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Community (Viewpoint)

Writer's picture: Angela SanfordAngela Sanford

by Angela Sanford


The word “community” elicits, for me, images of neighbours and friends, of celebrations and organized events, a greater “family” defined solely by the chosen location one calls home.  While some have little flexibility in choosing their home locale, such as little ones too young to make such a choice, others are restricted by employment or finances.  There are fortunate people who have been able to out down roots in their dream locale and for some the location really doesn’t matter. However, no matter what the reason is for those of us who live in the greater Hants North communities, we are the fortunate ones.

 

As a teenager growing up in East Noel, I swore I’d never live in Nova Scotia. I was born in Fredericton, NB, lived in  Oromocto, NB, Alma, PQ and moved back to NS, into my grandparents’ front yard when I was 7.  I was in the middle of paperwork to move to Bermuda while I was at Teacher’s College when the unexpected happened – I got engaged to Dan, from the big “town” of Kennetcook and we bought our first home together – a whole 15 km away from my childhood home. I recall Brian Barron telling me I had at least moved to the right side of the river.

 

As a teenager – young adult, living in the area could be a bit suffocating – when it seemed that others knew your story before you did and there were limited options for hobbies and activities.  However, as our family grew I came to not only accept living in the area but to be very grateful for it.  Now, as the community grows, it is obvious that others see the value of our hometown and want to enjoy it themselves.

 

Luckily, our family has never had to reply on the community after a traumatic event, but we’ve experienced firsthand the generosity of our community family, first when I was awarded the opportunity to take a group of students to Scotland to perform.  In less than a year, and with great support from many, we raised over $100,000 to cover their expenses. One gentleman called me up and asked me to drop in for a donation – knowing he had financial challenges I was touched when he placed a rolled-up bill into my palm and closed my hand around it before I could see how much and he retorted, “The kids need this more than I need beer this week.”  When I returned to the car, he had handed me a fifty-dollar bill.

 

Further to this the community supported a second drama group four years later with the same opportunity, and multiple times, my own son, Wyatt, has been the recipient of the community’s openhandedness. Our family can’t express well enough the gratitude we have for this support and I know there are others who are as grateful for the community we call home and family.

 

When this extended family, the Hants North Community, recognizes that a family member needs support as a result of traumatic, unfortunate, and serious situations, often causing undue financial strain and much more, the broader family are immediately moved to action.  Whether it’s a 50/50, a dime auction, collection jars, a breakfast, or helping to find a home for someone who doesn’t want to move,  the community family responds quickly and effectively to carry some of the burden and provide comfort and ease when it is needed most. We have witnessed this fellowship time and again.

 

So, one could easily question, “Why wouldn’t everyone want to live here?”

 

Yes, the drama of small towns can occasionally be eye-opening! For certain, the cost of gas to travel to appointments can be maddening. The limitations of available services frustrating BUT, when I think back to my younger years these were enough to make me want to move away.  Now, they are just minor annoyances as I witness and participate in the larger family engagements.  And what family doesn’t know their families’ “business.” 

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