The Stories That Brought You Here

Welcome Home, Jorgen Jespersen

As the world has changed over the past few years, so has our island. Many people have decided to make a big move in their lives and relocate to our little paradise. This series is a chance to meet some of our new residents, get to know them a bit better, find out why they chose Pender, how they would like to participate in the community and ultimately, welcome them to their new home.

The series continues with Jorgen Jespersen. In the early spring of 2021, Jorgen, his wife, Lee-Ann and their two daughters made the move from Edmonton to Pender. In the years leading up to this, their family had made numerous trips to the island to visit their close friends. Those experiences inspired them to make a big change in their lives and move to the West Coast.

Jorgen will describe how this all unfolded, as well, speak about his sixteen year career as a youth worker in Edmonton and how he and his wife got joined a running club on the island.  He will also explain how he got involved with the ambulance service on the island and share stories about growing up on a dairy farm in Barrhead, Alberta. All that and much more in a delightful little interview, with a great guy.

 

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Welcome Home, Alexandra Harrison

As the world has changed over the past few years, so has our island. Many people have decided to make a big move in their lives and relocate to our little paradise. This series is a chance to meet some of our new residents, get to know them a bit better, find out why they chose Pender, how they would like to participate in the community and ultimately, welcome them to their new home.

This series begins with Alexandra Harrison. In 2021, she and her partner, Joe, had been living in Brentwood Bay on the Saanich Peninsula. That spring, they decided that they would begin to look for a house to purchase. Through a combination of the impactful experiences she had in her youth at her grandfather's home on Galiano Island and Joe's deep involvement in disc golf, Pender seemed like a dream if they could make it happen. 

Alexandra will explain how things unfolded for them along the way, describe the fascinating story of how she started her own business as a proposal writing consultant, how that work allows her to work from home and the positive experiences she has had living here. All that and more, in great little interview with a fantastic person.

Enjoy.

 

 

Episode 48 - Adam Olsen

This time around, I speak with the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Saanich North and the Gulf Islands, Adam Olsen. Having grown up on the Saanich Peninsula as a member of Tsartlip First Nation (W̱JOȽEȽP), Adam will speak at length about many of the unique experiences he and his family had during those early years. This will include the story of how his parents developed a business involving Cowichan sweaters.

Adam will also describe the lessons he learned from a previous job as a server at Butchart Gardens and his pursuit of becoming a hockey play-by-play announcer. He will give thanks to the person who first encouraged him to become involved in local politics. He will also speak about the commonality of substance abuse in our society and how important it is to acknowledge the damaging effects of stigmatization. 

All this and much more, in a very wide ranging interview with a very interesting person from our community.

Enjoy.

Southern Gulf Islands Grandparent Storytelling Series - Paul Williamson from Pender Island

When Paul was a young boy, he spent his summers visiting his grandparents at their home on the Sunshine coast. The memories from that time have influenced him greatly. So much so, that he was inspired to build a home on Pender Island similar to the one his grandparents had. Paul tells a short story about the importance of being able to provide similar experiences for his grandchildren today.

Southern Gulf Islands Grandparent Storytelling Series - Joanna Weeks from Mayne Island

Joanna met her friend, Barbara Ann, at the age of three while living on Pender Island. They reconnected years later while attending the same high school in West Vancouver. This led to a lifetime of friendship between the two. Joanna describes some of the many shared experiences they had. Some of those as young mothers, each raising families of four children and spending summers together on Mayne Island.

Southern Gulf Islands Grandparent Storytelling Series - Richard Blagborne from Saturna Island

Richard tells the story of helping to preserve the Saturna Island community hall, which was build in 1933. He also shares some details about other original community halls in the Southern Gulf Islands, their historical significance, acoustic qualities and why we should care about keeping them standing.

Southern Gulf Islands Grandparent Storytelling Series - Carol Robson from Galiano Island

Carol began her experience of living on Galiano Island at the age of two. After moving off the island at age twelve, she eventually returned in 2001 to care for her ailing mother during the last six years of her life. Carol will speak about her memories of those years and what it meant to her to have returned home to Galiano.

Episode 47 - Shelley Richards

In 2005, Shelley and her husband, Steve, purchased property on Pender and started building a house. By the following year, they had moved in and began living on the island.  We start the interview with Shelley (who was also a new Mom at the time) reflecting back on those years and detailing some of the experiences she had as a new resident.

From there, Shelley speaks about how she developed a passion for food, which led to her creating her catering business - Shel's Kitchen. She will also talk about what it was like growing up the youngest of six girls, the profound impact her Mom had on her life, and how hosting karaoke nights while living on Vancouver Island, turned into her writing and performing her own music.

All that and more in a fantastic little interview with a fantastic person.

Enjoy.

Episode 46 - Jonny Miller

This time around I speak to Jonny Miller. In this interview, he will describe the music scene on the island, and how he found his people through it. Jonny also talks about his long and winding road before coming to the island. Including time spent as a teenager going back and forth to California, attending Rainbow Gatherings, having a child while living in the Kootenays and...lots more about music! He provides some insight into the process of writing, recording and how royalties through online streaming services work. That and so very much more in a fun and enjoyable interview.

Episode 45 - Steve Dunsmuir

In 2015, Steve Dunsmuir began teaching an outdoor education program to a group of elementary school students on the island. The Pender Ecological Education Class (PEEC), engaged in many incredible learning adventures with Steve at the helm. He discusses aspects of those five years when he led local students through amazing creative experiences.

Steve's teaching career started in the Peace River Region. After working for 20 years there, he was hired as the principle of the school on neighbouring Saturna Island. It was there, he created the Saturna Ecological Education Centre (SEEC). A program for high school students, who lived in funky cabins in the woods and enjoyed an alternative place-based approach to learning. He will discuss at length those experiences, plus his passion for writing, the outdoors and so much more in an informative and open conversation with this educational innovator.