Welcoming the new year
For Digby Mayor Ben Cleveland and fellow councillors, Mike Bartlett and Peter Turnbull, the levee offered the opportunity to relax and talk hockey for a short time, instead of day-to-day politics.
Dozens of people showed up to socialize, enjoy some treats and spread New Year’s greetings at the annual levees held at the town and the municipality of Digby.
At the town’s levee, Greg Turner, volunteer director of the Digby Area Tourism Association, offered an update on the association’s work and shared a video presentation of the commercials about the Digby area that are seen outside of Nova Scotia in the New England, Ontario, Quebec, England and German markets. Turner added that DATA is also hard at work on the 2018 Digby Area Guide and said it should be completed by end of March or early April.
Mayor Ben Cleveland and town council members were on hand to greet the public. Cleveland said they’ve been holding the annual levee for at least 12 years and while their numbers were down a bit this year, he blamed the snowy road conditions and frigid temperatures.
Dave and Debbie Robinson made their way to the town’s levee for the very first time.
“It’s a nice thing to do on a cold and snowy day,” Debbie said.
Over at the municipality’s office, more than 50 people showed up to visit and nibble on some goodies, including Digby Scallop Queen, Claudia Crocker.
Crocker was chatting to her former 4-H leaders Karen Cleveland and Alice Dugas about Acadia University, where she’s now studying psychology.
“We’re quite proud of her,” Cleveland said.
The municipality’s levee attracted visitors from Pennsylvania who were staying in the area. Katherine and Robert Eberly were visiting their friend Debby Pyne-Young over the holidays and they all stopped by the levee.
“I grew up in Nova Scotia and my father was from Digby,” Katherine said. “Robert is planning to retire in a couple of years and we’re now thinking about possibly relocating to Nova Scotia.”
Claudia Lutz of Conway was visiting the levee for the first time as well and said it was lovely to get out and enjoy some wonderful music and food.
“Everyone here is storm-stayed, so I was happy to get out,” Lutz said.
Councillor Linda Gregory, who organizes the annual event with the help of a committee, said she was thrilled with the turnout.
“This is just a great way to welcome in the new year,” Gregory said. Katherine Eberly, left, her friend Debby Pyne-Young, centre, and her husband, Robert Eberly, all enjoyed the District’s annual New Year’s Day celebration. The Eberly’s are from Pennsylvania, and were visiting Pyne-Young’s home over the holidays. The couple are considering buying a retirement home in the Digby area. District 1 – Trudy Parker of Smith’s Cove was able to chat with Claudia Crocker, the 2017-2018 Digby Scallop Queen, at the annual levee hosted by the Municipality of Digby on New Year’s Day.