April 06, 2016 - The Pictou Advocate

Transcription

April 06, 2016 - The Pictou Advocate
News • P3
Fashion forward
BREAKFAST,
LUNCH & DINNER
Entertainment • P8
Costelo supports refugees
Sports • P10
Gryphons hockey champs
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PICTOU COUNTY'S WEEKLY SINCE 1893
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Wednesday, April 6, 2016 Vol. 123, No. 14
OPEN 7 A.M. - 9 P.M.
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Big team spirit
Strike up a team, join in the fun
By Debbi Harvie
debbiharvie@pictouadvocate.com
Mallory MacDonnell deals out cards for Jared O’Sullivan, left, and Erica Gagnon, centre, during the Wild West Casino Night held
(Brimicombe photo)
at Summer Street Industries on Saturday. INSET: Denise Sponagle prepares to drop a Plinko disc.
Betting on a hit
Casino Night a success
By Heather Brimicombe
heatherbrimicombe@pictouadvocate.com
Special
Olympics
and
Northern Region Respite
Services hit the jackpot Saturday
evening with another successful Wild West Casino Night
fundraiser.
The event brought hundreds
through the doors of Summer
Street Industries to try their
hand at a few games of chance.
With wheels of chance,
Plinko, pan for gold and black
jack, participants also had the
chance to take part in live and
silent auctions.
“The funds raised are for the
Pictou County Special Olympics
and Northern Region Respite
Services,”
said
Jennifer
Wadden, one of the organizers.
Funds will go toward helping out with various parts of
the organization. “It goes
toward athletes, registration
and purchase of equipment,”
said Wadden.
“The funds raised here for
Northern Respite go towards a
summer recreation program, a
family fun night and fun
Fridays,” Wadden added.
The crowd that was in attendance Saturday night was lively and excited to take part with
a buzz in the room and smiling
faces from everyone, regardless
of winnings.
“It draws people from
Pictou, Antigonish and Truro,”
she said.
The event in total has been
taking place more than 15 years
and is still proving its success as
a major fundraiser each year.
The amount of funds raised
this year has not yet been calculated, but from the attendance
at the event, it looked like a
successful night.
“The total of funds raised
will be known later this week,
as we are waiting for some
expense receipts to be turned
in,” Wadden said.
The wait is almost over. The
36th annual Bowl for Kids Sake
event has arrived.
The major fundraiser for Big
Brothers Big Sisters is taking place
this Saturday at the Heatherlanes
in New Glasgow and is on its
way to being a successful event,
which isn’t bad for a fundraiser
that was only supposed to last
five years, according to Margie
Grant-Walsh, executive director.
“We did the Wii bowling in
the schools (last week); we are
now in 10 schools and so far we
seem to be up over last year,”
explains Grant-Walsh.
The Wii bowling raised
approximately $7,600 last year
and this year is sitting at around
$8,000 with funds still coming in.
The goal for this year’s bowl
event is $60,000, down from last
year’s $65,000 goal.
“We are hoping to meet the
$60,000 this year,” says GrantWalsh. “Last year we came in just
under our goal, but we realize
that times are tough for everyone.”
Team numbers appear to be
up this year as well, giving rise to
hope that the goal will be met.
New this year is the Scotiabanksponsored award in memory of
Bunny Mason.
“Bunny was one of our biggest supporters,” she notes. “She
fundraised for all 35 of the past
Bowl for Kids Sake events, but
last year, she passed away on
bowl day. So Scotiabank is sponsoring the most spirited award in
her memory.”
The theme for this year’s bowl
event is Join the Team, so costumes or props associated with
teams are encouraged.
“We have prizes for best costumes, most spirited and of
course, our prizes for top fundraisers.”
New this year will be a photo
booth at the event.
Teams can still register by
phoning 902-752-6260 or pop into
the bowling alley during the
event to donate.
“We are tremendously thankful to live in this community with
so much going on and so many
great causes to support, that people choose to support Big Brothers
Big Sisters of Pictou County.
Because of that support we are
able to provide services for children in our community. Our
numbers are up from last year.
Last year we had a little over 200
children waiting to be matched
but since January, we have made
a number of new matches so we
are reaching more children.”
Big move for A&M Small Engines
By Debbi Harvie
debbiharvie@pictouadvocate.com
SCOTSBURN – Last week
marked 31 years of business for
A & M Small Engines.
Currently located in Lyons
Brook, the business has humble
beginnings from its first location
on Front Street in Pictou to what
will be its new location at the
former Scotsburn creamery in
Scotsburn.
The new location will give A
& M Small Engines at least five
times the space they currently
have, allowing for an expansion
of the business.
“Our show room will be a lot
larger; at our previous location it
was difficult to show all of the
products because we didn’t have
enough space,” explains Mary
Allan and Mary Fraser of A & M Small Engines stand in front of
the former Scotsburn creamery in Scotsburn, now the new location of A & M Small Engines. The business will be setting up
(Harvie photo)
shop this month at the new location.
Fraser, co-owner of the business.
Allan Fraser, co-owner, notes,
“We would spend 45 minutes a
day moving things in and out to
make room in the shop; now we
can just concentrate on customer
service.”
Along with the new show-
rating 70 Years in Busines
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room there is also space for a
warehouse for storage of items.
Allan Fraser says he has had
his eye on the location for some
time now, with it sitting empty
the last five years, and made an
offer on the building.
“We didn’t want to see it be
torn down,” says Mary. “It’s a
well-built, sturdy building.”
The building will also allow
them to have their office onsite
instead of out of their home and
they plan to move the antique
museum they have on their
property to the new business.
“We have an antique museum we opened to the public for
one day in 2012 as a fundraiser
for Bethel church. There was a
huge amount of interest in our
collection, so we have decided to
Continued on page 15
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Karen Chapman, program manager with Big Brothers Big Sisters
of Pictou County, looks on as Katie Gordon, project co-ordinator, brushes up on her bowling skills in time for the 36th annu(Harvie photo)
al Bowl for Kids Sake this Saturday.
APRIL 8
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The Advocate
April 6, 2016
www.pictouadvocate.com
Rotary club serving up slice
of fundraiser at pizza festival
Outgoing Pictou County
Chamber of Commerce board
member and former president
David Freckelton received a
framed commemorative
hockey scene from incoming
president Nancy MacConnellMaxner last week during the
luncheon that followed the
Chamber’s annual meeting at
Summer Street.
By Debbi Harvie
debbiharvie@pictouadvocate.com
(Goodwin photo)
Chamber prez implores
better view of county
By Steve Goodwin
steve@pictouadvocate.com
NEW
GLASGOW
–
Embracing partnerships is a way
to help Pictou County grow,
Nancy MacConnell-Maxner says.
“Connecting people, connecting communities – we make
progress and good things happen,” MacConnell told those
gathered for the luncheon that
followed the Pictou County
Chamber of Commerce’s annual
meeting at Summer Street.
“I’m looking forward to the
upcoming adventure with the
Pictou County Chamber of
Commerce. I’m excited to see
what the next year will bring.”
MacConnell-Maxner is the
chamber’s incoming president
and says she looks forward to
her new responsibilities and
Pictou County’s future.
She outlined some of the
recent partnerships the chamber
has achieved, such as the combined effort to build a new
administrative home for the
Pictou Landing First Nation, One
Pictou
County,
PictouAntigonish Regional Library,
Pulse Pictou County and Engage
Nova Scotia.
“We made sure we were creating partnerships, working
together,” she said. “The heart of
our county is our people.”
MacConnell-Maxner alluded
to the annual musical being Nice
Work if You Can Get It, present-
NEW GLASGOW – The
smell is distinct. Anyone from
Pictou County would recognize it immediately. The spicy
pepperoni, the bubbling cheese
and the piece de resistance, the
brown sauce; you guessed it,
Pictou County pizza.
In celebration of everything
that is good in Pictou County,
the New Glasgow Rotary Club
is hosting its third annual
pizza festival, but this year it
has a twist.
“The last few years, the
focus has been more on competition between the restaurants, this year it’s less about
competition and more about
celebrating Pictou County
pizza,” explains Gary Hollett,
co-chairman of the pizza festival.
Previously
located
at
Glasgow Square, the event has
been moved to the Pictou
County Wellness Centre to
accommodate its growing popularity.
“We have a little more space
to work with. There will be
eight pizzerias on site as well
as live entertainment, a raffle
table and a Chase the Pizza
trivia table. People have the
opportunity to answer 15 to 20
questions about pizza in general and Pictou County pizza
for the chance to win free pizza
for a year,” notes Hollett.
The idea of the festival is to
continually grow it so that it is
not just a one-day event, but
spread out over many days.
“Our vision is to develop it
into a two-day if not week-long
event with the focus on Pictou
County pizza, making this a
destination choice for people
who want to experience pizza
in Pictou County."
For those who attend, the
$25 ticket, in advance, will give
attendees the opportunity to
try up to eight different pizzas
as well as receive a complimentary Uncle Leo’s beer.
Underage? No problem. The
event is family-friendly so those
under 19 can get a soda to go
with their pizza.
The event will take place on
April 23 from 7 to 10 p.m.
Vendors include Acropole
Pizza, Cafe Italia, Crossroads
Country Market, Greco Pizza,
Jessy’s Pizza, Pictou County
Pizza, Sobeys Westside Pizza
and the Original Sam’s Pizza.
“All funds raised will go
toward New Glasgow Rotary
Club projects like the many
local projects we have here in
the community and the international programs we support as
well. This is a great opportunity
to come out and have some fun
and support a good cause.”
Last year the event sold close
to 230 tickets and the hope this
year is to sell out at 300 tickets.
There will be a cash bar and
tickets at the door are $30.
“We are really trying to
claim Pictou as the pizza capital of Canada and so we really
want to focus on the county
being a destination for a pizza
festival.”
ed by the Rotary Club of Pictou
last week at the deCoste
Entertainment Centre in Pictou,
to illustrate what the county has
to offer in many ways, besides
the arts.
“Sometimes, we think we
have to go (elsewhere) for these
experiences, but the caliber of
the play is like what you would
see in larger centres,” she said.
Besides MacConnell-Maxner,
the executive includes vice-president Malcolm Houser and treasurer Michael Corkum.
New board members include
Jim Bate, Tyler MacLane and
Blair VanVeld. Outgoing board
members
include
David
Freckelton, Jim Fitt and Nick
MacGregor.
Miller calls for more innovation
By Steve Goodwin
ANNIVERSARY ANTICS
Beatrice Ryan as Red Rose, shows off an outfit fit for afternoon tea – complete with teapot
purse – during a hilarious fashion show put on for the 55 Plus Club anniversary in New Glasgow
last Friday.
(Brimicombe photo)
steve@pictouadvocate.com
NEW GLASGOW – Nova
Scotia can succeed with more
innovation, immigration and economic inclusion, Bernie Miller
says.
Speaking at the luncheon following the annual general meeting of the Pictou County Chamber
of Commerce, Miller said the
province’s future progress will
also depend on complete broadband service in the province, as
well as more exports of goods
and services and great youth
attraction.
“We are seeing green shoots of
opportunity,” he said, noting
youth unemployment has fallen
from nearly 20 per cent to less
than 16 per cent in the last two
years.
Miller is senior executive
advisor for the Nova Scotia government’s executive council.
Until February he was deputy
minister of Planning and
Priorities and was closely connected to the development of We
Choose Now: a Playbook for
Nova Scotians.
He described the report named
Now or Never presented two
years ago by the commission
chaired by Ray Ivany as a wakeup call for Nova Scotians who
want to preserve its good points.
“If we want things to stay the
same, the things we like about
Nova Scotia, we have to change,”
he said “We can’t change the fact,
CORRECTION
The operators of the
Downtown Book Exchange in
New Glasgow include coowners John and Jane Wile,
Outgoing chamber board member Nick MacGregor, left, stands
with guest speaker Bernie Miller at the luncheon that followed
the chamber’s AGM in New Glasgow.
(Goodwin photo)
so we need to change our thinking.”
He said an aging population is
a good thing, given the skill sets
and other gifts seniors can contribute to society.
“Aging is not the problem but
part of the solution,” he said.
“Every society in the world, with
few exceptions, is experiencing
what Nova Scotia is experiencing.
People coming out of poverty are
having fewer children.”
Miller said the One Nova
Scotia initiative that followed the
Ivany report has produced new
thinking that can help the province.
Examples include invigorating young people and attracting
them to the workforce – including African Nova Scotians and
First Nations young people. A
prosperous Nova Scotia will have
more permanent residents and
more foreign students remaining
in the province
He also cited the need for
more post-secondary research
partnerships.
“Our biggest impediment is a
lack of a shared vision,” he said.
their children Erin, Ellen and
Russell, and Ellen’s boyfriend
Kyle Conrad.
The Advocate erroneously
described Erin and Russell as
spouses.
John Wile has a background
in heat pumps and ventilation.
The Advocate apologizes
for the error.
The Advocate
April 6, 2016
www.pictouadvocate.com
♦
for a successful future
August trial scheduled
on seven charges
By Heather Brimicombe
heatherbrimicombe@pictouadvocate.com
session of a weapon for a dangerous purpose as well as breaking and entering and committing
a crime and two counts of mischief.
Cameron, who was present in
Provincial Court on Monday
morning, has had his trial for the
indictable charges put over for
trial on August 9 of this year.
Accused denies guilt;
trial set for July 11
PICTOU – A 19-year-old man
is facing three charges after a
March 9 incident in Coalburn.
Denzel Jordan is facing one
charge of pointing a firearm,
namely a pellet gun, at someone,
as well as being at large on an
undertaking
and
uttering
threats.
Jordan was present in court
on Monday and pleaded not
guilty to all of the charges. His
trial has been set for July 11 of
this year.
Assault charge denied
PICTOU – A Rocklin woman
appeared in Provincial court on
Monday to face an assault
charge.
Katlyn Borden, 24, was
charged following a February 2
incident that occurred in
Priestville.
Borden entered a plea of not
guilty to the single count and
will return to court on July 12
for her trial.
Trial set on three charges
PICTOU – A local senior will
stand trail on three charges from
three separate incidents.
Michael Paul Hatfield, 64, of
Coalburn has entered not guilty
pleas to one charge of theft under
$5,000 as well as one count of
operation of a motor vehicle
while disqualified and a failure
to appear charge.
Hatfield will return to court
on July 26 for his trial.
3
Helping to dress
COURT BRIEFS
PICTOU – A Central West
River man had a court appearance regarding seven charges he
is facing after an incident in
Trenton on January 22.
Tyler Clark Cameron, 21, is
charged with one count of
assault, one count of assault with
a weapon, uttering threats to
cause bodily harm or death, pos-
Community
Sharlane MacLeod made her fashion debut recently at Toronto
Fashion Week with this winter coat she designed, featuring
(Submitted photo)
rug-hooked panels.
A good first impression can
make a mark when entering the
work force.
An initiative at the Nova
Scotia Community College campus located in Stellarton is hoping to help local students make a
good first impression with how
they dress when entering the
workforce for work terms.
“The idea actually came from
one of our faculty members,
Anne McDonah,” said Nicole
MacDonald, a business administration student and part of the
Enactus group that organized
the Dress for Success event.
The group invited a few local
clothing vendors to join in the
small sale that took place at the
campus last week. The sale
included shoes, clothes from the
vendors and a rack of donated
clothing from students and
staff.
“We are doing it as a fundraiser as well,” said MacDonald.
The money that was raised
from the event will go toward
the Enactus group which is plan-
ning on putting funds to use by
building a raised garden bed at
the local Roots for Youth House
in New Glasgow. The gardens
will go toward providing fresh
food as well as teaching participants valuable skills.
Other funds raised will go
towards a trip to Toronto for the
group so they can compete in a
larger competition for project
ideas.
As for the clothing sale aspect
of Dress for Success, MacDonald
said she has heard “really good
things,” so far from students
about the idea.
“They like to see the businesses here,” she said.
A Truro campus professor
was also in attendance to help
students in Dress for Success, as
it is part of one of the classes she
teaches
at
her
campus.
Cosmetology students were also
in attendance to do hair assessments and give advice.
As a first for the event, it
showed the signs of a popular
idea with students on campus
and MacDonald said it is likely it
will return again next year.
“We were hoping to continue
it in the fall,” she said.
Bright lights,
big fashion
Fashion designer with local
roots makes her debut at
Toronto Fashion Week
Nicole MacDonald of the Nova Scotia Community College's
Pictou Campus Enactus group takes a look through some of
the staff and student donated clothing during the first Dress
for Success event the Enactus group hosted as a fundraiser
(Brimicombe photo)
last week.
By Heather Brimicombe
heatherbrimicombe@pictouadvocate.com
Falconer appeal denied
The appeal of convicted murderer Christopher Alexander
Falconer has been denied by the
Nova Scotia Court of Appeal.
Falconer applied for an appeal
in November of last year to have
his charges quashed and a new
trial to be held.
In his application, Falconer
stated his grounds for appeal
were that the conviction was
”tainted with legal error.” He
argued that some of the evidence
put forth was not dealt with correctly.
“The trial judge erred in his
instructions to the jury by conflating formal admissions with
informal admissibility concessions and thereby inappropriately exposed the jury to legal
rationales for admissibility,” the
decision document says.
The court concluded that the
trial judge had not erred.
Chief Justice Cartwright, writing for the full court noted, “To
permit such a course could only
lead to confusion. The idea of the
admission of an allegation
involves action by two persons,
one who makes the allegation
and another who admits it.”
The document mentioned
that the decision was made due
to wording of the criminal code
and it was apparent that there
was no prejudice to the stipulation that content of some affidavits were admitted based on
truth.
Falconer was sentenced on a
charge of first degree murder in
2014 and is facing one life sentence for the death of Pictou
County woman Amber Kirwan.
NEWS BRIEF
♦
Assisted dying session
scheduled for Saturday
STELLARTON – Physicianassisted dying will be the topic
during a session on April 9 at
Christ Anglican Church in
Stellarton.
The Anglican Churches of
Pictou County (ACPC) are cohosting the event that is scheduled to start at 2 p.m., last two
hours and feature four presenters and a question period.
Rev. Darlene Jewers, who is
ACPC rector, and Associated
Priest Aidan Kingsbury have
been planning the event.
Kingsbury said the session is
a response to pending new federal legislation in the wake of
successful court challenges to the
existing law.
“We started thinking about
this some time ago and have
been working at it off and on
since after Christmas,” Kingsbury
said. “It’s all about the federal
legislation. The more we worked
at it, the more we decided this
needed public attention.”
The four presenters will
include a medical doctor, a clergy person, someone to speak
about hospital chaplaincy and
the federal legislation and someone to speak about mental health
issues.
“They will speak and then
we’ll open the floor to questions,” Kingsbury said. “It’s
mainly designed, not for statements, but for information.”
The bright lights and high
fashion of Toronto Fashion
Week met Pictou County this
year as county native Sharlane
MacLeod made her debut on
the runway, practically opening this year’s Fashion Week.
MacLeod, who attends
George Brown College in
Toronto, is in her final year of
a fashion design course. She
found herself with a chance for
her design to see the runway at
this year’s fashion week after
entering a high visibility competition for students of five
Toronto schools.
“There was no real theme to
it, but you have to use reflective material,” said MacLeod.
To make it to the runway,
her design made it in the top
10 designs from her school,
and then was chosen as one of
the top 12 out of approximately 50 designs.
“I chose to do rug hooking
and I cut up strips of reflective
material,” said MacLeod about
her unique design.
The front, as well as part of
the back of the winter coat she
designed, featured rug-hooking panels.
The only problem was,
when MacLeod came up with
the design, she didn’t know
how to rug hook.
“When I was younger, my
mom started rug hooking but
never really got into it,” said
MacLeod about her inspiration
for the quirky medium.
“I had the idea that I wanted to do something with rug
hooking and fashion.”
After finding out that she
had been chosen for the final
stage of the competition,
MacLeod returned to Pictou
County for Christmas break
and sought help from Joanne
Russell, a friend's mother who
had originally mentored her
when she was learning to use a
sewing machine. She then had
to source rug hooking supplies
in Toronto and get to work.
“The rug hooking alone
took about 80 hours,” said
MacLeod. “I got much quicker
at rug hooking!”
In all, she estimates that
aside from the rug hooking, it
took her three days to complete the sewing portion of the
Service trip helps teens
appreciate all they have
By Heather Brimicombe
heatherbrimicombe@pictouadvocate.com
Sharlane MacLeod on stage
with the model wearing the
coat MacLeod designed at
Toronto Fashion Week.
coat, as well as more time spent
on creating patterns before any
of the fabrication began.
After all the work put into
it, MacLeod found herself back
stage at David Pecaut Square
on March 14.
“My garment was the first
one down the runway on the
first day of Fashion Week,”
said MacLeod. “I literally
opened Fashion Week,” she
laughed.
After having the full model
treatment getting her makeup
done backstage, MacLeod
walked the runway with the
model that was showing off
her design.
“When you’re walking out
in the run through it was
intimidating because the runway is way longer than you
think,” she said.
MacLeod also noted that
the bright lights make it difficult to see or know where to
look while making your way
down the runway. Although
she did not place in the competition, MacLeod is nonetheless ecstatic to have had the
chance to debut her garment
on the Toronto Fashion Week
stage.
“It was really cool,” she
noted.
Reflecting back on their time
in Ecuador, some local teenagers
are feeling pretty lucky for all that
they have.
Students from a few local
schools took a service learning
trip to Ecuador in March to work
on building a school for a village
that was in need.
Most of them heard about the
trip to Hatun-Urko, Ecuador by
word of mouth and were interested in an adventure that would
also grant them the opportunity
to help those in need.
“Being able to just enter the
village where we built the school
and see all the kids smiling at
you, it was all very magical,” said
Ross MacLeod, one of the students who participated.
The trip was part of the group's
Me to We initiative and was coordinated though Education First
tours, which also allowed the students, while not working on the
school they were building to
experience the country around
them.
While there, they had the
opportunity to visit local markets,
enjoy nature hikes as well as
experience local culture with a
local shaman as well as traditional dancers from the local culture.
Some had the opportunity to try
things like raw grubs, or fresh
cocoa.
The local group was the first
group of students to arrive at the
site and had the opportunity to
see their project come together
from the digging of the foundation to parts of the building being
erected and the concrete being
readied to pour. They were also
immersed in the experience by
having the chance to interact with
the local children who would be
attending the school they were
building.
“It really opened my eyes to
what I have back here," said
Kaelan Daley.
Others who attended were
quick to agree with her sentiment. “We take a lot for granted,”
said Gabby Link.
The students all agreed that it
had certainly changed their perspective on their lives and they
would recommend the experience to anyone else who might be
thinking about a similar trip.
RCMP seek public assistance
in B&E investigation
PLYMOUTH – Pictou
County RCMP is seeking public assistance to solve a break
and enter into a Plymouth
business last week.
Police say between 6 p.m.
on March 29 and 7 a.m. on
March 30, an unknown number of suspects entered
Sharpe's Ultramar on East
River Road by breaking the
operation's glass service door.
They then took approximately
$700 in cash from the register.
RCMP is asking anyone
who may have witnessed this
crime, or has information
about this crime or the
suspect(s), to call the RCMP at
902-755-4141 or Nova Scotia
Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222TIPS (8477), or text TIP202 +
your message to 'CRIMES'
(274637). You can also access
Secure Web Tips at www.
crimestoppers.ns.ca.
The investigation is ongoing.
4
Community
The Advocate
April 6, 2016
www.pictouadvocate.com
Students show
talents at regional
science fair
By Steve Goodwin
steve@pictouadvocate.com
STELLARTON – More than
100 students of various ages
shared their passion and skills
last week during the 2016
Chignecto East regional science
fair at Nova Scotia Community
College.
Students were asked to compose projects based on the use of
materials and describing the
statements, procedures or
hypotheses used and the conclusions they drew from the
process.
Besides Pictou County elementary, middle and senior
high schools, competing students also represented schools
in
Tatamagouche
and
Pugwash.
“It’s interesting to see the
enthusiasm the students show,
even from an early age,” said
Parker Wong, a retired educator
and one of the science fair committee members.
There were 103 students
involved with 85 projects from
11 schools from elementary to
high school.
The fair featured an earlymorning setup and judging
through the morning and special judging for middle and high
school students during the after-
noon last week.
Awards were presented during a ceremony on Thursday.
Among the displays was one
for an experiment for dairy and
other drinks called Hop off Pop,
presented by Brett Stroud and
Joey Bryce, which they said took
nine days to complete. They are
Grade 3 students at G.R.
Saunders Elementary School in
Stellarton.
Morgan Coulet, a Grade 10
student at Pictou Academy, displayed her project called Bread
plus Water equals Mold. She
said her work took 12 days.
Meanwhile, Dawn Giles, a
Grade 8 student at West Pictou
Consolidated School, took from
December to February to gather
information and compose it on
the Effects of Electronic
Technology.
Among awards presented,
Hannah Parks from North Nova
Education Centre received the
Dalhousie award and Megan
Fraser from Northumberland
Regional High School received
the Saint Mary’s award.
Parks also received one of
the awards for best display and
earned a $1,500 scholarship to
Dalhousie, while Fraser earned
a $2,000 scholarship to St. Francis
Xavier University.
Fraser was first and Parks
second in the category for best
Mind Matters
changes lives
By Debbi Harvie
debbiharvie@pictouadvocate.com
From left: Hannah Parks from North Nova Education Centre
received the Dalhousie award and Megan Fraser from
Northumberland Regional High School received the Saint
Mary’s award at the 2016 Chignecto East regional science fair at
Nova Scotia Community College.
(Goodwin photo)
application of scientific method.
Fraser’s The Science of
Seaweed project also earned her
a fisheries award.
Sarah Khan of NRHS was
second in the Grade 10 to 12
category. Khan also received an
award for most original project.
Jade Butler of Trenton Middle
School was first and Ella Parsons
of New Glasgow Academy was
second in the Grade 8 section.
Sarah Higdon of NGA earned
the best French oral presentation award.
Willem Fraser of G.R.
Saunders school received the
Gary Mingo Memorial award
for best technology/engineering project in a primary/junior
category, while Morgan Coulet
of NRHS received an honour-
able mention among middle
and high school awards.
Elementary school awards
included first place awards to
G.R. Saunders students: Willem
Fraser in Grade 6, Katey Aucoin
in Grade 5 and Lucy Copan in
Grade 4. Mallory Matlock was
second in Grade 5 and fellow
Saunders students Kate Stroud
and Grace Strachen were second
in Grade 4.
Pictou Elementary students
also received awards: Bella Teed
and Bobbi Shaw-Gosselin for
best display and Carys Mason
and Oceanna Campbell for most
original.
They received honourable
mentions, as did Joey Bryce and
Brett Stroud from G.R.
Saunders.
ALMA – Sunethra Kaiprath
had no idea she would be changing lives when she embarked on a
journey of bringing spiritual
enlightenment to Pictou County.
Last year, Kaiprath organized
Mind Matters, a one-day event
where Brahmachari Dayamrita
Swami, a senior disciple of World
Religious Peace Leader AMMA,
was brought in to speak to residents of Pictou County.
The event was very well
attended and Kaiprath is still seeing a rippling effect from the
event which has spurred her to
organize it again this year.
David Hamilton was not able
to attend the event last year, but
in the short time leading up to the
event, he was introduced to
AMMA and he says it has
changed his life.
“I was so negative,” he says. “I
feel like I’m finally at peace. In the
short time I’ve been introduced to
AMMA, it did a lot of things, like
brought me to a spiritual healer
and taught me about unconditional love.”
Kaiprath says that is what
AMMA is all about, love and
compassion.
In fact, Hamilton was so
moved that he began writing
poems for the first time ever and
now has a compilation of 33 that
he is making into a book.
“I sent two of my poems to
India with (Kaiprath and her parents) and they showed them to
AMMA who said this is what the
world needs,” says Hamilton.
The poems have been a journey of healing for Hamilton
allowing him to focus on the
positive.
“It felt so nice to hear the program and the whole concept of
AMMA has touched people so
much,” says Kaiprath.
That is why she is organizing
another Mind Matters event for
May 14 and 15 at Northumberland
Regional High School. The first
day will run 9 a.m. through 1 p.m.
and the second day, focused more
on meditation and yoga technique,
will run 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“The goal is to introduce ourselves (Pictou County) as a hub
spot,” explains Kaiprath. “AMMA
travels around the world, we are
the first area in Atlantic Canada
to start these gatherings... the
hope is that in the future this area
could become a potential stop on
AMMA’s tour.”
The Mind Matters event is not
religion-based, it is open to all
walks of life and all beliefs.
“It will take a long time to get
her (AMMA) here, when she
travels to Toronto, she has an
entourage of 500,000 people.”
Last year, the event was attended by people as far away as Quebec
and this year volunteers are coming from across the province.
Kaiprath was born in Toronto
but moved to the county with her
family in 2004. After graduating
high school, she went on to university and medical school, taking time to practise medicine
Continued on page 5
The Advocate
April 6, 2016
www.pictouadvocate.com
• MOU SESSIONS •
Rough ride during Eureka session
By Steve Goodwin
steve@pictouadvocate.com
EUREKA – Few of the more
than 100 people who attended an
MOU information session last
week have good things to say
about it.
The meeting was one of two
that night as part of a preliminary
list of 16 scheduled meetings to
examine various parts of the
memorandum of understanding
that would lead to amalgamation
of the Municipality of Pictou
County and the towns of New
Glasgow, Pictou and Stellarton.
Coun. Debbie Wadden who,
with Warden Baillie, represents
the rural municipality on the MOU
steering committee, led the opening presentation, while she and
Baillie fielded questions and comments during the session that lasted more than two hours.
Wadden said the MOU has
prompted the province to freeze
tax rates and inject $69.21 million
over five years for infrastructure
and other projects that include
Residents eager for information on the MOU meet in Eureka to
(Goodwin photo)
listen to the presentation.
extending sewer lines in
MacLellan’s Brook.
“By working together, we can
get that work done,” she said.
She said fire departments in
the four amalgamating units will
be intact because they have a
mutual aid system that works
very well. "The way they work
today is the way they will work
tomorrow,” she said.
Wadden said the MOU mandates a five-year, in-depth study
to be conducted on policing in the
four units.
In response to one question,
she said Pictou County is copying
amalgamations that were foisted
on areas elsewhere in Nova Scotia,
such as HRM and CBRM.
Community
5
ON GUARD
FOR THEE
“It’s made in Pictou County,”
she said. “It’s voluntary.”
Baillie responded to a question
about rural municipal grants, saying they will remain and adding
that other units have considered
applying a similar grant system.
“They are going to adopt our
standard,” he said. “The municipal grant system works very well,
the area rate system works.”
District 12 resident Don
MacKenzie repeated his remarks
on a straw vote he took in a board
room where the spectators gathered while council met in-camera
in February when council agreed
to continue the MOU process.
“Let’s have a vote (on the MOU
at last week’s meeting),” he said.
“You will have that opportunity on May 28,” Baillie said, referring to the plebiscite scheduled for
the four participating units.
Three more rural sessions are
scheduled for this week, including
one tonight at 7 p.m. at the Caribou
District Fire Hall. The others are
Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in both
Abercrombie and Lismore.
New Glasgow residents satisfied with answers
By Debbi Harvie
debbiharvie@pictouadvocate.com
NEW GLASGOW – The
town’s Ward One residents
seem satisfied with the information provided at the recent
MOU session last week.
Lisa MacDonald, CAO for
New Glasgow and MOU steering committee member, noted
that amalgamation has been discussed in some form or another
in Pictou County since 1889.
“It’s about building a better,
stronger Pictou County,” she
told the 20 people in attendance.
The MOU was designed to
address the current issues the
county is facing in terms of
declining population, aging
demographic and declining
economic prosperity.
MacDonald
highlighted
some of the preconditions that
were part of the MOU including the county’s request for no
increase in taxes over the next
five years, which has been
spread out to all participating
municipalities; New Glasgow’s
request for no reduction in services, which has also been
adjusted to include all participating municipalities; Pictou’s
request for fair and equitable
capital
investment
and
Stellarton’s request to have the
Albion Business Park’s debt
paid for by the new regional
municipality's revenue stream.
The 18 rural fire departments will remain as is, paid
for through an area rate and the
other three town fire departments will remain, also paid
through an area rate.
With equalization remaining the same, over the next five
years, the new municipality
will see $10.45 million in drinking water upgrades, $8.35 million in buildings, $26.77 million
in streets, sidewalks and street
lights, $16.66 million in sanitary sewer, $1.4 million on fleet,
$3.8 million for recreation and
culture, $0.93 million for storm
water upgrades and $0.76 million for land.
With that in mind, one
attendee asked, “If everything
is as black and white as it
appears to be, why are the other
towns not participating?”
MacDonald responded, “In
2009, Westville asked for an
amalgamation study and it took
about a year and a half to agree
on the terms of reference for the
study, then another year for
everyone to agree to pay $25,000
to match the province’s contribution for the study. In 2014,
the minister of Municipal
Affairs met with each council
individually and then met with
the councils together and disclosed that he didn’t feel like it
was a good value for the province’s money because there
didn’t seem to be consensus
among the councils, so he took
the money away but said he
would support us if any two or
more units wanted to come
together.”
New Glasgow Mayor Barrie
MacMillan
added,
“We
approached Pictou and the
Municipality because we knew
they were willing to do something, so the MOU was drafted.
Trenton was asked to participate in writing the MOU and
chose not to but (said they)
would look at it positively
when it came out. When the
MOU was drafted everyone
else was approached.”
Residents also questioned
the number of councillors per
district and the fact that it will
be districts instead of wards.
Policing was also questioned, and residents were
informed that there was a fiveyear window where the policing could be studied.
One resident asked what
happens after five years in
terms of taxes?
“It’s no different than today,
we can’t guarantee your tax
rates won’t increase next year,”
noted MacDonald.
Another questioned whether
the plebiscite would be binding. Both MacDonald and Cam
Beaton of Pictou Council noted
that the plebiscite is a reflection
of how the residents feel; if
they do not want this to move
forward, councillors will not
vote for it to move forward.
In response to what plan B is
if this does not go through,
MacMillan said it will be
municipal election in October
as usual.
Mind Matters ...
Continued from page 4
in India and get close to AMMA.
“Naturally I try to bring positiveness to people. When I went
away for school I saw people really suffering and it made me appreciate things more. People don’t
often see everything that Pictou
County has to offer, especially
those from here... there is so much
potential.”
Kaiprath says she has lived in
other rural communities in
Canada, but there seems to be
something about this county that
people don’t grasp with all that it
has to offer.
“I often wonder why people
think it is so bad. I want this to be
a movement here where people
can become more motivated...
Having that faith and motivation
on a daily basis will help the
mindsets and the future of the
county; there is so much booming
potential.”
The idea of Mind Matters is to
break barriers and bring people
together with acceptance and
respect.
Chrisoula Wong is also helping
organize this year’s event and she
says it is “a gathering for one day
where people can come and be
themselves.”
Kaiprath adds, “It’s a very
informal, relaxing atmosphere, it’s
a family-friendly event.”
For more information visit the
Facebook page Amma NovaScotiaMindMatters PictouCounty.
MacLean & MacDonald
Barristers & Solicitors
Ian H. MacLean, Q.C., LL.B.
Leo I. MacDonald, C.D., B.A., LL.B (Counsel)
90 Coleraine Street, Pictou, NS 902-485-4347
Karla MacFarlane
MLA, Pictou West
902-485-8958
pictouwestmla@bellaliant.com
Office: 25B Front St., Pictou
Hours: Mon - Fri 10 am - 4 pm
From the left, Chrisoula Wong, Sunethra Kaiprath and David
Hamilton display a sign that was created at last year’s Mind
Matters event. The sign was taken to India and blessed by
AMMA. The next Mind Matters event will take place May 14 and
(Harvie photo)
15 at Northumberland Regional High School.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Pictou County Military
Museum and The Advocate are teaming up to
present 'On Guard for Thee',
a series of profiles of some of the local men and
women who have served this country in times of
conflict. The project is the brainchild of Vincent
Joyce, founder and president of the Pictou County
Military Museum, who has generously supplied
all of the photos and military records
of the individuals who will be featured weekly
in The Advocate.
This profile and many others are available
for purchase as a fundraiser for
The Pictou County Military Museum. Discs
of the military profiles that have already
appeared in The Advocate can be purchased
for $25. Each CD contains 80 pictures and
profiles, 40 unit pictures and military
poems. Contact The Military Museum at
396-2194, 2020 Queen Street, Westville.
#WelcomeRefugees
Concerned about the refugee crisis
and want to get involved? The following groups
and individuals can help:
CAiRN (Communities Assisting Refugees Now):
Mary-Beth Moriarity at Pictou United Church (Phone: 902485-8081). Email: pictouunited@eastlink.ca.
Rebecca McKenna (Phone: 902-485-1417). Email: r.mckenna@ns.sympatico.ca. Facebook: www.facebook.com/CAIRNCommunitiesAssistingRefugeesNow
Alta Munro, al.alta@bellaliant.net
Nanda Shirke, Pictou County Multicultiral Association (Phone:
902-695-6383). Email: nandashirke@gmail.com.
Safe Harbour, pictoucountyrefuge@gmail.com
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Flexible, compassionate, respectful,
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6
Opinion
The Advocate
April 6, 2016
www.pictouadvocate.com
County does
produce jobs
Pictou County can do better. It has the capacity to raise
its game.
That was the message from
newly-elected Pictou County
Chamber of Commerce president Nancy MacConnellMaxner as she addressed
those attending the luncheon
that followed the Pictou
County
Chamber
of
Commerce’s annual meeting
last Thursday in New
Glasgow.
She talked about “connecting people, connecting communities” and it was more
about how she said it more
than what she said that was
so refreshing and rang so
clearly
The partnerships outlined
by her and chamber executive director Jack Kyte
between the chamber and
groups such as Pictou
Landing First Nations, where
a state-of-the-art administration building is nearing completion under a partnership
with the chamber, Pictou
Landing and MacGregors
Industrial Group.
Kyte also cited One Pictou
County, Pictou-Antigonish
Regional Library, Pulse Pictou
County and Engage Nova
Scotia are worthy ones. They
dovetail with points presented by guest speaker Bernie
Miller: Broadband service,
exports, youth attraction,
innovation, immigration and
economic inclusion.
Miller referred to the entire
province and how all those
points also apply to Pictou
County. More than a decade
after a pledge to blanket the
province with High Speed
Internet and cell phone access,
we don’t have it in all of
Pictou County. It’s past time
we did.
Economic inclusion to
Miller means less red tape for
business, fewer obstacles to
meet codes and standards.
One senses that Miller’s
comment about “seeing the
green shoots of opportunity”
is a theme being espoused by
Premier Stephen McNeil as
the date for his government’s
2016-17 budget on April 19
approaches. Will it be less
painful and more acceptable
than last year’s was?
A rising number of examples illustrate how exports
and innovation are part of the
equation in Pictou County.
They tend to be smaller
employers, but one can imagine how doubling the total
would benefit the area and its
residents.
Growing the local economy will depend on how good
we are at creating jobs that
currently do not exist.
One can consider the new
opportunities developed by
companies such as the
Advocate, MacGregors, I.
Matheson, Stark and Velsoft.
Some of the jobs didn’t exist
25 years ago. Some didn’t
exist 10 years ago. There is
the potential for future jobs
that we can’t even guess at
now.
Pictou County’s people
need to adapt to changing
times and new opportunities.
A static mindset will ensure
us that we will miss that
chance.
Good health is not just
about what we eat and how
physically active we are. The
over-riding requirement is a
nimble mind. Then we can
seize the day.
Steve Goodwin
VISIT US ON
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EDITOR
Jackie Jardine
902-759-0307
editor@pictouadvocate.com
FLASHBACK
♦
BESSIE
MACKENZIE
MACMASTER
MACAULAY
Bessie MacKenzie MacMaster
MacAulay, on the right, enjoyed
water from the Green Hill Spring
in 1944. Sister Edith, their mother
Catherine and Bessie lived nearby at their Elm Valley Farm in
Durham. Bessie began her teaching career at the age of 17 in
Upper Mount Thom School and
retired in 1971 from Patterson
Elementary School after 38 years
of teaching. Bessie A. MacAulay,
age 104 of Seafoam, died at Glen
Haven Manor in New Glasgow
on Friday, April 10, 2015
(Submitted by the Pictou Historical
Photograph Society. Go to www.pictouphotos.ca/NovaStory.ca to view
these and 1,800 more Pictou photos.
Check out their Facebook page.)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
◆
Status quo is a precursor to change
To the Editor:
Over the past few weeks talk
about the future of our region's
local governments has taken on
a life of its own. The talk is
focused on the proposal for
municipal reform by the
Municipality of Pictou County
and three towns (New Glasgow,
Pictou and Stellarton).
This is an emotional debate
for many in our county. It took
us over a century to get to this
point. There’s a lot of history and
pride in our communities. As a
resident of Pictou County I’m
proud of our communities and
see this pride of place in everyone in the region.
Passion and emotion was evident at the recent Nova Scotia
Utility and Review Board hearings. There was a lot of discussion about the long histories of
our neighbouring communities
at the UARB meetings. The plebiscite ballot box question is about
our future and not our past.
My experience with the amalgamation question spans my two
terms on Municipal Council. I
understand the negative response
towards this change. During my
first term on council, my initial
reaction was a resounding no to
the idea. This was a reaction not
unlike what is being published
and presented to the public by
those against the present proposal. Looking through the lens
of hindsight, I now believe I was
wrong. It was based in assumptions not fact.
So what changed my view on
REPORTER
Steve Goodwin
(902) 301-0724
steve@pictouadvocate.com
the subject of a change in governance?
First, the failure in getting all
six units to agree to a governance
study partially funded by the
provincial government. The new
Liberal government pulled their
funding off the table because of
this lack of consensus. This failure highlighted the inertia with
our local governments to move
our region forward.
The second and more compelling reason is our local government can’t ignore the fiscal
challenges facing local governments across Nova Scotia. Places
like Parrsboro, Springhill and
Hantsport voluntarily decided to
dissolve. We could let outside
interests from Halifax determine
our future through impending
dissolutions or we could be proactive and create a “Made in
Pictou County” solution for our
region. With this backdrop it
was obvious we needed to be
proactive in our approach for the
future of our region.
The status quo is not an
option, it’s simply a prelude to
change.
The Municipality of Pictou
County was a signatory on to the
Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) and was at the table for
the first meeting in December
2014. The MOU is the framework agreement to look at
forming a regional government.
Over the past two years, this
public process was headed by
an MOU Steering Committee.
This committee was headed by
REPORTER
REPORTER
Heather Brimicombe
902-301-1653
Debbi Harvie
902-301-5997
debbiharvie@pictouadvocate.com
heatherbrimicombe@pictouadvocate.com
the Mayors and Warden along
with one councillor from each
of the four councils.
The work of the MOU
Steering Committee was an
open and transparent process.
All of the MOU Steering
Committee meetings were open
to the public. Information,
reports and meeting minutes
are posted on the www.onepictoucounty.ca website. Social
media platforms were also provided for people to gather
information and follow the process. And if residents didn’t
have access to these electronic
forms of communication they
could request printed copies
from their respective municipality.
There were many public
meetings throughout the
Municipality to discuss the process and explain the different
studies. The MOU was discussed at District ratepayers
meetings. The steering committee met with interested and
engaged groups such as the
Chamber of Commerce, Pictou
County 20/20 and Pulse Pictou
County. A lot of work went
into this proposal for residents
and ratepayers to review and
provide comment. A lot of
work in a short period of time.
As a municipal councillor, I
have also taken time to discuss
this issue on a one-to-one basis
with residents when questions
arose.
More recently the Utility
and Review Board held public
hearings on the application for
amalgamation of the four
municipalities. We heard from
people on both sides of the
issue. Emotions aside, the facts
speak for themselves, this is
our one chance to create a made
in Pictou County solution for
our region. This is why it’s
important to get out to the public meetings to learn more about
the proposal you will be voting
on at the plebiscite on May 28.
I believe the work the MOU
Steering Committee has done
and the studies submitted to
the UARB is worthy of consideration. The findings and solutions in this amalgamation proposal protect the rural ratepayers and provide the foundation
for a successful regional government. It’s important we
gather all of the facts and make
an informed decision.
This week community district meetings started. A full
listing of dates is located on the
www.onepictoucounty.ca website. For residents in District 11
a public session will be held at
the Plymouth Fire Department
on March 31 at 6:30 p.m.
As a municipal councillor, I
understand the strong reaction
on both sides of this proposal.
It’s time for us to get the facts
and make your voice known
for the future of our region.
Andy Thompson
Deputy Warden,
Municipality of Pictou
County
Councillor, District 11
REPORTER
ADVERTISING SALES
aaroncameron@pictouadvocate.com
silviaschaaf@advocatemediainc.com
Aaron Cameron
902-759-7141
Silvia Schaaf
902-301-2554
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Get out and vote
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
◆
Union of municipalities has drawbacks
To the Editor:
I understand that there is a
major attempt being made to
cause the amalgamation of most
of the municipal units in Pictou
County. I understand Pictou
Town, the rural county, New
Glasgow and Stellarton are expected to join in this union. Westville
and Trenton seem to have other
ideas. Their reasons for rejecting
union at this time are worthy of
consideration. I believe they have
the right of the matter.
I oppose the wider union for
several reasons.
1. A union of the municipalities would be a step further
removed from the concept of
direct democracy. In most cases
citizens now know their elected
municipal representatives. The
elected persons may easily be
engaged in discussion by individual citizens served. If an amalgamated council is created, its membership will be reduced, for efficiency sake if nothing else. The
new larger municipal ridings will
cause members of the public to be
further removed from their elected
representatives. The reduction in
representation will not benefit the
citizens, although the new remoteness may make the work of
municipal government easier. The
number circulated seems to be 10
+ a mayor. This will contribute to
the installation of elected officials
from the average citizen. Such
moves not good for democracy!
Should Westville and/or Trenton
later join the union, how will this
affect the number of people elected to council? It would seen representation is deserved, yet any
attempted rural-urban balance is
upset.
2. The councillors in the new
entity will have more responsibility. Their financial renumeration
will probably increase and be
justified by the greater responsibility and workload. The councillors
will tend to lose the spirit of volunteerism and look upon their
responsibility as a job. I believe the
“job” aspect will cause the councillors to become task-orientated as
opposed to people-orientated and
the relationship between council
members and citizens will diminish.
3. The services provided to
rural citizens can not be equal to
the services provided to the towndwelling citizens. The whole rural
area of the county can not be provided with equal quality municipal service available to people in
the towns. Sewage disposal, water
delivery, recreational opportunities etc. are examples of areas
where service under amalgamation will be unequal. Inequality of
service provision is not acceptable.
Mayor Savage made the point that
equality of service was impossible
throughout Halifax Municipality.
How can it be different in Pictou
County?
4. Taxation will be unfair in a
united municipality. Rural citizens
will be forced to pay taxes to assist
finance of urban services. The
sewage service is one service that
the rural people will subsidize. It
will be difficult to devise a system
where rural residents without
municipal sewage will not be
expected to help cover urban sewage costs. Savage made the point
Listen to the facts
To the Editor:
I am writing on behalf of Pulse
Pictou County in support of the
proposed amalgamation of the
Municipality of the County of
Pictou and the towns of Pictou,
New Glasgow and Stellarton. I
was born and raised in Pictou
County, growing up in Durham,
Pictou and Toney River and two
years ago moved back home and
currently reside in Durham while
working in Pictou.
While being away for five
years for my education, I always
spoke positively about my hometown and for me that hometown
was always Pictou County as one.
It made it easier for people to
know where I was from and it
was natural for me to consider it
all as my home. The county offers
so much to us that we need to
start listening to the facts about
it’s future.
As a young professional with
years of work ahead, the importance of growth and sustainability
cannot be overstated and it needs
to be the focus for our county
moving forward. The benefits
outlined with the One Vision for
Pictou County such as operating
surpluses of one million per year
for the next five years, equitable
division of governance and sixtynine million in capital investment
projects are all extremely positive
movements this county could
benefit from.
I was excited to move home
and did not hesitate at establishing a life here because I know the
good we have and the even better
potential that is there. With that
being said, we need to work for it
and not stick to the status quo
that is an inevitable decline.
This unified movement is the
exact step we need to be taking at
a time of declining populations,
aging demographics and a lagging economy to ensure our
county evolves to the proper
structure for municipal government and utilization of regional
services. The MOU committee
have been an exceptional resource
this past year in educating our
Pulse executive on the reform
process and included us in several open discussions as it progressed. Their transparency in
this project is admirable in an
effort to educate the community
at large on the steps required for
this enormous task and most
importantly on the facts found
from their research.
As an active member of Pulse
Pictou County, our mission is to
attract and retain a growing population of young working people
by making the area a more engaging place to live and contribute.
We are a growing network with a
passion for our community and
providing a voice for the young
working people, both here and
away, who call Pictou County
home. That is why we participated in the recent community hearings in Stellarton and Scotsburn,
to continue our mission of cheerleading for the county and showing our support for this positive
change. We love Pictou County
and want to see it thrive in the
future, which is our future. We
have all invested in the county in
different ways and are set to see
those investments through our
careers and lifetime.
We are always being told that
we are the future, so now we are
making sure our voices are heard
at a time where the future of our
county is being determined. We
represent a minority demographic in this county, so we need to be
a strong voice for that demographic because it is our future at
stake.
As a graduate of Northumberland Regional High School,
I went through a school system
that also saw unification in a
similar way. It was built on the
facts of a declining population
and the principles of being able to
provide proper funding while
improving infrastructure. The
same benefits we see outlined by
the MOU.
It brought together three very
proud, independent communities
and united them as one. This
union was necessary and provided a brighter future for the students and I would only hope we
see this unification as a way to
brighten the future of our county.
I know from first hand experience you don’t have to lose your
hometown pride when brought
together, but you are stronger
when united with those who
share the same goals. Our younger generation already thinks as
one, whether it’s through school,
sport or theatre we were brought
up with the idea of Pictou County
as one, so it seems only natural
for that idea to become a reality.
We have the opportunity for
positive change in Pictou County.
With all the negativity surrounding the state of our county and
province in today’s economy,
this voluntary application to
unite our municipal regions is a
chance for us to be leaders and
show our adaptability to the
challenges of today by being
proactive before we are forced to
be reactive.
Pulse Pictou County will be
an active supporter these coming
months as we enter a critical
time in determining the future of
our county.
Joel Cock
Pulse Pictou County
Pictou
7
Opinion
The Advocate
April 6, 2016
www.pictouadvocate.com
taxes would be as fair as possible.
The admission made it clear that
fairness is impossible. Taxes in
rural areas are often lower than in
adjoining towns. This means that
eventually rural areas will suffer
an undue proportion of taxes and
tax increases resulting from amalgamation.
5. Snow removal has interesting implications. Towns remove
snow while the province removes
snow in rural areas. If the four
municipalities become one, then
this sets up a situation that invites
downloading of provincial snow
removal responsibility on the
municipality. (The snow removal
equipment presently owned by
the urban Pictou County areas
probably could not service the
rural areas as well.)
6. Co-operation among the current municipal units could accomplish almost anything that could
be done by a unified municipal
unit. In fact the small units can
provide a greater amount of consideration to a question than what
the issue would receive from a
singlemunicipalunit.Co-operation
is better than assimilation.
7. Rural and urban history and
interests are different. The traditions should not be fused by a
premature municipal union.
8. Police service would be complicated in an enlarged municipality. The current proposal is mute
on the point. Would the RCMP
look after the whole county, or
would the town forces be expanded? Would there be any change?
9. The lack of a generallyknown law enforcement plan
reveals a major flaw in the current
amalgamation process. Similar
questions could be asked about
fire protection, garbage removal
and other services. The citizen is
being asked to buy a pig in a poke.
The whole plan should have been
completed by a process of democratic consultation and made
available for public examination
before residents are asked to
accept it. This lack of a complete
public plan is totally unacceptable.
Another option for creating an
amalgamation proposal would
have been to develop a plan with
ground up public consultation
from the beginning and all along
the way. Solutions forced upon
people from above are not acceptable. The people should have been
asked to develop the plan, not
accept a plan already in the can.
10. In a larger municipality
with fewer elected representatives
the voice of the minority opinion
is more easily lost. (I mean this in
the same sense that the small CCF
provided the Canadian parliament with useful ideas while not
being the governing party.)
11. A town council meeting in
another part of the province made
two relevant points. First, in general, the benefits (if any) of a
municipal amalgamation could
simply be achieved by municipal
co-operation. Second, the chief
driver for municipal union usually
involves payment for capital projects.
12. If there is a general public
demand for amalgamation, I do
not see it.
Milton Fraser
Bridgeville
Residents privileged
to be served by MacMaster
To the Editor:
Ed MacMaster was not only
the longest serving County
councillor, he was one of the
best councillors Pictou County
has ever had.
He ALWAYS put the people's interest first and foremost
in the positions he took and in
his actions. He was a fierce
fighter for the bigger picture
and the common good.
His devotion and loyalty to
the people of Pictou County
was exceptional. The people of
Pictou County were privileged
to have his articulate, profound
voice for as long as we did.
Mary Gorman
Merigomish
11:59 p.m.
Paper ballet advanced poll
starts NOON to 8 p.m. on
Saturday 21 and again same
times on Tuesday 24.
Ordinary polling day May
28, paper ballet only 8 a.m. to 7
p.m.
Now having this many
opportunities for residents to
vote on the future of Pictou
County, 80 per cent is a realistic
number if you do care about
your future.
Regardless of your decision
of either Yes or No, vote on the
plebiscite for it is your future.
Councillor Jim Turple
District 6
To the editor:
I’m going to try and make
this as simple as possible so that
perhaps even a past town councillor, March 30 edition, might
understand information from
my previous letter of March 23.
The vote on May 28 plebiscite is open to every taxpaying
citizen from the municipalities
that opt to be in the MOU.
Having said that there will be
three ways for residents to cast
their vote, “via phone, via computer or via ballet”. Information
to follow.
Using phone or Internet,
advanced poll starts May 9 at
12:01 a.m. through to May 18 at
Can't continue:
amalgamation needed
nity today to shape our future
municipal governance in a way
we Pictonians feel it would work
the best for all of us.
In addition, the provincial
government is offering one-time
financial incentives to assist all
our communities in dealing with
the current financial challenges
we face and the upcoming costs
of implementing the changes
required as we shape our new
municipality. I doubt if this
opportunity will come again in
the foreseeable future.
As we look forward to passing on our community’s growth
and development to the next
generation, let us not hamper
them with an impossible task.
Our young people of today look
at our county and its people in a
different way then we did in our
youth. The communication revolution keeps them in close contact with practically everyone in
our County. They simply do not
see the divisions we saw (and
some still do) within this small
and beautiful part of our province.
After some consideration and
study, I for one have come to the
conclusion that indeed the time
has come for change.
The proposal to join our communities together is in my opinion the best gift we can pass
along to our following generations. Together, we really are
better.
Dan Currie
Pictou
To the Editor:
I had the privilege of serving
on Pictou Town Council for
nearly 20 years. From the 1970s
to 2003, I spent time in each of
these decades as a town councillor, deputy mayor and served as
mayor from 1988 to 1991.
During that time there were
calls for our county to amalgamate and I vigorously opposed
them arguing that we had plenty
of people, money and provincial
support to remain as independent municipal units.
However, over the past number of years it has become obvious that things have changed.
Our communities have become
smaller, populations have
declined and provincial financial
support to our municipalities
has steadily eroded.
For instance, the Town of
Pictou’s population has declined
by about 20 per cent since I first
served on council and a similar
decline has been experienced
across all of Pictou County.
Clearly we cannot continue as
in our past. We must consider a
new model to pool our municipal resources and strengthen our
ability to serve our citizens.
I know change is always difficult, especially in long established and traditional communities like we have in Pictou
County, but we owe it to ourselves and future generations to
set aside our independent tendencies and work together.
We have a unique opportu-
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ADVERTISING DEADLINE IS 5 P.M. FRIDAY
8 Arts & Entertainment
The Advocate
April 6, 2016
www.pictouadvocate.com
Back to nature
signs of spring
Singer-songwriter Erin
Costelo will be performing at Glasgow
Square on Saturday in
support of the local
refugee efforts.
(Submitted photo)
Costelo supports refugee cause
By Aaron Cameron
aaron@pictouadvocate.com
Singer-songwriter
Erin
Costelo will be reconnecting
with her New Glasgow roots this
Saturday at Glasgow Square
Theatre.
The musician and educator
spent a sizeable chunk of her
childhood in New Glasgow
where she received musical
direction from teachers Janice
and Andrew Alcorn. Costelo
said that returning to the area
and sharing the stage with the
NNEC Jazz Choir feels like coming “full circle.”
“It feels like I'm coming back
around because I went to elementary and junior high school
in New Glasgow,” Costelo said.
Costelo spoke warmly about
her seemingly “unaging” former
teachers and the chance to collaborate with the next generation
of Alcorns.
“It's really nice to get to go
back and work with their daughter Robyn who's directing the
choir,” Costelo said. “It sort of
feels like coming full circle in a
way.”
An educator herself, Costelo
commented that among today's
students the idea of being in a
band or choir seems “cooler”
than it was when she was growing up.
“I think that they do have an
opportunity to explore things
and listen to music that I didn't
have growing up,” Costelo said
of students today.
“You had to be able to go out
and buy a record, now you can
listen to it on YouTube or learn
things on YouTube. I don't know
that it's necessarily that they're
more talented but I think that it's
also become cooler, being in
band or singing in choir. That's
become cool now, I don't know
that it necessarily was when I
was in high school or junior high.
I think it always was in New
Glasgow with Andrew and
Janice (Alcorn) but other places
it was pretty nerdy.”
Costelo will be performing
material from her latest album,
Down Below, The Status Quo.
She produced the album herself
at Joel Plaskett's New Scotland
Yard studio in Dartmouth and
while the fashionable person
himself did not helm the product, Costelo did enlist Plaskett's
usual engineer Thomas Stajcer
for engineering duties.
Costelo said the benefit to
New Scotland Yard over other
studios is in its design which
sees the recording console, musi-
cians, instruments and recording
equipment all in one space.
“As a result though, it makes
things move along a lot quicker
because you don't have to leave
the room and go in and listen
and back again,” Costelo
explained. “You can listen in the
space you're recording in and do
another take right away. It creates a lot of creativity that way
because things can move quickly. I really enjoy the space a lot.”
Costelo said sparing strings,
backing vocals and a few lead
vocals as they suited the song
were overdubbed, otherwise the
lion's share of the album was
recorded live in studio.
“All the band stuff is live off
the floor. The band is all in one
room,” Costelo said, “so I didn't
retake drums and retake bass
and all that kind of stuff that
was just live off the floor. And
then the strings were overdubbed, the background vocals
were overdubbed, some of my
vocals are lead vocals with the
band and some are not. It kind
of depended on what was going
to have the right energy for the
song I guess.”
Costelo said she had planned
to make a fairly stripped, “easy
to tour” album with simple
arrangements, instead she created a “huge” album with
Mental health focus of play
The national award-winning
Park Bench Players are coming
to Pictou County for a special
three-run showing of their production, With a Little Help From
My Friends.
The play is an entertaining
tool to help educate, build mental health literacy and reduce
stigma. The performances are
made more poignant with a cast
made up entirely of people who
live with mental illness.
Speaking on behalf of the
troupe, executive producer
Verna MacDonald says the play
works on many levels, by challenging stereotypes and changing attitudes of the audience and
at the same time improving the
health and wellbeing of the cast.
“The script was developed
from the cast’s experiences and
the themes of the play support
patient safety and demonstrate
the many blessings of friendship,
courage and hope as vital to
recovery and survival. It emphasizes and demonstrates that
those who live with mental ill-
ness are so much more than just
their illness,” says MacDonald.
“We are so pleased to be able
to bring this play with its many
important messages to our community,” says Ashlie Cormier,
prevention and health promotion specialist with the Nova
Scotia Health Authority. “This
effort has been a true collaboration with community partners
who care deeply about these
issues. I strongly encourage
everyone to come to this performance to gain a deeper
detailed arrangements and a
12-person band including
horns, strings and backing
vocals. While the effort may
have veered off the map she
had laid out, Costelo has
declared the final product to be
the album that “sounds the
most like me”.
“(I think) part of it is age,”
Costelo explained.
“I'm a little bit older now
and so I feel a little bit more
comfortable in terms of the
song-writing saying what's on
my mind and giving my opinions and so this record tends to
be a little bit more of the way I
look at the world instead of sort
of story telling love songs. And
also in terms of the production
I kind of allowed myself to
bring in all of my influences.”
Costelo said the album is
effectively a protest album with
the title Down Below, The Status
Quo referring to the 99 per cent
beneath the one-percenters and
is a reflection of modern society
and current events, including
the refugee crisis.
“Bringing in refugees is
something that I really support,”
Costelo said.
Fittingly, Saturday's show
will support the local refugee
support programs CAiRN and
Pictou County Safe Harbour.
understanding of what it is like
to live with a mental illness and
how we can all work together
to reduce stigma.”
Two performances will be
staged for students. An evening
show for the general public will
be at North Nova Education
Centre on April 13 at 7 p.m.
Admission is free but donations will be accepted to help
keep the show on the road.
Tickets are required since there
is limited seating and are available at United Way, New
Glasgow, or by calling (902)
755-1754. The evening is hoped
to be entertaining, educational
and inspiring.
As the snow starts to melt
away in most parts of Pictou
County, Mother Nature gives us a
reminder of the natural beauty
that surrounds us. Whether you
want to learn more about nature
through a program, or you want
to learn more about making your
own springtime adventure – stop
into your public library or visit us
online at www.parl.ns.ca.
We have a number of books in
various formats, as well as DVDs
and Blu Rays that families can
borrow from the library to get
down to earth with. One to mention is Earth, the sequel: the race
to reinvent energy and stop global
warming by Fred Krupp and
Miriam Horn. In this book Krupp,
long-time president of the
Environmental Defense Fund,
and Horn feature the bold innovators and investors who are reinventing energy and the ways we
use it. Another one on the shelves
is Building soil: a down-to-earth
approach: natural solutions for
better gardens & yards written by
Elizabeth Murphy.
Down to earth with a little
help from Pictou County Solid
Waste!
Thanks to Marla from Pictou
County Solid Waste, we have a
bunch of fun Earth Day-related
programs for all ages at some of
our library locations. Today,
April 6 in the Westville Library
she’ll be showing people how to
transform t-shirts into fabulous
reusable bags at 2:30 p.m., then
at 3:30 p.m. demonstrate how to
turn old T-shirts into stylish
infinity scarves. T-shirts will be
provided. For the little kids, on
Friday, April 22 at 2 p.m. in the
Pictou Library she will be introducing ‘Pattie Pitter’ and the
children will be able to create a
‘Hairy Harry’ or a ‘Hairy
Harriet’ and a dirt cup treat!
Some other earthy fun
At the Library
HOLLY MACLEAN
is community outreach
assistant for Pictou County
includes a special ‘Artcycle’
Imagination Saturday on April
16, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. in the
Stellarton Library, and a Robot
Junk session at the Westville
Library on Friday, April 22,
3–4:30 p.m. when they create
robots out of recycled materials
(pre-register by calling 902-3965022).
A little help with technology at the Pictou library
A warm welcome goes to
Crawford Henderson who is
volunteering with the Pictou
Library. He will be offering
technology assistance through
one-on-one mentoring for those
interested in learning more
about email, social media,
Microsoft Office and Adobe
Photoshop. His volunteer hours
are Tuesdays and Thursdays,
5–9 p.m. and Saturdays, 10
a.m.–1 p.m. and 3–5 p.m.
To make a mentoring appointment with him, please call (902)
485-5021. He will also be holding
a Minecraft workshop starting on
Saturday, April 9, 1:00 – 3:00pm.
Please note: Crawford’s hours
may be subject to change in the
future since it is in a volunteer
capacity. A special thanks to him
volunteering his time to help!
Pictou West PC Association
ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING
Sunday, April 10, 2016
7 p.m. at the Abercrombie Community Centre
“Presentation by Pictou County Mental Illness
Family Support”
Light refreshments will be served
NG
Academy
IS GOD PARTICLE CLOVERFIELD 3?
presents
The Lorax
10 Cloverfield Lane took the
world by surprise as being
another Cloverfield movie kept
secret for years. But is the
upcoming movie, God Particle,
also a Cloverfield movie? At
first, I didn't believe it because
it seemed like desperate speculation; however, after looking
into it a bit more I have a feeling
that it's possible, even likely.
But why is God Particle likely
part of the Clover-verse?
First off, let me tell you the
patterns of how God Particle is
moving forward. It was a movie
that was talked about for a
while but didn't really get much
traction until a few days ago
when it was announced actors
in talks for casting. This is interesting because, if these actors
are currently in negotiations,
they likely haven't spent months
going to auditions.
It seems like this movie
started gaining traction as 10
Cloverfield Lane did. In
February of this year, the release
date for the movie was set and
now at the end of March actors
are getting cast. This was what
first turned me on to the possibility of God Particle being a
Cloverfield movie. The movie's
N3RD Life
RYAN DUNBRACK
is a Pictou resident and
vlogger with his own YouTube
channel and lots of followers
buildup was built with the hype
of 10 Cloverfield Lane.
God Particle is currently
slated to have a $15 million
budget, making it the third of
low-budget Bad Robot movies,
starting with Cloverfield and
continuing with 10 Cloverfield
Lane. Keep in mind that roughly a month back, JJ Abrams did
an interview teasing plans for a
third Cloverfield movie. He
didn't say it was happening, or
what it was, but he did say that
he had an idea.
The synopsis for God Particle
has been released and it reads:
“God Particle follows a team of
astronauts on a mission who
make a terrifying discovery that
challenges all they know about
the fabric of reality, as they desperately fight for survival.”
And this sounds like a very
cool Cloverfield movie to me,
and I believe it could actually tie
together both Cloverfield and 10
Cloverfield Lane. So there is
possibility that JJ Abrams, Drew
Goddard and Matt Reeves could
be working on a third movie
without him. That's another
thing though; while JJ Abrams is
attached to produce God Particle,
and Drew Goddard doesn't have
anything too substantial keeping him away, Matt Reeves is on
another planet. Reeves is on
Planet of the Apes, coming out
in summer of 2017 and likely his
top priority right now.
These three made the first
movie and produced the second,
so it would be odd if they aren't
part of this one. And I should
say, just because Reeves is making Apes 3, does not mean he
can't produce God Particle but
at this point he isn't attached to
it, to our knowledge. If you
were to ask me, I would say
there's a strong chance God
Particle is Cloverfield 3.
The up and coming thespians of the New Glasgow
Academy will be staging a performance of The Lorax tomorrow, April 7, at 6 p.m.
Katie Hale, with the
Academy's English department, said the cast includes 25
young actors with ages ranging
from Grade Primary to Grade
8.
Hale said the play, based on
the 2012 film adaptation of the
classic Dr Seuss story, was
selected based on student interest.
“We had a few students that
were interested in that play
and brought it to our attention,” said Hale.
“We reviewed it and thought
it would work.”
Students have been practising for the play daily since
March, up from the three to
four times a week when
rehearsals began in January.
The Lorax, first published in
1971, is a Seuss-ian fable of the
dangers of environmental
destruction.
Pet of the Week
The Advocate is pleased to present this feature
starring YOUR pet! Email us a photo of your pet, along with
its name, age and who its owners are and we'll do our best to
make him/her a newspaper star!
Today's pet is Abby, who owns Angela Mackenzie and Brandon Rhyno. Abby is a rescued three-legged doberman.
To have your pet featured email editor@pictouadvocate.com.
Abercrombie
Animal Hospital
Dr. Kelly Hodder
Consultation by Appointment
807 ABERCROMBIE RD. NEW GLASGOW
902-928-2877
AFTER HOURS Emergencies: 902-928-2877
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April 6 , 2016
www.pictouadvocate.com
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A small health problem could take on
alarming proportions. You manage to solve
the problem once and for all by taking the
situation seriously.
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Soups, Salads
Sandwiches
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Cookies, Squares
and more
CROSSWORD
TAURUS
You find yourself surrounded by people.
Your friends invite you to all sorts of activities, each one more exciting than the next.
GEMINI
You end up shouldering a lot of responsibilities, either at work or at home.
You need to sort out your priorities and
stop procrastinating.
CANCER
A trip could be organized on the spur of
the moment. You discover a new form of
spirituality that leads you towards a beneficial state of well-being.
LEO
There is a lot of emotion in the air. Family
and friends are ready and willing to help
you with a complicated situation at home.
The problem is sorted out very quickly.
VIRGO
It’s always much easier to get along
with people who you’re not emotionally
involved with. It will be especially important to discipline your children this week.
LIBRA
You have to take lots of little details into
consideration. A major promotion awaits
you at work, but you’ll need to negotiate
better conditions.
SCORPIO
You have to cope with a lot of emotions,
but there is no other choice than to stay
calm so you can manage the situation.
You find the sollem.
SAGITTARIUS
Your plans to move should begin to take
shape. You give top priority to the needs
of your family, even though it means that
your schedule is hectic over the coming
days.
CAPRICORN
You’re tempted to treat yourself to a new
car. You need to be reasonable about this
expenditure in order to avoid any unwelcome financial stress.
AQUARIUS
The emotional aspect of your life occupies
a prominent place in your heart. Take the
time to have a good conversation in order
to understand what the tension is in your
relationship.
PISCES
You now have the energy to tackle numerous problems in order to resolve them.
You’re happy to be able to deal with all
those things that have been worrying you.
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Thu - Fri: 9 am - 4 pm
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ACROSS
1. Burst
4. Chipper
7. Crude
12. Fruit
beverage
13. Be in hock
14. African
animal,
shortly
15. Lay lawn
16. Swiss
mountain
17. Ready to
be served:
2 wds.
18. Region
20. Swampy
place
21. Gone to bed
23. Compositions
27. Almost
29. ____ good to
be true
30. Tiny insect
33. Luau garland
34. Claim to be
untrue
35. Tire filler
36. Drastic
38. Brews, as tea
40. Wooden
barriers
Enter for a chance to win a weekly prize from Canapé Cafe & Bakery.
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44. Ditch
45. Scatter
46. Shoo!
49. Supportive
51. Fierce rage
52. Dwelling
53. Piece of corn
54. Drink
55. Receded
56. Aardvark’s
snack
57. Goldfish,
e.g.
DOWN
1. Manicotti, e.g.
2. Aromas
3. Bicycle lever
4. Pointy beard
5. Leather punch
6. Slangy
affirmative
7. Picky
8. Chimes
9. Befitting
10. Recreation
spot
11. Soak
19. Lincoln’s coin
20. Creed
22. Least tanned
24. Enjoyed a
meal
25. Hither’s
partner
26. Chinese
sauce
28. Race
(a motor)
30. Neon, e.g.
31. Baby bug
32. “You ____ My
Lucky Star”
34. Impression
36. Foamed
37. Vacation
hotel
39. Clear, as a
videotape
41. Crunchy
42. Spooky
43. Used a
broom
46.“____-Devil”
47. Corn unit
48. Polish
49. Small round
vegetable
50. Operated, as
a machine
LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE ANSWERS:
10 Sports
The Advocate
April 6, 2016
Pictou County
SPORTS
www.pictouadvocate.com
Send scores, reports and sports items to Steve Goodwin at 485-8014
or email steve@pictouadvocate.com
•
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY
Gryphon boys win Div. 1 title
By Steve Goodwin
steve@pictouadvocate.com
NEW GLASGOW – The North
Nova Gryphons are provincial
high school hockey champions.
Co-captain
Ryan
MacDonald scored twice and
Matt Murray collected the
shutout as the Gryphons
blanked Halifax West 4-0 on
Sunday and went undefeated
in their five games to capture
the Nova Scotia School
Athletic Federation’s Division
boys’ banner in Bridgewater.
“It feels pretty good,” said
MacDonald, who came back two
weeks earlier from a broken
wrist he suffered in October. “It’s
just a great feeling to spend my
last year in high school with
these guys. It’s still sinking in.”
Ethan Snell added one goal
and one assist, while Campbell
Burrows also scored.
Co-captain Jacob Pentz,
Robert Burrows and Colin
Holmes added one assist each.
“It’s great winning for the
school for the first time ever,
especially being in Grade 12,”
Pentz said. “We came together as
a team and played our style of
playing physical and putting
pucks on the net. The coaches
From left: Gryphons co-captains Jacob Pentz and Ryan
MacDonald stand in front of the North Nova mural from the
(Goodwin photo)
school’s opening in 2003.
said this was the year to win it.
It’s good to actually get it done.”
The Gryphons finished with a
3-0 record to win Pool A and got
two goals from Jared Livingstone
en route to a 5-2 triumph against
host Parkview on Saturday eve-
ning in their semifinal match.
Pentz and Holmes each added
one goal and one assist, while
Campbell Burrows also scored.
Evan Callaghan, MacDonald
and Sean Duggan each drew
an assist.
Murray got the win in the
Gryphons’ nets.
The Gryphons opened their
quest on Friday with a 2-1 double-overtime
win
over
Lockview.
Kirklin Murray netted the
winning goal, with assists from
Holmes
and
Livingstone.
Campbell Burrows notched the
Gryphons’ other goal.
Matt Murray got the win in
the Gryphons’ goal.
Snell scored twice as North
Nova followed with a 4-2 victory
over Halifax West.
Campbell Burrows and
Pentz also scored, while
Holmes added two assists.
Livingstone and Callaghan
had one assist each.
Thomas Baudoux got the win
in goal for the Gryphons.
Ryan Chabassol scored three
goals and Snell added a goal and
an assist as North Nova whipped
Glace Bay 6-1. Livingstone and
Noah Teed also scored, while
Holmes and Austin Mason each
added two assists.
Pentz and Matt Chediac
each added one assist, while
Baudoux was once again in
the Gryphons’ goal.
The Gryphons outscored
their opponents 21-6 in their
five games.
SPORTS BRIEFS
u
Turnbull helps
Canada's bid
KAMLOOPS, BC. – Blayre
Turnbull has helped Canada
to a silver medal in world
women’s hockey.
The U.S. defeated Canada
1-0 on Monday in the title
game at the world women’s
ice hockey championship.
The Stellarton native scored
an empty-net goal in Canada’s
5-3 victory over Finland on
Sunday to send them to
Monday’s final. She had an
assist in Canada’s 6-1 win
over Finland on Friday and an
assist in Canada’s 8-1 win on
March 29 against Russia.
Canada lost 3-1 to the U.S.
on March 28 in its first tournament game.
Marshall takes
silver medal
TRENTON – Norma Marshall
has earned a spot on Boxing
Canada’s National B Team.
Marshall, who is a member of
Albion Amateur Boxing Club,
earned the accomplishment in the
Senior Female Division for the
team, which is the group of runner-up boxers from the 2016 championships that took place last week
in Quebec City.
The group travels throughout
the world and represents Canada’s
national boxing program.
Marshall lost a close gold
medal bout last Friday to Marian
Disilva, the current defending
Canadian champion.
She advanced to the gold
medal match by defeating Bonny
Hunter in a tough bout on
Thursday.
Zach Vaughan and Kage
MacDonald were other Albion
boxers at last week’s championships. Kage MacDonald lost his
opening bout on March 29, while
Vaughan won his first bout by
walkover.
The Pictou Maripacs won the Midget A Division last weekend at the annual SEDMHA hockey
tournament. Front row, from left: Tyler Watters, Tim Shea, Keil MacDonald, Taylor Hodder,
Robbie Tetreault, Connor Skrynsky, Keegan Malloy, Nick MacNeil and Drew Tooke. Back left:
assistant coach Jenny Ferguson, coach Matt Langille, Tyler MacLennan, Luc Claveau, Logan
LeBlanc, Brody Murray Brett Claveau, Ethan Scothorn, Spencer Nichol, Dante Flanagan and
(Submitted photo)
trainer Evan Murray.
MINOR HOCKEY
Midget A Pacs host Queens
after SEDMHA tourney win
PICTOU – The Pictou
Maripacs are Midget A
SEDMHA champs.
The Maripacs defeated the
Queens County Cougars 5-3
in the championship game at
the annual SEDMHA tournament in Cole Harbour. The
win set up a showdown on
Friday at 7 p.m. at the Pictou
County Wellness Centre when
the teams meet in the finale of
the Day of Champions.
It will be the sixth time the
teams will have met this season. The Cougars won two
regular-season games, but the
Maripacs have defeated the
Cougars three times in tournament games.
Keil
MacDonald
and
Keegan Malloy each had a
goal and an assist in the final
game for Pictou. Tournament
goal-scoring leader Robbie
Tetreault, Spencer Nichol and
Tim Shea also scored.
Tetreault fired four goals
as the Maripacs opened their
tournament quest as they
pounded the Eastern Shore
Mariners 8-2.
MacDonald scored twice
and Malloy had a goal and two
assists for the Pacs, while Dante
Flanagan got the other goal.
Tyler Watters collected the
shutout in the second game as
the Maripacs dominated the
Cougars with a 4-0 win. Tyler
MacLennan, Flanagan, Malloy
and Shea scored Pictou’s
goals. MacDonald and Nichol
each added two assists.
Connor
Skrynsky,
MacDonald and Malloy each
had a goal and two assists as
Pictou followed by defeating
the Bedford Blues 6-3.
Tetreault added one goal and
one assist, while Flanagan and
Luc Claveau also scored.
Tetreault scored Pictou’s
only goal in a 6-1 loss to
Bedford White.
Nichol had two goals and
one assist, while Luc Claveau
notched the game winner as the
Maripacs edged the Blues 4-3.
Malloy scored Pictou’s
other goal.
Tetreault netted his second
tournament hat trick and
Brody Murray scored twice as
the Maripacs answered their
loss to Bedford White with a
7-1 romp in the semifinal.
Nichol and MacDonald also
scored.
A grandson who is
competing in Italy
A renowned New Glasgow
couple, Jean and Donnie
Murray, have been dear
friends of mine for something
like 55 years. Lasting friendships like that are one of the
reasons it's good to be alive.
In Pictou County, it's hard
not to know them.
Jean has worked many election campaigns for the
Conservatives, particularly
for former members of
Parliament Elmer and Peter
MacKay. She is also a very
active member and worker in
Trinity United Church in New
Glasgow. As well, she's recognized for baking the most
wonderful butterscotch pies
you can find anywhere.
Donnie – also known as
Gavin to many – has spent his
lifetime in sports. He played
senior softball for Trenton
teams, had a good whirl in
hockey, bowled competitively
for years and, in retirement
mode, spent most summer
mornings trying to beat par at
the Abercrombie Golf Club.
Oh yes, he and I have been
Toronto Maple Leafs fans forever and travelled to Stanley
Cup games on occasions. His
only fault? He's been a Boston
Red Sox fanatic since birth.
While raising their family,
Jean and Donnie's most athletic offspring was youngest
son Grant, who was a pretty
decent left-handed baseball
pitcher. In more recent years,
though, he has stumbled along
in fantasy hockey and baseball leagues in which I can
easily match his best efforts.
What brings my attention
to the Murrays right now,
however, involves oldest son
Gordon who, to be truthful,
was never much of an athlete,
mainly because he was more
interested in other things.
Rather than hockey, baseball
or whatever, according to mother Jean, “Electronics was what
interested him the most at a
very young age. He had things
wired all around the house. It's
a wonder he didn't blow us up.
But that was his niche.”
To finally reach what I'm
getting at, we must move
ahead still another generation
– to Fraser, the 13-year-old
son of Gordon Murray and
Gayle Rippey, the grandson of
Jean and Donnie.
Fraser was obviously more
inclined to follow in his dad's footsteps than in his grandfather's.
These days, we find him making
headlines way over in Italy in gokart racing of all things.
It isn't a surprise to his mom
and dad, both of whom have
had some experiences of their
own working on race cars and
actually racing. And Fraser has
always loved speed.
Family members tell me
Fraser was only about five
years old when he started kart
racing. He's been competing –
and winning – ever since.
According to his grandmother, it all started from
Gordon and Gayle's home in
Scotch Hill, a little place a few
miles outside Windsor. “Fraser
and some friends began racing in a neighbour's yard
where they made a track and
had a ball with it.”
It proved successful.
Fraser started racing with
the
Atlantic
Motorsport
Association in Halifax when
he was seven years of age. He
won a competition when he
was just nine. He was a Nova
Scotia champion at 11. He soon
added a New Brunswick title,
followed by Atlantic regional
wins in 2013 and 2014.
Now he's a headline maker
Hugh's Highland View
HUGH TOWNSEND
A New Glasgow native and
Nova Scotia sports journalist
for almost 60 years.
ght1967@gmail.com
in faraway Italy.
That has come about after
his father's career resulted in
a three-year appointment on
loan to NATO in Saranza.
Though a civilian, Gordon
was given the assignment by
the federal defence department, that moved the entire
family to Italy where they
reside in La Spezia.
Earlier Gordon, who was
working in the science and technology sector of the engineering
department at DREA in
Dartmouth, had made an invention for the Canadian Navy,
although that wasn't the primary
reason for the NATO position.
Back to Fraser.
He wasn't going to let the
move to Italy stop his career in
drag racing. Instead, he continues to compete there, a country where the sport is reportedly much more competitive
than it is in Atlantic Canada.
According to his grandmother, he is competing in
what is called the EasyKart
100 Series, rated as much more
challenging than the level he
was in previously.
Speak to Gayle and you find
it isn't easy watching your
youngster racing at such speeds.
In a recent interview with
the hometown newspaper,
The Hants Journal, she got
right to the point: “It's really
intense here in Italy for karting. Italy is number one for
racing as far as we can tell. It's
not just a hobby.”
There's excitement, of course,
but it's not all fun and relaxation
watching from the sidelines.
“As a mother, it's very, very
stressful. You're always worried about injury or something
like that, but I see all of the
positives it brings. He's learned
some really great life lessons
and ones that a lot of people
don't learn until later in life.”
The story in the Hants
paper reported that Elvis
Stojko, who made his own
headlines in figure skating,
has gotten the kart racing bug
and has become one of Fraser's
role models in the sport.
Fraser's explanation: “Every
single time I race, I put my
hands on my lap, close my eyes
and think. (Stojko) told me that
technique. Some (karters) go
out there all piped up and when
they get on the track, they're
very aggressive, not smooth.
When you're just calm, it's easier to concentrate.”
For a young lad barely in his
teens, that's pretty smart wisdom.
Meanwhile, those grandparents in New Glasgow aren't going
to sit around at home and wonder
what it's like. They're not going to
wait for the phone to ring. Instead,
they're heading to Italy later this
month to watch a major race in
which Fraser will be competing.
“I'll be afraid to death
watching,” says Jean, “but I
want to see it for myself.”
The Advocate
April 6, 2016
www.pictouadvocate.com
Sports 11
UNIVERSITY HOCKEY
Wiseners praise Caggiula's
skill set passion for game
Jordan MacMillan of the Pictou County Lightning team took on SLAM-Dockrill at New Glasgow
(Brimicombe photo)
Academy on Saturday afternoon.
BASKETBALL
Lightning teams win gold medals
NEW GLASGOW – Pictou
County Lightning teams won
medals last weekend during
Basketball Nova Scotia championships played in Pictou County
and elsewhere in the province.
Team MacInnis defeated the
Valley Blue Devils 39-38 in the
Bantam Boys Division 3B gold
medal match, while Team
Johnson/Fast outscored Kentville
44-35 in overtime to win the
Bantam Girls Division 5 title.
Team
Smith/MacGregor
defeated the Slam 51-29 to win the
Bantam Boys Division 5 banner,
while Team Atwater took home
bronze in Bantam Girls Division 6
and Team Kirby was fourth in
Bantam Boys Division 6.
Ten Pictou County teams
have combined to win four gold
medals, one silver and one
bronze so far in 2016.
More basketball is in store
this weekend, with Team
Stinson/Wright competing in
Juvenile Boys AA in Amherst
and Team Mills/MacLean competing in Midget Girls D3 in
Halifax.
The Midget D2 Girls championship at North Nova Education
Centre and Nova Scotia
Community College will feature
12 teams, while seven teams will
play for the Midget Boys D2 title
at Northumberland Regional
High School.
JR. A HOCKEY
Crushers in tough with South Shore
The Pictou County Weeks
Crushers have their work cut out
for them in the current round of
MHL playoffs.
The Crushers were tied 1-1
heading into the third game of
their best-of-seven Eastlink
Division championship series with
the South Shore Lumberjacks that
was scheduled for Tuesday at the
Pictou County Wellness Centre.
The teams traded 4-1 victories
to set up Tuesday’s test.
The Crushers opened the
series with a win last Friday at
the Wellness Centre, while the
Lumberjacks defeated the
Crushers on Sunday to tie the
series.
The fourth game of the series
will be on Thursday in
Bridgewater, while the Crushers
will host the fifth game next
Sunday starting at 7 p.m. at the
Wellness Centre.
Mike Lyle’s second goal of
the game into an empty net with
35 seconds left in the third period
added insurance for the Crushers
in the first game of the series.
Lyle’s first goal early in the first
period gave the Crushers a 1-0
lead, but the Lumberjacks tied the
game before the period ended.
Sobeys won the championship game in the Oldtimers Division
at the 2016 Donald Keddy Memorial hockey tournament by
defeating Doc's Dragons 5-3 on March 20 in Westville. Front
row, from left: Chris Baldwin, Matt MacGillvary, Cameron
MacKinnon, Cole Thompson, Chris MacDonald and Darren
Thompson. Back left: Scott MacLean, Aaron Cameron, Sean
Fraser, Derek McCarron, Jason MacKinnon, Chris Tellum and
(Goodwin photo)
Brenton Grant.
Regan Spears gave the
Crushers a 2-1 lead in the second
period, while Cole Murphy padded the Crushers’ lead in the
third period.
The Lumberjacks outshot the
Crushers 29-20, including 16-6 in
the first period.
Paid attendance was 926.
The Crushers outshot South
Shore 37-29, but the game
turned on the Lumberjacks
four straight goals in the second period.
Ethan Marsh opened the
scoring for the Crushers in the
first period.
ALLAN
Slaunwhite, CFP
allan.slaunwhite@investorsgroup.com
with Michelle Veenhuis
FULMORE’S
Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 8:30 pm;
Saturday 9 am - 5 pm; Sunday 12 - 5 pm
Front Street, Pictou
902-485-1600
School, but I was coaching there
when Drake was attending the
school. I remember him as being
a very skilled player and a good
kid to coach. He was a very
hard worker, was very attentive
and simply enjoyed being on
the ice and playing hockey.
With the Pictou connection, it
will be fun to follow Drake’s
career for the rest of his college
career and then beyond.”
Wisener said he has seen
Caggiula lately and has marveled
at his on-ice presence. He said
Caggiula is well-positioned to vie
for the Hobey Baker award.
“I’ve seen his “dangles” on
the highlight reels and have cast
votes for him for this award,” he
said. “I’m not surprised to see
his success in the university level
but to be a candidate for the
Hobey Baker shows that he is
recognized as one of the top
players in the NCAA. That puts
him in very elite company.”
Now 65, Wisener noted that as
last year’s winner, Jack Eichel
from Boston University, has done
well this season as a 19-year-old
with the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.
Wisener played two seasons
for BU, amassing 10 goals and
10 assists in 31 regular-season
games in his first season 197172 and 21 goals and 20 assists
in 27 games in 1972-73.
Barry Wisener, who played
his university hockey at Acadia
University, said he is not surprised Caggiula has done so
well in hockey at a high level.
“I remember him as an
enthusiastic, passionate kid
who could not wait to get on
the ice," he said. "I think it can
be said the boy had a lot of
qualities required to certainly
take with him to be successful
at higher levels. . .very light on
his feet, very coachable and
receptive to instruction and
hungry for the puck.”
MAJOR MIDGET HOCKEY
MacLennan named coach, GM
The Pictou County Weeks
Major Midgets have begun preparing for the 2016-17 hockey
season.
Kyle MacLennan is being
brought back and has accepted
the duo positions of coach and
general manager.
“The addition of the General
Managers role is a natural progression of the responsibilities
Kyle has taken on since joining
the program,” said Anthony
Conway, governor of the Weeks
Major Midget hockey club.
The team also paid tribute to
Clary Melanson and his contributions to the organization.
“After many years of working with the Major Midget program and the Major Bantam
program, Clary has decided to
step off the bench this year,”
Conway said. "The Weeks hockey organization wish to thank
Clary for all he has brought to
the organization. The kids
respond well to Clary and he
still has a love for the game and
the boys he works with. Clary
will be missed on the bench but
we are hoping he will still be
involved behind the scenes.”
MacLennan also announced
dates for the spring evaluation
camp that will take place at the
Pictou County Wellness Centre
from May 21 to May 24.
Anyone wishing to register
for the camp needs to contact
weeksmajormidgets@gmail.com
by May 10..
Meanwhile, County forwards
Jake Martin and fellow forward
Kevin Mason are on Nova
Scotia's team that will play in
Quebec Major Junior Hockey
League’s month-end Gatorade
Excellence Challenge.
Top photo: Clary Melanson, centre right, accepts a plaque in
appreciation for his contributions to the Weeks Major Midgets.
Bottom photo: awards were presented to four players on the
team. From left: Mathieu Fougere stands with the character
award beside most valuable player Evan MacLennan, Jack
Lynds with the players’ choice award and rookie of the year
(Submitted photo)
Kevin Mason.
MANAGING YOUR MONEY
CAPSULE COMMENTS
April is National Oral Health Month. Poor oral
health can affect a person’s quality of life. Oral pain,
missing teeth or mouth infections can influence the
way a person speaks, eats and socializes. Problems
with teeth and gums can be a sign of oral cancer or
can cause inflammation that affects other body organs
as well. Get regular dental exams and make flossing
and brushing part of your daily routine.
It’s always interesting when medical academics can look at a painting from
the 15th Century and diagnose a medical problem. For example, they say the
model posing for the Mona Lisa had high cholesterol as evidenced by fatty
tissue in the hollow of her left eye. It shows the humanity of those depicted in
art.
If you have first degree relatives under 65 for men and 55 for women who
had a heart attack, stroke or by-pass surgery, share this information with your
doctor. You may be at increased risk of heart disease based on your genetic
history. Your risk is compounded by smoking and a sedentary lifestyle.
We are always encouraged to keep our consumption of salt down to about
2300mg of sodium per day to maintain good blood pressure and heart health.
What does 2300mg of sodium look like? It is one measuring teaspoonful of
table salt.
You know you are getting older when you have too much room in your
house but not enough room in your medicine cabinet. If you aren’t sure if a
medication is okay to keep, call our pharmacists. We can help.
PICTOU – Two former directors of hockey schools in Pictou
say they saw from an early time
the talent a university hockey
player with local connections is
displaying now.
Dave Wisener said he first
saw Drake Caggiula at the hockey school, likely when he was
instructor but after the time he
turned over its direction to his
brother Barry Wisener.
Caggiula returned to his
hockey team at the University
of North Dakota after missing
five games with an injury, but
in enough time to amass 21
goals and 25 assists in 37 regular-season and playoff games
and help them reach the Frozen
Four NCAA men’s hockey
championship that starts on
Thursday in Tampa Bay, Fla.
“I remember Drake from the
hockey school in Pictou,” he
said. “It was likely Barry’s
school, The Hector Hockey
CHARCEY
Henderson
charcey.henderson@investorsgroup.com
CRAIG
Mercer, CFP
craig.mercer@investorsgroup.com
JERRY
McGuire, CFP
jerry.mcguire@investorsgroup.com
Pensions decisions – six keys to a great
You’ve undoubtedly thought a lot about the “shape” of
your retirement – but whether your plans include traveling,
volunteering, starting a new career, or a myriad of other
retirement dreams, the most important thing is having
sufficient finances to ensure all of them become reality. If
you are a member of a pension plan, now is the time to make
some important decisions that will have a strong impact on
the amount and length of your pension.
1. Decide when your pension payments will begin.
If you have a defined benefit pension plan, your annual
benefit may be reduced if you retire before reaching a certain
age or completing a minimum service requirement.
However, your plan may have a bridging benefit to offset an
early retirement pension reduction that is paid from the
date of early retirement up to age 65 when it will stop.
2. Decide whether or not your pension benefit
transfers to your spouse when you die. You can usually:
• Elect to receive a life-only pension that ends when you
die. It will deliver a higher monthly benefit to you than a
joint and last survivorship pension but will not provide a
continuing benefit for your spouse after you die. The plan
member’s spouse will need to sign a waiver to take this
option.
• Select the joint and last survivorship option. While
your monthly benefit will be lower, the “joint and last survivor” option is usually better unless your spouse has his or
her own pension, Registered Retirement Savings Plan, and/
or non-registered assets or adequate insurance coverage.
3. Choosing the survivor benefit. Not all plans allow
you to do this – check the details of your plan. In most
jurisdictions, the ‘standard’ survivor benefit is 60% of the
pension that was being paid to you prior to death, however
some plans will include other options such as 66 2/3%,
75% and 100% survivor benefits.
4. Do you have the option of receiving your pension
benefit for a guaranteed minimum number of payments? Some plans allow you to choose to receive monthly
pension payments over a minimum term of 5, 10 or 15 years
– meaning that even if you die prematurely, the benefit will
be paid for the minimum period you selected.
5. Does your plan have a CPP (Canada Pension
Plan) or OAS (Old Age Security) integration option? If
so, you can choose to receive an advance on your pension in
the form of larger monthly payments until age 65, when
CPP and OAS benefits normally begin. This option will
result in reduced monthly payments after the age of 65.
6. Do you have the option to transfer the commuted value of your pension to a locked-in account? Instead
of receiving a monthly lifetime pension, you transfer the
commuted value of your pension to an account you control.
Among other financial decisions, these six key pension
decisions will help ensure your retirement dreams will
become reality. To be sure your decisions are right for you,
talk to your professional advisor.
This column, written and published by Investors Group Financial Services Inc. (in Québec – a Financial Services Firm), and
Investors Group Securities Inc. (in Québec, a firm in Financial
Planning) presents general information only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any investments. Contact your own advisor
for specific advice about your circumstances. For more information on this topic please contact your Investors Group Consultant.
MIKE
MacKean, CFP
michael.mackean@investorsgroup.com
JOHN
McLean
john.mclean@investorsgroup.com
LARRY
Turner
larry.turner@investorsgroup.com
TRUDY
Vince
trudy.vince@investorsgroup.com
P: 902-752-2390
F: 902-752-2370
GERRY
Mercer
gerry.mercer@investorsgroup.com
535 East River Road
New Glasgow
12 Community
The Advocate
April 6, 2016
www.pictouadvocate.com
HOMETOWN HEROES
MacLean loves sharing
range of musical gifts
Editor's note: This is the next
article in a monthly feature titled
Hometown Heroes. On the first
Wednesday of each month, we will
highlight the achievements of someone who has Pictou County roots.
Suggestions for future columns may
be directed to Jackie Jardine, editor,
by email at editor@pictouadvocate.
com, or by phone, 902-485-8014.
By Steve Goodwin
steve@pictouadvocate.com
Kate MacLean says she feels
blessed to have such varied musical talents.
The singer, song writer and
instrumentalist from Pictou
County says she cherishes her
local roots while carving out a
musical career in Toronto.
Born in Pictou, she is the
daughter of Gwen and Lloyd
MacLean and grew up in West
River Station and Alma.
She could be found during
her teens playing the drums, guitar, ukulele and keyboard and
has kept adding to the list of
instruments she plays or is mastering.
Sometimes, she played modern church music with her parents – her father invariably playing a piano and her mother the
bass fiddle.
“I was very lucky to grow up
with that musical influence
around,” she said.
She has learned to play the
accordion and plays bass, “but
I’m still working on that.”
She
graduated
from
Northumberland Regional High
School and earned a music degree
New role
pitched for
former
school
Mack MacKenzie, 5,
enjoyed his pancakes at Saturday's
pancake breakfast
fundraiser for the
Pictou
North
C o l c h e s t e r
Exhibition.
The
breakfast was held
at the Scotsburn fire
hall and saw a
packed house and
entertainment come
out to support the
event.
By Steve Goodwin
steve@pictouadvocate.com
PICTOU – County council
heard a proposal for it to partner in a new role for a former
school.
Rob Assels, a member of the
River John Community Action
Society who resides in nearby
Marshville, presented the proposal to council on March 21 at
its financial services meeting.
Assels said he’s not representing the society. He’s asking
for council to apply to Invest
Nova Scotia for money to establish a small business incubator
at the former River John
Consolidated School with a
goal to selling Nova Scotia
products overseas.
“We thought we’d have a
better shot if the municipality is
proposing,” he said.
He said Invest Nova Scotia
has a rolling $5 million fund
and allows up to $500,000 in
investment funding if in-kind
funding for the same amount
can be found.
Of that, he proposed $250,000
pay for a new roof on the building, plus $50,000 for other
repairs and $50,000 for design
work.
Courses would be offered in
technical fields in the building.
Initial reaction was mixed,
with some council members
preferring that the Society be
involved in the proposal and
others questioning the prospect
of a non-profit group like the
society being involved in a
business venture.
It was agreed to defer a decision on the proposal until later.
Both Warden Ronald Baillie
and CAO Brian Cullen were
absent from the meeting.
from Humber College in Toronto.
MacLean is currently working
seven days a week as a music
leader at a church in Toronto,
directing its children’s choir and
leading its adult choir’s mezzosopranos.
“I also work as a freelance
musician,” she said. “Whenever
they need a musician live or for
recording, they call me.”
She put out her first album
containing 11 songs she composed
in the folk-rock genre in June
2015.
She is playing keyboard for
Runaway Angel, a band that plays
country music.
“Anyone who knew me back
in the day would say, ‘Really!’”
she said.
Although MacLean enjoys her
career and living in Toronto, she
says she misses home, returns
when she can and someday would
like to come back to Pictou County
to stay.
“I was not made to be a city
person,” she said. “I’m home one
to four times a year tops – never
enough. I do look forward to come
home, hopefully in five to 10 years
depending on where the gigging
takes me.”
(Brimicombe photo)
County councillor blasted
for MOU remarks in letter
By Steve Goodwin
steve@pictouadvocate.com
PICTOU – A County Council
representative on the MOU
steering committee is upset with
a colleague’s decision to criticize the process in a letter to the
editor instead of council debate.
Coun. Debi Wadden said in a
letter she read before council at
its regular meeting on Monday
that the letter by fellow councillor Robert Parker was an inap-
propriate way to raise his concerns regarding the memorandum of understanding among
the rural municipality and the
towns of New Glasgow, Pictou
and Stellarton. The process
includes a plebiscite in May and
a vote on amalgamation by the
respective councils in June.
She said Parker could have
debated his concerns in council
and said he owed council an
apology.
Wadden and Warden Ronald
Baillie represent council on the
steering committee struck to
work on the MOU process.
She said Parker has had
ample opportunity to attend
steering committee meetings
leading to the spring votes and
discern its plans.
Parker said the letter was not
meant to be personal to them
and said his work makes it difficult to attend daytime meet
BREAKFAST BOOST
Dr. Caroline Carmichael Chapter IODE has presented Frank H.
MacDonald Elementary School with funding for its breakfast
program and learning apps for the student computers. Making
the presentation is, left, IODE president Joan Fraser to Zachary
MacDonald, Rachel Moir and Montana Worthen under the
watchful eye of education officer Jackie MacLeod. (Submitted photo)
Creative Pictou County
selects new executive
By Debbi Harvie
development, Laura Richey;
fund
development,
Troy
Greencorn; vice-chair, Debra
McNabb and the vacant spot of
peer assessment and connections
for visual art.
Creative Pictou County started as a means to address a perceived need in the community
for supporting the arts and is
heavily backed in terms of support, by the Town of New
Glasgow and the Municipality.
“Our goal is to promote and
support the arts and the creative
economy throughout Pictou
County,” notes Munroe.
The new board will be meeting regularly for planning sessions and will be putting on a
recruitment drive in the fall.
“It’s great because it provides
a place to go and find out information, for people that are getting into the arts or who are in
the arts and don’t know how to
access things like grants. We
have people on the board who
are skilled in those areas for
visual arts and performing arts.”
Munroe says there is also
money in the bank earmarked
for the design of a new website
for the group that will be home
to what is hoped to be an exhaustive list of artists in Pictou
County, serving as a database of
sorts.
The next meeting will take
place on April 7 at 5:30 p.m. at
the Museum of Industry.
debbiharvie@pictouadvocate.com
Tough times have been faced
by Creative Pictou County in the
last few months, leaving the
organization without much of a
committee.
After a plea for assistance
from the community, interim
chair Carlton Munroe says there
has been a lot of renewed interest in the group.
“We had a number of people
step down from the board and
we hadn’t met for a few months
and then the chair stepped down
so we had a public meeting and
got many new interested people
involved, both artists and those
wanting to support the arts and
the board.”
The new executive, named at
the AGM last week, consists of
four new members as well as a
rotating chair for the next year.
“We decided we would take
the year to find a chair for the
board and in the meantime, we
will rotate the chair every three
months,” notes Munroe, who
will be chair for the next three
months.
The board is made up of treasurer, Doug Mann; secretary,
Willa Kray; peer assessment and
connections for performing arts,
Bert Anderson; communications
and events, Janine Linthorne;
director, Randy Sutherland;
director, Todd Vassallo; business
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The Advocate
April 6, 2016
www.pictouadvocate.com
Community 13
• MOU •
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
u
Only silence heard from mill, province
To the Editor:
There are hard leaners who
want the mill to shut down now.
There are hard leaners who
want the mill to continue operating the way it is. Our Clean
The Mill group has always been
pushing for the mill to comply
with the same level of standards
being met by every other pulp
mill in Canada. The desire is to
have a clean operating mill in
Pictou County.
But there is trickery and spin
doctoring at work.
Northern Pulp have hired
third party consultants to conduct 'goal driven' studies
designed to show their economic importance and the unfairness pertaining to standards for
environmental obligations proposed by the government.
Meanwhile,
non-biased
reports conducted by third party
consultants have consistently
shown that Northern Pulp performs very poorly compared to
other similar mills in Canada
even the ones owned by the
same
company,
Paper
Excellence. These studies and
reports have proven that the
government's recently proposed
industrial approval (IA) was
reasonable, fair and achievable.
Yet Northern Pulp filed a lawsuit against the Province to pressure them to weaken the IA.
Northern Pulp got what they
wanted.
The
Provincial
Government caved and weakened the IA to an almost pointless level.
Now the problem has only
grown larger with the 2020 clo-
sure of Boat Harbour fast
approaching. If the quality and
the amount of the effluent isn't
improved we are going to end
up with the stuff going directly
into the Pictou Harbour (at
Lighthouse Beach) instead of
Boat Harbour.
Will Pictonians want this?
Will Pictou Landing residents
be comfortable with the same
problem in their front yard
instead of their backyard?
Without a drastic reduction
in the amount of water being
used by the mill, will a new
treatment facility be feasible
now? Who is going to pay for it
with the costs much higher than
originally budgeted because of
NP's unwillingness to reduce
effluent volume? Where is it
going to be built? Why aren't we
Respect needed in MOU debate
To the Editor:
Healthy debate is always
good for making major community decisions. This is, after all,
the main method that our politicians use at all three levels of
government to come to decisions that affect our daily lives.
It is my belief that the current
debate on amalgamation in
Pictou County has some
unhealthy components which,
if left unaddressed, could lead
to lack of acceptance and willingness to move forward after
the plebiscite is over, regardless
of the result.
First, those who are not in
favour of the current amalgamation proposal are being portrayed by some as resistant to
change, anti-progress, antigrowth, not concerned about
the future of the county. I don’t
believe any of this to be true. It
appears that the majority of
community leaders are on the
‘yes’ side of the debate and
therefore others who are not in
favour must be simply ill-informed or uneducated. There
must be a deep respect for each
other’s points of view.
Secondly, the media (both
print and airwave) seem to have
decided what way Pictou
County should vote on May 28.
An unbiased media should
report the news fairly on both
sides of an issue, not try to
make the news or be part of trying to sway the vote one way or
the other.
Thirdly, this whole MOU
process that morphed into an
amalgamation decision has
been a top down process from
the beginning in 2014 and that
has led to a large degree of distrust.
Taxpayers of all four units
will pay a big bill for lawyers,
accountants and promoters for
this process. I said it at the
Chamber of Commerce breakfast a short while ago and was
roundly criticized for it but I
still believe it to be true. Give
any set of lawyers, accountants
and promoters a set of figures
and tell them the answer you
want and you will get it, if you
are paying the bill. ‘He, who
pays the piper, calls the tune!’
Give those same figures to a different set of lawyers, accountants and promoters, and have
somebody with a different
vision pay the bill and you’ll get
the results they are looking for.
While councils and the public were led to believe that the
MOU process was only about
gathering facts and information
that could lead to new governance proposals, in essence the
end result that was wanted was
made clear to the professionals
who then came up with the conclusions desired by the proponents.
This is no slight to the professionals, many of whom I
count as good friends, it is simply the way the world works.
Just look at our court dockets
every day; that is what’s taking
place, you make conclusions
from a set of numbers and facts,
based on who’s paying you, the
prosecutors or the defence.
Real consultation helps
build trust and allows input
before decisions are made.
Pretend consultation simply
answers questions on an already
decided path of action.
In the end, therefore, we
have only one proposal to vote
yea or nay on, whereas true
public consultation would have
come up with more than one
viable path forward. Therefore,
if the voters of Pictou County
choose to vote against the take it
or leave it proposal, it is not the
end of the world. We don’t
have to accept the status quo,
nor do we have to move away.
We stay to fight for a better proposal, one built on trust, one
built to include everybody, one
built from the bottom up.
Finally, many voters are very
upset that the plebiscite is not
binding. When the plebiscite is
over, councillors can still vote
opposite to their constituents if
they so choose. I would like to
see every councillor agree to
one set of rules. As our warden
has said ‘a negative vote is a
negative vote’ and in my opinion, every councillor should
support that. A vote to change
from what we have now must
be stronger to be accepted and
allow us to move forward.
Similar to the Clarity Act when
Quebec separation was a hot
topic. A 55 per cent vote for
amalgamation would seem a
reasonable figure to agree on for
councillors to vote yes. Both of
these should be regardless of
percentage turnout of voters
and based on results in each
individual councillor’s district.
Listen to experience talking
To the Editor:
"Where we once had a functional, democratic say in our
day-to-day rural affairs, we
have now been rendered virtually voiceless under the amalgamated city's "new deal"."
Typical MOU attitude, only
they possess an opinion; having your own opinion means
you are a naysayer, only they
have an interest in Pictou
County. Only they speak for
business.
This naysayer begs to differ.
Business people I speak
with are against. Smart business know competition is
healthy for the bottom line, at
least that is the belief of experts
and people forced into amalgamation. Fool me once!
Where is the advantage in
amalgamating? Where's the
competitive edge in a dictatorship, setting rates and rules.
Perhaps he needs to open his
mind to experts, people who
experienced amalgamation,
failure after failure, inflicting
increased taxes, taken away
from the bottom line. Is that
healthy for business?
When the MOU reassesses
tax structure in rural bringing
them up to the level of suburban tax rate. (nine per cent to
35 per cent tax increase in
Halifax), when the volunteer
base collapses as happened in
other amalgamation ventures,
reduced service, increased
bureaucracy (the norm) ... I
hope the MOU have a contingence plan.
Path of destruction? One
liners. Just take a blind leap of
faith.
Businesses moved for a reason. Former Premier Davies
admitted his mistake, supported by the Fraser Institute, C.D.
Howe Institute. Try researching, read the hidden costs of
municipal amalgamation by
Heidi Walsh Sampson.
Stellarton business base: The
author forgot to mention Sobeys
and Empire Head Office,
Wearwell, Coke, MacLean carpet, Gennoe's bakery, Skoke
Bakery, pop factory, Sobey's
Distribution,
Atlantic
Distribution, Trinity Inspections,
Mac Distributors, Hector
Supplies, Nova Scotia Drill
Core, Avedis Agency LTD,
MacKay
Fuels,
Skoke
Investment, Sommex Maritime
LTD, MacGillivary Fuels,
Highway Tire, Weeks, Bluewave
Energy, BDI Canada, East Coast
Energy,
Eneron,
Wajax,
Carmichael, Ackland Grainger,
Holiday Inn, Sunrise Realtors,
Proactive Physiotherapy, Global
Supplies, Heritage Fuels, Needs,
Power Commission, Scotia
Vacuum, MacCulloch's Truck
Repair, 3D Auto, etc. Stellarton
home-grown business accomplished through forward thinking; developing an incubator
mall, industrial park. That is
called progress.
If the entrepreneurs are as
frustrated as the author proposes, why did they move to
Stellarton and the county?
I spoke with business people
who are against MOU. Makes
one wonder who speaks for
business. Roots in Pictou County
hearing any good news about
the construction of this new
treatment facility and all the
jobs that it will create?
Why aren't we hearing good
news about the construction of
the new treatment facility? If
Northern Pulp had good news
we'd be hearing about it. If the
government had good news
we'd be hearing about it.
There is nothing but silence
from both parties aside from
Northern Pulp's paid advertisements and photo ops. And from
our own Provincial government
nothing but dishonest, misleading and misinformed responses
to concerned members of the
community.
.
Dave Gunning
Lyons Brook
When the election for councillors happens in the fall, the
candidate with the most votes
will be elected, regardless of
percentage turnout. The plebiscite should be no different.
I have long doubted the
validity of this process from
the time it was surprisingly
sprung on county council. I,
along with others, fought hard
for a plebiscite so the people
could decide this issue. Since
then, I have voted to allow the
process to continue because I
believe the best way to settle it
is by a fair vote from the people. The old saying is true
‘The people are never wrong.’
At the end of the day, we
must all work together for a
better Pictou County and that
will only happen if we still
have respect for each other.
We all want the same thing,
we just don’t agree on which
car to drive to get us there. I
will let my name stand for reelection this fall, be it in a new
amalgamated council or in a
reduced size county council. I
will, however, until May 28,
work to defeat the current
amalgamation
proposal
because I believe it is not fair
and equitable to the citizens of
the rural municipality. Experts
and forward projection figures have a history of being
wrong in this county, just look
at the Wellness Centre. A
beautiful facility, a great asset
to the county, just a ‘Yarmouth
Ferry’ when it comes to financial viability. Let’s not make
the same mistake twice.
Robert Parker
District 5 councillor
Municipality of the
County of Pictou
living here over 40 years, and
as an interested tax payer/
consumer alongside other
home owners, we are entitled
to our opinion and will not be
brow beat and bullied by a
small group presuming to
speak for everyone.
Wisdom from experienced
rurals.
What to do about it? … If
it’s broken ...fix it!
If one certainty has developed over the last three years,
it’s that the present abuses of
process, through amalgamation, cannot and will not be
tolerated by rural residents for
much longer.
There is a plebiscite. I hope
everyone received a chance to
hear both sides. If this was
transparent,
naysayers
(democracy) would have a
platform alongside the MOU.
C.D Howe, "Amalgamations
forced on municipalities by
provincial governments are
the product of flawed nineteenth-century thinking and a
bureaucratic urge for centralized control. What do they
know?"
Bryan Knight
Stellarton
A look at the plan
for a new council
EDITOR'S NOTE: Over the
next several weeks, The Advocate is
happy to bring a series of
information columns from the
MOU Steering Committee
on a variety of topics related
to the proposal.
A central feature of the New
Municipality will be a restructured council with fewer elected
officials and new boundaries for
districts. This new council will
work collaboratively to serve all
communities in a stronger Pictou
County.
We hired Grant Thornton to
make recommendations for the
size of council. This work
involved reviewing the structures in similar municipalities.
Grant Thornton recommended
that the new council be made up
of 10 councillors and districts and
a mayor elected at large. That’s a
total of 11 elected officials, down
from 31 in our four current
municipalities.
Based on this recommendation, we designed draft boundaries for ten districts following
Nova Scotia Utility and Review
Board guidelines. They require
districts to retain complete communities of interest whenever
possible. They also require voter
parity with each district having
the same average number of voters, plus or minus 10 per cent.
The new municipality will
have about 30,000 voters divided
into 10 districts. Each councillor
will represent about 3,000 voters.
All districts but one (district
seven) meet this parity guideline.
The proposed district seven is off
by 0.19 per cent, or only 10 more
voters.
We held 13 sessions in fall
2016 to consult citizens on these
recommendations and made
some changes to the districts
based on this feedback. We
believe the proposed districts are
appropriate in size and respect
communities of interest.
Projected annual costs for the
new council are $472,246 – a savings of $220,776 compared to current costs of $693,022 per year.
But the benefits go far beyond
financial savings.
The first priority of the new
council and staff will be to develop a five-year strategic direction
and business plan for the New
Municipality based on a common
vision for a strong Pictou County.
It will take a regional approach to
asset planning, economic development, and long-term growth
for healthy, vibrant, sustainable
communities.
One council, rather than four,
will be better able to develop a
cohesive plan to address challenges and create new opportunities in our communities. One
council will be more nimble and
better able to respond to citizens’
needs. One council will be stronger, more efficient and collaborative to create a better future for
Pictou County.
To learn more about amalgamation and the evidence we have
gathered, please visit onepictoucounty.ca.
Amalgamation would
not benefit all units
To the Editor:
Having lived in Trenton most
of my life, I wanted to give my
point of view on the proposed
amalgamation.
I have to shudder at the thought
of an amalgamation that would
include some elements of co-goverance by the current administration of the Town of New Glasgow.
This is the same town administration who, in recent years, chased
away a chance to revitalize
Maritime Steel and are busy trying
to create a competing business
park which is only a five-minute
drive away from a thriving business park in Stellarton. New
Glasgow has consistently appeared
as one of the least desirable places
to live in Canada. In my view, the
present administration of the
Town of New Glasgow will not
support any meaningful industrialization either in New Glasgow,
Trenton or anywhere else in the
County. They would seem to prefer a retirement community.
Contrary to what has been
said, this is not Pictou County
being stronger together. Westville
and Trenton are not a part of this
proposed amalgamation. As
opposed to uniting the county
behind a common cause of prosperity, the proposed amalgamation would only serve to further
divide it for the benefit of New
Glasgow. Why would the other
municipalities want to share New
Glasgow’s debt load, much less
inherit the ongoing anti-industrial
New Glasgow administration?
I am not against change – perhaps some shared services could
be used to better the lives of Pictou
County residents. Such change
must be verifiably better for the
average tax-paying Pictou County
resident and the amalgamation
proposal has not convinced me
that it is so beneficial. For the reasons above, I am opposed to the
amalgamation proposal.
Doug Brown
New Glasgow
Stop the negativity
To the Editor:
If we would afford ourselves
the opportunity to better understand the fallout from a no vote
and the immediate benefits of a
yes vote I believe it would take
into focus the only choice we have,
voting yes to amalgamation.
I have taken the time to follow
the process and read everything
available on the proposed amalgamation. It can be difficult and
tedious, however, well worth the
time. I believe it is in everyone’s
best interest to understand what is
proposed and if they have questions get the answers from people
who truly understand the context
of the document.
The MOU steering committee
was tasked with reviewing all
aspects of what is required. The
committee
compiled
data,
reviewed, had a third party
accounting firm review the financial information then presented
findings to the public. They have
done what was asked of them.
The three towns and the county agreed by a vote to be part of
the process. Then Mayor Gennoe
and Councillor Dewar come out
against their peers and cite information that is incorrect during
their presentations at the UARB
hearings. Is this the kind of leadership we need? Not for my
money!
The negativity has got to stop
in this community because if it
doesn’t it will destroy the little we
have left. We are being seen by
outsiders as a community that
cannot get along with each other
so they know they won’t have a
hope of succeeding if they were
considering the area for relocation.
I have no issue with anyone
thinking differently than I.
Actually I promote it. All I ask is
support your opinion with factbased evidence.
During the UARB presentations it became painfully clear that
some individuals have no desire
to support their communities
when the chips are down. Sad but
true.
I co-own a local business in the
county. When we are asked to
support local programs such as
the new high schools, baseball
teams, the Wellness Center, hockey teams, festivals, Summer Street
Industries, and so on we support
them as do other businesses. It
would be a very different community if all requests of companies
for sponsorship were denied
because they didn’t feel it necessary to support the community!
To be a critic is easy, to be a
leader is difficult. Let’s unify as a
community and work towards a
prosperous future.
Andy Mac Gregor
McLellan’s Brook
14
Classifieds
The Advocate
April 6, 2016
www.pictouadvocate.com
ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION: BULLETIN
Branch #16, Pictou, NS
Legion Entertainment for Members and invited guests.
N.S.L.C. ID’s upon request
Every Monday Night Bingo:
Mini Bingo
Reg. Bingo
Starts at 7:00 p.m.
Starts at 7:45 p.m.
JACKPOT $725 in 57#’s or less
BONANZA 875 in 50#’s or less. BOTTLE 458
$
$
+
Ladies Auxiliary Meeting: Thursday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Karaoke: Thursday 8 p.m. - 12 a.m. Admission - $3
Pre-teen Dances: Cancelled until further notice.
Chase the Ace: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Steak Darts: Saturday 2 - 4 p.m. Meat Roll: Sunday 2 - 4 p.m.
APARTMENT
FOR RENT
TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT:
Quiet country setting, central
Pictou County, five minutes from
town. Includes FSWD. $560,
plus utilities. Call 902-456-4594
or 902-861-1537. enturecanada.
com (TICO#04001400)
NOW RENTING
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availaBle
laundry facilities on site
ReNt staRtiNg at $525
FoR moRe iNFoRmatioN
Contact 902-485-4997
Apartment for Rent
Two bedroom apartment,
ideal for a senior, in a
one level building on
Palmerston St., Pictou.
Four appliances included.
Rent $700/month plus
security deposit. No pets.
Available April 1.
Phone 902-485-3491.
APARTMENT
FOR RENT
One bedroom apartment
in Pictou in adult security
building. Includes fridge,
stove, heat and hot water.
For info call 902-485-8539
or 902-754-1095.
FOR RENT
Pictou: One bedroom, heated
furnished, centrally located.
902-921-0468
EDUCATION/
CAREER TRAINING
H E A L T H C A R E
D O C U M E N T A T I O N
SPECIALISTS are in huge
demand.
Employers
want
CanScribe graduates. A great
work-from-home career! Train
with Canada's best-rated program. Enroll today. www.canscribe.com. 1.800.466.1535.
info@canscribe.com
FOR SALE
REFORESTATION NURSERY
SEEDLINGS of hardy trees,
shrubs, & berries for shelterbelts
or landscaping. Spruce & Pine
from $0.99/tree. Free shipping.
Replacement guarantee. 1-866873-3846 or www.treetime.ca.
Maple Syrup
For Sale
call
902-301-6846
DUGGAN’S
Sugar Shack
Scotsburn
FOR SALE
SAWMILLS from only $4,397MAKE MONEY & SAVE MONEY
with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimensions. In stock
ready to ship. FREE info & DVD.
w w w. N o r w o o d S a w m i l l s .
com/400OT 1-800-566-6899
Ext:400OT
HEALTH
CANADA BENEFIT GROUP- Do
you or someone you know suffer
from a disability? Get up to
$40,000 from the Canadian
Government. Toll-free 1-888511-2250 or www.canadabenefit.ca/free-assessment
ABERDEEN SHOPPING CENTRE, NEW GLASGOW
(Former Central Supplies Building - 72,000 sq. ft.)
TRAVEL/VACATION
SERVICES
SAVE 30% on our Heart of the
Arctic adventure. Visit Inuit communities in Greenland and
Nunavut aboard the comfortable
198passenger
Ocean
Endeavour. CALL FOR DETAILS!
1-800-363-7566 or visit: www.
adventurecanada.com
(TICO#04001400)
HOUSE
FOR SALE
Dealer for New & Used
Music Equipment
• Drums • Guitars • Amps • Pianos • Celtic Instruments • Fiddles
• PA Equipment • Brass Instruments • DJ Equipment... and much more!
EXCLUSIVE DEALER
for Lakewood, Martin
Guitars and much more
902-863-1657
ANTIGONISH - OFF HWY 7
C & J MARTIN
Well Drilling Co. Ltd.
• Over 20 years experience
• Geothermal Drilling
• Pump Sales & Service
• Residential & Commercial
• Guaranteed Workmanship
• Free Estimates
Stellarton, N.S.
Phone: 902-752-4172
Toll Free 1-888-377-WELL (9355)
McCulloch Genealogy Centre
86 Old Haliburton Road
Vendors 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. • Shoppers 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Private and commercial vendors welcome. Vendors may leave goods on site.
Wear your tartan & bring a friend!
ALL TABLES $12
For info and booking: (902) 695-5631
“Guest speaker on Ship Hector descendants project”
• Scotch tasting • Haggis buffet
• Presentation from the St. Andrews Society
• Music & traditional dance
Professional Truck Drivers - Spring Haul, 2016
Westcan Bulk Transport Ltd.
Nova Scotia was the first jurisdiction in the world to
proclaim “Tartan Day” in 1986 and it is now celebrated
by the Scottish communities around the world.
On Tartan Day, Canadians are encouraged to wear tartan in
commemoration of the contributions of Scots and
their descendants to society.
Tartan Day also commemorates the signing of the
Declaration of Arbroath in which Scotland asserted its
independence from England in 1320 AD.
- FREE ADMITTANCE -
Applicants assigned to one employment location:
Saskatoon, Edmonton, Calgary, Lloydminster,
Moose Jaw, Kamloops, Yellowknife
Drive for Excellence - Join Our Team!
Haul Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3) or dry bulk fertilizers in hopper bottom trailers throughout Western Canada during the
spring season (April-May). Class 1 driver’s license with recent experience required; super B and/or bulk experience an
asset; safety conscious approach to all job duties is must have.
Westcan offers:
• very competitive km rates with additional earning opportunities including a wage guarantee of $1,400.00 per week
(over the duration of the contract) and a Good Operations Bonus upon completion of contract
• access to Westcan’s camp in Saskatoon for meals and other facilities while hauling in the vicinity;
• and airfare to and from the driver’s residence and place of employment
All applicants require a clean abstract and will adhere to a criminal record search, pre-access medical and drug screen.
Interested applicants apply online at www.westcanbulk.ca under the Join Our Team link.
Westcan is committed to the principles of Employment Equity and a proud national sponsor of MADD Canada.
Thank You
BECK
The family of the late Alden G. Beck wish to express our utmost
thanks and appreciation for your expressions of sympathy during
this difficult time.
To the EHS ambulance paramedics, the doctors and nurses of the
Aberdeen Hospital Emergency department and 4th floor nurses,
we thank you for your excellent care and concern.
Thank you to all who attended the visitations and funeral service
and for all the kind words about Alden that were expressed to us.
Special thanks to the pallbearers; Anne MacDonald Landry for the
reading; Rev. Gary Tonks, members of the choir and organist Joan
Clark for the beautiful service; Glenn Livingston and Jim Harris of
McLaren Funeral Home for your compassion and guidance and to
the ladies of First Church for the wonderful reception.
Thank you to Alden’s fellow comrades of the Legion and Masonic
Lodge for honouring him with your services.
Thank you to all who sent cards, flowers, food and donations. We
are forever grateful.
Sincerely, sister Audrey Christie; Beck,
Barnard and Gammon families.
In Memory
FARMWORKS ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING
MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Kenney & Ross Limited is a Marine Extraction Plant located on the South Shore, NS and manufactures
food grade Fish Gelatin and Collagen. Applications are being accepted for an immediate opening
for a Junior Engineer with a background in manufacturing and/or food processing.
Responsibilities Include but not limited to:
• Leading and supervising the development of new processes and installations.
• Provide Autocad drawings of existing and new processes.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures for new and existing equipment.
• Provide assistance to maintenance personnel with Technical Equipment and instrumentation,
such as VFD, PLC Displays, etc.
• Develop & Implement Preventative Maintenance Programs and Systems.
The ideal candidate requires the following qualifications:
• Possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 1-2 Years Experience in a Manufacturing/Food Processing Environment.
• Experience with Auto Cad Software.
• Experience with Processing Equipment and Design.
• Experience with calibration and installation of process instrumentation.
• Possess excellent problem solving, organizational, and supervisory skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with identifying and purchasing process equipment.
Kenney & Ross Limited offers a challenging career with a benefit package
including Group RRSP, potential profit sharing, Health and Life Insurance.
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Interested applicants are invited to submit a resume to: jcrook@krltd.ca or
Kenney & Ross Limited, 6493 Shore Road, Port Saxon, NS, B0T 1W0.
No phone calls please. All applications must be received by April 22, 2016.
We thank all those who apply, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
If you have a
story idea or would
like media coverage
at your event
call Steve at
(902) 301-0724
If you thought The Georgetown Conference created buzz...
Just Wait.
Announcing
Investment
Co-operative
Limited
WANTED TO BUY
G&G Music Store
6:00 p.m. Tartan Day Celebrations
- EVERY SUNDAY -
Maple Avenue, New Glasgow:
Three bedroom, one bathroom,
fireplace and heat pump.
Kitchen, bedroom and living
room renovated 2015. New deck
and new roof 2015. $129,000.
Please call 902-755-5796.
ANTIQUES: Pantry cupboards,
tables, old furniture, military items,
musical instruments, old books,
old toys, ship paintings and other
old paintings and old advertising
signs, etc. John Marshall Antiques.
Call, write or visit 65 Provost Street,
New Glasgow, NS B2H 2P5. 902755-4055. Email: john.marshall.
antiques@gmail.com
SCOTTISH BREAKFAST at
Stone Soup Cafe 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
INDOOR/OUTDOOR
NOTICES
CHRIST ROSE FROM THE
DEAD on the first day of the
week as well as appeared to His
disciples on the first day of the
week. In Acts 2 we read of the
outpouring of the holy spirit,
which as well took place on the
first day of the week. In this way
Christ, being Lord of the
Sabbath,
transferred
the
Sabbath from the seventh to the
first day of the week. www.clda.
ca
TARTAN
DAY
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2016
GIANT FLEA MARKET
McNamara
In loving memory of a
wonderful husband, Greg, who
passed away April 6, 2010.
Little did I know that morning
God was going to call your name.
In life I loved you dearly;
in death I do the same.
It broke my heart to lose you,
but you did not go alone.
For part of me went with you,
the day God called you home.
It’s lonesome here without you
I miss you more each day.
Life is not the same
since you have gone away.
When days are sad and lonely
and everything goes wrong,
I seem to hear you whisper
“Cheer Up and Carry On”
You left behind my broken heart
and happy memories too
I never wanted memories
I only wanted you.
Gone but forever in my heart.
Jo-Anne
To place a classified
ad call Marjorie
at 902-485-8014.
HOW TO PLACE YOUR
CLASSIFIED AD
Phone: 902-542-3442
or 902-670-3360
Apply Today!
Email:
lbest@ns.sympatico.ca
June 2 - 4, 2016, Georgetown PEI
Website: FarmWorks.ca
Apply at
Keynote
www.thegeorgetownconference.ca
The Fifth AGM will be held on
April 17, at 2 p.m. at the
Tatamagouche Centre
Be a part of shaping
a prosperous and dynamic future.
259 Loop Route #6, Tatamagouche
EVERYONE INTERESTED IN LOCAL FOOD
PRODUCTION IS INVITED TO ATTEND.
Chef Michael Smith
Proud Sponsor
Food Network Canada Host
and Rural Entrepreneur.
Followed by conversation and treats from Not Your Mama’ Kitchen
One individual. One idea. One community at a time.
GRANT PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS
The Town of Pictou is currently accepting applications from organizations and
individuals requesting financial assistance through the Municipal Grant Program for
fiscal year 2016-17. Applications must be forwarded to the Recreation Coordinator
no later than May 9, 2016. Any applications received after this deadline will only be
considered if funding is still available.
Applications will be considered in accordance with the Grant Program Policy for the
Town of Pictou. Grant categories include:
1. Youth travel
3. National/Provincial/or Local Event
2. Community Programming
4. Community Economic Development Initiative
The Grant Program Policy and Application Forms can be picked up at the Pictou Town
Office, 40 Water St. or downloaded from the town website at www.townofpictou.ca.
Only grant requests completed on application forms will be considered.
All first-time applicants are encouraged to contact the Recreation Coordinator at
485-4372 x. 255 or michelle.young@townofpictou.ca to discuss their proposal and
receive assistance in completing the application form. Guidance will also be provided in
identifying ineligible projects/expenses or referral to other grants programs. Organizations
and individuals who have previously received funding from the Town of Pictou will also be
required to fill out an application form to be considered for financial assistance.
PLACE IT IN PERSON! at 21 George Street, Pictou
PLACE IT BY MAIL! to PO Box 1000, Pictou, NS B0K 1HO (Att: Classifieds)
PLACE IT BY PHONE! call 902-485-8014, ext. 1101.
PLACE IT BY EMAIL! to marjorie@pictouadvocate.com
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Over 25 words - add 21¢ (plus HST) per word, per issue.
ERRORS & OMISSIONS
Should an error be made by The Advocate which in its judgement materially affects the value of the advertisement,
a corrected advertisement or portion thereof will be inserted upon demand without further charge “Make good”
insertions are not granted on minor errors which do not lesson the value of the whole advertisement.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY CLAUSE
The advertiser agrees that the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of errors in advertisements
beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by that portion of the advertisement in which the error
occurred, whether such an error is due to the negligence of its servants or otherwise, and there shall be no liability
for non-insertion of advertisement beyond amount paid for such advertisement. The publisher reserves the right to
edit, revise, classify or reject any advertisement.
ADVERTISING DEADLINE: 5 PM Friday for Wednesday’s Publication
CLASSIFIEDS DEADLINE: 12 PM Monday for Wednesday’s Publication
Classified Ads must be paid in advance of publication. Visa, MC & Debit accepted.
1-866-447-5116
Lifetime Roofing Systems
Offer Expires
April 30, 2016
®
The Advocate
April 6, 2016
www.pictouadvocate.com
Election for District 3
same day as plebiscite
Trudy Vince, left, listens as
resident Liya Robertson
discusses life in Pictou
County during a Y Reach
talk on March 22 at the
New Glasgow Library.
(Goodwin photo)
“Friendly” vs “Welcoming”
discussed at Y Reach event
By Steve Goodwin
steve@pictouadvocate.com
NEW GLASGOW – Drawing
a comparison between being a
friendly community and a welcoming community was a topic
on March 22 during a Y Reach
presentation by Pictou County
YMCA immigration staff member Wendy Hughes at the New
Glasgow Library.
Hughes was joined by members
of
the
UNESCO
Municipalities
against
Discrimination.
“Many strides have been
taken to suggest we are a welcoming community,” said
Henderson Paris while introducing Hughes. “We’ve learned so
much from what (Hughes) has
done.”
Paris and Trudy Vince are
New Glasgow town council representatives on the committee.
Liya Robertson, who resides
in Pictou County but is originally
from Russia, says she has developed a deep affinity the area.
“I feel at home here,” she
said. “If my soul is happy, I’m
happy. That carries me every
day.”
Hughes said Pictou County
needs to take advantage of immigration to help it reverse years of
population decline. She said it
reflects the changing demo-
graphic throughout Atlantic
Canada, whose population is
now seven per cent of Canada’s,
compared to 10 per cent in 1961.
Aging and outmigration are two
reasons for the decline.
She said accommodating
families in Pictou County, such
as the Syrian families received
by groups in New Glasgow and
Pictou, is challenging in terms of
housing, language, school settlement and general support.
“All the clients, when I ask
why they moved here, say it was
for a better education and a better life for their children,” she
said. “We want them to stay.”
She said retaining professionals, such as physicians, is diffi-
Students learn friendship
at youth forum
By Debbi Harvie
debbiharvie@pictouadvocate.com
Ottawa held a lot of surprises
for local students taking part in
the Encounter’s Canada youth
forum, especially that of friendship.
Four students from North
Nova Education Centre were
among students across the
country to attend the forum
hosted weekly each year with
120 to 148 young Canadians
focusing on a different theme
each week.
Benjamin MacKenzie, Paget
Houston and Merrilee Spears
all attended the event in
February and were glad they
did.
“I heard about it through
Ben (MacKenzie) and I’m on
the debate team so I spoke to
my teacher about it and he said
I should go,” explains
Houston.
MacKenzie found out about
the program through online
Community 15
research.
“I am enrolled in the international Duke of Edinburgh
program and I needed certain
criteria for a community project and this reached all of the
criteria. I found it through an
online search.”
This was their first time in
Ottawa and they each went on
a different week.
“It was very entertaining, a
unique experience. The people
were very nice and I learned a
lot. We were exposed to all
parts of Canada and got to
learn about different cultures.”
MacKenzie says he had
expectations going in, but
found the experience to be
completely different.
“I didn’t realize it would be
so much about the cultural
aspect and making new friends.
I made more friends than I
actually learned, but it was still
fantastic.”
Spears felt the same.
“It was way different than I
thought it would be. I went for
the First Responders Week and
there was a lot less about that
but we got to see a lot of museums and had a lot of free
time.”
They also got to experience
a bit of dorm life with shared
rooms.
MacKenzie took part in the
medicine and health theme
while Houston attended the
law and justice system theme,
having chosen based on prospective future careers.
Although there was less
concentration on the theme,
the life lessons and experiences
were worth it for the attendees.
“Members of Parliament
came in to speak to us and we
got a lot of free time to spend
with other students.”
They also had the option of
either going skating on the
Rideau canal or attending an
NHL game among other activities.
“It was really cool because
it brought people with the
Invite The Whole Community To Your Garage Sale!
Advertise your garage sale in The Advocate Classifieds.
It’s the best way to let everyone now about your sale.
Our readership can help you clean out your garage
and fill your wallet with extra cash.
To Advertise
Your Garage
Sale call
485-8014,
ext. 1101
21 George Street, Pictou
Ph: 485-8014, ext. 1101 • E-mail: marjorie@pictouadvocate.com
PICTOU – Residents in
District 3 will vote twice on May
28.
County council has agreed to
schedule a special election in the
district for May 28, the same day
as a plebiscite that residents will
vote on regarding the county’s
proposed amalgamation through
a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the towns of
New Glasgow, Pictou and
Stellarton.
Council set out a schedule
that includes advertising a call
for nominations on April 19 and
April 26 and nominations closing on May 3.
Advance polls for the special
election will be on May 21 and
May 24.
Warden Ronald Baillie said
there was an opportunity to conduct the special election on the
same day as the plebiscite while
voting venues and a returning
County councillor ...
Continued from page 12
"Many strides
have been
taken to
suggest we are
a welcoming
community."
– Henderson Paris
cult if the spouse is not as
engaged in the community.
“They come to Canada, they
come here and they want to
move,” she said.
same interests together,” notes
Spears.
MacKenzie adds, “I think
the goal was to get everyone
involved... my goal (in attending) was to learn but in the
end I made a lot of close
friends.”
Spears says she is confident that she can go off to
university next year and make
new friends while MacKenzie
and Houston, Grade 11 students, say it really helps people come out of their shells.
The entire program was
also bilingual so they were
able to focus a bit on language
as well and were encouraged
to speak French whenever
possible.
“We did skits for each
province and they wanted us
to try to speak French in ours,”
recalls Spears.
All three say the trip was
well worth it and was a minimal cost.
“I think the whole thing
was around $700 but there
was funding from the school
board and the (Municipality
of Pictou) County and the
province paid our flights
there. So it was very affordable for everything you get,
your meals, your flights, activities and accommodations,”
says MacKenzie.
officer were in place.
Council decided to conduct
the special election at its regular
meeting on Monday to fill the
vacancy left by the recent death
of long-time District 3 representative Ed MacMaster.
The gesture was made in tribute to MacMaster on Monday to
stand the municipal flag where
he sat in council chambers.
A moment of silence preceded council’s call to order, while
the meeting’s first item of business was to formally declare the
seat vacant.
MacMaster’s passing came
after a long period of declining
health and his recently infrequent attendance at council.
There was growing concern
among residents in District 3 that
their intentions regarding the
MOU might not be represented
on council following the plebiscite.
-ings. He repeated his assertion
that many people in Pictou County
don’t trust the process.
“There has been a lot of distrust because there hasn’t been a
lot of information,” he said.
Wadden said people can access
more information has been placed
on the One Pictou County web site
and in newsletters that have been
distributed.
Deputy
Warden
Andy
Thompson and Coun. David
Parker got into a testy exchange
when Thompson said he was disappointed with the lack of respect
shown Wadden.
Baillie immediately stepped in
to end the debate.
What followed was a discus-
Big move ...
Continued from page 1
move the collection to this
new building as well. We will
be working on its set up starting this fall and if all goes
well we hope to have it open
sometime in 2017,” notes
sion regarding how councillors
would vote based on the results of
the plebiscite vote in each district.
David Parker asked if the plebiscite matters if councillors don’t
vote based on the results.
Turple said he would not use
the results from a limited voter
turnout at the plebiscite to determine his vote on the MOU in
June.
“I don’t expect 30 per cent voting to represent 70 per cent of my
residents,” he said.
Coun. Leonard Fraser reminded Turple that he got elected
regardless of how many cast ballots in his district.
Coun. Randy Palmer said he
would vote based on how the
majority of those voting in his
district.
Allan.
A & M has been growing
the last few years with customers spanning Merigomish
to Pugwash and everywhere
in between, so the move
seemed fitting.
“We hate to be leaving
Lyons Brook but we are moving to a really good location
and hopefully our customers
will follow,” says Mary.
Pictured here is Grand Knight John Gillis of Council 1667 Knights
of Columbus, right, presenting a new coffee percolator and
turkey roaster to Elaine Sponagle, for the Shepherd's Lunch
Room. The Shepherd's Lunch Room provides meals to those in
need, twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays between 11:30
a.m. and 12:30 p.m., At Trinity United Church, New Glasgow.
(Submitted photo)
RECREATION AND PARKS
2016 Student Summer
Employment Opportunities
The Department of Recreation and Parks is accepting applications
for the following summer employment positions:
Recreation Intern
Day Camp Leaders
Park Maintenance Helper – Public Works
Applications are available at Pictou Recreation and Parks,
40 Water Street or on the Town of Pictou
website: www.townofpictou.ca/employment.com
Completed applications must be submitted by
Monday, April 25, 2016 at 4:30 p.m.
The positions with the Department of Recreation and Parks are only open to
students currently attending and intending to return to school full-time in the
fall. Some positions are dependent on funding approval. For further information,
please call 902-485-4372 or e-mail info@townofpictou.ca.
Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
16 Community
The Advocate
April 6, 2016
www.pictouadvocate.com
RIVER JOHN NEWS
upstairs which everyone
enjoys going to. The Cafe is
opened every Tuesday from 9
a.m. to 1 p.m. (in the River
John School) which is always
great; you can have lunch or
muffins along with other items
as well as enjoying the company of others.
Here is another poem written by Dal Robinson
ENOS' BARN
By Anne Patriquin
River John correspondent
Hi everyone hope you had
a great week. The weather
was very nice although they
are talking about getting a little more snow. A couple of
items to bring to your attention.
The I.O.O.F. hall in River
John has its weekly card party
(Auction
45's)
every
Wednesday evening starting
at 7 p.m. There is also a very
good lunch supplied so come
and enjoy the evening. Also at
Enos Heighton's barn, it's
time had come
And the big brass gave the
nod
So the highway boys are at it
To flatten it to the sod.
At the same time Allison
Heighton's house
Was needed on the cape no
the River John Legion is Chase
the Ace starting at 6:30 p.m.
with the weekly Jam session
more
So Lloyd MacLellan bought it
And hauled it to the Back
Shore.
So when you drive to River
John
By Gosh! It will make you
sore
To see the Tories tearing down
River John
And the Grits building up the
shore.
Author
Dal Robinson
Have a great week everyone and stay safe. Remember
if you have any news, big or
small that you would like to
have in the paper, call me at
902-351-2898 or e-mail me at
ann.patriquin@tncwireless.ca
u
MACMASTER, Alfred Edward –
of Caribou passed away at home
on Monday, March 28, 2016, at the
age of 76. Edward was born
December 10, 1939 in Caribou, the
eldest child of the late Alfred and
Margaret (MacKeil) MacMaster. He
attended Bay View School, graduated Pictou Academy (Class of ’58)
and continued his formal education
his entire life. Edward’s life of good,
hard work began at a very young
age, helping his father with the family farm. He loved working outside
and being with nature. At age 20 he
AIKENS, Warren Robert – 87, of
Little Harbour, passed away peacefully surrounded by family in the
Palliative Care Unit of the Aberdeen
Hospital, on March 29, 2016. Born
in Little Harbour, he was a son of
the late Robert and Edna
(Colquhoun) Aikens. Dad had a
great sense of humour and was
happiest when with family and
friends. In his younger years, he
enjoyed hunting, playing baseball
and hockey and later took great
pleasure in tinkering around his
house and yard. Warren was a
retired employee of Scott Maritimes.
He is survived by his wife and best
friend, Shirley (Fisher); daughter,
Jane (Mike) Thompson, Little
Harbour; sons: John (Micheline),
Fredericton, NB; Stephen (Andrea),
Wolverton, ON; seven grandchildren: Ryan, Conor and Evan
Thompson; André and Janelle
Aikens, Sam and Flynn Aikens,
sisters: Lola Noseworthy, Helen
Bonvie, Doris (Al) Caulier, Eva
Aikens, Diane Aikens, Isabel
(Sterling) Snow; brother-in-law,
Clem Guthro; sisters-in-law: Ruth
(Bob) Chandler, Carol (Keith)
McKean, Janet Willumsen. He was
predeceased by brother, Lloyd and
sisters: Molly, Carolyn and Evelyn.
Funeral service was held April 2 in
Little Harbour Presbyterian Church.
Burial in Church Brook Cemetery.
Donations may be made to the
Heart and Stroke Foundation,
Aberdeen Palliative Care or Little
Harbour Presbyterian Church.
BROWN, Irene “Rene” – 81,
Valley View Villa, Riverton, formerly of New Glasgow and
Liverpool, England, passed away
peacefully March 29, 2016 in the
Villa. Born in Liverpool, she was a
daughter of the late Richard
Samuel and Winnifred Rachel
Alexandra (Mawby) Jones. Rene
was a champion ballroom dancer
in her youth in England. After raising her children, she was employed
with Harris & Roome, New
Glasgow. Rene served as District
Commissioner with the Girl Guides
of Canada for many years. She
enjoyed spending her summers
camping with her family. Rene and
her husband, Harry, traveled
extensively throughout Europe,
the Caribbean, eastern United
States and Canada, sharing many
memorable moments. Surviving
are her husband of 56 years,
Harry Brown; son, Colin (Janice)
Brown, Enfield; daughter, Yvonne
Brown, Mississauga, Ont.; granddaughter, Marissa; grandson,
Jensen;
sisters,
Winnifred
Robinson, Windsor, Ont.; Dr.
Rosemarie
Chaffers-Jones,
Blaenporth, Wales; Barbara
Penkman (Mike Mitchell), Wolf
Island, Ont.; Jeanette (Peter)
Gribbin, Wasaga Beach, Ont.;
brothers, Richard (Norma) Jones,
Chester, England; Allan Jones,
Macquarrie Fields, New South
Wales, Australia; Harold Jones,
Milton Keynes, England; Bernard
(Marita) Jones, Markham, Ont.;
David Jones, Upholland, England;
many nieces and nephews. A
celebration of Rene’s life will be
held at a later date. Arrangements
are entrusted to P. & K. MacDonald
Funeral Home, New Glasgow.
Donations may be made in Rene’s
memory to the Valley View Villa,
Aberdeen Palliative Care Society
or Aberdeen Health Foundation.
CROSSAN, James William Jr.
– Riverton: It is with heavy hearts
that we, the family of James William
Crossan Jr., announce his passing
on March 21 ,2016 in the Aberdeen
Hospital. The youngest of four
children, he was born to James
Crossan Sr. and Marion (Hurd)
Crossan on December 17, 1936.
There will be no funeral service as
per his wishes and burial will take
place at a later date.
DUNBAR, Norman Robert
“Toby”– age 78, died at home on
March 26, 2016 with his family by
his side. Norman was born June
1, 1937 in New Glasgow, NS, to
parents Eileen (Young) and
Bernard “Bun” Dunbar. Toby
moved to New York City, NY in
1955 to work for the Eaton’s
Company. In 1957 he returned to
New Glasgow and married his
wife Edna on October 14, 1958.
Norman and Edna relocated to
Hamilton, Ont. in 1959 where he
worked for the Lifesavers Candy
Company and then Stelco Steel
for 12 years. In 1970 he returned
to Abercrombie, NS to raise his
family. Over the years Toby worked
for Inter-Supply Ltd., Michelin and
Hawker Siddeley. In 1982 he went
to work at the John Brother
MacDonald Stadium where he
stayed until retirement on his 65th
birthday in 2002. Toby was president of the Abercrombie
Community Centre for many years
as a dedicated volunteer spending endless hours with community
events. Toby loved gardening and
enjoyed sharing the fruits of his
labour. Well known for his humour
and passion for life, Toby enjoyed
spending time with his “trusted
confidants” at the local A&W and
was always surrounded by friends.
Toby was a long-time member of
Farm Group, Friends of the Island,
Independent Order of Foresters,
The Caribou District II Heritage
Society, the Bay View Community
Club, served on the board of the
Riverview Home Corp, Ex-Pic Non
Profit Society and many, many others. Edward is lovingly remembered
as the voice of the people. He saw
the big picture. You knew where he
stood and that he was on your
side. He gave all of himself to
those around him and stayed true
to his character with honesty,
integrity, kindness and a wonderful
sense of humour. With a booming
voice and charismatic presence,
our beloved Edward said what he
meant and made sure that you
heard him. He loved to spend time
with his bees and berries, singing
Gaelic songs and visiting neighbours. His family was of the utmost
importance to him. He was brave
and fought like hell against the fading light. “Ed MacMaster is a classic, the best you’ll ever find.” –
Sterling Rae and the Centre Hiking
Club. He was predeceased by his
parents; brother, Larry; sisters,
the Abercrombie Cemetery
Committee. Norman is survived
by his loving wife of 58 years,
Edna (Hayes) Dunbar; his four
children: Howie (Cindy) Dunbar,
Mike Dunbar, Tom (Cindy) Dunbar,
Norine (Darren) Martin, and his
seven grandchildren; Carli (Philip)
Reid, Richard (Charlena) Dunbar,
TJ (Shannon) Dunbar, Michael
(Janine)
Martin,
Samantha
(Joshua) Dunbar, Kelsie Martin,
Lauren Martin and many, many
friends as well as Pumpkin his cat.
He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Franklin Dunbar;
sister-in-law, Ruth Dunbar; sisterin-law, Margaret Dooley and best
friend Murdock MacLean. Funeral
service has taken place. Donations
can be made to the Abercrombie
Community Centre for maintenance and upkeep or paid forward as an act of kindness to
someone in need.
HILLIER, Harry Ian – 65, of
Beausejour, Manitoba, formerly of
Willowdale, Nova Scotia, passed
away suddenly on March 19, 2016.
Born in New Glasgow on February
17, 1951, Harry was the son of the
late Robert and Hellen (nee
MacDonald) Hillier. Harry resided in
Manitoba for the past 40 years. He
owned and operated his own business building and repairing fire
trucks. Prior to that he worked for
Fort Gary Industries in Winnipeg.
Harry will be sadly missed by his
wife Darlene and her daughters
Rhonda, Kristie and Kelly and their
families; by his children Patrick
(Tammy), Krista (Ben) and their
families. He will also be missed by
his family in Nova Scotia, brothers
Jim (Anne), Raymond, Bernie (Pat),
Donald, Ronald (Gloria), David,
Howard; sisters Letitia Quail, Carol
Yorke (John), Shirley (Libby); sisterin-law Sheryl and many nieces and
nephews. Aside from his parents,
Harry was predeceased by his first
wife Judy; brothers John, William,
Kenneth, Thomas, Richard and
sister June Roux. Funeral and
committal service took place in
East River St, Mary’s.
MACKINNON, Priscilla “Jean”
– October 16, 1929 – March 29,
2016 passed away quietly in her
sleep at the Aberdeen Hospital
following a brief illness. Born in
New Glasgow, Jean was the
eldest daughter of the late Paul
and Etta Margeson. Jean took
great pride in her marriage, her
family, her home and church. She
fondly recalled the many trips that
she shared with Danny during
their marriage. Jean proudly lived
u
WEDNESDAY, April 6
AA’s Pictou Hr. Group meets at
8 p.m. on the Old Pictou Road and
at 8 p.m. at St. Andrew’s
Presbyterian Church, Westville.
ABC’s for Babies (0-18 months),
10–11 a.m., Westville Library and
10:45–11:30 a.m., Stellarton
Library.
ToddleTime (18 months–3 yrs),
10:15–11 a.m., New Glasgow
Library.
Gamers Afterschool @ Library
(drop-in), 3–5 p.m., Westville Library.
For children ages 8-14.
Afterschool @ Library (ages 5-9),
3–4 p.m., Stellarton Library. Snacks
provided, stories, LEGO!, songs
and games.
Club Francais, 12-1 p.m., Stellarton
Library. Join us for delightful conversation, en francais! For more info
contact the co-ordinator Cynthia
Gallager at 902-754-2682 or cynthia.gallagher@gmail.com.
OBITUARIES
joined the Canadian Hydrographic
Service Ship; Kapukasing, that
explored and mapped the Grand
Banks off Newfoundland. The following year he began teaching on
Pictou Island. Edward joined the 1st
Battalion N.S. Highlanders Militia
where he was a bagpiper. He
worked as an insulator, labourer,
worked at the shipyard, PC Truckers
Association, E. MacMaster Farms &
Construction, was elected governor of the N.S. Wildlife Association
for Antigonish, Pictou and
Guysborough Counties and was
appointed to the District Forest
Improvement Board. In 1976,
Edward was elected to the Pictou
County Council where he proudly
served until his death, making him
the longest serving county councilor. He had also been deputy warden and had recently renewed his
blasting license. “Big Ed” was a
member of the Royal Canadian
Legion, Caribou District Fire
Department,
Nova
Scotia
Beekeepers Association, Pictou
County Federation of Agriculture,
NS Growers Association, Right to
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Jessie, Anne and Katherine.
Edward is survived by his wife of
55 years, Dorte (née Birkholm) of
Denmark; children, Michael (Kim),
Caribou; Teresa (Tim), Pictou and
Craig (Joanne), Porters Lake.
Edward also lives on through his
grandchildren, Jeremy (Samantha),
Petawawa; Riley, Montreal; Kelsey
(Hugh), Lawrencetown; Hannah,
Lauren and Gabrielle, Porters Lake;
and his two great-grandchildren,
Oliver Edward and Scarlett Anne.
He will also be deeply missed by
his siblings, Lenny, Caribou; Mary
(Al), Bible Hill; Duncan (Isabel),
Caribou; Jane (Dominic), Caribou;
along with numerous aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and many
friends. Bidh gaol againn ort gu
bràth. The family would like to
thank Angela Fogarty, the team
and visitors of the Seniors Café in
Westville, a place Edward always
enjoyed and felt welcome. Funeral
was held Sunday from St. Andrew’s
Presbyterian Church in Pictou.
Donations may be made to the
VON Senior’s Café in Westville or
the Pictou County SPCA.
independently in her own home
until she was 85. She moved to
High Crest Home in recent months
due to declining health. Jean was
predeceased by her parents Paul
and Etta Margeson, husband
Danny, brothers Doug, Ross and
Richard and nephew Glen
Margeson. Jean is survived by her
sisters Adeline Smith, New
Glasgow; Ida O’Brien (Jimmy),
Westville; brothers Reg (Reolla),
Kingston, NS; Ted (Ann), King’s
Head; and Lew (Kathy), New
Maryland, NB; sisters-in-law
Marie, Barbara and Dorothy
Margeson. Many nieces and
nephews. Funeral service was
held at First United Baptist Church,
New Glasgow with Rev. Gordon
Sutherland officiating. Burial will
take place at a later date.
PAQUET, Joseph Allan Wayne,
‘the Colonel’– 70, of Pictou,
passed away March 30, 2016 in
the Aberdeen Hospital, New
Glasgow. Born in Pictou, he was
a son of the late Alphonse and
Mary Gertrude (McNeil) Paquet.
Also known as ‘the Colonel’
Wayne had many friends in town
and he surely will be missed.
Surviving are sister, Marilyn, Maine,
USA; brothers, David, Stony Plain,
Alberta; Kenny and Mike, both of
Pictou; niece, Nicole – who is a
nurse and stayed with him to the
end; cousins, Carol Ann Van
Westin, Pictou; Janet Smith,
Dartmouth; Adele and Corrine
Doucet, both of Ottawa; nieces
and nephews, Danielle, Andrew,
Ashley, Craig, Troy, Joey and
Mark. A service will take place in
Stella Maris Roman Catholic
Church, Pictou. Donations in his
memory may be made to the
Aberdeen Palliative Care Society.
PELRINE, Mark Roy – 59 of Vale
Mountain View Senior Citizens,
Thorburn formerly of Priestville,
passed away April 1, 2016 in the
Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow.
Born in New Glasgow, he was a
son of the late Joseph and Leona
(Bond) Pelrine. Mark worked as a
carpenter for many years. He was
a member of the former St. Ann’s
Roman Catholic Church in
Thorburn. He is survived by a
daughter Alyson Rae Pelrine,
Churchville; brother John, Ontario;
and a sister Marilyn Pelrine, Halifax:
two special friends Kim and Brian
Clark. He was predeceased by an
infant son. There will be no visitation by request. A graveside service of committal will be held at 11
a.m. today (April 6) in the Holy
Cross Cemetery, New Glasgow.
The monthly meeting of the Pictou
County La Leche League group will
be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Kids
First Family Resource Centre in
downtown New Glasgow. Pregnant
and new mothers and babies are
welcome to attend for breastfeeding information and support.
Contacts: Sue Arsenault 485-2530;
Shannon MacDonald 272-2010;
Lindsay Corbin 759-2634.
Seniors Cafe (light refreshments
provided) presents 'From Rags to
Bags! Transforming a T-shirt into a
bag' with Marla from Pictou County
Solid Waste (T-shirt will be provided), 2:30–3:30 p.m., Westville
Library. This month we celebrate
Earth Month. Join us for some tea,
coffee and conversation. For info or
to suggest a speaker call (902) 7556031 or (902) 396-5022.
'Trendy T-shirt transformations –
from old T-shirt to infinity scarf!' with
Marla from Pictou County Solid
Waste, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Westville
Library.
THURSDAY, April 7
AA’s Pictou Hr. Group meets at 8
p.m. on the Old Pictou Road and at
8:30 p.m. the HOW Group meets
on East River Road in New
Glasgow.
Weekly Soup Luncheon, 11:30
a.m.-1 p.m. First Presbyterian
Church Hall (Pictou). All are welcome. There is no charge, however
freewill donations are accepted.
Knitting and Crocheting Group
(drop-in), 3–4:30 p.m., Pictou
Library. Bring your own yarn and
needles, patterns and written
instructions will be available. For
info contact the library.
ToddleTime (18 months–3 yrs),
6:15–7:15 p.m., Stellarton Library.
LEGOs @ the Library, 3–4 p.m.,
New Glasgow Library. Families and
children, all are welcome.
Thursday Night Book Club, 6:157:15 p.m., River John Library. Join
us for some 'book talk' - to find out
the selected book for this month's
book or for info call the library.
"Lead poisoning in Wildlife and
Non-Lead Angling and Hunting"
with speaker Helene van Doninck,
DVM from the Cobequid Wildlife
Rehabilitation Centre, 7–8 p.m.,
Pictou Library. Lead poisoning in
wildlife happens where lead-based
ammunition and fishing tackle are
used and the non-lead ammo there
will also be discussion on the tackle
exchange program in Nova Scotia.
This project was undertaken with
the financial support of Environment
and Climate Change Canada. All
are welcome.
Puppet show for the whole family,
Pictou library, 2 p.m. “The Smartie
Garden” and “Mysterious Egg”.
FRIDAY, April 8
AA’s Trenton 24-Hr. Group meets at
8 p.m. on Pleasant Street, Trenton
and at 8 p.m. Hope Group meets at
the Sister Catherine Steel Centre,
Lourdes.
Knitting circle, 10–11 a.m. with the
RJ Square Knitters, River John
Library and from 1–2 p.m. in the
Stellarton Library with the Stellar
Knitters.
Toddletime, 10–11 a.m., Westville
Library and 10:45-11:45 a.m. at the
Stellarton Library. A program for
toddlers 18 months to 3 years and
parents/caregivers.
Gamers Afterschool @ Library
(drop-in), 3–5 p.m., Westville Library.
Join us for a drop-in gaming session for children ages 8-14.
Chase the Ace, River John Legion.
Tickets on sale from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
with draw at 9 p.m. Proceeds to
support the River John Legion and
the River John Community HUB.
Jam session, River John Legion,
7-10 p.m. All welcome.
Chase the Ace, Stellar Curling Club,
Foord St., Stellarton, 6-8 p.m. with
ticket draw at 8:15 p.m.
SATURDAY, April 9
Auction 45s, 7 p.m., New Horizons
Club, Pictou. Adm. $5 (includes
tickets for 50/50, door prize, pool
and mystery).
Tatamagouche Legion #64 and
North Shore Rec. Centre presents,
The Queen of Hearts, 2-4 p.m. Play
$2 per ticket and be there at 4:15
p.m. to win. Everyone welcome.
AA’s Easy Does It Group meets at 8
p.m. at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian
Church, Westville.
Seniors Relay sale, 474 Scotsburn
Rd, West Branch, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
New items weekly. Proceeds for the
Fuel Fund for district seniors.
Saturday Morning Puppetry Club,
10:30–11:30 a.m., Pictou Library.
Crafty Saturday (drop-in) with a
Spring theme, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.,
Trenton Library.
Family LEGO time @ the Library,
3–4:30 p.m., Pictou Library.
Imagination Saturday, 11 a.m.-4
p.m., Stellarton Library; 10 a.m.–3
p.m., River John Library and
Westville Library.
Scotsburn United Church Spring
Pancake Breakfast, 8-10:30 a.m.,
Scotsburn United Church. Enjoy
pancakes with local maple syrup,
whipped cream and blueberry
sauce, maple sausage, homemade
baked beans, juice, tea and coffee.
Gluten-free option available! $8 per
adult and $4 per child! Enjoy great
local entertainment while kick-starting your day with a breakfast. All are
welcome.
Musical Jam Session, St. John's
hall River John, 7 p.m. $5 each.
Lunch served.
Spaghetti supper, Merigomish
United Church, 4-6 p.m. Spaghetti,
garlic bread, dessert, tea and coffee. $10 ($5 for children's portion).
'Laughter Yoga' session with
Shelley Ballantyne, Certified
Laughter Yoga Leader, 1:30–2:30
p.m., New Glasgow Library.
An old time dance in the Lorne
Community hall, 8 p.m.-1 a.m.
Music by the Bible Hill Swingsters.
Admission $6.
River John and District Lions Club is
hosting a bottle drive with funds
going to upgrading the Lions
Children’s Park.
SUNDAY, April 10
AA’s Hope Group meets at 12:30
p.m. at the Sister Catherine Steele
Centre, Stellarton. There is an information meeting at 2:30 p.m. at the
Pictou Detox. The Pictou Hr. Group
meets at 8 p.m. on Old Pictou
Road and the HOW Group meets
at 8:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church,
East River Road, New Glasgow.
Little Harbour Fire Department
annual pancake and sausage
breakfast at Little Harbour
Community Centre, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Tickets available from firefighters or
at the door.
SPRING INTO SONG: The
Saltsprings, Scotsburn-Lyon's
Brook Pastoral Charge invites you
to attend a very special musical
event at Scotsburn United Church
at 7 p.m. featuring a mass choir
from local churches in support of
the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, a
Christian response to hunger. There
is no admission but donation envelopes will be available. Refreshment
and social time to follow.
MONDAY, April 11
A beginner rug hooking class will be
running from May 2 to June 6 on
Mondays at the New Horizons
Club, Pictou. If interested call Cindy
at 902-755-6209 before April 18.
TUESDAY April 12
Community Volunteer Income Tax
Program (CVITP) by appointment
only (please call 902-755-6031 to
make an appointment), 1–4 p.m.,
New Glasgow Library. The
Community Volunteer Income Tax
Program will be running each
Tuesday afternoon (and select
Thursdays) until April 26th in this
location. Community volunteers
trained by the Canada Revenue
Agency will provide a free income
tax return assistance program for
seniors and low income Canadians
to file their annual returns.
Wheelchair-accessible. Please bring
all income tax papers and receipts
for income and deductions.
Pictou County Naturalists Club
presents speakers Kathy Dodds
(talking about Miners Marsh) &
Steve Vines (doing a photo journey
of his nature trip to California),
6:30–8 p.m., New Glasgow Library.
For more info contact the library. All
are welcome!
Community Events listings
are available free of charge for
non-profits. Deadline for
submissions is 12 noon
on Fridays. Email marjorie@
pictouadvocate.com.
No phone calls.
Religion 17
The Advocate
April 6, 2016
www.pictouadvocate.com
Spring Into Song works to end hunger
SCOTSBURN – Choir singers from churches in western
Pictou County will come together on April 10 to sing in support
of small-scale farmers in developing countries who struggle to
grow enough food to feed their
families.
Funds raised will be donated
to the Canadian Foodgrains
Bank, to be used in the work of
ending global hunger and helping farm families grow more and
better food.
“We’re excited about enjoying an entertaining evening
together as a community — but
also doing something which is
helping others,” says Danny
MacKay, a member of Scotsburn
United Church and one of the
concert organizers.
Performing at the concert are
members of the Choirs of St.
Luke's United Church (Salt
Springs), West River Presbyterian
Charge, Bethel Presbyterian
Church
(Scotsburn)
and
Scotsburn – Lyon's Brook United
Churches
accompanied by
Stewart Munro. A number of
youth and children will also be
taking part.
This event organized by the
Faith in Action Team of Salt
Springs, Scotsburn–Lyon's Brook
United Churches is one of about
70 similar concerts across Canada
this Spring, all being offered to
benefit the work of Canadian
Foodgrains Bank. The program
features the original music of
Ron Klusmeier.
The concert begins at 7 p.m.
at Scotsburn United Church,
3731 Scotsburn Road, highway
#256
There is no admission fee for
the concert, but donation envelopes will be available at the
door. One hundred per cent of
contributions received will be
forwarded directly to Canadian
Foodgrains Bank. Furthermore,
donations made at the concert
will be amplified by additional
financial support from the
Government of Canada, through
Global Affairs Canada.
“The concerts are a way to
showcase the joy of making
music together, and also to help
others in need. It’s going to be a
great
experience,”
adds
MacKay.
Canadian Foodgrains Bank is
a partnership of 15 churches and
church agencies working together to end global hunger. In the
2013-14 budget year, the
Foodgrains Bank provided $42
million of assistance for 1.2 million people in 42 countries.
Canadian Foodgrains Bank projects are undertaken with matching support from the Government
of Canada.
For more information contact
Scotsburn United Church at 902
485-8218 or Rev. Jim WebberCook at 902 752-3766.
From left: Mike Hollis and Danny MacKay examine information pertaining to the Spring Into
Song event taking place Sunday at Scotsburn United Church.
(Goodwin photo)
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN – PICTOU
Rev. Gary Tonks conducted
the service. During Storytime, he
showed tools used for chiseling
and carving wood, clay, stone
and other materials. He pointed
out places in the sanctuary where
these tools would have been
used. He said our brains are the
material upon which we "chisel"
(aka record) in our memory
bank. By reviewing what we
have seen, done and learned, we
remember... and these visuals
help to create our spiritual
knowledge. Because of this, we
must try to only put good stuff in
our heads.
The choir, under the direction
of Joan Clark, sang Because He
Lives.
The offering was gathered by
Gerry Davidson and David
Munro; Allan Munro presented
the cart for the food bank.
Readings were from Acts
5:27-32; Revelations 1:4-8; John
20:19-31.
The sermon, titled More
Signs, was addressing the ques-
tion, How do we know that Jesus
truly did die on a cross and rose
from the dead? Tonks said unlike
the eye witnesses to these events,
we need to rely on their accounts.
Do we believe their story? Or do
we discount it and move on with
our lives? We have memories of
the stories of what Jesus' disciples saw, heard, touched, spoke
of and wrote about. We will
progress in our faith if we
believe these accounts as facts
and use them to strengthen our
faith when we partake of communion- the spiritual food we
need to grow in grace and hope.
We will not all be called like
Peter, or His disciples, nor can
we expect Him to call us by
name as He did Mary at the
tomb; but He will call us when
He needs us, where He needs
us, if and when the eyes and
ears of our mind are ready to
respond to Him. We just don't
always recognize this blessed
call.
Submitted by Carol MacKay
FIRST UNITED BAPTIST – NEW GLASGOW
Katie Warren and Caleb Archibald will join other high school
students travelling to Guatemala this summer as part of a mission trip. They will have an opportunity to be personally trained
and mentored by Kingwood University students as part of the
Ecclesia Project. The youth are seeking prayer support, encouragement and financial assistance.
There was much to celebrate
at First Baptist Church on Sunday:
The mortgage was shredded
(seven years early). Two youths
(Caleb Archibald and Katie
Warren) shared a video of their
plans for mission work in
Guatemala this summer as part of
Kingswood University’s Ecclesia
Project. The Search Committee
reported they are in conversation
with a prospective pastor.
Rose Rudolph reminded the
children and the church family of
Canadian Baptist Ministries’ campaign, “She Matters Too,” that
seeks gender equity, to educate
and empower some of the world’s
marginalized girls and women.
On the first Sunday of each
month, communion is celebrated,
gifts for the benevolent fund (for
local needs in the community) are
collected, and the church family
share Koinonia (fellowship) in
the church hall recognizing those
members who have a birthday
and/or anniversary during the
month.
Pastor Gordon Sutherland’s
sermon entitled, Face of Doubt.
Face of Peace” is the first in a
series, Face to Face with Jesus. He
used John 20:24-29 as his scripture text. Sutherland mentioned
that Thomas had many admirable
traits; he did not rely on the experience of others to be the source of
his faith, he remained faithful in
the midst of doubt and he was
able to articulate his doubt. It is
worth noting that Jesus did not
scold Thomas for his doubt. In
fact, Jesus invited Thomas to
touch his wounds and see for
himself.
A Teen Challenge presentation will be hosted at First Baptist
on April 24 at 10:30 a.m. A work
day at Camp Pagweak will be
held on May 7 and 14; lunch provided. The Billy Graham
Reconnexion Seminar will be
held at Second Baptist on April
20, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Submitted by George Henaut
(Submitted photo)
ST ANDREW'S PRESBYTERIAN – NEW GLASGOW
TRINITY UNITED – NEW GLASGOW
Greeting at the door was
Ron MacNutt.
The Christ candle was lit by
Kale and Brooke MacNeill.
Participants in worship
were Rev. Donna Tourneur
and special guest Gail Clark,
Amnesty International, fieldworker Nova Scotia.
Tourneur asked if anyone
had ever been afraid and asked
to share their stories. She spoke
of the gospel story and being
afraid and how faith helps. She
read scripture from John 20:1931.
SHARONS ST JOHN –
STELLARTON
The bulletin was donated by
the U.C.W. Greeters were Robert
MacLeod and Catherine Stone;
the Christ candle was lit by Helen
Cruickshank.
Gail Kay from the worship
committee was the service leader.
Amanda MacIntosh, choir director, worked with the children and
young at heart on a favourite
song with actions, Are You
Happy and You Know It.
Joyce MacPherson read Acts 5:
1 -32 and Revelation 1: 4-8.
The anthem was No, Not Me!
The message with scripture
song and prayer was delivered
by Pastor Caroline Barclay from
the Master’s Hand Ministry - If
you believe in My life, in My
death, In My resurrection and
accept Me in your heart - you are
saved from final death into eternal life, into your hands. These
were her remarks expressed on
bookmarks for everyone. She
concluded her messages in song
Jesus Loves Me, Because He Lives
and In The Garden.
Catherine Stone, in her Minute
for Mission, read about the struggles in Syria.
Prayers of the people were
read by Violet Cameron.
Donations were made to the
General Fund in memory of Fred
Arbuckle and Kenny Taylor.
The volunteer banquet for our
UCW representative, Joyce
MacPherson, will be held April
11 at 6:30 p.m. in the town hall
Submitted by Gail Kay
Given the perspective of
disciples looked away for fear
of the authorities, and Thomas’
invitation to touch the wounds
of Jesus, Tourneur invited the
congregation to touch the
woundedness of the many
seeking safety as she shared
the story of the Almethyb family from Syria. Their story
gives us a glimpse of so many
others, she said. The Almethyb
family escaped from their
homeland Syria to find a new
home with open arms.
The music team of Sarah
English, Lori Miller, Karen
Crowley, director of music,
chose for the special music
Domine Deus.
Gail Clark spoke as an
Amnesty International an
activist and how the work
with the premise that everyone
has rights and shared The
Universal Declaration of
Human Rights. On April 4 in
Canada, Refugee Rights in
Canada is celebrated. Clark
continued speaking about
Amnesty International’s program
Amnesty
Refugee
Champagne and how there is a
global refugee crisis. Letters
can be sent to the government
asking for more work to help
in this crisis.
A video was shown the
work of the Mission and
Service Fund and what is being
done to help refugees in Syria.
After worship there was a
meet and welcome for the
Almethyb family in the auditorium with a light lunch being
offered.
Submitted by Brenda Sterling
Goodwin
Worshippers were greeted by
Shirley Haggart and Pat
MacKay.
Members of the Church
Session led the service.
Wally Sutherland opened the
service with the prelude and the
call to worship.
Pat MacKay led the responsive Prayer of Adoration and
Confession and read the scriptures.
The choir’s anthem was, You
Tell Me That the Lord is Risen.
During the time with the children, organist Sandra Johnson
told them the story of Doubting
Thomas who had to see to
believe. She said Christians are
followers who believe without
having seen the risen Lord.
Happy are those who do not see
but still believe.
In place of a sermon, Johnson
and the choir led a hymn sing of
hymns chosen by members of
the congregation.
Marie Langille led the Prayers
of the People and the Lord’s
Prayer.
Shirley Forbes led the Liturgy
of Response.
Following the service, Gale
Langille, Jeannie Johnson, Lorne
Smith and Karen Sutherland
were the hosts for refreshments
in the Fellowship Hall.
Submitted by Shirley Haggart
Notice of Community Information Meetings to the Residents
and Ratepayers of the Municipality of the County of Pictou
and towns of New Glasgow, Pictou and Stellarton regarding
the proposed amalgamation.
District 3
District 13
Town of Pictou
District 7
Bay View, Braeshore, Waterside,
Central Caribou, Three Brooks,
Caribou River, Caribou Island
Caribou Fire Hall
Wednesday, April 6th – 7 pm
Thorburn, Coalburn, Telford,
Sutherlands River, McPhersons Mills
Thorburn Fire Hall
Tuesday, April 12th – 7 pm
deCoste Centre, Pictou
Wednesday, April 20th – 6:30 pm
Loch Broom, Sylvester, Alma,
Greenhill, Union Centre, White Hill
Northumberland Regional High School
Wednesday, May 11th – 7 pm
District 8
District 4
Central West River, Salt Springs,
Limerock, Brookland, Millbrook
West River Fire Hall
Wednesday, April 6th – 7 pm
Toney River, Seafoam, Cape John,
Marshville, River John, Hedgeville,
Louisville, Welsford, Hodson
River John Hub Community Centre
Wednesday, April 13th – 6:30 pm
District 1
District 1
Merigomish, Big Island, Lismore,
Lower Barney’s River, Ponds,
Knoydart, Baileys Brook
Lismore Community Centre
Thursday, April 7th – 6:30 pm
Broadway, Kenzieville, Marshy Hope,
Barneys River Station
Kenzieville Community Centre
Thursday, April 14th – 6:30 pm
District 9
Abercrombie, Granton, Mt. William
Abercrombie Fire Hall
Thursday, April 7th – 6:30 pm
District 5 & 6
West Branch, Loganville, Diamond,
Scotch Hill, Lyons Brook, Scotsburn,
Hardwood Hill, Heathbell
Scotsburn Fire Hall
Monday, April 11th – 7 pm
Town of Stellarton
NSCC Stellarton Cafeteria
Thursday, April 14th – 6:30 pm
District 10
Linacy, Hillside, Pine Tree, Woodburn
Linacy Fire Hall
Thursday, April 21st - 6:30 pm
District 14
Springville, Bridgeville, Glencoe,
Sunny Brae
East River Valley Fire Hall
Thursday, April 21st - 7 pm
District 2
Little Harbour, Chance Harbour,
Kings Head, Melmerby Beach,
Black Point
Little Harbour Community Centre
Thursday, April 28th – 6:30 pm
Blue Mountain, Moose River,
Garden of Eden, Eden Lake,
Rocky Mountain, East River St. Mary’s
Blue Mountain Fire Hall
Tuesday, April 19th – 6:30 pm
Pictou Landing
Pictou Landing Fire Hall
Tuesday, May 3rd – 6:30 pm
Ward 3
Westside New Glasgow
Westside Community Centre
Tuesday, May 10th – 6:30 pm
Learn more by attending one of our upcoming events or visit our website.
North End New Glasgow
North End Recreation Centre
Thursday, May 12th – 6:30 pm
Lunch &
with QueLearn
ens
Summer
Street Ind
ustr
Thursday
, April 14th ies
– noon
Guest Sp
eake
District 2
District 14
Ward 2
Christoph r
er Clarke,
Region o
Mayor
f Queen
s
Join us to
hea
of Queens, r about the region
now 20 ye
ars into
amalgam
ation.
onepictoucounty.ca
18 Community
Local woman
off to WACs in
Amsterdam
A local woman is among the
two Nova Scotia athletes heading to Amsterdam with their
dogs to represent Canada at the
World Agility Championships.
Sarah LeBlanc of Green Hill,
with her dog Bo, will join Andre
Landry of Bible Hill and his
dog Crash, at the IFCS World
Agility Championships, which
take place April 13 to 17 in the
Dutch capital.
Janice
Cruikshank
of
Caribou Island will also attend
the Amsterdam event as a spectator. She and her double doodle pooch, Kenzie, train with
LeBlanc and Landry during the
winter months at the William
M. Sobey Indoor Sports
Complex in Stellarton.
Both Bo and Crash are border collies; LeBlanc has been
training with her dog for six
years. This is not the first time
either LeBlanc or Landry have
competed in this event.
The Advocate
April 6, 2016
HAM & POTATO SALAD DINNER
WITH DESSERT
In support of the Pictou Lobster Carnival.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
11 am - 2 pm
$10 each
CALL FOR ORDERS:
Marion MacDonald 902-485-6205
Margo Hawes 902-485-6025
Shawn McNamara 902-771-0493
TAKE-OUT AND DELIVERY ONLY
we do that
PICK UP AT STELLA MARIS HALL PICTOU
www.pictouadvocate.com
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