Remember when we communicated?

I remember, while growing up in Truro, all the family reunions at the cottage or at home in spring, summer, fall and especially at Christmas. Our parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents would have a great time getting to know one another for meals, games, fun and sing-alongs. By surrounding ourselves with young people, we always feel young at heart and even more proud of our families.

It is hard to be grandparents when your younger generation is scattered across Canada. A lot of us rarely got to experience the little pleasures these reunions rewarded us with. It’s a shame that many of us are unable to watch our grandchildren grow up because of economic conditions, lack of good employment prospects at home or job transfers across the country.

Today’s wired society seems to feel that an e-mail or an e-card is all that is required on most occasions. Although great to receive, nothing can make you feel better

■ In 1836, inventor Samuel Colt patented his revolver – the first revolving barrel multi-shot firearm.

■ In 1873, Enrico Caruso, universally regarded as the world’s greatest operatic tenor, was born in Naples, Italy.

■ In 1880, the New Brunswick legislature in Fredericton was destroyed by fire.

■ In 1918, McGill University received a $1-million grant from the Carnegie Foundation.

■ In 1940, the New York Rangers than a personal phone call or a thoughtful hand-written letter. Perhaps because of today’s technology, a lot of us have forgotten how to communicate with one another on a personal level. I hope this is not a dying art.

This year we should all take the time to phone or write our families, and if at all possible, make a personal visit to them. This small gesture will add a lot of warmth for your families, during this cold winter.

Robin Tedford,

(Sgt. Darcy Tedford’s Dad) Upper Brookside

beat the Montreal Canadiens 6-2 at Madison Square Garden in the world’s first televised hockey game. It was aired on Westinghouse station W2XBS.

■ In 1945, CBC’s International Service was launched.

■ In 1964, Cassius Clay, who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali, became world heavyweight boxing champion by defeating Sonny Liston in Miami Beach.