For many of us, whether in school or not, the month of September marks a return to particular rhythms and routines. And at VanierNow, we’re ready for a new season of stories and snapshots from the neighbourhood we call home. But this year, we’re not alone. We’re proud to present an expanded editorial collective, in a change we like to think of as Chapter Two in the story of VanierNow.
The collective enables us to present a broader picture of Vanier, created by additional voices. As two co-founders, we’re excited to now have the opportunity to work with five others who, like us, are interested in the neighbourhood, its people and its places. Each has also chosen to make Vanier home. While we observe the neighbourhood in different ways, we share an interest in writing about our impressions, discoveries, questions and aspirations for the hood (though, after early discussions together, it’s looking like food may be one theme that holds us all together).
Each of us will bring our own voice and style to the (web)pages of VanierNow approximately once per month. Joining us is avid writer/blogger Catherine Brunelle – already introduced to readers when she and her partner poutinized themselves for the first time last Fall at the Vanier Shack Shack, our local casse-croute. With Chris Cline, we welcome our first resident craft beer connoisseur (and experienced Apt613 blogger). Jessie Duffy brings a cultural perspective of the neighbourhood through the lens of food, writing and reflecting on Vanier’s foodways (watch for her first post, recounting June’s Sentier des Saveurs, later this week). Rachel Muston, a genealogist and environmentalist, brings us (and all of Vanier) into the know on all things sustainability. And, also returning to VanierNow, having earlier documented Vanier’s bright lights and empty storefronts, Eva Russell promises new neighbourhood snapshots and profiles of the people that call this place home. You can read a little more about each member of the collective here.
At the same time, we will continue to bring our discoveries and observations as we dig through the archives, soak up the neighbourhood and scan the environment for future plans for Vanier.
So, here’s to Chapter Two, and here’s to Vanier.
Mike Bulthuis and Mike Steinhauer
