North Island Gazette, August 29, 2013

GAZETTE See our Dining Guide, page 2

NORTH ISLAND

Publications Mail Agreement No. 391275

48th Year No. 35

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THURS., AUGUST 29, 2013

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Friends aid family’s recovery J.R. Rardon Gazette editor PORT McNEILL—A local family lost both its boat and its home in a single, devastating explosion in the harbour earlier this month.

For a few terrifying moments

after the blast, as Cyndi Browne watched debris rain down around the boat bearing her husband Conrad and son, Benton, she thought she had lost much more.

“I knew for certain they had died,” Cyndi said this week, the

first time since the Aug. 5 explosion at the Port McNeill fuel dock she has felt comfortable sharing her thoughts publicly. “When I got to the dock and saw someone carrying Benton and saw Conrad on the dock and knew they were alive,

I just collapsed.”

She couldn’t stay down for long.

Conrad and Benton were alive, but

See page 5 ‘Community steps up’

• SEAL A DEAL

Seal pup recovering in Vancouver after rescue from Hardy Bay. Page 14

• WORLD BEATERS

Local dragonboaters snare silver, bronze in national finals.

Page 16

Catch o’ the day • IN MIDWEEK

Retired RCMP officer reads from new book in Port Hardy.

Midweek, inside LETTERS Page 7 NORTH ISLAND LIFE Page 12-13 SPORTS Page 15 CLASSIFIEDS Page 20-22

Members of FINN (Friends in need now) practice their steps inside a giant, segmented salmon before the start of the Salmon Days Parade in Sointula Saturday. See more images of Salmon Days activities on Malcolm Island in North Island Life, pages 12-13.

J.R. Rardon

Vandal damages Bella Bella school Gazette staff BELLA BELLA—Just weeks after a major fire tore through the local store, residents of Bella Bella were left reeling again after an attack on the community’s only school.

Under construction for

the past year, the Bella Bella Community School was nearing completion and preparing for the upcoming school year.

According to RCMP, a lone male entered the school at around 4 a.m. on August 23 and went on

a rampage, smashing TVs, Smart Boards and computers, as well as interior and exterior windows.

Paint was also found dumped on the floors and computers.

“The damage sustained to the school was esti-

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mated at $100,000,” said Cst. Lesley Smith, North District Media Relations Officer. “The community is in shock and the children are visibly upset over this senseless act of violence”.

The investigation continues as police are cur-

50

rently viewing the school’s video surveillance system in hopes of identifying the person responsible. RCMP are asking anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact the Bella Bella RCMP at 250957-2388.

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2 www.northislandgazette.com Thursday, August 29, 2013

Big support for bra contest Gazette staff PORT McNEILL— Thanks to a big, late push, the fourth annual Bras for a Cause benefit finished as a big success at Port McNeill Flower Shoppe.

Flower Shoppe owner Lyn Skrlac holds up a Now, it’s Victor’s Bras for a Cause entry depicting twin rain- Secret’s turn. bow hot-air balloons.

More than 60 wildJ.R. Rardon

Chicken Brochettes Chicken ~ Fresh Pineapple ~ Pepper ~ Red Onion on Rice

Tuesday - Saturday Noon - 8pm

Seven Hills

Golf & Country Club

Sunday

ly decorated bras were submitted to the Flower Shoppe before the end of judging during OrcaFest Aug. 17, helping raise $1,243.76 for breast cancer research. They will now be passed along to Cheryl Verbrugge and her supporters

with the Victor’s Secret Pageant, a winter social in which the community’s men don the foundation garments to raise additional funds.

“That should be quite a show,” said Lyn Skrlac, the Flower Shoppe owner who conceived and intro-

duced Bras for a Cause in 2010.

The top voter-getter in the Bras for a Cause contest was Debbie from Vancouver (no last name given), with “Twin Tugs”, which earned her a $120 gift certificate from the Black Bear Resort Spa.

North Island Dining Check out these local restaurants’ HOT specials and go to the North Island Gazette Facebook and vote for your favourite dish.

Every week from July 11 to August 29.

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Taso’s Tasty

Salmon BBQ Friday nights 5pm-9pm

9040 Granville St, Port Hardy Inn 250-949-8381

The runner-up was the Port McNeill Moms’ entry “Duck Dynasty”, which earned a $100 gift certificate to Timberland Sports.

Third place went to Jacquelyn Biggs for her entry “Pretty in Pink”, earning a gift basket prize.

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Thursday, August 29, 2013

www.northislandgazette.com 3

Fisherman airlifted

PORT HARDY—A fisherman who sustained a serious hand injury was airlifted from a commercial vessel northwest of Port Hardy and taken to hospital in Victoria Thursday afternoon.

A Cormorant helicopter and Buffalo airplane were launched from their base at 19 Wing Comox shortly before 1 p.m. after air controllers at Joint Rescue Coordination Centre

Victoria received a call that the male had sustained the injury while working on board a 22-metre commercial fishing vessel about 90 nautical miles from Port Hardy, in Queen Charlotte Sound.

HMCS Nanaimo, presently serving a period of coastal SAR Zone coverage, was also called to respond to the scene, but was stood down before arriving on scene.

“The sea state was calm and although the vessel was moving in and out of some fog banks, the weather was good to conduct the operation,” said Captain Mike O’Brien, Cormorant pilot. “The boat crew did a good job of clearing the aft deck of fishing gear, enabling us to hoist our three Search and Rescue Technicians onboard safely.”

Once on the deck, the

SAR Techs stabilized the man and placed him into a rescue basket.

With the patient and SAR Techs on board, the helicopter crew flew to Port Hardy, where they landed at 4:30 p.m. to meet with the Buffalo aircraft. The Buffalo crew flew the patient to Victoria, where he was transferred to BC Ambulance for transport to hospital. His present medical status is unknown.

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t: Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations view of a fishing vessel from a land Cormorant helicopter on aign: The BCTS Seaward disposition of Crown #1414095 4.31”approach x 7.8” to rescue an injured fisherman, on the afternoon of Thursday, August 22, in the Queen Charlotte Sound.

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LAND ACT: NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A DISPOSITION OF CROWN LAND FILE #1414095 Notice is given that BC Timber Sales (Seaward Business Office in Port McNeill, B.C.) intends to make an application to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, North Island-Central Coast District Office, for a Licence of Occupation – Industrial Log Handling, File #1414095. This site is on provincial Crown land in Burke Channel.

To obtain a copy of the application or submit a written comment, please contact: Kathy Howard, Land Officer, 2217 Mine Road, Box 7000, Port McNeill, B.C. V0N 2R0, Kathryn.Howard@gov.bc.ca OR Shiloh McCulley, BCTS, 2217 Mine Road, Box 7000, Port McNeill, B.C. V0N 2R0, Shiloh.Mcculley@gov.bc.ca The application will be available for review and comment for 30 days from August 15, 2013. Comments will be received until September 13, 2013. The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations office may not be able to consider comments received after this period. Comments can also be posted online at: http:// www.arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/index.jsp?PrimaryStatus=pending Please be sure to cite the applicant’s name, the location of the proposed activity and the file number. Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. For additional information, contact the Freedom of Information Advisor at the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations office.

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Meet the Buoys group work of employees that has Cody joined the Hardy force in June 2012made rightthe 2013 summer sports caught of our after high school graduation.

Initially hired season into theone seasonal successful to date!showed Stayinghis trueaptitude to their sports caught most program, he quickly roots, the same services thatprogram were the and was moved intooffering the commercial processing creation of Hardymonth.

BuoysAs in an June 1994, this permanently by the following employee that specialized is now about 8% of is reliable, flexible, and aprogram fast learner withonly a very positive overall revenue.

Each attitude, Cody the is acompany’s favourite among hisannual peers. Cody has spent mid June toexcelling the Sept.inLong time in many year areasfrom of the process, all ofweekend, them.

Hardyhow Buoys opens the its’fidoors Recently mastering to smoke sh, hetoisoffer reliedcustom upon processing & smoking for the during the extra busy periods to monitor thesports secondfisher. shifts.

Boosting theHardy, number of employees from Cody has grown up in Port achieved academic success year round 80 at peak throughout his55 schooling, andtoproved to be summer a naturalseason athlete, makes for ahockey, very busy workplace.

This as soccer, and baseball 2013 Sports Caught Crewhaving playeditcompetitive dedicated summer students and well as many other sports.group Cody of still continues to enjoy sports seasoned skilled workers start each shift not knowing whenalso theyvolunteers will be done. to be the last Hockey, stop for and now with Proud Port Hardy Minor many visitors to the North Island and sport fishing community, our commitment to them promises that we having helped coach a Peanuts team during the 2012/2013 will process each days deliveries, seven days perseason. week. A Late nights, earlyhe mornings and lotsmentor of overtime natural leader, is an excellent to new ensure that when they are ready to leave town, their fish canand be looked taken home Shipping, retail staff, employees up to with by thethem. summer students.

Cody’s maintenance, administration, cutters, to clean up future and everything between....it takes a and huge team effort to plans are toinattend post secondary earn a Bachelors keep track of the approx. 250,000 pounds of some 20,000 of fish passhe through theirhis hands Degree in pieces Chemistry, butthat for now is enjoying timeeach with season. And yes, somewhere this organized chaos,what people reallymost do friends, andininall allofhonestly when asked he likes get their own about fish back!

Hats off to this Amazing Crew forisan his job, he said “making money!”

Cody an outstanding Amazing season andyoung for putting the finishing touchfuture, on some fishing man with a very bright we great are proud to stories! have on our team.

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(in the North Island Mall) Port Hardy

4 www.northislandgazette.com Thursday, August 29, 2013

Council green light for green waste site J.R. Rardon Gazette editor PORT McNEILL— The Town will offer a local drop-off location for yard waste and brush clippings, following council’s approval last week of a plan by public works that will provide space near the municipal cemetery.

The siting of a drop for organic yard waste was explored in part in response to a letter from resident Mike Blodgett, who noted Port Hardy and Port Alice both have drop sites for the material and wrote, “We need to catch up with our other communities.”

Coun.

Gaby Wickstrom, whose portfolio includes the cemetery, agreed in principal but said some residents had already approached her with concerns over unauthorized dumping in the vicinity of the cemetery, which is accessible via a gravel lane off Campbell Way on the entrance to the town and generally not visible to casual visitors or passers-by.

“That would be my

only hesitation; is there a way to block it off so it wouldn’t look like, ‘here’s where we dump our leaves and stuff, and here’s where we bury our citizens.’ Because I have had people tell me they don’t like the way that looks.”

Council agreed to task the public works department with exploring a solution that would create a separate area off the approach to the cemetery, and approved the proposal through consensus.

“I know it will stop people from driving to the end of the ballpark here and dumping,” said coun. Grant Anderson. “Because they do that now, and Western (Forest Products staff) cleans it up every couple of months. Once they see a few trees and limbs there, somebody will throw a couch there, and it just compounds.

It’s certainly necessary.”

The site will be monitored by public works staff and is subject to closure if abused.

“We’ll give it a try and see if it works,”

Mayor Gerry Furney said. “We’ll keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn’t attract the wrong kind of material.”

More Rotary trail A popular hiking and biking trail built by the local Rotary Club will be extended, thanks to a $7,000 commitment from council.

Rotary built the initial phase of the trail, which runs alongside Campbell Way from Mine Road to Highway 19, last year. The proposed new phase would follow the recently installed water line north along Hwy. 19 to East Main, which skirts the north edge of the Town.

“It’s a great proposal,” said Anderson.

“If they can continue that trail and eventually take it on down East Main, yeah, we should do that.”

The support will likely come primarily from in-kind support, though it could include a level of cash contributions.

“I would suggest there will probably be a portion of dollars we

Council Meeting Port McNeill would need to put in,” said Anderson. “I’m not sure what that figure would be, but in-kind (support) would probably cover over $4-5,000 with a truck and loader and what-not.

“If we need to come back for cash, then we bring it back to the council for a vote.”

Council agreed, and voted unanimously to back the project, which is spearheaded by Rotarian Dave Nelson.

“I’m thrilled they’re taking on another section,” said Ackland. “If there’s in-kind (work) we can do, in principal I’m certainly I’m in support.”

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Senior assistance Pat Horgan appeared as a delegation before council, seeking its support for a provincially funded program to help the North Island’s seniors live independently in their own homes.

Horgan said a survey, conducted by seniors

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Lac-Mégantic aid Council formalized a proposal by Mayor Furney, previously agreed upon in discussion, to aid the community of Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, which was devastated by an explosion and fire that followed the crash of a runaway oil tanker train in July.

8700 Hastings Street

themselves, identified a substantial list of service that would prove beneficial. But limitations of the program will dictate services provided will consist primarily of providing friendly home visits and coordinating services, based on means.

“Building community capacity isn’t taking away gainful employment from those already providing those services; it’s finding a better way to offering them up with full confidence to the seniors needing those services,” said Horgan. “That’s our intent.”

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done with the blessing of UBCM (the Union of B.C. Municipalities) and FCM (Federation of Canadian Municipalities),” said Furney. “I hope it will be a major item in tying together the east and west.”

Furney proposed the town contribute $1 for each resident of the town, and request other municipalities across the province join in the effort with similar contributions. Earlier this month, Port Alice Council voted to contribute $1 for each of the village’s residents, with personal contributions from mayor and council to top off the total at $1,000.

“We need a motion to formalize the activity, which was essentially that we would send a letter to all the other municipalities in the country, which we’ve

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www.northislandgazette.com 5

Community steps up to help after explosion from page 1 had suffered injuries that required they be flown to hospital in Victoria. Conrad Browne’s injuries were particularly severe, involving burns to 30 per cent of his body, a broken ankle, and multiple shards of glass embedded in his leg and foot.

He spent two days in an induced coma in intensive care while doctors monitored his lungs to ensure they didn’t fail.

After four days in ICU, Conrad was transferred to the burn unit, where he spent another week undergoing treatment.

The family returned to Port McNeill last week, with Conrad making strides in his recovery that have left even his doctors amazed.

Conrad returned to work this week at his job as economic development director for the Gwa’sala’Nakwaxda’xw bands, and Benton has resumed riding his bike with friends over the final days of summer vacation and counting the days to the North Island Eagles rep hockey tryouts.

But while the physical injuries are healing nicely, Cyndi said the emotional pain of the void left by the loss of their 50-foot wood boat, the Thunderbird, will take much longer to fade.

“We have a trailer (in Port McNeill), she said. “But that’s just a place we stay. Our boat was our home.”

The explosion, following an idyllic, weeklong tour through the Burdwood Island group, Simoom Sound and Echo Bay, cost the Brownes most of their possessions.

And neither the Thunderbird nor its furnishings were insured.

Friends of the family have established a Facebook page — Browne’s Family Relief Fund — to share information and donations.

Last weekend, staff at Marketplace IGA teamed with friends for

Above: Family friends and staff at Marketplace IGA serve customers at a fundraising barbecue for the Browne Family Sunday in Port McNeill. At right: Reece Lloyd hoses down a truck under the watchful eye of Ray Bono during a car wash held at the same time.

J.R. Rardon

a fund-raising barbecue and car wash.

“I can’t believe how many people have stepped up to help us,” Cyndi said. “Just (Monday) we were given money from the barbecue and I went and paid a couple of bills I wasn’t sure how we were going to pay.

It was so nice not to have to worry. We’ve had so many people offering help I couldn’t possibly list them all.

“People I don’t even know are doing things for me.”

Last Saturday, Cyndi

posted a long, cathartic letter on the Facebook relief fund page, recapping the loss of the Thunderbird and irreplaceable possessions it contained and sharing what the vessel meant to her.

“It wasn’t just a boat,” she wrote. “It was a way of life, years of sacrifice, hard work, and my future all rolled into one. It was my home, and my family, and what we had hoped to be our legacy for our children.”

It all went up on a sunny afternoon in

Port McNeill, just after the return from the Burdwoods.

Cyndi and Conrad Browne had a chance to share their respective stories of the day while he was in hospital.

While Conrad and Benton tied up at the fuel dock to top off the tank, Cyndi motored their skiff over to their moorage to prepare to catch lines and help tie up.

En route, she heard the loud explosion that stunned many in the lower downtown

REGIONAL DISTRICT OF MOUNT WADDINGTON COAL HARBOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY COMMISSION 2013 GENERAL LOCAL BY-ELECTION NOTICE OF NOMINATION Public Notice is given to the electors of the community of Coal Harbour in the Regional District of Mount Waddington that nominations for the office of: Two (2) Coal Harbour Local Community Commission Commissioners to be elected for the remainder of the remaining term (December 2013 to December 2014), will be received by the Chief Election Officer or a designated person, at the following location:

core and turned to see smoke and debris from the boat sailing high in the air.

“Is that my family?” she recalls crying to other shocked boaters nearby, before turning her boat and racing back to the quickly sinking Thunderbird.

After fueling, Conrad turned on the engine room blowers and fired up the first engine while

Benton chatted with him through a porthole above. When he fired the second engine, it triggered the explosion that RCMP investigators later determined came from a propane leak from a tank on the deck above.

Stunned and cut by flying glass, Conrad did not actually suffer burns until a wellmeaning boater, tied

2nd Annual

Pet Photo Contest

Vote Online Oct. 10 via Facebook Think your pet has what it takes to be crowned the cutest?

Enter our Cutest Critter Photo Contest, and your pet could win!

Regional District of Mount Waddington Office 2044 McNeill Road Port McNeill, British Columbia 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013, to Tuesday September 24, 2013 (excluding week-ends) Nomination documents are available at the Regional District of Mount Waddington Office or RDMW’s website: http://www.rdmw.bc.ca QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE A person is qualified to be nominated, elected, and hold office as a member of the Coal Harbour Local Community Commission if they meet the following criteria: • Canadian Citizen; • 18 years of age or older; • resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; • be a resident of Coal Harbour, British Columbia; • not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia or from being nominated from being elected to, or holding office.

up in front of the Thunderbird, turned a fire extinguisher on the flames and blew burning gas onto him.

Conrad leaped into the water to extinguish himself, crawled onto the dock, then realized Benton was not there and jumped back to the water-covered deck to find him.

Hearing a noise under some floating debris, he pulled the boy out and literally threw him to Steve Jackman, who had also leaped into the water to help locate Benton.

“I appreciate all of the concern and thoughts everyone has had for us, and am so happy to have a healthy husband and son,” Cyndi wrote in her Facebook letter. “We are grateful for our decision to stay in Port McNeill, and maintain our relationships in Port Hardy. We stayed here on purpose when it was hard to do so, and don’t regret it.”

FIRST PRIZE

$100 Cash MORE PRIZES TO BE ANNOUNCED These pets are so doggone cute, we need everyone’s help picking a winner!

Cast Your Vote for the Cutest Pet on Facebook page Oct. 10

Email photos to reporter@northislandgazette.com or drop them off in person at the Gazette office on Market Street in Port Hardy.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE ABOVE MAY BE OBTAINED BY CONTACTING:

If emailing, photos should be as large as possible in .jpg format and don’t forget to include contact info.

SHANA SHAMBROOK, CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER LIETTE PATTERSON, DEPUTY ELECTION OFFICER

GAZETTE NORTH ISLAND

Only $5* to enter *Entry fee must be paid by deadline to ensure entry.

Deadline for entries is Oct. 1.

Winners will be announced in the issue of the Gazette Oct. 24

*The $5 entry will go back to the North Island Animal Shelters & the Cats Meow Society

6 www.northislandgazette.com

Thursday, August 29, 2013

COMMENTARY

Comments? Box 458, Port Hardy, B.C. V0N 2P0 250-949-6225 Fax 250-949-7655 or email us at editor@northislandgazette.com

Love it or leaf it OK, Port McNeill, now it’s up to you.

Responding to a request from a citizen during its meeting last week, Town Council approved a drop site for yard waste and clippings.

This will, as Mike Blodgett noted in his written request, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by allowing residents to avoid numerous, individual trips to 7 Mile Landfill. It also brings the Town up to par with Port Hardy and Port Alice, which have municipal drop sites for yard debris.

However, the new site, located off the approach road from Campbell Way to the cemetery, must not be mistaken for a town dump.

Signage will be placed warning against dumping prohibited material, and public works staff will monitor the site’s usage with authority to close it down if abused.

In his approval of the yard waste drop site, Councillor Grant Anderson said it should prevent dumping at unauthorized sites, like one near Centennial Ballpark, which usually starts with brush clippings but leads to the dumping of furniture, appliances and other trash in a classic example of “Broken windows theory”.

That can happen at the new yard debris drop site as well, if residents — and visitors — don’t respect it. We can have the drop site if we respect it and drop only what is allowed.

Feel free to come and drop your rotten apples here. Just don’t be one.

We Asked You Question:

Will you attend the Salmon Days festival in Sointula

Yes 25%

No 75%

www.northislandgazette.com Total votes received for this question: 12 Voting deadline is Monday at 3 p.m.

Riding boundaries changed, but expect politics as usual to continue Considering its mandate to try to equalize the populations of all federal ridings, the Federal Boundaries Commission for B.C. has a tough job.

At regular intervals, it must respond to shifting population numbers — between provinces and rural to urban, for example, to achieve its mandate.

That sounds simple enough. Redrawing riding boundaries without dividing communities and alienating local residents makes the commission’s work much more complex.

After an initial proposal for the sprawling Vancouver Island North riding that would have bisected Courtenay, and another that would have divided Cumberland, the FBCBC settled on what was behind Door No. 3.

In its final judgment, the

“It’s not clear what this large chunk of the Comox Valley has in common with the rest of the new riding. Then again, what did Comox have in common with Port Hardy in the previous riding.”

commission has removed most of the Comox Valley from Vancouver Island North.

All of Courtenay and Cumberland plus Denman and Hornby islands will slide over into a new riding called Courtenay-Alberni.

The new riding will include Port Alberni, Tofino, Ucluelet and land stretching down to about Lantzville.

It’s not clear what this

The North Island Gazette is published Thursdays at Port Hardy, B.C. by Black Press Ltd. Canadian Publications Mail Agreement #391275. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Residents and visitors stepped up in the final days of the Bras for a Cause benefit to bring the total entries to 61 and raise $1,243.76.

The hits keep coming to the community of Bella Bella, with school vandalism following last month’s store and library fire.

large chunk of the Comox Valley has in common with the rest of the new riding. Then again, what did Comox have in common with Port Hardy in the previous riding?

The ramifications of having two MPs representing various sections of the Comox Valley will likely depend on the parties represented by the members of Parliament whom voters elect.

A member of

This North Island Gazette is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province's newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council.

Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2.

For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

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. Sandy Grenier . . . . JR Rardon Aidan O’Toole . Lisa Harrison . Sandy Grenier

Will either MP be in the governing party after the next federal election in October 2015?

If current MP John Duncan runs again, he will have to pick a riding.

Duncan, a Conservative, might notice the number of departing NDP supporters in Courtenay and Cumberland. Ditto the number of right-leaning Comox residents who remain in Vancouver Island North.

Surely there must be some Conservative support in Qualicum Beach and Parksville, which are also part of CourtenayAlberni.

We’ll no doubt get politics as usual whatever riding we’re voting in.

Mark Allan is the editor of the Comox Valley Record. Columnist Tom Fletcher is on vacation.

Canadian Media Circulation Audit

PRODUCTION MANAGER . . . . . . . . . . . Marlene Parkin CIRCULATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lilian Meerveld OFFICE 250-949-6225

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One year home delivered North Island subscription = $48.05 (includes GST) For other subscription rates call the Circulation Dept at 250-949-6225

Thursday, August 29, 2013

www.northislandgazette.com 7

letters editor@northislandgazette.com

Thanks all Dear editor, My family and I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has gone out of their way for us in the last three weeks.

Our community is an awesome place to live and raise a family. The support we received, whether it was emotional, financial, or just thoughts of healing and well being, have been a huge lift through this troubled time.

I would like to take a second to thank everyone on the dock that day, you went above and beyond for us and it is greatly appreciated.

Steve, thanks for being there to catch Benton. To some of you who were injured, physically or emotionally, we are sorry and extremely thankful that there were only minor injuries (Kierra).

To the people who attended to us on the docks, your quick reactions allowed our healing to start the right way, we are grateful for your knowledge and willingness to help.

To the paramedics, thanks for taking a break down at the water that day, you were there for us in a matter of minutes. Rob, thank you for going out of your way for Benton and your generosity won’t be forgotten.

Thanks to the RCMP, Fire and rescue crews who were there in less than 5 minutes and took control.

To our nurses at the hospital, thank you for treating us extremely well during one of the busiest days the hospital has seen.

You made us feel safe and cared for. Dr. Armogam, our family felt at ease when we saw you were looking after us, you’ve always treated us amazingly well and that day was no exception.

The air ambulance medevac crew was amazing (so I was told… I was put under) they communicated openly to Cyndi

&Rav s Rants e

"It is an honour and a privilege to live and work amongst so many great people."

Pack it in and pack it out! about what was going on and how it was all going to happen, these people are true professionals at what they do and the sense that we were in the right hands continued.

The care we received at both hospitals in Victoria was second to none. The doctors were there when needed but more importantly the qualified nurses were there to take on my healing process with me.

In ICU the nurses were all extremely qualified and capable but the true essence of the nursing craft presented itself when I was transferred to the burn unit. These individuals knew their stuff! It is because of these experienced and trained individuals that I have been able to heal as well and as quickly as I have.

We will never be able to individually thank everyone who has helped during this time, but please know that you have entered into our hearts. There is a list that is way too long of people who we could name but in doing so we might inadvertently miss someone and we wouldn’t want to hurt or offend anyone.

We will make a point to see everyone personally over the next while to pass on our heartfelt thanks. It is an honour and a privilege to live and work amongst so many great people.

Heartfelt thanks!

Conrad Browne and family, Port McNeill

Letters to the editor

Last Sunday my family and I decided to go to Grant Bay for the day.

We found the directions easy and the roads in great condition. The trail down to the beach took less than ten minutes.

Heading down to the beach we had passed about 10 or 15 campers on the way out. They were mostly young and I recognized some as local.

The beach was incredibly beautiful and the weather lovely. We headed toward a fire pit still smoldering.

As pretty as the spot was, it was only spoiled by a bag of garbage burning in the fire. Cans, propane

ing as our kids were overthe-top excited to find Japanese debris washed ashore from the last big earthquake. Sadly, we only found more and more garbage from our own people.

We easily found yet another garbage bag to gather the others trash and just as easily packed it up the trail to dispose of properly.

I thought how truly blessed we are living so close to this breathtaking place. There are no crowds Some of the garbage found by the author at and we can access it so Grant Bay last weekend.

Mary Tobey easily. We had the perfect day on a perfect beach. bottles and broken glass out.

Lets work together keepWe attempted to dig a ing it that way. Shame on littered the area. We were shocked as empty cans are hole big enough to bury the campers who left garso light and easy to pack the garbage above the high bage at our little piece of tide line but couldn't dig paradise. deep enough and the winMary Tobey ter storms would surely and family, uncover it.

Port Hardy Ltd. has a career We went beachcomb-

CAREER OPPORTUNITY Dave Landon Motors opportunity position open for an

Automotive Salesperson We are looking for that special person with superior customer service skills, a dedication to continual product training and the competitive drive to achieve sales targets. This position has the potential for advancement to a management role based upon proven sales results and exceptional customer satisfaction.

If you feel you have the skills and ambition to meet and exceed our expectations please send a resume to dlsales@telus.net or make an appointment to apply in person to Todd Landon by calling 250-949-6393.

DAVE LANDON MOTORS DL # 5507

250-949-6393 www.davelandonford.com

Sports teams unite!!!

Look your best with team uniforms from the Hobby Nook 4HE (OBBY .OOK

~ Jerseys ~ Jackets ~ Hats & much more 5685 Hardy Bay Rd 250-949-6544

The goal is to publish every letter, so keep them brief, clear and to the point. Be hard on the problem, not the person; skip quotes except where readily confirmable; accept editing for length and legality. Include full name and home community (plus phone number to confirm authorship). Mail, fax, email or drop off c/o the editor by 4:00 pm Friday.

8 www.northislandgazette.com

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Things to do on the

NORTH ISLAND

September 5 Sointula’s Vancouver Island Regional Library branch hosts parents/grandparents and kids craft and story time, 3-4 p.m. Info, 250-973-6493.

p.m., Port Hardy Secondary School track. Registration at 9:30 a.m.; refreshments provided. Pledge forms available at Port Hardy Recreation Centre. Info, Melinda, 250-9496686 days.

September 7 Port Hardy Library branch hosts children’s story time and crafts, 10:30-11:30 a.m., featuring stories by author Melanie Watt. Info, 250-949-6661.

September 18 Port Alice Learning hosts a meet and greet, 7 p.m. at the Community Centre. All ages and communities welcome.

Bring your questions or suggestions for future courses or improvements. Courses starting in September include digital photography, fitness, cooking, gardening, arts & crafts and more.

September 7-8 Mount Waddington Regional Fall Fair at Chilton Regional Arena, Port McNeill. Enter or view locally produced arts & crafts; baking, preserves and beverages; flowers, herbs, vegetables and fruits; art and photography, and much more. Entertainment, concession, more. To volunteer or for more info, call Brenda at 250-949-7778 or email fleeton@telus.net.

September 11 Port McNeill Scouts and Girl Guides host an open house, 6-8 p.m. at the Scout/Guide Hall, 420 Shelley Cres.

For more info, Jed Jackson, 250-956-3808 (Scouts) or Cathy Griffith, 250-956-3749 (Guides). Online registration underway at www.girlguides.ca.

September 18 Port McNeill branch of Vancouver Island Regional Library hosts a back-to-school homework help session, 6-7 p.m. For more information call 250-956-3669.

September 19 Sointula branch of Vancouver Island Regional Library hosts a museum conference kickoff with Dr. Ed Dutton,

Locally Distributed

September 11 The North Island Community Services Society AGM, 6 p.m. in the Seniors Room, Old School, Port McNeill.

The meeting is open to the public but a $1 annual society membership is required to vote.

September 12 Port Alice Library branch hosts a book discussion with Fran Guenette, 7-8 p.m. Info, 250-284-3554.

September 14 Port McNeill Lions Club hosts its second annual North Island Night, 7-9 p.m. at the Lions Hall. Featuring art show and sale presented in cooperation with North Vancouver Island Artists’ Society, along with wine samplings and cheese tasting. Tickets $15 per person at the door; for info call 250-956-4296.

Kevin McIntyre 8665 Hastings, Port Hardy, BC V0N 2P0

250-949-0193 or 250-334-1666

Free in-home consultations Contact our Port McNeill design consultant Anna Goldsbury 250-902-1114 www.budgetblinds.com

Build it better with spiketop Cedar!

Bevel Siding Channel Siding T&G Panelling

Call Jim: 250-949-1283 5935 Steel Road (TACAN Site) Email: burgess@cablerocket.com

www.spiketopcedar.com Mount Waddington Fall Fair Prize sponsors:

September 20 Community Futures Mount Waddington hosts its annual Open House and barbecue fund-raiser for the Gazette Hamper Fund, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 14-311 Hemlock St., Port McNeill. Come meet the staff and enjoy a salmon burger or hamburger, by donation. Info, 250-956-2220.

September 21 Mount Waddington Highland Dance Association hosts its annual Highland dance competition, 9:30 a.m., North Island Secondary School. Features competition across multiple skill and age levels, as well as team and individual choreography classifications and the hornpipe challenge. Vendors, concession.

September 21 Port Hardy branch of Vancouver Island Regional Library hosts an Introduction to VIRL for parents of homeschooled children, 10-11 a.m. Info, 250-949-6661.

custom cabinets Let us create beautiful, custommade cabinetry for every room in your home.

Choose your style, colour and the perfect finishing touches. Our quality products and service are guaranteed.

the cabinet shop 250-956-4659

423 Pioneer Hill, Port McNeill

www.cabinetshop-portmcneill.com

Register for Sept. classes now

September 15 Annual Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research, 10 a.m.-1

Fence Lumber Decking Timbers

University of Oulu, Finland, 7-8 p.m. Info, 250-973-6493.

September 7 & 8 • 10am

Chilton Regional Arena, Port McNeill Exhibits to be entered Thursday evening or Friday before 6 pm. Cash prizes!

Exhibits, vendors, entertainment, animals, farmer’s market, hockey gear swap.

Fun for old and young! Smokey the Bear is coming!

Volunteers needed for exhibits, judging & decorating.

Call Sandy 250-949-7778.

See our website www.mountwaddingtonfallfair.ca or Facebook for more information

Spa Therapist: $9,900 Hair Artistry: $9,900 Nail Technology: $3,900 #3B-311 Hemlock St. (Above Subway) Port McNeill

250-956-0004

products available

Herb Saunders Contracting would like to let our customers know that we now have

Good Sandy Top-Soil Also along with our construction equipment we have:

• Blast Rock • Bed Sand • Pit Run • Drain Rock, etc

Herb Saunders Contracting 901 Lanqvist Lane, Port McNeill 250-956-4598 ask for Ev for details.

Experienced Telephone Counsellor Highly skilled, reputable, professional and compassionate counsellor.

Member of BCACC for 10 years working with persons affected by grief, trauma, relationship difficulties, addictions, life transitions.

References available.

Please call Faye: 250-594-6795; Cell: 250-937-0423

Thursday, August 29, 2013

www.northislandgazette.com 9

Grills and grilles Gazette staff PORT HARDY—Locals made the most of the last days of summer, coming together for a series of fundraising cookouts last week.

Things kicked off Thursday night as A&W hosted its annual classic car cruise to raise

funds for the MS Society.

Saturday, Rexall hosted a customer appreciation day/fundraiser for the Rexall Foundation while the Quarterdeck held a pig roast in support of the Royal Canadian Legion and the local fire department.

Clockwise from above: 1. Around thirty cars and bikes came out for the Port Hardy A&W Cruisin’ for a Cause event in support of the MS Society. The local store raised $232 for the charity; 2. John Tidbury and Luke Wiggins admire under the hood of Barry Pyle’s car at the A&W Cruisin’ the Dub event; 3. Lorne Cowles carves the pig as the lineup works its way along the buffet at the Quarterdeck Inn and Marina fundraiser last weekend. The event featured music, a dunk tank, dinner and a Lions-run bar and raised money for the Royal Canadian Legion and the Port Hardy Fire Department; 4. Courtney Dinsdale, Carly McIntyre and Ahmad Elmaddah set up for the Rexall c a p s u l e c o m m e n t s customer appreciation barbecue. The inaugural event, Saturday in Port Hardy, raised Our feet are amazing. They are relatively small for the weight they have to carry but contain an intricate network of bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles to support that weight. Problems can $202 for the Rexall Foundation.

A O’Toole

The Gazette office will be closed Labour Day Monday, Sept 2

occur with our feet and it’s important not to ignore them. Pain, numbness, swelling and other symptoms should be checked to rule out major problems.

Pepto-Bismol can be taken as a preventative for traveler’s diarrhea at a dose of (2 tablets 4x daily for up to 3 weeks). For treatment, the usual dose is 2 tablets every 30 minutes up to 8 doses. It does contain a salicylate and shouldn’t be used in children under 12 and with caution in those taking anticoagulant drugs or who have gastric ulcers.

Epilepsy affects 60 million people worldwide and about one-third of those are not able to control their seizures. Research is being done on a new device where an electrode is inserted between the skull and the brain and it records continuous brain activity. The signals are analyzed and a readout on a hand-held device can predict when a seizure will occur. It will be a definite plus to some epileptics.

Many admissions to hospital are due to problems with medications. Many of these are preventable by simply understanding the medications you are taking and taking them according to your doctor’s instructions.

Our pharmacists can help you learn about your medications. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Answering them is all part of our job as your pharmacist.

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10 www.northislandgazette.com Thursday, August 29, 2013

History lives on in Ronning’s Garden In 1910 Bernt Ronning, a young immigrant from Norway, established a homestead on the wagon road between Holberg and Cape Scott.

Ronning cleared his five acres of forest. An avid gardener, he obtained many plants and trees through mail order catalogues. He became known around Northern Vancouver Island for his spectacular garden with botanical specimens from around the world. He promoted an agricultural fair in the San Josef area for many years.

Ronning enjoyed socializing with his neighbours, and would hike out to Cape Scott to visit the military base there during the 1940s. The 10-minute walk from the parking area to Ronning’s Garden follows a restored section of the old Cape Scott wagon trail.

The central location of his property on the Holberg-San Josef Road made it a natural meeting place. He had a pump

A Look Back with Brenda McCorquodale organ and had a building with a hand-hewn floor that served as a dance hall.

As was the custom at the time, people would travel great distances, from Cape Scott to the areas around Quatsino Sound, to attend the dances at Ronning’s property.

Ronning ran a trapline at Raft Cove. At one time a shipwrecked crew stayed in his shack until they were rescued.

Working as a fisherman, trapper, and camp cook, Ronning lived on his homestead until the 1960s, and passed away in Vancouver in 1963.

When he left the North

Island, the rainforest began to encroach and take over the garden.

One of the main features of the garden is an impressive monkey puzzle tree. Originally there were a breeding pair of mature trees (one male and one female), which marked the gate to Ronning’s property.

Sadly, the female tree died about ten years ago.

The offspring of these two trees were shipped around the world and can be found in many North Island gardens. Between 1981 and 2003 more than 15,000 seeds and trees were sold or given to visitors and shipped to nurseries and buyers around the world. There now are 17 younger trees, offspring from this pair, growing in the garden.

One of the truly incredible features of the garden is the mature specimen trees, some of which are almost a hundred years old, growing amidst the wilds of the Pacific Rainforest.

Incredibly, a number of

smaller plants did survive for decades and have been revived through the vigilance of a dedicated group of local volunteers who wage a constant struggle to keep the natural environment from recapturing this landscape.

Though much of the original beauty of the garden has been lost, including many shrubs and flowering plants, the garden is still one of the incredible gems of the North Island. The road to Ronning Garden is marked on forestry road maps and with road signs.

The garden is open yearround, and many of the plants are labeled to help visitors appreciate the garden.

Brenda McCorquodale is a Port Hardy resident and North Island history enthusiast. If you have any stories or local lore you’d like to share, email her at storeysbeach@gmail. com. A collection of her past articles is available on her blog at http://undiscoveredcoast.blogspot.ca/.

The Bernt Ronning Garden has species of plants and trees from as far away as Israel. The eclectic gardener is known for introducing the Monkey Tree to Vancouver Island.

Courtesy Boomer Jerritt

Just for You

A

Annual

Salmon Enhancement August 3rd and 4th

huge success! On Saturday many people came to the Cove and strolled Our derby winners were: around enjoying the crafters and their Largest Salmon Sandy Machel 32 lb. Spring Salmon wares. Sunday was a picture perfect Largest Bottom Fish Tony Pisto 14 lb Halibut day for the Fishing Derby with lots of Youth Prize Scott Farynnk 17lb Halibut fish weighed in at Telegraph Cove. A potluck was enjoyed Sunday evening at our campground where awards were given for the largest salmon and e of $7,500 the largest bottom fish, which was u q e h c a g in t sen followed by an Auction.

We will be fupnrdes raised over the two daEyns,hancement. on roject for Salm P r e iv R h is k o to the K

Our Thanks go to these businesses and individuals, listed below, for their donation of prizes and support of this endeavor.

Baker, Eldon & Mitzi Bangles Hair Black Bear Resort & Spa Broughton Archipelago Charters Dirty Jacks Computer Service Discovery Expedition East of Java Furney Distributing Ltd. Heather Brown “The Window” Henschel Fine Arts Island Foods Just Art

Market Place I.G.A. Micron Machine Works North Island Kayak Robin’s Pet Supplies Shop-Rite Marina & Logging Stubbs Island Charters Ltd. Super Valu – Port McNeill Telegraph Cove Resorts Ltd. Telegraph Cove Ventures Tide Rip Tours Timberland Sports Centre

Special thanks to Bill & Jo Wiltse, who have been returning guests at Telegraph Cove Resort for many years. In 2009, they donated 5 days stay in their condo on Maui for the auction at the Salmon Derby. After this year’s event, they have raised a total of $4,750 over 5 years!

“It has been our honour to support the Salmon Enhancement fundraising as all donations – large & small – reflect how important this program is to the fishermen & the community. Please keep up the good work!” said Bill Wiltse.

What a generous gift this is and will go a long way toward the work that the Port McNeill Chinook Club does at the Kokish River Hatchery.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

www.northislandgazette.com 11

Artists and artisans to showcase this weekend Gazette staff PORT MCNEILL— Crafty artisans and greenfingered growers will descend on Port McNeill

next weekend as the Mount Waddington Regional Fall Fair comes to the Chilton Regional Arena.

This year’s theme for the

fair is “North Island Roots and Rubber Boots — Sew it, Grow it, Show it.”

The Sept. 8-9 fair will bring together the best of

local gardeners, artists and artisans as they showcase their wares.

Judges will peruse the offerings Friday night and

award prizes and ribbons for outstanding entries in a variety of categories.

Doors will open to the public Saturday 10 a.m. - 5

p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

For more information see www.mountwaddingtonfair.ca.

Celebrate!

50

H  A L  N L Best wishes on your 50th anniversary!

Love Ina, Eric, Wayne, Ruth, Rusty

Courtesy of Island Foods you receive a free pop with every Just for You placed in the Gazette!

Mary, Heaven bound you are finally rested and free of pain and able again to walk with a deep long stride…smiling, knowing I again will be at your side.

Love you deer Bob

GAZETTE NORTH ISLAND

Just for You

Overwaitea would like to announce the retirement of

Rob & Faye Martyn We wish to thank them for their many years of service. Their dedication to their jobs made Overwaitea both a pleasure to shop and a great place to work. They will continue to reside in Port Hardy and will still be involved with the store through our many fundraising goals, as well as spending valuable time with family.

Matthew Lanner

on graduating the Automotive Service Technician program at BCIT We are so very proud of your hard work over the last two years and wish you success following your new path.

From all of us, we wish them the best.

Love Mom, Dad, Josh and Grandma

Thank You for supporting Bras for a Cause

Would like to say THANK YOU to these sponsors that made it possible to host our Fundraiser BBQ. Sysco Foods Busy B’s North Island Gazette Port Hardy Lions Club Overwaitea Foods Molsons Island Foods Coremark Distributer’s

Keta Cable Port Hardy Fire Department Royal Canadian Legion Branch 237 Donny Nickerson Lorne Cowles Glen Day Labatt’s Brewery Praxair

Thank You Sponsors: Kirby Floral , Burnaby, BC Black Bear Resort & Spa Timberland Sports Centre Peoples Drug Mart-PM Northern Lights Restaurant Bangles Hair Salon Special Thanks to: Jacquelyn Biggs for the Window Design Lynda Biggs for her wonderful support

Bras for a Cause winners counted Aug. 17th 1st “Twin Tugs” Standard Tugs 2nd “Duck Dynasty” Port McNeill Moms 3rd “Pretty in Pink” Jacquelyn Biggs 4th “Eyes All Over” Mavis Gordon 5th “Leaf My Cones Alone” Ashlee Walls

A Big Thank You to all the 61 participants for the most colourful, creative “bras” for the store fundraiser and for the January Event “Victor’s Secret-Mari Bra”.

Total raised $1276.01!!

All proceeds go the Breast Cancer Research & Education P.S. If you designed a bra, please stop by the store for your free gift!

Many Thanks, Lyn & Lynda The Port McNeill Flower Shoppe

12 Thursday, August 29, 2013

www.northislandgazette.com 13

North Island Life Salmon daze!

Gazette staff S O I N T U L A — Wi t h music, food, games — and, of course, a giant salmon — Malcolm Islanders celebrated their annual Salmon Days festival last weekend.

Most of the action took place Saturday, starting with the traditional parade along First Street.

Revelers then moved up to the local ball field, which was filled with ven-

Clockwise from above: The traditional salmon barbecue is well under way alongside the ballfield festival grounds during Salmon Days in Sointula; Prospector Dave Mullett accuses Braeden Brown of jumping his claim during the parade; The Bere Point Babes — from left, Bessy Prevost, Rorie Berry, Molly Lash-Burrows and Sharon Prevost, front — leap in their skinny mermaid skirts in an effort to catch up with their float; Andrew Brown, left, winds up in an effort to drop Anne-Marie Koch, right, into the dunk tank at the Sointula Ballfield; Dexter Lash-Burrows, left, turns away from a counter-attack by Chance McClendon during a water fight by entrants in the Sointula Ripple Float; Masimba Marimba of the Cowichan Valley performs on the entertainment stage; Salmon Days princesses Kennedy Chateauvert, Sophie Tynjala, Jordan Laughlin and Silkence Williams wave to the crowd; Jordan Laughlin places a crown on the head of Breanna Batista as Silkence Williams, centre, looks on; Marek Williams of Sointula peers through the pirate mask he coloured; Local singer-songwriter Kindra Rosgen performs original and cover songs on the entertainment stage; Bronwen Renehan paints a coat of trim on her birdhouse at the kids’ craft table; Brooklyn Watson tosses candy from J.R. Rardon the cab of Sointula Fire Department’s Engine No. 1 parade.

dor tables, an entertainment stage, beer garden and dunk tank.

Performers included Duncan’s Masimba Marimba, who brought the sound of Africa with a unique, six-piece collection of marimbas in varying sizes. Several local musicians also performed as the “Sea Dogs” barbecued salmon on traditional cedar racks over a long, open-pit fire.

Some of our friends weigh 36 tonnes!

Come visit us and meet our friends.

The Graceful Giant Humpback Whale

Discover anD explore

telegraph cove!

Since 1980 the best kept secret on Northern Vancouver Island.

• The Island’s Best • Walk the Whale Watching Historic Boardwalk • Waterfront • Cabins, RV & Restaurant and Pub Camping Sites • Whale Museum • and much more!

For information and reservations: 1-800-665-3066 or 250-928-3185 reservations@stubbs-island.com

www.stubbs-island.com

12 Thursday, August 29, 2013

www.northislandgazette.com 13

North Island Life Salmon daze!

Gazette staff S O I N T U L A — Wi t h music, food, games — and, of course, a giant salmon — Malcolm Islanders celebrated their annual Salmon Days festival last weekend.

Most of the action took place Saturday, starting with the traditional parade along First Street.

Revelers then moved up to the local ball field, which was filled with ven-

Clockwise from above: The traditional salmon barbecue is well under way alongside the ballfield festival grounds during Salmon Days in Sointula; Prospector Dave Mullett accuses Braeden Brown of jumping his claim during the parade; The Bere Point Babes — from left, Bessy Prevost, Rorie Berry, Molly Lash-Burrows and Sharon Prevost, front — leap in their skinny mermaid skirts in an effort to catch up with their float; Andrew Brown, left, winds up in an effort to drop Anne-Marie Koch, right, into the dunk tank at the Sointula Ballfield; Dexter Lash-Burrows, left, turns away from a counter-attack by Chance McClendon during a water fight by entrants in the Sointula Ripple Float; Masimba Marimba of the Cowichan Valley performs on the entertainment stage; Salmon Days princesses Kennedy Chateauvert, Sophie Tynjala, Jordan Laughlin and Silkence Williams wave to the crowd; Jordan Laughlin places a crown on the head of Breanna Batista as Silkence Williams, centre, looks on; Marek Williams of Sointula peers through the pirate mask he coloured; Local singer-songwriter Kindra Rosgen performs original and cover songs on the entertainment stage; Bronwen Renehan paints a coat of trim on her birdhouse at the kids’ craft table; Brooklyn Watson tosses candy from J.R. Rardon the cab of Sointula Fire Department’s Engine No. 1 parade.

dor tables, an entertainment stage, beer garden and dunk tank.

Performers included Duncan’s Masimba Marimba, who brought the sound of Africa with a unique, six-piece collection of marimbas in varying sizes. Several local musicians also performed as the “Sea Dogs” barbecued salmon on traditional cedar racks over a long, open-pit fire.

Some of our friends weigh 36 tonnes!

Come visit us and meet our friends.

The Graceful Giant Humpback Whale

Discover anD explore

telegraph cove!

Since 1980 the best kept secret on Northern Vancouver Island.

• The Island’s Best • Walk the Whale Watching Historic Boardwalk • Waterfront • Cabins, RV & Restaurant and Pub Camping Sites • Whale Museum • and much more!

For information and reservations: 1-800-665-3066 or 250-928-3185 reservations@stubbs-island.com

www.stubbs-island.com

14 www.northislandgazette.com Thursday, August 29, 2013

Seal pup plucked from bay Gazette staff PORT HARDY—A young seal pup, named Neptune, is receiving treatment at the Marine

Mammal Rescue Centre in Vancouver this week after being rescued from Hardy Bay by local fisheries

officers Aug. 21.

“Both its eyes are somewhat opaque and cloudy,” said Lindsaye Akhurst of MMRC.

“He seemed in pain, had a hard time keeping them open. Light seemed to bother him.”

Akhurst said Neptune is stabilized and eating well. “We just need to get a handle on the eye issue,” she said.

INITIATIVE PETITION An initiative to amend the Police Act

KNOW THE RULES DFO fisheries officer Jim Clair holds a tote containing a young seal pup, which was found in distress near the shore in Hardy Sandy Grenier Bay Wednesday afternoon.

If you plan to participate in the initiative campaign, it’s important that you know the rules.

■■

■ he■Recall■and■Initiative■Act■allows■registered■voters■to■propose■new■laws■or■changes■ T to■existing■laws.

■■

■On■Monday,■September■9,■2013,■petition■sheets■for■the■initiative■to■amend■the■Police■Act■will■ be■issued■to■the■proponent,■Dana■Larsen.■

■■

■ he■proponent■has■90■days■to■collect■signatures■from■at■least■10%■of■the■registered■voters■■ T in■each■of■the■province’s■85■electoral■districts.■The■petition■must■be■returned■to■the■■ Chief■Electoral■Officer■by■Monday,■December■9,■2013.

■■

■ o■sign■the■initiative■petition,■a■person■must■be■a■registered■voter■on■September■9,■2013■■ T and■may■sign■the■petition■only■for■the■electoral■district■in■which■they■are■currently■registered.

■■

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Thursday, August 29, 2013

sports

&

www.northislandgazette.com 15

recreation

Submit results to 250-949-6225 Fax 250-949-7655 or email us at sports@northislandgazette.com • Deadline 10 am Monday

on deck

Tell us about items of interest to the sports community.

August 30-Sept.1 Slo-pitch Fred Donaldson Memorial Tournament in Port Alice.

Concession, beer garden. Finals Sunday afternoon.

September 4-15 Rep hockey North Island Eagles rep hockey program hosts tryouts at Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena, Port Hardy.

Sessions on alternate evenings and Saturdays for atom development, peewee, bantam and midget teams. Check schedule in this week’s edition, page 16.

September 7 Stock cars Tri-Port Motor Sports Club hosts points series racing at TriPort Speedway, 6 p.m.

Concession, kids play area. $5 adults, $3 teens, $2 under 12 and seniors.

September 7-8 Golf Seven Hills Golf & Country Club Men’s Open championship, 9 a.m. each day. 36 holes of stroke play with hole-in-one and other prizes. Registration fee $140, includes brunch Saturday, dinner Sunday, reduced rates for practice round Friday. Registration deadline Sept. 1; to sign up or for info, call Seven Hills at 250949-9818.

September 7 Stock cars Tri-Port Motor Sports Club hosts points series racing at TriPort Speedway, 6 p.m.

Concession, kids play area. $5 adults, $3 teens, $2 under 12 and seniors.

September 21-22 Motocross Vancouver Island Motocross season points series races at Seven Mile Track. 10 a.m. start both days; concession. Tickets $10, $5 youth.

Above: Nathan Bonn (2) holds off the chasing pack out of turn 4 at the Tri-Port Speedway during last weekend's Dustbowl.

Right: Glen Day takes the checkered flag in Sunday's main event.

A O'Toole

Day leaves chasers in the dust

A O'Toole Gazette staff The front of the pack was the only place to be this weekend as the Tri-Port Speedway Dustbowl lived up to its name.

A field of ten drivers took to the track over the two-day meet, one from as far as Fort McMurray.

Nathan Bonn, who has family in Woss, worked frantically for two days prior to the event with his team to prepare the number two car for racing. And Bonn was no slouch behind the wheel either, finishing fourth overall in weekend points.

But it was familiar faces on the podium as the locals held on to the top spots.

After timing in Saturday, the field was split into two tiers for a pair of Trophy Dashes and heat races before recombining for a main event.

With the track loosening up after the first few races, the home stretch was engulfed in plumes of dust, making passing a difficult prospect. This led to the organizers making the decision to water down the straight in order to improve visibility after the first set of heats.

After setting the

Dry conditions over the weekend showed why the annual race meet is called the Dustbowl.

order, the ten drivers took to the track for the 30-lap main event.

Cody Robbins moved up from the second row to lead the pack in the first laps with Jared Breitkreitz on his heels after starting in fifth.

Glen Day also worked his way up the order from the back row, rounding Breitkreitz and restarting in second place after a yellow flag dropped on the fourth lap when the mini-stocks of Steven Demoe and Lanie Burroughs got tangled up and were forced out of the running.

Further down the order Daniel Hovey and Brock Shore worked their way up and, when Breitkreitz was forced to pit in the fifth, the frontrunners became Robbins, Day, Hovey.

Day passed on the seventh to take the lead and a mistake from Robbins in the tenth made it Day, Hovey, Shore as Weeks was forced to retire. Engine trouble on the next lap put Shore out of the running as Ryan Doyle moved into third with Bonn on his heels.

A flat put Breitkreitz

into the pits on lap 13 as Day looked comfortable at the head of the pack. On lap 17 Doyle pitted leaving four to fight it out on the oval, the order standing Day, Hovey, Robbins, Bonn until Breitkreitz rejoined on lap 23.

No sooner did he rejoin than a flat dashed Hovey’s race and he limped out as Doyle came back on.

The order stayed unchanged for the final laps and Day took the checkered flag with Robbins and Bonn behind.

After a long night

under the hood for most drivers, six of the ten were able to take to the track again Sunday for the second half of the weekends racing.

The extra wear on the track proved troublesome for many. In particular, turn two seemed unusually slick and caused problems for every driver at one time or another during the meet.

As the green flag dropped for the main event, Breitkreitz was on pole with Bonn on the bubble. Behind, Robbins and Hovey sat in the second row with

Doyle and Day at the back.

Bonn took an early lead as Day went into second on the outside.

By the midway point a series of issues at turn two had mixed things up with Day leading the pack and Hovey and Doyle chasing. Another flat for Hovey put him out of the running on lap 22 as Robbins moved up to take second ahead of Doyle while out in front Day never looked like giving up the top spot.

Day took his fifth checkered flag of the weekend to a cheer from the crowd.

The crowd was cheering again soon after as Hovey threw his car sideways across the line and pulled a donut under the stands for the fans.

There was a sizeable prize pool for the weekend after a donation from Linda Penner in memory of Don Penner along with a stream of donations from the race fans in attendance over the weekend.

The drivers will be back in action in two weeks, with the next races scheduled for 6 p.m. on September 7.

For full results from the Dustbowl see Scoreboard, page 16.

16 www.northislandgazette.com

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Sports & Recreation

Rep tryouts to begin Gazette staff PORT HARDY— Next Tuesday marks back-to-school time for North Island students.

The following day, it’s back to the ice for rep hockey hopefuls.

The North Island Eagles rep hockey program kicks off annual tryouts Wednesday, Sept. 4, at Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena in Port Hardy.

And, thanks to a late flurry of registrations, the club expects to field teams in all four competitive classifications for the 2013-14 season.

“We’re excited,” said Anne Dumonceaux, longtime association volunteer. “We were thinking we might only have two teams, so to have four is wonderful.

“We crunched the numbers and, if everyone returns who played last year we should have good numbers at the house level, too.”

Tryouts will continue through the weekend of

said of the Wild Ones, the girls team coached

by Boni Sharpe and managed by Miles Trevor.

Ironically, while the large turnout for rep hockey will ensure many games scheduled in North Island arenas this season, it could strain an already-thin pool of available referees.

“We’re required to have four officials for every game at the upper levels, and I’m scared we won’t have enough officials to do this,” said Dumonceaux.

“We’re putting out the call to anyone who’s gone through our system and played, coached or reffed, to get off the sidelines and get back into it.

“It’s hard on the smaller associations, to get that many people.”

One notable change to rep hockey this season will be a ban on body checking at the peewee (age 11-12) level, mandated by Hockey Canada.

Mathew Saunders of Port McNeill, left, battles with Saanich defender Keelan Chester during an atom development game last season. 2013-14 rep hockey tryJ.R. Rardon/file outs begin next week.

Sept. 14-15, with all sessions in Port Hardy.

The tryouts have taken place at Port McNeill’s Chilton Regional Arena in recent years, but that arena will host the annual fall fair Sept. 7-8 and will be unavailable for hockey.

Based on enrolment numbers, the Eagles should have teams in the midget, bantam, peewee and atom development divisions.

If so, it will be just the second time in the last

five seasons the program has been able to fill all four classifications.

And, said Dumonceaux, the program could add a fifth team in the form of a bantam girls squad that has competed the past two seasons under the umbrella of Tri-Port Minor Hockey.

“Technically it’s a recreational team, but they will travel, and we felt it best fit under the Eagles program,” she

Tri-Port dragon boaters Shari Woodside, Sandra Logan, Irene Paterson and Adele deWit are bound for the 2014 world championships in Italy after qualifying as part of the Gorging Dragons Senior B crew during last weekend's nationals in Victoria.

Rob Paterson

Next up - the world Gazette staff A quartet of paddlers from the North Island's Tri-Port Dragon Boat Society will test their skill against the best in the world next summer after placing second in their classification last weekend in the Canadian National Dragon Boating Championships in Victoria.

Adele deWit, Sandra Logan, Irene Paterson and Shari Woodside

competed as part of the crew of the Victoria-based Gorging Dragons, in the Senior B division.

The team earned silver medals with a runner-up showing in

Saturday's 500-metre competition, then came back Sunday to place third in the 200-metre championships.

The 2014 world championships will be held in Ravena, Italy.

Sports Scoreboard STOCK CAR RACING Triport Speedway Dustbowl weekend Aug. 25-25 Running Car No.Driver 2 Nathan Bonn 4 Paul Weeks 5 Cody Robbins 7 Daniel Hovey 10 Lanie Burroughs 13 Brock Shore 15 Ryan Doyle 26 Jared Breitkreitz 44 Paul Weeks 77 Glen Day 92 Steven Demoe August 24

August 25

86; 7. Weeks (4) 8.

Fast Time: Day. Trophy Dash: Day Heat 1: 1. Doyle; 2. Day; 3.

Bonn.

Heat 2: 1. Hovey; 2. Day; 3.

Bonn.

Main Event: 1. Day; 2.

Robbins; 3. Doyle.

Day Points: 1. Day, 153; 2. Doyle, 121; 3.

Hovey, 113; 4. Robbins, 103; 5. Bonn, 99; 6. Breitkreitz,

Weekend Points: 1. Day, 320; 2. Hovey, 249; 3. Doyle, 225; 4. Bonn, 195; 5. Robbins, 187; 6.

Breitkreitz, 178; 7. Shore, 104; 8. Demoe, 56; 9.

Burroughs, 55; 10. Weeks (44) 42; 11. Weeks (4), 16.

Season Standings: 1. Day, 747; 2. Hovey, 512; 3. Shore, 441; 4. Breitkreitz, 388; 5. Doyle, 308; 6. Weeks (4) 229; 7. Bonn, 195; 8.

Monday Sept 2

Tuesday Sept 3

Trophy Dash A: Shore.

Trophy Dash B: Bonn.

Day Points: 1. Day, 167; 2. Hovey, 136; 3.

Shore, 104; 3. Doyle, 104; 5.

Bonn, 96; 6. Breitkreitz, 92; 7. Robbins, 84; 8. Demoe, 56; 9. Burroughs, 55; 10.

Weeks, (44) 42; 11. Weeks (4), 8.

DRAG RACING Rumble on the Runway Series race No. 5 Saturday, Aug. 24 Super Pro Class 1. Eric Shields 2. Ryan Trant 3. Chris Sharpe

Pro Class 1. Don Spencer

North Island Eagles Tryout Ice Times

Fast time: Hovey

Heat 1A: 1. Day; 2. Hovey; 3. Shore.

Heat 1B: 1. Bonn; 2.

Burroughs; 3. Demoe.

Heat 2A: 1. Day; 2. Hovey; 3. Shore.

Heat 2B: 1. Robbins; 2.

Bonn; 3. Burroughs.

Main Event: 1. Day; 2.

Robbins; 3. Bonn.

Robbins, 187; 9. Weeks (44) 136; 10. Demoe, 123.

2. Jeff Bowell 3. Tim Walton 4. Chris Sharpe

Sportsman Class 1. Brent Odland 2. Larry Von Schilling 3. Lynn Egan

Island Bracket Finals Sunday, Aug. 25 1. Eric Shields; 2. Chris Sharpe; 3. Ron Clark.

September 2013

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Flood 7:45 - 9:15pm Midgets (‘98, ‘97 & ‘96)

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ATHLETE of the Week GLEN DAY The Port Hardy stock car driver took five checkered flags and topped the points at the Dustbowl weekend.

A O’Toole photo

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Thursday, August 29, 2013

www.northislandgazette.com 17

Sports & Recreation

Chris Sharpe of Port McNeill, right, leaps from the line against Eric Shields of Parksville in the final heat of the Island Bracket Finals drag races at Port McNeill Airport Sunday.

Below, Shields completes his burnout as volunteers Arron Harper and Lisa Cochrane hold their gates.

J.R. Rardon

Red light a drag in Rumble finale J.R. Rardon Gazette editor PORT McNEILL— Anyone who claims there are no red traffic lights on the North Island clearly missed Sunday’s Vancouver Island Bracket Finals drag races at Port McNeill Airport.

Hometown driver Chris Sharpe battled his way through a day of elimination heats to earn a spot opposite Parksville’s Eric Shields as the last two drivers remaining, only to be disqualified by jumping the gun and drawing a red light in the final heat as Shields claimed the $1,500 top prize.

“I guess I was a little anxious,” said Sharpe, who was ribbed by friends and fellow drivers on his way to the pits. Sunday’s Bracket Finals wrapped up the annual Rumble on the Runway points series on the eighth-mile airport dragstrip and threw drivers

from all competitive classes together in a handicapped, head-to-head elimination format.

“That’s the fun of it,” Sharpe said. “Anybody can win this.”

That may be so, but they clearly have to go through Shields to do so. The reigning track champion and super-pro class winner from 2012, Shields tuned up for Sunday’s bracket finals by sweeping to another super-pro win Saturday in the fifth Rumble on the Runway points event.

“I like it,” Shields said of the bracket format.

“It’s a lot harder, because there’s so much difference between the times. But it doesn’t change the way I drive; I just try to stay consistent; that’s the key.”

By the time Sunday’s bracket finals got down to the final three drivers, the field consisted of one driver from the sportsman class (Port Alberni’s Ron Clark),

one from the pro class (Sharpe) and one super-pro (Shields).

To illustrate Shields’ point, Clark had timed in his stock Chevy Malibu at 8.01 seconds over the eighth mile, and squared off in the semifinals against Sharpe, whose modified Chevy SS had qualified at 6.32 seconds. That meant Clark got a “head start” of nearly a second and a half over Sharpe, who was force to charge from behind to claim the heat victory.

await the start.

But when Sharpe finally triggered the second staging light and started the countdown on the light tree, he proved a bit too eager and “broke out” with a huge leap off the start line that lifted his front wheels off the tarmac and triggered the red light.

At that point, Shields, who was waiting at the start line with a time-in of 5.96 seconds, was guaranteed victory and the $1,500 top prize by simply waiting for his green light and completing his run. But Sharpe still wanted to put on a show.

“I saw it (the red light),” said Sharpe. “Then, when the car went up so far, my foot came off the gas. I was laughing and trying to get back on the throttle. I still wanted to give him a good race.”

But while Sharpe struggled to get back up to speed, bouncing once more on his

Then came the gamesmanship.

Shields, who drew a bye in the three-car semifinal, bypassed his free run and waited for Sharpe to return to the start line following his semifinal heat win.

Then, Sharpe performed an extended burnout of his tires while Shields rolled to the start line to stage. When Sharpe finally arrived at the start line, he paused again while Shields completed staging and engaged his throttle at half power to

Week of Aug 29 - Sept 4 Day

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'B' is for Bushcats

Port Hardy's Bushcats claimed the B title in the Sayward Slo-pitch Tournament earlier this month. The North Island slo-pitch season continues this weekend with the annual Fred Donaldson Memorial Labour Day tourney in Port Alice, Friday Photo submitted through Sunday.

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way up the track, Shields inexorably overtook him and pulled away over the final half of the run to cross the line first.

“It was a great weekend,” said Shields, who was presented the winner’s check and trophy by NITA president Jeff Bowell following the event.

In Saturday’s final series points event, Shields topped Ryan Trant in the super-pro final. In the pro class, Don Spencer outdueled Bowell in the final, with Port McNeill’s Tim Walton placing third. In the sportsman class, Brent Odland topped another Port McNeill driver, Larry Von Schilling, while Lynn Egan finished in third place.

The North Island Timing Association will host its annual post-season wrapup party and awards at Port McNeill’s Legion Hall later this fall. Follow the Gazette for updates on the date and time.

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18 www.northislandgazette.com Thursday, August 29, 2013

Ride funds stay local

Gazette staff PORT HARDY— Fresh from hosting the hugely successful RCMP Musical Ride on August 7, Port Hardy Rotarians were back in a more familiar saddle last week: supporting local causes.

The Musical Ride, which drew an estimated 2,000 spectators to Storey’s Beach for the world renowned equestrian display, raised approximately $9,000 which will all be reinvested into community projects.

The first of the disbursements took place last Thursday at Eagle Ridge Manor.

The Rotary combined with Marine Harvest to present a $2,000 cheque to staff there for development of the residents’ garden.

The garden, at the rear of the facility, provides a safe and much-

needed outdoor sanctuary for the residents there and includes a gazebo, flower beds and raised gardens.

The funds will go towards the upkeep and improvement of the gardens.

Marine Harvest had raised $1,600 from its salmon barbecue at the equestrian event which the Rotary rounded up by adding $400.

The purpose of the balance of the money raised at the Musical Ride is still to be finalized although $1,000 has been earmarked for the Fort Rupert Curling Club.

From the remainder, a portion will go to the planned Rotary Playground upgrade beside the Visitor and Information Centre in Port Hardy while the rest will help fund other upcoming community projects.

Left: Eagle Ridge Manor staff member Louise Dugas and resident Doris Steen receive a cheque for $2,000 from Marine Harvest’s Karen Tobin and Port Hardy Rotarian Meagan Cadwallader.

Right: A pair of mounted riders met with staff and residents in the gardens ahead of the Musical Ride.

A O’Toole

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Thursday, August 29, 2013

www.northislandgazette.com 19

Training helps Junior Rangers boost skills Gazette staff Canoeing, paddleboarding and rock climbing were just a few of the activities featured as more than a dozen North Vancouver Island youth took part in the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group’s Enhanced Training Session (ETS) Aug. 18 in Vernon.

In addition to the fun, physical activities, which included whitewater rafting and helicopter rescue train-

ing for more advanced Junior Rangers, the ETS also featured firstaid training and a “pay it forward” day devoted to community service.

“To me, the basic level training is designed for kids to get together, develop new relationships and enhance their skills beyond what they would do in their home patrols,” said Kevin McGhee of Port Hardy, who attended the training as a patrol leader. “For the advanced

training, it goes beyond that to developing leadership skills.”

The annual ETS brings together Junior Canadian Rangers from 28 patrols across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Upon arrival, junior rangers are separated from the hometown compatriots and placed in groups of mixed members from the many participating patrols.

The groups then

rotate through a series of activities designed to challenge the members physically while teaching them to work cooperatively.

“I think it’s a very physical-oriented youth program, a very active outdoor program,” said Chuck Lok of Port McNeill, who served on the ETS adult committee. “It’s strongly supported by our friends at (the ministries of) National Defence and Aboriginal Affairs and

Northern Development Canada, and it’s a great benefit to all who take part.”

Adam Gough was Port Hardy’s representative in the advanced ETS. Port Hardy’s basic ETS trainees were Patrick Miller, Jamie Flanagan, Jaylon Grenier, Jodie Korhonen, Rory Korhonen, Sarah Case and Brandon Sparling. Buddy Miller attended as a mentor, and McGhee’s wife,

Marnie, served as a phase facilitator.

“They loved it,” McGhee said of the troopers from his patrol. “We were originally given one spot for an advanced trainee and five for basic (ETS), but we got a couple extra spots due to cancellations. It was nice another couple of kids got to go that wouldn’t have otherwise.”

Alert Bay sent six Junior Rangers for ETS — Damian Hallsworth,

Lexi Chapman, Evan Gordon-Valan, Paul Voyageur, Spencer Stauffer and Cynthia Jones-Laughington — and Chelsea Colcol as a member of the ETS adult committee.

Port McNeill’s delegation included troopers Rebecca Cyr, Courtenay Guindon, Matthew Harder, Sarah Hoskin, Anthony Shepley and Joel Waines, along with mentors Meara Trevor and Josiah Waines.

NORTH ISLAND HOSPITALS PROJECT COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS The Vancouver Island Health Authority is hosting community information meetings for the North Island Hospitals Project in Port Alice, Port Hardy and Port McNeill.

These meetings will focus on the scope and progress of the $600 million project, which includes a new $266 million, 95-bed Campbell River Hospital on the existing hospital site, and a $334 million, 153-bed Comox Valley Hospital at a new site in Courtenay.

Find out more about how the North Island Hospitals Project will support your health care needs and those of your family and your community when these new state-of-the-art acute care facilities open in 2017.

The information sessions will take place at: • Port McNeill Community Hall 1473 Broughton Blvd.

September 17th, 7-9 p.m.

• Port Alice Community Centre 1061 Marine Dr. Board Room September 18th, 12-2 p.m.

• Port Hardy Community Hall 7450 Columbia Street September 18th, 7-9 p.m

If you see a wildfire call *5555 on your cell.

Nearly half of all wildfires are preventable. Please, be responsible in our forests.

Project and VIHA staff will be on hand to answer questions and gather input.

For more information on the North Island Hospitals Project visit the VIHA website at: www.viha.ca

To learn more visit BCWildfire.ca

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.ORTHĂĽ)SLAND 'AZETTE

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FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

TRAVEL

CELEBRATIONS

HAPPY THOUGHTS

PERSONALS

TIMESHARE

EDUCATION/TRADE SCHOOLS

EDUCATION/TRADE SCHOOLS

FULL LENGTH CRINOLINE FOR RENT! Weddings, grad, etc.

Only $35, deposit required.

Call 250-949-8928

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS Port Hardy meets on Mondays & Fridays at 8pm. Located at Upper Island Public Health Unit on Gray St. (rear entrance), Port Hardy, B.C. For more information call 1-877379-6652.

CANCEL YOUR Timeshare.

No risk program. Stop mortgage and maintenance Payments today. 100% money back guarantee. Free consultation. Call us now. We can help! 1-888-356-5248.

INTERIOR HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR SCHOOL. NO Simulators. In-the-seat training. Real world tasks.

Weekly start dates. Job board!

Funding options.

SignUp Online! iheschool.com 1-866-399-3853

TRAIN TO be an Apartment/ Condominium Manager at home! We have jobs across Canada. Thousands of graduates working. 32 years of success! Government certified. www.RMTI.ca or 1-800-6658339, 604-681-5456.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

LEGALS

LEGALS

IN MEMORIAM GIFTS RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE BC Help Tomorrow’s Families Today– leave a gift in your will. legacy@rmhbc.ca

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS INFORMATION DID YOU KNOW? BBB Accredited Businesses must pass a comprehensive screening process. Look for the 2013 BBB Accredited Business Directory E-edition on your Black Press Community Newspaper website at www.blackpress.ca.

You can also go to http://vi.bbb.org/directory/ and click on the 2013 BBB Accredited Business Directory IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ALCOHOL WE CAN HELP Port McNeill-Mon and Fri 8pm Room 3 at the old school.

375 Shelly Crescent.

Call Greg 250-949-0153 or Rick 250-230-4555. SointulaThur 7:30pm at the Sointula Medical Centre. 25 2nd St. Call Annie 604-250-7085.

LOCAL CRISIS LINE 24/7 Port Hardy (250)949-6033 Alert Bay/Kingcome (250)974-5326

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Port Hardy meets every Wednesday & Saturday at the Upper Island Public Health Unit on Gray Street at 8pm.

Sundays at the Salvation Army Lighthouse, 8635 Granville St., at 7pm.

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

!DVERTISEĂĽACROSSĂĽ 6ANCOUVERĂĽ)SLANDĂĽ INĂĽTHEĂĽ ĂĽBEST READĂĽCOMMUNITYĂĽ NEWSPAPERS /.ĂĽ4(%ĂĽ7%"

LOST: ALUMINUM TRAILER TAILGATE 6’x1’ constructed of 2� aluminum square tubing and aluminum grating.

Possibly left at District yard waste dump site on July 29.

Please call 250-230-0103.

TRAVEL GETAWAYS LONG BEACH - Ucluelet Deluxe waterfront cabin, sleeps 6, BBQ. Fall Special.

2 nights $239 or 3 nights $299 Pets Okay. Rick 604-306-0891

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES ALL CASH drink/snack vending business route. Complete training. Small invest. req’d. 1888-979-VEND (8363). www.healthydrinkvending.co

INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTORSHIP Weston Bakeries is looking for an independent distributor for the Campbell River and Port Hardy regions. Must be physically fit with prior business experience. Contact Cory for more details, 1-250-580-0135 Asking price $115,000.

Port HARDY Hardy BAPTIST BaPtist CHURCH CHurCH PORT Corner of Trustee & Highland Morning Service 11:00 am Plus regular family activities Office: 250-949-6844 www.porthardybaptistchurch.ca Pastor: Kevin Martineau 11/13

st. COLUMBA ColumBa ANGLICAN angliCan ST. united UNITED Reverend Wade Allen 9190 Granville St. Port Hardy Phone 250-949-6247 11:00 a.m. Sunday School and Service Wed., 1:00 pm Bible Study Everyone welcome Meeting rooms available columbac@uniserve.com

11/13

Full GOSPEL gosPel CHURCH CHurCH FULL 2540 Catala Place Port McNeill (across from Firehall) Sunday 10:30 am - Morning Worship Church Office 250-956-4741 Pastor Stan Rukin Youth Pastor: Steve Taylor Cell: 250-527-0144 Office hours: 10am-4pm Mon-Thurs Visitors always welcome www.ptmcfullgospel.org

11/13

DEATHS

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Kathryn Owen takes great pleasure in announcing that her husband of 35 years, Christopher Owen, graduated in May from Whittier Law School in Costa Mesa with his Juris Doctorate, (J.D.).

Chris wrote the Nevada Bar Exam at the end of July and on successful completion, hopes to start in private practice.

Chris grew up in Burbank, CA, and moved to Victoria B.C. where he graduated in 1970.

We met and married before moving to Port Hardy B.C. where Chris started his apprenticeship with Montgomery Electric and eventually completed the requirements to become a journeyman electrician. Chris returned to school and received his B.Sc. in Economics in 1985 from the University of Victoria. After living back in Victoria for a time, Chris moved to Las Vegas in 1997 where he was joined by Kathryn in 1999.

Chris and Kathryn continue to live in Las Vegas where Kathryn continues teaching and Chris is looking forward to starting his new career.

(Kathryn can be reached at kathowen@cox.net)

PERSONALS

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LOST AND FOUND

DEATHS

LAWLER, Michael

January 18, 1935 — August 13, 2013

T

o all those he talked to along the way; we are sorry to have to inform you that Michael Lawler passed away on his morning walk on Tuesday, August 13, 2013.

His stories will be missed by his sons, brothers, grandkids, nieces and nephews, along with all those he touched upon his way.

Condolences may be sent to dmlawler@shaw.ca In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Heart and Stroke Foundation or T.B. Vets. Thank you.

An open house will be announced at a later date.

CHrist CHURCH CHurCH ANGLICAN angliCan CHRIST Alert Bay Sunday Services - 10 am Reverend Lincoln Mckoen 1-250-974-5844 Warden Flora Cook 250-974-5945 Warden Joan Stone 250-974-2234 11/13

seventH-day ADVENTIST adventist SEVENTH-DAY CHurCH CHURCH 4680 Byng Rd. Port Hardy Pastor George Hilton 250-949-8925 or 250-949-8826 “Everyone welcome�

Saturday Services 9:30am - Bible Study groups 10:45am - Worship/Praise service Wednesday @ 7pm - Prayer meeting Avalon Adventist Jr. Academy Offering Christian Education 250-949-8243

11/13

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND OTHERS NOTICE is hereby given that Creditors and others having claims against the Estate of John Terrance Mallory also known as John Terry Mallory and Terry J. Mallory, deceased, who died on April 21, 2013, at Campbell River, BC, are hereby required to send them to the undersigned Administrator, c/o Shook Wickham Bishop & Field, Barristers and Solicitors, 906 Island Highway, Campbell River, British Columbia, V9W 2C3, before the 7th day of October, 2013, after which date the Administrator will distribute the said Estate among the parties entitled thereto, having regard to the claims of which it has notice.

Patricia Gail Booth, Administrator, c/o Shook Wickham Bishop & Field, Barristers and Solicitors, 906 Island Highway, Campbell River, BC, V9W 2C3.

North Island Church Services nortH NORTH island ISLAND CatHoliC CATHOLIC CHurCHes CHURCHES Sunday Masses St. Mary’s Port McNeill: 9am St. Bonaventure Port Hardy: 11am St. Theresa’s Port Alice: Saturdays 5:00pm Alert Bay: Bay: 2nd 1st & Alert &3rd 4th Saturdays Saturdays 10am 10am Father Whittemore 250-956-3909 FatherScott Roger Poblete 250-956-3909

11/13 11/13

Port PORT mCneill MCNEILL BaPtist BAPTIST CHurCH CHURCH 2501 Mine Road Sunday 9:45 am (Sept-June) - Sunday School 11:00 am - Worship Service 7:00 pm - Evening Fellowship Youth Group Wed - 7:00 pm Children’s Programs & Adult Bible Studies are scheduled throughout the year.

For information contact Pastor Dave Purdy • 250-956-4737 11/13 11/13

ligHtHouse LIGHTHOUSE resourCe RESOURCE Centre CENTRE • Chaplain Services • Bible Studies • Spiritual Counselling • Weekly AA Groups (8635 Granville St. Port Hardy) 250-949-8125

Port PORT aliCe ALICE angliCanANGLICANunited UNITED FellowsHiP FELLOWSHIP Reverend Reverend Wade WadeAllen Allen Sunday Sunday Services Services -- 4pm 4pm 1-250-949-6247 1-250-949-6247 Box Box 159, 159, Port Port Alice Alice You are are extended extended aa special special invitation invitation to to share share in in our our Services Services

11/13 11/13

st.

ST. JoHn JOHN gualBert GUALBERT united UNITED angliCan ANGLICAN CHurCH CHURCH 250-956-3533 250-956-3533 Email: Email: gualbert@uniserve.com gualbert@uniserve.com Sunday Sunday Worship Worship -- 9:00am 9:00am Reverend Reverend Wade WadeAllen Allen All All Welcome Welcome 175 175 Cedar Cedar Street Street Port Port McNeill McNeill

11/13 11/13

gwa’sala-’nakwaxda’xw GWA’SALA-’NAKWAXDA’XW seventH-day SEVENTH-DAY adventist ADVENTIST CHurCH CHURCH at entrance entrance to to Tsulquate TsulquateVillage Village (8898 (8898 Park Park Dr) Dr) Saturday/Sabbath Saturday/Sabbath 10:00 10:00 am-Sabbath am-Sabbath School School 11:15 11:15 am-Worship am-Worship Service Service Pastor Pastor Randy Randy Elliott Elliott 250-230-1885 250-230-1885 cell cell

11/13 11/13

11/13 11/13

Port PORT Hardy HARDY CHristian CHRISTIAN FellowsHiP FELLOWSHIP at Providence Place, 7050 Rupert St Sunday Worship 10:30 am & 7 pm Tuesday Prayer 7:30 pm Midweek Biblestudies - Call the church for time and place 250-949-6466 Pastor George & Karen Ewald (home) 250-949-9674 E-Mail:pastorgeorge@providenceplace.ca 11/13 11/13

Thursday, August 29, 2013 North Island Gazette Thu, Aug 29, 2013

www.northislandgazette.com 21 www.northislandgazette.com A21 PERSONAL SERVICES

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

EDUCATION/TRADE SCHOOLS

LABOURERS

LEGAL SERVICES

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION RATED #2 FOR AT HOME JOBS

GROUND PERSON required for Utility Line Clearing Co. Must have valid drivers licence, chainsaw experience an asset. Asplundh Canada ULC - Fax 604-856-8899 or email bc@asplundh.com.

CRIMINAL RECORD? Don’t let it block employment, travel, education, professional, certification, adoption property rental opportunities. For peace of mind and a free consultation call 1-800-347-2540.

HOT TUB (SPA) COVERS. Best price. Best quality. All shapes & colours available.

1-866-652-6837 www.thecoverguy.com/ newspaper?

KILL BED Bugs and their eggs! Buy a Harris bed bug kit, complete room treatment solution. Odorless, non-staining.

Not in stores, available online: www.homedepot.com

STEEL BUILDING sizzling summer savings event! 20x22 $4,188. 25x24 $4,598. 30x36 $6,876. 32x44 $8,700. 40x52 $12,990. 47x70 $17,100. One end wall included. Pioneer Steel 1-800-668-5422. www.pioneersteel.ca

STEEL BUILDINGS/metal buildings 60% off! 20x28, 30x40, 40x62, 45x90, 50x120, 60x150, 80x100 sell for balance owed! 1-800-457-2206. www.crownsteelbuildings.ca

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

GARAGE SALES

GARAGE SALES

• Huge Demand In Canada • Employers Seek Out Canscribe Graduates • Over 90% Graduate Employment Rate

www.canscribe.com info@canscribe.com 1.800.466.1535

HELP WANTED An Alberta Oilfield Company is hiring dozer and excavator operators, Lodging and meals provided. Drug testing required. Call (780)723-5051 Edson,Alta.

TRADES, TECHNICAL GUARANTEED JOB Placement: General laborers and tradesmen for oil and gas industry.

Call 24hr Free Recorded Message. For Information 1-800-972-0209.

HEAVY EQUIP. MECHANIC Vanc. Isl. sawmill requires a Heavy Duty Mechanic. Must have diesel engine and transmission rebuilding abilities with skills in welding & hydraulics.

Fax resumes to 250-248-8998 or email terry@errced.com LASOTA CONTRACTING Ltd. is looking for a qualified ticketed blaster. Send resume to: lasota6@telus.net

PERSONAL SERVICES

BLACK BEAR RESORT Port McNeill Now hiring Housekeepers. Apply in person.

No phone calls. $13/hr starting wage.

Must be available weekdays and weekends.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

HOSPITALITY THE HAIDA WAY is looking for a front desk person and a bar server. Bring resume to the front desk at Haida Way or fax to 250-956-4710.

North Island Community Services Society is seeking highly motivated, organized and outcome-experience based individuals to work in the Special Services Program.

The Special Services Worker will work and support children and families to increase living skills, parenting skills, behaviour management and communication choices. The position may include routine crisis intervention. The majority of this service takes place in the client’s home. Preference will be given to applicants with post-secondary credentials and/or related human services experience. Previous work experience is an asset.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Please forward resume with cover letter by September 13, 2013 to: North Island Community Services Society PO Box 1028, Port McNeill, BC V0N 2R0 nicsbc@telus.net

GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed?

Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420 www.pioneerwest.com IF YOU own a home or real estate, Alpine Credits can lend you money: It’s that simple.

Your credit/age/income is not an issue. 1-800-587-2161.

M O N E Y P ROV I D E R . C O M $500 Loan and +. No credit refused. Fast, easy, 100% secure. 1-877-776-1660.

LABOURERS FACTORY laborers for 130 foot fishing vessel (factory trawler). Must be physically fit, no experience required. 604360-0169 sarahbuston@gmail.com GUARANTEED Job Placement. Laborers,Tradesmen & Class1 Drivers For Oil & Gas Industry Work. Call 24hr Free Recorded Message For Information 1-888-213-2854 Need CA$H Today?Snap Car Cash www.snapcarcash.com

CHILDREN’S MISCELLANEOUS

SPECIAL SERVICES WORKER (Permanent Part-time)

This position is 31.5 hours a week. A valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle is necessary as travel will be required. A criminal record check will be required.

FIELD CLERK Needed for out of town work site (21/7 schedule). Mature, flexible and positive communicator, understanding of importance of safety culture. Reporting to onsite foreman and Edmonton HO. Transportation to and from work site provided. Potential to grow with company; jobs@commandequipment.com Fax 780-488-3002.

PORT HARDY CHEVRON is hiring 2 F/T, Pmt, Gas Bar Cashiers for 8905 Granville St, Port Hardy, BC, VON 2P0. $10.30/hr. Rotating shifts: day, night, weekends, Stat holidays. Duties: Greet customers, identify price of goods and receive payments. Wrap or place merchandise in bags and any other duty as instructed by the Manager.

Apply in person or email to: ss0992@chevronretail.ca

MOVING/GARAGE SALE!

CHILDREN’S MISCELLANEOUS

To Learn, To Love, To Serve ECE and K-9

Avalon is pleased to announce our Play School and Pre-school Program under the guidance of Miss Teresa Heare.

Avalon Adventist Junior Academy Is Accepting ECE children and Students For The 2013-2014 School Year.

Free Tuition for Kindergarten and New Students Grades 1-4.

Fifty Percent Discount for New Students Grades 5-6 Small classes, Family Atmosphere, Caring Teachers, French K-9, Spanish 8-9, Sports Program Provincially Accredited School, Teachers, and ECE Staff with a Safe, Caring Environment Where Learning Flourishes Holistic Approach Addressing the Intellectual, Emotional, Physical, and Spiritual Development of Students Come to a School that All Can Enjoy. Please call Clifford at 250-949-8243 or email wagonwoody2003@yahoo.ca

LANDS AND RESOURCE MANAGER The Quatsino First Nation, located on northern Vancouver Island, is seeking applications for a Lands Manager.

The primary purpose of the position is to ensure meaningful engagement of the Quatsino First nation in all decisions surrounding Resource Development and land use within the Quatsino Traditional Territory, with the objective of balancing sustainable economic diversification and environmental health, and in keeping with the values of our ancestors and history, and for the benefit of present and future generations of QFN members.

Responsibilities: • Monitoring and compliance of all traditional territories, including environmental issues, competing interests, land condition, and most importantly, identification of cultural and traditional use areas • Assist in the development of a Quatsino Land Use Plan (long term) • Coordinate the QFNs participation in referrals, mediation and litigation matters and provide recommendations to Chief and Council.

• Participation and attendance at negotiation and mediation meetings, preparation of reports, and furtherance of legal decisions by the leadership.

• Maintain records of all QFN traditional territories including surveys and mapping products • Conduct field inspections, as required • Conduct and participate in formal meetings and negotiations • Develop agreements with Government Departments and the private sector to ensure consistency of formal communication on issues relating to land management • Participate in discussion with government departments and other levels of government on lands management issues relating to legislation • Prepares proposals as required • Solicits funds for special projects as required • Responsible for custody and care of all project files • Ensure proper monitoring of permits and other lands-related documents • Monitors the lands program and provides advice to staff and the leadership via reports • Oversees the carrying out of remedial measures to ensure compliance by conducting physical site inspections or by reviewing reports • Other responsibilities as assigned Preferred Qualifications: • Undergraduate degree in a Natural Resource or Business Administration program of studies, and/or a combination of education and work experience • Knowledge of First Nation issues within British Columbia • Strong communication and writing skills • Computer knowledge (including GIS) Rate of Pay: Depending on experience Please submit resume including a covering letter by 3 p.m. September 17, 2013 to: Ralph Wallas Quatsino Lands and Resources Office 305 Quattishe Road Coal Harbour, B.C. V0N 1K0 Email: rwallas@quatsinofn.ca Fax: 250-949-6249

Items include RV satellite system with 19” LED TV (never used), Epson Stylus printer, digital camera, lamps, picture framing equipment, workshop contents, computer speakers, dresser, kitchen stuff and much more.

1 DAY ONLY Sunday, September 1st • 10am - 4pm.

4350 Byng Road. No early birds please.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

NOW HIRING

Western Forest Products Inc. is an integrated Canadian forest products company located on Vancouver Island that is committed to the safety of our employees, the culture of performance and the discipline to achieve results.

We currently have the following openings:

Area Planner Campbell River Planning Admin Assistant Campbell River Road Foreman Gold River Certified Millwright Nanaimo Certified Saw Filer Chemainus Log Loader Operator Gold River Grapple Yarder Hooktender Gold River Steel Spar Hooktender Gold River Heavy Duty Mechanic North Island Detailed job postings can be viewed at

http://www.westernforest.com/business-value/our-people-employment/careers WFP offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit package. If you believe that you have the skills and qualifications that we are looking for, please reply in confidence to: Human Resource Department Facsimile: 1.866.840.9611 Email: resumes@westernforest.com

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Administrative Officer North Island Community Services is seeking an Administrative Officer for the Community Links Program.

The position is 25 hrs/week and is based in Port McNeill. A valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle and a completed RCMP criminal record check are required. Job description available upon request.

Preference will be given to applicants with education and experience relating to administrative duties.

Please submit resumes to: North Island Community Services Society Community Links Program 375 Shelley Crescent Box 1028, Port McNeill, B.C. V0N 2R0 Or email: nics-cl@telus.net Closing date: August 30, 2013

22 www.northislandgazette.com A22 www.northislandgazette.com MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE

Thursday, August 29, 2013 Thu, Aug 29, 2013, North Island Gazette RENTALS

TRANSPORTATION AUTO FINANCING

SPORTING GOODS

MOBILE HOMES & PARKS

COTTAGES

POOL TABLE and accessories in very good condition.

4’x8’ $400. Ph: 250-949-9826

FACTORY DIRECT Wholesale CSA certified modular homes, manufactured/mobile homes and park model homes. We ship throughout Western Canada. Visit us online at www.hbmodular.com or 1-877-976-3737.

OCEANVIEW COTTAGES for rent in Port Hardy

RENTALS

www.bearcovecottages.ca

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE BY OWNER

APARTMENT/CONDO

7175 HIGHLAND Dr. Port Hardy. 2520 sq ft 4bdr home.

2 landscaped lots joined. 2dr garage.

Walkout basement/suite. 250-949-8922 or www.island.net/~fishnet.

Asking $336,000.

875 Lanqvist - Hyde Creek Rancher on 2 acres, 3bdrm, 3 bath, hot tub, 40x30 shop wired & plumbed, full RV hookup, fenced back yard.

Priced to sell at $375,000.

Call 250-230-7340.

2-3 BDRM trailer plus large shed located near airport on large treed lot. Well behaved pets welcome.

References required. Ph. 250-949-7189.

PORT HARDY Airport Rd 2 bdrm, quiet. NS. Refs. $550.

Call 250-949-6319.

PORT HARDY: Recently redecorated 2 bdrm apt in King’s Court. New f/s, w/d, dishwasher. $700/mo. Avail Sept 1. Call 250-230-9948.

PORT McNEILL: Hyde Creek furnished 1 bdrm suite, selfcontained with kitchen, private country setting.

Amazing ocean views, very clean, cozy & warm. Laundry, hydro, digital TV & wireless access incld’d. N/S facility. N/P. Ref’s req’d. Avail. Oct. 1 - May 31. $800./mo. 250-956-2737.

DUPLEXES/4PLEXES 3 BEDROOM, 2 bath 1/2 duplex on McDougal Rd in Port Hardy. Available immediately. $850/month plus utilities. Brian or Tanya at (250)245-1187

PORT HARDY Renovated 3 bdrm condo, secure building & caretaker on site. N/P, N/S. Avail. August 1. Heat & hot water incl. $750/mo. Ref. req.

Call 250-949-7085 leave message.

PORT MCNEILL- 3 bdrms, 2 full bath. $950+ utils. NS/NP. Available Sept 1. Call 250902-8143.

PORT MCNEILL3 Bdrm townhouse, close to schools & hospital. Available Aug/Sept.

250-956-3440. www.portmcneilltown houses.yolasite.com

PORT MCNEILL Mobile Home Park Pads for rent.

Short walk to shopping, school & ocean. $283.00/ month Call 250-956-2355

PORT MCNEILL MCCLURE APT’S.

New Management 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom apartments. Competitive prices.

Call 250-956-3526.

SEAHAVEN APARTMENTS 7070 Shorncliffe St. Oceanview 2 bdrm suite.

Fridge/stove, balcony, blinds, private parking stall, locker, laundry on premises.

Quiet, adult building, non smoking, no pets.

References required.

Inquiries contact 250-230-1462.

TWO OCEANS IN COAL HARBOUR

Large fully furnished 2 bdrm Apartments include F/S, W/D, pots and pans, towels and linens. Clean, comfy, quiet, reno’d, repainted and upgraded.

Rural setting overlooking harbour. Satellite TV channels included ($90 value). Available Sept 1. $850 inclds hydro or $650 + hydro with a 1 year lease. 1-250-949-8855. More info at www.twoceans.com

APARTMENTS FURNISHED PORT HARDY Highland Manor •Bachelor •1bdrm furnished •1 bdrm suites References Call Jason 250-949-0192

PORT HARDY Well maintained 6-plex Great investment $385,000 Call Noreen 250-949-6319 imagine.it@cablerocket.com

Includes satellite TV, internet, jacuzzi bath, No pets.

(250)949-7939

DreamTeam Auto Financing “0” Down, Bankruptcy OK Cash Back ! 15 min Approvals

1-800-961-7022

www.iDreamAuto.com DL# 7557

MOBILE HOMES & PADS

SEASONAL ACCOMMODATION WINTER RENTAL available in Port Hardy - 2200 sq. ft. fully furnished house.

Avail. Oct 1-Mar 31, 2014.

Mature couple, non smoking, etc. $1200/mo. plus utilities.

Call 250-949-7112.

SUITES, LOWER GREATER PORT Hardy area: Fully private, above ground, 1bdrm suite, newer ocean view home, across the street from beach. High ceilings. Hardwood. Tastefully furnished. No excessive drinking. Satellite TV. Avail Sept. 1st, $495. 250949-9970.

SPORTS & IMPORTS DREAM car. 2001 convertible supercharged Jaguar XKR in excellent condition. 41,000 kms. Asking $12,000. Located in Nanaimo. fkimantas@shaw.ca

TRUCKS & VANS 1995 JIMMY 4X4 $1000 OBO.Good motor. 250-9020449.

TOWNHOUSES

MARINE

PORT HARDY 3 bedrooms for rent. Available immediately.

W/D, new paint. Ref. req. Call 250-902-2226, 250-504-0067.

BOATS

PORT HARDY: Seawind Estates, like new 3 bdrm, W/D, $825. Call (604)418-3626 or email: trojan12@shaw.ca SEAWIND ESTATES town home. 3 bdrms, 1.5 bath. W/D, large yard. Ref. req. Avail Sept 30. $825/mth. Call 250-9497079 before 7pm.

24’ HARBOURCRAFT- loaded, new Garmin GPS, radar, fish finder, shrimp and crab pot puller, 4 stroke 225, 9.9 auxillary engine, 2 Scotty electric down riggers, new dual axle easy load trailer. $55,000.

Call for more details: (360)790-5733.

ALL YOU NEED IN PRINT AND ONLINE www.bcclassified.com

smile...

of the week.

HOUSES FOR SALE Incredible 5 acre treed PARK-LIKE PROPERTY with Well-Maintained Furnished Home 1500 sq.ft, 3-bdrm, 2 bath. Extremely close to Pristine Cowichan Lake, in the town of Caycuse.

Perfect for recreational property or full time living.

Motivated seller $358,800.

Exceptionally low yearly cost. Not leased land.

Call 250-745-3387 smartytwo@hotmail.com PORT McNEILL. 5-BDRM Double-wide with basement, 5 bdrms, 2.5 bathrooms. View, private fenced yard. $159,900.

250-956-4009.

Sadie Berry of Sointula tucks into one of the many candies she collected during the Salmon Days parade.

J.R. Rardon

Thursday, August 29, 2013

www.northislandgazette.com 23

2013 FOCUS SE 4DR

2013 FIESTA SE 4DR

• auto • air • pw/pl • CD • htd seats • power mirrors

• 6spd auto • ambient lighting • Sirius • winter pkg • htd seats • pw MSRP $20,549

MSRP $21,949 YOUR EMPLOYEE PRICING

YOUR EMPLOYEE PRICING

16,407

$

20,948 0%

$

PLUS

FIN FOR 72 MOS

2013 ESCAPE SE FWD

2013 ESCAPE SE AWD

1.6 EcoBoost • auto • pw/pl • cruise • alarm • dual elect temp control MSRP $29,449

• 2.0 EcoBoost • auto • pw/pl • cruise • Sirius • p/seat • elec temp control MSRP $33,199

2013 FUSION SE 4DR

1.6 eco boots • pw/pl • air • CD • sport pkg • spoiler MSRP $28,349

YOUR EMPLOYEE PRICING

26,277 0%

$

PLUS

FIN FOR 48 MOS

2013 EDGE LIMITED • V6 • leather • panoramic roof • navigation • 20” wheels • loaded MSRP $46,099

YOUR EMPLOYEE PRICING

YOUR EMPLOYEE PRICING

YOUR EMPLOYEE PRICING

$

$

$

27,358 0%

29,891 0%

PLUS

FIN FOR 48 MOS

PLUS

FIN FOR 48 MOS

2013 F150 4X4 CREW CAB 2013 F150 4X4 CREW CAB • EcoBoost V6 • XLT pkg • conv grp • all power equip • trailer brk cont MSRP $46,969

• 5.0 V8 • FX-4 pkg • capt chairs • 18” tires • camera • adj pedals MSRP $50,469

41,366 0% PLUS

FIN FOR 48 MOS

2013 F150 4X4 CREW CAB • EcoBoost V6 • Lariat trim • leather • moon roof • loaded MSRP $57,619

YOUR EMPLOYEE PRICING

YOUR EMPLOYEE PRICING

YOUR EMPLOYEE PRICING

$

$

$

34,965

37,475

2013 F250 4X4 CREW CAB 2013 F350 4X4 CREW CAB

• 6.2L V8 • XLT trim • Western edition • tr tow • full power grp • camera & more MSRP $53,264

• 6.7 diesel • Lariat • loaded • leather • tow pkg • Sirius & more

44,124

2013 F350 4X4 CREW CAB • 6.2 V8 • XL trim • air • FX 4 pkg • locking axle • upfitter sw

MSRP $73,159

MSRP $48,199

YOUR EMPLOYEE PRICING

YOUR EMPLOYEE PRICING

YOUR EMPLOYEE PRICING

$

$

$

43,240

59,413

38,890

Prices valid while stock lasts! All sale prices clearly marked!

FORD EMPLOYEE PRICING…YOU PAY WHAT WE PAY! 250-949-6393 DL # 5507

www.davelandonford.com

DAVE LANDON MOTORS

24 www.northislandgazette.com Thursday, August 29, 2013

Black Press is proud to be an official sponsor for the 2013 Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock, with photojournalist Arnold Lim on the 21-member tour team as a media rider.

Follow Arnold’s personal story of training for the Tour and the ride itself at tourderock. ca under the blog posts, or on Twitter at @arnoldlimphoto.

ON TOUR: This year’s Tour de Rock begins in Port Alice on Saturday, Sept. 21 and ends Friday, Oct. 4 in Victoria.

Tour de Rock raises funds and awareness for pediatric cancer research and programs.

HELP OUT: Donations can be made at copsforcancer.ca FIND OUT: To catch up on all the Tour de Rock news, photos and videos, go to:

bclocalnews.com/ tour-de-rock

Gaining strength from those who can’t ride Kyle Slavin News staff

Marc Lavergne spent four years watching his father slowly lose his life, as a nonaggressive form of bladder cancer took away his independence.

“He went from a very strong-willed, physical individual to a person that just had to sit down in his chair and watch life go by. And that was very hard for him,” says Lavergne, ceremonial, protocol and advisory NCO for the Island District RCMP. “I remember watching him watch people cut his grass – that was one of the most painful things. He was still at home, not physically able to get outside. That really set him back.”

Lavergne, a father of three girls, says it’s impossible to fathom just how taxing going through that experience would be for a parent of a child with cancer. Trying to put himself in those parents’ shoes is what’s helping motivate him through every Tour de Rock training ride, every hill and every pedal-stroke he takes.

“I can do this. It’s by no means an easy task, but I am physically able, and I want to do it,” he says.

Ray Carfantan is in a very similar boat. Also a father of three girls, he knows how fortunate he is that all of them are healthy.

“As a father I’m very lucky. I don’t have kids with cancer. So my hope in terms of the ride and trying to make things better for kids is a bit of an insurance policy in the event their kids are diagnosed with something. I want to do my part for cancer research and treatment, so they’re further down the road than they are today,” says Carfantan, staff sergeant in charge of the Island District general investigation section.

Carfantan, like Lavergne, also watched cancer slowly take his father’s life.

“That process was excruciating. Knowing the end was coming and wanting to have conversations that you haven’t had, deeper conversations that you’ve never really attempted to be able to have,” Carfantan says.

“It really hits home when you talk to a parent

RCMP Island District members Jennifer Prunty, left, Ray Carfantan, and Marc Lavergne are all part of this year’s Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock team.

Arnold Lim/News staff

that lost a child to cancer.”

Those parents will never have the chance to watch their child experience life, he says, and it’s that harsh reality that motivates him to ride.

Jennifer Prunty, while not a parent, had her own cancer scare last summer that put the fragility of life into perspective.

A pink mole above her left knee turned out to be a fast-developing melanoma. She treated it aggressively – having it twice removed and requiring a lymph node biopsy – and thankfully doctors were successful in removing it all.

“That was my wake-up call. Cancer can hit any time, when you least expect it,” she says. “It kind of sent us for a Tilt-A-Whirl, and I decided everything is going on hold next year, and I’m doing the Tour de Rock.”

Prunty, an RCMP officer working for the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crimes Unit, says Tour is her way giving back.

“Cancer is still a really scary word. I just can’t imagine how horrible that would be to hear that your small child (who) you have all these

expectations for has cancer,” she says. That perspective makes her want to do as much as she can to raise money for a cure and support programs for these kids and their families.

The three RCMP officers are all members of this year’s 21-person Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock team. The team, made up of police officers, members of the media and special guests, will cycle 1,100 kilometres from Port Alice to Victoria next month raising money for pediatric cancer research and support programs.

“Yeah, it would be a lot easier to make a donation, but there’s a commitment and passion involved in the Tour de Rock. It’s my responsibility as a police officer who can do this to do it,” Prunty says. “I’m healthy; I’m fit; there’s no reason why I can’t. There’s a lot of people who are going through cancer treatments who would like to do this who physically can’t so it’s my responsibility to grab it and do it.” kslavin@saanichnews.com

The North Island Gazette is proud to be a local sponsor of Tour de Rock.

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