Author Archives: Joy

The White Lotus and beyond, an interview with business owner Cindy Hemphill

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Born and raised in Pictou County, current resident Cindy Hemphill (born Cindy Rorison) opened The White Lotus store in New Glasgow seven years ago and has been providing unique/diverse products and services aimed toward wellness for the mind, body, and spirit ever since. In addition to being a business owner, Cindy also has vast experience working with astrology, crystals, and tarot cards. In the interview below, Cindy gives us a peek into what we can expect to find at her store and some insight on topics like astrology, tarot cards, and crystals.

1. How long have you lived in Pictou County?

Cindy: Born and raised…though my family, like many maritimers, spent a few years in Toronto when Dad needed to find work. Also, as a young adult on my own, I lived in NB for a little over a year and I also lived in Truro for a few years.

2. What did you do before opening the White Lotus?

Cindy: I have a varied background. I spent most of my younger working years in the restaurant industry. I have always been creative, had a few things published, and a bit of training, so I taught night classes on Writing for Children with Professor Sheldon Curry (St.F.X.) at the Community College in Stellarton. I later took over that class for 2 years as the main teacher. Probably due to that, I got a job at CKEC as a creative writer / editor – for commercials and radio content. However, even back then I had a bit of entrepreneurial spirit and decided to leave there and open a place called Wizards Pizza out in Salt Springs. Loved that! Spent about 4 years doing this but my children were becoming older and needed more guidance…and not a mom who worked most nights. In addition, my husband got tired of being alone on the weekend nights. So I sold Wizards and went back to radio, where I stayed for about 10 years before opening the White Lotus.

3. What sort of products do you sell at the White Lotus?

Cindy: Products that are tools for your well-being mentally, spiritual, physically. So herbs for the body, books to open your mind, CD’s for meditation, chakra supplies to help you spiritually, spiritual books, etc.

4. What seems to be your best sellers?

Cindy: Right now I’d have to say the medicinal herbs and natural skin care. People are interested in getting back to natural care that doesn’t leave them loaded with chemicals.

5. What is your customer base like (age, sex, type of interest: health, spiritual, etc)?

Cindy: Big topic here…. age is MOSTLY 40 to 60, but we have all ages interested. People are searching for answers – the younger group especially (up to 40) and there is a lot of interest in crystals. From 40 to 60 there is a big interest in meditation, staying well, looking good, very open-minded and looking to satisfy a wider interest. After 60, there is more of an interest in health.

6. You also have additional services/classes/readings offered at the White Lotus by appointment…can you tell me a little about what you offer?

Cindy: It may be a crystal healing class or a workshop of past life regression or how to contact your angels. Different readers come into the store occasionally to read past lives, tea leaves, talk to spirit, tarot cards, palms, and other means of gaining answers from a more spiritual realm that what we walk in every day.

7. Do you have any upcoming special events or guests coming to the White Lotus?

Cindy: Sometimes these events are short notice but right now, we have Angela coming next week for How to Heal with Crystals and in April there is a man coming from B.C on how to connect with past lives.

8. You have a background in Astrology, how did you get started with this?

Cindy: I was very young when I first became interested in Astrology. It was probably around the age of 12 when I understood what a Sun Sign was. From there it’s been a lifelong love of learning this skill…and it does take a LONG time and lots of patience!

9. How does Astrology work?

Cindy: It’s a bit complicated to explain in a few lines but it depends on what energy the planets were sending you when you were born.

10. What sorts of things can you tell a person via an Astrology reading?

Cindy: Almost everything!

11. In addition to Astrology, you are also an expert in crystals, how did you get started with crystals?

Cindy: I don’t know if I’d call myself an expert at anything! I was older when I became interested but I’ve always loved and collected rocks of different sorts. Since then, it’s just a matter of collecting, learning, and loving! Much of this is self-taught and much of it should be, as it is how the crystals tune themselves to you.

12. What do crystals do? How do they work?

Cindy: A bit long to answer but each has a subtle energy that can work within your energy / electromagnetic field.

13. Do you sell crystals at the White Lotus?

Cindy: TONS! Sometimes to geologists because we bring in rare and unusual pieces that they want to see. We sell to people who use them personally and also to people who use them for healing (Reiki practitioners and such). There are also people who just think they are pretty.

14. Do you have a favourite crystal? Why?

Cindy: Oh my goodness, that’s like asking if you have just one favourite person in the whole world. I have favourites in FAMILIES of crystals and even then it’s hard to be too selective. I love lapiz lazuli and you can’t beat just a plain piece of crystal quartz.

15. You are also a Tarot Card Reader, how did you get started with Tarot Cards?

Cindy: I’ve always liked the idea of them and have been to many readers. I used them with my astrology at first as an additional tool but they didn’t really SPEAK to me on their own. It was not until I got the deck that I have now and somehow they just opened me up; I could literally hear them tell me things and give up their secrets.

16. How do Tarot Cards work? What can they tell us?

Cindy: They work on the energy around you RIGHT NOW, so they differ very much from astrology. They can be very accurate but again they have a different parameter depending on YOUR energies, that you are drawing NOW. I guess in some ways you are always shaping your own tarot read.

17. Do you have any new plans or changes coming for the White Lotus that you would like to share?

Cindy: It’s been constantly changing and growing since I opened. I am searching right now – waiting to see what way spirit moves me next in business – a few vague ideas, but nothing concrete yet.

 

You can locate the White Lotus Store at 166 Provost Street, New Glasgow or contact them at 695-3025. Also, visit their regularly updated Facebook Page or The White Lotus official website for more information. Lastly, you can request (via Facebook message or website) to be part of their emailing list, which will make you privy to announcements on new products arriving, sales, and who/when visitors are coming to provide services at the store.

-Joy

Behind the operations of Glasgow Square Theatre, home of the Jubilee….. an interview with Carlton Munroe

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A view from the stage during a performance at the New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee

Some of you may remember Carlton Munroe as a longtime local radio contributor but his current position requires him to work behind the scenes coordinating/managing some of New Glasgow’s most popular musical performances/events. See below for an interview with Carlton, where he gives you the inside scoop on what goes into the planning of such events and provides us a sneak peak of what’s to come.

1. First of all, people may recognize the name Carlton Munroe…..where do we know you from?

Carlton: I spent 15 years in radio prior to my current gig, both as News Director and as creator and producer of East Coast Road Trip, an east coast music magazine show for radio, with interviews, live performance and tracks from upcoming and established artists from around the region.

2. What is your current position?

Carlton: I am Programs and Events Manager for the Town Of New Glasgow, Manager of Glasgow Square Theatre and Executive Director of the New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee.

3. What do your responsibilities entail?

Carlton: I work with groups, organizations or individuals responsible for festivals and events that take place on Town owned facilities to ensure all their needs are met.  I also work with the various departments within the Town to co-ordinate any in-house services provided for the event.

I also manage the day to day operations of Glasgow Square. This has been a challenging yet rewarding role, as we are now creating programming at the Square that is establishing the venue as a place people want to go to for entertainment and culture.  We just completed a successful fall and holiday season of programming that saw sellouts and memorable performances from the likes of Matt Andersen, Nikki Payne, Ghostrider and the Allied Horns, Bruce Guthro and Dylan Guthro, JP Cormier and others.

Rawlins Cross at the Glasgow Square Theatre in New Glasgow, N.S.

4. How long have you been in this position?

Carlton: I took this position in January of 2009. 

5. Can you describe some of the planning that goes into delivering an event at Glasgow Square?

Carlton: Once a show is booked, a marketing plan is identified and created for that particular performance.  Keeping an eye on ticket sales throughout the promo period is crucial, and determines any changes to the marketing plan, especially in the week or two before a performance.  Logistical details such as technical and hospitality riders are worked out prior to the show, and a day of show schedule is produced to encompass load-in sound check and performance components.  And then it’s coordinating our amazing volunteers at Glasgow Square who look after taking tickets at the door, bar services, usher, merchandise and the Green Room.

6. How many people does it require to put on the New Glasgow Jubilee (summer)?

Carlton: I work with a Board of Directors, consisting of 10 dedicated volunteers.  Then of course there are the 300 or so other volunteers who fill crucial roles such as ticket attendants, beverage tickets, beer tent, merchandise sales, stage, Green Room and other areas.

7. How do you go about acquiring the talent for your events?

Carlton: Having an idea what works for your target market is first and foremost.  Events at the Square differ from Jubilee weekend, but then of course there are some artists that work well in both. I work with artist management and booking agents for the more established performer, and for the emerging performers locally and in the region, I will work directly with the artist.  I am an active member of Music Nova Scotia, East Coast Music Association and Atlantic Presenters Association, so I try to keep up to date on the progress of our region’s performers, and with other venues/festivals to sometimes block book shows when it makes sense.

8. Do you/your team assist with the planning for events like benefits and weddings?

Carlton: From a logistical standpoint, yes we do.  My Venue Assistant Janine Linthorne works closely with wedding rentals to ensure their special day is a successful and stress free one.  With benefit rentals, she and I again will work closely with the booking.

9. What events do you have coming up at Glasgow Square for Winter/Spring 2012? Please describe each event.

Christina Martin performing at the Glasgow Square Theatre in New Glasgow, N.S.


Carlton: In the coming months we have a number of great events at the Square…on February 13th, Canadian folk icon Bruce Cockburn takes to the stage, and there are still tickets available for that one.  The following day, Valentine’s Day, Pictou County Roots for Youth present Heart and Home for Youth, a fundraiser featuring performers such as Fleur Mainville, Molly Thomason, Jim Dorie and others.

In March, we have a major country music show that will be announced later this month, then in April and May we team up with the Celtic Circle in New Glasgow to present the second annual Music Shapes New Glasgow subscription series – 4 shows , two at each venue to showcase the unique aspects of both performance centres.

On June 30th it’s New Glasgow’s Pre-Canada Day Party on the grounds and outdoor stage of the Square.  July 27 and 28 it’s the Dragon Boat Festival, and of course the 17th annual Jubilee will be staged August 3-5th.

There will be more events that will come up as well I’m sure…best to keep watch on our website www.glasgowsquare.com or Facebook.

We also have a regular newsletter that goes out…give us a call or drop me a line and we will add you to our list.

10. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Carlton: We always love to hear feedback on shows, what you like, what you didn’t like, what you would like to see in the future.  We are always looking for volunteers for both the Jubilee and Square as well. 

 

On a final note…don’t miss what is sure to be another popular New Glasgow event…this weekend’s Jubilee in January! This event will be taking place at Glasgow Square on Saturday, January 14th at 8pm. Doors will open at 7pm and tickets are available at Glasgow Square, Big Al’s, Atlantic Ticket Pro Outlets, Online at ticketpro.ca or by calling 1-888-311-9090.

Joy

Jubilee in January

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For those of you looking for something to do in January and let’s face it, January in Pictou County can be a little lacking in the social scene…then look no further than the Jubilee in January.

Touted as a celebration of Pictou County’s Musical Ambassadors, the Jubilee in January features performances by Fleur Mainville, Alert the Medic, The Stanfields, and Dave Gunning.

This event will be taking place at Glasgow Square on Saturday, January 14th at 8pm. Doors will open at 7pm and tickets are available at Glasgow Square, Big Al’s, Atlantic Ticket Pro Outlet, Online at ticketpro.ca or by calling 1-888-311-9090

With a talented line up such as the above artists, it will surely be worth forgoing winter hibernation and getting out for a night of great musical entertainment at the Jubilee in January!

For more information regarding this event, check out the New Glasgow Jubilee Facebook Page.

Joy