Eastern Shore

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Easternshorecooperator.ca

Volume 2 Issue 8 December 2015

Merry Christmas and Best Wishes in 2016

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Surfs Up

The Big Wedge in Porters Lake will be opening soon where

Jessies pizza used to be

Musquodoboit Harbour is having a Christmas lights display

contest

Youth of Porters Lake & area have raised over $2500 for
Christmas Daddies at the local dances.

Surfs Down

Mercers Best Built Structures has gone out of business

NS Liberal Government plans to privatize Nova Scotias registries of land, motor vehicles and joint stocks.
Bridge on Hwy 107 by Exit 18 still not completed. Will it be
before the snow plows start?

Major water leaks in roof at ES Arena

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Editorial

Future of The Shore

By Richard Bell
Since its first issue in July of 2014, the Cooperator has
covered the controversy that began with MLA Kevin
Murphys proposal to create what he called a campus
in the Eastern Shore Industrial Park in East Chezzetcook. Murphy called for replacing three major institutionsthe high school, the ice rink and recreation centre, and The Birches nursing homewith new versions
of each institution located in a cluster.
Murphys proposal addressed one of the more common complaints about the Eastern Shore, that people
were not more actively engaged in improving the aging
facilities that they relied upon for educating their children, providing recreational opportunities, and caring
for the elderly. As you will see in this issue, Murphy has
succeeded in jump-starting this conversation.
The first fallout from Murphys announcement happened soon afterwards. The citys planners had proposed downgrading Musquodoboit Harbour status as a
Rural District Growth Centre in the citys 2014 Regional
Plan, a change that would have been a death knell for
substantial funding for new facilities.
Instead of simply accepting this change, people organized a successful grassroots campaign to retain the villages status. Their arguments before Council, which
other groups appearing on other issues before Council
went out of their way to support, were so effective that
Mayor Savage quipped that the next person who used
the words Musquodoboit Harbour was going to be
fined $2. Council responded to this grassroots presentation by voting to continue Musquodoboit Harbours
status as a Rural District Growth Centre.
Murphy initiated the next step in the fall of 2014, calling together a meeting of people whom he selected
because of their support of his campus proposal.
Some of the participants at this gathering decided to
set up their own group to lobby for the campus concept, which is now the legally chartered society, Community Campus Vision Association. Both Murphy and
CCVA long ago untethered their support of a campus
from Murphys original industrial park location. This
fall, the members of CCVA presented the results of
their research on the campus proposal at a community meeting that we reported on in the November
2015 issue.

Murphys proposal also presented the newly form

Musquodoboit Harbour &
Area Chamber of Commerce
& Civic Association with a serious challenge: the loss of
the high school, the rink, and
The Birches would take the
heart out of the villages economic and social life. Since
the summer of 2014, the
members of MHACCCA have
devoted themselves to addressing this challenge.
In this issue, we are pleased
to be able to bring together
the different approaches of
the CCVA and the MHACCCA
to the future of the Eastern
Shore. Jean McKenna, the
head of the CCVA, has written
a response to our coverage of
CCVAs public meeting in
which she describes the
CCVAs definition of a
community. Meanwhile, the
MHACCCA has released its
own position paper on the
future, with a contrasting
definition of community.
We look forward to hearing your reactions to these two
documents. You can leave your comments on our Facebook page, or you can send us a (maximum 300 word)
letter to the editor.

Content

Page

Editorial.................................................3
News..........................................................4, & 5
The Birches Update.................................................6
Community.....................................................................7
Local Sports...........8 & 9
Community Life..............10 & 11
Councillors December Communiqu......................12
History.................13
Art Scene................14

Easternshorecooperator.ca

December Events PIN IT Up .......................................15

News

www.easternshorecooperator.ca

Silence Implies Consent

By Musquodoboit Harbour Chamber of Commerce and Civic Affairs
Editors Note: The Musquodoboit Harbour & Area Chamber of Commerce & Civic Affairs has prepared this document laying out a call to come together to create a better future for the communities of the Eastern Shore. We
are printing this document in its entirety as a public service.
We on the Shore cannot afford to stay silent anymore. To
build a future, we as communities must become the authors of our own destinies.
The Musquodoboit Harbour and Area Chamber of Commerce and Civic Affairs is listening. We want to hear our
communitys voice.
For years our rural district growth centre (which we
prefer to call a village) has been sidelined, our immediate concerns appeased as the various, ever-changing
government bodies include us in the next study, the
next strategic plan. As a result, we have quietly shivered on the benches while the coach focused on the major players. The trouble is, the coach has basically forgotten about us. The top players (urban) are shining stars
demanding a great deal of their time, and that means
the sideliners (rural) will have to wait. Except the clock is
ticking, and we're running out of time.
It's time to grab a mitt and get in the game, folks. We
need you on our team. Check out our website (http://
www.musquodoboitharbourchamber.com), come to our
January meeting, buy a membership, and help us hit a
home run for the Shore.
Musquodoboit Harbour has joined the growing list of
declining rural communities, overwhelmed by urban
planning strategies, tax increases, and urban-centric ByLaws. Who should be the most concerned? Communities
east of the Harbour: West Jeddore, Head Jeddore, East
Jeddore, Oyster Pond, Ostrea Lake, Clam Harbour, Lake
Charlotte, Ship Harbour, Debaie's Cove, and everyone in
between. Those living to the west need not be overly
anxious, since their proximity to the city guarantees their
growth. But if you live farther east of the economic centres of commerce like Musquodoboit Harbour and Sheet
Harbour, the decline means life could get a whole lot
more difficult for you and your family. If the gas station,
grocery store, hardware store, or lunch spot you use on a
regular basis ever closes down, life just got complicated.
You might even decide it's just too expensive and timeconsuming to live in this area anymore. Every time that
happens, our team loses a player.
We are not alone in this dilemma. Rural communities
exist all across Canada, and many are in decline due to
the urban-centric political focus. What happens if these
towns and villages cease to exist?

If we don't come together and try to fix our own problems, other people's ideas of a solution will be imposed
upon us. They will take advantage of the lack of direction
on our part, and what results might not end up being the
best solution for the majority of people.
If we do nothing, we have no right to be shocked or upset when it happens.
So, based on the success achieved by a similar rural community (Sheet Harbour), we have taken solid steps forward. On January 20 2016, we invite you to learn about
the future of Musquodoboit Harbour and to be a concrete contributor to that future.
We have requested funding from all three levels of government to help us fund an Ekistics Master Conceptual
Plan (http://www.ekistics.net/). Based on our members'
ideas, Ekistics will put together a full, well planned, well
conceived plan for our community, turning our visions
to projects which are shovel-ready. Since these plans
will be complete with costing, we will be in a position to
move to the front of the governmental funding line. Rob
LeBlanc from Ekistics will be at our meeting on January
20 to answer all your questions.

Municipal Councillor, David Hendsbee,

has committed to contributing $10,000
So far, our Municipal Councillor, David Hendsbee, has
committed to contributing $10,000 to this plan. We
await commitment from our Provincial and Federal representatives and are optimistic they will see the benefit
in supporting our rural way of life. In our first year of existence, our Chamber has raised $4,800 solely from
membership dues, donations, and good stewardship.
As memberships renew (January 2016) and increase, and
we add in community fundraisers, the Chamber could
feasibly be able to write a cheque for $10,000.
By speaking up for ourselves and taking responsibility
through this plan, we no longer consent to being put on
hold. Armed with the Ekistics plan, its details clearly
stated in black and white, our government representatives will have what they need to make the prosperous
future of our area a reality. We will create an atmosphere worthy of increased economic investment, cultural
diversity, and social well being. We will not be passed
over anymore, because every question will have been
answered.
The MHACCCA represents the voices of the people living
between Ship Harbour to the Gaetz Brook line. That incorporates a whole lot of voices. Everyone within those
boundaries has suggestions for the betterment of our
area, and it is up to the MHACCCA to capture those
ideas.

We are responsible for providing fact based information

and garnering more support for our community. While
shop local, buy local, hire local are still obvious
themes, they are not enough. 82,775 currently live in
rural HRM21% of the total HRM population. Another
alarming statistic: 45% of all Nova Scotia's population
lives in close proximity to towns and villages of 5,000
people or less. That's almost half.
Rural planning must encourage and assist our way of life.
It must offer a true rural living experience to all potential
newcomers to the area. Instead of losing our infrastructure to potential plans to build west of us, we must enhance and expand on our own core services.
We are rural Nova Scotians. We chose to live this way.
That does not make us better or lesser than urban Nova
Scotians, but it does make our needs different. Our
greatest strength is our people, and we cannot do it
without you.
Musquodoboits strong natural and physical assets, as
well as its amazing community spirit assure
the success of this project - Ekistics
Article by the Board of the MHACCCA / December 2015
Contact us by email: mhchamberandcivic@gmail.com
www.musquodoboitharbourchamber.com

Eastern Shore Cooperator

Twitter: @escooperator

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easternshorecooperator

Web site:
www.easternshorecooperator.ca

News

Response to the Cooperator

By Jean McKenna
This is in response to Richard Bell's recent comments in
the Cooperator:
Richard Bell wears two hats, in his Eastern Shore Cooperator November edition. Under news, wearing his
journalist hat, he opines about the future of the Birches,
with a collateral kick at the Community Campus concept,
and then under Opinions, he takes another
(paternalistic) swipe at the campus concept, suggesting
that those supporting the campus are well meaning, but
misguided souls. .
Mr. Bell argues that to issue an RFP for construction of a
new Birches will put the operators of the Birches in a
bidding war against deep pocketed national for-profit
nursing home corporations. This comment reflects a
misunderstanding by Mr. Bell of the system of senior
care by the Department of Health in Nova Scotia. The
defacto operators of the Birches is the Department of
Health, through a hard working volunteer board of directors. Mr. Bell's choice of words seems intended to strike
fear in the hearts of his readers deep pockets, national, for profit, corporation; everything in that little
package but great white sharks. But Mr. Bell does not
deny the need for the new Birches. Nor does he deny,
and in fact strongly supports, the need for a new school.

CCVA have spent a year examining

all aspects of a campus
Mr. Bell's thoughts emerge from his pursuit of the issue
from the outset, (a community meeting of Musquodoboit area residents in the late summer of 2014), and
most recently, his attendance at a public meeting, organized by the Community Campus Vision Association,
on October 28, 2015. CCVA have spent a year examining
all aspects of a campus, which would include a senior's
facility, recreation facility (to possibly include 2 ice pads,
exercise space, and even, dare we hope, an swimming
pool), a school to replace Eastern Shore District High and
Gaetz Brook Junior High, including a decent auditorium,
and an Acadian school, to provide continuation of french
language education to the present Ecole Beau Marais,
now at best only able to provide such education to grade
six.
There can be no doubt that there is a real need for all of
these facilities, and the various bodies responsible for
them, will provide them. Even Mr. Bell acknowledges the
need for a new high school, and a second ice pad, and he
correctly notes that a replacement for the Birches is on
the way. What he questions is the need for such facilities
to be co-located. He asserts that the 'campus concept' is
having a negative impact ,,,on the lives of the people of
the Eastern Shore. He describes ...strong opposition on
display at the October 28 meeting.

I am not sure that Mr. Bell and I were at the same meeting.
The meeting took place after the members of the CCVA
spent a year of research, and discussions with numerous
local organizations, such as school advisory committees,
community associations, sports organizations, etc. There
was, and is, in fact, strong support for the concept, and
the need. The purpose of the large community meeting
was to provide information, clear away misconceptions
and rumors, and to provide a forum for people to ask
questions. The audience for the most part was courteous, their questions well thought out, and responses
were easily provided, by members of the committee,
other members of the community, our MLA Kevin Murphy, and HRM Councilor David Hendsbee. Misconceptions and rumors, such as a site has been selected, and
the CCVA was a secret committee supposedly formed
by Mr. Murphy, were easily dispelled. There was absolutely no strong opposition; the only negatives were
expressed by a small group of individuals (opposed since
day 1), who continue to fight the concept unless the
campus is located in Musquodoboit Harbour. The newly
formed Musquodoboit Harbour Chamber of Commerce
and Civic Affairs endorsed the concept, both before and
at the meeting, but again, couching their support in a
Musquodoboit Harbour location. Apparently they have
revisited their position, in that they now say they don't
support a campus vision, but a community vision.
Mr. Bell argues difficulty in assembling the large amount
of capital but make no mistake, there are and will continue to be capital expenditures made for seniors facilities, recreation facilities , schools, etc. throughout this
municipality and elsewhere in the province. Currently
some $4,000,000 is slated for 2 all weather soccer fields
to be built on the site of what was once Gordon Bell
School (built, incidentally, long after ESDH, and since
torn down). Ground was just turned by Minister Karen
Casey for a new P-12 school in Tatamagouche, and she
commented I commend the residents of Tatamagouche
for recognizing that combining the students into one
new modern facility was good programming for the students, and it was also a better option than putting millions of dollars into old buildings.

Eastern Shore District High School built in 1965

The School Board and the Province have just authorized
the expenditure of $20,000,000 for a new high school in
Eastern Passage, despite the fact that it will pull approximately 50% of the students out Cole Harbour High
School, an excellent facility. That same has NOT put
ESDH on their wish list, despite the fact that the water
supply must be trucked in, the shared septic is a source
of pollution in Petpeswick inlet, and asbestos has just
been discovered, used as pipe wrap in the lines supplying heat to the facility.
You can be sure of one thing, if you listen to those opposed, there will be no new school, and you will have to
put up with the old, inadequate, asbestos riddled ESDH,
there will be no new fitness facility in Musquodoboit
Harbour, or anywhere else, there will be a seniors home
isolated from the communities, and Musquodoboit Harbour and east will be unattractive destinations for new
young families and business, because of the absence of
such amenities in the community. Everyone from Lake
Echo to Ship Harbour will lose out.
Mr. Bell says we should abandon the campus vision,
claiming there can never be support from Musquodoboit
Harbour and east. Mr. Bell is not listening; the CCVA in
fact has active, engaged, members from Musquodoboit
Harbour, and east, and west. Our small group meetings
were inclusive of all areas, and in all areas, found abundant support.
The glaring difference between the thinking of those
opposing the campus, and the CCVA is the idea of what
constitutes a community. For the small, well meaning
group of individuals opposing the campus, a 'community'
seems to be Musquodoboit Harbour and its surrounds,
but only as far as Gaetz Brook. (And incidentally, the SAC
of Gaetz Brook Junior high fully supports the campus).

Continue Reading on Page 6

Eastern Shore Community Centre and Arena managed by the Eastern Shore Recreation Commission
opened in 1973.

Easternshorecooperator.ca

Response...
Continued from page 5
When Mr. Bell returns to Nova Scotia next summer, I
would ask him, and the rest of the naysayers, to explore
a different view of what is ' community'. Start with a
drive to the top of Harbour Ridge Golf; look east, west,
north and south and see a portion of the community,
including beautiful Martinique Beach; that is part of our
community. Then drive 20 minutes west, to the top of
range road in Grand Desert; gaze all the way past Martinique and Bayer's Islands to Jeddore Rock and Pleasant
Point. That is our community. Watch the surfers on Lawrencetown Beach. Stop at the Acadian Museum, boat or
paddle up Porter's Lake, tie up for a swim in the clear
water at Devil's Bed, talk to the fishermen at the government wharf in East Chezzetcook; hop on a bike and ride
along the old rail line, soon to provide a complete, safe,
route all the way back to Musquodoboit Harbour, and

Continued . . .
then up the river. But don't stop there; visit the railway
museum, and head east, to the Fisherman's Life Museum in Jeddore, and then on to Lake Charlotte, where
you can drop in a canoe or kayak and explore that beautiful Lake. Then roll on to Memory Lane and Clam Harbour Beach. Continue the loop up through Lower Ship
Harbour, back up to the number 7. This is our community; the community of everyone from newborns to centenarians, who deserve and will benefit from a campus
facility.
Envision, if you will, students crossing a campus to do
volunteer service or complete a social studies project,
with the communitys elders in a senior's facility; those
elders sharing their wisdom and memories, passing on
the culture of our unique region. Envision those same
seniors, perhaps no longer driving, but certainly ambulatory, strolling or in a wheelchair across a campus pathway to attend a game or performance at the school, using the fitness facility, and stopping in a cafe, shared

with those students and the rest of the community.

Envision the old ESDH building converted to some 20-30
apartment units, meeting some of the housing crisis for
so many in our community. (And there is significant
funding available for any developer who takes on such a
project).
That is my vision, and I believe, is the vision of the CCVA.
One of the last comments at the October 28 meeting
said it all. I will not say where I am from; that doesn't
matter. This campus is good for all of us..
Jean McKenna is a member of the Community Campus
Vision Association

The Birches Update

Since 1979, The Birches Nursing Home has
been an important part of this community.
As a not-for-profit, community governed
organization; we are dedicated to providing compassionate and caring support to
people as they age. The Birches has been
privileged over the years to have the support of the community, both financially
through your generous donations and
through your participation in the daily lives
of our residents.
Its no secret that the years have taken a
toll on our facility. While ongoing repairs
and upgrades have been made through the
years, The Birches layout and design do
not meet current standards for long term
care facilities. In the Fall of this year, The
Birches was included in a list of six nursing
homes designated for replacement.
The responsibility for the overseeing a replacement facility falls to the facilitys
Board of Directors. The Birches is fortunate
to have a strong, volunteer Board of Directors chosen from and elected by the community. This is a significant undertaking for
any Board, but one the current Board is
ready to take on. As we move forward, we
are committed to engaging with the community and maintaining regular communication. This is our first report to the community.

In June 2015, Health Minister Leo Glavine

accepted our invitation to see first-hand
the need for a replacement facility. During
his visit, the Minister stated that the Government would be issuing an open Request
for Proposals (RFP). The anticipated date
for release of an RFP was September 2015.
To date, no RFP has been issued. As we
move forward, The Board is committed to
ensuring The Birches continues to operate
as a not-for-profit, community governed
organization.
We hope and anticipate that the Government will hold discussions with The Birches
in the near future and that they will work
with the current Board to facilitate the
process to replace our facility.
The Board will continue to actively advocate for you and work on your behalf to
ensure the process is responsive to the
needs of our community and those of our
residents. In the new year, we will formally
host a public meeting to further inform the
community and to hear your input.
Thank you.
Board of Directors
The Birches Nursing Home
7702 Highway #7
Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia B0J 2L0

Community
A Winter Weather Forecast
By Wyn Jones
Some years back I suffered an accident that, though unfortunate at the time, left me with a very special talent.
A careless moment in front of the kitchen stove brought
a pan of boiling pasta across my tummy at the belt line.
Needless to say, I have never felt the same about spaghetti again. Excruciatingly painful though it was initially,
I eventually recovered, despite a scar right across my
middle.
It took some time, however, for me to realise that the
scar, as it faded, had somehow developed a remarkable
ability to forecast the weather. Im not talking here
about giving a rough guess as to whether it is going to
rain tomorrow morning. Im talking about serious, longterm accuracy, even months away.
My forecasting all has to do with the quality and
strength of the Itch. A slight tingle on the right side of
my scar gives a short term forecast of atmospheric moisture, fog, rain or snow. An itch in the middle can indicate the pressure and the coming wind velocity. And
over and around the left side is really bad weather.
So let me share my detailed forecast. This winter will be
considerably milder than last years awfulnessl. December will be rather wet, especially around the middle of
month. The 18th and 19th will be a little dodgy, with the
possibility of some freezing rain. But for the most part,
Christmas will be a green one, with some flurries of
snow on Boxing Day. There will be a light snowfall on the
28th turning to rain on the 29th. It will then suddenly become very cold for the New Year.
January will see a snowfall of up to 15cm on the 8th and
more again on the 12th, but melting will occur on the
13th, and for a week the sun will shine even though it will
remain cold. There will then be a change on the 21st, becoming a little warmer, bringing rain, freezing rain, and
wet snow with heavy snow in the highlands and lots of
rain along the Eastern Shoreline.

On February 7th we will get a heavy snowfall with high

winds, as much as 40cm. But unlike last year, this snowstorm will be followed by a couple of days of warmer
weather. There will be more rain for three days, making
things difficult in low-lying areas. More snow on St. Valentines Day. More snow towards the end of the month,
especially on the 25th, but not enough to cause too many
problems.
Ive discovered that my scar only predicts the weather
where my body will be on a given date in the future.
Since Im going to be on holiday near the Equator for the
whole of March, the forecast of brilliant sunshine and
temps in the low 30s is obviously not accurate for the
Eastern Shore. (But my holiday will be lovely!)
Ill be back in Nova Scotia in
April. My scar tells me there will
be an exceptionally early spring,
with rising temps and a lot of
fog throughout the whole
month.
So thats it. You heard it here
first. I have shared my predictions with you because all these
weather forecasters are bound
to get it wrong. They rely entirely on scientific data, which
we all know to be somewhat
iffycompared to my trusty
scar.
And besides, after last winter,
we all really need a break
dont we!!

Submissions
Deadline is
December 28
escsubmissions@eastlink.ca

Time to book your Annual Servicing now

that the cold weather is here again!
$116.99 includes nozzle and oil filter.

Local Sports

Eastern Shore High School Sports Scene

www.easternshorecooperator.ca
Boys Hockey Schedule
Home Games on Wednesday 7pm at ES Arena

ESDH has a strong sports scene. Weve listed the schedules below in case you
would like to catch the action.

December 9 at 7pm: Halifax West @ Eastern Shore

December 11-13 Tournament in Yarmouth

Boys Basketball Schedule

Girls Basketball Schedule

Home games played at ESDH Gym

Home Games Played at ESDH Gym

December 11 at 6pm: Cole Harbour @ Eastern Shore

January 6 at 6pm: Armbrae @ Eastern Shore

December 15 at 8pm: Eastern Shore @ Grammer

January 14 at 6pm: Eastern Shore @ Sacred Heart

December 17 at 6pm: Eastern Shore @ Cole Harbour

January 22 at 6pm: Halifax Grammar @ Eastern Shore

January 8 at 6:30pm: Eastern Shore @ Fountain

February 1 at 6pm: Sacred Heart @ Eastern Shore

January 11 at 7pm: Lockview @ Eastern Shore

February 3 at 4:30pm: Eastern Shore @ Dartmouth

High

January 18 at 5:30pm: Armbrae @ Eastern Shore

January 19 at 5:30pm: Eastern Shore @ Sackville High
Playoffs Start February 1

Playoffs Start February 8

December 16 at 7pm: Sir John A MacDonald @ Eastern

Shore
December 19 at 7pm: Sledge Hockey Halifax Ginders @
Eastern Shore
December 21 at 5pm: Alumni Game
January 5 at 6:30pm: Eastern Shore @ Auburn
January 6 at 7pm: CPA @ Eastern Shore
January 13 at 7pm: JL Isley @ Eastern Shore
January 14 at 7pm: Eastern Shore @ Millwood
January 20 at 7pm: Lockview @ Eastern Shore
February 4 at 5:30pm: Eastern Shore @ Cole Harbour
Playoffs Start in February

Photos By Jill Bellefontaine

Eastern Shore Bantam Finally Wins GOLD

at SEDMA Tournament

Well, they finally succeeded. These 11 players have been together since Atom and have always wanted that token SEDMHA banner and Sunday they were able to finally take the
championship lap around the ice letting the banner fly over head as they skated around.
For these girls it was a great achievement as they had to overcome some adversity in their 4 th
game. After going 3 and 0 throughout the tournament, they came up against a formidable
opponent Cole Harbor Wings who proceeded to hand them a sound defeat. Any other
team may have succumbed to the pressure of having to come through the backside of the
draw in order to win gold. But, the Eastern Shore Bantam Mariners were more than up for
the challenge.
After a good nights rest, our girls came out on fire soundly defeating the Halifax Hawks 7 2
moving them in to the final game in the afternoon, a rematch against Cole Harbor Wings. The
first 5 minutes of the game it looked as though CH was going to take it as they kept the pressure on and scored the first goal, catching our girls sitting back on their heels. But slowly, the
momentum shift began; ES scored about halfway through the period and then went ahead
on a late tally just 40 seconds before the period end. From then on it seemed as though CH
had lost the desire to win and our girls kept the pressure on the rest of the way. When it was
all said and done, our Eastern Shore Female Mariners won convincingly with the final score
being 5 1.
It is too difficult to single any one player out. All 11 girls played exceptionally well and have
earned the right to call themselves 2015 SEDMHA Bantam Champs!
Well done Girls!! Well done to the coaching staff, volunteers and parents too!

Local Sports
On The Ice

A passion for growing the game

By Jacqueline Sanford
PLSA president, Gina Dunn, was recognized and awarded for her longstanding contributions to the sport at the first annual Soccer NS Night of
Excellence, held recently at MSVU. At a gala evening event, Dunn received
the Volunteer of the Year Award, for the Harbour East District. Also recognized during the evening were exceptional coaches, players, teams and officials.

- Novice Advanced team pictured in the 3 photos

along the top
- Atom B team picture to the left
- Novice Intermediate Goalie is always practicing
whether at the rink or in the back yard (bottom left)
- Novice Ice Breakers (below) waiting to play their
game of the season.

The Porters Lake Club has held official status for the past 10 years, growing
to include over 350 players last year. This success, in large part, is a direct
result of Dunns involvement. She has filled virtually every role within the
club, from coach and team manager, to program coordinator to equipment
manager to club president. This has provided her with extraordinary experience and in-depth knowledge of all aspects of leading a quality sports program, as well as the ability to recruit and teach new volunteers how to get
the job done. One board member commented that Gina is the most resourceful person I know when it comes to sourcing revenue streams, equipment sponsors, donations or other resources and has been instrumental
in ensuring not just the continuation, but the steady growth and success of
this club.
Dunn says she just loves to see the kids developing their soccer skills and
their love of the game. You will still see her on the sidelines, cheering on
one of our teams even when her own boys arent on the pitch. Committed
to community based soccer on the Eastern Shore, she has plans to advocate
for a new field for the area for the 2016 playing season.

Members of the Porters Lake Soccer Executive at the Soccer Nova

Scotia awards ceremony.
Tim Mattatall (left) Gina Dunn (centre) and Jacqueline Sanford (right)

10

Community Life

www.easternshorecooperator.ca

Dont Replace Street Lights: Turn Them Off!

By Colin Cameron
I learned from Councilor Hendsbees latest monthly
communiqu that HRM is replacing our existing orange
sodium streetlights with brighter blue LED lights. According to HRM, this change of some 44,000 streetlights will
result in improved visibility and safety for all users.
LED lights are cheaper to operate. But the city is missing
a golden opportunity here to save even more money by
just turning off some streetlights for good, especially in
rural areas.
But wouldnt that make our streets more dangerous,
and encourage more crime? People are being lured into
a false sense of security when they believe that streetlights will somehow make them and their property safe
from criminal activity. Numerous studies demonstrate
that lighting has little or no effect on rates for some
crimes, and can actually increase certain crimes like car
theft, vandalism and burglary.
In a survey of incarcerated felons for crimes of vandalism, car theft and robbery, over 98% made no reference
to lighting as a factor in what time of day or night they
committed their crimes until prompted. Then the study
revealed that they preferred to work in lit areas with
only 2% preferring darkness.

If a house were in darkness, a criminal would need to

carry a flashlight. Streetlights provide enough light to
operate inside a house without turning on lights or using
a flashlight. In rural areas, streetlights light up the house,
yard, sheds and vehicles etc. for better viewing, whether
you want it or not. Motion sensors on yard lights are
much more effective in that they startle would be criminals.
Nor do streetlights make driving at night in rural areas
safer.
It takes the human eye 9 seconds to completely adjust
to radically different light levels. If you are driving in a
rural area with streetlights on every second pole it
means that your pupil adjusts to the light, does not have
time to adjust to the darkness in between lights.
Add a black thick o fog, rain or snow and each streetlight creates a wall of light, beyond which you can see
nothing. It is the same as a theatre lighting trick using
sharkstooth scrim cloth. If you shine lights on the audience side of the cloth, creating a wall of light, you cant
see activity behind it. Light reflecting off water/ice particles has the same effect.
In rural areas, streetlights turn blind corners and hills
into 24/7 blind corners and hills. Once upon a time, blind
corners and hills were blind only in daylight hours because at night one could see an approaching vehicles
headlights reflecting off hydro wires and trees. Now,
with streetlights being installed on blind hills and corners, the light from the streetlights cancels out the approaching lights of an oncoming vehicle. And streetlights
also reduce the effectiveness of reflective signage and
road markings.
Streetlights also contribute to the negative health effects of nighttime lighting. Doctors at the 2012 annual
meeting of the American Medical Association adopted a
report on nighttime lighting that focused on lightinduced disruptions of the bodys circadian biological
rhythms. The study found that such disruptions have
potential carcinogenic effects related to melatonin suppression, especially breast cancer. Other diseases that
may be exacerbated by circadian disruption include obesity, diabetes, depression and mood disorders, and reproductive problems.
Given all these problems with rural lighting, I urge our
municipal officials to stop squandering our tax dollars on
lights that serve no purpose and have no benefit other
than guaranteeing the 9.5% return on NSPs shareholder
annual dividends.

Editors Note: For more information about the impact of

light pollution, see:
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, http://
rasc.ca/lpa-resources
International Dark Sky Association, http://darksky.org/
light-pollution
Globe at Night, http://www.globeatnight.org/downloads
British Astronomical Association on human health problems, http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/health.html?
7O

Zoning Process For Dump

on Hwy 7 Grinds to a Halt
By Richard Bell
The rezoning process for the C&D-2 processing facility proposed for Hwy 7 has ground to
a halt. Deb Day, the Chair of The Coalition for
Safe and Healthy Communities for Preston,
Mineville, Lake Echo & Porters Lake, recently
posted the following update on the groups
Facebook page:
HRM is still waiting for information from
Kiann Management before taking their next
step in the rezoning process. We are still
waiting on word when the Public Information Meeting is going to occur and will inform
the residents on this page, on our website, by
email and via Twitter. HRM will also inform
residents using their traditional methods. We
don't know when the meeting will be. The
Coalition will be having another Community
Conversation meeting in Mineville in January
and we will let you know when the date is
once it is confirmed.

Community Life

11

Paddle to the Sea on the Eastern Shore

By Richard Bell
With the addition of
Nova Scotia Nature
Trusts latest land
purchase on the
Tangier River, the
Eastern Shore is only
a few steps away
from being a paddle
to the sea outdoor
colossus surpassing
even the offerings of
the South Shores
Kejimkujik National
Park.
Weve got three
wilderness areasWhite Lake, Ship Harbour Long Lake,
and Tangier Grand Lakewhich are all in the process of
being connected by wilderness corridors, said Barbara
Markovitz, co-chair of Eastern Shore Forest Watch Association. If you take them together, theyre as large as
Kejimkujik, with three times the number of lakes and
rivers. And you can put a canoe in the water in the interior and paddle to the ocean.
The new Nature Trust land lies along the west side of Eel
Brook, Tangier River, and Tangier Lake. The 140-acre
property includes over a kilometer of shoreline on
the Tangier River and 2 kilometers on Tangier Lake.
In announcing the acquisition, Nature Trust Executive Director Bonnie Sutherland emphasized its strategic importance: Our new Tangier River Conservation Lands protect a bit of everything, from lakes,
rivers and wetlands to ocean shore. Most exciting
though, the property is a natural corridor linking a
vast 40,000 acre inland freshwater wilderness to the
100 Wild Islands. It creates connectivity that is significant for nature and for people too.
The 100 Wild Islands coastal wilderness was already
promising to be a great tourist attraction. The 7,000
acre archipelago is a paradise for boaters of all sorts,
stretching for 30 km along the coast from Clam Harbour and Mushaboom Harbour. There are some 282
islands altogether, of which 127 are over an acre in
size.
The Nature Trust has driven the creation of this
unique ocean resource, bringing more than 70% of
the once privately owned 100 Wild Islands into conservation. And under the program to protect Crown
land, the province has kicked in by protecting an
additional 4,000 acres of Crown-owned islands.

Merry Christmas and

Happy and Healthy New
Year from the
Eastern Shore Cooperator
The three Eastern Shore wilderness areas are not easily
accessible from Route 7. The
Tangier River Conservation
Lands will in time make it easier for hikers and paddlers to
enter the eastern end of the
Tangier Grand Lake wilderness.
For more info: Nova Scotia Nature Trust: http://www.nsnt.ca
100 Wild Islands:
http://www.100wildislands.ca

History

13

TANGIER QUILTER, EILEEN BRADLEY HAS 70 YEARS OF PRACTICE

By Maelissa Watson
It is that time of year, Quilting Time on the Eastern
Shore. Eileen Bradley, a talented, dedicated, and experienced quilter graciously agreed to share her life story.
Growing up as a child in Tangier, she watched her
Mother, Edna Hawes Cooper nee Mason sew. Her
Mother took patterns from Eatons and Simpsons catalogs drew the design on paper; measured the child that
needed a dress, skirt, trousers, or a coat and pronto perfect fashion. Eileen has fond memories of the numerous
beautiful coats and dresses her Mother made for her.
Clippings of all the materials left over were carefully
stored in a basket for quilts or hooked rugs,
Her childhood family home had quilts on every bed, but
Eileen did not continue that practice. All the quilts that
she has made have been given as gifts or donated to
Charity. Eileen has made a hundred or more quilts in her
lifetime, I never kept track of them. Eileen watched
her Mother make all the traditional patterns, Dutch
Girls, Mariners Compass, Log Cabin, Rose of Sharon,
Bears Paw, Wandering Foot, and the Double Wedding
Ring. The latter is popular today because of the symbolism of the interlocking wedding rings; since it fosters
romance and marriage, joining two souls on their journey through life.
Eileen creates her own design based on the fabric and
colors she has chosen. Her pieces can be geometric, circular, or trapezoidal. The sunflower is her favorite traditional pattern. Eileen has pleasant, happy memories of
Eastern Shore social and fundraising quilting. In her early
days quilts were auctioned off for the Schools. Eileen,
Theresa Cooper, and Winnie Hawes formed Quilting
Bees at Sheet Harbour Nursing Home, and with the help
of seniors there, diligently quilted numerous creations;
with needed proceeds going towards the Nursing Home.
I asked Eileen a few questions about Eastern Shore Superstitions: Every quilter makes one small mistake to
avoid bad luck? If a woman had not made a quilt by
her 21st Birthday she would never marry? If a quilter
breaks a needle while quilting, it was bad luck? she
laughed her hearty laugh, her response was never
heard them. In that Philosophical vein we addressed
another question about weather, climate and quilting.
Nova Scotia has a reputation for dark, dreary, cold winter days, hence most Eastern Shore quilts have a white
background to banish grey days? Eileen said I always
use a white background because I like bright, cheerful
colours not for environmental or psychological reasons.
Eileen has created a pictorial art legacy for her Children,
Grandchildren, and Great Grandchildren. I think I have
made a quilt for each one, but there are so many Great
Grandchildren, I am not sure. She has one surviving
quilt left for a Granddaughter when she gets married.

I never have kept a quilt

for myself she said. The
writers Granddaughter
has been honored by
Tangier Resident Anne
Thomas, since her Grandmother does not have the
ability to create a quilt.
Anne Thomass English
born Mother Alice
Walker, had indescribable
artistic talent and left
Anne many treasures.
Anne gifted an heirloom
quilt, brilliantly designed,
hand sewn, to my GrandYoung Eileen with her
daughter Avocet Macmother outside the
Dougal on her first visit as
an infant to Pleasant HarGeneral Store in 1922.
bour. The Eastern Shore is
fortunate that Eileens, Alices and other neighbourhood
quilters artistic legacies, will live on cherished by the
beneficiaries in perpetuity.

Nominate Your Favorite Volunteer

If you know people whore doing outstanding volunteer work, nows your chance
to give them the recognition they deserve.
HRM, the Mayor, and Regional Council are
accepting nominations for individuals and
groups whose volunteer efforts are making
life better for the citizens of Halifax. The
deadline for 2016 Volunteer Award nominations is December 11, 2015. Not everyone
will win an award, but all nominees get a
letter thanking them for their service.
You can find the nomination form at this
webpage:
http://www.halifax.ca/volunteerservices/
awards/index.php
Any questions please call 902-490-1573

14

Arts Scene

Spinning My Way On The Rock

By Leslie Hauck
I was so excited to be chosen as an
instructor for a The Year of Craft
Fibre Arts Conference organized by
the Newfoundland and Labrador
Craft Council. There were fourteen
crafters covering the fibre arts of
quilting, net making, felting (both
high fashion and nature-inspired
sculpture) embroidery, dying and
printing, tapestry weaving, paper
making, sculptural knitting, and me,
hand spinning yarn from Canada,
the U.S., England, and India.
I applied to teach not only because it would be a great and
fun experience, but because I would be paid handsomely if I
taught all three daysand with all expenses paid! The workshop and accommodation venues were strung out in various
buildings spread over three contiguous communities that lay
on Bonne Bay, a large and complex configuration. My workshop was in the Visitor's Centre for Gros Morne National
Park, where someone spotted a moose strolling by outside
our big windows at the edge of the forest.
We were fed each day by the local ladies' auxiliaries of fire
and church: moose meat in the soup, bottled moose
spread in sandwiches, a divine moose stew that hinted of
good red wine and sour cream, and my favourite: Newfoundland Flakeymade from layers of saltine crackers, Dream
Whip (my friends in Nova Scotia know me as very anti-Dream
Whip!), and custard made from a box.
My students were enthusiastic, wonderful, and fun. All the
attendees, being fibre fanatics, were kindred spirits. We
were witnesses to the meeting of mountain and ocean scenery, sunrise colour on western flank, the green of spruce generously flecked with the yellow of fall birch all the way up to
the top of the mountains, all except Gros Morne, which is
solid rock, alternately displaying grey or purple, and whose
name, I was told, means Big Gloomy There was snow on
top by the last day.
I spent two days after the conference in and around Trout
River walking two trails in hail and sleet, with a landscape
that was redolent of the Wild West. My B&B host introduced me to a ninety-one-year-old spinner who was born in
an outport on the Western peninsula, and I pumped Edna for
tales of her life for two hours. Since another couple and I
were there hiking off season, B&B owners Doris and Tom
Sheppard made sure we were nourished with full hot meals
for supper. Then we were easily drawn into card games each
night. My idea of perfection!
With the drop in temperature and white stuff on the undulating roads, it was an easy decision to head home to West
Jeddore. Gros Morne, I'll back!
Leslie Hauck, owner of The Spinners Loft
(www.thespinnersloft.ca) in West Jeddore, has been spinning
anything spinnable for 35 years.

Local Group Prepares to Welcome Refugee Family

By Richard Bell
A newly formed Eastern Shore refugee support group
has raised $14,000 in just 6 weeks, putting it on
schedule to welcome a refugee family as early as
January, 2016.
In our November issue, we reported that Musquodoboit Harbour residents Adrian Blanchette and his wife
Elisabeth Schwarzer were leading an effort to bring
local churches and communities together to sponsor a
refugee family.
At a public information meeting on November 8, more
than 40 people showed up. It was a very, very positive response, said Blanchette. There were no questions at all coming from fear. We gave out lots of
pledge cards, and 16 people signed up as volunteers.
Support is also building among other local churches.
After the November 8 meeting, the local United
Church of Canada asked to join us, Blanchette said.
So weve renamed the group: the Musquodoboit
Harbour St. Philip Neri ChurchUnited Church of Canada Refugee Sponsorship Committee
Blanchette said he was pleasantly surprised by how
fast things were moving. Weve already almost half
of the $29,700 you need to bring in a family of four.
Our fundraising is going so well that weve just put in
our application for a family of 4 or 5. We thought we

wouldnt be ready until April, but we may have people

here by early January.
In addition to raising money, the support group has
also got team coordinators to make sure that the family is welcomed and integrated into the community:
accommodations and furniture, clothing, education,
and health care.
While the ISIS attacks in Beirut and Paris have produced backlashes against refugees in some parts of
the world, Blanchette says thats not whats happening in Nova Scotia. The attacks have just made people here more resolute and wanting to do something.
Those refugees are fleeing from real terror.
In addition to accepting direct donations, the refugee
support group is also running a special community
fundraising effort in the parking lot at St. Philip Neri.
Weve got a big Christmas tree, Blanchette said.
For $2, you can buy a light for the tree. So over the
next weeks, people driving by will see the tree filling
up with light.
For more information, or to make a pledge, please
contact Adrian Blanchette by email at
shorefuge@gmail.com or by phone at 902-889-3086.

December Pin It Up
Porters Lake Seniors Group

MUSQUODOBOIT HARBOUR &

DISTRICT LIONS

Wednesday 1:30pm in the Porter's Lake Community Centre. Music, games, etc. Everyone welcome! Contact: Ruth 902 827-2814.

Christmas Tree Lot opens Dec. 1 at the

Railroad Museum.
Trees $27 Wreaths $15
Trees are locally grown and of good
quality.
You may also drop off used glasses
and hearing aids and supplies for the
Food Bank.
Hours of Operation: Weekdays: 2 5
PM, Weekends: 9 AM 5 PM.
HELP US HELP THE COMMUNITY!!

Musical Friends Community Chorus presents

a concert of Christmas music and other musical
selections. The concert will also feature the
Halifax Regional School Board East Elementary Voices and Youth Voices. Join us for a
very special evening of music that will warm
your heart and put you in the spirit of the season.
Sat Dec 12, 7:00 p.m. at St. Philip Neri Roman
Catholic Church, Musquodoboit Harbor.
Free-will offering.

New Years Eve Celebrations

* NEW YEARS EVE* DANCE
@ Petpeswick Yacht Club
featuring " Ruckus" Band (formerly
10-2-Midnite)
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Door & Bar Open: 8 pm Dance: 9 pm
- 1 am
Great Dance Music, Champagne &
Midnight Snack, Party Favours!
$35 per person Business Casual
Please
Plan ahead Call Now Ring in 2016
@ PYC !
Tickets & Group Reservations: Paula
@ 902 889 2435

15
Musquodoboit Harbour Farmers Market
Sundays 9am - 1pm
December 13 & 2 and January 10, 24
67 Park Road, Musquodoboit Harbour at the Bingo Hall.
www.mhfarmersmarket.ca.
info@mhfarmersmarket.ca.
Join us for a handmade Christmas at your farmers market on the Eastern Shore!! Over 40 vendors- food,
crafts, art, Christmas arrangements and linens, jewelry,
pottery, music, pet gifts, clothing, books, Christmas
basket draw, door prizes, and more! For more information:info@mhfarmersmarket.ca or call 902-220-9114.
See Ad on Page 14 for more details
NEW FOR Winter Market 2016

MH Farmers Winter Market will start up again

January 10.and occur every two weeks at our same
location at 67 Park Roadfrom 9 am-12 pm. Signup
for our newsletter for who is at the market
at www.mhfarmersmarket.ca or check out our
Facebook page (mhfarmersmarket). For more information: info@mhfarmersmarket.ca or call 902220-9114. Thank you for a great 2015 year!
Coastal Voices Mens Choir Begins 2016 Season
Coastal Voices Mens Choir will begin weekly rehearsals on January 7, 2016 (7-9pm.) Men interested in singing with this group are encouraged to
attend the first rehearsal at the
Harbour Lights New Horizon Club

Merry Christmas and

Happy & Healthy 2016
from your friendly
neighbourhood
newspaper

167 Meaghers Grant Rd

Musquodoboit Harbour
While musical experience is an asset, it is not necessary. Voice lessons/vocal coaching for men are
also available from Allan Banks for a small
fee. For more information about the group or to
indicate an interest in joining, please call Allan
Banks at 889-3179 or abanks@ns.sympatico.ca.
The membership fee will remain at $50 for the season and will help to cover the cost of our important
and talented professional staff. ALSO, be mindful
that we are continuing to look for new singers.

FREE Community Listings Page Submit your event on our new web site under events
Deadline December 28 for paper, anytime for online. Paper & Online - more info about the event online.
Updated List of community events on our web site www.easternshorecooperator.ca