I haven’t said this out loud yet, in order to not tempt fate… but… Winter has been pretty easy on us so far. Even the big storm forecast for last Thursday / Friday didn’t affect us terribly much, and gave the kids a snow day-and-a-half!
With Saturday’s sunny reprieve, we have time now to get a bit of wood in and place the snow shovels strategically before the Sunday/Monday snow / ice / wind arrives. You might want to put a windshield cover on your vehicle too, to save some ice-chipping when it’s time to get back out there.
The Town of Oxford posted to its social media account yesterday, that its sidewalk plow is having mechanical issues. They’re working on it, but they’re not sure it’ll be ready to go for the oncoming white stuff.
This is the perfect opportunity for able-bodied men, women and teens to get out there and lend a hand to their neighbours and community. Exercise! Cool air! Meeting friends and neighbours! A few swipes with a snow shovel and you’ve made the day immeasurably better for your fellow residents.
I don’t think there’s been a storm in my lifetime where we haven’t expressed consternation at the state of sidewalks, regardless of where we lived in Nova Scotia. The Town of Oxford, under its Accessibility Plan, is working toward “Winter Maintenance upgrades, for example clear snowbanks where crosswalks are designated and adopted Snow Removal Policy that reflect priorities of safe snow removal for public safety and accessibility.”
As we age, we eventually come to appreciate the challenges that snow represents to mobility. A perfectly plowed and salted sidewalk may get you around the block, but if the plow left a foot-tall ridge at the corners and where crosswalks should be accessible, then those with mobility challenges may find it particularly difficult or impossible to get around. Perhaps you have the power, with a couple of scoops with your shovel, to ensure people have that freedom of movement.
Can’t shovel? Keep an eye out, and offer a hot coffee or chocolate to those who can. Organize! Talk to neighbours who need a hand, and connect them with volunteers. A snow storm is an opportunity to enjoy your comfy bed for an extra hour or two, but it’s also a chance to connect with the folks around you.
If you NEED help, or are willing to clear snow for those in need, consider posting a message to the Oxford News pages on social media:
Oxford, Nova Scotia -News – Wild Blueberry Capital of Canada
Oxford NS News and Community Events
And if you’re looking to get out and enjoy this winter weather, there are lots of opportunities for tobogganing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing… you can even tromp around Oxford’s famous Bunny Trail! Bring along some bird seed, nuts, maybe a painted rock to add to the trail-long gallery of creativity. You never know who you’ll meet out and about!
And let’s not forget — the Town of Oxford is hosting events for Heritage Day 2025 at the Oxford Arena from 2:00-4:00pm:
The person chosen to be recognized on Heritage Day 2025 in Nova Scotia is Mi’kmaq Elder Nora Bernard:
Heritage Day is celebrated annually on the third Monday in February. In Nova Scotia, Heritage Day is a yearly opportunity to remember our past and honour remarkable people, places, and events contributing to our province’s unique heritage.
This year, Nova Scotia honours Mi’kmaw activist Nora Bernard.
Nora, born on September 22, 1935, at Millbrook First Nation, was one of seven children. When Nora was nine years old, her mother was forced to send her and her siblings to the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School. Nora eventually married and became a mother to six children. She was a grandmother, aunt, wife, and Elder in her community. Family and community were very important to Nora. In 1987, Nora founded the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School Association. She began her search for and contact of other Survivors, embarking on her fight for justice, recognition and compensation for Survivors of the Canadian Indian Residential School system. In 1995, Nora launched a class-action lawsuit against the Government of Canada, the catalyst leading to the largest class-action lawsuit in Canadian history and compensation for Survivors across the country. Nora died in 2007. Unfortunately, she was not present to witness the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission raises awareness of the residential school system and its impacts to this day. We remember and honour Nora Bernard as a brave champion for her community and Indigenous peoples across Canada.
