submitted by Debbie James, Secretary of Harvey Hall
The tale I am about to share with you all started out one day as I made a stop at a home in Riverside-Albert to pick up some knitted dishcloths, as a donation to Harvey Hall for our opening season of 2023. Never had I been inside this home, but upon arrival I knew I had discovered something unique about the person that lived in this home. I had never seen so many Christmas cacti in my life and all in one home. At this point, I am amazed at their beauty, their size, and the quantity! Mind you, I was only in the back kitchen. There were more to be discovered later with a visit to the upstairs of said home.
The tale I am about to share with you all started out one day as I made a stop at a home in Riverside-Albert to pick up some knitted dishcloths, as a donation to Harvey Hall for our opening season of 2023. Never had I been inside this home, but upon arrival I knew I had discovered something unique about the person that lived in this home. I had never seen so many Christmas cacti in my life and all in one home. At this point, I am amazed at their beauty, their size, and the quantity! Mind you, I was only in the back kitchen. There were more to be discovered later with a visit to the upstairs of said home.
One thing led to another, and it was disclosed that there was an even bigger and older Christmas cactus upstairs, which was given to her in 2007 by June Arsenault. June had inherited that plant from her own mother, who was given this plant from Mrs. Alena (Calhoune) Bishop, spouse of Mr. Judson Bishop of Harvey Bank NB. One does not know the date when all these transfers of ownerships happened, but we can be certain it happened before November 25, 1959, when Alena died.
You see, Bishop in this tale in not a religious cleric, but rather the surname of a farming family in Harvey Bank. The family home still stands (as a summer residence at Harvey Bank) and is well cared for by the owners.
Judson and Alena were the parents to five children, four girls and a boy. It was this boy, born in 1904, who becomes part of our story as a notable person to the Harvey area! George Bishop lived in the area until his death in 1985. In his obituary it states that he was; a deacon at the Harvey Baptist Church, a member of the Senior Citizens club, the Albert County Exhibition, Harvey Grasslands Co-op, the Historical Society, The Liberal Association and McLellan Memorial Hospital and he was part of the last Albert County Council.
From the memory of Mary Tingley, Harvey NB, we hear that George Bishop farmed a bit and had a very small grocery business in a room in his house. He also served on the committee for Bayview Cemetery. When Mary Majka had any special events at the hall, George would dress in period costume for the festivities. It was George Bishop who had placed the sign above the doorway of Harvey Hall which read “Remove not the ancient landmark that thy fathers have set” Proverbs 22:28. (Perhaps this was his way of saying that Harvey Hall will be with us forever!!)
Forty-year board member of Harvey Hall, Cyril Tingley, recalls that George was on the Board when he joined the team. Cyril stated that George was a bachelor and just liked to talk to people. He was one of the key individuals who worked to have a nursing home located in the region, which we know as Forestdale Nursing Home. A fun memory was shared in the fact that George was all about guarantees; so much so it was known that he had a new muffler for his Rambler every year just because he claimed the warranty!
As you can see, he was a very busy man with these many endeavors, but there is one organization which must have been very important to him over many years. Can you guess which on? Yes, Harvey Hall. From our historical binder we see from minutes that, at least back to 1980, George Bishop was one of the trustees of Harvey Hall. These were somewhat tough years for the trustees because at some point a “notice of tax sale” had been received. By 1984, we read that George Bishop and David Christie were working towards a job creation grant from the Federal Employment Development Branch for renovation of the hall. Mary Majka offered support from Albert County Heritage Trust and spoke with Malcolm MacLeod, MLA. Subsequently, he had visited the hall on election day and reported to George Bishop that he had not previously realized the hall’s potential.
From George’s own book Still the Gentle Breezes blow, 1984 we read: As time marched on, the majestic old building became less in demand and more neglected, but it still stands to see New Brunswick’ bicentennial. Plans are being made to put the old girl back where she belongs, to be our bicentennial headquarters and help us all get a glimpse of her glorious past, if only for a day.
Reading further of the minutes, we see George in attendance of a meeting on in January 1985 where a grant of $19,914 was approved to carry out the work on the hall with the work to take place between April and June 1985. Sadly, George would not see this work completed for his death happened on March 27th, 1985.
So, from a random visit, a discovery of Christmas Cacti and a Bishop, I learned that Rosemary Dornan has 16 cacti in her house and her heritage plant, in a small way, has a connection to Harvey Hall. In my most recent visit to see the heritage plant, I found Rosemary just getting ready to plant some slips off her assorted cacti which she will donate to the Harvey Hall yard sale! You too can have a Christmas cactus and to remember George Bishop and all the others who sought and continue to seek to preserve this landmark!
Harvey Hall is a landmark of the Fundy Albert region! We are thankful for the many people over the years and presently, who diligently work to preserve this beautiful building in the Harvey Community. We appreciate all your contributions of time, physical labour, talented performances, financial donations, and your presence which all helps to keep this valuable landmark in the Harvey Community
Debbie James
Secretary, HH
You see, Bishop in this tale in not a religious cleric, but rather the surname of a farming family in Harvey Bank. The family home still stands (as a summer residence at Harvey Bank) and is well cared for by the owners.
Judson and Alena were the parents to five children, four girls and a boy. It was this boy, born in 1904, who becomes part of our story as a notable person to the Harvey area! George Bishop lived in the area until his death in 1985. In his obituary it states that he was; a deacon at the Harvey Baptist Church, a member of the Senior Citizens club, the Albert County Exhibition, Harvey Grasslands Co-op, the Historical Society, The Liberal Association and McLellan Memorial Hospital and he was part of the last Albert County Council.
From the memory of Mary Tingley, Harvey NB, we hear that George Bishop farmed a bit and had a very small grocery business in a room in his house. He also served on the committee for Bayview Cemetery. When Mary Majka had any special events at the hall, George would dress in period costume for the festivities. It was George Bishop who had placed the sign above the doorway of Harvey Hall which read “Remove not the ancient landmark that thy fathers have set” Proverbs 22:28. (Perhaps this was his way of saying that Harvey Hall will be with us forever!!)
Forty-year board member of Harvey Hall, Cyril Tingley, recalls that George was on the Board when he joined the team. Cyril stated that George was a bachelor and just liked to talk to people. He was one of the key individuals who worked to have a nursing home located in the region, which we know as Forestdale Nursing Home. A fun memory was shared in the fact that George was all about guarantees; so much so it was known that he had a new muffler for his Rambler every year just because he claimed the warranty!
As you can see, he was a very busy man with these many endeavors, but there is one organization which must have been very important to him over many years. Can you guess which on? Yes, Harvey Hall. From our historical binder we see from minutes that, at least back to 1980, George Bishop was one of the trustees of Harvey Hall. These were somewhat tough years for the trustees because at some point a “notice of tax sale” had been received. By 1984, we read that George Bishop and David Christie were working towards a job creation grant from the Federal Employment Development Branch for renovation of the hall. Mary Majka offered support from Albert County Heritage Trust and spoke with Malcolm MacLeod, MLA. Subsequently, he had visited the hall on election day and reported to George Bishop that he had not previously realized the hall’s potential.
From George’s own book Still the Gentle Breezes blow, 1984 we read: As time marched on, the majestic old building became less in demand and more neglected, but it still stands to see New Brunswick’ bicentennial. Plans are being made to put the old girl back where she belongs, to be our bicentennial headquarters and help us all get a glimpse of her glorious past, if only for a day.
Reading further of the minutes, we see George in attendance of a meeting on in January 1985 where a grant of $19,914 was approved to carry out the work on the hall with the work to take place between April and June 1985. Sadly, George would not see this work completed for his death happened on March 27th, 1985.
So, from a random visit, a discovery of Christmas Cacti and a Bishop, I learned that Rosemary Dornan has 16 cacti in her house and her heritage plant, in a small way, has a connection to Harvey Hall. In my most recent visit to see the heritage plant, I found Rosemary just getting ready to plant some slips off her assorted cacti which she will donate to the Harvey Hall yard sale! You too can have a Christmas cactus and to remember George Bishop and all the others who sought and continue to seek to preserve this landmark!
Harvey Hall is a landmark of the Fundy Albert region! We are thankful for the many people over the years and presently, who diligently work to preserve this beautiful building in the Harvey Community. We appreciate all your contributions of time, physical labour, talented performances, financial donations, and your presence which all helps to keep this valuable landmark in the Harvey Community
Debbie James
Secretary, HH
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