A6 THE MUSKOKAN, Thursday, July 12, 2007. First comes the wedding, then the dress bonfire lthough the white dress may have family. At one time, cloth vestments are worn for tos of brides with their ancient Romans symbolized purity or vir- was very expensive to religious holidays, such as dresses floating around Achose white as a ginity, today white is used bleach and more than one Christmas and Easter, them, a gal frolicking in a colour for celebration to symbolize joyfulness bleaching would be and early Romans and bayou (which looked a lit- 2,000 years ago and Anne more than anything else. required to transform fab- Greeks wore white at tle too green and smelly of Brittany wore a white In fact, in early Christian ric to pure white. So the feasts, births and other for my tastes!), several wedding gown back in times, and during the more bleaching a family celebrations. Jewish tra- rolling-on-the-beach pic- 1499, the custom of white Victorian era, blue was could afford, the whiter ditions hold that white is tures, and there was even for weddings became considered the symbol of the cloth would be. worn for spiritual purity one of a bride with her especially trendy when purity, not white. In wed- The fabric itself was and clarity. dress on fire. Apparently Queen Victoria chose an ding lore and history that also pricey; it was not But, you have to admit this phenomenon was unconventional white I’ve come across there are mass-produced as it is that white is perhaps not started in Las Vegas by dress, as opposed to the other reasons white was today. So the amount of the best choice of colour John Michael Cooper, and traditional royal silver, used. material a wedding dress for such a busy day. It’s is a growing trend. Not for her marriage in 1840. One reason was to show contained was also a bound to get dirty or only does it give the new- Though at one time the the affluence of the bride’s reflection of the bride’s lyweds some rather stained at some point dur- financial status. The more unique photos to add to ing the festivities! At the voluminous the dress, the their album, it also solves puffier the sleeves and same time, since it is that age-old problem of the longer the train somewhat impractical, what to do with that elab- flowed, the richer the it’s a way of showing the orate white dress after bride’s family was apt to world that the dress will the wedding! But if trash- be. only be used one time, for ing your beautiful dress is On the flip side of that this very special day. not up your alley, there’s Presents coin, a poor bride dressed So I was intrigued when always EBay! in very simple robes to an associate told me Christine Bib is the symbolize that she was about a website called owner of Christine Bib bringing nothing with her Trash The Dress. The Catering Inc. If you have a into the marriage, includ- website shows photos, question or would like ing no burden of debt for some of them quite stun- the groom to assume. ning — others a little catering info, she can be White is also considered eerie — of brides ruining reached at christine@ an ancient symbol of joy. their dresses. Some shots christinebib.com or toll- We see this where white included underwater pho- free at 1-877-533-6832. MONDAY, JULY 23 SHOWTIME: 8PM • DOORS OPEN: 7PM TICKETS START AT $25 Named Academy of Country Music’s West Nile virus “Top New Male Vocalist” in 2003, he is one of country music’s sexiest new performers and is best known for songs: “I’ll Wait For You”, “”, suspected in Muskoka “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off” & “Size Matters”. A dead crow collected in Huntsville across Ontario for the virus. is believed positive for West Nile The public is asked to continue to virus (WNv); final results are expect- report dead birds as part of the ed later this week. A crow collected health unit’s surveillance program. Mary J. Blige in Innisfil in June was the first bird West Nile virus is spread by the WEDNESDAY, JULY 25 in Simcoe Muskoka to test positive bite of mosquitoes that have previ- SHOWTIME: 8PM • DOORS OPEN: 7PM for the virus. ously bitten infected birds. People TICKETS START AT $85 “Having West Nile virus confirmed older than 50 and those with chronic Reigning queen of R&B, best known for in our bird population tells us that disease or weakened immune sys- hits such as: “Be Without You”, “Real Love”, we need to protect ourselves and the tems are most at risk, but anyone “Family Affair” & “No More Drama”, will bring best way to prevent West Nile virus who lives in an area where there are her signature soulful sound to Casino Rama. is to avoid being bitten by mosqui- infected mosquitoes can get WNv. toes,” said Brenda Armstrong, super- The virus can cause serious illness in visor of the WNv program for the some people and, on rare occasions, Simcoe Muskoka District Health death. Pat Benatar Unit. “Use insect repellent when you & Neil Giraldo are outdoors and cover up.” Last year in Simcoe Muskoka, SUNDAY, JULY 29 Since the health unit began its there was one human case of WNv, SHOWTIME: 8PM • DOORS OPEN: 7PM dead bird surveillance program in 11 positive birds and one positive TICKETS START AT $35 May, it has received 581 reports of mosquito pool. Multi-platinum recording artist Pat Benatar dead bird sightings. To date 18 birds For more information on WNv or to and guitarist Neil Giraldo return to perform the have been sent to the Canadian report a dead bird, check www- classic rock hits that have made her a legend. Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre .simcoemuskokahealth.org or call Her many chart-topping songs include: in Guelph for testing. As of July 2, Your Health Connection at 1-705- “Love is a Battlefield”, “Heartbreaker”, seven birds have tested positive “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”, 721-7520 (1-877-721-7520). “Treat Me Right” & “We Belong”.

Joe Walsh Port Carling bridge results MONDAY, AUGUST 13 SHOWTIME: 8PM • DOORS OPEN: 7PM BY AL TURNER on those of my cottage. did. I got involved locally, TICKETS START AT $55 It’s finally summer. I And I’ll bet you did the and I’m enjoying myself. One of the most colourful characters in turned out the lights in same. I left my city social You would too. rock & roll and a legendary guitarist, his more my city home and turned life behind just like you The winners on than three decades of classic rock hits include: Monday, July 9 were: 1st. “Life’s Been Good”, Sally Hastings and Al “Rocky Mountain Way” & “In the City”. Turner, 2nd. Albert Mihaly and Lewis Buckley, 3rd. Janet and Bob Gouinlock, 4th. Louise and Dave Hilson. The Port Carling Bridge Club meets Monday, 7:15 p.m. at the Port Carling Tickets are available at Casino Rama’s Box Office, Community Centre, all locations, by calling 705.739.7666 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca. Bailey Street, Port For upcoming show information call 1.800.832.PLAY(7529) or visit us online at Carling. The cost is $3 per person for cards, www.casinorama.com. SHOWTIME IS ON TIME! At Casino Rama we are proud to start prizes and refreshments. our shows at the advertised showtime. Be sure to arrive early so you don’t miss out on any of the You retain your partner Big Time Entertainment! and progress to the next table after four hands. Everyone is welcome. Telephone 765-5701 if you need a partner.