Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/170490
PeRSOn & PlACe Powell River personality Singer Jill Barber enjoys sentimental journeys to the storied Sunshine Coast. Bio: Songwriter, torch singer, professional who or what are you likely to meet? when is the best time to go? touring musician, author. hometown: Vancouver (via Toronto). Favourite place: Powell river on the north Sunshine Coast. "A real mix of artisans, mill workers, ex-hippies, avid gardeners, water-sports enthusiasts, young families, and retirees. You can also spot a local when you see them sporting a distinctive 'Pollen Sweater,' from a local handmade knitwear company that has been in operation (in lund) for over 25 years." "Anytime from the May long weekend to Thanksgiving. . . and it's worth timing your trip with one of the many art, music, or food festivals that take place each year such as the lund Shellfish Festival in the spring, the Blackberry Festival in late summer, or the Sunshine Music Festival on labour Day weekend." what keeps you coming back? "I'm attracted to towns with a rich sense of history and Powell river, a former logging boomtown, wears it on its rugged sleeve. Enjoying a heyday in the early part of the last century, the town boasts the remnants of decades of prosperity in a charming faded elegance found in establishments like The Patricia Theatre (one of Canada's longest continuously operating movie houses), The rodmay Hotel (that still hosts old-time bluegrass nights), and the nostalgic Magpie's Diner." where do you stay? what do you eat? "Browse the extensive gardening section of local independent bookstore Breakwater Books; drop by the tasting room of Townsite Brewing, Powell river's first craft brewery; take a stroll along beautiful Willington Beach; or rent a kayak from Powell river Sea Kayak and search for sea urchin gardens at low tide." when i go, i never forget my . . . "Sunscreen. Powell river, on the north Sunshine Coast, gets an enviable number of hours of sun each year." Travel tips "For a splurge you can fly direct from Vancouver on Pacific Coastal Airlines and be close to paradise in about 35 minutes, but for a more leisurely journey, you can take BC Ferries, first across Howe Sound, then through Jervis Inlet on two of the most spectacular ferry rides in Canada." CORTES ISLAND LUND Inland Lake Provincial Park • ST R A POWELL RIVER IT O F JER G RG COURTENAY EO "My husband [CBC radio host grant lawrence] and I like to stay at The old Courthouse Inn. It's part cozy boutique hotel, part museum (it's decorated with old antiques, anonymous family portraits, and vintage doll collections). Edie rae's Cafe in the hotel is great for breakfast. Costa del Sol latin Cuisine has amazing authentic fish tacos and a patio with a view of the ocean. And of course Nancy's Bakery is worth the short drive to lund for its world famous cinnamon buns." what do you do there? IA COMOX VIS INL ET TEXADA ISLAND LASQUETI ISLAND good to know • • The elegant Patricia Theatre showed silent movies in the 1920s and remains popular today. 62 booMer JerriTT CANDACE MEYEr Inland Lake Provincial Park, north of Powell River, features a 13-kilometre wheelchairaccessible trail around the lake that is ideal for cycling (bcparks.ca).