This section describes associations that I have found useful; they are listed alphabetically. If you are aware of other associations not listed here that you think should be, please so notify me using the address at the left.
Les Amis du Plein Air (Friends of the Outdoors) is the organization that runs the excellent book store in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park Visitors’ Centre outside Chéticamp, said to be Atlantic Canada’s largest nature book store. It offers a fine selection (in both French and English) of books exploring nature and the natural world (flowers, animals, weather, skies, etc.); Cape Breton’s cultures (including cuisines) and history; maps (including topographic maps of Cape Breton); and books of general interest to the Cape Breton visitor (park guides, hiking books, etc.). Souvenirs, post cards, apparel, and other gift-shop type merchanise are on offer as well, but the primary emphasis is on books.
The association offers a lifetime membership for a one-time payment of $10 (in 2007). Benefits include a discount of 15% on the price of each item purchased, to obtain which you must present your membership card (or find an obliging clerk who can verify your membership). If, like me, you purchase a fair amount on each visit, this discount adds up quickly to recoup the cost of the lifetime membership. I was not aware of this association until a clerk who had recognized me as a frequent visitor to the book store asked me if I would interested in joining the association; I leapt at the chance. You may need to ask a clerk about membership, or you can write to the association at this address:
Les Amis du Plein Air
C. P. 472
Chéticamp, NS B0E 1H0
In 2007, the association’s web site was at http://www.lesamisdupleinair.com/; as of the middle of 2008, however, this address leads to a page indicating that the domain name is for sale.
The Cape Breton Fiddlers’ Association was founded in 1973 in response to the CBC documentary entitled The Vanishing Cape Breton Fiddler, produced by Ron MacInnis; see the association’s history web page for the group of renowned individuals who organized the first Festival of Cape Breton Fiddling held in Glendale in July, 1973, which led in turn to the creation of this association, whose annual concerts continue to this day (though in August in St. Anns, rather than in July in Glendale), gathering Cape Breton musicians of all ages together in a great celebration of the music. See here and here for my reviews of the 2006 and 2007 festivals, which also include numerous photos.
The association promotes the traditional Scottish music played in Cape Breton, but is not limited to fiddlers: pianists, guitarists, players of other instruments, and step and Highland dancers also participate in the association’s activities. Indeed, those, such as myself who play no instrument, are eligible to join the association, which raises funds to support classes for young, aspiring musicians in this musical tradition, as well as providing them opportunities throughout the year to meet with their peers and to perform in public concerts.
The association has produced a CD, entitled Cape Breton Fiddlers’ Association 25th Anniversary, and has recently (December 2007) released a compendium in which “267 [f]iddle tunes from approximately seventy-five contemporary Cape Breton composers are presented together with Scottish and Cape Breton music from earlier centuries”, in the words of Paul Cranford’s description on his web site and on-line store.
If you are interested in joining the association or in supporting its valuable work, see the association’s web site, where you will find a registration form and contact information. The dues are $20 per year and your membership card entitles you to free admission to the annual August workshops and concerts in St. Anns.
The Cape Mabou Trail Club is the non-profit volunteer organization which, under the dedicated leadership of Ian Sherman, keeps the Cape Mabou hiking trails in their top-notch condition. In 2006, it added two fine new trails to the system, which now numbers eighteen trails. Given the severe winter weather, the erosion occurring at all times of the year, the trees killed by the spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis), and the incessant growth of brush and plants during spring and summer, trail work is constantly necessary to keep these trails in their current fine shape.
The Cape Mabou Trail Club publishes a map describing the trail system that is available at a nominal charge ($5 as of January, 2007) either in local stores or by writing to the CMTC directly (enclosing a stamped self-addressed envelope). It offers good descriptions of the trails and rates them as to their difficulty, so it is a resource that is well worth having before you set out on the trails. Other than donations, it is the only fund-raising activity that supports the club.
If you enjoy these fine trails as much as I do, please consider supporting the work that keeps them up. Contributions in any amount are gratefully accepted and can be sent to:
Cape Mabou Trail Club
Inverness, NS B0E 1N0
Insofar as I am aware, the club currently has no web site.
The non-profit volunteer organization known as the West Mabou Beach Committee was responsible for preserving the beautiful area now known as the West Mabou Beach Provincial Park as an unfunded provincial park and is now responsible for its management. This committee has found volunteers to build hiking trails along the coast above the beach and along the Mabou River, offering superb views of this beautiful area and glimpses of its bird and wildlife. They have provided planks over muddy areas, bridges over streams, picnic tables at a number of the many gorgeous views, excellent signage, and interpretive information at the extensive parking areas. They keep the beach area free of sea-borne debris and safe for swimming. These amenities testify to their wise use of the very skimpy financial resources available to them.
If you enjoy this beautiful place as much as I do, please consider supporting the work that the committee does. To raise funds for this work, the committee published in 2008 Seasons of Mabou, a superb collection of more than fifty gorgeous large format photographs of Mabou and the surrounding areas; it also publishes annually a wall calendar with similar photos. Both are available from local merchants. In addition, contributions in any amount are gratefully accepted and can be sent to:
West Mabou Beach Committee
Box 165
Mabou, NS B0E 1X0
Insofar as I am aware, the committee currently has no web site.