The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

by Angela Sanford

In order to end on a positive note, let’s start with the ugly — the elephant in the room, so to speak. It’s a topic that, at one point, I actually found somewhat laughable. Frustrating, yes, but still something I could joke about. Unfortunately, it has now moved well beyond the point of being funny.

In 2013, I gave up my landline and my television provider and decided to rely solely on my cell phone. Over the years, many of us have made the same transition. But lately, I have found myself wanting to scream as cell service in East Hants continues to deteriorate.

Recently, business calls have started in my office and continued throughout my house, out onto my deck, and on a couple of occasions, right into the middle of my driveway — all while my clients are being treated to the familiar question: “Can you hear me now?”

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It is not a positive experience for either of us. It also adds another layer of frustration when I need to reference documents or information that are still sitting on my office desk inside. Thankfully, the weather has been cooperative enough to make outdoor calls possible, but I can’t imagine trying to do this in freezing temperatures or pouring rain.

Contacting my service provider has never gotten me very far, so today I took a different approach. I crafted a letter to all three levels of government outlining the ongoing challenges we are facing. I will share a link to it on the High Tides Bulletin website under Community Chronicles.

For now, all I can do is let out a literal sigh.

The Bad

It seems I’m on a bit of a rant this week, but another observation has been bothering me lately.

During the winter months, many drivers hug the centre line because road conditions sometimes require it. However, recently I have encountered several drivers who are not just riding the centre line — they are well over it and into my lane.

Twice this week alone, once while I was driving and once while my husband was behind the wheel, we encountered vehicles so far across the centre line that we had to slow down significantly and hope the other driver realized where they were on the road. Thankfully, they did.

A little research tells me that places like the Netherlands and Switzerland have implemented specialized road designs to help keep drivers in their proper lanes. Considering my earlier concerns about cell service and some of the challenges we face with road repairs here in Nova Scotia, I don’t expect those types of solutions to appear anytime soon.

So, for now, a simple reminder: keep an eye out for those drifting drivers who appear to be headed directly toward you before they realize where they are on the road.

And the Good

Thankfully, I can end this week’s column on a very positive note.

It’s summer, and that means golf season for me. I have a membership at a local course, but I also enjoy visiting courses throughout the province whenever I get the opportunity. This summer, I’m even hoping to make my way to New Brunswick so I can finally say I have golfed in all four Atlantic provinces.

Every course has its own strengths and challenges, just like anything else in life, but I want to extend a special thank you to Lucas and Tiffany Wilson at Cambridge Cliffs. Their greens have been my favourite of 2026 so far.

With another dry summer underway, they have done what Hants County does best — they have rolled up their sleeves and worked hard. Maintaining quality greens during challenging conditions takes dedication, and their efforts deserve recognition.

Dan and I are often early morning golfers, and we regularly see their team out watering greens and putting in the work behind the scenes to ensure visitors have a positive experience.

Their efforts are paying off. Although, I will admit, they haven’t done much to improve my putting game — but I suppose that one is on me!