ADEDA News

It’s a time of seasonal contradictions for many of us here in Annapolis Digby. On one hand, we’re getting ready to herald the arrival of summer in our beautiful area. And nothing signals this perhaps more than the annual Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival which begins this week. That long standing celebration has its official opening ceremony in Digby on May 27th, and detailed information is available at www.appleblossom.com.

On the other hand, the last reminder of winter past lingers with the seemingly interminable Stanley Cup hockey playoffs. It’s been good news for those many Montreal Canadiens supporters here who are following the surprising fortunes of their team – and particularly for me, a long time, and long suffering, Blackhawks fan who remembers (yes I can) their last Cup victory in 1961.

The Puck Stops – and Starts – Here
But a recent story reminds us that the soul of our national pastime still firmly resides – not in Montreal or Chicago – but in the dedication of all those local volunteers who make things happen in their home towns. So it was great to see Bridgetown’s Steve Clayton honoured nationally as part of RBC’s Local Hockey Leaders program.

A Legacy of Learning Leadership
And speaking of local leadership, for both our area’s young students as well as our lifelong learners, I couldn’t let this edition of the newsletter pass without a heartfelt “hats off” to Clyde Baltzer who is moving on from his latest stint as one of our premier educators. Clyde is winding up a crucially important six year term with the renowned Digby Area Learning Association (DALA) and taking a well deserved break. I was the Board Chair when Clyde was retained to lead DALA. We believed then that he was just the person to take DALA to the next level – and we were right.

High Acclaim on the High Seas
In a recent column in the Halifax Chronicle Herald, my friend Jim Meek wrote about the manner in which dogged economic optimism combined with a special lifestyle combine to make rural Nova Scotia a special place to live and work. And while his piece was set in our neighbouring area, it holds true for this region as well. Evidence of the ability of our traditional businesses to succeed in world markets was reported this week in the accolades accorded to Meteghan River’s A.F. Theriault & Son Boatyard.

New Site to House Ongoing Challenge
While the success of companies such as the Theriault Boatyard show the continuing vibrancy in our regional economy, challenges still remain in creating and maintaining a relevant workforce. That’s why it was encouraging to learn that PeopleWorx, a non-profit group that, since 1986 has run innovative programs for the unemployed and underemployed in this area, is getting a new, “green”, training facility.

I had a great time this past long weekend with visiting family attending local farm markets – and there are even more opening soon. Check our web site events listing for updates. Remember to take in the Blossom Festival activities if – and where – you can. And if you’re getting ready to finish those summer garden preparations, and at the same time support our own award winning Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens, you may want to put aside next Sunday to attend the Gardens Society’s Spring Gala and Auction; check the events listings for time and place.

As for me, I’ll be alternating the begonias and the “boob tube”. Go ‘Hawks – and, OK, Go Habs Too!

Till next week;

Peter

Peter MacLellan
Annapolis Digby EDA
86 Atlantic Avenue
PO Box 271
Cornwallis, Nova Scotia
Canada B0S 1H0

Tel: (902) 638-3490
Fax: (902) 638-8106
E: communications@annapolisdigby.com

We invite you to visit us anytime at www.annapolisdigby.com.