December 28, 2014

WINTER 2014/15

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YEARS Over 4.6 million Canadians have joined the Toyota family during our first 50 years in Canada. In turn, we have created thousands of Canadian jobs in sales, finance and manufacturing and world-leading excellence in our Canadian plants. And, we didn’t stop there. With respect for people and the planet, we introduced advanced technologies that improved fuel-efficiency and enhanced passenger safety. As we look to the future, we will build on our history of innovation to bring Canadians the next generation of fun, safe, clean and quality-built vehicles. Here’s to the next 50 years.

1964-65

1967

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Toyota Corolla Introduced

Toyota Celica Introduced

Let’s Go! Toyota grants a distributorship agreement to Canadian Motor Industries, Ltd. (CMI), which later becomes Toyota Canada Inc. Business offices open in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia and Toyota sells 755 cars with many new models being introduced

1979

1983

1983

1984

1985

1988

Toyota Tercel and Supra Introduced

Rice Toyota Opens its doors on April 20th

Toyota Camry Introduced

Toyota 4Runner Introduced

Toyota announces new plant in Cambridge, ON, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc.

1st Corolla rolls off the line at TMMC

1990 1996 Toyota Credit Canada Toyota RAV4 Inc. is established toIntroduced support local needs for financial services

2012

1999

2000

2005

2007

2008

2010

Toyota Tundra Introduced

Toyota Prius Introduced

Toyota Yaris Hatchback Introduced

1,000,000th Toyota Corolla sold in Canada

Rice Toyota Moves up the hill to their beautiful new Crown Isle Location

Toyota Canada sells its 4,000,000th vehicle

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inside

Winter 2014/15 volume 2 issue 2

12 Cover Story Local cake designer produces Simpson's character Ralph Wiggum in a whole new light

16

War Museum

18

Shipwreck Recovery

22

Highway Holiday

24

Shredding Senior

The Alberni Project pays tribute to the men who served on HMCS Alberni

26

Terry Farrell, Editor Comox Valley Record editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com

◗ NoTEWoRTHy

22 M 24

This issue of Trio is a classic example.

Courtenay resident provides a local link to the discovery of HMS Erebus

18

Bikers get their motors running on cross-Canada ride

Mount Washington like a second home 84-year-old ski instructor Al Wedel

26

Coin Creator

Royal Canadian Mint chooses Comox artist to design new series of gold and silver coins.

8

y career in journalism has taken me to a few different communities. While geographically, there have been some extremes – the differences between Grande Prairie, Alberta, and Courtenay are as vast as one would imagine within the boundaries of a country – there is one constant: the people always have great stories to tell.

16

t r io M ag a z ine | W I NTER 2 014/2 015

Kylie Mangles recently earned international attention for turning a character from the most popular prime-time cartoon show ever into a cake. When I first saw the photos of the Ralph Wiggum cake, I thought they were drawings. It wasn't entirely convinced it was an actual cake until I saw the photo of Kylie cutting into it.

Our Postcards Home feature this month is a testament to the vastness of our beautiful country. It took Dave Sawyer and Don Waters nine days to ride from Ontario to Comox.

The importance of the work being

by Lewis Bartholomew, in regards to The Alberni Project, cannot be overstated.

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ack when Comox resident Danny Clair was a teenager, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do as a career; he just knew he wanted to do something adventurous.

“I wanted to be a bush pilot or something wild and crazy,” says the 58-year-old as he explains how his 35year career with BC Ferries began. “It’s not a bush pilot but in some ways it turned out the same because of the way my career worked through Ferries.”

His career with BC Ferries started when he was 18, when a neighbour suggested he work as a deckhand for a summer. Within a couple days he was working on the Comox-to-Powell River run, which he ended up doing for a number of years.

Because that was in the early 1970s, Clair points out rules weren’t nearly as strict as they are now — especially regarding sailing during rough weather, which created some of that adventure Clair had been seeking.

a LIFETImE oF FERRy WoRK for danny clair

“(The Comox Queen) would just ride like a little duck, and it would sail in rougher weather than (the Queen of) Burnaby sails now because of the rules,” Clair recalls, noting the deck of the ferry was open. “So, you wouldn’t let anybody on the car deck because the bow would go into the waves and you’d have a foot and a half of water rushing down the car deck — and if there was anybody on the car deck it would wash them right off the stern.

“We’d be pounding around there and we’d be sick but I can only think like once or twice back then that we didn’t run.”

Clair moved up the ranks quickly, and had his second mate ticket within four years. At 22 years old, he was considered very young to achieve this rank.

After a couple of years working on that route as second mate, Clair decided to take a break from Ferries.

He fished cod for a couple of years, then got his carpenter ticket and worked in construction for some time.

By 1985, he went back to BC Ferries.

After some time spent as second mate

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on the Powell River run, Clair started doing terminal maintenance, putting his carpentry skills to good use. He was based out of Little River but travelled all over Vancouver Island working on docks for about 10 years, until he started to miss working on ships.

In 1996, he started working on the midcoast run, a circle route from Port Hardy up through communities like Bella Bella, Ocean Falls and Klemtu.

“They ran it like a cruise ship,” says Clair. “They fished off of it, they launched kayaks off of it, they did mini golf on the deck... It was a whole different thing, but it was an adventure and I loved it.”

During his career with BC Ferries, Clair also helped out with emergency rescues.

He recalls one particular incident in which a group of four kayakers were stuck behind Egg Island in Queen Charlotte Sound due to rough weather. The situation was dangerous but, because it was an emergency, the ferry responded.

There were 15-foot swells. The ferry’s deck sat about 10 feet above the water, but didn’t move up and down very much due to the boat’s size.

“These kayakers that we’re trying to grab out, they’d be like 12 feet away and the next thing they’re almost getting crushed underneath the car deck,” recalls Clair, adding ferry crew was able to bring all four aboard, but the experience was intense.

Fun was a big part of his job over the years, too. Clair recalls making a giant homemade slingshot when he was working on the Nimpkish around the Bella Bella area. He and his crew used to attack the Queen of Chilliwack with water balloons.

“We could shoot water balloons right over the top of the boat, like we really got good,” says Clair, noting he would stretch a rubber band back the whole length of the car deck to give the balloons enough velocity to hit the Chilliwack.

“They had the fire hoses out, and they were trying to shoot us, but we’d just be far enough away the fire hoses couldn’t get us and we were plastering them.

“So, we would have some fun,” he adds with a chuckle.

Clair worked in various locations in the North Island and moved up as far as first mate during his career. He went back to working in terminal maintenance in 2008 until he retired in 2011.

Though retired, Clair didn’t stay away from the water. He owns and operates Comox Harbour Charters, which offers local tours, estuary eco tours, and other trips up and down Vancouver Island’s coast.

For more information about Comox Harbour Charters, visit www.comoxharbourcharters.com or call 250-339-5326.

by Renee Andor | Special to the Comox Valley Record

Yes

“IT HONESTLY FEELS SURREAL to win first place,” says Mangles, owner of Freshly Squeez’d. “The competition is incredible and I don't know how the judges could ever pick but I am grateful and amazed.”

this really is a cake.

The Comox Valley’s KYLIE MANGLES created the 3D cake of Ralph Wiggum from The Simpsons for the international online Threadcakes competition, and WON THE GRAND PRIZE.

The annual competition is held by the online T-shirt company Threadless, which sells T-shirts using designs submitted by the public. Entrants to the Threadcakes competition choose a T-shirt design from the website and create a cake to match their chosen design. Mangles chose the Cutout Ralph design by Erick Flores, featuring half of Ralph ‘cut out’ to show his insides.

The grand prize for the 3D category includes $500 cash, a $500 gift certificate to Threadless and a couple of other goodies.

The competition judges weren’t the only ones impressed with Mangles’ cake; Cutout Ralph had a whopping 1.5 million views on Imgur and nearly 100,000 on Bored Panda for instance, plus thousands of shares to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

“The response on the internet is surreal,” says Mangles. “The wonderful comments and disbelief that it is actually a cake is beyond anything I could have imagined. I am blown away and so grateful for all the love that Ralph has received.”

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Patience played a key role in the creation of the cake, according to Mangles, as Ralph took about five 18-hour days to construct; much longer than she anticipated.

She baked red velvet cake and layered it with butter cream icing for his body, and used Rice Krispies treats for his head, arm and foot. cake creator, Kylie Mangles Then, using various colours and roomate Amanda Larivier. of fondant (a decorative icing), she made the ‘inside’ half of Ralph, creating Her business, Freshly Squeez’d, is a muscle, internal organs and his brain. His melding of her two skill sets, featuring a bones are made from edible modelling variety of graphic design services as well paste. Black lines added at the end of the as offering cakes and cookies. Mangles process helped accentuate the cake. notes she mostly does cookie orders now She used a couple of supports to hold because she can do those from her home.

Ralph together, but Mangles notes the But she hopes to establish a commercial competition guidelines state as little kitchen, and plans to do more cakes once support as possible should be used. she’s set up.

Once Ralph was finished Mangles had “My dream is to have a little cake her roommate Amanda Larivier make the shop in town and be able to make cakes first cut. and cookies,” says Mangles. “One of my “It’s always good to have somebody else favourite parts is that (the finished cake) make the first cut because it’s kind of hard makes people really happy, and to see after doing that much work,” explains their faces and to have their dreams come Mangles, adding she had no problem to life in cake form is really fun.” eating Ralph, and he tasted great.

Mangles entered the Threadcakes Mangles grew up in the Valley and competition’s 3D category last year too, trained in graphic design before she and her entry Green Thumberjack, (a decided to attend Bonnie Gordon College lumberjack-looking man holding a of Confectionary Arts in Toronto. She garden hoe), won third place. completed the two-month cake design For more information, program in the spring of 2013. visit www.freshlysqueezd.com.

by Renee Andor | Special to the Comox Valley Record

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sland Spirits Distillery’s corporate philosophy is certainly different from most.

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the Hornby Island business sells its Phrog brand gin and vodka in about 50 liquor stores around B.C. and Alberta.

According to Kimmerly, the reason for the distillery’s existence is gin.

Kimmerly, who is a retired icebreaker captain, and his friend Naz Abdurahman, who is a retired professor of organic chemistry, started trying to come up with what Kimmerly calls “the single malt of gin” back in 1995.

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“We wanted to develop a gin that you could enjoy with water,” recalls Kimmerly. “What we were trying to do was get rid of the astringency of the gin, the pucker power. We discovered that as you add more spices ... it gives it a nice clean crisp taste and then you give it a lot of citrus zest too.”

They labeled each recipe with a different image of a monkey so they could discern which ones were which and took them to parties to test out on their friends.

“The monkey line was so successful that our friends said, ‘Come on, you guys have got to get a licence and sell this stuff,’” continues Kimmerly, noting they eventually did get a licence, in 2007, and started producing that year.

The brand name Phrog was chosen for the frogs heard croaking near the distillery, with the pH scale in chemistry represented, too.

The gin recipe contains 13 botanicals besides juniper berries; coriander seeds, licorice root, cinnamon, lemon peel zest, lime peel zest, cardamom seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, fennel seeds, caraway seeds, star anise, angelica root and lemon grass are infused in each bottle.

The distillation process has also been refined over the years, and the distillery acquired a variety of stills. The main still is 13 feet tall and was custom-made in Germany. Another is a differential back pressure still designed to circulate vapours 100 times or more, according to the Island Spirits Distillery website. Another example is a 480mm vacuum still, which is described as the equivalent to transporting the still 3,000 feet above the peak of Mount Everest on the distillery website.

“We’re just into the science of distillation pretty heavy,” explains Kimmerly, noting the distillery receives visits from Vancouver Island University’s chemistry department in the summers due to the science behind the complex processes used to make the spirits.

Although Island Spirits Distillery is known for its gin and vodka, Kimmerly points out he also makes other spirits, including a wide range of brandies.

“I have a big orchard behind the house, about three acres, and it’s totally devoted to booze. I have grapes, apples, pears, plums, and I ferment those to make all the brandies,” says Kimmerly, noting he loads the fruit into the brandy. “You should be able to pour fruit brandy and hold it out at arm’s length and be able to identify what it is, and if you have to bring it right up to your nose, then it doesn’t have enough fruit in it.”

There’s more than 15 products produced now, ranging from well known flavours such as vanilla vodka to lesser known like black jelly bean sichuan pepper vodka. A few other products are wicked orange; raspberry eau de vie; holunderbluten (an elderflower liqueur), aquavit and grappa. However, due to the desire to keep the business from growing too much, Kimmerly notes everything but the gin and vodka is only sold out of the distillery.

The distillery is open Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. during the winter, but is open four days per week in the summer. It is located at 4605 Roburn Rd. on Hornby Island. For more information, visit www.islandspirits.ca or call 250-335-0630.

by Renee Andor | Special to the Comox Valley Record

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or Lewis Bartholomew, a picture is truly worth a thousand words.

During a routine ferry crossing on the Queen of Alberni from Seattle to Vancouver Island in 2000, Bartholomew noticed a painting on one of the decks of the ferry — an Esquimalt-built vessel that was attacked and sunk during the Battle of the Atlantic.

After reading the brief inscription below the painting, Bartholomew, an American citizen at the time, was compelled by what he saw — a tiny warship named the HMCS Alberni and a young crew taking great risks for their country.

The painting served as a catalyst in Bartholomew’s life. Shortly thereafter, he quit his job in grocery management, moved to Courtenay, applied for Canadian citizenship and created the Alberni Project, an educational collection of stories, letters, photos and memorabilia dedicated to the men of the HMCS Alberni.

The project grew and transformed into a museum situated at the south end of the Comox Centre Mall and a travelling The Alberni Project display.

Bartholomew said the collection can display a variety of aspects related to the tiny warship and the young crew, along with displays about the Second World War, the Battle of the Atlantic and more.

"There is now a permanent memorial wall, local collections of war memorabilia, the TAP theatre and a gift shop area," explained Bartholomew, who opened up the display Sept.1, 2013.

“I feel very strongly Canadian history needs to be preserved,” he noted. “It was

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Home Alone? one little ship in a very big war. There is such enjoyment that I feel when someone writes to me and says, ‘That’s me in that picture.’ To hear that and to share their stories ... I know these men aren’t forgotten.”

Although it does share the same name, TAP does not have a direct affiliation with Port Alberni, and it does not rely upon any funding or affiiation from legions or government agencies.

Inside the museum, now called the HMCS Alberni Museum, Bartholomew is constantly changing and rotating displays, and noted people who have visited the museum come back to find new items and stories.

"If you think you've seen The Alberni Project, you haven't seen it lately," he added.

One initiative Bartholomew recently undertook was selling poppy-filled 'I Will Remember' lawn signs for display for Remembrance Day and beyond.

The signs come in two sizes: 27" x 18" which are $30, and 18" x 12", which are $20. Each sign comes with a separate plastic mounting leg, and are weather resistant.

Ten per cent of the proceeds are donated to support the local 189 Port Augusta Sea Cadet program.

"People have a different sense of what's important. The 'I Will Remember' theme runs throughout the museum. It serves as a reminder as to why people need to remember all year around."

So far, Bartholomew has donated around $140 toward the local sea cadet program.

Anyone with artifacts, heirlooms or photographs can bring them to Bartholomew at the museum near the blue arch entrance Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. He can also accommodate groups of 10 or more for special occasions or tours when arranged in advance.

Items can either be loaned to the museum for an agreed time or donated permanently to the museum's collection.

Bartholomew is also seeking volunteers who want to donate their time to help with inventory, building displays and fundraising. No war knowledge is necessary, but he encourages anyone with an interest in Canadian history to contact him at the museum.

For more information on the Alberni Project Society, visit www.alberniproject.org or call 250-339-4322.

by Erin Haluschak | Comox Valley Record Staff photos@comoxvalleyrecord.com

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Hms ERubus: The Valley connection

T

he Comox Valley has a connection to the discovery of a lost ship from Sir John Franklin's Arctic expedition — the 19th century voyage that continues to bae the public and experts alike.

In recent years leading up to the Sept. 7 discovery of the wreckage, Courtenay resident Terry Mills had made several trips to Cambridge Bay in Nunavut.

The retired engineer was tending to electrical duties on a converted sea trawler commissioned by the Arctic Research Foundation to search for the two Franklin ships, the Erebus and the Terror.

It has been determined that the discovered shipwreck was that of the HMS Erebus, which Franklin had occupied.

Underwater archeologists with Parks Canada identified the vessel following several dives in mid-September.

Before being hired by the foundation, Mills and his

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18

t r io M ag a zine | W I NTER 2 014/2 015

COUNTERTOP REPLACEMENT

Made Easy!

Terry Mills is held by the crew of the Martin Bergmann in the summer of 2012.

At left is Mills' stepson and crew member Matt Debicki.

stepson Matt Debicki had been renovating the trawler in Newfoundland, from where they took the boat to Greenland for research following the migration of the narwal. The foundation needed a boat to search for the Franklin ships, so they hired Mills and Debicki to convert the trawler into an ocean research ship.

The late Arctic researcher Martin Bergmann — killed in a 2011 plane crash in Resolute Bay — had been instrumental in piquing the foundation's interest in the project.

"So they named the boat after him," Mills said.

The 19-metre trawler was rigged with a winch to tow sonar devices that could scan the bottom of the Arctic Ocean.

"It was a very specific side-scanning device that could take a large swath, down and up the Arctic floor," Mills said.

"Whether they found it with the sidescanning sonar, I think that's probably what they were using. And then they went down with the remote control device."

The wreckage was found using a remotely-operated underwater vehicle.

The Bergmann had run aground shortly before the Erebus was found. Mills thinks another support vessel found the ship.

He is pleased to have played a part in the discovery which, according to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has solved one of Canada's greatest mysteries.

"A little piece of Canadian history," Mills said. "Just a mystery. Hopefully we will find out shortly maybe more what happened on the expedition.

Photos sUBMitted

"Somebody's linking it to the greatest archeological find since Tutankhamun," he added. "There were 129 who men died on the Sir Franklin expedition, and they don't know what happened to most of them."

Franklin's crew became locked in ice during the doomed search for the Northwest Passage in 1845. Many failed searches attempted to find the lost ships.

"Most of that ocean floor is unknown," Mills said. "That's the beauty of this boat, was that a fishing trawler can go in the shallower depths than the ice breakers can."

by Scott Stanfield Comox Valley Record Staff reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com

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every year there are numerous surveys conducted in order to keep the fingers of retail on the pulse of consumer purchasing whims. everything from fashion to technology to what is prepared for dinner on any given night of the week. not to be left out…there are even studies on new trends in gardening.

SO…WHAT TRENDS HAVE BEEN REVEALED FOR 2015?

NEW CusTomER basE.

T

he Millenial generation, or Gen Y as it is often called, is now out-stripping the Baby Boomers in the spending department.

Indeed, their numbers are growing.

As of 2011, there was an estimated 1.7 billion Millenials worldwide.

From necessity, retail attention is now leaning to the wants of the Millenials and they desire instant gratification. Look for a fresh influx of excitingly hot annuals coming out next spring. However, Millenials also want plants with a purpose. Vegetables and small berry plants will be strongly featured on nursery shelves as well.

ecology conscioUs. The health of our planet is still a strong trend from all buyers. Good thing! Organic choices over chemical is gaining more ground…as is permaculture, companion planting and soil stewardship. Edible landscaping is also at the top of the list and xeriscaping with native plants for those water-conscious gardeners.

groWing Food.

Increasing awareness is blossoming about the dubious security of our food supply.

More gardeners are growing at least some of their own food…either in a traditional vegetable garden or in containers on their balcony. Growing vegetables in containers is becoming easier with the advent of smallersized vegetable plants being bred nowadays.

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IFUL BEAUT ING CLOTH re Knit a • Pu Buddh ame Neon e Mad Grand dy o B le c Mira les• ty S e iz •Plus S

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reBel-hoods.

Still focussing on the Millenial generation, more neighbourhoods are rebelling against city ordinances and campaigning for change. The push is to transform urban areas into agri-hoods where growing food on city boulevards and keeping a few chickens and a beehive is acceptable practice.

PortaBility.

Container gardening still ranks high on the list. Many gardeners enjoy enlivening the front porch or corner nook with a colourful planter…whether it is spilling with this year’s hot new annuals or a combination of tried and true plant species. Prudence is also having a planter or two of foliage on hand to slip into the landscape after the bulbs have finished their display. New on the scene is the need for the Millenials to take their mini-gardens with them. Their lack of homeownership and flexible lifestyle dictates mobility in higher percentages than from the two previous generations.

garden-tainMent.

This is perhaps more focussed towards the declining Baby Boomer population and Generation X who are more likely to hold property with a yard

for entertaining. Being outdoors during most of our free time in today’s hectic schedules still resonates quite highly with us. We want our homes to spill out into garden rooms where we can share enjoyable, tranquil occasions with family and friends.

coloUr. This item always factors in many trending lists…thanks to the fashion industry. Apparently pink, in all its varying shades, will be hot for the garden in 2015. Pastel colours too. However… another survey states “vintage to muted rustic to teal” are all acceptable in showcasing your personality outdoors.

And there lies the clincher. Your garden is a reflection of your unique personality.

No matter what surveys or gardening gurus may claim will be trending for next year…fill your New Year’s Wish List with all the horticultural delights which tickle your fancy. There will be many wonderful treasures displayed in the nurseries next year to suit every whim. The hunt is on!

Leslie Cox co-owns Growing Concern Cottage Garden in Black Creek.

Her website is at www.duchessofdirt.ca and her column appears every second Thursday in the Record.

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T

ime and budget permitting, most bikers would jump at the opportunity of a cross-Canada motorcycle trek. Comox resident Dave Sawyer had added incentive:

a new bike!

“My friend, Don Waters, lives in Ontario. I moved out here about eight years ago but we still keep in touch. He comes out regularly to visit me, so consequently, he bought a motorcycle for me, so that he could use it when he comes out.

“So I flew out, met him in Ontario, and then we rode back here together.”

Waters rode his own Harley Davidson on the trip from Ontario to Comox, then made the return trip to Ontario by himself.

The adventure began the second weekend in August.

The gents took a total of nine days to make the trip, getting sidetracked by the beauty of British Columbia.

“It took us three days to get across Ontario, but then we started making better time,” said Sawyer. “It was very wet and cold as we rode through Ontario. We used the Trans Canada Highway, which follows right long Lake Superior, then through southern Manitoba, through the outskirts of Winnipeg.

We stayed in Brandon, then Medicine Hat and then we took the bottom pass, through Nelson.”

That’s when the detour happened.

“It was so nice and beautiful, we took a right, and went up to Golden and back down the other way, through the Glacier National Park, then passed through the lake area and across the Coquihalla.”

It’s a trip that never gets old for Sawyer, who has completed the 7,000-kilometre journey a few times.

“Oh, many times,” he said. “I think

the first time I rode to the Island on a motorbike was in 1972. I loved it. That’s one of the reasons I decided to spend the last half of my life here.”

And now that he has two bikes at home, his friend Don can fly out here and then start the holiday.

“We’ve covered pretty much the whole Island top to bottom but there are a lot of other parts of B.C. that I would really like to discover. I’m looking forward to doing that with Don.”

by Terry Farrell | Editor | Comox Valley Record | editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com 22

t r io M ag a zine | W I NTER 2 014/2 015

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f you’ve ever doubted that the hills are alive with the sound of music, you’ve undoubtedly never met Al Wedel.

The 84-year-young Comox resident is patiently waiting for the snow to start falling so he can begin his 27th season of full-time alpine ski instructing at Mount Washington Alpine Resort.

When the resort is open, Wedel is on the hill five days a week. On Sundays he directs the Comox Valley Presbyterian Church choir, and he notes the two activities have much in common.

“Skiing is a very musical sport,” said Wedel. “You get a rhythm going” when you’re carving through the snow. “You can sing while you’re skiing. (It’s why) so many people yodel when they’re skiing.”

The quiet-spoken Wedel first took to the slopes when he and his three boys went to Forbidden Plateau (before Mount Washington opened in 1979) two or three Saturdays a month.

“We bought second-hand stuff and didn’t take lessons. If they fell, they got up,” Wedel said.

“I didn’t really learn anything about skiing until I retired from teaching in 1988 when I was 58 years old. I’ve been learning ever since.”

His teaching career began in 1955 and included Courtenay High School and G.P. Vanier Secondary School. It was a former Courtenay High student that convinced him to become a ski instructor.

Peter Gibson, president of Mount Washington Alpine Resort, was director of skiing when Wedel retired.

The two, who had become good friends over the years, met in a bank one day and Gibson asked Wedel what he was going to do now that he was retiring.

“We started talking about skiing and he asked if I’d ever been interested in teaching skiing. I told him I’ve never had formal training so I don’t know about teaching skiing,” Wedel remembers. “He said, ‘I don’t need hot-shot racers. What I need is people who know how to teach.’

“He gave me the Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance books and … when the snow began to fall in December he and I went up the mountain and he showed me what the books were talking about.”

Gibson mentored Wedel in December, then in January, Graham Trimmer took Wedel under his wing.

“Then I started to teach, and I’ve been teaching ever since.”

Wedel has nothing but praise for Gibson.

“Of all that I’ve learned, I’ve learned the most from Peter. He got certified in Canada and the United States, and always introduced the best Canadian methods as well as the best American methods. He was a very positive teacher.”

Along with the healthy lifestyle and happy faces he sees on the

was up there he pushed some snow against the building, took the ’cat up the ramp on to the roof and pushed all the snow off. We came the next morning and said, ‘What the heck happened to all the snow? It’s a miracle!’”

Another highlight was the introduction of parabolic skis to the mountain in the late 1990s. The shorter skis “introduced us to a whole new way of carving. It just revolutionized skiing, made it much easier for people.”

The energetic Wedel also enjoys hiking and walking and would like to find more time to do cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. He eats well and has his own exercise regimen which builds strength and flexibility and keeps his core muscles strong.

And there’s no retirement party planned for him any time soon at Mount Washington.

“Why should I retire when I’m having fun? As soon as it stops being fun, I’ll quit. Right now I feel strong enough, and everybody’s really good to me up there.”

EVERY DAY A BEAUTIFUL DAY

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by Earle Couper Comox Valley Record Staff sports@comoxvalleyrecord.com

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mountain, Wedel says one of the appeals of being a ski instructor is the challenges it brings. He teaches all ages and levels of skiers, and every day brings something new.

“If you’re playing basketball everything stays the same: the markings on the floor never change, the hoop is always the same size and height.

“But in the snow, every day is different.

You get different conditions all the time.

New challenges…that’s beautiful…I like that.”

The weather also contributes to his enjoyment, as the fresh air and invariably sunny skies on the mountain put people in a good mood. And when it’s snowing and the wind is blowing, it’s just another challenge – all part of the job.

His 26 years on the mountain have produced memorable moments. One of those came in a big snow year in the mid1990s.

“We had over 900cm of snow. The Bradley Building had a flat roof and the wind didn’t blow any snow off. It kept building up and building up.

“Rick Kirsten was in charge of the snowcats. One night when nobody

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84-year-young Comox resident begins his 27th season of full-time alpine ski instructing.

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series of coins bearing designs created by Comox Valley artist Andy Everson are proving popular with the public.

The series consists of three gold and three silver coins that illustrate connections with nature. Beginning in September, the Royal Canadian Mint released one coin a month.

The first was a pure gold coin bearing the image of a beaver that incorporates the four seasons, framed in a wreath of six maple leaves. It is dedicated to the theme of land. The coin has a $200 denomination but is worth about $1,300.

The second coin, released in October, bears a thunderbird, representing air. The third — which came out in November — shows a whale, symbolic of the sea and stylized in the tradition of Everson's ancestors. The orca image is framed by a circle representing the rim of the moon.

Surrounding the inner circle is a depiction of gently moving water.

The silver coins have a holographic finish.

"They're gorgeous," said Comox resident Cristine Tames, owner of three silver coins.

Tames attended a recent event hosted by Canada Post Comox, where Everson was

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A series of coins bearing designs created by ComoX VaLLEy aRTIsT

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Comox resident Cristine Tames, owner of three silver coins PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT STANFIELD

on hand to sign certificates of those who have purchased one of the coins.

Comox resident Kelly Briggs noticed the first thunderbird and orca coins at the Ryan Road post office in Courtenay, but it did not have the beaver coin. He found the latter in silver at the Comox office, from where he also purchased the gold orca and thunderbird. However, Comox Post had run out of the beaver in gold, but an employee discovered there was one left at the Royal Canadian Mint, which Briggs ordered.

"I got the very last one left that was available," he said. "The ironic thing is that it came back to Comox, where it originated from.

"I look at these as more of a work of art than a precious metal," he added. "I've never seen a coin as beautiful as these. They're exceptional."

Briggs — a converted coin collector — is looking forward to purchasing

more of Everson's work.

"I think it's a great collection. I have no intention of parting with it, though. This will be something that will be passed down to generations."

The modest Everson appreciates the number of local people who have offered their congratulations.

"Even people that I haven't seen in a while on the streets," he said. "People come up and congratulate me for giving this coin design. It's been a pretty great experience."

Along with being an artist, Everson is a K'ómoks First Nation drummer and ceremonial dancer. It was through dance that he began to explore art, first by drawing Northwest Coast art at a young age. In 1990, Everson designed and painted chilkatstyle blankets for use in potlatch dancing. He has since created numerous pieces that appear in galleries around North America.

Everson has been a professional artist for about a dozen years. He primarily creates two-dimensional work, mainly limited edition prints, available at the I-Hos Gallery on Comox (Dyke) Road.

The coins are available through the Royal Canadian Mint or at post offices.

For more information, visit mint.ca. Click on Shop, then Themes/First Nations or Highlights/New Releases.

by Scott Stanfield | Comox Valley Record Staff reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com

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27

T

YEARS

his coming year will be filled with community events celebrating the City of Courtenay’s heritage as the city marks its 100th birthday.

“The whole (celebration) is about building community, and celebrating pride and history and Courtenay’s heritage and culture,” says Courtenay Centennial Celebration Committee representative Randy Wiwchar.

The first event is the Night of Nostalgia on New Year’s Eve at the Florence Filberg Centre, which will include live music, dancing and more.

New Year’s Day, the official birthday of the City of Courtenay, will see the launch of the celebratory events.

Again held at the Filberg, the formal ceremonies will run from noon to 1:30 p.m.

“There’s going to be some entertainment, there’s going to be some birthday cake and refreshments and it’s open to the public,” says Wiwchar, noting this event is free. “We welcome anyone to come down for a piece of cake and see the launch.”

Wiwchar adds the community will start to ‘see’ the celebrations during the first bit of January as historical banners highlighting the city’s heritage will go up around downtown.

“The whole theme will be really evident downtown where you see all the heritage panels and heritage banners, and heritage flags flying at City Hall,” he continues, adding banners will also be located in various city facilities.

A large part of the celebrations, according to Wiwchar, is honouring volunteers in the community who have helped make Courtenay the place it is today. These volunteers will be recognized as Citizens of the Century.

Businesses, groups and citizens are encouraged to nominate people they feel have made an outstanding contribution to the City of Courtenay. Categories for service range widely, a few of which are arts, churches, culture, service clubs, health and environment.

“This is a really key component to celebrate Courtenay’s hundredth and just to celebrate all of the volunteers and the good people that made Courtenay a special place,” says Wiwchar.

Nomination instructions can be found at www. courtenay.ca and the deadline for nominations is March 31.

Photo By renee andor

THE CITy maRKs ITs 100TH bIRTHday Citizens of the Century will be honoured during Homecoming Week, (June 26 to July 5).

Homecoming Week will be the major celebration of the year, according to Wiwchar. The 10 days of events will kick off with the Community Tailgate Party June 26-27 at the Comox Valley Sports Centre. B.C. Lions alumni are expected to attend and host football clinics, plus barbecues, cook-offs, minor sports activities, live music and a kids’ zone are some of the other activities planned.

Canada Day parade activities will happen July 1 in downtown Courtenay.

Meanwhile, for the first time ever, as far as the committee knows, Courtenay will hold a huge fireworks display. This event will be held July 4 at Courtenay Airpark, and will include vocal performances leading up to the fireworks and a performance by the Strathcona Symphony Orchestra will accompany the fireworks display.

The final event of Homecoming Week will be neighbourhood block parties — six of them throughout the city — and they will each include music, food and drinks.

Military Day on Aug. 8 at Lewis and Simms Millennium parks will honour the men and women in service, past and present.

“We’re going to have members of 19 Wing, the Canadian Scottish Regiment,

HMCS Quadra and the RCMP,” says Wiwchar, adding this event will include a mini parade and outdoor band concerts, among other things.

Details for a finale event are not yet planned, but it will likely happen in November.

As well, Wiwchar notes numerous partnering community groups — like the Comox Valley Community Justice Centre, the Comox Valley Art Gallery, Sid Williams Theatre Society and Courtenay Heritage Committee — plan to hold their own events to celebrate Courtenay’s 100th birthday.

The Centennial Celebration Committee is seeking event sponsors. For sponsorship information and other information about the Courtenay centennial celebrations, including how to volunteer, visit www. courtenay.ca, call 250-334-4441 or email 100years@courtenay.ca.

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Downtown Comox is a wonderful destination with a wide range of services, unique shops and enticing restaurants, cafes and pubs for all to enjoy.

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We offer extensive pharmacy and Home Healthcare services and also carry a wide variety of clothing and fashion accessories.

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See our ad on page 29. is the retirement residence of choice located in the heart of downtown Comox. Offering Independent Supported Living, our hospitality services are designed to offer all the privacy and independence you desire.

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More than just plants, Art Knapp carries everything from home décor, furniture, clothing and jewelry for all your shopping needs.

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Family owned since 1983, Courtenay Toyota is the Comox Valley’s oldest single franchise dealership.

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We specialize in the manufacture and installation of kitchen, vanity countertops, tub surroundings, shower walls, desktops, work surfaces and reception areas, ... we do it all.

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SHEET METAL & HEATING LTD.

Comox Valley suggestions for upcoming editions. Email us at: publisher@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Courtenay’s guys who know cars are also supporters of local arts, sports teams & clubs, and all 3 dry grads.

See our ad on page 23.

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Heating & A/C systems, HRV systems, custom sheet metal, woodstove & chimney installations, gas fireplaces, & water heaters. 250-334-3621 www.bennettsheetmetal.com See our ads on page 9 & 27.

TRIO MAGAZINE welcomes your

Budget Brake & Muffler Auto Centre

Courtenay & Comox is an award-winning leader in the Canadian grocery industry.

See our ad on page 2.

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“SPECIALISTS SERVING VANCOUVER ISLAND” Heat Pumps, Furnaces, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration 250-871-6332 www.westisle.ca See our ad on page 14 .

See our ad on page 10.

Quality Foods

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Westisle Heating & Cooling

We are committed to understanding your investment goals, your risk tolerance and providing you with successful financial and estate planning solutions.

See our ad on page 18.

Celebrating 22 years in business, Level 10 Eurospa has always promised to provide service above the expected. At this full service salon and spa it is all about the client and ensuring ‘A Beautiful Experience’.

is the Comox Valley’s foremost dermatology and cosmetic laser clinic, offering a comprehensive range of treatments for skin and body rejuvenation.

See our ad on page 25.

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Odlum Brown

SO, DO TELL!

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Tanja Kerr (Hespe) Photographer

I am “Inspired by Nature” in so many ways.

W

e are fortunate to be surrounded by so much beauty here in the Comox Valley and its surrounding areas. The simplest gifts seen within nature can bring such great pleasures… be it a stunning sunrise, scattered dew drops on a leaf, the curl of a wave, a bird, landscapes,

seascapes or a mirrored reflection in a river bed.

I consider myself an amateur photographer who loves to capture what brings a smile to my face or what takes my breath away. My latest camera is a simple ‘point and shoot’ Fuji Finepix S1 16 mega pixel with 50X

zoom. I carry it with me on my walks, in my car, on my motorcycle and on my most enjoyed kayak rides.

Moments captured are treasures enjoyed and in turn fulfilled when shared. My inspiration for photography is right outside our door… within our nature…within our reach.

WINTER 2014/2015 | Tr i o magaz in e

31

6TH

ANNUAL

Winter

JAM

FEB 18 - MAR 15 2015

1 - 31

2015

100

JAN

Our 2nd annual international roots music celebration in the Comox Valley.

Held in multiple venues throughout the Valley, come join us for the best in blues, jazz, country, folk, rock and roll and beyond!

THURSDAY JANUARY 29TH, 7:00-9:30pm at the Blackfin Pub:

Wine tasting fundraiser

with the proceeds befitting the North Island College Culinary Arts & Tourism.

Tickets available soon, $40 + GST.

SHOP & DINE in Comox!

Unique boutique shops, delightful dining possibilities, beautiful parks, a gorgeous golf course, a picturesque waterfront and so much more create an experience unparalleled.

The welcoming seaside town of Comox is your perfect year-round Vancouver Island destination.

Everything is within walking distance. Pick up a copy of our walking tour brochure and find your self-guided route for shopping, dining, our working harbour with catch of the day, as well as our scenic waterfront.

www.comoxbythesea.com www.facebook.com/comoxbythesea @comoxbythesea