The little town with big spirit

By Lawrence Powell

The Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

"This day -- this award -- is all about you," said Lieutenant Governor Mayann Francis as she presented Annapolis Royal with Her Honour's own Community Spirit Award Saturday at a ceremony at King's Theatre. "It is about what you have achieved and what you will achieve in the future. I hope you share a sense of pride in not only receiving this award in its inaugural year, but in creating the kind of community that deserves such recognition."

Annapolis Royal Mayor Jane DeWolfe accepted the custom-made, mouth-blown hand-cut crystal award on behalf of the town's residents.

Francis described the award as an original work of art in the shape of a flame "-- upward moving and full of energy, just like Annapolis Royal. She said the long and short cuts on one side refer to the people of the community, including young and senior alike.

Annapolis Royal was among the first four Nova Scotia Communities to receive the award in its first year. Clare, Tatamagouche, and Port Morien were the other recipients.

"Firsts are nothing new for this community are they," asked the Lieutenant Governor. "For example, this is your first Regatta Day."

She went on to describe Port Royal as the first permanent European settlement north of Florida, and Annapolis Royal as the first capital of Nova Scotia from 1710 to 1749.

"In fact the governing council that existed prior to the Legislative Assembly met in the Adams-Ritchie house just across the street."

Francis said the Community Spirit Award is intended to shine the spotlight on the very best qualities that Nova Scotia has to offer, including communities with engaged populations, citizens who work together for the good of the community, and places where people take care of each other.

"Annapolis Royal embodies each of those qualities and more," she said.

She said Annapolis Royal is a leader in celebrating and preserving its heritage, and that citizens work tirelessly to support arts and culture with a vibrant community band, arts council, "and this wonderful asset -- King's Theatre."

She praised Annapolis Royal's museums, Historic Gardens, ARTsPLACE, and King's Theatre as place where the community comes together all year long.

"Your town may be small but your vision and 'can do' attitude are mighty," she said.

The Community Spirit Award is possible because of corporate sponsors Nova Scotia Power and Transcontinental Media.

"With newspaper in many towns and regions in Nova Scotia, including Annapolis County (The Annapolis County Spectator), this organization understands and supports local communities." the Lieutenant Governor said.

REGATTA

Following the award presentation ceremony, Francis walked down to the wharf where cadets escorted her to a small canopied area where she officially started the Annapolis to Digby sailboat race, an event made possible by being selected for the Community Spirit Award.

Several scores of spectators braced the threat of rain to also help the boats off. Later Francis made an informal inspection of the cadets where she talked to several flag-bearing youngsters. She was then escorted back to her car.

Festivities continued through the afternoon with musical entertainment and Paint the Town, a two-day artistic blitz that saw as many as 80 artists in every corner of town laying paint to canvas or paper as they captured the historic beauty of the community. That event was to continue Sunday.

The Annapolis Royal nomination for the Community Spirit Award was put together by Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens, Annapolis Heritage Society, Annapolis Region Community Arts Council, Clean Annapolis River Project, King's Theatre Society, RBC, the Town of Annapolis Royal, HAL Consulting, and Ride the Lobster Racing Society.