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HAMPTON - Blooming recognition

The Town of Hampton was recently awarded the highest rating in the international Communities in Bloom competition. While the town didn't capture the international title, it did score a five-bloom rating at a ceremony in Vaughan, Ont., on Oct. 3 and took home an award recognizing the town's beautiful flower displays. Communities in Bloom judges toured Hampton in August, meeting with residents and community groups and scrutinizing the town's community involvement, heritage conservation, floral displays and environmental initiatives. The town was competing against seven other similar-sized communities from around the world, including Trail, B.C.; White Rock, B.C.; Olds, Alta.; Aylmer, Ont.; Goderich, Ont.; Dyce, Scotland; and Westport, Ireland. Goderich was named the international winner at the ceremony. Hampton received a five-bloom rating for its "lovingly attended flower beds.-We did blooming good," said Councillor Robert Doucet when town council was told of the rating.

Spending

Town getting computer upgrades

HAMPTON - The Town of Hampton is getting some computer upgrades. Council recently approved the purchase of Vadim Software for about $24,000 and the installation cost of just under $30,000. It also approved $18,000 in upgrades to the town's existing system.

Housing

Ossekeag Place filling up fast

HAMPTON - Hampton's newest 32-unit seniors apartment building filled up quicker than expected. Ossekeag Place, which opened in August, is at nearly full occupancy. In a letter to town council, Darrel Kilpatrick, the construction consultant who oversaw the project for the Hampton United Church, stated that the church expected it would take nine months for the place to reach full occupancy. As of September, only two units were not occupied or spoken for.

Christmas

Parade set for Nov. 28

HAMPTON - Santa Claus will be paying a visit to Hampton on Nov. 28. That's the date of this year's eighth annual Christmas parade. The parade will begin at 4 p.m. and will start at the Hampton High School and wind its way down Main Street to Hampton Elementary School. In the past, the parade has been held in the evening, with the parade starting at the elementary school. Coun. Clara Lights told council the changes were made to accommodate Hampton High School's theatre production of Dracula, which is being staged that evening. The parade committee didn't want to cause a traffic jam near the school from parade watchers and theatre goers congregating at the high school.

Fundraiser

Walk in memory of Joyce Hovey

HAMPTON - A walk and run in memory of long-time resident Joyce Hovey will be held on Dec. 5 in Hampton to raise money for arthritis research. The funds will be used for research as well as programs and services that help over 129,000 New Brunswickers living with arthritis. Hovey, the wife of former mayor Jim Hovey, died unexpectedly in July 2008. For years, she suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. To register for the event, contact Karen at 1-800-321-1433 or email jbwr@nb.arthritis.ca

Recreation

Playground nears completion

HAMPTON - Hampton's new playground should be installed by the end of the month. The site in the new town square is ready and the play equipment has arrived. The town's leisure services department is now just waiting for the play equipment company to install the innovative play structure. "We're ready to go," town manager Richard Malone told council.