I gave myself an impossible task last month, and I knew from the start it was doomed to fail.
As we finished September’s issue of The Pender Post – an issue I’ll acknowledge only after the fact had a rather auspicious number – I was reviewing the Calendar of Events.
Last month, Pender had some serious events. There were gatherings with our provincial and federal representatives just days before they went back in session to help shape our path forward. There were Islands Trust meetings and town halls, community workshops, board meetings, markets and movie nights.
Burger nights, Bingo, and coffee dates. BC Ferries came to Pender Island to talk with us directly about shutting Otter Bay Terminal down for five days some time next year.
It would be quite a feat to participate in everything that happens around this place. There’s no way someone, even an overenthusiastic newbie, could manage to. Attend. Them. All.
Impossible, you say?
Yes, I agree. Between prior commitments and time off-island, and my glorious duties as doting father and supportive partner, there was no chance I could manage it. So, I settled for doing my best.
I first attended the South Pender Local Trust Committee meeting, but missed the public forum portion when it was rescheduled to the afternoon over a missed ferry. I joined conversations with MLA Rob Botterell and MP Elizabeth May at the Community Hall, and even got to attend the opening of the Magic Lake trail. I trained to be a projectionist and presented a matinee of Lilo and Stitch.
I realize now how absurd it was to even consider Attending. Them. All. There’s just too much happening around here. Too many passionate people doing interesting things. Too many groups working hard to make amazing things happen here. So much going on, on Pender Island.
That’s a good problem to have.
This month, I will not try to Attend. Them. All. I will settle for doing my best. And I’ll rely on the dedicated contributors to the pages of The Pender Post to keep me in touch with everything else.