Eagle 2012 February

The February 2012 meeting of the Brookfield Men's Club marks the BMC's 75th year since being founded in 1937. A group of community- minded citizens formed the original BMC, with the idea to provide fellowship, community betterment and service, and hopefully a light-hearted night out once a month as the 1930's global depression dragged spirits down. Of course it was only two plus years later when World War II began, and the BMC was integral during that horrific time in sending CARE packages and news from home to the many young men and women who shipped overseas. The Eagle was created at this time, as a spin-off from the "Agricola Agitator" to keep those at war informed of the home front and vice versa. Thankfully, today things are not as dire, and the BMCers, while still focusing on community service, place a heavy premium on sharing hearty laughs at their meetings. The anniversary meeting will start with a dinner, catered by the very capable Brookfield Baptist Church ladies- it will be served at 6:30 PM on Monday, February 20 at the Baptist Church. Guest speaker will be historian Dr. Stephen Henderson- his talk will be about Don Messer's Jubilee (which came back to life at the 2011 Coming Home to Brookfield celebrations). BMCers and their sons and daughters are welcomed and encouraged to attend; we would ask that any planning on attending call Terry at 673-2106 not later than February 15 so the correct number of meals can be prepared. Cost is $15 per person.

Congratulations are extended to Clubmen John Matheson and Gerry Buott, and their wives Lynn and Faith respectively- they became grandparents again with the birth of a son to Peter and Debbie Matheson. Peter certainly has that Y chromosome figured out- this is the third son for the couple! Just down the street on Carter Road, Patrick and Petra Stewart welcomed their own bundle of joy, a girl named Sophie. She is a granddaughter for Dan and Lexie Stewart, and Peter and Kathy Graham of Pembrooke. We hope the young girl's mind has not already been warped; we saw her wrapped in a Montreal Canadiens blanket recently! Shirley Harrison and Alice O'Leary (and George and Sharon O'Leary) are proud great- (and grandparents) of a new baby boy, born to Tamara (O'Leary) and Ryota Katayama. Sharon was in Toronto pre-baby birth to take care of the household while Tamara readied herself for their second child, Cian Sobei Katayama. The community turned out in large numbers to celebrate Leila Brenton's 100th Birthday! Leila remains effervescent, and is a true delight to spend time with. Congratulations go to Stacy Harrison and Jason Steele, who recently announced their engagement- wonder if they'll be able to find a preacher to perform the wedding??
The Athletes of the Month at South Colchester Academy for January were all basketball players; the Juniors were Alicia MacMillan of Shortts Lake and Jordan McKenzie; the Seniors were Melissa Logan and Cody Locke; the Laura Drive resident perhaps better known for his golf, but if he gets any taller it seems he will be dunking a basketball flat-footed! Caila Henderson was named the Female Athlete of the Week in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association for her play in leading the Mount Allison Mounties near the top of the ACAA Volleyball standings. Samantha Fanning, daughter of former Elks pitcher Walter (and Cathy), was named ACAA player of the week for her starring role on the volleyball court with the NSAC Rams. The Mounties and Rams will compete for the ACAA conference title in Fredericton in late February. Delaney Henderson made parents Dave and Lana and Grandmother Helene Henderson very proud by passing a test (giving her gold status) and won a Silver medal at Skate Dartmouth- congratulations Delaney. Hugh Matheson hosted another very well-received Prime Time Curling bonspiel for gents 70 and older at the Brookfield Curling Club in January. 16 teams from all across the province played for bragging rights in the congenial event. This was the 11th year the event has been held, and the rookie rink of Jim Steffens from Mayflower are the 2012 champs. Local rinks from the BCC were skipped by Ken Retson and Bill Stone- they both made good showings and promise to be in the thick of contention next year. Former BCC members Kent Smith and Phil Crowell (Maurice's son) went all the way to the provincial semi-final before having their Brier bid vanquished. At the Phil Sears Memorial Tournament hosted by the South Colchester Minor Hockey Association at the Sportsplex for House level teams, Brookfield won the Bantam and Atom divisions. The Atom team included Jade MacDougall, Ainsley McCoul, Regan Bouma, Hayley Elliott, Sarah Kennedy, Riley Fisher, Colby Singer, Nathaniel McCulloch, Dylan Gibson, Cole McLeod, Calem McAndrew, Josh Dean, Conner Matthews, Andrew Juliussion, Dakota Nelson, David McCurdy, Lauren and Joseph Miller. Coachs are Kary Elliott, Coralee Miller, and Andrew McCurdy. The Bantams were under the charge of Terry Forbes and Tim Storer, and included players Jake Allain, Cam Baker, Bert Carroll, Mike Forbes, Devin Gibson, Emma Graham, Nick Howe, Ethan Johnson, Noah Storer, Devin Johnston, Brandon Ross, Justice Sanford, G.R. Walters, Emma Wright, and Johnny VanderKwaak.

Danny, Kathy, Holly, and Mark Dean went to St. John's, Newfoundland to watch nephew and cousin Zach Sill and his Wilkes-Barre Penguins against the Ice Caps in American Hockey League action. Zach's parents Grant and Tammy, as well as brother Bobby, Josh Taylor, and Chad MacKinnon went west and saw an Edmonton Oilers game while Charlie Fleming went to Montreal and saw the Canadiens play Detroit. MP Scott Armstrong and wife Tammy finally had their honeymoon; a Carribbean cruise through many of the Saints (Maarten, Lucia, Kitts, etc.). Aubrey and Janet Armstrong made their annual journey to Cuba; while Kathy Dean went to Iqaluit on Baffin Island for a work stint. Joanna Canning visited Vancouver. Devin Cole has gone to Fort St. John, BC to work.

Ellen Sutherland had knee replacement surgery. Steve Searle was hospitalized as he undergoes cancer treatments. Heather (O'Neil) Fraser, battling to be the leading scorer in hockey in her family- competition is hubby Scott and son Ben- was laid up with a broken leg from crashing into the boards. We hope to all are up and about very soon.

We want to extend our appreciation and gratitude to Carol (Dennis) Haverstock who mailed her very generous donation to the Eagle from her home in Port Hawkesbury- Carol commented that they really enjoy keeping up with the news in the Brookfield area via the Eagle! Big tip of the cap to Sheldon Queripel, who plowed an 11 kilometer loop around the circumference of Shortts Lake, providing a beautiful skating experience for a great many people on a weekend in late January when ice conditions were spectacular. Many dozens of people were out skating around the loop- all made possible because of Sheldon's considerate action- well done!

Among those dropping home to Brookfield for visits were Peter Hazelton from the Oshawa area; Mac, Nadine and Regan Campbell from Ottawa came to visit Paul and Joan, and Seldon Nelson also made it home from the west; he is re-locating to New Brunswick. Merle Nelson mother to Donna Matheson, spent January at Donna and Gab's home- she was 103 in November and still enjoys a snappy game of cards and dining out. Pat Stewart, mother of Dan Stewart and Kelly Fleming (among others!) has moved into the Brandt Lane Apartments, no doubt to be closer to new great-granddaughter, Sophie. Spencer Williams (Krista's son) and Liz DeGrace, and their daughter Allie, have moved into the former Seldon Carter house on Hamilton Avenue.

Our list of those passing to their reward is far to long this month- we extend condolences to all of those who lost loved ones including Ernie Glinz, Linda Ross, Trish Schollmeier, and the rest of the Glinz family, on the passing of their kind-hearted mother Ethel Glinz. She was an exceptionally peaceful soul, and a fixture for many years at the Brookfield Curling Club where she always had a kind word. Former Brookfield resident Harold O'Brien died in Goshen- he is survived by, among others, his wife Evelyn (Ellis) and sister Lois Parnham. John Elliott, son to Marion, and brother to Cindy and Kary Elliott, died in Truro. Margie (Nelson) Haight, sister to Maurice, Phillip, and the late Eric Nelson, and Bev Hutchinson and Shirley Burke, died in Calgary. Jeanette Decker's father Ernest Decker died in Pembrooke. Jerry MacWha's brother-in-law Bob Tedford of Kemptown died. Former Hamilton Avenue resident Albert Tucker passed away in Truro; Albert is remembered fondly for his many years tending net at the Sportsplex- a position he took up well into his 50's! He was only too happy to play for as many teams as needed a goalie, often for hours on end. He was affectionately named "Palmy" as the acrobatic style reminded some of Leafs goalie Mike Palmateer! Elizabeth Ross, formally of Middle Musquidobit passed away at Elk Court, and Alvin Sullivan, Joan Campbell's stepfather, also died. Grahme Maguire's dad, Terry, passed away in the Windsor area as did former Brentwood resident Emerson Rutherford in Hilden. Carol Smith's father John "Bentley" McLeod passed away in New Brunswick, and Edward Geldart died in Middle Stewiacke.

On Saturday, March 3, plan to drop into the Hilden Fire Hall, anytime from 4 PM till Midnight, to greet Sterling Delaney. One of the most popular softball Elks ever, Sterl is going through a tough time with cancer treatments, and all that entails. There will be silent auction items, and other opportunities to support and encourage this great guy.
As part of the monthly celebrations marking the 150th Anniversary of the Brookfield Baptist Church, there will be an Old Fashioned Hymn Sing on Sunday, February 26 at 7 PM. It will feature hymns through the ages, congregational singing, solos, mixed quartets, instrumental selections, and a special performance by the BBC Choir. The public is invited to come dressed in period dress or similar costume if desired. A freewill offering will be donated to the breakfast program at the Brookfield Elementary School. Refreshments to follow in the Church Hall, please come and bring a friend- all are welcome!
There willl be a Blood Donor Clinic at Knox United on Wednesday, February 22 from 5-7 PM- let's have a huge turnout to motivate the Blood Service to continue hosting events in our community- currently the future is tenuous!! Call 1-800-2DONATE (226-6283) to book your appointment. Blood- it's in you to give!
The public should know that Elk Court has meeting rooms which are available to community groups- these will accommodate 10-12 people. If you wish more information on this, contact Janice Sanford~the recreation director and coordinator of volunteers at 650-3303. The Brookfield Junior B Hockey Club is in a late season rush to the playoffs. The Elks final regular season home game is on Tuesday, February 14; hopefully they will pass the Sackville Blazers for a playoff spot in the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League. Game time at the Sportsplex is 7:30 PM. On February 21 at the Sportsplex, the All Around the Circle Seniors Club will host their monthly dinner at 12- entertainment provided by Eldon Miller and musical friends. If you want to skip the meal, but hear the music, come at 1 PM. 45s card games now every Wednesday at Senior's Lounge in the Sportsplex at 7:30 PM. Admission $2; prizes and 50-50 draw. Primary registration for those children starting school in September will be held at Brookfield Elementary School from 9 AM- 3 PM on Tuesday, February 28.

If you or your group would like the date and time of a meeting or event on the brookfieldnovascotia.ca website community calendar or the Village of Broookfield, Nova Scotia facebook group, please contact Susan 673-2479 or at EMAIL or Email.

It is a Summer Olympics year (London, England) which means it is a Leap Year, thus Jackie Burnett, Gerald Ross, and Amy Fleming will each be a year older soon. None of them have reached "20" yet- where it only comes every four years, be sure to wish them a Happy Birthday!