Amherst Marks Remembrance Day
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On November 11, 2024, Amherst paid tribute to its veterans with a respectful cerermony in Victoria Square. Many active service members and veterans took part in the event - both officially, and as attendees. Thank you to everyone who participated, and to everyone who came out to honour our veterans who fought for our country, and to honour those who continue to fight.
A collection of photos from the ceremony is available on our Town of Amherst Facebook page.
The cenotaph in Amherst's Victoria Square is adorned with memorial wreaths after Monday's Remembrance Day ceremony.
Amherst Firefighters Hold Annual Banquet and Awards
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The members of our Amherst Fire Department and the Amherst Firefighters' Association hold their banquet every year on the first Saturday in November, which took place this past weekend. This is an event for everyone to gather together, meet new members and socialize, as well as celebrate achievements.
All active members of the Amherst Fire Department gathered for a photo on the department's apparatus floor before the annual banquet got underway on Saturday night.
Scarecrow Stroll in Full Swing
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More than 45 businesses and residents are pariticpating in this year's Scarecrow Stroll - taking place from October 18-30. This Amherst tradition is celebrating its fifth anniversary, and the collection of stuffed characters spread throughout downtown and surrounding streets is sure to bring a smile to all who pass by - if not provide an outright scare. Soon, voting will open and everyone will have a chance to support their favourite creations.
Find more about the Scarecrow Stroll - a part of Esther Fest - in a recent story by CTV News Atlantic, available on thier website.
Another Hundred Years of the Amherst Train Station
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Access CTV Atlantic's recent story on our train station here: N.S. town’s historic train station sold privately, building preserved
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Jeff Bembridge is an Amherst entrepreneur who is also a passionate rehabilitator of historic properties.
“I like buying old buildings because they have a soul and I like to fix them up, because I think people need memories,” explained Bembridge. “When I buy a building, one of the first things I do is I go in the basement by myself and I talk to the building; I explain ‘We’re going to help each other here – I’m going to revive you – we’re going to succeed together.’”
One of Bembridge’s most recent acquisitions was the Amherst Train Station, which was the result of a years-long process.
When the intercolonial railway came to Amherst in the 1870s a station was built to serve the community on this critical new transportation corridor. By the end of the 19th century, Amherst had transformed into a major industrial hub and a new train station was required to meet the demands of transporting goods and passengers, as well as to better represent the role of “Busy Amherst” in the provincial and national economies.
“Our current, grand sandstone train station was constructed in 1909, and was one of the largest to be built in the province,” said Amherst Mayor David Kogon. “In the 100 years after the station’s construction, the way that rail service was used in Nova Scotia changed a great deal – particularly passenger service – and there came a point that VIA Rail chose to divest itself of the Amherst Train Station.”
After years of negotiations, a deal was finalized in 2019 that saw the Town take ownership of the structure, while VIA remained as a tenant with access to a passenger waiting area.
Free Ice Time Equals Positive Spin-Offs for Amherst
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The 27th Annual Atlantic Challenge Cup kicks-off today in Moncton, with gameplay through to Sunday night. This popular tournament brings together the top players from New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador in the male U-14 and U-15, and female U-14 and U-16 categories. More than 400 players, staff, and officials take part in this event every year.
Amherst’s location means that a number of Newfoundland and Labrador participants travel through our area after landing in Halifax and driving to Moncton. We reached out to the U-14 and U-16 female teams and extended a warm Amherst welcome.
Because these players live in every corner of Newfoundland and Labrador, they rarely (if ever) have an opportunity to practice together. They were provided with free ice time at the Amherst Stadium this past Wednesday and Thursday nights, to practice all under the same roof before the start of the tournament.
New Initiative Paying Rent for Amherst Food Bank
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The Amherst Food Bank serves more than 350 clients a month from their King Street location. The facility from which they operate plays a critical role in the service they provide, and the monthly rent comes in at $1,800.
A local initiative aims to pay the food bank's rent every month through $10 community donations, and so far it's been a big success. For more information please see a recent story by CTV News Atlantic.
Jeff Marshall and Charlotte Ross in the Amherst Food Bank (CTV Atlantic)
Town of Amherst Helping Build Brighter Futures for NSCC Students
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This is always an exciting time of year. School is back in session with students in classrooms across the province, including at our very own Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Amherst Learning Centre.
“We’re so fortunate to have the Nova Scotia Community College as part of our educational landscape,” said David Kogon, Mayor of the Town of Amherst. “This is an institution that prepares a great many students every year to work in industries vital to the success of our town, and our province as a whole.”
Post-secondary education can be life-changing, but not everyone can access college programs due to the costs involved.
In 2018, the Town of Amherst established the “Town of Amherst Community Award” through the NSCC Foundation’s Make Way Campaign. This five-year commitment provided $100,000 to the campaign, which helped 50 students, each receiving a $2,000 award.
Recipients of the award were selected based on financial need, academic standing, and the fact that they were a resident of Amherst for at least a year prior to applying.
