Posted on October 2, 2017 under Monday Morning Musings with 2 comments

An X – cellent weekend

 

After a week when the province set record warm temperatures, Fall crept through the back door on the weekend. Cool days and cooler nights have taken their rightful place center stage. Turtleneck shirts, jackets and even gloves have made an appearance. Slippers have been resurrected and sweaters are back in vogue.

Speaking of sweaters. Hanging out with old friends is akin to slipping on that old cardigan sweater t. It’s warm, comfortable and easily recognizable. The moment you slip it on in the Fall, it feels right and evokes many fond memories.

Homecoming 2017 at my alma mater, ST.F.X, wrapped up yesterday. There was a time when I didn’t care much for reunions but age has a way of making a person aware that friendships from any stage in one’s life, are very important and cherished. Even though it wasn’t a special year for me ( next year will be my 45^th ), I attended some events. Surprisingly , I have a much stronger affinity for the Class of 1982 than I do for my own of 1973.

I spent a couple of years in the employ of St.F.X  in the early 80’s where I came in contact with a group of exceptional people. I’m still not sure how it happened, but I ended up singing in the Chapel choir and there met some wonderful folks who became lifelong friends. Part of this Homecoming was a reunion of that choir and we spent a wonderful afternoon last Thursday reminiscing and singing. We also had a specific purpose for getting together; to launch the Raylene Rankin Endowment Fund. Yes. That Raylene. She was one of the several spectacular female voices in that choir.

I became very good friends with Raylene and for a while, I sang in a trio with her, myself and Conrad Edwards. When the Rankin Family made it big, I often joked with Raylene that she got her big break singing with Byrne Abbey!

A donation to the fund created to honor Raylene will assist the music ministry at the university chapel. If you would like to make a donation, please follow this link: https://secureca.imodules.com/s/650/standard.aspx?sid=650&gid=1&pgid=814&cid=1908

I had some wonderful chats and even had a chance to take some X friends to Peace by Chocolate to meet Tareq Hadhad. Tareq certainly has “ star power” with all the exposure he has received since coming to Canada. He is such a likeable, humble guy and he is so accommodating to the endless requests he receives on a daily basis.

To my friends from the Class of ’82, I say: “ Will ye no come back again?”

The only part of the weekend that was distressing ( besides the heart breaking last minute loss by the football team ) was the partying in evidence by young students. Full disclosure. I was one of those students many moons ago but our celebrations were mild in comparison to what we witnessed on the weekend. Neighborhood parties in the town have become all the rage in recent years and Homecoming weekend is the big one. In our neighborhood, the partying started early in the morning. By noon, hundreds and hundreds of extremely intoxicated students were staggering around ( many of them in the middle of town streets, unaware of vehicles )  and the noise level was off the charts. This scene was being played out in several places throughout the town.  The sound of ambulance sirens became all too familiar as the day wore on. I can only imagine what it must have been like at Outpatients. I was told by security officers at the university that part of the problem is that many of the students flooding the town, are not from  St.F.X . Apparently, Homecoming at X is an excuse for people far and wide to come here and drink themselves into oblivion. Hopefully, it will not take a death before community and university officials find a way to curb this insanity.

I note the passing of my good friend, Chuck Curry. I knew Chuck for over 50 years. He was living proof that one person can make a difference. I was so blessed to spend an hour and a half reminiscing with him shortly before he passed away last week. Even facing adversity, his well known wit was on full display. Chuck was one of the good guys.

Cherish  your friends. It’s a short ride.

Have a great week.

P.S.  While he’s not a personal old friend, he sure makes you feel that way… just like an old pair of slippers.  Valdy put on a show yesterday in St.Andrew’s that was filled with warmth and wit . He is a joyous troubadour and an extraordinary story teller.

 

 

Posted on September 25, 2017 under Monday Morning Musings with 2 comments

 

The leaves are changing colors, the mornings are quite cool,

Summer is behind us, the kids are back at school.

The pumpkins are ripening, the apples turning red,

It’s time to add the comforter, to keep toes warm in bed.

You split the wood and stack it, and occasionally get a splinter,

“A small price to pay “ they say, for the warmth in the coming winter.

The days are getting shorter, although the ground’s still soft,

The spuds are in the cellar, the hay is in the loft.

A trip around the Cabot Trail, is always something sweet,

Especially during Celtic Colors ,where the music can’t be beat.

The cedar chest is open, to put away summer clothes,

“ Where did the time go?” , no one seems to know.

The university’s in session, our population swells,

“How will October quizzes go?”  only time will tell.

The days will fly by, Mother Nature will change the scene,

And before you can say “trick or treat”, it will be Halloween.

These are just a few simple thoughts, and that’s not all,

I just checked the calendar and realized it’s Fall.

 

 

 

Posted on September 18, 2017 under Monday Morning Musings with one comment

Antigonight – Ewe wouldn’t believe it!

 ( Photo: Sara Johnson )

 

Isn’t it wonderful that some people see the world through a completely different prism?

I’m talking here about the arts community. And more specifically about the recent Antigonight – Art After Dark extravaganza. If you’ve never been to this event, it’s very difficult to describe. Most of the activities were contained in back lots from Main and College Streets to Chisholm Park. There was dance of all varieties at the gazebo and one could wander through the Art Department up at Mount St. Bernard. There were all kinds of visual arts displays, oversized sheep in costumes, jugglers, bubble blowers and several films and documentaries were being beamed onto the sides of buildings in very unusual locations.

And of course, all of this was carried out in the dark of night.

Pure magic.

However, all areas were well lit as hundreds and hundreds of families wandered aimlessly trying to absorb all of this magic. As I said, I can’t even begin to describe some of the things I saw because they were so unusual. I do know this. Antigonish continues to excel when it comes to the arts. We have so many talented people bordering on genius. To the organizers of Antigonight, I say “ bravo.”

On my morning walk yesterday, I took an old path from the J. Bruce Brown building to our old home on Hillcrest Street. Except there’s no path anymore. The entire field where we once joyfully played baseball and football as children, is now one massive parking lot. Parking is a challenge at St. F.X.. Forty five years ago when I was a student, this was not the case as very few students owned their own vehicles.

That field and the path that used to lead down to the Bishop’s Bowl brings back so many childhood memories. We spent a lot of time trekking through those woods, building forts and just hanging out. That’s what kids did in those days. Those same woods were also a refuge for high school students. The current “ Annex” was once Antigonish High School and often at recess or after school, young teenagers would gather in one of  the small glades, to study, sneak a smoke… or hold hands. Oh my, but life was so much simpler then.

“ Faces in the Crowd” returns this Thursday after a lengthy hiatus. This week’s post will be about the burgeoning tuna charter business. Many folks may not be aware that this is even going on but sources tell me that this is a really big deal ,bringing sports fishing enthusiasts from North America and Europe. These people stay at our hotels, eat in our restaurants and buy souvenirs in our stores.

I want to send a shout out to my former business colleague, Ron Sangster who is hanging up one shingle and replacing it with another at the end of this week. Ron has been in the insurance, investment and financial planning business for decades and is retiring. In an earlier life, he taught carpentry at the Community College and will now pursue his love of carpentry full time.  Best of luck, Ron and congratulations.

Have a great week.

P.S.  Just when you think you’ve seen everything. I have been going to the Cathedral for 66 years. I have never seen anyone walk into the church, ( he wasn’t from here ) sporting a large coffee from one of the local coffee establishments. He casually drank the coffee and finished the contents just before communion!