Thank you everyone, for Christmas on the Mountain! It was a truly amazing fund-raising event.

Our Christmas tree-trimming competition attracted hundreds of visitors from all over Pictou County and beyond. In all, over 600 people came to Fitzpatrick Mountain to admire, touch and photograph all of beautifully trimmed trees. More importantly, and in the true Spirit of Christmas, over $4100 was raised for charities in the area, thanks to the voting dollars of individual visitors and the overwhelming support and fund-raising activities of participating businesses.

And when all the votes were in, the tree from Rita’s Cosy Corner Restaurant in New Glasgow was the most popular tree on the mountain. The staff raised over $1000 for their favourite charity and the local business received $500 from Stonehame toward their next special event, meeting or function at the lodge.

It was a great few days at Stonehame. And if the response we have received is any indication, Christmas on the Mountain just could become an annual event.

One of many entries in Christmas on the Mountain (J.Smith photo).

Another beautifully decorated tree (J.Smith photo).

The winning tree from Rita's Cozy Corner Restaurant (J.Smith photo).

Come celebrate Christmas at Stonehame, help your favourite charity and watch Fitzpatrick Mountain come alive with colour.

Stonehame Lodge and Chalets presents a special Christmas tree, trimming competition for groups, businesses and organizations who would like to raise money for their favourite charity during the holiday period. The idea is to have each group purchase a tree, decorate it and have each tree judged by the general public.

Stonehame will be open for three evenings (November 29th, 30th and December 1st) for everyone to see and enjoy the beautifully-trimmed trees, some outside, some inside the lodge. If they wish, participating groups can showcase their products or services during the event.

Visitors will be asked to vote for their favourite tree. Each vote will cost a $1. The group (or tree) with the most votes wins the competition. The winning organization or company will also receive a group gift certificate from Stonehame. The proceeds from all of the money raised by each group will go to the favourite charity of that organization or company. What a great way for your company staff to help others during the holiday season!

For more information call Valerie Smith at 902 485 3468 or email her at val@stonehamechalets.com

Entries must received by no later than October 31st.

Help us create a special Christmas event at Stonehame.

Stonehame Lodge and Chalets located in Scotsburn, Pictou County, Nova Scotia has been recognized by Fodor’s Travel, the foremost name in travel publishing, as a 2010 Fodor’s Choice selection. This distinction represents a remarkable achievement and recognizes Stonehame as a leader in its field for service, quality, and value in the 2010 year.

Since 1988, Fodor’s Travel has been awarding the Fodor’s Choice distinction to only the very best hotels, restaurants and attractions around the world. Every year, Fodor’s writers experience, examine and evaluate thousands of hotels, restaurants and attractions in their travels across the globe. While every business included in a Fodor’s guide is deemed worth a traveler’s time, only fifteen percent of those selections are awarded the very highest, Fodor’s Choice designation by Fodor’s editors.

“From hidden-away restaurants to can’t-miss museums, Fodor’s Choice selections recognize the top sights, properties, and experiences our editors and updaters have found in their travels,” says Fodor’s publisher Tim Jarrell. “These places are the best of the best, providing a remarkable experience in their price range or category.”

As a 2010 Fodor’s Choice recipient Stonehame Lodge and Chalets receives special recognition in the current Fodor’s guidebook to this region and on Fodors.com.  “To be recognized by a leading travel guide like Fodor’s is truly an honor.  It is extremely rewarding for us as owners and staff to see our hard work and dedication to quality pay off,” says Jeff Gunn, co-owner of Stonehame.

Stonehame Lodge and Chalets is a year-round, 4 star (rated by Canada Select) mountain top retreat located in Scotsburn (near Pictou), in the Northumberland Shore Region of Nova Scotia.  Stonehame is family owned and operated and offers panoramic vistas; peaceful woodland trails for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, etc.; pool and outdoor hot tub; farm animals; quality accommodations (chalets and rooms); award-winning service and licensed lodge with meeting facilities for corporate retreats, weddings, family reunions and parties.  Stonehame is centrally located in the province and is only 90 minutes from Cape Breton, Halifax and the New Brunswick border and only 15 minutes from the PEI ferry.

About Fodor’s Travel:

Fodor’s Travel, a division of Random House, Inc., is one of the world’s leading providers of travel information.  Covering over 300 destinations worldwide, Fodor’s guidebooks and Web site, Fodors.com, have provided the most up-to-date, accurate information for travelers for more than seventy years.  Written by a team of over 700 writers located around the globe, Fodor’s provides travelers with engagingly written, intelligently and accurately reported, and absolutely indispensable travel guidance.

A Pictou County group is determined to save some 313 acres of rich Acadian Forest near Scotsburn, Nova Scotia. The group, known as the Friends of Redtail Society, has to raise $250,000 by December 10th to purchase the land from US based Wagner Forest Nova Scotia Ltd.

The Acadian Forest  is considered among the most threatened forest systems in North America. The land in Pictou County is a prime example of this forest type, a mix of old growth forest stands and diverse tree species (of varying age) that support a cornucopia of wildlife habitats.

Recently, the profile of the Friends of Redtail Society received a much needed boost when Victoria, B.C. student, Ben Miller lent his support to the group. Ben and three other students began a cross-country bike tour in May to raise money for several charities. Ben chose the Redtail Society after attending a number of retreats and educational camps in the county. The Tandun Tour left Victoria on May 5th and is expected to arrive in Halifax in about 10 weeks. Ben Miller hopes to raise $5000 for the society land purchase.

Stonehame Chalets is supporting the Friends of Redtail Society in its efforts to purchase this important piece of forest heritage in the region. Manager Jeff Gunn says like many people in this area of the province, his family is proud of its rural roots. “Our family have farmed nearby land for five generations. We believe it is important that this piece of Acadian Forest is preserved and protected for all generations.”

Stonehame Lodge and Chalets would like encourage local residents and people across the province to contribute what they can to the cause, by donating directly to the society or by contacting the Tandum Tour. All donations are tax deductible and can be made through the society website.

Our Facebook Fan Page was launched today and we want your comments, photos and suggestions. We want to talk to you about Stonehame -  how we’re doing with the events and activities we schedule, the services we offer and the staff you meet. We also want to keep you informed about travel news and important events in the province, travel packages, discounts and activities at Stonehame and keep you entertained with select links, photos and video material from fans, guests and others.

We hope you like what you see and that you’ll become a ‘big’ fan and frequent contributor.