THE VOICE OF ATLANTIC CANADA,
DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX.
Welcome to the sixth [EDIT] bi-weekly boost.
Stories, thoughts and opinions to inspire you in these unique times and to enjoy between issues of the original, award-winning print magazine.
Twice a month, the editors of [EDIT] deliver you news stories, opinion pieces, current affairs, Atlantic-minded essays and arts curation, community messaging, positive tales and sharp commentaries to readers around the world as we continue to curate the very best in media, literature and culture.
The same quality journalism and world-class photography that you expect from [EDIT], but all unique content exclusive to
THE [EDIT]ION.
Cover photo: White Point Beach Resort, Nova Scotia
Cover design by Lindsay Vautour.
Featured in the sixth issue below are:
- James Mullinger on an Idyllic Nova Scotia Getaway with CAA Rewards
- Why Diani Blanco is New Brunswick's Queen of Hearts
- Literary Editor Alexandra Fournier on the Art of Emma FitzGerald
- ANBL on Toasting Designated Drivers
- Visiting Indian Island First Nation Reserve by Morgan Leet
- Dartmouth's Delectable Desserts
- Whale Watching in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Uptown Eatery: Jennifer Wood on the Port City's Newest Restaurant
- Lofty Tourism: Morgan Leet on Lawrencetown Lodge
- New Album from Proper Concern
The summer volume of [EDIT] is on newsstands across Canada now! Be sure to pick up your copy this week. But in the meantime, scroll down to enjoy the exclusive content in [EDIT]ION Volume 6.
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@themaritimeedit
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SEAS THE DAY!
The Atlantic Bubble is here.
And CAA Travel has the best member offers and benefits to enjoy while exploring the beauty of our region. James Mullinger gives the lowdown on the best way to enjoy your CAA Rewards.
Cover design by Lindsay Vautour
There is a real sense of joy I feel when exploring Nova Scotia. This is a salty, rugged landscape full of forests and circled by coastline with snug harbours, clinking boats and relaxed, friendly people. This province is often called Canada’s Ocean Playground because you are never far from the coastline. There are also more than 5,000 lakes amid a population of fewer than a million people. One of the best hotels in the province's capital city of Halifax is The Prince George Hotel. Truly a world class hotel with stunning bar (pictured below) and beautiful rooms, CAA members save 20% on the published rate.
STAY!
The South Shore is my favourite place to visit every summer and while this is the most popular time to visit, there’s plenty to enjoy all year round. The White Point Beach Resort is one of Nova Scotia’s four-season jewels, pictured above and below. Enjoy the miles of pure white sand beach in the summer and cozy up to an inviting fireplace next to windows overlooking the ocean during the winter. June to September is whale-watching season. Members save 10% regular rates on White Point rooms and Lakeside Retreat rooms.
CULTURE!
One of Nova Scotia’s most famous artists is Maud Lewis (played by Sally Hawkins in the award-winning 2016 film Maudie), many of whose naïve, child-like paintings depict rural Nova Scotia. Her work is on display at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. The province is also home to a rich and diverse cultural heritage, including Mi’kmaq and First Nations, African Nova Scotian and Acadian and Celtic and Gaelic peoples, all of whom have shaped Nova Scotia’s story. CAA members save 10% on daily rates / gate admission.
VISIT!
Halifax is also home to one of the most architecturally impressive libraries in the world, a Titanic exhibit at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (the survivors went to New York; some of those who died came to Halifax), an impressive waterfront boardwalk, all matter of dining options and stellar art galleries. Members receive a discount on admission. There are also numerous buzzing pubs throughout the city to catch a local band and enjoy a pint of Nova Scotia craft beer.
Click here to see the full list of incredible offers with CAA Rewards for this summer in Nova Scotia and the rest of Atlantic Canada.
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QUEENS OF HEART
James Mullinger on why Diani Blanco is
New Brunswick's Queen of Hearts
Moncton, New Brunswick-based Diani Blanco is a renowned inspirational speaker and advocate against dating abuse as well as the CEO and founder of Infyno Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to help teenage girls in high school across Canada suffering from domestic and sexual abuse in young dating relationships.
In the early stages of the pandemic lockdown, Diani started to hear more and more from single parents who found themselves in situations where no organization could provide timely help. Grocery stores allowed only one adult to come to the shop, little kids couldn't be left unattended, deliveries took long times because of the sudden demand, and they ran out of milk, diapers, or other basic needs, and this was a constant struggle.
Diani decided it was time to make sure no family was left behind. "It takes a tribe," she says. Partnering with her good friend, Alicia Roisman Ismach, they turn the sporadic help given on a personal basis to a growing community called Queens of Heart.
Diani has helped numerous families, personally running from house to house to deliver food boxes and other basic items, donated by the members of the group as well as local organizations that discovered the new initiative and decided to pitch in.
Diani is originally from the Dominican Republic and is a single mother of two boys. An incredibly strong and inspiring woman, you would never know that Diani overcame many obstacles throughout her journey from being bullied in middle school because of her skin colour to being physically and mentally abused at home. She was placed in the foster care system until the age of 16 when she moved out on her own, got a part-time job as a cashier and was going to school full-time. As a teenager she had a partner that was physically and mentally abusing her for almost five years until she found her way out.
With her strong determination to not let her past trauma determine her future, she is now an inspirational speaker throughout high schools in New Brunswick and as a youth worker she wants her story to be an example.
After losing everything in a fire last August and having nowhere else to go with her two kids, she felt defeated and became depressed. But with the support of people like David Woodland, Katie Doiron, Kailen Hennessy, Danielle Boucher and a great community like Moncton behind her, she came back stronger than ever.
“I started this non-profit organization Queens of Heart to help single parents who are struggling with food,” she told [EDIT]ION. “As a single mother myself I have struggled before and I'm very thankful that I had the strength and determination to move forward and fight for something better for my kids. I've worked 12-hour night shifts and still do currently as a youth worker to support my kids as a single parent. The Queens of Heart is a non-profit organization that helps single parents and we are always in need of donations of food or money to help support those in need.”
[EDIT]ION readers can get involved by giving donations to help support the families or become volunteers.
Please do contact Diani at:
dianiblanco@hotmail.com
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Allie’s Essential Reads
by Alexandra Fournier
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
St. Augustine
While the Atlantic bubble has recently opened up new travel possibilities for those of us on the East Coast, I dream of the day when we will once again be able to visit far-off places without restrictions or fear. But, until that day comes, I will rely on my library to whisk me away to the undiscovered cities and countries still out there, waiting for you and I on the other side of all this.
Hand Drawn Vancouver:
Sketches of the City’s Neighbourhoods, Buildings, and People
by Emma Fitzgerald
2020 | Appetite by Random House | 160 pages | Travel Literature
If you have spent any time wandering around Halifax recently, you’ve probably stumbled across Emma Fitzgerald’s art. Author and illustrator of the bestselling Hand Drawn Halifax (pictured below), her delightful prints are available for purchase at local gems like Atlantic News, Inkwell Boutique, and the Seaport Farmers’ Market. In her first book, Fitzgerald takes readers on an insider tour of Halifax that explores the city’s neighbourhoods, effortlessly capturing their magic with her signature style.
This time around, Fitzgerald turns her artistic eye to the opposite coast, bringing the ever-vibrant Vancouver to life with an assured hand. Sketched entirely on-location, each drawing is accompanied by a story or snippet of an overheard conversation, resulting in a visual ode to the city’s colourful kaleidoscope of culture.
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RAISE A GLASS TO
DESIGNATED DRIVERS!
Celebrate the unsung hero of summer deck parties! It’s not the generous host who opened their home to you. It’s not that great bartender or the grilling king at the BBQ. It’s not even the babysitter giving you a break for the night. It’s that person who makes sure the night is memorable and everyone gets home safely. The designated driver. Raise a glass to the DD! Don’t forget about them when preparing your bar. A glass of water or coffee is okay… but enhance your bar to include not only those fun summer cocktails but some equally refreshing mocktails.
Here are a few ideas from Natalie, ANBL’s Product Advisor at the ANBL store in Dieppe.
These are so good your DD just may have to share!
VEGAN CAESAR
Rim a mason jar with lime juice and dip in celery salt to rim the glass. Add 2 ice cubes and top with:
- ½ oz lime juice
- 2-3 dashes tabasco sauce
- 3-4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- A dash of celery salt
- salt & pepper to taste
- Fill with V8 Smooth and Seasoned Garden Cocktail Mix
Stir to mix, and garnish with a pickled bean, lemon or lime.
VIRGIN RADLER
Pour into a beer glass: Mix 0% Beer (Budweiser Prohibition or Heineken 0%) and your favourite fruit juice (grapefruit, watermelon, pomegranate, etc) at a half and half ratio or ¾ beer and ¼ fruit juice (depending on how intense you want your fruit juice to be).
THE DD SANGRIA
In a large pitcher, add fresh slices of lemon, lime and oranges, plus a handful of chopped fruit.
- Stir in 2 cups of cranberry juice, 2 cups of grape juice, 1 cup of orange juice and 1/2 cup of lemon juice.
- Top with 4 cups of sparkling water or sprite.
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THE FORGOTTEN FIRST NATIONS
Visiting Indian Island First Nation Reserve
by Morgan Leet
Photographs by Kennlin Barlow
Gabrielle Barlow is a 22-year-old Mi’kmaq woman living on Indian Island First Nation Reserve. As the daughter of Chief Second Peter Barlow, she balances her work in the Reserve’s administration with her pre-law studies at Dalhousie University. Commuting between Halifax and Indian Island Reserve, Gabby is faced with navigating the colonial spaces of Atlantic Canada.
Indian Island First Nation is a Mi’kmaq Reserve located in Kent County, New Brunswick. They are a small and welcoming community of approximately 250 people. Situated along the shore of the Northumberland Strait, the Island is a thriving fishing community with beautiful surroundings and friendly people, making it a destination to visit this summer.
Morgan Leet: What do you consider to be one of the largest misconceptions that Atlantic Canadians may have about First Nation reserves?
Gabrielle Barlow: That you’re not safe essentially, that a lot of these reserves are throwaways. I think that a lot of the media and a lot of the government would like to have you believe that. But when I see the reserve it is a beautiful, resilient body of people, committed to working on themselves and helping others. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of the seven sacred teachings, but it’s a wheel of growth. Conducting yourself with love, honesty, humility, respect, truth, patience, and then wisdom. You’re following these principles in your everyday actions and that’s what I see in our people.
Morgan Leet: What do you appreciate most about your community?
Gabrielle Barlow: So, we’re seeing a lot on the island, and just a burst of economic development. We have a lot of traditional basket makers, beaders, and fashion designers. The youth are pursuing these crafts and are forging their own cultural identity and passions. These cultures are carried through the arts, so I think that if you really want to understand the narrative that you should look to the art and the people creating it.
Morgan Leet: What aspect of the Mi’kmaq culture do you wish more people would become aware of?
Gabrielle Barlow: What comes to mind when I think about the culture and the perception of First Nations people is just that people think that they’re mad. People think that they’re angry, and we are, but people also need to recognize that our love outshines and outweighs that. We’re very loving and we like to connect with people. It’s a very welcoming culture. Whenever we have guests on the island, we treat them as if they are family. But it’s also the resiliency, you see a lot of this especially in the youth and you see a lot in the survivors of residential schools and of the Indian day schools. You see that resiliency in the people, and you watch how it trickles down, there’s a lot of trauma but there’s also beauty in the strength that they have. I hope that people see us as a strong, respectful, and beautiful culture. That’s what I see when I look at my people and the way I see our reserves.
Morgan Leet: What are some ways for individuals to support the Indian Island First Nations community?
Gabrielle Barlow: In supporting the people, just come for a visit! The people are welcoming. You come to a house, you sit down, you grab your own plate of food, and you eat family-style at the table. I think that’s the defining feeling for a lot of people, that overwhelming sense of belonging and comfort. You’re in a beautiful environment and you have people that are really committed to showing you a good time essentially.
You can help support the Indian Island First Nation Reserve and its local economy by driving down for a day visit, or book a stay through Airbnb at one of John Barlow’s riverside cabins by clicking here.
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DARTMOUTH'S DELECTABLE DESSERTS
by Jennifer Wood
Photographs by Darrell Munro from Balance Creative &
Caid Dow @madebycaid
If you have a sweet tooth, or you are looking for a dessert to celebrate a special occasion or corporate event, you needn’t look further than Delectable Desserts. It is owned and operated by baker and entrepreneur duo, husband and wife, Melissa and Dennis Mbeba
“Our main business is selling wholesale desserts to restaurants and caterers within the Halifax Regional Municipality, but we also have a thriving retail business,” says Melissa, the bakery’s owner and principal baker. "Our storefront is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday and we have a varied daily selection of individual sized desserts on offer each day. Whole cakes and other unique orders can be ordered online and picked up in our shop or delivered.”
The care and love Melissa and her team put into each dessert is undeniable. They have a loyal customer base who visit the shop and order celebration cakes, cookies, dessert trays or gift bundles for their special celebrations, like birthdays, anniversaries, and retirement parties.
“We get a ton of repeat customers, and many new customers that come to us after trying our desserts at a celebration or corporate event. It’s been incredibly fun and rewarding.”
Delectable Desserts. 112-50 Eileen Stubbs Ave., Dartmouth
delectabledesserts.ca
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WHALE WATCHING IN
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
by Morgan Leet
The capelin fish are now coming through Newfoundland and Labrador waters in what’s called the annual ‘Capelin Roll’, attracting thousands of humpback whales with them. The roll lasts around five weeks and brings with it the peak of the whale watching industry. Bay Bulls, just a quick drive from St. John’s Newfoundland, is one of the places that tourists flock to in hopes of spotting these captivating animals. Upon arrival, they have the choice of Gatherall’s or O’Brien’s boat tours, each on opposite sides of the bay. Both offer various boat tour adventures, ranging from humpback whales frolicking in the ocean, 10,000-year-old icebergs, and the largest breeding colony of Atlantic Puffins in North America. As two successful businesses in a prime location though, there has been long-standing competitiveness between them. In past years there has been enough customers for both to thrive, but this March the pandemic hit just in time for the whale watching season.
With this, like many other industries, Atlantic Canadian whale watching companies are having to make some changes. Gatherall's and O’Brien’s solution was to join forces for the 2020 season despite past rivalries. Owner of O’Brien’s boat tours, Joseph O’Brien, told the [EDIT]ION that the two companies are now working well together in the newfound partnership after having to cut their customer capacity in half. For now, they are sharing an online booking system and a tour boat, as well as rotating their separate staff teams on a weekly basis. O’Brien noted that one of their main priorities right now is keeping their employees working and staying prepared for the hopeful return of unrestricted tourism.
These top-rated tour companies working together has created a Bay Bulls boating dream team, but currently they are relying on local support for business. With the recent opening of Atlantic Canadian borders, those who are able to make the trip to the rock will be in for a spectacular sight and unparalleled friendliness.
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UPTOWN EATERY
Jennifer Wood on the Port City's Newest Restaurant
Photographs by Hana Coughlan
Uptown Eatery recently joined the growing roster of fantastic restaurants in Saint John, New Brunswick. The bright and airy hip spot offers healthy and delicious breakfast and lunch with choices that include the Uptown Burger, Asian Pineapple Salad, Salmon Burger, their to-die-for French Toast, Baklava and signature Carrot Cake to name but a few.
The restaurant’s owner, Eman Hussein, is originally from Egypt, where she worked as a physician. She has long held a passion for cooking and entertaining family and friends, and her lifelong dream was to open a restaurant that served quality, healthy food. Following several years working as a doctor in Egypt and later in Saudi Arabia, she decided to move to Saint John to be with her husband (a plastic surgeon) and her daughter, who had settled there years earlier. She was thrilled at the opportunity to make her dream a reality and started to transform the restaurant into what it is today.
“I was planning to open the Eatery by the middle of this past March, but with COVID-19 we were unable to open our doors,” she says. “By that time, I had employees who couldn’t work and monthly expenses such as loan instalments, utilities and insurance - things were piling up. I monitored the government’s actions closely and by the time we were permitted to open, I was more than ready.”
Uptown Eatery’s varied menu is teeming with so many delicious and healthy choices that patrons report that it is often difficult to choose. Eman is quick to point out that when creating the menu, she kept healthy options top-of-mind.
“Being a doctor, I always have wellness on my mind,” she adds. “This mindset is reflected in my recipes and my menu. I am proud to serve healthy salads and gluten-free and vegetarian options. All our salad dressings are made in-house with high quality ingredients like olive oil, coconut flakes, peanut butter, honey, etc and our food, except for our French fries, is grilled. We grill our eggplant, Halloumi cheese, chicken, shrimp, salmon and steak. We also offer Mediterranean food like Chicken Shawarma and Falafel. At Uptown Eatery, we also have different kinds of fresh fruit smoothies that are made with only the healthiest ingredients like Greek yogurt, almond milk, chia seeds, flax seeds and coconut cream."
Uptown Eatery can be found at 68 King Street in Saint John. They are open for lunch Monday to Friday and for breakfast on Saturday and lunch starting at 11 AM.
uptowneatery.ca
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LOFTY TOURISM
Morgan Leet on Lawrencetown Lodge
Lawrencetown Lodge is a new business on the East Coast of Nova Scotia, providing accommodations minutes away from Lawrencetown Beach. They offer tiny home cottages nestled within the woods, each with its own name: The Maple, The Birch, and The Pine. The three cottages have their own private surroundings and feature cedar wood-fired hot tubs.
The owners of Lawrencetown Lodge are Alicia and Corey, a Cape Breton couple who dreamed of starting a cottage retreat and turned this into a reality. The pair saw an opportunity in Lawrencetown’s remote area which provides a unique experience – picturesque beauty, accessible hiking spots, and surfable waves, but with limited accommodation options until now. While walking through the forest towards the property you begin to relax, with the smell of wood fires burning and the sounds of birds chirping. Most of their business comes from Atlantic Canadians looking to leave the hustle and bustle of the surrounding cities, making this a true escape from reality.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic caused the couple to close their doors just four months after opening, they are back in business and booking up quickly for the remaining summer months, and into the fall. They have high hopes for their new venture, including providing community spaces such as a cafe and yoga studio. For now, they are continuing to expand on the 12.8 acres that make up the property, building additional tiny cottages and an office center. The already successful business is one of the many hidden gems on the East Coast and makes the perfect getaway for anyone looking to take a much-needed break from home.
The Lawrencetown Lodge has a two-night stay minimum, is pet friendly, and ranges from $199 to $249 per night based on the cottage. Keep an eye out for what is next to come at this beautiful retreat by following their Instagram account, @lawrencetownlodge.cottages, and book your stay through their website at lawrencetownlodge.com
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NEW ALBUM FROM PROPER CONCERN
Fredericton-Montreal electro-folk band band Proper Concern (Nathaniel G. Moore vocals, Warren B. Auld guitar, keyboards) has just released a new album. The self-titled release features COVID-19 themed songs, written and recorded in New Brunswick and Quebec this past spring, much like the Seattle band The Postal Service recorded their work in separation. The album includes songs about cleaning ("Clean Your Cage, Baby"), respecting the environment and celebrating the many moods of nature, ("Red Forest"), humanity and love. The band has been together since 2003 and has released sporadic material online, and appeared on television and radio shows across the country.
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Moncton’s Usva Spa Nordik:
Atlantic Canada’s Deluxe Wellness Bubble
by Jennifer Wood
Photograph by Ben Champoux
Usva Spa Nordik offers one of the most premium spa experiences in Atlantic Canada, and the spa’s founder and owner, Geneviève Nolet spared no detail when designing it. The moment guests arrive, they are encouraged to both unwind and pamper themselves using their amenities and services, which include a Nordic experience, whose practice dates back more than 2000 years.
“At Usva, our main focus is the thermal experience, where guests are invited to use our two saunas (dry and steam), our cold plunge pool, our hot relaxation pools and our hammocks and relaxation rooms. The idea is to raise the body temperature, then cool it and complete the cycle with a period of rest. Benefits of a thermal experience include ridding the body of toxins; it promotes better sleep, stimulates the immune system, it cleans, tones and tightens the skin to enhance its elasticity, improve memory and mental alertness and it improves mental health. All of these benefits remain with our guests long after they leave.”
Usva is open year-round, rain or shine to guests 16 years and older. They offer aesthetic services including natural facials, body exfoliation and relaxation massages. Yoga classes and guided relaxation sessions can also be a part of the experience.
The spa was designed to be airy and spacious for guests, but to make patrons feel more comfortable with physical distancing, they have decreased capacity by more than 50 percent. Reservations are mandatory.
“Our site was designed in a way that guests can go from one area to another without feeling that they are on-top of other guests, but we have made changes to the spa including decreasing the number of patrons, and we have increased our already stringent sanitation protocols. Like any spa setting and experience, we want ours to be a serene place for people to escape their everyday stresses, disconnect, and recharge. We are honored to be offering a wellness bubble that does just that and more.”
USVA is located at 774 Front Mountain Road, Moncton, New Brunswick.
usva.ca
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