I’m writing this on the tail end of an Easter long weekend that was a lot of fun. Not being religious myself, the weekend is more about time with friends and family than about anything Jesus got up to. A small egg hunt was done for my son and his friends, because you’re never too old for the Easter Bunny!
My particular fun was getting to DJ after Vintage Radio (Mitch Drake and Shawn Gairdner) performed at Stellar’s Jay Pub on Saturday night. I had a wonderful time, and it’s always a delight to see the local talent we have here on Haida Gwaii.
I’m still coping with a lingering hangover, given I’m not a spring chicken anymore! I’m also coping with the choice to adorn myself with sparkly long nails. How anyone can type efficiently with nails such as these is clearly beyond me. But I will still do my best to bring you the Tlellian news.
If there’s one thing that’s important in Tlell, it’s gardening. Though my personal gardening is confined to a few pots on the deck, some of the gardens here in Tlell are legendary. However, as some of our more esteemed gardeners grow older, or our younger ones get sidetracked with other projects, it might be time to broach the subject of garden sharing.
Some newer Tlellians who find themselves on less-than-arable sand dunes are wondering about sharing garden space that isn’t being used. Let’s start talking and put together gardeners with gardens!
As previously reported, on March 29 the Graham Island East Coast Farmers’ Institute and Haida Gwaii Local Foods held the 16th annual Sara’s Seedy Saturday at the Tlell Farmers’ Market site. This is where to meet other gardeners, and it deserves more column space.
According to Linda Louis, this was the second year the event was held at the Farmers’ Market, and the turnout was amazing. They had 18 different vendors, some in the shelter and others outside under tents. It was estimated somewhere between 250 and 300 people visited.
There were local baked goods, candy, jams, jellies, plants, seeds, produce, garden crafts, chickens, ducks and quails, as well as a hot lunch. In one of the outside tents, Dave was giving a talk and answering questions on composting.
The seed exchange tables this year had a wide variety of seeds as well as plants. There was even a huge bin of plant pots for the taking.
If you’re interested in gardening, the Graham Island East Coast Farmers’ Institute is the organization for you. You can become a member for just $20 a year. The GIECFI puts on the Tlell Fall Fair (this year on Aug. 3). Get involved!
The following weekend will be the Edge of the World Music Festival (Aug. 8, 9 and 10) at the same site in Tlell. Strap on your dancing shoes and put on your volunteer gloves — the music festival can always use a hand.
In closing, I leave you this Wikipedia description of Tlell’s “culture”:
Once every August, the Edge of the World Music Festival takes place in Tlell, as well as the Tlell Fall Fair in August; both attract many visitors from off the islands.
Apart from this, there is little municipal infrastructure and no such thing as a town centre or a harbour. Tlell is rather a scattered cluster of separate homes, many of them occupied by artisans living alternative lifestyles.
Sounds about right to me!
