by Diana Filer
1. The largest lake entirely in Ontario is Lake Nipigon.
2. Lucrezia Borgia’s father was Cardinal Rodrigo de Borgia, who later became Pope Alexander VI.
3. The Preakness, The Kentucky Derby, and The Belmont Stakes are the 3 horse races making up the American Triple Crown.
4. Richard III was the first play to be performed at the Stratford Festival. It starred Alec Guiness, and was directed by Tyrone Guthrie, both of whom were later knighted.
5. Castor gras is the beaver fur which resulted after American Indians wore the skins as clothing with the fur close to the skin. With time the outer guard hairs wore off, leaving the soft inner fur which was called “castor gras”. This fur was prized by the French fur traders who shipped it back to Europe to be made into stylish beaver felt hats. It had a major role in opening Canada to European exploration.
