Daily News Archives » Page 32 of 231 » CHMA, Voice of the Marshes

Gamble to support people experiencing homelessness pays off for town of Amherst

A community hub, including an emergency shelter, with regular meals and six supportive housing units is set to open in Amherst, N.S. early next month. It was a project that was discussed for years, but made a reality when the town’s council ponied up $100,000 to create a new position.

The executive director of the Cumberland Homelessness and Housing Support Association was created with funds out of the municipal budget. The person who holds that position was tasked with making the project a reality. Ashley Legere is that person. The project and build is now fully funded, with money kicked in from both the province and the federal governments.

Legere said having the larger community buy-in was integral to this project. “I’ve spent a lot of my career defending what we do in other places and I have had very little pushback here,” she said.

The YMCA of Cumberland did a survey of the community’s needs a few years ago.

“There were 48 individuals who identified as sleeping rough or precariously housed from January 2023 until May of 2023,” said Legere.

So the province, the municipality and non profit groups worked together to open an emergency shelter located in Crossroads Church, then a supportive community hub in a different building nearby.

“We housed between six and 12 individuals in our overnight shelter, on average, but we are serving upwards of 50 meals a day to individuals who are housed, said Legere. … Continue

Squaring rising assessments with flat tax rates in Tantramar

On today’s show, we talk with Tantramar CAO Jennifer Borne and treasurer Michael Beal about why this year’s sharp rise in assessment values for residential property owners is not matched with a reduction in the tax rate. Borne and Beal explain how rising municipal costs, assessment spike protection, and provincial and federal properties in the municipality affect overall tax revenue.

Plus in news briefs, Sackville-based artist Graeme Patterson has a new show at New Brunswick’s provincial gallery in Fredericton; the Dorchester outdoor rink is open to skaters; and today is the last day to see Parks Canada’s Revealing Chignecto exhibit at the Sackville Visitor Information Centre. … Continue

Hundreds of Sackville area properties see assessment spikes over 25%

On today’s show, we take a look at some of the dramatic increases in property assessments as Tantramar homeowners receive their 2024 notices in the mail.

Hundreds of Sackville properties are seeing 25% to 30% increases in their assessments for 2024, amounts which will be reflected in tax bills. We hear from some homeowners who are facing the shock, and their concerns about the impact on the wider community, as well as their experiences with appealing those assessments with Service New Brunswick. … Continue

Dorchester rink sees some improvements, but gets a late start due to weather

Skaters enjoying the Dorchester outdoor rink last winter. Image: Municipality of Tantramar

It’s been an unusual winter so far this year, which has meant a late start to skiing and outdoor ice skating seasons. But in the last week, some more seasonally cold days have made it possible for town staff to get to work on creating the Dorchester outdoor rink on School Street.

“It’s one of those things that’s very weather dependent,” says Tantramar Active Living Coordinator Matt Pryde. “It’s a very long process, you have to kind of just drizzle the the water on as you go, get a freeze, and then drizzle a little bit more. So it’s not a matter of just running a hose,” says Pryde.

Pryde says parks staff have invested hours in the process, and he hopes that the cold snap this week will mean the rink can open this weekend.

The rink has been the focus of some improvements this year through Tantramar’s parks and recreation department. So far, Pryde says the old surface of the rink was dug out and replaced with gravel and crusher dust. The new surface could serve as a good base for a future pad, says Pryde.

“The way things are going climate wise,” says Pryde, “it’s kind of expected that eventually we’ll have to lay a pad down there with artificial ice and a plant.”

Parks staff also repaired a number of boards around the rink, with more improvements to come.… Continue

Sackville Bowling gets some TLC, with hopes of bringing ten pin back to downtown

Carpenter Tyler Carter is working on some improvements to the inside of the Sackville Bowling building on Bridge Street in Sackville. Photo: Erica Butler

It’s been a few years since the lanes at Sackville Bowling have resonated with the sounds of ten pin bowling, but the building’s owner is hoping they may again one day soon.

Debbie Johnstone of Birchwood Holdings is fixing up the building, with the hopes that it might one day be sold or leased to a new operator. Johnstone says Birchwood carpenter Tyler Carter is working on the space to make it safer and more secure. “A lot of things are coming down and being replaced at this point,” says Carter. The alleys themselves are in pretty good shape, he says, though they are due for some maintenance.

“We’ve contacted the guy that used to own [the alley],” says Johnstone, “and he’s going to come down and show us exactly how to get those lanes up and operational.”

The sign outside Sackville Bowling on Bridge Street in Sackville. Photo: Erica Butler

Sackville Bowling first opened in 1939, meaning it predates both the Vogue Cinema, which has been for sale since the summer, and the former Mel’s Tea Room, which is now transformed into new restaurant, Oh Chicken!

The ‘COKE’ sign out front is showing some wear, with the words ‘Sackville Bowling’ nearly worn away, but Johnstone says she is focussed on the inside, making sure the structure is in good shape.… Continue

‘of a feather’ pays tribute to Gay Hansen’s love and respect of nature and environment

Artists Karen Stentaford and Thaddeus Holownia at the installation of their works for ‘of a feather’, which opens Friday at the Owens Art Gallery. Photo: Erica Butler

Artists Karen Stentaford and Thaddeus Holownia have combined their efforts for a new show, ‘of a feather‘, dedicated to the memory of Gay Hansen, a beloved ornithologist, teacher, and lover of nature who passed away in 2021.

Stentaford and Holownia pay tribute to Hansen’s life and spirit through their own work focused on beauty, respect for nature, and “slowing down and appreciation of being where you are,” says Stentaford.

Holownia says he drew from an ongoing body of work for the show. “There’s actually very, very new work that’s come out of my relationship and memories of Gay, and the collection that she put together,” says Holownia, referring to Hansen’s many contributions to the Gay Hansen Ornithology Lab at Mount Allison University.

The show opens at Owens Art Gallery on January 19, and will run until May 15, 2024.

Hear Holownia and Stentaford in conversation with CHMA:

… Continue

‘of a feather’ pays tribute to Gay Hansen’s love and respect for nature and environment

On today’s show, we talk with artists Karen Stentaford and Thaddeus Holownia about their show, of a feather, opening this Friday at the Owens Art Gallery. The show is dedicated to Gay Hansen, a beloved ornithologist, teacher, and lover of nature. Stentaford and Holownia pay tribute to Hansen’s life and spirit through their own work focussed on beauty, respect for nature, and “slowing down and appreciation of being where you are,” says Stentaford.

Plus in news briefs, two new EV chargers are up and running in Dorchester, and town staff are asking people to keep off the Dorchester outdoor rink until it is complete, hopefully by this weekend. … Continue

Advocates say without investment, passenger rail service in the Maritimes is doomed

On today’s show, we hear about concerns for the future of passenger rail service in the Maritimes and other parts of Canada outside of the Windsor, Ontario to Quebec City corridor.

Transport Action Atlantic’s Tim Hayman explains the concerns behind a petition calling on the federal government for immediate action to refurbish VIA Rail’s fleet, and to stop plans to privatize the most profitable parts of its operations.

Plus in news briefs, the Vogue Cinema is a step closer to a possible sale, and Tantramar recognizes its employees and volunteers for longstanding service.

… Continue

An older, shorter man and a taller younger man stand in front of a mantel piece, with a painting of a historic home hanging behind them.

After ten years in business, Cranewood on Main has found its stride

It’s been about 10 years since Malcolm Fisher and his partner Debbie took over Cranewood, the 187-year-old Georgian style house on Main Street in Sackville, which for decades served as the official residence for the president of Mount Allison University. These days, the heritage building is home to Cranewood on Main, a popular cafe, bakery, and sometimes fine dining spot.

“It’s been interesting because the direction has changed over those years,” says Fisher. “But I believe we found our true place in the community, and this is what we’re building on from here on.”

Over the past year, the building has seen some significant renovation, including replaced doors and windows, and major changes in the kitchen. There’s a new, efficient walk-in fridge and walk-in freezer, and a large ventilation hood system that will allow for use of gas ranges. The floor has also been levelled out to make for a more streamlined workspace and accommodate new equipment. Plans also include an expansion of the seating area on the upper floor, where Bee Boutique was formerly located. It’s all working towards “more Cranewood” as manager Malcolm Campbell describes it.

That means additional seating, and also possibly expanded service. In 2021, Chef Kim Martin partnered with Cranewood to offer fine dining pop-ups in the cafe, after it closed for regular operations at 4pm.… Continue

Dorchester rink sees improvements this year, but weather has delayed ice-making

On today’s show, we talk with Tantramar’s Active Living Coordinator Matt Pryde about the Dorchester outdoor community rink. The town made some improvements to the rink this year and is now working on freezing the rink itself, a bit late in the season due to the unseasonably warm weather so far this year. Pryde says, “the way things are going climate wise, it’s kind of expected that eventually we’ll have to lay a pad down there with artificial ice and a plant.”

Plus in news briefs, property assessment notices have been mailed out, and the Owens Art Gallery announces another round of Make Something Sundays workshops.

… Continue

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