Port Williams news

Students and staff of PWES gathered in the gymnasium on the morning of Sept. 29 to experience an hour-long presentation by folklorist and storyteller Dr. Margaret Read MacDonald.

After her introduction by principal Cathy Woodford, MacDonald asked everyone to scrunch up as close as they could, the better to hear and see her. Her stories from around the world and those of peace and cooperation kept the children engaged, especially those that required audience participation.

MacDonald also displayed some of the 50 books she has written and talked about being an author. She said writers can make up their own stories or retell ones that they know. She is a retired librarian and referred to it as being “the best job in the world.”

This presentation was the September event in the year-long celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Murdoch C. Smith Memorial Library in Port Williams.

The October event is Tues., Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the Community Centre, featuring Dr. Carolyn McGrath, who will speak on her work on the diaries of Dr. Smith to the members of the Kings Historical Society. This event is open to the public.

In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the annual Lions International Convention and challenged Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” Since that time service to the blind and visually impaired has become one of the most significant activities of Lions Clubs.

In keeping with this challenge, members of the Port Williams and District Lions Club will conduct a door-to-door canvas for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind’s Annual Campaign from Oct. 2-31. Used eyeglasses will also be collected for the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Program, which provides eyeglasses for those in need in developing countries.

During the community canvass for CNIB, orders will also be taken for 911 signs for those residences in our area that do not have the reflective blue signs with white numbers. Providers of emergency service such as our fire department and emergency medical care are able to save valuable minutes in reaching your residence if a 911 sign is visible on your property. The costs of the signs are as follows:

5”x8”: 1 or 2 numbers single sided - $7 or double sided - $8.75;

5”x12”: 3 numbers single sided - $10.50 or double sided - $12.25;

5”x14”: 4 numbers single sided - $12 or double sided - $14.25;

5”x16”: 5 numbers single sided - $13.75 or double sided - $16.25. HST included.

Tickets will be available soon for the Christmas Raffle draw that will take place in mid-December. The Club is always seeking new members to assist with its community service activities; for more information call 542-542-2969.

The Octoberfest Family Fun Day at Prescott House Museum will be held Sat., Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p. m. with a rain date of Sun., Oct. 12 at the same time.

There will be a haunted fun house tour, magic, wagon rides, face painting, ghost stories, crafts and games, a barbecue, musical entertainment – ‘Rise Up Shannon’ - and much more! The cost is $3 per person. For information call 542-3984.

The 13th Annual Horton Craft Fair presented by the Horton Music Parents’ Association will be held Sat., Oct. 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be over 140 tables on two levels, featuring a large variety of crafters and artisans from around Nova Scotia.

Refreshments in the form of a tea and a barbecue will be available. Horton music students will perform throughout the day and there will be a ticket auction. Admission, which includes a door prize ticket, is adults $2, seniors $1 and children under 12 free.

There will be an anime night at the Library Thurs., Oct. 16 from 7-8:30 p.m. Glass Fleet will be shown. Pop and snacks will be provided.

The men of the Parish of Cornwallis are holding their annual Harvest Dinner at St. John’s Parish Hall Sat., Oct. 25 from 4:30-6 p.m. They will be serving baked ham, beans, scalloped potatoes, homemade brown bread and pies, tea and coffee. The cost is adults $8 and children 12 and under $4.

There will be a benefit Variety Show for Michael Smith at the Community Centre Sun., Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. Admission is $5. There will be a canteen and 50/50 draw. Come and enjoy an evening of good music!

The next Secondary Planning Strategy meeting will be held Thurs., Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. in the Village Office. The topic is Public Engagement Strategy: discussing different ways to get feedback from the public.

The Village Commission would like to welcome the new village clerk Laura Wightman and administrative assistant Geneve Newcombe. The village office hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The e-mail address is villageoffice@ns.aliantzinc.ca and the website address is portwilliams.com.

Percy Bezanson, 98, of New Ross and Blandford, last surviving brother of Hilda Bezanson Ivers, died Sat., Sept. 27. The family appreciates the condolences expressed by their friends and neighbours.