Graduation in a small TOWN

Let's see now, there were approx 146 graduates - quite a crowd for this small town - anyway, its all special and starts with "The Special Church Service", where each graduate receives a "Special Adieu" and silver cross necklace. I think there is also a special supper - not sure who cooked it, but you can bet your Atlantic Salmon, it wasn't me.

GRAND MARCH 2011

Next comes the "Grand March", where each student graduating is accompanied by date and dressed up in tuxedos and "Ball" gowns. Each graduate then walks through an wonderfully decorated "Archway". This is when each individual is announced to the gathered crowds - as the students walk through the archway and down the steps, they then walk about (not like the walk about in Aussie Land), but simply walk about while photos are taken by parents and friends, until all students are have been announced - very pretty and rather like "Cinderella's Ball". This follows with the "Graduate's Dance, then the dance with Father/Mother - folllowed with an "Everybody Dance".
I would say for a good hour, many photos are taken at this point, up in the Archway, gathered together with family and friends.
This follows with the graduation dance, which I did not attend - students and dates only, I guess - I think I would have looked out of place in my ballerina dress??

These Kids not only caught my eye -
Their smiles are as genuine
and unique as they are  :)

This delightful young lady made her own dress out of " NEWSPAPER ";
yep, that's right folks - and it only cost her $60 - and GUESS what else -
She made National NEWS.
I saw the dress up close and it was awesome - like WOW !!

Now, we are not finished yet, for the evening after the "Grand March",  there is the actual Graduation Exercise. Graduates receive diplomas and gifts - real exciting for parents that did not know their kids won bursaries, etc. Shortly after receiving diplomas and gifts, the graduates have a "SAFE" Grad party, which this year, was to travel to Saint John and spend the evening at the Aquatic Center (Saint John's largest Indoor Pool), followed with pizza, etc.
This is a small town of approx 5,000 souls, and yes, most everyone, attends the Grad events. There always seems to be an abundance of attendance tickets, which no one ever asks to see, so you can really attend just about any event. The total experience happens over 3-4 days - the family that travelled the greatest distance this year, travelled all the way from Virginia USA to see their nephew graduate. All in all, it is a very beautiful event.
When all of this hype is over, it's back to summer jobs, goodbyes to family n friends and off to University/Community College, etc, for most. Some will join military forces and some will stick around their town, start jobs, marry and eventually raise more graduates. That's about it folks. I am sure I have forgotten some stuff here, but hey, I am no where close to perfect - just about 89.9% and counting  :)

This is my FAV Photo - Even in a TUX, Dr. Pepper's hits the spot.

CONGRATULATIONS GRAD CLASS 2011

St. Stephen, NB, Canada

Next Generation Graduate.........

St. Croix River NB Canada, Sunrise

The St. Croix flows placidly through the rolling Appalachian Hills on a journey from the Chiputneticook Lakes to the tidewaters of Passamaquoddy Bay, where in 1604 Samuel de Champlain established the first European settlement in North America north of Florida.

Native peoples, Acadian settlers, British Loyalists, logs floating to mill and shipyard, canoeists, fishermen – its waters have carried them all past unbroken forest, murmuring rapids, and shimmering lakes to the craggy shores of the estuary.

The St. Croix offers excellent opportunities for canoeing and camping, for lake and river fishing and boating, for river touring by families and groups, and for more skilled white-water canoeists.   Paddle and fish the sparkling waters under the watchful gaze of bald eagles and ospreys - relax in the serenity of its historic towns; feel the currents and tides of history flow.

Walking Path St. Stephen - USA in background
connected by Border Bridge

St. Stephen NB Canada - Farmer's Community Market

The Community Market is in its 4^th Season in downtown St. Stephen, on the waterfront, every Friday from 9am to 2pm beginning May 21 throughout the summer growing season.

There are lots available for Craft & Food Vendors.

Vendor stalls are 10 x 10 and cost $10 per week

Locally produced seasonal vegetables, fruit, herbs, flowers, bread, cheese, pasta, also Organic and other foods are available. In addition, the market features local artisans, local photographs, paintings, jewellery, and much more.  

All goods sold at the Market must be locally grown, locally prepared or locally produced, which means within Charlotte County. Farmers may sell only produce, which they have grown. With the approval of the Market Manager, vendors may offer goods for sale that are produced in other areas of New Brunswick, but only when such goods will not adversely affect the sales of locally produced goods.

 

By buying produce locally, we help reduce the carbon footprint of what we eat; and provide our community with a healthy way to gather and connect with each other on a regular basis.

The Market educates us with practical ways to maintain the connection with the sources of their food; and help fill the growing demand for fresh, locally grown and prepared foods in St. Stephen.

Time Out Jack.........

St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada

24 Hr Relay For Life, St. Stephen, NB

In an earlier blog, I posted about the 24 hr Relay For Life

here in our little Town.

Very Amazed that the true efforts of the Teams in the Relay

raised just over.....

                         $68,000.00

       NOW THERE'S SOMETHING WORTH CHEERING.......



From Olde To Young

FROM OLDE

TO

YOUNG

Well, Icy BC, hope you enjoy my version

of  " FROM OLDE TO YOUNG "   :)

Deer Island, New Brunswick, Canada

Deer Island has been inhabited since 1770.  
It is exactly half-way between the Equator and North Pole.

View From 45th Parallel Motel n Restaurant

The first Lobster pound in North America was established on Beans Island, located off Deer Island. Today, several lobster pounds together are capable of storing about 3,000,000 at any one time and the Northern Harbour facility is known as the World’s largest “Natural” Live Lobster holding facility.   

Northern Harbour Facility, holding capacity of 310,000 lbs

Fairhaven Facility, holding, capacity of 200,000 lbs.

The largest Tidal Whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere can be viewed from Deer Island Point Campground during each flood tide. 

Deer Island is Campobello Island's "missing link" as only during July & August is there a toll car ferry which connects Campobello Island to Canada via Deer Island.    

                                                          
The first Atlantic salmon sea farm in Atlantic Canada was established in Richardson Harbour by the Pendleton Family.

Whale watching tours and Kayaking are available.  Beachcombing is at the top of everyone's list, with bird watching and cycling being two favourite past times.  Deer Island is a photographer's paradise. Each turn in the road presents an opportunity to create an "original masterpiece".    

I have walked many of these beautiful scenic beaches

Deer Island's population – just over 1,000 souls. Several public wharves afford an opportunity to go Flounder fishing at your own leisure, if you happen to have fishing tackle with you.

Flounder, nice white meat, TASTY :)

24 Hour Relay For Life

The Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At the Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

This year we had 33 teams participating in the relay , from our own neighbourhood, from Maine, USA and from other communities surrounding our own little County. Each team participates in a "Dress Up" mode, which could be almost anything, sometimes quite rediculous :)

YOURS TRULY :)

Relay starts with a Survivors Lap – a inspirational time when survivors are invited to circle the track together and help everyone celebrate the victories we’ve achieved over cancer. The Survivors Lap is an emotional example of how Relay participants are ensuring that more lives are saved each year – like those of each individual on the track.

After dark, we honor people who have been touched by cancer and remember loved ones lost to the disease during the Luminaria Ceremony. Candles are lit inside bags filled with sand, each one bearing the name of a person touched by cancer, and participants often walk a lap in silence. As people take time to remember, those who have walked alongside others battling cancer can grieve and find healing. This is a time that truly highlights the importance of defeating this disease. 

Relay For Life is more than just a fundraiser. It’s a life-changing experience. At Relay, every person in the community has a chance to celebrate, remember, and fight back. And every person who participates joins others around the globe as part of this worldwide movement to end cancer.