March 2018 EyesOnBC Magazine by EyesOnBC Publishing

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Serving Vancouver Island

Standing in a Field of Daﬀodils • With Fresh Eyes •

John Beaton’s: “The Shaping of Sheep” •

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Art & Education - TOSH •

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MAGAZINE

THE FEATURES vol 14 No 03

MARCH 2018

4 Art & Education - TOSH: The Old School House Arts Centre 10 Standing in a Field of Daffodils without a Clue 12 With Fresh Eyes

THE ARTS / EATS / OUTDOORS

EyesOnBC Magazine is published monthly Showcasing our community since 2004 Main Email: info@eyesonbc.com Phone: 250-757-9914 Mailing Address EyesOnBC Magazine, Box 182, Bowser, BC V0R 1G0 Hours: Tue - Thu 10-4 Our Contributors this month: Georgia Nicols, Joanne Sales, Linda Tenney Bill Veenhof, John Beaton, Dawn Hunter Clark, Sue Murguly, Heather Vopni On the Internet www.eyesonbc.com & www.facebook.com/eyesonbc For Advertising Options Call 250-757-9914 to inquire or visit www.eyesonbc.com/advertise to request ad rates. VISA & MasterCard accepted Printed on Vancouver Island, BC

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John Beaton’s “The Shaping of Sheep” Comox Valley Art Battle winners ECHO Players present: Collected Stories Tide Table - inside back cover

COMMUNITY LIVING 15 UBCU Student Bursaries Available 16 From the Desk of the RDN Director, Area H - Bill Veenhof

THE REGULARS 8 21 22 23

Georgia Nicols Horoscope Community Calendar At Your Service - Local Services & Trades Classifieds

Articles and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and published for general information purposes only. Articles are not intended to provide specific advice - the publisher will assume no liability. Articles and/or data may not be quoted or reproduced, in part or in whole, without permission from the publisher. Freelance writers & photographers Queries can be directed to Linda Tenney, Publisher at info@eyesonbc.com

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Art & Education

TOSH ~ THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE ARTS CENTRE

story and photo by Dawn Hunter Clark

ver a century ago, formal classroom education in Qualicum Beach began when the Qualicum Beach School opened its doors in 1914. Designed by Allan Waters in the Classical Revival Style, which was a popular style of institutions of the time, it housed fortyone students from grades 1-8, in two classrooms, led by two teachers. For over sixty years, the schoolhouse retained its position as the only elementary school in Qualicum Beach. As the town of Qualicum Beach grew, so did the demand for a larger facility. In 1976, the old schoolhouse was no longer suitable as an elementary school. A new school was built behind the old schoolhouse which became the home of the District 69 School Board offices. The school board stayed at the old schoolhouse for nine years until they moved into new offices in Parksville in 1985. The schoolhouse became empty, tired and sad and was put up for sale. It was 4

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sold soon after for $50,000 to the Town of Qualicum Beach. The town planned to bulldoze the decaying building to use the property to expand the town’s parking lot. Passionate members of the community and local artists came together with the mutual goal of saving the old schoolhouse. They formed a committee and a plan to execute this goal. The Committee approached the town and asked to lease the building. They agreed to raise the funds needed to do the renovations within the deadline given to the committee by the town. A record-breaking fundraising achievement was successfully pulled off when they managed to raise $75,000 in just 90 days!

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After a year of dedication and hard work, in February 1988, the doors of the old schoolhouse opened its doors as the new home of TOSH, The Old Schoolhouse Arts Centre. Over two-hundred people gathered outside its doors, pouring onto Fern Road to participate in the opening ceremony. The original guidelines set in place in 1985 by the Planning Committee was; for the old schoolhouse to be used as an art gallery within a historic building with a gift shop, galleries, art classes and resident artists’ studios.

Renovations began in 1987, with all the work conducted by volunteers. It became clear, more help was required to complete the renovations of the old schoolhouse. Inmates from Brennan Lake Prison were recruited to help complete the work.

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Some of them lived in the schoolhouse during this time.

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TOSH continued to expand its programs when it introduced a music program in 1998. The community have the privilege of enjoying top-notch performing artists CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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from around the world, in an intimate setting in the Brown Gallery, named after Genevieve Brown of the Crown Mansion for her many years of dedication to the art community of Qualicum Beach. Concerts are held each Sunday. TOSH hosts thirty-six musical performances annually. Each show sells an exclusive one hundred tickets. Non-members can purchase a ticket for $18 and members pay only $15. Become a member of the Old Schoolhouse Arts Centre for only $25 per year. The benefits of membership include; discounts on classes and shows and 10% off merchandise and art in the gift shop, which represents 150 Vancouver Island artists, including the likes of Ken Kirkby, David Goatley and Elissa Anthony, among many creative others. Do you have a desire to paint? Draw? Interested in mixed media, sculpting, pottery and photography? Artistic classes of all spectrums are offered six days a week for beginners to the most seasoned of artists. TOSH also offers fantastic kids summer programs including; painting, drawing, pottery and even acting classes. Become one of over 30,000 annual visitors and witness art-in-themaking with thirty resident artists working in studios open to the public. A fantastic experience to see art created in real time. There are several special events offered by TOSH, but the clear favourite has to be Art In Action. An annual event that combines a craft fair of 50 artists booths, who team up with the Qualicum Beach Farmer’s Market. The Grand Prix Open Air Painting Race takes place at the same time. Artists must create a piece of art in just 2.5 hours. This wonderful event takes place this July 28th. Make sure you mark your calendar as this is an event not to be missed!

Corinne James, Executive Director

TOSH is presently celebrating its 30th Anniversary with two consecutive exhibitions entitled, “30 Years of Arts”, running through to March 19th. Check out all events and classes through the TOSH website @ www.theoldschoolhouse.org or drop by in person to: 122 Fern Road in Qualicum Beach. As Executive Director Corinne James explains, “It is a privilege to work with such a dedicated team, local and international artists and be surrounded by over 10,000 pieces of brilliant art.” The Old School House · Early 1900's · Qualicum Beach Historical and Museum Society

Take the time to check out my new favourite place – The Old Schoolhouse Arts Centre – keeping art alive in Oceanside.

Dawn Hunter Clark is a local author living in Bowser, BC. Her recently published book "Paranormal Canadian Tales: A Supernatural Journey" has received rave reviews and is available on Amazon.

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Sealions at Fanny Bay - Linda Tenney photo

of seagulls and, of course, the herring. They were all there. Circling above or thrashing around in the shallow tidal waters turned a creamy turquoise blue by the herring's milt as they spawned that day. The wandering fish stayed in the inlet for just a few hours, then moved on to another spot further down the coast; the throngs of predators following closely after them.

SEX ON THE BEACH

THE PACIFIC HERRING ARE BACK!

ust about this time each year, the Pacific Herring arrive to spawn in the waters off the coast of East Vancouver Island. Their arrival sets in motion, an unparalleled spectacle of coastal wildlife. Spring 2014 was my first experience of the event. The food chain in action. Literally!

That year, the herring slipped into a protected inlet in front of a resort just near Bowser. It was a beautiful spring day. Sunny and extraordinarily warm for early March. From my vantage point at the top of a hill overlooking the ocean, I marvelled at the congregation of wildlife. Dozens of Bald Eagles, seals, sea lions, hundreds

My fingers are crossed in the hopes of bright, sunny days while the herring are just off our shore this year. The wildlife. The fishing boats. The lively tidal pools. The sky filled with thousands of seabirds. All of it offers incredible photo opportunities, and the chance to witness nature in action. Best of all ... with the arrival of the herring, you know the warmer days of spring follow close behind. ~ LT

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Predictions for March 2018 Aries (March 21-April 19) You have four weeks to think about what you want for your new year ahead when your “soon to happen” birthday takes place. Ideas? We know two things: This is a time of harvest in your life (in a 30-year cycle). Even though you have a lot of responsibilities, you can steer your life however you want. The second thing is that this year you get the financial and practical support from others that you need. Amazing head start, eh wot? Taurus (April 20-May 20) This is a popular month! People want to see you! Your interaction with friends will increase as well as your involvement with clubs, groups and organizations. This is also one of the best times of the year for you to make goals. What are your hopes and dreams for the future? What do you have to start to do now, to

Lori Chesley

Certified Holistic Health Practitioner In Qualicum Bay 250.228.0223 www.steppingstoneshealing.ca www.facebook.com/steppingstoneshealing 2 0 1 8

Gemini (May 21-June 20) This month the Sun is at the top of your chart. This is the only time all year this occurs. It means you have a symbolic spotlight on you that is flattering. This is why bosses, parents and people in authority think you are competent, successful, witty, intelligent and maybe even fabulous. (Fabulous is nice.) And you don’t have to do anything special to look fabulous! Demand the advantage! Be the squeaky wheel. You’ll get the attention you want.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) This month, the Sun is opposite your sign, something that occurs only once a year. This is a chance to learn more about yourself through your one-to-one relationships with others. You might examine your relationships and ask yourself what need this relationship does or does not fill in your life. What need do you fill in someone else’s life? What makes a partnership successful? You will think a lot about your relationships this month. And if you have conflict – you will examine that conflict to see your role in the drama. (Yikes!)

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) You are more observant of your subtle feelings and emotions this month. You might identify some compulsions you have that you weren’t aware of before. You might undergo some kind of psychological transformation. Sounds trippy but it could happen. Something might occur that challenges your value structure. Or something might

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happen that forces you to examine shared resources, finances and the wealth of your partner. We’re not talking frivolity. This stuff is subtle but maybe life-changing.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) You want to get away from all this! Grab every chance to get a change of scenery this month. Expand your world intellectually and experientially. Study something new. Experience different situations. Be open to adventure! Try new things. Enjoy the stimulation of talking to people from other backgrounds and different cultures. Visit ethnic restaurants but remember the advice of Miss Piggy: “Never eat more than you can lift.”

A BALANCED APPROACH FOR YOUR BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT

go in the direction of making those dreams a reality? In the next four weeks, if you bounce your ideas off someone, their feedback could help you.

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Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) You’re gung ho to be efficient and productive because you want to manage your life the best way possible. You want to make every action count! Meanwhile, you might also have to satisfy someone else’s wishes or needs. And while you fine-tune your physical efficiency, you will also give thought to your health as well. How can you improve your health? What can you stop doing that is unhealthy? What can you start doing that will benefit you? A balanced diet is more than a cookie in each hand. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Lucky Scorpio! This month is all about play, romance, vacations, parties, social outings, long lunches, sports events, the arts, movies,

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the theatre and rewarding times with children. Get out and have a good time! You feel lighter and more fun-loving! Your relationships with others will be more enjoyable. Some of you will discover new love. Others will awaken the playful side of an existing relationship. You won’t feel a need to run the show but you will oppose anyone who tries to stop you from doing what you want to do. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Your concern with home and family will be stronger this month. You will continue to meet the demands of your outer world, but you will enjoy relaxing at home. You might want to contemplate or meditate. You will enjoy your own company. You will also enjoy talking about your past and your youth and recalling childhood memories with someone. (It’s never too late to have a happy childhood.) Use this window of time to remember what it is that you really wanted in life. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Fasten your seatbelts because this month is busy! You have a jampacked schedule full of appointments, meetings, unscheduled moments with siblings, relatives and neighbours, increased reading and writing plus short trips! You’re not sitting around getting dusty. Enjoy a vacation if you can. This is an excellent time to tell someone how you feel. You’re eager to enlighten others about your ideas. Churchill once said, “There are a lot of lies going around, and half of them are true.” Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) This month you are more concerned with money, cash flow, assets and wealth. But at a deeper level, you want to know if you benefit from what you own. Does your stuff serve your needs or is it an albatross around your neck? So the question you need to ask yourself is what is your relationship to your resources in life? You want to have better control over your life through what you own. And another question you want to ask is what is it that you really value? Remember – after the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.

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Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Well, well – the Sun is in your sign this month giving you glamour on steroids! This is your turn to replenish and re-energize yourself! It’s okay to be self-centred because it’s all about you! The Sun is your source of energy, which means it will boost your personality and how you project onto your world. You’ll be larger-than-life! You will attract people to you as well as favourable situations. You want to express yourself to others. You want to do your thing. M A R C H

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Learning is one of them. The brain of a human baby is one most complex creations in creation. A baby comes in ready to learn everything. Learn to walk, talk, think, cry, love, calculate, imagine and feel - to have the human experience. The mystical traditions say, You are not a human with a spirit, but rather a spirit having a human experience. We usually feel only human. We’re busy doing things, processing things, desiring, thinking and feeling. Buying bananas, driving the kids, freaking out, making dinner, on the computer, talking, singing, looking for keys, remembering the past. We’re busy!

STANDING IN A FIELD OF DAFFODILS WITHOUT A CLUE by Joanne Sales

ave you ever almost woken up in the dark of night and didn’t know where you were? Slight variation here. In this case, I didn’t know when I was. It was predawn, in February, and I had been traveling for a week, by car and plane. As I was waking up in the predawn hours after my return, I heard my thoughts. “Does mom have to go to work today? Does she still work at God’s Bank?” I repeated my inner question several times.

really pushes the envelope. Maybe the envelope needs to be pushed. Life is more fun when we know there is the unknown.

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Well, my mother really did work at God’s Bank for 25 years, but she has been dead for 25 years. I was in the wrong time era.

I met a woman in a library - with a dog. She had no apparent incapacities that would allow her to be accompanied by a guide dog. She told me, “My dog is here to take me home.” The visual memory part of her brain had been injured in a car accident. “I won’t recognize my own home, but my dog will.” She also wouldn’t recognize her husband, but her dog would keep her in the right family.

I finished waking up, and resettled into the current time and place. But actually, I enjoyed the slightly disorienting event. It softened the tyranny of the common place. Put just a little edge on the ordinary. Dislodged me from taking it all for granted, or from thinking I knew it all. (Two very dead-end ways of thinking.)

When my son had a brain tumor, a ventricle in the brain was blocked, so he couldn’t keep his balance to walk. I remember going from the hospital to the store and watching all the people walking around just fine – and not a single one of them thought to be grateful to the ventricles. We take so much for granted!

There is a memorable, animated scene in the movie about Quantum physics, What the Bleep Do We Know?, in which the woman turns around and looks into empty space where the living room used to be. As she watches, all the bricks and blocks of her living room take shape and fall into place. Then the living room looks familiar. It’s the same room she left the night before. The ordinary had returned. But returned from where? A Quantum physicist might say, from the realm of possibilities.

The brain meanwhile accepts the miracle of ventricles and visual memory as every-day normal, with bored acceptance. Miracles are normalized. That’s the envelope that needs to be pushed!

We know we don’t understand quantum mechanics. No one really does. It 1 0

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Neurologists now realize that the brain blocks more information than it allows in. If you think your neighbor sees things differently, you are absolutely right! Our brains have faculties like our spam filters – “Block or allow?” We think we are in charge of what we have blocked or allowed, but sometimes we have been offered no choice. We simply have adopted the consensus reality of our particular culture. That’s why it’s an interesting experience to slip into a different time era (as long as one can slip back to now.)

 I met a young couple who were woken in the night by a pounding on the door of their cabin in Santa Rosa. “Leave immediately, in your pajamas.” Shortly after, the cabin burned down. The woman lost all her possessions, and her job, because it burned down too. A week later the boyfriend broke up with her. In a week, she went from everything to nothing. That too is part of the human experience. No wonder we’re not in constant bliss. The Buddha nailed it when he spoke the Four Noble Truths. Number One is “Life is suffering.” Let’s tone it down a little for humans of the 21st century, and use a word from Pema Chodrin. Life is going to be uncomfortable.

Even the most ordinary among us can do the most extraordinary things – like walk and talk and find our way home. Earth is not a boring place. But we have more on our plate than wonder, so we can’t marvel all the time. That’s why we have functioning ventricles and visual memory centers in the brain. Because we are human, and we have things to do. •

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I’d also like to borrow an analogy that Pema Chodrin used, comparing our emotions to weather. I thought I was such a great mother, in the midst of raising two stable young •

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actually for search and rescue - and a little bit of overkill. But you can dim it down to an ordinary flashlight when you don’t want to burn out your dog’s eyes. It’s that kind of flexibility that we want. To be able to see deeply, and still function. To be able to reach high, and return to fix dinner.

sons. A few years later, my daughter was born. She was and is a highly emotional being. Suddenly, it was obvious, I was worst mother in the world. I’ll use her as a reference for errant emotions, for the benefit of the rest of us suffering from the same emotions. (She’s in California now and can’t stop me; besides she wouldn’t care.) Growing up, she was the queen of drama, tears, panic, fear, upset, despair – all the negative emotions that we like to deny that we experience too. She balanced those negative emotions with over-the-top positive emotions like love, loyalty and enthusiasm. But positive or negative, emotions they were – right out front and center.

Last summer, I bought a set of handheld laser devices. Different frequencies of light from the lasers will penetrate to different depths. Red laser light works on the surface, to help heal skin, muscles and nerves. Infrared light penetrates deeper, to reach bones and cartilage. Violet light is something else again. The depth of penetration is adjustable. That’s what we want. Flexibility. To marvel at it all, get lost for a few moments in time, but get to work on time. We shouldn’t have to wake up in the wrong time era to remember that we live in a miracle.

Pema Chodrin calls them weather. There are emotional hurricanes, storms, droughts, spring days, rain, wind, calm breezes, typhoons. Just as the weather takes place inside the atmosphere of earth, our emotions take place inside us.

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My mother used to gather us all to run outside with her into the field in the moments before a thunder storm hit hard, to enjoy the strong winds and turbulent sky. We were amateur storm chasers.

My grandmother thought that heaven would require that she sit on a cloud all day and play a harp and sing hymns. She was not looking forward to it. It sounded boring. Knowing the times in which she lived, and knowing my grandmother and her life of endless work, I imagine that the future did look boring to her. I’d like to think that in the afterlife, she got to have more fun. I hope she gets to spend her “timelessness” in a state of total wonder, diving in and out of the clouds she dreaded, shouting “Holy Toledo. How amazing is this? How did this happen? Creation is a miracle.“

Some people take storm chasing very seriously! During the January storms in Tofino, with 9 meter wave surges, some people wanted to watch the storm up close - too close. Authorities wanted them to see the storm from a safe distance. Watching our inner emotions can be like storm watching, also best done from a safe distance. Emotional intelligence is recognizing the roller coaster, and being able to step back from it far enough to decide which car we want to ride in.

Just short of heaven, we have springtime.

We don’t want to and can’t ignore our emotions, but we don’t want to be their servant. Chodrin recommends that we remember that we didn’t make up anger, anxiety and grief – these are human experiences. Besides, the storms will pass, and they are not the essence of who we are. I got a flashlight for Christmas that will shine way out into the fields. It’s

If the human experience is to live in a miracle and only remember it occasionally, then springtime is a good time to remember it.

Green things that have been invisible or non-existent are appearing all around. Birds are again flying through the air, and scientists now tell us that they may be some of the most intelligent creatures on earth. So much for the expression “bird-brains.” We get excited and prepare our gardens. We open the windows and walk in the forest. We pick up loppers and cut down Scotch broom (please!) The sun shines on us and we come back to life, like dormant blueberry bushes putting on blossoms. Humility is not asked of us because we’ll offend some higher power. Higher powers would not be offended by our hubris; chuckling would be a more appropriate response, “If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans.” Humility is simply the intelligent response. Especially when we can’t keep track of time – even if it is in a dream. For the first five minutes after the midwife handed my grandchild to her mother, we didn’t know whether she was a boy or a girl. For a few moments, we got to see this baby as simply a new human. Sometimes it is really fun not to know. Next time you sit at the breakfast table, and put blueberries in your porridge, look around. This is really weird. The particularity of this experience. From nothing and nowhere to this? That’s the human experience. Standing in a field of daffodils without a clue. ~

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Joanne Sales is a freelance writer, blueberry farmer, and offers workshops in EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), and the fine art of brewing Kombucha. Comments and questions about her articles and/or upcoming workshops can be directed to joanne@glasswing.com. M A R C H

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With Fresh Eyes

by Linda Tenney

“The storm raged now; its unrelenting wind cut deep into the gray sea, churning it into a wild and savage landscape. It was so different just an hour ago. I'm glad I looked again.” ~ L. Tenney

e humans certainly are an inquisitive bunch. Since the beginning, we've been explorers. We've travelled. We've settled new lands. We've adventured. We've discovered. We met challenges with excitement, and found beating the odds a joy.

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Albeit exciting, when I take a moment to compare the past with our present, I realize our adventurous centuries were harsh, violent and dirty times. We prevailed and now here we are, living our lives in a much gentler time, but I wonder if these gentle times have quelled our spirit with a dose of the mundane.

work on the SkyTrain, spending hours and hours each week pondering the people around me. What can I say? I was bored, and reading the morning news just made me dizzy. So I watched and wondered instead. Who were they? Where were they going? I wrote stories in my head about these travellers; stories quickly forgotten when the train doors slid open at my stop in downtown Vancouver. And when I saw the same people again the

I lived on the mainland for quite a few years before moving to Vancouver Island. I travelled back and forth to

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next morning, I'd conjure more stories to keep me amused and fly the time. I especially liked commuting on early winter mornings; the time of year when the sun crept up a little later from the east to blaze across snow-capped mountains and fill busy commuter trains with light. On one particular morning, I saw that not one of my fellow commuters noticed the sunrise; they never saw the red and yellow hues melting into vibrant orange, or acknowledged the warmth of the sun as it reached deep into the car. They looked at their shoes, then the shoes of others, then the floor, then the ads posted above the train windows, but never at the sunrise. Some held their newspapers with ink-marked fingers, ignoring everything else around them. Settled into the mundane. Never looking further than the already known. For them, it was a boring commute without beauty.

Oddly … that morning in my life was almost two decades ago, and I still remember the sadness I felt. I wanted them to see and feel what I saw and felt. I wanted to shout out … “Look! Look there! Isn't that just the most beautiful thing you've ever seen? Aren't we lucky to be alive?” No one raised an eyebrow as the intense colour changed minute by minute. No one marveled that the sun came up at all. It was just accepted and taken for granted. They had settled into their morning routine. Settled into the mundane. If I could transport myself back to that time … for just a moment, I would say something. I'd tell them to look up, blink twice and see the world with fresh eyes. Watch the sunrise as if it was the first. I know it would feed their soul, and they would be glad they looked again. Don't miss a single extraordinary moment. Blink twice and see the world with fresh eyes. ~

Spring Style with Attitude

great big THANK YOU to all the people who came out to support the Fall Fair on Sunday (February 25, 2018). We met some wonderful people from our communities and

some of them put their names down as willing to help with the big job of organizing this year's Fair. The Directors of the BowHorneBay Community Club will be having

1080 Resort Drive in Parksville

follow-up discussions and the decision will be made as to whether we have enough help now to make the whole thing work for this

250-586-4338

year.

dressforles.ca

If you are still wanting to offer some of your time please send a

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message with your name, phone number and e-mail, and someone will be in touch. email: bowhornebayclub.info@gmail.com UPDATE: As we went to press with this edition of EyesOnBC Magazine, we learned that the Board of Directors of the BowHorneBay Community Club made the decision to move ahead with this year's Lighthouse Country Fall Fair! We're excited and happy that so many people stepped forward to help the core organizing team this year! Yay Team! M A R C H

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Tuesday to Saturday · 10am to 5pm Closed Sunday & Monday

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VILLAGE GARAGE Delivering The Same Great Service For Over 28 Years!

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(250) 752-9542

Monday - Friday 7:30-6

665 Memorial Ave Qualicum Beach

GAS ONLY Saturday 9-6 Sundays 11-4

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FROM THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR

FAMILY PAINT 5YRS+

BILL VEENHOF

Let's create art and memories together. Family members will take part in painting their own canvas with the guidance of our experienced art instructor. No experience necessary. All supplies are included. View painting project online. Thursday, March 8th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Qualicum Commons, cost is $25. Phone RDN, Recreation and Parks at 250-248-3252 to pre-register. View recreation programs online at rdn. bc.ca/recreation <http://www.rdn.bc.ca/ recreation>.

Regional Director, Area H billveenhof.com ph: 778-424-2810 bill.veenhof@shaw.ca

I hope this finds you well. Following, find a few items that you may find of interest.

HIGH SPEED INTERNET Earlier in February, I put out a call for you to tell me if you had poor access to high-speed internet. I collated your responses and passed to TELUS.

LIBRARY A few months ago our Bowser librarian, Donna deBellefeuille moved on to other endeavours. She was our librarian for 10 year! I enjoyed all my interactions with her and wish her all the best in the future.

SAVE OUR FAIR RALLY FEBRUARY 25TH, 2018

While the event is now in the past, it is important to underscore that a small group of people are trying very hard to save our annual Lighthouse Country Fall Fair. They need a full roster of volunteers to organize and successfully produce this year's Fair, otherwise, it may not happen at all. The Fair is a central element of our community and a worthwhile endeavour. If you would like to volunteer, please see page 13 to read more about the event and to find contact information.

RDN RECREATION AND PARKS MARCH EVENTS AND PROGRAMS CANVAS ART FOR 13-17YRS Jenny Hughes will guide you through how to paint a fantastic yet surprisingly simple acrylic painting. No experience necessary. All supplies are provided. View painting project online. Thursday, March 1st from 5:45 to 7:15 pm at 1 6

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Qualicum Commons, cost is $30. Phone RDN, Recreation and Parks at 250-2483252 to pre-register. View recreation programs online at rdn.bc.ca/recreation <http://www.rdn.bc.ca/recreation>.

PARKSVILLE LION’S AND SAVEON-FOODS FREE FAMILY SKATE

PAINT A TOTE BAG 7-12 YEARS Show the world your creative side with this hand-painted tote bag. No experience necessary. All supplies are provided. View painting project online. Thursday, March 15thfrom 5:45 to 7:15 pm at Qualicum Commons. Cost is $35. Phone RDN, Recreation and Parks at 250248-3252 to pre-register. View recreation programs online at rdn.bc.ca/recreation.

This popular skate session is Sundays, a great way to stay active as a family. Children must be accompanied by an adult, 19yrs+. Pond hockey is not available during this session. Oceanside Place Arena on Sundays, March 4th and ending on March 11th. Skate time is from 12:15 to 1:45 pm. Free event. Phone RDN, Recreation and Parks 250-2483252 or view skate and swim schedules online at rdn.bc.ca/recreation <http:// www.rdn.bc.ca/recreation>.

POURING PAINT CLASS FOR 11-15YEARS Let's get creative. Use liquid vitreous medium and acrylic paint to create your own modern resin-like artwork. No experience necessary. All supplies are provided. View project online. Thursday, March 15th from 4:00 to 5:30 pm, cost is $25. Phone RDN, Recreation and Parks at 250-248-3252 to pre-register. View recreation programs online at rdn. bc.ca/recreation <http://www.rdn.bc.ca/ recreation>.

SATURDAY BREAKFAST CLUB Enjoy a parent and tot exploration and a Mother Goose circle time at Munchkinland, Family Place in Parksville. Join us for songs, stories and breakfast. Saturdays, March 3rd and 10th. 9:30 to 11:30 am. This is a free program suitable for families with children 6 years and younger. Phone RDN, Recreation and Parks 250-2483252 or view skate and swim schedules online at rdn.bc.ca/recreation.

SPLISH SPLASH EVERYONE WELCOME SWIMS Splish splash everyone welcome swims at Ravensong Aquatic Centre are a water adventure you don't want to miss. The lifeguards are going to bring out all the pool toys for you to enjoy. From the rope swing to the snake to the dino ribs there will be water play for everyone. Tuesday March 20th and 27thand Thursday March 29th from 1:30 to 4:00 pm. Regular admission. Phone RDN, Recreation and Parks 250-752-5014 or view skate and swim schedules online at rdn.bc.ca/ recreation.

DAD’S NIGHT OUT: FREE SKATE Dads, bring the kids to Oceanside Place Arena and enjoy a free skate together on the pond Tuesday, March 6h from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. This free skate is sponsored by our partners at Building Learning Together. Phone RDN, Recreation and Parks 250-248-3252 or view skate and swim schedules online at rdn.bc.ca/ recreation <http://www.rdn.bc.ca/ recreation>.

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AT THE MAC

The Kristian Braathen Trio

Kristian Braathen Miles Black Ken Lister Friday, March 9, 2018 Tickets $18 ($15 OCAC)

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Kristian formed this trio with the purpose of putting together a group that would play a range of music, influenced by some of musicians with whom he draws inspiration. Some of these artists include, Ray Brown Trio, Bill Charlap Trio, and Jacky Terrasson. Miles Black (piano) and Ken Lister (acoustic bass) are two of Canada's finest jazz musicians, and Kristian is thrilled to have them as part of his trio. The sound of the Kristian Braathen Trio is based around great feel, tight arrangements and new compositions. This trio’s debut release is entitled ‘Tempus Fugit’.

MacMillan Arts Centre 133 McMillan St, Parksville

(250) 248-8185 10-4pm daily. Closed Mondays •

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POETRY

s a youth in Scotland, I'd sometimes help with sheep gathering and shearing. Collies would take the sheep down from the hills and herd them into an enclosure, or "fank" as we called it. The walls were dry stone dykes. One day I witnessed a strange scene, one which suggested how power can suppress freedom of expression.

THE SHAPING OF SHEEP Bustles, scuffles, bleats, and shuffles—sheep come milling down the hill to the shearing-pen. Men whistle-call commands and collies sweep the straggled throng for strays when, down the glen,

ABOUT THIS POEM

a ram goes rocketing off. The sheepdogs trim

he poem is a Shakespearean sonnet (14 lines, rhymed abab cdcd efef gg) All lines have five beats (pentameter, with some variation, alliteration, and internal rhyme). There's a "turn", or change in development, at line 9, and an irresistible pun on "coup de grâce" at line 12. The couplet at the end seals the metaphor foreshadowed by the title.

their courses, fly the heath to bar his way, and, sickling round, they crouch and cordon him; a rock wall hems him in—he stands at bay. By degrees the dogs steal closer, ganged, sharp-witted, scary as any barrier on the planet; he wheels and charges, head-down and committed. Crack! He shudders... drops, at the coup de granite. The nonconformist lies there, slumped in state, as sheep file past him, through the waiting gate.

John Beaton lives in Qualicum Beach. His poetry has been widely published. He served for four years as moderator of one of the Internet’s most reputable poetry workshops and is a Spoken Word performer, a member of the band Celtic Chaos, and a co-organizer of local events, including a community showcase for musicians and Spoken Word performers, the Qualicum Acoustic Café (QUAC). You can find samples of John’s work by searching online for “John Beaton poetry”. To receive a monthly newsletter about local community events organized by John and his family and friends, email him at jabeaton@gmail.com. ~ 1 8

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1st Place - Peggy Burkosky

Art Battle

Spring Fashions have Arrived!

2nd Place - Sheena McCorquodale

Flirty. Stylish. And just plain Fun!

Local artists put brush to canvas at the Comox Valley Art Battle.

n February 23, artists hauled in their blank canvasses, paints, pallets and incredible talent to go 'brush to brush' at the Comox Valley Art Battle held at the Cumberland Cultural Centre. Artists rushed through three round robin-type painting sprints of only twenty-minutes each, producing a wide array of art works then voted on by the attending audience. As the winners advanced into the second and third rounds, ultimately it was the paintings created by Peggy Burkosky and Sheena McCorquodale that garnered the most votes from the audience. The winner by one vote? Peggy Burkosky, who took home the win and a cash prize of $250! It was tight. It was intense. It was exciting. Although Peggy's win moved her into the Art Battle Regional Finals, her schedule won't allow her to attend the event in Victoria on June 8th, so our very own Sheena McCorquodale accepted the request to step up in Peggy's place. Battle on Sheena! We're rooting for you! ~ LT For more information about other Art Battle tournaments between now and the Regional Finals in Victoria on June 8th, search "Art Battle" on Facebook. M A R C H

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Wrap yourself in styles, colours and patterns to suit the brighter, light-hearted, days of spring! All jewellery 40% oﬀ!

147 West Second Avenue Qualicum Beach

250-738-9008

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ECHO PLAYERS PRESENTS

by Sue Murguly, Director

COLLECTED T STORIES A PLAY BY DONALD MARGULIES

he ambiguity of who’s right and who’s wrong in the play Collected Stories by Donald Margulies is deliberate. “No, I don’t weigh in on this,” Margulies says. “It’s really up to audiences to discuss and debate. I’m not a writer who likes tidy conclusions,” he told the Los Angeles Times when the play debuted in 1996. Donald Margulies, a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, screenwriter and a professor of English and Theatre Studies at Yale, further added, the play is “about the creative process: how do you take life experience, memory and storytelling and weave it into something else, and the price you pay for that, the loss involved or the betrayals involved in doing that.” Dynamic, intelligent, and witty, Collected Stories focusses on two writers, one just starting out, the other a respected short story writer. Over the course of six years the relationship between them gradually evolves and dramatically changes. Ruth Steiner is a Professor at Columbia University and a respected short story writer. Her protégée is Lisa Morrison, who becomes Ruth’s assistant as well as student. In their six year relationship, Lisa journeys from insecure graduate student to successful writer. After publishing a well-received collection of short stories, Lisa writes a novel based on Ruth's long-ago affair with the poet Delmore Schwartz. The women clash over the moral dilemma of whether one person's life events are appropriate for another to use in their own creative process. Directors Lynne Carrow and Sue Murguly were tasked with finding a new play following allegations of sexual misconduct against playwright Israel Horowitz surfaced and ECHO Players decided to cancel the production of My Old Lady. “After reading half a dozen plays we chose Collected Stories by Donald Margulies. The play was suggested by Lynne and we love it. A drama filled with sardonic humour, Collected Stories is captivating, intelligent, and beautifully constructed. It raises numerous questions on varying topics, including intellectual property rights and who owns your memories. We hope that after seeing the production the audience will sit down with friends and discuss their perspectives on the characters they met and the questions their story raises.”

PERFORMANCES

Show Nights .............. 7:30 pm (Sharp) Sunday Matinées ....... 2 pm

TICKETS

Theatre Box Office ..... 250.752.3522 Tues. - Sat ................. 10 am - 3 pm Show Nights .............. 6 - 7:30 pm Matinées ................... 12:30 - 2 pm Tickets online ........... echoplayers.ca 2 0

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APRIL 19 - MAY 6, 2018

Not Suitable for Children

V I L L AGE T H EATR E

PRODUCED WITH SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH DRAMATISTS PLAY SERVICE

Collected Stories will be performed at the Village Theatre from April 19th to May 6th, 2018. Box office will be open from April 3rd onward. For tickets contact the Box Office (250-752-3522) or e-mail info@echoplayers.ca. To order tickets online or for more information visit our website at www.echoplayers.ca ~

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