Six Thousand+ Fans of Salt Spring on Facebook

We thought Salt Spring was popular when we hit 5,000 fans on Facebook a few months back, but it turns out the island has even more fans than we thought. This past week the Salt Spring Island Facebook Fanpage recorded its 6,000th fan. Fantastic! All these folks along with 15,000+ people who use the Exchange is well, a whole lot of people who love the island. If you're on Facebook and not already following along, consider joining us in welcoming all these new folks who love this special island of places and people. We actively share your photos, stories, news, events, emergency notices and all kinds of good stuff about the island on a daily basis on Facebook. I've been trying to find just such a photo to thank all of you who are participating and enjoying all that we share about the island and I think I found it. Last week, courtesy of Salt Spring Air, we were out photographing the big ship in Ganges Harbour called The World. We snapped some nice photos that night, but also…
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To All the Friends of John Wilcox

If there were 3 things John would want us to do to remember him. a) Enjoy people, even the ones that have different views than you. John had a few of those in opposition because, he was usually swimming against the current, battling big money or governments, trying to make the world a better place for farmers. b) Eat good food. Grow it if you have a chance. c) Never EVER, EVER give up on anything that you believe in. Video Interview with John by Peter Prince https://youtu.be/v5HjM-xzZ-o      

ohn at his booth at the Fall Fair. John was the only farmer left who sold at the Fall Fair, not because he made more money, but because he believed that it was the thing to do and he was trying to lead by example. It is just a coincidence that the ghostly image of Harry Burton, who was selling next to him, is in the background. The photographer was quite startled when she looked at the photo because sh…

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Velo Village…What to Expect

After more than a year of preparations, we’re looking forward to a lovely rural cycling festival on Salt Spring. We expect anywhere from 300 to 700 cyclists on Salt Spring roads during Velo Village. Good weather will mean more cyclists, poor weather will mean lower numbers. Cyclists will begin and end their journey at one of the three ferry terminals. We’ve created three cycle routes that will take cyclists away from busy or dangerous sections of roadway. These are the Fulford, Vesuvius and Long Harbour routes. You can view the detailed route maps or download an overview map. A number of local cyclists will take the 9:15 am ferry from Fulford to Swartz Bay so that they can sail on the BIKE FERRY (Skeena Queen) back to Salt Spring at 10:00 am. The BIKE FERRY arrives at Fulford Harbour at 10:35 am. When it docks up to 400 cyclists will ride about 15kms to Ganges. FUN RIDE participants will be given the northbound lane along this route from Beaver Point Rd to Stewart Road…
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The Scrap on Salt Spring Metal Recycling

For the past 7 years I’ve had the opportunity to work and hone one of my skills on the island, as a support worker, specifically for GIFTS (the Gulf Island Families Together Society), working one to one with young adults who have special needs. https://youtu.be/EAMuTuPoEe4 One of GIFTS’ mandates, is to help young adults who have recently graduated from high school integrate into their community. One approach towards this goal, is to support these young adults in finding work. About 8 months ago, I started working with a young adult fresh out of high school and began the task of looking for suitable employment on the island. I knew of John Quesnel and the plight of his Salt Spring scrap Metal Recycling business (who doesn’t if you read the local paper), and thinking myself that recycling in any form is not only good business, but makes good sense, especially on an island, I decided to ask john if we might be able to volunteer some time at his facility, to gain some work…
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Sh*t Salt Springers Say

Shit Salt Springers Say is a funny parody video about Salt Spring Island and the many things some locals here are known to say and do as they go about living their lives here in this unique island community. The video was filmed at various locations around Salt Spring by Lemon Grease Productions and stars Thomas Messer, Rebecca Nygard, Michelle Duncan, Billie Woods and David Alex Event with guest appearances by Jada-lee Watson, Ross Duncan and Mike Nelson. Give it a watch. Do you say some of these things? https://youtu.be/HTDkqxaWH80
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Salt Spring 'Introvert' Island

Last week we ran a survey asking residents of Salt Spring if they considered themselves to be *mostly* introverted or extroverted. The results are bit a surprising. Our survey closed automatically when we hit 100 responses and of those 100 responses, 79 people identified themselves as *mostly* introverted. Speaking with a colleague via email about this who has a background in Jungian psychology, he shared that in general it is understood that about 40% of the population identify as introverts and that the dominant culture, at least in North America, is extrovertedly oriented. Is it possible that 79% of islanders are mostly introverted at double the average in North America? Is this just another thing that makes Salt Spring special? Should we have gone out and surveyed at a party where all the extroverts are? Should we become the destination for introverts everywhere, or do we need to import some more extroverts to balance this place out?
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Are you introverted or extroverted?

I'm conducting a highly un-scientific poll on a subject I've been curious about regarding the dominant nature of island residents. I've been wondering if those who are attracted to living on Salt Spring have a stronger tendency towards introversion or extroversion? In the way I understand this, I would think of introverted people as those who get their energy from spending time alone to recharge and restore themselves, while extroverts would get their energy and relax by being with others in more social settings. There is much more to these labels, but let's find out. What would you say is the dominant nature of Salt Springers?
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