Truro Get Together at Donald's

Donald, AKA "the Duck" has been at the center of our class reunion for as many years as it existed.He is an old class mate of mine starting at grade one in the old Red Brick School in 1941. We more or less travelled through our educational journey in tandem although he was a better scholar and gained the attention of the teachers by his positive contributions. I had similar experiences with some of my teachers although I was demonized by a few who never took the time to understand my needs and untapped ability.

We attended teachers college and were in the same class along with 25 others and were even twinned for our long term practise teaching in Cape Breton. We go along way back and still communicate in a special way.When visiting Truro, Theresa and I become house guests and love our shared time with The Duck. This year there was a smaller number of people coming to the reunion. However when it came time for us to get tickets for the banquet and dance there were none available. Donald in his own way decided to turn in his ticket in a move to make a point.

A couple of well intended classmates jumped to the rescue and found some tickets and asked us to purchase them and keep the class united for the important final event of the reunion. I in my stubborn way did not accept the kind offer and instead decided to take Donald out for supper and join the group at his house immediately after.

The mood of our group is always great and this year it was no different as we usually think of our reunion as the pre festivities hosted by a class member. This year we visited Yarmouth and had a wonderful time experiencing the special hospitality in spite of the famous Yarmouth fog.

We are coming up to our 60th year and are trying to decide how to celebrate. With the exceptional celebrations our class has experienced over the years we will be hard pressed to match or exceed the past events. Our class is solid and whatever is decided I can assure you that it will still have that wonderful warm feeling you get when we share time together.

Yarmouth Reunion

Our teachers college class have a long tradition of having a couple of days together before we have our college reunion. This tradition has taken us to different and interesting places in our province of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. This year we gathered in Yarmouth. This is a small port city which has suffered economic hardships has a beautiful location and shows very well to any visitor.

While in the area we were treated to tours around the town and everyone was surprised at the beautiful, historic homes. Many were built by ship captains as Yarmouth was a thriving ship building town at the turn of the century and later as well. Being on the Atlantic coast and subject to high tides give it a charm special to the Maritimes. The waterfront is thriving still and fishing is the mainstay of the economic life.

A festival was being held while we were visiting and the local talent was ever present . There were fewer in our group this year and I suppose at our age we can expect our numbers to diminish over the years. Our vitality was not lessened and everyone loved the hospitality provided by our hosts.

One special event was the visit to a famous lighthouse. Fog was present throughout the visit but on the time we were at the lighthouse clear weather gave us a chance to take pictures and enjoy the scenery and companionship . Yarmouth is indeed a colourful and interesting place to visit and we are richer for our couple of days in one of Nova Scotia's hidden treasures.

Annual Reunion Of Classmates From NSTC

Our class reunion from Nova Scotia Normal School is being held this weekend in Truro. Theresa and I are missing it because of circumstances which we thought were beyond our control. The truth is we could have attended as my surgery was cancelled. This year it was special as our class were having the couple of days before the formal reunion in St. Peters, Cape Breton.

The get together is being hosted by one of our retirees, Eva, who was the first appointed school inspector in N.S. who just happened to be a lady as well. Our class have been in the habit of making the annual reunion a special event with a gathering somewhere for a few days of social interaction. Our class is the only one which has had such a bond and as we are in our 56th year it is quite a record.

There are a few dedicated people who keep the group alive and vibrant and maintain good communication. This reunion is more than a gathering of old teachers, but also a group which has embraced family and friends as well. We are getting older with an average age of just about 75 but when we get together we are all 18 again.

There is something special about our group which resonates every time one of us is experiencing a turn in our lives; we receive warm and meaningful support. Our networking seems to work and we all benefit from this ring of a supporting cast. Yes we do gossip at our gatherings, catch up on the latest information about those who are not there to defend themselves and remember those who are no longer with us. Most of have been in the position where we lost loved ones and friends but the group stays strong because the collective energy of the members is stronger than any individual.

I don't know where the next meeting of our class will meet but I know that we will meet and I intend to be there to share a few days with colleagues and friends.I am sure as well that this blog will be analyzed for spelling and syntax as we will always be teachers at heart.

55th REUNION of NSTC

This year the class of 55 had a great turnout and all the regulars attended. Our class is the only class to have this yearly event and it is because a number of caring classmates make the time and effort to make sure a program is in place. This year two extra days were included to get our group together at a little town called Parrsboro.

One of our classmates, Howard made arrangements for us to stay at a local motel and take in the beauty of the area. It is truly a special place where you can walk on the oceans floor and hours later see the Bay of Fundy fill the area with water up to 58 feet deep. Culture was included in our agenda and we all attended a live performance of a play called The Net. The time after the play ended in a local Pub where we shared stories and tried to remember events from the past. Often it was more fiction than fact but all turned out well.

During that day and the next we were entertained by two of our classmates at local cottages but could be better described and seaside homes. Their welcome was as gracious as their summer place and the excellent food and drink made it even more so. Nancy Lou and Mort gave us a visit that few of us are able to experience on a regular basis and everyone appreciated the treat.

The regular program ended with a dinner dance and general mixing with mates whom we have not seen for some time. Every year Donald better known as THE DUCK has us at his house each night and we enjoyed each others company for a short while.The experience of getting together yearly has established a strong bond and helps us when we go through rough times. At least half of us lost a spouse but continue to cling to the group and receive strength through the fellowship.

What would a reunion be without a garden party and peanut butter pie? Eric and Joan have hosted several and with good weather it is that added touch of class we need to be reminded we are all teachers and should act accordingly. Actually we act more like rowdy youngsters having fun. For another year we closed the door after nearly five days with hugs and best wishes and waiting for next year to come along. We are also long range planning for our sixty year anniversary.

Expectations

With the summer half over we are taking a long look at the prospects of a good vacation trip in the coming weeks ahead. Our mother in law is having her yearly trip to New Brunswick for a visit to her family and friends. As she is almost 93, all of her siblings have passed away but she has long term friends in extended family and one sister in law with whom she will stay. Flying alone unassisted at her age is a little challenging, but she manages well.

While she is away we will have some time to ourselves and plan small trips for golf in our geographic area for a week. After this we begin our Maritime tour with a visit to friends in Cape Breton. This year we intend to visit the White Mountains on the way down and have a few days of golf. We love the countryside along Route 2 through Vermont, New Hampshire and running into Maine.

Our class reunion this year is a little special as it is our 55Th and is getting smaller each year. I believe we are the only class that has had a reunion every year since graduation. This year we are adding two extra days to be together before the formal reunion. The little town of Parsboro will be our host and on the dock there is a sign that tells of the highest tides in the world with regular tide of 58 feet. In the spring and fall on the full moon it often reaches 66 feet. It is a wonder of the world and it a fitting venue for we to hold our get-togethers as we like the tide rise up to the occasion of re-uniting with our friends.

Planning your free time is almost as good as the actual journey, but this year we feel our journey will meet all our expectations.

The Duck Is Calling

Each year around this time I receive a letter from The Duck. He has a real name but for 65 years or longer he was known simply as The Duck. Now he is long retired as we all are and he keeps our group together with phone calls, pictures and letters about the upcoming reunion. This is rather special as it is our 55th and a special program is assured.

Our particular class of Normal College has been getting together without fail for every year since our graduation. He and a faithful few work to plan an interesting program for all who attend. This year we are going to seek out entertainment in the little village of Parrsboro. A play by a noted company, dinner and several visits to local cottages will fill in the time before the real reunion in Truro, N.S.

For some of us it is the only time we see each other but for the gang who live nearby they get to see each other frequently. Our group is getting smaller as death has taken a few of our number each year. I personally feel the reason we get together is to keep up with the latest gossip and to feel that special bond we have created over the years. It is fun and Theresa and I manage to attend quite often although we are far away from the main group.

I have attended many reunions for schools and groups but I never get the feeling I enjoy with the PNC Gang. Together we experience happiness and joy from the renewal of friendship and a little sadness when one of us is missing from the festivities. There will be much communication before the event and sharing of pictures after but the important reason will be experienced through the hugs and kisses and exchange of stories on the weekend when The Duck will rule the roost in his basement in Truro.

Murray's Journey

During the last ten years or so I was able to visit my brother Murray a few times. He chose to live in a very beautiful town in the East Kootneys of BC. This is one of the most beautiful and rich areas of Canada. Natural scenery and wonderful , rich soil in the valley provides the backdrop for fruit growing and agriculture. Who would not be happy in these circumstances?

Surrounded by all this Murray should have been very happy. Every time my sister Glenda or I talked to him he always said he would love to go home one more time. He spoke of the old days when life was simple and he related to family and friends. He longed for a reuniting with his brothers and sisters. Murray was on dialysis for many years and he was tied to that three times weekly lifesaving procedure. With this in mind he carefully planned a way to make a trip possible. It never happened.

The last two times I spoke to Murray he felt frustrated with his situation and was losing hope for a better life. Murray wished to be returned to his family after death and this will take place in the next week or so. He will begin his journey home this week and our family will be able to pay their last respects as he will be buried with his mom and dad.

Sometimes we wait too long to do the things we know we should do or wish to do. Murray will have one wish granted and we will all feel better because of it.

PNC Reunion

I received my letter today from a friend known as the Duck. He is one of the organizers of the annual Teachers College reunion. We are the class of 1954-1955. Nova Scotia used to train their teachers in a educational institution called Normal School. It was anything but normal as the leaders of that school had the responsibility for turning out qualified teachers in one year . Their students were grade eleven and twelve youngsters , wide eyed and as green as the grass they played on only months before.

Truro was the home of this establishment and I was one of these green ones only I was brown.We as students were serious about our calling and strive to do our best. One thing we did well was bond as a group. So much so that we still get together every year and celebrate our friendship and remember the ones who did not make it back this year.

After 55 years we still look forward to see if Eric looks as young as last year or Bunkey has learned a new song to entertains us or to see which of the ladies has new grandchildren. There is always lots to talk about. Eric and the Duck live in Truro and lived most of their life there so they are called upon to be the hosts. There are more and all add to the most successful reunion I have heard of in my travels. The amazing thing about this group is the way it embraces new members. New spouses or friends are welcomed and become part of the group immediately.
Theresa and I do not attend every year as we have further to travel but it is worth it when we do attend .We are looking forward to the trip this year as we co-ordinate it with a visit with my family in Cape Breton and Theresa with hers in New Brunswick.

Our beloved PNC has been closed for years but whatever happened back in those days to unite us as a group of old retired teachers was somewhat magical and I hope it continues until we get together many more years.