Sneak Peak at ‘Funtopia Indoor Playground and Cafe’, opening today!

Posted on March 11, 2012 by Kris

Funtopia Indoor Playground and Cafe Inc. could quite possibly be starting a fun revolution in Pictou County. Located in the Stellarton Industrial Park, Funtopia features the largest indoor playground in the area which is sure to put a smile on your child’s innocent face. It is not only geared as a fun meca for the youth of the county but it also caters to the adults that took them there, featuring a café and plenty of sitting room.

New Glasgow Talks was fortunate enough to get a sneak peak at the inside of Funtopia during a dry run on the day before opening. I could go on and tell you about how large the playground is or talk about how the decor is a shock to the senses as your eyes go through color overload (that is a good thing), but instead I will present you with a video taken at Funtopia which speaks for itself by showcasing the laughter and excitement from their favourite clientèle:

Talking with Allison Wilson, co-owner of Funtopia Indoor Playground and Cafe Inc with her husband Trent, she went on to tell us about all of the features within their exciting new business:

I am Allison Wilson, my husband Trent Wilson and we are the owners of the business. Funtopia Indoor Playground and Cafe is ( an indoor playground ) that will offer speciality coffees, gourmet mini cheesecakes, and lots more. We are offering kiddie karate, kids zumba , and yoga and more to come in the future. The cafe is located inside the building with the playground, and the public is welcome to stop in for a quick snack. We are selling Sing Your Name products such as music CD’s , alarm clocks, teddy bears that have songs with the kids name recorded on them. We are also selling items from pegs posh and pretty., tutus hairbands etc. The playground will hold 80 kids and is made in Canada. It has slides, tunnels and a bridge. We are going to be open on March 12th. People can call us at 695-4fun, or email funtopia@hotmail.ca or via our Facebook page. We take reservations for large groups, birthdays, schools etc. The cost is $7.00 for kids over the age of 2. For under two it is $2.00. We offer a ten pass for $50.00, and family rates of $15.00 for 3-5 kids.

So if you happen to have a day when you are struggling to come up with a fun activity to do with your child or children, why not do them and yourself a favour by taking them to Funtopia.

Kris

Show your support: Bottle Drive for Layla MacDonald

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Kris

Layla Macdonald is a 3 year old cherub born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. Her little body has been fighting illness and infection for several months now due to complications of surrounding her conditions. As a result, her family has spent the past few months at the IWK supporting her, and nurturing her. Life does not get put on hold when your child gets sick, unfortunately services aren’t always available to assist financially. We are seeking your bottle donations to help this family during this critical time. Donations may be made at the Golden Penny (Stellarton) or via Bottle Drive occurring on Saturday March 10th in front of the Westville Fire Hall. For more info contact: Tanya @ 921-0832 or Charmaine @ 695-6057
For those asking about Monetary Donations: Layla has a bank account at the Westville RBC Branch (but you can do this at any RBC). Deposit for Layla Macdonald Transit # 07263 Bank Number #5010822. Many thanks folks!

Bottle Drive for Layla Macdonald on Facebook

The bottle drive for Layla will be taking place from 10am to 3pm on March 10th, 2012 in front of the Westville Fire Hall.

This is a very important cause for a very special girl. If you cannot make it out with your empty bottles or donate money, please at the least take a minute to pray for Layla and her family as they struggle with something nobody should ever have to.

Kris

Hurry! There is less than one month left to qualify to win $100 in movie gift cards!

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Kris

There is less than one month to make 5 posts on the New Glasgow Talks message board for a chance to win $100 in Empire Theatres gift cards!

There is now less than a month left to qualify to win $100 in Empire Theatres gift cards. Have you made your 5 posts yet? This contest has sparked many interesting conversations and has attracted many great people to the forum.

The breakdown:

In total there are 47 members, and 27 of those have one or more posts. Currently there are 8 people who have collected enough posts to be entered in the draw. Leading the way is “silentninja” who has 33 posts which works out to 3 entries. He is followed closely by “jcarp” with 3 entries, “Alterego’s” with 2 entries and “jcm27″, “Slothy”, “ZeroYon”, “frosty34″ and “lattergirl” who all have 1.

All of these members have amassed 50 different topics and 188 total posts which means there has been a lot of talking going on.

Join the conversation:

If you have not sign up to the message board yet, what are you waiting for? Maybe you have but need a few more posts to qualify, either way, this sampling of topics from the General Discussion board may inspire you to join in the fun:

Go sign up. Do it now!

Sign up to meet some great new people from around Pictou County. Visit the message board now and don’t forget to make 5 post to be entered in the contest to win $100 in gift cards.

Kris

A sneak peak at the inside of the Pictou County Wellness Centre

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Kris

Construction of the Pictou County Wellness Centre has been moving along at a steady pace. Now that the walls have gone up on the outside, it is a little harder to get a peak at what is going on in the inside.

Fortunately for the curious amongst us, Nicole LeBlanc (Communications and Fundraiding Manager with the PCWC) forwarded me several progress pictures from the ‘inside’ of the Wellness Centre which she has kindly allowed me to share with you:

The main arena, well under construction.

The Auxiliary Arena

The Pools and Hot Tub taking shape

The Fitness Centre

A very sunny view of the Fitness Centre

The Conference Area

The Gymnasium

To read further about what is going into the Wellness Centre, check out our earlier story; “There is a lot to get excited about with the new Pictou County Wellness Centre”. Also, to keep up-to-date with daily updates and further information, check out the PCWC Facebook page and make sure you bookmark their homepage.

If you would like to help the Pictou County Wellness Centre reach its fundraising goals, you may also wish to vote for them on “Community Cheer”, a website run by Molson Coors to help support community projects. Currently they have 155 Cheers and when they reach 225 they will qualify to receive up to $1 million in funding. Voting takes only a minute and is a great way to show your support for something that will define our community for years to come.

Kris

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

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Joy

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

There is a lot to get excited about with the new Pictou County Wellness Centre

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Kris

With so many construction projects taking place in Pictou County recently, it is hard to keep track of them all. One large structure being built across from Exit 23 on the corner of Westville Road and MacGregor Avenue Extension however is hard to miss when you are driving through the county.

Pictou County Wellness Centre on January 22, 2012

The Pictou County Wellness Centre, which is comparable to the Truro Civic Centre and the Lunenburg Lifestyle Centre in size and scope, is really starting to take shape with most of the work being done by Bird Construction. Getting to this phase has taken a mammoth effort by both those under the hard hats, as well as those behind the scenes. Fundraising and donations have been key to securing the funds required to build such a cutting edge complex and as of September 26, 2011, the PCWC Committee announced funds raised to that date totalled $6.6 million dollars! On that date the committee also kicked off their community campaign and in an interview with New Glasgow Talks, Nicole LeBlanc, Fundraising and Communications Manager for the PC Wellness Centre, described the large undertaking:

The community campaign team compromised of Community Campaign Co-chairs George and Shirley Manos; Seat Sale Chair Gerald Green; Community Events Coordinator Suzanne Walsh and representing our Youth Committee is Mike Roper who is the Chair of the Youth Committee. They’ve been focused on promoting the Centre, campaign and awareness. We launched Event-in-a-bag kits where parties interested in hosting a fundraising event for the wellness centre can get one of these kits that includes guidelines, information on our Take-a-seat campaign and other goodies. The Take-a-seat campaign has also been going quite well with the naming rights to seats in the arenas available for sponsorship ranging from $100-$5,000. We also offer gift certificates which have been quite popular as they make a wonderful gift for that hard to shop for person on your holiday list or a nice way to honour or leave a legacy in memory of someone special.

So what does this mean for me?

When you enter the Pictou County Wellness Centre for the first time, you will be presented with a beautiful 30′ high central atrium. This new atrium will be flooded with natural sunlight during the day and will act as a gateway to all of the facilities amenities. You will be able to access the Arena complex through the south side, while the pool, gymnasium and central YMCA administration will be found on the north side. Washrooms, a canteen, ticket sales, as well as a community gathering room will also be accessible by the atrium.

Want more? How does an NHL sized arena with seating for 1,600 sound? During concerts and special events, the floor of that arena can also accommodate an additional 1,175 people. Tack on top of that an additional NHL rink with seating for 144 and you have a world class centre to play sports and watch performances. This twin-pad feature is designed to allow for ice sports to continue while the other surface is used for events and conferences. The ice surfaces will also be served by ten public dressing rooms which include two that are barrier-free, as well as private dressing rooms for the Junior and Midget club teams.

Additionally those who currently have or who have ever considered purchasing a YMCA membership will be happy to know that the “Y” will be relocating within the walls of the Wellness Centre and stocking the place with brand new state of the art equipment. The new YMCA will also be offering a full day licensed YMCA childcare centre that will be capable of accommodating up to 60 children from various age groups. If that wasn’t enough, there will be three new pools for people of all ages including a six lane, 25 meter training pool, a leasure pool, as well as a swirl pool/hot tub. The old facility will be closing and they are currently looking at other options for the location.

In all, it means soon you will have a ground breaking complex available at your disposal to enhance your social, recreational and athletic pursuits. It will be a facility unlike any other in Pictou County and will be a meeting ground for sports, first class concerts, and much more. The Pictou County Wellness Centre committee also hopes it will “further the region’s status as a desirable place to live and work”.

According to Nicole, construction is still on track and the Wellness Centre will be opening in late 2012. If you are not excited yet, trust me, you will be when the doors open later this year. Pictou County is filled with a lot of pride when it comes to our food, our home grown talent, and our community in general. Soon we will have one more thing added to that list to be proud of.

Be sure to like the Pictou County Wellness Centre’s Facebook page to keep up-to-date on construction, fundraising, and more.

Kris

Additional:

: Pictou County Wellness Centre on January 22, 2012

Large fire at Nova Forge in Trenton

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Kris

Update: The fire has since been contained. The fire reportedly started in a pump room and there were no casualties or injuries. -

Currently there is a large fire taking place at Nova Forge beside the former Trenton Works in the forge building which was purchased recently by Daewoo to construct columns for wind turbines. At one point, flames could be see flaring up from a distant vantage point, and a large black smoke trail filled the air for kilometres.

Large fire at Daewoo/Trenton Works on January 24, 2012

These videos show you the smoke billowing out of the building:

As always, you can listen to the “Pictou County Public Safety” Live scanner online. Please if you are in the area, stay out of the way of the emergency service crews and let them do their work. If an emergency vehicles comes up behind you on the road with their lights on, safely pull over to the side of the road and let them pass.

Kris

Additional pictures:

: Large fire at Daewoo/Trenton Works on January 24, 2012

You could WIN $100 in Empire Theatres gift certificates!

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Kris

By simply actively posting on the New Glasgow Talks message board, you have a chance to WIN $100 IN MOVIE MONEY.

Anyone in Pictou County (*) that makes a minimum of 5 posts (these include replies to existing topics) on the message board by 11:59pm on March 9, 2012 will receive one entry in a draw to win $100 in Empire Theatres gift cards. Additionally, people that have 10 posts to their name will have 2 entries/chances to win, 20 posts give you 3 chances, 40 posts give you 4, and so on.

Don’t be shy. Since the message board is fairly new there are not many posts in here yet, so why don’t you start one? You can talk about whatever you want as long as it is not inappropriate. If there is a topic that interests you, join the conversation.

The draw for the Empire Theatres gift cards will take place on March 10, 2012.

Kris

(*)Must be a resident currently living in Pictou County to enter. Anyone under 18 years of age ‘MUST’ have their prize claimed by someone 18 years or older. You may be asked a skill testing question upon receipt only for reasons of legality.

Mamatsu Fresh Asian Kitchen menu now available online

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Kris

After posting this review of Mamatsu Fresh Asian Kitchen, a new Asian restaurant on 205 Provost Street, I have been asked time and time again if they have a menu available online. Well for your taste buds viewing pleasure and without further ado, you can now see the menu in its entirety here on New Glasgow Talks:

Please note that items that are marked with GF are Gluten Free, LF are meals that are Low Fat, LC means they have Low Carbs, and V means the dish is Vegetarian.

If you have not heard about Mamatsu Fresh Asian Kitchen before now, you probably live under a rock. Fortunately your rock must have internet if you have found this website, so make your way over to my original review of Mamatsu to get your mouth watering. They are open Monday to Saturday: 11am to 7pm, and Sunday : 4pm to 7pm, and take-out can be ordered by calling 755-6601.

Kris

Watch video of this year’s Parade of Lights in full HD

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Kris

This giant reindeer took the lead in front of Santa's sleigh during the 2011 Westville Parade of Lights.

This year’s Parade of Lights in Westville had about twenty-five floats in it on display and appeared to go off without a hitch. Santa himself, who of coarse was also in the parade, must have been at work an hour before when a cold heavy rain gave way to snow that lightly coated the parade route.

While the parade was taking place, some people however decided to avoid the rainy/snowy weather and watch it streaming Live from this website. Surprisingly, with over thirty simultaneous viewers at one point, plus over one hundred and thirty views to the website in that short period of time, that too seemed to go off without a hitch. The quality of coarse was not top notch because it was streaming, and it was a little dark but luckily I had a second camera recording all of the action. So without further ado, I present to you the 2011 Westville “Parade of Lights” in its entirety, available in full HD video:

The original streamed version of the parade can be viewed here. (The parade starts shortly after the 15 minute mark)

If you would like to have an event streamed live to New Glasgow Talks, please feel free to contact me through the feedback button on the front page. An available broadband connection is a plus however not necessary as long as there is a strong 3G connection in the area.

I would like to thank everybody that tuned into NGTalks.com to view the parade and congratulate all of those who took part in it. The Parade of Lights seem to get bigger and better with each passing year and I cannot wait to see what amazing floats they come up with next year.

Kris