February 2026 - Issue #339 – Happy Valentine’s Day
42 nd NS AFRICAN HERITAGE MONTH
This year’s African Heritage Month provincial theme: “Strength in Unity – Moving forward with Purpose, Prosperity, Power and Progress”. This theme highlights the living legacy of Black Nova Scotians, honouring the impact and perseverance of the long-standing community. Nova Scotia has 52 historic African Nova Scotian communities with a long, deep and complex history dating back over 200 years. African Heritage Month provides us with another opportunity to celebrate the culture, legacy, achievements, and contributions of our Black people – past and present. For a list of African Heritage Month events and proclamations across the province, go to: www.ahm.bccnsweb.com
NATIONAL FLAG DAY & HERITAGE DAY
The Federal Government has proclaimed February 15th as National Flag of Canada Day. In 1965, sixty years ago, the old Red Ensign Flag with the British Union Jack was replaced with the Red Maple Leaf. To know more facts about our nation’s flag and/or other official national symbols of Canada: www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/official-symbols-canada.html And be sure to wave our own Provincial and Municipal Flags too! Heritage Day is the third Monday in February each year is set aside as an annual reminder of our storied past and an opportunity to honour the remarkable people, places and events that have contributed to this province’s unique heritage. This year’s date is February 16th . So please enjoy the day! More info at: https://heritageday.novascotia.ca/ . Heritage Day 2026 will honour Joseph William Comeau. For more information about him: https://heritageday.novascotia.ca/content/past-and-future-honourees
CAMP COURAGE APPLICATION TIME
Camp Courage is a First Responder's Society, that is registered charity dedicated to inspiring young women and gender-diverse youth, aged 15 to 19 with the skills, mentorship, and confidence to pursue emergency service
careers—and the results are nothing short of extraordinaryto pursue careers in emergency services. Since 2006, its award-winning, volunteer-driven programs have empowered hundreds of future leaders, creating a ripple
effect that continues to strengthen emergency services and communities nationwide. For 20 years, Camp Courage has been more than a program—it has been a movement. It instills confidence, promotes values of courage and service, enhances diversity in emergency services, and builds stronger, more inclusive communities. Participants take part in immersive, hands-on experiences that mirror the realities of emergency service work: climbing 100-foot ladders, conducting water rescues, learning self-defence and de-escalation,
performing medical simulations like airway management and childbirth, and taking part in firefighting, crime scene investigation, and resilience training. Each challenge strengthens not only physical and mental readiness but also leadership, teamwork, and confidence. The 20th Anniversary Camp Courage will be held July 4th–12th , 2026, with applications due February 7th , 2026. Applicants are encouraged to apply early
for their chance to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. For more details; contact:Andréa Speranza, Executive Director via email:andrea@campcourage.ca Phone: 902-488-1188 www.campcourage.ca
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT GRANTS
The NS Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism, and Heritage’s (CCTH) Community Infrastructure, and Access-Ability grant programs are now open for applications for the fiscal year 2026-27. This is an important opportunity for local organizations and entities to enhance and improve community facilities and help to support
a more accessible and vibrant future for everyone.
Business ACCESS-Ability Program :
Offers cost-shared grants to businesses for accessibility related improvements. https://cch.novascotia.ca/business-access-ability-grant-program
Community ACCESS-Ability Program :
Supports renovations and improvements to make community buildings more accessible. https://cch.novascotia.ca/investing-our-future/community-funding-and-awards/community-access-ability-program
Community Facility Improvement Program :
Aids in repairs and upgrades to community facilities open for public use, such as community halls.
https://cch.novascotia.ca/investing-in-our-future/community-facilities-improvement-program
Legion Capital Assistance Program :
Assists Royal Canadian Legions with capital upgrades. https://cch.novascotia.ca/investing-our-future/community-funding-and-awards/legion-capital-assistance-program
Recreation Facility Development / Rink Revitalization Fund :
Supports repairs and upgrades to community recreation facilities and rinks.
Application Deadline for all these programs is February 14 th .
They recommend all potential applicants discuss their projects with a CCTH regional manager or program officer before submitting an application. This will ensure that you are well-informed and best positioned to succeed in securing the support you need.
Contacts for Program Inquiries:
· Community ACCESS-Ability:
AccessAbilitygrants@novascotia.ca
· Community Facility Improvement & Legion Capital Assistance:
· Recreation Facility Development and Rink Revitalization (Contact Regional Manager):
Central Region (HRM): Andrea Redmond ( centralregion@novascotia.ca )
ICE & SNOW WINTER MAINTENANCE
The Nova Scotia Department of Public Works (NSDPW) does most of the snow removal, ice control and winter road maintenance services in District 2. Our local NS Highway Depots are in West Chezzetcook and Spry Bay. You can e-mail any roadway concerns to the attention of the NSDPW Operations Contact Centre, to: DPW-OCC@novascotia.ca or call 1-844-696-7737. The NSDPW will log it, assign a service ticket number and send it to the appropriate local supervisor. The Province as an online “plowtracker” tool that citizens can track snowploughs on a provincial zoom in map: http://novascotia.ca/tran/winter/plowtracker.asp .Or you can see current highway conditions by going online to the roadside camera website: https://novascotia.ca/tran/cameras/ . Drivers can also get up-to-date road conditions across Nova Scotia by calling the SNOW-line: 1-800-307-SNOW (7669) or 511 or 1-888-432-3233, or visit http://novascotia.ca/tran/winter .
The SNOW-line is updated regularly at 7 AM, 1 PM, and 5 PM or more frequently in case of a major storm event. You can also follow them on Twitter: @NS_PublicWorks . If you have any concerns or complaints about snow removal service in your area that is served by NSDPW, then please contact your Eastern Shore MLA office: Kent.Smith@novascotia.ca or call 902-989-3772. With respect to the communities of North Preston, Westphal, East Preston, Lake Echo, Mineville and all of the Lawrencetown subdivision streets west of the Mineville Road,
these areas are being done under the auspices of HRM with a Performance Base Contracted Out Service provider: Ocean Contractors. If you have any concerns about our Snow and Ice Control winter road maintenance, please call the HRM Contact Centre at 311 or reach out to me.
For information about HRM Winter Road Maintenance, please go to: www.halifax.ca/transportation/winter-operations
NO MORE ICE THICKNESS REPORTS
Please note that the municipality is no longer conducting ice thickness testing. Over the last number of years, there has been a decline in the number of days available for skating. Based on these changed climate patterns, including rapidly fluctuating temperatures, ice thickness testing is no longer feasible. We realize that some
residents may wish to continue skating on lakes, and there may occasionally be times when it is safe to do so. Residents are asked to take safety precautions for themselves and their families by avoiding any further recreation activities on frozen lakes and ponds, including walking, snowmobiling, and skating.
The Red Cross recommends the following:
15 cm ( 6” ) for walking or skating alone
20 cm ( 8” ) for skating parties or games
25 cm ( 10” ) for snowmobiles and ATV’s
For more information about Ice Safety Tips, please visit the Canadian Red Cross website:
www.redcross.ca/blog/2019/12/ice-safety-know-when-it-s-safe-to-play
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