Bikers serving up berries
Volunteer support save Prescott House strawberry social from cancellation
A motorcycle group might not ordinarily be associated with a museum or strawberry social, but at Prescott House, that’s about to change.
Prescott House in Starrs Point is hosting its annual strawberry social on the scenic museum grounds on July 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Forever Young Fiddlers and guests will be served strawberry shortcake.
Due a shortage of staff and a lack of volunteer support, this year’s event almost didn’t happen — until a local biker group offered their services.
Members of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) will be serving guests, clearing tables,
Parks Canada Northern New Brunswick Field Unit and its employees are recipients of the Parks Canada Chief Executive Officer’s Award of Excellence.
The award is in the Outstanding Experiences for Canada 150 category for their exceptional work before and during the Grand-pré 2017 — A celebration of Peace and Friendship event.
The award is the most prestigious honour awarded by the agency and was established as a means to recognize its employees and partners who have demonstrated a high level of excellence or achieved outstanding results.
“Grand-pré 2017” was made possible by the dedication of Parks Canada staff and the important contributions made by Mi’kmaq and Acadian partners. The event was successfully held in August last year at the Grandpré National Historic Site. The
Recent visitors proved, once again, just how much fun it is to be here.
Thelma Huntley and twin sister Velma and her daughters, Sherry and Susan, recently came from Alberta to visit with family for a week.
There was a family and friends gathering at Marlene Huntley’s on June 23 to celebrate the 80th Prescott House Museum senior heritage interpreter Margrete Kristiansen and site manager Nancy Morton are grateful for the volunteer support for this year’s annual strawberry social offered by the Gold Wing Road Riders Association. Without it, the event wouldn’t be possible.
and washing dishes. The GWRRA is the world’s largest singlemarque organization for owners and riders of Honda Gold Wing/ Valkyrie motorcycles.
There are four chapters of the association in Nova Scotia, which are part of the Canadian Atlantic District. The association fosters safe, enjoyable riding while also working to improve the public image of motorcycling.
Prescott House senior heritage interpreter Margrete Kristiansen said the bikers’ help meant the difference between having the social or being forced to cancel this year’s event.
She said people enjoy sitting in event celebrated the legacy of the 400-year-old Mi’kmaq-acadian bond, which has shaped Canada
birthday of the twins.
They enjoyed their time here, including when they went to Briar Island for whale watching. This was a first time for all and they enjoyed the antics of at least four hump back whales.
Their experiences also included a trip to Peggy’s Cove, even though it was cold and windy. A trip around the Cabot Trail, also something new, was the next adventure. It was very scenic and many pictures were snapped.
The Apple Capital Evening Drive takes place July 11 from 6 until 7:30 p.m. Come enjoy a ride in a vintage auto and experience what motoring was like in the early days of Nova Scotia’s Apple Capital. There will be live music, ice cream sundaes, museum tours, games of skill and period
the scenic gardens to enjoy strawberry shortcake and live music, while visitors seem impressed with the use of teapots, cups, and saucers rather than disposable dishes. She said many guests return yearly but also sees the social as a way to introduce new visitors to the museum.
“I think it’s a peaceful, tranquil place to be,” she said.
Saved by bikers
Prescott House Museum site manager Nancy Morton said plumber Ron Martin was recently doing work at the museum and asked about the upcoming strawberry social.
“I said we probably won’t be having it because we don’t have help,” Morton said. “He volunteered his motorcycle club.”
Martin and his wife, Ruth Foster, are GWRRA directors for the Canadian Atlantic District. For several years, a group of motorcyclists from a GWRRA chapter in Halifax have been coming to Starrs Point for the social.
Morton said the event ties two time periods together, as the museum’s as we know it today. Organized in partnership with the Mi’kmaq of Nova-scotia and the Acadian
costumes. Join old and new friends as you relive a moment from bygone days.
On their way home to Alberta, they visited Lewis and Inez Chute, and toured the Grand Pre Historic Park.
On July 1, 10 family members gathered at Wayne and Linda Pineo’s cottage in Black Rock. They enjoyed a lovely supper and social time.
Congratulations to Mike and Sheila Munday who were the winners of the red chair challenge. I swung by their place when it was a bit dark (best time to go, as it is well lit up) and it looked great.
By luck I found out the Concert-in-the-park series started up July 4 at Rainforth Park. At first I thought no one was going to show up, but then people showed up. It should have been
namesake, horticulturalist Charles Prescott, would have had fiddlers entertaining at the house. The gardens reflect the influence of his great-granddaughter, Mary Allison Prescott, who later purchased and restored the home.
Morton said that, in the past, the museum has been blessed with good weather for the social, which goes ahead rain or shine. The strawberry shortcake is always prepared on site and Morton usually bakes about 14 dozen tea biscuits for the event.
Tickets for the social cost $8 per person and include a tour of Prescott House. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs to sit in the garden and enjoy a toe-tapping afternoon. community, the four-day event’s main goal was to breathe new life into the shared history, legacy and culture of the Mi’kmaq and Acadian people. This special event was also part of the Canada 150 celebrations, and was seen as a tangible example of truth and reconciliation in action.
Grand-pré 2017 included main stage musical performances, a cultural village with traditional craft and cultural demonstrations, culinary events, conferences and cross cultural discussions, an artisan market, a traditional powwow and more.
Parks Canada team members at Grand-pré National Historic Site were recognized for their exemplary work with Mi’kmaq and Acadian partners during the planning phase and throughout the event to ensure visitors had a unique and high quality experience.
a lot more. The Hilites played and they were really good. I knew every song. The series is supposed to run each Wednesday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. through July and August. If I can get the info in enough time I will try to keep you posted.
Lots going on at Berwick Library:
July 20 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. is Little Ray’s Reptiles. Come and see the snakes and more at the Berwick Library. Recommended for ages three and up.
July 24 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. is Zoo Days at Oaklawn Zoo. Ages 18 and under can show their AVRL library card for a free entry.
The Berwick town-wide yard sale takes place July 28. If you want your place on the yard sale map you must register by July 16. No cost.
MORROW, Beverley “Bev” R.
- Aged 79, of Somerset, Kings County, formerly of Souris, PE, passed away July 6, 2018, in Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville, surrounded by family.
Bev is survived by his son, Chris (Sherry), grandson, Jessilee, special niece, Pam Deveau and predeceased by Audrey (nee Roach), son, Jeff, mother Kaye and brother, David. A celebration of life will be held at the Berwick & District Lions Club, Kings Mutual Century Centre, 250 Veterans Drive, Berwick, Sunday, July 15th, 2018, from where visiting hours will be from 1:00 pm until the time of the memorial, 2:00-3:00 pm. Bev will be interred in St. Alban’s Cemetery, Souris, PE, on August 25th, 2018. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Canadian Red Cross. Online guest book may be signed and a full obituary viewed by visiting:www. middletonfuneralhome.com
Dignan, Donald “Donnie” Philip Scott.
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Donald “Donnie” Philip Scott Dignan of Brooklyn, Hants County on July 6, 2018 at the Hants Community Hospital in Windsor surrounded by his family. Donnie was the loving husband of 37 years to Karen (Parker), proud father of daughter, Kimberly (Ryan) of Cheverie; son, Adam of Summerville; and the loving & doting Papa to their very special grandchildren: Liam, Landon, and his ‘kitchen monkey’ Madeline. He is also survived by his brother David (Debbie) of Westville; sister, Jane (Mike) Bonang of Halifax; nieces and nephews: Victoria, Alexander, Cameron, Emily, Quinn and Eilish; and extended family. Born in New Glasgow, NS on August 23, 1959 to Scott and Betty (Macdonald) Dignan, Donnie grew up in Halifax and graduated from Saint Mary’s University before enlisting in the RCMP in September 1980. After serving 35 years in communities in Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island, the Yukon, and Nova Scotia, he retired from the RCMP as a Corporal to begin a new chapter as the REMO coordinator for Windsor/west Hants. Donnie was an active and involved community member who wore many hats and could always be counted on for a helping hand and a laugh. His love for children led him to begin volunteering at the IWK during university. He spent many years involved with his daughter’s skating club, as president, playing music, and driving a van load of teenage girls from Charlottetown to Slemon Park every week. More recently he served as a member of the Brooklyn Fire Department, as a board member of the West Hants Uniacke Community Health Board and the Hants Community Hospital Emergency Planning committee. Donnie never missed a Tim Horton’s Camp day, which spoke to his love of children and his ever present mug of black coffee. He was a true role model, loved and respected by all who had the chance to know him. He had a quiet strength, a kind and gentle nature and a sense of humour that made everyone smile. He will forever be in our hearts, no words can express how much we will miss him. Visitation was held Tuesday, July 10, 2018 from 6-8 pm in the Lindsay Windsor Funeral Home, 194 King Street, P.O. Box 2218, Windsor, NS B0N 2T0. A celebration of life service to be held Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 2 p.m. in the Brooklyn Civic Centre, 995 Hwy 215, Brooklyn, Hants County, NS. Rev. Garnet Parker officiated. Interment will be held at a later date. Donations in Donnie’s memory were requested to be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia. To have a donation card place, please call Lindsay’s (902-7982232). Online condolences may be sent by clicking on “guestbook” at www.lindsaysfuneralhome.com