The Bedellus

On September 19, 2007, Bruce Kruger, the Town Crier for Bracebridge & Santa’s Village, acted as the Master of Ceremonies and Official Event Planner for the State Visit of Prime Minister Stoltenberg of Norway in conjunction with the Minister of Health for Canada, the Honourable Tony Clement. They, in addition to the Ambassador and Consul General of Norway and the Third in command of the Norwegian Armed forces, were greeted at the Muskoka Airport to commemorate the official opening of the “Little Norway” Terminal named after the brave men and women who escaped from Norway during the Second World War and trained here to go back and fight the Germans. The Prime Minister was accompanied by 44 Air Force personnel who trained here during the war and revisited it for this opening. They averaged between 82 & 94 years of age.

The top photo shows the Town Crier saying goodbye to the dignitaries as they were flying to the UN from Muskoka Airport after the ceremony in the Norwegian PM aircraft. From left to right: Town Crier Bruce Kruger; Prime Minister Stoltenberg, The Honourable Tony Clement, Chair of Muskoka Gord Adams, Mr. Havenan, Advisor to the PM; Ambassador Naess, Mrs. Hoff and Consul General Hoff .

The second photo shows the welcoming cry commencing the ceremony by Town Criers Shaun Kruger, Escort Lynn Kruger and Bruce with the Prime Minister sitting behind the podium. The Royal Norwegian Air Force Band is seating directly in front of the stage. Over 600 persons were in attendance.

You are invited to attend the 2008 North American Town Criers Championship.

Criers who are interested should respond to Fred Taylor in Annapolis Maryland by emailing their name, address, e-mail address and town or organization to him at squirefrederick@hotmail.com.

Criers are already registering for 2008 North American Town Crier Championships being held in Annapolis, Maryland May 2, 3, 4 2008. Registration forms and contact information are now available on the “Events” page of the website of the Official Town Crier for Annapolis, Maryland, Fred Taylor at http://squirefrederick.com.

The website is filled with a plethora of information and links regarding Annapolis, the Annapolis Town Crier, the North American Competition 2008 competition and just plain ole general information of possible interest. It also contains picture of the most recent 10th Anniversary Competition of the American Guild hosted by Bill Knepp in Milford, Ohio.

Please pass the word to any/all criers who you think might be interested.

Town Crier Col. Nemo Turner reads a proclamation at a press conference recently in Ottawa for the actor’s union A.C.T.R.A.

Col. Turner is also a member of this actor’s guild and they were asking broadcasters to have more Canadian content on our airwaves.

Guild members from Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto attended this press conference to rally support for more Canadian programming.

Col. Turner was also recently appointed as the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Montreal Branch of The Royal Heraldry Society of Canada. He is an Associate Member of The Ontario Guild of Town Criers.!