Sep 23 - Photos (by Karl Euler)

I have uploaded all the photos that I received from members in the group. I have tried my best to get them into the correct date sequence.

Again, thank you to everyone who contributed these!

They accessible via the same web page as the tour, and you'll notice a new link called 'Click here to see photos'.

Just a reminder, it's www.karlandjoanne.com/tour

If you are talking to our non-online members, ask them to see me and I can lend them a memory stick with all these photos.

Sep 23 - Thank You !! (by Karl Euler)

As the tour and this blog slowly wind down and getting home is on everyone's mind, one thing I want to express is the gratitude I feel for those who have helped me this week:

1 - those who contributed to the blog, and in doing so added more detail and variety than I ever could have. I have received a great number of compliments and thanks for 'doing' the blog, and it certainly was not a 'me' effort, rather a 'we' one. Special thanks to Colin, Jeremy, and Denise

2 - those who contributed pictures. In some instances I have added a few into the blog, but then so many neat ones were sent to me that I thought it better just to post them all, separately. You'll see the second link (to the photos) on the 'tour' webpage. Thanks to Sheila & Paul, Mike Haffner, John Black, and Margo, and probably a few more whom i have forgotten at this moment.

3 -to the many of you who came over to express concern, support, and well-wishes when i ran into a medical issue. Your thoughts are truly appreciated!! Here I will further mention Colin who gave up a day of touring with the group in order to ensure that I wouldn't be sitting alone in a strange place, and to ensure that someone was there to help if I needed anything.

4 - to Bob and especially Terri for helping with travel arrangements to get me home as quickly as possible. Terri sacrificed a good amount of her evening time to make this happen

5 - to Jeremy for being willing to help with bringing the truck home (even tho it turned out he was unable to do so), and to Colin who stepped up to help when the need arose, and to Fred who shared the driving and had to put up with me for a good number of days.

 The blog will be online for a long time and you can always refer back when you want to recall things.

 Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable trip home!

Sep 22 (by Denise Dolff)

The day got off to a bit of a gloomy start as the wind and rain that had moved through south and eastern Ontario caught up with us in Halifax.

However, with no agenda for the day, other than enjoy, there was little concern. For those who wished, Lester did a couple of shuttle runs to the wharf, while others chose their own agenda, some simply enjoying ‘down time’ at the hotel.

And by noon the sun was shining again, and all was well. Then, at 5:30 we all boarded the bus for our final dinner at Murphy’s on the wharf. The setting was magnificent, especially as the sun set over the bay. The fellowship around each table was a great reminder of what this chorus is about, apart from the singing.

 We missed Karl who was already headed for home, and he remains in our thoughts and prayers as he learns more about his health issues.

And thanks to Colin for stepping in to help with driving the truck and uniforms home.

 Now, just time to pack our suitcases and prepare for tomorrow’s journey back to KW and home sweet home.

Sept 22 - Winding Down (by Colin Ross)

We're coming to finale,

The tour has reached end days,

Our tunics boxed and loaded up

In truck, - soon on our ways.

The tour has passed so quickly,

Reflectingly, we see

Th'enjoyment that we passed along

By singing harmony.

The prep, before we started,

The details that were striven,

In planning venues, rooms and towns

By those with foresight given.

So to that team, and Terri too,

Who stepped in, near the end,

We give our full "CONGRATS" to you,

Your expertise, commend.

But yet there's one we still have missed,

Oft times we would, him, pester

The quiet man with best of view,

Of course, we speak of Lester.

Manoeuvring that monster bus

'round bends - ninety degrees,

Up hill, down dale, in sun and dark,

Performed with such an ease.

The friendships that were started

The memories we will keep,

Those burly, head-lamped, digging guys

We call 'Men of the Deep'

And of the dollars that we raised

'It's nothing' we concede,

By doing something that we LOVE,

Assisting those in need.    

We know "Pride comes before a fall"

But we can shout aloud,

'We did our best, - nay, - did excel,'

Of THAT, we SHOULD be proud.

Sep 21 - (by Jeremy Snyder)

A free day for the Chorus found a lot t of us boarding the bus for first a tour of Peggy’s Cove. I myself joined Sheila and Paul in the orange fury Mustang following the bus for a trip to the Cove.

Climbing the rocks brought back the memories for myself having traversed these same rocks back in 1975.  Six years old back then and climbing what I recall rather fondly as the mountains up to the lighthouse.... I guess the ocean eroded the rocks since as the mountain was more like a decent sized hill.

Plenty of opportunities to pick up items from the gift store or enjoying an expresso.

Back the bus and after a short ride brought us to the Swissair Flight III memorial for the 229 men, women, and children that perished on that flight back on September 2, 1998. The chorus all huddled around the memorial sang Amazing Grace under the direction of Sheila Wallace. A very moving experience for all us remembering those that lost their lives.

The order sequence for the next couple of stops depends on whether you were on the bus or in the Mustang but we stopped next at Mahine Bay for some incredible pictures of the three churches in the area as well the nearby water.

Hopping back in we travelled to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia for lunch and a ‘lemonade’ and thoroughly enjoyed a tour of the Fisheries Museum and the 110 foot Theresa E. Connor, a fishing clipper.

Sep 21 FAMILY (By Colin Ross)

It's just been proved today, to me
This chorus IS a 'family'
A tour to Peggy's Cove was planned
But then I heard, we're down one man.

As the Benevolence Officer
And just because, it's 'me'
Whene'er I heard the plight of Karl,
I HAD to go and see

That he was not in pain, alone,
A problem shared is eased,
I wouldn't have enjoyed the day
And would have been displeased

If anything severe had 'curred
With no one there, beside,
Forever I'd feel guilty
And prob'ly, myself, chide.

However, as the bus did leave
It was assured to me
That my wife would be looked after
Alone, she would not be.

So when I did contact our 'Bob'
Regarding Karl, with news,
Delighted was I to have learned
You all had paid full dues

And made sure Liz was taken care
And not alone, was she,
So thank you all, for being  YOU
Extended FAMILY.

Sep 21 (by Colin Ross)

Friday Sept 21 Just a quick update Learnt this morning that one of our truck drivers - Karl, has admitted himself into the hospital. One of the chorus members says that he has a Urinary Tract Infection (U.T.I.) so nothing too serious. Once I find out more I will let you all know. Colin

Sep 20 - Part 2 (by Denise Dolff)

Our day got off to a leisurely start, consistent with our more relaxed Antigonish pace. Boarding the bus at 10:30 a.m., we began the 2 1/2 hour ride to Halifax, our final destination on this amazing tour. 

Arriving at The Best Western Plus, our home away from home for the next three nights, we were delighted to discover that our rooms were ready, and we could check in and relax for a couple of hours, taking in the beautiful ambiance of Chocolate Lake, on which the hotel is situated.

And for all the pet lovers missing their four footed family members, Aero, the hotel chocolate lab, has definitely filled the void.

 Continuing our established pattern, we were all on time for the 4 o’clock departure to the Royal Legion in Dartmouth. And after a ham dinner which included raisin sauce (a Navy tradition), the men began their final performance for this tour.

 And with the casual atmosphere of the Legion, tour uniforms were more in order, much to the guys’ delight. It goes without saying that the singing was excellent again, with many Legion members joining in.

 Natalie surprised everyone by adding Calendar Girl to an already great repertoire. The guys loved it. 

And now, with their formal obligations completed, just the fun remains.

 Karl Euler adds: Natalie may have pulled a fast one on us with ‘Calendar Girl', but she got her own back when Carlo announced that tomorrow is her birthday, and the entire Chorus and audience sang ‘Happy Birthday’. Wow, can she ever blush well!

Sep 20 - Ant-Hal (By Colin Ross)

September 20th Ant-Hal

“Here we go again, Off down the road again,

Leave Antig’nish, Hal’fax bound.”

    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

After havin’ a rest day

Recharging vocal chords,

We’re leaving Antigonish,

Halifax, towards.

Karl and Fred left early,

For most, that seems absurd,

To rise before the cockcrows,

They are the “early bird”.

     - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Our bus has just been loaded

With luggage, - now with folk,

A headcount done and tallied,

To leave ONE, is no joke.

While John Black was a teacher

Though maths, NOT his forte,

He makes sure no one’s missing,

And keeps us all at bay.

Our ‘Searg-at-arms’ unable

On this trip, to attend,

His ‘second in command’, has done

A job we can commend.

A cloudy day, but thus far,

It’s keeping dry, -  no rain,

For Lester, with the wipers goin’

‘Twould really be a pain.

Our first stop is at Truro

Some need a bladder break,

A stretch of legs, position change,

Does ‘happy people’ make.

Bob B’s  made an announcement,

We had some dropping jaws,

In dollars, 18,000 raised

For all the various cause.

Although we’re feeling humbled

He says, proud, we should be,

Of the achievements we’ve ALL done

By singing endlessly.

And that amount will increase,

For we will sing again,

To help raise, yet more needed funds,

This group of choral men.

And don’t forget our ‘ladies’

Th’energy they exhaust,

Our Nat. and Sheila ’ccompan’ing,

Without them, we’d be lost.

      - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

We’ve had our ‘leg-stretch’, changed posit.

And feeling quite renewed,

We’re fed and bus-ward have returned

As we had all been cued.

Now Halifax is beckoning

A two night stay ’twill be,

To help raise yet MORE dollars

For those, in need, we see.

At hotel we have landed

And if I know folk well,

Then many will be water bound,

It’s ‘Chocolate Lake Hotel’

“So settle in and get refreshed

At ‘four’, in lobby meet

Then venture o’er to Dartmouth

Prepared to hit the ’beat’ “

Sep 19 Part 2 (by Karl Euler)

After supper a festive mood was in the air as our threesome of guitarists, Steve, Kevin, and John, dug out their instruments and most of us gathered for a hootenany in the Celtic Room at the Inn. As more of us gathered, the room became cozier and cheerier, and the singing became louder. Soon a fourth talent, Gerry with his harmonica, also stepped up to add a special little tone to the tunes, and Dave popped in for a cameo guitar appearance.

We were entertained mostly by classic songs that our generation could relate to, from the 60s and 70s ... a walk down memory lane! And, of course, the players were able to well handle any requests that we made.

The room soon filled with singers and cheerers.

Our musicians at work ... or was it more like ‘play’?

The music could be heard from the lobby, and the front desk lady also cheered us on and made a request for a Lightfoot song. Then she told us that she had asked the overnight receptionist to come in early to enjoy the ‘show’.

A little while later a lady appeared and was hanging around the door totally absorbing the music. Even though we thought she was the night receptionist, she in fact turned out to be a guest who had come in looking for a room for the night. Although there was no room available here for her, she was caught up in our tunes and stayed until 10:00, when she announced that sadly she had to leave, as she still needed to find a place to spend the night!

Sep 19 (by Karl Euler)

This was a different type of day, firstly because it was cloudy, on-and-off rainy, and a little cooler than the late-summer blast of heat that has been spoiling us for over a week. Secondly, there was a ‘free’ morning with no events planned, so a lot of us had long walks in this pretty town, or just enjoyed being lazy.

In the afternoon most went for a tour of the Steinhart Distillery, a multiple-award-winning little local place that is only 5 years old, but their blends of vodkas and gins have given them huge international recognition in a very short time, and their products are now sold internationally. The taste tests were superb and of course only a few among us left without a brown bag in hand!

Some cool sights at the Distillery

What happens in Antigonish, stays in Antigonish!

 .... Ditto!

Sep 18 (by Karl Euler)

This morning found us en route to Antigonish ...



Upon arrival in Antigonish, we had an hour to get ourselves ready to go to St Francis Xavier Chapel at the University, commonly known here as StFX. It is a beautifully graceful University and Chapel, and we quickly learned that the Chapel is accoustically marvellous, where our singing was mellow and filled the chapel without echoing or needing to set up our sound equipment.

Natalie tests the Chorus and accoustics as we warm up

Once again, we sang to an audience that greeted us with enthusiasm and appreciation, and we could see that, after opening with a few down-east songs, we had fully captured their attention. We are always pleased to see people ooh-ing and nodding in eagerness when Carlo introduces a song, and then seeing them singing along with us! Yet when we sang ‘Precious Lord’ a cappela, you could have heard a pin drop.

At the end, the extensive standing ovation lasted a long time, only to be followed by a second one after our encore, ‘Jacob’s Ladder’.

And of course there were also cheers when Carlo told the audience that our Director, Natalie, is a StFX graduate! What they don’t know is that returning here to perform in the Chapel at her ‘home school’ has been Natalie’s dream for many years, and as such it was a significantly great day for her!

Being an unseasonably warm day, most of us had a steam bath inside our uniforms during the show, so instead of loading them back into the truck, Bob had us take them to our rooms to air them out. We can only imagine what the truck would have been like today if 30 damp uniforms had been locked in there!

A beautiful Chapel, and a beautiful day for Natalie!

Thanks to Paul Wallace for the photo.

Proceeds from this concert will go to St Martha’s Regional Hospital.

Sep 18 - Antigonish (by Colin Ross)

                         Sept 18 - Antigonish

With having no performance

And hence, no van to load,

We had a normal rising

'Fore leaving our abode.

Today, we head north, round the coast

Toward the Cabot Trail,

Then south t'Antigonish we go

Meandering hill and dale.

After a breakfast, filling,

With time, no need to rush,

We boarded our large 'limousine'

To leave our hotel, plush.

We passed beside the Mira,

Of which we oft have sung,

'long many winding roadways

With homes speckled among.

We stopped a-front 'Cape Smokey'

To get th'Atlantic view,

And while, before, 'twas raining,

The sun did shine, on cue.

Did reminisce of 'home' for me,

With winding snakey turn,

Faster, 'twould be a switchback,

To make the stomach churn.

Just past the sign for Ingonish

We viewed the CastleRock

Then paused to give our legs a stretch

And have a little walk.

Then turning back upon the path,

Of yore, by men was paved,

We did rest momentarily

For food, our stomachs craved.

From back of coach, some heard a noise,

A lilting, 'twangy' thing,

But then we realised, that it

Was Carlos, trying to sing.

When exiting Cape Breton,

So suave in adulthood,

Upon a cliff, beside our coach

A posing eagle stood.

Know NOT, where is the 'Uncle'

Or IF, he does exist,

But IF we see her, we can ask,

You know, - "aunty Gonish"

Arriving at our hotel,

A quarter after three,

Again, our Lester did excel,

I'm sure you'll all agree.

Our concert for St. Margarets,

The hospital that's here,

Was supported very keenly

At St. Francis Xavier.

Then back to our hotel 'twas found

Tea, coffee, savoury, sweet,

A very welcome gesture,

                                  To make our day complete.

Sep 17 - Part 2 (by Denise Dolff)

Another amazing day in Cape Breton, one filled with options for everyone. Some chose the Fortress at Louisbourg tour, some the Miner’s Museum, some both and some neither. At the end of the day, everyone was happy. 

Touring the fortress was definitely an education, not only about the life and times in New France in the early to mid 18th century, but also about the political climate of Europe at that time as well. It took 25 years to build the fortress, but only 6 months to loose it to England forever. 

And if the tour of the fortress was educational, the tour of the Miner’s Museum was humbling. Our guide began working in the mines at 8 years old, alongside his father, grandfather, 6 uncles and cousins, surviving over 50 years of backbreaking and often inhuman labour. 

Our mere 1/2 hour in the tunnels left us wanting a good massage. 
His stories were his own and his family’s, and he finished with a message both admonishing and encouraging us to be grateful for all the blessings we enjoy.

Yes, a full day indeed, much to celebrate and think about as we sit down to a good meal and our continuing tour. 

We get ready to go ‘down under’. The helmuts were a must in a constricted, dark tunnel that’s only 5 feet tall.  Most of us would have had heads whacked many times without them.

Sep 17 ‘The Pits’ (by Colin Ross)

Tour Day - The 'Pits'

Today we had a rest from song 
Some tours our guide did cater,
The AM tour 'Fort Louisburg',
Miners Museum was later.

That is the one that I did go
And what an awesome time,
How fuel was discovered
To how 'twas built, - the mine.

We donned a cape and safety hat
Then listened to our guide
Describe hardships experienced,
To how, many had died.

Our guide had been a miner
For many lingering years,
His knowledge was impeccable,
The tales, could bring some tears.

We learned how families toiled so sore
Their British boss - repressed,
Kept them at work for little pay,
Which made the men depressed.

The children also were 'employed'
Education, it was second,
And how far out, under the sea,
The coal, the miners, beckoned.

We started up in brightness,
Then as we journeyed low,
'Twas mostly blackness all around
Though some lights, they did glow.

Experienced how they crouched way down,
Some hours they worked for nought,
Got paid for only coal brought out,
No Union, for them, fought.

Then how the horses that they used,
The smallest breed they had,
For months remained b'low the sea,
Their lives were really sad.



Though on the whole, 'twas excellent,
Their life was NOT the 'Ritz'
And while 'twas educational,
'Twas literally,  'the pits'.

Sep 16 - Part 3 (by Karl Euler)

A few further comments about our concert with the ‘Men of the Deeps’.

It was totally exhiliarating! Meeting these gents was a joy, as they greeted us most warmly, and friendship was in the air immediately, as though we had known each other forever.

Our Chorus started the concert with a few down-east favourites, and you can imagine our elation when we got our first standing ovation after only our fourth song! (No Chorus member I talked to could  remember that ever happening before) With each song you could feel even more appreciation emanating from the audience.

We received another standing ovation after our set, and 2 more in the second half.

The Men of the Deeps brought a set of coal-miner-related songs, most of them joyful and upbeat, while some also touching on the dangers of the trade. And their songs also moved the audience into a great deal of cheering and clapping.

It was a wonderful experience. You can always tell if an audience is clapping out of politeness or out of enthusiasm. These folks were well past enthusiastic, and it was a joy to be there!

Proceeds from this concert will go to the Bereaved Families of Nova Scotia charity.

What a treat to hear and see the Men of the Deeps ...

... and an honour to share the stage with them!

Thanks to Paul Wallace for the photos.

Sep 16 - Part 2 (by Jeremy Snyder)

The police chorus with the Men of the Deep

https://www.pscp.tv/w/1vOGwVoWdQmKB

Sep 16 (by Colin Ross)

Sunday

It's early morn, at 'scrake of dawn'

Such an unearthly hour,

We woke to find it's still quite dark,

But wait, - we have no power.

We get to pack up all again,

To move from quaint Baddeck,

Then venture north, we're Sydney bound,

We've gear, in van, to check.

At seventh hour, the power returned,

Our host, did water boil,

So breakfast could be served to all,

And then commence the toil

Of loading up our uniforms

Then cases, on the coach,

So on our way - hop skip and jump,

At Sydney, soon approach.

The winding uphill treelined route

Meandering hill and dell,

Guiding us through scenic sites

Our Lester knows so well.

Just south of Sydney, passing through,

Us bus-folk got a kick

At th'name upon a local sign,

A food store, "Lick-A-Chick"

Next, Lester built our hopes up high,

And stopped close to the Port

With Disney Cruise ship there a-berth

So we our dreams, could court.

Alas, no room aboard the ship,

They wouldn't let us on,

But "Fiddle- huge" we did admire,

Thereafter, we were gone.

It wasn't long, - we did arrive

Our Terri's on the ball,

And allocated us our rooms,

Her expertise - extol.

At Hearthstone Inn, our rooms were booked

And memories here, we'd keep

Of singing to, with, and hearing

Those guys, 'Men of the Deep'.

Us guys departed then, alone,

The 'Added Notes' we left,

Rehearsing with those 'Mining Men'

In Bass and Treble Cleft.

Those miners, with their lamps aglow

And stories great, in song,

Did serenade, with lyrics true,

Could listen, all night long.

Comedic, entertaining,

With tales of yore, they told,

The 'Newfie' sense of humour

Had all, in stitches, fold.

Songs written by their members

A dancing jig, as well,

Augmented by our chorus,

Did make the music swell.

The church was full and eager

To listen to both choirs,

Cape Breton's bereaved families

Did benefit our aires.

And as a first, ne'er e'er before,

That after songs, just three,

The audience, with awe did stand,

'Twas really great, to see.

We ended up the evening,

It was a day, quite long,

At R.C.L. Branch 138,

Enjoying time, in song.

Sep 15 - Part 2 (by Karl Euler)

After the concert, we were treated to a wonderful feast, held at the Curling Club here in Baddeck.

We were of course asked to sing a song for our hosts, and we were of course most happy to oblige.

After receiving a superb after-concert lunch, we were happy to treat our hosts to a song. Wow, did they ever love our ad hoc, a cappela version of Song for the Mira!

Thanks to Sheila for the photo.