Author: maherrv

Posted in Opinion

Tour de COGS

Posted on by maherrv

Thursday, I met with the new Principal, Gord MacKenzie, for the NSCC Annapolis Valley campus (Middleton and Lawrencetown). He follows on from Wayne St.Amour. At the same time, Monica Lloyd has replaced Michael Purcell as the Site Manager for the Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS).

My objective was to make sure Gord, who had responsibilities for Trades at the IT campus in the City, had an appreciation for the history behind both COGS and AGRG. Some of the background is available at the Story of COGS website, managed by Ted MacKinnon. A second objective was to discuss the need for a new relationship between the broader community and the college in post-COVID times.

In return, Gord gave me a tour of the new addition to the COGS building. It is a three story structure. On the ground floor, the two innovation spaces are labelled the Drone Makers Space Lab and the Industry Access Lab. The other two floors provide accommodation for a total of 40 beds: a double, three four-bedroom pods and six single bedrooms. Twenty bedrooms on each floor. The expectation is that the accommodation can be rented by industry partners engaged in technical education , through short courses.

Gord anticipates a formal opening of the Innovation Centre in September, or soon thereafter.

In my conversation, I stressed the importance of community involvement. This has several dimensions:

  • the academic community, including current and retired faculty living in the region
  • graduates of COGS since its renaming in 1986
  • the business community which uses similar or compatible technology
  • the local community, businesses and residents working in Annapolis County, and beyond

My vision, post- COVID, is of a much broader definition of community and, yet, at the same time, emphasizes both the technology, and the geography of rural Nova Scotia. This includes resource management in an ecologically sustainable manner of our forests, geology, agriculture, fisheries, within the changing global climate.

Certainly, I would be willing to assist in the identification and inclusion of these ‘communities of interest’ and ‘communities of place’.

We enjoy a remarkable landscape. We have the potential to redefine a much more inclusive culture.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Gord Mackenzie for the tour. Thanks to Wayne St.Amour for finding the funding for the new extension. Thanks to past faculty and researchers who believed in the technology. Current faculty support student projects, with both industry and the community. Edward added the graphics. He was instrumental in Ride the Lobster, and shared the Road to Georgetown.

References

The Story of COGS go to thestoryofcogs.ca

MapAnnapolis blog go to mapannapolis.ca

MapAnnapolis: a community of interest and place
Posted in biographical sketch

Stepping Back

Posted on by maherrv

Thich Nhat Hanh made the following observation (see previous blog).

”You want to find something, but you don’t know what to search for. In everyone there’s a continuous desire and expectation; deep inside, you still expect something better to happen. That’s why you check your email many times a day!”

Imagine my consternation on Sunday morning, when I discovered that our phone system was not working AND my iPad was frozen (locked). Fortunately, in these times when communication is so important, I was able to purchase a new telephone set in Bridgetown. Monday morning I went to Berwick to talk to Gekko Tech Services they were able to advise me on the procedure for a forced boot of my iPad.

Sunday, later in the day, we went over to Hampton Beach to enjoy the sound of the waves on the shingle shore. We travelled along the shore road to Hillsburn, before coming over the mountain to Annapolis Royal.

An added benefit from the drive to Berwick, I was able to walk-in for a COVID test at the Fire Hall. And now I can check my iPad for the results. Negative !

It is remarkable how dependent we are on these communication systems, particularly in times of strife and uncertainty. We look forward to Wednesday. Bell Aliant should install Fibre Op to our house.

Acknowledgements

Kyle at Bridgetown Computers and the technical staff at Gekko Tech Services for keeping computer services in the Valley. Heather and Siqsiq enjoyed the Bay of Fundy cool air. Edward provided technical support.

References

Check the Looking Forward blog post for the Brain Pickings reference.

Posted in Event Review

Looking Forward

Posted on by maherrv

There are signs of change; returning to a ‘new normal’. The Centre for Local Prosperity has announced a four part webinar series under the title ‘Climate-induced societal and ecological breakthrough in Atlantic Canada’. The details are available at their web site.

The four seminars cover these topics for Atlantic Canada.

June 16. Governing for Ecological Citizenship
June 30. Economic Growth at the Crossroads : a shift to a steady state regenerative economy
July 14. Empowering the Rights of Nature Revolution
July 28. An Ethic of Place: a Summary Dialogue

Given, Stephen McNeil has resigned his provincial seat. Given, the number of issues at the municipal level, it is critical that we understand the importance of an ethics of place in the region.

The mid-week Brain Pickings offers some additional ‘food for thought’ from Thich Nhat Hanh on mastering the art of ‘Interbeing’.

At the local level, Roger Mosher provided access to his music lists through Dropbox. Roger curated these lists for his Second Life community.

Walking Siqsiq along Highway 201 in Paradise, it is hard not to notice the blooms on the Horse Chestnut trees, and also to enjoy the scent from the Black Locust trees.

Acknowledgements

Bob Cervelli and Gregory Heming for their work at the Centre for Local Prosperity. Roger Mosher provided access to the music lists. Heather and Siqsiq share the walks in the region. Edward added the graphics,

References

Centre for Local Prosperity web site http://centreforlocalprosperity.ca/

Brain Pickings Mid-week Wednesday, June 9, 2021.

Posted in Uncategorized

Memories

Posted on by maherrv

On Saturday night in New Glasgow, we took the opportunity to watch Maine PBS. There were two notable shows.

Country Pop Legends (My Music)
7 pm

Best of the 60s: Ready, Steady, Go!
9 pm

In both cases, the music brought back a flood of memories. Ready Steady Go ! features the British music scene between 1963-67. A time when I went up to the University of Birmingham to study Geography. Watching Ready, Steady, Go I was impressed by the informality of the studio, the camera work, the audience, and the accessibility of the musicians.

Country Pop legends offered corresponding insight into the history of country music in the United States. Both programs showed the value of public broadcasting, and the engagement of citizens and communities. This is a different experience to the CBC in Canada.

After watching Maine PBS, I had the opportunity to begin reading Adventures in Memory by Hilde and Ylva Ostby. It is subtitled ‘ The Science and Secrets of Remembering and Forgetting’. Music offers a rich context for the memory. Heather is working her way through this book.

On Sunday, heading back down the Valley, we stopped at River John to see the Berkshire piglets being raised by Sandy (Heather’s sister) and Don. Afterwards, we cut down through the hardwood forests of Colchester County – Sheree Fitch/ Read by the Sea country. Also Mable Murple’s Book Shoppe and Dreamery. We also stopped at the Lismore Sheep Farm and the Earltown General Store. All reminders of the beauty and uniqueness of the Sunrise Trail region. From Truro, we followed our traditional route through the Rawdon Hills to Windsor, and then Highway 101 home.

Acknowledgements

John Stewart provided access to Maine PBS on Cable TV. Heather shared her latest reading. Edward checked out the video links.

References

Hilde Ostby and Ylva Ostby, 2918, Adventures in Memory: The Science and Secrets of Remembering and Forgetting, Greystone Press.

Country Pop Legends (My Music), Maine PBS, Saturday June 5, 2021, 7 pm.

Best of the 60s: Ready, Steady, Go!, Maine PBS, Saturday, June 5, 2021, 9 pm.

Posted in biographical sketch

Spring Wildflowers

Posted on by maherrv

Last Tuesday, we took the First Lake loop trail. It is a forty five minute walk with Siqsiq. And yes, we did go anticlockwise. The only other visitors, at that time in the afternoon, were two fly-fishermen.

The main surprise was the number of Spring flowers in the woods : star flower, Clintonia, Ladyslipper orchids, Trillium, Mayflower.

After the walk, I pulled off the bookshelf Roland and Olson, Spring Wildflowers. Albert Roland taught Biology for many years at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) in Truro. After that, he was Professor Emeritus of Biology. He is best known as the author of the Flora of Nova Scotia. Randall Olson teaches Botany and is Curator of AE Roland Herbarium at the NSAC, Now Dalhousie University, Agricultural campus.

This week, I returned Blue Sky Kingdom to the library. But then added Watling Street, recommended by Peter Maher (see blog post here), and The Master recommended by Sandra Barry.

It is increasingly difficult to be a task-oriented person living in ‘task-timeless’ world. My solution is to pick a few discrete ‘low-hanging’ tasks, and then free format the rest of the day. Even reading a long book is a challenge.

Today, with restrictions lifted, the task was to drive through the Rawdon Hills to New Glasgow, for a weekend away. Last night, I cooked Rhubarb and Strawberry Cobbler from Bonnie Stern, Simply HeartSmart cookbook, p.271.

Congratulations to AIRO on its five year aniversary

Acknowledgements

Heather and Siqsiq shared the travels. Edward added the graphics and links.

References

Bonnie Stern, 1994, Simply HeartSmart, Random House.

AE Roland and AR Olson, 1993, Spring Wildflowers, The Nova Scotia Museum Field Guide Series.

AE Roland and EC Smith, 1983 (reprint), Flora of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Museum.

John Higgs, 2017, Watling Street, Weidenfeld and Nicholson

Colm Toibin, 2004, The Master, Picador.

Posted in biographical sketch

Walking Paths

Posted on by maherrv

We have two dog walks in the Annapolis Royal area. The First Lake loop trail, which you start near the parking lot on Highway #101. The signage encourages dog walkers to go anti-clockwise around the lake. To reduce encounters.

The second loop trail is around the French Basin. It has excellent signage on wildlife and bird life. No instructions for dog walkers.

Friday, we walked the French Basin loop clockwise. The consequence was that we met everyone coming the other way. The advantage of being contrary.

” Hi, Wayne, how are you keeping?”

”Good to see you, Bob.”

The experience gave us a sense of community. Hale, well met. Would be good to live in Annapolis Royal; to be able to to enjoy these walks on a regular basis? There is nothing equivalent in Middleton, or Bridgetown (perhaps Valley View Park).

The direction (followed or not) can offer a metaphor for life. If we all go in the same direction, we likely will not meet. If we go in a contrary direction, then that increases the likelihood of encounters. To my mind, perversely, that seems positive.

Sandra Barry sent me a link to a discussion between Mark Lilla and Colm Toibin on Thomas Mann’s classic book, Reflections of a Nonpolitical Man.

This one hour YouTube video reminded me of the role of writers in our society. Sandra also noted that Elisabeth Mann Borgese was the daughter of Thomas Mann and an important part of the founding of the International Ocean Institute (IOI) at Dalhousie University. A quick Google reminded me of earlier times with Mike Butler, Dirk Werle and Tony Charles (SMU).

From Peter, there is a recommendation to read Watling Street by John Higgs. Watling Street runs from Dover northwest across England to Anglesey. It follows the old Roman Road. I have requested the book through the Lawrencetown library

This morning (Sunday) started the day by walking to the top of the mountain, on the West Inglisville Road. Felt good. It has been a while. Too long.

Postscript

From Brain Pickings, May 30,2021 Thoreau quotation:

”If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. “

Acknowledgements

Sandra Barry for reminding me of the role of writers in our society. Also the memories of the International Oceans Institute. Peter Maher for the links to the UK landscape. Heather and Siqsiq shared the dog walks. Edward added his two cents.

References

Mark Lilla and Colm Toibin YouTube discussion of Thomas Mann’s Reflections of a Nonpolitical Man.

John Higgs, 2017, Watling Street: Travels through Britain and its ever-present past, Weidenfeld and Nicholson.

Posted in Uncategorized

Tick Talk

Posted on by maherrv

This week has been consumed by tick management. We made a call to the Greenwood Animal Hospital and arranged for an appointment for Siqsiq. The result was a monthly pill. Next step was the human species.

After a couple of days, dealing with the telephone network, we decided to ‘bite the bullet’ and went to Emergency at the Middleton Hospital. We left four hours later, with prescriptions for a single dose antibiotic.

Meanwhile on CBC Maritime Noon, there was the seasonal discussion of ticks and Lyme’s disease. Evidence suggests that the mild Winters in Nova Scotia are leading to an increase in the tick population.

It is interesting that it is easier to obtain treatment for our pets than ourselves. Although I recognize that pet health can be critically important to human health.

LINK to NOW Lunenburg County Big Ideas

From NOW Lunenburg County, I see they are looking for BIG IDEAS. My proposal, whether it be Lunenburg, Annapolis or Great Village, focus on the rural landscape and its value to artists, scientists and those who wish to have a close relationship to the landscape. Examples abound.

Great Village: look at the work of the Elizabeth Bishop Society. For Annapolis County, we have Ernest Buckler and a number of other artists. In an earlier blog, I cited the example of the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden UK. This week, in the latest Guardian Weekly I was reading about David Hockney and his new exhibit in London ‘Spring in Normandy’ (PDF).

LINK to BOFEP

On the Science side, I received the latest newsletter from BOFEB (PDF). From a landscape perspective, our marine environment is often woefully under-represented. Conversely, imagine if we had an ‘environmental partnership’ for the landward side of the Bay of Fundy?

Postscript

LINK to The reason wild forests beat plantations

From Frank Fox, BBC News reference to ‘The reason wild forests beat plantations’.

Acknowledgements

Dr. Opthof Emergency Doctor, Middleton. Heather and Siqsiq for their help in battle of the ticks. Edward added the graphics and links. Much appreciated.

References

Lunenburg County NOW. Big Ideas competition.

BOFEP May 2021 newsletter (PDF).

The Guardian Weekly, May 21, 2021, Interview with David Hockney: A Man for All Seasons. p51-54 (PDF) David Hockney: The Arrival of Spring, Normandy, 2020 is at the Royal Academy, London.

Posted in biographical sketch

Food for Thought

Posted on by maherrv

This weekend, I harvested a first crop of rhubarb.

This took me to the bookshelf and ‘Out of Old Nova Scotia Kitchens’ page 131, Rhubarb Cobbler and Apple Crisp or Levi’s Pie. Apple Crisp is my ‘go to’ crumble recipe. This time, I replaced Apple with Rhubarb. Two desserts.

Another harvestable crop is kale. Our six plants overwintered into perennials. This allows me to supplement my Shepherd’s Pie recipe.

If we get some rain, on a long weekend, there should be time to plant out brussel sprouts, tomatoes, peas, potatoes and a number of other seeds.

May 22nd is a significant date in our family calendar: my daughter Laurel’s birthday and now a virtual wedding shower for Daisy. These two happenings bring together some of the flower power in the extended family: Heather, Laurel, Daisy, Poppy, Isla Rose.

Besides harvesting, planting, cooking and eating on a dull long weekend, I have been thinking about the health services at this end of Annapolis County. Even accepting the limitations due to COVID, the level of health service for families without a family doctor is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.

In normal circumstances, the best solution would be to move elsewhere. Heather and I have good memories of the quality of the health services in other locations: Haida Gwaii (BC), Churchill (Manitoba) and Iqaluit (Nunavut). All remote parts of Canada. What is the basis of the health service problem in Nova Scotia? Is it cultural? Is it urban vs rural?

It will be a sad day, if we have to move (yet again) because of the lack of health services in rural Nova Scotia.

Postscript

For more background statistics, see Paul Schneidereitv Family doctor shortage skyrockets over past year, Saltwire, Saturday May 22, 2021.

Check out Trish Fry, Bloom Report for Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens, May 22, 2021. In particular, the section on heritage apple varieties.

Acknowledgements

References

Edward: you may want to add a couple of recipe links. Heather shares the planting, harvesting, cooking and eating.

Marie Nightingale, 1972, Out of Old Nova Scotia Kitchens, Charles Scribner’s.

Jenny Osburn, 2017, The Kitchen Party Cookbook, Gaspereau Press. Also The Union Street Cafe Cookbook.

From Joel Plaskett: “Nova Scotia is a great place to live and eat. This book is the proof in the pudding !”

Posted in Book Review

Simplify

Posted on by maherrv

From the Introduction by Joseph Wood Krutch to Thoreau: Walden and other writings.

“The lessons he had taught himself, and which he tried to teach others, was summed up in the one word ‘Simplify’. That meant simplify the outward circumstances of your life, simplify your needs and ambitions; learn to delight in the simple pleasures which the world of Nature affords. It meant also, scorn public opinion, refuse to accept the common definitions of success, refuse to be moved by the judgement of others.” p.1.

Directly from Thoreau:

”Men have an indistinct notion that if they keep up this activity of joint stocks and spades long enough all will at length ride somewhere, in next to no time, and for nothing; but though a crowd rushes to the depot, and the conductor shouts “All aboard!” When the smoke has blown away and the vapor condensed, it will be perceived that a few are riding, but the rest are run over – and it will be called, and will be, ‘a melancholy accident ‘.” p.2.

Next to our bed, Heather has hung on the wall a needlework sampler. Yes, it read ‘Simplify’.

In these COVID times, it is sometimes difficult to accept the government imposed simplification. From my previous blog post, Rocky Hebb noted that The Inside Story bookstore in Greenwood is outside of the municipality. He further raised the question, whether a book is an ‘essential good’?

The best antidote seems to be working in the garden or getting the orchard in good shape. Or walking down through the property to the Annapolis River. Or bicycling along the Middle Road to Middleton.

Heather LeBlanc responded to my previous blog post with an update on The Mapannapolis Project.

LINK to Mapannapolis.ca

They have announced Mapannapolis 2.0. It started in 2011. Ten years ago. We look forward to the next ten years of progress. It would be wonderful if this initiative became part of a formal relationship between COGS and the community.

With the sale of Andrew’s farm, we have a new audience for background information on Annapolis County. We look forward to welcoming Sinead, Robert and family (some time later in 2021).

Acknowledgements

Thanks to everyone for their blog feedback. In particular, Rocky Hebb, Heather LeBlanc and Sinead Wills. Heather shares the pleasures of garden and orchard. Edward shares his graphics talent.

References

Joseph Wood Krutch, 1962, Thoreau’s Walden and other writings, Bantam Books.

Mapannapolis Project

Postscript

It appears that Annapolis County along with adjacent municipal units has resolved the Valley Waste Disposal issue. Hopefully, this is the sign of better collaboration, as we go forward.

Posted in biographical sketch

Taxes and Ticks

Posted on by maherrv

‘Tis the Season.
With the warm Winter, we seem to have a lot of ticks this year.

While I celebrated the first mowing of the orchard – removing the crop of dandelions and cuckoo flower. The ticks celebrated the arrival of a warm-blooded visitor.

Despite the pandemic, taxes still have to be paid to the government. They know where we live, after we completed Census 2021.

For Mother’s Day, Heather wanted to read Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard. On Friday, I had a call from the Inside Story about the procedure for pick up in these COVID times.

In response to my ruminations on ‘thinking rural’, Jane Nicholson suggested the need for leadership and a plan. I reminded myself that AIRO includes the term ‘rural opportunities’.

Revisiting their web site and watching the video, I was impressed by the leadership shown by both Jane and Adele. Not wishing to start a business, I need to think hard on the best way to make a contribution to the region. Perhaps it’s simple, just keep writing a blog in these turbulent times.

Heather has just finished, The Book that Changed America, Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species.

We discussed the life of Emerson, Whitman and Thoreau. Going to the bookcase, I pulled out a weathered copy of Thoreau: Walden and other writings, with an Introduction by Joseph Wood Krutch. Inside the front cover, R.V.Maher Anchorage, Alaska. August 1971.

I remember after a long field season in the Canadian Rockies, studying alpine vegetation. Rather than heading home to the University of Western Ontario (London), we took a side trip up the Alaska Highway. Fifty Years ago !

LINK to The Milepost

Acknowledgements

Heather shares the battle with both the ticks and the taxes. Jane for her insightful response to my blog. Edward for the links and graphics.

References

Annapolis Investments in Rural Opportunities (AIRO). Check out the video.

Randall Fuller, 2017, The Book that Changed America: How Darwin’s Theory of Evolution Ignited a Nation, Viking Publishing.

Thoreau: Walden and Other Writings, 1963, Bantam Classic.

Suzanne Simard, 2021, Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest, Penguin Random House.