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FRIDAY JULY 22 2016 •= 5
Canada Day thank you from community rec Dear Editor, More than 800 people came out to celebrate Canada’s 149th year of confederation on July 1 hosted by Bowen Island Community Recreation. Gary Ander warmly welcomed all who came to the event that opened with Billi Behm belting out “O Canada” while RCMP officers Cpl. Richard De Jong and Cpl. Paulo Arreaga saluted the flag in their red serge. Recreation staff would like to thank all of the community members who helped pull this annual event together. Big thanks to Back Eddy and the Procrastinators from Cortez Island, who pumped out the ska and reggae tunes all afternoon. While grooving to the tunes, activities for all ages circled the field. Thank you to the Westcoast Society for the Protection and Conservation of Reptiles, who brought an array of reptilian species,
Emilie Kaplan and Bowen Island Arts Council for their craft booth, Joanna Wing who oversaw the small tots area, and Paul Stewart who shared his juggling tips, batons and sticks. Thank you to community recreation’s energetic summer camp staff, Madeline Jones, Brenna Rosen, Siena Vallee, and Francesca Brind-Boronkay and youth volunteers Kamille Gruft, Henry Wing, Carter Gaudet, Stephanie Taylor, Olivia Harding and Cassidy Smolar, who provided crafts and activities. Rebecca Smith, with a generous donation of supplies from Opus Art Supplies, co-ordinated the third annual community art project, Under the Sea. Deliciously decorated birthday cake was donated by Glen Cormier of the Bowen Island Pub and concessions were provided by Artisan Eats and Alderwood Farms. McTaggart Water provided
hydration for our volunteers and staff. Thank you all. Set up and take down for the event would not have been possible without the efforts of Bruce Lyne, John Stiver, Will and Daly Thompson, Hudson Stiver, Roderick and Marlin Watts, Kevin Huskinsson, Eric Hunter James and Rod Harding from Metro Vancouver Parks. Thank you also to Sasha Buchanan who designed our Canada Day poster and Tim Hausch for putting up our Canada Day banner in the Cove. The annual hose down by the Bowen Island Fire Department is always a hit. Thank you to both the firefighters and the B.C. Ambulance Service who gave tours of the trucks and connected with the community. We look forward to celebrating with you next year for Canada’s 150th! Billi and Shauna Bowen Island Community Recreation
Calendar Third annual Snug Cove House Society barbecue bash at the Bowen Island Marina (Norma’s dock), 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday, July 23. Our Sea to Sky exhibit until Aug. 14 at The Gallery at Artisan Square. Opening reception July 23 from 3 to 5 p.m. Community Lunch at the Legion Tuesday, July 26, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gourmet soup served with bread and followed by tea or coffee and dessert. $5. Adult event. Bowen Island Seaside Marketplace runs every weekend all summer long on the Union
Steamship lawn by Paradise Grill. Farmers’ Market, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon, Bowen Island Community School. Bowen Island Fire Department’s annual Dock Dance, featuring headliner Chilliwack, Saturday, July 30. Rio 2, sponsored by First Credit Union, will be the feature presentation for Movie Under the Stars, Monday, Aug. 8 after dark at Crippen Park. Bowfest, Saturday, Aug. 13. bowfest.org
Bowen landscape artist Diana Izdebski creates a new work of art during Canada Day celebrations at Crippen Park July 1. photo Louise Loik
Citizen of the Year sought Dear editor:
Bowen Island runs on the heart and soul of the incredible people who live here, and we could not accomplish what we do without their hard work, dedication, and love for the community. We believe that these Islanders who work so tirelessly deserve to be acknowledged for everything that they have done and continue to do. Back in the 1970s, the Chamber of Commerce came up with the idea of recognizing Islanders who made significant contributions to the community with their time and service. While many remarkable and highly deserving residents were nominated, it was Ellen Dorman who became the first to win the Citizen of the Year award in 1978. The award consisted of a plaque and a featured position in the Bowfest Parade. Upon
hearing this, Ellen said, “I don’t think I will have time as I am cooking chicken for everyone to eat at the festival.” In August of 1989, fellow award winner Walter Neilson had a similar reaction, saying, “Please don’t glamorize this thing.” Their statements perfectly portray the typical modesty and ever-helpful devotion of a Bowen resident. For the years of 2013 and 2014, no award was given out. However, the award was brought back in July 2015 to acknowledge and honour the hard work of local Islanders who continue to help the community thrive. The purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding achievements by individuals who have consistently donated their time to ensuring the success of Bowen Island events and organizations. This person is seen as an integral part of the community, having been dedi-
cated to involvement in multiple community concerns. The recipients of last year’s award were David and Shirley Wrinch. We highly encourage you to send in your nominations, as we would love to recognize those who have demonstrated strong leadership and have had a positive impact on the community. Each nomination requires a brief description outlining the reasons for the nomination. Please include your name and the nominee name, which you can email to us at bihistorians@telus.net, drop off in person or mail to the Bowen Island Museum & Archives at 1014 Miller Rd., Bowen Island, B.C., V0N 1G0. All nominations must be submitted by Tuesday, Aug. 2 for review by the Citizen of the Year Award Committee. Submitted by Bowen Island Museum & Archives
David and Shirley Wrinch, recipients of the 2015 Citizen of the Year award. photo supplied