ANTIGONISH, N.S. — ANTIGONISH - Long before an international fast food chain coined the term, Bo Chisholm had established himself as a sandwich artist. Starting in the 1960s, as part of the rich history of the Antigonish Highland Games (AHG), the tireless volunteer has made thousands of submarine sandwiches to satisfy Scottish heavy events athletes and volunteers.
“He guarded them closely,” Bill Kiely said, with a laugh, of the coolers of food and drinks Chisholm brought to Columbus Field.
That weekend watch was the culmination of a culinary process that began in the Chisholm kitchen on Xavier Drive.
“The family became an assembly line,” Kiely quipped of the group effort to ensure everyone was nourished on Games’ weekend.
He noted Chisholm took his duties as convenor seriously, which had always been appreciated by everyone involved.
Liz Chisholm – Bo’s wife – was one of those who spent plenty of time on that assembly line, while also carrying out other duties as a member of Games’ committee and Antigonish Highland Society (AHS).
A longtime AHS executive member, who also served as president, she was also a mainstay at Columbus Field, where she helped keep the Highland dancing competition running smoothly, including announcing the prize winners.
Liz, who was made a life member of the AHS in 2008, is founding member of the society’s foundation – which provides bursaries to individuals and groups – and Games’ hall of fame.
As Kiely described, the couple was “integral” contributors to the International Gathering of the Clans, which the AHS hosted in 1979.
They have also been key members of Clan Chisholm and its work.
“It has been a lifetime of volunteering,” Kiely said, noting the couple has contributed more than 100 years to the AHS and its Games.
They were honoured Dec. 1 during the annual St. Andrews Day dinner at the East Coast Credit Union Enterprise Centre in Antigonish, another event the couple helped organize over the years, along with the Robbie Burns’ celebrations.
Kiely noted they helped organize the now defunct Highland Ball – a mainstay of the Games – which featured bands such as Henry Snook and the Happy Go Luckies.
Bo also served on what Kiely called the “pre-game committee,” which prepared the Columbus Field grounds, including plenty of post holes and fencing, for the Games.
“Their dedication has been incredible,” Kiely said.
When she took the podium, Liz described the recognition as “really overwhelming.”
“We are very, very proud” she said.
Liz described their volunteerism as a “labour of love.”
Fittingly, their presentation wrapped up with a performance by their granddaughter Scout McKee, a Highland dancer who has garnered several awards at the Games.
‘Always there’
The AHS also honoured Scottish heavy events stalwart Marty Gilfoy of Williams Point for his contributions.
“You were always there for me,” Leo MacDonald, who read the honoree’s citation, said.
MacDonald, a longtime contributor to the sport and the Games in his own right, praised Gilfoy for his accomplishments – not only as a competitor, but also as a coach, official and judge.
“We took the show on the road,” MacDonald said of the Old Scotian Heavy Events Association of the early 1980s.
Sponsored by Oland’s Brewery and piled into a van provided by Eastern Auto, Gilfoy was one of the athletes MacDonald chauffeured around the Maritimes. The group of Antigonish athletes promoted and grew the sport at various festivals, starting with their debut at Judique on the Floor Days.
After the 10-time Maritime champion retired from competition, Gilfoy turned his attention to coaching, serving as the mentor for three-time Canadian champion and world caber toss winner Doug MacDonald.
In 1996, the pair established the junior heavy events program, with Greg Hadley of Antigonish the most-accomplished graduate of that program. He went on to capture six national championship trophies.
“You were always prepared,” MacDonald said of his contributions to the Games.
Along with his judging prowess, he added, Gilfoy had the ability to rectify any situation, including broken equipment that cropped up. “You helped keep the momentum of Games going,” MacDonald said.
Gilfoy said he was “overwhelmed” by the recognition.
“I didn’t see this coming,” he added after accepting his plaque.
Crediting his wife, Barbie, he said “I couldn’t have done it without her.”
“I just had to jump in the car and go,” Gilfoy remembered of how she helped ready him to head off to any competition.
When it comes to his involvement with Scottish heavy events, which he described as a “labour of love,” Gilfoy said “it has been a blast.”
New executive
During the St. Andrews day dinner, which included the traditional Address to the Haggis, provided this year by Peter MacKenzie after the Scottish delicacy was piped in by Scott Williams, Donald MacDougall and Robert Cochrane, the AHS also introduced its new executive. Bill Fraser is president, while Carol Anne MacKenzie will serve as vice-president/secretary, while Harley MacCaull (treasurer), David Smith (Antigonish Highland Games), Robert Cochrane (Chief of the Clans), Gerarda MacDonald (director), Darren Thompson (director), Duncan MacDonald (director), Irene MacLeod (director) and Paul Boyd (director) make up the executive.
New board members are Joe MacDonald and Johnann LeBlanc.
Michael MacIsaac, Fiona MacLean and Brian MacDonald were presented with gifts marking their time on the board of directors.
Brian MacDonald and Marion Dewar provided entertainment, while the celebration wrapped up with a ceilidh.
Emcee Danny Gillis also recognized the late Dr. Allan Brand, who provided the Address to the Haggis for many years during AHS celebrations.