We apologize in advance that the column in this issue is all about us. It doesn’t happen very often, but the past few weeks have been pretty interesting ones for our staff and management.

The Atlantic Journalism Awards this year saw Saltscapes win gold for Magazine Article of the Year for the sixth time. Most of you will recall, we’re certain, the article “Sold!” in the September/October issue last year on local auctions, by New Brunswick journalism professor and talented author Philip Lee. It was a superbly crafted piece, taking a common, everyday rural experience and skilfully presenting it as the iconic cultural activity that it is.

You may notice our photograph has been updated (although we remain uncomfortable that we have to have one at all). The point is that the shot was snapped by staff photographer Perry Jackson while we were attending the June wedding of Saltscapes editor Heather White to Halifax-based university professor and humanitarian worker Dr. Steve Perrott.

And speaking of editors, the talented, demanding and discerning editor of our special publications (Living Healthy in Atlantic Canada, travel issues, Good Taste and the like), Jan Matthews, received national recognition in Toronto in June from the Periodical Writers’ Association of Canada, with honourable mention in the Editor-of-the-Year category. There is some poignancy to this particular award because the judges are the writers whose work Jan so scrupulously edits. She’s a damn tough editor, so this is no popularity contest, but rather a very tangible peer-group expression of respect.

Our hard-working creative director, Shawn Dalton, also received national recognition in June with an award from Magazines Canada, our sophisticated and effective national industry association, for his voluntary diligence in supporting the emergence of the Atlantic Magazines Association last year. This is the most recent regional affiliate of Magazines Canada and a sure sign that the growing group of regional titles here is maturing.

Last, and least, Mr. and Mrs. Yours Truly were also feted by Magazines Canada, during a formal luncheon for the purpose in Toronto, as the joint 2008 recipients of the national Volunteer of the Year Award: she for six years of volunteer work on the board of Magazines Canada; he for chairing the start-up year of the Atlantic Magazines Association; and both for their work with the International Regional Magazines Association.

All in all, not a bad month.

~ Linda & Jim Gourlay
e-mail: gourlays@saltscapes.com

---