January is Alzheimer’s Awareness month, a time for Canadians to reflect on the courage and resilience of people who are affected by dementia. 

In Wolfville, this special month is being celebrated with an additional level of recognition, following a big win at the Jan. 15 Dementia-Friendly Communities awards for the Memory Café

The Memory Café NS was born out of Wolfville’s Memory Café project, which was started via collaboration between a local Geriatric Psychiatrist (Beverley Cassidy) and Wolfville Recreation. The program is hosted at Charts Café in Wolfville.

The team has grown to include several local volunteers and has been successful in developing programming now used in other municipalities and communities across Nova Scotia. Memory Café NS is also supported by funding from the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program and The Mud Creek Rotary Club.

The awards were created by the Dementia-Friendly Canada project, designed to recognize the phenomenal work that is being done across the country to make Canada a place that is inclusive and supportive for people affected by dementia.

There were six different categories for the inaugural award ceremony: voice, ally, grassroots group, municipality, small to medium organization and large organization. Wolfville’s Memory Café was recognized with a win in the grassroots group category.

Congratulations to all involved for making Wolfville a more dementia-friendly place to live.

The renovations at Devour! Studios, a centre for culinary and cultural innovation, are progressing, thanks to support from all levels of Government.

The Wolfville Main Street location, once complete, will serve as a multi-tenant, multi-purpose space for large events; culinary arts and education programs; cultural celebrations; professional music, film, and visual artists; and retailers selling Nova Scotia food and beverages.

The renovations to Devour! Studios in Wolfville will also provide a permanent home for Devour! The Food Film Fest in the transformed apple warehouse.

Mayor Wendy Donovan attended the announcement celebration on Jan. 16 in the space that looks out over Waterfront Park and the stunning vista of the Minas Basin. The Town of Wolfville has committed $100,000 to the project.

“The Town of Wolfville is thrilled that the home of Devour! is located in the heart of our town,” Mayor Donovan said. “Wolfville’s contribution to this iconic new home supports physical accessibility in the Devour! building and general public enjoyment through the patio link to the town’s waterfront. Wolfville’s contribution recognizes the important economic and social impact Devour! brings to our town. We anticipate spin-off benefits to food, beverage and accommodation businesses and opportunity for emerging entrepreneurs connected to food and film. Devour! is an exciting opportunity for our town and our entire region.”

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Wolfville, Nova Scotia, January 13, 2023—Today, Kody Blois, Member of Parliament for Kings—Hants, Melissa Sheehy-Richard, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Hants West, and Her Worship Wendy Donovan, Mayor of the Town of Wolfville, announced $6 million in joint funding for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant in Wolfville.

Through this investment, the Wolfville wastewater treatment facility will receive upgrades that include a newly constructed third lagoon cell and protective raised barrier, an improved aeration system, and a new operational monitoring and control system. This project will help improve the wastewater treatment plant’s efficiency and increase treatment capacity, protecting nature and residents through a higher quality of wastewater and sewer disposal systems.

By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country’s economy, increasing the resiliency of our communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.

Quotes

“I am proud to see the second phase of the Wolfville wastewater project move ahead. This infrastructure investment builds upon an initial investment in 2019, and is fundamental to the continued growth of Wolfville so that more residents, businesses and visitors can enjoy what the area has to offer.” - Kody Blois, Member of Parliament for Kings—Hants, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities

“Modern and efficient water infrastructure is key to building healthy and resilient communities. This investment will help keep the Town of Wolfville safe, healthy and environmentally sustainable for many years to come.” - Melissa Sheehy-Richard, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Hants West, on behalf of the Honourable John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

“The expansion and upgrading of our wastewater infrastructure is a critical element of the Town’s growth. Wolfville welcomes visitors, students, and permanent residents from around the Country and the world. This is a needed and welcome investment in our future prosperity.” - Her Worship Wendy Donovan, Mayor of the Town of Wolfville

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is investing $2.4 million towards the project, while the Government of Nova Scotia is investing $2 million and the Town of Wolfville is contributing $1.6 million.
• The Government of Canada’s funding comes from the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
• Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
• Over the past 6 years, Infrastructure Canada has invested more than $309 million towards 54 green infrastructure projects across Nova Scotia under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
• During that period, over $49 billion has been invested in communities across Canada to support world-class, modern public infrastructure, including over $2.8 billion for wastewater infrastructure.
• Infrastructure Canada helps address complex challenges that Canadians face every day—ranging from the rapid growth of our cities, to climate change, and environmental threats to our water and land.
• The funding announced today builds on the Government of Canada’s work through the Atlantic Growth Strategy to create well-paying middle class jobs, strengthen local economies, and build inclusive communities.

Our new compliance vehicle is charged-up and ready to roll. The new 2023 Hyundai Kona EV in glacier white needed some Wolfville whimsy to help communicate its eco-positive story, so staff completed a mini-branding exercise and decided on the name “Watts’n.”

The name is a play on the word “watt” as well as being a nod to the famous Dr. Watson, assistant to Sherlock Holmes. By adding a start button icon, in our brand’s green hue, we also give a hint of a magnifying glass.

Watts’n will be supporting our compliance work and also helping the Town move in a green direction.

The Town is offering FREE workshops and energy walk-throughs ($1,250 value) to brick-and-mortar Wolfville businesses to help businesses save up to 25% on energy bills through low or no cost energy use changes.

The business sector contributes 21% of all greenhouse gas emissions in Wolfville. To help business owners reduce emissions, the Town has hired consultants at Thinkwell Shift to lead Get 2 Zero, a program dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the business sector. Businesses who register for Get 2 Zero will attend a two-part workshop and complete an energy walkthrough of their business.

Experts at Thinkwell Shift will identify low and no cost upgrades and/or behaviour changes businesses can make to save up to 25% on energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.

All businesses who complete the Get 2 Zero program will receive a free window cling to display, showcasing that they are an Energy Smart Business.

Businesses can register for a mandatory two-part workshop by visiting www.thinkwellshift.ca/get2zero

In-person workshops will be held at Town Hall where complementary breakfast and lunch will be served, or there is an option to attend a virtual workshop.