Powell River Living December 2019

Musical tidings of

Great Joy

From a jazzy Charlie Brown to the Angry Snowmans punk show to Carols by Candlelight to Elvis on Tla’amin, Powell River hits a high note this December.

DECEMBER 2019 100% LOCALLY OWNED FREE

FILL YOUR CALENDAR • GROOVY GIFTS • GAS • LOCAL BOOKS & RECIPES

Enjoy the holidays and winter season with some great deals

NADAIR 3-INCH LED POT LIGHTS 4 PACK

0529278

CANVAS AXEL METAL CABINET

Reg 99.98

19

.98

1680005

SONDPEX 2.0 BLUETOOTH TAILGATE SPEAKER

CHAMPION 6500W /8125W PORTABLE GENERATOR

0687865

Reg 419.99

129.98

Reg $429.99

129.98

0350196

Reg 999.99

CANVAS COOPER CABINET, NAVY.

Reg 89.99

499.98

49.98

GREENWORKS 6.5 AMPS POLESAW, 8-IN

0550369

Reg $9.99

4.98

0545759

Reg 149.99

99

.98

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

LADYBUG SLED

0821038

to Canadian Tire's customers & staff.

DANZE LAKEVILLE LAVATORY FAUCET

16 PIECES MEADOW DINNERWARE SET

0639842

1422950

Reg 129.99

39

EVO VR GOGGLE (uses smart phone)

Reg 89.99

.98

29

.98

NAPOLEON 27-INCH ELECTRIC LOG SET 0643173

0350181

Reg 59.99

14.98

WOODS SNOW PEAK WOMEN’S WINTER BOOT CHARCOAL

1871140

Reg $119.99

Reg 399.99

149.98

2

STORE HOURS Mon – Wed 8 am – 7 pm Thur – Fri 8 am – 9 pm Saturday 8 am – 6 pm Sundays 10 am – 5 pm

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

Reg 119.99

34.98

4720 Joyce Ave Store: 604 485-4649 Auto Parts & Services Centre: 604 485-4639

29.98

HATCHIMALS SURPRISE GIRAVEN

503337

Shop with confidence at your Powell River Canadian Tire: 10% off anything we do not have in stock (except auto parts and tires) PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY Locally owned and operated

Winter Wonderland Wonderlan Winter Wonderland AVAILABLE

Winter Wonderland DDEEC CEEM MBBEERR 66 -- 2299

DECEMBER 6 - 29

DECEMBER 6 - 29

COME COMEOUT OUTAN AN ENJOY ENJOY THIS COME OUT AND THIS SEASONAL SEASONAL EVEN EVE ENJOY THIS COME OUT AND WITH WITH FRIENDS FRIENDSAA SEASONAL EVENT ENJOY THIS FAMILY! FAMILY! WITH FRIENDS AND SEASONAL EVENT

CALL 604 485-2891 FOR MORE INFORMATION

WITHFAMILY! FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

PRIVATE PRIVATERENTA RENT PRIVATE RENTALS AVAILABLE AVAILABLE PRIVATE RENTALS AVAILABLE AVAILABLE

CALL CALL604 604485-289 485-28 CALL 604 485-2891 FOR FOR MORE MOREINFORMAT INFORMA CALL 604 485-2891

FOR MORE INFORMATION FOR MORE INFORMATION

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

3

IN FOCUS

Great Blue Heron

The largest heron in North America stands about one metre tall, with a wing span of 1.5 metres.

Many years ago, off Penticton Street, we had a colony of about 60 nests. These herons are common along the shores of open water, and in wetlands over most of North and Central America. They can live on both fresh and salt water shores.

The Great Blue Heron can hunt day or night, because they have a high percentage of rod–type photo receptors in their eyes, which improves their night vision.

Great Blue Herons return to the same place year after year. Males select the nesting site and provide the female with the materials to build the nest. She will lay five to seven eggs. Both parents take turns on the nest.

This photograph shows the male Great Blue Heron in full breeding plumage.

– Rod Innes Powell River Living is a member of:

BC

This magazine is supported entirely by our advertisers. We encourage you to choose the businesses that you see in these pages. We do.

CONTENTS DECEMBER 2019 Holiday Music Spectacular Jazz, Carols, Tla’amin, Punk & more

Made in Powell River Luthier Laura Wallace

Publisher & Managing Editor

Isabelle Southcott isabelle@prliving.ca

Blast from the Past

Christmas time in Olde PR

Gift Local Books

Associate Publisher & Sales Manager

Sean Percy sean@prliving.ca Editor & Graphics

Pieta Woolley pieta@prliving.ca

Whiskey, poems, RVs and more

Holiday Memoirs

Love, loss and loneliness

Powell River Recipes Replicate the great bakers

Meet Miss May

PROWLS calendar owl Sales & Marketing

Suzi Wiebe suzi@prliving.ca

Hey, Buddy

One hurt seal and a caring human

Carpenter-artist’s Niche Accounts Receivable

Alena Devlin office@prliving.ca

Don Bowes makes gates

I Made the Move The drop-in Docs

December Events

ON THE COVER Madeline Larscheid and Samuel Chartier with a cedar Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. Both Grade 4 Henderson students will perform with jazz drummer Jerry Granelli in Tales of a Charlie Brown Christmas at the Max Cameron December 10. See Page 14 for more.

4

Photo by Pieta Woolley

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

The Christmassy and the not

Naughty & Nice

PRL’s all-local gift catalogue

Take a Break

Crossword & Tarot

Last Word

Holiday Letter from Iz

6 17 20 23 27 33 35 37 40 41 47 56 60 62

ANDREA LAYNE BLACK is a local poet having performed at the Sunshine Coast Music Festival, the Atomic Heart Festival, an Evening with Arthur Black, and other literary events. She has won the Powell River Slam six times, loves hiking with her dog, Amicus, and is working on three novels hoping to actually finish one of them before the end of the world.

RANDY BROWN lives near the beach, and kayaks in the Salish Sea every season of the year, and particularly enjoys visiting and photographing a friendly seal near the Westview breakwater.

LYNN MCCANN is a great grandmother busy recording the family history through memoirs.

She is having a great time sleuthing her ancestors and recently discovered five relatives ‘came over’ on the Mayflower! She enjoys visiting with friends (old and new), singing in choir and leading the occasional church service.

KʷUSƐN (KOOSEN), or Devin

Pielle is a Tla’amin mother. She is currently the nations’ language coordinator, and has also been facilitating the Blanket Exercise for over five years. She considers herself a language activist, and her passion for language comes from her grandmother Sue Pielle, who was a language teacher.

Volume 14, Number 12

We welcome feedback from our readers. Email your comments to isabelle@prliving.ca, or mail to Powell River Living, 7053E Glacier Street, Powell River, BC V8A 5J7 Tel 604-485-0003 No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that may occur. © 2019 Southcott Communications. We reserve the right to refuse any submission or advertisement.

ISSN 1718-8601

Powell River Living is 100% locally owned and operated by:

Complete issues are available online at:

www.prliving.ca

EDITOR’S MESSAGE

Linus’ blanket and the depth of a Powell River Christmas What is that ragged blue blanket doing on the cover of the magazine?

In a mad rush to snap the cover photo – featuring Henderson students who will be performing at Tales of a Charlie Brown Christmas Jazz Concert December 10 – I dropped by the Healthcare Auxiliary shop to find props.

This blue fabric, wrapped in plain elastics, jumped out at me. Eureka. It’s Linus’ famous security blanket.

The animated feature debuted in 1965. I certainly didn’t expect little Samuel Chartier and Madeline Larscheid to have seen the Boomer-era show. But right away, without prompting, they knew what to do. Just like Linus, they wrapped the blanket around the base of the unloved, bare tree.

If you want to enter a holiday vortex, Google the theological symbolism of Linus’ blanket. It’s a stand-in for our habitual clinging to security. In his speech about the meaning of Christmas, Linus gets to “Fear Not,” and throws down the blanket. Later, he wraps the tree with

it, as he and the Peanuts cast discover the sacred in the most humble, and the choice to turn away from fear and embrace our greater calling – the meaning of Christmas.

But, you don’t have to go there. You can just watch the show, groove to the music, and laugh along at Lucy and Shroeder’s antics.

In Powell River, everything about celebrating the holidays comes with that same, multi-layered meaning.

Carols by Candlelight (Pages 6 & 7) is a gorgeous concert, but it also tells us something about the Powell River of 1977, when it was launched, and Powell River today.

So does the language group at Tla’amin (Page 9), whose witty translation of Elvis’ Blue Christmas is an elegant mash-up of mid-century pre-Civil Rights-era Americana and the local cultural revival. Andrea Layne Black (Page 27) and Lynn McCann (Page 29) remind us that, if you’re having a happy Christmas, a bittersweet one or a downright depressing one is never far away. That’s the

risk you take when you love people. Equally, the abundance of charitable events this month (Pages 50 & 51) reveals that this region contains both wealth and poverty. Both are felt most keenly at Christmastime.

December is a complicated month, here in Powell River, both culturally, and for most of us, personally.

But it’s also a beautiful one. Multi-colour lights reflected on the ocean at Harbour Lights December 21. Voices at the Wassail December 4. Meat, fruits, sauces and chocolates from our well-stocked grocery stores.

As Linus (and others) said, this season is about great joy for all people. I hope you feel it, in all its manifestations, this month.

PIETA WOOLLEY| pieta@prliving.ca

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

5

Top Christmas Tune Walter Martella Artistic Director, Academy of Music

O Come O Come Emmanuel

q y b s l o r a

C

This haunting plain chant melody, written in the 12th century, is one of my favorite pieces.

The first three notes outline a minor chord that reflects the key that it is in. The four stanzas rise to the refrain, “Rejoice, Rejoice,” in the relative major.

The refrain ends with a return back to minor.

For me this melody brings the past into the present, a melody from a long time ago that has a timeless appeal. It also brings to life the Christmas season, especially Carols by Candlelight.

I was taught this melody when I was eight. In 2006 I recorded this song on the album Goodnight Moon, available on iTunes. I brought it back to life in my interpretation, reharmonized and in the jazz idiom.

6

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

Even so, December 2019 seems to be particularly well-tuned.

The traditional concerts are still stunning and on cue: Carols by Candlelight (pictured on this page; photo by Robert Colasanto); Chor Musica; the Wassail; Carolling at The Patricia and Willingdon Creek Village; Christmas Eve mass and services; School concerts; Jazzy Christmas at the Anglican Church in Townsite; and more.

Plus, new tunes are breaking out: carolling at Town Centre Mall, Peanuts at the Max, Angry Snowmans, etcetera.

The abundance of live holiday music on our stormy coastline is a true gift, whether you’re on top of the Handel’s Messiah pyramid at Dwight Hall, or singing Elvis in ʔayʔajuθəm (the Tla’amin language) in your kitchen.

ht

qathet-l ig

In December, we make music. That’s just what Powell River people do.

Blue Christmas on Tla’amin Lands Page 8

Faith Leaders’ Top Christmas Tunes Page 10

Event listings: Local Holiday Music Page 12

Jazzy Peanuts at the Max Page 14

Dance to Celebrate Solstice Page 16

How to make a Violin Page 17

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

7

Translated by elders Elsie Paul, Maggie Wilson, & Freddie Louie

Blue Christmas

ʔahmut tᶿ qʷayɩgan tin kɩsmas.

Ah’mote th qwayigun teen kiss’miss I’ll have a blue Christmas without you. q̓aq̓ǰɩmč ʔə nɩgi. ʔahsəm kʷʊtᶿ qʷayɩgan.

Qaq’jim’ch uh nigee. Ahsum kwut’th qwayigun I’ll be so blue just thinking about you ʔuk̓ʷsəm tam xʷɩčɩt. xʷukʷtčxʷʊm niš.

Ookw’sum tam xwih’chit. Xwookwt’chxwum neesh Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree sawsuqʷeganč ʔə nɩgi sow’sue’qwey’gunch uh nigee Won’t be the same dear, if you’re not here with me qʷol səm ƛɛƛɛχɛm kʷ ʔaxʷ qwol’sum kle’kle’Xem kw ahxw And when those blue snowflakes start falling ʔi yɛχaθɛtᶿəm ʔi ʔahmut tᶿ qʷayɩgan Eee yexa’theh’THum eee ahmote th qwayigun That’s when those blue memories start calling ʔičɛxʷsəmt kʷʊθ nɛʔ. xʷukʷtčxʷʊm niš.

Eee’chexw’sumt kwuth neh. Xwookwt’chxwum neesh You’ll all be doin’ all right, with your Christmas of white ʔahmut tᶿ qʷayɩgan tin kɩsmas.

Ahmote th qwayigun teen kiss’mass But I’ll have a blue, blue blue blue Christmas You’ll be doin’ all right, with your Christmas of white But I’ll have a blue, blue Christmas

Granite and quartz countertops, fireplaces, and heated floors

Making bathrooms safer

in Powell River for 25 years Step-Through Tub Inserts “Thank you for the beautiful job you did making my shower safe and easily accessible for me.”

5-year Warranty Made in Canada

Powell River

ile by Stephen Cantryn tilebystephencantryn.com

Call for a free estimate (604) 485-2015

8

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

~ Rudy Pearson Quebec Avenue

Wheelchair accessible showers

θuxʷɛns ʔiys kʷət̓ ᶿ kʷʊnomɛ thoo’xwens eees kwut’TH kwun’oh’may It is really good to see you!

qʷol təs kʷ sotič qwol tuss kw so’teech

Winter has arrived

hɛwč qajɩm ʔa nɩgɛ. hew’ch qa’jim ah nigee I missed you.

MAKING TIME TO TEACH THE ČIČUY: The Tla’amin Nation Language team is (top left to right) Marianne Huijsmans, Devin Pielle, Drew Blaney, Tanner Timothy and (botistorically in the winter, my people would be gathering. Winter tom left to right) Elsie Paul, Randolph Timothy Sr, and Fred Louie.

BY KOOSEN PIELLE

H

is a time for storytelling, dancing, singing, mending the nets, weaving and so much more. The fish would all be smoked, hunting season well underway.

The time to teach our čičuy (chee’chewy – children) by the fire, is in the winter.

Stories of creation, triumph, respect, struggle, how to carry yourself, and how to treat people would be shared. Oral tradition sustained all of our teachings, laws, ceremonies and language. qʷolčɩt q̓ at̓ ᶿ qwol’chit Qat’TH We will come together Fast forward some years in Tla’amin, during my grandparents’ and parents’ childhood, Christmas was a time for visiting, reconnecting, and appreciation

for one another. There are memories of our people going door to door and taking time to acknowledge each other, visit, and laugh together. We would share tea or soup with one another. Christmas was for socializing and coming together!

We took care of each other in our village. One elder remembers all of our people gathering at the hall that used to be behind the church. The nation would share apples, oranges, sandwiches, and have candy for the čičuy. Someone would bring their guitar, accordion, and we would celebrate the year together.

Christmas time is also a time for forgiveness. It’s not good for you to carry negative feelings into the new year.

We are reminded that we have one

family. One family who will always be there for you. Family that will always hold up when you need it. If there are differences with each other, it is the time to forgive. It’s time to put the anger down and be there for each other again. Our sense of community and belonging is strong.

We spend some time remembering our loved ones who are no longer on this side. We share memories and remember the legacies our ancestors have left behind. We are also taught to set new goals for yourself and count your blessings with your loved ones.

This Christmas, I encourage all of you to do the same. Say hello to your neighbor. Go out of your way to acknowledge

Χatnomɛč Xat’no’metch I love you.

Malɛy kɩsmɩs!

(Mah’ley kiss’miss) Merry Christmas! each other, and make someone smile.

Share some stories, share some hot tea.

Remember that kindness and compassion for one another is immeasurable, and the feeling you give someone will far outlast any possession you can gift your loved ones. It’s time to get back to visiting each other again and practice being good neighbours.

To end, I want to leave you all with some ʔayʔajuθəm (Eye’ah’joo’thum) to practice in your homes this holiday, while you are visiting your loved ones. ʔayʔajuθəm literally means “speaking the language well”.

Our language comes from this land, and we are very proud of it.

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

9

Powell River Faith Leaders O Come O Come Emmanuel

Rev. Ron Berezan, St. David and St. Paul’s Anglican Church

Top Tunes

Good King Wenceslaus

Fr. Patrick Teeporten, Assumption, St. Gerard’s and Sacred Heart Catholic Churches

I love the tune, I love the archaic English lyrics, the very rhythm of it all. Furthermore, there is an evident friendship and mutual support between the king and the page. This speaks of the noblest tradition of Christendom: that the monarch was regarded as a beloved and benevolent leader who cared for the vulnerable. Page and monarch forth they went, forth they went together …In the relationship between the young man and his liege lord, we have a partnership, something more than just a working relationship. The infant Christ incites us to have respect and love, for people from all of society’s levels.

Mummer’s Dance

I was 16 years old in Grade 10. It was the week before Christmas and one of my teachers nabbed me in the hallway to help deliver Christmas hampers to families in inner city Calgary. I saw a side of our community that I had no idea existed: good people struggling for survival and basic dignity in a city of affluence and excess. I was deeply disturbed in the holiest of ways. Throughout the day, O Come O Come Emmanuel played on the stereo in my teacher’s car. Emmanuel – God among us, God in the human struggle for liberation and justice.

Bean feasa Juliette Woods, 3 Fold Balance and The Sanctuary

My favourite Solstice song is Loreena McKennitt’s “Mummers Dance.” Namely because it references a practice in my cultural heritage of tying prayer ribbons or “clooties” into a tree, which is something I do at times such as Solstices. While it speaks of Springtime, each day after Winter’s longest night grows a little longer inching toward it, so it becomes a reminder throughout such cold weather that Spring really is coming.

Having a holiday party? We can help!

Need a hostess or party gift?

Buy a convenient wine box for $1.49.

Leave the cooking and dishes to us!

Book your party at the Shinglemill.

Fill it with 6 bottles and save 5% on each bottle!

Small and intimate or up to 60 people.

Our restaurant is all decked 604 483-3545 out for the holiday season. reservations@shinglemill.ca

Sun-Thu 9 am-10 pm, Fri & Sat 9 am-11 At the corner of Duncan & Joyce • 604 485-9343

Gift idea: Everyone loves a gift certificate to the Shinglemill!

Great Prices • Cold Beer • Huge Selection

Wishing all our valued customers

a Merry Christmas

and the very best for the New Year.

Both businesses will be closed December 24 through January 2.

10

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

Crazy Quilt

Cottage

604-485-5668 6952 Duncan Street deborahjenkins @shaw.ca

www.shinglemill.ca Proud Member of the PR Chamber of Commerce

Jenkins Automotive 4078 Padgett Road 604-485-4092

O Holy Night

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Joy to the World

My favorite Christmas song is O Holy Night. It has been my favorite since I was small. I am a believer and to hear a song about a little baby being born, who will one day take away the sins of the world is a very moving statement.

“Fall on your knees, oh hear the angels voices, Oh night divine, Oh night, when Christ was born.” -The King has come to save the lost, such a powerful song.

One of the great Advent hymns is “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus.” This hymn took on new meaning for me a few years ago, during the 2014 Christmas season.

In particular, two lines jumped out at me: “From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in Thee.”

My wife, Arta, and I were proud parents of two very young boys, and let me tell you how we longed for rest.

Our two boys were busy! From the moment they got up, early in the morning, they were off. They would play, run, climb, fight, cry; and they wouldn’t stop until it was evening when they collapsed. And then, just when Arta and I were about to fall asleep at night, they would cry some more, in just the right intervals through the night, to keep us in a state of perpetual restlessness. Oh, how we longed for rest.

Saint Augustine, back in the 4th century, also reflected on the most profound restlessness that humanity experiences. He prayed, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.” The answer to our restless hearts is beautifully expressed in this Advent hymn: Come, Thou long expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free, From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee.

My favourite piece of Christmas music is Joy to the World. I had to consider why it’s my favourite as I wasn’t sure; I just knew it was my favourite and has been since I was a young girl learning to play the piano. As I was reading the words of the verses one of the lines stood out most and it is, “He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found...” and I realized when I sing Joy to the World that I am declaring a shift in my life, family, and community! It is almost a desperate longing to some (I would think) and a hopeful prayer (for those who pray) for joy, hope, peace, healing, restoration, deliverance, and more...to break through like a flowing river in all the dusty places of our lives.

Kerrin Fraser, Salvation Army

Handel’s Messiah & The Huron Carol

Rev. Faun Harriman, St. David and St. Paul’s Anglican Church

It was difficult to choose a singular piece of Christmas music so I have gone with two – Handel’s Messiah and the Huron Carol or its original name “Jesous Ahatonhia.” Both move us into the season with a reminder of the “reason for the season.” The glorious lush sound of choir and orchestra in the Messiah gives me shivers and chills. The work premiered in Dublin in 1742 — at Easter time. In fact, Messiah was always intended for Lent. It was the Victorians who moved it to Christmas, to revive interest in that then-neglected holiday. With its soaring crescendos and familiar choruses it continues to appeal to universal longings of the human spirit and draws us toward answers to “the hopes and fears of all the years.”

The Jesous Ahatonhia (Jesus is born), is one of the earliest recountings of the Christ story in the Indigenous language of the Huron/Wendat peoples. It is known as Canada’s first Christmas carol, although the English translation of 1926 by Jesse Edgar Middleton bears little resemblance to the original. Its haunting simplicity of tune and lyrics evoke the warmth of Jesus’ birth despite the coldness of winter. During the darkness of wintertime we can look forward to these immortal classics being dusted off and shared once again.

Pastor Oskar Arajs, Westview Baptist Church

Mary Did You Know?

Rev. David Wulkan, Powell River Reformed Church

“Mary, Did You Know?” gives me goosebumps every time I sing it. This song captures the heart of Christmas, the heart of the gospel, as it imagines Mary kissing the brow of her newborn son. This is Jesus, the one who will heal bodies and nations. This is the Great I Am, the maker of heaven and earth. This tiny infant, enfolded in his mother’s arms, will one day bring salvation through his death on the cross. The vulnerability of humanity and the majesty of God, all here. This song fills me with joy, humility, gratitude and awe!

Katie Alescio, Living Water Foursquare Church

Still, Still, Still, an Austrian Traditional Carol

Rev. Mary White, Powell River United Church

This is one of the most beautiful pieces of Christmas music and my most memorable.

It was 2004. While attending Sunday Service at Windsor United in Nova Scotia, the music director was sounding quite desperate as she pleaded for just one more person to join the hand bell choir. Not having any musical background, I listened with somewhat uninterested hearing. Then I heard her say “if you can count to four, then you can play the hand bells.” Well, I counted 1, 2. 3. 4, I can play the hand bells! Up went my hand before there was a rush on the offer. “I will join the hand bell choir.” I yelled, trying not to sound too anxious.

The first piece of music I received had the notes D and F colour coded red for my right hand bell and green for my left hand bell. The music was the song Still, Still, Still and when played with the hand bells was the most soothing sound one could ever hear.

Wishing Powell River

hope, peace love & joy

✳

this Christmas.

Joe Huetzelmann & Company thanks all our customers for another wonderful year. We look forward to many more.

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

11

All we want for Christmas... is you

This is a place to belong, to discover God through worship, prayer, and hearing his word, and to become who he created you to be. Everyone welcome!

- Sam and Katie Alescio

Living Water Foursquare Church livingwaterpr.com • 10am Sundays

Salvation Army Church & Community Services Serving with our hearts to God and our hands to the people of Powell River PLEASE JOIN US

Ongoing until Dec 24, Christmas Kettle shifts available at four locations throughout town.

For info call 604-414-4102 or 604-485-6067.

Dec 11 • 11:30-1:30 Community Christmas Lunch at The Salvation Army.

For FREE tickets call 604 485-6067.

Dec 24 • 6:30 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at The Salvation Army.

4500 Joyce Ave • 604 485-6067 • salvationarmypr.ca Join us as we seek God together.

Just come as you are. Everyone welcome.

Christmas Eve Service 5 pm

KELLY CREEK COMMUNITY CHURCH

HOT COCOA AT THE HARBOUR: Bundle up on the evening of December 21, and head down to the water for Harbour Lights – one of this region’s most extraordinary holiday events. Instead of hoping for a white Christmas, lean in to our watery region.

Holiday Music: Jazz, Punk & Carols

2380 Zilinsky Road 604-414-4827

Westview Baptist Church 3676 Joyce Ave 604 485-5040 604 485-9607

“Always a Place For You”

C hristmas E vE sErviCEs December 24 • 4 pm and 6 pm All regular Sunday Services 10am Muffins & coffee 9:30am Oskar Arajs, lead pastor Martin Wriglesworth, community life pastor

Through December 29

December 14

Winter Wonderland

Angry Snowmans

Skate to Christmas music through an enchanted forest. See Page 3 for full schedule.

December 4 Christmas Concert & Wassail 7:30 pm, Evergreen Theatre. $15.

December 6 & 7

wbchurch.ca

Merry Christmas Wishing you all the best in 2020

Fifth annual Santa Train

5 to 8 pm each night, Paradise Exhibition Park (open Air Market). Helps by giving to the Salvation Army. Admission is by donation of unwrapped toys, non-perishable food or cash. Food, entertainment, bonfire and much more.

December 8 Christmas Carolling

6:30 pm, meet at Powell River United Church 604-487-0466

December 10

604 487 0466

Tales of a Charlie Brown Christmas Home-based business & Craft Fair

Saturday December 14 6 6 Excavations 6 6 Drainage & Erosion Control 6 6 Site & Underground Services Septic Systems type I & II PL IN

Sand Gravel Soils

Magic of 10am to 4pm Recreation Complex Christmas Upper Foyer MP

CLARKE FULLER ROWP CELL

604 208 2010

RR#3 C-2 Stillwater Powell River BC V8A 5C1

12

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

7:30 pm, Max Cameron

December 13 The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Time & Location: TBA. With M.C Bane / Az-Real / Dizzy D / J Smoke.

December 13 & 14 Carols by Candlelight Dwight Hall.

9:30 pm, Wildwood Pub. Disgruntled Elves of the North Pole do their best to reclaim the holiday by playing all your favorite punk rock songs with festive lyrics.

December 15 Carolling at The Patricia

2 pm, Patricia Theatre. Community singalong for the whole family. Santa and Mrs. Claus. Door prizes. Led by Roberta Pearson with Mrs. Claus on piano.

December 19 Texada School Christmas Concert 7 pm, Texada School.

December 18 Chor Musica Men’s Choir Winter Solstice Concert 7:30 pm, James Hall. $18.

December 20 Carolling at Town Centre Mall 3 to 6 pm, everyone welcome.

December 21 Harbour Lights

Fishing boats decorated with Christmas lights, Spick & Son’s decorated flatbed, free cookies and hot cocoa, and much more at the North Harbour. Free.

December 25 Volunteer carolling at Willingdon Creek and Evergreen EC 11 am start at Willingdon Creek.

A Christian Christmas: Music & More Come home for Christmas

Friday, December 6

Community Movie Night

6:30 pm, Living Water Foursquare.

“The Grinch Movie” and festive treats. Everyone welcome!

Sunday, December 8 White Gift Service

10:30 am, PR United Church

Christmas Carolling

Winter Wonderland Family Skate

6 pm, Living Water Foursquare. Carols, Scripture, a story and more!

4 pm. All welcome. Sponsored by Powell River United Church.

7:30 pm, St. David & St. Paul Anglican Church, Townsite. Admission by donation. Proceeds go to a local charity.

Monday, December 23

December 11

Confession

Christmas Eve Service

St. Gerard’s, Wildwood

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Sacred Heart, Tla’amin

6 pm, Westview Baptist Church

A Jazzy Christmas with Walter Martella and Friends

6:30 pm, meet at PR United Church

Community Christmas Lunch

Candlelight Service

Church of the Assumption

6:30 pm, Salvation Army.

Christmas Eve Service

6:30 pm, Powell River United Church.

Christmas Mass

7 pm, Assumption Westview

7 to 8 pm, Assumption Westview

11:30 am, Salvation Army. See ad, left, for free tickets!

Community Christmas Dinner

Sunday December 15

December 24

A Family Christmas Gathering

Confession

4:30 pm, Powell River United Church

Eucharist service 7 pm, Faith Lutheran Church

Confession

9:30 to 9:50 pm, Sacred Heart, Tla’amin,

Christmas Mass

6 pm, Living Water Foursquare. Appies, desserts, talents, & more!

3:30 to 4 pm, St. Gerard’s, Wildwood

Family Christmas Pageant

4 pm, St. David & St. Paul Anglican Church, Townsite.

Wednesday, December 25

Saturday, December 21

Christmas Eve Service

10 am, Assumption Westview

Confession

Christmas Mass

10:30 am, PR United Church

11 am to noon, Assumption Westview

Longest Night Service of Light

6:30 pm, Powell River United Church

Sunday, December 22 Lessons & Carols

10 am, St. David & St. Paul Anglican Church, Townsite.

Eucharist with Candlelight

4 pm, Westview Baptist Church

10 pm, Sacred Heart, Tla’amin

Christmas Mass

Morning prayer with music

10 am, St. David & St. Paul Anglican.

4:30 pm, St. Gerard’s Wildwood

Community Christmas Dinner

Christmas Eve Service

Westview Baptist, 5:30 pm. Preregister by Dec 21. 604-485-9607 or email admin@wbchurch.ca

5 pm, Kelly Creek Community Church.

Christmas Eve Service

6 pm, Evangel Pentecostal Church

Tuesday, December 31 New Year’s Eve Fun & Potluck

4:30 pm, Powell River United Church.

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions)

Masses of Christmas

At Westview: Dec 21 • 11 am to 12 pm Dec 23 • 7 pm to 8 pm

December 24 At Wildwood 4:30 pm At Westview 7 pm At Tla’amin 10 pm

At Tla’Amin: Dec 24 • 9:30 to 9:50 pm

December 25 At Westview 10 am

At Wildwood: Dec 24 • 3:30 to 4 pm

Fathers Patrick & Prashanth PRUC-AdventDecAdPRliving2019FINAL_Layout 1 19-11-18 11:50 AM 604-485-5300

Christmas & Advent Evangel Pentecostal Church

Christmas Eve Service December 24, 6 pm

Inviting you and your family to join us this holiday season. We hope you have a blessed Christmas.

Join us...

St. David & St. Paul

Anglican Church

6310 Sycamore Street

604 483-4230

anglican1@telus.net

www.stdavidandstpaul.com Dec 22 10am Lessons & Carols Dec 22 7:30 pm A Jazzy Christmas Concert with Walter Martella & Friends

- Pastors Lucas and Lisa Mitchell

(admission is by donation - proceeds go to a local charity)

Dec 24 Dec 25

4 pm Traditional Eucharist with Candlelight 10 am Morning Prayer with music

Sunday, December 8th • 10:30am White Gift Service (Donations to Everyone Deserves A Smile) Sunday, December 8th • 6:30pm to 8pm Christmas Carolling • Meet in Trinity Hall Sunday, December 15th • 10:30am Family Christmas Pageant Saturday, December 21st • 6:30pm Longest Night • Service of Light Sunday, December 22nd • 4pm Winter Wonderland Family Skate Monday, December 23rd • 4:30 to 6pm Community Christmas Dinner Tuesday, December 24th • 6:30pm Christmas Eve Service Tuesday, December 31st • 4:30pm New Years Eve Fun and Potluck

Everyone welcome!

5139 Manson Avenue • 604.483.4283 office@evangelpc.com

myevangel.church

Hope Joy Peace Love

The Rev Faun Harriman

www.PowellRiverUnitedChurch.org 604-485-5724 • Duncan & Michigan

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

13

Today’s kids tickled by mid-century jazz

Peanuts rises again, at the Max

S

o much humming. For so long. In the music room at Henderson Elementary School one late November morning, the young choir tries to keep up with teacher Megan Skidmore’s jazzy piano.

It’s a familiar tune, for anyone who has grown up with a TV since 1965, the kids-voice background to the animated classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas. The trick is sounding peppy for as long as the tune lasts.

By December 10, these Henderson students will have it nailed, along with the

school choir at Kelly Creek Elementary.

Together, they’ll be on stage along with jazz great Jerry Granelli, one of the original musicians to score the Charles M. Schultz show.

The event is a live concert (with bassist Simon Fisk and pianist Chris Gestrin), with the School District 47 choirs, storytelling, and A Charlie Brown Christmas – with Linus, Lucy, Schroeder and the gang – on screen.

Nearly 50 years ago, drummer Jerry Granelli (now a Nova Scotia resident) was part of the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Guaraldi

TALES OF A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS What: A jazz concert with the Jerry Granelli Trio live, accompanied by the Henderson and Kelly Creek elementary school choirs.

When: 7:30 pm, Tuesday, December 10 Where: Max Cameron Theatre Tickets: $30, Youth $10 (Reserved Seating). Find them online at www.maxcamerontheatre.ca, at The Peak office, at the Powell River Academy of Music, by calling 604-485-9633, or at the door 30 minutes before showtime.

Christmas Spirits Promotion

Merry Christmas

Starting November 25, 2019 to January 1, 2020 Salish Sea Spirits handcrafted, artisan vodka and gin for sale at the Beach Gardens front desk

A bottle of spirits only $40 + GST A bottle of spirits plus two Anchor shot glasses $45 + GST A bottle of spirits plus two Mermaid cocktail glasses $50 + GST In a giftbag ready to present as Secret Santa, to nestle under your Christmas tree, or to bring in the New Year!

PN ERW OY EHA RISBE IV ETPIAOR TNY Join us for dancing, drinks, & snacks at the BEACH GARDENS’ renovated Lounge and Bar, 8pm New Years Eve, $10 per ticket includes your first craft cocktail, all drinks $5 each all night. www.SalishSeaSpirits.ca SalishSeaSpirits@gmail.com

14

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

Untitled-1 1

11/22/19 12:26 PM

To you and yours, from the Marquis family.

Road building Excavating Drilling & Blasting Lowbedding Trucking

Site development Land clearing Selective logging Serving remote sites Bridge installations

604-483-6834 prlogger@shaw.ca

Top Christmas Tune

Powell River

Jacquie Dawson SD47 Theatre Director

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire This is my favourite Christmas tune – sung by Nat King Cole.

I was the youngest and the only girl in our family. My two older brothers loved to play practical jokes on their baby sister. You might remember having bowls of nuts with the nutcracker on your table at home? We always did. My brothers told me that they were chestnuts and they convinced me that I should surprise both Santa and my parents on Christmas morning by “roasting chestnuts on an open fire” in the fireplace. Just like in the song.

So I did.

For the longest time it was quiet and

nothing happened... I thought. There emerged this smell, kind of like burnt toast. And then the walnuts exploded like huge popcorn kernels.

Ever since it’s been my favourite Christmas tune because it makes me smile and think back to some of my fun childhood and family memories.

Yes we all got into a bit of trouble but it was Christmas morning and even my grandpa had a good laugh about it once we cleaned up the mess. That’s my fond recollection. I’m sure the house stank for the better part of the day. I remember being zipped into my snow suit and sent outside to play in the snow drifts for a long time!

wrote the music for the original Peanuts production, and Granelli performed on the soundtrack.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas went on to become a triple-platinum holiday classic that still ranks in the top Christmas album sales over five decades later,” according to a Vancouver Sun article. “The soundtrack is in both the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Library of Congress National Recording Registry.”

How relevant to today’s children is the simple, theological tale of a woebegone boy and his precocious dog?

Both children who are pictured on the cover of this month’s magazine have seen the 54-year-old show on television, and both love it. They knew just what to do with the blue Linus blanket, too: wrap it around the humble tree to keep it warm.

Granelli’s concert promises to do the same, for you.

Gas Prices Town Hall Sunday, December 15 1:30 to 3:30pm Evergreen Theatre (Recreation Complex) Hosted by MLA Nicholas Simons MP Rachel Blaney & Powell River Living magazine

Even at $1.49.9 a litre - a 10 cent drop Powell River’s gas prices are still far higher than nearly everywhere else in Canada.

How to participate: • Bring a one-page statement about how high gas prices have impacted you, your family or your business. Read your statement out loud at the meeting, and panelists will respond. Or simply submit it into the record. Your political representatives will use your statements to advocate for change.

Why? High gas prices are negatively impacting families, seniors, and businesses.

• Sign the petitions to the BC Utilities Commission and the Competition Bureau • Attend!

Schedule: 1:30 to 2pm • Refreshments, a petition, and networking in the Evergreen lobby 2pm • Presentation and panel discussion 2:20pm • Statements by local citizens

Together, we can solve this problem.

Your Town Hall hosts:

MP Rachel Blaney MLA Nicholas Simons Pieta Woolley Federal NDP Provincial NDP Editor, PR Living Can speak about: Pipelines Competition Bureau Federal fuel taxes Green subsidies

Craig (the Powell River Sign Guy) and the team at Designer Signs wishes everyone a

Safe & Merry Christmas

DESIGN

CREATE

designersignspr@gmail.com

CONSTRUCT

604 489 3020

INSTALL

Corner of Glacier & Franklin

Can speak about: BC Utilities Commission Transparency Law Provincial fuel taxes Local impacts

Can speak about: PRL stories Guzzled & Oh it’s been a Gas Media involvement FOIs

Please join this event on Facebook, to find out who the panelists will be, and much more.

North Island - Powell River MP Rachel Blaney

Powell River - Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons

Rachel.Blaney@parl.gc.ca

Nicholas.Simons.MLA@leg.bc.ca

604-489-2286

604-485-1249

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

15

POLLEN SWEATERS

has an important message for our beloved customers!

Please wash your sweaters several times per year.

We pay for the very best easy-care wool so that you can enjoy all the benefits of wool without the three problems usually associated with wool: • itchiness, • shrinkage, • and moth damage.

The first two are solved by the processing of the yarn itself, which is why Pollen sweaters are so comfortable and long-wearing.

Cultivate the gifts of your inner elder

Dance to celebrate the return of the light

BY JASMINE ROSE AND LANA JOY

Y

ule is a solstice celebration marking the return of the Sun. As the days begin to get longer, we dance to celebrate this powerful time of year. The sun can symbolize enlightenment, as broad rays of the sun shine their light across expanding horizons.

Our workshops are born of the belief that our bodies are wiser than we know. Through these monthly workshops, we seek to facilitate a reconnection with the body and the discovery of each participant’s inner rhythm.

We choose the word “facilitate” very intentionally; it comes from ‘facilitare’; to make easy.

We don’t regard ourselves as teachers of this work as we believe that no one holds the authority to uncovering inner bodily wisdom. Through our own journeys and experiences, we have discovered various tools that can help create the opportunity for this inward exploration.

op Ten Reasons ear A Pollen Sweater The moth damage can be eliminated by washing the sweater approximately once per month.

Moths are especially attracted to soiled wool that is stored undisturbed in a dark place, like a closet or drawer, so they lay their eggs, which hatch into hungry, wool-eating babies. This is one of the ways wool returns to the earth to be useful after you have worn it for a few decades, but let’s not allow it to biodegrade too soon!

These classes weave together these tools to create an enriching journey of self-discovery.

Our Yule Workshop will offer participants a chance to discover their inner elder (despite whatever age they might be), how to cultivate the gifts their inner elder has to offer – such as enlightenment and wisdom – and how we can embody these gifts through dance as well as in our lives as we carry ourselves throughout our communities.

YULE: EMBODIED FEMININE What: An ‘Embodied Feminine’ workshop with Rewild Together (www.rewildtogether.com). $50.

When: 1 to 4 pm, December 14 Where: Elements Movement Studio (Townsite)

bottles were hurt making Pollen Sweaters. helping sheep stay cool in summer.

Washing is just toss wooleasy; itstays (preferablywarm even when wet. into the hy, andinside-out) softmachine enough to wear next to sensitive skin. washing with other soft, nonlinty itemsand and rundryer safe at moderate temperature. washable it on cold or medium temperature, short cycle he label on theitemsinside where it belongs. (unless the other are really dirty), and dry in medium d to layer smoothly temp dryer.

Jeans, tee shirts,under shirts and or over other garments. other Pollen sweaters are fine in the same load, but towels and velcroOurs are not. is here at home. ore sweatshops. for reading this, and a huge thank you to wearsThanks allout of our compost customers for yourit. fabulous support for the past thirty-plus years. thirteen more (!) of us herehandsome. at the factory and ou 50 From to all90% (results may vary) the store, have a warm, cozy winter!

Photos by Caroline Jobe

PollenSweatersInc. Made in Lund, BC, Canada since 1986

Find us above Nancy’s Bakery in Downtown Lund 1-800-667-6603 10 till 4 Daily • 604 483-4401 pollensweaters.com pollensweaters.com

16

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

Jasmine Rose

Lana Joy

Dancing has always been a part of my life and of my imagination. As a child, I would daydream about dancing on the stage to a choreography with Michael Jackson.

After several years of learning specific dance moves to Latin Dance and Bellydance, I began to explore my own rhythms individually as well as in groups. Looking around me as I danced, I noticed how my own freedom of movement seemed to influence others.

I began to feel others had untapped inner potential of movement expression and this desire to inspire them was born.

I was a dance teacher for many years and loved the joys of creating choreography and encouraging my students to enjoy being in their bodies. After discovering the possibilities of self-expression without choreography, I felt drawn to finding ways to encourage students to discover the dance that lives within them, and to express their depths of emotion and character through authentic expression that is not preplanned or choreographed.

I expressed these dreams at a New Moon gathering in Powell River, and, resonating with Jasmine, the seedling of our two workshop series was planted.

MADE IN POWELL RIVER

How to make a violin:

Maple, spruce, 200 hours and mad skills

L

uthier Laura Wallace lives in Wildwood with her husband and three young children. “My shop is in my home so I can sneak away and add a coat of varnish in the evening, or rehair a bow early in the morning if I need to,” she said.

Her extremely specialized skills started young: Laura grew up in her father’s chair-making shop in Roberts Creek, learning to make things from wood.

From there, she earned a degree in biology from the University of Victoria, and then apprenticed in violin making and repair with the renowned senior luthier, R. Kim Tipper, in Victoria.

What’s your product?

Laura • I make violins and repair and set up instruments of the violin family and

rehair their bows.

Where did your idea come from?

When?

Laura • I grew up in a woodworking shop so it was really normal to build things. If we wanted something, the first step was always to see if we could make it. I also really enjoyed working with my hands. I was always doing craft projects like beading or complicated friendship bracelets, and saw the pleasure that can come from paying attention to fine details and working through a project to completion.

I was also really obsessed with playing my violin; my family doesn’t know where that came from. I became interested in the violin when I was 11 and it became a huge part of my life. It wasn’t a straight

EACH WEDGE IS UNIQUE: Building a great-sounding violin starts with understanding your materials. Laura Wallace learned from the best, in Victoria.

Our Christmas Traditions Room is all set up for you!

Capture the warm feeling of Christmas as you wander through Mother Nature’s Christmas Traditions Room. Embrace the pride of decking the halls as you discover unique seasonal items for your home, not to mention the joy of gift giving as your eyes fall upon the perfect gift for everyone on your list . . . even the naughty ones!

Let Mother Nature be your Christmas Inspiration!

Who knows better

than Mother Nature?

7050 Duncan Street 604.485.9878 fb.com/MotherNaturePowellRiver • mother-nature.ca • garden • pet • home decor

@mothernatureghp

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

17

r ya? ty fo a e w s Too FEAR NOT: An easier alpine experience could be coming to a hill near you.

Made

Feel the

JANUARY 2019 100% LOCALLY OWNED 100% INDEPENDENT

100% LOCALLY OWNED 100% INDEPENDENT

FREE

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Our

Sustainability Charter

Gardens

Creature Companions

Earth Month Waste Steam-to-Energy Generator

Zero Waste

Thrift

Pets • Farm Friends • Wild Visitors

Local agriculture

Healthy herring Sharing Walkable neighbourhoods

Goo Foodd

Hope Farmers’ markets

100% LOCALLY OWNED 100% INDEPENDENT

Farme r’s Marke Foodi e Festiv ts Farm als Gates

No for fish you

Why our eating such own waterfrom a challe s is nge

MAY 2019

New

Mush room Novem

FREE 100% LOCALLY OWNED 100% INDEPENDENT

APRIL 2019 FREE

in Powel l River

Green Shores

Science

agricu lture

Composting

Wetlands

Sustainable Forestry

Hydroelectricity

Resource Recovery

and

Return of the Humpback

MARCH 2019 FREE

International Day of Climate Action

Return of the Heron

ZEVs

in Powell River

DECLUTTERING • GARDENING • TEXADA SCHOOLHOUSE • QUILTS • JAZZ

food

Harvesting • Hunting • Fishing

100% LOCALLY OWNED 100% INDEPENDENT

CRANBERRY LAKE • TLA’AMIN BASKETS • BIKES • FEB’S FAB FESTIVALS

Local

Grief

Elders’ wisdom Eco-fashion

FREE FEBRUARY 2019

Ho me Gr ow n

grid

Trash Bash

Co-housing

Bike paths

Heat pumps

Transit

Solar panels

Regulation Off-setting

Off the

Plastic Free Challenge

Built Green

SASQUATCH BELIEVES IN YOU • SERVICE CLUBS • MICHIGAN MARKET

Love

Festiv Local ber 3 al Sustai Farms progr nable am food in schoo ls

2019 FREE 100% & Locally Locally

Owned Grown

100% LOCALLY OWNED 100% INDEPENDENT

MAY 2019 FREE

PLAN YOUR SUMMER • BEST OF • HOME GROWN MAG INSIDE

ECO-FOOTPRINT • BABY BUST • MYRTLE CREEK • CO-HOUSING • BEST OF

JUNE 2019 FREE

PLAN YOUR SUMMER • GRAD • JUSTICE • SALMON • HELICOPTERS • PRISMA

Wishing you and yours

happy stories this holiday season and in 2020

Foodie Festivals Farm Gates

No fish for you Why eating from our own waters is such a challenge

New Mushroom Festival November 3 Local Farms Sustainable food program in schools

2019 FREE 100% Locally Owned & Locally Grown

Local food and agriculture in Powell River

Farmer’s Markets

ZEST

Home Grown

Good Food

KE EP D

for Hea lth

irec tory

Your guide to

Powell River Logger Sports July 13 & 14, 2019

Fighting Loneliness?

SERVICE is the

BOMB

2019 July 2019

WORKING SENIORS • SERVICE DOGS FOR MENTAL HEALTH • SOCIAL CONNECTION

THE 20

19

EDITION

social Make your fall a

to

guide Your Riverts Powell er Spor Logg 13 & 14, 2019

July

? ?

’ rivers

> >

enterprise

powell river’s r powell fai r l fal fal l fai

c , 2018 15 y 1166, 2019 8 BER 15 y 08 TEM BER 07 SEEPPTEM S w pm

v NOON v NOON

July 2019

INSIDE FREE

!

JULY 2019 100% LOCALLY OWNED • FREE

WILDFIRE BALLAD • FREE SUMMER FUN • OUTDOOR YOGA GUIDE

Annual Annual Contest

First PUMPKIN PUMPKIN GIANT First Annual GIANT PUMPKIN Contest GROWING GIANT GROWING Contest

u u u

GROWING

55pm

w

PRIZES PRIZES

FUN FAMILY FUN FUN FAMILY FAMILY ANIMALS ANIMALS ANIMALS FACE PAINTING PAINTING PAINTING FACE FACEMUSIC MUSIC MUSIC BARN EXHIBIT BARN BARN EXHIBIT EXHIBIT FOOD FOOD FOOD CRAFTSCRAFTS ARTS && CRAFTS & MARKETMARKET ARTSARTS ’ FARMERS’ MARKET RAFFLE FARMERS FARMERS’ 50/50 RAFFLE RAFFLE 50/5050/50

Family Fun Fun

SEPTEMBER 2019

Family ANIMALS Painting ANIMALS Face Painting FaceMUSIC barn MUSIC Exhibit barn FOOD s Exhibit FOOD s Arts&Craft MARKET Arts&Craft MARKET le FARMERS’raff 50/50 FARMERS’ raffle 50/50

AUGUST 2019

u

GROUNDS GROUNDS EXHIBITIONRD. GROUNDS RD. EXHIBITION THE THE MCLEOD MCLEOD EXHIBITION 4365 4365 RD.

MCLEOD u THE4365 PRFARMERS.CA

RIDES TRAIN RIDES TRAIN

FALL FAIR ENTRY BOOKLET FREE INSIDE! • 100% LOCALLY OWNED • FREE

Our in Capta

Jack

FEDERAL ELECTION

•

BACK TO SCHOOL

•

CRITTERS

•

GARLIC

Musical tidings of

e Th

Helping Iss u

Salmon

e

18

100% LOCALLY OWNED FREE

From a jazzy Charlie Brown to the Angry Snowmans punk show to Carols by Candlelight to Elvis on Tla’amin, Powell River hits a high note this December.

Brings Us Together

OCTOBER 2019

NOVEMBER 2019

100% LOCALLY OWNED FREE

100% LOCALLY OWNED FREE

GAS PRICES – WHY SO HIGH? • ELECTION • PUMPKINS • HOMELESSNESS

GAS PRICES – AGAIN • CRAFT FAIR SEASON • 1943 CRANBERRY INVASION

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

Great Joy

DECEMBER 2019 100% LOCALLY OWNED FREE

FILL YOUR CALENDAR • GROOVY GIFTS • GAS • LOCAL BOOKS & RECIPES

“Each piece of wood is different... you can find a factory violin that sounds decent because it happened to have good thicknesses for that wood, but generally they don’t sound that great...

This is why handmade instruments tend to sound much better and cost more than a factory instrument.”

- Laura Wallace line to violin making (there was that whole detour getting a degree in biology along the way) but it all really makes sense for me when you put together my early influences.

I never felt comfortable being the centre of attention, so this is one of the reasons I didn’t pursue violin playing as a career.

However, I really enjoy playing music for people and love to play in less formal settings like parties and pubs! I did teach fiddle for a few years.

Walk me through the process of making a violin.

Laura • The top of a violin is made from spruce, and the ribs, back and neck are made from maple. So I usually get a wedge of spruce and a wedge of maple that I cut in half and bookend. That becomes the basis for the top and bottom.

I cut ribs – 1.2 mm thick. I have a mould, which is a form that I can re-use multiple times. I glue blocks temporarily to the mould, shape them, and then bend ribs (using a hot bending iron) and glue them to the blocks. I can then use the outline that I have created to draw out the outline of the violin and cut that out on the band saw – one of the rare times I use a power tool. I then use a series of gouges to shape the top and back of the violin. I finalize the edge outline with rasps and files, and then inlay the purfling, which is a strip made of three thin pieces of bent wood. I then finalize the outside arch with scrapers.

Then I flip the wood over and gouge out the inside, using a thickness caliper to graduate the thicknesses of the top and back. I cut f-holes on the top and fit a bass bar, which is a strip of wood on the inside that supports the top. I spend some time flexing the top and bottom and removing small amounts of wood here and there until I feel that it is both strong and flexible. I remove the mould

from the ribs and glue the body together. Then I carve the scroll from a block of wooding using gouges.

I prepare a fingerboard and shape the neck of the violin. Then I cut a mortise in the top of the violin and carefully fit the neck – a very finicky step. Then I do final tweaks and prepare for varnishing.

The violin is never sanded, so I use scrapers to achieve a smooth surface. Then the varnishing procedure can commence, which involves about three weeks of active work and lots of tanning in my UV cabinet. When the varnish is complete I then set the violin up: I fit a soundpost, pegs and carve a bridge.

It can take between 150 and 200 hours to make a violin. There are not many professional violin-makers in BC – perhaps four or five? There are many luthiers who do only repair work, though.

Why are handmade violins better?

Laura • Despite many advances in automation, there is no machine that can do the final thicknesses and graduating.

Each piece of wood is different, which means that deciding on an exact thickness and just replicating it for every violin doesn’t optimize each piece of wood. So you can find a factory violin that sounds decent because it happened to have good thicknesses for that wood, but generally they don’t sound that great. And there is a huge amount that are simply of such poor quality that they sound terrible.

It takes lots of training and experience to know how much the top and back should flex and what shape to make the arch to achieve a certain tone. This is why handmade instruments tend to sound much better and cost more than a factory instrument.

What kind of support did you receive?

Laura • None.

Was it successful immediately or did it take some time?

Laura • My business has steadily grown from the beginning as I have built up my skills and got my name out into the violin playing community.

How has your business changed since it launched?

Laura • When I originally began I spent more time on rentals and repairs. As I have gained skill and had more time I have been able to devote myself more to violin-making, which is how I spend about half my time in the shop.

Who are your customers?

Laura • I have customers all over Canada and the United States- from beginner kids and adults to professional musicians.

How do you market?

Laura • Word of mouth has been my primary method – getting to know the teachers on the West Coast, as well as attending Fiddleworks fiddle camp on Saltspring Island every summer. And of

Happy Holidays Powell River

WOOD SHOP: Before she became a luthier, Laura Wallace learned to love building with wood in her father’s carpentry shop on the lower coast. course a website where I post instruments for sale and have a workbench blog highlighting repairs and projects. (wallaceviolins.ca) Most of my customers are in Victoria and Vancouver. I do have customers across Canada and few in the US. Tell us the story of your biggest oops moment, challenge, aha moment or failure.

Laura • There are endless oops moments when building something from scratch.

Gluing a centre joint that isn’t perfect and having to bandsaw it open and start over. Varnishing failures abound – removing the varnishing and having to start over has been common. The lovely thing about working with wood is that you can repair a mistake, or get a new piece of wood and start over. I have learned from all the little mistakes and those have helped me grow as a maker and learn that you need to be prepared for something to go wrong!

Why do you choose Powell River as your base?

Laura • Originally from Roberts Creek, I knew that the Sunshine Coast was the most beautiful place to live. Violin making is a long term project, so living in an out-of-the-way place with affordable real estate was important to be able to succeed as a violin maker. Living in Victoria, there was no time to build violins because there was so much repair work.

Ironically, part of the reason to move here was to have less customers!

Who’s on your team? Number of people you employ?

Laura • Just me!

Top Christmas Tune Laura Wallace Luthier, Wallace Violins

Celtic-style fiddle I really enjoy fiddle music, and highly recommend early recordings

by Natalie MacMaster, a great Cape Breton fiddler, and anything by Liz Carroll, my current obsession. She is an Irish-American fiddler. Her albums with John Doyle, an Irish guitarist, are fantastic!

Both these fiddlers have incredible “feel”- they have such energy in their bowing that it drives the music forward and can cause involuntary dancing in the listener!

What advice do you have for others who want to make & sell stuff from Powell River?

Laura • I moved here so that I could have the time and space to do my work, but not for the customer base. I knew I would have to travel to find customers and to sell my instruments in other places. Finding a larger customer base is important.

What’s your next project?

Laura • As always, I’m trying to build more violins. There is a lot of repair work, which is important to do, but sometimes that means my own building gets set aside. I’m looking forward to spending the winter bending ribs and carving some violins!

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE POWELL RIVER HOSPICE SOCIETY RENE BABIN, CFP LESLIE ECKLAND, PFP Financial Advisors rene.babin@raymondjames.ca leslie.eckland@raymondjames.ca

Unit D - 4670 Marine Avenue Powell River, BC, CA V8A 2L1 T: 604.489.9797 | F: 604.489.9867

Raymond James Ltd., Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund.

Raymond James is not affiliated with the organization listed.

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

19

WHITE CHRISTMAS: Top row: Wendy Mobley and her sister visit Santa Claus at the Powell Stores Toy Department in 1950. That same year, the sisters celebrated the holiday in their Townsite home. Above, a 1910 photo of Powell River, blanketed in snow, looking towards the Wildwood Hill, with the Sing Lee Building in the centre. You can also see Henderson House and the Black Building in the lower left. Left, Snowball fight on Oceanview (now Marine Avenue). The first Patricia Theatre structure can also be seen in the back above the Rodmay Hotel.

Photos courtesy of Wendy Mobely and the Townsite Hritage Society

Merry Christmas from T&R!

CLEAR IT DIG IT PREP IT ROCK IT

open Mon-Fri 7-4 closed weekends & stat holidays ’til Spring

4240 Padgett Rd

604-485-2234 tandrcontracting.ca

Thanks Powell River for the opportunity to serve you.

We love doing business in our home town, and we appreciate your support. May your holidays be filled with truckloads of joy!

Winter hours now in effect (7-4 Monday-Friday) T&R will be closed Dec 24 through New Year’s We will re-open at 7 am on Thursday, Jan. 2

Gingerbread Contest

For a minimum $2 donation, vote on your favourite creations at the Town Centre Hotel The Town Centre Hotel will match all donations. Prizes will be awarded Jan 3.

Proceeds to the Firefighters Burn Fund This space available to non-profit organizations, courtesy City Transfer

Where service and safety move volumes.

Next day, damage-free delivery.

WWW.CITYTRANSFER.COM

20

POWELL RIVER | SUNSHINE COAST | VANCOUVER

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

310-CITY (2489)

Happy Holidays from our family to yours Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year to the residents and landowners of Area B from your Regional Director

MARK GISBORNE

MarkG4B@gmail.com | 604-414-3694

These canister vacs really suck

Henry Xtra HVX200 Canister Vacuum, by Numatic.

Hetty HET200 Canister Vacuum, by Numatic.

Henry Xtra’s unique Airobrush provides a superb level of carpet care and is ideal for cleaning up pet hairs. The hard floor brush is a real bonus when cleaning extensive hard floor surfaces and is just one part of the comprehensive accessories included, all this and now even more energy efficient...that’s Xtra good!

The cable and storage rewind system is a work of art, trouble free and spring free and it keeps everything neat and tidy. Professional specification brings a 10m power cable and 9L drum capacity, keeping you cleaning for longer. When she’s finished Hetty packs away nicely with on-board wand and floor-tool storage.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Start the New Year with clean air in your home or office

Madame Louke’s • Papermaker’s Ball • Candles

Call us today to get your ducts cleaned to reduce the dust in your house. And don't forget your dryer vent – one of the leading causes of house fires.

Christmastime in Olde Powell River AARON SERVICE & SUPPLY I SANTA HOURS Free Delivery

Everyone welcomed!

BY JOËLLE SÉVIGNY

n Powell River, we don’t always have a white Christmas, but our holiday season is just as heart-warming as a hot cup of cocoa on a snowy winter morning. It is actually in the 1910s, in the early days of Powell River, that many of North America’s current holiday traditions were established; families setting up trees, exchanging cards, caroling and indulging in lavish meals.

Traditionally, Christmas trees were decorated with ribbons, tinsels, paper chains, glass and wax ornaments, painted walnut shells and of course, homemade cranberry and popcorn chains. For lights, actual candles were lit on trees! Buckets of water were kept nearby… Thankfully, electric Christmas lights were eventually popularized in the early 1900s.

Another well-known Christmas tradition are stockings. Linda Nailer recalls them as a little girl; they were made from the biggest woolen sock you could find and stocking fillers included oranges,

nuts, licorice candies and miniature toys.

In terms of social events, the most popular local gathering was the annual Papermaker’s Ball – perhaps it was even the most important event of the year.

The ball, organized by the Powell River Company, was such a big event that friends and family left Vancouver to celebrate in Powell River. Powell Riverites dressed to the nines; the ladies would excitedly take a trip to Madame Louke’s in Westview to purchase their fancy dresses.

Wendy Mobley also remembers how exciting it was to visit the Powell Stores Toy Department at Christmas time. To the eyes of a young kid, this was a magical place indeed; behind the big counter and behind the sales lady, they were just one step away from all the toys you could ever imagine!

Blast from the Past is a monthly historical column written by the Townsite Heritage Society’s board member Joëlle Sévigny.

604 485-5611 • trevor@aaronservice.com • 4703 Marine Ave

SANTA ARRIVES DECEMBER 7th

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

12pm - 4pm 1

12pm - 4pm

2

12pm - 4pm

8

9

3

12pm - 4pm 10

5

4

12pm - 4pm 11

11am - 2pm 3pm - 7pm

12

6

11am - 2pm 3pm - 7pm

13

7

11am - 2pm 3pm - 5pm

14

11am - 2pm 3pm - 5pm

11am - 2pm 11am - 2pm 11am - 2pm 11am - 2pm 11am - 2pm 11am - 2pm 3 - 5pm 3 - 5pm 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 7pm *5 - 7pm *5 - 7pm 21 16 17 18 19 20

11am - 2pm 3pm - 5pm

11am - 2pm 3pm - 5pm

15

22

29

23

24

25

26

27

28

30

31

1

2

3

4

604.485.4681

prtowncentre.com *PET PHOTOS WITH SANTA

All THINGS TAROT Readings • Workshops Gift Certificates

New for 2020: Monthly Chakra grounding and cleansing meditations

Tarot With Teresa • 604-485-5620 • teresaann@telus.net

We will have a professional photographer this year, don’t miss out on a great photo with Santa!

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

21

Thanks for the Memories!

Our Safeway Team would like to thank the entire community of Powell River for all their support over the years and also to our customers who hung in there until the very end. It was so nice seeing all your familiar faces in the store and hearing the constant words of encouragement along the way. You have been there during the good times and the tough times and we are grateful for your patronage! We would like to wish the community of Powell River a very Merry Christmas and wish your families all the best in the New Year!

We Are Open For Business!

Let’s set the record straight, we are open for business! Our Pharmacy will be open 7 days a week and our Team looks forward to serving you throughout our entire remodel. Open week days from 9am-7pm and weekends from 10am-6pm we will be located in the same location within the store. A security company will be onsite during pharmacy hours to assist or escort customers to and from the pharmacy and we will also continue to provide complimentary delivery service 5 days a week if you require.

FreshCo is set to open in the Spring of 2020!

Our new location will have a lot of familiar faces with over 30 staff returning under their current terms in the collective agreement. This includes their wage/ benefits and seniority. FreshCo will be a union shop employing both 1518 and 247 union employees. We look forward to seeing you in the spring of 2020.

22

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

Books locally-written

Seven Year Summer

By Anna Byrne Find it At: Amazon for $20.

P

art memoir, medical guide and spiritual text, Seven Year Summer recounts the friendship between a cancer survivor in her 30s and a dying elderly woman. Set in B.C.’s summer of 2016, the book seeks to uncover how a person can remain psychologically and spiritually intact when bodily survival seems improbable.

make the best gifts

Nosing and Tasting the Water of Life: Blue collar & Scholar Guide to Whisky Pairing

By Greg Cran and Adam Drummond

Find it at: eunoia Fibre Studio and Gallery in Townsite Market and at bluecollarandscholar.com. $24.99.

T

his book is about single malt Scotch made from a traditional distilling process in Scotland and how it creates an existential relationship between this ancient tradition and a sensory experience waiting to unfold.

The guide begins with a history of how whisky made its way to Scotland and outwitted tax collectors for hundreds of years. It offers musings and advice on pairing the single malt with food, cigars, activities and sunsets and, as well, trends and challenges of the whisky industry in the future.

Gregory J. Cran is the campus director for VIU Powell River (and certified Whisky Ambassador) with a PhD in ethnopolitical conflict and a passion for history, whisky science and lore. His book publishing includes Negotiating Buck Naked: Doukhobors, Public Policy & Conflict Resolution, UBC Press.

Adam Drummond is a Comox-based Highland Games heavy events athlete (who throws cabers and stones), coach and trainer, and a certified automotive mechanic with a penchant for finding the perfect dram.

Currently the coordinator for the Powell River Hospice Society, Anna Byrne is a theology student and past educator. She has studied with Richard Rohr in New Mexico and has a combined degree in psychology and gerontology.

SEVEN YEAR SUMMER: READING What: Powell River Hospice Society coordinator Anna Byrne presents her moving and insightful account of her own journey with cancer and the last weeks of life of her friend Eleanor in a hospice.

When: 2 pm, Saturday, December 7 Where: Library

First Nations First Nations Art, Jewelry Art, Jewelry & Gifts& Gifts Try our on! smoked salm

Come see our beaded lanyards!

20

19

Gas • Grocery • Fresh Deli: Sandwiches, Burritos, Wraps & Baked Goods • 604-414-0269 • tlaaminstore@gmail.com • 5245 Hwy 101 North Experience music in every room and your back yard.

All controlled by a single app on your phone or tablet.

Ask us about Home Theatre installs, too!

Electrical Upgrades New construction Renovations

FOXTROT ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS LTD. 604.414.3929

www.FoxtrotElectricalSolutions.ca

info@foxtrotelectricalsolutions.ca

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

23

From the Simmons family and the whole staff at The Chopping Block

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH A

HAPPY TURKEY Free-range Hormone-free Antibiotic-free Humane From 9 to 25 lbs

Your Your Security Security Your Our Concern Security Our Concern Order your holiday party trays and turkey today.

4741 Marine Ave • 604 485-4838

Your Your Our Concern TRAINED & LICENSED Security Security SECURITY GUARDS OurConcern Concern STATIC PATROLS Our TRAINED & LICENSED SECURITY GUARDS

TRAINED & LICENSED

STATIC PATROLS SECURITY GUARDS

STATICPATROLS PATROLS AND MOBILE TRAINED & LICENSED MOBILE PATROLS AND DRIVE BY’S MOBILE PATROLS SECURITY GUARDSAND

DRIVE BY’S TRAINED & LICENSED DRIVE BY’S

STATIC PATROLS ASSET PROTECTION SECURITY GUARDS & LOSS CONTROL ASSET PROTECTION MOBILE PATROLS AND&

Roman Catholics in the qathet Region: The History of a Community

By Mark Merlino, with input from many others

Find it at: The Assumption Parish rectory or on Amazon. $10 oman Catholics in the qathet Region presents the history of the Catholic community in the territory of the qathet Regional District from the first Oblate missions in the 19th century to the Church of the Assumption Parish in Powell River.

R

Mark Merlino, the Powell River Library’s adult services coordinator, was trained as a historian (BA UBC, MA, Bilkent University). He set about recording the story about Assumption parish “because I realized that elders had amazing stories to share and I wanted to record this valuable heritage before it was lost.”

Those helping with the book include Bridget Bigold, a school teacher who collected many of the pictures and stories before passing away, and various community elders who shared their stories and memories, especially Frank Rigby, Elio Cossarin, Les Adams, Betty Wilson, Beatrice Gaudet and Sister Claire Sapiano.

CASTLE SECURITY

• december 2019 • Licensed prliving.ca & Insured 604 489 3115

I Will Pick Up My Bed and Walk: How to be a Hero to your Body

By Dr. Haroon Rahim Find it at: Local book stores.

W

hy are you sick? Why are you still sick?” asks Dr. Haroon Rahim.

Once a successful young German doctor, he fell off a roof while helping his mother and found himself sentenced to permanent paralysis, confined to a wheelchair for life— hard to believe today on meeting this fit, energetic author whose youthful appearance belies his many years of experience as a medical professional. Rahim combines his own story with a trove of medical knowledge, anatomical insights, strengthening suggestions and powerful exercises anyone can do, to maximize his readers’ patient autonomy and cope with root causes of persistent illness.

Published by Ben’s Health Press.

Haroon Rahim, part-time Powell Riverite, holds an MD, ND, and DC from Germany, plus numerous other medical credentials, and currently offers laser skin therapy on Marine Avenue.

RV Canada a Year of Anniversaries: Missing eternity Western Canada off the Beaten Path By Kaimana Wolff • Find it at: local bookstores.

By Barb Rees • Find it at: www.write2dream.com Year of Anniversaries ASSET PROTECTION & is part RV resources, DRIVE BY’S LOSS CONTROL STATIC PATROLS part stories that armLOSS CONTROL CCTV MONITORING ASSET PROTECTION & chair travelers enjoy. Join CCTV MONITORING MOBILE PATROLS AND LOSS CONTROL Barb and Dave as they travel CONSTRUCTION SECURITY DRIVE MONITORING BY’S CCTV through BC to Haida Gwaii CONSTRUCTION SECURITY CCTV MONITORING and to the Yukon. Immerse ASSET PROTECTION & EVENT SECURITY CONSTRUCTION SECURITY yourself in a Tlingit Festival, EVENT SECURITY CONSTRUCTION SECURITY LOSS CONTROL or disconnect to reconnect EVENT SECURITY with nature.

CCTV MONITORING EVENT SECURITY Barb Rees, Mètis travel writer, author of six RV CanCSECURITY AS TLE CONSTRUCTION SECURITY ada books plus Lessons From SECURITY SECURITY the Potholes of Life, freelance Licensed Insured Licensed & & Insured EVENT SECURITY writer, photographer, and Licensed &&Insured Licensed Insured 604 4893115 3115 604 489 presenter. Barb and husband 250 580-8178 250489 580-8178 604 3115 604-489-3115 7189580-8178 Alberni St. 250 Dave have made eight work7189 Alberni St. POWELL RIVER, B.C. POWELL B.C. V8AAlberni 2C7 RIVER, 250-580-8178 7189 St. ing holidays around Canada V8A 2C7 email: 8178bsap@gmail.com POWELL RIVER, B.C. email: 8178bsap@gmail.com 8178bsap@gmail.com selling at farmer’s markets V8A 2C7 and festivals. email: 8178bsap@gmail.com

AS ST TL CCA LE E

24

Books

A

M

issing Eternity offers poems documenting a poet’s homely but hopeful journey to “the new daily normal: making peace with catastrophe.” A substantial collection, the book includes “an irreligious requiem mass” in the voices of 9-11 victims.

Author Kaimana Wolff says, “For 6 months after 9-11, every artist on Maui, where I was then living, struggled to extract meaning and even comfort from unintelligible evil. All these years later, I see 9-11 as the turning point of humanity. Now we need not just a daily reality check but real courage to get through the day.” By Stars Above, Stars Below Press. Available at local bookstores in December.

Kaimana Wolff and her companion, Lord Tyee, now occupy the old Cranberry Pottery building and welcome their friends, canine, human or otherwise, to Wolffy’s Book Den at 6729 Cranberry Street. “Missing Eternity” is Kaimana’s 13th book but she and His Lordship are assiduously working on the second Lord Tyee Mystery, set in Owl River: “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing.”

This Hawaiian vacation turns into a humorous, heart-opening odyssey that is alive with beings from other dimensions.

Join Tanis’ adventure to meet seldom-seen beings of various races that dwell in volcanoes, misty forests and roaring seas. Discover the meaning behind our interconnected ancestral lineage. Receive practical tools from these physical and spiritual ancestors to heal the wounds in your life, in the lives of others and ultimately to help heal our wounded Earth. Walk with the author along this meaningful path and you could develop a deep, intimate relationship with your own ancestors, elementals and mystical kin.

By Katje van Loon

Find it at: Wolffy’s Book Den, Coles, Kingfisher Books and local bookstores. $19.95 “Tanis offers our Hawaiian ancestors the opportunity to speak to more people through her experiences with them and does this with humor and honor and captures their essence in her story.”

“A mystic and great storyteller, Tanis Helliwell details the various types of ancestors, both physical and spiritual, and how we are related to them. In describing her adventures on the Hawaiian Islands she captures the essence of what spiritual ancestors are all about. She weaves fascinating and enchanting tales of how she met the various old ones that reside there. You’ll be charmed and entertained as you read this book.”

r e w o l fi n g t h e s o u l

ewolfing the Soul puts together Fierce, independent, determined, intelligent and loyal, “songs of yearnwolves dedicate themselves to the Pack. Masters of and strategy, they teach their children ingcommunication Millennial well. from Many millenniathe ago, wolves established sustainable dens throughout the planet, to the widespread benefit of entire ecologies.

Humanity could do worse learn from soul, for home, forthanfamwolves. ily,Thesefor brief lyricsreconnection demand the return of the birthrightto of all young beings—the right to an authentic life, to run in company as honorable as wolves. nature.”

A perfect gift for the struggling 7Millennial who is finding it next to MICROPOEMS impossible to succeed in “adulting”, these brief lyricsthe Katje van Loon n packpressbythe demand return of the n KATJE VAN LOON birthright of all young beings—the right to an authentic life, to run in company as honorable as that of wolves. By Powell River’s own The Pack Press.

Songs of yearning from the Millennial soul...for home, for family, for reconnection to nature.

rewolfing the soul —Dr. Steven Farmer, author of Healing Ancestral Karma and Earth Magic.

“Tanis continues to excite those who seek to challenge the margins of space and time.

In The High Beings of Hawaii, she boldly ventures into the mystical realms to enlighten and inspire. It’s a wonderful journey of heart, spirit and mind. An absorbing read of a different kind.”

—Barry Brailsford MBE, author of Song of the Old Tides and Wisdom of the Four Winds Cards

Tanis Helliwell, M.Ed. is the founder of The International Institute for Transformation (IIT). She has experienced and later worked with elementals, angels, and master teachers on other planes since childhood. Living on the sea coast north of Vancouver, Canada, she is the author of Summer with the Leprechauns, Pilgrimage with the Leprechauns, Decoding Your Destiny, Manifest Your Soul’s Purpose and Hybrids.

TANIS HELLIWELL

THE HIGH BEINGS OF HAWAII ENCOUNTERS WITH MYSTICAL ANCESTORS

TANIS HELLIWELL

R

—Kimokeo Kapahulehua, founder of Kimokeo Foundation preserving Native Hawaiian Culture

THE HIGH BEINGS OF HAWAII

Rewolfing the Soul: Micropoems

High Beings of Hawaii: Encounters with Mystical Ancestors

This New Years Eve...

By Tanis Helliwell Find it at: Amazon for $19.64.

Spirituality | Shamanism | Nature Spirits

Katje van Loon is a wild witch trapped in the big city. Her dream is to drag zir spouse off to a town small enough that everyone knows their names, and where the woods are so close she only needs take one half-step to disappear into them.

61995 >

van Loon

Poetry / CAD $19.95

ISBN 9781988889030

9 781988 889030

Katje van Loon, Millennial poet and speculativefiction novelist, is trapped in the Lower Mainland where she writes liberation lyrics and her fourth novel, which, like its predecessors, is a lot more like life in Powell River than in Earth’s mega-cities. Buy a book! Assist her escape!

T

his Hawaiian vacation turns into a humorous, heart-opening odyssey that is alive with beings from other dimensions. Join Tanis’ adventure to meet seldom-seen beings of various races that dwell in volcanoes, misty forests and roaring seas. Discover the meaning behind our interconnected ancestral lineage.

Tanis Helliwell M.Ed. has given transformation and healing workshops internationally for over 30 years. She is a leadingedge psychotherapist, wellknown for working to heal physical, emotional and mental traumas and patterns. Tanis teaches her techniques internationally to groups of psychiatrists, physicians, psychotherapists and other healing practitioners.

Silent Witness

by Gwen Enquist • Find it at: seasonal craft fairs and at GwenEnquistInk.wordpress.com. $20

A

brutal attack on a young woman in Charlotte Ridge leaves her traumatized four-year old daughter persistently mute.

Constable Jessica Morell and her team have several suspects with motives but no evidence.

As time goes on, the darker side of the town is exposed as a blackmail game is played out with deadly consequences.

After 35 years of a nursing career, Gwen Enquist discovered her love of writing in retirement. Attending a writing group, she says, “keeps me focused.”

Originally from Ontario, Gwen has lived in Powell River for 47 years. Silent Witness is her ninth novel.

Deserting to Canada: Living Underground

by Allan Glass • Find it at: Kingfisher, Madrona, Coles, or aglass@live.ca

D

eserting to Canada: Living Underground 1969 to 1973 is the sequel to “Losing My Country, Keeping My Soul,” published in 2018.

Allan Glass was born in Miami, Florida, graduated high school in 1965, and entered junior college. After one and a half years he was suddenly drafted into the Army, spending four months in training, and given orders for Vietnam. Allan was flown to San Francisco to await his flight to Vietnam. Instead, Allan went AWOL and remained on the run for a year.

Celebrate like an Italian!

Powell River Italian Community Club

New Year’s Eve Party Tuesday, December 31st Doors Open at 8 pm

Party Favors, Midnight Snack and Champagne included Featuring the Jim Baron Band Safe rides!

Tickets $35 Available at Massullo Motors, Underwriters Insurance or Club Executive No minors For further information please call Dan at 604-483-8248

Mini Seminars Impact your family’s health: Come learn with us Wednesday evenings this winter.

January 8

Thyroid Disorder, an undiagnosed health epidemic Dr. Michael Reierson, ND January 15

Autoimmune Disease Todd Caldecott, Dip. CI.H. RH(AHG), CAP(NAMA) January 22

What’s the Scoop on Collagen?

Dr. Lani Nykilchuk, ND January 29

Holistic Healing; How to awaken your body’s healing potential Dr. Jeremy Buhay, DC February 5

Raising Resilience; 5 strategies to calm anxiety in children Michelle Riddle, OT, HNC February 15

Natural Approach to Anemia & Fatigue Mara Jones, CHT, BSc February 19

Essential Oil Make and Take ($10 deposit) Paula Vasseur, MSc, BSc, CWC

All seminars run 6:30 to 8pm Please RSVP to kellystore@telus.net or 604-485-5550 • Seating is limited

4706C Marine Avenue POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

25

Books

MONTHLY TANNING

O

nly Children is a provocative and candid memoir of ONLY a life filled with unexpectCHILDREN ed twists resulting from chance encounters. Pat Buckna’s remarkable portrayal of his childhood in

By Terry Faubert Calgary in the 1950’s and Find it at: Ecossentials, Coles, Pollen Sweaters, and 1960’s takes a surprising Amazon. $15. turn when, on holiday with PAT BU CKNA his parents and a teenager, n 1983, Terry set out to he watches his father conmove to the forest with front a clerk in a grocery store who turns out to be his brother. Pat’s insights into her young son.

A naive single parent, relationships, coming-of-age, family and his own acshe had to find land she tions make for a fascinating exploration of an unique could purchase with lit- and event-filled life. tle money and somehow Pat Buckna lives on build their house with the upper Sunshine Coast little skills, knowledge, or of British Columbia and tools. shares his time between his This is an inspiring home in Powell River and at story of improbable ideas his studio on Texada Island. and unlikely successes.

He writes, composes, records and performs music Terry Faubert is a retired preschool teacher who curin the region and organizes rently lives in Powell River. An avid hiker and gardener, she has had short stories published in the PR Library’s music concerts.

Pat has lived in Alberta, the Northwest Territories, memoir anthologies. and the southwest coast of BC. This is her first book-length memoir.

Simply

BR NZE

ONLY CHILDREN by Pat Buckna

In February 1955, the four-year old author and his mother travelled by train to a funeral. When he returned home, a new boy came to stay, but soon left and the two didn’t see one another again for nearly forty years.

The Way Home: How a Naive Single Mom Built her Home in the Forest

SEE US FOR DETAILS

On holiday with his parents, he watched his father confront a clerk in a grocery store. That afternoon a young woman knocked on the door of their hotel room and introduced herself as his sister.

As a teen, the author became entangled in a series of reckless encounters. He met a girl on a bus and followed her to the boreal forest of Northern Quebec. He befriended an older married woman with children and became an ‘instant’ parent at twenty.

One morning, he left his marriage and became Chris Miller, a country-music singer living in his van. On the road he hooked up with a crazy woman from Oklahoma, got arrested, then headed north to rebuild his life.

A F A m i ly m e m o i r

Years later, he reconnected with the boy who had come to stay as a child and tried to help him unravel a life-long mystery.

PAT BUCKNA is a graduate of The Writer’s Studio at Simon Fraser University and lives in Powell River.

I

Tanning & Swimwear

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

Free Vitamin D with every tan!

Find it at: Paperworks, Coles or onlychildren.ca. $22.

PAT BUCKNA

$35

By Pat Buckna

ONLY CHILDREN

starts at

Only Children: A family memoir

Mon-Thurs 10-9 Fri 10-6, Sat 10-4 Above the Library 6975 Alberni Street

604 485-4225

FRIDAY & SATURDAY

JANUARY 10 & 11 BROOKS SECONDARY SCHOOL & MAX CAMERON THEATRE A different lineup of films each night!

The World’s Best Mountain Films

5:45 pm Doors open for some social time; reacquaint yourself with friends and other adventure fans. Enjoy a bite to eat and a beverage.

6:45 pm Move into the Max Cameron Theatre for this year’s lineup of BMFF films.

Tickets at The Peak, TAWS, Pacific Point Market and River City Coffee For more information contact Jim Palm at 604 414-5960 or james.palm@sd47.bc.ca

26

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

BY ANDREA LAYNE BLACK

“Me and the little tree,” Pops said in Emergency a couple of months before he died.

It’s late November, night outside. Pops is wrapped in several heated blankets; he still shivers. Taking his mind off his bladder, he repeats, “Me and the little tree.” He’s got that faraway look, eyes sparkling. For most of the year, the tree lives in an oblong cardboard box under his spare-room bed. Waiting. Probably just now starting to wake from its ancient aching slumber like Pops in the

You deserve a happy, healthy smile Come see me for a free consultation No referral necessary Complete and partial dentures

Implant-retained dentures

Relines

Same day repairs

ORNAMENTS TELL THE STORY OF A LIFETIME: Dr. Donald Kenneth Black, born in Regina, Saskatchewan, November 7, 1926, and died July 31st, 2017, at Powell River General Hospital. middle of Rachel Maddow.

The tree’s only four-and-a-half feet high, artificial, and according to my dad, 49 years old. Pops is smiling now, bottom lip jutting out, quivering. He’s sad happy, “Two long marriages, two lifetimes. One divorce, one died on me, they both left me one way or the other.” His voice carries ‘cause he’s almost deaf and doesn’t know how loud he is, “But every year since, me and the little tree are still here.”

His voice cigar gruff, deep, rumbling thunder, “The wives,” he says, like he had some vast harem, “they liked

S EA

S O N S GREETINGS

FROM IRIS

ANDAHAPPYNEWYEAR

604.485.2212

info@marinedentureclinic.com 4670E Marine Ave Mon & Wed 8-6 • Tues & Thurs 8-4 After-hours appointments available on request

finding special ornaments, Montreal, Scotland, Palestine, Australia, even in Saudi Arabia all through the ‘60s, ‘70s’, ‘80s, and ‘90s.”

I think about the big red hatbox of ornaments nuzzling up to the oblong box, two old bears hibernating.

Each ornament wrapped carefully in bygone newspapers. There’s the golden angel. Pops can’t remember where she came from, “One of the wives,” he grins, shaking his head, “So many strings of lights, lights don’t last, sometimes you gotta put a new string into an ornament,” he mimes threading a tiny loop.

Deck the halls (and the porch, and the gazebo, and the shop, and the walls, and the deck...)

with Lois Lumber.

Fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-lah.

`

Me and the Little Tree

Mill Direct Quality Cedar Products Cedar Shakes & Shingles Exterior & Interior • Haida Skirl Siding Decking & Siding • Post & Beam Trim • Panelling • Fencing Shipping & delivery available.

www.loislumber.com

DR JOHN WYSE • DR JENIFER VAN DR EKATERINA MEDINA 604 485-7115 • In Crossroads Village

Mon-Fri 8-4:30

1.855.79.CEDAR 604.487.4266 POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

27

Open 7 days!

Shop local this holiday.

Hours vary by business Visit the Night Market on Thursdays til 8pm: live music, food samples and more!

Art Gifts Clothes Grocery Kids Housewares Beauty Climbing Crafting Baked Goods

Happy Holidays!

Pops has that look again, the quivering bottom lip. I know he’s in memory land, “All these events, memories, thoughts, feelings, all my very own special stuff in my head and heart from my 90 years, one day will all be gone.”

Pops stops talking. I can hear all the bings and electronics of Emergency. We look into each other’s eyes. I’m thinking every Christmas I dig out the oblong box and hat box. Then every year he likes to set up the tree and decorate it to surprise me one day when I get there for dinner and there’s Christmas all done up, Pop’s wrinkly face aglow.

Then a nurse asks dad a few questions, eventually having to yell. She gets him another heated blanket and disappears again. Pop bundles up, decades of memories shining in his eyes. I feel a quick sudden icy shudder and pull my coat around me. I smile back at him, “Hey, you know what, Pops, how about this year we set up the tree together. I can hand you ornaments and you tell me stories about each one.”

Pops sits up a bit, eager now, nodding. I continue, “You can tell me everything, Pops, and I’ll memorize it.

I’ll put it away in my head like treasure.” Pops’ lower lip is really going now as he chokes back a sob, “One day, honey, it’ll just be you and the little tree. But this way it’ll be like I’m sitting with you there, too.” “Yeah, Pops,”

Enjoy a restful and safe break Wishing all School District 47 Staff, Students and Parents a Season filled with happiness, joy, peace and prosperity.

School District 47 Board of Education He

r it a g e

re a d

s

Kajal Kromm Eyebrow Shaping and Threading

Found Stone Jewelry

Come Celebrate our First Anniversary December 12 to 14 Enter to win a Market Gift Basket!

28

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

Powel River and District Teachers’ Association CUPE L476

“You can tell me everything, Pops, and I’ll memorize it. I’ll put it away in my head like treasure.”

I say, “It’ll be us and the little tree from now on.”

Then the doctor finally comes in and wonders why we’re both crying. We see his worried face and start laughing. That was a long night, but after a few hours I took him back to his house.

Pops died the following summer, but we had one last Christmas.

Now when I set up the little tree, placing each storied ornament, plugging in the glittering lights, I can almost hear that rumbling thunder cigar voice, see that quivering bottom lip, and hear him call me sweetie.

Oh, how I love and miss you, Pops, with all your memory treasures safe and warm inside me forever. As I sit in company with the little tree, I feel you here, and you were right, it’s not just me and the little tree, it’s us.

Happy Christmas, Pops.

My First Christmas Alone

BY LYNN MCCANN

Christmas was coming.

I didn’t want it to, but it was coming just the same.

This was going to be my first Christmas as an orphan…as a retiree… and…as a widow.

My mother, affectionately known as Powell River’s ‘Credit Union Lady’, had died in late January. My husband, Tony, and I had been home-sharing with special needs seniors over 24 years and we ‘retired’ in April. After Mom’s celebration of life in May, Tony and I enjoyed one week of our retirement together, going out to dinner and to the show… then… he could no longer walk or go out. June 23 he was diagnosed with cancer, and exactly one month later, he died.

I wasn’t going to ‘do’ Christmas. It

was too overwhelming. The house was too empty. I was too empty. I wasn’t even going to put up my Christmas lights. The lights that had been such a huge part of the McCann family Christmas traditions for 40 years.

In November, while wandering through the mega stores in Nanaimo with a friend and admiring the Christmas displays, I could ‘hear’ Tony’s politically-incorrect voice chastising me.

“You’re just a harelip, you’re not a cripple…so…get after it!” I could feel his disappointment at my lack of enthusiasm for the season. To my surprise, I found myself going through the till with a box containing a 5’ angel that would sit on top of the gazebo, lit up, to honour the memories of Tony and Mom. It had always been Tony’s job to put together the Christmas reindeer and other assorted treasures that came from the store so neatly and compactly packed into small boxes. It had been my job to happily sit back, drink hot chocolate and offer advice to Tony and whichever grandchild was his assistant. Now it was my turn to try and figure out, all by my-

THE INDEPENDENT ANGEL: Watch for this lighted beacon on Joyce Avenue this month: she’s Lynn McCann’s hard-won symbol of healing during the holidays. self, just exactly how parts ABC and QRF fit together.

They didn’t want to fit together. Turns out this was a job that needed at least two people but there was only me. That angel needed to cover her ears often as the air turned ‘blue’ while I fought and struggled to assemble her.

Hours later, the angel was finally together. She didn’t look quite like the picture on the box but she was solid and secure and would never come apart again.

By now I was thoroughly grumpy and didn’t even want any hot chocolate.

The angel looked lonely out there on the gazebo all by herself so my granddaughters came over and helped me find

and assemble all the lights, reindeer and Mr. and Mrs. Claus for the house and yard. It now seemed out of place not to have the tree up so that was the next big job. Each ornament held a special memory and decorating the tree became a teary, bitter-sweet experience. Everything looked festive, just as it should… but…nothing was as it should be. The house was so, so empty.

Life, and my place in it had become so weird when I was home alone.

Friends, family and my church family were wonderful. Phone calls, notes in the mail, dinner invitations and hugs meant more than they could’ve imagined and helped immensely to ease the pain

The best spot to find gifts for the ladies in your life “My husband should know, I would love anything from here.”

Open: 11-4 Wed/Thurs • 11-5 Fri/Sat 9398 Hwy 101(Beside Skeeter Jacks)

ENGAGING CINEMA ENGAGING MINDS

POWELL RIVER FILM FESTIVAL

FEB 7 - 16

Early Bird Passes available now!

Online at prfilmfestival.ca & Our kiosk across from Coles, Fri–Sat, 12–4pm

@westerlystudioshop

E A R LY B I R D

PA S S E S until Dec 31

Full schedule online at prfilmfestival.ca

FULL PASS (14 FILMS) $80 ADULT $65 SENIOR MATINEE PASS (7 FILMS) $40 ADULT $32 SENIOR

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

29

Get ready for the holidays with help from the Economy Shop & the Hospital Gift Shop Gift shop pre-Christmas sale Dec 18-23 30% off everything except candy and handcrafts Economy Shop Post-Boxing Day half-price sale Dec 27 The elves in my workshop couldn’t keep up , so I filled my sack with great gifts from the Hospit al Gift Shop and Economy Shop!

You can, too!

Books Games Toys Linens Clothing Jewellery Decorations Glassware Home Décor and more...

Visit us at #6-7030 Alberni or at the Hospital

Holiday Closures:

Economy Shop & Hospital Gift Shop are closed Dec 24, 25, 26, 31 and Jan 1.

Red Cross Loan Cupboard is open normal hours except closed Dec. 25, 26 and Jan 1.

Powell River Health-Care Auxiliary Your donations and patronage help the auxiliary support Powell River health care. Thank-you! prhealthcareaux.ca or find us on Facebook 20

19

Tired from shopping & holiday preparations?

Happy holidays from the Paparazzi crew!

Let Paparazzi make your dinner!

604-485-7377

4312 Franklin Avenue

Brandy Peterson Reliable answers to your real estate questions.

powellriverrealestate.net brandypeterson@shaw.ca 1-877-485-4231 toll free 604 344-1234 direct 4766 Joyce Ave

30

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

Top Christmas Tune Lynn McCann Memoirist & Great Grandmother

O Holy Night & I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas My soul soars and I’m spiritually transported when I either sing O Holy Night with abandonment or hear some other singer raise their voice in praise with these words.

My other favourite holiday song, ‘I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,’ is so much fun to ham up and be silly of loss. I was especially touched when one of the men at church hugged me, no words… but with tears slipping down his face as he shared my pain.

Sharing memories, laughing over the silly ones and crying together over the poignant ones were very cathartic. The right people always seemed to be in the right place at the right time for me. I was surprised to ‘get through’ the church pageant without any problems but after, during coffee hour, ‘it’ hit me.

Escaping back towards the sanctuary I encountered one of the young dads coming towards me. He was a big guy, his face full of compassion. He opened his arms wide and enveloped me in a loving hug and held on until I had no more tears left.

No words were needed. Later, I slipped into the sanctuary for a meditative time and this man’s young daughter was sitting in a back pew quietly playing Silent Night on her tiny keyboard.

This was such a restorative and peaceful experience for me. She was very surprised and pleased when I thanked her for putting my soul at ease with her music.

Parts of me were on automatic pilot… going to choir, preparing musically for Advent, helping with the church pageant preparations, and going with friends to school concerts and Carols By Candlelight. I functioned well when out with friends and being greeted back home by a house lit up for the season always brought a smile, but coming through the door to the overwhelming emptiness was wrenching. How was I going to handle the upcoming big day?

I was relieved when one of my oldest friends invited me to come to Nanaimo and spend Christmas with her. This would be a totally different holiday expe-

with. My little great grandson often comes running to present me with our little hippopotamus whenever he has the uncontrolled desire to playfully sing our song together.

From the sublime to the ridiculous, these songs define me! rience! Always I had been the one to create the memory making holiday experiences for everyone and now Heather set out to do the same for me. I had to learn a new role, to be a recipient.

Heather and I took in a comedy act at the theatre then Christmas Eve went to a Pantomime (which was absurdly hilarious) and stayed in a hotel in Chemainus when we got snowed in after the show. We were welcomed at her sister’s celebrations Christmas day and enjoyed a four-generation indoor snowball fight and sang ‘I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas’ with a two-year-old who knew all the words.

After shovelling packed snow and ice from her blessedly short driveway, we relaxed with quiet times, putting together puzzles, watching Christmas shows on TV together and talking for hours. When tears flowed unexpectedly at various events, Heather didn’t try to ‘fix’ me…she simply handed over Kleenex as needed.

A year has gone by with many changes. I joined a 12 week ‘grief share’ group and found comfort in learning that all the weirdness was normal. Even though no longer overwhelmed by grief, tears still occasionally unleash at the strangest times.

Christmas is nearly here again and I am looking forward to melding old and new traditions with my family and friends. It will soon be a time to light up the tree, the house and my soul. A time to remember the joys of the past and anticipate the memories to come. To my wonderful friends and family, Merry Christmas and God bless you!

Lynn McCann is a graduate and active participant of the Memoir Writing for Seniors program.

Everyone has a story A library program that was pioneered in Powell River and much-copied elsewhere is celebrating 10 years: memoir-writing with teacher-extraordinaire Sandra Tonn What’s your own background as a writer?

Sandra • My writing and editing career started at the age of 21 with my education as a newspaper journalist. Over the past 30 years I’ve worked as a reporter/ photographer, book editor, ghost writer, magazine editor, and freelance writer/editor, but teaching memoir writing has been the best writing-related job, for sure.

What triggered your decision to start teaching memoirs here?

Sandra • Today’s seniors have lived through one of the most challenging and interesting times in human history, but we also live in a time when seniors are often not valued for their experience. There are so many things I wish I’d asked my grandparents, but now it’s too late. I was also hearing, too often, that it wasn’t until someone’s funeral that information from their earlier life was known. Those things were my motivation, but once it got started I also realized just how important it is for people to revisit their past. One of my favourite quotes about memoir writing is from author Patricia Hampl who said, “To write about one’s life is to live it twice, and the second living is both spiritual and historical, for a memoir reaches deep within the personality as it seeks its narrative form.”

What didn’t work at first? What did?

Sandra • What didn’t work at first was finding places to offer the course since the old Library didn’t have a meeting

room. Now we have a real home for the program at the new Library. What worked right away was sharing the stories as part of the course, because hearing the reactions of their fellowwriters built confidence for continuing their work and also kept them coming back so they could hear about and be inspired by the stories of others.

How many people have gone through the program?

Sandra • Hundreds have taken the course and many have continued to meet, with the Library’s support and encouragement, on a monthly basis.

There are now seven monthly groups meeting, including many who have been writing now for nine and ten years.

What has been the impact of the program on individuals and their families?

Sandra • Many families now have a collection or even a book of memoirs to remember their loved one by. Many of the writers have told me that memoir writing has opened up a whole new chapter of learning and connecting in their lives. Some say it’s given them a place to belong and feel valued. I’ve also seen many of the writers, all from different backgrounds, become close friends.

What’s been the impact of the program on this community?

Sandra • We’ve hosted dozens of events for the community to come out

SLICE OF LIFE: At the launch of the 2013 Powell River Public Library’s memoir book, writers (from left) Claudia Cote, Sandra Tonn, Pat Buckna, Wendy Barker, Brenda Allan pose for the camera.

“Today’s seniors have lived through one of the most challenging and interesting times in human history, but we also live in a time when seniors are often not valued for their experience.”

– Sandra Tonn

and hear the writers read some of their stories and audience members will approach me for years afterwards to tell me how much a story touched them or inspired them.

Have other regions copied what you’ve created?

Sandra • I’ve had libraries and other organizations hear about the program and contact me for information. I’ve shared the course outline and my experiences with people as far away as Montreal and even Hawaii.

How do you feel about what you’ve achieved here?

Sandra • I feel sincerely happy and

amazed at what evolves from the simple goal of helping people get some of their memories down on paper.

What was your best moment teaching memoirs?

Sandra • I have best moments every week when I hear memoirs from participants, I honestly do, but I also love when we get together to share stories with the public. The ripple effect is amazing. The writers benefit and the audience benefits and the world is different because of it. Other best moments, which are always bitter sweet, are when an elderly memoir writer dies, but his or her stories are left behind to continue to influence, touch, inspire, or educate whoever reads them.

What would you tell people, who haven’t written memoirs, why they might want to try it?

Sandra • One thing that keeps people from writing their stories is that they think their life has been boring or uneventful. I’ve never, in the hundreds of people I’ve worked with, met a single one who was boring. Everyone is absolutely unique in this universe and no one else will ever have the same experiences or stories. I just wish I could hear them all.

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

31

WE NOW OFFER

APPLIANCES !

· Competitive prices · In-stock and special order items · Best service

32

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

· Peace of mind · Expert advice · More than 1,500 products available

Recipes With Powell River’s most delicious bakers

Grandma Rose’s Oatmeal Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

1 pound of butter 3 cups yellow sugar 3 eggs 2 cups of medium coconut 3 cups quick oatmeal 3 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 Tablespoon baking powder 1.5 cups mini pure chocolate chips

Cream the butter and sugar, add eggs, beat until fluffy.

Add coconut and mix well.

Add oatmeal and mix well Mix flour with baking soda and baking powder, add to the mixture.

Stir in the chocolate chips Bake in a 325°F oven 12-14 mins

SMART Recovery® Meetings Wednesdays at 6:30 pm At the CRC

Powell River Denture Clinic Ltd. wishes everyone

a happy, safe and delicious holiday

(4752 Joyce Ave)

Let us help you recover.

Experienced.

Local.

Professional.

SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training)

is a non-12 step addiction recovery support group for anyone looking for help and support with their addictive behaviours.

Injured in an accident?

Call Ian Fleming today for a free consultation.

POWELL RIVER DENTURE CLINIC LTD.

Barristers & Solicitors

Brian Mansell R.D.

102-7075 Alberni St • 604.485.7654 Mon-Thurs 8:30-4:30 closed for lunch 12-1pm • Fri 8:30-noon

4571 Marine Avenue 604-485-2771 fleminglaw.ca

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

33

Cottage Creek Bake Shop’s Classic Russian Cookies with a modern twist

By Janet Lyon. cottagecreek@telus.net 604-414-0616. This is one of our 14 choices to mix and match on the Christmas baking menu. Available at the Winter Market.

Nancy’s Bakery’s Cranberry Pecan Butter Tarts

By Nancy Bouchard. It’s an old Lund recipe passed down from an old Lundie (the butter tart part) and we will attempt to keep them in stock for the holidays.

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

1 cup softened butter 8 oz (1 package) full-fat cream cheese 1 tsp vanilla extract 3 tbsp packed brown sugar 2 cups flour 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup toffee bits 3/4 cup roasted salted almonds, finely chopped 1/4 cup packed brown sugar

For the pastry: 3 cups flour 1 cup sugar 1 tbsp salt 1 cup butter 1 cup lard 1 tbsp vinegar 1 egg For the filling: 8 eggs 1 kg demerara sugar 2 tbsp vanilla 2 tbsp vinegar 1/2 cup corn syrup 2/3 melted butter

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheets with parchment or use spill mats.

In large bowl, cream butter, cream cheese, vanilla and 3 tbsp brown sugar very well.

Lower speed and gradually beat in flour and salt just until blended, occasionally scraping bowl as necessary.

Shape dough into 4 equal disks. Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2-24 hours.

Mix toffee bits and almonds with remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar, set aside.

On a well floured, large sheet of parchment paper, roll 1 disk of dough into 9” circle.

(Leave remaining disks in fridge awaiting their turn). Sprinkle with 1/4 of toffee mix-

ture leaving a 1/2” rim, gently press filling into dough.

Cut circle into 12 equal wedges (we use a pie cutter to score the markings so they are exactly the same sizes). Starting at wide edge, roll each wedge into a crescent. Place point side down on prepared baking sheet, space 1” apart.

Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown, rotate cookie sheets halfway through baking time. Repeat with remaining disks.

Slide cookies, still on parchment onto wire rack to cool completely. You can sift confectioners sugar over cooked cookies if you like.

INSTRUCTIONS

Make the pastry: Combine the flour, sugar and salt . Cut in the butter and lard. In a cup, mix the vinegar and egg; add water to a total of one cup liquid.

Stir into dry ingredients, form a ball and refrigerate until needed. This makes a large batch and can be frozen.

Butter tart filling: Beat together the eggs, sugar, vanilla, vin-

egar, corn syrup and the melted butter.

Fill tart pans with pastry. For best results, refrigerate or freeze tart shells and fill when cold.

In each shell put some fresh or frozen cranberries, and a sprinkling of chopped pecans.

Assemble: Pour filling in. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.

When cool, remove from pan and dust with icing sugar.

Publisher Isabelle Southcott and Grandma Val’s Christmas crisps (also known as Westcoast crisps)

This crispbread recipe was passed on to me by Grandma Val. It is delicious with cheese, cold cuts or pate and a tasty yet economical alternative to crisps that you buy in the grocery store.

INGREDIENTS

Thank you to all my family, friends and clients for your support, business and referrals.

I wish you all great health and happiness in 2020.

2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups of buttermilk (or 4 tablespoons vinegar plus milk to make 2 cups) 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup honey 2 cups raisins 1/2 cup pecans (or chopped walnuts, or hazelnuts) 1/2 cup sunflower seeds 1/4 cup ground flax seed 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary 1/2 cup cranberries Do not leave out the rosemary.

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat the oven to 300°F. Put flour, soda and salt in a large bowl, mix: then add buttermilk, sugar and honey; mix lightly, then stir in everything else until just blended.

GriffithsProperties.com val@griffithsproperties.com

604 483-6930

34

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

Pour mixture into two greased 4 “ x 8” loaf tins. Bake about 45 mins.

Remove from tins, cool on wire rack.

When cool, put it in the fridge or freezer and let it firm up

overnight. Slice loaves as thin as possible. 1/8 inch is a good size. Spread on lined cookie sheets, probably three. Bake at 300°F for 8 minutes, then turn and bake for another 8 minutes until crisp.

This should make 3 or 4 dozen, more if you slice them thinner. They keep well in a tin and are perfect with cheese.

I usually keep the loaves in the fridge wrapped and slice a few when needed.

Meet Miss May

Northern saw-whet owls, like this one, are the cutest of owls.

Tiny and with a true baby face, this one came to us at PROWLS (Powell River Orphaned Wildlife Society) shortly after it left the nest, after flying straight into a window and knocking itself out.

After five weeks of recovery, flight conditioning and training how to forage, the little girl returned for release, blending right in to her surroundings.

She appears as the “May” image in our 2020 fundraising calendar, for sale now.

PROWLS really values the community support we encounter every day. It gives us a reason to continue our work and also provides the means to do so. With 60 percent of the earth’s species at risk of extinction in the next 50 years, we are doing what we can to change that grim forecast, one bird at a time.

The residents of this region are making it a lot more effective, by caring enough to pick up the small and insignificant critters as well as the majestic ones, every day.

Our 2020 calendar supports our work: food for the birds, cage supplies and much more. It all goes to helping the animals.

Every species featured has passed through our care. Michelle Pennell’s photographs have captured the very essence of them, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with her.

She donated the photos and laid out the calendar – in short, this is her work, donated to the cause. We hope you will agree that this is a work of art and the cause a worthy one, and purchase a calendar.

For a $25 donation, PROWLS calendars are available at Westview Veterinary Hospital, or contact Merrilee Prior at info@prowls.org. As a community, we can make a difference.

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

35

36

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

Hey, AreBuddy. you okay?

Life in the ocean can be rough, if you’re a seal.

If you’re a human witnessing animal distress, it makes your heart hurt.

BY RANDY BROWN

I

’ve been kayaking in front of Powell River for nine years. I live close to the beach, so I get out all year including winter. During my time I’ve been very fortunate to have been around whales, dolphins and more, as well as one special little seal, Buddy.

I’ve had contact with this seal for over three years, all starting from when he was injured in September 2016.

He has always been in the same place, within 100 feet of space on the breakwater at the North Harbour, never anywhere else.

That first day, he had some good-sized gashes in his neck area. I saw him a few more times in the next week and thought he was looking worse. His head was hanging down. I ended up giving pictures to the Vancouver Aquarium at their request. Staff there theorized that the injuries had been caused by an orca. He turned out to be okay.

Still, he was there most of the time, always on the rocks. There are never any other seals with him. I make a

FAST FRIENDS: Above, Randy visits Buddy. Right, injuries to Buddy’s neck and fins, possibly caused by orcas.

Below, the lone seal is always in the same spot.

Photos by Randy Brown

honda.ca/winter

604.485.5041 dana@thunderbaysawshop.ca 7125 Duncan Street Mon-Fri 9-5:30 • Sat 9-5

Sober Sports Sober and Recovery Friendly Sports

Indoor sports MONDAYS from 7–8 pm at Westview Elementary Gym $3/drop-in

All gear provided. No experience necessary.

Try different sports! Just come have fun, be physically active, and connect.

For individuals in recovery or focused on healthy using lifestyles.

For more non-substance info visit www.SoberSports.ca

SoberSports.ca

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

37

95.7 Coast FM presents

2019

FOOD BANK FUNDRAISER In partnership with City Transfer, Town Centre and Save-On-Foods SCARRED BUT RELAXED: Randy Brown has seen Buddy’s many injuries heal into scars over the year, but they don’t seem to faze him.

Photo by Randy Brown point to go see him throughout the year: winter, spring, summer and fall. He has had many injuries since 2016. Gashes on his neck a year later – they don’t look like they were caused by an orca. Wounds all over his body to his fins.

How can I identify Buddy? First of all, he has a distinct white mark on his face.

Second, his attitude towards me. Not once has he ever tried to get away from me. He lies there with his eyes closed,

looking at me once in a while, but never stressed. Over the last three years, I have noticed he has had many injuries. I wonder how he gets them.

Now his back flippers don’t look good.

I saw these injuries in May of this year, and they seem to be getting worse.

I’ve come to feel some attachment after the hundreds of times we’ve visited. To be able to interact with a wild animal for over three years I find quite incredible.

Stuff The Trailer

The campaign runs until Dec 14

Dec 6 - Live at Save On. Entertainment by Renelle Wikene, Edgehill Elementary school choir and The Academy Dancers

Colin White, CPA CMA CFP® CIM® Portfolio Manager

Daniel LeBlanc, CFP® CIM® Portfolio Manager

Dec 7 - Live on location with Santa & Paw Patrol at the mall Dec 13 - Tailgate party with Kings - Music & Food Let's beat last year! Let's make sure every person in Powell River has nutritious and healthy food.

Please open your Hearts and Donate

Josh Sheluk, CFA, CIM® Portfolio Manager

Taylor Lance, Investment Advisor

Sara Boulton, Administrative Assistant

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a joyous 2020.

4510 A Joyce Avenue • 604-485-6160 • 1-800-905-7293 HollisWealth® is a division of Industrial Alliance Securities Inc., a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.

38

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

Participate Powell River, the City of Powell River’s new interactive public engagement platform is online. Have your say in shaping projects, policies and initiatives. This is the place to make Powell River a better place to live, work and play.

Sign up. Speak up. We’re listening.

Share your ideas and shape the future of our community. We are committed to working closely with you to improve engagement and better guide our planning and decision making.

Visit participatepr.ca today!

Don’t delay!

Sign up for our FREE Curbside notification system at powellriver.ca Be entered to WIN free passes for the Recreation Complex

powellriver.ca POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

39

Artist’s carpentry business is just humming along

BY ISABELLE SOUTHCOTT isabelle@prliving.ca

W

hen Don Bowes wakes up in the morning he can hardly wait to start work on his latest project.

He didn’t always feel like this but now that he’s building “Art Gates” he begins each day with a smile on his face.

Last summer, when Don was doing a renovation for a client, she asked if he could build her a gate with a hummingbird on it. “Sure,” said Don happy to be given the opportunity to combine his artistic talent with his woodworking skills.

The resulting gate turned out better than Don expected and this launched him on a new phase .

Don explained, “The gates are made from epoxy laminated western red cedar then carved with a V-bit router, burning the grooves with a propane torch makes the imprint last forever. After sanding off the overburn I colour them with Berol Prismacolour pencil crayons and then finally apply five coats of Tung oil which can be re-applied yearly for a permanent finish . All the hardware is stainless steel.

Each gate is a unique creation.”

40

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

Don had a long career as a carpenter but his passion has always been art. As a young man he attended UBC to study engineering because his father wanted him to and offered to pay his tuition.

But Don soon realized that wasn’t the path he wanted to take so he switched to the Vancouver School of Art (now Emily Carr) where he spent two years doing what he loved. After graduating, Don returned home to Powell River and worked in the bush salvaging logs from Lois Lake where he learned sawmilling, welding and monkey wrenching, At “The University of the Bush,” he met master carpenter Cliff Lennox who took him under his wing as his apprentice. “He taught me so much,” says Don. Realizing that he probably wasn’t going to make a living as an artist, Don began building houses and then opened The Woodworks, a shop where he loved building custom furniture. He sold the business to the present owner. “My heart wasn’t in building kitchen cabinets,” said Don, who moved into the renovation end of carpentry.

Today, Don is spending more time doing what he loves, building furniture and

THE DOOR TO SUCCESS: Artist and carpenter Don Bowes has found there’s plenty of appetitie in Powell River for projects that combine his two passions and areas of expertise, such as this cedar gate he built and painted at his business, The Woodworks. art gates. He speaks with pride about a unique “bent wood” desk he made for a customer and a bed with a curved reclining headboard for a client who wanted to be able to sit up and read in bed without disturbing her sleeping husband .

Don’s art gates can feature almost

anything. A trained artist, he paints with watercolurs and carves small wood creations in addition to making custom furniture and tables.

To see Don’s work, pop by Artique at the bottom of Alberni Street. To have a gate made, call him with your ideas.

I MADE THE MOVE

Walk-in to these two bright docs & their wee babe D iana Gil was raised in Colombia where she finished her MD. She completed her residency in Family Medicine at UBC in 2015.

Alexander Marchenko was born and raised in Moscow, where he finished his MD and training in pediatrics. He moved to Canada to finish his PhD and worked in Calgary as a bedside physician in NICU (infants) until 2015. He completed his residency in family medicine at UBC in 2018 and now has a local practice as well as working at the emergency room.

After working together at the Marine Medical Clinic, and taking time to have a baby girl, the couple decided to open their own clinic in the same space as Powell River Pharmacy on Joyce Avenue.

Why did you choose to move to Powell River?

Diana & Alexander • We heard it was an amazing place to start a family. It is a very welcoming place for kids.

When? Where from?

Diana & Alexander • We moved from North Vancouver at the very end of summer 2018.

What surprised you about Powell Riv-

er once you moved here?

Diana & Alexander • Lots of places to explore. Sunsets here are amazing.

Where is your favourite place in Powell River?

Diana & Alexander • The bluff. We like to hike there often in summer/fall, a very peaceful place!

How did you first hear about Powell River?

Diana & Alexander • We decided to come one of the long weekends to Powell River during Alex’s clinical placement in Sechelt a few years ago. We were impressed with it. Powell River is a very relaxing and at the same time vibrant town.

What would make Powell River a nicer community?

Diana & Alexander • A direct road to the Lower Mainland would be a great asset.

What aspect of your previous community do you think would benefit Powell River?

Diana & Alexander • Having easier access to primary care was one of the things we found Powell River needed.

This led us to open our new clinic, Powell River Medical Clinic, a few months ago,

NEW BABY AND NEW BUSINESS: Doctors Diana Gil and Alexander Marchenko opened a walk-in clinic at Powell River Pharmacy on Joyce Avenue, hopefully taking pressure off the hospital’s emergency room.

Photo by Sean Percy where we could offer a walk-in service with ample parking. We set up online booking for patient convenience at our website powellriverclinic.ca as an alternative to calling during business hours.

What challenges did you face in trying to make a life for yourself here?

Diana & Alexander • There have been lots of changes in our life since we moved to Powell River. Adapting to all the changes at the same time has been

the main challenge.

If you were mayor of Powell River what would you do?

Diana & Alexander • More long-term care facilities and assisted living.

What are Powell River’s best assets?

Diana & Alexander • Ocean/nature/cultural richness.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Diana & Alexander • Travelling. We enjoy exploring new places.

Happy Holidays

Wishing you a happy holiday season and a joyous New Year from all of us at First Credit Union! *Please see our website for holiday hours.

firstcu.ca POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

41

WHAT’S UP New Whip

North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney was appointed as the NDP’s Whip by Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh last month.

The Whip is a senior role in caucus. The role includes making sure all members are in the House of Commons when they should be and are ready for all of the votes.

The Whip’s office is also responsible for working with the other parties to make sure the rules are followed and that things move along smoothly.

Participate Powell River!

Want to be part of the conversation with the City? If the answer is yes, you’re encouraged to join the City’s new engagement platform, Participate Powell River (participatepr.ca).

This new platform, participatepr.ca, gives people better access to information and enables them to have their say in shaping projects, policies, and initiatives.

“Not everyone can attend council meetings, public hearings and information events,” said Economic Development and Communications Director Scott Randolph. “This new tool can engage more people in discussions that shape the City.”

The online platform is a subscription service that is used by governments all around the world. It is different from social media platforms where comments and threads are often open to inaccurate information and bullying, said Scott.

The platform is moderated 24/7 by a person and not an algorithm. Strict etiquette and moderation rules are followed and the site has a privacy policy.

Students help locals without homes

Everybody Deserves a Smile (EDAS) is a homemade grass-roots service learning project that was started 16 years ago to bring a smile to homeless people at Christmas. We aim to passionately educate and create with local students and their communities in an artistic way, hoping to compassionately reach out to those in need at Christmas.

EDAS is inspiring, transforming and connecting citizens worldwide, one local community at a time through powerful leadership, kindness, generosity and love. Al-

INTERNATIONALLY AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKERS: In Seattle this November, the Powell River Digital Film School’s Class of 2019 won the top Jury Award for Best Animation (Student) at the National Film Festival For Talented Youth (NFFTY). Their film was also picked up on “Now This”, with distribution to over 20 million subscribers. Student filmmakers pictured (minus PRDFS owner / instructor Tony Papa) are (from front) Ariyah Reuven, Brendan Durant, Justin Davidson, Tao-Milan Morgenstern, Miranda Kelly, Jesica Pearce, Nyah Marie Christie, Macy How, Dylan Craig, William Murray, and Ray Chapman. The Emergency Brake can be seen on PRDFS.ca. though EDAS has focused on helping the homeless, its intent is to help everyone feel significant in some way, simply by being kind.

This first year in Powell River, the project is being hosted by Henderson Elementary, with support from Brooks Secondary and many community partners. Students will participate in an educational component, as well as creating handmade cards and artistic bags to be filled with community donations.

Please help us collect these new donation items:

Tug-Guhm GALLERY & STUDIO

Woollen or part woollen socks, toques, scarves or neck warmers, gloves, toothpaste, toothbrushes and feminine products.

Donation boxes are in our community until December 16th at City Hall, the Recreation Complex, Library, First Credit Union, United Church, The Knitter’s Nest, ReMax, Henderson Elementary and Brooks Secondary.

Cash donations can be made at First Credit Union or etransfer to theedasproject@gmail.com.

- Ally Boyd

We’re having a sale

all December long 20% OFF EVERYTHING except cards & books

Local and unique art debrabevaartcreations.com • 10 am - 4:30 pm (closed Tues) •The Lund Resort at Klah Ah Men • 604 414-0474 ext.302

Wishing you your family a wonderful Christmas season, and may Wishing youand and your family a wonderful Christmas season, you bemay blessed good health, and happiness in the and youwith be blessed withprosperity, good health, prosperity, andnew year. happiness in the new year.

FROM HEGUS AND LEGISLATORS AT TLA’AMIN NATION LEGISLATORS Hegus Clint Wiliams ~ FROM GloriaHEGUS FrancisAND ~ Brian Hackett AT TLA’AMIN NATION

Hegus Clint Williams ~ Gloria Francis ~ Brian Hackett John Hackett ~ Larry Louie ~ Shawn Louie John Hackett ~ Larry Louie ~ Shawn Louie Denise Smith ~ Lori Wilson ~ Tyrone Wilson Denise Smith ~ Lori Wilson ~ Tyrone Wilson

4779KLAHANIE KLAHANIEROAD, ROAD, POWELL RIVER I 483 I 9646tlaaminnation.com tlaaminnation.com 4779 POWELL RIVER BCBC604604 I 483 I 9646

42

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

Golfer receives award

A young man who learned how to play golf at Myrtle Point Golf Club was awarded a Professional Golfers Association (PGA) award. Jared Siminoff received the Fred Wood Class A Professional of the Year Award.

This award is presented to working golf professionals who have outstanding leadership qualities, are considered a role model and have a record of service to the PGA. Today Jared is the associate professional at the Point Grey Golf and Country Club in Vancouver. Jared was also awarded the Jim Gibson Scholarship, an award given to someone with an interest in volunteerism and furthering their education to benefit the golf community.

Community Forest grants

Grants totalling nearly a quarter of a million dollars went to 15 local groups on November 21.

The PR Community Forest had a record dividend year in 2018. In the spring, the board deposited 2018 dividends of $2,518,576 in the Community Forest Reserve Fund.

The following were the fall recipients of Community Forest grant money.

• The City of Powell River gets up to $41,000 for the Recreation Complex’s audio system upgrade.

• City of Powell River up to $144,420 for solar panels for the roof at City Hall.

• Lang Bay Community Hall receives $21,295 for electrical upgrades • Paradise Exhibition Society receives $32,709.63 for site preparation for a caretakers’ residence.

• Powell River and District United Way’s Orca Bus receives a $10,000 top-up grant to cover interior costs.

• The Powell River Italian Club gets contributions of $177,036.40 to help with their community hall renovations.

• The Powell River Kings Hockey Club Society receives $29,100 so city staff can upgrade two arena concession areas.

• Powell River Minor Hockey Association gets $35,000 to work with the city to renovate coaches, first aid and the Powell River Regals’ rooms.

• Powell River Outrigger Canoe Society receives $70,800 to help with the purchase of two training boats, paddles, PFDs and a trailer.

• Powell River Sport and Fitness Society receives $16,000 to help with equipping a warm-up/conditioning area at the Powell River Tennis Centre.

• qathet Regional District receives $112,119 for the construction of a longhouse-style pavilion at Shelter Point.

Warmth is a place called Glerups.

100% pure wool, take-anywhere Glerups give a warm welcome to cold feet. Slip off the socks and slip into warmth. Glerups let you turn down the heat!

• Willingdon Creek Village receives matching funds of $24,284.29 for multipurpose room upgrades.

Come see our large selection of footwear, including a wide choice of Glerups. We also now carry adventure & travel shirts, sweaters and jackets.

For comfort & travel, visit us first!

• Willingdon Creek Village receives $18,500 to pave main garden pathway.

PAGANI & SONS

• Powell River Academy of Music receives a $2,000 contribution to fire retardant drapery for the Great Hall for Kathaumixw.

“the fit specialist since 1956” 604 485-5110 • 4670A Marine Avenue

• Townsite Jazz Festival receives $2,762.49 for sound absorption blankets.

Thank you!

Happy to help!

Evolugen’s $20,000 donation will help Powell River youth spread their wings.

Evolugen (the new identity of Brookfield Renewable Canada) operates the Powell River Energy hydroelectric plants at the Powell and Lois Lakes that provide renewable power to the local paper mill.

Powell River Child Youth and Family Services Society is grateful for this donation that will help sustain the Blackbird Collective, an after-school drop-in program that helps students be well through singing, writing and being creative.

Evolugen values active local involvement and partnerships in the communities in which it operates.

Staff at the Powell River offices of Evolugen in late November presented a $20,000 donation to the Blackbird Collective, a program of the Powell River Child, Youth and Family Services Society, represented by executive director Heather Gordon and program instructor Lesley Sutherland, seated at right.

At Oceanview Education Centre 7105 Nootka St

prcyfss.com

SHOES & REPAIRS

evolugen.com

Once a year, we bring together our business partners, our service providers and our employees in a fundraising event to support charitable organizations across Canada, and improve the lives of people in and around the communities like Powell River.

By choosing to donate to PR Child, Youth & Family Services Society, Evolugen acknowledges the significant contribution to each of the lives it touches, and we are proud to contribute to the quality of life as a whole, within the community.

Evolugen is proud to support the Blackbird Collective pilot project and believes this great program will help youth wellness and sound development.

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

43

POWELL RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BUSINESS AWARDS

This space sponsored by:

NO M I NAT I O N FO RM

ENTREPRENEUR(S) OF THE YEAR

A person(s) who has the unique skills and exceptional initiative to assume the risk of establishing a business, which has been open for at least 12 months. Submissions for this award should be for one person or a maximum of two equal partners.

A home-operated business that consistently shows excellence and quality in service and/or merchandise.

TOURISM AWARD

This business has demonstrated a superior ability to satisfy visitors’ expectations through their services and/or products. This business provides and promotes an outstanding visitor experience and actively encourages the growth of Powell River & Area as a destination.

BUSINESS NAME

BUSINESS NAME

BUSINESS NAME

OWNER/MANAGER/CONTACT NAME

OWNER/MANAGER/CONTACT NAME

OWNER/MANAGER/CONTACT NAME

NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

A business operating for not less than 1 year and not more than 2 years that has gained an expanding positive reputation.

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

A business with fewer than 20 employees that has demonstrated superior quality in all aspects of business operation and shows a commitment to the community through its involvement.

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD (NEW!)

The Sustainability Award recognizes a business that has reduced their environmental impact by using sustainable practices in their supply chain, reduced their carbon footprint by minimizing waste, emissions and pollutants and recognizing efficient water, land and resource management.

BUSINESS NAME

BUSINESS NAME

BUSINESS NAME

OWNER/MANAGER/CONTACT NAME

OWNER/MANAGER/CONTACT NAME

OWNER/MANAGER/CONTACT NAME

ABORIGINAL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

This award goes to a business that is Aboriginal owned and operated in the Powell River region. The business shows leadership and dedication to the preservation of its cultural values and identity and creates positive growth within the community.

FORESTRY SECTOR AWARD

A large or small business that shows excellence in communications and/or innovation in forestry, forest management or a forest-related industry.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

A business that provides its customers with consistent excellence in service that goes beyond customer expectations.

It also encourages its staff to meet the changing customer needs and stands behind its products or service with minimum customer inconvenience.

BUSINESS NAME

BUSINESS NAME

BUSINESS NAME

OWNER/MANAGER/CONTACT NAME

OWNER/MANAGER/CONTACT NAME

OWNER/MANAGER/CONTACT NAME

NOT FOR PROFIT EXCELLENCE AWARD

A not-for-profit organization that has recognized a need within our community and who through community responsibility, innovation, growth, sound business practices and community partnerships has served our community with vision and integrity.

AGRICULTURAL AWARD

This business has distinguished itself and shown leadership by promoting the betterment of agriculture in our city. This award will be presented to an agriculture-related business who has made outstanding contributions in the advancement of agriculture.

CUSTOMER SERVICE - HOSPITALITY

As above, but specifically for the hospitality industry.

BUSINESS NAME

BUSINESS NAME

BUSINESS NAME

OWNER/MANAGER/CONTACT NAME

OWNER/MANAGER/CONTACT NAME

OWNER/MANAGER/CONTACT NAME

Awards below require nominators provide written comments as to why the nominee deserves the award.

Please attach a separate sheet or email to office@powellriverchamber.com

BANQUET & AWARDS PRESENTATION SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2020 DWIGHT HALL • 6 PM

44

HOME-BASED BUSINESS AWARD

Tickets: $60 each BOOK YOUR SEATS NOW! Tickets available at the Chamber of Commerce office on Wharf Street • december 2019 • prliving.ca

Enter only one business per category on this form. Duplicate nomination forms for the same business are not necessary. All entries will be submitted to a judging panel for final decision.

Deadline for nominations is 5 pm, Monday Jan 20, 2020. All businesses must have been operating for a minimum of 12 months to be nominated. Mail or drop off your completed nomination form to Powell River Chamber of Commerce 6807 Wharf Street, V8A 1T9.

Or enter online at powellriverchamber.com.

Multiple submissions are permitted.

Enter now! Enter often!

Your name: Phone #:

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR

A business owner or manager who creates a positive, fair, and supportive environment for all employees, while maintaining and even exceeding employment standards and safety policies. This employer models integrity and excellent communication skills.

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

An employee of a business who goes above and beyond customer expectations, delivers exceptional knowledge of the products and services and makes a consistent positive contribution to their workplace.

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD

A business that has been in operation for more than 5 years and has consistently offered outstanding service and/or product to its customers, and displays a strong commitment to community involvement.

A business that contributes to the social, recreational, cultural and overall well-being of the community.

First jail, then retirement Pat Hull raises $10,000 on his way outta town

BY ISABELLE SOUTHCOTT | isabelle @prliving.ca

P

owell River Town Centre owner Jack Barr donated $5,000 to the Powell River and District United Way to help get long time Powell River businessman and volunteer Pat Hull “out of jail” last month.

Why the big cheque? Jack explained: “There is a saying that goes something to the effect of ‘If you put more in than you take out, it will never run dry’, and I find that fitting for Pat Hull. In the years that I have known him, he has always contributed so much of his time and energy, be it to the United Way, the Chamber, and every day he showed up to work, I think he always gave more than he ever took back.

“I hope now, that in his retirement years, he will reap the benefits of all that giving and hopefully be able to relax and reap what he has sowed. All the best to Pat in his retirement.”

Pat spent his last days here languishing in a “jail” at Town Centre mall before heading to his ranch in Alberta to start a new chapter and spend his retirement years.

For 25 years Pat was the franchise owner and manager of Powell River RONA (formerly Burg & Johnson).

Last year he sold the business to Bruce and Audrey Allen, their sons Michael and Stephen, and their daughter Nancy. Pat remained in Powell River this year to work with the Allens during the transition period.

But the time has come for Pat to return “home” to his ranch in Alberta where his daughter and many

Get winter tires & a checkup before your holiday travels ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Diagnostics Tune-ups Brake service Shocks & struts

grandchildren live. True to Pat’s spirit of giving and volunteerism, his last full day in Powell River was spent raising money for the Powell River & District United Way. In three hours, he raised over $10,000 for the nonprofit!

Pat is the Powell River United Way’s longest running board member, said Dale Lawson, executive director, Powell River & District United Way. In addition, he spent a number of years on the United Way of Canada’s board of directors bringing the voice and perspective of smaller communities to the table in Ottawa and bringing United Way inspiration back to Powell River.

“He is one of those special volunteers who is always willing to be helpful however he can, always looking to do the right thing and working to make sure that even the most vulnerable in our community have a hand up when they need it,” said Dale.

“Pat’s presence will be dearly missed around our board table but the spirit of his many contributions remains strong.”

In addition to his volunteer work with the United Way, Pat has been a director with the Powell River Chamber of Commerce since 1998.

“He has been an asset to so many people in so many different ways,” said Kim Miller, manager of the Powell River Chamber of Commerce.

“He brought good solid ideas forward around the board table, such as fundraising ideas, has always

HE SERVED HIS TIME: Town Centre owner Jack Barr hands a $5,000 cheque to Pat Hull, the former owner of RONA and longtime Powell River volunteer and philanthropist. been a voice of reason and over the last few years he has brought past board experience and wisdom to new comers. He has been a friend, mentor and confidant to me,” said Kim.

Hope Peace Love Joy

✓ Custom wheels ✓ Exhaust service ✓ Roadside service ✓ Tire sales & repair

Have a happy and blessed Christmas.

d we’re s:

Stay safe.

Don’t drink & drive.

petessupply.com

Visit our website for inspiration for your next kitchen or bathroom project

Happy Holidays from all of us at Pete’s Plumbing Supply

We always have a mechanic on duty!

Big-O-Tire & Coast Auto Centre 4494 Joyce Ave 604 485-7927

7221 Duncan Street 604 485-4112

stubberfieldfh.com

petesplumbing@shaw.ca 7225 Duncan Street • 604-485-9761

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

45

BUSINESS AFFAIRS WITH SEAN PERCY sean@prliving.ca

Maynard serves ICET

Qwastånayå (Maynard Harry) has been appointed as a director to the Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET). The Board consists of 13 directors. Eight are elected by two Regional Advisory Committees; the other five are appointed by the province. The Board is the final decision-making voice for the organization, and usually meets seven to 10 times per year.

Maynard is originally a member of the Homalco First Nation having migrated to the Tla’amin Nation in the late 1960s. He served as Tla’amin’s Chief Councillor for two years and on its council for eight years. While Chief Councillor, he was a primary architect of the historic ‘Community Accord’ between the Nation and the City of Powell River. Maynard cultivated in-depth knowledge of the history and culture of Aboriginal peoples, traditional land and resource use practices during his 12-year tenure as Manager of Aboriginal Rights and Title for the Tla’amin Nation. Qwastånayå is currently a partner with Raven Events and president of Tla’amin Nation’s Holdings Board, the Nation’s economic development arm.

With the Canadian Indigenous economy experiencing rapid growth, Qwastånayå says he sees First Nations communities as significant drivers in today’s economy.

Since it was created in 2006, ICET has invested $50 million in more than 200 projects. In early 2018, it got another $10 million from the province.

Lund Resort gets top award

The Lund Resort at Klah ah men has won the Outstanding Indigenous Accommodations Award. The resort was also a finalist in the Most Improved Business category. The award was presented to Tla’amin Nation’s interim CEO of Management Services, Grace Adams and Resort General Manager, Scott Wilshaw, at the 8th

annual International Indigenous Tourism Conference Awards Gala in Kelowna in Syilx Nation territory. The Resort became the first full-service Indigenous owned and operated destination resort on the Sunshine Coast just one year ago. The resort’s three-year plan calls for ongoing renovations and additions to the main hotel building, the General Store and 13 Moons Marina, with new elements coming in summer 2020 to include a wellness centre featuring a full-service spa, and ‘glamping’ tents for outdoor luxury camping. Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours, which runs wildlife viewing tours in Bute Inlet from a base in Campbell River, was also nominated in two categories.

Full Charge

Johnnie Harding has started his own electrical business called Full Charge Electrical Ltd. Johnnie is a Red Seal electrician who had been working with Kiewit before heading out on his own. He offers residential and commercial electrical services. Contact Johnnie at 604-223-1651 or FullChargeElectrical@hotmail.com

PREP is now LIFT

The organization formerly known as PREP (Powell River Employment Program) has a new name. PREP started in 1994 as a society to manage employment programs for women. It grew into an umbrella program for other employment services and then into community development and resources. “Now we are so much more than that,” says the organization’s executive director, Stuart Clark. So after a year and a half of consultation, it has re-branded to become LIFT Community Services.

Stuart says the new name better reflects “the diversity of what we do. We lift people up and support people.”

The change comes with a new logo and brand colours and a new website at liftcommunityservices.org. LIFT runs the Work BC program (formerly Career Link), the homeless shelter and supportive housing, Immigrant Services, BOND for expectant moms, the Community Resource Centre, the Literacy Centre, Family Place, the Nook, and the Food Security Project. It is also the lead organization for Powell River’s opioid overdose crisis response, including the Community Action Team and the safe injection site. It also is the umbrella organization for SUSTAIN (the peer-led community of drug users), the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the qathet Community Justice program.

• • • •

Beach Gardens to host distillery

Salish Sea Spirits, the vodka and gin produced by Judi Tyabji’s company, will soon be produced in Powell River. Salish Sea Spirits is purchasing Kootenay Country Distillery, and once the building is ready, will move the license and equipment to a new facility at the Beach Gardens Resort this spring. Kyle Francis is in training to be a distiller, learning from the current owner Lora Goodwin. Judi told Powell River Living she was inspired to buy the distillery with her partners because of her family background in wines in the Okanagan and her experience farming and growing apples in Powell River. “There are so many wild heritage apples here, and the apples don’t keep. But if you distill them, they will keep.” She hopes to expand into whiskey and possibly cider. Judi’s long-term vision includes sharing capacity at the distillery with other small producers using different recipes or botanicals to create their own craft products, in a fashion similar to the District Wine Village in Oliver under development by her brother-in-law. Salish Sea Spirits is hosting a New Year’s Eve Party at the Beach Gardens, and selling spirits with branded shot glasses or cocktail glasses in a Christmas Spirits gift promotion at the Beach Gardens.

Ayurvedic spa at Beach Gardens

Rising Tara Natural Wellness is a new Ayurvedic spa and product line to be offered at the Beach Gardens in spring 2020, with project development by Mathew Wilson. The inspiration behind the project happened during a family visit Judi Tyabji had to India, where “I had the massage that changed my life.” The experience led her to discover that there is “a whole universe of other Ayurvedic principles and … practices for health, beauty, anti-aging, relaxation and detoxification.” A backpacking trip to India last year expanded Judi’s research into developing Ayurveda for Canada through a destination spa and custom product line. Yoga is Ayurvedic exercise, so in addition to offering massage and products, a yoga studio will be set up at the Beach Gardens in the location formerly occupied by the dive and kayak shop – above the pool. Alison Milan’s Sweet Earth Organics is helping create some of the products locally with direction from Judi. Mathew is working to attract management and staff that will make Powell River a destination centre for Ayurveda. Mathew is also the vice-president of business development for Salish Sea Spirits.

th

Or

atc der Variety of Poutines hic onl ken ine pla West Coast Fried Chicken (Gluten Free/Dairy Free) ce. ca Old Fashion Milkshakes and Soft Serve Ice Cream We cater special events!

Dine In • Take Out • Delivery (4 pm-close) 11:30am to 8pm Tuesday to Saturday • Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & Boxing Day

6251 Yew Street (inside The Rodmay Hotel) 604-414-4095

Fitness should work...

If it isn’t, call Nancy.

Private gym all to yourself with your trainer.

604.483.1633

kathybowes@remax.net

kathybowes.com

46

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

Merry Christmas

Training specific for your body.

20+ years experience training all types of people.

Start now. Limited space. All sessions are one-on-one.

Call today! 604-223-4158 totalbodytraining.ca

DECEMBER 13 TO 15 WEEKEND

DECEMBER 6 TO 8 WEEKEND

Romeo & Juliette Santa Train Stuff the Trailer Winter Wonderland opens Tla’amin Craft Fair

5

DECEMBER 20 TO 22 WEEKEND

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS

December Gas Prices Town Hall Carols by Candlelight Carolling at the Patricia Yule: Embodied Feminine Kings Tailgate Party

Carolling at Evergreen & ECU Christmas Eve Services and Mass New Years Dances New Years Potluck NFD Benefit at the Boardwalk

Winter Vacation starts Harbour Lights Breakfast with Santa Library Holiday Puppet Show Winter Solstice

Much more is happening in December. Check out PRL’s full coverage of festivals and events on Pages 48 to 54.

uniquely Powell River can’t-miss Christmas memory-makers for kids of all ages

1. Santa Train

2. Winter Wonderland

3. Step in to the Sacred

4. Harbour Lights

On the evenings of December 6 & 7, head up to the Paradise Exhibition Grounds for a train ride through a lightsfilled forest, treats, a bonfire, live music and so much more.

There’s no cost – all the Forestry Heritage Society asks is a donation of cash or a new toy for the Salvation Army.

All through December starting on the 7th, head to the rink to skate indoors through an enchanted forest. Lights, decorations, music, cocoa in a cute seating area – all for the regular admission price. Don’t miss Skating with Santa, the free skate, hamper skate and other special events. See Page 3.

Whether your family finds your spiritual home in a church, a labyrinth, a music venue, outdoors or all four, there’s plenty of choice this month to enrich your mid-winter heart.

See Pages 12 and 13.

If you’re a true West Coaster, all that holiday snow imagery probably doesn’t resonate so well. We are a rain, fog, ocean and lake people. Celebrate the authentic Powell River way, and head to the North Harbour December 21 at 5 pm, for a lights & boats spectacular right on the chilly, salty ocean.

H a p p y Ho l i d a y s fr o m al l of us at Ci t y T r a n s f e r .

Next day delivery 100% guaranteed.

CALL TODAY to schedule your next delivery

5. Townsite Brewing Crafternoons Sunday afternoons through December, make a pilgrimage to the tasting room. Assistant brewer Elliot Cowan will tap a new keg; you can sip as you make a craft, play board games and cards, and make merry with your loved ones of all ages.

– PW

POWELL RIVER | SUNSHINE COAST | VANCOUVER

604.485.8100

CITYTRANSFER.COM

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

47

The Fireplace & Stove Centre by

Big December Dates To December 13

December 24

VCH Flu Clinics

Christmas Eve

Wednesdays through December

Wednesdays through December Smart Recovery Meetings

6:30 pm, CRC. See ad on Page 33.

December 15 Gas Prices town hall

1 to 3 pm, Evergreen Theatre. See Page 15

is pleased to now carry these brands:

December 20 Last day of school before Christmas Vacation Back to school January 6

December 21 Winter Solstice

Shortest day of the year. Sunrise at 8:13 am, sunset at 4:19 pm. Just 8 hours and 6 minutes of daylight.

December 22 First Night of Hanukkah

Choose from wood, pellet, gas or electric.

Professional installation Maintenance and service W.E.T.T. Inspections Chimney Cleaning

Mon-Fri 9:30-5 & Sat 9:30-3 4463 Marine Ave (rear) Call Tiffany at 604-414-6112 or Curtis at 604-414-4699 curtis@cadamconstruction.com

Ends December 30

See Pages 12 & 13 for all the local Christmas Eve services / Mass

December 25 Christmas Day

A National Stat Holiday

December 26 Boxing Day

Only a Stat in Ontario. Sorry, BC.

December 31 New Year’s Eve

January 1 New Year’s Day A Stat Holiday

Polar Bear Swim?

Noon, Willingdon Beach, perhaps? As of press time, no one had agreed to host this annual event. So it may not officially happen this year. But unofficially, brave bodies may still submerge into the frigid mid-winter Salish Sea.

Benefit for the Northside Fire Department

Noon til 6 pm at The Boardwalk Restaurant. See ad on Page 49.

cadamconstruction.com

WE HAVE NEW HATS, TOQUES, SHIRTS AND HOODIES FOR THE HOLIDAYS...

hockey • apparel • bike • promotional • signage

Merry Christmas & thanks for shopping local Serving Powell River for nearly half a century.

4597 MARINE AVE WWW.TAWSONLINE.COM

48

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

604 485 2555

TAWS@TAWSONLINE.COM

O AND BEER...LOTS OF BEER.

Fantastical Fairy Tales

May your holidays be colourful and bright

In Little Sister Grimm, 15 table top puppets and paper marionettes come to life in an enchanting world that combines history, books, and pre-Disney fairy tales with old-school theatre magic.

Kris Fleerackers is a puppeteer and puppet builder living and working in Gibsons. He has a background in theatre and public television production and studied puppetry in Vancouver, Victoria, Banff, Toronto, and New York.

The show is 45 minutes, with a 15 minute Q&A afterwards for those who wish to stay. Presented by Falada Puppet Works.

See krisfleetcrackers.com.

LITTLE SISTER GRIMM What: An original puppet show with Gibsonsbased puppeteer Kris Fleecrackers.

When: December 7 (4 pm and 7 pm) & 8 (2 pm) Where: Cranberry Community Hall Tickets: $10 child/youth, $15 adult, $20 adult+child

RAGES AND SAGES: Kris Fleecrackers plays with the oldest versions of Snow White, with influences from Flemish, Sicilian, Czech and Japanese puppetry traditions.

December hours: Monday to Friday 7:30am – 5:00pm • Sat 9:00am-1:00pm.

We will be closing at 3pm on December 24th and 31st. The store will be closed on December 25th and re-open Monday December 30th at 7:30am.

604 485-7113

Non-Christmas culture To December 31

December 9 – 12

Early bird passes to the Powell River Film Festival

Downton Abbey RETURNS!

Festival runs February 7 to 16. See ad on Page 29.

Thursday, December 5

Friday December 13 Tech Savvy – Instagram

6:30 to 8:30 pm, Malaspina Exhibition Centre,7085 Nootka Street.

December 5 to 7

December 13 – 19

Romeo & Juliette

7 pm nightly, Max Cameron. Brooks Theatre Company presents the Shakespeare classic, with Steampunk. $10.

December 6 High Road Fog & Artisan Market 7 pm McKinneys.

December 6 – 8 The Irishman 7 pm nightly at The Patricia

Saturday, December 7

December 20 – 26 Jumanji: the Next Level

Saturday at 4 and 7 pm, Sunday at 2 pm.

See above.

January 1, noon til 6pm.

All menu items are by donation to raise funds for the Department. Start the new year well!

December 27 – January 2

20

Frozen II

January 10 & 11

Little Sister Grimm: A Puppet Play about Fairy Tales

Benefit for the Northside Volunteer Fire Department

7 pm nightly & 1:30 Weekend Matinees, Christmas Eve and Boxing Day at The Patricia. No evening show December 24; Closed December 25.

Roadkill in concert

December 7 & 8

Elegant Turkey Dinner Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & Boxing Day Full table service. Turkey, potatoes, roasted veg, chestnut & cranberry stuffing, with gravy. Comes with chestnut soup and dessert. $27 per adult.

7 pm nightly at The Patricia

Seven Year Summer: an inspiring story of loss and renewal.

8 pm, Carlson Community Club.

Swedish Yule Tide Feast Saturday & Sunday, December 7 & 8 Buffet, including smoked salmon, pickled herring, cheeses, meatballs, Jansson’s potatoes, and much more, plus traditional desserts. $27 per adult.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood

7pm nightly & 1:30 pm Weekend Matinees on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day at The Patricia. No evening show December 31.

2 pm, Library. See Page 23.

Savour the holidays

7 pm nightly &1:30 pm Thursday Matinee at The Patricia.

7 pm, Library. Want to learn more about Instagram? Come and discover the ins and outs of this popular social media platform.

Vision 2020 Group Show Opening Reception

101-7105 Duncan St relayrentals.ca

Banff Mountain Film Festival

6:45 (doors open an hour earlier), Max Cameron. See ad on Page 26.

The Boardwalk Restaurant in Lund Mon-Fri 5-8 pm Sat, Sun & Holidays noon-8 pm Find us on 604 483-2201 boardwalkrestaurantpowellriverlund.com

19

Voted the region’s “Best Fish & Chips” 4 years running!

Extended Hours Dec 20 - Jan 1 Noon - 8 pm

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

49

All the Christm If you liked us in the springtime...

You’ll love us at

Christmastime!

Ornaments • Gift Certificates • Decor • Gifts

To December 13

Wednesday, December 4

December 7 to 23

Fill the Trailer

Christmas Concert & Wassail

Santa at Town Centre Mall

Donate food to the Powell River Action Society Food Bank. The trailer will be outside of Save-On-Foods this year. Tailgate Party December 13 with the Powell RIver Kings and Dennis and the Menaces. Watch for live entertainment spots.

To December 30 PR Hospice Celebrate-A-Life Memory Tree Seven days a week til Dec. 24, 10am - 4pm 604-483-3681 • 5300 Yukon Avenue Find us on Instagram: @Springtime Garden Centre

Town Centre Mall, by Suzanne’s.

Create a special ornament and hang it on the tree in memory of someone who has died.

Friday, December 6 Stuff the Trailer celebration

1 to 4 pm, Save on Foods. Live entertainment.

Felted Ball Ornament Workshop

December 6 to 29 Winter Wonderland

Meet the man himself and get your photo taken by a professional. On Dec. 7, 11 to 1 pm, Paw Pups show welcomes Santa . Coast FM radio on location. See Page 21 for times.

Saturday, December 7 Warm Winter open house: Bodies In Balance!

Noon to 4 pm, 4566A Marine Ave. Join this laser and massage clinic for a hyggeling time! Come discover laser therapy as a healing tool for you (for everyone.) Some hands-on services, fibre arts and products available. Refreshments. 604-223-7918.

December 7 & 8 Swedish Yuletide Feast

Boardwalk Restaurant. See ad on Page 49.

Sunday, December 8 Christmas Carolling

To January 3

Skate to Christmas music through an enchanted forest. See Page 3 for full schedule.

Gingerbread Contest

December 6 & 7

Sundays, December 8, 15 & 22

Fifth annual Santa Train

5 to 8 pm each night, Paradise Exhibition Park (open Air Market). Helps by giving to the Salvation Army. Admission is by donation of unwrapped toys, non-perishable food or cash.

Food, entertainment, bonfire and much more.

6:30 pm, meet at Powell River United Church

Christmas Crafternoons at the Brewery

2 to 6 pm, Townsite Brewing. We will tap a unique beer each week, created by our youngest brewer Elliot.

Create unique home made Christmas gifts, and/or play boardgames.

Holiday Shopping December 6

December 7 to 23

December 18 to 24

High Road Fog & Artisan Market

Santa at Town Centre Mall

Sale at the Hospital Gift Shop and Economy Shop

7 pm McKinneys.

December 6 & 7 Holiday gift and craft fair

See Page 21 for times.

December 8 to 24 Misfit Macs

At PR Macs. See ad on Page 52.

4 to 8 pm Friday, 10 to 6 pm Saturday, Powell River Legion.

December 12 to 14

Saturday, December 7

First Anniversary Celebration, Townsite Market

Tla’amin Craft Fair

sunshinecoastfuels.ca 50 • december 2019 • prliving.ca

2 to 4:30 pm, The ARC Community Events Centre.

To December 15

Town Centre Hotel. Donate to vote for your favourites. Raises funds for the Local Professional Firefighters Burn Fund.

Call us at 604-485-4188 for all your fuel needs or visit us at 7141-A Duncan St (beside City Transfer) or place your order online at

Inclusion Powell River Open House

Donate and volunteer around town

Salvation Army Kettle Campaign

See more on Page 42.

from our family to yours

Thursday, December 5

4 to 6 pm, Library. Learn the basic principles of felting and make a festive ball ornament to take home. Registration required. Call 604-485-4796 Ext. 206.

To December 24

Everyone Deserves a Smile

Merry Christmas

7:30 pm, Evergreen Theatre. $15.

10 to 3 pm, Salish Centre. Come and browse. Kitchen will be open if people want to stay and have lunch.

Christmas Book Sale

10 to 4, Library. Friends of the Library fundraiser featuring a curated selection of books.

Enter to win a gift basket! See ad on Page 28.

Saturday, December 14 Magic of Christmas HomeBased Business & Craft Fair

10 to 4 pm, Recreation Complex. See ad on Page 12.

See ad on Page 30.

Thursday, December 19 Townsite Night Market: last of the season

4 to 8 pm, Townsite Public Market. Old Enough to Know Better in concert. Surprises, kiosks and much more. See ad on Page 61.

Friday, December 20 Last day to order from Cottage Creek Bake Shop See ad on Page 61

T he Po we l l Ri v e r V i si to r Ce n tr e

unique souvenirs

massy things

just in - gifts from the salish sea.

NEW ITEMS

Plan your happy holidays

Tuesday, December 10

Saturday, December 21

Charlie Brown Jazzy Christmas

Winter Solstice Qi Gong

10 to 11:15 am with Sandra Tonn.

Cranberry Hall. $15. Registration required. www.qisandra.ca, 604-483-3509

7:30 pm, Max Cameron

Holiday Hamper Skate

5 to 7 pm. Winter Wonderland. Free with a food bank/new toy donation (skate rentals extra).

7th Annual Winter Solstice Ceremony & Feast Registration Required. Details at www.3foldbalance.com

Holiday Hamper Swim

7- 8:30 pm. Free with a food bank/ new toy donation.

Wednesday, December 11 Community Christmas Lunch Salvation Army. See ad on Page 12.

Friday, December 13 The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Time & Location: TBA. With M.C Bane / Az-Real / Dizzy D / J Smoke.

Stuff the Trailer Tailgate party

At the complex, tied in with the Kings last home game before Christmas. Denis and the Menaces will be performing,the food bank will be cooking and Bobby Fields will once again be live on location.

December 13 & 14 Carols by Candlelight

Xmas Bash with Dennis & the

VOLUNTEER YOUR VOICE: Menaces On Christmas Day at 11 am, head to 10 pm, The Zoo. $5 cover.

Willingdon Creek Village to sing Christ- Monday, December 23 mas carols. The troubadors will bring Free Winter Wonderland Skate good cheer to the Extended Care Unit 10 to 12 pm. Sponsored by United Way & Royal LePage as well.

December 24 to 26 December 15 & 16 Christmas Lights Bus Tours

At the Boardwalk Restaurant. See ad on Page 49.

Wednesday, December 18

Volunteer carolling at Willingdon Creek and Evergreen EC

7:30 pm, James Hall. $18.

Dwight Hall.

Thursday, December 19

Saturday, December 14

Texada School Christmas Concert

Angry Snowmans

9:30 pm, Wildwood Pub. These disgruntled Elves of the North Pole do their best to reclaim the holiday by playing all your favorite punk rock songs with festive lyrics.

Skate with Santa

12 to 2 pm. Winter Wonderland.

Regular Admission.

Yule: Embodied Feminine

1 to 4 pm, Elements Studio, Townsite. See www.rewildtogether.com

Sunday, December 15 Carolling at The Patricia

2 pm, Patricia Theatre. Bring the family. Santa and Mrs. Claus. Prizes.

Singing led by Roberta Pearson.

Tenth annual Jingle Jog

7 pm, Texada School.

Friday, December 20 School Holidays Start Back on January 6.

Carolling at Town Centre Mall 3 to 6 pm, everyone welcome.

Saturday, December 21 Harbour Lights

Fishing boats decorated with Christmas lights, Spick & Son’s decorated flatbed, free cookies and hot cocoa, and much more at the North Harbour. Free.

Breakfast with Santa

9 am/10 am seatings at the Rec Complex. $2 per person/$5 per family (up to 5). This is a registered program.

Seasonal Puppet Show

December 25

11 am start at Willingdon Creek

New Year’s Parties Tuesday, December 31 Italian Club New Year’s Eve

8 pm, Wildwood. $35. Featuring the Jim Baron band. See Page 25 for more.

Prohibition: Hosted by Salish Sea Spirits

8 pm, Beach Gardens Resort. New Year’s party. $10. See ad on Page 14

New Year’s Eve Fun & Potluck

Ho Ho Hold on there: Make good choices for yourself and others this holiday season.

4:30 pm, Powell River United Church.

We know what a brain injury is.

You don’t want to find out.

New Year’s Eve Bash

rain

njur y

y

9 pm, CranBar. With Dennis & the Menaces & special guests. $15 single, $25 couple.

t ie

10:30 to noon, Library. Our annual puppet show is a holiday extravaganza!

POWELLRIVER.INFO

Your skull.

It’s a beautiful thing.

oc

9:30 am registration, run at 10 am Willingdon Beach. 5km Charity Fun run / walk for the Food Bank. More details to come. Event sponsored by Brooks Students for Change.

Elegant Turkey Dinner

6:30 to 8:30 pm, departs from the recreation complex. $5 per person or $16 per family. Must register: 604-485-2891

Chor Musica Men’s Choir Winter Solstice Concert

4760 Joyce Avenue

New Year’s Dance

8 pm, Legion. With Ron Campbell and the bLUES bUSTERS. $20/$25.

life

beyond acquired brain injury

Powell River BRAIN INJURY SOCIETY tel 604 485-6065 info@ braininjurysociety.ca www.braininjurysociety.ca

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

51

Sports

'56 BURGER

Mondays through December Sober Sports: Indoors

7 to 8 pm, Westview Gym. $3 drop in. See Page 37 for more.

To December 29

Delicious done right, since 1956.

'56 PAPA®

$649

'56 MAMA®

$529

Price plus tax.

710 Cals

Price plus tax.

530 Cals

'56 BUDDY®

$299 Price plus tax.

Winter Wonderland

Skate through a magical forest – indoors. See Page 3.

Friday, December 6 • older trade-ins • scuffed/dented units • unwanted units (sniffle)

Kings vs. Surrey

7 pm, Hap Parker Arena.

Saturday, December 7 United Way Free Family Swim

iMacs • Macbook Pros • Mac Mini

370 Cals

© 2019 A&W Trade Marks Limited Partnership

Starts Friday December 8th

The ‘56 Burger from A&W is a tasty nod to our tasty beginnings in 1956. With grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, cheese and mouthwatering beef raised without the use of hormones or steroids, this burger will bring your taste buds back to a simpler time. So come down and try the ‘56 Burger today, with three sizes starting from just $2.99, it’s a classic taste for the modern mouth.

Open at 6 am, 7 days a week 4696 Joyce Ave • 604 485-6277

All dignified offers accepted! first come, first served

Only the Best Used Macs

4691 Marine Avenue Powell River, BC 604 578-1320 prmacs.ca

Your Apple computer Specialist

2 to 4 pm. Rec Complex.

Tuesday, December 10 Holiday Hamper Skate

5 – 7 pm, Winter Wonderland. Free with a food bank/ new toy donation (skate rentals extra).

Holiday Hamper Swim

7- 8:30 pm, Rec Complex. Free with a food bank/new toy donation.

Friday, December 13 Kings vs. Merritt

7 pm, Hap Parker Arena.

Saturday, December 14 Skate with Santa

Noon to 2 pm. Regular Admission.

Sea Snake afternoon

2- 3 pm, Rec Complex. Regular Admission.

Sunday, December 15

WISHING YOU A VERY MERRY

5814 Ash Avenue

604-483-4130

local76@unifor76.ca

TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST and so much more!

CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS & A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!

Latest diagnostic equipment saves you time and money

20 years experience

604 487-9602

Free Winter Wonderland Skate.

10 am – noon. Sponsored by United Way & Royal LePage

A regular transmission service keeps your transmission healthy.

When was your last service?

Monday, December 30 Kings vs. Nanaimo

7 pm, Hap Parker Arena.

Nicholas Simons, MLA

Certified Tradesmen • All Types of Roofing

109 - 4675 Marine Ave Powell River BC 604 485 1249 Nicholas.Simons.MLA @leg.bc.ca

www.nelsonroofing.com

52

(604) 485-0100

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

9:30 am registration, run at 10 am, Willingdon Beach.

5km Charity Fun run / walk for the Food Bank. More details to come. Event sponsored

by Brooks Students for Change.

Monday, December 23

Full mechanical repairs Nation-wide guarantee

FREE Estimates

Tenth annual Jingle Jog

Tuesday, December 31 Kings vs. Nanaimo

5 pm, Hap Parker Arena.

Polar Bear Swim?

Noon, Willingdon Beach, perhaps? As of press time, no one had agreed to host this annual event. So it may not officially happen this year. But unofficially, brave bodies may still submerge into the frigid mid-winter Salish Sea.

Brooks’ steam punk Romeo & Juliette

Gears & Gowns

BY MISTY MACDONALD

ROMEO & JULIETTE

“Many people see Shakespeare as very oldfashioned, so adding a modern twist to a predictable story helps bring it back to life.”

What: The Shakespeare original, performed by Brooks Theatre Company, in Steam Punk style When: 7 pm each night, December 5 to 7 Where: Max Cameron Theatre.

Tickets: $10

So explains Katrina Jevons (Juliet), a Grade 12 drama student at Brooks Secondary. Brooks Theatre Company is beyond excited to present Romeo and Juliet, featuring a unique steampunk theme.

Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction where steam-powered machinery is typically featured.

As the first semester draws to a close, the cast and crew of Romeo and Juliet have high hopes that a new take on the

story and using the popular art form of steampunk will intrigue their peers.

“It’s important to keep Shakespeare’s performances alive because he just has this gift of drawing out the core themes of our humanity,” says director Jennifer Didcott.

“The beauty of Shakespeare lies in the tapestry of language, universal themes and relatable characters. The themes of treachery, honor, bravery, love and political intrigue are still relevant to this day.

Plus steampunk is an art-form that a lot of the students can relate to.”

In our tech-laden society, it seems fitting to have a theme that embodies the

THE CAPULETS: (top left to right) Kate Forbes (Nurse), Eli Chappel (Lord Capulet), Aurora Dyck (Lady Capulet). Katrina Jevons (Juliet), Hayden Drosdevitch (Tybalt).

Photo by Jennifer Kennedy’s Photography class

Gi av ft ca ail rd ab s le

Get your holiday glow on! #105-7075 Alberni St (604) 485-2075 www.afterglowhairlounge.com Until January 15, get your 2020 ads at 2019 prices.

Book a year, get 10 percent off.

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays

from

from the team at Furniture Boutique Decor * Design * Staging Barb Oliver 604-715-1483 Lisa Oakes 604-848-1848

suzi@prliving.ca sean@prliving.ca

Visit us at the Old Courthouse Inn

thefurnituregals.ca

877-677-4566 www.bankingonit.ca

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

53

joyful

GIFTS FOR A

HOLIDAY

Adrian Klis Leather Wallets & BAGS

Unbeatable customer service & free gift wrapping

Great Stocking Stuffers

Make Paperworks your stress-free shopping destination.

Gifts for the entire family!

As usual, the unusual December hours: Mon to Sat 9:30 am - 5:30 pm • Sun 10:30 am - 4 pm 202 – 4741 Marine Avenue • OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • 604 485-2512

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

11am to 5pm

9:30am to 5:30pm

9:30am to 5:30pm

9:30am to 5:30pm

9:30am to 7pm

9:30am to 7pm

9:30am to 5:30pm

11am to 5pm 9:30am to 5pm 9:30am to 5pm 11am to 5pm

1

8

15

22

29

9:30am to 5:30pm 9:30am to 7pm 9:30am to 7pm

2

9

16

23

9:30am to 5:30pm

30

3

4

9:30am to 5:30pm

9:30am to 5:30pm

9:30am to 7pm

9:30am to 7pm

9:30am to 7pm

9:30am to 7pm

10

9:30am to 4pm 9:30am to 4pm

17

11

18

5

12

19

9:30am to 7pm 9:30am to 7pm

24

MERRY BOXING DAY CHRISTMAS 9am to 4pm 26 Closed 25

9:30am to 7pm

31

HAPPY NEW 9:30am - 5:30pm YEAR! Closed 1 2

9:30am to 7pm

604.485.4681

6

13

20

27

3

THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS HAVE VIOLENT ENDS: Friar Lawrence, played by JoJo Wood, warns Romeo of the perils to come.

Photo by Jennifer Kennedy’s Photography class

lines and building your character is a challenge,” says Tyler. “Being vulnerable is hard to portray on stage, especially if you want to be convincing,” states Katrina. The classic tale of feuding families, romance and loyalty is back, but this industrial reinvention is bound to captivate the community.

en ter taining

DECEMBER HOURS SUNDAY

last major technological revolution. Steampunk is an homage to authors like Jules Verne and H.G Wells, to the birth of science fiction during the Victorian era.

It’s a nostalgic look back on how far our world has come; back to a time when inventions were closer to art.

A period piece brings its challenges, but Brooks Theatre Company is determined to put on a breath-taking show.

Elaborate costuming, a stunning set and gruelling sword scenes are highlights for cast members Tyler Leslie (Romeo), Mekiah Vollmin (Mercutio) and Tina Nadalini (Benvolio). The team welcomes instructor and past Powell River resident Jeffery Renn to choreograph the play’s fighting scenes and to share his expertise from working on his own recent production of Macbeth at Douglas College. A dedicated group of students along with Erika Gail from Volunteer Powell River’s youth steering committee take on costuming day and night, every design choice has meaning. The Capulets symbolize opulence; thus, the team was inspired by the peacock feather in their designs. In contrast, the down-to-earth Montagues will wear earthy tones and have more mechanical accents.

Taking on a Shakespearean play is no easy task, especially when artistic direction is something to consider. There is a steep learning curve that is sure to end with great satisfaction. “Memorizing the

7

9:30am to 5:30pm

14

9:30am to 6pm

21

9:30am to 5:30pm

28

9:30am to 5:30pm

4

prtowncentre.com

LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT GIFT? Get them something they really want this Christmas! Powell River Town Centre Gift Certificates are available for purchase (debit/credit cards accepted) at the admin office.

GIFT CERTIFICATES

54

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

Powell River

$25

7100 Alberni Street

Kristen Brach & Allison Burt support SD47 students & teachers

Learning & Innovation

“Our goal is to make sure each child reaches their potential.”

That very simple statement comes from Kristen Brach, SD47’s DistrictPrincipal of Learning and Innovation. As former school Principal at both Henderson and Edgehill Elementary Schools, she knows what it takes to get students to their potential for the swift-changing, global 21st century: a lot of support for everyone involved.

Kristen and the District Coordinator of Curriculum, Assessment & Reporting, Allison Burt, are working together to create that support for both Administrators and Teach-

ers so everyone in the District has the tools they need to be successful with the student- centred, core-competency-focused re-designed Curriculum (see below).

Those include new measures and strategies to improve student success, to ensure all the changes are resulting in positive improvements in learning environments and student outcomes, and adjust when they’re not: higher graduation rates, better inclusivity, literacy and numeracy foundations, and anecdotal success stories not captured by the data.

“This is all about deep learning,” said Allison. “How to integrate those core competencies and 21st century skills, how they play a role in creating successful, productive, compassionate citizens. That’s what this is all about.”

The Core Competencies

Communication:

Thinking

Personal and Social

Interactions with Others

Intellectual Development

Identity in the World

Through their communication, students acquire, develop and transform ideas and information, and make connections with others to share their ideas, express their individuality, further their learning, and get things done. The communication competency is fundamental to finding satisfaction, purpose and joy.

It is through their competency as thinkers that students take subject-specific concepts and content and transform them into a new understanding. Students process information from a variety of sources, including thoughts and feelings that arise from the subconscious and unconscious mind and from embodied cognition, to create new understandings.

Students develop this both as individuals and as members of their community and society. Personal and social competency encompasses what students need to thrive as individuals, to understand and care about themselves and others, and to find and achieve their purposes in the world.

Want to learn more? Contact us.

School District #47 4351 Ontario Ave 604 485-6271

www.sd47.bc.ca

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

55

Nice

THE

Have the people on your list been naughty or nice in 2019? If you’re playing Santa, you get to decide.

1. Valley Building Supplies

Milwaukee Tool revolutionized tool transportation, organization, and storage with the PACKOUT™ Modular Storage System. Interchange and interlock a wide assortment of heavy duty tool boxes, organizers, and storage totes in multiple different configurations. Perfect for the tradesman on the go.

2. TugGuhm

This adorable otter is carved in Brazilian soapstone. It is 18 inches long. The clam shell is also hand-carved by studio owner Debra Bevaart. $2,600

3. Armitage

Arcade Belts. Lighter, stronger, better and you won’t need to take it off at the airport.

4. Tourism Powell River

Many gifts that celebrate the uniqueness of Powell River and the surrounding area. Have you visited your Visitor Centre lately?

LIST

5. Tla’amin Convenience Store

Agnes Seaweed Wisen is a new First Nations artist being featured at the store. We love the traditional and modern abstract elements in her work! Agnes is a multidisciplinary Kwakwaka’wakw artist and entrepreneur.

Agnes gains her inspiration from her experiences with big ocean swells and misty coastal forests, and often can be found exploring with a kayak or a surfboard, when she’s not creating new metal work.

For your nice list, an A&W gift card is a mouth watering stocking stuffer.

1)

7. Kelly’s

Himalayan Salt Lantern diffusers are available in Delhi or Jaipur styles. $44.98

8. Pollen Sweaters

A Pollen toque will be one of the most comfortable caps you’ll ever wear. That’s because they use the same fantastic pure wool that goes into their sweaters - it’s 100% washable and itch-free. $38 The Echo 58V Handheld Blower has a 2 Amp-Hour Lithium Ion battery and recharges in just 30 minutes, but can run for up to an hour, blasting out 120 mph winds, yet weighing in at only 11 pounds. $229.95 Have the sexiest garage doors on the block. That’s a thing, right? It is when you order them from Powell River’s own Modern Windows.

11. PR Macs

Got a friend or relative that needs help with their Apple computer, iPad or iPhone? Tired of being the go-to Apple tech support person in your family? We’ve got your tickets to a stress-free new year! A perfect stocking stuffer for those in your life who could use a little professional help, tutoring gift certificates from PR Macs start at only $25 per session or $60 for three sessions (and yes, we’re open until 4 pm on Christmas Eve at 4691 Marine Ave).

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

1

6. A&W

10. Modern

56

q

Nice? Treat your little angel to something splendid from this page.

Naughty? Reward your little rebel with something scintillating, turn the page.

9. Relay Rentals 1!

w

o

e t

r

y

u

i

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

57

Naughty

THE

LIST

w

q

u

i

o

58

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

t

r

e

y

1. Mother Nature

The Flex 9 & 15 gallon (34 & 57 L) aquariums from Fluval provide contemporary styling with distinctive curved fronts. The tank is also equipped with a powerful 3-stage integrated filtration system and an infrared remote control that allows you to select between several colors and special effects. The end result? A fully equipped kit providing hobbyists with all the necessary hardware needed to set up a thriving freshwater aquarium. $139.99 for the 9-gallon model. With the flexible lighting, you can change the colour to suit the mood.

2. The Boardwalk Restaurant

Legendary for their award-winning fish and chips, the Boardwalk also makes other dishes that sometimes get overlooked. For example, missing out on their calamari would be a shame. The big rings from Humboldt squid are tender, tasty and cooked to perfection. We recommend the calamari as an appetizer, so you can still feast on the fish and chips later. Win, win!

3. That Chicken Place 1)

There’s no justifying the Chicken and Waffle Poutine.

There’s just enjoying. This beauty is packed with house cut fries, cheese curds, shreds of chicken, cheese curd stuffed waffle cubes, poutine gravy and maple bacon drizzle. Oh wait, you can justify it – it’s gluten free! $16.95

1!

4. TAWS

The GoPro HERO8 Black waterproof action camera offers unshakable stabilization with HyperSmooth 2.0. It also has a touch screen and records in 4K Ultra HD video, takes 12MP Photos and does 1080p Live Streaming.

5. Thunder Bay Saw Shop

Keep those pants up with quality suspenders from Thunder Bay Saw Shop, specially woven to hold up to constant stretching. Choose between clip or button styles in a variety of colours.

6. Simply Bronze

Island Haze swim shorts for men. Body sold separately.

7. Iris

With the IRIS holiday sun event, you can get your favourite shades for $25 off, or $50 off a prescription pair.

Only until Dec. 24.

8. Westerly Studio

The softest bamboo robe is in high demand. Brought back for this holiday season, artisan made and a perfect holiday gift. Sizes for all and even have mini ones for the kids.

9. Capone’s Cellar

Limited edition Captain Morgan Gingerbread Spiced Rum is a seasonal offering, best served as a chilled shot or in a cocktail like a gingerbread hot apple cider or a holiday martini.

10. Pagani

Full-grain leather belts are good stocking stuffers.

They’re 1.5” wide and made in Canada. $45

11. Fits to a T

For lazy days around the house, these cosy warm reindeer slippers by Lemon pair perfectly with Netflix, a warm fire, or a glass of bubbly.

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

59

TAKE A BREAK AcAdemy of music TICKETS Academy Box Office 7280 Kemano St 604 485-9633 Mon – Thur 9:30 am – 4:30 pm

Buy online at powellriveracademy.org

Slow down for Solstice

CHOR MUSICA MEN’S CHOIR

Powell RiveR

Christmas Concert

Wed, Dec 18 at 7:30 pm James Hall • $18

CAROLS BY CANDELIGHT

Fri, Dec 13 at 7:30 pm Sat, Dec 14 at 1:30 & 7:30 pm Dwight Hall • $23 (tickets for Carols by Candelight available only at the box office)

A Thought For The Day

“This is worship to serve mankind and minister to the needs of the people.” ~ Bahá’í Writings

604-483-9749 Daily runs to Savary Island • Charters serving Savary Island & surrounding areas, including Sunshine Coast Trail • Phone for reservations • Phone hours 8 am – 6 pm

A gift that truly keeps giving.

Donate to the Powell River Hospital Foundation.

604 485-3211 ext 4349 | 5000 Joyce Avenue, Powell River, V8A 5R3

www.prhospitalfoundation.com

Return to Reverence ~ working with elements of the natural world JULIETTE WOODS offers card readings, shamanic sessions, medicine gatherings, and immersion programs online and in-person. Find her at 3FoldBalance.com and shamanicliving.ca

T

he long, dark nights of winter become a prominent experience of the natural world this month. There is a general inclination toward cozy living and a slower pace. Many of us begin to quietly create, brew medicines, curl up with books, step into meditation practices, or slow cook soups and stews.

Others will find they rest and sleep more – and with that – dream more.

During darker months, we might spontaneously find we remember our dreams more often, or perhaps they become more vibrant, complex, or lucid.

They lend themselves well to intentionally cultivating a practice for insights or creative solutions to problems, receiving messages from our subconscious, and even visits from our deceased loved ones.

If you don’t believe you are a “dreamer” but would like to be, or don’t seem to remember them – and would like to; implement as many of these tips as reasonable and stick with it for the next four to six weeks.

This time of year naturally supports you!

Let yourself daydream more often.

Reduce your use of digital imagery and screen time. Not just before bed, but throughout each day as well.

After waking, but before moving around too much, try to run

Why live with pain?

he Under t ! of o r e sam

Find out how we can help you.

Cold Laser Therapy Reduce Chronic Pain Heal Injuries Faster

Come to our Open House: December 7, 12-4 pm 4566A Marine Avenue - inside Bodies in Balance • 604.223.7918 • rebalancemassage.ca

Rob Rob Villani

Villani

Stacey Stacey Fletcher

Fletcher

Katya Buck

Ian

Katya Tully-Barr Buck

Local LocalLawyers Lawyers––where wherethe thecoffee coffeeisisalways alwayson on and we answer your phone calls. and we answer your phone calls.

60

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

through any dreams from start to end.

Sleep with a notebook and pen beside you. Perhaps even open and ready next to your pillow for recording dreams as soon as possible.

Check on your intake of caffeine or stimulants like tobacco.

Play games with intuition. Guess who is calling before looking or find a friend in a crowd following gut instincts only.

Be gentle with yourself if dreaming doesn’t come easily at first.

Stressing about it makes it more elusive.

For the Dreamers among us, or when dreams begin to be remembered, there are ways we might take this way of working deeper.

Sift information. Do any components reflect aspects of your day-today living? Are there any influences from movies watched or podcasts listened to? What was the most significant part?

What is the general feeling that you are left with after waking? What was the general feeling within the dream?

If you went to bed with a question or situation in mind, does the dream offer any actionable solutions or new ways to regard it?

You might be surprised how important paying attention to dreams becomes, how interesting it is when communities dream together, or how powerful dreaming for a friend can be.

December Special: Senior Massage $60 • Swedish Massage • Cold Laser Therapy Tech • Aroma Ease (Raindrop) • Deep Flow • Hot Stone

Serving you at 2 locations 604-483-6759 • 4566A Marine

Real Real Estate Estate Commercial Commercial Law Law Wills Wills & & Estates Estates Divorce Divorce Family Family Mediation Mediation Criminal Criminal Law Law ICBC ICBC Claims Claims Civil Civil Disputes Disputes

Your relax & rejuvenate specialist

Powell River

Massage

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas Phoenix Plaza • 604 485-6188

villaniandco.com

2

4

ar

G

3

6 8

CHN

7 9

14

15

16

18

Christmas Marketplace

12

Thursday, December 19 • 4 pm to 8 pm Townsite Public Market

17 19

20

“Old Enough to Know Better” on stage.

Unique, handcrafted gifts.

Surprises throughout the evening.

21

22

23

24

25

townsitenightmarket@gmail.com

26 27 28

December in Powell River

Reiki Zen Shiatsu Reflexology Swedish Massage Deep Tissue Massage

29 30

31

32 33

34 35

Across

Down

3) Handel’s anointed one 5) Saltery & Salish’s muse 7) Heron, hopefully not Christmas 8) How to keep your Pollen perky 14) Nancy’s butter recipe 16) Yellow gate’s future (acron) 18) NDP’s whip 19) Grocer gone 20) Shortest/longest day 22) Brown’s Christmas 23) Montague’s love-hate 25) Make the right pitch 27) Katie’s wish to the world 28) Mountain Film Fest’s home 29) Salish Sea’s spirit 31) PREP’s new name 32) PROWLS calendar girls 33) Close firmly, or pinniped 34) Nights before Christmas & New Year’s 35) Papermaker’s party

1) Town hall talk topic 2) Luthier’s product 4) RONA retiree, boat bottom 5) Sandra’s story expertise 6) Author Enquist 9) Santa’s footwear Dec 14 10) Why Santa is a model 11) Christmas or beauty 12) 7-year summer Byrne 13) Grocer coming 15) Lynn’s Christmas challenge 17) At the mall, or by candlelight 21) Whisky doc Greg 23) Garbage notification 24) Lucy & Linus’ snack 26) Gate art guy 27) Boss’ puppy, fishing lures 30) Clinic doc Diana 32) RV writer

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

a lt

gardengatehealth.com • (604) 413-1157

10 11

13

G ate He

Ask Sarah about: Nutrition Consulting Prepared Meals Cooking Classes Organic Teas & Products

Sarah Hooff,

5

den

h

“Simple Measures, Vibrant Health!”

1

Eve Stegenga 604 414-5991

Gift Certificates Available 4680 Willingdon Avenue

Cottage Creek Bake Shop Order now until December 20 Last day of deliveries on December 24!

Stollen • Fruit Cakes • Fresh Buns • Hot Cross Buns

Lemony Shortbreads • Danish Pecan Shortbread • Buttertarts • Coconut Joy Bars • Espresso Hearts • Fruit Scrolls • Mincemeat Thumbprints Zaletti • Neapolitan Squares • Red Velvet Cracks • Rugelach Dipped Chocolate Stix • Chocolate Orange Dipped Cookie • and much more...

604-414-0616 • cottagecreek@telus.net Find our full 2019 Holiday menu on Facebook.

1

M

2

G A 3S

5

7

C

10

V

8

H

H O U S

Solution for last month’s puzzle: Helping Powell River

E E

R

L

15

I

16

I

L O T

I

N G

H

U

9

11

S

T R A

H

C A T N

P

26

S

29

28

M

S P

T Y E E

D

13

17

21

25

P

P E 12T

19

C

H

I O N

C H A N G E

G

R

A

4

N C L U 6S

I

N

A I

N

P

I

18

L E R 22

23

14

F

J

P O I G

S

20

I

E

33 34

B

Y

T

27

Z

T L

D O N A T E

N I

S A N T A

35

L

V

B L 31 U F F S

L

E

A R T

N 24T

30

A R M Y

K

32

I

P O P P Y N

E

L A N D

Peace, Happiness and a Prosperous New Year From the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and staff

36

A

B R E E Z E

POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

61

Photo courtesy Mother Nature

Hot flashes and pet drama fill this empty nest Dear Powell River Living readers and friends,

W

ell, it’s time for the dreaded Christmas letter so grab a beer, a bong or a glass of something and get comfortable.

The year went by in a flash and I don’t mean a news flash. It was more the hot kind of flash. You know, the kind of flash that middle aged women and their husbands are familiar with. Turn down the heat, open the door, turn the heat back up, all in the space of two minutes.

I was shocked to discover that I’m no longer middle aged. A good friend reminded me that boat sailed several years ago. When you’re between 55 and 60, you’re more like a pre-senior and that’s not a bad thing. It sounds hopeful doesn’t it? Kind of like you’re still young and just embarking on something grand.

The year started badly with my partner landing in hospital in January. Or was it February? I can’t remember because I’m over 55 and I have a hard time remembering all the things I’m supposed to remember.

Anyhow, Dwain had to spend a few days in the Powell River General earlier this year. Thank God we got all that sorted out!

Here I go sounding like one of my friend’s elderly relatives. You know the ones. The kind who, when you ask them how they are, they pull a big sheet of paper out of their purse and proceed to tell you all the things that are wrong with them before listing off the 12 different prescriptions they have to take. By the time they’ve finished your eyes have glazed over and so much time has passed you’ve forgotten what you asked them about in the first place. I promise I won’t do that. At least not this year.

My new year’s resolution to exercise and lose weight started splendidly in January! By mid- month I was running five kilometres, five days a week. By mid-November I was walking three blocks five times a week. Not sure where I’ll be by the end of December. It’s not my fault, honest. I blame it on our new family member.

Becoming an empty nester was traumatizing. My youngest son Alex moved out in April to attend BCIT’s commercial pilot program in Richmond. I cried for a week. Then I bought a puppy.

Scotiapride’s Acadian Jig (“Jigs” for short) joined our family in October. I flew to Nova Scotia to get her.

Well, that’s not exactly true. I hadn’t been home to visit friends in many years so I combined a visit with picking up a puppy.

They say Jigs is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling retriever

62

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

Last Word with

ISABELLE SOUTHCOTT but I think she is really a landshark with very sharp teeth. Grandpa Hunter (my senior Duck Toller, pictured above) tolerates her, but he sometimes looks at me with his big, sad eyes as if to say: “Why. What did I do to deserve this?”

Meanwhile Boots the cat just hisses and gives her a good swat when he’s had enough.

I’m happy to report that Jigs is now semi-civilized.

My father used to say that toddlers were mobile with no common sense. The same can be said for puppies. But all is forgiven when you look at sleeping babies and sleeping puppies.

Two Grade 12 students from Beijing came to live with us last month and helped solve the empty nest dilemma.

Luckily, Lucy and Theresa don’t mind animals. Jigs loves the teens but she thinks their big, plush elephant slippers are really stuffed animals they just happen to wear on their feet! The girls often have a puppy hanging off their feet when trying to walk around the house. It is really quite funny.

Dwain retired earlier this year. It lasted all of six weeks. Then one of our kids needed something so he went back to work. (We have five kids between us age 20 to 24 with three still in post-secondary so it wasn’t a big surprise.) He began working part-time for Mitchell Brothers. Since Dwain “retired” he is doing the lion’s share of domestic duties. He does 95 per cent of the grocery shopping and cooked dinner 363 days this year. I cooked twice.

We visited our Kamloops kids in July and took Boots, the cat, with us. I figured he’d like wearing a little red harness. I tried it on him the day before we left. Everything was good for a while but on the way home, the cat started panting and hid beneath the seat. When we stopped at a campsite near Boston Bar, I put the harness and leash on him. I didn’t have a handle on things when I was doing it and the door was open a crack. Yup, you guessed it. Out the door went Boots, harness on and little red leash trailing behind him. Gone. Lost. Doomed to certain death in wilderness far from home. Last I saw of him he was hightailing it through the woods.

I ran after him as fast as I could but he had vanished.

The campground owners said there were cougars and other wildlife in the woods. I felt sick. His imminent death was on my conscience. He would have had a chance without a harness and leash but he’d get caught in a tree and be supper for some animal with that rigging on. Dwain and I searched high and low. We rattled the kitty treat bag calling his name but we heard nothing. We got up every couple hours through the night to search for our kitty. Twenty-four hours later and Boots was still missing. I tried to keep the faith but it wasn’t easy. I remembered my grandmother saying: “Without hope, there is nothing,” so I did my best to keep my candle of hope burning bright. It was but a weak flicker by 9 pm the second night when I set off to search yet again.

“Boots, here kitty, kitty,” I called, tearfully rattling the kitty treat bag. By now, almost 30 hours had passed and I couldn’t stop thinking that he was dead. “Here Boots,” I called again. I poked around the old junk yard above the campground and lifted the edge of an old truck cap.

The prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen stared back at me and out walked Boots! I thought my heart would burst. I scooped him up and went back to tell Dwain the good news. The cat was back! It was like Christmas in July.

My youngest son and I traded cars last month. He was having problems with his beater but didn’t have time to get it fixed because he’s at school in Richmond. I envisioned him breaking down, stranded by the side of the road, so I suggested that we trade vehicles.

I am now the proud owner of a 2003 Honda Civic.

Meanwhile, Alex has a 2007 Toyota Camry. The Camry has been well cared for and well maintained. The Honda, well let’s just say it was a pizza delivery car and owned by a teenage boy. My oldest son put it succinctly.

“I know who got the best end of that deal mom and it wasn’t you!”

Well, it’s time to take a bubble bath and dream about all the weight I’m going to lose after Christmas. If I close my eyes I can picture myself in the gym or running a marathon or two. Oh wait, I did that when I was actually a middle age 40-year old.

Life is good but it is not perfect. My social media accounts don’t portray this perfectly polished, curated life, but they do show someone living the best way she knows how while running a magazine she loves and living in the best community on earth.

Merry Christmas everyone! And thank you for reading Powell River Living magazine.

Dressing Powell River

Vintage pyjamas by Majestic

Cuddle hooded white robe by Sensis

Vintage robe by Majestic

Koala Sky Blue pyjamas by Patricia

Villain Footwear by DC

Cable-knit suede-bottom booties by Lemon

in the Town Centre Mall

Models: Wes Brown and Kristal Gordon

4573B Marine Avenue POWELL RIVER LIVING • december 2019 •

63

LIMITED TIME ONLY, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST STARTING DECEMBER 1ST

SPEND SPEND

$150

CYLINDER

VASE

Present same-day receipts totalling a minimum purchase of $150 or $200 before taxes to the Mall Admin Office and receive either the Cylinder ($150) or Open ($200) Vase.

Some exclusions apply, while supplies last.

64

• december 2019 • prliving.ca

$200 OPEN

VASE

prtowncentre.com

604.485.4681