Lieutenant-Governor Presents Awards in Sherbrooke Village

TOURISM/CULTURE--Lieutenant-Governor Presents Awards in Sherbrooke Village

Two Nova Scotians who played significant roles in the early development of Historic Sherbrooke Village were honoured during the long weekend at the second edition of the Sir John Coape Sherbrooke Heritage Awards.

Lt.-Gov. Myra Freeman presented the awards to Frank Jordan of Sherbrooke and Harold Verge of Bedford during a ceremony at the historic village restoration on Saturday.

The awards are presented every second year to honour significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of the heritage of Historic Sherbrooke Village, Guysborough County and Nova Scotia.

"Nova Scotians should take pride in their culture," Lt.-Gov. Freeman said in presenting the awards. "We are a hard-working, selfless, fun-loving people -- qualities passed down through the generations, and we hope to pass them on to future generations. Sherbrooke Village hopes to ensure Nova Scotia''s past will not be forgotten."

Mr. Jordan operated the general store in Sherbrooke for over 20 years and has been active in numerous community organizations. He is a life member and honourary director of the Historic Sherbrooke Village Development Society, which organizes the biennial Awards.

Both he and Mr. Verge were members of the Sherbrooke Restoration Commission in its formative years.

Mr. Verge, widely recognized as "the grandfather of community economic development" in Nova Scotia, was one of the first proponents of a historic restoration in Sherbrooke. He undertook the first feasibility study of the project and was responsible for writing the draft legislation of the Sherbrooke Village Restoration Act.

The event was held on-site for the first time, with dinner in the Temperance Hall, and a post-event reception at the Exhibit Centre.

The next Sir John Coape Sherbrooke Awards ceremony is scheduled for the fall of 2003.

The awards and the village are named after Sir John Coape Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia''s lieutenant-governor during the War of 1812.