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Solar Spring, Winter Carnivals & Hockey
February 6, 2026
Angus Bonnyman
February 06, 2026
A friend of mine is travelling in Vietnam and shared this photo from Saigon (aka Ho Chi Min City). Photo credit: Brad Fraser
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Welcome!
When I heard on the radio last night that we had started ‘solar spring’, it felt like a bit of a stretch as I drove through a bit of a freak snowfall from Downtown Earltown all the way home. Today however is wonderfully sunny, so I am starting to believe it might be true … hard to know for sure without Shubenacadie Sam’s prediction this year. (Did you know that the tradition has ties to medieval Europe, when farmers believed that if hedgehogs emerged from their burrows to catch insects, it was a sure sign of early spring?)
Congratulations to the organizers and hosts of the “Potluck + Goods & Services Auction” that took place in West Branch last week. We had a fabulous time. Looking forward to the next one!
Lots happening over the next few weeks with Winter Carnivals in Scotsburn and another along the North Shore, plus the annual Wayne Waugh Memorial Hockey Tournament. Hope to see you at one of the events!
Race to 1000 - We did it! - we’re at 1,014 subscribers, thank you all for your support! To celebrate, I gave away four $50 gift certificates to Ashton’s Garden Centre … Congrats to Connie, Ladora, Lisa & Myrna who were chosen from the 30+ people who all knew that ‘Forsythia’ was the name of the ‘golden’ spring flower Michael says is “one of the first shrubs to light up the garden after Winter”. Check out the upcoming print edition for my next contest :)
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A Few Nuggets … ICYMI
Congrats to Wallace and Area Development Assn on a very successful fundraising campaign for the families affected by the fire in Wallace. Together we raised a final total of over $16,000!!
Thanks to support from local businesses and organizations, there is a busy schedule of free community skates planned this Winter at NSRC - most Saturdays (11:30-12:30pm) & Sundays (12-1pm)
Also at NSRC – Adult Skating M/W/F 11am-1pm $5/day, $30/half-season pass; Adult Pick-up Hockey M/W/F 10-11am; Women’s Pick-up Hockey Sundays @ 7pm, $10
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Are you ready for 72hrs without power?
Jobs & Opportunities … please tell them that you heard about the position in The North Shore Nuggets ;)
2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion network - and right now you can join for free - www.legion.ca/join-us
2026 property assessment notices are landing in mailboxes as we speak. Contact PVSC with questions at 1-800-380-7775 or visit www.pvsc.ca for more details. Deadline to appeal is Feb 12th at midnight.
TRA is currently accepting donations of gently used winter outerwear, especially snow pants. If your family requires assistance or help picking up a donation, please contact [email protected] or 902-897-8658
Small Holdings Farm in Scotsburn is hiring Crew Members (FT Seasonal – March – October). Deadline Feb 9/26
Municipality of Cumberland is hosting a series of open houses to present draft updates to the Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use Bylaw. “Your feedback helps guide decisions that will shape Cumberland for years to come”
Feb 2 - 11:30-12:30 - Wallace Community Hall (Postponed)
Feb 2 - 1:30 - 3:00pm - Pugwash Public Library
Feb 9 - 5:00-7:00pm - Wentworth Rec Centre
Nova Scotia Breast Screening Mobile Clinic will be in Tatamagouche from June 6-10. For more information or to book an appointment - https://nsbreastscreening.ca/location?community=51#mobile or call 1-800-565-0548
Mark your calendars!
Feb 7 8-10am | Pancake Breakfast Scotsburn Fire Hall | $12/Children $6 Fluffy pancakes, sausages & maple syrup. Everyone welcome — stay and enjoy the day in Scotsburn!
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Feb 7 9am | Tatamagouche Farmers’ Mkt | First market of 2026! |
Feb 7 9am | Wallace ‘ODR’ Winter Classic Hockey Tournament Wallace & Area Rec | $200/team, Max 9. 3 vs. 3 + Goalie (max 9 players) 16+. Registration: 902-956-2723/902-893-0710. Canteen on site. 50/50 |
Feb 7 1-3pm | Winter Warm-Up at Trailhead Park 4114 Scotsburn Road | Free. Fire pit. Hot chocolate station. Try snow-shoes & kick sleds. Explore our TRAILS. Bring warm clothing, sturdy footwear & reusable mug |
Feb 7 6-7:30pm | (Week Before) Valentine’s Day Dance Party Skate North Shore Rec Centre | Free Community skate with hot chocolate, tea and snacks provided |
Feb 9 5-7:30pm | Cumberland County Open House Wentworth Rec Centre | Find out more at MPS and Land Use Bylaw Review - Municipality of Cumberland |
Feb 10 6-7:30pm | What is Human Trafficking? Pugwash High School | Join Cst. Kingsbury for a community information session where she will address the myths, who is at risk, and why we should all be concerned. All are welcome. |
Feb 11 | AGM Wentworth Rec Centre | All are welcome at the AGM. We have committees for kitchen, maintenance, special events, recreation, social programs, and more. And we have fun! |
Feb 12 6-7:30pm | Family Dance Scotsburn Elementary |
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* Feb 13-14 10-4pm | Valentine’s Day Pop-Open Sara Bonnyman Pottery | 326 Maple Ave, Tatamagouche. sarabonnymanpottery.com |
Feb 13 11:30-1pm | Valentine’s Luncheon & Bake Sale Malagash Community Hall | $15 – Soup & roll, dessert, t/c. |
Feb 13-16 | Wayne Waugh Memorial Hockey Tournament North Shore Rec Centre | Join us for some great hockey all weekend long. Games start at 8:30am on Feb 13th and end with the U18 Championship game Feb 16th @ 4pm |
Feb 14 Registration noon – 1pm Play 1pm | 2nd Annual Bob MacLean Crib Tournament Wentworth Rec Centre | $20/person, $40/team. Prizes based on attendance. Bar, food and lunch available. Register [email protected] or text Velma 902-817-1906 |
Feb 14th Doors 5pm Dinner 6pm | Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dance Pugwash Legion | Advance tickets $15, $20 at the door. GF Lasagna/Seafood Linguine, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread & Dessert. Live DJ. Contact Janis Langille 902-614-2909 |
Feb 15 - 22 | 2026 North Shore Winter Carnival | From Tignish to Tatamagouche! For more information and event details check out their FB page |
Feb 15 10am | Snack & Skill Share Scotsburn Fire Dept | Pre-register on the Scotsburn Community Food Forest Committee’s FB page |
Feb 15 6pm | 2nd Annual Guided Snowshoe Walk Wallace & Area Museum | Refreshments to follow. Snowshoes available. |
Feb 16 1-3pm | Winter Warm-up #2 Trail Head Park 4114 Scotsburn Road | Free. All welcome. Fire pits, family connection, trail time, and winter fun |
Feb 17 4:30-6pm | Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Sharon United Church | $15/U12 $10. Pancakes with Swan’s Maple Syrup, sausages, baked beans, dessert, t/c. GF option available. Wheelchair accessible, please come into the Hall for the attendant. |
Feb 20-21 1-4pm | Two Day Winter Carnival The Sunset Community 140 Sunset Lane | Free. Indoor & Outdoor activities incl: bonfire & marshmallows, snow shoeing, yard games, fire truck rides, indoor carnival games, colouring & more. |
Feb 20 2-5pm | Spaghetti & Garlic Bread Supper Takeout St Andrew’s United Church, Fox Harbour | $12. To reserve, contact Louise 519-421-5886 or Tracey 902-694-5858 |
Feb 20 10:30am | Creamery Square Heritage Soc AGM Heritage Centre Creamery Square |
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Feb 21 12-1:30pm | Seed Swap Tatamagouche Library | Bring seeds to swap and gardening stories to share. No seeds to swap? Come at 1pm when remaining seeds will be available by donation. Hosted by North Shore Gardening Club |
Feb 21 6-7:30pm | 90’s Skating Dance Party North Shore Rec Ctr | Sponsored by North Shore Community Connections Society. Free community skate. Snacks and hot chocolate provided. |
Feb 25 10:30-5:30 | Immunization Clinic Wentworth Rec Centre |
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Feb 25 11-2pm | Johnny Cash Day Pugwash Co-op | Fried Bologna Sandwiches & Cupcakes in support of Open Hamper Food Bank. Cash or food donations welcome, receipts upon request. |
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A special thanks to all of our advertisers:
Ashton’s Garden Centre, ASE Print, Chowder House on Main, Creamery Square Heritage Society, Cross Roads Cycle Sales, Heathcock Electric, Hicks LeMoine Law, Lismore Sheep Farm Wool Shop, Mountain Farm, NSHA, North Shore Community Connection Society, Nova Kraut, Ocean Gutter Services, Overstreet Cafe, R&B Adventures; Sara Bonnyman Pottery, Sisterhood Fibres, Sunrise Brokerage & Sales, S.W. Hayman Excavation Ltd, Tom Taggart, MLA, TriCounty Ford, ViewPoint Insurance.