2014 and 2015
Estuary House Improvements
The house has come a long way! Over the winter of 2014/2015, the asbestos siding was replaced with cedar and in early June 2015, a group of people got together and stained it. All the windows and exterior doors were also changed. A heat pump has been installed and we now have our monthly meetings at the house. The place was spruced up in time for an open house on April 19th.
Trail cutting
There is now a lovely 3 kilometer walking trail through the property thanks to a crew who met and cleared it in time for winter skiing.
November 7, 2015
Our New Trail
Garnet McLaughlin of Cobequid Trail Consulting led a group of FOPE volunteers for a day of extending and maintaining the beautiful winding trail we first started last November. We now have 2 kilometers of trail ready to be used with another 0.5 to be developed. Eventually the trail will be a full loop with viewing stations over the salt marsh. You can find the trailhead just to the rear of the FOPE house.
It is really pretty now - and will be great to snowshoe. Come and try it out!
The reward for our hard work - a sighting of trees in flower in November. Look out for the stand of witch hazel near the trailhead.
2016
June 19, 2016
Estuary House Trail
This spring saw us working on completing The Pugwash Estuary Trail, and it is a walker's delight. It starts behind the FOPE house on Crowley Road. The bridges are now in place, so no wet feet, and there are information signs along the way to explain the features. FOPE and NCCC invite you to explore the variety and beauty of the trail and the estuary.
April 24, 2016
OPEN HOUSE
A lot has been happening to the FOPE house. Renovations are under way, and we held our open house to show off where we are now.
August 26, 2016
Walking the Peace Trail
There are too many people to thank for our wonderful new trail, but Colin Hines, Bob Nogler and Pamela Krieg have to be singled out. Colin was our summer student hire and what a terrific addition to our volunteers he was. Pamela came in a bit later, but soon proved her worth.
On Friday, August 26, Colin's last day, they took some of the FOPE community to show us our new trail. It is gorgeous, skirting the estuary and Canfield Creek, rarely out of sight of the water. The rest place has a picnic table which Colin and Pam paddled over and then somehow got up the cliff and put in place.
Stephen had a suitable gift for Colin for all his hard work, and we were all sad to see both of our students go. Thank you so much.
August 2016
The World Can See Us
We are featured in the Chronicle Herald with an article about the digitization of our trail. It should be available through Google Earth soon!
Canada 150
Our Canada 150 project is highlighted at https://alliance150.ca/project/pugwash-peace-trail/. This was our proposal. Photos to follow of our celebrations to open the trail.
Nov. 5, 2016
Tidying the Place up a Bit
Betty called a work party and they came. Thanks to Sarah, Bob, Dianne, Doug, Diane, Mike, Margie, Ami, Sandy, Alice and Bill and of course Betty - and Shubie!
Nov. 12, 2016
Renovations
Our renovations are coming along. The gyprock is up and the place looks 100 % better. Thanks Diane Burnham. Next up - the downstairs bathroom!
2017
March, 2017
Everything came together in 2017 in our house. The many hands saying is certainly true, but the biggest accolades go to the two leaders, Werner and Louise van Thielen.
CANADA 150 PROJECT - OPENING CEREMONY
September 23, 2017
Two significant things have happened this fall. First, Bob Nogler won a Communities in Bloom award for his work towards the building of the second FOPE hiking trail.
Building a trail is a gift to the community which will give enjoyment to generations of Pugwash hikers. The Pugwash Peace Trail at about 3.5 km was built to recognize the work of the Thinkers and of all others who strive for peace.
The second event was the official opening of this new trail - FOPE’s Canada 150 celebration. After a few words by Al Gillis, the celebration started with a solstice ceremony to honour the changing of the seasons and a smudging ceremony led by Louise Goodwin and Emile Gautreau.
John Carraberis, vice chair of FOPE and Doug VanHemessen of NCC cut the ribbon, and declared the trails open. The signs acknowledging the important partnerships with NCC, the Seagull foundation property, the Pagweak foundation and Windsor salt were displayed as were the interpretive signs that will be placed along the trails.
The new trail is part of the Pugwash Peace Trail System with two loops accessible from it - the Masicho and the Kitpoo Loops make another 1.75 km available. Come and try them out
NOW ON TO THE BARN
November 12, 2017
Renovations to the house are pretty well complete, so it is on to the barn we go. The shed at the side was falling down, so it had to go. With Joe and his backhoe and Ralph and his overseeing, the job was done.
MLA VISIT
Dec. 5th, 2017 - Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin and assistants accepted FOPE's invitation to see the work we have done towards building an interpretive and education centre and encouraging the public to experience nature. She explored our new trail system as we discussed the potential impacts on the environment of proposed mining activity. The Estuary Trail was in its usual splendour that day - despite the drizzle.
2018
TRAIL WORK
June 3rd - Our intrepid volunteers have spent two Sundays putting up the signs for the Peace Trail. One of the days was warm; last Sunday not so! One more work session and the trail will be complete. Many hands do make for light work - and a picnic after never hurts!
