News from the Lunenburg County Chapter of the SSNS (LCC-SSNS)

Nelson Miguel (left, CMHA Lunenburg/Queens Branch) and Richard Balser (LCC-SSNS) volunteered to host a community booth at the Bridgewater Mall to increase awareness and provide information about mental illness and the possibilities for recovery.

As part of fulfilling its mission, the Lunenburg County Chapter of the SSNS will be hosting a booth at the Bridgewater Mall on a bimonthly basis until December 2010.


A big THANK YOU to all of the businesses who sponsored the LCC-SSNS' Walk The World 2010:


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The Lunenburg County Chapter's Annual Christmas Party

The Lunenburg County Chapter of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia's Annual Christmas Party was held on December 16th, 2009. A total of 46 members and guests enjoyed a meal FIT for the Lunenburg County Chapter as prepared its members.

The winning ticket from the raffle of an original painting by Richard Balser, held in support of the Lunenburg County Chapter's Education and Community Access Fund, was drawn by Cassidy Eisnor. The holder of the winning ticket was Sandy Conrad, one of the guests at the Annual Christmas Party.


Richard Balser, a member of the Lunenburg County Chapter, presenting his artwork to Sandy Conrad.


Rita and Jennifer, winners the Best Elf Contest.


Kaye Joudrey, Santa's favourite elf, helps Santa (a.k.a. Linda Dagley) hand out some early Christmas gifts.


Jean Covert and Denton Conrad elfing it up!


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All photographs by Jan House.

Painting raffle: Lunenburg County Chapter

The Lunenburg County Chapter of the SSNS (LCC-SSNS) is holding a raffle for a framed painting, entitled Down South (above), by Richard Balser, a Chapter member who lives with schizophrenia. Janet Mason, a well known Lunenburg marine artist, and also Richard's art instructor, has valued the painting at $400. Proceeds from the raffle go to a bursary fund set up to assist individuals living with schizophrenia in furthering their educational and skill-building goals.

Tickets are one for $2.00 or three for $5.00. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Jan House at (902) 527-1692 or janice.house@xplornet.com, or Carolyn Eisnor at (902) 543-5418.

The winning ticket will be drawn at the LCC-SSNS's Christmas Party to be held beginning at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, December 15th, 2009, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Phoenix Street in Bridgewater.

Richard Balser is selling the two paintings pictured below. If you are interested in purchasing a painting, please contact Jan House or Carolyn Eisnor.





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Walk the World for Schizophrenia - Lunenburg County Chapter of the SSNS

Aubrey Zinck (right) wins first prize in the May 24th Walk the World for Schizophrenia raffle draw - two return VIA Rail tickets to Montreal. Presenting the Via Rail tickets are Denton Conrad (left), president of the Lunenburg County Chapter of the SSNS, and Jean Covert (second from left), vice president. Joining them is Kaye Joudrey (second from right).

Second prize of two two-year track passes at the HB Studios Sports Centre was won by Ardan Stevenson of Bridgewater.

Third prize of consisting of a painting by Richard Balser was won by Joan Kamler of Bridgewater.



Aubrey Zinck (right) and Kaye Joudrey (left) display their two return VIA Rail tickets to Montreal.



Charlene Flint (left), a volunteer with the Lunenburg County Chapter of the SSNS, and Jan House (right), Fundraising Chair, join Aubrey Zinck, winner of VIA Rail tickets to Montreal, to thank VIA Rail Canada for their raffle donation.



From left to right, Linda Dagley, Kenny Joudrey, Rachel Robar, and Ralph Mason (right) getting ready to Walk The World for Schizophrenia at HB Studios Sports Centre.



Jan House (left), Denton Conrad (second from left), and Bridgewater Mayor Carroll Publicover (right) congratulate Kenny Joudrey (second from right) for obtaining the second highest amount of pledges for Walk the World for Schizophrenia.



Ruth Henderson and Richard Balser (foreground) join Aubrey Zinck and Kay Joudrey (background) dancing to the music of Brenda Fitzgerald and Eldon Cooper at the Walk The World for Schizophrenia Reception held at the Bridgewater Girl Guides Cabin.

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Schizophrenia sufferer loses himself in art

An article posted October 14th on SouthShoreNow.com:

To view this article as it appeared in the newspaper, click here.

By Paula Levy

Richard Balser receives art instruction from Janet Knickle-Mason of Indian Path. The Lunenburg County Chapter of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia is raising funds to help pay for lessons.

In his small apartment on King Street in Bridgewater, Richard Balser's kitchen is often turned into a makeshift studio. During the day he confesses to spending hours with an easel and paintbrush perfecting the smallest of details in his art.

"I feel really happy when it does turn out well." He smiles when showing several pieces he is currently working on.

Mr. Balser, 52, has paranoid schizophrenia. In addition to his mental illness, Mr. Balser was blessed with the ability to paint.

"I like it better than a photograph," says Mr. Balser, calling attention to framed pieces in his living room. "It's an outlet because I don't think about my illness when I paint. … With my art it's so therapeutic because I can be ordinary and normal, like everybody else."

Few people have ever seen Mr. Balser's art. Up until recently his friends and family were really the only people who knew he was able to take a pallet of paints and transform them into beautiful canvas paintings.

Mr. Balser lacked the confidence in his abilities to publicly display his creations. His lack of self-assurance was a direct result of dealing with tormentors for most of his life.

"People are really cruel sometimes," he says, noting that on top of being made fun of, he was dealing with bouts of psychosis.

But with the help of Jan House and the Lunenburg County Chapter of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia, his work is finally beginning to leave his apartment and he is slowly developing confidence in the gift he feels came from his mother.

Ms. House remembers how Mr. Balser volunteered to paint name tags for the chapter. When she saw the amazing creations, she knew that Mr. Baler's talents shouldn't go unnoticed.

"I couldn't believe it. He had painted the most gorgeous irises," says Ms. House.

Last year the charitable group held several events to raise money to help fund art lessons so that Mr. Balser's natural skills could be further developed. The group enrolled him in lessons with Janet Knickle-Mason of Indian Path.

This year Mr. Balser is ready to take advanced art lessons. To help pay for this year's classes, the chapter is holding a Wine Tasting and Silent Art Auction at the Fairview Inn on October 24 from 7 to 9 p.m.

It will be the first time that Mr. Balser will have a public showing of just his art and the paintings will be auctioned to pay for art lessons. Ms. House says each piece of art will be paired with a bottle of wine that will be labelled with a replica of Mr. Balser's work.

Ms. House notes that his art teacher is also encouraging Mr. Balser to finish paintings and to believe that his work is indeed good enough for and worthy of public viewing.

In fact, Ms. Knickle-Mason convinced Mr. Balser to allow her to take one of his paintings to an art sale. Mr. Balser sold that painting. It was the first piece he has ever sold.

"I am a professional artist," smiles Mr. Balser in disbelief. He is continuing to work on confidence in his abilities as an artist.

Richard Balser receives art instruction from Janet Knickle-Mason of Indian Path. The Lunenburg County Chapter of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia is raising funds to help pay for lessons.

Lunenburg County Chapter of the SSNS: Featured Artist

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If you are interested in purchasing any of Richard Balsers' paintings, contact Janice House at (902) 527-1692 or by sending an email to janice.house@xplornet.com; or call Carolyn Eisner at (902) 543-5418. All paintings are priced at $300 each.