The Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage seems to have been singled out for massive cuts in the 2026-27 Nova Scotia budget. Why? Because it is deemed to be of low value, or “easy pickings”, is my best take on it. This shows a complete lack of understanding about the value of these sectors.

Some thoughts below, if nothing else to make me feel like I have vented a bit. These are big picture thoughts – it is not about the closure of one museum, or the loss of one grant. It is about the whole direction that devalues and disrespects tourism, culture & heritage. (Please note that as I go on, I will use TCH as the old school reference to Tourism, Culture & Heritage and an abbreviation meant to include all the related sectors.)

As someone who has spent more than four decades in tourism, culture & heritage, I have been around the block with this type of disrespect for my industry before. It is an old saying that “if it doesn’t have a smokestack, it doesn’t exist”, and because of that, it seems that we have to constantly justify our existence. The Gardens, museums, parks, art galleries, community bands… We are looked at as an “extra”… lovely wallpaper that decorates a room rather than an integral part of the foundation of life in Nova Scotia and a huge part of the economy of Nova Scotia.

Culture – A Foundation of life.

When they are making cutbacks in schools, what programs are first to go? Music. Art. Why? They are deemed to be less important than other subjects. Imagine a world with no music. Just pause for a moment and think about your day to day life and the role that music plays. There is not a TV show or movie that does not incorporate music. Hardly a store or cafe that does not have background music. Music is everywhere in life. In a similar vein, we are surrounded by visual art in our lives. Just think about the world with no art in it. It is everywhere, and therefore it tends to be taken for granted. Just like music, and other performing arts. The actors that entertain us every day? That’s art. And these things do not magically exist – they are learned. Musicians and actors and artists spend a good part of their lives learning and honing their talents and skills, just like any other professional. And if they are not exposed to the arts at an early age, then they likely will never realize they have an interest or a talent. It is crucial that the arts need to be supported and encouraged, from an early age and throughout life as an important part of our world.

The Industry – Good for the Economy.

The economic value of these sectors, of this Tourism, Culture & Heritage INDUSTRY, is harder to understand perhaps than a car dealership or a tire plant. But the economic value is very real, and very far reaching. Over the years I’ve heard people in other businesses say “tourism doesn’t affect me”. This is absolutely not true – there is hardly a business who does not benefit from TCH. Directly, front line businesses like attractions, accommodations and foodservices – they are clearly benefitting from TCH. So are gas stations, campgrounds and gift shops. Maybe the local hardware and groceries stores don’t see a ton of “tourists”, but they get a ton of business from all the front line businesses who are making improvements, doing repairs, or buying groceries for their bed & breakfasts or restaurants. In addition to that, the huge workforce that makes a living in the TCH industry are then spending their money in the Nova Scotian economy, buying groceries, doing home improvements, going to the dentist and the vet. And in travelling to other parts of the province, and supporting other communities. It is one giant ecosystem! We are ALL involved in tourism, culture & heritage and we all benefit from the dollars spent in Nova Scotia by people travelling, attending events and visiting sites.

Culture & Heritage: The Need for Support.

One of the things that makes the Culture & Heritage sector a bit different is that while it is an economic driver for the tourism industry, it also doubles in the realm of providing community services and quality of life benefits. As a result, community groups are highly involved in the provision of culture and heritage in the province, and therefore also in the tourism industry. Entities like museums, parks and gardens, art galleries, choirs and community bands are there for the communities and local public and are not able to exist as profitable businesses for the most part. Most are operated under not-for-profit organizations, receive strong support from the people in their communities, and also require public funding in order to exist for the public. These entities are an integral part of all our communities. As are all the independent artists, and writers, and musicians who bring joy to our lives.

Healthy Communities are Important.

A final note, but also very important, relates to health & wellness. Did you know… that recreation falls into the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism & Heritage and is affect by the cuts? So do accessibility grants, and facility improvement projects. These cuts are more far reaching than most people realize. So weigh all the cuts against the health benefits (physical and mental) of recreation, music, arts, culture, community life, and so many other things. At the end of the day, these cuts not only affect the economy, they create an increasing burden on the health care system.

Communities = Tourism, Culture & Heritage.

This is the equation. All parts are important.

Yesterday was a holiday, and a perfect day for families to gather for some winter fun racing down the huge hills, and then lots of exercise getting back up to the top again. As I wandered the Fort Grounds, you could see tracks and footsteps from several weeks of tobogganing – well used site this winter!

This was the site of the Annapolis Royal Elementary School in my day, before Champlain Elementary was built a little more than 25 years ago. The surplus school was not deemed particularly special in terms of heritage or architecture, so was removed and a couple with lots of foresight developed the property into semi detached rental houses, among the first of their kind in our area. They’ve been very popular, and since that time others have been built by various developers in and around town.

And this photo shows the Annapolis Royal Regional Academy (aka Annapolis Royal Academy, aka The Academy). It served as a school for a very long time, and for all grade levels as some point or another. The current structure (c1939) has been an iconic heritage building in Annapolis Royal for generations. 10 years ago this school was closed and Grades 6-12 were all sent to Annapolis West Education Centre. The community fought to save the building, and a developer saw potential – as a result, this old school has a new life as condos along with a “Community Hub” (gym, library, band room and more).

Sometimes a building cannot be saved and a new life emerges from the ground up. Other times, a building can be restored and re-purposed to serve a new purpose in the community. Here we have both examples, and both have been great additions to Annapolis Royal.

With respect to Denmark and Greenland, he asks: why do they have a “right of ownership” anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago… Ummmm, hate to break it to you Mr Trump, but a boat happened to land in the “New World” a few hundred years ago too, and you have no problem flaunting YOUR rights to the land that is now known as the United States of America.

And while we’re on that general topic, how does a country that is primarily composed of descendants of immigrants have such a problem with immigrants? Did you know that about 40% of America’s population can trace their ancestry through immigration via Ellis Island? Between 1892 – 1954 more than 12 million immigrants passed through that one point of entry. And that’s just “recent” immigration in the big picture. In truth, less than 3% of the US population is of indigenous descent… which means that 97% of Americans are from families that were once immigrants. Including YOURS, Mr Trump.

And then we could talk about the Statue of Liberty and its place in history as an icon of freedom, seen as a symbol of welcome to immigrants arriving by sea. None of this means anything to you, does it?

I write this as I listen to Celtic Woman “Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears”…

“Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears” is a song that tells the story of Annie Moore, the first immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island in New York when it opened on January 1, 1892. Annie Moore was a young Irish girl who, along with her two brothers, journeyed from Ireland to the United States. The song reflects on the broader experience of millions of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island, often referred to as the “Isle of Hope” because of the new opportunities and hope for a better life it represented. Conversely, it was also known as the “Isle of Tears” due to the immigrants’ hardships, separation from their homeland, and uncertainties. The lyrics poignantly capture hope and sorrow, the joy of new beginnings, and the pain of leaving one’s homeland. It’s a tribute to the courage and resilience of immigrants and a reminder of their significant contributions to the fabric of American society. The song is often associated with themes of immigration, heritage, and the emotional journey of seeking a new life in a foreign land.

Imagine being a young immigrant like Annie Moore, Mr Trump. Imagine all the hope, and all the tears.

But, that would take humanity and empathy… neither of which you have.

I try to stay informed, but not go too far down that rabbit hole. And staying informed is harder all the time. The amount of AI generated (and human generated) misinformation that exists on internet is astounding, and it is getting harder and harder to tell the false posts from the real ones. Any posts I see shared on Facebook, Youtube etc I try to verify with a credible news agency. But sometimes you think a post has come from a credible source, only to find out that someone is posing as that credible source. Movie stars being killed (not), hockey stars with new babies (not), Mexico City staging infantry against immediate attack by US (not)… anything they can use as click bait, truth be damned.

So my initial intention here was to talk about ways I am trying to use to stay somewhat sane while the world seems to fall apart around me.

The first thing I did was buy a smart watch/tracker. Sounds silly perhaps, but I thought it just might be the incentive I need to start walking more, to improve my sleep pattern, and generally to try to get in better shape overall, both physically and mentally. Measuring things gives you the knowledge to make improvements – thus the Fitbit. No New Year’s Resolutions – nope. Just a goal of doing better.

The second thing I did is decide that I can also learn new stuff. I can’t do that easily online – it is too frustrating sifting through everything that hits you in the face there. So I decided to enroll in a course (yes, online but far away from social media). And in order to stretch my mind in a very different direction, I have enrolled in bird courses through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a very credible organization. Learning more about creatures that are creating magic in our world everyday just seems like a positive thing to do. So far I am loving it, and the day after I started the course, I was lucky to have a decently close encounter with an eagle.

Which leads nicely into the third thing – always present in my life is my love for cameras and photography. As a lifelong hobby photographer, I find that the time I spend behind the camera is my meditation. My brains rests as I absorb myself in my surroundings in order to capture some cool images. I try to see the world through a lens daily, and particularly enjoy capturing the surprises that I encounter. It can be as simple as a shadow, as magnificent as an eagle, or as important as capturing a moment in time. But it engages me in something positive and lets my brain let go of the baggage. And sharing my photos adds to the reward, as over the years I have gotten lots of positive feedback and know that these photos most often bring a smile to someone’s face.

The fourth thing, when I actually sit down and do it, is blogging. Taking a few moments to unpack my thoughts and share them with others has a therapeutic effect, and one can even hope that just one of these thoughts or observations might help someone else in some way.

Well, that’s a brain dump if ever there was one. A little scattered, but that’s what my brain is like these days. The amount of information hitting us all every day, from every direction, really requires us all to find our own ways to avoid becoming overwhelmed. These are some of my ways.

Therapy required… find yours!

The Happy Annapolitan

Never in my lifetime has a federal election seemed so important.

Let’s face it… this time we are not as concerned about our local candidate selection as we are about choosing the leader who will become the next Prime Minister. A lot rides on this choice.

You want change? You’ve got it, either way. But WHAT KIND of change is it you seek? Carney represents change – he is very different than Trudeau, with a very different set of skills and priorities. Poilievre would also represent change, with a Conservative platform that outlines a very different way of doing things. So in the end, you have to vote based not on a “need to change” but based instead on which change you seek – what you want YOUR Canada to be going forward.

So my wish list for all voters is this:

Vote with your heart! Do not be swayed by the incredible amount of misinformation and negative advertising out there. Do your homework, fact check, and in the end vote for the person your heart tells you to.

Vote with your heart… for a strong Canada, and a united Canada! Vote for a party and a leader who will bring the country together, not tear it apart. For someone whose goal is healing and unifying, and who understands Canadian values and builds on them.

Vote with your heart… for the party with a leader that we can respect, and that the world will respect. Someone who will wear the title of Prime Minister well and represent all Canadians effectively on the international stage. A leader who is strong but also kind and caring, who we can be proud to call our Prime Minister.

Vote with your heart… for the person who has the ability to ensure Canada continues to be a world leader, and continues to stand FOR those in need and stand AGAINST the bullies of the world. And one who has the ability to help keep Canada strong as we forge into an uncertain future with the US. A leader who can help us keep our Elbows Up, ensure that we are NEVER 51st, and do it all with enough diplomacy that our relationship with our American friends is not forever shattered.

Vote with your heart, for a Canada that the world continues to love and respect. A Canada you will always be proud to call home. A Canada you want future generations to proudly call home.

Vote with your heart.

VOTE!

There are some standout times in recent history when I have been extra proud to be a Canadian. I mean, I am always proud, but a few times in MY lifetime stand out as exceptional circumstances when Canadians really pulled together and showed what we were made of.

One of those times was during 9/11. I remember that morning, in wee Annapolis Royal, with dozens of American visitors trying desperately to get a cell phone signal to check on their loved ones… including one whose niece worked on the umpteenth floor of one of the towers. I remember the moment they announced that North American air space was closed, but with a catch – the planes already on their way needed a place to land. Without knowing the status of those planes in terms of terrorist activity, Canada accepted these flights. And Canadians hosted all these stranded visitors until such time they could return to their homes. We’ve all heard the stories from Halifax, Gander and other areas. It was a massive effort, and a true sign of our Canadian hospitality. Soooo proud!

The second time I was extra proud was during the pandemic. While it was not universally accepted, the supports and restrictions that Canada implemented allowed us to fare much better than most countries, in terms of managing the disease and also in terms of the economic impact. It wasn’t perfect – but nobody gets through that sort of world crisis without negative effects. Canadians by and large pulled together to protect each other for a very long stint, and I was very proud to be part of a country that cared so much. (And particularly thankful to be a Nova Scotian under the leadership of Stephen McNeil and Dr. Strang).

And today… I can say I am an extra proud Canuck again. RIGHT NOW. The world is facing a crisis thanks to Donald Trump and his government. Gone is any respect for international law, or even of the US judiciary. Gone is any modicum of civility. Rudeness and threats are the order of the day for Trump and his people. And my country – always an ally – suddenly finds itself in the crosshairs of the Trump government. They insult Canada and its leadership, and Trump openly threatens our sovereignty saying he wants the US to expand its territory and annex Canada as the “51st state”. He has threatened to take Canada by economic force and has implemented new tariffs in spite of an existing trade agreement (again, rules have no meaning). Canadians and the Canadian way of life are being threatened and Canadians are angry. Very, very angry. So Canadians have pulled together to take the steps we CAN take to send a message – refusing to buy American products, taking American booze off the liquor store shelves, and cancelling trips to the US are among these. So much is out of our control, but these are the things that we CAN do as individuals to send a message… and we’re doing them! Canadians are pulling together and sending a very loud message to the US. I am so proud to be Canadian, more than ever before.

We Canadians most often quietly allow others to live their lives. We say “sorry” more than the average Joe perhaps. Some mistake that quiet politeness for weakness, but that is a massive underestimation of the Canadian spirit!

So, ELBOWS UP Canada – we GOT this!

Looking back through my blog posts, there are lots of musings… and in that, a reminder of events of the past. Some are “cheerleader” musings from this Happy Annapolitan. Some of them are not quite as happy, but still provide a personal perspective on some of the news of the time. I invite you to scroll back through the posts at your leisure.

Looking back through my blog posts, I am also gobsmacked that is has been more than a decade since I last posted. Facebook (and other social media) has become the bigger outlet for sharing random thoughts and photos. Yet, I miss the opportunity to muse in earnest in a blog format.

So… I am going to reboot my efforts in terms of blog posts. In some posts I will undoubtedly cheerlead about the community, province and country of which I am so very proud. In other posts, I may choose to unload a bit, a sort of therapy to help me get through all that is going on in the world today.

So stay tuned for more, and I invite you to follow me if you wish.

Meanwhile, whatever the post content, please know that it comes from the heart of this Happy Annapolitan, lifelong Bluenoser, and very, very, VERY proud Canadian.

So here we are in little Annapolis Royal, in rural Nova Scotia, trying to build tourism in the area… trying to build our shoulder seasons – spring and fall. And in the latest budget cuts from the feds, what have they chosen to cut? The National Parks. In the Annapolis Royal area, a small community, two of our major attractions are National Historic Sites – Fort Anne and Port Royal.

Both these fabulous sites will now have a shorter operating season – shorter than other attractions in the area and shorter than most of the accommodations. Yes, the national parks  and sites will be among the last things to open each season and the first things to close. How’s that for leadership in tourism?

If that isn’t bad enough, these sites (and many others) will be open 7 days a week only in the peak season of July and August. Outside of the peak season, they will be open only 5 days a week. Last time I checked, tourism was a 7 day a week business. But now travellers now will have to check with the national parks and sites to see what days of the week they are actually open. Oh yes, one more thing… just to make it more complicated, there will be no consistency in the closures – each site will decide which two days of the week they are closed. So travellers now have to actually check with EACH SITE they plan to visit to see if they will actually be open that day.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any more bizarre, guess what? I understand Keji is among the parks that will be reducing their open days in the spring and fall. Now how do you close two days a week when you are in the camping business? Not easily…

Annapolis Royal and area. Tourism is a key industry. Two National Historic Sites within 7 miles. A National Historic Park only 40 minutes away. And all of them in a state of chaos. How does this help anyone else in the tourism industry? How many other attractions and businesses will now fail because of this insanity?

Is Nova Scotia Tourism concerned? They should be!

Is the Canadian Tourism Commission concerned? They should be!

Am I concerned? Hell yeah. The future of my Town in at stake here… and that makes me a very UNhappy Annapolitan.

Thanks Stephen Harper… we owe you one! We won’t forget!

It has been a while since I have blogged as the Happy Annapolitan. During the past year, my internet and blogging efforts have centred around Project 365, a photo-a-day challenge, and around the Historic Gardens, my place of employment and my “home away from home”. In short, my other blogs have flourished, and this one has been tacit. So, there you have it… a brief explanation and my apologies.

I thought today would be the ideal day to post something on this blog. Why, you ask? Well… because I am a particularly Happy Annapolitan today! As I said, I am bursting with pride!

My wee little town, Annapolis Royal, has just received another award. This Old House, an American publication, has selected 61 communities across the United States and Canada as their “Best Old-House Neighbourhoods 2012“, and Annapolis Royal was one of only 10 Canadian communities to receive the honour.

This award comes on the heels of many others in recent history for the Town of Annapolis Royal. We are a “Communities in Bloom” Winner at every level of competition, winners of the Prince of Wales Prize for Heritage Stewardship, the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Spirit Award, and numerous other awards for our heritage, our gardens, our green practices and our people.

The one that I am the most proud of, I must confess, is being chosen as The World’s Most Liveable Small Town in 2004. This award was based on all we do, and if you haven’t yet done so, you should read the submission paper. It provides a really good overview of all those areas in which Annapolis Royal excels, areas that folks from all over the world feel are big strengths for the Town.

Our latest award by This Old House is a wonderful reflection on our community.  The author’s words provide a very positive, and very accurate, picture of our Town. The comments left thus far by the readers are heartfelt, demonstrating a great love for their community. Facebook and Twitter have been abuzz today as news of the award spread throughout the community and beyond, giving everyone an opportunity to voice their love and pride for Annapolis Royal.

And this… the people part… this is what it all comes down to in the end. Without the people in and around Annapolis Royal, there would be no awards. There would be old buildings, but without prize-winning stewardship. There would be plants, but no award-winning gardens. There would be a theatre, but no performances. There would be streets, but no festivals. There would be a river, but no waterfront activity.

The people from the area work, play and volunteer to make this community what it is. EVERYONE plays a role in making their community a success, and EVERYONE should be very proud of a job well done.

So… as a born-and-raised Annapolitan I am bursting with pride today, and pretty much every day, thankful for everything about my home town and thankful to all those who step up to bat every day to make good things happen!

Sigh… life is pretty good.