Ross Creek Centre for the Arts and Two Planks and a Passion Theatre Company have teamed up with the Beacon Program on a unique project designed to bring new possibilities.
The Beacon Program in Waterville, N.S. is a voluntary growth and recovery program offered to adults in Nova Scotia who have a serious and persistent mental illness. The program helps individuals make choices, gain skills and find a more satisfying life in the community with the greatest amount of independence possible.
While at Ross Creek last July 1, Richard Pingert, Occupational Therapist for the Beacon Program, approached Chris O’Neill, Executive Director for the Centre, with the thought that experiencing Ross Creek would be an excellent experience for their clients.
“Our organizations have a long history of using the arts as a tool for creative empowerment – for helping people find their voice and a creative outlet,” O’Neill says. “The confidence that people gain through telling their own stories and acquiring the skills to express themselves clearly through theatre or visual art is hugely rewarding for both the participants and the instructors. Ross Creek and Two Planks are proud to be involved with the work that the Beacon Project is doing.”
The project is a pilot program, with two short workshops for participants. Each workshop - one in visual arts, one in theatre - will be introductory in nature and focus on empowerment, self-expression and collaborative creation. At the end of both sessions, each sub-group will share their work with the other. Participants will be encouraged to explore their fears and aspirations through a variety of activities supervised by professional artist/instructors.
Ken Schwartz, Artistic Director of Two Planks and a Passion Theatre, will lead the theatre portion of the program. He says if the project goes well, he hopes the work will expand to a much larger program working with the Beacon Program and other groups to use the power of the arts to improve the lives of Nova Scotians.
Fieldwood AGM notification: the Fieldwood Heritage Society will hold its Annual General Meeting Wed., Feb. 20 at the Canning Fire Hall. There will be a short business meeting at 7 p.m. followed at 7:30 by a round-table discussion of community affairs.
In addition to Fieldwood Membership, representatives of the Canning Area Community Development Association, Canning Fire Department, Canning Legion, Canning Recreation Committee, Canning Village Commission, Lions Club, the Municipality of Kings County and the public are invited to participate.
The purpose of this meeting is to bring everyone up-to-date on what’s happening and going to happen in our community. The moderator will be John Newcomb and everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served.
Glooscap Elementary School: The Home and School’s next monthly meeting will be held Mon., Jan. 28 at 6:45 p.m. in the library. Childcare is provided and all are welcome to attend.
There will be a school assembly on Tues., Jan. 29.
Skating Program: Skating will take place from January through March on Mondays and Fridays. All students are expected to take part in this program and all students in Grades P-5 are required to wear a CSA-approved helmet.
Skates and helmets are available from school if students do not have their own. Parents and guardians are welcome to help with tying skates and to glide on the ice, but are not allowed on the ice in their boots.
Please note: Skates are permitted on the school bus if they’re equipped with guards or carried in a padded bag.
Indoor Team Tennis: Glooscap has been chosen by Tennis Nova Scotia to host a four-week team tennis program for students in Grades 3-5.
Beginning Wed., Feb. 13, certified coach Joel Ayer will be at the school on Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:15-3:30 p.m. Players will receive coaching for the first 30 minutes and then will play games in a round robin format for the final 45 minutes.
The pre-registered fee of $20 per student includes the use of all equipment, eight sessions (two per week) and a T-shirt. Contact Kelly Lee, Canning Recreation, at 582-2033, as only 16 spaces are available. Parent volunteers are welcome. Contact Mr. Hind or Mr. Fitch for more information.
Mini Indoor Soccer: The Valley District Soccer Association is now accepting registrations for its indoor mini-program that began Jan. 12. Contact Dwight Macleod 678-2426 or at
www.valleysoccer.org for further information.
Northeast Kings Educational Centre: It was a difficult start to 2008 as Northeast Kings lost a student as a result of a tragic accident over the holiday break. The staff and students supported each other as they went through the grieving process and have extended their thoughts and prayers to Luke’s family and friends during this difficult time.
Principal’s Message: iPods and MP3 players are becoming an issue at NKEC. As more and more students get these devices and bring them to school, theft has become a significant issue.
These devices are very attractive and are therefore targeted for theft. Once stolen, there is no guarantee we can get the device back. My suggestion would be not to bring them to school.
Exams: Senior High exams will be written from Tues., Jan. 29 through Fri., Feb. 1. Students are encouraged to be prepared by checking the exam schedule posted on the school website.
Attendance: There continues to be some students who struggle with a commitment to consistent attendance, which is a must to achieve a successful education.
Textbook Return: First semester course textbooks should be returned to the teachers during exam week. Students are expected to pay for any lost texts.
Breakfast Club: Thanks goes out to the many community members, staff and community volunteers, and especially the Interchurch Council for their efforts and contributions for this important nutritional program.
- Everett MacPherson, Principal
Reminder: Canning resident Bruce Spicer would like to remind everyone there are still some Canning Library and Heritage Centre 2008 calendars available at various business locations throughout the Canning area. The cost of $10 per calendar is allocated for the Library that is manned solely by volunteers.
This year’s calendar is dedicated in memory of Dr. Stanley Spicer, who grew up on Main Street in Canning and features 343 registered ships that were launched in Canning, Kingsport, Scott’s Bay and Cornwallis Township.
A weekly blood collection clinic takes place at the Canning Pharmasave for your convenience on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-10 a.m. at a cost of $6. A free monthly cholesterol and blood pressure clinic is also available. Seniors’ day is the last Thursday of the month.
