Vol.1 No.2 | The Lunenburg Barnacle

New issue in print the 2nd Thursday of each month.

The face behind the bells

SAL FALK, EDITOR-AT-LARGE

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

If you’ve ever been in Old Town on a Sunday morning, you’ve heard the bells chime at St. John’s.

Churchgoers and Sunday morning strollers alike have been privy to this ritual since 1902, when the bells were gifted to the church by Charles Edwin Kaulbach.

There have been seven Master Chimers since their installation –Peter Allen, a lifelong Lunenburger, has had the privilege for 41 years.

Allen started playing music at a young age, joining the Junior and Senior band in school and playing with the Chester Brass Band.

With decades of practice, the chime tower of only ten bells isn’t limiting for Allen, who has to transpose songs he wants to play to fit the set.

Allen particularly likes playing “Hyfrydol”, also known as “Hallelujah, Sing to Jesus” or “Love Divine”, because he can show off the perfectly-tuned bells by playing

BY: KATHERINE BARRETT

CHRIS JACKMAN

Road Signs Need Repairs BY: MJ

MARTINO

The Corners At The Blockhouse Four-Way Stop,

Ranked BY: BRYN POTTIE

ॐ RECIPE: Honey Boys BY: JOSIE RUDDERHAM

ॐ LETTER: Story of Old Labrador BY: BOB SAYER

harmonies and counter-melodies on top of the simple tune.

Allen’s commitment to the bells doesn’t end with the Sunday morning program. When the church burned down in 2001, four bells were damaged when the tower collapsed.

After they were recast and tuned by a bell foundry in Georgetown, Ohio, a process which Allen oversaw, Allen built a replica chimestand partially using reclaimed wood from the fire.

Next time you hear the chiming of the bells at St John’s, know there are over 120 years of dedication behind their sound.

As Allen notes, “The chimes themselves is [sic] something that unfortunately in a lot of locations have been neglected or let go either due to lack of interest or repair”. We are lucky to have both the bells and the expert in Lunenburg.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

See our comprehensive events listings at: thebarnacle.ca/events.

Springtime fishing for chain pickerel

CHARLES WEISS, WRITER & ILLUSTRATOR

I like to travel the province of Nova Scotia to explore and fish for chain pickerel.

Lunenburg County has a lot of water. Where do you start?

The little chain pickerel is a fierce and worthy catch. It’s a free biter and a tyrant among smaller fishes in the water.

I stopped in at the Bridgewater Home Hardware store and asked an attentive clerk about fishing for chain pickerel in the area.

As we examined the colourful rows of fishing lures on display he mentioned Wentzells Lake, a wider section of the LaHave River with roadside access.

The lake is about 10 km north of town. He also mentioned Lake William north of Barss Corner, with a small picnic park at the top of it.

I thanked the clerk and bought a small surface lure, the “Choppo” with a rear spinning propeller. At Wentzells, I started by casting out small inline spinners,

spinner baits, shallow diving minnow style lures and a top water bait – making repeated casts through the water to various depths.

A sudden swirl and splash on the water surface would reveal a biting fish.

Lure sizes 3 to 5 inches caught most of the chain pickerel. Colours of a contrasting hue of white on the bottom and black or brown were consistent in attracting bites.

Gold and orange lures were good for fishing murky dark water. Sometimes casting out and letting a lure float, then slowly retrieving it, proved irresistible to the long mean fish.

Pliers were helpful to remove hooks quickly from the fish’s mouth after being caught.

I killed and cleaned two fish I caught for dinner by filleting them with a sharp knife.

They are a tasty, lean fish when fried.

Charles Weiss is an artist and writer living for the past few years in Pleasantville. He is originally from Southern Ontario where he illustrated and wrote editorial stories for newspapers and magazines including the Toronto Star and Real Fishing magazine. He regularly exhibits his paintings and sculptures in Lunenburg Art Gallery.

Ed. note: Chain Pickerel is an invasive species in Nova Scotia and should not be transported between waters.

Famous Town Pie Shop to bring exciting treats to Mahone Bay

ISSIE PATTERSON, EDITOR-AT-LARGE

South Shore pie-lovers will be delighted to hear Jennah Barry is opening the business of their dreams.

Famous Town Pie Shop is opening April 1 at 16 Orchard Street in Mahone Bay, the site of the former Biscuit Eater.

The creative mind behind this delicious new local hangout, Barry says the pie shop will sell savoury hand-pies, sweet pies and cakes, and coffee beverages.

Jennah explains she got the idea for the business name from her grandfather, Edgar Himmelmann, who ran Famous Town Ladies Shop in Lunenburg for many years.

“[It’s] slapping a note of glamour on it,” she says.

HELP WANTED: Assistant

Are you good with computers? A wiz at social media? Love emails, spreadsheets, crunching numbers, and getting creative?

Lunenburg Walking Tours is seeking a part-time assistant! Admin experience is an asset. All applicants welcome.

For more details, contact Liz at:

info@lunenburgwalkingtours.com

Future of Old Fire Hall a mystery more than one year after loss of NSCAD residency

ISSIE PATTERSON, EDITOR-AT-LARGE

For more details and interviews, read this full story at thebarnacle.ca

For fifteen years, the studio space at 40 Townsend Street – or the Old Fire Hall, as it’s known by locals – was a buzzing hub of artistic activity.

It was the home of the NSCADLunenburg Community Studio Residency founded by Senator Wilfred Moore in 2006. Through the

all Town-owned land and buildings and considering future use(s) which may include the sale thereof.”

In early 2021, NSCAD notified Senator Moore the current Agreement between the University and the Town would expire in August 2021, and not 2022 as he had been initially told. Moore contacted then-president of NSCAD, Sarah McKinnon, who

TIME MACHINE

Bridgewater Bulletin; Tuesday, March 6, 1900:

The storm of last Thursday night was a terrible one. The wind arose to a perfect hurricane and the tide swept all before it.

It was almost impossible to be abroad and pedestrians were few. At the LaHave Islands and along the entire coast the damage done was enormous.

At Broad Cove the breakwater was badly damaged and almost ruined while several fish stores blew down. Five vessels are reported ashore in Mosher’s Harbour.

TRIVIA WITH JOELLE: LEADERBOARD

Pursue your shot at the leaderboard at The Knot in Lunenburg, Wednesdays at 8-10 p.m.

FEB. 8 The Weekenders

program, recent NSCAD graduates could spend a year making art and running community programming. The building currently sits empty. Because NSCAD’s $1 lease for the space was not renewed by the Town of Lunenburg, the residency program was not renewed in summer 2021 as it had been each year since 2006.

The abrupt closure of the residency is an enigma for many artists in the area – and the future of the space remains uncertain.

Michael Best, Communications Officer for the Town of Lunenburg, asked for an update on the property via email, says, “The Town is evaluating

wrote to Town Council requesting a six-month extension to the residence.

Residency artists Sienna Maeba, Undine Foulds and Jessie McLaughlin and others wrote letters in support. The item was added to the Town Council’s agenda for their upcoming meeting, and the artists and Senator Moore were prepared to speak about their desire to not end the program.

Town Council opted to make their decision in camera, meaning they discussed the matter privately.

This meant there was no opportunity for the residency artists nor Senator Moore to speak. The decision to not renew the residency was made behind closed doors.

FEB. 15 Barnacle Editors, Quadrophenia, Yepper

FEB. 22 Sad Facts, Unsolved Mysteries

MAR. 1 CFA

QUIZ!

What Lunenburg County Intersection

Is Your Love

Language?

Gifts, touch, acts of service, quality time or words? Discover your road to romance, scan this QR code to start!

PETS OF THE MONTH

NAMES: Ella, age 2; Ben, age 15

FAMILY: The Hansingers

COMMUNITY: Lunenburg

MEET THE PETS: If you’ve seen the posters around town inviting you to “Come meet the cutest cat ever!”, you’ve got Oah Hansinger, age six, to thank! Oah got help from her mom Taylor to make sure everyone could learn about the family felines.

“Ella was born at the barn at Chicory Blue. She is the queen of our house,” says Oah. “She likes playing with felt balls or her favourite hedgehog toy.”

“Ben’s favourite activity is laying on the couch or on the bed. His favourite food is treats.”

Howdy NeighboUr!

Have you met Danielle Southcott?

This Kingston, Ontario native and tall ship enthusiast recently moved to the South Shore with her husband. You can Google Danielle’s many accolades, but Danielle is most excited to share her passion for green cargo shipping. Follow this QR code to learn more about what brought Danielle to our oceanside paradise!

Proposed changes to South Shore Centre site excite

Bridgewater councillors

SAL FALK, EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Bridgewater’s LaHave Street could see a major change in appearance if town planning staff suggest amending the Municipal Planning Strategy to accommodate changes sought by the owners of the South Shore Centre mall.

A presentation by Mackenzie Childs, planner with the Town of Bridgewater, at the Feb. 13 meeting of town council, laid out the details. The application by zzap Consulting lnc. would amend the C2 LaHave Commercial Zone and relevant development agreements to permit the applicants to move forward with proposed commercial and residential development.

The proposal for 421 LaHave Street includes adding residential and commercial development between one and eight storeys in height. The plans would demolish the middle of the existing building to create river access, and move commercial entrances to the river side of the building.

The applicant requests the corner lot height allowance be increased from six storeys to eight. A rendering of the applicant’s vision for the lot shows the existing mall building surrounding new variable-height buildings and a walkable waterfront promenade.

The Municipal Planning Strategy states this zone is capable of supporting higher-density mixed-use development. Any amendments passed by council would apply to the entire C2 LaHave Commercial Zone which includes the lots with Value Village and Atlantic Superstore.

Connor MacQuarrie, a Municipal Planner in the Annapolis Valley originally from the South Shore, says, “The proposed developments for 421 LaHave St will rebuild towards a much needed residential presence and aesthetic improvement to the existing strip mall area. I am excited by the prospect of introducing mixed-use development.”

Bridgewater Mayor David Mitchell entered the presentation saying, “I just want to remind people that this is the first step of many steps.” Childs’ presentation concluded with comments from council. Councillor Wayne Thorburne says, “It’s exciting if you look at the picture.” Councillor Stacey Colwell, echoing the sentiment, says, “How exciting the project is.”

Winter Haikus from Forest Heights

Poems contributed by students at Chester Basin’s Forest Heights Community School.

Lonely Heart

BY CASPER JAMES-TANNER

A lone heart turns cold, Almost like the winter air. I’m scared it may crack.

Untitled

BY BRIAN ZWICKER

The snow is so bright it gives me a headache because the sun shines on it.

Lunenburg to consider housing development proposals on Blockhouse Hill

Town plans closure of RV Park and campground in 2024

JESSE WARD, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

For more details and interviews, read the full version of this story at thebarnacle.ca

This summer is set to be the last for the Lunenburg RV Park and Campground on Blockhouse Hill as the Town prepares to consider proposals for conditions of sale for housing development on the land.

The town opened a request for proposal in early February for a plan to develop the approximately 22.53 acres on the hill directly northeast of Old Town with stunning views of the Back Harbour, following plans laid out in the Project Lunenburg Comprehensive Community Plan launched in 2020.

The RFP says a minimum of 10 per cent of dwellings in the

Your Mind’s a Blizzard

BY JULIET JOLLYMORE

Blizzard of your mind

Solitude of winter’s touch Hope for clearer skies

successful plan must have “affordable housing” which the Town is considering 30 per cent of the median census household income, at $1,637 a month.

Previous analysis in Project Lunenburg for possible residential expansion on the hill estimated it could support up to 110 people over 45 dwellings. If that would hold true, a maximum of 5 dwellings from the RFP would be at $1,637 a month, with the rest sold or rented at market rate.

In an FAQ posted to the Town of Lunenburg website beginning with the question “Why are we doing this? Why can’t we just leave it for the animals and have a nice piece of nature?”, the Town cites rising expenses and the need for renovations to municipal buildings as reasons for preparing to sell the land.

Closing the campground is a move that would cut approximately 80 per cent of the Lunenburg Board of Trade’s funding – the Board, who lease the land from the town at $1, projects $200,000 to $220,000 in revenue for the campground they operate over the upcoming 2023 season.

In response to emailed questions, Matt Risser, Mayor of Lunenburg, says the town is exploring a marketing levy option with the Board to offset their loss of revenue.

Elizabeth’s Books, in the heart of the Town of Lunenburg’s bookselling district, boasts a rental library of more than five thousand DVDs. Each month, proprietor Chris Webb recommends films for your consideration.

This month’s pick: Sea Wolf (2006)

“This one was made here and it has good sea footage, too,” says Webb of the 2009 miniseries adaptation of the Jack London story of the same name. “It has a lot of local people as well.”

Featuring Neve Campbell and Tim Roth, a young man finds intrigue aboard the seal-hunting ship of cruel captain Wolf Larsen. Rent this one and see if you can spot the dories borrowed from The Dory Shop in Lunenburg!

Bonus Picks: The Big Lebowski (1998), Wizard of Oz (1939)

A Bird in the Band is Worth Two on Bush Island*

CARLEY MULLALLY, PUZZLE EDITOR

ACROSS

1 Nut with a little hat

6 Type of cabbage

10 _ and flows

14 Waxed and _

15 When planes are due in: Abbr.

16 _fish, looks like a little lobster

17 Tiny songbird singing Down Under and Who Can It Be Now?

19 C e r e m o n i a l Māori dance

20 Word often chanted at the World Cup or a bullring

21 Little troublemakers

22 With 12D, an amount of buns

23 Boxing legend

24 Type of cheese from Quebec

25 Used to elaborate on something that has already been stated: Abbr.

26 Tax org.

27 Industrial rock band fronted by a tiny song bird singing Closer or Hurt?

32 _ _ by land, two if by sea (2 wds)

33 The blending of one color hue to another

34 Geek or dweeb

35 Country singer Cline

37 Lincoln and Homer's dad, to friends

41 T. S, poet

43 "Well done!"

44 A tall, wading bird singing Close to You or Top of the World?

48 Animal starring in Babe and Charlotte's Web

49 Do Re Me _ So La Ti Do

50 Red _ Chili Peppers

51 Dr. that raps

52 Jack _ could eat no fat, his wife could eat no lean

54 Bad to the bone

56 Smith, sings Stay with Me and Unholy

57 Summit

58 Large waterfowl that sings Imagine and Come Together?

61 Miller _, beer

62 Mediocre

63 Extremely small

64 "Who left this big _?"

65 Barely manages, with"out"

66 Drive too fast

DOWN

1 "Look at those cutechicks!"

2 Sweet _, a karaoke classic

3 Short joke

4 Descartes or Magritte

5 Confidentiality contract, for short

6 "You've Got a Friend in Me" singer Randy

7 Resting or perched on

8 Golf scores

9 _ and ye shall receive

10 Canyon sound

11 Largest country in South America

12 With 22A, an amount of buns

13 Trumpeter and Mute are breeds of this bird(hint for 58A)

18 The first man in Māori mythology

22 Letter starter

23 Auth. unknown

24 Light switch position

25 "I was taken _ _ their beauty..." (2 wds)

28 Large sea duck

29 Terra ___ (brown red)

30 Letters on British battleships

31 _ _ this much money at my job (2 wds)

35 Do you like _ coladas? And getting caught in the rain?

36 NYC congress woman

38 Song by Prince featured on the 1989 Batman soundtrack

39 2020 Taylor Swift Album

40 How you feel the day after a work out

42 Hay storage place

43 Wager or gamble

44 '60s nonconformist

45 Marsh birds, related to 44 A

46 Large horned animals

47 Survey

48 Biblical hymn or song

*Part of the LaHave Islands

53 Lumber jacks' tools

54 Furry Star Wars critter

55 Where to put a bouquet

56 Scissors sound

58 Opposite of NNW

59 Also known as ambulance or paramedic services: Abbr.

60 Signal yes

ARGUABLY

ONE OF

LUNENBURG’S

TOP THREE BOOKSHOPS

Find the answers to last month’s crossword at thebarnacle.ca/category/fun

ILLUSTRATOR: JESSIE MCLAUGHLIN @JESSIEMCLAUGHLIN | LAYOUT EDITOR: CARMEN CUMMING PUZZLE EDITOR: CARLEY MULLALLY | DIRECTORS: JESSE WARD, ISSIE PATTERSON, SAL FALK, CARMEN CUMMING