Local senior games celebrating 20th anniversary

TRURO – Fun, fellowship and fitness is the name of the game when it comes to the 20th annual Local Senior Games to be held next month in Truro and Bible Hill.
The games, beginning on May 10 and ending on May 14, will offer many casual competitions for those aged 55 or older.
Fran Forman, a 20-year senior games veteran, has been competing since the inaugural games in 1990.
“One of my neighbours talked me into going to a meeting and I’ve been going ever since,” said Foreman, a native of Debert. “I have lots of fun doing it and meet a lot of nice people.”
Forman, 90, is just as active in the games as she was 20 years ago as well. This year she is registered to compete in darts, crokinole and cribbage.
“I don’t go for winning,” she said. “I go for the friendship and companionship.”
Count last year’s cribbage champion Bob Standing as another participant who loves the atmosphere of comradery the games provide.
“I recommend it for any seniors to come out and have a good time,” said Standing, a 72-year-old Truro resident.
He wasn’t giving away any secrets on his success in cribbage however.
“I think it was just the luck of the cards. The way I was getting the hands, they just seemed to fall right into place.”
Standing plans to defend his cribbage championship along with competing in bowling, darts and washer toss.
Another former champ defending his title is 75-year-old Doug Anthony, last year’s crokinole winner.
Anthony doesn’t play crokinole much anymore, but he is always open for a quick game or two if someone offers a challenge.
“I practiced quite a bit when I was younger,” said the Crowes Mills resident who also plans to enter the bowling, casual-walking and cribbage competitions this year. “A lot of it is playing angles. You have to hit your checker so that you can maybe get two at a time or knock their check off and win the hole.”
In total, there are 13 different events on the Local Senior Games schedule including scrabble, crokinole, skip bo (a card game), darts, bridge, dominoes, cribbage, washer toss, auction 45’s, bowling, golf, swimming and casual walking.
Three separate registration sessions will be held: April 16 between 12 p.m and 3 p.m. at the Bible Hill Village Hall, April 19 at 2 p.m. and April 23 at 2 p.m.
Registration is $5 for one event or $10 for two or more events. Participants must be registered by April 26.
For more information contact Les Haley at 897-2511, Helene Smith at 895-6327 or Bob Webb at 897-4679.

Busking the blues away

Seventy-two-year-old Tiny Kennedy has been playing the blues since 1958 and says Truro is one of the most generous and friendly places he has played. Born and raised in St. John, New Brunswick, the well traveled musician has come back to Truro to clear his mind after his wife Eva Haley passed away in February in Matapedia, Quebec.”I couldn’t find another lady like her if I shopped all over Canada,” said Kennedy, who has played with well known acts such as Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and The Carson Downey Band. Archibald Photo.

Suspicious fire

Truro police are investigating a truck fire from early Wednesday morning on south Young Street. "It's suspicious in nature so the police are investigating that," Staff-Sgt. Randy MacKenzie said. Firefighters and police were called out around 3 a.m. Wednesday to an apartment residence in the 400 block of Young Street. MacKenzie said a 2002 Chevy Avalanche was damaged in the blaze. "The reports are brief because of the nature of the offence," he said.

Burns lands big role

TRURO – A local actor will take part in one of his biggest roles of his stage career thus far this weekend with the showing of ‘Merlin’ at Halifax’s Bella Rose Arts Centre.
19-year-old Wayne Burns is playing the role of King Arthur in Halifax’s Theatre For Young People’s production of ‘Merlin’.
Burns has been involved in theatre since he was 7-years-old and said ‘Merlin’ is one of the most professional productions he has been a part of.
“The cast is really quite plentiful with Halifax talent,” said Burns. “I feel really blessed to be able to be in such a production with such talented people from the Halifax industry.”
The show is geared towards children and will feature many exciting effects including magic, pyrotechnics and sword fighting.
Burns is also involved the Truro Junior High’s upcoming production of ‘Aladin’, which he is directing. ‘Aladin’ will show at Truro Junior High on May 27, 28 and 29.

Early spring golfing

Bible Hill's Ron Myette braved the dreary overcast weather to work on his chipping at the opening day of the Truro Golf Club on Friday.

EASTER SURPRISE

Four-year-old Emma Cook looks on in wonder as her friends get a surprise hug from the Easter Bunny. The friendly rabbit stopped in to visit the kids at St. Andrew’s United Church daycare Wednesday as he made his way around Truro.

Elks draw even

Taylor Dunn, left, of the Brookfield Elks fights off a Bay Ducks player during Game 4 action in the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League Fred Fox Division final last night (March 23, 2010) in Brookfield. The Elks evened the best-of-seven series at two games apiece with a 3-1 win. David Archibald – Truro Daily News

Bible Hill Junior High Badminton Team Regional Champs

The Bible Hill Junior High badminton team is going to provincials in Canning this weekend (April 16-17). The team was crowned the Northumberland Region Junior Champions last weekend at in Antigonish. Team members are, first row, from left, Coach Troy Baird, Taylor Daigle, Emily Ross, Seychelle McNutt, Cameron Smith, Dustin Whidden. Second row, Michael Pinto, Stephanie Tompkins, Zack Mackinnon, Jessica Bartlett, Brittany Mackay, Rachel Perry. Archibald Photo.

DEBERT – Camp Debert, one of the most important Canadian military bases in World War II, should never be forgotten, said newly elected Debert Military Museum president Gordon Weatherby.

The camp, which now serves as the museum, was known mostly as a staging area for troops before they shipped overseas during the war. It also was used for training, and had three or four thousand soldiers pass through per month.

“We should all be interested in our past and the purpose of this museum is to encourage people to remember what was done for us,” said the retired Truro businessmen of the 500,000 men who stayed at the camp. “Remember the people who were at Debert.”

Weatherby, 74, had been a member of the museum for 10 years, serving on the executive committee for the past five years.

Born and raised in Truro, the founder of Weatherby’s hardware was also a military historian, artifact collector and 37-year member of the Air Cadets, where he became a Commanding Officer.

Former museum president Sheila Crowe believes Weatherby is an excellent choice for the job.

“He’s well known in the area,” said Crowe. “There is a passion you have to have for keeping the history alive and Gord definitely has that.”

With the museum having received $50,000 from CoRTA for repairs this spring, Weatherby is very optimistic about the future of the facility and believes its best years are straight ahead.

“It’s just starting to come to a head now,” said the retired businessman.

The museum initially opened in 1998 and is a not-for-profit organization. Admission is free, however donations are welcomed. It is operated strictly by fundraising, general donations, memorial donations, memberships and grants.

Truro's David Scammell putts as Bible Hill's Ron Myette and Stewiacke's Leo Rovers look on during the first day of play at the Truro Golf Club on Friday. Roughly 60 members were on the course, which, thanks to the unusually warm spring weather, opened three weeks earlier than last year. Mountain Golf Club also opened yesterday with Brookfield Golf and Country Club set to open on Monday. Other local courses, including Riverrun in North River, Ridgewood in Truro Heights and Fox Hollow in Stewiacke, opened last month. David Archibald - Special to the Truro Daily News

Let the music ring...

Emily Robertson, 14, from Truro, and Megan Brocklehurst, 12, from Milford Station, prepare for their performance of ‘Consider Yourself’ from the musical ‘Oliver!’ at the 88th Annual Truro Music Festival Monday. The pair competed in the 14 and under Musical Theatre Duet category at the Marigold Cultural Centre. David Archibald – Truro Daily News

Principal of North River Elementary School, Peter MacIntosh, shows off his lovely dress to his students on Thursday after the school once again raised enough money to build a well in India through the SOPAR program. MacIntosh offers his students unique challenges like this every year to help their fundraising. Last year, he kissed a donkey. David Archibald – Truro Daily News

Second annual Holocaust memorial service a success despite weather

BASS RIVER – Over 130 people braved the strong winds Sunday evening (April 11) to pay their respects to the nearly six million Jews who lost their lives during the Holocaust at the Veterans Memorial Park in Bass River.
The turnout, which included teens and young families to public representatives and veterans, was a marked improvement over the 75 people who attended the inaugural Holocaust Remembrance service last year.
Event organizer and treasurer of the park Rilla MacDougall hopes the numbers continue to grow in the future.
“The fellowship was wonderful,” said MacDougall. “It was a cold, windy evening but that was a small price to pay for people to attend.”
Colchester North MLA Karen Casey was impressed with the strong showing for the event.
“I think it speaks well for the folks along the shore that they show their support when those events are planned,” said Casey. “It was a very somber event. A lot of history was shared with the participants.
“This was an atrocity. It was something that shook the world at the time,” said Casey. “I think Canadians who participated in stopping that movement are to be commended.”
A wide variety of community representatives were on hand including Geri Mendelson, a representative of the Jewish people, who read the Kaddish, or ‘Prayer for the Dead’ in Hebrew.
Members from the Red Cross, The Royal Canadian Legion were in attendance along with Elder Knockwod of the native community and county councilor Tom Taggart.

Masters students present projects at annual research day

BIBLE HILL – Graduate students at the Nova Scotia Agriculture College got a chance to show off their research Friday at the 11th annual Research Day.
The nine students presented their projects from various fields including plant science, animal science, environmental science and agriculture resources.
The day is designed to give the students valuable experience in relaying their information to the public.
“Public presentations are a big part of conferences and scientific journals,” said Manager of Research and Graduate Studies Heather Hughes. “This gives them an opportunity to present in front of a friendly audience so they can get some experience, get talking about their work and gain confidence in the ability to present their data and their results to people.”
First year masters student Angela Hughes, whose project studied the control of the weed ‘Sheep Sorrel’ in blueberry crops, appreciated the input she received from faculty members during her presentation.
“It’s good to be able to stand up and talk about your research to people that are coming from different backgrounds,” said the environmental science student. “We need to be able to demonstrate that we can calk to someone and present our project to someone that has no idea about plants or agriculture crops.”
Next year, the college hopes to expand the presentation part of the program and have a ‘research week’. This would allow more faculty members to be involved and give the students greater input and discussion.

Big goals for badminton kid

TRURO – Colchester County may soon have another athlete to root for in the 2011 Canada Games.
Chris Ross, a 17-year-old badminton player at Cobequid Educational Centre, will participate in the last tryouts for Nova Scotia’s badminton squad at the Canada Games. Now down to 11 players, the final cuts are set to be made in June.
This weekend however, the Grade 11 student is off to Pomquet, Antigonish Co. to contest the senior boys singles competition Saturday at the regional championships.
“I’m going for first place,” said Ross, who plans to compete in provincials afterwards if this weekend goes as planned.
Having played with some of his competition at previous Canada Games tryouts though, Ross said his opponents shouldn’t be underestimated.
“Usually Antigonish gives us a good match for singles.”
Ross also plays soccer, but likes the individual aspect of badminton most.
“It’s intense and fast paced and you’ve to got to have good reflexes,” said Ross.

Veterans Memorial Park

BASS RIVER – The horrors of the Holocaust will be remembered at an event in Bass River this weekend.
This Sunday (April 11) the Veterans Memorial Park will hold its second annual Holocaust Remembrance Day service.
“It’s an important era of our time that should be remembered and never forgotten,” said Vice-chairman of the park Ken Jamieson.
The event, which starts at 7 pm, is one of a select few Holocaust services held in Nova Scotia.
“As far as we know, we’re the only place in Nova Scotia outside of the Synagogues in Halifax and Cape Breton to do a service like this,” said Jamieson. “They combine together and come here and do the service.”
Jamieson, who served two years in the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry in Winnipeg, Man, expects an improved turnout for the event from last year, where 75 people were counted.
“This year we’re expecting anywhere from 125 to 150,” said Jamieson.
This weekends memorial marks the first of many events scheduled at the park this year.
The largest event comes May 29 on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers where the president of the Veteran Peacekeepers Association for Canada, Ron Griffith, is expected to speak.
Last year the park, which is the only memorial park in Canada to fly the UN flag, hosted over 500 people for the event.
Jamieson said hosting these events has really helped the park grow and they are optimistic for the future.
“The reception (of the park) has been absolutely phenomenal.”
A large reason for the park’s success is it’s unique ‘living memorial’, which can be inscribed with the names of any veteran who has served.
“We will put names on our stones for any person that has served, or is still serving, in any allied for anywhere in the world,” said Jamieson.
Persons who wish to have a name inscribed on the memorials are encouraged to contact Rilla MacDougall at 902-647-2721.

Regional science fair has international flair

TRURO – After two busy days spent explaining his science fair project to judges and members of the public at the Chignecto Central West Regional Science Fair, Justus Wolf can finally rest.
And taking what he has learned from his project on optimal chair and desk dimensions, the 16-year-old German exchange student at South Colchester Academy in Brookfield can do so with minimal lower back strain.
A native of Ettlingen, Germany, Wolf found that the school desks at his new school were uncomfortably high. Having researched that back pain as a youth can carry on into adulthood, the Grade 10 student was concerned with the furniture measurements at his school.
“It’s very important for students, while they are still in school, to not have back pain,” said Wolf. “I’ve found in an optimal chair, your hips are at the same level as your knees.”
This week’s science fair, which featured close to 200 projects, was Wolf’s first time competing in Canada.
Five projects will be chosen to go on to the national competition in Peterborough, Ont. in May.
“It’s a very good opportunity,” said Wolf. “The judges asked very good questions and that tells me a lot about what I have to do or what I may need to work on.”
It was also the first science fair for Viraji Rupasinghe of Bible Hill, who competed in the ‘Elementary’ category.
A Grade four student at East Coast Road Elementary, Rupasinghe spent one week preparing her project ‘Saving Mom’s Potatoes.’
Rupasinghe, who turns 10 next week, was very thankful for the support of her school and teachers.
“It was a very good experience,” she said.
Also in the ‘Elementary’ category was the duo of Mari Budgey and Tamara Delorey, who’s project ‘Frayed Not’ set out to compare the strength of fibres like sheep hair, human hair and silk.
The pair from North River Elementary said their favourite part was the nervous rush of being judged.
“When the judges said good job it made us feel really good,” said nine-year-old Budgey.

NSAC students hope potluck event beginning of much to come

BIBLE HILL – The campus amphitheatre at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College was abuzz yesterday (TUESDAY) a few dozen students, faculty and locals participated in an outdoor event billed as a Food Revolution Potluck.
Those attending were encouraged to enjoy the homemade food on hand while discussing and learning about sustainable, organic and local food alternatives for the college.
Stephanie Gillis, one of event organizers, was encouraged by the turnout.
“I’m impressed with the number of people that have come in and out during the day,” said Gillis, a 23-year-old animal science major. “I think we’re raising awareness here and showing the campus that there are people that care and that it is time for a change.”
Gillis hopes students will carry on the cause next year.
“We’re hoping that what we’re starting here today will result in us being able to prepare land this spring and have it ready for students next year to grow their own fruits and vegetables,” she said.
Local farmer Robert MacNeil, who raises free-range hens fed on organic feed and grass-fed beef cows, was on hand to support the students.
“The college feeds a lot of people here everyday and it would make a big impact to the local farmers if we could supply them,” said MacNeil.
NSAC vice-president Keltie Jones is pleased to see the students excited about the schools food policy, but said if the college was to run its own food services independently costs would rise considerably.
“The food service business is a very complex business,” said Jones. “If we ran our own food service ourselves there would be a lot more that we would have to pay for. We would likely have to hire several more managers to cover things like nutritionists, dietitians and purchasers.
“These are people whose fulltime job is to do those things for several institutions. Whereas here, we would only need a tiny piece of that person yet we would have to hire the full-time person.”
But creating those jobs could be a good thing, countered second-year Masters of Agriculture student Labib El-Ali.
“We as an institution should be looking to create more jobs in the community,” said El-Ali. “It will cost more in the end, but I think if you provide this package to students that says ‘The food is sustainable and we’re creating local jobs’ overall students and parents are going to be much more than willing and happier getting their food from the institution.”

NSAC students rally for “Food Revolution”

BIBLE HILL - A group of Nova Scotia Agriculture College students are organizing a movement, starting with a potluck tomorrow at noon, to change how the NSAC community eats.

The Food Revolution Potluck will take place outside at the NSAC library at campus Amphitheatre and is designed to be a forum for discussion regarding the school’s food policy, which is currently under review.

The movement began with a group of NSAC students discussing the schools exclusive food contract with Chartwells Food Services and the myth that potlucks were not allowed on campus.

“We wanted to host a potluck as a demonstration,” said NSAC student Nicole Lefebvre. “Once administration started looking into it and found out the food policy said potlucks were permitted, they decided they should review it and make a new one.”

With the entire food policy now being debated, the student’s cause has become much broader.

Chartwells contract expires in two years and the students would like to see a switch to local, sustainable food products at that time.

“As an agriculture college, it doesn’t make sense that we’re not even growing anything we’re eating,” said Lefebvre. Local farmers are coming to the school and getting an education, yet we’re not supporting local farmers.”

The group has been broadcasting the event across the community and said a lot of local farmers are very interested and plan to attend.

“The bigger the crowd the better.”

A facebook page also has been made for the cause called “NSAC Food Revolution; For the Love of Food”.

Bridge in Belmont a long time coming, say locals

BELMONT - Repair on a bridge in Belmont is far overdue, say local residents.

Construction began on the bridge crossing the Chiganois River on Onslow Mountain Road late last week.

The bridge was initially damaged by Hurricane Juan in 2003.

Residents like Karen Turner, who lives right next door to the bridge, have long been concerned about the bridges condition and say it is a dangerous situation.

“This is a busy road,” said Turner. “There are people coming and going to work in everyday in Debert along with local traffic.”

MLA Karen Casey said she was first informed of the bridges disrepair during the 2009 election campaign in June.

“The department staff may have known about it before. I’m not aware of whether they did or didn’t.

In fear of their children crossing the bridge alone, many parents of school children gather at the bus stop everyday to walk their children home from school.

“There is no way I would ever let my 5-year-old grandson walk across the bridge from the school bus,” said Turner. “One wrong step and he could be in the river.”

Casey has been to the bridge and agreed it was a safety hazard.

“The bottom line is that is has been identified and that there is some attention being paid to it,” said Casey. “If there was a long delay in getting that action, then that’s unfortunate. I think the good part is that it is being addressed.”

New NSAC program offers students worldwide experience

TRURO – A group of Nova Scotia Agricultural College students will have an opportunity to get a new perspective on the world next year.
The chance stems from the new International Food Business program being offered through NSAC where students will get to study at Dronten University of Applied Sciences in The Netherlands.
Nine students from Nova Scotia will join nine European students at DUAS to complete their second year of a Bachelor of Administration in International Food Business.
“They’re extremely excited,” said program coordinator Heather-Anne Grant. “As soon as they came back from Christmas break, they started asking questions like ‘How many bags can we bring? What do we need to pack’”
The program began last August where the students attended the inaugural one-week orientation at the University of Iceland. During that week, which is to become a yearly trip for first year students, they met their European counterparts, took part in team-building exercises and toured some of Iceland while learning about the countries agriculture industry.
First year student Jef MacPherson, of Truro, said the trip to Iceland was a great bonding experience for the class.
“Going there, no one really knew each other. We came back with twenty friends.”
The program teaches students to solve real problems encountered by real companies in the agriculture industry.
“People will always need food and there’s always issues surrounding food and trade,” said MacPherson. “It’s really relevant to the world.”
The students work in a unique self-directed learning structure where they are required to think and learn independently.
“Every week is different,” said first-year student and Derbert native, Emma Eisses. “We don’t have set course like most university students.”
That flexibility leaves room for industry tours and field trips, which the class partakes in regularly.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Eisses. “Not only do you learn bookwork, but you gain a lot of hands on experiences and life experiences.”
Those experiences will help provide a broad selection of career paths for the students upon graduation.
Eisses, who has considered going into law, said the program could link up well with a career as a lawyer.
“We do a lot of trade and policy,” said Eisses. “After my four years, I might go to law school and do something in international trade.”
The students will return to NSAC for their third year and have the option of completing their final year in Canada or Europe.
More information can be found at http://nsac.ca/internationalbusiness.

No 'swim up bars' for local man's trip to Cuba

TRURO – Bicycling across Cuba is a feat even many young adults would consider daunting. To 65-year-old Bob Williams of Truro however, it’s just another challenge.
A recent retiree, Williams spent 16 days this past February, traversing the scenic landscape of Cuba’s beaches and mountains.
Covering close to 800 to 900 km over on the trip, Williams said it was his love for adventure that drove him.
“I enjoyed the challenge of it,” said Williams of his ride that took him through the western province of Pinar Del Rio and the cities of Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, Sancti Spiritus and Trinidad.
Having heard great things of the Cubans hospitality, Williams said he wasn’t at all scared of going alone.
“If I waited for someone to join me, I’d still be sitting on the couch.”
Williams found accommodation at “casa particulares”; small establishments that provide paid lodging.
“It’s Cuba’s answer to B&B’s,” said Williams. “You get a good place to stay, a shower, breakfast, supper and you get to meet the Cuban people.”
Williams said two books played a part in his decision to go to Cuba: “Bicycling Cuba” by Wally and Barbara Smith and Lonely Planet’s “Cuba”.
In fact, Williams even visited Wally and Barbara Smith at their home in Vermont while planning his trip.
“They couldn’t say enough about how nice it was biking in Cuba,” said Williams. “There is all kinds of different landscapes and the roads in general are paved and in good shape. I was never on a dirt road.”
The biggest challenge for Williams was communicating with the Cubans. Williams doesn’t speak Spanish and had to rely on phrase books.
“It was a challenge,” said Williams. “But when you have to communicate you communicate. It worked out fine and once in a while there would be a person around who could speak English.”
While Williams spent much of his trip cycling in rural areas, he said when he stopped in the city of Cienfuegos he found it to be quite cosmopolitan.
“It’s known as the Paris of Cuba,” said Williams.
Cuba was a first for Williams, however he is no stranger to taking his bike on the road. He’s toured in Colorado, France, as well as a trip across Canada in 2006.
Next on the cycling list for Williams is a ride up the eastern coast of the U.S. this spring, as well as a two-week trip to France in August, where he will ride many of the same climbs as the Tour de France racers with his wife Glenda.
Having enjoyed himself so much in Cuba, Williams is now teaching himself Spanish and says he plans to return next winter with his wife.
“I want to see the parts of the island I didn’t get a chance to see this year.”

Bible hill to host dog show this weekend

BIBLE HILL – Dogs of all shapes and sizes will be on display at the MacMillan Show Centre this weekend when the Cobequid Dog Club hosts its annual spring obedience trial.
About 350 dogs will show in the event. The four-legged pets will be divided into seven different groups: sporting, hounds, working, terrier, toys, non-sporting and herding.
One of the entries in the herding group is Sketch, a four-year-old rough collie co-owned by Truro native Beth Rutherford, and shown by 18-year-old handler, Kaitlyn Bates also of Truro.
“Collies love everyone; they’re a very personable dog,” said Rutherford, who has had other breeds but collies are her favourite. “They’re also really laid back. You can take them out and they’ll do whatever you want to do, but they like to come home and sit on the couch.”
Sketch and Kaitlyn are new to this weekend’s event, which is part of the Canadian Kennel Club Obedience trials, but Sketch is no stranger to competition having received his championship for conformation at the age of one.
The dog is also a cousin of American and Canadian champion Ch. Uneeda Last Minute Wish, who won an award of merit at a prestigious dog show in New York last month and who was featured Oprah.com and People Magazine’s peopleplets.com for saving his co-owner from a bear in New York.
Sketch and Kaitlyn have been practicing everyday, working on Sketch’s heeling, sitting and staying.
“It’s a rather interesting experience because the other two dogs I’ve worked with had already been trained,” said Bates. “When I started with Sketch, all he knew was how to sit.”
The wide variety of dogs on hand this weekend even provides a great viewing opportunity for those considering adding a dog to their family.
“It’s a chance to ask questions and see the different temperaments all the breeds offer,” said Cobequid Dog Club representative Nancy McRae.
Rutherford added that showing dogs is also a great way to meet new people.
“I was really shy before. When I was doing things with my dog I felt more confident.”
This weekend’s show will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.