Thursday, December 23, 2010

Merry Christmas!


Although the cartoon at left suggests a white Christmas it appears Middleton and Nova Scotia will have a green Christmas this year.
If the wind and rain and storm surges let up, however, the roads will be good for families getting around on Christmas Day and afterwards.
I've enjoyed the break from blogging, and I seem to have put my energies into learning animation and conversing with friends and former students on Facebook.
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Hiatus


It looks like I'm slowing down. Over a year of pictures and comments. A few outside contributionsm but 95% were mine.
I have a few others I might post in the new year if I get my battery re-charged, but for now the site will stand as is. It's on to other projects.
While there's nothing new, there is a year of wonderful pictures and memories.
- Neil

Saturday, September 25, 2010

July 29, 1928

July 29, 1928 - Fred E Bentley, his wife, Mary, Marion Shaffner, Doris Bentley and Bernice Bentley Fisher. Mr. Bentley was Middleton's third Mayor, 1915-16. The Bentleys and Shaffners lived in the matching homes at 189 and 185 Main Street. My mother was married the previous year. - NF

Monday, September 20, 2010

Morse Cemetry

A few images ago, I mentioned the Planters. Dick Morse answered with this picture and note: The burial place of Abner and Anna Morse who came to Nova Scotia in May 1760 and settled near Bridgetown. All the Morses in Nova Scotia descended from these two Planters. They are my great, great, great, great grandparents. The cemetery has been designated an Heritage Site and is being cared for by The Morse Cemetery Care and Maintenance Society, a chharitable organization.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Days of Yore

Some of that Middleton gang probably around 1950. Who's the dude in front all dressed up ? Any comments on where or when it was taken ? I forget who gave it to me awhile back. - N

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Year of the Planters

2010-2011 are years of celebration. Communities in Nova Scotia are marking the 250th Anniversary of the Arrival of the New England Settlers or Planters. Truro will give greater import to next year, but there have been announcements. I believe the Annapolis Valley has begun its celebrations this year. My mother's side of the family, the Bentleys, were Planters. T mark the occasion, I drew two Planter children and placed them near the present day Palliser Restaurant in Truro, close to where the settlers landed 250 years ago. - N

Friday, August 27, 2010

The Loudspeaker 1949


Received this yearbook recently, and not sure how well you'll be able to read the names of those who put this prestigious publication together. Oh, those Gestetner machines. Remember you can click and enlarge the pictures and use arrow to return to the blog. Noted drawings by Nancy Hudgens and Neil Fisher. Where was your work, Corning ? Busy circulating, I guess.


Thursday, August 19, 2010

Macdonald Reunion


Two pictures from a Macdonald Reunion some years back - 1998, I believe. You'll see lots of familiar faces and hopefully some names will come to mind. I see Denny and I are in both of them. The top picture includes Nancy Hudgins, Jessie Cumming, my brother, Fred, Fred Grimmer, Audrey Giffin, Helen Hankinson, Sonny Dowell and Len Dention, to name a few.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Camps and Cottages




Growing up in Middleton, cottages were on the ocean and camps were in the woods. Camps were initially associated with hunting and fishing. I remember enjoying both camps (Trout Lake) and various cottages in Margaretsville. Eric kept the camp tradition alive in New Brunswick, and a number of us were lucky enough to enjoy his hospitality, generosity and fine cooking skills. Here are some scenes from the camp in Juniper in the 90s.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

The Gates Canoe




In 1997, I believe, the Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum in Middleton celebrated the cratsmanship of Harold Gates with a display on the Gates Canoe. I thought this picture should enter the blog and pay tribute to an outstanding Nova Scotia craftsman who was also the father of one william Harold Gates, our Bill Gates. Coincidence: this weekend there is a canoe regatta at Kedji. Do you suppose there will be some Gates Canoes there ? The picture of Harold Gates is from Older Ways: Traditional Nova Scotia Craftsmen by Peter Barss.





Sunday, August 8, 2010

Class of 50-51

Class of 50-51 Attendees at the 2010 MRHS Reunion. I think I've come up with the names. Front: Corning, Phyllis Palmer, Gwen, Marni and Jessie; Middle: Maxine Lightfoot Giffin, Phyllis Mosher Cipolla; Coop; George Dodge, Gerald; Back: Denny, John Giffin, Eric and Hanson (Sonny). Shame so many good-looking people were missing when the photo was taken.

Friday, August 6, 2010

View like a Painting

We have been weeding our photograph albums. Came across this one and had to add it to the blog. This was taken around 1990, the view from the cottage we rented from John Fox. Jessie would know this view well. I can't resist pictures of Margaretsville and the Bay of Fundy.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

1953 Middleton Basketball

This Middleton town team competed in the Nova Scotia Basketball Playoffs in 1953. We know all the players but one. Back Row: Shirley ........... , Mary Miller, Bette Young, Fran Whitman; Front row: Esther Crawford, Diane Hankinson, Kaye Cox, Nellie Hoogerwerf, annd Coach Al Peppard. Any help with shirley's last name would be appreciated.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Johnny and Coop's BBQ Supreme

Great time. Wonderful friends. Beautiful Location. Summer highlight.

Friday, July 16, 2010

The Bruce House

The hub of much of our activity growing up was the Bruce household. Getting Bev off to school, playing catch with the pro ball players, eating fresh, homemade doughnuts, chatting with various generations of Bruces. It was a happy, caring, lively home, the memories of which will always be treasured.

Monday, July 12, 2010

1952 Middleton Cardinals

Back Row: Gerald Ray -P, Pat Hampsey - P, Ted Marshall - CF, Paul Ward - RF, Larry Marshall - LF, Bev Bruce - 1stB, Steve Howe - P ; Front Row: Roy Doucette - 3B, Bernie Parent - SS, Harry Coleman - C, Mann Deveau - 2B, Murray Wentzel - P. Steve Howe was a New Englander who had played in the HD League with Truro, and Roy Doucette was from Yarmouth. The Bat boy was Alan Henderson. Thanks for the update, Paul.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Port George Light

To cool off during this heat wave, let's take a drive to Port George. I can give a closeup later, but I like this picture of the road and shoreline too. Although Margaretsville seemed to be the preferred site, I also enjoyed an outing to Port George. Thanks for the picture Bette and Rick.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

It's the BBQ Season


Now, what did I leave out ? The musquitoes and flies ? The Little Woman bringing out the supplies and utensils ? An empty beer can or two on the ground ?
Kids asking when it's going to be ready ? a Boston Bull running around in circles, getting all excited ?
That was how we barbecued in the past. It is so much more civilized now. Right ?
Hope everyone had a great July 1st holiday and now we're celebrating our neighbour's birthday, the 4th.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

July 1 - Canada Day


I know I should have a Canada image, a beaver, flags and all, but growing up in Middleton meant baseball, often a July 1st doubleheader, usually with one of the Halifax teams.
First the booths and games on Commercial Street; then baseball at the park. Later our first strawberry shortcake.
Yeah, Cardinals. Yeah, Middleton. Yeah, Canada Day.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Class of 51

The second class to graduate from MRHS. There we are in all our youth and with the world and our lives ahead of us. Great group! It's very special that many of us have kept in touch over the years. Unfortunately a number have passed away. Yet, the rest of us have a Reunion coming up in July. How many will we recognicze ?