East Cost Living Spring 2022

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LIVING Welcome Inspiring home life in Atlantic Canada

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THE RETURN TO YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

STYLE INFLUENCER BRETT MEECH PAINTING BEACH BEAUTIES BLUE LOBSTER BOOM

The Art of Living

Contemporary Art & Ceramics 5431 Doyle Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia www.studio21.ca | fineart@studio21.ca | @studio21fineart Artists depicted here: Sara MacCulloch, Kristina Søbstad, Gina Stick Furniture courtesy of Project 9 Furniture

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46

35

Light in the Forest New iteration of Holly Carr’s art installation “of hope”

THE LIST

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

12 Décor: Calm, cool and collected

20 In Depth: Atlantic Canada's

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The trends with style influencer Brett Meech

skincare industry

A growing and glowing future

14 Décor: Beach beauties

24 Return to home base

17 Trends: The Jilly Effect

35 People: Holly Carr finds light

Artists Emily Carlaw and Brenda Palmer A coffee mug from P.E.I. that's in the pink

32 Projects: Well said

What to know before you drill and drink

Hope springs with an exhibit re-launch

Editor's message

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

40 Eating in: Un-beet-able

spring recipes!

Chef Andrew Farrell shares a few red vegetable-inspired dishes

A P.E.I. cottage made for new memories

in the forest

PHOTO: BRUCE MURRAY, VISIONFIRE STUDIOS

LAST LOOK

43 Libations

How Nova Scotia Spirit Company president Alex Rice fills his cup

45 Buying Guide 46 Last Look: Healing and Heritage The Mindful Maple Leaf project

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Absence makes the heart grow fonder

I

PHOTO: SHAWNA NORTHOVER

wrapped my hands around the bottom of my pink “Jilly Mug” and let the heat from the hot tea begin to melt away my stress. It had been a long day. I was travelling home from Ottawa after a visit with my daughter. Stormy weather caused delays and the drive from the airport to my home in Pictou, N.S. reminded me that spring was still a few weeks away. The trip had offered a nice change of scenery, but I was happy to be back on home base.

It’s a privilege to have the security, love and welcoming that comes with truly feeling a sense of place — that feeling of being home.

I think it’s why this issue of East Coast Living resonates with me. Our cover story (Return to home base, page 24) introduces us to the Hercun family. Originally from Halifax, but with a life in Alberta, Debbie and Jason Hercun have always felt the gravitational pull towards the East Coast.

When I met them at their summer residence on P.E.I. last August — when I was scouting for properties to feature in one of our 2022 issues — I knew as soon as I met Debbie at the door of their waterfront retreat that I wasn’t just stepping into a summer cottage, I was being welcomed into a home. Even though it was a new build, their place already resonated with memories made and summer dreams yet to be fulfilled.

The Hercun family make up four of more than 2,000 Canadians who return to P.E.I. every year.

According to recent provincial population reports, there are another thousand international summer residents. For the last two years, that annual pilgrimage to the island — or any summer abode in Atlantic Canada — has been a challenge and, in many cases, not a possibility. Last year, the island’s seasonal residents banded together to create their own community from afar as they tried to figure out how to get back. An association was formed and a Facebook page created where people shared facts and information about how to apply for a return to the island amidst the pandemic restrictions. It was also a landing page where many expressed their sense of longing for the places where they feel at home.

There is a lot of truth to the old proverb, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” We have all experienced distance and separation from the things we love most about the East Coast and as we ease back into our pre-pandemic lives, I think we all hold a greater appreciation for what we have and for what was. There is a great allegiance to things made in our region and not only a renewed sense of place, but also a pride in place. We are in search of the symbols, the brands and the handiwork that make those statements.

In this issue, we get a taste of this with another P.E.I. story and the almost overnight success of Village Pottery and a trendy pink coffee cup that fans are calling the “Jilly Mug.” (I was lucky enough to have a friend stand in line, not “online,” last summer and gift one to me.)

We also take a closer look at what’s happening with the burgeoning skincare industry in Atlantic Canada (Face first, page 20). As we become savvier about the “what and where” of the everyday things in our lives, it only makes sense that what we put on our skin also comes from a local source.

We also meet Alex Rice, and find out how a marketer working on the West Coast six years ago has become president of one of Atlantic Canada’s most successful and rapidly growing beverage companies.

We wrap this issue up with a story about the Mindful Maple Leaf Project in N.L. (Rock of Ages, page 46). The project co-founders remind us to “be mindful, to stay in the moment and to be grateful for what we have.”

Even if you don’t hold the keys to a summer residence, if you live or spend time on the East Coast, I know you hold something very special in your heart.

PHOTO: STEPHEN HARRIS

Crystal Murray, Editor ecl@metroguide.ca EastCoastLiving East Coast Living Magazine

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ATTICA.CA

On our cover: Avery Hercun stretches out on the window seat in her family's summer residence in Seaview P.E.I. Photos: Stephen Harris Publisher Fred Fiander Editor-in-Chief Crystal Murray Senior Editors Trevor J. Adams Lori McKay Contributing Editors Jodi DeLong Janet Whitman Senior Director Creative Design and Production Shawn Dalton Graphic Designer Andrezza Nascimento Production Coordinator Nicole McNeil Production & Design Assistant Kathleen Hoang Printing Advocate Printing & Publishing

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ur scenes of Halifax A colourful pop-up book featuring 6 full-colo and area, suitable for all ages

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Volume 24, Number 5, Spring 2022 ISSN 1714-1834 Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064799 East Coast Living is a Metro Guide publication.

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Online eastcoastliving.ca

Find additional images from our cover story, blogs posts and more on eastcoastliving.ca.

Missed an issue? Discover back issues of East Coast Living on our website, plus recipes, stories and sneak peeks into upcoming issues of our magazine.

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902-499-1323 Jarrett@reddoorrealty.ca reddoorrealty.ca

PHOTO: MEGHAN TANSEY WHITTON

Meet our contributors SHANNON WEBB CAMPBELL “Bathing beauties and strong women” Shannon WebbCampbell is a member of Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation. Her books include: Still No Word (Breakwater 2015), I Am A Body of Land (Book*hug 2019), and Lunar Tides (Book*hug 2022). Shannon is a doctoral student at the University of New Brunswick in the Department of English and the editor of Visual Arts News Magazine. She lives and works in Kjipuktuk/Halifax.

HEATHER FEGAN “Welcome back” Heather Fegan is a freelance journalist, book reviewer, columnist, and content creator in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

When not working on her soon-to-be published memoir, she loves exploring both the city and the great outdoors with her family. Follow her chronicles at www.heatherfegan.ca.

CONNIE BOLAND “Rock of Ages” Connie Boland is an award-winning journalist, creative writer, and communications professional living in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador. Her work has appeared in magazines, newspapers, and online publications across Canada. Connie was twice a finalist for Atlantic Journalism Awards and received Canadian News Awards for Outstanding Editorial Achievement.

ANNE CALDER “Light in the Forest” Anne Calder is an award-winning graduate of the University of King’s College Master of Journalism program and has covered subjects as varied as two of Team New Zealand’s Americas Cup challenges, to local geographic treasures Isle Haute and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Joggins Fossil Cliffs. Most of all, she finds joy in championing other peoples’ accomplishments, such as the whimsical art created by Peter Blais and Tom Always, in her story about their Maritime Painted Saltbox Fine Art Gallery in Petite Riviere, NS.

CHEF ANDREW FARRELL “Un-beet-able spring recipes” Chef Andrew Farrell is resident chef and culinary instructor at Kitchen Door in Dartmouth. He's a comfort food and local ingredient enthusiast who loves to teach and explore satisfying and delicious recipes from all over the world. After culinary school, Andrew lived and cooked in rural England for two years before returning to Nova Scotia. In Halifax he has worked at local favourites The Coastal, Fid Resto, Chives Canadian Bistro, and was the chef de cuisine of the award-winning 2 Doors Down for five years before finding his current home with Kitchen Door.

DAVE BROSHA “The 'Jilly' mug effect” On a continual journey to seek out and capture the beauty of this world – whether it’s the beauty of some of the most extreme and pristine environments in the world, or the beauty of humanity — Dave is a passionate visual storyteller and writer.

He is proudly a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society. He is the co-founder of the OFFBEAT photographic community and offers photographic workshops and tours across Canada and the world. He is a proud father and loyal friend.

SHELLEY CAMERONMcCARRON “The ‘Jilly’ mug effect” and “Face first” Shelley CameronMcCarron is a longtime freelance writer whose work appears in a wide variety of publications, including The Globe and Mail, Condé Nast Traveler and Saltscapes and At Home on the North Shore Magazine. Whether it’s following a gothic black cloaked guide through the atmospheric streets of Edinburgh to sleeping in a lighthouse in P.E.I., she has a fondness for unexpected discoveries.

STEPHEN HARRIS “Welcome Back” and “Beach beauties” Stephen Harris is a Charlottetown/Toronto based photographer specializing in food, interiors, and lifestyle stills. He enjoys working with various creatives and clients on a variety of commercial projects. On weekends, he can be found hanging out with his wife and kids at their farmhouse in Orwell Cove, P.E.I.. Select clients include Canadian Tire, Royale, Destination Canada, Tourism P.E.I., CBC, Parks Canada, Knorr and others.

BRETT MEECH “Calm, curated and collected” Brett Meech is a style influencer and owner of Conifer, a warehouse concept design store in Truro, N.S. Brett's passion is creating a new story for forgotten objects. He works with clients throughout the East Coast and helps create inspired spaces for a beautiful life.

PHILIP MOSCOVITCH “Well said” Philip Moscovitch is a frequent contributor to East Coast Living and Saltscapes, and the author of Adventures in Bubbles and Brine — a book about Nova Scotian fermentation stories and traditions.

STEVE SMITH “Calm, curated and collected” and “Libations” Steve Smith is a commercial photographer at VisionFire Studios located in Pictou, N.S., shooting for a wide range of clientele throughout Atlantic Canada.

BRUCE MURRAY “Light in the Forest” and “Eating in with chef Andrew Farrell” Bruce has been creating food and lifestyle photography for more than 20 years in the Maritimes and in his original studio in Vancouver. visionfire.ca @VisionFire

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Calm, curated and collected The “talked about” style trends for spring 2022 are speaking my language

BY BRETT MEECH PHOTOS BY STEVE SMITH, VISIONFIRE STUDIOS

I

f ever there was a time where antiques were “trending,” it would be now. Coming into spring 2022 we are seeing things finally return to normal after a global crisis. As humans, we have been and will continue to seek comfort in the objects that surround us in our homes and in our daily

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lives. Antiques add warmth to our spaces with their time worn surfaces. We care more than ever about our impact on the planet and the need to reuse, reduce, and recycle. These items we have curated are meant to be integrated with your existing collections to create something unique.

DÉCOR

1

1. A GLASSY AFFAIR These mouth-blown glass European pickling jars offer a sea of possibilities in terms of styling. They are full of tiny imperfections that make each unique. Our styling here with tulips still on the bulb satisfies our desire for transparency in the things we bring into our homes. They also look beautiful styled completely empty, celebrating their statuesque form. Reinventing these vessels from season to season couldn’t be any easier, as they seamlessly become part of your year-round décor. Imagine them full of collected glass ornaments or lights and pinecones in winter.

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2. FILL IT UP The warmth that handmade pottery brings to the home is unparalleled. These vintage bowls have a beautiful vase-like shape that allows them to be used in many different ways. We have styled them as planters, but they could just as easily be used to hold citrus on your kitchen counter, or as the centrepiece of your coffee table.

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3. GALVANIZE YOUR IDEAS

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4. BLEACHED OUT

Beautiful inside the home or outside, zinc has a timeless patina like no other metal.

A collection of zinc pails full of spring flowers on your doorstep gives the look of an English cottage. A time-worn zinc watering can could be used as a vase to hold fresh cut flowers inside the home, or put to work again in the garden.

Wood has always been the best way to add warmth and character to your home.

These sun-bleached wood bowls are sourced in India and were once used to mix bread dough every day — so they are each unique and full of character.

Display empty like a piece of sculpture, or part of a tablescape filled with plants, or a collection of textural objects.

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5. WRINKLES AND WEAVE One of the biggest trends we are seeing going into 2022 and beyond is a huge focus on natural fibres. They breathe and insulate unlike any man-made fibre and provide an unparalleled tactile experience. Linen is my personal favourite material. Its wrinkles, thick weave, and visual texture add warmth to even the most contemporary spaces. These pieces can be used whole as a throw, bed cover, or tablecloth. They are also ideal for creating new pieces like table runners, pillow covers, and even clothing.

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Bathing beauties and

strong women

Friends and family inspire two East Coast artists

BY SHANNON WEBB-CAMPBELL PHOTOS BY STEPHEN HARRIS

P

ainter Brenda Palmer, born and raised in Moncton, divides her time between Fort Myers, Fla., and Shediac, N.B. She comes home every summer for six months to reunite with friends and family, and spend time in her studio.

“I love the wonderful artists and art in this area,” she says. “We all seem to draw on the local scenery, culture, joie de vivre, and beach ambience for inspiration for our work. My husband and I had our high-school graduation dinner at the old Shediac Hotel. This is truly home; we have a long history here.”

As a summer resident of Shediac (AKA “the lobster capital of the world”) since 1995, Palmer feels at home on the Northumberland Strait, where warm waters meet sandy coastline. The culture is a complex mixture of English and French — language and culture intermingling amongst the fresh salt air and seafood.

Her cottage was originally built in 1937. Palmer and her husband bought it in 1995, and had their work cut out for them. These days it’s a far cry from an old house filled with bats and squirrels. They added a studio addition, with a view of the water, clotheslines, apple trees, and big dreamy skies. It’s the perfect setting for her to paint her cast of vivacious and fabulous femmes.

“I give my portraits personalities and names in my mind as I am painting,” she says. “It helps me to make artistic choices along the way.”

Most of Palmer’s subjects are whimsical women in colourful settings — bathing beauties, French girls all gussied up, ladies with their dogs or cats, and sometimes even birds.

“I am fascinated by the French style,” she explains. “I am a subscriber to Vogue, I love fashion magazines. I love dressing the women I paint. ... I have been following the creative editor of Vogue for years. Grace Coddington is no longer there, but her style is just phenomenal. She put Vogue magazine on the map. I observe the stances and dress of her models and run with ideas from there.”

At 74 years old, Palmer’s work echoes her love of all things feminine.

Whether it’s a portrait of a redhead wearing a beret, or a lady in a print dress in a funky chair with full makeup and red lips, Palmer often places a bird on her subject’s head to add a little more charm.

“I love the girlish things in life,” she says. “I am an old girl now, but I still like the shoes, the hats, the purses and the hair. I can work a whole painting around a pair of shoes.”

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DÉCOR

“I give my portraits personalities and names in my mind as I am painting.”

— Brenda Palmer

••• Artist Emily Carlaw, owner of Freckles & Porcelain in St. Peter’s, P.E.I., also adores all things girlish.

Her unique handmade general store is filled with preserves, knitwear, long ivory night gowns, flowing dresses, vintage swimsuits, hand-drawn flower gift cards, rustic charms, pottery, vintage flairs, wooden cutting boards and pegs (that her father made), and rug-hooked pillows by her mother (hooked by Sea Rug Hooking).

“I want to give the essence of Anne. I don’t want to have anything feel touristy. I want you to feel that Anne of Green Gables feel,” says Carlaw. “When I am buying things or bringing them into the store, I think: If Anne were alive, if she was a real person, and she was here today, would she put this in her home?”

The shop tells a visual story the same way Carlaw’s artwork does.

Her penchant for yesteryear comes out in her copper plate hand-tinted watercolour images of

vintage dames, romantic botanicals and even “Anne’s Garments.” Illustrations like “Bathing Beauty,” evokes a woman in sunglasses, red lipstick and a vintage swimsuit, or “Bending Over Backwards,” where a slew of dazzling trapeze artists dangle from ropes, or a trio of beauties sip “Elderflower Cordial” at the bar.

“I draw the women I want to be ...

Representations of my grandmother, my mother, literary characters like Emily of New Moon, and Anne. Strong female authors or

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creatives,” says Carlaw. “I love old photographs, books and vintage magazines. The photos are so candid. Not airbrushed. There are women of different shapes and sizes. They look so healthy and happy.”

Ever since she was young, Carlaw wanted to live on Prince Edward Island just like the protagonists in L.M. Montgomery’s novels. At 31 years old, she still feels a kinship to Anne Shirley, a freckle-faced girl who craves adventure, magic, and doesn't quite fit modern society. Despite growing up in small-town southwestern Ontario, Carlaw spent summers on P.E.I. with her family. The gentle landscape, rolling waves, and long grasses that stayed with her.

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After studying fine arts at Queen’s University, and completing an education degree, Carlaw moved overseas to teach fine art in England.

Shortly afterwards, she moved to Glasgow, Scotland to work on her art at the Glasgow Print Shop and waitress for a spell. She dreamt of opening a shop on P.E.I. In 2016, when her visa ran out, Carlaw called her mother Beverly, who said she already inquired about a vacant storefront in St. Peter’s overlooking the bay. Carlaw flew home from Glasgow to St. Thomas, Ont.; she shared a glass of wine and charcuterie with her parents, and went upstairs and drew the logo of what would become Freckles & Porcelain.

Not long after, Carlaw was permanently living in their family cottage on P.E.I. In 2016, she started Freckles & Porcelain in St. Peter’s, which is open May to October, and landed a position as the town librarian.

“I live in St. Peter’s all year round. I moved here on my own. I didn’t know anybody, except my childhood friends. It turned out my friend from childhood opened an antique store next door,” says Carlaw. “It was all kinds of serendipitous.”

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TRENDS

The

“Jilly”mug effect

How a blush pink coffee mug kept the wheels turning at P.E.I.’s Village Pottery

BY SHELLEY CAMERON-MCCARRON PHOTOS BY DAVE BROSHA

I

P.E.I. potter Suzanne Scott with the popular pink mug that everyone wants to get their hands on.

t took 47 minutes flat for the 50 blush pink mugs at P.E.I.’s Village Pottery to sell out on a recent summer day. It was the second time in a week that the New London pottery shop had restocked the mugs customers have started calling “Jilly” mugs — a hot commodity since Canadian influencer Jillian Harris ordered four in spring 2020.

Ever since, the family-owned and operated business can’t keep them on the shelf. When they announce on social media that a new batch is out of the kiln, people bring lawn chairs and queue long before opening (sometimes sparking line friendships!) outside their shop. Mugs are limited to two apiece.

“April 7, 2020. I will never forget that day,” says potter and owner Suzanne Scott on receiving an Instagram stories notification that Harris had bought four of their blush pink mugs, mentioning Village Pottery to her followers.

Harris, who was opening a new headquarters, was on the hunt for items for her office, and had put out a call looking for local businesses to support. A mutual follower suggested Village Pottery’s blush pink collection. Harris’ signature colour is pink.

Scott says she didn’t think much of it at the time, as Instagram stories are fleeting — lasting just 24 hours.

The mugs though quickly sold out. Scott made more and posted on her social media when restocked. Harris shared that. The mugs sold out again.

CBC did a story, which Harris contributed to further fueling demand.

“I remember thinking about how we were going to handle this influx as we’re just a small studio,” says Scott. It was mid-April 2020 — amid the first wave and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. She didn’t want to lose potential customers.

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Village Pottery owner Suzanne Scott at work in her studio.

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After introducing a formal waitlist, Scott received 1,000 orders the first day. The shop wasn’t open, and she didn’t know if she was going to be able to, due to COVID restrictions.

The go-ahead to open — with limited capacity — came around the end of May. “That’s when the lineups started.”

Almost two years later, the craze is still strong.

“I’m still shocked every time there is a lineup. And it seems to get longer. I’m so grateful for it all,” says Scott.

She says part of the appeal may be that they’re a small batch studio. It takes about three weeks to make the straight, cylindershaped 16-18 oz mug with a flared lip, bringing a certain exclusivity as there’s only going to be a set amount coming out of the kiln.

Many also find the mug pretty, with its light pink exterior and clear white glaze inside.

It was a glaze her mom — Village Pottery founder and potter Daphne Large Scott, who started the business in 1973 — had mixed and put on a shelf until on a whim she tried it again. Scott posted the resulting products on Instagram in fall 2019 to a huge reaction, leading her to believe the products would be popular.

“Jillian took it to the next level.”

Demand has been incredible.

In July 2020, she whittled the waitlist down to about 100 people, so she opened it again. In an hour, she had 650 names, skyrocketing to 1,500 in three hours, when she closed the form.

Scott says those mugs took longer to finish than anticipated, particularly as she was waiting for her own special arrival. Scott and her fiancé welcomed their first child in April 2021.

After completing these orders, she switched to doing restocks only and now operates on a first-come, first-served basis at the shop.

The phenomenon’s timing couldn’t have been better.

At the pandemic’s start in early 2020, Scott remembers wondering how her tourismdependent business would fare.

“It really saved us,” she says. “We’re dependent on tourism. If it wasn’t for this, we would have had a huge loss. We’re very thankful.”

TRENDS

“I’m still shocked every time there is a lineup. And it seems to get longer. I’m so grateful for it all.”

— Suzanne Scott

Cups in the kiln ready to be fired and some on shelves in various hues ready for shoppers.

The craze even helped other makers. Potter Robert McMillan, who throws the blush mugs on the wheel in his Stratford studio and fires them in the kiln before Scott glazes and fires them again (making the mugs is a big team effort, she says) has seen his business increase.

Scott says other potters, like Jaw Pottery and Alicia Kate Pottery Co, whose work she’s carried in the shop, also saw increased sales.

While some customers come only for the mug, many others have discovered the wide range of products Village Pottery — P.E.I.’s longest running pottery shop — sells, plus their selection of candles, weaving, jewellery and more, from mostly island artists.

Scott, a former female athlete of the year at Holland College where she captained both the soccer and basketball teams, says she

loves seeing how happy people are when they get a mug. They’ve also seen disappointment when people don’t. She says her staff, which includes teenage employees, have handled the crowds well.

Not only do people queue for the mugs, but they also line up whenever Village Pottery’s signature lupin mugs drop. These round “belly” shaped mugs have a flared lip and lupins carved in the side. “They’re unique and pretty and hard to make, so we don’t have as many,” Scott says.

“There are lots of lupins growing wild around the shop. It’s very Village Pottery.”

The New London shop, still with its original 1855 floor, is rife with history. Located in a former general store on Route 6 — in the north shore community where Lucy Maud Montgomery was born — the house was picked

up and moved twice. Once by Scott’s parents, who moved it just down Route 6 in 1995 when the land they’re currently on became available.

At the time, they also acquired the yellow house next door, running it as Potter’s House vacation rental. After Scott bought the business in 2017, she turned it into Potter’s Parlour, an ice cream shop and café.

As for balancing it all, including a newborn baby?

“It’s been crazy. Totally crazy.”

She says she’s used to juggling a lot, but a new business cropped up without her planning for it and Scott says she’s been trying to adapt and learn how to make it work.

She says her staff, parents, family, and friends all helped make it possible.

“I’m really grateful for that.”

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Face first

Atlantic Canada's skincare industry is growing and glowing

BY SHELLEY CAMERON-MCCARRON

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IN DEPTH

L

et’s talk sea kelp. And Labrador Tea. And even a secret field of roses. They’re all found in Atlantic Canada’s diverse, and growing, locally made skincare and cosmetics industry, where many businesses are emphasizing natural and clean products, some even foraging from the land and sea for pristine, effective natural ingredients.

“Things really are developing here. It’s really great to see,” says Tassi McQuade, sales and marketing manager with Nova Scotia Fisherman, a New Minas-based company that uses nutrient-rich, sustainable sea kelp, wild harvested from Nova Scotia’s Southern Shore and sourced from Yarmouth’s Acadian Seaplants. These products are found in major retailers like Sobeys, Loblaws and Whole Foods and the company has distributors in Canada and Japan.

“There’s a real community sense here with most businesses,” she says. “It’s not necessarily competitive. It’s more collaborative. That’s kind of a neat thing. It’s the East Coast way, working as a team and supporting each other. We’re competitive with them but connected and stay in touch.”

McQuade says while there’s always been a core group of customers who read the labels, there’s been a huge leap in awareness among consumers for what they’re putting on their skin. The industry has been booming over the last five years, especially during the pandemic when people have been home more. They spend time looking at what’s around and supporting local — be that at the community, provincial, regional, or national level.

Looking to transition into a more sustainable and consistent venture, Beairsto was speaking with friends Bob MacLeod and Steve Byckiewicz — creators of Kiss My Face, founded in the 1980s in New York and one of the first natural products on the shelf — who mentioned sea kelp research and its skin benefits. Beairsto suggested they make some products here, and the four established the company.

“We’re at a real impasse right now,” says McQuade. “We’re growing so quickly but our brand story is so unique that we produce at these small levels, we’re hand-making it and it’s artisanal.” The challenge, she adds, is achieving that balance, keeping to their priorities and values while fulfilling large quantities of orders and growing.

Being competitive with the giant international companies isn’t an option, she says. They’ll never be at that level of production.

“When they established the business, what was important to all of them was to provide job opportunities in rural Nova Scotia. As they grew, they wanted to stay true to that,” says McQuade, noting they use local whenever possible, from print companies to community initiative Plank Industries, which creates the boat displays that house their products in many retailers.

Products are packed with organic sea kelp, which McQuade says is natural, abundant, and harvested from a coastline with the world’s lowest pollution level; seabuckthorn, an abundant local bushberry rich in vitamin C; and bayberry, another Nova Scotia bushberry.

Soaps are scented with local ingredients when possible, such as apple cider from nearby Stirling Firms. They don’t use preservatives nor test on animals.

HOLISTIC SKINCARE Helping people with their skincare has been a forever passion for Sharon Quann, owner of P.E.I.-based Quannessence Skincare, which manufactures and sells a complete facial product line that’s used and sold in professional spa settings. More recently, they’ve offered an online shop for their products.

It’s a professional niche brand that offers cosmeceutical products with a holistic approach to skin conditions. “We are proudly 100 per cent locally designed, researched, created, and produced in P.E.I.,” says Quann, an aesthetician and owner of QuannSpa

“We like to support our local community. We see there’s value.”

— Tassi McQuade

Holistic Beauty Therapies in Summerside, where Quannessence has its R&D section in the same building.

Quann, an industry veteran of nearly 35 years, sought out early in her career the Dr. Hauschka School in Germany, an institute that teaches the importance of a holistic approach to skincare, and started dreaming of creating a skincare line in P.E.I. She put dream into motion in 2005, contracting a skincare formulator, and for five years they worked to create a product line, launching Quannessence Skincare, and incorporating BioSpa (Quann) Cosmeceuticals as the manufacturing company in 2010. Since the incorporation of BioSpa, Quannessence has expanded across Canada.

Quann says the company is known for using a holistic approach to skin health. This means they try to dig deeper to determine the causes of an issue.

Thor Christensen, the company's formulator and head of R&D, says about 95 per cent of their ingredients are from North America, and they source local as much as possible, if it fits within their specifications and safety. “Our No. 1 priority is creating safe, healthy, ethical, and botanically based skincare that provides results,” she says.

Consumers are knowledgeable on what they want in skincare and are placing more importance on ethical and natural ingredients, they say. Extensive research is available online, and most consumers are deciding to weigh that into purchasing decisions.

“They’re digging a little more, which we think is amazing,” says Christensen, who says Quannessence loves to educate their customers about ingredients, why they’re using them and their benefits.

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The company has seen considerable increase in the demand to shop local, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. While reasoning varies from person to person, consumers, they say, are becoming even more educated and aware of the benefits this has to their local economy and the negative environmental impacts their consumer goods have when travelling long distances. “Buying local makes people feel good and have more confidence in their purchases,” Christensen adds.

The pandemic has presented both opportunities and challenges. Among the challenges are supply chain issues, economic impacts, a nonstop roller coaster of health and safety restrictions, which have presented huge challenges for spas, as well as small business and spa closures.

Challenges exist too with much competition in the industry, with many large companies that have a lot of resources, as well as recordhigh shipping costs, diminishing returns on online advertising and a massive increase in the number of channels businesses are selling and advertising on.

As a small company, Quann says businesses such as hers can market themselves to broader audiences using social media and email marketing.

Quannessence is also sold through several distribution networks throughout Canada that supply spas and salons with professional products.

Its sales and marketing team also markets and sells the brand through in-person appointments and online strategies.

“We want to make sure what we’re using is wholesome and effective.”

— Cecelia Brooks

FRESH FROM THE FOREST “Here in Atlantic Canada, we have a variety of skincare and cosmetic companies, small companies like mine to larger, really diverse companies,” says Cecelia Brooks, owner and formulator at Soul Flower Herbals, a Wabanaki family-owned company in Fredericton, N.B. producing skincare and wellness products in small batches, foraging in forests and fields for ingredients like sap from white pine bark (used in Brooks’ favourite moisturizer) to rose petals collected in July from a secret spot, a huge field that’s nothing but roses.

“Our products are all unique,” says Brooks, who holds a chemistry degree, and previously worked as a chemist in an environment lab in the U.S.

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“We’re an Indigenous family. It’s family-run, which makes it really important for us to get this right. It has our name and reputation on it.”

Brooks, of St. Mary’s First Nation in New Brunswick, has seen change since she returned to Canada in 2006.

When Brooks first started making body care products 31 years ago, she "never imagined turning it into a business. Many people were of the mind they could get such products at places like Walmart for less, and the public just didn’t know what was in the product."

This awareness of ingredients led her to make her own products. Pregnant with her oldest son in the late 1980s, she recalls speaking with other mothers about the benefits of baby massage. Brooks wanted to make her own massage oil and started looking for a natural oil.

She turned to the library for research. She started noticing ingredients in soaps and lip balms too and began making natural products for family use.

Moving home, she had a hard time finding work in her field. Her son suggested she sell her body care products.

“Nah, nobody’s going to buy that,” she remembers saying. “He said ‘I’d buy it.’”

They’ve been at the Boyce Farmers Market 16 years now and have built a strong clientele.

“We find the best business we do is direct sales, because people want to talk to us. Half our business is in conversation. People want to know what rosehip oil does to the skin.”

Brooks says listening to customers is how they’ve grown their product line.

GROWING INDUSTRY “I’d definitely say it’s a growing industry,” says Jenepher Reynolds of About Face in Charlottetown, P.E.I., known for her own cosmetic line, including customized foundations.

The skincare and cosmetic industry is just taking off, she says. “The industry has very much gone from a want to a need.”

Reynolds, who previously worked in Toronto for 10 years, doing makeup for TV commercials to magazine ads, says it’s hard to find good, quality products. But it’s important. Like her clients, she’s concerned and aware of ingredients and she sources a clean, quality cosmetic line not tested on animals, that’s paraffin and mineral-oil free.

For her custom-blend foundation, she uses these products to customize to the individual, tailoring the product to each person, be it to help calm redness, increase sunscreen level or enhance hydration.

IN DEPTH

SMALL BUT GROWING Lorraine Crowe’s entry into the industry came when she couldn’t find a solution to her own skincare issues. Now a licensed holistic nutrition and health practitioner, with a diploma in natural skincare formulation, a certification in making natural skincare products, and training in aromatherapy and natural hair care diploma, she started Truro, N.S.-based Rain Natural Skincare.

She wanted to use more clean and natural ingredients on her skin, and she wanted to pick the ingredients that made sense for her and eliminate those that didn’t. She couldn’t find something locally, so she started making her own. “In the beginning, it was a lot of trial and error, but I knew I wanted to continue and make my products the best they could be, so I enrolled to get proper education and to learn about the skin, how it works, and what is best for each unique skin type.”

She describes Atlantic Canada’s skincare industry as small, but slowly growing.

“There are makers out there that are offering alternatives to over-the-counter skincare products. Mother Nature has given us many plants that were used for thousands of years for medicinal reasons, but then it all turned to synthetic and cheaper alternatives. I truly believe more people are seeing the healing and beneficial nutrients that are available in natural options and are choosing to source them out.”

Every Saturday, Crowe is at the Truro Farmers Market, and she participates in holiday markets, helping increase visibility for her products handmade fresh in small batches.

She posts almost daily on her Facebook and Instagram accounts and promotes her website for online shopping. She also sends out a weekly email newsletter.

She says today’s customers want to support and to be supported. They want a connection.

That’s an opportunity for small businesses.

“Make an effort to get to know your customers and do the best you can to make their shopping experience positive and easy for them,” she advises. “There is so much we can do to connect with our customers and make meaningful connections, which big brands just can’t do.”

HEALING BEAUTY Lisa Walsh, founder and formulator of Indigena Skincare in Conception Bay South, N.L., draws from the province’s land and sea, using a blend of pure ingredients distilled from sea botanicals and Indigenous northern boreal extracts.

Walsh says everything Indigena makes is good for the skin (“healing beauty powered by nature”) and she takes pride in creating a brand Canadian-made from local, hand-foraged ingredients, created based on science that took six years of research and development.

“There are no shortcuts in quality, creativity or innovation. It takes time to build a business, you have to be in it for the long haul.”

She started Indigena in 2009 after selling her shares in another skincare company. She was an award-winning hair designer, spa and salon owner and instructor. She loved making people feel good through beauty. Then she got sick.

“I was 36 when I had to quit my beloved career,” she says. “I was devastated. It took me a few years to recover and during that time I did a lot of research on ingredients used in formulas and spent a lot of time outside in nature healing. I wanted to create products that were beautiful, efficacious, science-backed and healthy.”

She says the botanical garden at Memorial University of Newfoundland was a big help, as was a government grant. “I completed some science projects through Memorial

University through Research and Development Corporation,” she says. “Being a teacher myself, I wanted to see the evidence of what we could create. We forage from the Avalon Peninsula, and it is here that plants are challenged daily with fluctuating temperatures. These plants have the highest antioxidants of their kind on the planet.”

She says the locally made skincare/cosmetic industry started much like the cottage industries in craft you see throughout the Atlantic.

“It is primarily female-based with women who are motivated to make a difference in their communities,” she says. “For me, it came down to creating a professional lifestyle I enjoy with a strong social purpose of giving back to my community, province and region.”

The global trends of minimalism, local purchasing, foraging, traceability of ingredients, zero waste, science based, eco-friendly, crueltyfree and vegan are what consumers want here, like everywhere these are the top trends in the natural space globally, she says.

Consumers, she says, are becoming more aware of what they’re putting on their skin.

“There is a global clean beauty and wellness movement that is well beyond what industry insiders thought was a trend. Natural, clean beauty is here to stay. This industry is evolving daily.”

Walsh says challenges abound in this business. Cosmetic companies are creating a cosmetic ecosystem in Atlantic, but it’s a new evolving industry, and generally she says people don’t take the industry seriously — perhaps looking at the magnitude of what they’re up against in the global market.

She says if governments and Fortune 500 companies bought 30 per cent from local companies across the board, businesses would be booming, and able to contribute even more to their communities.

As for opportunities? They always exist with innovating new products the customer is looking for, she says. Be willing to take risks too.

“Sometimes they work, sometimes you learn what not to do next time. The opportunities are endless if you keep moving forward.”

She believes all companies need to be offering social goodness, and in the marketing toolkit, treating customers with excellent service is most important. “All our customers are the heart and soul of the brand. Recognizing our customers is the most important thing we do consistently.”

For even more on these East Coast Skincare companies, visit our website eastcoastliving.ca

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COVER

D

The return to your home away from home

BY HEATHER FAGEN PHOTOS BY STEPHEN HARRIS

ebbie Hercun and her family may live in Calgary, but their hearts beat to the rhythm of the East Coast. Careers took Hercun and her husband Jason, both from Halifax, away from the Maritimes but they bounced between the U.S. and Canada, eventually landing in the western city with their children Carter and Avery.

“We’ve been around,” says Hercun, an elementary school teacher. “But every single summer, we’ve always gone home to Nova Scotia. That’s where home always was.”

Then the family started renting cottages on different parts of P.E.I., thinking it would be fun to explore the island a little bit.

“It’s just such a little treasure to us. I mean the first time we went to P.E.I., we’re like, how did we miss this all our lives? We just fell in love immediately with the landscape, the people, the beaches,” she explains.

The Hercuns also fell in love with the north shore of the island.

“We have rented places on other shores, but Cousins Shore just really spoke to us, just walking that beach in the evening, the sense of peace there. And having that sunrise come in on us in the mornings, it’s just so beautiful.”

While the family made regular trips east, Hercun says they always mused with the idea of having some property by the ocean to call their own. Her mother’s house in Halifax was their home base for many years. When her mother passed away in 2015, Hercun knew her family still wanted that tether to home. They wanted to maintain that sense of place even if it was not her family home in Halifax, and they were open to exploring the possibilities of the mainland and the island.

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“That’s when we found our little piece of land,” says Hercun, remembering a day when she was out for a drive in a seaside neighbourhood where they had spent some time before.

They saw a teeny tiny sign that said “Land for sale” on the side of the road in Seaview and they knew they had just slid into home base.

In the summer of 2016, the Hercuns interviewed builders and met Bill and Cheryl Harnett of Bluewater Designs.

“When we met them, we knew that we could trust them,” says Hercun. “They had taken us around to some of the other

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properties they’d built on the island. When we saw their former clients greeting them with hugs at the door, we were like, ‘OK, these are the people we want to build with.’” The longdistance build started in September 2016.

“Jason made a trip in November and then I was there again in the spring,” says Hercun.

“It was finished in July of 2017 and we just had the most amazing experience.”

The Hercuns appreciated the open communication they experienced throughout the process. They knew how they wanted the property to perform, and the builders were attentive to details. It made what could

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have been a daunting experience, anything but. They were a team regardless of the 3,000 kilometers of playing field between them. “We would do it all again with them,” says Hercun.

Windows that stretch along the waterside of the cottage maximize the views from almost every room of the interior.

“You look out at what I call the back, but a lot of people call the front, the beach side, you see that gorgeous ocean and the beautiful sand. And then when you look out the other side, you’re looking at the rolling farm hills and to me it’s almost like the best of both worlds.”

COVER There’s a space on the side of the house they call the outdoor room, which is mostly windows. It’s a sheltered area that feels like the outside. It’s perfect for sitting in on a cool morning or breezy day.

Hercun considers herself a bit of a minimalist and is confident in her own style.

She had a vision for the property before they even poured the foundation. For her, it was about having the structural bones put in place.

“We told them everything we wanted and they drew the plans to customize our ideas. And I had quite a voice myself in all the finishings.

So, the design on the inside, they were willing to let me have a voice for a lot of it.”

Connection to family and opportunity to make new memories were the inspirational concepts of the design and were as much of the vision for the build, as the floor plan.

“You look out the beach side, you see that gorgeous ocean and the beautiful sand. And then when you look out the other side, you’re looking at the rolling farm hills and to me it’s almost like the best of both worlds.”

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A fresh start to the morning at Seaview.

A full bathroom ensuite for the two principal bedrooms.

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Open shelving in the kitchen provides a comfortable, at-home feel where guests can see and grab what they need.

COVER

“Being in that kitchen and being able to look out at the ocean when we’re cooking, I mean, that’s probably our favourite thing.”

— Debbie Hercun

“That was the No. 1 thing for us. Obviously having the view of the ocean, but just being able to celebrate that beautiful spot with family,” adds Hercun.

Her priority was to design a space that would be visitor friendly. They wanted to hit a home run creating a home base for all family and friends.

With a few cottage seasons behind them — and prepping for their return in 2022 — Hercun just might have hit the ball out of the park.

There are two master bedrooms on the main level, each with its own full bathroom, on either side of the house. In between is the main living area, a big open gathering space that’s the centre of the home, including an open kitchen and dining space with a huge dining table.

“We love cooking all the fresh produce that is growing on the island,” says Hercun. “Being in that kitchen and being able to look out at the ocean when we’re cooking, I mean, that’s probably our favourite thing.”

Hercun found the kitchen island in Calgary and had it shipped east.

It’s a piece that inspired the other elements of the design.

“It was slightly beachy, a little worn looking and a good size. I knew it would be a great place to cook and look out at that water; a great place for people to gather around.”

Hercun says she chose open shelving for the kitchen to help guests feel comfortable and at home where they could see and grab what they needed.

“I have three sisters who are my life. And so when we’re together, it’s kind of like our place. And Jason’s family as well. There’s no ‘us having them’, we’re just all there together.”

Hercun says while they’re at the cottage, the vibe is bare feet and total chill out. As she points out, there’s really nothing formal about the house.

“In the morning, having coffee in the back, when the sun’s coming up and then sitting on the front stoop in the evening, having a glass of wine when the sun is going down is so simple, but those are sort of the things that we love the most.”

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“It’s for my children. They’re prairie kids now, they’re Calgary kids, but they’ve never had a summer not back east.

We all yearn for that together.”

– Debbie Hercun

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COVER

“That was the No. 1 thing for us. Obviously having the view of the ocean, but just being able to celebrate that beautiful spot with family,” — Debbie Hercun

In the front of the house there’s a small cozy TV room for watching movies on a rainy afternoon or night. There’s a wood burning fireplace in the main living area, for chillier, drizzly days.

“We’ve also come back for Thanksgiving,” says Hercun. “Having that wood burning fireplace in the fall is just wonderful.”

In the front of the house there’s also a nice mudroom and laundry room — a great space for throwing beach towels — with a half bathroom too.

Upstairs, there are two bedrooms for the kids with a full bathroom in between. “There’s a loft space up there as well. It’s really quite lovely to sit up there and read, or we do yoga or exercise, or just being able to be up high like that and look out to the ocean is really quite lovely.”

Over time, Hercun has slowly filled the

space. “I love being on the island and going to all the little antique stores and finding special pieces of furniture that way. I love mixing the clean lines of the house with an old piece of furniture. I’ve got some nice old tables and an old church pew as a bench, one in the bathroom and one in the mudroom.”

In the dead of winter out in Calgary, the family breaks out their photos. The memories they’ve built together take them right back to the island.

“Probably around April every year, when you might smell a little bit of rain, that’s when everyone starts talking about craving the ocean air, the salt, the humidity, and just making those family memories on the beach with the kind-hearted people of P.E.I. who are amazing neighbours,” says Hercun. “It really is sort of becoming that home away from home.”

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Drilling and drinking advice from East Coast experts

BY PHILIP MOSCOVITCH

I

n the 1948 film Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, Jim Blandings (Cary Grant) checks in to see what kind of progress the well-digger is making.

“How far down are you?” Blandings asks.

“Oh, about 130 feet,” replies Mr. Casander, the well-digger.

Blandings wonders if he’s had any sign of water at all.

“Hit some limestone yesterday,” Casander says, before adding that he’s “coming into some shale. Of course, it might turn out to be sandstone.”

Meanwhile, across the property, water is so close to the surface the house’s foundation is flooding.

Wells are complicated, and sometimes unpredictable.

But a lot of us rely on them. About 50 per cent of P.E.I. residents get their water from residential wells. The figure for Nova Scotia is only slightly lower, and on the island of Newfoundland, it’s about 30 per cent. New Brunswick

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has 100,000 private wells. And since there is no municipal water system sampling the water, well owners need to get it tested themselves.

“You can have arsenic, uranium, bacteria, nitrates — you run into it all the time on P.E.I.,” says Eustace Reeves, whose company, Reeves Water Treatment Systems has been in business since 1977.

There is no simple answer for what kind of well is best, says recently retired professional engineer Dan Moscovitch, who has consulted for homeowners with both dug and drilled wells. (Note: Moscovitch is the brother of this article’s writer.)

With an increase in hotter, drier weather and drought conditions, dug wells may run low or dry. And they are at risk for bacterial contamination. Digging a well also requires paying close attention to siting, since it can’t be too close to a septic tank or field.

PROJECTS

DUG

Drilled wells draw water from fissures in bedrock aquifers. The upper part of the well is lined with an impermeable casing to prevent surface and sub-surface water from entering the shaft.

Dug wells are shallower, drawing from the groundwater table. Older dug wells consist of a hole surrounded by either rock or concrete casing.

Newer wells have concrete casings and a reservoir filled with weathered rock around the well.

DRILLED

But drilled wells have their issues too: “Inherently, water in drilled wells tends to have higher mineralization,” says Moscovitch. “Some of those minerals are health hazards, like uranium and arsenic, and some of them are not health hazards, but they’re quite unpleasant, like iron that stains plumbing fixtures or laundry.” Moscovitch estimates that on Nova Scotia’s South Shore, where he lives, more than three quarters of drilled wells require some kind of water treatment.

Any water problem can be fixed, but some solutions are more complicated than others.

“I can fix horse piss if you want, but it would be expensive,” Reeves says.

Moscovitch says one of the easiest things to deal with is sand, “which is not releasing any harmful chemicals but plugging up aerators in sinks and so on; that simply involves installing a sediment strainer in the water supply line to the house.” At the other end of the spectrum is saltwater intrusion combined with other minerals — a concern for drilled wells near the coast. He says, “I had a client drill a well 100 feet from the ocean, but they got saltwater intrusion and hit a gypsum deposit. The water treatment firms who were consulted both came back and said you’d be better off trying to desalinate ocean water than trying to treat this well.”

The saltwater issue is one Heather Hudson knows all too well. A teacher living in northern Quebec, Hudson plans to return to Nova Scotia with her family and hopes to buy her father’s rural property.

But the drilled well now has so much salt that it’s corroding the pipes.

“My dad has a filtration system, but it’s not meant to deal with salt,” she says. Remediation would be very expensive, so she has to decide whether to drill a new well, dig a well, or go a different route and build a cistern to hold water.

Asked which way she was leaning as she researched options, Hudson says, “It depends on which day you speak to us... If it’s a dug well, there’s a higher chance it will go dry and you’ll need a cistern anyway, but there is also the possibility if you drill that you will hit saltwater anyway, so there’s no guarantee. That’s the challenge of it all.

It’s a big-money gamble.”

While water testing has been widely available for decades, there seems to be an increased awareness of the importance of water quality. “The younger generation tend to watch things like that a lot closer,” says Mike Mazerolle, owneroperator of RCR Premium Water Systems in Shediac, N.B. “Young families having kids, a lot of them have more disposable income, and they want to spend the money to fix their water.”

Mazerolle said the most common issue he sees by far is hard water — water with minerals that may affect smell and taste or cause staining. If you have the option, Mazerolle, who has been in the business 10 years, says it’s generally more cost-effective to treat water than dig a new well. “Drilling is like Russian roulette. You might get better water, you might get the same, you might get worse. In general, it’s cheaper to treat than to drill.” But if a well has poor water and poor flow or saltwater, he says a new well may be the way to go.

Because they draw water from closer to the surface, bacterial contamination can be a problem with dug wells. Sometimes, the source is obvious. Moscovitch recalls being hired to examine a well on a property where “the previous owner had fenced off an area with a well in the middle as a dog pen, and there was dog poop inches deep over most of it.”

“Inherently, water in drilled wells tends to have higher mineralization.”

— Dan Moscovitch

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Common natural mineral contaminants “Natural” doesn’t always mean “good.” Wells in Atlantic Canada may be contaminated with naturally occurring minerals that are bad for human health. These are some of the most common ones.

ARSENIC: Linked to kidney and bladder cancer.

URANIUM: Accumulation can damage the kidneys.

MANGANESE: Harmful neurological effects for young children. The federal government recently lowered acceptable manganese levels.

But not all sources of contamination are that clear. Mosses growing on the inside of a well crock when water is low, or animals that have made homes under well covers and later drowned or released droppings can introduce pathogens. Last summer, Mazerolle saw several wells with bacteria caused by an infestation of earwigs under the well cap: “You’d lift up the cover and see hundreds and hundreds of earwigs.”

Unfortunately, many people don’t find out there’s a problem with their water until they try and sell their house, says longtime real estate agent Monica Sontrop, with Engel & Völkers. “Twenty-five years ago, a lot of people had never done a mineral test or checked for bacteria,” she says.

That’s changing, though. Sontrop says it’s much more common now for sellers to test before putting their house on the market. “Water is quite a big deal for rural properties,” she says. “If a seller does a mineral test, and if they do find out there’s something like arsenic or uranium, we recommend it be rectified before they put it on the market. If I’m working

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with a buyer, 99 per cent will do a water test before they buy a property, and if you run into a problem then that has to be negotiated.”

P.E.I. recently made domestic water testing free, as a way to encourage regular testing. George Somers, manager of drinking water and waste management in P.E.I.’s Department of Environment, Energy, and Climate Action, says the province wants to “remove as many barriers as we can.” He says residents can access two free bacteria tests a year, and a chemistry (mineral) test every two years, although, he notes, “The chemistry doesn’t change that much.”

Because so many Atlantic Canadians draw water from wells, provincial governments have oodles of online resources on the subject. There are maps showing the prevalence of common contaminants, guides to digging and drilling wells and treating water, animations showing groundwater levels over time — even databases where you can see logs listing information on thousands of wells.

But no matter how much information you have, there are still no guarantees. As Reeves says, “You could be 100 feet from me and have very different water. It all depends on the aquifer.”

PEOPLE

Light in the Forest

New iteration of Holly Carr’s art installation “of hope” to premiere this spring

PHOTO: BRUCE MURRAY/ VISIONFIRE STUDIOS

BY ANNE CALDER

L

ike so many, acclaimed Nova Scotia silk painting artist and live art performer Holly Carr was hit hard by the tsunami called COVID-19 in 2020.

Gone were her in-studio Art Feasts — where small groups would gather in her home for a workshop, gourmet food and music — as well as gallery visitors, art shows, live performances and workshops. Even commissions were gone, as people worried about financial security.

Seated at her kitchen table in the 200-year-old farmhouse she shares with husband and fellow artist Alan Bateman, Carr gushes about what has seen her through the last two pandemic years. Challenged like never before, she stretched her creativity and vision to new limits.

And, unexpectedly, she is grateful for what she calls “COVID bonuses.”

Since Carr first set up her soaring, interactive art installation called Light in the Forest at the Acadia University Art Gallery in 2014, she has worked tirelessly to expand her “labour of love” — a mental wellness project inspired by then young son Jack’s debilitating childhood anxiety.

Long before pandemic lockdowns, Carr yearned to reach larger audiences than her single installation could. She dreamed of turning Light in the Forest into a multi-media theatre production with art, dance, music and spoken word that could be enjoyed by all ages. Her dream culminated

in an initial stage production to a sold-out audience at St. Matthew’s United Church in Halifax in November 2019.

A meticulously re-tweaked show was scheduled to run on the Atlantic Theatre Festival stage in Wolfville in June 2020 — until COVID struck.

Live theatre shut down and she had to determine how she could salvage two years of her work.

After a happenstance conversation with a friend who was using 3D technology to assist business clients virtually, Carr thought, “Why can’t I do that? I could create a virtual world, too.” She set about the task of

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“Everything is about hope and always finding the light.”

creating an interactive virtual world for Light in the Forest. “Now I wasn’t stuck in limbo waiting for a theatre to open.”

Carr and a small crew filmed her stage production in August 2020 at a vacant Mermaid Theatre in Windsor, with her original sets, dancers, pre-recorded music and sound effects. “I knew we could use that filming for any content moving forward,” says Carr, “and when the world opened up again, we’d be ready to go.”

She hired Smarter Spaces to do the 3D photography and says proudly, “I was flying by the seat of my pants, but I’ve been able to hire artists, musicians, dance technicians and paid them all to scale.”

Carr also enlisted the help of her videographer son Jack to film, edit and animate her virtual world. “He’s creating animation out of the art that was inspired by him so that’s very exciting,” says Carr.

She also had aspirations of an original score for the project and approached Jack Chen of Inner Space Concerts with the concept. Chen introduced her to arranger/composer Christopher Palmer and suggested

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PHOTO: BRUCE MURRAY/ VISIONFIRE STUDIOS

— Holly Carr

PEOPLE

PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE: CONTRIBUTED

The new iteration of Light in the Forest will premiere at St. Andrew’s United Church in Halifax on April 23. It will feature animation on large screens, the original score played by the youth orchestra under the direction of Greg Burton, and parts of Carr’s original set and live dance.

the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra (of which he is general manager) might play Palmer’s score. “We would never have had time to do this for the original stage production,” says Carr.

Phenomenally versatile, Carr penned a song — which is featured at the end of the show — that came about magically during a car ride to Ontario with husband Alan and daughter Lily. Paula Rockwell, a friend and music instructor at Acadia University, wrote the piano accompaniment and the song was later recorded by the Annapolis Valley Honour Choir.

Carr hired Halifax-based dancer/choreographer Lydia Zimmer to transform her animals into haunting silhouettes on stage, and with everyone working remotely, she was able to assemble the pieces in her studio.

Carr is simultaneously working with Acadia University professor Jamie Symonds and software developer Andrew Burke to create a mental wellness app for students, set to launch in the fall of 2022.

During this process, Carr wrote and painted the artwork for a children’s book by the same name, which won a gold Moonbeam Award and was named top children’s book by the Canadian Children’s Book Society in 2021.

Carr’s Light in the Forest project is endorsed by The Canadian Mental Health Association (N.S. Division) and Carr smiles wryly as she says, “The irony is that I’m doing a mental wellness program that began pre-COVID and my own mental wellness probably suffered more than at any other time. I don’t like being a boss, but I am ultimately responsible and that’s a lot of pressure. And I still have to make a living on the side with my art.

“Everything is about hope and always finding the light. Everyone who worked on this over the years brought me to this place and I have nothing but gratitude.”

The new iteration premieres at St. Andrew’s United Church in Halifax on April 23. It will feature animation on large screens, the original score played by the youth orchestra under the direction of Greg Burton and parts of Carr’s original set and live dance.

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ADVERTISING

East Coast Living Gift Guide 2022

Gift ideas

for everyone on your list

1

2

GOOD BURDENS: HOW TO LIVE JOYFULLY IN THE DIGITAL AGE

by Christina Crook $21.95 A thoughtful book about realigning your energy, choosing well-being over technology, and reclaiming joy.

Nimbus Publishing nimbus.ca

3

VINTAGE FUR TEDDY BEARS AND DÉCOR ITEMS Artist teddy bears, Home Décor & other items created from vintage fur coats. bearloomteddies@hotmail.com 902-221-6716 bearloomteddies.com

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WHITE POINT GIFT CARD Give her a memorable getaway, with expansive ocean views, and every amenity of a full-service resort at her fi­ngertips. whitepoint.com

APOTHECARY BOTTLES These amber glass apothecary bottles are perfect for refilling with your favourite product. Classic bottles that go with any style.

7 Different labels available.

Available at 55 Webster Street Kentville, NS

4

NORTHERN WATTERS KNITWEAR & TARTAN SHOP The “Home” of the 100% British Wool sweaters and accessories. Supporting over 250 Canadian artisans with their crafts, Scottish/Irish items and First Nations. Open year round.

Historic Properties,1869 Upper Water St, Halifax, NS 902-405-0488 150 Richmond St, Charlottetown, P.E.I. 800-565-9665 Pier 20, 1209 Marginal Rd, Suite 115, Halifax, NS 902-406-2050 nwknitwear.com

6

AMOS PEWTER Butterfly Jewelry Visit us in store in Mahone Bay or Halifax, NS 1-800-565-3369 amospewter.com

ADVERTISING

East Coast Living Gift Guide 2022

7

GREEN EYE DESIGNS Green Eye Designs features scarves that are handmade onsite, vintage clothing, and handcrafted accessories, pottery, and decor made by P.E.I. artisans.

Shop the collection at greeneyedesigns.ca

8

ART 1274 HOLLIS GALLERY Halifax's premiere artist co-operative features over 20 local artists and artisans.

Come visit for unique gift ideas.

1274 Hollis Street, Halifax, NS 902-446-4077 art1274hollis.ca

10

9

12

POSH! Halifax · Bedford · Charlottetown Find funky things for fussy people when exploring our many artisan and carefully curated goodies for Mom. 902-425-3134

ESMÉ ORIGINAL JACKET Designed for comfort, Esmé Jackets have a unique personality – a little edgy and original.

Choose from: Fitted Jackets, Pullovers, Shorty Jackets, Blouses, Crop Tops and the new Slouchy Jackets. Produced right here in Nova Scotia.

9846 Main St, Canning, NS 902-582-7555 esmejacket.com

11

FORGE HOME AND GARDEN Cosmic Skincare. Locally made in Nova Scotia, all natural, and is perfect for pampering your skin.

174 Provost St., New Glasgow, NS 902-755-6140

13

BIRTH ROAD DUCKISH BATH AND BODY Duckish is a natural bath and body brand that maximizes value and minimizes packaging with concentrated products like body balm sticks and shampoo bars. Where to buy: duckish.ca

by Michelle Wamboldt $22.95 Moving between Nova Scotia and Boston, this is a story of love, lost innocence, and family secrets.

Nimbus Publishing/Vagrant Press nimbus.ca

Rooting for flavour:

UN-BEET-ABLE spring recipes Halifax chef Andrew Farrell shares his latest recipes made with everyone’s favourite red vegetable BEET RECIPES BY ANDREW FARRELL PHOTOS BY BRUCE MURRAY, VISIONFIRE STUDIOS

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EATING IN

B

eets, such a wonderful treat! These vegetal gems are great for all kinds of creative dishes, from a depression-era inspired red velvet cake to a creamy vinaigrette.

Discover the many uses and flavours of beet in these unique recipes.

Note: All these recipes start with roasted beets. Here’s my favourite method for roasting, which also makes them easier to peel.

ROASTED BEETS 1. Pre-heat oven to 400° F 2. Give beets a quick rinse and place in an oven-safe dish. Toss beets in 1-2 tbsp of neutral oil (canola, sunflower, etc.), and cover dish with foil.

3. Roast at 400° F for 50-60 minutes (for average sized beets), until the beet can be easily pierced with a paring knife.

4. Allow beets to cool slightly, then peel using a kitchen towel to rub away the roasted beet skin.

Ingredients

APPLE, ARUGULA AND RADISH SALAD WITH GOLDEN BEET VINAIGRETTE 3-4 servings

1 Jonagold or Honeycrisp apple 2 cups arugula 3-4 radishes 100 g roasted golden beet (about 1 medium beet) 100 ml cider vinegar 250 ml canola oil 1 tbsp. dijon mustard 1 clove garlic 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. turmeric Preparation 1. In a blender, combine golden beet, cider vinegar, dijon mustard, turmeric, garlic, and salt. Blend to combine, then stream in canola oil while blender is still running. The result should be smooth and creamy in texture. If mixture is too thick, loosen it with a tsp of water.

2. Slice apple and radish into thin appealing shapes.

3. Toss apple and radish with arugula and enough vinaigrette to coat.

4. Store remaining vinaigrette in fridge for up to 1 month.

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RED VELVET SKILLET CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE GLAZE Makes 3 small cast iron-sized skillet cakes (or 1 large cake)

Red Velvet Cake Ingredients

Preparation

240 g all-purpose flour 240 g sugar 180 g cooked purple beet 300 ml olive oil 300 ml 2% milk 3 tbsp. cocoa powder 3 eggs 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1. Preheat oven to 375° F 2. Add flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda to a medium sized bowl. Whisk to combine.

3. In a blender, add olive oil, eggs, milk and beet. Blend until smooth.

4. Pour blender contents into bowl containing dry ingredients and whisk to combine. Mixture does not have to be perfectly smooth.

5. Pour batter into cast iron skillet(s) — no greasing necessary if skillet is seasoned — and bake until a butter knife comes clean from the centre of the cake. For smaller cakes, this is about 25-30 minutes, and a larger cake takes 45-50 minutes.

Cream Cheese Glaze Ingredients

Preparation

4 tbsp. 2% milk 1 tbsp. cream cheese 4 tbsp. icing sugar

1. Combine milk and cream cheese in a microwave safe container, heat 30 seconds at a time until cream cheese can be stirred into the milk to combine.

2. Whisk in powdered sugar until smooth.

Ingredients

ROASTED BEETS WITH WHIPPED FETA AND PISTACHIO DUKKAH 3-4 servings

6-8 roasted beets Dill, any variety (optional but lovely)

Whipped Feta Pistachio Dukkah 150 g feta cheese 50 ml olive oil 1 tbsp. milk

Preparation

1/2 cup pistachios 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut 1/2 cup sesame seeds 1 tbsp. ground cumin 1 tbsp. ground coriander 1 tsp. salt

1. In food processor, add feta cheese and milk. Pulse mixture to loosen.

2. Turn on processor and stream in olive oil until feta is smooth in consistency.

3. Slice cooled roasted beets into interesting shapes.

4. Make the dukkah: Heat a dry non-stick skillet over medium heat, and toast ingredients in batches. Start with pistachios, being careful not to burn them. Repeat with coconut and sesame seeds. Keep things moving as you toast them! When toasted, add to food processor along with cumin, coriander and salt, and pulse until a coarse texture is formed.

5. Assemble dish: Spread whipped feta around plate, forming a base for everything else. Then scatter the beets across the feta and dust with the pistachio dukkah. Garnish with fresh dill sprigs and serve.

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LIBATIONS

Spirits, sodas, suds, cider and…wine How did Alex Rice’s cup get so full?

BY CRYSTAL MURRAY PHOTOS BY STEVE SMITH, VISIONFIRE STUDIOS

I

f Alex Rice was to write the origin story of the Nova Scotia Spirit Company, he might begin with a conversation that happened over beers with a buddy in Burnaby B.C., or he could begin to spin a tale that involves an old laundromat, a couple of bizarre blue crustaceans and a fisherman trying to hook a helper for the summer season. Either way, it’s the making of an East Coast success story with a growing cast of characters and a few chapters still under development.

“I know it sounds like a contrived story,” says Rice, company president, when we met at Blue Lobster Public House, one of the newer additions to the group’s portfolio. We’re there

to chat about the early days of his booming beverage brand and the vision for the future of the company he owns with partners Dan Allan and Evan MacEachern.

Rice was living out west when the idea of a small craft beverage company started to distill. He was born and bred an islander and like most Atlantic Canadians had a strong connection to home.

“Let’s just do something small,” says Rice, reminiscing over that beer in Burnaby with his friend and now business partner Dan, who still lives in B.C. “We were paying attention to the evolving craft beer and distilling business that was really starting to take off everywhere, but

especially on the East Coast. We were looking at the trends happening in B.C. and thinking what was happening there would makes its way east.” Before he knew it, he was in Pictou County, N.S. buying an old laundromat to retrofit for distilling, mixing, bottling and capping small batches of rum they called Seafarer Spirit Company.

The name Seafarer didn’t last long. Another craft distilling product in the region had a similar name. Rice and his partners knew there was brand confusion. The needed reset was just another layer of the startup’s legacy.

Over breakfast at a small diner in Trenton, not far from their still, the newly minted business

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Hibiscus Gin Fizz “We wanted to create a local substitution for the big brands.”

partners had spied an employment notice that was posted by a fisherman from Ballantynes Cove, a few miles down the Sunrise Trail towards Antigonish. The note read: “ Seeking fisherman’s helper, must be sober, alert and ready to learn.”

“That was it,” says Rice. “Fisherman’s Helper Rum — makes sense. Ready to Learn Gin — makes sense. And believe it or not it was that same morning I was reading about two rare blue lobsters caught off the coast of Cape Breton. Blue Lobster Vodka — it fits. Believe me, I have been fact checked on this one, but it is legitimately how things happened,” laughs Rice, who likely never gets tired of telling the story about the day the wind caught the sails of the Nova Scotia Spirit Company. “We changed our course of direction and just went for it.”

Their first leg up was a partnership with Bishop's Cellar, a wine store in Halifax, N.S. They started to bottle small batches of vodka, rum and gin and distribute to their licensees in Nova Scotia. The collaboration lasted for five years and was the training ground to understand what the local market was ready for.

“There were already companies in Nova Scotia making great product. Some of them were making what I call ‘occasion product,’ but we wanted to do things a little different,” says Rice of the vision he had with his partners, including Evan MacEachern who was recruited from a Halifax hospitality group during those early days of business development. Their idea was to create an “everyday product.”

“We wanted to create a local substitution for the big brands. We believed people would be willing to pay a few extra dollars to support a local company,” he says. While he doesn’t disclose the company’s annual sales, he will say that since their first shipment of product to the NSLC in 2015, the company has doubled their top line sales five years in a row with the

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2 oz hibiscus infused gin .75 oz lemon juice .5 oz grapefruit juice .75 oz simple syrup .5 oz egg white 2-3 oz soda water

(

— Alex Rice

ƥ ƥ ƥ ƥ ƥ ƥ

···

Add all ingredients except soda water to a set of shaker tins. Dry shake without ice to emulsify the egg white. Add ice and shake hard for 5-8 seconds. Add soda water to the cocktail and pour into a Collins glass over ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.

exception of 2021 when the pandemic impacted their licensees.

Rice believes timing has had a lot to do with his company’s success. In 2018, Rice and team entered the ready-to-drink (RTD) market, the fastest growing alcoholic beverage sector in Canada, which is projected to be in the billions of dollars in the next five years.

For each of the last two years, the company has shipped over 10 million cans of RTD products. They have eight flavours, including the iconic Blue Lobster Vodka Soda and the Rocket, with a flavour profile reminiscent of the popular tri-coloured popsicle. Rice says their newest flavour to be launched this spring will create a sense of tropical travel, something most people are longing for — again, timing is everything.

In 2018, the same year the N.S. Spirit Company launched its sodas, the partners were riding their wave of success with the announcement of the Painted Boat Beer Company, a European-style lager. The distillery reverse engineered its entry into the beer market, where the typical progression has seen brewers capitalizing on the rising tide of popularity of distilled beverages.

Between suds and sodas, the forecast was nothing but clear sailing — until the spring of 2020, when much of the hospitality business in Canada lost whatever wind it had in its sails. However, with the strength of the Blue Lobster brand, Rice says his company still

SPRING 2022

fared well during the pandemic. In fact, RBC used the company as an example of a business that endured during COVID-19. Believing that much of their success has been the result of valued partnerships. Seeing very quickly how their industry partners were struggling, Rice and team crafted their own response, The Big Tip — a $50,000 extension of gratitude to the partners in Nova Scotia and P.E.I. The concept was simple. If you were an industry front line worker and impacted by the pandemic closures, you registered online and within a week you would receive a $50 bill and a voucher for a six pack of Blue Lobster Vodka Soda.

While the program was rooted in gratitude, it demonstrated the company’s incentive for continued innovation and growth.

Prior to the pandemic, the company was working on a plan to enter a different vertical and open a restaurant on the same site as their manufacturing and shipping operations in a converted dairy in Stellarton N.S. After months of delays and restrictions, the company opened Blue Lobster Public House in December 2021.

“It’s been a multi-million-dollar investment to retro-fit and ready for our manufacturing,” says Rice of the venture. “We are super excited to open this facility and I believe it is leading in Nova Scotia where we blended the restaurant and manufacturing.” The eatery has the capacity for 80 indoor dining patrons with an event space on the second floor that can accommodate another 60. The event space has

)

Pineapple Daiquiri

ƥ 2 oz rum (Fisherman’s Helper) ƥ .75 oz fresh pineapple juice ƥ .1 oz lime juice ƥ .75 oz spiced orange cordial

*

Add all ingredients to a set of shaker tins and shake hard for 5-8 seconds.

Pour into a coupe glass and garnish with a lime wheel and orange twist.

its own bar and windows, giving a view of the expansive patio that Rice refers to as the “beer garden” and will have the potential for up to 200 guests, once it’s business as usual.

Rice has been putting a few extra miles on his vehicle this year after making deals to purchase the Annapolis Valley Cider Company in Wolfville and is about to make his debut as a winery owner after purchasing a property from the Jost family about a kilometre from Benjamin Bridge. He says that his partner Evan McEachern and team plans to put their own unique spin on the current winery experience in the valley…. We have about 1.5-acre block in the vineyard to do something really cool where we introduce food and event space. There are industry leaders in the valley. We intend to take ideas from our travels to other wine regions.

We want to make wine approachable and find a different way for people to connect to wine and we want to have fun.”

With his hand on spirits, sodas, lager, cider and wine, Alex Rice’s cup is more than half full and it’s about to runneth over.

BUYING GUIDE

Buying guide

Now that you’ve seen all the quality products and services available in Atlantic Canada, here’s a guide to help you find them for your own home.

Amos Pewter (p. 38) amospewter.com

Duckish Natural Skin Care (p.39) duckish.ca

Green Eye Designs (p. 39) greeneyedesigns.ca

Red Door Realty (p. 8) reddoorrealty.ca

Art 1274 Hollis Gallery (p. 39) art1274hollis.ca

East Coast Living (p. 8) eastcoastliving.ca

Interhabs Homes Ltd. (p. 16) interhabs.ns.ca

Saltscapes Expo (p. 48) tickets.saltscapes.com

Attica (p. 6) attica.ca

ESME Original Jacket (p.39) esmejacket.com

Metro Building Supplies (p. 7) metropei.com

Scotia Stone Ltd. (p. 6) scotiastone.ca

Bearloom Teddies (p. 38) bearloomteddies.com

Forge Home and Garden (p.39) forgehomeandgarden.com

Nimbus Publishing (p. 7, 38, 39) nimbus.ca

Studio 21 Fine Art (p. 2) studio21.ca

Bosch/BSH Home Appliances Inc. (p. 4) bosch-home.ca

Girliture (p. 38) girliture.ca

Northern Watters Knitwear & Tartan Shop (p. 38) nwknitwear.com

Unravel (p. 7) unravelhalifax.ca

Canada Beef (p. 10) Canadabeef.ca

Glubes Sound Studio (p. 47) glubes.ca

White Point (p. 38) whitepoint.com

POSH! (p. 39) poshhalifax.com

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LAST LOOK

Rock of Ages A unique art project aims to bring healing and share First Nations heritage

BY CONNIE BOLAND

PHOTO: SUBMITTED

Janice Ruddock and Helen Dawe-Webb partner with the Mindful Maple Leaf Project.

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T

he colours are spectacular.

Shades of blue and green are the most popular, but hold a piece of labradorite and look for traces of yellow, red, and gold. Iridescent and shimmering, the gemstone is said to reflect the aurora borealis trapped within.

According to an Inuit legend described on the Mindful Maple Leaf website, the appearance of the northern lights in the night sky frightened a mighty shaman.

Believing they were evil spirits, he was determined to defeat them. After a long struggle, he grabbed some, and using his powerful magic, he cast them into the stone, capturing the beauty of the aurora borealis for eternity. It is said that if you whistle at the northern lights, the evil spirits will return.

Some Inuit believe that true labradorite holds the powers of the shaman that captured it, reminding them that their culture is strong and resilient.

Some people believe labradorite harbours healing properties, which makes it fitting that a new project, The Mindful Maple Leaf, supports Residential School Survivors through the Legacy of Hope Foundation.

Each Mindful Maple Leaf is a uniquely carved labradorite stone produced at the

Each Mindful Maple Leaf is a uniquely carved labradorite stone produced at the Great Caribou Studio, a Nunatsiavut-based workshop that adheres to the Indigenous principles of artists and craftspeople.

Great Caribou Studio, a Nunatsiavut-based workshop that adheres to the Indigenous principles of artists and craftspeople.

“I’m not sure where I would be today if we didn’t have this project,” says Janice Ruddock, co-founder of SimpliCanada, the ecommerce site that’s partnering on the project.

“It’s definitely been a saving grace.”

Great Caribou Studio represents and promotes Indigenous artists from Nunatsiavut and NunatuKavut through the medium of labradorite stone. Ruddock said The Mindful Maple Leaf Project is more than like-minded organizations working towards a common goal.

Ruddock and Helen Dawe-Webb have been in business for more than 20 years.

In 2020, they took a step back from corporate work. “We wanted to do something that resonated with us,” Ruddock explains. “Being in the moment is one of

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the things that always helps me through a challenging time ... We wanted to immerse ourselves in a project that reminds us to be mindful, to stay in the moment, and be grateful for what we have. When you hold a Mindful Maple Leaf stone in your hand it reminds you to stay grounded.”

Labradorite is the provincial mineral of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Every Mindful Maple Leaf stone is unique and pocket-sized, coming in a hand-sewn pouch that evokes Labrador’s flag.

The project supports and promotes Indigenous artists, educating Canadians about history and culture. “Canada means a lot to us,” Ruddock said. “Residential school survivors will always be the backbone of the Legacy of Hope Foundation. We are starting from a place of mindfulness and moving forward slowly and respectfully.”

HOME CONTROL

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Copyright ©2016, Control4 Corporation. All rights reserved. Control4, the Control4 logo, the 4-ball logo, 4Store, 4Sight, Control4 My Home, and Mockupancy are registered trademarks or trademarks of Control4 Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other names and brands may be claimed as the property of their respective owners. All specifications subject to change without notice.

April 8-10

HALIFAX EXHIBITION CENTRE For more information, contact Lisa: lsampson@saltscapes.com 902.464.7258 ext.1803

saltscapes.com SPECIAL DISCOUNT COUPON

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per couple or $2.00 off adult admission

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This coupon entitles you to save $2.00 off each ticket purchased at the door. This coupon must be presented at the door to receive the discount (one coupon/couple: cannot be combined with any other offer.)