Health consumers have important story to tell

CBC Radio has created a documentary health series featuring citizens in the Kentville area and it’s proving to be interesting.

We hear that hospital staff at Valley Regional have been listening to the program whenever possible because the facility plays an important role in the program. Not only that, but the hospital’s chief of staff, Dr. Lynne Harrigan, deserves credit for her willingness to smooth the way for CBC reporters Pauline Dakin and Margot Brunelle. The reporters, who spent many hours over the course of eight months in the Valley working on the series, say without the doctor’s help the project may have gone elsewhere.

Instead, Dakin and Brunelle have expressed their appreciation for the level of cooperation and the welcome they received.

Destination Wellville follows the health care stories of a dozen locals, including Kentville mayor Dave Corkum, retired school principal Sandi Carmichael and Advertiser reporter Patty Mintz. Hearing about the health challenges that people in this community are living with daily makes us all more aware of our own health – be it good or poor. Will the health care system function efficiently and caringly when we get sick? It’s hard to tell when Dakin, CBC’s national health reporter, tells us that for some it works quite well while for others it’s a letdown.

While the environment has become a topic of huge concern to Canadians, health care still reigns at the top. Nationally, Canadians who tune in to the series will hear how people in this neck of the country cope with health issues, how they’re being treated by health care professionals, and how it all plays out in the end – or not.

Some of those interviewed have health problems for which there is no solution.

Congrats to Scotian Gold

As Sara Keddy notes in the July 12 issue of The Kings County Register, Scotian Gold is marking its 50th anniversary this year and we believe hearty congratulations are in order.

Fruit-growers, customers, staff and the public at large helped mark the event recently. As is typical at such occasions, the memories flowed and stories of the Valley’s apple co-op ups and downs were told and retold.

As board chairman and president Michael Oulton remarked, the road hasn’t been smooth, but Scotian Gold continues to operate under a halo of success, much to the relief of many Valley farmers.

The anniversary is also a time to recognize those who played a significant role in the co-op’s success, including the late Allister Marshall of Woodville; Ken Sanford of Coldbrook; Fred Walsh of Rockland; Lawrence Spurr of Melvern Square; Vaughn Nichols of Morristown; Jack Balsor of Kentville; and Murdock MacLeod.

Along with George Moody and George Archibald, who were recognized for their support during hard times and reorganization, all were deservingly awarded a Crystal Apple Award. Without them, the Valley’s agricultural industry wouldn’t be the same.