John Perham “J.P.” Messervey (1890-1982), mining engineer and government administrator, was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada October 6, 1890 to Albert Frederick Messervey and Miriam Louise (Perham) Messervey. A graduate of Nova Scotia Technical College, J.P. Messervey joined the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works and Mines in 1922 and became Deputy Inspector of Mines in 1936. He directed rescue operations at the Moose River mine disaster that same year. From 1947 to 1958, Messervey was Deputy Minister of Mines, retired in 1958. Messervey wrote 3 pamphlets on minerals in Nova Scotia, taught mining at the Nova Scotia Technical College in Halifax, NS (dates unknown), and was involved in creating films for training miners. He married Hilda Louise Massey (1913-1997) in 1965. He died in Halifax on September 6, 1982.
Evern Earl Bailly (1903-1977), artist/painter, was born July 8, 1903 in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia to Harris Edwin Bailly and Willetta Maud Curll. He contracted polio at the age of 3, left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. As a child he learned to draw and paint with the brush in his mouth, later took art lessons at Eastport, Maine, USA, from George Pearce Ennis in 1931. He painted in water colour and oils, specialized in seascapes, fishing scenes and coastal landscapes of Nova Scotia. He was mobile in a wheelchair, with the help of his younger brother Donald (Don) Bailly (1913-2007), and together they traveled extensively, including a trip on the schooner BLUENOSE to the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. Earl Bailly’s work has been exhibited in the National Gallery of Canada; Warm Springs Foundation, Georgia, USA; Dalhousie Art Gallery, Halifax, NS; Philadelphia Art Alliance; Four Arts Society of Palm Beach FL; many private collections and the former Earl Bailly Art Gallery in Bermuda. He was a member of the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists and the Nova Scotia Society of Artists. He received an honourary degree from St. Francis Xavier University in 1972. He died July 1, 1977 at his home in Lunenburg at age 74.
The Nova Scotia Physiotherapy Association (NSPA) is a professional healthcare organization and a branch of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA). Its role is to promote excellence in practice, serve as the voice and advocate for physiotherapists, physiotherapy residents, physiotherapy assistants and students across Nova Scotia. The Association is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors supported by an Executive Committee and two standing committees. Members who join CPA automatically become members of NSPA. Officially registered under the current name in 2009, it was previously known as the Nova Scotia Branch of the national association as far back as 1977. The Canadian Physiotherapy Association was founded in 1920.
Founded in 1951, the Canadian Association of University Teachers (C.A.U.T.) is the national voice for academic staff representing 70,000 teachers, librarians, researchers, general staff and other academic professionals at some 123 universities and colleges across the country. CAUT is an outspoken defender of academic freedom and works actively in the public interest to improve the quality and accessibility of post-secondary education in Canada.
William (Bill) Perrot was born in 1953, in Portsmouth, Virginia. He grew up in Petersburg, Virginia,. Bill graduated from Westminster Choir College Princeton, NJ, in 1975 and has been involved in school, church, and community choirs since his arrival in Nova Scotia that same year. It was in 1982 as past-president of the Nova Scotia Choral Federation (NSCF) that he met Liz Batstone who joined the NSCF as Executive Director. Liz welcomed Bill to stay with her family when they had NSCF meetings, and Bill became a friend of the Family. Bill lives in the Annapolis Valley at present, and remains active in the choral world.
Elizabeth (Liz) Batstone was born in 1945, in Greenspond, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland. Her love of choral singing started with Church and school choirs, and continued throughout her life. In 1982, Liz’ husband Munden was accepted into a master’s program at Dalhousie University, and they moved to Halifax temporarily so he could pursue his degree. While in Halifax, Liz took a job as Executive Director of the NSCF, where she met Bill. When Liz and her family moved to St. John’s Newfoundland in 1986, Liz began working with the Newfoundland Government, spending nearly 10 years as the Assistant Deputy Minister of Culture. In 1999, Liz and Munden moved back to Nova Scotia, settling in Bedford, where they remain.