Maritimers mark February holiday with family time, reflection

Joseph Willie Comeau, one of the longest-serving politicians in Canadian history, is pictured. (Nova Scotia government)

With sunny skies and a fresh layer of snow, conditions were perfect on Monday to spend the February holiday enjoying the outdoors.

This was true whether you were at the annual Jack Frost Winterfest in Charlottetown or on Cape Breton Island at a popular sledding hill in the south end of Sydney, N.S.

“We’re having a great holiday,” said sledder Ian Gouthro. “We figured we would get out and start enjoying the snow - sledding, fresh snow. I snow-blowed all this morning, so now it’s time to have fun.”

Just down the street, a young man wearing a Nathan MacKinnon Team Canada jersey offered some hint about how he was spending his day off.

“A little bit of Olympics watching in the morning and afternoon, and then probably going out and meeting up with my grandparents,” said Colin MacKinnon.

This year’s honouree for Nova Scotia Heritage Day is Dianne Thibault’s late grandfather.

“For the past years, we’ve been learning about others. This year, it’s my grand-père’s turn,” she said on Monday.

Joseph Willie Comeau spent nearly 60 years in elected office - advocating for Acadian communities and culture first as an MLA for Digby County, then as a Senator until his death in 1966 at the age of 89.

“At the time when he was living, and even when we were growing up, Acadians didn’t have the status that we have now in the province,” Thibault added.

Thibault was only five years old when her grandfather passed away.

However, she remembers him fondly and says her phone was blowing up with people who either knew of her grand-père’s accomplishments -or in some cases, had just looked him up for the first time.

“It shows the importance of recognizing our contributors, and I’m glad that the province chose Heritage Day for the long weekend to commemorate our heroes,” Thibault said.

In New Brunswick, it was Family Day.

For Islander Day on Prince Edward Island, the city of Charlottetown gave out several free tickets to the Jack Frost Winterfest, giving families the chance to enjoy the fun without financial barriers.

The theme of using the February holiday to focus on time spent with loved ones was also easy to find in the Sydney-area and throughout Nova Scotia.

“Kinda just relaxing - my brother is coming home today too, so that will be nice,” MacKinnon said.

“We’re actually heading to see my in-laws and then we’re also going to see my parents as well, so big family day for the family,” Gouthro added.

Comeau’s legacy will be further honoured during a community event in Church Point, N.S. on Feb. 21.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page