Connecting Albert County - Learning and literacy

Caring for Your Dog in Summer: Summer Heat Safety

29/6/2026

Article & Images Submitted by Shannon MacBeth, Owner & Trainer, Shakespeare's Legacy Labradors

“The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.” ~ M.K. Clinton

One of the biggest, yet most rewarding responsibilities to have is carinag for a dog. No, you don’t have to be an adult to do so. I know some really amazing kids who take this responsibility very seriously. What you do need to be is caring and consistent in supplying their every need, or they will find less than ideal ways of doing it themselves. If a dog is not given proper nutrition, they begin to eat things they shouldn’t. If they aren’t given adequate attention and exercise, they will become either depressed or destructive. If they aren’t given proper vet care, they will become sick. If they aren’t given safe housing they can find themselves in some rather unsanitary situations and if their surroundings are not made safe, their lives could even be at risk. As we dive into the dog days of summer, let’s look at a few things that are necessary to keep your dogs safe, happy and healthy.

One of the most senseless things I’ve ever seen is leaving a dog in a car on a hot day. According to PETA, in the past three years, 416 dogs died after being left in a hot car and more than 365 dogs were rescued in 2025 alone. No, parking in the shade with the windows cracked is not enough. Here are some surprising facts about how quickly a car can reach deadly temperatures.

On a 21°C day, a vehicle's interior can climb to roughly 37°C within 20 minutes.

On a 32°C day, the interior can exceed 43°C in about 10 minutes.

A Giant Comes Home: Albert County Museum Celebrates the Hillsborough Mastodon at Display Unveiling

28/6/2026

Submitted by Melody Land, CAC Coordinator

There are some stories that become part of a community's identity. They are passed down through generations, told around kitchen tables, shared in local classrooms, and remembered with pride. Nearly 90 years after an extraordinary discovery on a farm near Hillsborough captured the attention of scientists across Canada, that story has found a new home. In fact, many would say it has finally found its true home.

The rain held off just long enough for the Albert County Museum to welcome invited guests and members of the community to celebrate the official opening of its newest exhibit, featuring the life-sized recreation of the Hillsborough Mastodon (affectionately known as Marmaduke). More than the unveiling of a new display, the evening celebrated one of New Brunswick's most remarkable paleontological discoveries and the many people who have worked to preserve its story for future generations.

VolunteersNeeded to Work Together for a Strong Community!

2/6/2026

Submitted by Derek Lackey, CCRC Secretary

The Chipoudy Communities Revitalization Committee (CCRC for short) works to make Albert County a better place to live.

And we've been pretty busy lately. We are moving the Anderson Lighthouse to its new home. We run a Chase The Ace fundraiser that brings neighbours out and money in. We award an annual bursary to a local student heading off into the world. We hold community events throughout the year. And we're working hard to save the Old Bank in Riverside-Albert.

But you know, none of that happens without big-hearted volunteers. And right now, we could use a few more.

To be specific, we have multiple openings on three committees. You don't need to sit on the board. You don't need a fancy title. You just need to show up and pitch in whereyou can, when you can.

Events. If you likeputting things together, amarketplace, a festival, a workshop, a gathering on a Saturday afternoon, this is your spot. We need people who can help plan, set up, and pull eventsoff.
Fundraising. Good ideas cost money. This committee finds it. Grant writing, organizing fundraisers, talking to local businesses about sponsorship. If you've done this kind of work before, great. If you haven't but want to learn, also great.
Communication. Getting the word out, from strategy to execution of posters, Facebook posts, articles, photos at events, we get it done. If you write, design, take pictures, or know your way around social media, we could use your skills and help you improve them.

About the time commitment. It varies. Some months one committee is flat out and another is quiet. We're not going to take over your life. Tell us what you can give and we'll work with it.

One thing worth saying. You don't have to be from here to belong here. We've got people on this committee who grew up in Albert County and people who moved in last year. Both kinds matter. If you live here, you count.

To get involved, email us at [email protected] Tell us which committee caught your eye, or just say hi and we'll figure it out together.

We're not trying to change the world. We're trying to keep our corner of it strong.

Adventures of a Dog Breeder and Trainer:  The Salt and Pine Method

2/6/2026

Article & Images Submitted by Shannon MacBeth, Owner & Trainer, Shakespeare's Legacy Labradors

If you’ve been following along with our Salt and Pine training methods, you’ve now ensured your dog knows their name and is coming to you when called, not begrudgingly, but with enthusiasm and a wagging tail. The next step is to have them stay with you, staying engaged with you, in an area with distractions. It will take a few steps, but together we can get there.

Let’s start by looking at the Salt, or the challenge, you’re facing with your dog. You’ve taken Scout to your child’s soccer game and all he wants to do is chase the players and the ball. He’s pulling to the extent of his leash, barking excitedly and those around you are staring and thinking your dog is a “bad dog”. Or you and your precious Mabel out for a walk and that one dog that drives her mad is approaching with their owner. We know what is about to happen, the growling, the barking, the pulling and the embarrassment because your dog is not behaving as per societal expectations and acceptances.

These, as well as similar situations, can be very frustrating if you don’t know how to handle them resulting in doing all the wrong things. We tend to bargain with treats, which is actually rewarding the unwanted behaviour or we try to soothe them which tells them their fearful behaviour is warranted or lastly we apply negative pressure by scolding, pulling at them and allowing our embarrassment and frustration to take over.

Now comes the Pine, or the training, portion of the Salt and Pine training method. We need to get to the root of the situation before we can help our dogs grow past it.

Let me start with this, reactive dogs are not bad dogs, they are fearful dogs and we’ve placed them in a situation that is making them uncomfortable and afraid without the tools to help them build their confidence and security. We need to ensure our dog is safe in the environment. Once they are, we are going to become the most boring thing in the room.

The strategy is called “sitting on the dog”. No, we aren’t actually going to sit on the dog. We are simply going to attach a leash to their collar or harness, sit ourselves in a chair as well as on the leash while we wait until the dog has calmed and settled at our feet. No words, no eye contact, no emotion. They need to figure out how to self soothe and self calm, similar to handling a toddler who’s throwing a fit at nap time.

This is something that should first be trained at home before taking the training into the real world. Remember to move slowly, start at a distance from their triggers and slowly move forward as their confidence and ability to self soothe grows. This can make or break your training so start small. You need to watch your dog closely to ensure they aren’t crossing their tolerance threshold. Once this happens, your training is done for that session as they haven’t been able to self soothe or regulate. Put distance between your dog and their trigger and as they return to calm, slowly decrease the distance.

To test if they are within their threshold parameters, as them for a few basic cues such as sit or responding to their name. As soon as they begin to struggle with offering these known behaviours to stop moving forward and instead return to a trainable distance. As time passes, the distance will continue to decrease until they are, hopefully, able to move past their trigger without any sort of reaction.

Remember to reward the calmness each and every time your dog offers it to you, especially in a setting with distractions.

Please keep in mind the harder the request, the more value the treat will need to be. The kibble that works at home with no triggers is not going to have the same result when facing more distractions and triggers. Training should be quick, simple and painless. If you are feeling frustrated, rushed, etc., save the training for a time you both are calm and ready. If training starts well, but suddenly goes sideways, offer one last reward for the attempt and end the session.

There could be many factors that go into a training session that doesn’t seem to be working, so it’s best to just shut it down and try again later instead of allowing frustrations to increase on both parts. This type of training will not be a quick and easy process. Consider it as taking root and helping your dog grow into the dog you know they can be. It takes time, but the results are worth it.

Riverside-Albert and Alma Recreation Councils Launch After-School Program

1/4/2026

 Article & Images Submitted by Joanne Butland

Recreation volunteers from Riverside-Albert and Alma have joined forces to bring a new after-school program to local youth. Thanks to financial support from the Chipoudy Communities Revitalization Committee (CCRC), healthy snacks and program supplies are being provided to support the initiative.

The first two programs, designed for children ages 5 to 11, began on March 9 and will run for six weeks at the Riverside Consolidated School. The programs aim to provide a safe, engaging after-school space for children while building confidence, focus, and creative expression.

The Riverside-Albert and Alma Recreation Councils wish to thank the Anglophone East School District for the use of the facility, as well as the volunteers and local facilitators who helped make the programs possible. More community recreation programs are expected in the future. Stay tuned!

Community Pancake Breakfast & Spring Market at Caledonia

31/3/2026

Start your morning with great food and community spirit! The Caledonia Girls Volleyball teams are hosting a by-donation Pancake Breakfast at Caledonia Regional High School on Saturday, May 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to stop by, enjoy a delicious breakfast, and support local student athletics.

At the same time, visitors can explore the Spring Market taking place in the school gymnasium from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission to the market is free, and it will feature a variety of local vendors offering handmade goods, crafts, and unique products.

As part of the Spring Market, Caledonia will also be hosting a Hockey Memorabilia Raffle, featuring a collection of jerseys and autographed hockey pucks that hockey fans in our community will surely appreciate.

All proceeds from the breakfast and raffle will go toward updating and purchasing new sporting equipment for Caledonia’s athletic programs. Bring your family, support local athletes, shop local, and enjoy a great day in the community.

Big Things are Growing in Fundy Albert

26/2/2026

Submitted by Alicia O'Hara Sanford, Social Worker,

Albert County Community Health Centre

Something exciting is happening at Caledonia Regional High School! A brand-new community greenhouse is being built right on school property — and it’s going to help students and families all across Fundy Albert.

The Fundy Albert Community Greenhouse is a 25’ x 48’ geothermal greenhouse. That means it can grow food almost all year long, even during cold New Brunswick winters. The project is a partnership between Caledonia Regional High School and Foods of the Fundy Valley, a local nonprofit that works to strengthen food security and support local food systems in our region.

Small School, Mighty Spirit: CCRC Bursary Supports Local Graduate's Nursing Dreams

26/2/2026

Submitted by Derek Lackey, CCRC Secretary

There's something special about a small rural school. Everyone knows everyone. Teachers remember your parents. Your classmates become lifelong friends. And when you come back years later, it still feels like home.

Just ask Mya O'Neil Johnston.

Friends of the Tigers

28/12/2025

Article & Images Submitted by Melody Land

Caledonia Regional Middle and High School have been engaging and investing in a variety of community events in recent months. We were fortunate to be able to attend a fundraiser they had for their school, a Christmas coffee house where students shared their musical talents. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get the photos, names, and consent to publish all of the acts but here are a few! Congratulations to all those who took part. It was a very special event and amazing opportunity to see incredible talent from our community.

Caledonia Activity Place 2025 – A Year in Review and Beyond!

28/12/2025

 Article & Images Submitted by Beverly Terris, Activity Director, Caledonia Activity Place

Wow, how quickly a year passes! This has been an exciting year full of change, development, and lots of relationship building.

As the Activity Director and most recent member of the ACDC/CAP (Albert County Development Centre / Caledonia Activity Place) Team, I have the pleasure of working with a great team within my community and getting to know our local residents. Lot’s of research, planning and elbow grease went into the last year enhancing our visibility and activities at the centre and I would like to take you through what that looked like.

In January we created our Facebook Page and started offering a Coffee House on Wednesday mornings from 11-2 pm followed by our very successful Crib & Crokinole afternoons on Thursday from 1-3 pm. Those Crokinole players’ can get really excited!