Are you string instrument-curious? The Grapevine attended the Acadia Regional Youth Orchestra’s Try an Instrument Day on April 20 in Grand-Pré. The ARYO program is designed for ages 10-24, with the exception of the Fiddle Group which is open to all ages. The Try an Instrument Day is a fun way for interested participants to interact with different kinds of string instruments. There were violins, violas, and cellos on display, and mini-workshops where participants learned how to hold the instruments and play a few notes. A string quartet performed in the beginning and end of the event so participants could…
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Leah Riehl, Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute BATS! Why bats? Because they need our help! Bats provide essential ecological services to humans, particularly the control of insect populations. This is important to anyone looking to get outside to enjoy summer nights! Bats begin to emerge from hibernation in the spring, and they emerge hungry and preparing to have their young, which are called pups. These small mammals can eat up to one thousand insects in a single hour, and up to their body weight in insects each night. Formerly a common sight on a Nova Scotia summer night, bat populations have…
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Submitted What: 100 km Non-competitive 2-day cycling ride through the Annapolis ValleyWhen: July 31 and August 1, 2021Where: Ride from Windsor to Scots Bay, camp in Scots Bay, and then ride Scots Bay to Port Williams. In partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada and Bicycle Nova Scotia, the first ever 100 km Great Annapolis Ride (GAR) 2021 is set to roll out July 31-August 1 as a welcome return to outdoor, social, and safe recreational activity. Hosted by event specialists Kohkos Events, the ride is intended to offer a fun, friendly, and challenging weekend to help shake off the mental and…
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Chelsey Stailing The early settlers from Europe introduced the sweet scent of apple blossoms to the Annapolis Valley as they brought new seeds, grains, fruits, and vegetables to the region. Here in the Annapolis Valley, we usually celebrate the arrival of the apple blossoms with a grand festival enjoyed by many across Nova Scotia. The very first Apple Blossom Festival parade was hosted in the town of Kentville in 1933. The first organizers of the festival intended for the event to recognize the natural environment of the Valley and the historic background of the apple growing industry. The intention was…
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Autism AcceptanceKelly Dorman, Grade 9, Horton High School As some of you may know, April was Autism Awareness Month. This has been a Canadian practise since 1993, and is marked across the country by fundraisers, campaigns, and advocacy. This is all well and good, but it’s been almost thirty years since this was created. It may be time to consider updating our approach. For the last several years, the autistic community has been pushing for less awareness, more acceptance. Awareness is still important—especially on autism in women, in marginalized groups, and in adults—but acceptance has become an ongoing battle. Autism…
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