PUGWASH, N.S. — Pugwash Communities in Bloom always finds a unique way to raise money.
Several years after introducing its ‘cheeky’ calendar that saw residents pose in what appeared to be their altogether, the organization has brought back the calendar for 2020 with a food theme.
“We thought this calendar is pretty tame compared to people appearing to have taken their clothes off,” Noreen Smiley of Communities in Bloom said. “We didn’t do a calendar last year. We raised money another way, but it didn’t have that sense of community involvement that the calendar had. We decided to go back to a calendar this year.”
Tastes of Pugwash tries to bring together in the community, showing the food they like and their favourite recipes they want to share. This is coupled with well known local photographer Catherine Bussiere.
“In the end you get images that are both heartwarming and absolutely yummy,” Smiley said. “The 2020 calendar theme celebrates the many faces of our community, men, women and children, whose faces reflect their passion for life, their love of good food and well-earned knowledge gained by years of involvement and commitment to their community.”
Smiley said there is a long tradition of volunteerism in the Pugwash area and she wasn’t surprised that people, when asked, were quick to participate.
The calendar features 41 Pugwash and area residents, often multi-generational families including those originally from the North Shore and those who now call Pugwash their home.
“It involves a lot of local people and that’s why we chose to do it,” she said. “There is a lot of interesting food out there, including things from the sea and because of different people who’ve moved here with different backgrounds, they can contribute things as well.”
Smiley said part of the success of the calendar is the community support and the work of Bussiere, who took the photos for this year’s calendar as well as the 2018 edition. Fred Horton did the inaugural calendar that was a huge hit.
“That one was very well received. We sold double that one compared to the next one and what this year will probably sell,” she said.
The first calendar, sold in 2016 for 2017, took an unusual theme and was a hit within the community. The second calendar, sold in 2017 for 2018, had more of an artsy theme.
Last year, Communities in Bloom held a lottery instead of selling the calendar.
Money raised through the calendar sale, which is the largest fundraiser for the organization, will support community beautification initiatives in the Pugwash area and also supports things such as the community foodbank, the garden at Pugwash District High and the banners it co-funds with the village.
“We plant trees for urban forestry and look at heritage projects,” she said. “We are a very busy organization.”
One of the groups featured is the Purdy family, who is shown in December 2020. They operate Bay Enterprises Limited that was founded in 1974. The family began cultivating oysters in Malagash in 1867. Their traditional and modern methods protect the ecology of the area and provide a safe, nutritious (and delicious) product.
Also featured is beekeeper Jerry Draheim and his wife Carol Dennett of River Philip and their company Honey Wind Farm.
Calendars can be purchased by contacting Smiley at [email protected] or Pugwash Home Hardware on Durham Street. The calendars will also be on sale at the Christmas Farmers Market at PDHS on Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
