Winter is almost over but I wanted to share some wonderful winter days that we had. Although we usually have windy days, on a few days the snow just fell down gently in large flakes and coated everything in several fluffy centimeters of snow. A lovely sight.
On another morning a low temperature and high humidity gave us a “Hoar Frost” that coated every leaf, twig and branch in a coating of ice making everything look like a glass fairyland.
[slideshow_deploy id=’1305′]
Antigonish has long been a centre for the arts and artists. In the past year there have been a lot of new additions to art exhibit spaces and the arts are flourishing. There are many wonderful galleries and exhibits to explore and enjoy as you stroll along Main Street and then take a drive for more. See how many you can visit and be sure and add your comments and suggest any others that you find.
Main Street Mural Andrew Murray
Starting from the Post Office end of town and heading East on the right side of the street:
Starting from the Post Office end of town and heading East on the left side of the street:
Slideshow of a few of the locations:
[slideshow]
Off Main and out of town:
July in Antigonish an Arts Celebration. The Casket, June 26, 2012 by Richard MacKenzie
Denise Davies is a travel writer, photographer, filmmaker and entrepreneur. This article appeared in the Highland Heart, June 29. www.highlandheart.ca
Spring Thaw Port Hawkesbury Strait of Canso
Ahhh spring. This year we had a March treat of 3 days in the mid 20s (centigrade). The snow disappeared and you can see through the ice on the lakes and patches of clear water on areas that had been iced over. Kids were out in their shorts and the teens were out sunning themselves and soaking up the rays. What a treat to have the summer-like weather even though we knew it wouldn’t last.
The robins have arrived and some hardy plants have started raising their heads – hope they don’t get fooled and frozen at the early stage.
Robin Sign of Spring
Of course 2 days later the temperature is -4 Degrees C. Quite a feat to know what to wear but layers are the answer.
Looking forward to enjoying the buds coming out on the trees, the crocuses and spring flowers arriving — and yes the odd snow flurries and blustery days thrown in there. This IS Nova Scotia after all where the weather is a great topic of conversation and can change from one minute to the next.
Click the arrows to view the slideshow. Click caption to see the caption.
[slideshow]
Denise Davies is a photographer and travel writing living in Antigonish.
Winter has been quite a roller coaster from warm days, lots of rain, clear skies, snow for Christmas and some days feeling like spring or fall and other days real winter. It is a good time for reflection – to look back and enjoy some of the sights and sounds and experiences of the past year – and to plan for the upcoming year.
Winter Wonderland- in our few days of snow that magically arrived just for Christmas
[slideshow]
Some of the many wonderful finds and experiences of the past year
And much more – click on the CATEGORIES to browse through all the postings or the ARCHIVES.
What are your favorite places in Nova Scotia? Celebrations? Stores? Places to stay? Things to do? I would love to get your suggestions and reasons why – and will take a look at including these on my own explorations in 2012. Please fill in the COMMENT box below to make your suggestions.
Thank you to all the readers of Out and About Nova Scotia – Enjoy your armchair traveling 🙂
Denise Davies
–
Coady International Institute in Antigonish
Where would you expect to find over 50 mid-career international professionals from over 20 countries and living and learning in Nova Scotia for five months? You might be surprised that every year this is the case in the small town of Antigonish – the Highland Heart of Nova Scotia. The Coady International Institute, based on the campus of Saint Francis Xavier University, has passed the 50 year anniversary in 2009 and has now over 5,500 graduates in over 130 countries from its leadership development programs.
Recently I facilitated a course at Coady for participants to build the Coady participants communications skills in learning to plan, shoot and edit a video with a social message. Each group planned, shot and edited their films working in project groups and they presented to all the diploma participants and guests.
Group work - Video
The learning methodologies at Coady are interactive and build on the experiences and participation of the group. Each learning experience is unique since the background and wealth of knowledge is amazing and the cross fertilization of ideas is sparked by the participants engaging on a variety of development topics.
Coady International Institute is based on the principles of the Antigonish Movement was started in the 1920s by Father Moses Coady and Father Jimmy Tompkins to help small, resource-based communities in Nova Scotia improve their economic and social circumstances through credit unions, cooperatives and community development.
The institute is now housed in beautifully renovated historic buildings in the heart of the St FX Campus are a delight to work in with space for group work, multimedia tools, a state of the art library, wired classrooms and built to order for the participatory learning environment. In addition to its core Diploma in Development Leadership and many certificate level courses, Coady Institute now has instituted the International Centre for Women’s Leadership, supporting women leadership across Canada and around the globe.
Welcoming new participants by the town
You might wonder how people from India, Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean all get along in this this small Nova Scotia town. Comments from the participants at their recent closing banquet included “people are so friendly”, “we were welcomed with great honour and respect”, “people on the street greet us”, “it is such a beautiful place” – they are taking back fond memories of their time in Antigonish and many had the opportunity to visit other parts of Nova Scotia including Margaree – the birthplace of Monsignor Coady, Halifax where they visited the provincial legislature, an experience of the first snowfall and playing like kids, the glory of autumn leaves – many happy memories of their personal journey here in beautiful Nova Scotia.
The next time you are in Antigonish stop and visit the Coady International Institute. The library and public spaces have interesting history, photos and multimedia presentations to give you more insight into this wonderful international local resource.
[slideshow]
AIFF poster 2011
The fifth annual Antigonish International Film Festival takes place Oct 21 and 22nd with a wonderful lineup of films for all ages.
Opening night on Friday Oct 21 features “Soundtrack for a Revolution” which tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music. It features performances by top artists and riveting archival footage and interviews. Two short films from Cara Jones, a local filmmaker will round out the evening. Venue is 351 Nicholson Hall, StFX, 7:00 PM.
This year’s festival brings together a broad diversity of films that provides something of interest to everyone – from emphasizing positive success stories and reasons for hope, to revealing the corruption of power and squandering of natural resources around the globe.
On Saturday there is a full day of films starting at 9:00 AM at three venues – 2 venues at Coady International Institute and on Main Street at the new People’s Place. This year AIFF has added a Children’s Film Festival which will be shown in the Youth Room of the People’s Place on Saturday afternoon from 1PM – 2:30PM with a selection of short films.
Since over 25 films will be shown in 3 locations the program booklet or the online schedule will be useful to plan your day. One ticket will get you in to all the films.
On Saturday evening the dinner will be held at the Prissy Pig Café and Deli with an Indian menu. This has been a popular event in past years and the tickets for it go quickly. A month long International Photography Exhibition “With a Conscious Eye” from local and international photographers and development workers. A cash bar opens at 6PM, dinner serving is at 7:15PM. Tickets are $20 and available at Lyghtesome Gallery.
The Sunday Filmmaking Workshop will give insight into the making of a documentary film. Participants will have the opportunity to “deconstruct” a film and also to have some hands on experience in the process of planning, shooting and editing a film.
In the week following the film festival discussion and conversations will be held at the People’s Place to focus on environmental issues and another on disabilities following up on the issues and ideas raised by films at the festival.
Over 75 sponsors from the community support the film festival. A special sponsor “Thank You” evening was held in October at the People’s Place with a film and refreshments.
The film festival is a year-long planning effort by a large number of dedicated and eager volunteers who have worked to select, plan and bring together this wonderful opportunity to engage people with thought provoking, engaging and stimulating films.
For more information see the website www.antigonishfilmfest.org and signup on Facebook for updates.
Marsh grasses Ogden's Pond
We have been having some beautiful weather in September – more like summer than July and August. It’s a great time to explore the outdoors. I ended up at the beach on Jimtown Road at the end of an afternoon drive. The rain clouds were building up but there was a great spotlight from the sun shining on the beach as I arrived which gave a dramatic look to Ogden’s Pond which is on your left, and the marsh grasses with the dark sky in the background.
Chapel
On the side road there is a lovely white chapel in a shady and grassy area.
The beach has easy access and good for walking on the sand. Great place to relax and watch the waves, look for shells or skip rocks. Ogden’s Pond is great for bird watching. The water flows in to the ocean here.
Rainbow at Jimtown evening
I was lucky to catch a rainbow over the ocean with the setting sun behind me. You can see parts of Cape Breton Island from here.
There are lovely views of Crystal Cliffs to your left.
From Antigonish head out Route 337 on the Sunrise Trail. The turnoff is about 12KM from Antigonish – Just past Mahoneys Beach. The sign is marked as “Jimtown Road”.
[slideshow]
Jimtown Road – Google Maps View Larger Map
View Larger Map
View Larger Map
Sunrise and rolling mist
6AM sky looking great so headed to the Antigonish Landing for an early morning walk. What a glorious time of day to see the sun burning off the morning mist and watching the mist drifting along the estuary and up over the rolling hills. The hills with small farms gradually appeared through the layers of mist showing new vistas as the day progressed.
Jeweled web
Dew drops highlighting the spiders’ webs turned them into jeweled wonders. What a combination of function, geometry, and beauty. I even caught sight of a lovely spider waiting its prey. Lots of bird song in the air and of course ducks swimming in the river. A grey heron flew into a nearby tree and another flew by just keeping above the water line.
The water was so calm that it reflected the nearby Queen Anne’s Lace, Goldenrod and other wild flowers. Apple trees and choke cherries are found along the trail.
Hills through the mist
Antigonish Landing is an estuary leading out around marsh land and islands out to the open ocean. Rivers empty in to this tidal estuary. The walking trail is a great place for walking and running. There are parking places and access from just past the old train station – just cross the tracks and turn right, or continue up past the hospital and turn right at Tony’s Meats.
[slideshow]
Nova Scotia is almost completely surrounded by water – the ocean. It is said you are never more than 50 miles from the sea. We have beautiful beaches of many types that are great for swimming, exploring tide pools, beach combing, relaxing in the sun or enjoying the view.
But in addition to being surrounded by water – Nova Scotia has rich inland water country with lakes, rivers and streams dotted over the countryside. On a recent drive across Nova Scotia from Antigonish along Route 7 and Highway 316 it was a delight to see and stop at just a few of these. The drive winds through rolling hills and farmland and wooded areas. Then suddenly you are driving along lake waterfront and along winding rivers.
Fisherman at Country Harbour River
Along the drive at Country Harbor fishermen cast into the calm waters. Reflections of the shoreline added to the beauty of the scene. The rivers and lakes of Nova Scotia are stocked with salmon and trout. Take a side trip and visit the Fraser’s Mills Fish Hatchery to learn more about the process and tour the visitor information center.
Golden Gaspereaux Lake
In the evening the waters of Gaspereaux Lake were a golden shield reflecting the sunset. Water birds swam along and flew overhead.
Weather you are driving, walking or cycling the views are splendid. Or carry your canoe or kayak with you for a peaceful explore of the many inland waters. Get your fishing license and join the thousands of NS sport fishermen trying their hand at landing trout or salmon.
[slideshow]
The Gathering of the Arts, GoArts 2011 organized by Antigonish Culture Alive (ACA). An opening Reception was held on July 4 at the Peoples’ Place Library in Antigonish. The reception celebrated the opening of the juried art exhibition. Awards were presented to the Peoples’ Place in recognition of its support to the Arts Community. And to Michael Steinitz for his annual concert series work. The reception was well attended and an opportunity to view the exhibits.
The juried Art Exhibit includes works from over 60 artists with a wide variety of media – oils, watercolor, pencil, photography, mixed media, textiles, quilting, sculpture, batik, weaving, and more. Art from L’Arche Horizons, Youth Art. Workshops and artist demonstrations. July 4-16, 2011
July 4 – 16
Peoples’ Place Library, Main St. Antigonish NS
1 minute video with a sampling of reception and exhibition.