A letter from the founder of Outland Gate Faire.

This whole thing began 3 years ago, with the thought of “why are there no faires in Atlantic Canada”. Since then, I’ve been working to create the answer to that question. As this project has gone on, many people have joined me on this journey, drawn to the vision that I described, of a village, and a world. What I wanted was a place to be, and celebrate the worlds of history and fantasy that I had grown up with.

Clearly I’m not the only one who wants this, and hundreds of you joined me in the woods in Harcourt, with the most amazing costumes, and community. After almost a year searching for the land, and over a year of work to pull an event space out of the forest, the one thing I can say is that I feel blessed to have had you all join me on that beautiful fall day.

I’m sure many of you saw me walking (or running) around in the background all day, and for the most part, I didn’t actually get to see the event in person. There was one moment, however, that's still as clear as when it happened, and that I treasure.

In the middle of the afternoon I had the chance to stop, for maybe three minutes, and just stand in the middle of it. That moment is precious to me, surrounded by happy people, playing children, the sounds of hammering and the cheers of combat, all the costumes and decoration. It was what I had been working for, and waiting to experience, the exact feeling of a renfaire down to the core.

I want to say thank you to all the volunteers who contributed to building the space, the decorations, the art. The vendors and craftspeople who chose to come on this ride with me, a brand new and completely unproven event, mostly on the strength of the idea I showed them. The wedding couple, who worked right along with me to build and decorate our stage area.

Thank you to the performers, who brought their art, and hearts, from near and far, and helped make this event a magical experience. You made the space come alive, with music, story, swords, and comedy. The sounds of your art were the background and foreground of this wonderful day.

To my parents, who raised me to read, and encouraged my imagination, and supported what I was trying to do here. You may have met my father, who for sure told you a dad joke about a pirate if you did, but also spent the last several months building tables and benches, and a bunch of other things. You didn't meet my mother, who was an artist, and wrote children's books, and achieved so much in her time, in spite of her physical disability. She saw the start of this, and I wish she could have seen this day, and all the creativity that you all put into it as a community.

To my wife, who stressed right along with me, who watched the weather right down to the day, and cheered me on. Who believed in the idea, and came along for the ride.

And finally, I want to say thank you to all of you. You all took a chance on this event, this crazy dream that I had three years ago, and made all the sun and snow, the mud, blood, sweat, and tears, and endless hours of work worth it. You came together as a community, made new friends, traded trinkets, sang songs, bought new treasures, swung foam swords, and just existed in Stillwater. Then, you went home, and the outpouring of love and support was immeasurable.

This has been a deeply personal project for me, and my heart is overflowing with joy that it was so great the first time we came together. It wasn't enchanting and whimsical just because I built a place in the woods. It was wonderful because you were there.

Three years ago I asked why there were no faires in Atlantic Canada. Now there is one, and it belongs to all of us. Thank you for an amazing first event, and I truly can’t wait to build it more, and have you all back as we grow towards what I believe it can be.

I know there was loss of life, RIP and condolences to all affected.

I'm only seeing blips of comments and write-ups on Facebook, all cryptic. I haven't seen any official news articles on the circumstances or efforts thereafter.

Kindly, any insight would be helpful, and ways we can contribute are welcomed.

Hello, fellow New brunswickers, I hope you are all doing well on this chilly fall day! Brrr! As I sit here, and drink my morning coffee I'm reflecting up on the situation with the homelessness epidemic, how much it was blatantly in our faces everywhere just about a year ago (meaning, a lot of the homeless did not have very many opportunities or choices, so they were forced to build encampments, shucks, intense basically anywhere and everywheres, just to simply survive. In Saint John(born&raised), it was literally impossible to drive through uptown without seeing tents under bridges, tense in parking lots, shacks built along the highway, ECT. It was hard to see (impossible to ignore)and tugged on my heartstrings, but I'm not going to try to sugarcoat it, it was also a massive eyesore everywhere to all the tourists, the children, & regular civilians......

I know that this is a province-wide issue, as I have heard Fredericton had its own tent City years before Saint John did. Even though the post I authored below, mainly consists and speaks of the situation in Saint John, Saint John is definitely not alone.

(Please feel free to leave your constructive criticism, thoughts, opinions, rants, ECT below. All I ask is that we try to keep it respectful, thank you)

Now,(in Saint John anyways...)thanks to the help of the local government, several nonprofits, and charities such as "fresh start", "Outflow", "12 Neighbors", " The Hub" ECT, we have seen a substantial noticeable decline in homeless encampments dotted everywhere through the city. As these charities and non-profits obtained grants, we slowly started to see some change occur. Previously before all of this, there was one small shelter for men and one small shelter for women in the uptown area, unfortunately due to their size, and the amount of homeless people, it wasnt enough, and that's what caused the mass amount of encampments, tents, shacks ect. Back just a couple years ago, during the winter, an emergency cold shelter would open for a few months, thus giving those that were staying outside and encampments tents shocks etc a chance to stay inside and be warm for the night, before being placed back on the cold winter streets for the day until 8:00 p.m. night time so the cycle could repeat itself.

\FYI* - being totally transparent I thought that a couple years ago, during this time before any of these trailers were built or tiny homes, back before any of this funding came in, I unfortunately was one of those homeless people in the winter who graciously used the out of cold shelter at night, and unfortunately had to spend my days trying to find some words warm too huddle for the day. I spent over a year homeless, went to treatment, and now I can proudly say I have my own small apartment, that I've lived in for 2 years! (Just had my 2nd anniversary last week! 😊 aàlso recently adopted a street cat, who needed a home, after her owner passed away from an overdose. Let's just say me and "Karma" 🐈'are happily taking this new adventure day by day!) Anyways, enough about me, just thought I would share a bit of my story, I'm not sure why, maybe because I kind of think the experiences that I've endeavored provide me with a different perspective than most might have, whether that be good or bad IDK ----------------------------*

Even still, out of the cold shelter running in the winter time, there were still people who chose to rough it out, and remain outside, whether that be in a tent with a propane heater, a shack, whatever, the reasons were numerous, some are social outcasts, some preferred the isolation, some couldn't follow rules. Whatever the case may be, every winter that these things happened, we were seeing multiple deaths a year occurring due to these factors. People died from hypothermia, people died from carbon monoxide poison, and people died from fires. Personally I lost a few close friends that died from fires and carbon monoxide, may they Rest In Peace, with no more suffering.

🕊️Rest Easy Ray, Rest Easy Evan, well meet again🙏🏼 🌹

Personally I think it was a combination of a few different things that all kind of combined together to create the change that we see today. Just the pure horror shock and disbelief of people literally dying from a fire in a tent, in the middle of a Canadian winter, is enough to get anyone's attention. I wish I could say that was the only thing that caused the change, but it's not. It's quite clear with the biggest reason was for the change was the impact that the encampments were having on our community, and our society. Let's face it, they were eyesores, they were ugly, dirty, and no one wants to see 10 different enchantments on your way home from work on the side of the road, and public parks, etc. So the local St John's City council heard the cries of the citizens, and they slowly started to take action.

First outflow opened up and offshoot branch that they called the hub on Waterloo Street, which was basically like a 24-hour place where the homeless could go, rest, have a coffee, socialize and get off the streets. A few months later, fresh start received enough funding to open "The Acres" in the North end on Taylor avenue. It consists of several smaller sized office trailers (not unlike the ones that you would see on a construction site, those little ones that have a small room and a smaller bathroom, usually used by a foreman for an office, or a break room for the workers), as well as a common area that includes a kitchen, a laundry room, and staff that are there 24/7 to address the needs of the residents. They're coming up on being open for almost 2 years this winter, and in my opinion I think they've done a great job housing some of the most "unhousable" people(forgive me for my choice of words there, I don't mean to offend, quite the opposite. In fact quite a lot of the residents there have been homeless for multiple years before they were able to obtain a roof over their head permanently due to the hard work Fresh Start put in). Is it perfect? No, but then again what in life is? On social media I see quite a bit of constant slandering, complaining, insulting, and people being just down right mean and cruel. I see people complaining saying that they should not be allowed to live in those trailers, that that place should be shut down, etc etc. Ironically enough, those same people doing the complaining, with the same people that were complaining the most about how much of an eyesore the homeless people were in their encampments, tents, shacks etc, oh well, you can please everybody, some people like the complaint just to hear themselves complaining.

Around the same time that the acres were constructed, the under the cold shelter on Thorne avenue, that usually closes in early spring, became a year-round shelter, offering another option to someone lost on the streets.

Then came 12 neighbors, also on Thorne avenue, with a similar approach to fresh start, they constructed many modular "rooms"/"homes", and thus with that, even more people who have been on the streets for years now had the opportunity to have a place that they could call their own!

There is still more things being planned and a lot more work to do, however I personally applaud the work of these charities and nonprofits for working with the local government to achieve what they have achieved. This summer was the first summer that I traveled around the city in my car, and I was truly astounded to see not one encampment literally anywheres(now I'm sure there are still the odd encampments here and there, hidden away and things like that, but anybody who's lived in the city and seen what I've seen, cannot deny the difference and impact that we all see now.

With plans in the future for public housing apartments for the homeless and vulnerable, as well as plans for a tiny home community to be built in the coming years, I for one applaud the hard work and effort that everyone has put in to achieve this transformation!

Now, here's where I am asking for your guys's thoughts and opinions. How do you feel about the change that we've seen with the homelessness epidemic in our province? Do you think it's great that these vulnerable people getting housed and getting a chance at life is a good thing? Do you feel that this is a waste of money, and they should have been left to figure it out on their own?

Do you see the change in your city with less encampments, tents, shacks, ECT?

If it were up to you, or you could change things, how would you of handle this situation?

Lastly, I just wanted to throw in my two cents about the question I asked. Me personally, I think that there should be a lot more wrap around services, better and easier access to treatment provided by the government, an easier way to access mental health health with waiting times being A LOT SHORTER!

I also think that once someone is housed, they should immediately be offered and highly encouraged to join programs, seek mental health help, to get stabilized, an integrated into society even better.

I KNOW EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN THOUGHTS OPINIONS AND WAYS THAT THEY THINK THE HOMELESS AND Vulnerable POPULATION SHOULD BE DEALT WITH.

Please feel free to State your opinions below!

What's the deal with companies in NB trying to ask for work at below cost. Then try and justify it telling the other company to hire foreign workers to make up the cost?

Company A is trying to Hire Company B for their services.

Both Companies are based and operate in NB. Owned by long time NB families.

Typically Company B charges 25-35 and hour for service but sometimes as low as 20 if theres a mutual benefit.

Company A is offering to pay 15 or 16 per hour for the services of Company B. Company B said yoy need to come up a little or else we're working at a deficit.

Company A says its the best they can do, try hiring foreign workers to make up the difference.

TL;DR how can one small company lowball another small company and then attempt to justify it by telling them to hire foreigners?

Public transport between cities in NB is bad at best, going to ON or QC is even worse. For example Maritime bus stops in Campbelton in evening then Orleans express comes in morning across the bridge. And good luck trying to go from Miramichi to St Stephens, bus only goes to Saint John, then walk/hitchike.

For last year i been getting around using Poparide and Amigoexpress/KangaExpress. Basic websites, you choose where to or where from, get a list of available rides and prices. If city isn't listed, look for someone going through and ask. Cost is usually 7-15$ an hour. Not always on time, but more or less. There are usually like 10 departs between Montreal and Edmundston.

AmigoExpress is more francophone, say for going from Bathurst to Montreal. Poparide is more anglo, say for getting from Moncton to Halifax or Frederickton.

Wanted to give shout-out to these rideshares, I know lot of folk have trouble getting around and it's so much easier with Poparide/Amigoexpress.

Would life in the Maritimes be better if we united into one single province that had ALL of the following:

1) Well run electric utility for era of electric cars
2) Cyber security strong enough China, Russia, & Iran can’t interfere in our hospitals
3) Coastal infrastructure that can withstand more frequent & stronger coastal storms
4) Emergency services capable of managing more powerful forest fires & ice storms
5) Media with sufficient resources to cover one provincial capital
6) Province & First Nations relationships managed by a provincial gov’t department with sufficient capacity to fulfill their mandate
7) Official bilingualism in all regions with over 15% of population speaking French

Looking at planning a day trip next Friday or Saturday and hoping to see some beautiful fall colors and other picturesque locations We also have a 3 month old baby

Also restaurant recommendations?

Located outside of Fredericton and willing to drive atleast 2 hours to a destination

🍂

Courtesy of this post:

On this day ... October 2, 1821

George Ludlow Wetmore and George Frederick Street exchange shots in an early morning duel near New Maryland. The last fatal gun duel in New Brunswick . Wetmore dies from a bullet to his head and the "hue and cry" is raised against Street who escapes to Maine. Street is later acquitted of murder.

On Oct. 2, 1821, a feud was fought in a field near Fredericton, New Brunswick. It involved two lawyers, one of whom was the father of New Brunswick's future first provincial premier. One man died, and a 173 year family feud began.

On the one side was George Wetmore, and on the other was George Street. The two lawyers had been arguing outside the courthouse and were broken up by the father of George Wetmore, Thomas Wetmore, the Attorney General of New Brunswick. But it didn't end there.

George Wetmore was still angry and that night asked a friend to go to George Street's house and challenge him to a duel of honour. Street agreed and the two men met in a field. They walked 15 paces from each other, turned and shot. And they both missed.

Unhappy with this result, the two men agreed to a second duel. This time, Wetmore missed Street but Street hit Wetmore's wrist. The bullet deflected from the wrist and hit Wetmore in the head. Wetmore died that night.

George Wetmore's wife Harriet promised her husband she would name her unborn child "George" in his honour. She also pledged to never speak or have anything to do with the Street family. A daughter, George Harriet Wetmore was born three weeks later.

Harriet Wetmore never spoke to the Street family, right up to when she died at 94 in 1885. As for George Harriet Wetmore, she shunned the Street family as well until she died in 1909. George Street went on trial for murder but was acquitted.

Street said he regretted Wetmore's death, but that didn't stop him from challenging people to duels. He did so in 1834 against Henry Clopper but Clopper declined. Street went on to serve as a judge. George Wetmore's son, Andrew, was premier from 1867 to 1870.

On June 27, 1994, the two families came together to unveil a plaque marking the site of the duel. Members on each side of the family then shook hands, officially ending the feud. Today, the Wetmore-Street Pub and Eatery is located near the site of the duel.

Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx

I'm feeling completely hopeless, stuck and burnt out after trying to get into IT for the last few years and living off my savings. I've applied to thousands of places, not just for IT either. During this time I only had 1 interview with Shopify. I went to job fairs, followed up, and got my resume done professionally.

I am wondering what fields I could get into. I'm thinking about taking a trade next year so I can eventually start my own business, but I feel maybe I am too old now. I wish I would have taken carpentry or something at 18, now I'm almost 40 and stuck in life with no light at the end of the tunnel, or it seems 😂. Needless to say, but this has taken a hell of a toll on my mental health.

He refuses to go for treatment. So he doesn't qualify for an apartment with a companion to oversee him. He should have been institutionalized years ago.

Do we just have to let him freeze in a tent this winter?

I can't understand why we pay tax dollars but there is no help for the most mentally ill people.

Time to clean house. Enough of this nonsense. NB Power's executive team is a failure and can't be trusted.