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 Welcome to our new - & return - subscribers!
Visit Lucky's updated website - don't forget to "refresh" when you land on the page (hit the F5 key to ensure you have the latest version).
We had fun doing a website refit last month for SGM Garage Doors. Be sure to check it out in our lead story.
Have you attended a boring webinar? When Lea Nicholas contacted us for a photo shoot in preparation of a webinar, I knew it would be anything-but boring! Read more about the process in the story about S.M.A.C.
Looking for a warm-weather getaway? Visit this month's Nova Scotia Photos.
Until next time,
Jodie Turner
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 SGM Doors calls on LuckyDuck |
| LuckyDuck Website refit for Garaga experts |
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BLOCKHOUSE - Last month we did a website rescue for SGM Doors, installers-and servicers of residential and commercial garage doors.
When Shawn MacDonald first called, I brought up his site and immediately noted at the top of each page the company name and navbar were housed in an image. The small amount of text on the home page was also housed in a jpg.
Busy 'bots are very diligent about reporting their findings back to search engines, but for the time being at least, when it comes to images (including photos and graphics), they're in the dark.
They couldn't pick up a single word on the home page - tough to motivate search engines to recommend a page that appears to be empty. (See more details below in Lucky talks web design)
Made our refit easy to start for sure. Every page now houses a text-based banner and navigation. Not only legible by 'bots, but easy to update and change. We also:
- Brightened the logo
- Gave the entire site a cleaner, fresher look
- Made the text-font larger and more attractive with headers, headlines, formatting
- Replaced canned, clip art photos with photos taken onsite featuring work done by SGM Doors
- Replaced two gloomy looking photos of Shawn & Paula with the results of a Lucky photo shoot
- Included a simple-to-follow map on the location page
- Added boxed testimonials to the home page and services page (more to come)
All in all, a fun project!
 "I can't believe the difference that simple changes can make!"
Paula MacDonald, SGM Doors
From left, Shawn (on the old site), customer Brian Veinotte & Shawn on location (from the new site)
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| Another custom kitchen by Charles Lantz Cabinetry |
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 MARTINS RIVER - Charles Lantz Cabinetry was called on by Calvin DeLorey - no one else could provide the retired contractor with what he needed - a truly custom kitchen for an unusually shaped room.
He sums up his satisfaction,"I have the utmost respect for Charlie. He can design anything."
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| S.M.A.C. webinar workshop - learning through laughter |
| Experiencing - and exploring - boundaries |
 NEW GLASGOW - Last month Ian Smith & Lea Nicholas of Start Making Abilities Count called on LuckyDuck for a photo shoot. They drove to Bridgewater all the way from New Glasgow - we were impressed!
Ian & Lea were preparing for their first webinar and wanted to make it a memorable one - inviting participants to sit in on one of their workshops. The S.M.A.C. Experience is an innovative workshop designed to transform attitudes. Participants are inspired to take new approaches to daily interactions.
To move beyond the labels and live in (pos)abilities. Ian, who lives with cerebral palsy, has a lifetime of closed doors. He shares his story - as well as the stories of others.
Laughter is a key ingredient in their work. As are two impromptu role plays. That's where Lucky came in, photographing the two scenarios - to be used as slides during the webinar. I've been at the "butt" end of Lea's bag lady skit - that's her on the right. And poor Terrie's on the left - try as she might, she can't get her bag back. It's obvious Lea missed out on the "never go through a lady's purse" class!
Led by this exceptional partnership, attitudinal shifts occur effortlessly in the audience. Participants start seeing people with abilities, rather than challenges - and it's a fun process!
"Our webinar . . . worked extremely well. Those who attended over the web found the pictures to be very expressive and that made it easy to understand the role plays. Thanks for your help once again" - Lea Nicholas
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| Janet Mason has a new gallery in Lunenburg! |
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LUNENBURG - See Janet's paintings, prints (framed and unframed) and greeting cards at The Reef Gallery in Famous Town Ladies Shop. Look for the sandwich board on the sidewalk!
They're open Monday - Saturday at 230 Lincoln Street, Lunenburg
(phone 902 - 634-4032)
8 cards in a box for $20 and 4 cards in plastic folder for $10. All have embossed envelopes in the form of a seal stating Original Art Works by Janet Mason.
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| Another season for Black Duck Gallery |
| Carol Sloane April 18 - 29 |
 Mixed Greens
LUNENBURG - It's that time of year again when the The Black Duck launches their first Gallery show of the season.
It will feature the winter works of Carol Sloane from Washington, Maine. The title of her show is Mixed Greens, a series of fragmented landscapes from a Maine artist's winter studio in Lunenburg.
The Duck's Wendy Muise in LAG show
April 1 - 27
Lunenburg Art Gallery Mixed Media by Lunenburg County NSCAD students Opening Reception: Tuesday, April 1 at 5 pm
Wendy has a trio of paintings in the show, including a new one - Cherry Hill Blue & Grey as well as two from last year, Rivulet #1 & Rivulet #2 (as shown, right) .
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| Sheila Lewis solo show preview - 2 new paintings |
Autobiographical journey - A Long Trail
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ROSE BAY -  One of this month's two preview paintings is Mediterranean Town - Sheila Lewis well recalls her holiday during the 1960s of this charming Greek Island.
Sheila, an elected member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour, is a prolific 87 year old painter. She began working on her latest solo exhibit (September 2 - October 15, 2008) late last Fall, but she's been thinking about it for a couple of years or more.
In A Long Trail, she's remembering a life-time of seasons and places in the UK, Europe, Cayman, New Zealand, the USA, The Rockies, Ontario and the Maritimes. The exhibit will be held at the Rossignol Cultural Centre, Liverpool, Nova Scotia. Near that same time, she'll launch a calendar featuring paintings from the show.
Until September, Sheila will be posting two new Long Trail paintings a month on her website. We'll remind you in our monthly e-news!
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| Lucky's April photo collection: Romkey Pond Blues |
ROMKEY POND - Now that Spring is here - by the calendar at least, I recall a very pleasant evening on Romkey Pond last year. Allan paddled the canoe, and I took photos.
See more on this month's Lucky photo collection!
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| Lucky talks web design |
When a photo is Not worth a single word!
BLOCKHOUSE - Creating a header or a page on a jpg may seem like a good idea. It can be a faster way to go - especially when the builder isn't well-versed in code. Faster yes, but not a good practice for a couple of reasons.
Search engine robots are very diligent about reporting to the search engines about the latest changes on websites, but for the time being at least, when it comes to images, including photos and graphics, they're in the dark. They can't report on something they can't see!
Key in all your important data (and even not so important data) - don't hide it in a jpg or gif! Search engine 'bots will be able to read it And it will be easy - and fast - to update and change.
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| Here's SGM Doors former banner and navigation - it's all housed in an image and had no search engine value:
Here's SGM Doors old home page text - it's all housed in an image - no search engine value:
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| Forwarding is fun! |
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 See something you think will interest someone you know, please forward them this e-news! Simply click on the bright blue link under this edition.
Not to worry - we don't even see the addresses let alone collect them!
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| LuckyDuck heads to Women in Business trade show April 5 |
| Spring into Business - free admission, great prizes! |
BRIDGEWATER - Saturday afternoon April 5 the first ever Women in Business trade show will be presented at the Nova Scotia Community College on High Street, Bridgewater. The show is sold out - there will be 40 exhibitors - congrats to the organizers - especially noteworthy as it's the first!
Meet women showcasing their businesses - network, see great demonstrations and a chance at winning a fabulous prize. Admission is free! Hope to see you there!
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| Be a forest friend! |
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Choose to reduce paper waste and clutter by saying NO to Junk Mail through Canada Post's eco-friendly Consumer Choice option. Canada Post will honour your request to say no to unaddressed advertising materials. Quoting a Canada Post Jan. 2007 press release,"Canada Post respects the wishes of consumers who indicate through a self-produced note on their mailbox or mail receptacle, that they do not wish to receive unaddressed material."
To simplify the process, Pleasantville Signs is making long-lasting peel and stick notices - No Junk Mail - (white, red, black, blue, or yellow) about 5" wide x 3" high to go on the mailbox door.
The cost is $5 + hst.(Install not included)
Call them at 543-6905
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| Lucky's March feature held over! |
| Making the most of micro farming |
 CLAM HARBOUR - Jude Major grows enough to feed herself and her business, Katie's Farm - Canada's first and only certified organic bakery of pet treats.
She does it on her "old-fashioned" mixed farm of a mere 2.5 acres - and even more remarkable, with seven raised beds, each modestly measuring about five by 30 feet.
She grows hardy standbys such as peas, lettuces and beans; as well as celery, herbs and garlic; sweet potatoes, tomatoes and hot peppers!
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| Rory 's Greyt GPAC promo |
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Bred to Run, Born to Love!
Save a life - adopt a Greyhound! $275 - includes needles, shipping from U.S, and spaying/neutering | | | |
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Jodie Turner
LuckyDuck web design
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