Judique, Nova Scotia
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Judique is a small community located in Inverness County on the Ceilidh Trail (Nova Scotia Route 19) on the western side of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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[edit] Judique
"O's alainn an t-aite!" goes the first line of Michael Mor MacDonald's Gaelic poem about this area on the western shore of Cape Breton Island. "Fair is the place!" MacDonald was the first settler to the area, in 1775, and the legend states that he spent his first winter under his upside-down boat. The modern community center in Judique, therefore, resembles an upside-down boat from the inside.
Judique is a rare place in this world. Small communities all over are disappearing into the void of urbanization, and young people are leaving their traditional homelands for "bigger and better" things. This village is doing something about it, with relative success. The population of the district has actually increased, while all others in the municipality have decreased.
With between six and seven hundred people, it's true when they say that everyone knows everyone else. People who live there recognize their fortunes, knowing that it is one of the safest places in the world to live, with crime almost non-existent, and natural disasters don't seem to happen, unless you count the dying tail-end of a hurricane from the USA.
[edit] Early Settlement
On May 10, 1772, the good ship Alexander from Tobermory, with 210 emigrants from Uist and the mainland, arrived in Prince Edward Island. Among them were Michael MacDonald of South Uist, Robert Innes, mason, of Blair-Athole, Hugh MacEachern, wife and family of Moidart, and Allan Ban MacDonnell of Glengarry. Michael, Robert, and Allan Ban married, about the same time, daughters of Hugh MacEachern, and became the very first settlers of Judique. This settlement took place in 1787. Prior, however, to this date, Michael MacDonald had frequently landed on the coast, partially explored it, and finally selected Judique as the most desirable locality.
[edit] Origins of the Name
The origins of the name Judique have evoked many an opinion. A great majority of the people of Judique hold that it is an Indian name meaning water. However, according to Thomas J. Brown's Place Names of the Province of Nova Scotia, the name is said to mean a river or stream where the water turns swiftly forming eddies, and is of French origin.
Another story relates to Nicholas Denys who had fishing stations along the coast of what now is Inverness County. One of Denys's sea captains, on a return trip to Arichat with a cargo of fish, was reading Scripture from the Book of Judith. It was a beautiful day and as he was passing along the coast of what is now Judique, he was overcome by the rolling hills and greenery of the area. It is said that it was recorded in his log with the name "Judic" which in course of time was written "Judique."
[edit] Judique Today
Today Judique boasts a vibrant community that attracts many visitors, especially in the summer and fall months. Community spirit and volunteerism run high and it's difficult to find people who do not participate in community events. They have built, by their own initative, what has been touted as the most beautiful multi-function community centre in the province, which attracts wedding receptions, family reunions and other events from across Nova Scotia. The Judique Community Centre also hosts events for Cape Breton's Celtic Colours International Music Festival.
The Community Centre is also home to the local C@P Site, a public access point for high-speed Internet, and other office and computer services.
Also sprung from the community centre, but now at home in a beautiful new building next door, is the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre. With the CMIC, Judique is the literal 'Home of Celtic Music' or, as they'd say in Gaelic, 'Bhaile nam Fonn' (Village of Tunes). The CMIC gives tours with live fiddle demonstrations by some of the finest performers in the area, and hosts an archive collection of music from Cape Breton Island, which is growing rapidly, and a brilliant Gift Shop. No stop in Judique is warranted without visiting the Home of Celtic Music.
One the biggest attractions for the community every year is "Judique on the Floor Days", and annual village celebration that includes a road race, parade, children's games, adult dances and a host of other activities. The name "Judique on the Floor" comes from a time many years ago when Judiquers were known as the best stepdancers in the area. If a Judiquer stepped onto the dance floor people wouls shout, "Judique on the Floor, who'll dare put him off?"
In August the Kintyre Farm Scottish Concert draws people from around the globe to witness the best Scottish music the County has to offer. The concert is a fundraiser for the Community Centre, and is held on River Denys Road in Judique at the Graham residence, "Kintyre Farm", which has a natural amphitheatre. The Graham's generously allow the Centre to use their property for the concert every year. Past performers include Ashley MacIsaac and Natalie MacMaster (both of whom attended school in Judique) and, of course, the Master of the Cape Breton fiddle, Buddy MacMaster (Natalie's uncle) who resides in Judique. Too many great musicians come from the area to be listed, but a few other Judiquers deserving mention include Glenn Graham, Archie Rankin, and Gabriel MacLellan... and Donald Poirier plays some mean spoons.
The community hosts a Fall Fair for children every year which includes many children's activities and there is an annual "Rubber Ducky" race down one of the village's many rivers.
Throughout the summer another large attraction, and one of the most unique attractions you'll ever find, is the Tartan Gardens. Led by Marg Graham, the community invested much time and effort into building a park in the center of the community which includes a large gazebo, and plots of flowers planted around the gazebo... in tartans. You'll probably find the MacDonald tartan most years, honouring the first settler of Judique, but the other plots will be rotated every year to reflect the village's diverse Scottish lineages.
There are a number of B&Bs in the area, as well as a newly built inn, and campgrounds are not too far away. There is a full service petrol station and auto dealership, and a general store that stocks almost everything you'd need. There are beaches nearby, and the Judique Flyer Trail is something you don't want to miss. Part of the Trans Canada Trail system, the former railway bed takes you through some breathtaking scenery, and makes for a pleasant walk, jog or bicycle ride. In winter it makes for great cross-country skiing.
St. Andrew's Catholic Church, a large stone structure, is another attraction that stops many people on their way down Route 19 (the Ceilidh Trail). It's presence in the community is formidable, and the next door Glebe House (Priest's residence) is an architectural delight.
The people you meet in the community are friendly and welcoming, which has made Judique both a popular retirement area and a place where many young families are settling down.
The community is within a 25 minute drive of Port Hawkesbury, 1 hour's drive from Antigonish (home of Saint Francis Xavier University), and within 3 hours of Halifax, the capital city of Nova Scotia.
It is surrounded many other wonderful villages, including Creignish to the South, and Northwards in order are Port Hood, Mabou, Inverness, Margaree and Cheticamp, among others.
Lying on the Ceilidh Trail (Route 19), the village sits alongside the Atlantic Ocean, on the "sunset side" of Cape Breton Island. It's main industries are fishing and forestry. In spring you can witness the lobster fishermen (and women) coming and going from the three harbours in the area, bringing in their catch. Boat tours are available in the area as well.
Judique hosts a number of other community groups in the area providing many other services, including a broad-based community development organization called JADA (Judique & Area Development Association). JADA is an umbrella organization that leads and assists in many community projects. They can be contacted by emailing: buildingjudique@yahoo.com
[edit] Related Links
Not pronounced "JOO-DEEK" It rhymes with good-ick
