What's Up Rec?
Kicking off the holiday season with light up, parade
With less than six weeks until Christmas, Amherst will be kicking off the holidays this weekend with craft sales, downtown light up, Christmas parade and shopping!
The annual downtown Christmas Light Up is Friday evening, Nov. 16, downtown in Victoria Square. Starting at 6 p.m., enjoy live music by Steve Wells and hot chocolate. Join Deputy-Mayor Sheila Christie in counting down the light up at 6:30 p.m. Then make your way into the First Baptist Church and sing along with the ARHS Band starting at 7 p.m.
This year’s theme for the Amherst Christmas Parade is “Christmas Songs.” The parade will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m., starting from downtown on Victoria Street-Eddy streets. Following the parade float awards will be given out at the Amherst Centre Mall, along with a chance to visit with Santa in Santa’s Village.
Walking and skating a great way to stay active
Its hard to believe November is here.
The weather may be getting colder, but we want to encourage you to still get out and get active, especially after having maybe too many treats for Halloween. And what a great Halloween it was, with so many great events for all ages to enjoy from Spirt Walks to Zombie Walks. What an amazing community we have!
A great way to stay active, is to get walking! Stop by the Amherst Stadium, the walking track is open Monday to Fridays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Stadium is a great place to get in your walk, out of the brisk November weather, and on those days where the sun is shinning, don’t forget about our trails.
Stadium walking track, skating great options to stay active
Colder days ahead but that doesn’t mean you have to stop being active.
Did you know that recreational skating is offered free of charge as part of the Town of Amherst’s Physical Activity Strategy to be the most active, healthy community in Nova Scotia?
Our Stadium walking track is also open Monday to Fridays from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m., on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fall cleanup in our gardens and homes
The leaves are beginning to fall and bulb planting season is upon us.
Along with spring flowering bulbs that are planted in the fall, did you know that fall is the perfect time of year to plant trees and shrubs? Planting trees in the fall prior to the ground freezing allows the tree to get settled in its new home before it goes dormant for the season.
Late fall is the perfect time for putting our gardens to bed for winter. This usually involves the removal of annual plants, working amendments into your existing flower beds, the planting of spring flowering bulbs, trees and shrubs, and also the raking and removal of leaves, especially those that are diseased from your lawns.
Oct 17: Get physical and get ready for Halloween, Christmas
Be sure to get outside and take some time to enjoy the beautiful colours of fall.
Studies show physical activity is essential for good mental health. Many citizens are missing out on the mental health benefits of physical activity. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that reduce feelings of pain and increases feelings of pleasure, boosting your mood. Exercise also reduces the amount of stress hormones floating around in your body. So, visit one of the outdoor trails or tracks, or simply take a walk to clear your head and enjoy the fresh crisp air!
Recreational skating at the Amherst stadium has resumed for the season, offering free daily skates as part of the Town of Amherst’s goal to be the most active, healthy community in Nova Scotia. Free skates include adult/senior skates, parents & tots skates, after the bell skates & open skates. For full stadium schedule visit Amherst.ca.