The River View Volume Two, Issue Three by ViewoftheTides

A Bank Building Comes Back From the Brink

The former Bank of New Brunswick, and later Bank of Nova Scotia, building at the crossroads in Riverside-Albert is now under the care of the Chipoudy Communities Revitalization Committee (CCRC). That group is working to determine next steps for the historic structure.

Until 2021 the building operated as a museum. Says William McCullum, chair of the CCRC board, “COVID hit the museum hard.” As volunteers found it difficult to continue, “our group started to talk about not allowing this building to become decrepit, or be torn down, or fall into disuse.

“It took a while, but we acquired the building last May.”

Its roots go back to the original construction in 1903, as the Bank of

New Brunswick, which merged with the Bank of Nova Scotia in 1913.

The bank once housed a gracious apartment for the bank’s manager and family and for decades stood as one of the most prominent buildings in the community. It was moved twice –including once by horse and a small crew of men in the 1920s, and again using more modern methods around the time it was converted to a museum.

The building was in fulltime use as a bank into the 1980s. At that time banks, like many other businesses and organizations, began consolidating into larger communities and closing outlets in smaller

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3

PUBLISHER: Eric Lawson

SALES MANAGER: Brian Lane

DESIGNER: Rachel Sheldrake

Published by A View of the Tides Communications

Distributed free in public buildings, retirement residences, convenience stores, and retail and service waiting rooms from Alma to Salisbury.

Welcome

Publisher: Eric Lawson at 506 863 7324 or via viewofthetides@gmail.com

For advertising information, please contact Brian Lane at 506 860 0015 or via lane309@gmail.com

OUR PEOPLE OUR STORIES

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

APRIL 3, 2025

MAY 1, 2025

JUNE 5, 2025

JULY 3, 2025

SEPTEMBER 4, 2025

NOVEMBER 6, 2025

DECEMBER 4, 2025

ur readership area is bursting with historic architecture. These buildings - some still in use, some incorporated into museums and historic sites, some in need of restoration – all tell stories in their own right.

We feature one of them in this issue – the former Bank of New Brunswick (and later Bank of Nova Scotia) at the crossroads in Riverside-Albert. Efforts are underway to ensure this beautiful building finds a new purpose. We here at The River View hope those efforts are successful – our built heritage is a treasure not to be lost.

In this issue we also look at the library’s latest offerings, offer insights into wellness, talk to the welcoming folks at the Riverview Pickleball Club (heck, they even let us southpaws in to play), feature readers’ pets and the beauty of Mill Creek park in winter, and talk to Salisbury Mayor Robert Campbell about his community’s new fire hall, now under construction.

We also introduce a new feature. In place of the usual Q & A format, we offer two First Person articles – submissions from Don Coleman and Rod MacLeod recounting their personal experiences. Both gentlemen credit the hard work of diverse teams for the success of the ventures they represent – which seems entirely representative of the beautiful corner of the world we call home.

We also have information on page 15 about a fundraiser for Francine Gavin-Cohoon and Terry Cohoon. If you would still like to donate after the event itself, you can contact Donnie Steeves at 506 295 6891.

Enjoy! Your comments are always welcome, either at 506-863-7324 or via viewofthetides@gmail.com.

Thank you.

Eric Lawson Publisher

Eric Lawson

Brian Lane

communities; the Bank of Nova Scotia was no exception, and the branch ultimately closed.

The CCRC hosted two community meetings to discuss possibilities, the first in October of 2023 and a follow-up in July of 2024, which identified the need for a community-first approach and a focus on the crossroads as a community centrepiece.

McCullum says that a number of ideas have been discussed for the space – a Credit Union and a retail outlet are ideas that have been identified – but that nothing has been decided.

He adds, “we would like to see the old bank building serve as a hub, as the centre of the revitalization of that corner and of the entire Riverside-Albert area. We would like to see some aspect of the history be preserved, even if the building is modernized. It will not reopen in exactly the same way,

We would like to see the old bank building serve as a hub, as the centre of the revitalization of that corner and of the entire Riverside-Albert area. We would like to see some aspect of the history be preserved, even if the building is modernized. It will not reopen in exactly the same way, but we wish to maintain as much of that history as we can even as we develop a contemporary use for the space.

but we wish to maintain as much of that history as we can even as we develop a contemporary use for the space.”

Any building of the former bank’s vintage will require some upkeep, but McCullum notes that the building is structurally sound. “The bones of the building are really very sound.”

The bank building’s future is one of a range of projects currently being undertaken by the CCRC. The committee also acquired the Anderson Hollow lighthouse in May. Discussions are underway with the municipality to determine if the lighthouse can also be located near the crossroads.

Meet Janice Corey Client Services Manager at Parkland Riverview

Janice

One of Mill Creek Nature Park’s furry denizens enjoying the park in winter.

A growing community readies to welcome a new fire hall

“Because we are a growing region, we have growing needs – including in firefighting.”

Those are the words of Salisbury mayor Robert Campbell.

The town will welcome a new fire hall on Main Street in October. As construction proceeds, Campbell reflects on the value of the building itself, but also on the impact the facility will have on the people of Salisbury and surrounding region.

“The firefighters association commented recently on the growing number of calls fire departments are receiving across the province, including here. Houses today contain different types of building materials, fires may burn hotter and faster than they used to, and we are called to more accidents on the highway as Greater Moncton and area continues to grow, increasing highway traffic.

“And of course, as we have more houses there is the potential for more fires.

So, we want to respond to that growing need.”

The new fire hall to serve Salisbury Fire and Rescue will allow the town to house more and newer equipment and also bring a benefit that may not have been anticipated by everyone in the community – the old building’s small size restricts the number of firefighters.

Says Campbell, “The old building capped the number of firefighters who could be in the building. The new fire hall will allow us to grow membership in the volunteer fire brigade. That will be needed to meet the growing needs.

“The new building shows an investment in our volunteers. Firefighting is one of the most potentially hazardous volunteer positions, so from a health and safety perspective for the firefighters, it allows us to provide them with the amenities necessary to make their jobs safer.

“That shows that as a community, we care about our firefighters.

We hope that in turn will prompt more volunteers to step forward.”

Campbell refers to firefighting as “the ultimate commitment” in volunteering. “It is a commitment for you, but also for your family, for everyone you are surrounded with. You are indicating that you are available twenty-four hours a day, evenings, weekends, holidays. These are people who care that much about their community. I do not use the word Hero lightly, but that is what these men and women are.”

The new fire hall will also be net-zero ready. “The energy efficiency and other savings that we will realize in future mean that this building will eventually start to pay for itself. It will take time, but eventually this building will cost less than a traditional building.

“This is the town’s largest capital project since 2004 and it was important for us to send a message on how Salisbury as a small town can lead with this net zero initiative. The building is built for fifty or more years, with the green ele-

ments saving costs coupled with the use Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF).”

The new building will be prominent on the town’s main thoroughfare, while also increasing safety. “The old building is on a side street across from a school, which is not ideal.”

Bringing the firehall “into the 21st century” says, Campbell, “is a need not a want.”

The mayor also reflects on the outpouring of love and respect for his service that was exhibited for Fire Captain Tim Dryden, who

passed away late in 2024. Dryden served for twenty-seven years with Salisbury Fire and Rescue, including as Chief and as Fire Prevention Officer. He was highly regarded in his community and by his fellow first responders.

“The impact that he had has shown a lot of individuals the impact that one person can have. We all have so much pride in Tim’s contributions to the community. Tim proved that if you respond to your community, your community responds back.”

The new fire hall under construction on Main Street in Salisbury.

EVELYN’S KITCHEN

This month’s recipe is for Valentine’s

Day Breakfast

Ingredients :

Chocolate Dipped

Strawberries

• 6 - 8 strawberries

• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

• 1 tbsp milk

Pancakes

• 2 tbsp granulated sugar

• 1 cup flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 egg

• 2 tbsp melted butter

• 1 cup milk

• Optional 2/3 cup blueberries

Pancake topping

• Pure maple syrup and butter

Instructions:

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

1. Add milk to chocolate chips. Melt mixture on medium heat in microwave for 60 seconds. Stir well.

2. Partially dip berries in melted chocolate and set on cooling rack while cooking pancakes.

Pancakes

3. Warm maple syrup and set aside.

4. Preheat nonstick frying pan to medium low heat.

5. Mix together flour, sugar and baking powder. Add melted butter and milk to lightly beaten egg and then add liquid mixture to flour mixture. Stir in blueberries.

6. Spoon batter into approximately 4” circles in frying pan and wait for 2 to 3 minutes until pancakes have lots of bubbles on top and are ready to flip with spatula.

7. Cook for another 1- 3 minutes until golden brown on bottom. Remove from pan. (Then, I shaped my pancakes using my 4” heart-shaped cookie cutter.)

8. The pancakes can be prepared the day before, refrigerated and rewarmed in microwave on Valentine’s Day morning. The strawberries can also be prepared early and refrigerated.

9. Decorate your pancake plate with Valentine’s chocolates and your chocolate dipped strawberries. Serve pancakes with butter and pure Maple Syrup.

10. Enjoy!

Grade Golden: This class has a light to more pronounced golden colour and a delicate or mild maple flavour and can be used many ways other than toppings. It is excellent for salad dressings, soups and sauces. This syrup is also great for making other pure maple products such as: Pure maple butter, pure maple cream and maple suckers. Preferred by consumers who prefer a lighter coloured maple syrup with a delicate or mild taste.

Grade Amber: This syrup has a light amber colour and a rich or full-bodied taste. It is the most commonly used syrup for toppings. It is an excellent good all-round use maple syrup. Used as a topping, for

cooking or as a sweetener for most recipes. Preferred by consumers who like a full-bodied tasting syrup of medium taste intensity.

Grade Dark: This syrup is dark in colour and has a more robust or stronger taste than syrup in lighter colour classes. It is highly recommended for sweetening your coffee or as a substitute in cooking, although many still desire its strong taste for toppings. Consumers prefer this syrup for its dark colour, with its stronger more robust taste. This grade of syrup makes excellent boiled frosting!

Grade Very Dark: This syrup class has a very strong taste. It is generally used for cooking but many consumers do prefer it for table usage. Preferred by consumers who like a syrup with a very strong taste! Often used for the maple syrup cleanse.

FIRST PERSON - ROD MACLEOD

For the Codiac Woodworkers Guild, it is all about Community

The Codiac Woodworkers Guild provides an opportunity for woodworkers who do not have a home workshop, or who may have once had one but have since sold their home, to continue to practice their craft at a community woodworking shop.

They are located in a former storage facility next to the Town of Riverview’s Parks and Recreation offices at 55 Biggs Avenue, a portion of which has been remodelled for the Guild’s purposes. Woodworkers share equipment so that the Guild’s approximately one hundred and forty five members can continue to pursue a hobby they enjoy.

Co-Founder Rod MacLeod of Riverview notes that the guild in turn supports a range of commun-

ity initiatives and volunteer organizations, giving back to the community.

Rod describes the Guild’s genesis and good work in this First Person story:

“I had mentioned to Jim Merzetti a year prior to us starting up about a community wood shop I belonged to in Florida in the winter. He contacted me the following year and said we should do that as he was thinking of selling his house.

Jim, Marie-Claire Pierce, and I started planning this in May of 2020 at the height of COVID. We had to meet outside on my patio and maintain our distance. I must admit that at first, I thought the cost of a building would make the idea unfeasible.

But Jim had the drive to

get things started, MarieClaire had the wordsmithing skill and the ability to navigate grant applications, and I had the mechanical and setup skills.

After that we had a few more meetings and put together a constitution, incorporated as a non-profit, and started applying for government grants.

We floated the idea to the Town of Riverview’s Parks and Recreation department and received a very positive reception.

Ash Arrowsmith showed us this building, which at that time was being used for storage. It was a great space and suited our needs.

We had a meeting with Parks and Recreation managers and Ward Four councillor Wayne Bennett, who is himself an avid

woodworker. The building was offered to us on very favourable terms that made the project viable.

After that it was game on, and we started cleaning and painting and spreading the word. We pooled our equipment and that of others that was donated and set up shop.

We opened in November of 2020. Fortunately, our grant applications were approved and with the help of the federal and provincial governments we were able to install proper dust control and by some new equipment.

This year we also received some financial support from the City of Moncton as about fifty percent of our members are from Moncton.

All our setup and ongoing maintenance is

carried out by volunteer members. We are very fortunate that our membership has a wide variety of skills, abilities, and a willingness in the club to do everything from cleanup to web hosting.

Over the last few years, the members have completed several projects for nonprofits and charities in Moncton and Riverview. A few that I can remember are: for Rising Tides, we built bedside tables and did millwork for an historical building they renovated for the homeless; we built a pergola for the garden at Albert House Hospice so the residents can

READY TO SERVE YOU: Our office is open to serve you at 1037 Route 114, Lower Coverdale, NB Mondays are Constituent Days! If you need help with issues under provincial jurisdiction, we invite you to call or email us We offer meetings at the office by appointment so that we can ensure that you have our full attention

WE’RE VISITING THROUGHOUT OUR RIDING:

Sherry is excited to meet you and to get to know the people and businesses of Albeert-Riverview We welcome your suggestions of local businesses that we can proﬁle on our Facebook page, and of course, we hope to meet you in the coﬀee shops, restaurants, and around the riding We deppend on you to know what is going on and what needs attention – so reach out with your issues and concerns so that we know how we can help

NEW BRUNSWICK’S INFORMATION HUB:

211 is an information and referral service that connects s New Brunswickers to critical human, social, community and government support It helps New Brrunswickers to access the entire network of government and community programs or services, and quickly ﬁnd what they need for their unique situation It is 100% free and conﬁdential.

Always call 911 for emergency services, but you can call 211 or visit nb 211 ca for information on how to access food baanks, walk-in clinics, Alzheimer's support, mental health help, Meals on Wheels, emergency shelters for the homeless, domestic violence victim services, Public Health, crisis services, helpline phone n numbers, settlement help for newcomers, housing help centres, youth drop-in programs, child, youth and family counselling, emergency utility assistance, understanding which government service might hellp or assistance, disability support programs, parenting programs and other government services

Founders Jim Merzetti and Rod MacLeod in the workshop. Missing from the photo is co-founder Marie-Claire Pierce.

enjoy the garden with some shade; we have hosted the Cub Scouts for building of Cub cars the last couple of years; we built about twenty instrument racks for the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra and Sistema; we have made signs, steps, and numbers for CDT Disc Golf; we make work benches on an ongoing basis for veterans taking a woodworking course through the Purple Heart Program; and we do regular projects for the Town of Riverview as part of our agreement for our section

of the building.

We are constantly changing and, we hope, improving the shop. New members bring new ideas, and old members find new YouTube videos!

There have been a lot of beautiful projects created here over the last four years and a lot more to come for the Codiac Woodworkers Guild.

We presently have a membership of about one hundred and forty five with a cap at one hundred and fifty. Our members are men and women from

all walks of life and possess all levels of skill. It is a great place to continue woodworking with like-minded people.

I am very proud of this shop and the members’ contributions to the community. We are very appreciative of the support this community has given us. We have even been the beneficiary of some estates, when families have donated equipment of woodworkers who have passed away.”

Ross

John Snider and

MacKay at work at Codiac Woodworkers Guild.

Karin Gilroy of Riverview

Thank you

to the Town of Riverview, their staff, volunteers, and to all who came out to enjoy a wonderful 2025 Riverview Winter Carnival.

Wishing everyone a happy Valentines Day as well as a fun and exciting Family Day on February 17th.

Rob Weir, MLA for Riverview

567 Coverdale Rd, Unit 18A Riverview, NB E1B 3K7

506.856.2295

Rob.Weir@gnb.ca

“Blindness separates us from THINGS but deafness separates us from PEOPLE.”

- Helen Keller

ByCathCollette

TThere is always something new at the library

here is always something new at the Riverview Public Library. Two of the newer selections include the non-fiction Misbelief: What makes rational people believe irrational things; which looks at conspiracy theories. The novel, The Fiction Writer, is a mystery that weaves in and around the classic murder mystery, Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier.

The author of Misbelief is the psychologist and a behavioural economist, Dan Ariely. He asks the question, “Why are people so susceptible (to believing conspiracy theories)?”

The best-selling author states that people form such beliefs when social forces find them in a vulnerable state.

He describes people that have stress accumulating from various situations in their lives. They may be looking for someone to blame.

During the Covid-19 pandemic people were isolated, were financially insecure because of possible job loss and generally uncertain regarding the future. Many blamed those in charge and started to distrust mainstream sources. Feeling helpless some turned to social groups online that fed them misguided answers.

Ariely refers to a study

where people with a mindset of scarcity (less money, less freedom of movement, less food, less time) have a reduced general capacity to think or a reduced ‘cognitive bandwidth.’

He states that building resilience is important. Maintaining secure social relationships and focusing on the positive builds confidence. Social media literacy is necessary. When engaging with those indulging in conspiracy theories, ask if they are facing stressors they would like to talk over.

The author, Dan Ariely, has been the victim of misrepresentation online. He knows the topic on a personal and professional level.

A light mystery novel is one way to get the temporary heightened emotion that conflict gives, without listening to deceptions online.

Jillian Cantor’s novel, The Fiction Writer, involves a best-selling author that is at a low point in her career. Olivia is hired to ghostwrite the story of a matriarch of the wealthy Asherwood family. Emilia Asherwood died in a fire that was ruled an accident. The handsome grandson wants Olivia’s writings to accuse the 1900s author Daphne du Maurier of plagiarizing the matriarch’s writings. The novel that du Maur -

ier supposedly pirated is the classic murder mystery, Rebecca

The writer-for-hire, Olivia finds that she is caught in similar circumstances as the main characters of both murder mysteries. Olivia says, “I’d practically stepped inside my own personal retelling of Rebecca, hadn’t I?”

Although the author recites the details of the situation too often, Jillian Cantor gives us an enjoyable read. The novel is a story about a story that is possibly plagiarized from a story. When one of those stories is the gothic classic murder mystery, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, the novel is enriched.

Below are some ‘Recently Added’ digital books that can be accessed through the Riverview Public Libraries Catalogue site. So convenient!

Hockey Rants & Raves (electronic resource) by

Steve Glynn; “From one of the most unique voices in hockey, Hockey Rants & Raves is packed with passionate, honest and often humorous takes on all things hockey.”

Raised by Wolves (electronic resource) by James Patterson and Emily Raymond; “Kai and Holo say they are raised by wolves. The police chief and his wife take them in and they begin adjusting to life in a small town. But humans, they find, are the most vicious animals.

The mystery of their upbringing brings dark and powerful forces to Kokanee Creek, tearing the town apart and threatening the lives of everyone they love.”

YA; The Cinnamon Bun Book Store (electronic resource) by Laurie Gilmore; “When a secret message turns up hidden in a book in the Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, Hazel cannot understand it. She just needs someone

to help her follow the trail of clues.”

Ages 12 and up; Dungeons and drama (electronic resource) by Kristy Boyce; “Musical lover Riley has big aspirations to become a director on Broadway… but when Riley takes her mom’s car without permission, she’s grounded and stuck with the worst punishment: spending her after-school hours working at her dad’s game shop.”

Ages 4- 8 years; A Library (electronic resource) by Nikki Giovanni; “In what other place can a child ‘sail their dreams’ and ‘surf the rainbow’ without ever leaving the room?”

Images of Mill Creek in Winter

CHOOSE CANADIAN

By John Wishart

GGroundhog Day falls on Feb. 2, the day several furry prognosticators tell us whether we will have six more weeks of winter.

Newly-returned U.S. President Donald Trump beat Shubenacadie Sam and others by a day this year, ushering in many weeks – perhaps months – of economic winter with his decision to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian imports.

As kind and friendly Canadians, we have every right to question why Trump has decided to take aim at his closest neighbour, friend, and ally within days of taking office. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has already announced countervailing tariffs, and we are in for a difficult economic period.

For those of us who reside and make our living along the banks of the Petitcodiac, we might wonder what we can do to help our families, communities, and businesses through the darkest days of this economic winter. We should support the efforts of the federal and

provincial governments, and representatives from the biggest New Brunswick exporters to the U.S., in negotiations with the new U.S. administration. But that doesn’t mean we sit idle and wait for better economic days to return.

Our country, our province, and our region produce some outstanding products, some of which make their way to U.S. and other markets. But they also sit on our grocery store and retail store shelves.

One way we as residents of Southeast New Brunswick can do our part to show support for Canadian companies, and rob the Trump administration of its befuddling intentions, is to support and buy local. When we are faced with a choice of similar products or services – one made in the U.S., and another made in Canada –choose Canadian.

If the trade war continues into the summer, the expected lower Canadian dollar may entice more Americans to visit our region, so there could be a golden lining to this situation for our hotels, parks, and the

tourism sector.

In the meantime, think of supporting locally made products like frozen food, seafood, agricultural products (buy local apples instead of Florida oranges), maple syrup, molasses, chocolates, or arts and crafts.

It’s a little thing all of us can contribute to Team Canada’s gameplan. It’s also much more hopeful than joining Shubenacadie Sam down his burrow to wait for economic winter to blow over.

Jenna, Emma and Maddie are three young entrepreneurs and the co-owners of JEM Beauty Salon. Together they have a passion for the industry and for making people feel beautiful in their own skin. JEM is a small local business located in Riverview, that opened in September 2023. The mission here at JEM is to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable, so that they leave glowing. We Can’t wait to see you!

John Wishart is former CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton. His column appears in each issue of The River View.

Important Changes to Waste Collection

Town of Salisbury residents are advised of changes to the waste collection schedule Effective the week of February 3, 2025, all waste for residents in the Town will be collected on Thursdays.

For more information, visit the Town’s website at salisburynb.ca

If it seems that pickleball is taking over the world …

That may only be a slight exaggeration. Enter almost any gymnasium and there is a chance a pickleball game is underway.

Riverview Pickleball Club president Keith Lane notes that the sport is older than most people assume – originating in Washington State in the United States and growing globally from there.

“Most people are astounded when they discover that this sport was introduced in 1965.”

Lane describes pickleball as easy to learn, appropriate for all ages, and inexpensive, all of which have helped the sport grow into the phenomenon it is today.

“In the last ten to twelve years in Canada, pickleball has taken off. We now have more than 80,000 people playing in Canada.”

Lane acknowledges that, initially, pickleball was seen as a sport for retirees. “It was seen in terms of, ‘I’ve finished work, but I’m still active and I want something to do.’ That drove a lot of the initial growth. It was seen as a senior’s activity that was not terribly hard on the body.

“Some of the perceptions are the same today, but we are seeing more young people become involved. It is a great way to mix, to socialize, without too much expense.

“All you need is a paddle and a pair of comfortable gym shoes. That is it, although we do insist that you wear safety glasses if you do not already wear prescription glasses – that is a safety requirement.”

Pickleball is played on a badminton-court-sized surface, forty-four feet long and twenty feet across. Serves must be made underhand, and the ball must be con-

tacted below the waist on service. While there are subtleties to play, the principal goal is to keep the ball inside the court and score points against your opponent.

“Such a big part of this game is the social aspect. While you are playing there is not much communication as you are focused on play. But when you come off the court and sit down, then you start talking.

“And you are always playing with different people.”

The Riverview club was founded in 2017. “Prior to that, a senior returned from Florida in 2014 with the idea that we should have pickleball in Riverview. The town’s Parks and Recreation department took it on and managed it for the first few years.

“We arrived at a number

of participants where it made sense to start our own club. We started with a few active members, and we are now at more than three hundred and twenty. A lot of that growth is attributable to the Parks and Recreation department for ensuring a reasonable cost to play.

“Facility rents are reasonable. It is all down to working with the town.”

The club conducts training sessions and Lane says that after a two-hour session a beginner will be able to play a complete game, albeit against other beginners. Play is indoors from mid-October to mid-May and outdoors from mid-May to mid-October.

For more information, the club’s website can be found at www.riverviewpickleball.com.

Pickleball’s popularity is growing in leaps and bounds.

FROM NEW HABIT TO LIFELONG ROUTINE

Making Exercise a Part of Your Life

Many of us start a new exercise routine at the beginning of the year, full of motivation and good intentions. However, the biggest challenge isn’t just starting, it’s turning that new activity into a regular habit and, eventually, a permanent part of our lifestyle.

The key to making exercise a lasting habit is to integrate movement gradually and naturally into your daily life. Think of it like brushing your teeth—it’s something you do automatically, without question. One of the easiest ways to achieve this is by sneaking small amounts of movement into your day and building on that foundation. Here are a few strategies that can help turn your exercise routine into a lasting habit:

* Create accountability. Tell a friend, family member, or even an online community about your workout plans for the

week. Having someone check in on you can increase your commitment.

* Combine exercise with social time. Join a class, go for a walk with a friend, or work out with a partner to make it more enjoyable and less of a chore.

* Plan ahead. At the start of each week, look at your schedule and decide when and where you’ll fit in your workouts. Treat them like important appointments, put them in your calendar and set reminders if needed.

Exercise is well known for its ability to reduce the risk and severity of many diseases, particularly those that become more common as we age. That’s why making movement a natural part of life as early as possible is so important—it sets us up for a healthier future and helps us maintain the ability to do the things we love for as long as possible.

Movement benefits people

at all stages of life, from childhood to retirement and beyond. With modern conveniences making daily life easier, whether through technology, automation, or remote work, many of us are moving less than ever. This makes it even more essential to be intentional about incorporating exercise into our daily routines.

The good news? It’s never too late to start. Explore different types of movement, find what you enjoy, and make it easy on yourself by starting small. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to reestablish a routine, focus on the next small step and eventually that new routine will become so ingrained in your life you can’t imagine life before exercise.

Julie Solbak, BscKin, CKA Owner, Just Fit Fitness Center and Just Move Health Studio

So much more than a service station

Tank up at Point Park Petrocan, but don’t forget our many other services!

Good food, including:

• U-Bake Lasagna, Fresh Pizza, & U-Bake Pizza from Vito’s

• Fresh subs made daily

• Hot dogs Tuesdays and Thursdays

• Even fresh-baked cookies

• Along with popular snacks and drinks

And, our friendly staff will even have a treat for your pup!

We also have available: air for your vehicle’s tires & an RV dumping station

Point Park Petro-Canada

Mark and Irene Knowles, Owners/Operators

Albert County Home Sweet Home FIRST PERSON - DON COLEMAN

Musician Don Coleman recounts the genesis of a community song, school bursary, and music video

“Like any creation of value, the Albert County Home Sweet Home initiative is greater than the sum of its parts.

The project started out as a welcomed request from the Albert County Historical Society to write a song about our county, that would be funded by a government grant, in celebration of the 175th anniversary of Albert County in 2020.

This initiative culminated in a song, a music video, and high school bursary that is funded by local families and small business owners who believed in the vision.

Fifteen sponsors took a leap of faith, and the project went into overdrive. The high school bursary has raised thousands of dollars, benefitting both Riverview and Caledonia Regional High Schools.

The song and video are used to showcase and promote our region globally. It is a great honour to have had the opportunity to write, produce and arrange this legacy for our region.

As with every endeavour, the stronger the team the greater the end result. I reached out to fabulous musicians, a world-class studio engineer and a

talented videographer, editor and producer in his own right.

I then scoured the internet for every video of Albert County in existence online, reached out to those filmmakers, and secured the right to use their videos. We also filmed original drone footage in many different areas of the community to add to the arsenal of visuals.

The lyrics of the song

refer to many different locations in the county and render a positive spin on who we are and what Albert County is all about. The combined energy that was created by this team of contributors took the project over the top and rendered an outcome of value that is embraced by thousands of people far and wide. The song and music video are available on YouTube.”

Don Coleman

URBAN / RURAL RIDES PROVIDES A VITAL SERVICE

Arlo Fisher of Riverview was looking for an opportunity to volunteer. For the CN retiree who also spent almost a quarter century as an auxiliary RCMP officer, being a volunteer driver for Urban / Rural Rides seemed like a natural fit.

Urban / Rural Rides is a charity, operating in six regions across New Brunswick, that provides transportation to people with low incomes or other challenges accessing a ride to, for example, a doctor’s appointment, a community activity, or a trip to the food bank.

“When I found out about Urban / Rural Rides, I thought, well, maybe I can give back to somebody a bit of what has been given to me over the years.”

Fisher recalls that some of his clients have greater needs than others. He gives as an example one client who lives in a rural setting and is on oxygen, and also takes advantage of a program known as Meals and More. Fisher takes that client’s meals to him, even delivering the meal packages to the client’s door.

“If he can get to his back door, that is as far as he can get. So, I carry the meals up to the house and he meets me there.”

Fisher notes that he gets to know many of his clients. He is known for going that extra mile. He points to one client who told him, “I have not slept in my own bed for two years. When I lie down, I choke up, so I sleep in a La-Z-Boy.”

Fisher thought the client may be able to sleep if the head of her bed was raised; he made wood blocks to place under the bed to raise one end.

“The next time I drove her she told me, ‘I slept in my own bed for the first time in two years.”

Principal funding for Urban / Rural Rides comes from private donations and contributions from municipalities and regional service commissions. The Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation is also a major funder. Low-income clients pay a nominal $10.00 minimum ride fee, with a fee scale in place for those with greater means.

Executive Director Kelly Taylor of Salisbury explains that Urban / Rural Rides began as Tele-Drive Albert County in 2013. There was also a Rural Rides organization in Salisbury – Petitcodiac at that time.

“We connected with the Moncton Volunteer Centre to talk about a service that would cover Westmorland and Albert Counties. Out of that grew Urban / Rural Rides.

“We have an incredible relationship with government and with the service commissions.

“And the commitment of the volunteers is amazing. They truly go above and beyond. Holidays, bad weather, our volunteers turn

out. And they provide our clients with that all-important human contact. We are so grateful to them. We would not exist without our volunteers,” who often develop a strong relationship with their clients.

“For Arlo, when one of his clients says how much they appreciate him, it just melts his heart.”

Taylor started with the Salisbury – Petitcodiac Rural Rides as a bookkeeper and saw her role evolve as the organization grew into what she describes as “dispatcher, manager, jack of all trades, you name it!

“Eventually, my role was formalized as the Executive Director for all six regions in the province where we now operate.”

In 2024 the province committed $2 million for the development of an AI-based, province-wide dispatching system in partnership with Blaise Transit.

Taylor says that system will benefit clients directly. “For example, we will have everyone collecting the same data in the same way. That will help with a lot of things, including forecasting future demand.

“For clients, it will automate our dispatching while also allowing clients to continue to request a particular driver. Like with Arlo, our drivers and our clients develop personal relationships, and those will continue to be recognized.”

Volunteer drivers are reimbursed $.50 per kilometre for gasoline. The organization is always on the lookout for volunteer drivers – anyone wishing to inquire about volunteering can contact Urban / Rural Rides at 506 962 3073 or urbanruralrides@gmail.com.

Pharmacist Jonathan Walsh and staff

From left: Hailey, Lucy, Jonathan, Christa and Mariah

Urban / Rural Rides volunteer driver Arlo Fisher.

13-567 Coverdale Road, Riverview, New Brunswick, E1B 3K7 506-227-9897

13-567 Coverdale Road, Riverview, New Brunswick,

13-567 Coverdale Road, Riverview, New Brunswick, E1B 3K7 506-227-9897

COMMUNITY MINDED, COMMUNITY DRIVEN, YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS WITH US

COMMUNITY DRIVEN, YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS WITH US

SPRING INTO ACTION: THE SPRING MARKET IS COMING!

As the spring market approaches, it’s the perfect time to start planning your next move in real estate.

JOIN US FOR COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR

We are proud to participate in the Coldest Night of the Year Walk on February 22, 2025, for the second year in a row!

JOIN US FOR COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR

We are proud to participate in the Coldest Night of the Year Walk on February 22, 2025, for the second year in a row!

JOIN US FOR COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR

This incredible event raises funds and awareness for those in our community facing hunger, homelessness, and hurt.

Join our team, or support us with a donation.

With increased buyer activity and fresh listings on the horizon, this season is full of exciting opportunities.

As the spring market approaches, it’s the perfect time to start planning your next move in real estate.

With increased buyer activity and fresh listings on the horizon, this season is full of exciting opportunities.

As the spring market approaches, it’s the perfect time to start planning your next move in real estate.