Freshwater Pond in Autumn, Public Gardens, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

Canon G7

Taken in early October, 2008, the leaves are just beginning to blush with their Fall colours. The Halifax Public Gardens ( a National HIstoric Stie) began in the mid 1800's as a horticultural society for the citizens of Halifax. Now the Halifax Municipality owns and operates the 20-acre garden in the downtown of the city. It is one of the last Victorian gardens in North America and is meticulously groomed each Spring and replenished from adjacent greenhouses. Its lacey plan of formal pathways is clearly visible in the GoogleEarth aerial view. The red-roofed band shell is the scene of Sunday afternoon brass band concerts all Summer, and the delicate gazebo has even been featured on a recent Canada Post stamp. Why is there a minature Titanic anchored in the pond, you may wonder? Halifax was one of the nearest major ports to the 1912 disaster and rescue ships from Halifax were first to arrive on the scene of the sinking --- mainly "rescuing" bodies, unfortunately. Many of the victims were buried afterwards in Halifax, and that cemetery now is a tourist destination. Especially popular is a tombstone marked "J. Dawson", who has no relationship to the fictional character Leonardo di Caprio played in the Hollywood blockbuster. This "J. Dawson" was actually a crew member. Many artifacts from the Titanic wreck are on display at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic on the Halifax waterfront. Visit: titanic.gov.ns.ca / to learn more. The miniature Titanic in the pond, then, commemorates Halifax's special connection to the ship. For more information about the city itself, visit: www.halifaxinfo.com /