Baddeck Wharf, down town in Baddeck (bottom of Jones Street).

Set sail on the Amoeba for a wonderful couple of hours with the author of Cape Breton Weather Watching (CBU Press 2006).

In his own words, Bill Danielson became a weather nut when he was 12. He studied astronomy and meteorology at university, served a hitch as an Air Force weather forecaster, taught meteorology, authored science textbooks, and wrote Cape Breton Weather Watching. He does the monthly radio program Weather Watchers Phone-In with Bill Danielson from CBC-1 in Sydney, lives with Esther on the Cabot Trail's "Coastal Loop" in Smelt Brook, and boasts of numerous children and grandkids in Connecticut and Alaska.

During our sail, we'll drop anchor for a while, and Bill will speak about Cape Breton weather and his book, the clouds and winds on sailing day, and interactions between the Bras d'Or, the weather, and the surrounding environment. He will be happy to take your questions.

Cost is $30 per person, hors d'oeuvres included. An amazing deal, and a memorable day!

North River Community Hall
37 Oregon Road
North River, Nova Scotia
Phone: 902.929.2964

Spend some time with Dr. Robert J. Morgan, historian, archivist, teacher, and author. Get a glimpse of his Cape Breton, as he shares from his latest books, the Rise Again! histories.

Bob was formerly Senior Historian, Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, Director and Archivist of the Beaton Institute, and Professor of History at Cape Breton University. After the reading, he will be interviewed from the stage by reporter Norma Jean MacPhee, about his life as a historian and researcher.

Admission to this event is by freewill donation. Tea and oatcakes will be served!

Celtic Tea Room
48885 Cabot Trail, Indian Brook, Nova Scotia
Phone: 902.929.2999

The St Ann's Bay Arbouretum is hosting its annual Arbour Day/Earth Day celebration on May 1. During this event, the Cabot Trail Writers Festival presents the first public reading of Aaron Schneider's new poem Arbor Day.

This work was commissioned by the Festival especially for this event, to bring a fitting close to National Poetry Month.

Aaron was one of 10 finalists in CBC's 2009 national Poetry Face-off last year, with his work Bush Pilot.

You are invited to participate in the entire Arbouretum programme:

• an introduction to the Arbouretum (the only one in Nova Scotia!)
• the first public reading of Aaron's new poem
• a pruning lesson from resident arborist Dennis Laffan — bring your own tools for practice
• some gentle work in the Arbouretum — a little cultivating, planting four new specimen trees, loads of fresh-air fun
• a group hike along the ocean-side Red Island Trail

We will be selling copies of Aaron's poem in a durable form for a very nominal amount, with proceeds split between the Arbouretum Society and the Festival.

There is no admission fee for this event; donations to the Arbouretum are, however, gratefully accepted. Naturally, tea and oat cakes will be served.

Lots of free parking, wheel-chair accessible building/washrooms.

Bonus!
As luck would have it, St Ann's Bay United Church, located beside the Arbouretum, is hosting a fundraiser potluck supper at 5:00 on this very day. All are welcome, so if you want a little sustenance after your hike, you need go no further! Cost is a modest $10.00.

The Inverary Inn
Thistledown Pub, upstairs in the lounge
368 Shore Road, Baddeck, Nova Scotia
Phone: 1.800.565.5660

Join us round the fireplace for a chat with Parker about his life in journalism, and about the art of "blogging".

Dinner is available from 5:30 to 8:00, featuring the Thistledown's full pub menu. At 8:00 pm (normally 7:00), the Pub presents live entertainment to finish off the evening.

This event has no admission fee or cover charge. Cost is your own purchases of food and beverage, only.