St. Mary’s Bay Back in the Crosshairs
A Norwegian company is proposing massive open-net salmon farms in St. Mary’s Bay—four 160-acre sites holding up to three million fish—reviving...
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Multipurpose Court Grand Opening
By the Westport Recreation Auxiliary Saturday, September 12th marked the grand opening of the new multipurpose court on Brier Island. We could not have asked for a better day—the sun was shining and lots of community members and special guests came out to take part in the celebrations. We...
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Brier Island Lighthouses: Restoration Project 2026
By SAIL2 / John Schwinghamer SAIL2 was busy working on Brier Island’s lighthouses again from August 22 to 31. SAIL2 is the acronym for Save An Island Lighthouse, a non-profit group that is charged with maintaining the three lighthouses that surround Brier Island. You may have read that in...
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Ann’s Legacy
Scotian Shores honours Ann Schweitzer while removing decades of marine debris from Long Island By Passages Editor Monica Stark, photos courtesy Scotian Shores For two weeks in August, volunteers with Scotian Shores worked their way along some of the most difficult-to-reach stretches of coastline...
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I Found Hope on Digby Neck, Nova Scotia
a letter to the editor By Stewart Lamont It was a gorgeous Friday afternoon in late August. Local fishermen had requested a meeting to find out what this salmon farm application was all about. 50 chairs were positioned at the front of the Fire Hall, there was a head table with seating for 3, and a...
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Bringing Slocum’s Story to the Stage
By the Joshua Slocum Society It was a magical theatre weekend on Brier Island on August 8th and 9th, 2026. Two performances at the Westport Community Hall were filled with a combined total of 172 guests. The play was “Before the Sea: the Joshua Slocum Story on Brier Island.” It was written by...
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To Mars From Little River
By Passages Editor, Monica Stark Most science-fiction novels don't begin at a fish plant on Digby Neck, but Pantheon did. Francis McCullough and Christopher Prime met while working cutting fish at the plant in Little River. They became friends, discovered they were both avid readers and...
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Do You Remember the Stirling County Study?
In the early 1950s, researchers from the Stirling County Study lived and worked throughout Digby Neck and the Islands, documenting daily life in what became one of the world’s longest-running mental health studies. Passages is seeking your memories and stories to help preserve this...
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How to Beat Back Japanese Knotweed
Japanese knotweed is one of the most aggressive invasive plants on Digby Neck and the Islands—but many of the methods people use to fight it actually make the problem worse. The Plant Ladies explain what works, what doesn’t, and how to reclaim your property using the latest research and...
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Slocum Boot Shop opens in Westport
A piece of Brier Island’s history has been brought back to life. This summer, the Slocum Boot Shop opened its doors as a new historic site, transforming the former cobbler shop where Joshua Slocum worked as a young man into an engaging museum celebrating his life, his voyages, and the island...
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A Banner Year for Blue Flags
By the Plant Ladies, Christina Prime and Teri Chace In Freeport, where I live, there is a small cove. This cove, when it was named, surely was being gazed upon by a person whose eyes saw what so many others have nodded with agreement at since then. This place certainly deserves the name “Beautiful...
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Tiny Creatures, Big Consequences
We share our woods and fields with all kinds of creatures, but the most dangerous animal most of us are likely to encounter on Digby Neck and the Islands is one we may never see at all. By PASSAGES editor, Monica Stark On the first day of summer, as the sun was going down, I went for a short hike...
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How About Hawthorn?
A familiar sight along roadsides and property lines, the hawthorn is far more interesting than it first appears. Discover the history, folklore, wildlife connections, and unique characteristics of one of our region’s most distinctive native trees.
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In Search of Joshua Slocum
A journey from Brier Island to South Carolina, Florida, Washington, Massachusetts, and Martha’s Vineyard uncovers rare artifacts, historic documents, and new insights into the life of Joshua Slocum as efforts continue to build the growing collection at the Slocum Boot Shop.
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Ann’s Community Gardens Readying for a Fresh Season
Fresh food, volunteer spirit, and community connection are at the heart of Ann’s Community Gardens. As the greenhouse prepares for a new season, residents are invited to lend a hand and share in the harvest.
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All Hands on Deck: Community Art Meets Lighthouse Restoration on Brier Island
A returning artist leads a collaborative felting project on Brier Island, inviting residents to help create a large-scale artwork honouring the restoration of the Peters Island Lighthouse.
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Driftwood Greenhouse: The Halliday’s Labour of Love
A family-run greenhouse in Gulliver’s Cove grows from a small homestead into a thriving local business, combining fresh produce, value-added products, and a deep commitment to community and sustainability.
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Over $60,000 raised for the community!
The Brier Island Foundation celebrates a milestone year of fundraising and impact, supporting recreation, arts, and heritage projects while bringing community groups together for future collaboration.
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Gulliver’s Cove Gleans 1,300+ Lbs of Debris
— More than 1,300 pounds of marine debris were removed from Gulliver’s Cove by local volunteers, showcasing a strong community effort to protect and restore the coastline.
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My Name Is: The Stories of Island Boys Who Went to War
A presentation and book launch shares the personal stories of local men who served in wartime, preserving their experiences through photos, documents, and community storytelling.
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Introducing the Joshua Slocum Society
A new Brier Island organization is working to preserve and celebrate the legacy of Joshua Slocum through a heritage site, historical exhibits, and community-driven initiatives.
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Join the Mission: Help Us Collect Lobster Bands!
Thousands of lobster bands are washing up on Nova Scotia beaches—and they can persist for over a decade. Volunteers have already removed more than 75,000 this year alone.
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Beyond the Village Debate
A packed public meeting on Freeport’s village taxes reveals less concern about current services than about the future—how small rural communities will share rising costs while preserving the structures that sustain village life.
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St. Mary’s Bay Back in the Crosshairs
A Norwegian company is proposing massive open-net salmon farms in St. Mary’s Bay—four 160-acre sites holding up to three million fish—reviving environmental concerns and prompting renewed community opposition across Digby Neck and Long Island.
Beyond the Village Debate
A packed public meeting on Freeport’s village taxes reveals less concern about current services than about the future—how small rural communities...
Join the Mission: Help Us Collect Lobster Bands!
Thousands of lobster bands are washing up on Nova Scotia beaches—and they can persist for over a decade. Volunteers have already removed more than...
Introducing the Joshua Slocum Society
A new Brier Island organization is working to preserve and celebrate the legacy of Joshua Slocum through a heritage site, historical exhibits, and...
My Name Is: The Stories of Island Boys Who Went to War
A presentation and book launch shares the personal stories of local men who served in wartime, preserving their experiences through photos,...
Gulliver’s Cove Gleans 1,300+ Lbs of Debris
— More than 1,300 pounds of marine debris were removed from Gulliver’s Cove by local volunteers, showcasing a strong community effort to protect and...