Letter to Pender Islanders published in the Island Tides newspaper

I have lived on Pender Island for nine and a half years now (almost a decade I can’t believe it!) Both my beautiful girls have grown up here. And really, so have I. It was on Pender Island that I began acting again. It was on Pender Island that I began writing screenplays and poetry. It was on Pender Island where I was able (very recently) to make another dream come true. I was able to direct my first narrative film.

On a dreary weekend in November, twenty-five Vancouverites and 20 Penderites converged at Camelot by the Sea. They came as crew members for the film - my film - “Kathleen’s Closet”. They were four of the most extraordinary days of my life.

I think my biggest joy came from the fact that I was able to make this film here, with my friends and my colleagues. It came from the pride I felt as I walked into the Pender Island Golf Course for lunch to be greeted by some of Pender Island’s finest cuisine, donated by some of Pender Island’s finest. It came from watching the Pender Island Fire Department making rain for the film. (Yeah, I know making rain in November!) It came from knowing that the film’s Production Designer, Costume Designer, Set decorator, Production Coordinator, Craft Services, Carpenters, Palliative Consultants, Production Assistants and Actor’s Assistants were all from Pender Island! It came from knowing that all of the crewmembers from Vancouver were billeted in islander’s homes and that nearly all of the set pieces came from Pender Island homes and businesses and that they were delivered by Pender Island freight! It comes from knowing that Sharon Vasilev donated the use of Camelot lock stock and barrel for a week! It comes from knowing that nearly half of the production budget came from the theatre production “Shirley Valentine” performed by me this summer in the Vineyard. Thank you Keith and Barbara and Ron and Megan and the rest of the crew and to all of you who came out!

From the deepest part of me, I thank all of you who participated in any way no matter how small. You gave your time, but best of all you gave from your hearts. “Kathleen’s Closet” was made because of you. And it is an extraordinary film because of you.

Yours truly,
Sheila Jordan

While most people simply refer to Pender Island in the singular, in fact it is two islands (North Pender and South Pender). They are joined by a one-lane bridge that crosses the narrow canal dug in 1903 to benefit steamship travel through the Gulf Islands. The area of the two islands combined is about 34 square kilometres.

Pender Island is the second most populous of the southern Gulf Islands (which lie in the Strait of Georgia between British Columbia's lower mainland and Vancouver Island). Its permanent residents number about 2,000, made up of young families, young and old retirees, and a large number of business professionals who work in Victoria, Vancouver and farther afield - many telecommuting. In the summer, the island population doubles when seasonal residents and visitors arrive to cycle, hike, cruise, golf, fish or enjoy a peaceful retreat at one of the resorts or B&Bs.

Click on the above link to go to an interactive map of Pender Island.