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Cumberland County Facts and Folklore

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By Laurie Glenn Norris (Nimbus Publishing)

Local author, Laurie Glenn Norris grew up in Cumberland County, N.S. She appreciates the stories passed down, through parents, grandparents and friends, of the county and its unique people. The stories were repeated in the county's unique words and voices.

For Glenn Norris, her debut book, Cumberland County Facts and Folklore is her contribution for handing down to the next generation, the county's stories, its interesting tidbits and unequalled aspects.

The seven chapters, titled: Places, People, Society, Ghosts, Economy, Events and Phrases, provide a wealth of information on the county.

Cumberland County was created by order of the governor and council of the colony of Nova Scotia in 1759. The author provides a breakdown of who settled in the area, how various communities got their names and the year of establishment. Did you know that Parrsboro is the home to nearly 200-million-year-old dinosaur bones?

Several famous people have connections to Cumberland County. About 1607, Samuel de Champlain visited Advocate Harbour and Oscar Wilde visited Amherst in 1882. Others include, William Knapp Buckley creator of Buckley's Mixture, renowned musicians Anne Murray and Wilf Carter and in 2006, former U.S. president Bill Clinton.

Readers will find mouth-watering recipes for doughnuts, gingerbread and blueberry crisp. There a section on Christmas traditions and another entitled, Do You Remember? For example, Auction 45s and Party Lines. Glen Norris has also included interesting stories in Ghosts, Legends and Tall Tales.

As to the economy and industry, coal mining provided employment for several years. The salt mine in Pugwash is still in operation and the Jost Winery, licensed in 1983, is the largest continuously working winery in Nova Scotia.

Cumberland County had several memorable historic events such as: The Saxby Gale which rampaged through the area in 1869, the Handley-Page plane crash in Parrsboro in 1919 and the last hanging in Cumberland County which occurred in 1933.

The Joggins Fossil Cliffs became famous in 1851 and the Joggins Fossil Cliffs Centre opened in 2008, providing its visitors an engaging experience.

Cumberland County's phrases and expressions are less common today, but readers may chuckle as many may be familiar to them as well.

The book has 141 pages and is remarkably well done. The image sources, selected biography and selected websites found at the back indicate that an enormous amount of time was devoted to research.

Glenn Norris' book will engage, enlighten and entertain her readers.

- reviewed by ANNE-MARIE HOOD

For the Daily Gleaner