ADVOCATE MAY 22 2024

A couple from New Glasgow has finally seen success with the same lottery numbers they’ve played for almost four decades.

Since 1986, Wayne Munro and Jill Clausson-Munro have played the same set of numbers on every Lotto 6/49 ticket they bought, a routine that finally paid off when the couple won the $5-million Classic Jackpot in the May 11 draw.

Munro said they found out about their win in the middle of the night.

“I have a habit of waking up and the first thing I do is check my lottery tickets, because I always said I don’t want to have to go to work if I’m rich,” he said in a press release Atlantic Lottery issued after the couple claimed their prize. “So, I looked and Jill’s numbers came up, so I hollered to her and I said ‘We’re rich!’”

Munro said he already used some of the prize to buy himself a new truck, while Clausson-Munro said their house cleaner will be getting much more steady work from the couple.

“That’s it, that’s all I have planned. That was the first thing I thought of, is that I do not ever have to clean this freaking house again,” she said with a laugh.

Lotto 6/49 draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday with two multi-

million jackpots available to be won. The Classic Jackpot is always set at $5 million, and the Gold Ball jackpot starts at $10 million and can grow past $60 million. The New Glasgow couple matched all six of the numbers for the Classic Jackpot, leading to their $5-million prize.

Clausson-Munro said their set of numbers has a personal meaning for the couple and they’re even more special after leading to their big win. She said she’ll keep playing Lotto 6/49 and will continue to use the same numbers that mean so much to her.

“I will always play those numbers, always. I played them for that long, 39 years,” she said.

“I’m very, very, very happy. I feel relief. Just not having to worry about anything and knowing that our son is being taken care of. Just no worries.”

While Clausson-Munro recently retired from full-time work at the local hospital, Munro said the win will allow him do the same from his job as a car salesman, although not right away as he would miss his co-workers and how the job lets him meet new people.

The couple purchased the winning Lotto 6/49 ticket at Sobeys in New Glasgow. The retailer will receive a one per cent seller’s prize.

Province increases fine for daily burn restriction violations to $25,000

By Raissa Tetanish editor@pictouadvocate.com

Anyone caught violating the daily burn restrictions this season may see a fine of $25,000.

“Almost all wildfires in Nova Scotia are human caused,” said Premier Tim Houston in a press release. “With the weather starting to get warmer and dryer, I cannot stress enough the importance of prevention. That’s why we are doubling down on the fine for people who

The provincial government announced last week it was increasing the fine, which will be in line with the fine the government implemented last spring for illegal burning.

violate the daily burn restrictions. Increasing it to $25,000 for the entire wildfire season should make people pause, and check and follow the BurnSafe map. Let’s not have another season like last year’s.”

Evan Hale, director of emergency services with the Municipality of Pictou County, is happy to see the increase in fines, as well as

the fact the daily burn restrictions now include campgrounds.

“These measures are being put in place to protect everyone from the dangers of wildfires,” said Hale, in an email to the Advocate

Continued on page 3

Atlantic Lottery photo Jill Clausson-Munro and Wayne Munro celebrated last week after winning $5 million in Atlantic Lottery’s Lotto 6/49 Classic Jackpot on May 11. The New Glasgow couple played the same numbers on each lottery ticket they purchased since 1986.

Canada Post, police investigating post office break-ins

By Kevin Adshade kevinadshade@pictouadvocate.com

Thieves targeted two Pictou County post offices in recent weeks, Canada Post confirmed last week.

“We can confirm that break-ins occurred at the Trenton post office on May 1 and at the Scotsburn post office on April 15,” Canada Post spokesperson Jankie Cormier said in a written statement.

“Our security and investigations team is aware of the incidents and the local law enforcement is investigating. We take these matters and the security of the mail very seriously.”

Cormier said that due to the incidents being under investigation, “it would be inappropriate to comment further or provide details.”

Cormier said customers who believe they have not received a piece of letter mail should contact the sender.

“If they believe a parcel delivery is missing, they should contact Canada Post’s customer service so that we can look into it and potentially work with the sender, who may initiate a claim with Canada Post.”

They should also contact the sender to begin their claim for a refund or have the parcel sent again. Customers concerned about identity fraud should contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

Canada Post provided this newspaper with some tips for its

customers and their mail delivery, be it at their door, a community mailbox, rural mailbox, building mailbox panels or other means.

- Collect your mail daily.

- If you plan to be away, use Canada Post’s hold mail service to suspend delivery until you return.

- Use Canada Post’s FlexDelivery service, which allows consumers to have their purchase delivered directly to any post office of their choice.

- Track items online or on the Canada Post mobile app. The tracking technology provides customers with better information as they track their packages’ progress so they know when to expect their parcel to be delivered.

- Delivery preferences are available on the Canada Post app, which allow customers to choose a safe location outside of their home, other than their front porch, such as the side door, garage, etc., provided letter carriers can access it safely.

- Canada Post suggests that when consumers are ordering online, they should make sure to read the retailer’s shipping details and choose the best option that works for them.

If customers have questions regarding their postal services, they can contact Canada Post’s customer service department online at  canadapost.ca/support or by telephone at 1-866-6076301 (TTY: 1-800-267-2797).

No one from Pictou District RCMP responded to numerous interview requests to comment on the Scotsburn break-in.

Work to begin on autism action plan

By Raissa Tetanish editor@pictouadvocate.com

A mother of an autistic son is hopeful for the future after the provincial government announced the development of a new autism action plan.

Brian Comer, minister of Addictions and Mental Health, announced last week the government will work with different agencies to develop an autism action plan with improved services and supports.

Allison Garber said the announcement is an historic one and called it an “incredible moment for Nova Scotia.”

“It’s a starting point,” said Garber, a Bedford woman whose 14-year-old son was diagnosed with autism 10 years ago. “Ten different departments are being brought together and the government is partnering with Autism Nova Scotia for this plan.”

The morning her son was diagnosed, Garber says she contacted Autism Nova Scotia to see how she could help the organization and also to learn more. She currently sits on the organization’s board of directors.

“Since then, I’ve been advocating strongly,” she said, adding there needs to be a more streamlined approach when it comes to what’s available for families and individuals.

She said the measures have taken a piecemeal approach and are categorized in a number of ways, such as early intervention and supports in the school system.

“But as your child gets older, the support seems to break off and that’s what we’re looking at. Things seem to be very disjointed.”

Garber says it’s now time to put the pedal to the metal and pull together all the information currently available.

“It’s a vast amount,” she said, noting

there are numerous consultations, reports and data.

“With all this information together, we need to determine the gaps and form an action plan.”

In a press release announcing the plan, Comer was quoted as saying people with autism and their families “deserve to be supported in this province, whether they’re under five and just getting a diagnosis or adults who need support at home or in the workplace.”

“A provincial autism action plan will give us a clear picture of what supports are out there today so we can identify the gaps and work with our partners to fill them,” Comer said in the release.

According to the release, the plan will describe and identify the current services, supports, interventions and programs for children, youth and adults on the autism spectrum and their families in Nova Scotia; identify current government strategies, action plans and initiatives that could be used to better support the current needs of Nova Scotians with autism and their families; and identify gaps and make recommendations for supports and services within the public, private and community sectors.

Along with the government’s partnership with Autism Nova Scotia in leading the plan, input is expected from people with autism and their families, educators, health-care professionals and representatives from community organizations.

Garber is hoping she and her family, especially her son, will be part of that process, which begins in the autumn with the plan expected to be released next spring.

“Every individual and family with autism, they experience things differently,” said Garber, noting challenges and

The provincial government announced last week the creation of an autism action plan. On hand for the announcement were, from left, Joan Craig, founder of Autism Nova Scotia; Ethan Rekunyk, who has autism and is an advocate; Brian Comer, minister of Addictions and Mental Health; Cynthia Carroll, executive director of Autism Nova Scotia; and Brendan Maguire, minister of Community Services.

strengths differ and she’s hoping to see information in the plan on transitioning from the school system to the workplace, as well as housing. “It’s not easy to put your story out there. It was an emotional day for our family when the plan was announced, to see the government finally acknowledge that work needs to be done.”

The provincial government is contributing $200,000 to developing the

plan, which will see involvement from the Office of Addictions and Mental Health; Community Services; Education and Early Childhood Development; Labour, Skills and Immigration; and Municipal Affairs and Housing.

For more information on the development of the plan, including how to get involved in the coming weeks, visit https://www.autismnovascotia.ca/

Adshade photo

The post office in Trenton was one of two Pictou County post offices that was broken into in recent weeks.

Communications Nova Scotia photo

Federal MP, Health minister speak on new dental plan

By Kevin Adshade kevinadshade@pictouadvocate.com

Dental care providers in Nova Scotia are a little wary about signing up for the new dental care program, according to the Central Nova MP.

Speaking at an information session at the Pictou County Wellness Centre with federal Health Minister Mark Holland also in attendance, MP Sean Fraser said concerns he’s been hearing are related to possible administrative burdens, whether they’ll have to sign up long-term on a contractual basis, and whether they’ll see an increased workload.

“We need to make sure we address these concerns. We don’t want to force people into these programs, we want to make it a positive experience,” said Fraser.

About 60 people, most of them appearing to be over the age of 60, attended the event.

The federal government launched the Canadian Dental Care Plan a couple weeks ago and, so far, roughly 9,000 dental care providers such as dentists, oral hygienists and dental hygienists have signed up for the program that reduces, and in some cases eliminates completely, the cost of dental care for the vast majority of Canadians who choose to use it.

To avoid an immediate avalanche of applicants from Canadians, the Liberal

government started slowly, initially starting by bringing people aged 80 and up into the program, then adding on people who are aged 75-80, and then 65 plus. They will soon have children aged 18 and under and people with disabilities into the fold. By this time next year, Holland said, Canadians 19-65 will also be added to the program if they choose to take that route.

“It’s a matter of costs and savings and prevention,” Holland said of the program. “It’s a big deal that’s talking a bit of time. Making sure that you get the care that you need is critically important.”

When the Liberal government rolls out its online portal on July 8, it will allow dental care providers to submit claims into the national system, whether they’re signed up for the program or not.

“We wanted to give them an opportunity to sign up so they can submit claims on a case-by-case basis,” Fraser said. “It will also allow them to see how it works, and if their experience is positive, you can expect to see more care providers sign up.

“Most dentists I talk to are concerned about their ability to sign on more patients. It may increase the number of people who will call looking for a dentist, but they won’t have to take more patients (than they can handle).”

Holland said a student loan forgiveness program the federal government rolled out will hopefully see health care providers,

Province increases fine for daily burn restriction violations to $25,000

Continued from page 1

Daily burn restrictions are in place between March 15 and Oct. 15 annually to help prevent wildfires. Burning is restricted throughout the province between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily during the season, as that’s often when the wildfire risk is greatest. The map, which is available online at https:// novascotia.ca/burnsafe/  or by calling 1-855-564-2876 (BURN), will be red during those times. It’s updated daily at 2 p.m. Daily restrictions could include the colour red for no burning, yellow for burning after 7 p.m., or green for burning permitted after 2 p.m. Hale called the amount of deadfall in the county and province due to Hurricane Fiona last year “staggering.”

“This deadfall is starting to dry and rot, creating a potentially volatile environment in our forests,” he added. “We don’t have to look far to see the dangers of wildfire.”

The director pointed to the province of Alberta, where firefighters are already dealing with fires threatening homes and forcing people from their properties. Hale also used the wildfires last year in Shelburne and Halifax as examples as where homes were lost.

“We want to be taking all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of our residents and their properties,” he said.

Since the beginning of wildfire season, Pictou County fire departments have responded to roughly 10 calls for service of people burning before 2 p.m., as well as burning during restricted hours.

“What may seem like a small fire to them can grow rapidly and have a disastrous effect,” said Hale.

Patricia Jreige, communications person for the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, provided statistics in an email for recent years.

“In the wildfire seasons for 2022, 2023 and so far in 2024, conservation officers laid

Nova MP Sean Fraser spoke with some local residents prior to an information session last week around the federal dental care plan.

including dental care, choose to work in more rural spots in Pictou County, where he said they can expect to see their businesses blossom almost instantaneously due to the current lack of dental care providers in Nova Scotia and other rural areas.

He added that dental hygienists have been eagerly awaiting the dental care program ever since it was announced.

“Hygienists have been really preparing for this,” he said. “This is a tremendous opportunity for their profession.”

President of seniors council voices concerns over high cost of living

100 charges for violations of the daily burn restrictions,” wrote Jreige. “There may be more laid by police, we don’t have those numbers.”

Last year, conservation officers laid four charges of a fine of $25,000 during the province-wide burn ban. Three of those had a fine of $25,000 plus applicable fees, according to Jreige, while the court reduced the fourth to $237.50.

“Wildfire prevention is everyone’s responsibility. Nova Scotians need to check before they burn,” said Jreige, noting people should check burn restrictions daily. “They also need to check municipal bylaws; they take precedence when they are stricter than the provincial restrictions.”

Along with announcing the fine increase, the province also says in the release the daily burn restrictions now apply to campgrounds. Open fires, such as campfires, are only permitted at campgrounds after 2 p.m. when the map is green or after 7 p.m. when yellow, just like backyard campfires. The release says devices such as gas stoves and charcoal briquette barbecues can still be used any time, following manufacturers’ instructions.

Because the fine amounts are set in the Summary Offence Ticket Regulations, conservation officers, police and other law enforcement officers are able to issue the fine on the spot as a summary offence ticket. With the victim surcharge and HST, the total fine is $28,872.50. The basic fine for violating the restrictions is $237.50; the larger fine is in place through a proclamation until the end of wildfire season.

If conditions significantly reduce the risk of wildfires, the province could reinstate the original fine amount.

Industrial burning, such as clearing agricultural land or burning brush piles of certain sizes, still requires a permit from the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables.

By Kevin Adshade kevinadshade@pictouadvocate.com

Kathleen Campbell says she can appreciate the value of good dental health.

But the president of the Pictou County Seniors Council had more than that on her mind when she attended an information session on the new Canada Dental program at the Pictou County Wellness Centre, hosted by Central Nova MP Sean Fraser and federal Health Minister Mark Holland.

“I’m really concerned. Inflation (has slowed), but if you take a tour around any grocery store, you’re looking at a bag of oranges for $9,” Campbell said.

“It’s good to worry about dental care, but we have to think about body care as well, which means good food and the vast majority of seniors

are struggling. People even working full time are struggling to put food on the table.”

Fraser said he recognizes that the federal government can’t set prices for grocery stores but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to ease the burden.

“It’s in food costs, energy costs. It’s on transportation, it’s on housing. The price of everything has increased, including the cost of care, which is we’re trying to attack each of these different issues,” he said. “The real solution is through competition.”

Fraser noted the feds are actively seeking to recruit discount grocers to Canada, while also introducing new rules to increase competition through reforms to the Competition Act.

“We are trying to look at every aspect of a person’s life and do what we can to reduce the cost of living.”

Adshade photo Central

Adshade photo Kathleen Campbell, president of the Pictou County Seniors Council, speaks with Central Nova MP Sean Fraser on May 16 at the Pictou County Wellness Centre.

Dental plan a need

With federal Health Minister Mark Holland in Pictou County last week, residents got to learn more about the national dental care plan and voice their concerns.

While it’s in its infancy, the plan is a much needed one for many in the country, including locally. While most people have dental plans included in benefits through their place of employment, many of those benefits run out when retirement comes calling and some choose not to buy their own benefits after the fact.

When thinking of health, not everyone thinks to include dental, however dental health has a direct and sometimes large impact on a person’s overall health both physically and mentally. Bad dental issues can play a huge role in a person’s well-being, so having a dental plan for older people is a positive idea. Dental issues can bring a person down, oftentimes leading to people choosing not to show their teeth when they smile out of embarrassment. Not to mention the pain and suffering many undergo with a variety of problems.

As we get older, it’s no surprise to have our health decline, which also includes our teeth and gums, unfortunately. Proper dental care can be pricey, and oftentimes our personal dental benefits don’t cover all that’s needed. Having this federal plan, especially for seniors, will help ease the financial burden for many. At times when so many across the country are struggling, even a small amount of help can be a lot.

But while the federal plan is a positive step, it will only be a benefit if people can find a provider to offer the services they need. While the need isn’t as high as it is for family doctors, there may be dentists who are already overloaded with patients and can’t take any new ones on. Thankfully the plan includes other providers such as dental hygienists and oral hygienists, and politicians say the program is an opportunity for those professions as well.

This summer, providers will have the opportunity to submit claims whether they’re signed into the program or not, which may have a huge benefit not just for themselves, but their patients as well.

The government is taking its time implementing the program so as to not overload the system, and they should be commended for that. Taking time to make sure things are running properly is the best approach before expanding it to more and more people, which is the plan. Taking time allows them to identify problems or issues and correct them so things are working properly. These things take time and shouldn’t be rushed, but the work has to start somewhere.

The three greatest play-by-play voices

By Hugh Townsend ght1967@gmail.com

My generation of hockey fans was blessed.

No matter how old we’ve become, we’ve been able to spend our lifetimes following and loving the game because of the careers of the three greatest play-by-play broadcasters in the game’s history. There’s no mystery, no surprise, no debate behind my analysis.

I feel so strongly that even history will agree that the three most outstanding voices belonged to Foster Hewitt, Danny Gallivan and Bob Cole.

Yes, all three were Canadians – two of them Atlantic Canadians – and they served fans well for nearly 100 years. I considered myself fortunate to have met all three and, I assure you, they were all class individuals.

Bob Cole’s death a month ago simply refreshed my opinion on the subject.

To me, Foster Hewitt was number one.

Heck, I knew his voice before I began school. On Saturday nights (and sometimes on school nights), his play-by-play voice came from a small radio under my bed. The games always lasted beyond bedtime. But oh, that opening. “Hello Canada and hockey fans in the United States.”

It was music to young ears. My mother wasn’t even aware how I knew the score at breakfast the next morning. Not until later years did she admit she always noticed the radio wasn’t on my bedside table on nights when the Maple Leafs were playing.

Why Foster?

He was the first star of Hockey Night in Canada, and he remained that until his final broadcast. As I read in the first hockey book I ever had, “Nobody else could talk the language of hockey as well as he could. Nobody else could bring to it the excitement, the love, the awe. It was a gift.”

I met him a few times during the 1960s when I was scouting Nova Scotia for the Leafs. One occasion was very different than the others.

I was attending a game at Maple Leaf Gardens on a Sunday night and, though I had a special Leafs pass, I reached the media box high above the ice and an usher said there was only one seat left. He said I could sit there. It was next to Foster in his wellknown “gondola.” He was doing that game on radio and welcomed

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me, saying there was just one rule when sitting beside him, “no talking when I’m broadcasting.”

What a joy to listen to his marvellous voice just a couple feet away. He sounded better than ever. We renewed a previous meeting and chatted during the intermission. During the broadcast, three times he repeated his most famous comment, “He shoots, he scores.” The Leafs won, 3-2.

Foster would be heard for almost two more decades after that night.

But on April 21, 1985, an 82-year-old Foster couldn’t even speak to his wife at his bedside. He passed away a few moments later.

The final sentence in my first hockey book read: “The voice that had been the best known in Canada was silenced forever.”

In 1994, Red Fisher, perhaps the finest sportswriter ever in Canada, wrote a book, Red Fisher, Hockey, Heroes and Me. It contained a chapter titled ‘Danny’. Surname not needed.

Danny Gallivan, who walked in Foster Hewitt’s footsteps, had a wonderful voice to be a play-by-play announcer. If any broadcaster deserved to be compared to Hewitt, it was that wonderful Cape Bretoner, the best play-by-play man in Montreal Canadiens history.

Fisher said Danny was special because “he delivered the genuine article.” You couldn’t find fault with him in any way. While serving the Canadiens well, he brought us new expressions, an almost new hockey vocabulary and many great memories. Not even a Leafs supporter could find a flaw in Danny’s broadcasting.

Then came Bob Cole.

He was so good, he pretty much matched Danny in the excellence category. And Bob did it almost until the age of 90.

Much has been written since his recent passing, so I’ll simply pass on a Cole quotation that deserves thought.

“I’d like to keep going,” he said in 2014. “I feel good. I love the game. I still get passionate, I still get butterflies.”

Five years later, on his final broadcast, Bob told his audience, “Enjoy the game folks. It’s hockey, baby. And hockey is always good. There’ll be no more memories after tonight.”

Thank you, Foster. Thank you, Danny. Thank you, Bob. You all gave us immense thrills. A New Glasgow

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Adshade photo Central Nova MP Sean Fraser, right, is shown with federal Health Minister Mark Holland at the Pictou County Wellness Centre on May 16 where they spoke about the dental care plan.

Righteousness and wrongness

By Nicole Fawcett

For those of you who are still using Facebook, watching drama unfold may be part of the attraction.

While some choose to air their personal drama, many feel they are doing a duty by reporting and forwarding posts on issues they feel are important. They are standing up for right and wrong, making a statement and passing on information.

These are all great intentions. However regardless of how well the intentions are, if you’re not fact checking and are passing on false facts and incorrect information, you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

There was a recent instance when I watched social media explode over what was considered a local company being bought and moved out of the province. I won’t say which one because I do not want to draw more attention to it.

There were some real truths in the story. This company sold out in 2002 then resold about 10 years ago. Kinda late for the outrage. They are making some changes, story-worthy changes, but the realty was far from the story being circulated.

When the company tried to do some damage control and release the facts, the audience was gone.

There has been a lot of research done in recent years on the average person’s shrinking attention span. Some indicates as much as 25 per cent since the year 2000.

When the truth was released, there was no bombarding on social media. The interest was over, people moved on. The truth was not near as exciting. The damage had been done.

If you are one of the ‘reposters,’ don’t feel too bad. I even saw a few radio stations jump on the

bandwagon. Please, however, learn from it, so the same mistake is not repeated.

What is the point of sending all these fake stories out? It has nothing to do with the actual information, just the reaction and reposting it can achieve. We all saw, on both sides, the damage this caused with COVID.

In order for the fake story to be successful and make money, it must generate real feelings, usually negative feelings and emotions like rage in order to initiate the flurry of reposting. Do we really need fake negative drama in our lives?

These stories gain momentum as they are being reposted because they begin to come from what people consider reliable sources. If someone you know reposts something, you may trust them, just as they trusted the person who posted before them.

People make decisions, cancel products and people, spend money, and argue with loved ones over these posts that are nothing but an income generator for the original poster. The truth and facts do not matter, simply the hits. Frankly, you are being used for their gain.

As we become more and more desensitized, imagine the lengths that people will have to go to to generate these strong emotions. How far are people willing to go, what lies will they tell in order to maximize hits? It is already proven with fake medical information; they are willing to endanger people’s health and even lives.

Remember, in Canada, the real news outlets, the actual journalists, are being blocked. So, when you see these posts, it must first be asked, where is this information coming from? It takes moments to check the source and the information to make an educated decision if this is real news.

Work continues on Gut Bridge set to open in July

By Kevin Adshade kevinadshade@pictouadvocate.com

The Gut Bridge in Pictou, destroyed by fire almost two years ago, will be rebuilt and open sometime in mid-July.

Town chief administrative officer Kyle Slaunwhite said the components of the bridge will be shipped to Partner’s Construction in Pictou County within the next two weeks. Workers there will then assemble the bridge, and two large cranes will be used to put the bridge in place. Assembly of the structure should take about a month.

The piles to the bridge will be “pounded in over the next two weeks,” said Slaunwhite.

The free-spanning bridge will allow easier access for operators of small watercraft to pass under the bridge, he said. The bridge will be about 140 long and made of steel.

Police believe an arsonist set fire to the bridge, and that they used an accelerant to spread the blaze’s intensity at a faster rate.

“We’re very excited,” said Slaunwhite. “The bridge that is replacing the old one will be made of steel, so it will be fire-proof.”

The cost of the new bridge is around $650,000 with the town committing $1,500 to the replacement and with other funding opportunities from the federal and provincial levels of government expected to be pursued.

Slaunwhite said the bridge will once again allow cyclists, joggers and walkers a chance to explore the Jitney Trail further west, and also is expected to lead to opportunities with respect to eventually bringing recreational vehicle users further into the town itself.

“We’re building it bigger and better than before,” Slaunwhite said. “It will also be creating further opportunities for access to (Pictou’s business sector) without having to go on roads, so we’re excited about that, as well.”

No one was ever charged with the suspected case of arson and police have told this newspaper that it would be highly difficult to find out who caused the fire, which took place in July 2022.

by Charlie Teljeur

FRANCE AND GERMANY STAR

- DEFENCE MEDAL

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- WAR MEDAL

MERIT - HOLLAND MEDAL

DISCHARGED - MARCH, 1946

WIFE - JEAN CONNELL NEW GLASGOW, NOVA SCOTIA

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The Gut Bridge on the Jitney Trail, which fire destroyed nearly two years ago, is being replaced and expected to open in July.

By Steve Goodwin Special to the Advocate

An author and historian visited Pictou Academy last week to pay tribute to one of its most esteemed graduates.

Jim Morrison shared his research and insights about Alfred Fitzpatrick, who graduated from the school in 1881 and eventually founded Frontier College, an organization to help labourers learn to read as a way to achieve a better life. Morrison addressed an assembly of current Pictou Academy students on May 14 to share Fitzpatrick’s history while referencing parts of the book he wrote about him in 2022 called The Right to Read

Morrison’s visit coincided with the 125th anniversary of the college that has since been renamed United for Literacy, which is being celebrated across Canada. Recognizing Fitzpatrick is considered a centrepiece of those celebrations

Several United for Literacy officials accompanied Morrison to the school, including president and chief executive officer Melanie Valpin, who introduced Morrison to the assembly.

“We are here because we are celebrating Alfred Fitzpatrick,” she said.

Morrison was born in Truro and raised in Economy, N.S. He started as a teacher and eventually attained the honour of Professor Emeritus of Saint Mary’s University’s department of history. He is United for Literacy’s official historian.

“This is a very famous school,” he said, regarding Pictou Academy. “This book is about the founder of (Frontier) college and his passion for Canadians.”

Morrison described men Fitzpatrick

Literacy’s frontier

Pictou Academy grad championed ‘The Right to Read’

encountered who were working under difficult circumstances in forests and mines and while building railways.

“They worked 10 hours a day, six days a week, with low pay, poor accommodations, and no support in terms of schooling and literacy. They were Canadians with little opportunity to make a difference in their lives. Without education, without literacy and without hope, they were stuck. Alfred Fitzpatrick would visit these camps. He had a passion for change. He brought hope and changed the lives of many Canadians.”

Morrison examined the “influences and obstacles” that Fitzpatrick faced early in his life. He was born in Millsville and was part of a family that included seven boys and four girls. He was 13 when he entered Grade 7 at Pictou Academy. He was among 18 males and 17 females in the school’s 1881 graduating class.

The book describes how family, church and community influenced Fitzpatrick, and his time as an itinerant minister before finding his cause.

Fitzpatrick graduated from Queens University in 1892 with an arts degree and decided to bring education to people like those in work camps, Morrison said. He noted that 400,000 people worked in those conditions around the turn of the 20th century when Canada’s population was about five million. He went where the people were and carried a knapsack full of books to leave at the camps. By 1910, he had more than 100 teachers instructing labourers to read.

“You have a lot of people who were being left out,” Morrison said. “These were the kind of people Alfred Fitzpatrick set out to reach. He encouraged people to read.”

Time to WRING in the spring

Writers and Readers in New Glasgow (WRING) will be giving back to the community later this month.

On May 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the group will host a book fair at Glasgow Square. Carrie Stewart, owner of Art of Divination and Read It Again New & Used Books, wanted a way to give back to the community, particularly the Westville branch of Humble Harvest.

Enlisting the help of local authors T.P. Wood and Sarah Butland, plans were set to host more than 20 authors along with Creative Pictou County and a representative from the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia. While there is a $2 admission fee, there is lots in store and all proceeds will support the Humble Harvest Food Bank, with Danielle Fraser Desmond hosting a table for non-perishable donations. With every donation, donors will be

entered into a draw for more surprises, thanks to the members of the Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada.

Visitors will be able to meet local authors such as Connie Cook, Angela Ford, and Janet Wallace along with others from outside of the county including Laurie Glenn Norris, Jennifer Britton and CJ Hopkins. From children’s books to romance, and everything in between, there will certainly be something for everyone.

Here’s the Scoop food truck will also be on site.

This event will focus on authors from across the province offering a diverse amount of books for readers of all ages and interests.

Visitors are encouraged to stop by after their morning trip to the New Glasgow Farmers Market and support a great cause. Check out the Facebook event WRING in the Spring for a full list and more details.

Pictou Academy students had a special visit last week from representatives of United for Literacy where they learned about Albert Fitzpatrick, a fellow Pictou Academy graduate and founder of Frontier College. On hand for the event were, front from left, Pictou Academy student council co-vice-president Chloe MacEachern, council resident Jami McDowell, and United for Literacy president and chief executive officer Melanie Valcin. Back row, council co-vice-president Dominick Laybolt and The Right to Read author Jim Morrison.

Frontier College emerged from Fitzpatrick’s work and one of its policies was to teach what people wanted to learn, Morrison said. He provided as an example a geologist who taught those who wanted to learn about mining.

Some Pictou Academy students have read the book, and one of them asked if Fitzpatrick retuned home. Morrison was able to confirm that he did.

“He returned home every chance he could,

usually in the summer,” Morrison said. Fitzpatrick was 74 when he died in Toronto in 1936. He had no wife or children.

Morrison’s book includes a list chronicling the books, booklets and journal article Fitzpatrick wrote.

“He was very critical about how schools and universities operated at the time,” Morrison said. “He authored a book called Schools and Other Penitentiaries.”

Goodwin photo

Submitted photos Connie Cook is one of a number of authors slated to attend the Writers and Readers in New Glasgow’s book fair at Glasgow Square on May 25.

Writers and Readers in New Glasgow is hosting a book fair at Glasgow Square on May 25 featuring a number of authors from around the province, including local author T.P. Wood.

ENTERTAINMENT

Pictou County trio bringing one-woman play to life

By Kevin Adshade kevinadshade@pictouadvocate.com

When Kerry Miller decided to resurrect her one-woman musical play from the ashes of history, it didn’t take long before she had the perfect collaborators to make it happen.

“Kitty has a life-long dream of taking a play she had written and going to Broadway,” Miller explained.

The Pictou resident wrote the music and the text for Kitty’s Bound for Broadway around 2013-14 and in 2015 took it to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, one of the largest of its kind in the world. It also gave her a chance to perform it off-Broadway in New York, as writer, director and performer, where she received mixed reviews, not uncommon for a first timer.

When a friend asked her about it last year, she got the idea to bring Kitty back to life, and through several bits of serendipity, ended up working with co-producer and co-director Crystal Mann and performer Amy Caroline, who has lived in New Glasgow for about a year.

“I wanted to see the play,” Mann said about seeing the script. “And now I’m going to.”

That was very similar to Caroline’s reaction.

“The first page, I was like, ‘Oh, this is good, this is really good stuff,’” Caroline said, adding that she sees a lot of herself in Kitty.

“Somone having dreams and feeling like there’s potential that hasn’t been met. Hope for the future and wanting to step into what I feel like I could be.”

While she hadn’t done much acting, Caroline was so impressed by the script that she jumped in with both feet.

“I’ve never done anything like this, so it was a scary thing to say yes to this right away. But I had this thing in my stomach, like ‘you have to do this.’”

They’ve been working on the project for a

few months now, polishing and fine-tuning the production. “We’re workshopping it as we go,” Caroline said. “Its really grassroots.”

Accompanied by a pianist, Caroline’s performance is more about song, as there is plenty of spoken dialogue, with Caroline interacting with the audience in some sections and “at other times, I speak as if I’m thinking to myself.”

Caroline has dabbled in singing in various genres, travelled to Finland in 2006 to represent Canada at the World Karaoke Championships, spent a summer in Charlottetown doing dinner theatre, has taught dance and, according to Miller, is an intuitive and gifted entertainer.

“In order to command a stage, you have to keep the audience’s attention,” said Miller. “It’s very difficult, but Amy is a natural. She is quite fearless.”

Kitty’s Bound for Broadway will be performed at the Merigomish Community Centre on June 15 (doors open at 6:30 p.m., with a 7 p.m. start) and in Tatamagouche at the Grace Arts Centre on June 22.

They did a portion of the musical in March at the Bauer Theatre in Antigonish, where it was well-received by the audience, Miller said.

The three women also hope to take the show to the Halifax Fringe Festival this summer.

“We’ll see how we do (in Merigomish and Tatamagouche). We’d like to add more shows,” Miller said.

Tickets are available at Big Al’s Convenience Store in New Glasgow and at LBR’s Gas Bar & Variety, located on the Shore Road. Tickets for the Tatamagouche performance can be purchased online at https://www. gracejollymore.com/.

Broadway on June 15 in Merigomish and June 22 at the Grace Arts Centre in Tatamagouche.

Ottawa songwriter to take to Glasgow Square stage

An award-winning Canadian Americana songwriter is including a stop in New Glasgow on her Maritimes tour.

Ottawa-based songwriter Lynne Hanson is touring the Maritimes to support the release of her 10th studio album, Just A Poet. She will perform at Glasgow Square Theatre on June 1 at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30. The New Glasgow stop is one of eight for the two-time Canadian Folk Music Award winner. Too tough for folk and too blues-influenced for country, Hanson’s brand of porch music with a little red dirt can turn on a dime from a sunshine, blue sky ballad to a full-on thunderstorm of gritty Americana swamp from one song to the next. Her hard-living music has garnered her the nickname “Canada’s own queen of Americana.” And while her deep, bluesy croon has drawn comparisons to Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch, it’s the poetry of her lyrics that really sets her apart.

Hanson is known for her high energy, roots guitar-driven live performances. She has an uncanny way of connecting with her audience with an authenticity that is as entertaining as it is disarming bringing her sense of humour and spontaneity as a storyteller to the fore.

The prolific songwriter has released nine studio albums along with two books of poetry over her 18-year solo career. She is an international touring artist and has appeared at leading international festivals including Take Root (Netherlands), Glasgow Americana (Scotland), Maverick Festival (UK), Kerrville Folk Festival (US), and Winnipeg Folk Festival. She’s toured as support for Grammynominated artists like Gretchen Peters, Steve Forbert and Albert Lee.

Tickets for the New Glasgow performance are $25. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.lynnehanson.com

PRINCE OF PICTOU

William A.H. Villers Mansel, known as the Prince of Pictou, died Jan. 3, 1811, at the age of 33. The welldressed illegitimate son of King George IV spent the last years of his life carousing in the tavern on Creighton Street. He is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery on Wellington Street.

Adshade photo

Performer Amy Caroline, middle, with co-producers Kerry Miller, left, and Crystal Mann, who are staging a one-woman musical Kitty’s Bound for

Jen Squires photo

Ottawa-based songwriter Lynne Hanson is stopping in New Glasgow on June 1 as part of her tour of the Maritimes to support the release of her 10th studio album.

By Stephen Cooke

Centre Stage

From CaperCon to summer theatre to celebrating Gaelic month

This week is more of a grab-bag kind of column, but with so much going on in Cape Breton and northern Nova Scotia as May draws to a close, it’ll be hard to take in all the sights and sounds on offer over the next week.

One of the biggest events this coming weekend is the return of CaperCon to Sydney’s Centre 200 from Friday to Sunday, attracting fans of science fiction, comic books, anime, cosplay, fantasy and games of the role-playing and video variety from all over the region.

It’s a pop culture-palooza that balances nicely with Halifax’s Hal-Con in the fall (where first guest Alan Tudyk of Firefly, Star Wars and a host of voiceover roles was just announced), and has an appealing lineup of guests, events and panels to make the weekend fly by in a handful of parsecs.

A live presentation of Ed D. Wood Jr.’s no-budget sci-fi classic Plan 9 From Outer Space, trivia showdown, costume contest and dance party are some of the more festive activities. Guests include actor and director Alyson Court, best known for playing Loonette on the beloved kids’ show The Big Comfy Couch, but also a busy director for animated shows for Netflix and Disney; Cape Breton author and Third Person Press co-founder Sherry D. Ramsey; Political Power: Stephen Colbert comic co-creator Hal Hilden; and Transformers voice actor and Stargate SG-1 and Cold Squad star Garry Chalk.

The whole rundown for the weekend is online at capercon.ca, where you can also buy weekend and day passes, and delve into all of the educational, entertaining and, yes, pure dumb fun events jamming the schedule from mid-morning into the wee hours. ****

It wouldn’t be surprising if at least one person did cosplay at CaperCon for the great detective Sherlock Holmes, or perhaps some sort of funky steampunk variant of the crafty Baker Street sleuth, but as a big fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s timeless character, it was a treat to see the British bloodhound will be coming to the stage this summer at Festival Antigonish Summer

Job Opportunity

ENTERTAINMENT

Submitted photo Cape Breton Celtic supergroup Beolach is playing a show at the Pomquet Parish Hall on May 25, as well as a Celidh at the Museum on May 26 at the Antigonish Heritage Museum.

Theatre with a refreshing twist.

From July 3 to 20, the annual dramatic celebration will present Kate Hammill’s Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson — Apt. 2B, recasting both the deductive do-gooder and physician friend through a feminist lens, as Holmes and Joan Watson, played by Stephanie MacDonald and Alexis Milligan, take on master criminal Moriarty, a prime part for hometown star Alistair MacDonald.

Also announced by Festival Antigonish this past week are the Norm Foster comedy The Great Kooshog Lake Hollis McCauley Fishing Derby in August, Robert Munsch’s children’s favourite The Paperbag Princess & Other Stories, and musical events like A Festival Antigonish Kitchen Party on July 27 and a genre-spanning hip-hop/R&B concert by New Brunswick’s Boy T on Aug. 2.

Full details are available at festivalantigonish.ca. ****

While we’re on the topic of Antigonish, it’s a double-Ceilidh weekend in honour of Gaelic Nova Scotia Month. Cape Breton Celtic supergroup Beolach plays the Pomquet Parish Hall on May 25 at 7 p.m., and it’s a Sunday afternoon Celidh at the Museum on May 26 at 2 p.m., with fiddler Karen Beaton joined by pianists Leona Williams and Margaret MacGregor MacDonald, and singer Fr. Andrew Boyd.

Tickets for the Beolach show are available on Eventbrite, while admission to the Sunday gathering at the Antigonish Heritage Museum in the town’s former train station is $10 at the door, with refreshments included.

Community Liaison Officer, Websters Corner Wind Farm

Bear Head Energy is exploring the possibility of developing and operating a new wind farm near Websters Corner, Pictou County, Nova Scotia. Spanning over 22,000 acres of forestry land, this initiative aims to harness the power of the wind to generate clean, sustainable energy to power the Bear Head Energy green hydrogen and ammonia production facility in Point Tupper, NS.

As part of our commitment to community engagement and transparent communication, we are seeking a dedicated Community Liaison Officer to serve as the bridge between Bear Head Energy and the local community of Pictou County.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Serve as the primary point of contact for community members, providing accurate and timely information about the Websters Corner Wind Farm project.

Gather community feedback and insights, relaying relevant information to Bear Head Energy to assist in project planning and implementation.

• Proactively identify and address community concerns, facilitating the resolution of issues in collaboration with Bear Head Energy management.

Organize and deliver periodic updates to the community through various channels, ensuring transparency and open communication regarding project developments.

Represent Bear Head Energy at local community events, fostering positive relationships and promoting the benefits of the wind farm project.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Residency within the project area (Pictou County) is preferred.

• Strong communication skills, emphasizing active listening.

Proficiency in standard computer applications.

Possess a valid driver’s licence and access to a suitable vehicle.

Deep knowledge of the community’s geography and demographics.

Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with diverse community groups.

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS:

The position can be tailored as part-time or full-time, depending on project phases and the candidate’s circumstances.

Flexibility to work from home, subject to specific requirements.

Competitive compensation package, reflective of the candidate’s experience and the nature of the role.

Send application to Dean Hart at Dean.Hart@BearHeadEnergy.ca by June 7, 2024 To learn more, visit BearHeadEnergy.ca

SPORTS

Renovation work begins at Stellarton rink

By Kevin Adshade kevinadshade@pictouadvocate.com

The dressing rooms and stands that used to hold hundreds of hockey fans are long gone, but what used to be known as the Stellarton Memorial Rink is showing further signs of life.

Darren Stroud is the president of the Stellarton Memorial Community Centre Association (SMCCA) and has spent several years trying to keep the wrecking ball at bay.

On May 14, workers with Verhagen Demolition were tearing down the back wall, which will be replaced with steel. It is part of a restoration process that is expected to take up to two years.

“That‘ll be the first step to insulate the building, to make it a multi-use facility,” Stroud said. “We are optimistic, we have our eyes set on a two-year time frame. That’s the goal.”

Stellarton Mayor Danny MacGillivray said

council is happy with the progress the SMCCA has made.

“To see the progress that is happening now is very pleasing to us all,” he said.

Coal miners built the rink in 1947 and after decades of service, it closed in 2019 after the town was no longer willing to spend the money to bring the structure up to code. There was also the issue of declining usage of the rink, especially after the Pictou County Wellness Centre opened in late 2012.

“The tally for the repairs would have been at least $6 million, which would have been too much to take on,” MacGillivray recalled.

The town eventually sold the rink to the SMCCA for $1, while setting down a list of conditions that had to be met, and gave it tax-free status.

The association received $2 million from the Nova Scotia government in 2023 and, while the group is looking at other means of funding, “if

that is all we get, we’ll work with what we have.”

Stroud said two local sports organizations – the Pictou County Lightning basketball and Pictou County Invasion volleyball programs – have expressed strong interest in becoming tenants once the renovations are finished. As well, the association hopes to attract other recreation groups.

“Those county clubs want to call it home, so they’ve stepped up and are involved in awareness and fundraising campaigns. We want it to be as busy as it can be.”

According to Stroud, the demand is high for indoor recreation facilities.

“The demand is greater than the supply,” he said.

Stroud recalls that when the building was facing demolition, “there were enough (citizens) who stepped in to warrant a closer look at the building” and added that keeping the community involved in the process is “the spirit and heart of what we do.”

Professional wrestling returns to Pictou for carnival fundraising event

Fans can rejoice as the Pictou Lobster Carnival is bringing back professional wrestling to Pictou.

This family friendly fundraiser is back at the Hector Arena on May 24 for a night of hard-hitting action while raising money for the summer event.

Fan favourites like East Coast Professional Wrestling heavyweight champion The Greatest of All Time, Charlie Hubley makes his way home to Pictou County with championship gold around his waist. Returning as the current Ultimate Championship Wrestling heavyweight title holder is former WWE superstar Highlander Robbie MacAllister.

The list of possible opponents for these two grapplers is long. Could the dastardly Hollywood Cole challenge? Perhaps former champion Ethan Knight? Or The Newfoundland Nightmare Justin Newhook?

What has been confirmed is rookie sensation The Kid Rudy Lockhart making his debut in Pictou County. This fresh-faced phenom has been taking the wrestling scene by storm since advancing his skill set through his time training at the New Japan

Pro Wrestling dojo in Los Angeles, California.

“This is going to be one of our best events to date,” explained Ryan Mader (also known ringside as Lincoln Steen), event promoter, in a press release. “We are so excited to bring top-tier professional wrestling to what most talents call the loudest crowd in Canada.”

The event is sure to please not only the young, but the young at heart with the feats of strength and athleticism of the wrestlers while raising funds for an event near and dear to Pictou County.

“I’ve gotten to enjoy the last few years of our wrestling fundraiser for Pictou Lobster Carnival and everyone has a great time,” said committee chairperson Glen Jackson. “It’s good having different events for different groups and the kids of all ages really love this one. We’re excited to bring it back again for May 24.”

Advance tickets for the wrestling extravaganza are available at Woody’s Variety, Fulmore’s Pharmachoice, Millside General Store, Pictou Pharmasave, East End Grocery, Lyon’s Brook Rite Stop, and Big Al’s in New Glasgow at a cost of $20. Tickets can also be purchased through e-transfer to donate@pictoulobstercarnival.ca

Final Whistle Wisdom

It’s not just a numbers game

By Charlie Teljeur www.charlieteljeur.com

If you’ve consumed any of your sports digitally over the last two decades, you’ve undoubtedly seen the overwhelming proliferation of data.

Numbers everywhere with sports channels, both broadcast and online, attempting to upsell you on the value of all these new stats.

It might seem strange complaining about statistics in a pastime completely submerged in them (I mean, in sports, EVERYTHING is a stat, isn’t it?), but this is different. I’m not complaining that there are news stats. My complaints are two-fold. One, they’re unapologetically trying to upsell the value of this shiny new toy (even though the toy isn’t nearly as shiny as they think it is) and the statistics themselves are a lot of times pure garbage.

If you’ve ever followed the “real time” stats of a sporting event, you’ll notice one of the more prominent ones: win probability. As the game progresses, you’ll see this number jump all over the place, obviously affected by the score of the game and the time remaining in the contest.

Team A is said to have an 85.7 per cent probability of winning the game simply because they’re up by 10 points with 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Then Team B scores a touchdown and Team A’s probability falls to something like 58 per cent.

What exactly does this accomplish?

Are we expected to be wowed by this new info even though the only number that really matters is the 100 per cent

one that registers after the final whistle? Lord knows we’ve all seen enough last-minute comebacks to know to not trust that probability percentage.

Even if you’re a bettor, who wants to place a live bet because your team has 96.7 per cent win probability (must be a lock!)? it’s not like that number comes with any sort of guarantee.

We’re in the age of big data and now, thanks to technology, they have the ability to track everything under the sun. We’re fed reams and reams of stats (often new stats) that are meant to enlighten us, but they often fall short because, to be impressed, you kind of need a benchmark to work from.

Knowing that a particular NHL player reached a top speed of 22 km/hr means nothing until we compare to another player, and even then, how truly floored are you that Player A is going a whole kilometre an hour faster than Player B?

This is not to say that there’s no value whatsoever in the new generation of sports statistics. In fact, I find some of them really quite intriguing, like major league baseball’s launch angle for example, which measures the angle a ball leaves a player’s bat after contact (signifying distance and home runs).

Same goes for exit velocity, which is a similar stat, only this time it measures the speed at which the ball leaves the player’s bat. Combining the two stats helps determine which players are true power hitters.

I guess my issue with all these new

stats is the data collector’s fervour in selling us on it. It’s like they sold you a huge box of random baseball cards and it’s up to us to determine if there’s any value in there.

How would I quantify “value”? I would define that simply as numbers we can do something with. Broken down, statistics fall into the categories of either observatory or predictive. One is meant to wow and and one is meant to help with further study. Thing is, they’re all sold as wow statistics. In other words, someone could have done a better job at parsing down this data into something that actually makes a point.

Of course that’s not how business works. We’re upsold on the “value” of these news stats and that value is artificially propped up to prove the point. It’s like wearing a sweater with only one sleeve and trying to convince people that this is the future of sweaters.

In fact, the more I look into this, the more I see that my issue is not so much the volume of the stats available, but the value of the stats available. And further to that, I think it becomes pretty obvious that the real problem (I’m assuming from the data) is that non-sports people are trying to convince sports people that these are the numbers we want to see.

I mean, if my team is up by two with 20 seconds left in the third period, I really don’t need some egghead to convince me my win probability is high.

or through the Pictou Lobster Carnival Facebook page. Tickets will also be available at the gate for $25. Bell time for this action-packed event is 7:05 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.

PICTOU LEGION EVENTS

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 16

LEGION HOURS:

Mon-Thursday: 12pm to 7pm

Saturday: 10am to 7pm Sunday: 1pm to 7pm

Sundays : Meat Roll 2 pm $10/ person

Darts are cancelled on Wednesday and Thursday nights until further notice.

Monthly General Meeting 3rd Thursday of each month @7:30pm.

Saturday: Meat Darts 2pm $10/ person

Drop in and see what the legion has to offer New Members Always Welcome

WE HAVE RENTAL SPACE AVAILABLE

For more information call: 902-485-5790

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION

130 Veterans Dr., Branch #16, Pictou, NS NSLC I.D.s upon request

Shane Wilkie photo Charlie Hubley in control of Brian Kendrick during a wrestling match. A native of Pictou County, Hubley will return on May 24 in support of the Pictou Lobster Carnival.

Adshade photo

Jordan Baillie breaks down the bricks on the back end of the Stellarton Memorial Rink on May 14. Work has started on renovations to the building, including the addition of a steel wall.

Hundreds take to Trenton ball field for annual memorial races

The annual Joe Earle Memorial Road Races took place in Trenton on May 20.

Hundreds of runners participated in the event, which got its start back in 1964 and is a tradition in the town.

Following are results as compiled by race officials:

Baxter MacArthur Memorial One Mile for Men 16 and over

First: Victor Ogaroe (Pictou)

Second: Adam White (Trenton)

Third: Jim Teed (New Glasgow) Hartling Family Memorial Open Mile Girls aged 10-15

First: Lola Bonaparte (Pictou)

Second: Sofie Young (Pictou)

Third: Nora Bonaparte (Pictou)

Gloria Clark Memorial One Mile for Women 16 and over

First: Alyasa Fortune (Pictou)

Second: Anna MacCara (Trenton)

Third: Corinne Cameron (Mount William)

Carl MacDougall Memorial One Mile Boys aged 10-15 years

First: James Ross (Meadowville)

Second: Noah Bowden (New Glasgow)

Third: Waylon Laundon (Braeshore)

Jessie Smith Memorial 1/8 mile girls and boys 2 and under

First: Allie MacDonald (New Glasgow)

Second: Evelyn Faith Coldwell (Thorburn)

Third: Aria Bates (Trenton)

Boyles Memorial 1/8 Mile 3-4 Boys

First: Garrett Swallow (hometown not provided)

Second: Lauchlin McShane (Windsor Junction)

Third: Harvey Harris (Trenton)

Elda Earle Memorial1/8 Mile 3-4

Girls

First: Brier Frazee (Westville)

Second: Eilidh MacKenzie (Hopewell)

Third: Gwen Dooley (Churchville)

Donald Gabby MacDonald Memorial 1/4 Mile Boys 5-6

First: Oliver Leeson (Saltsprings)

Second: Rhys Robertson (Merigomish)

Third: Wilder Eickholt (Alma)

Mackie Jenkins Memorial 1/4 Mile

Girls 5-6

First: Iby Davison (Plymouth)

Second: Avery Smith (Halifax)

Third: Aspen Robertson (Thorburn)

Doug MacInnis Memorial 1/2 Mile

Girls 13-14

First: Aurora McMillan (Westville)

Second: Alora Ennan (Trenton)

Third: Taylor Smith (Trenton)

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Jim MacArthur Memorial 1/2 Mile

Boys 13-14

First: Cooper Gillespie (New Glasgow)

Second: Nic Blois (New Glasgow)

Third: Austin Rankin (Trenton)

Bobby Gill Memorial 1/2 Mile Boys 7

Years

First: Thomas Theriault (Halifax)

Second: Gage Venedam (Little Harbour)

Third: Oliver Kamp (Trenton)

Cromwell Memorial 1/2 Mile Girls 7

Years

First: Ella Sobey (New Glasgow)

Second: Londyn Johnson (Trenton)

Third: Makayla Bowden (New Glasgow)

Paul MacDonald Memorial 1/2 Mile

Boys 8 Years

First: Bryson Rafuse (Trenton)

Second: Brock MacDougall (New Glasgow)

Third: Easton Robertson (Thorburn)

William Tanner Memorial 1/2 Mile

Girls 8 Years

First: Cora Swallow (Saltsprings)

Second: Claire Curley (Pictou Landing)

Third: Hannah Roussy (Trenton)

The MacNeil Family Memorial 1/2 Mile Girls 9 Years

First: Liv Irons (Brookland)

Second: Chloe Johnson (Trenton)

Third: Kadence Milbury (Stellarton)

Johnny Cooke Memorial 1/2 Mile Boys

9 Years

First: Derek Ross (New Glasgow)

Second: Mitchell Hetherington (Little Harbour)

Third: Maveric Venedam (Little Harbour)

Burton Luddington Memorial 1/2 Mile

Girls 10 Years

First: Piper Laundon (Braeshore)

Second: Locklyn Robertson (Merigomish)

Third: Ella MacLean (Thorburn)

Charlie Stevens Memorial 1/2 Mile

Boys 10 Years

First: Cohen Munroe (Pictou)

Second: Dean Meyer (New Glasgow)

Third: Noah Cameron (Trenton)

Andre Roussy Memorial 1/2 Mile Girls 11-12 Years

First: Kayla Hale (Westville)

Second: Lola Bonaparte (Pictou)

Third: Sofie Young (Pictou)

Jock Wilson Memorial 1/2 Mile Boys 11-12 Years

First: Jackson Wood (New Glasgow)

Second: Sawyer Meier (Scotsburn)

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Aries, you may meet an influential ally this week. Chat them up because this is a person you want to have in your network. You never know when you’ll need some assistance.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, you have real talent, so you should be proud and show off your efforts. Whether it is artistic in nature or you are a whiz with numbers, share your gift with others.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Explore creative possibilities, Gemini. You can use a new hobby right now that keeps you occupied. Look at trends that are popular right now and try one of those.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, trust your intuition when you meet someone new this week. You often can get a good read on someone right away. That’s an important skill to develop, especially in the workplace.

Third: Wesley MacKenzie (Bayview)

Joan Carrigan Memorial Five Mile

Women 14-35

First: Jessica Zentner (New Glasgow)

Second: Heidi MacDonald (Stellarton)

Third: Naomi Zentner (New Glasgow)

Raymond Pentz Memorial Five Mile

Woman Masters 36 and Over

First: Christine MacFarlane (New

Glasgow)

Second: Cindy Fraser (Merigomish)

Nonnie Morgan Memorial Five Mile

Men 14-35

First: Josh Wood (New Glasgow)

Second: James MacCara (Trenton)

Third: Ethan MacDonald (New Glasgow)

Doucette Family Memorial Five Mile

Men’s Junior Masters 36-49

First: Nick Snell (Hopewell)

Second: Brad MacDougall (New Glasgow)

Third: Don Gunton (New Glasgow)

Dennis Lawless Memorial Five Mile

Men Senior Masters 50 and Over

First: Dave MacLennan (Scotsburn)

Second: Bill MacEachern (Lorne)

Third: Jim Lays (Westville)

Douglas V. MacDonald Memorial Five

Mile Canadian Armed Forces

First: Harvey Stiles (Abercrombie)

There is a lot of potential for socializing right now, Leo. Your calendar will fill up quite quickly with invitations from people in your life. Enjoy the attention.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, take inventory of the things in your life and be real about what you need and what you can get rid of right now. You may be carrying around a lot of baggage you simply don’t need.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

You may be feeling extra flirty these next few days, Libra. This will help add a spark to your current relationship or help you find someone new if that is the desire.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Relationship issues at home may be on your mind, Scorpio. Create pockets in your days for deep introspection to process all of the emotions you are feeling.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Sagittarius, if you can’t get an answer to something yourself, then you may want to pick the brains of friends or other people in your circle. They may offer unique perspectives.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Capricorn, you have a lot of self-worth, so stop looking at yourself through a pessimistic lens. Be convinced of your value and ability to assist others around you.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Start feeling good about what the future may hold, Aquarius. There are a lot of possibilities out there, and you’re starting to see them peeking out over the horizon.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

You may not be feeling overly social right now, Pisces. Take a few days to spend time alone and sort through your feelings. Over time you may be ready to re-engage.

Adshade photos

Taylor Smith on her way to a third-place finish in the Doug MacInnis Memorial 1/2 Mile Girls 13-14 in the Joe Earle Memorial Road Races on the weekend.

Sam Lewis, left, and Willow Leeson get ready at the Joe Earle Memorial Road Races in Trenton on the weekend.

Jonah Chapman rounds the turn during one of the Joe Earle Memorial Road Races at the ball field in Trenton.

And they’re off … a group of youngsters in the two-and-under Joe Earle Memorial Road Races in Trenton.

COFFEE BREAK

NORTH SHORE TIDES

THURSDAY, MAY 23

ABCs for Babies, Pictou Library, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Ages 0-18 months. Join us for songs and stories. For more info or to register, call 902-485-5021 or email pictou@parl.ns.ca

Lego and Crayons , Westville Library, noon-8 p.m. Drop by and play with our Lego and colour away with crayons. All ages welcome. For more info, call 902-396-5022.

Gaelic Friends Discussion Group, Pictou Library, 12:301:30 p.m. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to speak Gaelic? Join our small group of people with interest in learning Gaelic. For more info or to register, call 902485-5021 or email pictou@ parl.ns.ca

Knifty Knitters , Pictou Library, 3-4:30 p.m. Drop in to knit and crochet with others. Bring your own yarn and needles or hooks. Patterns and written instructions will be available. New knitters and crocheters are welcome. For more info or to register, call 902-485-5021 or email pictou@parl.ns.ca

Cribbage, New Horizons Seniors Club, 14 Kempt Rd. Pictou, 6:45 p.m.

All-ages Storytime, New Glasgow Library, 10:15-11 a.m. For more info, call 902-7528233 or email newglasgow@ parl.ns.ca

Family Legos , Pictou Library, 57:30 p.m. For more info, call 902-485-5021 or email pictou@parl.ns.ca

Lego Project, New Glasgow Library, 6-7 p.m. Join staff for a directed Lego challenge. For more info, call 902-752-8233.

FRIDAY, MAY 24

Crafting Circle, River John Library, 10 a.m. Join the RJ Square Knitters at the library for a morning of crafting and chatting. Any crafting project welcome (not just knitting). For more info, call 902-351-2599 or email riverjohn@parl.ns.ca

Fun Family Storytimes, Westville Library, 10:30 a.m. Drop in for stories, songs and social time together. For more info, call 902-396-5022 or email westville@parl.ns.ca

Neighbourhood Community Coffee House, New Glasgow Library, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Join us for chatting, music, a game of cards, along with coffee, tea and cookies. For more info, call 902-7528233 or email newglasgow@ parl.ns.ca

Knitting Circle, Stellarton Library, 1-2 p.m. Join the Stellar Knitters for an afternoon hour of stitching and conversation. All are welcome; bring your own needles or hooks and yarn. For more info, call 902755-1638 or email stellarton@ parl.ns.ca

Les Amis Français, Pictou Library, 1-2 p.m. Looking to learn French or practice speaking French? Join us for a French Discussion Group. For more info or to register, call 902-485-5021 or email pictou@parl.ns.ca

Lego Robotics, River John Library, 2-5 p.m. Love Lego? Drop by and build away. For more info, call 902-351-2599 or email riverjohn@parl.ns.ca Time to Play , Pictou

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Library, 2:30 p.m. Drop by for some playtime in the children’s area. For more info, call 902485-5021 or email pictou@ parl.ns.ca

Chase the Ace Fundraiser, Stellar Curling Club, draw at 8:15 p.m. This is a fundraiser for the Stellar Curling Club and 110 Wing, Royal Canadian Air Force Association. Tickets are available at 110 Wing or the curling club on Foord Street, Stellarton, Tuesday to Saturday during open hours. Tickets are also available from several vendors in the area; for a list, contact J.C. Clark at judyandjc. clark@gmail.com.

Pork Loin Dinner and Dessert , St. George’s Presbyterian Church Hall, 4-6 p.m. Takeout only. Advance orders must be placed by calling 902-351-2552.

SATURDAY, MAY 25

Lego at the Library, Pictou Library, 10 a.m.-noon. Love Lego? Drop by the library and build with our giant tote of Lego. For more info, call 902485-5021.

Les Amis Fran ç ais , Stellarton Library, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Parlez-vous Français? Drop in for a weekly conversation group in French (for intermediate to fluent speakers). This will not be a class, but an opportunity to practice your French conversation skills. For more info, call 902-755-1638 or email stellarton@parl.ns.ca

Queen of Hearts, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 64, Tatamagouche. Buy your tickets at same places as last printed. Draw at legion is today at 4:15 p.m. Legion is open Thursday, 1-6 p.m.; Friday, 1-8 p.m. and Saturday, 1-6 p.m. You can also buy tickets at the legion on those days.

Auction 45s, New Horizons Seniors Club, Pictou, 6:45 p.m. Admission is $5. Meditation Traditions & Techniques, New Glasgow Library, 4 p.m. Join Louise Gabrielle for a half-hour of guided meditations, drawing from different traditions. For more info, call 902-752-8233 or email newglasgow@parl. ns.ca.

Crib Tournament, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 64, Tatamagouche, 1 p.m. All money returned in prizes. Wheelchair accessible. For more info, call 902-657-2172.

Pictou and Area Garden Club Annual Plant Sale , Kinsman Building, 231 Patterson St., Pictou, 9-11 a.m. Annuals, perennials, vegetables, seeds, house plants, herbs and more.

Flea Market, Abercrombie Community Centre, 9 a.m.noon. Household items, appliances, exercise equipment, figurines, pictures, books, dolls, toys, etc. To book a table, call 902-752-3826 or 902752-8115.

Plant & Seed Exchange, Stellarton Library, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. House plants, cuttings and extra veggie and perennial plants are welcome. Bring one, take one.

Grief Support Group, New Glasgow Library, 10-11:30 a.m.

A monthly grief support group for anyone who lost a loved one and is struggling. This group is facilitated by Dawn Peters, MSW RSW. For more info, call 902-752-8233 or email newglasgow@parl.ns.ca

Seed & Seedling Swap, River John Library, 10 a.m.noon. Drop in with extra seeds and seedlings to share or swap. For more info, call 902-3512599.

Graphic Novel Workshop, Trenton Library, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Join Sal Sawler for a graphic novel workshop. Sal is the editor of Emanata, Conundrum Press’ graphic novel imprint and a children’s author. In this workshop, attendees will learn about graphic novel publishing, explore how words and pictures work together in graphic narratives, and develop a new character. For more info or to register, call 902-7525181.

Great Big Storytime Singalong , New Glasgow Library, 1:30-2:30 p.m. All ages are welcome for a special musical storytime. For more info, call 902-752-8233 or email newglasgow@parl. ns.ca

Spring Tea & Sale, St. James Anglican Church, 8 Denoon St., Pictou, 2-4 p.m.

Dinosaur Bingo, Pictou Library, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Drop by for a family-friendly game of picture bingo. For more info, call 902-485-5021 or email pictou@parl.ns.ca.

SUNDAY, MAY 26

Lego Project, New Glasgow Library, 2-3 p.m. Join our staff for a directed Lego challenge. For more info, call 902-7528233.

MONDAY, MAY 27

Auction 45s, MeadowvillePoplar Hill Community Hall, Meadowville, 7 p.m.

Knit, Stitch and Crochet Circle, New Glasgow Library, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Bring your knitting, crochet, hooking or other needlework. Beginners are welcome, and we can help you get started on your project. For more info, call 902-7528233 or email newglasgow@ parl.ns.ca

TUESDAY, MAY 28

Northumberland Quilt Group, New Horizons Seniors Club, Pictou, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Join us to socialize and quilt every Tuesday. New and experienced quilters are welcome to join. For more info, email vbaddon@gmail.com

Toddle Time , Pictou Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Join Ms. Bonnie for songs, games and stories. For more info or to register, call 902-485-5021 or email pictou@parl.ns.ca

Play, Build, Colour, Make, Pictou Library, 1-7:30 p.m. For more info, call 902-485-5021.

Afternoon Tea/Coffee Social, River John Library, 2-4 p.m. For more, call 902-3512599.

Writers’ Get Together , Trenton Library, 6-7:30 p.m. April is National Poetry Month and each week we will have a special challenge around poetry. This week is limericks. Write, bring and share your work. For more info, call 902752-5181.

Virtual Care - Your HealthNS Information Session, Pictou Library, 6-7 p.m. Drop by for an information session with Melissa about Virtual Care NS services and the YourHealthNS app. For more info, call 902-485-5021 or email pictou@parl.ns.ca

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29

Children’s Playtime, River John Library, 10 a.m.-noon. Drop by for a selection of books, games and crafts to enjoy. For more info, call 902351-2599 or email riverjohn@ parl.ns.ca

Stay and Play Family Storytimes, Stellarton Library, 10:30-11:15 a.m. For more info, call 902-755-1638 or email stellarton@parl.ns.ca

Family Storytimes, Pictou Library, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Join Ms. Bonnie for a family fun adventure. For more info or to register, call 902-485-5021 or email pictou@parl.ns.ca

English Conversation Circle, New Glasgow Library, 4:30-6 p.m. Join the Multicultural Association of Pictou County if you are looking to practice your conversational English (whatever your level), hoping to make connections in the community, make friends, volunteer your time and you are 18 years and above. For more info or to register, contact Nanda at info.mapc@gmail. com

Jam Sessions , Durham Community Hall, 1679 Green Hill Rd., 6:30-8:30 p.m. Lunch at 8:30 p.m. All players and listeners are welcome.

Play, Build, Colour, Make, Pictou Library, 1-7:30 p.m. For more info, call 902-485-5021.

Family Lego , Pictou Library, 5-7:30 p.m. For more info, call 902-485-5021.

Soup & Dessert, St. Bees’ Anglican Church, Westville, 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m.

Book Club, Trenton Library,

1-3 p.m. Love to chat about books and wondering what to read next? For more info or to register, call 902-752-5181 or email trenton@parl.ns.ca

Auction & Dessert Evening, St. Paul United Church, Westville, 6:30 p.m. All new items, baked goods and gift cards. Dessert, tea and coffee at intermission.

Prize Bingo, Holy Name Hall, Westville, 7 p.m. Bingo, 50/50 draw and lunch provided.

NOTICES

Hector Arena Walking Schedule , Monday-Friday, 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.

Any changes to the schedule due to hockey tournaments or school events will be posted on the bulletin board and on our Facebook site.

Adult Pickleball, McCulloch Education Centre, Wellington Street, Pictou, every Monday, Thursday and Friday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. The game is a racquet sport; like playing table tennis on the floor. Easy to learn. Racquets and instruction are available.

Chair Yoga , Durham Community Hall, 1679 West River East Side Rd., 10-11 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. Indoor footwear and scent-free please. For more info, call Sylvia at 902-262-2011 and leave a message.

Indoor Walking Group, First Presbyterian Church, Stellarton, 10 a.m. Mondays and Fridays. Bring a friend, enjoy the fellowship and the walk.

Women-Alike Breast Cancer Survivors Monthly Meeting, Trenton Rink Annex, 7 p.m. Meetings are second Monday of each month, with a guest speaker dealing with all areas of breast cancer issues.

Pictou County Heart and Stroke Support Group Monthly Meeting, UCT Building, behind Summer Street Industries on Park Street, New Glasgow, 7 p.m. Meetings run the second

Thursday each month, September-June.

Seniors Chair Zumba SitFit , Union Centre Community Hall, 1 Salter Rd., Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.; and Plymouth Community Centre, 2340 East River East Side Rd., Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. A chair-based dance class with an emphasis on cardio and muscle strengthening, utilizing elastic resistance bands (TheraBands). This class also incorporates elements of balance and flexibility, offering a fun and effective workout. For more info, contact Monica at monicafit1@hotmail.com or mobel2022@yahoo.com

Seniors Chair Yoga, Union Centre Community Hall, 1 Salter Rd., Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.; and Plymouth Community Centre, 2340 East River East Side Rd., Fridays at 10:30 a.m. Designed specifically for seniors and individuals with various health issues, this flexibility class integrates modified yoga movements that can be comfortably performed while seated in a chair. The class focuses in enhancing balance, flexibility and muscle strength. For more info, contact Monica at monicafit1@ hotmail.com or mobel2022@ yahoo.com

Alzheimer Society of NS Caregiver Support Group, Pictou United Church (rear entrance), 47 James St., Pictou, 7-9 p.m. The third Thursday of the month. Pre-register at 1-800-611-6345.

Annual Fishing Derby, Eden Lake, off Highway 347, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., June 1. The Blue Mountain and District Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its annual fundraising fishing derby with prizes (at 2 p.m.), food and fishing. As it’s a Nova Scotia sportfishing weekend, no license is necessary; standard regulations apply.

CLASSIFIEDS

TOWN

OF TRENTON

120 Main Street, PO Box 328, Trenton, NS B0K 1X0

Tel: (902) 752-5311 / Fax: (902) 752-0090

2024 Tax Sale

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the following lands are liable to be sold for arrears of taxes due to the Town of Trenton as described below, and that unless such taxes with interest and expenses are sooner paid I shall proceed to sell the said land at Public Auction, Council Chambers, Town Office, 120 Main Street, Trenton, Nova Scotia on the 27th day of June 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the forenoon:

1 # 01815423 Daniolos, Spyro 25 Central Avenue Land Dwelling

$ 4,600.95 7 # 04801008 MacNeill, Donald 13 Spruce Street Land Dwelling $ 9,193.35

2 # 04205707 Gillis, Daniel 170 Main Street Land – HST is applicable on purchase price Non-redeemable $ 17,603.78 8 # 03151441 Mahar, Shane & Keizer, Tammy 2 Beech Street Land Dwelling

3 # 01515837 Hynes, Daniel & Angeline 118 High Street Land – HST is applicable on purchase price Non-redeemable $ 31,161.57 9 # 04655427 Robinson, Billie 12 Eleventh Street Land Dwelling

4 # 02476371 Keizer, Dillon 33 George Street Land Dwelling $ 1,894.48

5 # 10927099 Langille, John Munroe Street Land – HST is applicable on purchase price

625.04 11 # 04541227 Taylor, Graham 82 Maple Street Land Dwelling $ 2,726.05

6 # 10198763 MacLean Donald, MacLean Lee & MacLean Viola 155 Strickland Avenue Land Dwelling $ 10,433.15

$100 Certificate of Sale Registration Cost MUST be paid at time of successful bid.

More detailed descriptions of the above properties may be obtained at the Town of Trenton, during regular business hours, however we do not guarantee the accuracy of these property descriptions. It is advisable to consult with a lawyer before purchasing a property. Terms of sale - Taxes and rates, interest and expenses to be paid at the time of the sale by cash, debit, Visa/Mastercard, certified cheque, money order, bank drafts or a lawyer ’s trust cheque. The balance of the purchase price, if any, to be paid within three days of sale by cash, debit, Visa/Mastercard, certified cheque, money order, bank drafts or a lawyer’s trust cheque.

Alanna Grover – Chief Administrative Officer

TOWN OF STELLARTON

TAKE NOTICE that the Town Council of Stellarton has passed first reading of the Amendment to the Noise By-law #54 at a Council meeting held in Council Chambers, Town Hall, 250 Foord Street, Stellarton, NS on Monday, May 13, 2024. There will be a Public Hearing on the amendment at 5:00 PM on June 10, 2024 in Council Chambers before the regularly scheduled Council meeting. The second and final reading of the amendment to the Noise By-Law will be read at a Council meeting to be held on Monday, June 10 beginning at 5:30 PM.

Public Hearing June 10, 2024 at 5:00 PM Council Chambers, Town Hall 250 Foord St. Stellarton, NS

The object of the amendment to the Noise By-law is to add an exemption to Solid Waste providers to service the commercial areas before 7:00 AM.

This by-law may be inspected at the Town office, 250 Foord St, Stellarton, NS during regular business hours.

Dated at Stellarton, NS, this 16th day of May, 2024. Susan Higdon, Chief Administrative Officer

TOWN OF STELLARTON

CITIZEN VACANCY POLICE COMMISSION 1 FROM TOWN (3 YEAR TERM)

Stellarton Citizens interested in the following position and willing to volunteer their time are to apply in writing to the undersigned on or before 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2024. Selection will be submitted by the Stellarton Town Council.

This is an opportunity for Stellarton Citizens to serve your Community. Your application is to include a letter outlining skills and qualifications that make the individual a candidate for this position. Application and/or letter can be mailed to: Susan Higdon, CAO, Town of Stellarton, P. O. Box 2200, Stellarton, Nova Scotia B0K 1S0 or dropped off at the Stellarton Town Office, 250 Foord Street, Stellarton during normal office hours – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday or send by e-mail: susan.higdon@stellarton.ca

NOTE: Mark envelope clearly: POLICE COMMISSION

Deadline for applications to be received: June 7 at 4:00 p.m.

If additional information is required – call 902-752-2114.

Susan Higdon, Chief Administrative Officer

Volunteers spend day planting thousands of trees in Merigomish

Volunteers planted several thousand spruce seedlings in Merigomish on May 13.

The planting was a project of the Climate Change Committee for the Municipality of Pictou County, which purchased 5,000 trees to be planted in the county. Approximately 3,000 were planted at the site on Lamont Road and the rest were distributed to interested landowners and made available to the public.

Tree planting subcommittee chair David Parker said it was a great success.

“There was a good turnout of volunteers from ages 2 to 72,” Parker said.

He said the committee is thankful that property owner Paul Daniels allowed them to plant the trees on his land.

Members of the Construction Engineering

Flight from Pictou were among those who helped with the planting and stayed from start to finish.

George Dempsey of New Wave Forestry and a couple of experienced planters also assisted.

Parker said it was also nice to see young children involved and being taught to give back to their community.

“It shows that we can do things to help alleviate climate change,” he said. “That’s our main goal to get more people planting trees.”

The softwood planting has become an annual tradition for the Climate Change Committee and is expected to continue in the coming years. The committee will also be distributing hardwood saplings this autumn, with more information provided at a later date.

of the

other volunteers

the

Submitted photo

Members

Construction Engineering Flight in Pictou helped plant trees along with

on Saturday at a property in Merigomish. The tree planting was a project under

Municipality of Pictou County’s Climate Change Committee.