Sointula celebrates Mäkelä’s birthday
By Kathy O'Reilly, North Island Eagle, July 17 2026
The Sointula Museum hosted a tea party celebrating the birthday of A. B. Mäkelä, one of Sointula’s founders on July 12. Mäkelä stayed on Malcolm Island and helped build the community after the Kaleva Kansa Colonization Company dissolved in 1905.
“It would have been his 163rd birthday,” said Sointula Museum Manager Tammy Hampel.
The event had a high-tea feel, with china service, savoury bites and sweet treats.
“The six-piece Sunnyside Jazz Band performed, with musicians from Sointula, Port McNeill and Port Hardy,” Hampel said. “We also had Betty Carlson, John Dudley, Randy Grout and Jennifer Lash read a piece written by Mäkelä about exploring the west side of Malcolm Island for the first time — and getting lost!” Vern Aro offered to take a group over to the cemetery to honour Mäkelä and to see a few other notable historical markers.
“Roughly 30 people went, and the group sang an impromptu ‘Happy Birthday’ at Mäkelä’s gravesite,” Hampel said. “It was a very moving experience!” The museum is exploring the idea of offering cemetery tours inspired by the event. The tea party was generously supported by The Passion Project.
“This enabled the Sointula Museum to produce a free community event, with catering by Coho Joe’s Cafe, Kees Bakery, Lorna’s Muffins and More, and Malcolm Island Food Company, as well as outstanding community baking donations,” Hampel said.
Photo — Darryl Luscombe
TThe Sointula Museum hosted a tea party July 12 celebrating the birthday of A. B. Mäkelä, one of Sointula’s founders, catered by Coho Joe Cafe, Kees Bakery, Lorna’s Muffins and More, and Malcolm Island Food Company.
Community garden gets new infrastructure
By Kathy O'Reilly, North Island Eagle, July 17 2026
Port Hardy’s Community Garden has been refreshed with new infrastructure, stronger volunteer support and renewed interest from residents looking to grow their own food.
Operated by the Hardy Gardeners Club, the garden has undergone a major cleanup and upgrade this year thanks to donations of time, money and materials, member Ryan Falck said.
“The garden has been around for many, many years, however this year there has been more support to update and clean up the area with volunteers who love to garden,” Falck said.
Those contributions helped volunteers transport and dispose of old materials, bring in new garden equipment, build a compost system, replace wood garden plots, and install a new fence and gate, Falck said.
“We appreciate everything that has been done for our local community garden,” he said.
The garden has 28 plots, and interest has grown as rising food costs push more families and individuals to look for affordable ways to grow organic produce.
Falck is no exception.
“I grow peas, potatoes, garlic, onions and carrots.”
The Hardy Gardeners Club credited a broad group of local businesses, organizations and residents for helping make the upgrades possible.
Monetary support came from NSG, MOWI, the District of Port Hardy, Port Hardy Home Hardware, Lions Club Port Hardy, Orca Sand and Gravel, and NICHC Dr. Alex Nataros.
Materials were donated by Seasoil Port McNeill, Cedar Mill - Fred and Daryl, Spike Top Cedar Mill - Richard, Yellow Cedar Mill - Len and Darren, Port Hardy Home Hardware, Black Creek Farm and Feed, Hardy Building Supply, and Orca Sand and Gravel.
Labour, equipment and time were contributed by Fox’s Disposal, Seven Mile Landfill, Yard Works of Port Hardy, School District #85 Maintenance Dept., John at Teeta Creek Landscaping, Island Foods, Rock Pro Port Hardy, and Labour by Kelly.
A few plots are still available for next year, and interested residents can contact the club at hardygardenersph@gmail.com.
The District of Port Hardy leases the property to the Hardy Gardeners Club for $1 per year, while the club manages plots, maintenance and ongoing site improvements.
Photo — Ryan Falck
Port Hardy’s Community Garden has been refreshed with new wood garden plots, a new fence and gate.