Shakespeare in Sydney for Canada Day

Shakespeare In The Park presents A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Wentworth Park Bandshell on George Street in Sydney. This 5 day engagement begins tonight at 7pm and runs through July 1st. Admission price is by donation and the show goes on rain or shine, so bring your own chairs and umbrellas!

The Ballet Comes to Mabou this Saturday

Ballet Bras d'Or will present “Kipling’s book of the Jungle” on Saturday June 30th at 7:30pm at Strathspey Place. Kipling’s original story of the young boy adopted by a family of wolves and brought up in the jungle will come alive on stage in this multimedia ballet production. This classic tale portrays well the dilemmas of societies. As amusing as some of the characters might be, for the thinker in the child or adult alike, there are many allegories to ponder about. The wolf pack promotes leadership and law, whereas the monkeys have no leader,” they lie and they cheat. They live up in the tree tops and want admiration, but no beast of the jungle will look at them”. The loyalty of brotherhood among some of the wolves transcends even the law as the leader Akela will lay down his life if he must, yet when the lame and ferocious Tiger Shere Khan bribes some in the pack, we see how greed and treason divides and ruin them. Mowgli‘s travels among the animals of the jungle will remind us about our troubles among our own kind. Ballet bras d’or‘s choreography was presented in 2006 at Strathspey Place. Some of the dancers of that production are coming back for the 2012 presentation after continuing their secondary study in Dance. It will therefore be a delight to have our own Cape Breton crew brings their professional experience to share with the younger dancers. Tickets will be sold at the door, or you can call 945-5300 if you wish to reserve them early: $10 per adult, $5.00 for children and students. For more information for the school and company you can visit: www.balletbrasdor.com

Tourism In Richmond County

The St. Peter’s Visitor Information Center is pleased to announce that it will be offering visitors an opportunity to speak to Mi’kmaq elders from Eskasoni on the aboriginal culture; as well as the new tourism project from Eskasoni, the “Goat Island Experience”. The VIC will host 2 elders every Friday from 10am to 3pm from July 6th to July 27th. Visitors as well as local residents are invited to come in and learn firsthand about the oldest cultures on Cape Breton Island from actual members of the aboriginal community. This would also be an excellent learning experience for senior’s organizations or day care groups and community groups to come and learn about our rich cultural
history. These segments will also offer an excellent photo opportunity to visitors as the aboriginal members will be dressed in traditional regalia. The Visitor Information Centre is located at 10259 Grenville Street, Hwy 4 St. Peter’s across from the Natural Resource Office.

Visitors to the area have changed over the years. We are seeing a lot of families travelling now with their pets. Operators are now making it a lot easier to travel with pets as they have units available that will accommodate these types of visitors. There are also operators that have set up pet kennels for the convenience of visitors who want to visit tourism attractions where animals are not permitted, but that want to make sure that their pets are properly taken care off. The time for leaving Flip at home are long gone.

Not all animals in our own area are that lucky. Some animals are in need of assistance and Richmond is lucky to have Dorothy’s Pets In Need, which is set up to help take care of abandoned cats. Donna along with a very dedicated group of volunteers are doing an excellent job of taking care of these less fortunate animals in hopes of finding good homes for them. Dorothy’s Pets in Need are sponsoring a
fundraising drive to help out with the expense of these lovable little cats. The volunteers of the group are selling bookmarks with a picture of Ophelia, one the cats who has come to the shelter and is looking for a good home. On the book mark you will read about Ophelia and her history. If you would like to adopt Ophelia or one of the other lovable felines you can call Donna at 535-3171 or Sheila at 535-2081 for more information. Or if you would like to purchase a bookmark, you can contact Amy at 535-2490 or stop in a purchase one at Louie’s Cosy Corner in St. Peter’s. Bookmarks are $2.00 each. The first run of bookmarks was very successful and a new order has been placed and
should be here in time for the long week-end.

On the entertainment scene: On June 29th, there will be a concert with Les Sapin Verts  at La Picasse in Petit de Grat starting at 8pm. Canteen facilities will be available, for more information, please
call 1-902-226-0149. On June 30th, Gordie Sampson will be bringing his song writers circle format to the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre, Saturday starting at 8:00 p.m.  Joining him on the stage are Mo
Kenney, Dylan Guthro, and Carleton Stone. Tickets for this concert are available on line, at ONLINE TICKET SALES or by calling the Civic Centre box office at 625-2591 or at the box office. Also on June 30th from 11am to 3pm, join Reg Landry who will be giving a Sand Castle Workshop at the Grand Greve Beach,   St. Peters. Come and enjoy a few hours of sand sculpting and get some practice in before the 2012 Sand Sculpting contest. The fee for the workshop is $10.00 which includes your registration fee for the 2012 Sand Sculpting Contest. From 12pm to 6pmon June 30th, there will be Crab Dinner at the Hall in Fourchu. Eat in or take out, by ticket only. For more information or tickets,
please call Annabell at 1-902-884-2315 or Elsie at 1-902-884-2522. On July 1st there will be Canada Days held around the county, check with www.richmondcounty.ca for a full list of festivities.

Until next week, I hope you have fun exploring Richmond.

Thunder From Down Under this Friday in Glace Bay

Cape Breton's own Men of The Deeps meets Australia's Metropolitan Male Choir of South Australia coming together in support of the Cancer Patient Care Fund and The Savoy Theatre METROPOLITAN MALE CHOIR OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA The Metropolitan Male Choir began life in 1928 among workers in the Holden motor body factory in Adelaide. It was then known as the Holden Male Voice Choir and its original membership was 39 with many from Cornish and some from Welsh backgrounds. They sang under the leadership of Clarrie Roberts. In the early 1930’s, because of its association with the national broadcaster ABC Radio, it became known as the 5CL Male Choir. Regular appearances were made on ABC Radio, and the Choir featured in Adelaide’s first Choral Festival in the Adelaide Town Hall in 1934. In 1936, Adelaide’s centenary year, the Choir’s name was changed to its present name of Metropolitan Male Choir of South Australia. Over the years, the Choir has grown to a current membership of 73 and has become recognised and acclaimed both throughout Australia and overseas. The Choir sings a wide variety of music from Operatic choruses, all forms of sacred music including hymns and Negro spirituals, musical comedy, folk songs, traditional and contemporary popular music. Moreover, these are sung many in English but several in foreign languages. This present tour of Canada and USA will culminate in England and Wales with the final highlight being a concert with Choirs from all over the World in a pre-Olympic 'Wales Choir of the World' concert at the Royal Festival Hall London with the great Bryn Terfel as soloist. THE MEN OF THE DEEPS The Men of the Deeps is a choir of working and retired coal miners from the island of Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, Canada. Organized in 1966 as part of Cape Breton’s contribution to Canada’s Centennial Year (1967), the group’s inception was an effort by the people of Cape Breton to preserve in song some of the rich folklore of the island’s coal mining communities. The musical repertoire of the Men of the Deeps is gathered from mining communities around the world. Many of the group’s songs are 'home grown' - composed by contemporary Cape Breton bards, or traditional songs which trace their roots to their Celtic fore bearers in the old country. Musical Director and Conductor, Jack O’Donnell has become an expert on coal mining songs in Canada, and published a major collection entitled And Now The Fields Are Green: The Men of the Deeps is more than a singing group - it is a social institution. There is a camaraderie amongst the members of the group that carries over to their audiences wherever they perform. Clad in coveralls and hard hats, they make an impressive impact when they enter a concert hall in total darkness with only the lamps on their helmets for light. Anyone who attends a concert by the Men of the Deeps cannot help but come away with the feeling that a special breed of men has touched them.

Time(s): 7:00 PM | Price(s): $19.50

Tourism in Richmond County

Breaking news for Surfers: this year the Department of Recreation for Richmond County has offered some new surfing packages in their summer surf program.  For this summer there have been three new additions. A Child Surf Club program will run on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings from 10 to 11:30am throughout the summer. The students will have the use of a wetsuit, surfboard and instructions for a fee of $75.00. A Female Surf Club Program will also run throughout the summer on Monday and Friday mornings from 10 to 11:30am. The charge for this program will be $125.00, which will include the use of a wetsuit, surfboard and instructions. And the Adult Surf Club Program will run from 10 to 11:30am on Wednesday and Sunday mornings throughout the summer. The course will include instruction, wetsuit and surfboard for a fee of $125.00. These courses offer an excellent opportunity to learn the art of surfing. The Recreation Department’s Surf instructors, under coach Michelle Richards, will again be offering individual lessons throughout the summer to individuals who do not want to be part of the 3 above clubs. Lessons will consist of a one and a half hour period for a fee of $40.00 or a 4 lesson package of one and a half hours each for a fee of $120.00; fees include instruction, wetsuit and surfboard. For surfers coming to Point Michaud Beach who will not be taking lessons and only require surf equipment the surf program can also meet
their needs. There will be a fee of $10.00 for the rental of either a surfboard or wetsuit or and a fee of $15.00 when you rent both items. The surf program at Point Michaud Beach will start July 1st. and run throughout the summer season. To check the Surf Report: call 1-902-227-1230 and the summer beach landline is 1-902-587-5112. If you enjoy the beach and love the smell of the ocean and being out in the water this is a perfect sport to take up and an excellent way to stay fit.
Until next week I hope you enjoy exploring Richmond.

Happy Father's Day at the Dundee Golf Resort

Dundee Resort & Golf Club 2012 Green Fees

Tourism in Richmond County

Breaking news for Surfers: this year the Department of Recreation for Richmond County has offered some new surfing packages in their summer surf program.  This summer there have been three new additions. A child surf club will run on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings from 10 to 11:30am throughout the summer. It will include lessons, their wetsuits, and surfboard rentals for a fee of $75.00. A female surf club will also run throughout the summer on Monday and Friday mornings
from 10 to 11:30am. The charge for this program will be $125.00, which will include their wetsuit, instructions and surfboard rentals. And the adult Surf Club will run from 10 to 11:30am on Wednesday and Sunday mornings throughout the summer. The course will include instruction, wetsuit and surfboard rentals for a fee of $125.00. These courses offer an excellent opportunity to learn the art of surfing. The Recreation Department’s Surf instructors, under coach Michelle
Richards, will again be offering lessons throughout the summer to individuals who do not want to be part of the 3 above clubs. Surf instructors Carli and Matt, as well as Michelle, will be on hand to
give instructions to those interested in taking individual lessons. Lessons will consist of a one and a half hour period for a fee of $40.00 or a 4 lesson package of one and a half hours each for a fee of
$120.00; fees include instruction, wetsuit and surf board. For surfers coming to Point Michaud Beach who will not be taking lessons and only require surf equipment the surf program can also meet their needs. There will be a fee of $10.00 for the rental of either a surfboard or wetsuit or and a fee of $15.00 when you rent both items.  The surf program at Point Michaud Beach will start July 1st. and run throughout the summer season. To check the Surf Report: call 1-902-227-1230 and the summer beach landline is 1-902-587-5112. If you enjoy the beach and love the smell of the ocean and being out in the water this is a perfect sport to take up and an excellent way to stay fit.
The Nova Scotia Familiarization tour made a visit to St. Peter’s on Friday and Saturday visiting shops and museums in the area. The FAM tour made a drive through the St. Peter’s area and thorough the
beautiful island of Isle Madame, giving operators from the mainland of Nova Scotia an overview of Richmond’s attractions such as beaches, gift shops, museums, restaurants and tourism properties.
On the local scene: Friday June 15th there will be a Concert held at the St. George’s Channel Community Hall starting at 7pm. On Sunday June 17th there will be a Variety Concert held at the Lakeside Community Centre in Sampsonville starting at 7:30pm. Also on Sunday, there will be a Country Breakfast held at St. Georges Channel Community Hall from 9am until 11am. The Riverdale Jamboree will take place on Father’s Day at the Riverdale Community Centre in Lower River starting at 2pm.

Until next week I hope you enjoy exploring Richmond and I would like
to wish all you fathers a very Happy

Last Day to Vote in Roxy Girl Contest

Today is the final day of voting in the Roxy Girl Contest! You can vote once per day, so go to http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/219930/voteable_entries/51767916 and support Cape Breton's own Kait Fennell!

Tourism in Richmond County

Lots of great things are being planned for this summer for our visitors. The Concerts by the Sea will be back alternating between the LeNoir Landing site in Arichat on Thursdays starting on July 5th and
at the Band Stand in St. Peter’s on Wednesdays starting on July 11th. Planning is in full swing for community festivals right around the county, which are always popular with visitors wanting to take part in cultural events.  This year the surf program which operates through our Municipality’s Recreation Department will be offering some brand new exciting programs including- a Kids Club, a Female Surf Group and an Adult Surf Group, besides the regular surf lessons. Surf Instructor
Michelle Richards, who has led the program since it began, will be back again this season with her team of instructors to make sure that those taking part in the surf program will have lots of fun this
summer. We are only 3 months away from the 9th Annual Point Michaud Surf Classic which will be taking place the last weekend in August. The Surf Classic is a great place for the members of the surf program to demonstrate what they have accomplished during the summer as well as an excellent place for surfers from around the province and beyond to come and take part in the competition. Point Michaud is steadily growing in popularity with surfers from near and far. Again this year, businesses from the surrounding communities are showing their support for the Classic by offering some great discounts for surfers and their families who register for the Surfing event. And this year the Classic
will be hosting a Surfs Up Contest, which will be held during the week leading up to the Classic with the winner being announced at the awards event for the Classic. Businesses and local residents are
invited to decorate their windows and yards in support of this tourism event. The theme for the contest will be fun at the beach, anything from colored beach chairs and beach balls to surfboards; the field is open to your imagination. There will be two divisions - Business and Residential, with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes awarded in each. For more information on the discounts being offered for those who register for the classic and for the Surfs Up Contest you can go to www.tourismspotlight.blogspot.com or to www.surfpointmichaud.com.
On the entertainment scene: Every Tuesday there will be a Jam Session held at the MacBouch Restaurant and Lounge from 7-9pm. Come and play or just sit back and listen to great  local entertainment. On June 10th, there will be a Merchandise Bingo held at the Riverdale Community Centre in Lower River starting at 2pm. Also on June 10th there will be a Hungryman’s Breakfast held at the D’Escousse Hall from 8am until 11am. On June 15th, The St. Georges Community Hall will host In Concert with Rob Woodley, Patrick Lamey, Heather Richards, Eastbound, Tim LaBorie, and Adam Cooke. Admission is a free will offering with all proceeds going to the Leeside Transition House. Also on June 15th there will be a Fish Fry Supper at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 150 from 4:30pm to 7pm.
Until next week enjoy exploring Richmond.

Velo Introduces Lobster Roll Relay

Cape Breton's Own Roxy Girl Kaitlynn Fennel

http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/219930/voteable_entries/51767916?page=1


Cape Breton's Kait Fennel is one of the top finialists in the Roxy Girl Competition. The competition is coming closer to choosing the New Roxy Girl and Kait is in there to the end. She is now in the top 25 competitors out of 4000 entrees, and we can help her get closer to being chosen the Roxy Girl by voting. If she wins, she’d receive two fantastic surf trips including one to the Roxy Pro Surf Competition in France, plus a lot of surf wear and gear.  But time is getting short; go to your computor and go to the sight found under her photo and vote and have all your friends and family vote. We have the opportunity to help one of our island girls reach her goal,  so let's get on the bandwagon and rally everyone you can to vote and vote now!!!! Kait is from Red Islands and has spent many summers surfing at Point Michaud Beach where she developed a love of riding the waves, so by helping Kait we are also promoting our area as well. This is a win win win situation. We are not only helping one of our own girls reach her goal but we are also helping to spread the word about Point Michaud as a great spot to surf.

I would like to congratulate the Bras d'Or Lakes Inn on receiving the 2012 Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence. It is not a surprise that tripadvisor acknowledged the Bras d'Or Lakes Inn for their excellent survice, it is one of the best tourism properties located on Cape Breton Island offering superb service, an excellent dining experience with professional and courteous staff. The staff of the Bras d'Or Lakes Inn goes out of their way to offer guests the best experience possible, having visitors return time and time again.

BRAS D’OR LAKES INN EARNS 2012 TRIPADVISOR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE

Honored as a Highly Rated Accommodation as Reviewed by Travelers on the World’s Largest Travel Site St. Peter’s, Nova Scotia –

May 23, 2012 –

Bras d’Or Lakes Inn today announced that it has received a TripAdvisor

Certificate of Excellence award. The accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is

given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews
on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Approximately 10 percent of accommodations listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious award.
To qualify for the Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor. Additional criteria include the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months.

“Bras d’Or Lakes Inn, is pleased to receive a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence,” said Rhoda Gillet ,

General Manager at Bras d’Or Lakes Inn “We strive to offer our customers a memorable experience, and this accolade is evidence that our hard work is translating into positive traveler reviews on TripAdvisor.”

“TripAdvisor is pleased to honor exceptional businesses for consistent excellence, as reviewed by

travelers on the site,” said Christine Petersen, president of TripAdvisor for Business. “The Certificate
of Excellence award gives highly rated establishments around the world the recognition they deserve. From exceptional accommodations in Beijing to remarkable restaurants in Boston, we want to applaud these businesses for offering TripAdvisor travelers a great customer experience.”

Music Camp on the Canal Starts Tonight!

Welcome Reception and Jam at 7:00pm at the Bras d'Or Lakes Inn in St. Peter's in St. Peter's.

Corrie Event on June 13 in Glace Bay

The beautiful Savoy Theatre hosts An Audience With Coronation Street on Wednesday June 13. Join Jennie McAlpine and Graeme Hawley, better known and John and Fiz Stape, for a chat about life, death and everything in between from their roles on the cobbles of Coronation Street. The first part of the evening will be a formal interview with the actors, after which it will be the audience’s turn to ask questions of these great 'Corrie' characters. This is a reserved seating event so for best seats, buy early! For the super fan there are a very limited amount of VIP packages which combine front of house seating with a personal 'Meet & Greet' with Jennie and Graeme. A Super Mother’s Day Gift Idea! Showtime is 7:00pm with tickets priced at $44.50 and $69.50 for VIP (incl service charges). For more information visit http://www.savoytheatre.com/events.php