The Library

A REVIEW BY SARAH BUTLAND

A fascinating book that merges the past with the present through the craft and art of many passions. Don MacLean, a resident of Pictou, Nova Scotia, collected conversations of artists in a catalogue of genius and respect which links history, the future, and fine handiwork. Broken into six chapters including crafts from nature, wood, folk art, and what seems his personal favourite, sporting crafts based on his love of fishing, MacLean travelled throughout Atlantic Canada to bring us, his readers, a craft in itself. A fine collection of people, including some from away who have settled in Eastern Canada, as they share their love for bringing old methods into this generation. One constant throughout With These Hands is the question of the difference between a craft and an art. To everyone MacLean talked to the answer was different but equally as beautiful, much like the unique product they all offer the world, through what they make, the stories they share, and the teachings they offer. With almost everyone eager to hand down their knowledge, and also learn while they teach, it’s evident what was once old is becoming new again. Featuring familiar names like Laurie Swim who, while living in Lunenburg, displayed an exhibit at our Museum of Industry featuring a moving tribute to the Halifax Explosion aptly named Hope and Survival. This exhibit included a Scroll of Remembrance which listed, in Braille, the names of the 1946 victims of the explosion, including the help of her community and four years of dedication. Ruben Irons is another name that seems familiar as this Artistic Blacksmith spent years as the resident Blacksmith at the Hector Heritage Quay. Now living in Mount Thom after time out west and in the United States, Irons has settled and has big dreams for Pictou County in hopes that a communal forge is created where others like him can meet and work on their craft. From rug hooking to stained glass and fishing rods, MacLean collected an extensive wishbook-style look at the ways we can support local and celebrate our province and its people. Along with craft, art, beauty, and history, one constant in this book is the idea of being as busy as a maker wants to be. The wonder of slowing down, doing what you love for as long as you want to, and rejuvenating history while being about to source material as locally as possible is what makes this book a magical piece of literature. It is also terrific that MacLean includes a directory which lists all of the interviewed artists’ social media sites while leaving the debate of craft versus art up to the reader to ponder.

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Thanks to a new delivery service, folks from across Colchester County, Hants County, Pictou County, and Halifax County can support small businesses from the comfort of their homes — and have everything delivered to them, free, within a week.

It’s a concept that was tested during the spring when everyone was “staying the blazes home” due to COVID-19 restrictions. Small businesses were hurting, the Downtown Truro Partnership partnered with the Town of Truro to introduce a free delivery service. You could purchase just about anything from a local shop, over the phone or online, and it would be delivered — for free — to customers across Colchester, Pictou County, and Hants County.

The program lasted for 13 weeks and Downtown Truro Executive Director Jenn Mantin says it was “extremely successful.” With holiday shopping underway, they’ve brought back the Town of Truro as a partner, and added partnerships with the Municipality of Colchester and the Truro & Colchester Partnership for Economic Prosperity (TCPEP) in order to relaunch and grow the program and make it even more inclusive.

Mantin says Downtown Truro has always been a popular holiday shopping destination for people from across the province, so it’s great to be able to offer these shoppers a free, convenient way to continue that tradition even if they’re not able to shop in person.

Now through Dec. 23, you can purchase just about anything from a retailer in Truro or Colchester County and choose free doorstep delivery anywhere within Colchester, Pictou, East Hants counties. The program even includes a curbside pickup option for the Halifax market. Orders can be placed directly with the participating business, through their website, via email, or over the phone, and customers spending at least $25 just need to specify they want to take advantage of the free delivery program. Check out participating businesses at trurocolchester.ca/delivers

For customers selecting free curbside pickup in the Halifax market, their items will be brought to Take It Outside in Dartmouth Crossing. Sue Stanfield owns both stores (Truro and Dartmouth Crossing) and has graciously agreed to hold onto any packages delivered through the program, so customers can pick them up at their convenience on Fridays between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Orders must be placed by Wednesdays at 4 p.m. in order to receive free delivery on Thursday or Friday.

Mantin says the free delivery service has already been a “lifeline” for many businesses in Truro and Colchester County because it’s opening them up to potential new customers without needing to oversee shipping or delivery.

“Our local business owners are juggling so many balls and wearing a million different hats, trying to manage their storefronts as well as field online orders and inquiries — often with leaner staffing and reduced hours because of COVID-19 regulations,” says Mantin. “They really appreciate that we’re able to alleviate the pressure of having to staff deliveries, but they can still offer free delivery to their customers. It’s a win/win.” The new free delivery service has a few exclusions — like alcohol, tobacco products, frozen/prepared foods, hazardous materials, or items weighing more than 30 lbs. — but for the most part, Mantin says shoppers are encouraged to place big orders (over the phone or online) with local businesses to show their support. Then, like magic, their items will be delivered within a week. Written by Heather Laura Clark

at HOME Get FREE delivery from locally owned Truro and Colchester small businesses. We service as Shopand get FREE delivery! far South as Halifax, north to Tatamagouche, west to Five Islands and east to Pictou County!

Place an order of at least $25 with participating businesses, and receive free delivery within one week!

Visit trurocolchester.ca/delivers for more information!