Adventures around the Canada Winter Games

And It's a Wrap!

2011-02-27T20:22:15Z

Athletes dance to Radio Radio at the 2011 Canada Games Closing Ceremony

It's hard to believe, but we're done!

The 2011 Canada Games Closing Ceremony wrapped things up in style on Sunday afternoon, marking the end of a virtually flawless event.

Athletes from all 13 provinces and territories filled the Metro Centre with cheers as they celebrated their accomplishments, spilling out of their seats to rush the stage as Radio Radio rocked the house.

As this year's winners of both the Centennial Cup and the Jack Pelech Award, team Nova Scotia did us proud -- as did all the athletes who made Nova Scotia their home over the past two weeks.

Nova Scotia loves company, and it was our pleasure to host the athletes, their coaches and families throughout the games.

And it's been my pleasure to write this blog about the people and places that make Nova Scotia one of the best places on earth to live.

I'll sign off with a special farewell from Nova Scotia's own Rankin Family.

Stories by the Sea

2011-02-25T19:36:49Z

Nova Scotia is known for its rich storytelling tradition. From the ancient Mi'kmaq legends to Longfellow's Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie, our history is wrapped up in words.

Today, authors such as Alistair MacLeod, Linda Little and Linden MacIntyre create works of fiction by drawing on the character and landscape of this province to give their stories life and meaning. If you haven't already, take the time to read No Great Mischief or Strong Hollow or The Bishop's Man and you'll see what I mean.

Poetry is another art form alive and thriving here in Nova Scotia. George Elliott Clarke's award-winning verse explores the Africadian experience, while Lorrie Neilsen Glenn, Sue MacLeod and Shauntay Grant's dedication to keeping the genre alive has earned them each recognition as Mayor's Poets Laureate for Halifax Regional Municipality.

And let's not forget the balladeers -- those writers who tell stories in song. Nova Scotia boasts many, including self-styled troubadours and storytellers like Bruce Guthro and Dave Gunning who connect with audiences through slice-of-life musical vignettes.

Originally from Prince Edward Island, songwriter Lennie Gallant has made Nova Scotia his home, as has Newfoundland's Amelia Curran, who moved to Halifax ten years ago and - luckily for us - decided to stay. Through their evocative, deeply personal songs, these balladeers speak to the listener's heart.

I was lucky enough to meet up with Amelia Curran just before she went onstage to play at the final Celebration Square concert on Saturday night. Here is her message for you:

A Blast from the Booth!

2011-02-25T12:30:00Z

Ya gotta love Nova Scotia and the people you meet here!

Since day one of the Halifax Canada Games, folks have been stopping by Celebration Square to record a Nova Scotia Shout Out Video.

The videos are as diverse as the people who created them. Some send messages cheering on the athletes; others send greetings to friends and family back home; still others express what they love about Nova Scotia.

And some are so unique that there's no category for them. Here are four of my favourites:

I call this one The Pride of Nova Scotia X3 - couldn't have said it better myself!

Saskatchetoon? Is that a place? Oh well...these guys really seem to like it here.

Why have I never heard of a Morph Suit and where can I get one?

These two promised they'd come back with more verses of their home-grown Nova Scotia Beat Box & Rap and I hope they do. Just remember -- you heard them here first!

There's still time to record your own video -- just drop by the Tourism Nova Scotia tent at Celebration Square anytime Friday to get your 30 seconds of fame!

Racing towards the Finish Line!

2011-02-23T15:15:30Z

The Canada Games flag moves through a crowd of athletes during the opening ceremonies of the Halifax 2011 Canada Games.

Time flies when you're having fun!

Just two weeks ago, athletes and fans filled the Halifax Metro Centre for the 2011 Canada Games Opening Ceremony. We kicked things off in style with a jam-packed evening of performances that really showed off the range of talent Nova Scotia has to offer.

And there's plenty left to see and enjoy. With competition venues and Celebration Square in full swing, Halifax is a hotbed of Canada Games action.

Behind the scenes, organizers are ramping up for the big finale on Sunday afternoon. The Closing Ceremony will celebrate the week's accomplishments with a 90-minute production featuring entertainment, awards, and the passing of the torch to the Sherbrooke 2013 Canada Summer Games organizers.

The show's musical lineup includes Squid Precision Drumming, Three Sheet, Radio Radio and Old Man Leudecke. It's gonna be a big party, so grab your tickets while you can.

Let's take a peek at Three Sheet kickin' it up in the Canada Games Athletes' Village.

See you on Sunday!

Things to See and Do in and around Halifax -- for Free!

2011-02-22T13:52:03Z

Whether you're visiting from out of town or you've lived here all your life, it's good to know there's plenty to do around Halifax that won't cost you a penny.

Let's start with the art galleries. Just a few blocks from Celebration Square, the Anna Leonowens Gallery is named after the famous heroine of The King and I who went on to establish the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design. There and at NSCAD's new Port Loggia Gallery, you can view exhibitions featuring art by NSCAD University students and faculty. And be sure to check out our other university art galleries too. Dalhousie, Saint Mary's and Mount Saint Vincent all have excellent public art programming, and admission is always free.

And let's not forget the museums! At the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic there's no charge every Tuesday night after 5 pm. On Wednesdays between 5 and 8 pm it's "admission by donation" night at the Museum of Natural History, where you'll be greeted by Gus the Tortoise.

Halifax Public Libraries all offer free internet, wi-fi and comfy reading areas where you can relax with a book. Several branches are located conveniently close to Canada Games venues and have free city maps and tourist information available.

Fresh air fanatics can always enjoy a stroll through Point Pleasant Park, where Shakespeare by the Sea is a popular "pay what you can" summer attraction. The Halifax and Bedford waterfronts are also great places to walk or jog, and Hemlock Ravine -- where you can visit the historical heart-shaped pond -- is a great spot for hiking and bird watching.

Open from May to November, the Halifax Public Gardens host free Sunday concerts in the Victoria Jubilee Bandstand. July brings the Halifax Jazz Festival, which offers a daily program of free afternoon performances in the mainstage tent. And the Halifax International Buskers Festival is a must-see in August, with an eclectic array of performers working hard for whatever you choose to pay.

Skating on the Canada Games Oval is our newest free attraction, and public skating events have been wildly popular since the day the facility opened. There's a warming hut and even a selection of skates to borrow if you don't have your own.

The Canada Games also brings us Celebration Square, where free lunch-hour performances and nightly concerts have been wowing audiences throughout the games.

Tonight, Old Man Luedecke takes the stage, with special guest The Stanfields who took the time to send you a special shout-out. Don't miss this show!

Celebrate - Celtic-style!

2011-02-21T14:17:09Z

Photo courtesy of Nova Scotia Economic and Rural Development and Tourism.

The action never stops at Celebration Square! Canada Games visitors are turning out in droves to take in the noon-hour performances and evening concerts showcasing the diverse range of talent Nova Scotia has to offer.

Last week, the Dartmouth & District Pipe Band and Scotia Highland Dancers treated noontime audiences to a taste of our Gaelic heritage, offering music and dance rooted in the time-honoured traditions of Scotland.

Those roots run deep. Nova Scotia's first Scottish and Irish immigrants arrived on our shores during the 18th century, bringing a cultural legacy that helped shape this province's history and way of life.

Nowadays our Celtic traditions live on through popular festivals such as the Antigonish Highland Games, New Glasgow's Festival of the Tartans and Celtic Colours International Festival held throughout Cape Breton.

This week, tradition meets contemporary as Rawlins Cross takes the stage Tuesday night with their signature blend of Celtic, rock, pop and worldbeat music. And on Wednesday night The Stanfields put on a rock 'n' roll kitchen party with a Celtic-bluegrass twist.

Check out this Canada Games shout-out from Rawlins Cross's Ian McKinnon, just for you.

See you at the Square!

In Nova Scotia, Skiing is Believing!

2011-02-20T14:41:04Z

Freestyle Skiing's Aerial competition at Ski Wentworth. (Halifax 2011/Dustin Hall)

Nova Scotia's ski scene could be be one of our province's best-kept secrets. With the Canada Games in full swing, the secret is out -- and fans are loving it.

Two excellent venues showcase the high-level competition taking place throughout the games. Ski Wentworth hosted some spectacular Freestyle action during week 1, with Alpine Skiing kicking up the speed in week 2.

Folks who enjoyed last week's Biathlon competition at Ski Martock can enjoy Cross-country skiing and Snowboarding this week -- two sports alive and thriving on our outdoor recreation scene.

I grew up skiing in Nova Scotia. Back then, Ski Keppoch drew skiers from around the Antigonish area. The hill was a hub of activity all winter. We raced, skied with friends or just hung out in the lodge -- good times!

While Keppoch is now a fond memory, skiers will be glad to know that Ingonish's Cape Smokey is up and running again after a few years' hiatus. Also in Cape Breton, Ski Ben Eoin continues as part of the active racing circuit that helps young competitors qualify for the Canada Games and other events.

From groomed trails to open fields, skiing has a long history in Nova Scotia -- and an even stronger following. So what are you waiting for? Head for the hills!

Aerial view of the Nordic Skiing Event (Halifax2011/ Len Wagg)

Hurry Harder!

2011-02-17T17:09:10Z

The ice is cold and the competition is hot at the Mayflower Curling Club for the 2011 Canada Games. Featuring six sheets of ice and plenty of viewing room, the facility has fans flocking to watch women's curling in week 1, while the men's teams compete during week 2. Curling fans from all over the country are here in Halifax to cheer on their team and take part in the festivities.

Curling has a rich history and an avid following in Nova Scotia. There are 35 clubs in the province, including the Halifax Curling Club -- the oldest continuously active club in North America and the fourth oldest organized curling club in Canada.

I talked to HCC's General Manager Donald MacDougall, who gave me a bit of history. Founded in 1824 as a pond-curling society, the organization migrated from place to place as weather and ice conditions changed. In 1872 things became more permanent when they built a covered shed on Tower Road that housed two flooded sheets. In 1899 they moved into their current digs on South Bland Street.

Nova Scotians love their curling, and the action doesn't stop with the Canada Games. From March 11-15 the Halifax Curling Club hosts the Provincial Mixed Tournament, where competitive teams of two men and two women compete in a challenging five-day playdown.

And clubs all across the province have events slated throughout the year. From the Ladies Blarney Stone Bonspiel at the Baddeck Curling Club March 12-13, to the Curl for Cancer at Port Hawkesbury's Strait Area Community Curling Club April 8-9, and the Clare Curling Association's Summer Spiel July 21-24, rocks are being thrown all over Nova Scotia.

Northwest Territories' Katherine Thomas and Paige Elkin sweep at the 2011 Canada Games in Halifax.
Northwest Territories beat Saskatchewan 8-7. Halifax2011/LenWagg

Surf's up!

2011-02-17T16:44:27Z

You never know who you'll run into at Celebration Square during the Canada Games. I spent some time at the Nova Scotia Tourism tent, meeting folks who were stopping by to record a Nova Scotia Shout Out Video to share on the internet.

And who should drop in to make a clip but the President of the Canadian Surfing Association, John Fluke -- a big fan of our province's excellent surfing scene. "Some of the best surfing in Eastern North America is found here in Nova Scotia," he says. "The water's a little cold in the wintertime, but we like it here."

The very thought of surfing in February sends me running for the nearest hot tub, but John assured me that Nova Scotia's surfing scene is active all year long. Wetsuits, hoods, gloves and boots protect against the winter cold and in summer our warmer beaches see surfers riding the waves in swimsuits or board shorts.

According to John, our coastline is what makes Nova Scotia surfing unique. "Depending on the swell direction there is always someplace to surf," he says, Starting in Halifax Regional Municipality, "you can surf all the way down the South Shore and Cape Breton."

John is planning a big event at Lawrencetown Beach this fall: the Billabong September Storm Surf Classic, which will see surfers from all over Canada and the US Eastern Seaboard compete for cash prizes and the chance to qualify for a spot on the Canadian team at the International Surfing Association contest. The event is slated for September, "on the best weekend that happens to have waves."

John is excited about how popular the sport has become in this region. "The growth of surfing in Nova Scotia can be seen every day with the amount of surf boards on top of cars in the HRM", says John. "Five years ago you would see a few, but now it's a common sight."

Surf's up in Nova Scotia! For more information, check out the surfing page at novascotia.com. See you at the beach!

Photos courtesy of Nova Scotia Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism

Food, Glorious Food!

2011-02-15T17:06:06Z

When I arrived in Halifax in 1982, the restaurant scene focused mostly on traditional Maritime fare -- places like Hogie's on Quinpool Road, where you could get a steak or some fresh pan-fried haddock. Or the Midtown Tavern for a burger and a beer.

And there was the legendary Momma Camille's -- a favourite among visiting sailors and locals who knew where to find the best fish & chips in town. A few Chinese-Canadian and Greek restaurants added some variety in those days but in terms of anything ethnic or exotic, we still had some growing to do.

And grow we did! Today, Halifax boasts a fantastic array of restaurants offering menus to tempt even the most adventurous palates. From Lebanese to Thai, Japanese, Indian, Caribbean, Vietnamese, southern Barbecue and beyond, the choices are as diverse as they are delicious.

Canada Games visitors will have a ball exploring all the great places to eat located within blocks of Celebration Square. On Argyle Street, Pipa offers Brazilian and Portuguese cuisine, Dharma Sushi will satisfy your maki craving, the Economy Shoe Shop has nachos to die for and the Five Fishermen is a top seafood destination.

Barrington Street is a long street with a long list of restaurants. You'll find places like the Henry House with traditional British pub fare, Talay Thai, Bearly's House of Blues & Ribs, and the Mongolie Grill, where meals are charged by their weight.

For those who are looking for sustainable food choices, the Wooden Monkey on Grafton Street focuses on organic, macrobiotic, and locally grown fresh ingredients -- similar to Fid Resto in the Courtyard on Dresden Row. Both places are well worth a visit.

This blog wouldn't be complete without a salute to the Scotia Square food court -- if you're around Celebration Square around lunchtime, head over there. It's like a global village of great eats!

So much food, so little time! To make things easier for you, there's a handy search engine on NovaScotia.com that will help you seek out new dining experiences -- not only in Halifax but throughout Nova Scotia. Just enter your keywords and start exploring!

And I couldn't sign off without leaving you a photo. This is Adam Savelle from the Wooden Monkey, showing off a piece of their Chocolate Tofu Pie, Yummy!

There's a Reason that I Love NS...

2011-02-14T19:26:02Z

My first encounter with Joel Plaskett was at the Bay Road Fire Hall in Lewis Lake, just outside Halifax. This was back in 2003. A bunch of young local garage bands hired Joel to headline at a multi-band concert that they'd organized. My son's band was part of the lineup, so naturally I wasn't going to miss it.

The concert was great. After all the bands played, Plaskett got up to perform -- just him, his guitar and a microphone. It was an intimate, magical show -- between songs he told stories and we were all enthralled. And after the show he stayed to talk to the young musicians who were there, answering questions patiently, so generous with his time. I'm sure everyone there remembers that night.

Fast-forward to Monday night. The Joel Plaskett Emergency played to a huge crowd at Celebration Square on I Love Nova Scotia Day. I managed to beg my way backstage, hoping he'd agree to send a shout-out to Nova Scotia. He's a much bigger star than he was back then, so I had my doubts about whether he could fit me in. But he did, offering his time to me with the same gracious nature that I'd witnessed that night at the fire hall so many years ago.

If Nova Scotia has an ambassador who best embodies the giving spirit of this province, it's Joel Plaskett. Check out this video and you'll see what I mean.

Hockey -- Made in Nova Scotia!

2011-02-14T02:46:42Z

I got the chance to watch some high-powered hockey at the Metro Centre on Sunday night, where Team Nova Scotia played hard against British Columbia. Fans were out in force to cheer on our team, and the game was fast and exciting.

On the way home I passed an outdoor hockey rink that neighbours had made by flooding a corner lot, lighting it with spotlights. That scene brought back memories. Kids were playing shinny under the stars, like they used to do on the rink in my back yard when I was growing up.

Nova Scotia loves its hockey. On lakes and ponds, home-made rinks and indoor arenas, the game is fundamental to our culture and sense of community. In fact, Windsor Nova Scotia is considered by many to be the birthplace of hockey. There, the Irish game of Hurley was first transformed into an ice sport.

Windsor is a beautiful town in Hants County, where the Avon and St. Croix Rivers meet. The Windsor Hockey Heritage Museum offers visitors an in-depth look at the history of our favourite game. And during the Canada Games, there's lots going on besides hockey. Ski Martock is hosting three events -- biathlon in week 1 and snowboarding and cross-country skiing in week 2.

That's one busy town!

Sociable!

2011-02-13T00:57:33Z

Cheers! Sláinte! Salud! What do you say when you raise a glass with friends?

In Nova Scotia, we say "sociable!" -- which the dictionary defines as "engaging readily with other people." Yep -- that's us! We're friendly people and we're so excited to welcome the Canada Games to town!

Check out this video that I took at one of my favourite downtown pubs, just blocks away from Celebration Square.

Canada Games 2011 Opening Ceremony

2011-02-11T23:22:44Z

Well there's nothing like home-grown talent to make you proud of your province. And at the Canada Games Opening Ceremony, we did it up!

Cheticamp's Elsie Delaney and JRDN (Haligonian Jordan Croucher) sang O Canada like it's never been heard before -- an English/French duet sung in sweet two-part harmony.

And it just got better and better. The Stanfields and the Trews rocked the house while Grand Dérangement gave us their neo-Acadian blend of folk, Celtic, rock and dance. And Cape Breton's Jimmy Rankin rounded the whole thing off with a heartfelt ballad that got everyone into the spirit of things.

Wherever you go in Nova Scotia, there's such a wealth of musical talent. And as fabulous as the Opening Ceremony was, the show represented just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the variety of entertainment you can find here.

From Celtic to hip-hop, from blues to jazz to metal, music is alive and well in Nova Scotia. In fact, it's one of the things I brag up when out-of-province friends ask me what to see and do when they visit.

The Canada Games Opening Ceremony made me proud to be a Bluenoser and proud of the diverse musical talent that this province has to offer. If you're asking me for my #1 reason to visit Nova Scotia, music is it!

It's a Family Affair!

2011-02-11T16:33:46Z

Well, the opening ceremonies are tonight and organizers are scrambling to make every last detail perfect. From performers to sound engineers, it's all hands on deck and the excitement around the Halifax Metro Centre is palpable.

One thing Nova Scotians are good at is pitching in to make great events happen and tonight is no exception. Volunteers and performers are out in full force and tonight's ceremony promises to be spectacular.

Halifax's Emily Faulkner has been practicing madly in preparation for tonight. Last month, she and hundreds of other dancers from all over the province auditioned to be a part of the large dance troupe who will perform for the crowd. It's been big time commitment -- hours of practice every day -- all in preparation for this once-in-a-lifetime performance. It's an exhausting schedule that keeps the whole family busy.

In fact, the Faulkners have made the Canada Games a family affair. Emily's sister Jenna is volunteering in the athlete's village and mother Joan is helping out in the VIP Booth at the Metro Centre. Are they in for a hectic two weeks? You betcha. Would they miss this for the world? Not on your life! "It's a great opportunity to get involved with something that's really important to Nova Scotia", says Joan.

That's the kind of enthusiasm that makes me love this province -- from dancers to singers, athletes and volunteers, everyone is giving it their all. Tonight is going to be a very special night!

Joan and Emily Faulkner