The majority of Canadians are not willing to fight for a bargain.

How Did 'Black Friday' Begin?: Seen by many as a shopping extravaganza, it begins in the wee hours of the morning (on the day after the U.S.Thanksgiving), offering deep discounts on various items, door-buster deals and and other specials that have customers anxious to raid the aisles.
Historically ~ One story attributes the name to September 24,1869, when 2 speculators created a boom and subsequent bust in the gold market. According to the History channel, Jay Gould and Jim Fisk hoped to drive the price of gold sky-high, relying on a corrupt network that extended from Wall Street and the government of New York City all the way to the family of President Ulysses S. Grant.
Eventually, the conspiracy unravelled on what became known as 'Black Friday'.
Other historians claim Black Friday had ties to Philadelphia ~
which promoted big sales after the U.S. Thanksgiving when people were off from work.
Traffic cops and other law enforcement personnel had to work 12-hour shifts to corral the extra foot and vehicle traffic in addition to spectators from the Army/Navy football game.
Black Friday is a phenonenom that marks the unofficial start
of the holiday shopping season.

All the hype about U.S. and Canada's Black Friday
prompted me to address other 'Special Days' recognized and possibly honoured
throughout our country. (The following exclude National Holidays.)

2018's Designated Yearly Special Days in Canada
January 11: Sir John A. MacDonald Day.
February 2: Groundhog Day and World Wetland Day
February 14: Valentine's Day; 15: National Flag Day of Canada; 16: Chinese New Year; 19: Nova Scotia Heritage Day; Louis Riel Day (Manitoba); 23: Yukon Heritage Day.

March 8: International Women's Day; 11: Daylight Saving Time begins; 17: St. Patrick's Day;
22: World Water Day.

April 1: April Fools Day; 10: Birthday of Jack Miner (a founder of Canada's Conservation Movement);
22: Earth Day; 23: St. George's Day (Newfoundland).

May 12: International Migratory Bird Day; 13: Mother's Day; 21: National Patriots' Day in Quebec; 22: International Day for Biodiversity.

June 5: World Environment Day; 8: Oceans Day; 10: Canadian Rivers Day; 17: Father's Day; 21: National Aboriginal Day; 24: Discovery Day (Newfoundland); St. Jean Baptiste Day (Quebec).

July 1: Memorial Day (Newfoundland); 9: Nunavut Day (NWT) 21: Canada Parks Day.

August 12: International Youth Day; 20: Discovery Day (Yukon).

September 16: International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer; 24: National Forest Week begins; 26: National Tree Day; 30: World Rivers Day.

October 31: Halloween.

November 4: Daylight Saving Time ends (except Saskatchewan); 11: Remembrance Day;
21: World Fisheries Day.

December 26: Boxing Day (not an official holiday ~ many retail outlets OPEN for Big Sales!
31: New Years Eve.

Scripted by Merle Baird-Kerr...April 14, 2018
Comments appreciated: mbairdkerr@bell.net or inezkate@gmail.com

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