Rod is journalist, poet, dance teacher and soy sauce brewer, among other things. He loves PEI and knows all sorts of hidden nooks and crannies.

Were you born in PEI or are you an Islander by choice?
Neither. I'm more an Islander by circumstance. I was born in Boston while my parents were working there. My Father is an Islander; my mother is from Manchester. They returned to the Island when I was two and I grew up here. I left for Toronto in 1999 and returned in 2014.

How long have you been living in PEI?
This most recent stint is just over five years now, but in my entire life I have lived on PEI more than 30 years.

Where do you live in PEI?
I live in Charlottetown with my family.

Describe what an average day looks like for you?
After making breakfast and lunch for my little boy, my wife and I head off to work. She runs a food magazine based in Charlottetown which I occasionally write for. I head out to the Great George Hotel where I coordinate advertising and public relations efforts. In the high season, I also act as concierge, making sure guests are happy, leading tours, making arrangements and reservations for guests, and generally fulfilling any need they have to make their visit to PEI a memorable one.

In the evening after picking our son up from school, my wife and I will often be found teaching ballroom dancing lessons either privately or through the community school program in Charlottetown. We also volunteer with Hospice PEI fundraisers and are both active in anti-poverty actions.

After all of that when we have a chance we all love to hit the beach or go to a park. Our son loves the outdoors so we try to do as much of that as possible.

What is your favourite thing about life in PEI?
Being near the ocean. When I lived in Toronto (which I also loved), I always felt the one thing the city lacked was access to the sea. Sure there is a great big lake there but it's not the same. The Ocean in the one thing a really missed. It's beautiful, calming, make the air smell great, and provides us with some of the best seafood anywhere in the world.

What is something people wouldn't know if they're not from the island?
That Prince Edward Island had prohibition longer than any other jurisdiction in North America. From 1901 until 1948. By comparison Quebec had total prohibition for less than a year.

What are you passionate about personally? What do you really enjoy? What can’t you stop talking about?
I am passionate about food, dance, and social justice. I enjoy cooking for friends and family. And I absolutely love ballroom dance. My wife and I teach dance every chance we get and love hosting social dances in Charlottetown.

If you had to choose one spot on the island to take someone who has never been here, where would it be?
The St. Peter's Lighthouse. It's a beautiful spot any time of the year. The lighthouse looks haunted stuck there in the dunes. And the beach is beautiful. It's kind of off the beaten path without being impossible to find. Prime picture taking opportunity.

Any funny facts about yourself or factoids about the Island that you think people should know?
I am a published poet and I've created and starred in a series of YouTube videos for Ritz Crackers. I don't like liver.