The celebration of the bicentennial of the arrival of the first European settlers in our community, was enjoyed by the folks who spent time with us during the afternoon and evening of October 17th.
Piper Sandra MacIssac welcomed visitors to the well attended barbecue that began the gathering. During the barbecue, Andrew Stalker, Dave Tellum, Garth Wilson and Campbell Calder entertained us as we enjoyed our hamburgers and hot dogs, and/or checked into if and how we are descended from the three original immigrant families of John “Red” Cameron, John “Squire” Cameron or Malcolm MacMillan.
Photo courtesy of Bernice MacDonald Photography - photogirl1@eastlink.ca
Once darkness arrived we moved to the adjoining ball field where we were treated to a spectacular display of fireworks.
Following the fireworks we returned to the hall for a ceilidh where, in addition to more music from Andrew Stalker et al, fiddler Nicolle Clappison along with Isaac Fraser on the piano got our toes tapping to a variety of traditional Scottish tunes.
Bearing in mind the changes that have occurred over the past 200 years, it’s interesting to speculate as to what life will be like and how people might celebrate Lochaber’s quadricentennial 200 years from now.
Jim & Donna Webber, accompanied by their daughter, Jennifer, are presented with their Woodlot Owners of the Year plague by Antigonish MLA, Maurice Smith. L to R: Jennifer, Jim, Donna, Moe Smith.
Jim and Donna Webber were chosen as provincial woodlot owners of the year for 2010. CONGRATULATIONS! In recognition and celebration of their achievement, the Dept. of Natural Resourses (DNR) organized a field day at the Webber’s woodlot on October 1st and 2nd.
Friday was kid’s day, when children arrived by the schoolbus load to learn about forests and forestry and the role they play in our lives. There was also the opportunity for fun activities such as learning the rudiments of archery. From all accounts they had a field day (in a different sense of the word).
Three young ladies get an archery lesson.
Saturday was targeted more toward adults. Along with the formal presentation of a large wooden plaque, DNR personnel and volunteers gave presentations throughout the woodlot, describing various aspects of forestry operations and management. Considering the inclement weather, there was a large turnout, and just about everybody, from city slicker to professional forester, walked away having gained a better understanding of some aspect of the forestry industry.
Ralph Stewart of Scott and Stewart Forestry Consultants discusses, with the Webbers, the use of nursery grown seedlings used for planting in woodlots.
The whole event was a great success. Cudos to the DNR for a job well done. To learn more about the WOYA, go to www.gov.ns.ca/natr/woodlot/woya/.
CAMPERS & STAFF AT LOCHABER WATER SKI DAY CAMP. Back row (L to R) Katie Healy (instructor), Will Kerr, Paul Cudmore, Frank MacFarlane, Brendan MacDonald, Jeff Allen (instructor) & Greg Allen (instructor). Front row (L to R) Brandon MacInnis, Jack Steen, Isaac Kerr, Annie Cudmore, Luc Champoux & Bobby Dunphy.
During the week of August 9th -13th, the Nova Scotia Water Ski Association, www.nswsa.com, conducted a water ski day camp that operated out of the swim area behind Sylvan Hall. This provided an opportunity for kids to hone their skills in water skiing and/or wake boarding. From all accounts, the participants had a wonderful time. The below pictures show examples of some of the action.
ANNIE CUDMORE shows great form
FRANK MacFARLANE getting big air
YOUR LUCKY NIGHT!!!
Starting Wednesday, Nov. 3rd, there will be cribbage games every Wednesday evening until April 27th (with the exception of a Christmas break, Dec. 22nd & 29th) at Sylvan Hall, 1585 Hwy #7, Lochaber. Cribbage starts at 7:30 and runs until about 10:00. For $5 per person you get eight friendly, but competitive, games of cribbage, with prize money for the top three finishers each evening. For those who are interested, there is also a 50/50 draw.
Everyone’s welcome, so get yourself a partner and come on out and enjoy a great way to spend an evening, particularly a long winter one.
2010 marks the bicentennial of the arrival of the first European settlers in Lochaber, when three families from Lochaber, Scotland set up home near the head of Lochaber Lake. On Sunday, October 17th, we will be celebrating their arrival in our community with a gathering at Sylvan Hall. Activities begin at 5:00 pm with a barbecue and play facilities for the kids. This will be followed by a fireworks display at about 7:00 pm. After the fireworks, we will move inside for an evening of live entertainment with the emphasis on traditional Scottish fare. This part of the program will be licensed and limited to people nineteen years of age and older, and there will be a $10 cover charge. Among the entertainers will be the group made up of Allan Best, Andrew Stalker, Dave Tellum & Garth Wilson, who many of you will recognize from their performances at our pub nights. Also taking part will be Nicolle Clappison on fiddle with Isaac Fraser on piano. There will be others, but they are yet to be finalized.
For your perusal, there will be an indexed booklet listing well over 1,500 descendants of the three original families, whose arrival we will be celebrating; i.e. descendants of John “Red” Cameron, John “Squire” Cameron & Malcolm MacMillan.
As plans progress, this post will be updated, so check it out occasionally for the latest news. Also keep an eye on the Antigonish Casket newspaper for more background on what’s behind this gathering.
The above painting Lochaber No More by John Watson Nicol depicts the anguish experienced by a couple leaving Lochaber Scotland for a land across the seas, not knowing what hardships they will face once they arrive in their new homeland.
