COUNTRY HARBOUR — Shooting sports may be long gone here, but the Country Harbour Gun Club kept the name as it evolved into a hub of activity in the area. That evolution, and the important role of the building as a community centre over the years, was celebrated on June 22 at its 50th anniversary event.
More than 100 guests gathered at the Country Harbour Gun Club to mark the milestone, including Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston.
Prior to the start of the celebration, which included a walk down memory lane about the club’s beginning and changes over the years – with plenty of chatter, laughter and hugs – club President Angus J. (AJ) MacIsaac shared some of its rich history with The Journal.
“The club began as the Country Harbour Recreation Centre in 1974 and, two years later, in 1976, it was renamed the Country Harbour Gun Club, with Marshall Hodgeson as our first president,” he said.
“Shooting competitions began there, and the place continued being used as a gathering place for community events, too.”
Eventually interest in shooting waned, but the facility continued as a community centre, while keeping the gun club name.
During Saturday’s festivities, emcee Lewis MacIntosh revisited that storied past, while asking guests to reflect on the “great facility” where they have enjoyed many occasions, such as birthday parties, anniversaries, wedding receptions, bingo, Victorian teas, fundraisers for local causes, funeral and memorial services, retirement gatherings, dances, Remembrance Day celebrations and so much more.
He expressed thanks and congratulations to the many people who have and continue to make those events happen.
Early years
Noting its “humble beginnings,” MacIntosh acknowledged the work of the “original four” – Garnet Fenton, Ricky MacLaren, Arnie Hudson and Kay Hodgson – who came up with idea of starting a club in Country Harbour. Their first meetings took place in the basement of the local Anglican church.
He also shared how the gun club was built on land donated by John Hayne, with the hands of many volunteers raising funds and building the structure, as well as creating the adjoining ball field in 1975.
Steve Fenton — then the 16-year-old son of founding member Garnet Fenton — painted the first sign for the club, with input for its design coming from Michael Beiswanger, the only gun club member to compete in a national shooting championship.
The list of well-known artists who have performed at the club includes the late Rita MacNeil, Terry Kelly and Ryan’s Fancy.
Today’s gun club
The organization boasts 18 members, along with a board of four: MacIsaac, Vice-president Ron Hines, Treasurer Mary Rhynold and Secretary Stacy Barnes, as well as bar and event bookings coordinator Honey Beiswanger.
“The club remains busy,” Barnes told The Journal, noting that they host several monthly events, including breakfast every third Saturday, open mics, darts, bingo and card games; while Smokey Hollow Holidays spans the last week of July and first one of August; Christmas prize bingo takes place each November.
Describing their volunteers as “amazing,” Barnes said, “We have kept the club going for 50 years through hard work and dedication, hosting events to raise money to ‘keep the lights on’ and generous contributions from various grants over the years.”
Funding for upgrades
On the financial side, Premier Houston – who attended the celebration with his wife, Cathy – announced a $50,000 provincial investment in the gun club, which drew gasps and a huge round of applause from guests. The funding will go to upgrades and repairs, including a new roof; the existing one is the original.
“It’s been 50 years, and this hall will go for 50 more years, I’m sure, and [it] will be a gathering place for generations that follow,” he said, while thanking the volunteers for “what you do to make this such a special place.”
Houston said when MLA Greg Morrow – who is out of the province – asked if he could attend in his place, he was “more than happy to do so.”
“I have lots of happy memories of this community,” he said of going to Country Harbour, both as a child and as a father; bringing his son for a drive and a bit of fishing, enjoying cinnamon rolls and sitting around sharing great conversation with people in the community.
Houston added, “We do live in a great province. There is a lot of good happening in this province; just think of what’s available here, in this community, and the beauty of the province, of the 13,000 kilometres of coastline, amazing beaches, cliffs and hiking trails.
“But the best thing is the Bluenosers. It’s the people in those communities who make things happen; it’s the best part.”
As he cut and served cake to guests, Houston described the club’s golden anniversary as a “significant accomplishment.”
“It’s a long time. I wanted to be here for this, to pay my respects… I just wanted to congratulate the volunteers who keep things going – to thank them, and to wish them all the best.”
Barnes said the future for the club looks positive and busy.
“We are trying new things and bringing on younger members to ensure [that happens],” she said.
Barnes added that the community deserves recognition for the club’s milestone.
“They are the reason we have been able to keep going and maintain the gun club. They are supportive of all events we do and are willing to help out to keep our yearly events going.”