Winter 2025: Year-End Reflections & Community Momentum
- MLA Twila Grosse
- Dec 15, 2025
- 9 min read
Newsletter from Preston MLA, Twila Grosse
Lake Echo, Mineville, East Preston, North Preston, Ross Road, Cherry Brook, Lake Loon, Humber Park, Montague Gold Mines, Westphal, Sunset Acres and parts of Dartmouth.
Table of Contents
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Wishing you Peace, Joy and Blessings this season.
Happy New Year
Here’s to Health, Happiness, and New Beginnings!
From the MLA’s Desk
Message from MLA Twila Grosse
Greetings Dear Constituents and Friends,
As winter settles upon Nova Scotia, I extend heartfelt wishes of peace, joy, and renewal to you and your loved ones. This season reminds us of the strength found in togetherness and the light we share, even in the darkest days of the year.
The past year has been one of both challenges and triumphs. In 2025, we witnessed remarkable progress across our province—whether through advancements in healthcare access, investments in local infrastructure, or the cultural celebrations that continue to enrich our communities. Each milestone reflects the dedication and vision of people who believe in building a stronger, more inclusive Nova Scotia.
I am deeply grateful for the resilience, compassion, and creativity shown by our community. From volunteers who give their time generously, to families who support one another, to organizations that champion growth and opportunity—your efforts embody the spirit of shared progress. Together, we have faced challenges with courage and celebrated achievements with pride.
As we look ahead to the new year, may we continue to nurture hope, strengthen bonds, and build a future that honors our collective legacy.
With gratitude and best wishes,
Twila Grosse
Member of the Legislative Assembly, Preston
Legislative Highlights and Advocacy
Important Updates in our Province and Community
Nova Scotia Legislature - Fall Sitting
The Fall sitting of the Nova Scotia Legislature concluded on October 3rd, 2025, with a strong focus on streamlining regulations, boosting economic growth, and enhancing public safety.
Legislation Passed
Making Business Easier Act: Cutting red tape and simplifying processes to help local businesses grow.
Municipal Modernization (2025) Act: Updating municipal tools to strengthen local governance and community responsiveness.
Protecting Nova Scotians Act: Reinforcing safeguards to keep families and communities safe.
Traffic Safety Act: Modernizing road safety rules for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.
Justice Administration Amendment (Fall 2025) Act: Improving efficiency and fairness in the justice system.
Freedom of Information and Protection Act: Expanding transparency and accountability in government.
Worker’s Compensation Act (amended): Strengthening protections and benefits for injured workers
What This Means for You
Local businesses will find it easier to start, grow, and thrive.
Municipalities gain modern tools to serve residents more effectively.
Families and workers benefit from stronger safety measures and fairer protections.
Citizens enjoy greater transparency and trust in government.
This session reflected our shared commitment to building a safer, stronger, and more responsive Nova Scotia. Together, we are creating communities where businesses can grow, families feel secure, and every voice is valued.
Building Legacy: Eight New Homes for African Nova Scotian Families
On October 15th, a powerful moment unfolded in Lake Loon. Akoma Holdings Inc. received $4.8 million in combined funding from federal, provincial, and municipal partners to build eight new rental homes for African Nova Scotian families.
This story is about more than numbers—it’s about people, place, and legacy.
For generations, African Nova Scotians have carried the weight of housing inequities. Yet through resilience and vision, communities like Lake Loon have continued to thrive. This new investment is a step toward housing justice, ensuring families can live with dignity, stability, and pride.
The homes will be built on land stewarded by Akoma Holdings, a reminder that when communities hold the keys to their own future, empowerment follows.
This investment serves as a reminder that when governments, communities, and organizations work together, justice and legacy take root. Akoma Holdings is proud to lead this journey—one home, one family, one legacy at a time.
New Long-Term Care Facility in Preston
On November 12th, our community witnessed a defining moment in the journey toward inclusive, compassionate care.
Minister Barbara Adams, Charbel Daniel (President & CEO, Northwood Home Care), Councillors Trish Purdy and David Hendsbee, representatives from Akoma, and community members joined together for the sod turning ceremony of the new Northwood Akoma 144-room long-term care home that will serve seniors in the Preston Constituency.
The new facility will be designed to meet the needs of seniors in our region. But beyond the numbers, it will be a place where:
Families find peace of mind knowing their loved ones are cared for with dignity.
Seniors experience not only safety and medical support but also cultural affirmation and community connection.
Staff are empowered to deliver care that is compassionate, inclusive, and reflective of the diverse community they serve.
This milestone invited us all to reflect on how we support seniors in our community. Whether through advocacy, volunteering, or simply sharing stories, each of us has a role to play in ensuring that care is not only accessible but also meaningful.
Nova Scotia Minimum Wage Increase to $16.50
This fall, Nova Scotia’s minimum wage increased to $16.50 an hour, building on earlier changes made this year to help workers keep up with rising costs. For people working in our communities, that increase is felt in very real ways: a bit more room in the budget, a bit more security for the month ahead.
As a Province, our goal is simple: when people work hard, they should be able to build a stable life here at home. This increase is one part of that work. As we move forward, we will continue to listen, and to keep our focus on a province where work is valued and families can see a future for themselves and their children.
Community News Roundup
Community News & Highlights
Honouring Legacy Through Art and Healing
In October, a new chapter of healing and heritage was unveiled at the Dartmouth General Hospital (DGH) with the installation of a powerful artwork by the late George Bernard, Jr.
This extraordinary piece is more than art. It is a living tribute to healing, heritage, and hope, offering patients, families, and staff a profound reminder that care extends beyond medicine—it is also about belonging, identity, and spirit.
The unveiling was made possible through the generosity of Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard and her family, who gifted this transformative work to DGH. Their vision ensures that African Nova Scotians, and indeed all who walk through the hospital’s doors, are welcomed into a space that reflects their stories and honours their contributions.
As patients and visitors encounter this artwork, they are invited into a story of resilience and renewal. It is a reminder that hospitals are not only places of treatment but also places of connection, where heritage and healing intertwine.
This unveiling marked a milestone in DGH’s journey toward equity and cultural recognition in healthcare. It is a celebration of art’s ability to heal, and of community’s power to transform spaces into sanctuaries of hope.
Acknowledgement of UN Peacekeepers on October 24th
On October 24, 2025, Nova Scotia joined the world in commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. This milestone was marked at Province House with a ceremony that paid tribute to the courage and dedication of Nova Scotians who served as UN Peacekeepers.
I had the distinct honour of emceeing this event alongside the Minister of Military Relations, Barbara Adams, who presented 18 Certificates of Recognition to Peacekeepers who served between 1947 and 1988. These men and women carried the banner of peace into regions scarred by conflict, protecting vulnerable communities and upholding the values of justice, cooperation, and human dignity.
Their stories remind us that peace is never passive. It is built through sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering commitment. Many of these Peacekeepers left behind families and communities here at home to serve in places far from Nova Scotia, where their presence meant safety, stability, and hope for those caught in the midst of turmoil. Their legacy is not only a tribute to the past but also a call to action for the present urging us to continue building bridges of understanding and compassion in our own communities.
Official Renaming and Monument Unveiling Ceremony
On November 8th, I had the profound honour of participating in the Official Renaming and Monument Unveiling Ceremony at the No. 2 Construction Battalion Athletic Facility in Truro, and of laying a wreath on behalf of the Province.
This solemn yet celebratory gathering paid tribute to the enduring legacy of Black soldiers who served with courage and dignity, even in the face of systemic exclusion. The renaming of this facility stands as a powerful and permanent symbol of remembrance, justice, and pride — a space where history is not only acknowledged, but uplifted.
Lest We Forget.
Community Pulse: Your Voice Matters
Fun & Important Polls
As we prepare for a new year, we want to walk forward together with purpose. Help us shape our path by sharing what you believe should be our top focus in 2026?
Strengthening Community Connections
Community Well Being
Honoring Legacy & Local Heroes
Faith & Reflection
Which Winter Comfort Food warms your heart the most?
Seafood Chowder
Chicken Soup
Old Fashion Gingerbread
Chili
Spotlight Corner: Making A Difference
Gateway Meat Market
Gateway Meat Market is more than a grocery store. It is a community cornerstone, a place where affordability meets compassion, and where business is rooted in service.
This past October, I had the privilege of recognizing Gateway Meat Market in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. This family-run grocery store, owned by Jamey Selig with co-founder Tamara McKay (now serving as Social Media and PR Manager), has become a shining example of how local businesses can transform communities.
Since opening in April 2008, Gateway has grown into one of Atlantic Canada’s busiest meat departments. Their remarkable story lies in their approach: avoiding traditional advertising, relying instead on word of mouth and customer satisfaction. By buying in bulk and operating on a low profit margin, Gateway provides fresh, affordable groceries—an undertaking especially vital as food insecurity rises across Nova Scotia.
The store’s recent major expansion means even more families from near and far can benefit from their great deals and welcoming spirit. For Gateway, success isn’t measured in profit margins—it’s measured in people. Seeing customers smile at checkout has always been their ultimate goal.
Gateway Meat Market is more than a grocery store. It is a community cornerstone, a place where affordability meets compassion, and where business is rooted in service. Their journey reminds us that when local enterprises put people first, they not only thrive but also uplift the communities they serve.
Recipe Corner: Cinnamon Roll Dip
Sweet, simple, and oh-so cozy! Cinnamon Roll Dip is the holiday hug in a bowl—ready in just 20 minutes and perfect with fruit, cookies, or even pretzels. A festive treat your family and friends will love!
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Chilling Time 15 Minutes
Total Time: 20 Minutes
Servings: 10
Ingredients
1 pack 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
½ cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons salted butter melted and cooled
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cup Cool Whip
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, mix with a hand mixer the cream cheese and powdered sugar together. Until all combined.
Add the cooled, melted butter, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
Mix until all your ingredients are incorporated.
Pour into your favorite bowl and place in the fridge for 15 minutes (this helps to combine flavors and is easier to scoop).
Serve and Enjoy! 😊
Mark Your Calendar!
December 2025
Dec. 1: World AIDS Day
Dec. 3: Mineville Community Christmas Tree Lighting Bennet Park 6:00pm
Dec. 6: Lake Echo Community Tree Lighting
Dec 10: Human Rights Day (UN observance)
Dec 18: Community spotlight event – honoring local unsung heroes
Dec 21: 1st Day of Winter; Lake Echo Community Centre – Pop Up Market (10am – 3pm)
Dec 22–30: Hanukkah celebrations across Nova Scotia synagogues
Dec 24: Christmas Eve
Dec 25: Christmas Day
Dec 26–Jan 1: Kwanzaa celebrations
Dec 31: New Year’s Eve: Fireworks At Halifax Waterfront
January 2026
Jan 1: New Year’s Day
Jan 4: World Braille Day
Jan 15–18: Halifax Winter Festival – outdoor skating, music, and cultural showcases
Jan 24: International Day of Education
Jan 25: Robbie Burns Day
Jan. 27: Provincial Launch: African Heritage Month
February 2026
Feb 1–29: African Heritage Month
Feb 2: Groundhog Day
Feb 4: World Cancer Day
Feb 6–8: Halifax Winter Festival
Feb 11: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Feb 14: Valentine’s Day
Feb 15: Heritage Day Holiday
Feb 17: Chinese New Year (Year of the Horse)
Feb 20: World Day of Social Justice
Feb 28: African Heritage Month Gala (Halifax Convention Centre)
Connect With MLA Grosse
Reach Out Anytime
Serving Preston with Heart & Purpose
“My commitment is to listen, to serve, and to stand with the people of Preston. Together, we build stronger communities—one conversation, one connection at a time.”
— Twila Grosse, MLA for Preston
Constituency Office
MLA Twila Grosse
Constituency of Preston
18 Wilfred Jackson Way, Suite #210
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
B2Z 1A8
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Contact Information
Email: mlatwilagrosse@gmail.com
Phone: 902-377-3299
Fax: 902-377-3307
Stay Connected Online
Website: twilagrosse.ca
Facebook: www.facebookcom/mlatwilagrosse
Invite MLA Twila Grosse to Your Event
Planning a community celebration, school function, or local initiative? MLA Grosse welcomes invitations to connect with constituents and support local events. Reach out anytime to extend an invitation!
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