Queens Puts out the Welcome Mat
Queens Newcomers Group is truly a community-driven initiative. One day back in July 2010 at a gathering for new immigrants in Greenfield, Queens County, one of them said “We need our own newcomers group in Queens.” Sylvia Wilkinson, who arrived from Mexico 3 years ago with her husband, Tony, was that person and she stepped up to the plate and participated in a small organizing committee (all newcomers), who hosted their first event in October 2010. Liverpool Best Western Hotel and Conference Centre kindly donated the meeting space and the committee decorated tables, planned the order of business and got on the phone to promote the event. Then they waited, not knowing how many people would turn up to this inaugural event. It was truly amazing to see over 60 people come through the door who immediately started talking to each other in animated fashion. The facilitators dispensed with the planned icebreaker exercise and proceeded to show a presentation of beautiful images of the area. It showed the local flora and fauna, the whales, seals, fish, birds and the scenery of the countryside and small towns. Many left the meeting hoping to see all of these marvellous things.
Resulting from this was a newcomers and friends walking group. An active autumn schedule, usually on Saturday mornings, included a picnic or restaurant lunch afterwards. They walked in beautiful Pine Grove Park, the Trestle Trail in Liverpool, the beach at Beach Meadows and along the Mersey River in Kejimkujik National Park; with lunch in one of the park shelters. In addition, a meeting was hosted at the Thomas H. Raddall Library in Liverpool, where feedback on an interest-based questionnaire was provided, together with the history of local author, Thomas H. Raddall, and a tour of the library facilities. Integral with the newcomers group’s philosophy is the desire to integrate with the community. Members have attended a number of events to enjoy community suppers and Christmas open houses. As time progresses more and more newcomers are becoming known to the group. An email database of nearly 60 people is helping to expand and connect this growing and valuable addition to our communities on Nova Scotia’s beautiful South Shore.
If you wish to become a part of the group and hear about events for newcomers in Queens, please contact Jill Cruikshank at 902-354-5741 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
