BS: NS thanks Boston

Subject: BS: NS thanks Boston States
From: GUEST,thurg
Date: 07 Dec 06 - 04:08 PM

Annual Christmas-tree lighting ceremony in downtown Boston last night - every year since 1971 Nova Scotia has sent a Christmas tree to Boston as thanks for all the help that came from the city and state after the Halifax Explosion (Dec. 6, 1917).

Subject: RE: BS: NS thanks Boston
From: bobad
Date: 07 Dec 06 - 09:32 PM

well isn't that a friendly gesture, good on yas Neo Scotians.

Subject: RE: BS: NS thanks Boston
From: Beer
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 10:02 AM

Ah!! those Bluenosers, ya gotta love them.

Subject: RE: BS: NS thanks Boston
From: Bee
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 11:57 AM

The nicest reception I've experienced in the US as a Canadian has been in Boston, had a terrific time, people were lovely. Perhaps because so many Nova Scotians went to 'the Boston States' years ago, and maybe that tree keeps us in mind as well.

Subject: RE: BS: NS thanks Boston
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 04:01 PM

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-xmaslights2006,0,1595491.photogallery?coll=orl-home-promo&index=31

Subject: RE: BS: NS thanks Boston
From: gnu
Date: 09 Dec 06 - 03:51 PM

Yes, Bee. And it continues. I have many friends and relatives in New England. Like many Atlantic Canucks. And, vice versa I am sure.

It is our natural trading route. It was the Brits who had the silly idea of building a railroad over the Appalacians and forcing us to trade with the Lowly and Uppity Canadians. Gosh, all ya gotta do is listen to people from around Blue Rocks and Boston to know how close we are.

Subject: RE: BS: NS thanks Boston
From: Bee
Date: 09 Dec 06 - 06:49 PM

Dunno about the accent - I had bartender and my companions at the Plough and Stars in stitches as I tried to order a Harp beer. They did their best to teach me the Bostonese 'r', but I failed the test. I never did get to pay for a beer anyway, and my NS friends had to practically drag me outta there several hours later, using the excuse (true, but really!) that one of 'em had to be in NS to feed the chickens next day.

Subject: RE: BS: NS thanks Boston
From: Linda Goodman Zebooker
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 12:26 AM

While being a tourist in Halifax a few years ago I heard the very moving story of the explosion, and realized its power as it had blown out windows as far as what's now an hour's drive away at full speed. (60 miles)

I'm glad the friendship and help are still remembered. It's a heartening thought.

Subject: RE: BS: NS thanks Boston
From: GUEST,thurg
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 12:59 AM

On a radio show from Prince Edward Island the other day, they were quoting people from the eastern end of the Island who had heard the explosion - about 100 miles away, over land and water. It was the biggest man-made (though accidental) explosion before Hiroshima.

Subject: RE: BS: NS thanks Boston
From: Barry Finn
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 03:45 AM

The relief trains from Boston were the first relief trains to arrive at the scene, the Montreal trains couldn't get through at first & Boston was closer. A huge medical staff, partly from Harvard Medical School were there not long after they had word of the disaster. I heard comments even in the 70's & 80's about "the train to Halifax", the mention of "care packages" or "blankets from Boston". Really Boston poured it's soul into the relief effort. Blankets was a big deal, most folks were left with only what they were waring & of the houses that got left standing none had a piece of glass left in them. The damage from the flying glass was a terror, many were watching the goings on in the harbor with the collision of the 2 ships. The explosion also caused a tidal wave in the harbor that rose 18 meters above the high tide mark & drowned many & the fire cause by blast took out most of what was left standing within a fair distance. The Boston Irish music scene was very much crossed with the music of Nova Scotia & the Maritimes. The Dudley Street Irish session musicians of the 40' & 50's still play (the ones that are still living) to this day at the Canadian-American Club at the Sunday dance/session in Watertown.
I didn't know that they talked like Bostonians though, I guess I should've. My step father's family came from NS & he talks just like me.

Barry

Subject: RE: BS: NS thanks Boston
From: Bee
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 12:49 PM

The only part of NS where I could say the accent sounds Bostonish would be parts of the Annapolis Valley and of the South Shore, where you do find that dropping of the 'r' in many words. The rest of us, mostly influenced by our Scottish forebears, are quite wedded to our 'r's'... or maybe it's pirate influence - Arrrr!

However, there are scads of Irish-Scotch-Welsh descendants in Boston. Years ago I met some people from Harvard's Celtic Studies dept., in Cape Breton. It was fascinating talking with them. Most of them were musicians as well. Willie the Welsh flute player and Andy, of Boston, if you're out there, I remember you fondly though it's been almost a quarter century. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: NS thanks Boston
From: Barry Finn
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 12:53 AM

Hi Bee
Was your Willie a language Professer from Harvard & a fair singer to boot & was your Andy a fiddler of the last name of Hanely? The Plough & Stars is still in there in all it's fine g(l)ory.

Barry

Subject: RE: BS: NS thanks Boston
From: Bee
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 01:31 PM

I've been struggling to recall Andy's last name and instrument, but I think you may be close or right on both. They were still students (maybe grad students?), but as I said, it's been more than a quarter century, and I'd think they might indeed be professors by now. They were in Cape Breton (Glendale) visiting a professor from Harvard, a lot of Gaelic CB folklore was being tossed about, and I later met them in Boston. Proving the small world theory (or the predictibility of young men), to find Willie, I stopped in a bar full of students, asked the barman where a Welsh speaking musician might hang out, and was sent to another bar about half a block further, and there, indeed, was Willie.

How nice that you might know them!

Subject: RE: BS: NS thanks Boston
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 08:50 AM

The Christmas Tree is sent to Boston by the City of Halifax, not the Prov. of Nova Scotia (govt).New England was truly a lifesaver during that terrible time, Haligonians have never forgotten that generosity.

Subject: RE: BS: NS thanks Boston
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 08:48 AM

Thanks for the clarification, GUEST.