It was curtain call for the Liverpool International Theatre Festival on Oct. 21.

After four days of performances, workshops and site seeing, the performers, stage crew and avid theatre goers gathered one final time at the Astor Theatre to be recognized for their achievements on the stage.

Jean Robinson Dexter, chair of the festival, said they were pleased with how the festival went.

“I think it was amazingly successful. We took a chance moving it to the fall, and judging by the size of the houses and the number of subscriptions sold, from the perspective of having people here it’s been fantastic.”

She added their biggest concern was weather, but despite a bit of rain on Saturday the troupes got a good taste of the fall weather and colours.

Otherwise there were plenty of volunteers, host homes and technical staff at the ready to make the festival a success.

Now with the festival over and the theatre troupes on their way home, Robinson-Dexter says they’ll go over how festival went and start planning for the next one.

See photos from the gala here.

Winners from the LITF gala:

Original Script – Vic Mills for the Ruins of Talgarth (Wales)

Outstanding visual Presentation – The Miser (Bangledesh)

Outstanding Supporting Female Actor – Amaranta Getino – Amandonos (Mexico)

Outstanding Supporting Actor – Md Azizur Rahman – The Miser (Bangledesh)

Outstanding Female Actor – Peta Maidman – The Ruins of Talgarth (Wales)

Outstanding Actor – Vic Mills: The Ruins of Talgarth (Wales)

Outstanding Director – Eslam Awad ElNagdy: The Seven Days (Egypt)

Outstanding International Production – The Seven Days (Egypt)

People’s Choice – The Ruins of Talgarth (Wales)

It was a busy day for the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission’s cannabis outlets on Oct. 17, when Marijuana became legal across the country.

All stores across the province that sold cannabis had lineups, said NSLC spokesperson Beverly Wear, and things went fairly smooth.

First day sales amounted to nearly 13,000 transactions and over $660,000 spent.

Wear says while a few products sold out the shelves are still stocked, and shipments will continue to keep the stock in place. She added that while there may be some shortages now, as more producers come online the shortages should end.

While Queens County may not have a place to by legal cannabis, that doesn’t mean you will always have to drive to Bridgewater.

Wear said a website has been set up for secure ordering of the product, but in order to get access to the website a Pin code card is required.

Cards are available at any NSLC outlet, not just the ones selling cannabis, and must be picked up at the cash register.

The ordered product is shipped through Canada Post, and Wear says you still have to provide legal photo ID to receive your product.

A video circulating how to bypass the verification system surfaced shortly after the site went live, however Wear says NSLC has closed the gap.

A pardon may be possible for those charged with simple marijuana possession charges in the future.

On Oct. 17 the federal government announced they will move forward on a plan that will allow those convicted of having less than 30 grams of the now legal product.

The plan will also speed up the pardon process dramatically, and waive the typical $631 charge, although those convicted must have already served their sentence.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said the government said the change is a matter of basic fairness, when older laws from a previous era are changed.

The Queens ATV association is holding a memorial ATV run this weekend, to honour one of their longtime advocates.

Ted foster was a founding member of the Queens ATV association, and the longest serving club member. Foster passed away earlier this year.

The run takes place on Oct. 20 at the Port Mouton Access Road, with registration starting at 8:30 am.

The cost for the event is $20 per person, with the money going towards upkeep of the trails. Organizer Kevin Traynor says they hope to make this a yearly event for their late comrade.

For more information contact Traynor at 902-354-5544

Zombies are coming to Liverpool Nov. 3, and if you want to be on the event today is the last day to register.

The Queens Universally designed play park is hosting the event, as a fundraiser towards building a fully accessible park next to Queens Place Emera Centre.

Participants get pledge sheets and raise as much money as they can. Then on Nov. 3 come out dressed in their best Zombie gear to shuffle and moan their way through Liverpool.

More information, including how to register can be found on the group’s Facebook page. 

The walk will go from the Town Hall Arts and Cultural Centre to Queens Place Emera Centre

There won’t be a pool added to Queens Place Emera Centre anytime soon.

Earlier in September the Queens Community Aquatic Society presented a plan to add a four lane pool to Queens Place. The costs was estimated at $12 million dollars, which would require the municipality to pitch in $4 million and the remaining $8 million to come from federal and provincial funding. After crunching the numbers, the Region of Queens determined a tax increase of 8 cents per one hundred dollars of assessed value would be required to cover the costs of building and maintaining the pool.

In a written statement Mayor David Dagley said while council sees the benefits, the costs are too high for the taxpayers to bear.

“Queens Community Aquatic Society has worked passionately to advance this project since 2015, putting in many hours of research, and planning, and have collaborated with Region staff, Council, and the public. We deeply appreciate their efforts and thank them for their tireless work,” said Mayor Dagley.  “While Council agrees that there are tremendous benefits in having a large aquatic facility in our community, we must also weigh the cost to residents and their ability to pay.

“Council will now turn its attention to planning for future upgrades of the current 51-year old Milton Centennial Pool to ensure its continued operation. We also manage the North Queens Aquatic Centre in Caledonia, which was built in 1995, and is currently in good condition operationally,” Mayor Dagley noted.

The Aquatic Society formed in 2015 with the goal of adding an indoor pool to Queens Place Emera Centre. The society said they are disappointed in the decision, but recognize that without outside funding help a pool isn’t feasible at this time.

“We wish to express appreciation to the Mayor, CAO, and Director of Recreation, for their work with us and for their diligence in doing what is affordable for the Region. Without a significant contribution from a benefactor, the funding of an aquatic facility is not currently feasible.”

The Astor Theatre Society is looking to upgrade their Heating and cooling system, and has reached out to the Region of Queens to help fund a study.

The main issue stems from trouble keeping the building cool in summer and warm in winter.

The Astor Theatre Society needs to have the current system assessed and recommendation of what would be the best system to install, at a cost of around $20,000.

A grant is in the works that would cover three quarters of the cost, and the Astor Theatre society is asked to split the remaining quarter 50-50 with the municipality.

Several councilors questioned why an external study was needed, when the municipality is familiar with the building, however Chief Administrative Officer Chris MacNeil said they don’t have the in-house expertise to decide on the best solution for the space.

It will be at least another two weeks before we know who the next deputy mayor of the Region of Queens will be.

Deputy Mayor Susan MacLeod’s term ends Nov. 1, and all councilors have the opportunity to be elected to the position for the next two years.

Two candidates, Heather Kelly and Jack Fancy, were put forward as contenders. A secret ballot was done to choose the next candidate, however despite doing the vote twice both times came back as a tie vote.

Council will make another attempt to choose a deputy mayor in their next meeting on Oct. 23

A decision to reduce the term of deputy mayor from two years to one year also proved to be a no go by council. Deputy mayors can serve one, two or four year terms under municipal rules, but council must vote to change the time frame. Currently the Region of Queens has two year terms, but a motion was put forward to change it to one.

However despite the interest by some councilors the vote was defeated in a tie.

The annual fire prevention week returns across the country next week and local detachments are getting ready to spread the word.

Terriann Munroe Miller, one of the organizers of the Liverpool events says fire prevention week is an important way to remind people to be vigil about fire safety.

She adds simply changing your smoke detector’s battery and making sure electrical outlets are not overloaded can go a long way to prevent fires.

On Monday Oct. 8 the Grand street parade gets underway at 6:30 pm, starting at South Queens Middle School, traveling to Union Street down to Main Street, crossing Market to Henry Hensey Dr. and finishing at the Fire hall.

After the parade is the ever popular Little Miss and Master pageant, which takes place at the fire hall.

Other events include fire truck rides on Tuesday and a softball game at Thorburne field where the fire department will take on the Lunenburg/Queens special Olympics team.

Sunday Oct. 7

Church Parade – 11 am at Zion United Church

Little Miss & Master Tea – 1 pm at the Liverpool Fire Hall

Monday Oct. 8

Grand Street Parade – 6:30 pm

Little Miss & Master Pageant – After the parade at the Liverpool Fire Hall

Tuesday Oct. 9

Fire Truck Rides – 5:30 pm at the Liverpool Fire Hall

Kiddie Disco – 6 pm

Wednesday Oct. 10

Mutual Aid Parade, Mahone Bay – 7 pm

Thursday Oct. 11

Liverpool Fire Fighters vs. Special Olympics Softball Match – 7 pm at Thorburne Field

There is at least some good news coming out of Carter’s Beach this year on the garbage front

Robert Ross, organizer of the annual Carter’s Beach cleanup and a resident along the road, says it was one of the cleanest years on record.

Over the 13 years he has been involved, Ross says garbage pickers pack up to eight bags worth of garbage. This year that number was down to two.

He attributes the lower volume to a combination of factors. The Department of Environment had a part time student walking the beaches to educate on the sensitive nature of the dunes, and to encourage visitors to pack in and pack out what they bring instead of disposing of it in garbage cans. Visitors using the dunes as outdoor toilets also seems to be on the decline, as Ross said the cleanup crew found fewer tracks and other signs of use.

Ross also credited two Port Mouton residents that walk the beach at least once a day that also pick up garbage as they go.

However Ross says there are still challenges to be addressed such as the volume of traffic, which seems to increase each year. An informal count of cars made at the peak of the season saw over 100 parked in the parking lot and the side of the road.

Carters beach has long been a source of frustration for residents of the area, due to the high volume of visiting traffic and garbage over the summer months, and Queens Shelburne MLA Kim Masland is voicing their concern to the provincial government.

Masland, brought the issue up in legislature on Sept. 26, to remind government solutions still needs to be found.

Though the Department of Environment has been trying to discourage people from staying for long periods of time and is not promoting the beach, Masland says this strategy is not working. They also promoted a “Pack in, Pack out” approach, encouraging visitors to take any garbage with them instead of using public trash cans.

She says the power of social media has turned Carters Beach into a destination, but once there the lack of proper facilities increases the negative impacts on the beach.

For a solution, Masland points to Summerville Beach, which also has sensitive dunes and ecological importance as a piping plover nesting ground. However, with proper parking, toilets and garbage cans the beach is kept in much better shape.

The government has set up a committee to look at the issue, and to make recommendations on the best course of action.

With the Liverpool International Theatre Festival right around the corner, Jester Fish have been popping up on telephone poles and businesses around Liverpool. And now some of these iconic fish are up for auction.

The fundraiser was officially launched at Hell Bay brewery on Sept. 30, with a display of some of the fish up for auction.

Uniquely designed Jester fish are up for auction, raising funds for the Liverpool International Theatre Festival.

Several local artisans put their spin on the fish, so no two are the same. The auction runs until Oct 10, and bidding is done through the festival’s Facebook page.

The Liverpool International Theatre festival runs from Oct. 18-21.

The Queens Universally Designed Play park committee is in the running for the Aviva Community Fund Big Idea contest, and is in need of votes from the community.

The group is looking to create a fully accessible park, that caters to the full range of ages and abilities.

Debbie Wamboldt, a member of the fundraising team, says the project incorporates ramps instead of stairs, picture communication and braille boards for the hard of hearing and hard of sight, and will be fully fenced in.

It’s a project that is important to Wamboldt’s family as well. Her son is one of the many children in the community with Autism, and existing playgrounds are not well suited for those on the Autism spectrum.

Part of design includes a splash pad, which Wamboldt says by putting it in the park it will be accessible to all members of the community.

The Region of Queens has donated the land for the proposed park, next to Queens Place Emera Centre and the skatepark.

The proposed budget for the park is around $500,000, with fundraising projects in the planning stages

The Queens Universally Designed Play park committee is in the running for the Aviva Community Fund Big Idea contest, and is in need of votes from the community.

The contest hands out $100,000 to the idea with the most votes, and Wambold is encouraging the community to register and vote at avivacommunityfund.org to help boost their numbers.

Voting runs until Oct. 4.

The Region of Queens is updating their municipal planning strategy, and is looking for public input on the future of land use in the county.

Deputy Mayor Susan MacLeod says the project isn’t to create a new land use by law, but rather updated to reflect the changing needs for the community.

The first round of consultations are already underway, with one taking place in each of the seven districts in the county.

Focus groups are also in the planning stages to further refine the recommendations.

The project is expected to take 18 months.

The project can be followed through the website www.queensplan.ca

Upcoming public consulting dates:

Oct. 3, Milton at the Milton Hall from 1-3 pm

Oct. 3, Liverpool at Queens Place Emera Centre from 6-8 pm

Oct 4, Caledonia at the North Queens Business Hub from 6-8 pm

Queens County transit has officially launched, and is ready to serve people in need of a ride.

Carole Hipwell, spokesperson for Queens County Transit says the service will allow people to attend medical appointments, run errands and stay active in their community.

The transit service so far has 2 accessible vans serving the county, as well as one van dedicated to taking students from Queens to the Nova Scotia Community College.

Pre-booking is required, as it is a door to door service Instead of a regular bus stop service, however pick up is available anywhere in Queens County.

Hipwell says they are also looking for volunteer drivers with their own vehicles to help offset demand, and volunteers will be compensated for meals and mileage.

The service runs Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. To find out more information or arrange a ride call 902-356-2670.

www.queenscountytransit.ca

Drought conditions have caused many wells to go dry throughout Nova Scotia and Queens County is no exception.

To help those with water issues the Region of Queens is opening three locations for residents to pick up water.

In Caledonia water can be picked up at the former bank building at 9853 Hwy 8 in Caledonia On Wednesdays from 5-6 pm and Saturday 11 am. to noon.

In Greenfield pick up is at the Greenfield Fire Hall at 4960 Medway River Rd on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7-8:30 pm.

In South Queens pick up is at the Queens Ground Search at Rescue building at 20 Old Cobbs Barn Road on Mondays and Thursdays from 6-8 pm.

LIVERPOOL, N.S. – The radiology department at Queens General Hospital (QGH) has been renovated to allow for the installation of new state-of-the-art digital x-ray machine, providing exceptional care for patients, while producing better image quality. A celebration event for donors, staff and other stakeholders took place on Tuesday.

“We are excited to have this new imaging technology available to support patients,” said Chris Connolly, western zone director, diagnostic imaging. “The new system will provide a better patient experience and improved image quality. At the same time it creates a more efficient and safe workspace for our staff. We are extremely thankful to the QGH Foundation for their support.”

This project has been fully funded by the Queens General Hospital Foundation. The Foundation has been supporting QGH and community projects in Queens County since 1988.

“The Foundation is pleased to see this project finally become a reality,” said Foundation chairman Dr. Al Doucet. The Foundation relies on donations from generous individuals. With these donations we are providing the most modern equipment available. This equipment helps our health care providers continue to give exemplary care to all the people served by our hospital.

Please find the local hydrant flushing schedule for 2018 below.

Click here to download.

– April 11th, 2018 – Region of Queens Municipality