August 2022

August 2022
Thank You to our Municipality

East Hants Community Rider has been steadily growing. In recent months, it’s been busier than ever, with weddings, summer camps, drives into the city and around the corner. However, all this activity doesn’t come without costs. Gas, vehicle maintenance and drivers are all expenses that we have to balance at the end of the day. Thankfully, we’re lucky to have a range of supporters that keep our vehicles on the road.

One of our key supporters of our service is the Municipality of East Hants. Transportation is an essential part of what makes a community tick and we are proud to be part of the solution for our region. Thanks to the Municipality for helping us go further and help more people.

To learn more about our Municipality and to stay up to date on what’s happening locally:
website: https://www.easthants.ca/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/easthantsns
Corporate Members Help Us
Do More in Our Community

Another piece of the funding puzzle are individuals, businesses and organizations. Every year, organizations and businesses step up and support EHCLA through our Corporate Membership program. Thank you to the following for their support last year:
Allison Land Surveys
Athena Computer Solutions
Carruthers, MacDonell & Robson
CBDC Blue Water
E-Commerce Solutions by Canucks
East Hants Family Resource Centre
Elmsdale Lumber
Elmsdale Landscaping
Enhard Distribution
Gateway Facilities
Golden Star Pizza & Grocery
John A. MacDonald, MLA for East Hants
The Hearing Specialists
Leno’s Stop Shop
McNeill’s Shell
ProTX
Ribahi Brothers
Royal Bank of Canada Elmsdale Branch
Tots Academy
We are excited to announce some changes will be coming to our corporate membership program. For many years, we have wanted to revitalize this program, offering more benefits for our dedicated supporters. We are also facing increased costs for everything and this support is needed more than ever.

In the mean time, thank you for your support!

Corporate membership is $50/year. To find out more about corporate membership or become a corporate member, please contact us:
e-mail: communications@communityrider.com
phone: 902-883-1608

EHCR Fare Increase

While our service is growing quickly and receiving additional support, costs are also expanding at an unprecedented rate. As a not-for-profit, we work hard to keep the Community Rider as affordable as possible for our passengers. Our rates have remained unchanged since 2014.

Due to the increased cost of fuel, maintenance and operating our service, we have made the difficult decision to increase our prices to the following rates:

  • New minimum rate: $8 for trips under 10 km
  • $0.80/km over 10 km
  • $0.50/km deadhead (long distance travel charge)
  • $20/hour driver wait fee
  • $15 flat rate: Fall River/Enfield/Elmsdale to Halifax Stanfield International Airport

Thank you for understanding – these are not easy times to operate a transportation service and these measures are necessary to allow us to continue operating at our current levels.

To learn more about the Community Rider or to receive a quote on transportation:
phone: 902-883-4716
website: https://communityrider.ruralrides.ca/

Struggling with the Cost of
Transportation?

The price of transportation isn’t getting any cheaper and we’re getting more calls all the time from folks looking to save on getting from point A to B.

To assist low-income passengers, we have received funding to bring back the Fare Assistance Program. Passengers will be offered to apply for the subsidy if they identify as low income:

  • An individual making less than $24,000 per year
  • A family of 2 making a combined income of less than $30,877 per year
  • A family of 3 making a combined income of less than $37,816 per year
  • A family of 4 or more making a combined income of less than $43,666 per year
  • Passengers will be eligible for one (1) day of subsidized transportation weekly to a monthly maximum of $300
    • EXCEPTION: Medical transportation for dialysis or frequent medical appointments, ie. cancer treatments

Here is a breakdown of regions and costs:

Regions Cost per person
Trips under 12 km $5
Trips between 12 – 25 km $10
Trips over 25 km 50% of
regular fare

For a full list of details, check out the information page on the Community Rider website.

If you know someone that struggles to afford the cost of transportation, get in touch with the Community Rider at:

phone: 902-883-4716
e-mail: ehcrdispatch@gmail.com
Pop Up Markets on the Move

We’ve already held two pop up markets this summer: one in front of the garden and one next to Enfield Home Hardware. Our next one will be happening in Shubenacadie at the Elementary School, 54 Mill Village Road on Wednesday,  August 3rd from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (while supplies last). Hope you will come out and get some free, fresh produce for you and your family.

Have a bumper crop in your garden and want to help others in your community? We welcome fresh food donations the morning of pop up markets. Simply give us a call at 902-883-4716 before a pop up market, let us know what you’re bringing and drop it off before 10 a.m. at our office (224 Highway 214, Elmsdale). It’s a great way to redistribute food and helps us feed more people!

For more information about garden events this summer:
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElmsdaleCommunityGarden
phone: 902-883-4716
EHFRC School Supply Giveaway

Every year, parents get a list of supplies for the school year ahead. Our friends at the East Hants Family Resource Centre are continuing a great initiative they started years ago and have free school supplies for anyone in the community who needs them. The location, dates, times for the giveaways are:

Location: 224 Highway 214
Monday, August 8th from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 16th from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

EHFRC are currently accepting donations of new, unused school supplies, gift cards or money. Any help is greatly appreciated.

For more information about EHFRC, their programs and services:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ehfrc
Phone: (902) 883-4349
Food from Around the World 

One of the biggest challenges of cooking is to keep things fresh and interesting. We all have our favourites, but there’s a world of food out there. For each month, I will share an interesting recipe from somewhere around the world. I hope you will try it out. 

This month’s recipe: Shrimp Ceviche
Country of Origin: Peru

Ceviche is a dish that many fail to try because it is traditionally served with raw fish. Those recipes use citrus juices to cure the fish. However, it is perfectly acceptable to cook the meat to get all the same delicious flavours while having peace of mind.

For this recipe, we encourage you to cook the shrimp before being more adventurous. It’s a cool, flavourful meal that’s perfect for the hot weather we’ve been having! 

Ingredients (serves 4):

  • 1 lb of Shrimp

  • 3 Limes

  • 2 Lemons

  • 2 Roma Tomatoes

  • 1 Red Onion

  • 1 Jalapeno

  • 1 bunch of Cilantro

  • 1 Cucumber

  • 1 Avocado

  • Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Boil water in pot, fill bowl of ice water: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, fill up a medium bowl with ice water, set aside.
  2. Cook shrimp: Add shrimp to boiling water and let cook just until pink and opaque, about 1 minute.
  3. Drain, chill and chop shrimp: Drain shrimp in a colander then transfer to ice water to cool for a few minutes. Drain well then chop shrimp into small pieces (about 1/2-inch).
  4. Toss shrimp with fresh ingredients: In a medium bowl (you can use the same bowl) combine shrimp, lime juice, lemon juice, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeno pepper and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Marinate: Transfer to refrigerator and let rest 1 hour.
  6. Add last few ingredients: Toss in cucumber and avocado and serve. It’s delicious with tortilla chips or over tostada shells.

Share your pictures with us and we’ll have another recipe for you to try next month. Enjoy!

Thank you for reading. See you next month!

Phil Laven
Communications Manager
East Hants Community Rider
communications@communityrider.com
(902) 883-1608