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If you’re happy and you know it …

Joanne Oostveen

Dartmouth is home to one very happy museum.

And now the owner has won an award for giving laughter and joy to thousands of visitors.

Debbie Power, who has owned and operated the Happy Face museum on Wentworth Street since 1999 is pleased to win a Community Leadership Award, but admits she doesn’t expect thanks for doing what she loves.

“When I became a Christian in 1982 I wanted to thank God and bring some joy into people’s lives. So this is how I have done it.”

What she has done is amazing, said Jennifer Melanson who is presenting Power, who is known as Mrs. Happy Face, with her award on October 19.

Melanson is a worker with the Dartmouth Community Health Board. The Board acknowledges the efforts of Dartmouth residents who take on leadership roles, especially those in a volunteer capacity.

“Debbie attends many community events as a volunteer dressed as a giant Happy Face. She is extremely well known by both adults and children for bringing lots of smiles and fun. The Happy Face Museum also does just that and holds a special unique spot in Dartmouth. Her efforts help bring the community together, increases our sense of belonging and brings simple but powerful joy to those around her.”

You can’t help but notice the giant smiley face buoy that greets you at the door.

“I call him Sir-Laugh -A -Lot,” said Power. “He was an old, not wanted buoy given to us. In fact most things in our collection were given to us to share with others.”

People drop off smiley knick knacks at her door all the time.

The walls of the toy room in her house are covered with positive sayings and pictures. But it is the thousands of yellow happy faces smiling back at you that make most visitors laugh out loud, said Power.

“I had one lady whose mood was very low when she first came in here. I danced with her, showed her around and the change in her was so amazing. That is why I do this.”

What Power also does is knight people, with a blinking wand and a tap on the shoulders.

“Then they become a Sir-Laugh-A- Lot. I have knighted many people, old and young. They get a kick out of it.”

With all the light hearted smiley faces beaming down and Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” song playing in the background, it is hard to imagine anyone needing anything more uplifting to make their day.

But there is more.

Outside her house she has a yellow mailbox that says “Wanted: Happy Thoughts.”

Over the years she has received letters from people from all over the world. She wants letters of gratitude. And she wants people to stop and think about what makes them happy. She reads each and every one.

“People tell me how they are happy because they visited here, or tell me about their wedding or other upcoming things in their lives. Doing this makes me happy, shows my love for God and I get to meet so many people. Guess I will be continuing with this museum for a while.”

To arrange a tour through the Happy Face Museum call Debbie Power at 902-463-6287

If you know of anyone in Dartmouth that deserves to win a Community Recognition Award email your nomination, along with some background to [email protected].