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FRIDAY APRIL 5 2013 • 5
Bowen seen through visitors’ eyes Welcome to Island Neighbours stories of island history, people, Neighbours activities and events. Do you have special news? Phone 947-2440 or email lbmcarter@shaw.ca. his week’s theme: Looking at Bowen through visitors’ eyes. •The many charms of Bowen Island begin with its access by ferry. The challenges of ferry transportation mean that life on Bowen is not for the timid. But its beauty and intimate lifestyle are powerful rewards. • Bowen’s identification as a beautiful and relaxing place to visit started with the First Nations peoples who utilized the island as a peaceful meeting ground. In the late 1870s, Bowen was discovered by a number of European and Asian immigrants who came to log, to farm or to establish a homestead. Those early years were followed by the Terminal Steamship era (1902-1920) with its tent camping, hotel, tearoom and dancehall. That period ended with the beginning of the Union Steamship Company’s resort years, which lasted into the late 1950s. Both of these eras left their physical mark on the Snug Cove area and on the memories of many residents of the lower mainland. • Awareness and utilization of this heritage should be part of any Snug Cove plan and of community planning in general. Public consciousness should utilize the visibility of Snug Cove’s heritage. In the immediate vicinity of the ferry landing are significant places which could be identified and made appealing to visitors and to Bowen’s own residents, a number of whom are new and have no idea of the island’s long history as the ‘ Happy Isle’ The 1924 Union Steamship Company Store, now Bowen’s library, is but one of several sites to be identified. The restoration work going on in the 1920s Davies Orchard cottages is a heritage accomplishment to be proud of. • Close by is the much loved community baseball field. Across the road and tucked just inside Crippen Park is the Memorial Garden, Bowen’s unique memorial to loved family members. Nearby is the Visitor Information Centre housed in a restored summer cottage. A few steps away, the Causeway leads across the lagoon to two buildings, Evergreen Hall and the Inn at the Old Dorm, both originally part of the USSC resort complex and lovely examples of historical and economic utilization. • Over the last thirty years, new residents and new businesses have arrived expanding Bowen’s village community into three intimate areas Lower Cove, Upper Cove (Village Square) and
island
LoisMeyers-Carter
Grace Quarry and Sofie Norris love animals. They came up with an idea to sell raffle tickets for the chance to win a signed Canadian Men’s National Soccer Team jersey. They set up a table outside the General Store (along with their assistant Storm) for a few hours and with the help of our generous community they have raised $124.50 so far. Submitted photo
Acceptance letters for island poet
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owen Island poet Heather Haley has recently received three notices, accepting her poetry into three anthologies. “I’m excited! My work is being published in three anthologies, including the forthcoming Bowen anthology commemorating the Bowen Island Arts Council’s 25th anniversary, Ooligan Press’s Alive at the Center, featuring Cascadian poets from Vancouver, Seattle and Portland and Force Field, 77 Women Poets of BC, published by Mother Tongue Publishing and edited by Susan Musgrave,” Haley said. This is not the first time Haley’s work has been in print. Her writing has been published in numerous journals and anthologies including The Antigonish Review, Geist, subTerrain, Vancouver Review, ROCKSALT: An Anthology of Contemporary BC Poetry and A Verse Map of Vancouver. Her poetry collections include Sideways (Anvil, 2003) and Three Blocks West of Wonderland (Ekstasis, 2009). In addition to the print media, Haley has directed numerous videopoems including Purple Lipstick, Bushwhack and Whore In The Eddy, official selections at dozens of international film festivals. Renowned as an engag-
Heather Haley’s poetry is included in Force Field.Submitted photo ing performer, she has toured the critically acclaimed AURAL Heather CDs of spoken word songs, Princess Nut and Surfing Season. Alive at the Center will be launched on April 12, from 7 to 9 p.m at the Rhizome Cafe (317 E. Broadway). The free event includes reading by the contributors and poet Evelyn Lau will open the night. Force Field will be launched at the Vancouver Public Library on Saturday, April 13, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Haley will participate in both events.
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Artisan Square. All three areas feature small-scale buildings with distinct architectural personalities. Take the Seabreeze building for example. Who would know that it once was a simple green cottage facing the lane? And how about the many chapters in the life story of the Tuscany building? Each area has its own charm and history. The fact that most Bowen businesses are also small means that service is often over and above what you might get on the mainland. And, just ask an islander where to eat! Bowen has at least fifteen choices - everything from pier-side tacos to white tablecloth fine dining. . inside, outside, in the cove, mid-island or on the golf course. • Some people find their cup half empty, others find theirs to be half full. I see Bowen as a unique place to live and a unique place to visit. There are no malls or fast food franchise facilities but the island still remains “ the Happy Isle.” • Ten Years Ago in the Undercurrents of April 4 and April 11, 2013, The latest version of the Snug Cove plan, in its fourth draft stage, proposed possible new uses for the heritage baseball field in Snug Cove. Glen McGregor, president of the men’s baseball league, expressed his shock on hearing of this possibility. Highlights of the proposed municipal budget had not yet been discussed but included costs for the municipal hall expansion. • BC Ferries half-page ad announced that BC Ferries was now an independent self-financing company with a new business plan dedicated to improved service. • Lily Hooper’s Cottage Tearoom was open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Sue Richie explained the Bowen Island’s Emergency Program and the need for more NERPs (Neighbourhood Emergency Response Program People. • Cormorant Marine’s announcement of its 25th anniversary reminded islanders of the Cabrini and the Bowen Arrow besides the current Apodaca, Cormorant and Kinbasket Queen. • Alan Whitehead’s Heron Watch article reported that six active heron nests had been identified and recommended that people stay away from the nests. • A delightful sketch by artist Gary Ferguson dramatized how a future Abbeyfield might look if plans by architect Don Nicolson were carried out. •Neighbours saluted Phoenix Photo’s successful progress from Angela Powell’s home-based photo finishing service in late 1995 to a move into retail space at Village Square • Bill Granger’s thoughtful letter commented on municipal financial planning and suggested that the draft 2003 five year financial plan needs significant rethinking and revision. • The Last Word: I’m happily waiting for Bowen’s burst of daffodils – the Garden Club’s gift to the community.
Meet and greet with Liberal candidate
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owen Islanders will have a chance to meet Liberal candidate Jordan Sturdy on Sunday, April 7, at 11:30 a.m. at the home of John and Katherine Lawrence at 105 Baker Road (off Old Eagle Cliff Road - parking is available on Old Eagle Cliff, a short distance up from Baker Road). For many Bowen Islanders Jordan Sturdy may be a little known quantity. He grew up in Vancouver, lived and worked around Howe Sound and made his way up the corridor to the Pemberton Valley. Jordan is described as a man with presence. Big, and tall, his strong broad shoulders hefted many an injured skier off the hill at Blackcomb, where as a professional ski patroller, qualified paramedic and explosives expert, he has seen action for over 20 years. Jordan and wife Patricia, and their two daughters, created North Arm
Farm, a 55-acre certified organic vegetable and berry farm, complete with ‘you pick’ crops, long-table dinner events and a farm bakery. Their produce regularly ends up on restaurant tables in Whistler and Vancouver via weekly deliveries, and at many farmers’ markets. The farm is a destination for locals and visitors alike, with a reputation that draws international interest. It has been a challenge and an inspiration; and a great place to raise a family. Now in his third term of office as mayor of Pemberton, Jordan says that he is ready for a challenge. He was returned by acclamation at the last election and while new to the provincial scene, he is youthful, a business man with a great capacity for hard work, a politician of proven ability from a rural part of the riding, and a man who could help rebuild the party. John and Katherine Lawrence
Islanders will be cheered by the arrival of the season’s crop of daffodils. You find them in Snug Cove, on the roadsides and on the golf course. Please refrain from picking them, great as the temptation might be. In all probability, they were planted by a member of the Bowen Island Garden Club. Since the project was initiated, club members and the community have planted hundreds of thousands of daffodil bulbs. Submitted photo