THURSDAY, April 18, 2024
Locally Owned-Community Focused | On the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh
Grieving mom raises awareness about toxic drug crisis in Prince George
Broken Hearts of Fentanyl parent, Michelle Miller, held a round table discussion at MLA Shirley Bond’s office to discuss toxic drug poisoning from a parent’s perspective on Friday. At the table, from left, was Prince George RCMP Constable Mirielle Haunts, School Liaison Officer, RCMP Victims Services Aralee Hryciuk, Acting Mayor and City Councillor Garth Frizzell, facilitator and member of Broken Hearts of Fentanyl Michelle Miller, Holly, member of Broken Hearts of Fentanyl, and MLA Shirley Bond.
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
At 15 he started using marijuana.
Ten years later in 2019 Michelle Miller, a registered nurse, lost her son, Tanner, to toxic drug poisoning.
“I am a mom of five, my oldest is 32 and my youngest is 19, and I have had a lot of teenagers in my house over the years and I am a really good listener now – I wasn’t before – but I am now,” Miller said. “I think it’s important for parents to listen to their kids and engage with them and talk with them about drugs.”
Miller said at the time it was very hard to understand drug use as her family did not use drugs or drink alcohol or smoke.
“So we were just an every day average family and our son was struggling,” Miller said about her second youngest son Tanner.
Miller said Tanner’s addiction ultimately progressed to methamphetamine, his drug of choice.
BROKEN, Page A3
Unitingforces: Non-ProfitNorth conference fostersgrowth andcollaboration in Northern BritishColumbia
Theconferenceand professional developmentevent will take placeonMay 9atthe Courtyard MarriottinPrinceGeorge
nthe vast landscapes of Northern BritishColumbia, thechallenges facing non-profit organizationsand community social services workersare unique andoften overlooked.
Recognizingthe need fora dedicatedplatformto addressthese obstacles, VantagePoint andThe Federation of CommunitySocialServicesofBC areproud to presentNon-Profit North, agroundbreaking conference andprofessional development opportunitytailoredspecifically forNorth workerstakingplace on May9 at theCourtyard Marriott in Prince George
Designed to sparkconversations,fosterconnectionsand inspireactionwithinthe Northern nonprofit andcommunity social servicesector, the heartofthe eventliesineducation,support and empowerment.
ConnectwithNorthernLeaders
Oneofthe primaryobjectivesofthe conference is to facilitate connectionsbetween professionals whounderstandthe intricaciesofnon-profit work in theNorth,allowingparticipantstoengagewith leadersand colleagues from theircommunities whilebuildinga supportnetwork that extends beyond theevent.
Learnfromindustryexperts
With sessions ledbythought leaders, experts anddistinguished researchers, Non-ProfitNorth promises to be ahub of knowledgeand innovation.Attendees will gain insights from seasoned professionalswho canoffervaluableperspectives on overcoming theuniquechallenges of working in Northern communities.
Find inspirationfor change
Besidespractical insights,the eventalsoseeks to inspireand motivate attendeestodrive positive change within theirorganizations andcommunities.Through engaging presentationsand discussions, participants will be encouraged to explore newideas,find innovative solutionsand reignite theirpassion formission-drivenwork.
Knowledgetonurture andinnovate non-profits in Northern B.C.
Theconferenceagendafeaturesanarray of captivatingsessionsand speakers,eachcarefully selected to addressthe specificneeds and interestsofNortherncommunity social services professionals.
Notablepresentations include:
Dustin Louie
Arespected FirstNations scholar, Louiebrings invaluable insights into Indigenous perspectives
andcommunity engagement.Holding aPhD in EducationalLeadership, aBachelor’sdegreein Canadian historyand aMaster’sdegreeinInternational Relations, Louieservesasanassociate professorinthe Department of EducationalStudiesatthe University of BritishColumbiaand the Director of theNITEP Indigenous TeacherEducation program,
Utilizingthisimpressive andextensive background,his session promises to deepen attendees’ understandingofculturalsensitivity and effective collaboration in Northern contexts
Stateofthe sector survey discussion ledby ZahraEsmailand PrairieChiu
An engaging anddeeplyimportant presentation by thechief executiveofficer (Esmail) and director of engagement andadvocacy(Chiu)at VantagePoint,thissession offersa comprehensive overview of thechallenges andopportunities facing thenon-profit sector in Northern B.C.
Attendeeswillgainvaluableinsightsfromthe latest research andtrends, empowering them to make informed decisionsintheir work
Engaging with Ministry of Children andFamily Developmentled by KimLyster
An interactivesession providinga unique opportunity forattendees to hear from colleaguesand voicetheir concerns,Lysterguidesparticipants throughopendialogueand active listening, contributingtoshaping policies that directly impact theirworkand communities
Workplacementalhealthand educationwith Suncha Baptiste
Baptiste’s session addressesa critical aspect of non-profitwork– supporting employees’ mental health andwell-being. Throughpractical strategies andinsights, attendeeswilllearn howtocreatea supportive workplaceculture that prioritizes mental wellness.
At itscore, Non-ProfitNorth aims to empower attendeestoovercomechallenges, foster collaboration andcreatelasting impact in theirorganizationsand communitiesbybringingtogether passionate professionals, thoughtleaders and advocates.
To join in andbepartofthe movement towards abrighterfuturefor theNorth,registerfor the eventtoday at fcssbc.ca/onprofitnorth.
Suspect in Tsay Keh Dene shooting that left two people dead charged with seconddegree murder
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
RCMP have charged a man with two counts of second-degree murder after a shooting left two people dead at a residence in Tsay Keh Dene Tuesday night.
Orlan Marcel Dennis faces the charges and is in police custody after he was shot by police while attempting to flee the murder scene in the remote First Nations community about 360 kilometres north of Prince George.
Police were called to residence after a report of shots fired in the home with injuries to multiple people. Officers arrived at about 10:30 p.m. and located a man with a firearm who ran into a nearby home.
The investigating officers contained the area and called for backup from the RCMP North District’s crisis negotiating, emergency responses and critical incident teams.
At about 12:20 a.m. Wednesday negotiations were initiated. After several hours, at about 5:40 a.m. the ERT team deployed a chemical irritant into the residence and the armed suspect, Dennis, reportedly exited the second residence and was hit by the officers’ extended range munition and their firearms.
Dennis was given first aid at the scene and transported to hospital in Prince George with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
According to Sgt. Kris Clark, senior media relations officer for the BC RCMP, the North District’s Major Crime Unit is conducting the investigation into the deaths of the two murder victims, while the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is investigating the actions of police in the incident.
Broken Hearts of Fentanyl parent making a difference
Continued from Page A1
“So for 10 years our family lived in anticipatory grief – not knowing when, how or why our son was going to die,” she said.
Deep breath in.
“And in 2019 Tanner passed away on the streets of Vancouver.”
In 2021 Miller joined the traumatic loss support group at PG Hospice for individuals who are grieving the loss of someone who has died suddenly due to homicide, suicide, accident or toxic drug poisoning where she was one of 10 parents experiencing a similar loss to hers.
“All of our kids died from fentanyl that was added to their drug of choice – meth, cocaine, heroin - without their knowledge,” Miller said. “When you lose a child to drugs it’s a lot different than other kinds of losses because there is police involvement, a coroner’s report. All these different things are thrown at you over the next year.”
When Miller realized everyone’s child had died from fentanyl in the grief support group she decided to educate herself on illicit drugs.
“I’m a nurse - we use fentanyl in the hospital for conscious sedation during colonoscopies and it’s very well monitored,” Miller said. “They use it in dental offices - again very well monitored – I had never heard of illicit fentanyl – Never. Heard. Of. It. – didn’t even know it existed.”
Now that Miller was informed she needed to take action.
To help raise awareness about the toxic drug crisis, Miller who
belongs to the group Broken Hearts of Fentanyl, presented a round table discussion at MLA for Prince George-Valemount Shirley Bond’s office Friday.
As a parent who lost her child, the focus of the discussion was how to keep children safe by educating parents.
Representatives sitting at MLA Shirley Bond’s table included a Prince George RCMP constable that is a school liaison officer focused on prevention, a city council member, RCMP victim services represen-
There is an emoji drug code used by drug traffickers to sell fake prescription pills commonly laced with deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine on social media and e-commerce platforms making them available to anyone with a smartphone.
Examples included symbols like a cookie means a big batch, a school bus means drop off at school, a car means drop off at home, a snowman means cocaine.
“It’s as easy as ordering a pizza delivery,” Miller said.
According to DEA lab testing six of
When you lose a child to drugs it’s a lot different than other kinds of losses because there is police involvement, a coroner’s report. All these different things are thrown at you over the next year.”
tative and a SD 57 representative.
The lives of more than 14,000 British Columbians have been lost to unregulated drugs since the public-health emergency was first declared by the BC government in April 2016.
And Miller said there are some things every parent needs to know about how easy it is to access illicit drugs and how very dangerous unregulated toxic drugs can be.
As the round table discussion progressed, facts were shared including those from the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s One Pill Can Kill campaign.
every 10 pills with fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose.
Whether it is a pill, powder or liquid you can’t see or taste fentanyl and only a few grains is all it takes to get a lethal dose.
“Tell your kids no powders, no pills when they head off to a party,”
Prince George RCMP Constable Mirielle Haunts, school liaison officer focused on prevention, said.
“This isn’t just people downtown who are dying, our young people –as young as 12 are now experimenting with drugs. That’s what I am seeing as the school liaison officer.”
Haunts said people say marijuana
is not a gateway drug but she doesn’t believe that’s true.
“I see youth medicate themselves whether it’s for depression or anxiety or any other issue,” Haunts said.
And when marijuana isn’t enough, they look for something stronger and that’s when they turn to illicit drugs, she added.
Discussion facilitator Miller used cookies placed before each participant around the table to demonstrate the randomness of the ingredients of fake pills created by drug traffickers to look like an authentic pill.
“Who has a cookie with no chocolate chips in it?” Miller asked. Those who raised their hands were safe from a lethal dose of fentanyl but still at risk of addiction.
Those with two chocolate chips, symbolizing the 2 milligrams of fentanyl it takes to potentially kill a person, could die from this one-time ingestion.
And the people who got cookies with 10 chocolate chips would die of toxic drug poisoning.
“Imagine making a batch of cookies and mixing the ingredients up in a blender – because that’s what drug dealers do, they use regular kitchen blenders – they have no idea what amount of fentanyl is in each pill – and that’s what’s killing our kids,” Miller said.
At the end of the round table discussion MLA Shirley Bond thanked Miller for her presentation, acknowledging that Miller’s activism was spurred by the tragic loss of her son, Tanner.
“You’ve given us a lot to think about,” MLA Shirley Bond said.
SIR AURTHUR CONAN DOYLE’S
Summit Lake PG LNG Project enters public comment period
MARK NIELSEN
Special to the Citizen
Known as the Summit Lake PG LNG Project, it was first announced in February.
JX LNG Canada is seeking the go-ahead from B.C. Environmental Assessment Office and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to build the plant at a site known as the Hart Industrial about 11 kilometres south of Summit Lake.
The agencies jointly opened a comment period on April 2 and it runs until May 2.
According to an initial project description, the plant would occupy about 250 hectares and produce up to 2.7 million tonnes per year of the product and have it shipped by rail to Prince Rupert in special ISO containers for export to Asia.
It would rely on the nearby Enbridge Westcoast Pipeline for feedstock via a two-kilometre pipeline that would be constructed as
Estate of now-deceased dial-a-dope suspect gets possession of seized car
MARK NIELSEN
Special to the Citizen
The administrator of the estate of a now-deceased man suspected of trafficking in Prince George will be able to sell a car RCMP had seized from him, subject to approval by the B.C. civil forfeiture director.
Under the terms of a consent order approved on March 27 in B.C. Supreme Court, the estate of Andrew James Schooley may assume possession of a 2019 Subaru WRX in exchange for an amount equal to the vehicle’s current market value as security.
occurred, they can seize the car and turn it over to the director. If the estate has not filed a notice opposing the forfeiture within 21 days, the director can sell the car with the proceeds going to the provincial government.
According to probate records, Schooley died on July 28, 2023. Prior to that time, Schooley had fought to regain possession of the car that had been targeted by the director as an alleged proceed of crime and the matter had not yet been settled.
part of the project. A six-kilometre powerline would also be put in place to connect to BC Hydro’s Salmon Valley substation.
JX LNG Canada, is an Alberta-based subsidiary of Changchun Jixing New Energy Ltd., which is involved in the LNG and compressed natural gas sector in northeastern China.
BC Hydropower outage:TelkwatoKit wanga
From nowuntil theweekofApril 22, BC Hydrowillbereplacing,relocating, and strengtheningthe transmission line towerconfigurationcrossing theBulkley river locatednorthwest of thecommunity of Telkwa.River erosionhas puta structure on thebankofthe Bulkleyriver at risk of damage during thespringfreshet.
We have worked diligently to ensure therewillbeaslittledisruptionaspossible. However, forthe safety of crewsand thepublic, therewillbea poweroutage on Sunday,April 21 from approximately8 a.m. to 8p.m.affectingTelkwa, Smithers,New Hazelton,and Hazelton andreachingasfar west as theHighway 16 andHighway 37 junction at Kitwanga.
Allimpactedcustomers will be notifiedbeforethe eventvia telephone auto-dialer, email, andpostcards.
We apologizefor theinconvenience this projectmay cause. However, we need to ensure thesafetyofthe public andthe crewsinvolvedasweconduct this work whichwillimprove thelong-term reliabilityofthe electrical system forthe region.
Formoreinformation,email us at projects@bchydro.com
Thankyou foryourpatienceand understanding.
Before a sale can be completed, the administrator must give the director the name, birth date and contact information of the prospective buyer no less than a week prior to the proposed sale date.
If the director refuses to consent, the sale cannot be completed.
The order remains in effect for three years and will be in default if the car is used in the commission of an offence under the Criminal Code, the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the federal Cannabis Act or the provincial Cannabis Control and Licensing Act.
The estate administrator is also obligated to advise the director within seven days of the event, if they believe a default has occurred.
And if police have reasonable grounds to believe a default has
Police had seized the vehicle on Dec. 22, 2022. In a notice of claim filed in June 2023, the director alleged it was being used to run a dial-a-dope drug trafficking operation in Prince George.
The director went on to itemize significant quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine RCMP allegedly recovered from the car and a home police also subsequently searched.
A loaded handgun, stun gun, more than $5,000 in cash and drug trafficking paraphernalia were also uncovered. Both the gun and the stun gun are considered prohibited weapons, according to the claim.
In the response filed the same month as the notice of claim, Schooley denied being in possession of any of the items and stated he was one of several occupants of the home. He also labelled the arrest and the search unlawful.
A public comment period has opened for a liquefied natural gas plant proposed for a site about 30 kilometres north of Prince George.
Police bust nabs suspected car thief/drug trafficker
BC Timber Sales PrinceGeorge
INVITAT ION TO CO MMENT –FOR EST OPE RATION SM AP
The publicisinvited to reviewand commentonthe BC TimberSalesPrince George (BC TS TPG) Forest Operations Map. TheMap showsproposed road construc tion andcut block development under Forest Stewardship Plan #26within Forest DevelopmentUnits in thePrince George and Mackenzie Forest Districts.
TheMap will be valid forthe operating period from May19, 2024 -May 19, 2027. During the operating period,the Timber Sales Manager mayinviteapplicationsfor Timber Sale Licenses forthe harvestingof cut blocks shown on the Mapand apply forroad permits to construc troadsshown on the Map.
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
A 42-year-old Prince George man is in police custody charged with trafficking after he was caught driving a stolen vehicle while in possession of a large quantity of illicit and prescription drugs.
During a Prince George RCMP investigation at a College Heights home in the 7100 block of Guelph Crescent on April 4, James Alan Webb was observed leaving the residence driving the stolen vehicle and was stopped by police officers and arrested.
A search of the vehicle found four ounces of suspected illicit drugs, believed to be fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine.
A search warrant was obtained and executed at the residence, where police found more of what
Read the full, unabrdged version of many of these stories at
they suspected was fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as more than 1,700 prescription M-ELSON morphine pills.
The seizure also included two auto-loading rifles and a large quantity of ammunition, according to Jennifer Cooper, Prince George RCMP media relations officer.
Webb faces several charges, including:
- Possession of stolen property over $5,000;
- Operating a conveyance while prohibited;
- Possession of ammunition contrary to prohibition order;
- Two counts of driving while prohibited;
- Driving while suspended.
Any potential drug charges are pending laboratory analysis and will be subject to approval by the appropriate prosecution service. Webb will remain in custody until his next court appearance.
Notice of Property Use Agreements
TheMap is available forpublic reviewand commentonline, at: fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projec ts
TheMap is also available forin-person reviewand commentbyappointment at the BC TS TPGoffice, MondaytoFriday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at: BC Timber Sales PrinceGeorge 2000OspikaBlvdS
PrinceGeorge,B.C., V2N4W5 Tel: 250 614-7400
Comments will be accepted from April18-May 18, 2024.
Comments maybesubmittedonline at fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projec ts, emailed to tpg.ref@gov.bc.ca,delivered in-person to the address aboveduring businesshours,ormailed to the address abovetothe attention of Jonathan Taylor.
If youhavequestionsorrequire assistance, please contac t:Jonathan Taylor,Planning Officer, by phone: 250 649-4366,oremail: tpg.ref@gov.bc.ca
PRINCE GEORGE RCMP
Prince George RCMP seized two rifles and a large quantity of illicit and prescription drugs when they arrested James Alan Webb near his College Heights home on April 4.
Sinclair Mills Community Hall and Sinclair Mills Post Office
Health minister says feds still working out the bumps of new dental health care plan
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
Health Minister Mark Holland knows Canadians have more questions than answers about a new dental care plan the federal government is unveiling this spring.
Holland says there was similar confusion and worry among patients and care providers in 1968 when universal health care was created and he says the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) will eventually live up to its promise to provide an oral health safety net for the one in four Canadians who have no dental coverage.
“I think it’s a lot like when we rolled out medical care in this country, if you look back at the 1960s there were a lot of bumps, it’s a big deal to pull the whole population and make sure everybody has oral health care and that takes time,” said Holland, from his Ottawa office.
“Just like doctors had concerns
when we launched a national medical system, dentists have concerns as we’re covering nine million Canadians who didn’t have medical coverage before.”
The federal plan will provide coverage to uninsured families whose income does not exceed $90,000.
Initially, the CDCP is being offered to seniors so that by May, anybody aged 65 and older will be eligible. By 2025, people aged 18-64 will also qualify.
After a large majority of providers declined to sign up in the initial registration process in March, the minister promised the government is going to make it easier for dentists and hygienists to register.
“This plan works like any other insurance plan,” said Holland.
“We did have it as a requirement and now we’re losing it as a requirement to indicate participation. Somebody is going to be able to walk into a clinic, hand over their card, and that information will be plugged into
Health Minister Mark Holland says much like when universal health care was introduced to Canadians in the 1960’s, there will be a similar adjustment period for patients and oral health providers while the federal government rolls out its new Canadian Dental Care Plan.
(the dentists) existing system and in over 90 per cent of cases they’re going to be paid for the procedures within two days.”
A Canadian Dental Association survey of the country’s 25,500 licenced dentists determined that 61 per cent are not registering in the CDCP. Holland says that reluctance to join the program is only a temporary glitch.
“We have thousands of dentists who have signed up but we also have this alternate pathway (details of which are expected to be announced in a few days) that doesn’t require you to sign up,” Holland said. “We’re going to get there. We’re actively having great conversations with the provincial and territorial associations, and they’re doing their job, negotiating, so they’re holding back, trying to get the best deal for dentists possible and I’ve got a responsibility to get the best deal possible for patients and taxpayers.”
to make up the difference.
“The dentists have their own process to set their fees, the government isn’t involved in that at all, so we can’t agree to fund a process we’re not involved in,” said Holland. “We have to independently look to make sure that what we’re paying is something we can defend to taxpayers.”
More complex dental work will require pre-authorization to ensure that work is required. Decisions on complex care won’t be made in the initial startup of the program in May and patients will have to wait until the fall when the online pre-authorization portal becomes available.
“We’re really trying to make it so the vast majority of day-to-day procedures require no pre-authorization and dentists can get paid instantly,” said Holland.
The CDCP fee structure generally provides lower payouts compared to the fee guides care providers in provinces and territories use to determine recommended charges for each procedure. If a procedure is not fully covered by insurance, Holland says dentists and hygienists would still have the ability to equal-bill patients
For cleaning teeth, which typically requires two units of scaling, each patient covered under the CDCP will be allowed four units per year. Holland said if a medical need can be demonstrated for more than the annual allotment of scaling, the plan would make an exception through the pre-authorization process to pay that cost.
Adjustment period needed for new dental health care plan
“If we didn’t put a limit on how much cleaning could be done or how much scaling could be done and we just allow dentists to automatically bill, then that would create an opportunity for fraud,” said Holland.
Critics have said the government needs to simplify the billing process and reduce the paperwork required to process insurance claims to ease the burden on dental health offices already struggling to hire enough administrative staff. But Holland says the public system in place with Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada won’t be any different or any more complicated than submitting a claim to a private insurance provider and the government plans to release a video which will explain the billing process.
The national dental program was one of the key initiatives of the NDP to maintain their agreement to support the Liberal minority government on confidence votes to keep them in power.
billion five-year investment because of the plan’s potential to prevent serious medical conditions and ultimately reduce health care costs.
“There’s extremely good evidence that bad oral health leads to bad overall health, whether or not that’s cardiovascular disease or diabetes or a myriad of other possible chronic disease or illness,” he said.
It’s really a fundamental issue of prevention and it’s also an issue of social justice. I talk to so many seniors who haven’t been able to replace their dentures in 10, 20, 30 years and have no money to replace them and don’t know what they’re going to do.
“We also know that one of the leading causes of preventable surgeries that are gumming up our hospitals (is related to) bad oral health, people who had a dental problem and didn’t get it addressed until it became a critical issue that requires surgery, which is extremely expensive and blocks up our hospitals.
“It’s really a fundamental issue of prevention and it’s also an issue of social justice. I talk to so many seniors who haven’t been able to replace their dentures in 10, 20, 30 years and have no money to replace them and don’t know what they’re going to do.
Holland says giving Canadians the opportunity to have healthy teeth and gums is well worth the $13
“The end result will be for all time, Canada will be a country where everyone has access to oral health care, and that’s absolutely essential.” Continued from Page A6
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May we all be Meredith
Ou r community is short a pillar.
Meredith Bogle, co-owner of Victory Paints and Mercantile, passed away earlier this month. Many of us would know Meredith from our visits to Victory, looking for just the right colour of paint for our homes, or an accent piece to finish off a room.
Full disclosure, I never met Meredith. The closest our paths had crossed was when I delivered a thank-you note to Victory for donating to our Meals on Wheels fundraiser last fall, in support of the Prince George Council of Seniors, but alas, she was out when I stopped by. That said, I had a lovely 20 minute or so conversation with the folks at Victory and upon leaving, left our thank-you letter for their generosity. I can’t put my finger on it, but I felt really good after that brief stop in. My impromptu visit left me with a positive attitude for the rest of my travels that day, and I certainly carried that positivity with me as I continued my tour of PG with letters of thanks for our other donors.
Fast forward to this spring, when word was shared among my colleagues that Meredith wasn’t
doing well, and ultimately, weeks later, when we heard she had passed. What struck me during those water cooler chats was the love felt for Meredith by those in our office lucky enough to have met and worked with her. I was regaled with stories of various salespeople who, over the years, had stopped by to chat about different advertising opportunities
and how, no matter what the time or day, she always made them something to eat, and they would stay and chat about anything and everything under the sun. As our team members recounted those experiences, a mix of emotions were visible; imagine seeing love, respect, admiration – coupled with sadness of her passing, mixed with smiles of remembrance of visits gone by. It was clear to me that these folks clearly valued every interaction with Meredith, and looking back on those visits brought back so many happy memories.
For those of us (myself included) who didn’t know Meredith, her obituary in the Citizen’s April 11 edition includes that she was born and raised in Prince George, enjoying snowboarding, skiing, ringette and soccer in her early years here. She was also an accomplished Highland dancer, competing in Nova Scotia, where if you haven’t been, they take Highland dancing pretty seriously. She earned her BA in UNBC’s inaugural class in 1994. Upon completing her Master of Education in Coaching Studies in Victoria, she returned to Prince George to work at Pacific Sport and Intersect. In 2016, her and her friend
and business partner JP opened Victory Paint. It was then that our relationship began.
Being in media can be difficult, to say the least. After a morning of “no thanks”, or “we’ll think about it” when out meeting existing or prospective clients or story contacts, an island in a storm, like a visit with Meredith, is most welcome. Among folks in our office, many of whom meet and interact with dozens, if not hundreds of people every month, the memories of meetings with Meredith were told to me with zeal, as she was always welcoming, offering her hospitality and time.
Why dedicate an entire column to someone I had never met? Simply put, because of the impression she left with our team. When the people with whom I work tell me, with multiple examples, of how amazing one of our partners in the community was to them, time after time, that rings a bell with me.
With everything above in mind, let’s raise our glass to Meredith. May we all be remembered with the love that she fostered and created.
Curtis Armstrong is the publisher of the Prince George Citizen.
SUPPLIED PHOTO Meredith BOGLE
Soft drinks are hard on our bodies
CLAIRE NIELSEN Special to the Citizen
Ihave never really enjoyed soft drinks because the bubbles go up my nose, but I do acknowledge how popular they are and why. They are tasty and fun to drink and consumers have their favourites to which they are loyal (or maybe addicted). Unfortunately, soft drinks, pop and soda (as they are referred to in the US) are some of the unhealthiest things we can put in our bodies. I read a report several years ago, suggesting that the average American consumes 90 per cent of their calories as liquid (mainly from soft drinks, juice, sports drinks, iced tea and alcohol) but according to the World Health Organization the maximum sugar consumption should not make up more than 10 per cent of our daily caloric intake, we should not consume more six teaspoons of sugar daily. Soft drinks are full of sugar (37g or 10 tsp per 12oz can) and contain other ingredients like artificial colour, flavour, msg (also called ‘natural flavour’) etc. Regular consumption of soft drinks may lead to a plethora of health issues including unwanted weightgain and obesity, Type 2 diabetes, tooth decay, bone mineral deficiency, digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome, hyperactivity, heart disease, kidney and/or liver disease, gout, GERD (acid reflux), metabolic syndrome and mood dysregulation, to name a few. US National Institute of Health reported in 2015 that 184,000 yearly deaths have been attributed to consumption of these sugary drinks worldwide. Many soft drinks have addictive qualities which is why they are hard to give up. As the detrimental health issues are not immediate (except for the irritability or anxiety caused by the sugar spike followed by a sugar crash), many people don’t equate their long-term health problems to their lifelong consumption of sugary beverages. One pop a day considered as a ‘treat’ can have long-lasting negative effects on our bodies. If you have any of the above health
problems, please consider that soft drinks and other sugary drinks may have contributed to the issue and choose to give them up.
Several decades ago, artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin came onto the scene and were considered a Godsend for those who were concerned about all the sugar in their favourite soda. However, diet pop may be no better for you, as several research studies are trying to link the artificial sweeteners with serious health issues like Alzheimer’s, MS, cancer, depression, ADHD, migraines, dizziness, loss of tooth enamel and also weight gain. The jury is still out on this controversial topic with the manufacturers claiming witch hunts, and health advocates claiming that aspartame should never have been passed by the FDA because of its potential health dangers. Personally, I hate the metallic aftertaste of aspartame, so I avoid products containing it. Teens are generally the main
consumers of sugary drinks and soft drinks which may contribute to lethargy at school and irritability at home. Sugar crashes can cause depressive thoughts, anxiety and tiredness. Soft drinks are the most popular with teens followed by iced tea, fruit juice (boxes), sports drinks, energy drinks, chocolate milk, hot chocolate, specialty sweet teas, flavoured waters with added sugars… It is never too late to educate your kids about the detriments of these kind of beverages. Limiting or eliminating them from your home is a progressive step to cutting down consumption.
If you really want to have a fizzy drink, it’s healthier to buy plain soda water (no sugar) and add it to juice (1/4 cup juice topped up with soda). But keep in mind that most juices are also high in sugar. Sparkling drink makers are so popular but the flavoured syrups may also be very high in sugar or have artificial sweeteners. It is also important to note that fizzy drinks may still
contribute to acid reflux and gastro-esophageal issues.
Water is the very best for our bodies and the only liquid our body needs or can process. I wrote an article about the body’s craving for simple water in August 2021. I cannot stress enough the importance of educating ourselves to the detriments of soft drinks and other high sugar drinks. There are some interesting studies on the following website: www.medicalnewstoday. com/articles/325919#research
To your best health and healthy habits.
Claire Nielsen is a columnist, health coach, public speaker, author and founder of www.elixirforlife.ca. The information provided in the above article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional health and medical advice. Please consult a doctor or other healthcare provider if you’re seeking medical advice, diagnoses and/or treatment.
PHOTO BY GIORGIO TROVATO ON UNSPLASH
Sparkling water is a better option than sugary soft drinks.
CNC student design showcase goes at Omineca Arts Centre
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
The College of New Caledonia’s Web and Graphic Design (WEGD) program is holding its 2024 Design Showcase at Omineca Arts Centre on Monday, April 22.
There is an afternoon session slated from noon to 2:30 p.m. and an evening reception from 6 to 8 p.m.
Design work from 16 students will be on display for public viewing.
“Students will be sharing a variety of work including web design, graphic design, illustration, interactive multimedia, 3D prototype design and more,” Sean Siddals, WEGD coordinator, said.
“The flexibility of the program means that both digital and analogue design projects will be on display. In the final semester our students participate in an internship and some of the work on display will have been produced as a part of this.”
Student-designed catalogues, stickers and bookmarks will for sale.
Guests will have the opportunity to speak directly to the students about their work during the two public sessions.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for our Web and Graphic Design students to get their work seen by a larger
public, in a setting where some of them will actually pick up freelance work or even be hired on the spot,” Misa Nikolic, WEGD instructor, said.
This is the second year that the showcase will be held at Omineca Arts Centre, as it was very well attended in 2023.
“We’re especially pleased to be partnering with Omineca Arts Centre for a second time, as they have a terrific downtown location that is well-suited for a portfolio showcase,” Nikolic said.
This year WEGD students will be the April artists-in-residence at Omineca Arts Centre, at 369 Victoria St. Their work will be on display leading up to the showcase and they will be holding workshops for interested members of the public later in the month.
The College of New Caledonia’s Web and Graphic Design program (WEGD) was started to provide a northern option for prospective creative professionals. Students can choose from a one-year certificate or a two-year diploma, including a semester-long internship. This highly flexible program offers web design and graphic design streams, allowing graduates to find employment in a wide variety of industries or to go on to further education.
For more information about the showcase visit www.ominecaartscentre. com/home.
Zoning Bylaw No 2892, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No 3342, 2024
Subject Property: 25080 Isle Pierre–Reid Lake Road
Purpose: to rezone the subject property to permit a cannabis production use
Next Steps: there is an in-person public hearing meeting on Wednesday April 24, 2024 at 6:30 pm at the Ness Lake Community Hall at 9770 Lakeside Drive
April 22.
CNC's Web and Graphic Design program is holding its 2024 Design Showcase at Omineca Arts Centre on
44th annual Home & Garden Show goes
April 19 to 21 at Exhibition Park
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
The 44th annual Home & Garden Show, hosted by the Canadian Home Builders Association of Northern BC, will be in the Kin Centres and the outdoor space at Exhibition Park from April 19 to 21.
“I am so excited about this event,” Terri McConnachie, executive officer of the home builders’ association, said. “It takes a small army of volunteers to make this happen and the dedication of the association board members, association members, and here we are.”
$25 each, that includes entry into the Home & Garden Show, and available for sale online.
Also on Sunday is the annual pancake breakfast that is free to those who attend the Home & Garden Show. McConnachie said the skookum barbecue breakfast of pancakes and sausages is sponsored by Integris Credit Union as a way to give back to the community.
This show belongs to the community...
New to the Home & Garden Show is a Trades Expo where future trades people are connected to opportunities.
“Anybody that has an interest in trades, whether they know it or not, we welcome them to please come to the home show and visit,” McConnachie said. “We will have folks that will be able to provide people with examples of trades, insight into the quality of life a career in trades can offer and the opportunities available to them. In addition, information will be provided on ways to get the education and the financial support needed along the journey. So come and check out the Trades Expo.” McConnachie is putting a callout to all mushroom lovers.
“On Sunday the PG Urban Shroomery and Origins Kitchen is hosting a four-course luncheon that is all about mushrooms,” McConnachie added. “We’re going to talk about mushrooms, we’re going to talk about the health benefits, where to find them, how to forage for them, and how to cook with them and showcase examples.”
Limited tickets for the luncheon are
There’s even a homeliest home office contest where 10 finalists’ photos will be on display at Kin 1, along with their story, so the community can vote for their favourite to be made over. The homeliest home office will get a makeover from Mills worth $5,000.
“We’re throwing in the carpet with this one, and even reams of paper,” McConnachie said.
There are more than 200 vendors at the Home & Garden Show.
“There are folks at the show who will help you design, build, buy, sell and organize your home, maintain it, extend your outdoor leisure space and there are also community organizations on hand during the show,” McConnachie said.
“This show belongs to the community, belongs to Northern BC, and even though we got off light with winter here, the home show is still the launch of spring in our region.”
At the Home & Garden Show free draw prizes include barbecues, children’s outdoor adventure equipment and many outdoor living items.
Prizes are showcased online.
Advance tickets are available online for $5 each until Thursday, April 18 or $10 at the door.
For more information and tickets visit www.chbanorthernbc.ca/.
Court docket: March 25 - April 12, 2024
Continued from Page A12
Askew was also issued a lifetime firearms prohibition and ordered to provide a DNA sample. Askew was in custody for 136 days following his arrest.
- Jason Kenneth Elder (born 1971) was sentenced to 33 days in jail and one year probation for two counts of theft $5,000 or under.
- Davin Gray Jokinen (born 1991) was sentenced to 270 days in jail for theft $5,000 or under, to time served for a separate count of theft $5,000 or under and to four days in jail for breaching probation. Jokinens was also sentenced to one year probation on the counts. Jokinen was in custody for 37 days prior to sentencing.
- Michael Darren Felix (born 1994) was sentenced to 37 days in jail for breaching probation. Felix was also sentenced to one year probation on the count as well as for theft $5,000 or under and for a separate count of breaching probation. Felix was in custody for 77 days prior to sentencing.
- Mark Alexander Mitchell (born 1980) was sentenced to 19 days in jail for mischief $5,000 or under and to time served for break and enter and committing an indictable offence and to one year probation on the counts. Mitchell was in custody for 68 days prior to sentencing.
Mitchell was also prohibited from driving for one year and fined $500 plus a $75 victim surcharge for driving while prohibited or licence suspended under the Motor Vehicle Act.
- Ashley Marie Lowley (born 1993) was sentenced to a one-year conditional sentence order for theft $5,000 or under.
- Celia Anne Robinson (born 1983) was prohibited from driving for one year, sentenced to 14 days in jail, to be served on an intermittent basis, and fined $500 plus a $75 victim surcharge for driving while prohibited under the Motor Vehicle Act.
- Crystal Margaret Rosalie Horth (born 1976) was sentenced to seven days in jail and ordered to pay $400 restitution for being unlawfully in a house. Horth was also sentenced to 18 months probation on the count andz for four counts of theft $5,000 or under and one count each of assault, mischief $5,000 or under and breaching an undertaking. Horth was in custody for 84 days prior to sentencing.
- Linda Anne Larson (born 1973) was sentenced to an 18 month conditional sentence order, issued a 10-year firearms prohibition, ordered to provide a DNA sample and assessed a $200 victim surcharge for possession for the purpose of trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
from driving for one year and fined $1,500 for driving while impaired.
- Wade Denny Dumont (born 1971) was issued a five-year preventative firearms prohibition.
- Kolten George Stump (born 1991) was sentenced to time serve for breaching probation. Time served was not available.
- Summer Dawn Madam (born 1990) was sentenced to one year probation for two counts of theft $5,000 or under and to time served for breaching a
release order. Time served was not available.
- Robert Dane Isaac (born 1985) was sentenced to one year probation for theft $5,000 or under. Isaac was also sentenced to time served on the count and for two counts of breaching probation. Time served was not available.
- Travis Dion Sharyk (born 1990) was sentenced to time served for breaching a release order. Sharyk was in custody for 37 days prior to sentencing.
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- Leslie Ray Parker (born 1967) was prohibited
Cougars captain Hudson Thornton signs pro deal with Hershey Bears
CLARKE Citizen staff
From Cougar to Bear, Hudson Thornton’s hockey future is coming into focus.
The 20-year-old captain of the Prince George Cougars has signed a pro contract with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League – the top farm team of the Washington Capitals.
“It’s really exciting,” said Thornton. “It was one of my goals this year to try and earn myself a professional
contract and I am super thankful for the opportunity and will do everything I can to try and make that team next year.
“I wouldn’t be here talking about a pro contract if it wasn’t for my parents, my brothers, my grandparents, my teammates, and coaches. Prince George has done so much for me and has treated me so well, and it’s certainly a first-class organization.
I am confident in saying I maybe wouldn’t have this opportunity if I wasn’t here in Prince George, and again I can’t thank the team and my
teammates enough.”
As the BC Division nominee for the Bill Hunter Trophy awarded to the top defenceman in the WHL, Thornton rewrote the Cougars’ record book this season, establishing new career team standards for goals (56), assists (140), points (196) and power-play goals (24).
The Winnipeg native was selected to the BC Division first all-star team.
Chosen by the Cats in the second round, 33rd overall in the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft, this is Thornton’s third WHL season after playing his
16-year-old season in the BCHL with the Chilliwack Chiefs. In 2020-21 he played 23 games in USHL with the Fargo Force before he joined the Cougars late that season.
“This is well deserving,” said Cougars head coach and general manager Mark Lamb. “He has earned it the right way.”
Thornton becomes the second member of this year’s Cougar team to join the Capitals organization. On March 1st, Cougars forward Zac Funk signed a three-year entry-level contract with Washington.
Prince George Cougars defenceman Hudson Thornton has signed a pro contract with the AHL’s Hershey Bears.
Penticton Vees’ third-period comeback ends Spruce Kings’ season
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
As the Penticton Vees’ triggerman, Zack Stringer celebrated his 21st birthday in style, his party on the ice doomed the Prince George Spruce Kings to an early exit in the BCHL playoffs.
The Vees winger jump-started the Vees’ offence with an early goal in the third period and he sunk in the dagger with his assist on Callum Arnott’s series winner to cap a three-goal third period for his team in a 3-2 victory over the Kings. It gave Penticton a four-game series sweep in the Interior Conference quarterfinal series Wednesday at Kopar Memorial Arena.
“It shows we’ve been battling adversity all season and how we can battle back in games and now we’re rolling,” said Stringer. “It’s a bit smaller of a barn and it’s harder to play in, the corners are smaller but you just have to shoot the puck more and use your transition game more and it worked in our favour.”
The Spruce Kings’ two-goal lead evaporated in the third period and Stringer, who played in the WHL for Regina and Lethbridge, used his speed and physicality to make that happen. He finally solved rookie goalie Ryder Green with the 35th Penticton shot, just 34 seconds into the period, deflecting in a point shot from Francesco Dell’Elce.
The Vees tied it seven minutes later when Stringer’s linemate, Callum Arnott, gained the puck against the wall just inside the Prince George zone and he turned and fired off a low shot that went through the legs of Amran Bhabra and slipped through Green’s five-hole.
On the series-clinching play, Stringer chased down the puck behind the Prince George net and dug it out for Arnott, whose quick shot fluttered into the net. The loss to the Vees was especially bitter for the 20-year-old Bhabra, a fiveyear Spruce King defenceman who has played his final junior hockey game.
“It‘s a tough way to go out but every team is going to have this feeling except for one, and for the guys coming back
next year they’ve got to remember this feeling and work hard over the summer so they don’t feel it again,” said Bhabra.
“We all worked hard, we all wanted it, it’s just some games we didn’t get the good bounce. We knew we couldn’t give up, we never wanted to give up.”
Despite being outshot 19-6 in the opening 20 minutes the Kings had the lead, scoring 3:14 in. It marked the first time in the series the Vees fell behind in a game.
Aidan Souligny, a 17-year-old defenceman picked up at the trade deadline from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, let go a wrister and Owen Goodbrand was there for the redirect, his first goal of the playoffs.
The Vees fired the puck from everywhere and their shots got through to the goal often, but Green, whose puck-stopping heroics in Game 3 Tuesday coming in as an injury replacement in overtime nearly paved the way to victory, showed he was ready for his first BCHL playoff start.
He was stopping everything fired his
way and the 17-year-old’s rebound control was also excellent. Just once did he leave the puck exposed and that was a close call five minutes in when it slipped through his pads and was laying on the goal line for Stringer and Max Heise just as Kings defenceman Evan Bellamy cleared it away.
The Kings tightened up defensively in the second period and they did a better job keeping Vees shooters to the outside lanes where Green could see more of what was coming his way.
The Kings had the league’s fifth-best power play throughout the season and it clicked again for them late in the second period.
Kazumo Sasaki held the puck in at the line and dished it to Kilian McGregor-Bennett, whose shot pass found the stick blade of Scott Cousins in the deep slot and it found its way into the net for a 2-0 lead.
But their lack of junior A experience and inability to hold a lead proved the
Kings’ downfall. Fumbled leads late in seven of eight games down the stretch kept Prince George in the Interior basement, which set up their first-round encounter with the first-place Vees.
“We blew a lead (Tuesday), up 2-1in the third and same thing today, it’s the difference, a small margin, it could have been 2-2 in the series,” said Kings head coach Alex Evin. “A little too much panic in our game. We’ve got to enjoy the lead, not worry about the result.”
Green was a standout in the last two games and that came as a huge relief to Evin when he lost his two starters, Charlie Zolin and Ryan Sanborn, to injuries.
“It was not an ideal year between the pipes, we used a lot of goalies and I don’t think our team save percentage was super high, but the guys who played in the playoffs they all gave us quality starts,” said Evin.
“For Ryder, he’ll definitely use this as a good experience. It’s not ideal, he wasn’t supposed to play, but he got two full starts and some overtime experience and it should help him be ahead of the curve in his future.”
The six players leaving the Spruce Kings gathered after the game with teary eyes, posing on the ice for farewell photos. That departing group includes Bhabra, McGregor-Bennett, Kai Greaves, Alexis Cournoyer, JR Perdion and Ben LeFranc, who was injured and missed all four playoff games.
“This is a really special organization that did a lot for me as a player and as a person,” said Greaves, a native of Cambridge, Ont., who will play for Princeton University next season. “Every day we come to the rink and the coaches, GM, players all push each other to get better in different ways and I think over two years here I’m way better for it. It’s something I’ll never forget.
“We had a special group of guys. People say that every year but I think this is my favourite team that I’ve been on. Coming to the rink every day we made it so fun for each other, even through hard times, just sticking together, and I have a lot of good friends on this team and it’s going to be sad to say goodbye to them.”
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
Spruce Kings goalie Ryder Green deflects a shot from Penticton Vees defenceman Francesco Dell’Elce as Kings defenceman Kai Greaves looks on during first-period action in Game 4 of their first round series at Kopar Memorial Arena Wednesday.
Duchess Park Theatre Company presents The Addams Family Musical
The Addams Family Musical, school edition, will be hitting the secondary school’s stage April 23 to 27. Here students are seen during a rehearsal of one of the big numbers in the show.
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
It’s been years since Duchess Park Theatre Company has done a musical and here it comes.
The Addams Family Musical, school edition, will be hitting the secondary school’s stage April 23 to 27 at 7 p.m. each evening and a special Saturday matinee at 1 p.m.
There are 62 students involved, 15 teacher-volunteers, and with a little help from the community the sets have just gone through finishing touches.
Teachers have rallied to help with box office, costumes, sets, props and everything else that needs doing.
“It’s been fantastic,” Jackie Friesen, drama teacher, said.
The whole community has come together to help.
“That community support has been really awesome.”
The Addams Family Musical, music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, has been one of those shows that’s been in the back of Friesen’s mind for a long time, she added.
“Just looking at the pool of talent we have we knew this was the show for these students,” Friesen said. “I think
FALLING BRIDGES
at the heart of it the Addams Family is a kookie family and it just works because they all bring something to the table. And that’s exactly what our theatre company is, we’re all weird, wonderful people who all have these weird, wonderful quirks and together it just works. It’s just really symbolic of us as a group coming together.”
This is the second time the group has created something wonderful, Friesen added. Last year’s production was Game of Tiaras, a spoof of Games of Thrones with a twist.
“And they’re just taking this musical and running with it and that’s been fantastic,” Friesen said.
The Addams Family Musical runs from April 23 to 27. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. at the Duchess Park Theatre. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students. Special half price matinee Saturday, April 27. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., show starts at 1 p.m.
Tickets for dinner and a show Wednesday and Thursday are $50 if there are any remaining.
All tickets are on sale at the box office in the school at lunch (cash only) and after school (cash/debit). Tickets also on sale one hour before the show begins (cash/debit) unless there is a sellout.
Twins Fae (left) and Ada Young, 7, pump the pressure up on the testing machine together as they watch their bridge being pushed to its limit. Their bridge reached 33.8 lbs of pressure before failure occurred while taking part in the primary division of the 26th Annual Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Contest at Pine Centre Mall Saturday.
What’s happening in PG
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
Home & Garden Show at Kin Centres and Exhibition Park goes April 19 to 21. Presented by the Canadian Homes Builders Association of Northern BC, this community event features a free pancake breakfast, contests, give aways, a Trades Expo, and more than 200 vendors to help make your home a better place to be. For more information and online advance half-price tickets visit www.chbanorthernbc.ca/.
***
Improv Shmimprov do 420 goes Saturday, April 20 at 8 p.m. at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St. Improv is skipping happily into the flowing fields of the new season that includes Improv Theatre Games on stage for your enjoyment. Come on out and check out the venue. There’s new games and the goal is to ensure the audience will have a good time. There’s a cash bar and snacks. Tickets are $20 at Eventbrite.ca/e/ improv-shmimprov-do-420-tickets
***
The Chevys Show goes Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Deadfall Brewing Company, 1733 Nicholson St. S. The Chevys bring a rockabilly show. There’s no cover but tips are welcome.
***
Merkules Live in Prince George on Friday, April 19 at 7 p.m. at Ignite Nightclub, 1232 Third Ave. this is a 19+ event. There is a Meet & Greet option to get a photo with Merkules and autograph and the first crack at merchandise. Meet & Greet tickets are separate from general
admission tickets. For more information visit www.showpass.com/Merkules tickets.
***
2024 Kitchen Party goes Saturday, April 20 at 5:30 p.m. at the Roll-ADome, presented by the Rotary Club of Prince George. This is a back home lobster fest with music by Cod Gone Wild. This is a Rotary community fundraiser to support elementary school breakfast programs, scholarship and bursary programs and more. Tickets are $125 each at www.pgrotary.ca
***
Epik 420 Block Party goes Saturday, April 20 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 356 George St. This is a free 19+ only celebratory 420 block party in downtown PG. There will be four food trucks and more than 20 vendors on site and a sweet green consumption zone.
***
Eastline Spring Market goes Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3595 Upper Fraser Road.
***
The Forever Young Chorus presents A Vintage Revue: 30th anniversary concert that goes twice - Sunday, April 21 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, April 28 at 2 p.m. at the Elder Citizen’s Recreation Centre, 1692 Tenth Ave. Tickets are $12 and available at the centre.
***
Prince George Spring Clean Up goes Sunday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join forces with friends and neighbours during the annual Spring Clean Up on Sunday, April 21. Help make our parks, school yards, streets, and trails shine by volunteering to pick up litter
between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Bags and gloves are available for all participants and a limited number of sharps containers will be available upon request. Once you’ve registered, pick up your gear at City Hall between April 15 and 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Register today to get first dibs on the area you’d like to clean up at www.princegeorge.ca/SpringCleanUp
BC Old Time Fiddlers Family Dance goes Friday, April 26 at 7 p.m. downstairs at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. The Family Dance and Ice Cream Social is part of the Old Time Fiddlers annual Spring Jamboree and everyone is welcome. Dance the old-time dances to live fiddle music, take part in group dances (with instruction) and make an ice cream sundae on break. Cost is $10 at the door. Free to Jamboree registrants and under 18 with parents’ supervision.
Spring Fiddle Jamboree goes Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28 at the Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. This is a BC Old Time Fiddlers’ event featuring four award-winning instructors including Alex Kusturok, Chloe Davidson, Nolan Murray and Bruce Coughlan who will provide two days of top notch workshops in four levels of fiddle and intermediate guitar. Cost is $250 or $200 before April 10. This includes two days of instruction, lunches and snacks, Friday night dance and reduced Saturday night concert ticket. For more information or to register visit www.bcfiddlers@gmail. com/prince-george, email pgfiddlers@ gmail.com or call (250) 565-1025.
***
BC Old Time Fiddlers’ Fiddle Concert goes Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m., at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave., featuring four award-winning musicians, including Metis Master Fiddler Alex Kusturok, Kelowna fiddler-singer-songwriter Chloe Davidson, Tiller’s Folley-Whisky Minstrels musicians Nolan Murray and Bruce Coughlan who will present a concert you won’t soon forget. Concert tickets for adults are $35 and $20 for children 5 - 17 and Jamboree Registrants (4 and under free). To purchase tickets for the concert e-transfer to pgfiddlers@gmail.com or purchase tickets at Books & Co or at the door.
***
2024 Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast goes Saturday, April 27 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre. Enjoy breakfast and a gathering with local leaders and the wider Christian community as together guests will bless the city. Guest speaker is Poncho Murguia. He is from Jaurez Mexico, which was previously the murder capital of the world. He will share how prayer and the gospel are changing his city. To purchase tickets for $30 each visit www.peacemakerspress.ca/events or email info@pgpeacemakers.com for more information.
***
If you’ve got an event coming up email me at cdalgleish@pgcitizen.ca to offer details including name of the event, the date, time and location, ticket price and where to get them and a little bit about what’s happening, too. (LOCF)
Throwback Thursday: Week of April 18
Anybody know what became of Janet Levelle?
When she was 17, she appeared on the front page of the April 17, 1964, edition of the Citizen relaxing on the grass on the top of Connaught Hill, leafing through a magazine, with downtown Prince George in the background.
Next to the photo was a story with a blaring headline ‘Doctors shunning ‘Siberia’” chronicling the region’s acute shortage of doctors.
“The South is knee deep in doctors while the North is chronically short because men who control the medical profession don’t tell graduating doctors of the need or advantages of the more northern areas,” the story says.
“McBride has one doctor to serve an area of 6,000 persons, Vanderhoof has two doctors for 7,000, and Burns Lake has two doctors for 8,000. Valemount and Fort St. James don’t have any doctors,” the story noted. “Prince George is relatively healthy. It has 22 doctors for approximately 30,000 persons, or one for every 1,363 persons.”
***
Along with a front-page story in the April 20, 1944, edition of the Citizen about the gathering of crews and pack horses to begin construction of the Pine Pass highway between Prince George and Dawson Creek, was a poem by H.L. Phillips called “He “Sold” Me A Bond – Yet He’s Dead!”
Accompanied by a picture of a young boy riding a bike delivering newspaper with his loyal dog following close behind, the poem stated: “In the hometown sheet today, I saw “Johnny Adams” there, he’d brought me my paper every night, a child on a bike bright red, he should be riding to my place now, but he went to war and now he’s dead!”
The poem implored residents to buy war bonds, “a painless and little thing” in debt to “those lads from the old hometown who, when asked for their lives, came through.”
***
The front page of the April 17, 1924, edition of the Prince George Citizen informed local residents that the city’s police chief (and sole police officer) had been fired for his “failure to carry out order for cleaning up town… and for ridding the town of a number of brothels.”
After dismissing Neil McMillan, the police board appointed George Smith to the job, citing his prior provincial police experience.
Interestingly, Smith had looked after
policing in Prince George two years earlier and had been tasked with targeting “motorists (who) were showing an utter disregard of the regulations requiring lights on their cars.”
Among the first drivers Smith fined were Aldermen Alward and McKay, two members of Prince George city council. After that, “he was soon dropped from the city payroll,” the Citizen story explained.
“On the form in which he showed in dealing with the autoists, he will not be long in cleaning up the city of undesirables,” the report concluded.
***
“A word to husbands and fathers,” an ad from the Bank of Montreal read in the April 19, 1934, edition of the
the Citizen. “It is disgraceful.”
He wanted to see the annual clean up campaign expanded.
“Perhaps we can build up some civic pride in everyone,” he said.
It wasn’t just litter on his mind.
Mayor Bryant also wanted more enforcement of the new city bylaws banning “all outhouses in the city (and) making flushing and plumbing mandatory in all houses.”
“We intend to get rid of every one of them,” he declared. ***
Also from the “the more things change, the more they stay the same” file, with a liberal sprinkling of “like father, like son” thrown in, is this headline from 50 years ago on the
HOROSCOPES
ARIES
Beforemaking adecision that could influence your life and that of your loved ones, take the time to think about the long-term consequences. Your generosity willbeinspiring, andyou’ll shareyour happiness with the people you love.
TAURUS
Making afew changes to your diet will improve your well-being. Having adeepconversation with your partner will help you avoid conflict and pave the way for amoreserious commitment. Thoughtfulgestures willbemost appreciated.
GEMINI
Youcould perform aheroic act and save someone from adifficult situation. This will ear n you the respect of everyone, even if you only lent alistening ear.Your presencecould lighten the moodamong your colleagues and your good naturewillspread joy
CANCER
If youplan to move, you’ll start to take the necessary stepsmoreseriously. Thisincludes finding ahomethat’sperfectly suitedtoyour family,soyou can feel moreateaseinyour own space.
LEO
You’ll expertly express your feelings, demonstrating powerful strength of character Youwon’thesitate to disagree in adirect manner, which will ear nyou respect at work. This will alsoincreaseyour efficiency
VIRGO
Youmust break freeofroutine andcom -municate more openlytodeepen your relationship. Youcouldalsoconsider living together if youhaven’talready to take things a step further.
LIBRA
Your actionswill make your lifemoreexciting andfulfilling. You’ll encounternew challenges at work andhome. However,thiswill promote personal, spiritual andprofessional growth.
SCORPIO
Sometimes, you must take astep back. You’ll regainyour financial or love balance by taking the necessary steps to move in the right direction.The artistbenefits from great inspiration.
SAGITTARIUS
Your professional lifewill seeasignificant boost, leadingtoaconsiderable increase in income. On the romanticfront, your partner or someone interested in you will pleasantlysurprise you with affectionate gestures
CAPRICORN
Be on the lookout for asuddenmomentof claritythat will guide youtowardthe pathyou need to followtoachieve your personaland professional goals. Youcouldeven initiate a project close to your heart, leadingtosomething significant.
AQUARIUS
You’llbroaden your personal and professional horizons by undertaking atransformative training course. Thisnew step will bringa renewed passionfor life, greatly enriching your prospects for the future.
PISCES
Your emotions will be running high thisweek and your excitement will be palpable. If you recently got into anew relationship, expect a clear signofcommitment from your partner. Any changes that occur will onlylead to happiness.
HOW TO PLAY:
Fill in thegrid so that everyrow, everycolumnand every3x3 boxcontains thenumbers1through 9onlyonce.
Each 3x3box is outlined with adarker line. You already have afew numbers to get you started Remember: you must not repeat thenumbers 1through 9inthe same line, columnor3x3 box.
Life Events
James Oliver Courtland Johnson
James Oliver Courtland Johnson, 89, of Prince George, BC, passed away at home on April 6, 2024.
James is survived by his wife Jesse, his four sons Howard, Donald, Douglas, Keith (Candy), four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. James will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Celebration of life will be held at the Croatian Hall on April 27th at 2 PM.
Susan Attridge (Franklin)
January 1, 1926April 10, 2024
Susan passed away peacefully with her family by her side.
Predeceased by husbands Al Franklin, Bob Attridge and son Gerald Franklin.
Survived by daughter Carol Rother (David), sons Pat (Loretta), David (Janet), Dennis, 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, niece Janet Shields (Roy), relatives in Alberta and Sask. and furry friends Winston and Levi.
Allan Bruce DuBois
March 22, 1948March 27, 2024
With broken hearts we announce the passing of Bruce DuBois on March 27, 2024. Forever loved and cherished by wife Shirley, children Holly (James) Alan (Jodi), grandchildren Cody (Yvonne), Kale, Brea (Madison), Cali and Danielle. Great grandchildren Emily, Alexis and Connor. Brothers Bob (Evelyn), Jim (Edna) and Ken (LauraLee). Brothers in law Lyall (Rita), Lance (Megan) and Norm (Marilyn), mother in law Yvonne as well as nieces and nephews.
Bruce was predeceased by grandson Ryan, brothers Terry and Maynard, sister in law Sheila and brother in law Leslie.
No service by request.
Forever in our hearts.
In loving memory of Sandra (Sandy) Blight (Nee Birkett) June 18, 1948 - April 4, 2024
by her loving daughter, Stacey manuik, five grandchildren, in bir th der, Alexis Romanuik, Cole Blight, Nicholas Romanuik, Dean and Luke Hawrish Blight, sister Janet Birkett, brother-in-law, Jim Blight, Don’s family in Brandon Manitoba, sisterin-law, Betty, niece, Lisa (Brian), nephews, Kyle (Sue), Chris (Jake), one great nephew, four great nieces and special family member Jodi Fanshaw Blight.
Predeceased by son Dar yle (2014), brother Ron (2015) and her husband and best friend of 51 years, Don (2017).
ndy felt very fortunate to have her nder ful family and the most wonder ful friends to share her joy in life.
Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family at www.CypressFuneral.ca.
Arrangements entrusted to CYPRESS FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES®
REMEMBRANCES
Donald Francis Delisle
89 years
Prince George, BC
Passed away on March 17, 2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dad, Donald Francis Delisle. He died peacefully at Simon Fraser Lodge in Prince George on March 17, 2024 surrounded by family. Don was born in St. Walburg Saskatchewan in 1934. He came from a farming family who fostered his love of farming, horses, and tractors. Don was a conservationist. Growing up on a farm during the Depression taught him the value of repairing almost everything and he didn’t like to throw things away. He was a cowboy at heart and often reminisced about his early years in Mildred Saskatchewan that he fondly referred to as the “home place”. He left Saskatchewan in the early 1970s with his young family and they traveled out west where he worked in the logging industry and as an airplane mechanic before settling in Prince George and running his successful excavation company Ten-4 contracting. He is predeceased by his father Lloyd Alfred Delisle, mother Lillian Rose (Madden) Delisle, his brothers Bubs, Roy and Glen and is survived by his sister Della (Boechler) and brother Lorne. His is also survived by his children Patti, Robin, Scott and Bruce and grandchildren Austin, Owen, Elliot, Olivia, Travis, Cai, and Sofie.
Don loved Cluculz Lake and spent many happy hours tinkering at his cabin. He shared his love of the family farm with his children during road trips back to Saskatchewan to hunt and celebrate the harvest. He was an avid hockey fan and played in the Old Timers hockey league on the “Rusty Nuts” team for many years. He also loved to collect antiques and was always finding treasures that reminded him of his farming heritage like antique tractors, wagons, horse tack and various old hand tools. We will always remember his work ethic, naturalist ideals and wonderful sense of humour - he rarely missed an opportunity to poke fun.
Our thanks to the staff of Simon Fraser Lodge who helped us care for him in his last years. A memorial service will be held at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club on May 17th between 1 pm to 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Don’s name to Parkinson’s Canada http://Parkinson.ca
Rhett Matthew Cole
November 20, 1955 - March 23, 2024
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Rhett Cole on March 23, 2024. He is survived by his beloved wife Wendy and son Zachary. Predeceased by his parent’s Thomas and Annie as well as numerous aunts and uncles.
Rhett was born in Chilliwack, BC. During his early years his father ran a motorcycle shop, and this began his love of motorcycles and his hobby for life (he was known for his love of collecting a Spanish bike called Bultaco). In 1964 the family moved to Prince Rupert, BC and resided there until 1968 before moving to Prince George where it became his forever home.
He was an only child, but he made up for that by having a huge friend base and many of those friends became more like family to him. He was always checking in with his friends to ensure that he never lost their connection. He valued his friendships more than you can imagine.
Rhett attended Lakewood Junior High School and then moved over to Prince George Senior Secondary School for Grade 11 & 12. Summer of 1973, he worked as a summer student with Department of Highways as a slash burner. April 23,1974, he worked as a “floater” with them until around 1980 when he became a Tech and began his life’s work around Benkleman Beaming which became his main expertise during his 28 years working with what was now called Ministry of Transportation. He continued working in that field even after he left the ministry and became a private contractor as of 2002 until he retired in June of 2021.
He retired hoping to spend it doing fun things like restoring more of his Bultaco bike collection, travelling and spending time with family and friends. He did not get to do some of these once he was diagnosed in December 2022 with a rare brain disease called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. It was very aggressive, and he started to decline very rapidly from it. He kept his upbeat attitude after he was diagnosed, saying to many “that you didn’t have to look too far to see that someone had it worse than you”. That was just the kind of guy he was.
A Celebration of life will be held April 29, 2024, at 10 am. at Assman’s Funeral Chapel, 1908 Queensway Street, Prince George, BC.
March 26, 1970 – February 17, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dorian Shane McCrea on February 17th 2024 in Chilliwack B.C.
He leaves to mourn his passing, his mother and step father, Peggy-Jo and John Zettl, three beloved daughters; Nikita Beth McCrea, Kirah Lynn McCrea MacDonald, and Jada Marie Weyman McCrea, as well as many other relatives and friends.
A memorial and celebration of life will be held on April 20th, 2024 at 1:30pm at the Evangelical Free Church of Prince George. 4590 5th Avenue, Prince George, B.C. V2M 6B6.
OTHERS WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE
Others who have gone before Hold up my trembling hand.
They comfort me in the blind despair I cannot understand.
They suffer with me when I hurt, Weep with me in my pain, Remind me that we are not lost ... Though I must now remain.
Those who’ve gone before me, Hear me when I cry.
Sing softly with me soothing chords Of unsung lullabies.
Mourn anniversaries never marked, A future I cannot keep.
They gently kiss the pain away, And love my heart to sleep.
The ones who’ve gone before me Hold me in my dreams.
They gently stroke my furrowed brow, And calm my silent screams. They love me in my heartache, Wait quietly nearby., Hold patiently, one to another Till I join them by and by.
By Joanetta Hendel, Indianapolis, Indiana
Dorian Shane McCrea
REMEMBRANCES
Pearl Blood
1944-2024
Pearl Blood, 79, of Prince George, BC, passed away on April 3, 2024 after a long battle with dementia. She was born on April 18, 1944 to parents Albert & Helen Siemens in Chilliwack, BC. While growing up, she lived in Chilliwack until she was 11 and then in Manitoba and the Clearbrook area. When she was old enough, she moved by herself to Vancouver to live and work. Eventually she met Kevin Blood the love of her life. They married in 1967 and went on to have two children, Ron and Stacey. In 1974, Pearl & Kevin moved their family from Haney to Mackenzie to start a new adventure and raise their children. She spent her working years at the Scotiabank and Mackenzie Pulp Mill where she made many lifelong friends. In 2009, she retired and spent her time playing golf, cards, bingo, bowling, square dancing and being with her grandchildren. She loved nothing better than cooking, baking and playing with her grandchildren. In 2013, Pearl and Kevin relocated to Prince George to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Pearl spent many hours helping others whether it was working at the Mackenzie food bank and Red Cross, selling tickets for the seniors’ centre raffles, being a greeter at the church she attended, cooking and baking for others. She was predeceased by her mother, Helen in 1983, her father Albert in 1992, her brother Don in 1997 and her husband Kevin in November 2023. She is survived by her son Ron (Vanessa) and daughter Stacey (John), six grandchildren: Kaden, Tristen, TJ, Brodie, Kori and Maverick and five great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Percy. Mom’s suffering has ended and she is now dancing with her sweetheart. Many thanks to Dr. Tower and to the staff at Simon Fraser Lodge. Service will be held at Trinity United Church, 3555 5th Avenue on Friday, April 26th at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request donations be made to Prince George Rotary Hospice House where her husband, Kevin spent his last days.
Scott Irvin Harris
Scott Irvin Harris, age 40, of Prince George, BC passed away on April 8, 2024.
Scott was born and raised in Prince George. He attended Westside Academy and College Heights Secondary School. He had a green thumb and loved to grow things. Scott was also a creative and wonderful drawer. His other hobbies included video games, playing guitar and hanging out with friends, but most of all he loved to walk. He walked everywhere, putting on many miles every day and wearing out the soles on many pairs of shoes.
He is survived by his parents Stan and Kathy Harris, his siblings Amanda Johnson, Jamie Paradoski and Stephanie Nicholson as well as several nieces and nephews.
No service by request.
Condolences may be offered at www.FraserviewCrematorium.com
Tyler Depaoli
January 17, 1984March 26, 2024
We lost our bright, funny, wonderful boy Tyler unexpectantly on March 26th. He had just turned 40. Tyler had a huge heart and loved his family,
especially his nieces and nephews. They were always spoiled by Uncle Ty and loved seeing him.
Tyler had a passion for cooking and would make the most incredible meals for friends and family. He also loved the outdoors. He and his beloved Dogg would take off for days hiking and exploring. He also loved to fish and indulged that passion often.
He was always active and was involved in many sports as he was growing up. He played hockey, basketball, football, softball and was an avid gamer. He did all of this with great skill and love for the game, whatever he was involved in.
As an adult his passion turned to cars, and he became an automotive machinist. He would spend hours with his brothers in their garage working on cars and shooting the breeze.
Tyler was predeceased by his mom Patricia Foreman and maternal grandmother Josephine Foreman.
Left to mourn his passing are his adoptive parents
Ted and Carol Heyninck, siblings Shelma (Aaron), Chris (Tamara), Jeff and Matt as well as many nieces and nephews and a large extended family.
There will be a private family gathering in the future to celebrate Tyler’s life.
Rest easy Tyler, we love you.
The more you give,
The more you get,
The more you laugh,
The less you fret.
The more you do unselfishly.
The more you live abundantly.
The more of everything you share,
The more you’ll always have to spare.
The more you love, the more you’ll find,
That life is good and friends are kind.
For only what we give away, Enriches us from day to day.
Teresa Piercey-Gates the more you
REMEMBRANCES
Alfred George Hansford
May 10, 1944 -April 4, 2024
Alfred (Alf) Hansford passed away peacefully in Prince George, BC with his beloved Irene by his side.
He is survived by Irene and her children Allison and lan Baird; his children Vicki, Dane (Ruth) and Michelle (Steve); grandchildren Ryan (Sherisse), Carmen (Ryan), David (Aviegaile) and Seren; great grandchildren Zackery, Maxx, Brady, Parker and Collins plus many nieces and nephews. Also survived by his brother Earl (Cathy). Alf was ever a great supporter of his family and loved each one of them.
Alf is pre-deceased by parents Fred & Lucille; his first wife and mother to his children Sandra Gail Ruth (Telford), married in 1974, who passed away in 1995. Also pre-deceased by his youngest son Mark; his two sisters Florence and Joyce and brother Douglas.
Alf was born in Rabbit Lake, Saskatchewan. He grew up on a farm without power, telephone or running water. The family moved to BC in 1956 and settled in the Lower Mainland. In about 1968, he was moved to P.G. by employer Comor Supplies to open a branch office. He successfully did so and became part and full owner of that business and others in the ensuing years--including Heather Power Tool and River Industries. He sold and retired from his most recent venture, Wiser Wire Rope Ltd, in 2018. His companies supplied industrial and manufactured goods for the forestry, mining and transportation sectors. He contributed to his community, sponsoring individual and team sports and donating equipment such as the Jaws of Life to the local Fire Department and building materials for various playgrounds.
He was a generous and kind man with an outgoing personality. He had a good sense of humour and the accumulated wisdom of his years.
To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die but to be held a light in the comfort we loved and were loved--Thomas Campbell.
The family would like to thank the medical staff at the University Hospital of Northern BC for their dedication and compassion while caring for Alfred. They would also like to thank the team at Assman’s Funeral Chapel for their assistance in laying Alfred to rest.
Alf did not appreciate being fussed over and requested not to have a funeral.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of choice or the BC Lung Association.
Condolences may be offered at www.AssmansFuneralChapel.com
Arnold Lavallee passed away on March 22 at the age of 73 in Prince George. Arnold is survived by wife Teresa son Kevin (Nicole) daughter Sharlene (Mike) 6 grandchildren and 3 greatgrandchildren and brother Dan (Brenda) niece Caitlyn. He will be dearly missed by all family and friends Predeceased by son Keenan, brother Phillip, niece Jillian and his parents.
June 1950 - March 2024
Robert passed away on March 26, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. He had a long fought battle of stomach and brain cancer. Robert was born June 1950 in Ottawa Ontario.
Robert was a devoted husband to Brenda of 37 years and a cherished father to son Kyle (Natalie), beloved grandchildren Oliver and Maria, daughter Kaylee (Riley). His guidance and love will forever resonate in the lives of those he leaves behind.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents Edward, Hazel, and both brothers David and Ken.
I Love You
Professionally, Robert enjoyed a successful career as a Forest Entomologist, where his dedication and passion shone brightly. He will be remembered for his hard work, integrity, and the office pranks he made on his colleagues.
Outside of work, Robert had many passions and interests. Whether it was playing duplicate bridge or participating in the Vancouver Zombie walk, he approached life with enthusiasm and a contagious zest for living.
Per Robert’s wishes, there will not be a traditional service. Instead, a Celebration of Life will be held on June 18, 2024, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at St. Giles Presbyterian Church Hall, Prince George, BC. Please join us in commemorating Robert’s zest for life with snacks, goodies, and coffee/tea.
Robert’s legacy of love, kindness, and generosity will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him.
May he rest in eternal peace.
Arnold Lavallee
Robert Sidney HODGKINSON
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Timeless decor tips for your child’s bedroom
A parent’s schedule is nothing short of hectic. Between work, daycare, groceries and homework, interior decoration often finds itself quite low on the list of parental priorities. Have you been meaning to redesign your child’s bedroom? To help get those creative juices flowing, here are design tips for a functional and attractive room that’ll stand the test of time.
FURNITURE
There’s no denying it: low-end furniture wears and breaks faster than quality furniture —especially in a child’s bedroom, where flying toys and sticky fingers are the norm. While savings are always on a parent’s mind, higherend furniture can be seen as an investment rather than an expense. For an elegant design that will hold up for years, choose sturdy, multifunctional pieces such as:
•A high-rise bed with desk space underneath
•A bench that doubles as a storage unit
•A bed with built-in drawers
•A desk equipped with shelving
THEMES
Kids grow up fast and their tastes change even faster. Think twice before buying bedding or curtains covered with your child’s favourite cartoon character. While trains and princesses are fun and appealing, it’s best to opt for an ageappropriate design that you won’t have to completely overhaul every year. So, when your child pleads for a Dora
the Explorer-themed bedroom, keep in mind that she’ll probably be begging for something entirely different next month.
It’s all about compromise! While taking into account your little one’s strongest interests and preferences, suggest a more general — but nonetheless fun — theme such as nature, animals, sports or space.
COLOUR SCHEMES
Thinking long-term about your child’s bedroom means choosing a colour scheme that isn’t strongly associated with a specific age or gender. In other words, avoid making cotton candy pink or baby boy blue the room’s main hue. Instead, choose a neutral shade for the walls and spice up the space with brightly coloured or uniquely patterned accessories. If your child’s preferences change every year, showcase their new favourite things with wall art, throw pillows or light fixtures. You’ll find it’s a lot more costeffective than repainting the whole room!
Make home inspection a priority this spring
The arrival of spring sometimes leads to unpleasant discoveries, like damages to your home caused by winter’s wrath. Next time the sun is shining bright, take the opportunity to inspect your property, checklist in hand.
Here are just a few issues to look out for:
• Is there debris obstructing your gutters?
• Does your roof show signs of damage or premature wear?
• Does your foundation show signs of water infiltration?
• Are your outer walls faded or cracked? Do they show signs of erosion?
• Do any metal structures (fences, banisters, garage doors, etc.) show signs of rust?
When in doubt, consult a specialized contractor in your region. Thanks to their knowledge and expertise, they’ll be able to precisely assess the problem and carry out any necessary repairs.
Get your inspection done early and take full advantage of the splendours of spring!
Usually destined for outdoor use, artificial grass is becoming an increasingly popular feature in interior design. More and more homeowners are using this lush green carpeting to give their decor a more organic feel. Depending on how you lay it out and how much of it you use, artificial turf can turn virtually any room into a posh gathering space or a quirkycasual retreat.
Artificial grass isn’t just for the floor: it can be mounted on walls, shelving units, dressers, and anywhere else you’d like to add a touch of greenery. And the best part: you’ll never have to mow it!
Take a table, add two chairs and voilà : you’ve got yourself a bistro set. Specially designed for outdoor use, a bistro set allows you to soak up the sun and feel the fresh air from the comfort of your balcony or patio. Either on your own or with a friend, it’s finally time to savour the arrival of spring, fresh lemonade or soothing tea in hand.
MATERIALS
Patio bistro sets need to withstand the fading, rust and mould that all outdoor furniture is subjected to. They’re usually built out of one of the following:
• Steel
• Aluminum
• Wicker
• Ceramic
• Resin
• Polyester
• Rattan
• Glass
Designed to combine functionality, durability and elegance, bistro sets are available in a variety of styles (rustic, urban, minimalist, etc.) to fit every homeowner’s needs. Before you head to the stores, however, make sure to properly measure the space where you intend to set up your furniture. It would be a shame to find the perfect ensemble, only to realize that it doesn’t fit on your balcony!
How to paint a high-rise ceiling
Housing contractors frequently purchase derelict factories, churches and schools to convert into swanky living space. The condos and apartments in these repurposed buildings are highly sought after thanks to their unique architectural characteristics. High ceilings are among the most visually striking of these features, but they can be quite the challenge to paint. If yours is in need of a fresh coat, follow these ten steps to success.
1. Cover floors and furniture with plastic tarps or newspaper.
2. Open the windows to help the paint dry faster.
3. Install scaffolding or a stable ladder tall enough for the job.
4. Fill in holes and cracks with plaster and sand down the repaired areas to even out the surface.
5. Wipe down the entire ceiling with a non-abrasive cleaning solution and a lint-free cloth.
6. Carefully section off the area with painter’s tape.
7. Prepare your paint by stirring it thoroughly with a wooden stick. Apply a coat of primer first if needed.
8. Start by painting the borders with a re-
gular paintbrush. Make sure to always have a damp cloth within reach to clean up little messes or mistakes made along the way.
9. Apply paint to the main surface area using a roller in nice even strokes. Don’t press too hard, and follow the room’s natural lighting for a better view of your progress.
10. Let the paint dry completely before applying a second coat.
If you’re afraid of heights or if painting isn’t your forte, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals!
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