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Sir John Coape Sherbrooke Heritage Award - 1999
The Historic Sherbrooke Village Development Society presented the first Sir John Coape Sherbrooke Heritage Awards on Sunday, May 23, 1999 at the St. Mary's Lions Hall. Clary Croft and the late Lester V. Macdonald were honoured for their respective works in heritage preservation. Candace Stevenson, Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Museum, presented the awards to Mr. Croft and to Becky and David Macdonald, grandchildren of Mr Macdonald. The ceremony included a dinner and entertainment which featured a musical tribute to Clary Croft by the Sherbrooke Trio.
Clary Croft
Clary Croft was born in Sherbrooke on November 12, 1951 and attended school primarily in Halifax. He started singing in school and by his teens had become a founding member of Nova Scotia's famed folk group "The Privateers".
This group toured all over North America and beyond, performing Nova Scotia's music as far afield as Osaka, Japan at the World Expo. The Privateers also formed the nucleus of the chorus for CBC Television's long-running and popular "Singalong Jubilee". Clary was often a featured soloist along with musical luminaries such as Anne Murray, Gene MacLellan and Catherine McKinnon. His musical exploits alone make Clary Croft worthy of recognition, as one of our own who has done well in the great wide world.
"Clary Croft epitomizes those things the Society wishes to celebrate. Through his work with Dr. Helen Creighton and in collecting and sharing his many songs and stories, he has helped ensure that heritage and culture are valued in our society". - Nola Archibald
The story however, most definitely goes beyond Clary's wonderful singing voice. Over the years he has helped remind countless Nova Scotians that we have our own voice, our own stories, our own culture - and he has reminded us that they deserve to be celebrated!
"Clary Croft has indeed carried the torch passed on to him by Dr. Creighton, and continues to illuminate our lives by bringing to light gems of our culture which touch, amuse, entertain and inform us". - George Jordan
Lester Macdonald
Lester V. Macdonald was remembered as a lover of history who collected oral and written stories of the surrounding area. He was a founding member of the Sherbrooke Restoration Commission and served in several Board positions, including Chair. Mr. Macdonald was the one driving forces behind the initiative to make Sherbrooke Village Restoration become a reality. In addition to donating a considerable amount of archival material to Sherbrooke Village and the Nova Scotia Provincial Archives, Mr. Macdonald was instrumental in advancing the concept of establishing a living history museum in Sherbrooke. Lester was a person who was always willing to share his knowledge with any interested parties.
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