qathet Living May 2025

adoring animals

Help is Here

Does anyone read anymore? Yes!

Life with children inspires reading for many reasons. Reading with children is relaxing, quality time that you will both enjoy. At a young age, their literacy journey begins with listening and reading along while picking up language, sentence structure, and vocabulary.

As they grow, exploring topics such as potty training, manners, school, diversity, life skills, separation, and loss provides reassurance during challenging times. All the more reason to put your feet up with a good book!

Our little library space is a sanctuary where chil-

The Compassionate Friends offers support. If you’ve lost a child  – at any age, for any reason  – you are not alone.

The Powell River Compassionate Friends A support group for bereaved parents meets the 4th Tuesday of each month Refreshments 6:30 pm, meeting at 7 pm For location and more information, please contact powellrivertcf@gmail.com

dren love to play or get creative in the craft corner. Your visit is 100% free of charge and registration is not required.

Our book collection includes a wide range of topics on various aspects of family life, parenting at any stage, wellness, neurodiversity, mental health, personal growth, and more. We also have young adult favourites, coffee and tea, games, puzzles, and a diverse array of information on other family and community resources and services.

The Family Centre Library has something for everyone! All ages are welcome to drop by from 12 -  4 pm Tuesday to Thursday at 5814 Ash Ave.

​– ​​​Alice Ward Cameron, Communications Lead,

Youth & Family

Looking for health services in qathet?

Look for a copy of ZEST, the annual magazine/ directory published by qathet Living. Pick up a free copy at our office, download it at qathetliving.ca, or scan the code above.

The Bee Sting

By Paul Murray

Pickles to Penguins

Age 6+ / 2-4 Players

The Barnes family is in trouble. Dickie’s car business is going under, yet he’s spending his days in the woods, building a bunker! His wife is selling her jewelry on eBay. Their daughter seems determined to drink her way through finals and their son is planning to run away.

Where did it all go wrong? A bee caught beneath a bridal veil? Can a single moment of bad luck change the direction of a life? Is there still time to find a happy ending?

Wednesday-Sunday 12pm-6pm 7030 Glacier new phone number 604-208-6169

Hilarious party game where you need a fast hand, mind and mouth if you’re going to win. Take a deep breath and let the chaos begin.

Two cards are turned over and placed alongside the center deck. These are the cards the players play on. Players frantically place cards from their own deck on top of either card, but they must say out loud a commonality between the cards. For example: A train on a plane “Modes of transport.” The first player to get rid of all their cards wins.

Books,

Crystal

Tarot Cards & Books

Fantasy

Squishmallows,

Decals,

We will order almost anything for folks. We have ordered clothes, wallets, car parts, patio umbrellas, etc.

Our only rule is it must be able to be carried in the door - so no couches, appliances, etc. Special order charge is $5.00.

You’re the best,” I told my friend Jo-Al Meilleur last week when she quickly delivered something I needed. “That’s my name,” she replied, a joke worthy of a dad, or at least un père. (For those who skipped French class, Meilleur translates to “best”.) Jo-Al is the best, from the fabulous food she cooks up to her infectious laugh. Her jokes, not so much. But it did get me thinking about how much I throw around that “Best” word.

es with time and circumstance. And this is an important point, because this issue contains the entry form for the “Best of qathet”, a contest that is now in its 10th year. (See Pages 28-29.)

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

In general conversation, I don’t usually favour superlatives. Working in marketing, I see too many good words overused to the point where they’ve become meaningless. I do use (and perhaps overuse) “best.” It is the superlative. As the motivational quote goes: “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. ‘Til your good is better and your better is the best.” Should I be so free with its use? Is Jo-Al really the best person I know? No. I save that honour for my wife. But in the moment, when Jo-Al showed up, she provided the best – the thing I needed right then. So I posit that “the best” chang-

Suzi Wiebe suzi@qathetliving.ca

In these pages (or, conveniently online) we ask you to vote for “the best” in a variety of categories, most of which are the same as last year and the year before. So why do we keep doing it? Because “the best” changes with time. Your experience at a local restaurant may have been different this year than it was last year. What you choose as the “best burger” this year may be different from last year. Not because you were wrong last year, but perhaps the recipes change, your taste buds mature, or your experience differs this year.

None of that negates the gravity with which we should treat “best” when you vote this month. Your votes published in the July issue may determine where your neighbour or a tourist chooses to eat, stay or play, and, of course, we want them to have the “best” time possible.

qathetliving.ca

SEAN PERCY

“

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Give us your feedback

Email your comments and Letters to editor@qathetliving.ca

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Join us on Facebook and Instagram. Visit our webpage at qathetliving.ca

Show off your community

Send a subscription to an out-of-town friend. $60 a year in Canada.

Publish your work

Pitch us an article or a photo spread. Email editor@qathetliving.ca

Advertise with us

Contact sean@qathetliving.ca 604-485-0003 or suzi@qahtetliving.ca 604-344-0208

“My mom listens to grunge and heavy metal. My dad listens to BritPop. I be sticking it to the man.”

– Zoe Didcott, Grade 8 (who plays Freddy Hamilton in Brooks Theatre Department’s School of Rock)., Page 48

”

MAY’S CONTRIBUTORS

KIM BARROWS is a busy mother of three who has spent the past 10 years actively volunteering for the Westview PAC, PR Minor Baseball and Powell River Minor Hockey. See Kim’s story on Page 13.

BRUCE FINLAY is a retired electronics technologist. He has an interest in whole-being awareness practices: including tai chi, and qigong. He also sings, plays violin, and gardens. See Bruce’s story about Susan Jersak, on Page 23.

LORETTA HANSON is an ECE worker, mother and grandmother who won VIU’s 2024 provincial Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Student of the Year award. See Loretta’s story, ECE a Worthy Goal, on Page 21.

SANDY MIDDLETON is the ElderDog rehoming coordinator and a certified dog trainer specializing in behaviour support and scent work. She loves exploring our beautiful woods with her dogs. See Sandy’s story, ElderDog, on Page 8.

Thanks to all my new and old friends for giving me a call!

a landscape consultant and owner of Green Pine Landscape. See Diana’s story, Seed of an idea for Downtown, on Page 30.

DIANA WOOD has resided in Powell River since 1970, and founded the Spring Garden Tour in 1997. She’s

In the fall of 2024, a small group of teens started meeting before school, to feed and build trust with the wild pigeons of Townsite.

It turns out, connecting with these birds is easy.

“All it takes is seeds and patience,” reports Koa Wilson-Cooper.

“The pigeons at school are greedy and will eat anything and generally, they’re used to humans. I like how round they are, and love how they’re like cats that purr. Cats I’m allergic to, but I’m not allergic to pigeons.”

All winter, the students brought bird seed in plastic containers. They learned to identify different pigeons; the same ones came day after day.

“Pigeons were companions for humans and I sympathize a lot with that fact,” says Koa. “I feel badly that pigeons slowly became considered pests by humans. Pigeons still have a connection to us and don’t understand when we shoo them away and view them as gross, even though we bred them to be reliant on us.”

“Pigeons have always helped us with letters and been there as buddies in war. Pigeons hold so much trust for us and a lot of times grow deeply connected to their owners.

“Cher Ami was a pigeon who trusted soldiers enough to bravely fly through gunfire and back home, delivering a message that saved the battalion. Cher Ami lost a leg and sustained wounds but otherwise survived. The French government recognizing the efforts and the US army honored Cher Ami, who later died from wounds.”

Photos by Lily “Bones” Rankin

Public Peace between people & pigeons

Pigeons & Seagulls: they’re common, wild, and reputed to be a little grungy in urban environments. Are they still worthy of care – even love? Ask these teens and scientists.

Public Pets

Mine. Mine. Mine.

Back in December, we got to know “Willy” when qL reported on Dr. Mark Hipfner’s Salish Sea Gull Project. Willy is a seagull the scientists first trapped at Willingdon Beach, and put bands on his legs for identification. They’ve been tracking him since 2020. Unlike other seagulls in the region, Willy wasn’t frequenting the mating grounds at Mitlenatch Island. But this map, showing his whereabouts in 2024, shows he’s been hanging out there more recently... maybe with chicks?

“Good chance [that he’s mating], I would say,” Mark emailed, “but we can confirm that (or not) when we get the detailed analysis completed (which is now underway).”

If you’re on the edge of your seat about Willy’s love life – or of Salish Sea gulls in general – the Malaspina Naturalists Club is hosting Mark for a talk this month (see sidebar).

SALISH SEA GULL PROJECT TALK

When & Where: 7 pm, May 15, Powell River United Church (doors open at 6:30 pm). Free for MNC members, $5 public.

What: The Malaspina Naturalist Club hosts Dr. Mark Hipfner, to tak about gulls in our region.

“Mark has devoted his career to understanding the utility of seabirds as indicators of the health of marine ecosystems on Canada’s Atlantic, Arctic, and Pacific coasts to inform conservation planning,” reads the blurb by the Club. “The Salish Sea Gull Project is part of an Environment & Climate Change Canada program to monitor marine birds as indicators of the health of the Salish Sea.

“The Salish Sea is an important win-

tering area for marine birds and is facing increasing pressure from urbanization, population growth, and marine transportation. Along coastal BC, Glaucous-winged Gulls are abundant, generalist foragers, and they eat similar seafoods as people, making them excellent monitors and indicators of ecosystem health.

“To date, researchers have banded and sampled over 800 Glaucous-winged Gulls to learn about their health, contaminant levels, habitat use, and movements throughout the Salish Sea and beyond.”

BIRD’S EYE VIEW: Top, Willy, when he was captured at Willingdon Beach and banded for ID, as part of the Salish Sea Gull Project. Above, where Willy flew in 2024: Texada, Savary, Mitlenatch, Comox, and of course, Willingdon Beach.

Help keep love in the home: ElderDog comes to qathet

BY SANDY MIDDLETON

When Sylvia Bergner lost her husband three years ago, her 12 year old dog Poppy, a Chihuahua-Pomeranian cross, helped her through the loss. “I had Poppy and I had to take care of her,” says Sylvia. “She gave me something to live for.”

Sylvia’s story shines a light on the powerful bond between ageing people and ageing dogs. That bond is at the heart of ElderDog Canada, a national charitable organization with 37 chapters, called “pawds”, across Canada.

As we get older, our relationship with our dogs becomes critical to our health and well-being. With our dogs by our side, we can better navigate the challenges and losses that come with ageing. At the same time, we may need help to care for our dogs and that’s where ElderDog comes in.

In December 2024, Sidney Clare and Joanne Doucet launched an ElderDog “pawd” in qathet/Powell River. As seniors with a lifelong love for dogs, the ElderDog mission to “help keep love in the home” resonated with them.

“ElderDog helps seniors keep their dogs with them for as long as possible. And that makes a big difference to our quality of life,“ says Sidney. Joanne notes that ElderDog also provides an important service for older dogs.

“When an older dog loses their human through illness or death, ElderDog will look for a loving home for the dog.” She adds, “If possible, an older dog is matched with an older adult because we know that the companionship of a dog is perhaps more important later in life than at any other time.”

ElderDog is 100% volunteer run and all services are free. Through the Dog Care Support program ElderDog helps seniors with the daily care of their dog. Volunteers take dogs for walks, help with grooming and other tasks, and take dogs to the groomer and vet. Sylvia, who no longer drives, is thrilled with the ElderDog program. Volunteer Scott Gibson takes Poppy to the vet and groomer when needed and this helps to ensure that Sylvia and Poppy can stay together.

NOT SO RUFF: Above, Ellie with ElderDog Dog Care Support Coordinators Joanne Doucet and Kim Crooks and volunteers Nan Dunn, Terry Baker, and Madeline Burt. Top right, Poppy with Scott Gibson, ElderDog volunteer, and Sylvia Bergner, ElderDog client. Right, Stormy, a mixed breed, was recently adopted into a loving home. For more info, reach out to Sidney Clare, Pawd Leader, at qathetpowellriverldr@elderdog.ca

Although the focus of ElderDog is on seniors, sometimes younger adults need support too. Ashley Rairie describes how ElderDog has helped her and her dog Ellie, a 12-year-old Australian Shepherd cross: “She’s getting the exercise she needs and I no longer have to feel guilty or stressed about it. The program has helped keep us together while I’ve become too sick to keep up, rather than giving her up which would have made us both sad.”

“Team Ellie” consists of four volunteers – Terry Baker, Madeline Burt, Nan Dunn, and Cynthia Leighton – who together make sure that Ellie gets a fun walk every day.

The volunteers are motivated by their love for dogs, their desire to help people and to give back to the community, and the fact that walking Ellie, whose energy level they describe as “spectacular,” keeps them fit!

Through Foster and Rehoming programs ElderDog

provides temporary foster care if a senior is hospitalized. And, if a senior can no longer keep their dog because of failing health or relocation to a care facility, ElderDog finds the dog a new home. Under these circumstances, the decision to rehome a dog is a painful one. It is also, as Ron Moar and Stormy’s story demonstrates, an act of love.

Ron made the difficult decision to rehome his dog Stormy in February 2025 because his failing health made it impossible for him to care for her and meet her needs. “As my health continued to decline, I had to do something to provide her with a stable, loving future,” says Ron. “I miss her something terrible, but she needs more than I can give her.”

When Ron released Stormy to ElderDog, she was placed in a loving foster home. Stormy has now been adopted and is living the life Ron wanted for her. ElderDog welcomes adults of all ages as volunteers. Newcomer Hugo Wu wanted to find a way to

get plugged in to his new community, get in his daily steps, and make new friends. He has accomplished all that and more through volunteering with ElderDog. Hugo takes a senior dog belonging to a senior for a walk every week and the two of them explore the city together.

Madeline Burt, a member of “Team Ellie”, also volunteers on the ElderDog Executive. Madeline, who juggles several jobs along with her volunteer work, is using her degree in communications and media studies as one of ElderDog’s social media coordinators. Madeline’s dream to work with both dogs and older adults has come true through her connection to ElderDog. “Older adults have so many interesting stories and so much to teach me,” says Madeline.

Sidney and Joanne are excited to work with Madeline and the other executive members – Kim Crooks, Jac-

quie Dawson, Christine Heatley, Kim Macleod, Sandy Middleton, and Lainey Woolsey – to manage the program here. They are also proud of the growing number of volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life who are making a difference for people and dogs in our community.

Every night at 8 pm Poppy trots off to bed in Sylvia’s bedroom at their home in Westview. If Sylvia doesn’t join her right away, Poppy trots back and stares at her until Sylvia gets up and follows her to the bedroom.

“She’s the boss,” laughs Sylvia. The daily rituals and tender moments she shares with her dear old dog mean the world to Sylvia and to other seniors who enjoy the love and companionship of their canine friends as they age together at home.

In Sylvia’s words, “She just fills my life.” If she could speak, Poppy would say the same.

R e s o u r c e R e c o v e r y C e n t r e

O n l y i n v a s i v e p l a n t m a t e r i a l a c c e p t e d , k e e p

c l e a n y a r d w a s t e s e p a r a t e ! M a k e s u r e t o

t r a n s p o r t y o u r l o a d s e c u r e l y ( b a g g e d o r t a r p e d ) t o a v o i d t h e s p r e a d o f i n v a s i v e p l a n t m a t e r i a l . 8 a m - 5 p m , M o n d a y - S a t u r d a y

Well-being begins with a dog

BY LESLEY ARMSTRONG

Ifelt the dog’s eyes on me. She had walked down the hall, stood at the entrance to the bedroom, and stared, willing me to rise and shine. When was that? Thirty minutes ago, an hour?

I had enjoyed one of those luxurious deep morning sleeps. I finally yarded my dead-weight body out of bed and padded down the hall to where she had gone back to sleep on her living room carpet.

This is our morning groove. I scratch and stroke her shoulders, tell her she’s beautiful, and then it’s her turn to rise and shine…again. I flip the blinds so that morning light angles straight in through the large east-facing window. It is still pretty early. The ’hood is asleep, but the storm has died, and the rain has stopped shellacking the aluminum roof for now.

It is quietly and calmly overcast. I open the back door, let the dog out. No bombs, no gunshots, no shelling, I do not have to start my day by picking my way through rubble in search of clean water. I do not have to wonder where today’s food will come from, or if there will be food today. I do not have to watch out for rats or cockroaches moving in on the tiny amount of temporary real estate we have claimed. I do not have to worry about being warm and dry or having a roof over my head.

I do not have to live my day struggling to survive. I do not have to be concerned about seasonal extreme heat or extreme cold, or fear an impending storm, flood, tidal wave, tornado, hurricane, or drought. I do not have to distress about breathing toxic smoke-

filled air as I live close to the Pacific Ocean with its constant offshore breezes.

When I walk the dog around the block, I do not have to fear gun violence, gangs and drug dealers.

Mother’s

8 to 10

“I grind the coffee beans, inhale the earthy deep dark bean aroma, scoop a spoonful of local honey, and pour my first cup.”

I do not have to pick my way around rubbish and drug paraphernalia.

In fact, I do not have to lock my doors. My daughter will not be entered into an arranged marriage; her rights to higher education are available to her should she choose; so is a profession. Her brother’s rights do not come first. She, like me, can safely choose to live with the man or woman she loves. There is a luxurious amount of fresh clean water where I live. I have received a decent education so I can critically analyze information. In fact, I have easy access to current affairs from multiple sources, not just the one stream of distorted news that the state wants me to receive.

I am free to express my thoughts as long as I do not claim a desire to harm others. I do not live in a society that believes in the right to carry a firearm at all times. I do not have to worry that if I am sick or injured I cannot have or afford health care. I am an elder, but

in this country I do not have to consider walking into the forest to die alone, should I become ill.

I am cozy in my plaid flannel pajamas as I slide the knob to the right to ignite the wood pellet stove. Seconds later, the pellets drop, the flames spark and ignite, and warm my home. There is change in my pocket, some money in the bank, and food in a refrigerator, while my cupboards are full. I have a home, a vehicle, a computer, and much more.

If the world’s nine billion population was reduced to a village of 100, considering all of the above, I believe that I belong to an elite club of three to five individuals. Max.

I grind the coffee beans, inhale the earthy deep dark bean aroma, scoop a spoonful of local honey, and pour my first cup.

I know exactly what I want and need to do today. No one and nothing can stop me. Lucky me!

Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence in Construction

Twenty-five years ago, Wes Brown returned to his hometown and launched WB Contracting in Powell River. His team has been giving homeowners across the region a new look for a quarter century, so in 2025, it was time for the business to have a new look, too. Watch for this new WB Contracting logo out and about in the community. It’s a new look, but the meaning is the same – quality construction you can trust.

A Team to Remember

BY KIM BARROWS

The 17 players of Powell River Minor Hockey’s U15A Kings team truly had a year to remember and the memories made will last a lifetime. Led by head coach Scott Peters, the Kings went to the Tier 3 Provincial Championships in Cranbrook and came back as gold medal champions in a win that was three years in the making.

The road to this year’s provincials started for many of these boys in 2022 when they first earned a spot in the U13 Tier 3 provincials after a hard-fought season and playoff series. That team went to Trail and lost almost every game, but won the Fairplay Trophy

for most sportsmanlike team. What followed over the next three years was the building of a team that brought them back to Provincials each year, getting stronger and stronger each time. In both of the last two seasons, the team, then led by head coach Dana Gruntman, won bronze medals at Provincials held in West Vancouver in 2023 and Quesnel in 2024.

This year’s team, comprised of many of the same teammates who have played together for six straight years, dominated in both tournament and league play with an impressive 44-4-1 record this season.

They won gold at all of the tournaments they competed in, including the prestigious and highly com-

“They’ve

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONS: Back row: Travis Lingard (safety), Cameron Milne, Grayden Kendrick, Blake Peters, Carson Laing, Reid Stekman, James Barrows, Kooper Kozmeniuk, Jack Murphy, Trey Lingard, Gabriel Caldarone, Carson Raffin, and Ryan Milne (manager). Front row: Nick Burge, Chris Brown, Jeff Stekman, Lucas Vizzutti, Lucas Gruntman, Kesler Brown, Cooper Lawry, Scott Peters, Chad Vizzutti, Ryder Sherris.

The U15A Kings players and parents would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the team’s financial sponsors as well as the community for donating and supporting us through purchasing chocolates, raffle tickets, baked goods and hot dogs. Without the support of everyone, we would never have been able to make it to our GOLD MEDAL win at the Provincials! The support we were shown was so appreciated!

Aero A&W

Barry Rice & Michelle Pennell

Bear Tooth Excavation

Big O Tires

Bliss Massage

Bloom Therapy

Bottom Up Tree Service

Capones Cellar

Carol Waldorf

Canadian Overseas Log & Lumber

Chopping Block

Chris Carlos ( Remax)

Colonial Countertops

Darren Ciarnello

Elite Edges Hockey

Fix Auto

Foxtrot Electrical

Gadpro

Garry & Shirla Burnett

GCS Yard Maintenance

Girard Courier

Investors Group

Image 1

Island Metal Arts

Joyce & Don Carlson

Julie’s Airport market

Justin Sparks Photography

Kents Beach

Kings Hockey Club

Kiwanis

Knitters Club

Lafarge Texada

Little River Design

Lund Marine

Margot Pronovost

Massullo Motors

Milne Medical

Mitchell Ball ( Mr. Mikes)

Modern Windows

Myrtle Point Golf Course

New Beginnings Spa

Paperworks

Personal Touch and Window

Coverings

Pete’s Plumbing

Pollen Sweaters

Powell River Community Forest

Powell River Forest Products

Powell River Storage

Raging Granny

Regal Oldtimers hockey

Results Based Forest Management

LTD.

River City Coffee

River City Mini

Ronse Massey

Rural Septic

Salon La Blonde

Savary Island

Save On Foods

Scizzors

Select Sand and Gravel

Shinglemill

Source for Sports

Sunrise Gallery

Sunshine Coast Health Center

Sweet & Sassy

Target

Taws

Tempco

Terry Newsham

Thichum Wood

Thunder Bay Saw Shop

Tin Hat

Tla’amin Nation

Too Cool refrigeration

Underwriters

Valley Building Supplies

Valley Marine

Verecan

Visitors Center

WB Contracting

West Coast Hockey Prep

Westcoast Furniture

Westerly Studio

Wood Bin

Yukon Built

Zunga Tree Life Coaching services

COACH OF THE YEAR: Top left, Head Coach Scott Peters – honoured with the Rep Coach of the Year award at the 24/25 PRMHA Hockey Awards held on April 15.

SHOOTING FOR EXCELLENCE: Top right, player Kooper Kozmeniuk led the team in scoring this season with over 100 goals scored and 66 assists. He also tried out for and was chosen to participate in the BC Hockey Program of Excellence (160 of BC’s top U16 players), at an elite tournament in Salmon Arm April 16-20.

FEEL GOOD MOMENT: Above, Coach Scott called all of the parents/grandparents/siblings onto the ice to participate in a group photo celebrating the team’s gold medal win! More than 60 family members participated.

petitive Tier 1 Pat Quinn tournament held in Vancouver in December.

They also won in Kamloops at the River City Showdown and here at home in our local Kings Cup, only losing one game total in tournament play.

After coming in a close second in Tier 1 regular season play, the team played in the Tier 3 playoffs, easily winning their spot at provincials in Cranbrook.

More than 60 members of the team’s family, including parents, grandparents, and siblings, all travelled to watch the team compete to proudly bring home gold to Powell River for the first time since 2018. They won all of their games with impressive scores of 9-2, 10-3, 14-1, 16-1 and 5-1 and an incredible plus minus of 68 goals for and only 8 against.

Led by Captain Lucas Gruntman, the Kings had eight of the top 10 lead

point scorers for the provincial tournament. Leading scorer Kooper Kozmeniuk with 25 points, followed closely by Gruntman with 17 points. Other high scorers were Cooper Lawry, Kesler Brown, Gabriel Caldarone, Jack Murphy, Reid Stekman, and Carson Laing.

This team of young men really came together this year to achieve their goal of winning a Provincial gold medal, and without each and every one of them they wouldn’t have achieved what they did.

They have made their parents, their hockey association, and their community incredibly proud of their accomplishments, both on and off the ice. They’ve been praised for being polite and kind kids with huge hearts.

They won a lot of games, but learned a lot along the way, too. It truly will be a season that they will remember forever.

IMPACT 2.0 helps youth find jobs

Julian Green thought he would always struggle to find and keep a job. Not anymore.

Julian participated in the Impact program, a research project designed for young adults with barriers to employment who are transitioning from school to work, facilitated by inclusion powell river.

After taking the program and enjoying his work placement, Julian says he sees a brighter future.

“I feel much more confident about getting better and keeping a job,” said Julian.

Before entering the job search, youth in the summer program participate in employment readiness training including basic employment skills, life skills and basic occupational certificates.

“I enjoyed meeting new people outside of school and trying brand new skills and learning how to apply them. It taught me how to do a job interview, Food Safe and CPR training. It was great!” said Julian.

Youth then receive one-on-one job search supports to find either work experience and/or hopefully

employment. It’s a three-month summer program and, if needed, inclusion powell river’s Impact 2.0 Project

Lead Sasha Pugsley provides on-site job training and coaching to ensure each placement pairing is working well for both the employer and the youth.

Allison Green (Julian’s Mom) says she saw the program help Julian’s confidence grow.

dent decision making,” said Allison. “It allows a youth who is ready to reach out for more learning, more camaraderie and increase training.”

“It has affected Julian’s confidence in a very positive way. He made the choice to sign up and complete the Impact Project and he did it all on his own. He felt so accomplished. It’s given him a birds-eye view of what is to come in the next phase of his life, becoming a working adult,” she said.

When a youth joins the program, it helps them:

• Learn how to search for a job

• Build their resume

• Get work experience

• Learn more about careers that interest them.

“It offers a good knowledge base to be able to enter the workforce and be successful, supported and happy as the learning continues,” said Allison.

me social skills and how to work with others. It was lots of fun, too.”

Jenn Muskee (Karli’s Mom) saw the ways the program helped Karli: “My daughter loved attending the Impact program! She was supported through a variety of job skill training and given the opportunity to gain some work experience.”

Karli Muskee, who worked for Point Group Hospitality, had an exerpeince similar to Julian’s with the Impact program.

•

•

•

•

“Impact truly gave him the opportunity to embrace his own indepen-

Karli Muskee, right, previous Impact participant, here with employer Sarah McLean, Point Group Hospitality and Impact 2.0 Work Experience Host. Karli says Impact gave her more confidence in searching for a job. Julian

“I really liked learning new skills and feel a lot more confident to look for a job,” said Karli. “It also taught

If you are interested in working with our program to give these youth some hands-on experience this summer, please contact us!

BY BARBARA LAMBERT

In the final months of World War 2 in Europe, Canadians helped clear the Netherlands of enemy forces, canal by canal, house by house, often with the help of the Dutch resistance. The country was on the brink of starvation.

On May 5, 1945 Canadian General Charles Foulkes accepted the surrender of the German forces in the Netherlands. On May 7, 1945 Germany surrendered unconditionally to the Allies. World War 2 in Europe was now over: a war which had lasted six years.

May 8, 1945 was officially declared as V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day).

V-E Day in England

Throughout England on that day, beacons were lit  – a tradition going back hundreds of years to celebrate a military victory.

I should know, I was there, I was six years old. My entire childhood had been spent in a country at war, living on rations which included one egg per person per week. There were no bananas for the duration of the war.

Every day I was afraid. I lived in Guiseley, a small village near the industrial city of Bradford in Yorkshire, England. I walked a mile to school on a road with only foot and bicycle traffic – no cars. I carried a gas mask over my shoulder in case there was an enemy gas attack. I passed a candy shop that had empty jars on the shelves with no candy.

An unexploded bomb fell in a nearby village. Of course, I raced with my friends to peer down into the big hole!

On V-E Day 1945, I walked six miles with my family, over the moors, with a thousand people from my village, to reach a Victory beacon on the highest point of Otley Chevin. As soon as it was dusk, the beacon was lit and the sparks went high into the night sky. Coming home, I fell asleep on my father’s shoulders.

Maureen Simmonds, another Powell River senior, lived as a child in London during World War 2. She survived the Blitz, when London was bombed by the Luftwaffe for 57 consecutive nights.

Thirty thousand Londoners were killed. On V-E

IN LUND HARBOUR

Day, Maureen attended a street party. There was singing and dancing late into the night.

V-E Day in Townsite

The first unofficial announcement of Victory in Europe was received by the Powell River mill offices early Monday morning on May 7, 1945. Alice Dice, who worked as a bookkeeper in the Powell River Company mill offices, first heard the news on the radio. At 7:08 am, the air raid sirens blasted forth the Victory signal.

Ruth Allan, a mill worker, had missed the morning news broadcast and was waiting for the bus in Westview to take her to the Townsite. The bus driver yelled out:

“Lady, you won’t be going to work today. The war is over!”

Joyce Morris (Pauling) celebrated with her friends on Oak Street. Her mother, Irene Pauling, worked in the mill capping rolls of paper; however, she missed her shift as the mill had shut down.

By 8 am, flags flew over houses and businesses. Later in the morning, the news was broadcast across Canada that the very next day, May 8, was declared as the official day to celebrate Victory-in-Europe Day (V-E Day).

For two days, Powell River celebrated V-E Day –  unofficially on May 7, and officially on May 8. The Townsite school children, the store employees, and the mill workers had a two-day holiday! Children on decorated bicycles, and cars with flags flying, cruised the streets honking their horns. Neighbours met with neighbours and shared the good news.

Marion Henderson, who lived in Cranberry, remembers climbing with her friends onto the Cranberry fire engine and riding round and round the village with the siren going. They sang, and yelled out to everyone on the streets,

“The War is Over!”

Townsite children excitedly queued up at Powell Stores to receive a free scoop of ice cream.

Bev Falconer (Carrick) and her friends on Maple Avenue celebrated with a tea party. They listened

BRINGING BACK THE TROOPS: On January 23, 1933 at the Beaver Club in London, the second overseas reunion was attended by 100 Powell River men and women in uniform. The Powell River Company sponsored it and the film shot at the event was shown multiple times at the Patricia. Photo courtesy of qathet Museum & Archives

CELEBRATING THE ORIGINAL V-E DAY: Left, Powell River Red Cross Women’s Corps in uniform marching down Ash Street in 1943. Top right, May 13, 1945 Liberation parade Oosterwolde village, Netherlands. Hanna Tymstra and sisters on a horse drawn wagon. Bottom right, Townsite children knitting blankets for Britain. Photos courtesy of Barbara Lambert and qathet Museum & Archives

to Vera Lynn records, which included “We’ll Meet Again” and banged pots to make a loud noise.

Patrons at the Rodmay Grill were treated to complimentary meals. Churches held services.

About 750 people gathered near the Townsite golf clubhouse.

It was a joyous yet sombre gathering as everyone present knew the one thousand Powell River men who had volunteered to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces overseas, and the fifty who would not be making the journey home.

“All those boys were intimately known to almost everyone in the entire community. These boys –  those killed, the missing, and the prisoners of war  – were all Bill and Harry and George and Dick to us.”

(Powell River Digester June 1945)

When the War was over

When “the boys” came home, “the girls” lost their jobs in the mill.

Forty war brides came to Powell River & District (1945-46).

The Stillwater Ladies’ Club hosted a Welcome Home party, April 5, 1946, in the Stillwater Hall for returning service personnel, and war brides from Stillwater, Lang Bay, and Douglas Bay.

In attendance were the Lloyd family (five brothers and one sister): Albert Lloyd CAO (Canadian Army Overseas), Archie Lloyd CAO, Billy Lloyd CAO, Andy Lloyd RCAF, Ted Lloyd RCN, and Belle Lloyd RCAF WD (Women’s Division). Also present: Sgt Harold Long CAO and his Scottish bride Margaret Long (Kemp), and Corporal Walter Patrick RCAF and his English bride Joan Patrick (Wilson).

Sergeant Harold Long CAO met Margaret Kemp when he was on leave in Edinburgh, Scotland. Har-

Victory in Europe Remembered

On V-E Day 80 (May 8, 2025) Canada celebrates the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands, and V-E Day in Europe.

Ceremonies will be held in Ottawa. In Toronto, the CN Tower, will be lit up as a beacon of peace.

old proposed to Margaret on the banks of Loch Lomond. They married in Edinburgh on November 17, 1941. Harold was wounded in the Dieppe raid less than a year later. Margaret accompanied Harold to Buckingham Palace for the investiture of the Canadian Forces who had fought in Dieppe, by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth that fall.

Corporal Walter Patrick RCAF met Joan Wilson at a pub near Croydon airport. He was surprised that the pretty girl he was talking to was a “Timber Jill,” a member of the Women’s Timber Corps and had been trained to log trees for the war effort. They quickly fell in love and married in England.

After both couples returned to Powell River, they rented duplexes on Willow Street that were built by the Powell River Company for returning serviceman. Powell River millworker Joe deWynter CAO (Canadian Army Overseas), participated in the liberation of the Netherlands. He met Hanna Tymstra for the first time when he knocked on the door of a house in the village of Oosterwolde, and asked if someone could do his laundry. Joe and Hanna continued to meet, fell in love, and later married.

Joe and Hanna made their home in Cranberry village. Joe owned Scotty’s Transfer Limited. In winter Hanna skated on Cranberry lake with skates she had brought from the Netherlands.

From indifference to acceptance:

Peter Uhlmann’s family, his roots in Germany, and the Holocaust

BY PIETA WOOLLEY

For nearly a year before Victory in Europe Day 1945, Allied armies began liberating Nazi concentration camps. The horror intensified. After the Soviets took control of Majdanek in Poland, the first camp to fall, the SS started marching other concentration camp prisoners towards central Germany, and quickly murdering them.

In April and May of 1945, British and US troops liberated seven camps. Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945; the surrender went into effect on May 8 ​– ​​V-E Day.

V-E Day marked the end of the Holocaust ​– ​​a Nazi program that murdered more than 6 million Jewish people, Roma, disabled people, queer people, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and more.

Growing up in Chicago, Dr. Peter Uhlmann knew he was Jewish because he went to Reform Jewish school. He knew his older brothers were born in Germany, and his ancestors were from Germany. But he didn’t know much else about his origins because his parents absolutely didn’t talk about it.

“Classic trauma,” said Peter. “We survived, we were going to live our life and look to the future.” His parents died in the early 1960s, when he was 22. After medical school and a stint with the US Public Health Service, Peter bought property in the woods in Lund.

Four decades later, he started poking around in his family albums, curious for the first time about his family’s past. That was the beginning of an international, multigenerational project for this psychiatrist and his family.

“This is a photo from my parents’ wedding in the 1920s,” he says. “Of the four grandparents in this

THE PHOTO THAT TELLS THE STORY: Top, Peter Uhlmann’s parents’ wedding photo, from Nienburg, Germany in the 1920s. Just two decades later, many in this image were dead, and the rest scattered from Asia, to Israel and America. Left, Peter at his home in Lund, with one of his mother’s weavings. Above, the crematorium at Terezin.

picture, three died before the war. My father’s mother was murdered in Terezin [a concentration camp in the Czech Republic]. One of my aunts was sent to the Warsaw ghetto, where she was murdered. One uncle went to Israel. My other aunt and uncle went to Shanghai and then San Francisco. My parents went to Turkey in 1938 and then to Chicago. It was time to just get the hell out of there, fast.”

What haunts Peter is this: his family was German. For hundreds of years, they lived peacefully, inte-

SURVIVING THE HOLOCAUST

When & Where: Saturday May 31, 2 pm at the Library

What: Peter Uhlmann M.D. will share his family’s story, about coming from Holocaust survivors and learning about his German / Jewish roots. For information contact Mark at mmerlino@prpl.ca

grated into their small towns as businessmen, physicians, and city councilors. Two uncles died in WWI, fighting with the German army. The Uhlmanns didn’t understand themselves to be a separate minority. They were as German as other Germans.

Spurred on by new knowledge about his family, Peter dove in. He became obsessed with learning about the Holocaust, about the war, about Jewish people in Germany, about Germany. How could the Holocaust have happened?

“If I overheard someone speaking German, I’d think, ‘Oh, I wonder what you or your family was doing during the war?’”

Since then, he’s been to Germany three times, with children and grandchildren in tow, seeking answers. Everywhere he goes, he finds curious connections to his family’s story.

In Nienburg, he found a street named after his great-uncle – the community’s first doctor. He found a memorial to the Jews who died fighting in WWI  – including his two uncles. He learned that a hotel he stayed in was formerly a matzo factory owned by an ancestor. At a tourist town called Detmold – like a German Barkerville showcasing traditional buildings from the 19th century and before – Peter’s family’s Haus

Uhlmann was relocated to be part of the historical display. It showcased a typical Jewish German home from that era – with a menorah and other personal items from his family.

A former Czech exchange student to qathet met him in Dresden and drove him to Prague. In the car, he pointed out that Terezin was just a few minutes off their route. Would he like to visit?

“At 5 pm, we arrived,” Peter remembers.

“It was closed, and getting dark. Still, I could walk around. I saw information on the walls about the Holocaust, and the crematorium where my grandmother was murdered.”

In other words, what he found was a country – and individuals – that had been doing the work of reconciliation.

On his last trip there, in the fall of 2024, he took his family to Bad Driburg, where his paternal family was from. All Jewish people had left or been sent out of that town in the 1940s; many, like his aunt, to their death. His daughter Tai made a short video thanking the town thanking the citizens of Bad Driburg who formed a candle light vigil to honour the Jews of the town who left or died during the war.

Peter was able to let his obsession with the Holocaust go. The work of remembering, or reparations, was being

IN GERMANY: Travelling with his grandchildren in 2024, Peter Uhlmann visited Haus Uhlmann at Detmold, and one of many memorials mentioning his family.

done in earnest by Germany officially  – but especially, by the many individuals he met on his travels.

This spring, he’s been speaking at classrooms around qathet, helping new generations understand what happened during the Holocaust through the lens of his own family – his own

personal story.

Although Peter doesn’t practice his religion, and he doesn’t broadcast that he’s Jewish, he says that he’s moved by the Hebrew Yahrzeit – the annual remembrance of those who have died – and the Kiddush – the prayer you say for people who died.

RECONCILIATION

I Am Loretta

I am from braids,

From Palmolive dish soap and Tide laundry detergent.

I am from the love of home cooking. Tasty, abundance, smelling wonderful.

I am from pa’a’jas, Picked in spring dipped in sukwa(sugar).

I’m from Sunday family roast dinners and bears, black and grizzly.

From my mun(dad) Richard and tun(mom) Wilhelmina.

I’m from the always together and the fierce stubbornness.

From always be kind and helpful, with no expectations.

I’m from the creator, the four directions.

I’m from qathet, Tla’amin, the Galligos and Williams family, smoked fish with grease, and spuds.

From my cicye(gran) telling me the story of voting my kookpa(papa) in to be able to court.

The Brylcreem on my mun hair and my tun surviving residential school, the family pictures hanging on our walls. Never forgetting who I am and where I come from. – Loretta Hanson

ECE a worthy goal for this award-winning student – and grandmother

In April, Tla’amin Nation’s Loretta Hanson won Vancouver Island University’s provincial 2024 Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Student of the Year award. What follows is a condensed version of her award-winning essay:

BY LORETTA HANSON

When I worked for the Tla’amin Nation Home Support team, I filled in at our local daycare because our daycare is a part of Tla’amin Health. They were short staffed.

I decided I enjoyed the atmosphere and change of pace and just being there. I did some research for online classes to acquire the ECE Certificate.

I had read in the local NehMotl newsletter that VIU was going to be offering a two-year work integrated learning cohort in Tla’amin if there was enough interest.

I had spoken with friends and co-workers to de-

cide if this was my best route to do this or do it online. The best advice was from a dear friend who said, “If you have too much going in your life then I would say it is too much for you to commit to it.”

I sat with my family who fully supported the idea of me going back to school. I filled out the registration to become part of the ECE Certificate cohort class.

I went into this journey with a friend/co-worker who was nervous and unsure if he could do this either, but we had decided to promise each other that we would push each other to finish together.

We were a class of sixteen students and ended with eight completing the course. The journey as a class and friends was a wonderful experience because we went through all the ups and downs together and gave each other a shoulder and ear to show support for one another.

Our teachers were a huge support on this journey

too, this teaching outside of VIU was an experience for them as well. This work-integrated learning was a wonderful useful program for those of us that needed to keep working and had other things on our plate. The days, hours and times worked for us, and they made it about us as students. We were a part of the scheduling and everything that we were going to be doing. If anyone needed ride, we were there for each other, for everything. We were classmates, but became wonderful friends as well.

Our class was given the opportunity to nominate two classmates to be a part of the VIU CAUCE team going to Winnipeg, MB, and represent the VIU and Tla’amin work-integrated program that was running. Fellow classmate Angus Charlie and I were selected to go on this trip. We had to do a write up of how this work integrated program was working for us and our class and give a short description of how it was laid out, the schedule and time frames of

GENERATIONS OF CHILDREN: Loretta Hanson as a child, and again as a new mom with her granny Peggy Harry and mom Wilhelmina Harry, with third baby Darian Hanson. Right, a poem Loretta wrote while at VIU.

to Royal LePage Powell River!

Ken grew up in Mackenzie, BC before moving to Powell River with his wife Laura to raise their family in paradise. He retired from a 30+ year career in the pulp and paper industry, holding roles from Supervisor to Paper Machine Manager. Ken brings a wealth of knowledge, strong leadership skills and a commitment to excellence to his role as a real estate professional. His managerial experience, organizational skills and dedication to achieving goals ensure clear communication and a results-driven approach to help you buy or sell your home. Backed by Royal LePage and a network of industry professionals, Ken stays up-to-date on market trends and innovative marketing strategies to help his clients achieve their goals.

Achieve your real estate dreams by contacting Ken Campbell at 604-485-4305 or kennethcampbell@royallepage.ca

Here’s how you can help.

Donate tents, outdoor gear and gift cards for distribution at our Head Office (4448 Marine Ave.).

Support the qathet Coalition to End Homelessness with their meal train and laundry fund Email qathethomelessnesscoalition@gmail com

“I had to take a hard look at myself and make a decision about my future not only for myself, but my family, too. I asked myself, ‘What kind of role model am I if I quit?’” – Loretta Hanson

each semester. We got to share how it was working for us and the class. We also incorporated in this trip some educational pieces; we went to visit different daycares and Aboriginal Head Start programs to see how they run and how it is going and compared that to BC programs.

Acquiring my certificate was surreal and an achievement that I was very proud of. Through all the credits it was noted that I was actually short credits for my Grade 12 Dogwood Certificate and that with these credits I acquired it.

I graduated with my 17-year-old son in June 2023, which I asked his permission to join him because I did not want to steal his thunder. We were both recognized together in our Tla’amin education celebration. My accomplishments, I’ve been told, were inspiring and were shared in our local Tla’amin NehMotl newsletter.

I knew in my mind and heart that I needed to be an example for my kids to show them anything is possible if you work hard at it. I want them to go to college and have careers from the beginning, not wait like we did.

I went back to my job newly certified and was promoted to an ECE II employee and given a full-time position at Tla’amin Child Development Resource Center (CDRC), an upgrade from my Responsible Adult. But my journey was not done yet, with some encouragement and guidance from mentors and teachers I made the decision to continue my education and work to do online schooling through VIU to work towards acquiring my Infant, Toddler and Special Needs, which will give me my ECE Diploma.

I was the only one from my class that decided to continue my education; I knew if I did not go back right away and finish my diploma, I would not go back at all.

are all right, alive, or surviving the mean streets was a lot for my heart and mind; I became depressed. I had to take a hard look at myself and make a decision about my future not only for myself, but my family, too.

I asked myself, ‘What kind of role model am I if I quit? What message am I sending my children when I push them so hard to succeed when I am giving in to defeat?” I got my head on straight and told myself I am NOT letting anyone down; I am NOT letting myself down by quitting.

I talked with an education worker and my teachers and together we devised a catch-up plan, something that worked with the education department and my teachers, to have an achievable and realistic deadline. From there on I worked very, very hard to finish my practicum hours and hand in all assignments needed to complete it and pass. I have never ever worked as hard as I did to prove to myself that I can do this.

I cried happy tears when I handed in my last assignment and when I finished my last day of practicum – happy tears of accomplishment. I was extremely proud of myself.

Be kind If you see someone living rough, take a moment to consider what circumstances might have brought them to that point.

Encourage community and faith groups to host or deliver free community meals. www.liftcommunityservices.org

Everyone that was in the class applied for job openings at the Tla’amin CDRC, too. They were hired and have become my co-workers.

My journey was one that had its ups and downs which was inevitable, there was a slight moment where I wanted to give up and accept defeat.

I am a mother to five beautiful children and my two oldest children are active addicts living on the streets. My oldest daughter has two beautiful children who have made me a grandma, but this addiction illness has had me raising them for the past six years, which led us on our journey of becoming foster parents because clearly, we don’t have enough children! I am joking of course, but we have so much love to give and love children.

The pain and anguish of not knowing whether they

This wonderful cohort that Tla’amin and VIU partnered together was successful. Not only was it a very wonderful education journey that has forever changed my life and my family’s, but it has also created careers for all of us students.

I have a career and job that I absolutely love and enjoy going to. It is a Monday to Friday daytime job, where my children’s extracurricular activities do not suffer; my children and home don’t either.

I encourage anyone doubting their abilities in achieving their goals and dreams to go for it because you can achieve anything you put your mind too!!

It is a wonderful example for other institutions to look at and possibly integrate it into their schools. These work integrated programs give working families a chance to become successful, certified employees and obtain careers.

“SO MUCH LOVE TO GIVE”: Loretta Hanson recently graduated from VIU through the work-integrated learning program, with an ECE certificate.

“First there’s the idea, then it’s put down on paper, people are involved and action taken. It’s not all instant potatoes.”

– Susan Jersak

BY BRUCE FINLAY | WITH FILES FROM HEATHER HARBORD AND DOUG MOBLEY

As a community leader, Susan Jersak was compassionate, openly receptive, and realistic. She pioneered a great diversity of major accomplishments in the qathet region, one of which was the wheelchair access trail around Inland Lake.

Realizing that “the mill is not going to be here forever,” the Business Development Association did a study to see what could bring people and money to Powell River.

One of the suggestions was to develop Powell River into a centre for the disabled. Susan was asked to study this. She found that places like the Mayo Clinic and the health spas of Switzerland generate millions of dollars and lots of jobs. Powell River, she felt, could do the same.

As a result, in 1988 a non-profit society, the Powell River Model Community Project for Persons with Disabilities, was formed with Susan as a founding director. The society invited Bert Forman, director of social services for the G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver, to pay a visit. He confirmed that Powell River could become such a centre.

Although funding was spotty, Susan developed a 5-Star Access Program: Accessible Transportation, Housing, Education, Recreation and Employment, and started getting people to work on it.

The society’s policy was to include people with disabilities in all activities because then you have a safer community for everyone. Even the able-bodied prefer ramps to stairs.

From Susan’s caring initiative, the wheelchair accessible trail and cabins around Inland Lake were created.

Open to discussing anything and everything, she had a unique and unfettered, intelligent point of view – often centred in deep introspection.

Deeply grounded in a spiritual centre, Susan brought honesty of being and authentic caring into all aspects of her life. It gave her the freedom and the peace of mind to look from love’s perspective in all her relationships, and beyond – to pause when challenging emotions arose and give some space for

INLAND

Susan Jersak (who passed away January 2) was the founding advocate behind the Powell River Model Communities Project, the Inland Lake Trail, and many more qathet

nity projects (see Page 25). AccessAbility Week is May 26 to June 1, nationwide.

a loving perspective’s guidance. Instead of reacting from the ego, she learned, as she put it, to “shut up” and listen from the heart’s compassion; when she did, the situation resolved itself in the best of possible ways for all concerned.

She modelled a presence of unconditional love. She was best friend and confidant for many.

Susan was born in Toronto, Ontario, on September 4, 1936. Her dad, a Baptist preacher at a Polish church in Toronto, died when she was eight.

To pay the bills, her mother converted their home into a boarding house, introducing Susan to an array of characters. Susan’s classical music education began early, as her mother would take her to many performances of world-renowned musicians and opera singers. Her love and awe for classical music continued to deepen throughout her life.

She left the school system in Grade 9, as she was bored. Her mother agreed with her decision and was grateful for help in the boarding house.

Susan’s great intelligence and curiosity inspired her to be an avid reader, and so she received a var-

Honouring Susan Jersak’s remarkable local legacy

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LAKE TRAIL INSTIGATOR:

commu-

What is dementia?

Wednesday, May 21 7 pm at the Library

Coping with dementia for caregivers

Thursday, May 22 10:30-12:30 pm at the Library

The Alzheimer Society of BC will give these two workshops. To register for either or both workshops contact Mark at mmerlino@prpl.ca

Check out the library’s events calendar for more information and activities: prpl.ca/calendar

STONE PERMANENT JEWELRY Mother’s Day Pop-Up Event at Westerly Studio

submitted by her brother. Above, the trail at Inland Lake has eroded since it was dreamed up by Susan and her team. This winter, parts of it were underwater, and much was soft – certainly not passable by a wheelchair. The bridge to Anthony Island was broken, but has since been repaired.

“Permament Jewelry is personal, it tells a story about the person wearing it.”

Friday, May 9, 11-4 • Saturday, May 10 10-4

BOOK YOUR SPOT - Permanent Jewelry appointments for Friday and Saturday @westerlystudio or email info@westerlystudio.ca

Follow me on Instagram for pop-ups and events schedule Ask about booking a party

ied education outside of the institutions. Along with a wonderful sense of humour, she had an innovative, attractive, and outside-the-box personality that enhanced her ability to look for solutions in places where others may not have considered.

She was fun to be with.

Susan enjoyed 10 years with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation  – three years with CBC Radio’s Ideas program and seven in the CBC’s music library – “a great learning experience.”

She conversed with a wide diversity of interesting and accomplished people.

In recent years, she ordered and catalogued the music library at the Academy of Music.

In 1965 she went to Europe. In

Austria she noticed hydro lines arching over the mountains. “It looked like an impossible job, but someone must have decided it could be done.”

Afterwards, thinking about the experience, she realized that she “had as much right as anyone else to get something done. Time, will-power, planning and persistence will get you there. Just don’t give up. First there’s the idea, then it’s put down on paper, people are involved and action taken. It’s not all instant potatoes. You have to be satisfied with what you can do. No matter what you do, there is always so much more.”

In 1980, she was on her way to visit an ashram, but she met a friend with whom she travelled all over BC, end-

BEFORE MOVING AND SHAKING: Top and right, Susan Jersak in her younger years,

ing up in Powell River – “too broke to go anywhere else.”

Her first job here was at Boese’ Greenhouse where she transplanted tomatoes and marigolds. It was lots of fun, so she tried other non-traditional jobs with the Ministry of Forests and elsewhere.

Working with a number of local agencies, she had a talent for writing grant proposals, and was very successful in attracting large amounts of money to support human disability needs and cultural enhancement ventures.

“I got a reputation for getting grants which was a surprising skill to me,” she said.

She was administrator for the PREP Board [now Lift] for a while and then did a lot of small contracts which were very project-specific. When she got involved with the Business Development Association she found that she blossomed, as she liaised with three levels of government, community groups, and consultants.

She prepared terms of reference for studies and strategies for economic development, organized seminars, workshops, and conferences.

“My confidence increased and I became used to getting results,” she said. “It’s not a matter of ‘if’, it’s ‘how.’ If there is a good idea and it dies, it’s still there in the background and there will be a moment when the door is opened again.”

Out of this work came her passion for the Model Community Project for Persons with Disabilities. It attracted her because friendship with several quadriplegics in Toronto had graphically demonstrated to her how their injuries had deprived them of normal family lives, careers, and their self esteem.

“We treat them in hospital and then leave them behind closed doors waiting for their lives to end. Token re-training and then exclusion from being able to get jobs is not good enough.”

Both the Municipality and the School Board have won awards for the work they have done in response to suggestions made by the Model Community Project.

“Now we need people to get out and talk to major investors,” Susan said. “We could be the flagship for Canada if the business community and the politicians commit their support.”

Awards for Susan Jersak’s exemplary contributions to our community

• ESS Director of the Year, 1993

• Canada 125 Award –Outstanding Volunteer

• Confederation Commemorative Medal

• Premier’s Certificate of Appreciation

• National Access Awareness Week Award from the Provincial Government

• Golden Heart Award for Volunteer Services

What she did:

• Founding Director, P.R. Model Community Project for Persons with Disabilities

• Founding Director, Far Off Broadway Theatre Company

• Founding Director, PREP: WOW (Work Opportunities for Women)

• Founding Director & President, Life Cycle Housing

• President, Townsite Heritage Society

• President, P.R. Community Arts Council

• Past President, Crescent Bay Women’s Resource Centre

• Director, Community Futures

• Office Manager, P.R. Business Development Association

• Emergency Social Services Director, Provincial Emergency Program

• Secretary and Head of Management Team, River City Bingo Association

• Coordinator for the B.C. Festival of the Arts

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A GROWING CONCERN

PROTECTED: Clockwise from top left, Vanessa Majoor in her greenhouse; the leafy greens feed her family and her chickens. White magnolia shrub in the back yard. The 65 chickens enjoy a large forest run that’s surrounded by a strong bear fence and electric netting. Alders are a natural feature on the property. All garden beds are surrounded by tidy rocks. Deer / elk / bear fencing keeps the biggest predators away from the most vulnerable veggies.

Good fences make good gardens

Keeping her veggies, chickens, and bees safe

Right at the beginning of COVID, retirees Vanessa and Guy Majoor bought 3.5 acres from their son and daughter-in-law, and built a house in the forest near Mahood Beach. Because they were leaving a mature garden, their moving trucks were full of Vanessa’s most treasured plants.

“It was totally worth it,” she said.

The new community welcomed her in a very gardener way: with an end-of-season 90% off sale at Canadian Tire. Vanessa picked up trees, rhododendrons, Japanese maples, hydrangeas, and more. “I was in my glory,” she said.

“The cashier thought I was crazy. I had so much fun.”

But the challenge wasn’t in acquiring plants, Vanessa soon discovered. It was in facing down the deer, bear, and elk that view her garden, bees, and chickens as a buffet.

How did you start gardening? How did you learn to do it?

Vanessa • I have three sisters, and they all garden. My grandmother and mother both gardened. I have memories of eating rhubarb, carrots, and cherries out of my Grandma’s one-acre garden by the library in Burnaby.

Tell us about your current garden

Vanessa • A lot of people are against lawn, but you can’t wrestle with grandchildren on clover! So I have lawn. We keep about 65 chickens, and I have 20 beehives. We have a greenhouse and a vegetable garden, and plenty of flower beds. I like tall trees, so we kept the alders in front of the house. We were told they are weeds here, but I just love them.

5 things Vanessa Majoor does in her garden in May

1. Putting out my starts and direct seeding green beans, cukes, and squash into the soil

2. Weeding

3. Fertilizing

4. I might go to the nursery and get annuals

5. Helping out at the Garden Club sale

wall. I didn’t plant them. They grew there naturally! A lot of these plants are from my mom, as well. I love my chickens – I can see why there’s crazy chicken ladies all over the internet. It’s all coming together.

What are your greatest gardening challenges?

Vanessa • The weeds. The blackberries. Mother Nature did a good job making those hardy!

What kinds of gardening stuff do you invest in?

Vanessa • I bring in a truckload of soil every year from Adams or T&R. I add new bulbs every year. I like yard art; the mushroom sculptures are from Springtime Market. But the fencing and electric bear fence is the biggest investment.

What do you do with the things you grow?

What have been your biggest gardening successes? What are you most proud of?

Vanessa • I’m super pleased with our big rock wall. We got a quote to build it. I wasn’t going to spend $20,000! But when Rural Septic came out to build our septic field, the guy just spent an extra day and a half out here moving the rocks he dug out into a wall. It was so wonderful! My husband told me he really likes what I did with the ferns on that

Vanessa • I sell eggs and honey – I’m not trying to make money, but it just pays for itself. We eat the vegtables and feed lots of greens to the chickens. The flowers we just enjoy.

Advice for new gardeners?

Vanessa • Start small! Otherwise it becomes a chore. And if it’s a chore, you won’t do it.

qathet Living ’s 10th annual Best of qathet Contest

Share your insider knowledge of why this place is so great for a chance to win a Pollen Sweater and other prizes!

Drop off your completed form at the qathet Living office, take a picture of it and send it to editor@qathetliving.ca, scan the QR code here, or fill it out online at prliving.ca/bestof by May 22, 2025.

Civic Pride

Best neighbourhood in the City of Powell River

Best neighbourhood in qathet (but outside the City)

Best common enemy

Best politician

Best use of tax dollars

Best place to learn – adults

Best extracurricular – kids & youth

Best volunteer Best coach

Best place to blow off steam

Most missed store or service

Best dressed person

Best yard – garden or art

Best storefront

Best reason your family & friends come to visit you here

Best reason to move here

Best reason to stay away

NOMINATIONS

Advice for Visitors

Best must-see attraction

Best annual event

Best hotel or B&B

Best campground

Best disc golf course

Best local product to take camping

Best way to get around town

Best local flora

Best local fauna

Best beach

Best hike (under an hour)

Best trail to cycle for beginners

Best trail for the fearless rider

Best thing to do with kids

Best souvenir – paid

Best souvenir – free

Best realtor

Home Trades

Best mechanic

Best builder

Best electrician

Best plumber

Best HVAC

Arts

Best book by a local author

Best visual artist

Best local band / musician

Best crafter or artisan

Best craft event

Best piece of public art or mural

Best art gallery

Best live theatre from the 2024-2025 season

Best place to experience live music

Best Christmas lights display street

Food & Restaurants

A seed of an idea: a new vision for downtown

BY DIANA WOOD

Over the years, the Garden Tour Committee has contributed to our community’s green projects and scholarships with the proceeds of our ticket sales.

The question has come up again, “What would we like to do additionally this year?”

Without much hesitation, everyone agreed: beautify our downtown for the local businesses, the visitors, and the pride of our community.

We asked, “What is the tourist’s first impression of Powell River after getting off the ferry?” I think everyone who lives here agrees, the image can be improved upon.

We know it won’t be easy to change the image, but we are willing to tackle it. In our brain’s eye, we create a new image: after getting off the ferry, uphill, before coming onto Marine Avenue, a large colorful “WELCOME” sign on the retaining wall; a Totem pole circled by an artistically designed gazebo; benches and drinking fountain beneath; butterfly attracting zinnia blooming cheerfully at the entrance; low fence and gate forming a comfortable enclosed outdoor room for visitors with young children; and an orientation map of our town.

Continued, we imagined walking side by side along Marine Avenue; we see with surprise butterflies darting from zinnia to zinnia that line the sidewalk; colorful banners overhead; awnings hang from shops; benches are under covers for the tired feet.

We need partnerships to complete this image. The first partnership we have is the Powell River Chamber of Commerce, which boosted our confidence to pursue our goal. We contacted the major players in

ZILLIONS OF ZINNEAS: The Garden Tour Committee’s vision for a refreshed downtown includes these colourful blooms, native to Mexico and into South and North America.

our City, and their responses were positive. We have the support of local individuals as well.

This vision will take time and money. Many volunteers are raising the flower seedlings right now; a proposal is written for a Community Forest Grant.

In the meantime, we are actively preparing this year’s Garden Tour, on Sunday, June 8th. Several beautiful and unique gardens will be on display for the pleasure of locals.

If you have time during the tour, come to hear the

music played by Roger Langmaid, Walter Martella, and Hugh Prichard from 11 am to 2 pm; learn willow weaving art; appreciate a miniature display by Lin Morrison; and enjoy lunch made by Lund Society members at Boxwood Cottage gardens (located at 4310 Westview Avenue).

The annual Powell River Spring Garden Tour has been a favoured event in our community, with tickets sold out every year. Be sure to purchase early from Mother Nature and Springtime nurseries.

In addition to beautiful flowers and plants, Mother Nature has a wide variety of gift ideas, from candles and knick knacks to Barefoot Venus spa products and essential oils.

Buds & Blooms: Downtown Beautification Project

Would you like to get involved in the Garden Tour Committee’s visions for a refreshed downtown? Please contact Diana Wood and leave message at 604-485-2860 or email boxwoodcottage@shaw.ca

PLANT EVENTS

Starting May 1

Mycelium Art Show opens

Wishing Well in Townsite.

Starting May 2

Candace Parker Recent Works: Life is a Garden

At the Library, through summer. Artist talk May 30, 7 pm, at the Library.

Sunday, May 4

Annual Plant Sale:

Powell River Garden Club

Noon til 2:30 pm, Curling Club. Back again for another year!! The Powell River Garden Club’s annual Plant Sale. The sale is open to the public. On sale: a wide variety of plants including all types of vegetable seedlings, perennial flowers, annual flowers, herbs, and even shrubs and trees. Payment methods: cash and (new this year) credit or debit. Also new this year – a food truck on location!

Saturday, May 10

Lang Bay Community Club’s Annual Plant Sale

Noon to 2 pm at Lang Bay Hall. This annual fundraiser will benefit Lang Bay Hall and its gardens. There will be a variety of plants, raffle and 50/50 draws, and a food truck on site.

Spring Market and Plant Sale

9 am to 1 pm, Powell River United Church. Plants, baking, crafts, and flea market. Tables are $25. Contact Marilynn at mhdavis1986@gmail.com, 604-487-9543.

May 10 to 18

qathet Colour: an Invocation

Tidal Art Centre. Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 3-5, and by appointment, email hello@annierobinson.art

Opening reception: Saturday, May 10, 7-9 pm. Group Art Therapy Workshop: Saturday, May 17, 1-4 pm. Artist talk and closing reception, Sunday, May 18, 3 pm.

Tuesday, May 27

Garden Club meeting featuring rock-gardening expert 7 pm, Cranberry Seniors Centre. Author Paul Spriggs from Victoria. The meeting starts at 7 pm (doors open at 6:30). All are welcome.

May 31

Assumption Plant Sale

9:30 am to 1 pm, in the Assumption School gym.

Sunday, June 8

Powell River Spring Garden Tour

$20/ticket can be purchased at Mother Nature and Spring Time Garden Centre. For info, email boxwoodcottage@shaw.ca

you for

Mon–Sat 11:30–8 • Sunday 3:30–8

25 words for 2025

Learn these words and more to help celebrate 10 years of the Treaty between Tla’amin Nation, the Province of BC, and the Government of Canada in 2026.

How many of these common ayajuthem words do you already know?

❏ Tla’amin Language • ʔayaǰuθəm • aya-ju-them

❏ Thank you • ʔimot • e-mot

❏ Welcome • čɛčɛhaθɛč • che-che-hath-ech

❏ My name is… • ... kʷət̓ᶿ nan • ... kwuth nun

❏ People • qayumɩxʷ • ka-yo-mew

❏ Tree / Relative • ǰɛǰɛ • jeh-jeh

❏ Elders • ƛaχay • klux-eye

❏ Young • čʊy • chewy

❏ Us • nɛmoɬ • neh-moth

❏ Spring or Chinook Salmon • θat́ᶿəm • thut-thumb

❏ Bear • meχaɬ • meh-hath

❏ Orca • nənqəm • nun-kum

Why choose Stubberfield Funeral Home?

• Powell River’s ONLY licensed funeral service.

• Stubberfield handles all your funeral needs right here in Powell River.

• Stubberfield has Powell River’s ONLY crematorium.

• Reception facilities and a full chapel are conveniently located on site.

• Stubberfield is a locally-owned, independent business.

• Pat & Joanne are licensed, experienced, professional funeral directors who help you every step of the way.

❏ Rain • č̓ɩɬ • chith

❏ Sun • t̓əgəm • tug-ghum

❏ Ocean • sinkʷə • sink-wah

❏ Canoe • nuxʷɛɬ • nook-weth

❏ Gathering Together • qat̓ᶿaymixʷ • kot-thigh-mews

❏ To Bring Together • qat̓ᶿət • kawt-thet

❏ School • tɩwšəmawt̓xʷ • ti-sha-maut

❏ Powell River • tiskʷət • tees-kwat

❏ Milky Waters from Herring Spawn • t̓išosəm • tee-show-sum

❏ Willingdon Beach • ʔahʔǰumɩχʷ • ah-joo-mew

❏ Savary Island • ʔayhos • eye-hos

❏ Lund • Kla-ah-men • kla-ah-men

❏ Saltery Bay • Skelhp • skelp

With Alisha Point, Tla’amin Nation Language Teacher.

Want to learn more words or work on your pronunciation? Check out First Voices to hear Tla’amin elders speak these words and thousands more. firstvoices.com/tlaamin

BY

Imagine this: you’re walking across your front yard with your dog and suddenly the ground gives way under your feet.

All at once, you find yourself sunk up to your groin and sinking deeper. The hole is empty and has about a foot of packed mud at the bottom. Luckily your neighbours are

home and you call for help. They take the bewildered dog indoors and then tug and pull you out of the pit.

The hole is approximately seven feet deep and measures by three feet by five feet. Halfway up the sides, it is walled with concrete, and above that is a layer of sand and above that a layer of dirt and then the lawn. There appears to be a rectangular terra cotta inlet at the bottom of the east wall. There are small remains of a wooden lid at the top.

The

Mysterious Sinkhole

Of Gordon Avenue

HANNAH MAIN, WITH FILES FROM DEVAN GILLARD AND BARBARA LAMBERT

ToWNSITE HERITAGE SoCIETY

NOTICE OF AGM

May 14, 2025 at 7:00 pm

Henderson House Living Museum

6211 Walnut Street (Townsite)

Everyone welcome to attend!

Light refreshments served

New members and new volunteers welcome!

For info: 604-483-3901 or thetownsite@shaw.ca

ARE YOU A LOCAL BUSINESS? USE THIS LOGO!

To help promote locally-owned businesses, qathet Living commissioned a series of logos from local artist Jenny Allen Taves. The logos all include the Canadian Maple Leaf, and two uniquely–local symbols: a harbour seal and the sunset over the Salish Sea.

We welcome anyone to use these logos to promote your own local cred. Put them on your ads. Run them on your social media. Use them on your packaging or your products. You are local – show it!

If you’d like these logos emailed to you, for free, contact sean@qathetliving.ca, or call us at 604-485-0003.

WESTVIEW FARM: Joe Dorval’s Gordon Avenue dairy sold milk on Marine Avenue. Right, Jean Fielder rides a tractor at Tip Top Dairy.

Photos courtesy of the qathet Museum & Archives

The property owners consulted with a neighbour and with Barbara Lambert, local historian, as well as Devan Gillard at qathet Museum & Archives. What could this be? It’s not some kind of septic tank, as it is very close to the house. It sees not likely that it is an excavation for an oil tank that has since been removed. Could it be an artifact to do with farming?

The historians go to work.

Before the 3800 Block of Gordon Avenue became home to residential properties, the area was wooded farmland. In 1920, Joseph Dorval was granted 50 and a half acres of land in Westview for the price of $1. This parcel was identified as Lot 3865. Its western boundary began at Marine Avenue, extended east to Ontario Avenue, and stretched north to Nootka Street, while the southern border was marked by Oliver Street.

On this land, Joe Dorval operated a dairy farm that supplied a local dairy on Marine Avenue, across from where the viewpoint is located today. Over the years, this dairy changed ownership several times, though some may still remember it by the name Tip Top Dairy.

According to Jean Fielder in her interview with Barbara Lambert for the book Powell River 100, Tip Top Dairy opened up after WWII, and Joe Dorval and Frank Adey were the first owners. Prior to WWII, the Dorval Dairy farm was one of 22 dairies in Powell River, 10 of which were one-cow dairies. In 1951, Joe Dorval closed his farm, selling his 33 head of cattle before selling his land to developers, making way for a new subdivision.

In the late 1950s, the local dairy industry was not sustainable due to the high cost of importing feed and hay from Vancouver Island, the pressure to subdivide farms for post-war housing, and supermarkets shipping in cheaper pasteurized milk (in cartons) in refrigerated trucks from Vancouver via Earls Cove  – Saltery Bay.

Some locals have suggested the sinkhole is an old septic tank, even though it was situated very close to

the house. The sewer line was not put in till 1958. The first houses on the block were built in 1951 (though there is some question about that as the municipality’s records differ from the Land Registry’s). How do you account for the layer of fill? The first houses built before 1958 must have had septic tanks before the fill was brought in. Apparently, those early tanks that have since been exposed did have wooden covers. One wonders how many of these tanks are still in the ground and still empty.

The property owner’s most likely guess: the hole at one time held some kind of tank to do with the dairy farm. When the property was developed, fill was brought in to even out the slope. The lidded structure was not removed, and the fill was dumped on top of the wooden lid. The lid rotted out. In the recent small earthquake, the soil was shaken loose but did not collapse into the hole. All it took to reveal the “sinkhole” was for an adult to walk on the thin lawn surface still in place over the hole.

Can any reader come up with a better explanation?

The hole has now been filled in for safety reasons. But if there’s one, there may be more of these hidden structures ready to collapse. When the property was sold, the developers began right away to lay out Gordon Avenue and the building plots. Dumping fill on existing structures was sloppy, but in the early 1950s, who checked?

So be careful where you put your weight on a Gordon Avenue property!

WHAT’S UP

Papal Visit

Our family was visiting Rome this year during Holy Week, the week from Palm Sunday to Easter. Pope Francis had declared 2025 a Jubilee Year in Rome.

This meant that thousands of pilgrims came to the city to celebrate Easter and visit the churches and monuments in the city. The historic centre of Rome was packed with large crowds and heightened security.

IN THE RIGHT PLACE:

Top, the Cappelle Paolina (Pauline Chapel), where Pope Francis prayed and was just buried. Above, qathet’s Barbara and Elena Merlino outside St. Peter’s Basilica.

Photos by Mark Merlino

The Cappella Paolina (the Pauline Chapel) a small chapel inside the fifth century Pontifical Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, was one of the first places we visited. For me, this domed chapel, decorated with colourful pieces of marble, is one of the most beautiful places of worship that exists.

It was built in the 17 century to house the ancient image of Mary – Salus Populi Romani (Salvation of the Roman People).

Surprisingly, after Pope Francis died on the morning of Pasquetta (Easter Monday), his will was published announcing he would be buried there next to the Cappella Paolina inside Santa Maria Maggiore. This choice is not typical, with Popes usually being buried within Saint Peter’s Basilica. Every time he came or left the city of Rome as Pope, he would come to this little sanctuary to pray.

It is a beautiful and fitting place for his last earthly journey to conclude.

​– ​​​Mark Merlino

A short-term shelter solution

City Council is opening the former bylaws office as an evening drop-in centre, as a partial response to the recent closure of the LIFT shelter. Starting in May, the office at 7156 Duncan Street will operate from 6 pm to midnight, seven days a week. Council approved a licence of occupation with the qathet Coalition to End Homelessness to use the City-owned facility for a three-month term, with an option for two additional three-month extensions. It’s not a shelter replacement, but Mayor Ron Woznow said partnering with the coalition addresses some immediate needs while a longer-term solution is sought. Services will include access to food and basic supports, offering stability and connection for those affected by the closure of the previous shelter and daytime services.

In honour of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & Two-Spirited

Powell River Transition House Society, qathet SAFE, and Se? gat Lift Spirit Women Group from Tla’amin Family Support Program will host a walk/ ceremony to raise awareness on MMIWG2S. This year it will be held on a Friday, May 2. The walk will start from tiskwat (Townsite) to Willingdon Beach at 3 pm. From 4:30-5:30 pm at Willingdon Beach, there will be a candle light ceremony to honor all MMIWG2S.

The memorial walk is to ensure loved ones who went missing and murdered are not forgotten.

We have conducted many ceremonies in Tla’amin such as Welcoming Babies, Welcoming Home Residential School Survivors, Acknowledging Sobriety Ceremony, and the MMIWG2S is one of the hardest, however we gather to send prayers and support to all deeply impacted in our society.

– Cyndi Pallen

Can you help feed hungry neighbours?

qathet Coalition to End Homelessness (qCEH) is a grassroots community and volunteer run group created at the start of 2025 to meet gaps in community services. Powell River United Church (PRUC) saw values alignment with the Coalition and a support partnership was formed.

During freezing temperatures, qCEH used space and the kitchen at the Church for an overnight warming center. Identifying food insecurity as a growing need in the community, the qCEH started a seven-days-a-week meal train which has been supported by community donations, the United Church, the Faith Lutheran and First Credit Union.

Ways you can help:

• Sign up for the meal train at: mealtrain.com/ trains/zz02gr.

• Donations of non-perishable food items can be dropped off at PRUC outside the back door of the Powell River United Church (6932 Crofton St.).

Contact qCEH at qathethomelessnesscoalition@ gmail.com or get updates at qceh.neocities.org. Contact the United Church at powellriverunitedchurch.org

THE ICONIC TEEN BURGER

BURGER

Powell River General Hospital

Many in Powell River may be aware that Powell River’s first hospital was in a tent located near the mill site. This temporary structure was eventually replaced by Dr. Henderson’s St. Luke’s, a modest 16-bed facility located at the intersection of Walnut Street and Arbutus Avenue.

Although St. Luke’s was adequate for the small population it served— treating only 265 patients in 1921—the rapid expansion of local logging operations and the growing population soon outpaced its capacity.

In May 1920, the Powell River Employees’ Sick Benefit Society was formed with the goal of expanding St. Luke’s after the stress of the Spanish Flu epidemic. However, the Society’s vision soon grew, and it undertook a 20-year project to create a new, more comprehensive facility. Their perseverance paid off in 1942 when the Powell River General Hospital opened its doors to the community.

The Powell River General Hospital was state-ofthe-art for its time. Described as a “Class A construction,” the four-story building featured an elevator and was fireproof.

With the capacity to accommodate 68 beds, not

including the nursery, it was a significant upgrade over St. Luke’s. The entire project reportedly cost $170,000, but expansion efforts continued. In 1950, a new wing was added, providing an additional 40 beds. Further expansions followed in 1952 and 1963 and again in the late 1960s.

Eventually, the original Powell River General Hospital was replaced by a modern facility that opened in September 1993. The old hospital was decommissioned, and attempts to sell the property were unsuccessful. Left vacant for several years, the building fell victim to vandalism in 1994, resulting in extensive interior damage. Ultimately, the historic structure was demolished in 1996, becoming one of Powell River’s forgotten landmarks.

In 2003, after a decade of emptiness, the city executed a decision to gift the land to the Tla’amin Nation as part of the Community Accord development. Now, a new chapter has begun for the site. Last fall, the Tla’amin Nation announced plans for their land, which was once the home of the village of tiskʷət. The housing project will include 30 affordable homes for local Indigenous people.

Photo courtesy of

I MADE THE MOVE

From restaurateurs to vinyleurs

Kristy Lynn and Matt Hewlett own Full Bug Records. Kristy also has Core with Kristy, a functional movement and yoga practice.

“We love hiking, biking and nature in general. We have two dogs that accompany us on our excursions. Music is a huge part of our lives with the record store and our own collection. We love live, original music. We love travelling, especially if we can incorporate our interest into it. We both previously owned restaurants in Vancouver. Matt created the Wallflower Diner and the Perch Restaurant. Kristy did Jackalope’s Neighbourhood Dive and Long Live Cats and Dogs (pet food store).”

Why did you choose to move to qathet?

Kristy • For nature, music, and community.

When? Where from?

Kristy • January 5, 2025 from Vancouver (with a stop in Duncan) .

What surprised you, once you moved here?

Kristy • How intensely sunny it is and how friendly people are. What made you decide to move here?

Kristy • We had a list of things we were looking for in a community and qathet ticked all the boxes.

Where is your favourite place in qathet?

Kristy • We haven’t had a chance to explore enough to have a favourite yet. So far, everywhere has been incredibly beautiful.

How did you first hear about qathet?

Kristy • I came here as a child with my brother’s hockey team.

What would make this a nicer community?

Kristy • From what we have experienced so far it’s already a nice community.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Kristy • Food. We love local fresh food. We are excited to try all the food produced in the area.

Which talent or superpower would you most like to have?

Kristy • To turn plastic into trees.

BUGGING OUT: Kristy Lynn and Matt Hewlett opened Full Bug Records on Marine, in the former BaseCamp space.

to have a whale of a time

Lawyer Craig Mracek has opened his own practice – Orca Law – at 4685A Marine Avenue. Craig was most recently a lawyer at Fleming Law. Before that, he worked at the Department of Justice, as a refugee appeals judge, and at the Supreme Court of Canada. He decided to go out on his own to help people directly, making law accessible to those who might otherwise not have support. Orca Law helps with family law, wills, criminal law, and real estate, with clear pricing for everyday issues. To contact Orca Law, visit orcalawteam.com, email contact@orcalawteam.com or call 236-328-4007.

Ukrainian food has soul

Milla Hope has been learning to cook with her Ukrainian grandmother, and the result is a new business that is bringing tasty products, made in qathet, to market. Ukrainian Soul Food by Milla has been approved by Vancouver Coastal Health and is available at Sunny Deli. “First and foremost, I am an artist with a deep passion for sharing Ukrainian culture, traditions, and flavours. Ukrainian Soul Food by Milla is an extension of that – more a cultural and artistic endeavour than a traditional business,” says Milla. Though she has been making food for festivals and other events since 2010, this is the first time products have been available in a store. Favourites include pirogis, borscht, and cabbage rolls. They’re cooked, frozen, and pre-packaged, in very limited

BUSINESS AFFAIRS

SEAN PERCY

quantities. It might be the only way to get those flavours this year, since, for health reasons, Milla won’t be participating in festivals this summer. For more info, find Ukrainian Soul Food on Facebook.

Westerly moves uptown

Westerly Studio has moved into town. After six years out on Highway 101 near Old Man Pho, Nicole Fraser has moved to 4670 Marine Avenue, taking over part of the space that used to be occupied by The Knack, which is still operating in a smaller footprint. Nicole and her staff of three have expanded to now carry bras and underwear, and they are always finding new and exciting products to carry in the studio. Contact Nicole at info@westerlystudio.ca or follow them on Instagram @westerlystudioshop

Food bowls by the bowling alley

Previously known as Rosemary Charcuterie, Rosemary Lane & Co. is starting its second season as qathet’s healthy food truck option—and now it has a permanent home! Jo-Al Meilleur and her team serve up fresh, vegetarian nourish bowls: well-balanced, whole food meals that are as healthy as they are mouthwatering. With gluten-free and vegan op-

tions available, everything is made with care and big flavour. Jo-Al says that what began as a love for creating beautiful charcuterie has evolved into a passion for wholesome meals that nourish the body and soul. Find Rosemary Lane in the parking lot next to qathet art + wares at 4488 Marine Avenue, Thursday to Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm until October. Follow them on Instagram or Facebook @rosemarylanepr to see upcoming weekly specials.

Kelly’s celebrates 50, moves to new location – across the street

Kelly’s Health Shop has moved across the street into the main floor of the Johnston Building at 4717 Marine Avenue.

“I always had a vision of what I wanted the health store to look like when I purchased it over seven years ago but finding the right location was a bit tricky,” said Nicole Rumley. “The new location is larger so more room to display products, it is bright and new and we are excited to be in this fantastic space.”

Formerly Kelly’s Specialty Shop, Nicole made a minor adjustment to the name when she bought it from Reg and Stella Gillies, rebranding as Kelly’s Health Shop in 2017 to better reflect what the store offers. It was named after the original owner, James McKenzie, who was nicknamed Kelly.

The store celebrates 50 years in the community this year, so Kelly’s will have the grand opening of the new space along with the 50th anniversary celebration on Saturday, May 31st.

Powell River’s relatively low light pollution makes it one of the best places to take in the Milky Way, and this summer promises some special sights.

On moonless nights, look south toward our galaxy’s heart; it will rise high after dark through late summer.

With solar activity ramping up in 2025, the chances of spotting the northern lights are better than usual. On clear nights, especially in July and August, look north af-

ter dark—you might catch a hint of shimmering green or purple along the horizon.

Head away from town lights and let your eyes adjust to the dark for the full experience. In June and July, you’ll be able to catch a few planets (Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars) lining up just before dawn. Jupiter in particular will shine bright in the eastern sky, making it a standout target even for binoculars.

Whether you’re out camping, on the beach, or just stepping into your backyard, qathet’s skies are putting on a show. All you have to do is look up.

– Doris Isert-Guevara. Photos by Doris and Carl Anderson

MAY EVENTS

1

Thursday International Workers Day

Show n’ Shine at A&W

Starting at about 4:30 pm. Casual vintage car gathering in the parking lot.

Mycelium Art Show opens Wishing Well in Townsite

Annie – The Musical 7 pm, Max Cameron. Performed by the qathet School District Musical Theatre Program with students from KCCS, Westview, Edgehill, Henderson and James Thomson in Grades 3-7.

Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited

3 pm walk begins at tiskwat (Townsite). 4:30 to 5:30 vigil at Willingdon Beach. See more on Page 35.

Annie – The Musical 7 pm, Max Cameron. Performed by the qSD Musical Theatre Program with students from KCCS, Westview, Edgehill, Henderson and James Thomson in Grades 3-7.

Haywire Bay opens

Regional District campground opens for the season at noon. Visit qathet.ca/services/ parks-and-recreation/ regional-parks-campgrounds for more info.

Cinema Politica Film • “Union” 7 pm, Patricia. A group of Amazon workers embark on an unprecedented campaign to unionize their warehouse in Staten Island, New York. Suggested donation: $10 qRD Invasives Collection Month begins Free disposal of local invasives at the Resource Recovery Centre. See ad on Page 10 for more.

2Friday

Accordion Fest

Main Concert

7:30 pm, James Hall. Featuring a wide variety of musical genres, special musical guests, co-directors Walter and Karina, and at least 5 accordions! Enjoy a 5-piece tango band, jazz quartet, classical pieces, Klezmer, and more. $25

Red Dress Day Walk for Missing and

Spring Blossom Poetry Slam 6 pm, Library Film • The Ballad of Wallis Island

7 pm, Patricia. follows an eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island and dreams of getting his favourite band back together. Fantasy turns into reality when the bandmates accept the invitation to play at his home on Wallis Island. What ensues is a deeply charming, crowd pleasing, and laugh out loud funny, folk-music comedy. A small film with a huge heart. Starring Carey Mulligan and celebrated British writer/performers Tim Key and Tom Basden.

3

Saturday

Accordion Fest

Workshops

By donation – James Hall

Starting at 11 am. See accordionfest.com for full schedule & details

9 Paths to Wholeness

Personality Workshop

1-3 pm. Cranberry Hall, $30. With Silvana Hernandez. Discover what makes you YOU. For info & to register silvanahern@gmail.com Celebration of Life for Ted Wrubleski 2 pm, Cranberry Seniors Centre. See Page 51 for more.

Accordion Cabaret 7:30 pm, James Hall. Dessert and savoury finger foods included in ticket price. Cabaret-style seating, dance floor, cash bar. $20.

Red Dress Day Walk

3 pm, meet at tiskwat (Townsite near the river), walk to Willingdon Beach. Ceremony for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited. 4:30 to 5:30 pm, candlelight ceremony at Willingdon Beach. Wear red. Hosted by Tla’amin Nation, qathet Safe and First Credit Union.

Farmers’ Market goes outside for the summer And starts up for both Saturdays (10 am to noon) and Sundays (12:30 pm to 2:30 pm).

Lang Bay Hall Market Noon to 2 pm.

Annie – The Musical 7 pm, Max Cameron. Performed by the qSD Musical Theatre Program with students from KCCS, Westview, Edgehill, Henderson and James Thomson in Grades 3-7.

Film • The Ballad of Wallis Island 7 pm, Patricia.

4

Sunday

Annual Plant Sale:

Powell River Garden Club

Noon til 2:30 pm, Curling Club. Back again for another year!! The Powell River Garden Club’s annual Plant Sale. The sale is open to the public. On sale: a wide variety of plants including all types of vegetable seedlings, perennial flowers, annual flowers, herbs, and even shrubs and trees. Payment methods: cash and (new this year) credit or debit. Also new this year – a food truck on location!

Farmers’ Market

12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, Paradise Valley. Food vendors, coffee, artisans, farm-fresh produce and meat, miniature railroad, playground, and more.

Paradise Valley Miniature Railroad opening day

At the Paradise Valley Farmers’ Market, Sundays all summer.

Last day for Smile Cookies: A fundraiser for Hospice

The Four Tides Hospice Society will again be the beneficiary of the proceeds from the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign. Volunteers will be on site every day decorating cookies and greeting customers. Individuals, groups and businesses can order cookies by the box and Tim Hortons will have them ready for the chosen day. For large orders (4+ boxes), delivery is available.

VinylFlip Record & Physical Media Fair

11 am to 3 pm, Cranberry Community Hall. See more on Facebook.

David Tudor’s Rainforest IV project presented by Giorgio Magnanensi

1-5 pm qathetART Centre. An interactive public event exploring the resonant qualities of sound projected through sculptural objects.

Magic the Gathering Commander night

6 pm, High Tide Games. Bring your best Commander deck and be prepared to defend your creatures.

Film • The Ballad of Wallis Island 1:30 matinée & 7 pm, Patricia.

5

Monday

Board Game Night

6 pm , High Tide Games. Use one of High Tide’s or bring your own and play the night away.

Film

• The Ballad of Wallis Island 7 pm, Patricia.

6

Tuesday

Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower

Overnight Tuesday to Wednesday. Up to 60 meteors per hour.

Zunga Warriors Community Dragonboat Team: registration opens Practice 6 to 7:30 pm, starting at the Shinglemill. $125 for the season. See ad on Page 11 for more.

Film • The Ballad of Wallis Island 7 pm, Patricia.

7

Wednesday Dungeons & Dragons night

6 pm High Tide Games. Come to watch or start a character and jump right in on the adventure.

8 Thursday

Test of the Community Notification System Alerts sent at 2 pm. Register before then, and find

more info at qathet.ca/ emergency-preparedness

Show n’ Shine at A&W

Starting at about 4:30 pm. Casual vintage car gathering in the parking lot.

9

Friday

Beanstalk Theatre Company Showcase 2025 7 pm, Evergreen Theatre. Featuring performance numbers from some of your favourite Broadway musicals and popular songs. Tickets at 32 Lakes and at Anchor Apparel (cash only). Tickets available night-of at the door (cash only). $25.

10

Saturday

Powell River United Church Spring Market and Plant 9 am to 1 pm. Plants, baking, crafts, and flea market.

Lang Bay Community Club’s Annual Plant Sale

Noon – 2 pm at Lang Bay Hall. This annual fundraiser will benefit Lang Bay Hall and its gardens. There will be a variety of plants, raffle and 50/50 draws and a food truck on site.

Your Unique Path

– Finding Your Enneagram Type

10 am-12noon. Cranberry Hall, $30. Enneagram of Personality Workshop with Silvana Hernandez. Discover your Type’s superpowers and pitfalls.

SIGNS OF SUMMER: Top, the Paradise Valley Railway opens for the season May 4, with rides every Sunday at the Powell River Farmers Makret 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Middle, Slo-Pitch started April 28, but new players are welcome (contact Stephen Woolridge spwooldridge@yahoo.ca). Or, watch a game behind the old school in Cranberry Monday to Friday nights starting at 6:30 pm. Above, summer means outdoor music. The qathet Community Band plays the Loggers Memorial Bowl at Willingdon Beach on June 1, plus there’s live music at the Farmers Market Saturdays and Sundays, PRISMA on the Beach is June 28, and much more.

For info and to register silvanahern@gmail.com

Spring Book Sale

10 to 4, at Powell River Public Library. Great books for all, great prices. Friends of the Library. Farmers’ Market

10 am til noon, Paradise Valley. Food vendors, coffee, artisans, farmfresh produce and meat, playground, and more.

Second Saturday Sale

1:30 to 4:30 pm, Cranberry Seniors Centre

Beanstalk Theatre Company

Showcase 2025

7 pm, Evergreen Theatre. Featuring performance numbers from some of your favourite Broadway musicals and popular songs. Tickets at 32 Lakes and at Anchor Apparel (cash only). Tickets available night-of at the door (cash only). $25.

qathet Colour: an Invocation –Opening Reception

7 to 9 pm, Tidal Art Centre. Show on until May 18. 11

Sunday Mother’s Day

Farmers’ Market 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, Paradise Valley. Food vendors, coffee, artisans, farm-fresh produce and meat, miniature railroad (with Mother’s Day rides), playground, and more. Magic the Gathering Commander night 6 pm, High Tide Games. Bring your best Commander deck and be prepared to defend your creatures.

COMMANDING THE STAGE: Five live shows this month showcase local youth talent. Top, Annie (Max Cameron May 1 to 3, qathet School District Musical Theatre program); Above, Wonderland (May 24, Evergreen, Laszlo Tamazik); Performance Skills Showcase featuring Broadway (Beanstalk, Evergreen, May 9 & 10); not pictured, Chasing Dreams (May 30 & 31, Evergreen, Laszlo Tamasik); see page 48 for School of Rock (May 22 to 25, Brooks Theatre Company)

12

Monday Full Moon Board Game Night

6 pm , High Tide Games. Use one of High Tide’s or bring your own and play the night away.

13

Tuesday

Cranberry Senior’s Centre Annual General Meeting

Noon, complimentary luncheon, AGM to follow at 1 pm.

14

Townsite Heritage Society AGM

Wednesday

Cran Hall Presents: Gordie Tentrees and Jaxon Haldane 7 pm, Cranberry Hall. New songs from their upcoming May release album “Mean Old World”, with searing lyrics exploring themes of love, truth, reconciliation, fighting, fleeing, winning and losing. Tickets at The Nutcracker Market on Marine and online by emailing info@cranhall.org for e-transfer instructions.

Dungeons & Dragons night 6 pm High Tide Games. Come to watch or start a character and jump right in on the adventure.

Townsite Heritage Society AGM

7 pm at Henderson House. Light refreshments served. New members and new volunteers welcome.

16

Friday

International Museum Day Night at the qathet Museum 5-7 pm. Collections tour. Dancing with Addiction: Reading 4 pm at the Library. Local author Nina Peers will share her memoir about her addiction to rescuing the addict and how she learned to focus and take care of herself. For information contact Mark at mmerlino@prpl.ca

Jessica McMann: Prairie Dusk Tour

7 pm, Max Cameron Theatre. Jessica McMann is an Alberta-based Cree multi-disciplinary artist. A classically trained flutist, her work fuses together traditional language and dance with her own contemporary experiences as an Indigenous woman and Two-Spirit person. She is currently working on her second album slated to be released mid-2023. jessicamcmann.com

17

7 pm, Henderson House, 6211 Walnut. Everyone welcome to attend, light refreshments served. See ad on Page 34.

15

Thursday

Malaspina Naturalist

Club talk: Salish

Sea Gull Project

Doors open at 7 pm, presenter at 7:30 pm. Trinity Hall, United Church on Duncan Street. Members: free; Public: $5 Presenter: Dr. Mark Hipfner (ECCC Research Scientist). See more on Page 7. Show n’ Shine at A&W Starting at about 4:30 pm. Casual vintage car gathering in the parking lot.

18

Sunday

Artist Talk & Closing Reception for qathet Art: An Invocation

3 pm, Tidal Art Centre. With Annie Robinson. Farmers’ Market 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, Paradise Valley. Food vendors, coffee, artisans, farmfresh produce and meat, miniature railroad (food bank fundraiser rides), playground and more.

Magic the Gathering Commander night

6 pm, High Tide Games. Bring your best Commander deck and be prepared to defend your creatures.

19

Monday

Victoria Day

Food Bank Ride

2 pm, meet outside Lordco. All motorcycles and classic cars are invited to ride to raise money for the Powell River Action Society Food Bank.

Community Spaghetti Dinner 4:30 to 6 pm. A warm and welcoming community spaghetti dinner at Powell River United Church – The Gathering Space! Enjoy a delicious meal, great company, and a chance to connect with neighbours. Play group available.

Saturday

Rock & Bowl 10 7 pm, The Alley Powered by Persephone. With Rad Dog (Nelson), Pharm (Kelowna), and qathet’s own The David Parkinson Project. Also, two qathet bands are playing their first show— Phlie and Pretend I Asked (members of Callista). $15 ($5 kids) or free admission when you buy a pass for loud qathet, a punk/metal fest Aug 22-23 at The Alley. Group Art Therapy Workshop 1-4 pm, Tidal Art Centre. With Annie Robinson, whose show “qathet Colour: An Invocation,” is on. Farmers’ Market 10 am til noon, Paradise Valley. Food vendors, coffee, artisans, farmfresh produce and meat, playground, and more.

Meagan Milatz, PIANO & Cameron

Crozman, CELLO 7:30 pm, James Hall. Multi-award winners, sought-after soloists and chamber musicians, Milatz and Crozman have rocketed into the international sphere. $25.

Dungeons & Dragons night

6 pm High Tide Games. Come to watch or start a character and jump right in on the adventure.

22

Thursday

School of Rock

– The Musical by the Brooks Secondary Theatre Department Opening Night

7 pm, Max Cameron. Tickets at Full Bug Records, The Nutcracker Market and Brooks Secondary. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, book by Julian Fellowes. $20.

Show n’ Shine at A&W Starting at about 4:30 pm. Casual vintage car gathering in the parking lot.

Understanding Dementia, Day 2

The Alzheimer Society will give a workshop on what dementia is (May 21, 7 pm) and a workshop on coping with dementia for caregivers (May 22, 10:30 am). To register for either or both workshops, contact Mark at mmerlino@prpl.ca

Board Game Night

6 pm , High Tide Games. Use one of High Tide’s or bring your own and play the night away.

21

Wednesday

Understanding Dementia, Day 1

The Alzheimer Society will give a workshop on “What is dementia?” (May 21, 7 pm) and a workshop on “Coping with dementia for caregivers” (May 22, 10:30 am). To register for either or both workshops contact Mark at mmerlino@prpl.ca

Compassionate Friends Meeting

6:30 pm. Peer support group offering acceptance, understanding, and friendship to bereaved parents. For more information, email powellrivertcf@gmail.com, or call Ariel at 604-2186245 or Zella Knutson (Texada) at 604-486-0464.

23

Friday

Choosing to Be Nomads in Retirement

3 pm, Library. Author Margaret Herle presents her new book Dragonfly on living life’s adventures in a renovated bus while travel-

ling across North America seeking warm winters.

School of Rock

– The Musical By the Brooks Secondary Theatre Department. 7 pm, Max Cameron. Tickets at Full Bug Records, The Nutcracker Market and Brooks Secondary. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, book by Julian Fellowes. $20.

24

Saturday

GearFlip Music

Instrument & Equipment Fair

11 am to 3 pm, Cranberry Community Hall. See more on Facebook.

Hike for Hospice begins

This event runs from May 24 through to May 31. The kick-off will be at Willingdon Beach on May 24 at 10 am with registration and at 11 am, a hike along the trail toward Second Beach. Following the hike, there is a barbecue with prizes, music, face painting, etc. All are welcome. Enter a team or as an individual participant. canadahelps.org/en/charities/ four-tides-hospice-society/p2p/hike4hospice2025

Wonderland

– Laszlo Tamasik

Dance Academy

6:30 pm Evergreen. Tickets online or at the door.

Farmers’ Market

10 am til noon, Paradise Valley. Food vendors, coffee, artisans, farmfresh produce and meat, playground, and more.

Chowder Challenge

6 to 9 pm, Lund Firehall. Tickets on sale at Nancy’s Bakery, The Stockpile, Tourism PR Visitor Centre.

School of Rock

– The Musical By the Brooks Secondary Theatre Department. 7 pm, Max Cameron. Tickets at Full Bug Records, The Nutcracker Market and Brooks Secondary. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, book by Julian Fellowes. $20.

25

Sunday

Lund Pancake

Breakfast

8 am to 10 am, Boardwalk Restaurant. Support the Northside Fire Department.

School of Rock

– The Musical By the Brooks Secondary Theatre Department. 2 pm matinée, Max Cameron. Tickets at Full Bug Records, The Nutcracker Market and Brooks Secondary. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, book by Julian Fellowes. $20.

Farmers’ Market

12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, Paradise Valley. Food vendors, coffee, artisans, farm-fresh produce and meat, miniature railroad, playground and more.

Magic the Gathering Commander night 6 pm, High Tide Games. Bring your best Commander deck and be prepared to defend your creatures.

26

Monday

AccessAbility Canada Week begins Inspired by Rick Hansen’s Man In Motion World Tour, this week is an opportunity to celebrate Canadians with disabilities and raise awareness of the critical need for accessibility and inclusion for all in our communities and workplaces. See story on Page 25.

Friends of the Library book donation day 3 to 5 pm at Powell River Public Library.

Board Game Night 6 pm, High Tide Games. Use one of High Tide’s or bring your own and play the night away.

pert, author Paul Spriggs from Victoria. The meeting starts at 7 pm (doors open at 6:30). All are welcome.

Compassionate

Friends Meeting

Group support for parents who have lost a child for any reason. See ad on Page 2 for more.

28

Wednesday

Dungeons & Dragons night

6 pm High Tide Games. Come to watch or start a character and jump right in on the adventure.

29

Thursday

Bridging Community Differences

6:30-8:30 pm, Cranberry Seniors Centre. Really listening to each other brings healing and change. For info/to RSVP, email kate@emergecollab.com Show n’ Shine at A&W Starting at about 4:30 pm. Casual vintage car gathering in the parking lot.

30

Friday

Mixed Media Artist Candace Parker

7 pm, Library. Local artist Candace Parker will discuss “Recent Works: Life is a Garden”, an Exhibition currently on display at the Library.

Chasing Dreams: Laszlo Tamasik

Dance Academy Year-End Show

7 pm, Evergreen Theatre

trucks and more. Sponsored by the Powell River Community Foundation.

Deadline: QRCA t-shirt design contest

See details to enter in ad on Page 47.

Assumption

Plant Sale

9:30 am to 1 pm, Assumption School Gym.

Family Day at PR Therapeutic

Riding: fundraiser

10 am start. Paradise Exhibition Park outdoor riding ring. A fundraiser that showcases riders and horses and the skills they have gained throughout the year. This is a time for families and the community to come and see what PRTRA is all about!

Spring Tea

– a fundraiser for Hospice

2 to 4 pm, Powell River Reformed Church (4372 Padgett Road). Tea, sandwiches and sweets. White elephant table. Fun items to purchase. By donation to Four Tides Hospice.

Chasing Dreams: Laszlo Tamasik

Dance Academy year-End Show

7 pm, Evergreen Theatre Surviving the Holocaust 2 pm, Library. Peter Uhlmann M.D. will share his family’s story, about coming from Holocaust survivors and learning about his German / Jewish roots.

Community Forest Scholarship deadline

For Powell River students entering (or already enrolled in) a forestry or natural resource management university program or in forestry-related training programs. Info on how to apply at prcommunityforest.ca

Cran Hall Presents: Loaded Mic 3

27 Tuesday New Moon Rock Gardening Expert at the Garden Club Garden Club meeting featuring rock-gardening ex-

31

Saturday

First Charity Appreciation Day: a family event

Noon til 4 pm, Evangel parking lot, 5139 Manson. Charity booths, wheelchair obstacle course, food

7 pm, Cranberry Hall. Hosted and curated by Trevor Sytnick. Check the Cranberry Community Hall Facebook page, for up to the minute information.

Chamber Cup Golf Tournament Fundraiser for the Powell River Chamber of Commerce. See more at powellriverchamber.com

5300 Yukon Avenue (alongside Springtime Garden Centre) bloom-therapy.ca

@bloomtherapyflowers

Open Wed thru Sun 604-223-8058

Happy 30th Anniversary Powell River National Historic District

BY ANN NELSON

t’s true: 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the designation by Parks and Monuments Canada of our Townsite as an outstanding example of a nearly-intact early 20th century planned company town!

In 1995 when we won that designation, there were only six other Historic Districts in all of Canada. Over the next few years, Barkerville, Victoria Chinatown, Gastown and the Esquimalt Naval Site joined Powell River, along with significant designations across the nation.

Five years earlier, the Townsite Heritage Society formed. Early society members included Susan Jersak, Rudy Pearson and Karen Southern, Shelley Halliday and myself. Our first priority was an arduous campaign to get all the ducks lined up in a chorus line of governmental and historical supporters.

Then we immediately undertook a staggering shopping list of restoration and preservation projects. They included reviving the Digester publication; introducing the Paint-up campaign; introducing the home restoration and garden awards; and the rescue of the Triangle Gardens, adjacent to the Patricia Theatre, which had become an overgrown jungle of refuse and blackberry vines.

Triangle Gardens had never been a park, per se, but the holding area for shrubs and trees for future use by the Company gardeners in their landscaping projects. With grants from Heritage BC (yes, the Province used

Volunteers needed, from gardening to baking to AGMing

Powell River, like so many small towns and neighbourhoods, has thrived on a solid foundation of volunteer commitment.

The challenge, of late, has become recruiting those volunteers. Townsite Heritage Society is not immune to the aging out of longtime volunteers and the diminishing numbers of potential recruits, so we are starting a new program of recruitment to remind people how much fun and satisfaction can be found working shoulder to shoulder with like-minded souls toward a common goal.

Can you walk a Digester delivery route of a couple of square blocks twice a year? We’ll gladly sign you up! Love gardening and your garden is all spiffed up already? Triangle Gardens and Centennial Garden and Henderson House need you. How about an intensive few hours helping to build and sell our world famous blackberry shortcake at the Street Party, with a bribe of a free piece for yourself?

to have grants!) a professional inventory of surviving heritage specimens was created for the Gardens, as well as Downtown Revitalization plans and the beginnings of interpretive signage for significant buildings. We couldn’t afford to purchase the Gardens when they went up for sale by MacMillan-Bloedel, but entered into a Volunteer Policy Agreement with the City when they acquired them, which allowed us to salvage the Gardens and turn them into a fitting ‘Welcome’ mat for the Historic District.

Tied to an ambitious street tree restoration plan for Marine Ave., Ash

SATURDAYS 10:30 - 12:30

SUNDAYS 12:30 - 2:30

Ave., Aspen Ave., and Dogwood, we were on our way to fulfilling our commitment to reviving the Garden City Plan that created the Townsite for the Company’s planners in the early 20th century.

Since 1995, the Society has acquired and restored the first residence built in the Townsite (1910), creating the Henderson House Living Museum for the Townsite Centennial celebration in 2010.

The Society was behind and Karen Southern’s four-volume set of House Histories and Heritage books, produced right here in Powell River with

How about the nits and grits of actually running a non-profit society with the fundraising, collaboration with Tourism and the Museum, and all? There’s an AGM on May 15 at Henderson House, and new members and directors would be welcomed.

a zillion hours of volunteer expertise. As excited as we are to celebrate the designation of the National Historic District with the community and to take pride in its contribution to Heritage Tourism as an economic driver for the City, we are also very aware of how very much of these gifts to our community have been driven and supported by enormous investments of volunteer dedication i.e. sweat equity and blisters.

CHARISMATIC COMPANY TOWN: The plaque outside the Patricia Theatre recognizing Townsite as a National Historic Neighbourhood.

That feeling when you find your long-sought album... or guitar

BY BOB DAVEY

Emma Mogan-Thorp attended last year’s VinylFlip on a quest to find the very special, and legendary, album Blue by Joni Mitchell.

Blue was released in June of 1971 and was written and produced entirely by the artist. It went Platinum in Canada and it’s estimated to have sold over 1.6 million copies worldwide.

It’s a deeply emotional and intense album which lives tenderly in Emma’s heart. She’d been searching for quite some time, and even at that VinylFlip had made the rounds of all the vendors without luck. She made one last stop at my table – I am the VinylFlip co-organizer – and she told her sad tale and prepared to go home empty handed. Upon hearing of her disappointment, I

reached back and pulled from my own stash of that day’s purchases a near pristine copy of Blue.

“You mean this Blue?” I asked.

What followed was disbelief, hope, elation, a transaction, and then a quick exit because Emma didn’t want to embarrass herself as the tears started to surface. And that’s the joy of VinylFlip.

And so as I was co-organizing this year’s VinylFlip, I thought, “Why not go a step further and organize a mu-

MAYBE YOU’LL FIND YOUR BLUE OR A DIDGERIDOO: Bob Davey, co-organizer of the annual VinylFlip (records), and now, GearFlip (instruments and music gear) with one of his many guitars.

sical GearFlip?” I’ve played guitar since I was a teenager and have been producing electric guitars since before COVID.

Knowing that it’s been ages since there was a music gear swap in this community, I knew it was time so I contacted David Spragge, and it all started to come together.

We expect everything from pedals, amplifiers and studio gear to Telecasters and Martins.

VINYLFLIP & GEARFLIP

VinylFlip: Sell, buy, and trade records May 4, 11 am to 3 pm at Cranberry Hall.

GearFlip: Sell, buy, and trade musical instruments and music gear May 24, 11 am to 3 pm, Cranberry Hall.

Table Rentals: Are still available for GearFlip, so please contact Bob at vinylfliprecords@gmail.com or David at dfroggy1@hotmail.com

(And you can feel good about it.)

For a wide variety of eco-packaging, visit Aaron Service & Supply. We have take out containers made from a variety of environmentally friendly products, such as compostable paper, bamboo, bio-degradable plastic, wood, and sugarcane fibre.

• Cups

• Soup cups

• Salad bowls

• Straws

• Bags

• Cutlery

• and more…

PRISMA ON THE BEACH: Summer kicks off at Willingdon on Saturday, June 28, with “Cultural Connections,” from 6-8 pm (Food/art/craft vendors open at 5; music begins at 6.) It’s a family-friendly concert showcasing highlights from the Pacific Region International Summer Music Association ’s 2025 rep-

A PEEK AHEAD TO JUNE

pm, Loggers Bowl. qathet Concert Band. Caribbean and Latin Americas songs such as Guantanamero, El ManiseDeadline: 2025 The Skies Photo Competition pm, James Hall. Year-end Choral Recital. By donation. Herring to Huckleberries: Betty Wilson and

ertoire. Hear the 90-piece PRISMA Festival Orchestra and international guest artists play symphonic masterworks, music from the blockbuster movie “Wicked”, and collaborate with singers and drummers from the Tla’amin Nation. This is a free community event.

2025 SUMMER PLANNER

May 24 • Lund Chowder Challenge

June 16 to 28 • PRISMA

July 1 • Canada Day

July 1 to 5 • Kathaumixw

July 9 to 13 • Logger Sports

July 19 • Pride Parade

July 23 to 26 • Texada Aerospace Camp

July 26 • Townsite Garage Sale July 26

July 26 & 27 • Texada Fly-In and Fling

July 26 & 27 • Slo-Pitch Year-End Tourney

August 2 & 3 • Texada Blues and Roots Fest

August 9 & 10 • Texada Sandcastle Contest

August 15 • Blackberry Street Party

August 22 & 23 • Loud qathet Punk & Metal Fest

August 23 & 24 • qathet Studio Tour

August 30 & 31 • Sunshine Music Festival

September 6 & 7 • Powell River Fall Fair

Candace Parker Recent Works: Life is a Garden

Exhibit at the Library through summer • Artist talk May 30 at the Library, 7 pm

Iam a mixed media artist living in qathet since 2016. I moved here with my partner and one of our two daughters, motivated by a desire to find a rural alternative to the Lower Mainland. We had spent extended summer periods on Savary Island since 2006 so we knew and appreciated the beauty of the area.

My artistic career has been intermittent, broken by periods of practicing law, researching social policy and helping to “raise” two children.

I benefited from years at Emily Carr University, graduating with a BFA and from participating in numerous community courses, including in the Lower Mainland and at Tidal Art Centre, qathet Art Centre and Vancouver Island University.

I’ve had exhibitions in Saskatchewan, California, the Lower Mainland & here in qathet.

What the word “garden” means to you • The word “garden” is a reference to the living matter we plant our feet on, cultivate or not, see and smell, observe over time to become aware of natural stages in all life.

How you see your own life reflected in the earth • I see my own life reflected in the earth as my original playground in the blackberry bushes, source of first way to make money (hollyhock seeds in 2 cent packets); as something that is always changing and adapting and enduring.

What it means to be a gardener • It means to have ideas about what you’d like in your plot and to reconcile yourself to what wants to be there and thrive.

What you hope viewers glean from your works • I hope some viewers will experience some pleasure.

ART CONTESTS ART SHOWS

2025 The Skies Photo Competition

The Powell River Public Library is pleased to announce the 2025 “The Skies” Photo Competition. Submit your best photo showcasing local skies (for example a typical local sunset, a typical view of birds flying with a local backdrop, a typical local aerial view, a typical view of local aircraft in the air, a typical local nighttime sky view, or a typical local view of the aurora borealis) found in this region. Submissions should be emailed to mmerlino@prpl.ca. Each local resident is eligible to submit one photo. The submission deadline is June 6, 2025. For prizes and competition rules: prpl.ca

qathet Regional Cycling Association

Design a T-Shirt Contest

All submissions must reflect the theme: “A vibrant community connected by cycling.” The deadline is May 31. Prizes for first, second and third place. Entries will be judged by QRCA board members. Winners will be announced June 6 (the end of Go By Bike Week). See more contest rules and info about the prizes in the ad on this page.

Starting May 1

Mycelium Art Show opens

Wishing Well in Townsite. Submit art until April 15 to wishingwellqathet@gmail.com

Starting May 2

Candace Parker Recent Works: Life is a Garden

At the Library, through summer. Artist talk May 30, 7 pm, at the Library.

May 4

David Tudor’s Rainforest IV project 1-5 pm qathetART Centre. An interactive public event exploring the resonant qualities of sound projected through sculptural objects. Presented by Giorgio Magnanensi.

May 10 to 18

qathet Colour: an Invocation

Tidal Art Centre. Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 3-5, and by appointment, email hello@annierobinson.art Opening reception: Saturday, May 10, 7-9 pm. Group Art Therapy Workshop: Saturday, May 17, 1-4 pm. Artist talk and closing reception, Sunday, May 18, 3 pm.

THE GARDENER: Left, Memento Mori. Right, Soil Series. Both mixed media by Candace Parker.

Nothing can stop the School of Rock!

If you like Jack Black, the BBC series Downton Abbey and the musical Phantom of the Opera, you’ll love the Brooks Theatre Department production of School of Rock, The Musical.

As bizarre as it seems, the script was written by Julian Fellowes (Downton, Titanic, The Gilded Age), the music by Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar) and the 2003 School of Rock film starred Jack Black (The Minecraft Movie, Kung Fu Panda).

At the Max Cameron, adding to this strange-bedfellows foundation is a feisty cast of Brooks Secondary teens, who bring epic personality to this high-energy musical show. Directed by theatre teacher Jennifer Didcott (Addams Family, Mamma Mia, Grease) and choreographed by Laszlo Tamasik students Charlotte Koopman-Gough and Raelyn Zakkour (An-

What does this cast think about rock? What are they listening to? Are they rebels?

“I think lots of today’s teens may want to stick it to the man, but observing this crew, we are not rebels at all!”

– Lyllyyn Dagenais, Grade 9 (Sheonelle, backup singer), fave band is The Smiths

“I think lots of people in our play are rebels!”

– Mia Welp, Grade 9 (Sophie, Roadie) fave song is Apt, by Bruno Mars

“At this point, there’s no point in trying to fight the system. It will never change.”

– Alex Combe, Grade 10 (Mr. Hamilton /Mr. Jones). Fave band is Slipknot

nie), expect to feel your inner rebel war with your inner nerd.

The story is, past-his-youth rocker Dewey Finn is in a downward spiral. His friends boot him out of his dive band because they’re fed up with his goofy antics. Dewey can’t afford his rent.

So when his roommate, a substitute teacher, gets a call to teach at Horace Green Academy, Dewey pretends to be him  – and takes the job.

The students, a crew of privileged preteen academics, also happen to be skilled classical musicians. So Dewey hatches a plan to seek vindication by teaching them to rock – and entering them in a local Battle of the Bands for both cash and musical redemption.

Instead, Dewey – much to his own surprise – makes a contribution, finds himself, and grows up.

This production is a semi-ironic love-letter to the spirit of 80s rock music. The music that the parents or even grandparents of this Brooks Secondary cast would have schooldanced to.

“You cannot NOT enjoy rock music.”

– Annika Stroomer, Grade 9 (Tomika). Fave band, Big Thief

“I think everyone is different.”

– Mia Girouard, Grade 10 (Zack Mooneyham). Fave band is Creed

“My mom listens to grunge and heavy metal. My dad listens to BritPop. I be sticking it to the man.”

– Zoe Didcott, Grade 8 (Freddy Hamilton). Fave band is Tommy Ragan

“The soundtrack to School of Rock is really sigma.”

– Abi Woolley, Grade 10 (Dewey Finn) Fave band is The Crane Wives

“I like music nowadays. It varies and expresses things more and better because there are more different types.”

– Ayla Bresden, Grade 9 (Summer Hathaway)

STICK IT TO THE MAN: Above, the Horace Green Academy students, with Dewey, Ned, and Rosalie. The cast features 24 Brooks students, plus a live band and stage crew. The chalkboard says, “And we shall teach rock!”

Family Day at Therapeutic Riding

Saturday, May 31 at Paradise Exhibition Park (Outdoor Ring) A fundraiser that showcases riders and horses and the skills they have gained throughout the year. Families and the community are invited to come and see what Therapeutic Riding is all about! Starts at 10 am.

The cast is: Dewey Finn (Abi Woolley); Rosalie Mullins (Elton Sutherland); Ned Schneebly (Noah Davies); Patty / Ms. Sheinkoph (Sariah Hull); Summer Hathaway (Ayla Bresden); Zach Mooneyham (Mia Girouard); Tomika (Annika Stroomer); Lawrence (Othello Bellmane); Katie (Elena Merlino); Freddie Hamilton (Zoe Didcott); Marcy (Emily McCormack); Shonelle (Lyllyyn Dagenais); Mason (Kris Boorman); James (Koa Wilson-Cooper); Sophie (Mia Welp); Madison (Emilia Peterson); Emo Girl / Waitress (Veda Williams); Mr Sanford / Sanders (Torrin Anderson); Mrs Hathaway (Panagiota Rounis); Mr Mooneyham/Gabe Brown (Osha North); Mr. Williams / Mr. Green (Abigail Fitzgerald); Mr. Spencer / Mr. Noble (Arwen Anderson); Ms Ward / Ms. Woodard (Loukas Paquette); Mrs. Turner / Mrs. Bingham (Katherine Isert).

Because sharing this kind of news is so important in a community, qL offers free small notices for births, weddings and obituaries: a 1/18th size, for locals, when the event happened in the three months previous to publication.

Bigger sizes and other announcements:

150 words & photo: $150

300 words & photo: $300

600 words & photo: $500

750 words & photos: $750

BEHIND THE SCENES AT SCHOOL OF ROCK: A live band of students and teachers accompanies the show. They are: (top) Oskar Battacharya and Jonathan Dyck; (middle row) Esiana Hargrave on piano; Eli Conroy on drums, conducted by (not pictured) Brooks music teacher Stephen Cramaro. (Bottom row) Brooks theatre teacher Jennifer Didcott adjusts a costume on Amelia Peterson. Stage manager Bear Fike makes the magic behind the curtains. Not pictured, vocal coach Lesley Sutherland helps the student cast execute the full feature-length musical.

Ted W. Wrubleski

March 24, 1948 - February 4, 2025

Ted Wrubleski was born in Wadena, Saskatchewan, the fourth of nine children. He attended Rosa, a oneroom country school heated with a potbelly stove - a two-mile walk, buggy or cutter ride away from the family farm. In high school, Ted and his friends, brother and cousin started a band called The Fifth Dimension.

Shortly after graduation, his father was killed in a car accident, so Ted picked up the farm duties before leaving for Saskatchewan Technical Institute to take electrical engineering.

ties for service and his love for outdoor recreation.

Please join us!

Ted Wrubleski’s Celebration of Life

Saturday May 3, 2pm Cranberry Seniors Centre

His first apprenticeship was with Alwinsal Potash in Lanigan - a job that required climbing 373 steps up to five times a day.

“Even though I drank a lot of beer, climbing those stairs kept me thin,” Ted wrote in a 2019 essay. He met Peg Bryson at work; the two were married July 12, 1969. Their son Darrell was born in 1971, and daughter Danielle in 1972 - the same year Ted received his Interprovincial Industrial Electrician’s certificate.

A friend in Powell River told the Wrubleskis that the mill was looking for electricians. “I jumped at the chance to get away from the hangnails and nosebleeds of working in the salt dust and heat of the potash refinery,” Ted wrote. Although leaving family was hard, the Wrubleskis were thrilled with their new home in the Townsite, where Ted could jog to work. He worked in the wood mill, then on the paper machines, the boiler house and finally the electric motor repair shop.

In 2001, Ted was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. His sister Lucille’s stem cells saved his life. The cancer ended Ted’s career, but his early retirement allowed him to embrace many opportuni-

Ted and Peg gutted and renovated their home to make the most of the view over the Salish Sea. They vacationed on Savary Island and traveled widely with friends and family, plus played in annual croquet tour naments with themes and costumes. Ted rode motor cycles for as long as he could, and then switched to ATVs when his balance gave out. He volunteered with the Powell River ATV Club, maintaining trails and club communications. “Although I did a lot of dirt and road motorcycle riding in the ‘80s,” Ted wrote, “nothing beats ATVing with a bunch of old farts.”

Locals will remember him as a volunteer with the Townsite Ratepayers Association, and as a volunteer firefighter at Cranberry Fire Hall - where he retired as chief.

Ted is survived by his wife Peg; children Darrell (Debb) and Danielle (Frank); grand children Hanlon, Bryson, Massimo, Siena, Samson and Julia; brothers Phil (Mary) and Tim (Brenda); sisters Juliette (Allan), Anette, and Lucille; sisters-in-law Mary anne and Diane; and brother-in-law Emile. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews and was cherished by Peg’s family as well. Ted was preceded in death by his parents May and Edmund; brothers Martin and Bob; brother-in-law Allan; and sister Sylvia.

Ted was always known for his kind, gen erous and energetic spirit. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.

Ted’s life was marked by his dedication to his family, his career, and his community, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew him.

TAKE A BREAK

There was a time when I had a career in neurofeedback. In an unexpected twist of fate, I’d been hired to wear a lab coat and dive into the land of EEG machines measuring and recording people’s brain waves, use software to convert this activity into sound, and employ various techniques for restoring electrical balance in brain function.

Typically, it was for those affected by real or perceived emotional or physical trauma, but also for athletes wanting a competitive edge, or those wanting to improve cognitive ability. Knowing nothing about brain function at the time, I was recruited solely for my experience in energetic and soul-level restoration work.

You see, the neurofeedback technicians before me had been suffering sudden ailments after working with their clients, holed up in a small room together, as all manner of emotions and trauma stored in the body were being processed. My job was to not only master the tech heavy science, but to also implement best practices and a safe healing environment for technicians and clients both.

Over five years, I witnessed a range of results, from the “meh” to fully miraculous. By the time the brain health clinic closed in 2012, I’d picked up a couple of techniques to help reduce racing thoughts, calm our nervous system, and elevate mood that we’d used alongside the technology. Stuff we can do at home – without equipment.

RETURN TO REVERENCE

JULIETTE WOODS

together is a super easy way to invite our brains to rise to this activity. So, too, does touching the tip of our tongue to the roof of our mouth. If you try it right now, you’ll find one spot is particularly ticklish. That’s the spot!

The other trick lowers overactive high frequencies in our temporal lobes. This helps balance our nervous system, reduce stress and quiet racing thoughts. If you start at your earlobe and trace with your finger up and around the outer shell of your ear, you’ll end up at a little divot where your ear meets your head (the incisura terminalis if you need to look it up).

From there, move your finger straight up about two inches toward the crown of your head. Find this spot on both sides and gently rest your finger tips there. Take a few deep relaxing breaths, and, if you can, either imagine yourself in a beautiful place in nature, or envision a gentle stream with leaves smoothly floating downward over smooth stones.

Picture details and vibrant colours if you’re able. If not, slowly relaxing muscles from head to toe also works. Start with your ears and face, then neck, shoulders… you get the idea. Keep it up for 10+ minutes daily if you can.

The easiest tips to explain raise Alpha frequencies; often known as the “feel good” brainwaves associated with relaxation, active meditation or flow state, and reduced physical pain. It also helps relieve us from subconscious fears. Touching our thumb and ring finger tip together on our non-dominant hand, and focusing on the sensation of gently rubbing them

If you’d like to read more; archives, books, & guides can be found at juliettejarvis.com or subscribe to juliettejarvis.substack.com

Across

3) Photo contest theme

6) Orphan, not sharpshooter

8) Seagull, or Wonka

10) Man in Motion

12) Food bowls and thyme

15) Beer, swing, paddler

16) Health shop

20) Senior mutt

22) Records, and records

24) Paolina’s latest resident

25) Art sale, 80s were totally this

27) Artist Candace, after driver

28) U15 cap Gruntman

32) Plants that don’t belong

33) Kathaumixw groups

35) Body’s CPU

36) Hike and tea fundraise for this

37) Not the worst contest

38) Youth job program is a hit

39) New realtor Ken

Down

1) Studio moved northerly and 2) Good garden and neighbour makers 4) Verecan’s smart, not this 5) Inland inspiraton Sue

7) Record material

9) Blackbeard, or porch thief

11) First hospital’s saint a force

13) The E in VE Day

14) qathet Safe helps men choose

17) What the mill did on VE day

18) Law with a porpoise

19) Loretta and WEST’s school

21) Sinkhole Ave

23) Seabird

26) School role and

27) Some days you’re the ___, some the statue

29) Cycling body (acronym)

30) U15 Coach Scott doesn’t dwindle

31) Gull mating ground

34) Top of the flood, game store (2 words)

INDEPENDENCE

In an exciting development for its clients, White LeBlanc Wealth Planners (WLWP) has announced an evolution that will reinforce its commitment to providing exceptional value and service. The firm's ownership group has made the decision to move to a business model that requires them to register directly with the securities commissions across Canada, allowing the team to prioritize clients' best interests without any potential conflicts of interest arising from being owned by a bank or insurance company.

An era in need of an anthem

If you haven’t seen A Complete Unknown, the Bob Dylan biopic staring Timothée Chalamet, get thee to thy Netflix. About halfway through the film, there’s a scene that might make your heart fall out, in the wake of this federal election.

solutions. This commitment to continuous improvement reflects the firm's dedication to delivering exceptional value and meeting clients' evolving needs.

It’s the Newport Folk Festival, 1964. Bob, already a star, opens his set by debuting what would become the anthem of the era: The Times They Are A-Changin’. The crowd, seated on rickety chairs and blankets in the Rhode Island sunshine, hears his call to action – his call to revolution – and responds with whoops and cheers. This isn’t a song. This is hope, and a plan.

This move represents a natural evolution for WLWP and aligns perfectly with its founding principles, and the firm remains founder-led, and employee owned. Since its inception, the firm has always placed its clients' needs first and strived to act independently of any external influences. By breaking free from the traditional broker-dealer model and corporate pressure, the new firm, Verecan Capital Management Inc. (Verecan) can focus entirely on its clients' requirements, free from the demands of a dealer's shareholders.

Come senators, congressmen

Please heed the call

Don’t stand in the doorway

Don’t block up the hall

For he that gets hurt

Will be he who has stalled

The battle outside ragin’

Will soon shake your windows

And rattle your walls

For the times they are a-changin’

1964 was the Civil Rights era. That was known. What was coming next was still unknown to the festival attendees. The Vietnam War hadn’t started. The birth control pill was still illegal, nationally in the US. John Lennon, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King were all still alive in 1964 – singing, protesting, and preaching.

Bob, the artist, was a dowsing rod, seeing through a mirror dimly that the times were changing. The rest of the 60s overhauled the entire American experiment, the whole world changed with it. He saw that, and wrote a galvanizing song for the era. This moment, mid-2025, feels so much like 1964. The times, they seem to be a’changing again.

One immediate benefit of this transition is the reduction in the cost of the firm’s proprietary investment pools. Verecan Capital Management Inc. expects to identify further cost-saving opportunities with its new structure, enabling the firm to pass on those savings to clients, enhancing their overall returns.

Verecan has chosen Advisor Solutions by Purpose (ASP) a firm with shared values, including a dedication to delivering an exemplary client experience, to provide the cutting-edge technology and operational support needed to allow the team to operate in a truly independent environment.

as horrific as they look. Yes, this is what’s emerging internationally at the same time as you are emerging into the world, my little girl. I’m sorry. We need you and your generation to rise to this.

LAST WORD

PIETA WOOLLEY

qL went to press the afternoon of April 28. We didn’t know, when we sent this document off for printing, which party would form the next Federal government, nor did we know who won this riding. During this campaign, the Conservatives, NDP, and Greens all claimed to be the party of revolution. All three had a distinct vision for Canada, different from the Liberal era.

It is important to note that while embracing independence, Verecan is a Portfolio Management firm, and is registered directly with securities commissions across Canada. This means that the firm, as well as the individual Portfolio Managers within, are subject to the stringent oversight of the securities commissions in each province where the firm is registered. Verecan continues to adhere to all securities laws and regulations, ensuring the highest standards of professionalism and compliance are maintained. Existing clients can be reassured that they will continue to work with the same dedicated team members they have come to know and trust.

The problems this new government will face won’t disappear in May, no matter who governs. They have no easy or obvious solutions. Climate change. Affordability. Addictions. Fisheries. Trumpism.

To ensure the safety and security of clients' assets, Fidelity Clearing Canada (FCC) has been selected to be the firm’s custodian FCC, a subsidiary of Fidelity Investments, has over $69 billion in assets under administration in Canada as of January 2023 Backed by Fidelity Investments' global expertise and strength, FCC additional technological capabilities and robustness to safeguard clients' assets Its membership in regulatory bodies further underscores its commitment to maintaining the highest industry standards

Nor do we know what’s coming. The last five years paraded one unpredictable unknown after another. COVID. Wildfires. Tarriffs. What will the next five bring us?

My 15-year-old daughter asked me about the prison in El Salvador this morning. She had seen the memes circulating on social media, comparing a photo of the thin, naked bodies of the men President Donald Trump’s regime sent to that country, with a photo showing the thin, naked men in a WWII concentration camp. They look disturbingly similar.

What was happening? She wanted to know. These images don’t compute with the life she knows here in qathet. Was this for real?

Ugh. How to explain this? Yes, it’s real. Yes, we’re basically powerless on this one. Yes, these images are

I don’t have good answers for her. No one does. No one could explain this election, even. This era is too amorphous. I wish I could stream a 2025-version of Bob Dylan for her to listen to, to help her see through the smoke – to see her role in whatever comes next. But I don’t think this music exists yet.

I’d probably get it wrong anyway. Moms aren’t known for their incisive musical taste, according to teens.

In his anthem, Bob didn’t offer any specific instructions to his audience. His role was poet, not politician.

When there are no answers, there’s music.

There are VinylFlip and GearFlip this month (Page 45). There’s Full Bug Records (Page 37). There’s School of Rock (Page 48), and music at the Powell River Farmers’ Market, and elsewhere. I hope some Bob-like kid is out there with a crystal clear vision and a sharp pen.

Come writers and critics

Who prophesize with your pen

And keep your eyes wide

The chance won’t come again

And don’t speak too soon

For the wheel’s still in spin

And there’s no tellin’ who

That it’s namin’

For the loser now

Will be later to win

For the times they are a-changin’

Verecan Capital Management Inc., although a new firm, consists of the team and client base of its predecessor, WLWP, with offices across Canada and nearly $900 million in assets under management

|| editor@qathetliving.ca

Verecan Capital Management Inc. is registered as a Portfolio Manager in all provinces in Canada apart from Manitoba.