What's on this weekend? Happy Birthday, Canada! Strawberries! Roast Beef!!!

If you are lucky enough to catch the strawberry tea/socials next week, consider yourself lucky.

Get cheek to jowl with the friendly folks in Blue Rocks for some good 'ole roast beef on Saturday.

Hopefully the rain doesn't thwart the Canada Day celebrations on Monday, have a great weekend everyone!

Breakfasts

June 29

Royal Canadian Legion #23, Lunenburg,

7:30-11:30 a.m. 

Adults $7; ages 5-12, $3. 

Takeout available for pick-up $7.50. 634-4215

Teas/luncheons

Thursday, July 4

Strawberry Social,

Riverport Community Centre

11 a.m.1 p.m.

Sandwiches, sweets, strawberry desserts, beverages, bowls of fresh strawberries and cream. Bake table. 

Adults $9. 

Sponsored by St. Matthew's Lutheran.

July 3

Strawberry Tea, 

United Baptist Church, Mahone Bay,

3 -5 p.m. 

Brown bread, cheese, strawberry shortcake, tea, coffee, fruit punch. 

Adults $7, children 5- 12 $3.50, under 5 free. 

Bake table.

Suppers

Saturday, June 29,

Roast Beef Supper, 

St. Barnabas Anglican Church Hall, Blue Rocks,  

4:30- 6:30 p.m. 

Adults $12; children 5-12 years $6; under 5 free.

What's on this weekend? Strawberry suppers of course...and a Mackerel Snapper picnic!!

What is a mackerel snapper you ask? I had to look it up myself. Here's what wikipedia has to say about it: mackerel snapper.

Lots of strawberry suppers on offer, 'tis the season...breakfasts at the Parkdale Maplewood hall are usually great...as are the suppers at The Forties community hall and in cheery Cherry Hill.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Breakfasts

Saturday, July 9,
Parkdale-Maplewood hall,
7-10:30 a.m.
Pancakes local maple syrup, sausages, bacon, eggs, toast, juice, tea and coffee.
Adults $6; youth $3; under 5 free.
Information: Joanne 644-2877.

Saturday, July 9,
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (at the hall), 114 Fox Street, Lunenburg.
Adults $6, children (6-12) $3, children 5 and under free

Suppers

July 9th rain date the 10th.
Mackerel Snapper's Picnic,
12- 6 pm.
Graves Island Provincial Park.
Music on outdoor stage featuring:
Coastline, Country Jam, East Coast Connection, Henry Stevens, Gail Conrad, Mountain Fever, Ken Best and Silverado, Brandon Foster, Chet Brown, Dale Verge and Doin Country, Newfound Country, Cy Brown/ Eugene Rafuse, Chester Belly Dancers.
Games of Chance.
Best ever Mackerel dinner with all the fixings.
Bring your lawn chair and a friend.

Saturday, July 9.
Strawberry Supper.
Lapland & District Fire Hall
4 p.m.
Ham, beans, scalloped potatoes, potato salad, breads, cakes and strawberry shortcake or just berries.
Adults $8, 12 and under $3.50, 5 and under free.
Sponsored by Auxiliary.

Saturday, July 9,
Strawberry Supper,
East Dalhousie Community Centre,
4:30 pm.
Adults $9; children under 12 $4.50, under 5 free.
Proceeds: Anglican Church

Saturday, July 9,
United Communities fire dept. Annual Supper,
Fire hall in Cherry Hill.
4:30 p.m.
Menu: fish chowder, salad plate with ham or sweet & sour meatballs, cucumber salad, rolls, brown bread, pies and cakes.
Adults $12, 5-12 years $6, under 5 free.

Sunday, July 10.
Strawberry Supper.
Forties Community Centre, 1787 Forties Road, New Ross,
Doors open at 4 p.m. Serving from 4:30- 6 p.m.
Adults $10, age 5- 12 $5, under 5 free.

Sunday, July 10,
Old Fashioned Supper,
Riverport community centre.
4:30-6 p.m.
Adults $9, child $4, under 5 free.
Sponsored by ladies auxiliary.

What's on this weekend? Canada's birthday! Lots of food events too!

Phew, I'm worn out from typing up this very large list of events... It's going to be a great weekend weather and events wise...have a great one, everybody!

Canada Day Celebrations

Riverport
13:30 - Parade
14:00 - Flag Raising Ceremony
20:00 - DANCE
21:30 - Fireworks

Petite Riviere
Canada Day Celebrations at Fire Hall
Starting 12 noon.
Duck race, children and adult activities, food and entertainment.
Community fireworks at Green Bay. For information call 688-2117

New Germany
TONS of fun things to check out.
Check out my pics from 2009 of the parade and ox pull.

Bridgewater
Schedule of events

Lunenburg
Canada Day Celebrations, 250th Anniversary Park (behind the Fire Hall)
10:30am to 1:00pm

Chester
Chester Legion.
Canada Day Breakfast: 7:30 to 10:30 am.
Flag Raising Ceremony: 12:00 noon.
Walk around Chester: 12:15 pm.
Enjoy free hot dogs, cake and pop.

Breakfasts

Canada Day 2011 Breakfast,
Royal Canadian Legion Branch #24, Bridgewater,
7:30-11:30 a.m.
Eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, baked beans, toast, juice, tea or coffee.
Adults $6; children 5-12, $3; under 5 free.

July 1st,
North Queens Heritage Society Strawberry Pancake Brunch,
Masonic Hall, Caledonia,
10-1.

July 2, Saturday,
Breakfast,
Italy Cross, Middlewood and district fire hall,
7-11 a.m.
Adults $6, children $3. Everyone welcome.

July 2,
Country Breakfast.
Chester Basin Fire Hall.
7:30-10:30 a.m.,
Various menu selections.

Suppers

Canada Day Fish Fry,
July 1st,
Riverport fire department,
11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

July 1,
Annual Canada Day Strawberry Supper
Baker Settlement fire centre, #5092 Highway 325,
4:30 p.m.
Serving baked beans, ham, 3 salads, etc. Strawberry shortcake or sliced in a bowl as well as iced homemade cakes.
Cost $9, children $4, 5 and under free.
Check out my review of a previous supper here for an idea of what to expect.

July 2,
Chicken BBQ, Flea Market and Bake Sale.
Cornwall & District Fire Department, Middle Cornwall
3:30- 6 p.m.

Saturday, July 2,
Strawberry Supper,
Newcombville fire hall,
4- 7 p.m.
Menu consists of Baked beans, scalloped potatoes, potato salad, ham, coleslaw, asst. breads, asst. Cakes and strawberry shortcake or strawberries and cream.
Adults, $9; children 5-12, $4.50; under 5 free.
Proceeds for fire department.

Saturday, July 2,
Roast Beef Supper,
St. Mark's Anglican Church, Martin's Point,
4- 6 pm.
Adults: $10, children: $5 and under 5 free.
Dessert will be homemade pies or strawberry shortcake.
For information please call 627-2351.

What's on this weekend? Strawberry suppers and other greatest hits!

Decisions, decisions....perennial favourites abound, take your pic.

Experience the culinary delight that is the Newfie breakfast at the Chester Basin Legion or the 'hands on' touch of old ladies at the Lunenburg Legion Breakfast.

Strawberries are in season, and with them come strawberry suppers. A word of caution, not all of these suppers use fresh strawberries. Call in advance or ask at the door to avoid bitter disappointment.

The roast beef supper in Blue Rocks is tasty comfort food, but be prepared for a wait as this is a popular event!

Breakfasts

June 25,
Royal Canadian Legion #23, Lunenburg,
7:30-11:30 a.m.
Adults $6; ages 5-12, $3.
Takeout available for pick-up $6.50. 634-4215

Saturday, June 25,
Newfie Breakfast,
Chester Basin Legion.
7:30-10:30,
Menu selections and take-out available.

Saturday, June 25.
Fireman's Breakfast,
United Communities fire hall, Cherry Hill,
8 - 11 a.m.
Adults $6, children 5 -12 $3.25, under 5 free.

Brunches

June 26,
Brunch,
RCL Br. #49 Mahone Bay,
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Adults $6; children $3; under 5 free.

Suppers

Saturday, June 25.
Midville and District fire dept. Garden Party, Variety Supper & Merchandise Bingo.
Supper starts 4 p.m.,
Garden Party 5 p.m. and Bingo 7 p.m.
Everyone welcome!

June 25,
Hebbs Cross Fire Department Strawberry Supper,
4- 6:30 p.m.
Scallop potatoes, potato salad, ham, homemade beans, strawberries and cream or strawberry shortcake.
Adults $8, children $4, under 5 free.

Saturday, June 25,
Forties community centre,
4-6 p.m.
Baked beans, salads, casseroles, pies for dessert.
Adults $9, children 12 and under $4, preschoolers free.
Proceeds for St. Augustine Anglican and Forties United Baptist Churches.

Saturday, June 25,
Roast Beef Supper,
St. Barnabas Anglican Church Hall, Blue Rocks,
4:30 p.m.
Adults $10; children 5-12 $5; under 5 free.

Saturday, June 25,
Strawberry Supper,
Pleasant River community hall,
4:30- 6:30 p.m.
Adults $9; children 5-12 $4.50; under 5 free.
Proceeds for community purposes.

June 26.
Strawberry Supper;
Conquerall Bank fire hall.
4-6 p.m.
$8 adults, $4 children, under 5 free.

Conquerall Bank Strawberry Supper Review

June 27, 2010
Conquerall Bank, NS

It was a foggy and chilly Sunday across the river, down by the showah, ....but it was sunny and hot in Conquerall Bank and in to town.

I've been to suppers here before that involved a large crowd and lots of waiting. This one had a 'normal' sized crowd and hardly any wait to get seated. A pleasant surprise!

No ordering here, you sit down and before you know it, food shows up:



The rolled up luncheon ham, meh. I could do without it, though I ate what was on my plate.

The beans were perfect, the 'gravy' in particular, was stellar.

And that potato salad, as one of my dining companions noted, was "chock-a-block" with goodies inside. I'm assuming a little mustard was added to get the yellow colour, and there were bits of red onion inside as well. We all agreed it was a contender for best potato salad ever.

Of course, the ever delicious molasses brown bread was on offer...so sweet. Coleslaw and bread and butter pickles rounded out the offerings on the table.

This strawberry supper was different than most, because it was a bowl of berries for dessert, not shortcake. No matter, a sprinkle of sugar and a splash of milk was all the berries required.


I love the way the pitcher of milk is sweating. I tried and I tried, but none of my shots captured it perfectly...

Sadly, no epic stories to tell from this meal, it was a pleasant afternoon out with friends. We left with bellies full; at 5:15 pm.

Eat dessert first...

It was hard to resist, but somehow I didn't eat anything from this tantalizing plate of squares until after I'd finished my meal.

My eyes are still drawn to that marshmallow square concoction...

A review of last Sunday's Strawberry Supper in Conquerall Bank to follow, stay tuned.

June 27: Conquerall Bank Strawberry Supper!

I just spotted the sign for this upcoming supper, I can't wait!

Check out this guest review from last year for an idea of what to expect..

Guest Review! Conguerall Bank Strawberry Supper

Guest review and photos graciously provided by my friend Kirsten Tomilson:


July 5, 2009

I must really like strawberries… What I’ll do for a feed of those luscious succulent berries…

Rosanne, Philip, Michael and I arrived just in time to wait a half an hour for the second seating. Bob was in charge of the seating and judging by the corners of his mouth he was working himself into quite a froth. Accumulating at the corners of his mouth was a wad of white sticky goo – it reminded me of Elmer’s glue the kind we used in school. How many times did I put that stuff on my hand watch it dry and then pick it off? I digress…

As usual, the people watching didn’t disappoint. Not to mention the thick Lunenburg County accents filling the air. This is what the community supper is all about in my opinion.

By the time we are seated I am ready to feast on my left arm. No more than 5 minutes later and the gal came around with coffee and tea, in the blink of an eye the hot coffee is now seeping into every crevice of my pants. Scalding hot coffee on your privates is not the most enjoyable way in which to begin a meal. It is at this moment that Rosanne decides to regale the entire table with tales from my last community supper. You know the one… I ended up passing out from the heat minus my strawberry shortcake. Awesome… Not only is my crotch a throbbing mess, but now I am completely red with embarrassment! Timing is everything. Who knew that the same server spilled a plate of beans on some lady who was sitting in the “danger zone” before me – not sure which is worse. Here’s hoping that next year she decides to forgo the serving and take tickets instead, less risky for us paying patrons.


Did I mention that Rosanne has an extreme phobia to eggs and mayonnaise?

The server brought her a plate with all the fixings; beans, potato salad, and ham. She immediately proclaimed that she can’t have any eggs and would he mind bringing her just a plate of beans. He went back to the kitchen scraped the offending salad into the bin and presented the plate again to Rosanne. She was onto him – and that just wasn’t going to do – there was still remnants on her plate a trail of egg sludge made her discerning palette scream out in terror. He quickly brought her back a clean plate with just beans no doubt uttering under his breath about the insane lady at table #1 – sitting beside the grumpy lady with stain on crotch. I am told her phobia developed as a small child who spent far too much time at a chicken farm - I myself prefer to live in oblivion and ask her not to share the details. Bring on the eggs is what I say!

I think the tea and berries were my favorite part of the meal. What exactly do those church ladies do to make that tea taste so good. Could it be crack from God? The molasses brown bread was also very fresh and delicious. I ate 3 pieces and completely ignored the fact that I am gluten intolerant. About a half hour later I really wished that I hadn’t indulged my craving! Molasses bread will always remind me of times with my grandparents – fresh baked bread was my gram’s forte. She was such an amazing cook. Well worth the discomfort… or was it?


I’d definitely go back to this community supper… Here’s hoping that next time it is uneventful – but what else would I write about then?

Baker Settlement Canada Day Strawberry Supper Review

I don't know of a better end way to celebrate Canada Day, than to attend a local community supper. Maybe it was the red and white theme echoed in the strawberry shortcake...maybe it was the political gossip I overheard while waiting in line. What I do know was that this supper was a resounding success!

After attending the excellent Canada Day parade in New Germany earlier that afternoon, I traversed several secondary paved roads (and a couple tertiary dirt roads) to arrive in Baker Settlement right around the corner from the hall that was home to this supper.

From previous years, I was expecting a big lineup when I arrived. It wasn't as long as I feared, but that was because I had 'just' missed the first sitting. I found myself joining in with the other diners, counting how many people were ahead of myself in the line, wondering how many could be seated in the hall at once...

I was standing behind 3 elderly women, who had quite an interesting conversation about the recent provincial election. If you aren't aware, the NDP (left'ish leaning social democrats) swept all 4 south shore seats, ousting the tories, much to the surprise and chagrin of the women in front of me. It became obvious very quickly that these women were life long tories ('progressive' conservatives), and as far as I could tell, at least one of them was heavily involved with the party executive. Nothing earth shattering was overheard:

"I hear Carolyn will run again"
"Yes, I read that in the paper"
"I knew Gary Ramey's parents, his father and my father served in the war together"
"Gary and Carolyn both spoke at Shipyard Landing"

And so on....

Before too long, my two guests from Lunenburg arrived. By that time, the line was stretching wayyy down the hill from the hall. Lucky for them I had saved us all a spot for the second sitting!

When you approach the door of the hall, you are greeted by a 'cloak room' of sorts...the inner door to the hall remains closed like some booze can in Toronto. Every now and then, the elderly 'bouncer' dressed in full fire department regalia would open the door and ask, "how many"?
A wave of hot, humid air blew in our faces as I gestured with my hand, "3". And then, we were in.

We had an AMAZING server attend to us throughout the supper. First, she brought us our styrofoam plate of ham and beans. The beans were piping hot, a pleasant surprise! Sweet molasses bread, chow chow, coleslaw, pickled beets and bread and butter pickles complemented the meal nicely.


I like the whipped cream smeared on the kid's face, it must be 'some good'!

I felt like a kid again when I was able to choose Kool Aid for my beverage. I was very, very thirsty. I felt like I drained an entire pitcher of water over the course of the meal!

At one point, failed Liberal candidate Mark Fury was seated further down our table. Our server told him he "didn't want to sit by those ladies"...she was referring to the elderly tories seated beside me, the same ones in front of me in the lineup. Political intrigue was everywhere!


Suspenders are still en vogue at these functions, so is brill cream.

Eventually, it was time for desert, but there was 'no room at the inn'. Luckily, our server was a veritable superstar and she packed up our strawberry shortcake for take away in...you guessed it, more styrofoam! But the desert extravaganza didn't end there....she brought by a plate of 'table cake' and asked if we'd like to take some chocolate cake with us as well. As Bubbles from Trailer Park Boys would say, "does the tin man have a sheet metal cock?"


The infamous 'table cake'

So, we exited the premises with 3 containers of strawberry shortcake and a plate full of chocolate cake. A perfect way to end this year's Canada Day. Well done to all the hard working folks who helped put this supper together this year!

Guest Review: Canada Day Supper...or Not?

Strawberry Supper
Baker's Settlement Hall

June 29, 2008

By: KT

Baroing promised that this would be an awesome community supper that would leave your taste buds begging for more… strawberry shortcake. Considering myself a connoisseur of the wickedly wonderful berry, I felt compelled to attend. In fact, I hardly ate all day – saving myself and my appetite for the feast on such a fine day, there was not a cloud in the sky…

The Bridgewater Bulletin listed the supper as follows: June 29^th, 4-6pm. $7.50. Potato salad, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, ham, strawberry shortcakes, strawberry and cream and cakes. There seemed to be a fair amount of focus on the desert portion of the meal… How could I pass up this bountiful offering of strawberry bliss? In fact, we even took Baroing's advice and showed up 20 minutes early. Or so we thought…

The supper didn’t actually start until 4:30pm. When we arrived, there were already several families waiting to attend this supper spectacular. Both of us not really keen on waiting in line decided to go for a drive towards Chelsea. That in the very least would eat up some time… We were both starving at this point, and had even discussed giving up on the community supper and heading back to Lunenburg. I don’t even like ham but to be honest I was saving myself for that strawberry shortcake.

We showed back up at the Fire Hall just shortly before 4:30pm. Already quite a long line up had formed. I would say at the very least 50 people were in front of us. Baroing did warn us, he said that this was a popular community supper and to expect a bit of a wait. I’m all for waiting especially when it comes to shortcake!

The temperature was at the very least in the high 20’s. The air was stagnant and there was hardly a breeze, making it feel more like 40. The sun beat down on all the procrastinators making us wish that we had been more proactive and arrived earlier to avoid standing and waiting like starving fools. The first ones to arrive were already in the hall enjoying their meals. I’d been waiting all day for this supper and should really have eaten more than a handful of piss puffs (ed: rice cake/puffs). But, that is how I rolled… on the ground.

Just as the line started to move again… my girlfriend engages the 2 couples beside us in conversation. Just as Elmer was telling me that he had taught at Centre – I suddenly felt queasy – was it the mention of this crap school that made me feel so odd… I really had no idea… I just knew that I had to sit down and try and collect myself. I staggered over to an empty chair. Sitting down really wasn’t doing much to help the dizzy feeling that washed over me. I decided I needed to get Rosanne so that she could get me the hell out of here… I managed to lift myself off the chair in search of my chatty girlfriend but the tunnel vision was too much to overcome… I staggered back to my safe haven… the chair… but not before I planted my face on this wonderfully grassy knoll… Ahhh the queasy feeling subsided but now I had this throbbing pain on the side that I fell on… I remember is thinking – crap… I am going down in front of all these people that I don’t know… Great! As I lay there in a “Messi” heap all I could think of was, "damn – so much for getting that shortcake."

It was at this point that Rosanne started dosing her GF with cold water and dabbing a cold compress on my neck. Always a trooper in a crisis! A chubby little nurse decided to take me in her arms… I had no idea who she was, it just felt so good to be lying in her plump ole’ lap. Meanwhile, a firefighter was taking my pulse asking me random questions like do you have any serious medical issues? Do you know what day it is? Do you know your name? “Yes,” I replied – “Can I have some shortcake now?”

In the end, never did get my shortcake… Just a nice big goose egg…Next year I think I’ll not skip meals and keep hydrated throughout the day… Might not be a bad idea to show up a bit early too… huh Baroing?

Seriously though, if you ever feel the urge to pass out, a community supper isn’t a bad place to go down – there are all kinds of professionals there to help out… Nurses, firefighters, doctors… take your pick. Or perhaps you’ll be “lucky” like me and have them all look after you.

Upcoming Suppers and Brekkies this weekend

It's a big Canada Day weekend for suppers and breakfasts, here's a run-down of what's on offer:

Breakfasts

Saturday, June 28th,
Fireman's Breakfast, United Communities Hall, Cherry Hill, 8-11am.
--A popular choice, worth the drive to Cherry Hill!

June 28, 7:30-11:30
Breakfast at Royal Canadian Legion #23, Lunenburg
Adults $6; ages 5-12, $3.00; $6.50 for take-out,
delivery available until 9 a.m. 634-4215
---If you like tater tots, this is the brekkie for you!

Saturday, June 28,
A Full Meal Breakfast, 8AM-12PM.
Adults $5.50, 5-12yrs. $2.75 and under 5 FREE.
Menu: Bacon, scrambled or fried eggs, hash browns, beans, toast, muffins and beverages.
St. Luke's Church Hall, Rhodes Corner.
---This one is my pick for breakfast this weekend, if it's half as good as their turkey suppers (which are amazing), it should be a winner!

Supppers

June 28, 3-5 p.m.
Firefighter's Chicken BBQ and Auxiliary Flea Market, Cornwall Fire Hall, Middle Cornwall
--This one offers a heaping amount of BBQ'd chicken, you can split a portion with your buddy!

Saturday, June 28, beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Roast Beef Supper at St. Barnabas' Anglican Church Hall, Blue Rocks
Adults $10; children 12 and under, $5; under 5 free

June 29th. 4 pm- 6 pm.
Strawberry Supper, Hebb's Cross Fire Hall, $7.50.
Potato salad, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, ham, strawberry shortcakes, strawberry & cream & cakes.

July 1 Canada Day. 4:30 p.m
Strawberry Supper, .
Baker Settlement & District Fire Centre #5092 on Hwy #325.
Serving: Ham, baked beans, salads, etc. Dessert: Either strawberry shortcake or strawberries in cream, homemade cakes. Sponsored by the auxiliary
--expect an INSANE wait for this one, but the strawberry shortcake for dessert will be your sweet reward....