Sunday, September 25, 2011

New look at Broadway Irving/Circle K Convenience Store


It is currently unclear whether this is a new paint job or new siding, but it looks great! It looks better than the former white facade which made the Broadway Irving recognizable for decades.

Traffic signals at the intersection of Connell Street and Connell Park Road

New and Improved Fusion in downtown Woodstock now open

Fusion Coffee Company recently opened its new location nextdoor to its old one in the former Sobeys Needs store, located in the town square in downtown Woodstock. I haven't been inside to check out the new place yet, but the outside looks great! 




The old Fusion space

Autumn in the Woodstock area

The Grafton Bridge surrounded by fog. Taken from the edge of the Grafton Shore Road.

Foggy cul-de-sac on the Grafton Shore Road. 

Some fall colors along the edge of the Grafton Shore Road.

This is a picture of the remainder of the fog rising off of the Saint John River in Upper Woodstock. The picture was taken around mid-morning.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

"The Town That Drowned"

The Carleton County Historical Society is pleased to introduce Author Riel Nason originally from Hawkshaw New Brunswick.  
She will introduce and discuss her debut Novel, The Town That Drowned on Thursday, September 29, 2011 at 7:00 pm.  Please join us at the Honourable Charles Connell House, 128 Connell Street in Woodstock.  For more details call (506) 328-9706.
No Admission – Open to the Public – Light Refreshments

First a bit about how I came to write the book ...

I grew up in Hawkshaw, New Brunswick, a tiny spot along the St. John River with a road sign and a population of about twenty-five, including me, my parents and my two brothers.  And Hawkshaw was nestled just outside Nackawic, a town with a population of a solid fifteen hundred.  Needless to say, not a lot went on and it was a quiet existence – I suspect much like growing up in other rural areas or small towns in Canada.
 Except where I lived did have one claim to fame that added a bit of interest and intrigue.  Specifically, there was a drowned town under our stretch of river.  In the late 1960s, before my friends and I were born, the area had been flooded when the Mactaquac Dam was built about 15 miles downstream.  So the after effects were everywhere.  There were pieces of old roads that ran right into the river.  Everyone knew that the best fishing spot was where the remnants of the old brick high school were under the water and the fish liked to gather.  In the Spring, when the river went low, we watched for the old highway bridge to re-emerge from the water.  One of my neighbours had a shed that was actually a miniature cottage from an old tourist spot that had been dismantled.  And at my house we had various pieces of furniture that my parents often reminded me were rescued from this place or that before the building had been burned down. 
As a kid, I thought it was all pretty neat information.  Lots of great trivia.  Back then the whole idea of what had happened was simply a novelty, something to distinguish our place as different, a cool tidbit to brag about to people from away.
            But, now if we press fast forward to just a few years ago when I was possessed with the idea that I Must Write A Novel, I immediately knew that the flooding would be the background event.  And, as an adult, and as a new mother with a two and a half year old and a baby, I knew there was absolutely nothing cool, or fun, or trivial about having your happy family life interrupted by someone from the government saying “Um, excuse me Ma’am, but we need to take your house away so the area can be flooded out forever.”
The thing I had never done as a child was imagine what it must have been like to live through it.  I had to think about how it must have felt to witness the actual transformation of the area from before to after.  I had to wrap my head around it and make up a story.  So my story is of a family, a 14 year old girl and her weird little brother, who had problems of their own even before the water threatened to come.  And that became The Town that Drowned.

And about the book (from the publisher) ...

     Living with a weird little brother in a small town can be tough enough. Having a spectacular fall through the ice at a skating party and nearly drowning are grounds for embarrassment. But having a vision and narrating it to the assembled crowd solidifies your status as an outcast.

     What Ruby Carson saw during that fateful day was her entire town — buildings and people — floating underwater. Then an orange-tipped surveyor stake turns up in a farmer's field. Another is found in the cemetery. A man with surveying equipment is spotted eating lunch near Pokiok Falls. The residents of Haventon soon discover that a massive dam is being constructed and that most of their homes will be swallowed by the rising water. Suspicions mount, tempers flare, and secrets are revealed. As the town prepares for its own demise, 14-year-old Ruby Carson sees it all from a front-row seat.

  Set in the 1960s, The Town That Drowned evokes the awkwardness of childhood, the thrill of first love, and the importance of having a place to call home. Deftly written in a deceptively unassuming style, Nason's keen insights into human nature and the depth of human attachment to place make this novel ripple in an amber tension of light and shadow.
Posted by Riel Nason


Stormdale Covered Bridge to be replaced by modular panel structure


Despite high hopes that a torched covered bridge would be rebuilt with a similar structure, the provincial government has opted to construct a modular panel bridge instead.

The Stormdale Covered Bridge (near Hartland) was destroyed by arson on August 13, 2011. The arson was a result of a stolen vehicle being torched inside the bridge.

Unlike most situations of a lost covered bridge, where the government doesn't replace the bridge or replaces it with a modular panel (or Bailey) bridge without questions asked, the government actually considered all available options in the case of the Stormdale Covered Bridge. They considered erecting another wooden covered structure, and the modular panel option was also considered. Costs, timing, and the affect on traffic in the area were also analyzed.

The Department of Transportation made the decision to replace the Stormdale bridge, which crossed the Becagumiac Stream at Stormdale, with a modular panel bridge due to the higher costs of constructing another covered bridge, the timing of the situation, and the difference in traffic restrictions.

On September 6, New Brunswick Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claude Williams paid a visit to the site of the Stormdale Covered Bridge along with Carleton MLA and Speaker of the Legislature Dale Graham to make public the government's decision for the bridge's replacement. Local residents joined Williams (second from left) and Graham (sixth from left) for the announcement. (CNB Image)

The Department of Transportation hopes to have the structure up and running sometime in November. Despite the government ruling out the reconstruction of the covered bridge, the residents are happy to have a bridge to cross the Becaguimac Stream. The only other way out of the area would be to take a detour of approximately 14 kilometres. 

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Two elderly sisters from outside Perth-Andover found guilty in animal hoarding case

Two elderly sisters from Tilley, New Brunswick have been charged with failure to provide adequate food, shelter and veterinary care over a year after one of the largest animal seizures in New Brunswick's history.

Sandra and Beverly Tomalin of Tilley head towards the Grand Falls court house to appear in court for their trial for animal neglect. (Canada East News Service Photo)


Sandra and Beverly Tomalin, ages 68 and 71 respectively, have been charged in connection to this case of animal neglect after 38 horses were seized from their Tilley hobby farm in July of 2010. Evidence states that the horses on the Tomalin property had a scarce amount of grazing grass, water and food, and that there appeared to be no veterinary care available to the horses. Both sisters pleaded not guilty. 

The women were sentenced to a 10-year ban on owning any animals when they appeared in Grand Falls provincial court, and they also received significant fines. Sandra Tomalin was fined $1,000 plus a $200 surcharge, and Beverly Tomalin was fined $500 along with a $100 surcharge. Under the New Brunswick Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, they could have been fined between $500 and $200,000 and sentenced to 18 months in jail. 

Aside from a lack of grass, food, water and veterinary care, the horses were in poor physical condition. Several were described as underweight and covered in scars when removed from the Tomalin's farm. An aborted foal and dead horse, partially buried, were also discovered on the 58-hectare farm the week prior to the seizure. 

Ironically enough, Sandra and Beverly Tomalin moved to New Brunswick shortly after being banned from owning dogs in Ontario. This was a result of the removal of 100 dogs and one cat from their Owen Sound, Ontario home in late 2008. 


Source: Telegraph Journal http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/actualites/article/1440665

New Fusion Opens

Stay tuned for a picture of the new location! (Right nextdoor to the old one)

Falls Brook Centre Programs

ENERGY DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT, Lowering Energy Use Through Informed Consumption
Are you interested in having an real time home energy monitoring system in your home??
Falls Brook Centre is looking for 60 homeowners who would like us to monitor their energy consumption for 2 one month periods and suggest ways to reduce your energy bills. We will use “The Falls Brook 50” to reduce your energy usage. Participants will be asked to sign a pledge to commit to a 10% reduction in electricity use.

HARVEST YOUR SAVINGS!  Farming Practices for Energy& Waste Reduction
Are you interested in making your farm more ENERGY EFFICIENT?  We will do a free comprehensive study of your farm focusing on: Energy conservation, efficiency & renewable energy technology, Machinery fuel reduction, Agricultural waste management and Reduction of agricultural chemicals. THIS COULD HELP YOUR FARM SAVE MONEY!


Adapting to Climate Change in Rural New Brunswick
Have you been affected by FLOODING, DROUGHT SEVERE WEATHER or any event related to Climate Change? Want to learn how to prevent damage and expense? Join Falls Brook Centre and local experts to discuss the options.  


Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided to those who attend. 



Events

Woodstock NBCC

Florenceville
Community Hall

Community Meeting
Tuesday, October 4th
Friday, October 7th
Information Session
Wednesday, December 7th
Friday, December 9th
Follow-up Session
Wednesday, February 8th
Friday, February 10th

All events will be held from 6:30 to 8:30


A ground source heat pump workshop will also be held this Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. It is free, but lunch costs $8.00 . Discussion will include system design, efficiency and benefits. 


For more information, contact Falls Brook Centre Renewable Energy Coordinator Jason Juurlink. 



Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Transition Town Woodstock Movie Night - Tomorrow


Tomorrow, September 22nd, TTW will show the Documentary “Dirt” which is a look at man's relationship with, well, dirt.  Dirt and humans couldn't be closer. We started our journey together as stardust, swirled by cosmic forces into our galaxy, solar system, and planet. We are made of the same stuff. Four billion years of evolution created dirt as the living source of all life on Earth including humans. Dirt has given us food, shelter, fuel, medicine, ceramics, flowers, cosmetics and color --everything needed for our survival.

For most of the last ten thousand years we humans understood our intimate bond with dirt and the rest of nature. We took care of the soils that took care of us.

However, over time, we lost that connection. Our species became greedy and careless. We still depend on dirt, but now we abuse and ignore it. We are destroying our last natural resource with our agriculture, our mining, and our paving over the planet for cities. We turned dirt into something "dirty." In doing so, we transform the skin of the earth into a hellish and dangerous landscape for all life on earth.

A millennial shift in consciousness about the environment offers a beacon of hope - and practical solutions. Around the globe, pioneers are coming together to save earth's last natural resource. Tiny villages rise up to battle giant corporations slaughtering their land. Scientists discover connections with soil that can balance global warming. Generation X brands organic farming as trendy and children begin to eat from edible school yards. Inmates find inner peace and job skills in a prison horticulture program. Medical researchers explore dirt's capacity to provide solutions to such devastating health crises as AIDS. Major religions are rediscovering the reverence for the natural world that unites them all.

“Dirt” will be shown at the NBCC Teaching Theater, Thursday at 7:30pm.  Admission is free so bring a friend.

Greater Woodstock Chamber of Commerce Welcomes You to Downtown

Looking good at the corner of Main and Queen Streets!

Eyesore/Deathtrap house on Maple Street has been demolished





Maybe Town of Woodstock Chief Administrative Officer Ken Harding did get my message!

Click below for previous story:

http://shiretownblogger.blogspot.com/2011/08/house-on-maple-street-destroyed-by-fire.html

Proposed mobile home park on Heller Road in Woodstock Industrial Park




Business partners Michael Martin, Jared Keenan and John Keenan are planning to develop a mobile home park at the site of a former piano factory across from Provincial Bandag Tire on the Heller Road in the Woodstock Industrial Park. Woodstock town council is in the process of rezoning the property from industrial to MH (mobile home) residental. It went through the first and second reading at last week's town council meeting. It must now go through the third reading.

Stay tuned!

Lower Main Street to be upgraded in 2012


Woodstock's town council unveiled their DOT/Town of Woodstock Designated Capital Improvements Plan for the summer of 2012 at the Monday, September 12th town council meeting. The town and the provincial Department of Transportation share costs of upgrades to roads owned by the province. 

The work will consist of the removal of a blind hill/curve and the replacement of a culvert. The section of the road in question is 130 metres. The road base will be raised by 1.2 metres, a figure calculated by engineers to make sure that little to no impact would be made on surrounding properties. 

A culvert carrying water from a small stream which flows through the Woodstock Industrial Park into the Saint John River will be upgraded as well in the planned work. 

Engineers have determined that the proposed upgrades will cost the Department of Transportation approximately $125,000. A 280-metre section of Lower Main Street from Upham Street to the Woodstock town limits will also be paved. This section includes the area where the blind hill will be removed. The proposed paving is expected to cost an additional $75,000. The total cost to the Department of Transportation is approximately $200,000. 

The town plans to install concrete curb and gutter and a concrete sidewalk from Upham Street to the town limits, along with improvements to the storm sewer on the west side of the same section of Main Street. The costs for the curb and gutter, sidewalk, and storm sewer projects on this section of Main Street will be approximately $160,000. The town will also pay $75,000 for installing curb and gutter and carrying out drainage improvements to Connell Street from Connell Park Road to the NB Power office. The total bill for the town's share of the designated highway improvement costs is $235,000. The section of Connell Street set to receive new curb and gutter in 2012 is planned to be paved in 2013. 

Source: The Bugle-Observer

Monday, September 19, 2011

Woodstock Slammers News


The Woodstock Slammers of the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) opened their regular season with a 5-point victory over the Miramichi Timberwolves on Friday, September 16th. With a final score of 7-2, the home side got a good start to their 2011-2012 season. A large crowd of people attended the event, which means the community really supports their team!

The Shiretown Blogger will be attending many of the Slammers' home games during this regular season and will make every effort to provide you with up-to-date coverage and results.


GET TO KNOW YOUR 2011-2012 SLAMMERS WITH THE SHIRETOWN BLOGGER!

2011-2012 Team Roster:

#1 - Sam Renault - Goaltender
#2 - Andrew Schriver - Defense
#3 - Brayden Wood - Defense
#4 - Brandon Leonardo - Defense
#7 - Connor Tresham - Centre 
#8 - Dustin Beairsto - Right Wing 
#9 - MacKenzie Brown - Right Wing 
#12 - Brett MacLean - Centre 
#14 - Bradley Greene - Centre 
#15 - Tim Campbell - Defense 
#16 - Robert Visca - Left Wing 
#17 - Tim Rose - Defense 
# 18 - Philip Fife - Centre 
#20 - Travis Fernley - Right Wing 
#21 - Evan Carmody - Centre 
#22 - Ben Miller - Right Wing 
#23 - Keven Levesque - Defense 
#24 - Jake Logan - Defense 
#26 - Andrew Langan - Center 
#27 - Chris Rygus - Defense 
#35 - Matt Murphy - Goalie
#61 - Justin O'Reilly - Left Wing 
#71 - Colton Stairs - Left Wing 

Team Staff: 

Andrew McCain - Team President and League Governor 
Danny Braun - Head Scout and General Manager 
Jason Tatarnic - Head Coach and Assistant General Manager 
Kyle Adams - Associate Coach 
Bryan Hamilton - Physical Therapist and Equipment Manager 
Blaine Tompkins - Academic Advisor 
Louis Guay - Goaltender Coach 
Dr. Ryan Hamilton - Sports Psychology 

Rumors of safety concerns at Woodstock Middle School


The Shiretown Blogger learned through the CJ 104 radio website that there were recent rumours that Woodstock Middle School was unsafe. A parent recently brought it to the radio station's attention that "she heard on good authority that the local middle school isn't safe for students and staff." School District 14 representatives have denied any safety issues with the school.

District 14's Director of Administrative Services Shawn Tracey told CJ 104 that there are many repairs in need of completion within the next year, but nothing that would affect the safety of students and staff in the short-term. The projects consist of minor repairs and aesthetic work. It will either be contracted out or carried out by the district's maintenance staff.

The piping has been deemed adequate and the flooring has been deemed structurally sound on every level of the 58-year-old structure. The rumours may have began when a structural engineer was called in to examine the gymnasium floor and consider the possibility of installing volleyball posts.

It would not be any secret if the aging Woodstock Middle School is deemed unsafe at any time. The educational facility would close, and students would be relocated to an alternate location. The district says the middle school will be properly maintained until its closure to make way for one of the two rumoured kindergarten to grade 8 schools in the Woodstock area.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Traffic control devices at Connell Park Road/Connell Street operational



As of Thursday, September 15, 2011, the traffic lights at the intersection of Connell Park Road and Connell Street have been operational and controlling traffic. This will surely improve safety at the intersection, especially at the crosswalk. The red lights and walk signals will make crossing the street at this intersection much less scary!

Stay tuned for pictures of the new lights on The Shiretown Blogger!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Transition Town Woodstock Update #13 September 17, 2011


Where is Transition Town Woodstock headed? A General Meeting at Fusion next Sunday, September 25th at 1:30pm –Transition Town Woodstock has been in existence for over 18 months, and has accomplished a number of significant things; such as Movie Nights, participation in parades and civic celebrations, numerous columns in the local papers, a local food directory, a start on a community garden, significant contribution to the province’s energy policy process, a draft manual for dealing with the impacts of expensive and/or scarce oil and more.  But have we made real progress in the first phase of a Transition Initiative which is to build awareness in our community of the impending consequences of peak oil, climate change and economic disruption?  Join other TTWer’s at the new Fusion (next door to the old Fusion) on the square in downtown Woodstock next Sunday [September 25th] to discuss these matters and select next year’s facilitators.

Movie Night – This Thursday, September 22nd, we will show the Documentary “Dirt” which is a look at man's relationship with, well, dirt.  Dirt and humans couldn't be closer. We started our journey together as stardust, swirled by cosmic forces into our galaxy, solar system, and planet. We are made of the same stuff. Four billion years of evolution created dirt as the living source of all life on Earth including humans. Dirt has given us food, shelter, fuel, medicine, ceramics, flowers, cosmetics and color --everything needed for our survival.

For most of the last ten thousand years we humans understood our intimate bond with dirt and the rest of nature. We took care of the soils that took care of us.

However, over time, we lost that connection. Our species became greedy and careless. We still depend on dirt, but now we abuse and ignore it. We are destroying our last natural resource with our agriculture, our mining, and our paving over the planet for cities. We turned dirt into something "dirty." In doing so, we transform the skin of the earth into a hellish and dangerous landscape for all life on earth.

A millennial shift in consciousness about the environment offers a beacon of hope - and practical solutions. Around the globe, pioneers are coming together to save earth's last natural resource. Tiny villages rise up to battle giant corporations slaughtering their land. Scientists discover connections with soil that can balance global warming. Generation X brands organic farming as trendy and children begin to eat from edible school yards. Inmates find inner peace and job skills in a prison horticulture program. Medical researchers explore dirt's capacity to provide solutions to such devastating health crises as AIDS. Major religions are rediscovering the reverence for the natural world that unites them all.

“Dirt” will be shown at the NBCC Teaching Theater, Thursday at 7:30pm.  Admission is free so bring a friend.
  
Chickens in Town – Fran Alborg has suggested that a group of TTWer’s look into what it would take to raise a few chickens in yards in Woodstock for household supply of eggs and/or meat.  If you would like to participate in such a project, let us know atTTWoodstock@nb.sympatico.ca or in person at Movie Night or the meeting at Fusion.

Interested People – If you know of anyone who would like to be kept informed and/or become involved in TTWoodstock, please forward this update to them and send their name and email address to TTWoodstock@nb.sympatico.ca and we will get them on our email list.

Experiencing rural New Brunswick at its best with the 2011 Falls Brook Fair

If you're interested in celebrating rural living and learning about becoming sustainable, then its worth a drive to Falls Brook Centre (FBC) to take part in the Falls Brook Fair! The 2011 Falls Brook Fair occurred on Saturday and Sunday, September 10th and 11th.

The Falls Brook Fair is held every year on the second weekend of September, at FBC's isolated location in Knowlesville. The event hosts art displays, live local music, local food and treats, activities for children, and tours of the forest, appropriate technology and shiitake mushroom exhibits. Businesses were also encouraged to set up booths and promote their business or even sell products.

The Falls Brook Fair had a new attraction for 2011--a youth entrepreneurship showcase. The Shiretown Blogger had a table set up for most of the day on Saturday promoting the blog. (Even better yet, FBC Renewable Energy Coordinator Jason Juurlink removed me from the electricity grid and hooked me up to a portable solar panel!)

Falls Brook Centre Renewable Energy Coordinator Jason Juurlink, right, helps prepare the stage for the next bit of live entertainment at the Falls Brook Fair on Saturday.
The Shiretown Blogger also gave a presentation at the youth entrepreneurship showcase to inform people of the blog. Other speakers at the youth entrepreneurship showcase were Rosalyn Drake, owner of Viveta Medical Clinic on Connell Street in Woodstock, as well as a representative of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets.

Rosalyn Drake, owner of Viveta Medical Clinic in Woodstock.
Pictures on display at the Viveta Medical Clinic booth.
The Shiretown Blogger hopes to attend next year's Falls Brook Fair as well. A thank you once again to FBC's Community Engagement Coordinator Julia Girard and Youth Engagement Coordinator Emily Shapiro for inviting The Shiretown Blogger to the youth entrepreneurship showcase, and thank you to Renewable Energy Coordinator Jason Juurlink for all of his help with technological issues throughout the day.

Homemade mittens and hats by the Woodstock Fibre Artists were sold at this booth. Note The Shiretown Blogger booth in the background with the solar panel.


Dana Kittilsen of Knowlesville is seen here preparing the coal fire he uses to create knives from railroad ties and other objects.

Throwing bean bags at targets by the barn was a favorite attraction among these fair visitors.

The tent where many booths were set up.
Stickney-based Goldfinch Studio and Gallery, owned by Roy Tibbits, was among many booths set up under the tent.
This watercolor painting of the Lockhart Mill Covered Bridge near Bristol was among many of Roy Tibbits's works on display at the Goldfinch Studio and Gallery booth.
This painting, titled "Road and Rail" depicts a train passing under the railroad tracks which used to pass under the Hugh John Flemming Bridge in Hartland.
Roy Tibbits holding a copy of "Road and Rail."
Roy Tibbit's painting of the Hugh John Flemming Bridge.
The Carleton Ground Search and Rescue booth.
Many signs like these were around the centre. Great message!

Food vendors were on hand to fill the stomachs of visitors.

Another great message!




 Even more great messages!

 Puppet show

 Climate Change Bus

Entertainment was provided at the barn during lunchtime.

Dr. Richard Komp of the Maine Solar Energy Association gave a presentation on solar energy.

 This sign is placed in a rather ironic location between two outhouses.