The experience of creating something from nothing is infinitely satisfying—albeit more than a little challenging by times. The genesis of this magazine was nothing more than a conversation that manifested into an idea and then a business plan.

The Saltscapes Expo was a little different. We were strenuously urged by a fellow magazine publisher to expand the brand into a consumer show. That was tough sleddin’ too for the first couple of years, but has become highly popular as people celebrate all things Atlantic Canadian (April 27 to 29 will see the 8th annual event at Exhibition Park, in Halifax).

And we’re coming up on one year with the first Saltscapes Restaurant & General Store in Truro, NS. Its local-buying theme has also enjoyed a large measure of public support.

We dipped our toes in the water with a version of the Saltscapes Expo in downtown Toronto last year in partnership with Nova Scotia’s department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, Taste of Nova Scotia and Sobeys, exposing the locals to the delights of downeast seafood, hospitality, music and vacation opportunities. For a tentative first effort, it went rather well.

With that test case under our belt, we will be hosting the first, formal East Coast Expo during the Toronto Waterfront Redpath Festival at HTO Park, June 21 to 24. About 750,000 patrons are expected to be in attendance on the waterfront that weekend. Why are we doing this?

Experience is the best teacher when it comes to photography. Whether you have been taking pictures for years or you just bought a new camera and don't have a clue how to use it, joining a photography club is a wise move. I joined the Sackville, NS, photography club to help me feel more at ease taking photos, to learn more about my new Canon G12 camera and to share my passion with like-minded people.

The club has about 160 members who have a wide variety of experience-from beginners to professionals. We meet twice a month at the Acadia Hall in Lower Sackville, NS. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming in addition to being educational. We have guest presenters who focus on their specialties-anything from pet photography to landscapes, portraits and macro photography. The technical team members talk about new equipment and techniques and we sometimes watch brief online tutorials together, following up with members' comments and experiences.

Each month has a theme and members are invited to submit brief showcases. Field trips offer adventures with experienced photographers to Parrsboro, PEI, Peggy's Cove, the Seaport Market and beyond. Some trips are scheduled and others are impromptu-they just happen when a member gets the urge to shoot a favourite or new location, and wants some company.

Professional members and guest speakers often offer courses in a wide range of subjects (usually for a fee) to provide more in-depth information and hands-on experience.

Photo clubs can be found in communities all over Atlantic Canada; here is a quick list of just a few:

• sackvillephotographyclub.ns.ca
• photoguild.ns.ca
• peiphotoclub.com
• photofredericton.ca
• camera35stjohns.com
  

Saltscapes' food editor wins first-ever Culinary Ambassador of the Year award.

The Taste of Nova Scotia Prestige Awards were handed out last week during the Annual Tourism Summit in Halifax. (Taste of Nova Scotia is a province-wide marketing program, whose members have met and are committed to maintaining the program's quality standards for food, service and hospitality.)

Saltscapes contributor Alec Bruce steps up to buy the snowblower that wowed the world

By now, you've probably heard about the cleverly worded snowblower ad on the online classified site, Kijiji. The ad, which you can read here was written by a Moncton man, Weh-Ming Cho.

This has been a banner time for awards! Faith Drinnan, our defacto circulation director at the Oyster Group, received a Women of Excellence award on November 16 at the World Trade and Convention Centre, in Halifax. The annual event is organized by the Canadian Progress Club as a fundraiser primarily for Phoenix Youth Programs (Phoenix is a non-profit organization that provides shelter and resources for homeless and at-risk youth). More than 600 people were at the $150/plate dinner to celebrate extraordinary women nominated in six business sectors. "In the 22 years we've been doing this we've raised close to $1 million," says event co-chair, Jacqueline Gallagher.

Saltscapes' food editor, Alain Bossé, took a few moments from a photo shoot at his house for the November/December issue to snap these candid behind-the scenes shots. That's our handsome staff photographer, Perry Jackson, hard at work, capturing mouth-watering images of the Sweet Chili Meatballs you'll find the recipe for in our upcoming issue.

Today dawned a beautiful sunny morning after a rainy and windy evening and overnight at the Stonehame Chalets in Pictou County NS. From a vantage point of 800 feet, the view from this location, especially on such a morning, is simply outstanding. A great swath of Pictou County, including Pictou Island, is visible with PEI off in the distance.

We left the main highway at Masstown for a Fundy Shore visit to Parrsboro and environs. It has been a while. We had, perhaps, forgotten just how pretty this area is - with stunning views out across the bay in front and a backdrop of tree covered hills.
There's a great deal of local anticipation about the upcoming Bay of Fundy positioning in the new seven wonders of the world vote.

This was to be a long day.

We left Margaree Harbour on a gorgeous morning (Lord knows we deserved it) for a scenic drive across western Cape Breton Island, up along Lake Ainslie and down to the western end of Bras d'Or through the Isle Madame area where French replaces gaelic on bilingual road signs. This was a new experience for us both: very pleasant communities.

We had the usual wait at the causeway (where 100 vehicles line up to allow two boats to pass) and turned left near Monastery for the pretty little drive down to Guysborough - just a charming town.

Still in sunny Cape Breton thus morning: fingers crossed.

Departed Ben Eoin Campground after a great breakfast on the deck overlooking the mirror flat Bras d'Or Lakes; pretty magical.

The MV Atlantic Vision docked in North Sydney right on time on a beautiful morning with an encouraging weather forecast (that we surely deserved after four and a half days of sunshine in 19 on the road).

Moving dogs and kennels and personal on-board items down seven decks was a bit if a chore, but the crew were very helpful - and the dogs noticeably thankful after 15 hours penned up.