Editorial

April 17 2024

A little good news

Newspapers are often filled with stories about disagreement, struggles, challenges and debate. It’s a big part of newspapers’ role in holding governments at all levels to account and telling the stories that need to be told. Change doesn’t happen without some bumps along the way.

But the stories that need to be told include the good news — stories of human achievement, good policy developments, promising economic activity and community organizations’ successes. At The Journal, we’ve always made a point of sharing and celebrating the good news from our communities, along with stories rooted in some kind of friction, struggle or disappointment.

This week’s paper offers a nice variety of positive stories that are impacting our communities today; hopeful stories well-timed with the promise of early spring.

Among them, Alec Bruce brings us encouraging news about the attractiveness of Guysborough County for a growing number of green energy projects, and a joint session of local municipalities taking place for the first time.

Joanne Jordan reports from the St. Mary’s area about a new rural transit program getting ready to launch and a municipal initiative to bring visibility to invisible disabilities.

And Corey LeBlanc tells the inspiring story of an Eastern Shore couple determined to re-establish a home for osprey after it was destroyed by Fiona.

Perhaps most moving among the positive stories on this week’s pages is Joanne’s reporting on the impact of community fundraisers for those in need. We often see such fundraisers advertised on Facebook as a means of helping address the immediate financial needs of individuals and families facing hardship. This week’s story reminds us that the emotional support these events provide is just as valuable and impactful.

In dark days, it’s easy to feel alone and discouraged, weighted down by layered problems, such as those that arise around serious health challenges. When friends, family and neighbours come together to raise funds and show support, people facing hardship are reminded that they aren’t alone; that they are part of a community that cares about them, that their well-being matters.

Help to pay the bills may be the urgent need, but this kind of support from the community can go a long way in aiding the healing process, too. As this week’s story shows, these fundraising events and activities are positive experiences for all involved: They bring us together, bridge divides and remind us why our rural communities are wonderful places to live.