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| Thursday, May 1, 2014
Camping for Canada! PAGE 12
Page 3: Winning the Water War
Life through a new lens
Picture Perfect
By KRISTYL CLARK Aldergrove Star
PATTI TUBBS PHOTO The winning photo of jockey Frank Fuentes was taken by Patti Tubbs at Hastings Racecourse. The image of the mud-covered jockey, taken shortly after he’d won a race, earned the amateur photographer the 2013 Jockey Club of Canada Sovereign Award in the photography media category. Tubbs received the award on April 11 in Toronto.
Her story is one of tragedy, personal health issues and broken dreams. It is also one of unimaginable courage and perseverance. While Patti Tubbs may no longer be able to saddle up and ride like she used to, the 48-year-old single mother surviving on a $900 disability pension, recently rode off into the sunset with a pretty nice award. The Abbotsford resident, who makes ends meet by delivering pizza and occasionally selling one of her racing-related photos at Hastings Racecourse, was honoured with the 2013 Jockey Club of Canada Sovereign Award in the photography media category presented in Toronto on April 11. Her winning entry — a candid shot of muddy-faced veteran jockey, Frank Fuentes, heading back to the winner’s circle after a victory at Hastings Racecourse — captures a frozen moment of victory. It’s a feeling Patti, herself, is still digesting. “I was absolutely shocked when I heard my name announced,” said Patti, who has been entering that particular awards category for the past three years and has been following Fuentes around for the past year to get her ‘perfect’ shot. “I did think the photo was one of my best ones, but winning was something I never expected. I still can’t really believe it.” The man in front of the lens is a big fan of the winning portrait, she adds. “Frank loved it — that pic just says I love my job, even in the mud. He has been a really good sport about letting me follow him around.”
Despite being born without a hip socket, Patti managed to work as a youngster in the barns at Hastings Racecourse for her mother Maureen, a respected trainer in a small stable. Patti’s father Gerry and brother Chris were outriders. It was 1999 when things turned upside down in the Tubbs’ family. Maureen was driving her minivan to work from their farm in Aldergrove when a speeding car ran a red light at Cassiar and Hastings Street, just minutes away from the racetrack. Maureen died at the scene. “It was a really tough time,” recalled Patti of the accident that turned her entire world upside down. “I was struggling both emotionally and physically. I had 37 surgeries, 34 of them on my legs. I simply couldn’t continue doing physical work at the racetrack anymore but there was no way I was going to give up the life I loved, being around horses and the people in the industry.” Rather than abandon the race track, which has been a second home for Patti for most of her life, she discovered a whole new appreciation for the horses and the people in the industry behind the lens of her daughter’s unused camera. “I bought a camera for my daughter (Amanda)— she wanted to take photography at school,” she said. “It didn’t pan out, so I picked it up and started snapping shots during morning workouts and eventually trainers, owners, jockeys, grooms and hot walkers began supporting me by purchasing them.” SEE: Page 5
Township taking delivery of new, stronger mailboxes By MONIQUE TAMMINGA Black Press
The squeaky wheel gets the grease – or in Langley’s case, new mailboxes. Township Councillor Steve Ferguson raised the issue of community mailbox thefts very publicly, going after Canada Post after his Brookswood neighbourhood box was compromised no fewer than 10 times. In the last case, Canada Post had his mail redirected to the post office in Langley City,
while they repaired his mailbox. He was outraged that the office was only open until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, leaving working people with no ability to pick up mail. “I’ve been working with Canada Post ever since,” said Ferguson. Now new, more secure community mailboxes are popping up all over Langley. “My understanding is that they will be putting in the new community mailboxes
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throughout the entire region,” he said. Ferguson likes what he sees with the new metal boxes. “They are constructed using stronger metal. The hinges are properly mounted and of higher quality and the locks are significantly heavier.” New concrete footings have been poured at some locations as well. Ferguson said police like the new ones, too. “I have contacted the RCMP and they have
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stated that on the new community mailboxes there have been next to zero break-in.” “Let’s hope for the best,” said Ferguson. “People care about their mail security.” In the meantime, Langley RCMP just put out a warning for Aldergrove residents where community mailboxes have been targeted by thieves. Mail theft is a significant problem in Langley and many other communities, where thieves look to steal identity.
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