Throughout my life, I’ve found myself saying yes when someone asks for help – whether it’s for a job, a volunteer role, or just something that needs doing. That pattern has shaped my work, my community involvement, and the kind of person I try to be.

When I was a kid, I played ball in town and was a bit of a keener. By 14 I was coaching minor ball, on the executive, and writing game stories for the Pictou Advocate. In high school, I helped run our weekly badminton program.

One time, I drove a friend to Halifax for a job interview at Rainbow Haven Beach Summer Camp. Because a member of their leadership team happened to know Pictou Academy and liked badminton, I got hired on the spot as a maintenance person. A few weeks in, they moved me to camp counsellor because I worked hard. I didn’t have assigned hours – I just worked from breakfast to bedtime because things needed doing and I didn’t know when I was supposed to stop.

The person who hired me noticed my work ethic and asked me if I’d be interested in supporting people with intellectual disabilities and mental health issues. Thinking I was going to be helping people with day-to-day living at home, I instead found myself at Prescott Group, a workshop in Halifax similar to Summer Street Industries. I worked there for 14 years. During that time, I was also asked to do respite care and ended up supporting someone for nine years. It was less like a job and more like spending Saturdays hanging out with a great guy.

While in Halifax, I also got involved with CKDU campus radio. I’d gone to school for music production and the music business, so helping on the tech side came naturally – I volunteered for three news programs, did promo work, and eventually co-hosted a comedy show. I later hosted my own show that brought together other hosts to promote their programs and review new music.

I’ve always liked working with numbers and stats, especially in baseball. That interest led me to become a statistician on just about every team I played on. Over time, I was encouraged to take on bigger roles, and I eventually served as League Statistician and Media Liaison for the Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League. I was also Vice President of both the NSSBL and the Nova Scotia Intermediate Baseball League. I was even inducted into the NSIBL Hall of Fame (ironically, after having voted against the idea of creating one while I was on the executive).

After moving back to Pictou in 2005, I joined the town’s Recreation, Tourism and Culture Committee. I had to step down from that and my baseball executive roles when I took on a second job at the Pictou Lodge to help make ends meet, alongside my full-time shift work with Highland Community Residential Services.

Not long after moving home, I heard from neighbours that the property across the street had become a dumping ground and was attracting rats. I called the Pictou County Solid Waste office, got a second green bin, and cleaned it up. For the next 15 years, I mowed the lawn, trimmed bushes, and even planted roses, lupines, grapes, and raspberries – just because it made things look better. A couple years ago, a new management company asked why I was mowing their lawn. I said I just thought it helped and made things look nicer. They’ve been maintaining it properly ever since.

Twelve years ago, I started following the Northern Pulp situation more closely and got involved with the Clean the Mill Facebook page. After showing I could keep discussions respectful and fact-based, I was asked to help as an admin. It was a tough job, especially with such high stakes: on one side, the future of a major economic generator that provided good jobs in rural Nova Scotia; on the other, serious concerns about pollution, health, the environment, and the fishing and tourism sectors. I did my best to make it a space where people felt safe to speak, no matter their view.

All of this has led to where I am now. I've often found that when I take an interest in something, it turns into an opportunity to step up in a meaningful way. People have trusted me with roles because I show up and do the work. And if I don’t think I can follow through, I don’t say yes.

I’ve been asked to run for town council many times over the years. Back then, I didn’t feel I had the time. But with my role at the Pictou Lodge ending after Hurricane Fiona and the mill debate entering a quieter phase, I do now. I’m ready to serve in a new way, and I look forward to the chance to represent our community.

Terry