This year, we’re celebrating our 20th anniversary! Knit Pickers PEI is a retail teaching studio that carries only Canadian made knitting and weaving supplies and natural fibres. I offer hands-on workshops, tutorials and “Ewe Love to Knit” nights – in person and on-line. But – as we look back over our 20 years, there sure have been a lot of twists and turns on our path to where we are today! Back in 2002, I was employed full-time but something was definitely missing. It was a job where I worked in isolation with very little social interaction. I was toying with the idea of opening up a business where I could sell my knitwear and tartans. I spotted an ad for Avonlea Village. When I visited their website, I saw that, in addition to actors recreating the story of Anne of Green Gables, they had music shows, horse and buggy rides, a working barn and a wood carver. I contacted them and asked if they would like a village weaver on Sundays – for free. I wanted to test market my goods. Their response was “Free? C’mon down!” The wood carver was not in on Sundays so I set up in front of his little shed for the 2002 summer season. I had so much fun meeting folks from all over the world. At the end of the season, Wayne Bernard who ran the barn popped over and said I should audition for a role in 2003. I laughed and said “I don’t act!” Well, as fate would have it, my full-time job ended in the spring of 2003 – just about the time that the ad for auditions appeared. One of the characters they were looking for was Rachel Lynde – the busybody gossip. I auditioned and was offered the role! I asked if I could continue marketing my knitwear and tartans as well (Rachel was known as an exceptional knitter). That year, I set up in an outdoor courtyard (weather permitting). In 2004, I participated in my first wholesale shows in Charlottetown and Halifax. Great workshops were offered for novices to the wholesale world – a fantastic learning opportunity! At Avonlea, the wood carver was not returning, so I was offered his shed – perfect, since I wouldn’t need to tear down every night. That same year, I started the process of registering my business– Knit Pickers by Margaret McEachern, commonly known as Knit Pickers PEI. On a trip to Walt Disney World that Christmas, I visited the Canadian Pavilion at Epcot. There was a cute little shop but there was very little that was intrinsically and recognisably Canadian (aside from the Anne of Green Gables books). I introduced myself and described my business. There appeared to be some interest and they suggested that I send a sample when I get back home. I did so. A couple of months later, I tried to follow up only to discover that the shop was no longer in existence. Trying to get hold of a live person at WDW when you don’t have a contact name was futile – so I thought that door was closed. Imagine my surprise when, later that summer, WDW called to ask if I would design red and white maple leaf knitwear. They wanted huge quantities in time for Christmas. The hardest thing I ever had to do was to say “no” – I couldn’t meet their quantities by that deadline but I did let them know what I could provide. They agreed! That fall was spent knee-deep in red and white wool but I got the order out (and learned a fair bit about exporting, too). In 2007, ACOA and WDW collaborated to open the “Atlantic Canada Kiosk” at Epcot during Christmas. I participated as a guest artisan. In January of 2012, an international contest was announced to design the MacEachern tartan. A gentleman in Australia by the name of Andrew MacEachern is a genetic researcher. Through his work, he discovered that the MacEachern family was older than the MacDonalds, although we were now known as a sept of Clan MacDonald. The MacEacherns had come close to being wiped out during the Highland clearances and came under the protection of the MacDonald clan. Andrew contacted the Court of Lord Lyon in Scotland and received approval for the family to have its own tartan, in a step to once again being recognised as a distinct clan. I submitted my design in February. On July 31st, 2012, it was announced that my design was chosen! It was such an incredible honour. The wearing of a tartan represents freedom of speech, freedom to practice your religious beliefs, freedom to own land and care for your family. It is also a way to honour one’s ancestors who sacrificed so much to provide us with the wonderful lifestyle we enjoy today. The tartan was officially registered in Scotland on January 16th, 2013. Since then, I have woven countless pieces of tartan for MacEacherns worldwide! 2014 ended my time at Avonlea. They would no longer have actors; the new format was a summer venue for shops and restaurants only. I considered the Village venue – the Artisan Studio had grown from my open-air display in 2003 to a bustling operation promoting the work of sixteen Island artisans. We had also created the “Avonlea Young Artisans Society”, supporting the work of budding artisans still in grade school. However, the season was incredibly short – open only from mid-June to early September. So I opted for a studio on my rural property, transforming an old shed into a welcoming retail space. My time at the Village taught me an immense amount about the retail business, the importance of local goods, and how much visitors enjoyed trying their hand at a unique experience. I transitioned from mainly selling my own knitted and woven goods to sharing my love of fibre arts. In setting up the home-based studio, I decided that I would only carry goods (wool, knitting needles, etc) made in Canada, ideally made in the Maritimes where possible. I developed a number of hands-on workshops and “Authentic PEI Experiences” that are offered from May through December. These experiences involve workshops in collaboration with other small rural Island businesses like sheep farms and seafood restaurants. We also host a weekly “Ewe Love to Knit” night every Tuesday evening year-round – in person and online during the testy winter months. As we move into our third decade in business, we are embarking on a brand new venture. We are creating wool pellets for use in your garden as a replacement for traditional fertilizers and mulch! These wool pellets are created from waste wool that would otherwise end up in landfill. Sheep farmers have a new source of income for all of their hard work and gardeners will have an eco-friendly, organic product that adds nutrients to their gardens with no danger of chemical run-off into our waterways, that reduces the need to water by an average of 25% and that repels slugs and other pests! I’m often asked “What advice would I give to someone wanting to start up?” First and foremost, know that a small player can successfully play in the big leagues! Don’t be afraid to explain your limitations. Honesty is far better than broken promises. If you must have a second income stream during the early years, so be it. Versatility is key. I created and maintain my own webstore. I write a monthly blog and a monthly newsletter and post regularly on social media. I design patterns and create video tutorials for my YouTube channel. Networking is also critical. I was a founding Board member with the Glenaladale Heritage Estate – a historical venue that celebrates not only our Scottish ancestors and culture but also our significant connections to the Mi’kmaq, Irish, Acadian and English. I currently serve as President of Central Coastal Tourism Partnership. Some folks might say I’ve been lucky. Perhaps so. But luck comes about as a result of a lot of hard work, creative thinking, courage, determination and perseverance. Don’t operate on the premise that “it’s good enough”. You have to want to be exceptional! Just because you might live in a small community or in a small province, just because you might be setting up on a shoestring – just because you are small doesn’t mean you can’t be mighty! My thanks to everyone for their support over these last 20 years – and here’s to the next 20!!!
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I always find this time of year to be particularly challenging. We are long past the holiday festivities. Changes in our climate means that we have far less freshly fallen snow and far more freezing rain and ice pellets. As I looked out the window earlier this week, almost all the snow in the yard was gone. The driveway had almost dried out. But we’re facing periods of rain, followed by freezing rain and then more snow over the next few days. On the calendar, spring is so close and yet it seems so far away. image by Julia Carle In March, many Island businesses are knee-deep in preparations for the upcoming tourist season. I have served on the Marketing Committee of Central Coastal Tourism Partnership since 2016 and on their Board since 2019. This year, I am serving in the role of President. The passion and energy that everyone brings not only to their own businesses but also to the growth and health of the tourism industry as a whole is truly inspirational. It is such a supportive business community. Serving this community in a volunteer capacity really helps to drive away those March doldrums. In Canada, 18% of businesses are majority-owned by women. And, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) account for 99.8% of these women-owned enterprises. Did you know that 99.9% of tourism-related businesses are SMEs? The tourism industry here in PEI contributes approximately 6.2% of the Island’s total GDP, close to $500 million in economic activity. If 99.9% of tourism-related businesses are SMEs, that means that women-owned businesses contribute immensely to the economy of PEI! Why all of these facts and figures? Is this even important? Why yes, it is. We celebrate International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8th. The theme for IWD 2024 is “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”. We have travelled a long way towards gender equality. Women have historically faced many more challenges when it comes to financing business projects and having their voices heard in the business community. Serving on a Board of Directors where 90% of the Directors are women, including the Past President, President, 1st and 2nd VPs, Secretary and Treasurer as well as the Executive Director clearly demonstrates the progress we have made. Innovation PEI, The Desjardins Group and Staples Canada all showed their belief in Knit Pickers PEI’s wool pellet project by providing financial support to this 100% woman-owned small business. I am so grateful. As we look at the world today, we still see such a continued need for equality – gender, racial, socio-economic. Social media often seems to magnify the hate and biases. But I still fully believe in the overall goodness of humanity. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that International Women’s Day and spring, the season of hope and renewal, go hand-in-hand. Let’s celebrate our successes, work always towards improving the world and breath in the beauty and optimism of spring.
Maybe it was recently celebrating another year around the sun that reinforced in my mind how quickly time flies. Maybe it was Valentine’s Day and all the chatter of love that made me think that we really need to show ourselves some love by taking care of ourselves! At the start of every new year, I plot out all of the things that I want to accomplish in both my personal and business lives. Then, I break this down into monthly tasks. At the start of each month, I review what I did get done the previous month and chart weekly and daily goals. This really helps me ensure that things don’t fall through the cracks (like filing an HST return or forgetting an important birthday). But I also tend to chastise myself when I carry tasks over from one day to the next and possibly all the way into another week. Not long ago I read a wonderful quote: “When we crave simplicity, we are not after an easier life. We are after life.” Perhaps that’s why a new trend seems to be emerging among those who belong to the Millennial generation. It’s a trend of skipping past the mid-life crisis and moving directly from young adulthood into what are euphemistically called “granny hobbies”. This may include knitting, baking bread (and remembering to feed your sourdough starter), gardening, keeping chickens, spinning, woodworking – with an emphasis less on rising in the business ranks and more on a personal life that brings you joy and inner peace. And – since Millennials now surpass Baby Boomers as the largest living adult generation, this trend will certainly impact our society! What is prompting this trend? The Baby Boom generation was raised by parents who had survived The Great Depression and World War II. They were taught to work hard and to be thankful that there was work to be had. The Baby Boom generation, however, was not content with societal norms. They launched the fights for women’s rights, gay rights, civil rights and social equality. Because Baby Boomers were such a large generation, there was a great deal of competitiveness which fueled the habits of working longer and harder to achieve their dreams.
Most Millennials are the children of Baby Boomers. They grew up in a world of rapidly expanding technological advances. On the whole, they enjoyed a reasonably affluent lifestyle but also experienced having parents whose work habits created a great deal of stress and burnout – and this simply was not talked about. Millennials are wanting to achieve a greater balance between their work lives and their personal lives. I am a part of the “Jones” generation – the latter half of the Baby Boomers. As the “Jones” generation entered the workforce, we were faced with mass unemployment and high mortgage rates (picture me thinking that my 19.5% mortgage rate was a deal!). Women faced a great deal of sexual harassment while trying to move up the corporate ladder when positions were filled by a large number of earlier-born Baby Boomers. My generation certainly did not experience the abundance that the older Boomers did. I must admit that the wisdom of the Millennial “granny hobby” trend is one that is appealing! I left the corporate world 20 years ago and opened up Knit Pickers PEI. And yes – I knit, garden, bake bread, and enjoy my summertime chickens – Gracie and Lilly. Have I achieved that work/life balance yet? Not really. But every day, I am striving to be kinder, more loving and more forgiving to myself. January can be a difficult time for many. After the festivities of the holiday season and New Year, it’s not unusual to feel a little sad. In fact, it’s so common that it’s known as the January Blues! December is full of get-togethers with family and friends. Streets feel so festive with holiday lights and decorations. We have twinkling lights on Christmas trees, special holiday decorations and traditions. Everything is so warm and cozy. Then, suddenly, we are encouraged to put away all of those decorations, declutter our homes, make a whole bunch of resolutions for better health, better work habits, better relationships. Does this all leave you feeling a little anxious or glum? Personally, on the last night of my Christmas holiday, I had difficulty falling asleep. My mind was racing through all of the “to-dos” that I had postponed while I took time off. The start of the new year - January 1st - is also International Self Care Day. Most of us have felt lonely at some point in our lives, and this can have a significant impact on our mental health. People living alone can be especially vulnerable to social isolation, which is a contributing factor to serious health issues such as heart disease, cognitive decline, high blood pressure, and depression. Are you taking care of yourself? It’s so important to take in some sunshine, some fresh air – especially when daylight hours are short like they are in January. We need to get together with friends – and that doesn’t have to involve spending wads of money (which can definitely be in short supply post holidays). We need to fuel our bodies with good nutrition, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t occasionally indulge in a special treat. Perhaps we should look a little more closely at how Mother Nature works. Many Indigenous Peoples use the 28-day moon cycle as their lunar calendar, giving the year 13 months instead of 12. Some Indigenous Peoples refer to North America as Turtle Island while others, like the Ojibwa, use Turtle Island to describe the entire world. On the turtle’s shell, there are 28 small scales forming an outer ring and 13 larger scales inside the centre of the shell. These large scales represent the 13 lunar months. The 13th lunar moon is known by the Ojibwa as the Sugaring Moon, celebrating the gift of maple sap. The 1st lunar moon is known as the Flowering Moon. So – perhaps we should look at celebrating the New Year in the early spring? It’s a natural time of rebirth and rejuvenation! If you do find yourself suffering from the January blues, in addition to all the health resolutions of good sleep habits, nutritious food, exercise and spending time outside, remember to be kind to yourself and try to shift your focus to one of gratitude. Indulge in your favourite hobby – creative tasks like knitting are beneficial to your mental health! And, if you find yourself feeling lonely, you are welcome to join us via Zoom for a social evening of knitting and fun at our virtual Ewe Love to Knit Night every Tuesday from 7:30 – 9 p.m. AST. All skill levels welcome, just bring your project and have fun!!
I am having a bit of difficulty this year getting into the spirit of the holiday season. Christmas is a truly magical time and it is an inclusive holiday. While its roots may be based in Christianity, there are people whose background is not Christian who truly enjoy the spirit of Christmas – sharing gifts and time with family and friends. The sparkle of lights on a Christmas tree or adorning the exterior of a home bring a touch of joy during these days of winter when we experience the least amount of daylight. There are food drives and all sorts of fund-raisers to ensure that every family can enjoy this holiday and children will find a present from Santa under the tree. This year, Hanukkah starts at sundown tonight (December 7th) and continues on through December 15th. Hanukkah is also known as the feast or festival of lights due to the importance of candle-lighting. There are special holiday foods that are shared with family and friends. There is also an emphasis on giving to charities. Yes, the origin stories of Christmas and Hanukkah are different. But the spirit is similar. And this is true for all aspects our lives. We want our families, our children, to be happy, healthy and safe. We want to love and be loved. We all want to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of our religion, skin colour, gender, age or sexual orientation. So what is causing my Christmas blues? Perhaps I’m too tuned into the news of the world. The war between Russia and Ukraine; the Israel/Hamas war; the vitriol and lies being spewed by Trump and the distinct possibility that he may once again become the US President; mass shootings; hate crimes. What do we as a human race need to do to stop the violence we perpetrate against one another simply because we are not carbon copies of one another? Can we not instead search out our similarities, our common ground? We cannot change what happened in the past. History details the many wars and injustices. We don’t need to hold onto that hate – we should instead learn lessons from our shared history. And, yes – it is a shared history because we are all members of the human race. It may be artist Jimi Hendrix, former British PM William E. Gladstone or Indian spiritualist Sri Chinmoy Ghose who first said, “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” This year, my wish to each and every one of you is “Peace on Earth and goodwill to all”.
Here in PEI, daylight savings time just came to an end which means that the sun is setting before 5:00 p.m. I’m finding it hard to accomplish all the things I normally take care of in the daylight hours when darkness descends on us so early. The days just seem so short. And, I’m not alone. Sleep research in 2023 found that, during the winter months, we may need up to two more hours of sleep each night. It isn’t about being lazy or unmotivated. As we move into winter, our body also goes into winter mode, adjusting to cope with the seasonal shift. November 1st was National Stress Awareness Day. During the month of November, I’ve dedicated every Sunday to be “Self Care Sunday”. Each and every one of us deals with stress on a daily basis. There are financial burdens, work deadlines, trying to achieve that elusive work/life balance. And then there is the approaching holiday season. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza or something else entirely, we each have a vision of that perfect holiday season. Add holiday prep to our daily stresses and our body’s need for extra rest due to the shorter days, it’s no surprise that winter can be a time that many experience the winter blues. So – what’s the solution? We need to prioritize self-care. That may mean getting a little extra sleep if possible. Perhaps it is getting outside, breathing some fresh air, going for a walk. It can be creating a state of mindfulness – making note of those “glimmers”, those sweet moments that life presents us. Just the other day, my ginger fur beast decided to hide under the bed. Problem is – she put her head and shoulders under the bed but her haunches and tail were in full view. I just paused for a moment to thoroughly enjoy this ridiculous picture and to be thankful for all of the joy that my fur beasts bring to my life. And, of course, you can always participate in creative activities. Doing things like knitting, playing a musical instrument, drawing, or writing uses a different part of the brain to where the stress is occurring and can help you to overcome the feeling of being overwhelmed. We can also take a page from the Danish culture and create an atmosphere of “hygge” to balance the dark days of winter. It involves a sense of coziness – a nice woolly blanket, burning a scented beeswax candle, enjoying comfort food and the company of good friends. It’s a way of taking care of yourself by giving yourself a sense of control over your environment. This is especially helpful during a time when the world seems to be filled with negative news bytes. Have you ever noticed that, when you have something on your mind, the universe will often present ideas and solutions if you are open to it. Or maybe you’re more aware of seeing an answer because the issue is foremost in your thoughts. I was giving some serious thought to self-care Sundays and spotted this post. I want to share it with you because it really spoke to me.
Yesterday, I made a quick trip into town to run a couple of errands and pick up a few things. It was a beautiful fall day. The sun was shining. The leaves on the trees were starting to burst into glorious autumnal colours. And in amongst all of this loveliness, do you know what I noticed? A whole bunch of seriously grumpy faces. There was not a smile to be seen when they were speaking with a cashier – if you could call the blunt, one word answers “speaking”. Folks getting out of their cars with a scowl on their faces that could freeze the warmest hearts. (photo is AI generated) I get it – I acknowledge that some people may be having a truly dismal day. I understand that the prices of just about everything have jumped dramatically. I don’t like it either. But this is not the fault of the store clerk. A cranky attitude is just going to worsen the mood of everybody in proximity to that scowl! I just don’t understand why anyone would want to spend days on end – in some cases their entire existence – being rude, cantankerous, snippy, short-tempered. I can’t imagine it makes that person feel any better. And those on the receiving end of that misery are more likely to be a little short-tempered in return. (photo is AI generated) It's amazing to me how, if you are wondering about something, oftentimes the universe will send you an answer if you are open to receiving it. Last night, I read posts from two friends. The first friend spoke about how she used to get up early in the morning and take at least an hour to leisurely knit before starting her work day. She found that it really helped with her mental health and established a good work ethic. But, for the last year or so, she got out of this routine – sleeping later and then scrambling to get her day started. She acknowledged that she now feels more temperamental, has a more negative outlook. So she’s going to go back to her early morning knitting routine with the goal of giving herself (in her words) a “brain reboot”. The second friend was commenting on how, as a society, we place such an emphasis on our problems, our anxieties, our stressors. In order for her to shift her thoughts to a more positive outlook, she kept a “happy thought journal” in which she jotted down one line that made her happy that day. By placing the focus on joy and physically recording it in a journal rather than focusing on melancholy, anxiety or disappointments, her entire outlook in life became more positive. It took some time and consistency, but she found it was worth it. In my June blog, I wrote about “glimmers” – those tiny moments that bring joy if we take the time to simply experience them. Having a more joyous outlook is hugely beneficial to both our mental and physical health.
Life speeds by in the blink of an eye. One day you’re in the first quarter of your life, dreaming of finishing school and moving into the perceived freedom of adulthood. Then, in just a moment, you realize that you are approaching or are in the last quarter…..Life is not meant to be a trial. There is beauty all around us. Even in the darkest of days, there will be those who will reach out their hand to help. October 10th was World Mental Health Day. Let’s strive to make every day a positive mental health day. Everybody knows that New Year’s Day is January 1st. But, for me, the beginning of September feels so much more like the start of a new year, a new season. The summer heat is waning, and youngsters are back to school. I recall the excitement of getting new school supplies and new (at least to me) clothes for school. September was the time to reconnect with all of your school chums, meet your new teacher, start learning all sorts of new things. That sense of a fresh, new start in September has never really left me. Last week, I got out the beeswax and polished up my fall boots and shoes. You’ve been fun, flip flops – but your season is nearly over. I’m looking forward to cozy sweater weather. The autumnal wool colours are calling my name and my knitting needles. The shorter daylight hours are also creating an urge to nest, to get my house in order after a very busy summer. It’s time to sort through clothing and donate pieces that I simply haven’t been wearing for whatever reason. You know what I’m talking about – those pieces that just don’t make you feel comfy or energized when you put them on, but you keep them anyway “just in case”. It’s also time for me to toss those clothing articles that have been so well loved, so worn thin that they are no longer mendable. I took the time to review what I had in my medicine cabinet and elsewhere – things like expired cold remedies, hand lotions that were almost but not quite used up, old herbs and spices that have long since passed their “best by” date. September also feels a bit contemplative. It’s time to review what has been working in my life, both personally and professionally. Where are advertising dollars best spent? What knitting workshops are most loved? What habits aren’t working for me? Do I even need to talk about checking e-mails just before I go to bed?!? Anything that is there at midnight can certainly wait until morning. What routines do work? I used to have just coffee for breakfast. Then the day would get away on me and I might not have time for lunch. By the time evening rolled around, I was famished and light-headed, and looking for something that took little to no prep time. These days, I’ve been sourcing more and more of my food locally. I bake my own bread and enjoy eggs donated by Gracie and Lilly, my summertime chickens from Barnyard Organics. I eat smaller meals and snacks on a more regular schedule and feel so much better for it! (photo courtesy of Barnyard Organics) Scottish poet Donna Ashworth wrote a beautiful piece entitled “Autumn” that is included in her soon-to-be-released book “Wild Hope”. It speaks about how letting go of burdens creates space for new, exciting and creative adventures. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
And so begins the season of letting go, when Mother Nature shows us all, how it’s done. Let go, free yourself, shake it off, drop it, give way for the new. Create space for new thoughts, new ideas, new adventures and new connections, by shedding the dead weight you’ve been carrying around, for so long. And whilst you are there, being reborn and renewed, let go of old anxieties too. Let go of any doubts, fears or beliefs which no longer serve you well. Release bitterness or past hurts which feast on your beauty. Be brave, Don’t fear the nakedness as your leaves slip away. Mother Nature doesn’t, watch and learn. Donna Ashworth Autumn, from ‘Wild Hope’ “Many feel exhausted from excessive contact with partisan politics and toxic social media. Amid such turmoil, there appears to be a growing call for civility – not one that’s merely polite or well-mannered, but one that acknowledges our common humanity, treating others with the dignity and respect we all deserve. Being civil isn’t just about being nice. It is an understanding, a willingness to listen to other perspectives to carve out something better together. It’s about cultivating an atmosphere where differences can be aired, and disagreements worked through. When we abandon civility, we aren’t saying goodbye to our past. We’re leaving behind our future. And in the process, we’ll foment distrust, hostility and abandonment. There will be no common ground, just dirt. We will retreat into our own echo, which eventually will become deafening.” This quote is from an article written by Glen Pearson for The London Free Press. And his words so strongly resonate with me, especially in light of what I experienced recently. On July 31st, I attended a public meeting held by the Resort Municipality of Cavendish, chaired by the Mayor. At this meeting, members of the business community and area residents were invited to give feedback on this year’s Cavendish Beach and Sommo Music Festivals, held on back-to-back weekends in the month of July. More than 60,000 attended the Cavendish Beach Music Festival and approximately 20,000 attendees were at the Sommo Festival the following weekend. Photo courtesy of CBC Compass On the whole, the meeting was quite calm. After input by the Resort Municipality, Ben Murphy of Whitecap Entertainment, the Provincial Fire Marshal’s Office, the Department of Health and Wellness and the Liquor Control Commission, a few business owners, including myself, spoke about our concerns with respect to the negative financial impact area businesses such as restaurants, accommodation providers and retailers experienced due to having back-to-back major festivals on consecutive weekends in July. Teagan Pringle, La Rose Bistro (photo courtesy of CBC Compass) From there, discussions became more informal with other business owners, Councillors and members of the public speaking from their seats rather than standing up and using the provided microphone. Sandi Lowther, Fairways Cottages (photo courtesy of CBC Compass) It all sounds quite civil and reasonable, right? Well, it was until one business owner was trying to ask a question, making reference to the Municipality’s “Special Events Guidelines”. The guidelines state that "preference for new or large major events will be given to those that take place outside of peak season and compliment the core brand values and target audience of Cavendish." The business owner, in the preamble to her question, omitted the word "preference” as she wasn’t reading directly from the guidelines and thus it wasn’t a word-for-word quote. Much to my shock, the Mayor, from his spot at the miked head table, started to shout overtop of her, telling her to speak the truth or she would not be allowed to speak and, furthermore, that he was chairing the meeting and, as she had the chance to run against him at the last election but didn't do so, it's pretty much "too bad so sad" (my expression, not his). The business owner, to her credit, remained calm throughout and simply continued to say "Can I ask my question?". I have sat on numerous Boards and Committees here on the Island - as a committee member with Artisan PEI, PEI Business Women’s Association and Central Coastal Tourism Partnership (CCTP), and as Vice Chair of CCTP and founding Board member and Treasurer with Glenaladale Heritage Trust. I have also worked in Ottawa, Toronto and Saskatoon, and have served as an Executive Director for various not-for-profit organisations. Never have I witnessed such appalling behaviour as the Mayor displayed on Monday evening. Should we not expect – and even demand – a higher standard of behaviour from our elected officials? Margaret McEachern, Knit Pickers PEI (photo courtesy of CBC Compass) I was equally appalled to hear that one of the Councillors who, at a March 1st meeting, having voted in favour of the back-to-back weekend festival schedule, received threats of harm and vile comments about his lifestyle. Vitriolic comments on social media channels and bombastic, narcissistic and arrogant political leaders have created a society that is utterly toxic. There is very little collaboration between people, between political parties of differing affiliations. We have become so used to abusive and rude behaviour that, it appeared to me, the Mayor’s behaviour hardly even created a ripple of discussion or outrage. Every single person has the right to their perspective and has the right to voice their perspective without fear of ridicule or being treated in a contemptuous manner, being shouted at, or being threatened and subjected to abuse. While my perspective may differ from others, we should all feel heard, respected and, most importantly, safe. Civility shouldn’t be demanded of only leaders. Each and every one of us should strive to treat one another with respect. With that in mind, I will not respond to any crude discourse about current or past political leaders and any vile comments will be deleted.
I was lucky to have a pretty uncomplicated childhood. Like most kids who grew up in the '60s and '70s, ours was a much simpler life. No computers or cell phones. No social media accounts or online bullying. No permanent online photographic records of every foolish decision I made to forever haunt me! Summer was a joyous time – running and jumping through garden sprinklers to cool off after riding your bike, free as a breeze. Forts were created in fields. When your mom asked you to pick peas from the garden, more peas were probably eaten fresh off the vine than ended up in the bowl! Your only responsibility was to be sure to be home in time to help with supper. Like most Canadian youngsters, or at least those on the east coast, I read the Anne of Green Gables series by LM Montgomery. No, I didn't watch the movies - they hadn't been made yet. Looking back, reading those books truly shaped me as a person. When I started working at Avonlea Village, I re-read the books, at first as a way to remind myself of the story and characters and then just for the simple pleasure of reading the stories again. It was so interesting as an adult to read about making cotton warp quilts (they were knitted quilts, not sewn from fabric as we might think), gardening and farming, Anne’s challenges in knitting socks (she always asked Marilla to turn the heel). It was fun remembering why Christmas songs said "presents ON the tree" and not under and how one Christmas present each was a real luxury. It reminded me that, as much as life has changed so much since Anne’s time, much has also stayed the same. It opened my eyes to the simple things – to gratitude, to perspective, to the value of good friends, to doing things to help your neighbours, to having the courage and strength to speak out if you feel something is wrong, to following your dreams. Living in rural PEI has allowed me to adopt a simpler lifestyle and truly appreciate the value of keeping things simple. I oftentimes laugh at the daily “commute” from house to studio – a far cry from my corporate life when I lived in Toronto and faced that daily commute across the 401 and down the Don Valley Parking Lot. Living in Toronto, I dreamed of one day owning perhaps a small townhouse with a tiny plot of land where I could plant some flowers. Now I have a house on one acre with a home-based studio, a garden, 3 apple trees and my summer chickens! And there are plans for a dye garden and berry bushes. Of course there are challenges. Life isn’t a daily stroll through the White Way of Delight. I constantly struggle with setting boundaries for myself – especially when it comes to running my business. If you sent me an e-mail and got my reply at 1:30 a.m., you know what I’m talking about! (original artwork credit to Island artist: Maurice Bernard) Anne’s love of nature is always an inspiration to me. Walking on the beach and stopping to listen to the waves. Sitting on the porch with my knitting and breathing in the scented air after the lawn has been mowed or there’s been a rainstorm. Watching the bumblebees and butterflies enjoy my less-than-perfect flowerbeds and the clover in my lawn. I am thankful every day that life has brought me here. Like Anne, I have made some colossal mistakes! But each mistake, each misstep is an opportunity to learn something and to grow. My wish for all of you who have taken the time to read my ramblings is that you find your path and follow your dreams to your own fully authentic life.
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AuthorLive life luxuriously! Classic simplicity is what I enjoy the most - in clothing design, home decor and in life! Archives
April 2024
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