Weather Causing Problems for School Busses

Closure of Hwy 332 affecting drop off of some students on Route 206 (Centre Consolidated & PVEC)


Due to heavy rainfall and flooding, a portion of Hwy 332, on the LaHave side, has been closed between Grimm Road and Indian Pass Road. This closure is affecting bus services for some children on bus 206 from Centre Consolidated School and Park View Education Centre. School administration are contacting the guardians of those students who are affected.

Students who travel on Bus Route 206, but who do not live between these areas, will still be transported home; however, please do anticipate delays in their arrival.  Also as of 3:20 p.m., bus 307, Amy Levy for Chester Area Middle School is running 30 minutes late.

For updates, see ssrsb.ca

Turkey Talk

Tis the time to talk turkey. According to the Turkey Farmers of Canada, during Thanksgiving alone, over three million whole turkeys are served nationally during the holiday. Increasingly, many of these turkeys are being cooked throughout the Fall by deep frying in an outdoor cooker or turkey fryer. Before attempting to cook these moist, tasty and crispy delights users should be aware that the use of outdoor gas appliances could also pose a risk of fire or injury if not used carefully and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Before You Begin

 -Read and carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions and be aware of all warnings.
- When purchasing a turkey fryer, make sure it carries the mark of an accredited certification agency, such as the CSA International Certification Flame indicating that it meets applicable national standards.
- To avoid overheating of the liquid propane cylinder, ensure it is located as far away as practical (depending on the length of hose provided) from the fryer burner. Situate the fuel tank and fryer so that any wind will blow the heat from the fryer away from the tank.
- Turkey fryers should only be used outdoors and at least three metres (10 feet) from structures - including garages, carports and overhangs - vehicles, and combustible materials.
- Always use a turkey fryer on a level, stable, non-combustible surface, and never on a wooden deck or any structure that can catch fire. Be sure to use only the pot that came with the outdoor cooker and that it is centered directly over the burner.

Turkey Frying Time
- Never cook a partially or fully frozen turkey! A frozen turkey can cause the oil to splatter and boil over, posing a potential risk of fire and burn injuries. Prior to cooking, turkeys should be thawed in a refrigerator at least 24 hours for every 2.5 kg (five pounds) of bird.
- Dry the turkey before putting it in the oil. Pay special attention to drying the cavity of the bird as it has the greatest potential for water or ice to accumulate. Avoid marinades that may react with the hot fryer oil.
- When filling the pot with oil, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and never over-fill the turkey fryer. This can cause the oil to overflow posing a potential risk of ignition from the burner flame.
- Never heat the oil above 200°C (400°F) and always use the thermometer supplied with the turkey fryer to measure the oil temperature. Check oil temperature frequently. If the oil begins to smoke, turn gas to 'off'.
- Use well-insulated oven mitts when touching a pot lid, handles or when adding or removing food to prevent the risk of burn injuries.
- Slowly lower the turkey into hot oil with caution, being careful to avoid any overflow.
 Never leave a turkey fryer unattended.
- Young children and pets should be kept away from the area where turkey fryers are being used, even after use.

Alert: Fire!
- If any portion of the turkey fryer catches fire, do not attempt to extinguish or fight the fire. Immediately remove all people from the vicinity of the turkey fryer, and contact the fire department or 9-1-1. Do not attempt to extinguish fire with water!

Calling It A Day
- Never move the pot or drain the oil from the pot until the oil has cooled to a temperature of 45°C (115°F) or less.

Light Up the Night

Over two thousand Jack-O-Lanterns will shine at Kejimkujik National Park this Thanksgiving weekend. For the 12th year in a row, Keji will be lit by the glow of carved pumpkins and the moon. Kejimkujik has become a Thanksgiving family tradition for so many that it is one of the park's busiest weekends of the year. Visitors cook their Thanksgiving feasts on camp fires and enjoy the rich fall colours of Kejimkujik as their backdrop. The additional lure for visitors is the incredible programming and the thrill of a challenge. The Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest is a huge hit and people's creativity shines. For those interested in less manual labour, on Saturday night, (October 8) Parks Canada and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada invite visitors to drop by the Sky Circle for International Observe the Moon Night. Between 7p.m. and 10p.m., volunteers from RASC will help visitors observe the splendour of the moon and of Kejimkujik's pristine night sky through telescopes. And at 8p.m., there will be a 1.5 hour night hike to explore the forest by the light of the moon. On Sunday morning, it's the Annual Cold Turkey Dip based on a cold turkey swim done in 1908, captured in the book "The Tent Dwellers".
          The weekend will culminate at the Outdoor Amphitheatre and the Annual Thanksgiving Weekend Awards Gala where winners of the pumpkin carving contest and the Friends of Keji Photo Contest are announced. For more information visit http://www.parkscanada.gc.ca/keji

Ferry Out of Service

Due to dangerous weather conditions the Tancook Ferry is out of service until further notice.

World Teacher's Day

Premier Darrell Dexter and Education Ramona Jennex honoured the province's 10-thousand teachers, including community college, and Atlantic Province's Special Education Authority teachers, today (October 5th). Premier Dexter says World Teachers' Day is an opportunity for Nova Scotians to say thank you for the work teachers do educating students. He says teachers are owed thanks and appreciation every day of the year. World Teachers' Day is celebrated annually to highlight the important role of teachers. The theme for 2011 is teachers for Gender Equity.