BMC Eagle Newsletter

The Brookfield Mens Club celebrated 75 years since being founded in 1937 at their February meeting. The Baptist Church Ladies prepared a very nice meal that was enjoyed by the members and some of their adult offspring. Acadia History professor Stephen Henderson laid bare the wooden-headed thinking at the CBC that culminated in the decision to cancel the Don Messer's Jubilee program in the late 1960's, despite it pulling astronomical viewer ratings, and being a cash cow for the "Mother Corp.". The Clubmen were riveted by the presentation, and pelted the historian during the Q&A session. The March BMC meeting will return to the Fire Station at 7:30 PM on Monday, March 19- all are welcome. The Eagle and Men's Club extend thanks to kind financial contributors Gerry and Marilyn Stewart, and Elmer and Annie Archibald- your generosity is very much appreciated!

Carter Road residents were abuzz recently over the daily landings and take-offs of a helicopter on/from the interval behind Hugh Carter's. Turns out it is part of a crew doing mineral exploration in the area. Just to the Southeast, Forent Energy is drilling for oil in the "Alton Block" geological formation- there may be Jed Clampetts in our midst! If they do strike oil here, perhaps we will not see prices hit $1.50/liter this summer?!? Not to cause panic, but the price would probably make more people consider conservation if expressed in imperial terms- currently about $6.20/gallon!

Itchy feet time of the year for some- Joan Campbell went to Ottawa to see/help with her latest grandchild- as did Susan Cater, who went to Calgary to assist with James and Laura Carter's brand-new baby girl- the second grandchild for Susan and Lyle. As usual Latin America was the magnet for many- visiting the Dominican Republic were Myrna Clarke, Daisy Hingley, Lexie Stewart, Charlene Locke and Ryan Stewart. Cuba was the lure for Brian Stewart, Dave and Anitra Whidden, and Kathy and Luke Patton. Wayne, Sheila, and Scott Johnston visited the paradise that is Costa Rica. Mexico was the place to be for Greg Sutherland, Joan Audy, Dave and Janice Peterson. Monty and Cheryl Patton spent a week in San Francisco. Mitchell and Heidi Cook took a motor-home full of skiers for a weekend at Amqui in the Gaspe- among those on the tour were Josh Archibald, Dane Henderson, Jerad Stewart, Jarred Reid, Brian Dean, Scott Boyce, Kim and Danielle Smith. Jim and Marlene Feener, along with daughter Adinda Kunder and her family enjoyed a cruise through the Eastern Caribbean.

Evangeline MacDougall, daughter of the late Lyman Sutherland died in Pictou County at age 99; and Herman Smith of Carter Road, passed away, as did Kennedy Road's Glorya Rutherford, Alison's wife. Hugh O'Brien, father to Grant O'Brien (Darla Cook's husband) passed away in H.R.M.. Graham Campbell passed away from cancer at 69 in Truro- he leaves behind wife Jane, three children, seven grandchildren, and twin brother Gordie. In Dartmouth, Lana Crewe's father, Ned died- he was grandfather to the fine Ingram kids- Chris, Justin, Byron, and Kailee. Nellie Ripley, Anita Miller's grandmother died at 100 in Truro. Nina McPhee died in Truro; she was an Aunt to the Glinz "crew" (Linda, Trish, Ernie, et al). Debbie Nielsen's father, John Jackson, longtime minor hockey timekeeper at the Sportsplex, died in Stewiacke. One time SCHS teacher, and recent inductee to the Colchester Sports Hall of Fame, Lloyd Sutherland died in Truro. Peter Dunn passed away in Middle Stewiacke. Ben Legate of Truro, a fine gentleman, and longtime Lafarge employee passed away, as did Stewiacke's Gary McCarthy, father to Jr. B executive member, Derek. Our sympathies are extended to all who lost loved ones.

Nice to see siblings Andrew Heffernan home from his Lafarge posting in Albany, New York, and his sisters Annette Heffernan and Amy Muis from their teaching posts in Mississauga and Sheet Harbour, respectively. Krysten (Villeneuve) Stewart was home for a week from her new residence outside Quebec City- she was heard practicing her French on puzzled listeners!

A few years ago (2007) the SCA gym was home to the Central Nova Juvenile (Under-18) Volleyball team that won the Nova Scotia Championship, and made a very strong showing at the Nationals that spring in British Columbia. Several members of that team were prominent recently in University circles, a testament to the strength of that team. Among those receiving honors were former Brookfield resident Anastasia Callaghan (her father Jeff is an engineer at Lafarge)- she was named to AUS All-Star team, and a finalist for the Canadian Libero-of the Year Award for her standout play with St.Mary's. The Huskies were led by former Central Nova coach Darren Russell, and Shubenacadie's Kerri Smit- who was AUS MVP and named to the All-Canadian team. Joining Kerri as a CIS All Star was former Central Nova player Lauren Sears of Bible Hill. At the ACAA Conference Finals, more from that Central Nova team were recognized- Mount Allison's Caila Henderson made the All-Star for the 4th year in succession, while current and former club teammate Allison Settle (Debert) was named to the 2nd All Star team, as was NSAC's Becky MacDonald (Milford), yet another former Cental Nova star. Former Elk pitching star Walter Fanning and his wife Kathy's daughter, Samantha (NSAC) also make the 2nd All Star team. At the Truro Sports Heritage Society Annual Awards Dinner, more recognition came local Athletes way- the 2010-11 Brookfield Peewee AA Elks Hockey Club was cited as the Team under 15 winner. Coaches Ken Dyas and Doug MacDonald's team won Silver at provincials, and had a record of 43-3-7. The team consisted of Reid Lanceleve, Liam Giffen, Patrick Jackson, Logan MacDonald, Luke MacMillan, Brody MacPhee, Matthew Smith, Matt Webster, Cole Fielding, Trent Dyas, Jordan Davies, Tyler Howe, Cameron Brown, Taylor Smith, Jake Joudrey, Connor Burris, and Chad Bruce. The South Colchester Academy Soccer Wolves won the Best Junior High Team Award for their 2011 season, winning the Regional Championship (far as Jr. High goes). The coach was Kyle Cormier (who has alone done a fine job with SCA Senior Boys Basketball team)- the girls included Morgan Toole, Taylor Simms, Felicia Crouse, Rebecca Rankine, Rachel Sears, Kaleigh MacDonald, Carli Fisher, Olivia Cook, Karlee Burgess, Erica Robertson, Brooklyn Rutherford, Haley Duykers, Victoria Harrop, Taylor Currie, Lisa Holman, Jessica McClellan and MacKenzie McNea. Athletes of the month for February of SCA were Basketball players- Senior high- Cody Richardson and Kylee Graham; Junior high- Morgan Johnson and Olivia Wolter-Cook. Jeremy Locke (Darrell Toole, Deanna MacKinnon), and Myles Coldwell (Darryl, Gail) were members of the Nova Scotia entry who won the Canadian Junior Mens Fastball Championship, and were named Team of the Year (Over 21) by TSHS. The Brookfield HAF team repeated as Champion of the West Colchester Hockey League when the other finalist forfeited the title, rather than get bulldozed by the powerful HAF squad. SCA Athletic Director Kelly Spencer's nephew Ryan, of Great Village, outlasted his twin brother Brett to win the Regional Spelling Bee, and finshed sixth at the provincials, despite being in grade 5, in a competition that exteneded up to grade 8s!
Former outstanding member of the local 569 Colonel Ned Henderson Air Cadet Squadron, Nathan Allinson, recently graduated from British Columbia Institute of Technology's Aerospace Campus in Helicopter/Airplane engine mechanics. Nathan is a fine young man, with an adventurous spirit- we wish him well. His mum Carrie lives on Densmore Lane. Julie Walters won a 55" 3D TV with a Tim Hortons Roll up the Rim! Congratulations and a big thank you to Jason Sloboda, Lyle Carter, Terry Henderson, Nancy Porter, and others, who organized the nice event that saw many of Sterling Delaney's legion of friends get out to wish him well- well done! Terry also received a long service recognition award, upon his retirement, after 46 years (!), as Treasurer of Knox Church- his pal, Anitra Whidden composed and sang a song in his honour.
We are delighted to hear of a baby girl being born to Tara and Gary (Jr.) Ellis in Brentwood. Proud Grandparents are Gary Sr. and Debbie Messervey. Gerald and Elaine Ross have added a new grandchild to their flock- daughter Chelsey and hubby Shaun French have a new son!
Get ready for the Great Community Curling Classic, coming at the Brookfield Curling Club March 30- April 1. Spots still remain for this fun, inexpensive event, open to curlers of all levels- contact Al (673-2063) or Lisa (673-2106) to register as a team, or as an individual to be placed on a team. The Shamrock Spiel goes on St. Patrick's Day, March 17- call 673-2141 for more details. Just in time for that- a night of FREE curling instruction at the BCC on Wednesday, March 14, 7 PM- open to newcomers or experienced players. On March 25, as an ongoing part of Baptist Church's 150th Anniversary celebrations, they will host a Home Made Beans and Brown Bread Supper at 5:30 PM. You are invited to dress in period (1860's) costume- prizes to be awarded. Freewill offering- all welcome. Call 673-3350 by March 17 to reserve your seat(s). The Baptist Church donated the collection ($225) from the Community Hymn Sing to the Breakfast Program at Brookfield Elementary School- very nice!

The All Around the Circle Seniors next dinner is March 20, at 12 PM at the Seniors Room at the Sportsplex. Speaker will be Keith Finck, Chairman of the Bedford Lawn Bowls Club with a demonstration on Colchester County's newest sport. Come for dinner, or at 1 PM for the guest speaker. Every Wednesday evening at 7:30 the Seniors room hosts open to the public 45's card games; they are trying to get a few games of crib going as well. The Brookfield Garden Club will meet March 20 at 7:30 PM at the Fire Hall- speaker will be Walter Termeer of Fundy Composting, talking about mulching and mulches. Megan Isenor is organizing a Polar Bear Swim that will take place Sunday, April 15 at Shortts Lake at the Dam. The 1st Annual Crohn's and Colitis Chilly Dip registration starts at 12:20 and the Dip begins at 1 PM. Contact Megan at 482-5475 or megan[@]meganisenor.ca. Participants who wish to do the swim will have pledge sheets and find donations that will go towards raising money for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada. Following the "Chilly Dip", there will be a barbecue held at the Brookfield Fire Hall. All proceeds from the food and beverage sales will go to this charity as well. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada is working on research that will help find a cure to Crohn's Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis. These are both Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) that cause many irritable symptoms. There are over 200,000 Canadians with IBD and more people developing it each day.

Notes from the Brookfield Community Assembly- the Community Clean-up Day will be held Saturday, April 28 (rain date May 5) from 9 AM- 12 noon. Watch for more details; volunteers needed and encouraged to help out! The BCA will hold their Annual General Meeting, Monday, April 30- more details in the April Eagle. The BMC's Annual Ladies Night will be Monday, April 16 at 6:30 PM- plan now to attend. The Eagle Award will be presented that night to a deserving citizen who has meant a great deal to our community- please pass along any one you wish to nominate to any BMCer by March 31. A RatePayers meeting to review the 2011 financial statements and the 2012 budget, and to confirm the Fire Tax rate will be held Tuesday, April 3, 7 PM at the Fire Hall. All property taxpayers are encouraged to attend. The Brookfield Jr. B Hockey Club will be holding a fundraising dance on Saturday May 26, 10 PM- 2 AM. The band is the popular Shameless from Halifax- tickets are only $15, and can be purchased at MacQuarries or Roop's Esso.

Plans are underway for Coming Home to Brookfield 2012. The winner of the Theme Contest was Elsie Locke, who suggested the theme "Enjoy The Journey – Past, Present, Future." We thank all those who took the time to submit their ideas for a theme. Home Coming runs from July 20 – 29, beginning with the Light Up The Village Parade on Friday evening. Many favourites will be returning, such as the Saturday morning Parade, Touch a Truck, Worship Service and Brunch at the Lake, Boat Tours, Graveyard Excursion, Community Recreation Evening, Horse Jumping & Dog Show, Coffee House, Walk, Yoga, Golf Scramble, Movie Night, Fun Run, Teddy Bears Picnic & Kids Bingo, BBQs and more. The Domino Man will be returning with his amazing domino show and new events are the One-Hit Wonder Show, Centennial Celebration at Brookfield Baptist Church and other events which are still in the planning stage. Watch for the Homecoming brochure coming to every household early in July and plan now to be a part of this community week, either working on a committee, or coming out to events with family and friends. If you do want to volunteer, give Judy a call at 673-2427. The Lower Pleasant Valley Cemetery Company is a non-profit organization formed in 1999 to preserve and expand the Lower Pleasant Valley cemetery. This cemetery is over 100 years old and the Board of Directors want all who live in that area, are from that area, or would like to associate with that area, to know they have burial plots for sale in this quaint location. The cemetery can be seen on the hillside off Highway 289 between the Cement Plant Road and Green Oaks. For it to survive and prosper it needs the help of those in the area as well as other interested person. For more information about the company and its work please contact Orland at (902) 673-3220.

See you at the BMC on March 19!

Hope to see you at the BMC