The Inverness Oran

-by April MacDonald

As the storm slid into Saturday morning, residents of Inverness, Richmond, and Victoria couldn’t believe the sheer force of the east wind that hammered down on Cape Breton Island and mainland Nova Scotia.
Downed trees, branches and pulverized leaves, damage to property, and the destruction of critical infrastructure was apparent.
And the tragic death of one woman from Richmond County.
Power crews, clean-up crews, first responders, government officials, and volunteers quickly began the dangerous and daunting task on helping get people to safety and out of harm’s way.
Local contractors and anyone who possessed heavy equipment sprung into action to clear roadways and residential areas.
Warming centres were opened in every community for so many who were without power.
As it is every time there is a weather event of such magnitude, people rolled up their sleeves and answered the rallying cry.
Checking in on loved ones and neighbours or even strangers to ensure that seniors had what they needed, especially those who live alone.
Those who didn’t have to be out on the roads were asked to stay home and stay safe as damage to local infrastructure was yet to be determined.
The shock in seeing the impacts of flooding firsthand was like something from a disaster movie.
As of 10:00 p.m. Monday night, the local State of Emergency in Richmond, Inverness, and Victoria counties remained in effect for the next 24 hours.
It will be re-evaluated after that time.
Minister of Emergency Management Kim Masland was on the ground in Port Hawkesbury Tuesday, seeing the damage caused by the flooding on West Bay Road, and speaking with the local Regional Emergency Operations Centre about the impacts they are facing.
Their focus remains on keeping people safe and supporting communities through the response and recovery.
If you are in an affected area, stay off flooded roads and follow directions from local officials.
The speed in which crews cleared roadways, repaired bridges, and restored power was remarkable.
The counties who were hardest hit thank everyone who answered the call. We are grateful for their bravery, professionalism, and commitment to helping get us all back on our collective feet.

The Inverness Ravens defeated the Port Hood Blue Jays 6-5 to capture the Nova Scotia U15 baseball championship. Members of the team are, from left: coach Dan MacLeod Mac MacLellan(off screen), Aydin Copley, Danny MacDonald, Ryder MacLean, Alistair MacLeod, Colton MacIsaac, Alex Dan MacDonnell, Eli LeBlanc, head coach Andrew MacLean, Jack MacNeil, Brett MacGillivray, Rylan LeBlanc. Missing from the photo is Drew MacDonnell.

-by Bill Dunphy

‘Always the bridesmaid, never the bride’ is an idiom describing a person or a team that regularly makes it to the finals but never wins the contest.

                Having reached a Nova Scotia baseball championship four times in the past without winning, the Inverness Ravens became 10 of the ugliest, but happiest, brides on Tuesday of last week.

                Led by a stellar pitching performance by Alistair MacLeod and a clutch hit by player of the game Colton MacIsaac, the Ravens captured the Nova Scotia U15 title with a 6-5 win over the Port Hood Blue Jays.

                There was a full house of baseball fans at the Leo A. MacDonell Memorial ball field in Judique where the prolonged tournament finally came to an exciting conclusion.

                The Blue Jays were first out of the blocks, scoring the maximum three runs in the top of the first inning.

                Ravens starter Ryder MacLean plunked lead-off batter Bentley Cameron and then gave up back-to-back RBI singles to Colin MacDougall and Ashton Hawley before settling in to get two outs. However, a passed ball allowed the speedy Hawley to score their third run.

                In the bottom half, MacIsaac worked a walk off Port Hood starter Neil MacEachern, who gave way for Carter DeCoste to take over on the mound.

                MacIsaac stole second and MacLeod put the Ravens on the scoreboard with an RBI double.

                DeCoste got out of the inning and proceeded to pitch two scoreless innings as the Blue Jays added a run in the third and another in the fourth to go up 5-1.

                With one out in the third on a wicked catch by MacLean on a screamer by Evran Beaton, Cameron was hit by a pitch again, stole second, and a base hit by MacDougall brought him home.

                MacLeod then took over on the mound and got the next two outs.

                The Blue Jays started what looked to be a big fourth inning when DeCoste led it off with a bunt single and moved to third on a single by Reid Anstey.

                However, MacLeod struck out the next batter and then picked off DeCoste at third.

                Blake Warcop brought Anstey home with a base hit, but MacLeod closed out the inning with no further damage.

                Down 5-1, the Ravens got some momentum going in the bottom of the fourth, beginning with a base hit by Danny MacDonald.

                DeCoste got the next out, and Luke Calder came in for relief.

                However, Aydin Copley hit a single to drive in MacDonald and Mac MacLellan reached on a catcher’s interference call.

                The top of the Ravens order rolled around and MacIsaac came through with an RBI single to score Copley, but MacLellan got caught in a rundown between third and home and was tagged out to end the inning.

                MacLeod logged a scoreless fifth for the Ravens and Malcolm MacInnis did the same for the Blue Jays to take a 5-3 lead into the sixth inning.

                MacLeod struck out the first batter he faced but gave up a single to Hawley and walked MacInnis. Digging deep, he then got out of the inning with back-to-back Ks.

                The bottom half of the Ravens order continued to shine to spark a three-run inning to put Inverness up 6-5.

                With one out, Jack MacNeil singled, Copley singled, and MacLellan hit an RBI single to score MacNeil.

                Brett MacGillivray, who did his part with good at-bats to drive up pitch counts, lined out to MacInnis for the second out.

                Called on again to make something happen, ‘Clutch’ MacIsaac doubled to deep centre to bring home Copley and MacLellan for the three-run max inning.

                MacLeod took the mound in the top of the seventh with just 19 pitches left before reaching the 95-pitch limit.

                As it turned out, he didn’t need 19, getting three quick outs on two grounders and a fly-out to give the Inverness Ravens the 6-5 victory.

                “That was scary, but we all came through at the right time,” said MacIsaac.

                “It means a lot to us. We’ve been in the finals four times and didn’t win it, but we’re going to enjoy this one.”

                While the top of the order has done a lot of the heavy lifting, including MacLeod, MacIsaac, MacLean, and catcher Alex Dan MacDonnell, Ravens coach Andrew MacLean tipped his hat to the young guys in the bottom half of his order.

                “Mac drove in a run and crossed the plate for the winning run, Aydin had a pair of hits and drove in a run, Danny and Jack with hits. You never know who’s going to show up,” MacLean said.

                “It’s been a lot of years finishing second – more silver medals than I’d like to admit. The boys deserved this, they’re all good buddies and a good group of athletes from top to bottom. It was something to see them grow over the year,” he said.

                MacLean said there was never any panic in the dugout, even when the Blue Jays opened the 3-0 lead in the first inning.

                “Port Hood has an excellent team and they made some excellent catches to keep us off the bases. But we tightened things up and got runners on the base pads. There’s no tournament MVP, but Alistair did valiant job, not just today but throughout the tournament.”

                MacLean also acknowledged his assistant coach Dan MacLeod and Jason Clarke who helped out at practices. “They’re winners because of the work Dan and Jason put in.”

                Port Hood coach Ardell Hawley, who was often the reason Inverness settled for silver, had high praise for his team.

                “The kids left here with their heads held high. We’ve been fortunate to be on the winning end of the scoreboard. But you can’t always base losing on the score. The kids came here and played hard, they respected their opponents, and respected the game itself. They’re winners,” he said.

                “After taking the early lead, we struggled to get the add-on runs. Alistair (MacLeod) really stepped up for them; he’s an excellent athlete and an excellent person. A gamer.”

                Upon returning to Inverness, the team was paraded through town with a fire truck – something that hasn’t been done in quite a while. Hopefully it’s a sign of the future for baseball in Inverness.

Inverness County Singers under the direction of Laurel Browne and accompanied by Lawrence Cameron

-by Laurel Browne

                September 10^th, 2026, 7:00 p.m. marks the beginning of a new season of singing for the award-winning Inverness County Singers! The Singers, established in 1978, come from many communities throughout Inverness County. The group usually rehearses on Monday nights, but due to the Labour Day Holiday, they will be meeting on Thursday for the first week. 

                The program for the upcoming concert series features seasonal music from the 10^th through the 21^st centuries. Included on the program is a newly-composed holiday piece written by local student songwriters.

                Monday night rehearsals take place at Inverary Manor Community room. The Manor has been sharing their space, piano, and goodwill with the Singers for many years.

                In April of 2026, the County Singers were nominated and chosen to receive the “Excellence in Community Health and Wellness” award from the municipality in recognition of the health effects of singing, especially in a group.  Research over the past few decades has highlighted the whole body, mind, and spirit benefits, including memory recall, breathing, pain management, and mood.

                Laurel Browne starts her 17^th season as director of the singers. Ms. Browne has a degree in Vocal Performance with years of experience as a performer, teacher, and conductor. Lawrence Cameron, pianist and past director of the singers, brings years of expertise as the rehearsal and performance accompanist for the singers.

                The singers will be performing at area churches and parish halls starting in late November and Early December.

                The group welcomes all adults ages 16 and up, and provides all music. There are no requirements or auditions for membership except water, 3 pencils, willingness to sing, learn, and laugh a lot. Contact Laurel Browne at [email protected] for additional information.

• The Storm no one saw coming
• State of Emergency issued for Western Cape Breton
• Aftermath of Labour Day weekend wind and rainstorm
• Funding announced for upgrades to CB Highland attractions
• Discussions on new residence at Strait Campus
• County Council returns after August break
• Town discusses safety in cultural practices
• Tuesday was International Literacy Day
• Rainstorm keeps students home from school days
• Premier Tim Houston expresses sympathy to local family
• Statement by Kim Masland, Minister of Emergency Management
• Western Cape Breton municipal support line remains open
• Water conservation directive issued for Judique water system