Community celebrates opening of refurbished Henry Ketchum Suspension Bridge in Tidnish Bridge

For several years members of the Tidnish Crossroads and Area Community Association have been working to replace the suspension bridge over the Tidnish River that’s on the route of what would’ve been one of the world’s greatest engineering marvels had it been completed.

Tidnish Crossroads and Area Community Association president Blair Andres (second left) and vice-president Jack Brown (second right) cut the ribbon to officially open the Henry Ketchum Suspension Bridge while provincial Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage Minister Dave Ritcey (left) and Cumberland South MLA Tory Rushton hold the ribbon. Darrell Cole – Municipality of Cumberland photo

Members of the association joined with other supporters on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, to officially open the recently completed Ketchum Suspension Bridge that’s part of the trail signifying the historic Chignecto Marine Ship Railway.

“The new bridge replaces the old dilapidated and unsafe bridge that was originally constructed in 1996 that was truly past its best before date. It has been closed since 2015,” association vice-president Jack Brown said. “The options we had were to remove it, leaving a void in the trail, or replace it. Given its history in relation to the ship railway as a tourist attraction we chose to replace it.”

Removing the old bridge and replacing it with a new one was a monumental task, said Brown – one that local contractor, the Baxter Group, was up for.

The $1.2-million project saw the reinforcement of the abutments and towers at both ends of the bridge that support the massive steel cables. The new bridge is 218 feet long and the treated lumber decking seven feet wide.

The bridge is available to pedestrian traffic as well as all-terrain vehicles, including side-by-sides, and snowmobiles.

The trail upgrades included shale, gravel and crusher dust from the Ketchum Drive and Tyndal Road sides. A parking lot was built and surfaced on the Ketchum Drive side.

The new suspension bridge is located on the Ketchum Trail and replaces the original bridge that opened in 1996. Antony Spalton photo

Association president Blair Andres said the opening is the culmination of more than three years of work. He said it was a huge community effort that saw a lot of volunteer hours put into raising the funds. He said the work will continue with the development of the trails.

The Municipality of Cumberland provided $50,000 to the project.

“This important milestone celebrates not only the preservation of a treasured landmark, but also the enduring spirit of innovation and collaboration that defines this region,” Mayor Rod Gilroy said. “Originally part of the visionary Chignecto Marine Ship Railway project, this bridge stands as a lasting symbol of human ingenuity and ambition.”

Mayor Gilroy said the restoration of the bridge ensures that a remarkable link to the past will continue to inspire future generations, reminding people of the creativity, determination and community pride that has always shaped the area’s history.

“May it once again serve as a place of connection between people, landscapes and the enduring story of the Ship Railway project of more than a century and a quarter ago.”

Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage Minister David Ritcey said the province is pleased to have contributed $500,000 to the project, adding it sits on a remarkable piece of Nova Scotia history.

“The Chignecto ship railway was an ambitious idea that once aimed to connect our province to global trade in a bold new way,” he said. “Today our history continues to bring people together as part of the Henry Ketchum Hiking Trail, a space where residents and visitors can enjoy the natural beauty and rich history of this region. This suspension bridge has become a gathering point for hikers, families and tourists.”

ACOA contributed $456,400 to the project.

“Replacing the Ketchum Suspension Bridge improves the connectivity of the trail network along the Amherst Shore. Outdoor enthusiasts and visitors will be attracted to the area’s unique charm, helping local businesses thrive year-round,” said Alana Hirtle, Member of Parliament for Cumberland-Colchester, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., K.C, Member of Parliament for Central Nova, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

The Off Highway Vehicle Infrastructure Fund and the Christie-Smith Community Fund were also funding partners.

Cumberland Mayor Rod Gilroy is expressing his disappointment with Canada Post for an apparent lack of urgency in dealing with an extended closure of the post office in Springhill.

“It’s very frustrating that the post office doesn’t seem to be in a rush to fix this situation,” Mayor Gilroy said. “Springhill and area residents must travel 30 minutes to Amherst, wait for their mail and travel back. This is unacceptable.”

Municipal staff have met with officials from Canada Post on several occasions to offer space for a temporary location in the administrative building on Main Street in Springhill. Gilroy said there’s space on the ground floor of the former town hall building that was recently vacated by an insurance company.

“Our staff have met with them a couple of times and offered them space in our administration building, but it seems there just isn’t any urgency on their part to find a solution. In fact, it doesn’t have to be in our building, but there must be a temporary solution very soon” the mayor said.

“I am concerned that as winter weather approaches and travel becomes more complicated some in the community will have no access at all to their mail. I’m hopeful that Canada Post will see fit to provide a temporary solution in the coming days. This is an urgent situation that Canada Post needs to deal with accordingly.”

Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre

Ringette Nova Scotia is excited to bring ringette to Springhill and the surrounding communities in 2025-26!

We are hosting a free Come Try Ringette event on Saturday, November 8 at 9:15 am at the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre in Springhill to introduce children and parents to the incredible sport of ringette.

Learn more about Ringette here: https://www.ringette.ca/our-sport/what-is-ringette/

No experience in ringette or skating is necessary – the perfect age to start ringette is the age you are right now!

Join us by registering for our Come Try Ringette event here: cometryringette.ca

The Municipality of Cumberland is one of nine communities across Nova Scotia who are the latest participants in the Community Climate Capacity Program.

Joining Cumberland in the program are the towns of Antigonish, Lockeport, Lunenburg, New Glasgow and Port Hawkesbury; the Municipality of Richmond; and the regions of Queens and West Hants.

The Municipality of Cumberland has been selected to participate in the Community Climate Capacity Program. Through the program, the municipality will align its municipal planning strategy with coastal protection and climate priorities. Tom McCoag photo

Through the Community Climate Capacity Program, the Municipality of Cumberland will align its municipal planning strategy with coastal protection and climate priorities; develop and distribute public engagement materials on coastal hazards, such as flood risk, and develop flood policy.

“We are very pleased to be part of this program and the services provided to better define our coastal protection policies in the plan review we have underway,” the municipality’s director of development and planning Glen Boone said. “Having someone who is focused on that issue can help support that process.”

Boone said Cumberland County is unique geographically in that it has three coastlines – the Northumberland Strait, the Bay of Fundy and the Chignecto Bay.

“They’re all unique and distinct in their own way,” he said.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Timothy Halman made the announcement Oct. 21 at the Community Climate Capacity Summit in Truro. The event brought together community representatives from across Nova Scotia to collaborate on best practices, learn from each other’s experiences and gain insight into climate and sustainability initiatives at the local level.

“Our government is investing to protect communities from the impacts of climate change,” the minister said. “From flood planning to costal protections to exploring clean energy, we are supporting those who know their communities best to take action in ways that make the most sense for their communities.”

To date, the government has invested $7.3 million in the Community Climate Capacity Program to support local action in response to climate change.

Effective immediately, the Joggins Fire Department is no longer registered by the Municipality as a fire department pursuant to the Municipal Government Act. The Municipality is not satisfied that the department is capable of providing fire and emergency services to its assigned area and the same services are being provided to the area by the neighboring River Hebert Fire Department.

Effective immediately, the River Hebert Fire Department will serve the River Hebert and Joggins coverage area from the existing fire hall in River Hebert.

These changes are effective immediately. All relevant emergency response and government agencies have been notified. For residents in the River Hebert and Joggins areas, the change should be seamless – if you have an emergency, CALL 911.

In making this announcement, the Municipality wishes to acknowledge the long and rich history of fire and emergency services in the Joggins community and thank all of the selfless volunteer firefighters and others who have for decades given of their time and resources in service of their community.

The Municipality is not, however, satisfied that the present Joggins Fire Department is capable of providing fire and emergency services for a number of reasons. An engineering assessment has deemed the fire hall in Joggins an unsafe and inappropriate building from which to provide fire services. The leadership of the Joggins Fire Department has been determined to be incapable of managing the department in an appropriate manner due to training and technical competency deficiencies and numerous examples of misconduct and poor judgement.

A duplicate coverage model has been place for many years as both the River Hebert and Joggins Fire Departments respond to all calls in both coverage areas.

Later this month, Council will consider a recommendation from staff that a capital budget amendment be approved to facilitate tenders being called this fall for the construction of a new fire hall in the River Hebert. Initial estimates of the cost of the building are $3.5 million, subject to the tendering process. The recommendation will include a provision for a public water station in the tender specification to address concerns about well water quality in the area.

MONDAY AFTERNOON CARDS (45’S) & RUMMOLI

Springhill Junction Community Hall [16422 Hwy 2]

Doors open 12:30 ~ play at 1 pm, till 3 pm

COST: $2.00 with 5 cents a pot

(Also do a 50/50)

Beginners welcome!

The Cumberland County Coin Club is as the name implies a group of people who meet each month to discuss, learn and share information about the exciting hobby of coin collection or numismatics. Formed this year we are already 15 members strong and growing. Each month we meet to discuss topics of interests to collectors, hold raffles and starting in October we will be having a monthly auction where members can bid on interesting and unique items brought in by other members. We also host special guest speakers who present talks on varied and interesting topics according to their own expertise. The club meets every second Tuesday in the meeting room off the walking track at 7pm. All are welcome to attend, and membership is only 15 dollars for the year. Hope to see you there!

Here is what is coming up at the Wentworth Recreation Centre from November 2025 to January 2026.

The 34th Annual Christmas Craft Fair will be held on Sunday November 9 from 9 am to 2 pm. There is a $2.00 Admission to get in and shop for your Christmas list. The canteen will offer turkey burgers, seafood chowder, and more. Come for the wonderful Christmas crafts and stay for the food!

The Cumberland Singers Christmas Concert is on Friday, December 6.

The first-ever New Year’s Levy offering food and live music free of charge is on January 1 in the afternoon. Help us kick off 2026 in style!

As ever, we still offer the popular Walk and Talk, Pickleball, Bingo, and Monday Games Night. This year, we have added Yoga, Basketball, and Badminton. The new youth programs include Basketball per age group as well as Fun Time for the younger ages. There is no charge for these youth programs.

For further information on any of these programs and events, please see our website at

www.wentworthrecctr.com.

We hope to see you out here at the Wentworth Recreation Centre!

Check out the three flyers we have below.

Have you, or someone you know, suffered a reaction to the covid vaccine? My deceased wife, Carol Ann Boland, suffered a major stroke two weeks after getting her first Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19. There are many cases where people suffered from very serious health issues related to getting the vaccine. There is a class action lawsuit for Canadians who suffered from the effects of the vaccine, and you may be able to get compensation for losses to your health or the loss of your loved one. Here is the link that will take you to the website for the class action lawsuit:

https://clg.org/Class-Action/List-of-Class-Actions/Canadian-Vaccine-Injury-Compensation-Program

Below is one person I know who developed all of these conditions after receiving three mandatory COVID-19 vaccines. The workplace they worked at told her the vaccine was mandatory. The list is long, and they have had these conditions since 2022. Imagine throwing up continuously for two years, going on three years? They had none of these conditions before they got vaccinated.

Graves Disease
Vitamin D Deficiency
Iron Deficiency
Reactive Leukocytosis
Thrombocytosis
Neutrophilia
Anemia of Chronic Disease
Dyslipidemia
Osteoarthritis
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Psoriatic Arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Palmoplantar Pustulosis Psoriasis
Gastritis
Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Lymphocytic Colitis
Small Bowel Crohn’s
Gastroparesis
Global Dysmotility in Small Bowel

___________________________________________________

PFIZER JUST RELEASED ITS LIST OF SIDE EFFECTS FROM ITS ‘COVID-19 VACCINE’… and the list of some side effects of the Pfizer-Biontech Covid-19 Vaccine. TAKE-HEED!

Blood thrombosis.

Acute kidney injury,

Acute flaccid myelitis,

Positive anti-sperm antibodies,

Brainstem embolism,

Brainstem thrombosis,

Cardiac arrest (hundreds of cases),

Heart failure,

Cardiac ventricular thrombosis,

Cardiogenic shock,

Central nervous system vasculitis,

Neonatal death,

Deep vein thrombosis,

Brainstem encephalitis,

Hemorrhagic encephalitis,

Frontal lobe epilepsy,

Foaming at the mouth,

Epileptic psychosis,

Facial paralysis,

Fetal distress syndrome,

Gastrointestinal amyloidosis,

Generalized tonic-clonic seizure,

Hashimoto’s encephalopathy,

Hepatic vascular thrombosis,

Herpes zoster reactivation,

Hepatitis  Immune-mediated,

Interstitial lung disease,

Jugular vein embolism,

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy,

Liver damage,

Low birth weight,

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children,

Myocarditis,

Neonatal seizure,

Pancreatitis,

Pneumonia,

Stillbirth,

Tachycardia,

Temporal lobe epilepsy,

Testicular autoimmunity,

Thrombotic stroke,

Type 1 diabetes mellitus,

Neonatal venous thrombosis,

Vertebral artery thrombosis,

Pericarditis,

Sudden death.

Below is a comprehensive list of scams affecting Canadian citizens.

How I got scammed on Facebook Marketplace

A little while ago, I was going to buy a fridge off Facebook Marketplace. I contacted a person who had an ad for a refrigerator that was only eight months old. He asked for a deposit because he had driven to a place to drop off some items, but the person wasn’t there. So, I sent him $150.00. I needed to pay him a total of $300.00 for the fridge and for him to deliver it to me. I was thrilled to get a nearly new fridge, so I asked him if he had any other household items I was looking for. He started sending me pictures of what he had: a king-sized bed, a queen-sized bed and a mattress. A table and chairs, and maybe something else, I can’t remember. I sent him a total of $750.00. Well, he never showed up. He told me that the items were from his grandmother’s estate, and she had recently passed. I was so excited to get this stuff from his grandmother’s estate. Every time I asked about something he had, he’d send me a picture, and it always looked terrific! The next day, after I realized I had been scammed. I thought about the photos he sent me of his ‘grandmother’s’ items. I could have kicked myself. They were just random stock images. He got me good. Please read the following steps to avoid falling victim to scams, like I did.

1. Never, never send any money to anyone, regardless of how sincere they are. This guy played on my emotions. His grandmother died. He had a truck full of furniture. Beautiful furniture.
2. If you agree to an e-transfer, please make sure the item he sold you is at your door. Be careful. Check the item over, make sure it’s working.
3. Too Good to Be True
4. If a deal looks way below market value, it’s probably a scam. Scammers lure buyers with unrealistically low prices.
5. Pressure to Act Fast
6. Scammers often say things like “first come, first served” or “I have other buyers waiting” to rush you into making a decision without thinking.
7. Requests for Payment Outside Facebook
8. Never send money via wire transfer, gift cards, Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle. Use Facebook’s official checkout or pay in cash in person.
9. Refusal to Meet in Person
10. If the seller won’t meet locally or makes excuses (traveling, military deployment, etc.), it’s a red flag.
11. Fake or Stolen Photos
12. Reverse image search the photos. If you find them on other sites or listings, it’s likely a scam.
13. Suspicious Profiles
14. Check the seller’s profile. New accounts, few friends, or no history of Marketplace activity are warning signs.
15. Overpayment Scams
16. If a buyer “accidentally” sends you too much money and asks for a refund, it’s a scam. The original payment will bounce.
17. Shipping Scams
18. Never agree to ship items before receiving payment. Scammers may send fake shipping labels or claim to have sent payment.
19. Fake Payment Confirmations
20. Scammers may send fake screenshots or emails claiming they’ve paid. Always check your actual account for payment.
21. Requests for Personal Information
22. Never share your address, phone number, or banking info. Scammers can use this for identity theft.
23. Code Verification Scams
24. If someone asks you to send them a code (like a Google Voice verification), they’re trying to hijack your phone number.
25. Unusual Payment Methods
26. Avoid buyers or sellers who insist on using gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other non-traceable payment methods.
27. Broken English or Odd Communication
28. Many scam messages are poorly written or use odd phrasing. Trust your gut if something feels off.
29. No-Show or Last-Minute Changes
30. If a buyer or seller keeps changing the meeting location or time, or doesn’t show up, it could be a setup for a scam or worse.
31. Fake Rental Listings
32. Scammers post fake rental properties and ask for deposits before you see the place. Never pay before seeing a rental in person.
33. Phishing Links
34. Never click on links sent by buyers or sellers. They may lead to phishing sites designed to steal your info.
35. Fake Facebook Support Messages
36. Scammers may impersonate Facebook support, claiming your account is at risk and asking for login info.
37. Check for Reviews
38. If the seller has reviews, read them. Lack of reviews or all 5-star reviews from new accounts can be suspicious.
39. Meet in Safe Locations
40. Always meet in public, well-lit places, preferably with security cameras (like police stations or busy parking lots).
41. Bring a Friend
42. If possible, don’t go alone to meet a stranger for a transaction.
43. Trust Your Instincts
44. If anything feels off, walk away. No deal is worth risking your safety or money.

Government Impersonation Scams: Scammers pose as government officials, claiming there’s an issue with your account or that you owe money. They may ask for personal information, passwords, or money. Be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages, and never give out sensitive information.

Crypto Scams: Fraudsters promise high returns on investments in cryptocurrencies, but these are often Ponzi schemes. Be wary of guaranteed high returns, especially if they seem too good to be true.

Romance Scams: Scammers build fake relationships online, then ask for money or personal information. Be cautious of people you meet online, especially if they ask for money or financial help.

Job Scams: Scammers offer fake job opportunities, often requiring upfront payments or personal information. Be cautious of jobs that require you to pay for training or equipment.

Extortion Scams: Scammers threaten to release compromising information or videos unless you pay them. These scams often use personal information found online to make the threat more believable. Never give in to these demands, and report them to the authorities.

Phishing Scams: Scammers send fake emails or texts claiming to be from banks or other institutions, asking for login credentials or personal information. Be cautious of unsolicited messages, and never click on suspicious links or provide sensitive information.

Investment Scams: Scammers promise high returns on investments, but these are often fraudulent schemes. Be cautious of guaranteed high returns, especially if they seem too good to be true, and always research the investment thoroughly.

Spear Phishing Scams: Scammers target specific individuals or businesses with tailored phishing emails or messages. Be cautious of unsolicited messages, especially if they contain personal information or seem urgent.

QR Code Scams: Scammers use QR codes to steal personal information or money. Be cautious of QR codes sent by email or text, and never scan a QR code from an unknown source.

SIM Swapping Scams: Scammers steal your phone number by swapping your SIM card, then use your number to access your accounts. Be cautious of unexpected changes to your phone service, and report any suspicious activity to your carrier.

Fake Website Scams: Scammers create fake websites that look legitimate, offering products or services at very low prices. Be cautious of websites with poor grammar, misspelled URLs, or those that ask for payment through unusual means.

Charity Scams: Scammers pose as charities, asking for donations. Research the charity thoroughly, and never give out personal or financial information.

Home Repair Scams: Scammers offer to do home repairs at a low cost, but then demand more money or do subpar work. Always research contractors and get multiple quotes before hiring.

Investment Scams: Scammers promise high returns on investments, but these are often fraudulent schemes. Be cautious of guaranteed high returns, especially if they seem too good to be true, and always research the investment thoroughly.

Tech Support Scams: Scammers pose as tech support, claiming your computer has a virus or needs urgent maintenance. They may ask for access to your computer or payment for services. Be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages, and never give out personal or financial information.

Grandparent Scams: Scammers pose as a grandchild or a relative, claiming to be in an emergency and needing money. Be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages, and verify the identity of the caller before sending any money.

Online Shopping Scams: Scammers create fake online stores or offer products at very low prices. Be cautious of websites with poor grammar, misspelled URLs, or those that ask for payment through unusual means.

Travel Scams: Scammers offer fake travel deals or vacation packages at very low prices. Be cautious of unsolicited offers, and research the travel company thoroughly before booking.

Banking Scams: Scammers pose as bank representatives, claiming there’s an issue with your account. They may ask for personal information, passwords, or money. Be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages, and never give out sensitive information.

Utility Scams: Scammers pose as utility company representatives, claiming you owe money or need to pay for a service. Be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages, and verify the identity of the caller before making any payments.

Fake Prize Scams: Scammers claim you’ve won a prize or a contest, but you need to pay a fee to claim it. Be cautious of unsolicited messages, and never pay for a prize you didn’t enter.

Home Security Scams: Scammers offer to install home security systems at a low cost, but then demand more money or do subpar work. Always research contractors and get multiple quotes before hiring.

Moving Scams: Scammers offer to help with moving, but then demand more money or steal your belongings. Always research moving companies and get multiple quotes before hiring.

Pet Scams: Scammers offer to sell pets online, but the pets don’t exist. Be cautious of unsolicited messages, and never send money for a pet you haven’t seen in person.

Student Loan Scams: Scammers pose as government officials, claiming they can help with student loan forgiveness or consolidation. Be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages, and never give out personal or financial information.

(New!) Life Insurance Policy Scam

The New Brunswick RCMP is warning the public about a new life insurance policy scam that is currently active in New Brunswick.

Police believe that the scammers obtain information from obituaries, and a few months later, contact a family member of the deceased to notify them of a life insurance policy payout. In many cases, the scammers identify themselves by a common first name and a well-known life insurance company, and inform the relative that they are the beneficiary.

The scammer will use the information provided in the obituary to obtain more personal information. Once personal information has been obtained, it can be used to commit other frauds. For example, a scammer can create fake identity documents and apply for credit using someone else’s name and personal banking information, and disappear with the money.

“These scammers take advantage of an emotional situation to get people to share their personal information,” said Cpl Matt LeBlanc-Smith from the New Brunswick RCMP. “Please be cautious about providing any financial or personal details over the phone before confirming that it is a legitimate request from an authorized entity. One way to do this is to hang up and call the company directly.

For further information on the types of frauds and scams currently circulating and on how to best protect yourself, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website. Please report any suspicious requests to your local detachment.

https://rcmp.ca/…/rcmp-alerting-public-new-life…

(New!) NS Power Scam

Due to the recent cyber incident, there has been an increase in fraudulent phone, text, and social media websites posing as us at Nova Scotia Power. We encourage you to remain vigilant and cautious about any unsolicited communications that appear to be from Nova Scotia Power asking you to provide your personal information.

Please avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments without confirming they are from a legitimate source. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of any communications from our team, please confirm the contact information for our Customer Care Centre here >

nspower.ca/customer-service.

Spices Scam

Heads up! An online offer says, “My son works at McCormicks’ Spices and says, pending where you live, you can get a complete spice rack for $15”. Please beware – I fell for this, and it turned out to be an American company. My Canadian bank warned me of attempted fraudulent activity on my card, and I have now canceled my card. It looked and appeared so legit!

Canada Carbon Tax Rebate Scam

Hotel Scam

This is one of the best scams I’ve heard about.

You arrive at your hotel and check-in at the front desk. Typically, you give the front desk your credit card (for any charges to your room).

You go to your room and settle in. All is good.

The hotel receives a call, and the caller asks for (as an example) room 620 – which happens to be your room.

The phone rings in your room. You answer, and the person on the other end says, ‘ This is the front desk. When checking in, we encountered a problem with your charge card information. Please re-read me your credit card number and verify the last 3 digits on the reverse side of your charge card.’

Not thinking anything wrong, since the call seems to come from the front desk, you oblige.

But it is a scam by someone calling from outside the hotel.

They have asked for a random room number and then asked you for your credit card and address information.

They sound so professional that you think you are talking to the front desk.

If you ever encounter this scenario on your travels, tell the caller that you will be down to the front desk to clear up any problems. Then, go to the front desk or call directly and ask if there was a problem.

If there was none, inform the hotel manager that someone, acting like a front desk employee, tried to scam you of your credit card information.

This was sent by someone who has been duped……..and is still cleaning up the mess.

ANYONE traveling should be aware of this one!

Uranium bedrock is located in these areas of NS. “At the levels of uranium detected in some bedrock aquifers in Nova Scotia (>20 μg/L), long-term ingestion of well water from these aquifers can cause kidney disease. About 42% of Nova Scotians are supplied by private wells and these water sources are not monitored or regulated with respect to water quality. Effective communication of the health risks associated with the ingestion of uranium in drinking water from private wells is critical for reducing uranium exposure and protecting human health.”

https://novascotia.ca/natr/meb/data/pubs/20ofr01/ofr_me_2020-001.pdf

Municipality of Cumberland Mayor Rod Gilroy (left) presents the Municipality’s Community Support and Service Award to Paul Williams of GOVRC in Springhill during the Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce’s awards gala on Oct. 23, 2025.

That commitment was recognized on Thursday, Oct. 23, when it was presented with the Municipality of Cumberland’s Community Support and Service Award during the Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards ceremony that coincided with Small Business Week.

“It’s a tremendous honour and the clients are very proud to be the recipient of this award as it recognizes what they do every day here at GOVRC and in the community,” manager Paul Williams said. “To me it’s a thankful reward for my board trusting me in revising and changing the program to allow our clients to be more inclusive in the community and more active in the community.

“We’ve expanded into a food program and a rec and leisure program and every week we’re working to get out into the community to do something different for everyone to be part of the community.”

GOVRC opened as an activity centre in 1972. The program had seven clients and included social and recreational activities such as making small crafts, knitting, colouring, bowling, dances and other events.

GOVRC staff and clients celebrated the organization’s recognition by the Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce with the Municipality of Cumberland Community Service and Support Award at the chamber’s annual awards gala on Oct. 23, 2025.

It was funded via grants and received free rent from the ROAB Lodge and continued to be operated by volunteers until the late 1970s when the provincial Community Services Department began providing an annual grant that enabled the centre to hire a full-time coordinatorand saw a change in the focus to teaching vocational skills that produced quality controlled products that were sold to raise money and provide life skills programs.

The workshop opened in Springhill’s industrial park in 1980 and in 1988 an expansion was completed and a greenhouse constructed.

GOVRC is partially funded by the province of Nova Scotia, and operates social enterprises including a greenhouse, an on-line auction, laundry services and a woodworking shop that assembles pallets, survey stakes and kindling. These social enterprises provide valuable employment and life skills to our participants.

It primarily provides pallets to Cumberland County manufacturers such as Compass Minerals, Granby Furnaces, Mauser (Ropak) Packaging, Benjamin’s and Waldale Manufacturing.

It also repairs pallets for Oxford Frozen Foods each year to divert materials destined for the municipal landfill.