THE BIG POND TIMES

JANUARY 2003        VOLUME X No.1

BIG POND HERITAGE PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERY OPENS

PIECES OF BIG POND’S PAST

Interested in what the MacIntyre’s and the MacPherson’s did outside in the summertime? A.A. MacNeil playing ball? A slice of industrial life at the MacLellan’s steammill? Benny Martin at the sawmill in Glengarry? Frances (MacPherson) Mansfield herding chickens? Hilda MacPherson with (most of) her brood? Big Pond beach in the summer of 1940? Jack MacNeil as Huck Finn? These, and more, are now hanging in the Big Pond Hall.

            A series of black & white photographs, 16” x 20”, now grace the walls of the main hall, offering an additional sense of place for the Big Pond Community. The Heritage Photography Committee would like to acknowledge the kindness of Duncan and Catherine MacNeil, Hugh MacPherson, Alf MacLellan and Christie MacInnis for loaning the original photographs. Identification of the portraits is underway. Hours for the Gallery coincide with Big Pond Hall functions.

            The project was enhanced by the contributions of Ellison Robertson, a Sydney-based artist/writer, and Ann Cox, who operates Framing House in East Bay. Their participation, sometime after it commenced, improved it considerably. 

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Speaking of portraits, the recent publication of the directory for St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart Parishes should also be noted. It’s a delightful record of present parishioners.

 

 

BOOKMOBILE SCHEDULE

Wednesday, 21 January:

Big Pond, 11:15; Irish Cove: 1:15 PM

 

COMMUNITY NOTES

Ordinary Seaman Jeff McCarron graduated from Basic Training at St. Jean, Quebec on 28 November. He is currently attending Memorial University’s Marine Institute in St. John’s, Newfoundland in a two-year program as a Tactical Naval Technician. He’s home for the holidays with his parents, Josephine & Ron McCarron, in Big Pond Centre.

 

SKI BEN EOIN

Retail:  Tom's Ski & Board Shop is rocking to get your gear out the door in time for X-mas and the Ski Season.  Tom's carries excellent packages for all levels of Skiers, Boarders and X-Country enthusiasts.  Tom also carries perfect gifts for your winter elves.  A large selection of Couloir Jackets and pants are on sale at 40-50% off.  Tom also carries snowboards by Ride, Liquid, 5150, Marrow, Rossignol...Check it out - open 7 days a week now.

            Trail Development:  while most people have been busy with this time of year, Ben Eoin work crew have been busy extending the Timberdoodle Trail.  Approx. 750 ft has been added.  The Trail now exits the mountain to the Northeast side of our maintenance building.  This addition will provide some excellent terrain for large-scale races and general skiing.

 

X-Country Trail volunteers have completed additional Trail loops at the top of the mountain, as well; they have worked on water control (bridges, etc) on existing trails.  X-Country folks will also have a new waxing station at the mountain base.

Program Registration:  Check out our web site www.skibeneoin.com for complete program details.  Our programs reflect your demands.  Presently, programs are over 50% of target numbers.  Lessons for all ages and levels. 

 

COMMUNITY COUNCIL

The regular monthly meeting was held at the B.P.C.C. on Wed. December 4^th, 2002, 7:30 p.m. 

Errors and/or omissions: Ron McCarron stated that $500. was spent on Halloween, not  $700. that was documented in the November minutes. Minutes approved by Mel White, seconded by Lloyd.

Financial Report given by Dave MacKillop: Balance of  $21,600.56

Insurance for Restaurant $200. paid.

Taxes for Restaurant  $1,300. After bills are paid there will be a balance of approximately $19,000. Financial report approved by Ron McCarron, seconded by Bonnie MacDonald.

Cyril MacPherson will check on winterizing the Restaurant.

Frank Sampson indicated that the CD is ready to go; Frank’s sister Yvonne is working on the promotion.  Cost to manufacture a CD is approximately $1.50 - $2.00 including case. The CD will be sold for $20. A motion to spend a limit of $4000. to get this CD off the ground. Moved by Mel Currie seconded by Mel White.

Cyril MacPherson will check with Ed MacIntyre and Father Joe Gillis on the lease for the land that the BPCC/ FH is built on. There is some confusion on the way the land is registered with the Registry of Deeds.

Cyril received an application for the leasing of the Restaurant.  This application is being looked into. 

New Years Dance

Music by D.J. Mike Peters. 9 – 1 am.

Tickets $12.00 per person: Meal of cold plate & hot dishes to be served at 8 p.m.

A committee is being set up to look after the food.

Marie MacPhee needs $400. for senior’s dinner. Moved by Melvin White to give the $400. requested, seconded by Anne Marie Donovan.

Please note: The next meeting of the Community Council is Wednesday, 8 January at 7:30.

Ruth MacNeil, Secretary, Community Council

 

 

 

BIG POND TIMES is financially supported by the Big Pond Community Council.  Contact Don MacGillivray, 7271 Route 4, Big Pond, Cape Breton, B1J 1V2.  Don_MacGillivray@uccb.ca

“It is a newspaper’s duty to print the news and raise hell.”-Chicago Times, 1861.

For subscriptions contact Josephine McCarron, 7584 East Bay Hwy., Big Pond, NS B1J 1Y6.