Comox Valley Record, May 15, 2024

Jolene Copp Gallagher was one of the many stargazers who got photographic

taken from her backyard on Swallow Crescent in Courtenay. For

Northern lights observed by many in the Comox Valley

Olivier Laurin Record staff

Numerous people flocked Comox’s Point Holmes to observe the northern lights on the night of May 10.

Space Weather Canada says the lights are a product of massive solar flares striking all of Canada Friday afternoon – and it could continue through the weekend.

The sun has produced strong solar flares since Wednesday, resulting in at least seven outbursts of plasma. Each eruption can contain billions of tons of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun’s outer atmosphere.

The natural phenomenon has been observed across Canada and as far south as California.

“That’s really the gift from space weather —

the aurora,” said Rob Steenburgh, a scientist with the U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center.

He and his colleagues said the best aurora views may come from phone cameras, which are better at capturing light than the naked eye.

The NOAA issued its first geomagnetic storm watch since 2005 and says the storm is a “potentially historic event.”

The most intense solar storm in recorded history, in 1859, prompted auroras all the way down to Central America.

This storm was ranked a ‘4’ on a scale of 1 to 5.

- With files from Lauren McNeil and Black Press Media staff

The northern lights were visible from Comox Valley’s Point Holmes on May 10. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)

Erin Haluschak Record staff

Mike Warren, a resident of the Comox Valley truly embodies the saying of putting your best foot forward.

With his sneakers tightly laced, Warren is embarking on his fourth annual Mike’s Miles, a charitable walk spanning multiple days to support the Comox Valley Head Injury Society.

His mission is to traverse a minimum of 20km daily for seven consecutive days, starting June 5 to 11, beginning from the CVHIS office at 102-254 Simms St. in Courtenay.

“I aim to walk everry day, rain or shine,” explains Warren, who is 71 years old.

A survivor of brain injury, Warren’s journey towards fundraising began with

his passion for long-distance walking.

His dedication to the cause stems from his personal experience, igniting a desire to raise awareness and extend a helping hand to those in need.

Last year, Mike’s Miles raised $10,000 for the CVHIS. This year, he would like to beat that number.

Stephanie McGowan, executive director of the society, says she is “blown away” by Warren’s goal-setting and athleticism.

“He gets more steps in a day than I do in a month,” she adds with a laugh. “It’s so incredible to see so many people gather (behind him).”

Despite facing partial blindness due to the treatment of brain tumors in the early 2000s, Mike remains undeterred, embracing each step as a testament to his resilience.

Now sitting on the CVHIS board, War-

ren notes that while his goal for the run is to fundraise for the organization, it is also to bring about awareness.

“The head injury community is amazing and are all heroes - everyone is trying to improve their life.”

McGowan explains the fundraiser is a major one for the society and funds raised will go towards their healthy lunch program, which provides food and fellowship while assisting with cognitive and social skills development.

She estimates the CVHIS has about 400 open files and has served more than 1,000 lunches.

“People don’t realize how prevalent head injuries are… we want to reduce the stigma and increase understanding.”

Donations to ‘Mike’s Miles’ are being accepted via https://www.canadahelps. org/en/dn/5893

Mike Warren is embarking on his fourth annual Mike’s Miles, a charitable walk spanning multiple days to support the Comox Valley Head Injury Society. Photo by Erin Haluschak

CVRD Update

WeeklyNews&Information May15,2024Edition

HelpConserveWaterThisSpring&Summer

Aswecontinuetosee reduced rainandhigheraverage temperaturesinthesummer, freshwaterbecomes anevenmore limitedandprecious resource. Water conservationisextremelyimportanttoensure supply fordomesticuseandemergencyfire protection.

In2023,theComox Valley WaterSystem recorded a record-highuseofover10billionlitresofwater.Water consumptionalmosttriplesduringthesummermonths because ofoutdoor wateruse,likelawnandgarden

UpcomingMeetings

ComoxStrathconaWaste ManagementBoard

Thursday, May16 | 9:30am

Area C AdvisoryPlanningCommission

Thursday, May16 |4 pm

Starttimescanvary,visitwebsiteonFridaytoreview agendas.Alleventsandmeetingsaresubjecttochange.Please consulttheeventscalendarat: www.comoxvalleyrd.ca

UpcomingEvents

WelcometoGOOZone (allages)

Comox ValleyAquaticCentre

Saturday, May18 |2-4 pm

Cost:RegularAdmission

GraffitiIce (allages)

Comox ValleySportsCentre

Sunday, May19 | 2:45 - 4:45pm

Cost:Free

FamilyPopcorn andMovieNight (allages)

Comox ValleySportsCentre| Arena 1

Friday, May31 |6-9 pm

6-7 pmArenaopenforfreeplaytime

7 pmMoviestarts |Wall-E(ratedG)

Cost:$3perpersonor$12perfamilyofupto 6

watering,whendailywaterusecanexceedwellover1,000 litresperpersonperdayintheComox Valley

There are simplewaystohelp reduceyourhomeand gardenwaterconsumption,includinginstallationoflow flowfixturesanddrought-resistant landscaping,andtaking advantageofavailable rebates

To learnmore visit: www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/conservation

CommunityHighlights

BeFireSmartThisSpring

TakeactiontoFireSmart™ yourproperty orbecome a FireSmart™ Champion. comoxvalleyrd.ca/firesmart

StartoftheBeachFire Program

Beachfiresare permittedatselectpark locations.Forlocation & detailsvisit: comoxvalleyrd.ca/beachfire

StatutoryHolidayClosure May20

• Sports&AquaticCentre’s

• ComoxValleyRegionalDistrict MainOffice

DogLeashingEnforcement

Toreview leashing requirements and finesassociatedwithbeing offleash indesignatedareas visit: comoxvalleyrd.ca/dogsinparks

Short TermRentalsInEA’s Interestedinunderstandinghowthe newProvinciallegislationonshort term rentalsmayaffectyou?Visit: comoxvalleyrd.ca/shorttermrentals

To TheRescue Program

Learnmore aboutthisexciting lifeguard andswiminstructor trainingprogramandhowto applybyMay22.

comoxvalleyrd.ca/totherescue

DykeRoadParkClosure ParkandParkingLotClosed May23untilFall2025 comoxvalleyrd.ca/parkclosure

CheckoutcareeropportunitiesandlearnmoreabouttheCVRDat

Comox Valley Family Services Association executive director overwhelmed by success of inaugural fundraiser

‘It

was amazing’: The non-profit amassed more than $10,000

The Comox Valley Family Services Association (CVFSA) celebrated its 50th anniversary of providing support to the region’s children, youth and families, on the night of May 3.

❝ Our longterm plan is that we need a new building because our (current one) has many issues that we need to deal with.❞

DIANE DAIGLE

The non-profit marked this half-century milestone with its inaugural fundraiser: a ’70s-themed dineand-dance dinner.

The event was a great success for CVFSA’s executive director Diane Daigle. “It was amazing, even overwhelming, and beyond expectations,” said Daigle. “We had a full house. The music, by Time Well Wasted, was amazing, the food was excellent, and the venue was beautiful.”

Amassing $10,051, the executive director stated that the total amount raised exceeded

the non-profit’s expectations.

“We had an online auction and it (also) exceeded our expectations,” said Daigle. “It appears our silent auction made… close to $6,000. Our goal for the auction was $4,000.”

Thankful for all the donations, Daigle explained that every dollar will go towards cementing the non-profit’s presence in the Valley.

“Our long-term plan is that we need a new building because our (current one) has many

issues that we need to deal with,” said Daigle. “We’re also constantly looking for funding to (enhance existing) programs and get more services.”

Recognizing that this event couldn’t have been possible without the community coming together, Daigle thanked everyone who made this event possible.

“It’s all about the people who have supported us through this process and the folks who have attended the event,” she said. “(I also want to thank) our staff and board members.”

TaketheSelf-Survey... Isthistreatmentforme?

Areyouperi-menopausalorpost-menopausal?

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Haveyoubeenthroughcancertreatments?

Doyouchoosenotto[orcannot] useestrogen/hormonetherapies?

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Ifyouchecked3ormoreboxes,MonaLisa Touchmaybeahelpfultreatmentforyou.

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Didyouknowthatwomen spend40%oftheirlivesina postmenopausalstate?Menopause occurswhenawoman’sovaries stopproducinghormonessuchas estrogenandprogesterone.Low levelsofestrogenandprogesterone cannegativelyimpactawoman’s qualityoflife,self-esteemand abilitytohavealovingandintimate relationship.Ultimately,these hormonalchangesmayresultin aconditioncalledvulvovaginal atrophyorGenitourinarySyndrome ofMenopause(GSM).Common symptomsincludevaginaldryness, itching,burning,foul-smelling discharge,painwithintercourse, frequencyofurination,urgency,and urinaryincontinence.TheMonaLisa Touchtherapywasspecifically designedtotreatthepainful symptomsofGSM.Itusesaunique vaginalprobetodeliveragentle fractionalCO2lasertothevaginal walltissue.Thelaserspecifically targetstheatrophicvaginalmucosa increasingbloodflow,depositionof elastinandcollagen,andimproved vaginalhealth.Thisprocedureis performedintheoffice,withoutany needforanesthesia,withvirtually nopainorsideeffects.Theoverall treatmentinvolves3simpleoffice treatments,spaced4-6weeksapart. Thistreatmentisidealforwomen sufferingfromthesymptomsof vulvovaginalatrophyandbeen showntobenefitwomenofanyage whosufferfromLichenSclerosus. TheMonaLisaTouchisnotonly aneffectivetreatmentoptionfor GSM,ithashelpedtoopenthe linesofcommunicationbetween patientsandphysicians.Formore informationaboutDr.Bascomand theMonaLisaTouch,checkoutthe websiteatbascommedical.com.

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Olivier Laurin Record staff

CVFSA marked its 50th anniversary on May 3 with its inaugural fundraiser. Executive director Diane Daigle (right) addressed the attendees at the event, which raised more than $10,000. Photo courtesy of Kirk Friedrich.

BC Hydro conducts annual warning system tests along Puntledge River

Erin Haluschak Record staff

BC Hydro is advising the community of its annual public warning system tests that will take place from May 14 to May 16.

Temporary signage advising of the siren tests will be placed along the river system.

BC Hydro is testing the warning system to ensure it works as intended. They will manually test each siren on May 14. Each siren may engage for a few minutes. If any adjustments or repairs are needed they will be made on May 15. The full siren system test will take place on May 16, accomplished by releasing a pulse of water from Comox Dam to trigger the warning system.

BC Hydro staff will also be along the river to monitor the warning system.

The test is also a reminder of potential hazards along the Puntledge River

The sirens and strobe lights are placed along the Puntledge River from the Comox Dam to Puntledge Park to warn of river flow increases.

Permanent river safety signage is in place to advise what the siren sound means, and when heard, to move out of the river channel.

The Puntledge River is part of a hydroelectric system where river flows may change quickly, whether planned or unplanned. As the weather warms, it is natural for people to want to escape the heat and cool off in the water.

FERRYSCHEDULES

EffectiveMay16,2024toJune25,2025

6:30am,8:00am*,9:05am,10:10am^11:25am,12:40pm^^, 1:40pm,2:45pm**,4:00pm,6:20pm,7:40pm^^,8:40pm,10:45pm# *May17,18,20,21only ^FridayexceptMay17,June21^^May20,SundaysexceptMay20,June20-25 **M-FexceptMay20,June20,21,24,25#DailyexceptSaturday

EffectiveMay16,2024toJune25,2025

6:30am,9:05am,10:10am*,11:25am,12:35pm^,1:40pm, 4:00pm,5:20pm**,6:20pm,7:30pm^^, 8:40pm,9:45pm**,10:45pm *May20only^May18,21,FridaysexceptJune21 **May20,SundaysexceptMay19,June23^^M-FexceptMay20,June20,21,24,25

EffectiveApril1,2024toJune19,2024

5:15am*,7:15am*,10:15am,12:45pm,3:15pm, 5:45pm,8:15pm^,10:45pm^ *DailyexceptSunday ^DailyexceptSaturday

EffectiveApril1,2024toJune19,2024 5:15am*,7:15am*,10:15am,12:45pm,3:15pm, 5:45pm,8:15pm^,10:45pm^ *DailyexceptSunday ^DailyexceptSaturday

EffectiveApril1,2024toDecember31,2024 6:15am*,9:55am,3:25pm,7:10pm *ExceptDec25

EffectiveApril1,2024toDecember31,2024 8:05am,11:50am,5:15pm,8:45pm *ExceptDec25

About 500 people may be along the Puntledge River system at any given time on a summer day. It takes only 15 to 30 cm of fast-flowing water to knock a person off their feet.

The Puntledge River hydroelectric system includes the Comox Dam, where the water

released travels 3.7 km down to the Puntledge River Diversion Dam.

From there, a minimum fish habitat flow is provided down the river with the majority of water directed down a five-kilometre penstock to the generating station.

Whydoesmydentistalwayswanttotake additionalX-Raysofme?Aren’ttoomanyX-Rays potentiallyharmful?

DentalX-raysareanessentialtoolinthefieldof dentistry,playingacrucialroleindiagnosingoral healthissuesthatmaynotbevisibletothenaked eye.Bycapturingimagesoftheteeth,jawbone,and surroundingtissues,X-raysprovidedentistswith valuableinformationtohelpidentifyandtreat variousdentalproblemseffectively.

Wedetectcavitiesthatarenotyetvisibleonthe surfaceoftheteeth.Byrevealingdecaybetween theteethorbeneathexistingfillings,X-raysenable dentiststoaddresstheseissuesearlyon,preventing furtherdamagetothetoothstructure.

DentalX-raysalsoplayacrucialroleinidentifying otherdentalissues,suchasgumdiseaseandimpacted teeth.X-rayscanshowtheextentofbonelosscaused bygumdisease,helpingdentistsdeterminethemost appropriatetreatmentplanfortheirpatients.They canalsorevealthepositionofimpactedteeth,such aswisdomteeth,whichmayneedtobeextracted topreventpain,infection,ormisalignmentofthe surroundingteeth.

Furthermore,dentalX-raysarevaluableinassessing thehealthofthejawboneandsurrounding structures.Bycapturingimagesofthebonedensity andalignmentofthejaw,X-rayscanhelpdentists diagnoseconditionsliketemporomandibularjoint (TMJ)disordersorboneabnormalities.These insightsareessentialfordevelopingtargeted treatmentstrategiestoalleviatepainandimprovethe overallfunctionofthejaw.

Additionally,dentalX-raysareanindispensabletool inmonitoringtheprogressofpreviousorongoing dentaltreatments,suchasrootcanals,dental implants,ororthodonticprocedures.Bytaking X-raysatvariousstagesoftreatment,dentistscan evaluatetheeffectivenessoftheinterventionsand makeadjustmentsasnecessary.

WhiledentalX-raysoffernumerousbenefitsin diagnosingoralhealthissues,itisessentialtoaddress yourquestionaboutradiationexposureassociated withtheseimagingtechniques.Fortunately,advances intechnologyhaveledtothedevelopmentofdigital X-rays,whichproducesignificantlylowerlevelsof radiationcomparedtotraditionalfilmX-rays.This decreasedradiationexposurenotonlyenhances patientsafetybutalsoallowsforquickerimage processing.

DentalX-raysareavitaltoolindiagnosingoral healthissuesandguidingappropriatetreatmentplans forpatients.Byprovidingdetailedinsightsintothe teeth,jawbone,andsurroundingstructures,X-rays enabledentiststoidentifyandaddressawiderange ofdentalproblemswithprecisionandefficiency. Patientscanhavepeaceofmindknowingthatdental X-raysareasafeandeffectivetoolinpromoting optimaloralhealthandoverallwell-being.

‘A blast from the past’: Lost wallet returns to Comox man after 33 years

Olivier Laurin Record staff

Nick Chowdhury was in his early 20s when he lost his wallet at the Comox Marina while fishing in 1991.

Unbeknownst to him, a young man would return his wallet, more than 30 years later, after finding it at roughly the same location where it was last seen.

Born and raised in the Valley, Chowdhury recalled how everything unfold-

ed on that fateful day.

“It’s pretty unbelievable,” he said.

“One summer day, I grabbed my fishing rod and went out to the Comox Marina when the tide was low. I hopped over the edge of the dock onto the breakwater rocks. As I started walking my wallet, which was in my front pocket, was sticking out of my shorts.

So I looked at a spot and I remember holding my wallet and gently putting it down thinking ‘This is the spot, I

gotta remember this.’ ”

Yet, hours later, following a long fishing session, Chowdhury realized his wallet was nowhere to be found.

“(When I came) back, of course, no rock looked familiar,” he said. “I probably walked around for an hour trying to retrace my wallet. I knew that if I didn’t get it, the tide would come up… and I’d probably never see it again. After a while, I gave up.”

As a young man, Chowdhury ex-

plained that this incident ended up being a major headache.

“Everything I had was in there: my birth certificate, my status card, my SIN (social insurance) card, my care cards… everything,” said Chowdhury. “It was (such a) hassle to replace all of (my) IDs because you need some IDs to be able to prove who you are and get new ones.

“I didn’t have a lot back then and that was the last thing I needed.”

Frustrated and feeling defeated, the fisherman hopped on his bicycle and rode home empty-handed. A few weeks later, Chowdhury bought an identical wallet, stating that it was his favourite model.

Fast forward 33 years - cue Comox teen Jamie Lee, 14.

(so) I called my dad because this guy must have lost his wallet forever ago and I just wanted to get it back to him.”

Shortly after, Jamie’s dad, Bill Lee, slid into Chowdhury’s Facebook direct messages, informing him that his son had found his wallet.

Astounded, Chowdhury didn’t know how to react at first.

“I almost didn’t even reply to him,” he said. “It felt like somebody was trying to scam me because we didn’t know each other. (But then they) started sending me pictures (of my old IDs.)”

After noticing both he and Lee had a few friends in common, Chowdhury eventually replied.

“I was fishing on the rocks with a bunch of my friends by the marina and one of my friends was going to go up to the dollar store to get us some snacks,” Lee said.

“(Lee) happened to be coming into town. I gave him my address and 15 minutes later, there was a knock on the door and he said ‘This is yours,’ and he held out my old wallet.”

“He took my other friend’s electric skateboard and started running over but he dropped the (board) controller (among the rocks) and lost it.”

As the teenager and his friends began combing through the boulders, on May 10, Lee stumbled upon a peculiar sight.

“I just started digging and digging and… I removed a rock and saw this super old wallet,”Lee said.

“I told my friends ‘Guys, I just found someone’s wallet.’ I picked it up, opened it and it was super crusty. There were holes in it and it was hard to open.”

Trying to make sense of what he just found, Lee brought the wallet to a safer place and started looking at its contents.

“I slowly started pulling out all the cards I saw (Chowdhury’s) IDs,” Lee recalled. “I was shocked

Despite sustaining some damage, Chowdhury noted that everything in his wallet was still in its rightful place and in relatively good condition, more than three decades later.

Reflecting on this event, what was once an unfortunate incident has transformed into a unique story to share with friends and family around a fire pit.

“It’s like a blast from the past,” said Chowdhury. “In fact, I was recently thinking of going (fishing) again and bringing my kids. Back then I wasn’t driving, so I rode my bike and everything was in my pockets. But now I’m going to drive out and leave anything that’s valuable, like wallets, in the car.”

In the end, Jamie and his friends successfully found the electric skateboard’s controller.

Nick Chowdhury (right) was in his early twenties when he lost his wallet while fishing in 1991. More than 30 years later, on May 10, 2024, Jamie Lee, aged 14, would return his wallet, finding it at roughly the same location where Chowdhury last saw it. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)

and was known as the “the Ducky Guy” for his role in selling Ducky 500 tickets every year. He served on Comox council for five consecutive terms as councillor and 37 years for Comox Fire Rescue.

The Comox Valley community is invited to the unveiling of the new aerial ladder fire truck (Tower 35) at a ceremony and open house on May 24 at the Comox Fire Hall.

Comox Mayor Nicole Minions and Fire Chief Gord Schreiner will be speaking at the event.

The public is welcome to an open house and truck demo from 2 to 4 p.m., with a formal welcome and special dedication from 4 to 5 p.m.

The new fire truck will be dedicated to John Marinus, an active community member who volunteered on numerous projects in the Comox Valley.

He served for several years on the Rotary

The new fire truck, Tower 35, has a reach of 110 feet and features a three-person platform bucket on the end of the ladder. The new platform allows victims to be lowered to the ground two or three at a time, which is safer and more efficient for the firefighters.

The aerial has an elevated water stream of 1,000 gallons of water per minute. The truck also features a built-in idle system, equipment that operates with rechargeable batteries, and ‘crew protect,’ a multi-threat air filtration system designed to clean cabin air.

Comox Fire Rescue provides a various preventative and emergency services to the town of Comox and the Comox Fire Protection Improvement District, the Bates/Huband local service area and K’ómoks First Nation.

ADVERTISING FEATURE BY ST. PAUL’S FOUNDATION

First-of-its-kind non-profit long-term care village launching in Comox

We’re on the precipice of a colossal change in seniors care—and it’s all starting at the corner of Comox Avenue and Rodello Street this summer.

For the first time in history, there are more Canadians over the age of 65 than under 14. And here in BC, almost one in four people will be over the age of 65 by 2031. There has never been a more important time to enact change in the care we provide for seniors and older adults.

Enter Providence Living at The Views, Canada’s first public, non-profit long-term care village providing a model of care that has never been implemented in Canada—until now.

A UNIQUE MODEL OF CARE, SUPPORTED BY FORWARD-THINKING PHILANTHROPY

Based on the concepts of a dementia village, Providence Living at The Views encourages freedom, social relationships, and access to nature.

Incorporating best practices from around the world, Providence has created a made-in-BC model of long-term care called Home for Us. It’s person-centred and focuses on emotional connections, while uncompromising on medical care, helping residents to live their best lives within an environment that feels like home.

It’s this transformative care model that inspired gifts from generous donors like Aune Foundation and Y.P. Heung Foundation, who helped the building spring to life on the site of the former St. Joseph’s Hospital.

“It’s fantastic for both of us. I feel this is my second home,” she says. “Everyone knows my name and really cares about Lorne, and he’s content. The staff are like angels that have a built-in radar system.”

-Judi Wild-Hutter, whose husband Lorne Hutter lives in Comox’s household pilot, says the care offered is life-changing.

DIGNITY BY DESIGN

The physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of residents influenced the building’s design on all levels. Providence Living at The Views is organized into 13 households, each configured to accommodate up to 12 residents in private suites with their own bathroom, along with access to common areas like a kitchen and living room.

The village has a grocery store, café, playground, community centre, onsite daycare, community gardens, places for spiritual worship, and an Indigenous Gathering Space developed with the K’ómoks First Nation.

A village square—thanks to a generous gift from the Eldercare Foundation—will be the primary gateway into the Main Street of Providence Living at The Views, a vibrant hub for community activities.

Residents can enjoy meals and drinks with friends and family at the residence’s bistro, which is also open to the public, and its allseason barbecue pavilion, named in honour of Doug and Teri Loughran for their generous gift to the care village.

Access to the outdoors is a vital component of well-being, and residents will have ample opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of Comox. Innovative technologies will be implemented to maximize their freedom while ensuring their safety.

A CARE MODEL BACKED BY RESEARCH

Studies show that maintaining a sense of independence and purpose plays a vital role in active, healthy aging. The 156-resident care village will be a true home for seniors and older adults—a place that recognizes residents as individuals with unique needs and interests, and provides them with opportunities for choice, spontaneity, social connections, and day-to-day activities that give their lives joy and purpose.

Comprehensive, first-of-its-kind research on the Home for Us model of care has already begun with a household pilot in Comox and Vancouver, with generosity from donors such as Conconi Family Foundation.

Once Providence Living at The Views opens, Providence will continue to collect real-time data from residents, staff, and families to help refine the model and build more person-centred care villages.

BUILDING THE FUTURE OF CARE

Thanks to our generous donors, St. Paul’s Foundation has raised over $6.4 million in support of Providence Living at The Views. The new village has also been supported by Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation.

And this is only the beginning of what we can accomplish together. With your support, we can create an even better life for seniors and older adults on Vancouver Island, across the province, and beyond. To learn more, visit helpstpauls. com/seniors-care

Artistic rendering of Providence Living at The Views for depiction purposes only.

Construction to begin at Dyke Road Park

The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) will close the parking lot and viewing platform at Dyke Road Park on May 23 as part of the complete park rebuild in support of the Dyke Road Park Green Shores demonstration project.

The parking lot and viewing area are slated to be closed from May 23 until fall 2025 to coincide with the sewer conveyance project. Closure of the park and parking lot along Comox Road is required to properly dismantle the viewing platform and allow the K’ómoks Guardians and archaeologists to complete archaeological investigations. The platform will be recycled and taken to 19 Wing Comox to be used for training purposes.

“In order to successfully complete this project at Dyke Road Park, we need to take advantage of the short estuary fish work window to complete as much of the shoreline restoration and enhancement as possible,” said Doug DeMarzo, general manager of community services.

“Thank you to the numerous partners for their dedication to this project and commitment to

improved coastline management.”

This project is a community demonstration of a nature-based solution to protect the coastline from erosion and flood risk and includes the establishment of a new tidal channel, the removal of invasive species and the protection of archaeologically sensitive areas.

At its completion, there will be a revitalized park space with new amenities for the community to enjoy. This work has been made possible through a partnership with the K’ómoks Guardians and community environmental

groups. When complete, it will bring a revitalized park space with new amenities for the community to enjoy.

This project is supported by previous work done through the Coastal Flood Adaptation Strategy (CFAS) Phase 1 and 2, which recommends nature-based approaches to shoreline management to: build coastal resiliency, address sea level rise adaptation, and remove invasive species to improve habitat restoration.

There are multiple funding sources for this project, with a majority coming from a Union

of BC Municipalities (UBCM) grant. More than $1.1 million is from UBCM’s Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Adaptation funding stream.

Other funding sources are the Stewardship Centre for BC, Project Watershed, Guardians of Mid-Island Estuaries and Pacific Salmon Foundation.

Project updates, including construction progress and park opening will be posted on the Dyke Road Park Green Shores Demonstration Project page.

Haluschak Record staff

Email: editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Technology helps photojournalist see auroras for first time

City of Courtenay gets its bridge funding

The City of Courtenay announced on April 30 that it has secured $6.8 million in funding for the 6th Street pedestrian/cycle bridge.

While we applaud the city on getting funding, we question what council’s motivation surrounding the bridge has been.

From what we can tell, and have heard, it’s certainly not demand.

Yes, there is a small group of Comox Valley residents that has been lobbying for this bridge for some time. But, based on online polls, letters to the editor, and phone calls to the newspaper, the majority of residents are outraged at the decision.

Yes, some of the money is federal, but nearly 50 per cent of the costs ($3.383 million) is coming from the city coffers.

Only $2.5 million comes from a fund dedicated to active transport, so the argument that “it’s like ‘free money’ and if we don’t take it, another city will” is not the case.

What concerns us is the city’s priorities.

Last year we conducted a poll among Courtenay council members regarding what they see as the three most important issues in the city. The mayor and all six councillors responded. Every one of them listed supportive/affordable housing as the most important issue.

Yet, when last year’s $7.65 million Growing Communities grant was given to the city, with very few restrictions on how to spend it, the city chose to spend $1 million on this bridge, another $1.5 million on McPhee Meadows (a park that has yet to be built), $2 million on an east end fire hall, $1 million on playgrounds, another million on the implementation of the ‘Parks Rec Master Plan’… and $655,000 on affordable housing. Supportive housing was not listed at all.

It’s sad that while this council talks a good talk when discussing homelessness, their actions speak much louder.

Years ago, I ventured off to Alaska in the dead of winter with my roller derby teammates. The game itself was what I was looking forward to the most, but potentially witnessing the northern lights would have been a close second.

It was December, smack-dab in the middle of ‘aurora season,’ yet I saw nothing. Not a wisp of bright light. Not a tiny green swirl. Nada.

I was so disappointed.

Fast forward more than 12 years and this time the lights were supposed to come to me. A solar storm brought the aurora borealis to B.C. on Friday, May 10.

I made my way to Old Orchard Road in Chilliwack, a street that hugs the mighty Fraser River, and hunkered down just before 11 p.m. with my tripod and full-frame mirrorless camera, alongside about eight other people.

Soon, over to the north, I could see a faint whiteish vertical line. As time passed, more lines appeared, but it was not the

super bright greens and purples I had seen in so many photos — not to my naked eye anyway.

Yet when I looked at the images on my camera’s LCD screen I was in awe. Vibrant lime-green lights swept through my frame. Movements of magenta filled each image.

The auroras are typically not nearly as vibrant to the naked eye because our eyes do not see well in low light. Cameras, on the other hand, can capture so much more light in one image than what our eyes can see.

Had I brought my professional camera with me to Alaska, I likely would have witnessed this incredible sight back in 2012.

This was the first extreme solar storm in our area in years. Before May 10, the U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration issued its first geomagnetic storm watch since 2005 and said the storm was going to be a “potentially historic event.”

I later realized why this phenomenon was so spectacular and so overwhelming to so many people — technology.

The first iPhone was released in 2007 and it certainly could not capture nighttime images.

But now smartphones can.

Today, millions of people have the ability to witness the northern lights firsthand because they have the tool to see what our eyes — for the most part — cannot. Although Friday night’s show put on by Mother Nature started off faint, and I could only see it through my periphery, slowly but surely the sky got a bit brighter. People pointed up and looked above. By the time 11:30 p.m. hit, the night sky definitely had hues of purple and green. And even though the lights were now more visible to the naked eye than when I first arrived, the auroras still were not as stunning as when I viewed them on my camera.

The eight- to 30-second exposure photos captured so much more than what my photographer’s eye ever saw that night. I’ve always considered myself lucky to witness and document so many events, but this one took the cake.

And from what I saw on social media that night and afterwards, many people were as equally as lucky as I was, thanks to technology.

Jenna Hauck is a journalist with The Chilliwack Progress, a sister paper to the North Delta Reporter.

■ Jenna Hauck GUEST COLUMN

LETTERS to the Editor

Send your letter to editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com.

Please keep letters to a maximum of 350 words and sign with your name and hometown. We reserve the right to edit for space/ clarity, as well as the right to refuse publication of any letter.

Please keep letters topical. We will not run letters advocating for or against individual businesses (those associated with published news articles notwithstanding).

Email: editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are the sole opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the paper.

New active transportation bridge is important for Courtenay

Dear editor,

As one of many who walk, cycle, drive and occasionally use transit to carry out daily life here in the Comox Valley, I would like to thank the City of Courtenay and various funding bodies for recognizing the need and benefits of building a third crossing over the Puntledge River.

Alongside offering an alternative to running the gauntlet of heavy traffic over the existing bridges, it will hopefully encourage residents and visitors alike to explore both sides of the new bridge and peacefully appreciate the river itself while crossing. Though safety is a primary concern, it may also encourage more

Resident

Dear editor,

I am appalled and angry that the mayor and city councillors want to waste $6.8 million of our hardearned tax dollars on a bridge that is neither needed nor wanted by the majority of the public.

people to park in Simms Park and walk into town - good for health and good for reducing vehicular traffic in the downtown core.

In response to an earlier letter which suggested the money would be better spent on the city’s housing crisis, I believe few of us would deny that solving that is indeed a priority.

However, the health and well-being of all citizens is also an important consideration and the new bridge is a piece of the bigger picture created by a growing population here in the Comox Valley.

Debbie Bowles, Courtenay

appalled at decision to build 6th Street Bridge

Courtenay just recently spent a lot of time and money repairing and painting the 5th Street bridge. There are two pedestrian crossings over this bridge, one on either side. They are both safe and accessible. With all the problems

we have in Courtenay, this money should be spent on housing the homeless, feeding the hungry, and health care for the sick.

How many homes could be built by the WeCan Shelter Society, at a small cost of $25,000 to $30,000 each?

How many worthwhile charities could be helped, such as the Comox Valley Food Bank, the Wiseland Humanitarian Association, the Salvation Army, and a multitude of others?

Why are the mayor and councillors catering to this

small group who have been lobbying for this bridge?

Is it because they want a “legacy” for their time in office? Perhaps a shiny, brass plaque with all their names engraved on it?

Shame on all of you. There should be a referen-

dum held, so the public can vote on whether or not this nearly $7 million should be wasted on a ridiculous new pedestrian bridge. In a democracy, the majority rules.

Denman cable ferry is an experiment that has cost us millions

Dear editor,

For years B.C. Ferries attributed the persistent Baynes Sound cable ferry mechanical breakdowns to teething problems. These teething problems, however, have become so chronic that union members and Denman and Hornby islanders refer to the world’s longest cable ferry as a failed experiment that needs to be decommissioned. Recently released information from FOI requests finally confirm what

islanders have suspected—that the world’s longest cable ferry costs taxpayers plenty to keep in iffy service.

Although BCF’s ousted CEO claimed that the cable ferry would save taxpayer dollars on fuel and staffing and provide service on a par with conventional vessels, BCF accounts confirm that the cable ferry costs the same as a conventional vessels for fuel and staffing—$2 million annually – and

according to BCF’s confusing records that call for an independent audit, the cost for maintenance and repairs run into the millions annually.

BCF justifies keeping the cable ferry in service because the current budget cycle doesn’t provide funds for replacement.

By placing budget considerations over reliability and cost-effectiveness, however, BCF and the Minister of Transportation and the BCF

Commissioner, who provide corporate governance, are in violation of the Coastal Ferry Act, BCF’s operational bible. The Coastal Ferry Act is unambiguous in mandating that the corporation provide assured service to ferry-dependent communities; and that government overseers steer the corporation towards improving service in a fiscally responsible and transparent manner.

The task of a CEO who is hired

to turn around a dysfunctional corporation is to correct the failures of former CEOs, not to perpetuate them. Thus, islanders will continue to appeal to CEO Jimenez to reconsider keeping a failed experiment in costly service. As Albert Einstein warns, to repeatedly do something in the same way but expect a different outcome is madness.

Janet Campbell, Courtenay

Sharon Small, Denman Island

The 6th Street Active Transportation Bridge intends to provide a dedicated cycling and pedestrian connection between downtown Courtenay and Simms Millennium Park. Black Press file photo

CVRD hosting events for Watershed Awareness Days

Source Encounters in the Comox Lake Watershed – Presentation

CVRD enforcing dog leashing in parks

The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is inviting residents to learn more about the Comox Lake Watershed through a series of walks, talks and programs during Watershed Awareness Days May 22 to 25.

The CVRD’s Connected by Water team will educate residents on the history of the watershed and how safe drinking water is provided to more than 50,000 people within the region.

“High-quality drinking water is produced by a healthy functioning ecosystem, says Zoe Norcross-Nu’u, watershed protection co-ordinator. “To ensure the water reaching our taps is safe and reliable we need to protect the source. What people do on the land and in the water directly affects the health of the watershed and the quality of the freshwater within it. By working together, we can help protect the Comox lake watershed for future generations.”

Watershed Awareness Days Free Community Events

Wednesday, May 22

Comox Valley Water Treatment Plant Tours

Location: Tours will take place at 4701 Lake Trail Rd.

Tour Times: 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m.

Registration Required

Wednesday, May 22

Location: Comox Valley Art Gallery, 580 Duncan Ave.

Time: 5 p.m.

Registration Recommended

Thursday, May 23

BC Parks Ecological Reserve Comox Lake Bluffs Site Tour

Location: Comox Logging Road approximately 1 km past the BC Hydro dam (registered attendees will be provided with detailed directions)

Time: 1 p.m.

Registration Required

Friday, May 24

Courtenay and District Fish & Game

Protective Association Site Tours

Location: 3780 Colake Rd.

Tour Times: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Registration Required Friday, May 24

Cumberland Lake Park Site Tour and

Safety Demo

Location: 1100 Comox Lake Rd.

Time: 5 to 8 p.m.

No registration is required.

To register for these events and learn more about Connected by Water visit: comoxvalleyrd.ca/connectedbywater

The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) has some leashing mandatory parks within the electoral areas.

Compliance with dog leashing requirements within these mandatory areas is not always being met causing issues with livestock, wildlife, sensitive ecosystems and public safety within these parks and trails.

“Concerns have been raised regarding unleashed dogs chasing livestock which has caused livestock fatalities, further some dogs are displaying harassing behaviour towards park patrons within leashing mandatory parks,” explains Mark Harrison, manager of parks.

“We need to ensure that park patrons are respecting the agricultural properties alongside our trail systems, like the One Spot Trail and are also following mandatory leashing requirements within our parks and trails systems.

By following the leashing

requirements and keeping your dogs under control, you are protecting sensitive ecosystems, protecting and supporting our agricultural community and ensuring a safe, welcoming experience for all residents.”

This spring and summer, the CVRD Bylaw team will be actively patrolling all CVRD parks and trail systems and fining individuals who are not following dog leashing or dog-under-control requirements. CVRD Bylaw 679 outlines all the fines relating to Electoral Area Parks regu-

lations. Fines include but not limited to:

Allowing any animal to run at large in a park: $100

Failing to keep a dog under control in a park: $100

Failing to restrain a dog on a leash in a park: $100

“By respecting the rules in place, you will avoid fines and also ensure leashing optional areas remain open,” states Harrison.

To review leashing requirements and fines associated with being off-leash in designated areas visit: comoxvalleyrd.ca/dogsinparks.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce opened its new location May 9 in downtown Courtenay. Located at 103-576 England Ave., board chair Ramon Ramirez officially cut the ribbon surrounded by other chamber board members and staff during a grand opening celebration. Both Ramirez and Tracey Clarke, the chamber’s executive director, proclaimed the new location to be officially ‘open for business.’ Photo by Erin Haluschak

Townhallwith KevinFalcon

Date:May30th,2024

Bringyourquestions andaskKevin!

Point Holmes Recreation Association’s AGM upcoming

The Point Holmes Recreation Association (PHRA) extends a warm invitation to all for the upcoming AGM, scheduled to take place beneath the newly erected pavilion on Lazo Road, Thursday, June 6 at 7 p.m.

vicinity, with financial resources derived from annual memberships, corporate memberships, and day-use fees.

In consideration of pedestrian safety, PHRA has recently extended the foreshore path northward, connecting it to the ramp and installing steps leading down to the beach adjacent to the ramp.

Many people frequent the ramp and sandy shores nearby on a regular basis. From boaters and kayakers to paddle boarders, walkers, bird watchers, wildlife enthusiasts, and families relishing the beach, alongside storm watchers and the remarkable Point Holmes Wild Swimmers group, this cherished locale attracts a myriad of visitors. The surge in footfall at our beach access points is notable, owing to the extensive Shoreline Restoration Project, completion of the foreshore multi-use path, recent enhancements to Lazo Road, and the burgeoning population of the Comox Valley. As a consequence, it has evolved into a highly sought-after recreational spot, witnessing bustling activity around the boat ramp and parking lots.

The PHRA boat ramp along Lazo Road in Comox dates back to 1967, a collaborative effort by volunteers supported by funding from the Canadian Centennial Commission. Subsequently, in the following year, PHRA was formally registered under the B.C. Societies Act, with a clear objective of preserving and enhancing the boat ramp, and developing additional facilities within the adjacent recreational area as necessary.

Over the past 57 years, volunteer PHRA directors and association members have diligently maintained the ramp and foreshore

Given the perennial congestion in parking areas, these measures aim to redirect pedestrians away from vehicular pathways onto Lazo Road, ensuring safety for all. Instances of user conflicts reported to PHRA in recent times underscore the importance of fostering patience and mutual respect among visitors while enjoying this waterfront asset.

Primarily serving as a bustling boat ramp, the area mandates that vehicles with trailers utilize designated parking across the road in the assigned ‘Trailers Only’ lot. During the peak fishing season in late summer, alternative parking spots labelled ‘priority parking for trailers’ may be availed by vehicles with trailers. With parking anticipated to be at a premium this year, PHRA extends gratitude for the public’s cooperation and understanding during peak periods.

PHRA eagerly anticipates welcoming everyone for another eventful summer season. Seasonal memberships for 2024 remain priced at $35, affording year-round access to the ramp.

For queries regarding PHRA Membership or other concerns, please visit www. pointholmesrecreation.ca or email PHRA at info@pointholmesrecreation.ca.

TheSendialProgramisourgroceryshoppinganddelivery serviceforindividualsunabletoshopindependently.

Wehavevolunteerswhowilltakeyourorderandthenwewill deliveryourgroceriesthenextday.

council and the event organizers for the annual community celebration.

so much joy to our community,” said Comox Mayor Nicole Minions.

Comox council invites participation from the local business community, organizations and residents to volunteer for roles on the newly established Nautical Days Festival Committee.

As Comox Nautical Days Festival continues to grow in popularity and significance, council is seeking volunteer committee members who provide high-level oversight and strategic direction while also making recommendations to

Committee members will work closely with council and event organizers to monitor festival operations, advise on planning matters, and evaluate the success of the event.

Regular meetings will be held quarterly, with additional meetings scheduled as needed during the peak planning periods.

“This is an excellent opportunity for individuals to contribute their skills, ideas, and passion to a festival that brings

“We welcome diverse perspectives and backgrounds to sit on this committee and those who are energized to contribute to the festival’s continued success.”

For those interested in lending their leadership to this committee, application information and the terms of reference can be found on the town’s website at comox.ca/ comoxnauticaldayscommittee or by contacting Town Hall at 250-339-2202.

NoticeRespectingZoningAmendment BylawNo.828

TakenoticethattheComox ValleyRegionalDistrict (CVRD)proposestoamendRuralComox Valley ZoningBylawNo.520,2019.

Ifadopted,BylawNo.828being “RuralComox ValleyZoningBylawNo.520,2019,Amendment No.17” willamendtheZoningBylawtoincrease themaximumresidentialdensityofthefollowing lots,fromonedwellingunittotwodwellingunits:

• Lot1,Sections23and24,Township6,Comox District,PlanEPP79185,(PID030-436-460; 2215DriffieldDrive)

•Lot2Sections23&24Township6ComoxDistrict PlanEPP79185,(PID030-436-478; 6762RennieRoad)

•LotC,Block29,ComoxDistrict,Plan32630, (PID000-168-882;1926VeraDrive)

•Lot1,DistrictLot136,ComoxDistrict,Plan EPP96414,(PID031-050-000;4356CamcoRoad)

•Lot2,DistrictLot136,ComoxDistrict,Plan EPP96414,(PID031-050-018;4320CamcoRoad)

•LotA,Block29,ComoxDistrict,PlanEPP107899 (PID031-333-320;2497EmmersonRoad)

•LotB,Block29,ComoxDistrict,PlanEPP107899 (PID031-333-338;2491EmmersonRoad)

• Lot2,DistrictLot205,ComoxDistrict,PlanVIP52063, (PID017-168-309;1334/1338HudsonRoad)

•Lot5,Section15,Township9,ComoxDistrict, Plan22025,(PID003-378-802;3745PiercyRoad)

•Lot4Block249ComoxDistrictPlanEPP11657, (PID028-704-550;7200ForbiddenPlateauRoad)

•LotA,Block71,ComoxDistrict,PlanEPP131825, (PID032-120-915;unaddressedlotalong LangloisRoad)

•LotB,Block71,ComoxDistrict,PlanEPP131825, (PID032-120-923;5254LangloisRoad)

Thispublicationservesasnoticethatnopublic hearingwillbeheldfortheproposedzoning amendment.Provinciallegislationprohibitslocal governmentsfromholdingapublichearingfor thesolepurposeofamendingazoningbylawin ordertocomplywiththenewSmall-Scale Multi-FamilyHousinglegislation(see: Local GovernmentAct,section464(4)).

TheCVRDBoardwillconsidergivingfirst,second andthirdreadingstoBylawNo.828atitsmeeting onMay28,2024.Themeetingwillbeopento publicattendanceandbroadcastliveonthe CVRD’swebsite.Copiesoftheproposedbylaware availableforinspectionattheCVRDoffice,770 HarmstonAvenue,Courtenay,from8:30amto 4:30pmMondaytoFriday(exceptstatholidays).

Enquiriesto:

JodiMacLean,SeniorPlanner 250-334-6000|planning@comoxvalleyrd.ca

Seniors (all Grade 11) were:

• First – Frederic Wehrstedt (Highland Secondary)

North Island College played host again for the British Columbia Secondary School Math Contest local finals.

The event at the Comox Valley campus was part of a series that took place May 3 at nine post-secondary institutions across B.C.

The preliminary round happened in March when students took tests at their own schools, with the top ones moving on to the final round. The contest is broken into junior categories for students in Grades 8–10 and senior for students in Grades 11–12.

“It’s nice to see these students interested in math and test their skills,” said Alex Blair, NIC instructor and local contest organizer.

The contest winners for the

• Second – Dario Torres Pastor (Mark R. Isfeld Secondary)

• Third – Danielle Bae (Mark R. Isfeld Secondary)

For the Juniors, the winners (all grade 10) were:

• First – Jiho Seo (Georges P. Vanier Secondary)

• Second – Seamus Kirk (Georges P. Vanier Secondary)

• Third – Huck Bignell (Georges P. Vanier Secondary)

In all, 46 junior and 25 senior students took part in the preliminary round. For the finals, eight juniors and 11 seniors competed at the NIC event.

The preliminary round consisted of multiple-choice questions, while the final round was divided between multiple-choice questions and questions requiring long-form answers.

Ride the bus to the Comox Air Show

Saturday, May 18, 2024 Avoid traffic hassles and take the bus! Special Air Show shuttle service runs from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm.

Buses leave Comox Mall Exchange and North Island College Exchange every 15 minutes and provide drop off

“They have to explain in detail how they got the answer,” said Blair.

For NIC, the event, she added, is a good opportunity to reach out to local students and bring them to see the Comox Valley campus and support their interest in mathematics.

“The students are usually pretty happy to be able to show off their skills,” Blair said. To promote the event, NIC works with local secondary school teachers, though this year the competition also attracted some home-schooled students for the first time. Blair also credits the support from the math teachers for the enthusiastic response from students.

“It wouldn’t work without them, being willing to take the students to the event,”she said.

Traffic disruptions for Tri-K Triathlon limited to rural roads

Terry Farrell Record staff

The 2024 Shoreline Orthodontics Tri-K Triathlon is right around the corner, and organizers what residents to be aware of any traffic disruptions on the day.

The 2024 event features 13 different races for people as young as four years old.

The morning event will use the public roads for the cycle portion. About 120 participants are expected to compete in the morning event, and will be going in waves - so they won’t all be on the bike course at one time.

Participants will be starting their bike after 8 a.m. with the last finishing up at about noon.

Allocated bike space will be on one side of the road, extending about two metres from the edge of the road.

The event is hosting the BC Summer Games qualifier with bikers riding in packs - which is made safer for cyclists and vehicles by allocating a dedicated bike space on the roads.

The rest of morning event

participants will also use the same, allocated bike space.

Two way traffic will still flow beside the allocated bike space, but with delineators to shift the vehicle lanes over to include the shoulder on other side of road.

The race will be using Vanier Drive from the Comox Valley Sports Centre to Headquarters Road. The route goes right on Headquarters Road through to Piercy Road to Condensory Road intersection.

From there, it goes right on Condensory Road to Dove Creek Road intersection, then right on Dove Creek Road around to the Piercy Road intersection. This part of road will have traffic cones set up to create a two-metre buffer zone that bike must stay within, and vehicles should use as needed.

Because of the bike traffic and to avoid collisions with vehicles, the intersection at Piercy Road and Dove Creek Road will be closed. These traffic controls will be set up at about 6:30 a.m., and torn down by 12:30 p.m.

A light set of bike traffic of about 20 cyclists will also use

Dove Creek Road going north from Condensory Road but there will be no traffic controls on the roadway for that group.

“There will be contracted traffic control personnel at key areas of the bike course to provide proper movement of traffic in these narrowed areas,” said race director Terry Hooper. “But it may be prudent to avoid that area during that time because traffic could be slowed due to the constrictions.”

The afternoon kids’ event is all contained within the Sports Centre parking lot and Vanier School ground’s roads. This will have no affect on public road traffic.

“We will also be posting notices with similar information at the Canada Post community boxes in the areas that are affected,” said Hooper. “There will also be message boards set up on the roadside in key areas a few days in advance of the event to provide notices to traffic. ”

For a complete list of races, as well as registration information, visit trik.ca/racedetails. html

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Comox Valley Volleyball Camp returns in July

For another summer, the longest-running North Island volleyball camp, the Comox Valley Volleyball Camp, will provide athletes with an opportunity to play, improve, and excel at the sport.

This well-respected and well-known camp will be held from July 8-11.

“It is really exciting to offer this camp in the Comox Valley,” said Brian Stevens. “My passion is coaching young athletes and seeing them improve their skills in a dynamic and fun environment.”

The morning session from 9 a.m. to noon will be for Grades 4-8 (going

into Grade 5 and 8). The afternoon session is from 1-4 p.m. and will be for Grades 9-12. The camp will be held at Brooklyn Elementary School.

The camp regularly has athletes who have a lot of experience, and others who are just learning the sport. In addition, many multi-sport athletes also attend the camp.

“We always ensure all athletes are grouped in appropriate skill levels to promote maximum success and enjoyment,” said Stevens.

All sessions will focus on technical skill development, gameplay knowledge, tons of touches with the ball,

and fun.

Indoor and outdoor (grass) volleyball will be the focus of this summer’s camp, so please be ready to play both inside and outside.

Stevens, camp co-ordinator, has five years of University playing experience, five years of coaching Team BC (including Canada Games), assistant coaching at Camosun College, many years of club and high school coaching, and many years of individual athlete training/development.

There will be a strong collection of coaches facilitating the camp. Both current and former university ath-

letes will be providing their expertise and enthusiasm at the camp. Equally important, all coaches have many years of camp and team coaching experience, which is vital in ensuring all athletes obtain the best possible experiences.

“Each coach at the camp loves working with young athletes,” said Stevens. “They all really enjoy coaching and sharing their talents and knowledge with the campers.”

Keeping with Comox Valley Volleyball Camp tradition, there will be fun games, contests and prizes that all campers love to participate

in and enjoy.

The camp is $180 which includes a T-shirt. Register by contacting Brian Stevens at bdstevens@hotmail.com or by calling 250-339-0434. A registration form will be e-mailed to you which has all the pertinent information for the camp.

In addition, the Comox Valley Volleyball Camp is a proud support of the Comox Valley Food Bank, so any donations will be gladly accepted. This camp is a great opportunity to further your volleyball development, meet some new people, and have a great time.

Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League announces independence from Hockey Canada

BY BRENDAN KYLE JURE

Black Press Media

The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) announced its intention to become an independent league starting in the 2024-25 season.

According to a news release on April 29, the VIJHL, of which the Comox Valley Glacier Kings are a member, will no longer be affiliated with Hockey Canada or BC Hockey, following in the footsteps of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), which left Hockey Canada’s umbrella in 2023.

“The VIJHL is pleased to announce our move to become an independent league starting next season and to operate outside of Hockey Canada’s umbrella going forward,”said Simon Morgan, the VIJHL’s president. “After months of hard work behind the scenes by the ownership group of our 11 franchises, the decision to move the VIJHL into a new space in junior hockey will allow players more opportunities for development going forward.”

The news release also adds affiliation agreements with higher levels of hockey, abilities to make “decisions that are in the best interest” of the league, and an increased player pool as benefits.

“We would also like to thank our former league partners in the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) and the Kootenay Interior Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) for their years of partnership and we wish them nothing but the best going forward,” said Morgan.

Both the PJHL and KIJHL have opted to remain with Hockey Canada.

“The BCHC and its member leagues are fully committed to operating under the Hockey Canada and BC Hockey umbrella,”said Jeff Dubois, KIJHL commissioner. “Over the past year, we have been making the necessary efforts and investments to elevate to the Junior A level, with the ultimate goal of providing our players with

a pathway to compete in the Centennial Cup, Canada’s national Junior A championship.” BC Hockey has issued a statement with respect to the three tier 2 Junior A teams.

“We are very pleased with the progression of the KIJHL and PJHL as they move forward toward a strengthened Junior A in our province,” said Cameron Hope, BC Hockey CEO. “These leagues have shown a clear, ongoing commitment to prioritizing the safety, development and playing experience of B.C. and Yukon players. We are disappointed with the decision of the VIJHL team owners to operate outside the safe and organized community sport model of sanctioned hockey, but we wish them well.”

MARS MOMENT: Building a treatment facility for fawns

By Pearl Mackenzie Special to Black Press

People volunteering for not-for-profit organizations often have ideas about how they can improve their working conditions and outcomes but cannot afford to act on those thoughts.

This is a story about a generous and thoughtful donor who is enabling us to build a much-needed treatment facility for the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS). It is now under construction and will soon be ready to receive our first patients of the year.

Spring is here and orphaned fawns will soon begin arriving at our wildlife hospital. All babies, including fawns, need their mother for the very best care. The rehabilitators’ challenge is to provide a mother’s care while at the same time ensuring that fawns do not become habituated to humans. The goal is to send them home to live out the rest of their lives as wild animals.

After years of doing this work, volunteer caregivers at MARS designed the ideal facility for treating and rehabilitating fawns. They envisioned an exam and treatment space that is open to the outdoors, well ventilated, much like the way they are raised in the wild but still protected from predators. A place that will

more efficiently allow rehabilitators to give vaccinations and the supplements needed when fawns are not being suckled by a doe. Fawns have very delicate digestive systems and being able to isolate their food preparation and dishes from the rest of the hospital will help to keep them healthy. Had they been able to stay with their mothers, her milk would have given these babies antibodies to protect them from local diseases and necessary nutrients for healthy growth

The design for this dedicated area has enough space for each fawn to allow rehabilitators to keep them clean and identify problems at an early stage.

Importantly it would also quarantine these little vulnerable patients from the major diseases that are currently attacking deer.

We are very grateful to Helga for partnering with us to help fawns.

Please note, it is normal for a mother deer to leave her fawns alone for periods of time. If you find a fawn that you think may be orphaned and the mother does not return for some long period of time, phone MARS Wildlife Hospital at 250-337-2021.

Pearl Mackenzie is the vice-president of the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society

Category 2 and 3 fire ban for Vancouver Island starting on Friday, May 17

Fires larger than two metres will be prohibited, as will fireworks; campfires OK

Press Media

Staff

BC Wildfire is enacting category 2 and 3 fire restrictions in the Coastal Fire Centre beginning at noon on Friday, May 17 — but is stopping short of a campfire ban.

The burn ban is going into effect for the area from Haida Gwaii to Vancouver Island at the western edge and Tweedsmuir to Manning Park on the eastern border.

This restriction prohibits open fires exceeding two metres in height, or in an area larger than 0.2 hectares. It also prohibits fireworks, sky lanterns, exploding targets, burn barrels and air curtain burners.

Campfires that are a half-metre high by half-metre wide, as well as cooking stoves and barbecues, are all still allowed.

GIVING BACK!

The Comox Valley is filled with businesses, organizations and individuals helping improve the lives of others. Comox Valley Record likes to recognize the many events that make our community a better place to live. Email your photos and submissions to editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Anyone lighting a campfire must remove flammable debris from around the fire area, and must also have a hand tool and at least eight litres of water on hand to properly extinguish the fire.

This applies to all public and private land, unless otherwise specified in a local government bylaw.

The ban will be in place until Oct. 31 unless it is rescinded by BC Wildfire.

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OpenTuesdaytoSaturday Doorsopenat12Noon -lastcallat6:30pm Entranceatthereardowntheramp May18th Musicfrom2pm-5pm–GordandFriends

BINGO (Cashonly)

EveryThursdayevening,doorsopen at5:00pminUpstairsHall. Playstartsat6:30pm *Concessionwillbeopenforfoodsales.

This fawn is a patient at the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society. Photo supplied

‘Hugelkultur’ is more than just a pretty German word

■ Leslie Cox DUCHESS OF DIRT

Ileft you dangling on the word “hugelkultur” in my last column. So what is it?

First off, how to pronounce it! HOO-gulkul-tur and if you roll it off your tongue a few times, you will “get it.”

Second, it roughly means “mound culture” in German.

And third, this method of building garden beds dates back centuries.

Fast forward to this century, John and I were treated to an example, and an explanation, of hugelkultur a few years back when we visited the garden of friends of friends.

New arrivals from the Lower Mainland, this couple had a dazzling array of rhododendrons. It was interesting to hear about Sue’s family business of breeding rhodos while we oohed and aahed over the gorgeous flowers. Most of the plants were in pots at that viewing but she showed us the new beds she was creating for them as she expanded the garden area of their property.

Up to that point, we had never seen an example of this bed-building method. Only read about it in books and articles.

A hugelkultur bed is sloped… wider at the bottom than at the top… and it can be in any shape - short, long, rectangular, gently curv-

ing or serpentine. The materials used to build it are large logs, branches, twigs, grass clippings, kitchen compost, manure and topsoil. The real beauty of this particular composition design is the number of benefits.

Seven of them according to a fact sheet I came across written by a class of landscape students at the Oklahoma State University Extension after they had constructed their own hugelkultur bed.

At the top of the list was water conservation. If properly constructed in an area where

surface water runoff can be captured, the bed is self-irrigated. Some watering may be needed during a long drought but not as much as a “typical” garden bed would need.

Second, the students noted “low maintenance” because these beds do not require regular watering. But they do stress regular weeding should be kept up!

Third, because of its water retention capabilities, hugelkultur is an efficient raised rain garden that allows water to collect and slowly drain into the ground. It should be utilized

more in stormwater management projects, I am thinking… and perhaps it is in some countries.

Fourth, the students claim growing food crops in raised beds is a self-sufficient and economical way of producing higher crop yields.

Soil improvement rated fifth. And the bonus is it sequesters carbon because you are utilizing landscape debris which otherwise would be sent to a landfill or burned.

Number six: hugelkultur is permaculture in the truest sense of the word. It is made up of all natural ingredients. No processed newspaper or cardboard.

Seventh and best of all - it is affordable if you have access to logs and branches, as well as an adequate supply of grass clippings. It is also easy to build, especially if you build it on top of the ground. It is a little more work if you decide you do not want a tall mound and have to dig a furrow in which to lay your logs and branches.

I read another article written by a couple describing their experience building hugelkultur beds on their farm. They built wooden raised beds and used wood chips instead of small logs. In the “one year later” follow up they noted logs are much preferred to wood chips. They also stressed that the topsoil depth should be at least as deep as the wood base and to monitor the nitrogen level in each bed. (Wood uses up nitrogen in its composting process which impacts on your crops.)

Leslie Cox co-owns Growing Concern Cottage Garden in Black Creek. Her website is https://duchessofdirt.ca/

Volunteers needed for annual Mile of Flowers plant-in

The annual Mile of Flowers community plant-in is on the horizon, and the City of Courtenay is putting the call out for volunteers.

The Mile of Flowers is marking 57 years of filling Cliffe Avenue boulevards with colourful blooms on Tuesday, May 28.

The plant-in starts at 5 p.m. and

goes until around 7 p.m. Volunteers from the community are invited to fill the garden beds on both sides of Cliffe Avenue from 8th to 21st Streets with summer flowers provided by the City of Courtenay.

No prior experience is required – just pick an open spot, and start planting.

Participants are asked to bring garden gloves and a trowel or spoon for digging.

Typically, between 200 and 500 volunteers are needed. Youth groups are encouraged to take part and all youth groups attending will be entered in a random draw to win a one-hour pool party at the outdoor pool in Lewis Park.

Mayor Bob Wells encourages residents to join the plant-in.

“The Mile of Flowers Plant-in is a wonderful opportunity to connect with community. We’ll often see multiple generations of Comox Valley residents

who have made volunteering at this event an annual tradition,” said Wells.

“We’re hoping for another great turnout this year and encourage everyone to come out and join in the fun, it’s a beautiful way to spend the evening.”

The Mile of Flowers is a tradition dating back to 1967, when Kathleen Kirk set out to commemorate Canada’s centennial year. That year she planted 7,800 seedlings as a welcome to tourists. What began as the initiative of one woman now involves hundreds of volunteers and around 30,000 flowers.

The City of Courtenay maintains the flower beds, watering as needed, using

compost and mulch to improve water retention. Water-efficient drip-irrigation systems have been installed in a number of beds. Some have also been converted to water-efficient perennial blooms and shrubs.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided courtesy of the Courtenay Rotary Club and the City of Courtenay. The City of Courtenay sends thanks to all the community volunteers, clubs and organizations who have helped beautify our community for so many years.

For more information, visit courtenay.ca/mileofflowers

The rhododendron is in full bloom in the Coxes’ garden. Photo by John Cox

Wehavebeguntheoperationofa50/50raffleevent.RaffleTicketsaleswillrunfromnow untilAugust25th.Thewinningticketwillbedrawnatthisyear’sRibfest,whichisbeing presentedbytheStrathconaSunriseRotaryClub.Themaximumvalueofticketsweare sellingis$20,000.00.50%ofticketsaleswillbeawardedtothewinneroftheraffle–ifwe sellouttheprizewillbe$10,000-Ifweselllessthanthemaximumthewinnerwillreceive 50%ofwhateverourtotalsalesare.

WehavecommittedallourproceedstobesharedequallybetweentheCumberlandVillage HealthcareSocietyandourDollyPartonImaginationLibraryprogram.

BOOKSALEDATES

In loving memory of Roy Harvey Nye

December 2, 1931- April 29, 2024

Roy passed away peacefully in Courtenay hospital. He lived a full life and leaves wonderful memories with his family. He will always be missed.

RODUCK OWNERS/FUNERALDIRECTORS

Whensettlingsomeone’sestate, possessionofanoriginalDeath Certificateisrequiredtobegin theprocess.Familiesfrequently ask, “Wheredoweget theDeath Certificate”? As District RegistrarsfortheProvinceof B.C.weobtainproofofdeath fromthe familyphysicianor coroner,thenregisterthe person’sdeathwithVital Statistics,producetheDeath Certificateandprovideittothe executororfamily representative.Inaddition,our packageincludesdirectionor assistancetohelpbeginthe estatesettlementprocess.

ComoxValleyFuneralHomeand Crematorium,since1993,the Valley’sbestvalue for funeral andcremationservices.

Place an announcement in the classifieds.

Roy began a long career in insurance as an adjuster in his home province of Saskatchewan. After relocating to the Okanagan in the 1960’s Roy operated his own office as an independent adjuster. In 1974 he worked in the first ICBC office in Kelowna, then as Claims Manager in Vernon and subsequently in Courtenay in 1977. Starting in 1983, Roy and his wife, Adele owned and operated Dogwood Insurance Services in Cumberland and Courtenay for over 15 years. Dogwood was a family affair, and at one time three of Roy and Adele’s sons worked along side them in the office.

Roy was a proud member of Rotary for many years, firstly with the Courtenay Club and later with Strathcona Sunrise Club. He was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship for his work helping the members of the Strathcona Club raise funds for the CT Scan for St. Josephs Hospital.

Roy was a passionate traveler and explored manydestinationsinEurope,Asia,theCaribbean and the South Pacific. His favorite destination was Kailua-Kona, where he and Adele spent many winters with friends. Of course, Roy still appreciated Vancouver Island most of all, and loved boating in Desolation Sound, skiing Mt. Washington, and swimming in Sproat Lake.

One of Roy’s legacies will be his love of gardening and cooking, which he passed on to many of his children and grandchildren. He was also an avid outdoorsman, and enjoyed fishing and hunting throughout BC.

Roy was the father of 4 sons and 1 daughter. He was predeceased by his son, Rhett in 2011 and his son, Ryan in 2022. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Adele. Also survived by his eldest son, Rhys and wife Susan, his daughter Rhonda and his son Reid and wife Meghan, and Ryan’s wife Kari. He also leaves 6 granddaughters and 2 grandsons.

The family gives profound thanks to Dr. Wainberg, the Comox Home Care Nurses and the 3rd floor staff at Courtenay Hospital.

Private Family Arrangements.

In loving memory of Graeme “Cricket” Strachan

September 1, 1935 - May 3, 2024

Graeme “Cricket” Strachan passed peacefully at North Island Hospital, Comox Valley. Born the 9th of 12 children to Hugh & Flora Strachan of Courtenay.

A man of few words, Graeme quietly led by example and consistently offered a hand to those in need. Graeme’s strong work ethic and community-minded spirit led him to opening Strachan’s Service Station in Campbell River in 1960. Graeme enjoyed staying active by mowing lawns, gardening, curling and walking.

As a young man while driving home one day, he offered a ride to Betty Ann, which led to a love story for the ages and they enjoyed more than 65 years of devoted marriage. Through triumph and hardship, they were steadfast at each other’s side and the love of each other’s lives. Family meant everything to him.

He had a huge heart and gave his children everything he never had growing up. In his later years, one of the joys of Graeme’s life was being involved in his grandchildren’s lives. Friends and family were always welcome in the Strachan home, and there was always enough for an extra seat at the table. They were well known for hosting all sorts of parties and celebrations. Fiercelyproudofhischildrenandgrandchildren, he will be missed by Betty Ann, sons Joseph (Arlene) and Michael, daughter Roberta (Graham), granddaughters Sydney, Lindsey, Sara (Kalla & Beckett), sisters Blodwin, Judy and

many extended family and friends. The family would like to thank the excellent healthcare team of 3A. No service will be held, as Graeme never wanted anyone to make“a fuss.”

In lieu of flowers, please take a page from Graeme’s life and lend a hand where you see a need.

Inlovingmemoryof

Neil Douglass Harrison

March25,1931 toMay 3,2024

It iswithlove thatwe say goodbyeto Neil, 93. Belovedhusbandof Ann for66 years –together throughmany adventures.Hislegacycontinues asthemuchlovedfatherofDiane(Malcolm), Beth (Tom)and Doug(Spring).He was grandpa andAbuelotoDeni,Syd,Sarah,Matt,Derek,and Danielle.Great-grandpatoBen,IzzyandEaston. Neil wasborn onthefamilyfarm in Stoney Creek,Ontarioandranitsuccessfullyalongwith a thrivingfloristbusiness.Sellingthat business led toa careerchangewhere hebecame a teacherofhorticulture andflowerdesign.He developeddeeprelationshipswithhisstudents, oneofwhommailedhimhomemademaple syruplastseason – 50 yearson! AmovetoTexascamenextwhereheintroduced hydroponicsolutions toa preexistingfarm andbuilt a homedesigned forentertaining. WhereverNeilwas,therewasfun-you’dbesure to find a party. Heand Annloved to dance and mostoftheirget togethers featuredsomething active like twister, gamesofpool, card games andthelike Neil went outofhis waytoconnect withthepeoplearoundhim. Somemay rememberhischestpocketnotebooksused as conversationstarterswithessentialdetails abouthissoon to-befriends.

A move from Texas to Costa Ricacamenext where heand Annbought anold greenhouse andhadsoonintroducedpottedmums, poinsettias, andgloxinias to thelocalmarkets Withthenewbusinessrunningsmoothly, he opted to turn anoldrubberplantationinto a multihectare macadamianutfarm.Neil wasneverone to shyaway from a challenge orinterestingopportunityfor growthor learning.Eveninhisolderagelivingwith Ann inthe ComoxValley, he remained avoracious readerandsought out conversationswithhis grandkidsandneighboursabouttheiracademic andprofessionalinterests.Folksin Comoxknew himasthesmilingguywhonevermet a doghe didn’t like

Neil was kindandgentle –a lover, not a fighter A manwho wouldmaketime for youandseek out waysto supportyou He was a loyalfriend –stayinginclosecontactwithhishighschooland collegeclassmates70+ yearsafter graduation as wellasmany friendsfromOntarioand Costa Rica.He consistentlysoughtwaysto make peoplesmilewithhisgentlehumouroften consistingofpuns, personalturnsofphrase,

phoneticallyspelled rhymes, andsimple yet impactfulpunchlines.Helovedtosharealaugh andloveditwhenothers couldgetoneoutof him!He wasanactive, curiouslistener.Whenhe asked a question,heleanedin toreallylisten to youranswer.Hisinterest waspalpableand you knewhesawyou

Neillivedmost recently atComoxValley Senior Villagewith Annbefore movinginto long-term care there.Thank you to allofhiscaregiversand friends atCVSVwhomadehislast twoyearsso comfortableandsafe. Hewillbe greatlymissed We willcherishhislegacy of kindness, honesty, curiosity, andgentlehumour

A gatheringoffriendswillbeheld atCVSV Wednesday,May 15thfrom2-4pm. Pleasejoin usandwe’dloveitifyoubringajoke Neilwould loveto have onelastlaughwith you Wee luv uKneel and wil knotfergheitewe.

Gerald Goodwin passed away April 7th, 2024, in Comox, BC, after a long illness. Gerry was born in Moose Jaw, SK, to Harold and Roslyn.

The family moved to Vancouver when he was in his early teens. Gerry attended King Edward High School and played football and rugby.

In the 60’s Gerry worked for the Boys and Girls Club’s Camp Potlach, where he met his future wife, Betty. As the story goes, the pretty camper insisted on attending the free swim period in a downpour so that she would have time alone with the handsome young lifeguard. Gerry was soon travelling from Vancouver to Victoria almost every weekend to court Betty while she attended nursing school. Gerry and Betty were married in Vancouver in June of 1965. They bought a house in Burnaby and welcomed the arrival of sons Stuart and Russell in the late 60’s.

Also in 1965, Gerry joined the Vancouver Fire Department. Nicknamed ‘the Riddler’, he loved thecomraderyandtherushofbeingafirefighter.

Gerry was deeply committed to helping people get through some of the most difficult times of their lives: house fires, accidents, car crashes, health crises, overdoses. Gerry answered the bell. He retired from theVFD in 1996 at the rank of Captain.

Always active, Gerry helped family and friends with their vacation properties through the 60’s and into the 00’s. Many fond memories were made at these cottages with family and friends building, boating, fishing, and skiing.

During the 80’s and 90’s Gerry and Betty ran a small machine shop as a ‘side hustle’. It was actually a second fulltime job for Gerry, who always liked hard work. Their custom concrete embeddedfastenerswereusedinmanynotable construction projects, including BC Place.

In the 80’s through the 00’s Gerry and Betty enjoyed their hobby of retriever dog trials, competing with a string of Black Labradors.

Gerry became a respected field trial judge and marshal, eventually volunteering at the Canadian Nationals.

Gerry and Betty cherished the friendships they

developed as they attended competitions with their furry four legged“children”.

The couple moved to Comox, BC for their retirement. They joined the Comox Newcomers where they formed many treasured and lasting friendships. They loved hosting visits from family, friends, and especially their three grandchildren.

Gerry volunteered: first with the Comox Coast Guard Auxiliary, contributing his boating and vast first responder skills; later with the Mt Washington Adaptive Ski Program, only bowing out when he had to get hip and shoulder replacements. Gerry was very active with the Comox Lions Club low-income housing program. As a board member he helped secure funding for Lions housing initiatives.

Gerry’s giving spirit drove him to continue with the Lions until his health finally failed him. Donations in his memory to these causes would be wonderful.

Gerry is survived by his wife Betty; his brother Ken; his sons Stuart and Russell; daughter-inlaw Lisa; and his grandchildren Rachel, Nicholas, and Andrew.

Remembering Loved Ones

In loving memory of Bud Dickens

With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Bud, who lived a life full of joy and adventure.

Heissurvivedbyhisbelovedwife,Cathie,andchildren:Justin(Caroline), Jeremy,Forrest,andMeganCunningham(Colin).Budalsoleavesbehind grandchildren Harriette, Ellie, Phoebe, Graeme, Khosi, and Everett, who brought immeasurable happiness to his life. His siblings Sid (Sonja), Laraine Pierce (Rodney), Tyke Krismansen, Janis Roberts (Garth), Brian (Lola), Christine Evans (Grant), and Don, along with in-laws Ted Smith (Kim), Andy Smith (Brenda), and Lorna Ellis (Reed), share in the sorrow of his passing. Many nieces and nephews also cared deeply for their uncle.

Bud’s passion for life was evident in his lifelong pursuit of fishing. From his days as a commercial fisherman to his retirement spent fishing for leisure, Bud found solace, pleasure, and excitement on the water. When his beloved boat faced mechanical troubles four months ago, an outpouring of support from friends, aware of Bud’s illness, ensured its repair allowing him few more fishing trips.

WeextendheartfeltgratitudetoJames,Quincy,Esther,Barry,Ken,Kevin, Billy,Todd, andWayne for their selfless assistance during this time.

Bud was profoundly grateful for the abundance of love and happiness in his life. His infectious humour, quick with and boundless kindness endeared him to many.

We wish to thank Dr. Bascom, Dr. Beattie, Dr. Regler, Dr. Daws, Wendy and pharmacists, Kush and Kartik for their support.

Finally, we express our gratitude to Bud and Cathie’s dear friends, particularlyMelody,Laurie,TracyandKathiewhosekindnessenveloped Bud in his final days.

A celebration of Bud’s life will be held at Crown Isle on Sunday, September 15, 2024, from 2pm - 4pm.

In loving memory of

Itiswithgreatsadnessandwithheavy hearts that Michael Jay Bates family announce his passing in Courtenay.

He will be profoundly missed by all that knew and loved him.

He is survived by his father, Mike Bates, his sister, Michelle Meurs (Greg), his nieces and nephews, Jared, Hailey and Chloe, his aunts and uncle, John (Nancy), Coreen, Leanna. His close cousins Nanette (Dave) and Cory (Yuko) as well his Ontario cousins. He also leaves behind many friends and will be especially missed by his dear friends, theTurco family. Michael was one of a kind. He was creative and excelled at whatever he put his mind to. In spite of this he remained humble. Back in the day, he was an incredible skateboarder, practically a legend to many on the skater scene. He appeared not once, but twice in Thrasher Magazine. He was always happiest helping others honing their skateboarding skills, especially the young kids who he always supported and encouraged.

The

Rose

He would make us all laugh with his funny antics. His energy drew

He loved his people wholeheartedly and wasn’t afraid to let them know it. His love didn’t stop there. He loved animals, especially dogs. His dog Spot will miss his love and their walks profusely.

Michaelwaspredeceased by his mother, Dorethy Stewart, his love Melissa White and his grandparents on both sides. He is at peace and with them now.

There are no words that can accurately describe the loss we, his loved ones feel.We will miss you always, Michael Jay.

Yourlifewasablessing,yourmemoryatreasure, you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.

There will be a celebration of life for Michael on May 31st, 1-4 pm at Centennial Lodge at Queens Park, NewWestminster.

Condolences may be offered at www.telfordtoneffboyd.ca

Beyond The Wall

A rose once grew where all could see, sheltered beside a garden wall, And as the days passed swiftly by, it spread its branches, straight and tall...

One day, a beam of light shone through a crevice that had opened wide The rose bent gently toward its warmth then passed beyond to the other side

Now, you who deeply feel its loss, be comforted - the rose blooms thereits beauty even greater now, nurtured by God’s own loving care.

It

bcclassifi

cannot be responsible for errors after the first day of publication of any advertisement. Notice of errors on the first day should immediately be called to the attention of the Classified Department to be corrected for thefollowingedition.

bcclassifieds.com reserves the right to revise, edit, classify or reject any advertisement and to retain any answers directed to the bcclassifieds.com Box Reply Service and to repay the customer the sum paid for the advertisementandboxrental.

DISCRIMINATORY LEGISLATION

Advertisers are reminded that provincial legislation forbids the publicationofanyadvertisement which discriminates against any person because of race, religion, sex, colour, nationality, ancestry or place of origin, age, andphysicalormentaldisability, unless the condition is justified by a bona fide requirement for theworkinvolved.

COPYRIGHT

Copyright and/or properties subsist in all advertisements and in all other material appearing in this edition of bcclassifieds.com. Permission to reproduce wholly or in part and in any form whatsoever, particularly by a photographic oroffsetprocessinapublication mustbeobtainedinwritingfrom the Publisher. Any unauthorized reproduction will be subject to recouseinlaw.

WAREHOUSE LIEN ACT

In accordance with the Warehouse Lien Act, Beaufort Self-Storage Ltd. located at 1510 Ryan Rd. E. Comox, BC claims a Warehouse Lien against Shannon Longland in the amount of $816.00 for unpaid rent and other associated charges incurred in the rental of self-storage unit B23. If the outstanding balance is not paid in full on or before June 7, 2024, the stored items will be sold at auction on www.ibid4storage.com

WAREHOUSEMANLEIN

Road Building Company seeking ACCOUNTANT/CONTROLLER

5 years experience preferred. Duties include

Hilltop Mini Storage, 1413Krueger Road, Merville, BC claims awarehousemanlein on the following unitsstored by:

* DENNISSTEVENS

*GEOFFHIGGINS

*CLINTONFLANAGAN

Retired Cumberland Senior seeks a person to split and stack firewood Paying $25/hr. Phone 250-336-2329 between 9am-10am

*EDITHDESJARDINS

*JACOBEDISON

*JOHNANDREWS

*ELSIEVINCENT

*JASONHONEYBALL

If thenoted feesandadditional costsare notpaidinfull by FRIDAYMAY 29TH the storedgoodswillbesoldordisposedof to recoverdebts owed FMIpleasecall1.250.337.5681

WAREHOUSE LIEN ACT

Under Warehouse Lien Act Notice is hereby given to Nick Tomazewski, of 2544 Macaulay Rd, Black Creek, BC V9J 1B6 for the contents of Storage Container #31. The items will be sold online on Bid13.com by Midway Mini-Storage of Campbell River, BC on 30 May, 2024 to recover charges of $671.88.

NoticeofLeaseAssignment

2040CliffeAvenue

TheCityofCourtenayintendsto authorizethe following lease assignment:

To:QathetSchoolDistrict, School District47

Location: 2040CliffeAvenue, CourtenayB.C.*

Theleasetermisfora termoffive yearsplus threefive-year renewal options(eachtermissubjectto Councilapproval),equallinga totalmaximumtermof20years commencingonJune1,2024. Theannualrentissetatamarketrate of$26,000peryear,increasing annually,plusapplicabletaxes.

Notice isprovidedinaccordance with Section26oftheCommunityCharter.

courtenay.ca

*Legallydescribedas: PID:004-154-664,Lot1ofSection 68.ComoxDistrict,Plan1512 SUBJECT PROPERTY

KateO’Connell, CorporateOfficer

CityofCourtenayCorporateServices

830CliffeAve.,Courtenay,BCV9N2J7 250-334-4441,info@courtenay.ca

NewSmall-ScaleMulti-UnitHousing (SSMUH)ResidentialZone

FileNo:RZ00081

BylawNumber:3135,2024

Theprovincialgovernmenthasenactedtheprovincial HousingStatutes(ResidentialDevelopment)AmendmentAct (Bill44Small-ScaleMulti-UnitHousing-SSMUH)whichrequiresthat localgovernmentspermituptofoursmall-scalemulti-unithousing unitsonpropertiesexclusivelyzonedforsingleresidentialor duplexuse.Localgovernmentsmustamendzoningbylawsto conformtothelegislationnolaterthanJune30,2024.Provincial legislationprohibitstheholdingofapublichearingtoadoptzoning amendmentsrequiredbyBill44.

Councilwillconsider1st,2ndand3rdreadingofZoning AmendmentBylawNo.3135,2024attheMay22,2024regular Councilmeeting.Thepurposeoftheamendmentbylawistoamend theZoningBylaw2500,2007tocreateanewResidentialSmall-Scale Multi-UnitHousingzone(R-SSMUH)thatwillreplace16existing residentialzonescomprisingofapproximately5648 properties.Thezonesare:R-1,R-1B,R-1C,R-1D,R-1E,R-1S,R-2, R-2A,R-2B,RR-1,RR-2,RR-2S,RR-3,RR-4,RR-5,andR-RU. Inaddition,15propertiesnotsuitableforSSMUHzoningarebeing zonedtoanappropriatealternatezone.

Getmoreinformation

ThebylawisavailableforviewingatCourtenayCityHall, 830Cliffe Avenue,May9-May22,8:30amto4:30pm MondaytoFriday,exceptholidays,ORonline: courtenay.ca/SSMUH

WatchMeetingOnlineWednesdayMay22,2024 startingat4:00p.m. StreamedliveontheCityofCourtenay’s YouTubechannel

SubmitWrittenCommentsby1:00pmon WednesdayMay22,2024

Email: planning@courtenay.ca

Mail:DevelopmentServices 830CliffeAvenue Courtenay,BC V9N2J7

planning@courtenay.ca

ARTS ENTERTAINMENT& Woodland Gardens Art & Bloom Festival is a Comox Valley May long weekend tradition

By Joe Smith Special to Black Press

The Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens Art and Bloom Festival held May 18-20 is one of the highlights of the spring season in the Comox Valley.

With more than 3,000 rhododendrons and hundreds of other woodland flowers in bloom, the 24-acre gardens make a spectacular setting for the artists, artisans and musicians who set up their displays along the winding pathways.

The show which features painters, potters, photographers, sculptors, unique garden art and a host of high-end artisans who work in wood, glass, textiles and stone is now in its 22nd season.

“The quality of work gets better every year “said Bryan Zimmerman, owner of the gardens. “Some of the exhibitors have been with us since the first year and you can see their work getting better and better. We also attract new artists every year which is terrific because it gives each show a different look and feel.”

The other thing that is constantly changing are the gardens themselves. The man-made lake, complete with its own island and small decorative beach is now surrounded by an amazing array of rhodos. Areas that were once the remnants of a Christmas tree farm have been turned into inviting glades. Popping up here and there are rustic shelters, pavilions and unique pieces of driftwood that all ad to the ambiance. With more than 70 exhibitors on hand, visitors will have plenty of opportunity to see, do and shop. Along with the eclectic mix of artists and artisans, visitors will also be treated to entertainment by a number of well know musicians.

During the course of the three-day event, various musicians will be playing throughout the gardens each of them performing in their own unique style with a sound that seems to blend with nature. This year’s lineup includes the Canuck Country band, Anela Kahaimoe, Luke Blue Guthrie, Bruce & Judy Wing, Jana Seale, John Mortenson, Fred Saliani and David Somers.

Rounding out the attractions is the food court

where visitors can enjoy wood fired pizza, Buddha bowls, healthy dragon bowls, sweet & savory crepes or chow down at the weinie wagon.

“ When we came up with the idea of having a festival, we wanted to create an event that would work with the natural setting of the gardens and at the same time provide an opportunity for artists to exhibit and sell their work in a relaxed peaceful environment,”said Zimmerman.

Zimmerman has even created a labyrinth in the forested area where some go to find enlightenment. As an added attraction for those who

might be a little superstitious there is a giant inukshuk made from 1,700 horseshoes that you can walk through in the hope of finding good luck.

It is perhaps this unique combination of art, music, Mother Nature’s colourful palette and the dedication of one man, his family and friends that make the Art and Bloom Festival one the Comox Valley’s truly unique events. The Festival has something for everyone. From those who are seeking peace and relaxation to those who are looking for that special

work of art that will enhance their home or add value to their collection, they are sure to find it at this year’s festival.

Art and Bloom Festival show times are 10 am to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday and 10 am to 4 pm Monday.

Regular show rates apply. The gardens are just a 15 minute drive north of Courtenay off the Old Island Highway, 19A.

For further information contact Woodland gardens at 250-338-6901 or visit woodlandgardens.ca

The Woodlands Gardens Art & Bloom Festival is a May long weekend tradition. Photo supplied

long.

Acclaimed Elvis tribute performer, Steve Elliott, is returning to the Comox Valley to shake things up at a fundraising concert on Friday, May 31, 7 p.m. at St. George’s United Church.

The concert will feature Elvis classics from the ’50s and ’60s, and some Gospel music – raising funds for the Comox Valley Salvation Army and St. George’s United Church.

Tickets are $30 in advance on Eventbrite at bit.ly/3UbSBjt

For those who prefer to reserve tickets via e-transfer, send an etransfer to donations@ stgeorgesunited.com with attendee names and “Elvis,” in the note section. Tickets will be $35 at the door. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to be collected at the door to help those less fortunate put food on their tables.

He has also performed at the Comox Valley Exhibition and Nautical Days in Comox. When he’s not in the Comox Valley, Elliott travels full-time—performing throughout Canada, the US and Mexico.

Elliott caught the eye of the Legendary Vancouver DJ Red Robinson and was hired to perform at the Vancouver PNE 2007 marking the 50th anniversary of when Elvis Presley himself performed in 1957.

In 2010, the original Empire Stadium was resurrected to host the BC Lions, and Elliott was invited by Robinson to perform a special half-time show for more than 25,000 fans.

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Elliott will perform at St. George’s Untied Church in Courtenay on May 31. (Dan Ferguson/ Langley Advance

Elliott, a world-class vocalist and tribute singer from Vancouver, was born in Nanaimo Band officially started his career as a tribute performer in the summer of 2004 after winning the “Top Canadian Tribute Performer” title at Penticton’s Annual Elvis Festival. In that same year, he won the “Elvis Mania Festival” in Cloverdale.

A popular performer in the Comox Valley, Elliott dazzled the sold-out audience at his 2023 Christmas show at the Sid Williams Theatre.

The Salvation Army is an integral part of the Comox Valley, providing practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life. It provides shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction.

The international organization began its work in Canada in 1882 and is currently in 400 communities throughout the country. Clothing and food are also provided to vulnerable citizens of our community. To help the Salvation Army continue its services in the community, this concert is part of the church’s fundraising series, “Concerts for a Common Good,”which started in 2023. St. George’s raises funds through a variety of events during the year to benefit local non-profits.

In 2023, the church donated more than $40,000 to community groups, including Habitat for Humanity, LUSH, the Comox Valley Food Bank, the Coldest Night of the Year, the Comox Valley Child Development Association, the Transition Society, CYMC, and many others.

Steve “Elvis”

Times)

The Comox Valley Schoolhouse Quilters’ Guild is hosting a quilt show in Cumberland May 18-19. Black Press file photo

The Comox Valley Schoolhouse Quilters’ Guild is hosting a quilt show, ‘Celebrating Quilts’ in Cumberland May 18-19 at the Cumberland Cultural Centre.

Quilters from the area will be on hand to share the love of quilting, sewing and handiwork while admiring the display of quilts from local guild members.

There will also be a raffle with all proceeds going to Community Quilts to continue supporting others with the comfort of quilts. Visitors can also enjoy the tea room and a vendor area. It will be a wonderful weekend to see exquisite quilts made by local quilters.

The Comox Valley Schoolhouse Quilters’ Guild is an active quilting guild with 126

members from the Comox Valley. Members meet at the Cumberland Cultural Centre every Thursday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. sewing quilts and other projects while enjoying the company of fellow quilters. Being so fortunate to have the Cultural Centre every Thursday allows members the opportunity to learn from others, support each other and contribute to the community. The Quilt Guild supports the program Community Quilts.

Celebrating Quilts runs Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Admission to the event is $5.

The Cumberland Cultural Centre is located at 2674 Dunsmuir Ave., in Cumberland.

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CYMC hosting big band fundraiser

Two of the Comox Valley’s best jazz big bands will be performing for a special event on Saturday, May 25, at the Elks Lodge #60 (231 6th Street, Courtenay) from 2-4 p.m.

The Georgia Strait Big Band, led by Greg Bush, will showcase its massive repertoire of songs and decades of experience. Joining the GSBB is he School District 71 Studio Band, under the direction of William Ilag.

The Studio Band comprises 16 young musicians from schools all across the Comox Valley, this May 25 concert marks the Studio Band’s debut performance.

Not only is this an opportunity to celebrate jazz excellence, this event also serves as a fundraiser for CYMC (Comox Valley Youth Music Centre).

CYMC is a non-profit society that offers top notch musical intensive summer programming in Jazz, Classical and Musical Theatre and will be the beneficiaries of this fundraising event.

For more information on CYMC visit their website at www.cymc.ca

Tickets for the May 25 event are $15, or $5 for anyone 18 and under. Tickets will be available at the door (cash only), and online at bit.ly/4dCb80c

Celebrate National Fiddle Day with a picnic concert

May 128 is National Fiddle Day and what better way to celebrate than an oceanside picnic and concert?

The Branch 17 Fiddlers and musicians are going to be having a picnic at Kitty Coleman Park, weather permitting. Great country &

western music, lots of fiddle tunes, you are welcome to come and listen, bring a lunch, drink, a chair and warm coat, enjoy the day with music and hopefully you will be able to see the Snowbirds flying around over the ocean.

The Georgia Strait Big Band will headline a fundraising concert for the Comox Valley Youth Music Centre on May 25 in Courtenay. Photo supplied

L’Oiseau Noir performing

Cumberland and on Denman

Comox Valley music lovers are in for a treat on May 18 and 19: Cumberland and Denman Island are the final two stops of the “In The Garden of Love”spring tour with the jazz cabaret duo, L’Oiseau Noir.

“We are celebrating a season of love, with songs that are rich with images of nature’s beauty and musical poetry, that evoke feelings of affection and pleasure,” says multi-generational Vancouver Islander, Joanna Finch, songwriter and vocalist.

“My body and soul are filled to the brim with the joys and sorrows of living on Vancouver Island as a fifth-generation pioneer.

“The songs come to me from distant places and I hear them in the wind and soil. Some are very airy… and funny… and magnificent. Some are downright dirty! Music is the language of love, and when two people who love music come together, all sorts of magic can happen.”

Performing in Cumberland at the Abbey Studio on May 18, at 7:30 p.m. and on Denman Island at the community hall on May 19 at 3 p.m.,

L’Oiseau Noir

has chosen songs with an international flavour. An array of original compositions by Finch and popular songs by Joni Mitchell, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Edith Piaf, Leonard Cohen, Consuelo Velazquez, Cole Porter and more. Interspersed with Finch’s marvellously eclectic musical poetry, this concert spans eras and styles that appeal to all music lovers.

With their shared passion for diverse music, L’Oiseau Noir concerts are an exciting

combination of roots, jazz, and improvisational creations. Drawing from a vast assortment of Finch’s eclectic originals, plus jazz and pop standards from the 1920s to the present, each show is tailored to fit the venue, the season and the demographic. Accompanied by the exceptional musicality of multi-instrumentalist, producer, singer “NOIR,” Miles Black, (www. milesblackmusic.com) Finch rounds out the sounds with ukulele, flute, percussion and her remarkable “vocal cornet.”

Jazz-Cabaret

Joanna Finch and Miles Black are the L’Oiseau Noir Jazz-Cabaret. Photo supplied

AGING IN PLACE: Turning disability into ability and preparing for change

By Jennifer Pass Special to the Record

We seem to race through life always preparing for the next stage.

The plug covers for when the baby starts crawling, the room apart from house living area for when the kiddies are teens and want their own space, the university degree for a hoped-for career path. But there is one stage we don’t prepare for – old age and our likely reduced physical abilities. Do we all really believe we’ll be running marathons in our 80s and 90s?

We build and buy houses based on our age 40 or 50 abilities, without anticipating needing a walker or a wheelchair permanently or even intermittently. Ramesh Lad, of Step By Step Accessibility Consulting says, “If you are planning on building a house in your 50s or 60s, look at your in-laws (assuming they are in their 70s and 80s).”

Ramesh was affected by the drug Thalidomide which was given to pregnant women in the 1950s and early 1960s to address nausea. So, he is particularly equipped at addressing issues of accessibility in construction and renovation. And he is keenly in-

telligent and creative at solving problems. He thinks outside the box. He showed me many adjustments – not visible but which allow him to enjoy his life more comfortably. For example, he made a remote control hoist (from a model car hoist) which he uses to raise the barbecue lid. Just press a switch and the lid goes up.

“Okay”, you say, “but, I don’t want my home to look like a hospital ward.”

When you enter Ramesh’s home, you are instantly struck by spaciousness, and a very classy modern look. No visible “disability aids.” Even the necessary elevator is discretely placed through a doorway to the outside of the home. Doors are sliding, hidden. Switches are lower. Doors to fridge, freezer, wall oven open sideways. An important consideration at the construction stage is adequate support should a ceiling lift need to be

installed. An additional beam in the ceiling, makes the later installation of the lift, much easier and cheaper. The same principle applies for stair lifts – also making sure there is a power supply at the base of the stairs.

Ramesh has his business in his home, so has a home office that is fully accessible. This thinking outside of the box makes Ramesh’s strategies both imaginative and successful. If we want our lives to continue to be full as we age, there are an endless number of strategies that can enable continuing activity and engagement. With the new Accessibility legislation in BC, government buildings must upgrade to new accessibility standards. Ramesh has helped North Island College with this upgrade and recently helped Cypress Gardens receive its Rick Hansen Accessibility Certification. He works for both corporate and individual clients wanting to create more accessible buildings. The work he does is based on the Canadian Standards Association guidelines for Accessibility standards (B651-23). He is a certified Accessibility Accessor through the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification Program. These CSA

and RHFAC guidelines are what he uses when offering advice along with knowledge based on the BC Building Code, which offers guidance on minimum accessibility requirements. To contact Ramesh go to https://stepbystepconsulting.com/ or phone 778992-0556.

Even if we do not want to anticipate permanent disability, we often have surgeries that necessitate weeks without weight bearing. And we want our homes to be welcoming and accessible for family members and friends who are differently abled. Universally accessible living space makes good sense for human interconnectedness. When we think about having the lifestyle we want as long as we can, this pre-planning for disability aids makes so much sense. None of us want to end our days in institutional long-term care, and one of the best ways to avoid or at least forestall that is to have a home that is accessible to our reducing capabilities. Also being more engaged with hobbies and able to do the activities we love, is good medicine at any age.

Jennifer Pass is the co-ordinator of Comox Valley Elders Take Action (ETA)

Ramesh Lad has an impressive bonzai collection in his home. Amy Shaw photo

Ways to prioritize self-care as you age

Getting older is inevitable, but with age comes enough wisdom to know that your senior years can be the best of your life. Staying mentally sharp, physically fit and emotionally healthy are all important – and self-care is at the centre of it all.

Here are some simple ways to prioritize health and well-being in your golden years:

Go for a walk

It doesn’t matter how fast or how far you go at first; aim for half an hour at least five days a week.

Keep your body hydrated

Drink plenty of water, sip broths and soups,

consider a humidifier for your home and remember that both caffeine and alcohol can be dehydrating.

Eat healthy

Pay close attention to your nutrition – but enjoy a treat every now and then.

Eat whole foods, make sure you’re getting enough protein, reduce the amount of sugar you consume and try to avoid saturated fats.

Be social

Whether it’s visiting friends, playing with grandchildren or travelling, connecting with others may help reduce stress and keep your mental health in check.

Comox Valley Hospice Society featured at

next

‘Courageous Conversations’ meeting

The Classic Lifecare Comox Valley May Courageous Conversations open house will discuss end-of-life preparations with members of the Comox Valley Hospice Society. Christine Colbert, the executive director of the Comox Valley Hospice Society, will be presenting alongside her colleague Joan Collinge, who is a

long-standing volunteer, past board director and partner grief group facilitator.

The topics to be discussed during the event include:

• Normalizing the conversation around death, dying, and grieving.

• How hospice supports the end-of-life and grief journey.

• Open conversation about

the resources available, supporting individuals nearing the end of life, and being a compassionate ally through grief.

This event will be held at the Comox Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, May 28, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

For more information, call 250-890-7535.

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Peonies: once the flower of kings, now the king of flowers

By Ellen Presley Special to the Record

Peonies have been a garden classic for more than 2,000 years and were found in the mountain regions of China.

Originally they were white blooms with a single row of petals and used in medicine. Once gardeners created new colours and varieties, they became the much-coveted flower of royalty.

Now they are available to everyone.

They are deer- and rabbit-resistant and attract butterflies. Great as a specimen plant, or used to create amazing borders or placed randomly in beds; they are equally at home in the city or the cottage garden. They also make an excellent cut flower. With minimal care, they flourish anywhere, but plant away from trees or shrubs as they don’t like to compete for food and moisture. Give them full sun or part shade and rich fertile medium moist well-drained soils.

Although the Itoh and tree peonies tend to steal the show these days, I would like to focus on the classics. The peony was introduced to Europe in the 1800s from Asia and who could resist their magnificent globular opulence of 500 petals in a single bloom. It was astonishing.

Festive Maxima (24-36”) has been a garden favourite since its introduction in 1851. This multiple award winner has lush creamy white

petals with an enchanting fragrance of sweet floral notes with hints of citrus and spice. Each large bloom ( 5-7”) forms a mass of double white petals that have flecks of crimson which give it a subtle hint of intrigue.

In 1906 French breeder Lemonie, created Sarah Bernhardt named after the famous French actress. It’s outrageously beautiful in bloom with fragrant 8” wide rose-pink blooms that have ruffled inner petals occasionally fleck-

ed with raspberry. An all-time favourite that will take your breath away every spring.

In 1856 French breeder Calot created one of the best white peonies on the market and it has been a favourite of wedding bouquets ever since. The Duchesse de Nemours has wellformed fragrant creamy-white flowers with a delicate yellow center that seems to glow from within.

Sorbet ( discovered in 1987 in a South Korean

orchard by Dutch specialist Luc Linkhamer) has large flowers (5-7”) with pink outer petals, a fluffy white inside, pale yellow centre, and a sweet fragrance. The fun description is frilly vanilla cream petals that are sandwiched between layers of strawberry and raspberry ice.

Command Performance (1996 Hollingsworth) has massive fragrant double blooms (9” across) of cardinal red that change color from glowing red, through a range of pinks and finish with a salmon inner glow.

For dark reds try the award-winning Buckeye Belle which has very dark chocolate red petals with a golden stamen or Paul M. Wilde (1964) with its velvety ruby red double 6” blooms.

The peony Purple Spider has both extraordinary form and color. It has purple-fuchsia guard petals with a spidery fuchsia center with stamens often tipped with sparkling white highlights giving it an interesting 3D look.

I will end with the lovely multi-award winning Coral Sunset. This beauty has enchanting feminine ruffled blooms that begins as a vivid coral pink and as it matures it goes through a range of peaches ending with ivory.

Peonies are breathtakingly beautiful and are said to bring good luck and prosperity. They are just about ready to bloom. Come in and see them and maybe you will find that perfect one for your garden. Happy Gardening! Ellen Presley is the owner of Anderton Nursery

Paeonia Buckeye Belle. Red peony flower. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE

GIVING BACK

WHAT’S YOUR GROUP UP TO?

The Comox Valley Record wants to recognize the many acts of philanthropy that make our community a better place to live. Email your photos and submissions to editor@ comoxvalleyrecord.com,with“GivingBack”inthesubjectline.

Email:

Close to 80 participants registered for the Line Dance for Charity, April 27 in Cumberland. Everyone enjoyed the well-organized, well-decorated, three-hour line dance fun event. One hundred per cent of the proceeds to the amount of $1,108 was donated to Lush Valley Food Action Society.

Representatives from 11 Comox Valley groups pose with Auxiliary Society for Comox Valley Healthcare president Cathie Poge (front right) for a photo after receiving $10,000 each in celebration of the ASCVH’s 110th anniversary. The groups receiving $10,000 each include Wheels for Wellness; Comox Valley Child Development Association; Comox Valley Lifeline Society; Comox Valley Therapeutic Riding Society; Comox Valley Senior Support Society; Sonshine Lunch Club; Comox Valley Food Bank; Dawn to Dawn Action Against Homelessness; Comox Valley Search and Rescue; Comox Bay Care Society Care-A-Van; Eureka Support Society.

Knights Of Columbus (L-R) Phil Riley, Cec Afonso, Larry Jangula and Arnold Lamb presented a $500 cheque to Ms. Siobhan McCulloch-Orr of the Comox Valley Recovery Centre for outdoor tables. A tour of the very impressive facilities was also conducted by Mr. Albert (Butch) Montreuil

The Reverend Ryan Slifka, pastor at St. George’s United Church, presents a cheque to Comox Valley Food Bank Executive Director, David Reynolds. In addition to the $750 cheque, proceeds from the church’s February 23rd fundraising concert with Doc Fingers and Blaine Dunaway, the food bank also received $95 in cash donations and more than 200 pounds of food donated by concert goers that night.

Kiwanis Member and long time food bank volunteer, Thomas Sturge (left), presents a $500 cheque to David Reynolds, executive director of the Comox Valley Food Bank.