October 2020
Volume 32, Issue 2
The Brookfield Mens Club (BMC) had a strong start to their 84th season as a service group to the greater community – eighteen answered President Win Matheson’s roll call! The last meeting – March 2020, before the coronavirus brought things to a halt – was too many months ago for any to remember if the Minutes were accurate or not! Regardless, reports were heard on the variety of items that the BMC takes on/oversees, including, but not limited to – Ed Creelman Park, Adopt a Highway, East Side Cemetery, liaisons with the BCA, and municipal, provincial, and federal governments (schools, roads, infrastructure, support programs), the 569 G N Henderson Air Cadet Squadron, the Eagle, Hallowe’en and Remembrance Day plans, the Brookfield Community Assembly’s Community Clean – Up Day, and others. Other BMC events went by the wayside – Fish-a-Rama, Community BBQs., Ladies Night, and the Eagle Award – all hopefully back in fine fettle in 2021! The BMC wishes to express a very sincere thank you to Brookfield Lumber/BMR for their donation of materials that allowed the rebuilding of the gazebo in Creelman Park by our crack construction crew. Thanks also to Beth (Retson) Brogan (Dartmouth /Arizona) and Herman Murphy (Fredericton) for their generous donations to the Eagle’s expenses. Engraved on the Eldon Brenton Bowl for perfect attendance in the truncated 2019-20 BMC season were Charlie Burnett, Bob Lawrence, Austin Ross, Herb MacFarlane, Terry and Pibb Henderson, and Win and John Matheson. As usual, a delicious lunch wrapped up the evening. The next gathering will be Monday, October 19, 7:30 PM at the Fire Station – Larry Archibald, Dale Fisher, Don Hamilton, Jim and Frank Locke will provide the program and eats. We hope you can attend!
Remember to exercise your franchise on Saturday October 17 in the Municipal election. There are two candidates for Mayor of Colchester; incumbent Christine Blair, and Bob Taylor. Local councilor Geoff Stewart has been acclaimed in District 3, but there are contests in neighbouring District 2, which includes some of Shortts Lake, Pleasant Valley, and Green Oaks – vying to replace the retiring Bill Masters are Heather Boyd and Laurie Sandeson; and also in District 4 (Alton and the Stewiacke Valley) where incumbent Mike Cooper is challenged by John Vissers. Advance polls are October 13, 14, 15.
Congratulations to George and Sharon (Hamilton) O’Leary on their Golden wedding anniversary this summer. Sharon is the valued Treasurer of the All Around the Circle (AAtC) Seniors Club; George has been a major mover and shaker in the Elm Masonic Lodge organization, who have provided bursary and grant monies to graduating students and non-profit organizations. Well done George and Sharon! Rod and Lori Nielsen, very vital players in so many aspects of our community life, marked 40 years of wedded bliss- kudos! From Whitehorse comes word that Gregor Dawe and North Sydney native Erin Bursey have made Kim and Joel Dawe grandparents, with the birth of their son, Malcolm. Hugh and Judy Matheson are now great-grandma and pa! The Eagle just received word from Guelph that a girl, Emma, was born to Ben and Azra (Basic) Hazlett – Grandparents Alma (Mujakovic) and Allan Hawkins are thrilled.
Trivia question – a grand-daughter of which BMC member received personal instruction a few years ago from LPGA superstar Brooke Henderson; and her sister was in a group with Lexi Thompson in the Pro-Am of the CP Womens Open?
Alex Rhoddy, who led SCA Wolves to provincial high school softball titles, graduated with his Commerce degree from St. Mary’s. The list of SCA grads who won scholarships and awards last June is presented here, with the institutions they have moved on to in parentheses. Valedictorian Jon MacMillan (Mount Allison), Eric MacMillan, Calem McAndrew, Jordan Crouse, Alecia Brown (NSCC), Nigel Graham, Paige Christensen, Erica Fisher (Acadia), Rebecca Duykers (UNB), Isabella Johnson, Delaney MacNeil, Emily Kelly, Brianna Graham (Dalhousie), Ben Fraser, Evan McNea, Sarah Kennedy, Danielle Crosby (Dal AC), Haley Higgins, Alyssa Rice, Steven Young (SMU), Jack Lewis, Jorja Smith, Bailey Hodgson, Emma Fisher, Clarissa Pasion, Aiden Meagher, Keilen Willis-Reddick, Jessica Graham (St. F X), Emily Graham (UPEI), Maya Clapperton (Crandall), MacKenzie Jackman (Jane Norman College), Brooke Dash (U. of Guelph). Many others of the grad class have entered the work force, are pursuing trades, or other forms of education/skill enhancement.
Final farewells were said to Bob Tothill, 58, son of the late Jeff and Lillian, and father to Robert…, Alton resident Marilyn Croft, aunt to Bev Gibbons ….Audrey Ryan, originally from Glenmore, but a long-time resident at the Brandt Lane apartments – she was a very well-liked member of the AAtC… Billy Parker, 69, formerly of Enfield and most recently of Wittenberg – he was a standout Junior hockey star with East Hants who Coach Hugh Matheson was only too happy to add to his squad as a pickup on three occasions, helping his Jr. Bearcat teams win two Maritime titles, and a terrific showing at the 1971 Canada Games…. Bob Cole, 78 at Elk Court, formerly of Oldham. Condolences to those who grieve.
Sorry to see the amiable Vic Penny sidelined with some broken ribs; unsure if he will be ready for the start of the 60th season of the Brookfield Elks Mixed Bowling League. Opening Day has been pushed from early September to October 14; if you want to pirouette on the lacquered lanes, contact Sheila Rankine @ 893-6497, or Nancy VanTassell @ 673-2070. It took awhile, but eventually there has been some good ball at the Home of the Elks. Both boys and girls Canada Games teams love both the location and pristine condition of Elk Park (take a bow, Pibb Henderson!) for their practices and exhibition games. The Brookfield Elks have had a successful season in the Shooter’s League, and attendance at the games is on the upswing. The Elks, paced by sluggers Bobby Sill, Patrick Stewart, Coby Crowell, Jeremy Locke, and talented Newfoundlander Gerald Wall, and backed by stud Nationals-level hurler Justin Schofield, seem poised to cop the flag in the finals against Shubenacadie, as they lead the Best of 5, 2 – 0, Game 3 (and 4 if necessary) is October 15 @ Elk Park. Others playing – coach Mike Wood relies on are James Rutherford, Pat Laffin, Trent MacKeil, Dylan McCoul, Jake Bowers, Nolan Osborne, Alex Rhoddy, Brad MacKinnon and before he returned to Germany for the hockey season, Zach Sill.
By the time this edition hits your eyes, the ice will be in the Sportsplex!!! There will be limitations on spectators, etc., but for those wanting to skate, play hockey, etc, contact Al Fielding at 673-2063 for bookings, or online at email. The Brookfield Elks, under Head Coach Phil Lynds, will start their Nova Scotia Jr B Hockey League season on October 31; check their website for details. The Brookfield Curling Club opens November 2 – their Open House Week welcomes all – experienced, novice, and in-between. There is a stable of excellent instructors to assist you, whether you are a stick curler (numbers growing every year), or deliver from the hack. This is a sport that remains essentially unchanged re Covid regulations, so come give it a whirl. Additional instructional sessions are available on Friday nights and November Saturday mornings. Contact Pibb 673-3262, Mike 899-5462, or Andrew 986-1107 for more info.
Sixty years ago nearly to the day, Bill Mazeroski hit a walk-off, game-winning Home Run in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 10-9 win over the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, thrilling Yankee-phobes everywhere. “Maz” who up to then had been known as a terrific second-baseman with fastest hands and feet at turning double plays, was the Buccos hero – the Bronx Bombers outscored them by 55-27 in the seven games! Only a few weeks earlier, 18 year old Cassius Clay, won a gold medal in the Light-Heavyweight division at the Rome Olympics – he would later become perhaps the most famous athlete in the world – better known to most as Muhammad Ali.
Congratulations to the SCA Jr Boys Golf team who shot an incredible Team Scramble score of 57 (15 under par!) at the challenging Glen Lovat Course in New Glasgow to capture the Regional Championship! Team members were Logan Roop, Rylan Sutherland, Elliott Mullen, and Nicholas Penny. The Girls team of Jenna Poehl, Audra Lavers, Raya Sutherland, and their strong leader, Millie Brenton, were unable to defend last year’s title, but made a solid showing. Coaches were Kelly Spencer, Lauren (Fiander) Bresowar, and Mike Henderson. Rylan Sutherland earlier had received the Atlantic Canada Order of Merit (Peewee division). Patrick Stewart and Cory Sutherland partnered to win the Low Gross (2nd Division) at the Chook Maxwell Tournament at Truro GC. Sutherland edged Henderson to repeat as champ in the season – long Sandbaggers Cup competition at Northumberland GC.
Trivia Answer – Jim (and Marlene) Feener’s grand-daughter, Cheyanne Kunder, daughter to Adinda, formerly of Densmore Lane, was instructed by Brooke Henderson. Older sister Brianna played with Lexi Thompson in the Pro Am at the CP Championship in London, Ontario.
Please remember to purchase a ticket in the 84th Annual Sports Draw and Hunt Contest – this is the primary fund-raiser of the Brookfield Athletic Association (BAA), and that organization dedicated to assisting with recreation has missed out on revenue generators like the Whing Ding, Stanley Cup hockey pool, and the Elks Golf Scramble this year. The prize package is terrific – a guaranteed cash prize of $20,000 (which hopefully grows over $40K depending on sales), a $5000 gift card from Truro Superstore, a snowblower from Canadian Tire, a gas generator donated by Gord and Denice MacDonald, and a $500 gift card from MacQuarries Pharmasave. The BAA are also donating $1 from every ticket sold to Feed NS, Hub House for Homeless and the Red Cross for NS Victims of Violence. Deer are being weighed at Roop’s Esso – thanks to that great business – as felled by archers and muzzle loaders. The rifle season commences in late October. Tickets are available at local retailers, or at email, or via the website www.brookfieldelks.ca, or by calling 1-833-650-2040. The Grand Prizes will be drawn on Pure Country 99.5 FM on November 10, 5:30 PM.
Belated Canada celebrations were held on October 4 at the Curling Rink. The 75 attendees were spread out and entertained by several talented musicians. Thanks to Tim Ross for arranging the performers: Chillin Sound, Before Monday, Austin Ross, Lance Pratt, Bob and CJ Prest, Dale Fisher, Tanya Fowler and friend. Eric Thibodeau did his usual professional work at the sound board. Brookfield Bakery donated Canada Day cupcakes to all. Heritage Canada sponsored the event; the Train Station Heritage Directors did the organization – well done!
At this writing, we do not know if there will be Hallowe’en as we know it, with trick-or-treaters going door-to-door – it seems unlikely, watch for announcements. Even Remembrance Day is rumored as being significantly scaled-back – hopefully it can proceed with appropriate precautions. Bob Lawrence is the BMC’s point man for that day; he may be better able to answer your questions as the days pass with regard to ordering/laying wreaths, etc – you can reach him at 899-4319 or email. Tip of the hat to Basin Contracting, led by Shortts Lake residents Fred Benere, and Pam and Jeff Sullivan – their crew did a fantastic job resurfacing Highway 289 from the CN tracks toward East Brookfield – it may be the province’s smoothest road!
Hope to see you at the BMC on October 19; 7:30 PM at the Fire Station.
THE EAGLE
BMC Eagle Oct 2020
October 11, 2020 by BMC Eagle
Always a good read!