Vol 28 No 7
Linking Island Communities Together
Shop Local April 8, 2020
If you watch how nature deals with adversity, continually renewing itself, you can’t help but learn. - Bernie Siegel MD
A Shout-Out of Thanks to all our health care personnel, federal/provincial/municipal governments, pharmacies, grocers, truckers and the list goes on... We honour you. Mike and Isabel Smith County Line Courier Community Newspaper
photo Tara Leblanc
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The County Line Courier ~ your community newspaper
April 8, 2020
Fountain being added to International Children’s Memorial Place By Andy Walker Visitors to the International Children’s Memorial Place will soon be able to rest and reflect on the memory of lost loved ones beside a new fountain of life. “It is almost finished now and we plan to have it in place for this summer,” said Bill MacLean, who started the 12 acre site in Scale’s Pond in 2002 with his wife Myra in memory of their son Trevor who died in 1995. “We always wanted to put in a fountain because water is very healing.”
visitors will be able to enjoy the fountain coming up from the center of the globe. Bill said they hope to have the fountain in place by summer, but added the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the working schedule and may impact how many people can visit the site if the physical and social distancing measures put in place by Dr. Heather Morrison, who is the province’s chief health officer, continue into the summer.
The centerpiece of the new display will be a stainless steel world globe that is ten feet in diameter that is being built at nearby Dunk River Industries. MacLean added that since its creation the memorial site has always used local suppliers if possible.
The site is located near a decommissioned hydro electric dam on the Dunk River in Scales Pond. When the MacLeans first conceived of the idea of having a quiet place of rest and reflection, a community group that had been looking after the park in Scales Pond were looking to step back from that commitment so Bill said the timing was right.
When the fountain and the globe are in place,
Since that time, he has enlisted the help of a vol-
unteer board of directors to help manage the site on an ongoing basis. He praised the board members for their tireless effort saying “there is no way we could keep it going without them. The site is comprised of a 26 acre pond, dam, fish ladder, and a very serene walking trail which parallels the Dunk River. A central focus is the legacy sculpture done by Julie Glaspy that features a portrait of a family with the depiction of one of the children hollowed out of the sculpture. Families can also plant a tree in memory of a loved one in the Ever living Forest or place a brick on the Path of Remembrance. The South Freetown school was donated to International Children’s Memorial Place in 2006 by the Freetown Sewing Club. It is still used by the sewing club and the local 4-H Club for meetings. The Labyrinth of Life and
Shown is the new International Children’s Memorial Place Fountain of Life fabricated by Dunk River Industries. Love was added in 2010. “Most of the year there are people here every day,” Bill said. MacLean said they welcome visitors from around the world each year. While
some visitors take a walk along the trial or check how their memorial tree is growing, he said others simply want to sit for a while and reflect. The goal of the memorial, he said, has always been to
promote the health and well-being of individuals and/or families who grieve for the physical or emotional loss of a child.”
April 8, 2020
The County Line Courier ~ your community newspaper
Budget passes in Miltonvale Park but further meetings suspended By Andy Walker Councillors in the Rural Municipality of Miltonvale Park met recently to give final approval to the capital and operating budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal years. The meeting followed the guidelines on social distancing laid out by Dr. Heather Morrison, who is the province’s chief health officer. The operating budget projects a balanced budget with $298,355 in revenue and expenses. On the capital side, the budget projects Gas Tax revenue of $32,930
and $20,000 in infrastructure grants for a total of $52,930. The community is projecting $42,500 in capital spending including $24,000 for parks and recreation, $12,000 for emergency measures, $4,000 for an electric charging station and $2,500 for records room storage. The tax rate for noncommercial properties will remain at 16.6 cents/$100 assessments in both the serviced (Sleepy Hollow) and nonserviced areas. Meanwhile, the commercial tax rate is 82.6
cents/$100 assessments in both the serviced and non-serviced areas. In both cases, the rate has been unchanged since 2016. Council has suspended any further meetings for the foreseeable future in the wake of the pandemic. The council office and the Milton Community Hall are closed although staff are answering telephone calls and emails.
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Parks Canada limits access to help stop COVID-19 spread Parks Canada has closed a number of roads within the PEI National Park after a sunny weekend in late March produced a large number of visitors, many of whom disregarded parking restrictions and the physical distancing recommendations provided by public health authorities to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The municipal fiscal year ends on March 31 and rebate forms for child bursaries for extracurricular activities, as well as for Green Initiatives (low flow replacement toilets, HE washers and low flow showerheads are now due.
“We are asking all Islanders to work together. We know that many of you have a special connection to these places, but Parks Canada is asking Islanders to stay home to protect themselves, their loved ones and the collective Island community,” notes a statement from Parks Canada announcing the move.
They may be mailed, left in the mailbox on the doorstep of the hall, emailed (photos accepted) to admin@miltonvalepark.com or faxed (902368-1152).
The Gulf Shore Parkway East is now closed to vehicle access in two sections: between Brackley gate and Covehead Harbour (BrackleyCovehead); and between
Winter Road and Ross Lane Beach (Dalvay-Ross Lane). The Gulf Shore Parkway West will be closed to vehicle access between Cawnpore Lane and Cape Turner, Cavendish. During these temporary closures, access to Covehead wharf will be maintained for local fishers. In addition, there is a
NOTE:
more direct alternative road, Route 6, just outside the park for those who are in transit or needing to access nearby communities. Detailed information on Parks Canada places and the measures the Agency is taking to limit the spread of COVID-19 can be found at pc.gc.ca. Please check regularly for updates.
The South Shore Watershed Association (SSWA) AGM is postponed to a future date to be determined. Results of photo contest will be announced through various media.
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Codger Chronicles King George Place, 61 Broadway Street Kensington, PEI Published twice monthly by MJS Marketing and Promotions. The contents of this newspaper are protected by copyright. To make use of any of the material, you must first obtain permission from the publisher. Publisher: Michael J. Smith Editor: Isabel R Smith Feature Article(s): Andy Walker Ad Sales: Amy Beairsto Mailing address: PO Box 601, Kensington, PE, C0B 1M0 Tel: 902 836-3196 Fax: 902 836-4889 E-mail: thecourier@eastlink.ca
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E-mail: thecourier@eastlink.ca Next edition April 22nd edition (deadline for submissions for this issue is April 15 )
North Shore shuts down offices and parks due to COVID-19 As the shutdown of public life due to COVID-19 continues, the Rural Municipality of the North Shore has announced it has closed its office to the public effective March 23 and has closed its playgrounds at the North Shore and Grand Tracadie community facilities. The community had earlier suspended all recreational programming until further notice. As well, the municipality has decided to delay issuing any new development permits. Even though the office is closed, a post on the municipality’s website notes staff will still be answering emails and telephone calls. The municipality is
part of the North Shore Joint Emergency Measures Organization. Should there be a requirement to act, the Emergency Operations Center at the North Shore Community Center will be activated.
The new normal with COVID-19 by Andy Walker When we celebrated the start of 2020 just a few short months ago, few of us could have predicted the world we now deal with daily. Empty store shelves and a welcome at Confederation Bridge or the airport telling you to go home and stay there for at least 14 days are now part of everyday life. That’s not really true-they have replaced the everyday life that has always been chronicled so well in the pages of this newspaper. That life, when we went to our children or grandchildren’s school concert or sports event, helped to make our community a better place by belonging to a service club or took our significant other out to dinner, concert or a movie, already seems like a lifetime ago. Now we have to stay six feet away from people and we are encouraged to report our friends and neighbours if we suspect they have been off the Island and are not “selfisolating.” Let me be clear. I think Dr. Heather Morrison and her staff
have been doing a superhuman job in trying to contain this outbreak. I also believe our relatively small population and our status as an Island with relatively few entry points will allow us to recover quicker and with less hurt than most of the other provinces. There is no question there is plenty of economic and social hurt still ahead but there will be a recovery. It will be interesting to see what long term impact it will have on our thinking. Those of us in the over 60 crowd likely remember how our parents or grandparents who had lived through depression and war took nothing for granted and cautioned us to “waste not want not.” I am not for a minute comparing what they went through to what we are dealing with. I believe the popular social media post reminding us that “your grandparents were called to fight and you are called to sit on the couch.” However, some of our basic assumptions have
April 8, 2020
now been challenged. We always assumed we could go to any store pretty much anytime and buy whatever we want-provided we had the cash or credit that is. We have now learned that is not necessarily the case. For most of us, there was a clear separation between where we lived and where we worked. While the advent of social media and meals had blurred that line in recent years, thousands of Canadians are now working from home. I have to admit that is nothing
new for me. I joke with people (it is important to keep your sense of humour) that I am ahead of the curve since I have been working from home for over 20years and all it took was a world pandemic to make the idea popular. Will these changes in assumptions result in a long-term change in behaviour or will we quickly revert to life as we have always known it ? The answer may depend on how long coping with COVID-19 is the new normal.
Thank You The family of the late CJ Waite, wish to extend our sincere thanks for your kindness, and for the condolences and support that we have received. We also send our gratitude and appreciation to all who donated to the Macey Waite Trust Fund. …Until We Meet Again Those special memories of you will always bring a smile if only we could have you back for just a little while Then we could sit and talk again just like we used to do you always meant so very much and always will do too The fact that you’re on loaner here will always cause us pain but you’re forever in our hearts until we meet again The family of CJ Waite
April 8, 2020
The County Line Courier ~ your community newspaper
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Crossword Puzzle
COVID-19 (coronavirus)
We know Islanders have questions about COVID-19 and how we can protect ourselves and our families, friends and neighbours. For information on things like self-isolation, tips for employers and community groups, mental health programs accessible from your home, visit:
Across 1. Peruse 5. Mexican house 9. Irritating ones 14. Texas town 15. Upon 16. Edgar ____ Poe 17. In the center of 18. Mix 19. Andean animal 20. Statue base 22. Seesaw 23. Indian attire 24. Fedora, e.g. 25. Poet’s “before” 26. Baby flower 29. Three-movement composition 32. Not ashore 34. Able to read 38. Large truck 39. Clairvoyants 41. Diva’s song 42. Island off India (2 wds.) 44. Box tops 45. Raining ice 49. Colorant 50. Savings plan (abbr.) 53. ____ Vegas
54. Must have 56. Heavy linen 58. Most transparent 62. Travel ____ 63. Frog’s kin 64. Bread spread 65. Hair coloring 66. ____ and void 67. Bullring cheers 68. More peculiar 69. Elm or pine 70. Cushions Down 1. Exchange 2. Showed up 3. Tart 4. Lymph ____ 5. Cuban leader 6. Reach 7. Dirt 8. Mar. follower 9. Artist’s board 10. She, in Toulouse 11. List of candidates 12. More docile 13. Kind of drum 21. Defunct USAF branch 22. Small pies 24. Inheritor
26. Freshwater fish 27. Operator 28. ____ Moore of “G.I. Jane” 30. Shoe spike 31. Unwritten 33. Is sick 35. Parched 36. Neat 37. Relaxation 39. Move stealthily 40. Makes do 43. Sports VIP (hyph.) 46. Take a breath
47. Sewing item 48. Goodness! 50. Potato state 51. Was furious 52. Change 55. Wilt 57. “The Diary of ____Frank” 58. ____ cream 59. Jazz singer ____ Fitzgerald 60. Plant’s beginning 61. Hurl 63. Explosive inits.
www.princeedwardisland.ca/COVID19 New information will be posted here as it comes in. We will all get through this together. For accurate up-to-date information If you have general questions about COVID-19 call
1-800-958-6400
For the latest local information visit: PrinceEdwardIsland.ca/covid19 This ad is paid for by the government of Prince Edward Island
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News from the Herd By Yogi Fell The herd and I are not social distancing. They come in every day for their rations. A cursory check is done to see that they are not carrying any open wounds or a hanging halter. Saturday, April 4th was to be our annual spring clinic. Last time I talked about the necessity of controlling parasites, part of the clinic is to teach the correct way to do injections and acceptable injection sites on the horse. It is an important skill to have, the veterinarian cannot come twice a day to administer medicine. Well, he could if you have a deep pocketbook. That aside, it has always been important to me that the herd be vaccinated. In the 1950’s and 1960’s it never failed, in the spring there always was an epidemic of rhino flu, when all the racehorses came to the track from different farms. There was no biosecurity in those days and definitely
no self distancing of the horses. So many young racehorses did not have the lung capacity after they had this flu. All the time and money put into good breeding and training wasted. It was a wonderful thing when the Rhino flu vaccine was developed. This alone made such a difference to the Flat Racing game. Now they have vaccines for many equine viruses. It is important to the competitor to protect their partner if they are travelling to different competitions. In my heart I think that before you land your horse on the competition grounds, the organizers should demand proof of vaccination. Racetracks as well. It doesn’t take long for EEE, Rhino, or AEE to take hold in a barn or a competition site. There is a 10 foot rule for biosecurity with horses, and that is difficult to do. The majority of shedrows (the aisle way at the barn) are only 10 feet wide. There are lots
BRANCH NO. 9 Kensington
Royal Canadian Legion
tel: 902-836-3229 Sandra Howard Public Relations
Legion is CLOSED DUE TO Covid-19. Will give notice when open again.
Three candidates for Kinkora byelection
Even though a byelection planned for the Rural Municipality of Kinkora on April 6 has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the field of candidates has been set. When nominations closed March 20, three candidates had declared their intention to seek the two vacant councillor positions. They are Harrison Duffy, Marisa Paugh and Roger Shea. A notice of the byelection will be published 12 days prior to voting day.
of choices for vaccines. There is a 5-way which is neat, one shot will do it all. I would check with your veterinarian to find out what will be best for you. If you are not competing, bringing horses to your farm, or traveling, at least vaccinate for Tetanus (a Clostridium tetani). This is a miserable condition that will affect the muscles and locks the jaw, it pretty well is a death sentence for the horse. I vaccinate every year, and if the horse gets a serious cut from metal or wire, I give a booster shot. This has been an absolute necessity for me on my farm. Every spring dead car or truck parts and lots of
cans spring forth when the frost heaves. There was no waste management 40 years ago. There seems to be many more viruses around now, that I can remember, I am feeling my age today. This is happening because, horses are transported all over the world for breeding and competition and it just takes one lax moment for one person to not practice good biosecurity to start an epidemic. We have been made aware of this probability with COVID- 19. Take care, isolate, understand 6 ft and 2 metres for people. For horses practise 10 feet and 3 metres. Virtual love and hugs from Yogi and the herd.
April 8, 2020
Crapaud holds video conference meeting to approve budget
In keeping with the social distancing regulations put in place to combat the spread of the COVID-19, councillors in the Rural Municipality of Crapaud held a teleconference session recently to allow residents to participate in the budget approval meeting. The budget holds the line on taxes at 50 cents per $100 of assessment for non-commercial properties and 55 cents for commercial properties. The water and sewer rates and fire dues will also remain at the current level. The budget projects operating revenue of $376,224 for general government, $82,850 for sewerage and $24,200 for water. On the expense side, expenditures are projected to be $373,125 for general government, $94,520 for sewer operations and $31,101 for the
water department. Growth in the community has resulted in an increase of $3,168 in property tax assessment, a $1,960 increase in equalization grants and a $1,715 increase in fire dues. The five year capital budget includes $60,500 (the community share will be $6,050 with the remainder coming from two different gas tax allocations) for land use planning , $60,000 for the fire department equipment project including the purchase of new radio equipment, bunker gear, hoses and an infrared camera, upgrades to community owned buildings, the expansion of water and sewer services to a proposed seniors affordable housing unit on the Trans Canada Highway and a municipal growth study.
April 8, 2020
The County Line Courier ~ your community newspaper
PEI Athletes compete at National Biathlon Championship Thirteen cadets represented PEI at The National Biathlon Championships held in Val Cartier Quebec in early March. Ten athletes, one cadet coach and two staff cadets spent the week participating in a total of four races chaperoned by coach Captain Scott Richards from 53 Summerside Air Cadet Squadron. Between races the cadets had the opportunity to explore Old Quebec City, enjoy some fun at Bora indoor water park and outdoor tubing hills and were excited to reunite with other cadets from across Canada that they met during summer training and other cadet opportunities. Nine athletes from 53 Summerside Air Cadet Squadron and one athlete from 23 Charlottetown Sea Cadet Corps qualified at the provincial championships held at the Mark Arendz Biathlon Centre in Brookvale in February to compete at the National competition.
Team PEI lying down in front L-R: Paige Wall, Halle Sabine and Jacey LeClair (all from 53 Summerside). Middle Nur Rabiah Harim Nor (53). Back L-R: Iyla Kilbride, Matthew MacNeill, Aidan Dwyer (all from 53), Eddie Zhou (23 Charlottetown), cadet coach- Brady Shea, Cole DesRoches, Kaleb Birch and coach Captain Scott Richards (all from 53).
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Competitor Halle Sabine, a 12 year old first year cadet from 53 Summerside Air Cadets was selected as the PEI flag bearer for the closing ceremonies at the National Biathlon Championships. The Atlantic Provinces has their own award for an athlete that exhibits the ´Most Heart’ during the week long competition. This year’s winner was Sabine due to her determination, athleticism, and spirit every day of competition.
Cole DesRoches keeps an eye on the start clock as he anticipates his start in the sprint race on day one of competition at the National Championships in ValCartier.
The three staff cadets were selected to attend the Nationals based on their performance at the PEI zone and provincial competition.
Eddie Zhou (23 Charlottetown Sea Cadets) and Nur Rabiah Harim Nor (53 Summerside Air Cadets) teamed up with Samuel Parsons and Madison Rubia from Newfoundland to win a bronze medal in the Patrol Race. During this race the athletes are coached only by a cadet coach with no direction from the adult coach. In the centre is Eric Roy Senior from Newfoundland who coached the team through the race.
Halle Sabine digs in as she climbs a hill while she leads the female team followed by Jacey LeClair during the Patrol Race at the National Biathlon Championships. The Patrol Race is considered the fun race and consists of a team of four competitors. The competitors often dress up in fun accessories to characterize their team. During the race the athletes must remain within 30 meters of each other while on the ski course. While on the range- two competitors at a time shoot the targets. This is also the longest race as all competitors ski the two kilometre course four times and shoot targets twice.
L-R: MaYai Schmidt from 85 Summerside Sea Cadets (staff cadet), Brady Shea from 53 Summerside Air Cadets ( cadet coach), and Connor Costain from 53 Summerside Air Cadets (staff cadet) volunteered their time and expertise at the National Biathlon Championships in ValCartier for the week of competition. It took over 110 cadet volunteers, coaches and staff to ensure the National Championships ran smoothly for the 130 competitors from all across Canada. Each province sends one cadet coach who works directly with the adult team coach and the athletes. The staff cadets act as timers, scorers, recorders and ensure the competition runs smoothly. These cadets are extremely important to the competition. Cadets are selected for these roles based on their dependability, maturity and ability to perform accurately under pressure.
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Comparing COVID-19 with the 1918-1919 pandemic By Andy Walker While the COVID-19 pandemic is termed unprecedented, it is also often compared to the Spanish Influenza that circled the continent for eight months in 1918 and 1919. Certainly there are some comparisons but let’s deal with the most obvious difference first. The world is a very different place now-- so much so that a time traveler from 102 years ago would have trouble recognizing much familiar in 21st century life. Don’t forget, the automobile was just beginning to win the battle of supremacy over the horse on Island roadways as the “war to end
all wars” was winding down. For many Islanders who answered the call to fight for king and country on the battlefields of Europe, it was their first excursion off the shores of their native province. Historians generally agree the Spanish Influenza likely would not have happened (or at least not have produced the devastating consequences it did) had the world not been at war. The movement of troops, both within countries and throughout the battlefields of Europe enabled the virus to spread. Just like COVID-19, the Spanish Influenza was spread through human interaction. The war also meant
the seriousness of the situation was downplayed, at least until the Armistice was signed in November of 1918. There were no front page stories about the impact of what was commonly referred to as the influenza or flu in PEI newspapers of the period. It was only mentioned in the death notices. In his book “Prince Edward Island” An Unauthorized History,” the late historian Boyde Beck notes the newspapers of the day were downplaying the virus, predicting it would disappear with warmer weather. Beck notes that didn’t happen and many communities urged people to stay indoors and curtail their day-to-day activities-- a theme all too familiar to Islanders living in 2020. Chief Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison can count on the media to report her warnings to self-isolate and practice physical and social distancing to help bring the virus under control. Let’s leave aside the difference in technology for the moment. The simple fact is public health of-
ficials in 1918 and 1919 couldn’t count on the media as an ally. Beck notes in his book one newspaper criticized the name “Spanish Influenza”, arguing it was the cause of the panic and suggested if fear about the name disappeared the virus would quickly follow suit. The newspaper editorial asked readers if soldiers in the trenches “got a day off because of a few sniffles.” The biggest difference,
of course, is the leaps and bounds in the medical community over the last century. Before it disappeared almost as quickly as it came, Spanish Influenza had claimed over 400 Island lives and over 25 million around the globe compared to 10 million killed on the battlefield during the four year conflict that preceded it. While those numbers are certainly frightening, most of the casualties were complications
April 8, 2020 from pneumonia, a complication now relatively easy to control with antibiotics. Modern communication allows us to know instantly how the battle to combat the spread of the virus is progressing, not just here at home but around the world. The best way to combat fear is with knowledge. That body of knowledge is expanding every day when it comes to COVID-19. The best way we can help flatten the curve is to listen to the experts and come together by staying apart.
April 8, 2020
Lions Club Inducts New Members
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Farm Credit Canada Supports 4-H
Albany Centennial 4-H Club is extremely grateful to Farm Credit Canada (FCC) for their generous grant. With their support, the club purchased a large retractable sign and a
tabletop retractable sign. These signs are very durable and attractive, not to mention portable. We will be able to use these at every 4-H club meeting as well as our Communications and
Achievement Days. They will be great to use in the community when we are doing community service projects as well as participating in other events. They are excellent
The Malpeque Bay and Area Lions Club recently inducted a new member into their club. Lion Kate Waite (left) is shown placing a club pin on Mary MacLeod’s vest. Mary’s title is Baby Lion and shows her wearing a Baby Bib depicting a recent member into the club. Lion Kate is the sponsoring Lion of Lion Mary. Congratulations Lion Mary.
Albany Centennial 4-H Club is very thankful to FCC for their grant that allowed them to purchase a large retractable sign and a tabletop retractable sign. THANK YOU, FCC, for your support of 4-H in rural Canada! Front L-R: Bennett Boyle, Ian Schurman, Austin Keough, Kaleb Birch. Back L-R: Patrick Lauwerijssen, Matthew Murphy, Carly Affleck, Jessica Larsen, Hannah Eggert, Anna Jesulaitis, Hannah Larsen, Jack Larsen, Claire Keough, Percy Affleck, Jack Affleck, Cam Schurman and Ava Schurman. The Malpeque Bay and Area Lions Club recently inducted Pauline Dicy (right) into the club. Lion Tammy Ruston is the sponsoring Lion and is shown extending congratulations to Pauline on becoming a a member of the club.
These Albany Centennial 4-Hers were the first to view the new retractable banners! They were very proud and pleased that an FCC grant allowed the club to show their 4-H pride! Front L-R: Jacksyn Curley and Hannah Eggert. Back L-R: Ava Schurman, Ian Schurman, Hayden Eggert.
Page 9 public relations promotional tools while instilling a sense of pride in all 4-Hers, 4-H leaders and 4-H family members. Without FCC support, these promotional banners would not have been possible. THANK YOU, FCC!
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On The War Memorial Trail..... The WW2 by Daria Valkenburg Pieter Valkenburg, who is researching the names listed on the Cenotaph outside of the Borden-Carleton Legion, has found 4 that died in Italy during WW2. One of these men was George Alfred DUNN, born February 11, 1915 in Roseville, the son of Joseph J. Dunn and Mary Ellen Jones. Dunn didn’t have an easy life. His mother died when he was six. His father died when Dunn was only 9 years old, and he was brought up by his uncle, William Dunn, of Emerald Junction. A woodsman before enlisting with the Carleton & York Regiment in St. Stephen, New Brunswick on September 8, 1939, Dunn received training in Woodstock, New Brunswick and then went to Europe with the first Canadian contingent, sailing to England on December 8, 1939 aboard the S.S. ‘Monarch of Bermuda’, and arriving on December 17. After successfully completing several training courses, he was promot-
ed to Corporal on May 16, 1942. On November 1942 he received another promotion, to Lance Sergeant, and was sent for further training. On June 16, 1943 Dunn was sent to Italy, and then, on August 25, 1943, he was promoted to Sergeant. On December 6, 1943, Canadian forces, along with British, Indian, and New Zealand infantry divisions, began a series of large-scale assaults on major crossing points along the Moro River in Eastern Italy, with the objective of securing a large bridgehead along the defensive line. The intention was to breach the German Army’s Winter Line defensive system and advance to Pescara— and eventually Rome. According to the War Diary of the Carleton & York Regiment for January 1944, the unit was in Ortona, Italy on January 1. The weather was “dull and cloudy all day with rain during the evening” the report read, which went on to summarize what happened on December 31, 1943. “The transport finds the going pretty heavy on account
April 8, 2020
Soldier From Emerald Junction Who Lost His Life In Italy
of the mud. ‘A’ Company, who suffered the greatest during the Battle of Point 59 was brought back to a rear position where ‘B’ Company was and ‘B’ Company was placed at the front.” One of those wounded on December 31, 1943 was Sgt Dunn. According to the casualty report, he received “shrapnel wounds to the right leg and multiple wounds to the face” while in action. On January 2, 1944,
Dunn died of injuries received in action during the Battle of Moro (Point 59). He’s buried at Moro River Canadian War Cemetery in Italy. Do You Have Information? No family of George Alfred Dunn has been found as yet, unfortunately. If you have information or photos to share please contact Valkenburg at dariadv@yahoo.ca
George Alfred Dunn. (Photo source: www. amazon.com. Photo colourization: Pieter Valkenburg)
Grave of George Alfred Dunn at Moro River Canadian War Cemetery. (Photo source: www.findagrave.com) Map courtesy of www.canadiansoldiers.com
and Chapel
Peaceful Rural Setting
Pre-arranged Funerals and Cremation Services • Monuments
April 8, 2020
Kensington COMMUNITY Care Home Carol Evans
We are closing the book on another month which started off pretty normal. We were busy making St. Patrick’s Day crafts to decorate the tree, as well as, our bedroom doors. We chose Shamrocks to honor St. Patty and after the hard work was done we got to work and decorated the home in everything green. Pastor Sean Ward, organist Roseanne Ward with Reg and Marilyn Noye shared the only Church Service of the month. Gary Arsenault was the lone entertainer for the month. Thanks Gary for giving us an hour plus of toe tapping songs. Little did we know then that things were about to take a drastic turn. We don’t have to tell you about the turn
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Staying Positive and Getting Creative during lock down but, we will tell you how we, at the Home, are coping with this uncertain turn of event. Instead of dwelling on the negative side of this turn we decided to get creative. Without outside help we had to get really, I mean really creative. Without our volunteers, Cindy and Foxy on Mondays, crafts were stretched out to two days to complete one. One week we did mind crafts where we did some mindfulness activities. Tuesdays without Bev and Brian Warren to help with bingo gave some of the residents a chance to step up to the plate and help those who had difficulties. Things went so well we decided to try it twice a week. We went a bit squirrely one afternoon and played a crazy and nutty game of bingo... prizes were peanuts which created lots of fun. Without our entertainers we had to really work hard to bring the best out in ourselves but St. Patty
Ceilidh at Kelly’s Cross Community Centre PLEASE NOTE that the April, 2020 Ceilidh in the Kelly’s Cross Community Center will be cancelled. No decision on May, 2020 at this time. Please watch for further updates. Remember, you can still see our local talent in July, 2020 when we hold our Annual Kelly’s Cross Tea Party / Picnic. If we continue social distancing and discovering new ways to keep in touch and make sure everyone is safe, we will be together again!!
came to our rescue. A party was planned with shamrock cookies and green icing, homemade green ice cream, and even some green drinks were brewed up. An Irish Rovers C.D. was played and a couple of our residents with Irish blood running through veins led us in some good Irish songs, what more can a fellow ask for. Fridays without our Clergy and Church Services gave us the chance to come together as a Community and create our own Prayer Services. It was a time to read favorite scripture, sing favorite hymns and share how God is looking after all our needs, Body, Mind and Spirit. Now, on the other hand, games without Glenda Murphy and Marion Curley were somewhat more challenging, but we had lots of fun anyway!! We can’t tell you in
words how much we are missing all our volunteers. Saturdays we come together and share our lives taking walks down memory lane, some of the stories shared inspired us as well as surprised us. Interesting that we think we know people! Think again. Sundays we have an hour of Gospel Music. Thanks to the Men of The Harvest for one wonderful hour with their Gospel C.D. So, as you can see, we are keeping very well physically, mentally and spiritually. Keep us in your prayers as we continue to stay safe in lock down. Food for thought: It is only with the Heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye. Source unknown. Never more does this sign off mean so much. Until next time KEEP WELL!!
New Glasgow WI Annual Coffee Party and Fashion Show “Coffee with a Flair” !!! Come celebrate New Glasgow turning 200! The event takes place on Saturday April 25th beginning at 9:30 am at New Glasgow Lobster Suppers Fashions, Silent Auction, 50/50 and much more Special guest Patrick Ledwell !! For tickets or information contact Jacquie 902-964-2641 or Elaine 902-626-7165
Music Therapy for the soul Gary Arsenault entertains seniors with lively songs and toe tapping music.
Our St Paddy’s Day Decor A Shamrock Tree
Page 12
The County Line Courier ~ your community newspaper
-IN
CLINIC
April
at South Shore Pharmacy Crapaud Mondays 9am - noon Saturdays 9am - noon Walk-in Clinic hours are subject to change without notice. Find up-to-date information at: skipthewaitingroom.com
Clinic Phone 902-730-2070 If you are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough or other respiratory symptoms, please contact 811 to be assessed for COVID-19. Your symptoms will be reviewed, and you will be advised of the best place to go. Health PEI has established two cough and fever clinics, one in the Charlottetown area and one in the Summerside area.
Please be aware that regular Walk-in Clinics are not able to test for COVID-19 and are not an appropriate option for anyone who suspects that they have been infected by COVID-19. You will not be seen.
COVID-19
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April 8, 2020
Is Your Community Hearing Accessible?
By Daria Valkenburg
In the November 2019 issue of ‘Canadian Audiologist’, the Issues In Accessibility column discussed the findings of a survey sent to audiology clinics across Canada, asking how accessible they were. The article, ‘Current Accessibility Strategies in Audiology Practice: A Review of the 2019 CAA Accessibility Survey Results’, was written by three audiologists: Janine Verge, Anne Griffin, and Dana Song. The survey results indicated that audiology clinics are not hearing accessible. I was interested in the article as encouraging hearing accessibility in public places is very important to me and one of the mandates of Hear PEI. Unfortunately, hearing accessibility is an issue that is NOT top of mind in the public perception. The Federal Government may have adopted the Accessible
Canada Act, and the provinces of Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Ontario have provincial accessibility legislation, but how much do you think has changed on PEI? While there should, in theory, be more support to create accessible environments in Canada, it still remains up to individuals to advocate for better hearing accessibility in public places. Verge, Griffon, and Song begin their article with an excellent description of accessibility, describing it as “…about creating community, workplaces, and services that enable everyone to participate fully in society without barriers….” Some of the barriers faced by people with hearing loss in their everyday lives, that hearing aids or cochlear implants alone can’t overcome, were identified in the article as “poor acoustics, background noise, poor room lighting, blocked sound and/or line of sight.” As well, there still aren’t enough places with microphones in public venues, poor or missing signage, televised public updates are not readily captioned, and there remains a general lack of awareness in knowing how to communicate effectively with people who have hearing loss. Also, there seems to be a lack of understanding that a person with hearing loss can also have multiple physical and health challenges, making the need for good communication a necessity. If you have an experience to share concerning accessibility, please send an email to hearpei@ gmail.com or tweet to @ HearPEI.
chuckle time
WHAT DO PEOPLE DO WITH ALL THE EXTRA TIME THEY SAVE BY WRITING “K” INSTEAD OF “OK” ?
April 8, 2020
The County Line Courier ~ your community newspaper
WHERE THERE’S A NEED THERE’S A LION NOTICE
SKY GUY
Kensington Lions Club COMMUNITY FOOD BANK The Food Bank is still in operation during this time. For assistance call (902) 836-5060, leave your name and number and the Food Bank Chairperson will get in touch with you to arrange a pick up at 30 Garden Drive. If anyone wishes to drop off items for the Food Bank, you can drop your items off at 3 Elizabeth Drive (outside bin). Also, items can be purchased and left in box at either Kensington Foodbasket or Mike’s Independent Grocer. Thank you David and Mike for doing this for the community. Monetary donation can be dropped off to the Malpeque Bay Credit Union drive through (for Kensington Lions Club Food Bank). Thank you to Mike and Isabel Smith of the County Line Courier Community Newspaper for doing what you do for the Communities your paper serves, we the Lions know that you are there to help in anyway you can. Keep up the good work. Everyone please stay Healthy and Safe. Members of the Kensington Lions Club “WE SERVE” Crossword Puzzle Answers
Dr. Rolly Chiasson
The Night Sky
Sometimes when I write these articles for the newspaper, I try to think to myself, “what would readers like to see and not what I would like to write about”. What would interest you, the reader? I hope some of you will let me know if you want something discussed. So – for this month, I thought I would just chat about our night sky as we can see it on a good viewing night. Although the night sky is not as brilliant as it once was, due to massive light issues, if you take your time and view with care, it is indeed wondrous. You don’t need special equipment (telescopes and binoculars), although these can add to your pleasure and wonderment. Just use your eyes. If at all possible get away from as much light as you can. Even your backyard can be good if you turn out all your lights, don’t have light spill from your neighbors, and can shade from streetlights, especially the newer, higher, and brighter ones. Try and cut down the amount of light you generate and help our community to keep this lighting down. So, lets get you prepared to go out and look. First, your eyes have to adapt. You have to develop your night vision. To do this, you have to avoid exposure to any light, perhaps for 20 minutes or more. During this time, it’s great fun to watch stars blink on as your eyes adapt. This is almost like magic. Now, you are out, it’s dark, your eyes are adapted. It helps to have an atlas, or sky guide book, or a knowledgeable friend to help you with what
you are seeing. Look for the Milky Way – our galaxy of stars. Examine the moon. Find recognizable shapes such as the Big Dipper. Here an atlas can tell you other things to look for. But most of all, get lost in the wonderment of this incredible sky above you. Look for the Space Station. Google will tell you where and when to look. Look for and learn to recognize some of our artificial satellites. Go out and have fun and “look up”. So what is in the sky this month? As always, let’s look at the evening sky first. There is only one planet, Venus, but it is good. It is at its highest in the sky at dusk and as the end of the month approaches, if you are at a dark site, Venus can cast shadows. So, enjoy this wondrous planet.
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One special event as April begins, Venus passes near and above Pleiades or 7 Sisters. This looks like a tiny dipper and can be seen as the hood ornament of a Subaru! Now, the morning before sunrise. Just as last month, looking Southeast before sunrise, we find 3 planets roughly in a row, stretching from lower left to upper right – Mars, Saturn, Jupiter. As the month passes, Mars moves further away from Saturn. Meanwhile, Jupiter and Saturn get a little closer together. The Full Moon- April 8th, New Moon- April 23rd Now, one special challenge for you. First, let’s locate Algol – also known as the Demon Star. Face Northwest, look to see bright Venus to your left In the West Northwest. The constellation
COVID-19
Perseus is between the Northwest, and Venus. Algol is the lowest “bright” star directly in the Northwest, and low. Ok, if you can find it, it is called the Demon Star because it is actually a pair of stars and when one passes in front of the other, the pair gets dimmer, noticeably so. This happens every 2.7 days and is quite regular. You can find a chart of the time in the April issue of Sky & Telescope or look it up on google. You can watch this happening. Finally, there is a Meteor Shower. It’s not immense – up to 20 per hour. Watch April 21-22, especially in the predawn hours of the 22nd. You don’t have to worry about where to look in the sky. Well, that is it again. See you next month. Your Sky Guy, Dr. Rolly Chiasson
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1-833-533-9333
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Page 14
Listening Closely
The County Line Courier ~ your community newspaper
Our Community Churches
“I love the Lord because he hears my voice
and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen I will pray as long as I have breath.” Psalm 116:1,2 (NLT) “The Lord protects those of childlike faith.” Psalm 116:6 (NLT)
Lauretta Balderston free-lance writer Children love snuggles and being wrapped in arms of love as they are are listening to a story being read. If the reader changes voices for each different character in the story the children listen more intently waiting for each character to come alive. Story time takes on a life of its own and there is nothing else in the world that matters more than being together, sharing, listening and being part of the story. Those are moments that make magical memories for the children and the one reading the story. My aunt always tells me to grow older but never grow old! I think she is saying that although we grow up, become adults and have responsibilities that overwhelm us by times, we should always allow those magical moments to come and remind us that even adults need to have child like moments to keep us grounded. We need to hear the voices of each individual character in the stories around us; we need to intently listen so we will hear and understand the whole story! The Bible tells us that God protects those of childlike faith because if we pay close attention we will fully understand the story as it unfolds before us. Children take the story as it is written; they don’t try to rewrite it or change it to suit what they would like the story to be or how they would like the characters to act. Adults try to do that giving an opinion of everything and everybody! Words get in the way of listening. Look at the beautiful image in the above verse: “he bends down to listen”. Almighty God actually bends down to listen to our prayers because he loves us and wants to
hear what is in our heart. We are living through what has been described by many on social media as a living nightmare! The news bombards us with pictures we would rather not have to see and words- so many words- that leave us feeling overwhelmed giving rise to fear for what the future holds. We want someone to fix this and give us back our normal life. There are also stories of how neighbors are checking on each other because they care. Volunteers are stepping up to fill places left by those who need a rest for a bit. Most are kindly allowing those less able to shop earlier and most of us are keeping our distance to prevent the spread of potential germs. Politicians and countries are reaching out to help each other, not tear each other down. We are becoming part of the real story of how we should live and treat others. We are becoming the character the Bible tells us we should be every day, in all situations. Our normal is shifting into making our world, near and far, a better place! Prayers are more important than ever but prayers from our heart, prayers for each others’ safety and well being because our hurting world needs to rest a bit. Know that God is bending down to hear the prayers of our hearts and we are learning the real lesson found in the unfolding of these everyday events happening- that people everywhere need each other and need to be wrapped in arms of love. In child like faith we can be assured that God has us, and these days, covered by His love, grace and mercy!
April 8, 2020
Events Calendar
North Tryon Presbyterian Church 12592 Trans Canada Hwy Pastor Mike Hamilton The North Tryon Presbyterian Church’s services in the building have been cancelled. However, we continue to meet online so please Join us on Facebook on April 5th, April 10th, April 12th and each Sunday at 10:00 am.
Margate Pastoral Charge Rev. Pix Butt Princetown United Church Southwest River United Church
Worship Services have been cancelled until further notice. Watch our Facebook page for further announcements – Margate Pastoral Charge Happenings.
Anglican Parish of New London Rev. Margie Fagan website: www.nlparish.org
NOTE:
All worship services, meetings, Bible Study, rentals at all buildings in the Parish of New London are cancelled by Diocesan Directive until at least April 1st, at which time an update will be provided. In this difficult and anxious time, please continue to pray for one another, our community, and the world as we deal with COVID-19. May you continue to reach out to help those in need.
Bedeque Baptist Church Rev. Chuck McGuire 54 Linkletter Ave., Central Bedeque
Sunday morning Worship at 10:30 am. Service includes learning time for children and teens. Email: bedequebaptist@pei.sympatico.ca
Central Queens United Church Rev. Greg Davis
19848, Rte. 2, Hunter River
Email: office@cquc.ca Phone # 902-964-2221 Sunday morning Worship & Sunday School at 10:30 am every Sunday All Are Welcome
Hunter River Presbyterian Church 19800 Rte 2 Hunter River,PE Rev Thomas Kay
Service every Sunday at 9:30AM
Freetown & North Bedeque United Church Pastoral Charge Rev Christine Schulze uncer-
Kensington United Church of Canada Rev. Robert McCarthy
During this tain time that is filled with anxiety Kensington United will continue to hold all in prayer. As an island of friends and family, we realize that we are all in this together. At Kensington United, we have been forced to change the way that we provide for our community during this time and we ask that you bear with us as we offer what we can where we can. We will continue for as long as possible to provide and online Facebook Live worship service on Sunday mornings at 10:30am. To find us on Facebook search for Kensington United Church and you will find our group page. On Sunday mornings we gather around 10:20 allowing folks to join the live feed and meet and greet with one another before our short, around 15-20 minute, worship service. We will also send the link of our service to anyone who is interested, please email kensingtonunited@bellaliant.net to sign up for this. If you have any questions or concerns please contact our minister, Robert, at 9024394267. Thank you all and God bless. Kensington United Church
Freetown Nazarene Community Church 1641 Cairns Road Freetown Pastor Scott Wilson •Worship Meeting: Sunday 11:00 a.m. •Prayer time each Sunday morning 10:30 - 10:55
St. Mary’s Holy Family Roman Catholic Parish Father Frank Jay
Masses: •St. Mary’s Holy Family Kensington Sat: 7pm, Sun: 9am •St James Summerfield Sunday at 10:30am Meetings: Knights of Columbus: 2nd Monday of the month at 7:30pm Catholic Women’s League 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7pm.
Mass times Saturday: St. Joseph’s Parish, Kelly’s Cross, 6pm Sunday Masses: •St Peter’s Parish, Seven Mile Bay 9am •St. Malachy’s Parish, Kinkora at 10:30 am
Church Services for the North Bedeque & Freetown United Churches are cancelled until further notice. Rev Christine Schulze will be conducting services on line on her homepage on Facebook on Sundays.
Kensington/New London Presbyterian Church Rev. Torrey Griffiths
NOTE: Our Synod and Presbytery moderators have strongly requested that our Churches cease providing any Sunday services, or any group meetings for the immediate future. We know you will miss being together each week, but you will understand the difficult circumstances that our communities are experiencing at the moment. We want everyone to be safe and well. If you need anything, please call your church elder and we can try to direct you to the help you need. We can pray for each other and use our phones and social media to be in touch. With much love and richest blessings, we look forward to seeing you all soon.
Cavendish Breadalbane Pastoral Charge of the United Church of Canada Minister Mr Wally Ellis D.L.M.
8543 Rte 6 Cavendish office (902) 963-3505 Minister Mr. Wally Ellis, D.L.M. Central Trinity, 16 Grafton St. Breadalbane NOTE: Cavendish Breadalbane Pastoral Charge has suspended services for March 22 and 29 due to Covid-19.
Kensington Community Church Pastor Gene Carson
Where: Mt. Zion Masonic Lodge, Victoria Street Kensington. Every Sunday at 6:30pm. Pastor Gene Carson RR1Kensington,PEI,C0B1M0 Tel: (902) 836-5220 CSSM Ministries Free Church of Scotland
Cape Traverse Service time 9:30 am DeSable 11am
Hartsville Presbyterian Church, Hwy 225, Hartsville Rev. Dawn Griffiths Services every Sunday, at 11:00am
Tryon Baptist Church 1274 Trans Canada Hwy. Tryon Pastor Jonathan Schut Tryon Baptist Church is Closed until further notice. Weekly messages from Pastor Jonathan Schut can be found on the Tryon Baptist Church facebook page https://www. facebook.com/ Tryon Baptist Church/ or on https://youtu.be/Ur 2Zf3 8 3E This young man delivers a very positive life affirming message.
St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church Rev. Margaret Collins 391 TCH, Crapaud
Services and events are suspended following the directives from the Archbishop of NS and PEI, until further notice. A weekly worship service & reflection will be live streamed on the St. John’s Anglican Church, Crapaud Facebook on Sunday mornings at 10:30am as well as announcements, updates and mid week reflections. If you wish to receive a Parish Newsletter either send your e-mail address to: crapaudanglican@hotmail.com or your mailing address to the church at the address below. You may also remit your offering or financial donations by mail to: St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 393 Nelson Street, Crapaud, PE, C0A 1J0. The home telephone number for Rev. Margaret Collins is: 902 621-2920/
South Shore United Church #85 Rte. 10, Tryon Reverend Dr. Karen MacLeod-Wilkie
Sunday Worship 10:30am. Wheelchair accessible & Hearing loop for hearing accessibility.
New Glasgow Christian Church Worship Services/Sunday School every Sunday 10:45am - noon.
Bedeque United Church Rev Catherine Stuart 1230 Callbeck St., Bedeque Worship & SundaySchool, Sunday 10:00am All are welcome Borden Bible Study Every Wed. 11am at the Borden-Carleton Library Call 902-658-2759
April 8, 2020
The County Line Courier ~ your community newspaper
Bringing The Past Into The Present By Lillian Inglis
I recently had the pleasure of visiting with William Boyd “Skip” Beairsto and his mother, Glenn, at their home on the Malpeque Road. The home is one of the last “fox houses” built, in August 1929 for Glenn’s parents Reagh and Thelma (Semple) Sudsbury by carpenter William D. Marks, during the fox industry era on PEI. Skip’s dad, Boyd, was a well known insurance agent in the area, and Skip continues to operate the business out of the home, as well as establishing a new venture, Krislyn Cartage and Yard Works. My visit was intended to talk to Skip about his new facebook page “Kensington pei and area photos and history”, but the interview turned into reminiscences about some of the more humor-
ous times in the town’s history. At times he was very animated when telling stories about some of the antics of people he knew in the past, and we laughed. When asked why he had decided to establish this facebook page, he simply answered “to preserve history”. Soon senior members of Kensington and the surrounding communities will no longer be here to pass on their stories and their knowledge will be gone forever. Pictures and documents can be lost. My own family lost a myriad of pictures and information in a fire. The past is important because it sets the stage for the future. We have taken so much for granted over many years.
Skip says “the history we need is in people’s heads”, and it is up to us to preserve it. So much information about the farms and farmers, local businesses, old remedies, etc, has already been lost. Sons, daughters, and grandchildren need to open a dialogue with their elders and write the stories. Our family members are our historians and when they pass on the history goes with them. You may marvel at what they have to tell you and have a whole new appreciation of the kinds of people they were and the lives they led. It could bring your family closer too.
One of the goals of the page is to gather as many pictures with names, loca-
The face book page has already been receiving photos and stories and it
North Rustico passes balanced budget for 2020-2021 The Town of North Rustico has passed a balanced budget for 20202021. The budget was passed during a meeting March 30 held in compliance with the physical and social distancing guidelines laid out by the Chief Public Health Officer. Both revenue and expenditures are estimated to be $631,850. As well, the tax rate
tions, and years as possible from people willing to share their tales of times gone by. Stories and videos are also welcome.
will remain at 65 cents per $100 of assessment for residential properties and $1 per $100 of assessment for commercial establishments. The major revenue items included $390,000 in property tax assessments, $60,000 from special events and $56,850 from the sale of town property. On the expense side of the
ledger, administration will cost $324,750, $112,000 has been budgeted to stage special events and maintaining town infrastructure will cost $71,500. Council is also projecting a break-even budget for operation of the Water and Sewer Utility with both revenue and expenses projected at $336,200. The books have also been balanced sat $277,190 for operation of the North Star Arena and $105,048.82 for the fire department.
Updates and Activities
Eptek Art & Culture staff would like to extend well wishes to readers at this time. From Nikkie Gallant, Eptek Centre Site Director: “Stay informed and safe, but also find some fun things to do: read some books, take in some online events, call your friends and family, get creative, do that project you’ve been putting off. Make sure to do some self-care, too, and let’s go easy on ourselves. Stay healthy, and we look forward to seeing you all
again when things get back to normal.” Though at present Eptek Art & Culture Centre is closed until further notice, staff are using the Eptek Centre social media accounts to share information about online activities that people can participate in from home. You can find Eptek Centre at: h t t p s : / / w w w. f a c e book.com/EptekCentre/ h t t p s : / / w w w. i n s t a gram.com/eptekcentre/ https://twitter.com/ EptekCentre
You can also follow Eptek’s parent organization, the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation. Their social media accounts are sharing many historic PEI stories. The PEI Museum is our provincial museum that operates seven sites across PEI: Eptek Art & Culture Centre, The Acadian Museum of Prince Edward Island in Miscouche, Green Park Shipbuilding Museum & Yeo House, Beaconsfield Historic House in Charlottetown, Orwell Corner Historic Village and Agricultural
Page 15
is such fun to look back to see what was. I’ve seen pictures of my own family that I’d never seen before, people I knew growing up in Kensington, people I went through school with, and the places of a bygone era. Every picture and story is a link to the past, no matter how small. Do you know how Kensington evolved from the ‘five lanes’ that meet in this location coming from outlying communities? Let’s get everyone involved. VISIT THE SITE if only to get a brief view of your history! You can join the page simply by opening facebook, go to the search icon, search for ‘Kensington pei and area photos and history’, then join. If you’re not tech savvy simply ask for assistance from one
Skip Beairsto works on his facebook page collecting photos/names and locations to preserve area history. of the younger generation on how to post the information you’d like to share. History is history, whether it be from a hundred years ago, a decade ago, or yesterday. Of course, there are other sites and printed material about the town and
the surrounding areas, but most of them do not contain personal stories from residents. Let’s overload this site with information. I bet you’ll be just like me and get hooked on history, and smile a lot! We’ll all be the better for it.
community history through phtographs
KENSINGTON SCHOOL 1906 Heritage Museum, Basin Head Fisheries Museum, and Elmira Railway Museum. You can find the PEI Museum at: http://www.peimuseum.ca h t t p s : / / w w w. f a c e book.com/PEIMuseum/ h t t p s : / / w w w. i n s t a gram.com/peimuseum/ https://twitter.com/ PEIMuseum Prepared by Nikkie Gallant, Site Director
“Artist Donna Sutton (right) is shown here doing a demo of her acrylic pouring technique with Eptek Centre 2019 summer students.”
An important message from His Worship Mayor Rowan Caseley As Mayor of the Town of Kensington, I continue to work closely with town staff (physical distancing rules of course) to ensure we are doing all we can to maintain essential services to our residents, businesses and surrounding communities. We continue to follow and seek the advice of medical professionals as we navigate through this unprecedented event. As we look forward to the next few weeks, I want to express the gratitude and appreciation of Town Council and Staff to the following people and organizations: -
Please protect yourself and others.
- It is mandatory to self-isolate and stay on your own property for 14 days after you return to PEI from international travel or inter-provincial travel. - Practice physical distancing by keeping at least 6 feet separation if you are out in the public. Dr. Heather Morrison and Marion Dowling for their leadership and advice. Premier King and his Cabinet Ministers, leaders of the official opposition and the third party - Wash your hands regularly with warm water and soap for a minimum of 20 seconds. - Cough into your arm or into a disposable tissue. for addressing the many needs of Islanders and keeping the public informed. All medical personnel whether it be doctors, nurses, assistants, paramedics, support staff - If you experience any symptoms, call 8-1-1 for guidance. for their continuing efforts to meet the medical needs under extreme circumstances. Please listen to the advice of Health PEI. All law enforcement officers including RCMP, local police, conservation officers, dispatchers, etc. for continuing to provide essential services. All volunteer fire fighters and community volunteers who are providing an essential service If we listen to the experts and follow their direction, we will be in a better position to control this pandemic. The next few months will be tough but Islanders are up to the challenge. With the and are ready to respond to the needs of others. support of the Federal and Provincial Governments, and the support of each other in our All essential businesses and their staff who remain open to ensure we can purchase communities, I am confident we can overcome this challenge and emerge from this with the our everyday needs. resolve to make personal life changes.
We thank you all and trust you will all come through this with no ill Warmest Regards, effects. We recognize and appreciate the commitment and know the strain and burden it puts on you and your family. Rowan Caseley, Mayor The following is an update of town operations as of April 3, 2020: - The Town office is closed to the public and some staff are working from home. Others are working in the office as needed and are practicing physical distancing. - The Kensington Police Service is operating normally but the office is closed to the public until further notice. - Water and Sewer invoices are being processed. However, if you are unable to pay them at this time, we have suspended the calculation of any late pay charges and will not be ordering any disconnect of service due to unpaid invoices until after September 30, 2020 - When you call the town hall phone number (902-836-3781) you will be directed to call specific cell phone numbers to address any of your urgent issues. The following email addresses are monitored daily: mail@townofkensington.com and/or townmanager@townofkensington.com - The Credit Union Centre (Rink) and the FitPlex are closed until further notice. - Public Works is operating on an as needed basis and ensuring essential services continue such as water and sewer service, water quality checks, snow clearing and addressing other essential maintenance. - The Regular Committee of Council meeting for March 23, 2020 was cancelled and the Regular Town Council meeting scheduled for April 14, 2020 will likely be held through some form of electronic or video conference format yet to be determined.
On behalf of Deputy Mayor Coreen Pickering, Councillor Adrien Bernard, Councillor Ivan Gallant, Councillor Rodney Mann, Councillor Jeff Spencer, and Councillor Wade Toombs PO Box 418 55 Victoria Street East Kensington, PE C0B 1M0
STAY INSIDE, STAY HEALTHY AND REMEMBER TO SHOP LOCAL WHEN YOU CAN!