NOVA SCOTIA CLUBS (Click on button to see misc. clubs.)

CSF/FFA

— The Canadian Science Fiction/Fantasy Fan Association, apparently a one-man organization founded by Harry Calnek of Granville Ferry, Nova Scotia, in 1953. It cost $1.50 to join. Members were to receive the club bulletin CANADIAN CAPERS, and another official organ of the club which apparently never appeared.

Cdn fandom was originally impressed, Gerald Steward writing in CANADIAN FANDOM #20 (Mar 1954): “Aside to Canadian Fen: You have see two issues of CANADIAN CAPERS & a third issue is in the production stage. This should be enough to prove to you…. that the group behind this organization is hard working and earnest… not just another Winnipeg farce like the CSFA. Furthermore, the Canadian club is putting out its publications on schedule, which is more than can be said for either the N3F or the ISFCC in the U.S. We feel this group merits your support…Lend a hand, eh?”

In CANADIAN FANDOM #21 (Jun 1954), Howard Lyons wrote: “The CSF/FFA are looking for a nickname. The Toronto Science Fiction Society calls itself the Derelicts. How about taking Canuck as a starting point? Then the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Fan Association could call themselves the Fanucks or Fanuckers.”

Alas, in CANADIAN FANDOM #22 (Sep 1954), Howard noted simply: “The Fanucks have folded.” Presumably this meant the demise of CANADIAN CAPERS as well. (Feedback requested! Info wanted!)

[ See CANADIAN CAPERS, FIE & WHAT THINGS COME OUT IN THE SPRING ]

FALCON SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY SOCIETY

— A maritime SF club based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, circa 1997. Puts on the FALCON SF Conventions. At least three FALCON conventions, the 3rd in Oct 1997 at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax. GoH: Author Lesley Choice. Artist: Kevin Loftus. Model Building Expert: Robert Lepine.

HALCON SF & FANTASY SOCIETY

“At the moment, Maritime fandom looks to be a pretty busy scene. Along with the hectic activity centering on this year’s Halcon, there is an active SF&F Society meeting on the first Sunday of every month, showing slides, holding trivia contests, and just generally rapping about the field.” – Anne Marie Feetham, Dec 1984. (Detail to be added as research continues)

HALIFAX SF SOCIETY

— An SF club founded in late 1948 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Probably the first Maritime region SF club. Affiliated with the Canadian Science Fiction Association. I don’t know if the HSFS published a newsletter or clubzine, but if it did, it would mean that BOREALIS was NOT the first fanzine pubbed out of Halifax. At the very least members were probably active in the exchange of correspondence which was one of the main attributes of the CSFA. However, when the Hamilton SF Society (which functioned as the CSFA executive) ceased publishing the CSFA newsletter, & then went belly up early in 1950, the Halifax SF Society collapsed as well. (JBR)

A few Halifax fans are listed in the CANADIAN FAN DIRECTORY published by the Canadian Science Fiction Association in 1952. Since the membership lists of the affiliated clubs past & present formed the core of the directory, it is probable that most of the Halifax fans listed had belonged to the HALIFAX SF SOCIETY. They are:

Eraina K. Collins, Pearl Collins, Lionel R. Crocker, Alan Haris, Charles R. Johnston, W.B. McManus, William H. Murphy, Clarence J. Reeves, Bill Roscoe, Richard Tufts & Donald Ward.

[ See CANADIAN SF ASSOCIATION & BOREALIS ]