4 www.northislandgazette.com
Thursday, February 23, 2012
It’s down to the wire, will Hardy Buoys win? Mike D’Amour Gazette staff With only a few days left before it happens, the Big Event is shaping up to be the larger than anyone believed possible. “I hope this is the biggest event ever on the North Island,” said Carol Dirom who, along with her husband, Bruce, owns Hardy Buoys Smoked Fish. “Not just for our sake, I just feel this is so needed on the North Island,” Carol said. “I think it’s become apparent everyone is just ready to let off steam.” The Big Event happens Sunday at the Civic Centre and will, in large part, determine whether Hardy Buoys gets a rejuvenating jump start from Arlene Dickinson, one of the celebrities on CBC’s new show, the Big Decision.
and there are even rumours someone is trying to concoct salmon and chocolate truffles. The response to the cooking contest has also been incredible, Dirom said. “We set out to get teams for the pizza creation contest and I wondered who would want to do this because you never know with the North Island, either they’re on it or they’re not,” she said. “Turns out we had 22 diverse teams register and teams aren’t just from Port hardy, they’re from all over. Carol told CBC producers she didn’t know who to cut because Signs of support for Hardy Buoys owner’s attempts to save she loved them all. their business through a television reality show are popping “At the end of the day they’re up all over Port Hardy. making a TV show and couldn’t Photos by Desiree Conway, photo illustration by Marlene Parkin accommodate that many teams,” she said. four episodes and will each feature said. “So on Saturday, there will be a How well the day’s event comes two companies. preliminary round where all off could dictate whether Hardy “We’re on the last one, we’re the the teams will send a repre- Buoys will get the help it needs. finale,” Dirom said. sentative with their ingredi“I’ve been told by the CBC “Arlene may come in, but we ents to create their pizza.” don’t know what she’ll want,” that all the verdicts are in, except From there the 22 teams Dirom said. Hardy Buoys and we wrap up will be whittled down to “Is she going to want a percent- Monday. more manageable number. The Big Event happens Feb. 26 age of the company? Will she want aged to audition. “We don’t know how many a percentage of profits down the and winning ticket holders must In fact, after a high- teams will advance to the be in attendance to claim their road? We just don’t know.” ly-rated All-Student playoffs on Sunday,” Dirom The show will be airing only prizes. special in Season Six, Dragon’s Den continues to seek young entrepreneurs who think they have the money-making chops to take on the savviest business tycoons in the country. TRC Community Hearing – Port Hardy, BC All interested entrepreneurs should be In preparation for the TRC Regional Event in April 2012, prepared to pitch their the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) business in under five will be in minutes.
The Big Decision uses two stars from its hit show, The Dragon’s Den, to work with struggling, but established Canadian businesses to offer advice and maybe even investment cash — if certain criteria is met. In Carol’s case, that was to organize and host a community event that draws attention to the North Island. So far, she said the response has been fantastic. “People are just coming forward,” said Dirom. “We recently received two tickets to see Madonna live in concert, donated by Paul Tupper, from Port Hardy Bulldozing.” Carol said offers of gifts and even baked goods keep rolling in. For example, Seto’s restaurant is featuring a different Hardy Buoys’ product every night of the week
Striking while the CBC iron is hot Tri-port entrepreneurs are reminded they can have their five minutes of possible fame if they pitch their product or service to Dragon’s Den folk who will be in town to look for North Islanders who want to pitch their products and possibly wind up on the popular CBC show. Producers of Dragon’s Den hit the road earlier this month for a crossCanada audition tour, with more than 40 stops
along the way. The show offers entrepreneurs from across the country a chance to face the Dragons in a bid to score some high-powered financial backing. Open auditions are in Port Hardy Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Quarterdeck Inn & Marina Resort, 6555 Hardy Bay Rd. No experience is necessary and participants of all ages are encour-
Sunday’s Big Event Prize list (so far) • A pair of tickets to see Madonna. • Autographed item from Clayton Stoner of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild. • Autographed item from Willie Mitchell of the NHL’s LA Kings. • Four Canucks Jerseys — each one signed by every player on the team • Codfathers Charters — (Ken & Diane Jenkins) Full day fishing charter & custom fish processing. • Tides and Tales Charters — (Mike Kelly) a half-day fishing charter and customfish processing. • Telegraph Cove: Weekend getaway that includes dinner and overnight stay.
• BC Ferries – Inside Passage sailing. • Two Canucks getaway packages: • Coastwide Fishing Charters (Chad Calder) – set of Canucks tickets • Pacific Coastal — return airfare and accommodation for two to go see the Canucks game FREE ACTIVITIES • Swim 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. • Skate 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. • Face painting — Overwaitea. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT • Live band - Jam Shack Araknids • Kwakiutl First Nations welcome & dancers. • Clifton Murray — Top 10 Canadian Idol and one of the Four
Canadian Tenors. FREE FOOD & BEVERAGES • Marine Harvest: salmon barbecue • Hardy Buoys Smoked Fish: Smoked & candied salmon. • Overwaitea: a ton of hot dogs, bottled water and bags of chips. • Quarterdeck Inn/ Pub & Resort: 2000 hot dogs. • Peoples Drug Mart: hot chocolate. • Busy B’s Distributing (Lynea & Brent Borg): beverages, slushies, coffee and other food items. • Kelley’s Chocolates (Kelley Geisler). • Pepsi: 800 cans of pop. And don’t forget the Big Flavour Face Off pizza creation contest!
Port Hardy, BC February 27-28, 9am-5pm Location: The Big House - U’Gwamalis Hall 99 Tsakis Way This Hearing will provide an opportunity for Residential School Survivors to share with the Commission and Canada the unique experiences of children who attended Residential School. This is also an opportunity for all Canadians, both Aboriginal and nonAboriginal, to learn more about and bear witness to the legacy of the Residential School system. Health Support Workers are available on site. For a complete listing of TRC Hearings, visit trc.ca For more information please call: Stephanie Scott, TRC Toll free 1-888-872-5554 or Email: stephanie.scott@trc.ca Join us for the TRC Regional Event in Victoria April 13-14, 2012 at the Victoria Conference Centre and Fairmont Empress.