Special Features - PEARL Summer 2016

Premiere Edition

Pearl SUMMER 2016

THe GeM OF THe SalISH Sea

INSIDE › PeoPle › gardens › H I sTo rY › arTs

It’s where the heart lies; with family, friends and our beloved Peninsula.

We are proud to celebrate this glorious community with PEARL, and with that comes celebrating the seniors who have made this rich, diverse region the special place it is today.

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CONTENTS SUMMER.2016

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Booktown Love at First Sight Fields of Dreams Fashion Historic Peninsula

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Brad Edgett Footloose Travel Log Paul Harder Walk With … Peninsula Paws Meet the Advertisers Parting Shot

on our cover Photo by Lia Crowe.

Makeup and hair: Jen Clark Model: Amanda Konn.

Photographed on location at the beautiful Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse.

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w w w. s t u d i o y d e s i g n . c a 520 Herald s treet Ph: 250-590-5200

PEARL

CONTRIBUTORS GROUP PUBLISHER Penny Sakamoto 250.480.3204 PUBLISHER + ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Jim Parker publisher@peninsulanewsreview.com 250.656.1151

KORINA MILLER

DON DENTON

ANGELA COWAN Angela is an awardwinning journalist, poet, and freelance writer and editor who regularly contributes to Pearl, Boulevard, Tweed, and Soar magazines. She has always been fascinated by other people’s stories, and is excited to be able to more deeply explore the Peninsula in her writing, particularly in her home community of Sidney.

Don is the Photo Supervisor for Black Press, Greater Victoria. He contributes photographs to magazines such as Boulevard, Tweed and Monday as well as Pearl and to newspapers including the Victoria News. He is a photography instructor for the University of Victoria’s Continuing Studies department.

Korina grew up in Sidney.

At 18, she took off around the world, visiting 36 countries and covering art, culture and travel for publishers like Lonely Planet, The Guardian and BBC. She is now based in Victoria but returns to the Peninsula regularly to visit friends and family and to keep up with the evergrowing arts scene.

EDITOR Susan Lundy lundys@shaw.ca CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lily Chan PEARL CREATIVE & DESIGN Lorianne Koch PHOTOGRAPHER Don Denton CREATIVE SERVICES Michelle Gjerde Claudia Gross Shawn O’Connor ADVERTISING Dale Naftel sales@peninsulanewsreview.com 250.656.1151 Mario Gedicke 250.891.5627 Christopher Cook 250.656.1151 DISTRIBUTION Laura Cross 250.480.3208

IVAN WATSON

HANS TAMMEMAGI

LIA CROWE Born and raised in Victoria, Lia spent the first decade of her career working in the international fashion industry, and now has more than 10 years experience working in the editorial side of lifestyle magazines. Lia brings her expertise to Pearl and is excited to explore the glorious Saanich Peninsula.

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Hans’ writing is eclectic, including travel, environment, and native culture. He has penned 10 books (one national bestseller) and writes for numerous newspapers and magazines in Canada and internationally. He has a strong affinity for nature and the environment around us. Hans loves exploring the Gulf Islands and Saanich Peninsula by bicycle, scooter and kayak.

Ivan is a writer, historian, photographer and marketing strategist. Raised locally, he enjoys discovering the region’s parks and trails and learning the stories of the people and communities that make Vancouver Island a vibrant place to live.

Follow him on Twitter: @watsonivan

PEARL magazine is published quarterly by Black Press. The points of view or opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher of Pearl. The contents of Pearl magazine are protected by copyright, including the designed advertising.

Reproduction is prohibited without written consent of the publisher.

103-9830 Second Street, Sidney, British Columbia PH 250.656.1151 www.peninsulanewsreview.com

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EDITOR’S LETTER S U SA N LU N DY

Celebrating a rich diversity in the Peninsula

A

n eon ago, when I was a kid, Sunday was sternly designated “family day.” As a child, this charmed me, as a teen it infuriated me, and now, as an adult, it offers a bucketful of memories.

“Where are we going! Where are we going!” my brother and I would cry, tucked into the backseat of the old station wagon.

Inevitably, the answer: “Wherever the car takes us.”

boats; or hoist the sails on our own boat and glide along the Peninsula’s shoreline, anchoring at Sidney Spit or Darcy Island.

I rode the train at Heritage Park and the Ferris wheel at the Saanichton Fair.

We’d take the winding road up to the Observatory; or watch planes landing and zooming off at the airport. There was Butchart Gardens at Christmas; summertime walks at John Dean Provincial Park. Once or twice we rode the ferry from Brentwood Bay to Mill Bay. As a young adult, I discovered “glass beach,” right on the harbour in Sidney. Here, you could sift through the gritty sand and pebbles and find a treasuretrove of multi-coloured, waterworn glass. My children and I spent hours collecting glass at that little beach, which is now mostly covered over by development.

But one piece of the Peninsula is forever engraved on my heart. I was 26 years old, nine months pregnant and feeling antsy.

As I drove out to Island View Beach for a walk in the wind, I drove past Danica Nurseries. Two days later, gazing at the newborn in my arms, her father and I agreed: “Her name is Danica.”

We like to tease Danica that she was named after a sign, but even more fun is reminding my second daughter that had

WHAT STANDS OUT MOST FOR ME ABOUT THE SAANICH PENINSULA IS ITS RICH, LUSH AND SWEEPING DIVERSITY. Very often, those Sunday sojourns took us to the Peninsula.

Once, on a jaunt along Island View Beach, my dad saw something in the sand at low tide: “Do you want to see a geoduck?” We dug, dug, dug until he pulled out the strangest creature …

Sometimes our Sunday adventure landed us at MacDonald Park, where we’d set up camping gear and grill dinner over a campfire. Other days, we’d wander the docks at Van Isle Marina, looking at the

she too been named for a nursery sign, next up on Route 17 is Marigold.

What stands out most for me about the Saanich Peninsula is its rich, lush and sweeping diversity. And I confess, in producing this — our first edition of Pearl — we both lauded and struggled with this immense diversity. How to sum it all up?

How to choose a cover and create a story list that gives a nod to all that makes up this precious part of the world? There’s the bounty of the ocean and the land, the mix of industry and businesses big and small, an array of artists and an abundance of lifestyles. Add in spectacular vistas, pristine hiking trails, bounteous biking paths and the rich culture and history — both recent and all the way back to the area’s Coast Salish roots.

There are many, many stories to tell, and we’re thrilled to have the chance to share them. In this inaugural edition of Pearl, we invite you to meet brass sculptor Paul Harder, longtime farming family the Michells and Brad Edgett, proud collector of beautiful First Nations art. Tour a magnificent Central Saanich house; take a walk with North Saanich Mayor Alice Finall, and a enjoy train ride into the past. Find out what books are hot; meet some furry friends, and discover what the Peninsula offers in the latest fashion.

Welcome and enjoy the journey of Pearl.

Pearl editor Susan Lundy has been a writer since age six, when she reinvented the lemonade stand by selling handmade books at roadside booths. A former journalist, and two-time recipient of the prestigious Jack Webster Award, her stories have appeared in numerous publications. She is also the author of Heritage Apples: A New Sensation (Touchwood Editions, 2013).

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PEARL SUMMER 2016

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BOOKTOWN W O R D S A N G E L A C OWA N

PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE

WHAT’S HOT he summer months offer a little more time for leisurely reading, and whether biography, history or a good whodunnit catches your eye, there are plenty of good reads waiting.

Ulla Jakku, fiction buyer for Tanner’s Books in Sidney, recommends The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson, a historical romance set on the eve of the First World War.

T

“It’s a good time period,” says Jakku. “It’s got that charming English village feel.”

Just down the street at Beacon Books, owner Christine Tanner says it’s The Girl on the Train

by Paula Hawkins that’s been flying off her shelves.

“Mystery’s really hot right now,” she says, and adds that any of award-winning mystery writer Louise Penny’s titles are always a popular choice as well.

OVER TO YOU:

state and how important it is.”

Even amid their end-of-school-year frenzy, elementary school principals of School District 63 were making time to sit down, relax and enjoy a few minutes with a good book. Here’s what they were reading: • Shelley Hardcastle of Brentwood Elementary recently finished An African Love Story: Love, Life and Elephants by Daphne Sheldrick.

“What she ends up doing is having this huge passion for elephants and baby animals that have been abandoned for any reason,” says Hardcastle. “You learn so much about the fragility of elephants, and their emotional

From left, Joe Grewal, Grant Franceschini, Mary Lynn Heron, Shelley Hardcastle, Tom Vickers.

• Exploring both fiction and professional development literature, Grant Franceschini of Deep Cove Elementary enjoyed All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, and Creating Thinking Classrooms by Roland Case. “It’s all about facilitating student engagement and the deeper understandings that are the goal of the revised curriculum,” says Franceschini.

• Similarly, Joe Grewal of Lochside Elementary found himself fascinated by both Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs, and Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv, a study on the effects of nature on children.

“It’s about how kids aren’t getting outside enough, and he talks about a nature deficit disorder,” says Grewal of Louv’s book. “He talks about how if the kids don’t get outside into the environment, they won’t have the same appreciation for living things.

With parents’ schedules and with parents working, they don’t always get outside. It’s a fascinating book.”

• Mme Mary Lynn Heron from Keating Elementary has spent much of her downtime digging into the strategies outlined in Dr. Ross Greene’s Lost and Found: Helping Behaviourally Challenging Students (and While You’re At It, All the Others).

“I chose this book as it provides additional learning for me around the work of Dr. Greene and the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions problem solving model that he has developed for supporting behaviourally challenging students,” says Heron. “Dr. Greene’s books provide many different strategies for improving the work we do with all children.”

• And Tom Vickers of Sidney Elementary also has a favourite resource when it comes to childhood development: Spark, by John Ratey.

“It’s a reread,” says Vickers. “The best way to describe it is, as an educator, I’ve always believed that we need to educate the heart and the mind, and our school goals are all round social, emotional and physical wellness. Spark talks about the benefits of kids being physically active, and it basically puts together all my beliefs, and backs them up with scientific data.”

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“The Peninsula offers the best of the island lifestyle, which is why we live here — the luxuriousness of dark nights, the quiet, the immediate nature and the privacy.”

Historic Dunmora Estate in Central Saanich.

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LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT MODERN HERITAGE CHARM AT DUNMORA ESTATE

A PHOTO: JACOB MCNEIL, PlatinumHD, CANADA

t the bottom of a winding country road in Central Saanich, overlooking the Saanich Inlet, stands one of the region’s most spectacular heritage homes. A visit here invites guests to step back in time into the charm and luxury of nearly a century past.

Built in 1926, Dunmora was designed by renowned Victoria architect J.C.M. Keith, whose notable accomplishments

“BUYERS ON THE PENINSULA ... PERHAPS APPRECIATE MORE THE PEACE OF THE OPEN SPACES AND UNMANAGED NATURE THAT WE FIND HERE.” include the spectacular Christchurch cathedral on Quadra Street. The house is a sublime collection of well-loved Tudorstyle features including a granite block exterior, porte cochère, leaded windows,

W O R D S A N G E L A C OWA N

rich interior woodwork, multiple fireplaces and a grand main staircase.

It offers nearly 10,000 square feet of living space over four floors with a separate suite over a carriage house garage, and all of it infused with the character and personality known to properties from the early 20th century.

It only took one walk-through for owner Steve Zakreski to realize he’d found his home.

“We were looking at properties all over the world,” he says.

Steve and his wife Lera began scouting possible retirement locales over the last few years, perusing properties in Italy, Cabo San Lucas and England, where Steve grew up. They even found one in Cabo San Lucas they were nearly set on when they both decided to give Victoria one more shot.

“I’ve always had a soft spot for Victoria,” says Steve.

He toured Dunmora at the urging of his realtor, James Le Blanc of Engel & Völkers, and “it was love at first sight.”

PHOTOGRAPHY DON DENTON

SUMMER 2016 PEARL

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“It was very much the English style we were looking for,” he says. “And set against the land and against the backdrop of the Saanich Inlet — it makes your eyes water it’s so beautiful.”

Having previously undergone a massive restoration effort by Abstract Developments, the estate was transformed into a seamless blend of modern conveniences and heritage charm by the time the Zakreskis came on the scene.

Along with the traditional features came a new boiler, heat pump and air conditioning

Also within that modernization shines the master suite. The dark woodwork was painted white, bordering soft grey walls and gauzy white window coverings, lightening the space and creating a tranquil, spa-like atmosphere.

His and hers walk-in closets ensure no one will ever fight over shoe space, and the master en suite is worth its weight in gold for the soaker tub alone, although the intricate marble tiling is also exquisite to behold.

But aside from the considerable charm of the house, there was another draw that compelled

“AS SOON AS I STARTED WALKING AROUND, I GOT THIS FEELING LIKE THE COUNTRY WAS CALLING ME. I COULDN’T LOSE IT.” for the top two floors, all new-wiring, enlarged bedrooms, steam showers, a temperaturecontrolled wine cellar and a completely modernized and open kitchen.

The new kitchen cabinets were made to match the original interior woodwork and beams as closely as possible, while a six-burner gas range, top of the line concealed Viking refrigerator and a built-in espresso machine ensured every convenience for the new owners.

Zakreski to snap up the property.

“The Peninsula happens to have identical climatic conditions as where I’m from in England,” he says.

The familiar vegetation, weather, even the same feeling of the ocean in the air all pulled to him immediately.

“As soon as I started walking around, I got this feeling like the country was calling me. I couldn’t lose it.”

And so despite being several years away from selling his Calgary-based business and relocating their family, Zakreski and his wife signed their names to the offer, found a tenant for the intervening years, and started making plans for an island life.

“It’s been on my mind ever since,” he says.

Walking around the estate, it’s impossible not to be captivated by its 90-year-old English landscaping and breathtaking views of the Saanich Inlet. Grand maples lend shade to the curving driveway, while Garry oaks and arbutuses border a path leading down to the water. Wild and garden roses surround the house in an opulence of scent and colour, weaving through trellises and wrought iron fences. And banks of French lavender, overflowing hydrangea bushes and a speckling of crimson snapdragons offer a paradise to the hundreds of dragonflies and bumblebees.

It’s an effortless fancy to imagine oneself lounging on the veranda, nibbling from a tea tray heavy with afternoon goodies in a late summer sun, or taking a stroll down to the waterfront to watch the sun set over Senanus Island and feel the cool breeze coming off the salt water.

But beyond the Eden-esque grounds, it’s the space of the six-acre property and the large neighbouring lots that also offer substantial

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“SET AGAINST THE LAND AND AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF THE SAANICH INLET — IT MAKES YOUR EYES WATER IT’S SO BEAUTIFUL.” Above, all the modern amenities in the kitchen at Dunmora and a peaceful sitting area in the master bedroom. Below, fireplace and artwork make the office a cozy, welcoming spot.

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appeal, and may explain why Peninsula properties have become so in demand recently.

“Buyers on the Peninsula, in contrast to say, Uplands or Oak Bay, perhaps appreciate more the peace of the open spaces and unmanaged nature that we find here,” says Jerome Peacock, a real estate agent with Engel & Völkers.

“The residence at Dunmora is obviously unique, but the location makes the home that much more special. It may be my bias, but I feel that the Peninsula offers the best of the island lifestyle, which is why we live here — the luxuriousness of dark nights, the quiet, the immediate nature and the privacy.”

Dunmora certainly has all those aspects and more, and the Zakreskis are counting down the days until next summer when they can finally make the move out with their three children.

“The old English estate is something I’ve been attracted to since I was little,” Steve says. “And it’s a completely genuine house. It has genuine history. It’s very English and very spectacular.”

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FIELDS OF DREAMS

A legacy of family farming at Michell Bros. Farm W O R D S A N G E L A C OWA N

Generations of the Michell family at their farm in Central Saanich.

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PHOTOGRAPHY DON DENTON

I

n the midst of our fast-paced and ever-changing society, it’s unusual to find a family business that has survived for lifetimes, and even more so to find a passionate commitment from each new generation that inherits it.

But with familial bonds as strong as the iron that tills the earth, Vern and Dorothy Michell, with their children and grandchildren, have been tending their fields and growing their seedlings for more than 60 years, and carrying on a family farming legacy that is older than Canada itself.

It was in 1862 that Vern’s great-grandfather Thomas Michell first set foot on Vancouver Island, after making a four-month boat journey from England with his wife Margaret and their infant son John. He soon felt the pull of the gold rush, and staked his claim in Williams Creek, eventually striking gold under the corner of the very cabin in which he lived.

With a decent amount of money in hand, Thomas came home, set up a hotel on Yates Street, and immediately bought 125 acres of farmland in the wilds of Saanich.

Thomas and Margaret cleared and farmed the land, first by hand and later with machinery and the help of local workers, always taking advantage of new developments in technology. In fact, Thomas is credited for bringing the first steam-powered threshing machine into Saanich, and very possibly the first in all of the province. Their children took up the farming mantle, and as the generations passed, the Michell name became synonymous with agriculture on the Peninsula.

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It wasn’t until the 1950s though, that the current iteration of the Michell Brothers Farm came into being. It was the joint venture of fourth-generation farming brothers Vern, Frances and Wilmer Michell.

Vern, 85 this year, started in the business much like his predecessors — by working the family land as a youngster.

“My grandfather and uncles had a small dairy farm, about 50 cows,” he says. “In my teenage years, after school and on Saturdays, I worked for my grandfather. That’s how I got started.”

By the time he was 20, Vern was ready to tackle bigger ambitions, and joined forces with his brothers to buy as much land as they could get their hands on.

“Each time there was land available, we bought it, because we wanted to do farming in a big way,” he says.

Their first major crops were industrial amounts of strawberries, raspberries and loganberries, for fresh markets as

in business.

“We had the advantage we were already growing other crops,” says Vern. “But the ban put a lot of farms out of business.”

Along with their variety of berries, the Michell farm had also started producing cabbage and cauliflower. With potatoes off the table, they expanded into carrots, beets, broccoli and a whole host of other veggies to try and make up the difference.

Ultimately, the new restriction ended up being a blessing in disguise.

“The ban really turned this farm in a different direction,” says Vern.

In 1983, he and his wife Dorothy set up a small table underneath a tree just outside their front yard, aiming to sell the extra veggies they’d produced that year. The very first day netted them $50 from the fresh produce, the next day nearly doubled their take, and they realized they’d hit on something big.

“That was the original start of direct marketing,” says Vern

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well as canning and wine.

“Then we got into potatoes in a large way. We’d bring in more than one thousand tons every season,” says Vern. “Potatoes became one of our largest crops.”

Business was booming and the family was fast establishing itself as the go-to place for fresh, local produce on the island. And then disaster struck.

After struggling to eradicate a local infestation of golden nematodes for almost 20 years, the federal government enacted a complete potato ban in Central Saanich in 1982. In a blink, the Michells lost one of their largest crops, and the brothers had to make some quick decisions to stay

with a laugh. “It increased very quickly!”

Once word got around, people were making the drive in to the Michell home and cleaning out their stock daily. Vern built a roadside stand to accommodate the increasing traffic, and it became a staple in the local community, with his kids and grandkids often manning the sales.

Much like his greatgrandfather, however, Vern stayed on the lookout for the next step to grow the farm. So in the early 2000s, he seized the opportunity to lease 100 acres on Island View Road, which included the current building that contains the market. Within a few years, the

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Tom Michell in the strawberry patch at Michell Bros. Farm.

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“AS THE GENERATIONS PASSED, THE MICHELL NAME BECAME SYNONYMOUS WITH AGRICULTURE ON THE PENINSULA.”

family bought the land and building from the government, increasing their overall land to nearly 500 acres.

As the farm’s holdings have expanded over the years, so too has the family itself. Vern and Dorothy, long the heads of the Michell farm legacy, have two sons, Tom and Terry, and six grandchildren.

“It was born into me naturally, and with my two sons, it’s natural for them too,” says Vern. From their high school years, the younger Michell brothers worked in the fields, picked rocks and did odd jobs around the farm.

Terry has been a full-time figure on the farm for many years, and though Tom worked for the District of Central Saanich for a long time, he always found himself getting his hands dirty on weekends and vacations.

And Nicole, one of three grandchildren who also work there full-time, has been on staff for the last decade, and fully intends to grow her career in the family business.

“It’s pretty amazing,” she says. “I don’t know many people who have a family business that’s lasted so long. We’re all really proud to be part of the family legacy and make sure it carries on.”

“One of the most satisfying things is that the new generations want to be involved,” adds Terry.

With an enormous amount of involvement, and the second of a seventh generation of farmers on the way, the Michell family legacy stands ready to continue for many more years, much to the delight of its oldest generation.

“We want them to carry on,” says Vern of his children and grandchildren. “We try to keep the future rosy for them.”

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9+ private and sunny acres with abundant potential for the equestrian enthusiast. Stylish kitchen with high end appliances; living and separate dining rooms. 4 bedrooms and every ideal space for a large family or guests spread over 2 spacious levels. A must see Saanich Peninsula acreage. Live your dream.

60 stunning acres with incomparable privacy & almost a mile of ocean frontage! Modern upgrades provide an easy commute via Seaplane or helicopter with a landing area at the tip of the point. Foreshore development includes an aluminum ramp & catwalk that leads to a 40x10ft concrete float to secure your boats. Build your secluded dream home.

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6000 sq ft Oceanfront home on 2.2 acres; offering 400 feet of low bank Saanich Peninsula waterfront.

The unique design throughout allows full panoramic views. Luxury is paramount throughout the home; demonstrating the calibre of the home’s overall complete renovation. Pool, spa, steam, fitness room & outdoor sport court complete this lifestyle oasis.

A multiple Care Award winner! A spacious great room flooded with light; French doors lead to the notable outdoor space warmed by a shared gas fireplace. Gourmet kitchen adjacent to the dining room features: SS double ovens, gas range & center island. Award winning master suite.

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5.14 private oceanfront acres on stunning Curteis Point. Main home offers 4,000+ sq ft, ample space to develop; or renovate into your Oceanside dream. A fully renovated, self-contained 2 bedroom, 1,300 sq ft Guest House. The private beach is easily accessible to enjoy a multitude of water activities year-round. Endless possibilities.

©2016 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved.

Each brokerage is independently owned and operated.

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S.S. Strathcona and Locomotive #3 at Sidney docks, circa 1902.

32

PEARL SUMMER 2016

historic PENINSULA

ALL ABOARD!

The little railway that built modern Sidney W O R D S I VA N WAT S O N

T

he promise of a transcontinental rail link helped convince many reluctant British Columbians to join Confederation in 1871.

During the Victorian era, railways were the greatest mode of modern transportation, connecting far-flung towns and cities, driving forward economic development and building a nation — one spike at a time.

When the long promised railway arrived in BC, its western terminus stopped at Vancouver, frustrating Vancouver Islanders who felt that Victoria — as provincial capital — deserved that distinction. Plans soon evolved to link the burgeoning resourcebased communities of Southern Vancouver Island by rail.

At the time, it was cumbersome

PHOTOS COURTESY BC ARCHIVES

The following year, the Victoria and Sidney Railway Company presented a new plan prioritizing local rail development. After bond guarantees and tax exemptions were negotiated with the city, the scheme was put to a public vote. It passed by a margin of 3 to 1. The “V&S” was the first of three railways that would serve the Saanich Peninsula into the first decades of the 20th century.

Engineer John Gray led the surveying team and work progressed at a rate of over a mile a day on the 16-mile route.

Plans included a downtown Victoria station near the new City Hall and a Peninsula station — with a covered platform to shield waiting passengers from the rain — at the corner of Beacon Avenue and First Street in the recently incorporated Township of Sidney.

In September 1892, crews began

“IN 1907, CALAMITY STRUCK WHEN LOCOMOTIVE #3 FELL THROUGH THE DOCKS IN SIDNEY AND HAD TO BE RECOVERED WITH GREAT EFFORT.” shipping products from Peninsula farms to Victoria by oxcart along muddy dirt roads. In 1891, eccentric BC Premier Amor de Cosmos proposed a scheme that included a small Victoria-to-Sidney railway, but his overall plan focused on an integrated rail and steamship network centred on the mainland.

Victoria City Council voted it down 6-3.

clearing the right of way. By March 1893, construction started, led by the firm of Thomas W. Paterson. The route went through field, farm and forest, winding its way along the shores of Beaver and Elk Lakes.

Trestles were built across Colquitz River and Snyder’s Ravine — with its drop of over 40 feet. After resolving an

issue with the City to protect the water basin at Beaver Lake, work continued apace. By August 1893, nearly 200 men were employed full time on the project.

In September, the steamship Rathdown arrived in Sidney carrying 6,426 rails, 48 cases of spikes, 500 insulators and three tons of telegraph wire to complete the route.

On October 3, the first rolling stock arrived. The 40-ton “Mogul” engine was built at the Canadian Locomotive Company in Kingston, Ontario.

Locomotive “#1” was put to work over the following months laying rail as the track progressed towards Victoria. It was the first of three locomotive engines that would serve faithfully on the line for many years.

A dispute with a local brickyard that crossed the right of way caused considerable construction delays, but nothing could diminish the excitement when the first unofficial trains departed on May 11, 1894 from Victoria carrying passengers for “an inspection of the line” and to attend an annual agricultural ball. The Colonist reported guests were: “delighted with the smoothness of the motion and the evidently substantial manner in which the various structures have been finished.”

On June 2, 1894 the service officially opened. The carriages were adorned with flowers and patriotic bunting. Guests were treated to a day of dancing, boating and light entertainment.

The line was completed at a total cost of nearly $316,000. Its impact on the

SUMMER 2016 PEARL

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economy of the Peninsula was profound, spurring growth and settlement. Before rail, Sidney’s main sawmill business struggled. The railway was dubbed the “Cordwood Limited” due to its initially profitable role in delivering shipments of Peninsula cordwood to customers in Victoria. It also won the contract for mail service, immediately tripling the number of weekly deliveries to the Peninsula.

Train trips were scheduled twice daily.

Weekday trains left Victoria at 7 am and 4 pm with return trips from Sidney at 9 am and 5:30 pm. Round-trip fare cost 50 cents. The only station between Victoria and Sidney was at Royal Oak, adjacent to a hotel and pub. Male passengers would down a quick pint before racing back to jump aboard the slow-moving train. Farmers’ wives, carrying baskets of eggs and butter, were known to flag down the train between stations.

The railway proved popular with “pleasuregoers” who rode the track to the agricultural fairs around the Peninsula. The views were spectacular as the train passed through a pastoral landscape of small family farms, densely wooded forests, rolling hills and a scenic vista along the western shores of Beaver and Elk Lake.

Despite its popularity, the service proved costly to run. When the company struggled to meet its bond obligations, new plans were

drawn up to develop a mainland connection.

This plan was boosted in 1901, when the Sidney-Nanaimo steamship service added the S.S. Iroquois to its ferry fleet with improved passenger and freight capacity, and a schedule linked with the V&S evening train to Victoria.

Investors in the newly formed Victoria

“Male passengers would down a quick pint before racing back to jump aboard the slow-moving train. ” Terminal Railway & Ferry Company revived a variation on de Cosmos’ plan to connect the local line to an integrated rail and shipping network between Vancouver Island, mainland, and transcontinental routes further afield.

Ferries connected Sidney to Nanaimo and the Gulf Islands.

Seeing potential in this vision, V&S and VTR&F were purchased by Great Northern Railway in 1902. The new owners soon realized that the region’s small population, declining market for cordwood and continuing

development of local roads made the railway a perennially unprofitable undertaking. It didn’t help that the trains earned a reputation for frequent delays and derailments, sometimes stranding passengers for hours on end. In 1907, calamity struck when locomotive #3 fell through the docks in Sidney and had to be recovered with great effort.

Competition and the end of government subsidies spelled the end of the line for the V&S. In 1913, BC Electric opened the Saanich Division Interurban Line and in 1917, Canadian Northern Pacific opened a railway linking Victoria and Patricia Bay. In 1919, V&S ceased operations. Most of the former right of way was paved for automobile use, but hints of the old railway remain —“Veyaness Road” in Saanichton phonetically recalls the “V&S” name.

The shouts of “all aboard” by uniformed station attendants are long gone but they still echo in the Peninsula’s folk memory. The V&S provides an inspiration to those who continue to dream about a modern rail and ferry link between the island and the mainland.

Do you have a story or personal connection related to any of the Peninsula’s three historic railways? If so, I’d love to hear from you.

Email: watsoni@yahoo.com Tel: 250-418-0700 Twitter: @watsonivan

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Brad Edgett, executive director of the Mary Winspear Centre, adjusts a Dolphus Cadieux sculpture.

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PEARL SUMMER 2016

BRAD EDGETT Champion of aboriginal art

W O R D S H A N S TA M M E M AG I

PHOTOGRAPHY DON DENTON

A

wolf, a thunderbird, an orca, a raven and several frogs, boldly carved on four Coast Salish totems, welcome me as I enter the Mary Winspear Centre. Inside, I’m greeted again, this time by 17 Inuit and First Nations sculptures arrayed along one wall of the main lobby.

Brad Edgett, executive director of the centre since 2012, leans against one of the display cases. Dressed in jeans, a sports jacket, casual shirt and no tie, he looks trendy and chic, fitting in nicely with the art behind him. His smile and enthusiasm are infectious and it’s easy to see how his drive and vision have played a large role in forming the character the centre has today.

SUMMER 2016 PEARL

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Brad Edgett with a Christian Morrisseau print.

“I ACQUIRED THESE PIECES AT THE ART OF MAN GALLERY AND SOLD THEM TO BILL. NOW THEY’RE HERE AND I’M LOOKING AFTER THEM. THE CIRCLE HAS CLOSED.” The Mary Winspear Centre is overseen by the Memorial Park Society in trust for the communities of the Saanich Peninsula. It has a long history dating to 1921 when it started as a park. The current large, impressive building opened in 2001. But by 2012, it had lost its connection with locals.

“My focus, when I took over in 2012, was to bring the community back to the centre and the centre back to the community,” says Edgett. “That was my mantra. And it’s been successful; now the community embraces the centre.”

Conspicuously located at the southeast corner of Beacon Avenue and the Pat Bay Highway, the centre is the envy of other communities. It attracts top entertainment and conferences, and hosts weddings, meetings, art shows, seminars and more.

In addition to its main purpose of bringing culture and entertainment to the community and acting as a gathering place, the centre, led by Edgett, has quietly become a thriving centre of art, especially that of aboriginal people. With a collection of carvings, masks, sculptures and totems, the centre is an art gallery as well as a community hall.

Embracing an aboriginal motif shows respect to the late Bill Winspear, the major donor who helped create the centre. Winspear, a philanthropist originally from Edmonton who lived in Saanich, was a modest man who asked for

the centre to be named after his aunt, rather than himself.

Winspear had a passion for aboriginal art and felt there should be recognition that the centre is located on land of the Coast Salish people. His influence led to the totems that grace the entranceway.

In 2007, when he passed away, 17 native sculptures from his collection were bequeathed to the centre and are now in the lobby.

Edgett is the right man to be carrying on Winspear’s legacy. He has been interested in anthropology since a youth growing up near Edmonton, and studied the subject at Lakeland College. He subsequently worked for more than 10 years at the high-end Art of Man Gallery at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, which specializes in aboriginal art.

During that decade, Edgett studied indigenous art, met First Nations artists and became friends with Winspear, who was one of the gallery’s major clients.

Smiling as he points to the sculptures in the lobby, Edgett says, “I acquired these pieces at the Art of Man Gallery and sold them to Bill. Now they’re here and I’m looking after them. The circle has closed.”

He adds, “My main goal is to make the centre a vital part of the community. At the same time, I’m working hard to give the centre an aboriginal character by tapping into the glorious art and culture of Native people.”

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Brad Edgett with two Norval Morrisseau prints and a Sean Whonnock mask.

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PEARL SUMMER 2016

Mariann Abram

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In explaining how he learned about First Nations and their traditions, Edgett says, “There are two aspects of Native philosophy that I strive to practice here. The first, which is embodied in potlatches, is the idea of giving rather than taking.

The second is their respect for elders, the generations before them, and the past.”

The latter philosophy will be reflected in the centre’s 15th anniversary, to be celebrated in September.

“It’s going to be all about the past and about the hard work of those board members and donors that had the foresight to create this amazing building and get us to where we are today,” says Edgett.

“We’re going to say thank you for everything they’ve done.”

He leads me to the nearby Room 6, which is filled with impressive First Nations art including prints by Norval Morrisseau, weavings and a large cedar mask with a face divided into a happy side and a dark side. A launch for the gallery was planned for late June.

“The art in this room is for sale,” says Edgett.

There is another initiative of which he is very proud. In the month of August, the 8th annual invitational Exhibition of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Artists will be held at the centre, featuring carving, weaving, prints, jewelry, pottery and leatherwork. Stories, music and demonstrations will enliven the proceedings.

“The show is unique with artists coming from all across Canada,” Edgett says. “Buffy St. Marie will give a concert to open the monthlong exhibition.”

Edgett’s passion for Native art and First Nations philosophy are apparent. He wants to “give back” and help emerging artists who have not yet achieved recognition.

Leaving the Mary Winspear Centre, I’m sure the Thunderbird smiled and winked at me.

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that are sure to please.

A small Bill Reid print at the Mary Winspear Centre. ®

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FOOTLOOSE

TRAVEL LOG

TASMANIA

An island shaped by convicts W O R D S H A N S TA M M E M AG I

I

solated in the wild southern ocean off Australia’s south coast, Tasmania, or Tassie, is rimmed by sandy beaches, populated by exotic creatures and has — even though they have criminal pedigrees — the friendliest people.

My wife Allyson and I landed in Hobart, Tasmania’s picturesque capital (200,000 population) nestled beside the Derwent River. Soon we were strolling through the historic Battery area with its small streets and wrought-iron-decorated terrace homes dating from colonial days.

We entered the happy hubbub in the Shipwright’s Arms and, over foaming ales, reflected on the convicts, whalers, wealthy merchants and seamen who settled here.

“THE TASMANIAN DEVIL IS A COMBINATION OF A PIG’S FACE, BEAVER’S FUR, CROCODILE’S TEETH, DOG’S EARS AND A POSSUM’S FRONT LEGS. THEY LOOK FIERCE, BUT DEVILS ARE GENTLE.”

Salamanca markets on a Saturday in Hobart, Australia.

42

PEARL SUMMER 2016

We wandered to Sullivans Cove, the historic port area where the streets are lined with restored sandstone Georgian warehouses now occupied by art galleries, restaurants and cafes.

Nervously driving on the left side, we headed north to do a loop of the eastern half of the island.

The air was hot and dry with a fragrance of eucalyptus trees. Sheep dotted the rolling landscape.

We stopped at the Black Swan, a roadside pub offering “True Tassie Tucker.” Tucker means food, we discovered.

At Campbell Town, a long row of bricks was embedded in the sidewalk, each one engraved with the story of a luckless convict. Tears welled as Allyson read that many of the convicts were only in their early teens and had received harsh sentences for trivial offences.

We drove drowsily northward to Launceston, Tasmania’s second largest city, passing through

Freycinet National Park.

bucolic towns with many houses built by convict stonemasons.

Next day, we explored the Tamar Valley, which stretches north to the ocean and is dotted by vineyards. Seeking refreshment, we pulled in to a “bottle shop.” Not only are the beer and wine prices remarkably low, but many of these shops are drive-through. Damned clever, these Aussies!

We headed eastward. At East Coast Natureworld, we gazed at kangaroos, wallabees, pelicans, black swans, emus, lethal tiger snakes and Tasmanian devils.

“The devil,” the owner said, “is a combination of a pig’s face, beaver’s fur, crocodile’s teeth, dog’s ears and a possum’s front legs. They look fierce, but devils are gentle.”

Reaching Freycinet National Park, we went to Cape Tourville lighthouse, which overlooks rugged reddish granite cliffs. Far below, huge waves pounded and sprayed.

In the morning we hiked to Wineglass Bay, one of the prettiest beaches in the world. We splashed happily in the turquoise waves that crashed and swirled onto a long crescent of perfect white sand.

At dusk, a bushy tailed possum with bulging eyes climbed onto our cabin deck and gently nibbled at my fingers. She departed, seeking better tasting fare.

At Port Arthur Historic Site, a major penal colony that operated from 1833 to 1877, we wandered the grounds learning about the cruel conditions. At the Separate Prison, for example, convicts weren’t allowed

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to speak and had to wear hoods whenever outside their tiny cells.

Later, I returned for the ghost tour. In the dank morgue around a large stone slab, the guide, holding a skull in one hand, explained how bodies were dissected here to see if criminal and normal brains differed. I mused about human cruelty, and how this convict heritage has shaped Australia’s history.

As the plane rose and Hobart became smaller, Allyson and I already wanted to return.

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“I always had a love for animals and had a menagerie of pets. That love evolved into sculpting in high school.”

Sculptor Paul Harder in his Deep Cove studio.

44

PEARL SUMMER 2016

FORMIDABLE BEAUTY

The stunning sculpture of Paul Harder WORDS KORINNA MILLER

PHOTOGRAPHY DON DENTON

A

visit to sculptor Paul Harder’s studio is not for the faint of heart.

Tucked into the forest in Deep Cove on the Peninsula, it’s filled with a watchful presence.

The first piercing gaze is from a cougar cresting the hill, prowling and poised.

Further along the path stands a wolf, mid-stride, its head lowered but its ears alert and its eyes attentive.

These animals may be sculpted from bronze but the movement Harder

“IT’S A VERY ALLURING METAL. YOU CAN MANIPULATE IT AND WORK WITH IT, BUT IT LASTS FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.” captures in them forces a double take.

There is life coursing through them, making them both formidable and objects of pure beauty.

“I’m not trying to be precise,” says

Harder. “I don’t just want a replica of a wolf. I want some sense of the subject — the whale, the fish or the turtle. I want to express the gist of the creature and capture a sense of movement and life.

Most are pretty realistic — but not exact.”

Harder doesn’t need to work at being precise — after years of sculpting, it comes naturally.

“I always had a love for animals and had a menagerie of pets. That love evolved into sculpting in high school.”

Sculpting became a hobby that got serious. After 35 years working as an environmental consultant, he took the plunge and became a full-time artist 10 years ago.

“It was one of those questions that would come up. Did I want to wish I’d done it or actually have done it? I realized it was totally impractical,” he laughs.

Yet Harder’s been making a successful go of it for the past decade, opening his own studio on the Peninsula after moving here from Victoria’s Fernwood neighbourhood.

What really motivated him was an

SUMMER 2016 PEARL

45

Cougar in the sculpture garden.

invitation for a proposal from the BC Museum.

“At one point we were talking about creating a full scale mammoth. I worked with them for about six months. It was very exciting. I couldn’t sleep for about three or four months.”

When the funding fell through, it almost didn’t matter, he says. The experience pushed Harder over the edge and gave him a massive vote of confidence. Now, with hundreds of commissions under his belt, there’s a steady stream of fish, turtles, wolves and other animals parading out of his studio.

“It’s a fortuitous arrangement here. This place is perfect for what I do and for the

to cast the sculpture in bronze. It costs thousands. You need to make sure the piece works structurally and aesthetically before committing to the foundry.”

To create his work, Harder uses lost-wax casting.

“It’s almost identical to the ancient process developed by the Chinese. There’s more sophistication with tools but the process is virtually identical. The whole allure of casting it is part of it. It’s a complicated process and it took me several years to get a good understanding.”

His love for the process hasn’t diminished

“THIS PLACE IS PERFECT FOR WHAT I DO AND FOR THE SCULPTURE GARDEN. I USED TO TRAVEL A LOT. NOW I’M SO CONTENT, I DON’T FEEL LIKE TRAVELLING.” sculpture garden. I used to travel a lot. Now I’m so content, I don’t feel like travelling. It’s been a fast 10 years.”

Harder started sculpting in clay but found it often broke, so the move to bronze was initially a practical decision.

“But the more I learned about it, the more I loved it. It’s a very alluring metal. You can manipulate it and work with it, but it lasts for thousands of years. It has permanency. It also has the ability to create finely balanced movements.”

A stunning example sits on the shelf of his studio. All 85 pounds of a sea turtle rests delicately on one, single flipper.

“I find the balance intuitively, visually. So far it’s worked,” he smiles. “It’s a big investment 46

PEARL SUMMER 2016

over the last decade.

“There’s so much variety to the job,” he says, making a quick sweep of his arm across the studio, “I’m making a mold over there, working with wax here and clay there. It never gets boring.”

Harder works long hours. “Once I’ve started, I go until I’m exhausted — sometimes 12 or 14 hours a day — several days in a row. I know I’m done when I get that satisfied feeling. I think, ‘This is right.’ Then I most often leave the piece for a week and come back to it with fresh eyes.

Maybe ask someone else to critique it. But usually when I finish, I really like it.”

Harder’s creations are many and diverse.

“I used to dive a lot and so I know the

marine animals — the fish and the octopus.

For other animals, I work from photographs or observations. I study models from museums.

Live models are best but with animals like the bear or the Komodo dragon, it’s not always possible.”

Sometimes his subjects arise purely from personal interest. Other times, they’re related to a client’s wish. But most often, it’s a combination of both.

“The orangutan is from me,” he says, referring to a piece in progress, which already has distinct, ape eyes peering across the room. “But this salmon coffee table is a client’s interest.”

He has also just completed a commission for a table with an octopus base, its long, curving legs holding up a glass and wooden top.

“The clients came to me with the wood and we worked together. Octopi are kind of my obsession, but other people are obsessed with them too,” he grins.

Commissions for coffee tables appeal to his desire to create functional art.

“I did a lot of tables for a design company in LA that supplied clients with unique furniture.

Some of the other designs they asked for were pretty crazy — like a 5-foot-diameter merman chandelier — but there were also door hinges, fireplace tools, pool ladders and vanity sinks in the shape of a seashell. It was an interesting experience.”

His most rewarding project was a commission of an octopus for a bowhead of a boat in Connecticut.

“It had to fit the boat just right. I made a mold of the bow and then a mold of the octopus and had to test it on the boat before casting it. It was four feet of bronze wrapped around the front of the boat.”

Harder’s work has not gone unnoticed.

“Sidney has a strong arts community with a lot of art collectors who are very supportive,” he says. “There’s lots of enthusiasm.”

Twice a year, the Saanich Peninsula Studio Tours bring hundreds of art lovers to explore his sculpture garden.

“I get to meet some amazing people, both local and from afar. I’ve gotten some nice commissions from it too.”

How many commissions has he had?

He puzzles for a moment — “I don’t know,” he says. “Probably 20 a year, times more than 10 years. I’ve never counted.”

Experience the beauty of Paul Harder’s work in his sculpture garden and studio (www. paulharder.com; 612 Downey Rd, North Saanich). You’ ll also find his work at the Shell Aerocentre gallery or check out his piece on the Sidney waterfront Art Walk.

Working on a clay model of a salmon.

SUMMER 2016 PEARL

47

WALK WITH

ALICE FINALL

C L A I M TO FA M E O N T H E P E N I N S U L A :

North Saanich Mayor for three consecutive terms

WO R DS S U SA N LU N DY

N

ice to meet you, Alice. Where are you from?

I was born in Calgary and grew up on the southern Alberta prairies. I attended university in Edmonton at the University of Alberta, and took my law degree there.

You’ve been involved in politics on the Peninsula since 1993.

What initially inspired you to run for council?

I was strenuously encouraged to run for North Saanich council by a close friend and mentor, Dee Bailin, who was serving on council at the time. I have always had a strong interest in community and municipal affairs and had served on council in Yellowknife while I lived there in the early 1970s.

What do you think your biggest accomplishment has been as mayor?

Increasing interest and support for our agriculture industry, which is one of our major industries in North Saanich. I was co-founder of the North Saanich Farm Market, which began in 2008 and has steadily increased in size and popularity since then. In 2011, North Saanich received a UBCM Excellence Award for leadership and innovation for our Community Whole Agriculture Strategy, which we are updating this year. Serving on the Capital Regional Board as North Saanich director in my first term and in my current term, I have been able to encourage interest and support for regional agriculture.

What are the biggest challenges facing North Saanich Council?

We need visionary thinking to see the needs of the municipality and the region in terms of land and water use. This requires understanding the priority in North Saanich for increasing local food production, now and in the future, and encouraging necessary

48

PEARL SUMMER 2016

PHOTOGRAPHY DON DENTON

initiatives to achieve that, and finally, assessing pressures for increased residential densities that provide little or no benefit to our residents and the region.

What drew you to the law, and what is your area of expertise?

I was encouraged by a friend and classmate

many aspects of community affairs, particularly environmental matters in later years. Some of my involvements included the Peninsula Community Services, Friends of Dominion Brook Park, Peninsula Streams Society. After leaving council in 1999, I served on the North Saanich Environmental Advisory Commission for six years and was the first chair of the Agricultural Advisory Commission. I also incorporated a society in the years prior to my election as mayor called Governance Advocacy in North Saanich, which grew out of concern for the direction the council of the day was taking and participation in the Official Community Plan review we were undergoing.

What are your hobbies?

Reading, walking, gardening.

Who is your hero/who do you admire? And why?

I’d say my mother. She came to Canada at the age of three, the child of immigrants. She was the middle child in her family, very bright and energetic. She became a teacher in northern Mayor Alice Finall and Pearl editor Susan Lundy. and southern Alberta under fairly primitive conditions.

She and my father raised five children during depression and war years managing without who was planning to study law and believed that modern conveniences such as electricity and the profession was in need of more women. His running water, providing security with little outlook was quite advanced for the time, but he money. Returning to teaching, she upgraded also believed, and I agreed, that the profession and was innovative, respected and dynamic would be much improved by an expanded in her profession. She overcame poverty, outlook. My parents were supportive and off I language difficulties, difficulties in obtaining went. I had a general practice through the years, an education, serving as an example to her with emphasis on wills and estates during my younger siblings and her children. last several years of practice. I also did a stint as a What brings you joy?

Crown prosecutor in the early 1980s.

My family. I have a wonderful, supportive You’ve been active on numerous boards and and interesting husband. I have three committees. What drives you to volunteer? marvellous children, who are also supportive Throughout my life I have been interested in and fun to be with. I could not be luckier.

PAWS ON

THE PENINSULA

PHOTOGRAPHY DON DENTON

• STEVE HEYWOOD

Furry friends spotted on the Peninsula are, clockwise from above: one-year-old lurchers — ­ sisters Echo and Miri; Willie, an eight-year-old Yorkie male; nine-year-old Jack Russell/ Daschund cross Tyra Banks; and Susie, an eight-year-old pug Chihuahua.

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51

MEET OUR

Pearl ADVERTISERS SOTHeBY’S glYNIS MaCleOD

JerOMe PeaCOCK eNgel & VölKerS

Glynis MacLeod’s passion is real estate. Glynis and her husband live in Brentwood Bay and their 2 daughters graduated from SMUS. They love the convenience of life on the Peninsula.

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A match-maker of people and homes, with over 10 years of sales experience in Victoria Real Estate, from Sidney to Oak Bay and from downtown condos to waterfront estates..

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One of the leading, most well-respected wine kit manufacturers in Canada. Proudly serving Sidney, the Saanich Peninsula, Greater Victoria and the Gulf Islands, for over 14 years.

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A local gem since 1985.

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A lovely boutique style shop offering Pandora jewellery, Brighton, Sid Dickens and wonderful personal indulgences to spoil yourself or someone special.

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DeeP COVe MarKeT

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Rosemary Scott, owner of the Deep Cove Market brings her passion for food and shopping to a unique little destination in the country.

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On The Peninsula for over 20 years, makes custom slipcovers for your quality furniture and custom outdoor furniture cushions.

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arDMOre gOlF COUrSe

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Ardmore Golf Course is an ideal place to play your favorite game, host an event or hone your swing. Join us on the beautiful Peninsula.

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Providing great plants and good advice to local gardeners for almost 25 years. We love plants and it shows!

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Family owned and operated in Sidney since 2008. Licensed funeral directors Jordan and Leslie keep it simple in your time of need.

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PeNINSUla NaTUrOPaTHIC ClINIC We offer patient centred health care, combining natural and modern medicine. Let our experienced health care team guide you to optimum health.

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CHeF ON THe rUN Take the effort out of meal planning, let us do the work for you. Seven different meals to choose each week complete with starch/ vegetables.

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SaaNICH PeNINSUla HOSPITal FOUNDaTION It’s our hospital. And thanks to our donors, we have been raising funds to keep our hospital modern and efficient for over 30 years.

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eYelaND OPTICal Since 1997 Fima has helped clients with all their optical needs in both our Victoria and Sidney locations.

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Michell’s Farm is a sixth generation, family-run farm that has been in operation on the Saanich Peninsula for over 150 years. They grow fresh, seasonal produce year round.

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SIDNeY lION FOOD BaNK

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The Sidney Lions Food Bank is an emergency food service and we are here to help you and your family in a time of need.

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Puppy Love Pet Care Centre and The Cat’s Meow is a full service pet resort and spa designed and managed out of a genuine love of animals.

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Owner, Chris Stephen invites you into her welcoming and fragrant boutique. A pretty plethora of unique finds that are a pleasure to give and to receive. Come and indulge all your senses!

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FISH ON FIFTH

ISlaND VIeW gOlF COUrSe

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Casual and friendly as every good fish ‘n chip shop should be! Great staff serving excellent fish for over 18 years. Readers Choice Award for Favourite Seafood.

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52

Pack your bags and get ready to Experience the Southern Gulf Islands! Explore Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Salt Spring & Saturna Islands! When can you get here?

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TIgerlIlY eVeNTS Celebrating life’s moments through the many different celebrations is important to us at Tiger Lily Events, and that is why we are passionate in creating that event for you.

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Pearl SUMMER 2016

Come and play a real live action game at Island View Mini Golf ! 10 am til dusk. Located in the heartland of Vancouver Island’s farming community!

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Ted Hancock and his incredible team, design, manufacture and install quality built-in furniture, closet organizers and Euro doors in Victoria and area.

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BaIlIWICK FarM Hazelnuts! Kiwifruit! Walnuts! Choc-a-bloc with vitamins and yummy flavour. Come and buy from our on-farm market. Open from October through April.

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“We chose Engel & Völkers for its global reach, high degree of competence and the professionalism that’s clear throughout the entire organization.”

Since 2012, Deep Cove Auto Service has been North Saanich’s neighbourhood garage — our business is all about service.

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Real estate market leaders, Scott Piercy and James LeBlanc have built a reputation for being the experts in marketing British Columbia luxury and waterfront properties internationally.

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Being part of the community is important to us! Our quality commitment and our Fix Auto guarantee all combine to ensure your peace of mind.

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PaCIFICa real eSTaTe

THOMaS PHIlIPS

PHarMaSaVe

Thomas Philips Woodworking Ltd. is all about quality craftsmanship and superior customer service. Our custom cabinetry & millwork are crafted with the finest materials and attention to detail results in a flawless finish.

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Serving the community of Brentwood Bay for more than 25 years, Joe & Colin are proud to be your neighbourhood pharmacist. Joe enjoys sailing around the islands, Colin enjoys cheering for his beloved Canucks.

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BeaCON BOOKS

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We are a local award winning real estate agency focused on providing high quality real estate consulting services within the Greater Victoria Area and beyond.

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BrOOKeS SHaWNIgaN laKe An independent IB boarding school with a vibrant community of students who desire an engaging, personalized education.

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CaTegOrY 12 What happens when a love of beer and passion for science collide? Come find out at Category 12 Brewing, where award-winning beers are crafted here on the Peninsula.

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STUDIO Y DeSIgNS Specializing in furniture and accessories, with everything you need to create your dream space. You can always expect the highest level of service before with their in-store design experts.

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THaI COrNer reSTaUraNT Nina and her family is proud to be able to bring Thai native cuisine and hospitality where all patrons are welcome at her “home away from home” as valued guests.

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elIZaBeTH MaY Elizabeth May is the Member of Parliament for Saanich – Gulf Islands. She was first elected in 2011, and re-elected in 2015. She is also an environmentalist, writer, activist, lawyer, and leader of the Green Party of Canada.

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Only the best in the business join our brand.

Real estate market leaders, Scott Piercy and James LeBlanc have built a reputation for being the experts in marketing British Columbia luxury and waterfront properties internationally. With more than 12 years of international marketing and sales experience ranging from British Columbia to Costa Rica, Mexico and Europe, they sought a brand that had the global connections, technology platforms and world-class marketing and advertising tools to enhance their ability to serve their clients. They found Engel & Völkers. Engel and Völkers Vancouver Island now belongs to a truly connected network of more than 6,000 expert real estate advisors in 39 countries across six continents.

Engel and Völkers Vancouver Island 735 Humboldt Street Victoria · BC V8W 1B1 · Phone +1 778-433-8885 James LeBlanc · +1 250-812-7212 · james.leblanc@evcanada.com Scott Piercy · +1 250-686-7789 · scott.piercy@evcanada.com vi.evcanada.com · luxurybchomes.com

©2015 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. This advertisement is not an offering of a franchise, and where required by law, an offering can only be made 14 days after delivery of the applicable franchise disclosure document.

laNDMarK DeNTal Dr. Donald Neal has been practicing in Sidney for over 25 years and together with his son, Dr. Trevor Neal, they provide personalized dental care at the Landmark Dental Centre See ad on page 15.

A general bookstore of good secondhand books, 4,000 sq.ft., fiction and non-fiction, from bestsellers to classics, for all ages. Come in and browse - find your favourite authors.

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A contractor you can trust. Relationships are the most important thing we build as a company. We have forged many long lasting relationships with our clients over the years due to our attention to detail, integrity, and the personal service we provide to turn your dream into reality.

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PeNINSUla aCaDeMY OF MUSIC

SIDNeY SeNIOr Care

Life long career musicians Lloyd & Diana English educated, performed, recorded & directed throughout Canada prior to opening the Peninsula’s Music Academy in 2001.

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Award-winning, consistent quality home support customized to fit your every need.

Servicing the entire Saanich Peninsula, Victoria and now the Gulf Islands See ad on page 2.

WaTerlIlY SHOeS, BagS & aCCeSSOrIeS

eXPeDIa CrUISeSHIPCeNTerS

A fashion-forward store offering a unique variety of women’s shoes, clothing, handbags and accessories. Locally owned and operated. By women, for women.

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Elaine Kirwin and her team at Expedia CruiseShipCenters, Sidney have been selling dream vacations to the residents of the Peninsula since 1997.

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HOlMeS realTY

PaCIFIC PaINT

Holmes Realty, a leader in real estate on the Saanich Peninsula. Recognized for its full service marketing and customer care.

See ad on page 38 & 40.

Terri Heal has worked in the paint industry for 22 years and her background includes interior design & decorating as well as fine art painting.

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PeNINSUla lIFeTIMe eYeCare CeNTre

SaaNICH FaIr

For those who value their vision as much as we do. Come see and feel the difference!

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Join us September 3rd to 5th and experience a collection of farm animals, farm produce, fun and games for the family and Midway rides.

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D.g.BreMNer & CO. is a family owned and operated menswear business with locations in Sidney and Victoria, specializing in luxury sportswear.

See ad on page 49.

SUMMER 2016 Pearl

53

PARTING

SHOT

About this photographer: From Dan Takahashi, the “Nomad Photographer:” “I love photography! From architectural to birds of prey, dancers to sunsets, I look for the essence that evokes the emotion of what I photograph.

I have been photographing for over 40 years and am still passionate in what I photograph professionally and personally.” Check out his website at www.nomadphoto.ca

54

PEARL SUMMER 2016

REFLECTIONS OF THE BULLHEAD Says photographer Dan Takahashi: “Once, as I sought out ‘reflections,’ I came across Canoe Cove on a very early, very still morning. I walked the docks with my camera on a tripod, but it became trial and error, and took a lot of patience because movements from the docks made ripples in the water and the boats sway. But the patience, sidelight and stillness led to some great reflections, one of which became this: ‘The Bullhead.’”

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