THE HISTORY OF POOH
One hundred years ago, the community of White River, Ontario, Canada, bid farewell to a little black bear cub. This bear would become the inspiration of author A.A. Milne and subsequently became one of the most loved bears in the world. This is her story. There was a little black bear cub that became an orphan when a hunter killed her mother. She was found by a trapper who brought her into White River, which was a fairly common thing to do in 1914. Several people had bears then. Some have photos showing pet bears leashed and posing with family members.
White River, which was founded by the Canadian Pacific Railway back in 1885, was an important stop for all trains. Here they would take on coal and water as well as doing some train housekeeping jobs, such as cleaning out the cinders. During the First World War, most trains carrying troops also carried horses, since they were used in the war. Trains would stop here from four to six hours. The horses were taken off the train to be watered and exercised. Troops were drilled along Winnipeg Street where the Train Station was located. It was here at the Train Station, that the trapper sold the bear cub to a soldier during a stopover. The soldier was Lieutenant Harry Colebourn. An entry in his journal reads, “August 24, 1914 Left Port Arthur 7AM. In train all day. Bought bear $20”. A later notation identifies the town as White River. Harry Colebourn, was attached to both the Fort Garry Horse Regiment and the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps. He was in charge of the horses on the troop train. He was headed for Val Carteir, Quebec and then on to England. Harry was born in England and came to Toronto, Ontario, Canada when he was 18. He later moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Harry decided to name the little cub “Winnipeg” after his hometown. This little bear, known as “Winnie” became a pet for the soldiers, sleeping under the cot of her master even after they reached the Salisbury Plains in England. As Winnie got bigger, she loved to climb the centre pole in the soldier’s tent and give it a shake.
See more information about Winnie's history in the cache description for GC59H82 - All Things Pooh
WHITE RIVER COMMEMORATES WINNIE THE POOH
Winnie has now come home to White River. We hold a festival each year on the 3rd weekend in August. At our 4th festival in 1992 a statue, based on the Disney “Winnie-the-Pooh” was unveiled. It stands in the Park where the Visitor Centre is located. There are beautiful flower beds surrounding the statue which can be viewed and visited from Highway 17. The White River District Historical Society has received many “Winnie-the-Pooh” memorabilia from fans and friends from far and near. In 1994 a large collection from Saperstone family and from Fargo, North Dakota, U.S.A. was brought to White River and is displayed at the Visitor Centre. In 2003, Lisa Yee, then residing in Orlando Florida, contacted the Society, as she felt the White River Heritage Museum would be a perfect home for her unique, one of a kind “Winnie-the-Pooh” collection. now on display at the White River Heritage Museum.
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"WINNIE THE POOH'S INTRODUCTION TO GEOCACHING EVENT"
This event will introduce Geocaching to White River and area
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2014
Where: White River Heritage Museum (at the posted coordinates)
Start: 2:00 PM
End: 4:00 PM
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LEARN ABOUT:
1. What is Geocaching
2. How to use a GPS
3. How to use a geocaching app on your smart phone
4. Different Cache sizes - Nano, Micro, Small, Large,
5. The different caches types - Tradition Geocache, Multi-Cache, Mystery or Puzzle or Cache, Earthcache, Letterbox Hybrid, Event Cache, Cache In Trash Out Event (CITO)
6. Cache Difficulty and Terrain Ratings
7. How to set up your first cache
8. Cache Coordinates and Waypoints
9. What are good containers to use and what are not good containers to use
10. What do you put in geocache - logbook, etc. What are good and bad trading items to put in your cache
11. How to enter your new cache in "Geocaching.com"
12. How is your new geocache approved for publication
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There will be several new and temporary geocaches set up in the area for everyone to practice using a GPS to find a cache.
New and experienced geocachers are welcome to attend the event.
Event will take place rain or shine