Listen to Tantramar Report for the following stories:
Introducing “entity 40”
The province has announced major municipal reform throughout the province, including the amalgamation of Sackville and Dorchester and surrounding local service districts, currently under the working title “entity 40." On Tantramar Report, we go over some of the details of this major change and talk with Sackville mayor Shawn Mesheau to get his reaction. Check out the web story here.
Sappyfest and Mel’s Tea Room collaborate on live music this weekend
Live music abounds in Sackville this weekend, with shows Friday and Saturday at Mel’s Tea Room co-presented with Sappyfest, and a show Saturday put on by the Sackville Early Music Festival. We talk with Sappyfest’s Jeff McKinnon and Mel’s Tea Room co-owner Dave Epworth about how two local institutions got together to bring back live music to Sackville.
Suzuki says Mount Allison should be ashamed of lack of action on divestment
In a talk last night delivered via video link from his home in BC, renowned scientist and environmentalist David Suzuki told the gathered crowd online and at Convocation Hall that Mount Allison University should be ashamed of its resistance to divestment of the school’s endowment. Suzuki spoke as part of the President’s Speaker Series and was responding to a question from student Helen Yao, on behalf of Divest MtA, a student group that has been working for the past 7 years to get Mount Allison to move its endowment fund investments out of fossil fuel industries. Check the web story here.
Sackville ER moves to 8-hour per day service today
Starting today, the Sackville Memorial Hospital ER will be closed from 4pm each day, and remain closed overnight until 8am the following morning. The change was announced by Horizon on October 29, and is due to a shortage of physicians and nurses to cover ER shifts.
Christa Wheeler-Thorne, executive director of the Moncton and Sackville hospitals said the change was “temporary but is necessary to provide appropriate nursing resources for inpatient services.” The hospital director says the goal remains, “to provide emergency services at Horizon’s Sackville Memorial Hospital 24/7.”
COVID-19 update: revised isolation rules
The COVID-19 update for Nov. 18. Photo courtesy of the New Brunswick government.
Premier Blaine Higgs and Chief Medical Officer of Health Jennifer Russell held a news conference Thursday, announcing an end to remaining circuit breaker measures in Moncton and Mirimachi, and introducing a new household isolation rule instead. As of 6 p.m. tonight, everyone in a household with a positive case of COVID-19, regardless of their vaccination status, must isolate for 14 days. Anyone who is vaccinated can be released early from isolation with a negative COVID-19 test.
Rates per 100,000 for COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths among the fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Photo courtesy of the New Brunswick government.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Fine Arts Show and Sale today
Mount Allison’s Fine Arts students are set up today in the lobby of the Purdy Crawford Centre for the Arts for their first Show and Sale of the year. The event happens twice a year, and is a chance for students to show off and sell their original art and crafts. The sale is on from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Masks are required and sales will be cash only.
Moonlight Madness tonight
The shopping opportunities continue in Sackville this weekend as Moonlight Madness takes over downtown tonight, with additional vendors and fundraisers along Main Street, wagon rides, and a tree lighting at Bill Johnstone Park. More information at the town of Sackville website.
Heart and Pocket Revue Independent Craft Market on Saturday
On Saturday, The Heart & Pocket Revue Independent Craft Market takes over the Sackville Legion for the day, with over 20 artists and artisans presenting their handmade wares. The market runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 15 Lorne St. More information here.
Live music events this weekend as part of Bordertown
Tonight at 7 p.m., the Carter Sisters & Kyle Legere and Rod Allen & Friends perform at the Sackville Legion for the Bordertown Country Music & Fiddle Show.
At 9 p.m., Mike Trask performs at Mel’s Tea Room, in a free show presented by Sappyfest and Mel’s. Tickets are free but should be booked in advance.
Saturday at 3 p.m., the Sackville Festival of Early Music presents The Spruce Larks, featuring Kirsty Money on nyckelharpa and Jude Pelley on guitar, mandolin, and bouzouki. Tickets available here.
Saturday at 4 p.m., the Mark Green Band takes the stage at Mel’s, also co-presented with Sappyfest. Tickets are free but should be booked in advance.