Mattatall - Varner Funeral Home

04/11/2026

Kevin Bruce Landsberg - 64, Hopewell, Pictou County, passed away at home on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. He was a son of Seth and the late Dorothy (Cunningham) ...

04/10/2026

Lloyd McIntosh Graham – 80, of Salmon River passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at home. Born in River John he was a son of the late ...

04/10/2026

Losing a spouse is one of the most painful experiences you can go through, but you're not alone. Take advantage of support available to you.

04/08/2026

On April 3, 2026, Elizabeth Jayne

04/07/2026

Remembering Billionaire Howard Hughes

On the anniversary of his death 50 years ago (April 5, 1976), we reflect on Howard Hughes, one of the world’s most eccentric billionaires.

There is an old saying that everything is bigger in Texas, which seems to be true for Hughes. Born in the Lone Star State in 1905, Hughes inherited the family’s business, becoming a millionaire at age 18. Over the course of his 70-year life, Hughes grew a business fortune which spanned the aviation, real estate holdings and film production sectors. Not only a businessman, Hughes had a passion for flying, setting numerous records and risking his life in the process.

Some Fun Facts About Howard Hughes:
• A young Hughes showed an aptitude in science and technology, building Houston’s first wireless radio transmitter at the age of 11 and becoming the first person in the city with a motorized bike, which he built from steam engine parts the following year. His fondness for how things worked eventually led to many innovations in the production of commercial aircraft, an industry in its infancy at that time.
• Hughes was obsessed with flying faster and survived four airplane accidents, including a near fatal crash in 1946. He was credited with breaking both the landplane airspeed record and the transcontinental airspeed record.
• Hughes produced several big-budget and often controversial films, including “The Racket,” “Hell’s Angels” and “Scarface.”
• Hughes won the Harmon Trophy (twice), the Collier Trophy and the Congressional Gold Medal for his contributions to aviation. During the Second World War, his company operated as a major U.S. defence contractor.
• Hughes has been credited with transforming Las Vegas from a gangster paradise into a more refined tourist destination.

Sadly, Hughes was troubled with mental illness, stemming from an obsessive-compulsive disorder, and became an unrecognizable recluse in his later years. He died of kidney failure on board a Learjet headed from his Mexico home to Houston. He is buried alongside his parents at Houston’s Glenwood Cemetery.

© Mattatall-Varner Funeral Home/CFHC Online

Howard Robard Hughes Jr. (December 24, 1905 – April 5, 1976) was an American aviator, aerospace engineer, business magnate, film producer, and investor.[2] He was one of the richest and most influential people in the world during his lifetime. He first became prominent as a film producer, and then...

04/07/2026

Anthony Charles

04/05/2026

Happy Easter

We wish you all a happy and joyous Easter. It is our hope that you are able to spend special moments with family and those who are near and dear to you. To those of you with younger families, may Easter eggs and the hunt for them fill your day with smiles and warm thoughts.

To families in our community of Christian faith, we hope your day provides peace as you commemorate this celebration of renewal.

04/02/2026

Linda May Berniquer – 78, of North River passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 surrounded by her family at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre. Born in ...

04/02/2026

It is with great sadness that the family of Mary Diane

04/02/2026

Using Emojis and GIFs to Express Condolences

As technology takes over our world, so has the practice of sending sympathy messages via email, text or social media, which leads to an important question: is it appropriate to send messages of sympathy with a GIF or emoji?

An emoji is a pictogram or smiley face added to a text or electronic message, while a GIF is a more detailed, often light-hearted image or video animation. The intent of both is to fill in emotional cues (expression/body language) or words (tone) missing from digital communication.

Using either to express sympathy depends on the relationship with the grieving individual and their usual communication style. For example, older adults or co-workers might find them disrespectful, whereas a close friend will likely understand the intent. Even so, it is recommended to include a heartfelt message with actual words. Let your words convey your thoughts, and then if deemed appropriate, add an emoji or GIF to include another layer of emotion. Appropriate emojis and GIFs include white hearts (remembrance, peace and love), red hearts (love and support) or praying hands (peace).

It is always nice to reach out to a friend in grief, whether it’s via a phone call, letter or digital message. Just remember, discretion is sometimes warranted when sending emojis and GIFs.

© Mattatall-Varner Funeral Home/CFHC Online

04/01/2026

Gary Cameron – 88, North River, Colchester County, passed away peacefully on Monday evening, December 22, 2025, at Cedarstone Enhanced Care, Truro. Born in Spry Harbour, Halifax County, ...

04/01/2026

Margaret Rosa Baxter - 78, Onslow Mountain, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA, she ...