The Inverness Oran

Cape Breton West Blackstone Knights forward Matt Raike takes a shot on Glace Bay Miners goaltender Hunter Chenhall during their Nova Scotia Senior A Hockey League playoff series. Game three of the best-of-five series goes this Friday, 8 p.m., at the Dr. Bernie MacLean Cultural and Recreation Centre in Inverness.

-by Bill Dunphy

                The Cape Breton West Blackstone Knights aim to make home ice count this Friday when they resume their Nova Scotia Senior A Hockey League playoff series in Inverness.

                The best-of-five series is knotted 1-1 with both the Knights and Glace Bay Miners winning on the road.

                The opener was played at the Al MacInnis Sports Centre on Friday. After two scoreless periods, all hell broke loose in the third as Glace Bay scored 44 seconds in and then added another at 8:45 for a 2-0 lead.

                Twenty seconds later and Craig Ryan put the Knights on the board, banking a shot off Miners goaltender Hunter Chenhall’s skate. Travis King and Drew MacDonald assisted on the goal.

                However, the Miners continued to have their way with the Knights defence, scoring two more in the space of a minute-and-a-half to go up 4-1 at 12:41 of the third.

                The Knights pushed back in the final minutes, beginning with defenceman Justin Taylor scoring at 13:39 on a play with Randon MacKinnon.

                And Chad Wilson made it a one-goal game at 17:54, assisted by Jason Johnson and Stephen Fox.

                Shots were 50-41 in favour of the Knights, with Kenzie MacPhail taking the loss in goal.

                MacPhail rebounded with the win in game two on Saturday night at the Miners Forum in Glace Bay, making 36 saves in a 3-2 win for the Knights.

                The first period was scoreless and the Miners took the lead at 1:38 of the second period.

                The Knights tied it with a shorthanded goal by Johnson at 8:18 on a play with Ryan.

                The 1-1 tied carried over into the third period where Ryan scored at 13:24, assisted by Matthew MacNeil and MacKinnon.

                King scored an insurance goal at 14:59 on a play initiated by MacPhail and a pass from Matthew Raike.

                The insurance policy paid off with the Miners scoring at 18:50 but that would be it for scoring with Knights winning 3-2.

                Knights coach Kyle Gillies said an almost three-week layoff before Friday’s first game didn’t do them any favours.

                “We didn’t get rolling until the third period but the damage was done. We’re in a  situation now where the teams are putting full rosters together and the players are taking it more seriously. You can throw out those regular-season scores – there’s no taking anyone lightly,” he said.

                He noted that Miners goaltender Chenhall “came out of nowhere” and the Knights will be adjusting their approach with him.

                “We’ll adjust a little bit, maybe get some more traffic in front of him. We may not beat him on the first shot, but it’s the second and third shots we need.”

                Gillies also noted that their powerplay has to get better.

                “We’re 0-for-8 with the man advantage, and for the talent we have, there’s no excuse for it. I have ice time booked for Thursday and we will definitely be working on our powerplay.”

                He said everyone’s up for playing in Inverness on Friday. Game time is 8 p.m. at the Dr. Bernie MacLean Cultural and Recreation Centre.

                “Sandy (Smith) will start Friday’s game, by his own request,” said Gillies. “The compete level of every team has gone up and the fans won’t be disappointed. Our guys are rolling, ready to go, and looking forward to it.”

                Game four of the series goes back to Glace Bay on Saturday, and if necessary, game five would be played on Sunday, 6 p.m., at the Al MacInnis Sports Centre.

This was a fun group of Mi-Carêmes at Le Centre de la Mi-Carême in Grand-Étang.

-by Rosie Aucoin-Grace

                It’s that time of the year, when Acadians in our county prepare for a very exciting festival La Mi-Carême, which will take place from March 8^th - 14^th. Many residents are looking forward to this event, a respite from the harshness of the long winter months. Yes, one can feel it in the air, the planning, reminiscing of years past, basically the buzz of the town for many. Some Mi-Carême enthusiasts from away return to Chéticamp and area, year after year for the week-long festival. It is a rooted part of the Acadian heritage which brings together young and old through the days and nights.

                For our readers who may be hearing of this tradition for the first time, Mi-Carême (Mid-Lent) is a centuries-old, Acadian tradition. It occurs on the third Thursday of Lent, marking a break from the 40-day, formerly strict, fasting period. It is celebrated in the winter as a joyous, costumed break halfway between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Participants (“runners”) disguise themselves in masks and costumes to visit homes designated as Mi-Carême houses, dance, and play music, challenging hosts to guess their identity, followed by sharing food and drinks. Once celebrated for a day, it has now become a full week festival.

                This ancient tradition developed in France to give everyone an opportunity to celebrate and escape his or her Lenten duties. This celebration remains a vibrant living tradition in several Acadian regions of Eastern Canada. In our county, Chéticamp, Saint-Joseph-du-Moine, Grand-Étang, and Margaree, in Fatima on the Magdalen Islands, and in Natashquan and Pointe-Parent in Quebec's Côte Nord region, the annual Mid-Lent outing is a rich tradition that has survived since the arrival of the first settlers. On Prince Edward Island, in the Tignish and Palmer Road parishes, a number of families have kept alive another tradition: the annual visit of the mysterious Mi-Carême, a mythical (female) figure who brings sweets to well-behaved children. These communities have maintained traditions of French origin formerly known throughout Acadia as well as in several regions of the Province of Quebec.

                There have been many legendary people who have kept this tradition alive and encouraged many to keep it going. Just to name a few, in the village of Saint-Joseph-du-Moine, the late Joseph (à Polite) Delaney was known for his love of life, his contagious humour and his sense of community spirit. He was full of fun and never missed the opportunity to participate in local festivities such as La Chandeleur, La Mi-Carême, weddings, school concerts, etc. He was forever trying to instill the importance of old traditions and keeping them alive and thriving. His daughter Ethel Haché has been hosting Mi-Carêmes for over 40 years, following in her father’s footsteps of carrying the torch so to speak.

                Who could ever forget the late Gerard (à Moise) Romard who was a die-hard Mi-Carême lover? Even when he lived away, Gerry tried to come home every year to participate. Once he moved back to Saint-Joseph-du-Moine, his unwavering encouragement to keep this tradition alive was contagious.

                You have the late Paul-Emile and Marie-Louise Aucoin who were Mi-Carême hosts for over forty years. This was a very popular house to visit during this festival. As well, there was the late Joseph Léo Muise and his wife Marie, who hosted for over fifty years. Their daughter Lisette still welcomes Mi-Carêmes annually, a very popular stop for the runners. Of course, there are many others.

                We cannot speak about La Mi-Carême without thinking of Charles D. Roach, better known to us as “Charlie Dan,” who recently passed away. He was a such a supporter of this tradition and would start talking about La Mi-Carême at the start of the new year. Charlie Dan was often concerned about this custom being faded out, but in recent years he was relieved to see that the whole community gets involved, our youth are on board, many from away come home for the festival, outsiders participate, and this tradition is still alive and thriving.

                He even sang and recorded a song written by Jules Chiasson, “Les Mi-Carêmes sont arrives” which plays continuously on Radio CKJM prior and during the festival. Annually, to launch La Mi-Carême, he and Marie-Stella Doucet would broadcast a live program on Radio CKJM at Les Trois Pignons, the first drop in place for Mi-Carêmes to kick-start the festival. To say that Charlie Dan was in his glory would be an understatement.

                He loved to watch La Mi-Carême at Lisette Muise’s home. Matthias Poirier who is also a Mi-Carême lover expressed, “We have been watching La Mi-Carême at the Muise’s home for decades. It will never be the same without Charlie Dan. Sadly, we will all feel his absence and his joie de vivre during this festive week. I have a feeling he will be with us in spirit.”

                La Mi-Carême is a traditional and carnivalesque celebration, perhaps even one of the most heartwarming, amusing and eccentric of winter celebration traditions. Above all, it is one that comes from the heart of a vibrant and colourful culture! The basic elements are always the same – the costumes and disguise, going door-to-door around the neighbourhood, the welcome and hospitality, live music and dancing, Acadian cuisine, the sweet treats, and maybe even a little nip of alcohol. The event is rooted in Acadian culture, strengthening community bonds through hospitality and loads of laughter.

                Let the joyful spirit of Acadian Mi-Carême forever capture your heart: Long Live La Mi-Carême!

Radio helped him spread the cultural, heritage and geneological world

-submitted by Lisette Aucoin-Bourgeois, Société Saint-Pierre

                With deep sadness, the community of Chéticamp marks the passing of historian, teacher, and genealogist Charles Daniel “Charlie Dan” Roach, who died on Thursday, February 19^th, 2026, at the age of 77.

                A lifelong learner with a sharp intellect, he distinguished himself early on, graduating from NDA School at just 16 years old. He carried his academic curiosity forward to St. Francis Xavier University, where he studied mathematics and physics, laying the groundwork for a meaningful career and an analytical approach to life. Charlie Dan’s professional life was defined by service. For 31 years, he dedicated himself to teaching in his native village, influencing generations of students.

                After retirement, he turned his full attention to another lifelong passion: the history and genealogies of Chéticamp’s families – work that would define his legacy. For over 40 years, Charlie Dan volunteered at the Père-Charles-Aucoin Genealogy Centre, where he became a pillar of heritage preservation in the Acadian region. Drawing on his scientific training and tireless curiosity, he helped countless visitors uncover their roots, patiently guiding them through records and stories with an open door and generous spirit.

                Community memory is rich with stories of Charlie Dan’s warmth, his enthusiasm for local lore, and his unwavering commitment to sharing Chéticamp’s past with anyone eager to listen. Whether assisting a family tracing their lineage or recounting village history to local organizations  –  his presence was quietly powerful, a testament to what one individual’s dedication can achieve.

                The funeral and celebration of life for the late Charlie Dan Roach was held on Thursday, February 26^th, bringing together family, friends, and community members to honour a life so deeply woven into the fabric of Chéticamp. Among the many heartfelt tributes shared that day, a particularly special moment took place during the luncheon, celebrating Charlie Dan’s enduring love for Mi-Carême – a tradition that was not merely an interest, but truly an integral part of his joyful and spirited personality.

                With Mi-Carême set to begin in less than two weeks, it felt only fitting to pay tribute in a way he would have absolutely adored. To the delight and surprise of the more than 100 people in attendance, a lively group – their identities forever a mystery, just as tradition dictates – danced their way into the hall. Laughter filled the room, smiles were shared, and for a few beautiful moments, Charlie Dan’s beloved Mi-Carême spirit brought everyone together once more.

                Charlie Dan leaves behind a community deeply grateful for his work, a legacy woven into the very fabric of Chéticamp’s identity.