JULY
July 11: A modern new armoury will replace the Second World War-era structure that sits on Riverside Street in downtown New Glasgow. The new armoury will be built on Park Street and used by the Nova Scotia Highlanders for training purposes as well as local cadet corps. Construction on the new armoury is expected to start in early 2013 with completion in 2014.
July 13: Bernadette Little was a giant on the local golf courses this past summer, especially after she captured the provincial junior golf championship. She went on to compete in the Royal Cup Canadian Junior Girls Championship in British Columbia.
July 14: Local truckers let their concerns be known over the provincial government’s use of its own “yellow trucks” for road work. Independent truckers said such a decision is costing taxpayers more and putting them out of work. The province said it is making good use of its own equipment and workers that usually sit idle during the summer months.
July 17: It was one a very rainy day when the provincial government came to the top of a hill in Priestville to announce that construction on the Northeast Nova Scotia Correctional Facility was set to begin. Bird Construction had been awarded the contract earlier in the month and work began almost immediately.
July 27: Designs for a wrought iron monument dedicated to Amber Kirwan were unveiled in New Glasgow. A private citizens group, along with the Town of New Glasgow, unveiled the design for the monument dedicated to the 19-year-old Kirwan and in honour of people who died as a result of violent attacks.
July 31: Sometimes all it takes is one simple comment to show you just how small the world is. When Olympic swimmer Missy Franklyn was asked by a journalist where her favourite place in the world was, she told them it was Pictou. At first some people weren’t sure they heard her right, but it didn’t take long for news to spread that Franklyn had family who vacation in Caribou, Pictou County, and she loves to visit the area. Pictou County was put on the map again all because a reporter at the Olympics was looking to fill up a little air time with some soft questions.
AUGUST
August 3: It’s not often you drive down Provost Street, New Glasgow, and see seniors holding placards. On this particular morning, a large group of over people over the age of 55 turned out to draw attention to the fact that members of the 55+ Club would soon be without a home. They were being asked to leave their temporary location and the town was unable to provide them with any more free space. The protest was successful in letting everyone know that this usually quiet group of people wasn’t going away until it had a new home. The town continued to work with the seniors and after a few months, a new home in a familiar location was found for the club.
August 9: Many Pictou County residents, and those across the province, were shocked when they found out that Acadian Lines would close up shop in the Maritimes on Nov. 30. Many people said they used the service to travel back and forth to university and visit family. The company said it was losing too much money to keep it running. All was not lost though, as a new bus service took over the route in December.
August 23: Art MacLean said he was just in the right place at the right time when a young girl on Northumberland Ferries started to choke. MacLean used his training with the fire department and St. John Ambulance to release a coin that was lodged in the toddler’s throat. The girl’s mother later tracked down MacLean to properly thank him for his quick response in saving her daughter’s life.
August 27: Some assignments just stay with you and the walk for Lynn Oliver is one of those. Even after 33 years, it was evident emotions were still very raw for her family who is still searching for answers on her disappearance. The walk went from Quality Cleaners on the Westville Road to the Samson Trail where a bush was planted in her memory. Family and friends of Oliver held the walk in hopes that someone would remember something that eventually solve the case. The police investigation is still ongoing.
