From Our President

I had the honour this past month of hosting The Pender Post Society’s all-candidate election forums for Islands Trust candidates on North and South Pender Island.

As our society’s president, it is one of my role’s distinct responsibilities. But as British Columbia’s municipal elections hold to a set four-year cycle, it was entirely foreseeable that I might have been run off the island long before having a chance to fulfill the responsibility.

Everyone involved – be they partner, collaborator, participant, or audience member – would have easily guessed this was my first attempt at leading an effort of this scope. I truly appreciate all of you for the genuinely positive Pender reception and support.

It takes a great team and great partners to accomplish anything – doubly on Pender but anywhere, really – and this experience emphasized that point ten times over. The board and other Pender Post volunteers did a great job preparing the forums and managing on event days (shout out to Dianne, Veronica, and Christa, specifically) and giving me the chance to meet so many long-time readers in attendance.

I want to thank Sandra Trectick (Chamber of Commerce) and Melody Pender (Everything Everywhere All at Once) for their support promoting and livestreaming the events, Pender Radio for their technical assistance, and the Pender Islands School staff for hosting and helping us set up. And every one of you who were able to attend and pose questions to our candidates.

My sincere appreciation goes out to Aaron Campbell, Michael Cowan, Kristina Evans, Dag Falck, Morgan Hayward, John Kukarchuk, Benjamin McConchie, Brenna Mongeon, and Niall Parker for participating – and for putting your hands up in the first place. 

I’d also like to thank Rob Fawcett, our new CRD Electoral Area Director, who was able to attend the first event and speak to his new position, and congratulate School District representative Greg Lucas for his return to service.

By publication, we’ll know who the Penders have tasked to represent us on the Islands Trust Council, but my appreciation for their participation and commitment to public service is extended equally to every one of them.  

The Pender Post Society has been entrusted for decades to provide a balanced and impartial forum for islanders to connect with their municipal candidates. And I’m looking forward to doing it again for the next municipal election in 2030.

Though it’s entirely foreseeable that I’ll have been run off the island by then.

Matthew Coutts
president@penderpost.org
penderpost.org

In This Issue

Our November issue contains an unbelievable wealth of information about life on Pender Island this month. Several of our contributors unveil plans for the Chamber of Commerce’s Staycation event, which is shaping up to be a pretty exciting celebration of our beloved home. This coincides with the Otter Bay Terminal’s five-day berth closure. 

Funnily enough, we had a similar ferry closure exactly 50 years ago, something we note in the return of Pender Post Past – our most asked-after feature – in which we revisit November 1976. We also shine a spotlight behind the scenes of the Pender Public Library, and welcome an update from the Magic Lake Property Owners Society following their October AGM. 

Cover Story 

This month’s cover image comes courtesy of Graham Elder, who spotted some of the Salish Sea’s most active residents and shared them with the studious stewards of Pender’s whale watching community. Thanks to Graham for letting The Pender Post share this great shot.

If you would like to see your photography featured on our cover or elsewhere in The Pender Post, send them to production@penderpost.org for consideration.

Announcements

Special Notices

Special Notice from Veterans Affairs

As Remembrance Day approaches, Canadians come together to reflect on the courage, sacrifices, and achievements of those who have served our country. Veterans’ Week, observed annually in early November, is a time to honour the individuals who have defended our freedoms—on the front lines, in peacekeeping missions, and through domestic operations.

We all share a duty to remember. But remembrance is more than reflection—it’s also about recognition and support.

Who is a Veteran?

When we think of Veterans, many of us picture those who served in the First or Second World War. But Veterans come from all walks of life. A Veteran is anyone who has served in the Canadian Armed Forces, including Regular and Reserve Forces, the Canadian Rangers, graduates of the Indigenous Summer Entry Program, and members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Their families—spouses and children—may also be eligible for support.

Support Is Available

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) offers a wide range of services and benefits to support the health and well-being of Veterans and their families. These include:

• Tax-free disability benefits for physical and mental health conditions
• Assistance with transitioning to civilian life
• Support for home care and daily living
• Vocational rehabilitation and training
• Emergency financial assistance for housing, food, and other essentials

Visit: http://www.veterans.gc.ca
Call: 1-866-522-2122 (English) | 1-866-522-2022 (Français)
TTY: 1-833-921-0071

Supporting Indigenous Veterans

VAC is committed to recognizing and supporting Indigenous Veterans through the Indigenous Veterans Engagement Team (IVET). This team works closely with Indigenous communities and partners to ensure culturally informed outreach and coordination of services.Contact IVET: IVET-EMVA@veterans.gc.ca

Mental Health Support Is Just a Call Away

If you or someone you know is a Veteran or a family member struggling with mental health challenges—whether related to service or life after—it’s okay to ask for help. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The VAC Assistance Service offers free, confidential, and immediate support for Veterans and their families. This includes crisis counselling and referrals to local mental health professionals.

VAC Assistance Line: 1-800-268-7708
TTY: 1-800-567-5803

You don’t need to go through it alone. Help is here. Healing is possible.

Lee-Ann Lavoie
Senior Operations Advisor
Indigenous Veterans Engagement Team
Veterans Affairs Canada
Lee-ann.lavoie@veterans.gc.ca
604-787-5771

Lighting Up the Pender Christmas Tree

(Sung to the tune of ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’)

“God rest ye merry Penderites

Please join us if you can. 

To light up the big Christmas tree that shines on all the land….

We’re joined by Matthew on guitar and the Highlanders Band

At 5 pm on Saturday, December the 5th, December the 5th

On Bridges Road, it’s something not to miss.”

Susan Vasilev, Friends of Stanley Point/Port Washington

A Ghost Story For Christmas

Winter’s Wake Returns to Pender for Second Year

Esmé leaned over towards me. “They are telling ghost stories.” “Yes,” said Will, his voice unsteady with both excitement and laughter. “Just the thing for Christmas Eve. It’s an ancient tradition!”
– Susan Hill, The Woman in Black (1983)

Many attribute the Christmas ghost story to the popularity of Charles Dickens’ 1843 classic A Christmas Carol, but the fact is Dickens was tapping into an already popular tradition of winters’ tales – scary stories told aloud ‘round the fire in the dark months – a tradition that predates A Christmas Carol by at least 400 years that we know of (A Christmas Carol did however have a role in popularizing Christmas itself!) 

The tradition was carried further by 19th century writers such as E.F. Benson, Edith Wharton, A.M. Burrage, and Wilkie Collins, but perhaps the most prolific writer of the Christmas ghost story – and the most adapted for radio and television – was M.R. James (1862-1936). And here’s the most curious aspect of the Christmas ghost story tradition, which has likely contributed to its obscurity in North America: the stories rarely have anything to do with Christmas. 

The fact that they were written to be read (often aloud) during the holiday is what makes them Christmas ghost stories. 

The Christmas ghost story does have a precedent in North America (including some terrific tales from our own Robertson Davies), but the tradition was an import from the UK and never took a deep foothold here. Instead, North America seized upon Halloween as the spooky season. 

In my lifetime, however, I’ve seen a transatlantic swap occur, where the UK has embraced our tradition of ‘trick ‘r treating’ while North America was treated to its first official encounter with the BBC’s seminal 1970s series A Ghost Story For Christmas over the last few years, and by extension, its more recent incarnation headed up by actor and television showrunner Mark Gatiss (The  League of Gentlemen, Sherlock).

I’ve also personally had a role in revitalizing the seasonal ghost story in North America, through various publications (Yuletide Terror, 2017) as well as my series The Haunted Season, which debuts a new spectral short film on horror streaming service Shudder every winter. But the fact is, this taste of British seasonal horror has roused a fervent fascination among North Americans toward this heretofore obscure tradition. Enter Pender Island’s own ghost story festival: Winter’s Wake.

A partnership between Tammy and Matt Adolf of Kraken Underground and (yours truly) Kier-La Janisse of Spectacular Optical Media, Winter’s Wake celebrated its inaugural year in 2025 with a night of classic ghost stories read by local community members (with some showstopping panache, I might add!), followed by a screening of The Occupant Of The Room based on the 1909 short story by honorary Canadian Algernon Blackwood. 

It was a truly unique and memorable event, and this year, Winter’s Wake is expanding to three events over three days, starting with a film premiere at the Community Hall followed by a seasonal folk charm and ornaments workshop and culminating in our flagship gathering of oral ghost storytelling by candlelight in Port Browning’s intimate Bistro space.

Stay tuned for the launch of our new website containing the full lineup, participants, schedule, and ticket links in early November. Until then, stay warm around the fire because we promise to chill those bones come Solstice weekend!

Kier-La Janisse

Join Us on a Pender Staycation

The Otter Bay ferry berth will be closing, but Pender will be open!

Come Together to Celebrate 

From Friday, November 20, through Tuesday, November 24, local businesses and organizations are putting on something special for us Penderites. Unique menus, pop-up dinners, themed events, limited-time offers, fundraisers, workshops, and activities are in the works across North and South Pender promising a fun-filled Pender Staycation.

Stamp Around Pender to Win

All islanders and guests are invited to visit participating members and collect ink stamps in their Pender Passport for a chance to win a generous assortment of raffle prizes valued at over $1000. Passports will be mailed island-wide, available at participating locations, and included in this issue of The Pender Post. Use the QR code to print your own.

Our sponsors include the CRD and BC Ferries, whose support helps make this community-wide initiative possible, ensuring Penderites have lots to do together during the closure. These sponsorships also recognize the impact the temporary closure will have on islanders and businesses facing a dip in visitor spending, while necessary work is carried out on infrastructure that keeps us connected to other islands and the mainland year-round.

Visit penderstaycation.ca for a growing list of raffle prizes, participating members, offers and our official event schedule. Look for our event page on Facebook and posters on community bulletin boards.

We can’t wait to celebrate together and share all that makes SDÁ,YES (Pender Island) such a special place.

Staycation Team
Pender Island Chamber of Commerce
penderstaycation.ca 

In Appreciation

Celebrating the Life of Marjie Gilpen Levien

A celebration of life will be held for Marjie Gilpen Levien on Saturday, November 14, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at 2799 Schooner Way.  

Please bring appetizers to share. Please also reply to yukon_gloria@shaw.ca to confirm your attendance.

Gloria Hockley

Features

Spotlight: Pender Island Public Library

Each month, The Pender Post shines a spotlight on one of the clubs, groups and societies that make our island community so special. This month, read all about the Pender Island Public Library through the Q&A submitted by Chairperson Sarah Stacey. 

What is your group about, and what do you do?

The Pender Island Public Library welcomes over 15,000 visits each year and 50% of residents have a library card. We are a vibrant community hub providing access to literature, digital resources, and a variety of educational and fun programs for adults and youth.

When did it get started, and what sparked it?

The Pender Island Public Library was first started in 1973.  Back then it was known as “the Pender Lender” and operated from the back of a church. Today we have a beautiful modern and accessible building thanks to the generosity of local donors.  

How often do you get together, and typically when? Can new members join any time?

We are currently looking for new trustees! Their two-year term would begin March 2027. We are a governing board, so no hands-on tasks are required. But we do need people who can help oversee the financial well-being of the library, to set strategic priorities, and build community partnerships.

Trustees ensure financial oversight, health, safety and accessibility compliance, fund and donor development, review policies, and engage in Board training. The Library Board meets ten times a year. 

What gets your members most excited in your meetings?

As a newer member of the Pender Island community, the highlight of serving as a trustee has been that I have become friends with so many creative, insightful and generous people who appreciate that we have a lovely library right down the road.  

Do you run any community events or initiate special projects?

The Pender Island Public Library staff deliver all kinds of exciting events, from graphic novel camps for students to author readings. They also work with Ptarmigan Arts to showcase artwork by island artists.  Our most popular event is our Kids’ Summer Reading Club which welcomes kids to keep up their reading skills over the summer months, with free activities, fun stickers, book prizes and a reading medal.

What’s in the future for your organization?

Next year is the library’s 50th birthday! We are planning some exciting activities to celebrate during Summer 2027. Our goal as trustees is to build a future for our library so that Pender will always have access to high-quality library services that meet the needs of the community.

How can people get in touch with you?

To apply to become a library trustee, please contact Library Director Carmen Oleskevich at 250-629-3722, visit the Library website (see About Us – Volunteering), or stop by Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday during library opening hours for more information.

Pender Post Past

November 1976: Local Elections, Remembrance Day, 4-day Ferry Closure, and a New School

The Pender Post was celebrating its fifth year in publication in 1976. The November edition was fourteen mimeographed pages, including seven pages of advertising. All had been set on a typewriter (without errors!) and duplicated on a Gestetner machine. Valiant efforts had been made to create some layout style for the advertisements, including hand drawing. 

In 1976, Local Government Elections were held on Saturday, November 20th – a month later than is the case in 2026. Just as in last month’s current Pender Post, candidate bios were featured. It does look as if North and South Islands Trustees, and the School District #64 Trustee were all acclaimed. There is no bio for CRD Director, though Jim Campbell of Saturna was appointed, as usual.  

Interestingly, there was a four-day ferry service closure for terminal maintenance in late November. Cliff Harrison wrote a tongue-in-cheek report, Marooned on the Penders for Four Days and Nights about all the hardships people and animals endured. But apparently the mail got through despite heavy fog, courtesy of a private boat and the good offices of the postmaster. And the world did not come to an end though the day-and-night ‘thump, thump’ of the pile driver was onerous. Reportedly, the next-door Symes family moved out to their boat. 

The month’s big announcement was the finalization of the Joint Use Agreement for the planned new elementary school. It was grandly titled “The Penders Community Complex”. In the 20-year agreement with the Department of Education, the community shouldered some of the costs for the new facility, which enabled a gym to be built. In return, the community got use of the gym, kitchen, and an Activity Room. A far-seeing and ambitious win-win community initiative. (The previous school was the old building, erected in 1910, in which the Nu-to-Yu is currently housed). 

The Pender Island Agricultural and Recreational Hall Association, led by Gordon Wallace, had negotiated the joint use deal. A public meeting to explain the plan in detail was announced. 

‘Square Dancing for Beginners’ was to be held every Thursday, 8 pm at the old Port Washington Hall, also built in 1910. But not for long, since in the next year, 1977, the Port Washington Hall was demolished. The Joint Use Agreement expired in 1996 and the community had to wait another four years for a Community Hall till the current Community Hall was completed in 2000.

The ‘Pender Lender’ announced it was extending hours; to include one hour on two Saturdays each month. In those days, the library – started by gardener supreme Margery Bailey – was located first in a back room of Pender Island Community Church and then in the Old School portable; the building that is now the Daycare Centre. (The current library was completed in 1991.) The Pender Lender also announced that its collection had reached 3,000 books.

The Farmers Institute reported that Pender Island sheep won blue ribbons against big-timers from Salt Spring, Cobble Hill, and Duncan at the Salt Spring Fall Fair. 

The Advisory Planning Commission announced that work was underway to create North Pender’s first Land Use Bylaw, which had been a long time coming.

The Remembrance Day Ceremony was held at the Legion’s cenotaph as is customary. In quite the jolly change of mood, it was followed in the evening by “The Fireman’s Ball”. The Legion announced that its new driveway, now entirely situated on its property, was completed. The Legion was a big community social centre in those days; Chess Club, Silver Threads, and Pender Potters were among clubs which held their meetings there that month. The Ladies’ Auxiliary held a Bazaar and Tea at the Legion on Saturday, November 27. 

Lions Club was starting its Christmas season drive for CARE Tree donations. Originated by the Pearson family, Penders’ unique CARE Tree is the lighted fir tree above Port Washington, visible from east-bound ferries. The Lions had recently taken over the project and in the previous year had raised $8,455, despite a postal strike. (Area banks had set up collection points for donations.) That money had been contributed to food aid for victims of the 7.6 magnitude Guatemalan earthquake.

The Art Club had asked for good community support for its move to have a University of Victoria instructor come and give art classes on the island. 

Tune in for Christmas fun next month.

Christa Grace-Warrick, Director-At-Large
The Pender Post Society

Hummingbird Hollow B&B

Tales of a Charmed Life (2008)

More than a dozen homes hosted tourists and visitors during the bed and breakfast heydays of the 1990s, including Doreen Ball and Chuck Harris – who ran the Hummingbird Hollow B&B from 1990 – 2015. This is the 15th installment of Doreen’s “Tales of a Charmed Life” series, published posthumously. 

One of the year’s most interesting guests was a fellow from Colorado who arrived on his Harley Davidson.  Here for a wedding, he stayed for a week. Brand was as charming as he was handsome and his lifestyle seemed to fit his name. He worked on the oil rigs in Angola for several months at a time and then returned to his dog and horses on his ranch in the mountains. He preferred to take the road less travelled and after leaving Pender, he was going to take the Duffy Lake Road through to Lillooet and then go to Banff.

In July we got a B&B call from a Richmond couple. Chuck recognized the names. Brenda and Rollie had been Chuck’s students at McRoberts School in the early ‘70s. They were on Pender to have a break and to go geocaching. The two islands had eleven or twelve geocaches at that time.

When they left, Brenda took a photo of Chuck and Rollie to show their siblings at home. Then Rollie reminded Chuck of an April Fool’s prank his class had played on him. Chuck had a habit of sitting on the corner of his desk with his foot on the waste paper basket. Every once in a while he would squish the paper down when the basket filled up. This particular day, the mischievous kids filled the basket with water then floated enough scrunched up paper on the top so the water wasn’t visible — and then they waited. It wasn’t long before Mr. Harris had a wet foot.

This was the first year that an American bull frog was found in Buck Lake. Several of the people living around the lake tried to find and kill the frog, but after many foiled attempts, one weekender and his 12-year-old son went out at night, then located and shot the bull frog with a pellet gun.

Doreen Ball

Representatives

Saanich-Gulf Islands MP

Saanich-Gulf Islands Constituency Office Has Moved

The constituency office of Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands on the territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation, has moved.

The office has moved to 111-2506 Beacon Ave, in Sidney, BC, after being in its previous location on Sidney’s Fourth Street for the past 15 years.

“The new office will make it easier for residents to connect with me and my team and access the support you need. We look forward to welcoming residents to our new location,” May said in a release.

The larger space is located on the first floor of the Landmark Building, in a higher-traffic area of the town, with improved accessibility and access to parking, and will allow the Member of Parliament’s team to offer free meeting space for groups to gather as needed.

Constituents can attend this new location for help accessing federal services such as immigration and passport support, CPP and Old Age Security, Veterans Affairs, employment insurance, and federal revenue matters.

The office contact information remains unchanged:

Office hours: Tuesday-Friday from 10 am – 4 pm

Tel: 250-657-2000 / 1-800-667-9188 (Gulf Islands) Fax: 250-657-2004 

Elizabeth May
MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands
Elizabeth.May.C1@parl.gc.ca
elizabethmaymp.ca

Southern Gulf Islands CRD

Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area Director

Hey Pender! It’s Rob Fawcett here. I am excited to be your incoming CRD Director for the Southern Gulf Islands (SGI). I am really looking forward to continuing to work on important Pender Island projects! I plan to hold regular office hours.

Come visit me  Tuesday 1-4pm at the CRD Office in Driftwood.

 Here’s a little blurb about me:

‘Rob Fawcett is a community builder, entrepreneur, and advocate for healthy, connected communities. His background combines business, adventure, and a strong commitment to community service.

‘An avid cyclist, Rob once rode his bicycle around the world—an experience that deepened his appreciation for people, places, and the importance of connection. Today, he brings that perspective to his community work on the Southern Gulf Islands.

‘Rob is particularly passionate about trails and active transportation. He has worked with local organizations, volunteers, contractors, property owners and community members to create safer and more enjoyable ways to walk, cycle, and move around the islands. He believes trails do more than connect places—they support health, accessibility, social connection, and stronger communities.

‘As CRD Director for the Southern Gulf Islands, he looks forward to continuing to listen, learn, and work with the Pender Island community to support the issues that matter locally.’

Rob Fawcett
Electoral Area Director
rfawcett@crd.bc.ca
crd.bc.ca/southerngulf
778-677-4733

Islands Trust

Islands Trust Council and Local Committees Set First Meetings

The newly-formed Islands Trust Council (ITC) will hold its first meeting this month after new members of the 26-seat committee were selected in the 2026 Local General Elections in October.

The ITC includes two representatives from municipalities located within the Coast Salish territory, as well as 24 island representatives, including Brenna Mongeon and Niall Parker from North Pender, and John Kuharchuk and Ben McConchie from South Pender.

The new council will be officially sworn into office on November 12. 

The ITC has announced it will hold its first general meeting on Friday, November 13 from 9 am to 5:30 pm, at the Victoria Coast Hotel and Marina, which can also be attended by the public online. 

https://islandstrust.bc.ca/event/trust-council-quarterly-meeting-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-3-2-2/

Among the first tasks to be tackled by the new Islands Trust Council will be electing an executive committee and filling the Islands Trust Conservancy Board. 

The first meeting of the executive council will follow on Saturday, November 14, from 9 am to 2:30 pm. It will consider appointments of committee chairs for each local Trust district.

The Islands Trust is a special-purpose government tasked with preserving and protecting over 450 islands and their surrounding waters, and represents over 30,000 residents and 10,000 non-resident property owners. 

North Pender’s Local Trust Council is set to have its first meeting on Friday, November 20, at 10 am, while South Pender’s first Local Trust Council meeting will be held on Friday, November 27, at 11:30 am. 

Both meetings will be held at 200-1627 Fort Street in Victoria, and will be accessible by locals online. Check IslandsTrust.bc.ca for details and links to attend meetings virtually.

The Pender Post

Arts and Entertainment

Pender Island Art Society

IMG_8998.jpeg IMG_8947.jpeg

%%The creation of art, in progress. Autumn Fall, acrylic (left) and Seascape, watercolour (right). Photos courtesy of PIAS.%%

We have held two art sessions since the October issue. One session was held on September 24 and the second was held on October 4. We will also have held an art session on October 22.

The September 24 art session was on acrylic painting where we followed a Joni Young YouTube video on painting an Autumn Falls scene. The new TV screen in the hall allowed us to project the video to the group. Christine Elgert facilitated this session by providing guidance with the colour mixing and brush strokes for the painting.

The October 4 session was watercolour painting of landscapes and seascapes. Laura Vilness was the facilitator and provided examples and tips for painting nature scenery with watercolour paints.

There is a significant difference between painting with acrylics and watercolours.The greatest difference is the approach. With watercolour paints, the artist starts with lighter washes and successively adds darker colours to build the scene. It involves a thoughtful analysis of the layers of washes and details. With acrylic paints, the artist typically starts with a darker underpainting and adds the lighter colours to build detail. It is a more forgiving medium in that errors and less desirable details can be painted over.

On October 22, we held a charcoal drawing session with Annie Smith. Annie always provides an engaging activity where we employ and build our drawing skills. A summary of the session will be provided in the November issue.

We are busy preparing for the PIAS Autumn Art Show (Nov. 28 & 29, Community Hall) where we feature and sell artwork (including paintings, prints, and cards) of our members.

 

Upcoming art sessions and events:

Thursday, November 12, 1-4 pm, Community Hall – Seasonal cards in any medium

Thursday, December 10, 1-4 pm, Community Hall – Christmas Gathering and Art Activity

Drops-in to art sessions welcome, $5.00 drop-in fee

 

Inquiries about membership and PIAS activities, contact penderislandart@gmail.com

Art is our one true global language….It speaks to our need to reveal, heal and transform.

Richard Kamler, Artist and Activist

Laura Vilness
penderislandart@gmail.com
penderislandarts.org

Ptarmigan Arts

The 11th annual Pender Island Short Film Fest is here! In addition to the film screenings, we are excited to have a Filmmaker Forum the Sunday after the event. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask industry professionals questions and hear about their experiences in filmmaking. Speaking of filmmaking, we also had a great time at the screening of Paying For It this past month! The film was followed by an insightful Q&A with director Sook-Yin Lee, composer Dylan Gamble, and supporting actor Becky Johnson. Thank you to everyone who joined us during this special evening.

We’re in the production phase of our 2027 Pender Islands Art Guide. With over 10,000 copies distributed around the Penders, BC Ferries routes and Tsawwassen Quay, this is a great opportunity to give your artistry, studio, or business more exposure. Head to ptarmiganarts.org for more information.

Ripley Stafford, Communications Director
info@ptarmiganarts.org
ptarmiganarts.org
Instagram: @ptarmiganarts
Facebook: Ptarmigan Arts

Program Listings

Music, Memories & the Stories We Carry

Monday, November 2, 12:45 pm
Pender Community Hall

Music can bring us back to a person, a place, or a moment we thought we had forgotten. In Music, Memory and the Stories We Carry, author, speaker, and professional pianist R. Michael Langley combines familiar melodies with personal stories about belonging, first impressions, and the difference between being noticed and being understood. This 90-minute session will include approximately 30 minutes of personal storytelling and reflection, a brief opportunity for questions, and piano music throughout the remainder. Michael’s repertoire includes standards, show tunes, and familiar ballads, played with a warm, expressive touch. The stories and music invite reflection on the experiences we carry and the people behind them. This is a relaxed gathering for engaging seniors and their friends in our community. Participants are welcome to share a memory or a response, or are equally welcome to simply listen and enjoy. This is a free event held at the Community Hall, and everyone is welcome.

Photography Workshop with Joe Kashi

Wednesday, November 4, 1 pm
Pender Public Library

Ptarmigan is proud to sponsor Art in the Library’s photo workshop with Joe Kashi. This workshop is open to all levels of experience. Participants are encouraged to bring 2-4 printed images. Discussions will focus on thoughts and practices about making art with a camera. The workshop is free of cost, and no technical knowledge is needed. 

Pender Island Short Film Festival – Screenings and Filmmakers Forum

Saturday, November 14, 7 pm
Sunday, November 15, 9:30 pm
Pender Community Hall

You’re invited to join us for the screening of our 11th annual Pender Island Short Film Festival happening on Saturday, November 14. The submission deadline has been extended until November 1. 

Every year we look forward to an evening of diverse short films spanning different genres from filmmakers of all ages, abilities, and locations. We will get to see films from new creators to professionally produced, award-winning short films and everything in between. Join us at the Community Hall at 6:15pm for a concession and red carpet before we see these films on the big screen at 7pm. New this year, we are happy to announce a special Filmmakers Forum with Q&A on Sunday. Come and join local industry professionals as they share their experiences and open the floor to audience discussion. Tea and coffee will be served by donation. Film Screenings are $20, $10 for youth ages 13-18, free for ages 12 + under, and the Filmmaker Forum is free for everyone. 

2027 Pender Islands Art Guide – Registration deadline

Sunday, November 15, 11:59 pm
ptarmiganarts.org

We are putting together the 2027 Pender Islands Art Guide, an annual guide featuring local artists and studios, upcoming events, and local businesses! The Art Guide is distributed on BC Ferries Gulf Islands routes, Victoria to Vancouver route, and Tsawwassen Quay Market, as well as locally at hotels, marinas, businesses, and the Pender Chamber of Commerce info centre. Artists who are general or artist members of Ptarmigan Arts are welcome to be part of the 2027 Art Guide, which is $135 and includes a map listing with an image and description of each artist/studio. There are also other advertising opportunities for studios and businesses with pricing dependent on ad size; please visit our website for more information. The deadline to register is November 15, 2026.

Pender Island Concert Society Presents: Penderecki String Quartet 

Tuesday, November 24, 7 pm
Pender Community Hall, 4418 Bedwell Harbour Road

The Pender Island Concert Society is proud to present the Penderecki String Quartet on their 40th Anniversary Tour.

Originally formed in Poland in 1986, the ensemble is now based in Waterloo, Ontario, where they have been Quartet-in-Residence at Wilfrid Laurier University since 1991. With current members originating from Poland, Canada, and USA, the Penderecki String Quartet has become one of the most celebrated chamber ensembles of their generation, and their extensive repertoire balances classical standards with the music of our time. This concert is generously underwritten by Ann Coombs. The Concert Society’s 26/27 season is also supported by the Pender Island Legion, the Pender Island Pharmacy, Ptarmigan Arts, and a grant from the BC Live Performance Network. Tickets cost $30/adult and the evening is free for ages 19 and under. 

Potters Meetup

Thursday, November 26, 7 pm
Pender Community Hall

The Potters Meetup returns this fall! This is a monthly gathering for both experienced and aspiring potters to share, learn, and talk pottery. Each month there is a new topic chosen by the group. Past meetings have included a supplies sale/exchange, a works show and tell, and a handbuilding session. All experience levels are welcome. Potters wishing to participate should arrive with a surface to work on, clay, and some basic tools. However, folks are also welcome to come just to learn and chat as well. Folks who have questions or want to get on the Meetup Mailing List (to hear about upcoming events and stay in the loop) are welcome to send messages to mudwarebyadrienne@gmail.com. 

Weekly Community Gatherings

Fridays, 12-1 pm
Pender Community Hall

On November 6, Isobel Lopatecki will be exploring thought and energy in haunting soundscapes, tumbling progressions, glittering melodies, and poetry. Comfort and discomfort, peace and power – contrast makes light of meaning. On November 13, Angelica Taekema will be performing a solo set of vintage and contemporary pop and country classics … with a few covers thrown in. 

The Wilding Women take the stage on November 20, playing mostly their own songs, stories, and lessons learned from life put to music (mainly guitar and ukulele) and embellished with vocal harmonies. Sarah Smith joins us on November 27 – she has been creating and performing original music for most of her life and loves sharing music and light with all she meets. 

Join us for live music and fresh soup. This long-standing community program is a partnership between the Community Hall, Ptarmigan Arts and the SGI Neighbourhood House. 

All tickets and program registrations are available at ptarmiganarts.org. For assistance, please contact info@ptarmiganarts.org. You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook at @ptarmiganartsbc and Ptarmigan Arts.

PIJazz

Whee! We have new music, new members, and new enthusiasm. The band is sounding excellent and is grooving towards being performance-ready. Stay tuned!

We’re always open to new members as we start our Fall season: You know who you are. Give us a holler at brycewoollcombe@gmail.com with any questions. Keep up-to-date at http://www.ptarmiganarts.org/programs. We hope to see you soon.

Musical Musings: Lost Along The Way?

Ok, I lose things. And I find them. For instance, I lost an air compressor about six months ago, and found it yesterday, new in the box. It seems I’m suited for a minimalist life, yet I have a maximalist’s kipple filling all the corners. The snazzy diesel heater project was behind the double bass, the 200-year-old flute was under the sewing box. Dunno where the bass clarinet went, 30 years ago.

I was reminded today of all the musical groups I’ve been in or led, and I miss many of them. The Macedonian/Klezmer band. The Renaissance Christmas crew. The tuba ensemble. Choirs, jams, and musical theatre troupes. School bands that were amazing and will never exist again, because some of those students are grandparents now. Yikes.

I don’t direct choirs or pit orchestras anymore, and it’s taken a hot minute for me to be able to miss those things without being jealous of the past.

Music itself will never get lost. Love can’t be forgotten in a box or accidentally tossed out with the recycling. The music that we cultivate in ourselves naturalizes and pollinates and continues through seasons and droughts and floods and ice. It is indefatigable. No matter where life turns, the essence of music remains inside, even if it’s a past season’s seeds ready to grow anew.

But I do miss that bass clarinet.

Cheers

Bryce Woollcombe, BMus, MCFSM
Music Director

Editor’s Note: We had a lovely conversation about the word “kipple” during The Pender Post’s editorial board meeting this month. The word originated in Philip K. Dick’s 1968 sci-fi novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, and means the general clutter and disorder that collects through modern, domestic life.

Solstice Theatre Society

The Calling Headlines Staycation Weekend, Nov. 19-22

It’s almost time for Solstice Theatre’s fall production of The Calling! We all look forward to welcoming you out to see the show on November 19 through 22 at the Community Hall.

The Calling is the story of baseball player Randall Griffin as he chases his dreams, while fielding love and loss along the way. This three-act play is set in Ontario, Michigan, and coastal BC, and is written by Pender’s Ethan Smith.

The Calling is directed by Kitra Jeanne (they/them), an acting Graduate from the Studio 58 conservatory program at Langara College in Vancouver. Over the years since graduating they’ve enjoyed working on the stage and behind the scenes, being fortunate to gain experience in direction, stage management and artistic management. Kitra is thrilled to now be part of Pender Island’s amazing community of artists. “What a joyful island full of inspiration and creative souls!”

And the show’s production designer and technical director is Victoria Bell (she/they); another Studio 58 graduate, who has worked professionally as a lighting and sound designer, served as tech director for the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre and Chutzpah Festival, and has been able to develop a national reputation of excellence for her work in theatre and contemporary dance productions. We are very blessed to be able to welcome both Kitra and Victoria to Pender Island and into the Solstice Theatre community.

November 19, 20, and 21 will be evening shows for The Calling, with a matinee to cap off the play run on Sunday, November 22. Tickets are now available at Talisman Books & Gallery, or online at http://www.solsticetheatresociety.org.

As an important reminder, BC Ferries have set their berth renovation closure dates right across the weekend of our production, which could make it challenging for off-islanders to attend, unless they try out the water taxi service provided. But the play will also give everyone here a great source of entertainment while they can’t otherwise leave the island!

If you’re interested in getting involved with Solstice by volunteering before or during the play run, please contact taniahonansmith@gmail.com

Ethan Smith
Director, The Calling

It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Production

Solstice Theatre is also excited to announce a new production in conjunction with Pender Radio of It’s a Wonderful Life. Mark your calendars: this fabulous production will stream in three one-hour installments on PenderRadio.ca. December 21, 22 and 23rd:

• Monday, December 21, 2026, from 5-6 pm
• Tuesday, December 22, 2026, from 5-6 pm
• Wednesday, December 23, 2026, from 5-6 pm

This live on air production is directed by Barb Pender and features foley art by Howard Southwell, and the silky smooth voices of Barb Pender, Evan Llewellyn, Sean Clazie, and John and Melody Pender.  COVID interrupted the previous two attempts to stage this wonderful and entertaining radio play so the third one is the lucky one. Don’t miss it.

Sean Clazie
pendersolstice@gmail.com
solsticetheatresociety.org

Pender Island Community Choir Society

“Bah, Humbug”, the famous line in Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, has been uttered in many forms from stage plays and operas to hundreds of adaptations in movies and TV since its publication in 1843.

But this December, you won’t need your TVs, iphones, or computers, as your Pender Community Choir brings you a special “radio” performance of this great work. Started in 1990 and broadcast annually since then by the CBC, you will be entranced chapter by chapter, as we take you through the tale, interspersed with specially chosen seasonal choral arrangements.

Also, traditionally these performances raised funds for charities, and in keeping with that, we will be supporting our Pender Health Care Society. Proceeds from ticket sales, a 50/50 draw, and concessions will help with ongoing projects.

Under the careful eye and ear of our director, Bev Barradell, we are putting the final touches on our performance pieces. It promises to be a wonderful way to get you into the Christmas spirit.

Performances at the Community Hall are on December 11 and December 12 at 7 pm, and December 13 at 2 pm. Tickets will be available at Talisman Books from November 27.

Dana McConchie
penderchoir@gmail.com
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 6-8 pm, Pender School

The Pender Highlanders 

The band started October by performing at the Saturday Market plus The Crisp on October 3. We were happy to add some Scottish bling to the start of the festival. Celtic music and a lovely fall day, what could be better?  Piper Jack Martin was at the festival later performing solos at the evening music performances.

Congratulations again to Jack, 2026 winner of the William Ross Challenge Targe MSR Competition at the 43rd Nicol-Brown Amateur Invitational Piping Competition in October in Rockville, Maryland. Jack was also the runner up in two other competitions there!

The Highlanders hold weekly practices and we will be practicing during this month for the parade at the Legion for Remembrance Day on Wednesday, November 11. This is a special day for Pender when so many come out to pay their respects.

We are very grateful for the generosity of the Pender Islands Farmers’ Institute who made a recent donation to The Pender Highlanders. It is very much appreciated.

November Tidbit: Sporrans

No doubt you have seen the pipe band wearing our sporrans on the front of our kilts. These little furry “front-packs” have been worn by kilted soldiers since the 12th century.  They were necessary for carrying critical items such as ammunition and oatmeal. 

Although they were traditionally worn by men, the Highlanders are equal opportunity.  And very handy it is too for lipstick, blush, etc. Interestingly, the name is from the Gaelic word for “purse.”  (Caution prevailed and I did not research the sporran contents of the 21st century male, but I think we can exclude the oatmeal.)

Sporrans are a huge subject and much more information is available online about the many different designs, materials, classifications and history for those interested!

Veronica Cross
veronicae4608@gmail.com

Pender Island Concert Society

This month brings the start of our 26/27 season, and we’re very excited to open it with the 40th Anniversary Tour of the Penderecki String Quartet. Having seen them perform before, I can wholeheartedly recommend that you come to this concert. 

They’re incredibly skilled performers who play seamlessly together as an ensemble, plus they’re engaging and personable with the audience. Their program includes Beethoven, Dvořák, and a new work by Don Thompson. If you’ve never seen a string quartet perform live before, this would be a great first experience!

The concert will take place at the Community Hall on Tuesday, November 24, at 7 pm. Tickets are $30 for adults and free for youth under 19. 

Thank you so much to Ann Coombs for generously underwriting this concert. Our season is also supported by the Pender Island Legion, the Pender Island Pharmacy, Ptarmigan Arts, and a grant from the BC Live Performance Network.

Please note that advance single tickets are available exclusively online through Ptarmigan Arts. You can purchase tickets at the door by cash or e-transfer, and we hope to also have card transactions set up by the time this concert rolls around.

If you haven’t purchased tickets through Ptarmigan before, we recommend you give it a try. It’s quick and easy, and you don’t have to remember to bring your ticket, because we’ll have your name on a list at the door.

We’ll also continue donating some tickets for each of our concerts to the Food Bank. We tried this out last year and heard that it was a popular initiative, so if you’re a Food Bank user, keep an eye out for our tickets. 

If you’ve purchased a season subscription, your tickets will be available to pick up at the November 24 concert. No problem if you can’t make this one; we’ll hold onto your tickets until the first concert you do attend. 

If you don’t have a subscription yet, it’s not too late to get one! $100 gets you 4 tickets, which is a $5 discount per show, and they’re flexible tickets that you can apply to any of our concerts this season. The other three shows are: pianist Sarah Hagen on Saturday January 23, Mi’kmaq fiddler Morgan Toney on Sunday March 7, and Persian santur player Farhad Khosravi on Tuesday April 13. See our Pender Post articles over the past few months for more details on those shows.

Subscriptions are the best way to support our ongoing activities, and we’re so grateful for our wonderful community of concertgoers that keeps this Concert Society afloat. Artists who come here frequently comment on what a warm and appreciative audience we have and what a joy is to perform for you all.

Although 2027/28 feels very far away, this is the time of year that we start booking artists for next season. We’ve already confirmed the Canadian Guitar Quartet and are currently in conversation with the Eagle Peak Trio (horn, violin, piano). We’re also hoping to book a show called Scandal & Genius in Paris, which is a concert about French Impressionism that mixes storytelling, projections, and music.

We look forward to seeing you at our concerts this season!

Ben Litzcke, Chair
penderislandconcertsociety@gmail.com

Community 

Royal Canadian Legion

November 11 is always a special day, but this year we celebrate not only our veterans but the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion.

As most of you know, the Legion was created as an organization that provided a place for Canadian veterans to gather and receive emotional and financial assistance for themselves and their families and especially the widows of servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. In the ensuing years, through the Second World War, Korean War and numerous peacekeeping missions this mandate to serve our veterans has continued unabated now for 100 years.

The Legion will always be a place where members of our armed forces can find a safe haven and aid when times are tough, but in the last few years we have become so much more for our community. Over the last 20 years we have seen the leadership of many Legions, ours included, pass from veterans of foreign wars to the sons and daughters of veterans or just men and women who can still see the importance of maintaining a society that honours the past but supports the present in so many ways.

As I write this, I have just returned from the Legion after lowering the flag to half-mast in honour of the fallen soldiers from the Canadian Armed Forces base in Wainwright, Alberta. As of The Pender Post deadline, there have been four fatalities with many more seriously injured in the worst peacetime tragedy in Canadian Forces history. 

These were young Canadians training to be on guard for thee at a time when the threat to our national unity was never more relevant – from forces within and without our country. These young soldiers didn’t expect to die on a training exercise, but when you are on the front line of our country’s defenses these tragedies can be another intangible of your occupation. A soldier’s lot can be one of highs and incredible lows – it has been thus throughout history. 

In so many wars you have seen soldiers grasping as much as they can from life, because tomorrow they may die. Hopefully we never return to that scenario in Canada, although it is currently being played out on other parts of our planet. This Remembrance Day please take a moment to remember all veterans who gave their lives to keep Canada free and one proud nation from sea to shining sea – including those young Canadians who lost their lives in Alberta.

Speaking of good lives lost, I attended the funeral of another proud Canadian the other day. Michael Butler was a long-time Legionnaire and a whole lot more. In his quiet unassuming way Lieutenant-Colonel Butler carved out a remarkable career in the framework of Canada. In his 25-plus year career with the Federal Government, he played vital roles in numerous decisions that helped shape our political way of life. He was a confidant of both Lester Pearson and Pierre Elliott Trudeau. 

After government he was a consultant to a multitude of Canadian corporations including the Assembly of First Nations, Pacific Shipyards, International Mining Corporations, the Anglican Church, and many more. He also planned, negotiated and implemented the construction of the Confederation Bridge between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.  

In addition to all of this he still managed to find time to be Aide-de-camp to the Governor General from 1977 to 1980. In life I only knew Michael on the periphery – as it is with so many, we never really know the inner person until it is too late. Now the ashes of a man who dedicated his life to the betterment of Canada lie in our cemetery. Soon, another white cross will mark his place as he joins his fellow veterans that we will honour this November. Michael was 90 years of age.

Don’t forget we will be gathering at the Legion on November 11 to honour our veterans. The parade to the Cenotaph begins at 10:45 am. Following the laying of wreaths we will gather inside for a short ceremony, sandwiches and a toast to those who never came home but live in the hearts of all proud Canadians. Be sure to drop by the cemetery for the candlelight service on November 10th. 

The ceremony with all the children of Pender, Mayne and Saturna gathering to place candles and read poems begins at 1 pm. The actual lighting of the candles happens at dusk.

Meat draws happen every Saturday at 4 pm. This month Bingo will be on November 14, and a special bingo day is on the 21st as part of the Pender Island Chamber of Commerce Staycation program while the ferry terminal is closed (November 20-24).  On both dates things get going at 12:45.

Unfortunately, the dinner for November 6 has been cancelled, but we will once again be doing our very popular Chinese food dinner on November 20, with Barb and Daunne serving up Asian delights for all. There will also be music by Shelley Robinson.

The General Meeting is 2 pm on Saturday, November 28.

Finally, I was listening to The Debaters program on CBC Radio the other day and they were arguing in their usual comedic manner the pluses and minuses of the Royal Canadian Legion. It was good fun and not too serious but the lady extolling our virtues ended with the statement “Come for the Meat Draw and stay for the Love” which I think rings very true, especially here on Pender.  Hoping to see you on the 11th. 

John Pender, President
branch239.rcl@gmail.com
http://www.penderislandrcl239.com

Pender Youth Wins BC Legion Writing Contest

Aleythia Rensen Provincial Contest Award Winner.jpg

Aleythia Rensen Provincial Contest Award Winning Entry.pdf

As we head into the month of November, our thoughts turn to Remembrance Day ceremonies and Poppy distribution to commence these somber observances. This year even more so, as we send prayer to the victims and families of the terrible tragedy at CFB Wainwright in Alberta. 

On Pender Island, we are very fortunate to have significant participation from the students and youth of our community. Usually, on November 10 we gather at the cemetery to share thoughts about what Remembrance Day means to them and to place candles on the crosses of veterans at rest. 

Students also participate in a nationwide Poster and Literary contest sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion. They create works of art, essays, poems, and videos expressing their feelings about Remembrance Day. These amazing efforts never fail to impress. Independent judges award first-, second-, and third-place prizes for each of these categories over three age groups. First prize recipients are then entered in the South Island Zone contest with all participating schools south of Nanaimo. 

First prize awardees in this group are then entered in in a provincial contest with the top selected moving on to Canada wide competition. Over the years, we have had many students achieve success at the South Island Zone level, with four Pender students doing so in 2025. One individual, Aleythia Rensen, placed first in the Junior Essay category and went on to be awarded first overall at the provincial level; competing with over 4,000 other entries and a new record for Pender.

Well done and congratulations, Aleythia! These achievements were celebrated in ceremonies on both Pender and Vancouver Island.  We at the Pender Legion are very proud of all the efforts and creativity our youth contribute in these acts of Remembrance. 

Respectfully and with gratitude, 

Colin Denton, Youth Committee Chairperson RCL #239

Magic Lake Property Owners Society

Who is the MLPOS?

Magic Lake Property Owners’ Society (MLPOS) is made up of members who own property in Magic Lake Estates and all property owners are encouraged to join. The Board of Directors is elected from and by the members at the Annual General Meeting.

What Do We Do For You?

MLPOS is responsible for the operation of Thieves Bay Marina, Mouat Park, the tennis/pickleball courts and playground at Privateers Park, and the maintenance of any other parks or properties owned by the Society. We thank the many volunteers who make the maintenance of these properties possible.

MLPOS represents the interests of members by advocating on issues, such as the water supply, sewage treatment, park development, recreation, and local governance, that affect quality of life in Magic Lake Estates.

By communicating with our members via email and through our website, magiclake.ca, we provide a collective voice that represents the needs of the members of the Society. Participation at our AGM allows members to be up to date with events and current activities, and to provide input and feedback.

The Board meets on the first Monday of each month at 4 pm at the Community Hall. All MLPOS members in good standing are welcome to attend. There are no Board meetings in August and October. Minutes of these meetings and other helpful information can be found on the website –  magiclake.ca. The AGM is held annually in October.     

Fiona Poole, Secretary
MagicLake.ca

Magic Lake Directors for 2026-27

The MLPOS Annual General Meeting was held on October 17, 2026.  The MLPOS Directors for 2026-2027 will be the following:

• Bob Coulson – President
• Stephen Levy – Vice President
• Ian MacLean – Treasurer
• Fiona Poole – Secretary
• Doug Bolton – Special Project Director
• Roy Moore – Director at Large
• Peter Hodgson – Marina General Manager
•  Ian Syme – Marina Maintenance Manager
•  Art Curtis – Marina Operations Manager
•  Dave Harrison – Marina Projects Manager
•  Dave Reed – Recreation Director, Pickleball
•  Mike Fössl – Recreation Director, Tennis

Pender Island Parks and Recreation Commission

Welcome to Fall! What a wonderful season it is. Leaves are changing colours and falling across driveways, there’s a chill in the air and the deer have grown out of their spots.

The next Parks Board meeting will be held on November 9 @ 3:30pm in the Community Hall. Our meetings are open to the public (except the Community Charter portion, as per bylaws), if you’re hoping to speak to an agenda item, please send a request, via email to penderparks@crd.bc.ca. Delegation submissions are due by 4:30 pm, two calendar days before the meeting. You can also submit written comments for circulation to the commissioners before the meeting. Speaking time is limited to three minutes, per delegation.

We’re participating in the wonderful Pender Staycation promotion event (full event runs Nov. 20-24, 2026) being organized by the Pender Island Chamber of Commerce.

What a fantastic initiative! On November 21 at 11 am come on out to meet and walk with commissioners on the Schooner Trail, starting at the Danny Martin Ballpark. We’ll be walking the trail and providing a stamp for the associated “passport” which might just win you a prize! Keep an eye out for additional information from the Chamber of Commerce, more details to come.

The annual Lantern Festival at Magic Lake is another exciting, upcoming event to watch out for this New Year’s Eve. Magical and mesmerizing in all its glory, this free event delights attendees of all ages. The permitting process has begun, and the Three on the Tree organization will be sharing additional details as that date approaches.

Lastly, we’re providing a very advanced notice to all boat owners with small vessels at the Magic Lake “Boat Area” for the fall season of 2027. The same procedure will take place this year, as previous years, to keep the area clean and tidy. If you missed those details, they were outlined in last month’s edition of The Pender Post. 

In 2027, boat storage will be limited to the period between April 1 and October 31. The purpose is to avoid clutter and ensure only those boats being used are stored in the area. Essentially, the area will welcome boats from the beginning of April through the end of October 2027. Once October 31 (2027) rolls around, a short grace period will be allowed, then all remaining boats will be moved off site for temporary storage, before being disposed of. We will reach out to any boat owners with contact information attached at that time, for pick up. Reminders to follow, this is in the best interest of all Magic Lake users.

That’s all we’ve got for this month! Enjoy the cozy rains to come and curl up in front of those warm, welcoming fires.

Connie Sears, Commissioner
penderprcommission@gmail.com
tinyurl.com/PenderPnR
Next meeting: Monday, November 9, 3:30 pm, Community Hall

Community Hall

Pender Island Recreation and Agriculture Hall Association

The Hall Becomes a Hub of Holiday Magic

As winter begins to settle over Pender Island, the Community Hall is transforming into a hub of holiday magic and warmth. From our festive Yuletide Markets and spirited gatherings to seasonal workshops, there will be plenty of opportunities to connect with neighbours and celebrate the season.

Speaking of spirit, did you know that the Community Hall was built on community spirit? Volunteers are at the heart of almost everything that happens at the Community Hall. The Hall was created by volunteers, and almost all of the activities we enjoy today began with people willing to share their time, skills, and ideas. Volunteers help with so many areas but one of the most regular and important volunteers are the ones who help clean up after their group’s activities. This shared effort helps us keep cleaning and operating costs low, making Hall rentals more affordable for everyone.

Help Wanted: Board Treasurer

The Community Hall is seeking a Board Treasurer to help oversee our finances and support the long-term health of the organization. Experience with financial management, particularly in the nonprofit sector and with grants, would be especially valuable. If you or someone you know might be interested, please contact us for an informal conversation about the role.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Register at http://www.penderislands.org/registrations 

Hall Heroes Breakfast Club 

Ages 9 and up
Fridays 9 – 10 am or 9:30 – 10 am (as needed)

Start the day with breakfast, friends, and free play. Children can enjoy breakfast (typically cereal, with occasional hot breakfasts), board games, self-directed crafts, and a relaxed start to the day. Registration required.

Hall Heroes 

Ages 9 and up
Fridays 10 am – 1:30 pm

Guided by Hall Leaders, each week is a new adventure: help in the café, serve lunch, make decorations, share a skill, mentor a younger person, or help lead an activity. Mature and enthusiastic younger heroes, ages seven and eight, might be able to be matched one to one with an older mentor; check to see if we have capacity. Registration required. Free.

Youth Nights

Ages 13 -18
November 8, 4:30 – 7:30 pm

On November 8, Bean from Victoria Youth Empowerment Society will be back with fun crafts, and dinner will be tacos. You’ll also have a chance to meet Ben from SGINH who would love for you to bring your suggestions for future activities.

Youth Night is a space to hang out, try new things, and meet up. Each night will be a little different, but will include things like cooking, art, games, music, crafts, outdoor activities and special guests – nothing needed, just bring yourself and a friend if you like. Food is provided.  Ages 13 – 18 (11+ with a 50-hour Youth Leadership Certificate or similar). Register through our website to receive updates and information. 

Youth Culinary Skills

Get together to make a meal for the community. Participants gain hands-on kitchen skills and work as a team in a supportive, fun environment. Bring an apron. A snack will be provided. This program is run in partnership with the SGI Neighbourhood House. Registration is required but weekly attendance isn’t necessary. Two levels available: Intro. – Ages 10+ and Intermediate – Ages 13 -18 (or 10+ if child has a Food Safe Certificate or 50-hour Youth Leadership Certificate).

Youth Leadership Program 

Ages 10 – 18

The Youth Leadership Program gives young people opportunities to gain real-world experience while contributing to the community. Each week there are opportunities to help with children’s programs, host the café, assist at special events, support activities, work with younger children, and take on leadership responsibilities. Youth can choose activities that match their interests and gradually take on more responsibility as they gain experience.

GENERAL ACTIVITIES 

Friday Fun

Fridays 11:15 – 11:50 am ish 

Join a fun activity led by the Youth Leadership Program. Everyone is welcome to this all-ages activity. 

• November 6 – Remembrance Day Crafts
• November 13 – Puzzles and Games
• November 27 – Make Christmas Cards

Friday Fun – Special Event

Friday November 20

With ferry service suspended, this is an opportunity to enjoy a day close to home and be a tourist in your own community! Everyone is welcome to join our special activities. Families with children ages 6–12 can choose between drop-in activities by donation (with a parent) or pre-registered drop-off participation from 10 am to 4 pm.

• 10 am – 1 pm Make Christmas decorations with Margaret Alpen
• 2 pm Family Film: A Minecraft Movie

Café Français

Wednesdays, 1:30 – 2:30 pm

Practice your intermediate or higher conversational French skills in a relaxed, friendly setting! Come for conversation, connection, and fun.

Carpet Bowling

Wednesdays 1:30 – 3:30 pm

Australian rules Carpet Bowling offers mild to moderate exercise, a bit of friendly competition and great fun.  No special clothing is needed except clean flat soled shoes.  Recommended drop in is $2.

Yuletide Markets

November 14, 21, 28, December 5, 12, 19
10 am – 2 pm  

Discover the magic of the season at our weekly Yuletide Markets.  Browse the creations of over 40 local artisans, crafters, and artists, treat yourself to delicious fresh fare and visit the youth-run café to try out their special holiday drinks. You can also enter the gift basket draw for a chance to win a selection of work generously contributed by our vendors.

FILMS 

Film: The Birds
Friday November 13, 7:15 pm 

The classic 1963 suspense thriller by legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock turned an ordinary seaside town into the setting for one of cinema’s most unforgettable mysteries. When Melanie Daniels visits the coastal community of Bodega Bay, California, a seemingly ordinary encounter with a seagull takes a disturbing turn. 

Matinee: Becoming Astrid
Monday November 16, 1:00 pm

Becoming Astrid is a moving biographical drama that explores the early life of renowned Swedish author Astrid Lindgren before she became famous for creating Pippi Longstocking. The film follows Astrid’s journey through love, personal challenges, and self-discovery as she develops the resilience and imagination that would later shape her beloved stories. Heartfelt and inspiring, the film is a portrait of a young woman finding her voice and pursuing her dreams despite life’s obstacles. Swedish with English subtitles.

Family Film: A Minecraft Movie
Friday November 20, 2 pm

Four misfits find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld, a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they’ll have to master this world while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter. Together, their adventure will challenge all five to be bold and to reconnect with the qualities that make each of them uniquely creative; the very skills they need to thrive back in the real world. 

Matinee: The Grand Seduction
Monday November 23, 2:30 pm

The Grand Seduction is a charming Canadian comedy about a small coastal community determined to attract a much-needed doctor in order to secure a new business opportunity and revive their town. As the residents work together to convince the doctor to stay, they resort to a series of humorous and heartwarming schemes that showcase the power of community spirit. Filled with wit, warmth, and memorable characters, the film celebrates resilience, friendship, and the lengths people will go to protect the place they call home. 

Film: The Christophers
Saturday November 28, 7:15 pm

Once a celebrated figure in London’s art world, Julian Sklar has retreated from public life, leaving a collection of unfinished paintings behind. When his estranged children enlist a talented young artist to gain access to the paintings, their plan sets the stage for a clever game of deception, competing ambitions, and unexpected discoveries. Exploring the fascinating intersection of art, family, money, and artistic legacy, The Christophers offers a thought-provoking story with sharp humour and compelling characters, posing the question: What is a work of art really worth – and who gets to decide?

Matinee: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3
Monday November 30, 1 pm

A family trip to Greece brings the Portokalos clan together to honor Gus’s memory and reconnect with their heritage. Along the way, they encounter unexpected adventures, heartfelt reunions, and plenty of laughter. This warm comedy celebrates family, friendship, and the enduring bonds that connect us across generations.

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are at the heart of many of the programs and activities offered at the Hall. Whether you have an hour a week or can help just once a month, there are ways to contribute. We are always on the lookout for people to help with the Clean Crew, Films, in the Comfort Center, office support, as activity leaders and Youth Leadership Program mentors and so many more areas. All training is provided. If you are interested in helping somehow or need more information, please email or stop by for a conversation.

Featured Volunteer Opportunity: Comfort Centre Host – Stepping in during emergencies or unusual circumstances, these volunteers provide support during power outages, extreme weather events, and other challenges. We ask the volunteers to assist with regular activities a couple of times a year to keep up their skills and knowledge. During Comfort Centre days, volunteers take shifts to open up the Hall as they are able and interested, where they open the café, assist people in finding things, and liaise with regular users. 

To contact us, email bookings@penderislands.org or call 629-3669

Andrea Mills, Hall Coordinator
George Fowlie, Board Chair
bookings@penderislands.org
penderislands.org
250-629-3669

Chamber of Commerce

Celebrating the Businesses That Brighten Our Island 

There’s a lot going on this fall at the Chamber, with plenty happening to support our local businesses and island community. Small businesses are an important part of island life, providing essential services, supporting community activities and going the extra mile for their neighbours. 

During Small Business Week in October, the Chamber recognized these contributions through our 2026 Pender Island Business Excellence Award, an initiative in partnership with the BC Chamber of Commerce. 

This summer, we received 22 nominations recognizing 14 local businesses, including 11 Chamber members. The nominations highlighted exceptional customer service, generosity, community involvement and the many ways local businesses contribute to island life. 

We’d like to heartily congratulate Pender Island Pharmacy, owned by Marty and Christine Swan, our 2026 Business Excellence Award recipient. 

For decades, Marty and Christine Swan have built Pender Island Pharmacy into much more than a pharmacy. Along with essential healthcare services, they offer an impressive range of everyday goods that save islanders countless trips off-island. They’ve adapted and expanded their services over the years, created year-round jobs and opportunities for young people, and generously supported local organizations and community initiatives. 

Long-time Chamber members and our first Chamber Champion, they’ve demonstrated an enduring commitment to both the business community and Pender Island as a whole. See our Business Excellence Award advertisement in the colour pages of this issue of The Pender Post for all 11 nominated Chamber businesses. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination.

Advocating for Fair Ferry Funding 

Affordable, reliable ferry service is essential to island residents and businesses alike. The Chamber has continued advocating for fair federal funding for BC Ferries, including supporting petition e-7474 and writing to federal and provincial representatives. We also asked the Capital Regional District to support this effort and appreciate the CRD’s letter calling for federal funding. 

With significant fare increases projected in the coming years, this remains an important issue for ferry-dependent communities. 

Keeping Members Informed 

The Chamber partnered with The Pender Post to livestream the Islands Trust All Candidates Forums for North and South Pender in October, allowing those unable to attend to follow the discussion. 

Ahead of the October 24 provincial election, we also sent six questions to all four candidates in Saanich North and The Islands, focusing on issues affecting local businesses and rural island communities. Their responses were shared with Chamber members. 

The Chamber is non-partisan, and our focus is on keeping members informed about issues and decisions affecting our local business community. 

Supporting Local Businesses Through Visitor Information 

The Chamber’s new Pender Island Visitor Guide & Map is now available at the Visitor Centre and on BC Ferries, helping visitors find local businesses, services, attractions and experiences across North and South Pender. 

We recognize that tourism brings both opportunities and challenges to our islands. Part of the Chamber’s mandate is to support local businesses and promote the islands. Providing useful visitor information helps connect visitors with local businesses while encouraging them to enjoy and respect the community they’re visiting. 

Join Us on a Pender Staycation 

When the Otter Bay ferry berth closes November 20-24 for essential infrastructure work, Pender will still be open. Although vehicle ferry service will be unavailable, foot-passenger service between Otter Bay Marina and Swartz Bay will operate during the closure.

Local businesses and organizations are planning something special for Penderites during those five days. Unique menus, pop-up dinners, themed events, special offers, fundraisers, workshops and activities are in the works across North and South Pender.

You can stamp your way around Pender to win. Islanders and guests are invited to visit participating businesses and organizations, collecting stamps in their Pender Passport for a chance to win raffle prizes valued at more than $1,000. Passports will be mailed island-wide, available at participating locations and included in this issue of The Pender Post. 

With support from the CRD and BC Ferries, the Staycation is an opportunity to come together, support local businesses and enjoy what’s happening on Pender during the closure. The sponsorships also recognize the impact the closure will have on islanders and businesses while necessary ferry infrastructure work is completed. 

Visit penderstaycation.ca for participating businesses, special offers, raffle prizes and the event schedule. Watch for posters around the island and updates on Facebook. See our Pender Staycation advertisement on pages 6-7 for more details. 

For more information about the Chamber and its activities, visit penderislandchamber.com or get in touch with us.

Sandra Tretick, Executive Director
info@penderislandchamber.com
penderislandchamber.com
penderstaycation.ca

Pender Island Public Library

On Display

In November, our displays focus on Remembrance Day with the 2026 theme of “Pride in service –

2SLGBTQI+ Canadians in uniform”. Members of Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ community have made important military contributions. They have seen pride and achievement and discrimination and persecution. Veterans are passing the torch to the people of Canada, so the memory of their sacrifices will continue, and the values they fought for will live on in all of us. Discover Canada’s military history – from battlefields and peacekeeping missions, to search and rescue operations and disaster response. There are many ways throughout the year to remember the sacrifices and achievements of those who have served Canada. Learn more through the wide selection of books and DVDs at your local library.

Art in the Library

Searching for “Authenticity”, by Joe Kashi, photographer. Why do some photographs and other visual images linger in memory, continuing to engage us and resonate emotionally, while others fade away? The artist invites you to view a selection of photographs that speak to him. Photographs are untitled, to avoid implicitly suggesting personal reactions. On exhibit Sept.-Oct. 2026. Our next exhibit is calling all knitters to display their amazing creations – homemade sweaters, scarves, hats, mitts, etc. Contact Jenny at the Library to display your colorful and cozy knitted items. Amateurs are welcome!

Photography Workshop

Join a facilitated workshop and group discussion with local photographer Joe Kashi on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, from 1:00-2:30 pm at the library. Open to anyone interested, experts or novices. The discussions will focus upon the thoughts and practices of making art with a camera, no technical knowledge needed. Ideally, participants will bring 2-4 printed images that the group could look at. Free, drop-in.

Holiday Book Sale

Come down to the Library for our awesome annual Holiday Book Sale, on Saturday November 28, 10 am -3 pm. Browse a wide variety of gift-quality, used books for that reader on your list. Thank you to all who donated good quality books to the Library, as your donations help us provide a great collection to the community.

Seeking Board Trustees

Are you interested in starting a new chapter in your volunteer activities? We are a governing board, and we need people who can help oversee the financial well-being of the library, to set strategic priorities and build community partnerships. Trustees ensure financial oversight, health, safety and accessibility compliance, fund and donor development, review policies, and engage in Board training, meeting ten times a year. 

Current Chairperson Sarah Stacy reflects, “As a newer member of the Pender Island community, the highlight of serving as a Library Trustee has been that I have become friends with so many creative, insightful and generous people who appreciate that we have a lovely library right down the road”. If you have an interest in library board governance, stop by the library for an application form.

New Books

Adult Fiction & Mystery

“W” is for Wasted (Sue Grafton), The Atlas Keeper (Gail Anderson-Dargatz), Mad Hell-Rush of Days (Natalie Appleton), The Weight of Angels (John Boyne), The Correspondent (Virginia Evans)

Partita (Barbara Kingsolver), The Shadow Step (Mark Billingham), We Chase Shadows (Richard Osman), The Heights (Ian Rankin), Bark Humbug (David Rosenfelt), The Big Cats Dance Party (Alexander McCall Smith).

Adult Non-Fiction

Books On Order: Dead Bees Still Sting (Susan Cormier), Tell Me Where It Hurts (Rachel Zoffness), The Last Caravan (Anna Byrne), ADHD and Women (Jolene Brighten), and more new titles arriving soon.

Kids & Teens:

Home for Margaret (Denise Davy), All Of Us (Megan Madison), The Last Kids on Earth and the Skeleton Road (Max Brallier), Shy Cat and the Stuff-The-Bus Challenge (Dian Day), Burst Your Bubble! (Joyce Grant), Smart Machines: How AI is Changing Our World (Helaine Becker).

Library hours: Open Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 am-3 pm, at 4407 Bedwell Harbour Road. 

Carmen Oleskevich, Library Director
libraryhelpdesk@crd.bc.ca
sgicl.bc.libraries.coop
250-629-3722

Nu-to-Yu Thrift Store

Have you noticed the fundraising thermometer at our building site at the Driftwood? It hasn’t quite reached its apex. 

Through the efforts of our fund raising and generous donations, not one loonie was from grants or government commitment. So how have we raised so much money? The answer is that we’ve gotten donations from on-islanders, off-islanders, residents, tourists, and part timers, as well as earmarking a percentage of our in-store sales to be used for the new building. This speaks volumes to how everyone loves our organization and what we do, which is first and foremost to raise money for community projects on Pender Island.

With our $1.5 million goal nearly within reach, securing $300,000 now will help us stay on track and avoid delays. Thanks to our contractor and dedicated sub-trades from both on and off island in helping this project stay on budget. We are looking for fundraising suggestions from our community and we are still accepting donations for funding our new store. Any contributions to the new building fund, big or small, can be made through e-transfers to nutoyudonate@gmail.com.

One small way you can help is by forwarding your 1% through Tru Value’s spirit board. We are #33 on the board. Every penny contributes to our new building.

We have an Instagram page. Follow us at @thenutoyou. If you don’t use Instagram, you can also view all of our videos on YouTube. Just search Nu-to-Yu and you’ll find our channel.

Nu-to-Yu is our community thrift store. We raise money to give back to the community. Your donations are what keeps our store stocked with great items. We accept your washed, unbroken and store-ready donations on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 am and 12 pm and also on Saturdays between 11 am and 2 pm (because of the small size of our storage area, we ask that you limit your Saturday donation to one bag or box and we can not accept furniture on Saturday). We welcome goods in store-ready condition. For a full list of what we cannot accept, please refer to our website.

Josephine Spaxman
nutoyupender@gmail.com
nu-to-yu.com

Pender Roadshow

When I was growing up, my mother had a unique little three-drawer box cabinet sitting on her desk. Her father had made the cabinet out of discarded cigar boxes.  When it was made, back in the 1920s, pieces like that were called Tramp Art.

Over the years the terms associated with this type of craft have blossomed (or morphed, depending on your point of view) to encompass folk art, outsider art, prison art, and more recently upcycling. The scale of trade in this type of craft worldwide has grown to the point where even in the industrial design world there is a separate awards category for the commercial application of up-cycled design creations.

Throughout the world for centuries innovative design from discarded materials has helped lift many families out of abject poverty by salvaging then repurposing discarded items into functional and/or artful objects. The Rittenhouse Mill, established in Philadelphia in the 1690s, repurposed discarded fabric as an ingredient to make high quality paper.

In Dickens’ Bleak House (written in the 1850s), the character Krook earned his living from selling discarded bottles and rags, the latter of which have been used for over a thousand years in Japan to make paper. 

In early October, on two separate donation days, we received women’s purses made from discarded items. The first was a purse made completely from the pull tabs of aluminum drink tins.  Each small tab has been stitched together to create a purse complete with a shoulder strap and flap, much like ancient chain mail used in armour. The two additional purses that were dropped into Nu-To-Yu are assembled from woven foil candy wrappers intricately folded like origami to create visually impressive works.

There are many organizations throughout the world such as Ten Thousand Villages or Servv International that support small artisans, innovative crafts and sustainable practices. As the holiday buying season approaches the concept of a purchase that recycles, supports marginalized craftspeople, and rewards ingenuity certainly has an allure.  Thank you to our donors.

Sean Clazie – C.P.P.A.O.
tofindtreasures@gmail.com

Pender Island Recycling Society

Pender Island Recycling Society is holding our annual general meeting on Friday, November 13, at 4 pm. All current members of the society are invited to join the meeting. Please RSVP by email if you plan to attend so seating and information packages can be prepared.

There are several ways to renew your voluntary annual membership. You may renew in person at the depot, by e-transfer to the email listed below, or through Paypal on our website listed below. You will receive a charitable donation receipt for your support. Please include your home address in the e-transfer notes so we can prepare and mail a receipt. Membership donations help to fund ongoing operations and maintenance at the depot, as well as pay staff a fair living wage.

Wet weather has arrived and we ask that you make your best effort to keep recycling dry. We cannot accept wet cardboard; if cardboard gets wet it must be dried out before being brought to the depot. Other items like plastics, metals, and glass may be recycled if wet, but keeping these items dry makes for more pleasant recycling – both for yourself and our depot attendants. If you don’t have access to a dry spot for storing your recycling at home, consider covering it with a tarp, using plastic bags (these can be reused multiple times), or storing in a container with a lid.

Every day we are open, staff unlock the main gate before opening time and set up orange pylons at the top of the driveway. This allows vehicles arriving early to park and wait for opening time safely off the road. Please shut off your vehicle and do not move or drive between pylons; depot attendants will remove pylons and direct traffic into the facility at the appropriate time. The main gate is then closed and locked five minutes before the posted closing time. Fridays are the least busy day of the week at the depot if you’re looking for a quiet day to do your recycling.

We are currently taking applications for a casual driving position at the depot. Please see our post on Facebook or enquire by email for a complete list of requirements and compensation. This is a casual position for approximately 10-20 hours or work per month. The work schedule is very flexible and most of the work is performed independently. The successful candidate will coordinate with the lead driver on frequency and timing of runs, as well as coordinate backhauls of landscape material to customers on the island. Candidates with commercial driving and forklift experience will be prioritised. Please email a resume if you are interested in applying for this position.

Laura Begley
laura@penderislandrecycling.com
penderislandrecycling.com
250-629-6962

Pender Islands Museum Society

Time to Explore Your Island

The museum is normally closed at this time of year, but we’ve been inspired by the Chamber of Commerce’s initiative during the Otter Bay Terminal shutdown. It’s an ideal time for a “staycation”, a chance to explore our island this fall. To that end, the museum is offering two special events this month. 

Museum Open During Staycation

We’ll be open Friday to Sunday, November 20-22, 1 – 4 pm. The Chamber of Commerce has made up a “Pender Passport”, and you can get it stamped at the museum. Get lots of stamps and enter to win a great prize! 

During this past season, visitors with extra time to spend in the museum would plunk down on our comfy couch in the bay window and delve into themed reading materials from the archives. In keeping with the “ferry & dock” theme this month, we’ll set out artifacts, photo albums, and stories of Pender’s historic wharves and ships. 

We’ll also feature Victor Menzies’ handwritten diary entry from June 27, 1956, when he recorded,

“Mr. & Mrs. Garrod drove us over to Port Washington to the big celebration of the first run of the Motor Princess. A crowd of Pender folk gathered to greet the visitors, especially our Premier Hon. W.A.C. Bennett & Hon. P.A. Gaglardi, as well as other Gov’t officials. [They] spoke a few words and then they were away to the other Islands. We have a very good boat service now. Just a lovely day.”

Historic Cemetery Walk is back

Our popular cemetery walks continue to pique local interest. So, join museum president Simone Marler – that’ll be me – on Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 11 am for a walk through history at the Pender Cemetery, weather permitting. (We won’t let a bit of drizzle deter us.)

We’ll stop at graves for which interesting new information has come to light. Make it a “twofer” with a museum visit after lunch, just for locals. 

Simone Marler, President
pendermuseum@shaw.ca
penderislandsmuseum.ca
250-217-0823 

South Pender Historical Society

We would like to thank Frank Trice for his interesting stories about the Church of the Good Shepherd, The Prophets Chamber and the Lychgate, at our recent AGM. The stories are part of his research for the upcoming booklet More Stories of the Good Shepherd which we look forward to in the future. 

The SPHS board consists of nine elected directors, who lead the SPHS in providing community events and maintaining and helping look after the church and grounds as an important fixture in our community. The Board members are Patricia Callendar, Robert Dill, Kaya Englestoft, Bert Hol, Karen Mani Lang, Christina McQuarrie, Barb Pender, Elizabeth Spalding, and Steve Wright. It’s a great team and we look forward to working with you over the upcoming year. 

And we would like to announce an exciting new program offering for the community. 

Patrick Smith (guitar and vocals) and Ingrid Thornton (fiddle) will be hosting the first of a Sing Along series at the Church of the Good Shepherd, South Pender, on Monday November 16, 2026, from 2 to 3 pm. 

They will provide lyric books for the songs they’ll be playing, including songs from the 1940s up to the present by artists like Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Glenn Miller, Hank Williams, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Hoagy Carmichael, The Everly Brothers, Cole Porter, Roger Miller, Linda Ronstadt, Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver, and many more. 

There are kids’ songs included as well since, surprisingly, adults enjoy singing kids’ songs, and occasionally kids are participants. Admission will be by donation.

Patrick and Ingrid plan to do one session per month on a Monday. The next sessions will be December 14, 2026 and January 18, 2027. This program is supported by funding from the Victoria Arts Council and the Victoria Foundation, which have given them seed money for community arts initiatives in Victoria and the Gulf Islands. 

The Arts Council will match any donations that are made to sustain the program. They began the Sing Along series at the James Bay New Horizons in Victoria, and the sessions are great fun and an excellent chance to socialize. Now they want to expand the program to Pender Island. Open to everyone. 

Come and join us and we shall lift our voices thanks to Pat and Ingrid! 

Robert Dill, President

Moving Around Pender (MAP)

Alternative Transportation Society

Hope everyone has enjoyed fall. Now that we start moving into the colder months it’s important to remember that it’s still a wonderful time to get out there. If the clouds are getting you down, get into the forest.

Please join us for our AGM 9:30 am on Saturday, November 7, at the Anglican Church. Dress for the weather: we’re excited for our group walk with Helgi and Niall leading the way where the new Anglican Church trail is proposed to be.

At a later date, we’ll start working together, as a community, picking up sticks, moving logs, uprooting any salal or other shrubs that we can replant, along the new trail soon. This event will be well attended and a lot of fun. Stay tuned for more info.

Congratulations to Niall Parker on being elected as a new Trustee. Niall is a long time Mapper and all-around great guy. Good luck Niall; please don’t leave the MAP board if you can help it!

Call or email me anytime,

Jaime MacLean, Chair
chair@movingaroundpender.ca
movingaroundpender.ca
604-505-9144

Pender Islands Lions Club

Community, Remembrance, and a Little Bit of Santa Magic

As November arrives, the Pender Islands Lions Club is preparing for Santa’s much-anticipated arrival, honouring those who have served, and supporting the eye health of our local children.

Santa Ship Returns to Hope Bay

The beloved Santa Ship returns to Hope Bay on Saturday, December 5, from 12:30 to 3 pm.

Santa will arrive by boat at approximately 1 pm, escorted by the RCMP and Pender Island Search and Rescue (RCMSAR-20). The big guy in red and Mrs. Claus will then welcome children to the always beautiful and festive Studio B Collective, where they’ll be handing out toys with a little help from Santa’s elves.

Here are just some of the things to look forward to at this year’s Santa Ship:

• The first 100 children who arrive will receive festive red hand clappers to help cheer Santa into the dock (courtesy of New Moon Lodge B&B)
• Complimentary hot chocolate from Pender Chocolates
• Homemade cookies by donation from the Pender Island Lions
• Lorelei Seaside Eatery hopes to open its licensed patio with a cozy outdoor fire (weather permitting)
• A large silent auction with a wonderful selection of items
• Bring a letter or write one at the event and pop it into Santa’s special mailbox. Santa will write back!
• Pender Island Radio will broadcast live from the event
• The PI Fire Department will be collecting non-perishable food items and cash donations for our local food bank
• Other festive surprises from the shops at Hope Bay.

We can’t wait to celebrate this wonderful community tradition with you!

Remembering Those Who Served

On November 11, the Pender Islands Lions Club joins our community in pausing to remember and honour the brave individuals who have served, and those who continue to serve, in times of war, conflict, and peace.

Remembrance Day reminds us of the sacrifices made in the name of peace and freedom, and of our shared responsibility to carry forward the values of compassion, service, and community. As Lions, our motto is We Serve, and we are grateful for the opportunity to honour those whose service has given so much to others. We remember. We honour. We are grateful. Lest we forget.

Supporting Healthy Eyes and Bright Futures

November also marks World Diabetes Day on November 14, an opportunity to recognize one of Lions Clubs International’s global causes: reducing the prevalence of diabetes and improving quality of life for those living with the disease.

Closer to home, our Lions volunteers will be visiting Pender Islands Elementary Secondary School on November 4 to provide our annual free vision screening for students. This longstanding community initiative helps identify potential vision concerns early, supporting children’s eye health, learning, and overall well-being.

While vision screening is not a comprehensive eye examination, it can help identify children who may benefit from further assessment by an eye care professional. We’re proud to continue offering this service to island families as part of our commitment to the health and well-being of our community.

Community Spirit in Every Season!

No matter the season, there’s always something happening on Pender Island, and wherever there are community events, initiatives, or neighbours in need, you’ll find the Lions lending a hand. We’re always looking for more helping hands and caring hearts. If you’d like to make a difference, meet some wonderful people, and have a little fun along the way, come join our ROAR!

President Lisa Gedak
penderislions@gmail.com

Pender Island Farmers’ Institute

Latest From the Farmers’ Market 

The Farmers’ Institute Farmers’ Market had its last official market on Thanksgiving weekend, and we wrapped up the Wednesday food only markets for this season. But we will have many of the same vendors on Saturdays at the Community Hall market – which is also part of BC Farmers’ Markets so that we can continue to be part of the BC Farmers’ Markets Nutrition Coupon Program until it wraps up in December.  We will also have the Farm Food Hub behind the Hall continue on Saturdays, offering local food to the community and accepting nutrition coupons and cards. 

If you are a farmer or you have extra produce to share, we could sell it for you at the Farm Food Hub and include it in our offerings to people for the nutrition coupon program as well as to the general community.  So far this year we have distributed nearly $18,000 worth of fresh local produce, fruit, nuts, and meat to nutrition coupon/card holders and we haven’t finished the season yet. This program has been very positive for both the farmers, and for seniors and families. For information please visit our website at pifi.ca or email us at penderislandmarket@gmail.com.

Barbara Johnstone
penderislandfallfair@gmail.com

Pender Island Fall Fair

This is a short report to remind people to send their comments, suggestions, and reports to penderislandfallfair@gmail.com.  

We are still winding up the fall fair business, and really appreciate the feedback and ideas for next year’s fair.  Thank you again to all of the volunteers and sponsors who made the fair possible. There will be more to report on that next month.  On October 16 and 17, Barbara Johnstone and Josephine Spaxman attended the BC Fairs Learning Exchange at Saanich Fairgrounds, and we learned so much from other fairs and the speakers who came from Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario to this inspiring event.  

We came back with lots of ideas that we will be sharing with our committee and volunteers, so remember to mark your calendar for August 28, 2027 for next year’s Fall Fair and we hope you will be involved to help us celebrate our community.

Barbara Johnstone, Treasurer
penderislandfallfair@gmail.com
Pender Island Fall Fair
PO Box 38
Pender Island, BC V0N 2M0
http://www.pifi.ca/work

Pender Island Food Bank Society

Fall is always a busy time of year for everyone, and it was no different for the food bank. In early October, we attended The Crisp Festival as part of a panel on Food Insecurity. As with the other panellists, we answered questions about how food security and insecurity affected our organization, how global events may affect the food bank, and potential solutions. If you’d like to read a bit more about it, please visit https://penderislandfoodbank.wordpress.com/food-insecuriy-on-pender/.

The Thanksgiving weekend, thanks to the generosity of the Green Angel Woodchoppers, we were able to share special thanksgiving food with 97 clients on the Friday. On the Saturday, the Pender community showed up for our Fall Food and Funds drive. We raised over $2,000 and collected 341 pounds of food. Thank you Pender. 

Now we turn our attention towards the holiday season, supporting Penderites with food and through our companion Santa’s Sac program.

Below is the latest feature in our Fork in the Road series. These stories are compilations and are not about specific Penderites. But these stories represent scenarios we hear all the time.

Fork in the Road

Jim pulled his jacket tight against the damp chill creeping through the hull of the Sea Rover, a vintage 32-foot sailboat anchored in Bedwell Harbour. Outside, a November gale was brewing. Inside, Jim’s world was reduced to a few damp square feet, a single-burner hot plate, and a weak space heater that did little to combat the bone-deep moisture clinging to everything he owned.

Ever since a construction injury landed him on provincial disability assistance, Jim’s life had shrunk. The monthly checks barely covered the boat’s rent and anchorage, leaving next to nothing for food or fuel. Without refrigeration, fresh food was a luxury; tonight’s dinner was a can of chilli.

If the weather held, he could row his battered skiff to shore and walk to the Pender Island Food Bank. But looking at the whitecaps, Jim knew the crossing was too risky. Yet, the boat offered Jim something precious: dignity. On the water, he wasn’t a man struggling on a broken system; he had his own space and privacy. But as he rubbed his aching, arthritic shoulder, anxiety washed over him. He was aging. Each winter felt longer, the oars felt heavier, and the physical demands of boat life were slipping out of his reach. He was approaching a critical fork in the road.

Pam Wright, Chair
penderislandfoodbank@gmail.com

Pender Islands Elementary and Secondary School

School Year Off to a Great Start: Safety, Learning, and Community

As the colours of Fall arrive across the Gulf Islands, our school year is off to a wonderful start. September and October are always important months for establishing routines, building positive relationships, and ensuring that all students understand how to stay safe at school.

A key focus each Fall is reviewing school expectations and emergency preparedness procedures. Students and staff spend time learning and practising what to do in a variety of situations, including Fire Drills, Hold and Secure procedures, and the annual Great ShakeOut BC earthquake drill. These opportunities help ensure everyone knows how to respond calmly and safely in an emergency. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect, and regular drills help build confidence and readiness for all.

One of the highlights of our first fire drill was a surprise visit from our local fire department. After students successfully completed the drill, firefighters welcomed our Kindergarten to Grade 5 students for an in-depth tour of the Pender fire trucks. Students had the chance to explore the equipment, climb inside the truck, learn about the many tools firefighters use, and even enjoy a little spray from the hoses. It was an exciting and memorable learning experience that brought fire safety to life.

A special thank you goes to Firefighters Scott and Todd, who generously shared their time and expertise. The visit ended with a cheerful “honk, honk” goodbye that left smiles on faces throughout the school grounds.

This year, families and community members may also notice several new safety measures around our school. Bright pink safety vests help ensure supervising adults are highly visible, and new signage on school doors reminds everyone to keep doors closed as part of our safety protocols. Students are learning not only what to do during emergencies but also how each of us contributes to maintaining a safe and caring school environment every day.

Safety extends beyond the school grounds as well. We continue to remind students and families about parking lot safety, including leaving adequate space for our school buses to manoeuvre safely. We also ask all drivers around the island to respect flashing bus lights and stop whenever a school bus is loading or unloading students.

As we move into the darker winter months, we would like to encourage all Penderites to keep an extra watchful eye out for children travelling throughout the community. Many of our students are gaining independence by biking, walking, and visiting friends. A little extra attention on our roads can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe.

Looking ahead, we are excited to participate in Light It Up on November 13. This initiative helps students learn important strategies for staying visible and safe during the darker months of the year. Through engaging activities and discussions, students will learn how simple actions, such as wearing reflective gear and using lights when walking or biking, can help keep them safe.

Thank you to our families, community members, and local emergency responders for the important role you play in supporting the safety and well-being of our students. Together, we are helping create a school and community where children can learn, grow, and thrive safely.

Have a wonderful fall season, and thank you for helping keep Pender’s children safe.

Margot Landahl, Principal
mlandahl@sd64.org
sd64.bc.ca/penderislands
250-629-3711

Clubs and Social Groups

Pender Island Quilters Circle

Pender Island Quilters Circle held an enthusiastic session on Wednesday, October 14, at the Anglican Church Hall. Our new leader, Erica Wickes, demonstrated her talent for organization with a printed agenda, complete with visual cues. We are very appreciative of her ability to generate enthusiasm and participation.

There are several projects identified for the year. One is a Secret Santa activity (for members) where we make a fabric postcard and send it to another member anonymously (we will draw names). We bring the postcard we each received to the Christmas gathering and guess who created it. Helen Bailey described a “round robin” project where we form groups of four and create a small quilt. One person starts the quilt block and others add to it in turn until it is complete. 

Charlotte Edwards has revived the UFO (unfinished objects) Challenge. This is where we commit to finishing some of our incomplete quilting projects for a reward of chocolate (a strong motivator for most of us). 

Helen Bailey proposed a two-day quilting workshop on Pender Island on April 27 and 28, 2027. More information on this will be provided in upcoming articles.

We added an interesting component to “Show and Tell” where quilters shared a nifty quilting gadget they have. Claudia Lorenz showed us attachments for her featherweight sewing machine and we attempted to guess the function. She explained the mechanical intricacies of each attachment; we marveled at the skills of the engineers of sewing machines dating back to the 1940s. 

Susan Underhill had three gadgets she utilizes: a small bottle cap which was repurposed as a finger pincushion, a pen-like glue stick for fabric, and specialized tweezers for removing bits of paper and fusing pieces off of quilt backings. Helen Bailey showed us her amazing caddy for carrying gadgets and necessary tools to quilting workshops; it stays packed and ready to go!

New members are very welcome to join Quilters Circle. In addition to quilters, we invite other textile artists to join us (i.e. crochet, knitting, sewing, and weavers). Diversity in textile arts enriches us individually and collectively. There is an annual membership fee of $35.

Next Meeting: Monday, November 9th, 9:15 a.m. – noon, Anglican Church Hall

Quilter’s Philosophy: A creative community can embrace both diversity and inclusion. As quilters and textile artists we share a love of creating with fabrics and other materials. We are also diverse and unique in our individual skills and creative visions and can make space for all.

Laura Vilness
penderislandquilters@gmail.com

Pender Photo Club

Leaves Changing Colour

Monday October 5 (the day of the Camera Club’s last meeting) was a sun-filled day considering October was upon us. We viewed 53 photos by 12 people, which featured photos taken using the technique of Macrophotography, that is taking shots up close. The meeting was chaired by Urs Boxler.

The many superb pictures captured (very) close views we seldom notice, especially when the computer zoomed in on details. We saw flower stamen, rain drops, fungus and much more. Furthermore, the Zoom format allowed members to remain at home with some enjoying a glass of wine.

The meeting closed with Joe Kashi giving a lecture on macrophotography. He dealt with a common problem: getting all of the up-close photos in focus. He described the technique of photo stacking and how to emulate that by using a tripod and lengthening the focal distance.

Next month (November), Joe, a former resident of Alaska, will give a show describing the sights North of the Arctic Circle.

Urs is contemplating placing our meeting descriptions, including photos, on our Facebook, but presently it appears this will not proceed. However, at press time, discussions were still proceeding and matters could easily change.

For the meeting on Monday, November 2, the theme is Leaves, and attendees are encouraged to submit five photos illustrating this theme, highlighting the changes in colour that fall brings. All guests are very welcome; please contact Urs for the Zoom link and instructions for photo submission ursboxler@gmail.com).

Hans Tammemagi
penderphotoclub@gmail.com

Next meeting: Monday, November 2, 7 pm

The theme will be Leaves, in their fall colours. A slideshow describing the sights North of the Arctic Circle will be presented.

Pender Island Garden Club

The October meeting was on a beautiful fall day at Pender Native Plants, 4506 Bedwell Harbour Road. Nic Hall, our presenter, is a volunteer with Pender Native Plants. It included the greenhouse and propagation area plus a tour of the demonstration forest and wetland area being developed. Be sure to visit on Fridays and Saturdays to see the great work being done. There are native plant starts from small shrubs to trees available to purchase.

We discussed fire resistant native vegetation for our local area. Conifers are the most flammable. Deciduous plants are generally less flammable than evergreens when planning landscaping. The Salt Spring Conservancy website has a good resource about fire resistant native plants. 

We helped plant a native arbutus (Arbutus menziesii), started from seed by Pender Native Plants. Arbutus are difficult to transplant so a seedling needs to be set in its permanent spot while still small. The site needs to be sunny, south or west facing, with good drainage and lime free. The deer will eat arbutus leaves so the plant needs protection in its youth. Once established the tree needs no extra water or food.

There are two methods of propagating Arbutus menziesii. The first one starts with a 24-hour soak in room temperature water. After soaking, put the seeds in a slightly damp, clean and moisture retentive medium. Place seeds and medium in a sealable plastic bag or lidded container and refrigerate for 60 days in a temperature between 1-4 degrees C. Check seeds periodically and keep consistently damp.

Then fill a container with a fine, sharply draining growing material. Sow the seed approximately one sixteenth of an inch deep. Tamp the seed lightly. Keep moist but be aware arbutus is sensitive to overwatering. It is adapted to our climate with wet winters and fairly dry summers. Persistent wet soil in warm weather can create stressful root conditions.

Alternatively, considering arbutus are native to the Gulf Islands, gather a quantity of arbutus berries in the late fall. Use a flat with four inch pots filled with potting soil. Press handfuls of berries into each pot.  Use lots and don’t cover them completely. Set them in a semi shade area open to the weather. Leave them for the winter. By around May there should be plants visible. Transplant each whole pot in its selected location and follow the directions for the young trees. Keep in mind arbutus are big trees and shed leaves regularly that can make a mess. Give them space to grow. It’s good to see them in their entirety, not sit under them. Good luck!

The November meeting is about rainwater harvesting with Ken Nentwig. Ken’s expertise includes rainwater harvesting, design, installation and inspection.

All are welcome. Thursday, November 12, 1 pm at the Community Hall, upstairs. Non-members $5. 

Vivian Mitchell
vivmitchell@shaw.ca

Pender Organic Community Garden Society

Garden Favourites and New Discoveries 

We really enjoyed this past summer at the Pender Island Organic Community Garden. The valley warms up beautifully and there’s something special about bringing home food and flowers you’ve grown yourself.

This year, we tried something different: super hot peppers! We’ve already made a mango hot sauce, and next on the list is a fermented hot sauce.

Another favourite has been Aunt Molly’s ground cherries. We’ve found them much sweeter than other varieties we’ve tried, and even just one large plant has been wonderfully productive. In mid-October, we’re still bringing them home by the pint. Perhaps one day we’ll grow a whole field of them…although picking them all might be another story.

The dahlias were wonderful, too, giving us fresh-cut flowers from July onward. I also tried a few new additions: statice and nigella for dried flowers, black futsu squash, and some melons that didn’t quite make it. Growing flowers alongside food makes each visit to the garden that much more rewarding.

That’s one of my favourite things about gardening: there’s always something new to try. Some experiments become favourites, others teach us a lesson, and before the season is even finished, we’re already thinking about next year.

If you’re interested in joining the wait list for the Pender Island Organic Community Garden, please email pocgsmembership@gmail.com.

Carolyn Danco
On behalf of the Pender Island Organic Community Garden Society

Environment and Stewardship

Pender Island Conservancy Association

Thank You for Another Remarkable Year

Precious ecosystem conservation on Pender is moving at a mind-blowing pace, thanks to you! Before asking you to help us do even more in 2027, we want to show what your support has already made possible.

The Conservancy has now protected 186 acres (75 hectares) of threatened ecosystems and wildlife habitat on Pender, nearly all of it gained in just the last few years. Out in the field this past year, we tracked 71 bird nests and documented 16 species at risk in our Nature Reserves, from sharp-tailed snakes to silver-haired bats.

Penderites have stood up for conservation this year in all kinds of ways: 10,800 visitors came through the Nature Centre and volunteers logged 850 hours at Pender Native Plants alone – sending 2,000 native plants home to island gardens.

None of it happens without people like you choosing to support this work. 

As we look to 2027, we have more land to protect, more habitat to restore and more of this community to bring into the work. We hope you’ll consider a year-end gift to help protect this ecosystem that brings each of us so much joy. Our goal is to raise $25,000 from the community, which will be matched by generous donors.

To give, visit penderconservancy.org/donate, or drop by the Nature Centre to learn more. Thank you for everything you’ve already done.

Leapers and creepers: Helping frogs and salamanders thrive in a changing world

Join us at the Community Hall on November 27 at 7 pm for an evening celebrating one of Pender’s least-seen but most fascinating inhabitants: amphibians.

While often overlooked, amphibians help maintain healthy ecosystems both on land and in water – yet these wonderful creatures are the most threatened land animals on Earth. Nearly a third of species worldwide are at risk, and here in BC the numbers are sobering, with 64% of frogs and toads and 30% of salamanders listed as species of concern. Join us to learn what’s behind that decline, and what makes these creatures so remarkable in the first place.

On November 27, ecologist Dr. Kristiina Ovaska will share with us her fascination with amphibians – the small and unassuming creatures sometimes described as creepy, crawly, and slimy. We will explore amphibians that occur or are likely to occur on the Gulf Islands and learn how to identify them, and we will discuss ways all of us can help ensure that amphibians continue to thrive and share this earth with us far into the future. 

Ask the Conservancy: Removing Daphne

Daphne (Daphne laureola) is one of the most invasive plants on Pender. It’s a tidy-looking evergreen shrub that quietly takes over forest understories and crowds out native plants, including in sensitive wetland ecosystems. We get a lot of the same questions about it; here are the three that come up most.

Is Daphne really dangerous to touch? Yes! This is the one thing to know before you start. Every part of the plant, especially the sap and berries, is toxic and can cause skin irritation or a serious rash, and the berries are poisonous if eaten. When removing Daphne, wear thick gloves, long sleeves and eye protection, and wash your hands and tools well when you’re done. Keep kids and pets away from any plant you’ve cut.

What’s the best way to remove it? Small plants (under about 15 cm) can be hand-pulled, ideally when the soil is moist like it is now. Larger plants are best cut below the root collar, the point where stem meets root, using pruners or loppers, since cutting disturbs less soil than digging.

How do I get rid of it afterward? Never burn it because the smoke will be toxic. You also don’t want to add it to your home compost, but plants can be piled separately in a corner of your property and will break down quite quickly – so no need to deal with the cost or hassle of disposal at the landfill. 

When you go to the effort of removing Daphne on your property, you’re giving the forest floor and native plants space to thrive.

Julie Szabo
president@penderconservancy.org
penderconservancy.org

Adam’s Nursery Notes: Sow Wildflowers Now, Bloom Meadows Later 

Meadows and wildflower gardens are very popular these days, so let’s talk about how to make them happen. Done well, they bring colour, movement and an ephemeral quality you don’t usually see in a typical garden border.

Start by choosing your seed mix. Satinflower Nurseries in Saanich has a great selection of native blends – just make sure the mix suits your site’s light and soil, since most want full sun and poor, well-drained soil. Fall is the best time to sow: some species will germinate now and get a head start on spring, while others need cold stratification, a chilling period that happens naturally over winter if sown now.

Site prep is the most crucial step. Unfortunately, seed rarely germinates well scattered over existing ground. You want bare soil, loose and friable, so the whole seed surface stays in contact with moist earth and roots can grow easily. Converting lawn to meadow? You have two options: remove the sod (by hand or with a rented sod cutter, then loosen the subgrade), or smother it with cardboard or newspaper topped with several inches of soil, which is then ready to sow into right away.

Once you have bare ground, mix your seed with sand or another inert medium for even distribution, broadcast it, then rake gently to work it into the soil. Water well and keep the soil moist through germination – usually one to two weeks, or until after winter for cold-stratified species. In future years, some species may need re-sowing as others take over; let that unfold naturally, or weed out what you don’t want.

Garden Tasks for November

• It’s tree planting season – plant a tree!
• Leave garden clean-up until spring so critters have habitat over winter.
• Mulch garden beds once thoroughly moist from the rain.
• Leave the leaves if possible. If not, pile them on beds for mulch.

Come chat with me about this and any horticulture topic at the Pender Native Plants nursery any Friday or Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm at 4506 Bedwell Harbour Road.

Adam Miller, Nursery Manager
Pender Native Plants
pnp@penderconservancy.org

Pender Ocean Defenders (POD)

September and October have been busy months of writing letters and submissions to try and convince the federal government not to designate “The West Coast Pipeline” and “Roberts Bank Terminal 2” as Projects of National Interest under the new “Building Canada Act”.  

These projects (which we feel are not of national interest because of the harm they will do to the Salish Sea and Fraser River Estuary) and their suspected PONI designations loomed before us. With a partnership of environmental organizations that include some of our most respected scientists, the campaign is underway now to try and reverse the decision.

Many of the scientists believe the writing is on the wall for the extinction of the Salish Sea’s beloved Southern Resident Killer Whales. For example, with a target set for ocean noise not to increase over 2023 levels instead of the much needed reductions, the whales require, it’s no time to be silent. A friend of POD, David Greer, recently wrote to the Globe and Mail, and although they didn’t publish it, we thought it summed up the current situation perfectly and shared it here:

“Re the Globe’s editorial, ‘The day that Canada grew a little stronger’ (Oct. 5) about the federal government’s pipeline approval: Not mentioned is the impact on endangered southern resident orcas (a.k.a. killer whales), reduced in number to 76 from their historic population of up to 200 by live captures for aquariums, plunging chinook salmon populations, chemical pollution, and ship noise that blocks their ability to communicate and to echolocate prey.

The export of an additional million barrels a day in ever larger crude oil carriers through narrow passages in critical orca habitat poses a risk of a spill far greater than the 1989 Exxon Valdez environmental catastrophe, especially in an age of global-warming-induced wild weather. That the federal government is well aware of the risk is evidenced by its recently-aborted attempt to suspend the jeopardy clause of the Species at Risk Act, which requires that a federally approved project must not jeopardize the survival or recovery of an endangered species. A Polyanna “what, me worry?” approach to protection of the orcas is not a strategy. At the very least, it would behoove the Carney administration to publicly acknowledge that the potential extinction of an iconic species is considered a worthwhile trade-off for a strengthened oil-based economy, even if the climate implications are ignored.” – David Greer

Just two days after the government announced the now dubbed “Pacific Link” pipeline had been designated a project of National Interest, Tsuchi (J31) was observed by researchers pushing her dead calf on her rostrum.

This is the second time J31 has been observed pushing a dead calf. J31 has had many failed pregnancies and only one surviving daughter. We owe these whales our voice for action. We hope you will pick up your pen and write for the Orcas, not oil. You can start by emailing mark.carney@parl.gc.ca.

Kathleen Durant
Facebook: “Pender Ocean Defenders”

SDÁ,YES Truth and Reconciliation Circle

Early in October the W̱SÁNEĆ Community Days group met at QENENIW for removal of invasive Daphne Laurel. Fifteen people were welcomed to the opening circle by W̱SÁNEĆ Cultural Witness Brandon Wilson. The invasive plant was described as being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Its removal allows native plants such as salal and huckleberry to re-establish. The group included members of PEPAKEN HAUTW Foundation, Pender Conservancy, Parks Canada and SDÁ,YES Reconciliation Circle.

Our next in-person Circle will be held on Wednesday, November 18 from 4 to 6 pm at the Anglican Hall. We will have a check in, then continue planning for ways to introduce learning opportunities and dialogue with the wider Pender community.

All are welcome. Bring a cup for tea.

Monica Petrie
miraonpender@shaw.ca

Health and Safety

Pender Island Health Care Society

Holidays and Ferry Terminal Closures

Please note that the Medical Clinic and most of the Health Centre will be closed on Wednesday, November 11 for Remembrance Day, as well as on December 25, 26 and January 1. Over the Christmas holidays, other services in the Health Centre may be taking an extended break; please check with your provider.  

The Otter Bay ferry terminal will be closed to vehicle traffic for infrastructure work November 20-24. Most of the Health Centre will be operating as usual; people with appointments for chiropractic or naturopathic care should contact those providers. The Medical Clinic will run on a regular schedule and the after-hours Doctor-on-Call and 911 services will remain intact throughout the closure.  

If you’re making appointments on the “big island,” you may want to consider avoiding this window. We understand that the access to the water taxi may be limited, especially for those needing extra assistance or travelling with pets. For further information and schedules go to: https://www.bcferriesprojects.ca/ob.

Meet Your New Board Members

September’s AGM saw the departure of three valued directors from the Board – Bruce Waygood, Catherine Dawson and George Fowlie – and the arrival of three enthusiastic new members – Raymond Cox, Frank Deme and Silvia Guillemi. Welcome! Please see the HeartBeat newsletter included in this edition of The Pender Post to read all about the comings and goings.

October 17 Public Information Meeting – A Recap

Despite it being a typically busy October, Saturday on Pender, including an election, a crowd of about 40 came out to hear updates on funding issues, the PCN (Primary Care Network) and what’s new at the Health Centre. Here’s a quick summary.

Following a brief review of our Vision, Mission & Values (see the 2026-2031 Strategic Plan on our website) and introductions of board members, PIHCS president Peter Paré outlined how we are meeting our four main priorities: serving the community, securing a solid financial future, strengthening our organization, and deepening relationships both within and outside the Pender community.

Priority 1: Facilitating service to the community includes around 700 medical clinic appointments per month, up to 250 monthly lab appointments, providing space for numerous allied health and wellness practitioners, and a large set of community programs. Better At Home supplied about 2500 individual services, the Community Connector and Social Prescribing enabled more than 2000 attendances at social meals, exercise classes and other group activities, and mental health and wellness programs provided 226 sessions, with a number of new clients. 

Priority 2: Funding remains an issue. As readers will know, last year’s funding gap of $200K for primary care has resulted in very active advocacy on behalf of this community, and ongoing dialogue with Island Health and the Ministry of Health. Some small gains have been realized, with agreement to pay rent for some of the space used – but the shortfall this year is still expected to come in at $170K. 

We have requested stabilization funding for 2026 and 2027 to cover this, and an announcement is expected on November 30…we shall see. With the help of grants and donations, we completed several necessary improvement projects totalling about $420K, including accessibility ramps and paving, exterior lighting, fire suppression, water treatment, medical equipment loans and ergonomic improvements for staff and patients. We continue to actively seek grant opportunities, and are extremely grateful for this community’s generous donations and gifts, which, in turn, increase our success with grants as leverage and evidence of community support.

Priority 3: PIHCS believes it’s important to invest in the people, processes and structures that help us do our best work and remain accountable to the community. We completed a new five-year Strategic Plan, included staff benefits in the budget, established a Clinic Operations Team, recruited a new full-time Facility Manager, and have renewed the Board with three new directors. A strong and cohesive organization is able to anticipate and meet challenges as they come, and to seek out and utilize opportunities that may benefit our community.

Priority 4: Relationship-building and collaboration are a big part of what we do. Within the Pender community, we run joint programs with the Southern Gulf Islands CRC and PIRAHA, and this year shared information and sought feedback at the Farmers’ Market each week. With a well-attended Open House, the HeartBeat newsletter, website, Annual Report and the suggestion box in the waiting room, we’re committed to true and transparent engagement. We are also deepening our relationships outside of Pender: the Salish Sea PCN, health societies from the other Southern Gulf Islands, numerous health associations, and governments.

Questions and discussion following the presentation were thoughtful, and we were pleased to be a part of people’s very busy day on Pender. Board members are all volunteers who dedicate considerable time and effort to health and wellness on the Penders, and the positive feedback we received at the meeting is heartening. Cookies, apples, Halloween candy and local apple juice were enjoyed by all.

PIHCS is committed to living and demonstrating its values:

• Community-centred    –  grounded in the needs of the people we serve
• Accountability   –  we own our decisions and are transparent to our community
• Respect –   safe, inclusive & welcoming for all 
• Equality –  everyone deserves access to health & wellness services

When is the Mobile Mammography Van Coming? 

Unfortunately, the “Mammo-van” is not currently scheduled to visit Pender. Those who are due for screening and have received a reminder letter with a booking code can book online at breastbooking.bccancer.bc.ca, You will be directed to a screening location in Victoria. If you’re not sure whether you’re due, call 1-800-663-9203; their phone line is open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5:30 pm, and Saturday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Have your Health Services card handy, as they’ll need the number. You can use the Travel Assistance Program (TAP) to cover your ferry travel, and if you are a patient here, you can pick up that form from the Medical Clinic. If you have limited means of transportation, Island Health’s Local Transportation Services may be used to arrange ground transportation. Go to islandhealth.ca/services/travel-assistance to register, or call 1-844-940-6617. 

Community Connector & Monday Activity Day

Two years ago, Pender Island was selected to be one of the first communities in BC to receive financial support for a Community Connector position. Funded by the United Way of BC, and rooted in a social prescribing model, the Community Connector connects our older adults with services and programs that address health from a social perspective. Recognizing that social isolation, food insecurity or transportation challenges, just to name a few, can affect our health and wellness, the CC role helps clients co-develop goals and a wellness plan to address the areas that matter the most. 

Hand in hand with the Community Connector is the popular Monday Activity Day, designed as a day just for seniors (and their friends). The schedule of activities, speakers and programs provides space for seniors to meet, visit, engage and participate. The program is run in collaboration with the Southern Gulf Islands Neighbourhood House – the coffee is on and lunch is available on a pay as you can basis (suggested $10). Volunteer drivers are available and we are always happy to hear from volunteers with an idea for an activity or presentation.

To learn more about these programs, please check out our website at: http://www.penderislandhealth.org or call the Community Support office at 250-629-3346.

The Wait-List – What to Do if You Have Not Heard

The Pender Islands Medical Clinic uses the province-wide Health Connect Registry (HCR) waitlist for new patient intake. Upon request, we receive the Pender Island list (by postal code) for individuals looking for a local health care provider.  

At the time of this writing, we are still accepting new patients. But we have come to learn that some folks have not heard from us, despite registering on the HCR. If you have been on the waitlist for more than six months and you have received your dated email of confirmation of that registration from the HCR, we would like to hear from you! Please call the clinic at 250-629-3233 and leave your name and number with staff for follow-up. 

Speaker Series ‘Here’s To Your Good Health’ 

Most of the talks in our Speaker Series are available to view online. In October we hoped to welcome Liz McCarter of Self-Management BC for a talk on ways to live your best life with chronic conditions. Sadly, this will need to be rescheduled, as public presentation rules around the provincial election interfered. Early November includes a session about cannabinoid medication – for previous talks, please see   https://penderislandhealth.org/speakers.

Thank-You Notes

Well, Thanksgiving has come and gone, but we’re not done giving thanks! Rance Cocker, of Cocker & Co. Construction, organized a fundraising golf tournament in October, with proceeds donated to the Health Care Society! Not only did a bunch of people enjoy fun, friendship and fitness chasing a little white ball, they also managed to raise over $2250 for PIHCS. This kind of generosity, community spirit and commitment to local health care is so very much appreciated, and it makes a real difference, helping ensure that our community continues to have access to the care it needs. Sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to making this event a success!

Kelly Leroux, PIHCS Communications
info@penderislandhealth.org
penderislandhealth.org

PIHCS Community Support Programs

Maintain Your Independence (MYI)

Exercise Classes

Find class descriptions, schedules, and payment details on our website penderislandhealth.org under the Community Programs tab. Monday and Wednesday classes take place at the Community Hall, while Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday classes are held at the Anglican Church. If cost is a concern or you need assistance with registration, please contact Marcella in the Community Support office. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Pender Island Parks and Recreation Commission for the MYI program.

Mondays
Community Hall
November 2 – December 21 (8 classes)

Strength Training for Overall Health with Stacy Packford
9:30 – 10:30 am
This class will focus on building strength in your body to improve overall health. There will be a variety of exercises for all levels designed to build strength, balance, and confidence in movement. Wear comfy clothes and bring a water bottle. Resistance bands provided. 

Tuesdays
Anglican Church, Fireside Room
November 3 – December 15 (7 classes)

Moderate Yoga with Candace Aldridge
9:30 – 10:30 am
This moderately paced class teaches foundational yoga shapes, introducing breath and the ability to flow from one posture to the next. With a focus on alignment, pranayama (awareness of breath), guided meditation, and a rooted sense of Joy and Play.  You will build strength and mobility, flexibility and balance, while gaining range of motion in your joints and spine.

Chair Yoga with Candace Aldridge
10:45 – 11:45 am
Chair Yoga offers a gentle, accessible way to ease stiffness, reduce chronic pain, and improve strength, balance, and flexibility – all from the comfort of a chair. This practice weaves together gentle stretching, strength-building, breath awareness, and moments of meditation to support both body and mind. Ideal for those with limited mobility, injuries, health conditions, or anyone who spends long hours sitting, Chair Yoga helps you reclaim confidence and vitality while fostering brain-body connection. 

Essentrics with Heather Hanson
12 – 1 pm (4 classes December 1, 8, 15, 22)
A slow to medium paced full-body workout that simultaneously stretches and strengthens every muscle in the body. Essentrics reduces muscle tension, unlocks tight joints, develops lean muscle tone, and improves posture. You will leave class feeling relaxed and energized! Bring a yoga mat. Class is done in bare feet.

Wednesdays
Community Hall
November 4 – December 16 (7 classes)

Strength Training – Supplemental Class with Stacy Packford
9:30 – 10:30 am (no class November 11)
This class is designed for those looking to further support and enhance their strength training. Expect a full-body workout with an emphasis on multi‑joint exercises. Come prepared to work and bring your water bottle!

Thursdays
Anglican Church, Fireside Room
November 5 – December 17 (7 classes)

Moderate Yoga with Candace Aldridge
9:30 – 10:30 am
(See Tuesdays for descriptions)

Chair Yoga with Candace Aldridge
10:45 – 11:45 am
(See Tuesdays for descriptions)

Fridays
Anglican Church, Fireside Room
November 6 – December 18 (7 classes)

Yin Yoga with Candace Aldridge
10:30 – 11:30 am
Yin yoga is a functional, floor-based practice where shapes are held for two-to-five minutes. Using props for support, we nourish joints, ligaments, bones, and fascia while settling into stillness. This stillness becomes a gateway, bringing awareness inward and anchoring us in the body. Through mindfulness, breath, and sensation, we develop interoception – the ability to turn inward, integrate, and explore our shadow. This practice expands our capacity to be fully embodied, releasing the need to do, be, or look like anyone else, embracing ourselves exactly as we are.

Monday Activity Day at the Community Hall

Weekly Activities and Exercise
18 Postures with Judith 11 am -12 pm. Enjoy this complimentary class upstairs.
Walk the Valley Home Trail 11:30 am – 12 pm
Drop-in Café and Knitting and Stitching Circle from 10 am – 12 pm
Bridge in the lounge 1 pm

Calling All Bridge Players

Do you love playing bridge or are you eager to get back in the game? Join fellow players at the Community Hall lounge on Mondays at 1 pm for friendly cards, good company, and an enjoyable afternoon together.

November 2

Book Club with Cee
This month’s book discussion is There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak. Relax, meet new friends, join in good conversation, and discover great books together. Coffee and tea are served in the lounge.

Ukulele and U with Ben Beattie
U got this! Enjoy strumming in a ukulele song circle at the hall. We’ll learn a classic ukulele tune or two. We have 10 Ukuleles to lend out. Sign up to reserve your spot or bring your own.

Music, Memory and the Stories We Carry
Presented by Ptarmigan Arts, this free, 90-minute event features author, speaker, and pianist R. Michael Langley. Enjoy familiar piano melodies, personal stories, and reflections on the memories and experiences that shape our lives. This relaxed gathering offers time to listen, enjoy the music, and share a memory, if you wish. Upstairs from 12:45 – 2:15 pm.

November 9

Repair Café
All Repair Café participants can enter for a chance to win a gift certificate from a local business, supported by the Pender Island Recycling Society. Our Repair Café is run by friendly volunteers skilled in appliance repairs (Peter), tech repairs (Shon), sewing repairs (Judy), and darning repairs (Eve), all eager to share knowledge and help extend the life of everyday items. We also warmly invite new volunteers with specific fixing skills to join us regularly or as a guest volunteer and be part of the Repair Café community. More information can be found on our website under the Community Programs tab.

Cozy Mittens: A Sweater Upcycling Class
Join Marcella and turn an old or felted sweater into a warm, one-of-a-kind pair of mittens in this fun upcycling class. Participants are encouraged to bring their worn-out wool sweater from home and will be guided through each step of the mitten-making process.    

Armchair Travel with Shelley & Chris to Malta
Shelley Robinson and Chris Crawford will take us to Malta, where they stayed in the picturesque seaside village of Marsaxlokk and explored both the main island and neighbouring Gozo. Along the way, they discovered Malta’s distinctive blend of Italian and Moorish influences and learned about its rich history, from the Knights of Malta to its strategic role during the Second World War. Join them as they share the sights, flavours, and stories of their springtime journey through this fascinating Mediterranean country.

November 16

Music Bingo with Gary Goodman – Songs from the Good Ole Days
Get ready for some lively games of Music Bingo featuring favourite songs from the good old days. Listen for familiar tunes, mark them on your card, and test your musical memory for a chance to win some prizes. Bring a friend, sing along, enjoy a fun-filled morning and stay for lunch.

Playful Sign Workshop – Sponsored by the Pender Island Chamber of Commerce

Join us for a playful sign-making workshop to decorate our island for the Pender Staycation. Create a one-of-a-kind sign for your home, driveway, garden, or favourite tree. Using recycled wood and paint, you’ll transform reclaimed materials into something colourful and quirky. Bring your imagination and islander vibes. We’ll provide the materials and plenty of creative inspiration.

Film: Becoming Astrid
Showtime 1 pm

Becoming Astrid is a moving biographical drama that explores the early life of renowned Swedish author Astrid Lindgren before she became famous for creating Pippi Longstocking. The film follows Astrid’s journey through love, personal challenges, and self-discovery as she develops the resilience and imagination that would later shape her beloved stories. Heartfelt and inspiring, the film is a portrait of a young woman finding her voice and pursuing her dreams despite life’s obstacles. Swedish with English subtitles. Suggested donation is $5. Volunteers are welcome to come early and make popcorn.

November 23

Repair Cafe
(See November 9 for description)

Foraged & Festive: Holiday Wreath Making
Get outside, gather a little seasonal inspiration, and join us to create a beautiful holiday wreath using greenery and natural treasures collected from around your home. Bring along cedar, hemlock, salal, ivy, rose hips, berries, fir cones, seed pods, or whatever catches your eye, and we’ll provide the wreath forms and decorative touches. Add a festive ribbon and take home a beautiful wreath ready to welcome the holiday season. No charge but please sign up in advance to reserve your wreath form.

Armchair Travel  to Thailand with Shelley & Chris
Shelley Robinson and Chris Crawford will take us on a spectacular 12-day cruise through the Norwegian fjords aboard P&O Cruises’ Arcadia, sailing from Southampton, UK. Although cruising is not their usual style of travel, the journey offered a memorable opportunity to explore remote fjord communities that are difficult to reach by road, including Stavanger, Olden, Kristiansund, Andalsnes, Alesund, and Haugesund. Join them as they share the dramatic scenery, fascinating ports, and highlights of this unforgettable voyage.

Movie: The Grand Seduction
Showtime 2:30 pm

The Grand Seduction is a charming Canadian comedy about a small coastal community determined to attract a much-needed doctor in order to secure a new business opportunity and revive their town. As the residents work together to convince the doctor to stay, they resort to a series of humorous and heartwarming schemes that showcase the power of community spirit. Filled with wit, warmth, and memorable characters, the film celebrates resilience, friendship, and the lengths people will go to protect the place they call home. Suggested donation is $5. Popcorn and candy will be available for sale.

November 30

Nordic-Inspired Felted Folk Ornaments
Discover the joy of creating charming, felt folk ornaments. Choose from a selection of templates including a bird, bear, cat, house, otter, mushroom, and more. Bring your favourite designs to life with felt, beads, sequins and colourful embroidery thread. All materials and templates are provided, making it easy to create a unique handmade ornament. Thanks to generous community donations, this class is offered at no cost. Advance sign-up is appreciated.

Film: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3
Showtime 1 pm

A family trip to Greece brings the Portokalos clan together to honor Gus’s memory and reconnect with their heritage. Along the way, they encounter unexpected adventures, heartfelt reunions, and plenty of laughter. This warm comedy celebrates family, friendship, and the enduring bonds that connect us across generations. Suggested donation is $5. Volunteers are welcome to come early and make popcorn.

To sign up for any of our classes visit penderislandhealth.org/monday-activity-day for the sign-up link, or speak to the Monday Activity Day team Vicki, Ben and Marcella.

Marcella Reay
Community Connector
communityconnector@penderislandhealth.org
penderislandhealth.org
250-629-3346

Pender Island Fire Protection Society

Chief Adrian Hanson Takes Command of Pender Fire Rescue

All the i’s have been dotted and the t’s have been crossed, and Fire Chief Adrian Hanson has taken command of Pender Fire/Rescue. Pictured is PIFPS President Brent Marsden presenting the fire chief’s five-stripe epaulettes to Hanson. Fire Chief Hanson has taken over from our well-loved retired chief, Mike Dine. Chief Hanson, who has moved up from assistant chief, has a 37-year record of firefighting service on the Penders. He joined the service as a volunteer in 1989 and became a career officer in 2009.

Pender Island Fire Rescue

Great Canadian Pumpkin Toss

Hello, Pender Islands. As of October 14, Pender Island Fire Rescue members had responded to 258 emergency calls this year. 

We hope to see you on November 1 for the Great Canadian Pumpkin Toss at Fire Hall #1 from 12-2 pm. Bring your pumpkin and toss it from the top of the fire training building and see it smash! Donations will be collected for the Pender Island Santa’s Sac.

Winter on Pender Island brings more than rain. Strong winds, heavy snow, icy roads and falling trees can interrupt power, communications and ferry service with little warning. Because we live on an island, restoring services or reaching some homes may take longer than expected. A little preparation makes a big difference for your household and for emergency responders.

Be Prepared for Extended Outages

Start with supplies. Aim to be self-sufficient for at least seven days, with drinking water, shelf-stable food, medications, pet supplies, warm clothing, blankets, flashlights, batteries, and a first-aid kit. Keep phones and power banks charged and have a battery-powered radio. If your well or water system relies on electricity, store extra water before the storm. Discuss a family communication plan and check on neighbours who may need assistance.

Keep at least one vehicle fueled and park it away from areas where falling branches are likely to strike. If your household depends on powered medical equipment, arrange a backup power plan before severe weather arrives.

Prepare Your Property

Take time to prepare your property. Secure outdoor furniture and tent-like structures. Clear leaves from gutters and drains when conditions are safe. Keep civic address signs visible so responders can locate your home.

Stay Safe During the Storm

During a storm, stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Fallen trees can block roads, and ice and standing water can make familiar routes dangerous. If you must drive, slow down, carry winter supplies and check BC Ferries for sailing updates before leaving home.

Treat every fallen power line as energized, even if it is silent or not sparking. Stay at least 10 metres away, keep others back, and call 911. Do not drive over a downed line or approach a tree touching electrical wires, and never attempt to cut a tree tangled in power lines

Prevent Fires and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Power outages also bring heating and fire risks. Never operate generators, barbecues, camp stoves or outdoor heaters inside a house or garage. Place generators outdoors, well away from doors, windows and vents, and never connect one directly to a household outlet. Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working, and use fireplaces and wood stoves only when properly maintained. Choose flashlights instead of candles.

Stay Informed and Look Out for Each Other

Monitor BC Hydro for outages, Environment Canada for weather warnings and the Capital Regional District’s Public Alert Notification System for local emergency alerts. Remember that phone and internet service may also be disrupted; keep alternative ways to receive information.

Pender Island Fire Rescue encourages everyone to plan ahead, look out for neighbours and give emergency crews room to work. Call 911 for immediate danger or a medical emergency. The best time to prepare for a winter storm is before the forecast turns serious.

Remember, Smoke alarms save lives; test monthly and replace them every 10 years.

Captain Jon Grelik
PIFR Fire Prevention Team
jgrelik@penderfire.ca
penderfire.org
250-629-3321

SGI Community

SGI Community Resource Centre

Housing NOW

Housing NOW’s Community Connect referral network brings together residents, employers and community organizations to help people find housing information and pathways to accommodation across our beautiful islands.

Teachers, nurses, nurse practitioners, students and tradespeople all need places to stay while working, learning and contributing to island life. Their presence supports our schools, health services, local businesses and the projects that keep our communities moving forward.

If you are interested in supporting a particular sector, please reach out to Housing NOW and let us know. You might have space to share, know someone with available accommodation, or represent an organization that can help strengthen referral connections.

Housing NOW provides information and referral support, including access to Happipad for those exploring homesharing. Every conversation and connection can open a door for someone who wants to contribute here.

Together, we are stronger. By supporting housing opportunities, we build resilience throughout our island communities.

Dining in the Dark

October’s Mayne Island Dining in the Dark event featured Donna Lee’s demonstration of food preparation without power for the Lunch Bunch, hosted by Mayne Island Assisted Living Society. Watch for new bundle packs at Talisman bookstore and the Christmas market.

Remember: we prepare as individuals but thrive as a community.

Sustainable Funding Initiative

Our first two workshops in the Building Strong Non-Profits Workshop Series with Mamie Hutt-Temoana were a great success! Thank you to everyone who attended.

We look forward to welcoming you to our third workshop, Staffing & Volunteer Management, on Wednesday, January 13, from 1 – 3 pm on Zoom. Learn more and register at linktr.ee/sgisfi.

Did You Know? The SFI offers free grant application reviews to nonprofits and small businesses across the Southern Gulf Islands! Let our Grant Hub team help you put your best application forward. Contact islandsupport@sgicrc.ca for more information.

Stay informed! Join our subscriber list to receive a monthly newsletter packed with funding opportunities, educational resources, and valuable links tailored to nonprofits, charities, community organizations, and businesses. Visit linktr.ee/sgisfi to learn more and sign up!

Welcoming Our New Executive Director

The Southern Gulf Islands Community Resource Centre is pleased to welcome Janey Rowland as Executive Director, effective October 1. Janey brings valuable experience from her previous role managing our Housing NOW program and Sustainable Funding Initiative. She looks forward to connecting with residents, community partners, and organizations across the islands.

Outgoing Executive Director Melody Pender will continue supporting the SGICRC as Finance Director. Please join us in welcoming Janey to her new role!

Melody Pender
execdir@sgicommunityresources.ca
sgicommunityresources.ca

SGI Neighbourhood House

This month, we would like to thank everyone, including our volunteers, community members, and staff, for their continued support of our Neighbourhood House programs. 

Over the coming months, as we continue our work, we are focused on providing quality programming and ensuring our community needs are met. We hope to move forward with focus and intent, as a Neighbourhood House dedicated to supporting our communities all across the Southern Gulf Islands.

Join Our Board of Directors

The Southern Gulf Islands Neighbourhood House Society is seeking enthusiastic and community-minded individuals to join our Board of Directors. If you’re passionate about strengthening our communities and helping shape programs and services that make a difference across the Southern Gulf Islands, we’d love to hear from you. 

Serving on the Board is a rewarding opportunity to contribute your skills, ideas, and leadership while supporting the important work of the Society. To learn more or express your interest, please contact us at mcowan@sginh.ca.

55+ Monday Activity Day – Kitchen Volunteer Needed

Do you enjoy helping others and being part of a friendly community? We’re looking for a volunteer to join our Monday Activity Day kitchen team! Help create a warm and welcoming lunchtime experience for local seniors (55+) at the Pender Island Community Hall.

Duties include serving lunch, assisting with dishes and dishwasher duties, and general kitchen clean-up on Mondays from 11 am to 1 pm. Volunteer orientation and training is provided. Complimentary lunch included! If you’re interested, we’d love to hear from you.

To learn more or apply: volunteer@penderislandhealth.org 250-629-3346 — ask for Marcella.

Computer Savvy Seniors: If you’re 55 or older and experiencing any kind of computer, phone, or technology-related issues, we offer a free service where a tech expert can come to your home and help troubleshoot. Please call our office at 250-629-3665 to book an appointment.

Youth Night – Volunteers Needed

Youth Nights are back on for the Fall to Spring. As we plan and look forward to our monthly youth nights at the Pender Island Community Hall, we are looking for volunteers to help with: special activity leaders, responsible adults (19+ and experience working with youth), to lead interesting activities during youth night.

If there is any interest in leading youth night, and getting involved with our local youth, please email bbeattie@sginh.ca or youthprograms@sginh.ca for more information.

The Circle Education

The Circle Education is starting an after school program starting in October and running until the start of June. Held at PIESS on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:45. Springboard offers youth the opportunity to “play to learn”, providing immersive, interactive experiences where youth can apply social emotional learning through creative projects, theatrical games, physical activities, games and discussions over snacks.

This program is free and supported by Pender Islands School and SGI Neighbourhood House. If you are interested there will be opportunities to sign up through the school or if you are a homeschooler please email Kate Nash at programs@thecircleeducation for more info.

Southern Gulf Islands Community Justice Program – Come Join the Conversation

Volunteer-run organizations are the lifeblood of the Southern Gulf Islands. And anyone who’s served on a board knows that the work isn’t just about the mission — it’s about the people.

Keeping everyone aligned, making space for quieter voices, navigating the occasional storm. Sometimes a regular meeting isn’t quite the right tool. When a board is feeling stuck, when there’s been turnover or tension, when a big decision is looming and the room feels divided — that’s often when a facilitated circle conversation can make a real difference.

The Circle Process creates space for everyone to be heard before moving forward. It’s not a mediation, and it’s not a workshop. It’s simply a better kind of conversation, guided by a trained volunteer. The SGI Community Justice Program is increasingly working with local organizations and boards. If something in this resonates, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at cjp@sginh.ca.

Michael Cowan
mcowan@sginh.ca
250-629-3665

Southern Gulf Islands Tourism Partnership

To help local businesses showcase what makes them special and to encourage visitors to explore during quieter months, the Southern Gulf Islands Tourism Partnership (SGTIP) is now offering subsidies for professional photography and videography.

The Digital Asset Subsidy is a cost-sharing program that partially covers the fees of professional photo and video sessions for eligible island businesses on Pender Island. Participating businesses receive high-quality, professional digital assets to use in their own marketing campaigns, website updates, and social media channels. In exchange, SGTIP receives a license to use these assets across its broader marketing channels and regional initiatives to put local businesses in front of new target audiences.

High-quality visual content is essential for modern marketing, but professional photo shoots can be a significant investment for small businesses. Through this funding subsidy, your business can access professional creative talent at a fraction of the cost while contributing visuals to regional and provincial asset libraries for broader use. Whether you operate a local shop, cozy accommodation, or unique island experience, participating gives you the tools to attract customers when you need them most. Contact Kendall at community@southerngulfislands.com learn more about program guidelines and to apply.

Kendall McLaughlin
Community Relations & Administration Coordinator
community@southerngulfislands.com

Recreation and Leisure

Pender Island Golf Club

Golf season may be coming to a close, but that doesn’t stop the Pender Island Golf and Country Club from absolutely stunning its visitors. This image of the morning mists at the second green was submitted by Graham Elder. The club’s AGM will be held on Sunday, November 22, at 1 pm, at the clubhouse lounge.

Pender Island Otters Swim Club

November is here and we are swimming through the fall despite the ferry dock closure looming. The lack of ferry service will impact the Otters session on Friday, November 20.

I have warned our coaches that there may well be some of us missing if folks choose to hunker down at home for the duration of the closure, instead of using the water taxi/bus alternative. It is possible to catch the #72 bus to the Panorama pool from the ferry terminal if swimmers do want to swim that day.

Our Mayne Island members had their ferry terminal closures done last spring, so they can get to the pool without alternate transport methods.  Laara, last year’s head coach, used to bike to the pool from the ferry and back, and counted that as her warm-up for swimming. Apparently there will be room for some bikes on the water taxi, so that is another option. 

In other news, I want to introduce our new assistant coach Alexander Medler. Alex is a third-year University of Victoria student, and is a certified Lifeguard and Swim Coach with at  least eight years of coaching experience and has open-water lifeguard certification. He has coached all ages of swimmers and we are thrilled to have him join our coaching team. Our four coaches have flexible skills so can cover whatever group is needed to cover. Head Coach Sidney has put together a great cohesive team that has skills to help all our swimmers in gaining strength, conditioning and improving stroke skills. 

Looking towards the new year, we are still waiting to find out when the pool closure will be. Panorama has done their pool maintenance and filtration system checks during late March and early April for the past few years. Sometimes this overlaps School Spring Break and Easter, but sometimes not. 

We will keep our membership updated, as this does affect our booking for the winter-spring session starting Jan. 8, 2027. More on that next month. 

We should be opening registration for the next session in mid-December, just after our last day of 2026 season on December 11. Other than that, a few in-school Fridays this past month did reduce the number of Otters in the water on those days, but those that did come got more individual instruction. True, December will be a short month in the pool for us, as we finish up on December 11, but the holidays are approaching and it is nice to have a bit of a break. We will be back at it come January 8, 2027! 

Until next month, let’s keep on swimming through the autumn days. 

Helen Lemon-Moore, President
penderottersswimclub@gmail.com
penderislandotters.ca

CanBoat Squadron

Pender School/Oak Bay – Water Safety Program

The Pender School Grade 9 Water Safety Course was held October 5 to 8. This was our initial instance working with the Oak Bay CanBoat Squadron training team. During the summer, Oak Bay’s certified instructor – David Holmes – revised our prior course material to reflect the latest federal requirements for the Pleasure Craft Operators Card (“PCOC”). David arrived a day prior to the start and stayed on-island throughout the course. 

Peter Brennan, a certified test invigilator, arrived Thursday morning for exam testing and federal certification approval for all our students. All passed and one student also attempted and successfully passed the Maritime Radio Certificate – a first offering for our students. A big thumbs up to all participants!

Fulsome thanks are due to Bryce Woolcombe, assisted by Angie Gray, for arranging facilities and providing support to our students. While mornings were spent in the classroom, afternoons featured safety vessel/equipment tours courtesy of the facilities at Port Browning Marina. 

A thank you to our local RCMP detachment, Pender Volunteer Coast Guard (RCMSAR) and the BCEHS Ambulance team for sharing their knowledge and experiences. Viewing vessels/equipment and meeting our island’s responders has always been a highlight of our program and is particularly appreciated by our students. 

Congrats to everyone involved and we look forward to a safer 2027 thanks to our faithful Pender enablers and Oak Bay’s training team.

John Ackermans
canboat.ca

Pender Islands Junior Sailing Association (PIJSA)

The five successful weeks of sailing courses in July and August are complete. PIJSA had a record number of students; over a hundred students took this year’s courses and many are keen to take courses next year. 

More adults than usual participated. In large part, the local instructors, Nuala Roberts, Ella Gariepy, and Sophie de Launiere contributed to the enjoyment, as did Max Bathurst, who hailed from Comox. Alana Watkin efficiently organized the Friday barbecue lunches.

While the directors and members of PIJSA provided the on-beach support for the students, we are also grateful to the parents and grandparents who stayed and helped. The much-appreciated financial support this year was from the True Valu Spirit Board, CRD Parks and Recreation, and The Legion. Port Browning Marina and Pub house our site at Hamilton Beach and provide the barbecue facility. This support, and the work of directors and volunteers allows PIJSA to keep the course costs down.

To provide five weeks of courses, PIJSA has to have enough directors or members to provide guidance and planning before the summer, and then safety concerns during the summer courses. The AGM will be at the end of January. PIJSA will need additional directors and members; normally there should be a minimum of two directors each week supported by at least one other director or member. 

The difference between a member and a director is that a director is involved in planning and board meetings and is familiar with the operating procedures of providing the courses from Hamilton Beach, while a member just has to be familiar with the operating procedures.  Both require police checks because PIJSA provides courses for children.

More information is available on our web site (https://penderislandjuniorsailing.com/) which PIJSA plans to update.

Because PIJSA recognizes that most directors and members like to provide just one week of beach duty, a minimum of 15 people are needed. Please contact Dave Harrison, PIJSA Vice-Commodore (dave.harrison@telus.net) if you have an interest in helping.

PIJSA thanks Herman Nievaart, who was Commodore this past year, who has retired from the board to pursue personal interests. At this time, it appears many of the current directors will return, but PIJSA does need new people.

Bruce Waygood, Board Member
infopijsa@shaw.ca
penderislandjuniorsailing.com