A Wet Remembrance Day Along The South Shore

It's a wet Remembrance Day for much of the South Shore. Between 40 and 50 millimeters of rain is expected to fall by the end of the day. A majority - if not all - Armistice Day ceremonies are being held indoors. Power was knocked out this morning for a few hours in the Mahone Bay area, which forced officials to come up with a contingency plan for Veterans Day ceremonies. However, power was restored shortly after 10 o'clock this morning meaning ceremonies in that community will go ahead as planned at Lutherin Church. Meanwhile, a live broadcast of the Remembrance Day ceremony in Bridewater will air on HANK FM beginning at 11 o'clock.

LEST WE FORGET

In Flanders Fields Poem

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.


Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow


In Flanders fields

Pitch it! Southwestern Regional Results

A Middleton Company Program students the winners of the first regional Pitch It competition. The students pitched their product to a crowd at the Wildwood Café in Bridgewater Wednesday night.
(Nov. 9th). Down Town Associates is a green company that makes bags and backpacks from recycled sweatshirts and hoodies. The company is made up of students from West Kings District High, Middleton Regional High and Bridgetown Regional High. Representing the company of fourteen were President Erika Rice, Amos Parker, Brandon Krulick and Jessy Gervais.

          Pitch it! encourages creativity and gives Company Program students an opportunity to present their business plan to an audience and panel of coaches.

NS Hospitals To Share $22 M In Funding

Health care facilities will reap the benefits of $22 million dollars in funding thanks to the Nova Scotia government. The funds were announced Thursday and will be put towards building maintenance and upgrading energy efficiency. The money will be divided up among hospitals across the province depending on individual need. Director of Communications for South Shore Health Theresa Hawkesworth says it's too early to determine how much of the overall funding will go to the region's three local hospitals. She explains officials within the health authority will review their capital needs over the next few weeks before sending a funding request. Some of the dollars will also be used to improve air quality and upgrade hospital elevators. Health Minister Maureen MacDonald says the money will make health care facilities safer and more sustainable over the long term.

Bridgewater Remembrance Day Ceremonies Being Held Indoors

Heavy rain is forcing Remembrance Day ceremonies indoors in Bridgewater. Rainfall amounts between 50 to 70 millimetres are currently in the forecast for most of the South Shore with further amounts expected Friday. Never-the-less, Executive Member of Legion Branch 24 in Bridgewater, Roger Purnell believes a large crowd will take time to support our Veterans on November 11th.  The Remembrance Day event will be held inside Bridgewater High School, which serves as an alternate venue when the weather fails to co-operate.
Purnell made the decision Thursday morning.

Local Food Banks Urge Donations Ahead of Christmas Season

There's been a six per cent drop in the number of people using South Shore food banks over the last year. Feed Nova Scotia says the figures aren't exactly good news because the number represents people who have likely left the area. Executive Director Diane Swinemar says South Shore food banks are in constant need for donations, with over 1100 people using them every month. Swinemar says the time is now for people to give generously with Christmas season approaching. She says people looking to donate can give non-perishable food items including canned goods or cereal or personal hygeine materials. There are seven South Shore food banks between Chester and Shelburne.

Suspicious Fire In Liverpool

RCMP in Queens are looking into this week's fire at the former Wells Antiques and Book Store. Sergeant Jeff Wells says officials from the Fire Marshall's office ruled Monday morning's blaze was set on purpose. He says Mounties already have some leads and an investigation is underway. No word on how the blaze was sparked or where it began. The Antique and Book Store is located on Main Street in Liverpool and has been vacant and up for sale. Wells wasn't able to say if the RCMP were searching for one or multiple suspects.

Big Plans For Canadian Tire In Bridgewater

The Canadian Tire store in Bridgewater is about to get a new look thanks to $500,000 in remodelling work. Preliminary work on the outside of the store kicked off this week as workers are taking advantage of the warm temperatures. On the inside, a majority of that remodelling work will take place in February and March. General Manager Jodie O'Donnell says they want to improve the floor design to make items and products easier to find. Following the remodeling, O'Donnell says the Bridgewater Canadian Tire will be the most modern store in Atlantic Canada. O'Donnell expects a smooth transition and says customers won't be bothered or disrupted by the work. A grand re-opening of the Canadian Tire is set for this Spring.

A Break For Bowater Mersey Hinges On Future Of Newpage

Three Nova Scotia paper mills could see a $2 million dollar break on their power bills if Port Hawkesbury's Newpage paper mill remains dormant in 2012. Nova Scotia Power is asking the province's utility and review board to approve a 14 percent reduction in a tariff paid by several industrial customers who produce some of their own power. The proposed change in what's called the "load-following rate" would take effect of January 1st and is adjusted annually. NSP spokesperson David Rodenhiser says with NewPage's load off the system the cost of providing back up electricity to the other mills would be cheaper. The proposed adjustment would be welcomed news for officials and employees at Bowater Mersey's paper mill in Brooklyn, in addition to paper mills in Pictou County and Hantsport.

SSRSB Special Meeting To Make Censure Motion

The South Shore Regional School board is holding a special meeting next Tuesday to make a motion to censure a member or members of the board. The motion will be made around 7pm, followed by an in-camera debate and a public vote. Board Chair Elliott Payzant wouldn't confirm if the censuring is a result of the current investigation of the school review process. The review was launched after allegations that some board members tried to derail an open discussion on the future of 12 schools before a March 30 meeting. The special board meeting will be held at 7pm Tuesday November 15.

Ekistics Unveiling Generations Active Park Draft Plan

The next step in the development for the Generations Active Park Master Plan will be held this week. Ekistics Planning and Design will unveil is draft plan for the park Thursday night. Bridgewater's Director of Planning, Eric Shaw, says it's the public's last chance to provide input on the park's look. Shaw says he expects Ekistics to explain the plan's layout and take any feedback before creating the final plan. The meeting will be held at 6:30 Thursday evening at the Bridgewater Fire Hall. Shaw says if the draft plan is approved, Ekistics will put together the Master Plan and make a presentation to town council December 12.

Feds announce funding for trail section from Woods Harbour to Yarmouth

Gerald Keddy

The Government of Canada is investing more $18,178 in the construction of a trail segment that will link Woods Harbour to Yarmouth. South Shore-St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy made the announcement in Woods Harbour Tuesday. The project supports the development of an 8km section of trail completing a continuous link between Woods Harbour and Yarmouth. The enhanced trail is expected to attract hikers, runners, cyclists, and horseback riders from local communities. Keddy says the investment empowers the community to build upon local assets to strengthen valuable infrastructure for residents and visitors.

Bluenose Academy Selects Its Colors

The votes are in for Bluenose Academy school colors. Students from Lunenburg Academy and Centre Consolidated selected Royal Blue & Black for their official colors. The chosen colors will be used on all school attire including sport teams, student t-shirts, hats, and band uniforms.  Next steps include identifying a team name and logo for Bluenose Academy.

Unexpected Layoffs At Composites Atlantic

Thirty-seven employees are temporarily out of work after some unexpected layoffs at Composites Atlantic. The Lunenburg based aerospace plant employs more than 300 people and manufactures lightweight aircraft parts. President and CEO Claude Baril says the layoffs are the result of an unexpected change in delivery schedules from several major customers. The layoffs deal primarily with employees involved in production. Composites Atlantic is currently making parts for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

NGRHS students fundraising for Vimy Ridge trip

Students at New Germany Rural High School are gearing up to take a major history trip. The group is currently fundraising to visit popular historic sites including Vimy Ridge, Anne Frank's House and the Winston Churchill War Museum. Trip Leader Hester Gibson says it will give students a chance to learn more about the past.The trip is called Axis and Allies and travels to Munich, Amsterdam, France and England. New Germany Rural High is the only school in the South Shore region taking the trip. 42 students are fundraising for the journey, which goes from April 2-14, 2012.

Funding Announcement

An announcement for low cost loans under the CMHC Municipal Infrastructure Lending Program will be made in Liverpool on Tuesday (November 8th) South Shore/St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy is making the announcement on behalf of the Minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Region of Queen's Mayor John Leefe, and Mayor Phil Roberts of Annapolis Royal will be on hand for the announcement set for 1 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Region of Queens Municipal building, 249 White Point Road, Liverpool.

Busy Day in Queens County

RCMP and firefighters in Queens County kept busy between an accident and fire  earlier this afternoon.  One person was taken to hospital following a collision between a vehicle and tractor trailer on Highway 8 near the River Road between the NS Power Depot.  Staff Sgt. Jeff Wells says the vehicle was hit from behind by the tractor-trailer.  That incident happened around 1 p.m. and traffic was tied up for a time.  Meantime a number of fire departments responded to a fire at 266 Main Street . The vacant building used to house a book store.  The sprinkler system did activate, however, there was a lot of smoke coming from the building and firefighters had to smash down the door to access the building.  No word yet on the cause.

Bridgewater Mayor studies town culture of alcohol

Carroll Publicover

The mayor of Bridgewater is one of three Nova Scotia mayors that participated in a study of alcohol-use in their communities. Carroll Publicover spoke with police officers, paramedics and local principals to help put a report together called "In Our Words: What Alcohol Use Looks Like In Our Towns." Publicover says alcohol is becoming more of a target for younger people, stating between 5-10 per cent of grade seven students already consume alcohol. The most common forms of alcohol related problems in Nova Scotia include assault to domestic violence, binge drinking, and property damage. Publicover, along with Wolfville Mayor Robert Stead and Antigonish Mayor Carl Chisholm documented alcohol-related problems in their communities to try and help create solutions.

Feds announce funding for new Chelsea Cenotaph

Gerald Keddy

The Chelsea Maple Grove Cemetery Committee is receiving a maximum of $13,414 from the Federal Government. South Shore- St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy, made the announcement in Chelsea Monday morning. The project will include the construction of a new black granite cenotaph. In a release, Keddy says "the Chelsea & District Cenotaph will commemorate the men and women from the community who served in war time and will honour the peacekeepers who have dedicated their lives to the country." November 5-11 is Veterans Week in Canada. The funding is provided through the Community War Memorial Program.


 

Mustangs drop weekend contests to Halifax

The Halifax Titans proved to be too much for the South Shore Canadian Tire Mustangs. The first place Titans completed a weekend sweep of the Mustangs with a 3-1 victory Sunday evening in St. Margaret's Bay. Halifax dumped the second place Stangs 5-2 on Saturday. The Mustangs host the Cape Breton Tradesman this weekend with games in Bridgewater and Chester.