Truro Buzz

Events in Truro and Colchester County, NS

Family

Tell Me What’s a-Happening

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Breaking the Cycle of Violence

Sam Madore

The goals of the Third Place Transition House are simple, not easy. They aim to break down the stigma of abuse within families, continue to partner with local organizations to best support survivors, and improve the overall wellbeing of families by breaking the cycle of violence. During Family Violence Prevention Week and beyond, it is essential to shine a light on the violence that takes place within families, and to let those experiencing violence at home know that, not only are they not alone, there are safe places and people closeby they can lean on.

“Violence against women is a pervasive and complex social problem,” says Emily Stewart, executive director of Third Place Transition House. “We understand that choosing to leave an abusive situation is never easy, but we are here to support through it. Our services are non-judgemental and… we work to create a safe, supportive environment where healing can begin.”

Serving the Truro, Colchester and East Hants regions in Nova Scotia for nearly forty years, Third Place provides shelter and support services all year, around the clock. Services are free and available to any woman over sixteen who is fleeing abuse of any kind – family, domestic, or intimate partner violence, or abuse from a roommate or landlord. Children often accompany their mothers and have access to a large outdoor playground and an indoor playroom full of toys. 

Confidentiality and safety are key. If you are someone looking for shelter, a stay typically lasts six weeks and includes food, toiletries, and other basic necessities. If you are looking for someone to talk to, to answer questions, or to access resources without looking for shelter, there is not even a need to leave your name. Here are some of the many different ways the Third Place Transition House provides safe, essential community support:

  • A 24-hour crisis support line (902-893-3232) that you can call at any time to talk to someone about your situation or to make a plan to change. 
  • If you are looking for shelter, a staff member will do a phone assessment with you and create a safety plan for leaving. 
  • If you are not looking for shelter, Third Place also provides public education through outreach or family support services. 
  • Staff are available to meet one on one to provide counselling, court accompaniment, assistance with paperwork, applying for emergency protection orders, providing referrals to income assistance, subsidized housing, legal aid and parenting supports, and other essential services.
  • As a service provider working to protect the wellbeing of children, staff at Third Place have a duty to report any abuse. If you have stayed at the shelter and then choose to return to an abusive situation, staff will encourage you to contact child welfare, or will do so on your behalf. 

“We believe that families thrive and grow within a healthy environment,” says Stewart. “And healthy relationships build healthy families, which create healthy communities. We look forward to being part of more advancements in keeping women and children safe in their homes for years to come.”

To find out more information about the Third Place Transition House, its services and staff, visit www.thirdplaceth.ca.

Tell Me What’s A-Happenin’

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Better (and Bigger!) Together with Big Brothers Big Sisters

By Sam Madore

Right now, connection is more important than it has arguably ever been. Loneliness and social isolation can be difficult for any of us on a good day, let alone in the midst of a global pandemic. How great is it that Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) continues to honour their commitment to the vital mentorship relationships they have cultivated, allowing children and youth to still feel those important connections when they matter the most? 

“Kids need support now more than ever,” says Anna Rutherford, marketing and partnerships coordinator at BBBS of Colchester. “There is a real and tangible need for kids to have the stability, positivity and reassurance that a developmental relationship with a mentor provides. We look at adverse childhood experiences to assess the needs of kids in our program, but right now all kids are dealing with the impacts of the pandemic and isolation. We are right here to provide that support, but we need volunteers to do so.”

January is national mentoring month and there is no time like the present to volunteer to become a mentor. In fact, you likely already are one, you just haven’t filled out the paperwork yet;). 

Big – Kiirsti and Little – Missa
at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park

“Mentoring relationships are everywhere,” says Rutherford. “What we can do (at BBBS) is bring out the skills you already have as a mentor (in families, communities, workplaces…) and apply them to a match with a child who needs what you have to offer, and provide support and guidance through the whole experience.”

There are countless examples of when mentorship matches have had a positive impact on both the “Big” and the “Little”. One example of a new match that began during the pandemic was between big sister Kiirsti and little sister Missa. Their relationship started online via Zoom and has since moved to safe, in-person meetings. Despite the challenges that can exist when trying to make an initial connection through a computer screen and text messaging, their relationship has truly blossomed.

Having only just moved to the east coast earlier this year, Kiirsti has viewed having a Little as a great way to make important connections and explore the area. “My favourite thing about being a Big is that I get to hang out with Missa, who enjoys a lot of the same things,” she says. “It’s a great excuse to do fun things like making crafts and going to the park.” 

To find out all about becoming “bigger together” and signing up as a mentor through BBBS of Colchester, visit https://colchester.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/. Whether you are supporting their “Big Bucks” program or taking on the role of a mentor yourself, you will be helping a child in your community. Every year BBBS of Colchester provides service to more than 300 local children and youth through their mentoring programs at no cost to the families or volunteers. 

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we are better when we work together. When we find ways to reach out, connect and help one another, our community and all of the people in it can have a better chance of thriving. 

A Year in Review

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Looking back and moving forward after a year of crashes, growth and what being Nova Scotia Strong really means.

by Alicia Simms

What happened this year? I think it might be easier to cover what didn’t. Instead of winter blooming in to spring, it lead us in to darkness and uncertainty for months. A global pandemic brought our economy and lives to a grinding halt. As we tried to find our individual footings from lay offs, business closures and working from home, all eyes turned to Nova Scotia as we experienced the largest mass murder in Canadian history. Before we could even process this tragic event, a missing child shook our community once again. There was the downtown fire that claimed 4 of our local businesses. When it seemed like Nova Scotia could bear no more heartache, we came together as family, friends and community to show the world what community really meant – what Nova Scotia Strong really meant.

Mar 22- NS announces a state of emergency.

It’s hard for me to comment on a lot of this. I did not personally lose anyone in April, though I know people who did. While my businesses were closed down for three months, I was able to get by with small business relief programs, and the generous support of my clients; some businesses were not so lucky. I cried a lot and didn’t know why. I had emotions I couldn’t process. I went from working more than I could handle to not working at all . I felt lost and out of control, and I knew I wasn’t alone.

Oct 2019, Tasha & I filming the Adult Rec series

2020 was going to be a big year for Truro Buzz, my little passion project turned full-time job – and it still was, but not at all how I expected. We started the year off strong – I had hired my first Truro Buzz employee in 2019, Tasha, and we were accomplishing so much together! We were expanding Truro Buzz by taking on Out of Bounds Adventure Tours and hiring my third employee! As the Coronavirus, now Covid-19, spread, the unthinkable happened. I had to close my doors, lay off my staff, and wait.

I think I might have been in shock that first week, I remember sporadically crying a lot. I was home alone – my partner was working on the other side of the country. There was nothing I could do but watch in awe with the rest of the world as the circumstances unfolded. What could I do to help? I have this platform, this audience, but what can I possibly do to help people right now? Like other businesses, we pivoted (yes, I’m sick of this word too). The weekly newsletter went from being upcoming events to helpful tips on how to work from home, indoor activities for kids, recipes using what you already have in your pantry. Posting on social media was updating people on local business hours, and what restaurants were offering delivery.

Interviewing Chief MacNeil Mar 25

I was extremely lucky to be able to offer live interviews with a series of professionals where people could tune in and ask questions – a local doctor, the Chief of Truro Police, a business coach, a grief counsellor, nutritionist, etc. (you can still watch these on our YouTube channel). No income was coming in but Truro Buzz was serving a higher purpose, and it helped me get through as much as it did our followers. I received SO many emails of encouragement and thanks from people grateful for keeping the newsletter and social media feeds going – despite what was happening. My heart was so full. This is why I started doing Truro Buzz in the first place. I was reconnected with my ‘why’.

Out of so much darkness and pain came so much love and support from businesses and the community- like supporting frontline workers by buying them meals and baked goods from local businesses, and a free delivery service for businesses and individuals unable to get around. Eventually we reopened, and hastily so. I had lost my staff for understandable reasons, but was able to rehire great people and continue on with whatever 2020 had in store. We saw life returning to our county- our businesses reopen, able to celebrate holidays, Pride Week, and Truro host its own Black Lives Matter rally as a part of the biggest civil rights movement in history.

All in all, it’s been a year of learning and we’re still here. I, like so many, looked at the time off as a reset button, and how I wanted to go forward when life resumed. Personally, I felt emotions and grief I’d never felt before. Professionally, I learned what it was like to be held accountable for cultural appropriation and what some considered propaganda posts- what running something like Truro Buzz means exposing yourself to. But I’m still here, taking it all in and learning more every day, and I’m glad that you’re here too.

Tanya, myself and Saffron Sept/20

How to refresh your home!

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Lori from Costandi Designs gives tips on how to refresh your home during the pandemic.

We are spending a ton more time in our homes these days. And I can’t be the only that is looking around with a critical eye and see all the things I’d like to change. But what can we do? We’re in the middle of a pandemic!!!
I’ve laid out a few ideas to help you make some changes in your home without breaking protocol!

  1. Rearrange the furniture – sometimes simply switching around a room can be enough of a change to scratch the itch.
  2. Shop your home – by looking around your home to see what you can borrow from another space, whether it is furniture, a rug, art or accessories, you can create a new look without leaving the house.
  3. Paint your walls – some of the local stores are still taking paint orders, like Chase’s on Prince Street, and they can mix it up, take payment over the phone and do a contactless pick up
  4. Paint your furniture – if you haven’t tried painting a piece of furniture, now is the time, I’ll warn you, it’s addictive! Give Phillips and Chestnut a call and make arrangements to get the right
    paint for your project!
  5. Contact your favourite local shop or artist – lots of small businesses and artists would be thrilled to sell you their wares and then you can create a new look in your home.
  6. Set up a virtual consultation – here at Costandi’s, we are offering virtual consultations if the project you want to tackle is something you need some expert advice on so feel free to give me
    call!

Let’s do our part the #flattenthecurve while still creating a safe sanctuary for our family.

Easy crafts at home!

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Jane Atkinson of the Colchester East Hants Public Library whipped up these great suggestions for keeping the kids (and adults) busy and creative at home!

At this time we all need help keeping our little ones occupied while isolated from friends and schoolmates. Here are some fun simple crafts and activities that can be made with things you probably
have at home.

  1. Using Up Those Empty Toilet Paper Rolls

Bunny Stencils

  1. Take 3 TP rolls and flatten 2 of them a bit to make an oval shape.
  2. Tape the 3 rolls together with the round one on the bottom with the two oval ones attached like large ears.
  3. Dip the end of this in the paint colour of your choice and press onto a sheet of paper. You’ll see the shape of a bunny’s head.
  4. Use different colours to make a lot of colourful bunnies!
  5. Using a marker or pencil, draw in the eyes nose, mouth and whiskers.
  6. You can colour or paint in grass around the bunny heads to make it look like they are in a field

Napkin Holder

  1. Take a TP roll and cut in half 
  2. Paint it with pretty colours or decorate it all over with markers.
  3. You can add glitter if you have it, or stickers/stick-on gems.
  4. Glue on frilly ribbon or lace – whatever makes them pretty!
  5. Slide a napkin through it and use at the supper table to glam it up!
  1. Cloud Dough (a sensory activity)
    1. Take 4 cups of flour in a large bowl and add ½ cup veg oil. 
    2. Mix until combined and holding together ( you may need to add extra oil depending on the dryness of the flour).
    3. Mold it to make your own creations. 
    4. Can store for one month in a plastic ziplock bag.

            (Another recipe calls for 2 cups cornstarch and about ¼ cup hair conditioner, which smells great!)

  1. Mandela Rocks
    1. In your backyard – or on a social distancing walk – find a smooth stone.
    2. Wash the rock and let it air dry. 
    3. You can paint a base coat with the colour of your choosing, or you can just add the Mandela dots to the natural surface
    4. Paint dots all over the stone using a variety of colours in a certain type of pattern or just do free painting.  It’s your unique creation!
  1. Monster/Animal Heads
    1. Using a cereal box or another type of cardboard box you might have on hand, cut out eyeholes that line up with your eyes when the box is put over your head (you may need an adult’s help with this).
    2. Use paint or markers to make a scary face or an animal face.
    3. Tape on shredded paper to the top of the box for hair or tape on antennae made from extra cardboard pieces.
    4. Have fun creating your own animal or scary monster head!
  1. Bow Tie Pasta Butterflies
    1. Use markers to colour bow tie pasta. Add designs on the pasta to look like colourful insects.
    2. Glue the pasta onto paper.
    3. Use a dark marker add antennae. 
    4. You can draw a scene around the butterflies and have them flying around flowers, etc.
  1. Window Painting
    1. Paint on your windows with washable paint to make a cheerful scene or message for your neighbours.

Let’s get Delicious!

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Supper By Sylvia has a few recipes you can make to spice up your life!

Homemade Ranch Dressing
1/2 c mayonnaise
1/3 c sour cream
3/4 tsp chives
1/2 tsp dill weed
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp sugar
Pinch salt and pepper

Mix all ingredients well. If you have an immersion blender it will completely make the chives disappear if you have an ‘onion frady cat’ in your house. They’ll never know it’s there! •Serve as a chip dip or with veggie sticks

Lunch idea – Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap

On a tortilla, spread out a big tablespoon of ranch dressing, some left over chicken, crumbled bacon, cherry tomatoes or diced tomatoes, grated cheddar, perhaps spinach or chopped romaine. Roll up like a burrito and pan sauté just a bit to warm.

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 cup white sugar
3 ripe mashed bananas
1/2 cup soft butter
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt 1
/2 cup walnuts or pecans
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Mix sugar, mashed banana and softened butter til smooth. Stir in milk, vanilla and eggs. Gently stir in flour, soda, salt. Mix just til dry ingredients are incorporated. Stir in nuts and chips. Use muffin liners and fill 12 muffins 3/4 full. Bake 350 for 25-30 minutes Cool on baking rack

Studio Fit Family Fun Workout!

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Jennifer McNutt, owner/operator of Studio Fit in Truro has come up with this super fun family workout to get you moving and keep you entertained! Just remember to stay within your neighbourhood!

1. High Knees Up & Down The Driveway (1X) 

2. Bear Crawl Up Any Hill (run back down) you pick the size of hill 😉 

3. 25x Jumping Jacks Buy a silver, Blk or red vehicle 

4. Hold Plank 30secs from knees or toes on the sidewalk out front of your home or apartment 

5. Find a fire hydrant and do fire hydrants 10x per leg next to it (dog peeing on a fire hydrant is your help) now smile and laugh we all need it 🙂 

6. Burpees 10x by an animal 

7. Must walk or run up 50 stairs (you can keep running up and down your house stairs until you reach 50x 

8. 25x squats while you sing a song 

9. 25x standing pushups off a tree 

10. 20x crunches on your front lawn 

11. 15x squat jumps next to a family member that is at least 2m away. 

12. Lastly do any yoga pose and hold it for 30secs. 

Make sure and take pictures and tag us so we can see you have done it and to spread some smiles 🙂 @studiofit

Happy FUN!!!