Day 129- July 27- Heather Ackles

I had a super wonderful time this summer with all of the new friends I have met, mostly due to Kim Anderson, Natasha Sears-Boudreau and Sandy Killam. Those girls know some pretty fantastic people. I met Heather's hubby, Sandy, first at the New Year's Day Levee hosted by the Chunk of Funk, when Sandy Killam introduced him as her guitar teacher. Heather was also there that evening and they joined us at our table. Heather seemed rather quiet, at first, but I have since learned she can possibly keep up to my loquaciousness if I let her. I came to discover that she worked at a local high school as a guidance counsellor. We talked shop talk for a few minutes, teacher to teacher. She was incredibly sensible, down to earth, kind and funny. I knew we'd be friends from that point. Especially since we discussed the possibility, during our first meeting of Sandy, Heather and I making a girl band. You don't have discussions like that, upon just meeting with any old slacker. I knew she was a keeper!

Since that time, I've really enjoyed hanging out with her any time we have the chance. We created a new game, when we brought together both of our creative sides, a spinny stool and a plastic package of mixed fruit, it's called "Frulette" and is really fun!! We've also listened to some fantastic bands, like "Under the Influence" and played pool to lots of laughs. I look forward to keeping in touch with her and talking to her about all things education and school when we meet again. She's one of those educators that we need more of in the school system, the ones that do education with all they have, constantly reflecting on how to best bridge the gap between the material and the student, and who is there for the right reasons!! I feel a little like kindred spirits with her, except she's a much better actress than I! Hope you enjoy the pictures!





Theme Song for today: Airplanes (feat. Hayley Williams of Paramore) by B.o.B.

Day 128- July 26- Shelley

I met Shelley a few different times at Milo. First time was when I experienced the Dragon Boat for my first time during the Seafest races. We've been out on the lake a few times since that time. Once we had to share a seat and the boat was especially unbalanced that day so I spent a lot of time cuddling up to her when the boat started leaning excessively to the right. We had a great paddle that night, we explored all of the corners of Lake Milo, and even navigated around the sides of the brush to rescue floatation devices and approach random waterfowl. She had a great sense of humour and was a lot of fun to paddle with.





Theme Song for today: Chit Chat by Hannah Georgas

Day 127- July 25- Aunt Elaine

The above picture is of Aunt Elaine, Uncle Doug and his sister and brother in law at Walton's birthday party.



Aunt Elaine just adores my nephews Landon and Walton, but seriously, who wouldn't they are precious. They really like her too, and all the cool toys she has at her house.



I don't really remember meeting Aunt Elaine very much before we moved back to my father, and her, hometown of Yarmouth. We moved back in 1986, when dad got a job in business development. I was starting grade 2. When we arrived in Yarmouth, not only did we meet some cool neighbourhood kids, but we got 7 new cousins, all pretty close to our age. Aunt Elaine had three children, Angela, Suzie and Mark, and Uncle Greg had four, Lisa, Kristen, Michael and Renee. From that first year of being home, a wonderful tradition continued with all of us meeting at Aunt Elaine's for a Boxing Day meal, games for the kids in the basement, and chatting by the adults in the living room. There were many traditions that went along with this meal; youngest at the kiddy table, kids eating before adults, adults only eating in the living room, my dad going for seconds before the others, and discussions of who would be the first to be married or have kids, until my brother took both titles; many things you came to expect and embrace, and love. We've added some neat new traditions along the way, like playing Werewolf (a French card game my cousin Michael brought back with him from France one Christmas) in the basement and shrimp couscous salad that is very tasty and the recipe was compliments of Suzie, who couldn't be home one year. Despite the new traditions, the old ones are never forgotten.

Aunt Elaine played a big role in inviting everyone, every year to her house. I always look forward to the event, it actually trumps present opening time for me now as my Christmas highlight. It is becoming even more and more interesting every year as all of my cousins, and I, have grown up, headed off in different directions, started our careers, and second careers, have taken big trips all over the world or done pretty extraordinary things with themselves. It is very nice every year to touch base, catch up and see where we are all headed next. I really thank my Aunt Elaine for keeping us all close, tight and together at least once every year for close to 25 years now. She is a very special lady and means a whole lot to me and my family. She also played a big role in my parents meeting. After my grandfather and mother passed away, my father eventually ended up moving to Labrador where Aunt Elaine was a teacher (actually teaching my mother's class). Somehow or other, mom met dad and the rest, they say, is history! Thanks for agreeing to be my photo of the day!!


Theme song for today: Vertigo by U2

Day 126- July 24- Linda Deveau

I ran into Linda and her husband, Irvin, after the Fireworks show on Friday evening and she invited me to join them on the Seafest Princess' boat for the Parade of Lights tonight. I knew I was busy in the morning with the YMCA Scavenger Hunt (which my team, the Gabby Girls won after lots of laughs, shenanigans and kilometers traveled) but told Linda I would come to the wharf as soon as I could to help with the decorating. (Above is a photo of Linda and MJ starting to decorate the boat in the morning.)

Linda has been a friend of the family for a while. As I am typically only home during the summers, I normally think of her in relation to the Seafest Pageant since that is where we talk the most. She is an extremely stylish, active, friendly and well spoken woman. I remember when I was in high school always being impressed by how well she presented herself. She had charm, wit, nicely put together outfits, was involved in the community and was well respected by pretty much everyone I knew. I always wanted to grow up to be like her from that little exposure I had to her. Since that time, my opinion has not changed and I have really enjoyed the time we have had to talk and hang out. When I arrived at the boat, she had already finished the decorating because of the help of a few reliable friends. The boat was decorated in the theme of the "Royal Blue Rodeo".

I have included a mix of pictures from the last two weeks of Seafest, of which she plays a very active part on the planning committee. The first one is from the night of the pageant, she helped to promote the West Jet contest, in which Seafest has been in the top three. (Click here and please vote for Seafest if you haven't yet, use all the email addresses you have since it is only one vote per address.) The rest of the pictures are from the festival of lights. Enjoy!! (Thanks Linda for the chance to be a part of the parade and be on the water!! I had a wonderful time as always!!)











Theme Song for today(and our boat): Save a Horse (Ride a cowboy) by Big and Rich

Day 125- July 23- Yarmouth's waterfront crowd

Yarmouth's annual Seafest fireworks happened tonight. There was excitement and energy in the air. The weather was warm all day, and the early evening chill was really quite a refreshing change. The waterfront area usually fills up really quickly. Everyone has a favourite spot- some people love the hill and side of the road beside the old train station Tim Hortons, some hover in the dark area right on the water near the fish plant, others like to be on boats that are usually decorated with lights all along the wharves, and others like me, enjoy being within earshot of the live bands on Parker Eakins or Killam's Brothers wharves. There were little kids on bikes, pre-teens trying to sneak away from their watchful parents, young men and women enjoying refreshments with friends. Then as the sky became a deep blue colour and the line of sunset disappeared away the show began and was enjoyed by all!






Theme Song for today: Boom Boom Pow by Black Eyed Peas

Day 124- July 22- Aunt Andrea and Uncle Greg

We went for dinner at my aunt Elaine's house tonight. Normally Christmas is the big family get-together but since my uncle and aunt were down from Kentville we planned an impromptu BBQ. Due to work schedules and living away, I turned out to be the only one there from "the next generation", as my Uncle Greg (my father's oldest sibling) put it. It was a pretty fun time. We cracked a bottle, or two, of red and had a wonderful time catching up on "the kids", my plans after going back up north, trips and future travels. Aunt Elaine (my father's older sister) and her hubby, Uncle Doug, had beautiful, huge t-bone steaks and some yummy salads. The meal was delicious and we stayed until rather late talking. Uncle Greg and Aunt Andrea, used to live in Yarmouth as well but for the past 6 years they have been in the valley for work. They have maintained a cottage near Yarmouth, so we luckily have been able to see them a little bit more often. Yarmouth is like that. Once you leave for whatever reason, it is easy to think about and feel like it will always be home, no matter how wonderful a place you move to, nothing compares to Yarmouth!


The above picture was the trigger topic to a very good laugh and funny conversation. I learned that the pills from the middle of the table were in fact Vitamin D and not and other sort of pill one might want to have on hand once the kids have moved away. Hope Andrea and Greg have a wonderful last few days of their holiday at the lake! Wonderful seeing them!





Theme Song for today: King Of The Road by Roger Miller

Day 123- July 21- Jill "The Milo Girl"

For the last few weeks I have been at Milo around 4-5 times per week, with my kayaking course and more recently Dragon boating. Jill is one of the friendly Yarmouth Rec. girls that are there pretty much every time I am there. She has a fun loving and has a good sense of humour. We always have lots of laughs before and after kayaking with our small kayak crew. If anyone else wants to have a nice time, twice a week in August, consider the Adult kayaking course. It was incredibly fun and very educational- I feel much more confident and relaxed when I jump in the boat. I also notice a huge difference in my technique, leaving a night of paddling without a sore neck and shoulders as I used to do.


I have also been taking note of a lot of knitting around town. They call it "Knitting Graffiti", I don't know much about it but we even saw a piece knitted on the railing on the way to Doctor's Lake that I saw one night when paddling. Enjoy the pictures for today! thanks Jill for the picture. It was a nice time of night as you can see the warm light of the setting sun, reflected off of Lake Milo through the office window.





Theme song for today: Cold Water by Damien Rice

Day 122- July 20- Angela Carver

The Great Grand Banks Mackeral Toss is a relatively new Seafest event but one that is EXTREMELY popular. I was about 20 minutes late for the start but there were so many teams that I still managed to capture many rounds of flying mackerals. I don't know if I would ever be brave enough considering the stench of the fish and the slimy guts that end up accompanying the experience. Angela Carver on the other hand was one of the defending champs from last year and back for more this year! She never winced at all from the smell or the oozing guts but threw almost all of the fish successfully to her partner with lots of style, only discovering a broken nail after her round was complete!


I don't actually know Angela very well, I would recognize her if we passed on the street but then again, I live in Yarmouth, a wonderfully familiar, friendly little town. We chatted a little bit after I asked her if she could be my person of the day and it turns out our families are connected from way back. Her parents were next door neighbours to my grandparents, and she also worked with my father a few years ago. Hope you enjoy the pictures, I included a few others of some classic "mackeral catching faces". Way to go to all of you, brave souls!


















The third place team, and they were newbies at that, way to go Luke and Zach:




The second place team:




The first place team:






Theme Song for today: Blister in the Sun by Violent Femmes

Day 121- July 19- Grace Bishara

We celebrated Walton's birthday this weekend on a very busy but GORGEOUSLY sunny, warm day. Most of my family and Jessica (my sister-in-law's) family were in attendance. Jessica's brother has three children. They are very sweet, energetic and fun kids. I chose Gracie to be my photo today because she has SO much personality and I really enjoyed her at the birthday. She and I shared carrots at one point as she tested to see if it also made me chew them like a rabbit and say "Ahhh, what's up Doc?" like she did with every bite! Enjoy the pictures and forgive me for the delay!











Theme song for today: On the road again by Willie Nelson

Day 120- July 18- Martine Jacquard and Ginette Surette

Seafest Sunday had always meant boat race in my mind. Typically I would be talking about Rum Running Races or Dory Races, but today included a new and very enjoyable new experience, Dragon boating! The dragon boats were purchased a few years ago and have been at Lake Milo. The first year there were lots of teams showing up at the races, but since then not as many, most not hearing about it till the last minute or not having a chance to try it out before. I invited a few friends along, and when we got there there was around 20 people. We did a practice warm up run altogether in one boat, then came back to the dock to make two teams. Our boat seemed to have a good luck charm, and a lot of determination; even with a few less people we managed to come out on top in both heats. (See photo above of the second race finish line) It is an incredible feeling, that burst of energy for a minute or so, where you know your muscles are burning but you can't stop yourself from going until you hear the drum rolling us past the finish line. I liked the experience a lot, and plan to help get a team, dubbed the "Lady Dragons" for next year. I collected a few names and plan on trying to get the turn out a little bit higher for next year.

After a quick stop at home to dry up, I walked briskly down to the waterfront to enjoy the Rum Running races. Once I arrived, my dad told me I had to make one more team since they had 5 and wanted 6 mixed teams. Our team, had a local doctor, paddling instructor and a few other random people we picked up from the crowd. We did well though placing second and had a time of 7 min 50 sec, 40 sec. behind the first place team. More importantly, we had a wonderful time! Events like the Rum Running has been supported for many years by the participants in the Seafest Pageant. Two of the most upbeat, positive, friendly and bright girls from the past few years are the last two Seafest Queens, Ginette (queen in 2008) and Martine (2009). During the pageants from the last few years, I have had no difficulty picking the front runner in these two girls. Their energy and charm were overwhelming, their intelligence, maturity and ability to speak in front of a crowd, was extremely strong to begin with but has only become better and better over the last few years. Ginette attended the Miss Canada International pageant and was chosen as the First Runner Up to Miss Canada International. I was not surprised at all that she did so well! I also anticipate that Martine will shine this year as she represents Southwestern Nova Scotia in the MCI pageant in Toronto. When you meet these girls on the street or at events like the Rum Running, you can be impressed by their bubbling, friendly, kind natures. I wish them both the best as they continue their studies, enter the work force and continue to volunteer in their communities. We are fortunate to have role models such as these two for the young women of Yarmouth!!

The following photos are a mix from Thursday night's Seafest Pageant and from the boat races today. I will try to explain with captions. Enjoy!



We were teasing Martine and Ginette after the ceremony, trying to convince them to give the ever shy, but faithfully involved, Constable Sebastien on the cheek for a photo. They had the cutest reaction, but did it anyway!! Good sports!








Here are a couple more Dragon boat pictures, enjoy!





Theme song for the day: The Saltwater Room by Owl City

Day 119- July 17- Chris Brown

Seafest Saturday was a little busier for me than usual. Normally my day starts closer to 10 with the Bubble Gum Blowing contest, but this year I volunteered to help with the Sheila Poole 10K run. I was given the job of "T-Shirt Police" since there was only enough shirts for the first 100 that signed up for the run. By the time they were ready for the starting gun there was 237 registered runners, one of the biggest turn outs.

One of the runners, I came to find out was my cousin Chris. He is my mother's eldest sister, Maxine's son. He's been living in Yarmouth for many years now with his wife Jean, who is from here, and their two children. Chris was doing his first 10K run at the Sheila Poole race and did extremely well! He finished with the same big smile that I remember from our visits to Nanny's trailer in Lower Barney's River, N.S., when we were kids. Chris and sometimes his brother Stephen, would show up as the cool, eldest cousins of the family on motorcycles. We'd be excited if we could at least sit on the motorcycles or extremely luck if they'd take us for a ride around the field.

Congratulations Chris on your excellent race! He finished in just over 50 minutes. The first picture below is of all of the runners that were participating in their very first 10K run. All of them started, all finished! Nice work folks!! (Chris is on the far right, standing up.)









Theme Song for today: Always on the Run by Lenny Kravitz

Day 118- July 16- Chad Brannen

Friday, as Seafest begins. Sidewalk sales along Main Street, people milling around everywhere. Fireworks cancelled due to fog, but I had a nice day all the same! I planned to try out Dragon boating at a training session at 6 pm at Milo. I knew there was races on Sunday, so I wanted to see what it was all about.

Unfortunately only three of us showed up in addition to the coach, Mark. Dragon boats are heavy, so unfortunately we couldn't try it out as mostly fairly new beginners to the idea. Instead of wasting a perfectly nice evening, we grabbed a couple kayaks and a canoe and went for a paddle around the lake to check out the Dragon Boat race course. That's the night I met Chad, because other than Mark and Judi, he was the only other one to show up for the training. He works with my sister-in-law, Jessica, at Sobeys but also seems to be at the Milo Boat house an awful lot. After a short paddle around the course, including a "race against time" to see how many strokes it would take to go from start to finish on the Dragon boat 300 m course (I took 173 against a little wind); Judi and Chad tried the racing kayaks out, very successfully I might add.

Since that night I seem to run into Chad all over the place. He participated in the Sheila Poole 10K, then he was at the Dragon boat races and I convinced him to join the team for the Rum Running races as well. He's a great sport and seems to really enjoy anything that comes his way! I'm sure we'll run into each other again soon! Hope you all like the pictures!!









Theme Song for today: Rat Race by Raine Maida