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NEWS RELEASE (CNS905) -->> NS MUSEUMS--"TEDDY BEARS AHOY!" EXHIBIT OPENS TO WARM RESPONSE NS MUSEUMS--"TEDDY BEARS AHOY!" EXHIBIT OPENS TO WARM RESPONSE ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nearly 400 people attended on opening day of the fanciful exhibit called "Teddy Bears AHOY!" now on at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, 1675 Lower Water Street, Halifax. The exhibit which runs until Jan. 5, is a display of nearly 600 teddy bears, loaned to the museum by Nova Scotians from various communities in the province, and put in a variety of settings including on a replica of a tall ship's heaving deck. Hundreds of bears can be seen not only on the deck but also climbing the rigging, furling the sail and even at the ship's wheel. Many other bears form a full to overflowing "Teddy Bear Tree" while still others gather around Grandpa Bear as he reads them a story. "We suspected that there would be a few teddy bear fanciers out there but didn't realize the response would be quite this warm and enthusiastic," said Gerry Lunn, museum curator. "When we invited the public to lend us their bears, we weren't sure what to expect. By the end of two days, with 550 bears in hand, we knew we'd hit a sentimental spot." A lender from Meteghan River, north of Yarmouth, sent along a bear clutching an Acadian flag, while a number of handmade teddys came from Louisbourg, Cape Breton. In addition to those "regular" teddy bears, brown or white furry, soft and cuddly, an incredible variety are in the display. There are pirate bears, Christmas elf bears, Paddington, Fozzie, and Rupert bears, UN bears, ballerina bears and even a surfer bear among many, many others. "If you look closely, you'll be able to find some surprises," said Mr. Lunn. "There is a bear couple reaffirming their wedding vows, a couple of synchronized swimming bears, a bear version of a 'conga line' ... and much more." Even children unable to attend the exhibit due to a stay in the hospital will benefit. Tickets for a "Teddy Bear Raffle" are being sold throughout the five week event, with proceeds going to the IWK/Grace Foundation. The prizes include not only two oversized teddy bears, but a hand carved wooden sailor bear sculpture made and donated to the cause by Gary Brown, a wood carver from Ketch Harbour. "After this bearded fellow registered his stuffed teddy bear for the exhibit, he made an offer I couldn't refuse," said Mr. Lunn. Mr. Brown has carved seven foot tall Nutcrackers for the benefit of Symphony Nova Scotia in past seasons. A small booklet has been produced by the museum recounting 11 of the hundreds of stories told to museum staff by bear lenders about their bears. In it, there are the stories of Sheila, Disaster Bear, Christopher Columbear and Rupert, a bear estimated to be 90-100 years old who came to Canada aboard the ocean liner Aquitania in 1946. The booklet is available in the museum's shop. Admission to the exhibit is free but donations to the Food Bank would be appreciated. "Given the public's response so far, it looks promising that this will become an annual tradition at the Maritime Museum," said Mr. Lunn. Exhibit hours are Tuesday and Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Dec. 24 the museum will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be closed Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1. The exhibit is closed on Mondays, with the exception of Dec. 23 and 30, when it will be open. -30- Contact: Gerry Lunn 902-424-8793 trp Dec. 05, 1996 - 12:05 p.m.