Seaside Magazine January 2026 Issue

YOUR PENINSULA VOICE

JANUARY 2026

SOUP’S ON!

Warm Hearts & Bellies NATURE & NURTURE

Beach & Forest Wellness HEALTH MATTERS

Take Care of You

A Year of New

Experience & Connect

T his New Year, let’s make a resolution together.

This New Year, let’s make you the priority, with our customized, flexible home support services personalized to your lifestyle needs. Available 24/7, our caring home support workers encourage independence in the comfort of your own home. This 2026, live life on your terms!

Victoria

Sidney

Westshore

C u s t o m i z e d S e r v i c e s fo r S e n i o r s

C u s t omi ze d S e r vi ce s fo r S e ni o rs

Cu s to mi ze d S e r vi ce s f or Se n i or s

info@VictoriaSeniorCare.ca

info@SidneySeniorCare.ca

info@WestshoreSeniorCare.ca

250-589-0010

250-589-0010

250-589-0010

New Arrivals Curated for Role Models

103-2506 Beacon Ave Sidney 778.351.0790

1017 Government St Victoria 250.383.3393

www.GLAMANDFAME.COM

JANUARY 2026

In This Issue

TOP Stories 10 Meet Your Neighbours Living with Alzheimer’s 14

76.

Special Feature Local Financial Experts 67 Helping Fix the Healthcare Crisis Make the Most of Your Doctor’s Visit

50.

38.

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STORIES 6 10 32 38 44 50 58 60 73 94

First Word Meet Your Neighbours Local Filmmaking Arts Scene Off the Land 676 Squadron New & Noteworthy Mahara Woodlands History Charity Connections Last Word

EVENTS

89 Seaside Guide 93 Repair Café North Saanich

LIVING 13 18 23 26 29 35 41 47 53 57 63 68 75 76 95

In Fashion Common Cents Get Out! Steph’s Day Out Inside Out Aging Out Loud Inside a Grief Café Screen Scene Earth Matters The Natural Path Little Adventures Well Read Important Life Documents Homes Puzzles

FLAVOUR

23.

ON THE COVER WINTER WARMER! SEE STORY PG 20 PHOTO SARAH HARTLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

20 From the Kitchen 65 Off the Vine Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 5

SEASIDE STORIES First Word OWNER / PUBLISHER SUE HODGSON 250.516.6489 sue@seasidemagazine.ca EDITOR IN CHIEF ALLISON SMITH 250.813.1745 allison@seasidemagazine.ca CREATIVE DIRECTOR LEAH-ANNE MACLEOD leahanne@seasidemagazine.ca EDITORIAL DIRECTOR TABATHA GOLAT tabatha@seasidemagazine.ca

Sue on s g d o H

SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER KATHERINE KJAER katherine@seasidemagazine.ca STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JANIS JEAN hello@janisjean.com SARAH HARTLEY sarahhartleyphotography@gmail.com AMBER WAHL windgypsyphotography@gmail.com

J

anuary often gives me a moment to breathe – not because everything magically becomes easier, but because everything seems to quiet down just enough for us to hear ourselves again. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how kindness shows up in the world. Not in big, dramatic gestures, but in the small ways people choose to treat one another.

Maybe it’s the pace of life, or maybe I’m just a little more tired this year, but I’ve noticed how much those everyday acts of gentleness matter. A warm greeting, a bit of patience, someone taking a moment to really see you – those things lift us in ways we don’t always admit.

And then there are the small joys that help carry us through. Many of you know my puppy, George, who somehow turns two this January. He has a talent for reminding me what’s good: a wagging tail, a silly moment, a reason to smile even when the world feels a bit sharp around the edges.

As we move into this new year, my hope isn’t for grand change. It’s simply that we look for ways to soften our days – for ourselves and for each other.

Community is built one interaction at a time, and I still believe deeply in the goodness found here.

Thank you for being part of Seaside and walking another year with us, and for helping shape a place where kindness, connection and real stories matter.

Seaside Sue, Publisher & Owner Clothing & accessories provided and styled by Ecotopia Naturals. PHOTO JANIS JEAN

6 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

P.O. BOX 2173, SIDNEY, B.C. V8L 3S6 www.seasidemagazine.ca

Seaside Magazine is printed by Mitchell Press. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited; please contact us via the above means for approval. Views of contributors do not necessarily reflect the policy or views of the publisher and editor.

We acknowledge and thank the W̱SÁNEĆ people on whose traditional territory we live and work.

OUR CONTRIBUTORS TINA KELLY Page 53 The look, the feel, the content, the expansion of knowledge and understanding; I love books. Keeping up with the constant stream of new titles hitting the shelves is a challenge but it keeps the toread list dynamic.

Here’s to learning more about nature in 2026.

BRENDA MACFARLANE Page 14 Life is busy. When life events involve money, they can add elements of stress and uncertainty.

Nothing replaces the feeling of comfort when you have the right team of financial experts in your court, providing advice, sharing knowledge and getting the work done.

Now Open in Beautiful Brentwood Bay! Start the new year with a bright fresh smile for your pup. Visit us for gentle canine teeth cleaning and explore our coastal inspired boutique with locally made products for dogs who are loved like family.

Formerly Happy Tails.

Proudly serving pets and their people for over 10 years. Same care, same heart, just a new shell.

778.265.2126 • seashellcaninecare.com

RICHARD MACKIE Page 60 As a publisher on B.C. topics I've always looked to other people's stories.

My last two years as executor at Mahara Woodlands, where I moved as a boy in 1969, have hooked me on the fascinating family stories of the house where I grew up.

CHRIS PENGILLY Page 67 Canada is currently going through a rough patch affecting most aspects of Canadian life – one of which is healthcare.

The causes are manifold and the solutions numerous, many of which are being addressed by healthcare practitioners and patients alike. We can all do our bit.

Contributors: Jo Barnes, Michelle Clement, June Murray Dagnall, Leslie Denko, Jamila Douhaibi, Connie Dunwoody, Meaghan Goddard, Tabatha Golat, Janice Henshaw, Richard Hope, Tasleem Jessani, Tina Kelly, Jackie LaPlante, Brenda MacFarlane, Richard Mackie, Pamela Martin, Lisa Meister, Cassidy Nunn, Chris Pengilly, Joan Saunders, Marita Schauch, Claudette Sells, Stephanie Staples, Shelley Tice, Patrick Yang Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 7

A Portion of Holmes Realty Group's Home Sales in 2025 LD

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BIG or SMALL We Sell Them All “We’re Better Together”

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SEASIDE STORIES Meet Your Neighbours

Living With Alzheimer’s Patricia is a 75-year-old former executive and business owner who has Alzheimer’s Disease.

WORDS JAMILA DOUHAIBI PHOTO WIND GYPSY PHOTOGRAPHY Unfortunately, there is still stigma against many diseases that countless people face throughout their lifetimes.

But diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s need to be highlighted in our society to enable those facing new unknowns, and those already living with them, to understand the different options available that may help to combat or slow down what they’re going through.

I recently spoke with Patricia, who has faced both breast cancer and is now living (and thriving) with the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Patricia was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and underwent chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. She says that 2023 was a “whole year of recovery.”

Following this difficult time, she started noticing that she was losing her short-term memory, but she knew that “chemo brain” is a common cancer side effect. She says “I knew from a young age that I had a really good brain,” because her brain has always been the thing that she could depend on. Patricia went from advanced grade school classes to university, and is fully bilingual in English and French, as well as being a bestselling author.

10 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

In response to her memory loss, she went to Jubilee Hospital where she received a memory test called MoCA – Montreal Cognitive Assessment. This series of tests looks at a person’s memory, attention and language skills to identify any cognitive impairment. When Patricia received the results that she was having cognitive decline, she says “I was hysterical.” She immediately thought about the worst-case scenario. She still remembers that it was July 18, 2024 when she received the Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Further testing showed that Patricia “had the Alzheimer’s gene. There was no escaping the diagnosis. It was going to happen no matter what.”

She was angry and sad but also realized that there was no way she could have done anything to avoid this inherited outcome.

Deciding to focus solely on her health and what she could control, Patricia organized to give her business to one of her good friends. Patricia started researching Alzheimer’s. She found two physicians – Dr. Dale Bredesen and Dr. Heather Sandison – who were both doing work and have published books on addressing and even reversing Alzheimer’s in some of their patients. Patricia and her husband, who she says has been

amazing since day one, went to California to visit Dr. Sandison.

Patricia says that in medicine, the answer is often prescription drugs, but that Dr. Sandison has a different approach that works on diet and lifestyle.

Patricia says “I’m doing everything I can to keep my brain working,” which includes shifting to the Keto diet, adding yoga and Pilates to her weekly exercise routine, avoiding stress and anxiety wherever possible, and ensuring she sleeps in a very dark, cool environment each night. She has also included MAiD as one of her options and says, “maybe I’ll never need it,” but it’s good to know it’s there.

Early discovery of memory loss and knowledge of options is something she emphasizes.

The restrictions of the Keto diet take time to become familiar with. Patricia says that she has received help and support from a variety of people, but no one as much as her husband.

They’ve been married for over

40 years, and after her diagnosis, her husband took cooking lessons from their daughter so that he could help make lowsugar, high-protein meals.

Based on research done at the University of Victoria, a choir called Voices in Motion was created for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers.

Music can aid cognitive activity, help with communication and even support memory. Voices in Motion puts on concerts throughout the year and Patricia says it’s a supportive space for people at different stages of the disease.

The Saanich Peninsula is a small network of communities, so Patricia decided to remain anonymous but hopes for a future with less stigma, saying: “why should we be embarrassed? It’s a disease!”

The effects of Alzheimer’s ebb and flow but through her diet and exercise regime, Patricia feels positive for the future and says “there is life after this type of diagnosis.”

Monthly Giveaway Box! FILLED WITH AMAZING GIFTS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES

HOW TO PLAY? Find the image of the box hidden somewhere in this issue.

Visit www.seasidemagazine.ca/SeasideBox

by January 31st to let us know where you found it. *one entry per person, per issue. Each entrant is eligible to win the Seaside box giveaway no more than once per calendar year.

THANKS TO NOVEMBER’S COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

Congratulations to November’s Winner, Debbie C.

• Brentwood Bay Village Empourium • Burl & Blossom • Country Bee Honey Farm • Ecotopia Naturals • McTavish Academy of Art • muffet & louisa • Provenance Fine Things

EXPERIENCE MATTERS. Whetheryou youare are new to the area, through Whether new to the area, goinggoing through a life a life transition,oror unhappy with your current situation, you transition, unhappy with your current situation, you will will that findDeborah that Deborah unique approach when find takes a takes uniqueaapproach when working working with her clients. with her clients.

Her 25 years of experience in the investment industry is her Deborah’s 25 years of experience in the investment guide when working with investors. Deborah realizes that industry has resulted in her having a greater building a strong client relationship is rooted in trust and understanding of anfoundation investor’s needs theirrelationship tolerance is transparency. The for a and strong to volatility, which allows the ability to effectivelyInvestors guide ensuring compatibility andher effective communication. want to know that the their financial advisor committed to their investors through ups and downs of is today’s markets. success and willing to take the time to listen to what is important

She hasthem successfully guided through many to help determine their investors goals. market cycles by ensuring that her clients are invested in a It may surprise many to learn that investing is often not about balance of the suitable products.

Determining therather appropriate achieving ‘highest rate of return’, but having blend of investments that focus on preserving capital, confidence that their financial advisor understands their goals generating income, providing growth key to those findinggoals. a and will prepare anor investment plan to is achieve What one investor client’s comfort level.considers important, another may not,

therefore, goals, plans, and solutions are as unique as the

The greatest to long-term investing is selling growthindividual, so threat too should be the portfolio! oriented investments during turbulent markets. History Experience matters when it comes to guiding has proven that selling an investment with the expectation investors through turbulent markets. of purchasing it later (market timing) is not a successful Although setting goals,An determining thefinancial appropriate asset investment strategy. experienced advisor allocation, a strategy, building a portfolio, will ensureimplementing that the investor does not sabotage their and monitoring investments are essential to successful investing, long-term goals, and this starts with having a thorough the most important factor is the amount of time that the understanding of the investor, such as past experiences, professional spends with the investor. The current investment knowledge, more investment knowledge and family situation, health understanding the markets anshort and long-term. concerns, and of financial goals,that both investor has, the greater the

Preparing anfor investor volatility chances are success.for When helps theare investor ridefor out the investors prepared volatility and understand emotional roller coaster the that emotional roller coaster thata one can experience during can be experienced market correction. during Effective market corrections, the less communication with chance they have of the investor is essential to ensure making decisions based on that investment decisions emotion rather than discipline logic. rather are basedand on logic than emotion.

A financial advisor who has experience guiding who A financial advisor investors through has experience guiding these market investors through corrections is an these market corrections invaluable asset to is achieving one’sasset an invaluable financial goals. to achieving one’s financial goals.

Don’ttake take chances Don’t chances withfinancial with your your financial success because success because experience truly experience truly does matter! does matter!

Deborah Reid fma, fcsi

®

Financial Advisor

deborah.reid@raymondjames.ca 250.657.0700

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

www.raymondjames.ca/deborahreid Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 11

Explore the Possibilities at Amica Beechwood Village A new season often brings with it a new chapter. If you’re considering senior living in Sidney, this is the perfect time to discover all we have to offer at Amica Beechwood Village.

We invite you for lunch and a stroll in our beautiful gardens, followed by a tour of our premium suites and amenities. Our wonderful team will be happy to share details about our personalized care services, exceptional dining, enriching programs, and meaningful social opportunities—all designed to create endless possibilities Schedule your visit with Sandy or Claire at 250-655-0849.

We look forward to seeing you.

2315 MILLS ROAD, SIDNEY AMICA.CA/BEECHWOOD-VILLAGE

SEASIDE LIVING In Fashion

Dr. Patrick Yang, Surgical Site Lead, Saanich Peninsula Hospital

On your bedside table? A good book (it’s always changing!).

When you want a night out?

My days painting the town red are long over, but I do enjoy going for a nice dinner and wine pairing. The Surly Mermaid, Jacks on the Water and Atelier are some of my favourite spots in Sidney. On your luxury wish list? A beautiful Harley Davidson.

In home décor? I find ocean- or beach-themed décor relaxing and refreshing. When it comes to your go-to “uniform?” Gotta be my Figs Scrubs.

PHOTOS JANIS JEAN

In haircare? Göt2b Glued gel and hairspray. On

your skin? Cetaphil moisturizer and Alumier sunscreen. When you want to smell irresistible? Old Spice “Pure Sport” deodorant. In your shaving kit? Gillette Sensitive Skin shaving cream. In your bathroom cabinet? ZO Obagi face wash. On your feet? For work, nothing beats my step-in Skechers for comfort and versatility.

When you want to throw fashion out the window and be all about comfort? A toque or baseball cap, hoodie, track pants and Crocs. On your must-watch list? Four Seasons with Steve Carell, or The White Lotus. When you don’t care how much it costs? Hugo Boss. On your walls? Local artist prints from a family in the Cowichan valley.

Apparently their grandma does the framing! In

your closet? I have a bespoke overcoat from Surmesur Vancouver that really fits the bill. In the kitchen? An awesome Delonghi Espresso machine. On your playlist? Instrumental covers of popular songs are relaxing.

When adding colour to your outfit? A red Vancouver Canucks Lunar New Year scarf.

Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 13

FINANCIAL EXPERTS

DIY Finance vs.

Expert Insight:

Striking the Right Balance WORDS BRENDA MACFARLANE, MBA, CFP®, FCSI, EPC CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER IG WEALTH MANAGEMENT INC., MUTUAL FUND DIVISION

Financial Technology (Fin Tech) is advancing rapidly. Systems once limited to large financial firms are now available to everyone and there is an app for almost any financial need. It has become easy to complete your own mortgage application, trade your own stocks or file your own tax return. With the availability of technology, some feel pressure to do things themselves or save money by learning how to do what the experts do. However, certain transactions can be pivotal in a person’s financial life and often require special training to even know which transactions are critical and require additional consultation.

I’m all for empowerment and learning how to manage things independently, in moderation.

Life is busy, and balancing multi-generational family needs, work demands, volunteer duties, commitment to friendships, social connection and fitness means that we sometimes can’t dedicate the time necessary to fully understand the technical aspects of all financial transactions. Like the 1967 tune, I believe we can find balance with a little help from our friends. Including a trained professional in your financial life will give you and your family comfort and confidence with your financial matters.

Charlotte Paul

SHINE FINANCIAL ASSANTE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LTD. Associate Portfolio Manager Charlotte Paul is the founder of Shine Financial, a Victoria-based wealth management practice created to support women in building clarity and confidence in their financial lives. With over two decades of experience in the financial industry, Charlotte has seen firsthand how traditional approaches can leave women feeling overlooked or intimidated. She was inspired to create a practice focused on education, empowerment and partnership.

Charlotte brings not only professional expertise in portfolio management, tax and estate planning, and financial literacy, but also a personal understanding of the challenges women face during life transitions. Having navigated widowhood herself, she offers a compassionate perspective and practical guidance to clients experiencing loss – helping them make sound decisions in the midst of change.

A long-time Victoria resident, Charlotte is active in her community and passionate about supporting women at every stage of life. Her ultimate goal is simple: to help her clients’ financial lives truly shine.

Assante Capital Management Ltd. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization.

250.590.0603 • 410-612 View St, Victoria • cpaul@assante.com • www.shinefinancial.ca 14 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

When thinking about taking a do-it-yourself approach to financial issues, it would be prudent for you to consider these questions: • How much time can I dedicate to this?

matter. It is in a financial expert’s purview to provide you with updates about emerging technologies, demographic shifts, interest rates, world events and proposed regulatory or tax changes.

• Could I clearly explain the process to my loved ones?

It is comforting to have a professional relationship with a person who can explain complexities, protect you from unpredictability and be an ongoing resource on whom you can rely to look out for your best interests.

A financial expert offers continuous oversight that is often difficult to maintain when self-managing a financial

It's important for you to evaluate your financial expert on their performance on issues such as proactive contact,

• What happens when I’m unavailable to monitor or maintain this financial matter?

• How do my loved ones feel about me taking this approach?

Robyn Walle

cost, showing an interest in your family and your personal circumstances, providing tailored advice, generating good results and outcomes and reliably following up.

Of course, there are many people who would never think of managing their own financial transactions. They rely on other professionals to provide support in other areas like home maintenance, health care, travel guidance or legal transactions. I once had a physician-client explain sheepishly that he did not understand a lot about finance, to which I replied

CPA, CA

that I would never dream of suturing my own wound.

While technology enables us to know a lot more about many disciplines, it can’t replace the peace of mind that comes from having a professional in your life who you trust to handle your financial matters so that you can carry on enjoying the people and the activities that matter most to you. www.brendamacfarlane.ca This is a general source of information only.

It is not intended to provide personalized tax, legal or investment advice, and is not intended as a solicitation to purchase securities. Brenda MacFarlane is solely responsible for its content.

Seek advice on your specific circumstances from an IG Advisor.

Stephen Leaver

CPA

BAKER TILLY SIDNEY Full-Service Accounting Firm & Tax Specialists The Sidney office of Baker Tilly is led by Robyn and Stephen, and both are excited to continue growing their roots in the Sidney and Saanich Peninsula Community during the upcoming 2026 “tax season” and beyond.

Robyn handles all manner of client needs, including bringing extensive experience handling estates to assist loved ones through this complex process and challenging time. She also helps ownermanager businesses efficiently meet their tax and accounting needs and oversees clients with audit or review requirements.

Stephen’s specialty is tax (including personal, corporate, and estate taxes). He has completed CPA Canada’s intensive threeyear In-Depth Tax Program and works on tax projects for his own clients and clients across the firm as part of Baker Tilly’s internal “Canadian Tax Team.” His focus is on identifying client needs (known and unknown) and developing plans to accomplish their objectives in the most tax efficient way.

Baker Tilly is a full-service accounting firm with offices in Sidney, Westshore, and Uptown. The firm is independently owned and managed but is associated with the international Baker Tilly network. This results in the best of both worlds – a locally focused firm with an emphasis on client relationships, but with access to broad resources when required.

250.386.0500 • #7 - 9764 Fifth Street, Sidney • www.btvic.com Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 15

Leslie Denko MORTGAGE BROKER Mortgage Alliance Cutting Edge Lending Providing Mortgages in Your Community Navigating the mortgage world can feel overwhelming, especially in these uncertain times. That’s where I come in. As your local Mortgage Broker, I simplify the process, guiding you step by step to explore all your options and make the best choice for you. With access to a wide range of lenders, I provide expert advice tailored to your unique needs and circumstances. Your goals are my priority, and I’m here to ensure you feel confident every step of the way.

Let’s make your mortgage experience stress-free and straightforward.

Ready to get started? Reach out today – I’m here to help!

250.216.8375 • leslie@lesliedenko.com

Beacon Law Centre PROBATE AND ESTATE ADMINISTRATION TEAM Executors in British Columbia carry a big responsibility – often while grieving.

Beacon Law’s Probate & Estate Administration team is here to make the process clear, efficient, and far less stressful. Our mission is “maximizing prosperity and peace of mind” by helping clients navigate significant life events, whether planned or unplanned.

Lawyers Paula Bowering, Lianne Macdonald and Del Elgersma, and their team of highly experienced legal assistants, guide you from start to finish: preparing the probate application, filing with the BC Supreme Court, addressing creditor and tax issues, and supporting the estate distribution to beneficiaries.

What makes Beacon Law unique?

First, you don’t get a solo lawyer – you get a team you can trust, watching details, deadlines, and your executor duties alongside you. Second, we’re responsive, so questions don’t linger and decisions stay on track. Third, we make it easy, with plain-language steps, clear timelines, and support, even when matters are complex, so that you are protected and the deceased’s wishes are honoured.

Book a consultation and let us help you move forward.

250.656.3280 • www.beaconlaw.ca • Sidney • Brentwood Bay • Royal Oak 16 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

Eileen Kelly Wealth Advisor/Associate Portfolio Manager, CIM, CRPC I specialize in delivering tailored financial strategies for business owners and cross-border clients. My focus is on simplifying complex financial concepts and creating actionable plans that align with each client’s goals. Collaboration is at the heart of my approach I work closely with clients to ensure they feel supported and confident in every decision. From tax-efficient strategies to succession planning, I consider the full impact of wealth not just today, but across generations helping families preserve values and legacy.

Eileen Kelly is a Financial Advisor with Raymond James Ltd. The views of the author do not necessarily reflect those of Raymond James. This article is for information only.

Raymond James Ltd. member of Canadian Investor Protection Fund.

250.405.2466 • eileen.kelly@raymondjames.ca

Lighthouse Wealth Management

Lighthouse Wealth Management is with iA Private Wealth Inc. We are a full-service wealth management and advisory office working with incorporated professionals, individuals, families, and business owners to build, preserve, and enhance their wealth.

We pride ourselves in the tailored strategies we develop and the valued relationships we create with our clients. Our commitment to transparency and responsive client service ensures every client feels valued and understood.

By focusing on your unique objectives – whether personal or corporate – we navigate the complexities of retirement planning, estate planning, and corporate financial strategies together.

We strive to be your trusted local financial advisor, delivering clear communication and a disciplined investment approach that prioritizes your success, growth, and peace of mind.

Steve Gaskin, Senior Wealth Advisor (M.Econ, CIM®) | Sebastien Pare, Wealth Advisor (CIM®) Nathan Postle, Associate Wealth Advisor (B.Comm) | Jessica Mendoza, Client Service Associate (MSc & BBA) Disclaimer: iA Private Wealth Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization. iA Private Wealth is a trademark and business name under which iA Private Wealth Inc. Operates. Lighthouse Wealth Management is a personal trade name of Steve Gaskin.

250.405.4060 • 204 - 4400 Chatterton Way, Victoria • lighthouse@iaprivatewealth.ca Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 17

SEASIDE LIVING Common Cents

Reversing the Stigma of Reverse Mortgages For many Canadian retirees, the key to a comfortable retirement is ensuring they have the cashflow needed to support the lifestyle they’ve worked hard to achieve. While

some may plan to eventually sell their home to unlock equity, an increasing number are discovering a flexible alternative: the reverse mortgage.

Although reverse mortgages have existed since 1961, misconceptions have overshadowed their benefits.

In Canada, however, these products are highly regulated

WORDS LESLIE DENKO MORTGAGE BROKER, MORTGAGE ALLIANCE CUTTING EDGE LENDING and built with consumer protection in mind. As more people seek ways to age in place and enjoy financial independence, reverse mortgages play a vital role.

Brenda MacFarlane MBA, CFP, CIM, FCSI, EPC

IG WEALTH MANAGEMENT Financial Consultant I started in the financial services industry in 1990 as a bank teller.

I recall the bank manager recommending to me, way back then, that I start saving for my future. I’m grateful for that advice. Today, it is my privilege to help people plan for a financially comfortable future. My extensive training has prepared me to guide clients through their professional and personal milestones. I have earned the Elder Planning Counselor designation, to allow me to advise clients on mature life-stage needs.

I have a long history of working with clients who require complex tax, retirement and investment planning. This experience translates well to affluent investors, incorporated professionals, physicians and those approaching retirement or recently retired.

In my spare time I am a Director on the Board of the Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission. I am delighted to be learning about the film production business as well as the economic benefits of film production on the Peninsula. Through more awareness of the Film Commission as well as funding, we aspire to attract more film studios to bring their productions to South Vancouver Island.

IG Wealth Management has moved into a new office at Uptown Shopping Centre.

Please contact me for a tour of our beautiful new space.

778.549.5144 • 202-3671 Uptown Blvd, Victoria • www.brendamacfarlane.ca IG Wealth Management Inc., Mutual Fund Division Trademarks, including IG Wealth Management are owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations.

18 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

HOW IT WORKS A reverse mortgage can turn a portion of your existing home equity into tax-free cash – without requiring you to sell or move. Available to Canadians aged 55 and older, these loans allow you to borrow up to 55% of your home’s appraised value while maintaining full ownership.

Approval amounts depend on your age, property value, lender guidelines and your location.

FLEXIBLE REPAYMENT A standout advantage is the freedom from mandatory

monthly payments. Interestonly or partial repayments are optional, (up to 10% a year) and the loan becomes due only when the home is sold, when the owners move, or when the last borrower passes away.

COSTS AND CONSIDERATIONS The average cost to set up a reverse mortgage is similar to that of a traditional mortgage.

There is the added protection of having all reverse mortgage clients seek independent legal advice to ensure everyone’s interests are being taken into

consideration. This additional cost is well worth the the peace of mind for all family members involved.

mind to explore this option rather then selling their home prematurely due to rising costs and cash flow concerns.

With interest accruing over time on a reverse mortgage, home equity can decrease.

However, the reverse mortgage banks in Canada protect their clients from being in a negative equity position.

They guarantee that as long as the home owner has met all of their obligations, the amount you owe on the due date will never exceed the fair market value of the home. For many retirees, this equity guarantee gives them the peace of

IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU? A reverse mortgage can be a powerful tool if your home is appreciating, you intend to stay long-term, and maintaining cashflow is a priority. As with any financial decision, it’s important to weigh your options – yet for many retirees, the reverse mortgage offers freedom, flexibility and peace of mind. www.lesliedenko.com

EVERY PLAN STARTS WITH A FIRST STEP. YOU HAVE THE POWER TO START. Life brings change, sometimes expected, sometimes not. Planning your financial future isn’t about having all the answers from the start; it’s about having the courage to begin.

We’re a women-led wealth advisory team dedicated to building your Life by Design Plan as unique and powerful as you are. Through empathy, experience, and honest conversations, we’ll help you design a path that supports the life you want to lead.

Ready to uncover your strength and confidence?

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Wealth Advisor 250-657-2208 racheal.jamieson@nbc.ca

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Wealth Advisor 250-657-2220 viola.vanderuyt@nbc.ca

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Visit violavanderuyt.ca to start the conversation

National Bank Financial - Wealth Management (NBFWM) is a division of National Bank Financial Inc. (NBF), as well as a trademark owned by National Bank of Canada (NBC) that is used under license by NBF. NBF is a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBC, a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA).

Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 19

SEASIDE FLAVOUR From the Kitchen

A Winter WARMER

If you’re like me, you spend the first threequarters of January correcting yourself as to what the date is. It’s not 2025 anymore; it’s a whole new ball game.

WORDS JOAN SAUNDERS PHOTOS SARAH HARTLEY PHOTOGRAPHY I’m not one of those people who believes that I am going to suddenly change all of my old bad habits. But I do try to re-evaluate where I am and where I’m going; it’s a natural part of January. One of my resolutions each year has always been to show my love to friends and family through food, so a heartwarming seafood chowder definitely fits the bill.

Having people over for dinner can be any evening. Why not a Tuesday? Thursday?

Make up a big batch of stew, soup or chowder and throw some crusty bread and good cheddar out on the table and open the doors. Sharing a meal doesn’t need to be complicated, but everyone will definitely appreciate the effort. Take turns hosting with a group of friends and see who shows up, whether it’s for an hour or for the evening.

Seafood chowder is not something I have made very often in years past, but now it’s an extremely tasty alternative in my soup and stew repertoire, and this recipe makes a big potful. If you’re cooking for a smaller 20 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

group, you can always halve the recipe. If you want to freeze some, you’ll have to freeze it before you add the cream, but that’s certainly an option. However, if your soup evening is a hit, you won’t have any leftovers.

This recipe is very versatile, and I generally buy whatever fish is on sale or is a bit cheaper, as long as it’s a firmer fish like cod, halibut or scallops, so it doesn’t fall apart while cooking. If you have some vegetables languishing in the fridge, just use those or swap out what’s in the recipe for what you’d prefer. I added corn as I thought the sweetness would complement the saltiness of the fish and clam juice, and I do like the contrast. Make it work for you.

So on one of those dark, rainy January days, spend a bit of time in the afternoon mixing up a big pot of seafood chowder. While it heats up on the stove, it will hopefully also warm your belly and your heart. And maybe, just maybe, it will also warm the hearts and bellies of others as you open your door to friends, to family and to the new year.

HEART WARMING SEAFOOD CHOWDER ¼ cup butter 1 cup finely chopped celery 1 onion, finely chopped 1 cup leeks, sliced thin (white and light green parts) 1 tbsp minced garlic 3 cups chicken or seafood broth ½ cup clam juice 4 red potatoes, diced ¾ cup niblet corn 1 ½ cups carrots, diced small ¾ tbsp ground black pepper 1 tsp kosher salt ¾ tbsp thyme 6 bay leaves 2 tsp tabasco sauce (I like 2 tsp for a bit of kick, but you can add as much or little as you prefer) 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning 1 pound peeled, de-veined, uncooked shrimp (I cut the bigger shrimp or prawns in half)

2 pounds mixed firm fish, cut into ½-inch pieces (cod, halibut, scallops) 4 cups half and half, divided ¼ cup flour ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat and add celery, onions, leeks and garlic.

When vegetables have softened, add broth, clam juice, potatoes, carrots, corn, pepper, salt, thyme, bay leaves, Tabasco sauce.

Bring the mix to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until potatoes are almost fork tender.

and simmer another 8 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily and the shrimp has turned pink.

Add 3 cups of the half and half. Mix the other cup of half and half with the flour until it’s dissolved. Slowly stir the flour/ half and half mixture into the chowder. Add the chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Remove the bay leaves before serving.

If you don’t like the options for veggies or fish in this recipe, swap out what’s listed for your favourites.

Serve with some crusty bread or some crackers.

Sprinkle the Old Bay seasoning on top of the shrimp. Add shrimp and other fish to the pot Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 21

SEASIDE LIVING Get Out!

A Solo Sunrise Walk at Island View Beach

The first light of a new year has a way of steadying us. It asks nothing, rushes nothing, and yet quietly reminds us that fresh beginnings don’t need fanfare – just space.

WORDS & PHOTO SHELLEY TICE On a crisp Sunday morning, I found that space at Island View Beach, wrapped in layers, holding a warm tea, and following the sound of the waves toward the horizon.

I arrived while the sky was still an inky blue, the kind of winter darkness that blurs land and water. Even in the quiet, I wasn’t alone. Cars pulled into the lot one by one, headlights briefly sweeping across the driftwood before cutting out. It turns out that sunrise seekers are a dedicated bunch. We gathered without gathering, each person settling into their own stretch of shoreline, waiting for the day to begin.

The air hovered around zero – one of the perks of living on the West Coast. There is something grounding about walking alone at dawn, when the world feels paused. No

emails, no news, no to-do lists, just the steady rhythm of the tide easing in and out.

And then, slowly, the sky began its quiet unveiling.

As the light grew, the beach began to stir to life as the birds took flight. It struck me how alive the morning is once the darkness lifts, and how rarely we give ourselves the chance to witness it. The water mirrored each change in the sky, shifting like a painter testing new shades. And when the sun finally edged above the horizon, its first warm glow stretched across the water toward the shore.

Standing there, hands wrapped around my warm drink, I felt something settle inside me, a small, unexpected clarity.

A reminder that beginnings don’t always start on January 1.

Sometimes they start when you

step outside your routine and give yourself enough stillness to notice the subtle beauty you usually pass by.

Island View Beach has always been a family favourite for long summer walks, but winter sunrise has its own appeal. There’s a shared magic among the few who show up that early, most of us

strangers, yet connected by the simple intention to greet the day. As the sun finally crested the horizon, casting long shadowed light across the sand, a quiet sense of gratitude washed over me – for this coastline, for these mild winters, and for the gentle invitation a rising sun offers: start again.

THINGS TO NOTE • Arrive about 30 minutes before sunrise to catch the slow, beautiful transformation of the sky. Winter sunrise seekers get the advantage of a little extra sleep with later sunrise times.

• Lots of free parking is available at Island View Beach.

• Bring a warm drink, a cozy toque and gloves; the shoreline breeze adds an extra bite to the cold, especially before the sun has a chance to warm the sky.

Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 23

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Email office@ardmoregolfcourse.com for questions!

SEASIDE LIVING Steph's Day Out

TEDxperience I’ve been a raving fan of TED Talks for longer than I can remember. But with in-person ticket prices for a Vancouver event hovering around the $7,000+ range, I happily settled for watching TED Talks online.

WORDS & PHOTOS STEPHANIE STAPLES

26 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

That is, until TEDx independent events hit the scene. Suddenly, a whole new world of inspiring, thought-provoking content opened up – more accessible, local, and just as powerful.

Now, after nearly a decade away, TEDxVictoria is back, thanks to licensee Marco Pimentel. The chance to be part of this potentially life-altering experience is something I believe everyone could benefit from.

There are multiple ways to get theTEDxperience right here on our lovely Island.

APPLY TO BE A SPEAKER OR ENTERTAINER If you’ve got an “idea worth spreading,” head to TEDxVictoria.ca and hit “Apply.” With over 300 applicants in 2025 the curation team had their work cut out for them. Many people apply multiple times – and for

multiple locations – before being chosen. So if you’re not picked the first time, don’t take it personally!

Most talks run between seven to 18 minutes, and trust me: as a professional speaker, I know it’s a lot harder to distill a great idea into a few tight minutes than it is to ramble on. While speakers aren’t paid, they receive expert coaching, a professionallyproduced TEDx video of their talk, and bragging rights for life – whether they go viral or not.

Kicking off the 2025 speaker lineup was the Peninsula’s own Gael Hannan, whose talk “The Dirty Little Secret of Hearing Loss” was supported by an incredible team. “It was collaborative, creative, caring and exciting!” she said. Fun fact: Gael applied to 30 TEDx events to get there. Now that’s passion.

BE AN AUDIENCE MEMBER The beautiful McPherson Playhouse is the perfect venue

for TEDxVictoria. Whether you come solo, with a friend, a date or a whole crew, it’s a space that naturally invites connection. I even spotted one young woman wearing a T-shirt that read, “I’m single.

Say hi!”

With ticket prices roughly $8,900 less than a traditional TED event, more than a dozen speakers and performers and even some tasty treats, it’s a steal of a deal. Anne, a last-minute guest, told me: “I appreciate yesterday’s me who decided to come.” Another attendee, Carolyn, said: “It was a wonderful connection to community – it inspired me to be a better human.” I couldn’t agree more.

BE A VOLUNTEER This is how I experienced TEDx 2025, and it was great.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the entire event was so well-run and welcoming that I didn’t feel like I worked hard enough to have earned my

free ticket and great food.

Volunteer lead Reed McIlwain handled everything with warmth and grace, from brief “get to know you” interviews to training and day-of coordination. There are plenty of roles to choose from: behind-the-scenes production, front-of-house greeting, speaker liaison and more. Volunteers also get to watch at least one full block of speakers live in the theatre (and the others via the screens throughout the venue).

I was especially impressed by the young professionals who took the day off work to volunteer. One called it a “humanizing experience,” and it was that.

Between sessions, the leadership team created space for connection with activations and vendors like the Royal BC Museum, Munro’s Books and local food trucks. These thoughtful touches elevated the whole experience and

turned TEDxVictoria into more than just a day of talks – it became a day of belonging.

So after my inspiring day at TEDxVictoria, I highly recommend you consider attending, volunteering, or even applying to speak at this empowering local

event in 2026. (There’s also TEDxRoyalRoads, by the way.)

Get curious. Get connected.

Open your heart and mind – you will be glad you did.

Just don’t dilly-dally; tickets do sell out! www.tedxvictoria.ca

Offering Peace of Mind Welcome to Alford Walden Law, where expert legal services meet personalized care. Led by Dominique Alford, we specialize in wills and estate planning, executor services, estate and trust administration, residential and commercial real estate, business and corporate law, and notary services.

At Alford Walden Law we are committed to protecting your interests and guiding you through every legal step with confidence.

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www.alfordwalden.com • #216 -2506 Beacon Ave, Sidney Wills & Estate Planning • Executor Services • Estate & Trust Administration Residential & Commercial Real Estate • Business & Corporate Law • Notary Services

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Your first act of the year can be one that lasts forever: a gift in your Will creates a legacy of love and compassion.

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Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 27

Personal Real Estate Corporation

NOW SELLING The Cento Thoughtful Design Meets Everyday Comfort. Live beautifully in The Cento, a curated collection of quality-built condos by the Vidalin Group in the heart of Saanichton.

2518 Monte Vista Place, Central Saanich 3 bed | 3 bath | 2,468 sq ft | $1,075,000 Welcome to this beautifully maintained and fully updated 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home offering nearly 2,600 sq ft of bright, open living space in the highly sought-after Tanner Ridge neighbourhood.

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778.676.6768 • 2481 Beacon Avenue, Sidney • sarahvidalin@outlook.com • www.sarahvidalin.com

SEASIDE LIVING Inside Out Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss for Canadians over the age of 55, affecting approximately 2.5 million people in the country, and appears in two main forms: dry and wet. Wet AMD involves abnormal blood vessels growing beneath the retina and is typically managed by an ophthalmologist using injections to slow disease progression.

waste deposits called drusen.

Dry AMD often has no early symptoms, so routine eye exams are essential. As the disease progresses, you may notice blurred or distorted central vision, a need for brighter light when reading or doing close work, straight lines appearing wavy or distorted, or a dark patch in the middle of what you see.

Dry AMD, however, has historically had no direct treatment. In its advanced stage – known as geographic atrophy – the resulting vision loss can be even more debilitating than that caused by wet AMD. An estimated 85 to 90% of AMD cases are the dry form.

Although we can’t turn back the clock, there are practical steps that help: stop smoking (a significant risk factor for AMD), protect eyes from UV damage, exercise regularly, control your blood pressure and cholesterol, and practise a healthy diet enriched in leafy greens, colourful fruits/ vegetables and fish. If you have dry AMD, your eyecare provider may recommend AREDS 2 supplements, a clinically proven combination of vitamins and minerals that slows intermediate and latestage disease progression.

They are not a cure and cannot recover lost vision. It is also helpful to ease up on saturated fats, added sugars, and alcohol, as keeping these to a minimum may support better long-term eye health.

WHAT EXACTLY IS DRY AMD? The back of your eye has a light-sensitive layer called the retina, and in the middle is the macula. This structure is responsible for your sharp, central vision, the kind you use for reading, recognizing faces and driving. In dry agerelated macular degeneration, the macula gradually thins and becomes dysfunctional, often marked by yellowish

AMD PREVENTION

Understanding Dry Macular Degeneration

Preserving Your Central Sight WORDS DR. LISA MEISTER & DR. MEAGHAN GODDARD, OD

NEW HOPE ON THE HORIZON Recently a novel, non-invasive device called MacuMira received Health Canada authorization and is being rolled out at clinics across the country. MacuMira is an in-office treatment that uses gentle microcurrent stimulation delivered through closed eyelids to help activate retinal cells and support their function. Clinical studies have shown promising results, with many patients experiencing clearer vision and improved contrast sensitivity, sometimes within days of starting therapy.

It is important to note that not

everyone is a candidate for this treatment and individual responses vary so it is best to consult your optometrist to see if this treatment is right for you.

TAKING CONTROL Dry AMD is common; while we don’t have a cure, the good news is that options for preserving and even improving visual function are expanding.

Keep up with regular eye exams, consult your healthcare team about positive dietary and lifestyle changes, and talk with your local eye care team about whether new therapies might be right for you. www.cordovabayoptometry. ca/macumira

Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 29

WORK IN SIDNEY

PERK PASS

Do You Work in Sidney, BC? The Pass Returns January 2026

exploresidney.ca/perkpass for all the details.

SIDNEY BY THE SEA GIFT CARDS now available for purchase

Participating businesses in downtown Sidney are now accepting Sidney by the Sea Gift Cards!

Gift cards make for a fantastic gift and can be purchased locally at the Sidney Information Centre at 2281 Beacon Avenue or online for direct mailing.

This program is managed and supported by the Sidney Business Improvement Area Society (Sidney BIA). hello@exploresidney.ca

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES 10 Acres at the Pier 10 Acres Cafe 3rd Street Cafe 900 Degrees Bistro Atticus Avenue B Home Decor Beacon Landing Liquor & More Bodacious Lifestyles Boutique Bosley's - Sidney Butik Naturals Buddies Toys Cameron Rose Gifts Chef on the Run Connections Consignment Cottons and Blues C.S. Chan Wontons + Dumplings Davidson Chambers Departures Travel Deco De Mode Ecotopia Naturals El Dorado Far & Away Adventures Fish on Fifth Flush Bathroom & Travel Essentials Fry Guys Bistro Good Decade Hansell & Halkett Vintage Home Decor Haven Spa Home Hardware - Sidney House of Lily Koi iSpa Wellness J Kitchen Jacks On The Water Kiddin' Around La Boutique Lolly Gobble - Home Hardware Mary Winspear Centre Miss Bliss Boutique Moden

For more information visit

Moden Essentials Moden Mens Modern Massage Co. Muffet & Louisa Nest & Nook One Stop Furniture Peninsula Lifetime Eye Care Centre Peninsula Veterinary Hospital Provenance Fine Things Pure Glow Laser Refire Kitchen Salvador Davis & Co Sacred Somatics Sapodilla's Smoothie and Juice Bar Seawards Souvenir & Apparel Shai Thompson Image Consulting Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea Sidney Information Centre Simply Pure Ice & Water Sidney Museum Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa Sidney Scones Skin by Angela Small Gods Brewing Co. Smør Scandinavian Bakery Tanner's Books The Beauty House The Children's Bookshop The Dancing Orchid The Farmer's Daughter The Fickle Fig The Five & Dime Diner The Shop The Surly Mermaid Tivoli Gallery Tyneham Luxury Products Victoria Distillers Waterlily Shoes Quince Cafe

exploresidney.ca exploresidney.ca

SEASIDE STORIES

The Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission –

Shaping a New Era for Local Filmmaking

On southern Vancouver Island, where rugged coastline meets creative energy, a quiet transformation has been unfolding that is powered by filmmakers, local businesses, and the people who call this place home. At the centre of it is Tara-Lee Novak, the newly appointed Film Commissioner, whose journey into the role feels as natural as it is inspiring. For 15 years, Tara-Lee has worked as a producer, carving out a career behind the scenes of factual television and media projects.

Her background in marketing and communications for a crown corporation has helped guide her pathway in a role that requires equal parts creativity and diplomacy.

WORDS JUNE MURRAY DAGNALL PHOTO EMMA ROSSUM PHOTOGRAPHY

The Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission has a purpose as compelling

32 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

as the stories filmed here. As a non-profit, its mission is simple yet powerful: it aims to drive regional prosperity by marketing southern Vancouver Island’s locations, talent and services to the global film industry. It is a mission that impacts far more than camera crews. Every production that is filmed here supports a large amount of local small businesses, hotels, restaurants, construction suppliers, costume designers, caterers and countless residents with well-paying jobs who step in to help make the magic happen.

The types of projects filmed in the region are as diverse as the Island’s landscapes. One week, a windswept beach transforms into the cinematic backdrop for a dramatic feature film; the next, a downtown street becomes the set of a

fast-paced television series.

Producers are drawn here for Movies of the Week, Documentaries, Feature Films, TV series, Music videos, and vertical and digital first content.

From big budget productions to smaller projects, the Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission supports them all!

For many productions, the commission is the first knock on the door. Filmmakers will share a script, and from there the commission creates a custom look book by pulling images and details from their database of approximately 2,500 registered filming locations. They also manage a directory of local businesses, support services and film crews. It is so important not to only find the perfect area for the production, but to also connect filmmakers with the region’s community of professionals.

The film commission plays a vital supporting role in connecting people, such as youth, emerging filmmakers and Indigenous storytellers, to the provincial organizations offering these connections. A small training program was run in 2025 introducing half a dozen volunteers to location scouting. The film commission has run training programs in the past and if funding expands, they hope to offer them again. Right now, their operating budget allows for two full-time positions. They also have a couple of people who work part-time hours when needed, and there are 12 volunteer board members.

They are focused on attracting and servicing productions and communicating their efforts and results with their massive network of stakeholders.

The commission is always

looking to grow the region’s film sector and economy, by communicating our region’s unique challenges and needs with provincial stakeholders.

They open the doors, make the introductions and help guide individuals toward the programs that will help with their careers. The commission has a newsletter that individuals can sign up for which highlights many of these opportunities.

For people in the region there are lots of ways to get involved. People can register their properties as filming locations, list their businesses in the commission’s free directory, and support the commission as a sponsor. As a non-profit operating with a modest budget, sponsorships are critical to keeping phones answered, emails returned and opportunities seized. Often, productions are looking to bring millions of dollars into the local economy, and before that can happen, a location is needed so being able to respond quickly to inquiries is paramount.

2025 has been a banner year for filming on the Saanich Peninsula. Multiple productions have chosen the Peninsula as their backdrop, from sweeping rural scenes to beloved local landmarks and businesses.

The future is bright for filmmaking on the Island. With Tara-Lee at the helm, and the creative energy in the region surging, southern Vancouver Island is stepping confidently onto the global filmmaking stage. Growth for the commission is not just about lights and cameras, it is about people and communities, and our own South Island is a place full of wonderful stories worth telling.

Thank you for making Glow Together a great success.

We couldn't have done it without your help and support.

Campaign Sponsors Butik Naturals Riddell Wealth Management | Richardson Wealth Canadian Tire North Saanich Megan Ravenhill Photography Sidney Scones Seaside Magazine

Glow Together Sponsors District of Central Saanich Town of Sidney Brentwood Bay Village Empourium Learn With Early Bird MisSta Canine Enterprises Noel’s Donuts & Fries Rob Young Farrier Services T&T Complete Yard Service Talbot Contracting Ent.

Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 33

Find Your Fitness on the Peninsula Special Feature Maintaining your health is a great gift you can give yourself!

It doesn’t matter what age you are or where you’re starting from: here on the Saanich Peninsula there are so many choices to help you take your first steps toward good health or the next step to another level of fitness. Why not try something new in 2026?

GARAGE CYCLE SPIN STUDIO A Workout Experience Garage Cycle spin studio delivers high energy, spin, spin and strength, and full strength training classes.

Our expert instructors and dynamic atmosphere inspire you to push limits, achieve fitness goals, and feel unstoppable. Elevate your workout experience with us!

778.873.7881 garagecyclespinstudio.ca 9298 Rideau Ave, North Saanich

MODERN MASSAGE SIDNEY Where Nature Meets Nurture Modern Massage Sidney is a boutique wellness studio where modern therapy meets grounding, holistic care.

Specializing in therapeutic, prenatal and restorative massage alongside nurturing facial rituals, we offer a calm, nature-inspired space for deep relaxation and long-term well-being.

250.609.6698 modernmassageco.ca 104 - 2423 Beacon Ave, Sidney

PANORAMA RECREATION CENTRE Fitness & Wellness Panorama Recreation offers a wide range of fitness and wellness programs across the Saanich Peninsula. From beginners to advanced participants, our skilled instructors help you reach your goals – because living well means feeling strong, supported, and having fun.

250.656.7271 panoramarecreation.ca 1885 Forest Park Dr, North Saanich

KATIE MUSICCO ACUPUNCTURE Katie Musicco helps you relax, feel great and achieve naturally glowing skin with effective acupuncture, facial rejuvenation and holistic therapies.

Start the year with personalized treatments designed to support hormone balance, reduce stress and leave you with radiant skin.

250.655.1660 hello@katiemusicco.com 102 - 9725 Fourth St, Sidney

FIT 4 ALL Group Fitness Classes & Personal Training Fit 4 All offers outdoor and online group fitness classes, plus mobile personal training.

We’re fun and inclusive – welcoming all levels. At Fit 4 All we are more than just exercise: we’re a supportive community who lift each other up every step of the way.

250.883.8373 fit4alltraining.ca

SEASIDE LIVING Aging Out Loud

A New Beginning:

AN UNEXPECTED GIFT OF DEMENTIA WORDS CONNIE DUNWOODY, BROADMEAD CARE

When I was a teenager, my dad and I sometimes struggled to understand each other. I was (mostly) grumpy and always ready to push back. He was strict, serious, and not easy for me to talk to.

My brother could sit with him and discuss ideas for ages, but I never found that rhythm.

Our conversations felt strained, and I often wished we could be closer, and easier in each other’s company.

Everything changed after Dad’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body dementia. I never expected that his illness would soften old patterns, but it opened a door between us. Through my work at Broadmead Care, I learned new ways to approach him. I found patience I didn't know I had. I began asking about his youth, more out of hope than expectation. To my surprise, he started to share; stories he had held tightly for years began to surface. It felt like memories once locked away were drifting gently back to him, and he was willing to let me hear them. It felt like a new beginning.

As the new year arrives, I find myself reflecting on that change. January often invites us to pause, look back, and think about how our lives and relationships grow and shift. It reminds me that a dementia diagnosis is not necessarily about an ending. Sometimes it offers a new beginning, a chance to see someone we love with fresh eyes.

SEEING THE PERSON BEHIND THE DIAGNOSIS For many families, a diagnosis feels like the start of loss. We brace ourselves for decline and prepare for grief. But dementia can also reveal parts of someone that were hidden by years of routine and responsibility. With Dad, I discovered a sweet, gentle man, quite separate from the stern academic I had previously known. I saw hints of the earnest young man he once was, along with the father he strove to be. It was simultaneously lovely and heartbreaking.

This rediscovery didn’t take away the hard days. It didn’t erase worry or sadness, but it gave me moments of honesty and connection. It let me meet him where he was in the moment, rather than clinging to who he once was. When I allowed space for this shift, I found a loving relationship with the sense of connection I’d longed for.

Grandma like a cedar chest tucked in the attic. It’s a new chapter for her, one where she can receive the care she needs, in ways we cannot provide.

lens, we make room for grace.

We learn to start again each day.

We learn that connection can still grow, even (and sometimes, especially) when memories fade.

If we view “home” as a new beginning filled with safety, comfort and community, then perhaps long-term care looks different: a place where someone is welcomed, supported and honoured.

Their stories matter. Their identity matters. When we embrace this shift, long term care becomes part of a loving circle with new beginnings rather than endings. And with Grandma living in care, families can return to being spouses, daughters, or sons, instead of carrying the full weight of caregiving alone.

MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER

When we allow ourselves to see the diagnosis through a different

Dementia changes many things, but it does not take away the ability to love or be loved. A new year reminds us that relationships can evolve in meaningful ways. Rediscovery, belonging, and new beginnings are always possible. And as I learned, the most unexpected chapters can bring an unexpected result: the closeness I was searching for all along.

Connie Dunwoody is Communications Coordinator for Broadmead Care. She believes in the enormous possibility of new beginnings.

IT’S ALWAYS THE RIGHT TIME TO APPLY MULCH TO YOUR

Flower & Garden Beds

REIMAGINING HOME AND BELONGING “Home” can take many forms.

As dementia progresses, perhaps it becomes less about a physical place and more about feeling safe and understood. For families, longterm care can feel unfamiliar or even frightening at first. Our language does not help. We say things like, “We put Grandma in a home.” We’re not storing

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The Fretless January 22

The Fretless is taking roots music to new heights with their highly anticipated sixth album, Glasswing, a deep immersion into their musical minds, soaring through a decade-long journey of developing their singular sound.

This award-winning Canadian foursome has firmly established itself on the international music scene with prolific playing, masterful compositions, iconic collaborations, and electrifying live shows. The Fretless has expanded the idea of what a string quartet can be, transforming fiddle tunes and folk melodies into intricate, high-energy arrangements. Their ensemble of two fiddles, a viola, and a cello produces a rich, multi-layered, and distinctive percussive sound that redefines contemporary folk music.

You’re Just a Place That I know Adrian Glynn McMorran February 5

Juno-nominated singer-songwriter and actor Adrian Glynn McMorran his theatrical concert, You’re Just A Place That I Know, to the Charlie White Theatre in February.

Based on his latest record of the same name (and described as a “powerful album” by CBC’s Tom Power), the song-cycle tracks the story of Adrian’s Ukrainian grandparents and their flight from WWII Europe. The show is a tapestry of stories and songs examining ancestry and the immigrant experience, with music brought to life by guitars, strings, drums, piano, traditional Ukrainian instruments and the power of a 20person choir.

Adrian leans into the details of his grandparents’ story, from his grandmother, at 16, being forced by Germans from her Carpathian village into indentured labour a thousand kilometres away; to his grandfather folk-dancing to win cigarettes from impressed Allied soldiers in a refugee camp. But he realized there was more to tell than just his own family’s narrative; The resulting theatrical concert is a powerful vision of how varied our ancestral tapestries can be and how universal the potency of our genealogical links are; the “generations in our eyes”.

Adrian Glynn McMorran is a singer, songwriter, actor and multi-instrumentalist based on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Musqueum and Tsleil-Waututh peoples, (AKA Vancouver). He has released more than eight critically acclaimed albums, both as a solo artist and with folk music troupe, The Fugitives. Adrian has toured through more than ten countries and been nominated for a JUNO Award and multiple Western Canadian Music Awards and Canadian Folk Music Awards. Adrian is also a working actor, in both film and theatre. He trained at UBC and NYC’s Atlantic Theatre School and is a Leo Award winner and a Jessie Richardson nominee.

Upcoming Events January 9-11 17 18 21 22 23 24 26 29-31

I Don’t Belong Here January 21

“I Don’t Belong Here – Stories and Songs at the Edge of Forgetting” is a poignant and powerfully human stage production that explores life inside a dementia care facility through a minimalist theatrical lens, adaptable to both small and larger stages. Told through a carefully composed sequence of 15 vignettes and supported by song, the production brings to life 22 distinct characters: memorycare residents navigating shifting realities and blurred recollections; visiting family members grappling with guilt, grief, and the complex emotions of anticipated loss; and compassionate care aides who bear daily witness to the slow unravelling of memory, working to preserve dignity, spark laughter, and nurture connection.

This intimate three-person ensemble piece balances emotional gravity with flashes of absurdity and unexpected levity, illuminating the often surreal and surprisingly tender moments that surface at the edge of forgetting.

But don’t let the subject matter fool you – this is not a bleak tale. The script deftly weaves vulnerability with humour, sorrow with song, and reflection with resilience, ultimately offering a deeply affirming meditation on love, loss, and the enduring power of human connection.

Joelle Rabu: Despite my personal intrigue and foundational knowledge from studies in social psychology, I found that delving into the creation of a play about dementia released a new realm of understanding, empathy and curiosity.

Drawing from a tapestry of personal encounters with dementia, I embarked on the journey with my life-long friend Kelly, of shaping a play that delves deep into the complexities of this debilitating disease.

I wanted to communicate, through the tempered cadence of music and the poetry of song, a testament to the human spirits who are navigating through the shadows of forgetfulness and to present it from all perspectives: the resident, the family, the care aids. Inspired by my own father’s journey with dementia; the many poignant conversations with one of my oldest friends afflicted by Alzheimer's, and the profound experiences of my son working at a residence for seniors with dementia, during the pandemic, I sought to weave together a musical narrative that captures the essence of loss, resilience, humour, courage, confusion, and strength.

Island Operated Car Club Eagle Eyes Island Song Choir I Don’t Belong Here The Fretless Oliver Swain’s Big Machine & The Unfaithful Servants Robbie Burns Dinner Blood Donor Clinic Where Have All The Buffalo Gone?

February 1 5 7 8 19 21 23 28

Where Have All The Buffalo Gone?

You’re Just a Place That I Know Salish Sea Feis Tonye Aganaba Valdy The Men in Black Johnny Cash Tribute Blood Donor Clinic Island Vintage Events

March 1 4 6 7 13 13-14 14 17-18 19 20 21 21 21 23 25 28 28-29 29

South Island Vinyl Record Show Danny Michel Victoria Symphony Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Fleetwood Magic Canadian Steam Improv Comedy Crafted Farmhouse Market Tiller’s Folly Ballet Étoile Cleopatra Josh Ritter The Arrogant Worms The Myrtle Sisters “Same Same Different” The Myrtle Sisters Revue Psychic and Spiritual Arts Fair Blood Donor Clinic Delhi 2 Dublin Moneka Arabic Jazz Faerie & Fantasy Faire AWOL

Monthly Meetings Sidney Anglers Association - 4th Monday Saanich Peninsula Arts & Crafts Society - 1st Monday Canadian Foundation of University Women - 4th Tuesday Probus Club of Sidney - 2nd Tuesday Probus Club of Saanich Peninsula - 1st Thursday Sidney Camera Club - 4th Tuesday

SEASIDE STORIES Arts Scene

Diana Schaffter:

Putting Pen to Paper for Planetary Purpose WORDS JO BARNES PHOTO SARAH HARTLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

38 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

As we step into a brand-new year, many of us will resolve to make our little corner of the world a better place, maybe recycle more or use products that are environmentally safe.

One local author took her environmental concerns and resolved to apply them right around the world.

After living, working and raising a family in seven countries for over 40 years, Diana Schaffter of Sidney had a hunger to make a difference beyond her own community. She understood the importance of engaging with the world around her and getting to know others, regardless of culture or ethnic background. So, she decided to tap into her life experience and passion for global environmental issues to

write her 2025 children’s book Armando and the Amazing Animal Race. This story focuses on the value of connecting with our world and its animals, as well as making connections with each other.

“My husband was a UNICEF representative so we travelled to many countries,” she shares.

“Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand that we are losing animals at an alarming rate.

Whatever affects these animals affects us. We are stewards of our world.”

Diana’s book, her first foray into story writing, is about 12-yearold Armando and his eccentric Granny D who embark on a race around the world to save seven endangered animals. “The book features the polar bear, Siberian

tiger, desert leopard, spectacled cobra, four-toed jerboa, Grévy's zebra, and the pied tamarin monkey,” relates Diana.

As the characters race to find these creatures, they have adventures, encounter danger and discover family secrets.

Vibrant illustrations are liberally featured throughout the story to present the reader with maps, tickets, journal pages and letters which help create an immersive reading experience of adventure.

At the heart of this book is the relationship between a young boy and his grandmother, Granny D. This character was inspired

by Diana’s own mother who thoroughly enjoying sharing her knowledge and passion for nature with her grandchildren, one of whom was named Armando.

“My mother worked for BOAC and travelled the world. She was a world citizen; she raised me as a world citizen,” says Diana.

“She wanted her grandchildren to know about animals.”

The idea for the book and the journey to its publication took many years, including travel to the destinations in the book, composition, collaboration with illustrators, and a detailed feedback process from a diverse test audience. “I travelled with my husband to each of the locations of the endangered animals in the book. I talked with conservationists, technical and content experts as well as people in their communities and interviewed over 20 young readers who reviewed the book and gave their feedback. I love to be creative, but I had to learn to write. I joined a critique group and went to writing conferences,” she says. “So, when you look at all of that, the book took 19 years to do.”

The impetus for the project is Diana’s first-hand experiences in seeing the disappearance

of particular animals in the world, her deep desire to share this reality, and her own life experiences. The underlying hope was to impact the next generation.

“On my first trip to Israel 10 years ago, there were 15 desert leopards. The second time I visited, they were gone, extinct. It was such a reality check!” she comments. “While teaching, I noticed kids were so disconnected from nature and were lost in the game world on their screens. They knew more about Pokémon than polar bears. I was hoping that the book’s message could captivate young people enough that they would do something to help the planet. If the book could do this, I would feel great delight.”

Diana’s book, now available through Tanner’s, Munro’s, Indigo Books and Amazon, has met with positive response from both young and older generations.

The project draws upon her years as a teacher in international schools, working with refugees and living in challenging settings.

These experiences shaped her global perspective and enriched her life in ways she couldn’t have imagined as a young girl.

“I’ve lived in a variety of settings and learned that everyone you meet, no matter what they look like, whatever their cultural or economic bracket, you try to get to know them,” she shares.

“Everyone has a story. We need to reach out and not be afraid to connect. When we stick to what is known, we don’t open ourselves to be astounded at what is out there.”

As Diana can attest, meeting new people, sharing life experiences and moving beyond your comfort zone are all opportunities to grow as a person. They are all worthwhile resolutions that ultimately can be life changing. www.dianaschaffter.com

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WITH

Peter Dolezal

THE “BULL MARKET” DILEMMA Peter Dolezal is a semi-retired Sidney resident. He offers INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES to individuals, couples and companies.

To date, he has assisted more than 380 clients across Canada, principally in Greater Victoria and the Lower Mainland.

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For personal financial consulting services, contact pdolezal@shaw.ca or visit www.dolezalconsultants.ca for Client Testimonials and more!

As I pen this article in late November, it appears inevitable that by year-end, we will have completed a third consecutive year of strong double-digit total returns in all North American, and many World Equity, Markets. Although a welcome result, it presents every investor with a major dilemma.

History tells us that extended periods of market euphoria in Equities leads to an inevitable, and often major, market correction. At the same time, we are well aware of the folly of trying to time the market. What then, should the prudent investor do?

With major market volatility, the most effective coping mechanism is the existence of a comprehensive Financial Plan, which focuses on managing risk in all areas within the Investor’s control, regardless of market performance. This includes minimization of holding cost, broad sector and geographic diversification, a solid income stream and, where possible, currency-hedge protection.

Also included in one’s Plan should be a careful and appropriate allocation to Fixed Income, such as Bond holdings – sufficient in amount to allow for all necessary capital draws for at least two years, should the Equity portion of the Portfolio suffer a significant correction.

This Fixed Income “safety net” avoids

the need to sell Equities during a major value slump. Once Equities inevitably recover, they can be trimmed, and the proceeds reinvested to return the Fixed Income safety net to its original percentage allocation.

Even in the absence of a comprehensive Financial Plan, the Investor can examine the effectiveness of his/her portfolio, not only with respect to these manageable risk factors, but also against broad market Index performance.

If, for example, over the last three years, an Investor’s portfolio has not delivered double-digit annual returns, the need for corrective action may be indicated. Either steps had not been taken to minimize the controllable risks, and/or the Investor has included too large a component of the portfolio in Fixed Income allocation.

Over the long term, Fixed Income is a very useful safety net, but also, it will significantly underperform Equities. A customized balance between risk management, and optimization of total returns, is necessary.

With a sound Financial Plan in place, the prudent investor will be in a position to ignore the occasional market correction, continuing to collect dividends and interest, while awaiting the inevitable recovery of Equities.

With careful advance planning in the construction of one’s Portfolio, a panicked reaction to an Equity market correction can, and should, be avoided.

Register through Panorama Rec Centre (250.656.7271) for Peter’s Next Seminar: FINANCIAL STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL RETIREMENT WEDNESDAYS: 10 AM – 12 PM, FEBRUARY 18 & 25

SEASIDE LIVING

Gathering in Gentle Company:

Inside a Grief Café WORDS DR. MICHELLE CLEMENT, YOGA THERAPIST & DEATH DOULA

In a world that rushes through loss, a Grief Café offers something rare – a space to pause, share and find comfort in the company of others.

Loss changes us. It shifts the shape of our days and the rhythm of our hearts.

Loss can occur when a loved one dies but also with the loss of a relationship, the fading of health or mobility or the quiet ache of change, grief eventually touches everyone. Yet even though grief is universal, few spaces exist to talk about it openly.

That’s where the idea of a Grief Café comes in. This is a community gathering where people can come together to share stories of loss, love, and life – in a supportive, relaxed and non-judgmental space. There is no agenda or therapy, and no expectation of how grief “should” look.

Instead, there’s time, tea and gentle conversation that reminds us we don’t have to carry sorrow alone.

Each Café begins with a welcome and, guided by a yoga therapist, a short grounding exercise with time for breath and reflection. From there, participants are free to speak or simply listen. Some come to honour a recent loss; others are navigating the long, slow adjustments that follow years later. What connects everyone is the recognition that grief, in all its forms, is not

something to fix or solve but to be witnessed and honoured.

A facilitator is often a Death Doula or counselor and they guide the conversation but never steer it, allowing the group to find its own rhythm.

In that rhythm, something tender often unfolds – a nod of understanding, a shared smile or a moment when someone says: “I thought I was the only one.”

practice. Everything shared is confidential. You don’t have to know what to say, or even say anything at all. You just need to come as you are.

You can find a monthly Grief Cafe at Evolutions Wellness Collective in Saanichton on the third Friday of the month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

As one participant put it: “It’s the first place I’ve felt I didn’t have to pretend I was OK.” In a world that so often values productivity over presence, a Grief Café reminds us to slow down – to sit together in our shared humanity, one story, one cup of tea and one breath at a time.

Grief Cafés are part of a growing global movement rooted in community resilience that was originally founded in 2010 in the U.K. In a culture that often avoids difficult conversations, these gatherings offer an antidote: real connection. People laugh.

They swap stories. They breathe again.

Why does this matter?

Because grief, unspoken, isolates us. When we gather, we remember that loss is not a personal failing – it’s part of being human. We discover that healing doesn’t come from forgetting but from being seen, heard and gently accompanied through change.

HOW TO JOIN Grief cafés are open to anyone who wishes to attend. They are free of charge or by donation and usually last between 60 and 90 minutes. Sessions often include light refreshments, guided reflection, and optional mindfulness or movement

Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 41

Love Your Local

You are investing in your community by supporting its unique businesses.

Appreciate what makes our neighbourhoods different. Our one-of-akind shops and services are an inherent part of the distinctive character of our Saanich Peninsula neighbourhoods; that is what brought us here and will keep us here. Stay local and stay connected to the merchants in your community.

SLIPCOVERS FOR LIVING

NANCY'S SEW CREATIVE Slipcovers for Living Dogs! Don't we love them. They are faithful, loving and loyal companions that bring us pure joy!

I have always had dogs. When I was a child, our dog was not allowed past the front door. Our neighbour's dog lived outside. It was not common for anyone to have more than one dog. Times have sure changed. We have had more than one dog for many years. They share our lives, our furniture and our bed.

www.nancysewcreative.com

250.655.1257 • nancysewcreative@gmail.com

Our weather here on the Island is temperate, but rain equals mud. I started manufacturing slipcovers when we moved here from Alberta. A couple of times a year, I can remove my fullyzippered slipcovers, wash them, and return them to my furniture clean and fresh. I also make elasticized covers for seat cushions. I like to put pads underneath. When removed, cushions are fresh and hair free. A pair of large arm covers extending to the back of the sofa or chair is included with each project.

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t c e f f e l k ar Sp Coming home to a house that Sparkles is everything!

This is a great time of year to refresh outdoor cushions. Sunbrella Furniture Fabric is fade, moisture and mold & mildew resistant. I offer a 15% reduction on labour cost until the end of February.

I would like to thank all of you that supported me in 2025, and I thank you for keeping your purchase local. I look forward to meeting new clients in 2026.

I want to wish all of you good health and much joy in the coming year.

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Living on this gorgeous Island, we’ve all learned to appreciate the finer things – towering cedars, ocean breezes, great food and a home that feels like a sanctuary. And if you’re anything like my Collectors, you want art that brings that same feeling indoors: original and unapologetically joyful.

I’m Marion Evamy, contemporary artist and owner of Red Art Gallery. For over two decades I’ve created bold, layered abstracts and spirited still lifes for people who prefer their art with a little personality – and a lot of colour. My paintings have been called “addictive,” “life-affirming,” and “dangerously joyful” – I’m good with that! “me!” originals now live in homes across the world, but nothing pleases me more than knowing they’ve settled in beautifully here on the Island – where people truly get the connection between art, community, and living well. And because giving back matters deeply to me, 25% of every sale supports local charities helping women, children and animals.

Don’t Miss It! Annual Winter Sale on now till Jan. 10 Enjoy 15% off most things in the store, including pre-paid bedding and towel orders!

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We have expanded our in-house services and now manufacture solid surface countertops.

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If you’re ready to bring home a piece that reflects your love of beauty, humour and West Coast soul, come visit Red Art Gallery or book a private appointment.

Just a warning: one painting often leads to another! www.redartgallery.ca

9544 Aurora Pl, N Saanich (call for appt.)

Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 43

SEASIDE STORIES Off the Land

Buy BC is Better:

A Conversation with Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture & Food WORDS JO BARNES PHOTOS COURTESY MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD When you think of British Columbia, what comes to mind? Mountains? The ocean? Lovely sunshine? All these iconic images of B.C. also guide us to selecting homegrown food and drink products when we shop.

Since 1993, the Buy BC program, with its recognizable logo of mountains, ocean and sunshine, has been building consumer awareness and demand for high-quality B.C. products. The Buy BC logo, in the familiar provincial flag colours of yellow, green and blue, provides a way to identify that a food or beverage is grown, raised or processed in the province.

The Buy BC program was one of several initiatives covered in a recent interview with Lana Popham, Minister of 44 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

Agriculture and Food. She discussed how the Buy BC and Feed BC programs were key in addressing the importance of the B.C. agrifood and seafood industry, expanding the domestic market for B.C. food and beverage products and promoting provincial food security.

“When the Buy BC program was first created, it was simple and effective. Its logo was on shopping bags and painted on barns,” shares Minister Popham.

“The program has helped British Columbians to better identify and choose products from B.C. It has grown over time, and the logo has made a great impact.

I saw a BC Lions football game against Saskatchewan. Buy BC material was shown on the field, in the stadiums, and on the printed materials!”

For many people, the American tariffs and their impact in the grocery store served to heighten consumer awareness.

“People are worried about the cost of food. It’s a global concern,” attests Minister Popham. “There has been a surge of interest every year as consumers decide to choose and buy B.C. products and also overall Canadian products. I am happy to see that.”

The Buy BC program began in 1993, but in 2002, the provincial government of the day discontinued funding for marketing and transferred the delivery and management of the program to the BC Agricultural Council. “The program was shelved by the former government. When I became minister in 2017, I brought the program back,” says Minister Popham.

So how does Buy BC work?

Producers, farmers and processors can apply to get the Buy BC logo and add it to their packaging and marketing materials, all for free. For producers and farmers, their products must be 100% grown, caught, or raised in B.C. For processors, their products must have at least 51% processing costs originating in B.C. Participating in the Buy BC program offers many benefits to farmers, producers and processors. “For participants in the program, it builds customer awareness of products, brings opportunities for province-wide marketing, and expands market share and sales,” outlines Minister Popham.

Since restarting the program, as Minister Popham shares, participation has significantly grown. “After the first year of restarting the program, there were 700 products carrying the Buy BC label. Now more than 11,000 food and beverage products carry the label and are in 400 retail stores.”

So, what’s the benefit to you, the consumer? The Buy BC

program makes it possible for you to not only find and buy fresh, quality products but also to strengthen your own community and provincial food system.

In addition to the Buy BC program, the provincial government has also been working hard, through its Feed BC program, to increase the use of B.C.-grown foods in hospitals, schools and other government facilities. “In 2017, I initiated this program. I had travelled around the province and the quality of food came up continually, especially the quality of hospital food and that it was not coming from B.C. Initially, it was low, only 10 to 13% of food products in these institutions were B.C. products. Now it’s up to 70%”, says Minister Popham.

Under this movement to buy B.C. products is the key idea of choosing to buy local which supports the local economy as well. “Right now, it’s a great time to buy local,” shares Minister Popham. “We have an abundance of B.C. products even in the winter.”

For Peninsula residents, despite the cooler weather, there’s still the opportunity to buy fresh locally grown food at farm stands and markets and grocery retailers. There’s a diversity of fresh, high-quality produce such as winter squash, kale, Swiss chard, leeks, carrots, onions, potatoes and apples.

In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture’s website offers recipes related to specific produce in season or using fresh locally grown offerings: https://buybc.gov.bc.ca/.

January is a great time to make resolutions and what better resolution to make than for Peninsula residents to support our provincial food growers and to buy local. The conversation with Minister Popham made it clear that it’s about more than a logo: it’s about being British Columbians and helping those who live here.

Does your community project need funds?

We are accepting grant applications now for projects that benefit Saanich Peninsula residents.

Since 2000 we have awarded over $310,000 in grants.

Through our grants program, we support programs and activities that benefit the residents of the Saanich Peninsula, in health and social services; arts and culture; education; conservation; and recreation.

If your organization is a registered charity with Canada Revenue Agency or a British Columbia not-for-profit organization and has been in operation for at least one year - we can help!

Find out if your group is eligible: sp-cf.ca/grants The grant application is an easy online form.

Application deadline February 28, 2026 All applications are considered on merit and in light of funds available for distribution. In general, grants are not allocated to the same organization more than three times in five years.

YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR GIFT • YOUR LEGACY • sp-cf.ca

Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 45

“Care starts at our door.

Finding parking shouldn’t complicate that.”

CARRIE TUCK Surgical Services Manager, Saanich Peninsula Hospital

Help us expand our surgical facilities...and our parking capacity. www.sphf.ca/donate

SEASIDE LIVING Screen Scene

The Heart of the Matter: Eternity WORDS TABATHA GOLAT Have you ever wondered where you would spend eternity if you had the choice? Or what might happen at the junction between life and whatever comes next? These are the questions at the heart of this month’s Screen Scene recommendation, Eternity, an A24 film directed by David Freyne (in theatres at the time of writing). The film takes a playful and thought-provoking approach to life after death while weaving humour, romance and reflection throughout, creating an entertaining and surprisingly moving story.

The film follows Larry and Joan, an elderly married couple who pass away within one week of each other. Larry, played by Miles Teller, dies first and arrives at “the junction,” a place where all recently deceased decide where they will spend eternity. He is assigned an Afterlife Coordinator (AC) who explains the rules and guides him through the process. Larry has seven days to choose his "eternity" and tries to wait for Joan, played by Elizabeth Olsen, so they can decide together. The junction is a blend of a train station and convention centre, with booths showcasing a range of potential eternities. Some are

hilarious, some mundane, and others surprisingly appealing, giving the filmmakers space for clever humour, inventive art direction, and a sense of wonder.

When Joan arrives, she meets her AC and – to her surprise – her first husband, Luke (Callum Turner), who died decades earlier in the Korean War. In the junction, visitors appear in the body they were happiest in on Earth, so Larry, Joan and Luke are all young again. Elizabeth Olsen shines in her role, conveying Joan’s decades of experience with complete believability. Her performance keeps the story grounded even as it navigates its clever, existential premise, balancing emotional depth with light-hearted charm.

The film is funny and reflective, never feeling heavy despite its philosophical undertones.

Larry and Luke vie for Joan’s attention as she must ultimately decide who and where she wants to spend her eternity, creating tension and comedy. The story is heartwarming and satisfying, leaving the audience reflecting on life, love and the choices we make long after the credits roll.

Light, charming and surprisingly funny, Eternity turns a seemingly heavy topic into a warm and accessible story. It left me considering my own eternity and what I would choose. I suspect mine would be full of dogs, laughter, and maybe a little mischief.

For fans of romantic comedies with a reflective twist, you might also enjoy: What Dreams May Come, Prime Yesterday, Netflix The Farewell, CBC Gem About Time, Prime The Good Place, Netflix

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418 Lands End Road, North Saanich | $5,950,000 3 Bedrooms, Oceanfront, 3,908 sq.ft., 1.08 acres

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SEASIDE STORIES

Inside 676 Squadron:

Building Leaders, One Cadet at a Time WORDS JUNE MURRAY DAGNALL PHOTOS WIND GYPSY PHOTOGRAPHY The Cadet Program is a dynamic program for young Canadians aged 12 to 18 across the country. Join Air Cadets and participate in exciting and challenging activities that you can't experience anywhere else!

At 676 Kittyhawk Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, located in North Saanich, leadership is not just taught, it is lived. This youth program, open to cadets ages 12 to 18, is proudly cadet-led. Senior cadets run parades, teach lessons and lead activities, while officers and civilian instructors are there to support, mentor and ensure safety.

The training year runs from September to June. Thursday evenings are the heart of the program and include opening parade, drill, announcements and three classroom lessons on topics such as aviation, leadership, first aid and 50 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

Promoting Healthy and Safe Experiences (PHASE). The first Thursday of each month is the Commanding Officer’s Parade which is a formal evening where promotions and awards are presented.

Optional Training Nights are provided where cadets can learn new skills.

Monday. Marksmanship, where Cadets practice using Daisy air rifles and may advance to zone or provincial competitions.

Tuesday. Aviation is led by a pilot and aviation volunteers, and cadets study aeronautics and train on flight simulators in preparation for glider and power pilot scholarship exams.

Wednesday. Band: The Cadets learn instruments, music theory and military marching while playing.

Sunday. Drill Team: Cadets learn precision marching and create programs to demonstrate PHOTO EMMA MAYER

M.P.

Please join an upcoming MP hosted community meeting. Share your views with Elizabeth May and your community members. Learn more from Elizabeth about her work in Ottawa and in the beautiful riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands.

Ask Elizabeth anything.

SAANICH-GULF ISLANDS

In November, the Effective Speaking Program begins, helping cadets develop public speaking confidence and compete locally and provincially.

Weekends often include leadership workshops, team building for first- and secondyear cadets, and field training exercises where cadets learn survival skills such as firebuilding, navigation and sheltermaking. Many of these activities are held in conjunction with other local squadrons.

While part of the program is funded by the Department of National Defence, the Squadron Sponsoring Committee works tirelessly to support the main building, supplemental equipment and fun events throughout the year. Cadets can also apply for summer training across Canada, from Vernon and HMCS Quadra to Whitehorse.

One of the greatest rewards of the program is watching shy 12-year-olds grow into confident leaders. While not all cadets pursue military careers, many move on to aviation, healthcare, trades and leadership roles within their communities.

676 Squadron is powered by passionate volunteers as well as officers, instructors, parents and past cadets who give their time to assist these remarkable youth. There is no cost to be part of the cadets, and the program, whether Sea, Army or Air, is fully inclusive of all genders, races, religions and backgrounds. All uniforms are provided free of charge.

The building where the Kittyhawk Squadron meets was built in the 1930s. The Sponsoring Committee is planning a significant fundraising drive to address needed repairs and remediation projects along with upgrades to the mechanical systems and plumbing which will likely exceed $500,000 once fully scoped. The Sponsoring Committee is a non-profit and registered charitable organization and is hopeful to receive support from the local community both in funding and required trades.

Visitors are always welcome.

For more information on how you can help, visit www.676kittyhawkrcac.com or contact the Sponsoring Committee via email at 676ssc@gmail.com.

GORDON HEAD Sunday, January 18 3:00pm-4:00pm Gordon Head Recreation Centre, Auditorium

BRENTWOOD BAY Monday, January 12 7:00pm–8:30pm Central Saanich Seniors Association, Upper Hall

SATURNA ISLAND Monday, January 19 7:00pm-8:30pm Saturna Community Hall

MAYNE ISLAND Wednesday, January 14 7:00pm–8:30pm Mayne Island Community Centre GALIANO ISLAND Thursday, January 15 7:00pm–8:30pm Galiano Community Hall

PENDER ISLAND Wednesday, January 21 5:00pm-6:30pm Pender Islands Community Hall SIDNEY Thursday, January 22 7:00pm-8:30pm Mary Winspear Centre SALT SPRING ISLAND Friday, January 23 5:00pm-6:30pm Gulf Islands Secondary School, Multipurpose Room

If you have any questions, please call or email Elizabeth.May.C1@parl.gc.ca

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SEASIDE LIVING Earth Matters

The To-Read List

One step forward, three steps back. That is the rhythm of my to-read list.

WORDS TINA KELLY

In 2025, I worked hard to shrink the list below 100 titles but with the constant stream of new publications, it’s ballooned to 137.

These science and naturefocused books await reading in 2026.

Vanishing Treasures: A Bestiary of Extraordinary Endangered Creatures, Katherine Rundell Already in my hands, I’m poised to start this “rare and magical book.” So says the quote on the book jacket from the prolific and hilarious Bill Bryson. 23 chapters highlight the diversity of animals facing environmental challenges including wombats, wolves, seahorses and elephants.

Rundell commits that half of this book’s author royalties will go, in perpetuity, to charities pushing back on climate change and environmental destruction, one sea-based and one land-based.

Nursery Earth: The Wondrous Lives of Baby Animals and the Extraordinary Ways They Shape Our World, Danna Staaf Scientist Staaf was featured on CBC’s Quirks and Quarks. The segment “Ugly Babies: A new book looks at cute-challenged but fascinating baby animals” caught my attention. As stated, some young animals may not all be cute, but Staaf argues some baby animals are not simply smaller versions of

the adult but “beings in their own right,” with connections, purposes and importance linked to their early life stages.

To Have or to Hold: Nature’s Hidden Relationships, Sophie Pavelle Species rarely, if ever, live in isolation. Ecology shows us much of the natural world is interconnected with other species and their physical environment. Pavelle’s book highlights symbiotic relationships between species and asks the question: what can nature teach us about living together?

The Life-Affirming Magic of Birds: and the Extraordinary Things They Can Teach Us, Charlie Bingham

make and use sound. But what does the impact of humancaused ocean noise have on ocean ecosystems? For a taste of her science journalism, visit www.amorinakingdon.com.

Close to Home: The Wonders of Nature Just Outside Your Door, Thor Hanson A finch chirps away on my ninth-floor balcony – can’t get much closer to home! The blurb on this book’s dust jacket starts: “We all live on nature’s doorstep but we often overlook it. From backyards to local parks, the natural places we see the most may well be the ones we know the least.” The chapters are organized into three parts – seeing, exploring

and restoring with a goal of retraining our eyes to look out for nature.

Wild Cities: Discovering New Ways of Living in Modern Urban Jungle, Chris Fitch Wild Cities couldn’t be newer: it published in November.

Keeping a connection to nature as the urban landscape expands is the focus of this book. Fitch travels the globe to learn firsthand about cities applying nature-based solutions and in the process offers hope for nature in cities.

The read and to-read lists ebb and flow. Will this year see these books move from one to the other?

Birds are accessible to everyone! If you look or listen, birds are all around and above us. When I get to this read, the first chapter that will greet me features a favourite – the oystercatcher. 12 chapters, 12 birds, 12 lessons learned. This book aims to open our eyes, inspire awe and promote a renewed fascination with the winged among us.

Sing Like Fish: How Sound Rules Life Under Water, Amora Kingdon A Victoria-based author, Kingdon is an award-winning science journalist. In Sing Like Fish, she showcases the acoustic abilities of marine life and surprise: it’s not just whales. Even fish and shrimp

Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 53

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SPONSORED CONTENT In Good Health

When the Holidays Reveal Hearing Trouble:

Why the New Year is a Perfect Time for a Fresh Start with Hear Inc. WORDS PAMELA MARTIN BLUE JELLYFISH SUP ADVENTURES The holiday season is filled with laughter, conversation and the comforting sounds of family traditions. It’s one of the few times of year when we gather around the table with people we love, leaning in to share stories, jokes and memories. But for many, those festive moments also come with an unexpected wake-up call: realizing their hearing isn’t what it used to be.

If you found yourself nodding along even when you didn’t quite catch what was said, or feeling unusually worn out after trying to follow conversations at busy dinners, you’re not alone.

The holidays tend to highlight hearing difficulties because they bring together all the things that challenge our ears – background noise, overlapping voices, music, clattering dishes and quick, animated conversations.

HOLIDAY MOMENTS THAT SEND A MESSAGE Many people notice subtle but important changes during the holiday season: • Asking loved ones to repeat themselves; • Feeling left out of fast-moving conversations; • Turning up the TV to hear movies clearly; • Missing punchlines, details or shared stories • Feeling mentally drained from straining to listen.

These aren’t just “getting older” moments. They are meaningful signs that your hearing, or your ability to process what you hear, may need support.

WHY IT MATTERS MORE THAN YOU THINK Hearing is deeply connected to our confidence, our relationships and our sense of belonging. When it becomes difficult to follow conversations, people often withdraw. They participate less, stop initiating conversations or avoid gatherings where listening requires extra effort. Even in a room full of family, it’s possible to feel surprisingly isolated.

But hearing difficulties aren't always caused by damaged hearing. For some people, the challenge is actually in how the brain interprets sound. This is known as auditory processing, and it affects how clearly we can understand speech, especially in noisy environments like holiday dinners.

WHERE HEAR INC. COMES IN Located right here on the Peninsula, Hear Inc. offers something uniquely valuable: a deep, holistic and comprehensive approach to hearing and auditory processing. Their team specializes in:

SIDNEY CENTRE FAMILY DENTISTRY • Auditory Processing Assessments; • Advanced Hearing Testing; • Tinnitus & Sound Sensitivity Support; • Personalized Hearing Solutions; • Therapy and Training Programs.

Many clients come to Hear Inc. after basic audiometric testing indicates they can “hear” perfectly well, yet still struggle to understand speech in restaurants, meetings, classrooms, or family gatherings.

Hear Inc.’s detailed assessments, including their specialized auditory processing evaluation, provide answers, clarity, and options.

A NEW YEAR, A NATURAL MOMENT FOR CHANGE January always brings a sense of renewal. After the rush of December, it’s a time when many of us start fresh with new goals for health and well-being. It’s also the perfect moment to take a closer look at your hearing or auditory processing.

A hearing assessment at Hear Inc. is: • Thorough – 60 to 90 minutes with one of our experienced audiologists for the initial testing; • Comfortable – no pain, pressure, or discomfort; • Highly informative – you’ll understand exactly what’s working well and what could use support.

Clients often say they feel relief simply from understanding why listening has become harder – and that clarity alone begins to restore confidence.

TODAY’S TECHNOLOGY & TRAINING ARE BETTER THAN EVER If hearing aids are recommended, today’s

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devices are smart, discreet and incredibly effective. They adapt to your environment, manage listening in background noise, and make speech easier to understand – all without interrupting your lifestyle.

But for many people, Hear Inc.’s auditory processing programs are just as important. Through targeted exercises and therapy, clients can strengthen how their brain decodes sound, leading to major improvements in: • Speech clarity; • Understanding in noisy spaces; • Following rapid or complex conversations; • Listening stamina and mental energy.

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A GIFT TO YOURSELF FOR THE YEAR AHEAD Better hearing, clearer understanding and less listening fatigue make every day easier, not just holidays. If this season made you realize you might be missing out on important moments, the New Year is an ideal time to take action.

A simple assessment at Hear Inc. could be the first step toward: • Reconnecting more easily with family and friends; • Feeling confident in conversations again; • Reducing stress and mental fatigue; • Enjoying the richness and detail in everyday sounds.

If you’re ready to make 2026 your most connected year yet, Hear Inc. is ready to help – with expertise, compassion and a full-circle approach to hearing and auditory wellness.

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SEASIDE LIVING There’s something magical about a new year, not because it demands a “new you,” but because it invites a deeper alignment with who you already are.

Instead of forcing resolutions or hustling into unrealistic changes, 2026 can be the year you craft a wellness vision that’s rooted in self-compassion, clarity and sustainable habits. Let’s create a game plan that actually feels good to follow.

1. Start With Self-Compassion (no more resolution burnout).

We’ve all had that moment: January 1 arrives, and suddenly we’re meant to overhaul our diet, wake up at 5 a.m., meditate for 30 minutes, and somehow also join a pottery class. Cue overwhelm. Cue guilt. Cue abandonment of the goals.

Before you set any intention, take a moment to acknowledge: • What you’re already carrying • What you’ve been through • What you’ve learned

A helpful question: “What one to three habits would make everything else in my life feel easier?” That’s your foundation.

Instead of rigid resolutions, let’s create a vision with flexibility, humanity, and space for real life.

3. Identify your core wellness themes. Examples: • Energy • Peace • Strength • Connection • Creativity • Vitality Pick two to three that feel alive for you.

• Theme: Energy. Actions: morning sunlight, more protein at breakfast, movement breaks at work.

• Theme: Peace. Actions: breathwork, phone-free evenings, nature walks.

Actions are pathways ... not perfection metrics.

5. Identify Energy Drains (and gently release them).

2. Choose Attainable, Foundational Health Goals.

Foundational goals are the ones that quietly hold everything else together.

They’re not flashy, but they’re powerful. And attainable equals doable. Think:

• Overcommitment • People-pleasing • Social media spirals • Poor sleep boundaries • Unfinished tasks lingering in the background • Clutter (physical or mental) • Self-criticism • Relationships that take far more than they give

These are the goals that stabilize your physiology so the rest of your life feels more grounded.

Creating a Wellness Vision for 2026 A compassionate roadmap for a healthier, calmer, more energized you.

WORDS DR. MARITA SCHAUCH, ND TALL TREE INTEGRATED HEALTH CENTRE

4. Create supportive actions – not rules! For example:

Wellness goals work best when they emerge from care, not criticism. Try this prompt to reflect: “What does the 2026 version of me deserve more of?” Rest, energy, laughter, community, strength, peace? Let that answer guide everything else.

• More consistent sleep (before optimizing your morning routine).

• Regular real food meals and stable blood sugar before trying a complex nutrition plan.

• Daily movement before training for anything intense.

• Hydration and minerals before fancy supplements.

• Nervous system regulation before big productivity pushes.

The Natural Path

This part is often overlooked, but it’s essential. You can’t step into a new vision while carrying what’s chronically depleting you. Energy drains might include:

• Having an accountability partner in a friend or family member.

• A calendar reminder for joybased activities.

Small rituals build momentum.

Momentum builds confidence.

Confidence builds change.

This year, instead of striving for a “better” you, aim for a truer you.

Some goals may shift; some intentions may deepen; some habits may take longer than expected. That’s part of being human.

“Every day, more people in need are living on the edge – without a doctor, without a safe place to heal. I see it firsthand,” Dr. Chris Fraser, Cool Aid Medical Director

Ask yourself: “What consistently leaves me feeling heavy, tense or drained?”

The Dr. Joe Centre at Crosstown will provide life-saving medical care, critical mental health support, and a path to recovery for those who need it most.

6. Anchor Your Vision With Accountability. Try:

Construction is almost complete, and the doors will open this spring — but only with your support.

• A monthly “self-audit” where you reflect on what’s working.

• A quarterly wellness checkin with a practitioner (sleep, stress, labs, nutrition).

• Journaling or voice notes to track internal shifts.

We’re 75% of the way there. Your gift will help bring muchneeded health care to our community.

Donate today at coolaid.org/crosstown-campaign/ Cool Aid: Housing, health care, and connection for our community.

Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 57

SEASIDE STORIES New & Noteworthy

News, Changes, Updates, Launches

Have something for New & Noteworthy?

Email noteworthy@ seasidemagazine.ca.

WORDS JUNE MURRAY DAGNALL

20 YEARS OF LEGO® MAGIC AT THE SIDNEY MUSEUM This year marks the 20th anniversary of the LEGO® Brick Exhibit at the Sidney Museum, running through March 2026. By popular demand, the Community Creations display is returning – and the museum wants your LEGO® masterpieces to shine!

Community members of all ages are invited to take part in the annual LEGO® Brick Exhibition by submitting their original builds to be showcased in the museum.

A HISTORIC MILESTONE FOR VHF AT VISIONS GALA The Victoria Hospitals Foundation made history in November, raising an unprecedented $3.6 million in support of expanded robotic surgery and enhanced oncology care at Victoria General Hospital (VGH) and Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH), the primary referral centres for Vancouver Island. This landmark achievement reflects the incredible generosity and

commitment of the community.

These vital investments will help ensure that more patients across the Island can access cutting-edge treatments and world-class medical technology close to home, reducing travel burdens and improving health outcomes. The evening’s success marks a significant step forward in strengthening specialized care for families in building a healthier future for all Islanders.

NEW BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: PHO BREEZE VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT The original Sea Breeze Vietnamese Cuisine opened on February 1, 2024, and earned praise for its authentic dishes.

It closed in March 2025 due to operational challenges. The same location on Fifth Street in Sidney has now reopened as Pho Breeze Vietnamese Restaurant. It features a refreshed menu combining traditional Vietnamese favourites, including pho and vermicelli bowls, with exciting new additions such as wings and Dungeness crab specials. The restaurant brings a modern twist while

maintaining the authentic flavours that diners loved.

Pho’s Chef brings a passion for Vietnamese cuisine, blending traditional recipes with modern presentation. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted using the finest ingredients to deliver an exceptional dining experience.

YOUR VOICE, YOUR TOWN The Town of Sidney Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, January 13, and Tuesday, January 27. These meetings are open to the public, offering a great opportunity to stay informed about municipal decisions, community planning, and local initiatives. Whether you’re interested in upcoming projects, budget updates or town policies, attending a council meeting is a firsthand way to engage with the decisions shaping Sidney.

ARTSEA GALLERY SEASONAL PAUSE The ArtSea Gallery located along Sidney’s picturesque waterfront will be closed until March 5, 2026. This seasonal closure allows the gallery to refresh exhibitions and prepare for an exciting new lineup for the rest of the year.

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SEASIDE STORIES

A History of Mahara Woodlands, North Saanich

This prime seaside property on Tsehum (Shoal) Harbour, comprising 180 acres in the 1860s, has had four owners since 1920, all of them from the British Isles.

WORDS RICHARD MACKIE

The first two owners were Scottish immigrants, miller James Bryden and sheep farmer Adam Ross, and in 1920, Esther Tryon (18811958) of the Nottinghamshire landed gentry, bought the property. She was the daughter of Sir Henry and Lady Adela Bromley; her father was the fifth baronet Bromley. In 1904 her naval officer brother Arthur Bromley, stationed at Esquimalt, married Maye Dunsmuir, daughter of James Dunsmuir. Overnight, Esther Tryon found herself a sisterin-law to the Dunsmuirs, the family that built Craigdarroch and Hatley castles.

Esther Bromley met Charles Tryon while in Victoria for Arthur’s wedding, and married him a year later. Tryon came from a distinguished English family with substantial B.C. connections: his father was Admiral Robert Tryon, RN, and his mother, Henrietta Prevost, was the daughter of Admiral James Charles Prevost, RN – after whom Prevost Island in the Gulf Islands and Mt.

Prevost in the Cowichan Valley were named.

A widow when she bought this property in 1920, Esther Tryon hired Victoria architect Hubert Savage to build a cottage overlooking Tsehum Harbour in 1932. In 1938 Esther sold the estate – then consisting of 96 acres – for $7,000 to Leslie Wentworth Gaze. Born in Australia, Leslie Gaze grew up in New Zealand and started his stage career in 1900 at the Lyric Theatre, London. For the next decade he performed extensively in light operas and musical comedies before becoming a silent film actor.

His colleagues included Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Dame Nellie Melba, Enrico Caruso, and Arthur Hammerstein.

In 1914, Leslie Gaze married Alta Tomlinson, known as Bunny, and had two daughters, living in New Zealand and Australia before moving to Pasadena in 1923, where Leslie resumed his career as a baritone soloist. After the Wall Street crash, he became a successful stockbroker.

2173 Tryon Road, 2019. Photo by Alexander Mackie

2173 Tryon Road from Tsehum Harbour, 2024 (A). Photo by Maryan Van Stolk 60 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

2173 Tryon Road, circa 1955. Photo courtesy Sally Barratt-Boyes

Captain James Douglas Prentice on HMCS Chambly, part of the Newfoundland Escort Force. Photo courtesy Library and Archives Canada, 204284

Prentice Hilliard family after a family wedding in Toronto. Courtesy Times Colonist

Derek and Chris Barratt-Boyes at their 1951 wedding at Mahara Woodlands (2173 Tryon Road) with Tsehum Harbour behind. Photo courtesy Sally Barratt-Boyes

Mackie family at 2173 Tryon Road, October 1975. Clockwise L-R- Alexander, Richard, George, Quentin, Rachel. Photo by Gillian Mackie

Leslie Gaze, circa 1905. From The Family History of Madeleine Dobbs, Courtesy Elisa Parhad

Alta Gaze (1885–1948), circa 1910.

Courtesy Elisa Parhad

In 1938 Leslie and Bunny bought this Tryon Road property, which they named Mahara Woodlands – Mahara being a Maori word meaning “memory” or “recollection.”

They enlarged Esther Tryon’s original cottage, adding a music and performance room, which has been described as one of the finest rooms in coastal British Columbia.

It features a cutaway stage where family, friends and guests rehearsed songs and stage performances.

Daughter Gwen Gaze (19152010) was married out of this house in 1944 to Martin Straith of the well-known Victoria business, Straith’s Fine Clothing. In her Hollywood career, Gwen Gaze starred with John Wayne and William Boyd (Hopalong Cassidy).

Bunny Gaze died in 1948, and a year later Leslie married

Edna Barratt Boyes, wellknown in repertory in New Zealand. In 1957, Leslie Gaze died while on a visit to New Zealand, and Edna sold Mahara Woodlands to Captain James Douglas Prentice and his wife Patricia for $22,500.

Born in Victoria in 1899, Prentice was the son of the rancher and politician, Hon. James Douglas Prentice (18611911), a cabinet minister in Premier McBride’s government.

His mother, Mabel Galpin, was the daughter of a London publisher who owned the Gang Ranch in B.C.’s Cariboo region.

After an early education at University School in Victoria, in 1912 young J.D. Prentice (known as Douglas or Chummy) was sent to England to train as a naval cadet. He participated in the Battle of Jutland in 1916 and, in 1925, married Patricia Darby, a

direct descendent of Admiral Sir Henry D’Esterre Darby (1749-1823), who commanded HMS Bellerophon at the Battle of the Nile in 1798.

During Depression-era austerity, LieutenantCommander Douglas Prentice retired from the Royal Navy in 1934 and he and Patricia and their two children managed the Gang Ranch until war broke out in 1939. Prentice was one of the most distinguished Canadian naval officers of the Second World War. In command of HMCS Chambly and HMCS Ottawa, he sank four German U-boats, for which he received the DSO (Distinguished Service Order) and DSC (Distinguished Service Cross).

In 1946, Captain and Mrs Prentice returned to B.C., and in 1957 bought Mahara Woodlands from Leslie and Nan

Gaze. The Prentices gradually sold most of their 43 acres.

In 1968 they offered for sale a five-acre lot, comprising a house and cottage, waterfront dock, and a four-acre field. My parents, George and Gillian Mackie, bought it. My parents had married in 1955 when they were both graduate students in Zoology at the University of Oxford, and a year later George accepted a job at the University of Alberta. A marine biologist, he was anxious to be nearer the ocean, and in 1968 he was hired at the University of Victoria.

Our family moved to Tryon Road in the spring of 1969. In September 2024 we put the two remaining waterfront acres – all that remains of the original Mahara Woodlands estate of 180 acres – up for sale, and this fine old house is now ready to open a new chapter in its fascinating history.

Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 61

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Part Two welcomes the new year with timeless Danish design, fresh silhouettes, coastal neutrals, and effortless essentials crafted for every day. A wardrobe reset made simple: refined, versatile, and ready for whatever 2026 brings.

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SEASIDE LIVING Little Adventures

Bath Time … Bliss?!

WORDS CASSIDY NUNN PHOTO NUNN OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY

“Ready for your coffee milk mama? It’s an extra hot, caramel, cinnamon, oat, soy latte!” My girls, aged two and five, giggle as they each hand me a mug overflowing with foamy bubbles. Their hair is wet and plastered to their faces, bath bubbles adorn their heads like soapy crowns and cling to their shoulders in dollops. The bathroom floor is soaked and covered in traces of bubbles – the nightly bath time “coffee” making extravaganza often becomes an exuberant event with a lot of splashing, singing, bubble throwing and general goofiness that escalates. And while part of me is itching to wipe the mess up immediately, I work on my tolerance of mess and instead take a deep breath, sit on a step stool beside the edge of the tub and pretend to gulp down my “coffee.” I end up with a glob of bubbles on the tip of my nose and the girls collapse in another fit of hysteria. Our puppy hears the commotion

and comes racing down the hallway, his nails skittering along the floor as he bursts through the door and nearly jumps into the tub. I scramble off the stool to grab his collar, spilling my “coffee” in the process, adding to the growing pond on the bathroom floor.

Pre-kids I always envisioned bath time as the calming, winding down to our busy days. I bought the lavender, extra soothing, extra sleepy time type of kids bubble bath – anything that promised to help promote a soothing effect on my rambunctious bath time baristas. But the bubbles definitely do not seem to have that effect on my kids. As they continue to laugh and splash, mixing their bubbles into a variety of concoctions and potions, I think of how ironic it is that no less than five minutes ago they were protesting bath time as if it were a form of torture. I know the protests are merely because it’s signalling the end of the day with bedtime

to follow, but the ritual and routine of a nightly bath time is something I’m not willing to give up on quite yet. I love experiencing the creativity that comes out of watching them play with a few simple toys and bubbles, listening as their imaginative minds create stories and characters, games and songs. Of course there’s often sibling squabbles and epic protests against the necessary hair washes, but it’s a time for connection at the end of the day. Sometimes we listen to music and have (seated) dance parties; other times I’ll light a few candles, the girls will throw in some bath salts and we’ll create the “spa” experience (yet another one of my ploys to try to create a more calming bedtime!). Other times they’re drumming on the back of bowls and singing so loudly I’m sure the entire neighbourhood can hear their chorus.

There are signs that we’re reaching the end of these bath time nights with my

oldest – she’s already opting for a quick evening shower on any night it’s offered over the tub, and she’s begun negotiating how many nights a week a bath is required.

It doesn’t feel like that long ago that we were giving her first bath at home – the baby bath nestled within the big bathtub, checking and then re-checking the temperature of the water, first-time parents absolutely paranoid we’d get it wrong. She was so tiny and fragile, but it was easy to see how the warm water was instantly soothing. There were days when she’d be so upset, but as soon as you put her in a warm bath, she’d settle right down, kicking her little legs and delighting in the splashes she’d create.

So for now I’ll continue to embrace the soggy floors and bubble beards, the cacophony that is bathtime in our household. I’ll take a soapy latte from my girls any night, the perfect pre-bed treat.

Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 63

SEASIDE FLAVOUR Off the Vine

Moderation Over Abstinence:

How Low-Alcohol Wines Got It Right

Dry January has always struck me as needlessly punitive. The concept, launched by British charity Alcohol Change UK in 2013, asks wine lovers to abandon one of life's great pleasures during the year's most miserable month.

It's a hard sell, even if the health benefits are real.

WORDS RICHARD HOPE

But here's the thing: the beverage industry heard "moderation" when consumers said "Dry January," and they've responded with something far more compelling than abstinence: low-alcohol wines that deliver authentic flavour at six to 11% ABV. Non-alcoholic alternatives have been around since Prohibition, when American brewers boiled off alcohol to create "near-beer." Wine followed decades later, though early versions were notoriously thin and unsatisfying. It turns out removing alcohol also removes body and structure – the very qualities that make wine, well, wine.

Low-alcohol wine solves this elegantly. By keeping some alcohol while reducing it from standard 13 to 15% levels, these wines retain authenticity, structure and mouthfeel.

Nearly half of Canadian wine drinkers are actively choosing to consume less alcohol, and the market is increasingly providing better options for consumers.

What's surprising is that some of the best low-alcohol

wine options have been around for a long time.

German Rieslings represent perhaps the pinnacle of naturally low-alcohol winemaking. From the steep, slate-covered slopes of the Mosel Valley, these wines have been celebrated for centuries for achieving remarkable complexity at just seven to nine percent ABV. The secret lies in cool climate viticulture. Mosel's northern latitude and vineyard elevations allow grapes to develop intense flavors and pronounced acidity while maintaining lower sugar levels.

When fermented, these lowersugar grapes naturally yield less alcohol, producing wines with excellent clarity and layers of fruit and floral notes.

Funnily enough, B.C.'s climate is also highly suitable for similar wines, with Rieslings from Unsworth and Tantalus well worth checking out.

Portuguese Vinho Verde offers another naturally low-alcohol option, though with an entirely different character. These wines from Portugal's lush Minho region are a bit lower in alcohol (nine to 11% ABV), with high acidity, a slight

effervescence and refreshing citrus and green apple notes.

The grapes for Vinho Verde are harvested early and quickly bottled, producing wines meant to be consumed young.

They are light, refreshing, and ideally paired with seafood or spicy foods.

Bartier Bros over in Oliver, B.C., produce a light piquette that is an interesting take on low alcohol wine. Piquette was traditionally the cheapest wine available in ancient Rome. Known as Lora, it was a lower-quality wine made from grapes that had already been pressed once for wine.

Today, Bartier Bros produce a light and refreshing wine that is enhanced with carbonation and, coming in at a low ABV of 4.2%, it’s perfect for the January blues.

The beauty of low-alcohol wines is that they don't demand sacrifice. You can enjoy a second glass at dinner without worrying about the morning after, or pour freely at a weekend lunch without writing off the rest of the day. They're wines that fit into life rather than requiring adjustments to

accommodate them.

Whether it's a crisp Mosel Riesling, a zesty Vinho Verde, or one of B.C.'s own lowalcohol offerings, these wines prove that moderation doesn't mean settling for less. It just means being more thoughtful about what you're drinking.

And that's a resolution worth keeping long after January ends.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Tantalus Riesling Tantalus are coming up to 100 years of operations in 2027 and continue to produce light, refreshing white wines from British Columbia. Perfect with a charcuterie and a cheese board.

Aveleda – Casal Garcia Vinho Verde A white wine bursting with notes of citrus.

Surprisingly excellent with tonic or as a light cocktail.

Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 65

Local Flavour: Feature of the Month ADRIENNE'S RESTAURANT & TEA GARDEN AT MATTICK'S FARM Where We Come From: Bill Mattick, born in Saskatchewan, moved to Victoria with his family and later purchased, christened and cleared Mattick's Farm, on which he grew flowers and vegetables. After deciding it was unnecessary to sell produce through a middleman, Bill built a log cabin and the main market building with a parking lot attached to sell his produce.

He opened a roadside stand in 1957 where our place is today, added a tea garden, and over the decades the business grew into Adrienne's Restaurant & Tea Garden which includes a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon high tea, a bakery and deli, and an ice cream parlour.

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SEASIDE LIVING

Make the Most of Your Doctor's Appointment While Helping Fix the Healthcare Crisis WORDS DR. CHRIS PENGILLY (RETIRED) That there is currently a family doctor shortage is indisputable, but there is also a significant shortage of practitioners of almost every area of healthcare delivery.

The solution is simple – just hire a few thousand more doctors and many more of the other healthcare deliverers; but you know, and I know, that that's not going to happen. It cannot. There are simply not enough dollars in the treasury, or qualified warm bodies available – medical progress, for which we are all grateful, has outstripped the ability to provide for it.

One solution is to make all healthcare practitioners more efficient, and therefore more productive. I will concentrate on family physicians, since my 50 years of general practice has left me with a decent knowledge of office visit stumbles that can waste hands-on time – which should be a very important part of every visit, be it a handshake, a pulse check or a full examination.

Let's start with an office visit. Before coming to the clinic, prepare a legible list of concerns, clearly stating which is your major worry. This list is best given to the practice nurse, who will triage it. Some problems may be referred directly to other healthcare

practitioners. Cardiovascular concerns will prompt the staff to measure height, weight and blood pressure prior to the patient seeing the doctor.

The family doctor can help as well. There is a growing mindset change. Singlehanded practitioners are less efficient than a group working as a team. A new patient registering will state their family doctor as a clinic rather than a single physician. In a group of about eight doctors, one of the ancillary staff could be responsible for reviewing and reminding all the patients concerning immunizations, an area of healthcare that has been crowded out by Covid and anti-vaxxers, amongst other factors. Many immunizations, I am glad to say, are now being undertaken by pharmacists.

Another voracious wasting of clinical time is the chore of keeping tedious, but vital, written records. One solution would be for the clinic to employ a dedicated stenographer. They do not come cheaply but they do save a lot of clinical time.

For many years I've used voice recognition, which has leapt ahead in the past five or 10 years. Recently there is even more remarkable electronic help

– namely artificial intelligence.

An office visit can be recorded (with the patient’s express consent) and at the end of the visit, within moments, a comprehensive safe permanent written record can be produced.

alcohol moderately and most importantly of all to exercise regularly. This can be doable.

Walking for half an hour (three kilometres) three times a week will definitely be effective and is achievable.

What can we as patients do to help the system?

We are all living longer and on the whole better, but this comes at a price. The later decades of life are medically costly. One obvious example is joint replacements, but there is a long list including cataract surgery, chronic disease management of diabetes, nonsurgical intervention for angina and rheumatoid type arthritis. Also in this group are the dementia illnesses, for which medical research is not successfully able to find a cause or a cure.

When visiting the doctor’s office, clearly state what your main concern is and stick to that only.

Try using virtual office visits with telephone, FaceTime or Zoom.

Explore other forms of treatment using other health practitioners: diabetic foot care by a podiatrist, earwax and swimmers’ ear by an audiologist, athletic injuries by physiotherapist, nutritional concerns by a nutritionist, and pregnancy and neonatal care by a midwife.

Another way of avoiding or minimizing the need to see a doctor is to eat healthily, drink

Life in Canada at the moment is chaotic, but through it all Medicare must be preserved. It will be preserved and we can all help out a little bit at a time.

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Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 67

SEASIDE LIVING Well Read

The Truth of Fiction WORDS JACKIE LAPLANTE A friend once said she couldn’t trust anyone who didn’t read fiction.

When I asked why, her response was that fiction teaches us how to live.

Meeting a character can remind us what others face.

John Boyne’s The Elements asks the reader to consider crime from four perspectives: the enabler, the accomplice, the perpetrator and the victim. The four linked novellas are named for the classical elements, and the characters are cleverly connected.

“Water” follows a woman whose husband has been convicted of a crime. She retreats to a small Irish island to explore her unwitting, perhaps unconscious, facilitation of the incident. The peripheral trauma experienced by her daughter will surface in “Air”.

“Earth” sees a young athlete leaving home, confronting his own sexuality and the extent of what he will do for love as he is drawn into an assault perpetrated by a teammate. Finally, in “Fire,” a successful surgeon’s childhood trauma becomes the catalyst for her own criminal activity.

This all sounds very grim, but Boyne keeps the crimes

68 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

themselves off the page, concentrating on developing characters in ways that provoke the reader to examine their own responses to the crimes. Yes, an adult who preys on children is a monster.

And of course, his spouse should have known – but would we be willing to blind ourselves if voicing concern may jeopardize a beautiful life?

And yes, predation is a crime, but what if that perpetrator was, themself, a victim of unforgiveable crimes in youth?

And if that perpetrator is a woman?

Boyne artfully adds little surprises about each character so that just when the reader has assessed the character, there is a twist that causes reconsideration.

The timely snippets of information give the novel a thrillerlike readability, yet there is still scope for the reader to make thoughtful connections with the characters, and to assess them as human beings, no matter their culpability in their own stories.

Boyne’s strength is that each character finds a redemption that suits their situation – a promise to the reader that there is scope for all of us to find the same.

The three books below lead their characters to eventual self-understanding. From a Chinese Vancouverite’s WWI experience, to a creative but honest documentation of Elsie Jane’s grief to a woman’s journey through mental illness, buoyed by the tough love of her family, these are stories where the reader can develop with the character.

1. The Riveter by Jack Wang 2. What Remains of Elsie Jane

by Chelsea Wakelyn 3. Sorrow and Bliss

by Meg Mason

FREE DOWNSIZING SEMINAR Navigating the Downsizing Journey: Join Our FREE Seminar Date: Thursday, January 29th, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM Location: Mary Winspear Center RSVP: Call 250-893-5540 or email helmsingrealestate@gmail.com Light Snacks Provided Key Topics Covered: Buying or Selling First: Financial considerations and creative solutions to ease the financial burden of downsizing Making the Move Easy: Strategies to secure your new home before selling your current one — all on your preferred timelines Maximizing Home Value: Tips for a profitable sale and how to optimize the value of your current home Outsourcing Logistics: Letting professionals handle the details

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WORDS JUNE MURRAY DAGNALL There’s a growing global awareness around the vital role of the pelvic floor in overall well-being. Once surrounded by silence and stigma and often neglected due to limited funding and insufficient focus on women’s health, the pelvic floor is now being increasingly acknowledged for its essential role in health and quality of life. There is a growing number of articles featured in prominent women’s health publications, a significant rise in educational podcasts, and the emergence of FemTech – a rapidly developing sector at the intersection of female healthcare and innovative technology, aimed at addressing long-standing needs that have not been properly treated.

Pelvic health issues affect millions of people. The body should not have bladder leakage, and these symptoms may indicate dysfunction in the pelvic floor. Research consistently shows that many people don’t know what the pelvic floor is, or how important it is to their health. UROSPOT is here to change this narrative by putting pelvic health front and centre.

UROSPOT integrates advanced technology, evidence-based education and personalized health coaching to help both women and men address issues such as bladder leakage, urgency, prolapse and other pelvic floor disorders. Their approach is a non-invasive, fully clothed treatment with no

internal procedures or physical contact. Care is delivered by a team of skilled professionals, including Nurses, Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists, and Physiotherapy Assistants, all working together to support each client’s individual journey to wellness.

A key element of the UROSPOT treatment is the “Kegel Throne,” a specialized medical chair approved by Health Canda, to restore the connection between the brain, bladder and pelvic floor.

Throughout the treatment, clients remain seated comfortably and experience the equivalent of 11,000 pelvic floor muscle contractions, commonly known as “kegels,” for 28 minutes, effectively strengthening these critical muscles. After six sessions, 95% of clients reported a significant quality of life improvement, and best of all, the chair does the work for you! Pelvic health matters, and now you can take back control one session at a time.

The UROSPOT care model is designed to help individuals regain control, confidence and quality of life through a strong and healthy pelvic floor. Everyone deserves to feel strong, supported and in control. A pelvic health journey with UROSPOT begins with one simple step. Call for a free 40-minute consultation with a Pelvic Health Expert. It’s your body, your strength, and your pelvic health journey, so own it!

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SEASIDE STORIES Charity Connections

West Coast REACH Association:

REACHing Out Through Music “Music and performing arts have such potential and power to touch hearts and change lives,” says Anne-Marie Brimacombe, “and REACH does that so effectively.”

WORDS & PHOTOS WEST COAST REACH ASSOCIATION

Founded in 2017 by Sidney residents Anne-Marie and Peter Brimacombe, West Coast REACH Association now produces seven dynamic programs with three unique performing groups throughout Greater Victoria and on the Peninsula. They also produce two major shows annually, and REACH performers are featured in many other community events throughout the year.

REACH brings people together through music, from all sectors of the community. About half of the 40-member REACH! All-Abilities Performing Company have a significant disability. The others are members of the community who love music and people,

including a number of very experienced performers. A Youth Mentorship Program also gives young performers in their 20s and early 30s an opportunity to develop their performance and show production skills, experience working with others in this group with very different abilities, and to solo in REACH shows. Songs with positive messages are chosen, and simple choreography and sign language are incorporated into their performances.

“Audiences are amazed and uplifted by the positive energy, joy and calibre of this very diverse and unique group” says Anne-Marie. “So many cheers and tears!”

REACH also has a Children’s Chorus including seven- to 13-year-olds on the Saanich

Peninsula who love performing and making a positive difference in the community.

This inclusive, non-auditioned group often performs with the REACH All-Abilities Performing Company. They were also featured in a Sidney Community Christmas Singalong at SHOAL Centre in December that attracted hundreds of participants.

REACH also has a group of about 20 members who sing in soup kitchens and longterm care facilities each week, bringing music and smiles where they are needed most.

Plus, REACH offers music programs for those new to Canada to learn English through song, a recreational music and movement program on the Peninsula for adults with developmental

disabilities, and a wonderful All-Abilities Open Mic Coffee House in Victoria. “You can’t imagine the diversity of talents and abilities on that stage” says Anne-Marie, “and all are loved, encouraged and appreciated.”

REACH programs are often presented in partnership with social service organizations including Garth Homer Society, Our Place Society, Beacon Community Services, ICA and VIRCS. Their show in the Fall commemorates Human Solidarity Day and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Their next show on Sunday, May 24 will be an afternoon Celebri-Tea (show and tea) in Sidney, in the Mary Winspear Centre (Bodine Hall). www.westcoastreach.org

Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 73

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SEASIDE LIVING

Important Life Documents Creating a folder or file for important life documents is essential for everyone to ensure that crucial information and documents are organized and easily accessible when needed.

WORDS TASLEEM JESSANI MANGO TANGO INTERIORS & SIMPLIFIED LIVING SOLUTIONS

Here's a list of documents and information that should be included in such a folder:

• Titles and deeds for properties or vehicles

1 Identification Documents

• Will and/or trust documents

• Birth certificates for each family member

• Power of attorney documents

• Citizenship records

• Tax records (recent tax returns, W-2 forms, etc.)

• Social Security cards • Passports or governmentissued IDs • Driver's license 2. Financial Documents • Bank account information (account numbers, names of banks and contact information) • Investment account details (brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, etc.)

• Insurance policies (health, life, auto, home, etc.)

• Mortgage documents or rental agreements

3. Healthcare Documents • Health insurance information (policy numbers, contact information for insurers, etc.)

• Medical history records (including past surgeries, allergies, medications, etc.)

• Advanced directives (living will, healthcare proxy, etc.)

• Contact information for primary care physicians, specialists and healthcare providers

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4. Personal Records • Marriage certificates or divorce decrees • Adoption papers (if applicable) • Educational records (diplomas, transcripts, etc.)

• Military service records (if applicable) • Social services or public assistance records (if applicable) 5. Miscellaneous Documents • Important contacts (family members, close friends, legal and financial advisors, etc.)

• Passwords and login information for online accounts (stored securely) • Instructions for handling digital assets (online accounts, social media, etc.)

• Safe deposit box information (location, key access, contents, etc.)

6. Emergency Preparedness • Emergency contact list (family members, friends, neighbours, etc.)

• Evacuation plans and meeting points • Home inventory (list of valuable possessions, serial numbers, photos, etc.)

It's important to review and update this folder every six months, especially after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, birth or death in the family, or any changes in financial or healthcare situations. Additionally, consider keeping physical and digital copies of these documents in a secure and accessible location, such as a fireproof safe at home and encrypted digital storage or cloud services.

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SEASIDE LIVING Homes

Living with the Forest

A Unique Tree-House Style Home When you drive up the nearly concealed lane through the wild forest in North Saanich, it takes a moment to discern the house, because it blends in so well with the surrounding trees. It looks like it grew straight from the forest floor and only consents to reveal itself gradually as one approaches it. The home is designed to be a part of nature, not simply located in nature.

WORDS JANICE HENSHAW PHOTOS HARRY SHAW COLDWELL BANKER OCEANSIDE REAL ESTATE

76 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

“

The home is designed to be a part of nature, not simply located in nature.

Built with post-and-beam construction, the design integrates rough-hewn industrial aesthetics with natural elements. Most of the walls are huge windows, which means lots of light flows in, connecting you to the forest's mood from inside. Skylights upstairs bring in even more light, and at night, you can stargaze (or tree-gaze) from bed. There is no need for window coverings, as the one-acre property is surrounded by 20 acres of inaccessible natural forest.

The trees act like a natural curtain, offering shade, seclusion and privacy.

The homeowner, an architect himself, describes the home as a dwelling intent on minimizing disruption to the forest by maintaining as small a footprint as possible and allowing the character of the forest to flow right

78 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

through the interior, both horizontally and vertically through interconnected floor areas on each level.

"The rugged character of the exterior environment is echoed on the interior by the rugged character of the design palette. This is achieved by deploying a design language of industrial aesthetic with its bold, rough structure, connections and materials, as well as polished concrete floors and selfsupporting stair beams. It is not a flamboyant or slick architectural expression with formalist flying roofs or whatever the design fashion of the day favours. It is very much an architecture that is character-driven, toward the sensual and physical integration of the lived-in space and the environment in which it exists."

The compact, stacked levels and efficient

distribution of spaces combine to keep the footprint small and minimize the disturbance to the natural environment. The house does not have a clearly-defined style. "It's not 'modern' in the sense that it is not a sophisticated, façade-driven composition, and it's not traditional, as may be reflected in historicist elements such as Arts and Crafts. It is just an honest architectural expression of integrating the natural environment with the interior by tapping into the boldness of each. In our West Coast community, there are a great many 'wow' houses which are either special because they're large, sophisticated, exploiting a view or because they have super high-end

features about them, but this home's 'wow' comes from delivering character."

The self-supporting open stairs to the upper level are not attached to the wall but mounted on two angled, rough-sawn beams, which are themselves connected to the main ceiling beam.

The staircases feature bold, visible bolts that reinforce the industrial aesthetic.

Along with the huge column in the middle of the main living areas on all three levels, it seems to say: “Hey, notice how this place is a 'tree' just like my family outside.” It involves the structural aspects of this house in the story of the uniqueness of the place.

Such integration – if it exists at all – is usually hidden behind drywall.

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Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 81

The layout of the house is also unusual. On the top level, there is an outside deck, a large bedroom with an ensuite and an adjacent walk-in closet. The bathroom features a cedar-finished sauna and a walk-in shower.

A large open space is used for two office stations. The view of the forest from the huge windows is stunning; it feels as though you are actually in a tree house.

In addition to the central column on the main floor, exposed beams add structural and visual interest to the open-plan space. On the way to the kitchen, one can literally open a window and touch a tree. The well-laidout kitchen opens to both the living and dining areas.

It has an induction stove, pantry and modern cabinetry

82 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

that contrasts with the rough textures elsewhere; it has no upper cabinets to block the view. Art lovers will see thoughtful arrangements and unique pieces, many picked up on travels and displayed with care. A modern airtight wood-burning fireplace is centrally located, serving as both a functional and decorative element. The couch faces the fireplace and is backed by two comfy chairs that face the other way, toward the TV, which, because of its position under the stairs, avoids being a central component of the room. Off the stairs is a bold red powder room with a vessel sink and contemporary fixtures.

Privacy is naturally ensured by the forest setting.

The homeowner says: "Entertaining in our main

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living space feels almost magical when a few friends are gathered, surrounded by nature, with the fire going.

Having that openness and connection and sharing it with people is a lovely aspect of our home." Outside of the kitchen, the main deck is where they have their summertime barbecue, dining and conversation area. An outside elevator is available to bring heavy items up to the main level.

The three-level layout provides separation: downstairs has two guest bedrooms, and a convenient design feature allows the bathroom with its jetted tub to be turned into an ensuite for either bedroom.

A wide entry to all the rooms provides a space to chat; it has a large mirror that enhances the light and brings the forest deep into the interior. On the same floor, a book-lined library

opens to a unique "grotto," so named because the secluded space was carved out of rock to accommodate the hot tub. A laundry room and dedicated bike room are located downstairs, along with the furnace. There are also two heat pumps for temperature control.

In summer, the garden area is full of flowering trees, and in fall, the mature specimen trees put on a stunning show with their scarlet and gold leaves.

When winter arrives, the moody view of a slumbering, misty forest is still magnificent.

Heated floors, natural wood stains, and claddings inside and out make everything flow together, giving the whole place a warm, welcoming feel.

All these thoughtful elements come together to create a space that is unique, practical and beautifully in tune with its natural setting.

Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 83

250.656.3486 • #102-2360 Beacon Avenue • Sidney, BC Located in the Garden Courtyard Next Door to Home Hardware

PEMBERTON HOLMES SIDNEY Would Like to Take This Opportunity to Wish You and Your Families a Very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous

2026!

Inez Louden

Wendy Herrick

Stephen Postings

Patrick Achtzner

Shirley Jones

Mariann Abram

Niels Baartman

Ross Casey

Offering Real Estate Sales with Commercial, Residential and Strata Property Management Service Divisions www.pembertonholmes.com

HOT PROPERTIES

For Sale on the Peninsula

We live in a little piece of paradise; here are some featured properties for sale on southern Vancouver Island to help you experience it to the fullest!

WONDERFUL DEEP COVE HOME $1,075,000 DEBRA BARTLETT 250.893.5098 debrabartlett.ca

Fabulous 3 bed 3 bath home in a fantastic location. 2 beds up, hardwood floors and huge south facing windows. Down is another large bedroom and a very large family room.

All of this easily converted to an in-law suite or an Airbnb with it’s own private entrance. Extra parking for all of your toys!

MLS#1020454

GORGEOUS RENOVATED TOP FLOOR CONDO $450,000 DEBRA BARTLETT 250.893.5098 debrabartlett.ca

Not a thing to do here except unpack your suitcase! 1 bed 1 bath condo in the coveted Lord and Lady James complex in downtown Sidney. Fabulous Chef’s kitchen with marble countertops, SS appliances and in cabinet lighting. Bright open plan living/dining room. Just a block away from shopping!

Parking and additional storage.

COMPLETELY RENOVATED SIDNEY TOWNHOME $675,000 DEBRA BARTLETT 250.893.5098 debrabartlett.ca

MLS#1015677

QUIET WEST FACING CONDO IN SIDNEY $375,000 DEBRA BARTLETT 250.893.5098 debrabartlett.ca

1 bed 1 bath condo close to the ocean and backing onto Lillian Hoffar Park.

Beautifully cared for with fresh paint and vinyl plank floors throughout. Located in the quiet end of Sidney. Almost 800 sq ft of living space. Heat and hot water included in the strata fee.

MLS#1018729

Beautifully renovated 2 bed 2 bath townhouse on the quieter end of Sidney yet walking distance to everything the town has to offer. Beautiful chef’s kitchen features newer S/S appliances. New floors, paint, fixtures and more. Large primary with 3-piece ensuite.

East and West facing patios.

Additional storage.

MLS#1015796

CONTEMPORARY & BRIGHT CONDO AT THE BRIX $570,000

SAMANTHA CHISHOLM 250.818.2006 TheWildmanGroup.com

#206 - 4040 Bordon St, Saanich.

Bright and modern 2BR, 2BA condo in a highly desirable Saanich location. Split-bedroom layout offers excellent privacy for hosting, roommates, or a home office. High ceilings, new flooring and large windows create a warm, open living space. Steps to Saanich Centre, Lochside Trail, UVic and transit.

MLS#1018942 Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 85

OCEAN AND MOUNTAIN VIEWS! $939,000 INGRID JARISZ* 250.385.2033 (*personal real estate corp)

DISCOVER YOUR VERY OWN SANCTUARY $2,400,000 INGRID JARISZ* 250.385.2033 (*personal real estate corp)

Experience Island living at THE HARO in prestigious CORDOVA BAY. This near-new, meticulously maintained condo offers spacious 2BD, 2BA + Den layout with ocean and mountain views, high-end finishes, a modern upscale design plus A/C, EV charging & underground parking.

The perfect blend of coastal charm and urban convenience.

MLS#1017249

VICTORIA'S BEST VIEWS & LIFESTYLE

In the heart of Mount Newton Valley, this European styled home has exposed beams, vaulted ceilings, stone fireplace & leaded French doors. Custom built with 4 beds/4 baths and approx.

3,562sqft. Lovingly maintained & landscaped gardens surround this home, and the balance of the nearly 5 acres is an expansive nature retreat.

WELCOME TO DREAMCATCHER

$1,698,000 INGRID JARISZ* 250.385.2033 (*personal real estate corp)

MLS#1013296

$1,197,000 INGRID JARISZ* 250.385.2033 (*personal real estate corp)

$1,798,000 INGRID JARISZ* 250.385.2033 (*personal real estate corp)

86 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

Rare opportunity to own one of the most desired locations in this near-new concrete/steel home overlooking CORDOVA BAY GOLF with unobstructed commanding views of Mt. Baker, Salish Sea & beyond. Spacious, contemporary 1844sf home, 2BD/2BA, Media Room/Home Office plus bonus Flex room and an entertainment sized, sunny 250sf balcony! MLS#1020599

West Coast lifestyle, natural beauty & sheer artistic luxury awaits! Ruxton Island offers remote privacy, waterfront living & only a short boat ride from Nanaimo. Enjoy all conveniences of living off-grid in this uniquely designed home. Easy access to your foreshore 48ft welded aluminum ramp & 20ft dock.

MLS#1005198

MLS#1007891

PINNACLE AT SAYWARD HILL

Overlooking world-class golf at Cordova Bay, sandy beaches, walking/biking trails, shops at Mattick's Farm all nearby. JAWL DEV. concrete/steel building is sought-after with spectacular views, amazing layout, quality finishing and perfect positioning. Meticulously maintained 2BD, 2BA, 1,856sf.

A HIDDEN GEM $735,000 MLS#1021149 INGRID JARISZ* 250.385.2033 (*personal real estate corp)

Exuding timeless elegance and refined craftsmanship, this exceptional 2-level, 2-bed, 2-bath TOWNHOUSE is nestled within a quaint 3-unit heritage-style building that was rebuilt in 2000. Over 1,200sf of curated living space, this home harmoniously blends historical charm with modern convenience.

Experience townhouse living with the intimacy of a boutique community in a prime location.

CAPTURE the MOMENT

SIDNEY DUPLEX PLUS STOREFRONT! $1,578,000 MARILYN BALL 250.818.6489 victoriawaterfronts.com

Experience the pinnacle of refined living in this sophisticated duplex property, boasting over 3,570 sq. ft. This versatile revenue property features an elegant brownstone with a guest area below, as well as a sought-after street-front commercial space in front – ideal for your own business endeavour or as a lucrative mortgage helper.

MLS#1015874

SAANICH PENINSULA LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER

FAMILY MATERNITY NEWBORN PRIVATE 1-ACRE 4BR FAMILY HOME $1,295,000 MARIANN ABRAM* 250.884.6796 mariann@mariannabram.com (*personal real estate corp)

Tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac backing onto municipal parkland. Updated and light-filled kitchen with SS appliances, fully renovated bathrooms with heated tile floors. Spacious living room, wraparound large deck and wood fireplace, separate Family room with wood stove. DB car garage with RV/Boat parking.

SARAHHARTLEYPHOTOGRAPHY@GMAIL.COM 250.686.2957 ∙ WWW.SARAHHARTLEY.MYPIXIESET.COM

MLS#1017200

Help us build an extraordinary new Rescue & Adoption Centre to save our community’s most vulnerable animals.

GLENHEIGHTS AT WESTHILLS - VIEWS OF LANGFORD LAKE $599,900 MARIANN ABRAM* 250.884.6796 mariann@mariannabram.com (*personal real estate corp)

2BD/2BA with sweeping, unobstructed views of Langford Lake and Skirt Mountain from your living room and the large covered private deck. 9’ ceilings, granite counters, SS appliances, A/C, geothermal in-floor heating with secure parking and storage.

Steps from parks, trails, and amenities blending tranquility and convenience.

Donate Today: BuildingLove.ca 778-265-0788

MLS#1016151 Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 87

JUNE

EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL

2025

YOUR

PENI NSUL A

VOIC E

CREA

PEN

The TIVE INK Tatt Art of ooin g

Pro INSULA VO u IC Dra d to Be ES g Qu a een MEN ’S MEN Gon TAL HEA eW it LTH Lea hout ving

FAMILIES, GOLDEN AGE & PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

Men This to W Issue atch

SUBSCRIBE TODAY & GET A SEASIDE HOODIE!

Subscribe FREE HOODIE WITH ANY NEW OR RENEWED SUBSCRIPTION WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

AMBER WAHL 250.266.1003 WWW.WINDGYPSYPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

www.seasidemagazine.ca/shop/

3rd Annual Peninsula Gives Event Raises $1.4 million In 2023, Peninsula residents Craig and Lindsay Sabourin set out to make a meaningful difference in the future of children’s health in British Columbia.

Most recently, on October 25th, the Sabourins welcomed 240 community members to their 3rd annual fundraising event, held inside VIH Execujet’s private hangar, which was transformed into a 1950s inspired Old Hollywood supper club.

The evening reached an extraordinary milestone, raising $1.4 million and bringing total funds raised to more than $2 million to date.

Thank you to the Peninsula community for your continued generosity.

Together, we are helping shape a brighter future for our children.

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS Alliance Electric Berryman Brothers Meat Ltd. Chace Whitson Real Estate Group Five Star Paving Co. Ltd. GraphicFX Signworks Harris Auto Group Inverted Digital Media

Michell’s Farm Market Prohibition Vineyards Resonance Hearing Clinic Sixty Forty Vancouver Island Chiavari Chairs Vidalin Real Estate Volare Media

Visit www.peninsulagives.com to learn more about our events.

88 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

Seaside Guide:

SEASIDE EVENTS

What to See & Where to Be JANUARY 2026

EMBRACE Your Creativity Retreat JANUARY 9TH - 11TH Would you like to start 2026 in a truly transformative way? How would it feel to have a tangible plan to integrate creativity into your life?

EMBRACE is an energizing weekend of creative renewal. We’ll tap into your natural creativity through hands on activities, discussion of creative concepts and planning your creative year.

This is an invitation to learn new skills and welcome yourself fully into the creative life that’s waiting for you. The retreat includes a Creative Kit (supplies you keep), Creative Handbook and two Creativity Coaching sessions afterwards.

No previous experience is necessary; bring your curiosity and come as you are! Hosted by Lisa Edwards and Michelle Ford, at Starling Lane Vineyard, 5271 Old West Saanich Road, Victoria.

For more information email lisa@creativelifecurator.com or call 250-896-7939

WORDS CLAUDETTE SELLS Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 89

JANUARY

JANUARY 10TH 2PM

Seated Pilates Classes

Sidney & Peninsula Literary Society – Many Forms of Love

SHOAL CENTRE 10030 RESTHAVEN DRIVE, SIDNEY Beginner Class Drop In – Tuesdays, starting January 6, 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.

Advanced Class Drop In – Wednesdays, starting January 7, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Seated Pilates Challenge Runs for 15 days, January 5-9, 12 to 16 and 19 to 23.

Cost $50 per week Registration at 250-656-5537.

Information at: agilehappyaging@gmail.com JANUARY 2ND - APRIL 6TH 10AM-4PM DAILY

20th Anniversary Lego Exhibit SIDNEY MUSEUM 2423 BEACON AVENUE, SIDNEY Large Exhibit of Lego creations. Members of the community are also invited to display their Lego creations. Admission by donation. 250-655-6355 or www.sidneymuseum.ca/ lego-brick-exhibition/

SHOAL CENTRE 10030 RESTHAVEN DRIVE, SIDNEY Authors Tracey Lindberg (The Cree Word for Love) and Tilar J. Mazzeo (The Sea Captain’s Wife) will read from their works. Tickets $15 at Tanner’s Books, 2436 Beacon Avenue, Sidney.

JANUARY 12TH 10:30-11:45AM

Choose to Move Information Session CENTRE FOR ACTIVE LIVING 50+ 1229 CLARKE ROAD, BRENTWOOD BAY Info session on a free program that supports older adults (55+), to become and stay more active. Program runs from January 19 to March 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

To register for information session call 250-656-5537 or email choosetomove@beaconcs.ca.

MID-JANUARY TO MID-MARCH 2026 JANUARY 2ND - 6TH 10AM-6PM

Find the Snowman Challenge SIDNEY/NORTH SAANICH LIBRARY 10091 RESTHAVEN DRIVE, SIDNEY Search the children’s area for the hidden snowman to solve a riddle. When you get the answer put your name and contact on the back and enter to win a prize. 250-656-0944 WEDNESDAYS, JANUARY 7TH - FEBRUARY 11TH 9:30-11:30AM

Beginner Watercolour MCTAVISH ACADEMY OF ART 1720 MCTAVISH ROAD, NORTH SAANICH A six-week beginner painting adventure. All levels welcome. $260. www.mctavishacademy.ca; 778-351-0088

Spring Prelude BUTCHART GARDENS 800 BENVEUNTO AVENUE, BRENTWOOD BAY The Blue Poppy Restaurant has been transformed into a wonderful indoor spring display. Adults $32.75 each.

250-652-4422

JANUARY 16TH 6-8PM

Free Teen Movie & Sundaes TEEN LOUNGE, GREENGLADE COMMUNITY CENTRE 2151 LANNON WAY, SIDNEY Register at Panorama Recreation Centre at 250-656-7271.

JANUARY 16TH 2PM JANUARY 9TH 7:30-9PM

Deep Cove Folk, Backyard Boulevard ST. JOHN’S UNITED CHURCH 10990 WEST SAANICH ROAD, NORTH SAANICH Enjoy authentic songs and memorable melodies that invite you to sing along. Doors open at 7 p.m. info@deepcovefolk.ca

90 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

CSSCA Speakers Series – Dr. Peter Cook THE CENTRE FOR ACTIVE LIVING 50+ 1229 CLARKE ROAD, BRENTWOOD BAY Dr. Peter Cook speaks on Indigenous-Scottish Relations in Canada before Confederation. $2 members; $5 guests.

Open to the public 250-652-4611 or www.cssca.ca

JANUARY 20TH 2-3PM

Scientist in Residence Talks SIDNEY/NORTH SAANICH LIBRARY 10091 RESTHAVEN DRIVE, SIDNEY Dr. Sophia Johannessen speaks on Canadian Antarctic research expeditions. 250-656-0944 JANUARY 23RD 7PM

Taizé Prayer & Meditation ST. JOHN’S UNITED CHURCH 10990 WEST SAANICH ROAD, NORTH SAANICH

ONGOING EVENTS SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH MONDAYS | 10AM-12PM

Saanich Peninsula Stroke Recovery Association Communication Group

10-11am: Social time – coffee/tea/cookies.

11am-12pm: Individual groups for: • those requiring speech improvement led by a Speech Language Pathologist • those with physical disabilities led by a Kinesiologist • caregivers, led by an experienced convenor www.spstrokerecovery.org

Free. 250-661-3362.

PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH MONDAY REHEARSALS | 7-9PM JANUARY 23RD - FEBRUARY 8TH

Dine Around Town More than 60 restaurants participate and offer three-course dinners at a fixed price. Information at www.tourismvictoria.com.

JANUARY 24TH 7-11PM

Wounded Warrior 2026 Fundraising Concert SAANICH FAIRGROUNDS 1528 STELLY'S CROSS ROAD, SAANICHTON Featuring JaimesonRhy with Luke Lampard, Courtland and Chase Varnes. All proceeds to Wounded Warrior Run B.C. Tickets $35 + $1 service fee, at https://tinyurl.com/2ebc6mr8.

JANUARY 25TH 2-4PM

Musical Mélange Series CENTRAL SAANICH UNITED CHURCH 7180 EAST SAANICH ROAD, SAANICHTON Come spend a wintry afternoon with a unique trio of voice, flute and piano, that performs an eclectic mix of familiar jazz numbers. www.centralsaanichunitedchurch.ca

Sidney Concert Band

A proud part of the Peninsula vibrant arts scene in its 38th season, this all-ages ensemble welcomes newcomers with at least three years’ experience on your instrument. Musicians are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes early for rehearsal with your instrument and music stand. Percussion instruments are provided, but bring your sticks. Most importantly, bring a smile and get ready to have fun.

Visit www.sidneyconcertband.ca.

VIRTUAL TUESDAYS | 10-11AM

Seniors Speak Toastmasters Saanich Peninsula Toastmasters offers a great way to speak and socialize from the comfort of your home. For details about this online opportunity, email mastermotivators4671@gmail.com with the subject line: Seniors Toastmasters.

Visit https://1288.toastmastersclubs.org.

BEACON BREWING FIRST & THIRD TUESDAYS | 2-4PM

The Socrates Café

Do you enjoy philosophy and exploring a variety of topics and perspectives with others? The Socrates Café, part of a global movement designed to inspire curiosity, nurture self-discovery and grassroots democracy, invites you to drop by to listen, share your thoughts and meet new people.

CENTRE FOR ACTIVE LIVING 50+ FIRST & THIRD WEDNESDAYS | 1-4PM

Afternoon Bingo

Have something for Seaside Guide?

EMAIL SEASIDEGUIDE@SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA SUBMISSION DEADLINE 1ST OF THE PREVIOUS MONTH (EG JANUARY 1 FOR FEBRUARY ISSUE EVENTS)

These everyone welcome games take place in the lower hall, next to the public library. The third Wednesday features hot dogs and pop for sale starting at noon.

2ND THURSDAY | 2-3:30PM

Caregivers Connect: B.C.’s Virtual Caregiver Café

This peer support group is open to all caregivers.

Please register at https://form.jotform.com/230336162808251 or email cgsupport@familycaregiversbc.ca.

Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 91

upcoming games: games: Jan Jan 9th 9th vs. vs. Campbell Campbell River River Storm Storm @ @ 7:30pm 7:30pm Jan Jan 23 23 vs. vs. Westshore Westshore Wolves Wolves @ @ 7:30pm* 7:30pm*

*Saanich Peninsula *Saanich Peninsula Hospital Hospital & & Healthcare Healthcare Foundation Foundation Night Night

Jan 30 Jan 30 vs. vs. Comox Comox Valley Valley Glacier Glacier Kings Kings @ @ 7:30pm 7:30pm Feb 6 Feb 6 vs. vs. Nanaimo Nanaimo Buccaneers Buccaneers @ @ 7:30pm 7:30pm

Find Find our our schedule schedule here: here:

Pictures courtesy of Christian J. Stewart Photography

SEASIDE EVENTS

Repair Café North Saanich Marks Five Years of Fixing & Friendship WORDS MICHELLE CLEMENT PHOTOS REPAIR CAFÉ

Repair Café North Saanich has recently celebrated a remarkable five years of community connection, waste reduction and handson repair. What began as a conversation over coffee in late 2019 has grown into a vibrant local movement – now marking more than 7,800 volunteer hours contributed to the community.

Co-founders Marlyn and Susan met at a Zero Waste Workshop in 2019 and were challenged to take one small action toward reducing waste. Inspired by the international Repair Café model, they decided to bring the idea home to the Saanich Peninsula. Despite launching in the uncertainty of the pandemic, the first Café opened its doors in July 2020, hosting 11 volunteers, six visitors and eight repaired items – including a nowlegendary power washer that required quick thinking and outdoor plumbing ingenuity.

From that modest start, Repair

Café North Saanich has become a thriving example of community sustainability.

Today, the organization counts over 70 active volunteers, averages 120 items repaired each month, and has achieved an 80% fix rate for the 3,750 items evaluated to date.

“Every broken item that gets a second life is one less thing headed for the landfill,” says co-founder Susan Mcdonald.

“But more importantly, every event strengthens relationships – between neighbours, generations, and skills that might otherwise be lost.”

Originally hosted by St. John’s United Church, the Café found a new home in January 2024 at Deep Cove Elementary School, where community engagement continues to grow. Recent collaborations have included a student Repair Club that created robot lamps from recycled materials, a Bike-Focus Café with RCMP registration and local cycling partners, and pop-up events at Camosun College, the

Sidney Library, and the InterCultural Association.

The Café hopes to find a space to be able to move into Sidney this year, making it easier for people to get to by bus, foot and car. It will open them up to a larger community and a more central location but a space in the core of Sidney hasn’t been found yet. If anyone has ideas for a spot that may fit the bill, please email repaircafenorthsaanich @gmail.com.

Beyond repairs, the Café has shared more than $10,500 in donations with 15 local non-profits, demonstrating its commitment to reinvesting in the community it serves.

Repair Café North Saanich extends gratitude to its volunteers, hosts, and supporters as it marks this milestone.

“Together, we are making a difference in our community,” Clement adds – echoing the phrase that has closed every Café newsletter since day one.

ABOUT REPAIR CAFÉ NORTH SAANICH Repair Café North Saanich is a volunteer-run, non-profit initiative that promotes repair, reuse and community skill-sharing. Monthly Cafés are held the third Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and residents are invited to bring household items, clothing, Blundstones, wool, electronics, sharpening, jewelry, watches and tools for free repair assistance – reducing waste and building local resilience.

For more information, visit www.repaircafenorthsaanich.ca.

Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 93

SEASIDE STORIES Last Word

O

ne year ago, we launched our "new look" after many hours of collaboration and hard work. Over the last 12 months, we've tweaked and finetuned here and there but the response from our community has been overwhelmingly positive, so we knew – since our readers are our best and most important critics! – that we'd "done good."

Last year, our New Year's resolution at Seaside was simple – that our supporters would enjoy reading the magazine as much as we enjoyed creating it for them. This year, without the all-consuming focus of the rebranding taking up my time, I've had space to stop and reflect on what I'd like my life to look like over the coming year.

Early in 2025, I got an app to track my reading, and set myself a (I thought unreachable) goal of one book per week for the year. I simultaneously set myself a very conservative time limit for social media. Well, between not having hours of Facebook and Instagram sucking my time away and, I admit, getting somewhat addicted to tracking my reading, I far surpassed that goal and look forward to reading even more this year. So that's one resolution met and repeated for 2026.

An easy and fun one, I admit!

Back in November, I wrote about starting to feel like I might finally have the time, as my daughter gets older, to volunteer with some worthy local charitable organizations, so exploring this is definitely also on my resolution list for 2026.

As for the magazine? At the end of every year we meet as a team and discuss the magazine as a whole. For 2026, you'll continue to see the majority of our regular columns, and will be introduced to a couple of new ones. Former MLA Adam Olsen will be contributing regularly, West Coast Garden will be in the magazine more often and we will be launching a new column looking at different aspects of mental health. We look forward to sharing these with you!

As always, we love to hear from our readers with all feedback. Please email me at allison@seasidemagazine.ca with story ideas and any thoughts on what we are doing right, or could be doing better! Here's to another great year at Seaside, in this beautiful place we call home.

Happy New Year to all!

Allison Smith, Editor-in-Chief This dog has found a family, but there are many animals waiting for their forever homes at www.victoriahumanesociety.com. PHOTO JANIS JEAN

94 | JANUARY 2026 | Seaside

n o s i ll A mith S

SEASIDE LIVING Puzzles

Puzzle by websudoku.com

9 6 1 5 2 4 3 7 8

3 5 7 9 1 8 2 4 6

4 8 2 6 3 7 1 9 5

8 9 6 7 4 1 5 2 3

2 7 5 3 9 6 8 1 4

1 3 4 8 5 2 9 6 7

KEEP YOUR BRAIN HEALTHY The Alzheimer's Association recommends doing puzzles like Sudoku to strengthen brain cells and the connections between them. Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square.

Answers found at right.

Hardly Simple 6 1 9 4 8 3 7 5 2

Puzzle by websudoku.com

7 2 8 1 6 5 4 3 9

Puzzle by websudoku.com

5 4 3 2 7 9 6 8 1

3

8 2 1 5 7 4 9 6 3

9

4 9 5 9 1 4 2 1 6 8 3 6 9 2

5 6 3 9 8 2 1 7 4

3 1

8 1 7

4

5 3 8

4 9 7 6 3 1 8 5 2

7

6

3

6 3 8 1 5 7 4 2 9

8

3

9 5

8 2

Puzzle by websudoku.com

7

1

3 6 4 2 1 1 3

7 5 4 3 2 9 6 1 8

6

4

8

2 1 9 4 6 8 7 3 5

3 6

4

5 3

4

1 8 6 2 4 5 3 9 7

7

7 2 6

2

Middle of the Road 3 7 2 8 9 6 5 4 1

9

Hardly Simple 9 4 5 7 1 3 2 8 6

Middle of the Road

The metal paper clip told the hot magnet: "you're ...

EARNV LTBAET EACPVIT VEYRE

How to Play: Unscramble each of the clue words. Take the letters that appear in boxes and unscramble them to solve the final message.

JUMBLE SOLUTIONS Answer: very attractive raven • tablet • captive • every

This jumble was created by The Blue Sheet Club, a group of brain injury survivors. The Cridge Centre for the Family's Brain Injury Services provides independent housing with support for survivors of brain injury. Through the development of support groups like The Blue Sheet Club, we strive to provide opportunities for personal development and reintegration in the community. Creating Word Jumbles are a great way to improve cognitive functioning. Plus they're fun too! Enjoy!

Seaside | JANUARY 2026 | 95

SIDNEY All Care Residence We’re All About Care...

Ron’s Contagious Smile & Laughter Ron’s story begins in the sunny orchards of Penticton, where he grew up as the eldest of eight children.

Summers were spent picking fruit and helping on the family farm, shaping his strong work ethic and easygoing nature. He later attended UBC to study engineering, balancing academics with his surprising talent on the gymnastics team. After graduation, he traveled across British Columbia with the Ministry of Transportation, working as a surveyor and exploring the vast landscapes of the province.

Life took its happiest turn when Ron married and settled in Port Alberni and had a family. There, he spent more than 35 years in the Engineering Department at MacMillan Bloedel, where he became known for his steady reliability and thoughtful problem solving. Beyond work, Ron enjoyed a life filled with activity and creativity, golfing, skiing, camping with family and finding quiet moments to draw and paint the world as he saw it. Eventually, he and his wife moved to Victoria to be closer to their daughter, beginning a new and more relaxed chapter.

Today, Ron is a valued resident of the Sidney All Care community. He brings enthusiasm to our daily exercise classes, enjoys the live music performances or one of our art classes with his daughter beside him. With his warm smile and easygoing nature, Ron continues to brighten the days of those around him To learn more about Sidney All Care, please contact our Community Relations Manager Terra Munro at tmunro@allcarecanada.ca or 778.351.2505.

Proudly Offering Long Term, Respite and Palliative Care

778.351.2505 • www.allcarecanada.ca • 2269 Mills Rd, Sidney