‘Best place in the world to live’

Seaside community promotes itself with a postcard contest

It’s not unusual to see firsttime visitors to Broad Cove, in western Lunenburg County, pull over on the side of the knoll overlooking the village to take in the impressive seaside vista. It’s also a great location to take photos.

That prompted community organizers to take advantage of the local beauty to create a way to fundraise and welcome new residents. The Broad

Cove Community Association (BCCA) is inviting both amateur and professional photographers to enter their images of the community in the third Broad Cove Postcard Contest, with the winning photo to be reproduced on a postcard.

The seaside hamlet of upwards of 150 full-time and part-time residents is nestled beside Broad Cove Beach with its two breakwaters, a row of iconic fish shacks and a small river feeding into the sea.

The tall, white spires of two adjacent country churches, a local café and the extensively renovated seaside community hall known for its vintage vibe are also attractive landmarks in the village settled initially by fishers and farmers who immigrated from Germany in the

mid-1800s.

“We always say it’s the best place in the world to live and one of the most beautiful places you could ever be in,” association chairperson Mary Frier said during an interview.

Since the first contest in 2016, the postcards have been available for sale around the community, along with a book of memoirs called Some Good Life You. The association has also given postcards as welcome gifts to new residents so they can promote the area to family and friends.

Phyllis Price, who has lived in the community for 45 years, won the second postcard contest with a favourite image of hers featuring her family enjoying a day at Broad Cove Beach. Price said she and other residents are proud of their community, and sending postcards is a way to show that.

“Lots of people comment on how much connected energy there is in the village. My husband and I like to describe it as having good village Feng shui because there is a lot of connection between the people in

the village,” Price said.

“I’m proud we can send off a colourful image of our community. It’s a fun way of building on that community pride and making the village standout a little bit. Not many people send postcards anymore, but people still love to receive them.”

The contest winner(s) will receive four tickets to a Bccasponsored event of their choice, one of them being the renowned Broad Cove Rockabilly Picnic, this year being held on Aug. 6.

“It might also attract a few photographers to get four tickets to that event,” Frier said of the picnic.

Other Bcca-sponsored events yet to be finalized include an Octoberfest, take-out suppers and a concert.

Frier said the first postcard contest in 2016 focused on images from locals. But this year’s contest is open to photographers from far and wide.

“It’s an opportunity to visit our community if you haven’t already or resurrect some wonderful shots you already have from Broad Cove and share them with others," she said.

“It gives people an opportunity to be part of the community in a different way.”

Frier also said the winner(s) would have extensive bragging rights and the good feeling of knowing they are contributing to a vibrant community.

Eligible photos must be identifiable as being of the Broad Cove Community or its recently renovated hall.

“We are looking for something that really does say this is Broad Cove,” Frier said.

Contest rules and application forms can be found at broadcovehall.ca/news. The deadline for submissions is July 15.

For more information on the contest or Bcca-sponsored events, email info@broadcovehall.ca or call 902-677-2794.