Nova Scotia's tall, green Christmas gift for Boston is wrapped and ready for sending after a celebration in Lorne, Pictou Co., today, Nov. 17.
"This is a wonderful way for Nova Scotia to send a big thank you to the people of Boston for helping our province in our time of need back in 1917," said Randy Delorey, Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, on behalf of acting-Natural Resources Minister Zach Churchill. "We are grateful to Andrea and Bill MacEachern for donating this beautiful big tree to represent our province."
The 15-metre (49-feet) white spruce from the MacEacherns' property is about 72-years-old. It will be given to Boston as part of Nova Scotia's annual thank you for the city’s response after the 1917 Halifax explosion. Boston was quick to provide medical personnel and supplies in the aftermath of the explosion that killed 2,000 and left thousands more injured and/or homeless.
"We are very proud and pleased to let our tree represent Nova Scotia in Boston," said Andrea MacEachern.
"I ran the Boston Marathon on its 100th anniversary in 1996, so there is a special connection for us and this is a big thrill," said Bill MacEachern.
The tree was cut on the MacEacherns' property by staff and students from the environmental technologies program at the Nova Scotia Community College Strait Area Campus. The tree-cutting ceremony included Mr. Delorey, Pictou County Warden Ronald Baillie, more than 100 local school children, Pictou County's Carillon Singers, a Nova Scotia conservation officer, and a visit from Santa Claus. Television meteorologist Cindy Day acted as emcee.
A public send-off for the tree will be held at the Grand Parade in Halifax, Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 11:30 a.m. The Nova Scotia Mass Choir and Pictou County singer-songwriter, Dave Gunning, will perform. People are invited to sign a thank you book for Boston. The tree will also make a stop in Truro and Amherst for public-viewing opportunities.
The tree lighting will take place on the Boston Common, Dec. 3, at a ceremony that attracts about 30,000 people and is broadcast live on the ABC television affiliate in Boston.
Nova Scotians can help continue the tradition by recommending the perfect Nova Scotia tree for Boston, for future years. Anyone knowing of a white or red spruce or balsam fir that is 12 to 15-metres high (40-50 feet), with good symmetry, and easy road access, should contact their local Natural Resources office at www.novascotia.ca/natr/staffdir/offices.asp .
Details on this year's tree-cutting ceremony are at http://novascotia.ca/treeforboston. People can follow the tree's travels on Twitter through @TreeforBoston and like the tree on Facebook at www.facebook.com/treeforboston .
FOR BROADCAST USE:
This year's Christmas tree for Boston was cut and readied for transport today (November 17th) at a ceremony in Lorne, Pictou County.
Environment Minister Randy Delorey thanked Andrea and Bill MacEachern for donating the 15-metre white spruce tree that is going to Boston as Nova Scotia's annual thank you gift for Boston's help after the 1917 Halifax explosion.
The tree will stop in Halifax Wednesday (November 18th) for a public send-off at the Grand Parade at 11:30 a-m.
Details are on nova scotia dot c-a slash tree for boston.
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