A voice of reason.
Although the original chaos and frenzied reaction in 2020 at the onset of Covid has subsided there is still a lot of confusion about it. Shots, booster shots Covid or flu shots, age differentials, how long after the last one and on and on. I recently read the excellent article below that put this whole scenario in simple, easy to read and understandable perspective in the Victoria Times Colonist by Charla Huber. I thoroughly recommend that you read it and pass it on to others. Trish Summerhayes. Publisher. Island Woman...
Read MoreAfter 10 years I still enjoy great pleasure and satisfaction from owning and publishing Island Woman magazine.
We have stayed true to the original concept of being a platform that encourages and supports women writers on Vancouver Island. During that time we have published the works of over 70 writers covering the whole gambit of styles and subjects. It has been, and still is, amazing to receive and publish the works these women. Whist many of the names have changed over time the energy and excitement has not. To ensure that this endures we are always looking for and encouraging new writers to join us. As we start this New Year if you or friend has toyed with the idea of presenting your written talent...
Read MoreAfter the turmoil of the past year or so I’m sure we all have stories and happenings that we will always remember.
I set up island Woman 2012 because I knew many talented women on the Island who loved to write. They produced beautiful articles and poems etc. but had no means of easily sharing or publishing them. Since then so many Island women have posted incredible articles that were as varied and interesting as they are. To maintain and continue the range and scope that is Island Woman magazine I would like to reach out and encourage others to post items with us. These articles can be a one off or you may post them on an ongoing basis. The choice of subject matter and size is totally up to you. We will...
Read MoreA Message from Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food.
One of the many lessons we learnt the hard way from the chaos created by the wild fires and flooding of last fall was how critical our food supply chain security is. As soon as the main highways were blocked supplies of all sorts were cut off and that created empty shelves in shops throughout the Island almost instantly. It seems we only have about 3 days’ worth of food on the Island at any one time. This highlighted a critical change as to how much of our food is actually grown here on the Island. In the ‘50’s about 85% of the food consumed on the Island was grown here; this supply has...
Read MoreA few days ago I was taking a walk on a beautiful sunny afternoon when I met a lady pruning a potted plant by the sidewalk
We had a lovely conversation and I learnt that she was Julia Sage that had just opened a massage therapy practice right here in Chemainus I was very impressed by her gentle manner and her reassuring approach to her profession. Welcome to Chemainus Julia. Best regards, Trish Summerhayes. Publisher Island Woman Magazine.. ********************************************* I graduated from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy in 1990, and have since studied numerous assessment and hands-on techniques, many of which I’ve integrated into my...
Read MoreIn praise of the Women’s Institute (W.I.}
I want to remind us, as we struggle to stay relevant in today’s fast paced world, where we have come from. I started to read the 2013 ‘Eat B.C. cook book published by the South Island membership and I found the following mission statement and the Eat B.C. introduction very thought provoking. Trish Summerhayes. A member of the Cedar W.I. ************************************ British Columbia Women’s Institute Mission Statement: British Columbia Women’s Institute is an organization that focuses on agricultural awareness and education, community action, the family and personal...
Read MoreExciting News
Haley Healy’s second book following the success of her first “On their own terms” is now available Once again she features some of the amazing women that help to create the Vancouver Island that we now enjoy and cherish. Thank you Haley for portraying these women such a graphic way for us to enjoy. Trish Summerhayes. Publisher Island Woman Magazine. ***************************************** Flourishing and Free: More Stories of Trailblazing Women of Vancouver Island is an inspiring and eye-opening collection of true stories about sixteen women who blazed their own trails in...
Read MoreA Rediscovered article from a dear friend.
30 years later it means so much more. What it Feels Like to be Old The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that is was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let her know. Old age, I decided, is a gift. I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometimes despair over my body, the cellulite, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, the jiggly thighs, and the sagging butt....
Read MoreOur sister site Seniors 101 has just extended it’s reach and scope.
It has produced a Nanaimo Seniors Directory which is available not only on-line but also in PRINT!!! This is huge. Until now our 3 magazines have been strictly of the web variety. The article below was printed in our local newspaper gives a good overview of what we have done. The on-line version of the Directory can be opened from the Home page of Seniors 101 via this link https://seniors101.ca We would really appreciate any comments you might have. Thank you. Trish Summerhayes Owner/Publisher island Woman Magazine. *********************************** Printed product proves popular...
Read MoreCovid and me made for a very strange year
The happenings of 2020 will forever be a period in time that will be with all of us forever. No one escaped from the world wild mayhem that was created by Covid-19, obviously some more than others.I am so fortunate, that to date I, and those that I care about, have not become a victim and thereby a statistic of this disease. I live in Chemainus which has become my cocoon from the daily horror stories being faced by the rest of the world. Being a mother, a grandmother and the publisher of Island Woman Magazine.ca has caused me to experience the mental stress and pain caused by Covid-19 ...
Read MoreThe 2020 Provincial Election .
Island Woman Magazine will actively support and encourage all the women candidates on Vancouver Island that will be running in the upcoming October 24th 2020 provincial election. We invite the candidates initially to send us biographies of who they are, and why they are running for office. We encourage them to state their values and their vision of what needs to be done to ensure that we can maintain and improve the quality of life that we enjoy here on Vancouver Island. Most importantly, we ask them why we should vote for them. During the campaign we will post the details of any meetings...
Read MoreOn Their Own Terms:
True Stories of Trailblazing Women of Vancouver Island I am delighted to introduce and welcome Haley Healey to Island Woman Magazine. Island Woman was started and designed for just such women as Haley; to promote and feature Island women writers. What makes Haley’s first book so special is that it features the achievements of other Island women. Thank you Haley for this wonderfully written book and we wish you every success for this and for the other books that I am sure will follow. Best regards, Trish Summerhayes Owner/Publisher Island Woman...
Read MoreLong Term care of Seniors
For those of us that have worked in and around the Long-term care system here on the Island have known since day one that contracting out the care and food services was wrong. The quality of medical, personal and nutritional care has suffered greatly. In fact there is very little effort or time spent on the individual personal needs of those in care or the families. The following report and overview of this chronic scenario is long overdue and I congratulate Isobel Mackenzie for having the courage to tackle it head on. Thank you. Trish Summerhayes. Owner/Publisher Island Woman Magazine....
Read MoreIn the middle of Everywhere
It was December in 2008. My family and I, including kids and dogs piled ourselves and “Christmas” into a borrowed van and headed off on an amazing adventure. We began by driving several hours over a mountain pass. A bit nerve wracked, we arrived safely in the small fishing town of Tofino, on the west coast of Vancouver Island in the wilds of Canada. On a big, ‘ol clunky fishing boat, we travelled for several more hours, northwest toward Hot Springs Cove and Cougar Annie’s Garden to a small floating house in a bay somewhere in the middle of Everywhere. In this exquisite...
Read MoreCommunity Paramedics
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Georgia Nelson the Community Paramedic for Chemainus. Whilst I had heard of the position and seen their vehicles I really had no idea as to the purpose and scope of their role in communities. I felt it would be useful if she could let Island Woman’s readers know exactly what services and support does a Community Paramedic provide. Thank you Georgia. Trish Summerhayes. Publisher. ********************************** I was asked by Trish Summerhayes to write a blurb about my role as a community paramedic. I have been a paramedic for 5 years,...
Read MoreVaping.
I cannot understand for the life of me why vaping been allowed and legitimised into Canada by our federal, provincial and municipal governments. What were they thinking about? oh silly me, more taxes of course; no matter what the costs. I think vaping is incredibly stupid and dangerous on 2 fronts. !. Why should I have to walk through the huge, obnoxious clouds that these things generate when I am out walking. What am I forced to breath in? 2. What chemicals are the users breathing in and passing on to me? We have spent 20 years or more actively, and successfully, encouraging...
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