“If you are old enough to have seen an episode of Cheers, we have an entire town with that atmosphere.” -Aaron Lewis Reid
Powtown Post is just pleased as punch to introduce a new author on our site. She’s the owner of Banking On It Bookkeeping, an elected School Trustee and mother of two, Aaron Lewis Reid.
The Reids
Before Aaron writes her first story, we thought it would be fitting to give her a proper introduction, so we asked her a few questions about life in Powell River:
Aaron Lewis Reid. Photo by Leah Laurie
Powtown Post: Tell us about your life in Powell River, what kinds of things keep you busy?
Aaron: I’m a wife, mother of two, locally elected School Trustee, small business owner & on the side I co-ordinate fresh shrimp sales for my husband. I am also currently the President of the Powell River Pub Dart League but plan to step down from that role in a few weeks.
For my bookkeeping business, I currently have a roster of over 30 different clients of varying sizes and types. We have clients who run very small home-based businesses and corporations with over 20 employees. From an Autobody shop to a kitchen cabinet shop, contractors to massage therapists.
My website is www.bankingonit.ca and I have a blog as a trustee which is https://aaronreidtrustee.
PP: What’s your favourite spot in town?
Aaron: This is a tough one as I have many. I would have to say that my all-time favourite is our family homestead in Stillwater. My family settled there in 1888 and it has always been the centre of my universe.
PP: How long have you lived in PR?
Aaron: I was born in the old Powell River Hospital in the Townsite in 1977. I lived in Powell River until the end of grade one at which time I moved to Mission. I moved back to Powell River two months into grade nine and I’ve been home ever since. My ties to our community remained strong even when I didn’t live here as I spent every school holiday, long weekend and summer in Powell River with my grandparents. My time in Mission gave me a unique perspective to my classmates at graduation. The majority of my friends were looking forward to moving away and exploring life outside of Powell River and I was content to stay and build my life here.
PP: What area do you live in?
Aaron: Shane and I have a home in the Grief Point area of Westview. We’ve lived in the same home since 2003 and have the best neighbours.
Fresh local sidestripe shrimp- Photo by Shane Reid
PP: What’s it like having a husband who is a commercial fisherman?
Aaron: My husband wears many hats. He is a commercial diver as well as a commercial fisherman, with experience working in many other areas as well. He’s truly a Shane of all trades! To be honest, it’s difficult being the wife of a fisherman and diver. During prawn season I am, in essence, a single parent. When we were first together he was home every night but as the years have progressed, they have started travelling further away from our area to fish and with the addition of a freezer to the boat last year, they were away most of the season. In the last few years the seasons have gotten shorter and shorter which is both a blessing and a curse. For instance, last year was the shortest season ever and it lasted 40 days. It was forty days for me to get home wearing all of my own hats, plus trying to fill the void with him not here. It gives me great respect for single parents who do this all day every day. He isn’t currently diving but when he did, it was often the same thing – jobs out of town with very little notice.
Adventure is out there- The Reids out for a ride
PP: What would you say to a young family who is thinking of moving to town?
Aaron: While Powell River has its challenges with ferries and isolation, I truly believe it’s one of the best places on the planet to raise a family. If you are old enough to have seen an episode of Cheers, we have an entire town with that atmosphere. It is impossible to go somewhere here and not run into someone you know after a few years of living here. The majority of people in this community are friendly and helpful.
I have a story to share from just this week that illustrates that point exactly. I was scrolling through Facebook and there was a post from someone I don’t know (although in true Powell River fashion, I know relatives). She was posting on the local Facebook groups that she and her partner were in the middle of moving when he experienced chest pains and was admitted to hospital. She was stuck, as they needed to be moved out of their rental the next day and with him in hospital and unable to help, she was starting to panic. I posted asking when she needed help, already thinking that I could see if my inlaws could watch the kids so Shane and I could go and help that evening. She needed help the next day and I was committed to something, but Shane showed up at the designated time. So many people had shown up to help that Shane was sent home, because they had too many helpers. And that, right there, is Powell River to me.
