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Surfs Up
Youth of Porters Lake & area have raised over $2500 for
Christmas Daddies at the local dances.
Surfs Down
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?
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Editorial
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
News
www.easternshorecooperator.ca
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.
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News
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.
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
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.
Submissions
Deadline is
December 28
escsubmissions@eastlink.ca
Local Sports
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.
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
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.
10
Community Life
www.easternshorecooperator.ca
Community Life
11
History
13
14
Arts Scene
December Pin It Up
Porters Lake Seniors Group
Wednesday 1:30pm in the Porter's Lake Community Centre. Music, games, etc. Everyone welcome! Contact: Ruth 902 827-2814.
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
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