Sons of Ramblin’ Fathers…3:00-4:15pm
Water’s Edge……………….4:30-6:00pm
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On Saturday, June 25th, my husband and I were the only passengers on the first scheduled boat crossing to visit Ministers Island. We traveled with two young women who were tour guides, the boat operator, and the farmer who is working on the island. Everyone was incredibly hospitable, helpful and well-informed. We had a ride up to the Van Horne house, a complete and very interesting tour of the house and bathhouse, a long and pleasant hike around half the island on the trails, a visit to the barn and another informal chat with the farmer and a boat ride back across the channel at our convenience…all for $25!
We are very impressed and want to make a contribution to the upkeep and further restoration of this historic site.
Thank you.
Judi & Joe
Blue Hill, Maine
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Titus graduated from the adventure leadership program at the New Brunswick Community College in June. She began her new job as recreation manager on Ministers Island in February.
“I’m from Fredericton. I came down here for school and I fell in love with the place,” she said. “I’ve always had a passion for the outdoors, and I always had a passion for children.”
In 2004 the province leased the property off St. Andrews to a non-profit company, Van Horne Estate on Ministers Island Inc., for 25 years. Last year the company called for proposals to draw people and raise revenue. The company needs money to maintain the property, including repairs to the 11 remaining buildings.
These include the 1790 home of the Rev. Samuel Andrews, first Church of England rector in Charlotte County, as well as the Van Horne estate.
Van Horne, born in Franfort, Ill., in 1843, finished building the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885. He bought the 500-acre Ministers Island in 1891. He died in 1915. His great-granddaughter, Beverly An, sold the island in 1960. The province bought it in 1977.
The call for proposals led to new activities. Neville Delong and his family from Nackawic brought 120 animals – sheep, cows, llamas, chickens, pigs, goats and a donkey – for the summer. The Delongs will grow potatoes on the island, too.
The company now runs a community garden program, leasing out plots. Retired thoroughbred race horses live on the island as well.
Other new activities include geocaching and archery. The company bought a 26-foot Voyageur canoe made at Oromocto First Nation.
“And then, of course, we have my baby, the summer day camps,” Titus said.
Each week will have a different theme, with programs for ages 7-10 or 10-15, depending on the week, running from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. A bus will pick up the young people enrolled each morning at the St. Andrews fire station.
The fee is $175 per week for the members of the non-profit corporation and $225 for non-members.
With student family passes selling at half price for $50 this year, families intending to enroll their children in the day camps should buy the membership, Titus said.
The same $225 allows family members free access to island trails, interpretive tours and other benefits.
“I’m in charge of everything recreation on the island,” Titus said. “I’m also a yoga instructor so I’m planning a yoga health event for women.”
The weekend program will include a fitness instructor, maybe an athletic therapist and a nurse to speak on blood pressure and heart disease. They will take hikes.
“And then at night we’ll have wine and sit by the fire.”
The company wants to move beyond emergency repairs to buildings.
“For years we’ve taken the money and put it into the infrastructure, keep the infrastructure standing,” Titus said. The group plans on “using the island’s natural resources to provide more.”
There are spaces left in most of the daycamps. Fore more information call 529-5081 or 1-877-FUNDYBAY, email educate@ministersisland.ca or visit www.ministersisland.ca.
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