Helena, married to Délcio, is the daughter of Rita and Luís. They all live in Água Retorta, the land of their ancestors. The house and garden, where they grow their vegetables, have a view of the sea. Further down, in Fajã do Calhau, they produce local goods for home consumption—wine, coffee, tea, onions, potatoes, fava beans, maize…
Maize is their pride and joy. Since returning from Canada in 2003, they have devoted themselves to organic farming, reviving an indigenous variety of maize, and they have already achieved certification as a regional product without GMOs.
The maize is sown in April and harvested in October. They use a nearby mill to grind the grains, bake bread in a wood-fired oven, and make the traditional bolo da sertã, a clay-cooked cake made only with maize and water.
From Água Retorta, in the far reaches of São Miguel Island, they produce maize that is attracting the interest of the high-end restaurant industry.
Good children always return home. Rita moved to Canada as an adult after marrying Luís, who had lived in Toronto since he was young. She worked as a caregiver, and her husband worked professionally in the leisure industry.
After their daughters were grown, they chose to leave Canada and start a new life in the Azores. They had land, a small paradise called Fajã do Calhau, and a vision that from their land in the middle of the Atlantic, they could be happy, living off what they grow, reviving native species, and watching their grandson grow.
They’re leaving a legacy for the world and… playing golf in Furnas.
