'Lights in the Forest’ pays homage to remarkable story
Community effort helps bring local history to life
Article online since February 16th 2010, 8:00
In the early scenes of Hal Theriault’s play ‘Lights in the Forest’, Marie Therese Stehelin (Louise Mullen) reads a letter from their son, Jean Jacques, who is in the wilds of Nova Scotia, to her husband Emile Charles Stehelin (Andrew Maves) at their home in Gisors France. Karla Kelly photo View all pictures 'Lights in the Forest’ pays homage to remarkable story
Community effort helps bring local history to life
By Karla Kelly
FOR THE DIGBY COURIER
NovaNewsNow.com
The last curtain call has been made, the stage lights extinguished and the echoes of applause have faded now that the opening chapters of the compelling Stehelin story, ‘Lights in the Forest’, have been played out in the Marc Lescarbot Theatre at Universite Sainte-Anne.
Actors, crew and playwright received standing ovations and many words of congratulations for a job well done from the sold out audiences after each of the three performances Feb. 12 and 13.
Comments such as “excellent play, stellar performances, intriguing story retold where it all began, fabulous, just the right touch of humour, so happy the story’s been told” and the promising, “I’ll be here for the second part of the story, can’t wait.”
Hal Theriault’s ‘Lights in the Forest’ presented the background to, and beginnings of the Stehelin experience in coming to Nova Scotia from France in the last decade of the 1900’s and paid homage to one of the region’s most remarkable stories.
Playwright Hal Theriault spoke enthusiastically about the play and the actors’ performances.
“Everyone did a wonderful job, I am proud of them all,” said Theriault. “The cast, many of them novices, worked very hard at doing something so unique to what they were use to.”
“It was just the right mix with 25 actors ranging in age from 12 to 70 and everyone worked so well together. The end result was born from a huge community effort with contributions from local Acadian, Black and English actors,” he said.
The response from the audience was also tremendous and very much appreciated added Theriault who treated them to his special brand of humour throughout scenes in the play.
Andrew Maves in his lead role as Emile Charles Stehelin, the family patriarch, said he considers Theriault to be one of this area’s treasures and working with Hal and the cast has been incredible.
“Neither my wife, Allyson, who worked long hours helping me practice, nor I had ever known the story of ‘New France’ and the Stehelins but Hal’s craft brought it to life,” said Maves. “I have yet to visit the ‘Electric Forest’ but the play has made it a priority to me.”
The way Theriault is helping to preserve the history of our area is remarkable added Maves.
Weymouth native, Louise Mullen, who took on the role as the matriarch, Marie Therese Stehelin, late last summer, said she has childhood memories of New France through picnics at the site and history lessons.
“I knew the story well from my growing up years and it was passed on to my children as we were constantly camping at Langford Lake,” said Mullen. “With the publication of Paul Stehelin’s ‘The Electric City’ in 1983, it renewed an interest in New France and now with the play it’s nice to see the history right in our own backyard brought to life.”
Mullen added that she loved every minute of being in the play and the audience response was great.
“Their involvement, especially with the laughter made me feel that the play was going well.”
Local businessman and pharmacist Rod Lefort said playing the role of Roland was an incredible experience for him.
“I had a wonderful time being involved in the production but it was amazing the amount of work and dedication that was needed to pull it off,” said Lefort. “I hope that for a lot of these actors the laughter will be a narcotic that will encourage them to continue on in their acting careers.”
A unique part of the production was the involvement of two sets of families consisting of five members each.
One family group was made up of Weymouth residents Don McNeil (Pere Blanche) who was joined by his nephew, Dean Jones (Jean Jacques Stehelin), niece Julie Ford (Germaine Stehelin) and two of her sons, Mackenzie Ford (Maurice Stehelin) and Daniel Ford (Bernard Stehelin).
“To be part of such a wonderful cast and crew was a privilege,” said Julie Ford. “Hal’s patience with us novice actors was endless.”
Ford said it was a blessing to stand next to her children and watch her brother and uncle on stage.
“Our family has lived in this area for many generations and my grandmother knew one of the Stehelin sisters.”
“Gram passed on the love of story telling and laughter to all of us and like me, she would have been so proud,” she said. “It was a lot of hard work, a lot of fun and now the boys are just waiting for the second part of the play.”
Theriault said he is hoping to present the second half of the Stehelin story this fall or early next spring.
‘Lights in the Forest’ was presented by the Weymouth Waterfront Development Committee and Sissiboo Landing and as Louise Mullen pointed out, the play was a highlight for Weymouth and area and the village is proud.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
News from 1900
Blogger's Note: I particulary enjoyed the report (within) saying "It is rumored taht Cupid is still busy in Freeport"
Digby Courier April 1900
http://www.municipalities.com/digby/articleapril1900.htm (1 of 3)4/8/2008 12:02:41 AM
APRIL 1900:
Digby Courier April 1900
LET THE GOOD WORK CONTINUE
A Freeport correspondent writes as follows: - The work of grace is still going on in Freeport. Forty three have
united with the church, and others are awaiting baptism. The young men are holding cottage meetings with good
results. The pastor is now in Tiverton engaged in special services, while the young men are holding their meetings
in Freeport and Central Grove.
Westport:
-D. McClain is in town with a stock of jewelry.
-Dr. Morgan was at the Central House last week.
-Schooner Freddie G. sailed for St. John for bait Tuesday night.
-Schooner W. K. Smith was towed to Plympton by steamer Westport.
-Schooner Minerva sailed on Monday for Brown's Bank on a halibut trip.
-John A. Ewing, under writer's agent from St. John, is at the Central.
-Schooner Hattie, Thompson, arrived from St. John on Sunday with general cargo.
-Schooner L'Etoile, Titus, arrived from Grand Manan with smoked fish for Halifax.
-Mr. Charles Suthern arrived on Monday from Yarmouth to pay a short visit to this town.
-Schooner Sovereign arrived this morning from Grand Manan with lobster bait for Yarmouth.
-Saturday night's storm was the worst we have had since the first of January, also more snow.
PASSED BRIER ISLAND:
The signal agent reports that a full rigged ship passed there yesterday morning at 7:00, bound up the Bay, and that
at 8:00 the tug Flushing passed inward.
The Flushing was at Barrington Wednesday with the ship Canara in tow, bound from Shelburne to Saint John. The
Canara was on a voyage from New York to Germany, and had put in to the former port with 4 feet of water in her
hold.
It is possible that the Flushing had dropped her tow in order to call at Yarmouth and has again joined the ship.
Freeport:
-It is rumored that Cupid is still busy in Freeport.
-J. M. Roy M.D. and family have moved to Tiverton.
-George Morrell goes as steward of the schooner Nina Blanche.
-We regret to hear that Mr. Asaph Moore is seriously ill.
-Shooners Nina Blanche and Mayflower are being painted and renovated for sea.
-Rev. E. H. Howe is still holding meetings in Tiverton. He was unable to fill his appointment with us last Sunday on
account of trouble with his throat.
-We notice several of the boys home again; among them are Al Lewis and Arch Thurber. They have returned home
as full as enthusiasm as they were when they went away.
-Dr. W. A. Morgan is expected daily. He did a rushing business while here and this second visit is to finish pieces of
work left over for lack of time and material.
-Mr. L. B. Chipman, our genial jeweler, leaves today for up the valley. There is a suspicion that he has done a good
Digby Courier April 1900
http://www.municipalities.com/digby/articleapril1900.htm (2 of 3)4/8/2008 12:02:41 AM
stroke of business here. Only one event transpired to mar the even tenor of his way, but he found the splinter and
things are running smoothly again.
Westport:
-Saturday and Sunday were the most like winter weather of any days this season. We had a gale of wind and
blinding snow storm.
-At the home of the groom's parents, April 5th, Mr. Barlow Suthern was married to Miss Bessie Phillps, of
Yarmouth County. Rev. P. S. McGreggor performed the marriage ceremony.
-Steamer Westport arrived from St. John Saturday with a full freight for Bay ports. Mrs. E. C. Bowers, Miss Nellie
Denton and Mr. Rupert Peters were passengers to Westport with their spring supply of goods.
-At the home of the groom's parents, April 4th, Mr. Robert Lafoley was united in marriage to Miss Edith Florence;
only daughter of George Bunker, of Little River, Digby County. The ceremony was performed by Rev. P. S.
MacGreggor.
-Mrs. Phoebe Suthern, widow of the late Joshua Suthern, passed away at 1:00 Sunday afternoon, aged 67. She was
the daughter of Deacon Franklin Potter. She leaves 3 sons and 1 daughter to mourn their loss, also one half-sister,
Mrs. Cynthia Suthern.
A WELL WRITTEN ARTICLE:
R. G. D. Richardson, B. A., principal of Westport school, had a scholarly three column article in the issue of April
6th, of the Middleton Outlook. Subject "The aims and history of the Institute". As Secretary Treasurer of that
body, he was well fitted for the task, and during the recent sessions it was very favorably discussed by the
Superintendent of Education and other prominent educationists. In the last issue of the same paper, among the
sketches of a half dozen prominent teachers of the district, is a cut and an article on his life and work in his
profession. Mr. Richardson reported the Institute for one of the Halifax papers.
VESSEL'S NAME CHANGED:
The name of the schooner Mary A. Taylor, of Westport has, by order in council, been changed to "Mildred M."
and a new register issued. The above vessel was built in the United States many years ago and has been owned since
1897 by Messrs. Morris D. Peters and Collin Titus of Westport. She is 63 feet long, 19 feet beam, 7 feet deep and is
52 tons register.
HARBOR MASTER AT TIVERTON:
By a recent order in council Tiverton is now a public harbor. Mr. Joel Blackford has been appointed Harbor
Master. This has been a long felt want and we congratulate the enterprising village in their upward march.
Westport:
-There is quite a number of our fishing boats ready for the fishing business.
-The boats are all out on the fishing grounds this morning. It looks like spring. Dandelions are in blossom.
-Schooner Hattie arrived today from Meteghan River, with timber and lumber for the enlargement of E. C.
Bowers' residence.
-The Guano factory is going on very rapidly, so I think there is no doubt but we will have a clean shore this
summer, when the tourists arrive.
-Capt. Denis Sullivan arrived today on his first ferry trip for this season. He intends making his weekly trips as
usual. He is looking as well as he did 50 years ago.
TIVERTON:
-Mr. Edward Blackford is getting ready to build a new house.
-Mr. Jacob P. Wyman has painted Mr. Joel Blackford's house.
-Schooner Alfred, Capt. F. P. Small, is ready for the freighting business.
-We have now a public harbor, with Mr. Joel Blackford as Harbor Master.
-We are anxiously looking for the commencement of our much needed breakwater.
-L. S. Morse, Esq., Inspector of Public Schools, passed through to Westport on the 20th.
-A large amount of halibut have been caught by our fishermen this spring, some as heavy as 300 pounds.
-Capt. John Sollows has been doing considerable painting, and white-washing about his residence.
-Mr. Freeman Small, who has been laid up so long with a lame arm, we are glad to say is getting better.
-Another store is about to be built by Mr. Howard Ossinger, which will make 10 stores in number for Tiverton.
-Schooner Annie and Lizzie, Capt. Handford Outhouse, has sailed for Halifax with a cargo of smoked herring and
dry fish.
Digby Courier April 1900
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-We are having some very fine spring weather. The fields are looking very green. Tiverton is a busy place at present.
-Capt. John Mckay has bought the schooner Restless from Centreville parties. He has 3 loads of coal engaged for
different ports.
-David Loomer, Esq., of St. John, who is running a general store and factory in this place, came to town by steamer
Westport Saturday night.
-Rev. E. H. Howe, pastor of the Baptist church, is holding special meetings in Tiverton and East Ferry. Quite a
number, we understand, are to be baptised on Sunday 29th.
-Mr. George Hegan has accepted a fine position as night watchman in one of the large factories in the U.S. we are
glad of this good position for "George". He is also very much improved in health.
-Another fishing vessel has been added to the fleet - the schooner Minnie C., bought by Mr. Lyman H. Outhouse
from Capt. Charles Bailey, of Westport, and commanded by Capt. George Sollows, of this town.
-William Kay, Esq., of Leonardsville, D. I., who has been visiting his sister, Mrs. Alpheus Handspiker, has returned
home very much pleased with the place and people. He also made very many friends while in this town.
-The schooner A. B. Parker, owned by Capt. Holland Outhouse, is at Meteghan, being very extensively repaired. A
new stern is being put in and other necessary work done. They say she will be a very handsome vessel when she
returns from the blocks. Capt. John Clifford takes charge of her this season.
FREEPORT:
-Rev. E. H. Howe baptized 4 candidates on Sunday afternoon.
-In spite of the rainy evening our "Ice Cream" social was quite a success. About $10 was realized.
-La Grippe is the fashionable malady just now. There are several cases, but quite mild in character.
-Capt. Ernest Lewis formerly mate of the S. S. Westport, leaves soon to take command of a tug up the Bay of Fundy.
-Mr. Ralph Morrell left for French shore yesterday at 1:00 p.m. returning at 5:00 p.m.. Not so bad for the new
boat. The boat was built by Mr. Wallace Haines of this place.
-We are happy to hear that Miss Lizzie Lewis is rapidly recovering from injuries received in a bicycle tumble. Also
that Mrs. E. Haines who met with quite a severe accident is around again.
WESTPORT:
-Schooner Dominion is here discharging a load of soft coal for E. C. Bowers.
-Schooner Gertie is here from Parrsboro, landing a cargo of coal for the Insular S. S. Company.
-We had quite an exciting boat race on the harbor Saturday, Capt. Cousins' new boat "Moose", carried away her
spar and had to be towed home.
-Capt. Charles Bailey finished his boat, the Addie B., and will launch her out of the shop about the first day of May.
She will be rigged Irish style. Her dimensions are length over all, 40 feet, length of keel, 25 feet, breadth of beam, 13
feet, depth of hole, 6 feet. I think she is the finest boat of the kind that is at present in Westport.
-Miss Florence Cowie of Westport is a pupil at the Halifax School for the Blind.
-Welch - Born at Westport, on the 19th to Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Welch a son.
(April 30th): The new boat was launched from Capt. Bailey's wharf Monday. She makes a fine appearance on the
water.
-Mr. James Strickland has sold the S. S. Gem to parties up St. John river. She steamed over last Sunday, making a
quick run across the Bay.
Death's
Died at Boston: Miss Maggie Cutten, sister of Mrs. Ralph Eldridge, died at Boston on Saturday last. The remains
will arrive by steamer Yarmouth tomorrow morning, and will be forwarded to her former home, Freeport for
burial.
-We are sorry to have to report the death of Mrs. Letitia Welch. She passed away on the 24th at 5 p.m. She leaves 3
children, 24 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren.
Digby Courier April 1900
http://www.municipalities.com/digby/articleapril1900.htm (1 of 3)4/8/2008 12:02:41 AM
APRIL 1900:
Digby Courier April 1900
LET THE GOOD WORK CONTINUE
A Freeport correspondent writes as follows: - The work of grace is still going on in Freeport. Forty three have
united with the church, and others are awaiting baptism. The young men are holding cottage meetings with good
results. The pastor is now in Tiverton engaged in special services, while the young men are holding their meetings
in Freeport and Central Grove.
Westport:
-D. McClain is in town with a stock of jewelry.
-Dr. Morgan was at the Central House last week.
-Schooner Freddie G. sailed for St. John for bait Tuesday night.
-Schooner W. K. Smith was towed to Plympton by steamer Westport.
-Schooner Minerva sailed on Monday for Brown's Bank on a halibut trip.
-John A. Ewing, under writer's agent from St. John, is at the Central.
-Schooner Hattie, Thompson, arrived from St. John on Sunday with general cargo.
-Schooner L'Etoile, Titus, arrived from Grand Manan with smoked fish for Halifax.
-Mr. Charles Suthern arrived on Monday from Yarmouth to pay a short visit to this town.
-Schooner Sovereign arrived this morning from Grand Manan with lobster bait for Yarmouth.
-Saturday night's storm was the worst we have had since the first of January, also more snow.
PASSED BRIER ISLAND:
The signal agent reports that a full rigged ship passed there yesterday morning at 7:00, bound up the Bay, and that
at 8:00 the tug Flushing passed inward.
The Flushing was at Barrington Wednesday with the ship Canara in tow, bound from Shelburne to Saint John. The
Canara was on a voyage from New York to Germany, and had put in to the former port with 4 feet of water in her
hold.
It is possible that the Flushing had dropped her tow in order to call at Yarmouth and has again joined the ship.
Freeport:
-It is rumored that Cupid is still busy in Freeport.
-J. M. Roy M.D. and family have moved to Tiverton.
-George Morrell goes as steward of the schooner Nina Blanche.
-We regret to hear that Mr. Asaph Moore is seriously ill.
-Shooners Nina Blanche and Mayflower are being painted and renovated for sea.
-Rev. E. H. Howe is still holding meetings in Tiverton. He was unable to fill his appointment with us last Sunday on
account of trouble with his throat.
-We notice several of the boys home again; among them are Al Lewis and Arch Thurber. They have returned home
as full as enthusiasm as they were when they went away.
-Dr. W. A. Morgan is expected daily. He did a rushing business while here and this second visit is to finish pieces of
work left over for lack of time and material.
-Mr. L. B. Chipman, our genial jeweler, leaves today for up the valley. There is a suspicion that he has done a good
Digby Courier April 1900
http://www.municipalities.com/digby/articleapril1900.htm (2 of 3)4/8/2008 12:02:41 AM
stroke of business here. Only one event transpired to mar the even tenor of his way, but he found the splinter and
things are running smoothly again.
Westport:
-Saturday and Sunday were the most like winter weather of any days this season. We had a gale of wind and
blinding snow storm.
-At the home of the groom's parents, April 5th, Mr. Barlow Suthern was married to Miss Bessie Phillps, of
Yarmouth County. Rev. P. S. McGreggor performed the marriage ceremony.
-Steamer Westport arrived from St. John Saturday with a full freight for Bay ports. Mrs. E. C. Bowers, Miss Nellie
Denton and Mr. Rupert Peters were passengers to Westport with their spring supply of goods.
-At the home of the groom's parents, April 4th, Mr. Robert Lafoley was united in marriage to Miss Edith Florence;
only daughter of George Bunker, of Little River, Digby County. The ceremony was performed by Rev. P. S.
MacGreggor.
-Mrs. Phoebe Suthern, widow of the late Joshua Suthern, passed away at 1:00 Sunday afternoon, aged 67. She was
the daughter of Deacon Franklin Potter. She leaves 3 sons and 1 daughter to mourn their loss, also one half-sister,
Mrs. Cynthia Suthern.
A WELL WRITTEN ARTICLE:
R. G. D. Richardson, B. A., principal of Westport school, had a scholarly three column article in the issue of April
6th, of the Middleton Outlook. Subject "The aims and history of the Institute". As Secretary Treasurer of that
body, he was well fitted for the task, and during the recent sessions it was very favorably discussed by the
Superintendent of Education and other prominent educationists. In the last issue of the same paper, among the
sketches of a half dozen prominent teachers of the district, is a cut and an article on his life and work in his
profession. Mr. Richardson reported the Institute for one of the Halifax papers.
VESSEL'S NAME CHANGED:
The name of the schooner Mary A. Taylor, of Westport has, by order in council, been changed to "Mildred M."
and a new register issued. The above vessel was built in the United States many years ago and has been owned since
1897 by Messrs. Morris D. Peters and Collin Titus of Westport. She is 63 feet long, 19 feet beam, 7 feet deep and is
52 tons register.
HARBOR MASTER AT TIVERTON:
By a recent order in council Tiverton is now a public harbor. Mr. Joel Blackford has been appointed Harbor
Master. This has been a long felt want and we congratulate the enterprising village in their upward march.
Westport:
-There is quite a number of our fishing boats ready for the fishing business.
-The boats are all out on the fishing grounds this morning. It looks like spring. Dandelions are in blossom.
-Schooner Hattie arrived today from Meteghan River, with timber and lumber for the enlargement of E. C.
Bowers' residence.
-The Guano factory is going on very rapidly, so I think there is no doubt but we will have a clean shore this
summer, when the tourists arrive.
-Capt. Denis Sullivan arrived today on his first ferry trip for this season. He intends making his weekly trips as
usual. He is looking as well as he did 50 years ago.
TIVERTON:
-Mr. Edward Blackford is getting ready to build a new house.
-Mr. Jacob P. Wyman has painted Mr. Joel Blackford's house.
-Schooner Alfred, Capt. F. P. Small, is ready for the freighting business.
-We have now a public harbor, with Mr. Joel Blackford as Harbor Master.
-We are anxiously looking for the commencement of our much needed breakwater.
-L. S. Morse, Esq., Inspector of Public Schools, passed through to Westport on the 20th.
-A large amount of halibut have been caught by our fishermen this spring, some as heavy as 300 pounds.
-Capt. John Sollows has been doing considerable painting, and white-washing about his residence.
-Mr. Freeman Small, who has been laid up so long with a lame arm, we are glad to say is getting better.
-Another store is about to be built by Mr. Howard Ossinger, which will make 10 stores in number for Tiverton.
-Schooner Annie and Lizzie, Capt. Handford Outhouse, has sailed for Halifax with a cargo of smoked herring and
dry fish.
Digby Courier April 1900
http://www.municipalities.com/digby/articleapril1900.htm (3 of 3)4/8/2008 12:02:41 AM
-We are having some very fine spring weather. The fields are looking very green. Tiverton is a busy place at present.
-Capt. John Mckay has bought the schooner Restless from Centreville parties. He has 3 loads of coal engaged for
different ports.
-David Loomer, Esq., of St. John, who is running a general store and factory in this place, came to town by steamer
Westport Saturday night.
-Rev. E. H. Howe, pastor of the Baptist church, is holding special meetings in Tiverton and East Ferry. Quite a
number, we understand, are to be baptised on Sunday 29th.
-Mr. George Hegan has accepted a fine position as night watchman in one of the large factories in the U.S. we are
glad of this good position for "George". He is also very much improved in health.
-Another fishing vessel has been added to the fleet - the schooner Minnie C., bought by Mr. Lyman H. Outhouse
from Capt. Charles Bailey, of Westport, and commanded by Capt. George Sollows, of this town.
-William Kay, Esq., of Leonardsville, D. I., who has been visiting his sister, Mrs. Alpheus Handspiker, has returned
home very much pleased with the place and people. He also made very many friends while in this town.
-The schooner A. B. Parker, owned by Capt. Holland Outhouse, is at Meteghan, being very extensively repaired. A
new stern is being put in and other necessary work done. They say she will be a very handsome vessel when she
returns from the blocks. Capt. John Clifford takes charge of her this season.
FREEPORT:
-Rev. E. H. Howe baptized 4 candidates on Sunday afternoon.
-In spite of the rainy evening our "Ice Cream" social was quite a success. About $10 was realized.
-La Grippe is the fashionable malady just now. There are several cases, but quite mild in character.
-Capt. Ernest Lewis formerly mate of the S. S. Westport, leaves soon to take command of a tug up the Bay of Fundy.
-Mr. Ralph Morrell left for French shore yesterday at 1:00 p.m. returning at 5:00 p.m.. Not so bad for the new
boat. The boat was built by Mr. Wallace Haines of this place.
-We are happy to hear that Miss Lizzie Lewis is rapidly recovering from injuries received in a bicycle tumble. Also
that Mrs. E. Haines who met with quite a severe accident is around again.
WESTPORT:
-Schooner Dominion is here discharging a load of soft coal for E. C. Bowers.
-Schooner Gertie is here from Parrsboro, landing a cargo of coal for the Insular S. S. Company.
-We had quite an exciting boat race on the harbor Saturday, Capt. Cousins' new boat "Moose", carried away her
spar and had to be towed home.
-Capt. Charles Bailey finished his boat, the Addie B., and will launch her out of the shop about the first day of May.
She will be rigged Irish style. Her dimensions are length over all, 40 feet, length of keel, 25 feet, breadth of beam, 13
feet, depth of hole, 6 feet. I think she is the finest boat of the kind that is at present in Westport.
-Miss Florence Cowie of Westport is a pupil at the Halifax School for the Blind.
-Welch - Born at Westport, on the 19th to Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Welch a son.
(April 30th): The new boat was launched from Capt. Bailey's wharf Monday. She makes a fine appearance on the
water.
-Mr. James Strickland has sold the S. S. Gem to parties up St. John river. She steamed over last Sunday, making a
quick run across the Bay.
Death's
Died at Boston: Miss Maggie Cutten, sister of Mrs. Ralph Eldridge, died at Boston on Saturday last. The remains
will arrive by steamer Yarmouth tomorrow morning, and will be forwarded to her former home, Freeport for
burial.
-We are sorry to have to report the death of Mrs. Letitia Welch. She passed away on the 24th at 5 p.m. She leaves 3
children, 24 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren.
Labels:
Nova Scotia Digby County history
NS Contemplates Tax Hike
NS: Chamber requests study to judge impact of tax increase
By Darrell Cole, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Amherst Daily News, Feb. 16, 2010
[AMHERST, NS] — The president of the Amherst and Area Chamber of Commerce is urging the province to tread carefully before it considers increasing the HST by two per cent.
“It would be very unfortunate for business in this part of Nova Scotia to have another two per cent added to the HST because it’s going impact their competitiveness and give people another reason to cross the border to New Brunswick,” chamber president Randy Smith said.
While the province has yet to raise the HST, Finance Minister Graham Steele has been giving strong hints that could happen when he brings down his government’s budget in the spring.
Steele is in the middle of a cross-province tour gathering input from Nova Scotians on how best to fight the deficit and one of the things he has been hearing is people are open to an increase in the HST.
Smith, on the other hand, is supporting a call by Cumberland South MLA Murray Scott to have government conduct a study of cross-border shopping habits and whether creating a two per cent difference in tax will drive more people to stores in New Brunswick.
“It’s going to be a huge problem in our area,” said Smith, who recently appeared before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board when that organization held hearings in Amherst on gas prices between the two provinces. “People will drive to Sackville and Moncton to save that money, especially on the big ticket items. It’s already happening, this is going to make it worse.”
If the tax is increased, he said, people are going to have to lower their prices to compete and if they don’t get the mark-up they need to survive, many of them are simply going to go out of business.
Steele said he is very aware of the situation being faced by storeowners in the Amherst area, but he’s not sure what the answer is. Still, he’s willing to consider it before moving ahead.
“Any time you raise or lower tax, one of the essential elements you look at is how you stack up to neighbouring provinces and any province we’re competing with,” Steele said. “We’ll look at the impact it’s going to have.”
Steele said this issue is a not a new one and is faced in other jurisdictions.
Recently, convenience store opener Tony Hubert said he is closing his business because he can’t compete with New Brunswick retailers, who can sell tobacco and milk at lower prices.
With gas four to seven cents a litre cheaper, Hubert said people are going to Aulac and Sackville to buy cigarettes and milk and are purchasing gasoline and other staples while they’re there.
Smith said he plans to talk to the finance minister when he’s in town next week.
By Darrell Cole, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Amherst Daily News, Feb. 16, 2010
[AMHERST, NS] — The president of the Amherst and Area Chamber of Commerce is urging the province to tread carefully before it considers increasing the HST by two per cent.
“It would be very unfortunate for business in this part of Nova Scotia to have another two per cent added to the HST because it’s going impact their competitiveness and give people another reason to cross the border to New Brunswick,” chamber president Randy Smith said.
While the province has yet to raise the HST, Finance Minister Graham Steele has been giving strong hints that could happen when he brings down his government’s budget in the spring.
Steele is in the middle of a cross-province tour gathering input from Nova Scotians on how best to fight the deficit and one of the things he has been hearing is people are open to an increase in the HST.
Smith, on the other hand, is supporting a call by Cumberland South MLA Murray Scott to have government conduct a study of cross-border shopping habits and whether creating a two per cent difference in tax will drive more people to stores in New Brunswick.
“It’s going to be a huge problem in our area,” said Smith, who recently appeared before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board when that organization held hearings in Amherst on gas prices between the two provinces. “People will drive to Sackville and Moncton to save that money, especially on the big ticket items. It’s already happening, this is going to make it worse.”
If the tax is increased, he said, people are going to have to lower their prices to compete and if they don’t get the mark-up they need to survive, many of them are simply going to go out of business.
Steele said he is very aware of the situation being faced by storeowners in the Amherst area, but he’s not sure what the answer is. Still, he’s willing to consider it before moving ahead.
“Any time you raise or lower tax, one of the essential elements you look at is how you stack up to neighbouring provinces and any province we’re competing with,” Steele said. “We’ll look at the impact it’s going to have.”
Steele said this issue is a not a new one and is faced in other jurisdictions.
Recently, convenience store opener Tony Hubert said he is closing his business because he can’t compete with New Brunswick retailers, who can sell tobacco and milk at lower prices.
With gas four to seven cents a litre cheaper, Hubert said people are going to Aulac and Sackville to buy cigarettes and milk and are purchasing gasoline and other staples while they’re there.
Smith said he plans to talk to the finance minister when he’s in town next week.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Annapolis/Digby Events
Whether or not you are excited about the Olympic Games, the event says this about humanity: The potential for greatness lives in each of us, and sometimes such greatness simply means celebrating the success of others. Not surprisingly, the Olympic spirit appears to have drifted eastward: This week in Annapolis Digby, there is a flurry of news relating to the outdoors, recreational activity, and good sportsmanship.
AND THE WINNER IS…
Our province is clearly making a mark on the IT world stage. This year’s I-3 Competition winner, Tether, has been awarded a $100,000 prize package by Innovacorp. This little company has already attracted worldwide media attention, including coverage in The New York Times, for its simple, inexpensive way for laptop users to connect to the web. Here in Zone 3, Clare Machine Works was declared the regional winner for its innovative mobile approach to refurbishing oil and gas drilling components.
ATTENTION WOODLOT OWNERS
Co-sponsored by ADEDA, the 8th Annual Woodlot Owners Conference takes place on March 6. This year’s topics include how to purchase land and developing your property for blueberry growing. Space is limited so we encourage you to register early … hey, you could win a GPS unit!
SPOTLIGHT ON THE BAY OF FUNDY
Parks Canada is commissioning a study to identify ‘Preliminary Representative Marine Areas for the Fundy Marine Region.’ This is an important step toward officially establishing the Bay of Fundy as a marine park, which will ultimately increase tourism to our region. Fundy is also making a splash at the Vancouver Olympics!
INTERESTED IN HEALTH & WELLNESS?
The Bear River & Area Community Health Clinic is now organizing its 3rd Annual Health & Wellness Fair to take place in April. Vendors will include practitioners, businesses and organizations who are interested in promoting health-related services and products. This can be in the form of holistic treatment, natural products, physical activity programs — all things that enhance overall health!
Free fishing (AND SNOWSHOEING!) offers family fun
Another great outdoor activity is winter fishing, and this weekend you can take part license-free! Beginners and seasoned anglers alike can fish for rainbow trout, white and yellow perch, and chain pickerel in a number of local lakes and rivers. Fishing promotes family togetherness ? and provides a great meal, especially after you’ve all worked up an appetite … have fun and stay safe! By the way, in celebration of Take the Roof Off Winter, snowshoes are available on loan … just contact your local recreation department for details and availability!
What better way to spend a Friday night than taking part in a torchlight walk and community bonfire? Celebrate Bridgtown Winterfest, with tons of fun provided by the Club 400 WinterACTIVE Team! And if you’re in the mood for another kind of fun this week, check out a live presentation by marketing guru Terry O’Reilly, host of the popular CBC Radio show Age of Persuasion.
AND THE WINNER IS…
Our province is clearly making a mark on the IT world stage. This year’s I-3 Competition winner, Tether, has been awarded a $100,000 prize package by Innovacorp. This little company has already attracted worldwide media attention, including coverage in The New York Times, for its simple, inexpensive way for laptop users to connect to the web. Here in Zone 3, Clare Machine Works was declared the regional winner for its innovative mobile approach to refurbishing oil and gas drilling components.
ATTENTION WOODLOT OWNERS
Co-sponsored by ADEDA, the 8th Annual Woodlot Owners Conference takes place on March 6. This year’s topics include how to purchase land and developing your property for blueberry growing. Space is limited so we encourage you to register early … hey, you could win a GPS unit!
SPOTLIGHT ON THE BAY OF FUNDY
Parks Canada is commissioning a study to identify ‘Preliminary Representative Marine Areas for the Fundy Marine Region.’ This is an important step toward officially establishing the Bay of Fundy as a marine park, which will ultimately increase tourism to our region. Fundy is also making a splash at the Vancouver Olympics!
INTERESTED IN HEALTH & WELLNESS?
The Bear River & Area Community Health Clinic is now organizing its 3rd Annual Health & Wellness Fair to take place in April. Vendors will include practitioners, businesses and organizations who are interested in promoting health-related services and products. This can be in the form of holistic treatment, natural products, physical activity programs — all things that enhance overall health!
Free fishing (AND SNOWSHOEING!) offers family fun
Another great outdoor activity is winter fishing, and this weekend you can take part license-free! Beginners and seasoned anglers alike can fish for rainbow trout, white and yellow perch, and chain pickerel in a number of local lakes and rivers. Fishing promotes family togetherness ? and provides a great meal, especially after you’ve all worked up an appetite … have fun and stay safe! By the way, in celebration of Take the Roof Off Winter, snowshoes are available on loan … just contact your local recreation department for details and availability!
What better way to spend a Friday night than taking part in a torchlight walk and community bonfire? Celebrate Bridgtown Winterfest, with tons of fun provided by the Club 400 WinterACTIVE Team! And if you’re in the mood for another kind of fun this week, check out a live presentation by marketing guru Terry O’Reilly, host of the popular CBC Radio show Age of Persuasion.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Moncton/Shediac Motorcycle Festival
Moncton could still have motorcycle festival
Published Saturday February 13th, 2010
Organizers of the Shediac Motorcycle Rally hope to expand into an annual regional festival
ALAN COCHRANE
As the popular Atlanticade Motorcycle Festival leaves Moncton for St. Andrews, organizers of the annual Shediac Motorcycle Rally are gearing up to expand their event to regional status and would definitely consider staging some of their events in Moncton.
LeBlanc gives a 2010 Truimph Crusier a final rubdown yesterday at the 3rd Annual Atlantic Motorcycle and ATV Show at the Moncton Coliseum. But it would take a hard-working group of volunteers to put organize events in Moncton and so far no one has stepped forward to pick up the torch.
"We want to be able to do events that will encompass not just Shediac but the whole region, so we could have special runs to Moncton or other communities. If there is somebody out there who would like to work an event into the weekend, we'd love to do something like that," Gary Aucoin, a spokesman for the 2010 Shediac Motorcycle Rally's organizing group, said yesterday.
The Shediac event is one of several motorcycle festivals in Atlantic Canada with booths at the Atlantic Motorcycle and ATV Show at the Moncton Coliseum this weekend.
Organizers of the Shediac Motorcycle Rally, in its seventh year in 2010, are excited because Harley-Davidson has agreed to bring a trailer full of demonstration bikes. The Shediac event, set for Aug. 26-28, will also include a downtown street party, biker breakfast, dealer displays, burnout competition and other events that were part of the Atlanticade schedule over the last three years.
Organizers of the Shediac Motorcycle Rally, in its seventh year in 2010, are excited because Harley-Davidson has agreed to bring a trailer full of demonstration bikes. The Shediac event, set for Aug. 26-28, will also include a downtown street party, biker breakfast, dealer displays, burnout competition and other events that were part of the Atlanticade schedule over the last three years.
Aucoin said Shediac Motorcycle Rally has raised over $60,000 for charity. The event is now incorporated and moving forward with expansion plans. It is overseen by a volunteer board of directors who want to work with others to promote motorcycling as a safe and secure form of recreation and tourism.
"I think we have to be able to work around the whole region and make it work because if we have a rally it should be for the whole region."
Aucoin said many of the riders coming to Shediac will likely be patronizing hotels, malls and the casino in Moncton anyway, so it would make sense to incorporate some events in the city.
"We're hoping to work with as many people as we can to make this grow but I think it would be a great asset to include Moncton."
The Atlanticade motorcycle festival drew thousands of motorcyclists from across Canada into Moncton for several days. The festival included guided touring rides of the rural country roads in southeastern New Brunswick, social events, a parade, trade show and a downtown street party. One of the most popular Atlanticade events for local people was the downtown show and shine, where Main Street was closed off to create a big showcase of motorcycles. Each year, thousands of people made the trip downtown to see the bikes in the same way they make the pilgrimage to see the custom cars during the Atlantic Nationals car show. Events like these are organized by volunteer groups but depend heavily on corporate sponsorships and municipal support for cash and other resources.
Ian Fowler -- Moncton's general manager of Recreation, Parks, Tourism, and Culture -- said last year the city would be open to ideas from organizers of another motorcycle festival. But the city doesn't want to support events that are essentially the same as those held in other parts of the province. He could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Moncton already has a comedy festival, wine festival, seafood festival, hot rod festival and other big events which draw tourists who spend money at local hotels, restaurants, gas stations, retailers and other attractions. Moncton's new casino is expected to be open by this summer.
Organizers of Atlanticade said it was a tough decision to leave Moncton, but they couldn't come to an agreement with the city on sponsorship arrangements.
As Moncton loses its festival, other communities are expanding theirs to draw on the increasing number of motorcycle-riding baby-boomers who are looking for new destinations and adventure in their years after the kids have left the nest. In Charlottetown, organizers of the first Red Island Run Motorcycle Rally are hoping for up to 1,000 motorcycles to visit P.E.I. in late August and spend about $1.5 million. In the small town of Digby, N.S., the annual Wharf Rat Rally (Sept. 1-6 this year) drew an estimated 20,000 bikers and 80,000 people. Its popularity has made it the envy of other motorcycle festivals in Atlantic Canada.
Peter Robertson, executive-director and co-founder of the Wharf Rat Rally, said the festival puts on a full slate of events without charging participants any registration fee (Atlanticade charges $50 per person), relying mainly on corporate and government sponsorships. In return, the festival generates about $5.5 million into the small Nova Scotia town and the surrounding areas.
Robertson, who has a booth at the Moncton motorcycle show this weekend, said it takes a dedicated team of volunteers and community support to make any festival a success.
"You've got to have the heart for it. Your organizers have to have passion. I put 24/7 into this because I'm a biker and it's my passion. Some of the people who organize events are just in it for the bucks and you can't be in it just for the bucks. The bucks will come but you've got to grow it organically."
Glenn McLaughlin of Moncton, district manager for Motovan Corp., a distributor of motorcycle parts and accessories, says motorcycle festivals are better suited for smaller communities because bigger centres like Moncton already have many events going on through the summer months.
"Atlanticade had a great turnout in Moncton but a motorcycle festival is about getting on your bike and riding, it's all about the destination."
Dave Sawyer, sales co-ordinator for Atlantic Motoplex in Dieppe, said he'd like to see another festival like Atlanticade in Moncton because it brings the bikers into the city, generates economic spinoffs and helps the motorcycle community to make a connection with people who don't know that much about the sport.
"Personally, I think Atlanticade should come back to Moncton and if it doesn't there should be some other event in Moncton," Sawyer said. "I work at all the trade shows and events and there should be something here. We do the Digby show every show and it is awesome, there's no reason why we shouldn't have one in Moncton. It's good for the community and businesses and it shows people that not all bikers are outlaws."
Harold Nesbitt of Waverly, N.S., who publishes a Motorcycle Tour Guide of Nova Scotia, says motorcycle riders from all over North America want to come to Atlantic Canada to experience our laid-back atmosphere, beautiful scenery and rural roads.
Nesbitt, who has listings of over 88 motorcycle events in his Nova Scotia guide, says Moncton is a "hustle-bustle town" that perhaps had too many other events on its plate to really understand or care about what a motorcyle festival would bring to the city, and perhaps in time will want to put more resources into another one.
Published Saturday February 13th, 2010
Organizers of the Shediac Motorcycle Rally hope to expand into an annual regional festival
ALAN COCHRANE
As the popular Atlanticade Motorcycle Festival leaves Moncton for St. Andrews, organizers of the annual Shediac Motorcycle Rally are gearing up to expand their event to regional status and would definitely consider staging some of their events in Moncton.
LeBlanc gives a 2010 Truimph Crusier a final rubdown yesterday at the 3rd Annual Atlantic Motorcycle and ATV Show at the Moncton Coliseum. But it would take a hard-working group of volunteers to put organize events in Moncton and so far no one has stepped forward to pick up the torch.
"We want to be able to do events that will encompass not just Shediac but the whole region, so we could have special runs to Moncton or other communities. If there is somebody out there who would like to work an event into the weekend, we'd love to do something like that," Gary Aucoin, a spokesman for the 2010 Shediac Motorcycle Rally's organizing group, said yesterday.
The Shediac event is one of several motorcycle festivals in Atlantic Canada with booths at the Atlantic Motorcycle and ATV Show at the Moncton Coliseum this weekend.
Organizers of the Shediac Motorcycle Rally, in its seventh year in 2010, are excited because Harley-Davidson has agreed to bring a trailer full of demonstration bikes. The Shediac event, set for Aug. 26-28, will also include a downtown street party, biker breakfast, dealer displays, burnout competition and other events that were part of the Atlanticade schedule over the last three years.
Organizers of the Shediac Motorcycle Rally, in its seventh year in 2010, are excited because Harley-Davidson has agreed to bring a trailer full of demonstration bikes. The Shediac event, set for Aug. 26-28, will also include a downtown street party, biker breakfast, dealer displays, burnout competition and other events that were part of the Atlanticade schedule over the last three years.
Aucoin said Shediac Motorcycle Rally has raised over $60,000 for charity. The event is now incorporated and moving forward with expansion plans. It is overseen by a volunteer board of directors who want to work with others to promote motorcycling as a safe and secure form of recreation and tourism.
"I think we have to be able to work around the whole region and make it work because if we have a rally it should be for the whole region."
Aucoin said many of the riders coming to Shediac will likely be patronizing hotels, malls and the casino in Moncton anyway, so it would make sense to incorporate some events in the city.
"We're hoping to work with as many people as we can to make this grow but I think it would be a great asset to include Moncton."
The Atlanticade motorcycle festival drew thousands of motorcyclists from across Canada into Moncton for several days. The festival included guided touring rides of the rural country roads in southeastern New Brunswick, social events, a parade, trade show and a downtown street party. One of the most popular Atlanticade events for local people was the downtown show and shine, where Main Street was closed off to create a big showcase of motorcycles. Each year, thousands of people made the trip downtown to see the bikes in the same way they make the pilgrimage to see the custom cars during the Atlantic Nationals car show. Events like these are organized by volunteer groups but depend heavily on corporate sponsorships and municipal support for cash and other resources.
Ian Fowler -- Moncton's general manager of Recreation, Parks, Tourism, and Culture -- said last year the city would be open to ideas from organizers of another motorcycle festival. But the city doesn't want to support events that are essentially the same as those held in other parts of the province. He could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Moncton already has a comedy festival, wine festival, seafood festival, hot rod festival and other big events which draw tourists who spend money at local hotels, restaurants, gas stations, retailers and other attractions. Moncton's new casino is expected to be open by this summer.
Organizers of Atlanticade said it was a tough decision to leave Moncton, but they couldn't come to an agreement with the city on sponsorship arrangements.
As Moncton loses its festival, other communities are expanding theirs to draw on the increasing number of motorcycle-riding baby-boomers who are looking for new destinations and adventure in their years after the kids have left the nest. In Charlottetown, organizers of the first Red Island Run Motorcycle Rally are hoping for up to 1,000 motorcycles to visit P.E.I. in late August and spend about $1.5 million. In the small town of Digby, N.S., the annual Wharf Rat Rally (Sept. 1-6 this year) drew an estimated 20,000 bikers and 80,000 people. Its popularity has made it the envy of other motorcycle festivals in Atlantic Canada.
Peter Robertson, executive-director and co-founder of the Wharf Rat Rally, said the festival puts on a full slate of events without charging participants any registration fee (Atlanticade charges $50 per person), relying mainly on corporate and government sponsorships. In return, the festival generates about $5.5 million into the small Nova Scotia town and the surrounding areas.
Robertson, who has a booth at the Moncton motorcycle show this weekend, said it takes a dedicated team of volunteers and community support to make any festival a success.
"You've got to have the heart for it. Your organizers have to have passion. I put 24/7 into this because I'm a biker and it's my passion. Some of the people who organize events are just in it for the bucks and you can't be in it just for the bucks. The bucks will come but you've got to grow it organically."
Glenn McLaughlin of Moncton, district manager for Motovan Corp., a distributor of motorcycle parts and accessories, says motorcycle festivals are better suited for smaller communities because bigger centres like Moncton already have many events going on through the summer months.
"Atlanticade had a great turnout in Moncton but a motorcycle festival is about getting on your bike and riding, it's all about the destination."
Dave Sawyer, sales co-ordinator for Atlantic Motoplex in Dieppe, said he'd like to see another festival like Atlanticade in Moncton because it brings the bikers into the city, generates economic spinoffs and helps the motorcycle community to make a connection with people who don't know that much about the sport.
"Personally, I think Atlanticade should come back to Moncton and if it doesn't there should be some other event in Moncton," Sawyer said. "I work at all the trade shows and events and there should be something here. We do the Digby show every show and it is awesome, there's no reason why we shouldn't have one in Moncton. It's good for the community and businesses and it shows people that not all bikers are outlaws."
Harold Nesbitt of Waverly, N.S., who publishes a Motorcycle Tour Guide of Nova Scotia, says motorcycle riders from all over North America want to come to Atlantic Canada to experience our laid-back atmosphere, beautiful scenery and rural roads.
Nesbitt, who has listings of over 88 motorcycle events in his Nova Scotia guide, says Moncton is a "hustle-bustle town" that perhaps had too many other events on its plate to really understand or care about what a motorcyle festival would bring to the city, and perhaps in time will want to put more resources into another one.
Thompson: A little too much of a Nova Scotian?
A prime minister's final dinner with Queen Victoria
Posted By SEAN CHASE
Posted 3 days ago
President John F. Kennedy shares two things in common with Sir John Sparrow Thompson, Canada's fourth prime minister.
Both men were the first Roman Catholics to occupy the highest political offices in their respective countries. They also died before the end of their single terms-- Kennedy felled by an assassin's bullet, Thompson silenced by a heart attack. Kennedy is still remembered as a much beloved American president, in more mythological terms than substantive policy, who could have achieved so much more had Camelot not ended so suddenly. Thompson is largely forgotten, being one of Sir John A. Macdonald's four successors, but had he lived he may well have ranked as one of our greater prime ministers.
The son of Irish immigrants, John Sparrow David Thompson was born into a family of seven brothers and sisters. He attended the Royal Acadian School and the Free Church Academy in his native Halifax. His early life was marred by tragedy, with most of his siblings dying before he reached the age of 22. By the time he was admitted to the Nova Scotia bar in 1865, Thompson was the sole provider for his surviving family members.
In 1870, he married Annie Affleck, a Roman Catholic girl who had lived just down the street. Although Thompson was a Methodist, he decided to convert to Catholicism shortly after the marriage. Months later his political career began with his election to Halifax city council. Six year later, he was acclaimed to the provincial assembly and served as attorney general in Premier Simon Holmes' cabinet.
In 1882, a caucus revolt over the consolidation of the province's railway companies forced out Holmes ahead of the election. Thompson briefly succeeded him but the Conservatives were defeated at the polls. Unable to form a coalition government, he resigned. As a reward for guiding the party through a difficult patch, Macdonald appointed Thompson to the Nova Scotia supreme court.
One of the youngest judges on the bench, at age 36, Thompson was a courteous, confident and competent man who had little taste for politics. He loved the law and embraced all aspects of the judiciary. After a tour of Harvard and Columbia universities in the U.S., he returned and founded the Dalhousie law school. The Liberal administration even requested Thompson reorganize the supreme court. A happily married family man with nine children, Thompson had no grand ambitions other than to continue on the court.
By 1885 Macdonald was looking for new blood in his tired government and badly wanted Thompson. However, twice the judge politely rebuffed Macdonald's overtures, saying he wanted to stay out of the 'slime' of Ottawa politics. After pressure from members of parliament, newspaper editorials and, even his wife, Thompson accepted the post of justice minister and was elected MP for Antigonish.
He worked hard in his new portfolio and quickly proved to be indispensable. He played a pivotal role in the fisheries negotiations between Canada, Britain and the U.S. As justice minister, he mastered in precise detail every issue put before him from the Alaska boundary to the Manitoba schools question.
Thompson grew to become a close and trusted friend of the prime minister. Macdonald once claimed the recruitment of Thompson was "the greatest discovery of my life," although he found him to be "a little too fond of satire and a little too much of a Nova Scotian."
As Macdonald's health failed, many considered the justice minister to be the natural successor to the prime ministership. Thompson was the last minister to visit Macdonald before he suffered the final stroke which led to his death on June 6, 1891. The government was immediately in crisis because Macdonald had not named a successor in his will. When Governor General Lord Stanley called on Thompson to form a government, he declined (partly because he believed his Catholicism would be unacceptable to Ontario Conservatives). Thompson instead recommended Sir John Abbott, a senator, who accepted the job.
In the period following Macdonald's death, a corruption scandal involving the public works department threatened to bring down the government. However, nervous Conservatives rallied when Thompson promised, as government house leader, to conduct a comprehensive investigation. They past their first electoral test when the Tories picked up most of some 50 byelections, strengthening their majority by 65 seats. The result was Thompson was able to pass legislation enacting the Criminal Code of Canada -his greatest legacy.
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Posted By SEAN CHASE
Posted 3 days ago
President John F. Kennedy shares two things in common with Sir John Sparrow Thompson, Canada's fourth prime minister.
Both men were the first Roman Catholics to occupy the highest political offices in their respective countries. They also died before the end of their single terms-- Kennedy felled by an assassin's bullet, Thompson silenced by a heart attack. Kennedy is still remembered as a much beloved American president, in more mythological terms than substantive policy, who could have achieved so much more had Camelot not ended so suddenly. Thompson is largely forgotten, being one of Sir John A. Macdonald's four successors, but had he lived he may well have ranked as one of our greater prime ministers.
The son of Irish immigrants, John Sparrow David Thompson was born into a family of seven brothers and sisters. He attended the Royal Acadian School and the Free Church Academy in his native Halifax. His early life was marred by tragedy, with most of his siblings dying before he reached the age of 22. By the time he was admitted to the Nova Scotia bar in 1865, Thompson was the sole provider for his surviving family members.
In 1870, he married Annie Affleck, a Roman Catholic girl who had lived just down the street. Although Thompson was a Methodist, he decided to convert to Catholicism shortly after the marriage. Months later his political career began with his election to Halifax city council. Six year later, he was acclaimed to the provincial assembly and served as attorney general in Premier Simon Holmes' cabinet.
In 1882, a caucus revolt over the consolidation of the province's railway companies forced out Holmes ahead of the election. Thompson briefly succeeded him but the Conservatives were defeated at the polls. Unable to form a coalition government, he resigned. As a reward for guiding the party through a difficult patch, Macdonald appointed Thompson to the Nova Scotia supreme court.
One of the youngest judges on the bench, at age 36, Thompson was a courteous, confident and competent man who had little taste for politics. He loved the law and embraced all aspects of the judiciary. After a tour of Harvard and Columbia universities in the U.S., he returned and founded the Dalhousie law school. The Liberal administration even requested Thompson reorganize the supreme court. A happily married family man with nine children, Thompson had no grand ambitions other than to continue on the court.
By 1885 Macdonald was looking for new blood in his tired government and badly wanted Thompson. However, twice the judge politely rebuffed Macdonald's overtures, saying he wanted to stay out of the 'slime' of Ottawa politics. After pressure from members of parliament, newspaper editorials and, even his wife, Thompson accepted the post of justice minister and was elected MP for Antigonish.
He worked hard in his new portfolio and quickly proved to be indispensable. He played a pivotal role in the fisheries negotiations between Canada, Britain and the U.S. As justice minister, he mastered in precise detail every issue put before him from the Alaska boundary to the Manitoba schools question.
Thompson grew to become a close and trusted friend of the prime minister. Macdonald once claimed the recruitment of Thompson was "the greatest discovery of my life," although he found him to be "a little too fond of satire and a little too much of a Nova Scotian."
As Macdonald's health failed, many considered the justice minister to be the natural successor to the prime ministership. Thompson was the last minister to visit Macdonald before he suffered the final stroke which led to his death on June 6, 1891. The government was immediately in crisis because Macdonald had not named a successor in his will. When Governor General Lord Stanley called on Thompson to form a government, he declined (partly because he believed his Catholicism would be unacceptable to Ontario Conservatives). Thompson instead recommended Sir John Abbott, a senator, who accepted the job.
In the period following Macdonald's death, a corruption scandal involving the public works department threatened to bring down the government. However, nervous Conservatives rallied when Thompson promised, as government house leader, to conduct a comprehensive investigation. They past their first electoral test when the Tories picked up most of some 50 byelections, strengthening their majority by 65 seats. The result was Thompson was able to pass legislation enacting the Criminal Code of Canada -his greatest legacy.
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Let Nature Areas Stay Nature Areas
Here’s an update on the 66’ right of way corridor from the wind farm project in Gulliver’s Cove. The original proposal was to go straight up route 217 to the substation in Marshalltown (just outside Digby, Nova Scotia). For a number of reasons, including a striking lack of signatories, this route failed. With no announcements what- so- ever, Nova Scotia Power (Emera) immediately started collecting lease agreements for an alternative route. To keep public awareness to a minimum, the lease signers were told not to tell anyone. Fortunately, due to my work on the executive committee of the St. Mary’s Bay Marsh Body and a number of supporters of the Toymaker’s Marsh Wildlife Area, I learned that the alternative route was to end up going right next to the marsh and through the Wildlife Area.
Two days ago I met with Ken Meade from Emera to verify the rumors. He showed me a map of the new approach and the rumors were true. From Gulliver’s Cove, the route comes off the mountain and heads toward route 217. It then heads east along the south side of 217 to the community pasture land owned by the Farm Loan Board and Leased to the Digby Community Pasture Association. Why the FLB would do this, thus lowering the value of this property, I have no idea. What is their mandate? The corridor then crosses the community pasture land and enters marshland under the auspices of the Marsh Body and owned by a member of the Marsh Body. After traveling south for quite a distance, it then runs next to the Wildlife Area and turns to the east, toward the Middle Cross road. After crossing the road it wanders south and east to approximately the Old Poor Farm. Then it crosses route one and and heads toward Digby on the south side of the road. From there the substation is very close.
No doubt this route is a wish list for Emera. They do not have all the signatures yet. It saddens me to think of the damage this corridor is doing in our community before it’s even built. When one neighbor signs this lease, he can choose to decrease the value of his land in exchange for a short term financial gain. Every signer has neighbors who are affected by this corridor. They have no say in this process. Their views are destroyed, poison sprays cross their land and their land values will decreased. As a result of the corridor, four wheelers and dirt bikes will flood the area at all hours of the day and night There are no setbacks for these corridors and they can be placed right behind your garage!
For those thinking about signing, please consider the following issues. Don’t be deceived; these leases (I’m told) last forever. Even though the poles are wood now, they will be steel towers later. Are you also giving them permission to spray dangerous chemicals to control plant growth? Don’t forget that previous signers of leases under Skypower, had liens placed on their deeds after Skypower went belly-up! Be careful what you sign. Two people I know signed generic lease agreements that did not specify where the corridor would go on their land. One had a verbal agreement allowing the corridor to pass through the back of his property. Imagine his surprise a week later when Emera’s map showed it going right between his house and the neighbors! I’m not certain that such a lease agreement is legal. You may be able to change your mind even if you’ve signed one.
One might ask what protection we have over this process. Are marshlands not protected? What about the environmental assessments of these projects? Well, friends, it’s time to bow our heads. First, the Marshland Conservation Act that protects marshland behind dykes from non-agricultural purposes, exempts roads and power-lines ! Second, the environmental assessment of the original wind farm project was approved and the size of the line is too small at this stage of the project ( 69 KVA ) to trigger a new assessment.
One more thing: In PEI the government forced a wind farm company to put these lines underground. Why? Because they had a negative impact on local communities and tourism! Sincerely, Warren Paton, (638-3025} Owner: Toymaker’s Marsh Wildlife Area.
Two days ago I met with Ken Meade from Emera to verify the rumors. He showed me a map of the new approach and the rumors were true. From Gulliver’s Cove, the route comes off the mountain and heads toward route 217. It then heads east along the south side of 217 to the community pasture land owned by the Farm Loan Board and Leased to the Digby Community Pasture Association. Why the FLB would do this, thus lowering the value of this property, I have no idea. What is their mandate? The corridor then crosses the community pasture land and enters marshland under the auspices of the Marsh Body and owned by a member of the Marsh Body. After traveling south for quite a distance, it then runs next to the Wildlife Area and turns to the east, toward the Middle Cross road. After crossing the road it wanders south and east to approximately the Old Poor Farm. Then it crosses route one and and heads toward Digby on the south side of the road. From there the substation is very close.
No doubt this route is a wish list for Emera. They do not have all the signatures yet. It saddens me to think of the damage this corridor is doing in our community before it’s even built. When one neighbor signs this lease, he can choose to decrease the value of his land in exchange for a short term financial gain. Every signer has neighbors who are affected by this corridor. They have no say in this process. Their views are destroyed, poison sprays cross their land and their land values will decreased. As a result of the corridor, four wheelers and dirt bikes will flood the area at all hours of the day and night There are no setbacks for these corridors and they can be placed right behind your garage!
For those thinking about signing, please consider the following issues. Don’t be deceived; these leases (I’m told) last forever. Even though the poles are wood now, they will be steel towers later. Are you also giving them permission to spray dangerous chemicals to control plant growth? Don’t forget that previous signers of leases under Skypower, had liens placed on their deeds after Skypower went belly-up! Be careful what you sign. Two people I know signed generic lease agreements that did not specify where the corridor would go on their land. One had a verbal agreement allowing the corridor to pass through the back of his property. Imagine his surprise a week later when Emera’s map showed it going right between his house and the neighbors! I’m not certain that such a lease agreement is legal. You may be able to change your mind even if you’ve signed one.
One might ask what protection we have over this process. Are marshlands not protected? What about the environmental assessments of these projects? Well, friends, it’s time to bow our heads. First, the Marshland Conservation Act that protects marshland behind dykes from non-agricultural purposes, exempts roads and power-lines ! Second, the environmental assessment of the original wind farm project was approved and the size of the line is too small at this stage of the project ( 69 KVA ) to trigger a new assessment.
One more thing: In PEI the government forced a wind farm company to put these lines underground. Why? Because they had a negative impact on local communities and tourism! Sincerely, Warren Paton, (638-3025} Owner: Toymaker’s Marsh Wildlife Area.
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