Articles

The Box of Delights Presents: Ami McKay By Desdemona Shaw In the Victorian tradition of Yuletide ghost stories, critically-acclaimed local author Ami McKay invites us to step back into the magical world of The Witches of New York in her newest book, Half Spent Was the Night. This enchanting tale is the perfect companion to the chill days and long nights of winter, reminding us of the hidden magic of the season. Set just after the events of the previous novel, mystery swirls around the three witches of New York as they contend with storms, demons, and the intrigue of…
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The Raise the Roof Concert at Wolfville Baptist: A Jazzy Christmas

The Raise the Roof Concert at Wolfville Baptist: A Jazzy Christmas By Wendy Elliott Swing into the holidays early with seasonal music presented with a jazz twist on Sunday afternoon, November 25, at Wolfville Baptist Church. Five jazz performers will gather to entertain: Hazel Walker as vocalist, Graham Howes on keyboard and vocals, Nick D’Amato on bass, Max Gallant on drums, and Matt Nicholson on tenor sax. Proceeds from the concert will go to the Wolfville Baptist Church’s new roof campaign, which is meant to replace fifteen years of leaks. The $160,000 project will see the church roof coated in…
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On Solid Water

On Solid Water By Joel Hornborg Without a doubt, the most incredible experience I know is gliding through spectacular frozen landscapes! Each winter, people are drawn to marvel at the beauty and power of the snow and ice that signifies a true northern winter. Even in the harshest of winter, there are wonderful opportunities to get outside and enjoy it as well. Many years ago, I was introduced to skating on natural ice by my grandfather in Sweden, and since then it has become a passion bordering on obsession. In 2016 I had the opportunity to return to Sweden once…
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Winter Songs at the Old Hall

Winter Songs at the Old Hall By Kim Barlow Every few weeks the kids and I go for a drive across the province to see my parents, and along the way we pass several cute little wood-sided community halls. Some are decrepit and for sale, others are still in use, their signs announcing jam sessions and fundraisers. These little halls are cheap to rent, and cozy, and many have fully-equipped kitchens. After twenty years out west and up north, I notice the slower economy here has spared this province from a certain amount of the worst kind of development, like…
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Stolen Art Songs

Stolen Art Songs By Janet Kirkconnell Great violin-makers of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the Stradivari and the Guarneri, designed their instruments (cellos included) to mimic the human voice. Students of stringed instruments are often urged by their teachers to make their instrument sing. Yet the cello is considered to be the most voice-like of all instruments, acoustically and expressively, with its range from basso profundo to one that competes with coloratura. Even the timbre of the cello is quite close to the timbre of the singing voice. The ultimate step? A concert of songs ‘sung’ by a cello. The…
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Armistice at Acadia

Author: Genevieve Allen Hearn November 5, 2018

Armistice at Acadia By Wendy Robicheau Thursday, 7 November 1918 was not a normal day for the Acadia Collegiate Academy boys. Why? Those who volunteered for the turnip harvest were excused from classes. On the College farm next to Willett Hall, they pulled, topped, and hauled about 800 bushels of turnips destined for the vegetable cellar. Their day was interrupted by “Toddy” De Wolfe running through the field announcing that the Germans had signed an armistice. The College authorities dispelled the myth, telling the students that when official news about the armistice came, the College bell would be rung. An…
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Remembrance Day Activities for Kids

Remembrance Day Activities for Kids By Laura Churchill Duke Kids are never too young to learn about the importance of Remembrance Day. I have a lot of craft ideas on my Pinterest page, which you can find at pinterest.ca/lachurchmouse/remembrance-day. For children aged 6 and older, I have developed a Remembrance Day scavenger hunt for Kings County. For this hunt, you have to drive to various towns and villages in the county to look at the war memorials. There is a chart to fill out with names of those who died, as well as a place to draw a picture of…
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Alfred Lake The World War I Bicycle Messenger

Alfred Lake The World War I Bicycle Messenger By Wendy Elliott At the Wolfville post office in front of our Mona Parsons sculpture, The Joy is Almost Too Much to Bear, stands an oak tree with a fascinating history. In a sense it goes back to the time of King Charles II of England, when an oak was planted at Windsor Castle. It was meant to commemorate the king’s escape from Cromwell’s army and the oak tree he hid in. During World War I, Wolfville resident Alfred Lake heard the story on the grounds of the castle and happened to…
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Why Care About School Food?

Why Care About School Food? By Jenny Osburn | The Union Street Cafe Cookbook | jennyosburn.com A 2003 study showed that Nova Scotian students were 47% more likely to be overweight or obese if they ate lunch at school. Considering that another recent Nova Scotian study showed that nearly half of schools in Nova Scotia served food that did not meet the nutrition policy set out by the province, improving school food is an issue that cannot wait. Sadly, at the same time, 21% of our children in the Annapolis Valley are food insecure and there is no strategy in…
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Who’s Who: Sasha Nelson and The Hardware Gallery