The Grapevine December 12, 2019 - January 16, 2020

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DE RT TYS I S CEM N CULTURE  COMMU 0 COPIE BER 12, 2 500 019 – J ANUARY 16, 2020  ISSUE NO. 16.23 

A FREE PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN THE ANNAPOLIS VALLEY

Beatrix and Allison Carey practice the Sugar Plum Fairy dance

Sam and Henry, not in costume yet!

THE BIGGEST TINIEST NUTCRACKER PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON December in the Annapolis Valley is packed with special events. At Wolfville School perhaps one of the sweetest little productions of the season is about to take place.

While they are busy learning the basics of reading, writing, mathematics, and everything else on offer in the first year of elementary school, the primary students in Allison Carey’s class are also preparing to showcase their own version of The Nutcracker ballet.

The final performance is admittedly a scaleddown approach to the classic ballet (the average age of the performer is five, and the show only lasts about a half hour), but there’s nothing small about the effort behind the production or the experience of the lucky students who are likely making their stage debuts.

Producing the show is an endeavour Carey has taken on for more than ten years now.

“I don’t even know what possessed me,” says Carey, trying to recall what first gave her the inclination to attempt the show with her classroom of four-, five-, and six-year-olds.

“I had a sweet little class that year and I wanted to do something special with them,” she says. “Perhaps because of my own dance background I thought that it would be appropriate.”

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She wrote her own version of the script to match the needs of her classroom — giving each student a role and a moment in the spotlight. To accommodate the script each year, students often share roles, or extra students are brought in from other classes to fill gaps.

There is a handful of speaking roles and the majority of the show is danced as a narrator tells the classic tale.

Dance is something Carey says all students tend to enjoy. “Whether they realize it or not.

All kids love to move to music,” she says. And while they are learning to dance, they’re also taking in other little lessons at the same time.

Learning the steps also means practicing their counting and learning about rhythm. “While they’re backstage waiting, they’re counting to eight before shuffling out,” she says, describing the dance of one particular set of students. Each dancer learns their part and learns to move in sequence together.

“I love bringing dance into the classroom,” says Carey.

The big performance for the school and the parents of the primaries takes place in mid-December, but the preparations begin more than a month before.

Carey starts off by reading them some Nutcracker books, before reading the class her own script and asking them what part they’d like to be considered for. For each role, she has a special costume. She’s gathered the wardrobe carefully over the years.

“I have begged, borrowed and stolen!” She says, laughing, of the small rack of elaborate costumes that sit next to her desk. She’s added new white dresses full of sparkle for the snowflakes this year.

The final production includes a full backdrop and props and older students are on hand backstage to help with the costume changes.

The primaries themselves are already eagerly awaiting their big event.

Sam, 5, has been preparing for his role as a toy soldier in The Nutcracker. His costume includes a silver sword and he’s looking forward to the fight scene. “We march and gallop and poke our swords around and we fight with each other,” he says.

This will mark his first time in front of such a big audience. “It might be a bit too scary for me,” he says. “I think it’s going to be really fun.”

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396 Main St., Wolfville 542-9680

2 | December 12, 2019 – January 16, 2020

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MIKE UNCORKED

MY TEN YEARS OF COMMUNITY THEATRE Mike Butler

Picture it: December 2009. I’d only been in Wolfville for a few years. I was still getting my feet wet and looking for ways to get involved in this community. I was so young! I’d just started writing for The Grapevine, I was working full time at Atlantic Lighting Studio, and I’d met so many folks there. One day, Marion Leier was in the shop and mentioned her daughter Kerri was in need of an actor for a play she was directing. An actor had just backed out and she needed someone for a small role in her musical, Brand New Year. Marion must have seen in me a person who was itching to get involved. I met Kerri, took the role, and my community theatre career began! Now, ten years, 74 productions (the 75th coming up), and countless memories and lifelong friendships later, here is a little retrospective and love letter about my theatre life!

I believe firmly in serendipitous moments and those times when someone or something was just working in my favour, and my involvement in theatre fits nicely into this mould. Being from Kentville, I had CentreStage Theatre growing up and I saw so many plays. I did high school drama for three years but then never thought I’d ever hit the stage again.

Following Brand New Year, Kerri was instrumental in casting me in many shows, including Little Shop of Horrors and Rent, and even writing roles for me in her musicals Jump and Laurens Vale. She also directed me in Cinderella! Cinderella!, a children’s show (I played a cat!), which introduced me to the CentreStage Theatre crew, where I am now a member of the board of directors and a permanent resident!

In the audience watching me be the best cat ever were two ladies from Quick as a Wink Theatre Society who then recruited me to join their productions, and I’ve had a solid relationship with them ever since, acting in acclaimed shows like The Drowsy Chaperone, Dracula, and Don’t Dress for Dinner, as well as directing two of their biggest hits, Grease and Shrek: The Musical!

Valley Ghost Walks also entered my life, and has been one of the most rewarding experiences through this whole process. Portraying these “ghosts” in Wolfville and Kentville (learning five different roles) has been such a thrill and it’s something I encourage you ALL to take part in as the Walks enter their lucky 13th season in 2020!

CentreStage Theatre has been around for four decades and I am so blessed to have the opportunity to work with them. I’ve been in some of my favourite shows through this theatre, including Sleuth, Leading Ladies, The 39 Steps, and My Boy Jack. I must say, one of my best and favourite roles was in 2019 doing Felix Ungar in The Odd Couple! In 2020, I am performing in the spring offering Don’t Dress for Dinner, as well as directing the fall production of Love Letters, which will be exciting.

2019 also marks my ten year anniversary with the Fezziwig Theatre Society, with whom I feel I gained the most fame through their pantomimes. Always cast as the panto-dame in productions like Cinderella, Snow White, The Cookie Caper, and Alice in Pantoland, Fezziwig has been a complete delight as I’ve gotten to work with some incredible community members. Special thanks always to director Wendy Elliot for spotting me on the street ten years

ago and asking me to join, and to the audiences for making the “scene stealing” so much fun, ie: Tinkerbell’s eight minute death scene (still one of my faves!). Catch me as Mother Christmas in this year’s (25th anniversary) Fezziwig show Mother Goose Muddle!

In 2014, I was blessed to help form the theatre company The Wolfville Theatre Collective with a group of theatre enthusiasts looking to perform some heavier material for its audiences. As much as I love comedy, I feel that dramatic works are a nice challenge and after directing Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and acting in Death of a Salesman, The Glass Menagerie and 2019’s effort August: Osage County, it’s safe to say audiences love these works as well. The WTC has given me a chance to stretch myself with producing and marketing duties and I have found a new way to love theatre: by promoting it and bringing it to life!

I have also been very fortunate to work alongside and under the direction of one of my favourite thespians: Mister Allen Hume! I grew up watching Allen Hume and getting to work with him often in plays that he wrote, has been incredible. Shows like Coins, The Lighthouse, and 2019’s If I Ever Get Out of Dublin have been so rewarding, and I’ve built lifelong friendships and working relationships through The Lighthouse Theatre company!

I’ve played cats, women, priests, pirates, and sheriffs! I’ve learned Irish, Indian, Southern, Boston, New York, British, Italian, and Portuguese accents, and played jilted lovers, adulterous schmucks, a rat-eating lunatic, a reindeer, and a Bogartesque detective. And 2020 is gonna be busy and amazing, just wait!

Why do I do it? For ten years I’ve said that once it becomes work I will stop doing theatre.

For now, it’s fun to step into a different mind and body and entertain the masses and I could never fit how appreciative I am of the theatre community here into one Grapevine article.

You are all friends and family and make my heart smile. To audiences, actors, behind the scenes, and to everyone I’ve encountered on this glorious journey: Thank you! Happy 10 and Happy Holidays!

Be sure to read, re-read, and share your Grapevine before wrapping

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December 12, 2019 – January 16, 2020 | 3

Caboodle (noun): The whole of

Issue No. 16.23 December 12 – January 16

something, including everything that is connected to it (as in the phrase “the whole kit and caboodle”).

Biggest Tiniest Nutcracker Performance.......................... p.2 Mike Uncorked............................................................... p.4 Tide Predictions/Word of the Issue................................. p.4 .Free Classifieds/Eat to the Beat...................................... p.5 Keeping Kentville’s History Alive..................................... p.5 Our Season of Giving Food Bank Listing ......................... p.5 Star Drop/Free Will Astrology........................................ p.6 VOTE! Best of the Bunch 2019......................................... p.7 Fezziwig’s Anniversary Sho..w........................................ p.8 Art Actually/Chrysalis House.......................................... p.9 VCLA 2020 Calendar/The Snapshot................................ p.9 Who’s Who/Fundy Dental Community Project................p.10 Christmas Services/Kingston Library Expansion............. p.11 The Dome Chronicles Book Launch.................................p.12 Harvest Gallery Group Show/Way Back When................ p.9 What's Happening / Weeklies.p................................. .14–17 Town of Wolfville...........................................................p.18 At Acadia......................................................................p.19

I was really in a muddle looking over a mud puddle ‘cause I did not have a paddle or a twig to ride the reef.

But I said, Oh, fiddle-faddle, this is just a little piddle of a second fiddle puddle so I saddled up a leaf.

I set sail on the puddle, but I reached the muddy middle and I rocked the leaf a little, then I gave it all I had.

And I solved the mighty riddle of the whole caboodle puddle When I hopped up on the middle of a beetle launching pad. *

(“Said the Toad” by J. Patrick Lewis)

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WHERE TO FIND US WINDSOR: Fry Daddy’s, Lisa's Cafe, T.A.N. Coffee, Mosaic Market FALMOUTH: Fruit & Vegetable Company, Petro-Canada HANTSPORT: Jim's Your Independent Grocer AVONPORT: Cann’s Kwik-Way GRAND-PRÉ: Convenience Store, Domaine de Grand Pré, Just Us! Café GASPEREAU: Gaspereau Vineyards, Luckett Vineyards, Reid's Meats & Kwik-Way, XTR Kwik-Way WOLFVILLE: Carl's Your Independent Grocer, Eos Natural Foods, Just Us! Café, T.A.N. Coffee, Library, Wolfville Farmers' Market GREENWICH: Avery’s Farm Market, Edible Art Cafe, Elderkin's Farm Market, Hennigar's Farm Market, Noggins Corner Farm Market, Stems Cafe, Stirling's PORT WILLIAMS: Fox Hill Cheese House, Planters Ridge, Sea Level Brewery, The Noodle Guy

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CANNING: Degraaf's Kwik-Way, ValuFoods, i scream NEW MINAS: Boston Pizza, Captain Sub, Irving Big Stop, Jessy's Pizza, Long and McQuade, Milne Court Petro-Canada, Pita Pit, Swiss Chalet KENTVILLE: Half Acre Café, Jason’s Your Independent Grocer, T.A.N. Coffee, Valley Regional Hospital COLDBROOK: Access Nova Scotia, T.A.N. Coffee, Callister's Country Kitchen, Foodland, Vicki's Seafood Restaurant BERWICK: Jonny's Cookhouse, Luigi's Pizza Palace, North Mountain Coffeehouse, Rising Sun Natural Foods, Union Street Café, Wilsons Pharmasave AYLESFORD: Chisholm's PharmaChoice KINGSTON: Library, Pharmasave, French Bakery, J&R Pizzeria GREENWOOD: Country Store, Valley Natural Foods, Tim Hortons, McDonalds, The Mall MIDDLETON: Library, Angie's, Goucher's, Wilmot Frenchy's, Sub Shop

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4 | December 12, 2019 – January 16, 2020

Give a creative gift Art Supplies and lessons

DEC 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

HIGH 12:25pm 1:09pm 1:55pm 2:44pm 3:35pm 4:29pm 5:27pm 6:26pm 6:59am 7:59am 8:57am 9:54am 10:48am 11:40am 12:29pm 1:17pm 2:04pm 2:50pm 3:35pm 4:21pm

LOW 6:38pm 7:22pm 7:40am 8:28am 9:18am 10:12am 11:08am 12:08pm 1:10pm 2:11pm 3:11pm 4:08pm 5:03pm 5:54pm 6:43pm 7:02am 7:49am 8:34am 9:20am 10:05am

JAN 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

HIGH 5:08pm 5:56pm ••6:45pm 7:12am 8:02am 8:51am 9:40am 10:28am 11:16am 12:03pm 12:50pm 1:38pm •2:27pm 3:17pm 4:09pm 5:04pm

LOW 10:51am 11:39am 12:29pm 1:20pm 2:12pm 3:04pm 3:54pm 4:42pm 5:30pm 6:16pm 7:03pm 7:22am 8:11am 9:01am 9:52am 10:46am

THERE ARE NORMALLY TWO HIGH AND TWO LOW TIDES EACH DAY.

• Highest High: 43.3 feet ••Lowest High: 34.1 feet

(Schedule subject to change)

THURSDAYS: 12, 19, 26, 2, 9, 16 Edible Art Café (New Minas): Footnotes Bob, Ro & Mike (12th), Marshall Lake (19th) 12pm Troy Restaurant (Wolfville): Steve Lee Duo (12th, 19th, 26th, 2nd, 9th, 16th) 6:30pm Spitfire Arms Alehouse (Windsor): Open Jam Session (12th) 7pm Maritime Express (Kentville): Hush Music (12th), The Melberns (19th) 7pm Oaken Barrel Pub (Greenwood): Trivia Night (12th, 19th, 26th, 2nd, 9th, 16th) 7pm

Spitfire Arms Alehouse (Windsor): The Mark Riley Project (13th), Jill Boudreau (20th), Rob Brown Trio (27th) 7:30pm Joe’s Food Emporium (Wolfville): Jill Hiscock Band (20th) 8pm Tommy Guns (Windsor): Karaoke Night (13th, 20th, 27th, 3rd, 10th) 8pm Dooly’s (Greenwood): Karaoke (13th, 20th, 27th, 3rd, 10th) 8:30pm The Anvil (Wolfville): Top 40 DJ (13th, 20th, 27th, 3rd, 10th) 10pm West Side Charlie’s (New Minas): DJ Gizmo (13th), DJ Billy T (20th), Country Night (27th) 10pm

West Side Charlie’s (New Minas): Open Jam (12th, 19th, 26th) 8pm

SATURDAYS: 14, 21, 28, 4, 11

Union Street (Berwick): Boxing Day Bash w/Pineo & Loeb $10 (26th) 8pm

Edible Art Café (New Minas): Marshall Lake (14th, 28th), Jason Dodwell (21st) 12pm

Dooly’s (New Minas): Open Mic (12th, 19th, 26th, 2nd, 9th, 16th) 8:30pm Paddy’s Pub (Wolfville): Trivia Night (12th, 19th, 26th, 2nd, 9th, 16th) 9pm The Anvil (Wolfville): Top 40 DJ (12th, 19th, 26th, 2nd, 9th, 16th) 10pm

FRIDAYS: 13, 20, 27, 3, 10 Edible Art Café (New Minas): Marshall Lake (13th, 20th, 27th) 12pm King’s Arms Pub by Lew Murphy’s (Kentville): Jon Duggan (13th), Shawn Hebb (20th), GuyPaul Thibault (27th) 5:30pm

The Port Pub (Port Williams): David Filyer Duo (14th) 12:30pm Spitfire Arms Alehouse (Windsor): SWIG (14th), Rip Tide (21st), GuyPaul (28th) 7pm, Schoolhouse Brewery (Windsor): Live Music w/The Miths (14th), w/Jon Duggan (21st) 8pm Kings Arms Pub by Lew Murphy’s (Kentville): Joker’s Right (14th), PM Blues (21st), Broke with Money (28th) 8:30pm Union Street Café (Berwick): Fortunate Ones Holiday Show, $30 (21st) 8pm

Crystany’s Brasserie (Canning): The Melberns (13th), Andy Webster (20th) 6pm

The Smiling Irish Pub (New Minas): The Jungernauts (21st) 8:30pm

Blomidon Inn (Wolfville): Jazz Mannequins (13th, 27th, 3rd, 10th) 6:30pm

Paddy’s Pub (Wolfville): Mark & Chelsea (30th) 9pm

Westside Charlie’s (New Minas): Thunder Kiss (14th) 9pm, DJ Gizmo’s Ugly Sweater Party (21st) 10pm, DJ Billy T (28th) 10pm

SUNDAY: 15, 22, 29, 5, 12 Paddy’s Pub (Wolfville): Irish Session (15th, 22nd, 29th, 5th, 12th) 8pm

MONDAYS: 16, 23, 30, 6, 13 Edible Art Café (New Minas): Ron Edmunds & Rod Cann (16th), Ron Edmunds (30th) 12pm

TUESDAYS: 17, 24, 31, 7, 14 Edible Art Café (New Minas): Inigo Cuartero (17th) 12pm The Port Pub (Port Williams): David Filyer Trio & Open Mic (17th) 7pm, The Nonrefundables (31st) 9:30pm TAN Café (Wolfville): Tuesdays @ TAN Open Mic (17th) 7:30pm Maritime Express Cider Co. (Kentville): Open Mic w/ Ryan Roberts (17th, 7th, 14th) 8pm, Max Wellton (31st) $30 advance, $40 door, 8pm Schoolhouse Brewery (Windsor): Jazzy NYE (31st) 8pm Paddy’s Pub (Kentville): Irish Session (17th, 7th, 14th) 8pm Paddy’s Pub (Wolfville): Dayliner’s New Years’ Eve (31st) 9pm Westside Charlie’s (New Minas): New Years’ Eve Party (31st) 10pm

WEDNESDAYS: 18, 25, 1, 8, 15 Edible Art Café (New Minas): Ced Upshaw (18th) 12pm West Side Charlie’s (New Minas): Billy T’s Karaoke (18th) 9pm, New Year’s Levee (1st) 2pm

KEEPING KENTVILLE’S HISTORY ALIVE Lynn Pulsifer, Kentville Historical Society

It has been a busy year for museums in the town of Kentville! A new Heritage Centre opened its doors to the public in May. Located in Kentville’s downtown in the former VIA Rail Station, this small brick building sits alongside what was once the main rail line that ran through the town.

Opening under the management of the newly formed Kentville Historical Society, the Centre consists of a written and pictorial history of three featured areas: old photos of the town, sports in Kentville over the years, and the development of the Dominion Atlantic Railway. This season two additional temporary exhibits were displayed: one on the history of the Apple Blossom Festival, and the other on the history of the Kentville Rotary Club. The Heritage Centre operated five days a week, from 10am to 4pm, from May through to mid-October, and was staffed solely by dedicated members of the Society who volunteered on a weekly schedule.

The Heritage Centre and the Kentville Historical Society were busy this season completing various projects and events that attracted people of all ages interested in Kentville’s history.

To start the season, the Society partnered with the Kentville Community Fund to host a very successful “Jane’s Walk” through the Oak Grove Cemetery in May, corresponding with the Heritage Centre’s grand opening on May 18. This was a guided cemetery walk with historical commentary by Laura Churchill-Duke.

This past year, the Society had the privilege of working with Acadia University, in particular professor David Duke, who arranged a program of oral history relating to the lives of fourteen of Kentville’s older citizens. His firstyear history students conducted interviews with these long-time residents, with written copies of the interviews at the Heritage

Centre. A second program similar to this one is currently being done again this year by Duke’s students, with this year’s focus on the lives of twelve Women of Kentville.

The Kentville Historical Society also participated in the successful Rupert Davis project, in collaboration with both the Kings Historical Society and the Kentville Police Service. A gravestone and historical plaque were placed in the Oak Grove Cemetery where Davis, a former Kentville Police Chief, is buried.

Throughout the 2019 season, the Heritage Centre has had more than 300 visitors, with some coming from outside the town, province, and country. Over the past year, the Kentville Historical Society has hosted bi-monthly membership meetings at Kings Riverside Court with various guest speakers sharing interesting insights into local historical events.

These meetings are open to the public.

The Historical Society is always looking for artifacts or written information pertaining to Kentville’s past. If you have anything to share or donate, please contact the Society on its Facebook page or call 902-678-6644. As a special fundraiser, the Society is currently selling individually packaged sets of eight historic postcards featuring old Kentville for $20 each. Contact the Society online or at the above number if you’re interested in purchasing a set.

The Heritage Centre is now closed to the public for the winter, but will re-open again in May of 2020 with several new exhibits. The Society’s members will again be volunteering at the Centre with their goal of keeping Kentville’s history alive for the future generations.

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Private or group classes available starting in January.

INFO: artcan.com / 902-582-7071 Painting Classes W/ Dana Greene: Louis Millet Centre, New Minas. Father Christmas painting, Dec. 18. Contact Dana to register. INFO: 902-679-0384 / danaleighgreene@yahoo.ca Fiddle Group: the ARYO Fiddle Group is accepting registration for its winter term of 10 sessions January–April. For adults and children aged 10 and up, we play NS fiddle repertoire at an easy intermediate level, led by an experienced fiddler, and will have several performance opportunities. FEE: $50 for the term. INFO: aryostrings@gmail.com / acadiaregionalyouthorchestra.ca VOICE AND PIANO LESSONS: W/Susan Dworkin, NSRMTA, NATS. 27+ years experience. Private lessons.

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INFO: 902-790-2626 / errandsbykaren@hotmail.com Traditional Chinese Medicine: Combining Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology to enhance your wellness. 17 years experience! Specializing in Anxiety and Depression, Insomnia, Menstrual and Menopausal issues, Digestive health, Ear Acupuncture for Addictions. INFO: Jane Marshall D.TCM, D.Ac located at 112 Front St, Suite 209, Wolfville. 902-404-3374 janemarshallacupuncture.ca Got Mice?: Do you have a MOUSE problem? Or do you have a HOUSE problem? Got Mice Humane Wildlife Services addresses common and uncommon entry points permanently with guaranteed results. Call for a consultation. INFO: 902-365-MICE (6423) / GOTMICE.CA

GENERAL:

Evening Walk-In Clinic Hours: Avon Medical Clinic, Pharmasave, 30 Gerrish St., Windsor. Open Monday to Friday, 8am–4:30pm, and we now have evening walk-in hours on Wednesdays until 8pm. INFO: avonmedicalclinic.com Alcoholics Anonymous: If you want to drink, that’s your business. If you want to stop, that’s ours. INFO: 902-691-2825 / www.area82aa.org/district3/ Adopt A Senior: Spread joy this Holiday Season by “adopting” a local senior! INFO: Visitsantas-for-seniors.ca or Santas For Seniors - Annapolis Valley on Facebook for more info!!

Looking for Apartment: One bedroom apartment wanted, in Wolfville, any time after Dec 1st, for mature student attending Acadia University. INFO: Paulo Santana, psantana_10@hotmail.com Hall Rentals: 107 Valley Wing’s hall is available for party or other function rentals. We provide in-house catering. Please contact us at 902-765-8415 or on our Facebook page.

THE GRAPEVINE’S SEASON OF GIVING FOOD BANK LISTING – Please Give Generously!

Every year we donate a portion of our sales profit from our Season of Giving issue to a local cause. This year, we’ve directed those funds towards buying tangerines for the Wolfville Area Food Bank Holiday Hampers.

These hampers are a true community effort. Each hamper is packed with the goods for a festive meal with all the fixings. Each ingredient is collected by local community groups. For example, local students gather donations of gravy; apple juice, stuffing, cranberries, potatoes, carrots, and peas all come in from the congregations of local churches and other religious groups; and still more community members help out with further extras to make the hampers a wonderful gift of the season.

It’s important to remember that it’s not only during the holiday season that local food banks need help from Valley communities. If you’re able to help, or interested in adding a local food bank to your plan for charitable donations in 2020, here is a little info to help you on that path. This is by no means a comprehensive list.

MIDDLETON NSCC Annapolis Valley Campus (students only) 295 Commercial St., Middleton, NS, B0S 1M0 Twelve Baskets Food Bank 9326 Highway 10 RR 3 Middleton, NS, B0S 1P0 KINGSTON Upper Room Food Bank 699 Main St., Kingston, NS, B0P 1R0 BERWICK Berwick Food Bank 100 South St., Unit 22B Berwick, NS, B0P 1E0

KENTVILLE Fundy Interchurch Food Bank 50 Belcher St., Kentville, NS, B4N 2B5

HANTSPORT Hantsport & Area Community Food Bank 3 Oak St., Hantsport, NS, B0P 1P0

CANNING Canning Area Food Bank 1000 Seminary Ave Canning, NS, B0P 1H0

WINDSOR Harvest House Community Outreach Meal Program Drop-In 95 Stannus St., Windsor, NS, B0N 2T0

WOLFVILLE Wolfville Area Food Bank 487 Main St., Wolfville, NS, B4P 1E3 waicc.org/food-bank

Windsor & District Food Bank 10 Sanford Dr.,Windsor, NS, B0N 1H0

❧ December 12, 2019 – January 16, 2020 | 5

© 2019 Rob Brezsny • freewillastrology.com • Horoscopes for the week of December 12th

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “Nobody knows really what they’re doing,” says Aries comedian Conan O’Brien. “And there are two ways to go with that information,” he continues. “One is to be afraid, and the other is to be liberated, and I choose to be liberated by it.” I hope you’ll be inspired by O’Brien’s example in the coming weeks, Aries. I suspect that if you shed your worries about the uncertainty you feel, you’ll trigger an influx of genius. Declaring your relaxed independence from the temptation to be a know-it-all will bless you with expansive new perspectives and freedom to move.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Creativity expert Roger von Oech tells us, “Everyone has a ‘risk muscle.’

You keep it in shape by trying new things. If you don’t, it atrophies. Make a point of using it at least once a day.” Here’s what I’ll add to his advice. If your risk muscle is flabby right now, the coming weeks will be an excellent time to whip it into better shape. Start with small, modest risks, and gradually work your way up to bigger and braver ones. And what should you do if your risk muscle is already well-toned? Dream and scheme about embarking on a major, long-term venture that is the robust embodiment of a smart gamble.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Many people engage in laughably feeble attempts to appear witty by being cynical—as if by exuding sardonic irony and sneering pessimism they could prove their mettle as brilliant observers of modern culture. An example is this lame wisecrack from humorist David Sedaris: “If you’re looking for sympathy you’ll find it between s--- and syphilis in the dictionary.” I bring this to your attention in the hope of coaxing you to avoid indulging in gratuitous pessimism during the coming weeks.

For the sake of your good health, it’s important for you to be as open-minded and generous-spirited as possible. And besides that, pessimism will be unwarranted.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): “You can shop online and find whatever you’re looking for,” writes pundit Paul Krugman, “but bookstores are where you find what you weren’t looking for.” That’s a good principle to apply in every area of your life.

It’s always smart to know exactly what you need and want, but sometimes—like now—it’s important that you put yourself in position to encounter what you need and want but don’t realize that you need and want.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): *Bachianas Brasileiras* is a nine-part piece of music that blends Brazilian folk music with the compositional style of Johann Sebastian Bach. The poet Anne Sexton relied on it, letting it re-play ceaselessly during her long writing sessions. My painter friend Robin sometimes follows a similar method with Leonard Cohen’s album *Ten New Songs*, allowing it to cycle for hours as she works on her latest masterpiece. In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to select a new theme song or collection of theme songs to inspire your intense efforts in behalf of your labors of love in the coming weeks. It’s a favorable time to explore the generative power of joyous, lyrical obsession.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “I’ve spent my life butting my head against other people’s lack of imagination,” mourned Virgo musician Nick Cave, who’s renowned for his original approach to his craft. I’m bringing this to your attention because I suspect you will be endowed with an extra fertile imagination in the coming weeks. And I would hate for you to waste time and energy trying to make full use of it in the presence of influences that would resist and discourage you. Therefore, I’ll cheer you on as you seek out people and situations that enhance your freedom to express your imagination in its expansive glory.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A scholar counted up how often the Bible delivers the command “Fear not!” and “Don’t be afraid!” and similar advice. The number was 145. I don’t think that approach to regulating behavior works very well.

To be constantly thinking about what you’re not

6 | December 12, 2019 – January 16, 2020

supposed to do and say and think about tends to strengthen and reinforce what you’re not supposed to do and say and think about. I prefer author Elizabeth Gilbert’s strategy. She writes, “I don’t try to kill off my fear. I make all that space for it. Heaps of space. I allow my fear to live and breathe and stretch out its legs comfortably. It seems to me the less I fight my fear, the less it fights back.” That’s the method I recommend for you, Libra—especially in the coming weeks.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Isaac Newton (1642–1726) was one of history’s most influential scientists and a key contributor to physics, astronomy, mathematics, and optics. His mastery of the nuances of human relationships was less developed, however. He had one close friendship with a Swiss mathematician, though he broke it off abruptly after four years. And his biographers agree that he never had sex with another person.

What I find most curious, however, is the fact that he refused to even meet the brilliant French philosopher Voltaire, who reached out to him and asked to get together. I trust you won’t do anything like that in the coming weeks, Scorpio.

In fact, I urge you to be extra receptive to making new acquaintances, accepting invitations, and expanding your circle of influence.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): How did humans figure out that a luxurious fabric could be made from the cocoons of insect larvae? Ancient Chinese sage Confucius told the following story. One day in 2460 B.C., 14-year-old Chinese princess Xi Ling Shi was sitting under a mulberry tree sipping tea.

A silk worm’s cocoon fell off a branch and landed in her drink. She was curious, not bothered. She unrolled the delicate structure and got the idea of using the threads to weave a fabric. The rest is history. I foresee a silk-worm’s-cocoon-fallingin-your-cup-of-tea type of event in your future, Sagittarius. Be alert for it.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “It is the soul’s duty to be loyal to its own desires,” wrote Capricorn author Rebecca West. “It must abandon itself to its master passion.” That’s a high standard to live up to! But then you Capricorns have substantial potential to do just that: become the champions of devoting practical commitment to righteous causes. With that in mind, I’ll ask you: How are you doing in your work to embody the ideal that Rebecca West articulated? Is your soul loyal to its deepest desires? Has it abandoned itself to its master passion? Take inventory—and make any corrections, if necessary.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I would never try to talk you into downplaying or denying your suffering. I would never try to convince you that the pain you have experienced is mild or tolerable or eminently manageable. Who among us has the wisdom to judge the severity or intractability of anyone else’s afflictions? Not I. But in the coming months, I will ask you to consider the possibility that you have the power—perhaps more than you realize—to diminish your primal aches and angst.

I will encourage you to dream of healing yourself in ways that you have previously imagined to be impossible.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “You owe it to us all to get on with what you’re good at,” wrote Piscean poet W. H. Auden. In other words, you have a responsibility to develop your potential and figure out how to offer your best gifts. It’s not just a selfish act for you to fulfill your promise; it’s a generous act of service to your fellow humans. So how are you doing with that assignment, Pisces?

According to my analysis, you should be right in the middle of raising your efforts to a higher octave; you should be discovering the key to activating the next phase of your success—which also happens to be the next phase of your ability to bestow blessings on others.

Homework: Resolved: The answer to a pressing question will come within 72 hours after you do a ritual in which you ask for clarity. FreeWillAstrology.com.

VOTE!

THE 2019 BEST OF THE BUNCH GRAPEVINE AWARDS

I

t’s that time again! Take a moment to consider the destinations, businesses, and organizations that made your 2019 amazing. Let us know who/what deserves to be showered with love, attention, and the glory of being: The Best of the Bunch 2019!

INSTRUCTIONS: Write your favourite place, business, organization, or experience in the text box provided. You do not need to fill every text box in order to submit the survey!

B

SEND YOUR COMPLETED SURVEY TO:

GV Publishing Inc. | PO Box 2262 | Wolfville, NS B4P 1A0 Deadline: December 31, 2019

OR TAKE OUR SURVEY ONLINE: surveymonkey.com/r/BestoftheBunch2019

FOOD & DRINK

FRIENDLIEST BUSINESS/SERVICE

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9

PA RT O A E F

May 18

June 1

For this issue date and theme: January 16: Best of the Bunch Feb. 6: Ice Wine Festival & Valentine’s Day March 5: Local Libations March 19: Health & Wellness April 2: Springtime April 16: Earth Day & Gardening April 30: 2020 Festival Guide May 14: Apple Blossom Festival May 28: Wine Issue June 11: Get Outside

June 15

June 25: Performing Arts

June 30

July 9: Farmlife

July 13

July 23: Daytripper

July 27

August 6: Read Local

August 10

August 20: Art

August 24

September 3: Back to School

September 7 September 21

September 17: Deep Roots October 1: Thanksgiving

October 5

October 15: Food

October 19

October 29: Home

November 2

November 12: Local Artisans & Buy Local

November 16

November 26: Holiday Gift Guide

November 30

December 10: Season of Giving

December 12, 2019 – January 16, 2020 | 7

MOTHER GOOSE MUDDLE IS FEZZIWIG’S ANNIVERSARY SHOW Submitted

This December will mark the 25th anniversary of the Fezziwig Family Christmas Frolic. To celebrate, the cast is reprising its very first original pantomime, Mother Goose Muddle.

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“We keep doing it because it’s really fun to stage these shows and so many people get enjoyment out of it each year,” says director Wendy Elliott.

“It brings a whole community Cast of the original Mother Goose Muddle in 2002 together to laugh and sing -- that’s always the best part.” This year’s as audience members are encouraged to ‘boo’ script is the first to be repeated. It features the bad guy and cheer for the hero. Comedy is the familiar Victorian Fezziwig family hosting always a big factor in a ‘panto.’ The Fezziwig their annual holiday party, much as Dickens creative team knows that while children in the imagined. audience will enjoy the elaborate costumes and audience sing-along, adults also get the Mother Goose Muddle was originally written sly double entendres cleverly woven into the in 2002 by well-known Nova Scotia theatre script. Often in panto some of the show’s pridirector and writer Ed Thomason. Gus Webb mary comedians perform over-the-top in drag recently reworked the plot and added contemto ramp up the humour. Did we mention Mike porary references and musical stylings. Many Butler is in the show? of the community’s favourite actors are back in the cast, including: Wil Lang and Emily Lutz And all of this will be trotted out in hilarious as Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig, Jamie Loughead as fashion as Fezziwig’s Family Christmas Frolic Ebenezer Scrooge, and Alan Slipp as Mother presents Mother Goose Muddle.

Goose. Much-loved alumni Ray Baltzer and Sherry Bishop are taking part again this year.

There will be three performances, December Mayor Jeff Cantwell is reprising his role as 20 - 21 at the Festival Theatre, and this year Father Christmas, and this year he will be joined the Acadia Box Office is handling ticket sales.

by Mother Christmas played by Mike Butler.

Showtime is 7pm, and the Saturday matinee The talented Graham Howes is back playing key- will take place at 2pm. Ticket prices (with board accompaniment in many musical styles. tax) are: adult: $17.25, student/child: $11.50, and family (2 adults & 2 children): $46. The Pantomime is a seasonally popular form of Acadia Box Office can be reached by phoning theatre with roots that date back as far as 902-542-5500. ancient Greece. The story is usually based on nursery rhymes and fairy tales, but with a fun twist. Audience participation is expected

❧

When you purchase meat from TapRoot Farms you are supporting production that values: OPEN FOR DINNER Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, 5 to 9pm Also open Dec. 30 & 31 BRUNCH Saturdays & SundayS, 11am–2PM

Cheese Nights!

December 19 & 27

• climate-smart low carbon production practices • animals raised on pasture for their health and well-being and for the soils health and regeneration • non GMO and non medicated feed fed to animals • locally raised, slaughtered and processed production system

WE HAVE LARGE TURKEYS FOR THE HOLIDAYS! available in the freezer at

For reservations, private events, and Christmas parties, contact Beatrice at 902-542-7177 or by email: lecaveau@grandprewines.ns.ca

NOGGINS CORNER Farm Market

Support TapRoot Farms!

Support the UN Sustainable Development Goals!

8 | December 12, 2019 – January 16, 2020

Falling (1987) by David Gillespie

ART ACTUALLY

From left to rigth: Shauna Manning, Nicole Tibbetts, Ginger MacPhee, Wendy Richardson, Florence Denney, Heather Clark, Sharon Cochrane, Bernadette Fraser, and Brenda Wood

Anna Horsnell

Artists are different creatures. They communicate in a language that goes beyond words.

They see possibilities and potential where others might not. Whether their chosen medium is photography, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, video, or any other visual art, artists attempt to shine a light and draw attention. They point to the beautiful and the sublime, the unjust and the controversial. They hold up a mirror, and capture the moment. They inspire and they confound.

Most of all, artists mark a universal wall to say humanity was here. In this time and in this place, we lived.

Behind the scenes, the artist stands by their potter’s wheel, behind the easel or lens, or in a field, and they imagine. For most this instinct is what comes naturally, the moment when they are happiest and in their element making something new that did not exist before. The process may take hours or days, weeks or even years --years of learning and honing an artistic skill, trying and failing and trying again, always open to challenges, and asking, ”What if?” There often is an impulse to be unique, to find the answer no one found before, always reaching for the ideal just out of grasp. Creation is not easy. It is hard work. It is also joy and satisfaction and even relief. Most of all art is meant to be shared.

This is visual art. Its purpose is to be seen. In the gallery or open studio, store or museum, this is the moment when the artist steps back, the moment when the art enters a new relationship, this time with the viewer. In that pause, a connection is possible. Does the viewer see what the artist saw? Feel what the artist felt? Is the understanding shared or interpreted in another way? This is the moment of giving and receiving this visual language. The artist has spoken and hopes someone hears, understands, and responds.

The pause turns into a smile perhaps, or a nod of appreciation. The viewer may be attracted to the beauty; the colour, shape, or movement.

Perhaps the piece of art expresses something the viewer has felt before but could never put into words. Perhaps the film takes us on an adventure. The editorial cartoon explains another point of view. The sculpture provides another perspective. The stained-glass window touches something deep inside. Maybe there is understanding, imagination, options, or solutions to be gained from just looking closely.

Art can be all those things and more.

Laura Robinson, Dean of Arts at Acadia University, kindly shared her thoughts on what art gives us: “Before his death very recently, Sherman Bleakney, professor emeritus, donated, among other items, several pieces of original art to Acadia, a few pieces of which will go into the gallery’s permanent collection.

His generous donation gave me pause to consider something intangible that we gain from art beyond the artwork itself: art is also a powerful communication from one generation to the next because it is, most often, lasting rather than ephemeral. A piece of art connects us back to the artist, to the original collector, and to a moment in time in which the art was produced, even while the art still produces meaning in the present, in the eyes of its new beholders.”

In this season of giving, art holds its own.

There is a sincerity of giving from the heart of the artist and from the very essence of the art itself. Perhaps this holiday season, you’ll receive that painting you had your eye on. Maybe you’ll give your Mom that special ceramic vase she saw at her favourite shop.

Maybe you’ll take the kids to see that latest Star Wars movie. Enjoy all the art around you.

And thank an artist.

CHRYSALIS HOUSE THANKS MRS. CLAUS Ginger McPhee

For The Grapevine’s Season of Giving issue, we’d like to tell you about an amazing woman in our community who is most certainly deserving of some recognition for her great work. At Chrysalis House, Wendy Richardson is also known as Mrs. Claus. She lives in Greenwood, and she has been hosting a Christmas breakfast pajama party for the Chrysalis House Association every year for the past nine years. On December 7, she hosted her tenth fundraiser. Every year, she contacts the Chrysalis House Association to collect a wish list from the shelter, and she sends it out to all of her family and friends.

She invites them to her party and asks them to bring gifts for us, not her. Our staff and board are invited to attend and they always have so many items to send back to the shelter, we have to bring a few larger vehicles. This year, incredibly, she also raised the money for the purchase of an automated external defibrillator (AED) for the shelter.

Each year, we gather in her home with her friends and family and share a meal. The house is decorated beautifully for Christmas, but

most importantly the spirit of the season is alive in Wendy’s heart and home. Staff and board members talk about Chrysalis House and everyone shares stories, tears, and laughter. She not only collects much-needed items for the shelter, but also raises awareness in the community and leaves everyone feeling so great about the contribution they are making.

Her generosity has inspired other women visiting the area to take the idea home to their own communities, so she is spreading this generosity far beyond our province as well. Wendy has a beautiful giving and positive spirit that makes us all so grateful to know her.

Thank you Wendy, for your many years of generosity and for showing all of us the true spirit of the season!

❧ To learn more about Chrysalis House or to make a donation, please visit chrysalishouseassociation.org

SNAPSHOT

Night in Bethlehem at New Minas Baptist Church Friday, November 29

❧

VALLEY COMMUNITY LEARNING ASSOCIATION RELEASES 2020 CALENDAR Sophie Bérubé

The Valley Community Learning Association (VCLA) is a not-for-profit charitable group that works to raise the literacy levels of adults in Kings and Annapolis Counties. Since 2011, we have offered a creative writing class to our adult learners who are drawn to the literary arts. VCLA believes that adults learners, like children, also benefit from engaging in artistic creation. What began as a writing group has expanded into visual arts, song writing and music production programs. Since 2018, we have produced a calendar with photos of the Valley featuring poetry from our creative writing group. Proceeds from these calendars support adult learning in the Valley.

Calendars are available from these supportive local businesses: Grand Pré: Just Us Café.

Wolfville: Just Us Café; Eos Natural Foods; Tan Café; Stirling’s Farm Market.

Greenwich: Noggins Corner Farm Market; Edible Art Café.

2020

As the pages turn, be grateful One day is to be savoured and enjoyed Once you were young and carefree Taking your life perhaps for granted The journey is shorter than realized - Donald Dunn

A year of poetry from VCLA’s Writing Program

Kentville: VCLA Office; Tan Café; Kentville Town Office; Valley Signature Smile; Headliners Studio.

Coldbrook: Tan Café.

Berwick: Valley Naturopathic Clinic.

Kingston: Marie et Guy French Bakery.

❧ Visit vcla.ca for more information December 12, 2019 – January 16, 2020 | 9

Tom Regan Memorial Concert Acadia School of Music students, faculty, alumni and friends

WHO’S WHO

THE GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE Mike Butler

When the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future walked into my apartment to be interviewed, it got really TENSE! These fascinating apparitions have been making appearances on stage, television, and film, a well as in literature, for over a hundred years and it’s been very difficult to get them all in the same room, but I finally did it. Let’s get into the holiday spirit of things, and learn more about three of the most famous ghosts in history!

Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 7:30 pm Festival Theatre, Wolfville

Acadia Performing Arts Series (902) 542-5500 or 1-800-542-8425 • pas.acadiau.ca With the participation of the Government of Canada Avec la participation du gouvernement du Canada

OURNAL

A

Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in 1843, and the story of miserable and greedy Ebenezer Scrooge, who hates Christmas, is familiar to everyone. In the story, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his old business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns Scrooge about changing his ways before he meets a terrible fate.

Scrooge is then visited by our three ghosts, each representing a different stage in Scrooge’s life.

Fezziwig show a few years back and we chatted about how this ghost sets the mood for Scrooge’s early days leading to his shift in personality.

When asked about their role, the Ghost of Christmas Present says, “I love my role in the story as more people connect with me than the others. This emphasis on focusing on the present, living in the moment, and being aware of what’s happening right now is so important. Make this time of year about friends and family and helping others instead of selfish ways. It’s an easy philosophy!” And I couldn’t agree more.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, or the Ghost of the Future, is the last ghost to visit Scrooge, and doesn’t speak. This ghost offered no comment or advice for my future, except to stay the same and all will be well. I’ll take it!

Let’s start with, appropriately, the Ghost of Christmas Past. I don’t enjoy reflecting on the past, but it’s nice to revisit the time that lead to these moments of the present, reflecting on what we’ve accomplished and maybe, just maybe, how we could have done something different.

This Christmas, with family or friends, why not partake in one of the many versions of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. You can choose from Patrick Stewart, Alistair Sim, Reginald Owen, Albert Finney, Mickey Mouse, The Muppets, and even Jim Carrey, as they offer the true value and meaning of this season.

What is really special about this ghost is that Dickens does not use gender pronouns to describe the Ghost of Christmas Past. He refers to the ghost as “it.” This spirit, when interviewed, was quite congenial and loved representing what has past. To this ghost, “reflection is such an interesting part of our lives because we can learn and develop and see our mistakes and strengths.”

You can see NEW depictions of these three celebrated spirits in the new Mother Goose Muddle, Fezziwig’s 2019 production coming to Wolfville December 20-21 at the Festival Theatre. Don’t miss it! Remember how much fun the PAST Fezziwig shows were? Grab some tickets ASAP (what a nice PRESENT), and then when the show happens in the FUTURE, you’ll thank me! In the SPIRIT of this Who’s Who, Happy Holidays everyone!!

I was fortunate to play the role of the Ghost of Christmas Past (see photo) in a Scrooge

❧

GIVE TO THE FUNDY DENTAL COMMUNITY PROJECT Submitted

Are you looking for a unique and life-impacting gift to give this holiday season? What about giving someone you don’t know the gift of a smile, with all of its additional benefits!

able to chew. Everyone was friendly, kind, and helpful about any questions I might have. A big THANK YOU to all who helped me with my ‘big project’!” FD (age 88).

Treatment through the Fundy Dental Community Project (FDCP) has life-impacting results for their clients. This type of opportunity can be an invaluable turning point and catalyst towards a future built on stronger mental, emotional, and physical well-being; overcoming obstacles that they previously felt were insurmountable, and opening doors to more opportunities.

Donations and corporate sponsorships are the lifeline of the work done at the FDCP, and each and every dollar makes a difference in someone’s life! Would you please consider giving towards someone’s smile this season?

One recent FDCP patient says, “this program has been a great thing for me. Even at my age, it is wonderful to be able to get my teeth back, no longer have a gap there, and to be

10 | December 12, 2019 – January 16, 2020

For more information on how to donate, please visit: fundycommunity.com/donate/ Thank you to our supporters and sponsors for enabling the continued invaluable work of the Fundy Dental Community Project!

❧

CHRISTMAS SERVICES 2019 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 A Blue Christmas Service – Canard Community Church, 1315 Highway 341 (Upper Canard), 7pm. This is a special service for those who find Christmas difficult or sad, a service to help them know it is okay to feel that way and to join with others in the same situation.

C.A.K.E. Kids for Christ musical – Kentville United Baptist Church, 503 Main Street, Kentville, 11am. A Christmas children’s musical entitled Christmas Acts of Kindness Experiment.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 Quiet Christmas – Holy Trinity Anglican, 45 Main St, Middleton, 2pm. A service for those who find Christmas hard.

Longest Night Service – Port Williams United Baptist Church, 1031 Main Street, Port Williams, NS, 7pm. While Christmas is a time of joy, it is also a time of grief for many. This service invites us to share all of our story in our remembrances.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22 Longest Night of the Year Service – Orchard Valley United Church,130 Cornwallis Ave, New Minas, 7pm. Whether this is your first Christmas without a loved one or you have been suffering a loss for as long as you remember, we gather to be reminded that it’s okay to mourn, even at Christmas.

Children’s Nativity Service – New Hope Wesleyan Church, 7054 Highway 12, Kentville, 3pm. Children will hear a dramatic retelling of the Christmas story, and will have an opportunity to create their own nativity scene Christmas Candle Light Service – Hope Centre Family Centre, 9593 Commercial Street, New Minas, 6pm. We are celebrating the birth of Jesus early.

Advent Worship and Children’s Pageant – Port Williams United Baptist Church, 1031 Main Street, Port Williams, 10am. Our service will include our children leading us in the pageant, “Sharing the News”, a re-telling of the Christmas story.

Carols Around the Creche – St. John’s Anglican Church, 164 Main Street, Wolfville, 6:30pm. A family service with lots of singing as we hear the Christmas story and prepare the creche.

A Candlelit Christmas – St. John’s Anglican Church, 164 Main Street, Wolfville, 9pm. A traditional service with holy communion, readings, prayer, carols and the lighting of candles.

A Christmas Eve Service – Canard Community Church, 1315 Highway 341, Upper Canard, 4pm. A time for families to gather for a special service of music and readings.

Christmas Eve Service – Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 118 Main St, Wolfville, 7pm.

Christmas Eve Service – Catholic Church of St. John the Evangelist, 339 King St, Windsor, 4pm and 9pm.

Christmas Eve Service – St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 48 Belcher Street, Kentville, 7pm and 10pm.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Family Service – Kentville United Baptist Church, 503 Main Street, Kentville, 6:30pm. Annual service of carols, readings, special music by the choirs Christmas Eve Candle Light Service – Wolfville Ridge Baptist Church, corner of Ridge Road and Greenfield Road, 7pm. A Celebration of the birth of Christ.

Family Christmas Eve Service – Kings Presbyterian Church, 5563 Prospect Road, New Minas, 6:30pm. A service of scripture and carols.

Family-Friendly Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – Wolfville Baptist Church, 487 Main Street, Wolfville, 4pm.

Traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – Wolfville Baptist Church, 487 Main Street, Wolfville, 7:30pm.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service – Port Williams United Baptist Church, 1031 Main Street, Port Williams, 7pm. Join us as we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child.

Service of Lessons and Carols, Hanging of the Greens – Holy Trinity Anglican, 45 Main St, Middleton, 11am.

Christmas Eve Candle Light Service – Waterville Baptist Church, 1243 Mill Street, Waterville, 6:30pm.

Christmas Eve Service – Covenanter Church, 1989 Grand Pré Rd, Grand Pré, 11pm. A Christmas Eve worship service; a calming, peaceful time of music and reflection in a 200-year-old church building.

Christmas Eve Services – New Hope Wesleyan Church, 7054 Highway 12, Kentville, 4pm and 6pm. Our Candlelight Services are 60 minutes and consist of upbeat carols, candle-lighting, special moments, laughs, and an encouraging message about Jesus, the light and hope of the world, and that changes everything!

you will enjoy seeing how your donation enriches the lives of everyone in the Kingston communities.

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Consider making a gift to the Kingston Library. Our Library is undergoing an exciting expansion! Currently situated behind the Kingston Village Office on Main Street, it will soon occupy the entire space of the current Village Office as well as its present space, more than doubling its capacity to serve the community better. The Annapolis Valley Regional Library staff has been meeting with the Kingston Village Commission to craft a plan for an expanded space to facilitate more offerings, and you can be part of this epic project!

Please explore the Annapolis Valley Regional Library at valleylibrary.ca. Click the Support the Library and Donate links to easily make your gift online by choosing CanadaHelps and selecting Kingston Library. Or you may wish to print the form to donate by mail to the Annapolis Valley Regional Library, PO Box 510 Berwick NS B0P 1E0. Please indicate your gift is for the Kingston Library.

Thank you for your support of this community project. We hope that you will take advantage of everything the new expanded Kingston Library will have to offer, and that

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service – All Saints Anglican, 521 Pleasant St, Kingston, 8pm.

Service of Lessons and Carols, Hanging of the Greens – All Saints Anglican, 521 Pleasant St, Kingston, 9:30am. Singing carols and decorating the church.

Traditional Christmas Eve Service – Orchard Valley United Church,130 Cornwallis Ave, New Minas, 6pm.

Are you looking for a new option for Christmas giving? A worthy project where you can be assured that a large portion of your donation isn’t being used for “administrative” expenses? Are you looking for a project that will benefit a large swath of society: the privileged as well as the disenfranchised, the elderly as well as children? Something that will provide you with a tax receipt for the full amount of your gift? Perhaps your group, class, or workplace wants to impact the local community with a meaningful project at holiday time or in the new year.

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service – Holy Trinity Anglican, 45 Main St, Middleton, 4pm.

Family Christmas Eve Service – Port Williams United Baptist Church, 1031 Main Street, Port Williams, 4pm. Join us for a family-friendly service as we hear the stories of Christmas.

CHRISTMAS EVE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 Family Christmas Eve Service – Orchard Valley United Church,130 Cornwallis Ave, New Minas, 4pm. A Christmas Eve worship service geared towards families.

Muriel West

Family Service – All Saints Anglican, 521 Pleasant St, Kingston, 4pm.

Lessons and Carols – Kentville United Baptist Church, 503 Main Street, Kentville, 11am. A musical presentation by the Sanctuary Choir and friends.

Service of the Word and Christmas Pageant – St. John’s Anglican Church, 164 Main Street, Wolfville, 10am. Lots of music and carols as the Christmas story is told by our Sunday School.

DONATE TO THE KINGSTON LIBRARY EXPANSION

CHRISTMAS DAY WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 25 Christmas Service – St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 48 Belcher Street, Kentville, 11:15am.

Christmas Day Book of Common Prayer Communion – Holy Trinity Anglican, 45 Main St, Middleton, 10am.

A Quiet Christmas – St. John’s Anglican Church, 164 Main Street, Wolfville, 10am. A traditional service with holy communion, readings and carols (low sensory).

SATURDAY DECEMBER 29 Celtic Eucharist to Welcome 2020 – St. John’s Anglican Church, 164 Main Street, Wolfville, 10am. A contemporary service with holy communion, readings, prayer and a mix of Christmas carols and Celtic music as we welcome a new decade.

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December 12, 2019 – January 16, 2020 | 11

THEY BUILT A DOME: THE DOME CHRONICLES BOOK LAUNCHES DECEMBER 14 Emily Leeson (with Zoe D’Amato)

all the animals and cargo they could stuff into one boxcar along with one vehicle and one person (making Andrea technically a stowaway). After 5 days, they disembarked at last in Kingston, Nova Scotia and made their way up the mountain to Harmony, where they did indeed settle.

“Can you hear that?!” My mother was yelling into her phone.

“Hear what?” I whispered back, lowering the volume on my receiver. I was in class, but I have a policy of always picking up when family calls…well, when my parents call, that is. They have a habit of getting into some sticky situations — like when Dad got stuck down the well, or when they crashed the wagon into the woodpile (everybody including the horses ended up upside down, but ultimately fine).

Their consequent adventures and misadventures in homesteading make up the charming, hilarious, and even educational Dome Chronicles. It’s the story of my father’s unique brand of ‘creative engineering,’ as they spent their days constructing the singular home — and every other homesteading invention that came to mind. It’s the story of my mother’s endless patience and pioneering spirit — her unique ability to go along with my father’s plans whilst carving out her own. It’s a story that will resonate with anyone who has ever followed their wildest dreams, past the point of reason.

“I can’t hear you!” My mother shrieked. She barrelled on regardless. “Listen to your father!”

So I listened. I recognized the distant but distinct sound of my father’s voice, rising melodious above the cacophony of a familiar scene. They were at a farm auction — and a good one by the sounds of it. Likely unintelligible to others, I could identify the excited chatter of the crowd, the ringers’ hyper cries of ‘HYup!’ and above it all, my father’s rolling auctioneer’s chant pushing the bids along.

It also seems to me, now that all these snippets and snapshots of my parent’s early adventures have been packaged and presented as one cohesive whole, that The Dome Chronicles is also a bit of a love story.

My mother brought the phone back to her mouth. I could hear the crackle of sentiment in her voice, “Did you hear him? Could you hear him?”

The blurb on the back cover of the soon-to-be-out-in-the-world book sums up my parent’s path tidily: “Over the next forty years, through flood and fire, triumph and catastrophe, they persevered.”

“A little bit,” I whispered.

And then some.

“Oh that’s too bad — I can’t get any closer,” she said. “It’s just so beautiful.”

My mother standing in the middle of a muddy barn somewhere, watching my father sell off a few dozen chickens, a goat or bunny, likely a couple of chainsaws and some other tools — it’s not something every wife would consider a beautiful thing, but Garry and Andrea Leeson aren’t your average folks. I came to that realization pretty early on.

They’ve lived a life off the beaten path. The Dome Chronicles — my father’s memoir of their adventures on the South Mountain in the 1970s, building up a small farm centred around the pièce de résistance, a geodesic dome, is being published by Nevermore Press this December. Where he finds the time in between

Nearly fifty years later, the farm is still hopping with a healthy menagerie of animals and friends, a new stone house sits atop a firm foundation, and my parents are still as embarrassingly entranced by each other as ever.

❧ exploits to write remains a mystery. I’m just grateful it’s a relatively safe activity.

Their epic Nova Scotia journey began in Toronto, where they packed up a boxcar, taking advantage of an ancient glitch in the system that allowed settlers a special cheap fare: $200 for

BOOK LAUNCH

The Dome Chronicles

by Garry Leeson

Saturday, December 14, 2–4 pm WOLFVILLE MEMORIAL LIBRARY 21 ELM AVENUE, WOLFVILLE NS + Catch Garry at the Wolfville Farmers’ Market Wednesday, December 18, 4–7 pm

Visit nevermorepress.ca/garry-leeson for a full list of book tour dates & information.

Nevermore Press

12 | December 12, 2019 – January 16, 2020

On Saturday, December 14, at 2:00pm, Garry Leeson will be reading from The Dome Chronicles at the Wolfville Memorial Library, 21 Elm Avenue. Presented by Nevermore Press.

HOLIDAY FOOD BANK FRIDAY LIVE LOCAL MUSIC ALL DAY! FREE ADMISSION DECEMBER 20TH 11 AM TO 10 PM THE CHURCH BREWING CO. 329 MAIN ST. WOLFVILLE

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: A GROUP SHOW AT HARVEST GALLERY ON NOW UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR Home is a holiday show featuring the work of participating gallery artists. We chose the theme of Home as it is such an evocative word --one often associated with the holiday season.

And yet, Home can mean so many things: an accommodation, property, a roof over one’s head; the family or social unit occupying a home; a place where something flourishes, is most typically found, or from which it originates; a game played at the team’s own field or court; or homing: the returning by instinct of an animal to its territory after leaving it or, to move or be aimed toward a target or destination with great accuracy. Perhaps instead Home is something

less prosaic, more imaginative or inspired, something that comes to mind or something you feel when you hear the word.

FOR THE DAY A $1.00 DONATION WILL BE MADE FOR EVERY THE CHURCH BEER SOLD IN THE RESTAURANT ACCEPTING NON PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS

SARAH POUND ● RYAN ROBERTS ● PARKER EYE ● ZAK MILLER ● MAXWELLTON ● NOEL MORGAN ● CRISTIAN QUIRIVAN ● FALKOR ● JOHN B MAIN ● ETHAN LANG ● JORDAN DUNHAN ● ASHLIN WARNER ● CHLOE ANNE ● JESSE POTTER ● LIAM PATTERSON For set times please visit churchbrewing.ca/events

We did not limit size or price. Thus, there is a variety of work in a range of media - sure to please all tastes and pocketbooks.

We look forward to welcoming you Home!

❧

WAY BACK WHEN

DATE: circa 1928 MATERIALS: Paper MEASUREMENTS: 30.5 cm L x 35.5 cm W SCOPE & CONTENT: This photo is of the Grade 10 students of Wolfville High School in 1928. The students acted out a scene entitled “A Grecian Scene” as part of the school’s Christmas Competition. Some of the people include: Lloyd Shaw, Lloyd Macpherson, Rex Porter, Joyce Sears, Harold Perry, Enid Coldwell, Helen Perry, Lorna Bishop, Frances Porter, Rose Cohen, John Murphy, Phyllis Barteau, Helen Fowler, Ralph Creighton, John Eaton, Marguerite Fowler, John Roach, Mabel Burgher, Florence Jodrey, Helen Young, Betty Williams, Jennie Pulsifer, Julia Burgher, Mildred Smith, Lovett Bishop, Dean Hennigar, Homer McLeod, George Dakin.

DATE: 1905 MARKS/LABEL: Written on back: ‘1905 Port Williams Ken Hibbert under sign of Sterling Fountain Pens; Pappy Joe Bezanson, Mark Regan standing together at back.’

NARRATIVE: The men in the photo are identified as Ken Hibbert, under the sign of Sterling Fountain Pens, ‘Pappy Joe’ Bezanson, Mark Regan, standing together at the back. The fourth man is not named. The decorations are possibly for Christmas, the men are wearing winter clothes, the merchandise seems to be mostly hardware. The year is 1905, the place Port Williams.

Photos courtesy of Randall House Museum, 259 Main Street, Wolfville, NS 902-542-9775 | wolfvillehs.ednet.ns.ca

December 12, 2019 – January 16, 2020 | 13

Send your events to listings@grapevinepublishing.ca THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12 Committee of the Whole — Municipality of the County of Kings, Coldbrook 6pm • TIX: no charge INFO: 888-337-2999 Cake and Dessert Auction — Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville 10–4pm • Some of the best desserts our community has to offer! Funds raised support of our Festival of Lights campaign to purchase a digital portable x-ray unit for Valley Regional Hospital. TIX: no charge INFO: 902-678-5414 / events@vrhfoundation.ca

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 Webster Court Corner “Bright and Merry” — Kings County Museum, Kentville 12–4pm • Enjoy oxen cart rides, a working blacksmith, old fashioned homemade ice cream, carolers, cookie decorating, mulled cider, and more! TIX: no charge INFO: 902-678-6237 / info@kingscountymuseum.ca Live Nativity — United Church, 613 King St., Windsor 6–7:30pm. Also, Dec 14 • Walk through the greatest story ever told. Enter the parking lot off Wentworth Road. Live Animals, free hot chocolate and cookies.

Choir of angels. Proceeds for the Windsor West Hants School breakfast program. TIX: free will offering INFO: windsorunited@ns.sympatico.ca The Glenn Patscha Trio — Dawn Oman Art Gallery, Bridgetown, NS 7–8:30pm • Presented by Musique Royale. The Glenn Pascha Trio will play Louisiana Cajun music as well as some festive holiday tunes.

Glenn Patscha (keyboard, vocals) of Mahone Bay will be joined by Nicholas d’Amato on bass and Tom Roach on drums. TIX: $25 at the door, $20 advance.

Tickets at the gallery, by phone, or online. INFO: 902-665-4520 / musiqueroyale.com ELF – Interactive Movie Night — Macdonald Museum, Middleton 7–9pm • Take some time out of your Christmas shopping and join us for a crazy fun interactive movie night. TIX: $5 online, or take your chance at the door. INFO: 902-825-4841 / recoffice@town.middleton.ns.ca Dance: Island Boys — Royal Canadian Legion, Windsor 7–11pm • 19+ TIX: $5 INFO: 902-798-0888 / windsorlegion@bellaliant.ca The Black Line — Royal Canadian Legion, Berwick 7:30pm • A rockin night of live music with The Black Line for Pass the Hat! TIX: donation INFO: 902-538-9340 / waysnmeansberwick@yahoo.com Christmas Dance: Great Big Johnson — Royal Canadian Legion, Kentville 9pm–12am • Annual Christmas Dance. Open to Members and their Guests. Cash Bar. 19 and over. INFO: 902-678-8935

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 Community Breakfast — Masonic Hall, Berwick 7:30–10:30am. Also Jan. 11 • A hearty and enjoyable breakfast served by the Freemasons of Valley Lodge No. 90. TIX: $8 Adults, $3 Children INFO: 902-538-8351 Breakfast — Community Hall, Brickton 8–11am • Join us for breakfast. Everyone is welcome.

Proceeds for the hall. TIX: free will offering INFO: bce_foster@hotmail.com Breakfast — Lions Club, Kentville 8–10am • Lions breakfast. TIX: $7 adult, $4 child INFO: 902-679-2367 / vintagemusic1@hotmail.com Community Market — Royal Canadian Legion, Berwick 9am–1pm • Support your local producers and artisans. Complimentary coffee, tea, hot chocolate and cider. Free ballots at the door for Two Christmas Baskets full of goodies. One basket goes to the winner, the other donated to The Berwick Food Bank in the winner’s name. Drawing at noon.

Kids can make an “Ugly Sweater Garland” with Trina.

Wear your Ugly Christmas Sweater and get an extra ballot for our Christmas Baskets. Mrs. Clause will be here frosting “Ugly Sweater Cookies”. Vote for the “Ugliest Vendor Sweater.” TIX: no charge INFO: 902-538-5815 / chris48goddard@icloud.com

14 | December 12, 2019 – January 16, 2020

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Brought to you by

- ----------- DECEMBER 12, 2019 – JANUARY 16, 2020 ------------

Christmas Coffee Party — St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Main Street, Hantsport, 9:30–11am • Bake, Craft and White Elephant Tables, Books, Puzzles. Men Welcome. TIX: $5 admission INFO: 902-684-9255 Curated Vinyl — RETROuve, 134 Gerrish St., Windsor 10am–5pm • A vinyl experience and shopping party. Pop up record sale! INFO: 902-300-5070 / curatedvinylrecords@gmail.com Christmas Art Show and Sale — ArtCan Gallery and Café, 9850 Main St., Canning 1–4pm • Everyone welcome! INFO: artcan.com Cookie Monsters! Children’s baking class — Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, Canning 1–4:30pm • Through a fun mixture of hands-on cooking, fresh recipes, and stories, we teach the classic Ross Creek Gingerbread cookies along with some other favourites, just in time for the holidays! TIX: $50 åINFO: 902-582-3842 / chef@artscentre.ca Tea and Ticket Auction — Community Centre, Woodville 2–4pm • Doors will open at 1pm for ticket purchase. Tea/coffee, sandwiches & Desserts. Proceeds for Relay for Life, Pastor Tim’s Team. TIX: donation INFO: 902-670-7566 / elva.kelley@ns.sympatico.ca Homecoming Christmas Concert — Christian Reform Church, Kentville 7pm • Ryan Roberts, Kevin Davison, Machaela Taylor Spinney & Rick Spinney.

If you can, please bring a food or clothing item for Open Arms. TIX: Tickets are $15 per person (cash only) @ Long and McQuade (New Minas) or by phone. INFO: Rick, 902-385-2656 Lennie Gallant: The Innkeeper’s Christmas Concert — Mermaid Imperial Performing Arts Centre, Windsor 7:30pm • One of Canada’s best performing songwriters. TIX: $48 @ Home Hardware, Windsor INFO: puppets@mermaidtheatre.ca / lenniegallant.com Chimney Swifts Album Release — Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville 8–11pm • The Chimney Swifts release their debut album “Astronomy.” This labour of love, is an album that showcases the roots of the band and their unique sound, crafted through the love of local music and the support of a community that embraces originality. TIX: $15 adult, $10 students online – thechimneyswifts.com INFO: 902-690-5968 / jpotter.rg@gmail.com Adult Dance: Route 12 — Royal Canadian Legion, Kentville 9pm–12am • Age 19 and over. Bar and Kitchen, 50/50 and Door Prizes. Members and Non Members Welcome. TIX: $8 INFO: 902-678-8935 Craft/Vendor Fair and Ticket Auction — Fire Hall, Greenwich 10–3pm • All proceeds go to Cali’s K9 Rescue Society: facebook.com/calisk9rescue/ TIX: $1 INFO: 902-690-7367 / mlbelliveau@eastlink.ca

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 Breakfast With Santa — Forties Community Centre, New Ross 8–11am • Eggs, bacon, pancakes, hash browns, toast, juice, tea/coffee. Santa will be here to meet with the children! TIX: $8 adult, $4 under 12, no charge under 5 INFO: fortiescc@gmail.com Christmas Carol Sing — Gaspereau Church, Gaspereau 10am • Come join a community tradition. Eggnog and hot apple cider. Meet your neighbours! Everyone can have a chance to Ring the Bell! INFO: weatherbee@hotmail.com Christmas Cantata — Wolfville Baptist Church, Wolfville 11am–12pm • A Christmas Cantata. “Today Christ is Born” was composed and written by the award winning, local musician, Donna Rhodenizer.

Presented by the Church Choir, piano, handbells, a Celtic band and directed by Dr. Heather Price.

All welcome, no admission. TIX: Donation INFO: main.office@wolfvillebaptist.ca Bolshoi Ballet:The Nutcracker – Stage to Screen — Kings Theatre, Annapolis Royal 2–5pm • On Christmas Eve, the mysterious Drosselmeyer brings a Nutcracker doll as a gift for his goddaughter Marie. At midnight, the doll comes to life and finds himself in a battle led with the Mouse King, while Marie watches in fear. The Bolshoi’s magical Nutcracker production captivates audiences of all ages. TIX: $16 Member, $20 General, youth under 18 free! INFO: 902-532-7704 / mk@kingstheatre.ca

High Tea with a Twist — Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, Canning 2–4pm • Serving high tea Ross Creek style using locally sourced ingredients, our chef offers you a delicious twist on the traditional finger foods and pastries of a classic high tea. TIX: $30 INFO: 902-582-3842 / admin@artscentre.ca Wassail! Medieval, Folk, and Traditional Songs for Christmas — Manning Memorial Chapel, Wolfville 4pm & 8pm • The outstanding 25-voice Manning Chapel Choir directed by John Scott, joined by acclaimed, high energy Folk musicians Jude Pelley Charlie Wilson, Ellen Gibbing, and Heather Cameron. TIX: $15 advance, $20 door, Youth 12 and under free INFO: 902-585-1203 / manningchapelchoir@gmail.com Holiday Music & Reflection — Canard Community Church, Upper Canard 7–8pm • A holiday service to remember those who carry grief, pain & loss & to remember how important it is to share our time, provide comfort, love & care to those in need throughout the year. TIX: no charge INFO: 902-681-0829 / rosewood@nbnet.nb.ca 14 Wing Christmas Concert — Annapolis Mess, Greenwood 7–8:30pm • The 14 Wing Greenwood Band presents its annual Christmas Concert.

This year features Terry Kelly, the Kingston & District Elementary School Choir, and the Military Wives Choir Greenwood. TIX: no charge INFO: canadianmilitarywiveschoirs.com Love Actually — Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville 7pm • This film follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England. Bring a hanky and someone to snuggle!

TIX: $5 at the door INFO: 902-542-3344 / manager@alwhittletheatre.ca Hymn Sing — United Baptist Church, Wolfville Ridge 7–9pm • Christmas Program with the church Choir and other church members. A time for fellowship and refreshment to follow. TIX: donation INFO: 902-542-3419 Lawrencetown Male Choir — United Baptist Church, Lawrencetown 7–8pm • The Lawrencetown Male Choir, accompanied by its new director Jean Prosser, presents its annual Christmas concert of music, readings, and congregational carols. Fellowship and refreshments to follow. TIX: no charge INFO: 902-665-4520 / jmont@eastlink.ca Four Seasons Community Orchestra Christmas Concert — War Memorial Community Centre, Windsor 7–9pm • Four Seasons Community Orchestra annual Christmas concert featuring Ifan Williams, cello, and the Nova Community Chorale. TIX: $10 at the door INFO: 902-798-1730 / four.seasons.orchestra2017@gmail.com

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16 Scrooged — Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville 7pm • The Retro Holiday Film Series continues with this modern take on A Christmas Carol starring the formidable Bill Murray TIX: $5 at the door INFO: 902-542-3344 / manager@alwhittletheatre.ca

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17 Committee of the Whole — Municipality of the County of Kings, Coldbrook 9am • TIX: no charge INFO: 888-337-2999 Grandparent Group — Town Hall, Berwick 10am–12pm • If you are a grandparent who is raising or helping raise grandkids please join us for coffee/tea and discussion of the many important issues that relate to the role. TIX: no charge INFO: 902-678-5760 / family.centre@kcfrc.ca Hockey Game Food Bank Fundraiser — Centennial Arena, Kentville 6–7pm • Peewee Hockey Game in support of our Local Food Bank! TIX: Donation INFO: 902-300-2574 / acadiapeeweec2@gmail.com The Polar Express — Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville 7pm • The Retro Holiday Film Series continues with this modern Christmas classic. On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas. TIX: $5 at the door INFO: 902-542-3344 / manager@alwhittletheatre.ca

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 Free Community BodyTalk Access Drop In — 21 Webster St., Kentville 3–4:30pm • Reconnect your body & mind; respond instead of overreacting to holiday stress. First come, first served. TIX: free!

INFO: springbodytalk.ca It’s A Wonderful Life — Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville 7pm • The Retro Holiday Film Series is bringing back everyone’s favorite holiday tearjerker. In this Frank Capra classic, an angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperate businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed. TIX: $5 at the door INFO: 902-542-3344 / manager@alwhittletheatre.ca O Holy Night — Wolfville Baptist Church, Wolfville 7–8:30pm • Marcel d’Entremont, tenor, and Brenna Conrad, soprano, return to Wolfville for another wonderful evening of seasonal stories and songs. They will be accompanied by pianist Jerome De Los Santos. TIX: Suggested $15 donation at the door. INFO: 902-542-5524 / main.office@wolfvillebaptist.ca Christmas with Matt Andersen & Friends — Convocation Hall, Wolfville 8–11pm • Join Matt Andersen for holiday favourites and even some surprises. Featuring special guest appearances

by Terra Lightfoot and The Hupman Brothers. TIX: $49.50 advance, $54.50 day of show (including tax and service fee). Tickets available at the Acadia Athletics Complex box office. INFO: 800-542-8425 / info@sonicconcerts.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19

Wilmot Community Centre Jam Session — Community Centre, Wilmot 7–9:30pm • Jam Session with snack TIX: $2 INFO: 902-825-3125 Dr. Suess’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas — Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville 7pm • Ron Howard directs this live-action adaptation of the beloved children’s tale by Dr. Seuss. The reclusive green Grinch (Jim Carrey) decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. TIX: $5 at the door INFO: 902-542-3344 / manager@alwhittletheatre.ca

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20 Supper — Royal Canadian Legion, Berwick 5–7pm • Homemade shepards pie, garden salad and a roll.

TIX: $8 plate, $2 Dessert INFO: 902-538-9340 / waysnmeansberwick@yahoo.com Christmas Ceilidh Dance — Louis Millet Community Complex, New Minas 6–9pm • Get you and your family into the Christmas spirit by coming together to dance all night, hear some fiery fiddling, bid in a scrumptious cake auction and meet the special guest in the big red suit and bushy white beard!

TIX: $10 advance, $15 at door @ R.D. Chisholm/ Hamster, Kentville. INFO: info@valleyirish.com First Blood — Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville 7pm • First Blood is the first of the Rambo film series-and it takes place at Xmas. A formidable but unstable veteran Green Beret is forced by a cruel Sheriff to flee into the mountains & wage an escalating one-man war against his pursuers.

Rated R. TIX: $5 at the door INFO: 902-542-3344 / manager@alwhittletheatre.ca Karaoke with Denny Myles — Royal Canadian Legion, Berwick 7:30pm • Come on out for another awesome night of Karaoke. TIX: Donation INFO: 902-538-9340 / waysnmeansberwick@yahoo.com

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 Breakfast — Lions Club, Wolfville 7–10am • Everyone is welcome! Proceeds for the Lions Club. TIX: $8, $4 for children under 10. INFO: KimStewarthome@outlook.com Breakfast — Curling Club, Middleton 8–10:30am • Bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, pancakes, baked beans, toast, juice, coffee, tea. TIX: donation INFO: 902-825-2695 / bemorine@hotmail.com What’s Happening cont’d on page 15...

Send your events to listings@grapevinepublishing.ca Parish Breakfast — St. James Anglican Church, Kentville 8–10am • Eggs, bacon, toast, muffins, fruit salad, yogurt, baked beans, fish cakes, juice, coffee, tea. TIX: $9 per person. INFO: 902-678-3123 / stjames@ns.sympatico.ca Speed Skating Holiday Open House — Credit Union Centre, Kingston 1:30–2:30pm • Join the Annapolis Valley Speed Skating Club to try the fun and exciting sport of speed skating. Speed skates supplied. Bring your own helmet and gloves. TIX: no charge INFO: 902-824-1645 / valleyspeedskating@gmail.com

THURSDAYS

Coffee, Tea, & Conversation — Royal Canadian Legion, Wolfville 10am–12pm. ALSO TUESDAYS! Coffee/tea, snacks, and conversation. FEE: $2 INFO: wolfvillelegion@gmail.com TAOIST TAI CHI™ — Louis Millet Community Centre, New Minas 11am–2pm. INFO: Mary Anne, 902-678-4609 / kentville@taoist.org Greenwood Mall Farmers Market — Greenwood Mall, Greenwood 12–4pm. Year-round. INFO: Facebook: Greenwood Mall Farmers Market Games Afternoon — Thursdays 1–4pm, St. Andrew’s Anglican Church Hall, Hantsport. Cards, Mexican Train, Crib. Refreshments. FEE: $2 Admission INFO: weegin61@hotmail.com In the Round Knitting Group — Gaspereau Valley Fibres 1–4:30pm. Also Tuesdays 6–9pm. Bring your knitting, rug hooking, spinning, or felting. INFO: 902-542-2656 / gaspereauvalleyfibres.ca Meet the Gang — Legion, Wolfville 3–6pm.

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. INFO: 902-542-5869 Tapestry: Women’s Cancer Support Group — We meet the 2nd Thursday of each month. Please call for time/location. INFO: Dorothy, 902-538-3374 / Pat, 902-678-9100 / Margot, 902-542-1466 / margotwithat@hotmail.com TV Bingo — Royal Canadian Legion, Windsor 6pm.

ALSO Wednesdays. Play at home or in the lounge.

TIX: Books available at bar. INFO: 902-798-0888 / WindsorLegion@bellaliant.com Taekwondo — Baptist Church, North Alton 6:30pm (kids 4–14), 7:30pm (adult). Also Tuesdays.

Exercise, self-defense, respect, listening skills, focus, self-discipline, and confidence. TIX: no charge to try a class INFO: 902-670-8714 / devin@ennissecurity.ca GriefShare — New Hope Wesleyan Church, Kentville 7–9pm. Help and encouragement after the death of a loved one. TIX: no charge INFO: 902-670-9288 / gerrits.bernadine@gmail.com North Mountain Chorus — Community Hall, Long Point Rd, Centre Burlington 7–9pm. Weekly rehearsals. INFO: northmountainchorus.com NonDuality Meetup — Manning Memorial Chapel, Wolfville 7pm–9pm. Every other Thursday.

Non-denominational discussion of life and our place in the scheme of things. 19+ FEE: no charge INFO: rozspeed57@gmail.com Darts — Wolfville Legion 7pm INFO: 902-542-5869 Jam Session — Community Centre, Wilmot 7–9:30pm. Jam Session with snack FEE: $2 INFO: 902-825-3125 Music Jam — Community Hall, Cambridge Station 7–10pm. TIX: $2 INFO: 902-538-9957 / gands@xcountry.tv Windsor Legion Branch 009 General Monthly Meeting —The third Thursday of the month, 7:30pm (except July & August). Fort Edward Mall, 35 Empire Lane. New members always welcome. INFO: 902-798-0888 / windsorlegion.ca Ladies Cardio Kickboxing — Baptist Church, North Alton 8:30–9:30pm. Also Tuesdays. Adult class to improve coordination, cardiovascular improvements, self-defense, stress, and weight reduction. TIX: no charge for 1st week of classes INFO: 902-670-8714 / devin@ennissecurity.ca

FRIDAYS

Technology Drop-in Q&A — Valley Community Learning Association, 49 Cornwallis St. #106, Kentville, 9am–12pm. Informal technology Q&A period for all residents of the Annapolis Valley.

Fridays, except holidays. FEE: free INFO: vcla.ca Playful Pals Play Group — THREE LOCATIONS: Recreation Centre, Wolfville / Community Centre, Woodville / New Beginnings Center, Greenwood, 9:30–11:30am. • Sing songs, play in the gym, and more. FEE: no charge INFO: 902-678-5760 / family.centre@kcfrc.ca Kingston Area Seniors Association (KASA) Fun Days — Kingston Branch 98, Royal Canadian Legion.

1–3pm. Age 55 and older. Cards and games every second

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Brought to you by

- ----------- DECEMBER 12, 2019 – JANUARY 16, 2020 ------------

Roast Turkey Dinner — Rebekah Lodge, Berwick 4:30– 6pm • Roast Turkey Dinner with trimmings. Tea, Coffee and Dessert. TIX: $12 per person INFO: 902-538-7762 / Marjorie 902-538-8230 / julbil@eastlink.ca Valley Trekkers Volkssport Club Walk — Fire Hall, Berwick 6pm (Register 5:30pm) • Berwick Christmas Lights walk. Meet at the Berwick Fire Hall . Exit 15 off Hwy 101 (opposite Wheaton’s). This is a 5/10 km, 1B walk. Christmas social to follow. INFO: 902-538-8282

Ardyth and Jennifer Longest Night — St. James Anglican Church, Kentville 7–9pm • Join Ardyth and Jennifer on the Longest Night of the Year for a winter solstice concert. Guests Pam Mason on acoustic base, Clara Whitman on violin, as well as author and storyteller, Rev Mel Malton. TIX: $10 at the door INFO: 902-678-3123 / stjames@ns.sympatico.ca

Blue Christmas — Baptist Church, Wilmot 7pm • Struggle with feelings of sadness, loneliness, illness or loss this Christmas? Through scripture, music, meditations & prayer, we offer a quiet, sombre & intimate service where you receive the love, comfort and support you need during the Season. TIX: no charge INFO: 902-765-2386 / wilmotbaptist@gmail.com What’s Happening cont’d on page 16...

and fourth Friday of each month. INFO: 902-765-3365.

Chase The Ace & Supper — Royal Canadian Legion, Berwick 5–7pm • Downstairs; use back door. Cash bar. 19+ TIX: Tickets 3 for $5. Supper $8–$10 INFO: 902-538-5815 Chase the Ace — Royal Canadian Legion, Windsor 6–8:30pm • Cut off for ticket purchase is 8:30pm, draw at 8:45pm. TIX: $5 each, 3/$10, 7/$20 INFO: 902-798-0888 / WindsorLegion@bellaliant.com Jam/Kitchen Party — Wolfville Legion 7pm. Bring your instrument and sing or just listen and enjoy!

Until Dec 20. FEE: $2 INFO: 902-542-5869 Board Game Night — C@P Lab, Wolfville Public Library, 7pm. Bring your games! Ages 12+ FEE: no charge INFO: 902-790-4536 / turpin56@gmail.com “Greenwich Jammers” Jam Session — Greenwich Community Hall, 106 Greenwich Rd., 7–9:30pm.

Weekly until May. Light lunch served. FEE: $2 INFO: Bill/Vera Thomson, 902-542-0501 / vera.n.thomson@gmail.com Darts — Windermere Hall, 402 Windermere Rd., Berwick. Draw for partners. Prizes. Canteen. FEE: $3 INFO: Pam, 902-389-2399

SATURDAYS

Wolfville Farmers’ Market — DeWolfe Building, Elm Ave., Wolfville 8:30am–1pm. Dec 14 & 21 Theme: Yule Market. Dec. 14 Music: George Symonds. Dec. 21 Music: Graham Howes. Dec. 28 Music: Donna & Andy. INFO: wolfvillefarmersmarket.ca Pound Fitness — Acadia Fitness Room, Wolfville Athletics Complex 9–10am. W/ Birgie Hazel.

Fitness drumming full-body workout. Modifications are shown. Ripstix and mats provided. FEE: $8 drop-in fee or Acadia fitness pass pricing. INFO: facebook.com/PoundRockoutWithBirgie Berwick Community Market — Legion, 232 Main St., Berwick 9am–1pm, year round. Local producers and artisans! INFO: Chris, 902-538-5815 / chris48goddard@icloud.com Flying Squirrel Adventures — Kentville Ravine, 9:45am–12:15pm. Third Sat. of each month, year-round (Next: Dec 21). Learn about nature through games, activities, challenges, discussions, presentations, workshops and more! All ages. FEE: no charge INFO: Facebook: Flying Squirrel Adventures Drop in and Drum! — Baptist Church, Wolfville 1–2:30pm. First Saturday of the month. W/Bruno Allard. Learn to play the djembe with rhythms & songs from West Africa. Drums provided. FEE: $5–$10 (pay what you can) INFO: brunoallard7@gmail.com / facebook: Djembes and Duns Wolfville Tarot Readings — ArtCan Gallery, 9850 Main St., Canning 2–5pm. W/ Richard Di Castri. By appointment only. INFO: 902-582-7071 CHASE the ACE — Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #098, Kingston. Tickets available during bar hours & every Saturday, 1–3pm at the R.C.L. until winning JACKPOT number is drawn. Draw at 3:30pm. TIX: 4 for $5. Must be over age 19 to purchase. INFO: dartshack@ns.sympatico.ca Euchre Card Game — Legion, Wolfville 3pm. No game 3rd Saturday of the month (Trivia Hour instead that week!) INFO: 902-542-5869 Valley Game Night — Gametronics, New Minas 6pm.

Board game/card game group. Yu Gi Oh – Thursdays, 6pm. Magic: The Gathering – Fridays, 6pm FEE: no charge INFO: facebook.com/GameTronics SpeakEasy Saturday Night Jazz Jam & Open Mic — West Brooklyn Hall, 7–10pm. (Next: Jan. 18). Join the Jill Hiscock Group for jazz, blues and R & B in a 1920’s nightclub. Cocktails, snacks & dancing. Age 19+ FEE: $5, Cash only. INFO: Ruth, 902-542-5424 / jrlegge@eastlink.ca

SUNDAYS

Antiques & Collectibles — Adjacent to Milne Court Petro-Can, & across from Cineplex, New Minas (grey building w/ red roof). Unique gifts, unusual items. INFO: 902-233-7842 / Facebook: New Minas Antiques & Collectibles Flea Market Group Meditation — Bishop Hall, Greenwich.

10:30am–noon. Join us for sitting meditation, discussion, and tea. Bring your own cushion if you prefer. Wheelchair accessible. FEE: By donation.

INFO: 902-670-1006 / joan.norris60@gmail.com / windsormeditationgroup@gmail.com

Practice Mental Development through Meditation — Community Centre, Windsor 10:30am–noon. Sitting & walking meditations, short readings, discussion, and tea. FEE: no charge INFO: 902-798-2958 / windsormeditationgroup@gmail.com Pool — Royal Canadian Legion, Berwick 3pm. FEE: $3 INFO: 902-538-9340 / gillyflowergarden@rocketmail.com Social Ballroom Dancing — Community Centre, Port Williams 3–5pm. Practice existing dance skills, learn new group dances. Previous experience & dance partner are required to join the DanceTime club! TIX: $15 pp per semester (Oct until Jan, Feb until May). First visit is free. INFO: DanceTime.PortWilliams@gmail.com Bingo — Royal Canadian Legion, Windsor 7:30pm–10pm. INFO: 902-798-0888 / WindsorLegion@bellaliant.com

MONDAYS

FitYoga — Monday 8:30am, Tuesday 9am, 6pm.

Thursday (hotyoga) 8pm, Friday 8am, Sunday 9am INFO: fityogawindsor@gmail.com Toddler Tonics — Kings County Family Resource Centre, Kentville 9:30–11am. A morning of physical activity & fun, for parent and child. FEE: no charge INFO: 902-678-5760 / family.centre@kcfrc.ca Fun with Food — Louis Millet Community Complex, New Minas 9:30–11am. Explore new recipes and cook with your child. FEE: no charge INFO: 902-678-5760 / family.centre@kcfrc.ca Windsor Game Night — Library, Windsor 6pm.

Board game group. New players welcome! FEE: no charge INFO: meetup.com/valleygames / turpin56@gmail.com Toastmasters — Eastern Kings Memorial Health Centre, Wolfville 6:30–8:30pm. Improve your communication and leadership skills in a fun supportive setting. Visitors ALWAYS welcome. INFO: wolfvilletoastmasters.com East Kings Chess Club — Library (upstairs), Wolfville 6:30–9pm. Bring your own set, board, and clock if you can. All levels/ages welcome. INFO: Ian Anderson, tfeloc@hotmail.com / 902-678-8009 Darts — Berwick Legion, 7pm. Mixed doubles, draw for partner, round robin format. FEE: $3 INFO: 902-538-5815 Jam Session — Louis Millett Community Centre, New Minas 7–9:30pm. FEE: $2 INFO: 902-681-6972 / vintagemusic1@hotmail.com Ukulele Group — Conundrum Press (upstairs), 112 Front St., Wolfville 7:30–9pm. All levels. Guided jam session. Other instruments & singers welcome. FEE: Drop-in $10 INFO: kimbarlow77@gmail.com

TUESDAYS

County Crafters — Kings County Family Resource Centre, Kentville 9:30–11:30am. Crafting for adults. Childcare available. FEE: no charge INFO: 902-678-5760 / family.centre@ns.sympatico.ca Gaeilge sa Ghleann — 10am–12pm, alternating between the MacDonald Museum, Middleton, and 47 St. James Street, Annapolis Royal. Learn the Irish language. All levels. INFO: 902-778-1049 / gaeilgesaghleann@gmail.com Coffee/Tea Social — Royal Canadian Legion, Wolfville 10am–12pm • Conversation and bottomless coffee/tea, snacks! FEE: $2 INFO: 902-542-5869 / wolfvillelegion@gmail.com Caregiver & Baby Yoga (non-mobile) — FitYoga, Windsor 10:30–11:30am. FEE: $14 drop in. Class passes available INFO: facebook.com/FitYogaWindsorNS Rug Hooking — Kentville Lower Recreation Centre (354 Main Street), 1–3pm. Join us for social hooking! Tea/coffee available, $5 drop in fee.

INFO: Mona, monapearl@ns.sympatico.ca / Lynn, lynndenney@eastlink.ca / 902-692-8118 Caregiver Support Group — Cedar Centre, 69 Cedar St., Windsor 2–4pm. Confidential Support Group for family/friend caregivers of loved ones with any physical or mental health condition. 2nd Tuesday of each month. INFO: Jennine, 902-680-8706 / info@caregiversns.org

Talk About It Tuesday — Smokey Quartz Emporium, 83 Commercial Street, Middleton, 5–7pm. The purpose of the group is to help fill some of the voids in our healthcare system when it comes to support for mental health. Share or just listen. INFO: smokeyquartz902@gmail.com TAOIST TAI CHI™ — Louis Millet Community Centre, New Minas 6–9pm. INFO: Mary Anne, 902-678-4609 / kentville@taoist.org Toastmasters — Birchall Training Centre, 14 Wing Greenwood 6:30pm. Learn communication and leadership skills in a fast-paced, fun setting. FEE: no charge INFO: annapolisvalley.easy-speak.org / edwardwedler@gmail.com Celebrate Recovery — New Hope Wesleyan Church, Kentville 7–9:30pm. A faith-based 12 Step program for anyone who needs help with hurts, habits & hangups. TIX: no charge INFO: 902-678-2222 45’s Card Party — Royal Canadian Legion, Wolfville 7pm. Auction 45’s, 50/50 draw. Non-members welcome. FEE: $5 INFO: 902-542-5869 / wolfvillelegion@gmail.com Card Game — Fire Hall, Vaughans 7pm. Card games every Tuesday. 50/50 draw and light lunch. TIX: $2 to play INFO: ellajean.levy@gmail.com Valley Voices — Female a cappella show chorus rehearses 7–9:30pm. Kentville Baptist Church CE Centre. Women of any age welcome. INFO: valleyvoices.org Cribbage — Berwick Legion, 7pm. FEE: $10 per player INFO: 902-538-5815 Village Dancing — Wolfville Curling Rink (upstairs).Traditional circle and line dancing from the Balkans and the Middle East. No partners. Lots of fun, good exercise, and great music. Expert instruction.

All levels. 7:30pm – Introductory Level, 8:30pm – Experienced and request dancing. FEE: $7 per session, $5 students INFO: David, 902-690-7897 Board Game Night — Paddy’s Pub, Wolfville 8pm–12am TIX: no charge INFO: 902-542-0059 / judy@paddys.ca

WEDNESDAYS

Coffee Time — Community Hall, Greenwich 9:30–11am. Join us for coffee/tea and a muffin. Chat with friends, new and old! TIX: donation INFO: Darlene, 902-542-3498 / darlene.hennigar@gmail.com / Bev, 902-542-7412 Kentville Farmers’ Market — Lions Club, Kentville 10am–2pm. Fresh farm products, bread, honey, maple syrup, cheese, hot lunch food, local crafts, and household goods. INFO: 902-679-2514 / marketmanager@kentville.ca / kentvillefarmersmarket.ca Wolfville Farm Market — Farmers Market, Wolfville 4–7pm. Live music, 10+ vendors, Market Suppers. Dec 18 Theme: Winter Solstice and Holiday Pop Up. Music: Donna Holmes. INFO: wolfvillefarmersmarket.ca Pound Fitness — Centreville Baptist Church gym, 870 Murray Drive, Centreville, 6:30–7:30pm. W/ Birgie Hazel. It’s fitness drumming giving you a full-body workout. Modifications shown. Work at your own fitness level. FEE: First class is free. 3 months $72, $7.50 drop-in fee. Ripstix provided. Bring a yoga mat.

INFO: facebook.com/PoundRockoutWithBirgie/ Community Yoga — Rec Centre, Kentville (upstairs) 7–8pm. W/ Stephanie Battems. FEE: $5 drop-in INFO: kentville.ca / 902-679-2539 Irish Social Set Dancing — Bishop’s Hall, Greenwich 7–9pm. No partner is required... just a little rhythm and a love for dancing! INFO: Pat, 902-679-9267 GriefShare — New Hope Wesleyan, Kingston 7–9pm. Help and encouragement after the death of a loved one. FEE: no charge INFO: 902-847-1225 / davetheman161@gmail.com Card Game — Northville Farm Heritage Centre, 7–9pm. Until the end of April. Crib or 45’s. $20 door prize draw. Refreshments served. FEE: $4 INFO: ruthbentley76@gmail.com Jam Session — Lions Club, Kentville 7–9:30pm. TIX: $2 INFO: 902-679-2367 / vintagemusic1@hotmail.com Pool — Legion, Berwick 7pm. Round robin format. FEE: $3 to play INFO: 902-538-5815 / chris48goddard@icloud.com

December 12, 2019 – January 16, 2020 | 15

Send your events to listings@grapevinepublishing.ca Adult Dance: Big Deal — Royal Canadian Legion, Kentville 9pm–12am • Adult Dance, age 19 and over.

Bar and Kitchen, 50/50 and Door Prizes. TIX: $8 INFO: 902-678-8935 Dance: Wayne Parker & Tammy Adams — Lions Hall, Coldbrook 9pm–12am • Christmas Dance.

Refreshments, door prizes, and a $50 gift certificate to give away. TIX: $8 INFO: 902-678-8406

WHAT'S HAPPENING - ----------- DECEMBER 12, 2019 – JANUARY 16, 2020 ------------

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25 Community Christmas Dinner — Lions Club, 36 Elm St., Wolfville 1–3pm & 4–6pm • Christmas Community Dinner. Please reserve your seat by Dec. 20 (call/text).

TIX: donation INFO: 902-670-3637

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27

Dungeons & Dragons & Draughts Holiday Edition — Lunn’s Mill Brewery, Lawrencetown 12–6pm • D&D&D Holiday Edition TIX: no charge INFO: 902-665-4304 / mabthrice@gmail.com Christmas Bake Sale and Dessert Auction — Royal Canadian Legion, Berwick 2–4pm • Lots of great baked goods available for sale and auction. TIX: no charge INFO: 902-538-9340 / waysnmeansberwick@yahoo.com Musical Gift Concert — Lions Club, Kingston 2pm • Annual Christmas concert for the Upper Room Food Bank, featuring Chris palmer and Sonlight, w/ special guests Matt Lunn and Friends. Also, performances by the Natasha Wade Trio, Bill Wilson, Gina Potvin, Payten Eisenhauer TIX: donation INFO: 902-300-0877 Yoga Nidra with The Yoga Path — Black River Community Hall, Wolfville 6:30– 7:45pm • TIX: $13 INFO: 902-542-7089 / theyogapathwellness@gmail.com Singing for our Supper — Wolfville Baptist Church, Wolfville 7–9pm • Donations to Singing for our Supper will go to the Wolfville Community Xmas Supper & Wolfville Food Bank. Performers include: Ann Fearon, Charlotte Embree, Chimney Swifts, Alan Slipp & Chantal Peng! TIX: Entrance is by ($ or food) donation.

INFO: donnaholmes712@gmail.com Elf — Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville 7pm • After discovering he is a human, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole decides to travel to New York City to locate his real father. TIX: $5 at the door INFO: 902-542-3344 / manager@alwhittletheatre.ca A Community Christmas Celebration — Emmanuel United Church, Kingsport 7–8:30pm • An evening of music and carols, featuring local talented performers and musicians. TIX: donation INFO: 902-690-7447 / wanda.george@xcountry.tv

Knives Out — Kings Theatre, Annapolis Royal 7–9:10pm • On the morning after his 85th birthday party, wealthy crime novelist Harlan Thrombrey is found dead on his estate. Famed Southern detective Benoit Blanc suspects foul play. Everyone is a suspect and, as the reading of the will draws closer and the investigation heats up, Harlan’s money-grubbing family begins to be revealed as far more conniving and competitive than they first appear. TIX: $11 Adult, $8 Youth under 18, $10 with Film Buff card INFO: 902-532-7704 / mk@kingstheatre.ca Gremlins — Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville 7pm • A boy inadvertently breaks three rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of mischievous monsters on a small town. Rated PG TIX: $5 at the door INFO: 902-542-3344 / manager@alwhittletheatre.ca

MONDAY, DECEMBER 23 Community Christmas — St. John the Baptist Anglican Church, Poplar Grove 6:30–8pm • An Old Fashioned Christmas with music and carols. TIX: no charge INFO: 902-757-0416 / tedandmarie@eastlink.ca

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 Christmas Breakfast — Lions Club, Kingston 6:30–10:30am • Scrambled eggs, sausages, ham, hash browns, pancakes, toast, muffins, juice, tea and coffee. Santa will be visiting! TIX: donation INFO: 902-765-2128Gaspereau Church Memory Tree/ Christmas Eve of Music — Gaspereau Church, Gaspereau 7:30pm • Come and join a Community Tradition and Place a provided ornament in memory of someone special. Names of Loved Ones will be published in the Gaspereau Gazette. TIX: freewill donation to the Future Fund. INFO: info@gaspereau.ca / 902-542-2084 Special Christmas Eve Service — Covenanter Church, Grand Pré 11pm • A quiet, contemplative service, filled with familiar scripture passages, favourite poems, traditional carols, and special music. There is no sermon. The Rev. Don Sellsted and Rev. Tim McFarland will lead the service this year, reminding us, as always, of the enduring potential we have to find hope, peace, joy, and love if we but open hearts and minds to the possibility of ‘good will to all’ through our shared experience in Christ. Ms Caroline Burton will contribute special music, as will choir members and friends of the Orchard Valley United Church under the direction of Ken Hassell. The service closes quietly with Silent Night. Everyone is welcome. TIX: a freewill collection will be taken at the door INFO: sylviajacquard@gnspes.ca

16 | December 12, 2019 – January 16, 2020

Brought to you by

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28 Expressive Cafe - Aphasia Nova Scotia — West Kings Memorial Health Centre, Berwick 2–4pm • Practice speech and language skills in a safe and supportive setting, learn more about YOUR aphasia, and socialize with families living with aphasia. TIX: no charge INFO: Mike, 902-698-9661 / AphasiaNS@gmail.com The Apartment — Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville 7pm • The Retro Holiday Film Series continues with this Christmas-adjacent film from 1960. Directed by Billy Wilder and starring the amazing Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine and Fred MacMurray (as a cad1).

Everyone needs to see this one. TIX: $5 at the door INFO: 902-542-3344 / manager@alwhittletheatre.ca

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29 Three Days of the Condor — Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville 7pm • The Retro Holiday Film Series continues with another Christmas-adjacent film from 1975. A bookish CIA researcher finds all his co-workers dead, and must outwit those responsible until he figures out who he can really trust. Rated R. TIX: $5 at the door INFO: 902-542-3344 / manager@alwhittletheatre.ca

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30 The Thin Man — Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville 7pm • The Retro Holiday Film Series concludes with this charming story of former detective Nick Charles and his wealthy wife Nora (and of course their dog Asta) investigating a murder case, mostly for the fun of it. TIX: $5 at the door INFO: 902-542-3344 / manager@alwhittletheatre.ca

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31 New Year’s Eve Bingo — Fire Hall, New Minas 6:45–10pm • Come out one and all to enjoy a relaxing Bingo evening. Refreshments afterward. TIX: no charge INFO: 902-680-1743 / huntleylaurae@gmail.com New Years Eve with Incoming — Royal Canadian Legion, Berwick 8–1pm • Live music with Incoming and delicious food!! A great way to ring in the New Year! TIX: $25. Purchase tickets at the Legion now. INFO: 902-538-9340 / waysnmeansberwick@yahoo.com

Hollywood Red Carpet Party — Fire Hall, Kingston 8pm–1am • Let’s Dance into a Decade in style!

Featuring: Two Live Interactive All Request DJs! Cash Bar, Games, Prizes, Photobooth, Refreshments & Pizza at 11pm. Count Down and Balloon Drop at Midnight! TIX: Order before Dec 28, $20 single, $35 couple. $25/$45 after. INFO: 902-804-1348 / amanda.cornwell14@gmail.com New Year’s Eve Dance — Royal Canadian Legion, Wolfville 9–1pm • Celebrate the beginning of a brand new year! Great food, drinks and company!!

Entertainment by Alan Butler. TIX: $18 and $22 @ Wolfville Legion Bar INFO: 902-542-5869 / wolfvillelegion@gmail.com New Year’s Eve Adult Dance — Royal Canadian Legion, Kentville 9pm–12:30am • Celebrate NYE in great company with one of the Valley’s most popular bands, Route 12!! Couples and Singles, all welcome. $20 per person. Cold plate will be served. 19 plus. TIX: $20 INFO: 902-678-8935 The Mark Riley Project — Old Orchard Inn, Wolfville 9pm–1am • Come celebrate New Years Eve! TIX: $120 per couple @ oldorchardinn.com INFO: 902-542-5751 / reservations@oldorchardinn.ns.ca New Year’s Eve Dance — Royal Canadian Legion, Canning 9pm–1am • The Barkhouse Trio will be playing. Light lunch served at midnight. TIX: $35/ couple, $20/single @ the legion. INFO: 902-582-7246 New Year’s Eve Dance — Lions Club, Berwick 9pm–1am • Ruth Manning and the Prospectors will host a New Year’s Eve Party and Dance. Dave Coggins and Bill Wilson will be special guests. A light meal will be served during the evening. TIX: $25 per person @ Wilson’s Pharmasave (Berwick), Parker’s Satellite and Tech (Coldbrook), or call. INFO: Ruth, 902-691-2638 / ruthmanning1972@gmail.com Dayliner New Year’s Eve — Paddy’s Pub, Wolfville 9pm– 1am • Live indie rock with local noisemakers Dayliner.

No cover! TIX: no charge INFO: 902-542-0059 The NonRefundables — The Port Pub, Port Williams 9:30pm–12:30am • Ring in the New Year with The Non Refundables. TIX: no charge INFO: 902-542-5555 / info@theportpub.com New Year’s Party — West Side Charlies, New Minas 10pm–3am • Always a great time! TIX: no charge INFO: 681-9378

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1 New Year’s Day Levee — Royal Canadian Legion, Kentville 1–4pm • Please join us for our Annual Levee w/ Route 12. 19 plus. Bar Services and complimentary refreshments at 1pm TIX: no charge INFO: 902-678-8935 New Year’s Levee — West Side Charlies, New Minas 2–6pm • The best day of the year! Kevin Davison and the boys TIX: no charge INFO: 681-9378

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4 Breakfast — Lions Club, Berwick 8–10am • Fried or scrambled eggs, plus pancakes and baked beans TIX: donation INFO: 902-844-1440 / tbhenley60@gmail.com Grow With Art Children’s Workshop — NSCC, Belcher St., Kentville 1–3pm • W/ Holly Carr. Ages 6–14. Art works can be returned/rented at this time. INFO: 902-542-0234

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5 Crib Tournament — Forties Community Centre, New Ross 1pm (register 12:30pm) • Canteen available.

Wheelchair accessible. TIX: $20 per team INFO: 902-689-2147 Sunday Music in the Garden Room — K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre, University Avenue, Wolfville 2-4 pm • Tabitha Payzant, piano. A lovely program of Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, and Robert Schumann. TIX: no charge INFO: artsacadia.acadiau.ca

TUESDAY, JANUARY 7 Public Hearing & Municipal Council — Municipality of the County of Kings, Coldbrook 6pm • TIX: no charge INFO: 888-337-2999 KCWA Kings County Wildlife Association Meeting — Room 109, NSCC, Kentville 7–9pm • Speaker: Stan Kempton, a Former Forester with Bowater Mersy Paper Co. He will be speaking on forestry issues in society today. The public is invited to attend and bring a friend. You do not have to be a member to attend and there is no charge. Hope to see you there. INFO: kingscountywildlife@outlook.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 Wayne Parker — Royal Canadian Legion, Berwick 7:30–10:30pm • An awesome night of country tunes and dancing w/ Wayne Parker. It’s going to be a great night!! TIX: donation INFO: 902-538-9340 / waysnmeansberwick@yahoo.com

SUNDAY, JANUARY 12 Fundy Cinema screens THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON — Al Whittle Theatre, 4 & 7pm • A young man with Down syndrome runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of becoming a professional wrestler and meets a small time outlaw with whom he embarks on a daring, escapade-filled modernday Mark Twain style adventure. TIX: $10 INFO: 902-542-1050

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14 Play with Me — Valley Autism Centre, Kingston 1–2:30pm • Take some time to be creative, active, and engaged with your child/children. All ages welcome. TIX: no charge INFO: 902-678-5760 / family.centre@kcfrc.ca

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15 Let’s Get Up and Move — Kings County Family Resource Centre, Kentville 9:30–10:30am • An hour of increasing your heart rate and having fun. Free childcare available. TIX: no charge INFO: 902-678-5760 / family.centre@kcfrc.ca Play Group Plus — Kings County Family Resource Centre, Kentville 10–11:30am • An opportunity for parent-child interaction and a chance to meet other families. Sing songs, finger plays, play in the gym, and more. TIX: no charge INFO: 902-678-5760 / family.centre@kcfrc.ca Rhyme Time — Louis Millet Community Complex, New Minas 10–11am • New songs, rhymes, and movement activities for you and your child. TIX: no charge INFO: 902-678-5760 / family.centre@kcfrc.ca Baby and Me — Kings County Family Resource Centre, Kentville 10:30–11:30am • A great place to connect with other moms and babies, share stories, and learn songs and rhymes you can do together. TIX: no charge INFO: 902-678-5760 / family.centre@kcfrc.ca Fundy Cinema screens DOLCE FINE GIORNATA — Al Whittle Theatre, 7pm • Free-spirited Jewish Polish Nobel Prize winning poet Maria Linde’s stable family life in Tuscany begins to fall apart when she refuses to succumb to the hysterical fear and anti-immigrant sentiment that emerge after a terrorist attack in Rome.

TIX: $10 INFO: 902-542-1050

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16 Let’s Get Messy! — Louis Millet Community Complex, New Minas 9:30–10:30am • Bring your child out to explore various art forms and sensory opportunities. A parent-child interactive group. All ages welcome. TIX: no charge INFO: 902-678-5760 / family.centre@kcfrc.ca What’s Happening cont’d on page 17...

Send your events to listings@grapevinepublishing.ca

Scrooge’s Tale: A Musical — United Church, 2414 Hwy 1, Aylesford Dec 13 & 14, 7pm • Presented by Aylesford and Kingston United Church members. Based upon Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, written by John Moses, music by William F. Treadgold. Join us for a great evening of musical drama. Proceeds will go to the Berwick and Kingston Foodbanks. Wheelchair accessible. TIX: donation INFO: 902-847-9624 / aylesfordunitedchurch@gmail.com Fezziwig’s Family Christmas Frolic: Mother Goose Muddle — Festival Theatre, Wolfville Dec 20, 21, 7pm, Dec 21, 2pm • Featuring all your Mother Good favourites! TIX: $17.25 adult, $11.50 student, $46 family of four, available from Acadia Box Office, or at the door. INFO: patsalmon@daysend.ca The Wild Women of Winedale — CentreStage Theatre, Kentville Jan 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, Feb. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 7:30pm, Jan 19, 26, Feb 9, 2pm • A comedy

by Jones, Hope, and Wooten. It’s never too late to take another one of life’s paths for a brand-new adventure. TIX: $15 adult, $12 senior/student INFO: centrestage.ca

WHAT'S HAPPENING - ----------- DECEMBER 12, 2019 – JANUARY 16, 2020 ------------

Sue Goreham — The Port Pub, Port Williams. Through April 8 • Paintings by Sue Goreham, a semi-retired tattoo artist w/ 40 years of painting experience. INFO: 902-542-5555 / info@theportpub.com Omnium Gatherum — Acadia University Art Gallery, Wolfville. Jan–April 2020 • A collaborative project between the Acadia University Art Gallery and Randall House Museum with support from the Friends Fund of the Art Gallery. INFO: laura.robinson@acadiau.ca Apple Bin Art Gallery — Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville • Affordable, original art created by Valley artists. Part proceeds go towards hospital equipment and Annapolis Valley health care programs.

Christmas Cookie Swap — Isabel & Roy Jodrey Memorial Library, Hantsport 12–1pm • Bring a box of homemade Christmas cookies to share and swap!

Swap starts at 12:30pm. Please include the recipe.

Please register in advance. INFO: 902-684-0103

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16 Movin’ and Groovin — Library, Kentville 10:30– 11:30am • W/ Lindsay from Between the Mountains Music Therapy. For ages 2–6 and their caretakers.

Space is limited, sign up now. INFO: 902-679-2544

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17 For the complete list of library events: valleylibrary.ca All events are no charge/no registration unless otherwise stated. NOTE: When AVRSB schools are closed due to inclement winter weather, all children’s library programs for that day in that area will be cancelled.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12 A Century of Dolls – Mini Exhibit — Kings County Museum, Kentville. Through Dec 13 • A century (1860– 1960) of vintage dolls on display. From early wooden dolls to bisque, glazed porcelain and china head dolls, over 50 dolls from collector Deborah Parrott’s private collection. Also, dollhouse miniatures from Shelley Acker of Kentville’s Freedom Miniatures shop. INFO: 902-678-6237 / kingscountymuseum.ca Christmas Art Show and Sale — ArtCan Gallery and Café, 9850 Main St., Canning Dec 14, 1–4pm • Everyone welcome! INFO: ron@artcan.com Itty Bitty Christmas Art Show — Pascalice’s Bistro, Greenwood. Through Dec. 21 • Cohosted by 7arts. A variety of local art for sale in mini form, 6x6 or 5x7.

TIX: no charge INFO: 902-765-4238 Long Winter Nights — Bread Gallery, Brooklyn.

Until Dec. 29 • Annual Members Showcase. INFO: avonriverarts.ca Home — Harvest Gallery, Wolfville. Until year-end. • A holiday show featuring the work of participating gallery artists. A variety of work in a range of media – sure to please all tastes and pocketbooks.

We look forward to welcoming you Home! INFO: harvestgallery.ca Student Drawings — Jack’s Gallery, Just Us!, Wolfville.

Until January 5 • Drawings by Grade 10 and 12 students of North East Kings Education Centre. INFO: jacksgallerywolfville@gmail.com

Brought to you by

The Hangout — Library, Kentville 6–7:30pm. Also, Dec 19 • Hang out with your friends, play x-box games, board games, enjoy snacks. Every week. For ages 12–17. INFO: 902-679-2544 Christmas Crafts for Adults — Isabel & Roy Jodrey Memorial Library, Hantsport 6–7:30pm • Craft session w/ Cathy Dunbar, with seasonal treats. For adults.

Please register in advance. INFO: 902-684-0103

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 Fibre Ops — Library, Windsor 10am–12pm. Also, Dec 20, 27, Jan 3, 10 • For knitters, hookers, crocheters, weavers and spinners, or anyone who enjoys the fibre craft arts. Bring your own project. INFO: 902-798-5424 Let’s Get Crafty! — Rosa M. Harvey Middleton & Area Library, Middleton 10–11:30am • A holiday craft party!

Supplies are provided. Space is limited, so please register. INFO: 902-825-4835

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 Author reading with Laura Churchill Duke — Isabel & Roy Jodrey Memorial Library, Hantsport 11am–12pm • Join local author and journalist Laura Churchill Duke as she reads from her first novel “ Two Crows Sorrow.”

Light refreshments. Copies available for purchase ($25, cash only). INFO: 902-684-0103

DIY Crafts — Isabel & Roy Jodrey Memorial Library, Hantsport 3–4:30pm • Supplies & instruction sheet provided for a “do-it-yourself” craft. For ages 6–14.

Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

INFO: 902-684-0103 Christmas Carolling — Isabel & Roy Jodrey Memorial Library, Hantsport 6–8pm • Hosted by Ann Fearon.

Everyone welcome, to sing and to listen. Christmas cookies & warm cider provided by the Friends of the Hantsport Public Library. INFO: 902-684-0103

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 Christmas Stories & Crafts — Isabel & Roy Jodrey Memorial Library, Hantsport 9:45–10:45am • Christmas stories, songs, games and crafts for children aged 2–6 and their caregivers. Please register. INFO: 902-684-0103 Drop-in Christmas Craft for Kids — Memorial Library, Wolfville 10:30am–4:30pm • Drop in to make a Christmas craft. For kids aged 3–10. Kids 3–5 can also join us for Book in the Nook at 10am for holiday stories. INFO: 902-542-5760 Let’s Get Crafty! — Rosa M. Harvey Middleton & Area Library, Middleton 3–4pm • A holiday craft party!

Supplies are provided. Ages 6–11. Space is limited.

Register soon. INFO: 902-825-4835 Creative Kids — Library, Windsor 3:30–4:30pm • An after school Christmas craft time, for ages 7-10.

Registration is required. INFO: 902-798-5424 Photography Club — Library, Windsor 6–8pm. Also Jan 8 • Discuss, share and learn about photography techniques and processes. INFO: 902-798-5424

Kidz Book Club — Berwick and District Library, Berwick 7–8pm • This month’s book: Ink and Bone, by Rachel Caine. Enjoy snacks and a fun discussion. Ages 9–14.

INFO: 902-538-8060

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 Winter Solstice Celebration — Berwick and District Library, Berwick 11am–3pm • Warm up and enjoy a cup of hot apple cider, some treats, and make a craft.

INFO: 902-538-8060

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29 Book Club — Library, Windsor 2–4pm • Please ask library staff for our monthly book selection. New members are welcome. INFO: 902-798-5424

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31 Noon Year’s Eve Celebrations — Berwick and District Library, Berwick 11:30am–12:30pm • Happy New Year!

Come celebrate New Year’s at noon with snacks and activities. INFO: 902-538-8060

TUESDAY, JANUARY 7 Qigong: Moving Meditation — Isabel & Roy Jodrey Memorial Library, Hantsport 6–7pm • Qigong is a gentle moving meditation that couples the breath with gentle movements and is suitable for all fitness levels. Kenton Sefcik has 25 years of Chinese martial arts experience. INFO: 902-684-0103

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15 Tiny Tales — Library, Kentville 11–11:30am • Enjoy rhymes, songs, and books with other children and parents or caretakers. Best for ages 2–5. INFO: 902-679-2544

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19 Third Thursday Social — Library, Windsor 2–4pm • Easy listening entertainment provided by local musicians while you relax. Coffee/tea & light refreshments. INFO: 902-798-5424

2019 Spring that year was late to the game,

Canned soup at noon and gadgets gone blank.

The smelt snow a blizzard and then freezing rain,

While plovers on mudflats feasted and flashed,

The full moon in May was no day for planting,

Shrimp in their bellies and sun on their backs,

Wet fields in June and farmers were ranting.

And up on the Mountain, smooth yellow nights,

But through the good valley swam gaspereaux,

Venus bewitching in harvest moon light.

The fiddleheads green, the fish fat with roe.

Autumn pressed in, kale stood the frost, Summer, that year, flew in fast and high,

An early snow hung chandeliers, a sparkling weekend walk,

Hot as Jamaica, new moon in July,

Long languid shadows, reflective canals,

Hay fields checkered with great golden bales,

Your face to the sun, my head in the clouds,

Larks in the meadow, frogs in the swale.

Black Lake, grey rocks, your flexing spine,

And down the good river tubes waltzed along,

Oh slip, Oh slope, Oh heart of mine.

Sun-burnt bellies and bop-a-longs songs. to be continued...

September’s first shot was a Dorian blow, Hard day on willows, creeks overflowed, No hum in the wires, no gas in the tank,

— Bernard Irvin

9

V O T E !

DON'T FORGET TO SEND US YOUR

"BEST OF THE BUNCH" RESPONSES!

SEND YOUR COMPLETED SURVEY (P.7) TO: GV Publishing Inc., PO Box 2262, Wolfville, NS. B4P 1A0 Deadline: December 31, 2019 OR VOTE ONLINE: surveymonkey.com/r/BestoftheBunch2019

December 12, 2019 – January 16, 2020 | 17

A cultivated experience for the mind, body, and soil.

UPCOMING

PUBLIC

MEETINGS December 3 - 8:30 am Committee of the Whole

December 5 - 4:00 pm Planning Advisory Committee Meeting December 9 - 4:30 pm Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting December 17 - 10:00 am RCMP Advisory Meeting December 17 - 6:00 pm Public Meeting - 620 Main Street The Tattingstone Inn December 17 - 6:30 pm Town Council Meeting December 24 - 12:00 pm Town Office Closed (Re-opening on January 2nd, 2020) January 7 - 8:30 am Committee of the Whole

Christmas Tree collection will run from January 3-17, 2020, and residents are welcome to set trees at the curb by January 2, 2020 at the earliest.

Trees can also be dropped off at the Maple Avenue Compost Site just outside the gate January 3-17, 2020.

At Acadia

Acadia University | 15 University Ave, Wolfville.

902-542-2201 | Staffed Switchboard. 8:30am-4:30pm. agi@acadiau.ca – General Inquiries

WHAT’S GROWING AT THE HARRIET IRVING BOTANICAL GARDENS

EARTH, SKY, AND PLANTS

Adrien Rawley, Horticulture Assistant and Educator The changing of the seasons is a powerful experience, especially when we choose to pay attention. We forget, amidst the busyness of our lives, that what is happening in the natural world around us is mirrored within us as well.

Spring is an explosive celebration of new life, sometimes overwhelming in its displays and intensity. Summer is a time of growth, moving us upward and forward with great energy.

Autumn finds us harvesting the literal and metaphorical fruits of our labours, knowing that soon we will turn inwards. Winter offers a chance to rest, recharge, and appreciate dormancy. It allows us time to collect ourselves to start anew when the strength of the sun returns.

Despite the seasonal signposts around us, we often forget that we are nature. We forget that the greatest gift we can give ourselves is to actively remember this truth. To remind ourselves we need only step outside, slow down, open our eyes, and learn from the natural world. Every breath of fresh oxygen is a gift from the plants, every exhalation we release is our return offering. We are alive in this very moment because of our reciprocal relationship with plants! On a journey to remember and understand this relationship, twenty Acadia students gathered around the bonfire at the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens alongside Melissa Labrador, a Mi’kmaw artist and teacher of traditional medicine. Melissa grew up on the land, and lives at The Wildcat Reserve, near Kejimkujik National Park. She is a beacon of Mi’kmaq knowledge, and we were all deeply honoured to be in her presence.

The chilly, November wind did nothing to thwart the excitement within the group and we began by introducing ourselves around the circle with the help of a handmade talking stick. We stated our names, what had pulled us to the workshop and anything else we felt like sharing. Many programs of study were represented, from music to community development to biology and beyond. Our interests were just as diverse, but one thing remained universal: we wanted to receive these teachings as an act of embracing the first understandings of the natural world in Forest Wapane’kati, the Acadian Forest Region.

Interestingly, all of us in attendance were women. Melissa made note of this as we set out on our medicine walk and the first plant she brought to our attention was partridge berry, Mitchella repens. A beautiful, creeping ground cover with bright red berries, it forms a textured, tidy cushion in mixed and coniferous woodlands. To truly see this plant, one must kneel on the forest floor and get very close. It is revered as powerful medicine for women in regulating cycles, supporting hormonal balance, and encouraging one needing its medicine to sit and connect to the earth. Melissa spoke several times of the fact that we can benefit from the medicinal properties of plants simply by being near them and sitting with them. As a new baby, she was laid on the bare ground by her mother so that she might form a relationship with the earth, the original mother. In turn, she has done the same with her children so they know where they can always return to and always find a home. This struck a chord: the earth is our first home, our first mother.

No wonder we all feel better after going outside and reconnecting with the land!

As we moved through the botanical gardens learning about uses of plants and taking several moments for mindfulness practice, a grounded hush fell over the group. We all knew we were experiencing something special, every moment to be cherished. By the stream, Melissa offered a song for our spirits with her voice and drum, singing with the babbling water in the background, a metaphor for change and

SUNDAY MUSIC, PART TWO Janet Kirkconnell

Image by Melissa Labrador

regeneration. Melissa described the ritual of making tea; intention and medicine infusing the very water our bodies are made of. Something so simple can be a gift equally in times of stress or joy. Making our way back to the fire, we gathered teaberry leaves. They were added to cheesecloth parcels filled with sweetfern and rosehips gathered from the botanical gardens earlier in the season. The tea would boost our immune system and warm us as we moved into the second portion of the workshop.

As the tea steeped over the fire, we prepared smudge sticks using sweetgrass, mugwort, and thread. Binding the dried plants into little bundles gave the opportunity to imagine making everyday moments sacred. We can cleanse, let go, and release with the act of focusing on the smoke, resetting ourselves before moving on to our next task, job, assignment, or conversation.

The tea was served, and we warmed ourselves by the fire while each of us offered a closing comment or thought about our experience.

Melissa’s partner, Corbin Hart, joined the circle playing his handmade flute, and the words “grounded,” “relaxed,” and “grateful” were echoed around the fire. There were goosebumps, and not because of the falling temperatures. Corbin’s haunting and beautiful notes filled the space between our words, threading them together into one beautiful message: the plants give, the plants receive, and we as humans can always remember to do the same.

One by one, we filled our mugs a final time before moving off to the rest of our evenings. We had created medicine together from common plants surrounding us. The healing power of plants had been revealed to us, having been there all along. It had never been a secret, we just needed an opportunity to learn. Give yourself the gift of reconnecting to nature during this busy holiday season. Get outside and enjoy what the natural world will offer if you simply remember to receive.

❧ Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens Acadia University botanicalgardens.acadiau.ca

Sunday Music in the Garden Room, a series now in its thirteenth year, is kept afloat by donations and volunteers. The second half of the 2019-2020 season of Sunday Music, presented in the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre on the Acadia campus begins on January 5 with a piano recital by Baxter’s Harbour native Tabitha Payzant. A graduate of Mount Allison University and the Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John’s, she will present an excellent program of a Bach prelude and fugue, one of Beethoven’s late sonatas (op. 110), a Chopin étude, and Robert Schumann’s challenging Carnaval. “She is a wonderful pianist who plays with great sensitivity, musicality and honesty,” says her teacher at Memorial, Timothy Steeves, the piano half of Canada’s premiere violin-piano duo, Duo Concertante. He adds that “it has been a joy having her in the studio.”

Four more concerts follow: on February 2, a clarinet-violin-piano trio (Eileen Walsh, Gillian Smith, and Simon Docking); on March 1, the Ulysses String Quartet from New York (the graduate quartet-in-residence at the Juilliard School of Music); on March 15, Merkelo & Salov perform on trumpet and piano (on a Debut Atlantic tour); and, on May 3, to end the season, a return engagement of the thrilling Doucet-Bouey duo, piano and violin, for the annual William Marshall Bishop Memorial concert.

❧ Tabitha Payzant performs on January 5 at 2pm. Admission is free.

DONATE TO ACADIA PERFORMING ARTS SERIES AND WIN A TRAIN TRIP TO MONTREAL! François Côté

Make your charitable donation to the Performing Arts Series before February 1, 2020, for a chance to win an all-inclusive round-trip train cruise for two from Halifax to Montreal aboard Via Rail’s The Ocean. The trip includes double bedroom accommodations and all meals. Dates are to be chosen by the winner, who may also gift the trip to someone else.

What a wonderful opportunity for a cultural adventure to La Belle Métropole!

For decades, your Acadia Performing Arts Series has been bringing world class performances to Wolfville. The APAS’ lasting success is due in no small part to the steadfast support of all its subscribers, but often it is that extra support from generous patrons that makes the difference between red ink and black ink at the end of the year. Donors to the

YOUR CAT’S FAVOURITE DESTINATION!

THE VALLEY

CAT HOTEL STRESS-FREE, SAFE, AND AFFORDABLE CAT BOARDING

Your kitty will enjoy a comfortable private room with their own window and balcony!

Performing Arts Series receive tax receipts for their charitable donation.

How to donate : You can donate by cheque (made payable to “Acadia Performing Arts Series”).

You can also donate online directly to the Performing Arts Series, with a credit card, through the Campaign for Acadia. Please email the Series’ coordinator at francois.cote@ acadiau.ca for detailed information.

Thanks to Via Rail Canada for its generous contribution to the Acadia Performing Arts Series’ fundraising campaign.

❧

ET K C I T AY W A E GIV CHANCE TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO:

CHRISTMAS CEILIDH DANCE, Louis Millet Centre, New Minas. Fri., Dec. 20, 6pm. Draw date: Dec. 15.

Enter all draws: valleyevents.ca/win

In the Berwick area: 902-698-3827

December 12, 2019 – January 16, 2020 | 19

20 | December 12, 2019 – January 16, 2020