Buried in the Woods, Sawmill Ghost Towns of Nova Scotia is a new book by Bear River native Mike Parker. It explores the fates of towns which thrived during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as centres of the then-booming lumber and shipbuilding industries. Towns such as Minudie, Conquerall, Coote Cove and Lake Jolly may indeed be "buried in the woods" and forgotten, but not another thriving town from that era when wood was king - Bear River.

Bear River is one of those few sawmill towns which successfully reinvented itself, and continues to do so today. An artists' haven for decades, this industry sector continues through good times and bad. In the past several years, vineyards and wineries have sprung up, taking advantage of the area's unique terroir. The new farmers' market is giving the village another opportunity for economic growth. The past several weeks have witnessed streetscape improvements and beautification not seen for some time. Bravo, Bear River! You have shown that your conception as a "Sawmill Town" was only the beginning. And the story continues...