Happy Birthday Fred!!!

 Happy Birthday Fred!!!

A small contingent gathered at Fred's place this morning to honour him on his 80th birthday.  A Zoom call was arranged in order for others from the group to be able to share in the celebrations in a safe manner!

Thanks to Henk, Mark and Bernie for their efforts in organizing this wonderful event!

These images are but a mere snippit from the morning.  Mark, Moe and Bernie will be sending in more images and video over the next couple of days, so be sure to check back in throughout the week!

Here's the man himself!

Happy Birthday, Fred!

To view Moe's wonderful YouTube video showcasing the events of the day, simply copy and paste the link below into your computer's browser!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qNsZ6b-kmo

Steve Mackenzie dropped by Fred's place earlier in the morning to drop off this beautiful cake his lovely wife had made for Fred.  Thanks to the Mackenzie family for such a kind gesture!

Indeed, a special day it was!

Folks gather around the "man of the hour" in anticipation of the train running.

Fred listens intensely as Henk instructs him as to which way the locomotive will be heading in Peter's Pond as Fred operates the throttle from his chair in the crew lounge.

Let's follow the progress of the "birthday train" as it heads up the Cedar Rock Branch.

It's rumoured that when Fred turned 60, he started counting backwards on his birthday...

...so...that means Fred is now 40 years old!

Railfans gather to watch the honoured train proceed from Peter's Pond up to Cedar Rock!

This is the photo as seen from Mark's camera perspective.

The train is on the roll!

Indeed, it's a "push" operation today!

These ardent railfans, Mark, Bernie and Moe, rush trackside for their images and video footage.  Ollie and Matthew tag along behind Mark in the background.

Rounding the bend on approach to Cedar Rock.

Slow and steady wins the race, much like real life!

With a final shove from Skipper Fred, the car is deposited up in Cedar Rock.

The train arrives Cedar Rock.

"Nicely done skipper!" Henk says to Father Fred.

Once again, we must thank Henk, Mark and Bernie for organizing the festivities.

Let's have some fun!

The railcar has arrived the crew lounge right on schedule.

"Eighty, Eighty...sure is great hey!"

The balloons aid in the celebration.

Mark is all smiles as the lads gather around the table.

Bernie lends a helping hand.

Pat is on from the Zoom meeting.

"Remove the foam, Fred!" Henk offers up.

Still more railfans drooling over the new car.

The paparazzi!

An Ontario Northland car.

Look-ee here!

Fred's a happy lad!

Who wouldn't be!

Henk presents the card on behalf of the group.

"These are all of the folks who hold you in high esteem, Fred!" Henk tells the young man.

Lots of emotion.

We love ya, Fred!

Fred offers up a few words of thanks.

You're a special friend to us all, Fred!

"Are there other folks watching in?" Fred asks Mark, the organizer of the Zoom meet.

Railfans of all ages celebrate this special day!

Andrew joins in on the Zoom call.

"Ahar, maties!!!" Fred smiles.

Just what any doctor would order!

"Now...that's some precious lading!" we all agree.

Henk offers up some fine words of congratulations as Fred and Bernie listen in with eagerness and excitement.

More friends from the Zoom call...Andrew, Malcolm and Grant.  Thanks to Mark for organizing the special Zoom meet as delivered from his cell phone!

Pat joins in from work!

Yum Yum!

Another great story from Uncle Fred!

"Should I open it now?" Fred wonders.

Fred and I admire the car and its contents in this image sent our way by Mark.

Mark has managed to frame Father Fred beautifully between the bulkhead flat ends!

Wow, quite the birthday wish!

(The car was cleaned up following the celebration.)

Fred is amazed at the wonder of it all.

He gives a wave to those in the Zoom meeting.

The on-line viewers offer up their birthday wishes Fred's way.

He is deeply touched!

Happy Birthday is sung to Father Fred.

Moe and Bernie enjoy the moment.

Henk regales us with further tales of joy.

Fred and I share in the camaraderie found throughout the OVGRS family.

Indeed, on this day it is all smiles and laughter.

The other bulkhead end.

Ah...that's better...a little track beneath the birthday car!

"Looking good!" Henk thinks aloud.

Indeed, happy eightieth year, Fred.

Of course, we had to sing this famous song!

Fred wishes to thank everyone who shared in his special day from both near and far in the greater OVGRS family!

Bernie snapped  this photo later on as presents kept coming. High Park single malt for Fred's sister-in-law Margaret and a case of honey brown from Doug Culham.

Matthew, Ollie and Fred are all smiles on this wonderful day of celebration.  Thanks for the photo, Mark!

Yet another fun image of the "Three Amigos" taken by Mark.

As Mark left the premises with his beautiful young sons, he snagged this image of the lads bidding them farewell.

While it may just be another day in global terms, it certainly is a very special day for all who read this blog posting!

Remember that there will be video work and further images from this day appearing throughout the week, so be sure to check in over the next few days!

Again, thanks to all who organized this special occasion and thank you to all who shared in this moment with Fred!

All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada