The 2nd Edition of Out and About Antigonish has arrived and is available at the Curious Cat Tea and Books and Antigonish 5-$ on Main Street, Antigonish.
Tag Archives: Denise Davies
Old Barn Gallery – Pomquet
Enjoy 5 galleries of art in a delightful farm setting with seasonal old-fashioned perennial flower gardens. In season the scent of roses fill the air. The barn built in 1845 has a high vaulted ceiling and displays changing light and shadow on the art and studio. The original horse stalls are converted to gallery space and Arthur Rivoire’s studio is now a gallery on the upper part of the property. Views of Pomquet harbour and islands, and the country surroundings are visible from this upper area.
Carol Naveta Rivoire original art works and other noted artists are tastefully displayed in galleries inviting you to browse and soak in the environment. Galleries include antiques and hand-crafted items such as rag rugs which were a home staple of the past.
The gallery is situated on the 300 acre Beaver Dam Farm, just 10 minutes from Antigonish. Chat with Carol Rivoire, artist/owner and founder of the Old Barn Gallery & Decor at Beaver Dam Farm. She is a passionate abstract artist and collector.
It is a true experience to visit the Old Barn Gallery and the art is affordable.
During the summer there will be artist workshops. Check the Facebook page for details.
- Old Barn Gallery website https://www.oldbarngallery.ca/gallery/
- Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/OldBarnGalleryDecor/
Old Barn Gallery 71 Melanson Road, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, B2G 2L4 (Pomquet area)
Pomquet Beach
Pomquet Beach is a great way to enjoy a beach outing just a short drive from Antigonish and a favorite with locals and visitors.
The three kilometers of sand and pebbles stretches along the Northumberland Shore and in summer the waters warm up to reach the same temperature as the air.
This is a great swimming beach with lifeguards posted on a marked stretch of the beach. In the distance on a clear day you can see Cape Breton.
Whether you enjoy swimming or beach walking this beach has lots to explore. Build sand castles, search for shells and colorful stones, and breathe in the bracing sea air. Sometimes the water is calm and flat. Other times you will find a small surf.
Boardwalks lead up to the beach and over the dunes giving a lovely view of the waving sea grasses that help to stabilize the sand dunes. Take the boardwalk trail and learn about the different vegetation and history of the area with interpretive signs. You will see blueberries and cranberries, mosses, a tidal estuary, old and new growth forest. The plants here are adapted to the salt environment. Some areas are protected for the piping plover when they are nesting.
Facilities include changing rooms and toilets. Be sure to bring your own water, sunscreen, snacks and anything to enjoy your day at the beach.
Directions
Pomquet Beach Provincial Park, is located north east of Antigonish off Highway 104 through the village of Pomquet.
For more information
- Pomquet Beach http://www.nsls.ns.ca/pomquet-beach
The People’s Place
A great place to start your exploration of downtown Antigonish is to drop into The People’s Place – Antigonish Town and County Library on Main Street. This is a hub of community life in Antigonish.
The Bistro Area displays art where you can sit and relax, read the newspaper and enjoy your drink or snack that you bring in with you. Find tourism information and maps on the area, play a board game or chat with friends. If you have small children, enjoy the children’s room with books, toys and games.
Ask the friendly library staff any questions. They are a wealth of information. Public computers are available for you to go online. Check the meeting board for what’s on that day. There are often films, lectures and activities open to the public.
Check the big bulletin board at the entrance for posters on what’s on in and around town.
Sit and chat by the fireplace or read the wide variety of magazines.
The People’s Place is a great place to meet the locals, join in on activities or just sit back and relax and read or study on your own.
For more information
See hours, programming and contact information
Antigonish Town and County Library “The People’s Place” http://parl.ns.ca/locations/antigonish.php
283 Main St. Antigonish, NS B2G 2C3
Antigonish Town and County Calendar – 2018
The Out and About Nova Scotia Antigonish Calendar 2018 is now available with beautiful scenes of Antigonish Town and County.
Enjoy Antigonish throughout 2018 with 13 photographs by Denise Davies, This makes a great gift for anyone who has lived in Antigonish or to send to friends.
Scenes include Antigonish Main Street, StFX, Antigonish Landing, rural Antigonish, Ballantynes Cove, Cape George Lighthouse, Antigonight.
Satin paper stock. 8 1/2″ by 11″. Coil bound. Photography by Denise Davies, Out and About Nova Scotia.
The calendar is available at The Posh Peppermint, 200 Main St. Antigonish $20
or ORDER ONLINE
$20.00 CAD
FREE SHIPPING IN CANADA
International shipping will be calculated with your order size and address.
Payment may be made with PayPal or credit card.
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Balmoral Grist Mill
Set in a wooded gorge on Matheson’s Brook sits the Balmoral Grist Mill.
It is amazing to see the fine workmanship and intricate gears and stone grinding wheels, levers and pulleys that work so seamlessly together to grind a variety of grains. The output is flour, oat meal and meal of different grades. You can picture the farmers or their wives coming by from their nearby farms in the area 140 years ago with a sack of wheat, oats or barley and having the miller grind it up for flour.
The mill was built in 1874 by Alexander MacKay. Tthere were mills of many types in this area.
The mill is still in working order. We took the tour with the friendly and knowledgeable museum guide and learned about all the steps in production of flour from wheat, buckwheat, oats and various grains for making flour and animal feed.
This is definitely worth the visit.
The Setting (video)
Video from Balmoral Grist Mill Museum
Photo Gallery Slideshow
Other spots of interest in the area:
More information
- Balmoral Grist Mill – Nova Scotia Museum. Hours, admission and details
- Balmoral Grist Mill – Nova Scotia.COM
- More about grist mills – Wikipedia
The Antigonish Summer Art Scene – Part 1
The Antigonish Summer Art Scene – Visual Arts
Antigonish is a vibrant hub of the arts with events, exhibits, art fairs, performing arts. Whether you are an artist yourself or enjoy participating in events there are many things to see and do. If you live in Antigonish – you’re lucky – if not – come and visit and stay a while. Stroll around town with its colorful flower baskets and murals. Drop in to one of our many restaurants and Cafés. There is so much to see and do that this article focuses on the visual arts. Check the links at the end of the article for up to date information from the individual websites and social media. All addresses are in Antigonish unless otherwise noted in the out of town locations.
EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
St FX Art Gallery Fundraiser Gala 2017 will be an exciting evening for the arts. There will be a dynamic mix of Live Art, Live and Silent Auction, Reverse Raffle and Fine Art Door Prizes and an opportunity to watch artists create. The art items are from some of Nova Scotia’s finest artists and collections. June 10. 7PM. Keating Centre, StFX. Tickets $40.
Gathering of the Arts (GoArts) is an annual exhibition of regional artists’ work in the visual arts. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, GoArts will be showcasing 20 art installations in 20 unique venues around Downtown Antigonish. Opening Gala – July 4. People’s Place Library. Exhibit continues July and August.
Antigonish Art Fair: A fun filled family evening with a wonderful array of art, artisanal arts and crafts, multicultural foods and terrific performances. This family event includes the Creative Children’s Corner with a multicultural flavour. 2017 dates are Fridays 6 – 9 PM. June 23, July 7, 21, August 4, 18. Chisholm Park. Rain location will be announced on social media.
GALLERIES, EXHIBITS & SHOPPING
St. F.X. Art Gallery is an exceptional exhibit area on the campus of St Francis Xavier University. The gallery interprets a diverse range of art for community members and the public. It connects the University’s cultural life to that of the wider community through exhibitions, publications, and events and fosters an appreciation of visual arts & culture. First Floor Bloomfield Centre, StFX University Campus. Summer Hours Monday – Friday, Noon – 5pm
Lyghtesome Gallery. The gallery established in 1975, features an outstanding collection of original works by Nova Scotia printmakers, watercolourists & oil painters, as well as award-winning pottery, wood, clay & metal sculpture, art-related books & cards, and Celtic artwork. It represents artists Anna Syperek, Linda Johns and many others. Open year round. 166 Main St. Mon–Sat 10am–5pm.
Down to Earth Art Gallery displays a great selection of original paintings, carvings and iron work. Works by J. Franklin Wright, Alan Syliboy, Kate Georgallas and more 240 Main St. Mon-Sat 9am-5pm.
Antigonish Town & County Library – The People’s Place. Monthly exhibits in the Bistro area from local artists and art groups. July and August hosts the GoArts Exhibit. Browse throughout the library and the surrounding for art installations commissioned during the building of The People’s Place. 283 Main St.
Tall & Small Café. Monthly art display by local artists. The Café offers daily soup specials, fresh baking, fairly traded coffee and an array of teas. 342-2 Main St.
The Made in Nova Scotia Store. Photography and wood, pewter, knitted and woven crafts by Nova Scotia craftspeople. 324 Main St. Tues-Sat 10am-5pm.
Aphrodite Art and Fashion. Ladies Clothing Boutique and Gallery of Fine Craft and Art. 292 Main Street. Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. Sat 10am-5pm
Hearts and Hands Shop. Building community through art. Open Monday to Friday 9 am to 3.30 pm. Everyone is welcome to come by and visit us. 4 West St.
Kirk Building. Photography exhibit. 219 Main St. Corner of Main and Church Street.
Antigonish Farmers Market. Art, photography, crafts in addition to local produce, baked goods and entertainment in a great setting to meet the locals. Saturday 8am – 1pm. Antigonish Arena, James St.
SHORT DRIVE FROM ANTIGONISH
Old Barn Galleries & Gardens The gallery is situated in the middle of 350 acre Beaver Dam Farm with abstract and impressionist art by owner / artist Carol Rivoire, Surrounding the gallery are beautiful, old-fashioned perennial gardens and a charming courtyard. 71 Melanson Rd. Pomquet. Opening June 1.
Tickletree Ag and Art. This is a new gallery that will be creating and showcasing fused glass, art and photography. Contact via Facebook for opening dates and hours.
A Matter of Tastes. Art gallery, etchings, work of Vicki MacLean, photography. Hwy 7, Antigonish.
Studio Rally. Check out the Studio Rally website for visual art and fine crafts studio and information. Select for “Northumberland Shore” for Antigonish area.
ORGANIZATIONS
Antigonish Culture Alive – ACA is the community arts council of Antigonish, a non-profit organization which strives to foster the creation and appreciation of the arts in the community of Antigonish. A directory of artists and a calendar of arts events.
Arts Health Antigonish AHA! – AHA! values and respects the immense contribution of the cultural sector to community vitality, vibrancy and health and champions the role of the arts in a healthy community.
The All-of-us Society for Arts Presentation (ASAP) is an artist-run centre located in Antigonish, promoting the work of local and regional artists, and addressing infrastructure, promotion, education, and funding opportunities for the visual arts in the community.
Anything missing? Please send any comments and suggestions of visual arts in Antigonish. Stay tuned for Part 2 which will feature the Antigonish Summer Arts Scene – Performing Arts
More Information
- St FX Art Gallery Fundraiser Gala
- Gathering of the Arts (GoArts) 2017
- Antigonish Art Fair
- St FX Art Gallery
- Lyghtesome Gallery
- Down to Earth Art Gallery
- Antigonish Town & County Library, The People’s Place
- The People’s Place Artist and Artisan Guide
- Hearts and Hands
- Tall & Small Café
- The Made in Nova Scotia Store
- Aphrodite Art & Fashion
- Antigonish Farmers Market
- Old Barn Gallery and Gardens
- Tickletree Ag and Art
- A Matter of Tastes
- Studio Rally
- Antigonish Culture Alive
- Arts Health Antigonish
- ASAP
Fiddleheads
I love this early sign of spring – the arrival of fiddleheads. This wild delicacy is the delicate furls of the Ostrich Fern found in Eastern Canada. If the fiddleheads are not cut they unwind out to the full fern.
The ferns are found in moist areas, along river banks and woodlands. But for those of us who don’t pick our own, we find them in the farmer’s markets and sometimes even in the supermarket. If you are foraging on your own, be sure to identify the correct fern as other varieties may be poisonous. Also, it is recommended that you only cut half of the fiddleheads in the area so that the fern population will continue to thrive.
Fiddlehead s are delicious and their distinctive shape adds a unique visual appeal to a meal.
Preparation
Wash the fiddleheads well in several changes of water to remove all the brown papery covering of the fronds. The water will run clear and the fiddleheads will be a bright green when cleaned. Snip off the end of the stem that may be brownish. Then drop the fiddleheads into a pot of boiling water and boil for 7-10 minutes. Remove from the water and throw out the water. Don’t keep it for soup as it is bitter and has removed tannin from the fiddleheads. Then use the fiddleheads in a variety of recipes.
Recipes
1 – Saute the fiddleheads in butter or olive oil with onion and garlic.
2 – Saute the fiddleheads with butter or olive oil, onion and garlic, and mushrooms. Add pesto sauce and serve over noodles. Optionally add salmon chunks.
3 – Fiddlehead quiche
More Information
- The Canadian Encyclopedia – Fiddleheads.
- Saltscapes Magazine – Fiddleheads (includes recipes)
- 10 Delicious Ways to Eat Fiddleheads This Spring. Food Network.
Nova Scotia and Antigonish Calendars 2017
This year I created 2 calendars.
The Out and About Nova Scotia Calendar 2017 is in its 5th year. I love going over my photos from the past year to produce this calendar to enjoy throughout the year. It has become a family favorite.
This year, I decided to produce an Antigonish Town and County Calendar. We live in such a beautiful part of Nova Scotia and you may want to share this with your family and friends.
Both calendars are available online. Click on the link below the photos for details.
Inverness Beach
Breathing in the salt air and digging my toes into the sand along with the wind and the sun make for a perfect setting to explore Inverness Beach. The sandy beach stretches for 1.7 KM with views of the coastline up towards the Cabot Trail and back down towards Mabou along the west coast of Cape Breton. This was a calm day with the waves lapping the shore. It must be amazing on a stormy day when the waves crash in bringing “Mermaids Tears”- colourful beach glass washed up after years of churning in the ocean to make smooth and multi-colored shapes.
Spend an hour or a day exploring the beach with its pockets of colourful stones, bits of driftwood, sea grasses and dunes. Swimming, building sand castles, going for a long walk or just sitting and relaxing in the clear air make for a great day.
A beach boardwalk goes along part of the beach between the dunes and the Cabot Links. You can watch the golfers on this spectacular course on one side, and views of the ocean on the other.
It’s a fascinating thought that the Cabot Links was built on top of a coal mining area. Along the Inverness Main Street and side streets you can see the company houses built in the early 1900s for the miners. Stop into the Miner’s Museum housed in the old railway station on Lower Railway Street to learn more about this history.