-by John Gillis
2019. How fast it flew past. It was a year that saw so much happen in news, arts, culture, entertainment, and sports in Inverness County and Cape Breton.
It was the year that saw Inverness County and much of Nova Scotia hunkered down for the damage of Hurricane Dorian, where much of Nova Scotia saw extensive power outages, some several days long. And then there was the clean-up, with fallen trees down in several Inverness County communities. It was the year that many people around the world protested in the streets over the awareness that climate change is imminent and pressing for action.
It was the year where Inverness beach became recognized as a pioneer in terms of beach accessibility, serving as a model of what can be achieved with a dedicated core of volunteers and a great vision.
It was the year that saw us facing infrastructure problems across Inverness County, especially in terms of pressing water, wastewater, and sewage upgrades.
It was the year that saw many waiting patiently for what transpired as a recent arrest in the suspicious death of Cassidy Bernard of We’koqma’q. For well over an hour, people stood in silence along the Trans Canada Highway this past fall, drawing attention to the astounding number of missing and murdered aboriginal women historically across Canada. One second of silence to recognize each of the total known number of missing and murdered women. The Oran named the tragic death news story of the year, not only for its local concern, but its impact nationally.
It was the year the Stanley Cup came to Port Hood for a day, thanks to St. Louis manager and former defensive star Allan MacInnis, thrilling children, youth, and adults alike during the Chestico Days parade – especially since it wasn’t here in 1989 on Al’s first Cup win in Calgary.
It was the year that saw young Inverness County goaltender, Colten Ellis, drafted to the 2019 Stanley Cup winning St. Louis Blues.
So many provincial championships were brought home by our student athletes, as you will find this week outlined in our Sports pages.
Arts, Culture, and Entertainment
It was the year the students of Allison Bernard Memorial High School in Eskasoni and 16 year-old Emma Stevens attracted the attention of the world to her Mi’kmaq language and to Cape Breton with her gorgeous rendition in of Paul McCartney’s Blackbird – especially poignant given 2019 was the International Year of Indigenous Languages. You may search for the original video on YouTube if you haven’t seen it or heard the song.
It was another year where Inverness County authors made their presence known at literary festivals, book publishers, and gala events locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
The Canada Day Literary event in Margaree featuring world class writing talent and the Cabot Trail Writers Festival at The Gaelic College can hold their own against any similar events practically anywhere.
It was the year that saw Kenneth MacKenzie appointed as director of Education at The Gaelic College, at a time when the community of Mabou awaits a future of many exciting possibilities as the Gaelic College’s transformation of the former Convent and Renewal Centre continues.
It was the year that saw Scott Macmillan lead a ensemble of diverse and talented musicians in The Woodland Revival premiere in October at the Inverness County Centre for the Arts.
It was the year we saw the re-emergence of Beòlach, the Inverness County supergoup and they got back together to tour and record and album of new material, All Hands.
It was the year that saw the sudden death of Friends United First Nations artist Jay Bell Redbird, whose beautiful works were becoming known across the region and throughout the world.
It was the year that saw Tracey Dares MacNeil move forward from her position of executive director of Strathspey Performing Arts Centre and begin teaching piano to aspiring music students.
It was the year that the Chieftains returned to Celtic Colours in Cape Breton.
It was the year that saw a wealth of talent once again grace the stages of the 2019 Broad Cove Concert, a year that saw local artists (such as Beech Hill) on the stages of Granville Green and Bridges on the stage for the launch of the Blueberry Jam on Mabou Ridge.
From laughs to jigs and reels, we saw the launch of an excellent new recording, Shades of Tartan, from Cape Breton fiddler, Howie MacDonald.
So many highlights and so many more to mention. We look forward to bringing you a wealth of more interesting stories and features in 2020.
Wishing you, our readers all the best wishes for the New Year and thanks again for your continued support!
