Who?
Glad you asked. People in Bathurst … Some people in Bathurst might be invisible. Take a look.
What are we looking at? Check out 0.0 in apartments. There are definitely apartments in Bathurst Parish. There are people in apartments in Bathurst. So, are these people invisible?

What about the figure given for unemployed? If only 70 unemployed women are accounted for then what about all those other women without employment? They must be invisible.

People working outside of Canada and women working in another province? Both appear to be invisible.

Then there are the invisible job applicants for all those jobs in the food department at Wal-Mart. These potential applicants are those who will never apply because they lack the means of affordable transportation to get them to and from work. Or perhaps they lack affordable and responsible day-care. Perhaps they lack the educational opportunities available in larger centres. Perhaps this is what really makes them invisible. A job at Wal-Mart might be the best opportunity they will ever have.

Another local rumour is about all the invisible good-paying jobs that will never materialize because Costco has been discouraged from coming to Bathurst.

Another group of invisible people are … What can I say about them … They are invisible.

This week the invisible people might be those who are unable to find accomodation to attend the Acadian Games in Bathurst. Rumour has it that thousands of people will be coming into Bathurst for the games and the handfull of hotels and motels here are booked to capacity. As a local rumour this is typical.

So? What will happen in Bathurst next May 2015?
Will there be sufficient accomodations for all the Grannies when they arrive for the Great Granny Gathering?
Will they be invisible? Hardly likely. One thing Bathurst is famous for is Hospitality … With a capital H!

So where will they find hospitality and accomodation? Might Granny suggest the Atlantic Host or Danny’s Both of these locally owned, combination motel/conference centres are highly regarded by the local Bathurst community as well as people “from away” who return to Bathurst year after year for family events and conferences.

Well now …
Bathurst must have
More beds
More restaurants
Those two tried and true

Where else
Might they gather
In their night-caps?
Give the Grannies
A bit more choice
If you please.

The newest Downtown Bathurst Best Western Hotel. Opened May 1, 2014. Downtown means closest to many banks and some of Bathurst’s oldest local businesses. Down a few doors is Nancy’s gift shop. Across the street from the hotel is a wonderful hometown bookstore and cafe which serves sandwiches and a scrumptious daily surprise dessert. Down the street is Captain’s Cabin, a second generation clothing store which began in the 1960’s as Roman White’s finer quality menswear store. Not far away is Tower’s jewelers, the source of diamond engagement rings and wedding china patterns for many generations of Bathurst people. Kitty corner to the lovely little park at Main and King is the venerable Bank of Montreal. The Bank may have changed location several times in the memory of local Grannies, but the friendly, professional service remains ever-constant. Just a short walk away is Levesque’s Barber shop, another multi-generational family business owned and operated by a well-respected local family. Across the street is Christies which sells craft and sewing supplies.
Return to the corner of Main and King and walk up a block, pass the police station and across the street you will find the old Irving garage converted many years ago into what is still now lovingly referred to as ‘Aurele’s’, the Big Deal Market where you can buy everything from bulk spice to fresh vegetables and fruit to barrels of salted and pickled fish. Keep walking up King and on the corner of King and St. Andrew turn left. There you will find the Bathurst Curling Club, home to many famous bonspiels and curling heroes of by-gone years. Directly across from the Curling Club is Music City which has been supporting the local music scene since the late 1970s. Right next door to Music City is Tom’s Karaoke Bar. Bathurst does get a lot of sunny weather and Tom’s backyard patio is a good friendly place to stop for a cool one.

Take a stroll up St Andrew and the museum is always an interesting place to stop. Head down Douglas and you’ll find yourself at the waterfront. Great coffee and tea is served at the Nectar which serves excellent food in two fine dining restaurants under the same roof.
Next door, between Nectar and the tourist bureau is small art gallery where many local artists have their art. You might pick up a gift there or at Chal-Baie where local artisans sell their hand-crafted creations. If a quick meal is what you want, drop in next door and try a burger served with a smile by Pauline and Gerry, two of the friendliest people in Bathurst. Depending upon the season you might also find the ice-cream store and the pretzel place open. Both have yuumy treats. The book store is well stocked with french books, possibly the best collection this side of Quebec.
Take the walking path across the bridge and you will find yourself in the oldest part of Bathurst, still known by locals as the village. Walk up Village Hill and notice that large white house atop the hill, This house with the dark green shamrock, the Doucet-Hennessy House, has been officially documented as one of the oldest and most historically significant buildings in the area. Across the street is Holy Family Church and behind it a very old historic graveyard.
Keep walking west on St Peter Avenue and you will find the local legion, malls, grocery stores and a varied assortment of other shopping and food outlets.
There is the Comfort Inn which is within walking distance all these outlets along St Peter Avenue. By vehicle it is a short drive to cinema, restaurants and more shopping.

What helps make Bathurst visible?
There is the Rotary Club

What about other International Groups inside and out of Bathurst? What other groups do not settle for invisibility?
What about the Raging Grannies? Are they ever content to be invisible?
I bet those Grannies won’t be invisible this week in Montreal