TAKE 5 JUNE by Take 5 Print & Digital Media

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Letters The Ladysmith Train Station is not abandoned! A lot of folks have been working very hard to clean up and resurrect the grounds and the station building, and some folks seemed determined to undo those eﬀorts. The Island Corridor is not a dumping ground for those too lazy to utilize a stateof-the-art disposal site that Ladysmith is lucky to have. The grounds are not for feeding the “poor bunnies.” Dumping your household waste is not helping the rabbits and is an invitation for the rats, as it is near the waterfront. Rats carry diseases that we do not want or need on this project. We have enough disease to deal with now! Please stop this nonsense. If you want to feed the bunnies, put your refuse in your own front yard. Let’s try and keep Ladysmith clean. If you are recreating in the area, please report those dumping their waste, regardless of its content. Treat it with the respect that you would expect in your own neighbourhood. — Chuck Forrest Ladysmith Railway Station Photo: Marina Sacht

Directors’ Notes I read with great interest several articles in the May edition of the fine TAKE 5 Magazine. First, “The Directors’ Notes,” from Ben Maartman, CVRD director of Area H. This is the most complete report that we have seen from our director, in many years! As taxpayers, we have been truly kept

in the dark while lots of money was spent, with little or NO involvement of very many people. It was very nice, albeit startling, to learn how much and to whom gas tax monies have flowed! I was delighted when the alternate director for Area H, allocated $30,820 to the North Oyster Community Centre, which I understand was 80 per cent of the cost of paving the front part of the parking lot. This was much needed and a good investment in our community! On the other hand, I was startled and dismayed to see the large sums of money gifted to what I believe are three private water systems, which have been taken over by the CVRD, along with $426,000 to the North Oyster Fire Department! It would be very interesting to see a list of just how many residents are served by each of these water systems. As far as water supply problems go, there are many people in other parts of Area H, who are forced to have water hauled in by diesel-burning vehicles. Some of these people appear to need water hauled to them all year long. I have not had suﬃcient time to read the parameters

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for qualifying for gas tax handouts but would propose that money be granted to myself, so that I could supply safe drinking water to residents of Area H, who do not enjoy that necessity at this time. Next, I came across the article, “No Mow May.” If you have a lawn that has moisture without watering, this short bit of babble makes about as much sense as having “No Shovel Saturdays” in Sudbury during the winter! I realise that the brain trust for Y.E.S. lives on a dry rocky piece of paradise that does not have a lawn area that grows in May, but COME ON! This article then goes on to lay out some more drivel that was just proved false less than a week ago. The contractor for the MOTI just mowed the sides of Yellow Point Road last week. So much for the dream that the road edges are only mowed once a year, in August or September. Unfortunately, this group took up the charge to try and have logging of ALR land halted when a property owner logged a piece of property near their headquarters. I belong to Y.E.S., as I thought that they were going to raise funds to purchase lands that were slated for development. This never did materialise and one member was nearly moved to tears when ALR land was cleared. Since then

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two pieces of land, both in the ALR and in Area H, have been cleared with not a word from this group! These properties on Cedar Road have been purchased by two brothers from the Lower Mainland. This will be happening more, as the price diﬀerential between Area H and the Mainland is just too extreme to be overlooked. I wish them both the best of luck in their endeavours. It gave me a bit of a chuckle, as one of these pieces of farmland borders on the scrap metal recycling yard that went up in much smoke last year! It was a good thing that a helicopter was brought in to try and prevent these trees from being damaged. Oh well, stuﬀ happens. In closing, I would like to thank Ben Maartman for publishing some of the facts and figures on where the gas tax money has been going while asking for input on future handouts. Please do your part in helping out Mother Earth and stay healthy and happy. — Murray McNab Letters to the editor on community topics and concerns are always welcome. Letters may be edited for length. Opinions represented here are not necessarily those of TAKE 5 or its agents. Email editor@take5.ca

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The future is in good hands with 2021 grads BY KERITH WADDINGTON The resiliency, optimism and adaptability of the grads of 2021 is astonishing. Despite being faced with unprecedented social restrictions and extracurricular cutbacks due to COVID-19, many grads

from Chemainus, Ladysmith and Cedar Secondary Schools are objective about their experiences and view the past year as a life lesson they will use going forward. Sisters Michaela and Ally Segreto are two such students. Graduating from Ladysmith Secondary School (LSS) this June, they are shining examples of how, with the right attitude, one can make a silk purse from a sow’s ear. “We have been unified in isolation and have bonded over these beautiful and unconventional moments,” says Michaela, who is oﬀ to McMaster University this fall to study life sciences. “All we can do is keep moving forward.” She acknowledges that the class of ’21 has had to be innovative and adaptive in the face of adversity, “and these are lessons that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.” Ally, who is oﬀ to the University of Ottawa this fall for honours communication in French immersion, echoes her sister’s sentiments. “So much was cancelled this year,” she says. “The class of 2021 has had to accept that. So even though nothing has been as perfect as it should have been, we have learned to make the best of things. We have a strength and unity as a class, and as a school, as a result.” Ally says doing routine things, like morning announcements, and helping spearhead events, like Spirit Week, have helped keep her motivated through these tough times. Both sisters attribute the positivity and connection of the graduating students

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Ladysmith Secondary School grads sisters Michaela and Ally Segreto. Photo: Kerith Waddington

to the amazing teachers and parents who have given their all to make it a great year. And while the exact nature of this year’s graduation ceremony and prom remain uncertain, the girls say they will be happy with whatever it looks like in the end. “Knowing how hard people tried means a lot to me,” says Ally. “The grad class is cared for and loved, and we are grateful.” Ladysmith grad Ryan Bastian is heading to Vancouver Island University (VIU) for kinesiology this fall. He acknowledges that as an athlete, it was hard to watch all sports and intramurals grind to a halt this past year. He had hoped to play basketball during his senior year; instead, he found himself shooting hoops at the mini-court he has at home. “Suddenly, there was nothing to do,” he says. “There is sadness among my peers because we missed hanging out in our grad year. But we all adapted.” Ryan expects his first year of university to be a mix of online and in-person classes. Hanna Starkie of Chemainus Secondary says, “Graduating during COVID is obviously quite strange. With some students doing online classes, some only attending part time, and some in early university programs, the school hasn’t seen many of its Grade 12s this year. Other than school socialization, we are very limited with how we can get together and that makes it extra hard to stay connected with my class.” With plans to attend VIU’s Duncan campus to get her certificate in office administration, Hanna is philosophical about the past year. “We are all frustrated and tired, wishing that the year could be different and hoping for it to end soon, but we are also just appreciating every moment together and making the best of everything! A lot of hoping and pushing through!” Another Chemainus graduate, Camille Storteboom, has this to say, “We’ve all been talking to each other and chatting about how difficult and different everything is and how we can make the best of it. It’s been hard, but at least, we aren’t going through it alone!” She admits that her last high school year was “a bit of a flop. Though I was happy to be back in class again and seeing all of my friends, the restrictions have taken a bit of a toll and the year has felt pretty disappointing, especially now Opposite page: Left: Cedar Secondary School grad Kyle Birch Photo: Kerith Waddington

that prom and graduation have changed so much they’re hardly anything.” Before COVID, Camille had plans to travel after graduation, but feels that isn’t possible at the moment. Instead, she will take a year to work and save up for university. “I’m sad that I don’t get my one little chance at freedom before going back to school,” she says. Cedar grad Kyle Birch plans to attend VIU for his first year of engineering and then transfer to UVic. He acknowledges that returning to class last fall probably helped a lot of students cope with social isolation, even though the semester system was altered so there weren’t as many people in each class. Describing the past year as “definitely odd,” he nonetheless feels grateful to have attended high school in a small community. Kyle adds that “during my first year of university I will be living at home, so I will still have some support and social contact. I have heard that university classes, not just the trades, will be back in class this fall. If that doesn’t happen, if things remain largely online, it will be hard to make new friends if you can’t talk to anyone. I imagine that will take a toll.” Cedar grad Micala Harvey gets the last word on graduating during COVID. “Senior year in high school is definitely crazy, and to add all the COVID measures to it — well, let’s just say, it threw me for a crazy loop this year!” She acknowledges that it was a little diﬃcult at first to work around and adapt to COVID protocols, “but then it just becomes life, and then you’re used to it.” She goes on to say that the three-hour class schedule was weird at first, but ultimately helped her get more work done. Originally planning to take a year oﬀ school, the recent announcement of in-person university classes this fall prompted her to apply last-minute to post-secondary. Chemainus Secondary School boasts 47 grads this year, Ladysmith 108 and Cedar 50. As these resilient young men and women begin the next chapter of their lives, there is little doubt that the experiences of the past year have prepared them well for the years ahead. Micala Harvey Photo: Kerith Waddington

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Chemainus Indigenous Peoples Weekend There will be plenty of things to do and see during this virtual weekend of June 19-21, 2021. You can attend a video workshop on weaving wool among other crafts, listen to concerts by Blue Moon Marquee and Nate Harris. Blue Moon, from Westholme, is up for the Blues Artist of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards. Four years ago they were nominees for the Indigenous Artist of the Year. There will be a special welcome from Penelakut chief and council. Elders meals will be prepared in the Halalt, Penelakut and Stz’uminus communities. And the Penelakut-owned Salish Sea Market will be passing out bannock and jam to first-100 people as it is traditional to share a feast, explained Mark Kiemele, one of the event’s organizers. For details visit cipw.ca

New Homes Under Construction in Ladysmith Families, seniors and people with disabilities in Ladysmith will soon have more aﬀordable housing options, with construction underway on a 36-unit rental housing project in the community. “It is vital that we help deliver the affordable homes people need in Ladysmith and throughout the province,” says David Eby, attorney general and

Penelakut Elder Florence James will lead opening prayer. Photo submitted.

minister responsible for housing. “Local partners, such as the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association (LRCA), are essential to help the provincial government deliver these badly needed homes quickly and efficiently.” Located at 314 Buller Street, the fourstory building will provide studio and one and two-bedroom homes for people with moderate and low incomes. The building also has main floor office rental space. “This development will be a welcome addition to the community, offering affordable rental homes for people with a range of incomes,” says Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan. “Projects like this are how we build healthy, thriving communities.” The LRCA will operate the new homes on land owned by the non-profit group.

“The Buller Street project has been a labour of love for numerous Ladysmith Resources Centre Association volunteer committees and board of directors, past and present,” says Vicky Stickwood-Hislop, board president, LRCA. “With the generosity of our donors and funders, this project will meet a diverse range of housing needs in the community and will provide space for local organizations to deliver community-oriented services and programming.” The Province is working in partnership to increase the supply of aﬀordable homes throughout the Cowichan Valley for people with a range of income levels. Including this project, 174 homes are complete or underway. “We’re proud to be working with BC Housing and the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association to ensure that together we meet the housing needs of everyone in our community,” said Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone.

Neighbourly talk Were there neighbourhoods in early Ladysmith? That is a question asked by Ladysmith Museum curator Lesley Moore in a new “Historically Speaking” talk on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at 7 p.m. Sponsored by the Ladysmith & District Historical Society, the presentation will be held via Zoom and is free to the public. Email for your link museum@ladysmithhistoricalsociety.ca. “We invite you to be part of the discovery,” says Moore, who will be presenting images and maps and taking a look into early records of who lived where prior to the Second World War. “Apparently there was an ‘uphill gang’ and a ‘downhill gang,’ with

a ‘no man’s land’ in-between,” says Moore. “Was this a pattern of children playing or was this based on neighbourhoods? How we describe where we live changes with circumstance and Ladysmith for its first fifty years had abrupt ups and downs,” she adds.

ICF welcomes new board The Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) welcomed new Board Directors and new board leadership with Cowichan Valley Regional District Chairperson, and Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone, as its new board Co-Chairperson. Stone is also Chairperson of the Island Coastal Economic Trust. Dr. Judith Sayers will continue as CoChair. The new Board Directors are Tyler Brown, Brent Edwards, Charlene Everson, Aaron Stone, Bill Yoachim. “I am also incredibly excited to be working alongside Dr. Sayers as we lead the next chapter in returning rail service to Vancouver Island” said Aaron Stone. Larry Stevenson, CEO said he is “looking forward to their unique and diverse expertise and perspective as we continue our work to develop the Island Rail Corridor.” The Island Corridor Foundation is a non-profit society and federally registered charity established for the purposes of owning and managing the rail corridor on Vancouver Island.

Business Winners The Duncan Chamber of Commerce’s twenty-second Black Tie Awards were streamed live on YouTube on May 4, 2021, with the 49th Grocery Store taking Business Achievement 20+ category. “Even though we have close to 400 employees now, we still feel that we’re a

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small family business,” Peter Richmond says. This family-owned business has been a pillar of the Cowichan Valley for over 40 years. Dina Stuehler was nominated for Young Entrepreneur of the Year in acknowledgment of her popular Ironworks Café & Creperie. Stuehler has done several workshops to promote entrepreneurship among women.

RDN Approved for Emergency Support Services Grant The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) recently received a $30,139 grant for Emergency Support Services (ESS) training and equipment. The ESS grant, funded by the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and administered by the Union of BC Municipalities, will enable the RDN to provide focused training to ESS volunteers. The sessions will build upon their knowledge and provide opportunities to practice their learning through custom-designed exercises. The equipment being purchased through the grant will provide alignment with Emergency Management BC’s new ESS electronic delivery platform. ESS volunteers assist at disaster sites and provide temporary essential basic needs for evacuees. To volunteer email emergencyservices@rdn.bc.ca or call 250-390-6565.

Town Council Briefs Here’s some highlights from Ladysmith Council meetings in May. On May 4, 2021, Council directed the mayor to send a letter on its behalf, requesting a meeting with the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. The proposed meeting is an opportunity to discuss a previous request by Council

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for the Province to install a traffic light on South Davis Road at the Trans-Canada Highway, in addition to ongoing concerns related to the flow of traffic in this area. What do plumbing and building, fees and charges, and noise suppression all have in common? They are all among the Town bylaws that Council gave first three readings to amend in order to align with the Town’s new film regulations. The Town is receiving increased interest from the film and television industry, as of late. Resident Alien recently confirmed that it is seeking to return to Ladysmith to film Season 2. The Town’s current film policy is over 20 years old. Council gave first three readings to the Tax Rates Bylaw, which sets the property tax rates for 2021. There is a proposed 0.52 per cent increase for municipal property owners. Council also gave the first three readings to bylaws establishing the Water and Sewer Parcel Tax rates, as well as the five-year financial plan. Construction of the downtown public washroom on First Avenue is on track for a summer completion date. Ladysmith Council met for a public hearing and virtual Regular Meeting on May 18, 2021. The property at 630 Farrell Road was the subject of the public hearing, and the proposal is to amend the zoning bylaw to allow for the construction of duplexes, subject to some restrictions, as a permitted principal use. Following the public hearing, Council gave third reading to the zoning bylaw changes. Council directed staff to replace the water main on Methuen Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues, with funding to come from the Water Operating Reserve. The water main replacement will improve water quality for local residences. The Town is currently working on the replacement of the existing gas chlorine system at the facility with a sodium hypo-chlorite system. This new system will decrease the risk to staff at the WFP and is just as effective at disinfecting the water that is distributed throughout town. Council approved a public art donation request from Duck and Tracy Paterson for 13 signed, original limited edition Roy Henry Vickers art prints that are currently on display in the City Hall.

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Juhli Shauer’s Octopus’ Garden exhibit opens at the Ladysmith Museum. Photo Marina Sacht

Octopus stars in new exhibit The Ladysmith Museum will be hosting a new exhibit titled “Octopus’ Garden,” opening Saturday June 5, 2021. This is a debut show for artist Juhli Shauer who developed a fascination for the sea and octopuses in particular while living on Vancouver Island for the past 24 years. “They tend to be hermits, incredible escape artists and have the ability to blend into any surroundings,” says Shauer. “An octopus’ garden is basically the graveyard of its dinner that is left outside of its den. This acts as camouflage and could also serve as decoration,” she explains. In October 2019, Juhli decided to take a dormant arm (no pun intended) of her talent and creativity and teach herself to paint. Juhli, who is also a big fan of James Bond, with Octopussy being her favourite film, felt naturally drawn to octopuses. Starting with dollar-store acrylics and progressing from there, she produced a painting a month, starting with a series of eight octopuses. It has since turned into much more. Working mainly in oil and acrylics, she found a love of exploring light and shadow through colour. Come visit the exhibit and explore the fascinating, intelligent life of the octopus seen through the eye of an artist. The exhibit and sale are on for the summer. For more information, call 250245-0423 or email museum@ladysmithhistoricalsociety.ca.

Ladysmith Sail Past Marks Oﬃcial Start of Boating Season On May 2, a picture-perfect Sunday, close to 30 boats marked the opening of the recreational boating season. Although COVID health restrictions toned down the usual festivities at the Ladysmith Yacht Club’s annual Sail Past, spirits were high as boaters flew their colours, saluted the LYC Commodore and received their blessing for a safe boating season from Gwen Jahelka, Faith Representative. Jahelka was kept busy spraying the procession of boats — along with some of the crew to great laughter. Led by Northern Lights, the fleet paraded to Gourlay-Janes Park and assembled in front of Transfer Beach Park to

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the appreciative spectators onshore. Standing on the deck, Commodore David Grimstead, in dress whites, saluted the procession of sailboats, powerboats and all types of vessels. Participants included the Ladysmith Maritime Society heritage boats, Ladysmith SAR 29, Coast Guard vessels, the Ladysmith RCMP and Mount Brenton Sail & Power Squadron. Also there was CCGS’s Cape Naden from Ganges. The ceremony dates back to the earliest beginnings of naval tradition, explained Grimstead. It began at the first Yacht Club, which was formed at Cowes in England nearly 200 years ago, and the tradition is based on naval practice. Every year, the practice of Sail Past is performed by thousands of yacht clubs around the world. “It’s not like we used to do, but it’s good to get out in the sun and enjoy yourselves,” says Terry Davis Rear Commodore. “A little bit of fellowship is great any day.” That sentiment was echoed by ViceCommodore Shirley Tripp. After selfisolating, it was good to see fellow boaters even if it was from a distance, she

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said. “We hope this year is better than last year,” she adds. If this was any indication, the 2021 season is oﬀ to a great start. LADYSMITH YACHT CLUB was formed in 1985. Members enjoy recreational cruises, membership meetings and social events.

Virtual Kids’ Pirate Days Ladysmith Maritime Society volunteers are working hard (and having fun) planning this year’s Kids’ Pirate Days, which will be virtual again due to health restrictions. Starting on Monday, May 31, the first episode of this year’s Virtual Kids’ Pirate Event will be posted on www.kidspirateday.com, along with episodes airing on Wednesday, June 2, and Friday, June 4. The finale is on Sunday, June 6, in a COVID safe celebration at Transfer Beach and music at the Amphitheatre from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is suitable for four to 12-year-old buccaneers, who, with a little parental guidance, will have an enjoyable and fun experience for all. www.kidspirateday.com.

(above) Ladysmith Sail Past with LYC Commodore David Grimstead saluting. Photo: Marina Sacht (left) - Virtual Kids’ Pirate Day is on until June 6. Photo submitted.

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Fraud Awareness and Prevention BY JOHN DE LEEUW Fraud has been around for centuries. In fact, the earliest recorded instance of fraud was in 300 BC, when a Greek sea merchant attempted insurance fraud. He was found out and drowned while trying to escape. Certainly, one of the most wellknown instances of fraud was in 1920 and the perpetrator’s name was Charles Ponzi. In the first known pyramid scheme, he collected money from investors and paid out returns with the money from newer investors. Before he was caught, he had swindled more than $10 million from hundreds of investors. Ever since that day, the name Ponzi has been linked to pyramid schemes and financial frauds all over the world. Fast forward to 2020 and since the onset of COVID-19 fraud has risen exponentially in Canada. Those perpetrating fraud have become bolder and more aggressive. They are armed with high-end technology and are masters at manipulation. They comb social media sites for information, and for the vulnerable. It is important to recognize some unpleasant facts: Fraudsters are real. They are out there every day looking for victims. They will target you online, over the phone, by mail or in person. Everyone is a target. Thousands of Canadians lose millions of dollars to fraudsters every year, as evidenced by the table here. While there are specific red flags associated with each type of fraud, here are some common dos and don’ts to remember: • Don’t be afraid to say no.

• Do your research. • Don’t give out personal information. • Do ask a lot of questions. • Don’t pay any upfront fees. • Don’t give anyone access to your computer. At the Ladysmith & District Credit Union, we have firsthand knowledge of what fraud can do to individuals and their financial well-being. Businesses are also getting targeted more frequently, and the impacts can be devastating. As part of our member engagement this year, we are focusing a lot of our resources on educating our members on Fraud Prevention and Awareness. This is Part 1 of an ongoing series. In subsequent editions, we will target specific frauds, how to recognize them, and how to protect yourself. Next edition: Romance Fraud — Mr. Right may be Mr. Wrong. In 2020, the top 10 frauds based on dollar values reported: Fraud Romance Investment Phishing Extortion Merchandise Service Victim Vendor Prize Bank Investigator Job

Dollar Value $18,500,000 $16,500,000 $14,400,000 $12,500,000 $8,700,000 $8,500,000 $4,200,000 $3,500,000 $3,000,000 $2,600,000

Reported Cases 899 501 1,049 17,390 3,354 2,009 2,320 754 835 2,297

BY JOANNE BARWISE, MASTER GARDENER INTERN Will you tackle slugs in your garden with love or war? It’s up to you to decide what tactic you’ll take: with love; love and war; or outright war. LOVE - Love means no harm will come to the slugs. It is reasonable to tolerate a certain amount of slug damage because we recognize that all creatures play a valuable part in the overall ecology of the garden. • Handpicking is the easiest and most enviro-friendly way to reduce the population. Do this routinely from early spring to late spring, and you’ll have solved your problem without resorting to chemical warfare. Keep at it a little

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every day, especially if you can get out with a flashlight at night on slug patrol. • Copper tape or mesh: The mucus secreted or slime reacts with copper, producing an electric shock. Slugs avoid copper and zinc, so you can use strips of these metals around planters, greenhouse benches and trunks of shrubs to repel them. Copper tapes or strips for slug barriers are sold at some garden centres. • Slugs don’t like “dry.” When you water early in the day, the soil has the can dry out. A band of dry soil can be created when using a drip irrigation system, which can keep them oﬀ your plants. • Have some habitat for slug predators, like ground beetles, rove beetles and centipedes. Garter snakes eat slugs and like natural areas with long grass and rockeries. • Very strong-smelling plants repel slugs and snails. This includes the Artemisia family, the mint family and sage. (Not sure about this idea, but could be worth a try.) LOVE and WAR - has the optics of kindness, but there will be casualties. • Make a Slug Pub: Uncap a bottle of beer and set aside. In a plastic cottage cheese container, dissolve some dry yeast and sugar in water and place the dish in a hole so the top of the container is at ground level. Slugs will be attracted to the yeast, fall in and drown. Cut a couple of access holes in the sides of the container and bury it in the soil so that the bottom edges of the holes are at the soil surface. Pour the yeast mix into the container. Containers should be covered or set with the lip at least two centimetres above the soil level to avoid catching ground beetles, which are valuable slug predators. Drink the beer to your success. • Lure slugs to another area so that you can catch them by laying down a flat rock, or surround your garden every

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night with wood 30 centimetre wide and in one metre lengths. Leave a pile of old lettuce leaves or upside-down grapefruit halves in a damp, shady corner to attract slugs. They love to crawl under things, so when they accumulate in one spot, it’s easier to bag them. Check underneath during the day and kill any slugs hiding there by flipping them into a bucket and add water to drown them. A pinch of table salt in the water will quickly destroy their organs, killing within seconds. Some gardeners use their pruners to cut them in half. It’s your choice, whatever your stomach can handle. • Chickens and ducks make great pets and provide daily, free-range eggs while reducing the presence of slugs. OUTRIGHT WAR - means you’re serious about the permanent removal of slugs. Seriously, these little monsters can wipe out an entire row of lettuce seedlings in one night. You have to start early and stay the course; be as persistent as they are. • Crushed egg shells, wood ash or diatomaceous earth (available at garden centres) can be sprinkled around plants to create a crippling, razor-shape barrier. They are not effective in damp conditions or when there are a lot of slugs. • An alternative control is watering the area with nematodes. Nematodes are soil-dwelling micro-organisms, which are parasites to slugs. This can be expensive and difficult to know whether they are effective in a home garden. • Kill slugs with ammonia and water. Mix seven parts water to one part ammonia in a spray bottle. When you spray the slugs, they die almost immediately. • Sprinkle low-toxicity commercial slug bait around plants. The bait contains iron compounds (the product label lists ferric phosphate) and is available from garden centres. When slugs eat

Slugs Facts • • • • • • • •

Slugs are molluscs without shells. They actively feed at dawn or dusk or in wet weather. Are decomposers but also chew our garden plants. Travel on a large muscular foot, secreting a coating of slime to smooth their way. The most destructive slugs in this region are non-native species that have become established: Gray Garden Slug and the huge European Black Slug. Eggs are round and transparent, laid in masses in soil or under rocks; hatch in two to four weeks Can take five months to two years to reach full size. Native West Coast banana slugs are olive green with many black spots; move them gently to the woods where they belong.

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Black Slug (Arion ater) Photo: May Kald

iron, it interferes with their ability to make slime and they die. Renew bait after rain. Keep in mind that you will likely never be slug free, so accept that. Fill your arsenal with actions you have time to implement, and keep at it. Your vegetables will thank you for it. Slugs in the compost Slugs love compost bins, and it can be an ideal breeding ground for them. Slugs are part of the process of compost making — they play a part in breaking down the material. Many gardeners actually throw the slugs they find in the garden onto the compost, as they are beneficial there. If there are more than a handful slugs in your compost, this is an important clue that your compost may be too wet. Fix the problem by adding more “browns,” such as dry leaves, cardboard, sawdust or shredded wood to balance out the “greens” from your kitchen and lawn, and turn the compost to introduce more air into the heap.

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Drive to stay alive BY KERITH WADDINGTON There have been 413 car crashes resulting in either injury or death from the municipalities of Ladysmith, Chemainus, and the intersections at Timberlands and Spitfire Road by the Nanaimo airport in the years spanning 2015 through 2019. Those grim statistics come from ICBC and should give all drivers pause as the summer driving season approaches. The vast majority of those crashes occurred at intersections on the Trans-Canada Highway, although a significant number took place on back-country roads known for being narrow and winding. North Oyster Volunteer Fire Department Chief Florian

Davis Road and Island Highway intersection has seen 42 serious crashes between 2015 and 2019. Map courtesy of Google

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ICBC statistics indicate that for the peSchulz offers his perspective on driver riod from 2015 through 2019, there was an danger zones. average of 12,000 crashes annually at in“As far as I’m concerned, any intertersections on Vancouver Island, resulting section on a highway is a bad idea,” he in 7,100 injured victims. On average, there says. “On and off ramps are much safer. are 11 fatal victims of intersection crashes And people waiting to turn left across on Vancouver Island each year. Further the highway are sitting ducks for traffic ICBC numbers indicate that speed, imroaring past. It’s a dangerous situation for pairment and distraction are contributing everyone.” He adds, “Knowing when to factors in those deadly crashes 21 to 31 per make your left turn off the highway is a cent of the time. judgment call. People don’t always get it When it comes to driver danger on the right.” highway, Sergeant Brad Robinson of BC Chief Florian acknowledges that for his Highway Patrol Chemainus points his findepartment, the Oyster Sto-Lo intersecger squarely at driver behaviour. tion and U-turn route on the highway is “I don’t feel the highway from Chase the worst for serious crashes: there have River to Chemainus is particularly dangerbeen 20 between 2015 and 2019. ICBC ous if people are driving appropriately,” statistics indicate that the Cedar Road he says. “The current roadway design is intersection and U-turn would be a close adequate if people drive responsibly.” He second with 19 crashes in the same time North Oyster Volunteer Fire Department goes on to clarify. “Obey traffic laws. Obey period: Spitfire Road had 12, while the Chief Florian Schulz. speed limits. Pay attention to your driving. Timberlands and Brenton-Page Road in- Photo: Kerith Waddington Drive sober and wear your seatbelt.” tersections each saw nine. Sergeant Robinson stresses that although Serious crashes that aren’t on the highsummer is traditionally known as “driving season,” the rules of way are typically speed-related for the conditions, says Chief the road apply all year round. Florian. He points out the high number of accidents on Yellow Remembering that will go a long way to making sure you Point Road and at the sharp corner on Cedar Road by North reach your destination safely. Oyster School. The Ladysmith and Chemainus areas have their troublesome highway intersections too. In the case of the former, the Davis Road intersection has seen 42 serious crashes between 2015 and 2019, the First Avenue/Ludlow Road intersection has seen 25, and the intersection of Esplanade Avenue, Roberts Street and Transfer Beach Boulevard has had 19. In the case of the latter, the worst intersections include Henry Road, with 29 bad crashes; Mt. Sicker Road and turning lane, with 18; and River Road, with 14. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure continually monitors traffic volumes, crash statistics and development along the highway to determine if upgrades are necessary, and if so, carries out safety improvement projects. For instance, in 2008 the left turns were eliminated at Brenton-Page Road and a turnaround facility was constructed at Cedar Road to make this easier and safer for drivers to navigate. In 2010, there were upgrades to the intersection at Spruston Road and Beck Road in Cassidy to improve safety for people. At the same time, Highway 1 from Nanaimo River Road to Spitfire Road was resurfaced to make this a safer and smoother drive. As part of the Vancouver Island Highway Project in the late 1990s, additional land around the intersections along the Nanaimo Parkway was preserved for the possible construction of future interchanges, given the anticipated future growth in the Nanaimo area. However, there were no plans south of Nanaimo to Chemainus for the construction of future interchanges as part of the project. That being said, the project did encompass access management improvements to major signalized intersections from Cedar Road (Nanaimo) to Ladysmith, For instance, South Wellington Road was restricted from full movement to right in/out.

RDN Area A Cedar Keith Wilson’s notes were not available by press-time. Please check next month.

CVRD Area H North Oyster/ Diamond The topics covered in this month’s article are: A summary of the recent Town Hall meeting, the CVRD Emergency Alert System, information about local road work planned for this summer, and an update on the work being done on the Oﬃcial Community Plan (OCP). The second Town Hall for this year was held virtually on May 13, 2021. By my count, there were 20 participants. The theme for this session was a review and brainstorm of projects for gas tax

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funds. Thank you to all those people that sent in their ideas and contributed to the discussion. I’ve generalized the ideas in the following list: (For more detail see the video link at www.AreaH.ca under Director’s Corner) •Yellow Point Trail •Roadside clean up (especially broom) •Annual support for local community halls (NOCC and the Diamond) •Purchase land for community parks •Improve community parks (e.g., Trails in Yellow Point Park, beach accesses, and unimproved parks) •Aquifer protection and monitoring facility •Solar Farm to oﬀset energy requirements •Emergency Preparedness Plan for Area H

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The next step is to assess the ideas. Which are best suited to a regional approach? Which are best suited for the electoral area? After that, which of the local ideas meet the eligibility criteria for the Gas Tax funding? This will provide a short list that I will bring to the next Town Hall meeting (likely in September) for further discussion. I’m speaking optimistically that this meeting can be held in a community hall. The CVRD has introduced a new app for its Emergency Alert System. This will help inform you of major emergencies or disasters in the Cowichan Region that may impact you. The free app is called Alertable. Details on the app can be found on the CVRD website homepage. I found it easy to find the app and download. Setup was simple, but it does want your address and location access. Also, as Area H is near the Regional District of Nanaimo, I thought it would be worth mentioning that the RDN uses an app called Voyent Alert! It was easy to download and set up. However, in addition to the location access, it requires your name. There is signage for road work being planned for Yellow Point Road. I reached out to the area manager from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. He shared with me that they will be pulverizing and paving sections of Yellow Point Road this summer. All shoulder and lane widths will remain the same. Sections of interest include: •Long Lake Road to Keene Road •Hills Road to Laguna Vista Road •In and around Whiting Way Lastly, an update on the Oﬃcial Community Plan (OCP): A few editions ago, I mentioned that work is well underway for harmonization phase. The latest information from the CVRD can be found on a video at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ZbggUVNTG50&t=1s. I will put the link for this video on the Area H website under Current Issues. I hope you are looking forward, as I

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am, to summer, which is just around the corner. And, I also hope, that getting back to normal is also just around the corner. Be patient and stay safe. Ben.maartman@cvrd.bc.ca / 250-5105930

CVRD Area G Saltair/Thetis Island Saltair Community Parks, Trails and Beach Accesses Until June 30, a Centennial Park Revitalization Plan is available for public input from Saltair residents and taxpayers. You can provide your input by visiting https://www.placespeak.com/ en/topic/6526-saltair-centennial-parkrevitalization-plan/#/overview, reading the Story Boards, completing the Questionaire Survey, and following and commenting on the Centennial Park Revitalization Plan PlaceSpeak topic. This approach to Saltair community input provides an opportunity to see and comment on the CVRD’s vision for upgrades, changes and new features in Saltair Centennial Park. I fear it might also raise unreasonable expectations about what changes we can see in the near future. Saltair’s community parks, trails and beach accesses are maintained by the CVRD. This maintenance cost is taken from the Saltair Community Parks Budget, which is funded solely by Saltair taxpayers. In 2021, the annual tax requisition for the Parks Budget is $140,170 or $18.68 per $100,000 of household property value. Since 2014, about $200,000 has been taken from the Parks Budget to purchase additional parkland. This has meant less money for maintenance, and additional parkland means more money is required for maintenance. In 2021, the CVRD staff had assessments done on the court surfaces in Saltair Centennial Park. The sub-surface in the basketball court and in front of the practice tennis wall have failed, creating tripping hazards. The heavily-used trail in the forested area of the park also presents many tripping hazards. Staff report that tripping hazards are a liability concern for the CVRD. This might require all or some of these three facilities to be upgraded, locked-off or removed. The Stocking Creek Park Bridge has recently been reinforced with additional

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beams and posts. It will require replacement in the not-toodistant future. Our beach access stairways and trails require constant safety monitoring and maintenance. Similarly, partially improved trails in our parks require further improvement. I understand the safety concerns in our parks are a priority. There is only one budget for doing this and for addressing the proposed upgrades, changes and new features in the plan. Foreseen and unforeseen safety issues arising from storms, fires, etc., might mean the plan is reaching far into the future. A key question in the Questionnaire Survey concerns the community’s willingness to accept a tax increase to pay for upgrades, changes and new features. In 2019, “70 per cent of [122] Saltair respondents were not supportive of a tax increase of any kind to fund park improvements to Saltair Centennial Park.” It is evident, without a tax increase or alternative funding, some changes and new features cannot take place or be added anytime soon. Saltair taxpayers recently approved an up to $270 per year parcel tax increase for the new filtration system, which will generate an increase in Saltair Water System user fees. We are also facing a likely taxation increase due to the Regional Recreation initiative. In addition, one of the goals in the Saltair Oﬃcial Community Plan is to acquire more parkland beside Stocking Creek, between the Stocking Creek Park boundary and the Davis Lagoon Bridge. I urge you to provide input about and to reflect on the budget and taxation situations when you complete your Questionnaire Survey and provide your Centennial Park Revitalization Plan PlaceSpeak comments. The CVRD needs your guidance in this regard. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Tanya Soroka CVRD Parks Department at Tanya.soroka@cvrd.bc.ca with a cc to me (lynne.smith@cvrd.bc.ca). HOCP/MOCP Update The CVRD staﬀ have advised the Electoral Area directors that an update concerning the HOCP/MOCP initiatives will be presented at the July 7 Special Electoral Area Service Committee meeting. This will be a chance for the directors to be updated about the CVRD’s proposals for community engagement.

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Saltair is a unique area in the CVRD. Our current OCP took two years to develop. We are fortunate those who developed the OCP saw Saltair remaining as a unique residential space, with rural character between the urban centres of Ladysmith and Chemainus. North Cowichan has now added an additional year to working on their OCP, and even that time frame is considered tight. MOCP decisions will guide the future of our area for years to come. Among other things, they need to address sustainable drinking water, traﬃc increases, drainage, impervious surfaces, our clay soil and septic systems, etc. Comments are always appreciated at lynne.smith@cvrd. bc.ca. FireSmart BC (https://firesmartbc.ca/) Now that we are out in our yards, it is a good time to look around and ensure your property is firesmart. You can find firesmart plants at local nurseries. Also, check the FireSmart Homeowners Manual at https://homeowners-manual. firesmartbc.ca/. You may want to purchase a Wildfire Automated Sprinkler Protection Kit (WASP Kit) from the CVRD, see https://www. cvrd.ca/formcenter/public-safety-18/wasp-kit--wildfi re-automated-sprinkler--93. CVRD Water Restrictions Are you looking for the latest CVRD water restrictions? You will find them at http://cvrdnewnormalcowichan.ca/water-userestrictions/. As environmental changes take place, the restrictions can change from the current Stage 1 to Stage 2 or Stage 3. Keep an eye on this website for updates. Some Community Fun The Saltair Association for Local Teamwork (SALT) has provided pumpkin seeds for Saltair children to grow their own pumpkins for our Centennial Park Halloween Event. Who will have the largest pumpkin? Who will have the funniest pumpkin? What a great incentive and opportunity to have children learn about growing produce. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at lynne.smith@cvrd.bc.ca or 250-701-1407. Additional articles and information may be found at SaltairNews.ca.

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National Indigenous Peoples Day online celebrations June 19-21. Workshops, pre-recorded concerts by Blue Moon Marquee, Nate Harris. www.cipw.ca. A&W Ladysmith 12615 B Trans Canada Hwy. FREE Buddy Burger with coupon in TAKE 5 June issue. Coupon valid at Ladysmith location only. 250-245-5213 Ironworks Café and Creperie, Special for Ladysmith location 422 Esplanade Ave. 2 of our 4 Berry Crepes for $12. (dine in/patio only) 9am - 3pm. ironworkscafe.ca Call in your order 1-855-748-9371 Ladysmith Museum Used Book Sale 721 1st. Ave., 10am - 4pm. Stop by for

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an outdoor Used Book Sale, Outdoor Games and a cup of tea! 250-245-0423 Sealegs Kayaking Transfer Beach. Rent 1 Sit-upon Kayak for 1hr. get a second 1hr. Sit-upon Rental-FREE! SealegsKayaking.com 250-245-4096 Ladysmith Golf Club 380 Davis Rd. Golf all day for $17. Golf 9 holes for $12. ladysmithgolfclub.ca 250-245-7313 Fox & Hounds British Pub- Restaurant 11 High St., Ladysmith. Local draft beer pint for only $6! foxandhoundsladysmith.com 250-924-1747 Waterfront Camera Walk with Bob Burgess. June 19, 5am. Registration required- email: editor@take5.ca Registration will be confirmed with details of where to meet. Wild Plants Walk in Yellow Point Park hosted by YES. June 19, 10am11:30am. Meet in the parking lot on Yellow Point Road. To register, call 250924-1445 Transfer Beach Food Trucks June 19, 11am-7pm. Thunders Truck, Moodies Ice Cream. Schedule: facebook.com/transferbeachfoodtruckconcession The Top Drawer Women’s Consignment Boutique 411C 1st Avenue Lady-

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smith. June 19, 10am-4pm. Sale of 20% oﬀ the entire store. the-top-drawer.ca Cedar Farmers’ Market 1984 Woobank Rd., Cedar. June 20, 10am -2pm. The perfect place for a Father's Day stroll & a last-minute gift! 85 vendors and many expert artisans. cedarfarmersmarket.org Transfer Beach Food Trucks June 20, 11am-7pm. Thunders Truck, Summer Snow Shaved Ice. Schedule: facebook. com/transferbeachfoodtruckconcession Foraging and Feasting Series - Herbal Tincture Workshop hosted by Champagne Hill Botanicals 2083 Furn Rd., Nanaimo. June 20, 10am-2pm, $75/person. champagnehillbotanicals.ca 250714-4246 Woodpecker Walk - Wildwood Ecoforest 2929 Crane Rd., Yellowpoint, June 20. Pre-register for time between 11am and 1:30pm. Register at www.ecoforestry.ca/event-listings A Secret Walk in Yellow Point Park hosted by YES. June 20, 10am-11:30am. Meet at 13561 Barney Road, oﬀ Yellow Point Rd. To register, call 250-924-1445 Check for latest info at take5.ca/hometowntourist

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St. Philip Anglican Church, Cedar and Loaves and Fishes BY BRIAN MCCORMACK St. Philip Anglican Church, Cedar, has been a satellite distribution centre for clients of the Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes (L&F) in the Cedar area for over ten years. During that time, the clients came into the church hall on Wednesday afternoons to select what they needed from a wide variety of fresh foods, including eggs, milk, bread, fresh vegetables, rice and pasta and also a variety of tinned foods. All of this food was donated by local grocery stores and individuals as being close to or slightly past the “best before” date. This date does not mean that the food is spoiled or not edible; indeed, it is still nourishing and wholesome. Due to the pandemic though, the church could not be open to clients or even worshippers and had to close its doors, like many other group occupancy locations. This of course meant that our L&F clients could no longer come and collect food for themselves and their families, causing much hardship. However, the Nanaimo downtown main depot remained open and clients who could get there were able to obtain food. But this was not possible for those without transportation. So, a plan was developed to deliver food in bulk to the church hall where a few masked and socially distanced volunteers would pack individual bags to be delivered by L&F staﬀ to the registered clients of the Food Bank regionally, including some in the Cedar area. Many hundreds of these bags have been loaded each week with a selection of non-perishable foods as a temporary solution to the problem. Our volunteers are kept busy packing the huge containers that can hold well over 100 client bags. These large containers are then loaded onto the L&F truck for deliveries to clients or for pickup at the depot. Now that so many adults are vaccinated with at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, we are looking forward to resuming personal contacts with our clients as they return to the church hall. Before that can happen though, we await clearance from the diocese and the health authority so that we can resume our service to our clients.

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The forest is a fullyfledged metaphor BY JEN YAKAMOVICH Spring is now in full flight on Vancouver Island — and the Wildwood Ecoforest will soon be full of fledglings (baby birds abound!). The woodpeckers have been carving out homes in snags and wildlife trees, the eagles have been brooding in the canopy and we have spotted a nest in the homestead’s woodshed guarded by a dutiful robin. It only recently dawned on me that the turn-of-phrase “fully-fledged” takes its inspiration from our forests’ feathered friends. “To fledge” means to develop wing feathers that are large enough for

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flight; “fledging” is the stage in a flying animal’s life between hatching and becoming capable of flying. As symbols of growth and new life, the fledglings got me thinking about all the nature-based metaphors that are embedded in our language. We commonly use idioms and figurative speech to communicate meaning — and so much of it is rooted (see what I did there?) in natural systems. I’d even go out on a limb and suggest that we’re often using nature metaphors without even realizing it. That “budding artist,” that “late bloomer,” and that “fertile soil” of discovery are all classic examples of metaphors stemming from cycles of plant growth. One of my favourite proverbs is a quote popularized by indigenous women in Chiapas, Mexico: “They tried to bury us, but they didn’t know we were seeds” — evoking the powerful imagery of resilience. Similarly, the tenacity of trees have long been used as metaphors: to “branch out,” to see the “fruits of one’s labour,” to “shed one’s leaves.” Even the phrase “knock on wood” is derived from the historic belief that touching trees was a way to recognize

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tree spirits, thought to bring good luck. To be “stumped” possibly came from the clearing of land by ploughs that would come up against tree stumps. Some say the phrase “the bee’s knees” is facetious, suggesting that bees don’t actually have knees. In fact, bees’ legs are segmented into five parts, with joints — or knees — that are used as hairy baskets to collect big build-ups of pollen. These busy bodies, such as the native bumble, miner, carpenter and leafcutter bees, are truly the “bees’ knees” of the season, pollinating many of the native plants commonly known to the area. The forest is buzzing with life, oﬀering an abundance of rich sounds and imagery, and a way to foster our relationship with nature through poetry and language. You are invited to listen to the songs of the forest at our next familyfriendly Wildwood Happening, on June 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On this selfguided walk, hear the wren’s chirrup, the towhee’s coo, the warbler’s staccato and the rat-tat-tat of the pileated woodpecker! Pre-registration is required by visiting www.ecoforestry.ca/event-listings.

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Gardening for Wildlife BY PAMELA WALKER YELLOW POINT ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY The idea of gardening for wildlife takes getting used to, but once you’ve made the shift, there’s no going back. In addition to the pleasure of watching your patch of paradise proliferate with petunias, you’ll have the joy of all the visitors your wildlife garden will attract. It won’t be long before you regard them, as I do, as family. In The Hummingbirds’ Gift: Wonder, Beauty, and Renewal on Wings, naturalist Sy Montgomery writes, “Today, perhaps more than ever before, we thirst for community; we hanker for transformation; we long to reconnect with the incandescence of life.” Why go alone? Why not connect with birds, butterflies, caterpillars, perhaps even aphids and sow bugs? A knowledgeable friend came over to look at my yard recently to tell me how I could make it more accommodating to Mother Nature. “Get rid of anything that is not native,” was her advice. Banish the buttercup. Ditch the Daphne. Lift the lamb’s ears. And, definitely, pitch the petunias. Put leaves under the trees, and allow any limbs that fall from trees to remain in place. Buy some cattails for the pond, and wave farewell to the goldfish who eat the spawn of the frogs and dragonflies that lay their eggs at the water’s edge. I need to learn to see beauty, she said, not in a crew-cut lawn, but in the movement of the wind through the native grasses, the birds and bumbles that will bend their heads to the brackens, blackcaps and blue-eyed Marys. “Can we help the cycle of life by providing food for baby birds?” she asked. It takes 6000 to 9000 caterpillars to feed a clutch of chickadees. If we provide the plants the caterpillars eat, we help the parents to rear their young. Plants do not like to be eaten, so many produce toxins in their leaves, rendering them bitter or even deadly. The butterflies, having developed

Native plants Orange honeysuckle (Lonicera ciliosa) and Oregon Grape (Mahonia nervosa) Photos: Steve Jenner

a relationship with certain plants over millennia, know exactly what their oﬀspring can eat, so they pupate close to that edible food source. Almost every time, they prefer a native species, not something that harkens from Asia, Babylon or Cameroon. The adult birds need our help too. Every day a hummingbird must visit 1500 flowers and eat 600 insects. When you’re ready to make the shift, start slowly, as I am doing. Maybe shrink your lawn by half and dedicate the other half to Mother Nature. Plant it with native plants, then sit back and watch the fun that will follow. For local sources of native plants, see NALT’s website at www.nalt.bc.ca. Think about the space directly below your trees. When an insect lays its eggs in a tree, its hatched nymphs will fall to the ground and burrow. This patch, that is neither mowed nor raked in winter will preserve future insect generations. Almost all caterpillars pupate in soil and leaf litter, which is why we should not rake, mow, or blow our leaves away in the fall, unknowingly killing next year’s butterflies. Here are some other suggestions: • Avoid outdoor lighting. This will save many insects from exhaustion, collisions, dehydration and disruption of their circadian rhythms. • Avoid buying wildflower mixes that contain invasive flower species. • Keep an area clear of plants so bumble bees have a place for their earthen homes. • Put in a water feature. Place logs and big boulders in a pond so bees can drink,

but not drown. • Pull out invasive plants, such as English ivy, Daphne, and Scotch broom. • Limit your mowing, and when you do, keep your blade a little higher. The flowers that grow in the lawn, such as white clover, English daisy, and, yes, dandelion, provide valuable nectar to pollinators.

Motorcycle addiction They say with addiction you can tell you’re hooked from the very first hit and I agree. Blame it on Blake McGuﬃe for being the first kid on our block to surrender to the Japanese invasion, when irresistible consumer items arrived from Japan in the mid-sixties. He could have bought a transistor radio, but no, Blake had to have a 50cc Suzuki. I didn’t even have to ride Blake’s Suzuki to be hooked. The look, the smell, even the ring-a-ding sound were all I needed to send me down a risky path. Out of our neighbourhood gang of seven, four became addicted. I can’t blame Blake for this, but you can’t help but wonder: if he had lived two blocks up the street and been in Ernie Morgan’s gang, not ours, would this wave of addiction have happened? My parents knew exactly who to blame. From that very first day, when he showed up at our house trailing the cloud of smoke that all two-stroke motors tow behind them, my parents always referred to him as “That McGuﬃe bastard.”

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But Blake was hit hardest of all. He quickly graduated from 50cc bikes to 80s, then on to a 250 model, and from there to Suzuki’s new rocket ship, a 1966 Suzuki Hustler that could hit 100 mph. As soon as he finished high school, he realized that immediate action was required to stem the flow of cash. To buy at wholesale prices, he somehow talked his mother into purchasing the Suzuki shop; at the time, it was a hole-in-thewall that also sold Raleigh bicycles. Incredible, but true. In 1965, I moved to Victoria to attend university and bought my first bike: an 80cc Yamaha. I then pulled a “Full Blake,” buying four bikes in two years. I tried to talk my mother into buying the Yamaha dealership, but parental wisdom soured the deal. It took maybe a month to discover the downside of motorcycles - speeding tickets. I quickly lost my license. But only three times. I fought back against my addiction, going lengthy periods between bikes. But as I’ve explained to loved ones, it’s like having malaria; it can be dormant for years, then one day you wake up with a Cycle magazine under your pillow. Before you know it, your wife goes to put away some socks and … “Oh my gosh, there’s a Ducati in your closet!” And a 750 Motto Guzzi under my side of the bed. You can learn a lot about your own addiction from the people in your support group, even though their addictions might be diﬀerent than yours. Take

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Tom L’s story. Tom was addicted to cigars which, when you think about it, don’t smell much different than Blake’s smoky Suzuki. To procure them, he had to drive 70 miles south to Victoria where the cigar store was located. This meant coming up with a reason why he and his wife, on a day off with lots of work to do in the yard, had to go to Victoria. “But we were just down there two weeks ago,” his wife protested. “Yes, but I think I left the water running when we were there,” he responded. Anything, regardless how plausible, just as long as it took him to Victoria. Once there, another fabrication was devised to ditch her so he could scoot over to the cigar store. “Why don’t you look at clothing while I go to the bathroom? It might take a little longer than usual with all the constipated tourists lined up along the wall.” I engage in similar acts of deceit when visiting our daughter and family in Vancouver, who conveniently live just down the road from the BMW/Ducati dealership, strictly off limits for me. I make excuses to leave the house: “Just popping out for a newspaper.” One and a half hours later, I’m back: “Damn. Who would have thought finding a newspaper would be so hard in a town this size?” Meanwhile, I’d spent my time at the motorcycle shop, drool running down the side of my deceitful mouth. One day I caught myself dumping the kid’s milk down the sink when no one was looking. “Damn, those kids drink

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a lot of milk,” I announced in a loud voice, brandishing the empty milk carton. “We’re out again. But don’t worry. Grandpa will just go pick some up.” And zoom, it’s back to the bike shop. But, hey, I’m doing okay. It’s been 10 years since that last incident where I woke up with a ringing in my ears and a nifty BMW RS in the driveway. The ringing was coming from my wife’s repeated application of our frying pan to the side of my head. I’ve come to accept that my riding days are over, so my next tactic is to say we need a bike for the living room, a conversation piece, something to watch instead of television. If you’ve got a better idea, clue me in. In the meantime, I’ll be trying to avoid all contact with those two-wheeled monkeys on my shoulder. This month’s wine recommendation is Wyndham Estate Shiraz, a wine that has been hanging around B.C. liquor stores for about as long as I have. Well worth the $14.95 price.

You can follow Delbert at Slightlycorkedandmore.wordpress.com or pick up his book at Mahle House, Co-Co Cafe, TAKE 5 oﬃce or throughout the community for just $20.

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EMPLOYMENT TWO SUMMER STUDENT POSITIONS – The Ladysmith & District Historical Society has two summer positions - Curatorial Assistant and Heritage Researcher. The Curatorial Assistant will learn about care and organization of the Ladysmith Museum’s collection to preserve it, for online and in-museum exhibits and programs, and the public’s enjoyment. Research Assistant a research assistant with post graduate University to do research at the Ladysmith Archives, Ladysmith Museum and Heritage Rail includes hands-on work at the Heritage Railway buildings. The successful applicants will have completed some post-secondary education in a related area of museum studies/heritage conservation/history/ anthropology, and have excellent computer skills 35 hour work week for eight weeks. Hourly wage: $15.20 We acknowledge Canada Summer Jobs funding. Send resume by June 15, 2021 to: museum@ladysmithhistoricalsociety.ca. FOR SALE ESTATE SALE – Furniture, kitchen equipment, English china, crystal items, never used electric motorcycle and more. Contact Art 250-753-7297. FISH FISH FISH. Buy direct from the guy who caught it! High quality salmon, lingcod, rockfish. All fish blast frozen at sea. Satisfaction guaranteed! Contact Jim at oceandancer.wallace@gmail.com or 250-245-5957 / 250-739-1123. BUSINESS EXPERIENCED HOUSESITTER Now offering senior companionship, respite care and concierge services. Peaceofmindcare. wordpress.com. Contact Kathleen at kgrcoaching@gmail.com or 250-619-0786. I CAN EDIT. Copy editing, proofreading, structural editing and more. Fiction or nonfiction, web content and eBook prep. For information, email editican@gmail.com.

CHEMAINUS-BASED Caregiver & Cleaner: Taking care of you, your family and your property. Qualified and experienced caregiver; certified FirstAid & FoodSafeBC. Housekeeping & sanitizing services. Excellent references. Please call Kanokwan 604-417-4367 HEALTH & WELLNESS TAI CHI for mental & physical health. Beginner classes start Sept. & Jan., Mondays; ongoing class Wednesdays. Both classes 10am-noon at the Cedar Hall, 2388 Cedar Road. More information: www.taichinanaimo.org or call Sara 250-245-1466. HOME & YARD INTO THE POND – MAINTENANCE & REVITALIZATION, division of Into the Garden Landscaping Services. Cleaning, maintenance, consultations. Really love your pond! Call for free estimate, 250-466-9339. PLUMBER FOR HIRE. Journeyman Red Seal Plumber with over 30 years’ experience for repairs, leaks, installations or renovations, free estimates, reasonable rates. Call Joe (leave message) or text 250-246-5883. BEST PAINTER in town! Clean, safe, punctual, responsible. Certified journeyman. 20+ years’ experience. WCB coverage. Call Howard 250-245-2751. CONCRETE RESULTS. Contracting, fullservice forming and finishing, walls, walks, patios, drives. 35 years’ experience. Call Gord 250-753-4024. HEART LAKE ROOFING for all your roofing repairs. Call 250-668-9195.

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KB HANDYMAN AND YARDWORKS SERVICES. Minor carpentry work, decks, fences, gutter cleaning, power washing, tree pruning, yard clean up, lawn fertilizing, mowing. Seniors discount. Contact Karl at kbhandymanandyardworks@gmail.com or 250-714-2738. QUALITY RENOVATIONS. Big or small. 25 years’ exp/journeyman, affordable. For free estimate, call Lars 250-616-1800. ALL ACRES TREE SERVICE providing all aspects of tree work. Pruning, falling, hedging, dangerous tree removal. Fully insured. Professional work at reasonable rates. Call 250-246-1265. DARRELL ESSAR RENOVATIONS. Over 30 years’ experience, certified journeyman carpenter. No job is too small, from fences, decks, tile work, hardwood flooring, painting, drywall, etc. For free estimate, call Darrell 250-714-3823. ISLAND PRUNING. Professional tree care from large scale orchards to budding new trees. I can meet any pruning need. Shrubs, vines and ornamental. Large and small clean ups. Call Darcy Belcourt 250-323-1260. PETS PROFESSIONAL PET CARE SERVICE “leash ’em & walk ’em” with Marlena & Babs. I am bonded, have Animal First Aid and CPR. My service for all pet includes dog walking, home care visits, overnight in your home and much more. As my love is yours! Call 250-246-3394. SENIORS HIRED HAND for Independent Elder, odd jobs, companionship, meal prep, etc.! Valid First Aid/ CPR, clean driver’s record, Level 2 FOODSAFE, gardener and handywoman. Call Marilyn at 250606-7069. GRANNY’S ON THE GO COMPANION SERVICES covering Cedar, Ladysmith, Chemainus. Clean drivers abstract, FOODSAFE, First Aid/CPR Gerontology Based Therapeutic Recreation Certificate Kwantlen University, Osteo Fit, Pool Assist & JAVA programs certificates. Working with active seniors that are not quite ready to stop the adventures. COVID-19 guidelines in place when out and about in public. At your service, Janet Bowman at janetmb@shaw.ca or 250-924-1515. LEAVE A LEGACY. Memoirs, family cookbooks, personal histories, we can help get your project ready to press or in production. Available in print, eBook and video format. Professional publishing services for corporates or individuals. editor@take5. ca or call 250-245-7015.

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Town turns 117 years On June 4, 2021we will be celebrating the 117th anniversary of the founding of the Town of Ladysmith. This gives me pause to think about a question raised by Candice Scott, a graduate from Simon Fraser University, in her 1974 thesis paper for historical geography: “Should the City of Ladysmith exist?” In her paper, she had pointed out “there is no extensive agricultural area surrounding it. No river has blessed it with deposits of slit. Nor no tourist trade supports the town, and the city is not a point of sail for cargo ships” to justify the creation of a community here where Ladysmith now stands. She suggested the community exists only because of the vision of only one person — James Dunsmuir. James and his brother were head of the Dunsmuir coal operations on Vancouver Island and in Oakland, California — Alexander in California and James on Vancouver Island. In the late 1880s, the Dunsmuir coal operations in Wellington were dying out. The company had to find new deposits of coal to continue. In 1898, more coal was discovered south of Nanaimo, at what is now know as Extension. Quickly, Dunsmuir ordered the construction of mining operations on the site. Once up and running, they needed to ship the coal from these new operations south of Nanaimo. Originally, the plan was to ship the new production to the company’s loading operations at Departure Bay in Nanaimo, but in order to achieve that, the coal would have to transported over lands owned by Dunsmuir’s chief rival. When Dunsmuir asked permission to cross their land, the other company said “No.” This forced James and his brother to look at other locations to build a new shipping terminal close to the mines

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James Dunsmuir, founder of Ladysmith. The Town just before its incorporation in 1904. Photos: Ladysmith Archives

at Extension. Oyster Harbour (later to be known as Ladysmith Harbour) was chosen. The site was not unfamiliar to James, as in 1888, he chose Oyster Harbour to be a railcar trans-shipment point between the Island and the Mainland for the newly created E&N Railway, of which he was President. Almost immediately, construction of the new wharves started. Soon, a small community of a hundred or so wharf builders and railway men, along with their wives, sprung up along the shoreline. By December 1899, the wharf was completed and the first shipment of coal set sail for California. Dunsmuir thought that the area would be a good spot for the employees working at the new mine in Extension to live. He directed his workers to relocate from Wellington and Extension to the area. Many did reluctantly, and lots were purchase for $50. He instructed his surveyors to layout a modern clean city for his employees. So, in late December 1899, the ground work for this “instant” town started to take shape. The new town was to have many churches on land donated by Dunsmuir, as well as a graveyard and a school. On March 1, 1900, while inspecting his new town, he received word that the City of Ladysmith in South Africa, that had been under siege by the Boer for 119 days, was relieved. British subjects in support of British rule in South Africa rejoiced. As Dunsmuir was one of the most ardent supporters of the cause, he used the hearing of this news as reason to declare that this new city was to be called Ladysmith and the major streets in the community were to be named after the generals who were participating in the Boer War. So from this it is easy to understand

the point that Miss Scott made in her thesis. The only reason the City/Town of Ladysmith has reason to exist is because of one man, and for no geographic feature that would have led to the creation of a town, village or city on the present site of Ladysmith. So what is the answer to her question, should Ladysmith exist? Better yet would have it ever happened if it wasn’t for James Dunsmuir? Something to think about on our 117th anniversary. And that’s as I see it.