The Inverness Oran

-by Nick Phillips

            There is a house I drive by on a regular basis where I often see two crows staring in a basement window. I am not sure why they do this. The house does not appear to be occupied, but these crows have some sort of fascination with whatever they see in the window. Maybe it’s as simple as their reflection? Who knows? But it is an interesting sight to see. They have been there since March, just hanging out by the windows. And it’s not always the same window either. They move around to different windows. Fulfilling my dad joke requirement, I often think, “Look, an attempted murder!” (a group of crows is called a murder). What can I say, little things amuse me.

            I was recently reading the story of Moses. Well not all of it, but a decent amount, since his story covers four full books of the Bible. I was reading through his more significant life moments as part of our series of looking at the heroes of the Bible in our Sunday morning services.

            We remember so many good parts of his life. He truly is a hero of the faith, and rightfully celebrated as one by our Jewish friends. Moses did, after all, rescue the Israelites from generations of slavery in Egypt. However, there is a part of his story we often forget: Moses was a murderer. It’s right there in Exodus 2:11-13, “One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and saw their forced labour. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his kinsfolk. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.”

            As a young man, Moses killed an Egyptian and was forced to flee to a neighbouring nation to save his life from the enraged Pharaoh. In our modern legal system a murderer should be punished with jail time, no matter the motive behind the killing. In the days of Moses, murderers were sentenced to death.

            So here is Moses, a man on the run, a fugitive in a foreign land, and what happens? God speaks to Moses through the burning bush. Moses meets God. And God gives Moses the job of going back to Egypt and saving his people. God has given Moses a second chance to do the right thing.

            This is, of course, an unexpected turn of events. A confessed murderer has been chosen by God to save a nation. Moses comes up with all sorts of excuses as to why it cannot be him, but for each excuse God gives a solution.

            Moses could have been very easily dismissed as someone unworthy of leadership, especially when God is the one looking for a leader. How could God choose someone like Moses? It does not make a lot of sense. But God saw into the heart of Moses. God saw his love for his fellow Israelites and chose him regardless of his past. God gave Moses a second chance.

            I lost count of the many people who have told me they have done too many bad things in their lives for God to care about them. How it was “too late” for them. Was it too late for Moses? Was it too late for the Apostle Paul, who spent his early life persecuting and killing followers of Jesus, only to become the greatest evangelist in the New Testament outside of Jesus himself?

            There is no “too bad” for God. Despite his past, Moses had faith and God redeemed Moses and used him to save a nation trapped in abusive slavery. Despite our past, our faith in God can redeem us, too. This will not erase our past, but God will place us on a new path, toward a new life where we can honour God and follow his way.

            Moses was far from perfect, and later on in his story he made many more mistakes. But his faith is what kept him close to God. Our faith is what keep us close to God, mistakes and all. May we let God give us our second chance.

WILLIAMS

Donald Archibald Williams, 81, died Thursday, July 9th, 2026, in Inverary Manor, Inverness. Born on August 15th, 1944, in Port Hood to the late Harold and Mary Ellen Williams, Donald was the youngest and last surviving of seven siblings; sisters, Mary Theresa, Edna, Patricia, Margaret Ann; and brothers, Harold, Alexander Robert (Sandy) and James. Predeceased by his wife, Ida Marie; he is survived by their daughters, Michelle (Jozsef), Dartmouth; Dawn (Jason), Halifax; Angela (Christian), Waverley; granddaughter, Marcella; and grandsons, Ben, Max, Javier, Matias and Miguel. Known to many as “Don’l Archie,” “D.A.,”, “Don,” “the Donald,” or “Dad”, the most important name he answered to was “Gramps.” He had fierce pride in his grandchildren and saw perfection in each one. After a career working in insurance, he retired from CAA and settled in Dartmouth, close to family. His daily routine shifted to caring for his grandchildren. There weren’t many days missed walking to and from the school bus stop and listening to them share their stories about their day. Exceptionally well informed about the world around him, sports remained his greatest passion. Moving from player to coach to steadfast fan, his love for baseball was immense. It was a rare occasion to see him without his crisp white LA Dodgers cap. Patriots and Habs were his teams and through his grandchildren his sporting world expanded to include rugby and lacrosse. He loved watching them play, with the constant phrase of amazement and support; “Oh my god, way to go!” In recent years he lived at the R.K. MacDonald Nursing home in Antigonish, where he made lasting friendships with staff, St. F.X. students, and community leaders, where he spent his days growing tomatoes, tending to chickens, running the canteen, and any other side business he could conjure. Music with Tyke was a highlight of his. Not a day went by without playing crib, and always took the opportunity to quote, “What part of fifteen-two, fifteen-four, and a pair is six don’t you understand?’’ Beyond the crib table, he had a love of the horse races in both Truro and Inverness and when the option to move back to Cape Breton was presented, he did not pass it up. He reconnected with lifelong friends and cherished being so close to his best friend, Lewis. There is no way to sum up a life lived in a few paragraphs, but anyone who knew Dad can remember him for his extensive knowledge, quick quips, sarcastic one-liners, and his character. As he would often quote: “I ain’t as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was.” We love you. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Inverness Raceway. Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com.

MACNEIL

With profound sadness, the family announces the peaceful passing of Rachel Ann (MacInnis) MacNeil in Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, July 7th, 2026. Born in Harbourview on October 31st, 1940, Rachel was a cherished daughter of the late Hughie and Sadie (MacDougall) MacInnis. She was the devoted wife of the late Gerald Anthony MacNeil; a loving and steadfast mother to her three sons, Glen (Judy), Brad (Karen), and Keith; a proud grandmother to Colton, Riley (Michael), Breagh, Alissa, and Meighen; and a treasured great-grandmother to MacKenna. Rachel loved her home in Glencoe Station. She adored her neighbors, cherished the strong sense of community, and never stopped appreciating the nature around her. The changing fall colors, tending her flowers, and keeping a meticulous home brought her simple joy. Rachel worked hard and faced every challenge with determination and optimism. She was always willing to help others, had a warm sense of humor, and a love of good stories. Rachel enjoyed a good joke and loved a playful tease, often making people feel lighter just by being around her. She handled life’s challenges with quiet resilience and grace, carrying a gratitude that touched everyone who knew her. A part of Rachel’s heart always remained in Harbourview, where she grew up in a large and loving family. She loved walking the beach and spending time on the Shore Road, a place that held deep meaning throughout her life. Rachel is survived by her sisters, Marie Willis and Margie MacDonald; and her brother, Vince (Diane) MacInnis. She was predeceased by her beloved parents; husband, Gerry; sisters, Caddy (AD) MacDougall and Jessie (Jackie) Hanley; brothers, John (Marie) MacInnis, Joe (Lottie) MacInnis, Donald MacInnis, and Sonnie (Rose) MacInnis; and brothers-in-law, Bob Willis and Roddie MacDonald. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the medical staff, relatives, neighbors, and friends who offered care, kindness, and support to Rachel and her family. We can’t thank you enough. Forever loved. Forever missed. Memorial donations may be made to Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital or to a charity of one’s choice. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, July 15th, 2026, in Port Hood and Area Resting Place from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral mass to be held in St. Peter’s Church, Port Hood on Thursday, July 16th, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with burial to follow in the parish cemetery. Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com.

-by Mark Macneill

There exists a singular, agonizing irony in the current state of our provincial administrative priorities – one that would be comical were it not so profoundly tragic. We find ourselves navigating a bureaucratic landscape where the entry into this world is strictly rationed, while the exit is provided with the seamless efficiency of a drive-thru window.

                Consider the expectant mother in Baddeck, or Richmond, or Glace Bay. Should she wish to bring new life into this dominion, she is met with a stern ledger of logistical impossibilities. The local wards are shuttered; the specialized teams are centralized; the resources are consolidated. For the miracle of birth, our system demands a pilgrimage – a stressful, calculated dash down the Trans-Canada Highway to a select few regional hubs. Life, it seems, must strictly adhere to the government's centralized schedule.

                Yet, turn your gaze to the final chapter of human existence, and the administrative sea parts with astonishing majesty. For Medical Assistance in Dying – or MAID, as the planners so clinically acronymize it – the geographic barriers miraculously dissolve. There are no select locations here. No rationing of care. The apparatus of the state becomes entirely mobile, willing and eager to accommodate you in virtually any hospital, any clinic, or any living room from Cape Breton to the South Shore.

                One cannot help but marvel at the grim, linguistic dark comedy of it all. For decades, the old folks used to say that when a man finally achieved total comfort and freedom from worry, he "had it made." How twisted a transformation that the modern state has provided a literal interpretation of the phrase: to finally have peace, you simply have it MAID.

                It brings to mind the gritty, unmistakable truth of Cape Breton’s own Matt Minglewood, who famously growled about the inevitability that "some day I’m gonna ride in a Cadillac." He was, of course, singing of that long, shiny, black vehicle that waits for us all at the end of the line. But today, one gets the distinct impression that our public health authorities are far more interested in financing that final Cadillac ride than they are in keeping the local maternity wards open for the next generation.

                We have built a system that makes it remarkably difficult to arrive, but infinitely convenient to leave. Surely, a society that prides itself on compassion must eventually look in the mirror and ask why the cradle is so heavily restricted, while the hearse is granted an unlimited, all-access pass.

                Yours thoughtfully,

Port Hood Blue Jays’ Dylan Campbell slides into third base ahead of the ball where the Strait Area Sting’s Graham MacMaster was preparing to make the tag during Sunday’s U11 game in Port Hood.

-by Bill Dunphy

Put the bat on the ball and good things can happen.

That was the story for Port Hood Blue Jays batter Hughie Joe MacDonald on Sunday at the Dave Muise Memorial field.

Bottom of the sixth and final inning in the first of two U11 games with the Strait Area Sting, bases load, two out, and the Sting up by two runs, 13-11.

Harley Bernard led off with a walk, followed by an RBI double by Shamus MacInnis to close the gap to one run.

Still with no outs, a pair of walks by Emmett MacLean and Gabe Murphy loaded the bases and saw the Sting take out pitcher Calder Marchand and bring in Emmett MacKeigan.

MacKeigan got a force out at home and struck out the next batter for two outs, but Hughie Joe hit a hard grounder past first base to score MacInnis and MacLean for the walk-off 14-13 win.

The Blue Jays were down 12-3 going into the bottom of the fourth after the Sting’s top of the order of Christian MacDonnell, MacKeigan, Marchand and Hudson Burke began the game with the maximum five runs.

Port Hood got three of those runs back in the bottom of the first but the Strait added four more in the second, an RBI walk in the third, and a two-run homer off the bat of Marchand in the fourth for their 12^th run.

 The Jays began their comeback in the bottom of the fourth with walks by Dylan Campbell and MacDonald and a single by William Rankin to load the bases with one out.

Ethan MacKinnon drove in two runs on a single and Lennox MacInnis hit an RBI single to make it a 12-6 game.

The rally continued in the fifth where Port Hood scored five runs on eight walks. The Strait got one of those runs back in the sixth but couldn’t stop the Jays in their final at-bat.

In the second game of the doubleheader, the Sting rode a complete game pitching performance by Emmett MacKeigan to beat the Jays 16-3.

“We pushed their top pitcher right to his daily limit pitch count but he got the final out with his last batter before we had a chance to rally on their relievers,” said Port Hood coach Kenzie Campbell.

Campbell said baseball continues to grow in the Port Hood area with 21 players registered in the U11 program.

“We split them into two even teams for our local weekday house league that includes two teams from Inverness and one from Margaree. That’s just getting started, but it’s an awesome way to get as many players as we can playing ball locally all summer.”

With lots of talent to choose from, Port Hood, like Inverness, were able to put together competitive rep teams to play in the Nova Scotia Bluenose League.

“We selected 12 for our weekend travel team in the Bluenose league,” he said. “We have been focused on developing fundamentals, introducing pitching, and building up their resilience/grit. We are fairly young but there’s lots of potential for us to put it all together for provincials at the end of the summer.”

The Blue Jays are back home at the Dave Muise Memorial field again this Sunday for two games against the Glace Bay All-stars. Game times are 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The Inverness Ravens don’t see action until July 31 when they are in Port Hawkesbury for a 6 p.m. game at Oaklee’s ball park to play the Sting.

On Sunday, Aug. 2, they are at home for a doubleheader against the Antigonish Angels. Game times are 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Ned MacDonald Memorial field.