Wayne McKay Highlights The Kids Surf Club Program at Point Michaud Beach

              Michelle Richards and her Kids Surf Club students

It is great to see that the surf program in Point Michaud Beach is really starting to be noticed by our local media. Monday July 30th Wayne McKay had his column on "Surfing another way to get children moving" in the Cape Breton Post. As McKay relates in his column it is great to see the excitement shown by the children as they head out to ride in the waves. I to was at the beach that morning and it was amazing to see the younger students riding in on the board with Michelle and as they stood to ride in the surf, the smiles on their face were priceless. They were actually skipping back out into the water to hop on the boards and paddle out to catch the next wave.The Surf program is also a excellent way for the children to learn as McKay states in his column "Kids Surf Club teaches kids oceand  and wave conditions, water safety, surf etiquette, equipment familiarity, how to paddle out into surf and catch and ride surf." It's true, hey learn so much from Michelle and her team of instructors as well as from the life guards who instruct the kids about water safety. I can't think of a better program to enroll the kids in during the summer, they get great instructions, lots of exercise and fresh sea air and best of all they have lots of fun.

Picture Perfect Day For Surfing At Point Michaud

Today was a picture perfect day for surfing at Point Michaud Beach in Richmond County. It was great to see a number of visitors to the beach from moms and dads with their kiddies playing in the sand, to the Kids Surf Club out with their boards riding in on the waves. Michelle Richards and her team of surf instructors are doing a great job with the kids, teaching them the proper procedures in the art of surfing. The lifegaurds at Point Michaud Beach are exceptional, the children from the surf program are not only getting to learn the proper way to surf and a respect for the water but they are also receiving instruction in junior lifeguard procedure. Hats off to Michelle and the Richmond County Department of Recreation for offering young people the opportunity to have this great outdoor experience, definitely an experience and training that they will remember and use throughout their lives.

Right Some Good's The French Connecttion Comes to LeNoir Landing August 20th.

                   Chef Gilbert DeCourt & Chef Alain Bosse

If you attended the Right Some Good Food Adventure last year, you will remember what a spectacular experience it was. It was an event that people talked about for weeks after. How often does a person have the opportunity to have food prepare by a world class chef in our own community.
This year we again are very fortunite to be able to attend such a World Class event this year with a French Theme-The French Connection: Cajun to Acadian Fusion and what better location than for the event than at Le Noir Landing in the beautiful Acadian Island of Isle Madame. This incredible event will take place on Monday August 20th with dinner at 6pm-Four Course Meal. Tickets are $85.00 and can be purchased Online or by calling 1-902-625-2591.

Right Some Good is also searching for volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering or for more information about the event please contact DIMA @ 226-1918 or joan@dimans.ca

Eskasoni Elders Inform Visitors About Native Culture And Traditions.

Every Friday during the month of July the St. Peter's Visitor Information Centre has had the opportunity to have two of the Esksoni Elders who will be promoting the Goat Island Experience at Esksoni on hand to talk to visitors. On this past Friday many of our visitors stopped to ask questions on the native regalia that the elders were wearing and about the native culture here on Cape Breton.
The Elders will be at the St. Peter's Visitor Centre again next Friday from 10am to 3pm. The Elders took time to have a picture taken with some ladies from Quebec.

Winners of The12th Annual Point Michaud Sand Castle Art Contest

It was a beautiful day for the Sand Castle Art Contest at Point Michaud Beach,  here are a couple of the pictures that I took from the contest.
Winners of this year’s the 12th annual Point Michaud Sand Art Contest held July 14 at Point Michaud were. Castle Category:  1st Reg/Joel Landry;  2nd Del Zoppo;  3rd Grace/Daniel/Clare Mombourquette.
Sculpture Category: 1st Chloe Graham; 2nd Brett Rudderham/Colin Levangie;  3rd The Burke Kids.
This year’s contest was sponsored jointly by Richmond County Recreation and Seaside Communication Registration fees were turned over to the W.B.Kingston Community Health Center and along with ticket sales on a grab bag- won by Barbra Pilon- they raised $162.00.

Lobster Dinner at The Fourchu Hall Saturday July 21st

Do you enjoy a delicious Lobster Dinner? You will definitely want to take a drive down to the Fourchu Hall in Fourchu,on Saturday July 21st, for their Lobster Dinner. The Lobsters will be in the pot and the rolls in the oven and potatoes on the stove, the dinner will go from 12pm to 6pm, and it is Eat in or Take out. Ticket only. For more information or tickets, contact Annabel 864-315 or Elsie 884-2522.

Lauren's Cape Breton Tour.

Lauren was visiting Nova Scotia this past week and did a tour of Cape Breton stopping in at the St. Peter's Visitor Information Centre. She dropped us this email with some pic tures of her trip. Thanks for sharing the photos Lauren.

                                          Two Cape Breton vacation pictures

Hi Ann Marie and Gary 

The trip was wonderful.  We stayed at 8 different B &Bs which all had their own personality and distinction.  We were celebrating the beginning of our empty nest and 30 years of marriage.  We went 2200 km and had 2200 bugs on the front of our rental car!!!  Our travels took us around the entire island and even over to PEI.  Thank you to your fabulous province for receiving us so well.

Sincerely,

Lauren

Heather's Ride For Home Cycle Tour Stops In St. Peter's

Heather stopped in at The St. Peter's Visitor Information Center on her cycling trip from Newfoundland to North Bay for "Ride For Home" to support building homes for low income families. Heather enjoyed some of the sights and took some pictures which she shared with us.She also took in a family square dance while in the village. Good for you Heather!
She is a very nice young lady, so watch for her as she comes through your area, and make her feel welcome.

The St. Peter's Canal

                                                     
                                          The Wallace MacAskill House Museum

Hi visitor centre!
I wrote a bit about my afternoon in St. Peters in my blog www.rideforhome.wordpress.com but I would like to add that the photo museum was really interesting and the coast trail was easy to enjoy considering the trail was very well maintained and sign posted.
Yesterday evening I went to the square dance despite having zero dance experience. Everyone was incredibly hospitable and taught me the steps right off the bat!
Attached are a few photos that I didn't put on the blog.
Thanks again for your help!
Heather

With Peak Season Expected, Wesley's Whale Watching, in Pleasant Bay, Double Decker Vessel Back On Tour

Wesley's Whale Watching, in Pleasant Bay, Double Decker Vessel Back On Tour


Wesley's Whale Watching Tours out of Pleasant Bay, expect peak season numbers to kick off this week, so they will start the areas largest passenger vessel operating(36 passenger double decker).
on Tuesday July 17th, with 5 tours daily at 9:30,11:30,1 pm,3 pm and 5 pm. Their rates for 2012 will be $29/adult,$15/child,under 6 free. Wesleys had been running our affiliate tours vessel(12 passenger zodiac) (captain zodiac),until now. The zodiac will return to Cheticamp shortly, to run 5 tours daily also. To contact Wesley's Whale Watching Tours call toll free at 1-800-942-5315.

                                                              

                                             
                                                               

Tall Ships Sail Into Port Hawkesbury July 24th.

                                   The Bounty


The Tall Ships will be sailing into Port Hawkesbury on July 24th. Here is a
schedule of tour times and of the other events taking place at the waterfront.

TALL SHIPS PORT HAWKESBURY “SHOW CASING THE BEST OF NOVA SCOTIA”

Tuesday, July 24                                               Time                                      Location
Tall Ships Arrive in Port Hawkesbury                                                        Waterfront
Picton Castle, HMS Bounty, Gazela, Peacemaker, Appledore IV & V, Sorca &
Theodore Tugboat
Wednesday, July 25
Tall Ships Open for Tours                              10:00am-5:00pm         Waterfront
Inflatables & Games                                       10:00am-5:00pm         Waterfront
Face Painting, Airbrush Tattoos                 10:00am-5:00pm         Waterfront
Theodore Tug Boat Open to Board           10:00am-5:00pm          Waterfront
Highland Dancers & Strait Area
Cloggers                                                               12:00 noon               Under the Tent
Pony Rides                                                          3:00pm-5:00pm       Waterfront

*Gov. ID is required to be able to board ships. Youths 16 & under accompanied

by an adult/guardian does not require an ID.

Thursday, July 26

KOC Pancake Breakfast                               8:00-10:00am              Under the Tent
Inflatables & Games                                       10:00am-5:00pm             Waterfront
Tall Ships Open for Tours                              10:00am-5:00pm              Waterfront
Face Painting, Airbrush Tattoos                 10:00am-5:00pm            Waterfront
Theodore Tug Boat Open to Board           10.00am-5:00pm            Waterfront
Highland Dancers                                          12:00 noon               Under the Tent
Pony Rides                                                      3:00pm-5:00pm              Waterfront
Tall Ships Pub Night with Pogey          9:00pm –Gate Opens     Under the Tent
$10.00 Admission                             10:00pm -2:00am        Entertainment/Band
Boarding Passes: $5.00/person Children under 12 Free accompanied by
paying Adult.
BOARDING PASSES & TICKETS FOR PUB NIGHT
 – AVAILABLE AT THE WATERFRONT ENTRANCE GATE ON DATES OF THE EVENT.
ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE PORT HAWKESBURY CIVIC CENTRE BOX OFFICE STARTING
 JULY 18th CASH ONLY - For more information please contact 625-2591

Dundee Resort Great Place To Be This Summer

Great deal at the Dundee Resort & Golf Club.
Special Room Rate of $89.00 plus tax for a standard room for July 13th, at this beautiful golf resort overlooking the spectacular Bras d'Or Lakes in Dundee, Richmond County.
-Dundee's MacRae's Dining Room is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the week. Recreation at Dundee- Boathouse open 10am to 8pm weather permitting-paddleboats, kayaks, canoes, powerboat rental and more.
- Proshop Specials $35.00 plus tax for 18 holes with a shared card, after 3pm.
- Clubhouse Bar- Entertainment every Freiday and Saturday Night!
Call today for details. at 902-345-2649

Surf is Great At Point Michaud Beach

                                    Point Michaud Kids Club with instructor Michelle Richards

The weather on Cape Breton Island for the last 2 weeks has been great, our visitors are loving it, and so are the young surfers at Point Michaud Beach in Richmond County. The Kids Surf Club is really taking off. Surf Instructor Michelle Richards and her team of instructors are doing a great job of teaching these students the proper art of surfing. There are still lots of space available in the Kids Club, the Female Surf Club and the Adult Surf Club, if you have been wanting to learn how to surf this is definitely the summer to do so. The packages offered by the Recreation Department are very economical and a great way to get out and enjoy the beach this summer.

Fitzgerald Family at the Normaway Inn Tonight-July 12th-8pm

Three exciting special events are coming up at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site. Below is information about the upcoming events, taking place on July 21st. and 22nd.

1.Saturday July 21: Celebrate Parks Day with the whole family!

11:30        Barbecue in the King’s Garden with Parka!
                  Hot dogs and cake
                  Face painting
12:30         Children’s Guided Tour (30 minutes)
                   How did the children of 18th century
                   Louisbourg dress? Did they go to school?
                    What games did they play?
We will also have a special visit from the Giant’s 101.9 FM Summer Fun Van!
This is all free with regular entrance fees!
July 21 is also Family Beach Day at Kennington Cove from 1:00 PM -4:00 PM. Music, games and activities for children!

2. Saturday July 21: Musique Royale
The La Tour Baroque Duo brings together Michel Cardin and Tim Blackmore, two outstanding early music performers who combine their talents to present inspired programs of duos and solos for recorder, theorbo and harpsichord from the 17th and 18th centuries.  The concert will be preceded by a three course salmon dinner in the magical atmosphere of our period restaurants.
Saturday, July 21, 5:30 pm, rendezvous at Gate 2.
Tickets are $50.
To purchase your tickets please call 733-3548 or online at www.fortressoflouisbourg.ca

3. Sunday July 22: Grand Phare Bicycle Ride
Exercise, breathe in the fresh sea air and learn about history! This bicycle excursion will take you from modern to colonial times, with a stop at the site of the first lighthouse in Canada. Your guide will lead you from the Parks Canada Visitor Centre in Louisbourg to Lighthouse Point and then to the Fortress of Louisbourg reconstructed town. Throughout the 20 kilometre ride you will be entertained by interpretation of the lesser-known history of the surrounding area.
Free with your regular entrance fees payable upon arrival at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre. You must provide your own bicycle. Portions of the ride are on gravel roads.
Number of participants is limited. Reserve your spot by calling 733-3552.
Meet at the Visitor Centre at 9:45 AM. Departure at 10:00 AM.
Rain date: July 29th.

For more information on these events you can call:

Fortress of Louisbourg NHS/LHN de la Forteresse-de-Louisbourg
259, chemin Park Service Road
Louisbourg, N.S./ N-É B1C 2L2
Tel/Tél: (902) 733-3552
Government of Canada/Gouvernement du Canada

Enjoying the Bras d'Or Lake

What a day! Beautiful weather, great temperatures and spectacular scenery, what more could you want! From the deck at the Visitor Information Center in St. Peter’s this is what I saw. Sail boats out for a leisurely tour of the Bras d’Or and a lone seagull out for a paddle to cool off. It is always interesting to see what or who will be out taking advantage of a beautiful day on the Lake.

Whales Sighting At The Canso Causeway 12pm Today

Anyone travelling across the Canso Causeway, keep your eyes open to see Whales, visitors travelling across the Causeway reported to the Visitor Centre in St. Peter's that they are in the bay at the Causeway at 12pm today. Really something to see. Check it out.

Great New Surf Packages Added to Point Michaud Beach Surf Program

Kid's Surf Club student Grace Dewolfe joins surf instructor Michelle Richards for instruction is sport of surfing.


Just a week into the 2012 Surf Program and everything is going great. The Kids Surf Club which offers weekly instructions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 to11:30am with the use of a wetsuit and surf board for a fee of $75.00, started on Tuesday with a picture perfect day, the weather was warm and the waves were great. Michelle who has been the driving force behind the Surf Program is an excellent instructor, putting the kids at ease and giving them a totally enjoyable experience. Michelle has a great team of knowledgable instructors ready to teach the sport to these new and upcoming surfers. Thursday the weather was a little more foggy but that did not dampen the experience for the young and enthustic students. It was great to see that the number of students  interested in learning to surf has started to increase.
There are also two other Surf Clubs starting as part of the new program, this summer there will also be a Female Surf Club which offers weekly instructions and the use of a wetsuit and surf board from 10 to 11:30am on Mondays and Fridays during the summer for a fee of $125.00. and an Adult Surf Club which offers weekly  instructions and the use of a wetsuit and surf board from 10 to 11:30am on Wednesdays and Sundays during the summer for a fee of $125.00.

These three economical packages which have been added to the surf program offer an excellent opportunity to individuals of all ages who want to learn the sport of surfing. Besides these new packages there are still individual lesson offered daily from 10am until 5pm. For those surfers who already know how to surf  the program also offers wet suits and surf board rentals at great prices.
For rentals, lessions or to sign up for some of these great packages call Michelle at 227-1230.


The Point Michaud Surf Report 

Point Michaud Nova Scotia

Swell Rating Ht Period Dir Wind Sat 07/7 4.5ft 9secs 12mph Sun 07/8 3ft 7secs 11mph Mon 07/9 3ft 7secs 17mph Tue 07/10 3.5ft 8secs 14mph Wed 07/11 2ft 7secs 11mph Thu 07/12 2.5ft 8secs 8mph Fri 07/13 2ft 8secs 13mph

30th Annual Salmon Supper Today in Grand River, Cape Breton

The 30th Annual Salmon Supper will take place at the Grand River Fire Hall, on Saturday, July 7th from 4:30pm-6pm. Adults $14.00 and children under 12 years $5.00. Ham Supper $10.00. Sponsored by the Grand River Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

Music At The Barn-28th Anniversary at the Normaway Inn 691 Egypt Road, Margaree Valley

3 Fiddler Concert-Ceilidhs
Concert at 8pm Dance at 10pm
July 4th- Howie MacDonald, Gillian Head, Kyle MacNeil & Sheumas MacNeil
July 11th- Rodney MacDonald, Douglas Cameron, Kinnon and Getty Lou Beaton
July 18th- Dwayne Cote, Doug MacPhee and Kristen Shaw
July 25th- Kyle & Sheumas MacNeil of the Barra MacNeils, Wendy MacIsaac

Music in The Barn
July 19th and 26th- Rachel Davis -Fiddle
July 6th, Lena Murphy- Vocals, Guitar
July 7, 14, 16, and 28th- Douglas Cameron- Fiddle
July 15 and 22nd- Kristen & Kelly Shaw - Fiddles
July 9, 21, 30th- Louis Arsenault - Vocals and Guitar
July 10, 17, 24, and 31st - Derrick & Melody Cameron
July 8, 29th - Kevin Levesconte - Fiddle
Tradition Music by the fireside in the Normaway Living Room. Free admssion for both overnight and dinner guests. Freewill donations are welcome.
Call The Barn Music & Theatre Society 902-248-2987 or 1-800-565-9463 for reserved seats.
Reserved Tickets $10.00-$15.00 and $20.00
At the door $10.00 and Students under 19 years $4.00

Special Concerts At The Barn
Tickets From $10.00 call 1-800-565-9463
July 12 Thurs. The Fitzgerald Family Band
From the Ottawa Valley. Champion fiddlers and Irish stepdancers. Plus mandolin, piano percussion & guitar. Great performers. www.everythingfitz.ca  July 20 Friday Scott MacMillan & Brian Doyle
Guitar Wizards. From Celtic to Blues. East Coast Music Award Nominees. www.scott-macmillan.ca

Canteen Services Available at the Barn

Velo Cape Breton Gears Up For Guy's Afternoon Ride

Velo continues to have a busy schedule with lots of great events planned for the summer. Check out this event scheduled for July 8th.

Guy's Afternoon Ride and Poolside BBQ!
Hey it's summer and time to get moving!!! On Sunday July 8th starting at 1:30pm we are having a poker run, followed by a pool party and BBQ. The festivities begin at 10 Alderwood Drive, Coxheath, which is just 3 streets past the walking track (off the Coxheath Road). Google Map.
This is a leisurely ride suitable for all cyclists. We are going to do the loop from Coxheath, through Westmount, Point Edward, Leithes Creek and down Mountain Road back to 10 Alderwood Drive.
It is about a 40 km ride with lots of stops along the way to play poker, take pictures and smell the roses. Following the poker run, you can relax in the pool and hot-tub or just sit around and enjoy the company and music. Be sure to bring your cooler and plan to BBQ. We look forward to seeing you at this summer cycling social. If you have any questions, call either Jacques at 562-8137 or Guy at 587-2280.

Seinn O Horo Seinn - Church Concert at the Highland Village- July 7, 2012

This Press Release has just come to my desk and I would like to pass along the information to all my followers. It should be a great concert on Saturday, so come on out and enjoy the great variety of entertainers that will be there.
 
 
Saturday, July 7, 2012 - Seinn O Horo Seinn
 
 Join us for a musical evening of songs and tunes in the historic Malagawatch Church featuring singer, song writer Cyril MacPhee, fiddler, Anita MacDonald, fiddler and piper, Kenneth MacKenzie, Gaelic singer, Joanne MacIntrye as well as, singers Kelly Edwards and Amy Sampson.
 
 Concert starts at 7pm
 Tickets are $10 per person in advance tickets and $15 per person at the door.

No refunds or discounts.
 
 Tickets can be purchased by calling 725-2272 or toll free at 1-866-442-3542
 

The Surf Was Perfect For The First Day For The Kids Surf Club at Point Michaud

The surf was great at Point Michaud this morning. Picture perfect! Just as we were arriving the sun came out and it was nice and warm. First day for the Kids Surf Club lessons. Only 2 kids showed up but I am sure more will join. It was lots of fun, got some great photos, and the kids had a ball. Michelle and her team are great instructors; the kids learned so much in just 1 1/2 hours. It is going to be a great summer at the beach. Looking forward to seeing more kids coming out to the beach and taking advantage of the great opportunity to learn how to surf, right here in our own back yard. Where else can you get supervised lessons twice a week throughout the summer and the use of a wet suit and surf board for $75.00. That is a bargain!!!

Surfs Up at Point Michaud Beach-Come Try The Waves

Don't know how to Surf but would love to! Here is the opportunity you have been waiting for. You can can individual lessons or join one of the group packages and learn how to ride the surf. This summer the fun on the waves is waiting for you. Call Michelle to register at 227-1230 or drop in and talk to her at the beach. Come on out and enjoy the beach.

Surf lessons are available everyday from Friday, June 30th - August 24th from 10am until 5pm. Lessons cancelled due to extreme weather only. Call the Surf Report Line at 227-1230 for latest beach conditions.

The Point Michaud Surf Program has added a few  new packages to their surf program. The Adult Surf Club Package is for ages 20 plus- It will take place on Wednesday and Sunday mornings from 10am until 11:30am fee: $125.00.
The Kid's Surf Club Package is for ages 19 and younger ( ages 5-10 years must be accompanied by a guardian at all times) It will take place on 2 days a week for the summer onTuesday and Thursday mornings from 10am until 11:30am.
The Female Surf Club Package is for ages 12 years and up. It will run 2 days a week for the summer on Monday and Friday mornings  from 10am until 11:30am. The fee is $125.00.
There will also be a 4 Person Group Lesson or 4 Individual Lesson Package for Ages 5 years and Up run daily from 10am until 5pm.
There will also be a 1 lesson Package for ages 5 years and up taking place from 10am until 5pm daily.
All packages include: Instructor, surfboard and wetsuit rental.
Instructors, Michelle Richards, Carli Boers and Jessy Lewis will teach surboard familiarity, water safety, etiquette, how to paddle out, read waves, catch and ride the surf. Surfboard manoeuvres are introduced as surfing technique progresses.
Wetsuit and Surfboard Rental Fees (when not registered for package): $15.00/hour for both wetsuit and surfboard, $10.00/hour for wetsuit only and $10.00/hour for surfboard only.

Bras d'Or Lakes Inn Showcasing Great Local Entertainment This Summer

Looking for some great entertainment this summer the Bras d'Or Lakes Inn is offering Free entertainment on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings form 7-9pm. This information is from the Bras d'Or Lakes Inn website showing featured artists for the summer and these events will run from July 2 to August 31st. So come on down and stay a while.


FREE Entertainment Sunday-Wednesday & Friday evenings 8:00 - 10:00 pm at this highly acclaimed dining room, showcasing some of Cape Breton's up and coming local talent. Reserve early to get a seat overlooking the Bras d'Or Lake or enjoy views of St. Peter's Canal. Or come down after 8:00 for a drink and enjoy the music.

Monday's featuring:McKayla MacNeil, Tuesday's featuring Eastbound-Krysta MacKinnon and Jay Luddington, Wednesday's Chelsey Dakai and on Friday's Alison Mombourquette.

Family Square Dance Tonight at The United Church Hall, St. Peter's

Dust off your dancing shoes and head out to the Family Square Dance at the United Church Hall in St. Peter's tonight. The event runs every Monday evening from 7-9pm during the summer. Admission $5.00 a person or $15.00 for a family of 4+ and children under 12 years of age are admitted free. Some come on out and join in the fun.