As we approach the end of 2019, we humans have got our work cut out for us.
We not only need to reduce, re-use and recycle, we also need to rethink, refuse, re-cover, re-gift and repair. Thankfully, here on Bowen we have plenty of infrastructure to make that job easier. There’s the Knick Knack Nook, the recycling depot and the biannual Fix-it Fair put on by Bowen In Transition.
The fair, which will be held at Collins Hall on Nov. 17, gathers the handiest islanders in one location for an afternoon to help the less handy among us bring our broken goods back to life.
Older electronic and mechanical devices are typically a hit among our handy volunteers. Steve Frazer boasts the repair of a 34 year old waffle-maker, while Reed Bement’s claim to fame is repairing a VHS player of the same vintage. Manufacturers have gotten better over the years at forcing their goods into obsolescence but our tinkerers are always up for a challenge.
Menders and knitters are also mainstays of the Fix-It-Fair. I was away for the last event and sent a friend of mine to the fair with a big pile of my family’s tattered clothing. Charmaine Heffelfinger kindly added a patch with adorable green stitching to a pair of my favourite pants, making them wearable again. At this month’s event, we have Tracey Hearst and Elena Waldman on duty, ready to patch and mend your tattered fabrics. Sue Fairburn, who you may have seen on the ferry and stitching her jeans into a work of art, will also be on duty––but to pass along some of her stitch-wisdom.
So go through your closets and gather up your tired, weary, broken: clothing, electronics, bicycles, holey socks, sweaters, jeans etc. and plan to be at Collins Hall between 1 and 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 17. If you feel inclined to get in on the fixing yourself, please contact Shasta Martinuk at [email protected].
