01/21/2010

The NCSS Culinary School Rocks!

Tags: Food & Fun
Last night's monthly Marble Mountain dinner at the Culinary School restaurant was fabulous! Those students did a topnotch job with the food preparation and menu. You would be hard put to find better anywhere. For what they charge, you can't touch it at any but the priciest places.

01/18/2010

New Courses Being Held In West Bay Hall - NIA - yay!!!! and Firearms Safety

Tags: Local News
Hi all,

We are starting again with courses at the hall.

Nia

Join us for dance, yoga, and martial art all combined into one workout.

Feb 4th-Mar 11th

Time: 6-7pm Thursday

Fee $48.00

Call Laurie to register 345-2244. Note: Feb 4th class will be held at 5:30pm instead on 6:00pm

Fire Arm Safety Course

Feb 26, 5-9pm

Feb 27, 8:30-5:00pm

Fee: $65.00

Deadline to register is Feb 12th. Call Laurie at 345-2244 to register. Must have 12 people registered to hold course.

01/18/2010

Gaelic TIP (Total Immersion) Learning Session, Next Monday, January 25, 10:00 - 3:00

Tags: Local News
Next Monday we will be hosting the continuing weekly Gaelic language immersion learning session in our house. It will start at 10:00 a.m. and go to 3:00 p.m. Dinner will be provided along with tea and snacks at break. Anyone who is interested in learning the Gaelic language is welcome to join us. Jeff MacDonald will be teaching the class. These classes are always fun. We laugh and learn and get to know other people with the same interest.

The daily fee per class is $20.00 per person and no English is spoken, it's all-Gaelic, all-day, everyone participates. We would like very much to have any Gaelic speakers join us so, please, if you speak the language, come join us. We'd love to have your input and support.

01/17/2010

Historic Graveyard on Graveyard Cove

Tags: Life In General Local News News In Malagawatch News In Marble Mountain
Today a group of us went back to the pioneer graveyard to do a little further cleaning of the site. In all, it was Kit & myself, Tom & Jean, John & Pat, Dave D, Jim B, Hughie (he was there earlier in the day) and all our pooches. We attempted to burn the brush & branches that we had cleared & piled up off to the side of the graveyard last week but the strong wind kept blowing out the flames. Even the best pyromaniac among us, Eagle scout Kit, was unable to keep the flames going. We will keep at it, weekend after weekend, until eventually we get the work completed.

Jean thinks she may have located a few more graves in the direction of the water. If the clearing is enlarged, that should help us to identify the sites of any unlocated graves. (Thank you, Hughie, for all your work.)

It is likely that the original settlers were Presbyterian. Where would we find burial records? I did a web search for local historical burial records or graveyards but this one must have escaped the librarian.

The names engraved on the headstones are MacDonald, Campbell, MacKenzie and MacKay. Several folks have taken pix that I hope will be clear enough to put on the community's web page (there is a Flickr account). Does anyone know how to do headstone rubbings? Those would be nice to have, as the engravings on the headstones are gradually etching away.

01/16/2010

Inn On The Canal Kitchen Party

Tags: Food & Entertainment Life In Cape Breton
The kitchen party was good! There had to have been at least a dozen musicians there. The selection was eclectic, for sure.

01/15/2010

My Daily Horoscope For Today, LOL

Tags: Horoscope
Seldom is a horoscope accurate and most of them are rather silly. Today, however, is different. Kit booked our winter getaway this morning, then I read my horoscope for today.

Taurus

Today's Solar Eclipse can bring the possibility of long-distance travel to you, Taurus, either for business or private purposes. It could even mean relocation for business or educational purposes.

(The rest of this doesn't mean much.) Both this eclipse and the June eclipse can indicate furthering your education in order to gain greater opportunity for career success. Mercury is also helping by coming out of retrograde just in time to prevent your social life from being overcome by responsibilities, and it is certainly possible that you have seen previews of this already.

01/14/2010

Tupperware Clearance Event - Min. 5% Of Sales Will Be Donated For Relief For The Recent Tragedy In Haiti

Tags: News
Saturday, January 16, 2010

11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Helen Windeler's Place

71 Charles MacLean Road

Port Hastings
Download File home

01/13/2010

Coyotes All Around Us And Other News

Tags: Life on Marble Mountain
Coyotes seem to be a growing problem. A woman in Margaree has recently seen coyotes sitting on her doorstep. Their presence has been enough of a problem for her that she has to look outside to make sure they are not out there before she can actually go outside. After hearing the howls of coyotes Sunday morning on the road where we dog walk, I think I'll cease & desist solo dogwalking. Any time you want to go out for a walk, call me!

In other news ... Christine Campbell is home from the hospital, Cheryl brought her home. Cheryl & Donald are enjoying their new dog, she's an absolute sweetheart, and I hope they start joining us from time to time on our daily 3:00 dog walks. Donald is doing really well in school so keep him in mind when you need someone to work on a photography project. He does some video work as well.

01/10/2010

Tidying The Old Pioneer Graveyard

Tags: Local News
This morning, five of us spent part of the morning clearing the trees & brush away from the old graves of the original settlers from Scotland. Hughie MacDonald went to work with his chainsaw and I piled the branches. Shortly thereafter, Kit arrived and put his boy scout skills to work igniting the pile with matches and birch bark. Eventually Tom & Jean McCann arrived and helped pile the brush.

01/08/2010

Kitchen Racket Open Jam Session in St. Peter's

Tags: Entertainment News
"Kitchen Rackets" open jam sessions begin this month at the Bras d'Or Lakes Inn: this is your opportunity to participate in a Cape Breton kitchen party!

All musicians, young and young at heart, are invited to take part in these acoustic jam sessions. Help keep our music, culture, and heritage alive on Cape Breton's Heritage Coast.

Dates: Jan 16, Feb 13, March 27

Time: 3:00 - 6:00 pm

01/08/2010

The Latest News From The Baumann's

Tags: Local News
They plan to be back here in late April. Hurry, spring!

01/08/2010

New Florist Shop In Port Hawkesbury: Glorious Floral Designs "Flowers for all occasions"

Tags: Exciting News Local Business
There is a new florist shop in Port Hawkesbury. It's called Glorious Floral Designs. You will find it just inside the entrance to the mall across from Hart. It's owned by Gloria Hendsbee and you can reach her at 625-5934.

The shop has quite a few potted plants, a few floral arrangements and some individual stems of flowers for purchase. Yesterday I bought a rose-color flowering kalanchoe and two African violets, white and pink. Go on in and take a look for yourself. They are pleasant people and I think you will enjoy meeting them.

Please go in there and support her, help her to be successful so she will continue to serve our community. We dearly missed having a local flower shop, let's make sure she succeeds.

01/07/2010

For the Snowbirds: Do have a helmet?

Tags: Brrr! Chilly
I just heard the funniest thing on the news. In the south, where temperatures are falling to record lows, iguanas are dropping out of the trees. When the temperature goes below 40, they lose their grip. Don't leave the house without a very strong umbrella. Or stay out from under palm trees. I suppose this isn't funny if you are an iguana.

01/07/2010

Gaelic TIP session with Jeff MacDonald Monday, January 11

Tags: Learning Life In Cape Breton Local News Local Talent
Message from Jessica:

Bliadhna mhath ur.

An all day Gaelic immersion session with Jeff MacDonald will be held Monday, Jan 11.

It will run from 9:30/10:00 to 3:30/4:00. The fee is $20.00 and includes lunch and tea.

Please let Jessica MacLennan or me know ASAP so she can finalize the plans.

Thanks.

01/06/2010

I'm in the PH office 8:30-4:30 today and tomorrow - 625-0302 or 625-5818.

Tags:

01/05/2010

Obituary: Jessie Margaret MacLean

Tags: Obituary
73, Orangedale, Inverness Co., died Saturday, January 2, 2010, in Victoria County Memorial Hospital, Baddeck.

Born in Valley Mills, Inverness Co., she was a daughter of the late Alex and Margaret (Smith) MacKinnon.

Jessie was a retired school teacher, with 35 years service. She was a member of Orangedale Presbyterian Church, Orangedale U.C.W., Orangedale Historical Society, Central Treasurer for Orangedale, River Denys and Malagawatch Pastoral Charge, Orangedale Station Association. She served on the executive of the Malagawatch Cemetery Association, and was active with the Retired Teachers Association. She was a lifetime member of Ladies Auxiliary Valley Mills Volunteer Fire Department.

Jessie is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Neil; son, Tracy, Orangedale; brothers, Frank (Clara) MacKinnon, Baker, La.; niece, Donna, and nephew, Donnie; Colin (Patsy) MacKinnon, North Sydney; nephews, Cal and Gary; and nieces, Shelley and Tanya; and numerous cousins. She was predeceased by her nephew, Danny.

Visitation will be held Tuesday from 2-9 p.m. in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Whycocomagh. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday in Orangedale Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Lloyd Murdock officiating. Burial in Malagawatch Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Jessie may be made to Malagawatch Cemetery Fund. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com

01/02/2010

The 3rd Annual Marble Mountain Polar Bear Dip Was A Phenomenal Success!

Tags: Life on Marble Mountain
Yesterday's 3rd Annual Marble Mountain Polar Bear Dip was a big event with approximately 21 dippers of all ages, even children, and at least double that in attendance adding support. (Dave, we missed you!) The air was still and not so cold, that's about as agreeable as weather can be at this time of year. There were dippers from Marble Mountain, West Bay, Lime Hill and Dundee, I think. All of us are pleased for the wonderful turnout and support. Next year, the dip will be followed by a chili cook-off in the hall. I'll donate cornbread. I'm absolutely tickled that it turned out so well! How did this get started anyway? I remember the New Year's Eve bash in the hall when, fueled with good wine, a few folks decided to do the dip the next afternoon. Who kicked it off? I remember Dave was there and Iris and Linda and Jean...

Today the wind has picked up and has increased in speed, with huge gusts, becoming more vigorous as the day progresses. We did our dog walk this morning right after breakfast to make sure we got it in before the winds got too wild. This afternoon, the usual walking crowd did their daily constitutional, they aren't ones to be cowed by fierce winds. The pooches all had a great time, as did the humans. Labs Misha and Riley cavorted with Border Collies Flyn & Lily, chasing sticks and each other. If ever there was pooch therapy, this is it. I had a great walk with Fiona, Pat, Dave and Jim. The wind wasn't too bad then, plus that road is somewhat protected. The temperature remains above freezing, which is very helpful in such winds and adds to walking comfort.

01/01/2010

Sugared Cranberries II (with spices)

Tags: Food & Fun Good Eats
This is the version I made. I served them in oversized margarita glasses and people thought they were decorations! They were pretty, today they are gone. Darn little things are tasty.

Sweet and tangy sugared cranberries make a surprising addition to candy bowls, your favorite apple pie recipe, cheesecake or baked brie.

3 cups sugar

2 cinnamon sticks

6 whole cloves

3 cups water

3 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed

1 cup superfine sugar

Mix sugar, cinnamon sticks and cloves with water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Simmer for 1 minute, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl. Stir in cranberries. Cover and refrigerate for about 8 hours. Drain cranberries. Reserve liquid, strain out cinnamon sticks and cloves and use as a simple syrup to add a holiday touch to cocktails.

Place superfine sugar in a bowl and gently toss in cranberries, coating evenly. Place cranberries on a baking sheet to dry, about 1 to 2 hours. Store in an airtight container for 1 to 2 days or package for gift giving.

Makes 3 cups
Download File recipe.php?recipeId=2372

01/01/2010

Sugared Cranberries I

Tags: Food And Entertainment Good Eats
The Sugared Cranberries were a hit. They are incredibly easy to make. Here's how:

Sugared Cranberries

2 cups granulated sugar

2 cups water

2 cups fresh cranberries

¾ cup superfine sugar

Combine granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring mixture until sugar dissolves.

Bring to a simmer; remove from heat. (Do not boil or the cranberries may pop when added.) Stir in cranberries; pour mixture into a bowl.

Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

Drain cranberries in a colander over a bowl, reserving steeping liquid, if desired.

Place superfine sugar in a shallow dish.

Add the cranberries, rolling to coat with sugar.

Spread sugared cranberries in a single layer on a baking sheet; let stand at room temperature 1 hour or until dry.

Note: The steeping liquid clings to the berries and helps the sugar adhere.

Store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to a week.

NOTES : The berries are steeped in hot sugar syrup to tame their tangy bite. When entertaining, serve these in place of nuts. For gift-giving, package in parchment-lined tins. Present with a small bottle of the reserved cranberry cooking syrup for the recipient to use as a cocktail mixer. If you can't find superfine sugar, make your own by processing granulated sugar in a food processor for a minute.

Give yourself an extra day when making these beautiful sugared cranberries since they need to soak in a sugar syrup for eight hours. Beware, once you pass these around to party guests there's no going back. You will be hooked for life.

"Because of the contrast between the tart cranberries and sugary coating, the flavor of this snack pops in your mouth."
Download File recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=554659&adsqs=raid:1693657

01/01/2010

3rd Annual Marble Mountain Polar Bear Dip Today @ 1:00 At The Wharf

Tags: Life on Marble Mountain
Meet at the wharf. You should be able to drive down it and back up without trouble. If you are worried about it, we'll be happy to take you with us in the Subaru.

Warming refreshments will be served - hot tea.

Be there or be square!