About Us
Neap - Truro’s Good News Magazine
Neap is a quarterly magazine that shares uplifting stories of the people, places, and daily life in central Nova Scotia
We believe there’s beauty in the everyday, in the small kindnesses and simple joys that build strong communities. Whether it’s a big win or the neighbour who always smiles, Neap shares stories that leave you feeling a little lighter, a little happier, and a little more connected.
Printed locally and made with care, Neap is more than a magazine — it’s a pause in the noise, a moment of calm, and a celebration of the good that surrounds us.
Why is it called Neap?
We live next to the Bay of Fundy, home to the highest tides in the world. The rise and fall of the water here is dramatic and powerful, and part of what makes this place so special.
But a neap tide is different. It’s the quiet tide—not the highest high or the lowest low.
That’s the feeling we want this magazine to capture for our readers. The average days that are still full of possibility and joy.
We chose the name Neap because, even beside the world’s biggest tides, there’s beauty in the calm.
Fundy Discovery Site, Lower Truro, Nova Scotia
Meet the Founder: Jann McFarlane
When I was a kid, I experienced heat stroke while walking for a Brownies fundraiser. But that’s not the first thing I remember about that day—it’s the newspaper clipping my mum cut out from the local paper, featuring the walk, which she carefully tacked into my scrapbook.
Newspapers and magazines are such a source of celebration and memories.
Growing up
I have lived in the Truro area most of my life. I was born here, but when I was in grade one, my family moved to Ontario and didn’t return until I was starting grade seven.
That’s probably why I sometimes say “pencil crayon” and other times “coloured pencil.”
I grew up just outside Truro, in Kemptown, but as an adult, I’ve settled within the town limits. I love the convenience of being close to everything Truro offers—including Victoria Park, where I’ll almost always say yes to a walk if asked.
Vintage
I have a deep love for vintage and antique things, and my wife and I have collected a variety of treasures over the years, including vintage Truro ephemera. I especially enjoy discovering old logos and browsing articles about the people who once called this place home.
Kindness
I was once told while mountain biking, “you go where you look.” I learned that lesson the hard way, after falling down the same bank more times than I care to admit. But it stuck with me: whatever you focus on grows bigger.
So I’ve chosen to focus on the good in Truro and watch it blossom.
Neap was born from that focus — a desire to celebrate the kindness, the small joys, and the quiet strength of our community. It’s a magazine made with care and a little bit of hope, created for people who want to feel connected, uplifted, and a little lighter in their day.
I hope you’ll join me on this journey. Whether you’re a longtime local, a newcomer, or missing the area, Neap is here to share stories that make us smile, think, and feel a little more at home.
Jann McFarlane, founder of Neap magazine in Victoria Park, Truro, Nova Scotia (Waddell Falls in background)
