The Inverness Oran

The MacLellan family’s $3,500 Malcolm Dan Pace proved to be another big win for the MacDonald family’s Mcland, with Walter Walker defying the 16-1 odds for a fourth win in a row for the six-year-old gelding, owned by Ella and Danny MacDonald.

-by Bill Dunphy

                There’s an old Monkees song from back in the day that has in its lyrics: “Now I’m a believer – Not a trace of doubt in my mind!”

                There were probably a few people singing that tune leaving Inverness Raceway last Wednesday following the $3,500 MacLellan family’s Malcolm Dan Pace.

                Mcland, sent off at 16-1 despite showing three straight victories on his card, overhauled odds-on favourite Whats Up Doc from the pocket to take the winner’s share of that hefty purse.

                Driver Walter Walker had the right helmet to follow starting from the second-tier post seven, gluing Mcland to the back of Whats Up Doc (Redmond Doucet) to secure the two-hole as the rail starter went to the lead.

                Mcland rode the pocket behind :30, 1:00.1 and 1:30.1 splits, then rocketed to the outside as they entered the final turn and gained an edge on the pacesetter.

                Whats Up Doc fought on from the pylons but was unable to resist Mcland, who pushed clear to a one-length victory in the winners-over-class event in 1:59. Revenant (Mark Pezzarello) finished third.

                Mcland entered the Wednesday feature off a victory in the winners-over pace at Inverness, which was his third consecutive tally for trainer A.D. MacDonald and owners Ella and Danny MacDonald.

                The six-year-old son of Mcardle-Staceys Lady moved to four-for-seven this season and now has 11 wins and $59,334 in earnings from career 92 starts. He paid $35.30 to win as the second-longest price in the eight-horse field.

                It was a night when no one driver dominated the card with eight different winners, including the first win of the season for Andrew MacLean.

                Driving MJ Rae, who he trains for his son and owner Ryder, MacLean left post two in the first race and went gate-to-wire in 2:01.2. It was also the first win of the season for the four-year-old Rollwithitharry gelding.

                Harold LeBlanc Jr. was in town with three horses, picking up a pair of wins on the card.

                Keigan Madden won race two with David Lloyd George, a horse he shares ownership with LeBlanc, who does the training.

                The nine-year-old American Ideal gelding was also a gate-to-wire winner in 2:00.3.

                LeBlanc was on the bike with Windemere Ryan in race six for a 1:59.4 win on the Joel LeBlanc trainee.

                Fan favourite Bettie White, a five-year-old grey mare by Arthur Blue Chip, found her winning ways in Wednesday’s third race for a 1:59.1 win with Zach Mullins on the sulky.

                It was the first win of the season for Bettie White who had a 6-5-1 record last season for the mother-son owners Darlene and Brock MacLellan.

                Windmeredontmatter also made its way to the winner’s circle for the first time this season with Campbell MacIsaac taking charge from start to finish for a 2:00.1 mile.

                The 11-year-old Articulator gelding is trained by Alex Sutherland, who also shares ownership with Malcolm MacEachen.

                Shaun MacDonald’s Afair Somewhere picked up his third win of the season with Rodney Gillis getting a big finish out of the seven-year-old Lyonssomewhere gelding, coming from parked fifth at the three-quarter pole to win by a length in 2:01.3.

                And four-year-old Invernesser Onions Te Go matched his lifetime mark of 1:59.1, set two weeks ago, with driver Redmond Doucet also coming back from parked fifth at three-quarters for an exciting finish ahead of Old Buck (Monica Sutherland) and La Playa Deo (Andrew MacLean).                 Racing resumes tonight (Wednesday) at 7 p.m. and again this Sunday for a 1 p.m. card.

Artist Jeri Coppola and director Ash K. Tata were having fun as they made hats for the Caryl Churchill play Far Away that will be read at ICCA on Friday evening. They are assisting Akalaitis with the play.

-by Beverley Phillips

On Friday evening, July 24^th, a play written by perhaps the world’s greatest living playwright

takes to the stage for a reading at the Inverness County Centre for the Arts in Inverness.

                Far Away by Caryl Churchill is the story of a dystopian society in which violence is rampant. “It is so relevant,” said JoAnne Akalaitis, the play’s director. “It’s a short play, less than an hour. The language is terse, very simple, kind of mysterious. And it starts with a girl who is 12 years old with her aunt. And we find out, aggressively through the play, that the world that she lives in has turned into a vile, very violent world, in which nature itself has turned on the occupants of it – which, is not that far away from what's happening now.”

                Churchill is an award-winning, prolific playwright and has long tackled such challenging relevant topics, writing about colonialism, foreign policy, feminism, capitalism, and getting older. “Her mind and talent are everywhere,” said Akalaitis. “She has been on the front lines since the 70s. I admire her as a cultural and political force, and the level of poetry, so deep and moving. It only increases my awe.”

                “For those not familiar with her work,” added Akalaitis, “she is perhaps the greatest living playwright. She has a tremendous theatrical imagination, and profound skills with language and characters. And she’s funny; she’s quirky, deep feeling, and profoundly intelligent.”

                Akalaitis has been thinking about putting this show on for a while, and is looking forward to presenting it at ICCA. “The audiences here lean in and really listen,” she said. “They really pay attention and appreciate the effort the actors are putting into it.”

                The play will not be presented as one typically sees a play, but rather read by actors sitting on a stage with scripts. The actors are local residents and include Tessie Doyle, Cindy O’Neill, Peter MacIsaac, and Beth Ryan. And though it is a reading, and not a full-out theatrical performance, the actors will be doing more than just reading lines. They are working hard in rehearsal to capture who their characters are, the language, and the meaning of the play.

                Akalaitis is joined by Ash K. Tata as co-director, and Jeri Coppola as the show’s designer.

                The performance is one-night-only at 8 p.m on Friday, July 24^th, at the Inverness County Centre for the Arts at 16080 Highway 19, Inverness. Admission is by donation (recommended $10). The doors open at 7:30 p.m., and there will be a small reception afterwards.

Local organizations received certificates for their role in Canada’s salmon river restoration work earning the designation of a UN World Restoration Flagship. On hand to celebrate the honour were: Keith Christmas (Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources), Charlotte Denny (UINR), Jeremiah Johnson (UINR), Kris Hunter (Atlantic Salmon Federation), Bill Haley (Margaree Salmon Association), Rene Aucoin (Cheticamp River Salmon Association), Cal Martin (Parks Canada, in back), Jillian Baker (CRSA), Rejean Aucoin (Senator). (Photo supplied by Parks Canada)

-by Beverley Phillips

Canada’s hard work of restoring salmon river systems has been recognized by the United Nations as a World Restoration Flagship.

                While it was announced last December, local organizations, including Parks Canada, Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources, the Margaree Salmon Association, the Cheticamp River Salmon Association, and the Atlantic Salmon Federation, received their certificates of the honour on July 16^th.

                The goal of the designation is to prevent and reverse ecosystem degradation globally. A statement released by Parks Canada read, “UN World Restoration Flagship awards recognize initiatives that have advanced global food systems, biodiversity, and climate goals. Jointly led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the awards are part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030).”

                “The world restoration flagship represents some of the most ambitious, science-based, and inclusive examples of restoration in action. Projects that receive the honour are the best examples of large-scale and long-term ecosystem restoration in any country or region.”

                The project honoured is called Respectful Returns. In announcing the award, the UN said, “Many salmon populations are in peril in Canada, with significant economic and cultural consequences – salmon hold profound spiritual value in Canada, particularly for Indigenous communities. Since 2010, Parks Canada has collaborated with Indigenous Peoples as well as local communities on the Respectful Returns initiative, which focuses on restoring damaged rivers and streams in seven national parks along Canada’s Pacific and Atlantic coasts.”

                “The sites are Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site, Fundy National Park, Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Kouchibouguac National Park, Gros Morne National Park, and Terra Nova National Park.”

                “By using new tools, sharing knowledge, and working together, the initiative has helped restore over 65,000 hectares (ha) of land and 228 kilometers of waterways with the goal of protecting salmon and their habitats, while strengthening connections between people and nature. Respectful Returns has also created more than 100 jobs with Parks Canada and with partners, helped reduce logging and illegal fishing, trained local and indigenous community members in research, project management, and monitoring in collaboration with three universities, and built strong partnerships with 32 organizations and communities. In six out of the seven sites, salmon numbers have already increased.”

                Bill Haley, President of the Margaree Salmon Association, said, “This is awarded for something big, so it’s pretty special to receive this.”

                He noted the various groups who will work together to earn the honour and said, “In this day and age, without volunteers and sound relationships with other groups, it’s hard to accomplish anything.”

                Renée Aucoin of the Cheticamp River Salmon Association was also at the award ceremony and said, “It was an excellent opportunity to reconnect with the many people from Parks Canada and the organizations who are involved in river restoration in Cape Breton, Mainland NS and the Atlantic provinces.”

                A statement by Parks Canada said, “This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication, integrity, expertise, and support of more than 30 partner organizations. Together, we have shown that Indigenous knowledge, science, and local communities can unite in trust and respect to restore salmon ecosystems. Our work is now a global model for biodiversity, climate resilience, and reconciliation, creating hope for future generations. This recognition inspires us to deepen collaboration, accelerate restoration, and nurture a healthier planet.”