Noah Bains

Born in India and immigrating to Canada at 10 years of age, Noah spent most of his youth growing up on Vancouver Island. He has worked in the Tourism/Hospitality and the Forest Industry for many years and traveled to many places around the world. However, his interest in Music, Film and Video eventually had him attend Film School. He has worked on short horror films and video projects for Driftwood Media, and Hourglass Films, and also handled community projects with Shaw Cable in Port Alberni a few years ago. In the future he hopes to meet people with similar interests to make Documentaries and Travel Shows -- small budget, high quality products to sell Internationally. With the advances in video technologies available today, Noah feels he is just starting his true career. He hopes to learn from the vast experience of our club members and looks forward to wherever it may lead. In Noah's words - "The sky is the limit -- if you have the drive to match it!"

Phil Ballard (Lois)
French Creek

Phil started his newspaper career in the early 60s in Whittier, California, in the circulation department of the Daily News. As a college student he started at the bottom, working the switchboard after 5pm, handling circulation complaints. It wasn't long before he noticed that the folks in advertising seemed to have a lot more fun. He applied for the classified department. His 6'4" height, and easy going manner, along with a love for cars, got him a position in sales calling on car dealers and real estate clients. He worked full time during the summers and part time while attending college. Upon graduation, his first "real job" was in Chico, California as classified advertising manager. The goal was to eventually move to British Columbia - his love for Canada had been nourished by his grandparents who immigrated from England to Canada, and then to California. He remembers his grandfather as the only one on the L. A. beach in a three-piece suit and hat. A close bond between grandfather and grandson was formed. Phil worked his way up the coast of California into Washington, and eventually landed in Vancouver, B.C. He spent fourteen years with the Columbian Newspaper in New Westminster, B.C., first calling on major accounts. Remember Eaton's, Woodward's, Super Valu, and of course, Sears? Eventually, Phil was asked to join the management team. He became marketing director, but still handled all major accounts for the paper. He was active in the Vancouver New Westminster Newspaper Guild, becoming vice president. The Columbian closed its doors in 1984; it had been the oldest, newspaper in British Columbia. Phil found himself looking for a new adventure. He and a group of fellow employees started the Now Newspapers, which served most communities in the lower mainland. Later, he joined the Hollinger group as publisher of the Richmond Review and became involved in U.S. acquisitions as well. In l990, he joined Trinity Holdings as group publisher. Other publishing adventurers included a joint purchase of the Journal of The San Juan's in Friday Harbour, Washington. He then rejoined Hollinger as marketing director for U.S. holdings. Following his work with Hollinger, Phil moved on to California, where be tried his hand at school/community newspapers, and consulting. His goal was to return "home "to British Columbia and retire in the Oceanside area. He and his wife Lois accomplished the goal!

Norm Bergkvist (Barb)
Errington

Norm is an Independent Film Maker. From 1985 - '99 he was a Computer hardware/software specialist technician in Vancouver. Projects in which he was involved from 2001 to the present include on Vancouver Island: Assistant Editor (NLE) short educational video by Island Bound Media; Director/Editor for a non-profit agency - Mental Health and Addictions; Director/Camera/Editor on informational videos for a local University (nursing program); Director/Camera/Editor local artist profiles short videos; Editor/Camera on local Shaw Cable TV "The Daily Show"; Production Sound national P.S.A. Epilepsy Foundation; Film School Grad - Vancouver Island; Production sound on horror film "The Toy Room" - Hourglass Productions; Director/Editor mental health and addictions educational films by Driftwood Media; Director/Editor feature film documentary "Mental Health in Perspective", Driftwood Media; Director/ Camera/Editor informational video "Art Therapy in Disasters", Spindrift Productions; and other recent freelance projects. Driftwood Media - Digital Video Production.

Les Blank (Rosemary)
Parksville

Les first learned of the power of the pen when he wrote a letter of complaint to the Vancouver School Board about his grade school teacher keeping him after school for detention. He also learned that it's not what you say but who's listening that matters. He honed his writing skills by writing for school newspapers and annuals as well as letters to the editor of the Vancouver Sun. By his senior year he had developed additional interests in theatre, film and television. He entered college in 1979 to learn theatre arts under Anthony Holland. After college Les worked in the Vancouver night clubs for a few years as practically everything. For a short while he even worked on the stage, any stage, as well as an extra in TV and films shot in Vancouver. He ultimately learned the mobile music business and worked at that for a little over a decade. It was during that time that he met and married his wife Rosemary. Shortly after that he and his wife moved into a house he'd designed and had built in Nanoose Bay. For the first few years he wrote letters to the editer again and eventually turned them into an editorial column called "More From Les". He was mostly a consumer advocate and at times would tilt at windmills. He was published in: Parksville Morning Sun, The Arrowsmith Star, The Paper, Parksville Qualicum Beach News, The News, The Nanaimo Times and The Harbour City Star. At the same time he ran his own mobile music company and volunteered at the Parksville radio station CHPQ and eventually hosted his own Sunday morning program called "Swing Time with Les". When the station changed hands his position became more technical as he would simulcast the Rafe Mair program for the central island from CHUB or CKEG in Nanaimo or simply run ops for other local talk shows, and make simple announcements while running commercials. All this came to an abrupt halt after Les entered the 1996 bielection in Parksville as an independant, but he may still yet return to the editorial pages of the local newspapers or the radio airwaves. Only time will tell.

Larry Brown (Kathryn)
Nanaimo

Larry started his broadcast career at CHEK-TV in Victoria. After stints in Edmonton and Calgary he joined the CBC in Winnipeg in 1966. He produced and directed in the Music and Variety department for 5 years, including two years with the Guess Who. During that time he encouraged them to write their own songs, which they did, and soon they were too famous for the CBC. After a couple of years with "Reach for the Top" Larry moved to the Network Sports department. He left the Corp. in the late 1970s and has free-lanced ever since. Larry's credits include 5 Stanley Cup Finals, 6 World Junior Championships, 6 Grey Cups, 5 Olympics, the Pan Am Games and the Asian Games. For the last 9 seasons, before retiring this year, he directed the Vancouver Canucks on Sportsnet.

Gordon Browne (Lorraine)
Qualicum Beach

Gord began his media career in the mid-sixties as CKSA's all-night DJ and eventually, morning man in Lloydminster, Alberta. Then on to CKRL Kenora, Ontario for a few months after which he went to Saskatoon's CKOM for a few years. This is where he met his wife, Lorraine, a radio copywriter at the time. Early in the 70's he went over to CFQC radio as promotion manager where he also developed an interest in writing and photography. After six years at QC, it was on to CBC TV in Saskatoon for a couple of years as a public relations officer and then out of the main media into fundraising and public relations. Gord was 8 years with Easter Seals and March of Dimes in Saskatchewan managing major special events and direct mail. Then over to the Kidney Foundation for a couple of years in Saskatoon and four years in Montreal in charge of the national office and their national direct mail program. Realizing a dream to live on the west coast, he accepted a job in Victoria in 1988 as the Director of Development and Alumni Relations for well-known private school, Glenlyon-Norfolk School, where he stayed for 6 years. During this time he took on assignments as a freelance travel writer, copywriter and photographer and continued to do so after leaving GNS in 1998. He's travelled widely across Canada and his travel articles and photography have appeared in most of the major Canadian papers (Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Vancouver Sun, Montreal Gazette etc.) and a number of regional magazines. After taking a UBC course in Internet Marketing in 1999, he picked up a contract as an editor and writer for Futureshop.ca's new website (one of the most enjoyable jobs he ever had) working from his home - thank God for email and the Internet. After that, he incorporated his love of animals into two years with the Victoria SPCA in fundraising (both his dogs are from the Victoria shelter). He and Lorraine moved to Qualicum Beach Dec. 15, 2007 -- they love it. Gord continues to write and fool around with his vintage motorcycle projects and his new vegetable garden. He's not ready to completely retire and continues to take on writing projects or anything else that will help pay the bills.

Rob Bye (Kathie Rousseau)
Nanaimo

Rob is a BCIT broadcast grad (class of 77). After working part-time at CKNW operating hockey games and Jack Cullen's Owl Prowl while attending BCIT, he got his full-time start at CKCQ Quesnel doing overnights in spring of 1977. After 6 unforgettable months he moved to the sunny Okanagan and worked on-air at CKIQ Kelowna from 77-82 in a variety of dayparts. From there it was off to the bright lights of Vancouver and a 2 year stint with Moffat at top-40 CKLG on air at the station he had grown up listening to. From there he got a chance to do mornings, afternoons and be music director at CJAY 92-FM Calgary from 84-88. Somewhere in there Rob married Kathie and began their family of one daughter and two sons. In 88 it was back to Kelowna to Program CHIM-FM, which became rocker CKLZ-FM, The Lizard. Rob hosted mornings and programmed the FM and eventually news-talk CKOV AM as well. After 14 years in Kelowna, in 2002, he became General Manager of CHLB-FM and CJBZ-FM Lethbridge. Then in early 2007 he made it back to the west coast and the amazing Island Radio gig overseeing a six-station cluster including The Beach and The Lounge in Oceanside. Rob says he is fortunate to work with a great team of talented and passionate radio people everyday.

Gerda Christensen (Frank)

Gerda worked for 11 years as a Behaviour Therapist in Hamilton, Ontario, following her school work at McMaster University. After that she moved to Vancouver Island with her husband Frank, who was running his own business, Christensen Metallurgical Consulting. For the next 10 years, Gerda managed the office for Frank. Frank and Gerda have one son in Toronto who works for the CBC. For approximately the last 5 years, Gerda has been doing volunteer work with the Elder College in Parksville, teaching seniors the basics of computers. As well, she has been volunteering with the Arrowsmith Watersheds Coalition Society and the QB Environment Committee. At the present time, Gerda is running her own business, offering computer lessons to those in need, and studying video editing with Norm Bergkvist.

Ed Clark
Parksville

Ed was with the Vancouver Sun from 1962 until 1970, first as a Sports Reporter, then Finance reporting and the City Desk. From 1970-74 he was with the Vancouver Province. He worked there as a Sports Reporter primarily covering B.C. Lions football, as well as University sports. In the last two years with the Province, he was a Crime Reporter. As a Curling reporter from 1963 to '72, Ed was the BC correspondent for Canadian Curling News published monthly, and in 1964 won the CCN award for article entitled "Lyall Dagg's Rocky Trip to the Brier". During the years 1963 to '69 Ed was the University sports reporter for the CBC Radio weekly program hosted by Bill Good Jr. In 1975 Ed joined BC TEL (now TELUS) in Corporate Communications where he spent the first 10 years of his career at the Company's head office in Burnaby. In 1986, he was promoted to Corporate Communications Director of Interior operations, based in Kelowna.. While there, he handled media relations, community relations, employee communications and advertising. When B.C. Tel merged with TELUS in 1999, Ed was named director of municipal government relations for BC and Alberta, a position he held until retirement in Feb 2003.

Gene Daniel (Mary)
Nanaimo

Gene spent 41 years in the broadcast industry from 1965 to 2006. He began his career as an announcer/writer at CKNL in Fort St John, BC and eventually turned to sales. In 1969 he was named manager of CKNL`s sister station in Fort Nelson. In 1971 Gene returned to Fort St John as General Manager and in 1972 joined with Neil McKinnon to purchase the Fort St John and Fort Nelson stations. This was the start of a company that evolved into Nornet Broadcasting. In 1976, the company expanded into Alberta and Gene moved on to manage CJOI in Wetaskiwin and eventually stations were added or purchased in Westlock, Slave Lake, High Prairie, Athabasca, St Paul, Wainwright, Cold Lake, Stettler, Brooks, Drumheller, and Crowsnest Pass. In 1998, Nornet merged with the publicly traded company Okanagan Skeena and a year later was bought out by Telemedia. An opportunity in 1985 to buy CHUB in Nanaimo and CHPQ in Parksville/Qualicum, saw Gene move to Vancouver Island. With the McKinnon family, he formed a new company "Benchmark Ventures" which eventually merged with CKEG Radio in Nanaimo in '93 to become Central Island Broadcasting and later Island Radio. The Eagle in Courtenay and Campbell River, the Lounge in Parksville, and The Peak in Port Alberni were all added to the fold before Island Radio sold the company to the Pattison Group in 2006. While involved in the radio industry in the 1990`s, Gene began a sideline business which he continues today. Gee Dan Productions was formed to promote concerts throughout BC and parts of Alberta and in any given year, he does 20 to 25 concerts. Gene calls concert promotion his semi retirement project.

Korky Day (Cindy)
Qualicum Beach

Korky as been an "underground" and "alternative" media worker from 1969 to the present, usually unpaid. He's done everything -- hawked papers on street corners (and got arrested for it), written, edited, sent subscriptions, type-setting, lay-out, colour separations, cartoon stories, management, pamphlets, posters, on-air announcer, etc. Media include Georgia Straight / Georgia Grape / Western Voice newspaper (1969-1975); Buy & Sell's Whats On (1977~); Vancouver Co-operative Radio 102.7 FM "Armenian Variety Show" and others (~1976-present); Common Ground magazine (1991~); Shared Vision magazine (1991~); founded Allies Co-publishing Newspaper (1992-1996); a Green Party e-newsletter (2006); Nude-Friendly Information and Referral Calendar (on-line 2007-present); and presently developing Web services, including www.korky.ca . Almost all of those have been in Coast Salish Territory (Vancouver, BC).

Website: Leap 4 Love

Richard de Candole

A journalist for over 30 years, Richard started out as a reporter in 1975 for the Alaska Highway News in Fort St. John. During his career he has worked as a reporter or editor for papers including the Merritt Herald, Kamloops Daily, Edmonton Sun, Crowsnest Pass Promoter and Jasper Booster. Moving to Qualicum Beach in 1993 with his wife, Wendy and two children, he was editor/manager of the Qualicum Totem, a community monthly that he started. For a three-year period in the late 90s he wrote a weekly column for the Victoria Times-Colonist called Rural Roots about life on a hobby farm. Richard served as editor of Qualicum Time magazine from 2006 to 2008, and is currently a bus driver with School District 69.

Jack Ellison (Shiela)
Qualicum Beach

Jack began an apprenticeship as a printer at the Calgary Albertan in 1946. He quickly decided he needed to expand his horizons. For 61 years he has been a student, an innovator, and teacher. The technologies that support print media have changed dramatically and Jack has been involved in many of these developments. As technical director for Thomson Newspapers he instituted changes in production procedures that assisted in cost control throughout the mechanical departments in newspapers. This experience led him to work with major technical companies in Canada and the USA assisting in the development and application of new processes for newspaper and magazine production. After a number of years working with newspapers, commercial printers and pre-press facilities, Jack formed his own company, IGS Inc. IGS developed software for applications in the print and publishing industry. Headquartered in Seattle the company quickly grew and began to create solutions that found immediate acceptance. Jack wrote a newsletter that was distributed by Printing Industries of America; lectured at all the graphic conventions and technical schools; and wrote a column for two magazines on a monthly basis for many years. In answer to the request of a friend, Jack saw an opportunity to assist the hospitality industry through the development of new software to control production costs. A company was formed and expanded the original plan to include a multitude of services for major hotels and restaurants. The company owned a major restaurant in Vancouver and was a shareholder in a fourteen-unit chain of restaurants. Jack lectured at many of the colleges and universities in Canada under the auspices of the Canadian Restaurant Association and the Canadian Government Department of Tourism. Jack has retired from these companies and accepts the odd assignment to develop business plans for new ventures.

Barry Fontayne (Carmen)
DEEP BAY -

It all started in his late teens when young Ron practised being a DJ in the basement of his parent's home in Toronto using a reel to reel tape recorder and two record players cued to play 78s and 45s. One of his audition tapes landed his first job in 1957 as an announcer with CKLY in Lindsay, Ontario. He moved to CFOS in Owen Sound in 1960 and did the morning show from 6 to 10AM. Once a week he was the studio MC for a live country music show featuring a popular local band called "Ted Ormsby and the Toe Tappers". In 1964 Ron moved to Hamilton, Ontario for a brief stint doing the all-night show on CKOC. In 1965 (because they already had two Rons on the air) Ron Quail became Barry Fontayne when he was hired as Announcer with CKWW in Windsor, Ontario. In 1968, he ventured into the world of radio advertising sales and in 1970 was promoted to Retail Sales Manager at CKWW. In 1980 Barry was hired as General Sales Manager for CKDA and CFMS-FM in Victoria. Two years later he joined the sales team at CFAX. In 1985 he became the General Sales Manager for CJVI, Victoria and retained his position as CJVI became The Ocean 98.5 FM and The Ocean gave birth to a sister station, HOT 103FM (now known as JACK-FM). Barry retired in 2001 after 44 years in radio broadcasting and now lives in Deep Bay with his wife Carmen.

John Griffiths
Parksville

John left school at 16 to become a reporter for The Chester Chronicle in England. He apprenticed there from 1961-1966, obtaining the National Proficiency Certificate in Journalism and emigrated to Vancouver in April of that year. He fondly remembers how he was hired in a brief telephone interview by the publisher of The Merritt Herald, who simply wanted to be sure that he wasn't a pipe smoker. He discovered later the publisher didn't mind the smell but was annoyed that his previous reporter was always spending so much time lighting and fiddling with his pipe that he didn't get any work done! John became a general news reporter for The Province from 1967 - 1977, and was City Hall reporter in the days of Mayor Tom Campbell. He married a Province reporter and worked alongside many of the colourful characters from back then such as the late TV chef James Barber, who then worked for The Province, reviewing the symphony in a white tuxedo and bare feet. John left the business to sell real estate in Delta and Surrey from 1977 - 1994, but wrote two true crime books in 1995 and 1999 and retains a keen interest in all things media. He retired to Parksville three years ago.

Dave Graham
Qualicum Beach

Dave started at CFOR in Orillia, ON (1977-1980) doing weekend all-nights while finishing grades 12 and 13 and first year of college. He attended Humber College's Radio Broadcasting course for half of the 3-year course before starting at CFSL in Weyburn, Saskatchewan in 1981. During his 10 months there, he went from evenings to middays/Music Director. From there to the midday show at CFTJ, Cambridge, Ontario until 1983 when he moved to swing/Music Director at CKBB in Barrie until '86 when he moved to CHUM-FM in Toronto, starting as the all-night jock and ending as a swing announcer. In the spring of '97 he became Program Manager for the Okanagan-Skeena Group in Terrace, BC, running stations in Terrace, Kitimat and Prince Rupert. 18 months later he bailed to get back to the fun of radio and became the midday host at a new station - CKLR-FM "The Eagle" in Courtenay. Left in 2001 as morning man/program supervisor and remained out of radio until 2004 when he joined 88.5 The Beach in Parksville as morning man. I'm still there and having a blast! Dave has been working as a casual freelance photographer (news-documentary-wedding-portrait-industrial-commercial) for about as long as he's been in radio. He is currently Chair of the local photography club, Oceanside Photographers. In the last couple of years, Dave has made the switch to digital, and has created an online gallery of photography he'd like to share with us. Don't miss it - this is some really fine work.

Dave's Website: Photo Gallery

Kieth Hamel (Joanne)
Errington

Originally from Regina, SK, Keith moved to the west coast in 1974 and to Vancouver Island in 1976. From 1979 to 1990 he worked for a wholesale meat distribution company out of Victoria. In 1991 he was hired by Chuck Benson as a sales rep for CHPQ Radio in Parksville. He left CHPQ in 1994 to join the Arrowsmith Star newspaper. The paper was bought out by a competitor and the employees were let go. Still in 1994, a new publisher contacted a core group of ex-employees including Keith with the intention of starting a new paper. Following a few hectic months, they succeeded in publishing and distributing "The Paper" - now known as the Oceanside Star. In 1995, he was approached and asked to rejoin the local radio station as senior sales rep and station supervisor. Keith stayed with CHPQ as it morphed from 1,000 watts into the 10,000 watt CKCI (now 88.9 FM, the Beach). He left CKCI late 1997. Keith and his wife, Joanne are into their ninth year as owners of the Prettythings Gift Shoppe. After starting their retail adventures in Coombs, in 2004 they expanded to a second location opening a store in Wembley Mall in Parksville. They closed the Coombs store and became a one location operation in the fall of 2007. The mall store continues to grow and establish itself. Keith and Joanne have a 24 year old son, Brent - guitar teacher, song writer and all round good kid.

Neil Horner
Qualicum Beach

Neil began his career as a reporter at the Fort St. James Caledonia Courier in 1989, where he worked his way up from reporter to editor. In 1993, he moved to Quesnel, where he honed his skills under the tutelage of the late Jerry MacDonald at the Quesnel Cariboo Observer. After five years and MacDonald's retirement, he was appointed editor and continued in that capacity until 2004, when he moved to Qualicum Beach. He continues producing evocative, stimulating copy as assistant editor at the Parksville Qualicum Beach News. During his career, Neil has won 28 awards of excellence on the company, provincial and national levels.

Moe Inwards (Val)
PORT ALBERNI

Started on air at CFSL, Weyburn, Saskatchewan in the fall of 1958. He went from weekend part timer to the all night show after one shift. The station was still in its infancy and everyone was eager to learn and prepared to work every day, every department and every shift for $150 a month. During this time, audition tapes were going out to stations all across the country. The next move was to CHAB-TV, Moose Jaw. Moe thought he had reached Valhalla, working at a brand new TV station in the big City. The station was yet to go on air, and every morning started at nine with simulated broadcasting until the day the transmitter was activated. Duties included pulling all the slides for the day, going on camera with an early newscast, audio operator, telecini operator, taping all of the days booth announcements and panning the camera over the weather board. About four months later, Moe got a call from CJAV in Port Alberni in response to an audition he'd sent out. With a brand new bride, he loaded up the Austin and headed for BC. What was intended to be a stop along the way turned into 25 years and during that time the station changed locations three times and survived a tidal wave. Moe went through all of the on-air shifts starting as a DJ, and ending up as an "On Air Personality". He kept the same wife, added 4 kids, two dogs and an assortment of cats and other livestock. He moved into sales in 1962 but remained on the air and in 1972, with a partner, purchased the station from Ken Hutcheson. Moe also had a brief foray into the newspaper business in the mid 70s after starting up a local newspaper, the "Barkley Sounder". He was honored to be named Broadcast Citizen of the Year in 1981 by the BC Association of Broadcasters for his contribution to the community and the Province. Moe sold his interests in the station in 1986 and spent the next few years in the hospitality business before moving into Real Estate in 1990 where he continues to this day as an agent with RE/Max, Port Alberni.

Dave Lantaigne

Graduated from York University's (Toronto) Acing Program with a BFA in 1992. He spent 12 years with "The Royal Blood Sketch Comedy Troupe" from 1987-1999. The troupe had a large following in Toronto, playing in such popular clubs as The Rivoli, Yuk Yuk's, The Laugh Resort, etc. They also toured Canada from coast to coast playing on the College/University circuit. As well he has been involved in producing short videos for broadcast with "Royal Blood". Dave has appeared in numerous commercials as well as film and television roles. He moved to Vancouver Island in 2004 and is still acting, going over to Vancouver and Victoria for auditions.

Sulaika M. Levasseur
(California for now)

Born an Airforce Brat in Alberta, she's made traveling the world a national past time. Favorite place: living in Greece after writing about Canadian Peacekeepers for the U.N in Cyprus. Colleagues who would have known her from her days at CBC Television and Radio from l981 to l996 (THE NATIONAL,THE JOURNAL, the fifth estate) will remember her as 'Mar Chernaski', but when she married a 'love' story changed all that. She is the published author of an inspirational memoir about grieving the loss of her husbandPeter Paul Ochs and a contributing writer to a popular Penguin anthology: HOT CHOCOLATE FOR THE MYSTICAL LOVER: 101 True Stories of Souls Brought Together by Divine Intervention. After studying screen writing in the USA and working on her latest incarnation as a cartoonist her intention is to animate her cartoon leading lady: THE LEOPARDO: FASHION ANIMAL OF LOVEwho says about the relationship challenged(copyright of course) that"...a journey of a thousand arguments begins with the first date....".

Bob Morris (Nancy)

In the mid 60s, at the tender age of 14, Bob began his broadcast career with four years of service at CHUB, Nanaimo. Following high school graduation in '67 Bob headed to the "big city" and C-FUN, Vancouver as well as UBC. From '69-'76, he worked at CKLG and CKLG FM (CFOX) as an announcer, newscaster and eventually Program Director. Off to Victoria and the Program Director's job at CKDA from 1976-1979. Then to Calgary and Westrack Communications as owner, then Program Director of CHQR from '79-'82. Bob was the Program Director of CJUP, Langley from '82 until '84; worked as a National talk show host at CKO, Vancouver; then Program Director of CHRX (former CJOR) from 1984 until 1989. He left the broadcasting business from 1989-2005 to become Manager of the Professional Film Studies Program at Capilano University. Since 2005, Bob has been the Owner/Managing partner of Westwave Broadcasting Inc., the licence holder of 91.7 CKAY FM, which serves the Sunshine Coast and Central Vancouver Island.

Pat Murphy
Nanaimo

As a carrier boy for the Calgary based daily "Albertan" in 1951, Pat delivered papers until high school in 1956. Then, in 1966 his career began at the Thompson owned, Kelowna Daily Courier. He soon would get on the transfer list with Thompson and found himself at The Welland Tribune in the Niagara peninsula, then Port Colborne, Chatham Daily News, The Oshawa Times and finally the St Thomas Journal. After 8 years in Ontario Pat longed for the Okanagan, tired of the constant moves and humid summers in Ontario and working for someone else, he decided to return to the Okanagan and start his own weekly publication in Vernon. "Vernon This Week" was one of his proudest achievements, a feisty weekly paper that grew in popularity and eventually dominated the Vernon market. Pat sold his half of the company after two years of publication, and took a year off to travel and SCUBA dive with his family. Upon his return to Canada, he returned to Thompson Newspapers, this time in Nanaimo, spent four years as Advertising manager, then off for a short stint to Saint John New Brunswick at the Telegraph Journal/Times Globe, then on to the Halifax Daily News and finally back to Vancouver Island as publisher of the Duncan Pictorial/ News Leader. In the fall of 1989 Pat went to work for CFAX in Victoria selling a few print based products. The Nanaimo Daily Free Press recruited him one year later and he was pleased to be back in the print business and to be back in Nanaimo. In 1993 he was transferred to Calgary, Thompson's Western Head Office, and served as the advertising consultant until the head office was shut down 14 months later. He was transferred to the Winnipeg Free Press as advertising director until the Spring of 1994 then back to the Nanaimo Daily Free Press. In 2000 Pat went to work with Shaw Cable Advertising services as the B.C. Regional Advertising Manager until his retirement in 2000. Pat started work as a volunteer on the Y2-K Spitfire restoration project in the summer of that year and has spent every weekend since at the Comox Air Force Museum working on the Spitfire and helping with marketing and fund raising.

Micheline Pelland (Jean Michel)
Cowichan Bay

Born in Montreal, Micheline and her husband moved out west after they were married 36 years ago. Micheline taught special education for a very short while in Vancouver then moved to Edmonton where they raised their 2 children. She started working for the CBC in 1992 in the Programming and Communications Department. After this assignment was completed, she moved on to the newsroom to work with the assignment editor and then worked for Radio Canada the French Television as Traffic Coordinator. Six years later, when lay offs started happening at the CBC, Micheline moved on and got the Traffic Manager's Position at CKER, the Ethnic Station, and 2 years later joined CHED/POWER 92 working for both the Creative and the Traffic Depts. She also worked for Global TV as Traffic Coordinator for Edmonton and Calgary for 2 years. During that time, Micheline decided to start her own translating and interpreting business as well as doing French voicing. She became the French voice for 80 businesses, recording Messages on Hold and writing commercials for bilingual businesses across Canada and the United States. She translated for many countries, including Algeria, Africa, Tunisia and France. She also did readings for Alberta Anthology on CBC. Micheline's husband is a passionate sailor and they moved to the island 4 years ago.

Rita Picard (Michael)
Courtenay

Rita has spent 30+ years freelancing on a variety of broadcast and studio productions as Assistant Director, Production Manager and Second Unit Director. Projects include Disney's 'Cadet Kelly', John Woo's 'Once a Thief' and Kevin Sullivan's, 'Wind at My Back'. Transplanted to the Island from Toronto in 2004, she currently develops, shoots and edits community based video for promotional, educational and informative purposes. Her motto remains: "Creative problem solving before creative compromise!" which is applied to helping local groups, businesses and individuals achieve a vision to share.

Michael Razberry
Nanaimo

It all began way back in his tweens, when he received his first camera as a birthday gift. He took to it instantly and began to explore the world through the eye of 35mm. Later in his teens he enrolled with the New York Institute of Photography, completed their program and after a few years of playing in a dark room, shooting portfolios, weddings, etc. He was certain to make a career of it and found his first opportunity in 1978 with The Nanaimo Daily Free Press. A few years later freelancing seemed exciting, traveling, taking pictures, telling a story and with photography on the cusp to digital, he too needed to rethink his future. Which lead him to the purchase of a Sony 8mm videocam, a ticket to Belize and a desire to further understand the Mayan Culture.Returning to Nanaimo around 1995 Micheal soon found myself volunteering with Shaw Cable`s Community Programming. It was a great opportunity to hone the skills of a producer, studio camera operator, directing, editing. He also discovered he enjoyed hosting studio interviews and soon had his own weekly program. Participating in the community seemed appropriately the next step when an opportunity became available to produce/host a local radio morning talk show. The focus, was the community and after a few months of tweaking the program "raz in the morning," it established itself as a solid forum for local current events. In its final leg, the program was nominated for a Sterling Award. Knowing he somehow needed to package this raw experience and professional training/support was his obvious next step. So in the winter of 2002 he was off to Vancouver to enroll in C.A. Broadcasting Arts Program. Thereafter it was sink or swim in the big leagues. Playing ball in major market scums with some major market players felt like a David and Goliath first time out to him. But none the less, he kinda felt right at home. After a short while, Nanaimo was where the responsibilities of family were present and therefore adapting his skills to suite a local environment where he has spent these past five years working in the field of multimedia: corporate video, training video, music video, documentary, and voiceover type stuff. There are no guarantees to this wild-ride called life, And who knows what the New Year will bring, but one thing is for certain, it`s one of those wonder-us pleasures to be compensated for something you simply love to do.

Andrew Smith (Judy)
Parksville

Started in broadcasting as a weekend announcer for CHCL Radio in Cold Lake, Alberta in 1964. While attending the NAIT Radio and Television Arts program, he secured a part-time gig with CKUA Radio and this became full time with CKUA in 1969. Andrew spent about 10 years with CKUA as News Director before leaving to try the freelance market. In that capacity he did print, radio and television pieces for CBC Edmonton, the Christian Science Monitor, the Travel Channel in the United States, and a few others. Still in Edmonton, the next 10 years were spent with CFRN Radio and Television as announcer, Assignment Editor, Producer, and News Director. From there it was back to freelancing and other pursuits including a golf series for the CTV Network and a lot of traveling. Currently Andrew is producing corporate video and doing media consulting work from Parksville while working on a pilot for PBS.

Bob Tenney (Linda)
Bowser

Bob began his working career at the age of 9 as a paperboy for the Chicago Tribune -- fifty-six years later he's an older paperboy on Vancouver Island for the Beacon Magazine! Bob's eclectic work history includes: Ditch digger in Germany (student exchange program). Atomic scientist (yikes, he nearly irradiated himself). Dog walker (multiple dogs, multiple leashes, and multiple licks on the face). Community organizer and social activist during the Vietnam War (Bob chained himself to the underside of a car, blocking downtown traffic in a US metropolis at rush hour). Tree planter (of future newsprint). Oyster shucker in Tofino (Bob hates oysters). Cook on a fish-packing boat in Prince Rupert. Campaign manager for the Rhino candidate in Vancouver East during the federal "erection" of 1980. Sushi chef (Bob LOVES sushi). Head cashier at a food co-op. Gardener. Writer for the Bowser-based Beacon Magazine (now that's "Stranger than Fiction"!) After a long, illustrious, and quasi-infamous career, Bob moved to Vancouver Island with his wife Linda in 2003 to "retire and get away from it all". They bought Baywater Books in Qualicum Bay, and closed it two years later in favour of an Internet presence at www.eyesonbc.com/Baywater. "I have never worked harder, enjoyed it more or been paid less." says Bob.

Website: Baywater Books

Linda Tenney (Bob)
Bowser

Linda ignored the tedious hours she spent in 1974 compiling billboard route reports for Claude Neon in Toronto, and focused instead on writing prose and poetry (published in the mid-70’s). When the folks at Claude Neon realized that she was producing more poetry than route reports, they decided she’d better find a job that would pay her to write. Looking for adventure and a new job, Linda packed her socks and headed off to Vancouver in 1977 in search of "more". She stopped searching after six years and returned to Toronto to The Bullock Group of Funds, where she created corporate and marketing communications. Following a merger with Spectrum Mutual Funds, she became Communications Specialist, adding advertising copy writing and design to her skills. Returning to Vancouver in 1993, Linda worked with her dad and brother in the printing industry, learning more about design and print production. She finally found "more" in 1996 as Communications Manager for United Flower Growers in Burnaby, editing their monthly B2B magazine, writing/designing promotional material, and creating their website. Her spare time was filled with freelance writing, photography and web design for Country Life in BC. Linda landed on Vancouver Island in 2003 with her husband Bob, their dog, three cats and a bookstore. While Bob ran the store, Linda and her business partner Sharon Waugh launched EyesOnBC Media Group in 2004 to publish the community-inspired magazine, The Beacon, and to offer local business a variety of marketing, design and printing services. EyesOnBC won the "2005 Best New Business of the Year" Award from the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce. Their newest publication, the quarterly Baynes Sound Current, was launched in June 2007. You can listen to Linda promote Lighthouse Country on 88.5FM The Beach the first Thursday of each month at 8:40 am.

Website: Eyes On BC "The Beacon"

Beth Warden (Rob)
Nanaimo

Beth has been in radio the majority of her life, starting at the age of 14 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in the early 80's. Employers in the early years of her career included KELO AM, and Tom Ingstad Broadcasting where she was an on-air talent. Moving into a sales and leadership role, Beth was general manager at KCGN AM & FM of Sioux Falls/Milbank South Dakota in the 90's. After relocating to her husband Rob's hometown of Edmonton Alberta, Beth continued in new avenues of broadcasting at CKER radio. Since 2004, she has been involved with Touch Canada Broadcasting based in Edmonton. Currently she is host of the music and call in program "Today's Family with Beth Warden" airing weeknights from 6-10pm on Shine FM stations in Edmonton, Calgary and Grande Prairie, AB, and on CJCA Saturday evenings from 6pm - 12am. The program is created from her home studio in Nanaimo, BC. You can listen to her program streaming live at <http://www.shinefm.com/> during show times. In addition to her radio program, Beth is heard literally around the world as a voiceover artist, with commercials and specialty recordings for radio and television, to hostess for Superfast ferries in Greece, to the voice "Vicci" the interactive shopping directory character located in numerous shopping centres throughout Canada, including Woodgrove and Mayfair shopping centres on Vancouver Island. http://www.bethwarden.com Personally Beth has been married to Rob Warden for 13 years and they are the proud parents of two young children.

Beth's Website: Today's Family

Michael Warmington (Sharon)
(Parksville for a while)

Montreal-born Michael wanted to be a broadcaster after falling in love with his own voice at the age of 16 while being interviewed on a sock hop program on his hometown station of CJAD. He began his illustrious albeit short award-winning career at CFOM Quebec City - a little 500 watter. After learning the basics he progressed to CJOY Guelph, CKLB Oshawa, CKCO-TV Kitchener, CKEY Toronto, CJAD Montreal and CHED Edmonton. While news director at CHED Michael was honoured by the Radio and Television News Directors Association with the DAN award for excellence and professionalism in the 11 years he spent in news reporting. He lives in Edmonton and snowbirds in the Parksville/Qualicum Beach area.

Heather Yoner

Graduated from Radio Arts program at Lethbridge Community College in May 1982. She was hired by YR Radio (Yellowhead Broadcasting) for her first full time radio job during the spring & summer of 1982. Moved back to Lethbridge to work at 1220 CJOC in September 1982 until November 1984, when she decided to relocate permanently to Vancouver Island. After settling into her new full time job with the Royal Bank in Nanaimo, she was also hired by Bob Adshead at 1350 CKEG, working part-time on-air until 1992, when she had to leave to focus on her banking career. Eventually, when the time came to change careers, Heather was hired at Island Radio in January 2000. During her long tenure here, she has seen a huge evolution in the company: first, the changes to AM stations formerly known as CHUB & CKEG becoming CKVW ("102.3 The Wave") and CHWF ("106.9 The Wolf"), as well as The Beach & The Lounge (Parksville/Qualicum Beach) and The Peak (Port Alberni); second, the change of ownership to the Jim Pattison Broadcasting Group. She is proud to work for Island Radio and continues to thoroughly enjoy working in her roles today as The Wave's Music Director and Wave morning show co-host. Life-long learning is also very important to her - in 2003 she obtained her diploma from Malaspina University College's Interior Design program.