FRIDAY September 21, 2012 Vol. 27 No. 76 ••• $1.25 inc. H.S.T.
COMOX VALLEY
ARTS
SPORTS
Ruth Masters of Courtenay is in a new documentary by former Comox Valley resident Jennifer Pickford called Eco Warriors. page B1
Cyclist Dora Ellis returned to the Comox Valley with three gold medals from the BC Seniors Games. page B9
RECORD A division of
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Another honour for former pilot Stocky Edwards Second World War veteran will be inducted into Aviation Hall of Fame in spring
ans in aviation. His name was included on the CF-18 Centennial of Flight demonstration Hornet. “It’s a tremendous honour for anyone,” Bud Wilds, past president of 888 (Komox) RCAF Wing of the Air Force Association of Canada, said Scott Stanfield of Stocky’s latest honour. “He’s contributed a lot to Record Staff Canada and aviation. He’s Comox resident James very deserving of that parFrancis (Stocky) Edwards, ticular nomination. It’s my a fighter pilot during the honour to be his friend.” Second World War, has been Canada’s highest scoring inducted to the Canadian ace in the western desert Aviation Hall of Fame. campaign, Edwards earned He will respect for be officially his quick It’s a tremendous reflexes, flyinducted next spring. honour for anyone. He’s ing abilities “It’s someand shootthing that contributed a lot to ing instincts you think Canada and aviation. while servwould never He’s very deserving of ing with 260 h a p p e n , ” that particular nomiSquadron the 91-yearin the Westold said this nation. It’s my honour ern Desert week. “It’s to be his friend. Air Force in funny how North AfriBud Wilds ca in 1943. they (accolades) come During near the end (of life). How- the war he flew Spitfires ever, what my mother used after first piloting a Kitto say is better late than tyhawk, which has been never.” refurbished by Vintage Earlier this year Stocky Wings of Canada. received a Queen Elizabeth “I went to Ottawa and II Diamond Jubilee Medal. flew in it,” Stocky said. “But In 2004, he received the they wouldn’t let me fly it, I Order of Canada medal. had to go in the back seat.” Then in 2009 he was Edwards was born on honoured as one of the 100 a farm in Nokomis, Sask., most influential Canadi... see STOCKY ■ A2
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TOUR DE ROCK’S 2012 team includes Cpl. David Thompson of 19 Wing Comox (back row, sixth from left) and Black Press rider Kyle Slavin (front row, fourth from left).
Riders preparing to pedal the Island Erin Haluschak Record Staff
The training is done, the rides are logged and bags are packed. This year’s group of Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock riders are just about to start their 14-day, 1,0000 kilometre bike trip across Vancouver Island. The goal is to raise money for pediatric cancer research and programs for children with a history of cancer. “I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone. I’ve done a lot of events in the Valley, and I’ve met so many kids,” said Comox Valley rider Cpl. David Thompson. “I’m certainly going to remember them when we stop off at schools (coming through the Valley),” added the patrolman with the military police at 19 Wing Comox, and the only rider in the 2012 event north of Nanaimo. The tour is scheduled to make its
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way next week to the Comox Valley on Wednesday and Thursday, and is filled with events and stops, including schools, a fundraising lunch, a gala dinner and a breakfast, said Patti Mertz, community fundraising co-ordinator, Vancouver Island North for the Canadian Cancer Society. From 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. on the day (Wednesday) they arrive, following school stops and riding, the team will arrive at White Spot for lunch — a chance for people to meet the team and make a donation, noted Mertz. She said one of the highlights of the Comox Valley stop later that day will be the Gala de Rock red serge dinner from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Crown Isle. “It will be so beautiful and very elegant,” she explained and added one of the many events that evening will be a golf ball drop from a helicopter. The closest ball to the pin will win a percentage of the proceeds, with 900
available for purchase at $10 each. The Crown Isle event will also feature a live auction, chance to meet the team, and a casino theme. Tickets for the gala dinner are $75 each; a table of 10- $650. Tickets are available at the Comox Valley RCMP detachment. The following morning, the team will head to Thrifty Foods for a breakfast in the parking lot between 7 and 10 a.m, available by donation to Tour de Rock. The 2012 Tour de Rock begins in Port Alice this Sunday, passes through the Comox Valley Sept. 26 and 27 and ends in Victoria on Oct. 5. ••• Visit the Black Press Tour de Rock site at bclocalnews.com/tour-de-rock for updated information every day of the tour, and a chance to win one of two $500 gift cards from Thrifty Foods. photos@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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