Aqua
COMFORT FOOD
Marcia J ansen's popular column inside
Gulf Islands MAY/JUNE 2018
Living
Volume 13, Issue 3
Chill out Time
Ways to relax while visiting the islands enduring artcraft Arts council's show + sale celebrates 50th anniversary
Non-stop nature Sidney Island beaches can't be beat Arts | nature | food
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COVER STORY
A few hills, yes, but peaceful riding on Galiano Island, PAGE 8
contents MAY/JUNE 2018
TANTALIZERS!
23
PAGE 6
THE ARTS
19
PitchFork Social makes magic at Bullock Lake Farm, PAGE 12 Happy 50th anniversary to Artcraft! PAGE 23
12
Island Girls owner knows what we like, PAGE 44
NATURE
Rhen's Poetry celebrates late spring season, PAGE 19
GETAWAYS
Timeless family holidays at Blue Vista Resort, PAGE 31
RECREATION
Sidney Spit paradise is just a boat-ride away, PAGE 39
COMFORT FOOD
Bob Oudenaarden savours Indonesian memories, PAGE 36
Q&A
A warm welcome from Ganges Visitors Centre volunteer Laura Moore, PAGE 46 Page 4 – AQUA – May/June 2018
23
Welcome mat is out
W
e’re gearing up for the hectic time of the year in the Gulf Islands, which is always a mixed blessing. It’s easy to get grumpy about the islands being overtaken by outsiders. Overloaded ferries, lack of vacant parking spots, ransacked grocery store shelves and poky drivers can cause stress for residents. But if we were not submerged by the tidal waves of visitors in warmer months, many community members would not be able to sustain themselves and provide services to the rest of us year-round. The inconvenience occurs for a relatively short period of time, really, so I’ve learned to not complain. For this issue of Aqua we have highlighted some ways visitors (and residents) can make the most of their time on the islands. Driftwood staff writer Marc Kitteringham pops us in his backpack for a Galiano Island bike ride, for starters. An avid cyclist, Marc was originally going to write about a tip-to-tip Salt Spring trek, but when he had to go to Galiano for a school board meeting and other
michael murray photo
Editor’s Message
assignments, he opted for a more relaxed outing on his touring bike. I’ve written a story about PitchFork Social, probably the coolest venue for Americana music in the country, and Cherie Thiessen recounts her recent stay at Blue Vista Resort on Mayne Island and her day trip to Sidney Island last summer — more rejuvenating ways to relax. But visiting the islands is also about being inspired by their residents’ creativity. Cherie takes us shopping to Island Girls Eclectic Boutique on Pender, and Elizabeth Nolan writes about Artcraft marking its 50th anniversary this summer. Ganges Visitor Centre volunteer Laura Moore is our Q&A subject and, coincidentally, Marcia Jansen’s Comfort Food column is about Bob Oudenaarden, who is also a centre volunteer. Barb Levy’s poem and photo feature reminds us of a major reason people come to the Gulf Islands: to take in the natural beauty and wildlife, which is something we get to enjoy year-round. — Gail Sjuberg
Aqua Gulf Islands
Living
This issue published May 2, 2018 Publisher: Amber Ogilvie Editor: Gail Sjuberg Art Director & Production: Lorraine Sullivan Advertising: Shirley Command, Drew Underwood Aqua Writers: Cherie Thiessen, Elizabeth Nolan, Marc Kitteringham, Gail Sjuberg, Marcia Jansen Aqua Photographers: Cherie Thiessen, Marc Kitteringham, Jen MacLellan, Gail Sjuberg, Marcia Jansen Cover photo by Marc Kitteringham Aqua is published by Driftwood Publishing Ltd., 328 Lower Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island, B.C. V8K 2V3 Phone: 250-537-9933 / Email: news@driftwoodgimedia.com Websites: www.driftwoodgimedia.com; www.gulfislandstourism.com; www.gulfislandsdriftwood.com Publications Mail Reg. #08149 Printed in Canada
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• Galiano Islanders have a chance to see a world-class pianist when Sara Davis Buechner performs at the South Community Hall on Friday, May 11. The Galiano Concert Society is presenting the event, where Davis will play works by Mozart, Chopin, Kouji Taku and George Gershwin. Davis is based in Philadelphia but has performed in every U.S. state and Canadian province as a recitalist, chamber musician and soloist with top orchestras like the New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony and Philadelphia Orchestra. She has toured throughout Latin and South America and Europe and enjoys a special following in Asia. • The fourth annual Tour des Îes festival runs on June 22, 23 and 24, and is the largest inter-island event of the year. As the tourdesiles.ca website explains, “Courtesy shuttles, with knowledgeable and friendly local drivers, will take passengers to island attractions, such as art galleries, markets and natural wonders. Combining art, music, food, outdoor recreation and each island’s unique cultural activities, TDIF is one of the fastest growing festivals on the islands, and it coincides with the Campbell Bay Music Festival on Mayne Island. Check the website for Tour des Sara Davis Buechner. Îles schedule and ticket information.
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• Also running from June 22 to 24 is the RevolutionSS Expo: Good Ideas for the Planet. A Transition Salt Spring initiative, it will see education sessions, exhibits and A Salt Spring she shed. fun for adults and kids revolving around electric vehicles and bikes, emergency power solutions, robotics and much more. See www.revolutionss.ca for all the details. • SWOVA is excited about its new fundraiser: the self-guided Salt Spring She Shed Tour. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 24, people can hobnob with the creative, funky, skillful and clever women behind these “pocket palaces.” The primary purpose of a she shed is to serve as an escape from the noise, projects and other distractions in the house. “Whatever hobbies, work or leisurely activities a woman enjoys, she can do them in peace in her she shed,” says Sue Sheane for SWOVA — the Salt Spring Women Opposed to Violence and Abuse Community Development and Research Society, which is a non-profit society and registered charity. All proceeds will support SWOVA’s youth programming.
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Cover Story
Island
Cycling
Story and photos by Marc Kitteringham
Page 8 – AQUA – May/June 2018
Quiet roads and long climbs characterize Galiano I rode off the ferry dock in Sturdies Bay on Galiano Island with only a vague plan. I was aiming to explore Galiano by bike, but first I wanted to find a beach somewhere and sit to have a cup of coffee.
After a few kilometres, the main road out of town, Sturdies Bay Road, branches off and either heads up the island to the north end or towards Montague Harbour. I took the Montague route, scanning for beach access signs. I’ve been a cyclist for a long time. I got into it as a way to get to and from work and school when I was living in the city. I quickly fell in love with it, and it has become much more than just a way to get around. I love getting lost, finding new things and exploring away from the hectic pace of cities and towns. Getting out into nature and out of the regular rhythms of life is the biggest draw for me. I have only recently moved to the Gulf Islands, and hadn’t had a chance to really go exploring on any of them yet, so I jumped at the chance to ride on Galiano. The first thing I noticed about the island was how empty the roads were. I was able Above: Red lines shows route taken for writer Marc Kitteringham to travel 37 kilometres on an April bike trek on Galiano. to meander slowly down the winding road Previous page: Marc's BRC Explorer touring bike at Montague Harbour. through forests and fields without any stress. It was a big difference from the city and even The quiet of the morning allowed me to let down my guard certain roads on Salt Spring. The roads on Galiano are wide a bit and enjoy the peaceful scenery and sounds of the island enough for cars to pass without almost clipping me with their slowly waking up. As I rode, the road changed from thick west mirrors, and quiet enough that when they did pass, they were coast forest with cedars and lush undergrowth to wide open able to move all the way into the other lane.
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pastures with goats and sheep grazing on new grass. This was what I loved about cycling: smooth roads, easy riding and serenity. The best rides are only roughly planned out. Having only a general idea of where you’re going lets you experiment, find new things, take side roads and dawdle. Eventually I was able to find a beach access point. The Zuker shore access isn’t the most bike friendly, but I was able to carry my bike down the steep steps to the beach. Looking out on Active Pass across Georgeson Bay is not a bad way to have your first coffee of the day. There is something about drinking a coffee outside. It reminds me of camping, of the summer, of a day outside and of hard work. If there is a bit of sand that gets into your cup, that’s okay; especially if the view is like the one I had. The sun was just poking up over the hills and a group of seals were playing in the bay. I wanted to stay all day. A ferry floated past as I was sitting there, full of people on their way to Vancouver and anywhere beyond. I felt like I was in a different world, unnoticed and unconcerned about anything going on outside of that small bay. Eventually, I did have to move on. I got back on the road and pointed my bike up the hill towards Montague Harbour. Riding on Galiano requires low gears and climbing legs. Montague Road at its steepest has a nine per cent grade (for comparison, Ganges Hill on Salt Spring is six per cent), gaining 81 metres in only 0.93 kilometres. The nice thing about climbing, however, is being able to go back down. The descent into Montague Harbour tops out at a grade of -18 per cent. When I checked later, I realized that my top speed was almost 85 km/h. For this trip, I chose to ride my touring bike. A touring bike is a perfect option for rides where you don’t know what to expect. Generally, they are burly with wide tires, have an upright sitting position for all-day comfort, have low gears in case you have to climb and can carry a load of gear with you. This kind of bike has become my go-to on almost every ride. Mine also had fenders to keep me dry and was easy to fix in case of mechanical failure. The fenders came in handy on this trip, because as can generally be expected for any long ride in the Pacific Northwest, it did start to rain. The rain forced me to find a place to hunker down and wait it out. Although my plan had been to explore the north end of the island, a trail map I picked up informed me that there were no services or food outlets anywhere further north than Georgeson Bay Road. I took the Porlier Pass Road up and over another high point and back into Sturdies Bay. A coffee shop was the perfect place for shelter from the rain. I got a cappuccino and sat resting my legs for a while. The afternoon portion of my ride was a bit more subdued. The rain continued intermittently throughout the rest of the day and I was a bit worn out from the morning’s climbing. I rode through the village of Sturdies Bay, stopping by Bellhouse Provincial Park and starting to ride up to Bluffs Park. About half way up the hill to the second park, my shifters started to act up. They were automatically pushing me into the hardest gears, and there was no Page 10 – AQUA – May/June 2018
The first thing I noticed about the island was how empty the roads were.
way I was going to make it up anymore climbs until I fixed them. I turned around and rode to the South Galiano Community Hall to use the bike repair station. The repair station is a godsend to a cyclist in trouble. Though I did have a multitool in my pack, the stand also let me do some small adjustments to my gears and top up the air pressure in my tires. Back on the road, my next stop was at the Daystar Market to get some muchneeded hydration. I had been drinking coffee all day and did not have any water with me. A kombucha and an iced tea filled that need. By this point I’d been riding for almost three hours straight, not counting the multiple breaks I’d taken. I rode around 37 km and climbed over 600 metres. The only place I had not explored was the north end of the island. I decided to head back into town and relax a bit. Cyclists seem to live on either coffee or beer. I think the linked obsessions come from the Italians, known for their cycling heritage and their coffee. It is also nice to have a caffeine boost and to carbo-load on pastries in the middle of a long ride.
Above: Daystar Market on Georgeson Bay Road. Previous page: A quiet Porlier Pass Road and the writer having a coffee at the Zuker shore access.
However, after having about a litre of coffee in the morning, I decided it was time for a beer before getting back onto the boat. Beer is another standard drink for cyclists. It was the perfect après ride drink. It numbed the pain in my legs and refreshed me after spending all day outside. There
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Music
a night
ut T Farm
on the
By GAIL SJUBERG Photos by Jen MacLellan, except as noted
PitchFork Social grows music-loving audience It’s a typical summer night at Bullock Lake Farm on Salt Spring: A steady stream of people meanders down the narrow tree-lined driveway, coming upon a barn, a field of picnic tables, a take-out kitchen kiosk and the Thirsty Islander beverage trailer. The tables are filled with people tucking into their made-on-the-farm dinner and chatting, while others sip a cold Salt Spring Island Ales brew or a glass of local wine while relaxing on the grass. Some boys are playing cornhole in the games area, where bocce can also be set up. But the all-ages crowd isn’t here only for the noshing and socializing. They’re waiting to hear some live music from legendary blues man Jim Byrnes, his stellar sideman and producer Steve Dawson — their collaborations have produced three Juno-winning albums — and Linda McRae, who has performed on almost 50 albums, from solo gems like Rough Edges & Ragged Hearts to several with bands like Spirit of the West and Terminal City. All three are “musicians’ musicians,” super-skilled players and singer-songwriters, and they blow us away with fine licks, soul-searing songs and some hilarious stories. McRae shares a song she wrote about the next PitchFork visitor — Charlie Parr — after hearing him at the Porcupine Mountains Festival in Michigan. “Hurtin’ songs from the hip / Reinvented Mississipp / No one like him near or far / Hearing him play lit a spark / I want to play like Charlie Parr / Learn to play like Charlie Parr,” she sings. It’s my second PitchFork Social experience, having seen bluegrass band Chatham County Line from North Carolina the year before. I had also been to PitchFork’s predecessor, the Southend Grooveyard, on a few occasions and can easily
Page 12 – AQUA – May/June 2018
recommend the experience to anyone who appreciates Americana, folk, bluegrass, roots or blues music. “We do say we are ‘Americana,’ but Americana is a big catch phrase for all of that stuff. It sort of has no borders,” says David Youngson, the man who has made it happen, along with his wife Nadia. They moved to Salt Spring in 2010, purchasing an acreage on Holmes Road off Isabella Point Road that had an empty workshop/ garage building on it. “I’m a huge music fan,” Youngson explains. “I just happened to be on a website of a musician I really love — Gurf Morlix — and saw that he was playing a house concert in Brooklyn, and I thought, ‘Guys like that play house concerts?’” Envisioning Morlix performing in that vacant space on his property, Youngson sent him an email message. That was in the summer of 2012. While Morlix wasn’t able to play at the Grooveyard until a few years later, he immediately hooked Youngson up with agent Martin Hill, who represented Sam Baker and Mary Gauthier, two other top-notch musicians. “He had Sam for us within about five days, and Mary in about 14 days.” Even with no time to really promote the shows, about 45 people came to see Sam Baker
and 55 were at Gauthier’s show, indicating there was an appetite for the genre and setting. Youngson credits Baker and Gauthier — “two incredible people in the Americana world” — with giving the Southend Grooveyard a strong start that helped the venture quickly snowball. “Pretty much every show sells out,” he says. “We’ve had about 95 per cent sell out in the six years we have done it.” By 2015, it became clear that the Grooveyard had outgrown its garage and Youngson began exploring options for a larger venue. That’s when he connected with Zack Hemstreet and Molly Wilson of Bullock Lake Farm. They were wanting to offer long-table dinners, weddings and other events on their historic 22acre property, but needed another building for that purpose. They knew Southend Grooveyard was looking for a new home, so the timing was perfect to collaborate on a new event space. “All four of us are music lovers and foodies. We support each others’ endeavours and enjoy bringing these immersive events to Salt Spring,” explains Youngson. Being in on the ground floor meant Youngson was able to get a purpose-built structure designed especially for PitchFork Social concerts, with excellent acoustics, sound equipment and lights.
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Above: Patrons socialize and have dinner and drinks before the concert begins. Below: Sheepskin-covered chairs inside the barn. Page 12, from top: Charlie Parr's steel guitar; David Youngson introduces the performer and expresses thanks.
David French and his wife Kelly Waters are regular PitchFork attendees who live a quick 10-minute drive from the farm. French says they love the whole package — from the setting to the food to the music — and including the performance space itself. “I love the feel of the barn,” he says. “It has a homey yet professional feel to it.” It’s made of hemlock treated with weathering stain. The indoor capacity is 246, with additional outdoor seating on one side.
“All the music we’ve seen is great quality, but a few are just ‘Wow, I can’t believe we get to see this on Salt Spring.’" — DAVID FRENCH When asked about favourite concerts, French instantly cites their first at the PitchFork site. It was Darlingside, a four-piece indie folk band from Boston, who are coincidentally returning on July 16, a day after his 50th birthday. Tickets are already in hand. “We’re very excited to see them again,” French says. Richard Thompson, Cowboy Junkies and Birds of Chicago are also on French’s top-four list. “All the music we’ve seen is great quality, but a few are just ‘Wow, I can’t believe we get to see this on Salt Spring’ . . . We are really spoiled on Salt Spring with the amount of great music we get to see.” The Thompson show even made a Top-10 Vancouver-area live concert list for 2017. The Vancouver Sun’s Stuart Derdeyn called Thompson’s May 24 performance “absolute magic.” Tracy Harrison is a dedicated PitchFork Social front-of-house volunteer. “I have been involved in the music business as a booking agent and producer for many years and I can tell you they have created a unique and hip scene that is extremely attractive to artists. It is a large yet intimate, well-paying listening room with an enthusiastic and interactive audience — somewhere between a house concert and small theatre, but outdoors May/June 2018 – AQUA – Page 15
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in nature — under the stars on a funky little island with artistic sentiment. Who wouldn’t want to play this venue?” Youngson notes, “There’s nothing like it, but not much that’s even similar to it.” Two that come to mind are Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble concert series in a barn in upstate New York, and the Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm in Louisiana. The PitchFork fan base really pays attention to the music, he says, which is something musicians obviously love. “The genre we’re in is very singersongwriter word based,” says Youngson. “It’s not just the music, it’s the storytelling, it’s the whole package. You want someone who is really going to move people, whether it’s to laughter or tears. And some artists can pull that off on the same night.” Youngson has either seen all of the musicians he brings to the island or they are recommended by people he trusts. “Mostly it’s a leap of faith coming to PitchFork Social, because there are very few of the bands we have that hardly a soul has heard of.” PitchFork patrons now trust Youngson’s
choice of performers, and many off-island visitors often make the trek to see a certain concert. He has learned about some of his exceptional acts by going on the annual Cayamo cruise, which is essentially a 40-band music festival on a boat. It’s all in aid of making PitchFork as memorable as it can be. “I do this thing because I’m a fan,” he stresses. “I love doing it, so if I wasn’t doing it the island would be a lesser place for me.” PitchFork Social is an all-volunteer undertaking, and Youngson is extremely grateful to all those who lend their time and skills to the venture. “Our volunteer base is tremendous. They are just so good.” Harrison agrees. “The fabric of our shows’ success is woven by many volunteers up front and in the background, from Nadia, who oversees tickets, website and social media, to the set-up and tear-down volunteers, hospitality and parking volunteers, Dave Vollrath on sound, and David Youngson, who along with Nadia have put so much of their energy and resources into this exceptional venue.”
Above: Front-of-house volunteer Tracy Harrison. Below: The beloved PitchFork Social barn.
The 2018 Season The Black Hen Roadshow, anchored by Steve Dawson, was the first show of the season on April 26. It sold out well in advance, which is a reminder that people shouldn’t postpone ticket purchases if they want to be assured of getting a seat at a certain concert. Still to come: May 6: Justin Townes Earle May 12: Pharis & Jason Romero June 16: Slaid Cleaves June 25: Eilen Jewell July 11: Three Women & the Truth July 16: Darlingside July 23: Mandolin Orange Aug. 24: Greg Brown Sept. 20: Mike Farris
www.pitchforksocial.com for more info.
May/June 2018 – AQUA – Page 17
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Rhen's
Poetry
poetic images of salt spring Island
michael LEVY photo
POEM & PHOTOS BY BARB LEVY
Barb Levy, AKA Rhen, is a poet, musician and photographer who has lived on Salt Spring for 15 years. Rhen's Poetry matches the seasons in each issue of Aqua. For more images by Barb Levy and to connect with her about her work, visit www.facebook.com/ saltspringbarbrhenpoetry/
Contrasting Elements You leave the soothing hum of bees — the shelter of your garden bejewelled with raindrops and songbirds — to follow the wild roses of May into June’s intensity — handsome herons and majestic eagles vying for food by the once tranquil Bay, silky manes flowing in Summer’s ardent winds fanning these flame-clouds, lifting your Raven-wings stretching out like the rainwater escaping in a dance of seahorse swirls. May/June 2018 – AQUA – Page 19
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SS ARTS COUNCIL file photo
Arts & Culture
For many people, the annual opening of Artcraft at Mahon Hall is the unofficial start of Salt Spring’s summer.
Premier artisan show and sale celebrates first half century Story by ELIZABETH NOLAN | Photos as credited
While the Saturday Market at Centennial Park kicks off in April, and various long weekends can become mini festivals of gallery openings, the historic hall’s transformation into exhibition space heralds the fact that seasonal visitors have arrived en masse and are hungry to consume the island’s artistic bounty. While the opening of Artcraft is always a reason to celebrate, this year marks an especially important milestone. The long-running exhibition and sale run by the Salt Spring Arts Council turns 50 this year, and many islanders and guests will be coming out on Friday, June 8 to fête that history. Not just impressive on local ground, Artcraft is in fact British Columbia’s longest running fine arts and crafts show and sale. Each summer it displays the work of 100 or more Southern Gulf Islands artists and craftspeople, with the hall’s doors open every day from early June to Fall Fair Sunday in mid September. Long-running, yes, but the Arts Council committee in charge is in no way stuck in the past. Artcraft has often made changes to suit its community and meet market needs, which
special anniversary events planned for this summer May/June 2018 – AQUA – Page 23
GI DRIFTWOOD FILE PHOTO
Carl Sean McMahon sculpture and Mahon Hall behind. Page 23: Opening night for a 2016 Showcase exhibition.
is why visitors can find new artists, events and attractions each year while still depending on the creative skill they expect to find in the Gulf Islands. “I am now in my seventh year as manager of Artcraft and even in my time it has been evolving each year,” the show’s impresario Richard Steel observes. “I love working with so many artists and craftspeople, and I think that Artcraft is such an important institution, providing the opportunity for so many people to have their work seen by so many visitors.” Artcraft and the Salt Spring Arts Council itself owe their origins to an early mover and shaker of community life, Juanita Brown. Brown directed a night school program for 15 years that provided recreation and education throughout the Southern Gulf Islands before applying to run a new arts program as part of 1967’s Canadian centennial projects. Brown and Doris Andrews started Community Arts Council activity by setting up lessons in the arts held in Mahon
Hall. The following year they established Artcraft as a place where class participants and local artisans could show and sell their works without the high cost of gallery mark-up. Trustees of the Gulf Islands School District, which owns the property, co-operated by granting the use of Mahon Hall during the summer months. An early Driftwood article on the new venture published in June 1968 explained: “This is not a commercial venture, the arts council emphasized, but exhibits may be sold. The council feels that many people abandon their work for fear of the cost of materials. The work may be sold in order that the artists may carry on with other work.” Supporting local artists in their creative pursuits remains the top priority of the program. “Having your creations viewed and admired is part of the creative equation; so is making sales to help keep you going,” Steel says. “I am overjoyed when someone does well and sells a lot, and
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Supporting local artists in their creative pursuits remains the top priority of the program. I am always saddened when they do not. I find it exciting when something made here is then bought and taken home to the other side of the world and given, or kept, but with a story attached of the magical place it came from.” Historical data gathered by the Arts Council notes that by its tenth year in 1978, “Artcraft had grown from a small display of mostly pictures to a true arts and crafts show featuring over 106 participants, who are now paid a 15 per cent commission on sales. This enabled the Arts Council to now give grants to the Potters, Weavers and Painters Guilds, as well as the Salt Spring Players and to promote the arts through many other endeavours.” More than 4,500 people visited the show in its 10th anniversary year. Last year that number had more than doubled, boasting 11,000 visitors for the 2017 season. During its first decades, the show was run exclusively by volunteers. Some of the artists participating in Artcraft and/or the Arts Council committee today have been there since the early days. Notable participants over the years include Ilse Leader, Maggie
Gulf Islands Driftwood newspaper photo of then-called Gulf Islands Community Arts Council members planning Artcraft in 1983. From left, seated, Suzanne Gagnon (now Prendergast), Arlene Dashwood, Wynn MacLachlan and Gerry Layard. From left, standing, Ann Leigh-Spencer, Lawrie Neish, Merle Box, Muriel Hale, Ilse Leader and Bas Cobanli.
May/June 2018 – AQUA – Page 25
Schubart, Olive Clayton, Josie Clement, Bas Cobanli, Margaret Thelfall, Lawrie Neish and Suzanne Prendergast. As Artcraft expanded and responsibilities became more complex, the council created the paid position for a manager who reports directly to the Artcraft Committee. Over the years membership fees, registration fees and consignment rates also increased, and jurying was introduced. With more than 100 artists represented each season, the show remains inclusive yet of consistent good quality.
GI DRIFTWOOD file photo
SS ARTS COUNCIL file photo
Above: Baskets and more for sale in 2016. At right: Former Artcraft manager Helen Mears, left, and participating artist Suzanne Prendergast in 2010.
During the ‘90s, the Arts Council advocated for School District 64 to formally turn Mahon Hall over the community. Perhaps the next best thing occurred when the two bodies agreed to a 30-year lease in 2003. This made it possible to stretch Artcraft’s season from mid-June to mid-September and for the Arts Council to stage other events during the year. Another change that recalls some of Artcraft’s early mandate came with the introduction of the “Showcase” series of rotating feature exhibitions on the Mahon Hall stage.
The series has given non-commercial installations a highly visible platform, encouraged innovative partnerships and conceptual work, and put groups like the Salt Spring Basketry Guild in beautiful focus. “This has become a great opportunity for one artist, or a small group to have a large exhibition in front of many people, and is often that artist’s first solo show,” Steel explains. Artcraft staff are on hand to help curate and run the exhibition, and are gratified to have seen a number of Showcases move on to
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SS ARTS COUNCIL file photo
being shown in other galleries across B.C. Most recently, Artcraft has spread its influence beyond the hall’s interior with LandArt exhibits set up outdoors in 2016 and 2017. “Many local artists and craftspeople have shown first in Artcraft and have then moved on to show and sell across the province and even across the country,” Steel says. “Artcraft is such an important stop on the tourist trail here and represents the best of the Southern Gulf Islands to visitors in so many ways. It has also been a huge mainstay for the arts community here, with thousands of people involved over the years. I am very proud of its high standing and honoured to be involved. Fifty years is quite an achievement!”
Current Artcraft manager Richard Steel chats with a visitor.
Showcases: • June 8 to July 4: “Artcraft 50: The Guilds.” (Five Salt Spring art and craft guilds combine to celebrate Artcraft’s 50th anniversary and their involvement.)
• Aug. 3 to Aug. 22: “Lifelines.” Joanie Paterson and Alison Sparshu bring the steamships of the B.C. coast to life through print, paint and installation.
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• July 6 to Aug.1: “Harvest.” Margarite Sanchez (painting) and Joan Carrigan (basketry) combine in a study of the vitality of food, plant and nature; from seed to harvest.
• Aug. 24 to Sept. 16: “Wild.” Amy Melious and Shari Macdonald use photography to show landscapes using their own particular techniques and eyes. Workshops and artist talks will also take place,
with details to be announced.
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Aqua is distributed throughout the Gulf Islands, Victoria, the Cowichan Valley and select retail locations on Vancouver Island. Contact: toll free 1-877-537-9934 On Salt Spring call 250-537-9933 RE A D A Q U A ON - L INE GU L FIS L A NDS A Q U A . COM
cherie thiessen photo
Getaways
The Blue Vista Resort preserves family holiday experience By CHERIE THIESSEN Photos as credited
cherie thiessen photo
T
here’s something about the Southern Gulf Islands that takes you back in time. The sense of safety and security, the neighbours who keep an eye out, the children who play in the neighbourhood and, of course, the friendly wave from passing motorists who may or may not actually even know you. The Blue Vista embodies all that. It goes back in time literally, just over 50 years, to a time when resorts weren’t all glitz and bling and most families could afford a summer or weekend getaway with the kids. When my partner David and I drive down to Bennett Bay it just feels different. Winding past the Mayne Island Resort on to Arbutus Drive — a narrow country side road — the time travel seems to begin. Views of the ocean flash by between sleepy, comfortable residences on the left and traffic is light on the May/June 2018 – AQUA – Page 31
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Do you have donations for Salt Spring Literacy’s 2018 Giant Book & Jewellery Sale? Drop-off days for books and jewellery will be held at the Country Grocer parking lot (north side) on the first Thursday of each month beginning May 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Need more info? SS Literacy: 250-537-9717, or info@saltspringliteracy.org.
THIS YEAR’S SALE IS AT THE SS FARMERS’ INSTITUTE ON NOV. 16-18. Page 32 – AQUA – May/June 2018
Salt Spring Literacy Learn. Grow. Succeed.
“There’s a lot of repeat business and people get very possessive about ‘their cottage.’”
From top: Bennett Bay; living room area of a Blue Vista cottage; visitors enjoy wine by the fire. Page 31, from top: Resort sign and two of the cottages in spring; owners Carmen and Andy Pearson.
toby snelgrove photo
no-through road. The ambiance is quiet and established, like the old summer cottage areas we used to visit as children in White Rock and Birch Bay. When the Blue Vista appears on the right, with its colourful playground encircled by cozy cabins, picnic tables, barbecues and hosts of daffodils, we know we’ve arrived. It looks welcoming, laid back and comfortable, and for me the twinges of nostalgia begin. And the door of our tiny cottage #3, appropriately called the Hummingbird, is left unlocked for us with the key on the table, friendly and unofficious. Carmen and Andy Pearson have been the the owners since 2009 and their daughter, Liz, studying to be a nurse practitioner, is home for a while and has a bonfire going in the yard. She waves to us as we pull in. Carmen says both Liz and son Doug still help out whenever they come back to Mayne. It’s very much a family-run business and it always has been. “We’re the fourth owners,” says Carmen. “Each family has put in its 10 to 15 years and then passed it on to the next family — that’s pretty much the tradition here.” “And we’ve been fortunate in that the previous owners did quite a bit of upgrading to the place,” adds Andy. “They were into woodworking and stuff. That meant we could keep the ambiance of the place pretty much as they had it and apart from the new playground we put in there’s really nothing else to change because it’s very well liked just the way it is. Places like this are getting less and less common.” He’s got that right! And it seems the less common places like this get, the more they are in demand. It may only be early April and the middle of the week but several of the resort’s nine cottages are occupied. In fact, since the Pearsons took over, Carmen tells me the resort has seen a fourfold increase in business. “People don’t always book in advance either,” adds Andy, “because they think the resort will be empty in the off or shoulder season, but it often is full.” “People now book a year in advance,” Carmen continues. “There’s a lot of repeat business and people get very possessive about ‘their cottage.’ And I’d say about 40 per cent of our business is from people who need to come and work for a time on the island. They’re an important part of our guests. We have a nurse practitioner in training staying with us now who has been here for six weeks, and we get Shaw, BC Hydro, folks like that.”
toby snelgrove photo
elizabeth nolan photo
— CARMEN PEARSON
The units, which all have fully equipped kitchens, range from studio to two-bedroom and some have wood-burning fireplaces, a rarity these days in itself. The Pearsons come from Bragg Creek in Alberta and still find the Gulf Island winters balmy. For them the move to Mayne was serendipitous. Andy was getting ready to retire and wanted to come to the Gulf Islands, and Carmen had always worked in the hospitality business so they were looking for a small resort. “I had run places like this in the Rockies so it was a unique combination to find a family business like this and to be in the Gulf Islands,” recalls Carmen. “There are not a lot of places like this and I could manage it by myself. If it were bigger I’d need to get extra staff. This was just the right size for our comfort level.” May/June 2018 – AQUA – Page 33
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It was also great to be close to the water in a place where they could keep the boat they intended to buy, with nearby Bennett and Horton bays, the most sheltered anchorages. Andy’s boat, a Commander 26 licensed to carry six to seven passengers, gets a fair amount of use in the season. “Guests come to the resort and then some of them look for extra activities and want to do some sightseeing or to go out fishing,” says Andy. Besides the fishing his most popular excursion is a 90-minute trip out around Georgeson Island, viewing sea lions on nearby reefs, and travelling through narrow and fast-moving Boat Passage between Saturna and Samuel islands. He also brings visitors over to Mortimer Spit at the junction of North and South Pender Islands, an area known for its nearby archeological excavations, its sandy spit and its fun transit under the one-lane bridge. Natural history tours, sea lion safaris and kiddies crabbing tours are also offered, and Andy frequently takes out local or other island groups as well. I’m wondering where most of their visitors come from. “Surprisingly, most of our visitors are from Vancouver Island or the Lower Mainland,” says Carmen. “There’s one family that comes two or three times a year from Victoria.” The resort rents bikes in the summer, the perfect way to get around the primarily flat area. The best swimming beach on Mayne Island is also located just a short distance away at Bennett Bay. The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve’s Campbell Point is also close, a pleasant headland trail culminating in views over Georgia Strait. In addition, the nearby Mayne Island Resort is a haven for drinks on the deck
Andy Pearson points out one of the spots he takes visitors on his seven-passenger boat.
overlooking Bennett Bay or for breakfast, lunch or dinner at the bistro if cooking just doesn’t appeal. Blue Vista is a family place, with dogs welcome in some of the units. “And people ask about board games,” Carmen smiles. “They kind of actually want that sort of retro holiday, and want to know where the Scrabble or jigsaw puzzles are. We also cater to a lot of reunions and family wedding groups.” Leaving the next day, that nostalgic feeling returns. What if places like this disappear, the land becomes so valuable that the old place gets torn down and a mega-million-dollar facility gets erected in its place? “It may never happen,” David says to me cheerfully. “These are the Gulf Islands. Things are different here."
May/June 2018 – AQUA – Page 35
Comfort Food
Wealth of Flavours Sweet memories of Indonesia STORY & PHOTOS BY MARCIA JANSEN
You’d be surprised by how many different nationalities live on Salt Spring Island. And each one of them has their own comfort food.
I Marcia Jansen is a Dutch journalist and writer who has lived on Salt Spring since 2012. www.ssicomfortfood.com
Page 36 – AQUA – May/June 2018
Bob Oudenaarden outside the Ganges Visitor Centre where he volunteers.
t’s a spring Sunday and Bob Oudenaarden was busy for hours in the kitchen preparing an Indonesian rijsttafel* for his friends Wim and Marjolein, who both live on Salt Spring Island and have roots in Indonesia. Bob, 87, was born in the former Dutch colony. He spent just 17 years of his life in the Emerald Belt, as the Dutch used to call the Indonesian archipelago, but it made him the man he is today. Oudenaarden lived in Kalimantan, Borneo with his parents and brother when the Japanese Empire occupied the Dutch East Indies in 1941. “My early youth in Indonesia was great. It really was heaven on earth,” says Oudenaarden, who had an Indonesian great-grandmother. “We were surrounded by nature and we played outside all day. My dad worked for an electricity company and my mom was a teacher until World War II broke out. My family fell apart when my dad was taken prisoner of war in Serawak in the northern part of Borneo. My mother, brother and I fled to Java where my granddad had a coffee plantation.” For Bob and his younger brother, life continued in the mountains of Java, far from civilization.
“We were so young and didn't know about the cruelties that were going on, but that all changed when the Japanese found out that we were hiding there. My mom and my brother went to a women’s internment camp and I — who was 10 at the time but considered as an adult — went to a men’s camp all by myself.” Oudenaarden spent three years in prison — sharing a six-person prison cell with 40 other prisoners — followed by two and a half years in a rehabilitation institute for juveniles, surrounded by high walls with broken glass on top. “My granddad, who was put to work at the Sumatra rail track, died in a camp, and one of my uncles was beheaded while working at the railroad in Burma. Luckily, my parents, my brother and I all survived. Life was scary and often cruel, but it was also an adventure that shaped my life. And I am not traumatized by it. It is how life goes sometimes and I accepted it as it was. I don’t feel any resentment against Japanese people. I am a volunteer at the Visitor Centre in Ganges and I meet a lot of people from Japan. Not that I talk about it much, but most of them don’t even know what happened during the war.” When the war and Dutch colonial rule ended,
Oudenaarden and his family were transported back to the Netherlands. “My father went back to work in Indonesia six months later, and my mom, who missed him, followed shortly after. My brother and I stayed behind in the Netherlands with remote family to go to school and university. I studied agriculture and when I was finished, I just wanted to leave Holland. It was too busy and there are just too many rules in the Netherlands, which is necessary as they are living with 17 million people in a country the size of Vancouver Island.” Back in the 1950s, a lot of people left the Netherlands to build a new life in the United States, Australia or Canada. Oudenaarden chose to go to Canada. “I studied tropical forestry, but it still wasn’t safe to go back to Indonesia, so I chose to go to the west coast of Canada, where I became an accountant.” In April 2017, Oudenaarden celebrated his 60th anniversary in Canada. When he retired, he and his wife decided to move to Salt Spring. “I just love it here. I love nature and I hike a lot. Four times a week I work at the Visitor Centre in town. This way I keep in touch with the outside world. I meet people from all over the globe and I love to talk with them and hear their stories. That keeps me young,” he smiles. Although Indonesia had a great impact on him, Oudenaarden never went back. “It just never happened. I planned a trip five years ago, I already booked tickets, but my doctor sadly advised me not to go because of the air pollution. It wouldn’t benefit my health.” But Indonesia is still very alive in his memories and he loves to cook Indonesian food. “I just love the wealth of flavours of Indonesian spices. They’re the same as the InOudenaarden dian ones, but due to the different climate and soil, they have a more refined taste. My two aunts taught me to cook Indonesian dishes when I lived in the Netherlands. Since I am retired I am the cook in the house. My wife Jane doesn’t get a chance! Babi ketjap — pork simmered in a sweet soy sauce — is one of my favourites and easy to make. Normally I have to go off island to buy ketjap manis, but lately I ran into it at Thrifty’s.” *An Indonesian rijsttafel is an elaborate meal consisting of many side dishes accompanied by rice prepared in several different ways. Although the dishes served are undoubtedly Indonesian, the rijsttafels’ origins are colonial.
Babi Ketjap Ingredients Pork loin or pork steaks (500 g) 2 large cloves of garlic (chopped) 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. nutmeg 4 slices of fresh ginger root 3/4 can of coconut milk 1/2 c. ketjap manis (sweet soya sauce) Dash of salt Cut the pork into cubes and quickly brown. Add coconut milk plus 1/2 c. ketjap manis. Add the spices and ginger one by one and let simmer for 20 minutes. Serve with white rice and green beans or Chinese (napa) cabbage.
“I just love the wealth of flavours of Indonesian spices." — Bob
May/June 2018 – AQUA – Page 37
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Recreation
All Aboard for Sidney Island Enjoy picnics, beachcombing, hikes and camping Story and photos by CHERIE THIESSEN
W
e’re clipping along at nine knots aboard the Alpine II, a 50-foot catamaran carrying its full load of 41 passengers in early July last year. From our dock at the foot of Sidney’s Beacon Avenue to the wharf at Sidney Island it’s only five kilometres. Powered by twin diesel engines, the Alpine II can travel up to 12 knots. Our 25-minute trip from the town of Sidney to the island of Sidney is going to be over way too soon.
May/June 2018 – AQUA – Page 39
Bruce Klaver, today’s skipper, tells me this is his fourth year with Alpine. Jim Ainslie is today’s self-professed deckhand. They’ve been working together for years and share an easy camaraderie and competence. I’m intrigued to discover that Klaver was once a skipper on the marine ambulance for the Southern Gulf Islands. No question we are in good hands aboard this vessel! I’ve been curious about where all of the passengers are coming from and Ainslie shrugs. “All over. Germany, Europe, Australia, the States. Lots of locals too.” Then he tells me about one pas-
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senger who asked him if he had any oregano aboard because she needed some for the meatballs she was going to prepare on the island. When he apologized and told her no, he had just chips and water, another passenger stepped up to the plate and said she actually had some. “And when they boarded on our last run back they brought meatballs aboard for everyone.” What are the chances of someone cooking meatballs on a picnic? For that matter, what are the chances of a passenger carrying herbs in a handbag? Now we’re approaching the spit and the ferry slows down considerably, mindful of the myriad private boats tied up at the 30 buoys extending and spreading out over almost the length of the 1.8-km spit. Part of the Gulf Islands National Park
At left: David Dossor on a Sidney Island trail. Above: trail directory sign. At top: Alpine II and other vessels at the Sidney Spit dock. Previous page: Alpine ferry en route to Sidney Island. Page 39, from top: Skipper Bruce Klaver, left, and deckhand Jim Ainslie; passengers settle into seats.
Reserve since 2003, and before that a provincial park since 1981, the 178-hectare park comprises about one third of Sidney Island. (The other two-thirds of the island was subdivided into 24 lots at about the same time.) Before that it was farmed; purchased as a hunting reserve by a group of Vancouverites who stocked the island with peacocks, guinea fowl and fallow deer; it was logged; and for a time it was home to a brickyard employing 70 workers (1906-1915). The fallow deer, which are not indigenous, have damaged some of the island’s ecosystem and for several months every winter are hunted selectively under an agreement with the federal government and the Coast Salish, to whom the island was a year-round haven for millennia. We pass the navigation light at the end of the skinny spit well to port (left) and passengers begin to gather their bags and provisions. Several heft heavy backpacks, obviously planning to camp in the extensive campground here, far from the noise of cars and generators. Others have come to picnic and laze on the beach for the day while their children build sandcastles, fortresses from the copious amount of driftwood, or explore where all the mini geysers from the intertidal area are coming from. (It’s geoducks or other clams.) We’re here to hike. Even without the walk to the tip of the sandbar we can still cover 14 kilometres today, if we don’t linger too long over lunch at the campsite or plan to do too much sun-bathing or wading at the over 20 kilometres of non-stop beach in this nature preserve. A gentle nudge at the dock and Ainslie steps off, secures the boat and assists the disembarking passengers. We all trundle along the 440-foot dock, admiring the boats tied up on each side, and then we all spread out on a mission. David and I plan to picnic at the campsite at the saltwater marsh, 1.5km along the trail, near the old brickworks. En route we stop to read the interpretative signs that Parks Canada has erected over the last few years, to look over the spit from the slight elevation of the trail and to have a picnic that does not involve any need for herbs or a cook stove. May/June 2018 – AQUA – Page 41
• Remember: Pack in your own food and water. The sulphur content of the water on the island makes it not suitable for drinking and while bottled water and snacks may be available aboard the Alpine II, stocks were depleted on our trip. There are no services.
drift deposits of unconsolidated sands and gravels deposited by glaciers 10,000 years ago, explaining the relatively rapid erosion of the spit and environs.
• What’s there? Wheelbarrows for carrying loads to the campsites, extensive picnic tables, water for washing, toilets, trails, 20 km of sandy beaches, historic areas with informative signs, birding, views and a surfeit of nature.
• Alpine Group contact info: 2550 Beacon Ave., Sidney. Phone: 1-250-474-5145. Email: alpine@alpinegroup.ca. For schedules, rates and general info go to www.alpinegroup.ca/businesses/sidney-spitferry/. Service runs from May through September.
• Did you know? Along with neighbouring James Island, Sidney Island is the most geologically diverse of the Gulf Islands. It’s composed almost entirely of a compound of Quaternary Period
• Visit Parks Canada’s website for camping and a map of the area. For camping reservations: reservation.parkscanada.gc.ca or 1-877737-3783.
Then, at a T-junction in the meadows, we head right, to the beach. How many perfect sugar sand beaches would be totally deserted as far as the eye could see in the heat of summer? We emerge on such a beach 30 minutes later. It would be another five-km return along the shore to Hook Spit, but suddenly sunbathing and wading sounds way better. Besides, we tell ourselves, there just Page 42 – AQUA – May/June 2018
isn’t time to hurry there and back. Why race when you can recreate? So correction to text — not a 14-km hike today after all. It was lucky we didn’t try. Turns out the trip on the ferry wasn’t too long at all. We needed that time on the island. In fact, if we hadn’t gotten back half an hour early we would not have made our planned departure time because
it’s another full load going back. Skipper Klaver reassures me, however, that while passengers might return to find the ferry full and be forced to spend a few extra hours on the island, he has never left passengers overnight. Even that, I’m thinking, would not be that onerous: a night on the beach under the stars, if it were a warm night and the beer were cold.
How many perfect sugar sand beaches would be totally deserted as far as the eye could see in the heat of summer?
Sandy beaches of Sidney Spit.
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Ventures
Eclectic on Pender Charlene Hall designs for islanders Story and photos by Cherie Thiessen
B
“Even as a young girl I always loved to create things.” — CHARLENE HALL Page 44 – AQUA – May/June 2018
e warned: Island Girls Eclectic Boutique in North Pender’s Driftwood Centre can ambush the unsuspecting. You can head to Tru Value Foods for a container of milk and a dozen eggs and wind up forgetting your goal and feeding your soul instead. Be wary of those colourful al fresco garments flirting with the breeze. Try to walk past those windows and not look through at those enticing gift baskets whispering “open me.” You just know they would be the perfect solution for many a harried husband or boyfriend who forgot about Valentine’s or Mother’s Day or an anniversary or birthday. OMG, there’s Godiva chocolate peeking out of one of them, and something silky. Charlene Hall greets me, commenting: “I think gift baskets are a nice addition to the shop. Some contain chocolate and other gourmet treats and there are also luxurious spa baskets to pamper your inner goddess. We will also be doing a Pender Island basket that will be available this summer.” And I’ve only just come in the door. Focus. Remember, this is an interview. “What brought you to Pender?” I ask, dazedly. “I have friends here,” says the boutique’s attractive and wily owner with a smile, noting my distraction. “For the last seven years I had been coming here for visits and I loved the island. Then I found out that this space was available and I was ready at that point in my life to make a change. After that, everything just fell into place for me really. I love the community and the people and as soon as I opened here I knew I had found my spot. It’s been three years in April already.” Hall says she has been blessed with high energy and that’s a lucky thing because she does everything
herself. She designs a large percentage of the garments in her small but enticing boutique, makes her own jewellery, which she now markets on a hot new website, and in winter pretty much operates the shop herself five days a week. She watches and researches the styles, the fabrics, the colours and the trends and she knows her market. She tells me 75 per cent of the clothing in the summer stock is her own design and is made from silk and cotton. "It’s all about comfort. A lot of women like to feel comfortable yet fashionable. They like some style, so that’s the market Above: A jacket designed by niche I target.” Charlene Hall. Below: Making jewellery. Previous page: Charlene Where are her garments comHall with some of her clothing. ing from, I wonder? And is it hard to find a manufacturer who will work with small custom orders like this? “Vietnam,” she tells me. “l travelled there and worked with various tailors. It can be a challenge finding companies willing to work with small custom orders but I eventually chose a small family-owned producer that sources fabric right on the same block! They produce high-quality pieces and are a happy shop. I have met all of the seamstresses and together we have created a fair and satisfying relationship. It’s nice to know the people who are working with me and to know that it’s making a difference to them in their lives. It just makes me feel good.” It makes me feel good too just looking at their handiwork. She follows my eyes. “These tunics are popular,” she says, reaching into a rack and snagging a garment pulsating with ‘try me’ appeal. “You can wear it as a dress in the summer or you can layer it with leggings or with one of my pants. Feel it.” The tunic snuggles into my hands and starts to purr. It feels as light as a whisper. But back to the interview. How long has she been in retail? I want to know, and how did her interest in fashion begin? “I’ve always been in retail,”
she tells me. “I’ve been designing and making jewellery for over 20 years now. “Even as a young girl I always loved to create things. If I didn’t know how to do it, I would go to the library and get a book. I still do that but now it’s far easier as it’s all online. I’ve always had that creative interest in different media. When I had my son that was my opportunity to start creating my jewellery at home so that I could stay with him and have the flexibility of working from home and it just kind of grew from there.” That was 29 years ago. “Over the years, I’ve developed many different lines ranging from sterling silver to mixed metals, enamels, fused glass. I’ve had a few storefronts and I’ve done a lot of wholesaling in my career for art galleries and for well-known Canadian designers like Linda Lundstroom and Marilyn Brooks, [who was awarded the Order of Ontario for her outstanding contributions to the Canadian fashion industry]. “I’ve sold out of the Ontario Art Gallery, Chemainus Theatre Shop and many other places.” While most of the boutique boasts garments, it is not called eclectic for naught. There are also hand-milled soaps, natural lip colours, candles, creams, shirts, shorts and jewellery, and of course those seasonally packaged gift bags. What makes Island Girls different from many other outlets, she points out, is that she has her own clothing line and designs clothing specifically for island demographics. Hall is excited about the future. “Now I’m expanding and have got my online presence, which is important in today’s marketing. And I‘m just waiting for my new clothing shipment to come in: prints, chiffons, cover-ups, lots of new things coming that are different. I’m also going to start wholesaling as well.” Is that Buddy Holly playing over the sound system? It is. A customer from Victoria comes in and I leave humming Peggy Sue. The tunic comes with me.
Connect with Charlene + Island GirlS For travel to Pender Island check out BC Ferry fares, schedules and packages at www.bcferries.com. Hall’s jewellery can be seen and purchased at https://www.etsy. com/ca/shop/CharleneHallDesigns For opening times, news and other details you can check Island Girls Boutique out on Facebook. Instagram: charlene hall designs. Pinterest: https://pin.it/bmcktke5blh6wt Email: islandgirlseclectic@gmail.com
May/June 2018 – AQUA – Page 45
Q&A
Laura Moore loves meeting visitors from around the world Q. How long have you been a Visitors Centre volunteer and what made you try it out? A. I started as a volunteer with the Visitors Centre on Salt Spring Island over 20 years ago. Irene Gibbs suggested I come and try the centre, as I said I would like to be involved with tourism. I was involved with public relations for 20 years both with a large company and in the sports field. At present I am the longest-serving volunteer and was sad to lose Ann Taylor, who started a few years ahead of me and died last year. Q. What do you like about being a Visitors Centre volunteer? A. I love the feeling when a visitor comes into the centre and I welcome them to Salt Spring. The variety of questions is so interesting and I meet people from all over the world. There are also many local people that come for schedules or extra brochures for friends who are coming to visit. Q. Please tell us how many volunteers staff the centre in a given year and any other interesting tidbits about how the centre works. A. The Visitors Centre is open all year except for Christmas, Boxing and New Year's days. It is run as an arm of the Chamber of Commerce. There are about 50 volunteers with the centre operating two shifts, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. My job is to look after the scheduling of the volunteers, which can present a challenge as holidays are taken throughout the year. We do have volunteer meetings and a potluck dinner in the summer, which is a fun event. A training program for new volunteers is offered through Destination BC (formerly Tourism BC). It is important for the volunteer to help visitors with local travel arrangements, using the ferry and bus schedules. Most volunteers have travelled themselves so can relate to different parts of the Page 46 – AQUA – May/June 2018
gail sjuberg photo
Friendly Face Laura Moore at the Visitors Centre in Ganges.
province, Canada and around the world. A few of us, along with Salt Spring Chamber manager and executive director Janet Clouston, look after training, scheduling and events, and stock the centre with brochures. The centre also offers a Welcome Package for new people who have moved to the island. Q. What are some of the top things you recommend for visitors to Salt Spring Island? A. In the summer, hiking, cycling, kayaking are popular. I find out as much as I can about the person or family, and also how long they are staying on the island. An important question to open up conversation with the visitor is to ask where they are from. One of our volunteers keeps track of the stats from the questions we ask and the stats are fed into Destination BC. In 2017 there were over 33,000 visitors to the centre, a 10 per cent increase over 2016. There are our famous markets on Saturday and Tuesday, along with a Studio Tour map. The Studio Tour allows people to explore the island to see the vineyards, the art and craft studios. Of course food is always on their minds, so they can be directed to all sorts of neat restaurants and coffee shops. Q. How long have you lived on Salt Spring and what do you enjoy about living here? A. My husband Harvey and I came to Salt Spring as visitors in the early 1970s to visit our former neighbours from Richmond. They built a retirement home on Booth Canal and we fell in love with the island. We had a couple of recreational properties before moving to our present location in 1994. One of the properties was close to Ruckle Park, which is a wonderful place to spend time. We have small, interesting stores in the village of Ganges, which is easy to walk around. We enjoy hiking, walking, tennis and Scottish dancing. We participate in many community events and organizations.
Be Water Savvy Use Only What You Need
Water is one of Salt Spring Island’s most precious resources. Please join islanders as we work together to ensure that this summer, and every summer, we use this limited resource wisely, and that we respect and protect our island watersheds. Try these handy water saving tips: Keep showers short. Use low-flow shower heads. If bathing, try a 1/4 tub only. Run only full loads in dishwashers and washing machines. Shut off the tap while brushing teeth, shaving, or washing up hands or dishes. Use low-flush toilets. Flush less often. Use a bucket to capture and reuse shower, bath and dishwater in your garden. Inform guests about our islands’ limited water supply, and ask them to be please be aware of keeping consumption down.
Together EVERY water saver makes a difference.
North Salt Spring Waterworks District www.northsaltspringwaterworks.ca May/June 2018 – AQUA – Page 47
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