An amazing day

Our build may be over but our spirits are still high. The build was a wonderful day and so many people from the community came to help make our community a better place to live. Our final total was 243 men, women and children helped create the new Vaughn Vantassell Memorial Park.

The sun shone nearly all day and there were no problems that couldn't be solved immediately. It was a great day in Digby and one we will all remember for a long time.

Thank you for being a part of Build day whether you helped raise money or were there in body or spirit.

A Smile for Vaughn

Tim Hortons has started the smile cookie sales this week. You can purchase a smile cookie for $1 with all the proceeds going to the memorial park. Buy a smile for Vaughn Sept 21-27 and help build the playground!

Register NOW

If you have been thinking about helping build the playground NOW is your opportunity to sign up. We are in need of people helping with the kids activities, fence, playground build and more. We need everyone to sign up so that we know how many people will be served lunch. If you don't sign up, we may run out of food for everyone so please register today.

Ian Hill visits Digby!

On the beautiful sunny day of Friday Sept 11, Ian Hill found Digby. After taking a self guided tour of Digby, we met with Ian at the build site along with Courier reporter Leanne Delong, to talk about the area and the project. Ian commented on what a perfect spot it was to have the playground built as it seemed to be in the center of a recreation complex with the arena, pool, curling club, soccer field and baseball field all right there.

We continued on to the Digby Fire Hall for a meet n greet with Town officials and the Vantassell family. Terry Filmore baked up some bacon wrapped scallops donated by Superstore and were enjoyed by all. Ian was given the grand tour of the Fire Dept and was able to talk with Jeff Vantassell more about his father. After talking about the project with all those present and what we have accomplished in such a short time of only 11 weeks since being given the Let Them Be Kids Award, we enjoyed a potluck supper together. Ian was presented with a steamed lobster and a few gifts of the Maritimes to help him at his next lobster feast. The MOPS committee also gave Ian an official MOPS committee shirt for all the guidance he has given us.

We were all very excited to meet with Ian and when he told us the story about his arrival in Halifax Airport, we were even happier to be a part of this great community uplift. You see, when Ian arrived at a very early hour on Friday morning he was waiting for the car rental place to open and was talking with someone who worked the counter. When Ian was telling this man that he was travelling to Digby to meet with everyone and told him about the project and that we were honouring Vaughn Vantassell. The man smiled and said "I know that man. They made a good choice." We all realized even more how special Vaughn was and how far reaching he became. It makes us very proud to honor him in this way.

Ian Hill with Mayor Ben Cleveland and Councilor Jean Brittain at Digby Fire Hall.

Ian and his taste of Digby with a lobster feast after enjoying specially made bacon wrapped scallops.

The younger children flocked to Ian at supper time because he was fun to talk to and more likely because he shared his lobster and lemons with them.

50/50 Winner and Buzz Cut success

During Wharf Rat Rally volunteers helped sell tickets for a special 50/50 draw to help build the playground. Many people from the area and out of town bought tickets and made the total grow to $643!

The final prize of $321.50 goes to Carol Higgins of Digby.

Thank you to our volunteers who helped raise the money for the playground and thank you to those who purchased tickets.


Aralee's hairstyling helped raise money for the playground on Friday of the wharf Rat Rally by offering Buzz Cuts for $5. Many people took part in the effort and were able to show off the shortened locks during the rally. The total raised was $225.
Thank You Aralee for hosting this great event and for helping to build the playground!

Wharf Rat Rally Weekend Fundraisers

On Friday Aralee's Hair Styling, downtown Digby will be having a Buzz cut for $5.00 to raise money for the Playground.

On Saturday and maybe Sunday, Sobeys will be having a BBQ to raise money for the Playground. Also on Friday they will be starting a round up program at the cash register for everyone to be able to help raise money for the playground.

We also are doing a 50/50 draw this weekend . The tickets will be sold by some members and also outside Digby Convenience Store.

Tickets will be $1 each, 6 for $5 or an arms length for $10. The longer the arm the more tickets you get!