At the start of World War I, a young English officer living in Winnipeg Ontario, purchased an orphaned black bear cub at a train stop for $20. He named her Winniepeg after his home town and took care of her during his first few weeks of training. He flew the bear to England as he was assigned more training there, but decided to donate Winnie to the London Zoo, which had just created a nice bear habitat, before he was sent to the trenches of France.
Ernest Sceales, a zookeeper, told a London newspaper that Winnie was “quite the tamest and best-behaved bear we have ever had at the zoo.” Children were allowed in the bear pit to ride on Winnie’s back, and to feed her with their bare hands. A boy named Christopher Robin begged his father, author A.A. Milne, to take him to the zoo as much as he could where he would feed her condensed milk and receive big, furry hugs in return. Christopher Robin changed his teddy bear’s name from “Edward” to “Winnie the Pooh.” Other stuffed animals on Christopher Robin’s shelf included Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo and Tigger. A.A. Milne published Winnie the Pooh in 1926. By the time of Winnie’s death at the zoo in 1934 (age 20), his books had made her so famous that newspapers reported Winnie’s passing around the world.
Here’s the full story of the real Winnie the Pooh.
Music Du Jour: Songs from Winnie the Pooh.
Films Du Jour:
- Winnie the Pooh
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Pooh’s Great Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin
Here is Winnie’s official Disney page.
Snacks du Jour: Honey in any form would be appropriate. Here are some quotes about honey from Pooh.
Cocktail Du Jour – Winne de Pooh
This drink is from Toca Madra in West Hollywood, CA.
- 2 oz Chamomile-infused Casamigos Blanco*
- 75 oz Ginger Root Juice
- 75 oz Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed
- 75 oz Wildflower Honey**
- 25 oz Green Chartreuse
- Handful of Mint
In a mixing tin, muddle mint. Add the remaining ingredients. Shake and strain into glass. Top with crushed ice. Garnish with chamomile flower and mint sprig.
*To create the Chamomile Infusion, simply soak chamomile tea bags in the Casamigos Blanco for about 3 days.
**Wildflower Honey is diluted honey in the ratio of 2 honey to 1 water which provides a beautifully rich maple flavor.
Mocktail Du Jour – Winne de Pooh Mocktail
- 2 oz Chamomile Tea
- 75 oz Ginger Root Juice
- 75 oz Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed
- 75 oz Wildflower Honey**
- Handful of Mint
In a mixing tin, muddle mint. Add the remaining ingredients. Shake and strain into glass. Top with crushed ice. Garnish with chamomile flower and mint sprig.
**Wildflower Honey is diluted honey in the ratio of 2 honey to 1 water which provides a beautifully rich maple flavor.
Beer Du Jour
Meridian Hive Honey
Wine Du Jour
Mead of your choice
Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer.
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Photo attributions: Harry Colebourn and Winnie. (Credit: Manitoba Provincial Archives)
