Alvin MacLean arrived on Pictou Island with his entrance into this world in 1929. Born on Pictou Island, he was one of five children born to J. Hector MacLean “Long John” and wife Maggie. Alvin attended the little one-room school on the island and grew up in the company of a little girl named Lois […]
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Local lobster fishermen set off from the wharves earlier this morning to begin their season of fishing, which had been delayed this year due to COVID-19 concerns. On Wednesday, the NORTHUMBERLAND FISHERMEN’S CO-OP announced that due to low market conditions this year all members are going to keep one clawed lobster out of their catch […]
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It looks like there will be rough waters ahead for the future of the lobster fishing season in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Northumberland Strait this year. The season would normally open on May 1, but the interim president of the Northumberland Fisherman’s Association describes this year as “the perfect storm.” Challenging current market […]
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My brother-in-law Scott, son to late Ernest and Hazel Falconer was raised on Caribou Island. His home was on a farm that was situated along the south portion of Caribou Island. Their long driveway protruded through the woods and connected onto Caribou Island’s only dirt road. Scott calls to mind when the Caribou Island School […]
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First snow of 1966 occurred on January 7th. That was our third winter living on the mainland. I’m assuming that Mom was getting a little homesick for she wanted to spend a few days visiting with our former Pictou Island friends. On January 21st at 9 am, mother flew to Pictou Island from Trenton airport […]
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Several years ago, large sailing schooners loaded with kegs of rum from other countries would bootleg their products around the shores of Nova Scotia. For fear of being caught, those schooners would often lay approximately 15 miles off shore. Small, fast, local boats known as rumrunners would transport the rum from the schooners to various […]
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Northern Pulp’s effluent pipe proposal continues to remain in limbo. Environment Minister Gordon Wilson has sought an environmental assessment report from Northern Pulp for its proposed effluent treatment plant, which will delay his decision. Wilson announced his request on Tuesday morning as part of a media teleconference. A copy of his letter to Northern Pulp’s […]
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I had the good fortune of meeting Leroy Rankin and his lovely wife Shirley at my mother’s 80th birthday on August 22nd 2002. Lee was born August 1, 1936 and was adopted by Hughie and Emma Rankin. Hughie was a brother to Jack and George Rankin and Emma was a sister to my father who […]
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It was the time known as the Dirty Thirties. The economy was slow and hard times fell on most everyone. No exception was given to the family of Lester and Bell Hooper from Trenton, Pictou County. Lester was employed at Trenton car works but there was little or no work at the plant and everyone […]
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Winter set in early with about three inches of snow falling on Nov. 11, 1955. My father and Arnold MacMillan had been setting their smelt nets together in coves around the Merigomish area but had returned home to Pictou Island on November 12 because of the unstable weather. It was still blowing hard and was […]
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