By Kathern Lawrence
 |
| Myles Murphy |
The
Opening Ceremony took place at the bare property at Gottingen Street on which a
glorious monument had been set up. In spite of the chilly, windy day, the Deaf
and friends from the Atlantic Provinces gathered there, waiting curiously for
special moments of the ceremony. We had a great pleasure meeting Neil Van
Allen, the son of late Karl Van Allen, the principal of Halifax School for the
Deaf, his wife, and daughter. Finally Neil unveiled the monument with the help
of his wife and daughter. Then the government people, including Mr. Peter
Kelly, the mayor of Halifax, talked about the existence of the history of Deaf
Community. At George Dixon Centre on the left side of the property, we had a
great pleasure to take a memory lane, viewing posted and album photos displayed
in the permanent Halifax Association of the Deaf “museum” after having listened
once again to the historic stories presented by Marjorie J. Crawford and Betty
Mac Donald. The slideshows featuring old school days were also running
throughout the event. We mingled among one another, meeting new and old
friends, smiling, and nodding over the retold stories while nibbling lovely,
finger-sized nutritious refreshment, including colorful, fresh berries.
 |
| Prior to unveiling monument |
 |
| Neil Van Allen and his wife had the honor to unveil the monument. |
 |
| M.J. Crawford and Betty Mac Donald narrating the history of Halifax School for the Deaf |
Dingo
was one of the favorite games the Deaf played in the evening for the money
prizes. 4 or 5 people won the money (lowest prize to highest prize).
The
Family Feud was always an exciting competition between the women and men. The
first 3 games in the Family Feud competition had been called Card Sharks and
the second 3 games. The Family Feud had been played 6 times since 1993. The
women were always the champions! Of course, it was a big disappointment to the
men. The young female enthusiasts played the last game wildly, keeping the
middle-aged ladies at bay. Perrier’s Concrete Homes had donated the trophy in
1993 to award a team, either winning men or women competing in games. On the
trophy, the plate says:
“When our deaf family
gathers, days are always filled with tease and laughter, but most importantly
lots of love among ourselves. As long as we keep this love for deaf culture
alive in our hearts today, will never be lost and never be forgotten tomorrow
and forever.”
The motto reflects the strong
spirit of the Deaf Community, especially in special times we socialize among
one another, after we left the schools for the deaf, both in Halifax and
Amherst. Our Deaf Culture never fades away.
 |
| Ladies from Newfoundland |
 |
| Margaret LeBlanc, Agnes Comerford, Bill Comerford |
The AGM was scheduled to run on the Saturday morning with President Brenda Mulley-Rose in charge, Gilbert Blunden recording the minutes, and Ricky Keating, Treasurer. The meeting, including debates, ran for about 3 hours in the morning.
 |
| ECAD Committee: Front row- Steve Cook, Secretary Gil Blunden, Treasurer Ricky Keating, M.J. Crawford; Back- President Brenda Mulley-Rose, Betty Mac Donald, Frank D'Eon |
 |
| The oldest members: Mary Snow, Geraldine Buchanan, Polly Buchanan joined by ex-president Mike Perrier |
On the following evening, the last one, we gathered at the hall for a lovely banquet with recognition awards subsequently presented to several people we honored for their dedication to the Deaf Community: Betty Mac Donald, Halifax, for her volunteering as a chairwoman; Judy Shea, St. John, NL, for her volunteering for NL Deaf Community; and Mike Perrier for his faithful volunteering for the Deaf Community in the Maritime Provinces. Then Mike Perrier respectfully presented a beautiful bouquet of flowers to Gerry Buchanan to show his appreciation toward her for all her support she had given to her late husband, Malcolm, who was actively engaged as an ECAD board member for a long term. We mingled with people for storytelling in a Pidgin combination of American Sign Language (ASL) and Maritime Sign Language (MSL). The three oldest persons: Mary Snow, Gerry Buchanan, Polly Buchanan had faithfully attended the ECAD Convention for many years.
ECAD Convention is one of our
most favorite times we enjoy very much because we gather like a family reunion.
We live in scattered places, travelling far enough to a destination for special
social functions for the Deaf.
------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
