A Visit to Africa - Part 2

ENCOUNTERS WITH ELEPHANTS!

I'm an animal guy.  I'm going to school to study animals, I love animals, I want my future to be about animals!  But there is one kind animal that has always had a very special place in my heart.  Elephants!

A little backstory.  When my great grandmother, Violet Lockhart, passed away, we went to her house in Falmouth to start cleaning out some of her old things.  While the house was being cleaned out, a box of figurines was found.  My grandmother let us each pick out one that we could keep.  Mine was an elephant.  That was the moment I began collecting elephant related things.  That was the moment I really began to dream about seeing elephants in Africa.  So I guess I need to thank my grandmother for igniting my dream.  I don't know if anyone actually knows that little story, but I promise you it is true!  

Anyways, while in South Africa, I got to do something I had only ever dreamed about doing!  I got to walk with elephants!!  Glen Afric Farm is home to three elephants!  The elephants spend their days out in the bush, eating until their hearts are content and enjoying some wide open space! 

My first encounter with one of the elephants actually happened to be a little slap in the face with its trunk...They told us when we first got there to be careful when walking through the gate to the elephant house (the place where the elephants sleep at night).  One of the younger elephants like to use his trunk if somebody walks by.  I (stupidly) forgot this information, and walked through the gate without even looking around.  Next thing I knew, I had the trunk of a very amused elephant hitting me.  Thankfully it was just a gentle, playful hit...but it was enough to show me just how strong these animals are!

EDITORIAL: turn pool into skateboard park?

Local kids have been skateboarding down Tannery Road since the fall. They're out whenever the weather permits. It's great to see them outside, being social, and being physical. They are very good at giving way to traffic.

One of the skateboarders said the kids are asking why not make the pool into a skateboard park? It could be done quite simply and at low cost.

The skateboarder I was talking to said his mother took him to Windsor once but won't do it again. The kids were older and swearing. Drug dealers were there too.

I was told that the suggestion was made at the town office. Perhaps people didn't go through the proper channels.

Is it a good idea?

Being Mother in "the good old days".

The Pattersons.
(BR LR) Patrick, Patricia, Alice, Edward, Steven.
(FR LR) John, Eudora, Joe, Lynn St. Clair.
Photo submitted.

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Eudora Patterson of Hantsport had seven babies between August 1947 and February 1966. Her experiences were standard for the time. But, mothers today may be a little grateful that they are living in 2014.

When Eudora had John, her first baby, in 1947, she stayed in the hospital seven days. This was standard. At the time she wondered if it was a good idea. "I became lazy." She had nothing to do. Someone else bathed her and rubbed her back. Women were literally bed-ridden for a week. They didn't exercise a muscle. Until they returned home.

HHC - officially a concert venue!

We met late this afternoon, May 15th, at the Town Office with all the Remo stake holders. RCMP, EHS, Fire, REMO, Public Works, Security, Recreation, Mayor, Staff and us......It went really well, they now see we are running a bona fide event. 
We have worked hard to think of everything and it appears we have (for the most part). Remo has given us the official "It's A Go" but we have to wait till tomorrow for the official number of tickets we can sell. 
So folks we are pleased to announce Hantsport is now officially a concert venue. 
We will begin the process to clean up some of our marketing posts and we really need all of our Hantsport Friends to help us share and invite people to the event.
Thanks everyone out there for all your support, sponsors and all. 
Kevin, Fred, and Chris.

D-DAY FUNDRAISER FOR VETS

TO SEE LARGER VERSION, SEE EVENTS ON PAGE "EVENTS' AT RIGHT.

Hantsport's Financial Condition - May 15, 2014.

The government has released its Financial Condition Index for municipal governments in the province.The information is from the fiscal year 2011 - 12.

It shows
- where their revenue comes from
- how they spend the money
- and how they manage their finances.

Hantsport is in the red in
- 3-year change in tax base
- reliance on a single industry/institution
- 5-year contribution to capital reserves.

NOTE: The town's financial budget - the final budget if the town dissolves - will be discussed Tuesday, May 20, 6 PM at the town hall. Committee of the Whole meets on the same night at the same location at 7 PM.

For information about Hantsport and other municipal units, see LINK

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HHC Sponsor Alert

Sponsor Alert Sponsor Alert, We are pleased to let you all know we have a new Silver Sponsor, Birds Auto clinic in Hantsport. Thanks to Bob Bird and his staff for their kind support. Thanks Bob.
-Kevin

You Tube video - in support of Hantsport Public LIbrary

The song Silver LIght Through My Window was written by local songsmith Michael Hermiston. A visit to an event at the Hantsport Public Library prompted him to write the song. The video reflects the delight readers experience through books. 

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A Visit to Africa - Part 1

Everybody has a dream destination.

Everybody has that one place on Earth that they need to visit before they die.

For many years, my dream destination has been Africa, and this year, that dream was fulfilled!  I can tell you exactly what attracted me to Africa - the wildlife.  Elephants, lions, giraffes, zebra, wildebeest, warthogs, cheetahs!  All animals that seem so unique and exotic!  Im currently studying to be a biologist at Acadia University and my plan is to study wildlife.  If I could study wildlife in Africa, it would be another dream come true, but for now, I can share my 2 week adventure in...

SOUTH AFRICA

In January, a friend of mine (Jenny) and I booked a volunteer program at the Glen Afric Farm in Broederstroom, South Africa.  We booked through a company called Amanzi Travel and Volunteer Southern Africa.  After we had the program booked, we booked our flights, and at that moment, it became official.  We would be in South Africa on April 28th!!!!! (I could add another million exclamation marks, but I'm sure you get the point)

We purposely booked our trip with a layover in London, England so that we would have some time to go explore the city.  London has always been one of those places I've wanted to visit as well, so why not kill two birds with one stone?  On the night of April 26th, we boarded our flight at Halifax International Airport, where we would fly to Toronto, then to London.  Let the 7.5 hour flight commence...

When we landed in London, we got on the tube that would take us downtown.  Luckily for us, my sister and her husband have been to London before and could give me some advice such as what train stop to get off at, and some ideas for things to do while we were there.  What they told me was to "get off at Leicester Square and go south".  Once we got off the train, we walked North for about 5 minutes before realizing we needed to turn around and go the other way.  I guess the "go south" part of their advice wasn't as helpful since I had no idea which way was south...

Eventually we managed to find out way to some of the big tourist sites in London including Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, the London eye, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace.  

Email to MLA Keith Irving and MMLA Chuck Porter

May 13, 2014.  3:37 PM.

To:  Keith and Chuck

I received and posted the following letter yesterday.

It asks the question: who determines when conflict of interest occurs in municipal government. 

What is the answer? 

Thanks!

-Heather Davidson

Letter to the editor 
May13/14

The document entitled “Hantsport Direction Decision April 2014”, Section 3, shows a graph of the

Young brothers support rival teams.

(LR) Butch and Dave Young. "I hope I don't need to hug him."  

Tonight when Boston and Montreal face off in Boston for the final game of their series, Butch Young will be wearing his Habs cap while his brother David will be wearing his Bruins cap.

A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN DISSOLUTION?

Letter to the editor 
May13/14

The document entitled “Hantsport Direction Decision April 2014”, Section 3, shows a graph of the trend in Historical Tax Rates in Hantsport.  From 1998/9 to around 2006/7 the commercial rate hovered around 2.80%, while the residential tax rate was about 1.65%.  Between 2006/7 and today, the commercial rate has increased to about 3.80%, and the residential rate to about 1.69%.  The issue seems to be more one of increasing commercial rates. 

For 2012/13, the base rates (not including area rates) for West Hants were 0.94% residential and 1.68% commercial, for Kings 0.85% residential and 2.29% commercial.  

Question 1:  So who stands to benefit the most by dissolving the Town of Hantport, from a taxation standpoint?  If I were a large commercial entity, I might think that dissolution was a great idea.  Furthermore, on the question of which way do we go,  I would certainly promote becoming part of West Hants.  However, if I were “just” a resident of the Town of Hantsport, I might lean towards Kings, assuming I even thought dissolution was a good idea.

Question 2:  Given the stakes, should citizens of Hantsport be concerned about a conflict of interest in the handling of this whole matter?

Martin Vander Baaren

32 Main Street

LOCAL PLANT SALES +

See EVENTS at right for sales May 17, 18 & 19  on Smith Crescent. June 7 at Avonport is also a giant yard sale.

HHC update - T shirts

The T-Shirts are now at the Scotiabank to see and size...lets make Hantsport a sea of red...

Another dog finds a home through ElderDog

Who wouldn't fall in love with Bella?

Quilts and desserts raised money for Relay for Life

Quilter Linda Oikle admires the fine hand stitching on Barb Hagel's quilt. 

Local members of Relay for Life raised approximately $400 during their Quilt and Dessert Tea at the Hantsport Fire Hall on Thursday May 8. The patterns, colours and techniques varied.  The desserts - including gluten free ones - were abundant  and delicious.

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OOPS! PUPPIES!

OOPS! PUPPIES!  is in Lawrencetown.
The text below gives you an idea of what they do differently.
To see the full text, see LINK below the text.
One thing they do is spay the mother. But lots more!

WHAT WE DO DIFFERENT

1. PET INSURANCE

We are confident that our puppies are healthy, and we want you to be confident too. To ease the stress and questions, we send each pup with an introductory free insurance . There are so many facets to the decision making process, this shouldn't be one of them. 

2. MEDICAL

Each puppy stays with us for a minimum of 10 days (usually longer), this gives most illnesses time to present. They are checked thoroughly by Berwick Veterinary Clinic who also administer the first of 3 puppy shots, we get this done at 8 weeks as per their recommendation. Any findings, like fleas, heart murmurs or structure is noted on each puppies page. They are given 2 doses of worm meds by us (when possible we get the families to start earlier and we cover the cost) and are sent with enough doses to see them through to their next vet exam. 

3. COMMUNAL LIVING

The litters of pups stay together. They eat together, sleep together, play together. They need each other to learn so many important life lessons. They benefit greatly by being able all stay in one spot. No separate kennels or homes for these puppies! They learn about bite inhibition, proper use of their vocals (barking, growling, whining) and begin awareness of potty habits. 

4. 10 DAY CONFIDENCE PROGRAM

Each day each pup is challenged on a variety of items. There is a life item (worming/ear cleaning/dremeling of nails etc) A meal challenge (new vessel to eat off ceramic, wood, stainless, plastic etc) then they are made to eat from the same containers raised surface. They experience a new toy (fabric, plastic, balls, rope etc) They are challenged to walk on a new surface daily (wood, leaves, bog, laminate, concrete etc) and are given an absolute challenge daily (blanket over head, on/off a box, traverse a bridge) When they are done, they are ready to conquer the world, your home is vaguely familiar, they are set up mentally to go with the flow. They are confident (watch how they run to greet you) and happy. 

5. LIMITED FUND RAISING

We set our price structure to cover all food needs, treats, cleaners, vet care, travel arrangements, pre care of Momma Dogs, spays, supplies, toys..... everything. We have chosen to remain a small group with no need for fund raising committees. We receive no outside funding. We apply for no grants, we ask no pet stores to help support us. We charge no surrender fees. We are 100% self sufficient. When there is a surplus, we give away spay/neuters. Any fund raising would be for a specific event outside the Oops! Puppies! walls, like a Spay it Forward. (a planned event to spay a number of dogs in a specific area, no puppies or adoptions involved) 

6. REPLIES WITHIN 24 HOURS

I personally reply to every email received within 24 hours. If you have not gotten a reply, check your junk file or resend, it's gotten lost in space! I feel it's respectful and I'm always looking for the best homes. I cannot do that if we don't communicate. 

7. PRE APPROVAL

Once pre approved you will be privy to a 24 hour advance notice of all pups received. Feel free to fill out our initial questionnaire to get the process started. 

8.  TRANSPARENCY

Full disclosure on the puppies health and temperament. If I know about it, you will too. If my vet discovers it, you will read about it. Each pup's blog tells about their daily challenges and results. Our adoption fee is on the website. Pictures of placed pups and of pups that went to the Rainbow Bridge. I firmly believe there is a perfect family for each dog, as is. I never know what the puppies are when they come to me, but feel you should before you make the choice to take one into your family. 

9. HELP

From the first contact, you'll discover that we help. I work with puppies every day. Seven days a week, 6-14 hours a day. I know these puppies. I know puppies in general. Just like children in the same family are different, so are puppies. Different strengths and weaknesses, depending on your point of view. I help in every way possible to ensure you're taking home the right pup for your family. I strive to put the right puppy in the right family, one more way we go above and beyond to meet the forever goal. 

10. OOPS! PUPPIES! FAMILY

Once you've adopted a puppy, we stay with you. We have an exclusive Facebook page, which you have the opportunity to become a member. On there, other families stay connected to the litters, have play dates, and offer encouragement and advice! It, in true Oops! style it is friendly and welcoming!

LINK