Lake Cowichan Gazette, September 30, 2015

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

VOL. 19, NO. 38 | $1 + GST

Sign of the times: Entrance sign is showing signs of rotting.

PAGE 2

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www.lakecowichangazette.com

Passing the torch: Kaatza museum is getting a new curator.

PAGE 3

Election 2015: A candidate steps up while another steps down.

PAGE 11

Big crowd at LakeTown meeting Dennis Skalicky GAZETTE

It was a packed house at the Youbou Community Hall on Monday September 28 during the public meeting regarding the proposed LakeTown Ranch music concert/ camping/outdoor recreation site.

The owners have submitted an application to amend both the Youbou/ Meade Creek Ofcial Community Plan and the Area I - Youbou/ Meade Creek Zoning Bylaw. The purpose of the requested bylaw amendments is to permit an outdoor concert and events venue along with a camping facility.

At the meeting Cowichan Valley Regional District staff explained the process related to the application and the applicant along with his consultants made presentations concerning the proposal.

During the question and answer period many residents took to the microphone to ask Sunfest owner Greg Adams about everything from noise issues, security, e parking and extra v

trafc concerns.

While there were people for and against the proposal, the people behind the proposal appeared to outnumber those against. But, even the people behind the proposal had concerns.

Local resident Les Bowd stated while he was a proponent of the proposal, he recognizes that it would have a great impact on the area and wants to be certain that all concerns would be properly heard and listened to.

Jack Peake had concerns about noise from the event as well as whether the venue could be leased out to hold other concerts that might bring a different crowd. Greg Adams assured him that would not happen.

Mike Bishop is a Youbou resident who says he is behind the project, but is not naive enough to think it won’t have problems. Getting it started shouldn’t be one of those problems, he says.

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Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock made a stop at Lake Cowichan School and Palsson School on Tuesday morning. Vancouver Island police and support team make the annual ride from Port Alice to Victoria to raise money for kids for cancer, including funding for Camp Goodtimes.

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Right, Kim Walters grade 2 teacher and grandmother of a cancer survivor grandson presentse a $500 cheque to Cops for Cancer from Palsson School Tuesday morning.

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Wednesday,September September30, 30,2015 2015 | | THE THELAKE LAKECOWICHAN COWICHANGAZETTE GAZETTE | | www.lakecowichangazette.com www.lakecowichangazette.com 22 Wednesday,

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Entrance sign ‘not in good shape’ Lexi Bainas CITIZEN

Cowichan Lake’s iconic Two Bears entrance sign is nearing the end of its useful life, Lake Cowichan town councillors heard last week.

Nagi Rizk, the town’s superintendent of public works and engineering told the nance and administration committee on Sept. 8, “I just want to bring to your attention that it is not in good shape. The wood is falling apart.

There is rot in the logs there.

“We have no wood left to screw the bears into. It looks good when you drive by but we maybe need to have a discussion about what you would like us to do,” he said.

Lake Cowichan CAO Joe Fernandez agreed with Rizk.

“The topic came up at the advisory planning committee and that group might not be a bad place

The welcome sign at Lake Cowichan is rotting, says town public works.

to have people look at design ideas. The entrance to town is something we should really be looking at,” he said.

At the same time, the town should possibly consider what to do with a triangular median in the nearby intersection.

“The town is also looking at the idea of beautifying it but the issue is that there is no water supply

World Teachers’ Day October 5, 2015

On behalf of the Board of Education, School District No. 79 (Cowichan Valley), I extend a sincere “Thank you Teachers” for the excellent work you do every day in your classrooms to educate our students.

Thank you for your professionalism and for the inspiration you offer to the students in the schools of our district.

Candace Spilsbury, Chair, Board of Education School District No. 79 (Cowichan Valley)

Trustees:

Elizabeth Croft

Cathy Schmidt Barb de Groot

Candace Spilsbury Randy Doman

Joe Thorne Rob Hutchins

to the median. When you drive down that road into town it just doesn’t look good,” Fernandez said, adding that even miniature palm trees had been discussed.

Rizk pointed out that getting water across a highway posed some problems.

“I think it will be good to have a design for the sign and for the median. We have water up to the bear

sign but no farther. It is do-able to trench across to the median,” he said.

Coun. Bob Day asked, if “considering how much trafc there might be at that intersection from time to time” that the transportation ministry might want to do a trafc study to see what alterations they might like to do.

He was referring to an application to move

Lexi Bainas photo

the Sunfest country music festival from North Cowichan to a spot along the Youbou highway about two kilometres west of the intersection under discussion.

Rizk said there was always the possibility as well that the former sawmill site at Youbou might be developed.

Councillors will consider ideas for the sign at their next public works meeting.

Sunfest plan queried

from page 1 the event to their area, he thinks it is important to keep the event in the Cowichan Valley. Many were concerned that the proposal was too big and moving too fast, but Adams noted that the proposal has been a long time in the works and it was moving fast because of the work that had been done prior to the proposal being at this stage.

Many seemed to agree that the benets outwiegh the problems with the proposal.

One Youbou resident who was against the proposal for a number of reasons summed up her feelings as she quoted singer Joni Mitchell, “You don’t know what you’ve got till its gone.”

Many took home the comment sheet to ll out and send to the CVRD. For anyone wanting information on the proposal it can be found on the CVRD website cvrd.bc.ca

Malcolm Chalmers photo

Above, Greg Adams of Sunfest assures the crowd his proposal to move Sunfest is not moving too fast. Below, residents lined up for a chance to ask questions and offer their opinion on the proposal.

www.lakecowichangazette.com | | THE THELAKE LAKECOWICHAN COWICHANGAZETTE GAZETTE | | Wednesday, Wednesday,September September30, 30,2015 2015 33 www.lakecowichangazette.com

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Teresa Bird photo

Megan Dalskog, left, will soon take over the reigns from her mentor Barb Simkins as curator of the Kaatza Station Museum.

Simkins

Changing of the curator History being passed on to next generation Teresa Bird BLACK PRESS

When Barb Simkins considered retiring as curator of the Kaatza Museum, she knew she would be leaving it in good hands. Intern Megan Dalskog, who has worked and trained with Simkins as a student and volunteer for three years, will take the reigns in November and carry on the work of her mentor.

Simkins started at the museum in 1984, just a year after the museum opened.

In 1988 she took advantage of a federal project and was trained as a curator.

In 30 years Simkins has created a lot of exhibits and displays, organized a lot of artifacts, but she has her favourites.

The Pioneer Life display was one of her rst and continues to be a favourite both with Simkins and visitors to the museum.

“It was done on pennies and excellent volunteer help,” says Simkins.

It took one and half

year to two years planning it and doing it. It was by far the most fun and we won an award for it and recognition from the B.C. Museum Association.”

Simkins says while that display was fun, the one she is most proud of is the IWA display.

“No one had ever done one about the injuries and deaths in the forest industry,” says Simkins. “We built it about ve years ago and it was only going to be up for a couple of years but it’s still up and it still touches people. I have lots of satisfaction from that.”

It’s clear Simkins has enjoyed her job.

“Lots of the exhibits were just fun, like the kitchen exhibit and the cabinet of curiosities,” says Simkins. She is partial to an antique wheelchair that is more than 100 years old and to the old typewriter that visitors are welcome to try out. “There are just so many favourites,” laughs Simkins.

For Meghan Dalskog, following in Simkins

footsteps is natural.

While studying history, photography and anthropology at Vancouver Island University and the University of Victoria, Dalskog got hands-on

Taft Hartley resulted in a lifetime ban on his entering the United States.

She was hooked.

“I have new ideas for fundraising and ideas for various programs

“No one had ever done one [an exhibit] about the injuries and deaths in the forest industry ... it was only going to be up for a couple of years but it’s still up and it still touches people. I have lots of satisfaction from that.” ~Barb Simkins

experience right in her home town at the Kaatza Museum.

“Barb and I work together well,” says Dalzog. “It has worked out well. I was originally interested in the Wilmer Gold photographs, but then I discovered the IWA collection. My grandfather was the IWA international board at one time.”

In the collection she found a 90-page interview with her grandfather (who died when Dalskog was two years old) and learned his story, including how he lost his eye and how the

for late next year,” says Dalskog. “I have want to do more fun stuff to get kids involved.”

There is always a new research project and new artifacts being donated and exhibits to change or build.

The museum is hoping to receive a grant for cataloguing the IWA collection of that union’s history in B.C. that has been donated to the museum.

“There’s just never enough space,” sighs Salskog. About 60% of the museum’s collection is in

storage, the remainder on display. “Some things are important and we keep them just for information. Some things will never go on display, they are too fragile. We are running out of storage space and we hate to turn people away, but sometimes we just can’t store an item safely.”

The museum is fundraising to build an addition to the building that would provide a home for the IWA collection and proper storage and display of the Gold photos and negatives.

Three years ago, when Simkins rst considered retiring, she wasn’t sure how to nd a replacement, but then Dalskog “fell in our laps”, says Simkins. She plans to continue as a volunteer at the museum and perhaps do some contract work for special projects.

“There is enough work for two people for all the things we want to do,” says Simkins. “Luckily we have a dedicated group of volunteers who do an amazing amount of work.”

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FAITH DIRECTORY

ANGLICAN St. Christopher and St. Aidan

70 Cowichan Ave. W Lake Cowichan 250-749-3466

BAPTIST Cowichan Lake Baptist Church 8259 Beaver Road Lake Cowichan 250-749-3211

Sunday Service 10:30 a.m. Sunday Service 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School 10:30 a.m.

Rev. Brian Wood

Pastor Dale Winters

PENTECOSTAL ROMAN CATHOLIC Lake Cowichan St. Louis Christian Fellowship de Montfort 57 King George St. South Lake Cowichan 250-749-6492

60 Fern Road Lake Cowichan 250-749-4103

Sunday Service 10:30 a.m.

Mass Sunday 8:00 a.m.

Pastor Terry Hale

Fr. Alfredo Monacelli

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44 Wednesday, Wednesday, September September 30, 30, 2015 2015 || THE THE LAKE LAKE COWICHAN COWICHAN GAZETTE GAZETTE || www.lakecowichangazette.com www.lakecowichangazette.com

TO COMMENT

We welcome your original comments on editorials, columns, on topics in the Lake Cowichan Gazette or any subjects important to you. Only letters that include name, address and day and evening phone numbers and that are veried by the Lake Cowichan Gazette can be considered for publication.

Got a news tip?

Email us at: editor@lakecowichangazette.com

OPINION

Letters to the editor and articles submitted to the Lake Cowichan Gazette may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms and will be edited for clarity, grammar and length. Publication is not guaranteed.

Published by Black Press Ltd. 170E-Cowichan Lake Road, Lake Cowichan, BC

Entrance sign: First impressions are lasting They say you only get one chance to make a rst impression.

That is certainly a good argument for paying attention to how visitors are greeted at the entrance to the community.

The bears, the owers, and Cowichan Lake sign are a lovely reection of the area and it’s natural beauty.

But that wonderful wood sign is a victim of its environment.

It is rotting and soon will not support the iconic bears. Wood structures do not last forever especially on the west coast.

So what should town council do? Clearly many residents have an afnity for the current sign. And there is an attachment to those who originally carved and created it. Council could wait until the sign falls down and save some money in the short term.

Or they could seize this opportunity.

Most communities on Vancouver Island have replaced or redesigned their entrance signs in recent years. The Olympics, U.S. tourists and the trend toward branding has produced some spectular community entrance signs.

Now is the time for Lake Cowichan to look at an overall plan for the entrance to town. With the possible arrival of Sunfest and other economic growth in the near future, looking at the big picture now could save time and money later.

A new sign, allowance for the median and other changes, including better access to the Lake Cowichan Lodge for eastbound trafc could not only improve the look of the entrance to town, but also it’s functionality.

So how should a new sign look? Perhaps the current sign with a few modications, could be recreated with room for the bears.

Or maybe it is time for something completely different with the bears incorporated. The possiblities are intriguing. An open mind and pragmatic thinking could really make the entrance to town noteworthy.

The rotting sign is a bit of sad news, but it is also an opportunity for the area to consider the possibilities and really make that rst impression count.

Letters to the editor: YOUR SAY

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Letters to the editor are welcome, but writers are requested to keep their submissions to 350 words or less. Keep it local — letters raised in response to issues raised in our pages get top priority. Letters will be edited for clarity, grammar, length — attack the issue, not the individual. All letters must contain the name, address and signature of the writer, and a phone number where they may be reached during business hours. Thank you letters will not normally be considered for publication. editor@lakecowichangazette.com

LakeTown response not lacking To the Editor: Re:LakeTown needs local response, Sept. 23.

Your front page story and follow on editorial does require a local response. Reading last week’s Gazette one might have been left with the view that no one in our community was prepared to act to reap the potential that the proposed Lake Town Ranch development offers the town. Although I doubt that in reporting the presentation of Ms. Cathy Robertson to the Chamber meeting you intended to leave such a harsh evaluation of the Town’s immediate response, these paper articles do somewhat belittle the very real and deep reaction from a number of local politicians, businesses and citizens at large who do really recognize that this opportunity may indeed be a”break out” economic event for the Town.

As a relative newcomer, I have been concerned

that many of my fellow citizens are often unwilling or unable to recognize the future potential in new initiatives. However, in this case I believe many are already willing to grasp the opportunity posed

by Lake Town Ranch and the events it will host.

As Mayor Forrest has already noted, although this initiative is under the legislative control of CVRD, we must be sure that our Town;s support of this development is loudly expressed.

This starts at the Monday’s community meeting in Youbou. Although CVRD will benet from the added tax base, it is the Town of Lake Cowichan that will feel the greatest impacts, both positive and negative.

We need to be sure that the development gets off to a sound and early start. While there are many issues that need responses, trafc congestion, see ‘Lake’ page 5

Caycuse • Honeymoon Bay • Lake Cowichan • Mesachie Lake • Youbou

Box 10, Lake Cowichan, British Columbia V0R 2G0 Street Address: 170E-Cowichan Lake Road Phone: 250-749-4383 FAX: 250-749-4385 Classifieds: 1-855-310-3535 (toll free) EDITORIAL: editor@lakecowichangazette.com ADVERTISING: production@lakecowichangazette.com PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY BY BLACK PRESS LTD. Canadian Publication Mail Sales Product Agreement #1090194 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

DENNIS SKALICKY Publisher The Lake Cowichan 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 BC Press Council.

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www.lakecowichangazette.com || THE THE LAKE LAKE COWICHAN Wednesday, September September 30, 30, 2015 2015 5 5 www.lakecowichangazette.com COWICHAN GAZETTE GAZETTE || Wednesday,

Street Beat

with Malcolm Chalmers

The Gazette asked:

Would you rather see the sign at the entrance of town be redesigned and replaced or restored as original?

Lisa Johnson “I would rather see it repaired because the original man that did the bears is getting pretty old and may not be able to do it any more. Repair the sign.”

Letters: YOUR SAY

Lake residents will amaze from page 4 onsite services, and environmental protection amongst them, “foot dragging “ by CVRD elected ofcials or bureaucrats is not needed.

Once the development gets the green light then the Town should be ready to develop and implement the “plan” that Ms. Robertson talked about. As this is a watershed opportunity to set Lake Cowichan’s direction into the future, it is critical that this be lead and carried forward by local citizens.

There is no question that Cowichan Community Futures, and Cathy Robertson in particular, can offer valuable assistance. As your editorial noted, there is no lack of experienced, knowledgeable and energetic individuals in this community.

Give us the opportunity to take hold of this wonderful opportunity and you will be amazed by what can be achieved!

Dr. Les Bowd DBA Lake Cowichan

Trail clearing appreciated To the Editor, I would like to thank the persons or person responsible for clearing the many downed trees across the Fly Fishing Trail.

The trail is about 3.4 km long and makes for a nice run, but due to all the downed trees, it made it impossible to have an uninterrupted run, having to stop every ve to seven minutes to climb over the logs.

Much appreciated Jeff Martin Lake Cowichan

Allan Waddy “I would rather see the sign repaired. It is ascetically beautiful. Lake Cowichan has come a long way. We are looking good. We’ve got lots of tourists coming here, it suits the town.”

Veronica Clarkson ““I think it should be repaired because it reects our area. I like the wood and the bears because we have them in our backyards.”

Carroll Brown “ Fix the old one. It’s quaint, it goes with the feel of the town.”

Anthony Bert ““Repair the sign, because it would be more cost effective to repair it.

A new coat of paint and a few little xer uppers.

There is nothing wrong with the sign otherwise.”

Inner children at city hall BC VIEWS

By Tom Fletcher

We’re seeing the effects of our post-literate, feelings-based education system and media on the federal election. Candidate bozo eruptions are becoming more frequent.

Most recently Liberal candidate Maria Manna from Cowichan-Malahat-Langford on Vancouver Island admitted she has long believed that hijacked jetliners could not have destroyed the World Trade Centre on 9-11, that it was all “a lie.” That was “my truth,” she said, in the lingo of the feelings-rst, inner-child crowd.

Now she’s “moved on” to a slightly different fact-free conclusion, that we’ll just never know how those 3,000 people were murdered. And she wants to go to Ottawa and help run this country.

Feelings-based beliefs were on display again at last week’s Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver, where bozo eruptions by local politicians come in bunches.

This year’s main outbreak was an emotional demand that the B.C. government enact a provincial bill of rights. This magic municipal Magna Carta “recognizes the right of every resident to live in a healthy environment, including the right to clean air, clean water and vibrant ecosystems.”

Alert taxpayers may wonder, how many lawyers would it take to dene “vibrant”? More on that in a moment.

Local councils across B.C. and around the country have

“Indeed, if we’re going to have government by 11-year-olds, we might as well throw in a right to free ice cream.” been pitched this scheme by the David Suzuki Foundation, which calls it the Blue Dot campaign. In short, it’s part of the bigger plan to save the planet by crushing capitalism, currently being pushed by the Pope, the UN and others.

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps was one of the most passionate backers. She quoted the plea presented to her council by an 11-year-old recruited by the Blue Dot team.

There are many such children, terried by indoctrination about the imminent destruction of Earth and all its cuddly creatures that has bombarded them since they learned to speak. They are found in the wealthiest countries in human history, those enjoying health, comfort and opportunity not imagined by anyone 100 years ago.

In the vast, air-conditioned hall of the Vancouver Convention Centre, there were several attempts at adult supervision.

Coquitlam Coun. Terry O’Neill noted that unlike intrinsic rights articulated in Canada’s charter, freedom of assembly and so forth, this is an attempt to invent new rights

Liberal candidate for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford Maria Manna stepped down this week.

that are actually demands for “others to do something for you.”

Indeed, if we’re going to have government by 11-yearolds, we might as well throw in a right to free ice cream.

Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz went off on a rant about how this new “vision” would protect us from things like Volkswagen ddling its diesel fuel emission results.

The resolution calls for “access to justice when environmental rights are infringed,” which sounds like code for some sort of costly new legal aid program to pursue every individual grievance.

Meanwhile in the real world, class action lawsuits are being prepared to gain compensation for lost resale value of millions of cars. This is what happens in fortunate places like Canada

that already have access to justice.

O’Neill read off a long list of existing B.C. legislation that protects water, air, wildlife, food, public health and so on.

Helps replied that this bill of rights would “consolidate” all that. One more layer of bureaucracy, that’s the Victoria spirit.

Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb pleaded with rural delegates to reject this “David Suzuki propaganda” that is designed to put more roadblocks in the way of the very resource industries that provide our modern comforts.

Alas, the resolution passed in a show of hands that should have been, but wasn’t, put to a counted vote.

Tom Fletcher is the legislative reporter and columnist for Black Press. Reach him at tfletcher@blackpress.ca.

66 Wednesday, Wednesday,September September30, 30,2015 2015 | | THE THELAKE LAKECOWICHAN COWICHANGAZETTE GAZETTE | | www.lakecowichangazette.com www.lakecowichangazette.com

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Co-op gets approval for renovation plans Teresa Bird BLACK PRESS

Town council has given the green light to Mid Island Coop’s plans to renovate the downtown location they purchased late last year.

The two phase project will see a complete renovation to the existing store building and petroleum services upgrade.

The store renovations are slated to start soon, says Blair Gjevre petroleum operations manager for Mid Island Coop.

“We are close to choosing a contractor,” says Gjevre. “Looking at the end of 2015 to have the interior upgrade completed.”

The exterior of the renovated building would be renished with natural wood colours and river rock, similar to the look at Mid Island Coop in Chemainus.

“We will do our best to keep business open during the renovations,” said Gjevre. “WE are hoping we don’t run into anything that closes the day to day operation.”

The planned renovations outside the store are more

Submitted photo

Artist’s rendering of the Co-op Gas station after proposed renovations, as submitted by Mid-Iland Co-op in their rezoning request.

weather dependent and it would likely be early next year before that phase could be completed, said Gjevre. The project includes an upgraded gas bar, card lock pumps, upgraded lighting, and landscaping. The existing car wash will be demolished and the propane tanks relocated.

The new card lock facility will be located at the rear of the property with access from MacDonald Road. An existing house and shed at the back of the property have already been demolished to make room for the card lock.

The new card lock will increase noise and views of trucks and lights for residents of the triplex adjacent to the property. Mid Island Co-op plans to mitigate the impact to residents by installing a wood privacy fence on the north side of the property, a metrewide landscape strip and shielded lighting.

Residents were notied of the Coop’s application and had until the council meeting September 15 to voice their concerns, however, no responses to received says Joe Fernandez, CAO for Town of Lake Cowichan.

The new card lock access will

also require the demolition of the existing sidewalk on MacDonald Road and replacement of a new sidewalk along the east side of the property along MacDonald Road.

The Town would hold $20,000 as a guarantee of the sidewalk’s completions and durability for ve years. Construction details of the sidewalk must be approved by the superintendent of public works.

Gjevre says now that the application has been approved by council, they will apply for the appropriate building permits to proceed with the work.

3x4

Submitted photo

A decade of welcome

Katherine Worsley (left) of the Cowichan Lake District Chamber of Commerce receives a plaque from Welcome Wagon representative Robyn Crosby for the chambers ten year sponsorship of Welcome Wagon. Robyn notes that anyone who has moved to the area in the past year and would like a visit from Welcome Wagon to give her a call at 250.749.3356.

www.lakecowichangazette.com | THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE | Wednesday, September 30, 2015 7

250.749.6660

www.lkc.ca 145 South Shore Rd. Lake Cowichan

TOLL FREE PAGE 1-800-729-3246

keith@lkc.ca

Keith Nelson

forrestatthelake@gmail.com

Tracy Forrest

WHEN YOU WANT IT LISTED - WHEN YOU NEED IT SOLD site is already roughed in so take advantage before winter sets in. There is a large protected area that assures peace & quiet.

SPECTACULAR VIEWS This waterfront home has the WOW factor! Located in a protected bay - waterski, fish, lounge on the dock by the beach. 2000 sq ft family home. Many updates: windows, roof, kitchen, bathroom & more. Outdoor features are fruit trees, garden, big level lawn, wharfs all on .43 of an acre.

10125 South Shore

LOTS

477 Point Ideal Lot 17 Kestral Drive Beaver Lake Resort $99,900 53 & 54-8631 S.Shore Rd. $85,000 Panoramic views of the mountains Big Lot with Privacy – 1 ¼ acre and the lake on this south facing 0.28 2 Rec lots for$89,900 the price of 1 at Beaver Lake

Sunny Youbou waterfront on .29 acre The main home has 3 bedroom & 2 bathrooms, beautiful birch floors and an open plan kitchen / living roomdesign. There is a 2nd residence with 2 bed/1 bath which is currently being rented. Why not own a piece of paradise?

panoramic views of the mountains and Cowichan Lake. Town Sewer & water are at the lot line for ease of building. A bargain at just $65,000

#1-8697 North Shore

$189,900 123 Johel PARADISE IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

$244,000

THE BEST OF THE BEST

23-8631 South Shore

$155,000

GREAT FAMILY HOME

462 Point Ideal

Gorgeous Lake & Mountain views from all sides on this Kwassin Lake home.

The home features 3 bed / 3 bath with an open plan living design. The master bedroom overlooks the lake and boasts a walk in closet and 4 pc en-suite. The backyard is perfect for entertaining or relaxing while watching the Kingfishers, ducks and more on your doorstep. Call now to view!

$339,000

225 Johel

104 Elk Rd

$359,900

340 Carnell Drive

$229,000

$185,900

IMMACULATE RANCHER

Are you looking to trade up to this spectacular home from your older home? The Seller may be interested. This 3100 sq ft custom home features hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, custom sandstone fireplace with cedar mantel, a solarium off the kitchen, Jacuzzi bath, heat pump, built-in-vacuum and so much more! Call to view today

This quiet cul-de-sac is home to some of the nicest homes in the Lake Cowichan area. 3 bedroom/2 bath home features recent updates including heat pump, pellet stove, newer appliances, flooring, lights ,electrical upgrades water purifier, big garden shed and more! This home is move in ready and just awaiting your arrival.

$287,500

QUIET CUL-DE-SAC

This 1528 sq ft level entry home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, spacious interior with huge kitchen, attached dining area and family room. The master is large and includes a en-suite and walk in closet. The yard is level with lots of room for RV/Boat parking, there is a courtyard with paving stones and glass covered entryway, nice flower beds and a large deck at the back.

Minutes to downtown Duncan. Call to view today, this one won’t last long!

NEW LISTING

3105 LAUREL GROVE

IT’S ALL ABOUT LOCATION

This 3 or 4 bedroom home radiates hospitality & charm from the marble & Boeing bathtub to the vaulted ceilings. The living room has a cozy terra cotta fireplace and downstairs is a cold room for your wine or preserves. The home boasts unique tiles, intercom system, built in vacuum and fully finished detached workshop with over height double carport for your RV or Boatdock.

$350,000

87 Park

PRETTY AS A PICTURE This lot is ideally suited to build your dream home in charming Mesachie Lake. The flat lot is close to swimming, golfing, hiking and camping. The lot includes a car port and a newer 200 sq ft shed which is wired, plumbed including a bathroom and insulated. The lot is fully fenced & has mature trees adding to the tranquility and privacy you will feel. Call to view today!

$275,000

$119,000

6624 Forestry Road HUGE SHOP

1200 Sq Ft shop with two bays for all your toys. There is also a 3 bedroom home situated on a roomy .32 acre lot. The back yard is large and private.

Located close to all town amenities

196 Neva

$299,999

GREAT FAMILY HOME Great family home in a Wonderful Neighborhood. Fully finished spacious 5 bed / 3 bath home including a 12’ x 25’ garage and separate workshop.

Offers central vac, heat pump, awning over deck & a big fenced back yard.

Across from the river & in the heart of town, minutes from all amenities.

There are up to 4 bedrooms depending on the layout you prefer.

The lot is over 14,000 sq ft and includes a huge double carport, large garage & storage shed. This home could easily be converted to wheelchair friendly. Call to view today!

10 Riverside Drive

$339,900

SPANISH VILLA

Great Investment property in the heart of Lake Cowichan.

This property has been used as a residential rental but lends itself to redevelopment for commercial because of the prime location. Lot size is approx. 90x300

$199,000

$525,000

413 Winter Drive

OFFER WHAT YOU THINK…

$458,888 250 South Shore Rd.

This home is level entry buy has a fully finished basement. This 4 bed, 2 bath home boasts a huge family room, newer flooring, Low E windows on the south facing side of the home, vinyl decking, private fenced back yard with fish pond, flowers and shrubs. This is a great family home with room for you and your pets!

Call to view today

TRADE FOR THIS HOME?

This 3 bedroom double wide sits on A 7093 sq ft site and has beautiful decks to enjoy the magnificent views. Very low monthly fees and taxes make this the perfect recreational retreat or retirement destination

7- 8389 Sa-Seenos

$220,000

147 MacDonald

LAKEFRONT LIVING

Spectacular home in the sought after subdivision of Point Ideal. Only steps to the lake and marina & walking distance to shops & restaurants. Features in this 5 bedroom, 3 bath home include hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, spacious kitchens, hot tub and so much more. There is a definite attention to detail with quality products and excellent workmanship. Call to view today!

APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEIVING

This 4 bed, 3 bath home sits on a private 0.57 acre lot which offers peace & quiet. The home has a good layout with hardwood floors, beautiful kitchen cabinets. Newer reno’s have been done. There is room to park your RV and enjoy the view from your back deck or relax in the hot tub. This is a must see to appreciate everything this property offers.

This large home features 3 bedrooms upstairs with a huge living room, country kitchen and laundry room. There is a 1 bed suite downstairs which will provide extra revenue if needed or simply use as a big home. There is a big easy access wired shop that would be great for projects or storage.

Call to view today!

PEACE & TRANQUILITY

47 Blackwood Heights $159,900 406 Scholey Cresc.

At beaver lake resort. 30ft immaculate RV boarding on beachfront with huge covered deck area and large garden shed. The lot is hidden by an evergreen hedge for assured privacy. This is a turnkey setup, great for that weekend getaway or can be used full time.

REVENUE PROPERTY

2 bed/2 bath rancher is move in ready with nothing to do! The home is immaculately maintained, the partially fenced yard has a mixture of beautiful plants, garden area and greenhouse. Great starter or retirement home. Call to view today!

Nestled in the trees, this 38 ft cottage style park model is situated on a large private lot offering multi-level decks, covered shelter & sunken deck wired for a hot tub. Enjoy a small cooking firepit or sit around a propane firepit for those chilly nights. Lots of extra’s including a full size fridge, all appliances, and even a 3 person dinghy. This is a turnkey sale with private sleeping accommodation for 6. Call to view today – this is a must see!

BEAUTIFUL BEACHFRONT

$125,000

boasting 4 acres of play fields, private marina, boat launch & sandy beach.

2 ½ acre treed lot in Lake Cowichan.

Great opportunity to build your dream home in this private wilderness.

PICTURE PERFECT

An Impressive open design makes this a great home for two families. This 4 bedrooms, 3 bathroom offers stunning maple floors, 10 ft ceilings custom millwork, granite, quartz and Fisher Paykel appliances. There is a 717 sq ft finished garage with high ceilings and over height door for secured boat storage. Included is a huge walkway and deep water dock for all your water sport toys.

These are some of the best water & mountain views in the all of the Cowichan Lake area. This is lake living at its finest!

You can’t beat this combination – an affordable price for a level entry, 3 bed, 1 bath, well maintained rancher located in a quiet area in a good location. Lots of room for RV, Boat & Vehicle parking, beautiful covered gazebo for entertaining and BBQ’s. Motivated Vendor – Call to view today!

boarding on beachfront w/ huge covered deck area and large garden shed. The lot is hidden by an evergreen hedge for assured privacy. This is a turnkey setup, great for that weekend getaway or can be used full time.

Immaculate double wide mobile in a small adult park with only 10 units. This 2 bed/2 bath home has been meticulously maintained including paint, flooring, appliances, new hot tub, bathroom and the list goes on and on.

A great home and wonderful location so don’t miss your chance to live here!

30 Coronation

9911 Stin-Qua $699,000 PRICE IS NOT THE ONLY FEATURE

Lot 11 Indian Rd $209,000

EASY LIVING

$575,000

CUSTOM WATERFRONT HOME

Make this your holiday get-a-away! Share Resort. Use one and rent the other or use both Estates. This 0.32 of an acre lot is ready to for family time. interest in a waterfront development build on, so bring your house plans.

271 Castley Heights 23-8631 South Shore $155,000 $65,000 At beaver lake resort. 30ft immaculate RV South East facing lot with spectacular

$639,000

WATERFRONT

10552 Coon Creek

NEW LISTING

of an acre lot in the “Cottages at Marble Bay.”

PARADISE VILLAGE 34 Creekside #57-6855 Park Ave $309,900 $102,000 Waterfront Lot in the prestigious Creekside REDUCED

504 Johel Cresc.

$299,000

8 Wednesday, September 30, 2015 | THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE | www.lakecowichangazette.com

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10 Wednesday, Wednesday,September September30, 30,2015 2015 || THE THELAKE LAKECOWICHAN COWICHANGAZETTE GAZETTE || www.lakecowichangazette.com www.lakecowichangazette.com 10

More palliative care beds needed $5 million needed for new facility Teresa Bird BLACK PRESS

Death is certain.

How, when and where we die is less so. For people in the Cowichan Valley, the where options are limited.

More places are needed for the dying, says Gretchen Hartley, executive director of the Cowichan Valley Hospice.

Hartley was speaking to the Cowichan Valley Regional District board earlier this month.

Hartley explained that too many acute care beds in hospital are being used for end of life care. Those patients could be better served by a palliative care facility where the patient and the family are provided with resources and services they need. The Cowichan Valley Hospice services about 800 people a year.

“We know 15 to 20 people who are dying in hospital and perhaps don’t need that acuity of care,” said Hartley.

Currently the regional district has only three beds designated to palliative care.

There are two beds in Ladysmith but they are underused due to stafng,” said Hartley.

“There is one bed in Chemainus that is well used.”

Doctors can refer patients to programs for at-home care or to resources for equipment, but while stay-

“There are very few resources if you are not in acute care in the hospital or if you can no longer stay at home.” ~Gretchen Hartley

ing at home as long as possible or dying at home is what many people prefer, many fall into the gap of needing more care but not requiring hospital care.

“There are very few resources if you are not in acute care in the hospital or if you can no longer stay at home,” said Hartley.

This is particularly true of those who live alone or don’t have family or other support people nearby.

Hartley says a task force recently determined that seven beds are needed for the region, and Island Health has agreed to staff a facility and maintain it, but they will not build it.

The regional district already contributes $50,000 a year to support palliative care through Cowichan Valley Hospice, but $5 million would be needed to build a facility, says Lake Cowichan councilor Bob Day, who also sits at the CVRD table and on the Health Network board.

“It’s important to remember Island Health will provide operations,” Day told the Gazette. “The Health Network will be looking to the community to raise $5 million for a facility over the next year.

The CVRD would be approached to support that as well.”

While some think Island Health should foot the construction bill, Day isn’t so sure.

“Personally I think the community takes better ownership of things when it isn’t just handed to them.”

Students inspired by Terry Fox Above, Grade 8 student Ethan Brown is the rst across the nish line in 13 minutes at the LCS Terry Fox run. Sept 25. Raymond Mullin came a close second.

Right, one of student Aidan Sidhu’s heros is Terry Fox, so he has run the marathon every year.

“It was hard for him but he did it and it’s hard for me so I can do it, thats why I run” says Sidhu, who has Cerebral Palsy. Last year he spent 5.5 hours running the race on crutches, this year he cut that time in half.

Malcolm Chalmers photos

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If you would like your small business in the Cowichan Lake area to be included in our Small Business Week Feature Section, Please call Dennis at the Gazette; 250.749.4383 Special feature prices for 3col x 7in or 3col x 4in!

Deadline for ad copy is October 12th at Noon.

www.lakecowichangazette.com COWICHAN GAZETTE GAZETTE || Wednesday, www.lakecowichangazette.com || THE THE LAKE LAKE COWICHAN Wednesday, September September 30, 30, 2015 2015 11 11

MEET THE CANDIDATES:

ALASTAIR HAYTHORNTHWAITE, MARXIST-LENINIST PARTY Alastair Haythornthwaite is a father of ve and grandfather of ve who has lived in the Cowichan Valley since 1978. Alastair worked as a Journeyman Machinist for 35 years. In 2006, he was elected by his peers to the position of Business Representative in the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, a position he held for

nine years. Alastair returned to the shop oor this year before his retirement. During his time as Business Representative, he earned a BA in Labour Studies.

He has been active in the Nanaimo Duncan and District Labour Council since 1984.

A lifelong Communist and Trade Unionist, Alastair is the founder and chair of the Joseph Mairs Memorial Committee

which holds an annual political event in Ladysmith to honour Joseph Mairs, a Vancouver Island martyr of the Working Class who died in prison after being jailed for his participation in The Great Coal Strike of 1912-1914, The Memorial focuses on contemporary political issues in the workers’ movement under the banner of “Our Common Condition”.

Alastair’s speech at this year’s event, entitled “2015 is an Election Year and Labour Better Pay Attention”, highlighted the anti-worker attacks of the Harper government and issued a call to workers defeat Harper.

Alastair is running in the 2015 federal election to assist in building an anti-war government and the democratic renewal Canada.

The Lake Cowichan Gazette will feature a short prole each week on one of the candidates for the next four weeks. The candidates are chosen by alphabetical order by last name.

ON THE ISSUES:

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

MARTIN BARKER CONSERVATIVE PARTY

FRAN HUNT-JINNOUCHI GREEN PARTY

ALISTAIR MACGREGOR NEW DEMOCRAT PARTY

MARIA MANNA LIBERAL PARTY

“Myself, and the Conservative Party will always support the efforts of First Nation people in achieving prosperity and accountable self-governance. The Malahat Nation has made prudent use of the First Nation Funding Authority to create opportunity for its people.”

The road to the potential LNG plant and underwater pipeline “will require considerable consultation and study, and then the meeting of very strict safety and environmental standards as is the practice in Canada,” he added.

Barker said his party understands that tens of thousands of Canadian jobs depend on a thriving energy sector.

“The natural resource sector, directly and indirectly, employs 1.8 million Canadians, many in skilled, quality jobs. Resource development generates $30 billion annually in revenue and is the largest employer of First Nations people,” he said.

While Conservatives try to boost Canada’s clean energy sector, strengthen Canada’s record on conservation and deliver good Canadian jobs plans for the future must continue to address these concerns, he said.

“We’d like not to have so much resource extraction per se but rather to create alternatives. The Cowichan Valley is uniquely poised in this regard because these discussions are far advanced in comparison to the overall riding. With the weather, our water security, our food security, dealing with drought: we need to take some bold stands and take some strong actions to protect the environment and to protect our coastline,” she said.

The group approach is seen in dealing with the drought in the Cowichan River.

“The Stewardship Roundtable is an excellent source of sharing of information. Greens propose a robust budget around estuaries and sh and working with First Nations. The federal and provincial government need to step up immediately to address the immediate need: raising the Cowichan Lake weir,” she said.

Hunt-Jinnouchi said that, while backing the Malahat Nation’s move towards economic development, she saw their proposed LNG project as short sighted.

“There hasn’t been collaboration with their neighbouring nations or communities,” she said.

Climate change is “the overarching issue of this century. We have seen a pretty sharp drop in our river levels and extended drought periods. That is something our federal government will need to take a very serious look at and implement actions to combat.”

MacGregor said he’s been listening to stakeholder concern about the Cowichan River.

“There is a real consensus that we need to hold back more supply at the lake. That involves raising the weir. I’d like to see some action on that le,” he said.

MacGregor also talked about the Malahat First Nation’s LNG plans briey, saying, “That announcement was a surprise for everyone. I have heard from the Tsartlip First Nation and, in the background, from members of Cowichan Tribes that there is a lot of uneasiness about this.”

He then said the current push from higher levels of government towards oil and gas development could be seen “as the easy route to quick money” for impoverished First Nations communities.

“Bamberton is so beautiful; that specic tract of land could have a whole bunch of different uses outlined for it,” he said.

Maria Manna has removed herself from the election after a controversy over a post she made on Facebook in 2013 regarding 9/11.

Replacing Manna has been replaced by Luke Krayenhoff who had previously sought the party’s nomination in the riding of Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke.

More information on Krayenhoff will be published next week as it becomes available.

The Lake Cowichan Gazette will feature the candidates’ comments on various issues in this election over the next four weeks.

ALASTAIR HAYTHORNTHWAITE MARXIST-LENINIST PARTY Haythornthwaite declared his candidacy too late for the deadline for this question in the Lake Cowichan Gazette this week.

12 Wednesday, Wednesday, September COWICHAN GAZETTE GAZETTE || www.lakecowichangazette.com www.lakecowichangazette.com 12 September 30, 30, 2015 2015 || THE THE LAKE LAKE COWICHAN

Fungi and fish celebrated at festival

Fungi and sh drew large crowds for the annual Salmon and Mushroom Festival held in Centennial Hall Sept 26 and 27. The popular annual fall event attracted many vendors and visitors some taking part in the guided mushroom gathering tours.

Clockwise from top left, soup of the day was mushroom of course. Regina Montag helps the Salmonoid Enhancement Society sell lunch to visitors.

Janet Bowman shows off her neice’s salmon print made at the festival on Saturday afternoon.

Ingeborg Woodsworth announced at this years Salmon and Mushroom Festival that the popular mushroom display table will be looking for your donations of a good array of mushrooms picked the week before next years event. If you bring them in on the Friday before you could recieve a free gourmet lunch at the festival.

Damusia Urvanski from Wild West Mushrooms was happy to sell you some of the eight varites of mushrooms picked in the area. She was one of the vendors at the festival.

Gardening when you are high (up) Compost heaps are the backbone of gardening and this is a good time to start one.

Bears and raccoons never bother mine, maybe because my hubby, David, made them out of sturdy wood with heavy lids.

Or maybe they prefer the apples I couldn’t reach on the tree.

Here is a way to make high quality compost.

Our soils lose many nutrients in winter rains, but potassium (K) remains abundant (Solomon, Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades). When we compost plants or manure from animals that graze here, we increase the concentration of potassium.

Plants take this excess up at the expense of other nutrients so

when we eat them we also ingest too much potassium and too little of everything else.

Cover crop can prevent a certain amount of loss of nutrients in the soil, so it is wise to sow some over all your bare soils. Come spring, Solomon suggests using only ¼ inch thickness of compost to at least reduce the build-up of potassium. You can also make sure that any manure you use comes from animals whose feed comes from a drier area where there isn’t a build-up of potassium (so much for the 100mile diet!).

When making compost then, use your vegetation, grass-clippings and chopped leaves and

Your Garden

By Mary Lowther

layer that with the manure or seed meal that has been grown where they don’t get heavy rains. I use Buckereld’s alfalfa meal from Armstrong, which gets about half the rain we do. Lay down the following: 3 to 4 inches of dry vegetation, a sprinkling of soil, a sprinkling of seed meal or manure, and an inch of chopped leaves, if you have them. Spray with water till it is wet like a sponge. Continue layering like this until the heap is 4 or 5 feet high, sprinkle soil

over the top and cover to keep out the rain.

Check every couple of weeks and if it seems too dry, spray more water on the pile. After a couple of months, leave it alone. In the meantime, toss vegetation into another pile or bin, ready for next fall and the heap you will make then. The following spring you can use the compost you make this fall.

This method uses three piles or bins; the middle one contains the vegetation, grass clippings and such, and the two outside bins contain the composts you build.

You will be rewarded with robust, tasty and nutritious crops.

Mary Lowther is a local gardener.

www.lakecowichangazette.com || THE THE LAKE LAKE COWICHAN COWICHAN GAZETTE GAZETTE || Wednesday, Wednesday, September September 30, 30, 2015 2015 13 13 www.lakecowichangazette.com

Submitted photo

Andy Okell of Lake Cowichan is the drummer in the band nFuze. He and the band invite local musicians to join them Saturday night for a special evening.

Musicians mingle A local drummer is bringing his beat and the band to the Shaker Mill Restaurant this weekend.

Andy Okell and his jazz-fusion group nFuze will be taking to the stage for unique evening at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday night.

A musicians mix and mingle is a different approach to open stage events, says a press release from the band.

Having lived in Lake Cowichan for nearly

ve years, Okell says he can only name three musicians in town. He hopes to bring more out of the woodwork.

Mix and mingle format is designed to bring musicians together, meet and play tunes in an impromptu manner by pulling names and songs from a hat. nFuze will open the show at 7:30 followed by the opening of the stage for others to take part.

Recently we hiked up Camus Ridge. The hike starts just up the dead-end road past the Oyster Bay Development ofce opposite the Husky Station a few kilometres north of Ladysmith.

We hiked some distance up a logging road, crossed the Hydro line that runs from Duncan to Nanaimo and then continued on up another logging road.

Around a bend and then into a more natural setting along a trail probably more used by animals than people. After a short steep climb we emerged in scraggy bush onto a double ridge with a small deep valley between the ridges.

We continued along the ridge on one side of this valley quite a distance before emerging onto a south facing opening. A good place for a lunch break while we sat and looked out over the arbutus trees and evergreen forest toward a hill. To remind

us of modern civilization a plane made its way above the ridge toward Nanaimo airport.

After a break we cautiously made our way back along the other side of the ridge and down to meet the logging roads. We marveled at how the scraggy vegetation clings to the rocks and survives in what appears to be hostile terrain. Back onto the logging roads and downhill to the road.

Altogether a hike of just over 5 km with an elevation change of 140 meters (450 feet).

As always we had interesting discussions about what our young people are doing and more uniquely a discussion of life as a young Mountie posted in the far north for 7 years.

Tales about the arduous travel circuits on skidoos, about creating igloos on the spot, about some of the social issues and about some of the joys of working closely and

Back line gear is provided. Musicians are encouraged to bring their guitars, basses and horns. nFuse is a ve-member band from Vancouver Island that formed in 2014 and enjoys interpreting compositions written by luminatires such as Pat Metheny and Billy Cobham.

They have also created some original pieces of their own that are energetic and dynamic.

Malcolm Chalmers photo

The garden’s almost bare, which is a good thing for Maureen Quested as there is only two more weekends for the Honeymoon Bay Market. Here Quested displays one of her Turks Turban Squash that she sells at the market.

Camus Ridge trails offer hiking and history Retreads

By David Kidd

David Kidd photo

Rocky Camus Ridge showing challenged vegetation and interesting rock formations.

sharing with the Inuit people. As is our habit when near Ladysmith we made our way to the hospitable Beantime Coffee Shop for a drink and snack.

Our next hike was to be to Carmanah, but threats of steady rain led us to postpone that hike. Instead 12 of us headed from Saywell Park at a brisk pace down the Trans Cana-

da Trail (a.k.a Cowichan Valley Trail) to trestle 70.2. At the trestle we stopped for a coffee break (or for some an early lunch) and then split into two groups, one heading back the way we had come and the other heading along the Fisherman’s Trail to meet the north side of the Trans Canada Trail (a.k.a Rail Trail)

and back into Town.

It was a total hike of about 11 Km and a good workout. You will note we have a challenge in knowing the modern names of these two trails that make up our part of the Trans Canada Trail system.

On this hike we were reminded of the challenge in walking on forest trails that are

often crossed by tree roots with rocks, sharp hills and hollows. One member tripped on a tree root and twisted her ankle. In the company of another member she was able to walk gingerly home and reports a day later that having iced the ankle, it is recovering.

We were pleased to notice that the trees that had blown across the trail during the severe windstorm last fall, have been cleared from the path.

This summer we were reminded that there are many other hiking enthusiasts.

For example, the West Coast Trail bus makes its way through Lake Cowichan both going and coming from Victoria, through Port Renfrew to Bameld.

Our humble B&B hosted four sets of

West Coast Trail enthusiasts this year.

The rst was a family of 8 spanning three generations. The grandfather had done the trail a number of times and was introducing grandchildren and their parents to the joys and challenges. Second was a set of four Latin American immigrants from Alberta who had many questions and were well prepared.

The third, also from Alberta, was a mother and son combo. They started from Bameld and mother pulled out at Nitnat and arrived here to spend 3 days with her husband who was enjoying the lake.

Finally, a father and son combo from Castlegar. Father had done the trail many years earlier and enjoyed the return experience. It was interesting to see these people preparing, loading their heavy packs, trying to nd ways to lighten the load – an impossible task it seemed – and heading off.

14 Wednesday, September 30, 2015 | THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE | www.lakecowichangazette.com

www.lakecowichangazette.com | THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE | Wednesday, September 30, 2015 15

16 Wednesday, September30, 2015 | THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE | www.lakecowichangazette.com

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