The ceremony was a success. It wasn’t perfect, but what event ever is. Based on the budget we had this year even though it was bigger than last years, it’s still rather small… I think we did rather well. We had lots of laughs and lots of tears of joy. It was a very moving ceremony.

I’m sure by now you would have seen some footage from the ceremony but if you haven’t then check out this preview of our DVD. I encourage everyone connected to purchase a copy. Our production team has some serious work in front of them but as you can see they are doing wonders with the footage we have. You can order a copy of the ceremony accompanied by a digital set of the photographs by visiting http://haliwards.com/dvd

These past few days I have received some of the nicest emails and I wanted to share a few of them with you.
I have taken the liberty of removing the winners and guests name so not to cause any embarrassment but believe me when I say these are real.

Thank you for the wonderful evening – it was a humbling experience to have people (complete strangers) walking up and saying “thank you for what you do” …I spent the good part of the night on the verge of tears (ok, sometimes I was in tears!).  To have friends there, who you knew were only there “because of you”….all very very over whelming!

So in closing I share with you the wisdom of the smartest person I’ve every met, my Mother (who is gone now)…….  ”Each and everyday the light shines upon you for just a brief moment to allow you to see the important things in life; what to do that day to make this a better place to love, live and grow – use your opportunity wisely!  Alex, this you have done!

Last night your vision and dream touch many, as one of the many proud recipients of the award, I was honored to not only receive the award but to stand beside the outstanding other seven who have and still continue to do such great work for the community. Alex, Your vision impacted my life and I want to say – Thank you.

We were very impressed with the professionalism, organization and caliber of the event BUT in particular, it was very inspiring to see the number of people committed and contributing to the community and the variety of areas in which this is happening. It is time that this comes to eye of the public! Best wishes to you and the Haliwards Board for continued success with this event.

Saturday evening was a perfectly charming event – very humbling, but so energizing to hear all of the amazing work which the other recipients described in their remarks.My family and I wish to thank the Haliwards committee for their community spirit, and know that you will be successful with building on your delightful idea. It’s enlightening to have learned so much from others, and I sincerely thank all recipients for their wonderful commitment.

As you can imagine emails like these have really made my week. There were many more and I thank each and everyone of you who took the time to send me a note. I’m pleased to know that we have touched so many this year and I can only hope we can do the same next year.

Talking of next year we have already received a handful of sponsorship requestes and partnership proposals and we looks forward to considering these over the summer. All you need to know is that the Haliwards is on track for 2012 and our possibilities at this stage are without doubt, endless.

As many of you will recall on February 9th we announced that Heather Shay, Chair of the 2011 Advisory Board would be hosting the ceremony in my absence. My absence was due to a large workload on a UK project and several other personal factors. Today I’d like to make an update to that statement.

Can you see where this is going?

The Haliwards has great significance to me as I have said a million times before. It’s a project that has grown very quickly in size that it blows many of my previous award projects out the window. The Haliwards is reaching a critical stage and as we finish up our 2011 project we begin to look towards the Haliwards in 2012 or as it’s internally know ‘Haliwards 2.0”. I believe the Haliwards are too important to miss and that is why only a matter of minutes ago I landed at HIA with every intention on co-hosting the 2011 awards.

Award recipients along with our partners and sponsors having been telling me what a shame it is that I was unable to attend the ceremony and their kind words have twisted my arm to be here. It’s no secret that in fact I have had my ticket booked for several months but it was something I did as a backup plan on the off chance I decided to go. This would have marked the first project I had directed and not attended.

I’m not exactly sure how long I’m going to be in the city but I’ll likely be here for the next few weeks while we make the final preparations for the ceremony. If you have the need to contact me please email me. My Canadian contact number is not in service (No UltraSn0w, no unlock). As you can imagine I have a very hectic schedule but I’ll do my best to accommodate everyone.

Anyway, I’ll keep this short. It’s nice to be back!

A few days ago the postman brought me something very special, very special indeed. Pictured above is a very early copy of the book I wrote. Everybody has expressed how much they love the front cover and I must say I am very pleased with it. The photo was taken in my apartment when I was looking out at the fog one evening. I’m still working on the back cover and the blurb but I’m sure an idea will present itself.

So it’s all well and good that I have written this book, but what’s it about? Well during the second half of 2010 I went through what I consider one of the most troubling times in my life. A situation that was so unbelievable it tore me apart and I resulted to keeping a journal, a sort of diary of events during the events that took place in Halifax, NS. The book is a day-by-day account of how I managed to survive the ordeal and come out the other side. The journal was never intended to be published, it was intended to help me deal with the ordeal, to keep my sanity and then eventually to give to the person who was at the center of the situation. That person expressed little interest in reading the 70k word document and my friends, family and legal advisors expressed thoughts about publishing it, and here we are.

This early copy is currently circulating around my family and then I’m going to revise it. Then I’ll start putting my feelers out to some of my friends and some volunteers who would be willing to read it and provide feedback. If you are interested, let me know.

Then what? Well, if it gets the thumbs up, I hope to have to it available for purchase on Amazon in the summer. I never thought I had it in me to write a book, but it really is one of the best things I have ever done. It’s something I am proud of.

♫ Alex was listening to Smells like teen spirit – Scala & Kolacny Brothers

2010 was a unique year for me and one I won’t forget easily. It marks the year of the first Haliwards ceremony. While it wasn’t glitzy and expensive, it was fresh and exciting. I must have done something right because 2010 is also the year I was honoured by the Provincial Government of Nova Scotia for my work on the project. Fair enough, it’s not exactly a knighthood, but its step in the right direction, right?

While I have fond memories of 2010 it’s hard not to allow the bad memories to overcast the good. It was a year of great personal difficulty for me and I for one was very glad to hear Big Ben bring in 2011. At the very least I can take away some very valuable life lessons from last year.

This post is not to dwell on what was but what will be. 2011 marks the 2nd annual Haliwards ceremony. When I left Canada at the beginning of August I was concerned that my forever hanging plans to move back to the UK would affect the project. Luckily enough, and I use the word lucky lightly, I found myself in Canada until the end of November and was able to get some hard work done to secure the projects future. While we have said goodbye to some board members we have held on to some great ones and I’m happy that I’ll be welcoming some new faces to the team in the next few weeks.

2011 will be the year that the Haliwards takes a turn into the mainstream market. The project has been a resounding success. With us only a matter of days away from announcing our award winners I can safely say that once again HRM has provided nominations of impeccable calibre. The Haliwards is here to stay and I intend to really push the boat out this year and set us up for a long and prosperous future. It remains to be seen if I’ll be at the ceremony but either way it will be a night to remember.

Several people have asked me over the festive season what my long-term plans are for the East Coast and to be quite honest I’m not entirely sure. I have a great fondness for Nova Scotia so I guess I’m not going to rule it out just yet. I have some unfinished business to attend too.

2011 may also mark the year of my first book and likely my last. I’m hoping to publish a personal journal later this year which recreates the most memorable and almost unbearable scenario of my life. I’m expecting my proof copy to arrive in the next few weeks from the publishers and then I’ll probably take a few months to make it worthy of a read. I don’t expect to sell many copies; I don’t even care if anyone even reads it because it’s a personal triumph whatever the outcome.  120hrs hours of writing well spent in my opinion.

I have no current plans to revive the Pride of Central Somerset. I take great comfort in the fact that the Central Somerset Gazette put their heads together to change the word pride to people and ran with it. I’m quite flattered actually. Who knows? Never say never.

What I do know is I have never been so determined to prove to myself and to a select few that this is just the beginning —So raise your glass to 2011, to what I believe will me more memorable than ever.

♫ Alex was listening to Terra Nova – iLiKETRAiNS

Canada has been a big part of my life for the past three years and it’s with great sadness that I share the news today, that I’m flying back to live in the UK. When I moved to Halifax last Summer, Canada became my home. I spent most of my first year in Musquodoboit Harbour and as you locals know, it’s a little rural. I have met some wonderful people here and many of them I am proud to say are my friends. I hope the Atlantic won’t put you off keeping in touch.

Obviously this wasn’t planned. These things happen. Making the decision to go back to the UK is the hardest decision I have ever made. I have made arrangements to safeguard the work I have done here. As many of you know on July 1st the Haliwards 2011 launched and I will be managing the project from overseas. I have made sure that the fine individuals who were appointed on to the advisory board have sufficient training to continue inland tasks.

The past 3 years that I have spent on and off in Canada has been amazing. It’s certainly had its ups and downs but I leave with fond memories of this hockey lovin’ country. I’ve met some amazing people here while working on many events across HRM. Some of those highlights for me would be the Tall Ships, Blue Nose Marathon and of course the Haliwards.

While we are talking about the Haliwards I just want to say a few things in regards to how important this project is to me. The Haliwards is my first international production. There were times when I didn’t think that project would make it, but it did and it came out shining! I really want to express my thanks to everyone who was involved with the inaugural year. It was one hell of a roller-coaster. I have met the most incredible people while working on this project. I have learnt a lot from the inaugural year and I will be taking home that experience to put it towards my future UK productions.

I want to say thank you to all my blog readers. I receive more hits from Canada now than I do from the UK. That will surely change soon but thank you for taking interest in my work! Thanks to all the individuals and groups who allowed me to feature their work on my blog too. I also want to say thanks to the local folk on Twitter. I know sounds a little random but when I first came here I was a newbie. I knew nothing about HRM. Well you educated me well!

So what now? Well, first things first. I’ll be heading to the airport next week for a flight to Heathrow. Then I’ll be heading to Somerset in the south west on England to spend some quality time with my family. I have so much catching up to do.

You have all provided me with years of stories to share for a lifetime. I may have not mastered the Canadian accent but I’ll be sure to continue to use choice Canadian phrases for the foreseeable future!

I hope many of you will stay in touch. Thanks to the genius of technology I’ll always be a key stroke away. I welcome you to connect with me on Twitter, Facebook and Skype.

—Anyway. Without a doubt I’ll be back sometime in the near future for Haliwards related work.

Thank you and best wishes for the future.

Resolution 460: HANSARD 10-16 MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2010

I was very pleased to receive a document from Diana Whalen, MLA this week (Even if i did have to go to the post office because the bloody postman didn’t buzz me from downstairs). I am very honored to have received this from the House of Assembly.

For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, this is a document officially thanking me from the Nova Scotia government for the work I did on the Haliwards 2010. Working on the project was enough of an honour. This was the icing on the cake!

You can read the resolution here and watch it here.

My name is Cara Muise. I grew up in Sydney, NS but moved to Halifax for school. I’m pursuing a undergraduate degree in linguistic analysis. It’s an inter-university program, so you can find me bouncing back and forth between Dal, SMU and MSVU. When I’m not busy pouring coffee, I’m either running with my dog or curled up on my sofa with a book. I became interested in the Haliwards while chatting with the project’s director, Alex Maine, via Twitter. After reading about previous award winners and how they contributed to their communities, I was 100% sold. I try to volunteer as much as I possibly can (with groups like the Canadian Cancer Society, tutoring children/my peers, teaching religious education classes, helping palliative care patients and their families) so I understand how much time and effort the nominees are putting into their communities. More importantly, I understand the need to thank them, to tell them that their work hasn’t gone unnoticed, and remind them that they’re contributing to a better and brighter Halifax. As we at the Haliwards like to say, it’s time to say thank you! Here’s looking forward to an incredible 2011!

Hi everyone, I’m Maeghan Murphy. I’ve got a passion for two things: my studies and my city. Working with the Haliwards, I get the opportunity to pair both of these and I couldn’t be happier. Two years ago, I moved to Halifax to study Public Relations at Mount Saint Vincent University. I’ve been in awe of the perfect balance Halifax has – a big, beautiful city with a small town feel. Growing up in the booming metropolis of Sydney, Cape Breton, I definitely appreciate the small town feel. I became involved with the Haliwards after receiving the newsletter and reading that Alex was looking for board members. I crossed my fingers and hoped no one had already claimed the PR role. Luck was on my side – bring on the press releases! What really drew me into the project was the lack of rules that go along with nominations. As long as it’s extraordinary – it’s Haliwards approved. Behind every strong community is its people – here in Halifax, our people are of elite quality.

Let’s get celebrating!

My name is Alanna Langille and I was not only born, but also raised in Halifax. In my spare time, when I have “me time”, you can find me with my camera in hand. I love photography and it has become one of my favourite hobbies. I have recently graduated from Halifax West High School, class of 2010, and will be attending Dalhousie for Nursing in the fall. While in high school, I was an active member of Student Government and volunteered with various events as well as organized my own events which got the school and community actively involved. I was nominated and awarded a Haliward in 2010. The experience was amazing because not only did it make me realize what I had done had made a difference, but also that it did not go unnoticed by the community. The feeling that was behind being nominated for such a prestigious award was incredible. Being on the board this year for Haliwards is an honour and I look forward to giving back to my community.

Hi, my name is Angela Espejo, and I am a new nursing graduate of the University of Alberta. I grew up in Fort McMurray, AB, and currently work for Capital Health Halifax in acute care Psychiatric-Mental Health. At twenty-three years, I convocated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and decided to move to a new region of Canada to kick off my healthcare career! I moved to nurse in Halifax largely because my employer offers a transition program for new nurses; indeed, I’ve always found Atlantic Canada intriguing, and this area in particular. Now I’m here to discover Halifax firsthand! What better way to make Halifax home than to volunteer with an organization that is committed to the community, and gives citizens the opportunity to say thank you?! I believe that embracing and participating in the community truly enriches the lived experience of its members, and when I heard about the Haliwards, I just knew I had to get involved.  I love to shop local, cook for friends, practice yoga, and sing. I feel so blessed to join a community that celebrates its members. As such, I’d like to extend a thank you for the warm welcome to Halifax, and an invitation for you to give back by recognizing those who make a difference in your community.

Hello everyone, I’m Megan Thain. I was born and raised here in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and have lived here for all 19 years of my life. I am currently enrolled in the Tourism Management program at the Nova Scotia Community College and I will be going into my second year of the program this upcoming fall. I am currently working two jobs. I work at the Empire Theatres in Dartmouth Crossing and have been working there since the building opening in June 2007! I am also currently working at the Delta Barrington Hotel in the House Keeping Dept. I have to do this job for my co op which is part of my course requirement for school but I am enjoying it. I really enjoy just being around people; It doesn’t take much to make me have fun. I’m often the type of person that people come to with their problems because people put a lot of trust in me and know that I’m always here to listen. Part of the reason I was interested in volunteering for the Haliwards project was because I’m one of those people that is always doing whatever I can to help out, and putting others before myself and I know how good it feels to have your hard work recognized and I want the people of Halifax to know that they are making a difference and that we all really appreciate their efforts.

• • My name is Heather Shay and I am currently attending NSCC(Nova Scotia Community College) taking Tourism and Hospitality Management. This course has opened up many opportunities; one of them being the Haliwards. Haliwards recongizes the people that make a difference in their communities. Haliwards acknowledges everyday people that dedicate time and effort to making their community a better place. It also provides everyone a chance to say thank you. I volunteered last year not knowing what I was getting my self into! Alex and his team were steadily working to make Haliwards a reality. Fourtunely,I was able to be a part of the ceremony presenting 2 awards. I am excited to be on the board this year continuing to give thanks to everyone who deserves it.

    My name is Jess Wishart. I was born in Halifax, and despite having done a fair bit of travelling, somehow I always end up coming back. It must be something about the atmosphere and the people, that indefinable appeal that makes this city and the people that live here so unique. I became involved with Haliwards as it seemed to me like a fantastic way to start characterizing that something special, starting with appreciating Haligonians for all the great things they do for others in work and play. I graduated from the University of King’s College and I currently work for the Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health as the Youth Engagement Coordinator. I can’t wait to start reading your nominations and learning more about all of the people that help make this city great!

  Hi, my name is Cassy Ellis-Browne, and I live here in Halifax. I was born in England, and moved here when I was six to be closer to our family here in Canada. I am a Tourism Management student at NSCC, my main focus being Food & Beverage. I heard about the Haliwards when an instructor of mine sent out an email asking for volunteers to help with Haliwards. I was really intrigued by the project and really wanted to be involved. I met up with Alex a few days later. It started out that I would just be helping with the planning, but I ended up presenting awards at the ceremony! It was really nervewracking, but seeing all the people accepting their awards and hearing all of the amazing things these people in our own community had done really inspired me. It was one of the best experiences I’ve had here in Halifax and I am glad to have met all the people working on this project. I believe the awards are so unique because as you may have heard “they have no boundaries”. It really is just for the people and it’s my honour to be a part of it.

Hello all! My name is Katie Radchuck and I was born and raised in Halifax. I traveled alot during my highschool years at the Halifax Grammar School since I was playing for the Junior Canadian National Soccer team. I moved to the USA to go to university at the University of Connecticut where I continued to play soccer as well as get my science degree in Physioneurobiology. I loved my time there but was excited to come back to Halifax where I have my family and many lifelong friends. I currently work as a mental health researcher for the SunLife Financial mental health team for the IWK. I also spend alot of my spare time volunteering for organizations and events I feel worthwhile to our community and the people who are a part of it. I was happy to be included as a track and field coach for the Special Olympics as well as spend my time as a committee member for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation helping create events to spread awareness and raise money. I am a proud Canadian and a very proud Haligonian. This is a phenomenal city to live in and I love the idea of the Haliwards as a way to celebrate anyone or anything! : ) in our community that make this such a wonderful place. Take a few seconds and recognize the people that have made a difference to you!