Story and photos by Jim Brown
It turned out to be double the fun for local residents and visitors this weekend in Stanley Bridge under sunny, cloudless skies. The River Days Festival ran Friday to Sunday and the 50th anniversary bash of the New London Fire Company was held Saturday, drawing large crowds of children, their parents and friends and family members of volunteer firefighters, past and present. It was a weekend that will not soon be forgotten.
At the Stanley Bridge Centre Saturday youngsters learned how to paint sunflowers in an outdoor tent setting, while the bridge at the Stanley Bridge wharf was a magnet for daredevils of all ages, bravely diving dozens of feet into the water.
Monthly Archives: August 2018
New London Fire Company holds memorial service
The 50th anniversary of the New London Fire Company was celebrated Saturday, Aug 25 and a big part of the day’s impressive slate of events was a memorial service honoring members who had passed away during the fire company’s five decades in the community. The memorial service included a bell ceremony, the laying of evergreen, the Fireman’s Prayer read by Bill Pidgeon, the roll call of honor led by New London Fire Chief Allen Cole, and remarks from PEI Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Perry, Malpeque Liberal MP Wayne Easter, and provincial MLAs Matthew MacKay and Brad Trivers. Juliana Elsinga sang the national anthem.
Story and photos by Jim Brown
Sheila MacMurdo and her daughter Caedyn were two of the attendees at the Aug 25 memorial service, who have several friends in the New London Fire Company.
SBC launching major fundraiser
The Stanley Bridge Memorial Society is launching an ambitious campaign to raise $100,000 for renovations to the Stanley Bridge Centre by 2020.
The Stanley Bridge Centre, a former United Church, was decommissioned in 2009. A lot has happened since the building became an iconic community landmark, including its successful transformation into a multi-purpose facility that has hosted many entertainment, history and cultural events over the past several years including the more recent Father Bolger history circle.
The campaign will help pay for much-needed renovations including a new kitchen, washroom and roof.
Parading the boats on River Days
Hundreds of people assembled at the Stanley Bridge wharf the evening of Aug 25 for what many consider one of the marquee events of the River Days Festival – the parade of boats. More than a dozen illuminated vessels passed under the bridge at the Stanley Bridge wharf and then glided back in the gathering darkness to loud cheers. Fireworks lit up the sky shortly after 9 pm.
River Days Festival opens Friday, Aug 24
Has it really been a year since the last River Days Festival?
The 16th annual Stanley Bridge/Trout River event is bigger and better than ever. It kicks off Friday, Aug 24 with the festival’s official opening at the New London Community Complex at 6 pm, featuring lots of mussels and other tasty fare as well as toe-tapping entertainment. River Days concludes on Sunday, Aug 26, but before then dozens of fun events and activities are on tap for everyone in the family, including the must-see bridge jumping competition.
River Days opens Friday, Aug 24
From left, Trudy MacLeod, representing the Trout River Environmental Committee, Rustico-Emerald MLA Brad Trivers and Malpeque Liberal MP Wayne Easter were on hand to officially open the 16th Annual River Days Festival, Aug 24-26, at the New London Community Complex. Phyllis Carr, on behalf of River Days, presided over the opening. The event also featured mussels and a cake celebrating the 50th anniversary of the New London Rural Community Fire Company.
Photos by Jim Brown
New London Rural Community Fire Company marking 50th anniversary Saturday, Aug 25 at fire hall
Story and photos by Jim Brown
Would you believe several firefighters, who were around when the New London Rural Community Fire Company began service 50 years ago (incorporated in 1968), are still on the roster? They are Dale Parsons, Peter Elsinga, Douglas Cole and Joe Reid.
Fire chief Allen Cole and the entire New London Rural Community Fire Company will be welcoming area residents to the fire department’s 50th anniversary celebrations on Saturday, Aug 25 at the New London Fire Hall
At the other end of the age spectrum is a 17-year-old junior firefighter.
They and the rest of the 38 person fire company will be celebrating the department’s 50th anniversary on Saturday, Aug 25. Everyone is invited to the bash at the New London Fire Hall, running from 9 am to 6 pm.
Among the guests are Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Perry, Malpeque Liberal MP Wayne Easter and Rustico-Emerald MLA Brad Trivers, with other local and provincial dignitaries expected as well.
A memorial service will be held for New London firefighters who have passed on.
There have been many exciting changes over the past five decades including a new fire hall, built in 2009 with impressive community support at a cost of approximately $750,000. The department has also seen an increase in fire trucks from two to the current six.
There will be a free breakfast, free bouncy castles for the kids, fire hats and T-shirts to give away, and of course, all the department’s entire collection of emergency vehicles will be on display to impress kids of all ages. Many family-friendly activities are slated for the day.
The celebration concludes with fireworks in the evening.
MacCaull and friends light up the stage
Acclaimed Island musicians Roy MacCaull, Marcella Richard and Larry Campbell took to the Stanley Bridge Centre stage on Aug 19 to deliver another rousing performance. Mixing popular original tunes with country, gospel and folk favorites and a salty splash of homespun humor, the talented trio provided a memorable evening’s worth of entertainment. Don’t worry fans, you will see them (and Roy’s magic mandolin) at the SBC many more times!
Photos by Jim Brown
Kitchen scorched in South Rustico restaurant fire
Firefighters rushed to South Rustico early Saturday morning after a kitchen caught fire at the The Olde Forge Country Kitchen. There were no injuries.
New Glasgow firechief Jason Peters said there was extensive damage inside the building from smoke and fire. The exterior looked unaffected.
Firefighters got the call at 6 am and investigators are “leaning” towards one of the kitchen appliances as the cause, he said.
Mutual aid support was activated and firefighters from New Glasgow, New London and North Rustico fire services answered the call.
Northern Star newspaper has folded
A trusted friend to many in the central North Shore has folded after 23 years. The Northern Star newspaper, published monthly, hit the newsstands for the last time on Aug. 1. It was launched in October, 1996. Publisher Paul Blacquiere described the Northern Star as “the original Facebook” for many of its readers.
Jim Brown photo