Happy New Year!....

...and all the best for 2011 from Retirement Miramichi, on the beautiful east coast of New Brunswick.  We really got our initiation into winter last month, and we are now looking like a normal winter scene here, with about 12 inches of snow on the ground.  

Eva's House, courtesy of Evamaria Feistel, RMI tenant since 1999

Gotta love the mild temperatures this year, but the warmer temperatures are not doing much for the ice fishing. It's smelt season. and and the river isn't fully frozen at the head of the bay as yet.  Winter is a season to be enjoyed here in Miramichi; festivals and fish frys are eagerly awaited by young and old, and kicking things off after Christmas is the traditional "smelt fry".  


If you are new to "smelts", they are a Miramichi delicacy, a small fish, native to Atlantic Canada. They are a culinary delight to east coasters and a cultural phenomenon to the uninitiated!

Smelts fried in corn meal ~ yum!

They are fished through the ice and the largest maritime smelt fishery happens right here in Miramichi Bay. Miramichi smelts are some of the best, and every neighbourhood hosts its own version of the smelt fry, with food. fun and friendship happening at community centres  and restaurants during the early winter. 

Smelts are fished in Miramichi Bay and then sold by the pound along the highway and in commercial areas around the city. The "smelt fry" is often a day-long event complete with beer and music, and they're some good! 

  

Happy Holidays! from Retirement Miramichi!

As we move into the holiday season once again, we here at Retirement Miramichi wish you and yours a blessed and peaceful season and a wonderful New Year. 

The seated crowd

Retirement Miramichi residents recently kicked off the holiday season at the annual Meet & Greet, hosted by the Retirement Miramichi Board of Directors and staff. 

This event is eagerly anticipated by everybody and provides an opportunity for the tenants, both old and new to meet and greet the board members, local politicians, our staff and each other!

This year's event was in the form of a dinner and dance and over 270 people got together to share a meal, friendship and a few dances as well!  A fine time was had by all!