Registered nurse Amy McLeod was one of the first 1950 New Brunswickers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine this weekend in Mirimachi. McLeod says she didn't experience any side effects after receiving the vaccine--just minimal discomfort at the site of the shot.

"I feel perfect," said McLeod over Zoom to CHCO-TV.  McLeod has been using the hashtags #gotmyshot and #gotmyshotnb on social media to share her vaccination story with others in the hopes of demystifying the experience for other New Brunswickers. 

The new wellness centre in Saint Andrews located at the WC O'Neill Arena is now open. Dr. Peer has already relocated to the new location and will be joined by a second doctor in the new year. For more information on the new wellness, watch the latest episode of Your Town Matters featuring my interview with Saint Andrews Mayor Doug Naish on CHCO this week. 

The Santa's Helpers telethon continues to receive donations for Charlotte County families in need even weeks after the televised event, including a $1000 donation this week from the Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation. The Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation also donated $1,000 to the St. George and Area Food Bank.

Finally, Anne Hanley Cooke of Back Bay found a creative way to bring joy to her community this year, transforming herself into an Elf on the Shelf. Her husband Pastor Gordon Junior Cooke didn't know what an Elf on Shelf was at first when Ann came up with her Butterball persona, but he happily went along for the ride helping maske videos of Butterballs holiday shenanigans.

"My husband said, 'The neighbours are going to think we are crazy,'" joked Cooke. 
 
Butterball has brought holiday cheer riding her lawn mower all over her community, outside seniors homes and the local school and even organizing a 90th birthday parade for Back Bay resident Bobby Howard.