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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.

We have been moving our household effects from Paradise to Middleton for a week. In between, we have made multiple trips to Valley Waste Resource Management in Lawrencetown. We have changed our mailing address from Lawrencetown to Middleton.

We have learned the importance of cell phones in the movement of household items between houses, and the need to keep in contact.

Perhaps the biggest lesson has been the changing of banks. This includes movement of pensions and interactions with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

After a week working closely with Heather and Andrew we realize that moving books, outdoor equipment, furniture etc at the same time as our financial affairs creates considerable strain. Besides rediscovering personal effects from twenty four years in the same place.

Initial reaction is confusion. Items are no longer in familiar places. New rooms contain a mixture of furniture. Some items will take a few weeks to be rediscovered.

We had our first visitors to the new house. Tim and Judy Easley came from Fredericton. We were able to remember good times working together at Sir Sandford Fleming College at the Frost campus in Lindsay. Plus enjoy lunch at the Green Elephant cafe in Kingston.

Today, we had some reaffirmation of our decision. In ten minutes, we could walk to the Middleton hospital for a blood work appointment. Stopping on the way home we checked our mail and purchased a few grocery items. My knees much appreciated the exercise.

Acknowledgements

I want to acknowledge the contribution of our son, Andrew. Besides the heavy lifting, he was able to bring next generation logic to a lifetime of collection and clutter.

We often slipped into emotional attachment to old technology and past interests. This includes records, CDs and IT equipment. He helped us identify our E-waste.

Until the house is sold, we can enjoy the luxury of two houses and reap the harvest from our fruit bushes e.g. blueberries, red currants and gooseberries plus this years planting of lettuce, broccoli, runner beans and tomatoes.

Finally, I can still enjoy the clandestine pleasure of the ‘ride-on’ lawn mower to cut the grass at the ‘old’ house.

Contact information

Bob Maher and Heather Stewart

46, Connaught Avenue, Middleton, Nova Scotia. B0S 1P0

Box 255

Home phone: 902-825-8175

Cell. Bob 902-825-7012. Heather 902-825-7406

While it is still fresh, I thought it might be useful to reflect on the move. Here is the context.

We have lived on rural route #201 for twenty four years.We have managed an orchard across the road on our son’s property. We have enjoyed maintaining a sizeable woodlot up to the Inglisville Road. We have noticed changes in the local demography. We have noticed a significant increase in traffic and speed on the highway. This has led to a couple of minor accidents.

Our children recognized, before us, that we need to reduce our workload. We also need to reduce time in a car driving for necessities.

Our priorities in selecting a new home.

1) must be in a community, with easy walking access to groceries, banking, health services.

2) must be accessible to the local landscape e.g. walking, bicycling, canoeing.

3) we selected a neighbourhood in Middleton with view/access to the Annapolis River/wetlands, woods and wildlife.

The move itself has three steps:

1) purchase new house;

2) move furniture/ possessions into new house;

3) sale of old house.

Access to both houses allowed us to pace the movement of goods and possessions.

Because the distance between houses was roughly ten kilometers we were able to declutter our personal possessions. Leaving the old house only with large furniture items. The moving company was able to move furniture in a half a day.

We were fortunate that Andrew was able to visit with his family for a week. This permitted a rigorous assessment of our possessions. After 24 years we had accumulated a significant book collection that expressed our life interests. With two houses, we could accommodate our family and ourselves.

What would you do differently ?

1) Timing. With hindsight, we might have made the move ten years ago (after retirement) .

2) Time will tell, if we are able to adapt to small community life. First impressions are positive.

3) From a health perspective, it is imperative to keep active. This relates to both mental and physical health.

It would be worthwhile to update this blog in twelve months. What expectations have we missed ? What were the surprises ?

Clearly, we won’t miss driving to town for services.

Have we engaged in new community-based activities ?

Do our family feel that it was the right decision ?

This week, we are living between two houses. Next week, we should be able to move the heavy furniture and sleep in Middleton. Today’s achievement was to arrange with Bell Aliant for the transfer of phone, TV and Internet service to the new house..

Between the moves, I have been reading three books. The first, I picked up at the Clarence Sunday market, is Inside, an anthology of writing collected during the COVID-19 pandemic on the theme of isolation from writers on the South Shore of Nova Scotia and beyond.

The second, recommended by Edward Wedler, Ronald Rubin Against the Tides. Reshaping landscape and community in Canada’s Maritime Marshlands. It arrived this week through Interlibrary loan.

The third, recommended by Peter, my brother. Edgelands: a Journey into England’s True Wilderness by Paul Farley and Michael Simmonds Roberts.

This morning, we celebrated Heather’s birthday: an early breakfast at the Green Elephant Cafe in Kingston. blueberry Waffle and an English breakfast. This was followed by more U-Haul boxes of collectables to the new house.

Postscript

Finished the Cryptoquote in today’s The Bridgetown Reader (July 12) ‘Life Goal’.

‘I had this problem work or starve so I thought I’d combine the two and decided to become a Writer,’ Robert Bloch.

References

Inside. Thoughts from a Pandemic. 2022. Nevermore Press with South Shore Public Libraries

Ronald Rubin. 2021. Against the Tides. Reshaping Landscape and Community in Canada’s Maritime Marshlands. UBC Press.

Paul Farley and Michael Simmons Roberts. 2012. Edgelands: Journey into England’s True Wilderness. Vintage Books.