Author: maherrv

Driving the Morse Road from Bridgetown to West Dalhousie is always a pleasure. It makes me aware of Ernest Buckler’s geography from an earlier time.

We arrived mid-morning, missing the Old Growth forest walk with Donna Crossland (see also previous posts Saving Forests and Burned: are trees the new coal).

In the hall, I noted the Ernest Buckler Memorial Library and photographed several posters on the history of West Dalhousie: churches, schools and community.

On Sunday, I stopped at the Forest market in Annapolis Royal. Nina Newington provided an update on SOOF-STOCK; Danny Bruce gave an update on the status of agriculture in Annapolis County.

Afterwards, we decided to drive down to the South shore on Hwy#8 to Liverpool, Bridgewater and Mahone Bay. Kejimkujik National Park and Mahone Bay were crowded with tourist visitors. However, Hwy#8 was eerily quiet.

Today stopped at the COGS library and signed out Joanna Taylor’s and Ian Gregory’s Deep Mapping of the Literary Lake District, A Geographical Text Analysis.

Can we imagine Deep Mapping of the Literary Annapolis Valley ?

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From Jack Dangermond, by email, a reference to James Follows and Deborah Follows 2018. Our Towns: a 100,000 mile journey into the Heart of America. Off to inter-library loan.

(See also a longer, detailed presentation of Our Towns, HERE)

Acknowledgements

Chelsea and Andrew at COGS Library for the Deep Mapping text. Jack for the reference to the Follows’ book. Edward has added the graphics and links.

Today (Friday) we returned to the house in Paradise. We wanted to weed the front vegetable garden. This allowed us to find potatoes, tomatoes and onions. Later in the day, Lorie, our real estate agent was showing the house. Perhaps the visitors will realize the care and affection we have for #6326.

We decided to walk the Marsh/CARP trail in Middleton to loosen up limbs

Just as we were returning to the parking lot, Heather noticed a small purple flower.

Energized by our discovery, we went back to the Centennial Park by the elementary school. Again we found Agalinis neoscotica, along the abandoned rail line. This is the type location for this elusive species. It is the only plant with neoscotica as its species epithet (see previous posts, Brier Island , Biogeography, and Middleton False Foxglove)

These discoveries make us feel that Middleton is ‘our home’ too.

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I am still thinking about economic development in rural Nova Scotia : the relationship between geography and economy. The most obvious context is the history of geographic information systems and the role of COGS.

For example, in Great Village, Nova Scotia there is the EB House; a writer’s retreat dedicated to Elizabeth Bishop (see post Geography III). Can we imagine a “Geographers Retreat” dedicated to the legacy of Roger Tomlinson? It could be in Lawrencetown or Paradise, supported by the Geographic Information System industry e.g. Esri and Esri Canada.

“The Power of Place” or in Greg Baeker’s terminology ‘the creative rural economy’.

Acknowledgements

Thank you Edward Wedler. His contribution : links, images and research demonstrates the value of collaborative research. Much appreciated.

Tuesday morning, the courier delivered ‘The Power of Where’ by Jack Dangermond, published by Esri Press. This was a complete surprise, out of the blue. Subsequently, through an email from Clint Brown, I learned the amazing statistic that approximately 160 COGS graduates had joined the company over the years. Not sure if that includes Esri Canada. Certainly, I do recall the day that Alex Miller came to Lawrencetown and hired Eric Melanson, David Roscoe and John Houweling.

Thinking about the Power of Where raised up the Power of Place. What was special about Lawrencetown in rural Nova Scotia ? Certainly the history of COGS (NSLSI) after the Second World War. Also the combination of a rural setting (agriculture, forestry, fisheries) and access to the latest geographic information technology.

Other factors include the people relationships: Roger Tomlinson and John Wightman; Michael Goodchild and Bob Maher; Jack Dangermond and Alex Miller.

In some small way, I hope that these blogs over the years, have led to an understanding of COGS, Lawrencetown and the Annapolis Valley. Perhaps the seed concept (ACORN): Annapolis County Opportunities Rural Network can provide sustenance for the next generation.

Monday, Heather and I were in Canning at the Merritt Gibson Memorial Library. In the sale bin, I found the book by Bill McKibbon ‘The Age of Missing Information’, the follow up to his earlier work ‘The End of Nature’.

Clearly, time to start reading again !

Every August, the village of Lawrencetown hosts the Annapolis County exhibition.

Heather and I attended on Saturday, the last day. We wanted to see whether there had been any changes. In particular, I was interested in the relationship between agricultural research and the Geographic Sciences ( COGS sits just across the road from the exhibition grounds).

From my relatively short visit, the content of the Ex. seemed to follow past tradition : focus on 4H, main events in the show rings, the fairgrounds and many booths for food and drinks. Certainly at $20 per adult it should generate some local revenue. Plus parking.

The presence of the exhibition did prompt me to consider the role of agriculture in the local economy, whether it still offers a tourism attraction ? Could it become a cornerstone in the ‘ creative rural economy’ ?

I left the Lawrencetown site, thinking more about the history and future of COGS. We first arrived in 1980, bringing new technology (Computers, GIS) to this rural landscape. In recent years, the NSCC has added a new wing to the building, ostensibly to bring further industry/technology to the Valley.

Is that happening ? If not, why not ? For almost fifty years, COGS has proven that the combination of new technology in a rural setting can provide an excellent environment for intensive learning and research.

Time to revisit the model !!

I sent an email, proposing ACORN, the seed of an idea.

Annapolis County Opportunities and Research Network.

Thank you, Edward, for refining the acronym. I enjoy your full support.

After twenty four years there is a period of adaptation when you move house. Furniture has to find a new location. Dishes need new cupboard space; photographs and art placed on the wall. For now, books remain tucked away in boxes.

At a time, when most people are downsizing, we seem to have more rooms.

The biggest challenge is the transition. Two spaces need to be managed, and serviced. Electricity, heating, water. Likewise the rationalization of two banking services and the various payments.

Along with two banking systems comes the increased use of the cell phone for personal verification.

To compensate for the challenging complexity, we can realize that we have run out of milk or other essentials. It is a five minute walk to the grocery store, the mail box, the bank or the drug store. That will require getting ‘used to the convenience’.

Even to meet old friends for a beer at the pub. The same answer – a five minute walk.

Looking out at the deck, the early morning mist is rising up from the Annapolis River. The cardinals are chirping; the squirrels are chasing after dropped acorns, from the majestic oak trees.

We are starting to feel comfortable, with friends dropping in, and witnessing our transition from chaos, back to order. It’s a rigorous test of the memory bank.

And the toaster is on top of the cupboard…..! This morning, I forgot to ‘plug in’ my hearing aids……

Dr Thomas McCulloch was born in Scotland in 1776. He arrived at Pictou in 1803. In 1816 he founded the Pictou Academy and later became first President of Dalhousie University in 1838.

Before leaving Pictou to return to Middleton, we stopped by the McCulloch House Museum. We went into the the Centre, the staff opened up the house. This allowed us to enjoy a self-guided tour. We noted the paintings gifted to McCulloch by Audubon. We also found the second hand book store. I could not resist two books from the Penguin Modern Classics collection.

Albert Camus. The Outsider. 1942 ( one dollar!)

William Golding. Lord of the Flies. 1954. (two dollars!)

McCulloch believed in the right of everyone to have an education. He also believed it was the key to happiness. This led McCulloch to become a political reformer as he fought for change in university education and the government,

We returned home on Friday afternoon. Jeannie Barteaux offered to drive us to Tom Allen and friends at Kings Theatre in Annapolis Royal. The presentation combined story telling and music under the title J. S. Bach’s Long Walk in the Snow.

Having enjoyed reflecting on the life of McCulloch in the 1800’s. I had the same pleasure reflecting on the life of J.S.Bach in the 1700’s.

For more information on McCulloch check out the New Canadian Library edition of The Stepsure Letters.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Jeannie and Heather for the excellent company.

Everyone has arrived. We have five cabins in a row, with easy access to the pool and hot tub. The view towards the Northumberland Straight is spectacular. We can see Pictou causeway, fire tower, Scott paper and other evidence of local forestry operations.

In Pictou, we will likely visit the Hector, the McCulloch House museum. It is a town with a number of sandstone houses, and of course, the waterfront.

The party includes six grandchildren, plus their parents (again six) and then Great-grandfather John, Heather’s sister and brother.

To date, we have had the opportunity to stop at Sandy’s ice-cream bar, Grohmann Knives and Logan’s for cooked lobster.

Between trips to Sobeys grocery store, we have had time to enjoy the trails on Fitzpatricks Mountain, whether walking or bicycling.

Wednesday morning, we had breakfast at Deb’s cafe in Scotsburn. Apparently the Governor General was there yesterday. Next door is the Farm Museum, giving us the history of the Creamery and the dairy industry. Later in the day, we will check out Caribou Beach and Pictou Lodge (closed after tropical storm Fiona).

We will head back to Middleton on Friday. This will allow us to attend Kings Theatre in the evening. Tom Allen and friends, ‘JS Bach’s long walk in the snow‘.

Yesterday we arrived at Smith Rock Chalets in Scotsburn, Pictou County for our annual family reunion. In the past, the venue has been Pictou Lodge, but after tropical storm Fiona, it has been closed.

Smith Rock Chalets sits on top of Fitzpatricks Mountain.

Three weeks ago, Andrew and his family arrived to help us move from Paradise to Middleton. This weekend, the house in Paradise is ready for sale; the house in Middleton contains our furniture and other assets. This next week, we can enjoy Pictou County with Patrick and Emily with Fraser and Logan; Andrew and Julia with Quinn and Isla Rose; Laurel and Nic with Marcus and Owen.

In addition, we will spend time with John Stewart (Heather’s Dad), Heather’s sister Sandy and Don; and brother Stephen.

With hindsight, the biggest challenge from the move has been technology. Changing banks led to a different procedure for E-transfer; i.e. Credit Union requires cell phone for verification.

In addition, I went to the Hearing Institute in Kingston. This led to hearing aids that need to be charged overnight. The new overnight routine includes charging the iPad, cell phone and the hearing aids..

Fortunately, at Smith Rock chalet, life will be simpler. Time to catch-up with grandchildren, their use of technology in this rural landscape. I can simply listen to the birds and enjoy a new landscape, overlooking the Northumberland Strait shore. Should be back to ‘normal’ in a few weeks. We can look forward to rediscovering the community of Middleton.

Just stepped outside, to enjoy the view at 7 am. The chalet door closed behind me, keys inside. Heather has just offered to walk down to the lodge to obtain a house key. An inauspicious start to the day !

We have survived the week. The ‘old’ house is empty. The next step is a thorough clean and photographs to put online.

Today, we took a well-deserved break. We went over to Hampton Beach on the Bay of Fundy. It was low tide, and not a soul on the beach. This caused me to reflect on Ernest Buckler : the mountain and the valley. What was missing ?

The landscape of Annapolis County must include the effects of the tides and the Bay of Fundy. It is truly a microcosm: within a few kilometers we can enjoy the new agriculture: apple orchards and vineyards in the Valley; the woodlot management on both North and South Mountain; the fishing resources found along the Nova Scotia shore.

Afterwards, we drove back through Clarence. We remembered the tradition of dairy farming. Our old house has been replaced by a new building, owned by the Den Haan’s.

We stopped at the Clarence Country Market in the community hall. Live music on a Sunday morning. sale of crafts, plants, books by local authors. Beautiful lavender plants, quilts, home-made preserves.

After lunch, I returned to our ‘old house’. Time to tidy up the lawns. An opportunity to ride on the Z-track. We visited the orchard across the road, and mowed the trail down towards the triangle field (above the Annapolis River). This has been a form of therapy for a number of years.

Afterwards, stopped at Bees Knees in Lawrencetown, for a loaf of brown bread and a slice of chocolate pie.

Acknowledgements

Heather and I both appreciate the changes in land use, land ownership and the landscape of Annapolis County. We first arrived here, with two young boys, in 1980.