Winter 2024

WINTER

2024

Good News for North Queens

The Good News for North Queens community newsletter is published quarterly by the North Queens Medical Centre Association - Since 1998 Public submissions are welcome and should be sent to submissionsnqmc@gmail.com The deadline for next issue's submissions is Feb 1, 2025

Winter Is a Comin’ Happy late fall everyone. We’ve had a very good fall, and the colours were spectacular this year. I am sure that everyone has been busy with the raking of leaves and getting properties ready for the coming winter. It will be upon us before we know it. There have been a lot of ducks on the lake this time of year. What a blessing it is to sit and watch them as they come and go. The gold finches have changed colour to their winter plumage, and they and the chickadees are busy at the bird feeder when the blue jays are not around. I am always amazed at the beauty we have surrounding us, regardless of the season.

We have been very busy as an association. Every member has taken on responsibilities and worked hard over the past year. I am very thankful for the members of the group. Ann Marie and Katie have worked very hard at fundraising, and have reached the goal they wished to meet in order to help with the purchase and installation of the generator. Katie continues to do the secretarial work of the group. John took the lead in seeing that the generator was purchased and installed. In the meanwhile, Andrew was busy getting the security system in place. Wayne keeps busy looking after the books and running around to pay the bills. Carolyn keeps the connections with the Nova Scotia Health Authority and VON. The others on the team help out with odd jobs around the Health Centre and help make decisions about what needs to be done next. We are grateful to the community for all the financial support they give, and look forward to the new year.

It is very important that people within the community volunteer to be a part of the group. This necessary facility cannot survive without the volunteering of community members. With the new year approaching and some on the board having to leave, new members are required.

The present commitment entails being at an association meeting every second month, and giving a hand as new projects or cleanup comes along. The simple fact is, that without this support the Caledonia Health Centre will not continue. We need someone who understands dealing with the banking and books to take over, and others to be listed as directors to keep are charitable status. Please consider this need, if you would like to join the Board, please let me know by email peter.worden.c@gmail.com or telephone 902 682-3122.

The generator and security system projects were the large undertakings for the group this past year. Both are completed and we are happy with the results achieved. One of the big financial contributors to the generator project was the Queens General Hospital Foundation. Below is a picture of Gilbert Johnson, a representative of the QGHF handing John Veinot of the North Queens Medical Centre Association a cheque for $25 000 towards the generator and security system projects. The middle man is Peter Worden, the Chair of the NQMCA. We thank the QGHF for their very generous support. It is greatly appreciated.

Christmas, Kwanza and Hannukah are just around the corner and families and friends will be gathering together to celebrate the season. The association wishes all a very blessed and joyful festival season.

Peter Worden on behalf of the NQMCA

Spreading Kindness and Good Cheer this Christmas United Church Christmas Cheer Children’s Giving Tree Unfortunately, this year due to limited resources, the Salvation Army will no longer be involved with the Caledonia United Church in the delivery of the Christmas Cheer Program.

Our committee will continue to work toward providing gifts for children whose families request assistance.

Applications for children’s gifts will be placed at the Clover Farm grocery store, and sent forward to the enclosed stamped envelope.

Caledonia Pharmachoice has generously agreed to set up a Gift Tag Tree. Once applications are submitted, tags will be placed on the tree.

The North Queens Community School Parent Committee is facilitating a FREE Christmas Store on Dec 17 and 18, 2024, during school hours.

Every elementary student will have an opportunity to shop for a loved one or two!

We are collecting a variety of gently used items and supplies for this project. Options suitable for all ages are encouraged, as many students choose to shop for the adults in their lives. Donations, including wrapping paper, ribbon & gift bags, may be dropped off at the school and Caledonia Pharmachoice.

Thank you for supporting this community event!

We encourage anyone who is able to take a tag and purchase a gift to do so. If you wish to make a monetary donation, please make your cheque payable to the Caledonia United Church and forward it to the following address: Christmas Cheer Giving Tree C/O Barb Veinot 1710 Hibernia Road Caledonia, NS B0T 1B0 The community has always been supportive and your assistance is appreciated. Blessing on your Christmas.

MTRI will be holding the 2024 Caledonia Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, December 15. Anyone is welcome to join the count and help us record the birds they see in the Caledonia area on that date.

For more information, or to sign up for a route, please reach out to Abby.Lewis@MerseyTobeatic.ca North Queens Community Chess Club: Bringing the Game to Life!

The newly launched North Queens Community Chess Club is already gathering players, thinkers, and learners of all ages for a shared journey through the classic game of chess.

Meeting every Monday evening from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the North Queens School library, this club offers a welcoming environment for everyone interested in learning or improving their chess skills.

Organized in partnership with North Queens Active Living and North Queens Community School, the club encourages players of all skill levels to join. From beginners discovering the rules to seasoned players honing their strategy, everyone is invited to find community, sharpen their minds, and enjoy the game’s challenges and rewards.

Chess is often called the "Game of Kings" for good reason! With origins tracing back over 1,500 years, it’s one of the oldest games still widely played today. Did you know that there are more possible moves in a game of chess than there are atoms in the observable universe? This complexity means no two games are ever exactly alike, making each match a unique battle of strategy, patience, and skill.

Come explore this ancient game’s endless possibilities at the North Queens Community Chess Club!

Whether you're a beginner or a grandmaster in the making, there’s always something new to discover in chess.

For more information, feel free to contact Paul Henderson at paul.henderson@gmail.com.

QUEENS GENERAL HOSPITAL AUXILIARY – UPDATE!

This important group has just celebrated its 75th anniversary. Over these past years this hardworking group has raised over two million dollars with the goal of ensuring that the health care professionals and patients at QGH have the best and most modern equipment and facilities.

A well-stocked gift shop is run by the Auxiliary right in the hospital. It’s a great little place to shop—clothing, accessories, jewelry, books, kitchenware . . . you name it. And there is no sales tax! Check it out Tuesday through Friday from 11am to 2pm. Cash or cheque only.

Queens General Hospital serves all the people of Queens County. The Auxiliary is not just for women—anyone can join. If you’re interested in making a difference by joining the Auxiliary, you can call president Linda MacKinnon at 902-354-5000 or Mary Keirstead at 902-356-2401.

Hey there...Is it fall yet or has winter poked its head in where it shouldn't have? I don't know about anyone else but I find it cold. I am not ready for the white stuff yet. Maybe I am spoiled because of the beautiful October we had....I can take more of that. But I guess we have to take what we get.

Although the North Queens Heritage Society is closed, we are still active in the community. We would like to thank the Community for their support in our fundraising efforts, the Businesses especially Mary Lake Home Hardware.

Thanks to Robbie Cole for his swift attention to our plumbing issue.

Our first Hallowe'en Open House in several years was very well attended. Thanks to all the Trick or Treaters who stopped in. Also, thank you to the Museum members and others, for helping out at the Exhibition booth. And all the people who stopped at the booths, bought publications and indulged in the strawberry shortcakes. It was a successful week for us and thank you for helping to make it so. I assume most of you saw the beautiful cabinet that was on display near our booths. It was constructed by Howard Martin, Carpenter and Miner, and donated to the Museum by Cody Whynot. It is beautiful and thank you. A lot of people stopped and looked at it and there were a lot of comments made. Several wanted to take it home...I was one of them. But it has a home at our Museum, so anyone who didn't see it can visit the Museum next summer.

We have had a busy year, we're a small group and most of us are well into our senior years, but we are dedicated to the Museum and appreciate all the support we get from the Community. Before I forget, Patricia Wamboldt won the BBQ. Congrats Patricia.

November 11th will have come and gone by the time you all get to read this, so I hope you were able to attend the services, wear your poppies and lay a wreath for the veterans. The ones who were able to return and the ones who didn't. God bless them all. Without them we wouldn't be where we are today. We owe them a ton of thanks. Shake a Veterans hand and thank them for their service.

Since this is the last edition of Good News for North Queens for 2024, I am wishing everyone of you all, the very best of Christmas and a wonderful 2025. A new year and new opportunities for us all. Keep smiling, it makes people wonder what you are up to.

The Quote for this edition: Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory. As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter the words, but to live by them.

Well, I must get back to my Christmas list.

Take care out there, Be good to each other.

Marilyn Woodworth, Secretary North Queens Heritage Society

As Flying is slowing down for the Winter we have been fortunate to have had a very busy Season. We hosted three Fly-in events with many Itinerant aircraft coming in from various parts of the Maritimes. We had live entertainment at two of our events that was very well received. Fire Patrol Aircraft from Debert have continued to utilize our refueling facilities whilst conducting their Patrols. Military Helicopters have stopped in to do some Training as well as itinerant aircraft from the United States. Our two new Instrument Approaches are now “ Operational”. These are GPS type Approaches that allow aircraft to land at CYAU during inclement flying weather such as low cloud ceilings and reduced visibility EHS LifeFlight Fixed Wing Aircraft are now certified to land here.

Our Friends from the RC ( Radio Control) Flying Club held their annual event in September. They’re flew some very cool RC Aircraft including some Turbine powered Jets. Come out and watch next September.

We would like to thank David Brown for his kind support during his tenure as District 6 Councillor. He was instrumental in helping us with the addition of our much needed Avgas ( Aviation fuel) System. We look forward to working with new District 6 Councillor, Stewie Jenkins.

Through collaboration with the Region of Queens, the Club now has a new sign out by the Highway which includes our Airport frequency and web and email addresses. Club members put a lot of time and effort into this project!

So as we wind down our year, we would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for 2025!

Hope to see you at one of our events next year!

From the Executive and Members of the SSFC

Contact: Ellen Riopelle, Outreach and Communications Coordinator ellen@nsworkingwoodlandstrust.org New Land Trust Secures Landmark Easement in Lunenburg County [CALEDONIA, NS, November 12, 2024] -- The Nova Scotia Working Woodlands Trust (NSWWT) has reached a milestone in its mission to preserve the province’s forests by securing its first working forest easement. The landmark easement will preserve 82.7 acres of mature woodland in Lunenburg County. This easement was signed through NSWWT's Hemlock Conservation Program – the first of its kind in the province – which supports landowners (or ‘land stewards’) to protect hemlocks threatened by the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA).

Under the program, HWA will be controlled with targeted insecticide applications in collaboration with the Medway Community Forest Cooperative, with future hopes of biological control through predator beetles. “Signing our first easement is a considerable milestone for the Trust,” said Mary Jane Rodger, Executive Director of NSWWT. “It protects the ecological integrity of the land and establishes a new partnership with the land steward - one where we can support each other to achieve the best outcomes for the forest considering challenges like HWA. Keeping carefully stewarded properties intact will always be a win-win for our rural communities and the environment.”

With over 65% of land privately owned in Nova Scotia, land stewards play a vital role in conservation. As the first land trust in the province to offer working forest easements, NSWWT empowers land stewards to preserve the ecological health and biodiversity of their woodlots while still allowing sustainable forestry practices. These easements offer an innovative alternative to traditional conservation, allowing responsible forest management while prohibiting practices like clear-cutting and subdivision.

With HWA spreading eastwards, there has been significant interest in the Trust’s HWA program, and it is nearly two thirds full. At this time, NSWWT is focusing outreach on land stewards with exceptional old-growth hemlock forests in Lunenburg, Annapolis and Kings Counties, using a data-based prioritization tool to select potential partners.

Participating land stewards must have a keen interest in the concept of an easement and the conditions that come with it. With a current cap of 600 acres, the Trust is actively seeking new funding to accommodate more land stewards committed to preserving Nova Scotia’s unique and irreplaceable woodlands.

About NSWWT: NSWWT aims to uphold the long-term stewardship of working woodlands in Nova Scotia, through ecological forestry and conservation. Learn more at https://www.nsworkingwoodlandstrust.org/

WHAT'S HAPPENING at WESTFIELD HALL December 14 Christmas Party Potluck Supper/Music Jam/Ramp Project Update. 5:00pm. No admission. Contact: 902-682-7149 February 11 Community Calendar Meeting. 7:00 All North Queens organization reps are urged to attend.

Contact: 902-682-7149

How do you decorate a cake for a snowman?

With lots of icing.

“Winter is a season of recovery and preparation” -Paul Theroux

This fall the NQFA has been busy as ever, responding to calls, training, and hosting community events. This year’s Fire Prevention Week, always the first week of October, was very successful, starting with a Community Worship Service on Oct 6th, followed by many activities during the week at the Firehall and in the community, and concluding with banquet at which time recognition was awarded to individuals for their years of service and outstanding contributions. Congratulations to all those who received special recognition and a big thank you to all who contribute their time and efforts to the excellent and critical services that is provided to our community by the NQFA. There are two events which were hosted by the North Queens Fire Association in November which are noteworthy as well: A new initiative, A Community Pot-Luck for North Queens, was held on Nov 9th. This was an event supported by six organizations : North Queens Fire Association; Caledonia: Gateway to Kejimkujik; NQ; Active Living; North Queens Board of Trade; Community Food Resource Network; and Queens Coast: Diversity and Inclusion. Everyone was invited to come out and meet your neighbours, new and old. The organizing committee was: Chair Lindsey Reinhart, Chaplain Carol Smith, Firefighter Kathy Lohnes, Board of Trade Don Kimball, and Active Living Dallas Weare. The event turned out to be very successful with 106 people attending. Thank you to all the sponsors and to all who attended and brought delicious food plus the talented music people who kept the kitchen party feeling alive. It is hoped to have this become a yearly event, as a special way to connect with one another and to welcome newcomers to our community.

The second event to mention, also hosted by the NQFA, is the Remembrance Day Service which was also very well attended. There was a last minute change as we switched from the location of the cenotaph to the Firehall due to the heavy rainfall occurring the morning of November 11th. Remembrance Day ceremonies are organized by a small group of volunteers from the community. The current chair of this committee is Deanna Armstrong. Thank you to all those who participated especially our master of ceremonies Bill Wamboldt and to Kathy Lohnes who once again organized a delicious soups and sweets for the lunch. Thank you to local groups that contributed to the lunch: United Baptist Pastorate, United Church Women, and the Local Order of the Eastern Star.

And now for another meaningful and fun event coming up very soon at the Firehall: the NQFA Christmas Carnival on December 8th. Please reserve the date on your calendar and plan to come out to the Firehall and have some fun!

Here is a list of the activities planned: 1pm: Craft Show at the Hub 1pm -430pm: Five Item Specialty Penny Auction 3pm- 4pm: Kids Time, including Face-Painting 4pm: Santa Arrives!

4:30pm: Live Music Begins 4:30pm – 6:30pm: 50-50 Draw 430pm -630pm: Seafood Chowder; Shepherd’s Pie; Hot Dogs, KD. 6:30pm: Parade - North Queens Community School to North Queens Nursing Home, back to the Firehall for Hot Chocolate.

A fireworks display will be the big finish for the day, and will take place following the parade.

EVERYONE WELCOME TO ALL THE EVENTS.

Good News for Queens County from the Southwest Nova Biosphere Region Association projects continue with the Southwest Nova Biosphere Region Association. Nick Hill in our lakeshore restoration project is identifying sites along lakes and shorelines that would be good candidates for restoration. Expanding capacity to grow and provide native plants that are appropriate for transition zones along lakeshores is progressing with plans to begin active shoreline restoration next year.

Adam Deveau continues to oversee our Future Forest restoration project. Sites have been identified for planting a mixture of native trees that are locally raised. Baldwin’s Nursery in Falmouth has expanded its facility to help accommodate the needs of this project.

We welcomed Maria Roy to our staff. She has taken over primary responsibility for our project that is focused on recognition of protected lands. Of particular interest are lands that can be added to existing protected areas. Municipalities with drinking water supplies are encouraged to get in touch about the possibility of cost-sharing lands to add to the property they own around their water supplies.

There are provincial land protection mechanisms that can be applied to protect the land from the risk of mining. In Nova Scotia, subsurface rights are owned by the Crown, and mining activities can affect water supply areas if they do not have adequate protection.

Work has continued on our interactive science atlas project. Working with the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the initial project has been expanded from the biosphere region so that the whole province is now included. We invite everyone to check out our website at www//swnovabiosphere.ca and have a look at Version 1 of the Nova Scotia Interactive Science Atlas.

North Queens Active Living offers Drop-in Pickleball on Monday’s from 78:30, and Community Basketball on Thursday’s from 7-9 pm at North Queens Community School. Both are co-ed and all ages and skill levels are welcome!

Are you interested in Chess? We now have the NQ Chess Club meeting up on Monday evenings from 6-8pm at the NQCS common space. As always, all our community sport options continue to be free!

Since Spring of ‘24 an Easy Mover’s exercise class in the school gym happens once a week on Wednesday’s from 7-8. This class is offered in 8 week sessions for a very reasonable fee. A new session will begin in early January 2025, so stay tuned to our facebook page North Queens Active Living for more details!

Do you have suggestions or ideas for active living solutions in the amazingly unique North Queens Area? Please reach out through our facebook page, or by email at northqueensactiveliving@gmail.com.

It’s beginning to feel a lot like WINTER! By the time this goes to print we will have had our 4th annual “Winter Ware event”, put on by Muriel’s Closet and hosted by the United Church, Caledonia. I hope you and your family were able to participate in this event and picked up some lovely winter coats, hats, mittens, etc. All funds that we raise at Muriel’s Closet go right back into the Community Food Resource Network. Speaking of Muriel’s Closet….our Christmas season is in full swing with lots and lots of lovely festive items in the shop. We will be closing on December 21st for the winter season but will reopen again in late February/early March. It’s so wonderful to see the happy faces as they pick up some great Christmas buys. Keep your donations coming though as many of us work through the winter months sorting and preparing for our reopening. I might need to get a heater in our garage.

Have you tried one of our FRUITCAKES? We sell these lovely little gems for $10 and you can order them up until December 1st by calling or texting 902-682-7742 or by commenting on our poster on Facebook. We will be selling the cakes at Muriel’s Closet during opening days in December as well. Our bakers have been busy so give our fruitcakes a try. They make great gifts!

On November 14th I attended a Community Connections event in Liverpool hosted by 211 Nova Scotia. While I knew of this service, I had no idea what they actually do to help individuals find the services they need. You can go to their website, https://ns.211.ca and find resources on 10 different primary categories. You can surf their site, call 211, text 211 or email help@ns.211.ca. They do not ask any identifying information other than, perhaps, your postal code. I’ve used this site over the last 5 years and I make sure that our CFRN information is up to date yearly.

Our local Fire Department is hosting a “Fill a Fire Truck” event on Sunday, December 1st, 1-4 pm. Why not drop by and donate a non-perishable food item. Other ways to donate to CFRN are by dropping off food items or monetary donations each Monday morning 8:30-11. You can e-Transfer to resourcenetwork9868@gmail.com, or reach us by post at Box 113 Caledonia NS B0T1B0. Another very popular way to donate is via CanadaHelps (www.canadahelps.org). CanadaHelps is a popular way to donate online. It’s very easy to use and is a great way to set up a monthly donation or a memorial donation.

We hope that 2024 has been good to you. Fingers crossed that 2025 comes in gentle and loving.

Until next time, Dianne Huskins, Coordinator