Local Flavour - Think Global, Eat Local - Phil Ellwood

A Taste of Hampshire

In this edition, we are off to the New Forest in Hampshire, England, an area inhabited by Southern Fairies (a derogatory term used by Northern Monkeys to describe those that live in the South, due to their inability to drink anymore than 2 units of alcohol in one session).

I found an interesting test that will determine whether you are a Southern Fairy or a Northern Monkey.

http://www.thehob.co.uk/northerner.asp

The recipe is for Rabbit Stew With English New Forest Cider

Created as a royal forest by Norman king, William 1 in 1079, the New Forest was originally preserved for the king's hunting. Called "new" because the local Saxon inhabitants were evicted and had their houses destroyed. Now, a national park, wild horses roam free.

First step was to find a rabbit. I got one at Oulton's, near Windsor. Unlike these rabbits on display at the butcher's in England, Outon's rabbits are skinned and ready to joint.

The ingredients:

Cider for cooking and cider for drinking. I cooked with the Stutz cider from Grand Pre Winery. It is 4.3% alcohol, while the larger bottle, Tideview Cider, also from the Annapolis Valley is 8.6% and very efficient at transporting the drinker into ciderspace with just a few glasses. The ugly thing that looks like a skinned cat is the rabbit.

Official list of ingredients from Channel 4 website:

2 tbsp olive oil
300 g streaky bacon, chopped
1 wild rabbit, skinned and jointed
12 baby carrots
8 shallots, peeled and whole
8 garlic cloves crushed
2 tbsp honey
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
400 ml cider
Salt and fresh ground pepper

The leeks are to serve as a side vegetable.

If you have never jointed a rabbit, you will find this video helpful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8OO2vAwzQY&feature=related

A jointed rabbit looks like this:

Technique:

1. Heat a heavy frying pan, add the olive oil and saute the bacon until golden. Transfer the bacon to a casserole dish. Drain the majority of the fat.

2. Add the rabbit joints to the pan and saute until golden, and then add to the casserole dish.

3. Add the carrots, shallots, garlic and honey to the pan and cook until caramelized. Transfer the mixture to the casserole dish and season with salt and pepper. Add the thyme and bay leaf and cover with cider.

4. Cook at 350F for two hours. I started of with a cover on and then removed it half way to reduce the liquids.

The finished product, served with a glass of Tideview Cider.


More horses near Brockenhurst, Hampshire in the New Forest:


I will be back in 2 weeks with a truly local dish, Nova Scotian wild venison. Till then, cheers...

chesterfoodie@gmail.com

STILL NEED A FLU SHOT ?

(CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE)


Nov.27'th,Lunenburg County-----------------In case you missed the Flu Clinic in Chester this week,you can travel to these other clinics to get vaccinated. It will return to Chester on Dec. 4'th if you want to wait.

WELLS SLAMS KEDDY FOR INSENSITIVE REMARKS

Art imitating life. Derek Wells holds up Bruce MacKinnon's cartoon in response to South Shore-St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy's latest gaffe.

Riding President,Dr. Bill Smith (L) and Liberal candidate Derek Wells pose after the meeting.

Nov.26'th,Bridgewater--------------(PRESS RELEASE) At the South Shore-St.Margaret's AGM,Liberal candidate Derek Wells slammed his Conservative counterpart Gerald Keddy for his infamous "no good bastards" remark. Mr. Wells was the guest speaker and he used the occasion to respond to Mr.Keddy's recent comments.
"I would suggest to you that our current MP,Mr. Keddy, has shown his true colours with his "no good bastards" remark. He is a member of the Harper Conservatives who continue to demonstrate their contempt for the unemployed and homeless",Mr. Wells stated.
"It is astounding to me that Mr. Keddy believes that if you are unemployed,homeless or just down on your luck,that you deserve criticism and not help," Mr. Wells continued.

Mr. Wells suggested that Mr. Keddy's true sentiments came out in his initial remarks and not in his subsequent apology. "Mr. Keddy has become a national embarrassment. He is viewed across the country as the poster boy for misguided stimulus spending after getting caught red-handed with his fake cheques. Now he has embarrassed himself as someone who uses vulgar language to attack the unemployed.
Mr. Wells continued his remarks by making a firm distinction between the views of the Liberal Party and those of ther Conservatives. "When we see these statements comming from the Conservative MP,we truly understand the difference between the various political parties," Mr. Wells stated.
"As Liberals,we believe in respect for each other,respect for our differences,helping out when another is in need and reaching out with understanding and compassion. These beliefs are not shared by Mr.Keddy,or by The Prime Minister,or by the Conservative Party.

At the meeting,past candidate,Dr. Bill Smith was selected as the riding President. He pledged to work hard to ensure Mr. Wells is elected in the next Federal election.
For more information contact Derek M. Wells
at 902-275-3544.

LET'S GET READY FOR LOBSTER SEASON

Local lobster fisherman Brad Heisler is heaving lobster traps aboard his boat "Home By The Sea" as he gets ready for the season.

Brad takes a break from the heavy lifting to chat. Note the mix of traditional wooden traps and the newer metal ones.

And he's back at it,loading the hold with traps.


Nov.26'th,Chester Basin------------------In communities all along the South Shore of Nova Scotia,an industry has been slowly coming to life. For the past week or two, fishermen have been getting ready for the annual lobster fishery. The few fishermen we spoke with are optimistic this year but it is hard to judge what the prices will be for their catch. So far the weather looks great for the start of the season with mild temperatures in the long range forecast.
And if you need a feed,try to buy right from a local fisherman. Lobsters really do taste better that way. So we are told.

THE FLU LINE

Major vehicle traffic explains the long line up from the street and on into Tuck Hall as folks came out to get their flu shots at Saint Stephen's Parish Centre on Regent St.


Nov.25'th,Chester-----------------------While it may not be very wintery yet,it certainly feels like perfect weather for the flu to circulate and attack. Whether out of genuine concern for their health and well-being or due to all the media coverage on the H1N1,a lot of people came out to take advantage of a local flu vaccination clinic in the Village.
Many folks have already gone to their Doctor to get the needle.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LITTLE LIKE CHRISTMAS

Staff of Elaine Collicutt and Sons install one of the 70 Christmas wreaths around the Village to decorate for the festive season.


Nov.26'th,Chester------------------The Village of Chester has put up wreaths to decorate the Village for Christmas. Part of this tradition can be attributed to V.O.C.T.A.D.A. as they initiated the hanging flower baskets that grace the Village during the Summer months. The wreaths seemed to have been a natural progression in beautifying the Village in Winter.
Even now,the Village has issued the tender for the baskets to be hung this coming Summer.

TOM HADDAL'S "THAT'S THE WAY" CD RELEASE PARTY

Local talent,world class. Come out and here songs and music from Tom's latest recording this Saturday evening live at The Chester Legion. (Corner of Duke and Union Streets,Chester)

STATSRAAD LEHMKUHL VISITS HALIFAX : A Photo-essay.

The world's largest three masted barque is tied up alongside Murphy's on the water in Halifax Harbour.

The builder's plaque.

The huge bowsprit.

The ship's bell.

The mizzenmast.

There is a lot of rope on a ship this size.

Meet the Statsraad Lehmkuhl's Captain, Jarle Flateboe. He has been with the ship since 2004.


The main mast showing the yards.

The ship's wheel is about 6 feet across.


The brightwork aboard The Statsraad is exquisite.

The aft steering station.

The view forward along the mizzen boom.

The view aft.

The port side looking forward.


The foremast.

A long, tallship.

Click here for more information IMO 5339248.

The large rudder steers the great ship.

Farewell Statsraad Lehmkuhl.

Nov.22,Halifax Harbour----------------------While this is not a Chester story,Chester is a sailing town and when the world's largest three masted barque stops for a visit this close to home, we had to go for a tour. The Statsraad Lehmkuhl was built in 1914 in Germany as a sail training ship and still fulfils that duty today through the Statsraad Lehmkuhl Foundation. The ship is based in Bergen,Norway and is contracted out for various expeditions and training programs.
Quite a few folks around the Village were commenting about the ship. Some went to see it while many could not. Many didn't realize she was open to the public.
For all of you who could not make it,we hope you enjoy the photos and the information we have provided.
Check out the ship's website here

CHESTER CLIPPERS ON chesterns.ca : LET'S GO OUT AND CHEER FOR THE HOME TEAM !

GO SEE THE CHESTER CLIPPERS ! More info at www.chesterclippers.ca

ROBINSON'S CORNER MVA

With a flash,the reflective striping provides an eerie image of an RCMP cruiser as it blocks traffic for emergency personnel to carry out their work safely.

Above and below,the wrecking truck from Chester Service Centre tows the heavily damaged vehicle out of the ditch. CVFD Firefighters assist. Note the top of the telephone pole suspended by the wires above.



The next morning a new pole stands on the site of the previous evening's mishap.


Nov. 21'st,Robinson's Corner------------------A lucky motorist escaped serious injury and possibly death after their car hit and snapped off a telephone pole at the western intersection of Haddon Hill Rd. and Highway #3. Moments after the crash,a witness saw one person scurry from under a large tree where the vehicle came to rest. They jumped into another vehicle and left the scene.
Members of the Chester Volunteer Fire Department responded with two trucks. RCMP had two officers in two cruisers on site for investigation and traffic control. EHS had 2 Paramedics in 1 ambulance standing by. Nova Scotia Power provided a fast response with one of their utility trucks.
Most personnel on site spent considerable time searching the area around the accident scene to be sure that there were no victims ogf the accident near the site.
Driving conditions were excellent at the time. The cause of the accident is unknown at this time.
Drive safe.

CHESTER ARTISTS AND CRAFTERS AT NOVA SCOTIA DESIGNER CRAFT COUNCIL CHRISTMAS CRAFT MARKET

Jacob Chaplin-Saunders wraps a purchase at the Artifacts In Clay booth.
Photo: K. Hucke

She sells seashells. The Artifacts booth is a beautiful display.
Photo: K.Hucke

Chester's famous Matlady beams from her booth.
Photo K.Hucke


Nov.20'th,Halifax--------------------------Well folks,Christmas is getting close. Don't let our great weather fool you. Buy local.
chesterns.ca's Man About Town and Under Cover Photographer,Ken Hucke went to Halifax to visit Pier 23 and take in this most excellent Christmas Market. There are quite a few Chester and area artists and craftspeople in the Market. Their creations and work are top quality. The only way you get to display here is by having your work juried by your peers and therefore worthy of being sold and displayed at the Market. Buy local.
chesterns.ca can vouch for that as we have used both The Matlady's and Artifacts creations. Buy local.
If you want a break from Chester but want to support local talent and industry then head for the "BIG" city this weekend and take in the Market at Pier 23, 961 Marginal Road in Halifax.
You will be able to get some amazing Christmas gifts for your friends.
And don't forget yourself. Buy local.

COUNTING AND LOCATING CHESTER'S MANHOLE COVERS

The Municipality's GIS Technologist Nick Zinck and Office Assistant Stephanie Joudrey take advantage of the sunny weather and warm temperatures to complete some field work.

Nov.19'th,Chester--------------------O.K. We had to stop and ask what was going on when we saw the clip board and space-age looking back pack these two were carrying along the Haddon Hill Rd. They are members of the Planning Department and they were out locating and mapping manhole covers. This may not seem like an important task but in an emergency or for routine maintenance, a fast and easy way to find them can save time and money.
For many years this information was stored in the heads of the maintenance staff but as some of them may soon retire,it is time to record the inventory. They will be marked and coded on a new map that Nick Zinck is working on. To ensure accuracy of locations,Stephanie is carrying a GPS device to record the precise location of each manhole.

THE GEESE OF MARTOCK GLEN

It's early morning and these geese are about to head for the pond for a morning swim at Martock Glen.



Nov.19'th,Martock------------------ While that globe trotting gastronomist,the Chester Foodie is off to Britain no doubt on an odyssey in epicurism,we at chesterns.ca thought we would check out one of his favorite suppliers.
We had to go to Windsor on some business so we thought we would stop in at Martock Glen Farms at W.G. Oulton & Sons on the way home. We were specifically after their apple wood smoked bacon as featured in Chester Foodie's last recipe. It is the best !
Their venison and wild boar smoked sausage is excellent as well. If you want an amazing selection of quality meats,this is the place. A real butcher shop where you can see your cuts being made and they ask, "How thick ?"
You can't get that kind of service at your supermarket or big box store.

BOSTON CHRISTMAS TREE CUT IN FOX POINT,NOVA SCOTIA

The banner tells the story on Oct. 3'rd.

The large white spruce in all it's glory on Oct. 3'rd.

The 50 foot tall white spruce is bundled up and ready ready to be felled.


Principal Miles Page of Aspotogan Consolidated Elementary School organizes his students to watch the event.

Sergeant Mark Furey of the RCMP Lunenburg Detachment does traffic duty so the kids can cross safely.

Global's Nicole Weisberg interviews Beryl Langley who at 97 years of age can still remember hearing the sound of the Halifax explosion in her home village of Seal Harbour,250 miles down the coast in Guysborough County.

Tree owners Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Shatford receive a commemorative certificate from the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, John MacDonell.

Chester-St. Margaret's MLA Denise Peterson-Rafuse delivers her remarks to the spectators as Constable Nick Baker looks on.

Municipality of Chester Warden Allen Webber greets the crowd.

Author and "Nova Scotia Know It All" Bruce Nunn reads from his book, Buddy The Bluenose Reindeer.

Chester's Town Crier,Gary Zwicker is interviewed by Progress Enterprise reporter Adam Jacobs.

Above: Const. Brian Swallow watches traffic from the west while his Sergeant, Paul Coughlan takes care of things to the east.



SeaLand Industries' boom truck hooks on to the tree.


NSCC Bridgewater campus Forestry instructor Andrew Ross makes the first cut.

Cookie cutter. A few sections (called cookies) are cut from the tree for souvenirs.

Deputy Warden Floyd Shatford holds a cookie as he stands on the stump of the tree that once graced his yard.

DOT Vehicle Compliance technician Cody Stevens supervises the loading of the great tree on a DOT flatbed truck.

Global TV's Nicole Weisberg wraps up the story.

Nov. 16'th,Fox Point--------------------In 1918,the city of Halifax sent a Christmas tree to the city of Boston as a gesture of thanks for the relief and supplies that the Boston Red Cross and the Massachusetts Public Safety Committee sent to Halifax immediately following the disaster of the Halifax Explosion. In 1971, the tradition was started again by the N.S. Christmas Tree Grower's Association and eventually taken over by the Provincial Government.

This year's tree was provided through the courtesy of Floyd and Elaine Shatford of Fox Point,Nova Scotia. The majestic 50 foot white spruce is about 55 years old and Department of Natural Resources employee Ross Pentz had his eye on the Shatford's tree as this year's prime candidate for the gift to Boston.
It was a warm and beautiful sunny day as about 200 students from nearby Aspotogan Consolidated Elementary School and over 100 adults gathered to witness the event. There were also a considerable number of politicians,police officers,Natural Resources and Tourism Nova Scotia staff and forestry students on hand to carry out the duties of the job.

From picking out the tree to finally loading it on the truck bound for Boston takes about 50 man hours of work. The tree is scheduled to arrive in Boston on Friday morning. Chester's Town Crier Gary Zwicker will be off to Boston for the festivities. Floyd and his wife also plan to head down to Boston for the December 3'rd lighting of the tree.

Merry Christmas and Thank-You,Boston.

CHESTER ART CENTRE ANTARCTIC CRUISE DRAW

Ship owner Martin Karlsen makes the draw as Chester Art Centre Chair Wayne Grigsby holds the basket.

Martin hands off the winning ticket.

Nov. 15'th,Chester-----------------------------Mike Ryan was the lucky winner of The Chester Art Centre's Antarctic cruise draw. The draw raised $5000.00 for the Centre. The winner will enjoy a voyage on Martin Karlsen's ship the MV Polar Star for 2 weeks from February 28'th to Mar. 18'th 2010.
The Chester Art Centre would like to thank all ticket purchasers and volunteers who helped make the event a success.

CHESTER REMEMBERS :NOVEMBER 11'th, 2009

Pride and patriotism. Three generations of the Hilchie family participate in Remembrance Day ceremonies in Chester. Left to right: Bill Hilchie,Bill's father George Hilchie (a WWII Veteran) and Bill's son Adam Hilchie (with two tours of Afghanistan and service in Bosnia under his belt).

The Parade forms up just before it leaves Branch No. 44.

Arriving at the Cenotaph.

Padre Jim McCorriston (L) and Rev. Dan Green wait for the service to begin.

The parade assembles before the cenotaph.

The rest of the marchers form up.

Rev. Dan Green gives the opening prayer.

A view of the crowd.

J.Massey Rhind's sculpture of the Nova Scotia Highland Soldier overlooks the ceremony.

Victoria Cross Mother Phyllis MacKenzie lays a wreath as George Hilchie looks on.

Chester-St. Margaret's MLA Denise Peterson-Rafuse lays a wreath for the Province of Nova Scotia.

Councilor Brad Armstrong pauses after laying a wreath for the Municipality of Chester.

An RCMP Officer salutes after laying a wreath.

Torleif Andersen lays a wreath on behalf of Camp Norway.

CVFD Chief Leo (Duke) Chafe lays a wreath for the fire department.

Floyd Thompson salutes smartly after laying a wreath for Bonny Lea Farm.

Federal Liberal candidate Derek Wells lays a wreath on behalf of his political party.

Chester Clippers team Captain Scott Hancock lays a wreath.

Private Eliza Elliott and Marty Martel salute after Eliza laid a wreath for The Chester Playhouse.

Padre Jim McCorriston gives the closing prayer.

The Colour Party makes the turn from South St. on to King St. on the march to St. Stephen's Church.


The Cadets follow.

Members of CVFD march along in their formal dress uniform.

Above and below: The Memorial Room at Branch No. 44. The photo below is especially touching as someone has taken the time to pin a poppy on each of the photos of Branch Presidents who have passed on.



A late afternoon view of the Cenotaph after the wreaths have been laid.

Nov.11'th,Chester------------------Whether it was the latest Royal visit or the Governor General donning full military garb during ceremonies at the National War Memorial,there seems to have been a lot more interest in Remembrance Day this year on a national level.

In Chester there has always been a keen awareness and participation in Remembrance Day ceremonies. From the Veterans to the currently serving Armed Forces personnel to the community groups and organizations and the general public; all come out to honour and remember those who fought in the past and those who continue to serve our country.
This year the weather was very co-operative for all participants. The pictures above tell the rest of the story. A very diverse group of individuals laying wreaths and pausing to reflect on the sacrifice all of our soldiers have made or are making in the name of freedom and defense of our great Country and the World.

The big story on this day in Chester was Adam Hilchie being home and able to march beside his grandfather George Hilchie as George's son and Adam's father Bill Hilchie watched from the parade route. The looks on the faces in the first photo above tell a story more than the written word could describe. It may be an old cliche but because of the efforts of men like George and Adam,folks like Bill and the rest of us can live and enjoy life as we know it today.

Local Flavour - Think Global, Eat Local - Phil Ellwood

Taste of Lincolnshire, cont'd:

Back to North Lincolnshire for the main course. I was recently in North Lincolnshire for a visit and stayed at Thornton Hunt Inn, in Thornton Curtis. Built in the 1700's it sits on a site visited by Henry VIII when he was in the area to sort out the Catholic Abbey located nearby.

The inn participates in a program called Taste of Lincolnshire, which promotes food and drink produced in Lincolnshire. The hearty menu inspired the dish which will be presented below. Of course, being prepared in Chester, local ingredients needed to be substituted. I looked hard for Lincolnshire Poacher's cheese, but amazingly, came up short.

The dish is called Gratin of Potatoes, Onions, Bacon, and Lincolshire Poacher. The ingredients:

1 kg. potatoes, peeled

1 pinch black pepper

0.5 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

3 large onions, peeled and finely sliced

200g bacon, cut into fine strips (I used apple wood smoke bacon from Oultons, outside Windsor, which I would highly recommend.)

1 tbsp vegetable oil

300g cheese (I substituted old Canadian cheddar)

200g sour cream

50g butter, softened

300ml dry white wine (I substituted dry cider for more flavour)

Method:

1. Cook the potatoes in salted water and set them aside to cool.

2. While the potatoes are cooking, sweat the onions with the bacon in the vegetable oil in a heavy pan for 10 minutes, turn up the heat and brown, stirring constantly. Drain and set aside.

3. Cut the potatoes into 1cm slices, season with salt, pepper and the nutmeg, set aside.

4. Mix the grated cheese with the sour cream and set aside.

5. Generously butter a gratin dish and fill with half the potatoes, then the bacon and onion, followed by the second half of the potatoes.

6. Pour over the cider and spread the cheese and cream on the top. Season with pepper and the nutmeg and bake at 400F for 15 - 20 minutes until golden.

The finished product, which was surprisingly good, given its simplicity. Goes well with a glass of dry cider or a flavourful ale.

That concludes a taste of Lincolnshire. I leave you with a bit of travel advice. If you ever plan on visiting the North Of England and want to converse with the locals, you should purchase a dictionary of the local language, like you would take a French - English dictionary to France, I recommend this publication:

Roger's Profanisaurus - The Magna Farta, containing 10,000 rude words and phrases commonly in use in Northern England:

A few of the less offensive terms contained in this cultural gem:

rovers return 1. n. Name of the fictional public house where every single resident of Coronation Street goes drinking three or four times a day. 2. n. The act of stepping on freshly-laid dog's egg on the way back from the pub, and dragging it home on the soul of your shoe.

pi*s kitten n. The completely redundant spare woman who follows her friend to the toilet, for no reason other than to increase the length of the queue.

pistorectomy n. medic. The act of vomiting up one's own internal organs whilst life-threateningly merry.

ciderspace n. A virtual multi-dimensional world, accessible to tramps.

I will be back in 2 weeks from the South of England, New Forest National Park in Hampshire.

Till then,

Cheers.

chesterfoodie@gmail.com

BUY YOUR TICKET,WIN A TRIP

Play the video to find out how you can win The Trip Of A Lifetime.

CHESTER CLIPPERS HOCKEY DEVELOPMENT WEEKEND

Rear: Kyle Hamm,Thomas Frellick,Jehad Assaff,Clippers Defensemen Scott Hancock and Keith Hancock,Clippers Forward Sean O'Neal and Bailey Countway.
Front: Chris Dodson,Dylan Milbery,Clippers Forward Justin Norris.

Practice.

Dylan Milbery heads for the net.

Bailey Countway skates past the chesterns.ca sponsor sign on the rink wall.


Nov. 7'th Chester---------------------The Chester Clippers helped run a shooting and passing clinic last Saturday in Chester as part of Hockey Nova Scotia 's Province-wide Hockey Development Weekend. There were four Junior Chester players out for the clinic and a player from Lunenburg also came out for the training session.
chesterns.ca brings you this Chester Clippers update as we enter into a strategic partnership with the Clippers to advertise and promote their games and activities on the ice and in the community.
Watch for them in the Remembrance Day Parade and Service for what is most likely a first for a Chester hockey team as they participate in the Act of Remembrance.

Local Flavour - Think Global, Eat Local - Phil Ellwood

Lincolnshire, Cont'd...

Back for the second post of the season. With work, and a community meeting, I cannot finish the next segment from Lincolshire tonight. So I give you a glimpse of a traditional food shop in Barton upon Humber, to finish the article tomorrow evening.

Back tomorrow with the local flavour of this gritty, Northern part of England.

Till then...

Cheers,

chesterfoodie@gmail.com

STANFIELD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SHUTS DOWN, STRANDING CHESTER TRAVELERS

The new +15 that connects the parkade to the main terminal is eerily vacant.

One look outside explains why.

A lone traveler makes his way along the main concourse of the terminal building.

The entrance road is covered in wet, slushy snow.

A plough truck begins to clear the way.

A jet waits on the tarmac as a snowplough clears the runway areas.

Team work. Two more ploughs clear the entrance area.

It is news when the first storm of the season shuts down the airport. Here,Global's Devin Stevens shoots some footage.

The view of the main terminal building as you leave the parkade.

Hey,what are you looking at ? It is an airport and if the big silver birds can hangout here,so can we ! These birds have been in the news lately as they have taken up residence in the main terminal building at Stanfield International Airport. chesterns.ca caught them on film before we left.



Nov.6'th,Stanfield International Airport---------------------------On a wet and stormy morning a few folks from Chester were heading to the airport to either leave the Province or pick up arriving friends. The drive was no worse than usual until you came to the Tantallon and Hammonds Plains area on the 103 Highway. Then the driving became extremely treacherous.
We pressed on cautiously and once on the outskirts of Halifax,your gut told you there would be flight delays. There were a few vehicles already off the highway along the way.

Arriving at Stanfield International, one look confirmed the worst. Flights were extremely delayed and many were being canceled. Plans and lives were changed in a matter of minutes. Most were only inconvenienced in minor ways. But a few folks missed milestone events in their lives such as graduation ceremonies or a relative's life-saving medical treatment. The seasoned travelers rolled with it for the most part. Being humbled by the misfortunes of the previously mentioned travelers made them realize they were actually quite fortunate. Flights were diverted so it was time to head home and await the latest updates and then head back to fly out later or pick up friends and relatives. The luckier ones got in that evening but some had to wait until the next day to head back to Halifax.

With all the technology and machinery at our fingertips,Mother Nature can still control our lives and destinies. This was by no means a major storm. Visibility may have been a valid concern for not landing aircraft or allowing them to take off. Winds were not terribly high. From travelers to former airport workers,the comments were not positive. The runways and roadways most likely could have been cleared sooner and faster. The power even went out briefly and the back-up generators did not cut in.
First storm jitters or organizational problems ?
At least it was not serious or long lasting.

A few tips to remember when traveling:

Check out the Stanfield International Airport wbsite in chesterns.ca's handy links section.

Be patient with staff and fellow travelers.

Make sure your cell phone is charged up and your minutes are topped up if you aren't on a plan.

Keep some light snack foods on hand in your carry on luggage.

Dress for geographical weather differences. i.e. Calgary was 20 Celsius the day before while Halifax was around 0 Celsius.

Have alternate pick-up or drop-off arrangements in place.

If traveling with pets or small children be prepared for their needs.

Be patient and maintain a sense of humour. You are all in the same boat (or plane).

THE TANTALLON SNOW BELT

Just over the hill before Exit 5 on Highway 103 you drive into a winter wonderland as you head east to Halifax.

A short distance down the hill, looking west towards the power station at the Head of St. Margaret's Bay on Highway 103. There is not much snow.

Nov.6'th,Tantallon----------------While Chester got rain during what was forecast as the first wintry storm of the season it was a much different story in Halifax and places inland from the coast. The photos above illustrate the the typical line where snow amounts fluctuate depending on the direction in which you happen to be traveling.

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

"Red sky at morning,sailor take warning." An ominous sunrise on Thursday morning is the precursor to a forecasted nor' easter storm that threatens part of the Province with the season's first snowfall.

Below: the Tancook ferry, William G. Ernst heads in to the port of Chester on it's first run of the day.

LEARN ABOUT LORDLY HOUSE

(Click on image to enlarge)

New discoveries about the old ways of the construction and use of Chester Municipal Heritage Society's Lordly House preservation project will be presented. All are invited.

PLEASANT ST. B & E

The Village Emporium is closed for the day.

The RCMP forensics identification truck.

The damage.

Above and below: Sgt. Patten's police work included dusting and checking for fingerprints.




Jewelry and broken glass litter the floor.

Nov.3'rd,Chester---------------------It was shock and disappointment that greeted one local shop owner as they arrived at their business to get ready for a local merchants group meeting. The Village Emporium had been burglarized in the wee hours of Tues. morning. Damage to the property and the theft of a cash register appear to have been the major loss. Some merchandise was also taken.
RCMP did get some clues and gathered some evidence at the seen. Hopefully it will be enough to solve the crime.
It is one thing to steal something but there is really no need for the senseless damage and vandalism that some criminals commit.

CVFD RESPOND TO COMMONS RD. MAPLE DR. OIL SPILL

RCMP Officers confer before proceeding to investigate and control traffic at the scene.

Chester firefighters lept into action to contain and soak up the spill.

Sweeping up.

Firefighter Everett Hiltz heads up the street to watch traffic.


The work on the road is almost finished.

Next,the driveway needs to be dealt with.

Wrapping up.

Nov.1'st,Chester--------------The Chester Volunteer Fire Department and Rcmp were called out to an oil spill at the corner of Maple Dr. and Commons Rd. Reports indicate that a 45 gallon drum had apparently upset off of a truck. The Fire Dept. dropped a considerable amount of peat moss and other absorbent material on the spill to soak it up. The oil was either diesel or furnace oil. A few bystanders commented that it was an unusual and suspicious incident. Freak accident or carelessness ? RCMP and the Department of Environment are investigating.
On Monday, Department of Transportation staff were out cleaning up the contaminated peat moss and other material laid down by the CVFD. As of that time,DOE had yet to investigate the incident.