The Shore Club wins award

Congratulations to Rhys Harnish and the Shore Club.  The Shore Club was named one of the 10  "Must Try" restaurants in Canada by Reader's Digest magazine. On December 15th it was my pleasure to present a certificate on behalf of Jamie Baillie and the PC Caucus of Nova Scotia recognizing the Shore Club's accomplishment. Reader's Digest encourages readers to "Expand your dining horizons by exploring the more interesting establishments on offer from coast to coast." The Shore Club claims to have served more than 1 million lobster suppers since they served the first one in 1936. As Reader's Digest says "come hungry".

Award for Trellis Cafe

On Friday, December 14th, it was my pleasure to present a certificate on behalf of Jamie Baillie and the PC Caucus of Nova Scotia to Wilma Raaymakers, owner of The Trellis Cafe in Hubbards. Wilma and her fabulous team won the Restaurant of the Year: Essence of Nova Scotia Award from Taste of Nova Scotia. The awards "recognize and thank the passionate, dedicated people - our farmers, fishers and chefs - who create the artisanal products that make our province a true culinary tourism destination." Congratulations Trellis Cafe on this well-deserved award.

New Ross Christmas Festival

On Saturday, December 8th, I spent the day in the New Ross area attending some of the events that were part of the 19th annual New Ross Christmas Festival. It's a great way to get you into the Christmas spirit and a testament to the strong community spirit of the New Ross area. I met one Halifax parent who has brought his children to the festival every year. As the organizers say, the festival is "where family traditions grow". Congratulations to the organizers and dedicated volunteers who make everyone feel welcome and instill some Christmas spirit in all of us.

Father Christmas at Ross Farm

With George Broome at the Christmas Craft Fair

With Aldon Turner on his christmas tree lot

The fire in the Rosebank Cottage at Ross Farm is inviting on a wet day.

The well-attended turkey dinner at the Forties Community Centre

Woodlot Tour

On November 29th I had the privilege of touring a private woodlot near New Ross owned by Reeves Forestry. Debbie Reeves is working with the Department of Natural Resources on a pilot program that will help manage woodlots in sustainable ways. In Debbie's words, "Applying ecosystem based management analysis of soil and vegetation along with the remnants of the early stand species indicate that this can be moved to mid successional balsam fir, red maple and eventually to a late successional sugar maple, white ash stand along with red spruce and yellow birch. To aid this process we are applying a new type of management treatment calling it a seed tree release whereby we will release ( cut the opening or canopy around ) existing late successional species with the expectation that they will prosper and grow to provide seed to grow into an Acadian Forest type of stand." 

Debbie's knowledge, dedication and passion for woodlands that have been in her family for generations is obvious as soon as you meet her. Debbie's commitment to diverse sustainability will mean her woodlands will thrive as an ecosystem for generations and offer commercial opportunities as the ever-changing woods market evolves.

Debbie is also working with Ross Farm to develop a program to allow school children to come in to the woodlot and learn about the value of forests and sustainability.

After you spend time with Debbie Reeves, you feel confident about the future of woodlots in our province managed with this kind of care and expertise.