Telegraph Cove, BC has a very special place in my heart, as does the Whale Interpretive Centre. Telegraph Cove started as a remote telegraph station in the early 1900s, and the historic buildings and incredible wooden boardwalk were a testament to that history. The WIC was where I'd spend a lot of time as a child growing up in nearby Port McNeill, which is a very remote community in the heart of the coastal rainforest. The WIC had incredible displays of whale and marine mammal skeletons collected over decades, and so much research and education that was still ongoing. Living in Port McNeill was difficult as a child due to the dreary weather and remoteness, but the WIC allowed me to explore my curiosity and love of whales and marine life. It was one of the few things I enjoyed about living on the North Island as a child, it was never a bad day when I was at Telegraph Cove. I almost became a marine biologist because of the influence of the WIC, and I never lost my love of marine life and the wonderful creatures that lived around us. Overnight on Dec 31 2024 fire broke out along the historic boardwalk, destroying the restaurant, the WIC, several other businesses, a heritage home, and most of the boardwalk. This was a devastating loss not only for the entire North Island, but also for whale research along the coast. The entire world felt the loss, grief poured in from all around the world, and help was quick to come from communities near and far. Fifty percent of funds from the proceeds of the sale of the Reflections Collection paintings (available individually or as a set) will go to helping the WIC with their rebuilding efforts. This series of paintings is meant to be a set, and were painted specifically to help raise funds for the WIC. The WIC is expected to be back and operational again by June 2026 if construction goes to plan.