Michael Morin & Jeanette Arsenault
Firefighter Michael Morin graciously wore my This Is My Canada tshirt agreed to have his photo taken in front of his fire truck in St. Louis-du-Ha!Ha!, Quebec. This is the first photo in a series of photos I want to capture for my song “Canada’s Really, Really Big”. Plans are underway to shoot several more places over the next two weeks while I’m on the East Coast - New Brunswick: Minto & Blissville; Nova Scotia: New Glasgow & Bible Hill; and, PEI: French River & New Glasgow. Only 50 more places left to shoot across Canada!!!
St. Louis-du-Ha!-Ha! refers to nearby Lake Témiscouata, the sense of haha here being an archaic French word for an unexpected obstacle or abruptly ending path. The Louis may refer to Louis Marquis, one of the first colonists of the region, or Louis-Antoine Proulx, vicar o Rivière-du-Loup, or perhaps the abbot Louis-Nicolas Bernier.
The exclamation marks were added colloquially and have since gained recognized status among Canadian federal institutions such as Canada Post.
You view the lyrics to “Canada’s Really Big” here:
http://jeanettearsenault.ca/listentomymusic/this-is-my-canada/canadas-really-big/
You can listen to the song here:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/arsenault5
Do you live in any of these places? Do you know someone who does? I’m looking for photos of the local town sign or a quirky shot of your town – prefer it with a person in the photo too. I am preparing a video & would love to have a shot of all the towns mention in my song! As of July 31,2010, I’ve got one of St. Louis-du-Ha!Ha! and will be photographing the following - New Brunswick: Minto & Blissville; Nova Scotia: Bible Hill & new Glasgow; PEI: French River & New Glasgow. There are 50 more to go!!
Hi! Your Ha!Ha! reminds me of Saguenay where I come from.I believe there’s a Baie des Ha!Ha near Bagotville. Haven’t been there for 60 years.Hoping to go next summer.
Regards and Good Luck
Claude
P.S. Your projects are amazing.
Hi Claude!
I will have to look that one up!! Hope you DO make it out there next summer. Thanks! Jeanette
Hi Jeanette
This sounds like an overwhelming challenge that only you would take on. Good luck with it! By the way I believe your Aug. 18 presentation at Zwick Park Belleville starts at 6:00 pm not 6:30 this year. All august performances are starting one-half hour earlier beccause of the sun going down earlier. Looking forward to your presentation that night.
Kindest regards
Bob & Elaine
Hi Bob -
Thanks – it’s a bit daunting but I think it’s do-able and would be so much fun to do too! Thanks for the heads up on the time change – I will make the correction. See you both then! Jeanette