2026 Census Coming Soon
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The 2026 Census is coming, and we need your support!
The Census of Population collects demographic, social and economic data from households, which is used by all levels of government, Indigenous communities, businesses, community organizations, and many others to support decision-making. The high-quality information collected by the census helps Canadians make important decisions that affect their families, their communities and their businesses.
Census collection begins on May 4, 2026. Completing the census questionnaire online is the best way for Canadians to fulfill their census obligation. It's secure and confidential. Respondents without reliable access to the Internet can call the Census Help Line to complete their census questionnaire over the phone or request a paper questionnaire.
How you can help spread the word:
- Share the resources in the 2026 Census Community Supporter Toolkit, including articles, posters, web images, and social media content.
- Engage on social media and share posts using the hashtag #2026Census.
For more information, please visit census.gc.ca.
French Toast Fest Returns to Amherst March 23–30
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The Town of Amherst is excited to welcome back French Toast Fest, returning this year from March 23–30. The week-long celebration invites residents and visitors to explore creative French toast dishes prepared by participating restaurants across the community.
Each year, local restaurants put their own spin on the classic breakfast favourite — from sweet to savoury — creating unique menu items that can only be enjoyed during the festival.
This year, Amherst is also welcoming Hub City Foodies, who will be visiting participating restaurants throughout the week. He will be sharing behind-the-scenes content, photos, and videos as restaurants prepare their special creations.
Check out Hub City Foodies
French Toast Fest has quickly become a favourite local tradition, highlighting Amherst’s vibrant food scene while supporting local businesses and giving residents a fun reason to explore restaurants around town.
More details about participating restaurants and featured dishes can be found at amherst.ca/frenchtoastfest or visit Amherst Community Living and Recreation Department on Facebook.
New Business Certificate: Rockin' Roan Tack and Apparel
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Mayor and members of Council recently visited Rockin' Roan Tack and Apparel to present the owners with a New Business Certificate and welcome them to the community.
Rockin' Roan is a family-owned equestrian retail shop that recently opened a storefront in the Amherst Centre Mall. While the business has been operating for nearly three years as a mobile shop traveling to horse shows across the Maritimes, the new location now gives customers a permanent place to shop.
The business already has a strong following within the horse community and regularly serves customers from across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and even Cape Breton. With the new storefront, visitors can now browse a full selection of riding gear, leather goods, apparel, and their newly launched in-house brand.
Owners say they’ve enjoyed becoming part of the growing activity in the mall and love seeing customers rediscover the space.
“People come in and tell us how much they used to visit the mall years ago,” they said. “It’s exciting to be part of something that’s bringing people back.”
The Town of Amherst congratulates Rockin' Roan on their continued growth and wishes them success in their new location.
Crossroads Officially Welcomed to Amherst
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Amherst Mayor Rob Small and members of Council were pleased to officially welcome Crossroads to its new location at the Amherst Centre Mall with the presentation of a new business certificate.
Known for its impressive home base in Pugwash, Crossroads has brought a unique and energetic retail concept to Amherst – one that blends outdoor living, power sports culture, apparel, and a passion for vintage vehicles.
“This is just a little bit of Crossroads here in Amherst,” explained Maddison Weir, part of the family-run team behind the business. The mall location currently spans three storefronts, each offering something a little different. One features outdoor and motorsports-inspired apparel and accessories, with well-known brands and everyday wear that appeal to riders and non-riders alike. Another space showcases collectible and vintage vehicles – including cars and motorcycles – sourced from across Canada and available for purchase. The third, affectionately described as the “man cave,” highlights memorabilia and lifestyle pieces that reflect the passion that started it all.
Amherst Hockey History Comes Home
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Last weekend, the past met the present at Amherst Stadium.
Members of the 1989–90 Amherst Ramblers Atlantic Championship team travelled home from across the Maritimes and beyond to reconnect, share stories, and honour a season that helped put Amherst hockey on the map.
Pictured above, left to right - Todd Isaacson, Bruce Harper, Kenny Parrell, Pat Flynn, Gilles Maltais ( white jersey ), at front Willie Boyle ( trainer ), Andy Grenier, Troy Kane, Terry Gould ( medical trainer)
The group returned not for a game, but for something more meaningful — to reconnect with their longtime friend, coach, and mentor, Bill Riley, and to install a commemorative display celebrating their championship run and the legacy they built together.
The upstairs cabinet currently features the team’s home jersey, team jacket, historic photos, and keepsakes from the season, anchored by a commemorative collage of the players today — a reminder that while youth may fade, the friendships and memories built through a season such as this never truly leave.
Pictured above – left to right – Terry Gould (Medical Trainer), Andy Grenier, Kenny Parrell, Gilles Maltais, Pat Flynn, Bruce Harper, Todd Isaacson, Troy Kane
This past summer, Coach Riley brought them back together once more and placed a championship ring in each player’s hand — a heartfelt tribute to a season many still call a highlight of their lives, and to the enduring bond between a coach and the players he still proudly calls his own.
More than memorabilia, the display tells the story of a team that represented Amherst with pride on the national stage and formed lifelong bonds that remain strong decades later.
Above : A display of artifacts from the 1989-90 Ramblers Junior A Atlantic Division championship Team Photo Credit Mitchell Fagan (Amherst Ramblers)
What stands out most isn’t just a banner or a trophy.
It’s the fact that these players still call Amherst home.
They still call each other teammates.
And they still show up for their coach.
Moments like this remind us what community sport is truly about — mentorship, friendship, pride, and the lasting connections built inside our arena, generation after generation.
The Town of Amherst is proud to display this piece of our sporting history and grateful to the players for bringing it home.
If you’re visiting the stadium, take a moment to stop by and take a look.
Once a Rambler, always a Rambler.
Bonafide Dog Cuts Welcomed to Amherst
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The Town of Amherst is pleased to welcome Bonafide Dog Cuts, a new dog grooming business now open in the community. Recently, Mayor Rob Small and Councillors Hal Davidson and Terry McManaman met with owner Chelsea Skinner to congratulate her on the opening of her new salon, and to present a new business certificate in recognition of her exciting new venture.
Skinner brings more than five years of professional grooming experience, and a strong commitment to continued learning through seminars and professional development. She offers specialized services, along with full grooming and bath services tailored to each dog’s needs.
Mayor Rob Small and Councillors Hal Davidson and Terry McManaman recently met with Chelsea Skinner - owner of Bonafide Dog Cuts - to present her with a new business certificate and officially welcome her to the Amherst business community.
A New Golf Experience Arrives in Amherst: Condors Golf Lounge Inc.
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The Town of Amherst is excited to welcome Condors Golf Lounge Inc., a new, women-owned business bringing world-class golf experiences and so much more to our community.
Mayor Rob Small, CAO Jason MacDonald, and members of Council joined in presenting a New Business Certificate and welcoming owner Laura to Amherst’s business community.
