January 2017
Volume 28, Issue 5
HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Brookfield Men's Club, and
its meandering scribe, the BMC Eagle! We hope all
have a healthy, prosperous, and enjoyable 2017! In
addition to one of our intrepid reporters puffing
out 70 candles since the calendar rolled over,
other notable birth anniversaries are on tap this
annum. On July 1, Canada will celebrate 150 years
of nationhood - certainly there were many Nova
Scotians in the 1860s who were not sure of the
efficacy of that choice, but likely more positives
than negatives!?! The National Hockey League as we
know it, and their premier franchise, the Toronto
Maple Leafs(?!!?) both are celebrating their 100th
seasons - the Leafs Stanley Cup drought will reach
50 years come the spring, but hopefully will not
see 55?? And the venerable BMC was founded 80
years ago in 1937 to help in the betterment of the
community - we hope it does not come across as
boastful to say it has, and continues to fill that
role well! The BMC
will convene on Monday January 16 at the Fire
Station at 7:30 PM
- all are welcome (and encouraged!) to drop in on
the group.
Despite the unfortunate cancellation of the various
school Christmas concerts due to the regrettable
work-to-rule action in the labour dispute between
the government and Teacher's union, there were still
some outstanding productions in our area. The
Baptist Church had three showings of a most
impressive Christmas musical production, keyed by
their musical director, Belinda Adshade. The 18th
Annual Food For the Spirit Concert at Knox United,
in support of the Colchester Food Bank, was again a
major hit - the breadth of the talent was
remarkable! Much thanks to organizer Leah Bowers,
production assistants Glenda Isenor, Rod Nielsen,
Keith Gale, musical Zeligs Joanne Hatfield, Tim
Ross, and Keith Gale, and MCs Lisa Henderson
and Joel Dawe, and obviously to all the very
skillful performers, including James Hill and Anne
Janelle! Long time BMC padre Reverend Frank Locke
was feted at the Baptist Church for marking 65 years
since his ordination in 1951. Frank has been
minister emeritus at the BBC for the past 16 years,
in addition to many other positions within the
larger church family. Freda Sutherland, still
sprightly at 95, had her birthday celebrations
bolstered by a visit from grand-daughter Nicole,
home from Alberta. Freda s daughter Jane, who
resides in Mexico in the winter months became
engaged to Dale Oderkirk.
The Eagle extends heartfelt thanks
to those who included some bird seed in their
Christmas cards - thanks again to Ken and Sharon
(Trenholm) Bird of Thamesford,
Ontario, and to Joyce and Sarah Geddes of Middle
Stewiacke - the BMC and the Eagle appreciate your
support! An anonymous donation was also received - the
Eagle's very keen eyesight discerned the residents
of apartment #29 on Brandt Lane as our likely
benefactor. Thank you!
Once again the BMC sponsored the Christmas
Decorations contest - area residents responded
in a big way, and our environs brought smiles to the
faces of all who passed through (and to NS Power
shareholders!). Some of the arcane categories of the
past were eliminated, and six dwellings were cited
as 'best in show' - in no particular order
those cited and receiving a BMC prize were: Rob and
Joelle Bezanson, Kevin and Rosalyn Clarke, Rick and
Bev Hiltz, Brian and Sherry Stewart, Gerry and
Marilyn Stewart, and Greg and Nancy VanTassell.
Thanks to all for their efforts in beautifying, and
bringing the seasonal spirit to the fore!
Jennifer Henderson and Costas
Halavrezos became grand-parents when their son Al
and Myriam Bergeron gave birth to a son, Louis
Nicholas Halavrezos, in Montreal. Great-grandparents
would be the late Turk and Vera (Retson) Henderson.
Nice to see the Sportsplex parking lot filled for
the Phil Sears Memorial Friendship Hockey Tournament
just before the new year. The South Colchester Minor
Hockey Association has worked hard to re-invigorate
this Holiday season tradition, and it seems to be
paying off. Filling leadership roles this year were
Heather Peterson, Kari Furmidge, and Patti Densmore
- well done! While on the hockey front, we must
point out that Alec MacDonald, grand-son of John and
Sheila Clark, recently debuted with the Moncton
Wildcats in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League -
the very talented puckstopper has a bright future
between the pipes! Another netman turning heads is
Brent Walters (Glen, Susan) - the Truro Bearcats
Midget AA star was recently named to the Canadian
National Deaf Hockey Team, which will vie for the
World Deaf Hockey Championship in Buffalo, N. Y. in
April! Other Brookfield lads playing well at high
levels include Calem McAndrew (Julienne Taylor,
Shaun) and Ben Fraser (Scott, Heather), both playing
big roles with the Truro Major Bantam Bearcats, and
Rowan Sears (Andrew, Jill) with the Pictou County
Major Midget Weeks team; both teams play in
province-wide leagues at the top of their age
classes.
Condolences are offered to Lee
Thompson, whose mother, Muriel passed away in Bible
Hill, and to former Sportsplex Board Chairman Leo
Rovers, whose wife Mary died in Stewiacke East. Mary
was a former member of the Brookfield Golf Club, and
leaves sons Chris and Adrian, and daughters Leona
and Lori. Caitlin Yorke died; she was a daughter to
Chrissie, and a grand-daughter to Helen (Sharpe)
Morrell and former BMC-er Jim Yorke Sr. Bev
Peterson's mother, Hazel Wilband died, as did Dave
Whidden's sister, Shelia Gilbert in Windsor. Warrant
Officer (Retired) Doug Connors of Brentwood died, as
did Kyle Porter in Truro - he was a step-grandson to
Sterling Delaney. Beth McDade of Truro passed; she
taught English at Brookfield Rural High School in
the 1950s. Avard MacPhee s dad, Mel, passed away in
Shubenacadie, and Kenneth Graham, brother-in-law to
Rhonda (Dewar) Graham died in Upper Stewiacke.
Laurie Fulton of Truro and summer resident of
Shortts Lake s Cottage Lane died his daughter is
local resident, Heather Fulton.
Emma Stevens, a South Colchester
Academy grad, will make her Federation of
International Skiing World Cup debut in early
February in Quebec City. The energetic Emma is an
Aerials specialist in the heart- palpitating arena
of freestyle skiing! Some have come down with motion
sickness just watching her compete! Ian Trefry
received his CPA designation. Geoff Stewart
was elected Vice-President for the Union of Nova
Scotia Municipalities. Congratulations to long-time
Brookfield Elementary School teacher Lisa MacQuarrie
- she wed fellow educator (and former top-notch
hockey and lacrosse goalie) Dave Brown at a New
Year's Eve ceremony. Earlier Joseph Leck (Bruce,
Janice) exchanged vows with Janice Cameron, like her
eponymous mother-in-law, the newest Mrs. Leck is a
teacher, she at Hants East RH. Joe has returned to
operate the family dairy farm high on the hill at
the northern entrance to Brookfield. Hopefully he
will soon return to the Brookfield Curling Club,
where he is popular as a player and a valued
instructor! Best wishes to both couples! We are
happy to report that Brian MacDonald (Audrey, late
Danny) is recovering nicely at his home in Windsor
after double bypass heart surgery - back on the bike
soon, Willis! Young Tristen Sutherland (Brad, Megan)
broke his arm in a fall.
Mark Kennedy and Laura Grinton
had a memorable Christmas weekend trip to
Pittsburgh; not one, but two Overtime games, as Sid
Crosby s Penguins down the Habs in extra time, then
they watched the hometown Steelers eke by the
Cleveland Browns in an NFL tilt! Zoe Barbour visited
daughter Mandy and family in British Columbia. Also
in BC, were Terry Canning and Krista McMullin who
spent Christmas with daughters Janelle and Joanna
and families. Jill Dean was home from Edmonton to
Dan and Kathy. BMC Past President Austin and Debbie
Ross motored to Auburn, Maine to spend the holidays
with her daughter, Amanda. Dave and Anitra Whidden
visited daughter Kim's family in Newfoundland.
Cassandra Sears and Tanner Gayton enjoyed Christmas
in Mexico. Club-man Jim Feener and his wife Marlene
spent the Holidays with daughters Adinda and Shelley
and their families in Ontario. Susan MacDonald
visited her daughter Michelle in Toronto. Marian
McDonald also went to Ontario to visit sons Greg and
Bert and families; along the way she picked up
Alexandria Conevski, who is on scholarship at McGill
U in Montreal!! Coming in the opposite direction
were Jay, Sherry, Charlotte, and Emily Ovsenny, home
to Betty Roop's; Duncan Retson and Andrea Budgell at
Gene and Marion s. Mac Campbell came from Ottawa to
Paul's; and Carl Sutherland was home from Alberta to
see his mother, Freda. Tim Watson came from Ontario,
and Megan Isenor from Saskatchewan. Jill Dean was
home from Edmonton to Dan and Kathy's, and her
cousin Zach (& Leeann) also were home briefly.
Andre Garneau, Krysten Stewart and their two kids
visited her mother, Patty. Heather and Greg Loewen
and kids were home from Maine at her parents, Herb
and Betty MacFarlane's. Peter, Katie, and
young Abe Kennedy were home with Larry and Lynne
from Edina, Minnesota. Katie was surprised to learn
her town's acronym was known in the far east of
Canada!
A combined church service will be
held at Knox United on Sunday January 15 at
10:30 AM. This will be Rev.
Keith Gale s final service at the
Brookfield Pastoral Charge. Sadly for his
congregants, the effusive and inimitable Gale and
his family are headed to CFB Gagetown, where Keith
will begin his new career as a military chaplain.
Keith has been a very energetic presence in the
charge, enlivening church services, community
gatherings, and the community s youth with his
musical and spiritual offerings he will be sorely
missed.
The Brookfield Elks of the Nova
Scotia Junior League have returned to the ice - they
are enmeshed in a tight battle for a playoff spot. Home
games are Thursday nights (7:30) at
the Sportsplex - come and cheer for the red and
gold! The Chase the Ace pot will be worth about
$4500 this Thursday - stop at the Sportsplex
to take a crack at it, and support your facility.
Draw is at 8:30, and it costs as little as $1 to
play. If you were otherwise occupied in the fall,
and are now looking for a healthy, fun activity, the
Brookfield Curling Club awaits - there are a number
of bonspiels you can take part in over the next
several weeks, including the Mayor's Challenge
in is February 4, the St. Patrick's Day event,
and the grand-daddy of them all, the 28th Great
Community Curling Classic on April 1-2 - enter
as an individual or as part of a team to any of
these. If you hurry, you may still be able to register
for the day-long ukulele clinic and concert,
featuring James Hill, Chalmers and Suzanne Doane,
and other gifted instructors. It goes Saturday
January 21 at the Marigold Cultural Centre -
contact the Marigold to register.
Does the chance of being able to
walk indoors during the winter months interest
you? If the possibility of being able to
stroll the climate-controlled atrium at South
Colchester Academy sounds enticing, we want to
hear from you. There are logistics to be
worked out, but if they can be answered, public
access may be possible from 1:30 3:30 on
Sunday afternoons. Please add your name to
contact sheets that will be posted at both churches,
the entrances to Senior s apartments, at Pharmasave
and Brookfield Bakery. There is no commitment, and
nobody will contact you; this is simply to gauge if
enough interest to take further steps. Sheets will
be until January 25.
Super Bowl LI kicks off in early February - hard to
bet against the Patriots, but if looking for a
dark-horse, maybe the Steelers??
See you at the BMC gathering on January 16!
The
Eagle
