June 10th, 1942
News and Views of The Bay Shore Port of Harborville
So far as appearances go at Harborville the popular Bay Shore summer resort has not changed very much since the balmy days of the last vacation. The harbor is still high and dry for half the day, while the rest of the time the tide is coming and going. Business seems to be quite the usual for the time of year. The rationing of gasoline has reduced the number of cars bringing visitors, and while there is a feeling of uncertainty as to what the ensuing season may bring forth there is no evidence of worry on the part of the people.
Fred Ayer, who is looking hale and hearty, is of a practical turn of mind and is of opinion that people will recognize the necessity of a part of the summer being spent on the bay shore. He intimated that after living in the Valley for some time, a bracer is needed and none better can be found than the cool, refreshing breezes of the bay. He predicts that more cottages will be occupied this season than last.
Is Optimistic.
Lem Brown, who is recovering from a rather severe winter, has got all his crop in and is looking forward to a pleasant summer. He takes a philosophical attitude toward conditions. We asked him what the prospects were for the coming season in Harborville, and he admitted that motor traffic will be cut down to a minimum. But he declares that the Mountain never has been an obstacle in the way of Valley people enjoying themselves and gasoline or no gasoline the Harborville season will go on just the same.
Housecleaning is going on at the Bezanson cottages in preparation for the summer vacationists and it is understood that some enquiries have been made for accommodation.
Elmer Mahar of Grafton has purchased Mrs. Gertrude Parker’s cottage and will occupy it this summer. A newly built boat has arrived in the harbor for Mr. Mahar. It is a trim little yacht named the "Venture" and is equipped for sailing and has an auxiliary motor.
Bernard Morris is giving his boat, the "Lady Luck," an overhauling.
Master Mariner And Shipbuilder
Harborville can boast of a master mariner, who is also a shipbuilder, none other than Capt. Ed. Curry. He has worked another of his ship transformations during the past winter. Probably the older citizens will remember when he practically rebuilt the "Bohemia" by cutting her in half and building a new middle section. He built an entire new boat, the "Lois Maud," several years ago, right in his back yard. Last year he sold it to Owen Morse of Grand Manaan. However it was not quite big enough for the purpose intended, so Capt. Curry brought the vessel back in the fall and went to work on it. He cut it in half squarely in the middle and built in a new section twelve feet long. The boat is now fifty-six feet in length, fourteen feet wide and has a forty-four foot keel. To look at it from the outside it is impossible to tell new from old. Starting work last November the captain worked all winter, fashioning the various parts, hewing the knees hauled from the woods, building a vessel as strong and seaworthy as any launched on the bay. She has three watertight compartments, so is practically unsinkable. When completed she will be fitted with a fifty horsepower crude oil engine and will be used in the sardine fishing industry at Grand Manaan.
Good Run of Lobsters
The fishing season is well advanced. Lester Finley has been having a good run of lobsters, the weather having been favorable this year, with few storms. It is hoped that such conditions will prevail until the end of the month when the season closes.
Fred and Emerson Spicer have been doing fairly well with the fish weir. During the run of high tides they lowered the seine on account of the large amount of drift wood in the bay. The first tide fishing after raising it again gave them ninety pounds of salmon and they have had good hauls since.
Farmers have about all their crops in and much of the grain is above ground. It was fortunate that tender crops were not above the ground on Sunday night, May 31, otherwise they may have been damaged with frost. Contrary to common belief that frost does not strike on the high levels as much as on low, frost was severe in one section. Monday morning ice was lifted out of the chicken watering trough in the yard of Samuel Brydon, Hamilton Road.
Many acres of potatoes have been planted on the mountain. In addition to the extensive planting of A. E. Bezanson, Berwick, Ben Ruggles has planted four acres with the tubers and Miles Hiltz, five acres.
Red Cross Auxiliary Active
The Red Cross Auxiliary contributed $60.00 in the recent drive. The members have a good method for making regular contributions to this work, they do not wait for a special time to make a drive, but endeavor to have some funds always on hand. During the winter regular card parties were held in the Hotel and when the call for funds was made they had about $30.00 on hand. These parties will continue during the summer.
Mrs. James Cahill, who spent the winter in the United States arrived home last week. She was accompanied by her son Frederick, of Boston. Miss Marion Cahill of Kentville and Corpl. Warren Cahill, R.C.A.F., Stanley, visited their mother over the week-end.
Lillian Ogilvie of Berwick visited her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Ogilvie over the week-end.
Recent guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. M. G. Spicer were Mrs. James Hopkins, Mrs. Elmer Hopkins and two children, Mr. J. B. Blois, of South Rawdon, Hants County and Ernest Lockhart of Brooklyn.