Local couple shines beacon on tourism
Suites have lighthouse, Bell family theme
Most lighthouses warn travellers to steer away but three new ones in Baddeck are welcoming tourists with warm pastel colors as well as a view of the town.
Vicar’s View, at the corner of Twining and High Street, has been open since May, catering to tourists in general and motorcyclists (as well as snowmobilers in winter) in particular, with the slogan “Bike – Sled – Bed.” The accommodations rating system Canada Select has awarded the property four and a half stars.
Each of the three detached suites resembles a lighthouse but has a garage which allows you to bring your vehicle inside and a mudroom/half bath where you can clean your gear after a long day on the road or the trail. Upstairs is a suite with a queen bed, sitting area, kitchenette and bathroom with a rain head shower. The windows offer a panoramic view of the town and a partial view of the lake.
Vicar’s View Owner/Operators Mary and Norm Campbell moved to Big Baddeck a few years ago with the idea of getting into the tourism business. The suites are named “Alex and Mabel,” “Silver Dart” and “Elsie.” Each one features a large headboard that is really a work of art. Each headboard is made of old barn board and features a painting representing Baddeck’s connection to the Bell family. The paintings are all done by Norm’s sister Lainy Campbell, a family artist in Fox Creek, Alberta. There are also beautiful accessories from the nearby Baddeck Remakery.
Mary is originally from Baddeck but like many Cape Bretoners spent a large part of her adult life working in Alberta. Norm still travels back and forth occasionally
to check on a business. Mary says the reception from the community has been great and word of mouth is starting to spread about the new accommodations in town. She also says it has been their dream to be living here and working their way toward semi-retirement.
“I never thought I’d get here,” she says with a big grin.
Bad Buoy Film Festival wraps up second season The Bad Buoy Film Festival wraps up its second season with a showing of the critically acclaimed film “Indian Horse” tomorrow night, 7 p.m., at The Alexander Graham Bell Museum in Baddeck. Adapted from the book by Richard Wagamese, the movie sheds light on the dark history of the residential school system in Canada, and lists Clint Eastwood as one of its executive producers.
Since it has only been a few months since the film was in wide release, this showing could
be considered a coup for a small upstart film festival in a small village, but organizer Deryck Chapman insists it is simply all about “talking to the distribution companies.”
The Bad Buoy Film Society was the brainchild of Chapman, his wife and a few good friends who also happen to be film buffs. They formed a nonprofit last year, partnered with The Alexander Graham Bell Museum Association, and have since seen their idea evolve into the possibility of a short film festival this fall. There are no other details yet as it is still in the planning stages, but the people involved with Bad Buoy are proving that in the story of your life, you can still do big, exciting and creative things even in a small place.