Eldon Turner grew up in Happy Adventure, Newfoundland, a small village where everyone was poor, but nobody went without. “If somebody had a turkey, we all had a turkey,” Turner says. “I didn’t realize that we were all poor, because it didn’t seem to matter. There is nothing in this world I would change about […]
Holiday Planner
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With a voice as big as the sea
There aren’t many instances where welcoming a group of 12 strangers into your living room—wet boots and all—makes sense. But on a cold December night last year, Maria Bartholomew, her brother Steven and their friends accepted such an invitation, no questions asked. “Don’t worry about your shoes, come on in,” said the man, tears in […]
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The big heart behind Santas for Seniors
After Robyn Carruthers’ grandmother died in 2006, she missed the joy of surprising her with Christmas gifts. Fourteen years later, Carruthers’ gift-giving hobby has helped to support nearly 1,000 seniors across the municipality who can’t afford to celebrate; an initiative she calls Santas for Seniors. “I’d go to the mall and see something she would […]
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Nancy Frank’s quiet acts of kindness
Nancy Frank feels the most comfortable in the background. The 70-year-old Dartmouth resident is a beloved volunteer in her community—notably with the Dartmouth North Community Food Centre—but good luck getting her to brag about the hard work she puts in there. “I just like to help,” she says humbly, her smile audible through the phone. […]
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DeRico Symonds takes responsibility
Dinner is best eaten shared and DeRico Symonds is doing his part to ensure that every family has that chance during the Christmas season. Since 2016, he’s run The Give BACK, an annual Christmas holiday initiative that takes a communal approach to assisting families across HRM. The Give BACK takes donations from members of the […]
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The generous spirit of Winnie Bowden
Winifred Bowden is 91 years old. She’s the longest-term resident at Acadia Lodge North on Devonshire Avenue in Halifax—the only one who’s been there since it opened over 30 years ago. “When I moved in here, we were all like one big family. We had games, parties and we socialized together,” says Bowden, who goes […]
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Christmas carol showdown
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” SJ: Have you ever roasted a turkey? You need to fucking know. I want to know if you’re gonna be here because I have shit to do. I have to make up a bed, I have to set an extra place, the grocery stores are a fucking madhouse, it’s like, […]
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4 tips for handling the high holidays
Welcome to the first big holiday season of Canada’s post-Prohibition era. OK, maybe after Halloween, but that usually doesn’t involve breaking bread with problematic relatives or all the pressure that December jingle-jangles in our faces. Cannabis is now a perfectly legal addition to parties, and an excellent tool to combat seasonal stress. But that doesn’t […]
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10 ways to re-allocate your secret Santa funds
1. Adsum House This shelter houses up to 80 women and children daily, providing safety, warmth and security to those in need. Adsum House has set up an online “shop” for the holidays, where donors can buy specific items such as “a robe, slippers and PJs for a woman at Adsum.” Starting at $25, these […]
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How to be a good holiday shopper
The scene: Christmas music oozes from the tinny mall sound system, thicker than corn syrup. Crowds jostle, sweatily clutching bags of gifts in overloaded arms. Everyone’s in a hurry because the countdown to Santa’s big scene is on, damnnit, plus there’s still supper to make and gift wrapping to do—not to mention the tree doesn’t […]
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That’s a wrap: 6 merry and bright local gift ideas
Leather wallet, Victoria Brumwell Your hard-earned cash will seem much more valuable crammed in one of these hand-painted wallets, made using up-cycled scraps of 100 percent leather. Find Brumwell’s creations at Big Pony’s Holidze pop-up on December 13 (Art Bar,1873 Granville Street, 5-10pm). $30 Oland ornament, Jana Wicha If your pal’s Christmas tree is looking […]
