Stories

Words & Photos Beacon Community Services For over 50 years, Beacon Community Services has been a vital thread in the fabric of Southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands – providing care, connection and critical support to people of all ages. From young people experiencing homelessness to isolated seniors and families in crisis, Beacon has [...]

Words Jo Barnes Photos Kathryn Brimacombe Photography For 35 years, Rebecca Jehn, owner of Rebecca’s Garden, has been sowing the seeds for crops as well as ideas in educating new farmers. As she looks back on her long career as a Peninsula farmer who is now approaching retirement, Rebecca smiles as she recalls the tremendous

Words Allison Smith, Editor-in-Chief Growing up, I had a large family. My mom had three sisters, all of whom had at least three children, so there were constantly cousins running around and big family reunions every year. I always thought that I, too, would have “a few” kids but, for various reasons, I ended up

Seaside Sue, Publisher & Owner We are thrilled to celebrate our inaugural “Fabulous 5 Over 50” in this issue. This special feature honours an incredible group of women that embodies the heart and soul of the Saanich Peninsula. From a retired nurse who spent decades caring for others and local entrepreneurs transforming their industries, to

Words Ashley Morris Photos NILTUO Child & Family Services Society NIȽ TU,O’s recently completed cedar strip and dugout canoes, beautifully handcrafted by local artists, will soon be blessed in preparation for Coast Salish youth to experience shared culture and community, through participation in Tribal Journeys, and NIȽ TU,O’s many cultural programs. This year, on March

Words & Photos Take a Hike Take a Hike empowers vulnerable youth to change the trajectory of their lives with a full-time mental health and emotional well-being program embedded in an alternate education classroom. Before Take a Hike, Dillon’s life was unstructured. He wasn’t attending school and was arguing with his family. Dillon started getting

Words Jesse Holth Photo Sarah Hartley Photography Chloe “Tuffy” Crotty and her teammate Teaghan “Kitty Catapult” Dillon have been selected to represent Team Canada at the Junior Roller Derby World Cup in Australia. Chloe previously served as team captain for The Rotten Apples, and competed last season on B.C.’s provincial roller derby team, where she

Words June Murray Dagnall Have something for New & Noteworthy? Email seasidemagazinenews@gmail.com.   ASSISTING OUR SENIORS WITH CARE & COMPASSION For Melanie Murray, Founder and Owner of NextStep Advocacy Services for Seniors, bridging gaps, easing burdens and empowering families are the objectives. The Service coordinates and oversees life transitions for seniors and their families, providing

Words Cassidy Nunn Photo Nunn Other Photography Every Friday morning for the past 30 years a group of women, all who’ve spent most of their lives riding horses and being involved in the horse world here on the Peninsula – specifically in the sport of dressage – meet for breakfast at a local restaurant. The

Words Jo Barnes Photos Whale Tail Farm It’s spring and all sorts of things are sprouting out of the soil on the farm. Lavender, sage, whale tail, yarrow, echinacea, wait back up a bit ... did I hear you say whale tail?! Owned by Ron and Marilyn Isaak and Cory and Corinne Bargen, Whale Tail