Retiree Stories

Lynda Harris
Newcomer 1977, Courtenay, British Columbia

Lynda Harris came here in 1977 simply because her husband, a BC land surveyor, had a job here. She has since fallen in love with the community and while she's been living here so long already, she never wants to leave. Mr. Harris is still working but Lynda has retired from her career with Royal Bank and has turned all of her attentions to enjoying Campbell River. She likes the whole lifestyle here; sailing, volunteering, working and skiing at Mt. Washington, and enjoying the fine dinning and the beautiful scenery.

When Lynda retired she wanted to do things she'd never done before. She has found a selection of such things, from working part-time on Mt. Washington (registering children for ski lessons - and skiing herself when she was done), to doing camera work for CRTV, and it's "just a gas." Her first action to become involved was going to the volunteer center. Now she volunteers at the center itself and loves meeting all the interesting people who come in. It has also made her aware of all the services that are out there in Campbell River, to use or to help out with. "There's something for everybody." Lynda has developed a real interest in the culture and history of the area. She volunteers at the museum and enjoys it's library of historic Campbell River literature.

She has discovered the whole world of culture surrounding Campbell River that most people don't know about. "There's more than just fishing and good weather." Working at the museum she has talked to people from around the world (Australia, Germany) who come to learn about the first nations culture. Culture is very alive here, still, Lynda mentions how she likes living in a place were there are so many artists and published authors around, such as Jocelyn Reekie who wrote Tess. She helps out at the Tidemark theater too and likes the changing exhibits of local art that are always in the lobby.

Lynda always wanted to live somewhere where she could see both the ocean and the mountains. Now she can see them both at once from her kitchen window. This scenery is one of her favorite things about Campbell River and she's careful not to take it for granted. Mr. And Mrs. Harris take advantage of it by getting out in their sailboat as much as they can. Lynda and her husband belong to the Campbell River Yacht club, they have races and trips to various island beaches for picnics and barbecues. Lynda describes being out among seals, sea lions, whales, and once, in the Johnson straight, being surrounded by a pod of White Sided Dolphins.

There's so much Lynda enjoys doing in Campbell River that it's hard for her to "fit it all in." She can't imagine giving up a lifestyle so rich in culture, beauty, and new fun things to do.