City Harvest 2012: Part II

This is a continuation of my last blog: a walkabout during the City Harvest event in 2012. If you really made me tell what this is about, I’d say being mindful and inquisitive and questioning your surroundings. So there.

A glance in the Old Burying Ground is always a treat. Two hundred-year-old works of art that reward close examination. Why are these masterpieces not more celebrated?

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Two years ago, the new library was still tentative, now we can hardly wait. Also that year, there were tables set up on Birmingham Street so you could have a place for communal meals with your backdoor takeout. A nice idea and good sculpture at the very least.

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As I headed back towards the harbour, there was a pause at the 1920 Westminster, one of our oldest multistory apartments, and then the Vic, that was one of the newest at the time. Eighty years + apart. The mind boggles.

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At the back of the Maritime Museum I stopped to remember the simple iron gates. Back in the late 70s, I was part of the team planning the museum. These were the gates from the old ferry terminal that was replaced at that time. We were excited to be able to re-install them on the waterfront where they had always been.

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I had forgotten that City Harvest 2012 was a day that will live in infamy – the day they painted out the Morses Teas sign! There were lots of folks with cameras wandering the downtown who captured the removal, and later on Twitter the shit storm began and continues to this day.

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Waterside Centre has just opened, but then it had an impressive set of stairs and the cast iron shop front on the corner building was nicely exposed.

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On the Granville Mall, there is so much to look at, but let’s just stop to admire the creature provided by Page and Strange Gallery.  A real gift to the street.

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I’m a fan of Scotia Square, but I can appreciate that many folks find the Barrington Street facades a tad stark. The contrasting parking garage signs are smart though, don’t you think?

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And my ramble ended up on Gottingen Street, where I got the last of what Ratinaud had on offer to take home. As I waited to be picked up, I looked at the space being prepared for Edna, the restaurant, watched the sidewalk in front of Ratinaud being swept like every good business does, and took one last shadow selfie.

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And a little curation: If you want to see some more upbeat advice of what to do during City Harvest, look at the blogs of folks who did Big Days Downtown. My personal choices are #22 Kelly Neil and #26 Katie Tower, who both take pictures that tell the most wonderful stories.  Also, check out my Twitter buddy #29 Halifax Retales, who did the downtown from A to Z. He has also produced an amazing map of City Harvest!

About the author

Stephen Archibald

It’s Stephen Archibald doing the noticing. I’m a huge fan of Nova Scotia’s material culture and cultural landscapes. Twitter (@Cove17 ) made me realize I could share what attracted my attention (perfect for my very short attention) and I’m gratified when folks enjoy my content. Pleased to meet you on the internet.

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