About the Valley:
This section of the site is a community profile, detailing all aspects of Upper Stewiacke and the surrounding area. It is complete, but will be added to as needed. If you know of something that should be added, please contact us.
Upper Stewiacke Community Profile:
Geography:
The Stewiacke Valley is located in the Southern area of Colchester County. The Upper Stewiacke and Springside churches are located in the Upper end of the Valley. The Stewiacke River, popular for canoeing and fishing winds the entire length of the Valley.
The 289 Highway runs through the Valley and connects two 100 series highways: the 102 to 104 (Trans–Canada Highway). The Halifax International Airport is within a one hour drive and larger shopping communities in Truro and New Glasgow are less than forty minutes away.
Economy:
The economy is based primarily on farming and lumbering with people working in a local saw mill and at another larger mill in an adjacent valley, approx. twenty kilometres from Upper Stewiacke. In addition, many people commute to Truro and Halifax to work. For more detail about occupational and employment data, please refer to the attached South Colchester Community Health Plan.
Services:
The Upper Stewiacke area has a remarkable number of organizations. In the year 2000, representatives from many organizations created a Millennium quilt that displays over thirty organizations working in our community. More details about the organizations will be provided under specific subject areas below.
Health and Safety Services:
Medical Services: The Colchester Hospital in Truro (38 km.), Musquodoboit Valley Memorial Hospital (32Km.) and the Halifax hospitals (115 Km.) are accessed in accordance to where respective medical doctor's refer their patients.
Food Bank: The Truro Food Bank serves those in need from the Upper Stewiacke area. Each Upper Stewiacke church supports the Food Bank through weekly donations.
Third House Transition House: Third House, located in Truro, provides a safe place for families who are in threatening situations, needing shelter and protection.
Fire and Emergency Services: The Upper Stewiacke Fire Department made up of over twenty five volunteer members. Provides fire fighting and first response service in case of an emergency. The response to any calls is linked to the 911 Emergency System. All members have basic first aid and CPR training; some members have advanced first aid. The Fire Department also has basic first-aid equipment, a defibrillator and oxygen.
The Upper Stewiacke Firebells: The Firebells is composed of a group of women supporting the Fire Department through major fundraising activities and events. Every spring, the Firebells with assistance from the firemen hold the Maple Syrup Festival. The day is filled with toe-tapping music provided by local musicians.
Police Services: Emergency police services are linked to the 911 Emergency Services. The Stewiacke Detachment of the RCMP serves the area and as part of the community-policing program provides an officer to work with the Rural Watch Society. A Game Warden from NS Department of Natural Resources also works with Rural Watch.
Ambulance: Ground ambulance service through NS Health Services is provided from Truro. A helicopter pad located close to Upper Stewiacke allows for ambulance service to QE11 hospital in Halifax.
Stewiacke Valley Red Cross: Although the Stewiacke Valley Red Cross Society is now defunct, the community may still borrow the medical equipment by contacting Kathy Kennedy at 671-2799.
The Stewiacke Valley Doctor's Residence Society: The Doctor's Residence Society oversees the investment and distribution of monies acquired through the sale of the Doctor's house in 1986. Each year local organizations are invited to make requests for funding projects related to health, recreation and/or leisure. In addition a thousand dollar bursary is awarded to a Grade X11 student graduating from South Colchester High in Brookfield or from Cobequid Educational Centre in Truro.
Consumer Needs Services:
Some services and supplies available locally are identified in the report. Carpentry, plumbing, electrical wiring, mechanics, auto body, hair dressing and painting are some of the businesses located in the Valley. Most of the outside services are located in Truro.
Retail and Service Industries:
Heritage Credit Union: The Credit Union offers personal and automated services, as well as investment counselling.
Canada Post: The Upper Stewiacke post office provides full postal service, with boxes for village customers and rural route delivery for residents living outside the Village boundaries.
Upper Stewiacke Co-op: The Upper Stewiacke Co-op is the only grocery retail outlet in the community. Besides selling groceries, the Co-Op also stocks hardware and operates a gas bar. Brookfield and Truro are within the closest driving distance to other grocery stores.
Bev's Country Diner Bev's provides home-cooked meals, delicious frozen and soft-serve treats, and propane tank exchange. For more info, visit the Diner's website: http://bevscountrydiner.ca/. The Upper Stewiacke CAP Site is located in the Diner.
Burnside Mechanical Services: BMS provides motor vehicle inspections, maintenance and repairs on cars, trucks, snowmobiles, ATVs, motor cycles and small gas engines.
Eastville Garage: This business provides motor vehicle inspection maintenance and repair services for all cars and trucks, with a very special expertise for servicing VWs.
Arimathea Funeral Co-op: Arimathea Funeral Co-op, located in Upper Musquodoboit, provides undertaking and funeral services for the bereaved. Upper Stewiacke and Springside churches share the services, using the sanctuary of each church for services. The Colchester Community Funeral Home and Mattatall Funeral Home located in Truro are also available.
Deer Country Hideaway Lodge: Located close to Upper Stewiacke, Deer Country Hideaway is a bed and breakfast facility. Take-out food services are also available. The Lodge is situated adjacent to the Stewiacke River and is a popular spot for group retreats. Phone 671-2749.
Information Technology and Communication:
Upper Stewiacke CAP: There is an express C@P Site located in Bev's Diner, as well as a CAP Site and computer training centre located in the Upper Stewiacke Elementary School. Visit the Upper Stewiacke CAP webpage for more info: upperstewiacke.com/cap.htm.
Colchester – East Hants Regional Library: The Colchester-East Hants Regional Library visits the Upper Stewiacke Elementary School every 2 weeks. The Library also offers a Books-by-Mail service for library patrons throughout the Valley.
The Halifax Chronicle Herald and Truro Daily News: There is door-to-door delivery for both papers. The Halifax C-H can be purchased at the US Co-Op and Bev's Country Diner; Truro Daily News is sold at the Co-Op.
The Upper Stewiacke – Springside United Church Pastoral Charge Newsletter: The Upper Stewiacke-Springside Pastoral Charge Newsletter is circulated to Charge parishioners on an average of two times per year.
The Jazz-ine Newsletter: The Jazz-ine is a monthly electronic Community Newsletter sharing stories about the Stewiacke Valley and surrounding communities (jazzine@eastlink.ca).
Education, Culture, Recreation, and Leisure Services:
Education:
Upper Stewiacke Elementary School: The Upper Stewiacke Elementary School is situated in the village of Upper Stewiacke. The school population is about 70, including grades Primary-Six. The dedication of the staff is reflected in the happy faces of the children. The Home and School Association in active and contributes to the many needs and activities connected with the school. A hot lunch program is available for three days a week on a volunteer basis. For a nominal charge the children are served a healthy well balanced meal. Volunteers help with computer classes and in any way the teachers need assistance.
Upper Stewiacke Community School Council: The School Council develops and implements recreation, leisure and adult upgrading programs for the community. Most of the programs take place at the US Elementary School.
South Colchester Academy: A new state of the art school, SCA opened in the fall of 2003. This facility covers a catchment of 800 plus students from grades 7-12. SCA is separated into a junior high which covers grades 7-8 and a Senior High consisting of grades 9-12. The school has well-equipped computer centers, a multi-media and broadcasting room, excellent sport and music programs and drama productions. Stewiacke Valley students also have the opportunity to attend the Cobequid Education Centre in Truro for programs not offered at SCA.
Culture, Recreation, and Leisure:
Stewiacke Valley Museum: Located in what was originally the Community Hall, the Museum opened its doors in 1982. Maintained and operated by volunteers, the Museum is home to the genealogical records of the area and also houses a large collection of artifacts, dating back to the arrival of the Scots and Irish in the 1700's. Each year, the Museum volunteers showcase exhibits following a particular theme.
Members of the Burnside-Pembroke Community and Park Association maintain the Burnside Community Hall, Burnside Community Park and Proven, Burnthill and Pembroke Cemeteries. Card parties and dances are regular events at the community Hall.
Members of the Eastville Community Club maintain the Community Hall. Card parties, craft sales and community suppers are held at the Hall.
Members of South Branch Community Club maintain the upkeep of the South Branch United Church. After closing in 1995, the Church was deeded to the Community Club.
Burnside Community Park: Burnside Park overlooks a scenic waterfall which flows into a swimming area. A large picnic area equipped with swings and tables is a popular spot for visitors and local community members.
Stewiacke Valley Garden Club: The Stewiacke Valley Garden Club has an active group of 20 members of all ages that take an interest in the community. They plan and look after the flowers at Crockett Park, situated at the head of Eastville. They have worked with the principal of the school to help some of the children plant spring bulbs. The club has also planted flower beds at the Museum, the Fire Hall and the Eastville Community Club. Each spring the club holds a plant sale at the Fire Hall.
Crockett Community Park: Situated at the head of Eastville beside the Stewiacke River on land donated in the name of the Crockett family. This unique park on route 289 is enjoyed by the community and traveling public. The gardens are maintained by the garden club and members of the community. Picnic tables are available for leisurely outdoor dining.
For a detailed list of organizations, clubs, artisans and business in the Valley, visit our Directory.