Prescott House Museum, Port Williams
Prescott House Museum
**Disclosure: We received a NS Museum Pass to visit as many museums in the province as possible!**
I think our visit to the Prescott House Museum in Port Williams was our favourite provincial museum thus far.
I grew up on the same street as the museum. As a child, I remember wandering the gardens. As a teenager, I was there many a summer when my friends and I sang at the garden parties held there. I remember touring the museum several times.
But, I think it was always a place that we took for granted because it was right down the street in our own backyard.
About Prescott House
This is what the website has to say:
Come calling at “Acacia Grove”, an elegant Georgian house in the picturesque Annapolis Valley. Here, horticulturalist Charles Prescott cultivated Nova Scotia’s apple industry from 1811 to 1859.
Discover how his great grand daughter, Mary Allison Prescott, rescued the derelict building in the 1930s to recreate a gracious home. See family portraits, antique furnishings and Miss Prescott’s collections of hand-stitched samplers and tribal Oriental carpets. Delight in the garden and lush countryside surrounding this special place.
Our Visit
Armed with our Nova Scotia Museum pass we headed on a rainy morning to Starr’s Point Road in Port Williams.
Daniel (9) writes of our experience:
When we went to the Prescott House, our tour guide, Diana, welcomed us. First, she gave us a clipboard. This was a search and find with pictures of things in the house that we needed to find.
Following this, Diana gave us a history tour of the museum. She went room by room telling us the history of each room, and where children would have or wouldn’t have been allowed in the house.
She even showed us some things that were closed off like where the servants lived and some special books. We couldn’t touch the books, but she put on gloves and read a book to us.
I learned that Charles Prescott was an apple grower. Thomas learned that during the war, when children were sent from England to be safe, some stayed at the Prescott House.
We got to play with cool, old-fashioned toys. “Who needs TV?”
It was interesting because in old times, children had to cross-stitch their alphabets at the age of 6-9. But, they often put the “J” at the end of the alphabet. Because, “J” wasn’t commonly used in the alphabet then.
I think other kids should go to the museum to be fascinated by the exhibits and to play with the old-fashioned toys in the sun porch.
There is also a weekly children’s program at the Prescott House, every Wednesday morning.
Read more here
Hours & Admission
Open Seasonally
June 1 – October 4
Monday to Saturday 10:00 am- 5:00 pm
Sunday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Child – Free
Youth – $2.80
Adult – $3.90
Senior – $2.80
Family – $8.65
Be sure to take the time to explore your own back yard and appreciate our own local history, starting with a visit to the Prescott House Museum in Port Williams!
Hope for Wildlife Centre
Hope for Wildlife Centre
Everything I ever knew about animal rescue centres came from Diego. But there are people right here in our own province who are working hard at animal rescue centres to save animals.
The Hope for Wildlife Centre has been on my bucket list for a long time, so when we were planning a trip to the Eastern Shore, I knew this had to be on our must-see list.
The Hope Animal Wildlife Centre was in the local news recently when an injured Bald Eagle was found in Port Williams. It was taken to the centre, rehabilitated, and then reintroduced into the wild.
Since 1997, the Hope for Wildlife Society has helped over 20,000 injured and orphaned wild animals representing over 250 species. Animals admitted to the Hope for Wildlife Society receive medical care, food, shelter, and whatever else is needed to ensure a successful return to the wild.
The Hope Animal Wildlife Centre is open daily from 10-4. Visitors can pop by any time. There is no admission fee, but they do accept (and need) donations.
Your visit
To help me with this section, Daniel (9) wrote an explanation.
When we arrived at the Hope for Wildlife Centre, we were greeted by a guide. He took us on a tour of the facility.
The chinchilla was named Pichu and he was my favourite animal. He was super soft!
We walked around the property following paths.
We first visited a family of weasels who were about to be reintroduced into the wild. They were super zippy and fast. They are smaller than you think! Most people think that ferrets are weasels, but weasels are smaller.
On our tour, Thomas and I also got to climb the look-out tower. (Mom only made it half way!)
The tower is used to see if there are any animals in danger in that area. You can also see over all the wildlife centre.
Just be prepared when you come here there are some very badly injured animals. Prepare not to be grossed out, but to feel sorry for them and thankful that they are alive.
Some are missing wings or eyes. There are x-rays of animals with very bad injuries, too.
Some of the animals here weren’t injured or had anything wrong with them, but came here because they were abandoned pets (like the corn snake found in someone’s apartment closet).
Overall
My (Daniel) favourite part was when we went to visit the animals who were injured. I felt very sorry for them.
I liked how the guide explained how we could help them. We can help them by not throwing our garbage out the window.
If you find an injured animal, you shouldn’t bring him home thinking this is the right thing to do. Check him over, in case he is injured and then phone the Hope for Wildlife Centre. They will give you advice.
Location
The Hope for Animal Wildlife Centre is located at 5909 Hwy 207, Seaforth. It is about a 2 hour drive from the Valley.
Even if you can’t visit, you can still make a valuable donation. The centre relies primarily on donations to do the work it does.
To learn more, you can also go on YouTube and search for Hope for Wildlife as they have a terrific documentary series about the work that they do. Each episode is 50mins and wonderful to watch!
Visiting with your Dog
New! There is now a shaded dog kennel with water on site if you come with your own pooch to the centre!
Definitely add the Hope for Wildlife Centre to your bucket list!
Falling Apart
Help! I’m Getting Old and Falling Apart
Have you ever looked down at your hands and thought, those can’t be my hands. Those hands are too old to be my hands.
(My grandmother’s hand)
It’s starting to happen to me.
If someone asks you how old you FEEL, what do you say? In my mind I am about 28-32. Still young, but with some life experience to go with it.
Although I won’t be 40 until next year, I still feel like I’m getting old and am starting to fall apart.
A few months ago I went to the eye doctor for a regular checkup. I was a bit fearful. I can’t read things as well unless I am in good light. I am also squinting.
Do I need glasses? I asked fearfully.
Not yet, he said. Phew.
“Your eyes are just getting older.”
Great.
This is not the only example. When I am singing in a multi-aged choir, I now realize that my voice sounds older. I can’t blend in with the early 20 university students any more. I have a “mature” voice.
Let’s not even talk about the body.
I can’t lose weight as easily.
I have Achilles tendinitis now from trying to run.
I am getting varicose veins and am supposed to wear support stockings.
All before I am 40!
Help, I’m falling apart and am just reminded of the aging process!
But, I know we are all going through it, and at least I am still around to complain about it!
What are your ailments?
Oxymoron Party
How to Host an Oxymoron Party
It was about 10 years ago when I found a party planning book from the 1950s in a used book shop. There were some pretty funny ideas for themed parties.
Our neighbours at the time were great sports, so we decided to invite them along to our Oxymoron Party!
What is an oxymoron?
It is a figure of speech that puts two elements together that appear to be contradictory.
Jumbo shrimp
Painfully beautiful
Deafening silence
Random order
Virtual reality
And the list goes on.
For our oxymoron party, everyone was invited to come in costume representing an oxymoron!
We had some great ideas!
The ugliest beauty queen
The sinning nun
The seamstress who wouldn’t get it together
Speech pathologist with a speech impediment
Vegetarian beef farmer
Saddest happy face
It was a fun night, and a great excuse for a party!
What would you dress as?
Valley Raceway
Valley Raceway
**Disclosure: I received tickets to Valley Raceway courtesy of K-Rock 89.3. It just means that I got to do some cool investigative reporting!**
Everything I ever learned about stock car racing I learned from Lightening McQueen in Cars.
I love that movie!
But now, I got to see it for real!
When K-Rock offered our family tickets to the event, I jumped at the chance. We loved Monster Jam, my youngest is obsessed with Hot Wheels, and as I said before, Cars is one of my favourite cartoons!
I started to do some research about Valley Raceway, but most of the information I found was for drivers. It didn’t really talk about what to expect when you get there. This made us all the more curious, wanting to investigate and share the information.
What is it?
Valley Raceway features stock car racing on the Valley’s only dirt track.
There are 4 different stock car races: The classes are 4 cylinder, 8 cylinder, trucks and unlimited.
Stock cars race around the dirt track for the afternoon. Each group races for 10 laps each. This happens twice. Then, for the final 3 races, drivers race 12 laps for a cash prize.
The event is extremely well organized, with everything flowing seamlessly.
There are a few stops to repair the track, or to tow off any damaged cars.
Every few races an old pumper engine is driven around the track, spraying water to keep the dust down… also making it difficult for the drivers around the corner.
How to get there
Valley Raceway is located on 877 Vault Road in Melvern Square.
Drive the 101 and take Exit 17E to Kingston.
Turn right at the off ramp and drive straight until the 221.
Turn left onto the 221 and drive it (past the Annapolis County line) to the T junction at the end.
From this point on, there are signs pointing the way.
Turn left at the T junction and immediately right onto Clem Road. At the end, turn right, and follow along until you see the entrance on your left.
From Kentville, this is a 40 minute drive.
Once there, head to the entrance gate and then through to a massive row of bleachers. Be prepared to camp out for the next 3 hours.
Tickets
Tickets are $12 and children under 12 are free!
“That’s the best way to spend $12!” one happy patron cried out!
Canteen
There is a canteen on sight during the entire event. They sell hamburgers, hotdogs, pop, chips and more. You can also get Valley Raceway souvenirs. Everything is reasonably priced!
Seats
There are seats for hundreds of people along the race track. They are all wooden bleachers. There is no shade.
There are also no bad seats. Sit at the top of the bleachers so you can lean against the back. And, bring an umbrella to create some shade.
Others brought camp chairs and sat along the fence line at the front.
Bring
There is no shade. Bring a hat, sunblock.
Some of the cars are loud, so consider bringing ear protectors – especially for children.
Schedule
The races run every other weekend from May to October.
The races start at 1pm and finish around 4pm.
If the weather is bad, it will be postponed until the following week. The best way to find out is to check their Facebook page where all announcements are made.
Overall
Valley Raceway was a really fun afternoon. There was a great energy and camaraderie amongst the drivers and the crowd. If you don’t understand something, ask a neighbour! A lot of people have seasons’ passes, or know the drivers in the race.
It’s a great experience for children. Many kids there were 3 years and older. It makes for a fun family outing.
We will definitely be going back and bringing more people with us now that we know what to expect!
More information:
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One of Everything by Donna Carol Voss
One of Everything by Donna Carol Voss
**Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own**
This book took an incredible amount of bravery to write.
One of Everything is an autobiography about Donna Carol Voss’ life, and how she experiences pretty much one of everything – from drugs to sexual partners, religions and more.
Here’s what the book description says:
The recipe for happily-ever-after? Start with one middle-class white girl in 1976. Add in her longing for love and acceptance, another middle-class white girl, a huge dollop of gossip, and excruciating peer and family pressure. Stir in youthful travel abroad, a Berkeley education, and a foray into paganism, drugs, marriage, and divorce. Whip until frothy with interracial and bisexual affairs, relationship violence, and exploration of multicultural mores. Season with salsa dancing. Temper with a segue into Mormonism. Decorate with a Temple wedding and garnish with motherhood to three adopted siblings. And what you have is a memoir capable of sating anyone’s need for a great read.
Throughout her life journey, the author learns to really love herself and comes to a place of self-acceptance to forgive herself for everything that happened in her life. Not only does she forgive herself, but also her parents and former friends and lovers.
One of Everything is a book about acceptance. It is a book about loving someone – warts and all.
It is also about realizing what makes for a good person. The author writes,
“Good people can have colossal flaws and still be good people.”
Donna Carol Voss is in a sense, lucky that she turned out the way she did – with a loving husband, three kids, in a stable home, for her life could have just as easily gone down another path. I think by sharing her life story, Voss is showing us that there is a path to redemption and it’s never too late to make a change.
One of Everything is a great book for anyone who is struggling or contemplating taking life in a new and scary direction.
All you need is love, acceptance, and a little faith.
Learn more about Donna Carol Voss and her book, One of Everything.
