Steve Jess Photography Blog: December 2013

My blog post updates have been lacking in the last little while. Here with pictures is basically what I have been up to photographically over the last three or four months. Click on the pictures to enlarge in your browser.

Chester Race Week - Aug 16/2013

"Since the sea gives Chester its character, sailing naturally occupies a position of importance here. Yacht racing has been a major summer sport in Chester for well over 150 years. Its roots are firmly planted in the mid 19th century when the fishermen raced each other to markets in Halifax or New England.

As sailors and fishermen have been wont to do since time immemorial, they loved to get together and talk shop. Sailing races for pleasure and bragging rights was inevitable. As the gatherings and races occurred more regularly, the Annual Fishermen’s Regatta was born. The regatta was a show case for locally built boats of different designs, as well as for sailing skills.

The first documented regatta was in 1856. It is reported to have been attended by 3,000 people who participated in a parade, amusements, land races as well as the sea races. In 1858 a rowing race for ladies was added and a dance took place at the Mulgrave Inn which had been hosting guests from Europe, US and Canada since 1820. In 1860 the press reported the regatta pleasures were “enhanced by a large party consisting of 150, accompanied by the city band, who arrived in the steamer ‘Neptune’ from Halifax”. In 1885 the two day regatta had boats from Mahone Bay, Lunenburg as well as from the two Tancooks. The big excitement was a circus which featured a hand cranked Ferris wheel on the parade ground. According to the Lunenburg newspaper, the 1888 Annual Regatta attracted 2,000 spectators who weretreated to “the closest and most exciting match of its kind ever witnessed in the South Shore”.

After CYC was established in 1902, it became the focal point for racing. Charter member Ned Fader remembers, “Citizens donated prizes: 100 pounds of sugar, a barrel of flour, maybe a little cash. A boat crew could get a wonderful view on life for a dollar ... best of ale, fifty cents a gallon, good rum at one dollar a quart. They were all good God-fearing people, but they did not let it spoil their lives too much.” In 1902 there were 5 classes for racing yachts based on the old Rater Rule (water line and sail area) As interest increased and designs evolved, competitive requirements led to more classes, designs and sizes". ( http://chesteryachtclub.ca/ )

In the last 6 or 7 years or so, Lunenburg has been one of my favourite places to visit because of the artistic community and photographic opportunities. The last weekend of Aug., Sandra and myself celebrated her birthday by staying at the Lunenburg Inn for two nights.

The Lunenburg Inn. Estimated stay per night between
$150 and $170 dollars.

The Lunenburg Wooden boat races.

The Fisheries museum and Old Fish Factory restaurant.

Downtown Lunenburg

Lunenburg Waterfront

Lunenburg waterfront and golf course.

"History of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

The first mention of a settlement in what would later become the town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia was in the early 1600s. At that time, it was an Acadian/Mi’kmaq village named Mirligueche. After recurring hostilities between the French and English, Nova Scotia’s governor, Edward Cornwallis, ordered the village of wooden houses destroyed. In its place, a British fortress was erected to guard the harbour. However, the British recognized the area’s value as a settlement:

Foreign Protestants were encouraged to settle the area in a town that would be named Lunenburg, in honour of King George II, Duke of Brunschweig-Lunenburg.

Lunenburg would quickly become known as a major shipbuilding centre, with local mills supplying the wood needed to build some of the most impressive sailing ships ever designed. Among these was the famous Bluenose, a fishing and racing schooner built in 1921 that would remain undefeated in international racing for 17 years. The Bluenose lives on on the Canadian dime, while her replica, the Bluenose II has gone on to act as Nova Scotia’s sailing ambassador around the world and continues to call Lunenburg home.

As the use of wooden vessels fell in favour to steel steamships, the town evolved to become a modern ship repair and outfitting port, especially during the First and Second World Wars and to the Province’s trawler fleet. Today, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia is very much a town where the past meets the present. Seventy percent of the original buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries continue to greet visitors with their colourful facades. As a result, the town has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a fitting tribute to the lasting history nestled alongside this

tranquil harbour". (http://www.novascotia.com/en/home/ourregions/ourregions/southshore/lunenburgnovascotia.aspx)

On Sept. 11 of this year I had the priveledge of photographing East Coast Living magazines cover and story feature of a Halifax couple who downsized from a large home in the south end of Halifax to a smaller renovated victorian style home.

Myself photographing the cover. Photo by Janice Hudson

East Coast Living Winter edition

Photo by Steve Jess

Owners Catherine Clark and Edward Mowbray

relaxing in their Kitchen

One of three bedrooms in this home.

Front Entrance and Hallway

Visit East Coast Livings webpage;

http://eastcoastliving.ca/

This October past, I winterized my RV in Chester where it resides for 6 months or so. Chester has a great skateboard park where I stop and take a few shots when passing through.