Everyone my age seems to be talking about their bucket lists—the things they want to do before they kick the bucket. I knocked a few off mine in the last year.

I saw Paul McCartney play live in Toronto in the summer of 2010, and more recently I attended The Moody Blues concert in Windsor. Listening to Nights in White Satin performed live by the guys who recorded it back in 1967 was an awesome moment for me.

I can remember very clearly the first time I heard Nights in White Satin. My friend Martha had the album Days of Future Passed. I remember sitting in her bedroom around 1971, listening and watching the album turning round and round on the turntable. And listening to it again and again.

The Days of Future Passed, a day-in-the-life concept album, was recorded with the London Festival Orchestra about the time The Beatles released Sgt. Pepper's. Five years later, the haunting song Nights in White Satin, started to get airplay on “underground” FM radio in North America, and it became a huge hit for a second time. It made its way back on British charts for a third time in 1979.

The progressive rock sound was different, layered and more complicated than the Top 40 music I was listening to at the time. It mixed classical music and jazz with rock 'n' roll.

Fast forward many years later. I was on a bus tour in Europe. We had just visited the wine gardens outside of Vienna and I had sampled the very fresh white wine. There was a big yellow moon in the sky. The tour director turned on some music: Nights in White Satin. “Letters I've written never meaning to send.” This is one of my Top 30 perfect moments.

I don't mind telling you there were lots of old folks in the audience at the Windsor Casino for The Moody Blues. The drummer, Graeme Edge, one of the original members, recently turned 70. But every time I hear Nights in White Satin, I am 16 again.

How do I know I am getting old?
1) I need glasses. I can't see myself in the mirror without them. 2) When I walk by a group of twentysomething guys, they are checking out my good-looking dog not me.
3) When I go shopping for clothes, I keep saying things such as "I wish I hadn't thrown out my platform shoes and peasant blouses."
4) When I talk about my college days, I realize some of the reporters in the newsroom were not born yet.
5) I don't under why young people dress that way and I dislike their music.
6) I look forward to quiet Saturday nights at home.
7) When I mention some of my favourite movies or musicians, twentysomething reporters don't know what or who I am talking about.
8) My friends are starting to look old.

Many of the customs associated with Christmas are about overcoming darkness, a fitting metaphor for Christianity. But decorated trees, yule logs, and even singing “I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas” have nothing to do with Christianity.

Most ancient cultures had a festival associated with the winter solstice. In parts of northern Europe, pre-Christians referred to this changing of the seasons as “Yule.”

As days grow shorter and nights longer, our pagan ancestors prayed to their gods offering sacrifices and performing rituals to ensure the sun's warmth and light would not disappear all together.

Winter arrives officially Thursday, Dec. 22 at 5:30 am. This is the shortest day of the year. The sun will rise at 8:05 am and will set at 4:40 pm. There will be a minute or two of more daylight Dec. 23 as the days will start getting a little longer leading up to the summer solstice six months from now. (The 2012 winter solstice will take place Dec. 21, 2012, the speculated date for "the end of the world,” according to the Mayan calendar.)

Saturnalia was a winter festival celebrated by the Romans that led up to the birthday of their sun god on Dec. 25. In 320 AD, Pope Julius I proclaimed Dec. 25 as the official celebration date for the birthday of Jesus Christ. A few years earlier, Roman emperor Constantine co-opted Saturnalia traditions into the "Christian" holiday of Christmas.

During medieval times, Christmas continued to be a time of partying as well as praying. In the early 17th century, Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces cancelled Christmas in Britain because they considered it to be decadent and pagan since Jesus was not really born Dec. 25. Experts believe he was probably born in the fall, perhaps during the Jewish high holidays.

Christmas was reinstated by Charles II, but it a remained a more sombre and religious celebration until rather recently. In Scotland, for example, New Year's Eve, traditionally, is the time of gift-gifting and parties.

In 1837, the British government made Dec. 25 a legal holiday. The Times of London made no mention of Christmas between 1790 and 1836.

Martin Luther in Germany is credited with inventing the idea of a lighted Christmas tree, but various pagan cultures decorated their homes with greenery, and others maintained the concept of a sacred tree during the winter solstice.

Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens were the Martha Stewarts of their day, each in their own way establishing the Victorian concept of Christmas in the British Empire.

Once the royal family had a Christmas tree, everyone wanted one. Dickens' A Christmas Carol makes a case for turkey and plum pudding, but there is no mention of Jesus or any of the religious aspects of the holiday.

Across the pond, Americans had to work Dec. 25 until 1870 when it was made a legal holiday. Harper's magazine began to run illustrations of Santa with a beard and reindeer around 1862. In 1942 Irving Berlin, who was Jewish, wrote I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas.

DeeAnn Mandryk in her book, Canadian Christmas Traditions, writes, “Canadian Christmas celebrations represent a rich tapestry of multi-cultural customs and traditions imported by European explorers, traders, pioneers, and settlers.” She might have added American pop culture into that tapestry.

And this brings us to 2011 when Elvis and Star Wars heroes are sold as Christmas tree decorations and people put inflated Grinches on their front yards.

Statistics Canada reports $196.2 million worth of decorations were imported to Canada in 2005. The bulk ($175.3 million) came from China, with Russia and some Eastern European nations supplying much of the remainder. The average Canadian spends $1,000 per person at Christmas according to Statistics Canada. Christmas is a $38-billion industry in Canada. In the United States, Americans spent approximately $457 billion during the holiday season. Let's hope some of that money is spent on peace and goodwill.

When Jules Paivio was 19, he left Sudbury and went to Spain to fight against fascism in the Spanish Civil War. Now 94, Paivio is the last known living member of the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion. Recently he was given Spanish citizenship for his contributions to that country's fight for democracy in the late 1930s.

Paivio, a former architect and educator, spearheaded a campaign to have a national monument to the 1,500 Canadians who served in the Spanish Civil War erected at Green Island Park on Sussex Dr. in Ottawa. The monument was designed by Sudbury architect Oryst Sawchuk.

Eudaldo Mirapeix, the Spanish ambassador to Canada, held a reception in Ottawa Oct. 20 to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the monument's installation.

Paivio was a resident at Finlandia Village for many years, and an active member of the Finnish-Canadian community. He now lives in Aurora.

Writer Terrace Rundle West talked to Paivio when he was writing his new novel about the Spanish Civil War. His book is titled Not In My Father's Footsteps and is published by General Store Publishing House.

West will be in Sudbury, Thursday, Dec. 1 for a reading at the Greater Sudbury Public Library, main branch at 7 pm. The Meet the Author event is hosted by Sudbury Living Magazine.

There are many things about Not In My Father’s Footsteps that will resonate with Sudburians, West said.

“This may surprise many readers, on a per capita basis, Sudbury and Thunder Bay contributed more volunteers to fight fascists in Spain than almost any other city in Canada. And they did it at a time when it was against Canadian law to volunteer for Spain.

“Nevertheless, 38 Sudbury men thumbed their noses at the government to fight for justice. Of these seven died, seven were seriously wounded, and one, Jules Paivio, was taken prisoner.”

Not In My Father's Footsteps is a work of historical fiction about two Montreal men. Marty goes to Spain to support the republic, while Dollard, a budding reporter, is a nationalist who is sympathetic to Gen. Francisco Franco. Many Quebec Catholics hailed Franco as a modern Catholic crusader.

“Polar opposites in background, temperament and opportunity, they clash briefly in Montreal. But it is not until their paths cross in the snows of the Battle of Teruel, Spain, in 1937, that they meet head on,” writes West.

The book has received good reviews. Bill Waiser of the University of Saskatchewan said, “Historical-fiction aficionados crave two essential ingredients—a riveting story and historical accuracy. West appears to have delivered on both.”

George Emery, emeritus professor of history at the University of Western Ontario, said, “West tells this story with a realism that blurs the line between fiction and non-fiction...Superb historical fiction, skillfully-paced plot and multi-ethnic dialogue, this fine book delivers a rich and moving read.”

Not In My Father's Footsteps is West's third book. His second book, Run of the Town (seventeen short stories about life in small-town northern Ontario in the years 1940–65), received the Northern “Lit” Award in 2007. West was raised in Hearst and now lives in Ottawa.

You are invited to Margaret Atwood's 72nd birthday party on Nov. 17!  The Canadian writer has been celebrating her birthday in Sudbury since 2008. For about four years previous, some of her fans at Laurentian University had been holding a birthday event as a tribute dinner without the writer present. Atwood finally accepted an invitation to attend. She had such a good time, she's come back every year since.

Her birthday will be celebrated with a dinner and performance in the auditorium of the Willett Green Miller Centre on campus. Tickets are available from Laurentian U Ticket Hotline (705-673-6577), in person at the Reception Desk on the ground floor of the Parker Building, The Old Rock Roastery in downtown Sudbury, and Chapters on The Kingsway. Ticket price is $60 for adults, $25 for students.

A Laurentian University scholarship in Margaret Atwood’s name will be created with funds raised. For more information, contact Susan Glover (705 675 1151 x 4370) or Shannon Henge (705 522 0429). I am told this is an event to not be missed.

 Everyone has interesting family history stories to tell. Many even think about writing a book about their relatives some day. That day arrived for journalist Brian Martin.

He heard about his charismatic great-uncle for many years, and he has recently published a book about the gold prospector who was a friend of Sir Harry Oakes.

The author, who is a reporter at the London Free Press, said he had always wanted to tell Ernie's story and in the process discovered more about his family's history.

Martin's book, Ernie's Gold, a prospector's tale, is published by General Store Publishing House. Sudbury Living Magazine and the Greater Sudbury Public Library are hosting a meet-the-author event Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 2 and 7 pm. The events are free.

Ernie Martin met Oakes in June of 1911. By December 1912 he had 12 gold claims staked in the Kirkland Lake area. In February 1914 when Lake Shore Mines was incorporated, Oakes gave Ernie 100,000 shares.

It has been written Martin was one of the few men the Oakes ever trusted, says his nephew.

Ernie was a rich man but he lived large, loved women, and died poor. During his lifetime, his assets were estimated to be $13 million. When he died, his mining shares were trading at $13 but he had long since sold them.

Brian Martin has written two previous books: Buxbaum, A Murderous Affair (1986) and Never Enough: The Remarkable Frauds of Julius Melnitzer.

Vicki Gilhula is the editor of Sudbury Living Magazine.

To celebrate Cinefest, Sudbury's film festival, I am reprinting a list of movies about journalists and the media  that are worth a look, vg

 J-Source editor-in-chief Janice Neil shares her top 10 picks.

All the President’s Men (1976, dir. Alan J. Pakula) Handsome Robert Redford and charming Dustin Hoffman tell the true story of how the Washington Post broke the stories about President Nixon’s corruption, in what we know as the Watergate scandal. This film is said to be responsible for driving hundreds of idealistic boomers into journalism school.

Almost Famous (2000, dir. Cameron Crowe) The film is based on Cameron Crowe's early precocious life which saw him write rock music articles at age 16 for the Rolling Stone about following the Allman Brothers tour of 1973.

Broadcast News (1987, dir. James Brooks) A prescient film that eerily anticipated then critiqued the creep of entertainment values into television news. Hilarious scenes in editing suites and studio control rooms as well as a grimacing realistic ethical dilemma make this a favourite.

Citizen Kane (1941, dir. Orson Wells) Just like journalists in film are portrayed as heroes or scoundrels, or both, Citizen Kane is routinely sanctified as the World's Greatest Film and was a box-office flop. A character bracingly similar to newspaper tycoon, William Randolph Heart, celebrates journalism by staffing up his newsrooms, but uses them for his own powerfully corrupt ambitions.  

His Girl Friday (1940, dir. Howard Hawks) A brilliant gender switch of The Front Page that takes the tension in scoundrel-ridden news bureau and comedically tops it up with a romantic love triangle. The dynamic between the fast-talking scoop-happy reporter and her cutthroat yet charming editor, who also happens to be her ex-husband, makes this a fun romp through ethical and professional challenges.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998, dir. Terry Gilliam) If gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson inspired you to go into journalism school, you may not want to do a reality check with two psychedelic classics about his drug-crazed ‘reporting’ trips. Here, Benicio Del Toro trips across the American West, fueled by the drugs and booze in the car trunk.  In Where the Buffalo Roam (2003, dir. Art Linson) Bill Murray plays Thompson as he attempts to cover the 1972 Presidential election and the Super Bowl. 

Network (1976, dir. Sidney Lumet) If you think the angry plea, “I’m mad as hell and I can’t take it anymore” reflects a reporter’s disgust with his pay stub, you’d be…wrong. It’s Howard Beale’s desperate attempt to keep his anchorman job by injecting more trashy reality into TV news.   

The Paper (1984, dir. Ron Howard)  A morality tale about workaholic reporters facing a choice about working for the virtuous but financially-strapped truth-seeking newspaper and the free-spending tabloid. A sentimental – and therefore, unusual- portrayal of the pressures facing the publisher, editor, reporters and their colleagues-as spouses.  

State of Play (2009, dir. Kevin Macdonald) A political/murder thriller that sees Russell Crowe’s ruthless editor forces him to investigate a murder connected to a friend and an ambitious US congressman. (See this J-Source article)

Shattered Glass (2003, dir. Billy Ray) The true story of Stephen Glass, who concocted sources, quotes and even entire events in 27 of the 41 stories published while he was a 20-something staff writer at The New Republic.

I got a nice surprise recently.  Bryan De Vouge, who took my memoirs course a few years ago, has published a collection of his stories.

The book is called My Youth (As I Remember It.) The retired engineer writes about growing up in the Gaspe Peninsula.

Who says Americans know nothing about Canada? On a recent trip to Boston, the locals wanted to know if I lived anywhere near Parry Sound.

Parry Sound? Everyone has heard of Bobby Orr's hometown. Orr played on the Bruins from 1966 to 1976 and led the team to the Stanley Cup in 1970 by scoring a goal in overtime in the fourth game against the St. Louis Blues.

Thirty years to the day, May 10, 2010, a bronze statue depicting the famous scene of Orr flying through the air after scoring "The Goal" was unveiled outside TD (as in Toronto-Dominion bank) Garden, home of the Bruins and the Boston Celtics.

Beantown is still celebrating the Bruin's recent Stanley Cup win and fans like to tease Canadians. We just smile because we know many of the Boston players are Canucks.

Canadian sports fans will feel very much at home in this sports-mad city that feels much more relaxed than New York City or Toronto. Boston offers the opportunity to see major league baseball in legendary Fenway Park as well as NHL hockey, NBA basketball and the NFL football. Boston teams have all won league titles in the past five years.

Located at the mouth of the St. Charles which empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Boston Harbour, Boston is a clean and attractive city. Certainly there must be poverty, homeless people and crime, but tourists won't notice on a quick weekend visit.

The city has a population of 617,594 while Greater Boston is home to 4.5 million people. A decade ago, the John F. Fitzgerald Expressway, which cut the city from the waterfront, was replaced with a series of tunnels known as the Big Dig (Central Artery/Tunnel) project. (Imagine Toronto without the Gardiner.)

Boston is progressively pedestrian and bicycle friendly. This may have to do with the fact that a large percentage of the population is between the ages of 18 and 45. The Boston metro area is home to 80 colleges and universities including Boston College, Berklee College of Music, Harvard University. Tufts University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The student population is about 375,000.

The central area of the city is alive with shops, bars and restaurants. The most famous bar is Cheers, which inspired the television show that ran for 11 seasons. Devotees can sip a Sam's Grand Slam, a virgin drink made with orange and cranberry juice, at the original Cheers. Located at 84 Beacon St., its exterior facade was used in the television series. Tourists will want to get a photo. There is also a replica Cheers, which has recreated the bar's television set, in the extremely popular Quincy Market.

There are lots of historical places to visit including the Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum, and Paul Revere's House. The Freedom Trail is a walking trail that leads to 16 nationally significant historic sites. Even Canadians like me who do not share the American dream will enjoy a visit to the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library and Museum. It is not a shrine but rather a museum of Camelot. Visitors will learn about the late president's contribution to space travel, civil rights and the Peace Corp.

A visit to any city or region is an opportunity to indulge in the local cuisine. Clam chowder, lobster and Boston cream pie are worth the calories. The “pie” is actually a custard-filled layered cake with chocolate icing.

Boston is an eight-hour drive from the Buffalo/Fort Erie border. My bus trip was booked through Sears Travel with Great Canadian Tours. The four day-trip, which included three nights' accommodation, breakfast and an escorted tour of Boston, cost just under $600 and was worth every penny.

My friend Monica, from England, recently made me a Knickerbocker Glory, an ice cream

sundae that is popular with Brits when they visit seashore resorts.

I had never hear of it, but I share this recipe with you...a way to celebrate Canada Day

and the visit of the Royal newlyweds to Canada.