The Truro Daily News:

I asked for photos of the people I worked with, and these are the poses I got. The office environment was overall one of my favorite parts of the internship.

At the Truro Daily News, Harry Sullivan is often questioned what's really in his water bottle. 

Reporter Jonathan Riley hard at work. 

Intern Peter Topshee takes after Riley's habits of getting comfortable in the office. 

Sports reporter Joey Smith can be found in his corner office, keeping things cool. 

Mike Turner, editor of the Truro Daily News, edits an edition.

Missing from photos is Lynn Curwin, she was also awesome to work with.

My editor told me to take the afternoon off to go explore Victoria Park....that's exactly what I did.

Amanda Doucette photo

Amanda Doucette photo

Amanda Doucette photo

Amanda Doucette photo

Amanda Doucette photo

Meet Phyll Us! New interactive technology that takes students on a virtual ride

Submitted photos by the CCRSB. 

Submitted photo by CCRSB from Phyll-Us recent trip to the Nova Scotia Art Gallery. 

Story by Amanda Doucette
There’s a new student in the Chignecto-Central School Board.

Phyll Us is an interactive, tele-presence robot that is now helping students access more field trips and learning experiences.

“She is one of the most intriguing things that I have ever seen. It doesn’t matter what age group that she is brought around, people flock to her,” said CCRSB communications assistant, Paige Clarke.

Phyll Us is controlled by an app or website and while students and teachers are in the classroom, she travels with a tablet attached, projecting a virtual video back to the classroom.

Phyll Us is the first of her kind in Nova Scotia, and was introduced in late February. Phyll Us took her first field trip to the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in March with grade three and four students from Cyrus Eaton Elementary School.

Clarke was at Cyrus Eaton while students were virtually touring the art gallery. She says the level of technology being provided to students is intriguing, and she still can’t believe this is in Nova Scotia schools.

“In the office, I think we were really just shocked that this sort of technology is available and in our schools. For the kids, it seems more normal to have her around, but they are all still so excited about what she can do.”

Phyll Us is designed by a company called Double Robotics and is the first of it's kind to hit Nova Scotia.

“It (Phyll Us) allows teachers more flexibility in the schools and causes less disruption to teachers and students class time. It can also be used to go into environments that cannot easily accommodate students or where transportation costs could prohibit students’ visits or limit the time on location,” said Louise Haycocks, the technology integration consultant for the CCRSB, in a CCRSB press release.

Crafting stress away: New technique to kick exam stress

Crafts are helping students and staff at the Dalhousie Agriculture Campus to reduce end of year stress.

"It gives you a chance to breakaway from studying for awhile, just set everything aside and occupy your mind with something easy," said Elaine MacInnis, head of the MacRae library at the Dalhousie Agriculture Campus.

Participants spent their lunch hour April 7 in the library knitting and colouring.

Students are preparing to write exams over the next month and having a quiet place to go to distract yourself helps, said MacInnis.

"Whether you're an employee or a student it just gives you a different type of break to relax."

Although there wasn't a huge turnout, there will be another two stress reducing events on April 12 and 21, at lunch.

"You find small groups of people doing the same thing as you. It's peer learning and it helps you to get socializing and away from the books," said Erin MacPherson, a librarian.

Jolene Reid, one of the library co-ordinator's, found a study proving that crafts help reduce stress, while improving your mood. That's why she held the event.

This is the first craft for stress event held on campus, but in the past they've done things like puppy and sheep cuddling.

Jessica Fogarty coloured a picture on her lunch break to reduce exam stress at the Dalhousie Agriculture campus. Amanda Doucette photo.

Jolene Reid and Erin MacPherson spent their lunch hour knitting. Amanda Doucette photo.

 

Amanda Doucette photo.

Knitting is good for the soul, says librarian Erin MacPherson. Amanda Doucette Photo.

                                                      

A slice of satisfaction: Sam’s Pizza House donates to homeless society weekly

 Nada Khoury, co-owner of Sam's Pizza House, served pizzas to the Truro Homeless Outreach Society every Wednesday night for the last three years. Amanda Doucette photo

Amanda Doucette photo

   Employees of Sam’s Pizza House say they are proud to work in such a friendly, giving environment. (left to right) Patricia Lewis, Nada Khoury, Howard Roode, William Davis and Lester Powell. Amanda Doucette photo

Howard Roode, a cook at Sam's Pizza House, fits a fresh pizza into the oven. Amanda Doucette photo.

By Amanda Doucette

Sam’s Pizza House serves slices to the Truro Homeless Outreach Society every Wednesday night.

“It’s one night a week where we don’t have to worry about what we’re cooking for supper for the guests,” said Andrea Thompson, the society’s secretary board of directors.

Sam’s has served slices to the society every Wednesday night for the last three years.

“Everybody leaves full,” Thompson said.

Sometimes there is enough left over for guests to take a slice the next day for lunch.

“Pizza’s a treat for everyone… who doesn’t like pizza, though?” she joked.

Nada Khoury, co-owner of Sam’s Pizza House manages her business so she doesn’t usually have much time to volunteer at the society, she said. 

“It’s such a good feeling giving back to people and this is an easy way for me to do it.”

Khoury loves hearing the guests enjoy Wednesdays and knowing that it takes some of the pressure off volunteers.

“I wanted to be able to help them, so why not give them a special treat night every week. They all deserve it.”

Thompson recently made a post on the society’s Facebook page, thanking the business and the feedback has been amazing, she said.

“I still look back at the post because it honestly shocked me with how much support we received.”

The post was published recently and in less than a week, they received over 17,000 views. They now have over 300 likes and 100 shares.

“We just wanted to thank one of the local businesses that are helping us out, and this completely blew up,” Thompson said.

Khoury says she wasn’t looking for a thank you, or attention from anyone.

“My parents were always giving when I was a child, and I felt like I, too, had to do something to give back.”

Since the Facebook post from the society, customers have approached Khoury recognizing Sam’s Pizza for their donations.

“A few people came in and said things like ‘I’ve never ordered from here before, but now I have a reason to,’” she said.

The praise from customers and members of the community have encouraged Sam’s to continue donating, Khoury said.

“I hope this encourages others around town to help too because it’s an amazing feeling and an amazing cause.”

Cups of Kindness: Making mornings easier with pending coffee at the Give Back Cafe

April McKay of the Give Back Cafe, hopes to start pouring some pending coffees. Amanda Doucette photos.

By Amanda Doucette

TRURO, N.S- If someone has $2 for the day, and they’re faced with buying a coffee or a loaf of bread, they’re probably going to buy the coffee.

“You’d be surprised how big of a difference the $2 really makes in their lives,” said Kelly Furlotte-Fagan, the general manager of the Give Back Cafe on 535 Prince Street.

Pending Coffee is a new program that accepts donations for coffee and if anyone needs a cup, they can come in and enjoy it free of charge.

“It’s easier for people to come in and donate, rather than come in and ask for it,” said Furlotte-Fagan.

A customer of the cafe brought the idea to their attention recently after seeing other businesses do it around the country. Since then, the cafe has received enough money for 60 cups of coffee, she said.

“It goes along with what the cafe does, we’re all about giving.”

Even if people can’t spare a Toonie for the coffee, any change donated will go towards the Pending Coffee fund.

Furlotte-Fagan has 15 years of mental health service experience, so when customers were asking for a coffee until the end of the month, she understood what they were going through.

“It takes away the uncomfortable feeling of asking, we just want people to know about the service so if you need a coffee, you can have one.”

The local homeless shelter closes at 7 a.m., so once people leave there, it’s nice to have somewhere else to go, said Furlotte-Fagan.

“These people love knowing they have a safe place to go.”

Veteran's Reconnect

Veteran Roy Morrison preparing to reconnect by phone call to his fellow veteran who he hasn't spoke to in years.
Amanda Doucette Photo.

World War Two Veteran, Roy Morrison reconnects with his long lost fellow veteran now living in Ontario. Video by Amanda Doucette

This may make more sense after checking out the article by Harry Sullivan.  http://www.trurodaily.com/news/local/2017/4/21/two-second-world-war-vets-reconnect-after-decades-of-not-knowing.html