WOW 723,571 votes!

 Updated: 11/04/2010

 

The organizers of Lawrencetown for Hockeyville 2010 would like to express their gratitude and thanks to all who participated in a tremendous effort to capture the CBC Kraft Hockeyville crown this year! 

Individuals, businesses, schools, organizations and government supporters came together in a tremendous effort that generated a gigantic 723,571 votes for the Lawrencetown bid; an extraordinary amount of support for this small village in the heart of Nova Scotia’s beautiful Annapolis Valley.

 We were overwhelmed by the support of individuals who shared with us their stories and memories of our little community rink, and the extended family of supporters from around the world who were touched by the efforts of a small village to maintain a place for their children, a place built by dedicated community volunteers here forty years ago.

 We cannot fully express how much the loving support from all around us, and from far away, has energized and touched us. Achieving the position of fourth in the country, with a tiny population of 690 at the core of the effort, was a spectacular feat that we are all very proud to have shared with our children. Our young people have seen what great things can be accomplished when we all believe, and work, together. That is why we feel like the winners today.

 We were blessed to meet some wonderful people from Kraft Hockeyville and CBC this past weekend during our celebrations at the rink. Rob and Mathieu, we are indebted to you for your great sense of humour and the enthusiasm you brought to your visit. To ALL of the CBC crew, including our celebrities, thank you for the kind way in which you entered our village and how much you enjoyed your time with us.

 To all our supporters, we extend our gratitude to you, as you extended your hearts to us. Our work, and our journey continue forward, as we write the next page in the life of our community.

 Martha Roberts, Todd Roberts, Lynn Roscoe and Keith Veinott

 

 

     

 

 

We're in the news over and over again!  Here's the latest!

Here is the fire truck video they shot in Lawrencetown:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=381099605939&oid=320927753373

And Travis' interview on Mainstreet:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150159164445114&oid=320927753373

And Larry Powell's editorial:
http://bit.ly/coKaN0
 

 

Many Thanks:
The Nova Scotia Community College Annapolis Valley Campus set up community voting centers at both their locations (295 Commercial Street Middleton, and 50 Elliot Road Lawrencetown). THANKS to Nina, Maureen, Janice and Jim Stanley for their fantastic support!!

The Annapolis valley Regional Library opened the doors at the Lawrencetown Branch for voting all this week.  Thanks for the extra time!

Simon has his new song (The Little Rink That Could) recorded by some young electric guitar players
 

Check out the Spectator news article about
Lawrencetown making it to the Final Five!

 

 

On Facebook, visit the Lawrencetown for Hockeyville 2010 Facebook group

Let’s Show Canada that Nova Scotia is the Hockey Capital

Do you want your very own copy of the Lawrencetown for Hockeyville Poster?
If you'd like to help promote Lawrencetown in your community, please feel free to copy
the poster to distribute. Thanks for your help - we appreciate it!!

 

Martha Roberts began this journey for us with the very first story on Kraft Hockeyville's Lawrencetown page. She motivated people to add their stories and remembrances of this special place. We have included her first story on this page.
Since then, people have written stories and songs, taken pictures and filmed videos about our little rink. Larry Powell has written a nice article about the Hockeyville experience called   "The Little Rink That Could" He placed it on Facebook and we have included it here on our page as well for your enjoyment.

 

 
Dave and Paulette Whitman have published a number of books about the area through Bailey Chase Books. Dave has graciously given us permission to reproduce Chapter 4 - Hockey from his book School on The Hill Volume 2 which is all about Hockey in the area.   There are some great photos and lots of names of people we know well. Thanks to you both for your support!

There's a neat addition to the Shinny Hockey family called Sarah Loves Hockey
Really cute video about getting to the rink!

Lawrencetown Youth Arena

Our "new to us" zamboni wouldn't have happened without the dedication of some great
volunteers in this community. Todd Roberts would like to thank them for their dedicated
work in making this happen!

Todd would like to thank:
Keith Veinott
Chris Hamilton
Dylan Hamilton
Martha Roberts
Darrin Rice
Troy Johnson
Kevin Veinott
Special thanks to Dave Baker and Sib Pye.

 

Our Zamboni!


       
       

Check out more photos and stories on Facebook

Here's some neat stuff that relates to our rink and Hockeyville 2010:
 

Videos (Links)

Music (Link)

Stories (Links)

Lawrencetown Hockeyville Tribute
Shinny Hockey kids
CBC Top 12 segment 

Youth Arena
Santa and the Zamboni

Lawrencetown Rink song

Ashley Charlton’s story on her blog
Courtney-Anne’s Shinny Hockey story 

 

There are a great number of people we would like to thank for all the support they are showing our Village and our Rink during the CBC-Kraft Hockeyville Competition. Of course the 2920 members of our Facebook group are right up there along with those listed below. If you're a supporter that we haven't added to the website, or thanked on Facebook, PLEASE send an email to terrafor@ca.inter.net and let us know. We'll add you as quick as a wink! THANKS!
 

   


Government

Karen Casey, MLA and NS Progressive Conservative Leader
Greg Kerr, MP
Steve McNeil, MLA and NS Liberal Leader 
Bridgetown Town Council
Lawrencetown Village Commission
Municipality of Annapolis County
NS Health Promotion and Protection

Organizations
Acadia Minor Hockey Association
Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency
Annapolis Valley Regional Library
Annapolis Valley Regional School Board
Bridgetown Regional High School
Centre of Geographic Sciences (NSCC-Lawrencetown)
Centre of Geographic Sciences (NSCC - Middleton)

Lawrencetown Consolidated School
Lawrencetown United Baptist Church
Lawrencetown Volunteer Fire Department
Middleton Regional High School
Publish It! Lawrencetown 

Western Valley Minor Hockey Association

Media Promoters
AVR 97.7 radio
K-ROCK 89.3 radio
Magic 94.9 radio
Q104 radio 

Media Coverage
CBC-TV Halifax with Phonse Jessome
CBC Radio One – Information Morning Nova Scotia
Chronicle Herald with Glen Parker
Nova News with Larry Powell


 


 

 

 

Businesses (Signs/Posters/Vehicles/Ads)

AJ’s Convenience (Lawrencetown)
B&H (Kingston)
Bailey Chase Books (Dave&Paulette Whitman - Paradise)
Big Scoop (Middleton)
Bridgetown Arena (Bridgetown)
Bruce Chev-Olds (Middleton)
Canadian Tire (Bridgewater)
Canadian Tire (Greenwood)
Capitol Lounge and Grill (Middleton)
Carleton Road Industries Association (Lawrencetown)
CarQuest (Nictaux)
Cinnamon Creek (Middleton)
Den Haan’s Nursery (Middleton)
Digby Arena
Fundy Ford (Middleton)
Fundy Spray Motel (Middleton)
Glooscap Arena (Canning)
Grave's Valu Foods (Bridgetown)
Greenwood Arena
Home Hardware (Middleton)
Kingston Arena
Lawrencetown Motors (Lawrencetown)
Lawrencetown Pharmasave (Lawrencetown)
Lawrencetown Restaurant (Lawrencetown)
Loomers Pumping (Kingston)
MFI Advertising (Lawrencetown)
Middleton Arena (Middleton)
Mid Valley Motel (Middleton)
Napa Auto Parts (Middleton)
Neily’s Greenhouses (Paradise)
Parsons Motors (Middleton)
Pasta Jax (Middleton)
Pharmasave (Lawrencetown & Middleton)
Rice's Auto Glass (Bridgetown)
Rona (Middleton)
Savage Oil (Middleton)
Scotiabank (Middleton)
Sobeys (Greenwood)
Sobeys (Bridgewater)
Sobeys (Digby)
Spurrs Auto (Brickton)
T&S Office Essentials (Kingston)
TerraForma (Lawrencetown)
Tim Hortons (Digby)
Tim Hortons (Middleton)
Triple Play Tax Service (Lawrencetown)
Valley Ford (New Minas)
Valley Industries (Lawrencetown)
What's Your Sign? (Lawrencetown)
Yarmouth Mariner's Centre

Website/Forum Promoters
RecipeZaar
This’n That and Scrapbook Chat

 

Where are you from??
You, our voters, come from all over the world! Here are the places you've told us you live in but we're sure there are many more to add to this list! Please let us know, on the Facebook discussion thread, or by email to terrafor@ca.inter.net, and we'll add your place too!!
Canada
------
Aldergrove, British Colombia
Alexandria, Ontario
Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia
Aylesford, Nova Scotia
Bedford, Nova Scotia
Bridgetown, Nova Scotia
Brooklyn, Nova Scotia
Burlington, Ontario
Calgary, Alberta
Charlottetown, PEI
Clarence, Nova Scotia
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Digby, Nova Scotia
Graywood, Nova Scotia
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Hubley, Nova Scotia
Kamloops, British Colombia
Kentville, Nova Scotia
Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia
Meteghan, Nova Scotia
Middleton, Nova Scotia
Mississauga, Ontario
Moncton, New Brunswick
Mount Hanley, Nova Scotia
Oakville, Ontario
Paradise, Nova Scotia
Parksville, British Colombia
Pointe-de-l'Église, Nouvelle Ecosse (Nova Scotia!)
St. Thomas, New Brunswick
Toronto, Ontario
Ottawa, Ontario
Saint John, New Brunswick
Saskatchewan
Squamish, British Colombia
Stanley, New Brunswick
Toronto, Ontario
Victoria, British Colombia
West Paradise, Nova Scotia
Willowdale, Ontario
Wilmot, Nova Scotia
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

 
USA
---
Acadia, New Jersey
Boise, Idaho
Charlottesville, Virginia
Colorado
Edgar, Nebraska

El Paso, Texas
Gulf Breeze, Florida
Illinois
Louisiana (North East)
Maine (Southern)
Maryland
Memphis, Tennessee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nebraska
New York
North Carolina
Olympic Penn, Washington
Philadelphia
Rockford, Michigan
Pennsylvania
Sacramento, California
San Diego, California
San Jose, California
Snohomish, Washington
Tacoma, Washington
Tampa, Florida
Washington State
Westchester County, New York
Wisconsin

Worldwide
---------
Australia
Barbados
Beijing, China
Botswana
Coromandel, New Zealand
Costa Rica
Exeter, United Kingdom
Italy
Newcastle, NSW Australia
Romania
South Wales, GB
Switzerland
Thailand
United Kingdom
 

 

For the Love of Hockey

Submitted by Martha Roberts, Lawrencetown, Annapolis County, NS

       The building of the Lawrencetown Exhibition Youth Arena began in 1970. Previous to its construction the hockey teams had to rely on a open rink. The proposal to construct the indoor arena was made by volunteers in the community, who recognized the need for the community to have a sheltered and more adequately equipped place for people to skate and play hockey.

    Over the next two years a pole barn structure was erected and a ice plant was purchased through loans and dedicated volunteers. Through the years volunteers have worked tirelessly at fund raising and maintaining the arena in this small community.

    The season begins with erecting the boards and players boxes, laying of the pipes and leveling the gravel, then the flooding with a hose begins. With community spirit and volunteers the work load is lightened.

    Today with volunteers hardwork and dedication we have improved hockey programs for all ages. We have gentlemen's hockey two days a week, three shinning hockey teams consisting of 60 kids of all ages, female hockey and 4 on 4 once a week plus public skating twice a week along with other skating programs. We have three tournaments over the season including the Lawrencetown Cup.

    The hockey spirit in our small community is HUGE, making sure people of all ages have the opportunity to play this great sport.

    As a child growing up in this small village I remember always being at the rink either playing on the girls team or watching my four brothers play. The colder the weather the more blankets we took to keep warm and the more hot chocolate we drank. The excitement of the fans and enthusiasm of the community continues to keep this arena going. As the season of hockey comes to an end, the work of volunteers continue with disassembling the rink, rolling up the pipes and taking down the boards, shoveling and sweeping out the gravel after everything is put in its place its time to get prepared for our major fundraiser where a canteen is ran for a week at our exhibition by volunteers. This fundraiser helps with upgrades and maintenance of our arena.

    This arena is the heart and soul of our community. A great reason why we should be Kraft Hockeyville 2010. With dedicated volunteers and community spirit we will keep trying to upgrade this old arena for future generations to have a place to play this great sport of hockey and skate.

 

The Little Rink That Could

As Lawrencetown, Annapolis County waits for word that it’s made it into CBC Kraft Hockeyville’s Final 5, an amazing story of support for the underdog has emerged, not just from the surrounding area but from Nova Scotia and literally from around the world.

It all started with CBC Kraft Hockeyville’s March 15 broadcast in which the Lawrencetown Exhibition Youth Arena was announced late in the program as one of four wildcards, putting it up against 11 other contenders of much larger proportions from across Canada.

The segment on Lawrencetown focused on the rink’s newest find – a Zamboni hauled out of the woods, fixed up by local volunteers, and driven down Highway 1 in the pouring rain to be the centerpiece of the community’s Christmas in the Village celebrations in December.

Almost immediately the Lawrencetown for Hockeyville Facebook page took off with literally hundreds of members signing up. By mid-afternoon March 22 there were 2,127 followers and most of them had been voting non-stop until Sunday night’s voting cutoff. They’ll find out Saturday evening if Lawrencetown will be in the top five.

“IF we are in the Top 5,” asked Lynn Roscoe on Facebook. “Of course we will be!”

Roscoe was one of the rink committee’s members spearheading the Hockeyville bid and kept the Facebook enthusiasm up all last week and into the final hours of voting Sunday evening.

Bridgetown Regional High School student and Lawrencetown resident Brittany Veniott started the Facebook page.

Facebook member Karen Foley-Townsend was amazed at Lawrencetown’s support: “I think the whole thing is just awesome,” she wrote. “A whole province coming together for one common goal! I believe we will make the Top 5!”

Simon Goodfellow, another Facebook fan, wrote a song about Lawrencetown and Hockeyville which he posted as an audio file and took to jam sessions across the Valley last week. Andre Bouchard posted a video on YouTube showing kids playing shinny hockey in Lawrencetown, and several other videos were posted either on the Facebook site or on YouTube. And it seemed everybody had pictures to upload as dozens of Youth Arena experiences were posted to the photo album. 

FANTASTIC STORY

“We have a fantastic story to tell,” Goodfellow wrote on Facebook. “You've all done a brilliant job finding and presenting the story. Someone needs to tell the Facebook story to the national and international press so they have it ready as soon as the Top 5 are selected. Miniscule town gets noticed on Facebook and makes the last five of the competition with its old seasonal ice rink that isn't anywhere near big enough or equipped enough to hold the prize game. “

He described it a triumph of the community -- David over the commercial Goliaths. “It’s what social networking is all about. It's in the mold of United Breaks Guitars, another NS phenomena. Then we need to mobilize people to vote across the world.”

 FACEBOOK COMMENTS

Facebook comments regarding Lawrencetown have been many and varied – many talking about community spirit:

“What a good feeling of pride for our little village,” wrote Paulette Chase Whitman. “Lawrencetown ... a little village with a wonderful heritage. This is one more page in its history.”

Hilary Campbell stuck to her computer for hours and hours passing the word and voting, voting, voting. When the voting deadline came she took a rest:

“And we're done!,” she wrote.

But she was in for some bad news because just minutes before that, rink committee chair Keith Veniott posted the news that that very night the rink had been broken into.

“I just returned from our rink. We were broke into tonight,” he said “Luckily very little damage.”

“Very sorry to hear about the break-in,” wrote Campbell, “hope the guy(s) get caught. Now it's off to bed. Good luck, Lawrencetown! No matter what happens, you should be proud of what you've accomplished here!”

Roscoe  thanked all the Facebook members.

“We cannot sufficiently express our gratitude to you all for the support you have thrown behind us through this long week,” she said. “Without you, we are small. With you, we are tremendous :-)”

Diana Ackroyd, a Facebook member and avid Lawrencetown backer was one of those Roscoe was talking about. Ackroyd reported support for Lawrencetown from as far away as Ontario; El Paso, Texas; Saskatchewan; Tacoma, Washington; Gulf Breeze, Florida; all across Canada; San Jose, California. There was also Lawrencetown support from the United Kingdom and even Romania.

“We cannot sufficiently express our gratitude to you all for the support you have thrown behind us through this long week. Without you, we are small. With you, we are tremendous :-)” - Lynn Roscoe on Facebook

Radio stations across Nova Scotia were promoting the Lawrencetown bid and urging listeners to vote. Nova Scotia Liberal Leader and Annapolis MLA Stephen McNeil challenged other political parties to back Lawrencetown, and a little while later Progressive Conservative leader Karen Casey took up the challenge. Liberal MLA Leo Glavine is from Bishops Fall, Nfld., also in the Final 12, but he said Friday evening that he’s supporting Lawrencetown.

A Herald story Sunday also showcased Lawrencetown and gave voting information and signs from Berwick to Annapolis Royal backed the tiny village.

 SMALL COMMUNITY

Lawrencetown has a population of under 700, and its Youth Arena, built by community volunteers, was opened 40 years ago with a second-hand ice plant.

Todd Roberts, another member of the Lawrencetown Exhibition Youth Arena committee, said late Monday that his tiny group has been overwhelmed by the support the Lawrencetown bid has received, and urged The Spectator to thank on their behalf everybody, locally and around the world.

Making the Top 5 would mean a prize of $25,000 to put towards upgrades. Winning CBC Kraft Hockeyville 2010 would mean $100,000.

In the Top 12 are: Cranbrook, BC; Yellowknife, NWT; Alexandria, ON; Dundas, ON; Stanstead, PQ; Chateauguay, PQ; Sishops’ Falls, Nfld.; Tri-County, NB; Lawrencetown, NS; Blackfalds, AB; Drumondville, PQ; and Timmins, ON.

Voting for the top five -- for the winner -- runs between March 27 and March 31.