Page 77 - 20 Years! A Look at Cape Breton's Magazine

ISSUE : Issue 61

Published by Ronald Caplan on 1992/8/1

new play by Festival on the Bay, created from Cape Breton's Maga? zine materials, premiered Summer 1992.) But perhaps his most notable public honour came in the fall of 1988 when he was invited to a ban? quet in Sydney by James St. Clair, president of the Nova Scotia High? land Village at lona, to receive the first award for contributions to the Gaelic culture of Cape Breton by a person or organization not part of it. The plaque said it was for both Ca? plan and his magazine • one sign that Cape Bretoners have, as he had hoped from the beginning, come to consider it their own. In the university cafeteria, a mid? dle-aged student says, yes, she al? ways reads the magazine. "They pass it around at the steel plant, and my husband brings it home." But it surprised her when she was told who put it out. "I just assumed it was a Cape Bretoner back from away." Not that it matters, she adds; what does is that it exists and is doing what it is. In an island where people sing poig? nant songs about the pressures to leave and the desire to stay, Ca? plan's correspondence from his read? ers is a testament to the longing of many who have gone away, and the sense of place they have carried with them to the ends of the earth. At home and abroad. Cape Bretoners have a phrase that says it all: "Where do you belong?" After 19 years in his adopted land, Ronald Caplan knows. Our thanks to Douglas How and Warren Gordon for their per? mission to use their work, and to Canadian Geographic ior per? mission to reprint Douglas How's article. Leaning on one another: Caplan with Bonnie Thompson, his work partner for the past 18 years. Photo by Paul MacDonald. Join us ior our 2lst year! Subscribe to Cape Bretones Magazine. See Order Form on page 30. NEW AND/OR EXISTING BUSINESS We Offer Financial & Technical Assistance. For More Information, Please Call Our Office: Oceanside Assistance Group Limited 17 Commercial Street • Giace Bay, NS B1A 3B9 Tei. 849-0544 Bruce'! Place Spaghetti, Lasagna, Fettucini Alfredo Subs, Burgers, Quality Steaks and Bruce's own Pizza Pizzazz with more thanis toppings to choose from FULLY LICENSED TAKE-OUT AVAILABLE ceo C/IAA - Welton Plaza ' we accept the D0Z-04UU • Sydney, N.S. major credit cards. OPEN: Mon-Thu 11 am-11 pm • Fri & Sat 11 am-Midnight • Sun Noon-11 p Cape Breton has a , beautiful view of history. CapeBreton Island is world renowned for its rich tapestry of unparalleled vistas and diverse cultural and heritage attractions. And nowhere is this more apparent than in our National Parks and Historic Sites. Located within easy reach of each other, our parks and sites are separated only by some of the most spectacular drives in North America. Wind tiirough tiie Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Marvel at tiie genius of Alexander Graham Bell and Guglielmo Marconi. Step tiirough the gates of the Fortress of Louisbourg and be transported into 18tii-century New France. Stroll tiie shores of St. Peters Canal and Grassy Island. At each site, friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you make the most of your visit with special tours and presentations. And you'll discover miles of exceptional photo opportunities. To help plan your visit, pick up a copy of our Vacation Planner at tourist bureaus on the Island or at any one of our parts and sites. 1'1 int Canada Environr CanadS

Cape Breton's Magazine