By Cynthia Parr

[Editor’s Note: This article is an expanded version of the article that ran in the April 2023 issue of the Cooperator.]

By Dee Dwyer 

Blue Lagoon, Snapdragon, Titanic Wave, and Indigo Float--these are only some of the names of the glazes on the studio shelf of Jo-Ann Shaw, an extraordinary potter, sculptor, and miniaturist who lives in an old farmhouse on the Meagher’s Grant Road. In a recent interview at her studio, she showed me menageries of drawings, sculptures, and amazing miniatures.  

By Kelly Corkery 

I recently responded to a plea from a friend who was struggling with organizing her clothing.  Although she is undiagnosed, she very much acknowledges that she experiences many typical markers of individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). 

Photo caption: (left to right) Marianne Nash, Charlotte Jewer (ECCU), Stacy MacDonald (ECCU), Sharon Riel, and Father Vincent (Saint John of the Cross) 

By Richard Bell 

Two Tunics, the free clothing shop in the basement of St. Philip-Neri Church in Musquodoboit Harbour, received a $5,000 grant from the East Coast Credit Union.  

By Karen Schlick, ESFWA 

Quick! What local group is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2023? 

By Savayda Jarone, Herbalist

We are what we eat, digest, and don't excrete. Digestive function is one of the primary foundations of health. Unfortunately, most people ignore their gut feelings and suffer all sorts of unpleasant, sometimes debilitating digestive disorders. Illnesses elsewhere in the body often originate in the digestive system. A change in what and how we eat is often the best remedy to improve digestion.

The province’s Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment has made three grants to Eastern Shore health nonprofits to work together, each with a different focus, to recruit and retain healthcare workers.  

By John English 

On a recent podcast from the Strand Bookstore (www.strandbooks.com) featuring Margaret Atwood in conversation with Rebecca Solnit, they discussed Solnit’s recent book, Orwell’s Roses, which I have mentioned in a recent column. During this conversation, the concept of “an inventory of pleasures” came up.  

By Richard Bell

HRCE has announced that the opening of the consolidated junior/senior high school under construction in the Eastern Shore Industrial Park has been delayed until at least September of 2024. The previous opening date was September of 2023. Here’s an excerpt from the letter: 

By Richard Bell 

Halifax Regional Council has voted to start a process intended to lead to long-sought sidewalks in 17 rural communities, including Sheet Harbour, Lake Echo, Porters Lake, Musquodoboit Harbour, Middle Musquodoboit, and East Preston.  

By Richard Bell 

The Cooperator has learned that Sobey’s is planning to build a new Foodland grocery store on land adjacent to the Head of Jeddore mall containing Sobey’s current store. The company sent out an RFP for this project with a January 31, 2023 deadline. The Cooperator has reviewed this document online, displayed in a format that we were unable to copy. Sobeys has failed to respond to the Cooperator’s request for confirmation.  

By Meghan McMorris 

On March 11th and 12th, the Eastern Shore Community Centre in Musquodoboit Harbour will be buzzing with children ages 4-6 from across the province, with skates, jerseys, and hockey sticks in hand. With their families and friends in tow, ready to cheer them on, the Eastern Shore can expect over 2000 visitors.  

(A Poem)

As we inch closer to Spring, visions of spending more time outdoors, and working on, and with the land come into focus. In an ever more digitized world, hands-on skills people once used on a day-to-day basis are slipping away.

By Richard Bell 

Renée Lavigueur (left, above) and Ola Jackson  (right, above)  announced on February 13 that they will be opening Martinique Desserterie in Musquodoboit Harbour in the space formerly occupied by Dobbit Bakehouse. Paul Nicholl (center) the owner of Dobbit Bakehouse, will be consulting with them on getting their new shop opened as quickly as possible. 

By Richard Bell 

Robin Clayton, with all kinds of community support from letters, email, and impassioned speakers, has won his long fight for the zoning variances he needed to continue keeping his horse Angel on his property on East Petpeswick Road in Musquodoboit Harbour. 

By Richard Bell

More than 80 people showed up at the Old School Gathering Place on January 18 for a meeting to bring the community together to launch community-based planning for the future of the Eastern Shore District High School building and to learn about all the exciting projects already in the works. Central Nova MP and Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, MLA Kent Smith, and HRM Councillor David Hendsbee were all in attendance to listen and learn from the group.

(Above, the February 20, 2014 WSP "Health and Welness Campus Concept Plan")

Introduction

 The recent FOIPOP-ordered release of a long-supressed document filled in one of the many missing gaps in the history of the decision to replace Eastern Shore District High and Gaetz Brook Junior High with a consolidated school in the Eastern Shore Industrial Park in East Chezzetcook. Both the McNeil Liberals and then Houston’s PC fought hard against FOIPOPs requesting some of the material discussed below.

Did you know?  

Nova Scotia Health is committed to the inclusion of patient and family voices in our setting priorities and making important decisions that impact their lives, our community, and the whole health care system.

By Richard Bell 

On a recent stop for an event at Carroll’s Corner, Central Nova MP and Immigration Minister Sea Fraser told the Cooperator that after a six-year struggle, doctors and nurses practicing at the Eastern Shore’s three hospitals would finally become eligible for the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness for Family Doctors and Nurses.