Tourism in Richmond County

Isle Madame’s new tourism committee is moving towards creating an  exciting new tourism direction for Richmond County’s beautiful Acadian Island under the theme “Isle of 100 Coves” and you can help. The Department of Tourism and Economic Development is looking for any information you may have on the different coves around Isle Madame. This could include: pictures, maps, names, facts and stories to help build the interest in the rich culture and history of the coves of Isle Madame. If you have any information, and wouldn't mind having it scanned or photocopied for the usage of the Department of Tourism and Economic Development, please forward it to Robyn at rmombourquette@richmondcounty.ca or phone (902)-226-3990 by April 6, 2013.

Richmond County has some great news for our boating community. The  Wallace MacAskill Yacht Club in St. Peter's will be hosting a Sailing Rules and Tactics Seminar with Sandy MacMillan of North Sails Atlantic on Saturday April 6th from 10 am - 1 pm at the Bonnie Brae Senior’s Hall, on Toulouse Street in St. Peter’s. Those interested in attending are asked to register by April 1st.  And to make this news even more exciting, the workshop will be sponsored by The Municipality of Richmond County, so there is no admission charge!!!  There is a lunch available at a cost of $10 to attendees, and you must register in advance for this seminar. This seminar covers the basic right of way rules in Parts 1 and 2 of the Racing Rules of Sailing, and some tactics associated with these rules. There have been changes made to these rules recently. If you are interested in racing this summer, this is an event you will not want to miss! The presentation will be given by Sandy MacMillan, the founder & president of North Sails Atlantic Ltd. He has been a sailmaker for 35 years and an offshore sailor and navigator for 30 years. Sandy is a 3 time Olympian and is a member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame. For more information please contact Fleet Captain Gordon Kerr by email kerr.gord@gmail.com or by phone (902) 535-3759. Also in a note of interest to all sailors planning on spending time on the Bras D’Or Lake this summer, the Wallace MacAskill Yacht Club is looking at holding Wednesday evening Boat Races throughout the summer; great news for visitors and locals alike.

Now that February is here, we start thinking of Valentine’s Day and the celebrations centered around this very special day. Here is a list of some of the events taking place on February 9th, the Grand River Winterfest Breakfast will take place at the Grand River Volunteer Fire Department Hall running from 7am until 10:30am. There will be a Valentines Roast Pork Supper and Dance will take place at the Riverdale Community Centre in Lower River from 6pm until 12am. Music will be by Gerald MacIntyre and tickets are $20.00 per couple or $10.00 per person for more information you can contact Graham Windsor at 625-2183. A Valentine’s Day Dance will also be held at the St.
Peter’s Lions Hall in St. Peter’s from 9pm until 1am. Tickets are $8.00 advance and $10.00 at the door, or $15.00 per couple and music will be by Phil’s Sights and Sounds. For more information you can contact Michelle Carter at 535-3201. On February 10th there will be a Breakfast held at the D’Escousse Hall in D’Escousse, from 8 to 11am. The Point Tupper Heritage Valentine Tea will take place at St. Marks United Church Hall in Port Hawkesbury from 2 to 4 pm. And on February 14th there will be a Valentine’s Supper at the Centre La Picasse. The supper will begin at 6:30pm, with an open bar starting at 6:00pm. The menu will include Cornish hen served with mashed potatoes, vegetables, garden salad, Italian bread, tea or coffee & dessert and door prizes will be presented. Advance paid tickets ONLY before February 7th at $20 per person. Please call 226-0149. Until next week, I hope you have the opportunity to take in some of these great Valentine’s Day events.