What is Uncle Ron's Academy?



Uncle Ron’s Academy is a happy dynamically fluid crew who gather in various sized groups, committees, gatherings, celebrations enjoying visits with or just hanging around Uncle Ron.

Who is Uncle Ron? Uncle Ron is a "spirit". However, the Academy should say that it was a "aha" sort or moment when we realized that the "Ron" in Ron Carioca or Ron Zacapa Centenario was not a primero nombre but Rum! So when we gather it’s more of a family adventure valuing all those great things like life, love, learning. It is more than a night out on the town... So, we are Uncle Ron’s Academy....

This blog spot will feature all sorts of things like rum, music, feasts, literature, dancing, links to other rum sites, events, adventurers and one of the great causes we support: Los Primos Project

Upcoming Happenings

Havana Nights Dance
Nov. 2nd at 7:00pm
Mic Mac Amateur Aquatic Club
for moe info go to: http://www.losprimos.ca/



Uncle Ron's Oyster Cloister

It was a bi-valve night to remember... 750 oysters  (Crassostrea virginica) from 9 different estuaries or water bodies located in the three maritime provinces. We also had quahaugs (Mercenaria mercenaria) and bay scallops (Argopecten irradians). Here is a link to the Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia where there are a few notes on each species.  It was a blind tasting. Each oyster was identified only by a number. Academy members (many for the first time) sampled each oyster and employed an evaluation sheet that was easy to use yet educationally fun. The evaluation sheet was developed under Chef Stefan Czapalay's tutelage.

Below is where oysters were sourced from and who looks after the little delights and what their "brand" is.  For those who celebrated Uncle Ron's Oyster Cloister the number that we used to identify each oyster is now revealed...

Don't forget many of these oysters can be purchased in Halifax or shipped to your door and are available at resturants throughout North America... if you do not see one on the menu or at your store just ask for them.

Another wonderful way to enjoy oysters is with Nova Scotia Wine... Check out the members of Winery Association of Nova Scotia... give them a call and ask about pairings.....



Bay Enterprises , Located in Malagash, Cumberland Co. NS (not to far from Jost Vinyards) . We enjoyed(understatment) two distinct oysters from the Purdy's The Malagash Thrumcap ( #8) and the Tatamagouche Bay(#9). And with Jost's Prost Muscat....

Birch Island (#1), Wallace Bay Cumberland Co. NS. My grandfather said that  "the best oysters are from Birch Island". We sourced these from the Elliots in Wallace Bridge. While they don't ship if you see the "oysters" sign at the end of their driveway (about 200 yrds east of  the Wallace River Bridge on Rt. 6) drop in and get some.

Caribou (#3), Pictou Co. NS produced by Future Seafoods. recognized as the Caribou (#3). Caribou is obviously a wonderful place.....

Eel Lake Oyster Farm (#7) Ste. Anne-Du-Ruisseau, Yarmouth Co., NS.  The one and only Ruisseau Oyster(#7).... need we say more except you can purchase the Ruisseau at the  Halifax Seaport Farmer's Market from Evan's Fresh Seafood.
One of our heros Nolan D'Eon of Eel Lake Oyster Farm

Lazy Bay(#2), East Wallace Cumberland Co. NS. Lazy Bay is a wonderful bay which is part of Wallace Harbour. We sourced these from the Elliots in Wallace Bridge. While they don't ship if you see the "oysters" sign at the end of their driveway (about 200 yrds east of  the Wallace River Bridge on Rt. #6) drop in and get some. We'll call those the Lazy.....

Maison Beausoleil (#6) All the way down from Néguac Northumberland Co. NB. Our great friend Amédée ships these around the world....

Shandaph Oysters (#5)Phil Docker does a wonderful job up in Merigomish Big Island, Pictou Co. Nova Scotia and you can purchase these delights from him at the Halifax Seaport Market on Saturday mornings.

All the way from PEI: Salutation Cove (#4) Future Seafoods Inc. n
re these  from Salutatio Cove Prince
The Eastern Shore has a lovely oyster from Sober Island...

Also form Little Harbour Pictou County was Pristene Bay Oysters....

The Sea Scallops were from Indian Point Mussel Farm...

The Bay Scallops were sourced from Shandaph Oysters You can purchase these from Phillip Docker on Saturday mornings at the Halifax Seaport Farmers Market.


The Quahaugs were delivered to the doorstep from Innovative Fisheries Products Inc.

Please tour around the company's web sites as there is some great info on oysters. Also remember you to can have your own oyster night as most of these companies ship to your door. You can alwasys ask your favorite bar or retailer to order some in.

Below is the Oyster exploration sheet we first used in 2004.....







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