There is perhaps no smaller community than that of a ferry-dependent island, and most small communities have some type of grapevine. On Denman Island, we have a community newspaper that’s actually called, the Island Grapevine. So if something’s happening, chances are, you heard it through the grapevine. But which one? because here on Denman Island, the newspaper’s not our only grapevine.
My first experience with Denman’s informal grapevine happened long ago before I became a permanent resident. I was in a neighbour’s kitchen enjoying a cup of coffee when the wail of the ambulance’s siren passed by, headed south. The concern on my neighbour’s face was evident as she rushed to the phone and called another neighbour who lived in that direction to track the ambulance’s path. Through a series of phone calls, they quickly found at which residence the ambulance had stopped.
At the time, I thought it quirky, but now that I live here, I realize it was much more than that. It set the community’s wheels in motion. The local Island Grapevine newspaper regularly publishes thank you’s from grateful recipients of this community’s generosity, whether it be emergency pet-sitting, child-minding, meals, chauffeur services or hand-holding.
The same type of telephone grapevine is in full swing whenever a pod of dolphins, or orcas (see photo), or a family of otters swims by. One neighbour will phone the next all around the island following the action. When the herring spawn in the spring, the same grapevine springs into action. And for anyone who has access to Facebook, you can usually follow the local action on one of the Denman Island Facebook pages with photos and videos thrown into the mix.
Quirky? Probably, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Does your community have a grapevine?
That is a very cute way to communicate and, especially, say thank you. Nice thing. Maybe we have something in Whitby, but I believe it’s just an online site for all region, not for community. I do not know actually people who live here because nobody ever gets in touch. This neighborhood is mainly office buildings, pubs and clinic, a few old folks homes, high-rises, technically I sort of do not get in touch with people, unless they stop by at the studio which they very rarely do. I suppose it is not that central community. Those who have lived here for a long time would probably judge differently.
So, it’s nice you have a community which is almost like relatives to each other.
I once lived in a small town in Latvia, and that was very difficult because everybody knew everybody, or they thought they did. Lots of rumors, behind the back talking, intrigues. I felt way better in the capital city Riga. I love big cities, but I also want to have a garden, so, this place is a compromise.
Sometimes a compromise gets you the best of both worlds. Always nice to see you here, Inese.
My Florida home does, as we are in a gated golf community (1299 doors)
On our street specifically, we organize outings, play Bocce ball, progressive dinner…all sorts of things.
But overall the best is, if someone hasn’t been seen in a while a phone call is made or someone knocks on their door. If someone needs a meal because a spouse is in the hospital, or needs a drive to an appointment, there is someone to help.
It’s a wonderful sense of community
Thanks for the post JP!
That’s a lot of doors! It’s comforting to know your neighbours are looking out for you. Thanks for stopping by.
Lived in a small town in GA that had its grapevine version. Often people knew more about my business than I did. When I moved to the big city of Orlando, I thought I would appreciate the anonymity, but I miss the feeling of community.
Maintaining anonymity in a small town is almost as difficult as finding that feeling of community in a big city. Good then that you’ve created your own thriving community on your blog. I visit it regularly. Thanks for stopping by my small community.
This system sounds wonderful! I love the way small towns look out for each other!
It’s hard to beat–small towns at their best. Thanks for stopping by!
Tiny grapevine, when the whales swim by, our neighbour often calls to alert us. Or when a Disney cruise ship motors by, I call my daughter, who also has an ocean view, and tell her it’s coming. She’s a huge Disney fan. Other than that, nothing. But then, we have over 30,000. 🙂
Love that! We too see the cruise ships sail by, but I haven’t found that grapevine yet.
We don’t have a grapevine where I live, but I live in a big city. Sounds really nice.
Our island population sits at about 1K. Pretty small. Thanks for stopping by.