Author: maherrv

This week our life has been defined by the forest fires.

On Monday, we decided to drive along the Fundy shore to French Cross and Morden. This gave us splendid views of Isle Haute. On driving back down into the Valley, we noticed smoke on South Mountain. This proved to be the beginning of the Lake George fire.

Tuesday, being frustrated by the Fire Ban in Annapolis County, we decided to check out Kejimkujik National Park. Fortunately, we were allowed to walk the Peter Point trail (1.9 km. each way). On Wednesday, we took a short walk on the Kingston trail in Kings County.

Luckily, I had my Men’s fitness class at CORAH with Sandy Murray on Friday.

Later in the day, we stopped at the Bridgetown Library and discussed the walking situation with the Librarian. She suggested van Tassel Lake in Digby County. Fortunately, we had our Nova Scotia atlas in the car. We will save the visit for another day.

Instead, we went up to Valley View Park. The campground was open and we could stop at lookout and enjoy the landscape of Bridgetown, both the agriculture in the Valley, and the forests of South Mountain.

This reminded us not only of Buckler’s ‘Mountain and the Valley’ but also Robert MacFarlane’s ‘The Wild Places’. His chapters include Beechwood, Island, Valley, Moor, Forest, River-mouth, Cape, etc.. Could we identify similar places in Southwestern Nova Scotia? Of course.

After our conversation with the Librarian, Heather suggested we donate a Nova Scotia Atlas to the Bridgetown Library. I had a parallel thought, I wonder how many people know about the maps at COGS (eg the Church maps)? (see also posts Community Engagement, Community Information Utility: Its Time Has Come)

In conclusion, perhaps this blog should be titled ‘Trail by Fire’. When we visited Keji Park it was astounding to see how dry were the leaves of the trees along Highway #8.

References

The Nova Scotia Atlas, seventh Edition, 2019, Formac Publishing.

Robert MacFarlane, 2008, The Wild Places, Penguin Books.

Acknowledgements

Heather shared the travels. Edward added the graphics and links.
Thanks to both of them.

This week my older brother, Peter, came for a visit to rural Nova Scotia. He lives in Toronto.

We picked him up at the airport on Monday; he returned on Friday.

The diversity of species in flower, the well-labelled plants, the carefully raked gravel paths. We stopped at the Elm Tree Café for a morning coffee and treat. Afterwards, we drove up to Hillsburn and enjoyed a late lunch of chowder at the Crow’s Nest restaurant.

In the Valley, we visited the Green Elephant in Kingston, Bees Knees in Lawrencetown, Endless Shores bookstore in Bridgetown, stopped at Hampton Beach and Port George. For local food, we picked up vegetables at Gouchers and Spurr Brothers.

Thursday was a beautiful sunny day. We decided to take Highway #10 from Middleton to Bridgewater. The road was empty. The trees were a mass of red and orange colours.

First stop was Lunenburg. Peter has been in the Canadian publishing business, all of his life.

The combination of new and second-hand books, carefully curated, makes for an enjoyable shop (see post Heading to the South Shore).

I found Robert MacFarlane, The Wild Places (also, see post Orwell’s Nose). Heather found Soren Bondrop- Nielsen and Riley Scanlan, The Wabanaki Forest: Connecting with and Appreciating the Forests of the Maritimes.

We ended the week driving to the airport, and then continuing on to New Glasgow to visit family.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Peter. His visit gave us the opportunity to share memories and make new memories in the rural Nova Scotia landscape. Heather shared details of our life in the country. Edward added the graphics and links, in a masterful fashion.

References

Robert MacFarlane, 2007, The Wild Places, Penguin Books.

Soren Bondrop-Nielsen and Riley Scanlan, 2025, The Wabanaki Forest: Connecting with and Appreciating the Forests of the Maritimes, Blomidon Field Naturalists.

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West Dalhousie Note

For weeks, we have been wondering about the fire damage in West Dalhousie.

Yesterday, (Saturday), we noticed that Morse Road, outside of Bridgetown, was open.

In 1980, Heather, I and our two young sons, Patrick and Andrew, rented the Buckler house from Bill O’Neill. It was at the intersection of the West Dalhousie Road and the Morse Road. Bill and I would car-pool down to COGS every day. I think, once per week, the boys would go to Bridgetown to day-care at Mrs Saunders. A year or two later, we bought a house in East Clarence between the Elliot’s and the van Roestel’s. It is no longer standing.

When we arrived in West Dalhousie, we noticed several houses had been destroyed. The good news was that the Buckler house was still intact (see post EBLES Meeting). We went to the Community Centre. It too had survived the fire.

Around the community, there were stretches of road, with standing fire damaged trees. Fortunately, the fire fighters had been extremely resourceful. There were signs, saying Thank You.

Reassured, we returned down the Morse Road to Highway #201, with a heavy heart, and back to Middleton.

The fire ban still exists in Annapolis County. Yesterday, we went to Kingston to take a short walk in Kings County. Today (Sunday) we pulled out a map of Middleton. I had picked it up at the Town Hall. Produced by Shawn Rea 2021, NSCC COGS. This allowed us to find a pleasant walk to the Rotary Park, and return along Connaught Avenue. Now, if only, we could discipline ourselves to do it every day.

On Friday, I attended the GoGeomatics industry panel at COGS. The panelists were Jon Murphy, Ted MacKinnon, Tim Webster and Colin MacDonald. The technology for in-person and on-line participation was handled by Dave MacLean.

Two things stood out for me, First, Jon’s discussion of data sovereignty. This is significant, particularly, given the relationship between Esri and the application of Arc/Info. COGS has always had a close relationship with the vendor in Redlands, California. Historically, many COGS graduates were recruited by Esri to serve the American market.

The second topic of interest was Tim Webster’s presentation on the application of remote sensing for mapping the coastal zone of Atlantic Canada, in relation to climate change, and Wind West.

Tim also showed a number of satellite images of the Long Lake fire, identifying hot spots and property damage. This certainly added to our geographic understanding of the forest fire.

This afternoon( Sunday), Jeannie Barteaux (Shoveller) will pick us up to see Romeo and Juliette. Stage to Screen at Kings Theatre, Annapolis Royal. This proved be an excellent production.

Acknowledgements

Heather joined me on these excursions. Edward is away in PEI this week.

Yesterday, Debby and Rocky Hebb dropped by our house in Middleton. In preparation, I stopped at Bees Knees in Lawrencetown for some baked goods, i.e. muffins.

Afterwards, I stopped at the Lawrencetown Library to see if it was available. Caleb Miles, checked the catalogue, I could pick it up in Bridgetown.

Today, I stopped at the Bridgetown library before a meeting with Ed Symons at COGS.

On a whim, I again found myself at Bees Knees. The copy for sale was published in 2025. The Library copy was published in 2023. The subtitle for the poetry book is ‘Mother Nature talks; Mankind Balks’.

I stopped at COGS, and checked out new books at the Library.

Tim Marshall, 2021, The Power of Geography: Ten maps that reveal the future of the World, Scribner (see post The Power of Geography).

David Yarnold, 2024, The Geography of Hope: Real-life stories of Optimists; Mapping a Better World, Esri Press.

Acknowledgements

From my conversation with Ed Symons, I look forward to the results from his ongoing Community Mapping project (see Conference Proceedings CCA2018).

References

Joe Beninati, 2025, Shadows I’ve Seen: Mother Nature talks; Mankind Balks, Publisher Joe Beninati.

Jane Baskwill, 2025, Spyglass Secrets, InSync Books.

In response to my previous blog posts, via email, I received a variety of comments.

From Edward, I received a webinar series notice, “Building Community and Economic Resilience through re-localization”. From Rick, I received a second annual Annapolis Valley Irish Set Dancing festival note. From Jennifer, the role of CORAH. From John, the potential funding of CANMAP. From Anne, the title of her book ‘Commonplace’ –indeed, not common, but with a sense of ‘place’. From Heather Leblanc the work of MapAnnapolis. Ed has demonstrated his interest in Community Mapping. From, Andrew, in England, a reminder about my UK roots.

This leads me to the realization that Annapolis County is not ‘ a common place’. It has some unique qualities. Some of which reside within the NSCC Annapolis campus. It is fortuitous that many faculty and ex-faculty still reside in the region. It is also fortuitous that CORAH resides in Middleton, the Centre of Rural Aging and Health. Surely, it should be possible to combine the talents of these ex-faculty/administrators with skills in the geographic sciences, and with a true ‘sense of place’ to work together under the auspices of CORAH, to address the needs and unique qualities of this Geography and Geographic Region.

Ernest Buckler has shown the pathway forward. John Wightman has proven that we ‘CANMAP’. Myself, Edward Wedler and many faculty currently, and in the past, have dedicated themselves to the application of the geographic sciences.

Let’s formally, undertake a series of projects, under the context of CORAH and COGS in the County. This would exemplify both the ‘creative rural economy’ and provide a legacy for future generations.

What is needed?

The ‘buy in’ from the NSCC. The ‘buy-in’ from the provincial government, and especially from the MLA’s in the Annapolis Valley.

How about a grassroots doers’, dreamers’ and thinkers’ forum on “The Creative Annapolis Valley and Bay of Fundy”? (from Windsor to Digby)

Postscript

There is a GoGeomatics ‘Back to School’ panel on Friday, September 19th. from 3-4:30 pm at the AV room, COGS, and then social at the Capitol, in Middleton, starting at 5 pm.

Acknowledgements

Edward applied his artistic talents and ideas to this blog. Heather Stewart provided a sounding board.

This morning, Heather and I went to the Middleton campus of the NSCC.

The parking lot was full. Heather had read the Bridgetown Reader and observed that many of the events of interest required a drive in the car to Annapolis Royal, or thereabouts. My suggestion was that we visit CORAH at NSCC and see if some events were available online. She talked to Jennifer Wesman. Meanwhile, I had the opportunity to meet the new Principal, Jason Clark, and also catch up with Tim Webster, a colleague and Research Scientist at AGRG. Check out his contribution to “Mapping Our Future”.

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We returned with several handouts: HealthyNS, Positive Aging, Community Links. and Ageing Well Together. We also learned that Don Bureaux had announced that he was stepping down as President and CEO. He has accepted a new position — President and CEO of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.

After leaving the Middleton campus, I stopped at the office of David Bowlby, MLA for Annapolis County. My question would be, “How well is the NSCC meeting the needs of Annapolis County and its citizens?” A question for another day. In particular, “What role can COGS play in managing our landscape?“

At the age of 80, I am realizing the importance of the context of the work environment. This became obvious when I picked up Ralph Milton’s book ‘Well Aged’ from the Middleton library.

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Finally, one last realization, with the closure of the forests because of the fire ban, I have been somewhat restricted in the opportunities for good long walks (eg Kejimkujik National Park and Delaps Cove).

Part of the solution is a change in Geography. Take a holiday.

A second solution would be to jump on the bicycle or into the canoe.

Reference

Ralph Milton, 2021, Well Aged: Making the Most of Your Platinum Years. Douglas and McIntyre, A down-to-earth, inside look at finding happiness at 80+.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Edward for his additions.

This week I met with Andrew Wetmore, Moose House Publishing at Arch and Po in Annapolis Royal.

The topic of our conversation was whether I could transform my blog posts into a hard copy book. I have nine volumes.

In her case, a collection of columns from the Annapolis Valley Register.

After a weekend on the road (to New Glasgow), I have decided that, rather than re-write or look back on the last ten years, I should look forward. This avoids the question about translating from an electronic form (i.e. blog post) into a printed form (i.e. hard copy book). In any case, one can explore the Ernest Blair Experiment blog via keywords of interest posted to the spyglass search field. For example, the keywords “Haida Gwaii” list several posts (such as Lessons from Haida Gwaii Part 3, Exploring Haida Gwaii, and Random Thoughts).

As I reflect on the next period, I realize that our region is more than the Mountain and the Valley (Ernest Buckler). It extends to the Bay of Fundy. Likewise, resource development goes beyond Forestry and Agriculture. It also includes fisheries. We also have to go beyond viewing the landscape as a resource. We have to include questions of climate and the impact of forest fires.

If we focus on landscape and community, it begs the question, “Do we have an accurate description of our geography? Do we use modern technology to share this geography with citizens, industry and politicians?

We should rejoice in the fact that several decades ago, other writers, artists, educators and scientists recognized the true value of a ‘college of geographic sciences’. This has served us well, and can continue to do so, in these changing definitions of ‘community’ and ‘landscape management’.

Acknowledgements

Edward added graphics and links. This adds value to the text. Thank you !

Heather and I enjoyed a wonderful walk in the Annapolis Historic Gardens this morning. It could become a regular Sunday morning therapy.

On Friday, I had a zoom call with Greg Baeker. This proved to be a technology challenge for me. Eventually, we reverted to a telephone conversation.

Greg and I worked together to deliver a one-day workshop, Small Town Growth: a creative economy and mapping workshop in Annapolis Royal, 29th. April 2010 (see post Agalinis Neoscotia).

Here we are, fifteen years later.

What has happened since the workshop? I retired from the NSCC in 2011; Greg spent significant time in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) as Director, Cultural Planning and Development.

What has changed in those fifteen years?

Greg provided me with a video from the workshop, as well as links to several other videos. He is now back in Collingwood, Ontario.

A lot has happened in those fifteen years. For myself, except for short periods with Heather in various Canadian National Parks e.g Haida Gwaii, Iqaluit, Churchill, I have focussed my attention on writing blogs related to geography, place and rural Nova Scotia.

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Today (Saturday) we went to the Wolfville Farmers market to escape the smoke from the Long Lake fire. Afterwards, we stopped at Dickie Baxter’s Taproom and Bistro in Canning.

Fortuitously, we met Linda Best. Again, I asked the same question, “What has happened to the ‘creative rural economy over the last fifteen years?” Talking with Linda gave me some insight into the status of agriculture in the Valley from her perspective at Farm Works Investment Co-Op.

Talking to John Wightman, later, he voiced concern over the impact of COVID on rural communities. Next week, I hope to speak with Andrew Wetmore, Editor at Moose House Publications on the same question.

Part of the problem, I believe, relates to questions of jurisdiction — and Geography.

For me, Thursday is Register/Reader day.

This week, it was titled ‘The World is Changing’, with particular reference to the Long Lake fire (see post Short Stories). In a separate email, Anne forwarded a link to an email by Francis Campbell, published in the Register, August 28 ‘Nova Scotia government stops releasing glyphosate spraying details’.

‘ Looking out of the window of her Mount Hanley’ home on North Mountain in Annapolis County this week, Nina Newington said the goal of spraying glyphosate on a recovering clearcut is to kill hardwood trees to promote the growth of marketable softwood’.

‘The goal is to kill the most fire-resistant trees, leave the most fire-susceptible trees, the conifers, the softwood, the spruce and fir’, she said (see also, posts What is Truth?, A Green Future?, and SOOF Soup Sunday)

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Meanwhile, the Bridgetown Reader is full of community events.

From page 1, ‘Play Music on the Porch Day (Centrelea), Getting to know Upper Clements trails, Lawrencetown Baptist Church invites you to a quiet place’.

If the Annapolis County citizen wants to understand their landscape and the actions of both government and industry. There needs to be a closer relationship between these agencies and the technological/educational resources available at the Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS). I see some evidence of change (e.g. the quality of the Long Lake fire extent mapping).

More could be done by mapping the quality and extent of management practices that impact our landscape — forestry, agriculture, mining, access to infrastructure, and water quality. This would bring technology and geographic science to the day-to-day landscape management. At the same time, it would support the ‘creative rural economy’.

Let us learn the hard lesson.
‘Crying does not indicate that you are weak. Since birth, it has always been a sign that you are alive’.

Charlotte Bronte from Jane Eyre. quoted on page 1, The Bridgetown Reader, August 29, 2025

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Anne Crossman for providing access to electronic media.

Edward added the graphics and researched the links.

Reference

Francis Campbell, ‘Nova Scotia government stops glyphosate spraying details’, Published Chronicle Herald, August 28, 2025