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Community

On Martinique Beach
By Wyn Jones

On any given day in the year, Martinique Beach is magical. The combination of salted
air and a foam-laden scent makes it a very special place. I happened to be walking along
the strand one afternoon late last August, my dog Amber pounding in and out of the
shallows as a warm and glowing sun set the ripples in the receding tide to a diamond
sparkle. As it was mid week, we had the whole length of the beach to ourselves, or so I
thought. But there suddenly just ahead of us, wading slowly, the water lapping around
his knees, was a small rotund figure.
As we approached, he turned and flashed the broadest grin of sheer pleasure one
could ever hope to encounter. His gleaming white smile was offset against a tanned
face set within a white, week-old stubbly almost beard. His bright red shorts extended
to meet with the seawater, and his tee shirt of faded whiteness had a Toronto Maple
Leafs logo across its front. His baseball cap, also bearing the teams logo, was set
askance his nut-brown forehead.

peculiar grouping. Two older men, a dog, a young doe and several gulls all strolling in
the shallow surf and enjoying the afternoon experience. An hour never passed by so
quickly and enjoyably.
***
We always spend Christmas with my daughter and her family in Hammonds Plains. It
has become a tradition. Each Christmas Eve, we help my granddaughter compose a
letter to Santa that, during the course of the evening, is sent up the chimney with a
long list of requests. Before she goes reluctantly to bed, we always put out a glass of
milk and a couple of cookies for the old gentleman, just to help him along.

After chiding him for his obvious support of such a losing team, he admitted his concern
as a devoted fan. Maybe they need my help he chuckled, rather obliquely.

On Christmas morning, there under the tree as always, was a huge pile of gifts that then
took most of the morning of organised chaos to unwrap with all the accompanying
hugs and kisses. We were coming to the lower end of the pile when I noticed the
empty glass and a few crumbs on the plate we had left out a few hours earlier. Neatly
tucked under the glass was a piece of folded paper. Written across the page was a
simple sentence in a spidery hand. Perhaps next summer on the beach was all it said.
And perhaps the Maple Leafs will win the cup this year after all!

For the next hour we walked together to the far end of the beach. He turned out to
be the most fascinating company and a wonderful raconteur. Amber had obviously
fallen in love with him as she nuzzled against his side. I also noticed that at least a
dozen seagulls had flown down and were patiently walking beside us. A small deer
appeared from behind one of the dunes and joined what must have looked like a most

The above was written after Christmas last year. I regret that I did not meet my friend
this past summer. I guess our late afternoon stroll got pushed back in my memory and
maybe I was too busy in my life to spare the time to walk on Martinique. But I thought
of him the other day, and with the coming of Christmas, I hope he will pay us all a visit
again. And again, maybe this is the year for the Leafs to win.

Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program


Expands to Adults Across the Province
Building on a series of successful pilot programs, Justice Minister Diana Whalen
has announced the province-wide expansion of the Nova Scotia Restorative
Justice Program to adults. Whalen made the announcement on November 21 at
a National Restorative Justice Symposium in Halifax
Restorative justice has proven to be a good option for communities, victims and
offenders, said Whalen. Thats why were expanding the program and offering
it across the province.
Restorative justice requires offenders to take responsibility for their actions and
holds them accountable to the community and their victims. This helps victims
and their families get the closure and support they need to heal.
The restorative justice expansion will replace the Adult Diversion Program.
Restorative justice takes a more inclusive approach that has shown better
outcomes for all involved, with offenders far less likely to come into conflict with
the law again.
In pilot programs starting back in 2011 in Cape Breton, East Hants, and Colchester
County, restitution rates have been very successful, with strong support from
criminal justice partners and a high satisfaction rate among victims. (In case
you missed it, Restorative Justice Week in Nova Scotia ran from Nov. 20-27. For
more information on the National Restorative Justice symposium, go to: http://
novascotia.ca/just/restorative-justice-symposium-2016/

Opinion

Lets Replace ESDH Now


By Jean McKenna

[Editors note: The following article is a shortened version of a longer report that the
Community Campus Vision Association has put together. Jean McKenna is one of the
founders of CCVA. The complete report is on the Cooperators website at http://www.
easternshorecooperator.ca/ccva_report_on_esdh_december_2016]
The Community Campus Vision Association has been advocating for a new school that
would combine and replace Eastern Shore District High and Gaetz Brook Junior High.
Our advocacy had included the concept of a shared facility concept, a community
campus, to include a recreation complex and a seniors residential care structure.
However, it has become increasingly clear that it is futile to fight on three hills, and
it has also become clear that these two schools desperately need replacement. Our
current focus is therefore entirely on school replacement.
ESDH, which opened in 1965, now has the dubious honour of being the oldest high
school in HRM, and one of the oldest high schools in the province. The schools basic
facilities fall far short of city schools. Even St. Pats, and Queen Elizabeth which were
demolished 10 years ago, and replaced by Citadel High had much better facilities.
On a list of current problems at ESDH, CCVA has been especially concerned about
the presence of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM). There have been several
investigations over the years which have found ACM in such places as boiler room
breaching insulation, pipe elbow parging cement, various floor tiles, drywall compound,
ceiling panels, etc. A few areas have been cleaned up, but many continue to exist.
On another front, ESDH has been forced to rely on trucked-in water, three loads a day,
since 1992, at an estimated cost today of $50,000 a year. Pollution of Petpeswick Inlet
is a recurring problem. The schools gym is far too small, and the school lacks a proper
auditorium.
Getting ESDH on the Replacement List
The process for a school to be considered for replacement requires the School Board
to place it on a wish list of non-prioritized capital construction projects that are then

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submitted to the province. Until 2016, ESDH had never been on the list, despite its
many flaws.
But this spring, our school board representative Bridget Boutilier convinced the Halifax
board to designate possible new school to replace ESDH on the capital funding request
list for the next fiscal year. On May 1, 2016, CCVA presented a petition containing 1,276
signatures to the Nova Scotia legislature requesting immediate replacement for ESDH.
CCVA members also had a brief discussion with Minister Karen Casey, and a 20-minute
meeting with Premier Stephen McNeil.
Were now waiting for Minister Caseys announcement of capital funding projects.
ESDH needs to be on this list. We do not need yet more band-aids. Please call your
MLA Kevin Murphy (902-424-5707), Premier McNeil (902-424-5707), and Minister of
Education Karen Casey (902-424-5168) and urge them to put ESDH on this years list.

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News
Department of Education on Potential Teachers Strike

y=9
"

Nancy Lobban CPA, CGA

- Chartered Professional Accountant


Tel 902-476-8765 Fax 902-889-3363
Email:nlobban@eastlink.ca

Office and Mailing Address:


# 8005 Highway 7, Musquodoboit Harbour NS B0J 2L0

Funds Available for High Speed Rural


Internet

[Editors note: As this issue of


the paper goes to press, there
is a possibility of a job action by
the Nova Scotia Teachers Union
as early as December 5. The
Department of Education and
Early Childhood Development
(EECD) distributed the following
notice to parents and guardians
on November 22. If there is a
job action, the Halifax Regional
School Board will post information
on its website (www.hrsb.ca) and
Twitter (@HRSB_Official).]

Will there be any advance


notice?
The NSTU must give the Minister
of the Department of Labour and
Advanced Education a minimum
of 48 hours notice before any
job action can occur. Job action
may not happen immediately
following the conclusion of the
48-hour time period. It may not
happen at all.
Will you know what type of job
action the NSTU will take?

Information
Notice
for
Parents and Guardians from The NSTU is not required to give
EECD, November 22, 2016
notice of what kind of job action
they will take. They are also not

If youre not happy with the speed of your Internet service,


heres a chance to get some provincial funds to improve your
service. From now through December 31, 2016, municipalities
and community groups can apply for funding for small-scale
projects to bring higher-speed Internet service to rural areas of
Nova Scotia.

Potential Job Action by the required to provide the specific


Nova Scotia Teachers Union date and time of when job action
(NSTU)
may occur.

Theres a total of up to $500,000 in the pot, with a maximum


contribution of $75,000 per project.

Job action can take a variety of


approaches. Some examples
include a province-wide strike
and a work-to-rule. Work-to-rule
is when employees continue to
work but refuse to do certain
activities outside of their
contractual job requirements.
In the case of teachers, this can
include no longer supporting
extracurricular activities.

A lot of people have spent a great deal of time and effort


developing ideas about how to access better Internet service,
and they deserve a chance to be successful, said Business
Minister Mark Furey. These first projects may be small, but for
those who receive connections theyll make a big difference and
possibly lead to innovative solutions that can be applied in other
regions.
The provincial government is also reviewing proposals from 11
service providers to make additional immediate improvements
in Internet service.
These efforts will be coordinated and aligned with the work of
the recently announced Internet strategy team. This team will
be releasing a long-term strategy for better Internet service in
the spring of 2017.
To apply, please go to http://novascotia.ca/business/internet/

Within the next two weeks,


teachers and other NSTU
member employees, including
principals and vice-principals, will
decide whether to proceed with
job action. While the province
and the NSTU are returning to
the bargaining table, this does
not stop the countdown period
to job action. The NSTU will be
in a legal strike position as early
as Saturday, December 3rd.
In practical terms, the earliest
possible strike date is Monday,
December 5th.
We fully appreciate talk of any
type of labor disruption can cause
concern and uncertainty. The
following information is being
provided to update you on the
current situation with the NSTU
and to help you plan for your
family should the NSTU decide to
take job action.
When can teachers go on strike?
The earliest any job action can
occur is Monday, December 5th.

What type of job action can


occur?

If teachers strike, will schools


close?
If there is a full withdrawal of
services, schools could close.
We will be in a better position
to answer this question in the
coming weeks. It is important to
make a plan to prepare for the
possibility your child may be out
of school.
What will happen if teachers
work-to-rule?
There may be changes to student
drop off and/or pick up times

and changes to lunch time


supervision. It is likely extracurricular activities will be
canceled. Other programs
are expected to be impacted
including after school programs.
We will be in a better position
to answer this question more
specifically in the coming weeks.
How will I know if my childs
school is impacted by a teacher
strike, work-to-rule or any
other form of job action?
It is very important that
students, parents and guardians
carefully monitor their school
boards
communications
through websites, Facebook,
social media, handouts from
school and through the regular
media outlets. Your school
boards will notify you as soon
as they are made aware of any
potential interruption in the
school day. It is important to
note that they may have short
notice.
What should I do to prepare?
Start planning for the possibility
that your child may not be
attending classes and/or before
and after school activities after
December 5.
Your school board and the
Department of Education and
Early Childhood Development
are working collaboratively
to plan for any potential job
action. We will continue to
provide you with updates as
the situation evolves and more
specific information becomes
available.

News
Never Give a Sucker an Even Break:
Avoid Binary Option Scams
By Staff

If you spend any time at all on the Internet, you have seen the ads: a friendly looking
woman, photographed against a wealthy-looking background, explains how she wants
to show you how to make $100,000 in the next 3 weeks. Then the ad cuts to another
person, who waives a check for $54,600 and tells you he made that much money
yesterday.
All you have to do to start making all this money is just sign up for an account, fork over
as little as $250, and you too can make your fortune with binary options.
The Nova Scotia Securities Commission has recently issued a general warning about the
dangers of investing in binary options, in addition to warning about a specific company
advertising to Nova Scotians called Magnum Options, which may also do business as
Hampshire Capital Ventures Ltd., and operates the websites magnumoptions.com and
magnumoptions.eu
Heres the NSSCs description of binary options trading:
Binary options are like an all or nothing wager. You bet that an asset (currency, shares,
etc.) will rise or fall in value within a specific amount of time, sometimes as limited as a
few minutes. At the expiry of that time, you either profit a pre-determined amount or
you lose 100% of your initial investment.

Lot-grading Permit Report Moving Slowly


By Richard Bell

HRMs sudden decision to choke off development permits for 25-acre lots was not the
only surprise blow against rural development this year. Regional Council also overrode
the recommendation of its staff and decided to require lot-grading permits for all new
buildings in the municipality. Staff had recommended these expensive permits(up to
$6,000 and weeks of additional waiting time) only for areas serviced by municipal
sewers.
At the Save Rural HRM protest on September 20 this fall, Mayor Savage promised rural
relief from the lot-grading law in the form of a motion that Councillor David Hendsbee
was introducing that same day.
The good news is that Regional Council passed Hendsbees resolution unanimously,
ordering up a staff report with respect to initiating the process to repeal or amend
the Lot Grading Bylaw L-400 to exclude those areas outside the serviceable boundary.
The bad news is the staff has informed Hendsbee that this report will not be ready
until February 2017. In a phone interview, Hendsbee said that he was pushing to get
the report done earlier, so that the 25-acre lot bylaw and the lot-grading bylaw could
be finished together.

Among the problems that people have encountered who have sent money to one of
these online binary options companies are:
1. The company takes your deposit, and then refuses to return it.
2. You think youve made money on an option, but the company refuses to turn over
your gains.
3. Some companies engage in identify theft.
4. The companies manipulate their software to turn your potential gains into losses.
If you need more information, call the Nova Scotia Securities Commission toll-free at
1-855-424-2499, or send an email to NSSCinquiries@novascotia.ca.

Support Local Food Banks this Christmas


Remember to include our Eastern Shore Food Banks
when making your Christmas grocery shopping list.
Fill the Donation Bins at your local grocery store, or
donate food items during local Christmas parades.
Donations are picked up daily and stored properly,
allowing both perishable and non-perishable food
items to be collected. Please give generously!

Municipal Budget 2017


How should your tax dollars be spent?
Try your hand at municipal budgeting by using the Budget Allocator. Its an online tool that lets
you adjust taxation amounts to support the level of services you think the municipality needs. Go to
shapeyourcityhalifax.ca

Community

Know an Outstanding Community Volunteer?


Here is the Call for 2017 Awards
If you know someone you think is an outstanding
volunteer in his or her community, heres your chance
to see the province recognize them. From now until
February 24, 2017, you can send in your nominations
for the following categories:

Volunteer Representative Award

Each municipality selects one representative volunteer


per year to attend the Provincial Volunteer Awards
Ceremony. For information on the criteria for Halifax,
call 902-490-4535 or email smithmar@halifax.ca.

Volunteer Youth Award

(selected by a review committee)


The criteria are:
be a volunteer aged 13 to 24
have made a significant contribution to a range of
causes, for at least two years.
be willing to be nominated
have not previously been a recipient of this award

Volunteer Family Award

(selected by a review committee)


The criteria are:
have demonstrated volunteer leadership and
consistent caring for their community for at least 5
years;
be any combination of three or more people who
are bound together over time, living in the same
community;
be willing to be nominated;
have not previously been recipients of this award

Provincial

Volunteer
Awards
Do you know an
outstanding volunteer
who deserves recognition?
Nominate them!
Visit novascotia.ca/volunteerawards
for more information

The premier, lieutenant-governor and minister of the


voluntary sector will present the awards at a ceremony
on April 18, 2016 at the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel in
Halifax. (National Volunteer Week takes places April
23rd to 29th, 2017).
You can download a nomination form at http://
novascotia.ca/volunteerawards.

More Money for Snow Removal


for Seniors & People with
Disabilities

Over 40 years Experience serving the Eastern Shore! Specializing in Drilled wells, Pump installs,
Clean and surge processes for all Drilled and Dug Wells, and trouble-shooting all well problems.
When Well Driller A provides you with a quote that is much lower
than Well Driller B you might think you are getting a great deal,
but a great deal does not necessarily equal great value.

2371 Lawrencetown Road, Lawrencetown NS


Phone 902-829-2474 / Fax 902-829-2795
Email: Bluenosewelldrilling@hotmail.com
Website: bluenosewelldrilling.ca

Halifax Regional Council has approved additional


funds for the YMCAs Snow Removal Program for
Seniors and Persons with Disabilities. By approving
an additional $200,000, the Council has opened up
approximately 230 more spaces, for a total of over
600 eligible properties.
This program is a first-come, first-served basis, so
apply immediately if you qualify. The program is
for seniors (65 years of age or older) and persons
with disabilities. The program applies to residential
properties onlycommercial properties are
ineligible. So landlords cannot apply. You must live
in a single dwelling home that you own or rent. And
your total gross household income of all people living
in your home must not be greater than $32,000.
To find out more about this program, please call the
YMCA at 902-483-3678, or go to:
http://www.ymcahrm.ns.ca/Locations/
YMCASnowRemovalProgram.aspx.

Community

Mastering the Jaws of Life


By Dave Ingram

When people are trapped inside their cars after a crash, its our local firefighters who
get them out and provide medical care, a process called vehicle extrication. The
Eastern Shore vehicle extrication team, all volunteer firefighters from the firehalls in
Musquodoboit Harbour, Oyster Pond and Ostrea Lake, recently won an award during
a province-wide competition in Windsor, NS, qualifying them for a place in the North
American Championships next year in Enfield.
I sat down with Jami Smith, an experienced female firefighter, and Brennan Handy, a
veteran of several training courses, to learn more about how these competitions work.

How is the competition run?


Jami: Previously wrecked vehicles are placed in position for each simulated scenario.
An entrapped person, or persons are placed in the vehicle to simulate medical
emergencies. The teams are not shown what the scenario is until they are arriving
on the scene. The teams are given a maximum of 20 minutes to safely remove the
person(s) from the vehicle while providing medical attention and ensuring the safety
of the firefighters involved as well. They are judged on all these factors during the
operation.

I understand your team came in 3rd in limited pit and 7th in unlimited pit.
Whats the difference between limited and unlimited pit?
Brennan: Limited pit is the use of hand tools only, such as reciprocal saws, air chisels,
crow bars, jacks and lifts. Unlimited pit is using the Jaws of Life that has cutters,
spreaders, and rams to assist, and any other necessary tools. We try to practice in
situations where the hydraulic tools may not be available or are not working.
What was your role on the team?
Jami: I was the secondary medic. All the team members help to stabilize and make
sure the vehicle cant move while we are operating, Then the medics attend to the
injured while the rest of the members do their work. I also was assigned to help with
the tools when I was needed.
I assume that good communication is important?
Brennan: Yes. The incident commander forms a plan while the vehicle is being
stabilized, and then must communicate that to the team members as soon as possible.
The medics ensure they stay in contact with the patients to assess their medical needs
and also to keep them informed about what is happening and reassure them.
What are the benefits of competing?
Jami: We have the opportunity to practice for months in advance, and then watch
other teams performing their scenarios. It is a huge learning benefit for us in reacting
to actual situations we may encounter in traffic accidents.

How many members are on the team, and what do they do?
Brennan: There are 6 members on each team. An officer in charge, a primary and
secondary medic, and one firefighter each for cutting the vehicle, spreading apart
the metal, and using hand tools. My role was to assess the scene for hazards, help to
stabilize the vehicle, operate the hand tools, and remove glass from the vehicle.

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Please come to station 24, Riverside Drive,


Musquodoboit Harbour, or Station 26, Oyster Pond any Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. or
call 902-490-5611. Volunteer firefighters assist career firefighters during the weekdays
and staff your fire stations nights and weekends.
Dave Ingram is a volunteer firefighter in Musquodoboit Harbour.

News

Council Fails Again to End 25-Acre Lot Controversy


By Richard Bell

At its November 22 meeting, Regional Council failed once again to straighten out the
mess over the Planning Departments decision last spring to suddenly start banning
development on large lots without 100 feet of frontage on public roads. In a meeting
that was marked by sharp exchanges among councillors and a juvenile level of confusion
over missing documents, Council punted the issue into 2017.
In a posting on its Facebook page on November 23, Save Rural HRM said that We
are extremely disappointed in the debate that occurred in Council on November
22nd regarding the recommendations for amending the 100 Public Road Frontage
requirement By-law. Several Councillors made motions for common sense amendments
only to be voted down 10-5. Not only did the urban Councillors not support us; some of
them actively spoke against us!

Last spring, the Planning Department created an uproar when it suddenly began
enforcing the 100-foot frontage bylaw, after having ignored the bylaw since 1996 and
issued a number of building permits which it now declared were mistakes. For the
owners of similar lots, the surprise rejection of their building permits seemed grossly
unfair, at best, much less the multi-hundred-thousand dollar losses they were facing
with their now almost valueless properties.
Council finally gave in, and ordered Planning to prepare a report on a quick fix that
Council would consider at its November 22 meeting, leading to a public hearing on
December 13th.
Planning identified a total of 77 lots in 6 locations around HRM where it had issued
mistaken building permits. In its report to Council, Planning proposed to make the
narrowest possible exemptions: all of the existing homes would be recognized as legal,
and the owners of similar undeveloped lots in these 6 locations would be allowed to
apply for building permits.
Councillor David Hendsbee then attempted to offer four additional amendments to
correct problems from the more than 250 comments Planning received during the
public comment period. Mayor Savage was puzzled: where were these amendments?
Councillors had not received them in their packets of info for this session.
In an effort to keep the process from slipping, Hendsbee proposed including his
amendments with the other materials for the public hearing on December 13th, a
suggestion which the city attorney shot down. Instead, the Council directed staff to
prepare a supplementary report on Hendsbees amendments; the public hearing for
this supplementary hearing could not take place until January. Council voted 14-1 to
proceed with the December 13th hearing.
However, Chief Planner Bob Bjerke has since decided to cancel the December 13th
public hearing; instead, Bjerke will schedule a public hearing in early January on the
Planning Departments original proposal, plus the supplementary report on Hendsbees
amendments.
George Hornmoen, one of the organizers of Save Rural HRM and an owner of one of
the contested lots on West Jeddore, sent Hendsbee a blistering email attacking the
additional delay. Hornmoen asked why the Mayor, knowing that the rule was going to
be changed, could not sign a simple order allowing at least one of the other impacted
landowners to start construction:
We all know that they will eventually get a permit because who in their right mind
within HRM wants us to continue to make HRM look heartless and cruel? It is a question
of how much longer HRM wants to torture these poor folks. Why continue to be so
callous and mean spirited? Who would fault the Mayor for showing some compassion?
Just give them their permit now. Its one house and if they had started last fall they
would be in it already.
There are no indications that the Mayor is considering such a move. As things stand
now, there will be a public hearing in January. Assuming Council votes to approve all
the amendments, then there is an additional delay while the province approves the
changes. So the earliest that anyone may get a permit is likely to be February 2017.

2016 Seaside Christmas

Photos by Tobbi Dyer

Thinking of starting or expanding a business?


The Self Employment Benefits Program can help!

To be eligible, you must be


unemployed and thinking about
starting a new business. You
must also:
have a current Employment
Insurance (EI) claim or one that
ended within the last three years,
or
have had an EI claim for
maternity or parental benefits
within the past five years, then
remained out of the job market.

The Program:
Supports new business or an
existing one in which you had no
prior ownership.
Provides up to 40 weeks of
funding to cover living expenses
(78 weeks if you have a disability).
Requires you to devote at least
35 hours each week to develop
and carry out your business plan.
You mus also show proof of
personal financial investment in
the business.

CBDC Blue Water is proud to


be the coordinator for the Self
Employment Benefits Program.
For further information, contact
Sheila Spicer, Self Employment
Benefits Coordinator, at
902-827-5564 or toll-free at
1-800-565-2773.

People

10
The Magic of the Season for Overseas Seaman
By Maelissa Watson

Recently, I was a guest for brunch at the unique


architectural log home of Norma Prest Kennedy in
Pleasant Harbour. The purpose of the brunch was a
fundraiser for The Mission of Seamen. Joyce Webb
has been the treasurer of this venerable charity
organization for over 40 years. Norma and her friends
knit socks, caps, and scarves for gift boxes for seamen.
Since these gift boxes originated on The Eastern Shore
over a half-century ago, they are Christmas Boxes.

or contribute $10 for yarn for hospice patients. Joyce


remembers when she was ill in Dartmouth Hospital,
getting one of these easy- to- slip- on bed jackets, and
said how warm and comfortable it felt.

Everyone was in awe of Normas cottage, built entirely


of wood. Norma hails from the Mooseland, Prest lumber
barons, so 30 ft. 6 by 6 logs that only old growth
timber can provide were available. Normas creative
son Dan Kennedy built her cabin when Norma sold her
Mooseland home to live in Dartmouth because she
wished to stay connected to her Eastern Shore family
roots and friends.

I asked Gerald and Joyce Webb the history. Gerald took


a deep breath and said, We have The Port of Sheet
Harbour Santa Gift Mission and Halifax Port Christmas
Gift Giving. For 60 years we have had the Mission of
Seafarers in the Anglican Church, with the ministers
in Halifax doing the honors. Eastern Shore Anglican
churches sent their boxes to Halifax.

Norma is a hard-working soul, benefiting more than


seamen with her knitting. Her auxiliary project is shawls
for hospice hospital patients at Christmas. To date
Norma has knitted 250 shawls; her goal by years-end
is 300. In my youth, we called these creations bed
jackets. Attendees could buy Normas shawls for gifts,

I listened to the attendees sharing personal


heartwarming stories going back to a different shipping
age, regarding how different Anglican bishops in Halifax,
depending on their personalities, distributed the gifts.

I was sailing in 1946 and 1947. I noticed that Sheet


Harbour had no Mission for Seafarers. I was aware that
No.1 Northern Wheat Canada was directly transferred
from one ship to another, trans-shipped. The sailors
were from the Caribbean, India, and Africa, and I
watched them on the gangway, freezing to death. The
crew had no gloves, heavy socks, heavy shirts, caps, or
scarves.
When I mentioned this to Joyce, she said, Why send
boxes to Halifax if we can do it in Sheet Harbour? So in

1947, we had a Santa Claus ship from South Africa. I


was the first Santa Claus in Sheet Harbour. The delight I
experienced when grown men 35 or 40 years old stood
up and donned their socks, caps, mitts and scarves!
Some of the men cried with excitement. Others said
they had never seen Santa Clause before. Some jumped
up and down and hugged me.
Ray Webb was a Santa the next year, Louis Boutilier
the following year, and a Santa Ship Sheet Harbour was
born. I got to the point that my knees did not permit
me to climb the ladder. Yet, I hope to be Santa this year
again, as the Port Manager said I could use the lift. HO,
HO HO!

Province Launches Veterans License Plate for Motorcycles


Nova Scotias veterans have had a special license plate
since 2002. Now the province is releasing a similar license
plate for the veterans to use on their motorcycles.
Nova Scotia has a long tradition of military service,
said Geoff MacLellan, Minister of Transportation and
Infrastructure Renewal. The license plate is another way
we can show our appreciation to the people who have
served us, protected us, and honoured us in uniform.
The veterans motorcycle license plate has the same
design as the car plate, with the Canadian flag on the
left and the word Veteran on the bottom of the plate.
We are proud to have been a part of making this new
veteran motorcycle plate available for the veterans of
Nova Scotia, said Steve Wessel, president of the Nova
Scotia/Nunavut Command of the Royal Canadian Legion.
This plate will fit nicely alongside our existing car plate
which has been travelling the roads since 2002.

In June 2014, the Royal Canadian Legion updated its


definition of a veteran to include all members of the
RCMP. The Royal Canadian Legion defines a veteran
as any person who is now serving or has honourably
served in the Canadian Armed Forces, a Commonwealth
nation or its wartime allies, or as a regular member of
the RCMP, or as a peace officer in a special duty area or
on a special duty operation, or who has served in the
Merchant Navy or Ferry Command during wartime.
The veterans plate on motorcycles and vehicles will
help us become more aware of the significance of
the military in this province and in our lives, said Mr.
MacLellan.
Applications for the plate will be at any Access Nova
Scotia location this spring or online at http://www.
novascotia.ca/sns/rmv/registration/vet-plate.asp.

Community
Arthritis and Exercise
By Lori Youden

Pain is one of the more prominent symptoms of arthritis,


but need not prevent people from being physically active.
There are many benefits to regular activity and exercise,
including improving muscle strength and endurance,
reducing pain, improving joint mobility and improving
the health of joints and the strength of bones. Regular
activity and exercise also help to improve sleep, balance,
self-confidence, and the ability to manage stress. A
physiotherapist can design, modify and monitor your
exercise routine to address your specific needs.
It is important to start slowly and pace yourself with
arthritis; more is not always better. If you are just starting
to become active, then it is important to consult with
your healthcare provider and make sure you are ready to
start being active especially if you have joint deformity,
significant pain and weakness, or have had recent joint
surgeries. Your provider will also help you to distinguish
the difference between having joint pain and having
muscle pain.

You can start improving your activity level in very simple


ways with the decisions you make on a daily basis. Even
simple changes in habits make a difference, like choosing
your parking spot further away from the entrance,
getting off one stop early on public transit, taking the
stairs instead of an elevator, or choosing to walk when
going short distances, rather than driving. All of these
simple choices increase your overall activity and fitness
level.
When beginning to exercise, make sure you have
appropriate footwear and clothing that is both supportive
and comfortable. Remember to give yourself frequent
rest breaks as you start increasing activity, as many types
of arthritis cause fatigue. And try to plan your exercise
and activity times at the times you find your arthritis
medications are most effective in reducing your pain.
Lori Youden is a physiotherapist and clinic owner at
PhysioLink Porters Lake.

Come out and support your local


Junior Hockey Team... the
Eastern Shore Thunder!
Eastern Shore Thunder Home Game
Schedule:
* All games are played at the Eastern Shore
Community Centre
Spryfield Attack @ Eastern Shore Thunder
Saturday, December 3 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Avon River Rats @ Eastern Shore Thunder
Saturday, December 10 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Bedford Wolverines @ Eastern Shore Thunder
Saturday, December 17 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Metro Jaguars @ Eastern Shore Thunder
Saturday, January 21 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Avon River Rats @ Eastern Shore Thunder


Saturday, February 4 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Cumberland/Colchester Colts @ Eastern Shore
Thunder
Monday, February 13 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

11

Deadline for January issue is December 15


escsubmissions@eastlink.ca

14

Christmas Festival of Trees &


Crafts
Middle Musquodoboit
December 2
Tree Lighting & Musical
Entertainment, 6:00 - 8:30pm
December 3
Tree Display & Craft Show,
10:00am - 4:00pm
December 4
Tree Display & Craft Show,
11:00am - 4:00pm
A warm welcome is extended
to one and all to join us for our
annual celebration of trees
and crafts. Bring family and
friends to enjoy a relaxing
stroll through many natural
balsam fir trees beautifully
decorated by local community
groups and businesses. Enjoy
hot apple cider, gingerbread at
the Trees display and lunch at
our Christmas Cafe. Take your
time perusing the high quality
craftsmanship of many items
presented by more than 90
crafters. Enjoy all this under one
roof at the Natural Resources/
Musquodoboit Valley Education
Centres, 12014/12046 Hwy 224,
Middle Musquodoboit.
Musquodoboit Harbour &
District Lions Christmas Tree
Sales
Beginning December 3
Mon-Fri 1-5pm, S/S 10am-5pm
Railway Station, Musq. Hbr.
Trees ($30) & wreaths ($15)
come with a $40 coupon
booklet! Delivery available.

Tree Lighting
December 3 at 5:30pm
Railway Station, Musq. Hbr.
Presented by the Musq. Hbr. &
District Lions. Treats for all!
4th Annual Musquodoboit
Harbour Christmas Parade of
Lights
December 3 at 6:00pm
There will be activities
throughout the community
before and after the parade. We
will be collecting non-perishable
food items and toys for our local
food bank. After party at the Old
School.
Christmas Dance
December 3, door & bar open at
8pm; dance runs 9pm-1am.
Petpeswick Yacht Club
Featuring Ruckus
Advance tickets as event may
sell out! Call Paula at 902889-2435 for tickets. $10 for
members and $15 for nonmembers
Luncheon, Tea & Sale
December 4, 12-2pm
St Genevieves Church
723 East Chezzetcook Road
Adult $12: turkey salad plate,
gingerbread/apple crisp, lemon
sauce & cream, beverage;
Kids $4: hot dog, potato chips,
gingerbread/apple crisp, lemon
sauce & cream, beverage. Sale
items: baked goods, crafts, ticket
raffle, homemade cake raffle,
new to you table, gift table.
Visit http://gfcs69.wixsite.com/
stgpn

Make a Paper Ornament


December 5 at 1:00pm
Musquodoboit Valley
Community Office in Middle
Musquodoboit
Using pages from an old book,
craft a beautiful ornament for
the holiday season or anytime.
All materials will be provided.
Matters that Matter to Seniors
and their Families Workshop
Series
December 7 at 10:00am
The Old School Community
Gathering Place in
Musquodoboit Harbour
Make a Paper Ornament
December 7 at 3:45pm
Sheet Harbour Public Library
Ages 14+. Using pages from
an old book, craft a beautiful
ornament for the holiday season
or anytime. All materials will be
provided.
East Coast Carolling
December 9 at 11:00am
Musquodoboit Harbour Public
Library
Make a Paper Ornament
December 10 at 11:00am
Musquodoboit Harbour Public
Library
Christmas Farmers Market
December 11 at 9:00am
Eastern Shore Community
Centre
Musical Memories Bluegrass
Concert
December 18 at 2:00pm
Middleton United Church,
Middle Musquodoboit

Family History & Stories of the


Shore
December 21 at 5:00pm
Sheet Harbour Public Library
Join us for a monthly gettogether where we can share
history, genealogy, and stories
of life on the Eastern Shore.
Everyone has a story, so come
share yours! In partnership with
MacPhee House Community
Museum & the Sheet Harbour
and Area Heritage Society
New Years Eve Dance
December 31, door & bar open
at 8pm; dance runs 9pm-1am.
Petpeswick Yacht Club
Featuring Shaker
Ring in 2017 with great dance
music, champagne, party
favours and a midnight snack.
Call Paula at 902-889-2435 for
tickets. $35 per person. Dress is
business casual.
Make Valentines for Veterans
January 10 at 10:00am
Sheet Harbour Public Library
Drop into the library to create a
hand-made valentine and help
bring joy to a Canadian veteran
this Valentines Day. All supplies
will be provided. Valentines
will be sent to Veterans Affairs
Canada for distribution.

ONGOING EVENTS
Porters Lake Seniors Group
Wednesdays at 1:30pm
Porters Lake Community
Centre. 902-827-2814
TOPS
Tuesdays at 7pm
St. James Hall, Jeddore

The Eastern Shore Players


A community theatre group
open to all ages. Info at
www.easternshoreplayers.ca
Wool Fibre Work Group
Lawrencetown Comm.
Centre, Thursdays 9am-3pm,
$5/day. 902-404-7095
Alzheimers Support Group
Meets third Thursday of the
month at Twin Oaks from 7-9
pm. More info, call Dee Dwyer
at 902-889-2429.
Eastern Shore Garden Club
Meets second Tuesday of the
month at the Lions Club, 89 East
Chezzetcook Rd. 7:00pm
For more info, please email
easternshoregardenclub@
outlook.com
Royal Canadian Legion, Branch
#58, Sheet Harbour
Sundays at 7:30pm - 45s card
party. $4pp, 50/50 & more.
Tuesdays at 7:30pm - Seniors
45s card party. $3 per player,
50/50 and other items.
Wednesdays from 9:3010:30am - Muffin Morning. All
welcome for coffee, snacks, and
socialization.
Thursdays - Bingo: Earlybird at
6:45pm, regular at 7:30pm, $5
a book, toonie jar, $1 specials,
canteen open.
Thursdays/Fridays, from 6-9:30pm
9-ball pool downstairs, no cost,
open bar.

Halifax DiSTRiCT 2 COUNCillORS COMMUNiQUE


DECEMBER 2016 iSSUE #229 PEACE ON EARTH
DALTRAC TRAVEL ACTIVITY SURVEY

Residents are invited to participate in the Nova Scotia


Travel Activity (NovaTRAC) 2016 survey, a research
project conducted by DalTRAC, in partnership with the
Province and HRM. The survey is the first of its kind in
Nova Scotia and will collect information about household
and household members daily travel activities (when,
where, how and why people travel), which will give a better
picture of travel patterns and future transportation needs.
Participation in the survey is voluntary, and information
will be kept strictly confidential. The survey can be
completed at www.daltraclab.com by using access code
nova2016. The survey will be available until Dec.16th. Upon
completion of the survey, participants can enter to win
one $200 VISA gift card or one of ten $25 VISA gift cards.
To learn more about the NovaTRAC Survey visit: www.
dal.ca/sites/daltrac/novatrac-info.html and be sure to
view their video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdJB4IWIyU&feature=youtu.be

ICE & SNOW WINTER MAINTENANCE

The NS Dept. of Transportation


& Infrastructure Renewal
(NSDOTIR) does most of the
snow removal, ice control
and winter road maintenance
services in District 2. Our
local NS Highway Depots are
in West Chezzetcook at 902827-2544 and in Spry Bay at 902-885-2821. If you want
to e-mail any roadway concerns to the attention of the
NSDOTIR Operations Contact Centre, please send it to:
TIR-OCC@novascotia.ca. The TIR-OCC will log it, assign
a service ticket number and send it to the appropriate
supervisor. The Province also has an online plow tracker
tool that allows citizens to track snow plows by zooming in
on a map: http://novascotia.ca/tran/winter/plowtracker.
asp. You can view current highway conditions online at:
http://novascotia.ca/tran/cameras/. Drivers can also
get up-to-date road conditions across Nova Scotia by
calling the SNOW-line: 1-800-307-SNOW (7669) or
511 or 1-888-432-3233 or 902-424-3933 or online:
http://novascotia.ca/tran/winter and click on the Road &
Weather Report Icon Button. The SNOW-line is updated
regularly at 7 AM, 1 PM and 5 PM or more frequently in case
of a major storm event. If you should have any concerns or
complaints about snow removal service in your area that is
served by NSDOTIR, please contact your respective MLA
offices: Kevin Murphy (murphyke@gov.ns.ca), 902-2813005 Lloyd Hines (hineslp@gov.ns.ca), 1-902-533-2280.
Keith Colwell (colwelkw@gov.ns.ca), 902-433-1494.
Streets in the communities of North Preston and Westphal
and all of the Lawrencetown subdivision streets are under
the jurisdiction of HRM with a performance based contract
service provider. If you have any concerns about our snow
and ice control winter road maintenance, please call the
HRM Citizen Contact Centre at 311. For information about
HRM Winter Road Maintenance go to: www.halifax.ca/
MunicipalOps/Winter/index.php. Be sure to have proper
tires and an emergency suppy kit on hand in your vehicle,
and please drive carefully this winter season.

Councillor David Hendsbee

H.R.M. District 2
PrestonChezzetcookEastern Shore

INPUT ON INTEGRATED MOBILITY PLAN

The HRM Integrated Mobility Plan (IMP) will create a


regional vision for mobility and help to direct future
investment in transportation demand management, transit,
active transportation, and the roadway network. The plan
will strive to identify the two-way relationship between
land development patterns and investment in mobility and
personal access, with the objective of better linking people
and their communities. The IMP stems from municipal
policy direction on public transit and transportation, land
use and growth centres contained within the HRM Regional
Plan. The goal is to implement a sustainable transportation
strategy by providing a choice of integrated and connected
travel options. These options would emphasize public and
community based transit, active transportation, carpooling
and other viable alternatives to the single occupant vehicle
and promote land settlement patterns and urban design
approaches that support fiscally and environmentally
sustainable transportation modes. The plan will help
forecast the municipalitys need for mobility and provide
service and infrastructure to meet this demand, while
promoting transportation sustainability. More details
about IMP can be found in the Council report: www.halifax.
ca/council/agendasc/documents/160719ca1454.pdf
or website: http://www.halifax.ca/integratedmobility/
and shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/integratedmobility. You can
provide your input on the IMP by e-mailing: planhrm@
halifax.ca, or complete a survey at: http://www.halifax.
ca/shapeyourcity/index.php, or write to HRM Integrated
Mobility Plan c/o Rod McPhail, PO Box 1749, Halifax, NS
B3J 3A5.

HRM & NS PROPERTY TAX PROGRAMS

HRM has a program to aid homeowners with their property


tax obligations. There are various options which include
payment plans, property tax rebates, or deferral of property
taxes. A homeowner with a LIC (Local Improvement Charge)
can also apply for a deferral of these charges. Please refer
to this guide: www.halifax.ca/taxes/exemption/document
s/2016taxexemptionnewsletter-fillable.pdf. Some of these
programs are available to homeowners with a combined
household income of $33,000 or less a year. Deadline to
apply is Dec 31st. The application to this HRM program is
at: www.halifax.ca/taxes/exemption/documents/2016taxexemptionapplication-fillable.pdf.
Seniors should also be aware of the NS Provincial Property
Tax Rebate for Seniors Program. This program is for
seniors who have been receiving the Guaranteed Income
Supplement in January of the application year. Criteria
requires you to have paid your property taxes from the prior
year in full. A receipt from HRM showing property taxes
are paid in full is required. Applicants to this program can
receive a rebate on half of their taxes paid to a maximum of
$800. Applications are available from Service Nova Scotia
and Municipal Relations by calling (902) 424-5200 or 211
or 1-800-670-4357. More information is available online:
http://novascotia.ca/sns/pdf/consumer-rebate-propertytax-rebate-for-seniors-2016.pdf. Application deadline is
also Dec. 31st.

Office Phone:
Cell Phone:
City Hall:
fax:

902-889-3553
902-483-0705
902-490-4050
902-829-3620

311

WINTER OPEN AIR BURNING RULES

Off-season open air burning rules are now in effect. For


municipal burning purposes, Oct. 16th to March 14th is
considered the off-season whereby outdoor wood burning
(brush fires, campfires, bonfires) is permitted from 8 AM
until midnight. The Community of North Preston is in The
Urban Permit Required Zone because it is served with
both central water and sewer services. These residents
must have 23 metres clearance (75 feet) from any building
to the fire. If there is insufficient separation, then outdoor
burning is banned year round. The rest of our district is in
the Rural No Permit Zone. Fires are allowed throughout
the year and must be a minimum of 4.75 metres (15 feet)
from any dwelling or accessory building. Please note that
Campfires cannot be larger than .5 metres (1.6 feet) in
diameter. Check out our website for more details about
outdoor open air burning during the off-season: www.
halifax.ca/fireprevention/burning.php.

RURAL INTERNET PROVINCIAL FUND

The Province has announced a new program to access


funding for Municipal & Community Rural High Speed
Internet. This one-time program will provide up to $500,000
(maximum of $75,000 per project) to improve or expand
existing internet services in Nova Scotian communities in
the coming months. Applications will be accepted until Dec.
31st and will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis.
Program guidelines and application forms are available at:
http://novascotia.ca/business/internet/. For more details
please contact Brie Rehbein at 902-424-2232 or Brie.
Rehbein@novascotia.ca.

PEACE ON EARTH & GOODWILL TO ALL

My wife Susan and I want to wish


everyone the very best of this Holiday
Season. During this joyful time of year
there are many types of spiritual and
cultural celebrations: Merry Christmas,
Joyeux Noel, Seasons Greetings, Happy
Hanukkah, Al Hijra, and Kwanza. The
message for Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All is universal.
Have yourself a blessed time with your families, friends
and neighbours. May we all strive for peace, tranquillity and
harmony in our daily lives. Remember those who may be
less fortunate or are experiencing hardship and despair.
Please consider a gift to your local food bank, or give the
gift of life and donate blood. May all of us be blessed with
good health and happiness throughout the New Year.

david.hendsbee@halifax.ca
david@hendsbee.ns.ca
www.hendsbee.ns.ca
@david_hendsbee
facebook.com/david.hendsbee

Nature

14
Making Life Better for Owls at Otter Ponds
By Dan Hutt

[Note: The Otter Ponds Demonstration Forest (OPDF)


in Mooseland is a 1,595 acre woodland operated
as a division of the Nova Scotia Woodlot Owners
and Operators Association. OPDF is a place for all
Nova Scotians to learn about forest ecology and the
sustainable management of our native Acadian Forest.]
Otter Ponds is now a research site for a study into the
breeding and migration of the Boreal Owl and Northern
Saw-whet Owl. St. Francis-Xavier University researcher
Randy Lauff, and his assistant Chad Brazier, installed
eight nesting boxes at Otter Ponds in the hopes that
some of them will be homes to owl families in the
spring.
The owls are probably there, already, says Randy,
but the nesting boxes make it much easier for me
to follow their progress. Much of the day was spent
looking for just the right location: lots of canopy cover,
but fairly open below so the owls can fly around easily.
Not too much under-story so the owls can see their

prey of mice, voles and shrews. And no noisy burbling


brooks which makes it hard for the owls to hear the prey.
If you own a woodlot or have access to one, you may
want to install your own owl nesting box. The plans for
the boxes shown here are available at: http://people.
stfx.ca/rlauff/research/nestboxplans.doc
School groups, woodlot owners, and individuals or
organizations that are interested in sustainable forest
management are invited to visit Otter Ponds. Contact
Andy Kekacs, project manager, at 902-817-4763 or andy.
nswooa@gmail.com.
Dan Hutt is a member of the board of OPDF.

Remembrance

15

On Remembrance Day, students at Eastern Shore District High School dedicated a memorial for Pte. Nathan Smith, an ESDH graduate who died in
Afghanistan in April 2002. Smith and three other members of Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry died in a friendly fire incident, the first of
some 158 Canadian military members to die in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2011. The bronze memorial plaque was donated by the Canadian
Pacific Railways Afghanistan memorial plaque program.

Age-Friendly Grants
The NS Age-Friendly
Communities Grant supports
age-friendly community
planning and collaborative,
innovative, and locally-based
solutions that enhance
the social and economic
contributions of older adults in
rural and urban communities
across Nova Scotia.
Apply by Dec.12th
http://novascotia.ca/seniors/
age_friendly_program.asp

Happy
Holidays
www.zareskilaw.ca

DENISE E. ZARESKI
BARRISTER & SOLICITOR

EMAIL: denise@zareskilaw.ca

MICHAEL BRINE
7782 HWY. 7 MUSQUODOBOIT HARBOUR
NOVA SCOTIA B0J 2L0
TEL: 902 889 3437 FAX: 902 889 3541

Zareski Law Inc.


and

ViewPoint Realty

Invite you and your family to visit Santa prior


to the Musquodoboit Harbour Parade of Lights
Saturday, December 3rd, 2016 at our offices at
7782 Highway 7, Musquodoboit Harbour

Santa Arrives at 4:30pm


Parade Starts at 6:00pm
Free Hot Chocolate, Hot Apple Cider and Treats

BARRISTER & SOLICITOR


EMAIL: michael@zareskilaw.ca

Seasons Greetings
&
Happy New Year!
From all of us at the
Eastern Shore Cooperator

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