The Stories That Brought You Here

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. 

Episode 44 - Linda Wein

In this episode, Linda describes what it was like growing up on Pender Island in the fifties and sixties. She will share how those experience shaped her and many fascinating details about what life was like on the island at that time. Linda will also explain how she got involved in the hardware store business, what owning a farm is like and how she met her husband, Don. Come along for this deep dive into Pender history as Linda describes her family's length connection to the island, along with much more.

Pender Island Nature Series - Arbutus Tree

In this episode, I speak to an Arbutus Tree from Greenburn Lake. In this wide-ranging conversation, Arbutus opens up about the experience of being rooted in a single place it's whole life. The connections it shares with the land, wildlife and people of the area. Plus, so much more in this delightful interview with a beloved member of our island.

Southern Gulf Islands Grandparent Storytelling Series - John Pender from Pender Island

In the summer of 1963, John went on a trip with his family to South Pender Island to stay with his aunt, Bea Freeman. For a twelve-year-old boy, it was an adventurous summer exploring the outdoors while swimming, fishing and rowing. However, it was during the last week of that trip that things really got interesting. That week, John made a new friend and a magical time ensued.

Southern Gulf Islands Grandparent Storytelling Series - Mary Jones from Saturna Island

In 1944, when Mary was six years old, her family moved from Los Angeles to a log cabin on Saturna Island. She and her and younger brother, John, grew up experiencing what island life was like at that time, including riding horses to school, interacting with nature, the realities of emergencies involved in isolated living and many other fascinating details that Mary recounts in this story.

Southern Gulf Islands Grandparent Storytelling Series - Brian Crumblehulme from Mayne Island

In the spring of 2013, the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, Judith Guichon, visited Mayne Island. Brian was asked to organize events and escort her for the nine-hour tour of the island. Members of the community came together to create a very memorable time for her. This is Brian's story of that day, which he has titled, 'The Visit'.

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

When Carol was sixty years old, she decided to get her motorcycle licence. Just a couple of months later, she rode her 250cc motorbike from Ottawa to Galiano Island to visit her daughter. Carol describes what that journey was like and the experiences she had on Galiano island upon arriving. 

Pender Island Nature Series - Roe Lake

What does Roe Lake sound like in the hour before sunrise, on the longest day of the year? From the morning silence, a trickle of birdsongs slowly begins to flow, then builds to a crescendo, before ending with the majestic descending rhythm of nature. Please enjoy this field recording that begins at 4 am on June 21, 2020 and hear what Roe Lake has to say.