by Anita Benedict
Oh, those 3 am thoughts can get me into trouble. I sat down to write about them and just could not find the right words again to express what I wanted to say, so I decided to play it safe for now.
I wanted to focus on some positive. We have enough anger in this world right now, which is where my thoughts were going. I wanted to reflect on the Village of Maitland and their first Maitland Days celebration where they celebrated the 185 th birthday of the Frieze and Roy General Store-Canada’s oldest general store. I want to give credit to the one fellow who moved to the village recently and has made a huge and positive impact.
Manuel Ching, Manny to those who know and love him, decided a celebration was in order. He is a wonderful chef at the Mudslide Café and brings an energy that is unrivaled. He is funny, smart and very talented and we are so lucky he is here. He brought together a talented group of people and Maitland Days Committee was formed. I give kudos to all the volunteers for a wonderful celebration of an iconic
store in an iconic village. I was proud to deliver a cry as Town Crier, this was an absolutely terrific celebration to be a part of.
That store holds many memories for me, and I know for others. I can still see Fred sitting is his rocking chair, I still see the sweeping staircase that led to a land of mystery when I was a kid. I see the bicycle hanging on the back wall, a bicycle that was to be mine and named the Red Baron. The plastic table cloth on rolls, the smell of that store. I still have a doll, a nightie and two plastic toys that came from
there. They are my treasures.
Thank you, Maitland Days Committee, for the walk down memory lane, here’s to making more great memories. Speaking of memories, take a drive though Maitland to admire the mural on the side of the building by the store. It was painted by the very talented Gwen Frankton and depicts the endangered species of mainland Nova Scotia. Let’s hope these creatures are more than just memories, we need nature to succeed.
My other positive is that I finally wrote a children’s story. It will be unveiled before this blog is printed but it is pretty special to me. It is called “Finding Faulkner, the Lighthouse Cat of Burntcoat Head Park,” and will be part of Parks Day at our park. Kids of any age, 9 to 99 can follow the story around the park to find Faulkner, each page will lead to the next spot until they find the final one, and then find the actual
stuffed cat to receive a treat. I hope folks enjoy it, and maybe someday I will be able to write a story and have it properly illustrated. I have to admit it was fun taking the photos, and I received a lot of funny looks carrying a stuffed cat around.
If it brightens one person’s day, my goal will have been achieved.
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