Supporting community on Nova Scotia’s South Shore By Keith Corcoran
Redesign brings new look to the Pictou Advocate By Raissa Tetanish A redesign is always a big decision for a newspaper. Recently, after 130 years, the Pictou Advocate redesigned and made a major shift, from broadsheet to tabloid format. Tabloid formats are easier to read, featuring shorter and punchier stories, bold images, and strong designs. Shawn Dalton, senior director of creative design and production, and his team spearheaded the new design. “Changing the size of the Advocate was no small decision,” said Dalton. “Moving from a broadsheet to a 17-inch tab meant efficiencies on press that would save time and be more economical in the long run. It was also an opportunity to redesign the paper and freshen it up, a process that will continue as time goes on.” Once Dalton and his team had some ideas, they passed them along for consideration and a decision on a final design. Time and consideration went into font selection for readability and accessibility, as well as what worked best for the paper. Style and tone for headlines and body copy were discussed, as well as how images work within the editorial copy. We continue to hear reader feedback on the change and would love to know what you think — contact us to share your thoughts and suggestions.
McBain immediately dove back into the community. He had a one-year stint on the Bridgewater Bulldogs baseball team board of directors and volunteered for scorekeeping at tournaments, and other fundraisers, where he secured Advocate’s support. “Thank you to Advocate Media for sponsorship of the Bridgewater Bulldogs Baseball Association's Heart and Hustle Award, which was presented at the association's year-end banquet Sept. 23,” he says. “I know this will mean a lot to the recipient and it means a lot to show our support to the community that we live in.” McBain's also a deacon and drummer for a local church, coached two youth soccer teams for two seasons, and is involved as a coach and vice-president of the South Shore Ice Storm sledge/para hockey team that last year had 33 members from ages five to 60. And ever the LighthouseNow promoter, he suited up as Captain Lighthouse, the newspaper's mascot for the Queens County Fair, winning second place for commercial participants. He encourages others to similarly dive into their communities. “Whether it's organizing fundraising events, participating in sports clubs, or mentoring local youth, volunteers play a big role in creating a stronger, unified area,” McBain says.
Community connection By Danielle Devine Early this fall, Maine Home + Design joined local organizations in sponsoring Maine Preservation’s annual gala at the newly restored Lemont Hall in Brunswick. Proceeds from the auction help Maine Preservation promote and preserve historic places, buildings, and neighbourhoods, strengthening the cultural and economic vitality of Maine communities. For a third year in a row, we put out a call to Maine designers to come meet us for a drink at Novare Res Bier Cafe in downtown Portland to create a napkin sketch. All participants were given a drink, a pen (however, as you might have guessed, many brought their own), a cocktail napkin, and five prompts. See the results of their Photo: Heidi Kirn work in an upcoming issue.
Photos: Dave Clough Photography
Photo: Steve Smith, VisionFire
Advocate’s LighthouseNow newspaper and its editor, Kevin McBain, continue a tradition of supporting local community groups through sponsorship and volunteering, allowing both to make a tangible difference in Nova Scotia’s Lunenburg and Queens counties. The seasoned scribe thrives when it comes to highlighting and contributing to the prosperity of his communities with resources, time and energy. “I love working with youth and passing on the life and athletic skills that I have learned over the years and being a mentor to the young athletes,” says McBain, who's led the paper since 2022 and coached youth teams in several sports. “As a journalist and editor, I also enjoy telling the stories and talking to youth and highlighting their accomplishments in the newspaper.” His current stint with LighthouseNow is his second. He was a graphic artist and sports reporter between 1992 and 1997. He moved back home to Saskatchewan, serving as a sports reporter and editor there before returning to Nova Scotia. He returned to LighthouseNow in 2018, as a contract reporter.
