The Birthday Party

As promised here are a few photos of the birthday party we had for Dad on Sunday.


It was held at my sister Paula's house. It was to start at 3 P.M. , so we arrived at 2 P.M. to help with the set-up and heat up the seafood chowder I made.

                             Brynn (niece) trying to look inconspicuous.

When we got there we saw that the 'decorators' (my nieces Meghan and Brynn) had already done their job. the place was covered in balloons and a very large banner for all to sign.

                             Not only the decorator but the 'official' food sampler!

The weather had actually cooperated. It began to clear around noon and the sun was brightly shining. 

    "Help me Dustin! Why are you so blurry?!


The first invited guest to arrive was Dad's first cousin, Marjorie.  She got there before Dad arrived so I had a chance to talk with her a bit. I found out that Dad was named after her father, Jimmie. He was Dad's uncle and he had died when she was a year old.

                            Dad arriving with son, Fred.

    Marjorie and Dad.


It was fun to watch them both when Dad arrived. At first Dad didn't  recognize her. It was a very long time since they had seen one another. They huddled next to one another and 'caught up'.

    Great-grand niece playing Happy Birthday!


People started to arrive......mostly relatives at first. Then some community people arrived, people that Mom and Dad have known over the years. I must mention that when two young ladies arrived from the local bakery (the one Dad has frequented for years) with two boxes of cup-cakes, Dad's eyes lit up!

    The 'bakery girls' with Dad and Fred.

He calls up the bakery a few times a week and precedes to tease the women who work there. It is all in fun and they love to hear from him. And since he no longer can get there on his own, it was a treat for them as well to see him.

By the time they left, the place was packing up! Seriously, at one point it seemed like everyone was staying in the same room!

Then the entertainment arrived. My brother, Dennis, had asked a couple of his students, who had recently graduated and who just happened to be very good singers, to sing a few of Dad's favourite songs. They did a great job. And it brought a few tears to some family members as these brought back some good memories.

    Ron just 'goofin' around'!! with Jamie.

Then it was my turn to have the great grand children read the congratulatory greetings from local and national leaders. For the past month I had received official certificates from the mayor of Halifax, the Premier of Nova Scotia, the members of the legislative assembly, the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, the Prime Minister of Canada and the Governor General of Canada, the Queen's official representative. She wouldn't send one as you must be 90 or 100! Will have to apply again when Dad turns 100 in 5 years time.




The kids did very well and I think they actually really enjoyed reading something from' important ' people.

    Ron and Jamie (great niece) 'catching up'.


The food was great. We prepared for over 80 people and wanted to have more than we needed, just in case. And we did. There was chili, corn chowder, seafood chowder, the best tea-biscuits made by the chef at a local cafe, meat balls, trays of everything imaginable! We didn't run out of anything.

    Grand and great grand children.


My sister Paula had a friend of hers make the cake. Well, as you can see it was quite the cake. It had baseball paraphernalia, bowling, his favourite lottery numbers. Dad was a great ball player and bowler in his day and LOVED to play cards!!!

Before people started to leave a few photos were taken of the different groups........cousins, grandkids, Dad's kids. Here is one of all my brothers and sisters. Marilyn surprised us all by arriving from Edmonton, Alberta just as the party started.

                             Marilyn surprised us all!

                            Back row: Marilyn, Jo-Ann, me, Laurie, Fred
                            Front row: Paula, Mary Elizabeth, Dennis.
                            Middle: Dad


By about 7 o'clock people started to say their good byes and head for home. Dad was happy and exhausted. He had seen people he hadn't seen in a long time and he had a chance to chat with them. It was time to call it a day!