FEBRUARY 2025 - ISSUE #327 – HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
41st NS AFRICAN HERITAGE MONTH
This year’s African Heritage Month provincial theme: “Legacy in Action: Celebrating Black Brilliance.” This theme highlights the living legacy of Black Nova Scotians, honouring the impact and perseverance of the long-standing community. Nova Scotia has 52 historic African Nova Scotian communities with a long, deep and complex history dating back over 200 years. African Heritage Month provides us with another opportunity to celebrate the culture, legacy, achievements, and contributions of our Black people – past and present. For a list of African Heritage Month events and proclamations across the province, go to: www.ahm.bccnsweb.com .
NATIONAL FLAG DAY & HERITAGE DAY
The Federal Government has proclaimed February 15th as National Flag of Canada Day. In 1965, sixty years ago, the old Red Ensign Flag with the British Union Jack was replaced with the Red Maple Leaf. To know more facts about our nation’s flag and/or other official national symbols of Canada: www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/official-symbols-canada.html
And be sure to wave our own Provincial and Municipal Flags too! Heritage Day is the third Monday in February each year is set aside as an annual reminder of our storied past and an opportunity to honour the remarkable people, places and events that have contributed to this province’s unique heritage. This year’s date is February 17th. So please enjoy the day! More info at: https://heritageday.novascotia.ca/ . Heritage Day 2025 will honour Nora Bernard. For more information about her: https://heritageday.novascotia.ca/content/2025-honouree-nora-bernard
ICE & SNOW WINTER MAINTENANCE
The Nova Scotia Department of Public Works (NSDPW) does most of the snow removal, ice control and winter road maintenance services in District 2. Our local NS Highway Depots are in West Chezzetcook and Spry Bay. You can e-mail any roadway concerns to the attention of the NSDPW Operations Contact Centre, to: DPW-OCC@novascotia.ca or call 1-844-696-7737. The NSDPW will log it, assign a service ticket number and send it to the appropriate local supervisor. The Province as an online “plowtracker” tool that citizens can track snowploughs on a provincial zoom in map: http://novascotia.ca/tran/winter/plowtracker.asp . Or you can see current highway conditions by going online to the roadside camera website: https://novascotia.ca/tran/cameras/ . Drivers can also get up-to-date road conditions across Nova Scotia by calling the SNOW-line: 1-800-307-SNOW (7669) or 511 or 1-888-432-3233, or visit http://novascotia.ca/tran/winter .
The SNOW-line is updated regularly at 7 AM, 1 PM, and 5 PM or more frequently in case of a major storm event. You can also follow them on Twitter: @NS_PublicWorks . If you have any concerns or complaints about snow removal service in your area that is served by NSDPW, then please contact your Eastern Shore MLA office: Kent.Smith@novascotia.ca or call 902-989-3772. With respect to the communities of North Preston, Westphal, East Preston, Lake Echo, Mineville and all of the Lawrencetown subdivision streets west of the Mineville Road, these areas are being done under the auspices of HRM with a Performance Base Contracted Out Service provider: Ocean Contractors. If you have any concerns about our Snow and Ice Control winter road maintenance, please call the HRM Contact Centre at 311 or reach out to me. For information about HRM Winter Road Maintenance, please go to: www.halifax.ca/transportation/winter-operations
NO MORE ICE THICKNESS REPORTS
Please note that the municipality is no longer conducting ice thickness testing. Over the last number of years, there has been a decline in the number of days available for skating. Based on these changed climate patterns, including rapidly fluctuating temperatures, ice thickness testing is no longer feasible. We realize that some residents may wish to continue skating on lakes, and there may occasionally be times when it is safe to do so. Residents are asked to take safety precautions for themselves and their families by avoiding any further recreation activities on frozen lakes and ponds, including walking, snowmobiling, and skating.
The Red Cross recommends the following:
15 cm ( 6” ) for walking or skating alone
20 cm ( 8” ) for skating parties or games
25 cm ( 10” ) for snowmobiles and ATV’s
For more information about Ice Safety Tips, please visit the Canadian Red Cross website: www.redcross.ca/blog/2019/12/ice-safety-know-when-it-s-safe-to-play
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT GRANTS
The NS Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism, and Heritage’s (CCTH) Community Infrastructure, Active Transportation, and Access-Ability grant programs are now open for applications for the fiscal year 2025-26. This is an important opportunity for local organizations and entities to enhance and improve community facilities and help to support a more accessible and vibrant future for everyone.
Business ACCESS-Ability Program
Offers cost-shared grants to businesses for accessibility related improvements.
https://cch.novascotia.ca/business-access-ability-grant-program
Community ACCESS-Ability Program
Supports renovations and improvements to make community buildings more accessible.
Community Facility Improvement Program
Aids in repairs and upgrades to community facilities open for public use, such as community halls.
https://cch.novascotia.ca/investing-in-our-future/community-facilities-improvement-program
For active transportation projects that improve connectivity within and between communities.
https://novascotia.ca/connect2/
Legion Capital Assistance Program
Assists Royal Canadian Legions with capital upgrades.
Recreation Facility Development / Rink Revitalization Fund
Supports repairs and upgrades to community recreation facilities and rinks.
Application Deadline is Friday, February 14th.
They recommend all potential applicants discuss their projects with a CCTH regional manager or program officer before submitting an application. This will ensure that you are well-informed and best positioned to succeed in securing the support you need.
Contacts for Program Inquiries:
· Community ACCESS-Ability: AccessAbilitygrants@novascotia.ca
· Community Facility Improvement & Legion Capital Assistance: Communitiesns@novascotia.ca
· Connect2: Connect2@novascotia.ca
· Recreation Facility Development and Rink Revitalization (Contact your local Regional Manager):
- Central (Halifax Regional Municipality): Andrea Redmond (centralregion@novascotia.ca)
LET’S ALL GET NEIGHOURBLY
The Eastern Shore Musquodoboit Community Health Board (ESMCHB) believes that strong connections with our neighbours are vital—not just in emergencies, but for our overall well-being. Let’s bring back the spirit of community, supporting each other through good times and tough ones. A neighbourhood is typically a group of 6-20 homes closest to you, forming a community where people live, share, and interact. It’s more than just a geographical area—it’s a network of relationships that develops through shared experiences, mutual support, and collective responsibility. In a neighbourhood, people look out for one another, collaborate on common goals, and foster a sense of belonging. Whether it’s helping a neighbour in need, organizing events, or simply enjoying a friendly chat, a neighbourhood is where community truly comes to life. ESMCHB has introduced an info kit as a guide, “Ideas to Bring Your Neighbourhood Together,” designed to help you create a more connected and vibrant community. From simple gestures like a smile or a wave to organizing neighbourhood potlucks and creative events, this guide offers practical steps for building strong connections with your neighbours. Whether you’re starting a walking group, hosting game nights, or creating a social media hub for your street, these ideas will foster a sense of belonging. Together, we can create welcoming neighbourhoods where everyone feels valued and supported!
The kits are available at the following locations:
HRM Branch Libraries in Sheet Harbour, Musquodoboit Valley & Musquodoboit Harbour; Eastern Shore Family Resource Centre in Porters Lake; Musquodoboit Valley Family Resource Centre in Middle Musquodoboit; Lea Place in Sheet Harbour: the Well-Being Hub and Old School Gathering Place in Musquodoboit Harbour and Artsy Fartsy in Head Chezzetcook. https://artsyfartsy.ca/esmchb/
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