VINALHAVEN – Tune in to HGTV’s series Island Life Sundays, Feb. 19 and March 5 at 10 p.m., to glimpse a few familiar sights and people. The March 5 episode features Vinalhaven's Josh and Angel Turner, who spent a September week sharing favorite hometown haunts while house-hunting. The previous week, crews filmed another family interested in settling in Vinalhaven.That family's story will air Sunday, Feb. 19.

Jonathan and Lily Bingham, from Brookline, Mass., and their four children, have been sailing up and down the east coast for several years. A visit to Vinalhaven prompted the roaming family to settle down, and according to HGTV’s promotion of the episode, these new house seekers were drawn to the island by the “quiet, pristine island.”  Their episode is called Dropping Anchor on Vinalhaven, Maine.

Vinalhaven native and real estate broker Kris Davidson was contacted by Island Life as well. 

“I felt confident this show and filming company would portray our island and community in a positive light,” Davidson said of her acceptance to be on the show. “My confidence was reinforced by the experience with the filming team that they were thoughtful, considerate, and highly professional.”

She then suggested the Turners, including sons Caleb, Wyatt, and Nolan. Producers Rachel Hirsch and Derek Gannon viewed the nomination video and agreed.

Josh and Angel knew each other while students in the school system, but didn’t feel a romantic spark until Angel returned to the island as an adult. Years later, the two are now five, seeking a larger space to spread out. Their episode is called Room to Grow on Vinalhaven, Maine.

In regards to the two families, each coming from different backgrounds and different needs, Davidson said one commonality keeps her motivated.

“Vinalhaven gives us a sense of place,” she said. “And when I see a family discover that for the first time as the Binghams did, or continue to desire it as the Turners do, that is the best part of my job.”

Through the production and editing process, Hirsch has remained in contact with the families from afar. 

“We've been in touch a bit, and from the communication they seem very excited about their episodes,” Hirsch said in an email.

At this time, the series has no plans to return to the Midcoast, though Hirsch said she would like to.

“We really enjoyed filming on Vinalhaven,” she said.

Room to Grow on Vinalhaven, Maine
Josh and Angel grew up on the island of Vinalhaven, one of Maine's top fishing communities. After moving away, Angel was drawn back to the slow pace and small-town charm, and she married Josh, a commercial lobsterman. Vinalhaven hasn't changed much since their childhood, and they want to raise their three boys in the same family-friendly town, but they need a larger house to do so.

Dropping Anchor on Vinalhaven, Maine
Jonathan and Lily, along with their four children, have been sailing up and down the East Coast for the past several years on their boat. While visiting Vinalhaven, Maine, the family fell in love with the quiet, pristine island and the potential to finally set down roots there. They're looking for a house with lots of outdoor space as well as boat access, giving them the freedom to explore the island both on land and by water.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com