Articles

Dr. Jeanette Auger Imagine that you have to move into a care facility after you have lived independently in your own home for many years. In your own home you are able to make your favourite meals, buy your own groceries, enjoy quite hours with a book, watch television, listen to music, and have meals and private conversation with friends. Should your health situation deteriorate dramatically, what is in store for you could be surprising. If you become in need of daily supervision by a nurse you will find yourself placed on a very long list of others waiting for…
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By Jennifer West Did you know that the Cornwallis River was a popular place for fishing, swimming (including Red Cross swimming lessons), canoeing, and collecting drinking water? The river was also abundant with Atlantic salmon, speckled trout and more. Sadly many of these activities and species are now missing from the Cornwallis River, but there is much work being done to bring them back. The Jijuktu’kwejk Watershed Alliance was established in 2016 with the goal of restoring the river to be swimmable and fishable again. The Mi’kmaq people have referred to the Cornwallis and Annapolis Rivers collectively as the Jijuktu’kwejk,…
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By Richard Stern Birding, the activity of watching, appreciating, listening to, identifying, making lists of, and just generally enjoying, birds, is an increasingly popular activity, well suited to the “new normal” as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s a hobby that can sustain you for a lifetime and help you build a deeper connection to the natural world. Birds are everywhere, and many people have commented that now, when there is less pollution from travel and more people are at home and enjoying the great outdoors, birds are more obvious than ever. There is a great birding tradition locally,…
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Submitted Teenagehood can be fraught, but not for a group of eighteen youth ages 13-18 who recently joined the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts for their summer-long youth leadership program, along with their leader. Many teens struggle with the balance of wanting and needing independence while not being quite ready to strike out on their own. Even without a global pandemic, anxiety levels for teens across North America are high, and this year there have been many disappointments. From missing graduations and opportunities for travel, to sport and productions cancelled, uncertainties abound. For eighteen young people from across Nova…
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Melanie PriesnitzConservation Horticulturist, Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens The natural world is a great place to make new discoveries and embark on explorations close to home. Even the very best naturalist will always find that there’s something new to be learned in the great outdoors. Nobody knows for sure how many species live on this planet. Several million plants and animals have been identified to date, and scientists estimate there to be upwards of 8 million species in total. It’s possible that more than 80% of the species that exist are yet to be discovered! So, if you hear anyone say…
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By Chris Dalton Most Valley dwellers have heard of it, and many have walked, run, or biked a section of the beautiful Harvest Moon Trail. This 110 kilometre section of the historic Dominion Atlantic Railway (DAR) winds its way along slow tidal rivers, lush orchards and farms, and quiet backyards of sleepy small towns. From Grand-Pré to Annapolis Royal, the trail boasts a unique perspective on usually hidden beauty. As a resident of Wolfville, I often use the sections of trail close to home. Friends have biked most of the trail in years past, before it was fully completed. After…
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By Laura Churchill Duke Our family has always been really big on day trips and exploring our own backyards! You can head out in almost any direction and find fun things to do for all ages. Here are our top three day trips from the Valley. More details about each of these locations can be found by searching the Valley Family Fun website (valleyfamilyfun.ca). Rawdon Hills to Shubenacadie: Drive through the Rawdon Hills. No matter what route you take, there are things to see! Along Route 215, along the shore, stop at Burntcoat to visit the lighthouse and walk along…
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