Hi … so we’re in the annual summer ‘doldrums’ called “The Dog Days” – late July thru mid-August. The ancient Romans called it “dog days” because the star called “Sirius” (their “dog star”), rose in the sky around the same time as the sun – which they thought contributed to the intense heat … or ’something like that’.
I know a lot of folks don’t care for this time of year – the heat gets to them – but I’m OK with it, and when it gets really hot – I just think of January – and I feel a whole lot better ! Summer just isn’t long enough in Toront0 – so I try to enjoy it.
A couple Fridays ago I had a chance to cool off nicely while co-hosting a cruise aboard the ferryboat “Trillium” – celebrating its 100th anniversary this summer. Our Mike Filey has given an on-board talk about the ferry and Toronto harbour history every Friday afternoon from 12-2pm. We had about 280 folks aboard Trillium on July 23rd – the day I went out; met a lot of very nice folks, and loyal listeners too.
These 5 Fridays in July were so successful, the Toronto Harbour Commission, operating Trillium, wants to do ONE more cruise – it’s set for Friday August 20th. So, if you’ve missed the one sin July, and still want to learn about our harbour, the islands, and this historic restored ferry boat, c’mon out on the 20th. Tickets are same as for any ferry ride to the island – $6.50 for adults and $4.00 for seniors and students – we take about 90 minutes of gentle cruising and listening – then we arrive at Centre Island around 1:30pm., where you can dis-embark and hang around the islands as long as you want, taking another ferry for the return. Or stay on-board and be back by 2pm.
Can you be near your radio this Sunday afternoon ? Please tune into my show ‘Vintage Favourites’ Sunday 2-4pm. to do some dancing with me. This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of Chubby Checker’s The Twist hitting the pop charts of 1960. So I’ll explore the many “moves” of the twist – the song, the dance, the phenomenon; then I’ll have a dozen other famous dance songs of the early 60s. Do you remember doing The Monkey, The SWIM, The Watusi or the Locomotion ?
I also want to say “Hi” to the folks who were on the recent AM 740 bus-trip to ElvisFest in Collingwood, Saturday July 24th … I wasn’t on the bus this year, but drove up separately, with my sweetie, Trudy, who I met on that very same bus LAST summer – so, yes, this was our one-year anniversary. Much nicer weather this year, eh ? Thanks for the festival organizers and all the Elvii … from the street-corner fellas to those in the theatres and on the big stages.
So – as we enter August – we prepare for our annual Elvis-themed radio specials. I’ve got TWO weekends of Elvis on my ‘Vintage Favourites’ – Sunday August 8th and Sunday August 15th. I’ll countdown the official All-Time Elvis Top 50 Hits – based on Billboard Hot 100 Chart success. The first weekend features #50 thru #26, then #25 to #1 the second weekend – and we’ll have some neat surprises too. So – Elvis Fans – tune in !
Around the station – it’ll be a strange sort of week as many folks are on vacation in early August:
Eva D is still off for some of the week of August 2nd; Dale Goldhawk begins a 3-week break, with Frank Proctor filling in 11am.-1pm. with our great music. Norm Edwards will be away as Robbie Lane fills in the afternoons.
Have yourself a great long holiday weekend – drive carefully and take it easy in the water. Love these “dog-days” ! Gene.
