Who’s Who

Sometimes a Who’s Who is just a few steps from my front door…literally! Will Cooper appeared at my yard sale last year on Chestnut Ave to buy things “to distract the kids” while he moved into his new house, just a few doors down. And now Will’s my newest Who’s Who! Will Cooper was born in England but grew up mostly in Canada, first in rural Manitoba and then Nova Scotia. Moving around and travelling became two of Will’s biggest “hobbies”. He’s lived in Sierra Leone, France, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia. After six years in New Zealand, Will,…
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Leave it to the computer tech guy to come up with an innovative way to handle a Who’s Who interview. I sent Stephen Wilsack my Who’s Who questions to answer (via email is always the way they arrive), but what does Stephen do? He sends a video of himself answering the questions! It was original and fun, just like Stephen, and a new approach to how this process works for me. Stephen Wilsack is from Stellerton. He attended Acadia, taking business and passing with flying colours. Stephen owes a lot to Acadia but above all things, that’s where he met…
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For this issue’s Who’s Who, I travelled to Paradise. I thought the only treasure in Paradise was Pearle’s Fish and Chips, but I have found something else, folks: a talented, unique ,and pleasant paper-cut artist named Adrian Montfort-Guy. This guy is a cut above the rest, in person and in his profession! Adrian Montfort-Guy is 43. He was born and raised in the UK, but later moved to Paradise with his husband of 22 years (congrats!) to embrace a simpler life. From the big city to a farmhouse in Paradise with 20 chickens, a one-legged duck, two cats, and a…
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I write this Who’s Who column for a number of reasons: to meet interesting new people, explore their life and work,and then have the pleasure of telling readers all about them. In many cases, I write about a person I’ve known for a while and take this opportunity to thank that person because they’ve contributed to my life in a very significant way. Sharing it with all of you is just a bonus! Which brings me to Jeremy Webb. Yes, THE Jeremy Webb fits into both of these categories. I say THE Jeremy Webb because he’s pretty awesome as a person,…
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I know a lot of active and busy people. I am one of them, but no one has come close to Aaron Cumberland! His achievements, his interests, his talents…this guy needs the Who’s Who spotlight! Aaron Cumberland is the Tennis Guy: always causing a racquet, and the guy everyone wants to court. Aaron was born in Romania, grew up in the U.S. and Canada and has lived all over Canada, but mostly in Ontario. Nice serve! Aaron studied theatre, specializing in improv and comedy sketch, training at Second City in Toronto. He holds several fitness certifications and teaches senior fitness,…
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When I was a video-store rat many years ago, I use to serve this adorable couple, Zanne and Ian. They were always smiling, and Zanne had the most incredible set of dreadlocks I’d ever seen. We talked movies, art, literature, politics, current events and even fun stuff like cartoons and food. I’ve recently become reacquainted with them, and I’d like you meet Zanne Handley. Zanne is the French and Social Studies teacher at Bridgetown Regional High School, as well as Advisor for the Gay-Straight Alliance at BRHS. She loves all aspects of her job, but those lunch-hour conversations with students…
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Many people ask me where I find the people I write about in this column. Well, I take recommendations, I ask people on the street, I have a list of local “celebrities” whom I’ve always wanted to know more about, and then there are good old random happenings. Holly Woodworth falls into the “random” category. I was in the post office last week and noticed a poster for Wolfville Area Youth (WAY) with Holly’s contact information on it. The next thing you know, she was a Who’s Who subject! Holly was born out west, but her family stems from Nova…
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One day at school I was sent to the principal’s office… why I went is not the issue, I’m innocent I swear… but what a long walk down the hallway to get to Ray Baltzer’s Office… who would have thought some twenty years later I’d be on stage with him, sharing a bow! Ray Baltzer was born in Annapolis Royal in 1943. He was raised in Middleton, calling the town his “Norman Rockwell painting” and although he played many sports, Ray excelled in theater, performing and singing in musicals, choirs and doing Solo acts in Church. He married his high…
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What a fun and random life I lead sometimes. I was walking down Central Avenue a few weeks ago and ran into a friend of mine who was taking part in a photo shoot. I pulled her right out of a shot so I could hug her and have a reunion of sorts… the photographer gave me a weird once over and I apologized and went on my merry way, thinking I would never have the chance to make it up to her for disrupting her shoot. Well, ladies and gentleman, that photographer was Liana vanderhof-Rhodenizer, and here’s me making…
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William Chappus (that’s his formal name) originates from Windsor, Ontario and came to Nova Scotia when he was nine years old. He attended KCA in Kentville and throughout his schooling, Will received many accolades for both regional and provincial athletics. Will moved to Alberta when he was nineteen, lived in Lake Louise, Banff and Calgary over a span of thirteen years and then finally returned to Nova Scotia for permanent residency in his early thirties. As a child, Will use to volunteer to set the table at dinner time, complete with candles (it’s all about the presentation!) and he loved…
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