Articles

Scott Campbell From the creators of Le Caveau at Grand Pre Winery comes a brand new casual dining experience. With Chef Jason Lynch creating a phenomenal new menu that is both creative and delicious this new gem promises to be sparkling addition to the culinary landscape in the Valley. Cumin Kitchen and Drinks is located in the new building at 21 Roy Avenue in New Minas. Chef Lynch describes Cumin Kitchen and Drinks as an urban café and eatery based on locally sourced and supportive agriculture with fresh and honest food prepared simply. They offer dine-in, take-out, or take-home and…
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Samuel Jean, Conservation and Education Assistant I am writing these lines on the International Day for Biological Diversity and I hope that it will inspire landowners, and gardeners especially, to act on a threat to biodiversity: invasive plants. Invasive plant pulling is part of the daily work at the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens. Despite continuous monitoring, several plant species that are not native to the province and that are known to shade, crowd, and overwhelm native plants find their way into the Gardens. Unlike native plants, invasive plants did not evolve for thousands of years along with the wildlife that…
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Emily Kathan Tracey Buchanan is the owner and operator of Maritime Dog First Aid and Hiking Safety. She also teaches (human) first aid courses for BraveHeart First Aid in Coldbrook. Owning a dog (or two) means getting outside is part of your daily routine. We asked Tracey about how her training courses and hikes help dogs and their people stay safe and healthy while exploring and enjoying trails around the Valley: The Grapevine: Tell our readers a little about yourself and where you’re from (and a little about your dogs too!):Tracey Buchanan: I grew up in Baddeck, Cape Breton, and…
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Joel Hornborg, Nor’Easter Natural Ice Our winters are definitely changing. Drastic temperature fluctuations throughout the season have made it increasingly challenging to plan ahead for winter adventures, and it is rare that good snow or ice conditions last for more than a few days. Luckily, you usually don’t have to wait very long before the next window of great conditions returns. Nordic skates, kicksleds, fat bikes, skis, and snowshoes are all useful tools to have ready in your quiver. For those prepared with the right equipment and knowledge of conditions, winters are filled with opportunities for incredible adventures in frozen…
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Mike Butler Our Valley is filled with gardening, wildlife, and nature enthusiasts, and for good reason: we live in such a beautiful area with so much to be thankful for. Over the last few months, I’ve been presented with concerns and issues involving environmental change and sustainability and its impact on honey bees and other pollinators. I love honey, beeswax candles, and honestly, I love bees. I wasn’t aware of the plight of pollinators and so, with some help from my bee friends, here is a helpful list of things we all can do this spring, and down the road,…
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Dana Mills Friday, April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. Recently local author Dana Mills joined writer and autism advocate Jake Lewis for a virtual discussion about representation and writing bravely in the face of personal struggle. Dana Mills: How do you identify as a writer, Jake? Would you call yourself an “autistic writer”? Jake Lewis: To me, I’m just a guy who just so happens to have autism. It doesn’t really have much of an effect on who I am as a writer, I don’t think. DM: I admire your honesty in your piece, My Take on Mental Health for Autistic People, where you…
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