Nancy R Koerner
PIONEER, ADVENTURER, WOODCARVER, WRITER, PRODUCER, ENTREPRENEUR
When Nancy Koerner came to Belize, Central America in 1976 as a young "gringa pioneer” with her husband and infant son, Belize was also in its infancy. It had been the start of a great diaspora of young Americans. They landed on a remote property in the upper Macal River valley, where they lived as impoverished subsistence farmers. But it was the natural life, and Nancy loved it. She chopped wood, carried water, lived in a thatched hut, washed clothes in the river, and carried her baby on her back.
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Always creative, she started hand-carving pendants from exotic Honduran rosewood burl, and selling them to British Army troops. At that time, they were stationed in Belize for jungle training, and were hungry for souvenirs to take back to U.K. The connection endured, and her early artistic woodcarving efforts gave birth to what is now Orange Gallery and Gifts. Her latest contribution (2018-2022) is the “No Strings Attached” Collection of mini-musical instruments, hand-crafted from Honduran rosewood burl. (HRB)
Now, decades later, Nancy enjoys status as an elder historian of the Cayo District. She is currently writing a memoir entitled, “Recollections of a Gringa Pioneer,” which will ultimately be published as a Kindle download.
Now, decades later, Nancy enjoys status as an elder historian of the Cayo District. She is currently writing a memoir entitled, “Recollections of a Gringa Pioneer,” which will ultimately be published as a Kindle download.