Cape Breton Post
Friday, April 20, 2007
Page: A8
Section: Our Community
Five Cape Breton students and 10 more students from across Nova Scotia took part in the Great Canadian Geography Challenge, April 14.
The highest placed Cape Bretoners were Jared MacLennan from Mabou and Mitchell Mader from Sydney River who tied for ninth and 10th place, respectively.
"It was the closest competition we've seen in a long, long time," said provincial co-ordinator Teresa Woodford. "It's a really impressive turnout every year."
The other students were close behind, with Terry Madill from Whycocomagh returning from last year to place 11th, Alex Berry from Port Hood coming in 12th, and Brandon Toner from Florence finishing 15th.
The competition is presented by HSBC Bank Canada and is played in seven rounds. The first six rounds have 10 questions each, and the final round has 24, said Woodford.
"I call it low-tech jeopardy," she said.
The top finishers, who will go on to the national championships, are first-place winner Ian Weaver from Halifax, Sandy Sutherland from River John, and Anna dickey from Dartmouth.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Fear Vampirates!
Cape Breton Post
Friday, April 20, 2007
Page: B8
Section: Arts/Entertainment
Byline: Matthew Daye
Source: Cape Breton Post
Since 1995, artists with comic ideas have used the web to make a name for themselves but few have made their comics about Canada.
One Sydney artist is going where most others feared to tread.
Kelly Barrie, who goes by the pen name Jones on her comic, writes and draws Vampirates! The story blends fantasy with reality to create a rather strange series of events.
"It's about these vampires who end up stealing one of the Newfoundland ferries and they're going to take it to Saskatchewan," Barrie said. "They haven't really thought about how the St. Lawrence doesn't make it all the way to Saskatchewan but they'll cross that bridge when they come to it."
The comic features three vampire characters: Hassan, from parts unknown, a Cape Bretoner named Clyde, and a Montreal native named Ira, all of which are all original characters.
"There are other characters, like Patrick Murphy, who is from the song The Night That Patty Murphy Died. So I basically took that guy from the song and made him into a character for the story."
The villain of the comic is another Canadian pop-culture reference, taken from the song The Last Saskatchewan Pirate by Tractor Jack.
The webcomic, which features the caution 'Warning: Vampirates! contains offensive language and Canadians' is considered to be for people 16 years old and up.
It has serious themes, but quirky humor is always present.
"Doing webcomics is kind of stressful sometimes, so I just toss out weird random things to keep readers on their toes," Barrie said. "Recently, for April Fools Day, I turned one of the main characters into a radish for the day, because I thought it would be amusing."
While she writes and draws Vampirates! by herself, she's also taken on the art for another webcomic that has a similar sense of humor, written by a friend.
"It's about a thief and a communist in 1887 Colorado."
Vampirates!, which Barrie writes and draws for free, can be found at http://vampirates.comicgen.com/
Friday, April 20, 2007
Page: B8
Section: Arts/Entertainment
Byline: Matthew Daye
Source: Cape Breton Post
Since 1995, artists with comic ideas have used the web to make a name for themselves but few have made their comics about Canada.
One Sydney artist is going where most others feared to tread.
Kelly Barrie, who goes by the pen name Jones on her comic, writes and draws Vampirates! The story blends fantasy with reality to create a rather strange series of events.
"It's about these vampires who end up stealing one of the Newfoundland ferries and they're going to take it to Saskatchewan," Barrie said. "They haven't really thought about how the St. Lawrence doesn't make it all the way to Saskatchewan but they'll cross that bridge when they come to it."
The comic features three vampire characters: Hassan, from parts unknown, a Cape Bretoner named Clyde, and a Montreal native named Ira, all of which are all original characters.
"There are other characters, like Patrick Murphy, who is from the song The Night That Patty Murphy Died. So I basically took that guy from the song and made him into a character for the story."
The villain of the comic is another Canadian pop-culture reference, taken from the song The Last Saskatchewan Pirate by Tractor Jack.
The webcomic, which features the caution 'Warning: Vampirates! contains offensive language and Canadians' is considered to be for people 16 years old and up.
It has serious themes, but quirky humor is always present.
"Doing webcomics is kind of stressful sometimes, so I just toss out weird random things to keep readers on their toes," Barrie said. "Recently, for April Fools Day, I turned one of the main characters into a radish for the day, because I thought it would be amusing."
While she writes and draws Vampirates! by herself, she's also taken on the art for another webcomic that has a similar sense of humor, written by a friend.
"It's about a thief and a communist in 1887 Colorado."
Vampirates!, which Barrie writes and draws for free, can be found at http://vampirates.comicgen.com/
Spring is here, cruise ships not far behind
Cape Breton Post
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Page: A5
Section: Business
Byline: Matthew Daye
The ice is almost gone and the weather is starting to improve, which means cruise ships will soon be arriving in Sydney harbour.
Marketing manager Bernadette MacNeil, of Sydney Ports Corp., said Cape Breton is in for another good year for cruise ship visits.
"It's very comparable to 2006 and we're happy with that."
Last year, more than 46,000 cruise ship passengers stopped in Sydney harbour. This year, almost 49,000 passengers will be making the trip.
"A second vessel from Holland America (is coming) which indicates that they're filling their ships to allow for that second vessel to come in," noted MacNeil.
Norwegian Cruise Lines is also returning with Norwegian Dawn.
"We have the Grand Princess, which carries 2,600 passengers, coming in several times to Sydney and we're very pleased about that."
MacNeil said Cape Breton offers something special to cruise ship passengers.
"We have such tremendous choices in the way of excursions with the Fortress of Louisbourg and the Bell museum and the miners' museum."
MacNeil asked that people who want to see the cruise ships when they arrive in port follow safety rules.
"Park your car somewhere else and walk down. The code that's imposed upon us is that we can't allow unauthorized vehicles on our dockside," she said. "But we do try to encourage our public to come down here. We want them to interact with our passengers."
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Page: A5
Section: Business
Byline: Matthew Daye
The ice is almost gone and the weather is starting to improve, which means cruise ships will soon be arriving in Sydney harbour.
Marketing manager Bernadette MacNeil, of Sydney Ports Corp., said Cape Breton is in for another good year for cruise ship visits.
"It's very comparable to 2006 and we're happy with that."
Last year, more than 46,000 cruise ship passengers stopped in Sydney harbour. This year, almost 49,000 passengers will be making the trip.
"A second vessel from Holland America (is coming) which indicates that they're filling their ships to allow for that second vessel to come in," noted MacNeil.
Norwegian Cruise Lines is also returning with Norwegian Dawn.
"We have the Grand Princess, which carries 2,600 passengers, coming in several times to Sydney and we're very pleased about that."
MacNeil said Cape Breton offers something special to cruise ship passengers.
"We have such tremendous choices in the way of excursions with the Fortress of Louisbourg and the Bell museum and the miners' museum."
MacNeil asked that people who want to see the cruise ships when they arrive in port follow safety rules.
"Park your car somewhere else and walk down. The code that's imposed upon us is that we can't allow unauthorized vehicles on our dockside," she said. "But we do try to encourage our public to come down here. We want them to interact with our passengers."
Students fast to fight famine
Cape Breton Post
Friday, April 13, 2007
Page: A3
Section: Cape Breton
Byline: Matthew Daye
Source: Cape Breton Post
Around the world, 852 million people suffer from malnutrition and this weekend more than 60 students in Cape Breton will experience it for themselves in an attempt to help the less fortunate.
George D. Lewis School in Louisbourg has 35 to 40 students, the Grace Fellowship Church in Sydney Mines has 30 students, and the Faith Baptist Church in Sydney will have 15 students, all participating in a 30-hour famine, starting Friday to raise money for hunger charities.
Natasha Burke, the junior high English teacher at George D. Lewis, said even though they will be hungry, the student's health will be well managed.
"There will be no food for 30 hours so they can see for themselves what it's like to go hungry," she said. "They will be required every hour to have something to drink, so we'll make sure they're kept hydrated."
Shayne Burke, 14, one of Burke's students, said they're there to help the starving people where they can.
"It's heartbreaking. Knowing that we have all this and they have to live on so little food."
Events will be held to keep the students minds off their stomachs.
Doug Beane, the activity co-ordinator with the Grace Fellowship Church, was surprised at the reaction.
"A lot more kids wanted to take part, but we're not really set up as far as chaperones," said Beane, adding he hopes it will be held on a larger scale in the future.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Page: A3
Section: Cape Breton
Byline: Matthew Daye
Source: Cape Breton Post
Around the world, 852 million people suffer from malnutrition and this weekend more than 60 students in Cape Breton will experience it for themselves in an attempt to help the less fortunate.
George D. Lewis School in Louisbourg has 35 to 40 students, the Grace Fellowship Church in Sydney Mines has 30 students, and the Faith Baptist Church in Sydney will have 15 students, all participating in a 30-hour famine, starting Friday to raise money for hunger charities.
Natasha Burke, the junior high English teacher at George D. Lewis, said even though they will be hungry, the student's health will be well managed.
"There will be no food for 30 hours so they can see for themselves what it's like to go hungry," she said. "They will be required every hour to have something to drink, so we'll make sure they're kept hydrated."
Shayne Burke, 14, one of Burke's students, said they're there to help the starving people where they can.
"It's heartbreaking. Knowing that we have all this and they have to live on so little food."
Events will be held to keep the students minds off their stomachs.
Doug Beane, the activity co-ordinator with the Grace Fellowship Church, was surprised at the reaction.
"A lot more kids wanted to take part, but we're not really set up as far as chaperones," said Beane, adding he hopes it will be held on a larger scale in the future.
Campers can now book their sites online
Cape Breton Post
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Page: A5
Section: Business
Byline: Matthew Daye
Source: Cape Breton Post
In another step toward integrating Nova Scotia summer retreats with the Internet, campers will now be able to book specific spots online or via phone.
The program operates through the provincial Department of Natural Resources and allows people from around the globe to pick their favourite spots for camping. The website can be accessed at http:// parks.gov.ns.ca.
"It is now even easier for individuals to reserve and pay for campsites operated by the province. Our old system only guaranteed people that a space would be available. This updated reservation software lets campers select specific sites at their favourite park, " said Natural Resources Minister David Morse.
The program began April 2 and by April 5 there were 380 reservations made through the service, with 33 of those for parks in Cape Breton, said Diane LeBlanc of Natural Resources.
"It just went live last week and I know we had three online reservations within the first two hours," LeBlanc said. "The furthest away was British Columbia."
The three parks in Cape Breton that can be reserved through the service are Battery, Mira, and Whycocomagh. Mira received the most reservations with 16.
Through the website, tourists can find information about each park, from what services and accommodations are there, to what attractions are nearby. From there they can use the phone service or the online reservation form to book their time and place.
"This is good news for campers that know the areas," LeBlanc said. "For those that are new to the area, the good news is they can go online and learn all the specifics and then choose their spot. It gives people a lot more specific information and flexibility."
The service is still new and most advertising has been in-province and advertising has been placed in the Doers and Dreamers guide. The first weeks numbers reflect this, as 243 reservations were made in Nova Scotia, 55 from Ontario, 25 from Quebec with the rest being spread throughout the remainder of Canada and the U.S. One reservation came from Europe.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Page: A5
Section: Business
Byline: Matthew Daye
Source: Cape Breton Post
In another step toward integrating Nova Scotia summer retreats with the Internet, campers will now be able to book specific spots online or via phone.
The program operates through the provincial Department of Natural Resources and allows people from around the globe to pick their favourite spots for camping. The website can be accessed at http:// parks.gov.ns.ca.
"It is now even easier for individuals to reserve and pay for campsites operated by the province. Our old system only guaranteed people that a space would be available. This updated reservation software lets campers select specific sites at their favourite park, " said Natural Resources Minister David Morse.
The program began April 2 and by April 5 there were 380 reservations made through the service, with 33 of those for parks in Cape Breton, said Diane LeBlanc of Natural Resources.
"It just went live last week and I know we had three online reservations within the first two hours," LeBlanc said. "The furthest away was British Columbia."
The three parks in Cape Breton that can be reserved through the service are Battery, Mira, and Whycocomagh. Mira received the most reservations with 16.
Through the website, tourists can find information about each park, from what services and accommodations are there, to what attractions are nearby. From there they can use the phone service or the online reservation form to book their time and place.
"This is good news for campers that know the areas," LeBlanc said. "For those that are new to the area, the good news is they can go online and learn all the specifics and then choose their spot. It gives people a lot more specific information and flexibility."
The service is still new and most advertising has been in-province and advertising has been placed in the Doers and Dreamers guide. The first weeks numbers reflect this, as 243 reservations were made in Nova Scotia, 55 from Ontario, 25 from Quebec with the rest being spread throughout the remainder of Canada and the U.S. One reservation came from Europe.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Province preparing for tourism season
Cape Breton Post
Monday, April 9, 2007
Page: A8
Section: Our Community
Byline: Matthew Daye
Spring is starting to make itself known which is a sign this year's tourist season will soon be upon the many businesses and attractions around the island.
Debbie MacKinnon from Knotty Pine Cottages located on Smokey's Mountain, which was hit hard this passing winter by the closing of the Cape Smokey ski hill, is worried for this summer as well.
"We've been a little slow getting our reservations for the summer so far," she said. "I don't know if it has to do with the gas prices or whatever it is. I really don't know."
Adele Poirier from Nova Scotia Tourism said the province has been holding its own the last few years, but the way tourism works is changing.
More and more people are making reservations at the last minute and using the Internet to plan their trips and because of this the province is changing its procedures.
"We have a new tourism plan that takes us in some new directions. It's called new realities, new directions," she said.
It involves three strategies.
The first is called Gateway, which involves focusing on areas that have direct flights to Nova Scotia. It's to appeal to travellers who want to spend their time at the destination, not just getting to it.
"People don't pack up the station wagon with the family dog and drive for two weeks anymore," she said.
The second is called Core Experiences, which is to build up the locations that exist.
The third strategy, called Courtship, is to take advantage of the Internet. Part of this strategy uses Google Earth with special plaid place markers.
This way prospective tourists can see possible destinations, with the bird's-eye view the program offers, but also with pictures and possibly video in the near future.
"As far as we know and as far as Google knows, we're the first to use Google Earth in this way," she said.
That strategy will also continue to update and explore new uses for the website, including letting people buy their whole vacation online.
Despite these new initiatives there may still be some problems with the upcoming season.
Gas prices, competition with other destinations, and the new passport regulations involving the United States, are the main concerns this year.
Donny MacLellan, a travel agent with Maritime Travel, says the determining factor for this tourism season is simple.
"If the weather stays nice, the people stay longer," MacLellan said. "If the weather gets bad they pack up and go."
Monday, April 9, 2007
Page: A8
Section: Our Community
Byline: Matthew Daye
Spring is starting to make itself known which is a sign this year's tourist season will soon be upon the many businesses and attractions around the island.
Debbie MacKinnon from Knotty Pine Cottages located on Smokey's Mountain, which was hit hard this passing winter by the closing of the Cape Smokey ski hill, is worried for this summer as well.
"We've been a little slow getting our reservations for the summer so far," she said. "I don't know if it has to do with the gas prices or whatever it is. I really don't know."
Adele Poirier from Nova Scotia Tourism said the province has been holding its own the last few years, but the way tourism works is changing.
More and more people are making reservations at the last minute and using the Internet to plan their trips and because of this the province is changing its procedures.
"We have a new tourism plan that takes us in some new directions. It's called new realities, new directions," she said.
It involves three strategies.
The first is called Gateway, which involves focusing on areas that have direct flights to Nova Scotia. It's to appeal to travellers who want to spend their time at the destination, not just getting to it.
"People don't pack up the station wagon with the family dog and drive for two weeks anymore," she said.
The second is called Core Experiences, which is to build up the locations that exist.
The third strategy, called Courtship, is to take advantage of the Internet. Part of this strategy uses Google Earth with special plaid place markers.
This way prospective tourists can see possible destinations, with the bird's-eye view the program offers, but also with pictures and possibly video in the near future.
"As far as we know and as far as Google knows, we're the first to use Google Earth in this way," she said.
That strategy will also continue to update and explore new uses for the website, including letting people buy their whole vacation online.
Despite these new initiatives there may still be some problems with the upcoming season.
Gas prices, competition with other destinations, and the new passport regulations involving the United States, are the main concerns this year.
Donny MacLellan, a travel agent with Maritime Travel, says the determining factor for this tourism season is simple.
"If the weather stays nice, the people stay longer," MacLellan said. "If the weather gets bad they pack up and go."
Monday, April 2, 2007
Pregnant horse being monitored on Internet
Cape Breton Post
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Page: A3
Section: News
Byline: Matthew Daye
Blogs and images from webcams are popping up all over the Internet and a popular one from the Northside is mostly of a horse's rear-end.
Joanne Phillips is usually a private person, but when it comes to her 13-year-old pregnant quarter-horse Sugar Caliber, otherwise known as Kelly, she's showing her off to the world.
Phillips has been using her webcam for the past two weeks to send video to a company in the United States which hosts the video on the site marestare.com.
"I put it on there for peace of mind. When I'm at work I can have people watch my horse."
People from around the world are watching her horse and e-mailing her or posting on the message board, Equestrian East.
"When I go to work, I know there's a lady in Illinois named Marybeth that says 'I've got her till 4 a.m., can somebody take her after that,'" she said. "There's somebody watching her around the clock."
She's got the idea from a friend on the mainland.
"A friend of mine in the valley had done this. It's a contest between me and her. Our horses are due one day apart to the same stud."
The stud is called Salty Hobby Boy and the other pregnant mare is called Twobit. Both are owned by Judy and Kevin Bateman of High Meadow Quarter Horses.
"I'm really cuddly with my horses so I get e-mails like 'I just wanted (you) to know how touched I was by the affection you show her.'
"We have friends we call the poop police. As soon as she poops the phone will ring."
There are other e-mails and messages that are not about the horse.
"You get some e-mails like 'Girl what are you thinking when you put that jacket on? (It doesn't) match your pants.'"
Those criticisms are fairly minor to what she expects in the near future.
"When she births, I'm not going to be in the stall. I want to let her do this naturally. Some people get really upset when you're not in there. If there's trouble, I'll be in there."
Those e-mails should be coming sooner than later based on what she's seen and what the vet has told her.
"She's been having contractions for two days, so we're getting pretty close to having this foal," she said. "Her due date is April 1."
The webcam system might not work for everyone however.
"This is quite expensive to set up. My husband doesn't know that, I didn't tell him. He thinks it was $50. It was almost $300."
That's the initial cost, but she said it will only cost her $20 to host the video each month.
Phillips said this might be valuable for some people to watch.
"I bet you, especially anyone interested in animal science. Kids wanting to go into veterinary medicine
"Parents too. When the kids are bugging them to get a horse they can say 'You watch that lady and see how much work it is, you're not getting horse.'"
The expected foal has been tentatively named Sweet and Salty and will go to her 10-year-old daughter Morgan for barrel jumping. Morgan is the high-point small-fry champion for Cape Breton Western Riders.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Page: A3
Section: News
Byline: Matthew Daye
Blogs and images from webcams are popping up all over the Internet and a popular one from the Northside is mostly of a horse's rear-end.
Joanne Phillips is usually a private person, but when it comes to her 13-year-old pregnant quarter-horse Sugar Caliber, otherwise known as Kelly, she's showing her off to the world.
Phillips has been using her webcam for the past two weeks to send video to a company in the United States which hosts the video on the site marestare.com.
"I put it on there for peace of mind. When I'm at work I can have people watch my horse."
People from around the world are watching her horse and e-mailing her or posting on the message board, Equestrian East.
"When I go to work, I know there's a lady in Illinois named Marybeth that says 'I've got her till 4 a.m., can somebody take her after that,'" she said. "There's somebody watching her around the clock."
She's got the idea from a friend on the mainland.
"A friend of mine in the valley had done this. It's a contest between me and her. Our horses are due one day apart to the same stud."
The stud is called Salty Hobby Boy and the other pregnant mare is called Twobit. Both are owned by Judy and Kevin Bateman of High Meadow Quarter Horses.
"I'm really cuddly with my horses so I get e-mails like 'I just wanted (you) to know how touched I was by the affection you show her.'
"We have friends we call the poop police. As soon as she poops the phone will ring."
There are other e-mails and messages that are not about the horse.
"You get some e-mails like 'Girl what are you thinking when you put that jacket on? (It doesn't) match your pants.'"
Those criticisms are fairly minor to what she expects in the near future.
"When she births, I'm not going to be in the stall. I want to let her do this naturally. Some people get really upset when you're not in there. If there's trouble, I'll be in there."
Those e-mails should be coming sooner than later based on what she's seen and what the vet has told her.
"She's been having contractions for two days, so we're getting pretty close to having this foal," she said. "Her due date is April 1."
The webcam system might not work for everyone however.
"This is quite expensive to set up. My husband doesn't know that, I didn't tell him. He thinks it was $50. It was almost $300."
That's the initial cost, but she said it will only cost her $20 to host the video each month.
Phillips said this might be valuable for some people to watch.
"I bet you, especially anyone interested in animal science. Kids wanting to go into veterinary medicine
"Parents too. When the kids are bugging them to get a horse they can say 'You watch that lady and see how much work it is, you're not getting horse.'"
The expected foal has been tentatively named Sweet and Salty and will go to her 10-year-old daughter Morgan for barrel jumping. Morgan is the high-point small-fry champion for Cape Breton Western Riders.
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