Misconceptions
“One thing I have to say though, is that there are a lot of
people in foreign countries that think all Canadians live in
igloos or that we live in the woods. I don’t understand this
because we live in a perfectly normal place.” ~Kerri Bertram
“It is surprising how people who live in Canada don’t
know a thing about P.E.I.. Many people have asked me if the
bridge is bigger than the Island or if it really only takes an
hour to walk around the whole island. It makes me mad we all know
so much about other provinces, but they don’t even have the
time to learn about the province that started Canada.”
~Lindsay Escoffery
“Although many people believe we are secluded from any type
of civilization, nothing could be farther from the truth. We do
everything any city would, we just have smaller buildings. Not
all of us say “Aye,” or wear rubber boots, and we go
through the same troubles anyone would. We are not stupid, and
our biggest headlines are not about whose cow got loose.”
~Ashley Mann
“To me, the island way of life is no different than any
other person’s way of life. I have lived here all my life
and if there is something odd about the way we live, I have never
noticed. To me it’s just normal. The tourists come like a
swarm of bees every summer, and with them, some poorly perceived
ideas of “our ways.” I’ve heard stories of
visitors planning to leave their cars on the mainland and walk
around the island. We're not that small! My cousin from the
States came to visit me once and was surprised to discover that
fashion exists in P.E.I..
“I can see why the tourists like it here, though. Beautiful
bridge, bountiful beaches, and we do have large fishing and
farming industries, but despite our quaintness, we still lead
modern lives. I may live on a farm, but when I wake up in the
morning I don’t haul water, lead oxen or catch a dozen fish
for breakfast. I go to school, rollerblade with my friends,
struggle with my homework, and listen to music just like every
other North American teenager.” ~Ashley Crane
Travel
“In P.E.I., people take a lot for granted. For instance, we
take for granted the privilege of being able to go anywhere
pretty quickly. Pretty much anywhere that you want to go
doesn’t take more than fifteen minutes. It is considered a
long drive if you have to drive one hour. In other places it
takes one hour to go to places that we consider fifteen minutes
away.” ~ Ashlea Ochsner
“One thing that has made P.E.I. more popular in the past few
years is the Confederation Bridge. The Confederation Bridge is
the longest bridge over frozen water in the world, it links
P.E.I. to the rest of Canada. For the many of years before the
Confederation Bridge we had to take a ferry from P.E.I. to the
mainland which took 45 to 60 minutes compared to the 15 minutes
it takes to cross the bridge.” ~Jenna Murphy
“Things are pretty much the same here as they are in the
rest of Canada. The biggest difference is that we live on an
island, so we always need a way to get to anywhere else. First
the iceboats, then the ferries, and now the bridge. For a while I
guess the Island way of life included a frantic rush to catch the
next boat, but not anymore, with the new Confederation Bridge.
Since this is the place where Canada agreed to become a nation,
people here leap at the chance to affiliate anything with
Confederation. The Art Gallery, Mall, Bridge all have nothing to
do with Confederation but in name.
In our hot summer, hordes of tourists flock to the Island to gape
at something I have always taken for granted. I cannot find the
same fascination within myself about the beach a mile from my
house, or the red dirt, or the lobsters my father pulls from the
sea. But when I went to Florida, or any big city, I gawked as
much as they do at what they found common place. Since there is
not a lot of people on P.E.I., but there is a whole lot of room
for them, communities are spread out, and only people who live in
town have the luxury of being able to walk to a friend’s
house. You really need a car to get anywhere on the Island.”
~Tom Murray
The Legacy
of Lucy Maud Montgomery
“Prince Edward Island is extremely cultural. We are renowned
for “Anne of Green Gables”, and the book’s famous
author, Lucy Maud Montgomery and many other series of books she
has written. The most 
recently
recognized work done by Montgomery is her series, “Emily of
New Moon”. The books ere made into a television series on
CBC. The great thing about this show is that it is filmed and
produced right here on the Island, with Emily herself being
played by P.E.I.’s own Martha MacIsaac. The second season
just aired and the third season has just finished filming. Many
Islanders have a role to play with the “Emily” series.
If not working for the crew, acting in the show.
All of my family works there. My mother works in the production
office, and owns the catering company for the show. My older
brother works up in the office too. My father works for the
catering company, and my oldest brother is an electrician for the
show. I even got to be a part of the team too. I was a background
performer in a couple of the episodes.” ~Heather MacDonald
Island Visitors
“People flock from all over the world to visit the Island in
the summer: tourism is one of our biggest industries. A tourist
said to me this summer the island is one of the most beautiful
places she’d ever been, something our young people often
take for granted.” ~Mitchell Chessman
“Last summer my family had the chance to have a 26 year old
girl from Japan stay with us for two weeks. Seeing her reaction
of P.E.I. made me realize just how special we are here. Azusa is
returning to the Island next summer. She loved Anne of Green
Gables, our fresh seafood, and the handmade crafts found in many
craft shops.” ~Amanda Thompson
Always An Islander
“For all Islanders, if you’re born an Islander
you’re always an Islander. And for those who are from
“away”, no matter how long they live on Prince Edward
Island, they will never be considered a true, Islander. I believe
this is probably caused by the closeness of Prince Edward Island.
Everybody knows everybody. If you meet someone new, from P.E.I.,
they’ll usually ask, “Who are you?”, meaning, who
are your parents or grandparents. For example, even when applying
for a job, the same thing happens.” ~Megan Deighan
Farming
“Islanders do many jobs in a wide range of fields. The most
well known of Island artisans are farmers. The Island’s red
soil is rich with vitamins and minerals that plants thrive in.
It’s fertility makes it just a big flowerpot in the Gulf of
St Lawrence. Also, it gives Prince Edward Island agricultural
products a world renowned name. My parents are farmers.”
~Stuart Cousins
People Helping People
“My ancestors came over to the Island from Ireland and
I’m sure that they fell in love with the Island as soon as
they stepped foot on it. I really love the Island at times and at
other times I don’t. Winter is probably the only time I
don’t like the Island because it gets so cold. In the winter
though, everyone pulls together to get things done. I’m
talking about people helping people; it is hard to believe that
someone would rather help you in a blizzard than stay warm in
their own home. I have an elderly lady that lives beside me and a
couple of years ago her son died. When that happened all of her
neigbours were concerned about her so now there is a lady that
goes over to take care of her once a day.” ~Elizabeth
Dowling
“Islanders are known to be quite friendly. My theory on this
is that we don’t live with the constant fear of someone
jumping out and mugging us; also if you say hi to everyone you
know that you pass on the street, it becomes almost a habit to
say hi to everyone you pass by. ...On the Island you can see that
a lot of people believe in the quote, “Life is as hard as
you make it.” ...Wherever I go, I know I’ll always miss
the Island. I guess you could say I’m hooked, I’m an
Islander at heart.” ~Allison Riley
“The Island way of life is to make the best of what you
have.” ~Thomas Ogilvie
Quaint Little Island
“It is hard to explain why Prince Edward Island is such a
great place to live. Certainly, a visitor from a city would look
at our tiny population, rural towns, and farms, and think that
the Island is the most mundane place in the world. However, there
is something about our province that makes it special in the
hearts of all Islanders, both past and present. I think that it
is the feeling of peace and friendliness that pervades every
aspect of Island life. It seems to me that Prince Edward Island
is an oasis of calm in a world of chaos. It reminds me of J.R.
Tokien’s masterpiece, “The Hobbit.” P.E.I. is like
the shire, a pleasant land surrounded by a world of danger. This
is why people who move away from the Island to escape the
supposed tedium and boredom often move back years later with
renewed appreciation for the calm lifestyle.” ~Terry
McCarvill
“Prince Edward Island is a very beautiful place to live and
to come to visit in the spring and summer. The scenery is just
magnificent. Looking over the Clinton point is just breath
taking; especially on a really calm day. You can see the bottom
of the water in the not so deep parts. The beaches are also
beautiful, especially Cavendish. 
The sand dunes are really fun
to roll down if you’re a kid, then again I’m 15 and I
still do it...” ~Tessa Butler
“I love sitting on the beach and watching the sun set and
rise. It gives me time to just think, there are no noises, just
me, and the water in peace. Some mornings, I will wake up early
to watch the fisherman head out to the bay. They leave ripples in
the water, that soon disappear, but always come back when they go
through again.” ~Katrina Thompson
“The Island life is very simple, laid back and usually quite
natural. My hometown, Kensington, has a population of
approximately 1200 residents. Like many of the Island’s
small towns, folks are very helpful and friendly. Kensington is
very ordinary; it does not possess any of the glamour and
excitement of a big city lifestyle. There are no huge factories
or tall sky scrapers but only a few quaint local businesses along
the main street.
Having lived in this Island since I entered the world, I am very
attached to this home. I treasure the tranquil summer walks along
our sandy beaches and adore the scenery presently splashed with
Fall colors of orange and red. The best feature the town has is
its simplicity and the tradition it is draped in.”
~Stephanie Thompson
Heritage
“My mother’s ancestors travelled from France to Quebec
in the 1500s. Then, in the 1800s, they moved to P.E.I. and
settled in the western part of the Island. My father’s
mother’s ancestors came straight from England to P.E.I. in
the 1700s. My grandfather's ancestors, on my father's side,
traveled from Germany to New York state in America during the
1500s. They then traveled to P.E.I. in the 1700’s because
they wanted to be in a British controlled colony.” ~Jayna
Schurman
A precious heirloom and
an interesting artifact; Tammy MacLeod.
