As I prepare to leave Halfmoon Bay, an initial concern of mine was finding someone to pass the writing baton to. I didn’t have to wait long before a young woman reached out asking if she could take it on. If you had seen me upon reading her e-mail, you would have witnessed a very excited happy dance! It was honestly the best news I had received in several days. I met with her for a couple of hours to discuss her vision for the column, give her some advice on how best to proceed (don’t wait to write it until just before deadline! Been there, done that!) and to get to know her on a personal level. It thrills me to say that you, readers, are in excellent hands!
It is with great delight that I introduce to you Carly Bevan-Cormier. Some of you may know her as the talent behind the Modern Hippie Home Stand (on Eagle Drive in Welcome Woods. I’m going to miss her salad rolls and peanut sauce!).
“Cumulatively, I’ve lived here for 25 years,” Carly told me. “My family moved here from Vancouver when I was five years old.
We lived in the log house on the corner of Southwood and Eastwood, and my brother and I went to Halfmoon Bay Elementary (a couple of my teachers became my kid’s teachers). I attended Chatelech Secondary and graduated with a degree in Economics from the University of Victoria. I’m privileged to be the mom to three daughters and a step-daughter.”
She has experience writing to an audience and our local community via her blog ModernHippieHW.com, and for the Sunshine Coast Living Magazine, writing articles about sustainable living, DIY and health. In the past, Carly has hosted community-centred events like Sargeant Bay beach clean-ups and Coast-wide “Shop-Local” campaigns during the holidays. Running the Modern Hippie Home Stand enables her to connect with the community and support other Halfmoon Bay artisans. “Now that all my girls are in school,” Carly explained, “I have more availability.”
Carly will reach out in the coming weeks to introduce herself personally and invite you to share your stories and information on community events. Please make sure you give Carly feedback as she embarks on this venture ([email protected]).
On a final note (I know, the last line of my previous column was technically my goodbye), I want to express my wholehearted gratitude to all who have taken the time to write to me or speak to me personally about how much they have enjoyed my Happenings column and for my volunteerism in the community. I am so very moved.
