Connecting Albert County - Wellness and Recreation - Connecting Albert County

Healthcare in Rural Communities: Part Three

28/3/2025

Submitted by: June Crandall, Contributing Author

I ended Part 3 of this series discussing getting started with planning meetings, roles and responsibilities and clinic dates. And, I stated that I would talk about community engagement, advertisement and supplies needed to run the clinics.

In terms of community engagement, we discussed the best location to hold the clinics. I am President of the Elgin Seniors Club so I could speak to the availability of the Elgin Seniors Center being the best location for the clinics. I brought my proposal to the Seniors Club; all members agreed to hold the Screening Clinics at the Seniors Center. I needed their buy-in before taking the next steps to reach out to the community at large. I communicated to the Elgin Women’s Institute, who have a large presence in our community, and members heartily agreed this kind of clinic would be very helpful to our community.

Notes from the Albert County Community Health Centre

28/3/2025

Submitted by Anne Atkinson, Registered Nurse, Albert County Community Health Centre

Did you know that 4 in 10 cancer cases in Canada can be prevented?
There are things we all eat, drink, breathe and do that affect our cancer risk. Here are some tips for reducing your risk:
*Live smoke free
*Be sun safe
*Maintain a healthy body weight
*Eat a balanced diet that includes high fibre foods
*Move more, sit less
*Limit alcohol to no more than 1 drink daily for women and 2 drinks daily for men

The April Cancer Awareness Campaign highlights fundraising sales of beautiful yellow daffodils. Daffodils symbolize hope, particularly in the context of illness and recovery. Many cultures use daffodils to represent hope and resilience, especially in times of adversity. For this reason, they have become an emblem of the fight against cancer! When you see a daffodil popping up this spring, take a moment to think about making your own health and wellness a priority!

Albert County Health Centre Community Garden Update
The community garden at the Health Centre in Riverside-Albert was initiated last June with funding from the BACH Foundation. We now have two 4 by 8-foot garden boxes on site. It was a lot of fun getting the garden up and running with help of many local volunteers and the Nursing Home Without Walls Gang! Several people mentioned that they might like to reserve a portion of the box to grow and maintain their own vegetables. Great for our folks who no longer have space or energy for a large garden. We are putting it out there that if you or a small group would like to have a 4 by 4-foot plot to plant and maintain, give Anne Atkinson RN a call at the Health Centre! 506-882-3100

Happy Growing!

Rising Temperatures Aren't Cooling the Action at the Fundy Curling Club!

28/3/2025

U-18 Intergenerational Participants Image submitted by Alan Demaline

 Submitted by Alan Demaline

Even though the days are getting longer, the sap is running and the temperature is rising, the action at the Fundy Curling Club is far from cooling off!

March came in like a lion as ten teams descended on the finest two sheet curling facility in New Brunswick to compete in the FCC Open Bonspiel. Held over two days everyone was eager to get out on the ice in an effort to make it to the finals. After exciting preliminary games, spectators who packed the club were treated to a classic shoot out with the team of Leo Sheehy, Chris Keirstead, Gary Collins and Ivan Keirstead emerging victorious.

NBSCF Advocacy: Protecting Seniors’ Rights and Benefits

28/2/2025

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

For over 56 years, the New Brunswick Senior Citizens’ Federation (NBSCF) has been a strong advocate for seniors, fighting to protect their rights, financial security, and independence. Through persistent efforts, the NBSCF has influenced policies that have significantly improved the lives of seniors in our province.

BACH 50/50

28/2/2025

"In Appreciation" Cards Now Available with BACH Foundation

28/2/2025

Submitted by: Anne Atkinson, RN & BACH Director

Looking for a way to thank a helpful neighbour or family member? We now have "In Appreciation Cards" available to let them know you have made a donation to the BACH in their honour!

Contacts are Anne Atkinson at 506-882-3100 or Phyllis Hudson at 506-866-8162 to make arrangements for this new way to give back to our community. As always, receipts will be given for donations received! 

BACH Vitals Equipment Purchase

28/2/2025

The Bennett and Albert County Health Care Foundation is pleased to support the Albert County Community Health Centre. One of the ways we achieve this is through the purchase of much needed equipment to enhance patient diagnostics. Recently, the foundation purchased a Welch Allyn Connex Spot Monitor, a versatile and portable device for healthcare settings to monitor a variety of patient vitals. Some of the key features of this piece of equipment include blood pressure measuring and monitoring, early detection of patient deterioration through early warning scores, and the ability to connect to electronic health records. The purchase of this equipment is possible because of your support for the foundation’s work through memorial donations, health centre employee lotteries, and community fundraising through monthly Rafflebox draws. Thank you for your support! 

Pictured for the presentation of the equipment are: Bob Rochon; BACH Chairperson, Phyllis Hudson; BACH Vice Chairperson, Anne Atkinson; RN and BACH Director, and Amy Goodine; BNRN at the Albert County Community Health Centre. Submitted by Bob Rochon

Fundy Curling Club: It's All About the Bonspiels!

28/2/2025

The Mixed Curling Champions submitted by Alan Demaline

Submitted by: Alan Demaline

 With lots of snow on the ground and frigid temperatures, Fundy Albert is In the midst of what is turning out to be a good old fashioned winter. What do avid curlers do to chase away the winter blues? Well, we leave our warm and cosy houses to slip and slide driving through all that ice and snow to get to the warm and comfy FCC clubhouse. We then leave the warmth of the clubhouse to go back into the cold and slip and slide down the ice while folks yell their heads off at you to sweep the rocks into an altogether different house! Sound like fun? You bet it is!

Curling can be played in many different formats and over the last few weeks we hosted three separate bonspiels, each embracing different variations of the game. Two were played on the ice, while in an effort to involve as many folks in the community as possible, one was played in the clubhouse! Before we move on, in case you are wondering what a bonspiel is, it is simply a tournament in curling lingo.

The first bonspiel was a doubles format. As the name suggests, there are two players on a team rather than the traditional four players. Doubles curling is quickly growing in popularity around the world, especially after being first included in the 2018 Olympics in Korea. It is a fast paced, high energy game with each team having six curling stones in play rather than the traditional eight. After the final rocks were delivered Stacey and Eric Lockhart came out as the winners. Who knows, if they keep it up, perhaps we will see them at the 2026 Olympic Games in Italy!

Bonspiel Sponsors by Alan Demaline

The second bonspiel was a mixed format which had two men and two women on each team. This is traditionally our largest event of the season and this year was no exception. Wedged in between two winter storms the action took place Feb. 14th, 15th and 16th. The club was packed all weekend long with twelve teams of enthusiastic curlers and scores of spectators wondering who would be victorious. The festivities spilled out from the ice surface into the clubhouse with wonderful meals enjoyed by all throughout the weekend. Stories told about great shots made and near misses intermingled with good natured teasing that had the FCC full of smiles and roaring with laughter. Congratulations to the team of Laura Snair, Ken Stevens, Elaine and Alan Demaline who managed to pull off a win in a hard fought battle in the final game. Thanks to all the organizers, participants and sponsors that helped make this fantastic event possible.

The third bonspiel was a floor curling format. Floor curling is played indoors such as in a gymnasium, event hall, or in our case, the warm and welcoming FCC clubhouse. The curling stones have small wheels on the bottom so they glide across the floor toward vinyl curling houses just like on the ice! The FCC was thrilled to partner with Nursing Homes Without Walls in hosting this inaugural event. An amazing group of young at heart seniors, many of them former curlers, took part in an afternoon packed with fun and excitement. By the shots made throughout the day they certainly have not lost the magic touch to curl to the button! Thanks to all who took part and we hope to make this an annual event.

It is hard to believe we have just one month left in the curling season… but as they say, time flies when you are having fun! Until next time, remember to Hurry Hard and get it over the Hog Line!

Healthcare in Rural Communities: Part Three

28/2/2025

Submitted by: June Crandall, Contributing Author

I ended Part 2 of this series by stating that I have heard from several people in the community who have no primary care…either a physician or nurse practitioner. In this issue, I will talk more about how I got involved in bringing a version of healthcare to the Elgin community.

Staying Active in Winter: A Physiotherapists Guide

28/2/2025

Skating on the pond in Riverside-Albert, Photographer Unknown

Winter can make it harder to stay active with its cold, short days, but it’s just as important to maintain your movement routine during this season. Staying active not only helps to keep your body strong, but it also boosts your mood, improves circulation, and supports overall health. As a physiotherapist, I’m sharing tips to help you stay active and injury-free this winter.

You're Invited to February Frolic!

31/1/2025

Friends of Fundy, Fundy Albert businesses, and community groups invite you to enjoy nature, good food, and good company during the February Frolic, February 13th-17th!

Fundy Curling Club: The Little Club that Keeps on Growing!

31/1/2025

Submitted by: Alan Demaline

The Fundy Curling Club is buzzing with excitement early in 2025 which is shaping up to be a record- breaking year in many ways for the club. Let’s jump right into sharing all the great news from New Brunswick’s finest two sheet curling facility located right here in the idyllic community of Fundy Albert!

Healthcare in Rural Communities: Part Two

31/1/2025

Submitted by: June Crandall, Contributing Author

I ended Part 1 of this series by saying “In the meantime, remember that your public servants are servants of the public – YOU. They need to hear from you.” I continue to hope that you will continue to address the issues with your public servants. The new administration in this Province should be deeply concerned.

In the meantime, let’s talk about the concerns from the perspective of the community. As I stated before, I was shocked by the length of time the average person must wait to get a primary care person (doctor or nurse practitioner), to get basic healthcare services, and to wait in local emergency rooms. Anecdotally, a person can wait 2 years to get a primary care doctor or nurse practitioner. And, if you must visit the Emergency Room, you can be waiting for a full day or more. I know no one is surprised by this, but are we being too passive about this and not speaking loudly enough? Perhaps. According to the NB Medical Society, “Approximately 90,000 New Brunswickers do not have a primary care physician. This number has remained high for several years.” (https://www.nbms.nb.ca/finding-a-family-physician/) This represents about 11% of the population in the province. So, how do we take matters into our own hands? Do we wait, pray, and hope that the healthcare system will address the problems? If this has been ongoing for some time, should we expect that things will change over night?

Happenings at the Albert County Community Health Centre

30/1/2025

Submitted by: Mary Woodworth, RN, Team Lead

We are pleased to be able to offer many services here at the clinic.

Nursing services are available to everyone. You do not have to have a health care provider at the clinic to access the services. Consultations with a Registered Nurse are available Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm.

The services of a Social Worker, Physiotherapist, Clinical Nutritionist (Dietician), and a Diabetic Educator are available by appointment. They are by self referral, so you can call directly to book an appointment.

How to Avoid a Mid-Morning Energy Crash!

30/1/2025

Submitted by: Jim Kitts

Hey you tea-and-toast mavens and coffee-and-a-smoke in the morning men! Or anyone without much kitchen and even less groceries! Got three minutes to lose that mid morning crash? Here's what you do:

First thing after you put the coffee on, reach in the back of the cupboard, pull out a solid cheap coffee mug, fill two thirds with cold water, and nuke for 1 minute.

Remove the mug, crack a local Albert County farm egg over the edge of the mug, and slide her in there.

Don't forget to poke the yolk with a fork a couple of times so it doesn’t blow!

Nuke another minute, remove, and let stand for about a minute depending on how you like your yolk.

Drain the water through a fork, add salt and pepper, swirl in some butter if you have any.

Pick away at the white with the fork. As you get to the yolk it might be hot, so give it a fast cold water rinse, and sink it all down.

There you go - three minutes toward feeling better all morning! 

"Hurry Hard" to Fundy Curling Club!

23/12/2024

Image of Riverside Consolidated School Students Curling submitted by Alan Demaline

Submitted by: Alan Demaline

The ice at the Fundy Curling Club is in and the curling rink has never looked better! With the addition of new wall panels around the ice surface, 24 and counting fantastic, colourful signs from our generous sponsors, brighter and more efficient LED lighting and beautiful new custom in ice curling houses you are sure to be dazzled as you slide down the ice. If you prefer to watch the action for the comfort of the clubhouse, you will be treated to brand new flooring and fresh coat of paint which lends a great feel to the club. A huge thanks goes out to all our dedicated volunteers and sign sponsors who pitched in to make all these wonderful improvements possible.

BACH 50/50 Gold Rush

23/12/2024

GOLD RUSH!  Get Your BACH Rafflebox 50/50 Tickets Today!

Healthcare in Rural Communities: Part One

23/12/2024

Submitted by: June Crandall, Contributing Author

Healthcare is everyone’s problem! Maybe I should say the lack of healthcare. This series of articles delves into the issues, the problems, some community solutions, and a discussion throughout about the long-term sustainability of the current healthcare system. This series does not reflect the position of the healthcare systems in New Brunswick unless it is directly cited. The thoughts, ideas, and opinions are going to be mostly anecdotal.

I will begin this series by telling you a bit about myself. I grew up in Elgin, Albert County, NB. My siblings and I were raised in a God-fearing household. My mother, my grandmother, and great-grandmother were all WI members. So, I am going to accurately state that WI was hard-wired into our DNA from an early age. At the age of 23, I married and moved to the US. Years later, I retired from a 25-year career in Social Science Research and moved back to my native home in Elgin. It is so good to be home!

Supporting Health Through Nutrition

2/12/2024

Submitted by: Brittany Butland

Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy eating pattern will help you feel good, maintain your weight and meet your nutrient needs. Here are five tips to support your health through good nutrition:

Eat a variety of healthy foods each day

Fruits, vegetables, protein foods and whole grains are all part of a healthy eating pattern. Try to include all four food groups at each meal and two food groups at snacks. Eating a variety of foods will help you meet your nutrient needs.

Fill up with fibre. A high-fibre diet can lower your risk of stroke, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and colon cancer. A high-fibre diet can also promote bowel regularity and keep you feeling full for longer. Fibre is found in vegetables, fruit, whole grains and plant-based proteins, such as chickpeas, lentils and nuts.

Fundy Curling Club: Get Involved & Support a Beloved Community Activity

2/12/2024

Image submitted by Alan Demaline

Submitted by: Alan Demaline

If you are new to the community, the Fundy Curling Cub would like to extend a very warm welcome to you as you settle into Fundy Albert! The FCC, located at 16 Mill St. in Riverside-Albert, has been welcoming new folks to the region since it was established in 1962. Our club is 100% volunteer run and has members ranging in age from 6 to 80. The club is the perfect place to make new friends, both young and young at heart, while taking to the ice in a fun, relaxed and family friendly environment. We are looking forward to seeing many new faces at the club this year and hope yours in one of them!

Happy (At Least That is What We're Aiming For) Holidays!

2/12/2024

With the holidays upon us, it can be all too easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and busy-ness and forget to engage in the wonder and delight of the season. Stressors like travel, wrapping up projects at work and school, overeating, endless engagements, shopping, and difficult family dynamics can all contribute to a sense of overwhelm instead of joy.

So how do we enjoy the holidays? How can we stay centred, grounded, calm, and connected?

New News about the Advance Care Planning Guide Submitted

29/10/2024

by: Karine Diedrich, Director Advance Care Planning, Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association 

We are thrilled to announce some big changes at ACP Canada! After months of hard work, we’re excited to launch our brand-new website, refreshed brand, and our fully redesigned—Advance Care Planning Canada Guide!

Our new website has been designed with you in mind—making it easier to navigate, more accessible, and packed with information and resources about advance care planning. We’ve also updated our look and feel to better reflect our mission of empowering everyone to plan for their future healthcare.

But that’s not all! We’re also launching the new Advance Care Planning Canada Guide. This guide is designed to help as many people as possible, regardless of health status or ability, start meaningful conversations about future care. It’s simple, flexible, and can be used by individuals or with the support of others. We’ve even made it available for free, including mailing costs, for a limited time!

We’re incredibly excited to share these new resources with you, and we can’t wait to see how they’ll help more people across Canada take control of their future healthcare decisions.

Visit us at https://www.advancecareplanning.ca/ to explore our new website, order your free copy of the My ACP Guide, and dive into all the great resources we’ve created for you.

BACH Rafflebox 50/50

29/10/2024

The Bennett and Albert County Health Care Foundation (BACH) hosts a Rafflebox 50/50. Proceeds are used to enhance community health services and primary health care throughout the Village of Fundy Albert. Draws will be advertised on Facebook and the Foundation website. Your continued support would be greatly appreciated.

2024-2025 Draw Dates

November 6, 2024 
December 4, 2024 
January 1, 2025 
January 29, 2025 

February 26, 2025 
March 26, 2025 
April 23, 2025 
May 21, 2025

News from the New Brunswick Senior Citizens Federation

29/10/2024

Submitted by: Lise Guignard, Office Manager

The Board of Directors of the New Brunswick Senior Citizens Federation (NBSCF) held a meeting on Tuesday, September 24th, 2024. During the meeting, two new zone presidents were added for the Loyalist and Dairy zones, Don LeBlanc and Valarie Goddard.

Additionally, the new executive under President Alphonse Dionne was named as follows:

Maurice Thériault – First Vice-President,
Doris Pauley – Second Vice-President,
Gildard Lavoie – Treasurer, and
Catherine Hentschel – Secretary.

We welcome the new members to their roles and look forward to their contributions to the Federation’s ongoing work.

November is Fall Prevention Month

29/10/2024

Submitted by: Melody Land

Anyone can fall, but falls increase in likelihood and seriousness as we age. It is important to recognize that falls are NOT a normal part of ageing. They can be a sign of health concerns, issues, or illnesses. Falls should never be overlooked.

Falls in older adults can lead to serious negative health outcomes and they are the leading cause of injury and hospitalization for older adults.