Pacific Region International Summer Music Association (PRISMA) Festival is tuning up for its most ambitious year yet, with 13 days of concerts, open rehearsals and masterclasses at Evergreen Theatre and Willingdon Beach Park from June 16 to 28.
“We’ve never fielded an orchestra this large—nearly 90 top-tier students from 12 countries,” says Andy Rice, PRISMA’s development and marketing director. “They’re coming from Juilliard, Eastman, Oberlin—places that set the bar for classical training. Powell River will feel that energy from the first downbeat.”
PRISMA artistic director Arthur Arnold has programmed backto-back performances of Gustav Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder intertwined with Symphony No. 6 on June 20 (evening) and 21 (matinée).
“The song-cycle is so intimate and hopeful, even in tragedy, and the Sixth Symphony is raw and elemental,” explains Arnold. “Harmonically, they fit like a glove— it creates a single emotional arc.”
Rice believes local listeners will sense the moment’s importance.
“Mahler is red-hot on the world stage right now,” he says, noting that Arnold recently returned from attending Amsterdam’s sold-out
Mahler Festival. “Hearing two of those works in our own hall—and his unique idea to program them in this brand-new sequence—puts Powell River on that map.”
Victorian mezzo-soprano
Emma Parkinson will sing the Kindertotenlieder and, one night earlier, join a chamber orchestra for Berlioz’s Les Nuits d’été at the French-flavoured opening gala on June 19.
Another highlight, Rice says, is the June 26 chamber concert.
“We fly in guest artists from Europe and top North American orchestras in Montréal, Boston and
Chicago,” he notes. “Hearing them mix with our students, and with each other, is the kind of intimacy you don’t always get with big symphonic nights.”
The closing concert on June 27 gives the festival its world-premiere coup: Alexander Mosolov’s Symphony No. 3 (1958-59), a score Arnold smuggled out of a Moscow library several years ago.
“The piece doesn’t exist with a publisher or on a CD,” says Arnold. “Every tempo and balance decision is ours to discover. Bringing it to life in Powell River before anywhere else—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime ex-
perience for our audience and players.”
PRISMA keeps its community roots front and centre. PRISMA for Kids (June 24) starts early, offers a lobby “instrument petting zoo,” and features the qathet Fiddlers, a 60-voice elementary choir and storyteller Sonia Zagwyn.
“We want to spark curiosity early,” says Rice. “These moments can grow into a lifelong love of music.”
The free outdoor showcase PRISMA on the Beach moves to the festival’s finale on June 28.
“By sliding it to the end, we give families a celebratory send-off,” ex-
plains Rice. “Pack a blanket, watch the sun set and enjoy a musical picnic with us. Where else can you hear a work that thrilled audiences over a century ago alongside something from Wicked, which set box office records just this year?” Arnold says students around the world are practicing these pieces right now.
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“There’s already a web connecting Powell River to conservatories on three continents,” he adds. “Everyone in the audience becomes part of that network.”
The 2025 PRISMA Festival runs from June 16 to 27 at Evergreen Theatre in Powell River Recreation Complex and at Willingdon Beach Park on June 28. Ticket prices are $30 for adults, $15 for patrons under 18, and $10 for children under 12, with full-festival passes available for $130, plus services charges.
Tickets can be purchased online at prismafestival.com or in person at the PRISMA office in Townsite Market (open Tuesday to Thursday until June 12) and subsequently at the Powell River Kings office in the recreation complex’s upper concourse. Prospective buyers are advised to confirm in-person boxoffice hours on the festival website, where the complete concert and event schedule is also available.
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Experts weigh in on grizzly bear sightings
What experts want people to know about expanding populations
BY ALANNA KELLY Glacier Media
The first time she touched a grizzly bear, she was just two months old. From then on, Michelle McLellan has spent her life tracking, studying and researching grizzly bears.
“I grew up on a research program in southern BC in the Rocky Mountains, where my dad studied grizzly bears for 40 years,” said McLellan. Her childhood is filled with memories of grizzlies, including the first one she touched.
“It was immobilized…my parents weren’t that crazy,” she added.
The wildlife ecologist believes a recent sighting of two grizzly cubs on Vancouver Island and a grizzly that swam to Texada Island are signs of population expansion. Her work has focused on recovering populations.
She said the Sunshine Coast is an area where bears were persecuted for a long time. They were no longer hunted after the 1970s.
“It’s been about 50 years, so we can expect some of them to show up a bit more,” she added.
A grizzly bear that swam from south of Powell River
to Texada Island has been spotted by some locals, prompting conservation officers to go to the island to monitor the situation.
The adult male grizzly — known as Tex — has a yellow ear tag and was first spotted in Shehtekwahn Bay on May 25. Bears are tagged for research purposes.
A small group of people living on Texada are trying to privately relocate the grizzly but conservation officers say the plan is not sanctioned by them or the province.
In an emailed statement last week, BC Ministry of Environment and Parks said it is aware of the relocation plan.
“Due to recent conflict history, the grizzly bear poses a serious threat to public safety and HumanWildlife Conflict Response Guidelines will be followed,” the statement read, noting Tex was relocated twice in 2024.
The ministry added that conservation officers and provincial wildlife biologists have worked together throughout the conflict history of this bear.
Meanwhile, on May 17, a woman spotted two grizzly cubs playing near Campbell River. Callie Boyle and her mother were driving on a logging road when they saw a large grizzly and two cubs in an estuary.
“We just watched them tackle each other and wrestle on the ground,” she said. “It was really cool to see.”
For McLellan, this sighting is unique because for a long
time bear biologists did not believe there were grizzly populations on Vancouver Island.
“It’s females with cubs, which would indicate an actual occupancy of the species,” she said. “This is a population that’s there and that is interesting.”
She said there’s an opportunity to understand how the population is changing and how the species is shifting.
“This is new, that these bears have come here,” said McLellan. “This isn’t just people noticing grizzly bears. These are bears coming from the mainland and dispersing there.”
In all the years McLellan has been studying bears, grizzlies seldom get in “nasty” encounters with people in human-dominated landscapes.
“It’s much more rare, it’s very rare.”
If close enough, grizzly bears will often try to smell people.
“They’ll wave their head around and stand on their hind legs and that isn’t to be aggressive,” she explained. “That’s them trying to figure out what you are and what the appropriate way to respond is.”
To avoid a grizzly encounter, make noise.
“They’ll hear you,” she said.
A grizzly also might have its eyes “locked in” on a person, trying to figure out how to get around them.
If you’re in a wide-open area, where they like to spend time, back away
slowly.
McLellan said people have worked hard to conserve the grizzly populations.
“A lot of the populations, like Squamish-Lillooet are recovering, the South Chilcotin mountain ranges are recovering, the Selkirk Mountains that I live in, a lot of these populations are doing better than they once did, but not all of them,” she said.
There is a way to recover the populations, but it requires the understanding that not all places are the same, she added.
“They face different challenges.”
Garth Mowat, a large carnivore specialist with BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, has been working with grizzly bears since 1996. He said the population is expanding in parts of the province and people will see bears in places they are not used to.
“It’s often alarming when that happens,” he said.
In places like Powell River, Naramata and Vancouver Island, populations are slowly coming back.
“On Vancouver Island, there were no female bears for a long time,” said Mowat. “So these male bears show up and disappear on the edges of the range for years and even decades, as they’re slowly colonizing or waiting for females to colonize that part of the range.”
What kind of terrain does a grizzly bear prefer? From a biological sense, grizzly bears have evolved from the
open steppes of Asia.
“They did not evolve where there were trees. That’s why they’re not good climbers. Their shoulders are rotated and attached and built for digging,” said Mowat.
These bears thrived in environments where a significant portion of their energy source was stored underground in roots and bulbs.
This led them to become highly efficient at digging these up.
“You will tend to see grizzly bears in the open parts of the ecosystem,” said Mowat.
This includes the mouths of rivers, on big sedge flats in cut blocks, in the alpine and subalpine areas, and on the salmon streams.
When it comes to explaining the species, McLellan hopes the public understands that grizzly bears are a different species than black bears.
“They have evolved to be-
have differently. The way they respond to humans is often different, and it can be unsettling,” she said. Grizzly bears will not climb a tree or run away. It is not within their nature to be afraid of people.
It’s important to keep dogs on a leash around a grizzly because they will likely respond more aggressively to a four-legged companion, according to McLellan. It also doesn’t hurt to carry bear spray, she said, if out walking around an area the bear has been spotted.
People should also secure all attractants such as fruit trees, fishing gear and anything that smells like food. Chickens and farm animals should also be secured by putting up an electric fence.
“You don’t want them in your yard,” she added. “That’ll lead to the death of the bear, or destruction of your property, or worse.”
LARGE PRESENCE: A grizzly bear was recently spotted in the Mount Pocahontas area on Texada Island. Katrin GlennBittner owns a farm nearby and is part of a group which hopes the bear can be relocated. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
DON’T MISS THIS WEEK
SATURDAY JUNE 14
Ɬ AGƏT HIYT T OXʷƱ M/HERRING TO HUCKLEBERRIES
Ɬaʔəmɩ n elder ošil (Betty Wilson) and artist Prashant Miranda present this beautifully illustrated ʔayʔajuθəm and English book, drawn from ošil’s childhood memoires. The presentation starts at 2 pm at Powell River Public Library. For information, email Mark at mmerlino@prpl.ca.
Flag theft delays ceremony
Pride-related infrastructure has been vandalized before
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
Vandals caused damage and stolen flags from Powell River City Hall, which disrupted a pride flag ceremony for Pride Month.
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june 13 to 18 Nightly 7 pm matinees 1:30 pm saturday & sunday
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Donna GillenardoGoudreau, president of qathet Pride Society, said this is not the first time there has been vandalism before a pride event.
“Last year, flags were stolen, and we also had paint spilled on the rainbow stairs at the church across the road,” said GillenardoGoudreau. “This is a continued issue in a series of events that have happened. It’s concerning that it has happened for the past few years and it seems like nothing is really changing. I’m glad the city potentially has some video, so maybe they can figure out who is caus-
investigation. City of Powell River mayor Ron Woznow and qathet Pride Society president Donna Gillenardo-Goudreau raised the pride flag in a delayed ceremony on June 9, with many people in attendance. PAUL
ing the issue.”
Gillenardo-Goudreau said the pride society remains undeterred and will continue to plan events.
“We are not going to stop having our events and being in the community,” said Gillenardo-Goudreau.
There was supposed to be a pride flag raising ceremony at city hall on June 2, but with the damage to the flagpole, the event did not go ahead as scheduled. The ceremony was rescheduled and took place on Monday, June 9.
The cutting of the flagpole ropes and theft of the flags at city hall is deeply concerning, stated councillor George Doubt, who is the current acting mayor, in a written statement.
“Acts of vandalism like this go against the values of respect that we strive to uphold in our community,” stated Doubt. “The city has filed a police report.”
Gillenardo-Goudreau said there are members of the LGBTQIA+ community who feel threatened and fearful. She said in addition to the vandalism, there have been some negative comments about the community
on social media.
“There’s been some kickback for some of our events, and that is kind of to be expected, which is a shame to say, but it is scary when you live in such a tight-knit community,” said GillenardoGoudreau. “It could be people we know or interact with who are doing these things, and that’s a shame.”
Gillenardo-Goudreau said qathet Pride Society has several hundred members, with a board consisting of 12 people. There are members of the society who are not LGBTQIA+, known as allies.
“We have some allies who have been really great and instrumental,” said Gillenardo-Gourdreau. “It’s fantastic to have them. We have a lot of support. The city councillors have been fantastic and the RCMP have been supportive, so we are very lucky.”
Gillenardo-Goudreau said there are several events planned for the coming months, including some swims at Powell River Recreation Complex, a meetup at Mowat Bay beach, and the big pride celebration on July 19, with the organiza-
tion’s second annual parade. There will also be pride in the park on that day.
Gillenardo-Goudreau said qathet Pride Society represents a broad spectrum of the community, with business owners, people who work for nonprofits for community members, and other key positions.
According to Powell River RCMP, on June 3, a report was received that three flags that were flying at city hall, along with ropes and hardware, were stolen from the flagpole sometime over the weekend.
Police stated that the theft included the Canadian flag, BC flag and City of Powell River flag. It also rendered the flagpole inoperable until the ropes and hardware can be replaced. The investigation is ongoing, according to police.
Powell River RCMP has asked that anyone with video surveillance in that area, or information about this crime, call local police at 604.485.6255, or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8477 to remain anonymous. Information can also be shared at bccrimestoppers. com.
RESCHEDULED RAISING: Flags at Powell River City Hall were cut down by vandals, disrupting a pride flag raising, with the matter under
GALINSKI PHOTO
Crime proceeds fund grants
Two projects in qathet region will go toward advancing public safety and promoting healing
North Island-Powell River MLA and cabinet minister
Randene Neill has indicated people on the Sunshine Coast will benefit from projects that will advance public safety, help prevent violence and promote healing.
"I can't think of a more satisfying way to spend the proceeds of crime than pouring it back into our community," stated Neill, in a media release. "Projects on the Sunshine Coast that are receiving funding through this program will help individuals and youth heal and thrive."
Two projects in the qathet region are receiving a total of $80,000 to implement crime prevention and remediation projects in their community. Local projects include qathet Community Justice Society, victim voice, victim choice, which will be receiving $40,000. The media release stated that this project will empower victims through restorative dialogue and
Happy Pride Month
H A P P Y
victim surrogacy through training, evaluation, partnership development, and policy and procedure review.
The second $40,000 grant will be going to Powell River Child Youth and Family Services Society’s outdoor adventure summer camp. This project will deliver a free summer camp for youth.
The provincial government is providing $9.1 million in one-time grants through the civil forfeiture grant program, to support 166 community projects across the province. These projects are being led by local governments, communitybased not-for-profits, school districts, health authori-
ties, academic institutions, police departments and Indigenous organizations.
The release stated that $900,000 of the $9.1 million will support specialized police equipment and training, $500,000 will support the anti-hate community support fund, and $200,000 will support the response to the April 26 tragedy after the Lapu Lapu festival.
The civil forfeiture office was established in 2006 with the purpose of removing the tools and proceeds of unlawful activity and redirecting them back into programs that support community safety and crime prevention initiatives.
P R I D E M O N T H F R O M F I R S T C R E D I T
U N I O N !
COMMUNITY SAFETY: Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Randene Neill has announced two $40,000 grants to local organizations, with the money having come from the civil forfeiture grant program, which comes from the proceeds of crime. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MP delivers first speech
Aaron Gunn stands in House of Commons to make initial address
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
North Island-Powell River
Member of Parliament
Aaron Gunn has made his first speech, known as the maiden speech, in the House of Commons.
Standing in parliament on June 2, Gunn said he was honoured to be speaking as a member of parliament.
“Let my first start off by thanking the incredible people of my riding, North Island-Powell River,” said Gunn. “I am here, first and foremost, because of the trust they have placed in me to be their voice, and to be
Aaron Gunn
their elected representative in this esteemed chamber.”
Gunn said it has been almost two years since he decided to seek the Conservative party nomination and run in the recent federal election. He said it was a decision he made because he believed then, as he does now, that this country is headed in the wrong direction, and that it is failing to live up to its true potential. Gunn said when he worked
for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, he used to tour a debt clock across Canada. He said it showed Canadians how much debt the federal government had borrowed and the individual share for each taxpayer.
“It was a great tool to help visualize how much debt we were leaving for the next generation to pay,” said Gunn.
“That debt clock no longer exists. Under the Liberals and the NDP, we have managed to borrow more money in the last 10 years than every other government in the history of this country combined. We literally ran out of digits on the clock.”
Gunn said Canada has the highest inflation and homes have become less affordable.
“There used to be a promise here in Canada,” said Gunn. “If you worked hard, paid your taxes and followed the law, you could afford
a place to live. When my grandfather, who is 94 years old, first came to Canada in 1957 as a refugee, he, like most new Canadians, started off with a minimum wage job working on the railway. Yet, on that minimum wage salary, he was able to afford a home and a nice piece of property and have it paid off in less than 10 years.
“Does anyone think you could afford to purchase a home and have it paid off in less than 10 years while earning minimum wage anywhere in Canada today? It’s time to remove the gatekeepers and get back to actually building things in this country again.”
Gunn said the country’s resource sector and its workers need support.
“On the North Island, forestry is down by more than a third,” said Gunn. “Aquaculture has been cut in half. Fishers have had their
access barred to areas they have fished sustainably for 100 years. The last mine on Vancouver Island has closed as well.”
Gunn said the Liberals have axed the northern gateway pipeline and introduced legislation such as Bill C-69 that killed dozens of massive energy and resource projects and sent tens of billions of dollars in investment to the United States. He said Canadian workers have had their livelihoods sacrificed by the Liberals and the NDP on the altar of this green ideology.
“Here’s the truth: no one does safety and environmental stewardship better than Canada or better than Canadians,” said Gunn. “As long as the world needs lumber, minerals, oil or natural gas, as much of it as possible should come from right here in Canada.”
Further, he said there
may be no issue where the Liberals and NDP have done more damage from a human perspective than in their mismanagement of the addictions crisis. Since 2015, more than 50,000 Canadians have died of drug overdoses, he said.
“That’s more Canadians than who died in all of the second world war,” said Gunn. “How about instead of handing out free drugs, we use that money to get people into treatment, into recovery, and return them to being productive, healthy members of our society once again. Gunn also said that the government needs to be tougher on crime, and that small business owners need to be supported. He added that to help solve the nation’s problems, government needs to get out of the way and give it back to those who built it – the people.
Help shape transit in Powell River
Take the survey and have your say!
BC Transit, the City of Powell River and qathet Regional District are creating a new transit map for Powell River and planning for the future of qathet rural routes
Share your feedback on a new vision for the city routes. Help us understand your priorities for rural routes 12, 13, and 14
Visit engage.bctransit.com/powell-river-tfsp, or scan the QR code to take the online survey
Visit us to give your feedback at the following locations:
Monday June 16
Tla'amin Health Centre, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Powell River Town Centre, near the transit exchange, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesday June 17
Powell River Recreation Complex lower lobby, 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
qathet General Hospital, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Powell River Town Centre, near the transit exchange, 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
qathet General Hospital, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
After three hours of deliberation, City of Powell River councillors arrived at a recommendation for allocations from the Powell River Community Forest reserve for spring 2025 community projects.
At the June 3 committee of the whole meeting, councillors heard a delegation from community forest president Greg Hemphill, recommending $1,223,540.09 in expenditures for 17 projects throughout the community for the spring 2025 grants, to be approved by city council from the community forest reserve fund.
Hemphill said the bylaw states that before any money is used from the fund, the
Driving with Pride Councillors recommend fund allocation
city will seek input from the community forest board.
He said positive news was the amount of money available in the fund. The community forest had a record 2023 dividend of more than $6 million, and held considerable money in reserve to balance a smaller dividend in 2024.
“Starting 2025, there was $2.8 million available for grants in the fund, plus money returned from projects completed, under budget,” said Hemphill. “There were large amounts of interest from available money. Interest alone will cover most of the recommended grants. That’s good news.
“There’s more than enough money for spring and fall 2025 grants. Grant money is available to cover the next
couple of years of eligible grant projects. There will still be a large surplus available that will carry forward to 2026.”
Interim chief administrative officer Mark Brown said the community forest grant application list totalled a little more than $1.2 million, however, only $425,314 was budgeted to be awarded in the 2025 to 2029 financial plan. He said the grant shortfall is nearly $800,000, which is above the approved budgeted amount.
Chief financial officer Mallory Denniston, in speaking to the committee, indicated that city council had approved, in the 2025 financial plan, the $425,314 allocation to the community forest reserve fund, which
would result in a zero per cent tax increase in 2026.
She said the community forest reserve has substantial funds, but the city does not have free money to give away.
“If the city wanted to increase property taxes further, it could give away more money in the community forest reserve fund,” said Denniston. “There is a tax implication.”
She said not enough has been saved for city infrastructure over the last decade. She said the community forest is 100 per cent owned by the city, and there is not enough money in the community forest reserve for the capital needs identified in the city’s asset management plan.
Council asked a number
DIFFERING VIEWS: Powell River Community Forest president Greg Hemphill came to a City of Powell River committee of the whole meeting requesting that more than $1.2 million be spent throughout the community on 17 projects, but councillors, after considerable deliberation reduced the recommendation to city council to $748,494.
PHOTO
PAUL GALINSKI
of questions and came up with four funding motions that were defeated. Finally, councillors unanimously endorsed a motion that the committee recommend to council that the grants be approved from the community forest reserve fund for up to $748,494.09.
Denniston, after the committee meeting, provided figures that indicate the
$1.2 million proposed by the community forest would result in a three per cent tax increase in 2026, or an increase of $85 for an average single-family dwelling. According to Denniston, the final figure that council arrived at would result in a 1.2 per cent tax increase in 2026, or $34 for an average single-family dwelling, if adopted by city council.
The City of Powell RiverAnnual Report for 2024 is now available for public inspection and comment. Council will provide an opportunity for public submissions and questions at the Regular Councilmeeting on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 7:00 pm at City Hall, Council Chambers.
The Annual Reportincludes the 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements, Permissive Tax Exemptions, Grants in Aid, reports on municipal objectives, services and operations, and advisement of any declarations of council disqualifications.
Copies of the Annual Report are available for public inspection at City Hall, 6910 Duncan Street, Powell River, BC, during regular office hours and on the City’s website at www.powellriver.ca. Contact information: info@powellriver.ca or 604.485.6291. Jessica
Walls Deputy Corporate Officer
Dad’s day
Fathers everywhere will be basking in the limelight this Sunday. And well they should be. Where would the world be without them, their steadying influence and levelling leadership?
With love and dedication, fathers can give their children the priceless gifts of self-confidence, self-esteem and security, all of which are needed to achieve the best that is in each and every person.
Good fathers deserve the accolades they’ll receive this weekend. Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show appreciation for the dads in our lives with a day full of connection, nature and a touch of adventure.
Start the day with a hearty breakfast or brunch at his favourite local establishment. From there, embrace the great outdoors, whether it’s a scenic hike to Valentine Mountain for sweeping views of the Salish Sea, a serene walk or paddle around Inland Lake, or
walking barefoot on the sands of Donkersley and/or Palm beaches. How about a swim? Are we ready for that yet?
Visit Powell River Farmers’ Market in the afternoon (12:30 to 2:30 pm) to browse local crafts, fresh produce and to buy dad a treat from a local vendor. Many have unique gifts that fit well with Father’s Day, from hand-carved wood items and paintings to homemade sweet and savoury edibles.
Wrap up the day with a barbecue at home or step out to one of the many restaurants that are ready to welcome dads and their families to mark the end of a memorable day. He may need to work in a nap at some point if doing all of the above.
Father’s Day isn’t about extravagant plans, it’s about spending meaningful time together. Celebrate dads with the gift of presence and gratitude for all they do.
Does your home reflect your life today?
When you start clearing the stuff in your home, you might discover that everything you have reminds you of your past life. It looks familiar, but you haven’t used it in years or decades.
Many people tend to create a shrine of their past life, where there is little room for the life they want to live now. We hang onto things that once made us happy but no longer serve us, as though we’re trying to preserve a version of life that’s already changed.
When life changes, so should our homes. Maybe you had a large household and needed more stuff, but now you live alone, holding on to the gadgets for eight. Letting go of those old versions of ourselves can feel emotional, but it’s also incredibly liberating. Our homes can feel lighter, calmer and more aligned when
We respectfully acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional and treaty lands of the Tla’amin people.
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we organize based on our current lifestyle instead of hanging on to the past. How can that change begin?
Tip one: Take a walk through your home with fresh eyes. As you enter each room, look at what’s there and ask yourself: “Does this reflect the life I’m living now?”
The sewing machine you haven’t touched in five years, the bin full of baby clothes when your children are adults now, the stacks of cookbooks when takeout is more your style now. Do these items contribute to your life today?
Tip two: Appreciate the past. You don’t have to let go of everything from former
chapters of your life.
Choose a few meaningful mementos that remind you of the joy from those days, such as a framed photo of your child and a special picture from a family favourite holiday. Share some of the things with your family. Your memories aren’t in the clutter. They’re in your heart.
Tip three: Make room for what you need now. Maybe you’ve taken up writing, cooking or gardening. Have you started a home-based business, or are you focusing more on self-care?
Organizing for who you are now means creating space for these new activities. Set up that writing
corner. Make room on your kitchen counter for your smoothie blender. Create a cozy reading nook where the playpen used to be.
Tip four: Allow yourself to change. We often keep things “just in case” we become that version of ourselves again. But growth doesn’t always mean going back.
You’re allowed to outgrow hobbies, routines and even identities. Organizing with intention means accepting who you are now with new goals and opportunities.
Tip five. This isn’t a onetime job. We keep changing, and so should our spaces. Every few months, revisit your home with this ques-
tion: “Does this support the life I’m living now?” If the answer is no, it’s okay to make adjustments. When your home reflects your current self, it becomes a place that nourishes and energizes you, instead of one that feels stuck in the past. You deserve a house that’s ready for you now, not who you used to be, but who you are today.
Transformational life coach
Ranka Burzan owns a professional organizing company in the qathet region and has written several books on reducing clutter. For more information, email getcoachedwithranka@ gmail.com.
KELLY KEIL
KICKING THE CLUTTER
By Ranka Burzan
Community voices cut as ferries keep breaking
down
BC Ferries has launched a new public engagement model. It’s slick, modern and heavy on buzzwords: “inclusive,” “accessible” and “regionally grounded.” But here’s what it’s not: community-led.
Last month, BC Ferries shut down ferry advisory committees (FACs), the only formal structure that gave coastal residents a voice in decisions that shape their lives. For over 30 years, FACs connected ferry-dependent communities with decision-makers on the issues that matter most: service changes, schedules, safety, capacity and costs.
Now, that long-term, rooted representation is gone. In its place? A mix of online tools, pop-up events and temporary “project feedback groups.”
It’s good to see BC Ferries trying to modernize its approach. But short-term panels and digital surveys aren’t the same as the longterm planning advantage of a permanent seat at the table, especially in small, rural communities where connectivity is limited and lived experience carries weight.
Meanwhile, new ferries are once again being
By Eric McNeely and former FAC chairspersons
built overseas. BC Ferries says no Canadian shipyard submitted a bid, but that’s because the process was stacked against them.
Seaspan, BC’s largest shipbuilder, said the procurement offered no incentives for domestic content and failed to address key barriers like near zero tariffs for nearly a billion dollars’ worth of vessels and tight timelines.
missed opportunity, not just for skilled jobs and apprenticeships, but for economic resilience.
Ottawa also has a role to play. Marine Atlantic, a federal Crown corporation, receives hundreds of millions of dollars in federal operating and capital funding, while BC Ferries receives a fraction of the support and must fund new vessels through fares and loans.
If the federal government can invest in marine services in the Maritimes, they can do the same here.
Canadian shipyards follow higher labour, environmental and safety standards. Those standards are a strength, not a weakness. But without fair timelines, tariff protections or provincial support, they can’t compete.
When the BC Ferries commissioner approved funding for these vessels, public consultation showed overwhelming support for building them here at home. Ignoring that feedback is a
Ferries are essential infrastructure, just like highways and railways. If the federal government can invest in marine services in the Maritimes, they can do the same here.
And then there are the service cuts and breakdowns. The Horseshoe Bay route to Nanaimo will change to a reservationonly model in the fall, with almost no warning. After repeated vessel breakdowns, coastal mayors and
SURVEY Feedback sought for transit routes
BC Transit, City of Powell River and qathet Regional District are seeking the public’s feedback on the future of transit until June 22.
A survey regarding a new vision for city routes in the region, as well as the priorities for rural routes 12, 13 and 14, is available online at engage.bctransit.com/powell-river-tfsp.
In-person engagement sessions will be held on Monday, June 16, at Tla’amin Health Centre (2 to 5 pm) and the Powell River Town Centre mall, near the transit exchange, from 6:30 until 8 pm.
On Tuesday, June 17, sessions will take place in the lower lobby at Powell River Recreation Complex (9 to 10:30
chambers of commerce are publicly calling out BC Ferries over reliability and planning failures. They’re not alone.
We’ve heard from communities up and down the coast who feel shut out, ignored and increasingly disrespected. Ferry service is not a luxury, it’s critical infrastructure, essential lifelines for health care, work, school and commerce.
When ferries fail, communities suffer. We’re calling on the province to step in.
Reinstate the FACs. Create a real strategy to build ferries in BC, for BC, and make sure the people who rely on this system every day have a permanent voice in how it runs.
This is a public service. Let’s treat it that way.
Eric McNeely is president of the BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union. Former FAC chairs include Kim Barton-Bridges, qathet (Northern Sunshine Coast); Ian Cameron, Brentwood Bay/Mill Bay; Steven Earle, Gabriola Island; David Maude, Southern Gulf Islands; Diana Mumford, Southern Sunshine Coast; Karen Ross, Denman/ Hornby Islands; and Keith Rush, Chemanais/Thetis Island/Penelakut Island.
am), at qathet General Hospital (11:30 am to 1 pm and 6 to 7:30 pm), and at the mall, near the transit exchange (2:30 tp 5:30 pm).
THIS MONTH’S ONLINE POLL QUESTION
Do you support the utilization of some of City of Powell River’s 160 properties to generate revenue and reduce maintenance costs? Go to prpeak.com to cast your vote.
20th International Choral
Artist in Residence:
Male ENsemble Philippines
A distinguished vocal group composed of select artists from the Philippines' celebrated and award-winning choral institutions. United by a profound passion for ensemble singing, they are driven by a singular mission: to promote and elevate Philippine culture and the arts through the transformative power of music.
Pride society ramps up events
Community swim, parade, celebration in the park and plenty more upcoming
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
Although Canada has made gains when it comes to protecting rights of the LGBTQIA2S+ community over many decades of work by queer and gay rights activists, celebrating inclusion and diversity is as important as ever.
Pride month is here and qathet Pride Society (qPS)
has a full calendar of events planned, including the second annual Pride Parade and Pride in the Park on Saturday, July 19.
"We are super lucky here, because there is actually quite a large community of queer people in the qathet Regional District," said pride society president Donna Gillenardo-Goudreau. "With the rise of hate crimes, growing fascism in other countries that are close to us, it's really important that we keep reminding people that we're here."
Gillenardo-Goudreau said society members are excited and enthusiastic about this year's events, which include community swims, queer meetups/socials and special guests.
"We have a free swim at the rec centre, and then we have a swim at Mowat Bay," said Gillenardo-Goudreau. "I think this was requested from people in the community, so we're really excited to do that this year."
Organizing qathet's first Pride Parade last year came with some challenges, but this year, GillenardoGoudreau said qPS feels more support from the city and community.
"Last year we struggled a little bit with traffic control, and there wasn't much support from the city; we basically hired a traffic control company that didn't end up showing up," said Gillenardo-Goudreau. "I was a bit worried about safety last year, but the city is doing the traffic control, and they are super supportive, which is fantastic."
Folks who watched the parade last year will recall drag performer Conni Smudge taking the traffic control reins at the front of the procession on Marine Avenue.
"We have about 15 different groups already signed up," said GillenardoGoudreau. "Sign-up is still open for folks to apply to be in the parade and/or to participate in Pride in the Park."
The park event at Willingdon Beach will have art and food vendors plus live music and DJ's performing on stage.
"We are community members, we own businesses and we should be allowed to enjoy ourselves and be out and just celebrate like anybody else," said GillenardoGoudreau. “We are just reminding people that we're here, and this month is also time to celebrate and connect with the community."
To find out more, go to facebook.com/qathetpride, or follow on Instagram at @qathetpride.
Humpback Homecoming, part two
Ship strikes pose significant risk to whales
BY CARA GORDON
Part one of this story was published in last week’s Peak
Up the coast, in Telegraph Cove, longtime North Island resident and Whale Interpretive Centre chairman Jim Borrowman helped pioneer whale photo-identification. Trained by Dr. Michael Biggs, who developed the system, Borrowman collected footage of orcas and humpbacks above and underwater, all with film cameras.
Over his 50 years of experience with whales, Borrowman, now 75, has gone from rarely seeing humpbacks to frequently spotting dozens from his seafacing front windows. But he said he’s still concerned about human pressures on whales in the region, especially as the Trans Mountain Pipeline’s completion means more tanker traffic.
According to a 2021 study by Clear Seas, a nonprofit researching marine shipping, approximately 11 large commercial vessels transit Juan de Fuca Strait every day. The pipeline’s completion brought the number of oil tankers in that fleet from one every two weeks to approximately one a day.
Maureen Welton, cofounder and president of citizen science organization SIMRES, said Gulf Islanders are acutely aware of the risks to the humpbacks’ hard-won recovery. As such, all volunteers with SIMRES complete a training process before joining the ranks of Saturna Island’s citizen scientists.
Welton said the organization advocates for whale watching from shore as much as possible, due to the distress that boat noise can cause to marine life. Along Saturna’s rocky coast, SIMRES’ hydrophones—underwater microphones which record whale vocalizations—often pick up the rhythmic drumming of engines drowning out orca and humpback song.
“We’re really at this intersection of whales coming through a fairly narrow channel and into the Strait of Georgia,” said Welton. “All of the traffic going to the Port of Vancouver or the Port of Bellingham comes through here.”
Ship strikes can pose a significant risk to whales.
Marine biologist Tasli Shaw recalled observing a congregation of over 100 humpbacks: “Just everywhere you looked, 360 degrees around, constant blows…this was basically directly adjacent to the shipping lane, which made me queasy.”
Entanglement in stray ropes or fishing gear also endangers whales. A 2024 UBC study found three humpback
deaths related to snarls in fish-farm nets, and couldn’t quantify the number of whales that sink and are never found after entanglement. Researchers are also concerned about the negative impacts of warming ocean water on whale health.
Citizen science and ecotourism complement each other for Vancouver Islandborn-and-raised Simon Pidcock, who runs Ocean Ecoventures, a whale watching company with locations in Cowichan Bay and Parksville. Like many ecotourism operators, he and his staff log all whale sightings and share their data with researchers. They also incorporate conservation messages into all their tours.
Pidcock said for clients who are open to those messages, combined with seeing whales for the first time, “They’re never going to forget that. They leave with that and it kind of pulls back to their everyday life…their individual actions.”
As well as providing critical data and education, citizen science brings people together, said Pidcock. “That whale world is really small, but it’s super interconnected as well.”
On Saturna Island, Welton agreed with that sentiment.
“We’ve built this really great community, which is really enjoying doing this volunteer work but is also contributing a lot to the science,” she said. “There’s a
we’re-in-this-together factor that makes people enjoy being part of it.”
As well as camaraderie between citizen scientists, many also feel a connection to the individual whales they observe.
“Because we see them again and again, it’s like an old friend coming by,” said Welton. “Yeah, it’s science, but it also feels like you’re dealing with someone you know.”
For researcher Joan Moreaux, the humpbacks’ return is a success story that deserves to be protected. While research suggests the population is at healthy levels, she cautioned that they are still designated “special concern” under the Species at Risk Act
“But we can see this as a positive,” said Moreaux. “We always talk about conservation when it’s really sad and we’re really trying to save a population. But all of the
efforts we’ve made in protecting humpbacks brought back the population into the Salish Sea.”
“You protect what you love,” said Welton, speaking of the rich diversity of the Salish Sea. “And the best chance for us not to lose it, is to know more about it.”
Cara Gordon is a journalism and humanities student at Carleton University in Ottawa.
WATCHING WHALES: Marine biologist Tasli Shaw pilots a whale-watching boat viewing humpbacks Big Mama and Scratchy. GARY SUTTON PHOTO COURTESY TASLI SHAW/HUMPBACK
WHALES OF THE SALISH SEA
Charity Appreciation Day
Powell River Community Foundation hsoted its first charity appreciation day on May 31 in the parking lot of the Evangel Church on Manson Avenue. Clansman Pipe Band opened the event, which included a wheelchair obstacle course and information booths set up by multiple charities in the region.
ANDREW BRADLEY PHOTO
1. [From left] Sophia Perun and Gretchen Conti from Powell River Brain Injury Society.
2. [From left] Alex Combe, Brianna Parkin and Melissa Martineau of Unit 64 Royal Canadian Sea Cadets (RCSCC) Malaspina.
3. [From left] Pawd leader Sidney Clare, Madeline Burt and Jacquie Dawson of Elderdog Canada.
4. Anna Byrne, Four Tides Hospice Society.
5. Powell River Highland Dancers.
6. [From left] past vice-president Pam Kenny and president Cathy Brown of Texada Island Non-Profit Seniors Housing Society.
7. Baron Shaver of Just Fries & Dogs.
8. [From left] Jessica Jones and Caitlin Bryant on the wheelchair obstacle course.
9. Andrea and Brian Rogers of Lil’ Tiny Donuts.
10. Vintage Car Club vehicles.
11. Erika Espinosa at the Bean Buggy.
12. Max Faurot and Calder Boyd, 22 Royal Canadian Air Cadets.
13. [From left] Hayden Crothers and Zach Cadarian of Miklat Recovery Program.
14. [From left] Isabelle Armstrong and Verna Rudan of Girl Guides Canada.
15. Clansman Pipe Band opening ceremony
Police Patrol: RCMP report
Powell River RCMP responded to 150 total calls for service from May 28 to June 3, including six thefts, one break and enter, six for impaired driving, five about assaults, four cases of mischief and eight related to mental health.
JUNE 3
Powell River RCMP received a report that two youths had broken into Powell River Recreation Complex at approximately 4:45 am that morning.
The youths entered the building, damaged some concrete tiles and sprayed graffiti containing the letters PCK. Video surveillance is being reviewed and the investigation is ongoing.
MAY 26
At approximately 10 am, Powell River RCMP responded to a report of a significant amount of what is believed to be illicit drugs found on a sailboat that was
beached in front of Waterfront Road in Tla’amin Nation.
The boat had washed up on the beach overnight, and when members of Tla’amin Public Safety went to check on it in the morning, a bag was located on the back deck of the boat. The bag was checked in an attempt to determine who owned the boat, and a large quantity of suspected illicit drugs was located inside, including suspected fentanyl and suspected methamphetamine.
The street value of the drugs is believed to be in excess of $7,000. Police seized the bag containing the drugs; it will be sent for destruction.
Anyone with information about any crime is asked to contact Powell River RCMP at 604.485.6255, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8477 or bccrimestoppers.com.
TWO-SPIRIT RELATIONS HAVE BEEN PART OF OUR CIRCLE SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL
təm ǰɛ: A TWO-SPIRIT PERSON
χaƛʊxʷəs: TO LOVE SOMEONE
θɩ:θa: SHE/HER
tita: HE/HIM
hɛʔyu: THEY/THEM
ʔaǰiganmɛtč: PROUD OF SOMEONE
ʔɩšnomotštəm: WE WILL BE KIND
JUNE IS PRIDE MONTH
Tla’amin Nation promotes the dignity, well-being and belonging of our two-spirit relations.
Beekeeper getting her groove and hives back
Running an apiary can be both magical and challenging, says beemaster
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
For close to a decade, master beekeeper Donna Moseanko successfully raised queen bees and cultivated a number of bee colonies across the qathet region. But, sometimes, even for a master, beekeeping can go off track.
"I lost all my hives last year," said Moseanko. "Probably due to a few things like management, pests, and wasps were really brutal last year."
Wasps eat bees and may attack a colony to source honey or protein when their colonies grow large and other food sources become scarce.
On average, one honeybee colony will have 30,000 to 50,000 bees, depending on size. Moseanko said within that community lives the queen, who lays upward of 1,500 eggs daily. Worker bees run the hive, and drones, the male bees, mate with queens from
other colonies. Once a colony is grown and healthy, honey can be harvested in the fall.
"The queen is very important, but she's not the boss, the whole colony is the boss," said Moseanko. "The breed I like is Carniolan, and they can overwinter."
Carniolan queen bees are known to be less aggressive, have good honey production and are more resistant to pests. Raising and selling queens to other honey makers can be a lucrative business, since every hive needs a queen.
June is a busy time for bees and beekeepers. Moseanko's hives are buzzing with activity with bees coming and going, searching out nectar from plants near and far.
"I raise the drones on purpose, more than regular beekeepers would want to," said Moseanko. "They go out and hang out at a tree in a big field, the cemetery, or over at the school yard."
Drones are responsible for fertilizing the queen's eggs, ensuring the continuation of the colony, and they also build honeycombs.
Moseanko has been working hard to get her bee hives on track once again, but it's not always an easy task. She said beekeepers have to keep learning, as she has been do-
ing this past year, taking a refresher course and reading books, such as The Intuitive Beekeeper: Beyond Master Beekeeping
Moseanko recently gave a workshop to novice beekeepers at her aviary in Cranberry.
"We don't have monoculture here, which is a good thing," said Moseanko. "I used to have hives in 13 different locations."
Bees with the ability to gather pollen from a variety of flowers means the honey produced here will taste like a particular region of qathet, depending on what type of flowers are growing.
Places like Manitoba and Saskatchewan have more of a monoculture of plants, such as alfalfa and canola. But, that also means those regions produce most of the honey Canadians buy.
"They have huge quantities of honey, because they have bees to pollinate it, to make the seed, and then honey is the byproduct of all of that," said Moseanko. "There are only a few large commercial producers in BC; the rest are all backyard producers or folks like me."
There are many different climates in BC, so, for example, if honey is produced in the Kootenays, it may taste more like alfalfa since
that's grown there. In qathet, blackberry bushes are everywhere and thus a common taste for honey made in the region.
"Right now I want to focus on raising queens," said Moseanko. “I also raise nucs and provide them for local beekeepers to get started."
Nucs, or nucleus colonies, are small starter hives that contain a laying queen bee, worker bees, larvae and eggs, ready to expand into a larger hive.
"I'm a certified instructor, but I'm still learning," said Moseanko. "Something has been going wrong the past couple years, but I am figuring some of the things out."
Beekeepers have to be registered with the province in order for the bees to be tracked in case there is a disease outbreak.
"There are a couple of [bee] rush hours in a day," said Moseanko. "They go out when the sun comes up, and then again in the later afternoon."
She said older bees are the foragers and come back with pollen.
"They have different activities depending on their age," said Moseanko. "When they do go out, they gather propolis, water, pollen and nectars, and bring it back to the hive."
Moseanko said beekeeping can be physically challenging, so now she is focused on mentoring people who are just getting started.
"I'm auditing a course right now," said Moseanko. "I'm seeing through beginners’ eyes and can see what I know and what I don't know."
She said after a tough couple of years she's feeling inspired, and feels like she has a handle on things once again.
"I want to support other beekeepers with what I'm learning, or still learning,” said Moseanko. “I've seen a lot of things; I've had up to 80 hives.
"I've done a couple workshops here in my yard, and as part of my business, if people are interested in learning, I'm open to teaching them."
Moseanko said working with her bees and the hives is her happy place.
"It was a warm day around my father’s birthday; we were in the backyard having dinner and I became fascinated by a swarm of bees," said Moseanko. "I looked at the swarm hanging from the tree and everything else just disappeared at that moment."
To contact Moseanko, email donna.moseanko@ gmail.com.
QUEEN BEE: After some setbacks last year, beemaster Donna Moseanko is on track building up her apiary again.
TANYA HILL PHOTO
1st
Charity Appreciation Event May 31, 2025
This event celebrated 25 years of operation of the Powell River Community Foundation. During this time we have donated approximately $900,000 to local charities. We were happy to sponsor this event.
For our first event we dealt with heavy rain, sun and finished with high winds, showing the resiliency of our local charities that serve the needs in the qathet region.
We would like to thanks those that made it successful:
Drop-in centre reopening
Community Resource Centre has moved to Crossroads Village and is now in operation
Lift Community Services’ Community Resource Centre (CRC) has reopened in its new location in Crossroads Village.
According to a media release from Lift, the CRC, which provides drop-in services, daily lunches, resource referrals and more, is now open with a limited capacity of 30 people while Lift continues to work with the building’s landlord to address structural deficiencies that prevent full capacity.
“We’re so excited to be open in this new space,” stated Jessica Colasanto, Lift’s community resources manager.
The CRC is open for drop-in at 101-4871 Joyce Avenue, Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 3 pm, and offers free coffee, snacks and lunch, computer and phone access, document and application support, free clothes and toiletries, and connections to other community resources, the media release stated.
“The CRC has been sorely missed by the community these past two months,” stated Colasanto. “It’s a relief to be back in action.”
The CRC left its longtime location at 4752 Joyce Avenue at the end of March. Colasanto cites building permits, renovations and structural deficiencies as contributing to the opening’s delay.
“As we undertook renovations to meet programming needs, we uncovered a number of issues that needed resolving before we could get occupancy,” stated Colasanto. “Thankfully, we’ve been able to address the issues in our unit, which has allowed us to open with limited capacity, and we’re working with the landlord to resolve the issues in
is now open, with a limited capacity of 30 people,
will be expanded
the future. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
neighbouring units, which is required for us to have full capacity of the space.”
Lift has renovated the space to accommodate both the CRC and its Family Place Resource Centre, and is waiting for full capacity before moving Family Place into the new location.
“It’s a really exciting opportunity,” stated Colasanto. “Each program has its own entrance and separate space, but having both at the same site allows for some new and creative possibilities.”
Colasanto added that there is a lot of crossover in the supports and referrals accessed by participants of each program.
“This new location, which we’re fondly calling the Community House, will be a centralized hub to drop into for everything from ministry support to housing applications and documentation support, to food resources and more, for adults, seniors and families, all in one place,” stated Colasanto.
REDUCTION!
Ladner Street, Now Listed at $949,900
NEW LOCATION: The Community Resource Centre has moved from its old Joyce Avenue location to Crossroads Village and
which
in
Golf tournaments have history
Long-standing
events highlight importance of community and club involvement
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
Heading into the summer season, Myrtle Point Golf Club is running two tournaments that have a long history.
The Men’s Scottish Cup, which is a member’s-only tournament, will be held on June 14, and has been a long-standing tournament since 1982; it was started at the old golf course in Townsite by Scotty Cameron. According to Myrtle Point food and beverage manager Corinne Williams, this tournament represents the history and community spirit of local golf.
“The tournament has continued to run through the years, with the family maintaining its importance,” said Williams. “Mike Cameron and his son have continued to keep that tournament running for all these years. They have a Scottish piper who plays during the cup in keeping with the theme of the tournament.”
The Scottish Cup is followed by the Men’s Malaspina tournament on June 21 and 22. Williams said this is the 75th year of the Malaspina, having started in 1950 to promote the golf club and to raise funds for local golf.
“We have a lot of community support for this tournament, and we have a lot of sponsors,” said Williams. “It’s super
important to have that support from the community, because, more than ever, we need to be a community and support each other.
“We have lots of entries for the tournament. It’s one of the biggest ones. People from all over come to participate in the Malaspina every year. It has continued to operate because of the volunteers and club members who have kept it alive.”
Williams said it is anticipated that 130 to 140 golfers will participate in the Men’s Malaspina.
She said the tournament continues to raise funds for the golf course, going toward helping junior programs and into the course itself, for items such as upkeep and keeping member fees down. She said as a nonprofit organization, it is important for the golf club to have financial contributions such as those raised by the Malaspina.
Williams said the current golf course has been in operation to the public since June 29, 1991, when the first nine holes were opened. Golf club
members received a preview of the golf course, and it was opened to them on June 15.
“It was created by the community and everyone put in hard work,” said Williams.
It didn’t take long for the back nine holes to be constructed, with that portion of the golf course opening in 1992, according to Williams.
August and September will also be busy with events at the club, such as the men’s senior championship, the club championship weekend, the super senior club championship, and the Ladies Malaspina.
Williams said golf is a great spectator sport and people are welcome to come to the club to cheer on the tournament participants.
“People don’t have to be in the tournament to enjoy it,” said Williams. “People can just come out for the afternoon and say hello to the golfers.
“We’re always open for people. You don’t have to be a member. We’re a big, welcoming community.”
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once. Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3x3 box.
BUSY SUMMER: Myrtle Point Golf Club has an active summer ahead, kicking off with two tournaments in June that have long histories. PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO
Kings continue tweaking roster
Hockey club
adds defender from Ontario, forward from New Jersey
Powell River Kings have signed 2009-born defender Jaden VanWalleghem for the 2025/2026 season. The BC Hockey League club made the announcement on May 31.
"I have met some of the coaching staff and they seem like great people," stated VanWalleghem. "Being able to be around a culture such as Powell River will help me grow as a hockey player and as a young man. I am extremely excited and ready to go to work."
VanWalleghem is from Kenora, Ontario, and played on the local U18 AAA
Thistles last season. In 47 games he scored three goals and added 20 assists.
"Jaden is a young and exciting prospect who we look forward to working with this season," stated Kings’ head coach and general manager
Stephan Seeger Jr. "He has a lot of athleticism and energy to his game, whether he's walking the blue line, retrieving pucks or battling along the boards, and his compete and hunger to win games stands out in all areas of his game.
“He's a very smooth skater for his age, has great character and is eager to learn. We are honoured to add Jaden and can't wait to see what he can do in a Kings jersey."
With the next step in his hockey career on the horizon, the 16-year-old is prepared for all the challenges junior hockey will present in his rookie season.
"I know it will be a big jump from U18 to the best junior A league in Canada, but I am here for it," added VanWalleghem. "I will never quit, and when I fail, that will push me harder to be better. I know my teammates and coaches will work with me a ton to improve every part of my game.
“There will certainly be some nervousness, but I will use it to my advantage and excel. I have battled through adversity my whole life and I am ready to do it again in a big way."
VanWalleghem is the second new defender to be signed for the upcoming season. He joins Tristian Williams, who made his commitment to the team at the end of last season after suiting up in 10 games as an affiliate player.
Four days after adding defensive depth with
NEXT STEPS: Sam Esposito [left] most recently suited up in the North American Hockey League for Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks, while Jaden VanWalleghem [right] played U18 AAA hockey last season in Kenora, Ontario. Both are moving to the BC Hockey League.
VanWalleghem, Kings announced the signing of forward Sam Esposito, who is from Westfield, New Jersey. “Sam is a shifty and deceptive player on his edges,” stated Seeger Jr. “He has a
motor that never stops.”
Esposito, who is 18, played last season with the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks in the North American Hockey League. He recorded seven points in 23 games.
“One word to describe him would be: energy,” added Seeger Jr. “He is relentless and has a nice, heavy release. We are excited to welcome Sam to the Kings’ organization.”
Ride hailing is here, but will it catch on?
More drivers needed, plus culture shift to catch a ride
TANYA HILL
thill@prpeak.com
Ride hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft have been operating in the Lower Mainland and Whistler for many years, after many stops and starts and not without pushback and controversy.
BC's Passenger Transportation Board finally approved the operations in 2020, and as of May 28 of this year, the two ride hailing companies have been given the green light to expand across the province.
However, before this approval came, smaller cities and towns were left out of ride hailing options, so local companies started popping up, such as Coastal Rides.
Founder Ryan Staley said he first had a glimmer of an idea to start a ride hailing app and company on one of his earlier visits to the Sunshine Coast.
"I remember missing the bus because the ferry was a few minutes late," said Staley, in an interview with the Peak "I thought there had to be another solution here; there were only a few taxis and they couldn't keep up."
Staley said when regulations changed in BC for Lyft and Uber, he thought he could start something similar on the coast.
Anyone who tried to launch a business in early 2020 received a rude awakening with the incoming COVID-19 pandemic; many businesses shut down or slowed to a temporary halt.
"In Powell River, we started operating in 2020 and
had a few drivers to start, but during the pandemic they paused operating," said Staley. "We have a couple of drivers now who regularly drive but are part-time."
Drivers in the qathet region act more like an on-demand service, where people book online in advance.
"There are a few issues operating in a more rural area," said Staley. "One of the challenges we've raised with the provincial government is the restriction around having to have a vehicle that's less than 10 years old."
He said this regulation has been an issue in many semirural places such as qathet.
"We had a driver on Texada [Island] for a couple years; he was the only kind of service like this there, and there's barely any bus service, certainly nothing else," said Staley. "Eventually his vehicle was too old and he could no longer operate it."
Staley said for folks like the driver on Texada, buying a new vehicle is not worthwhile, since working as a driver is more of a side-gig.
"One of the biggest challenges is getting more people on board, on the driver side," said Staley. "On the customer side, on the lower Sunshine Coast, there's a lot of times when there's not much going on."
The qathet region has its fair share of folks going out for dinner, or to an event where alcohol is involved, but some people still choose to drive after imbibing. However, Staley said in qathet, a wide variety of people have started using the ride hailing app: workers needing an early ride before the bus is operating; airport and ferry runs; people going to Lund; and folks running daily errands.
"The more reliable the service is, the more people
will use it," said Staley. "We're operating in Sechelt, Gibsons and the whole lower Sunshine Coast, Courteney, Comox, Campbell River and Port Alberni."
There is no bus transportation outside of the summer months that connects Earls Cove to the lower Sunshine Coast. Staley said his company does pick people up at Earls Cove, but it's a long trip for the driver.
As for what Staley thinks about Uber and Lyft now being able to operate across BC?
"They're going to face the same sort of challenges with drivers," said Staley. "Technically, you could try to book a ride, but there is no one to drive."
One difference between Coastal Rides and the other global tech conglomerates is that Staley has hired staff, so the service is reliable.
"That's not something Uber is going to do; they don't hire people as staff," said Staley. "In terms of reliability, I think we'll probably continue to be more reliable than those kinds of services."
He said his company has become part of the community and that he wants to stay accountable to those communities where the company operates.
"I care about what happens, but for a large com-
Come out and try paddling in a Dragon Boat!
ZUNGA WARRIORS MIXED DRAGON BOAT TEAM
pany, it's just about market share," said Staley. "For me, I saw something that was needed here and wanted to do something about it."
For more information, go to coastalrides.ca/about-us.
Practices: Tuesdays & Thursdays 6-7:30pm on Powell Lake
Powell River
Is looking for more paddlers. Beginners welcome. Life jackets and paddles available. FREE introductory session. Meet at the upper dock at the Shingle Mill Pub Contact: maurice.gilet@shaw.ca Facebook: Zungawarriorsdragonboat Zunga Warriors
Imagine a world without these creative forces…
Andy Warhol Oscar Wilde Marsha P. Johnson William Shakespeare Alexander The Great Dan Savage Leonardo Da Vinci James Baldwin HarveyMilkLarryKramerAlanTuringKarl Heinrich Ulrichs Michelangelo
Pedro Almodovar Audre Lorde Sally Ride Lily and Lana Wachowski
Ellen Degeneres Jim Parsons Noël Coward Jodie Foster George Takei
Wanda Sykes Freddie Mercury E.M. Forster Tennessee Williams
Elton John Willa Cather Ian Mckellen Laurence Olivier PyotrIlyichTchaikovsky
Gore Vidal FlorenceNightingaleAllenGinsberg Cole Porter Stephen Sondheim
Michel Foucault Alan Hollinghurst Leonard Bernstein Arthur Rimbaud
Alfred Kinsey Walt Whitman Gianni Versace ChristianDiorJeanPaulGaultier
Raymond Burr Marcel Proust Yves Saint Laurent Joe Orton
David Sedaris Clive Barker Ryan Murphy Keith Haring Rudolf Nureyev
Quentin Crisp Patricia Cornwell W. H. Auden Chuck Palahniuk
Pier Paolo Pasolini Matthew Shepard Cristóbal Balenciaga
Paul Verlaine Gus Van Sant Cecil Beaton Emily Dickinson
Jean Cocteau Sarah Paulson Michael Stipe Brad Fraser
Herb Ritts Jean Genet James Ivory Kristen Stewart Eleanor Roosevelt
John Cheever Barbara Gittings Edward Albee David Hockney
Tony Kushner Christopher Isherwood Kevyn Aucoin Billie Holiday
RIDE REGULATIONS: Coastal Rides has been allowed to operate in qathet since approval from the Passenger Transportation Board in 2020. PAULINE HOLDEN PHOTO
Celebrate Father’s Day in unique ways
Father’s Day is a celebration of dads near and far. Falling on the third Sunday of June each year, Father’s Day presents an opportunity for families to come together and put the spotlight on fathers who work tirelessly for their children and provide them with love and support. Father’s Day also is a chance to honour the men who serve as fa-
ther figures or play special roles in people’s lives.
It’s easy for families to fall into a routine when it comes to celebrating Father’s Day. Certainly dinner and gift-giving is traditional, but there are additional ways to provide Dad with the day he deserves. Explore these creative options.
Set up a scavenger hunt
Drag out the suspense of Dad getting his Father’s Day gift by hiding it and requiring him to go through a series of clues to find it. When writing up the clue cards, spouses and children can reference particularly happy moments or things around the house that are representative of Dad’s love. For example, a clue may read, “Here’s where we like to snuggle together to watch our favourite show.”
Take it outdoors
June weather tends to be pleasant, and that means Father’s Day celebrations can be held outside. Everyone can select a spot that Dad loves to visit, whether it’s a hiking
trail or a local park, and then plan activities around the chosen location.
Go on an adventure
Father’s Day can be spent engaging in something the family has never tried before that may be exciting for Dad. Maybe he’s always wanted to go off-roading on quads or try his skills at hatchet-throwing? The family can get together and choose an activity Dad will find engaging and that everyone can enjoy.
Make it a beach day
Dad might just want a break from the hectic pace of life on Father’s Day. This is the perfect opportunity to head to a spot near the ocean. A river or lakefront spot can also be an ideal alternative. After enjoying a relaxing day with waves lapping the shore, choose an eatery to make a reservation at for lunch or dinner.
These are just a few clever ways to celebrate Father’s Day. Families can choose activities that honour fathers and ensure they are feeling all the love.
SCENE
AROUNDTOWN
Class of 2025
Parents, teachers, extended family and friends were on hand to witness qathet School District graduates arriving for their commencement ceremony at Powell River Recreation Complex on June 7. More red carpet photos will be published in a special section of the Peak on June 26.
TO BOOK YOUR AD »
Betty (Tina) Patricia Skeet
August 11, 1951 - May 24, 2025
It’swith sorrow that wemourn theloss of our mother,grandma and wife, TinaSkeet(née Jackson), who passedaway after a long periodofillness,in peace andwith familybyher side. Tinais survived byher adoring husband,John, herson Terry and his partner Michelle. She was predeceased byher parents,brothers Fred and Dave, andsister Diane,and survived byher brothers Pat (Nancy) andMicheal (Rosie). Shewas grandma toRacheland stepgrandma toTristanand Hayden.
Tinawas born in Vancouver,BC, but soon emigratedtoSouth Wales. At theage of 17, Tina returned toCanadaand lived in British Columbia ever since.After herfirst marriage,spendingher 20s in theVancouver areaand havingher son,she moved toPrince George.There,she met thelove of her life, JohnSkeet, and they marriedin 1989.
Rober t Johnstone
Rober t Johnstone
Apr il 6, 1956 - May 19, 2025
Apr il 6, 1956 - May 19, 2025
Surrounded by his family and love Rob passed away after a shor t and courageous battle with cancer
Surrounded by his family and love Rob passed away after a shor t and courageous battle with cancer.
In 1995, they embarked ona greatadventure and moved toSmithers,where they started their business and ran the 10to10discount storefor a numberofyears.After retiring, they relocated to Powell River tobe closer totheir son andfamily, whenshebecame a grandma in 2013.
Although Tina’slifewas challengingattimes,she kept her wit and smilesuntil thevery end.Her homecareworkersoften shared laughs withher, and everyonewhoknewher will recall her senseof humourand goodnature. Sheloved her animal companionsthroughthe years and alsohad so muchfunwith her star Rachel. Thank you tothe Home Support workerswhohelpedher greatlyin the last few years, the staff atEvergreenExtended Care, and volunteersfrom the FourTides Hospice Society. In lieu offlowers,pleaseconsider a donationtothe SPCA.
He leaves behind his wife of 48 years Alison, son Ryan and daughter Angela (Brandon); his three grandchildren who were his pr ide and joy, Rylan, Cohen and Brooklyn He also leaves his sister Linda and his sister-in-laws Andrea (Angelo), Alda (Chr is) and Dena (Greg) and extended family and fr iends
Remembered for his years in forestr y, his beautiful photos, witt y sense of humour and love for his family, he will be forever missed by those still here.
He leaves behind his wife of 48 years Alison, son Ryan and daughter Angela (Brandon); his three grandchildren who were his pr ide and joy, Rylan, Cohen and Brooklyn. He also leaves his sister Linda and his sister-in-laws Andrea (Angelo), Alda (Chr is) and Dena (Greg) and extended family and fr iends.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the BC Cancer Societ y or the Hear t and Stroke Foundation; or char it y of your choice No ser vice by request
Remembered for his years in forestr y, his beautiful photos, witt y sense of humour and love for his family, he will be forever missed by those still here.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the BC Cancer Societ y or the Hear t and Stroke Foundation; or char it y of your choice. No ser vice by request
BIKE SAFETY RODEO
Wester n Forest Products Inc
201-7373 Duncan Street Stillwater Forest Operation Powell River, BC Forest Operations Map (FOM) V8A 1W6
Wester n Forest Products Inc , Stillwater Forest Operation, gives notice and invites comment on the Forest Operations Map (FOM) FOM# 929-004 within the Sunshine Coast Natural Re‐source Distr ict
FOMs show the approximate location of proposed cutblock(s) and/or road(s) and may be relied upon for the pur poses of cut‐ting per mit and/or road per mit application until June 12, 2028 The FOM can be viewed and commented on from June 12, 2025 to July 12, 2025 Comments can be accepted through our online for m, email (FOM-STW@wester nforest com), in person at the address above, or by mail at 201-7373 Duncan St, Powell River, BC, V8A 1W6
Please visit www wester nforest com/fom-stillwater/ to view the FOM online and provide comments digitally After making an ap‐pointment, the FOM can be viewed at our place of business be‐t ween the hours of 8 am to 4 pm, excluding weekends and holi‐days Please book the appointment through email (FOMSTW@wester nforest com)
By providing comments on the FOM through any of the above fo‐r ums, you acknowledge and consent to the use of any such in‐for mation provided to Wester n to conduct, monitor and analyze our business operations We may share such infor mation with third par ties, including gover nment agencies, dur ing the course of our business operations Please refer to Wester n’s Pr ivacy Policy at www wester nforest com/pr ivacy-policy/ for more infor‐mation
SAVARY ISLAND
DUSTIN: 604 358 2473
5
BILL: 604.223.0811
Central, two-level, half-duplex. It’s ‘move in ready’ with no strata fees, beautifully updated kitchen and baths and an 8 year old roof!
3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,200 sq ft A-4555 MICHIGAN AVENUE
$497,900 MLS®18905
Enjoy the views of the ocean, mountains, and year-round sunsets from this main-level entry home conveniently located in central Westview.
4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2,400 sq ft
3847 JOYCE AVENUE
$609,900 MLS®18809
KATIE: 604 344 0055
Newer home with ocean view and no GST, built by Creekside Builders in 2021, excellently cared for and maintained.
3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,686 sq ft
4374 QUEBEC AVENUE
$999,900 MLS®18595
NANCY: 604 849 5777
Let your soul exhale on this south-facing retreat just 20 minutes north of town at this rare, 7.5 acre non-ALR property with suite and detached studio/workshop.
4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 3,000 sq ft
3645 ATREVIDA ROAD
$1,160,000 MLS®18981
KATIE: 604 344 0055
This is your opportunity to build your dream vacation home on one of the most beautiful islands in the Salish Sea. This 0.34 acre Savary Island lot has tons of potential.
1908 VANCOUVER BOULEVARD
$145,000 MLS®18559
Affordable living in a well-maintained condo on the bus route and a short walk to the Townsite Market, theatre and restaurants 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1,004 sq ft 301-5701 WILLOW AVENUE
$351,000
$549,900 MLS®18867 MARIAH: 604 223 9287
Situated on nearly half an acre, this house features a large deck overlooking a fully fenced private backyard adorned with tall trees. 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,930 sq ft 5395 YUKON AVENUE
Two bedrooom plus den Amazing gardens and spectacular ocean view! 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom 4467 OMENICA AVENUE
$559,900 MLS®19 DUSTIN: 604 358 2473
VIEW
DUSTIN: 604 358 2473
2,688 sq ft 12236 ARBOUR DRIVE
$814,900 MLS®19024
SAVARY OCEANFRONT
NANCY: 604 849 5777
Private year-round oceanfront retreat on 1.7 serene acres on Savary Island, bordering 350 acres of trust lands with 180° views of the strait.
3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,718 sq ft
1900 VANCOUVER BOULEVARD
$1,100,000 MLS®18687
WALK TO OCEAN
NANCY: 604 849 5777
Natural yet sophisticated, this stunning south-facing home is designed with low maintenance and sustainability in mind.
2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 3,271 sq ft 8116 EMMONDS ROAD
$1,289,000 MLS®18812
778 986 1691
Great value for waterfront home with suite. Quiet neighbourhood, this home is ideal for those seeking both tranquillity and fine craftsmanship.
3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 3,197 sq ft
4810 SANDERSON ROAD
$945,000 MLS®18993
778 986 1691
Gorgeous home set on a fenced .8 acres with a quiet creek running through the property.
20x24 shop with furnished 500 sq ft legal suite
2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,864 sq ft 7111 BAKER STREET
