From Larry Jeffery around noon today: This is the progress of Port Burwell’s submarine/museum as of noon today, Wed. It is about 1/4 the way up the hill to it’s final destination. In the 3rd photo, the workers are laying mats in front of the wheels.  They [SPMTs] have 42 axles each with 4 tires per axle.

From Larry Jeffery around noon today as Ojibwa wheels are starting to come off the barge. "This was the scene at Port Burwell as of 12 noon today as the Ojibwa is taken off the barge.  As you can see, the engineers have about 8 wheels off the ramp (about 40 to go).  The wheels will swivel independently as required, and are computerized to remain level. One can see how the next few wheels have risen to allow for the ramp. The ‘Handles’ on the sub were welded on in Hamilton to allow it to be carried by the wheel trains, and (I believe) will be removed later.   Watching was slightly more interesting than seeing paint dry. The operation had to be slow because the barge had to have water added to the rear and removed from the front to allow for the weight shift as the sub is removed.  I think it will take another hour or two to get it completely off the barge. Unfortunately I had to leave at this point. The sub will eventually be rolled about 4 football fields up a slight hill to it’s final museum destination."

Helmut Ostermann treated a capacity crowd to over 100 years of railway images at the CASO Railway Station on Tuesday evening. The slide-show presentation, entitled “Whatever Happened to St. Thomas?” is an important documentation of a period of time that is of interest to railway enthusiasts and historians. It is also a remarkable collection from an artistic point of view, including many stunning night-time photos taken by Ostermann. 

Here are some snaps from some recent holiday open houses and events along with and some snippets of holiday gift-giving and entertaining ideas.

Four homes in Aylmer and area put on a fine festive show on Friday and Saturday as their owners graciously invited visitors to come inside and check out their holiday décor during the 11th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes. 

HMCS Ojibwa watchers lined the Welland Canal on Sunday November 18 to watch the submarine make her journey from the Heddle Marine Shipyard in Hamilton through the locks on her way to Lake Erie and Port Burwell.

With Shelley McVittie’s Gallery as a source of nostalgic inspiration, jewellery designer Kim Murch has recently developed a new "Throughout Time" line of vintage jewellery especially for Shelley.

Kim is among several Canadian artisans who are featured in Shelley McVittie's store. She brings a love of nature and semi-precious stones and a creative flair to crafting her one of a kind jewellery.

The Sparta and District Historical Society presented their eighteenth annual Feast at the Forge on Saturday, with good food and cheer by candlelight in the impressively decked out Forge and Anvil Museum.

The feast, looking to the year 1875 for this year's menu inspiration, included mulled cider and comestibles, Crème Boston, Home-made Brick Oven Baked Bread, Boeuf au Vin, Chou Rouge et Pomme, Puree de Pomme de Terre, Roasted Butternut Squash, Salad de Fruite en Gelee & Condiments. It was cooked up and served by a bevy of volunteers from the Historical Society and community. 

Veterans were remembered at the annual “Southwold Remembers”  service on Sunday November 4th at the Keystone Community Complex in Shedden.  

Previous to the ceremony at the Memorial Site, Ted Barris spoke on his book “Days of Victory: Canadians Remember 1939-1945.” This is the sixth time the bestselling author, who has done much to record the stories of Canadian veterans, has participated in the services in Shedden.  

Many ways to remember can be found at http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance.