ACALA's Lunch and Learn series is supported by the Municipality of Antigonish and is aimed at increasing awareness of services offered in Antigonish, and highlighting the lived experiences of people in our community. Each month, we will add a summary of each event.
Presenter: Kristel Fleuren-Hunter
This session profiled Antigonish People’s Place Library as something much bigger: a community hub, a technology gateway, a social connector, and a behind-the-scenes service centre many of us rely on without even realizing it.
Kristel Fleuren-Hunter, Branch Manager for the Antigonish Library, provided context that helped everyone see People’s Place in a wider system:
This ACALA Lunch & Learn session gathered a few community members to share the stories, meanings, foods,
symbols, and personal experiences behind five global festivals celebrated across cultures and traditions. Presenters
spoke about their traditions, childhood memories, stories behind these festivals, and their lived practice in
Antigonish — offering glimpses into family life, history, and community belonging.
Adrienne Bekkers, Community Programs Coordinator & System Engagement Lead
The session encouraged participants to consider how early influences around toughness, control, and emotional restraint may continue to shape how men relate to their emotions. From a young age, boys often encounter messages suggesting that vulnerability is undesirable. These ideas can be reinforced through media, sports, and broader social norms, which tend to emphasize dominance and discourage emotional openness. Over time, such patterns might contribute to feelings of disconnection or isolation.
