Mayor Sandra Snow’s Welcome Letter to NSCC Students

Dear NSCC Students,

Welcome to Kentville! Much like the college you have chosen, Kentville has a great deal to offer. There are many services available to you, including recreation, fitness, spiritual, retail, banking, and health and wellness.

Visit one of the many downtown shops, all are locally owned and operated. Stop in to chat, and learn what it means to be an entrepreneur in a small town. Our pubs, cidery, and cafés are second to none and will soon become your favourites. Each has its own special menu and selection to tantalize the taste buds. Kentville can boast one of the first brew pubs in NS, and an axe throwing Lounge at HaliMacs (put a team together and join one of their leagues or get together for a special evening out).

The Town of Kentville offers a full slate of recreational and fitness opportunities. Drop in to town hall and the recreation department or check out our website at kentville.ca for a full schedule of events or equipment available for loan. There are many sponsored events, including yoga and belly dancing. The Town hosted its second Canada Cup Mountain Bike race event at the Gorge in August, and by all accounts it was a great success. Perhaps you have always wanted to try mountain biking? This is your chance. A walk at Miner’s Marsh, a Ducks Unlimited trail, can provide the solace and inspiration needed when your brain is in overdrive from studying. The ravine at the Agricultural Research Station is the perfect four-season getaway. Loaner snowshoes are available at the recreation department all winter. The rail trail that winds through town is a small section of the Harvest Moon Trail. The Harvest Moon Trail is a 110 kilometre trail that covers the Valley from Grand-Pré to Annapolis Royal.

The Town is serviced by Kings Transit, a public transit service that operates from Weymouth to Wolfville. All buses are WIFI enabled and offer an economical way of travelling throughout the Valley. Check out their website at kingstransit.ns.ca or download their app to track your bus.

If you are interested in volunteering, the Kings Volunteer Resource Centre can help you to find the perfect match. Kentville has a very active Rotary Club, and many service clubs that may offer an opportunity to network and connect with folks in your chosen field. Be sure to connect with the Valley Regional Entreprise Network (REN) Valley Connector Program (connector@valleyren.ca) to learn more about making connections and networking in your chosen field. The Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce (AVCC) has a very active and supportive Young Business Leaders (YBL) committee.

Congratulations on choosing NSCC Kingstec, you have an amazing opportunity for a great education, to learn a little more about yourself, and perhaps a chosen career. I cannot fully express how pleased we are to have you become part of our citizenship while you are here. Study, apply yourself, and enjoy your time getting to know Kentville a little bit better. On behalf of the town council, staff, and citizens, welcome to Kentville, let us be your home away from home and your Breath of Fresh Air.

Sandra Snow, Mayor of Kentville