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.

The waters of the Northumberland Strait are among the warmest waters north of the Carolinas! Yes, its true, in July and August while bathers on the southern side of Nova Scotia hesitate to enter the Atlantic beyond ankle level, the waters along the Northumberland Shore can reach temperatures as high as 25 degrees C (that’s 77 degrees F for our American friends). The driving forces behind these high temperatures are freshwater runoff, the prevailing westerly winds from the Gulf of St. Lawrence and of course, the tides. Combine these factors with generally shallow water depths, an abundance of  ’sandstone’ deposits and you have the perfect conditions for some of the best beaches in Canada.

Here are our Top 5 Beach Destinations on the Northumberland Strait:

1. Melmerby Beach

Melmerby Beach is among the best known beaches in Nova Scotia. Known locally as ‘The Merb”, it was no surprise to the hundreds of sunbathers and swimmers that frequent the beach every summer, that it was named among the Top 10 Beaches in Canada in 2009.  Melmerby Beach has two sides, an expansive outer side and a narrow inner beach, separated by beautiful dunes, wispy sea grass and weathered boardwalks. This spectacular, horseshoe beach is about a 20 minute drive from our location. For more information about Melmerby Beach, see our earlier blog post: ‘Melmerby Beach: Stunning Skies, Endless Sand‘.

2. Pictou Island

Pictou Island is the largest island in the Northumberland Strait about halfway between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Between May and November each year, a ferry service links the island’s 19 permanent residents with the Nova Scotia mainland at Caribou, Pictou County. Known as the ‘Jewel of the Norththumberland Strait‘ the topography of Pictou Island is similar to its larger neighbour, Prince Edward Island. There are beautiful sandstone bluffs, golden fields containing rich, red soil and of course, warm sandy beaches. The beaches on the island are among the best in the Strait. There are four main beaches – one at the West End, one at the East End, one at Roger’s Point and one at John Dan’s Cove. Bring your camera, you may just see a seal basking in the sun. Visitors to Stonehame can actually see Pictou Island from Fritzpatrick Mountain. The island ferry wharf is about a 15 minute drive from our chalets.

3. Waterside Beach

Waterside Beach Provincial Park is in Caribou River, about 20 minutes from our location on the Sunrise Trail. The long, sandy beach surrounded by salt marsh and open farm land is the perfect beach to stroll and unwind. There would be no hesitation about jumping into cold water here, the water is very warm and attracts  swimmers and outdoor enthusiasts from across the Maritimes during the peak summer months (but is seldom crowded). And because Waterside Beach is part of the provincial parks system there are washroom and picnic facilities available. As an added bonus the area is also known as a popular birding destination, so bring the binoculars!

4. Big Island Beach

Big Island Beach is a wonderful beach to photograph. The long sand bar that forms the beach, the expansive dunes and beach grass that cover it, the weathered wooden posts that were once used as a breakwater to protect it, are all subjects just waiting to be framed. And with the right light, a good eye and bit of patience even an amateur photographer can come away from a visit with some pretty professional looking images. And like all beaches on the Northumberland Strait the water is warm and inviting. Big Island Beach is about 35 minutes away.

5. Caribou Beach

This mile-long sand beach is part of Caribou/Munroes Island Provincial Park. The park offers camping and picnic facilities and a walking trail. The beach is probably the most popular in the region and is considered one of the best in the province. And if you are not swimming in the warm water, there are many other things to occupy your time, from beach combing and painting to a leisurely stroll on the sometimes ‘hot’ sand. Bring the cooler, the sunscreen, the hiking boots and plenty of food, you may just decide to stay here for awhile. Caribou Beach is about 20 minutes from Stonehame.

A view of the beach from the park (Wendy Munro photo).

Swimming at Caribou Beach (Wendy Munro photo).

In October we held our first ever Fall Photo Contest for the best image of Fitzpatrick Mountain. The mountain has a interesting history and of course, is the location of Stonehame Lodge and Chalets at Scotsburn, Nova Scotia. There were nearly $900 in prizes to be won many of them donated by local merchants. Here are the winners of the contest (and their winning entries):

First Place Winner: Barbara Fox of Halifax, Nova Scotia

Second Place Winner: Caroline MacKinnon of Pictou County, Nova Scotia

Third Place Winner: Jeanette Gormley of Pictou County, Nova Scotia

Fourth Place Winner: Ken Kingston & Marie van Vonderen of Afton Station, Nova Scotia

Fifth Place Winner: Sonny & Amy Rose Woolley

Singer/ Songwriter Dave Gunning

Pictou, Nova Scotia native and folk singer Dave Gunning continues to impress and delight both music critics and fans across the country with the release of his latest CD, ‘We’re All Leaving‘ . The album, Gunning’s seventh release (and many say, his best), is a a beautifully produced and polished compilation of 11 original songs he co-wrote with fellow Nova Scotian, Jamie Robinson and others, including Rose Cousins, Matt Anderson and David Francey. The collection includes the title song, ‘We’re All Leaving’ and other soon-to-be roots favourites, ‘There’s A Song in There’ and the CD single, ‘Made on a Monday’ (which has received considerable air play on radio stations across Atlantic Canada).

The first song on the CD, Smith’s Rock, could easily be a single. The song is a lively, country rock tribute to the back breaking work of the early settlers to Pictou County, who from “sun up to sun down” cleared the land of trees and roots for the harvests of future generations.  Dave Gunning and co-writers, Jamie Robinson and John Meir were inspired by the story of Smith’s Rock, a well-known landmark at Stonehame Chalets. A plaque near the famous rock tells the story of the untimely death of Howard Smith, a local farmer who was killed as he attempted to blast the huge boulder from his land on Fitzpatrick Mountain.

“The next day, July 14th, 1938, his brother stopped by to see him but only found the door open to his little cottage and some of Howard’s blood-stained clothes on his bed. A search party was conducted and Howard’s body was found a short distance from his barn. This is the rock that tragically took Howard’s life and is a symbol of  the hardships many faced during these times. It has been placed here in his memory and the memory of all of those who toiled over this land.”

Jeff Gunn, a fifth generation farmer in the region and Manager of Stonehame Lodge and Chalets says he was delighted to see Smith’s Rock included among songs on Gunning’s new CD. “I love the song and the story it tells. And as you might expect, it’s my personal favourite.”

Dave Gunning (and Jamie Robinson) will perform Smith’s Rock and other songs from the MacKenzie Room at Stonehame Lodge and Chalets on December 20th. The venue, on Fitzpatrick Mountain, is not far from Smith’s Rock on the Stonehame property. The live concert will include a traditional Christmas dinner with all the “fixins”, homemade dessert (warm apple crisp with Scotsburn ice cream), and tea or coffee.

Dave Gunning released his first CD in 1997. Since then, he has garnered six Music Nova Scotia Awards and three East Coast Music Awards. He plans to release a CD dedicated to the music of John Allen Cameron over the next several months.
FV5PYVFP3CWU