This Issue |
Here comes the sun! And with it, the bustling farmers’ markets, meandering strolls, and languid days of summer. Whether your perfect summer day is spent speeding down the Gatineau Hills on a mountain bike or lounging on a patio, summer offers long days — and warm weather — to do it all.
Likewise, this issue has something for everyone. If summer brings out the nature lover in you, read “Gifted, Naturally” (page 28), which tells the inspiring story of Paul and Cathy Keddy, who dedicated substantial time and financial resources to conserving a pocket of land in Lanark County for future generations to enjoy.
Love to hunt down unique eateries for the best-bang-for-your-buck dinner? Check out “Cheap Eats” (page 50) for 50 tips from food writers and local chefs (plus a few wacky ideas from our illustrators).
Our wide-ranging “Exposed!” feature (page 35) is a must-read for sun lovers, as well as anyone who spends time outdoors. Do you welcome the opportunity to shed layers of clothing? Then why not bare it all and get to know the local naturist community? I can tell you that nude yoga was an experience I’ll never forget — check out my take on page 37. Then again, I have a young daughter, and my family will soon be facing the bikini question, which two parent bloggers debate in “Faceoff ” (page 39). From skin-care technology to tattoo trends, barefoot running to cosmetic surgery, this timely editorial package explores a number of issues we’re faced with when temperatures rise.
It’s no surprise that our readers love our summer fiction offerings, but we were a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of entries received in our first Short Fiction Contest. Our in-house team of literature lovers dove into the process with gusto, using a blind judging system that involved two rounds of short- listing the 70-plus entries and narrowing them down to the two winning stories, which are included in this issue. We hope you enjoy them. And if you’re a writer or know someone who is, do watch our website for details of next year’s contest.
Speaking of winners, we’re once again lauding the work of our National Magazine Award contenders. By the time this issue hits newsstands, the awards will have been given out at a gala in Toronto, but I’d like to take the opportunity here to toot our horn one more time. In the category of Still Life Photography, Christian Lalonde has been nominated for his work in “Drawing Rooms,” which appeared as a shopping feature in our Interiors 2014 issue. It’s always a challenge to come up with unique — and logistically feasible — approaches to capturing furniture and decor, and this project represents an amazing collaboration between Lalonde, illustrator Dave Merritt, and our art and editorial team. Speaking of collaborations, we’re also nominated in the category of Editorial Package: Print for our 30-plus page “Living in the Downtown Core” feature from September 2014. The package includes the work of over 17 writers, photographers, and illustrators, as well as the sharp design skills of Ryan Mesheau, and is a true testament to what I love about this publication: our ability to work together to make great things happen.