Month: November 2016

New ‘hot lab’ enhances student curriculum at local high school

 

Business community contributed more than $11,000 to complete school renovations, purchase equipment

TRURO – Classroom work has become “more interesting” says two Grade 12 students at Cobequid Educational Centre (CEC) thanks to the construction of a  new in-school skills training lab.

Christian MacPhee of Upper North River and Colby Tattrie of Camden demonstrated their welding skills on Monday for a crowd of onlookers during the official opening of the school’s new “hot lab.”

“You can do anything with a welder. It’s unlimited,” says Tattrie.

MacPhee says learning to weld as part of the Production Technology 12 course makes class more fun. “You can use the welder to explore and see what you can make,” he says. “It makes school more interesting.

About 25 people participated in the official opening ceremony including students, staff, Chignecto Central Regional School Board (CCRSB) officials, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) officials, including Minister Karen Casey, along with representatives of the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce.

“The supply of skilled trades within the community continues to be raised as a challenge facing local businesses,” says Chamber president Andrew Lake. “Chamber members and businesses with links to the welding trade did not hesitate to support the development of a welding lab at the high school, as a means to expose students to the profession.”

 

The chamber hosted a fundraising campaign to assist with renovations at the school, as well as the purchase of equipment, to enhance hands-on skilled trades training for high school students. About 20 chamber members and industry partners provided more than $11,000 in financial and in-kind assistance to the school’s renovation project, which was also financially supported by CEC, CCRSB and DEECD.

“The creation of CEC’s hot lab demonstrates how the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Chignecto Central Regional School Board and members of Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce can come together to benefit students and provide them with an opportunity to learn a skill that will benefit them in life and possible post-secondary studies,” says school principal Bill Kaulbach.

The lab was constructed in an area of the school that was previously used for automotive trades training in the 1980s. The classroom was extensively renovated to meet all current building codes and safety standards.

Welding is now being offered as part of the curriculum in a number of courses including Production Technology 11, Production Technology 12, Design 11, Exploring Technology 10, Electrotechnologies 11 and Applied Technology 10-12.

Approximately 150 students will have access to the hot lab this year.

Truro – This week is going to be an exciting week for music lovers in Truro. Nova Scotia Music Week is returning to town from Thursday to Sunday, and the One Horse Town documentary is being aired on CMT on Sunday night.

The Town of Truro is proud to be a Presenting Partner of Nova Scotia Music Week, which will take place from Nov. 3- 6. This provincial music festival and conference was last held in Truro in November 2014. Over 1,000 musicians and music industry professionals are expected to return this year, which will generate a wave of excitement for our economic and cultural development.

For the cherry on the cake, CMT is going to air a documentary on Sunday night, dedicated to our Town. During the One Horse Town live music show, which took place Sept. 16, CMT recorded a documentary to celebrate this unique event. This TV documentary will be aired on CMT this coming Sunday, Nov 6, at 9 p.m. This sounds like a great opportunity to finish the weekend on a high note, especially at the end of the Nova Scotia Music Week.

Lettuce goes Local: GoodLeaf Farms brings Atlantic-grown packaged Salads to Newfoundland Dominion Stores

 

New indoor vertical farming technology from Nova Scotia promises fresher, local produce year-round, going from seed to plate in just over three weeks. Truro NS/Toronto ON (October 26, 2016) – GoodLeaf Farms (GoodLeaf) of Truro, Nova Scotia is pleased to announce its Market Garden™ locally-grown salad products will be available in Dominion stores across Newfoundland – even during the harshest winter months. Using technology created by its parent company TruLeaf Sustainable Agriculture Ltd., GoodLeaf is pioneering a new, indoor, vertical farming system that uses LED lights and reclaimed rainwater to grow ultra-fresh produce in as little as three weeks, without the use of pesticides. Built with the highest degree of sustainability in mind, the process uses up to 90% less water than traditional farming methods and can be harvested, packaged and available for sale on Newfoundland shelves within a matter of days. “We know our customers are looking for exceptional produce, grown locally wherever possible, which is why we are such huge supporters of local and regional suppliers,” said Mark Boudreau, Director, Corporate Affairs, Loblaw Companies Ltd. “Having fresh local vegetables year round in Newfoundland would have been impossible a decade ago. We’re excited about today’s launch, and proud of our role working with TruLeaf over the past few years to bring this innovative farming technology to our Dominion customers.” GoodLeaf Farms has been embraced by local wholesalers and restaurants who were drawn to the incomparable quality, consistency and freshness of GoodLeaf products. Today’s announcement at Dominion, however, marks the first time GoodLeaf’s products will be made available to consumers directly. “We are thrilled to be bringing a new era of freshness to Atlantic Canadian consumers,” said Gregg Curwin, President & CEO, GoodLeaf Farms. “We grow our produce in tightly-controlled environments to the very highest standards in the industry. It’s a difference you can truly taste. And by dramatically reducing the time and energy needed to transport produce, it really is a new way to eat responsibly.” About GoodLeaf GoodLeaf Farms is the exclusive Canadian licensee of the TruLeaf Smart Plant System® – a revolutionary indoor farming system that enables it to grow fresh produce year-round, even in the harshest winter months. As a pioneer in indoor, vertical farming, GoodLeaf has become a favourite among restaurants and wholesalers who have grown to depend on GoodLeaf for fast, fresh and local produce that meets the highest standards for quality and taste. For more information on GoodLeaf Farms, please visit www.goodleaffarms.com.

TRURO – A business idea is moving in the right direction for three local men partnering to launch One Way Brewing (OWB) by next spring.

Co-owner Jon Keddy, said One Way Brewing, soon to be located on the main level of 676 Prince St. along side Babbling Brook Antiques. One Way Brewing is not just a mircobrewery but will be known as “Truro’s Brewery,” locally owned and operated with local expertise boosting consumer’s pride in the product.

“OWB feels new businesses and opportunities located in the downtown core, especially on Truro’s “one way” strip, will continue to enhance what the downtown is already building on,” said Keddy. “This new microbrewery will thrive to champion and further enhance the new amazing downtown vibe.

“We hope to engage and help navigate the new highway traffic to downtown while sharing our pride in local branding and ownership.”

After several meetings and touring existing breweries around the province, Eric Jackson, Ryan Blaikie and Keddy formed a vision for a Truro brewery.

“We felt that because of timing, location and experience at the table, it was just the right thing to do,” said Keddy.

He added they are looking forward to networking with downtown merchants, The Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Truro Partnership and customers to build the brand.

“Our philosophy will be if we take care of Truro, Truro will take care of us,” said Blaikie.

The boutique enterprise will be a full-tier brewhouse, with a primary focus on uncompromising quality.

“The production process will ensure every taste or pint will always be served at its peak,” Jakson said. “Always fresh, non-pasteurizing, non-preserved recipes will give customers the taste experience they deserve.”

Its location in a heritage award-winning building known as the “GingerHouse” aligns perfectly with OWB’s boutique brand and is also conductive to leading or participating in organized events in the urban regional downtown core.

In addition to great quality beer, OWB will offer the experience of seeing the “Grain to Glass” production, along with one-on-one meetings with brewmasters, filling of growlers, and tasting a series of specialty Truro brands.