Connecting Albert County - Wellness and Recreation - Connecting Albert County

When Grief Comes to Work — Supporting Workers Through Loss

29/6/2026

Submitted by Melody Land, MACP, LCT, www.bluemindcc.com

Most of us expect grief to show up in our personal lives. We anticipate it after the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or another major life change. What we often forget is that grief also shows up at work.

When an employee, colleague, volunteer, client, or community member dies, the impact can ripple throughout an entire organization or community. Productivity may decrease, emotions may run high, and routines that once felt normal can suddenly feel overwhelming. Leaders often feel pressure to say the right thing, provide answers, and keep the organization functioning while also caring for the people affected.

The truth is that there is no perfect way to manage grief in the workplace. However, there are ways organizations can respond with compassion, consistency, and humanity.

Herbalism for Beginners

29/6/2026

 Submitted by Ursula Kovacs, Folk Herbalist & Owner of Saltblossom Botanicals Located at "The Wild Soul" on Route 114 in Riverside-Albert  Folk Herbalist, Owner of Saltblossom Botanicals @ The Wild Soul on the 114 Riverside Albert NB

The summer solstice has come and gone, quietly marking the moment when daylight lingers longest and the season is reaching for its fullest expression. It marks a time to gather, to be grateful for the abundance growing, and to honour mother nature in her wild ways. It sparks magic, weaves mystery, and calls deeply to us, reminding us that spring may be the great awakening, but summer, well summer is the grandest of celebrations. The forests are lush, almost as if overnight from many a rainy days, the gardens have emerged, overflowing almost , and many of us suddenly find ourselves returning from simple walks carrying handfuls of herbs, flowers, and branches we had absolutely no intention of gathering when we left the house.

I find myself in awe of everything waking around me, every year - it never lacks wonder. I bring snippets of plants home, handfuls of leaves and heck, sometimes even rocks.

Government Launching New Virtual Health-Care Service Virtual Care NB to Provide Integrated Access to Health System

28/6/2026

 June 11, 2026, Dept. of Health

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Virtual Care NB will be the province’s new virtual health-care service.

It will provide New Brunswickers with access to virtual care seven days a week, offering bilingual services and access to other parts of the provincial health-care system.

“Virtual care is a key part of our health-care system – and will continue to be,” said Health Minister John Dornan. “We are excited to introduce Virtual Care NB as the new home of virtual care and another step toward building a more connected primary care system. Patients should continue to seek care from their primary care provider first whenever possible, with virtual care serving as an important complement to those services.“

The government is transitioning to a new virtual care service provider, with Virtual Care NB set to befully implemented by June 30. People will be able to access the service through a webpage, as well as through the MyHealthNB website and mobile app, or through Tele-Care 811.

Spotlight on Physical Activity for Children & Youth: 2026 Progress Report

28/6/2026

ParticipACTION released its Spotlight on Physical Activity for Children and Youth: 2026 Progress Report. Since the release of the 2024 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, new and important data have become available.

This progress report presents new data and insights on the activity levels of kids and teens in Canada and includes updated findings for six key indicators: overall physical activity, active play, active transportation, organized sport, sedentary behaviours and sleep.

A key finding: Canada’s youth are now the most inactive age group in the country.

Recognizing the indisputable mental, physical and social benefits of physical activity, this finding signals an urgent opportunity for Canada to make physical activity a national priority – because positive change is possible.

But just how many children and youth are meeting guidelines? How many are almost hitting the mark? And how many need significant support? Even more, what will it take to improve activity levels and support healthier outcomes for the next generation?

Read the 2026 Progress Report at www.participaction.com

A Reminder About Benefits Available to Seniors in New Brunswick!

2/6/2026

Submitted by Lise Guignard, Office Manager, New Brunswick Senior Citizen's Federation

With the rising cost of living, many seniors are finding it more difficult to make ends meet. The good news is that there are several programs and benefits available in New Brunswick that may help reduce expenses and provide extra financial support.

One of the most important provincial programs is the Low-Income Seniors’ Benefit. For 2026, eligible seniors may receive up to $629 per year. This benefit is available to New Brunswick residents aged 60 and over who receive the federal Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), the Allowance, or the Allowance for the Survivor. Applications are open now and must be submitted by December 31st, 2026. For information or to request an application, seniors can call Service New Brunswick at 1-833-733-7835.

The federal Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) can also provide important monthly financial support for low-income seniors who already receive Old Age Security. Depending on income and family situation, some seniors may also qualify for the Allowance or the Allowance for the Survivor between the ages of 60 and 64. For information about Old Age Security, GIS, the Allowance, or the Allowance for the Survivor, seniors can contact Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914.

Seniors who own their home may benefit from the Property Tax Deferral Program for Seniors. This program allows eligible seniors to defer annual property tax increases on their principal residence until the property is sold or transferred. Seniors can contact Service New Brunswick at 1-888-762-8600 for more information about property tax programs. There is also help available for home renovations.

The New Brunswick Seniors’ Home Renovation Tax Credit can help cover costs for accessibility improvements such as ramps, walk-in showers, grab bars, wider doorways, or stair lifts. Seniors can claim up to $10,000 in eligible expenses. For information about this tax credit, seniors can contact the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-8281.

For those struggling with high energy bills, the Enhanced Energy Savings Program may help with insulation, heat pumps, air sealing, and other upgrades to make homes more energy efficient. Lower-income households may qualify for free or reduced-cost upgrades. Seniors can contact NB Power at 1-800-663-6272 for information about energy programs and payment assistance.

Housing support is also available for seniors who rent. Rent supplement programs and housing benefits may help lower monthly housing costs, and some subsidized housing programs limit rent to approximately 30% of household income. Seniors can contact the Department of Social Development at 1-833-733-7835 for information about housing benefits, rent supplements, and subsidized housing. In addition, NB Power offers payment assistance programs, and some seniors may qualify for reduced-cost internet programs. The provincial government has also announced additional investments in home care services to help more seniors remain safely in their homes.

Seniors looking for information about home care services can contact their regional Social Development office or call 1-833-733-7835. If you think you may qualify for any of these programs, do not hesitate to make a phone call. You can also contact Lise or Anne at the New Brunswick Senior Citizens’ Federation office (1-800-453-4333) if you need help finding the right number or understanding which programs may apply to you.

The Six Myths of Grief We’ve Been Taught — And Why They Don’t Really Help

2/6/2026

Submitted by Melody Land, LCT, www.bluemindcc.com

Most of us grow up learning about grief without ever really talking about it. We lose a beloved pet, maybe a grandparent. We observe our parents, family members, and even our whole community experiencing loss and how we cope often reflects what we see. Often-times, even most of the time, it is incredibly uncomfortable and so we avoid, push it aside, and definitely try not to talk about it. Maybe during the funeral, a few expressions on a Facebook post, and then we move on, right?

Here’s the kicker that often surprises us: grief is not only about death.

People grieve divorce, illness, lost friendships, estrangement, moving away, job loss, addiction, trauma, lost dreams, and changes in identity. We grieve the lives we thought we would have. We grieve people who are still alive. We grieve communities, relationships, routines, and even versions of ourselves. Even losses related to changes we would consider “good”, like buying a new home or getting a new job, can cause grief.

I meet people in my practice who come in without words for what they are feeling. They aren’t sure why they are feeling off, having uncomfortable emotions, difficult mental health symptoms, or sometimes having certain physical health issues. Something I’ve discovered time and time again that often what I am witnessing is layers of unidentified, unexpressed, incomplete, grief. We hear little sayings from childhood: “Be strong.” “Keep busy.” “Time heals all wounds.” “Everything happens for a reason.”

People usually mean well when they say these things. They are trying to comfort us, or maybe trying to make us feel less alone. But for many people who are grieving, these messages do not actually help. In fact, they can sometimes make grief feel heavier. Sometimes they can actually cause harm.

When we don’t fully allow ourselves to feel our grief (and instead replace it with some of the myths we will discuss below) we can get stuck in something called “incomplete grief”, which can have long-term, lasting effects.

The book, The Grief Recovery Handbook by John W. James and Russell Friedman talks about what they call the “myths of grief”. These myths are ideas many of us were taught, but they are lessons that can make it harder to heal after loss. Here are six common myths about grief and why it may be time to rethink them.

Myth #1: Don’t Feel Bad
From the time we are little, many of us are taught to avoid painful feelings. If a child falls down, someone quickly says, “You’re okay!” before the child even decides whether they are okay. If someone is grieving, people rush in with silver linings or encouragement meant to cheer them up. Grief does not disappear just because we try to push it aside. Sadness, anger, confusion, guilt, loneliness, numbness — these are all normal human responses to loss. Feelings are not problems to solve. They are signals that something important happened. Trying not to feel grief often just means carrying it longer. Sometimes healing begins not with fixing the feeling, but with finally allowing it to exist.

Myth #2: Replace the Loss
Another message many people hear is that they should quickly replace what they lost. After a divorce, someone says, “You’ll find someone else.” After the death of a pet: “Just get another one.” After job loss: “At least now you can move on.” Here’s the reality: people and experiences are not interchangeable. A new relationship does not erase the pain of an old one. Another dog is not the same dog. A new chapter does not cancel the hurt from the last one. Moving forward is possible, but pretending a loss can simply be swapped out often leaves people feeling unseen. Grief asks to be acknowledged before we rush to replace it. And even if what you are moving from, and moving into, is a positive thing, it doesn’t mean the change isn’t hard. It doesn’t mean the hurt from before stops existing.

Myth #3: Grieve Alone
Many of us were raised to believe grief should stay private. You’ve probably seen it, or done it yourself. People disappear into work, isolate themselves, cry behind closed doors. They apologize for being emotional. They worry about being “too much.” I remember my Nanny coming home from my grandfather’s funeral, letting out a strangled sigh and saying “Well at least I got through it without crying.” Especially in rural communities like our incredible Albert County, there can be a strong culture of toughness and independence. People pride themselves on carrying on. Grit and determination is admirable and incredibly valuable, don’t get me wrong! But grief is heavy to carry completely alone. Humans heal in connection. That does not mean everyone needs to share every detail publicly. But having even one safe person, one honest conversation, or one place where you do not have to pretend can make a tremendous difference. Sometimes the bravest thing a person can say is simply: “I’m not doing okay.”

Myth #4: Be Strong for Others
This one sounds noble, and sometimes it is necessary in moments of crisis. Parents still need to care for children. People still have responsibilities. “Be calm and carry on” has its place. However, many grieving people become so focused on protecting everyone else that they never allow themselves space to grieve. Instead, they become the organizer, the helper, the calm one, the strong one and their own pain quietly waits in the background. Real strength is not pretending nothing hurts. Often, real strength is honesty and vulnerability. It allows children to see healthy emotions. It is admitting when you are struggling. It is accepting help instead of always giving it. Being human is not a weakness.

Myth #5: Time Heals All Wounds This may be one of the most repeated phrases about grief. And yes, I’ve even said it myself. The reality: you can lose someone at 20 and still feel grief at 60. You can still remember a conversation, a smell, a song, or a moment decades later. Unspoken grief does not magically disappear because enough calendar pages pass. The truth is, while time can soften some pain, time alone does not heal everything. Time passing isn’t a signifier of healing, it’s how you use that time that does the healing part. Talking. Processing. Being witnessed. Baring witness. Expressing emotion. Finding meaning. Allowing ourselves to remember instead of avoiding the memory. These are all healing actions. Healing requires action, not just endurance.

Myth #6: Keep Busy When people are grieving, they are often encouraged to stay distracted. Clean the house. Go back to work. Get a hobby. Stay productive. Keep moving. You’ve heard all of the suggestions too, I’m sure. Routines can help and activity can be healthy. However, constant busyness can also become a way to avoid pain. When busyness replaces emotion, when we try to fill the empty space with activity, we are bound to run into trouble. Most people discover that grief catches up eventually — often in quiet moments when distractions disappear. A person can stay busy for years and still carry unresolved heartbreak underneath. Rest matters. Reflection matters. Grieving matters. We are not machines meant to power through loss without stopping.

Maybe We Need Better Conversations About Grief
One of the hardest parts of grief is how alone people can feel inside it. It often isn’t because others don’t care, or because we don’t care for others, but because many of us were never taught how to talk about loss honestly. And that’s not your fault, or anyone else’s.

We try to cheer people up instead of listening. We offer advice instead of presence. We rush people through grief because discomfort makes us nervous. We don’t always know a different way.

Where we can start is remembering that grief is not something to “get over.” It is something people learn to carry differently over time, sometimes through relearning, sometimes through experience, sometimes even through getting help from others.

As we are all on a grief journey (and we all are, in one way or the other), one of the most healing things we can offer each other is permission to be real, to remember that not every grief story has a neat ending, and that no one should have to feel ashamed for grieving.

Remember, grief is not a sign that something went wrong. It is often a sign of something that went gloriously right. It is often a reflection of love, connection, hope, and the deep human reality that what matters to us also has the power to hurt when it changes or disappears. In my opinion, that is not weakness at all. It’s what it means to care deeply.

And nothing makes us stronger than being brave enough to truly care.

211 Helps Individual Experiencing Complex Housing & Mental Health Needs

2/6/2026

Submitted by Daniela Fernandez, 211 NB Director of Community Engagement

211 Helps Individual Experiencing Complex Housing and Mental Health Needs

A 211 NB Service Navigator received a call from an individual in Moncton seeking assistance with rent arrears. The caller was referred to the Rent Bank Program for financial support. During the conversation, he shared that he had lost his employment and had been struggling to maintain work and his mental health due to unresolved trauma related to the loss of a loved one.

The 211 Navigator provided information on WorkingNB for employment support. In response to the caller’s disclosure, referrals were also made to Moncton and Area Mental Health Services and to the Canadian Mental Health Association of Moncton, including their Grief and Loss Recovery and Trauma programs. With the caller’s consent, all resources were sent via text message for future reference as well as ease of access.

The caller was then encouraged to call 211 again if he had further questions or needs, which he said he felt grateful for.

When you're not sure where to turn, remember that Help Starts Here at 211. 211 service navigators are available 24/7 to listen to you with empathy and without judgment to help you connect to the resources that you need, when you need them most, including community, government, or social programs and services. The 211 information and referral service is free, confidential, and available 24/7, all across Canada, in over 150 languages. Simply dial 211 or visit nb.211.ca today.

Fundy Albert Trail Care Day in Riverside-Albert

2/6/2026

Submitted by Micha Fardy, Friends of Fundy

Join us Saturday June 6th for another Fundy Albert Trail Care Day in Riverside Albert!

This June 6th, come out to learn about Fundy Albert's extensive trail network and care for our trails and get them ready for the summer season.

Start: 9:30 am at the Riverside Albert Rec Centre End: 1pm Riverside Consolidated School Playground Area

The Riverside Albert Fire Dept will be on hand with their food truck at Riverside Consolidated School playground area at 12:30 pm for a BBQ open to the public.

NOTE: Morning Trail Volunteers will receive a 'Lunch on Us' voucher for their volunteer efforts. Love Your Trails this National Trails Day and learn more about Fundy Albert's trails and future plans!

Get Moving, Albert County! ParticipACTION Month Is Here

2/6/2026

Submitted by Melody Land,  CAC Coordinator

June is ParticipACTION month, and Albert County is getting ready to move. It’s time to get Footloose in Fundy Albert!

Across Canada, communities big and small will spend the month of June taking part in the 2026 ParticipACTION Community Challenge. This is a country-wide push to get people moving, outdoors, and active. Communities track activity all month long, hoping to earn the title of Canada’s Most Active Community and a chance at prize money to support local recreation and wellness. Canada’s top community wins $100,000, while communities in each province and territory can also win smaller prizes ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.

But here in Albert County, the challenge is about more than winning.

“It’s really about getting out, trying something new, having fun, and doing it together,” says Bev Terris, Coordinator at Caledonia Activity Place, who is encouraging folks to take the Line Dancing class they are offering for Albert County residents at the Fundy Curling Club location!

More good news? You do not need to run a marathon or hit the gym to take part in this challenge. Almost any movement counts. Gardening, mowing the lawn, walking the dog, dancing in the kitchen, hiking, biking, swimming, chasing kids around the yard, or simply going for a walk with a neighbour can all be part of your active minutes.

ParticipACTION encourages people to count everyday movement, because staying active can look different for everyone. “Sometimes in rural communities we forget just how active daily life already is,” says Melody Land, CAC Coordinator. “Many of us are outside working in gardens, hauling wood, walking trails or helping neighbours. It all adds up.”

People can track their activity through the ParticipACTION app on a smartphone or tablet by registering their community group, business, or organization. Individuals can also take part by joining or creating “Active Groups” — even casual groups of friends, neighbours, co-workers or family members who get active together. Every person who participates helps add to the community’s score.

Not interested in apps? No problem. Residents who would rather not track activity online can reach out to Connecting Albert County for help recording active minutes so everyone can take part. Throughout June, community groups and organizations will also be offering activities around the region.

The Footloose in Fundy Albert ParticipACTION participants will be sharing events all month long. Residents can also watch for a special dancing event at Caledonia Activity Place, events with Friends of Fundy, walking opportunities and more.

The challenge has become a big event across Canada. Last year, hundreds of communities joined in and more than 846,000 people took part nationwide, showing that a little movement can bring communities together in a big way. There is even local inspiration close to home. Back in 2021, the village of Salisbury was named one of Canada’s active communities through the ParticipACTION challenge, proving small New Brunswick communities can make a big impact.

Organizers hope Albert County residents will use June as a chance to enjoy everything the region has to offer — from trails and beaches to back roads, parks and community spaces.

“Whether it’s a short walk, a bike ride, gardening or joining an event, every bit counts,” Micha Fardy, Executive Director of Friends of Fundy, says. “The important thing is just getting moving.” Residents are encouraged to watch Connecting Albert County’s website and social media pages throughout June for upcoming events, activity ideas and ways to get involved.

If you get out and about, organizers would love to see it. Snap a photo, tag Connecting Albert County and use the hashtag #FootlooseInFundyAlbert. Spring and Summer in Albert County is short — and it is a lot more fun when we enjoy it together. 