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By Mike , 1 April, 2023

New Orleans 2023

Each year I, and some of my coworkers, have the opportunity to take in an event called eLive, or Ellucian Live. This event is held in different cities each year, and offers and excellent opportunity to learn, meet people who face the same challenges as we do, and sometimes even have the opportunity to help each other out. The vendors set up in the large hall of the convention centre and show us what's new this year, and how they can help us. It's very informative!

St. Louis Cemetary, New Orleans

St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, located in New Orleans, Louisiana, is the oldest and one of the most prominent cemeteries in the city. Established in 1789, it replaced the older St. Peter Cemetery, which was no longer in existence after the city was redesigned following a devastating fire in 17881. The cemetery is situated eight blocks from the Mississippi River, on the north side of Basin Street, just beyond the inland border of the French Quarter1. It has been in continuous use since its foundation, making it a significant historical site in New Orleans.

Round Harbour, Newfoundland

When we arrived here, the first thing we noticed was the steep and somewhat bumpy road down into the village. But also, we couldn’t help but notice what an incredibly secluded little harbour this was. Buildings surrounded both sides, as far as the rocks would allow. Many were clearly abandoned, but several, mostly along the south side of the harbour, were still very much in use.

Petites, Newfoundland

Founded in the 1840's, Petites, Newfoundland, has been home to generations of weather-hardened souls who made their living on the sea. By 1859, a methodist church was constructed that later became the Bethany United Church. There were 212 people living here in 1946, and only 146 by 1956. In October, 2003, the last remaining residents of the community were resettled.

Fortress Louisbourg

The Fortress of Louisbourg, located on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada, is a significant historical site with a rich and complex history. The original settlement was founded in 1713 by French settlers from Terre-Neuve and was initially called Havre à l'Anglois. The French began constructing the fortress in 1719, and it was completed by the mid-1740s. Named after King Louis XIV of France, Louisbourg quickly grew into a major commercial port and one of the most extensive European fortifications in North America

Lockerby Mine

It was already getting quite warm as we reached the mine site, spoke with the security guard and proceeded inside. I was being granted one of the last looks around the Lockerby mine before it is demolished. I get out of the car, don my work boots, high-viz vest, and hard hat, surveying the buildings around me to figure out how I want to tackle this. I’m like a kid in a candy store.

St. Anthony AFS

We woke up, had breakfast, filled the Rav with gas and headed out to see what adventure the day would bring. It was a beautiful sunny day in an amazing part of the Province of Newfoundland / Labrador and we were ready to take in the sights.

We first wandered out to a point we had noted earlier, and wanted to see in proper, clear daylight. A tourbus arrived shortly after us and disgorged its contents all over the road, but I tried to ignore that as much as possible. I noticed something out near the horizon in the water. I reached back into the Rav and got the binoculars for confirmation. Whales. I could see whales cresting far out in the harbour, and they were blowing spray high up into the air, refracting the sunlight at times into rainbows.

By Mike , 18 February, 2022

Manitoulin Rodeo

I saw an ad posted for the First Annual Manitoulin Rodeo and thought that it might be something interesting to check out. I have to admit that I had never been to a rodeo before. In my childhood there were many harvest fairs I went to, and I assumed that it would be somewhat similar. I was right, but I was wrong...

SS Empire Energy

Rostock, Germany, 1923. Grete, a 6,548-ton cargo ship built by Neptun AG, slips into the water, awaiting service and ready to begin a strange life at sea. Entering service in July of that year for C Mohlenberg Reederei GmbH, she would sail under a German flag until 1934. In that year, the 440ft long ship with a beam of 57ft, and a draught of 25ft, 9 inches, was sold to an Italian firm and renamed Gabbiano.

Big Brook, Newfoundland

It began innocently enough. We're driving along, me behind the wheel, my father browsing through a road atlas. He mentions a road that the map says will be decommissioned soon. As he traces along the line with his finger, he then mentions a town that the map says will be relocated soon. I asked the date of the map and realize that “soon” is likely well past. Immediately, we decide we’re going to take this road.