It's Done but not Finished

Everyday there are children and families enjoying the playground. It is so wonderful to see that this one piece of our town has made such a huge impact on so many lives. Even though to many our new park is "done" it really isn't finished yet.

Our plans included a few more additions to the park. The biggest need is to have a public bathroom at the park. If you have little ones you know how great the need really is. To help make the park more beautiful and let others know about his life, we are wanting to have a mural of Vaughn painted. We also have planned to build a pavillion to offer shade on the hot days and the DC Riders have offered to help us build it this coming spring. Park benches are needed as well.

If you missed the opportunity to help build the park on Build Day, you can still be a part of creating something for the park.

Things that you can still help with:

Our park benches need to be put together and painted.

Anyone can sponsor these benches and have their name placed on the bench. There will be 3 benches made and can be sponsored for $200 each.

Help build the pavillion or donate materials (build day will be set at a later time)

Help maintain our lovely gardens by using your green thumb

Make name plaque's for those who donated to have a name placed on the fence

Help raise money and awareness for the public bathroom our park needs

Help with the mural. We need to have a design, materials and painters create this beautiful piece of the park

Here are a few photo's of the day. Go to http://s770.photobucket.com/albums/xx349/LTBKDigby/ to see al the photo's from our build day. If you would like a print of our Team Volunteer picture please let us know.

Setting up the swings

Setting up the posts for the junior structure

Early morning start

Scallop Days Queen and Princess with Elizabeth Conrad

Kool Aid Man!

Cole showing off his picture of Kool Aid man during the kids activities

Sparky the Fire Dog with Bonnie Vantassell

Some needed a little help with the very full wheel barrow of pea gravel

Getting the fence in place so the little ones stay safe

Donna Swan getting ready to plant in the memorial garden

Putting the finishing touch to the garden

"Little Gem" Evergreen memorial tree for Vaughn Vantassell

Many of the 243 volunteers who helped build the playground

Mayor Ben Cleveland says a few words after Jason McCutcheon sings O' Canada

Andrew Maves gives a blessing for the park

MOPS Committee makes Bonnie an honorary member with a MOPS T-Shirt and reveals the playground sign with sponsors

Jeff Vantassell talks about his dad and how proud he would be

to have this park named after him

Bonnie Vantassell and her grandchildren cut the ribbon

Bonnie officially opens the park with her grandchildren by going down the slide

Balloons were given to the children for a part of the opneing ceremonies

40 balloons were released by the kids, 1 for every yr Vaughn was a firefighter

RCMP attended the opening ceremony

Kids lined up to break through the paper chain made during kids activities

and rush into the playground to play for the first time

Kids moneying around on the new monkey bars

Digging is the most popular thing to do at the park

Setting up shop

Swinging is fun for everyone

Thanks from the MOPS Committee and Vantassell Family

An amazing day

Our build may be over but our spirits are still high. The build was a wonderful day and so many people from the community came to help make our community a better place to live. Our final total was 243 men, women and children helped create the new Vaughn Vantassell Memorial Park.

The sun shone nearly all day and there were no problems that couldn't be solved immediately. It was a great day in Digby and one we will all remember for a long time.

Thank you for being a part of Build day whether you helped raise money or were there in body or spirit.

A Smile for Vaughn

Tim Hortons has started the smile cookie sales this week. You can purchase a smile cookie for $1 with all the proceeds going to the memorial park. Buy a smile for Vaughn Sept 21-27 and help build the playground!

Register NOW

If you have been thinking about helping build the playground NOW is your opportunity to sign up. We are in need of people helping with the kids activities, fence, playground build and more. We need everyone to sign up so that we know how many people will be served lunch. If you don't sign up, we may run out of food for everyone so please register today.

Ian Hill visits Digby!

On the beautiful sunny day of Friday Sept 11, Ian Hill found Digby. After taking a self guided tour of Digby, we met with Ian at the build site along with Courier reporter Leanne Delong, to talk about the area and the project. Ian commented on what a perfect spot it was to have the playground built as it seemed to be in the center of a recreation complex with the arena, pool, curling club, soccer field and baseball field all right there.

We continued on to the Digby Fire Hall for a meet n greet with Town officials and the Vantassell family. Terry Filmore baked up some bacon wrapped scallops donated by Superstore and were enjoyed by all. Ian was given the grand tour of the Fire Dept and was able to talk with Jeff Vantassell more about his father. After talking about the project with all those present and what we have accomplished in such a short time of only 11 weeks since being given the Let Them Be Kids Award, we enjoyed a potluck supper together. Ian was presented with a steamed lobster and a few gifts of the Maritimes to help him at his next lobster feast. The MOPS committee also gave Ian an official MOPS committee shirt for all the guidance he has given us.

We were all very excited to meet with Ian and when he told us the story about his arrival in Halifax Airport, we were even happier to be a part of this great community uplift. You see, when Ian arrived at a very early hour on Friday morning he was waiting for the car rental place to open and was talking with someone who worked the counter. When Ian was telling this man that he was travelling to Digby to meet with everyone and told him about the project and that we were honouring Vaughn Vantassell. The man smiled and said "I know that man. They made a good choice." We all realized even more how special Vaughn was and how far reaching he became. It makes us very proud to honor him in this way.

Ian Hill with Mayor Ben Cleveland and Councilor Jean Brittain at Digby Fire Hall.

Ian and his taste of Digby with a lobster feast after enjoying specially made bacon wrapped scallops.

The younger children flocked to Ian at supper time because he was fun to talk to and more likely because he shared his lobster and lemons with them.

50/50 Winner and Buzz Cut success

During Wharf Rat Rally volunteers helped sell tickets for a special 50/50 draw to help build the playground. Many people from the area and out of town bought tickets and made the total grow to $643!

The final prize of $321.50 goes to Carol Higgins of Digby.

Thank you to our volunteers who helped raise the money for the playground and thank you to those who purchased tickets.


Aralee's hairstyling helped raise money for the playground on Friday of the wharf Rat Rally by offering Buzz Cuts for $5. Many people took part in the effort and were able to show off the shortened locks during the rally. The total raised was $225.
Thank You Aralee for hosting this great event and for helping to build the playground!

Wharf Rat Rally Weekend Fundraisers

On Friday Aralee's Hair Styling, downtown Digby will be having a Buzz cut for $5.00 to raise money for the Playground.

On Saturday and maybe Sunday, Sobeys will be having a BBQ to raise money for the Playground. Also on Friday they will be starting a round up program at the cash register for everyone to be able to help raise money for the playground.

We also are doing a 50/50 draw this weekend . The tickets will be sold by some members and also outside Digby Convenience Store.

Tickets will be $1 each, 6 for $5 or an arms length for $10. The longer the arm the more tickets you get!

We Need Your Help!

We need your help in finding some materials. Our playground won't be a playground without pea gravel. We are in need of 3097 sq' x 1' deep in order to follow CSA approval. This surfacing is the best to prevent injury of your children if they fall from the equipment while having fun at the park. Anyone who is able to donate some or all of this greatly needed surfacing will be rewarded in more ways than I can tell you.

We also need chain link fencing to help keep your children from running to the busy roads of Victoria St and Shreve St. Our goal was to have the entire park fenced in order to help keep all the children safe and still be able to run where they want. Our park is large and needs 628' of fencing. As a parent I know that I would feel a lot safer about taking my young children to the playground and letting them play where they wanted without having to hover over them. I am sure there are many other parents out there who feel the same way. But this will only be possible if someone is able to provide the fencing for this greatly needed park and keeping children safe in our community will be a reward in itself. If you are able to provide fencing please let us know.
Thanks
Crystal Harris
MOPS Chair Person

MEET IAN HILL CEO of Let Them Be Kids

Join us on Sept 11 to meet Ian Hill.

Ian will be travelling to our town to meet the people of Digby and you're invited! We will be hosting a meet 'n' greet at the Digby Fire Hall from 5pm-6pm where you will have a chance to meet and talk with Ian Hill. He is the CEO of Let Them Be Kids, an all volunteer organization which help communities build playgrounds. During his visit we will be touring around the town to show Ian that we really are Canada's Most Romantic Town (1996) and serving up some delicious bacon wrapped scallops made by Terry Filmore.

MOPS Car Wash

Soapy suds and splashing water made for a great day at the MOPS car wash. Located at Belliveau Motors on Aug 15th. A big thank you to those who took part in the car wash and also to our volunteers for the day. The event helped raise support from the community and $200 for the playground.

Scallop Days Family Picnic

During Scallop Days MOPS hosted a family picnic at the Fisherman Memorial Park Sunday Aug 9th. Those who attended were greeted with friendly smiles from committee members ready to serve up some bbq'd hotdogs and sausages. There was also a chance auction to take part in with some great prizes to be won. A special treat was being part of the Royal Tour with the newly crowned Queen Josie Zahour and all the Princesses. AVR's Andrew Foote also came by for some good food and quick on air interview with Chair Person Crystal Harris.

Ground Breaking

Ground Breaking Ceremony was led by Leona Willman who talked about the wonderful project and introduced those for the event. Chair Person Crystal Harris said a few words about MOPS and how a small hope of placing a playset for little ones has grown into the Vaughn Vantassell Memorial Park project with much more then a simple playset. Mayor Ben Cleveland spoke of how wonderful it is to have community members taking the initiative to make our town a better place to live. Municipal Council member Jimmy Macalpine and DARC representative Jean Brittain also spoke of the project and the hard work the MOPS committee has been doing to gain support from the community. A letter from Ian Hill-Let Them Be Kids CEO, was read by Leona Willman, about the group Let Them Be Kids and how by offering a 60/40 match for buying power and also offering advice and guidance helps communities through the process of building a playground for the whole community. Those present were members of the Vantassell family, Linda Fraser, Bob Powell and local residents and children.


When it was time to break ground the committee and all children present helped dig in the shovel and turn soil. Following the ground breaking refreshments were served and everyone had a chance to discuss the playground progress and how to help in gaining sponsors and volunteers.

LTBK Weekly Update - Crystal's Interview

Bluegrass and Gospel Music Night

Our community came out for a night of Bluegrass and Gospel music Sunday, July 12th. The evening started out with a video of a playground build and a quick speech by Crystal Harris about the project. Phil Harris was the M/C for the evening intoducing musicians and singers. The audience was tapping toes and clapping hands through out the performance of uplifting music. After the show many people said what a great night it was and some even signed up to help build the new playground. There was 160 people in attendance and $750 was raised by their generosity. The performers were ... ( have to get this info from Cory's dad and he isn't home right now)Supplies for the canteen were provided by Sobeys, Robins Donuts and homemade goodness was provided by Lucy Harris, Crystal Harris and Elizabeth Conrad. Thank You to all who supported the evening.

Canada Day-Dotmocracy

On Canada Day, July 1st , volunteers attended 4 different celebrations in hopes of obtaining kids desires for the new playground and bringing attention to the project. In Weymouth we had a float of a playground, which was built by D.A.L.A construction students, with supplies donated by Home Hardware. The shiny new truck used to pull the float along was donated by Digby Belliveau Motors. Volunteers and their children were riding the float tossing out Kool-Aid singles to those watching the parade. The kids were excited to see that a new playground was going to be built in Digby and to get some Kool Aid drink mix for their water bottles.


In Digby, volunteers attended the Town Councilors BBQ at the Fisherman Memorial Park with hopes of getting the kids to help design the playground by holding a dotmocracy during the BBQ. Children were able to place a dot on the equipment they liked the most and in return received a Canada Day sticker and balloon animal/hat. We were greatly pleased that a young person who was attending the BBQ, offered to make a variety of balloon animals and hats for the younger children. Volunteers also attended Digby Pines Resort festivities with the dotmocracy to gain input from those who attended there as well.


In Bear River celebrations were in full swing when we asked to set up a table for the dotmocracy. Kids of all ages were excited to be asked for their help in picking out the equipment for the new playground and even more excited to be getting a balloon hat and sticker. Many parents were happy to hear of a new playground project and even asked how they could help.


Our dotmocracy was a big success during all the celebrations of Canada Day but we felt that many of the kids who helped pick equipment for the playground were of school age. So we contacted the local preschool and set up a meeting time with their students to ask them what they wanted in the playground. The younger kids were happy to offer many opinions and a few were just happy to get some stickers.

Raffle Winners

The weeks leading up to Canada Day, M.O.P.S. had a raffle. Three prizes were available to purchase tickets on.

* Golf for 2 at The Pines.
* Handmade Quilt
* Primitive Shelf

M.O.P.S. raised $786 for the Park and three very happy people took home their prizes.

Liette from Saullnierville won the Golf for 2 at The Pines package.

Carol Harding from Digby won the Handmade Quilt.



Dawn Spinney from Digby won the Primitive Shelf.

Promotional Video

Vaughn Vantassell Memorial Park

Digby Fire Chief Vaughn Vantassell 2000.
Dedication to our community is why we choose Vaughn to be memorialized at the new community playground/park. He was dedicated to improving our town and helping keep people physically active. The new park will achieve both of these goals and naming it after Vaughn was only natural.

Vaughn and his dog 2004.
Vaughn had a long history with the Fire Department and served with the Digby Fire Dept for 40 years, was Fire Chief for 25 years and also a firefighter with the CFB at Cornwallis Base for 35 years. He was involved in various parts of the community and always had a vision and dream of what Digby could become. “He did it all.” Says his wife, Bonnie Vantassell.

Vaughn, Andrew and Kenny at ATV-RCMP game in Digby.
Vaughn loved being active and was still playing hockey at age 62. His wife said with a smile that he enjoyed all sports and even tried wind surfing in the Annapolis Basin. He was involved in the Recreation Commission for 15 years and helped provide programs like CanSkate for children because he believed that every child should have the chance to learn how to skate.

Vaughn on his scooter, June 2005.
A happy memory many people have of Vaughn was seeing him go through downtown with the big fire truck NO. 7 to water the flowers. Then seeing him zip around town on his little blue scooter, in the last years. Vaughn was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1999 and lost his battle in November 2005. He was 69 when he died but many feel he died too young. The No. 7 truck was designed by Vaughn and he drove it to Digby from Quebec when it was built.

Vaughn watering the flowers downtown with the No 7.
(Photo by Richard Winchester)
Vaughn with the No 7.