The Stories That Brought You Here

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.

 

Episode 43 - Barbara Pender

In this episode, Barb will speak about her family's lengthy history on the island and how deeply important her visits to Pender were as a young girl. She will also describe her many recent walking adventures, her involvement in the creation of Solstice theatre and give some insight into her time working at the Pender Island Medical Clinic over the past twelve years. All that and much more in a fun chat that was incredibly enjoyable to do. Thanks, Barb.

Our Unique Times Vol. 1 with Paul Widdershoven, Emma Cale, Mathew Des Roches and Niki Roberts

Straight up, what a crazy time it has been the last few months. There are so many emotions, worries, thoughts and ideas I've had since the inception of this altered reality. At the start of it, I wondered how I would like to participate in the world with meaning and carry an authentic expression of myself. I personally believe that we are truly the creators of our reality, so how can I help create the world that I would like to live in? The first extended effort in that direction was putting energy into making multiple phone calls every day from late March through much of April. I started checking in on people I have not spoken to in years, good friends, acquaintances on the island I've never called before, my Mom...a lot, family and others. This gave me some focus, peace and joy during those uncertain times. Every call without exception held a deep connection. This shared strangeness we experienced led to a pealing back of layers for myself and the person I was speaking with. Very magical these conversations were.

 

As the world has been going back to something resembling what was before, I've asked myself what can I now do to be the change in the world I want to see? The conclusions have been obvious and undeniable. One of them is to take action on what I feel is important. Something that I feel is very significant right now is to help give voice to some people on our island to allow them to express their wisdom, creativity, thoughts and feelings. True expression of ourselves and bearing witness to it by listening, I believe, is a purposeful way to strengthen the bridge of connection we all share. We are surrounded on this island by amazing people, with amazing perspectives. Why not be amazed by witnessing each other's humanity, uniqueness and similarities during these challenging times?

 

What you will hear in this podcast is a compilation of people answering four questions relating to their individual experience over the past few months. I asked people wanting to participate in these recordings to try to dig deep to truly share themselves. To my great appreciation they did. The question are as follows:

 

-Where have you been putting your love?

-What have been the significant challenges you've had to face?
-What is your dream vision for the future?

-Plus, a question for the interviewee to formulate and answer themselves.

 

All these recording were done outdoors at various locations so the sounds of cars, birds, airplanes, wind chimes, generators, the ocean and wind all make guest appearances as well. Beautiful.

My thanks to Paul Widdershoven, Emma Cale, Mathew Des Roches and Niki Roberts for their participation on the first of this series.

Enjoy.

 

                                       

 

Episode 42 - Joy Thierry Llewellyn

In this episode, Joy will describe what it was like for her to spend the first 17 summers of life at an isolated fly-fishing tourist camp owned by her parents in Northern Quebec. She will speak about her time teaching screenwriting at the Vancouver Film School and what it was like backpacking around the world for a year with her husband Evan and two children. Plus, Joy will go in-depth describing the multiple hiking adventures she has had on the Camino de Santiago. All that and so much more. Enjoy!

                                      

Episode 41 - Patrick Brown

In this episode, Patrick will discuss his nearly forty year career as a journalist in radio and television. He first began working as a reporter in Montreal in 1976. Four years later, he would be offered a position working out of London, England. The following decade would see him reporting from various war zones, natural disasters and civil uprisings. From Warsaw, Beirut, Manila, Berlin and a host of other international locations, Patrick was on the scene of some incredible historic events, reporting back to Canadian audiences. He will describe experiences and challenges from those years, as well as talk about the extensive period of time he spent living and working in China during the latter part of his career. All this and an incredible amount more in a very fascinating interview. Enjoy.

                                       

Episode 40 - Lester Quitzau

In this episode, Lester will describe how he developed an intense passion for snowboarding while living in Edmonton as a teen in the eighties. He will share how he first became interested music and go in depth explaining how his music career unfolded over a number of years and experiences. Lester will also talk about his recent interest in yoga, which has led him to becoming a yoga instructor on the island. As well, he will tell the story of how he met his wife, Mae. That and an amazing amount more, in a wonderfully rich and open discussion with one heck of a guy.

                    Thank you to Ptarmigan Arts for supporting this podcast.