Allisonian named lieutenant governor

Retired brigadier-general John James Grant ('56) has been named the new lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia. Grant, who was born in New Glasgow in 1936, graduated from Mount Allison in 1956 with a bachelor of commerce degree. He later became a registered industrial accountant.

He joined the Pictou Highlanders in 1951 and held several senior positions including deputy commander and appointed area commander in 1980 of the Atlantic Militia Area.

He was invested as an Officer in the Order of Military Merit in 1979 and a Commander in the Order in 1988. Grant, who has been awarded the Canadian Decoration with three clasps, has been a governor of the Nova Scotia Division of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires since 1986, and a member of numerous community groups in the province.

He retired from the military in 1989. Grant will be the 31st Nova Scotia lieutenant governor since 1867.

Read full story: Military man named next N.S. lieutenant governor (CBC News)

The Barra MacNeils returning to Mount A

The Barra MacNeils are coming back to Mount A! The band will be playing at Jennings Hall on FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2012.

The concert will coincide with the start of Reunion Weekend; however, EVERYONE is welcome to attend. For more information, or to reserve your tickets »

The Barra MacNeils are...

• Kyle ('85): vocals, guitar, violin, mandolin
• Lucy ('91): vocals, bodhran, Celtic harp, fiddle, step dancing
• Sheumas ('88): keyboards, piano, bodhran, fiddle, bouzouki, vocals
• Stewart ('87): vocals, accordion, tin whistle, flute, bouzouki, guitar, step dancing
• Boyd: mandolin, fiddle, guitar, banjo, percussion, step dancing
• Ryan: keyboards, percussion, uillian pipes, tin whistle, bodhran, step dancing
• Jamie Gatti: bass

As a group, the six MacNeil siblings are widely regarded as one of the greatest live concert acts in the Celtic world. Hailing from Sydney Mines, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, the family group is deeply rooted in Celtic music, culture, dance, language and history. Their numerous critically acclaimed recordings have included their own original songs as well as tried and true standards, both instrumental and vocal.

http://www.barramacneils.com/