CCHN Executive Meeting Minutes – December 9th, 2010

Date: December 9th
Time: Noon
Location: Fundy Geological Museum, Parrsboro


Members present: Oralee O’Byrne (Chair Person), Helen Sims, Jeff O’ Byrne, Shirley Nickerson, Ken Adams
Regrets: Anita Price (ANSM)


Oralee called the meeting to order. The minutes will be read later as Anita joined us by speakerphone for a short time. Anita met with Jenna Boon after our last CCHN unfortunately during the course of the meeting the opportunity to discuss issues around the county in detail did not arise. However Anita commented that Jenna is aware that other partners in her geographic region will be important and as Ken noted she understands Cape D’Or and Fundy.

Anita gave us an overview of her meeting with the seven museum sites the previous week (she will also meet with the tourism minister) to discuss issues such as the ANSM being cut back to its 2006 level. Funding cuts could mean some museums may face closure and all should look to the economic drivers in their communities. The ANSM is encouraging a Christmas letter campaign to target local MLA’s and MP’s so they are made aware of the situation.

Shirley commented on the effectiveness of this as they had sent out a letter to the Amherst Downtown Revitalization Committee and had received funding plus an assurance that signage to the museum will be one of their first priorities. Anita noted that any action should be taken in advance of the cut backs in funding programs. Shirley had a conversation with Paul Collins recently and CMAP will not be cutting its funding to the community museums but probably the Provincial ones. The provincial government has not signed off on anything as yet but this could change meaning cuts may happen next year if not this year, commented Anita. However, cuts of 1-2% could mean staff reductions and changes to programming noted Ken, especially when cuts to education had already been announced. He asked Anita if she knew what the percentage could be and this could run as high as 10% but hopefully only around 4%. She also noted that heritage is only a small part of of the overall budget whereas education (cuts expected to be 22%) has a much larger section.

Anita attended a museums day organized by the CMA at the end of November where 150 participants of museums and art associations from across Canada met with senators to discuss the CMA program. It is hoped museums will become self sustaining and one initiative is that 25 million will be available to assist museums leverage private sector money, for example you would have to raise $15,000 to receive another $15,000. There was also the message from some conservatives that in order to gain something you would have to lose something. The next budget to be passed in the house could come into affect after April 1st, 2011. The ANSM is working on collective access and a pilot project is being developed.

Update on Virtual Tours Project - To date seven of the sites have paid their fee for the virtual tours project through the SDI funding. Josh has asked for four payments and 10% will be kept back until the project is finished. Shirley has not received the funding cheque as yet. Oralee suggested sending a reminder e-mail to those sites that have not paid. Josh will make the contact with the museums to set up appointments for filming. Ken noted there is no feedback on the visit to the county in the summer by Roger Brooks. Anita commented that the South West and HRM regions have discussed the Young Canada Works student grants and the fact the previous students can not reapply the following year. Helen noted that the criteria had changed drastically and that they are basically telling museums who they can hire which creates a problem when there only a few students available in rural areas. Anita said only about 6% of grants are approved and that the CMA has taken Heritage Canada to task over this but changes may not happen with this program. The YCW appears to be more interested in the students than the institutions hiring them. Museums need to know why they do not receive Provincial and Federal funding for students.

Oralee suggested a date be set for the CCHN AGM in the spring. The ANSM conference will be held in Tatamagouche from April 28th – 29th so Saturday May 7th 10am in Amherst at the Cumberland County Museum is the tentative date and location. The next executive meeting will be February 3rd with location and time to be set at a later date. Oralee thanked Anita for participating by phone and the meeting continued.

The minutes of the November 9th meeting were read and approved. Jeff asked if we could link to the United Steel Workers to help CCHN get money as they have a big voice. There was a brief discussion on the benefits of going to the newspaper to ‘drum up’ support. Shirley commented on submitting the minutes to the paper and Ken on doing an open letter to the constituents as well as the local MLA’s such as asking if they aware of possible cuts to their local museum which could mean a reduction of services offered. Shirley had statistics from the exit survey taken at Halifax airport showing that 3% of 1.9 million visitors had come to Nova Scotia for arts, culture and heritage and that 19% had visited a cultural heritage center during their visit.

Other Business – Don Agnew would be available to participate in a second JCP program and would qualify if we can put a new spin on the application such as marketing. Shirley also commented on the fact that the Cumberland County Museum was not considered a part of the Amherst Downtown Revitalization project as they are not part of that “downtown core” but that sending out a letter worked as they are going to improve the signage to the museum. A letter will be sent to the newspaper thanking the committee for that. It was agreed that Shirley would work on a JCP for Donald and Ken would do the letter to the constituents asking if they are aware of what heritage is available in the county and the number of staff including students are employed at these sites. It was also decided to invite the media to the AGM for around 1pm. Ken commented on the possible fall out and effects of funding cuts that may take affect in 2012 so Shirley suggested we also invite Scott Armstrong, MP and Brian Skabar and Jim Baillie our local MLA’s.

The CCHN members need to be more aware of what is happening and minutes need to be circulated more quickly to inform of issues such as possible funding cuts. We need to have a voice and articulate and clarify any messages we wish to send out. Shirley reminded us that the first letter sent to Brian Skabar was to mention that CCHN is not part of tourism publications and the reply was what did he want us to do and that he would pass on this information. We need to be clear on what we want as a fair percentage of the county have an interest in heritage. As Shirley noted branding is very useful as Nova Scotia by the Sea makes you think of heritage and Oralee commented that things started with Pier 21 and then spread out across the Province. Visitors come to NS to relax and step back into the past and we need to build our heritage from the ground up as our logo states, Helen noted.

Ken commented on his visitor numbers being down by 3%, possibly due to the delays with the new exhibit not opening till later in the summer. Oralee saw an increase at Age of Sail of about 15% but their revenue was down and that September was down which was unusual. Shirley noted that the registration of joint stocks is due and that we should remove those members from the list who have not paid their fees. Oralee suggested that when we send out the information for the AGM we note that membership ($25.00) is due by then. We will ask everyone to bring something for a pot lunch for the AGM. The contact for the CCGS is Susan Hill.

There was a discussion about the pass out to the schools with coupons for local sites and the possibility of purchasing or getting an IPOD donated for a prize. Delivery of these is not a problem as the school board does this but there is a cost and maybe CCHN could assist with this and Shirley suggested we pay for half of the printing. It was also agreed that CCHN be part of this program and this information will also be added to the AGM e-mail so that more museum sites can participate and visitors are entered into the draw at each site for the prize. Either each site would put in $10 or CCHN help with the funding for the prize. This will be discussed further at the next meeting.

Date of Next Meeting – The next meeting will be February 3rd with the tiem and location to be decided at a later date. The meeting was adjourned at 1:30pm.

An Old Fashion Cumberland Christmas at the Cumberland County Museum

An "Old Fashion Cumberland Christmas" at the Cumberland County Museum and Archives. Come and join the good folks at the Museum for a night of music, hot chocolate and hot apple cider, a few munchables and a whole lot of good cheer. 6:30 t0 8:30. $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under 12. Featured for your musical enjoyment will be a good old fashion "sing song" with Ms. Doreen Ettinger accompanied by Ms. G.L "Money" Martin on piano followed by seasonial favourites by the Parrsboro Citizen's Band Quartet.

Shortage of N1H1 Vaccine in Cumberland County

The Cumberland Health Authority (CHA) has announced that there is now a shortage of vaccine available to the citizens of Cumberland County. As a result, the CHA is limiting vaccine to high-risk groups from November 2nd through November 6th. The following groups will be given the highest priority:

• Pregnant Women
  
• Children between 6 months and 59 months (under 5)
  
• Health Care Workers (with valid ID)


• Members of First Nations Communities

The Province will re-evaluate the situation as more supplies become available. Please see the poster for clinics times and locations.

Long Lines for the N1H1 Flu Clinic in Amherst

As we have seen in other parts of Canada, people are lining up in droves to receive the N1H1 (Human Swine Infuenza) flu shot in Amherst. As the door opened on the first day of the clinic, the line stetched down the street for hundreds of metres. Despite the long lines and the frosty morning, people seemed to be in good spirits and were orderly. The clinic will continue for the entire month of November so their will be ample time for all citizens of the County to receive the vaccine. For more information on N1H1 and the Nova Scotia Immunization Campaign, please go to: http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/h1n1 or you can call 811.

H1N1 Clinics for Cumberland County

For more information on N1H1 (Human Swine Influenza) and the Nova Scotia Immunization Campaign please go to:

http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/h1n1/

0r call 811.

Pictures for the Amherst Encampment Part 2, Dinner and Dancing

The good folks of the Amherst Encampment "kick up their heals" at the Cumberland County Museum and Archives.

Dinner is served... rustic style by candle light.

Pictures from the Amherst Encampment Part 1

An early morning at a 1775 Loyalist Encampment, a visitor trying out a period chair.

Loyalist soldiers receiving their ammunition for the day’s “action.”

The ladies of the camp making breakfast.

Soldiers mustering for the march to Amherst Town Hall.

The march to Amherst Town Hall.


Offices of the company demanding to see the Mayor, Mr. Rob Small.


Mayor Small giving the company the Key to the Town

The Mayor inspecting the troops.

18th Century Encampment comes to Amherst

The weekend of September 25th, 26th & 27th will prove to be a busy time for the residents of Amherst as an 18th Century Encampment invades downtown’s Prince Arthur Street.
This historical reenactment weekend will include Parades, Tent City, and Military Encampment, Dozens of Historical Characters, Military Drill & Musketry, Civilian Displays and 18th Century Dancing.

This event is produced through The Brigade of America Revolution and the public is invited to attend.

Admission is free!

In conjunction with the 18th Century Encampment, the Cumberland County Museum and Archives will be hosting the Outdoor Re-enactors Dinner. (Dinner by invitation only) This event will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2009. The Outdoor Re-enactors Dinner will start at 7pm followed by a Public 18th Century Dance Demonstration at 8:30pm. Location for the dinner and dance demonstration is The Cumberland County Museum and Archives 150 Church Street, Amherst N. S. Here the re-enactor will enjoy an outdoor dinner and tour of the museum before opening the evening to the public.
Starting at 8:30 pm, the public is invited to join the re-enactors for an Outdoor 18th Century Dance Demonstration.

A chance to witness 18th Century Dancing at its finest and everyone is welcome to test their skills and try this unique style of dancing.

The Cumberland County Museum and Archives would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join us and meet the 18th Century Encampment Re-enactors and learn why they have chosen to take part in this event. For more information please contact Shirley Nickerson at 667-2561.

CCHN Calendar of Events for September

Age of Sail Heritage Museum

· Annual Labour Day Weekend Events: Saturday September 5th, Pork Loin Dinner 4:30 to 6pm FPW Fire Hall in Port Graville. Cost: $10.00 per person
· Sunday September 6th , Annual Outdoor Ecumenical Church Service 9:30am Colins Field 8098 hwy 209 Wards Brook fol lowed by Pancake Breakfast. Cost: $4.00 per person.
· North Shore Antique Engine Display at the Museum Sunday Sept 6, No Admission fee all day!
· Hosting the Cumberland County Heritage Network General Meeting on Sept 12th from 10:00 to 2:00.
· As of September 1st fall hours will be in effect: Open Thursday to Monday 10:00 to 6:00. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday until Thanksgiving.

Cumberland County Museum and Archives

· The Cumberland County Museum and Archives in conjunction with Local Art Collectors & the Wallace and Area Museum are pleased to present: the Willard Morse Mitchell Art Exhibit opening Tuesday, August 4th and running until Saturday, September 26th, 2009.
· The Cumberland County Museum and Archives are pleased to present “The Mad Hatter Autumn Dinner” on Friday, September 25th, 2009 at 6 pm at the Cumberland County Museum and Archives: 150 Church Street, Amherst, Nova Scotia. Tickets are $20.00 per per­son. There is limited seating so reserve your tickets today. Call 902.667.2561. Prizes will be awarded for both the men’s and women’s most unique hat.
· Book Signing: “The “Joggins, It’s History and It’s People. Saturday, September 19th at 2 -4
· Cumberland County Hooked Rug Exhibit in conjunction with the Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival. Opening Tuesday, September 29 until October 31st.
· Elizabeth Hickey “Needlework Display” in conjunction with the Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival. Opening Tuesday, September 29 until October 31st.

Ottawa House by the Sea/Parrsbrough Shore Historical Society

· Oak Island Mystery. Aguest speaker on the Oak Island Mystery at the Ottawa House Museum on September 12th at 2:00 pm.
· War Time Supper. The Parrsbrough Shore Historial Society will hold a war time supper at Trinity United Church Hall on September 10th from 5 to 7:00 pm.
· Dessert Tea. Ottawa House Museum will hold it's last dessert tea of the season on September 6th from 2 to 5:00 pm.

Parrsboro Band Association

· Sept 14th Citizens’ Band resumes rehearsals. 7:00 pm Anyone who has ever played is welcome to come out and join the fun.
· September 18th to 20th Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre Annual General Meeting. All events open to public including a dance with the Elastic Big Band. On Friday night and readings Saturday and Sunday. See www.thehall.ca for complete details.
· September 26th South Cumberland Care Centre hosting a Variety Show. Details are to be posted on “The Hall” website. See the URL above.

Ship’s Company Theatre

· Ship’s Company Theatre’s production of FERRY TALES, book and lyric by Carol Sinclair, composition by david sereda, continues to entrance audiences with the lore of the Minas Basin and the beloved KIPAWO, the last of the Minas Basin Ferries. Wonderful perfor­mances delivered by a stellar cast bring to life early times along the Bay. Nostalgic and delightfully entertaining, this musical play runs until August 30th at Ship’s Company Theatre in Parrsboro.
· Ship’s Company Theatre will hold its Annual Art Auction at the Theatre on Saturday, August 29th. Works in a variety of media, by a multitude of artists and artisans from around the region, will be featured. Viewing begins at 1 p.m., with the auction at 2 p.m. Images of the artworks may be viewed at www.shipscompany.com.

Wallace and Area Museum

· 50th Anniversary of the Wallace Village War Memorial. A short service at the memorial on Saturday September 12, starting 2 pm. Reception and small display at Wallace and Area Museum to follow.