See a small sea shanty

Camp Mini Ha Ha returns to Berwick Sept. 11 through 16, held at the Berwick United Church Campground.

This is the eighth annual miniaturists’ event, and this year has expanded to 30 campers from a previous high of 24! Demand grows as word gets out, and those interested in the hobby come from around the world!

This year’s project is a sea shanty, "Ogilvie's Fish N Lore" in honor of the many memories Debbie Parrott (nee Marsters, the maker of this piece) has of growing up summers in Harbourville; and also includes some reflections on the very interesting general store in Hall's Harbour. (Campers will be dining at the wonderful restaurant in Hall's Harbour during the event!)

Other miniaturists coming this year have already decided to do completely different things with their shanties: one will be a tearoom, another a gift shop, still another has a story behind it of a grandmother who decided to move to Edmonton to be near her new grandson, but is pining for the sea. She needs a garden shed for her new home, so what does that shed look like when it's done? A sea shanty, with the "wharf" becoming a deck for BBQ and lounge chairs - amid all the trappings of a shanty: old ropes and buoys. With this creative group, the sky is the limit!

Crafters specialize in making "realistic" bits and pieces for their scenes: it's the "little things" that count the most and give scenes "life." Smaller kits include antique church pews, wooden crates, lupines, an old pie safe, a realistic shallow sea pond and a special workshop where John Meecham (Nova Scotia’s only miniature silversmith) will be teaching participants to make and inlay a silver fish scaling knife.

This year’s open house will be Sept 13, between 2 p.m. and 4pm. All are more than welcome, although children must be accompanied and supervised by a parent at all times.