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He has published two novels set in locales he knows<br />
well: Saint Thomas of Egmont is set right here, while<br />
The Rise and Fall of the House of Chumley is based<br />
in Montreal. He also has a book of poetry, We're Not<br />
Out of the Woods Yet. But we're not finished. It might<br />
be as a singer-songwriter that you are familiar with<br />
George Connell. He has worked with an impressive<br />
group of collaborators, including some names you<br />
might recognize, such as Miles Black and Katherine<br />
Penfold. You can find The Elephant in the Room and<br />
Solitaire on Bandcamp and Spotify. He is currently<br />
working on two further albums.<br />
Is there a common thread to these diverse projects<br />
and achievements? Lots of us who live here explore<br />
a variety of outlets for our talents. As George says,<br />
jokingly, “I've heard it said that if you throw a rock<br />
into the bushes, if you don't hit a musician, you'll hit<br />
an artist.” Indeed.<br />
George sets about his work in a courageous and<br />
unabashed way. There's also a sharp wit and a cleareyed<br />
commentary on the human condition in his<br />
writing, poetry, and lyrics. Perhaps the most rare and<br />
instructive trait of George's is the fact that he sees<br />
things through to completion. He confesses to being<br />
wired from an early age to do so:<br />
“I can usually create something if I stay focused on<br />
processes rather than outcome. I was also raised to<br />
please others with whatever abilities I possessed.<br />
That has been both a burden and a blessing<br />
throughout my life.”<br />
And then there's the running. The Coast has some<br />
fantastic running trails. George can frequently be<br />
seen logging the miles. Maybe that's the key to his<br />
successes: one step and then another. Nothing<br />
starts without the first step, and nothing is finished<br />
until the last. A long-time long-distance runner,<br />
George has found the time and energy to set some<br />
new goals. Age is just a number:<br />
“I'm 72. I used to run ultramarathons when I was<br />
younger, and I'm trying to get back into it with my<br />
younger son, who's 35. We have plans to run a<br />
marathon in the fall and an ultramarathon of 50 km<br />
next year in Arizona. I find the concept of mortality<br />
unnerving.” ·<br />
ARTISAN<br />
SEASIDE<br />
joins<br />
MARKET<br />
DAVIS BAY<br />
FARMERS MARKET<br />
Saturdays May to August 12–4:30 pm<br />
Original<br />
paintings<br />
inspired by<br />
the vastness<br />
and beauty of<br />
the Canadian<br />
landscape<br />
margothallman.com<br />
STAY UPDATED ON GEORGE'S VARIED CREATIVE PURSUITS BY<br />
VISITING HIS WEBSITE AT GEORGECONNELL.COM<br />
Two great markets in one location - 5123 Davis Bay Rd, Sechelt, BC. To participate:<br />
davisbaymarket@gmail.com (BYOtent) or artisan.seaside.market@gmail.com (tent provided)<br />
spring <strong>2023</strong> 19
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