In early July, the First Midwest Bank GOLD Club journeyed to Nova Scotia with 24 adventurers from Poplar Bluff and the surrounding area who discovered wonderful people, beautiful scenery, fascinating history, and great food. The group left Poplar Bluff Friday, June 30 with a scheduled arrival in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Saturday, July 1.
As travelers know, "things" happen. The scheduled flight to Halifax out of Newark, N.J., was cancelled due to weather. After spending too many hours in the Newark Airport, the weary travelers were put up in a hotel for the night and flew out the next day. Fortunately, the change in arrival did not alter their plans to see the seaport capital of Nova Scotia. In fact their arrival coincided with Canada's 150th birthday. "Colorful celebrations," Karen Miller said, "were everywhere."
"It was Canada's 150th year anniversary as a nation," Bruce Marrs of Jackson explained. "I had never celebrated their nation's birthday and the 150th was a very special celebration. "They celebrated their nation's birth with fireworks just like the U.S.A." He added, "Many celebrated again on July 4th waving Canadian and American flags. It was great to see the positive ties between the two countries."
In Halifax, there was time for a meal at Peggy's Cove where the graceful lighthouse looms high. Some toured historic properties and the fabulous Maritime Museum. Kathy Marrs said, "It's maritime history, I found fascinating. The Titanic Cemetery," Kathy added, "where the passengers are resting was a treat to visit and standing in the final resting place of the victims of the Titanic, gave me goose bumps."
According to the New York Times, Thursday, 2 May 1912, "Nearly all the nameless 60 of the Titanic's dead which were brought to this port by the cable ship Mackay-Bennett, and not a few of the identified bodies which have yet to be claimed, will be buried in the cemeteries of Halifax on Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock."
The most poignant of graves at Fairview Lawn is that of the 'Unknown Child', who after DNA-testing was finally identified in 2007 as 19-month-old Sidney Leslie Goodwin. Sidney died along with his five older brothers and sisters, and his parents. The Goodwins were traveling to New York and on to Niagara Falls, where Mr. Goodwin's brother had settled. The family had intended to depart earlier aboard the liner New York, but were held up by a coal strike at Southampton so the family transferred to the Titanic. The ensuing disaster claimed their lives.
The headstones were paid for by the White Star Line, owners of the Titanic. When victims were identified, additional inscriptions were applied and paid for by families and friends. Where subsequent research has allowed other victims to be identified, the graves have been inscribed with the victim's name. These were added either to the top or front of the headstone. The larger, more decorative graves at Fairview Lawn were commissioned specifically by the victims families, friends or other groups.
Karen Miller echoed others on the trip who had not been aware the Titanic sank nearby.
"Nova Scotia is a beautiful place for a holiday. Purple and pink lupin soak the land, creating a breathtaking scene," Kathy Marrs recalled. "The scenery was breathtaking."
Mary Zadnick, who made the trip with her husband, Tony, said, "The trip had been my husband's idea, but I enjoyed it so much I'd love to return and spend more time there."
Karen Miller also likes the idea of a return trip -- maybe a summer on Prince Edward Island. "It's so easy to get around," Miller said. "Small villages. Even Halifax was not a huge city." Following Sunday breakfast, the group left Nova Scotia for Prince Edward Island (PEI) by ferry, crossing the Northumberland Strait, which has the warmest waters north of Virginia. Their first destination on PEI was Charlottestown. "The beaches of PEI and the lighthouse are charming," Kathy Marrs said, "and exciting to explore."
PEI, is of course, the location for the classic novel, "Anne of Green Gables." Mary Zadnick couldn't resist buying a copy of the classic novel as a souvenir of her trip. "It just seemed like the right thing to do," she said.
There was also time for a visit to the PEI Preserve Company, which included lunch. This is one of the most popular stops in Prince Edward Island; the setting is breathtakingly beautiful. The scenery reminded Miller of Ireland -- so lush and green.
Everywhere they went everyone remarked about the beautiful scenery and the hospitality of the people. "Their businesses and their homes were so neat and clean," Miller said, "especially the Acadians."
Karen Miller was surprised to learn the main crop on Prince Edward Island was potatoes. "They are prized," she said. "I was in a restaurant in Kansas City shortly after we returned and PEI potatoes were on the menu."
The trip from PEI the next morning took them across the incredible Confederation Bridge, which spans nine miles of the Northumberland Straight and connects PEI to New Brunswick. The day was spent along the Acadian Coast where the culture is French. Lunch was a highlight of the trip -- a two and one-half hour lobster luncheon cruise. We boarded a real lobster vessel," Bruce Marrs explained, "where we learned how to catch lobster, then enjoyed a wonderful lobster meal on the vessel."
The next day they enjoyed one of the most famous geological feature -- The Hopewell Rocks, in the Bay of Fundy, which is only a 40 minutes drive from the downtown of Moncton. They lunched at their leisure at Hopewell Rocks. This is the place where you can walk on the ocean floor at low tide, and learn about the region's natural history. The group visited at low tide. The Bay of Fundy was selected as one of the world's top natural wonders. Nearly 100 billion tons of sea water flow in and out of the Bay of Fundy twice a day, every day of the year, and rise an incredible 48 feet. There's enough water it could fill the Grand Canyon. The visit to the Bay of Fundy was the topic of conversation over dinner in Moncton that evening.
The group spent its last morning in New Brunswick at their leisure before heading back to Nova Scotia for the final evening in Halifax. En route they stopped at the Tidal Bore in Truro, N.S. -- a tidal bore is a rare natural phenomenon occurring on several rivers emptying into the Bay of Fundy. Back in Halifax, they visited the Halifax Public Gardens. After dinner they enjoyed the spectacular Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Festival -- magical production of music, dance, military precision and song. This is the second largest tattoo in the world.
The idea of a Tattoo Festival raised a few eyebrows. To most Americans, tattoo referred to skin art. They soon learned otherwise. In 17th century Dutch villages, drummers marched through the streets summoning British soldiers to return to their quarters from the taverns and inns. A drumbeat signaling innkeepers to "doe den tap toe" or "turn off the taps" was shortened and anglicized to"tattoo." The phrase now heralds the amazing entertainment highlighted by marching bands, hundreds of musicians, acrobats, dancers and military competitions. The unique and varied talent of hundreds of Canadian and international military and civilian performers makes the 2017 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo the world's largest annual indoor show.
A perfect send off for a remarkable trip -- a trip everyone agreed exceeded their expectations. Bruce Marrs concluded, "The hosts and leaders had the entire trip well planned out and hit all of the high points which I don't believe as individuals we could have accomplished. It was very professionally organized that you saw all of the hidden gems which most would not experience on their own."
Rob Callahan, GOLD Club coordinator First Midwest Bank, once again delivered a fun, educational and enjoyable destination. Upcoming events for the GOLD Club will be a day trip Nov. 10 to Grand Rivers, Ky. for a Christmas Show and dinner at Patti's 1880's Settlement. Nov. 16-17 is a trip to Branson to see the "Miracle of Christmas," lunch at "Top of the Rock," "Lost Canyon Cave Tour," and Ancient Ozarks Natural Museum; Dec. 3 -8, Rob will lead a group on a cruise to Cuba. Only a couple of seats are available,
Looking forward into 2018, trips are planned for Cape Cod, Coastal California, and England, Scotland and Ireland!!! For more information about any of these exciting trips planned by the First Midwest Bank GOLD Club, contact Rob at 573-785-0044 or visit him at the First Midwest Bank at 3069 N. Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff, Mo.