Joan and Gerald Sutton
Download the Interview (.mp3)
They met while attending Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and married in 1969. Originally from Detroit and Moline, Illinois, the couple moved to PEI in 1970 after Gerald landed a one year teaching job in Kensington. Returning to the United States so that Gerald could pursue doctoral studies in health education, the couple, now parents to two, came back to the Island in 1974. Settling on the Alton MacLean Road (adjacent to the Dixon Road), the couple are well-known in the community, Joan as a librarian and cookbook author, and Gerald as a high school teacher and coach.
Summary of Interview
June 13, 2008
- (0:00) where from/coming to PEI
- (4:00) the Dixon Road settlement
- (6:30) problems in the United States
- (9:00) organic food
- (12:00) relationship with locals
- (20:40) work involved in being a back-to-the-lander
- (28:45) decision to stay on the Islander versus leaving
- (31:15) importance of hard work
- (38:00) storm conditions on PEI