By Judy Matheson
Brookfield Notebook
Special to the Colchester Weekly News
BROOKFIELD - The Creamery Brook Stables in Brookfield is indeed another community treasure.
The large red barn on Highway 289 has been a landmark in the area for about six years when Amanda and Chris Cornelius realized their vision of building a stable on her family's farm.
The young couple’s dream was made a reality with help and support from Amanda's father and mother, Everett and Margie Walters.
This is a perfect fit for the Walters farmland that lies alongside the highway, directly across from the South Colchester Academy soccer field.
The Walters' and Cornelius' homes border the same property as the stables. This stable is one-of-kind with room for 32 horses in individual paddocks, both indoor and outdoor riding rings and nearly two acres of pasture land. Its design is favoured by horse owners and veterinarians alike, for the constant airflow, freedom of the horses to go in and out at will, providing a healthy environment and reducing health problems.
Chris is fulltime on the job there. Although it's busy he enjoys the work and being close to home. Amanda shares the work but also works full time as secretary at Brookfield Elementary School.
Everett and Margie help out, boarding and feeding the overflow of five horses at their barn next door.
Everett, Chris and nephews help with the haying and worked together to build the barn in 2007, making it a family venture. They broke ground in April and opened in September, with haying season in the mix. Several friends and relatives played a role to make this happen quickly.
The stables has also lured new residents to the Brookfield area with some horse owners so impressed by the family's business they have relocated to the village to be closer to their horses boarding there.
The Cornelius' two golden retrievers, Chase and Daisy, and Patty the cat offer friendly welcomes to those who come to the barn.
One of Amanda's two horses, NoSmokin, is a regular who appreciates visitors and peppermints. NoSmokin is a retired racehorse from Toronto, a gift to Amanda from her Aunt Brenda, and might have been the inspiration for establishing the stable.
Amanda, Chris and children, Braden and Brianna, obviously enjoy this life. The horses, numerous pets, the horse owners and friends they make along the way make all the hard work worthwhile.
A huge crowd was delighted when the family hosted, organized and preformed a memorable ‘musical ride’ in 2009 during the Brookfield Homecoming.
Perhaps one day the RCMP Musical Ride will come to the Creamery Brook Stable.
Dog agility is held in the ring every Sunday night, which Brianna and others particularly enjoy.
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O Canada was sung spontaneously and meaningfully at the opening of the Nova Scotia Junior B Hockey League playoff game in Brookfield on March 14.
When the speaker system malfunctioned and the national anthem wasn't forthcoming, the crowd, timidly at first, broke into singing of same.
As the verses continued most of the crowd of 500 joined in their voices, bringing goose bumps of pride to the sentimental patrons.
However, their patriotic passion failed to inspire the hometown players who had a slow start and faced a 4-0 score after the first period. The Elks came out flying in the second period and two quick goals by Connor Baker and Jordan Lauther brought the game within reach.
Despite the 44 shots on goal by Brookfield they were denied by Sackville's hot goalie and lost the second game of the series 5-2.
The Elks took a 2-1 lead in the exciting best-of-seven series on March 18, after winning in Sackville against the Blazers with a 5-3 victory. The Elks will return to Brookfield on Thursday, March 21.
Come out and support the Elks!
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The annual St. Patrick’s coffee party at Knox Church in Brookfield was enjoyed by a good crowd, adorned in green and out to enjoy the Irish food and atmosphere.
Unit 7 of the United Church Women have carried on this tradition that was started in 1965 by the former members of Unit 6.
Traditional Irish soda bread, jams and jellies, gingerbread and cream are the longtime favourites.
Some adult children, such as Debbie Matheson, Marian Lindsay and Leah Bowers, are regulars, having come as youngsters in the early days. The next generation are now coming out, carrying on the custom of remembering ancestors from the Emerald Isle.
Judy Matheson is a lifelong Brookfield resident and dedicated volunteer with many community organizations. To have your community news appear in her column contact her by email at judy.m.matheson@eastlink.ca.
