WINDSOR JUNCTION: Teachers are good at keeping secrets and making surprises, even if the one they are surprising is one of their own who was putting down her pen one last time.
During the lunch hour on a hot summer sunny day on June 19, the staff at Waverley Memorial Elementary School (WMES) quickly decorated many of their vehicles and then formed a line in unison as they headed to Ingram Drive in Fall River Village.
The lead vehicle in the parade was an old fashioned camper van that had “Off The Clock on the front and back, and “Happy Retirement” across both driver and passenger side. The caravan of vehicles travelled Rocky Lake Drive to Cobequid Road, and then up to Windsor Junction Road before turning onto Winley Drive.
The parade of about 10 cars, included the magic camper, then met up with other teachers on Winley Drive. Final details for what would happen were worked out, and then it was go time.
After letting the reporter go ahead of them so he could get to teacher Faye Samson’s home ahead of them to capture the moment, the 20-plus vehicles paraded towards Samson’s home.
Samson was completely unaware of what was about to happen. She along with her two daughters and their grand kids only knew two teachers were to come drop a gift to her at the end of the driveway.
Well, it was more than a couple of teachers, and more than a gift.
First was an Adirondack chair for Samson, retiring after 28 years of teaching including the bulk of that at WMES, then came some gifts like wine, flowers, and more flowers. And oh, there was the parade of vehicles many honking that filled the parking area adjacent to Samson’s home where a new, controversial development is proposed.
It was all too much for Samson, whose husband is local MP Darrell Samson, who does not one bit like to be in the spotlight.
She thanked everyone for dropping by and wishing her well as she retires.
“I was told Dana and Shelley were coming. This is reminiscent of the Fun Fairs at the school,” said Faye. “I certainly didn’t expect or want this, but I do appreciate it.
“Thank you very much. You guys made me cry.”
Now if the border between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick would open, Samson could enjoy the start to retirement life at the family’s cottage in that province.
