WEDNESDAY
August 22, 2012
A division of
Vol. 27 No. 67
COMOX VALLEY RECORD
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BIG TIME OUT
Cumberland’s summer festival was a family affair. ■ 11, 36
MONSTER MILE
The BC Cup Provincial Championships return to Mount Washington Aug. 24 to 26. The big announcement for the race this season — Monster Mile returns! The Mile, one of the most challenging downhill mountain bike trails on the circuit, is back after a two-year hiatus. “Obviously, we’re stoked to reopen Monster Mile for the Provincial Champs,” explains Bike Park manager Mike Manara.
... Complete story on ■ 15
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Earle Couper Record Staff
CO-ORGANIZER WENDY SMITH can’t wait to hit her next shot in the Family Croquet Tournament fundraiser for You Are Not Alone (YANA) at the Vanier track. PHOTO BY EARLE COUPER
recipient of the proceeds from the inaugural Family Croquet Tournament for YANA sponsored by Enecon Alberta,” said YANA president Judy Cryer. “Christopher Smith and his brand-new bride Wendy put a tremendous amount of thought and work into their first YANA croquet tournament as their way of giving to families in the Comox Valley. We thank Christopher and Wendy and their community partners. We had a lot of fun and look forward to the growth of this fantastic family event in the future.” Christopher said the idea came about after he and Wendy
attended a curling event for charity. Why croquet? “We wanted to find something that was different and everyone could play. This way the smallest kid to the oldest person can all get out there and do something together.” After tying the knot Saturday, the Smiths headed to the Vanier track to set up the course. They packed up around 11 p.m. when the water sprinklers came on. Getting up early Sunday, Christopher was back at the track at 6 a.m. with a riding lawn mower to cut the grass. ... see RING ■ 2
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Campaign creating new park
Croquet assists YANA Traditionally, croquet is played on a course with two stakes and nine wickets. Traditionally, newlyweds receive gifts from friends and family. Neither tradition was anywhere to be found Sunday afternoon when, instead of opening presents, Christopher and Wendy Smith opened their hearts to hold a Family Croquet Tournament fundraiser for You Are Not Alone (YANA) on a mini-golf style obstacle course at the Vanier track. Complete proceeds went to YANA, which supports families whose children must travel out of the Comox Valley for medical treatment. After several adventures setting up the course — including a lost wedding ring — friends, family and supporters showed up Sunday (many in costume) to bid on silent auction items, enjoy snacks, then head out to play a fun round of croquet on a course that included challenges such as a water obstacle. The Smiths grew up in the Valley and Christopher runs a business (Enecon Alberta) in Calgary. He said he and Wendy had two visions in arranging the event. “One, we wanted to get married, and two, we wanted to do something for the community. “We have everything already — kids and a house full of stuff — so our vision was to have a wedding and have an event after so that instead of giving wedding gifts you donate to YANA and that would be our gift to the community,” Christopher said. “We are very pleased to be the
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The Village of Cumberland has received its first donation toward buying nearby Maple Lake and turning it into a public park, confirms Mayor Leslie Baird. Cumberland council announced the campaign Monday. “Maple Lake has been on our radar for more than 20 years and we are now taking action to preserve it as a public park,” said Baird. “With the co-operation of the owner, Hancock Timber, and support from many community organizations, including the Courtenay Fish and Game Protective Association, the Rotary Club of Cumberland Centennial, and the Cumberland Community Forest Society, we hope to purchase these lands to further the conservation of the community’s natural spaces and its biodiversity.” In the coming months, council will consider the appointment of a committee made up of community organization leaders and community members at-large to lead fundraising efforts in the Comox Valley. Council has indicated its intent to Hancock Natural Resource Group, which has agreed to begin negotiations in 2013. Cumberland council’s vision is to connect Maple Lake to the Village’s recreational trail system so that residents and visitors can bike and hike to the lake from the village centre. Its goals are for the lake to be accessible to all, with a future public road and parking area to ensure that everyone can access the lake for fishing and its outstanding recreation opportunities. Donations toward the purchase of the property can be made to the Village of Cumberland. Tax receipts will be issued upon request. Maple Lake is one kilometre northeast of the Cumberland village centre and just west of the Inland Island Highway. The 20-hectare lake is stocked ... see ANGLERS ■ 2