People need to rally so that the medical community hears their calls for a serious discussion and treatment of Lyme disease, Dr. Ernie Murakami says. The retired medical doctor from Hope, B.C., who has gained a rising profile in his quest to educate people and doctors about the disease, says it’s the only way – short of legal action – that will turn the discussion to benefit those who suffer [...]

New Glasgow will be hosting a nation-wide event for the first time this coming fall. The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure is slated to take place for the very first time in New Glasgow on October 6. In celebration of the new event, volunteers and CBCF staff will be around town on Saturday to promote the run. “This is our first time in New Glasgow so [...]

Playing an eclectic mix of smooth, dark New Orleans sound mixed with jazz and a little bit of rhythm and blues, Irene Torres and the Sugar Devils are making their way to the East Coast for the first time. Band member Joshua Piche says they are very excited to be coming to Pictou County. “We are based out of Toronto, Ontario, and this is my first time on the East [...]

TRURO – Five Pictou County educators are among 11 teachers with the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board who were honoured by the CCRSB and the Nova Scotia Teacher’s Union at the 15th annual Excellence in Teaching Awards ceremony. Each year, the NSTU and CCRSB jointly recognize those teachers within the school board who exemplify excellence in teaching. Each recipient’s nomination must be supported by letters from school administration, a colleague and [...]

Fifty years ago, Gale Langille, married with three small children, heard news she had never expected. At the age of 25, Langille was diagnosed with breast cancer. “Nobody talked about it back then,” she says. “I felt alone. I was married with three small children, there was lots to keep me busy.” Langille found the lump herself and went to her doctor. She has been without cancer for 50 years. [...]

PICTOU – The Hector Quay Society is gearing up for the new season and is set to open for the summer on Saturday at 11 a.m. There will be lots of new activity at the Quay this summer and everyone is welcome to drop by and see what’s happening. The Quay is introducing a “Friend of the Quay” program this summer so residents have the opportunity to visit the site [...]

STELLARTON – Two local municipal councils have approved letters of support for Destination Eastern And Northumberland Shores’ request for a marketing levy. Stellarton and Trenton agreed to the letters of support at their regular council meetings last week. It follows presentations by DEANS officials at Stellarton’s meeting on May 13 and in Trenton on May 14. They also addressed committee-of-the-whole meetings for New Glasgow Town Council on May 14 and [...]

RIVERTON – A retired doctor says he feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to be part of a local palliative care service. Winston Makhan retired several years ago after helping establish the service that is among many services offered by the Pictou County Health Authority at the Aberdeen Hospital. The result is the Aberdeen Palliative Care Society that will celebrate its 25th anniversary on June 2. He said palliative [...]

NEW GLASGOW – Bikes for Kids is back again in Pictou County and Emily Newcombe, co-ordinator, already has bikes waiting to be repaired and given away. Bikes for Kids, a United Way of Pictou County program, collects used bikes, repairs them, and gives them to children who do not have a bike. With each bike, a new helmet and bell are given away in order to keep the child safe. [...]

PICTOU – When Dr. Gordon Young retires this month, it will terminate more than his own 35-year medical practice. It will mark the end of 112 years of family members providing medical care. Millsville has had a special attraction for Young since his grandfather Milton R. Young first practised there. Gordon’s father Clarence and uncle Fraser were born there and became doctors. Young was wistful at the same time he [...]

BRAESHORE – It’s full speed ahead for Pictou Lodge. The resort continues toward its anticipated opening on Friday after court approval of its sale last Wednesday to former co-owner Brad Langille. “We’re in full gear,” general manager Wes Surett said. “We’re trying to do six months’ work in a week. It’s a fresh, new business with new licences and a new employer. It’s a great kind of stress.” The resort [...]

Barry Harrison loves what he does for a living, so much so that he volunteered his time and lent his services to an area in desperate need. Harrison is a veterinarian in Pictou County and he, along with friend Ed MacMillan, a veterinarian in Truro, travelled to Pangnirtung, Nunavut to spay, neuter, de-worm and vaccinate dogs. “It has been almost 10 years since Pangnirtung has had a veterinarian,” explains Harrison. [...]

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pictou County is hoping their new Facebook video will go viral. The non-profit organization recently started a new fundraising campaign called Big Bucks. Participants can register a number, put it on a twoonie and place it in a box at a participating vendor for the chance to win the 50/50 draw that will take place weekly. Because the fundraiser is something that hasn’t been done [...]

NEW GLASGOW – At 9:30 on Friday morning, more than 1,500 middle school students and hundreds of invited guests will converge on the Pictou County Wellness Centre within minutes of each other. If all goes to plan, they will all be seated in about 25 minutes, thanks to the help of in excess of 200 volunteers. Strong Song: A Celebration of Youth and Change is an initiative of the YMCA [...]

PICTOU – The ship may look the same outside, but it’s about to assume a new dimension below decks. The Hector Heritage Quay will open May 25 and shortly after that work will start on a series of displays built to scale to illustrate living conditions during the arduous voyage its passengers endured before arriving in Pictou in 1773. “We need to show the community we’re doing new stuff,” said [...]

The group formed to keep the gym facility in Pictou open is still working hard at making that dream a reality. The facility closed on May 15 and the group is looking at ways to raise funds to purchase the equipment inside as well as continue to use the space, rented from the Stella Maris Catholic Church. The Stella Maris church is looking for a business plan from the group, [...]

NEW GLASGOW – Feelings of gratitude filled the board room Saturday at the New Glasgow Police Service station for the presentation of Canadian Bravery awards. “I feel pretty good,” said Jamie Jardine, the resident of Westville who was the subject of a successful rescue that led to the awards. “I can remember some of it, but it’s been two years.” Later, Jardine had to wipe away tears as the events [...]

Derek Brown, left, and Shawn Crooks are ready for the fourth annual Pictou County Cruisers’ Show n’ Shine which takes place Saturday, May 25. The Show n’ Shine is a fundraiser for the Pictou County Prostate Cancer Support Association. This year, the event is being moved from the parking lot of the New Glasgow Farmer’s Market to Dalhousie Street in front of the fire hall. Registration is 9-11 a.m. and [...]

Pictou County District RCMP are currently investigating a two-vehicle collision that occurred near exit 23 on Highway 104 at approximately 1:30 p.m. this afternoon. Preliminary investigation has determined that a private contractor was repainting fog lines in the eastbound lane when a small car traveling eastbound in the same lane struck the rear of the safety warning vehicle following the contractor. The driver of the warning truck and the driver [...]

It’s time to get your knees bruised and your shins skinned. The Highland Derby Dolls Roller Derby League is looking for new members. The team started up about a year ago in the county with interested females wanting to learn the sport and bring it to Pictou County. “It’s been doing really well,” says member Brenda Jones. “We are about 14 members strong, but we are always looking for more.” [...]

PICTOU – A proponent of equal opportunity has criticized recent federal cuts to community-based programs and services for people with disabilities. Ralph Ferguson says he’s concerned with the federal Conservatives’ decision to phase out Service Canada core funding over the next two years. “Understandably, that is requiring us to adjust by changing our operations,” Ferguson said on May 7 in a written presentation sent to the Nova Scotia Standing Committee [...]

The New Glasgow Communities in Bloom committee met recently to plan for the upcoming season. Lesley Anne Sobey has concluded her term as co-chair and was acknowledged for her stellar leadership, endless hours of devotion and for her support and understanding of the full scope of the CIB program. The committee was very appreciative of her many years of contribution. The committee welcomed Tabitha Coleman, who is well known for [...]

The opportunity to attend the Tim Horton Children’s Camp in Tatamagouche is an experience like no other. Students across Atlantic Canada have the chance to experience what camp life is like thanks to the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation. Students from Northumberland Regional High School – 66 to be exact – shared this experience recently. “From September to May we bring schools into the camp to take part in a 50 [...]

Lyme Disease is fairly common in Pictou County, especially around the Merigomish area according to Dr. Kathryn Finlayson of the New Glasgow Veterinary Clinic. “We have seen dogs come in that have had Lyme Disease,” she says, “but we have been fortunate enough to be able to test them and treat them early.” According to Finlayson, there have been a few cases of dogs being tested and showing positive results [...]

STELLARTON – June 15 will be a family day of fun in Stellarton as the Pictou County Children with Autism Association hosts its second annual Walk the Walk fundraiser. The walk will be part of nine walks taking place across the province through Autism Nova Scotia. “The walk started five years ago in Halifax and our group used to hold one in April during Autism Awareness Month, but the weather [...]