The Eastern Shore Current

Moser River Seaside Park - Traveller's Rest & Nature Park Takes Lots of Hard Work

2015-12-15T12:50:00.000-04:00

In late November, I had an opportunity to stop by "Moser River Seaside Park", about 1/2 way between Sheet Harbour and Sherbrooke on the Eastern Shore. As always, I was impressed with the care, hardwork and attention to detail given to the nature park by Moser River Community Association volunteers.

Thank you to all the hard working volunteers in Moser River who make the Seaside Park a wonderful place to visit.

The estuary park, once part of "Marine Drive Nature Tour" is a wonderful place to view seabirds, both native and migratory, and the odd seal or otter.Tourists and travellers along Highway #7 are often seen taking a break, resting on the gaily painted water-view benches, having a lunch at the picnic tables, paddling on the small beach and enjoying the play areas.

The park's historical signage is very well done and interesting but showing the effects of weather. There are plans to replace the existing signs with new ones in 2016. I particularly enjoy the huge billboard map of the whole river watershed, with its features all identified and labeled, from its source through all it's lakes and tributaries.
The Moser River watershed map is a huge bonus for hikers and campers, canoeists, kayakers and fishermen and anyone visiting the Bay of Islands/Necum Teuch Harbour area, and of course, the recreational lake areas of Kelly, Round, Bear and Kindervater Lakes along the Moser.

Several wilderness areas in the Moser River area backwoods are protected, including Alder Ground, Boggy Lake and Toadfish Lakes Wilderness, as well as the Eastern Shore Islands Wilderness Area, which protects hundreds of islands just offshore and was expanded upon in June of 2015.

Since the early 70's, the protected area begins in the original Bay of Islands region of Necum Teuch and Ecum Secum Harbours and adjoins the newly established NS Nature Trust's "100 Island" Protection plan, which begins just west in Mushaboom.

New interpretive signage in 2016! Showing the signs of weather, the useful
Moser River watershed map will be replaced.


Looking out to sea, Moser River Seaside Park nestles in a small protected cove/estuary just off Necum Teuch Harbour.

The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Storm to hit Nova Scotia on Monday night | The Chronicle Herald

2015-12-14T08:42:00.001-04:00

Photo from December 6, 2006 (see how lucky we are?)
Storm to hit Nova Scotia Tonight | The Chronicle Herald

The first storm of winter 2015 is about to descend but don't worry too much. This is the 'warming-up' storm to prepare us for what's coming in January. Ice pellets and possibly freezing rain will make driving treacherous from Monday night throughout Tuesday, but the rain to follow insures the slippery stuff is short lived. Be safe, Eastern Shorites!

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

2015-03-09T15:36:00.001-03:00

Sunday, March 8th, Moosehead Beach, Eastern Shore, NS

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online.
Visit the website!

"Imagine A Thriving Eastern Shore"

2012-11-19T08:49:00.000-04:00

Tourism and fishing are Eastern Shore mainstays

The Eastern Shore's Marike Finlay is not known for mincing words. Nor is she known for sitting complacently when self-servicing politics or backroom economics infringe on the rights of those who live along the 300 km stretch of Atlantic coastline framed by Highway 7.

In a recent article published by Halifax's Chronicle Herald (11/17/12) Marike takes aim at the closed pen salmon industry that threatens to destroy the struggling industries that sustain residents of HRM's rural communities.

Lobster and crab fishing, 'sustainable forestry' and tourism are the mainstay for rural Nova Scotia, says Finlay but with government support and imaginative thinking, the Eastern Shore region can stem the destructive policies wrought by urban decision makers who have exploited it for over a century and turn the tide towards a self-sufficient, attractive and thriving area of the province.

Finlay demands an end to open pen, foreign-owned fish farms and that 'closed' pen non-polluting fish farms be put in place instead, to help create enduring employment. She asks (yet again) that policy makers think out of the box and envision a thriving Eastern Shore that capitalizes on the region's natural coastal beauty and recreational opportunities. Finlay asks everyone, especially provincial urban decision makers to 'imagine' the potential wealth of the rich resource that lies at their doorstep.

As the chair of an ad-hoc econ-dev committee established via the Sheet Harbour Chamber of Commerce, Finlay voices what the rest of the Shore residents have been thinking for decades. At least most are thinking. Stop the rape of our natural resources and help us to be resilient, vital and self-sustaining.

The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Finally! A Google App That Measures Natural Capital

2012-07-27T09:41:00.004-03:00

Ever wonder why folks get so upset about clearcutting on the Eastern Shore (or anywhere there's a wealth of forest for that matter)?

One of the reasons relates to the enormous economic wealth of our "Natural Capital", a resource that multinational pulp and paper companies, with help from our own governments, steal from us on a daily basis.

Finally, the wealth of Natural Capital is entering mainstream. Google Earth and David Suzuki have teamed up to offer an app that measures the wealth of natural capital (trees and their canopies in this case) in any given area.

So far, just southern BC (Vancouver area) and the massive urban corridor in Ontario are available, but it's a eye opener, measuring the wealth of the Ontario Greenbelt at at least $2.6 billion in non-market benefits each year and British Columbia's lower mainland at more than $5.4 billion annually. And they're just getting started. Suzuki and Google Earth plan to map the world's Natural Capital.

Suzuki writes, "Global studies have estimated the total value of the world's ecosystem goods and services to be on par with the value of the entire global economy. In short, our natural capital is a source of staggering wealth. Global studies have estimated the total value of the world's ecosystem goods and services to be on par with the value of the entire global economy. In short, our natural capital is a source of staggering wealth".

Try the Google Earth/Suzuki app here.

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Moser River Seaside Park - Traveller's Rest & Nature Park Takes Lots of Hard Work

2012-05-03T15:06:00.000-03:00

One of many online yard
sales on the Eastern Shore

The Eastern Shore Goes Viral

There's a new venue for bargain hunters in rural Nova Scotia via the convenience of the internet.

Local folk, weary of the distance and difficulty in attending yard sales in the Halifax/Dartmouth area, are setting up yard sale groups on Face Book, usually within a twenty km drive, saving gas, aggravation and the bonus of not having to clean the garage, set up tables, price items, buy or make signs and balloons and advertise!

These local online yard sales are busy as can be. For the sellers and buyers both, the Face Book groups are a win-win situation and many Eastern Shore yard sale groups have attained incredible reach over the past winter.

Here's a quick list of four of the main Face Book Groups and Pages from my own Facebook Directory but there are many more, including specialized links to Antiques and Collectibles or Arts and Crafts or individual local shops, which are usually on Face Book Pages, not Groups.

Highway 7 Online Buy and Sell Groups (east to west)

Antigonish-Sherbrooke Buy and Sell
Sheet Harbour to Sherbrooke Buy, Sell and Trade
Porters Lake and Surrounding Area Yard Sale
Dartmouth / Halifax Online Yard Sale

Sellers can post one item for sale at a time or several -- but they don't have to work for days cleaning up the garage and setting up tables, making highway signs with balloons and marketing their garage sale. Plus, they don't have to wait for warm, sunshiny spring or summer days. The real bonus is not having to blow your budget on gas to save a few dollars on a used bbq or kayak, furniture, appliances or the hugely popular 'kids clothes and toys' category.

In fact, clothing is the category that is the fastest moving, with women involved almost exclusively. The popularity of online clothing selling has prompted the group administrators to establish ground rules which are rigid in some groups and not so important for others. Breaking the rules, such as not categorizing your item in the correct category album means your item will get deleted at the end of the day. For others, that's not important, nor is clothing as evidenced by the group called Sheet Harbour to Sherbrooke - A Little Bit of Everything, but No Clothing.

Another group of mention is the Sheet Harbour to Sherbrooke FREECYCLE, a great group to give away those items that aren't really sale-able, but too good to throw away.

To use the the Buy and Sell Groups, first, click Like. That gives you membership to the Group in question. Then, check along the top of the page for the "Photos" link and Click it to browse through the various category albums. To sell, click "Add Photos" and give a description of your item.

Yet, with any community driven action, there are those who make rules and others commit to no holds barred on their online yard sale groups. From the Halifax-Dartmouth Yard Sale with its rigid "play by our rules or we delete you" to the "Sheet Harbour - Sherbrooke's Post Anything You Want" group, be sure and find out what the expectations are before doing all the work of posting that guitar that Bobby left when he went to agricultural college to the 7 kittens your cat blessed you with.

In any case, a quick run through the various photo albums is worth a few hours entertainment. And who knows, you just might find the bargain of a lifetime.

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online.
Visit the Highway 7 website!

How to Grow Apples from Seed

2012-05-03T12:25:00.000-03:00

How To Grow Apples from Seed

(or what you plant is not what you reap)

by Tom Bond

May 3rd, 2012 - I know that apples grown from SEED will not guarantee they will produce or taste like the apple they came from and each tree becomes a 'hybrid', but I am so excited at all my recent apple growing projects. I had more than half a dozen various apple seedlings, but gave one to my grandson. This morning, I brushed the ice from my Gala Seedling (see pic).
Here's how I did it.

1-Get Pen. Mark Sticks to remember in 6 months what you planted (IE: Gala, McIntosh)

2 - get ground friendly planting medium, I recommend a box of peat pellets (starters)

3 - After carefully removing apple seeds, using mixture of fresh seeds and dried ones to test both, put a seed in each spot. I have used Egg Cartons with potting soil in them, will break down as roots grow through.

4 - Put inside plastic baggie, mark date / description on tag inside. Place in Freezer for about 3 months (less sometimes works too)

5 -Take out, keep moist, place in sun to naturally thaw and sprout. 6-ensure you use something easy to remove them from as seedlings *hence peat pellets*, and transplant. I would give them a year or two start as a houseplant, to get the longer and early start on growing season.

6 - Wait 5-7 years to see if it produces beautiful, delicious apples

7 - Smile when you realize they taste nothing like the apples you took the seeds from. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online.
Visit the website!

Free Gardener's Secret Handbook from Mike

2012-04-14T19:40:00.001-03:00

Mike McGroarty's gardening mailing list. Good quality info and a free gift from Mike.

Mike McGroarty, the master gardener who devised a great program for setting up a home-biz selling free plants, also writes a weekly newsletter, with timely articles and tips for gardeners. Here's Mike's no fail advice for "How to Grow Strawberries". Just the info I'm looking for, I hope. If Mike can help 'me' grow strawberries and other goodies, he can help anyone! I'll let you know how if I'm successful. Stay tuned.

The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Mushaboom Gardens: James Milligan's Eastern Shore Gardening Blog

2012-04-12T13:15:00.001-03:00

Much needed Eastern Shore Gardening Blog! Our climate (and soil) along the coast is unique and requires a unique touch! James Milligan's "Mushaboom Gardens" blog is a good 'un, rain or shine! Follow James on Blogger to receive his updates.

Mushaboom Gardens: CURRANT EVENTS: Red lake Currants (Ribes rubrum) Red Lake Currants are considered to be the best red cultivar. The later ripening, large bright red fruits...

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

The Sweet Taste of Nova Scotia - Maple Festivals in Full Swing

2012-03-26T11:58:00.001-03:00

Nova Scotia's Maple Festivals are in full swing until about mid-April and an incredible opportunity to get out and enjoy the sweet tastes of pancakes with real maple syrup, coffee with maple sugar and lots more. Here's all the info and a map to good eatin' maple spots from the Maple Syrup Producers of Nova Scotia.

The closest events to the Eastern Shore are happening in Antigonish and Dean Settlement (inland from Sheet Harbour off the #224), but to get a real slam-dunk of maple goodness, head up to the North Shore where maple madness proliferates. Don't forget to grab a gallon or two to take home, waaaay cheaper than you'll get it at Sobey's!

Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry Recipes

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Eastern Shore Residents against Open Salmon Farming

2012-03-03T16:49:00.001-04:00

Eastern Shore Residents against Open Salmon Farming
Here's the official FaceBook Group for the
Opposition to Eastern Shore Open Pen Salmon Farms

Contains photos, resource links, downloadable docs and
meeting announcements, etc.

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online.
Visit the website!

Government To "Insure No Significant Adverse Effects"

2012-01-27T16:45:00.015-04:00

Save the Eastern Shore - Group Opposed to Salmon Farms

In June of 2011, Nova Scotia's Fisheries and Aquaculture approved two new salmon aquaculture sites in the St. Mary's Bay, Digby, stating that the farms "will create good jobs in southwest Nova Scotia, while the license agreements will ensure protection for other marine industries and the coastal environment".

The media announcement went on to state that "the government will ensure there are no significant adverse effects of salmon farming on the marine environment and its associated fisheries, including the valuable lobster fishery".

Residents of the Eastern Shore who are opposed to the establishment of three proposed salmon farms might well question just how the government will guarantee 'no adverse effects' from the following threats to the lobster industry and the economy (not to mention the already decimated wild salmon population) as compiled on the Nova Scotia Salmon Association's website.

Dangers Presented by Aquaculture

General affects of aquaculture include:
loss of coastal habitat;
pesticide pollution;
greasy coatings on beach rocks;
waste deposits on tidal flats; and
increased present of algae in the water.
In Scotland, salmon farmers have been known to use a chemical delousing agent called dichlorpos to reduce infection of salmon by sea lice. Studies show that this chemical can kill oysters, mussels and other shellfish within 25 meters of the salmon cages where it is used.
It requires at least three kilograms of marine protein to produce a single kilogram of domestic salmon. Domestic salmon are fed by fish caught in the world's oceans. Fish used to feed domestic salmon includes:
Herring;
Mackerel;
Anchoveta;
Anchovy; and
Sardinella.
Concerns are currently being raised around the world about the affects of genetically modified foods on human beings. Salmon that are being raised in aquaculture farms today may fall into the category of genetically modified foods.
In 1997, approximately 300,000 Atlantic salmon were accidentally released into Puget Sound, British Columbia.
In Norway, it is estimated that as many as 1.3 million salmon escape from farms every year and one third of salmon spawning in coastal rivers in Norway are escaped domestic salmon.
Escaped domestic salmon compete with wild salmon for food and for spawning habitat. Studies from British Columbia demonstrate that domestic salmon have begun to spawn and colonize in areas formerly occupied by wild Pacific salmon.
In Norway studies indicate that there are areas where escaped domestic salmon have completely engulfed the historic range of wild salmon.
Interbreeding between wild and escaped domestic salmon can result in the creation of "bad genes". Fish with these types of inferior genes may lose the ability to spawn and survive. The fish may not know where to spawn or may try to spawn at the wrong time of the year.
Escaped domestic salmon can carry disease that is spread to wild salmon populations through mixing in the ocean and interbreeding. Diseases that have spread from domestic species to wild species include:
infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus;
bacterial kidney disease;
Whirling Disease;
Parasitic infections including Gyrodactilus; and
Infectious Salmon Anemia ("ISA").
Studies in Scotland have shown that if a river is less than three miles long and flows into the sea in an area where a salmon farm is located, the river's indigenous wild population will be dead."

Granted, the issuing of license-leases to operate finfish farms in the province include the following regulatory conditions:

- operating in a sustainable manner over the long term by following a code of containment for Atlantic salmon in marine net pens

- participating in the province's Environmental Monitoring Program audited by department staff and shared with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and which requires third-party monitoring and analysis of water samples

- submitting annual production and employment reports.

According to Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau, a significant (note the qualifier) breach of any of these, or one of the many other terms and conditions, could result in the cancellation of an aquaculture licence or lease.

Awww, gee. Bad fish farmers. And how will the government insure safety to the lobster industry once the damage is done? The truth is, they can't. 'Domestic' salmon and trout farms, with their promise of 'local jobs', is a political carrot, usually trotted out along with highway paving issues just before an election.

Once the damage is done, it's too late. "Insuring safety" is political rhetoric, one of those loose terms used to throw us off track. Note they didn't say they 'guarantee'.

The real question is, once the virus is out of the bag so to speak, what's to be done about the dead and dying wild salmon population along the Eastern Shore - and the disappearing lobster industry?

Those opposed have set up a website (Save the Eastern Shore) to alert residents of the proposed farms and a series of community discussions will take place to voice their concerns. In Sheet Harbour, the date is February 6th at the Lions Club, 6-9 pm.

http://savetheeasternshore.blogspot.com/

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The Eastern Shore Current is An eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

No More Quonsets - Urban Sprawl Impacts on Cole Harbour, Westphal

2011-11-17T14:16:00.011-04:00

A recent regional bylaw forbids the erection of new quonset huts in Cole Harbour and Westphal, two communities on the edge of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth's) urban sprawl. (Dartmouth HRM East Community Herald, November 14, 2011).

It seems the newly arrived commuter types enjoy the peacefulness of the country (not to mention lower cost housing) but they don't like the 6:00 am rooster wake up call, the baa-ing of spring lambs, the smell of new mown hay, or the 'hideousness' of the metal roofed farm storage quonsets on their prim, landscaped 'streets' -- streets that, incidentally used to be simply RR#1 or RR#2.

Do I sound cynical? I guess that's because I am. While I understand that the city has to grow and only has so many directions available that don't stop abruptly at the ocean's edge, the recent bylaw accentuates again the short sited vision (or lack thereof), that has city councillors like Lorelei Nicoll succumbing to a threat of "no votes" unless she 'gets rid of the quonset' during her campaign. Excuse me? And only four people complained?

But that's another matter. The point is, Regional Council okayed the bylaw, without giving much thought to the agricultural need for such storage buildings.

According to the Herald, a 'frustrated' Cole Harbour resident stated that he's not 'interested in viewing them [quonsets] from [his] picture window' and that they 'belong on farms, commercial areas or large bodies of land" . Oh, yes, that's right. Just like the one you obliterated when you built your tidy little landscaped bungalow lots? Got it. So, what was wrong with the 'unsightly premises' bylaw for this 'one' quonset?

Anyway, luckily for small, once rural businesses like Walker's Feed Store at the edge of Cole Harbour-burb, their quonsets are already built (thus grandfathered) and with any vision, they've invested in farm land 'beyond' the reach of the frenzied, latte drinking and texting burbanites who moved to the country to 'breathe fresh air', but don't want to have to actually um, look at it.

Tell you what. Let them have the commuterville burbs. Sell them your farm land (with a quonset), for a hefty price of course, and let them tear it down (or create another used furniture store or whatever). Who cares?

Then, you just take your money and run, don't walk a little further down the Eastern Shore, just beyond the reaches of yuppie councillors and metrosexuals (or whatever they're called now). And just sit back and wait. They'll be along again soon and you can make a tidy profit all over again!
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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Where There's Muck, There's Money - Farmland is New Gold

2011-11-17T13:35:00.004-04:00

According to Reuter's, increasing numbers of investors are putting healthy chunks of their portfolios into soil, agriculture and arable farmland (Nov. 15, 2011). With 7 billion people now needing food on planet earth, these investors know that farmland is an excellent long-term investment.

Not only that, it has a finite supply, and with global warming, desertificaton and urban sprawl, land is getting scarcer all the time. Moreover, what sharp investors like George Soros know is that, with increasing food shortages imminent, their 'investment' can be rented out or tilled for food crops. And that, they say, is the new gold.

Note: While Soros and others are able to buy large tracts of arable farm land, they rarely do. More often, they buy shares in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). ETF's make targeted investments in agriculture and related industries, and with a relatively small investment.
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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Walker's Feed is Pure Country on the City's Edge

2011-11-12T08:16:00.004-04:00

We discovered an excellent homegrown video on the Walkers Feed Store web site when we needed to look up their store's hours of operation. The Walkers, Dale and Pearl have been running the family business from a barn (replete with resident ducks) at 1397 Cole Harbour Road since 1983. In those days, say Dale and his son Craig, who is also owner/manager, Cole Harbour was still mostly farms.

Walkers has a bit of everything one would expect to find in a true country feed store, with a hefty dose of down home friendliness thrown in. Honey and farm fresh eggs, fruit trees, turkey poults, horse feed, bedding plants, landscaping shrubs, Christmas trees. What's your fancy? Just a chat? That's okay too at Walker's. It's a Cole Harbour tradition, as evidenced by the assortment of antique farm tools and old time photos that line the barn-board walls. By the way, Walker's Feed Store does close early on Saturday, at 1:00 in the afternoon, I think. Maybe that's a country custom too, but I'm sure the Walkers will tell you why if you pop in and ask them. Enjoy the video!

Walkers Feed Store, 1397 Cole Harbour Road, Dartmouth, NS 1-902-435-5561
*Photo of Craig Walker courtesy Walkers Feed.
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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online.
Visit the website!

Heavy Rainfall Warning for Eastern Shore

2011-11-10T13:22:00.005-04:00

November 10, 2011 Canada weather office is predicting up to 100 ml of rain to fall in Halifax County, east of Porter's Lake. A low pressure system from the north will move toward the Maritimes tonight, absorbing moisture from tropical storm Sean. The heavy rainfall is currently forecast for mainland Nova Scotia with locally higher amounts possible along parts of the Atlantic coast. Rainfall is expected to continue through Friday.
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View from Quoddy Hill, Nova Scotia
The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Weird Days in November

2011-11-01T11:51:00.003-03:00

There is a 'day' to celebrate everything and November is no exception.

For example, November is Peanut Butter Lovers Month while November 3rd is "Sandwich Day" so I guess that takes care of the lunch boxes on the third, but there are even weirder November celebrations. November 3rd, for example is also "Housewife's Day". Are there still housewives in North America? November 2nd is "Look for Circles Day" and "Deviled Egg Day" while the 5th is Gunpowder Day and the 8th is "Marooned Without a Compass Day".

It gets even weirder; November 9th is "Chaos Never Dies Day" while the 19th is "Have a Bad Day Day" and the day after that, the 20th is "Absurdity Day".

Some days I like: November 13th is "World Kindness Day", 17th is "World Peace Day" and the 18th is simply "Beautiful Day". Some days I don't like at all like "Clean Your Refrigerator Day" on the 15th.

The 23rd is "Eat a Cranberry Day" - just one? and also "National Cashew Day". Why not combine them to make "National Fruit Cake Day"?

Of course, November has its significant days too. American Thanksgiving on the 24th is followed by Black Friday or "Buy Nothing Day". The 25th is also "You're Welcome Day". Some day makers have a real sense of humor.

Guy Fawkes Day on the 5th and of course, Remembrance/Veterans' Day on the 11th are well known, but don't forget to get on Facebook on the 21st for "World Hello Day". Be careful; the 21st is also "False Confession Day", whatever that means. I guess it means 'don't write anything you don't want the world to read' (day) or you might end up celebrating "Dunce Day" on the 8th the following year.

Actually, I guess that error could be corrected without waiting a year - "Make Your Own Head Day" is the 28th. I have no idea what that means exactly but I think it means you can at least change your Facebook profile pic to someone you don't resemble. Enjoy November - it's more fun than you might think.

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Interpreting 11-11-11 (November 11, 2011)

2011-11-01T11:25:00.003-03:00

On November 11, 1911, the temperature suddenly dropped by 50 degrees, killing 300 people in the process.
Gamblers love the number eleven. Will Lady Luck smile on you on 11-11-11? Will there be an eclipse? Will the spirits bless or curse the earth? What freak storm, and other historic events might happen on this day? Read all about the significance of November 11, 2011 on this hub page that explores the significance of number 11 in "111111 - A Metaphysical Experiment"

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

The Story of Jerome, One of Nova Scotia's Great Unsolved Mysteries

2011-04-07T14:09:00.003-03:00

From Sandy Cove, Nova Scotia

"On August 22, 1863, Robert Bishop and William Eldridge were working in a field overlooking the Bay of Fundy. A small vessel was noticed to heave to and lower a boat, which was rowed towards the land. As the little craft approached the shore it was hidden from view by the high bank that rose abruptly from the beach."

Several days later, a young man from the village found a man lying on the beach in a very bad condition and ran to fetch the Eldridge brothers who rescued the unfortunate fellow. He had been left with his legs amputated and only a few biscuits and water to sustain him. Jerome, as he was later named, was cared for by various communities for some forty-three more years -- during which time he never spoke or revealed his identity. Jerome died on April 19th, 1912 and Titanic (Hwy 7 Disaster Links) had just sunk not far off the coast of Halifax. His death went unmentioned in the newspapers.

There have been many versions of the Jerome story unfold over the years, and slowly, as such mysteries do, Jerome is becoming legend.

The version on Canadian Mysteries written by R. Baden Powell is purported to be accurate -- and a debunking effort of the others, so to speak -- but the fact is that Jerome's origin and the circumstances that deposited him on a Nova Scotia beach over a hundred years ago, remain one of Nova Scotia's great unsolved mysteries.

The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Watt Section Wind Turbine Ready to Spin

2011-03-25T17:32:00.003-03:00

The latest addition to the Eastern Shore's renewable energy projects is a 1.5 MW mega-turbine erected in Watt Section, just east of Sheet Harbour. Read the complete article on Highway 7 Online.

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

SNAP Dartmouth - Eastern Shore Pirates Association

2011-03-15T13:51:00.007-03:00

SNAP Dartmouth - Eastern Shore Pirates Association

Scroll down the above link page for some great photos by SNAP Dartmouth of our own Nova Scotia pirates in Jeddore. More on the official website @ http://www.novascotiapirates.ca

East Coast Pirate Festival Needs a Village to Pillage! 2011

It seems the Eastern Shore Pirates Association has to find a suitable venue before deciding the fate of this year's Pirates Festival. The originator and the steam behind the engine of the original pirates festival 5 years ago, Adrien Blanchette recently retired after selling Salmon River House. Salmon River House has been the venue for the Eastern Shore Pirates Festival for the last four years.

What isn't clear is, is the location up for grabs? Must it be located on the Eastern Shore?

If so, how about Ecum Secum or Marie Joseph? If not, how about Guysborough or Canso? After all, the website is http://www.novascotiapirates.ca. HRM will support a location in well, HRM. Will the Province kick in? Quick, check the grant deadlines. It takes money to make money.

Could it be Nova Scotia's only repertory festival, moving to a different village each year, wherever the town needs an economic boost? Instead of Where's Waldo?, the world will watch to see where the pirates pillage and plunder 'this year'. Of course, the townsfolk already know about the raid; they're in on it and have already set up " a turn of the century town", replete with Jolly Rogers flying, sabres rattling and panteloons pressed, ready and waiting!

A couple of things to remember, prerequisites for a pirate bash, in case any communities are considering it. The first is, you gotta have OCEAN! These fun-loving Nova Scotian buccaneers decorate and man their own pirate ships and have great cannon battles. Seems they like a lot of noise and yelling. The second thing you have to have is a place to raid, preferably with lots of parking. For example the town hall or a local inn is raidable - imagine all those pirates climbing up the balconies, swords at the ready. You also have to have a town groggin' place (even if it's a decorated beer tent) and you have to have a dignitary to be captured and kidnapped for ransom.

It also helps to have lots of pretty wenches to attract the likes of Captain Hook (or Captain Crunchy who frequents these local raids). Oh, and vittles of course. Lots of good home made pirate fare (fish??). Not only are all the visiting pirates going to be famished, so will everyone else who comes along. Family entertainment (kids love to dress up as Pirates of the Caribbean) in the daytime, party hearty at night. If you can offer a "pirate happening venue" for the fall, check the website and get in touch with Shane before April 10th, 2011. Otherwise, the Eastern Shore Pirates may raid the shore no more. How sad.
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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online.
Visit the website!

What's Up at the Canada Games Skating Oval? 24 Hour Webcam Video

2011-02-20T11:35:00.000-04:00

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Hurricane Colin Getting "Better Organized"

2010-08-08T09:50:00.000-03:00

Tracking Hurricane Colin
"Canadian Hurricane and Tropical Storm Information, Watches and Warnings" Dispatch August 8th, 2010 12:59 am

While Hurricane Colin poses no immediate threat to land areas in the Maritimes, analysts say it is difficult to determine the epicentre of the storm and prevailing winds make Colin a bit unpredictable.

Colin is currently SW of Bermuda and is expected to impact the marine areas of Newfoundland on Monday and Tuesday.

Here are a few excerpts from this morning's dispatch, showing that the scientists reporting to us from Environment Canada's Hurricane Center write with a light touch...

In the "TECHNICAL DISCUSSION FOR METEOROLOGISTS" segment, this morning's dispatch states that " PERHAPS COLIN MAY BECOMING A LITTLE BETTER ORGANIZED".

Technical jargon, indeed ... :-)

3. PUBLIC WEATHER IMPACTS AND WARNINGS SUMMARY
NO IMPACTS TO CANADIAN LAND AREAS ARE EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.
HOWEVER THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF RAIN OVER THE AVALON PENINSULA
OF NEWFOUNDLAND OVERNIGHT MONDAY INTO TUESDAY.

4. MARINE WEATHER IMPACTS AND WARNINGS SUMMARY
POSSIBLE WIND/WAVE IMPACTS OVER THE SOUTHEASTERN CANADIAN MARINE
DISTRICT MONDAY AND/OR TUESDAY. THERE REMAINS UNCERTAINTY IN THE
INTENSITY AND TRACK BUT GALES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE MONDAY/TUESDAY
TIMEFRAME OVER EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN WATERS OF THE MARITIMES AND
THE GRAND BANKS OF NEWFOUNDLAND.

5. TECHNICAL DISCUSSION FOR METEOROLOGISTS

A. ANALYSIS
THE CENTRE OF COLIN REMAINS DIFFICULT TO PINPOINT PRECISELY ON
IR SATELLITE IMAGERY. THE STORM REMAINS IN A RELATIVELY LOW SHEAR
ENVIRONMENT AND OVER WARM WATERS..29 DEGREES CELSIUS.. THE LAST
FEW IR IMAGES HAVE SHOWN ANOTHER BURST OF CONVECTION JUST SOUTH AND
EAST OF THE CIRCULATION CENTRE.. THUS PERHAPS INDICATING COLIN MAY
BECOMING A LITTLE BETTER ORGANIZED.

To subscribe to the Canadian Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watch Bulletins email notifications: http://mailman.ns.ec.gc.ca/listinfo/chc-ccpo-en

To visit the Canadian Hurricane Center website:

To view Colin in satellite imagery (push the 'play' button at the top):
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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

Please Eat the Easter Lilies!

2010-04-01T19:18:00.000-03:00

If you're looking for something to prepare for dinner next week and wondering what to make for dinner that's a bit different, why not eat the lilies you bought for your Easter dinner centerpiece?

Here's what you need to know about lilies, both Asiatic and Oriental, including whether all lilies are edible, which parts of the plant you can eat, and how to prepare them.

This article from the Trail Stop Country Market in Eastern Nova Scotia also offers up some pretty great sounding recipes, just to get you started.

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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

The Ghost of Matthew DaCosta

2010-02-18T15:54:00.003-04:00

So who is Matthew DaCosta and why does his ghost still haunt us?

February is Black History Month in most of North America, but here in Nova Scotia, there is a unique and fascinating story of some of our earliest settlers. In fact, several black explorers travelled our coast with Champlain long before there were any European settlements.

The rich tapestry of Black Nova Scotian history is spun from many threads weaving back and forth across the oceans for over 400 years - from the United States (British Loyalists) to Canada (the Underground Railroad) to the West Indies (Maroons-Jamaica) and back to Africa (Sierra Leone).

Some of the early settlers chose to stay here and they have enriched enriched our lives and our society in ways that are not celebrated enough. Over the centuries, they would become renowned leaders in the military, in politics, in education and religion. Others are remembered for their ability to excel in science, in sports and entertainment.

Historically, a few courageous souls are remembered for their accomplishments, yet, their descendants who remained here to try to eke out a living in spite of many hardships would encounter harsh treatment from the Nova Scotia government and her people. Their struggle continues.

Test your knowledge of Black History with a few little known facts:

1. Who is remembered to be one of the first black explorers (video) of what is now Nova Scotia?

2. What was his (or her) special skill and why was he or she invaluable to the expedition?

3. How many historic black communities or settlements are in Nova Scotia?

4. Which is considered the largest by population and geographic size? (This one's easy, so no help!)

5. Which established black community was destroyed by the Nova Scotian government?

6. Name a famous black Nova Scotian singer.

7. Which Queen of England was that country's first black queen?

8. Charlottetown, PEI was named after which black Queen of England? (This is 'not' a trick question. There were at least two).

9. When was slavery practiced in Nova Scotia?

10. How long did slavery last in Nova Scotia?

11. The first Victoria Cross ever awarded to a Canadian was bestowed on a black man, a Nova Scotian! Who was he and why did he receive this highest military honour?

12. What black Eastern Shore resident 'almost' won the Canadian Idol title in its 1st season ?

Sorry, no prizes if you got them all right... but, just look at how much you learned about black Nova Scotian history!
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The Eastern Shore Current is an eclectic Blog for Nova Scotia's Highway 7 Online. Visit the website!

The Eastern Shore Current

Moser River Seaside Park - Traveller's Rest & Nature Park Takes Lots of Hard Work

Storm to hit Nova Scotia on Monday night | The Chronicle Herald

Photo from December 6, 2006 (see how lucky we are?)Storm to hit Nova Scotia Tonight | The Chronicle Herald

"Imagine A Thriving Eastern Shore"

Finally! A Google App That Measures Natural Capital

Try the Google Earth/Suzuki app here.

Moser River Seaside Park - Traveller's Rest & Nature Park Takes Lots of Hard Work

The Eastern Shore Goes Viral

Highway 7 Online Buy and Sell Groups (east to west)

How to Grow Apples from Seed

How To Grow Apples from Seed

by Tom Bond

Free Gardener's Secret Handbook from Mike

Mushaboom Gardens: James Milligan's Eastern Shore Gardening Blog

The Sweet Taste of Nova Scotia - Maple Festivals in Full Swing

Eastern Shore Residents against Open Salmon Farming

Government To "Insure No Significant Adverse Effects"

No More Quonsets - Urban Sprawl Impacts on Cole Harbour, Westphal

Where There's Muck, There's Money - Farmland is New Gold

Walker's Feed is Pure Country on the City's Edge

Heavy Rainfall Warning for Eastern Shore

Weird Days in November

Interpreting 11-11-11 (November 11, 2011)

The Story of Jerome, One of Nova Scotia's Great Unsolved Mysteries

Watt Section Wind Turbine Ready to Spin

SNAP Dartmouth - Eastern Shore Pirates Association

What's Up at the Canada Games Skating Oval? 24 Hour Webcam Video

Hurricane Colin Getting "Better Organized"

Please Eat the Easter Lilies!

The Ghost of Matthew DaCosta

Photo from December 6, 2006 (see how lucky we are?)
Storm to hit Nova Scotia Tonight | The Chronicle Herald