A tuna flat is a large boat that, under normal circumstances, is pulled behind a fishing boat, but during the World Tuna Flat Races teams of four rowers are expected to paddle these cumbersome crafts over a set course in the safety of Hubbards Cove.

The tuna flats are only found in St. Margarets Bay and they originally acquired their name because three or four men could stand together on one side of the “flat” and haul tuna up into the craft without capsizing it.

This year’s event kicks off at noon on July 28 and features divisions for male, female and mixed teams. In addition to the races, many other land-based activities are slated to occur around the event, including a barbecue, a beer garden and plenty of local entertainment.

One local organization, the Coastal Cruisers, was formed by a dedicated group of local car enthusiasts in 1986. The original name was the Nova Scotia Auto Hobby Club, which was changed in 1995 to the current moniker.

The Coastal Cruisers host an annual car show, the Autofest Show ’n’ Shine, every Father’s Day. This year’s event is slated for June 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the MARC in Dayspring.

The cruiser crew also holds regular meetings on the second Thursday of each month at the community room in the Bridgewater Atlantic Superstore.

For more information, visit the organization’s web site at www.coastalcruisers.cjb.net.

The Barn was constructed to promote a wide variety of community-based activities.

With a farm market, running from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday during the months of May through October; walking paths; venue rentals; and a host of special events throughout the year, including the Hub-Arts Show and Sale and community movie nights, the Hubbards Barn has truly become, in every sense, the cornerstone of the community.

The property is owned by the Aspotogan Heritage Trust (AHT), which leases the property to the Hubbards Barn Association. It was the intent of the AHT to protect and preserve the beautiful agricultural property for use by both the surrounding community and visitors to the region — a goal they have definitely accomplished.

Once upon a time, the upper reaches of Victoria Road were part of Bridgewater’s thriving little industrial district, known to locals as Sebastopol.

Founded in the 1860s, the mill was an integral part of the town’s infrastructure for years.

Women workers operated machines designed to card wool at a pace that was considered remarkable for the 19th century — it was said that just one of the machines could card in one hour the same amount of wool that one person could card in an entire week.

Today, the Wile Carding Mill is a living museum. Its open season begins on June 1 and runs through September 30, with hours running from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Many are family-run businesses, accessible through the duration of the growing season, specializing in perennials and specific vegetables or fruit trees.

These uniquely green establishments offer an assortment of quality bedding plants, shrubs, trees, grasses, herbs and potted plants — none of which should be missed!

You can take the challenge at Osprey Ridge Golf Club or Hilltop golf Club in Bridgewater, Sherwood Golf and Country Club, Chester Golf Club, the Bluenose Golf Club in Lunenburg or the Liverpool Golf and Country Club in White Point.

Come on! Why settle for a subpar summer vacation? Grab your clubs and tee it up at one of the local clubs — or why not all six?

But why just kick back and relax in the sand when you can spice things up a little and have a tonne of family fun in the process?

The Bayswater Family Fun Day, sponsored by the Municipality of Chester, will be held later this summer at Bayswater Provincial Park.

The day of fun is designed to have a little something for every member of the family and includes a mega sand sculpture contest, knobby knees, plenty of ice cream and more.

The event also includes plenty of zany games and races, music and much more.

The concept for the race week traces its history indirectly back to the 1850s, when the first sailing regattas were held off Chester on the waters of Mahone Bay.

Since that time, the Village of Chester has become known as a sailing centre, with a wildly successful youth program at the Chester Yacht Club that has produced sailors who have represented Nova Scotia in competition throughout the world.

This year’s festivities, hosted once again by the Chester Yacht Club, will kick off on August 15, pitting a host of different captains and crews in competition against each other.

The closing ceremonies will end the festivities on August 18.

When it was discovered, in 2004, that the existing cenotaph was in desperate need of repair, the cenotaph committee of Bridgewater’s Branch #24 Royal Canadian Legion decided to proceed with a large-scale project to revamp the area. Not only would existing monuments be renewed, but a park-like setting would be created, one in which tranquility, introspection and respect would be encouraged.

By the time the park was unveiled in August of 2005, the original cenotaph had been cleaned; the park area had been expanded, thanks to a lease agreement with the Town of Bridgewater; and permanent black granite monuments were erected to honour all local veterans who have served in the pursuit of freedom and peace.

Two shows will be featured: the first, on Friday evening, is “‘With a song in my heart’: The music of Richard Rodgers.” This exceptional showing will feature works sung by Vanessa Buhr-Rountree, Nina Scott-Stoddart and Ross Thompson, with accompaniment by Kate Carver.

The Saturday evening show will be “La Traviata” by Giuseppe Verdi. Starring Janna Pardy as Violetta and Keith Klassen as her new admirer, Alfred Germot, “La Traviata” tells the sordid tale of a woman who first sacrifices herself and her lifestyle, then, ultimately, the relationship she has built with Germot in an effort to right his family honour.