Something always seems to be happening on Pender Island, and sometimes it can feel like those things have been happening forever.
Traditions dating back to when Pender was only known as SDÁ,YES, others established with one wave of settlers or another. The Pender Island Farmers’ Institute’s Fall Fair has been a foundational event for over 90 years. The Nu-to-Yu has been fundraising and repurposing our old items since the early 80s. The island’s society-managed health centre was built more than 25 years ago.
I see this firsthand as we create The Pender Post – a monthly community newsletter that itself has been publishing for 55 years. We receive a robust collection of submissions and event listings each cycle highlighting the impressive collection of social events and collective projects for Penderites new and old to consider joining, or with which to consider investing their time and resources.
There’s something for everyone, and the work is already in progress.
This past month, however, I was honoured to do something a little different. I got to help start something. Pender Radio went live in May, broadcasting from the silver Airstream next to the Community Hall and streaming on penderradio.ca.
I was honoured to play a small role in bringing this project to life, joining long-time Penderites Laurie Storrie, George Fowlie and Jaime MacLean, as a dream long in the making became a reality. Check out the introduction from Laurie, Pender Radio’s technical director, in the June issue for more on the excitement from Launch Day.
We were joined by more than 30 of the island’s most talented and creative members and it quickly became clear the team was building something special. Show hosts, behind-the-scenes hustlers, and a raft of technical experts all pitching in to create something uniquely Pender. It is a resource for the community, sharing The Pender Post’s interest in connecting the island, giving it a voice, and a place to share it.
It is a vehicle for swapping stories, spreading news and creating art. It is itself a public art project – to borrow the words of a wise woman – and a launching pad for untold ideas and opportunities. New members will be growing Pender Radio for years to come.
The experience has made me stop and take stock. Because Pender Radio isn’t the only new addition to the island in my short time here. The Schooner Way – School Trail – an idea long ago conceived and now a reality – seems like just the start of bringing new pathways to Pender… Einars Hill appears to be next! Even the decades-old efforts of our community thrift store will soon be moving to a new location, and an entirely new building.
The recently-unveiled Pender Island Foundation (not to mention its inaugural fundraising event this month) is another dedication to this theme, and more proof than anything else that anything is possible on Pender.
To borrow more words, these from another wise person:
“I believe you can make any dream come true if you try hard enough, I also know you can’t do it alone.”