It is hard to believe that the winter has passed by,and it has been 4 months since we began practicing. We had challenges along the way with Thursday storms causing cancellations of practice as well as our Open Rehearsal at the Old School.

Photo Caption for 2 people: Barry and Bettianne Colpitts 

To many on the Eastern Shore, the whimsically decorated house in East Ship Harbour is known as the “The Jesus House”. In fact, it is the home of renown folk artist Barry Colpitts and his wife Bettianne. On March 16, in a ceremony at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Barry received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of his service to Canada, Nova Scotia, and the Eastern Shore.  

By John English 

In navigating relationships over the years, both intimate and more casual ones, I have often been reminded of the concept of attachment. In psychological terms (and full disclosure - I am not a psychologist!) attachment describes how, in infancy, I bond with caregivers and develop a sense of physical and emotional safety.  

Eastern Shore Artists and Friendsare holding their next event with artist Minaz Jantz on Wednesday, May 7, from 1:00 -2:00 pm at the Musquodoboit Harbour Library.

By Rebecca-Sarah Potvin, Executive Director of L’Acadie de Chezzetcook 

L’Acadie de Chezzetcook was delighted to welcome hundreds of community members to an Open House held from 12:00 to 4:00 PM on April 13 at the Chezzetcook Inlet Acadian Centre. The event highlighted the exciting progress of ongoing renovations and celebrated the deep Acadian roots that unite the region. 

By Richard Bell 

Long-time Eastern Shore musician Foster Newcombe will be playing his Stompin’ Tom Connors Review at Memory Lane heritage Village on June 22. AT 84, Newcombe has been entertaining people across Canada for decades. In May, he will be playing at least 6 gigs across Ontario in a tour to raise money for veterans.  

Here is the complete June 2025 printed edition of the Eastern Shore Cooperator monthly newspaper.

Click here to open the June 2025 issue

Soul’s Harbour Rescue Mission Women and Children’s Emergency Shelter

This Fundraising Event began with a unique start.  The Eastern Shore Lads (ESL) made their live debut with Bruce Walton, Ian Flewwelling, and William Alfred walking along the sides and front of the seating area while playing their guitars. Brian Staple accompanied them by rhythmically tapping his guitar on stage.  Together they perform a catchy tune called “Feeling Groovy”, followed by four more songs. Their notable 4 part acapella performances helped to raise the bar for the entire show! 

On June 7 there will be a Yard Sale at Gaetz Brook Legion. Set up time is 7:30am. Runs from 9am-2:30pm. Tables are available for $10 each and limited to 2 tables per family. There will also be BBQ hot dogs and burgers for sale. Reserve your table by texting Dan Ash at 902-223-2656 or email: [email protected].

The Earth Clean up day was inspired by a United Church of Canada’s Campaign called for the “Love of Creation: A Faith in Action Justice Campaign”. One of the action items was a pledge to reduce personal and household gas emissions. We invited church and community members to join us for the earth day clean up. We were grateful to have our councillor, David Hendsbee assist us. For the weeks of Lent we shared environmental issues to consider how we perhaps could address climate change instead of taking from our environment. We as United Church members and adherents were also asked to write to our members of parliament to express our concerns for the present and future care of our environment.

By Richard Bell 

Tiny houses are included in almost every list of proposals for solving the province’s lack of affordable housing. At the Natural Building East conference at the Deanery Project on May 10, Matt Holzer highlighted some of the lessons he and his wife learned while building their 192 square foot tiny house in rural HRM.  

Here is the complete May 2025 printed edition of the Eastern Shore Cooperator monthly newspaper.

Click here to open the May 2025 issue

By Savayda Jarone

Or at least nibble on it! Spruce, fir, and pine tree branches can be much more than festive decorations. Cultures around the world, including the Mi’kmaq, have long used greens from these evergreen trees for food and medicine. 

By Elizabeth MacKinnon

In the increased amount of attention being given to mental health across the country, farmers’ mental health is easily overlooked. Often working alone, being at the whim of the weather, and on the job 24/7, farmers are highly susceptible to mental health issues as an occupational hazard. Farmers as a community face some specific challenges, such as machinery breakdowns, inclement weather, volatile markets, livestock well-being, and a large administrative burden.

By Jennifer Deacon

More than ever, we’ve come to appreciate the importance of “self care” as we’ve progressed through COVID-19.

By Patricia Richards

The Gaetz Brook Greenway (GBG) was a hub of activity on a beautiful sunny, Saturday, October 30, especially on the section from East Chezzetcook to Pine Hill Drive, the location of the “Trick or Treat Trail Walk” hosted by the SATA Trails Society, which is responsible for maintaining and promoting the GBG.

By Jude Major

After watching what the recent disaster of floods, landslides, and broken roads has done to food supplies in British Columbia, we in Nova Scotia need to do some serious thinking and planning about food security here at home.

By John English

In the book, Gravel Heart by Abdulrazak Gurnah, the main character’s father reveals to his son the secret that destroyed the parents’ marriage and brought about the father’s self-isolation and estrangement from his son. When father and son finally reconcile, the father says, “Listen to me. Open your eyes in the dark and recollect your blessings. Don’t fear the dark places in your mind, otherwise, rage will blacken your sight.”

By Kaylee Conrod

Lisa Pettipas’s Pettitpaw Designs Florist was the first store to open up in the new strip mall located in Porters Lake this summer.

By Cassandra Grosse

The air was crisp on sunny November 11th morning as community members from the Preston area, military representatives, supporters, and organizational heads gathered for the 12th annual Cenotaph Remembrance Day ceremony in North Preston.