January 2015
Vol. 26 -
Issue 5 -
Box 195 -
Brookfield, NS, BON 1CO
HAPPY NEW YEAR to
all our readers and Brookfielders, near and far, and
also those in our neighbouring communities! We hope
all enjoyed the Holiday season - the vagaries of
life certainly throw curves at us all from time to
time, but overall it is a joyous time. The
Brookfield Mens Club (BMC) certainly had more than
their share of merriment at their December meeting
-the Christmas-themed meeting had a sing- song led
by Club-Man Keith Gale, John Matheson led the group
through some inventive and humorous games, and the
gift exchange was intriguing as always!
The BMC again sponsored the Village Christmas Decorating
Contest-the judges were swamped
seeing so many well-done properties on their lengthy
tour throughout our area. Those cited include:
Best Overall: Brian Stewart and Sherry Cole,
who also recently became engaged!; Best Light
Display: Gerry and Marilyn Stewart; runner-up-Bev
Gibbons; Best Religious Theme: Kevin and
Rosalynn Clarke; Best Presentation: Ed and Tammy
McNutt; runner-up-Gordon and Myrna Matheson; Most
Exciting: Rob and Joelle Bezanson; Best Tree: Keiver
and Bev Read; runner-up-Jim and Vicki McCoul; Most
Original: Betty Roop; Most Traditional: Steve
and Krista Locke. Thanks to all who helped
make Brookfield and area gleam!
The next BMC meeting will be on Monday January
19, 7:30 PM at the Fire Station-the 569 Col. G.N.
Henderson Air cadet Squadron will lead the
program. The BMC has been the sponsor of the
squadron from its origins in 1953; both the Cadets
and the BMC have been vital players in community
and citizen development over those 60 -plus years!
All are welcomed to attend.
Speaking of kindness to the community-we are most
grateful to those who remembered the Eagle with
their very generous (annual!) contributions to
ensure the bulky avian stays aloft...a huge 'Thank
you' to the gentle giant, Bill Kennedy, of Sunrise
Crest, the considerate Joyce Geddes from Middle
Stewiacke, and ex-pat Sharon (Trenholm) and Ken Bird
- Sharon has lived in Ontario for a long time, but
loves getting the news from "home". Debbie and
Austin Ross, Morris and Pearl Clark, Bob and Jean
Lawrence want to thank all who attended and made New
Year s Eve so much fun at the Senior s lounge at the
Sportsplex. Happy Birthdays on January 2 to Freda
Sutherland (93) and Dave Peterson (65)!
Congratulations to Brentwood power couple, Joe and
Pat Toole, who marked their 60th wedding Anniversary
- what an achievement! Joe was a long-ball
hitting 1st baseman, and had sublime skills on
backhoes and other equipment, something he certainly
imbued grandson Mark Toole with! Melanie Ross,
daughter of Linda and the late Donald, married
Marvin Schroeder, in a celebration near Cancun,
Mexico. Linda and son Martin, daughter
Liseanne, and grand-daughters Telsie and Makira
attended. Velma Fisher has two more
great-grand-children, a daughter Lainey, born to
Rhea and Robin Hannam of Crowe's Mills. Delighted
grandparents are Rick and Shelley Fisher. Their son
Brad, a Chartered Accountant, has accepted
employment in the Cayman Islands. Then a son, Felix,
was born to Erica (Nielson) and Derek Jones in
Tasmania no word yet if he is a devil! Rumours
have the couple returning to Canada in the spring.
Very excited grandparents Rod and Lori Nielson made
the trip down under to delight in the joy! Brentwood
couple Gary Ellis Jr and Tara also had a baby boy,
Luke Anthony, a familiar name! Debbie Messervey and
Gary Ellis Sr are the delighted gran and
gramp. Chris Bernard was recognized for her
outstanding contributions to sport at Cobequid
Educational Centre, her community of Brookfield, and
to Nova Scotia, by being inducted into the Wall of
Fame at CEC. She starred as an athlete both at SCHS
and CEC, in university at UNB, and on numerous
provincial teams in a variety of sports, and has
been a much decorated coach and community volunteer
with the Brookfield Athletic Association (BAA] for
many years. Chris has led the Chucker-ball program
for years, coordinates the BAA's outstanding efforts
on behalf of the Christmas Index program, and is
very integral to the Whing Ding. Also inducted was
former Shortt s Lake resident, optometrist Dr.
Margaret Mitchell, who was a track star at CEC and
beyond.
Special thanks to Leah Bowers, who organized the
17th Annual Food for the Spirit Concert, in support
of the Food Bank, which saw large amounts of food
and cash funneled to that worthy cause. The talent
was outstanding, and included: youngsters in the
Cherub Choir, and Marley Reid, Josee and Audrey
Ross, talented teens Brandon Rice, Peter Betts,
Kayla Kennedy, the Hamilton sisters Julia and Anna;
and more-seasoned performers Sarah Matheson-Bates,
Megan and Bruce Isenor, Keith Gale, Anitra Whidden,
Lori Nielsen, Shelley MacLeod, Kaye Retson, Andrea
Geldart, the Joanne Hatfield Ukulele group, Village
Blend and Riverview Sound (Dennis Grant and
company). The incredible Tim Ross, Joanne Hatfield,
and Rick Hiltz were omnipresent, accompanying many
of the acts on a variety of instruments. Thanks very
much to support personnel also - Rod Nielsen
(sound), Lisa Henderson and Joel Dawe (MCs), Keith
Gale (stage manager). Another seasonal event of note
featuring several Brookfielders was the annual New
Horizons Seniors Band Christmas Concert at the
Marigold Centre those playing included Krista
McMullin (sax), Lori Nielsen (trumpet), Mike
Henderson (sax), Ardith Ross (sax), Heather Tucker
(piano) under Directors Nick Fisher, and Maestro
Paul Barrett. The group was also welcomed back to
perform an informal concert in the Atrium of
Colchester Hospital for staff and patients. Anyone
interested in more info on the upcoming sessions of
the New Horizons band can contact Paul at barp[@]eastlink.ca
before January 22.
Kudos to Rowan Sears (Andrew, Jill) and Carson
Lanceleve (Lou, Marie) who participated in the
provincial Major Bantam Hockey showcase in Truro,
featuring many of the province's best 13 & 14
year-olds. At South Colchester Academy, Rowan's
sister Rachel was one of the volleyballers
recognized as Athlete of the Month in December; the
other senior student was Connor Murdock (Mark,
Janice); juniors were Adrian Sheppard and Georgia
Countway (Kelly, Brent), and Jade MacDougall
(grandparents Pat, and the late Floyd Stewart). Over
50 of the bump-and-spike crowd attended a
volleyball skills camp conducted by Mount Allison
University coach Paul Settle over the holidays at
SCA and BES. Wolves soccer, track, and curling
star Karlee Burgess played second stone on a
Chester-based rink which won the NS Junior Curling
Championships - they will attend the Nationals in
Corner Brook later this month, and then the Canada
Games in Prince George in February! Her
brother Andrew, 2014 Athlete of the Year at SCA, is
part of the New Brunswick Junior champs (he is
attending UNB), and will also be at Nationals in
Newfoundland. Erin McCavour will travel with Team NS
to Dallas for an international gymnastics
competition in Dallas - she is a daughter of Cruise
Missile Jeff McCavour and volleyballer Cheryl Smith,
and attends Truro Jr. High.
Final farewells were said to Maxine (Wilson)
Cameron, who grew up here, and was a familiar sight
at many events her daughter Heather Cameron is a
highly-regarded instructor/golf pro. George Dickey
died in his native Middle Stewiacke - he was a
brother to the late 'Jiggs', Ernie, Lee, Marian
Kenrick, and Gertrude Dickey...Doug Kirby died in
Halifax; his son Stephen resides at Shortt s
Lake...Victor Kent passed away in Tatamagouche, he
grew up in Pleasant Valley, and is survived by
sisters Helen O Neill and Mabel Loughead; Kelly
Putnam's aunt (also Merle Nelson's daughter-in-law)
Eileen Nelson, passed in Brule....Keith Harvey's
sister, Diane died in Ontario, and Melanie (Mowatt)
Miller's mother-in-law Elinor Miller died in Port
Williams. The BMC, the Baptist Church, and the
community at large lost a treasure with the passing
of Donnie Locke. A friend to all he met, he
was a vital part of many aspects of the community -
the former railway station-master was an Elk hockey
star in the late 40s, many-time champion in the Elks
Bowling League, dedicated to his church as
treasurer, deacon, trustee, Sunday School teacher
and superintendent, a longtime leader in the
scouting movement, the All Around the Circle Seniors
group, manager of the Elks champion ball teams, and
many other activities. But he was best known as a
husband, father, grand-father, sibling, and will be
missed by all Godspeed Donnie! Shirley DeBay was
hospitalized; we hope for quick recoveries for any
who are ailing.
Despite the circumstances, it was nice to see some
of the Locke family home - Rev Keith and Eldora came
from Stephenville, Nfld., and grand-daughter Beckie
Kenrick and friend Mike came from Ontario. Greg and
Heather (MacFarlane) Loewen and Matthew, Sarah, and
Adam came from Maine, and brought along a lovely
senorita, Irene Moreno from Madrid, an international
student at their home. Marian McDonald was
home from Whitehorse, and it was nice to see Slavjan
Conevski up from Halifax, and his daughters Hana and
Aleksandra, now charming young ladies, from Acadia
and McGill respectively. Jay and Sherry
Ovsenny and daughters came from Toronto to Betty
Roop's; also home from the Big Smoke was Michele
MacDonald (Mike, Susan). Nellie and Wade Densmore
were happy to have Sarah home from BC, and Robbie
from Fredericton. Kenny Brown was also home from
Ontario at Marion Fisher's. Craig and Kim (Whidden)
Kennedy and family were home from Nfld. Zach
Sill, currently out of the Penguins lineup due to a
shoulder injury, made it home for a few days. Robert
Johnson climbed out of his big rig in Alberta, and
came home to Glen and Margie's; other "temporary"
Albertans home were Devan and Adam Graham at Julie
Walters , Jared (Brian, Tammy) Stewart, and Ryan and
Terra Sutherland and kids. Bruce and Janice Leck
welcomed home Matt (Alberta), Jessica (BC) and
Vanessa (Memorial U in St. John s). Scott Johnson
(Wayne, Sheila) was home from Iqaluit, and nice to
see Allison Johnson visiting from the USA with Sid
and Margie. Welcome Lee and Artemis Greenhalgh to
Carter Road.
What a presentation from Sarah MacKenzie, daughter
of Kim and Donna, who were down from Moncton - she
works as a missionary with Youth With a Mission in
Mexico City with victims of human trafficking,
helping to rescue girls from the mean streets of
that 20 million-large metropolis. This is a
voluntary position, and Sarah must raise her own
support for this crucial cause - anyone wishing to
assist can make a charitable tax donation through .
The Reclaimed Cottage (breathing new life into
the renovated space at 11 Hwy 289) offers shoppers a
unique blend of repurposed, antique, vintage, and
handcrafted furniture, home d cor, and classes. The
classes will cover sewing, art, jewelry making,
stained glass, Ukrainian eggs, and children s
crafts, including puppet making. More details,
including open hours, will be on their Facebook page
and on site on January 17. Like them on Facebook for
a chance to win a $100 gift certificate. They are
now accepting new vendors products.
Travelers away included BMC Prexy Austin and Debbie
Ross, who spent Christmas with her daughter Amanda
(and Tony) in Maine. His niece Patty Stewart and Rob
Smith went to Quebec City to visit her daughter
Krysten (and Andre) and grand-daughter Sadie. Dave
Heffernan visited his brother in London, Ont., and
Lee Nelson went to see bro Harding in Ottawa. Tyler
Medaglia, Heidi Cooke, and their kids Talon and
Millie holidayed at his family's home south of the
nation's capital. Betty Roop went to Toronto
and took in the World Junior Hockey quarter-final;
Chip and Maxine Monk, and Jim and Marlene Feener
also visited their offspring in Ontario. Anitra and
Dave Whidden went to Newfoundland to see Kim and
family; Susan Walters also visited relatives on 'the
Rock . Robert and Dorene Matheson, along with
daughter Shawn and Jeff Lynds, and grand-kids Ben
and Hannah frolicked at Disney World. Brenda Geddes
is off on a reciprocal visit to Arizona - her
daughter Teresa and hubby Mark Green, along with
sons, Tommy, Andrew, and Joey came here to trade the
desert for a White Christmas, but found warm rain
and green grass! Jill Kennedy is a traveling lass -
she went to Australia, then went with parents Larry
and Lynne, and brother Mark to visit her brother
Peter and wife Katie, in the Gopher State. Glen
Stewart also went Down Under, visiting his daughter
Kristi in Queensland. Lothar and Trish Schollmeier
are back from an extended tour through Europe,
including Germany, France, and Bulgaria.
Free Mental Health First
Aid (MHFA) 2 day (12 hour) certification
workshop, Saturday February 7, 2015 and Saturday
February 28, 2015), Brookfield Fire
Station. This is due to the generosity of
the South Colchester Community Health Board
(normal cost is $200). Offered through the
Mental Health Commission of Canada, MHFA teaches
people how to recognize the signs and symptoms
of a mental health problem or illness in
themselves, a friend, family member or
colleague, find appropriate help and helps
combat mental health stigma. Nutritional
snacks provided, lunch on your own. To register
please email Andy Cox at a.cox-nscpss[@]eastlink.ca
or call 902-324-2925.
The Sportsplex has resumed the popular Chase the
Ace fundraiser, which saw many cash winners,
and a lot of conviviality among participants
throughout the later months of 2014. Join the fun,
the pot has started at $1000, and help
support the Sportsplex and Curling Club - draw every
Thursday night at 8:30; doors open at 6:45.
All Around the Circle Senior's Club kick off
2015 with their noon luncheon on Tuesday Jan.20; $ 7
for members, $9 for visitors. Seafood chowder or
Beef Barley soup from Hurricane Heidi's -
yummy! Wednesday night (7:30) the Seniors
lounge has card parties featuring 45s and
Crib; admission only $2 allows you to play all
evening.
Colchester County s Recreation Department has been
busy planning events a youth ringette program
will be offered for 5 weeks on Sundays from
4:30-6:00 pm at the Sportsplex. A great
opportunity to get exposed to this exciting game.
Dates are January 18, 25, February 1, 8, 15
cost is only $20. On the other side of the
Sportsplex, the Mayor s Challenge Curling
Fun-Spiel returns for another year on
Saturday, February 7, starting at 9am at the
curling club. A team of 4 all levels, no
experience necessary can play for only $40 total!
To register or get more information on ringette
or the Mayor s Challenge email recreation[@]colchester.ca
or call (902)897-3185. The County s Rec
Department, the leadership at SCA, and community
reps are finalizing arrangements that will see the
school s fitness centre re-open to the public,
hopefully as soon as the week of January 19.
Announcements will be made on the Brookfield
community website and Facebook page providing
details such as dates and times the gym will be open
and when orientation/ certification sessions will be
slated.
The Jr B Elks hockey club will host their
annual pancake breakfast on Sunday February 8, 9
am 1 pm at the Curling Club. The tasty menu will include
pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, juice, coffee
or tea, all for only $5!
Come enjoy the food, and help support the
hard-working players and executive! On February
14, plan to attend the Valentine Extravaganza at
Knox Hall, 6:30 pm all you
can eat desserts, silent auction, entertainment,
and more!
Winter has finally arrived (-18 as we write!), but
the days are getting longer - enjoy what it has to
offer - that includes the BMC on January 19th - why
not come along to the Fire Station at 7:30!
A big thank you to pinch hitters this month, Lucas
Dawe and Shelley Fisher, who were vital to getting
the Eagle completed and circulated!
The Eagle
brookfieldnovascotia.ca
and the Village of Brookfield, Nova Scotia,
Canada FB group
