Readers have their say
Highlights from commentary this past summer
While the cover of our Summer issue drew accolades from local newsstand Mags & Fags, which tweeted it as a favourite Canadian cover, it incited outrage for one reader. Carol Kirby wrote that though she enjoys Ottawa Magazine, the “unattractive and silly” cover put her off. “Your magazine seems to be attempting to reach a somewhat sophisticated readership, and your fiction contest suggests that you might be attempting to take on a somewhat more weighty style. The tasteless cuteness and amateur-looking style of your cover will turn serious readers away and certainly not attract any who seek ‘glamour’. ” On the other hand, local blogger The Hottawa endorsed the Mags & Fags stamp of approval, tweeting, “my favourite publication; I draw lots of inspiration from this fantastic mag!” Well, they say it takes all sorts, and we certainly welcome praise and criticism from our readers.
The story of Lanark County nature lovers Paul and Cathy Keddy (“Gifted, Naturally,” page 28) made it all the way to Halifax, Nova Scotia. David Patriquin of the Halifax Field Naturalists wrote to thank us for the “wonderful article by Moira Farr, well illustrated with colour photos by David Trattles” about the “gifts” of conservation that the couple have made to future generations. “Cathy was a grad student of mine circa 1974, and both of them were leaders in the establishment of the Halifax Field Naturalists, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary.” It seems the Keddys leave their mark — or rather, improve the conditions — wherever they roam, and we’re fortunate that they have chosen to make their legacy project in Lanark County.
When we couldn’t secure a cargo bike for a photo shoot in the Summer issue (“Most Wanted,” page 63), Lana Stewart, who tweets @ModalMom, stepped in. Being a bike commuter, she understood that obstacles must be overcome — and that they sometimes give way to creativity. The result was a vibrant portrait of Stewart and her son, Aiden, shopping for plants at Lansdowne — by bike. The release of the image on Twitter drew raves from people like Stephen J. MacDonald, who called it “the face of radicalism”; the Embassy of Denmark remarked, “Danes love their cargo bikes, and now they are also getting popular among Canadians.” The cheerleading included a link to young Aiden’s account (@ModalKid), which has confessions of sidewalk driving (“since drivers were going too fast on Holland”) and complaints about his mom’s singing. The future looks bright.
Also in our Summer issue, the question of nudity, modesty, and naturism was tackled in a number of ways (“Exposed!” page 35). Editor Matt Harrison’s profile of local naturist Ted Thompson revealed a philosophical take on the choice not to wear clothes. Jamie Kronick, who took the photographs of Thompson at his Greely home, chimed in on Twitter: “You never know where being a freelance photographer will take you” and joked about the choice to shoot the naturist beside his backyard clothesline. Juxtaposition, indeed.
Meanwhile, the conversation about bikinis for young girls took off in many interesting directions, with some suggesting “bottoms only” for wee ones regardless of gender (“little boys don’t hide their nipples, so why should little girls? It creates, IMO, a sexual notion about their top halves that is absolutely irrelevant for many, many years.”) Even parenting blogger Mike Reynolds, who wrote that he wouldn’t be putting his young daughters in two-piece bathing suits, wrote on our Facebook page: “I’m not going to lie, taking a no stance presented its challenges.”
On the topic of nude yoga, Facebook follower Shad Young wrote: “I have no objection to anyone doing what makes them comfortable too. Is that not the point of live and let live?” Meanwhile, at Bare-Roots, the HQ of nude yoga in Ottawa, enthusiasm is teeming. Instructor Jean-Francois Bertrand was keen to shine a light on the contributions of official musician Eric Mandala, as well as instructors Stef Caissie and Maria-Hélèna Pacelli. Pacelli wrote: “In particular, for women nudity is very taboo because it comes with the risk of unwanted attention, misogyny, and victim-blaming that regulates women’s bodies. Teaching nude yoga in a safe and respectful space has given me an opportunity to empower myself through this vulnerability.” The conclusion? Try it, you’ll like it! Send thoughts to or go to ottawamagazine.com to respond to individual posts. Tweet us @ottawamag, and find us on Facebook at facebook.com/OttawaMag.