The Project Team

The project team gratefully acknowledges the support and advice of Andy Moir and Christine Callaghan, in sharing their experience with the Digby Elder Transcripts project, upon which the Brookfield and area project is based.

This project would not have been possible without funding made possible through a grant from the South Colchester Community Health Board Wellness Fund, of the Colchester East Hants Health Authority, and the Helen Creighton Folklore Society. The Community Credit Union of Cumberland-Colchester provided banking services.

Sincere thanks are expressed for the generosity and dedicated efforts of the many individuals who contributed to the project: project advisors were Mr. Art Lindsay, Mrs. Ada Spidle, and Mr. David Carter; pilot interviews were conducted by Kathy Best; Reverend Larry Harrison, Knox United Church, and Pastor Dan Cormier, the Brookfield Baptist Church, suggested names of interview candidates. The project team included Kathy Putnam, project manager; Julie MacPhee, project coordinator; Theresa Murray, project plan advisor; Juanita McCready, advertising; and Beverly Kaiser, financial. Interviewers were Kathy Best, Julie MacPhee, Kathy Putnam, and Flora Johnson. All team members helped with checking transcripts for accuracy.

Matthew and Linda Densmore, of Densmore’s Video Presentations, provided film production. Joanne Leavitt, Principal, The Success College of Applied Arts and Design, provided the use of their transcription equipment. Success College student Brenda Peters provided graphics design and text composition while interviews were transcribed by students of the dictation class: Shanna Smith, Lorraine Smith, Carol Morrison, Donna Redmond, and Janet Baird. Graham Johnson and Mike Munro, Interactive Technology, Nova Scotia Community College, Truro Campus, designed and built the initial version of the web site, which was then completed by Gorham Computer Solutions, Matthew Gorham. 

Team Biographies

Kathy Best, Interviewer and transcript checker:  I was born and raised in the small fishing village of Tiverton on Long Island at the end of Digby Neck, Nova Scotia.

I have worked with the Bank of Nova Scotia in various positions before deciding to become a stay at home Mom for daughter Kally. In 1995 we moved to Brentwood to the former home of Burt and Mary Brenton.  We have been gradually renovating the old house and love the area.

My family attends Brookfield Baptist Church, where I am on the Christian Education Committee and sing in the choir.  I am secretary of the Brookfield Community Assembly and a member of Little Moe's Kennels Dog Agility Club with my dog Pepper. In my spare time I breed meat goats for a hobby and have been selling my paintings in craft stores for several years.

Matthew Densmore, Densmore Video Presentations:  I was born here in Nova Scotia, into a family of four (including me), and am currently completing high school, while developing our business here at home. The business is run by my mother, Linda, and me. We have been developing the business for four years, with a focus on family events such as weddings and hope that it continues to grow.

My job as a project member is to document the interviews through video, while the interviewer is asking the Elder a standard set of questions.  We then add photos and edit the videotape before producing multiple copies for distribution. In addition, selected videoclips will be made available via a web-site of all the Elders’ transcripts.

For me personally, being a teenager, it has been a privilege to hear about the lives of these elders.  I’ve enjoyed the experience of speaking with them, meeting them in their homes, and also hearing about their life experiences throughout the interviewing process.  The life lessons they learned have certainly rubbed off on me.  I'm very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with everyone on the Elder Transcripts team, and most of all the elders themselves.

Flora Johnson, Interviewer:  Since moving to Nova Scotia's Stewiacke Valley from the United States in 2002, I have been deeply touched by the kindness and thoughtfulness of my new neighbors. When I learned about the Elder Transcripts project, I was delighted to find a way to do something for the community and, at the same time, learn about its history. The two women I interviewed inspired me with their stories. Their courage, grace, and generosity have made them role models for me. I am grateful for the opportunity to live here in Nova Scotia.

Although I am semi-retired, I still work part time as an editor and writer. I am also trying to be a good steward for the land I own here in Nova Scotia so that it can be a legacy for those who live in the valley after me.

Beverly Kaiser, financials and transcript checker:  I am retired from an Accounting Career, which began in Halifax and culminated upon my retirement in Truro.

Shortt’s Lake is where I call home. My husband and I were introduced to the local area in 1974; firstly living as summer residents and in 1994 made Shortt’s Lake our permanent home. 

Aside from other hobbies, I have a keen interest in local history and am very pleased to be associated with the Elders Transcript Project.

Theresa Murray, project advisor and transcript checker:  I grew up in a family that valued their Irish heritage and traditions.  One of my fondest memories is of family gatherings where there would sometimes be as many as five generations present.  Oh, the tales that were spun!  The history lessons and comments on architecture and fashions of the day and just life styles in general were fascinating to me.

When in later years, I moved to the Brookfield area and met Kathy Putnam at a community showcase.  I was fascinated by her project to begin recording the memories of the elders in the community and signed on for whatever I could do to help.  And now, here we are, displaying some of the stories from the community and I cannot express the joy I feel to have been a part of this project.

Julie MacPhee, Project Coordinator:  I was born in Halifax and raised on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore, in a small fishing village named Murphy’s Cove.   In June of 2002, I graduated with Honours and Distinction from the two year International Business Diploma Program, of the Nova Scotia Community College, Truro campus.

In the Spring of 2002, I moved to Middle Stewiacke with my son, Brady, to start our new life with Lenny, (the man of my dreams) and a new step-daughter, Kate.

My hobbies include cooking, crafts, swimming, walking and playing cards.  I have a love for gardening, hunting and helping others.  But my greatest love is for my family and being part of their lives.  I want to thank my Mother for my morals and values and for teaching me to respect my elders.  I love you Mom.

I feel privileged to be involved with the Elder Transcripts Project and I take great pride in being part of a team whose goal is to preserve the knowledge, wisdom and memories of the community, that only our Elders possess.

Juanita McCready, Promotion and transcript checker:  My interest in this project comes from my belief in the preservation of history.  The elderly carry with them a storehouse of information and experiences.  They carry a wisdom born from their own personal walk in life, each one being unique.

Education has been a major part of my life as I worked as a teacher for 24 years.  I have been blessed with the ability to see first hand how the light of knowledge energizes one’s life.

My interests vary to include writing, reading, family genealogy research, music, travel, tole painting and vegetarian cooking.  I believe the most important occupation a woman can have is that of motherhood.  My life has been made richer by raising a son.  I have a great love of animals and enjoy the time I spend with my pet cats.

Alycia Putnam:  Alycia, now age 18, saw Natalie MacMaster play at the Apple Blossom Festival in Kentville as a nine year old and decided that's what she wanted to do. She has studied with various instructors, including Gordon Tucker, Kendra MacGillivray,  Buddy MacMaster, Richard Wood, and Kimberley Holmes,  as well as attending the Gaelic College and Ceilidh Trail School in Cape Breton.  With her family she has played steadily for the past few years in Nova Scotia, PEI and New Brunswick, and is now also a member of the exciting group "Fiddles and Feet", which recorded their first CD in 2003.

In June, 2001, Alycia released her first recording, "In a Fiddlin' Mood".  In September 2001, her original composition, "Goodbye Little Fiddle," from that recording, was selected as part of the soundtrack for the  Pictou area's music video, "New Beginnings: The Story of The Ship Hector".   The tune is a farewell to her three-quarter size fiddle which she used when first taking lessons.   Alycia's second solo CD, “Fiddle Storm”, was released in April 2004.