"Islanders are recognized around the world for their affinity with local heritage," said Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs. "From the wealth of published community histories, family memories and memoirs to the countless hours spent preserving our heritage homes and buildings, we are well connected to our past. The upcoming episodes of Island Focus capture the stories of people working to preserve Prince Edward Island heritage."

The February 13 broadcast of Island Focus will feature the newly-renovated Beaconsfield Historic House, a tour of Founder's Hall on Charlottetown's historic waterfront and a look at properties designated and registered under the Heritage Places Protection Act. Host Gerry Birt will be on location at the home of the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation to discuss the evolution of the Island Magazine over the past 25 years with editor, Boyde Beck. The program will wrap up at the University of Prince Edward Island with a reminiscent interview with Harry Baglole, first editor of the magazine in 1976.

The following week, February 20, the focus on heritage will continue with a look at hidden treasures of the Provincial Artifactory, an evening of music and storytelling at the Yankee Gale Remembered Festival in Tignish, visual learning in the classroom with "Narratives of Nationhood," and planning for succession on the family farm. The program will be hosted from York, the community where Women's Institute first began in Prince Edward Island in 1911.

Island Focus airs Wednesdays at 8 pm on EastLink Television. Visit the Island Focus website at www.gov.pe.ca/focus to monitor the weekly program guide, view segments on-line, enter weekly trivia contests and send feedback about the program.

For more information, please contact (902) 368-6322 or send a message to focus@gov.pe.ca.