Retiree Stories

Barb and Wilf Bitner
Newcomers 2001, Saskatchewan

Barb and Wilf Bitner (he is retired from sales in the food industry and she is still working off and on in retail) lived for 25 years in Wilf's native Saskatchewan before some exposure to a local author led them to Campbell River. Barb was watching Vicki Gabereau interview Quadra author Hilary Stewart about her book "On Island Time." The way she described her life on Quadra Island really clicked with Barb and she suddenly decided she had to come down and "check it out." The Bitners stayed on Quadra and the people, beauty and lifestyle met all their expectations. However, it wasn't until later when they stayed at the Rustic motel in Campbell River that they said to themselves "Now this makes sense." Two days later with the help of a "wonderful" realtor, they were moving into the condo that they still live in and love to this day. They have only lived in Campbell River for two years, but listening to Barb talk of all the positive experiences she's had here, you'd think she'd lived here all her life.

One thing Barb loves about Campbell River is there's always something catching her interest and she finds it really easy to become involved with whatever it is. From the kind of work she wants to theatre, she is always able to get involved with them. She worked at Wonderful Things and Preston's Jewelers. She is a woman who, when she finds something that appeals, she'll walk right into it to see if she can help. She has had one positive experience after another. For example, she saw the Shoreline Arts festival, was interested by the site of the wood carvings being made in the park, and the next year she was elected recording secretary for the Shoreline Arts society. One thing she wanted to try was theatre. She soon found herself the costume lady for a local production of Death of a Salesman. She said it was "more fun than I could have imagined."

Barb is very interested in alternative therapies and is herself a certified LaStone therapist. She finds the Campbell River area to be a real "Power Point" for alternative medicine, such as holistic healing and naturopathy. This culture is very strong on the nearby islands of Quadra, Cortez, Hornby, and Denman, but Barb has found it to be a strong and growing aspect of Campbell River as well. She mentioned Windsong School of Healing where students give free clinics, and Inner Odyssey, a new age store.

When the Bitners want to observe some of natures wonders, they just pick up their binoculars and spy on their neighbors. Nesting in a tree across from their living room window is a family of bald eagles. Wilf remembers the glorious day when he watched the young eagle take its first flight out of the nest. Mr. Bitner especially likes anything to do with nature. He even likes the rain because it's warm enough to be "comfortable" and "refreshing." Barb finds the availability of solitude offered by the abounding forests to be invaluable.

The Bitners came to Campbell River on something of a whim - and they've never regretted it. They're too busy enjoying the opportunities, the island culture, and the incredible interactions with nature.