Life North of the 54th

Rae Ann and Kim Shipley tell their story of moving to the Peace Country and raising their family there. They recount stories of their volunteer work in the region as well as their volunteer contributions throughout China and Africa. Show Notes Introductions and Moving to the Peace Country University of Alberta (UofA) Proselyting Mission Hong Kong Cultural Revolution Red Deer, AB Gentleman Farmer W...

Betty and Owen Stanford join us to share experiences from their lives and their 55 years of marriage. They share their love of the Fairview, Alberta area as well as some stories from their adventures in England. They also discuss the vicissitudes of their church volunteer service over the decades. Show Notes Introductions Fairview, Alberta Church Leadership Cardston, Alberta Road Show Fairview Col...

Farouq joins us to discuss his love of science and his journey of becoming an educator. He shares the lessons he has learned from moving to the Peace Country and being in closer contact with people and nature. He also reveals some stories from his career as a high school teacher over the last two decades. Show Notes Introductions Peace Wapiti Academy (PWA) Edmonton, AB University of Alberta (UofA)...

James and Andrea Wheat share a variety of stories and laughs as they reminisce about their past and how it weaved through the Peace Country. They also discuss how their families have been brought together again and again for generations. Show Notes Introductory Stories Vanderhoof, BC Fort St. John, BC Dawson Creek, BC Charlie Lake, BC Charlie Lake Provincial Park Beatton Provincial Park Algae Drum...

Laurence Hunt emphasizes the positive impact that his brief time in the Peace Country had on his life. From the people to the wildflowers, he shares stories of how living in the Peace Country taught him to be happy. We also very grateful to Laurence for sharing some additional stories and feelings about Jeannie MacKinnon. Show Notes Introductions and Childhood Kenora, ON Brighton, ON Springfield,...

Jonathan Ockey shares his story and discusses the experiences that shaped his appreciation for the Peace Country. He talks about some of his formative experiences and what led to where he is today. He also explores what it is that connects people to the land. Show Notes North vs South Fairview, AB Fox Creek, AB Young Single Adults (YSA) Cardston, AB Magrath, AB Fairview, Alberta 1989 GMC Sonoma No...

William has a passion for the universe, near and far. He talks about the privileges he's had growing up in Fort St. John, BC, from the close community, to the dark skies, to the olympic oval. He shares his gratitude for friends, family, and those who work behind the scenes to provide for others. Email us feedback, ask us questions, or write in a story for us to share at lifenorthofthe54th@gmail.co...

John Strong loves being outdoors and coaching volleyball. He shares how unexpected life can be and how it can be difficult to adapt and navigate. He shares some entertaining stories, hard earned wisdom, and appreciation for how his time in the Peace Country shaped his life. Show Notes Why the Peace Country? Wetaskiwin, AB Edson, AB Exercise Therapist The Great Outdoors The Fiddle Pass (Cadomin Cav...

Garett and Preston discuss the construction and aftermath of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam, one of the world's highest earth fill dams. They discuss the impact the dam has had on the Tsek'ehne of Northern British Columbia. Show Notes The Scattering of Man (2021) on CBC Gem. BC Archive Images Daniel Sims (2017) PhD Thesis titled 'Dam Bennett: The Impact of the W. A. C. Bennett Dam and Williston Lake Reser...

Jordan shares his experiences growing up north of the Peace Country. He talks about life in a small town and the adventures of moving to the big city. Show Notes Introductions Fort Nelson, BC Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Fort St. John, BC Muncho Lake Liard Hot Springs Toad River, BC Bass Clarinet “Barry” Saxophone Trumpet Trombone Jessie CAT Rental Boston Pizza Prince George, BC London,...

Alex reminisces about time spent together with friends and family while growing up in Grande Prairie. He talks about his experience growing up in the Peace Country and shares some of the lessons that he's learned along the way. Show Notes Why the Peace Country? Spruce Grove, AB Chicago, IL Poland Old Farm House Memories Retaining Wall Rebar Piles Around the Acreage Pallets Survey Stake Wooden Bow...

From the previous conversation with Stephen Makus, Garett and Stephen catch up about life. They discuss how they've changed over the years and what has driven the change. This conversation was recorded in September 2022. Show Notes Previously On Episode 12 Drywall Construction Spray Foam Insulation Oil and Gas Adulting Odd Jobs Autobiography Oil Rig Invert Mud Fracking Shale Salinity Nuclear Fusio...

Leisa and Rick Olson lived through a Year of Hell shortly after moving to the Peace Country. They share how they were able to navigate the difficulties together and how both the people and the land of the Peace Country supported them through it. Show Notes Rick and Leisa's Work, fusefamilyfocus.com Introductions and Early Memories Port Alberni, BC Vancouver Island Moving to the Peace Country The b...

Ron and Laura Brown join us to share their experience of blending their lives together. They discuss some of the details that brought them together along with a family trip to Disneyland. They also reflect on how life has changed over the years and how being empty nesters pulls them away from the Peace Country. Show Notes Courtship and Marriage Harry Balfour School Calgary Zoo Mormon Church Leduc,...

Ron Stanford takes us through his journey of falling in love with the north and appreciating its offer of a simpler lifestyle. He discusses the north's natural beauty as well as the resilience developed from enduring the unforgiving nature. Show Notes Background and Audiology Fairview, AB Fairview College Red Deer, AB Harley Davidson FHS Abbotsford, BC Lethbridge, AB Audiology Everett, WA Earplugs...

Kim Houlder recently retired as the chemistry teacher at Peace Wapiti Academy, having taught there since the school opened in 2001. With many years of experience and even more stories, Kim shares some laughs and insights into life as a teacher and what it means to be part of a community in the Peace Country. Show Notes Background Peace Wapiti Academy Grimshaw, AB Grimshaw High Kleskun Hills Becomi...

David Woodruff embraces opportunities for self-reflection and personal development. He shares the winding path of his experiences that brought him to better understand why he calls the North home. Show Notes Background Pincher Creek Cross-country skiing Axis and Allies O'Brien Park Explore - Second Language Program Bear Creek Trails Biking Across Canada Personal and Professional Development Victor...

Arlin Fehr shares his experiences and feelings about growing up on a farm north of Fort St. John. He exchanges stories related to driving and weather along with some of his feelings surrounding building community with others. Show Notes Links to Arlin's work Ravania Entertainment Kobo.com Amazon.ca Growing up on a farm Quarter section Churning butter Getting a driver's license in BC Fort St. John,...

Garett and Preston discuss the remarkable life of Dr. Mary Percy Jackson, the only doctor to much of the Peace Country during the first half of the 20th century. Her stories are recorded in the letters she wrote to her family in England and the biography written of her life. Show Notes Sources wikipedia.org alberta.ca drmaryjackson.com albertadoctors.org goodreads.com Email us feedback, ask us que...

Stephen Makus digs deep and shares the evolution of his feelings for the Peace Country. He talks about how the complexities and complications of life have helped him to rediscover the beauty of the Peace region and how his path to self-understanding lead through surprisingly similar spaces. Show Notes Some Early Memories La Glace, AB Softball Fastball Track and Field Bicycle Adventures Muskoseepi...

Jeannie MacKinnon recounts how she met her current husband Jim along with some of the wild adventures they've shared together. She shares some of the experiences they've had exploring the Peace Country and the world together. Show Notes Meeting Jim Plenty of Fish Joey's Cornwall Scotland Pipestone Creek Centenarian birthday wishes from the Queen Some Additional Stories Kleskun Hills Hommy Campgrou...

Garett and Preston meander through some of their earliest memories about growing up in the Peace Country. They talk about some of the memories that left lasting impressions, question their reality, and discuss the roll that emotions play in their longevity. Show Notes Some Early Memories Lethbridge, Alberta Outhouse Wonowon, BC Magnetic Fishing Game Childish Exploits Super Nintendo Tetris and Dr....

Laura Brown provides insight into growing up in Peace Country and the journey through the formative years of her life. She shares some stories of her mischievous behaviour and some of the more inspiring experiences of her youth. Show Notes Some Early Memories GPCHS Parkside Harry Balfour Montrose Handedness Boa Constrictor Managing High School Slide-tape Okanagan, BC Kelowna, BC Jasper National Pa...

Emma Lambert describes the can-do attitude the permeates the Peace Country. She shares stories from her childhood growing up in small communities and isolated homesteads. She also provides some words of wisdom and a number of good laughs. Show Notes Some Early Memories Cleardale, AB Worsley, AB Kris Kristofferson Johnny Cash The Outlaws Merle Haggard Menno-Simons The Hobbit Wonowon Charlie Lake Qu...

Rob Blum relays the words of people throughout the Peace Country who have piqued his interest in gold. He shares his interest in understanding the geology and glaciology of the Peace and how it influences the people. Rob also tells few other stories about his experiences and the history of the Peace Country. Show Notes Flowing Veins of Gold Tri-S Concrete Hudson Bay Grimshaw Gravel Hydraulic Drill...