Interview Sarah Whitney and Christina Martin
I spent time with a friend and hiked the Witney Wilderness for this special podcast episode, with a member of our Patreon community Sarah Witney❤
Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1903160/10582477
Sarah is many things, including a mother, artist, yoga instructor, pickleballer, birder and a citizen scientist! She is also a dedicated volunteer with FOPE (Friends of the Pugwash Estuary), an Environmental protection organization in Pugwash Junction, Nova Scotia.
For more information on and ways to support FOPE (Friends of the Pugwash Estuary) please visit: www.pugwashestuary.com
I hope you enjoy, and I hope it inspires you to get out for a hike in the wilderness with a friend.
In Joy,
Christina
Flotilla Summer 2021
A beautiful day with 57 boats on the water and 63 paddlers. It doesn’t get much better than this. We decided to start and finish at Estuary House this year so that people could enjoy the music and wouldn’t be worrying about getting their vehicles down from Conn’s Mills. I think it was a good choice.
A bunch of thanks are needed. Natalie Coady procured the food. Mary Purdy and Betty Hodgson cleaned the estuary house. Eleanor Conrad, Mary P., John Caraberis and Betty sprayed the garlic, Rocky Irons mowed and Betty weed whacked, Clara McDonald registered us and Larry McDonald hauled us in and out of our boats. Werner and Louise van Thielen showed everyone the way in their spiffy new yellow canoe. Doug Hunt and Jerry Draheim barbecued. And then there was our terrific music by Doug, Richard, Louise, John and Helen the Abandoned House Band as well as Rocky Irons who closed the day with a much anticipated version of Wabash Cannonball.
As for the paddling - the water was calm and beautiful and we made it to Eel Lake at the end of Canfield Creek.
Trail Work Covid Style
On June 7, the lumber lug was accomplished by many volunteers under the direction of Sarah who organized all in grand style. Lumber was hauled along the Estuary Trail in socially distanced work parties and a crew of 5 volunteers put together nine 12-foot boardwalks. Thanks all of you who participated. A great response.
Abby hard at work.
Fall Feast 2019 version
Nov. 9, 2019 - Our loyal supporters once again came out to support us in our major fundraising event. We couldn’t do it without all of you! 72 signed up and after a pork dinner listened while Betty went over the highlights for the year.
The annual unveiling of the cloth napkins.
Two of our servers hard at work
And our intrepid chefs - Bill and Stephen
Wayne Reid won the doorprize of a stay at a cabin near Advocate. Peter Clarke won the grand prize of an ocean cruise to Wallace for 10 on a lobster boat.
Thanks for helping with the cleanup, Eleanor
Some of us hung in there right until the end!
Thank you all again. See you next year!!
Fall Flotilla
Oct. 19 - 2 canoes and 4 kayaks. Not a huge crowd, but a beautiful paddle up to Doherty Creek and in to Eel Lake on a high tide. Our estuary is beautiful in the fall. Thanks, Nancy LeBlanc, for the first photo.
Click on these for a slideshow.
Bird Count
FOPE once again led the Fall Migratory Bird Count for North Cumberland County on September 28th. We identified 1281 birds from 47 species. The most unexpected sighting was a snow goose at Pugwash Point, they don't usually migrate east of Quebec and there were still warblers around as well as lots of shorebirds. There were 238 Canada geese in the Pugwash Basin when we counted.
Sarah spots another bird to count.
Community Award for Betty
Betty Hodgson - Community Leader
Betty’s commitment to volunteering goes back to growing up in a farming community where everyone did everything in order for events and progress to happen.
During Betty’s career as a nurse, she volunteered as much as her job and family commitment allowed. Along with her husband, the environment was always a major focus. Betty moved to the Gulf Shore after retiring from nursing, wanting to become involved in the community in order to meet people. Joining the Friends of the Pugwash Estuary, Pugwash Ground Search and Rescue and the Northumberland Community Curling Club filled her passion regarding the environment, being outdoors and a need to be productive and social.
In the seven years she has lived on the Golf Shore, she has come to appreciate the strengths she constantly sees in this area. People have been very kind and welcoming. There is such a wealth of talent, exemplified by groups like the Ramsheg Hookers, who’s members share so much of themselves.
While Betty says that she came to this area by chance, it became just the perfect fit for her in the end.
Fostering a Passion for the Environment!