Nursing assistants to reunite in New Waterford

Some nursing assistants who graduated together 50 years ago in New Waterford will soon reunite together.

Janette MacKinnon of River Ryan said 12 members of the 1966 certified nursing assistants class from the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital will be holding the 50th anniversary of their graduating class through a reunion scheduled from Friday, July 15 to Sunday, July 17.

MacKinnon said everyone is excited about this reunion.

“We have had about three get-togethers since we graduated in 1966, but this one here is bigger, a three day event, it’s special.”

MacKinnon said some classmates are living locally including in New Waterford, Baddeck, Sydney and Glace Bay. However others are traveling from areas including Halifax and even Ontario.

“The weekend will be the first time in 50 years since we’ve seen some of the classmates (and) had the opportunity to reminisce,” MacKinnon said.

The reunion will kick off with a meet and greet and supper at the Rack & Roll Billiards in New Waterford on July 15. On Saturday, July 16, the group will meet at Mickey D’s in New Waterford for lunch, then head to the Two Rivers Wildlife Park for a fun day of activities including a wagon ride. Later on the group will head to the Old Triangle in Sydney for supper and entertainment.

On Sunday, July 17, the members of the graduating class will be decorating a float for the Coal Dust Days parade.

The group will then head to MacKinnon’s house for food, live music and entertainment.

MacKinnon said out of the class of 19, two have passed away, as well as the five instructors. The instructors included Edith MacLean, Millie Whestaf, Catherine Godwin, and Sister Mary Fatima.