Charlene Belsher
Charlene Belsher has been involved in PEI tourism for many years. As a singer, she performed at over 100 PEI locations from tip to tip. In her second career, she was the owner of an exquisite handcraft shop for more than 20 years.
Were you born in PEI or are you an Islander by choice? Though I was born in Nova Scotia, my Mom was born and raised on PEI, and my family history
goes back a few hundred years here. As my father was in the Royal Canadian Air Force, we moved around a bit from Nova Scotia to Ontario, Quebec and Alberta.
How long have you been living in PEI?
My husband and I moved from western Canada to a century-old home in southeastern PEI over 40 years ago.
What is your favourite thing about life in PEI?
I love the realness of living here. You know your neighbour. You have a connection in the community. There is solitude walking on an empty beach or you can have a friendly chat at the local library, grocery store, restaurant or an event. Best of all, there is always someone ready and willing to help when you need it.
What is something people wouldn't know if they're not from the island?
I think people would be surprised at the number of world-class musicians and singer-songwriters that come from here. Lennie Gallant, Vishten, Richard Wood, Irish Mythen, Catherine MacLellan, Meaghan Blanchard, the East Pointers and Inn Echo are a few of the Islanders who regularly perform at festivals and events around the globe.
What are you passionate about personally? What do you really enjoy?
I love creativity, whether it is sewing, painting, gardening, singing, quilting or decorating. All of life can be art!
If you had to choose one spot on the Island to take someone who has never been here, where would it be?
I am going to break the rules and suggest a full day starting in Murray Harbour with a hearty breakfast at one of the local restaurants. Next, we'd go to the Cape Bear Lighthouse to climb to the top to view the cliffs and the Northumberland Strait. Down the road, I would stop at Rossignol Winery or Newmann's Winery for a taste of local wine. Then, I would head to Montague for lunch at one of the many eateries there before heading for a walk on a beach at Basin Head or a hike at the PEI National Park at Greenwich. At the end of the day, you would find me on Victoria Row in Charlottetown shopping for beautiful Island-made handcrafts. If it were Monday, I would end my day at Back Home Tonight in Stanley Bridge for a hand-clapping, foot-stomping, step-dancing good time at what is called ‘the happiest ceilidh on PEI!’
Any funny facts about yourself or factoids about the Island that you think people should know?
The Island, though small, has some words and phrases unique to this place. For example, ‘slippy’ is a well-known term for something being slippery; as in ‘careful on that wet step, it could be slippy!’ Lots more Islandisms abound! Talk to Islanders during your visit and listen for more.