A P.E.I. writer is in the running for one of Canada’s biggest awards, but the book touches each of the Maritime provinces.
Five finalists have made the shortlist for the Giller Prize, including Nicholas Herring, for his novel Your Breath in Charcoal.
It is published by Goose Lane Editions, a New Brunswick company, and begins with an islander who makes a trip to the northern part of the province to pick up an acquaintance’s brother from a mental hospital.
Plans change and they decide to head to Toronto. They start a “heady working-class odyssey rife with metaphorical richness and references to literature, film, and 90s music, Your Breath in Charcoal peers into the mind of its irrepressible and relentlessly quotable East Coast everyman,” according to the summary on the Goose Lane website.
The other finalists and their novels include:
Tara Gereaux for Wild People Quiet
Michelle Good for Eliza Sunshine
Nazanine Hozar for The Small Ones
Patmeena Sabit for Good People
The finalists are also on tour as part of the Between the Pages series, which gives the public an evening with the writers.
They visit Calgary and Ottawa before coming to their only East Coast stop on the tour at the Halifax Central Library on Nov. 4th. If you want to visit, details are few, but it is a first-come-first-serve event.
The final tour stop is in Toronto on Nov. 13, and the winner is announced on Nov. 16 in the city.
You’re not wearing rose coloured glasses, the Town of Yarmouth’s gardens and flowers really are that good.
Yarmouth has been awarded with the 2026 Communities in Bloom award of distinction.
The award is presented at the 2026 National Awards of Landscape Excellence, by the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
It’s given out yearly to recognize communities across the country that go above and beyond to enhance their public spaces, gardens and street spaces.
Previously, the Town of Yarmouth has won awards for heritage preservation, best residential flower garden (small category), environmental action, urban forestry, land reclamation, urban forestry, plant and floral displays and a Class of Champions award.
Yarmouth even hosted the event for its 25th anniversary in 2019.
On the town’s Communities in Bloom home page, they said they were proud of the efforts of their citizens, and of the town’s rich history.
A slew of Nova Scotians are being honoured for their contributions to the province.
The latest round of inductees into the Order of Nova Scotia was revealed on Friday.
These people have changed the province with their exceptional leadership, service, and achievement, according to Lieutenant-Governor Mike Savage, who will present the medals.
The list includes 10 people. Here’s some brief information about them, according to the news release:
Robert Bennett of New Glasgow was recognized for being a leader in social services, advancing inclusion, job opportunities, and community participation for people with disabilities.
Wadih Fares is a Halifax businessman, engineer and philanthropist, with major contributions to the economy, immigration, health and community groups.
Dr. John Hamm was honoured posthumously. The Pictou County doctor and former premier died last month at the age of 88. He made significant contributions to public service, health care, education and the economic development of the province.
Barb Hamilton-Hinch, from Dartmouth, is focused on improving health equity, education and opportunities for Black and African Nova Scotian communities.
Antigonish’s L. Jane McMillan is a legal anthropologist and teacher, whose work has advanced Indigenous rights, justice and reconciliation through research and education.
Matt Minglewood is a Glace Bay musician, integral to the cultural identity of Nova Scotia music and a longtime supporter of charitable causes.
Lynn Murphy is an activist and historian based in Halifax, dedicated to preserving the history of Nova Scotia’s LGBTQ2+ communities.
Judge Corrine Sparks of Dartmouth is a jurist and legal educator known for advancing equity and human rights and for ground-breaking work in the provincial and national legal profession.
Mi’kmaw artist, author, musician and Elder Alan Syliboy, based in Millbrook, has significantly contributed to Indigenous art and cultural preservation. Syliboy is also a fierce promoter of Mi’kmaw language, history, and traditions.
Shelly Whitman, a scholar and humanitarian based in Black Point, in the Halifax area, is being recognized for her work to prevent children from being recruited and used in armed conflicts.
The official ceremony to honour the inductees will happen this fall in Halifax.
The Rainy River District School Board has presented its annual awards, recognizing some of the individuals who have played an important role in area schools and the education of students over the past eight months.
Evelyn Martin, who has driven a school bus for the past 19 years, was named the Board’s Bus Driver of the Year.
In presenting the award, Chief Executive Officer Heather Campbell noted that Martin has rarely missed a day of work.
Campbell, reading from remarks provided by Nikki Armstrong of the Rainy River District Transportation Services Consortium, noted Martin’s dedication to safety.
“What truly sets Evelyn apart is not just her professionalism, but her kindness,” read Campbell.
“She is caring, patient, and consistently goes above and beyond in every part of her role.”
Krista Brusven of Rainy River was selected as Volunteer of the Year.
The chair of the Riverview School Council, who becomes chair of the newly amalgamated Riverview and Rainy River High School Council, has been an active member of the school community in Rainy River.
Board chair Kathryn Pierroz says she supported many school initiatives and events, including Day of Pink activities, track and field events, STEM nights, family barbecues, and other parent and guardian engagement opportunities.
“What makes Krista so remarkable is not only the countless hours she puts in, but the heart behind every one of those hours,” says Pierroz.
“Whether organizing meetings, planning events, preparing to serve meals, or helping bring families and schools together, Krista does it all with care, kindness and an unwavering commitment.”
Brusven could not be in attendance for the award, and she was helping out with a barbecue for the graduating students at Rainy River.
The Community Partner of the Year Award was presented to the Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre.
Campbell says the centre’s staff has gone above and beyond in their commitment to student wellbeing, with their support of a student nutrition program through financial contributions, in-kind donations and personal involvement.
“About half of our students across the board, when surveyed, indicated they’d come hungry in the morning for various reasons,” says Campbell.
“And it’s through the generous support of this partnership that we have been able to continue our nutrition on weekends program, ensuring that students have healthy food beyond the school week.”
Campbell says staff also brought their expertise and enthusiasm into a cooking program that allows students to learn new cooking skills and an understanding of nutrition.
Two employees shared in the Employee of the Year Award.
Bobbi Morris, a Grade 7 teacher at Fort Frances Intermediate School, was cited as being a source of compassion and encouragement to a student whose family was going through some difficult times.
“Through it all, Bobbie provided unwavering support to a student, helping them guide them through change and uncertainty with remarkable grace and empathy,” says Pierroz.
“Her ability to recognize when students need support and then quietly step in with patience and care speaks volumes about the kind of person and educator that she is.”
Kathryn Pierroz (l), Chair of the Rainy River District School Board, presents the Employee of the Year Award to Bobbie Morris (c) and Kathleen Matheson, June 2, 2026. Image: Randy Thoms/Acadia News
Sharing the award was Kathleen Matheson, an Education Support Worker at the same intermediate school.
A co-worker described her as someone who builds connections with students, especially with a student who is deaf.
“Kathleen uses sign language throughout the school day, helping create a more inclusive and welcoming environment, not only for one student, but for the entire classroom,” says Pierroz.
“Kathleen’s tireless work ethic, empathy, patience, and ability to connect with students make her an invaluable asset.”
The Board also recognized the 25th anniversaries reached by three employees, while honouring eight others who retired at the end of this school year.
Some of the Rainy River District School Board staff members retiring this year, June 2, 2026. Image: Randy Thoms/Acadia News
The SIJHL’s Rookie of the Year is a finalist for the national award from the Canadian Junior Hockey League.
Fort Frances’ Lakers Brady Cates is one of five to be considered.
The 18-year-old netminder from Emo helped the Lakers to their first regular-season crown in a decade.
Cates led the league with a goals against average of 1.83 and a save percentage of .936, while tying for wins with 20.
He is the first goalie since the 2019-20 season to top all three categories, while his goals against average and save percentage are the best of any U18 goaltender that has played in the SIJHL.
His performance led Cates also to win league MVP and Best Goaltender awards.
Last year, Cates was a member of the Kenora U18 AAA Thistles.
The national award winner will be announced next month.
Meantime, Cates and his Lakers teammates return to the ice for the seventh and deciding game of the Bill Salonen championship with the Thunder Bay North Tuesday night at the Memorial Sports Centre.
Two Maritimers are bringing home Oscars after the Sunday night award show.
The designers for Guillermo Del Toro’s “Frankenstein” won for their work on the set.
That is Tamara Deverell, who lives in Cape Breton, and Shane Vieau, who was born in Nova Scotia.
Speaking to press after receiving the award, Deverell said she is a true Canadian, having lived in several places across the country, being able to speak French, and now living in Nova Scotia.
But she also pointed out that the provincial government is Nova Scotia is cutting some of its arts funding. She says that will make it harder for people like her who want to create art.
“It’s essential to our culture and wellbeing,” Deverell said.
“The Girl Who Cried Pearls” took home best animated short. It was made by Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski and set in Montreal at the start of the 1900s.
They duo had another shot at the Oscar in 2007, when their short film “Madame Tutli-Putli” was nominated in the same category, according to the National Film Board of Canada.
In a joint statement, the team says the award is a tribute to everyone who worked on the film, and they thanked the National Film Board and the academy for their support.
“Statue or no statue, the support we’ve gotten from friends and family these past weeks has been overwhelming. We can’t express how meaningful it’s been. Now we may finally get a free beer from our local pub,” they wrote.
Toronto’s Maggie Kang saw her film KPop Demon Hunters win two trophies.
“Golden,” the massive hit song from the movie, was the first K-pop song to win the Oscar for best original song.
It also took home the award for best animated feature.
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners went in with a record 16 nominations.
It won in several categories, with Michael B Jordan taking the award for best actor.
The Oscar for best picture went to One Battle After Another, and Paul Thomas Anderson won best director for his work on the movie.
It may have just wrapped up in October but Thunder Bay has earned recognition for its successful Culture Days event.
Running September 19 to October 12, Culture Days is a three week celebration of arts and culture in communities across Ontario.
This year, the City of Thunder Bay was singled out among more than 15 other Ontario centres in the 2025 Culture Days Spotlight Awards as runner-up in the Warren Garrett Inclusive Programming category.
“Warren Garrett is one of the founding members of Culture Days,” explains Caitlyn McMillan, cultural development and public art coordinator with the city. “They created that award specifically to recognize events that are inclusive to all participants.”
Arts and Culture Under the Lights, Thunder Bay’s theme for Culture Days this year, invited residents to participate in several free or pay-what-you-may activities and performances hosted by artists and cultural organizations.
Among the many highlights were such programs as the Art of the Mushroom, a two-day celebration of creativity, clay, and community hosted by the Community Arts & Heritage Education Project (CAHEP) and free screenings of the film Lempo from Thunder Bay artists Laura-Lynn Petrick and Tina Petrick.
“When they are looking at this award specifically, they look at how the events have engaged in multiple types of demographics, multiple types of audiences and how they’ve been able to include them in the process as well,” says McMillan. “It’s really about highlighting events that are inclusive and welcoming to all types of people in the community.”
McMillan says while the event only recently completed its third edition, Culture Days continues to grow in popularity among residents in Thunder Bay and this recognition should only bring out even bigger crowds for next year.
“We haven’t got into too many details as its still quite early still,” says McMillan about the plans for 2026. “We are hoping we can take what we’ve been doing with it and have it grow to be something a bit more special.”
The City of Kenora is being recognized for its Holiday Trail marketing campaign.
It has received an award from the not-for-profit Developers Association of Canada.
The city launched the Holiday Trail in collaboration with Wake Marketing, Harbourtown BIZ, and the Chamber of Commerce, to get people to shop at local stores during the festive season, according to a news release.
Customers could buy a Holiday Trail brochure of vouchers for $30 at participating shops. Then customers can redeem the vouchers for a gift item worth between $10 and $20.
When a voucher was redeemed, the retailer would get $5 reimbursed to them.
“This is a great opportunity to showcase a special item and attract new customers to the store,” the non-profit wrote in the release.
The group says nearly 650 vouchers were redeemed for the 2024 campaign.
“The success of this initiative comes from our business community, who are prepared to support a program like this, and from our local residents who support shopping local,” wrote Stace Gander, Director of Economic Development and Tourism for Kenora, in the news release.
A director from NOSM University has won a prestigious award for her contributions to the health of the Francophone community.
Danielle Barbeau-Rodrigue has been director of the Office of Francophone Affairs at NOSM since 2005, where she has helped shape Francophone health education in Northern Ontario for two decades.
At the annual general meeting of the Société Santé en français on Oct. 2, Barbeau-Rodrigue was awarded the national Une étoile montante award from the Société Santé en français, which is given to an individual whose actions “demonstrate promising leadership in his or her field as well as an exceptional commitment to the development of the health of Francophones.”
According to a release from NOSM University, Barbeau-Rodrigue has had a direct impact on the school’s success, helping train more than 200 Francophone physicians and ensuring that French-language health services are available across the region. She is also a tireless and energetic advocate for access to quality medical education in French.
“In the vast and often isolated region of Northern Ontario, Danielle Barbeau-Rodrigue’s name is inseparable from health training for Francophones, from Kenora to Hearst and all the way to Midland,” said Laïla Faivre, Manager of Equity and Inclusion at NOSM University in a statement.
“She has made a rare, authentic and profoundly transformative contribution to health care in Northern Ontario.”
