Steel band adds festive touch to celebrations - Jul. 28, 2010
Barb Rayner/Courier
Taking part in Tuesday's opening ceremonies for Charlotte County's multicultural centre in St. George were (from left) Blacks Harbour Mayor Terry James, Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet, St. Stephen Mayor Jed Purcell, St. George Mayor Sharon Tucker, St. Andrews Deputy Mayor Roger McNabb, Tina Stevens, president of the Multicultural Association of Charlotte County and Mohamed Bagha, project coordinator.
By BARB RAYNER
barbrayn@nbnet.nb.ca
ST. GEORGE – The Calypso Steelband added an extra festive touch to the celebrations for the opening of Charlotte County’s multicultural centre Tuesday.
The band, who are currently touring in the Maritimes, played both before and after the opening ceremonies entertaining those who stayed around to enjoy free hot dogs and cake.
Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet performed the ribbon cutting and among those who attended the event were St. George Mayor Sharon Tucker, St. Stephen Mayor Jed Purcell, Blacks Harbour Mayor Terry James and St. Andrews Deputy Mayor Roger McNabb.
The province has invested close to $100,000 in the centre which will improve Charlotte County’s ability to attract and retain newcomers to New Brunswick. The centre is being managed by the Multicultural Association of Charlotte County and project manager is Mohamad Bagha.
Association president Tina Stevens said Charlotte County is made up of a diverse group of communities and is a place where children can play safely and everyone knows their neighbours.
“A place where we can feel comfortable walking up the streets at night and go to bed with our doors unlocked. We fall asleep listening to the sound of the water instead of sirens and wake up to the sound of birds instead of gunfire. We are very fortunate.”
She paid tribute to the community leaders who saw the need for the centre and made it known to government who provided them with the means to make this program happen.
Businesses such as Ganongs, Cooke’s, Paturel and Connors Bros, said Stevens, have literally gone to the ends of the earth to find people who can help this community thrive.
“The people who come to help us keep our towns and villages strong are in large part our multicultural community. Not only do they bring their talents but they are a great source of education.
“They bless us by teaching us different religions, languages, music, culture, food and tell us stories of lands we have never seen. Fortunately for us, Charlotte County is also a place where passionate volunteers care enough to take time out of their lives not only to bake a cake for their new neighbour but to spend tireless hours creating ways to ensure newcomers feel welcome and appreciated.”
They recognize that this is one community and without each other they could not survive, said Stevens, and it is because of everyone working together that Charlotte County is such a great place to be.
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