Members of the Brookfield Mens Club gave thanks for the fellowship, a fine lunch, and lots of laughs at the October meeting. Clubman Gordon Burnett provided an entertaining contest for the Men, which highlighted Brookfield’s rich history of nicknames! The Nominating Committee was happy to announce that John Matheson will accept the role as President; he will take the Chair at the November meeting. That meeting will see the BMCers hosted by the Brookfield Fire and Emergency Services. BFE&S has long been grateful of the integral role the BMC played in the founding of their organization in 1946; and are more than happy to provide an informative program and a delicious lunch. That will all take place Monday, November 21 at the Fire Hall, beginning at 7:30 PM- everyone is welcome to attend.
Much thanks goes to Fire Service personnel for efficiently converting the interior of their station to a makeshift site for the Remembrance Day ceremony. While the service usually occurs outside at the Veterans’ Memorial regardless of weather- better to help today’s citizens realize the brutal conditions and privations the military had to serve under- the gale-plus winds and horizontal sheets of rain made that impossible. Fire trucks were removed from the bays and the crowds, displays, podium etc. moved inside where padres Larry Harrison and Eric MacKinnon led the service. SCA Music major domo Holly (Brown) Hartlen performed on the trumpet, the veterans and cadets lent gravitas, and many wreaths were presented, from organizations, and in memory of individuals. A speical tip of the hat to Club-Man Bob Lawrence, whose organizational skills are vital to the event, and to Daisy Hingley and her crew for providing a delicious lunch after the ceremony for large numbers at Knox Hall.
The Armistice Day torrents produced heavy flows in the Little River (Creamery Brook)- causing a log jam underneath the 289 bridge- will it be removed before freeze-up? The SCA Advisory Council has pushed for the river’s bank a few hundred metres upstream to be reinforced, as it has been breached with regularity- this storm obliterated what was left of the bank, causing a near complete wash-out; the result, lots of heavy gravel and rock being strewn across the Senior Soccer field. This field, home to a number of provincial soccer championship teams and track and field athletes, is endangered due to the inattention. Hopefully the School Board and Environment Department do not delay repairs any longer, and save this great school and community resource. The flotsam and jetsam has also cluttered the drainage ditch with so much junk as to make the pedestrian path to the field impassable. This will not be the last major weather event, so hopefully they will heed SAC’s call to restore the riverbank to protect the asset. P.S. Even as some of the bridges at the golf course across the Creamery Brook were threatened by the deluge, there is another recent span across the stream- do you know where? P.P.S. No answer to last month’s question re the correct name of the swollen “Meadow/Mill” Brook???
We are sorry to learn of the passing of Vernon Mailman, a retired employee of Brookfield Lumber, leaving wife Leonida; John Tanner of Stewiacke, a brother to George and Wayne. Marg Fisher’s mother, Mary Creelman of South Branch, passed away; as did Norma “Bim” King, who was the widow of former Lafarge plant manager Don King. In Hilden, Cye Steele passed away- Cye was always ready to lend a helping hand at any events in the early fundraising and building days of the Sportsplex- his fiddle was omnipresent at musical events for many, many years. Eric Stott died at 97 in Eastern Passage; he was, by some accounts, a virtuoso vocalist, who lived with Rev. Blanchard’s family in the manse during the late 40’s-early 50’s.
The Brookfield Elks have iced a competitive hockey club this year in the Nova Scotia Junior B league- their record is 6-5-1, and competitive games are the order of the day. Drop by the Sportsplex most every Tuesday night at 7:30 PM to cheer on the Elks. Chris Armsworthy, Patrick Stewart, and Jim Scullion, all former Jr. Elks standouts, accounted for nearly all the local team’s offence in an exhibition loss to a touring team led by NHL retirees Rick Middleton, Glenn Anderson, and Ron Duguay. On the other side of the wall the Brookfield Curling Club is being revitalized, and the membership is growing; its not top late to “get on the bus” for this great Canadian past-time. Call 673-2063 or just show up at the Curling Club on a weekday evening for more information. The Curling Club was also the scene for a large gathering of friends of Hilary Lynds, the ever-pleasant Brookfield native has recently been diagnosed with cancer and will soon begin treatments. The support, both moral and financial, from the benefit dance/ auction for the cheery 25 year old was wonderful; and Hilary has a very upbeat attitude as she faces this challenge- we wish her well and pray for good results. She wants to thank the Community for their support and generosity.
The South Colchester Academy Junior Girls Soccer team won the District championship, defeating Truro Junior High 2-1 in the final, and then went on to the Regional championships in Cumberland County, where they downed New Glasgow Junior High 3-2 to capture the Regional banner; there are no provincial playoffs for Junior High sports so this team went all the way! Congratulations go to Coaches Kyle Cormier and Kaleigh McDonald and to their excellent roster of players- Tayler Simms, Felicia Crouse, MacKenzie MacNea, Rachel Sears, Taylor Currie, Carli Fisher, Morgan Toole, Hayley Duykers, Olivia Wolter-Cook, Victoria Harrop, Erica Robertson, Karlee Burgess, Rebecca Rankine, Lisa Holman, Brooklyn Rutherford, Jessica MacLellan. The Athletes of the Month at SCA were Seniors Emma Stevens and Jonathan Crouse, members of the Cross-Country team; and Junior soccer players Erica Robertson and Riley Peck. We note that former SCA soccer standout Paula Serracin was a member of the Cape Breton University Capers soccer team that advanced to the semifinals of the Atlantic University Sport Conference- a fine showing for Paula and her teammates. Ryan Ellis continues to rein winners at Truro Raceway- despite far fewer starts than the leader, he is edging near the top of the list for most wins this season. Hearty congratulations to Heidi Cooke, who is being inducted into the Maritime Motor Sports Hall of Fame. Heidi has been several time Female Canadian Champion in Motocross; it is very rare that an active athlete is inducted into this Hall of Fame, but her credentials were so note-worthy, it had to happen- well done Heidi! At the Marigold Cultural Center in Truro there was a robust contingent of Brookfielders in attendance to see Judy Matheson welcomed into the Colchester Sports Hall of Fame for her outstanding athletic career, which has seen her win provincial championships in 5 different sports; likewise the Brookfield Athletic Association was inducted for its landmark role in developing sporting and recreation activity in this area for 75 years. Congratulations to Joanna Canning who graduated from Holland College’s Advanced Care Paramedic course.
Three young local couples made a trip to Florida- while there some took in the Buccaneers’ National Football League game against the New Orleans Saints- Jamie and Angie Reid, Travis and Faith Rogers, and Sean and Karen MacPhee were the visitors to the Tampa area. Also bound for the Sunshine State- Walt Disney World- were Charlie Weatherbee, with wife Kathy and son Camden, and Jonathan, Jodie, Jack, and Jewel Woolfitt. Paul Campbell visited son Mac and family in Ottawa, and Ryan Sutherland and family have returned to Alberta for the winter months. The Cooke sisters (Lexie Stewart and Gwen Campbell) went to Puerto Rico and from there embarked on a cruise around the Caribbean. Gail and Darryl Wright traveled to the golf Mecca that is Myrtle Beach- interesting venue- they don’t golf!
Former Elks hockey star Gerry MacWha was hospitalized; he seems his old self again! The St. Louis Cardinals, much to the delight of Spud, Terry, and Bob Campbell, completed their “Lazarus- like” recovery (10 games back in August, qualifying for the post-season only on the last day of the season, and twice being one strike from elimination in Game 6) by winning the final two games to claim the World Series!
Among those home for visits were Susan (O’Leary) Sutherland and Sherry (Roop) Ovsenny and her two daughters at Randy and Betty’s. Terry and Mary Henderson welcomed home from Vancouver daughters Laura Henderson, and Julie Hsu and grand kids Noah, Molly, and Kate. Peggy (Cooke) Underwood and her son Matthew were home from Alberta for her nephew Patrick’s wedding. Jean (Butcher) Purvis came from Ontario to visit her aunt Hazel Kennedy- Jean had spent a number of years here as a child and had a great time visiting family and friends. David and Susan Stevenson welcomed a Benjamin family member to the old Benjamin homestead that stands on their property. Nikkie Benjamin, daughter of Obee and the late Fred Benjamin, came to see her Aunt Hattie’s house that she had not seen since she was a child, and retrieve her grandfather’s trunk, plus a few ornate door knobs. David and Nikkie shared what memories they had of her family.
We celebrate with the families that welcomed two beautiful baby girls- Mike and Cindy Steele-Wood, and Josh and Denise Boulton. Those additions will certainly make for a happy holiday seasons in those houses! Nice to see the handsome visage of Frank Taylor in the paper- Frank married Cassandra Ruppenthal in Duncan, British Columbia- best wishes to the happy couple. Frank is also being awarded the Governor General’s Medal of Bravery, recognizing his heroic efforts for pulling an 86 year old man from his home, shortly before it was consumed by fire in British Columbia. Frank’s now father-in-law, Rick Ruppenthal, will also be accorded the honour. A well-deserved honour for Frank who selflessly risked his own life to save another!
Everyone is invited to a very special time of celebration, worship and fellowship on Sunday, November 20th beginning at 7:00 PM at the Baptist Church. They will be celebrating the 149th Anniversary of the Brookfield Baptist Church and sixty years of ordained ministry by our Minister Emeritus, Rev. Frank Locke. Frank will be sharing highlights from his many years of faithful service to the Lord. Lots of special music from the choir and congregation; social time and refreshments to follow. All Around the Circle Seniors dinner will be 11:30 Tuesday, November 15.The Knox United Christmas Tea and Sale (nee the Bazaar) will be held on Saturday, November 19 from 11-1 PM. This is always a great opportunity to enjoy a nice lunch, pick up some Christmas gifts, and meet many friends. On November 25 (8 PM) at Roadside Willie’s in Bible Hill, Birch Hill native Will Fisher (Kelvin, Patricia) and his Coastal Quartet will host a CD launch concert. Tickets on site or at http://www.roadsidewillies.com. Will is working on his Masters degress in Jazz performance at the University of Louisville (Ky.). We remember him well as an excellent percussionist with the Brookfield Junior High Band and as an energetic and effective hockey player.
The Christmas House Tours, sponsored by U.C.W. Unit 3, will be held on Friday, November 25 and Saturday, November 26; times are 6-9 PM each night. The houses involved in this year’s tour are those of Duane and Lorna Rath, Heather Jamieson, Russ and Bev Bradley, and Gordie and Doreen Frank. Another part of the tours that has to be seen to be believed is the display of tens of thousands of poinsettias at Forest Glen Greenhouses- please note, this is ONLY open from 2-4:30 on the afternoons of the 25th and 26th. FREE transportation is provided for the evening tours from Knox Church. Knox Hall will be fully decorated and will host the awesome Craft Sale, and will provide a wonderful lunch for all at the completion of the house tours. Tickets can be obtained at MacQuarries, or from Betty Dickie (673-2582), or on the evenings at Knox. The Train Station will again be a big part of the House Tours- their theme this year will be Nutcrackers. Businesses, groups, and individuals are invited to display decorated trees or stockings, providing donations for the Christmas Index program, which gathers gifts for those in need of assistance, or place food under a tree for the Food Bank. The Nutcrackers will be for sale via Silent Auction with proceeds to the Christmas Index program. The Station’s directors will be hosting a Nutcracker Christmas Supper both nights of the tours with sittings each night at 4:30 and 5:15. Tickets are available from Russell (673-3348) or Donna (673-2812). The menu will be beef vegetable soup or a chicken burger with gingerbread dessert all for only $7. A concert labeled “Where Class Meets Grass” featuring two distinct musical acts- the Aeolian Singers, and Megan Isenor and Connections- will help celebrate the season at Knox United Church on Saturday December 3. Time is 7 PM, tickets are $10 (children under 12 free)- they can be bought at MacQuarries, or by calling 902-422-5403, or at the door. The annual Christmas concert at Brookfield Elementary School will be performed on Wednesday, December 7. Brookfield Garden Club is holding its 2nd annual Christmas Craft session on Tuesday, November 29 in the Baptist Church Hall, to make Christmas Centre pieces. This is open to members and non-members – come & get some ideas for decorating with live branches & flowers. You will get an instruction sheet for future reference, and will make one small centre piece to take home. For more info on what to bring call Heather at 890-4987, or e-mail thebrookfieldgardenclub@yahoo.com Refreshments and seasonal music will be provided, to make this a very festive session
As the December Eagle will not launch until December 12-13, we encourage you to visit the Brookfield Community Assembly’s website at http://www.brookfieldnovascotia.ca – there you can click on the Calendar of Events section, and be kept up to date with upcoming events, including many that were not available to the Eagle before the November issue press deadline.
We hope several take up the invitation to join the BMC at the meeting on November 21 at the Fire Hall!
The Eagle
http://www.brookfieldnovascotia.ca
BMCEagle Space 