At Home on the North Shore

Shake up spring with

vintage VIBES

Spring 2020 Vol. 5 Edition 2 / $4.95

IGNITE YOUR INSPIRATION SPRING REFRESH FOR LESS SWEET TIE-DYE DIY

ON OUR COVER: Cindy Blair has whipped up the perfect design for her new home in Pictou.

Hardwired with modern efficiencies but dialed into the mid-century modern style the house is full of charm and cheer.

Cindy and her husband Andrew invite you to take a step back in time and rev your own vintage vibes.

PHOTO BY STEVE SMITH, VISIONFIRE STUDIOS

athomeonthenorthshore.ca PUBLISHER: Fred Fiander EDITOR: Crystal Murray SALES MANAGER: Patty Baxter ART DIRECTOR: Jamie Playfair GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Barbara Raymont PHOTO EDITOR: Steve Smith FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Blake Ross, Sales, Pictou County Phone 902 759-5054 blakeross@advocatemediainc.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Greetings, on this beautiful sunny and bright afternoon in Nova Scotia.

I wanted to write and tell you how pleased I was to come across your ah! At Home on the North Shore publication, quite by accident. I picked up a complimentary copy of the Winter 2020 issue at The People’s Place Library, in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

I am what is often referred to as a ‘come-from-away’. My home province is Ontario, but I have also lived and worked with horses, in both British Columbia and Alberta. I have landed here in Antigonish,but am still on the hunt for a rural property in the Maritimes where I can live with my horses and pets.

Your Winter 2020 issue was very well designed and tastefully presented.

The colour choices used to accent pages, such as soft pale greens, turquoise, burgundy, taupe and grey, were very appealing. The advertising was attractive and I read through every offering, learning of many stores and businesses which I was not aware of previously. On the inside front cover, I learned of the McCulloch House, Museum and Genealogy Centre.

I have long wanted to learn more about my relatives and ancestors from the Maritime provinces. I hope someday to discovery more of ‘my story’.

I commend you and your whole team for producing such a quality publication, which focuses on the lives and amenities in the North Shore area of Nova Scotia. I look forward to reading your Spring Edition. Thank you for all that you do and best wishes.

Audrey Woods, Antigonish

Nicole Fawcett, Sales, Strait Area 902 625-3300, ext. 1509 nicolefawcett@porthawkesburyreporter.com Lyndia Wellwood, Sales, Truro and Colchester County 902 893-0375 lyndiawellwood@advocatemediainc.com

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Michele White, Sales Tatamagouche/Colchester County 902-818-2904 mwhite@metroguide.ca

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Brendan Nichol, Sales Pictou County 902 396-8136 brendannichol@advocatemediainc.com FOR EDITORIAL INQUIRES CONTACT: Crystal Murray 902 485-1990 crystalmurray@advocateprinting.com At Home on the North Shore Published four times per year by: Advocate Media Inc., 2882 Gottingen Street Halifax, NS B3K 3E2 Printed by: Advocate Printing & Publishing, 181 Browns Point Rd. Pictou, NS B0K 1H0 902 485-1990

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Inside this issue

Vol. 5 Edition 2 Spring 2020

Cover Story

16

Mid-century modern décor stirs up the vintage vibes in a new Pictou build

The Inside Story

Departments

38 High Five

7

The Hodgkinson family get all the points for style

Editor’s Letter

10 Off the Wall

Artist Colin Cook finds his form

Ignite Your Inspiration

13 Thresholds

24 Prepare to be inspired

46

Some North Shore’s movers and shakers share what keeps them moving and grooving

22 deCoste Performing Arts Centre

On the Table 46 Tie-dye

A spring table setting Tie-Dye For

Healthy at Home 44 Tracy Stuart

Spring heats up with the hottest events calendar on the North Shore

37 Field Notes

Sara Jewell finds the sounds in silence

50 DIY

Rise and shine with a steamy turmeric latte

16 38

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editor’s

LETTER

Remember to See the Sunshine

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PHOTO BY NORTHOVER PHOTOGRAPHY

I

t was one of those late winter days when it was easy to find some optimism. I peeled off the top layer of my gear as I snowshoed up my favourite hiking trail. It was still a little cool under the canopy of the trees but in the open spaces the sun warmed my face and stirred something in me that had been absent for a while. Hopefulness. It was there and I was ready to receive it as it mingled with the sweet smell of spring air.

I openly admit that I can get in a little bit of a funk in winter.

My cup that is almost always half full seems to have a little less in it when the days are short and dark. I felt grumpy, tired, life just seemed a little blurry, and I had lost my focus. When I was in the midst of my February fog, I literally bumped into a person in the grocery store. We both had our heads down reaching for the avocados. When we said our polite apologies and I was about to walk away the woman said that she knew I didn’t know her, but she recognized me from At Home magazine. She told me that I was an inspiring person and she loved the way that I tell the stories about the people who live here. I thanked her for her kind words and for being a reader because magazines need all the love they can get these days.

It means so much to me when I run into a fan of the magazine or get an email or Facebook message from a subscriber who admires what the At Home team tries to bring to life in each issue. It’s a tremendous compliment to hear that you have inspired someone.

It’s one thing to be inspired but to inspire is something that we can all aspire to do.

Because I was feeling humdrum at the start of the new year I reached out to my usual pool of writers, who always pick me up and asked them to focus their stories on, you guessed it, inspiration for the spring issue. The assignment was to connect with some of their favourite movers and shakers on the North Shore and ask what keeps them fueled if they ever feel like they might be down a quart of their own inspiration. As the ideas started to evolve, the stories made a cheerful chime as they landed in my inbox and I felt the weightiness of the winter drift away. If you don’t quite have the pep in your step that you would like to have these days, I hope that you find our special feature Ignite Your Inspiration will be just what you need to energize your good vibes.

When I am asked what keeps me inspired I often think of the words, “you don’t need to know where you will end up to begin.” I am always inspired by people who embark on journeys or creative projects with no guarantees that everything will be

perfect. It’s people like Cindy and Andrew Blair in Modern Moves and Vintage Vibes who, two years ago, left almost everything behind with the exception of Andrew’s golf clubs and moved across the county to begin a fun new chapter of their life in Pictou County. It’s people like Sherry Blinkhorn in Maybe She’s Born With It, a successful businesswoman and advocate for mental health, who could have easily chosen not to begin the path to build a new life, or someone like Shauna Northover in Muscling Through MS who chose to begin building her body when disease threatened to whittle it away. It’s people like this that inspire me to be brave, to take a chance and, in those moments when life does seem a little blurry, to seek the sunshine because it will always guide you.

Each time I begin an issue of At Home on the North Shore I have no idea where it will end. At this very moment I hope it is with you and you will ask yourself what inspires you and, more importantly, how you inspire others.

Happy Spring Everyone!

The North Shore

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CONTRIBUTORS

LORI BYRNE Spring is a time for being inspired and re-energizing – get outside, dig in the dirt, take a walk, and soak up that warm sunshine to burn off those winter blues. Lori shines the light on the Hodgkinson family from Valley in her story High Five and serves up a spoonful of fun with her spring DIY garden project.

TRACY STUART Spring is a great time of year to hit the refresh button. The recipe I share in my column is the perfect place to leap into a refresh of your nutrition plan. Tracy Stuart is mother of two and editor for Our Children magazine. During her years as an Olympian, Tracy was obsessed with all things that could improve performance. Now she uses her knowledge of nutrition, exercise, and recovery to help her family and others thrive.

PHOTO: STEVE SMITH,VISIONFIRE STUDIOS

ALLISON GAUDETT Contributing to this spring issue has me ahead of the game with my seasonal decor, which I am grateful for. With busy daily schedules it can be much too easy to skip over, but the shift in our home’s mood is palpable and the nostalgia is well worth the effort. Allison had fun roaming the North Shore with a little money in her pocket to scoop up some sensational spring finds for Thresholds and an Easter table setting that is Tie-Dye For.

DEBBI HARVIE We’ve “muscled through” the winter and spring is finally around the corner. Through the dark and dreary days of January and February, motivation was definitely something I was lacking.

Interviewing Shawna Northover for our special feature Ignite Your Inspiration was a truly inspiring experience and her advice and triumph will motivate me in challenging times.

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STEVE SMITH It’s spring 2020 and At Home on the North Shore is back again. That is to say, “back to the past,” with some vintage vibes in the Blair’s beautiful Pictou home, and “ahead to the future” in the modern Valley home of the Hodgkinson family.

I was lucky to visit both and they were equally warm and inviting spaces, with families to match.

Speaking of warm and inviting, be sure to read about Sherry Blinkhorn. She is, without a doubt, wonderfully inspiring on a number of levels. It’s nice to be around people like that. I hope you fully enjoy this edition of your magazine!

SARA JEWELL explores the transformative power of solitude in her column Field Notes, and in her profile of a couple who inspire their community to get outside and experience the transformative power of nature. Sara walks and writes around her home near Port Howe. sarajewell.ca

The North Shore

OFF the WALL

BY CRYSTAL MURRAY PHOTOS BY STEVE SMITH, VISIONFIRE STUDIOS

A MOVING EXPERIENCE HOW ARTIST COLIN COOK FINDS HIS FORM

C

olin Cook’s self-proclaimed “Fluid Form” paintings are capturing the imagination of local art buyers. His abstract approach depicting human bodies twisting themselves into the earth like the roots of a tree can create swirls of emotions. The shapes are paradoxically strong and sinewy with a serene softness that brings the dynamics of the human relationship into harmony suggesting a dance with the elements of our existence.

Fire, water, earth and air all came alive without intention when Colin approached his first experiments with acrylic paints. But he is starting to see where so many of his life’s passions are now culminating in this body of work.

Always drawn to the human physique, Colin portrays his figures with strong musculature and control of their movement.

“A lot of people will look at my paintings and think they are very sexy and sensual. I guess they really are but what I see or what happens when I start to paint is a dance between two people. When I look at these paintings I feel happy. When people are dancing they usually are happy,” says Colin.

The North Shore

The dance between the faceless figures is also a conduit to the energy that Colin brings into the painting and what he hopes to be released. This is an aspect that he is trying to give a little more attention to without getting too invested and interrupting the flow state he falls into when he is working on a piece.

“To be honest I really don’t know where the painting will go when I start. It’s hard to explain but I don’t pay too much attention to what I am doing at the time. I sometimes move around a lot and I get my fingers into the paint as much as I use my brushes,” he says. “I am afraid that if I think about it too much that I might lose it.”

Art has been part of Colin’s raison d’être since he was young.

As a student he was encouraged by his teachers to embrace his talents and follow his dreams. He attended the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and at that time he was told that figure painting was not his forte. It has taken several decades for Colin to return to this type of artistic pursuit. He is a trained graphic artist and has worked in numerous mediums over the years but most of this concentration has been for employment

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or what seemed like work. This current process has been more self-fulfilling and he is enjoying every moment.

It has only been a little more than a year since Colin started to work with acrylics. He says he was inspired by his cousin Dan Munroe, a well-known artist with a large catalogue of work and loyal following. “Danny encouraged me to give it a try. I took a look at some of his more abstract paintings and I thought why not see where I can take this.”

Last fall Colin had his first solo show in New Glasgow. He had more than 50 pieces in the exhibit and sold most of them.

“I am amazed at the people who are interested in my art,” says Colin. “I thought there would be a specific type of person that would be drawn to this subject material, but it seems to have a wide appeal.”

Colin will paint for several hours each night. Since his show he has had a stream of commissioned work with requests for specific colour tones and genders in the paintings. He recently

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finished a piece where a patron requested a face on the figure and he experimented with adding a dress to a female form, a departure from the nudes that have been the custom so far.

The choreographed language in Colin’s artwork moves with his treatment of vibrant colour. Force fields of fire and lightening are the stage on which his figures dance. He uses light and darker shades finding the definition in the human forms and the vibrancy in the tones emanate the energy and emotion he believes are channeled into the room. He is exploring ideas where he moves this theme into three-dimensional art pieces to push the boundaries of his own artistic comfort zone.

As organically as he says his paintings evolve so does Colin’s own growth as an artist. Looking inward he says he cannot completely define it but as things change in his own life the theme of movement is at the heart of Colin’s paintings.

“All I know is that, in the end, I want to create something beautiful.”

The North Shore

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THRESHOLDS

BY ALLISON GAUDETT PHOTOS BY STEVE SMITH, VISIONFIRE STUDIOS

Spring Decor Refresh for $100 Refreshing decor with the seasons can feel like a daunting unachievable luxury. The expense itself can be enough to opt out. At Home has some ideas for you where you can refresh your space for $100 or less!

The overall mood of your home can shift by simply swapping in accessories appropriate to the season’s pallet in a mix of new, thrifted, and DIY refresh finds full of personality and at approachable price points.

TABLE CLOTH OR RUNNER $4.00 Textile patterns and colour-ways are often the jumping-off inspiration for interior transformations. In this case, rather than doing a full reupholster or long term commitment piece, a table cloth or runner can easily be swapped in and out for substantial visual impact on a budget.

PILLOW COVERS $4.00 PAIR Decorative pillows pack a lot of personality punch and are easy to swap out. Save yourself the expense of new inserts, and the storage space, by replacing only the covers.

SWEET HELLO OR GOOD-BYE Candies $2.50 + Household Dishware A highlight with every season when visiting Gran is the candy dish. Why not incorporate your own but in a pastel pallet for a sweet thoughtful surprise?

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The North Shore

THRESHOLDS

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Price Breakdown Vintage Table Cloth 4.00 Pillow Covers 4.00 2x Printable Art 17.00 Salt and Pepper Set 2.00 Plant Stand Refresh 5.00 Wreath 20.00 Dish Towels 10.00 Two Napkin Packs 12.00 File Folders 18.00 Sugar Bowl Treats 2.50

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The North Shore

COVER STORY

MODERN MOVES AND

BY CRYSTAL MURRAY PHOTOS BY STEVE SMITH, VISIONFIRE STUDIOS

You might say that it was serendipity that led Andrew and Cindy Blair back to the town of Pictou. The couple had lived almost all of their 25 years of marriage on Vancouver Island, but with the freedom that comes with retirement in sight they started to explore the idea of moving back to Andrew’s ancestral home on the east coast. Cindy, a retired nurse who grew up in BC was game for a change of scenery and had been charmed by a visit to the town a number of years ago. Andrew, still working as an aerial surveyor could live anywhere close to an airport, felt the pull back to family. But an extensive property search had not yielded the results they had hoped for. The one caveat was for a property zoned for two dwellings as Cindy’s sister would be making the move with them but wanted her own space.

They had all but thrown in the towel when Cindy decided to take one more look at the real estate listings when everything fell into place.

Andrew still shakes his head when he thinks that the home he and Cindy live in today is built on a piece of property that was left undeveloped for more than fifty years. As a boy he walked by the treed lot that nestled in between two stately homes in the town’s west end on his way to elementary school. By the time Andrew was ten his family had moved to Harve Boucher. He went directly into the military from high school and only returned to Pictou for visits. He met Cindy

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“I think that the greatest joy in this house is the way it makes people feel when they walk into it.

It’s just so fun!”

when she was working as a nurse on a military base in Manitoba and they moved to British Columbia the year they were married.

The move east was an opportunity for Cindy, who has a love for design, to start with a clean slate. Andrew calls her “Cindy Lou the Design Guru.” The couple had built and sold several homes over the years, but each project was approached with re-sale in mind and designed and decorated with a universal appeal. Her attention to detail and ability to bring a cohesiveness to the entire house design meant that new buyers wanted to keep all of the house contents. Andy only slightly jokes when he said they came to Nova Scotia with only his golf clubs.

While the property search took some time the design and construction of the new home moved quickly.

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Andrew, Cindy and fur baby Panda, are all smiles in their revved up retro kitchen.

Andrew gives all the cred to his wife who he knicknames Cindy Lou Design Guru.

The kitchen features replica appliances and lots of polished chrome to bring on the full retro experience.

The North Shore

Andrew wanted his cousin Kevin Slaunwhite, a local contractor, to build their new home. As luck would have it, Kevin, who is usually booked several years out, had an opening. Andrew and Cindy had a good idea of their design concept and quickly completed plans with a Nova Scotia house designer.

They purchased the property in March of 2018 and April of that same year they broke ground to build their 1,500-squarefoot rancher with an attached garage and 600-square-foot guest house, almost an exact representation of the main structure. Seven months later Cindy and Andrew had officially moved from Vancouver Island to Pictou and were settling into the new home with a modern twist on vintage style.

There is no question that Cindy and Andrew Blair didn’t fully invest themselves in capturing an unmistakable vintage vibe for their new home in Pictou. A step through the threshold of their front door is a step back in time. The sleek farmhouse is hardwired for modern efficiencies and dialed in to the mid-century style that could make a set designer for Mad Men envious.

“Someone told us that our oven looks like a 1950s Chev married a jukebox,” laughs Cindy as she pours tea into a vintage cup. “I think that the greatest joy in this house is the way it makes people feel when they walk into it. It’s just so fun!”

While Cindy carried the retro vibe through the entire home, it’s the kitchen that is the real showstopper with mint green vintage-inspired appliances, a checkerboard chrome set, authentic Bakelite dishes and pops of colour that were the hallmarks of that period in time.

Although the house is small, the attached garage elongates it to give the effect of a much larger home. It’s set well back on the lot to create curb appeal and give depth to the property. They chose building materials that evoked the farmhouse style while remaining low maintenance and accessible. Cindy was diagnosed with MS a number of years ago. Their plan was mindful of their future and decided to keep the house all one level with wide porches for easy access. The Blairs were ahead of the curve with their anticipation for an accessible home. In September 2019, the province adopted “Adaptable Housing” where every new

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house built is required to have a provision for accessibility.

While Andrew left most of the design work to Cindy a few areas where he did get involved were with the installation of the outdoor lighting system that comes on at dusk and goes off at dawn according to their longitude and latitude. Remembering the winters of his childhood in Pictou, he also thought it was good planning to have portable generators for both houses.

While they dispensed with the concept of a full basement, Andrew noted that very few homes on Vancouver Island have deep foundations because of the dense bedrock, he says that they did decide to do a heated six-foot-high crawlspace with staircase access in the garage. “It has the same dimension as the house and contains the furnace, hot water tank and auxiliary

COVER STORY

What gives off more vintage vibes that a checker board chrome set? The cool retro dining set is made by Anmarcos. The Canadian company has keep the design in production for more than 70 years.

Mint green will get you back to your retro roots.

Replica appliances can be sourced in a variety of colours. Cindy chose the pretty pastel to set the tone for the dĂŠcor period.

Neutral walls left room for a lot of groovy colour that is embraced with the mid-century modern style. The Sputnik clock on the wall speaks to an era that was fascinated by the atomic age that emerged in the 1950s. The floor-to-ceiling tiled feature wall brings modern technology of an electric fire place and flat screen TV.

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COVER STORY

Cindy is always on the hunt for retro pieces to amp up her décor. She has a mix of replica pieces like this turn table that has blue tooth capabilities and a growing collection of authentic Bakelite and vintage dishware.

Eat Play Stay PICTOULODGE.COM The North Shore

water pump. I am happy that we did go for a bigger crawl space as the home does not have much storage,” says Cindy.

Inside, Cindy wanted little rooms but, on house designer’s advice, added a 16-foot vaulted ceiling in the living room to make space for a dramatic, tiled fireplace.

Before the house was built Cindy started picking up décor elements that she knew would tie into her vision.

The Sputnik clock and mirror in the living room both nod to the era. Authentic vintage finds and artwork also pull from the period.

“Some of the best and most timeless designs come from this era. This was a happy time in the years after World War II. There was a lot of colour in the 50s. They used neutrals as the base but then added colour in way that we don’t use colour today. It’s very cheerful!

Cindy is still on the hunt for authentic period pieces that tell the story of this design era. She recently swapped out her headboard for a more glamorous pink velvet that pops off the horizontal black-and-white striped wall in their bedroom and she is working on her collection of retro Christmas decorations for seasonality in her theme.

With a new build in a small town there continues to be curiosity about the Blair’s home in a neighbourhood planted with historic homes. She says one of the best compliments she receives is when people ask if the home had always been there. “We wanted the house to look like it belonged.

We looked at roof lines from neighbouring houses and gave thought to many of the traditional elements. When I

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Glossy white veneer dressers and side tables with pops of brass and a pink velvet bed frame are part of the 50s-inspired glamour in the principal bedroom.

first came to visit 20 years ago I was charmed by the simplicity of the white siding and black shutters, you don’t see that out west.”

Now that the dust has settled from the build, Cindy and Andrew are also settling into a new life in Pictou County. Andrew has his sights set on retirement and spending time getting re-acquainted with the extended family that lured him back to Pictou. Cindy admits that once the excitement of the build was over she started to feel a little home sick for the west coast. She says that her sister likely adjusted faster than she did but she is beginning to get her feel for the community. She has already had requests for design consults as word has hit the street about her decorating flair. “I am not sure if I want to run a business but I have no issues sharing ideas,” says Cindy. “But just to keep that option open I have purchased the domain name Cindy-Lou Design Guru. You never know what might happen next!”

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Keep up to date on all our shows and events at www.decostecentre.ca or by following us on @deCoste Performing Arts Centre @decostetweets @decosteperformingartscentre

HOW DO THE INSPIRERS STAY INSPIRED?

MAYBE SHE’S BORN WITH IT

We asked and they answered. These are the stories and moments of truth from just a few of the North Shore’s most inspirational people. Look around, look in the mirror, because they are everywhere.

The most important thing that you will learn from these stories is that the people

HOW RESILIENCE AND HAVING SOMEONE TO BELIEVE IN HER CHANGED SHERRY BLINKHORN’S LIFE

sharing them did not sit around and wait for inspiration to strike. They all have found the energy in a singular moment or culmination of experiences that motivated them to take action, to own their own truth, and be the change they want to see

BY CRYSTAL MURRAY PHOTOS BY STEVE SMITH, VISIONFIRE STUDIOS

in the world.

Ignite Your Inspiration Inspiration can be transformational. We have all met people who we say have change our lives, or in some way ignited something inside us that just needed a little kindling to get started.

Living an inspired life becomes a practice.

Most of us don’t just wake up that way. It’s like good penmanship, crow pose in yoga, or making a good risotto. It takes work and it takes patience. The most inspired people still face adversity and have their mettle tested. How they handle the challenges is what other people are drawn to and look towards for inspiration in their own lives.

Inspirational people live their legacy, they don’t just leave it behind. As you step into these stories, we hope that you take this time to think about what inspires you and how you can be the spark that ignites something powerful in someone else. We know it’s in there.

Sherry Blinkhorn curls up into the corner of her sofa. Late winter sunshine fills the living room of her home in Lochbroom, Pictou County. She takes a sip from the glass of water that is resting on her lap and a delicate black scripted tattoo peeks out from under her sleeve. The words Goodness Prevails emanate from the inside of her forearm like a beauty mark that has been imprinted in her DNA. There is a lot of discussion these days whether or not resilience is something that you are born with or something that is learned. Is it as black and white as nature versus nurture? Or, is it a trait that is found someplace in between what biology has given you and your learned experiences?

Resilient people are a curiosity and an inspiration. Sherry is asked all the time, “How did she do it? How did she pull herself out of the turmoil of her childhood and her youth and become the person that she is today?” She says that she owes her life to

water

Sherry’s tips for leading an inspired life...

I really believe that water is calming.

When I need to de-escalate I go to the water. I know it sounds contradictory but the water grounds me.

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change of scenery

Sherry’s tips for leading an inspired life...

Sometimes it’s just good to escape to a different place. For me, sometimes I have to go somewhere and not be Sherry Blinkhorn for a bit.

My house is now my favourite escape.

someone who took a leap of faith. Someone who looked at her and told her that she had potential when her young life was unraveling.

The words were not a magic cure and it took years for her to pull herself away from a fragmented childhood but it was enough to ignite something in her that smouldered until the meaning of those words really caught fire.

Sherry was born in south west Nova Scotia near the town of Yarmouth. Her father was mostly absent during the first few years of her life and eventually died from a drug overdose in Toronto.

Her mother and grandmother both struggled with mental illness. Sherry and her siblings struggled as the collateral damage. While she does not dive too deep into the details of her early years she eludes to the abuse that resulted from vulnerability of living in a house with mental illness. She shares her story with the underpinnings of forgiveness as an adult armed with the knowledge of what happened to her as a child was, to an extent, outside of the control of her mother because she was sick.

By the time Sherry was five years old she entered her first foster home. She was made a ward of the court at eight, but the perceived child protection provided little more stability.

She remembers being “kidnapped” by her mother from different foster homes and the rollercoaster ride until she went into a permanent placement that should have finally given her a safe place to land. Looking back, she says that her adoptive family was just as dysfunctional and threatening. Throughout these tumultuous years, faith played a significant role in her survival. She would spend hours studying her bible and the deep feeling that there was something out there bigger than herself. But there was

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also something else stirring in the younger version of Sherry. She wanted to understand what made her mother sick.

“I remember being 12 years old and being at newsstands reading Psychology Today. What is interesting about my story is that I knew that this was all very peculiar behaviour but, even though I was young, I felt that there was a reason for it. I would try to learn about mental illness and educate myself. All people thought was that I had a bad mother, not that she was ill.

I wanted to understand these behaviours. I didn’t know it at the time, but I think there was a mental health advocate emerging in me,” says Sherry.

Despite believing she was hard-wired to eventually succeed, there were several years where Sherry says she does not even recognize herself. While she tried to rise above the chaos and feelings of abandonment, the edges of her life continued to fray.

By the time she reached her mid-teens she rebelled and fell into a vortex of depression and drug abuse. She failed grade nine twice and dropped out of high school. She clung to a bad relationship with a young man and almost married him at 17.

By the time she was 21 she had been in detox four times.

In the midst of the years of destructive behaviour Sherry left her adoptive home in Shelburne and lived largely on her own. But during this time Sherry made a connection with church Pastor Bruce Parsons and his wife Sharon.

They provided the first modicum of stability and Sherry credits their investment in her life as the reason why she was able to dig down and find the good pieces of herself that still remained.

“I remember the night Sharon looked at me and told me that I had potential. She had come to pick me up late at night. I was

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Ignite Your Inspiration out doing something that I shouldn’t have been doing. She turned around from the front seat of her station wagon and said those three little words to me, “You have potential.” It was the first time I had someone believe in me,” says Sherry fondly remembering the woman who would be a friend for the rest of her life.

The words didn’t change her life overnight but the trajectory shifted slightly.

A few years later when Sherry’s first son was born she knew that she wanted change and the impact of that night resonated with her. She didn’t want her experience to be the experience for her son. And so began a new chapter in her life.

There was a bit of a travelling road show before Sherry started to set down roots in Pictou County. A place that she says feels more like home to her than any other place she lived before. She married in her early 20s and had been working in a fish plant on Cape Sable Island in Shelburne County. She left there when she was 26 to follow her then husband to Port Hawkesbury where he was studying to become a Master Mariner. Sherry was able to get on the TAGS program that spun

connect with friends

Sherry’s tips for leading an inspired life...

Even when I don’t feel like it. After I have made time to be with friends I feel so much better and re-fueled.

of the Atlantic Ground Fish Strategy to provide retaining for workers in that sector as employment dried up. She was a young mother and her marriage was falling apart.

She had to make a choice about where she would attend school. Not feeling attached to the mill town she picked up stakes again and made the move to Stellarton and enrolled in the Human Services program at NSCC. Sherry excelled in the program and graduated with honours. But while she was working on case studies in school she started to get her feet wet in the world of real estate taking over the role as superintendent for the town houses she was living in. From there she rolled right into property management for wellknown businessman Joe Shannon. “I realized that I was making million-dollar deals and driving a neon,” says Sherry. “I decided that it was time that I went into real estate myself and in 1998 I got my residential license.”

While life appeared to be on track there were still dark days. She lost an infant daughter who would be turning 25 this April and there would be episodes of depression. For ten years she worked with a therapist. “There were days that I just felt

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like life kept punishing me over and over again. Today when I am feeling this way I just need to go back where I came from and I take comfort in knowing that I really did beat the odds.”

It’s only been in the last few years that Sherry has been able to talk about her life

in any amount of detail. When she hears other people share their story she says she feels inspired to do the same.

Last year when Sherry took the stage to receive the Pictou County Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Award for 2019 she says she was completely overwhelmed by the moment and instead of delivering the prepared message she wrote on the chance the she did pick up the

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award she strayed into a short but powerful statement of gratitude and revealed some of the adversity of her youth.

As surprised as people from Pictou County might be to hear her story, Sherry say that it’s the people from her past that are astonished at how far she has come.

Again, reaching for her humour she shares a time when someone from her home met of one her boys and when they learned who his mother was, they told him they thought that she would have either been in prison or dead.

“Five years ago my family doctor was coming to town to do a talk. When he drove into New Glasgow he saw the real estate signs with my name on them. He

looked me up and he was overcome when he realized the life that I have built. These are some of the moments that keep me going. For the longest time I felt shame but know all I have to do is think about where I was or take a trip back home and I realize that I have a pretty good life.”

Knowing Sherry today it’s hard to believe there was a time in her life that she wasn’t anything other than a successful businesswoman and a compassionate gentle soul dedicated to making her community a better place. But it’s the stripes that she earned during the troubled part of her life that has given her the sagacity to stand up for what she believes in.

She says that she has the reputation of being a bit of a pit bull. She prides herself in being assertive when she needs to be and she is a firm and effective negotiator. Her volunteer time dedicated to mental health advocacy and other community projects has earned her awards and praise.

“I have worked with a lot of non-profits in Pictou County over the years. I can honestly say that I have always come away a better and more empathetic person by trying to help someone in some small way.

Being their voice when they can’t find it

help other people

Sherry’s tips for leading an inspired life...

You don’t have to move mountains.

There is just something that feels so good knowing that you have done even the smallest thing that can help someone. or maybe when no one else will listen,” says Sherry.

There are days when she says she doesn’t know if she works in real estate or mental health but she acknowledges that it’s something that she will continue to dedicate time to. “I have to keep doing this. I know that there is impact in focusing on these things and helping the people that need it the most.”

Sherry finds inspiration in the friends that she has made through her advocacy work.

Other than her wife Julienne Doucet, she counts Starr Cunningham, CEO of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia as one of her dearest friends and often thinks of Provincial Court Judge Tim Daley who shared his story of digging out from years of depression when he spoke at the Pictou County Wellness Centre several years ago on the same ticket as Olympian Clara Hughes.

Looking in the rear-view mirror Sherry says it’s like seeing the reflection of someone else’s life. It has only been in recent years that she has been able to free herself from the pain and shame she

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Ignite Your Inspiration experienced growing up with mental illness in her family, an abusive foster care environment, and substance abuse. As she continues to peel away the layers of her life she finds more clarity in her sense of self and what she means to her family and her community. She still has days that are tough and moments when the sting of the past is very real but, more importantly, it’s the days when she meets someone on the

street or receives a phone call or an email from an individual who says that she has made a difference in their life and thanks her for sharing her story that she finds her footing again.

“We all need to be the change that we see in the world,” says Sherry. “To the world you are someone but to someone you maybe the world. I always try to pay it forward and see the good in people

because that’s what someone did for me. They saved my life by loving me unconditionally and believing in me.”

Sherry has collected a number of mantras over the years that she says have continued to empower and inspire her to do more but she puts all of her faith in knowing that despite all of the hardships there are in the world that, in the end, goodness prevails. n

seek positivity

Sherry’s tips for leading an inspired life...

It’s always there if you look for it and when you find the positivity in things it can make such a huge impact on the way you see everything else.

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MUSCLING THROUGH MS

STAYING MOTIVATED TO GET THE MOST OUT OF LIFE Shawna NORTHOVER

BY DEBBI HARVIE | PHOTOS BY LOUSHANNAROSE PHOTOGRAPHY On the outside, Shawna Northover is an active, physically fit mom of two. But on the inside she struggles with a debilitating disease.

The 34-year-old had always tried to fit physical activity into her life, but four years ago, she knew something wasn’t right when she couldn’t run anymore. In and out of doctors’ offices and ERs, Shawna couldn’t get answers for the constant pain and numbness in her knees and hips.

Her symptoms grew worse as her fatigue became overwhelming and it got to the point where her doctors were suggesting she reach out to mental health because her symptoms weren’t a result of a physical ailment.

It wasn’t until March of 2018, after being hospitalized, that she learned she had MS. “I had a lot of mixed emotions,” she explains. “On one hand I was thankful to finally have some answers.”

Most of Shawna’s lesions are on her spine, which is why it took so long to get a diagnosis, but now that she has one, she is more determined than ever to stay physically fit.

“I really started to take my health and fitness seriously after being diagnosed,” she explains. “Seeing how bad things can get was a real eye opener.”

So every day, she tries to get herself moving in some way, whether it’s strength training with weights, cardio, or stretching.

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Shawna says her number one motivator for staying fit and active is her children.

“I want to be at my best for them and myself for many years to come.”

Like everyone, there are days that she finds it difficult to get started, days she wishes she could just stay in bed, but knowing that has a much harsher reality for her than most is also a strong motivator.

“When I don’t or can’t exercise or eat healthy, I feel it. I just feel awful. More often than not, when I’m having a bad day and my symptoms are acting up and all I want to do is sleep, if I just force myself to “press play” and get going for a walk, a run, a workout, whatever it is, I always end up better for it.”

It was a lot of trial and error at first for Shawna, learning what exercises she could do and which ones she couldn’t, what foods she could eat, and which would cause a flair up. But now through research and her own experience, she knows what works for her and what doesn’t, and keeping on a strict diet, minimizing sugars and gluten, while making sure to get some sort of physical activity in each day, has helped her leaps and bounds.

In fact, she notes that at her most recent MS appointment at the Dalhousie MS Research Unit, Shawna’s neurologist encouraged her to keep doing what she is doing.

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“He thinks my diet and exercise is doing wonders for me, along with my long-term therapy medication. He said there are many studies showing that diet and exercise are similar in effectiveness to early injectable medications used to treat MS years ago. So with my exercise and treatment plan, it’s like having a double dose of medication.”

Shawna never thought she would run again, now two years later, she’s running and walking 10 kilometres a day and exercising more than the average person.

What’s most important is finding your “why”. The motivation, the reason you keep showing up for yourself each and every day through physical activity and healthy eating. It doesn’t have to start by throwing everything out Knowing that she is the window. Small, incremental motivating her family and changes are what can help get friends in this way is a you on the right track to eating blessing for Shawna healthier and exercising. and it helps her to continue “Don’t get me wrong, there are on her path. days where I have a difficult time doing simple tasks, like opening a pop bottle, that should and used to come so easily. I get frustrated, but I remind myself how thankful I am that I can still do what I can.

It also helps to have an amazing support system like I have with my family and friends. They’re always there for me and so understanding. I couldn’t do it without all of them.”

As much as Shawna’s family is her motivator, she too motivates them in ways she never knew.

“It’s motivation for the family to witness such a persistent determination to overcome obstacles in order to achieve her wellness goals,” explains Ryan Northover, Shawna’s husband.

“The visible commitment required to keep moving forward is a great example for the kids, one that highlights the importance of never giving up when life gets in the way. The whole family is very proud of her!”

And her motivation doesn’t stop there. Shawna’s children continue to be inspired by her daily as well.

“It makes me happy (to see mom exercising and being healthy),” noted her youngest Benjamin. While her oldest Ethan chimed in, “I’m very proud of her and her dedication. It shows how strong she is.”

Knowing that she is motivating her family and friends in this way is a blessing for Shawna and it helps her to continue on her path.

But Shawna cautions, not everyone is the same and not all MS patients, or anyone for that matter, have the same symptoms and abilities, so it is important to find what works for you.

Andrea Munroe, Physiotherapist at the Nova Scotia Rehabilitation and Arthritis Centre says, “Exercise is great for almost anything. It’s important to get an assessment and a program geared toward what works well for you.

The best options would include a global program with strength training, flexibility, and balance work. But fatigue is always generally an issue with MS patients, so getting the opinion of a professional is always best before beginning any new programs.”

Shawna adds, “I will do as much as I can for as long as I can, and though it’s not easy, I am just so incredibly thankful I can still do what I can. I highly believe a healthy diet and exercise is critical.

Do as much as you can, when you can and don’t beat yourself up when you can’t. A positive attitude goes a long way when to comes to your mental health.”

Shawna is a beacon of inspiration, not only for MS patients, but anyone who is trying to stay motivated to live an active, healthy life. n

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Ignite Your Inspiration

inspired by

THE COURAGE TO ACHIEVE Thivjan THARMA DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOWN OF NEW GLASGOW As a child, my inspiration came from my parents, who sacrificed and risked a lot when they decided to move from Sri Lanka to Canada for the benefit of their two children. I have always found motivation and ambition in their story of hard-work, perseverance and the desire to build a better life.

In particular, my father’s work ethic and ability to overcome different obstacles to achieve his dream of owning a restaurant is very admirable. Over the years, I have met different people who have overcome to achieve. These types of stories, and sometimes working with these people through their journey, has filled me with the motivation to follow my own dreams.

Today, I am inspired by all sorts of different people. I believe everyone has a story that we can learn from. I am especially grateful for the people who have supported, mentored and advised me over the years, professionally and personally. The belief and confidence they placed in me has had a great impact in my life. I’ve also gained inspiration from the community connectors, builders and innovators; the people who engage and build up others. I was lucky enough to marry one of those humans and continue to find inspiration in my wife and partner, Kailee Brennan. n

As a child, my inspiration came from my parents, who sacrificed and risked a lot when they decided to move from Sri Lanka to Canada for the benefit of their two children.

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Ignite Your Inspiration

inspired by

Mike BYRNE

THE LIGHT

AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER An appreciation of natural light means I have a keen awareness of a seemingly endless series of beautiful scenes. I always have a camera available.

On my early morning walk, the dark night sky transitions in the east through bands of pure colour: dark blue, pure orange, deep gold and yellow as the morning sun approaches the horizon.

An elderly woman sits near a kitchen window, the clean, soft natural light illuminates the texture of her face and the ‘catchlight’ in her eye…the pure light reveals all that is beautiful in her being.

A snow-covered courtyard outside my office window: small trees cast strong black shadows along the level white snow.

A simple coffee mug on the kitchen counter, the window light defining its shape through light and shadow.

Driving home seeing a stand of trees backlit by the low, late afternoon sun….long shadows spread out before them.

At the end of the day, nature puts on another spectrum display as the sun departs in the western sky.

An appreciation of natural light enriches my life…beauty is revealed in the ordinary. As an amateur photographer, I want to record it all and make others aware of the beauty in this world. n

inspired by

THE PEOPLE SHE LOVES Nicole LEBLANC NEW GLASGOW HEALTHY PICTOU COUNTY When faced with particularly challenging times, which we all have at some point and capacity, I often reflect on the encouragement I would receive from my grandparents, Bert and Evelyn Gorham. I had a very special bond with both of them, and I don’t know if I’ve ever had bigger cheerleaders. From the smallest accomplishments to challenges that would arise, they would always let me know how proud of me they were, and to keep my head up no matter what. They’ve now since passed, however, I keep the pep talks, the encouragement and little celebrations with me to keep me motivated to be positive; knowing that difficult times will pass. Though we grew up in different times, their advice and guidance has remained timeless and continues to guide me to be positive, help others and to keep going. Process the challenges and then look to your cheerleaders. n The North Shore

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inspired by

THE SHARING OF ENERGY

Graham KENNEDY HEAD SOCCER COACH STFX UNIVERSITY I’ve been a coach for 39 years, and I have lots left in the tank. It’s been my full-time profession for two decades, and I feel like I’m just starting to get it right. My inspiration to get into coaching, and then stay for the long haul, can be attributed to many things. Perseverance, hard work, and enthusiasm for sure, but more than anything, it’s the relationships that keep me going. For me, it has always been about people.

Growing up, many coaches invested in me and helped me develop a love for competition and to respect the preparation required to compete. As I progressed in coaching, I had several mentors. I learned that the best ones invest in those who dare to stick their necks out in exchange for knowledge and new understanding. For mentors, it’s also about people. n

To me, inspiration is about the free sharing of energy. When we genuinely listen, share our time, or patiently guide someone, we give and receive the life force of energy. This fills my cup, and I can share that cup with others.

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inspired by

Ignite Your Inspiration

THE POWER OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE Christina MARTIN PORT HOWE | AWARD-WINNING SINGER/SONGWRITER “There have been a lot of people over and inspiration if you’re willing to take a the years, friends and mentors, who I saw risk and make mistakes and put yourself doing things that helped other people out there. The one thing I’ve found is that and helped me, and that was inspiring – no matter where you go, there are these the act of helping. I could see the benefit, common things between everyone in every and it made me want to do things that culture that resonate with people: love, make a difference. loss, pain, suffering. I wouldn’t have known It was probably going to see other that if I hadn’t travelled so much. n musicians play live that inspired me to want to do something similar. It’s always other people who inspire me. Reading always triggers something. Seeing other live acts. Art inspires art. Travelling; I’ve We’re all doing the same thing: trying to always loved doing that and learning to work and be healthy and raise a family, take care of myself and meeting new be happy and have fun.” people. There’s no shortage of adventure

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inspired by

THE BEGINNERS AND THE CHAMPIONS Michelle SUTHERLAND MARATHON RUNNER Running has become my life. It’s where I feel the most like myself. If something feels off, I want to take care of it right away. Luckily for me, there was really only one time that I had to take a short break for treatment and within weeks I was back out there picking up where I left off. When it comes to training, I always have a plan and stay focused which inspires me to keep going. I don’t let injuries or bumps in the road stop me, I do what needs to be done to get myself back out there. I have met some pretty amazing elite runners that inspire me. I was in Boston running the marathon in 2014 when I met Katherine Switzer (the first female runner to run the Boston marathon before women were allowed to run marathons) and she was an inspiration to me because she was so genuine when she spoke to you. She spent time with each person she met and gave you the confidence you needed to run the Boston marathon. In fact, I was so touched by what she said to me that I got a tattoo of her Boston marathon number and mission 261 fearless on my arm. Of course, I cannot forget the ladies of MRC Michelle’s Run Crew. Seeing how far everyone has come and showing up each night to train inspires me even more than training for my own races. n

inspired by

THE PULL OF THE WATER Archan KNOTZ PUGWASH | MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ARTIST AND OPEN WATER SWIMMER “We had just moved to the shore and I decided to take up swimming again; I used to swim competitively as a young child. I saw myself as a pool girl and I’m intimidated by the open water so I feel empowered after I’ve swum my thousand meters. At the same time, there is a recognition of being part of being the ocean, our original home, where we all came from. The open water is a challenge but at the same time, the water calls out to a person.

Open water swimming is influencing my paintings all the time.

I really think it has something to do with working on finding myself. Not being separate. I have to work to get in the water but once I’m in there, it’s like my DNA recognizes a home. It does something in me. The same thing happens when I paint: there’s no separation. I become one with what I do. Swimming is beautiful when it flows but sometimes it’s just a struggle. It’s the same with painting. When you relax into it, and say ‘This is how it is today,’ there is a feeling of acceptance.” n

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Ignite Your Inspiration

inspired by

THE EMPOWERMENT OF SELF-LOVE Chelsea SUTHERLAND CREATIVE SPIRIT AND ENTREPRENEUR For myself, a mother, an entrepreneur, and a creative being, I can, at times, be faced with obstacles that interrupt the peaceful, positive, and productive way I choose to live my life. It’s easier, it seems, to find gratitude in flow, than in ebb.

Ironically, I find in these moment, lies the greatest of opportunities. In a “rock bottom” type effect, we may become the most inspired in the darkest of times if we choose to do so. In the way that disturbing social affairs provoke strength, protest, and action. A health scare inspires attention to self care, and a rut or general boredom can be exactly the blessing we need to start actively searching for the solution.

For myself, a need to shine light on self love, and to unify the women in our community, inspired me to organize a body confidence calendar, raising money for an award given to local high school girls who have done something kind, to empower another girl. A fear of becoming irrelevant as a mentor in the beauty industry gave me the courage to do my first post-baby photoshoot, and re-enter the world of competition after a three year hiatus. n

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Chopped Herbs (Rosemary, and/ or thyme, basil, parsley) to taste or as available 3/4 cup (175 mL) olive or canola oil 1/4 cup (50 mL) lemon juice

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This is not the first version of this column.

I initially wrote about needing silence in which to find inspiration.

I wrote about walking and finding silence.

The next day, I went for a walk and – as is the whole point of walking – inspiration hit as I heard my footsteps and the birds and the wind. So it’s not silence that our minds need for creativity, for problem solving, for answers and truths; it’s stillness. Our minds need stillness as much as our bodies need food, water and air. If our minds are always busy with thoughts – especially those endless rehashings of mistakes and regrets – then we’re blocking the chance to be inspired.

It’s not only walking; sometimes, inspiration hits while I’m sitting in the bathtub or washing dishes or drying my hair. It’s not a silent time, but there is a stillness in my mind as I concentrate on a task that allows a brilliant thought otherwise blocked by worries, grievances and plans to pop into my momentarily relaxed mind.

Creativity begins with inspiration, and inspiration needs the space created by stillness, so in order to be creative – even if just to solve a problem – we need to become quiet, by either sitting still or through steady, repetitive movement.

In our 21st century world, how many of us have extended periods of stillness and silence in our lives? How many of us have forgotten what silence sounds like? How many of us are afraid of what we’ll discover when our minds are still? Now that we all carry a computer in our hands, we rarely get a chance to clear the noise from our heads and hear what really matters. Our incessant need to scroll through the lives and opinions of others, to comment on everybody else’s experiences, is a barrier to the stillness that will help us discover our own life.

Silence is a break from noise and distractions, so we need an empty house where the only sound is the hum of the fridge, a walk through the woods where the only sound is the whisper of the

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wind through pine needles, an early morning in the city where there are no other people on the streets in order to create room for inspiration to flourish.

Author Elizabeth Gilbert, who wrote the memoir, Eat, Pray, Love, takes it one step further in considering the “transformative power of solitude”. She recently wrote that she used to be afraid of solitude, and could imagine nothing worse than coming home to an empty house.

“How little I understood back then what a furnace of creativity aloneness can be,” she said, “and what quiet delights a woman can discover when she is left alone to explore her own company.”

This is what I discovered when I moved to rural Nova Scotia thirteen years ago, only I called it a “bonfire of creativity” rather than a furnace! In rural Nova Scotia, living at the edge of a field fringed by woods, under a huge sky where there are no street lights to block out the stars, along a tidal river that follows its own routine, I found the stillness that inspires curiosity and creativity.

While I love the unexpected ideas that come to me during a bath, for me, the best inspiration comes when I get outside and put one foot in front of the other. There’s a Latin phrase, “Solvitur Ambulando”, that translates as “It is solved by walking”, a concept that suggests walking has greater benefits than simply physical health.

When I walk, I am unplugged. No phone, no music, no partner. Just me and my feet tromping across the field, just me and my ears pausing at the beaver brook to listen to the wind, just me and my lungs stopping at the duck pond to breathe deeply. Into this stillness flows not only answers and ideas but also the other ingredients for inspiration: courage and confidence.

The North Shore

INSIDE STORY

HIGH FIVE

BY LORI BYRNE PHOTOS BY STEVE SMITH, VISIONFIRE STUDIOS

Cul -de-sac. It is a fancy way of saying “dead end street” but the home that Cindy and Neil Hodgkinson built in the quiet neighbourhood in Valley Colchester is a paved road to happiness.

The new build that houses the Hodgkinson family is dramatic and modern but has a big back yard that you would never find in the city. Old growth trees and green space galore will be the playground and inspiration for outdoor adventuring for children King, Portia and Lennox.

This is the second home in the area for Cindy and Neil. They lived in a split-level home they bought before kids came along. But when baby number three was on the way, they knew it was time to make a change. An extra bedroom was on the must-have list and they wanted to live in an open-concept home where all aspects of life converged. Cindy’s dream to plan their new home became a reality.

They’ve always wanted to live on a cul-de-sac. They like the idea of less traffic and quiet space for the kids to play, and this particular neighbourhood was designed so families could still enjoy their privacy but a cup of tea or a neighbourly chat was only a short walk away.

The couple started with the modern way of approaching house design. An internet search delivered a concept that they liked, then they used their own imagination to design the house to suit their growing family. “I wanted a family space where we can all be together – a large kitchen and dining space where all my family and friends can gather, me cooking in the kitchen while open to the living and playing spaces for the kids,” says Cindy. Once the plans were finalized, they hired local building company, Studio East Construction, to turn the dream into reality.

Studio East Construction is known on the North Shore for doing builds that have modern lines and contemporary finishes, which definitely is the aesthetic that the Hodgkinsons were going for.

They broke ground in September of 2017 and just about a month later, baby number three, Lennox, joined the family. Construction started around Christmas of that year and by June of 2018 they were moving in.

The four-bedroom house is built on a slab, with an attached garage and a covered seating area in the back yard. One-level living makes life with kids so much easier. “No running upstairs constantly with young kids for socks or missed items and it also is a space where we can grow old as well”, says Cindy.

Cindy and Neil wanted to create a modern interior to blend with the exterior of the house, with it’s mixture of stone and wood-like aluminium siding, and black-framed windows. When asked about the colour inspiration for the house Cindy said, “My colour inspiration was a lot from just really being drawn to clean lines. My mom always had an immaculate clean house and to me white is so clean and timeless and brings a sense of tidiness to any room. I loved keeping lots of white for that reason. Pops of black, gold and colour just bring a modern look and feel.”

The finishes throughout the house speak to the modern aesthetic that Cindy wanted to create.

The waterfall countertop, hexagon tiles, bold lighting, and a little shiplap all marry well to provide photo-worthy views throughout the house. Cindy credits Pinterest and Instagram for helping her with the design, there is no shortage of material on either platform for inspiration for a modern house. She claims her style to be modern with some boho touches.

There are many areas throughout the house that are so well planned out, but also tastefully done, it feels unique and fresh. Off the garage, where they have their own personal gym and ride-on toys The North Shore

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This Valley home puts the fun in function and pulls off a big win for style

The Hodgkinson family snuggle in with the family dog, Roxy, in the middle of their open concept home in Valley, just outside of Truro.

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The North Shore

INSIDE STORY

for the kids, you walk into a mud room with cubbies, a bench for slipping boots and shoes on and the laundry area – great for the days of muddy clothes or wet bathing suits. The pantry off the kitchen is by no means just a place to store food or for those large pots, it is stylish with it’s chevron wood counters and beautiful tile backsplash. Off the living room is a large, bright playroom for the kids. Shelves with baskets keep the toys at bay and still allow for some decorative displays, too.

Once the cabinets, countertops and flooring were selected and it came down to the fun accessories that make a space truly unique, Cindy turned to lots of Nova Scotian artisans for some of those pieces, as well as Etsy. This is where you can really see her love of the boho style come into play. Adding texture, such as macramé, to a room brings in warmth and creates the layers that complete the look and make a space unique.

Cindy curated little havens for the three children’s bedrooms. She captured the personality of each child. The rooms are not themed but reflect the personality of the little occupant.

“Portia’s room was inspired by photos I’d seen on Instagram of those beautiful peonies. Her whole room is pink and that is her – she loves pink.

The full-wall closest for her space was better than a walk-in, she got the biggest kid’s room being the only girl.” Lennox has the sharp contrasting black and white while King’s bedroom is navy and white, creating two very different feels. Each bedroom features dream catchers that Cindy made to match their personality and the colours they love.

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The North Shore

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ah! Spring 2020 - 40

Above left: Pops of colour through the deliberate use of accents brighten up the kids’ playroom, where Portia sits with a friendly snake friend.

Above right: Open concept living means there are lots of elements throughout the space to think about when designing your home – lighting, wood tones, flooring choices.

Middle right: Cindy and Lennox take a moment together on the back deck in the shade. This covered deck allows for more time outside, even on the rainy days.

Lower right: The boys eagerly await a snack as Neil preps it for them against the dramatic backdrop of a large piece of art in the dining area. Roxy is just hoping for someone to drop a bite!

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The North Shore

INSIDE STORY

The master bedroom is a refuge of peace with a soothing palette and a luxurious upholstered headboard. Cindy pulled out all the stops when it came to creating the ensuite oasis. The glassed-in shower, sleek soaker tub, and tall dramatic mirrors over the double sinks lead the eye around to the curved mirrored doors and well-organized walk-in closet. A sparking chandelier adds to the grandeur.

One special area of this house is just off the master bedroom – Neil’s office.

Cindy planned it out and kept it from Neil once the main construction was complete as a surprise for him. With the intensity of self-employment, a wellplanned office space helps clear the mental load for Neil.

And a family that works hard, needs to play hard. The yard has lots of grass for the kids to run and play on, all nicely surrounded by trees. The backyard hosts a basketball hoop, a trampoline and, just what every kid dreams of – their very own zipline. Sitting in the shade on comfortable couches while the kids run and play, or having a backyard barbecue with family or friends, this yard is very family-oriented. The kitchen has great views of the backyard for those times that meal prep is a must but the kids aren’t done playing yet. “We spend a lot of time on our back deck and when it’s nicer out that is definitely my area of peace to have a cup of tea, coffee, or wine. Being covered, you can even sit in the rain back there,” says Cindy.

The Hodgkinson family are settling into their new home and life on the culde-sac. It is obvious they poured their heart and soul into creating a wonderful home to raise their children in. It’s a little bit chaotic, a whole lot of fun, and there is no doubt that love runs down the halls on little bare feet.

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ah! Spring 2020 - 42

Left: Lots of pink and lots of fluff, perfect for the little girl of the house.

Tucked in the corner is the perfect spot for some quiet reading.

Above: Dramatic but cozy, Lennox’s nursery is aging well with him as he grows bit by bit. The wall hanging and mobile provide great texture and interest in the room without feeling babyish in the least.

Below left: Restful and serene, exactly what two busy parents need at the end of the day.

Below, right: The high contrast of the stunning master bathroom makes a bold statement. As much as Cindy says it’s just for her and Neil’s use, the kids find their way into that modern tub by times, too.

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The North Shore

HEALTHY AT HOME

It’s 5:08 a.m., my turmeric and ginger latté is made, my journal is open, my intentions for the day are set, and I’m ready for my morning hour of power. I absolutely love this time of day, perhaps that’s one of the reasons I was so drawn to rowing.

For years I would rise as most were still tucked into their nests, I’d make my way to the calm water, push off the dock, take the first few stokes in silence, hearing only the sounds of the clunking of the oars, the running of the water under the hull, the cooing of the Mourning Doves, and the humming of the coach boat in the distance. Perfect harmony.

Now life is much different with the morning rush and scramble to get two little people up, dressed, fed, and off to school. The daily challenge of beating the clock to make it to drop-off before the bell rings for the day to commence can sometimes feel like an epic feat. Recently I’ve felt more like I’m surviving versus thriving, something needed to change. As an athlete, I had years of experience listening to my body and answering its needs by shifting patterns (mindset, nutrition, exercise), but somehow in the chaos of parenting that inner voice that has been vying for my attention has been completely drowned out by the elephant troupe that lives in our house.

About a month ago I finally hit my breaking point; I quieted the noise and took time to stop and look in the mirror. I’d gained weight, a bi-product of poor nutrition choices and decreased exercise, and my joie de vivre spirit had flow away. Reality check hit, it was time to pivot, but how? I needed a plan and so the search began. I have to tell you that despite having seven years of post-secondary education and nine years of fueling myself as a high-performance athlete, navigating the waters of diet and exercise with the programs and philosophies that exist today are totally overwhelming.

In the end, after much research and deliberation, I hit the reset button with basic daily disciples that worked for me as an athlete and I am loving it. It all starts with my hour of power, quiet time to myself to read, think, write, or learn before anyone in the household stirs. The plan of the day is set and I simply follow the blueprint. I take the time to make a meal plan that includes simple, whole foods, basic clean eating. Also, 30 minutes of exercise is non-negotiable, it has become a must instead of a should. The final piece of the puzzle for me is an early bedtime, closing the day with quiet time to journal or read with lights Tracy is an Olympic medalist out before 10 p.m., without question. and has a Chef’s Diploma from These are the disciplines that fuel me, but I know that everyone is the Natural Gourmet Institute for different. How you feel in your body is the biggest indicator of how Health and Culinary Arts. you are doing both mentally and physically. I encourage you to take the time to quiet the noise and look into the mirror to check in with your body. What do you need? What fuels you? How are you eating? Are you getting adequate sleep? Are you moving your body everyday? Are you fueling your mind with personal growth? The beauty is that you get to decide what your daily disciplines are, and you can hit the reset button anytime.

If you are a kindred spirit that also enjoys the early morning before anyone stirs, I raise my mug to you, enjoy the moment. If you are looking for a little latté inspiration here is my newest favourite, inspired by Farnoosh Brock in The Big Book of Healing Drinks.

MEDALING WITH MY FOOD

The North Shore

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TURMERIC & GINGER LATTÉ

TURMERIC & GINGER

Latté

BY TRACY STUART

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INGREDIENTS 2/3 cup water 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk ¼ teaspoon grated fresh or powered turmeric ¼ teaspoon grated fresh or powered ginger ¼ teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon coconut oil 1 teaspoon almond butter 1 teaspoon hemp seeds Optional: 1 teaspoon raw honey to taste

INSTRUCTIONS Blend everything in a high speed blender for one minute. Pour into a saucepan. Heat until it just starts to simmer. Stop right before it comes to a boil. Pour into your favourite latté mug sprinkle with more cinnamon, and enjoy.

The North Shore

ON THE TABLE

A Table Tie Dye For

BY ALLISON GAUDETT PHOTOS BY STEVE SMITH, VISIONFIRE STUDIOS

Ah Spring! You are ever inspiring.

There is a certain je-ne-sais-quoi about your essence.

Something in your fresh light air. Something about the way your soft warm light touches new corners of the rooms in each home. Something fundamentally awakening as the earth takes on new life after a dormant winter. That something that stirs the inner child to come out and play.

It’s the colours. Oh, but the colours! The pallets, the variation of tones and hues, the unexpected blends, the patterns!

Nature pushes the envelope here in the Maritimes with each season but, come spring, it does so specifically with colour.

Which we can pull direct inspiration, even exact colour blends, into our own homes and onto our tables to evoke the same refreshing feeling.

The North Shore

This year my family and I are taking a cue from Mother Nature herself, the original artist, by incorporating sunny tie-dye elements into an otherwise neutral shell. The specific inspiration: Envision a lone flourishing lady slipper on a mossy forest floor or a vivacious rhodora growing amidst the marsh. But note, that application is not for everyone. Fields of multi-coloured lupins may speak to you or a singing garden of wild flowers. Whatever your style, spring decor is the perfect opportunity to allow yourself the freedom to get creative, play with colour, and have some fun!

Tie-dye is the perfect tool to help bring that to life. What’s more, it can be a collaborative effort in which the entire family can enjoy and appreciate the results.

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PATTERNS AND SHAPES Different manipulations, twists and folds, bring about unique shapes and patterns with each individual project.

Make a statement with a single tie-dye element or be so bold as to mix and layer various patterns.

We all followed instructional designs on our initial pieces but it wasn’t long before the kids were concocting their own.

COLOURS AND INTENSITY The colour wheel is your oyster! Choose subtle pastels, saturated primary colours, or ombre hues. Opt for a monochromatic scheme, blend complementary colours, or throw colour theory by the wayside and follow your gut.

The length of time the dyes are able to set will affect their intensity.

APPLY HERE THERE AND EVERYWHERE Clothing is a go-to for application, but you don’t have to stop there – pillow covers, sheet sets, beach towels, upholstery fabric, draperies, even flowers and paper. All of these can be dyed to your heart’s desire and offer up a high-impact or subtle punch to your spaces.

The kids loved customizing their bed linens while this Mom appreciates that it’s an unexpected detail that they enjoy each day.

BUDGET FRIENDLY There is an upfront expense of purchasing ready-made dye itself. But, after that initial investment, most of us have tired items that could stand to benefit from a second chance at life. Just in this one tablescape I was able to upcycle a fabric table cloth, napkins, a paisley dress (into garlands), coffee filters (into flowers), and textured paper (into place markers) – all for zero additional cost me.

You can make DIY dye’s if you are extra ambitious with household items which can second as an experimental process the kids would likely also enjoy.

SIMPLE FUN If you stand still long enough in our house this spring you might just get tie-dyed! It’s that enjoyable and rewarding of a process – for all ages!

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The North Shore

ADVERTISING

Take it Outside on the North Shore Gear up for a sweet spring hike One of the sweetest treats of transitioning your winter routine to spring is a hike through the trails at your local sugar bush. It feels so good to shed a few layers when the sun starts to shine, and with some basic foundation pieces, lighter-weight boots and jackets, you will be geared up and ready to Take it Outside and encourage spring’s return even when there is still a little chill in the air.

There are lots of reasons to venture into the woods in the spring.

Don’t let the slush and a little bit of mud keep you from enjoying a special moment as Mother Nature does her thing. As the forest starts to wake up and the maple sap starts to flow, so does the inspiration to squeeze in one more trek on your snowshoes or break out those trail runners again.

Rogart Mountain Trail is a trail for all seasons and a popular spot for avid hikers of all ages and expertise. Part of the allure is, without a doubt, its close proximity to Sugar Moon Farms. You can access the trailhead from the parking lots of the pancake house and retail shop. Rogart is part of the Cape to Cape Trail system, a multi-section footpath which travels from Cape Chignecto to Cape George. The Cape to Cape Trail is an ambitious collaboration between volunteer trail groups in four counties.

Though Rogart Mountain Trail is located at the Sugar Moon site, it is built and managed by volunteer group Cobequid Eco Trails. The group has provided comprehensive maps posted at the trailhead to give you a sense of what to expect on the trail, where you are, and other trails within reach.

Sugar Moon owner Quita Gray sees hikers hit the trail almost every day of the year. She says that knowing what to expect on the trail is very important. “It is a beautiful but challenging hike in a wilderness setting. Having weather-appropriate clothing, and an expectation of the time and energy needed to complete the loop, is essential to having a good experience,” says Quita.

Snowshoes or ice grips are still important in early spring, as the snow has not yet melted from the forest interior. Sugar Moon has a limited number of snowshoes in stock so it’s encouraged to have your own gear. A good backpack with straps will allow you to carry your snowshoes and use them only when needed.

Socks are the foundation of an enjoyable hike. Look for a good, soft wool that will keep feet warm and dry, with enough cushion to guard against blistering.

Cobequid Eco Trails maintains an excellent website with detailed information on this and other trails they manage. A “Trail Users Checklist” can be found there with information on conditions, clothing, wayfinding, and more.

A few good tips from the experts: • Remember, a wilderness trail system is not accessible by vehicles nor is it patrolled.

• Choose a route appropriate to your abilities and expect that It may take longer than you think.

• There is NO CELL PHONE coverage in most areas on the trail.

• Never hike alone and notify a friend or neighbour of your destination and expected time of return.

• Sturdy shoes and appropriate clothing are required.

Dress in layers.

• Carry a light day pack with a map of the area, compass, waterproof matches, whistle, jackknife, basic first-aid kit, sun and insect protection, water, a high-energy drink, dry socks, mittens (in season), pencil, and paper.

(Source: cobequidecotrails.ca) Taking some time in advance to prepare and be aware of the length and conditions of the trail will ensure the best experience possible. Rogart Mountain offers peaceful woodland streams, scenic panoramic views, and a variety of terrain. It is also connected to a larger system with many more trails to explore through neighbouring communities. Add in a tour and delicious meal at Sugar Moon Farms and it has all the ingredients of a perfect outdoor adventure.

Rogart Mountain Trail and Sugar Moon Farm are located at 221 Alex MacDonald Rd, Earltown, NS. Trail length: 6.2 km Challenge: Moderate Features: Rugged terrain, scenic lookoffs, interpretive panels, waterfall

Find everything you need for your next adventure.

Drop in to view the latest gear by your favourite brands.

6112 Quinpool Rd., Halifax 59 Inglis Place, Truro trailshop.com

65 Inglis Pl, Truro 196 Hector Gate, Dartmouth takeitoutside.ca

Women’s Icebreaker Sirens SS Sweetheart T-shirt

Men’s Mid-Layer Top: Icebreaker Shifter Zip Hoodie

Men’s Gloves: Arc’Teryx Gothic Glove

Auclair Men’s or Women’s Gateway Texter Glove

Women’s Gloves: Auclair Lillehammer Glove

Men’s Waterproof Pants: Fjall Raven Men’s Vidda Pro Trousers – Regular

Smartwool Women’s Merino 250 Asym Top

Women’s Jacket: The North Face Women’s Harway Jacket

Men’s Jacket: Parajumpers Ugo Jacket

Men’s Hat: BUFF Knitted & Polar Artur Hat

Women’s Base-layer Top: Icebreaker Women’s 200 Oasis Long-Sleeve Crewe

Men’s Mid-Layer Top: Arc’Teryx Men’s Dallen Fleece Jacket

Women’s Hat: Smartwool Ski Town Hat

Women’s Hat: Brume Mount Valin Hat

Men’s Hat: Smartwool Merino 250 Reversible Pattern Cuffed Beanie

Women’s Waterproof Pants: Fjall Raven Women’s Vidda Pro Ventilated Reg. Pant

Men’s Base-layer Top: Icebreaker Men’s 200 Zone Long-Sleeve Crewe

Men’s Socks: Smartwool Men’s Hike Light ‘Under the Stars’ Print Crew Sock

Women’s Socks: Darn Tough Waves Crew Light Cushion Sock

Women’s Socks: Smartwool Women’s PhD Outdoor Light Pattern Mid Crew Socks

Women’s Mid-Layer Top: Icebreaker Women’s Descender Long-Sleeve Zip Sweater

Men’s Base-layer Top: Icebreaker Men’s 200 Oasis Deluxe Long-Sleeve Crewe

Women’s Jacket: Arc’Teryx Women’s Atom LT Jacket

Women’s Waterproof Pants: Arc’Teryx Women’s Gamma LT Pant

Men’s Socks: Stance Men’s Rockbound Outdoor Sock

Men’s Jacket: Arc’Teryx Men’s Cerium LT Jacket

Women’s Footwear: Salomon Women’s Speedcross 5

Women’s Footwear: Salomon Women’s Outline Mid GTX Shoe

Men’s Footwear: Lowa Men’s Renegade GTX Low

Men’s Footwear: Salomon Men’s Outline GTX Shoe

Men’s Waterproof Pants: Arc’Teryx Men’s Beta SL Pant

DIY

BY LORI BYRNE

PHOTOS BY STEVE SMITH, VISIONFIRE STUDIOS

garden stakes There’s nothing more confusing than wondering what row is what in your garden or is this basil, oregano or just a weed? These fun, upcycled garden stakes can easily mark your rows, your herbs or your favourite flowers in your garden or maybe you want to use these to label your houseplants! Whatever the case may be, you’ll soon find yourself hunting for old silverware at yard sales and estate auctions so you can make a stake for every growing thing in your yard or house!

SUPPLIES: Hammer Old Spoons (not stainless, they don’t hammer flat easily) Metal Letter Punches Painters Tape Black marker or Paint Anvil (or flat thick metal surface) Safety Glasses Soft cloth

DIRECTIONS: STEP 1. Put on your safety glasses!

STEP 2. Lay your spoon on your anvil, bowl facing down and start hammering the bowl flat.

STEP 3. Flip the spoon back and forth to flatten the bowl as you pound it flat. You may need to flatten the curve at the base of the handle as well.

STEP 4. Select your letters for the herb, vegetable or flower you are stamping on the spoon. Lay a line of tape along the spoon where you want the base of your letters to be, this will help you place letters in a straight line.

Start with the middle letter/s and work your way out.

STEP 5. Use a permanent marker or black craft paint to fill in the stamped letters. Buff the extra marker or paint off with your soft cloth.

STEP 6. Stick the handle of the spoon in the dirt at the base of the plant and never wonder what’s poking its way up in your garden again!

The North Shore

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EyeSight® is a driver-assist system, which may not operate optimally under all driving conditions. The driver is always responsible for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness depends on many factors such as vehicle maintenance, and weather and road conditions. See Owner’s Manual for complete details on system operation and limitations. The DriverFocusTM Distraction Mitigation System is a driver recognition technology designed to alert drivers if their attention to the road wavers or if the driver’s face appears to turn away. The driver is always responsible for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness may be affected by articles of clothing worn on the head or face. Trailer brakes may be needed. Some safety features, including X-MODE®, Blind-Spot Detection and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, may not function properly when towing. See your retailer for details. See Owner’s Manual for complete details on system operation and limitations. Outback and Subaru are registered trademarks.