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Ladysmith Chemainus Chronicle Tuesday, August 7, 2012 3
News
Gryphon’s Lair raising money for North Oyster hot lunch program Niomi Pearson The Chronicle
A former North Oyster Elementary School student wants to see the school’s old lunch program put back on the menu. At the end of the school year, parents learned that provincial CommunityLink funding, which supported the school’s hot lunch program, was being re-allocated to instructional supports for students. In its place, the Nanaimo Foodshare Program will be providing meals at a cost of $3.75 per student whose need was identified by a take-home survey. School district representatives have said extra meals will also be available to students to ensure no child goes hungry. The meals previously cost $1.50 per student. However Stacey MacAdam, North Oyster Parent Advisory Council member, is concerned that the cost will be too much for some families, and she is trying to fundraise approximately $30,000 by summer’s end to keep the hot lunch program in place. While there has been some response, MacAdam is worried it won’t be enough to make that September deadline. “We’ve sent out letters and it’s been in the newspapers; I just don’t know what to do next,” she said. Terry Giannakos said he was spurred to action after reading the Chronicle’s July 3 article on the issue. Giannakos said he grew up in Ladysmith and attended North Oyster Elementary School through Grades 1-7. At the time, his father owned the Omega Restaurant on the outskirts of Ladysmith (now The Gryphon’s Lair). Although he was not a recipient of the lunch program, Giannakos said many of his schoolmates were. “That school means a lot to me, then when I saw the article … I wanted to see how we could help,” he said. “Times are tough for everybody right now, and that program helps a lot
of people.” After 20 years away from home, Giannakos has returned as executive chef and manager of The Gryphon’s Lair. For the past six years, he has been a consultant for restaurants around the continent, helping restaurant owners who are down in sales to improve through administration, new menus and training of staff. He says he is interested in giving back to the community as his father did when he owned the restaurant. On Fri., Aug. 10, the restaurant will be hosting a pig roast with live entertainment to support the Ladysmith Food Bank. Patrons who bring in donations to the Ladysmith Food Bank will receive a free appetizer with their meal that night. “It’s cool to be back,” Giannakos said. On Aug. 23, The Gryphon’s Lair is donating 25 per cent of all food purchases made at the restaurant that day to the North Oyster Elementary School hot lunch program. Giannakos is also trying to pull together corporate sponsorships from the food industry and says he already has a commitment of approximately $3,000. In addition, Yellow Point Lodge has made a $900 donation to the cause. MacAdam said she has also had an individual come forward to inquire about a mutual fund donation, but with school out of session, she has been unable to consult with administration. Giannakos said that if the hot lunch program is not able to be re-instated, he is interested in looking into the possibility of providing a free meal to students in need once a week by donating his time and corporate sponsorships donating the necessary food. “I want to see what we can do and what we’re allowed to do,” he said. “Something’s gotta be done.” If you’d like to find out more information or are interested in helping out, contact Stacey MacAdam at 250667-2561.
Native Daughters donate to museum
Members of the local chapter of the Native Daughters of BC recently donated $2,000 to the Ladysmith Museum. Here, Ladysmith and District Historical Society president Maureen Martin (far left) receives the donation from Wilma Ostle and Mae Knight (who are seated, from left to right) and Thelma Neale (standing at left) and Jacqui Dashwood. Photo Submitted
Niomi Pearson
Chris Geiger signs the petition for Jaedyn’s Law during a garage sale held July 28 in Ladysmith to raise money for Jaedyn’s family.
People can sign petition online and around town
From Page 1 inspected and maintained.” There is also a paper petition circulating around town, but it is unknown how many signatures were on it at press time. Amann is hoping to have at least 10,000 signatures by the time the petition is submitted to provincial and federal governments. Amann said he and his wife, Tara Hicks, are currently seeking legal advice and plan to pursue legal action in
regards to the incident. while Hicks attends university. “We see lots of neglect on the A trust fund, garage sale, ministry’s part because of the concert and beer and burger condition of the nets and how night have all been held to old they were,” Amann said. “I raise money for the family. think these nets were in use Purple silicone bracelets with when I went to school there the words Jaedyn Forever are 30 years ago.” being sold to raise money for The tragedy has triggered an the B.C. Children’s Hospital. outpouring of support from the A water park in Watson Lake communities of Watson Lake has already been renamed and Ladysmith, where Hicks Jaedyn’s Park as well. grew up. The family also lives To sign the petition, visit in Cedar for part of the year, www.jaedynslaw.com.
Blood donor clinic this Thursday This Thursday, Ladysmith residents will have a chance to save lives by donating blood. There will be a Canadian Blood Services blood donor clinic Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church from 12:30-7:30 p.m.
Call 1-888-2-DONATE or visit www.blood.ca to book an appointment. Approximately every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood, according to Canadian Blood Services. In
fact, according to a recent poll, 52 per cent of Canadians say they or a family member have needed blood or blood products. But there is good news. One blood donation — which takes just one hour — can save a life.
Female driver airlifted to Victoria
The Ladysmith Detachment responded to 87 calls for service over the past seven days. Friday, July 27 • In the early morning hours of July 27, the Ladysmith RCMP responded to a report of a loud bang and a car horn going off on Victoria Road. Upon police attendance, they located a single-vehicle motor vehicle accident. A Toyota Camry driven by a California resident drove off the road and into the trees. Paramedics and the North Cowichan Fire Department also
Ladysmith RCMP news July 27 to Aug. 1 Provided by Ladysmith RCMP
attended the scene. The female driver had to be extracted from the vehicle by the fire department and suffered serious facial injuries, as well as a fractured leg and ribs. The female was airlifted to Victoria General
Hospital where she underwent surgery. Also in the vehicle was a dog, which was taken to a local veterinarian by the attending RCMP officers. The police are continuing their investigation into the accident. Saturday, July 28 • The Ladysmith RCMP received a report of a stolen brown 24-speed men’s racing bike. The bike was taken from a shed on the property in the 3700 block of Roberts Road. The police are continuing their investigation. Tuesday, July 31 • The Ladysmith
RCMP received a report of a stolen lawn mower from a residence in the 100 block of Esplanade. The mower was stolen in the past week and was a five-horsepower Murray mower. Wednesday, Aug. 1 • The Ladysmith RCMP received a report of gas being stolen from a vehicle parked in the 900 block of Oyster Bay Drive. The gas line was cut, and gas was drained from the tank. There are no witnesses or suspects. The police are continuing their investigation.