December has always been a special time for the Musquodoboit Harbour Railway station. Over the past number of weeks, a crew gathers to get the station ready for winter; cleaning the grounds, putting away the wagons, and carefully storing the artifacts for safe keeping.
In late November, a few dedicated volunteers, armed with ladders and extension cords, put up the Christmas lights. Over 1,000 lights are used to create the seasonal display that has become a well-loved tradition in the community. The display is made possible thanks to the generosity of Birkshire Developments Limited which has sponsored the event for the past 10 years.
This year, the Musquodoboit Harbour and District Lions Club, with help from the Jennings family, are adding to the display by building a lobster trap tree for the center of our community. Community volunteers and local fisherman contributed to the display. The tree and Museum display will be lit just before the Parade of Lights on December 2nd. As in past years, volunteers will be serving hot chocolate, cookies and popcorn.
Beginning the first weekend in December, the Museum is also the site of the Lion’s Christmas tree lot. Buying a tree and supporting the Lions is one way you can give back to the community.
At this time of year, the volunteers from the Musquodoboit Harbour Heritage Society extend best wishes for a joyous holiday season and all the best in the New Year. We also remind you that next year we will be celebrating our 100th year. Work will begin in the new ear to renovate and repaint the station and rail cars. Stay tune for details. Also, if you have any pictures of the train station from years past and would be willing to share them with us, please contact John Verlinden at [email protected]. We’d also like to hear your stories about the railway station and include them as part of our exhibit.
John Verlinden is president of the Musquodoboit Harbour Heritage Society.
