2015 Chestico Couple

Teresa and John van ZutphenThe Chestico Museum and Historical Society is pleased to honour Teresa and John vanZutphen as this year’s Chestico Couple.

Teresa grew up in Colindale. She was one of 9 children born to Florence (MacDonald) and Patrick Morris.

John was born in Holland to Elizabeth (van den Hoogen) and John van Zutphen. In 1951 the van Zutphen family made the decision to immigrate to Canada. They settled first in Ontario but in 1952 they bought a farm and moved to South West Mabou.

Teresa and John met through the Catholic Youth Organization in Port Hood. Soon wedding bells rang for the couple on July 3, 1965. They were married in St. Peter’s Church, Port Hood. Officiating at the marriage were Teresa’s brothers, Father Eugene and Deacon (later Father) Angus Morris as well as John’s brother, Father
Vincent.

After their marriage, Teresa and John settled in Port Hood. Teresa worked as a school teacher and John was kept busy with a contracting business he established with his brother, Ted in 1964. In 2014 Zutphen Contracting marked their 50th year in business. What began as a tiny contracting firm is now one of Atlantic Canada’s
largest construction companies. The success of the business was recognized this past June when John & Ted were inducted into the Cape Breton Business Hall of Fame.

Teresa and John raised a family of 3 daughters and 2 sons – Patrick, Maureen, Lorraine, Harvey and Sheila. Today they are also blessed with 19 grandchildren. John is now semi-retired. He and Teresa enjoy pursuing their various interests and always can be depended upon to help out in the community. Teresa is involved with
Palliative Care, the Inverness Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and St. Peter’s Parish C.W.L. John is a member of the Knights of Columbus #8275, serves St. Peter’s Parish as a Eucharistic Minister, is a member of Port Hood Development and is involved with the Al MacInnis Sports Centre – particularly with their annual golf
tournament.

Teresa and John, we are pleased you accepted our invitation to be this year’s Chestico Couple. Enjoy the experience and accept our congratulations as you celebrate fifty years of married life!

Next Event: Slideshow on Port Hood & WWI

WWI SlideshowAs part of Chestico Days, the Chestico Museum will present a narrated slideshow on Port Hood and the First World War. There were 151 men and women with a Port Hood connection who enlisted. We highlight contributions they made to the war effort.

The slideshow will take place on Thursday, July 30 at 7:30 PM at the museum.

Admission is $5/person. Tea and refreshments will be served following the presentation.

PLEASE NOTE: This replaces our Thursday evening ceilidh for this week only.

July 23, 2015 Ceilidh

JULY 23 PICThe fourth ceilidh of the Chestico Museum’s 2015 summer ceilidh series was held on July 23rd.

Wally Ellison was with us to launch his new publication, The Bras d’Or Lakes: Cape Breton’s Inland Sea. We were also happy that Wally brought along his pipes and played a few tunes.

The very talented Broussard Family was with us as well and were absolutely fantastic on fiddle and piano. What a talented group!

And we also had a great group of singers with us who performed a number of selections – Breagh Jenkins, Morgan, Cody Chandler and Kati vanZutphen.

You can view some photos of the evening on our Facebook page.

Next Ceilidh: July 23, 2015

July 23The fourth ceilidh of our 2015 summer ceilidh series will be Thursday, July 23 at 7 PM at the museum. The evening will also feature the launch of Wally Ellison’s new book, The Bras d’Or Lakes : Cape Breton’s Inland Sea.

This week we will feature:

Wally Ellison – Bagpipes

The Broussard Family – Fiddle & Dance

Breagh Jenkins & Morgan Morrison – Vocals & Guitar/Mandolin

Admission is $5. Tea and light refreshments will be served following the show.

Hope to see you there!

July 16, 2015 Ceilidh

11223948_929861060385329_4912467900211909381_nThe third ceilidh of the Chestico Museum’s 2015 summer ceilidh series was held on July 16th.

Dara Smith MacDonald was our fiddler and did a fine job as always. Dara has played at all of our Thursday evening ceilidhs since they began in 2007!

Dara brought Marcellin Chaisson along to accompany her on guitar. Lots of people were happy to see Marcellin as they remembered him well from his days working at the Port Hood Court House.

And we had the always entertaining Boys from the Hood with us – Edgar Cormier, Sandy Gillis and Gerard Walker. It is always a treat to hear them perform!

Glenda Campbell, a longtime friend and supporter of the Chestico Museum was in attendance and celebrating a birthday so all our performers joined in performing “Happy Birthday” to her.

You can view some photos of the evening on our Facebook page.

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