Allan Lynch is a freelance writer. He lives in Halifax

Nova Scotia Book of Musts

The 101 Places Every Nova Scotian Must See

By Allan Lynch

MacIntyre Purcell Publishing Inc.

Copyright © 2009 MacIntyre Purcell Publishing Inc.
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-9784784-2-1

Contents

HERE, THERE OR EVERYWHERE,
HALIFAX METRO,
SOUTH SHORE,
YARMOUTH & ACADIAN SHORES,
FUNDY SHORE & ANNAPOLIS VALLEY,
NORTHUMBERLAND SHORE,
CAPE BRETON ISLAND,
EASTERN SHORE,

CHAPTER 1

Nova Scotia

1

The Studio Rally

The Studio Rally takes you down country lanes and back streets into seaside studios and hidden workshops to discover where artists live and work. We see what influences and inspires, whether it’s rural remoteness or the gregariousness of bustling communities.

The Studio Rally takes you off the beaten path and introduces you to people you ordinarily wouldn’t meet. For example, you can experience the vivid canvas mats crafted by Jennifer MacPherson in her Margaree Valley studio or the sophisticated, funky folk art creations of William Roach in Cheticamp, or the elegant leather work of John Roberts in Indian Brook (his bags and buckets are stunning) to the wild mind of carver Barry Colpitts – his East Ship Harbour home is so unusual it was featured on television’s Weird Homes.

Wayne Boucher sits in his Parker’s Cove studio taking his view of the Bay of Fundy as the inspiration for his massive abstract paintings. In a home studio behind Mansor’s Men’s Wear in Amherst, Deanne Fitzpatrick hooks one-of-a-kind rugs. In Belliveau’s Cove, next to Gary’s Barber Shop, you’ll discover the work of internationally-collected sculptor, ceramicist and painter Claude Chaloux.

From one tip of the province to the other, from shore to shore and everywhere in between, The Studio Rally is a great way to find unique treasures for ourselves, or get a jump on holiday shopping sans the crowds. In essence, the province becomes a huge market or bazaar, specializing in the finest creativity found anywhere. The rally is a perfect marriage between art and adventure.

Details:For information about The Studio Rally, look for maps at art galleries, coffee shops and tourist bureaus across the province or click on studiorally.ca.

American humourist Steve Wright said, “I took a cab to the drive-in.

2

A Night Out For $20 Or Less

It cost me $95 to see the movie.”

It’s a great line, but drive-ins are an amazing value now that they charge by the carload. Remember the old days of hiding friends in the trunk or under a blanket on the backseat floor to save on admission? For kids, drive-ins were a treat ’cause you got to stay up later since movies didn’t start until dark. For teenagers, they were places for hot dates, or, if you didn’t have a date, places to get (or start) hot gossip – like who was on a date.

Once the quintessential North American entertainment venue, marrying our love for cars and movies, drive-ins are an endangered species in Nova Scotia. Bridgewater, Kingston, Sackville, Halifax (which had three) and New Germany have lost their drive-ins. Before they become extinct, treat yourself to a retro-night at one the province’s remaining three drive-ins in Cambridge, Westville and Sydney.

The Valley Drive-In, Cambridge, operated by the Lions Club, offers double-bills for $20 a carload. The canteen promises hand-cut French fries. The Empire Drive-In, Westville, charges $15.50 per car on weekends, less during the week. Double-bills become triple-bills on some weekends!

The Cape Breton Drive-In in Sydney offers a special tre