July 17 - 20, 2008, Historic Shelburne was the site of a Grand Reenactment of the Loyalist Landing which occurred in Port Roseway (now Shelburne) in 1783 - 225 years ago..
...and I was there!!!
The warm sun of late afternoon danced on Shelburne Harbour as, in awe I arrived amid the setting of historical buildings. (Below - my view at dinner)
I drove straight into Historical Shelburne, stopping at the corner of Dock Street and Mason's Lane, right in front a B&B that, was coincidentally 225 years old. 'Cooper's Inn' was originally the home of George Gracie, a founding Loyalist in Shelburne. Even though it was beyond my budget, I of course had to stay!! Gracie, 'a man of note', elected and sat on the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, drowned 1807 making passage from Shelburne to Halifax for a sitting of the legislature.
The Gracie Room (below) - mine for the evening!!
10,000 Loyalists landed in Shelburne after the American Revolution, among whom I was surprised to learn were over 3000 Black Loyalists. Nova Scotia is rich with the history and culture of Black Canadians, who originally settled in Birchville near Shelburne.
Preparing for the Re-enactment
Bellringer Competiitors
There's a tale that tells of the natives (Nova Scotians) capturing travellers and plying them with famous Nova Scotia Beer. I wasn't sure if there was any weight to the tale - until it happened to me! At the pub where I had a dinner of mussels and beer, these locals, (below) among whom is an Irishman and some Connecticutt folk, invited me to their Trivia tournament (they're a great team!!) and kept the 'Alexander Keith's' coming!!!
That's the Irishman on the left - and below is his arm...
They then walked me to my room, which was the topping on a totally charmed day!
(... couldn't resist that!!!!!)
"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein
Deborah Pearce is a Kelowna Business Woman & webmaster established with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, and Business for over 20 years. LIVING SPACES features over 140 ARTICLES on Staging, Art and Interiors.
Deborah's blog frequently features interior design, real estate, community, environmental, internet, travel, art and human interests.
Visitors are invited to comment below - Thanks!
Living Spaces Design was please be invited to deliver a seminar 'Elements in Home Design" to a filled room for the Partners Program of the APEG Conference in Kelowna, BC Friday, October 17.
APEG is the Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of BC
The seminar was held in the 'Selkirk Room' - with a wonderful autumn garden view, at the Grand Okanagan Resort and Conference Center. The topics related the need for understanding the Elements of Design, especially lighting; spotting and avoiding trends as well as considering sustainable interiors. Interestingly, some of the conference topics included environmental sustainability.
Many thanks to the organizers for inviting me, and to the participants who were wonderfully receptive. I had a terrific time - hope you all did too!
Cheers and Blessings!
"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein
Deborah Pearce is a Kelowna Business Woman & webmaster established with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, and Business for over 20 years. LIVING SPACES features over 140 ARTICLES on Staging, Art and Interiors.
Deborah speaks on a variety of topics, including interior design, sustainable living and meditation to name a few. Her blog frequently features interior design, real estate, community, environmental, internet, travel, art and human interests.
"Allo! ..hI'me 'ome!"
My very fond memories of the Acadian culture in the Maritimes was highlighted at Bouctouche (book-tush) New Brunswick. The site of the delightful village setting here is based on a book called 'La Sagouine' by Antonine Maillet, originally of France. and built on Flea Island, which was formerly thought good for nothing, but fleas ( I believe these fleas were ficticious!)
If you've heard of French Canadians who rudely ignore you if you don't speak French, THEY WERE NOT HERE! My first time in French speaking culture, the locals very graciously spoke English to me, as in my limited verse, I pleaded "escuse moi, non Francais...".
The fictional book La Saquoine, (a washerwoman) based on actual characters in the town of Bouctouche, has become famous with plays held internationally, as well as on the island. In fact actors play their roles in the various buildings, as well as on the stage constructed on the large platform on which the 'town' is built.
This is a remarkable story. The delightful tour guide explained in the private tour she gave me (I was the only English speaking person there) the plight of the Acadian people. I got the distinct impression that perhaps the Acadians, Francophone Canadians, felt as inconsequential as the fleas on Flea Island.
(my guide)
This single book has been responsible for a miracle in my eyes, changing lives, giving the Acadian people restored cultural pride and a sense of personal and cultural possibilities and achievement.
(The actress playing the role of 'Mathilda' was completely delightful even though I didn't understand a word of her French!)
Acadia was the first permanent French settlement in N.A. - 1604. The expulsion of 1755, from Acadia, an 'ethnic cleansing' by British and New England authorities, tore apart the people and families, scattering them to many areas. In Louisiana, they formed the cajun culture. If you didn't know, the fabulous cajun and Zydeco music originates with these very musically talented folk throughout the Maritimes, especially in New Brunswick.
Acadians learned to keep to themselves, causing outsiders to think they were very strange. They remained quietly private inwardly focused gentle folk.
'My Personal Guide' explained they have become encouraged and emboldened as a people because of the book, Sagoiune.
See what terrific things can happen in a place thought only suitable for fleas?!!!
"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein
Deborah Pearce is a Kelowna Business Woman & webmaster established with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, and Business for over 20 years. LIVING SPACES features over 140 ARTICLES on Staging, Art and Interiors.
Deborah's blog frequently features interior design, real estate, community, environmental, internet, travel, art and human interests.
Kelowna Women Midlife Meditation
Fall Session Mondays Starting Sept 15
Bell Call to Meditation 6:45 pm * Drum Start 7 pm
(Donation is much appreciated by Master Ru as we head into cooler with increasing heating costs)
http://activerain.com/blogsview/687220/Kelowna-Meditation-Classes-Yitung
"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein
Deborah Pearce is a Kelowna Business Woman & webmaster established with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, and Business for over 20 years. LIVING SPACES features over 140 ARTICLES on Staging, Art and Interiors.
Deborah's blog frequently features interior design, real estate, community, environmental, internet, travel, art and human interests.
Beginner Chan (Chinese Zen) Meditation Classes
Led by William Tsao of Taiwan currently visiting the Chan Community Canada
Tsao is an Accredited Chan Teacher, Student of Sheng-yen
(Sheng-yen is one of 9 co-chairs of the United Nations Council of Religious Leaders and has written over 90 books)
Classes will be held at Yitung Buddhist Temple (Donation Appreciated)
1370 Lawrence Ave Kelowna
Saturday Sept 27 and Sunday Sept 28
10am - 12 pm * 1:30 - 3:30
to preregister call 250-860-9130 evenings only
http://activerain.com/blogsview/687230/Kelowna-Meditation-Midlife-Women
"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein
Deborah Pearce is a Kelowna Business Woman & webmaster established with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, and Business for over 20 years. LIVING SPACES features over 140 ARTICLES on Staging, Art and Interiors.
Deborah's blog frequently features interior design, real estate, community, environmental, internet, travel, art and human interests.
Business, Sales, Retail, Art, Interior Design & Staging is my background, which for over 20 years defines my life work. The True Life, Earth and Humanity defines my life purpose.
An interviewer once described me as an consummate people person. Her insight aptly discerned a facet of my personality that is important to me & which I cultivate. My service style has always been to carefully determine what clients need & to get it for them.
At age 11 visions of sugar plum interiors sparkled in my head. I didn't think anyone would want to pay me for having fun! Well it seems I have always been doing something creative. Studies in art & design led me to work in interior design. I have specialized in, & taught from my pottery studio, the creation of sculpture & Raku art. I also write and paint.
For over 20 years my work has involved various aspects of interior design, business, art & sales. I have staged real estate properties that sold in 1 to 3 days to the delight of the owners and buyers alike.
Interior design has been an exciting career, starting as an assistant in Lisa Howard's 'By Design' office many years ago now. From there on to retail sales in window coverings, art, furniture, accessories, and flooring, I helped many clientele with primary and vacation residences. Eventually I was designing, supplying and installing entire interiors - and exterior living spaces as well.
Projects:
Staging long before the new terminology 'home staging' evolved, I was seeing professionally adjusted properties sell in as few as 1 to 3 days. Staging is finally getting well-deserved recognition. There is however some need to inform & educate homesellers and realtors on this valuable service, which I address on my website.
http://www.living-spaces-design.com/real_estate_staging.html
I couldn't have asked for a better suited career than the one I created.
An artist, specializing in Sculptural Raku Fired Clay Forms, my work varies from fun (paintings) to precise sculptural hand built suggestive of subtle esoteric statements. Typically I'm drawn to the use of ancient symbols.
Living in Kelowna, the heart of British Columbia's Okanagan Valley, there is opportunity to do business with locals as well as people from all over the world. I have particularly enjoyed distance in absentia assignments for vacation homeowners. Kelowna is a commercial & economic hub in the BC Central Interior.
It i
s also a well known & thriving resort & international vacation destination. Many vacationers purchase second homes, golf & ski resort bungalows & chalets. International property owners require interior design, redesign & staging services. In absentia services are explained on my website. This is one of the marvels of the internet. In absentia involves complete vacation home interior design or redesign in the client's absence. There is a contact form on my website for services & information.
http://www.living-spaces-design.com/vacation-home.html
http://www.living-spaces-design.com/vacationhome.html
http://www.living-spaces-design.com/vacationhomeservices.html
The happiest clients of course have been those whose adjusted properties sold very quickly. This exciting phenomenon of presentation, of couse is always the best advertising!
The Building Contractor/Owner of this local ski mountain vacation lodge called with urgent excitement, "The unit you decorated yesterday has sold! We need you right away to stage more units!"
The entire complex, which had sat the months previous, sold rapidly after staging.
"After the Okanagan Mountain Fire, I didn't know where to turn to begin again in rebuilding. I don't know what I would have done without Deborah's help. She helped us start to finish with the house plan and exterior to all the finishings details, even landscaping design!"
Mr. L.A. Ecraep
After the fire that swept through the neighborhoods of south Kelowna, people were in a state of loss and grief. They needed more than just help with rebuilding, but understanding of their emotional state as well.
"Moving into a new place, we were having a hard time juggling everything - and knowing where to put things in the oddly shaped plan and rooms. Thanks for your help in organizing and arranging our furniture in this place. This is great!"
Mr & Mrs K. Jenna
Sometimes suppliers don't deliver ordered goods on time. I have learned from experience to be on top of the situation, calling my client with updates - before they are calling me. After one such situation, in which goods took a lot longer to arrive than originally speculated, I received a call from Mrs. Saylind. "Thank you Deborah. We love our new living room! It took awhile, but we got just what we wanted."
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