All I can say is WOW!  This year has been filled with lots of changes and growth for us here at Adventure High!  With bringing our new business (Compass Rose Heritage Inn) completely on-line, working with Outward Bound, etc., I realize how none of this would have been possible without all of you.  So, a big thank you to all of you that helped make this year so successful.

In August my friend, Luke Saffigna came to visit. Luke and I became good friends in Antarctica, where he works as a geologist/glaciologist.  He was fortunate to have the year off and decided to travel around the world (lucky guy) and made Grand Manan one of his places to visit.  He spent the week on the island with us and even helped out at the Compass Rose – he makes an incredible host and dishwasher.  He is now back in Melbourne, Australia, so I guess it’s up to me to visit him there.  Hopefully you'll see me soon and thank you for the T-shirt, it went well with the outfit!  (check it out with the pink hair)

This year the usuals will be working, along with myself, Linda, Ryan, Mike, Carly, Beth, Michelle, Elliot, Wanda, Jacqueline and more to come - just not sure who you are yet...

So what has everyone been up to?  Well, I'll try to update you as best I can. 

Know about's of what folks are doing' (the good gossip):

So what have all the current staff been up to this past year?

Ryan Munro is his usual awesome guide self and we are so lucky to have him come back for another season.  This year he will be running the show and we expect he has some pretty great ideas for the kayaking this summer.  Be sure to drop in and get the chance to paddle with this guy – you won’t regret it.  He spent the winter season in Antarctica again, with a short break to go to Mexico.  Don’t be fooled, he really does work hard!

Carly Fleet was once again helping out with both the kayaking and at the Compass Rose. This is a girl of many, many talents and abilities.  This past year she bought into the Surfside Motel, so along with everything else that she does (fishing, diving, teaching, traveling and helping out at Adventure High) she is also the owner/operator of the local motel.  Never tell Carly that you are tired or overworked, because we don’t know anyone who works harder than her!  She has told us that she still wants to do some guiding and waitressing for us this coming season, which is great, just don’t know how she does it all.  Hopefully next winter (2015/2016) she too will be working in Antarctica, the last continent for her to visit.

Mike Parker joined our staff this past summer as an assistant guide and head of maintenance.  Mike is a transported resident of the island from Ontario.  An incredibly hard worker, his assistance this past year was invaluable, as there were so many maintenance projects to be completed.  Our favorite thing about Mike?  When he was working with his headphones on and singing!!

Michelle Reid worked for us many years ago – not that many since she hasn’t hit the 30 year old mark yet, has been back and working with us both directly and indirectly.  She joined the Outward Bound team and worked in conjunction with them and Adventure High this past summer.  It was great to reconnect with her in a working capacity, it was like she had never left.  Her enthusiasm for the outdoors and Grand Manan has not diminished over the years.  She too joined the Antarctica team and spent a couple of months guiding in the southern ocean.  This girl is like a kid in a candy store – her excitement is contagious!

Kyle Agnew and Michelle are now “settled down” and living in Moncton, where they have bought a house and Kyle is now teaching full time.  I can only imagine that these are the luckiest kids to have him as a teacher. 

Elliot Shepherd is still around!!  Like the energizer bunny, he keeps “going and going….”  While he is still employed with Coastal Transport, his down time is spent on Wood Island at the old homestead.  We are going to have to make a special trip over there just to see what he is really up to.  This winter he took a leave of absence from his job and moved to Yellowknife with his girlfriend for 4 months.  Can’t wait for him to get back and hear all of his adventures.

Beth Johnston who works with us on the Outward Bound projects and our multi-day ventures spent part of the past year in India.  She is a proud auntie of brand new baby twins and she went to help out – can’t wait to hear about all of her adventures, as I’m sure there are many stories to share.

 Alexis Phillips has been invaluable to us at the Compass Rose, always willing to help in all aspects of the business.  She tells us she is "retired", but obviously doesn't know what that means.  An artist at heart, she devotes countless hours to the Grand Manan Art Gallery and has used her many talents at the Compass Rose as well.  Everything from flower arrangements, decorating, helping out in the kitchen and filling in for Linda on occasion so she can have a break.  Thank you for all of your ideas and help and looking forward to working with you again this summer.

John Edwards, Alexis' other (not necessarily better) half.  He has been a huge help to us at the Compass Rose as well, especially to me.  Always looking for ways to help out in the renovations and suggestions/ideas for improvements.  He is always available to fill in and I couldn't have done it without you!  Not only do John & Alexis help at the Compass Rose, they are also the adoptive parents of our dog, Abby.  What does it mean when Abby loves John more than me??

Linda spent the past year on the island.  November and December she hosted several Christmas parties at the Compass Rose, which from all accounts, were a success.  The rest of the winter was spent at hockey arenas around the province (3xweek), with Isaac.  Now this is a dedicated hockey mom.  The “down time” in the winter is spent catching up on book work that is neglected during the busy summer season.

Kevin – as for myself, November/December I was back in Antarctica doing what I love best.  I was (as always) fortunate to meet and work with many amazing and talented folks from all over the world.    I took a short break and spent Christmas and the month of January at home and then back down to Antarctica until the end of March.  I have been offered an amazing opportunity to work with a world-class photographer in Greenland and Baffin Island this year, if everything works out, I will have even more stories to share.  The rest of the past year I have been doing more work and renovations at the Compass Rose.  My problem is having too many projects and ideas and not enough time!

The 2015 season is shaping up to be a year of changes, beginning with our son’s high school graduation.  Brady has worked very hard and we are very proud of him.  In addition he has a part time job with Coastal Transport, which means he works from 6:30-7:30 am every morning before school and then again from 9:30-10:30 pm.  The part that we are most proud of – he gets to work on his own with no prompting from us.  After graduation he hopes to join Canada World Youth for 6 months and have the opportunity to do some traveling of his own.  To be 18 again and have the opportunity to do whatever you want!  It gives you the chance to reflect over your own life and wonder what, if anything, you would do differently.  We are excited to see where he goes and what he does.  We wish you well Brady in the coming year.

Isaac is now 14 and in grade 8.  This year is his last in pee wee hockey, where he is the “star goalie”.  It is fun being in the stands cheering for Isaac and the team and seeing how much he and the whole team have improved.  However, this much I can tell you – far more stressful to sit and watch than actually play the game!   I am usually in Antarctica all winter and miss the hockey season, but was fortunate to spend the month of January at home and able to make it to all the games, which was great for both of us.

We have an incredible staff that work exclusively at the Compass Rose and we couldn’t do it without you!

Wanda Russell is head of housekeeping and she keeps us all in order and tries to keep us organized (not an easy task).  She has worked at the Compass Rose for many years – long before we took over running it.  Anything that needs to be done, she is there and on top of it, thank you so much for all of your hard work and training us on what needs to be done!

Regina Lafrenier stepped into the kitchen and took over.  As our head cook, she had the kitchen humming and in order.  She makes it look easy, but we all know better.  Cooking in a kitchen during the hot summer months, is not for the faint of heart!

Marlene Banks was our relief cook and she was amazing.  What some of you may not understand, she lives on White Head, which means that the nights she was working she couldn’t go home at the end of a long day of work (no ferries running).   Thank you for your dedication and sacrifice.

Our waitresses are among the best – Jacqueline Bagley, Melanie Frost, Carly Fleet, Kirsten Morse.  You are awesome. 

The most under appreciated job in the world – dishwashers!!  Autumn Sadler, Harley Cary, Brady Stackhouse, Summer Huggard.  Just want you all to know that we appreciated every dish washed…

So what have all the past staff been up to, at least the ones we know their whereabouts?

Scott & Sarah are currently in Antarctica guidingand enjoying the beauty of their surroundings.  This past year they started a new kayaking venture in Nova Scotia and we wish them all the best in this endeavour.

Fred Tustin, our very own kayak master is still in Ontario with his wife, Catherine.  Maybe one day soon, they will be back to visit or maybe spend another season kayaking with us (can always hope). 

Our life long friend, Mark Mykytyn is back in New York.  Not sure how he survived the winter, as anyone who knows Mark, he is not made for cold.  August on Grand Manan is cold to Mark!  He generally makes it to the island for at least a visit and is always willing to help out when needed.

Soni Gatta is now living on Campobello Island with his wife Jana.  After intensive training in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, he is now working as a fisheries officer, with the plan to return to Grand Manan.

Tammy Taylor is now living out west, but still hear from her on occasion.  She has spent some time travelling and generally enjoying life.

Darryn Stevenson is living and working in Ontario as a teacher and coaching as many sports teams as possible.  Married life seems to suit him and is the proud dad of 2 beautiful children.

Chad Cote is living in the Yukon and I’m sure living an adventure.  We enjoyed the time he spent with us and would love to see him again.

Sarah McDonald is still living and working on Grand Manan.  She is the captain for the whale watching company – Whales & Sails.  Next time you are on Grand Manan, make sure to book a trip with her.

Jen Hutchison came for one summer to guide many years ago.  She ended up moving here, bought a house and is a manager for one of the salmon sites.

To any former guides, if you are reading this and I didn’t mention you by name, please get in touch and let me know what you are up to.  Would love to hear from all of you.

Over the years we've had lots of great staff working with us and the following are some of you that we've not been in touch with for awhile: Sheila, Joe, David P., Jeff, Patrick, Sara Rydl, Ben . Rob, Gammi, Kurt Adams, Celidh, Heather, Annie, Terri, Bruce, Sam and Drea Latford. However, Sam we do keep tabs on you through your mom (Susan Ballantyne).  Would love to hear how you are all doing, so let us know what's going on in your lives!  Hope everyone is well and enjoying life to the fullest and keeping safe in your adventures.

AGAIN there are so many great people that have worked here and all their time and talents have helped to create Adventure High into the business it is today.  

To summarize, I think/no I know that we have some of the best staff around – love you all and look forward to working with you again this summer and for many years to come. You've all become part of my/our "Adventure High Family".  Each of you is special to me and will always be a part of any success that we have now and in the future. Thank you again!