Connecting Albert County - Learning and literacy

Holiday Reading for Cozy Winter Evenings

2/12/2024

Submitted by: Victoria Stroud Arsenault, Librarian, Hillsborough Public Library

The Holiday season is the perfect time to snuggle up with loved ones , turn on the twinkle lights, and make a new tradition of reading some holiday favourites. Or, perhaps taking some time, all alone, away from the hustle and bustle of the season, is exactly what you need to do. Grab a warm beverage, turn off your phone and TV, and a crack open book to escape the busy and get back some of that holiday cheer.

Either way, at the Hillsborough Library, we have so many options for you to enjoy. Check out some of the titles, picked especially for you!

The Christmas Portal

2/12/2024

A Creative Story Submitted by: Audrey Hatfield

Audrey spends her days enjoying life as an active homeschooler in grade six and lives in Edgett's Landing with her parents, little sister, and a homestead full of interesting creatures that include a dog, cat, goats, and her very special ball python snake! You can also find her fulfilling her creative passions in theatre and other creative adventures throughout the county!

This story began as I sat on the sofa, a warm fire flickering in front of me. It swayed and lit up the room with a cozy, golden colour.

I heard a scratching sound. It sounded like something was clawing the sofa. I looked over and my tortoiseshell cat was digging her claws in the furniture.

Riverside-Albert Playground Project

28/9/2024

Submitted by: Karen Lindsay

The idea of producing a new playground in Riverside-Albert was of interest to a few like-minded people in the Summer of 2018. By Fall of that same year, a small committee was formed in collaboration Consolidated with School Riverside (RCS). A
Facebook page was created to recruit additional committee members and receive public and community input and ideas. The children at RCS played a significant role in providing suggestions of what their vision of a playground would look like and what activities it would include.

Join the 2024 Summer Reading Club!

2/7/2024

This year, children are invited to spend a spooky summer at the library as we READ, DISCOVER, CREATE, and celebrate the Summer Reading Club. Join us for our trip Around the World in 8 Weeks and discover the continents, cultures, and creatures from the four corners of our planet.
The Summer Reading Club is designed to encourage young people to read over the summer holidays. When they register, participants receive a reading logbook in which they can keep track of their reading throughout the summer. During the months of June, July, and August, all public libraries in the province will present various fun and entertaining activities. The Summer Reading Club is intended for all young New Brunswickers.
To register visit the Hillsborough Public Library in person, contact us by phone at 506-734-3722, email us at [email protected] or contact us through Facebook. Children who do not know how to read yet can also participate by having a parent or caregiver read to them. Children can also register online by visiting the Summer Reading Club website at http://www.gnb.ca/summerreadingclub.
Follow us on Facebook or sign up for our online newsletter to receive up to date information about all the programs/activities that will happen throughout the summer! (activities will begin at the end of June)

Dane Stevens’ Edible Art

2/7/2024

Dane Stevens with a recently created cake creation.

By James Wilson

Art takes many forms. But while a Rembrandt might be a feast for the eyes, it leaves the belly sadly empty. Luckily, we have food art to satisfy both. Luckier still, Dane Stevens of Hillsborough has taken to creating imaginative works of art out of fondant while working at the Gateway Market. For those unaware fondant is a thick sheet-like icing with a consistency similar to play-dough. These properties make it ideal for cutting and sculpting into all manner of shapes.
Despite what might assume from the dessert photos accompanying this article Dane only recently started working with fondant. He found some in the kitchen one day and was allowed to use it.

However, Dane has worked with clay for years to create art and he found the skills of one art form were readily transferable to the other. Dane states that he appreciates Gateway Market giving him the leeway to experiment with new ideas for fondant decorating. When asked if he might pursue baking as a career he stated that he has considered it but doesn’t know where to start. For now, he is just happy to make his creations which he says he gets a great deal of satisfaction from.

Dane Stevens will be going into grade 12 in September and will be working at the Gateway Market throughout the summer.

Tips to Avoid Financial Fraud- An important message from the New Brunswick Senior Citizens’ Federation (NBSCF) and Financial and Consumer Services Commission New Brunswick (FCNB)

3/4/2024

Submitted by Lise Guignard

Anyone can be a victim of financial fraud. As we age, our ability to manage personal finances and health can deteriorate, making us more dependent on others and vulnerable to financial exploitation and fraud. Other factors, such as stress, isolation, fatigue and even overconfidence, can play a role in the ability to recognize the fraudsters' game. A significant financial loss is often devastating for older adults who may have more difficulty recovering. The repercussions of fraud and financial abuse are not just financial; victims lose trust in others, tend to isolate themselves socially and may suffer from health problems such as depression or anxiety disorders.

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center, older adults in New Brunswick lost more than $1.1 million in 2023 due to fraud and scams, with more than 70% coming from investment fraud and gambling schemes of urgent need of money. In the urgent need of money scheme (or the grandparents’ scam), the fraudster targets older adults and pretends to be a family member (often a grandchild) who is in trouble. Sometimes the scammer pretends to be a lawyer representing the member in difficulty. He calls to ask for money to be sent to him, but asks that the transfer remain secret, so as not to suffer reprimands from his parents.

Seedy Saturday and Garden Market 2024!

3/2/2024

Come Share, Learn and Grow!
February 17th 9am-3pm at The Old Church Farmers Market
2807 Main St., Hillsborough

Join your community in this fun day of all things gardening. Whether you are a beginner or experienced gardener there’s surely something interesting for you.

Lunch available at our Soup and Coffee Bar.

Seed Swap table. A true highlight of the day. Mix and mingle with others over a table of seed packets, catalogs and pamphlets from an assortment of seed companies, organizations and gardeners from our community.
Have seeds, gardening books or tools that are no longer serving you? Bring them to the Swap Table and go home with something new.
Chat with Ron and Pat, two local gardeners about your gardening questions and curiosities.
** If you’re bringing seeds, please make sure they are labeled**

Peruse the exhibitors composed of local seed companies, hand-crafted items from backyard gardeners and environmental non-profits.

Entry is free (accepting donations).
We can’t wait to see you there!

Visit on us Facebook https://www.facebook.com/oldchurchfarmersmarket

Improving Lives Through Literacy with Read Moncton

3/2/2024

Submitted by Sheila Bennett
President of the Board of Directors for Read Moncton

Improving lives through literacy is not just the slogan for Read Moncton, but is truly our raison d'être, as we recognize that lives are enhanced and our communities are made stronger through improved literacy skills.

Read Moncton, the local council of Read NB, founded in 1977, is a non-profit organization which offers free one-to-one tutoring to individuals over the age of 16, who are looking to upgrade their reading and writing, work towards their General Education Development (GED) certificate, or to improve their math or digital skills. We have recently
added English as Another Language training to our services, due to the growing demand in Southeastern NB, however, this is not one of our core services.

The Chipoudy Communities Revitalization Committee (CCRC) & What We Do

2/1/2024

Submitted by Linda Lindsay

If you have ever wondered what CCRC does, here is your answer. The Chipoudy Communities Revitalization Committee has a mandate (in part) to encourage and inspire sustainable economic and healthy social environments. These are some of our projects that positively impact the community where we live.

The Literacy Express

27/11/2023

The Literacy Express program was recently awarded a grant of $5000.00 from the New Brunswick Children's Foundation. Pictured from left to right at the cheque presentation is Mayor Bob Rochon; Foundation Director Kimberley Buck de Jesus; program Assistant Denise Bickford, and program Director Nancy Land. The NBChildren's Foundation has been a generous supporting organization of the program since 2013, in addition to the Bennett and Albert County Healthcare Foundation.