To the Editor: Each year, over 14,000 Canadians die from stroke. June is Stroke Awareness Month and doctors in the province recommend that Canadians of all ages take action to help reduce the risk of having a stroke. A stroke is a sudden loss of brain function caused by the interruption of blood flow to the brain or the rupture of blood vessels in the brain. A stroke can impact [...]

To the Editor: From the local gentry through to the provincial and federal leaders the state of the food given to our veterans should reach to the heart of every Canadian. Perhaps the people in authority should spend less time fighting among themselves and more time concerning themselves about ways to look after our national treasures, better known as Canada’s veterans. Every day we are reaping the benefits of the [...]

To The Editor: This past weekend, on Sunday, June 9, the Gutsy Walk for Crohn’s and Colitis was held at Carmichael Park, and what a great turn out it was. A barbecue was held after the walk with prizes being given out to those who took part in the walk. There were folks of all ages from babies to seniors taking part in the walk. Also a big thank you [...]

To the Editor: I am looking for authors across the province of Nova Scotia, who may have had or are currently having issues with Bryler Publications Inc. (soon to be Three Dogs Press). A small group of authors and interested individuals are gathering and sharing information and considering their options. For further information contact Diane Tibert at 758-1190, or email (tibert@live.com) or visit her website (http://dianetibert.com). Diane Tibert Milford Station, [...]

To The Editor: There are times I have to stop and wonder just what is going on in this town and county of ours? And that folks, has to do with the Pictou County Wellness Center. For I am not sure that we really needed it in the first place. For we do have a good number of rinks in the towns and county. And we now have the Warden [...]

Our future depends on many things. A buoyant economy is one of them. And one of the balancing acts we need to achieve is how to allow our economic engines to hum with a fuel mixture that allows our rural and urban communities to contribute in equal measure. They aren’t doing that now, and that is why people connected with the community newspaper industry are organizing the Georgetown Conference in [...]

To the Editor: Doctors Nova Scotia congratulates Hockey Canada on its recent decision to ban body-checking from peewee hockey in Canada. Doctors in our province are pleased to see Hockey Canada, the country’s governing body for amateur hockey, ban body-checking for the country’s 11 and 12-year-old division at its annual general meeting on May 24. Hockey Nova Scotia, the provincial counterpart of Hockey Canada, was one of the first provincial [...]

To the Editor: The contentious issue at the Northumberland Veterans Unit in Pictou is shameful and needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. Veterans have served our country and have put their butts on the line. It is imperative to remember the sacrifices of each and everyone of them. They deserve better, and every success we have is part of their legacy. It’s incumbent upon each and everyone of [...]

To the Editor: Another day, another sad meal for the Northumberland Veterans in Pictou. Re-thermalized meals would not tempt anyone to eat nor leave anyone feeling energized or good after consuming it. Well this is not good enough for our veterans. Real food, NOW! With so few veterans left, shouldn’t we be trying to do more for them not take from them? A lovely gal passed along a quote to [...]

To the Editor: I’m from away. In 2009, my wife and I moved our family to Pictou. Admittedly, I was reluctant to leave my home territory out west for Pictou. After four years of adjustment I’m happy to say that my roots have taken well to the soil out here and life is good, great in fact. One of the selling points for me was the sense of community pride [...]

To the Editor: I am responding to a letter from Michael Pierce on May 22. Mr. Pierce challenges our political parties to make changes to the pension plans for MLAs. It looks to me, Darrell Dexter and the NDP have done just that. In January of 2011 an independent review panel was formed to review MLA pensions. Later that year, the panel released their report, which included input from the [...]

To the Editor: On behalf of the 2013 Pictou County Walk for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) that was held June 1, 2013 in Westville, I would like to express our extreme gratitude to everyone who helped in making this event such a great success. To all who volunteered to help with the Walk, to our Walk committee, to those who attended, to those who pledged participants and to all the [...]

To the Editor: If anyone had the pleasure of visiting the Westray Memorial Park in Parkdale, Pictou County last week, you were witnessing the park at its peak. The 20 flowering crabs in full bloom, six gorgeous red maples. Vivid reds, lush greens soft pink and white blossoms, the air thick with their essence. A visual and sensual delight, the result of 21 years of hard work by a dedicated [...]

If something is sacred, it is sacred no matter how we treat it. First Nations communities have made that point many times when proposed building or highway construction might alter land they consider sacred, such as ancient burial grounds. The ultimate solution generally applies measures that do not disturb the land. On May 9 each year, people gather at the Westray Memorial Park to remember the 26 minors who died [...]

To the Editor: Wellness Centre! Just what is it anyway? Another bill of expense for the taxpayer of Pictou County. I have said from the very first that it will turn out to be a burden to the taxpayer. Now it has not been opened a full year and already the centre has run up a deficit of close to a million dollars. Once you run up a deficit, you [...]

To the Editor: I am delighted to hear there has been such a tremendous response from Friday’s event. It was amazing to be part of such an amazing platform in Pictou County, particularly as it is just the beginning of so many great things in the region. It will be wonderful to see youth engage in service throughout the community and we can hardly wait to welcome many of them [...]

To the Editor: I am writing in response to a letter/news release issued by the MLA for Pictou West and distributed to residents in the River John area. The letter/release has a headline “MLA Calls for New School to be Built in River John”. A resident concerned about the fate of the elementary/middle school would be extremely confused if they continued to read beyond the headline. Let us not confuse [...]

To the Editor: I understand that recently two local MLAs visited the Northumberland Veterans Unit in Pictou and while the visits occurred on different days they both occurred at meal time. One MLA was apparently overheard saying that the meal looked good and that he could eat it himself. I wonder why he didn’t ask to try one of these meals. Could it be that he is waiting for the [...]

Politics has been tarnished so badly in recent times that one wonders if the honorable pursuit of public office will ever recover from the damage. The array of bad appointments and the bad decisions made by those so appointed is becoming an exhaustive list. So let’s just limit this discussion to former journalists, starting with senators Mike Duffy and Pamela Wallin. Based on what these two are being asked to [...]

To the Editor: It’s clear from the recently released Student Drug Use Survey that Nova Scotia’s youth are engaging in unhealthy and dangerous behaviours at an earlier age and more often than ever before. This is yet another study to add to the growing list of research that indicates we have a growing problem in our province. Although the study identifies concerning trends in several areas, I want to discuss [...]

To the Editor: (Email to the Honorable David Wilson, Minister of Health): I am grossly disappointed with the fact that you have not interceded in the issue of veteran’s meals at the Northumberland Veterans Unit in Pictou. The veterans residing at the unit clearly deserve to be provided hot meals, prepared on site – as opposed to the disgusting re-thermalized meals currently being provided. Sandra Hislop-Shea Pictou

To the Editor: I learned at an early age that being honest, truthful and trustworthy would go a long way in life. But that cannot be said of Mike Duffy or Pamela Wallin. Mr. Duffy has had a hard time figuring out where he lives and not knowing the difference between Senate duty or fundraising for Steven Harper. For one would say that any duty for the Senate would be [...]

To the Editor: In my letter to the editor two weeks ago I forgot to mention something I feel town residents would be most interested to read about. On Saturday, April 20, Council left Pictou at 7 a.m. for Antigonish to have an all-day planning session and also, importantly, to tour the People’s Place Library which is a fantastic facility which someday we in Pictou hope to emulate. During our [...]

To the Editor: This letter is intended to correct rumours that the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 16 is closing. At present, there are no immediate plans to close the legion. However, support for member activities has not been good and our financial situation could become precarious if changes are not made. We would like to inform you about current legion activities and member benefits and to ask for your support. [...]

Our future depends on many things. A buoyant economy is one of them. And one of the balancing acts we need to achieve is how to allow our economic engines to hum with a fuel mixture that allows our rural and urban communities to contribute in equal measure. They aren’t doing that now, and that is why people connected with the community newspaper industry are organizing the Georgetown Conference in [...]