Voting now under way to select 7 Wonders of Sackville

From Sackville's quaint weekly farmers' market to the renowned Tantramar Marshes to the stunning swan pond and the historic Mel's Tea Room, local residents have much to love about their town.

Nominations have rolled in over the past few weeks for the '7 Wonders of Sackville' campaign, an initiative that is being led by the Sustainable Sackville committee.

The Tantramar Marshes led the nominations, with many people putting pen to paper to tell of their love for the natural beauty of the marshlands.

"The quiet peacefulness that can be found there has probably given many an opportunity for solitary reflection and contemplation," writesTroy Johnstone in his submission.

Johnstone added that the beauty of the marshes have inspired many artists to write songs and poetry, create paintings or photographs to capture the essence of the area.

"The Tantramar Marsh is an integral part of the landscape, history and economic development of the Sackville region."

Jackie Vanthournout agrees.

"The Tantramar Marshes . . . are overflowing with history and I often imagine the beautiful wooden ships that were built here sailing in and out of the bay on a high tide. The painstaking efforts the Acadians took to build the enormous and intricate dike system amazes me," she writes.

Vanthournout walks daily along the marsh and notes, "there, on the dikes, is where I find my peace and solitude."

Vanessa Bass is also a frequent visitor to the marshes and took this opportunity to nominate one of her favourite landmarks nestled among the marshlands - the historic Wheaton Covered Bridge.

"Exiting from the other end of the bridge is magical," she writes. "It is as if an entry has opened on the Tantramar Marsh - that wonderful landscape. It is the gateway to a marvellous marsh that has stories to tell and is an icon for a great town."

Another bridge that received recognition in the contest is the old Bridge Street bridge, a nomination that came in from Neil Bonner.

"Are you looking for the best view of the Tantramar Marsh region?" he asks. "Head on out to the bridge, where you can sun yourself in the summer and check out the ice shards jutted against the shore in winter."

Several of Sackville's natural settings also received nominations, including the Sackville Waterfowl Park, the Pickard Quarry and the Swan Pond.

"We call it the swan pond today, but this 110-year-old 'wonder' was called the Ladies' College Park Pond when it was first built. That was in 1901," writes Rhianna Edwards.

Edwards says this wonderful Sackville asset is one that can be enjoyed by everyone, including visitors as well as current and past residents and students.

"When visiting, former Sackville residents and Mount Allison alumni make it a priority to at least drive by the pond, just to ensure that 'home' has not changed, and to gaze and recall memories of times spent there," she writes.

"Those of us lucky enough to call Sackville our permanent home know that it is still well used - by prom wedding photographers, hockey players and skaters, those who like to feed the ducks and swans who like to sit quietly, listening to the fountain and watching the swans float by. Ah, relaxation."

The quarry, as one nominator describes, is a 'remnant of Sackville's industrial past' that now serves as a quiet sanctuary, resplendent in reflecting pools and mature trees.

"Few communities in the Maritimes have such a beautiful, natural sanctuary, with unique flora in the very midst of thriving neighborhoods," writes Peter Manchester.

Vivi Reich also nominated the quarry, noting that the site "was not always a place for pot smokers and amateur graffiti artists."

"The quarry was a source for sandstone, and contributed to building Sackville structures, over a dozen of which are on campus and include Centennial Hall," she states.

A pair of historic downtown landmarks also made the cut - the Sackville Music Hall and Mel's Tea Room.

The music hall, formerly known as the Imperial Theatre and located in the upper level of the Wood Block, is described as "our town's greatest unsung venue."

"Despite the sometimes-chilly temperature, there's a warmth to the music hall that few venues can match. It's spooky, it's secret, it's wonderful," writes Neil Bonner.

Mel's Tea Room, a nomination submitted by Jessica Emin, has been a Sackville institution since 1919 and is a key reminder of why Sackville is so unique.

"The old Coca-Cola signs, the worn bar stools, the banana splits and the unmistakable regular customers who have been frequenting the tea room for years create an ambiance which is retro without the effort," writes Emin.

Other nominations include the Enterprise Foundry, the railway, the antique store, the Campbell Carriage Factory, Mount Allison, the skate park, Silver Lake, and Sackville's geographic location.

To vote for Sackville's 7 Wonders, visit the Sustainable Sackville website at www.sackville.com/community/sustainable_sackville/ or fill out a ballot at town hall. The voting deadline is March 5.