New Waterford, Nova Scotia
Encyclopedia : N : NE : NEW : New Waterford, Nova Scotia
New Waterford is a town in northeastern Nova Scotia, population est. 7532. It is located on the east arm (or side) of Sydney Harbour, Cape Breton Island. It is part of the conglomerated Cape Breton Regional Municipality, formed in 1995. The town sits opposite the larger communities of Sydney and Glace Bay, now also amalgamated.
New Waterford is a fishing port and a coal mining community that has been in decline in recent years; however, there are proposals to restore it. Many residents also relied on the important coal and steel industries in the area, including coal mining, which in recent years have been on a severe decline . The last mine closed in 2001. New Waterford's current main industry is the Catalogue Teleservices Company call center for Speigel and Newport News.
The town owes its name to the many immigrants originating from Waterford, Ireland. Most were fisherman who arrived here either via Newfoundland or directly from Ireland in the first decades of 19th century.
Residents
New Waterford residents are largely senior citizens, due to the dwindling work force. The majority of young adults move away looking for work; primarily "out west" (from Ontario to Alberta). Since there is almost no work to be had here, most residents move away young, raise families away, and after retirement move back to settle in. This is common with most of Cape Breton, and some of main land Nova Scotia, because the land is extremely cheap due to the poor location and lack of work.
The majority of housing for the residents in the area are seniors' complexes (a one-storey building with four apartments) which are taken care of completely for the tennants by the land lord, and are reserved for senior citezens only; and also company houses. Company houses are two story houses split into a duplex, and rented out. These are the original houses built by the local coal division of the Cape Breton Development Corporation (DEVCO, aka "the company"), and how they got their names. These duplexes are commonly bought together and reconstructed as a large house.
\"The Cape Breton Dream\"
The cycle that many young Cape Bretoners take part in at one point or another. A person will work "Out West" (see above) for six months, then come back to their hometown for six months (either to work a lower-paying job or live off of unemployment (aka: "pogey"). They will often repeat this process for several years. Thus, the Cape Breton Dream.
Eight Thirty Whistle
At 8:30pm every day the loacl volunteer fire department sets of its air raid siren. This originated a long time ago, when a curfew was established, and continues in tradition to this day. The original intent of the whistle was to let small children know that they were to be inside or on their parents property. It is common for people who are away talking to loved ones in town when the whistle blows to get nostalgic when they hear it.Drug/Alcohol Abuse
The recent decline in the community has led to high unemployement rates, and a drug problem that also plagues nearby towns in the area. The use of Oxycontin has increased in this manner, and most likely has the most adverse affect on the community. Other common prescriptions abused include, but are not limited to: Dilaudid; Ritalin; Percocet; Codine. The problem eventually became so severe that a few local doctors were put on probation and were not allowed to give new perscriptions. Delivery drivers are also no longer allowed to "pick up" prescriptions or any other medications.Alcohol is another problem. Consumption usually starts young, in junior/senior high school, and continues throughout life. Many don't see a problem with this because of the high death rates from cancer and Arsenic poisoning due to contamination of the nearby Sydney tar ponds and coke ovens.
New Waterford Girl
The town was the setting for the 1999 comedy film New Waterford Girl."New Waterford Girl" is a dark comedy about a gifted teenager (Moonie), dreaming of life beyond her small town, becomes inspired when a 15-year-old girl from New York moves in next door. Staring all local actors, it takes place in the mid 70's. Most of the scenes in the movie were filmed in the neighbouring town of Glace Bay. Also note that in the movie there was a one room school house but in 1970 Breton Education Centre was built.
Celebratory Days
Coal Dust Days
Coal Dust Days (or Town Days) is a week long celebration of the community taking place approximately the third week of July (July 15th to the 23rd in 2006). The activites range greatly, from "crazy sunglasses day" to "meat darts". The most noted activities are Plummer Avenue Day, the Tavern Tour, and the Street Dance. Musical performances are also spread across the week with performances from almost every local band (of which there are many).Davis Day
Davis Day is an informal holiday celebrating the death of a Cape Breton miner, and father of 10, William Davis. He was shot to death by suspected coal company thugs during the Cape Breton miners strikes of 1925. It is celebrated June 11th, with a half day off at high school, and an afternoon ceremony to remember the death of Davis, and all miners who have lost there lives in the mines.Coal Bowl
New Waterford is also the site of the annual "New Waterfod Coal Bowl Classic" basketball tournament, which brings in teams from all across Canada to compete in a weeklong event. The Coal Bowl takes place during the beginning of February.References
Some of this information is from personal experience of the residents and has no valid reference at this time. If you find references feel free to add/edit/remove as needed.
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