Dartmouth pride goes international

There have been many people waving the Dartmouth flag lately.

Many Dartmouthians are outraged. And they are letting us know.

This week the Tribune received a picture of a Dartmouth flag waving proudly in the breeze.

That’s not unusual.

There are some of the old City of Dartmouth flags still around.

But what is unusual is that this picture shows the flag fluttering high atop a pole in San Diego.

Through a few emails we found out who is behind this act of Dartmouth support in the great state of California.

Her name is D’Arcy Trowsse Hollis and although she has been living in the U.S. since 1984 she has been keeping up with the Dartmouth news.

And she is not happy.

“I have been quite disturbed about Dartmouth losing its identity. It needs to remain Dartmouth. I asked my mom to send me a Dartmouth flag, not only to show my support by flying it here, but also to hold onto a piece of the wonderful Dartmouth of my childhood. It is truly a shame that Dartmouth may lose its identity. It is not Halifax, never has been, never will be. Dartmouthians are proud to be from Dartmouth, and should fight to retain their identity and not become just another part of Halifax.”

What does make her happy are her memories of Dartmouth. They are so vivid, they can bring her to tears.

“I have so many great memories of growing up in Dartmouth. Everything from the great skating parties on Lake Banook, complete with bonfires and car races, to all the characters you’d meet downtown. I never once felt afraid, and growing up was sure that if I ever asked any adult for help, I’d get it. Riding the old ferry across to Halifax. Picnics and feeding the ducks at Sullivan’s Pond and getting chased by the geese. Ha. I remember the trolleys, I was quite impressed by the snapping and crackling of the electricity. Raising money for Rainbow Haven during the summer. The milkman delivering milk, and letting us hitch a ride for a little while. Swimming at Birch Cove and being given a quarter to go to the snack bar. Matinees at the Mayfair. When I was quite young we lived in the Maplehurst Apartments and I have many wonderful memories of summer days spent with my friends exploring ‘Cowboy Hill,’ picking flowers, rolling down the hill and just playing in the sunshine. We stayed out until dark or until the curfew whistle went off and our parents really had no idea where we were, but there was no fear something bad was going to happen to you. It was truly a wonderful time. I went to Southdale School, then was the first girl admitted into the Dartmouth Academy. We moved to Crichton Park when I was 10. I paddled for Banook for a number of years, and lifeguarded there as well. The Bill Lynch Fair, the very first McDonalds on Main Street. Sledding at Brightwood. Lawrencetown Beach. I could go on forever.”

Love drew her away from Dartmouth.

“I met my husband in Halifax in 1983. He was an American Submariner. His boat was in Halifax as a Liberty Port. We were married in April 1984. He left for his new duty station in the Philippines that same month, and I left Nova Scotia three months later to join him. After leaving there we lived first in Washington state and then Connecticut. He retired in Connecticut and after working as a government contractor for a few years, was offered a position with the Department of Defense here in San Diego.”

After being laid off from Pfizer 10 years ago, D’Arcy has stayed home to happily look after her family.

She has only been home once in the last five years since moving to California.

“I miss Dartmouth and the people immensely. Though I moved away in 1984, and have lived in a number of places, in my heart Dartmouth will forever be my home .Even if the name is changed.”

She has only flown the Dartmouth flag once, but is working on changing that.

“We do not have a flagpole of our own. We would love to put one up, however we’d have to put up two as my husband wishes to fly the American flag and I would want to fly the Canadian and Dartmouth flags. They could not go on the same pole, as I won’t let him fly the American one above the Canadian, even though I know that’s the proper way to do it, so we’d need two. We’re working on it. My wonderful neighbour allowed me to take down his American flag and fly the Dartmouth flag for a while.”

She is hoping her story may entice other Dartmouthians around the world to write to the paper, share their memories and support the fight to keep Dartmouth as Dartmouth.

“The beautiful blue skies there that frankly I haven’t seen anywhere else, the gentle summer breeze bringing with it the slight smell of the ocean, the snapping of sheets on the clotheslines. It’s all home to me. I’m sure there are many folks who are living all over the world who would like to share more stories and support for Dartmouth.”