Thanks to our generous donors, the Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation funded a new $1.4 million Canon Radex X-ray system for Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Identified as a priority through Island Health in 2024, this investment represents years of planning and collaboration to bring new technology into the hospital. Replacing an aging machine, it provides faster imaging, clearer diagnostics, and improved comfort for patients while helping care teams make timely decisions.
Thank you to the donors who made this possible. Your generosity is making a real difference for patients and care teams every day.
To learn more or support future equipment at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, visit sphf.ca.
Sue Hodgson
After another day of deadlines and page layouts, I curled up to watch a new series on Netflix called Big Mistakes. It follows two wildly disorganized siblings who somehow find themselves working for the mob, constantly scrambling to fix problems of their own making. The storyline is outrageous, but the cast is brilliant – and surprisingly relatable. What really caught my attention, though, wasn’t just the siblings: it was their mother. She’s highly-strung, emotional, dramatic and completely convinced she knows exactly what her children should be doing at all times. Watching her on screen, I laughed so hard. It felt so familiar.
As the youngest of three sisters and a brother, I grew up in a very lively and busy household where opinions came quickly and feelings came even faster. Our mom cared deeply and expressed everything strongly, often loudly, but always with heart. There were disagreements, raised voices and moments that felt overwhelming at the time. Yet there was humour, loyalty and a sense that no matter what happened, we were still a family.
Now, as a parent myself with two adult children of my own, I sometimes catch glimpses of that same energy continuing into the next generation. Families aren’t tidy or predictable, and they rarely follow the script we imagine – but we love them nonetheless. Watching Big Mistakes reminded me that the chaos, the strong personalities and even the dramatic moments are often part of what we hope keeps our families close.
As we move through another busy season putting together this issue of Seaside, I'm also reminded that our community works in much the same way. We don't always agree. We are not always organized, but we show up for each other and that's all that matters.
Seaside Sue, Publisher & Owner
These puppies may have already found a family, but there are many animals waiting for their forever homes at www.victoriahumanesociety.com PHOTO JANIS JEAN
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
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.
FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS
JAMILA
DOUHAIBI
Page 52
We can learn about astronomy in our own backyard. The Dominion Astrophysical Observatory has star parties, dome tours and a planetarium.
Educator Ruhee Janmohamed shares about the importance of women in science and moving past barriers to do what you’re passionate about.
PAMELA MARTIN
Pages 25 & 76
While researching the 40th Anniversary of Help Fill A Dream Foundation, I was struck by the extraordinary community that holds space for kids and families facing serious illness. Dreams are granted but even more profoundly, the family is forever embraced with incredible compassion and support.
SUE HODGSON
Page 40
My first visit to Mayne Island over Easter weekend offered exactly the reset I didn’t realize I needed.
Between quiet trails, ocean air and friendly conversations, I found myself slowing down and appreciating how special these nearby islands are to experience close to home again.
PAULA YOUNG
Page 28
Education and literacy are core components of a healthy community. At Sidney Elementary we find a wonderful example of how reading program volunteers, under the supervision of teachers, can improve literacy and foster a student’s love of reading. It’s all about the kids!
Dr. Matthew Foulkes and his team are committed to providing all our current and new patients a relaxed environment with calm and quality care. Come visit our office and staff!
Ashlee Albright, Jo Barnes, Susan Beiderwieden, Michelle Clement, Amanda Coe, June Murray Dagnall, Jamila Douhaibi, Connie Dunwoody, Kelly Finerty, Janice Henshaw, Jesse Holth, Richard Hope, Jackie LaPlante, Pamela Martin, Katie Musicco, Cassidy Nunn, Jessica O’Brien Cameron, Joan Saunders, Marita Schauch, Claudette Sells, Shelley Tice, Paula Young
At Sidney Mattress – locally owned and operated for the last 7 years – we pride ourselves on providing exceptional service with a personal touch. No pushy sales tactics, no gimmicks, no ridiculous markups, just a relaxed friendly experience focused entirely on you.
SEASIDE FLAVOUR
One Food, Three Ways
Ice Cream 3 Ways
“I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!”
Ice cream becomes an especially fun ingredient at the start of spring and summer, when warmer days invite lighter, more playful treats. Beyond simply scooping it into a cone, it can be blended into milkshakes, sandwiched between mini waffles or made into a sundae with fun toppings. Its creamy texture and endless flavours make it a versatile addition to both classic desserts and creative experiments. As the weather brightens, ice cream adds a refreshing, joyful touch to gatherings, turning simple moments into something a little more indulgent and memorable.
WAFFLE ICE CREAM SANDWICH
Ingredients
• Two quarters (or half) of a Belgian waffle
• You can purchase mix at the grocery store or make it from scratch. Here is a link to a super easy recipe to make your own waffle mix from scratch: www.preppykitchen.com/belgian-waffles/#recipe
• 1 scoop ice cream
• powdered sugar (if desired)
Instructions
• Bake half of a Belgian Waffle
• Once baked, divide into two quarters (to create two mini waffles)
• Sprinkle powdered sugar on each section to add some extra sweetness (if desired)
• Sandwich 1 scoop of ice cream in between the two mini waffles
WORDS AMANDA COE, SCOOP AND WAFFLE OWNER PHOTO JANIS JEAN
ICE CREAM SUNDAE
Ingredients
• 2 scoops ice cream
• chocolate syrup
• whipped cream
• rainbow sprinkles
• waffle wafer and a maraschino cherry, if desired
Instructions
• Add 2 scoops of ice cream to a bowl (the bowl used here is an edible waffle bowl)
• Toppings: drizzle a generous amount chocolate syrup over the 2 scoops of ice cream, and top with a generous swirl of whipped cream and a layer of rainbow sprinkles
• Garnish with a maraschino cherry, if desired
• Adding chopped peanuts or pecans is also an option!
16 OZ MILKSHAKE
Ingredients
• 3 to 4 large scoops ice cream (1.5 to 2 cups of ice cream). The image is of a Cotton Candy ice cream milkshake.
• ½ cup whole milk
Instructions
• Combine the ice cream and milk in a blender and blend on low for 45 seconds, then stir with spoon, and blend for another 15 seconds (or until smooth)
With spring in full bloom, many people and their pets are spending more time in the great outdoors to take advantage of the warmer and longer days. My own pets, a geriatric tabby cat and a young cavalier King Charles spaniel, seek time outside in the safety of my fenced yard. While both love to munch fresh grass shoots and sniff a floral breeze, my cat prefers to lounge in the warmth of a sunbeam on the porch while my dog is in constant motion, chasing insects and European wall lizards. As we enjoy the stimulation and comfort that more daylight and warmer temperatures bring, it is prudent to remember some of the hazards our pets can encounter.
Grass-eating is a natural behaviour for both cats and dogs and may be inherited from their wild ancestors. Many theories exist to explain grass-eating behaviour in pets; however, most veterinarians agree that pets eat grass because they like it! Too much of a good thing, however, can be a symptom or a cause of other problems.
Excessive grass-eating can be a pet’s instinctual response to painful stomach problems such as an intestinal blockage or acid reflux. If a pet is eating grass to pass the time when
they spend long stretches of time alone, perhaps they are under-stimulated and bored. Eating grass can also land a pet in trouble if the grass is contaminated by recent application of pesticides and/ or fertilizers, or if the grass harbours infectious organisms like parasitic eggs. Eating large amounts of indigestible grass all at once can also cause an intestinal obstruction! While most pets can safely nibble the green stuff in moderation, it is best to avoid contact altogether after herbicide/ fertilizer application and to give pets a monthly dewormer.
While most of us admire gardens with our eyes and nose, quite often our pets would rather treat outdoor plants and flowers as their personal buffet! While some plants can be safe if ingested (eg. forsythia, camelias, pansies or violas, snapdragons, nasturtiums, creeping thyme, sword fern, coral bells), some plants are highly toxic and should be avoided. True lilies such as the Easter lily are highly toxic to cats, causing acute kidney failure and death if not treated immediately. Every part of the lily plant is toxic and even licking a small amount of pollen warrants immediate veterinary
The Joys (and Hazards) of Spring!
intervention! Rhododendrons and azaleas are also very toxic, causing stomach upset and dangerous effects on the heart and central nervous system. Hyacinths and daffodils cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and heart problems.
Dogs often follow their noses to soil amendments like bone meal and blood meal. Ingested bone meal can cause painful pancreatitis and stomach obstruction as large amounts will compact into a solid mass in the stomach. Blood meal, an organic fertilizer, causes stomach upset, pancreatitis and iron toxicity if it is fortified with iron.
The Greater Victoria region
runs from mid-May to the end of June. During this time, fawns can often be found hiding in tall grass, shrubbery or residential backyards while their mothers forage nearby. Protective does will often charge, stomp and kick dogs that they perceive to be threats to their fawns. It is especially important to be on alert for wildlife and keep dogs leashed during this time of year, even in urban neighbourhoods.
Being aware of common outdoor hazards isn’t meant to deter us from venturing into nature with our pets. My hope is that we feel empowered to explore and unwind with our
Services ANIMAL
CARING FOR OUR FURRY FRIENDS
For our community of animal lovers there is an army of businesses ready to help you care for your pet. From vets to groomers and pet provisions to training, Seaside Magazine brings you some of the Saanich Peninsula’s animal service providers.
9810 Seventh St, Sidney in the Mariner Mall (next to Subway) We’re your dog and cat specialists offering a variety of quality raw, kibble and dehydrated diets that are just right for your furry friends. Cool ID tags, gorgeous collars and a curated selection of yummy treats, harnesses, apparel, packs and lifejackets for all your summer adventures.
RASCALS PET MARKET
Where Pets are Family
Whether you are a new pet parent seeking guidance or looking for specialty items, our knowledgeable staff is dedicated to providing personalized service to meet your needs.
Locally owned and operated since 2019, we value our
customers and welcome new friends. Stop
SEASHELL CANINE CARE
Now open Tuesday – Friday and select Saturdays
Our coastal inspired clinic in Brentwood Bay was created to feel calm, serene, and inviting for every dog. We specialize in gentle, anesthesia free teeth cleanings with a focus on comfort and care, supporting oral health while creating a peaceful experience for your pup.
DARCIE JENNINGS
CommuniCanine offers group training classes for all ages, plus private lessons for dogs with specific needs or behaviour challenges. From Puppy SuperStart onwards, we’ll help you create a wellmannered, happy dog you truly enjoy living with – at home and out in the
Animal Rescue Team Strong Family; Animal Lifeline
On any morning, the quiet rhythm of family life in Steve, Liz, and Millie’s home is gently interrupted by the soft shuffle of paws, the flutter of wings or the curious gaze of a creature just beginning to trust again.
For this family, caring for animals is not just a passion; it's their way of life. Animal Rescue Team, based in Brentwood Bay, began two years ago as a simple commitment to fostering pets in need and has gradually grown into something much bigger. Late last year, they became a registered charity.
Animal Rescue began by helping dogs on the euthanasia list in central California with Cat's Cradle, a local cat rescue in Sidney. Cat’s Cradle helps cats from that area and taught Animal Rescue how to help dogs as well. They also get a lot of help from volunteer fosters and local vet clinics such as Garry Oak Veterinary Hospital, Sidney Animal Hospital and Broadmead Village Veterinary Clinic. All of this is possible due to the wonderful adopters in the community, and they are
very grateful to live in a place where people love animals and love to help.
Steve and Liz, the founders of Animal Rescue Team, are both veterinarians, and after opening their home for years to animals from rescue organizations, they decided two years ago, along with their 11-year-old daughter Millie, to take what seemed like the obvious next step! The family founded their own rescue, built on experiences, compassion and a deep understanding of what these animals needed to heal, thrive and live their best life! The work of this family has touched the lives of a wide variety of animals including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals and even reptiles. Each one of these animals arrives with their own story, and they all leave with a second chance by being carefully matched to the perfect home. This trio firmly
WORDS JUNE MURRAY DAGNALL PHOTOS WIND GYPSY PHOTOGRAPHY
believes that rescue is not just about saving animals; it's also about building community. Their organization operates as a non-profit, guided by integrity, compassion and flexibility, for the animals they care for and the people they serve. They welcome people and families from all walks of life with the belief that compassion, connection and the opportunity to make a difference should never be limited by background or circumstance.
Millie, aka “the animal whisperer,” is an integral part of the team. Born into a family of veterinarians, she was surrounded by animals from the very beginning, so when her parents suggested fostering, Millie didn’t hesitate for a second. Her passion for animals started early and as Millie has become older, so has her ability to help the Animal Rescue Team. Millie plays an active role in rescue work, including giving medication, weighing kittens, preparing vaccines and caring for the rescue animals daily. Her knowledge for her age is admirable; she has familiarity with conditions such as heartworm disease, among others, and knows how to properly feed a snake! Millie’s natural demeanour is calm and gentle, and she feels the animals therefore trust her. Rescue work can be very rewarding, but it has also given this young girl a glimpse into the more difficult realities of
human behaviour. She finds it heartbreaking to hear the stories of some of these rescue animals; however, she focuses on the positive side of how so many people are very kind and willing to help in so many ways. One of Millie’s most memorable and lasting impressions was the rescue of a bearded dragon. Unable to walk, the reptile required daily care and medicated baths. She also loves to recount the story of ChiChi, who is now Millie’s own dog. He came from Mexico after surviving a jaguar attack, and despite having one less leg, ChiChi is full of happiness and loved very much by the family. Watching animals go from suffering to being loved in their forever homes is what makes everything worthwhile. Millie wouldn’t change what she is doing for anything. Through her dedication and commitment, she is a shining example that age is no barrier to making a meaningful difference. The strongest bonds don’t always need words, and in fact, often compassion and understanding are enough.
For Steve, Liz and Millie, teamwork is at the heart of everything they do. Through trust and compassion, they have built not just a stronger family, but a lifeline for the animals that need them most. www.animalrescueteam.ca
Proudly Growing Roses on Vancouver Island for 45 Years
Toddler Parkour
My two-and-a-half year old hangs from our kitchen island, her feet resting on the drawer handles, her little hands clinging to the counter, splayed out like a starfish. She attempts to scale her way onto the counter but her efforts are thwarted as I gently pluck her off and place her back on the floor.
I go back to loading the dishwasher, but this lasts only half a moment as I see her out of the corner of my eye, dangling upside down, clinging on the freezer handle with her hands and feet. “You little monkey!” I say with a laugh, but she sees me coming and leaps down, then scurries off on all fours meowing like a cat. She disappears for a moment and I wonder where she is when I hear a faint meow coming from behind my closet door; she’s curled up in a ball in her old baby bassinet at the back of the closet.
She sees me and springs out of the bassinet, does a perfect tuck and roll and shimmies her little body underneath my bed. I sink down onto my tummy and try to reach for her – we’re going to be late for school drop-off – but she log rolls her way out from the other side of the bed, kicks the wall for whatever reason, then proceeds to climb the bed frame and bounce wildly, as if it’s a trampoline. “It’s time to go!” I say, hauling myself back up from the floor, and she responds with “mama, watch!” and proceeds to do her version
WORDS
CASSIDY NUNN PHOTO NUNN OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY
of a somersault. Her older sister hears the commotion and comes flying into the room to join the fun.
We finally head out to drop my eldest off at school, but the walk there takes us ages as every curb simply must be climbed up on and walked along like a balance beam, every crack in the sidewalk simply must be leapt over and every painted line in the cross walk simply must be hopped
on. The ground suddenly turns to lava and the only safe area to place a foot becomes the small patches of grass along the pathway.
The girls hop from patch to patch, landing on one foot while balancing precariously, arms spinning wildly in circles at their sides as they contemplate their next move. They giggle and scream, fall down, scramble back up and do it all over again.
Every walk these days becomes an intense toddler parkour session. Parkour, which often takes place in urban environments, is a self-led practice of movement where the practitioner has to use only their body to interact with any obstacles in the environment, similar to navigating an obstacle course. It can include running, rolling, jumping, flipping, climbing, swinging, vaulting from object to object – all the methods my toddler employs to move her body!
At this age, movement is vital to a toddler’s brain wiring and is helping to build strong connections between the body and the brain. It also explains why she can’t sit still at the dinner table for more than a few minutes – her brain is telling her to move!
After observing these daily toddler parkour sessions, I start to see the world around me in a different way: a brick path becomes an exercise in walking only on our tippy-toes to avoid each crack; the fence at the park becomes a ladder that can be scaled and every platform at the playground becomes the perfect launch pad for a 360-degree spin dismount. While my body can’t quite keep up with the incredible number of movements my kids can do, it’s certainly keeping me more mobile and agile and most importantly adding more play to my everyday life.
Helping Keep Best Friends Together
For the Saanich Peninsula Community Foundation (SPCF), every grant is an investment in the wellbeing of our community. One recent example is the impact of a grant to Balfour’s Friends Foundation (BBF), which helped pay for veterinary care of pets of low-income pet owners on the Peninsula.
With a $2,000 grant from SPCF in 2025, Balfour’s Friends Foundation was able to help five well-loved pets from local homes receive essential medical treatment.
One of those stories is Theo’s, pictured here. A gentle, well-loved dog, Theo faced a medical emergency his owner could not afford. Thanks to support from Balfour’s Friends Foundation, Theo received the lifesaving treatment he needed. Today, he is back to enjoying daily life by his owner’s side. For his owner, who relies on Theo as her constant companion, the impact is immeasurable. We feel grateful knowing they have many good years ahead together.
For pet owners experiencing financial hardship, the cost of veterinary care can be overwhelming. They may be forced to consider surrendering their companion, euthanasia, or sacrificing essential needs such as food or rent to cover medical bills.
The best outcome for everyone involved, including pets, owners, veterinarians, and already burdened animal shelters, is to help animals heal and remain in their loving homes. That is the mission of Balfour’s Friends Foundation, which has helped more than 900 animals on Vancouver Island since 2012.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!! The grants we have received from the SPCF have made such a difference for our organization, helping us to meet an unprecedented demand for our service and, most importantly, to assist vulnerable members of our Saanich Peninsula community.” - Scott Treble, VP, Balfour’s Friends Foundation
As the need for assistance continues to grow, partnerships like this highlight the power of local giving. Through the generosity of donors, the Saanich Peninsula Community Foundation is able
to support organizations that quietly and compassionately care for our neighbours, both human and animal.
Learn more by visiting sp-cf.ca or contact us at info@sp-cf.ca.
We’re growing a better community, one grant at a time.
As an endowment-based foundation, we invest donor contributions permanently and use the income they generate to support Saanich Peninsula charity and non-profits organizations.
Through our grants program, we fund initiatives that benefit peninsula residents — in health and social services, arts and culture, education, conservation, and recreation — all the things that help grow a better community for all of us.
SEASIDE STORIES Arts Scene
Meaghan Crow Picture Perfect Pets
It all starts with the eyes. Brentwood Bay artist, Meaghan Crow, certainly takes into account accuracy in proportions, colouring and textures, but what is key for her in doing a pet portrait is the animal’s eyes.
WORDS JO BARNES
PHOTOS SARAH HARTLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
“I aim for the feeling coming through when you look at the eyes. The whole painting comes to life after that,” shares Meaghan.
For over 14 years, Meaghan has been an acrylic painter focusing on both traditional and surreal representations of landscapes and wildlife. Her love of animals prompted her to begin creating pet portraiture. “I’ve always been fascinated with the natural world, and I love animals, especially dogs,” she shares. “I think that there’s such a strong bond between people and their pets. A pet is an extra member of the family, and when they pass away, a painting is a remembrance of the pet.”
Meaghan begins the portrait process with a photo of the pet and reviews it not only for physical details but to get a sense of the animal’s personality. This informs her work. “I start with a main reference image and often get other photos to get an idea of the personality and to
get a feel of the energy of the pet,” she notes.
Using her iPad, she begins with a basic sketch to work out the proportions. The starting point, however, is always the animal’s eyes.
“That connection with the eyes; that’s where I start,” she says. “I want to make sure the eyes are the right colours and are placed correctly.”
Subsequently, Meaghan builds up the base layer of the portrait, mapping out the colouring, and then completes the colouring section by section. Often, she will add in an extra touch such as the image of a favourite toy belonging to the featured pet. This reflects her interest in the whimsical and playful side of life. “My aim is to spark joy in the viewer and to make them smile,” she says. “I really like a sense of levity and whimsy. I try to offer a new perspective on the world.”
The portrait process is challenging because there
are many details requiring precision, accuracy and texture techniques. “Sometimes, there are new technical things to learn such as painting animal fur. I did one painting of a small dog. Its fur was medium in length with a variety of colours in it. It was a challenge to place and portray the flow of colours through its coat.”
Painting takes dedication and much practise to achieve quality results. However, Meaghan enjoys the journey and finds it all rewarding both artistically and personally. “It is special to be able to capture pets on canvas,” she relates. “I continue to develop my skills and abilities and keep pushing forward.”
In recent years, Meaghan has been serving as an art gallery assistant and art consultant while also creating commissioned paintings for clients. In March, she decided to take a leap and officially launched her new art venture.
“This year I decided to make my art a full-time business,” she comments. “I’m very excited.”
So far, 2026 has already brought some unexpected affirmation which has been encouraging. Meaghan was recently selected as one of the Canadian artists to have their work featured on Rogers Chocolates’ products.
“One of my pieces, called ‘Tides of Affection,’ depicts two otters holding each other. Rogers Chocolates just selected it to go on one of their tins of chocolate,” she relates. “This is part of the Featured Canadian
Artists Collection, and it will come out this spring. I am very excited to be chosen.”
This honour is one that Meaghan adds to a growing list of awards she has received over the years. In 2020, she received the Takao Tanabe Award for painting. She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Victoria in 2021 where she received a Jamie Castles Undergraduate Research Award for Visual Arts. In addition, Meaghan has been the recipient of multiple Juror’s Choice Awards at the Saanich Peninsula Arts and Craft Society’s shows and was given an Honourable Mention at the Sooke Fine Arts show in 2021.
As well as participating in local exhibitions, Meaghan markets her art through numerous locations including Saanich Peninsula Country Market, Moss Street Paint-in, Studio 106, Side Street Studios, and the July 1 Gorge on Art event.
Art has been a calling in Meaghan’s life for as long as she can remember. “I was always drawing in kindergarten and was part of art clubs in high school,” she comments. “I am self-taught and always keep pushing myself. I just like painting.”
This local artist not only focuses on the eye in her portraits, but when it comes to creating quality art, sparking the imagination and celebrating our beloved pets, Meaghan’s artwork will definitely catch your eye.
www.meaghancrowart.com
A Dream Come True: Help Fill A Dream Foundation Marks 40 Years of Changing Lives
Childhood is meant to be filled with carefree days and dreams for the future. But when serious illness enters a family’s life, the everyday magic of being a kid can disappear beneath uncertainty. Dreams can suddenly feel far away, crowded out by hospital appointments, difficult conversations and financial hardship. For 40 years, Help Fill A Dream Foundation has been a bright light for families when times feel darkest.
Help Fill A Dream is a charity dedicated to making dreams come true for children facing serious illness on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. From dream trips and experiences to financial assistance, the foundation provides a safety net in hard moments.
“Families are put in positions to make choices they shouldn’t have to,” says Executive Director Craig Smith. “We operate quietly in the background to provide support to families in medical crisis, no matter what they need.”
Forty years on, the story is clear. What began with one BC Transit driver, Rick Thomas, helping a little girl visit her grandmother, has grown into a foundation that fills more than 20 dreams yearly and supports more than 200 children through financial assistance. All funds stay local, each family’s needs are considered, and support does not end when the dream does. In four decades, Help Fill A Dream has never once said no to an eligible request – more than 4,000 of them.
“At a time when many organizations have cut back,” Craig says, “we ask: what more can we do?”
This June, the Foundation’s 40th-anniversary celebrations continue at Iroquois Park in Sidney, where Help Fill A Dream and Seaside Magazine will host the 10th annual Charity Road Hockey Tournament. On June 20, Dream kids, their families and the wider community will come together for a day built around Canada’s favourite pastime. It's fresh air, friendly competition and community purpose all rolled into one afternoon.
For volunteer Jim Pullen, being part of this grassroots community is a reminder that he is connected to something larger than himself. “Having even a small part in keeping the excitement going,” he says.
“The spark and connection between what the charity is and how it started, is why I stay involved.” Jim will be on site again this year as 15-yearold Sumeya has her dream unveiled at the tournament.
As Help Fill A Dream steps into its next chapter, Smith reflects with pride on the culture of philanthropy that has grown around the Foundation. Children create fundraisers, and parents offer their talents to help others. It has become an organic movement fuelled by lived experience, compassion and the understanding that those who have been through hard times often know exactly how to help others facing them.
“Because they've done so much for our family during the hardest time,” says Arabella Young, artist and mother of Dez, “it is so important for us
to give back to the families who may be in the same position we were in.” Arabella has spearheaded an online art auction from May 1 to June 7, along with A Night to Sparkle Gala at McTavish Academy of Art on June 6. She adds: “Help Fill A Dream has modeled to kids what supporting others in hard times can do.”
What started with one person has grown into a network of donors, volunteers and families working together to offer hope and a way forward. As young Dream Recipient turned fundraiser Andrei Marti puts it: “As a community, we’re greater than any disease out there.”
To learn more about Help Fill A Dream Foundation or the tournament, visit www.helpfilladream.com. For art auction and gala information, visit www.anighttosparkle.com.
WORDS PAMELA MARTIN PHOTOS HELP FILL A DREAM FOUNDATION
BRENTWOOD CROSSING
JUST AROUND THE CORNER
Your Friendly Neighbourhood Shopping Centre
Trained as an engineer at McGill University, Carl built a successful career in Kitchener, Ontario, eventually becoming a partner in a consulting engineering firm. While his professional accomplishments were significant, they were only one part of his story. He was equally invested in the communities around him, offering his time, leadership, and energy to causes that mattered deeply.
Carl served as both a board member and Chair of Grand River Hospital, helping guide healthcare in his region. Alongside his wife, he was also involved in a wide range of community initiatives, including helping establish one of the first Meals on Wheels programs in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. “There was always an expectation in our family to be involved and to make the community better,” Carol recalls. “That was a core value we grew up with.”
A Legacy Rooted in Community
When Carol Hennigar reflects on her father, Carl, she describes a man guided by curiosity, discipline, and a deep commitment to community. He grew up from humble beginnings and worked hard throughout his life, always thoughtful in his decisions and actions. “Giving back was just part of who he was,” she says. That belief in contributing to something larger than oneself was not a single act, but a thread woven throughout Carl’s life.
operator. He also found great joy in time spent with family, particularly in the outdoors. One of Carol’s most vivid memories is a three-week canoe trip in the Canadian wilderness with her father and brothers, an experience that reflected both his adventurous spirit and his desire to create meaningful family moments.
Later in life, Carl found his way to Vancouver Island, where he developed a strong connection to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital. He fondly referred to it as “my little hospital,” a reflection of both his affection for the facility and the sense of comfort he found there. Whether visiting for routine care or more complex health needs, the hospital became an important part of his life. Even as his mobility changed, he remained determined to maintain his independence and continued to access care in a way that allowed him to stay connected to the community.
Legacy is not only what we leave behind, but how our values continue to live on.
His curiosity extended well beyond his work and volunteer efforts. Carl was a lifelong learner who embraced new challenges with enthusiasm. Over the years, his interests ranged from building a model railway and becoming a licensed pilot to connecting with people around the world as a ham radio
That connection, combined with a lifetime of community-minded values, shaped one of his most meaningful decisions. Upon his passing, Carl left a generous legacy gift of approximately $1.3 million to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation, alongside a similar contribution to Conestoga
College. His intention was to support the institutions that had played a role in his life and to invest in the well-being of others for years to come.
For Carol, the decision reflects exactly who her father was. He believed strongly in personal responsibility and the value of hard work. “He felt it was important to give back to the communities that meant something to him,” she says.
Today, Carl’s generosity continues to support care at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, helping ensure patients and families receive the services they need close to home. His story is a reminder that legacy is not only what we leave behind, but how our values continue to live on through the choices we make.
For those considering their own legacy, his example offers something simple but powerful to reflect on. What has shaped your life? What communities have supported you or your loved ones? And how might you choose to give back in a way that reflects what matters most?
A gift in your will, of any size, can help support local healthcare and ensure compassionate, high-quality care continues for future generations.
To learn more about Legacy Giving, visit sphf.ca or connect with the Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation to explore how your values can create a lasting impact.
Carl Hennigar
Sidney Elementary Reading Program
Imagine a position where volunteers share their love of reading with young children!
The Sidney Elementary School’s reading program is the vehicle for doing just that. The program, designed to develop literacy, also helps build relationships between students and volunteers and fosters the joy of reading.
When people first hear about the reading program, many imagine volunteers reading lovely stories to children. In reality, the students read to the volunteers, although sometimes turntaking is a fun option. The program offers students the opportunity to develop their oral reading skills with a friendly person who encourages them, provides positive feedback and shares their own love of reading. It truly is the best volunteer gig in town!
The program came to fruition after a casual
conversation between myself and Sandy Webb at a 100 Women Who Care event in late 2016. Sandy mentioned that the school principal at Sidney Elementary hoped to set up a reading program and I, a newly retired Camosun instructor, thought this was a perfect match of interests. We worked out the guidelines and brought in the teachers. My job was to recruit and schedule the volunteers.
The reading program brought together people from everywhere in the Sidney and North Saanich communities and beyond. Bev, Corrie and Don, members at Capital City Yacht Club, were the first to sign on, joined by Helen who sold us her house! The largest contingent came from the Peninsula Singers – Margot, Louise,
WORDS PAULA YOUNG, FORMER READING VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
PHOTOS WIND GYPSY PHOTOGRAPHY
Robin, Elaine, Julie, Lynda, John, JoDee and Glenda. Anne and Denny are part of my Yellow Point community. BJ heard through word of mouth. Wendy’s daughter teaches at the school. Together, and from all backgrounds, we created a new community of Sidney Elementary volunteers. Nine years later Bev, Corrie, Denny, Anne, Wendy, BJ and I still volunteer.
Reading volunteers entered the school in March 2017 and by September 2017, 22 volunteers served the school. Over the years, many others came forward. Some had grandchildren at the school while others learned about us through friends, or they moved into the neighbourhood and sought out volunteer opportunities at the school. Currently, 28 volunteers enjoy this experience.
Long-time volunteer Bev Lewis says: “When I was asked to join as a reading volunteer I didn't hesitate to say yes. I have always loved to read and wanted to share my enthusiasm with the students; they too have taught me even more listening skills. One of the best parts is the look on the kids’ faces when I tell them that I read about two hours a night – it is so worth it."
The program really benefits students. One parent, Gayle Roberts, says: “The reading group has made such a meaningful difference for my daughter. She has struggled with reading, but the patience, encouragement and extra time provided have truly helped build her confidence. We are so grateful for this program and the kindness and dedication of the volunteers – this
support has had a lasting impact on my daughter’s learning.”
What does a reading volunteer do? The school provides the guidelines and the teachers provide the direction. Some volunteers work only with a few students who need help, while others read with everyone in the class, including those who don’t need reading help but who benefit from spending time with an adult.
We are mindful not to perform the work of the teachers or educational assistants so we listen, we help with word pronunciation, sometimes we take turns and sometimes we read to the students.
What qualifications does a reading volunteer need? The position best suits individuals who enjoy reading, work
well with others, are good communicators and are able to make meaningful connections with people. They have a sense of humour, are respectful, kind, flexible, empathetic, considerate, compassionate and fun. They do not need to be former teachers – our volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds.
The school district requires everyone to have a Criminal Record Check, but before anyone runs out to the local RCMP to get one, know that the application process is done through the school district and the Justice Ministry. Approved volunteers will be provided with instructions.
If you’re interested in volunteering, contact the Sidney Elementary School secretary at 250-656-3958.
Now What?
“Don’t you feel guilty? Even a little?” asked my husband, Peter, as I gleefully entered my third month of retirement. “Nope,” I rejoined, instantly. “Did you?”
“Yes,” he replied. “I felt guilty getting paid to do nothing.” I looked at him, askance. “But that’s your money. You earned it. You paid into the pension plan and RRSPs and made sure you could do ... this ... every day.” I waved vaguely around the front yard where we were enjoying coffee. Retired coffee. Coffee around which no meeting would spring up. An environment without emails. No deadlines. No reason to wear anything with a waistband that feels like it has a grudge with your innards.
There is a particular kind of silence that arrives the morning after you retire. It hums with possibility and with a faint, disorienting question: “Now what?”
Peter answered that question by cleaning the floors. All of them. Three times. By Wednesday, you could have performed minor surgery in our kitchen without violating any health codes. The man who once had back-to-back meetings was now locked in mortal combat with a mop.
For some, this change can be deeply unsettling. After years of structure, the sudden openness can feel like being dropped into a field with no fences. You wander. You circle. You feel a little lost. When my cousin retired, she told me she kept a daily list of Things Accomplished and shared it with her husband when he got home from work. “See what I did today?” she noted. “You don’t have to do that,” he gently said. “You get to ‘Just Be’.”
I, on the other hand, greeted retirement enthusiastically. No alarm clock? Delightful. No commute? Revolutionary. A whole day that unfolds according to my whims? I practically skipped to the kettle. Because here’s the thing I didn’t understand before: retirement isn’t the absence of something. It’s the presence of everything I didn’t have time for before.
It’s the book I kept meaning to read but didn’t because laundry, life and exhaustion intervened. It’s the walk I take simply because the air feels like an invitation. It’s calling a friend in the middle of the day just because I can, and discovering they, too, are standing in their kitchen wondering if they should clean the floors again.
Some people approach retirement like a problem to be solved. They build schedules. They join committees. They take up hobbies with the intensity of someone training for the Olympics. And there’s nothing wrong with that –structure can be comforting; it gives shape to the day.
But maybe there’s another way to do this: Let the day find you. You can wake up and ask: “What feels like living, today?” Not necessarily productive. Not wildly efficient. Living. Maybe it’s cycling, or gardening. Maybe it’s volunteering. Maybe it’s sitting with a cup of coffee long enough to watch the light move across the room – a surprisingly satisfying form of entertainment. And yes, occasionally, it might even include cleaning the floors.
So maybe retirement isn’t a void, but a new chapter waiting to be read. And like any good chapter, it has its own rhythm, its own surprises and its own quiet plot twists.
Perhaps the trick is to stop trying to recreate the life you just left. Instead, let yourself be a beginner again: curious, unscheduled and a little bit gloriously untethered.
Because after all those years of showing up where you had to be, this is the season where you get to show up where you want to be, even if, occasionally, that looks suspiciously like: “The floors could use another pass.” Resist the urge. Or don’t. It’s your chapter now.
WORDS CONNIE DUNWOODY
Recovery Tails Society
A local non-profit on a mission to care for pets and their humans.
Innovative ideas filling an unmet need, defined simply as “acts restoring faith in humanity,” are my favourite. This is certainly the case in the story of two best friends and trailblazing women in healthcare, Priya Sharma and Kayleigh Busch. Together, they created a path to a solution for an unmet need, caring for individuals accessing recovery services and their pets across Vancouver Island – and that solution is called Recovery Tails Society.
Sparked by an observable gap in client recovery care plans while working in mental health and addictions for several years, Priya and Kayleigh saw many clients in the community declining life-saving treatment beds because they were unable to secure care for their pets. Realizing this simply wouldn’t do, they launched a local non-profit, “Recovery Tails Society,” a free program designed to support Vancouver Island residents receiving recovery-based healthcare who need beloved pets housed and cared for while their humans get better.
Since launching in January 2026, Recovery Tails Society has
already fostered several dogs, cats and a bearded dragon with their roster of 24 volunteer pet foster homes. Meant to dovetail the BCSPCA’s “Compassionate Boarding Program,” which offers pet care up to two weeks, Recovery Tails Society provides fostering for pets needing care for more than two weeks, up to a maximum of 12 months. The timelines are aligned specifically with the entry and discharge dates from treatment facilities, and support Vancouver Island clients receiving care both on and off the Island.
The pets considered for the service match the accepted animals list on the BCSPCA website, and whether furry or scaly, care is individual and petfocused, with flexible service provisions matching the needs of the client and their pet. Priya and Kayleigh always provide this service from the heart and walk alongside their clients and foster families through the entire process with consistent communication for every aspect of pet love and care.
Although currently focused on addiction recovery care, Recovery Tails Society hopes to expand its services to
WORDS KELLY FINERTY
PHOTOS WIND GYPSY PHOTOGRAPHY
clients in surgical recovery or people displaced by tragic events such as fires or floods. For now, a sore spot in the healthcare system draws the Society’s attention to clients receiving ministry funding and living in supportive housing. When placed in a recovery treatment facility, these clients risk losing their funding and housing support, which results in vulnerable people without a home once their treatment program is complete. Attempting to smooth the process for clients reapplying for housing, Priya and Kayleigh write reference letters for pets in their care with the hope to expedite pet reunification.
Another goal for Recovery Tails is to build relationships within local communities Island-wide. Pet transition periods into foster care currently vary depending on the community’s access to pet clinics and the number of pet fosters available. A typical
transition period for a pet in the South Island is about two weeks, while in the North Island, assessment periods can take up to six weeks due to the limited availability of pet community resources. Partnerships with businesses in grooming, veterinary and pet supplies can benefit Recovery Tails greatly, and creative fundraisers with local restaurants have proven successful with menu features highlighting the importance of Recovery Tails’ work.
As a non-profit society, Recovery Tails is always looking for funding opportunities and more volunteer foster families. The service is free of charge to clients, and with the program being so new, it is challenging to qualify for appropriate municipal, provincial or federal funding grants to support the cause. Though Priya and Kayleigh are hard at work sourcing grant programs every day, the Society relies on the generosity of donors and
partnerships with businesses to provide the necessary love and care for pets in the program. Recovery Tails often provides food, leashes, collars, grooming and toys to their clients, with costs typically between $250 to $500 per pet for an average three-month foster stay. If you would like to donate and/or register as a volunteer pet foster, and/or receive pet
care services for your recovery needs, contact Recovery Tails Society directly. They would love to hear from you!
Email: recoverytailssociety @gmail.com
Website: recoverytails.ca Follow them on instagram @Recoverytailssociety to stay up-to-date on fundraising efforts.
PRIYA AND KAYLEIGH WITH BOARD MEMBER ZACH ALTOSE AND LETTUCE.
MaryAn Van Stolk *
Ingrid Jarisz * Mona palfreyman
Ralph Meuser
Championing Dignity
Together Against Poverty Society
Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS) has advocated for economic and social justice in Greater Victoria since 1989. Now one of the largest anti-poverty organizations on Vancouver Island, with dedicated offices in Victoria and Nanaimo, TAPS has spent over three decades providing compassionate legal advice and representation in specialized areas of community law.
PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS
TAPS provides free legal advice and representation to low-income renters across Greater Victoria and Central Vancouver Island. Our primary goal is to prevent evictions and promote housing stability. We provide free legal representation for tenants at Residential Tenancy Branch hearings and
information about tenants’ rights and responsibilities under the Residential Tenancy Act. Beyond supporting individuals, we also advocate for broader policy changes that address the root causes of the housing crisis, such as improved protections for renters and increased investment in public housing.
FREE TAX PREPARATION SERVICES
TAPS’ free, year-round income tax filing program helps thousands of people each year. In 2025 alone, TAPS completed 5,400 tax returns, securing over $9.8 million in refunds and benefits for people who need it most. Filing taxes also means people are eligible to access income-tested benefits like the Guaranteed Income Supplement and the Canada Child Benefit, which are
essential sources of support.
SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Our skilled advocates help people apply for provincial disability benefits, providing one-on-one assistance through a process that is technical, emotionally vulnerable, and depends on a physician completing a lengthy form. This work is more complex than ever because our advocates are not only helping people translate their lived medical experiences into the rigid language government requires, but they are also helping people navigate a medical system stretched beyond its limits. Many doctors, already being asked to do so much, hesitate to engage with the complicated application, especially without a longstanding relationship with the
patient. Through persistence, advocacy and strategic coordination with supportive healthcare providers, we ensure that our client’s experiences are heard and taken seriously.
OUR IMPACT
The rising cost of living has created an unprecedented need for TAPS’ services. Through our work, seniors have been able to remain in their homes, single parents have received critical financial support as they strive to provide for their families, and we have advanced policy solutions that tackle the root causes of poverty. Together, these efforts reflect a sustained commitment to building a more stable and equitable future for us all.
To learn more about our other advocacy efforts and to support our work, please visit www.tapsbc.ca.
With over 60 Sidney businesses par ticipating, Sidney by the Sea Gift Cards keep your dollars local and make every gift more meaningful
Purchase online or at the Sidney Information Centre
exploresidney.ca/giftcard
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
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
J Kitchen
iSpa Wellness
Jared VanderMeer Gallery & Studio
Kiddin' Around
La Boutique
Lolly Gobble - Home Hardware
Mary Winspear Centre
Miss Bliss Boutique
Moden
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
Sidney Scones
Skin by Angela
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
Mayne Island: Two Days, Two Ferries & a LaidBack Easter Weekend
I’ve lived on Vancouver Island for more than 30 years now, yet somehow I’ve spent very little time exploring the Gulf Islands.
This Easter weekend changed that. My first visit to Mayne Island turned into a gentle reminder that sometimes the most memorable getaways are the ones waiting quietly just across the water.
Home to just over 1,300 residents, Mayne Island – known as S,ḴTAK in SENĆOŦEN – is located within the traditional territory of the Straits Salish people. From the moment I arrived, there was a calmness in the air that felt both grounding and welcoming. It’s the kind of place where the pace naturally slows and the scenery encourages you to pause and simply take it all in.
My first stop was Mayne Island Resort, where I would be staying for the weekend. I was fortunate to spend some time with owners Janice McIntyre and Daryll Martin, who shared the story behind their decision to purchase the boutique inn in 2023 (ownership took place 2024). What began as a dinner conversation about retirement possibilities soon turned into a bold new adventure, and today, their enthusiasm for the resort and the Island is unmistakable.
The accommodations at the resort offer something for everyone, including heritage inn rooms, one-bedroom cottages and spacious two-bedroom villas. Each option takes full advantage
WORDS & PHOTOS SUE HODGSON
of the surrounding ocean views. The cottages and villas feature fully equipped kitchens, while the historic century-old inn offers cozy charm and character that immediately makes you feel at home.
One of my favourite discoveries was the resort’s leisure centre, complete with an indoor pool, steam room, jacuzzi hot tub and fitness area – perfect after a day of Island exploring. There’s also the Arbutus Grill, the resort’s newly-opened restaurant. I spent a long, peaceful stretch of time on the deck overlooking Georgeson Island and Bennett Bay, but my hike later to Campbell Point, listening to the steady roars of sea lions calling back and forth to each other, was one of those simple but unforgettable moments that define an island escape.
Two newer additions to the resort reflect its strong connection to the community. A small but inspiring arts centre showcases the work of local artists, featuring photography, textiles, pottery and more. Meanwhile, the charming Lady Constance Tea Room offers a beautiful afternoon tea experience overlooking Bennett Bay – an elegant way to slow down and savour the surroundings.
There is truly no shortage of things to do on Mayne Island. During my visit, I wandered
through the Saturday farm market, stopped at a number of roadside stands, had a quick beverage at Mayne Island Brewery, strolled around Miners Bay, explored Dinner Bay and the peaceful Japanese Gardens and visited St Mary Magdalene Anglican Church. I also made time for a visit to Georgina Point Lighthouse within Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, where the coastal views alone are worth the trip.
Darryl and Janice shared that one of their hopes is to help grow year-round tourism on the Island, including positioning Mayne Island as a storm-watching destination in the quieter seasons. After experiencing the Island firsthand, it’s easy to see the appeal in every kind of
There are many ways to arrive on Mayne Island. Visitors can come by ferry, by private boat, or even by water taxi from Sidney. However you choose to get there, the journey itself becomes part of the experience.
For me, this weekend getaway was a reminder that adventure doesn’t always require travelling far. Sometimes it simply means boarding a ferry, slowing your pace, and discovering a place that has been waiting nearby all along.
www.mayneislandresort.com
Park, Sidney 8am-4pmBC,
Get ready for a day of street hockey and community spirit at Seaside Magazine’s Charity Road Hockey Tournament! All funds raised support Help Fill A Dream children with critical medical conditions and their families.
Registered teams will participate in men’s, women’s and kids’ street hockey tournaments, while families enjoy the super-sized TD Family Fun Zone, from 10am to 2pm with games, food trucks, superheroes and princesses, dunk tank, hands-on booths, and more!
This year's Vancouver Wine Festival was a bit of a solemn affair. Held as always at the Vancouver Convention Centre, the event carried a heavier mood than usual. The industry is going through a tough time with wine sales down globally, and the ongoing provincial ban on American alcohol added to a sense of gloom around the event. Surprisingly, however, there was an American stand promoting a range of wines that used to be widely available in Canada (Meiomi, Bread & Butter and Josh Cellars). I asked the promoter what their strategy was, and he was clear: "We want to remind our neighbours we are still here." He joked that in order to get around the ban, the Americans had smuggled in the wine for the festival via the U.S. embassy.
Given the mood, it was fitting that this year's theme was France – a country that rarely needs an introduction on the wine floor – though it posed more problems than you would think. France's depth of quality meant picking recommendations was a real challenge, and every wine I tasted had something to offer.
France, Bans & B.C.
WORDS RICHARD
One standout was a Rosé from a small island off the south coast of France. The idyllic Île de Porquerolles is part of the Îles d'Hyères, and with just two vineyards on the island, it has a particularly unique terroir. Owned by Chanel, Domaine de l'Île produces wines that express the elegance and beauty of the Island. Their 2023 Rosé was a pale salmon in the glass, with a delicate nose of strawberry and rhubarb that gave way to a dry, mineral finish with a faint saline edge. As spring begins in British Columbia, this is a perfect wine for afternoon sunshine.
On the first day of the festival I was invited to attend a seminar on biodynamic wine hosted by Gérard Bertrand, a leader in this field. Biodynamic wine is different from natural wine (little to no intervention in the winemaking process) or organic wine (no use of herbicides or pesticides). Biodynamic agriculture uses
organic farming methods but goes further, treating the vineyard as a selfsustaining ecosystem and following an astrological calendar to guide planting, pruning and harvesting. The approach has its skeptics, but there is no arguing with the results. Bertrand's wines are outstanding, and priced accordingly. A standout was his Malbec, which, although largely associated with Argentina, originated in Cahors in southwest France. The wine had a deep red colour with rich layers of dark plum, cherry and a subtle earthiness on the finish. Perfect with a steak.
Another series of outstanding wines will be well known to B.C. customers. The Pfaff portfolio of wines from Alsace produces an excellent range of Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris. You'll notice the German names here. Alsace sits on the border with Germany, and as a border province, it shares many German traditions, including grapes considered "German." The wines this producer showed were some of the best at the
event. For the B.C. palate, their Pinot Gris is a dry white wine with a lower level of alcohol, making it more fruit-forward and easy drinking. Their Riesling, which is slightly sweeter, has more punch, making it a great accompaniment to pasta dishes or enjoyable on its own.
Local wines were well represented at the event, and it was encouraging to see them holding their own alongside the French contingent. Unsworth on Vancouver Island had a great range of wines, including their latest Pinot Noir.
Bringing that unique Vancouver Island terroir, Unsworth's Pinot Noir is crafted from the best grapes, producing a wine with lighter notes of strawberry and warm spice.
Despite the gloom that hung over the industry this year, the quality on the floor told a different story. Whether it was a Chanel-owned rosé from a Mediterranean island, a biodynamic Malbec from the birthplace of the grape, or a Pinot Noir from Vancouver Island, the festival was a reminder that great wine still finds its way to the glass, trade disputes and all.
The Peninsula Players and Mary Winspear Centre, in cooperation with Concord Theatricals, are proud to present And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie.
Christie, renowned as the “Queen of Crime,” is celebrated for crafting ingenious detective stories featuring iconic characters such as Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. And Then There Were None stands as one of her most compelling and enduring works, combining suspense, intrigue, and psychological drama.
Ten strangers are invited to a secluded island for what promises to be a weekend of work or leisure, each summoned for different—and mysterious—reasons. The grand house offers an inviting escape, but the atmosphere quickly darkens as guests begin to die one by one. Trapped on the island with no way to leave, suspicion mounts as the survivors race to uncover the identity of the murderer before it is too late.
First published in 1939, And Then There Were None was described by Christie as her most difficult novel to write. It has since become one of the best-selling books of all time, with over 100 million copies sold worldwide.
Sidney Concert
Band
“Top of the Pops”
May 31
Get ready to groove with the Sidney Concert Band as they celebrate 39 years of making music with their lively spring concert, “Top of the Pops!”
Join us on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Charlie White Theatre for an afternoon packed with energy, rhythm, and your favourite hits from the pop charts. From timeless classics to modern favourites, this concert will have you tapping your toes and singing along.
Adding even more sparkle to the show, the Allegro Dancers will dazzle with their choreography, creating a vibrant showcase of local musical talent.
Come celebrate nearly four decades of community music-making and enjoy a concert that’s sure to leave you smiling. Don’t miss “Top of the Pops” with the Sidney Concert Band!
Upcoming Events
Royal Wood & Fortunate Ones
May 12
Longtime fans of each other, Royal Wood and Fortunate Ones are tired of being touring ships passing in the night. Both are musical miners of the heart, so they decided to call this The Have a Heart Tour. It’s been a long time coming, but well worth the wait.
Royal Wood is a beloved Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist —a two-time JUNO and five-time Canadian Folk Music Award nominee. He returns with his new album Dear John, available now. Described as “a letter to himself,” the record reunites him with five-time Grammy winner Ryan Freeland and features musicians Ash Soan and Hutch Hutchinson. With more than 30 million streams and placements on shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice, Royal’s music continues to reach audiences worldwide. Known for translating his recorded work into captivating live performances, he has headlined prestigious venues like Massey Hall in Toronto and Paradiso, and toured with acclaimed artists including Bonnie Raitt and David Gray.
Fortunate Ones, a contemporary folk duo from Newfoundland, are celebrated for their harmony-entwined songs of hope, resilience, and the human condition, along with their joyfully disarming live shows. Since the release of their debut album The Bliss in 2015, Catherine and Andrew have traveled thousands of miles, played hundreds of shows, and built a devoted following across North America and beyond.
Don’t miss your chance to experience this heartfelt collaboration live when The Have a Heart Tour at the Charlie White Theatre. This special evening promises an intimate and uplifting performance, bringing together two of Canada’s most compelling musical voices on one stage—something fans have been waiting years to see.
Peninsula Singers Passport to Broadway Island Band Fest 2026
Royal Wood & Fortunate Ones
Gilbert & Sullivan The Gondoliers
Blood Donor Clinic
And Then There Were None
Sidney Celebri-Tea Fundraiser
Colin James Blues Trio
The Doobie Brothers Experience
The Rewind; a RNS Show
Sidney Literary Society Tea Party
Sidney Concert Band Decades of Pop!
Island Song Spring Choir Concert
Lobsterfest
Westshore Dance Recital
Psychic & Spiritual Arts Fair
Messages from Beyond
Blood Donor Clinic
Seaside Musical Festival: Judy Collins
Seaside Musical Festival: The Soul Summit
Victoria Guitar Show showcasing luthiers
Wavelengths Community Choir
Canada Day Pancake Breakfast
Frozen Jr.
Blood Donor Clinic
Matilda Jr.
Legally Blonde Jr.
Blood Donor Clinic
Matilda Jr.
Monthly Meetings
From the Kitchen
Breakfast, Lunch or Brunch?
Baking bagels at home might sound a bit over the top, but homemade bagels are so darn tasty and not difficult to make.
WORDS JOAN SAUNDERS
PHOTOS SARAH HARTLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
What I used to find challenging was creating the proper bagel shape as, more often than not, I found myself fashioning a bun with an awkward dimple in the middle. That is, until I discovered that you could poke a hole though each individual ball of dough with your thumbs then manipulate and stretch it until the shape seemed right. Problem solved.
And I love how infinitely adaptable a good bagel is. Whether it’s for breakfast, lunch or Mother’s Day brunch, you can top bagels with whatever appeals to you. I love the classic combination of cream cheese, smoked salmon and capers, but a big dollop of good butter on a toasted homemade bagel will always be next level.
NEXT LEVEL BAGELS
1 ½ cups of warm water
(around 100-110°F or 38-42°C)
2 ¾ tsp instant yeast
1 tbsp sugar
4 cups bread flour
1 ¾ tsp salt
For coating the bowl the dough rises in, nonstick spray, butter or oil
For boiling the bagels:
2 litres water
¼ cup honey
Egg wash: 1 egg white mixed well with 1 ½ tbsp water
ADAPTED/AMALGAMATED FROM: SAVORY BAKING BY ERIN JEANNE MCDOWELL
WWW.SALLYSBAKINGADDICTION.COM/ HOMEMADE-BAGELS/
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook or in a large mixing bowl with a spoon or spatula, mix warm water, sugar and yeast together. Cover with a towel; let sit for 5 minutes.
Add flour and salt, then mix on medium speed for 2 minutes using either the dough hook or your spoon/spatula. You want the dough to come away from the sides of the bowl and form a mass around the hook or spoon. Dough should be somewhat dry and a bit stiff.
When you’ve got dough to the right consistency, beat on low speed with dough hook for 6 minutes. Or knead dough by hand on a lightly floured surface for 6-7 minutes. You want the dough to feel smooth and supple. Don’t add more flour than you need to on the counter’s surface, as you don’t want a dry dough. After you’ve finished kneading the dough should still feel soft and, if you poke it with your finger, it should slowly bounce back into place. If it does that, your dough is ready to rise.
Lightly grease a big bowl with nonstick spray, oil or butter. Put dough in bowl; roll it around to coat with oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel; let rise at room temperature for 1.5 to 2 hours. Dough should double in size.
Line baking sheets with parchment or silicone baking mats.
When dough has risen, punch it down to release air. Again, on a lightly floured countertop, divide dough into 8 equal pieces. I like to weigh mine; they’re generally about 125 to 130 grams each. Shape each piece into a ball. Now press your thumbs through centre of each to make a hole, then stretch and widen hole to make it about 2 inches wide. After you do each one, put them on prepared baking sheets. Let the bagels rest while you get the water bath ready. Preheat the oven to 425°.
Fill a large pot with the 2 litres of water. Add in honey. Bring water to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-
high. Drop in 2 or 3 bagels at a time. You want to ensure that they have enough room to float around. Boil the bagels for 1 minute, then flip them over; boil for another minute. Using a slotted utensil, lift bagels one at a time out of pot, letting any excess water drain away. Put boiled bagels back on prepared baking sheets. Repeat boiling process with the other bagels.
Brush egg wash on top and around the sides of each bagel. If you want to add toppings (like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, everything bagel topping) sprinkle the bagels with the toppings right after you put the egg wash on them. Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time. You want the bagels to be dark gold in colour. Let bagels cool on the pans for 10 minutes, then put them on a rack to cool completely. Enjoy with whatever toppings you prefer. Cream cheese, smoked salmon, or just toasted with butter.
In your makeup bag? Primally Pure Latte Lip Oil. On your skin? ResetWell Reset & Repair Night Oil. On your bedside table? A cup of magnesium tea and a salt rock lamp. When you want to smell irresistible? Botanical Healing Oils by Sérénité. In haircare? Super Leaves by ATTITUDE. In your bathroom cabinet? Facial cupping set and prickly pear seed oil.
When
out? Dinner on the beach watching the sunset.
audiobook or Country music.
wish list? A home on the beach in Panama. home décor? Scandinavian (hidden under my toddler’s monster trucks!). watch list? Schitt’s Creek care how much it costs? with my family.
athleisure is my go-to. runners. When you need more than a clutch? Roots leather bag. to your go-to “uniform?” sweater and Lululemon leggings want to throw fashion out the window robe and Artizia sweat pants.
PHOTOS SARAH HARTLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
Fernie Wynd Road, North Saanich
Bedrooms, Oceanfront, 9,359 sqft., 1.26 acres
Chalet Road, North Saanich
Tryon Road, North Saanich
Bedrooms, Oceanfront, 3,428 sq.ft., 0.50 acres
Bradley Dyne Rod, North Saanich | $3,650,000
Bedrooms, Award Winning Estate, 4,201 sqft., 1.00 acres
Featured Property
839 Clayton Road, North Saanich | $2,899,000
Modern Belgian Farmhouse in the heart of Deep Cove. Built in 2023, this 3,736 sq ft home blends refined European charm with contemporary design on a beautifully landscaped 0.5-acre property. Vaulted ceilings, a luxurious main-level primary suite, and an open-concept living space with a dramatic 15’ slider create seamless indoor-outdoor living, opening to over 1,000 sq ft of patio and a sunny south-facing yard. Flexible upper-level space for guests, gym, or office. Triple-car garage with a private 2-bedroom legal suite. Minutes to beaches, parks, trails, and Deep Cove amenities.
SEASIDE STORIES
Meet Your Neighbours
Stars Belong to Everyone
When Ruhee Janmohamed started her degree in physics and astronomy, she was often told “this isn’t for you.”
Professors in these maledominated fields weren’t supportive of students –female students to be specific. But Ruhee said this helped her in “finding the inner strength, and using their words as fuel.” Now working at the Centre of the Universe on West Saanich Road, she mostly works with a female-led team and volunteers.
Ruhee started as a volunteer at the centre before she graduated UVic, and then a position opened up in January 2025 and she took on the role of Education Leadership Coordinator. Her job includes all of the Centre’s school programs, as well as grant writing, admin and content creation. She says that all of their tours and events fund their education program because education is the “back bone.”
The site first opened to the public in 1916 and is one of the “main hubs for astronomy in
Western Canada.” The centre that Ruhee works out of was built in 2000 and run by the government until 2013.
In 2015, the Friends of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory non-profit organization was formed and now runs the important work at the site. The Plaskett telescope is the “second biggest in Canada” and one of the biggest research telescopes in North America. It is open and viewing the skies every night that it’s clear out. But the telescope’s reach is beyond the in-person work that researchers and scientists do. It can also be used remotely around the world and is accessed online by astronomers in Australia, Turkey, across Canada and throughout the U.S. It also stores Hubble telescope data and can still be visited by the public. And this amazing site is part of the Saanich Peninsula.
WORDS JAMILA DOUHAIBI
PHOTOS SARAH HARTLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
Star parties have been running since 1916 and only stopped during the war. During the pandemic, they still held these events online. Ruhee provides presentations on research, dome tours, and senior and community tours. She also goes into schools and is currently working on a women-in-astronomy piece. Working with students from kindergarten to Grade 12 has been a learning curve for her, as she mainly presented to high school and above before this position, but Ruhee says “whether new to science or experts in astrophysics, I love being able to speak to everyone and answer
and the Centre is a place where people can ask all of their questions – and Ruhee says that it’s an “honour to be able to answer them.” She also hopes that people leave with more questions than they arrive with.
As a woman of colour in the field of science, Ruhee says that there are “not many of us in astronomy in Canada in general,” which is why she’s so keen on the work that she does, as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education is so important for girls. Ruhee has connected with schools like St. Margaret’s, as well as other
Presented by:
and social work) have the goal of “striving to make it easier for women in these fields” –making it easier for the next generation.
The Centre is fully accessible to everyone who wants to visit and learn more about our solar system. They also upload all of their star party talks. Guests can book a tour or star party online, or just show up on Fridays and Saturdays from 12 p.m. until the last tour at 4:30 p.m. Ruhee says the centre is worth a trip because people can “experience stars and planets
even if the weather is not cooperating,” because their indoor planetarium “brings the night sky inside.” And they always need volunteers – no experience necessary. So come and learn, ask questions and see the world in a new way. As Ruhee says: “the stars belong to everyone.” www.centreoftheuniverse.org
Note: Since writing this piece, Ruhee has moved to Calgary and is working at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory.
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. rough 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? Visit violavanderuyt.ca to
Viola Van de Ruyt CIM, FCSI, CPCA Wealth Advisor 250-657-2220 viola.vanderuyt@nbc.ca
Marcus Van de Ruyt Associate 250-657-2222 marcus.vanderuyt@nbc.ca
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 390 clients across Canada, principally in Greater Victoria and the Lower Mainland.
No Financial Products to Sell Leads to Truly Independent Advice.
WITH Peter Dolezal
EQUITY RISK MANAGEMENT
As I write this article on the last trading day of March, Trump’s ill-conceived war in the Middle East is a month old, with little sign of ending. Just prior to the war’s commencement, North American and Global Markets were near all-time highs. Market Indexes have since declined, although not catastrophically. Year-to-date, the TSX is still marginally up, while U.S. markets are down, but by only 4% to 5%.
More noteworthy, just PRIOR to the war’s commencement, was the previous 52-week performance of some of the most iconic companies in Canada and the U.S., namely Amazon, Celestica, Microsoft, Palantir, Shopify, Netflix, Salesforce, Oracle, Constellation Software and Thomson Reuters.
Over those 52 weeks, despite solid overall market performance, these 10 corporations had declined from their previous highs, by between 23% (Amazon), and 61% (Thomson Reuters). The average decline was approximately 41%.
More recently, gold reached a year-to-date high of U.S. $5,248/ounce – only to decline today to US$4,562 – a 13% drop. Even more dramatic, Bitcoin, after reaching a record US$120,000, now trades near US$65,000, down from its high by 46%.
Clear lessons are to be gleaned from this recent history:
1. “Individual” financial products, no matter how desirable at a point in time, are ALL eventually subject to major value adjustments. One simply cannot predict the timing.
2. For an investor, the only way to mitigate the impact of this price cyclicality is to minimize or avoid individual product holdings in favour of many hundreds, or even thousands, of corporations through products such as Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). They too will encounter cyclicality. However, given their broadlydiversified holdings, the volatility and magnitude of change will be far more moderate.
Aside from product diversification, the prudent investor’s market-risk profile will be lowered even more by ensuring that investments are spread across many sectors, as well as multiple geographic areas because they too are cyclical.
A further risk-mitigating factor is the selection of a customized Equity/Fixed Income allocation in one’s holdings –ensuring that the Fixed Income component is sufficient to cover all required draws for a number of years, should the Equity component be in decline when the funds are required. This avoids ever having to sell Equities to fund draws during an Equity market correction.
As investors, we cannot predict market moves, whether up or down, but we do have it in our power to moderate the impact of corrections. The closer we are to retirement, the more we should resist the urge to invest in products through which we hope to achieve a “home run” return. The downside risk is simply too great for that stage of life.
Personalized Care at Amica Beechwood Village
Are you considering senior living in Victoria? Now ’s the perfect time to di scover the possibilities at Amica Beechwood Village.
Our compassionate Wellness team delivers 24/7 support throu gh Personalized Wellness Plans that evolve with residents’ needs. We offer Long -Term Care suites, care bundles and à la carte services, so you can select which option best suits your needs.
Along with your premium suite, you’ll have access to chef-prepared meals, w ell-appointed a menities, m eaningful s ocial a ctivities a nd m ore.
To learn more and book a tou r, call Sandy or Claire at 250-655-0849.
We look forward to seeing you.
LOBSTER FESTPlus
at Mary Winspear Centre
Bigger, Bolder, and Tastier Than Ever!
This is not your average seafood shindig, you get to choose your feast: fresh Atlantic lobster, fresh caught Vancouver Island crab or locally raised Prime Rib of Beef ! (Because options are delicious.)
Get your claws on tickets now before they’re gone! Tickets $140 go to sidneylobsterfest.ca
In addition to savouring a Lobster, Crab or Prime Rib dinner with all the fixings, get ready to bid on jaw-dropping goodies during our silent and live auctions. (Stay tuned for silent auction details.) We'll be rounding out the night with live music from local band The Haven
THANKS TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR:
This fun-filled evening marks the 12th year of one of the Peninsula’s premier annual community events, with 100% of proceeds invested right here on the Peninsula. You can make it even more special with your support as a sponsor. Visit sidneylobsterfest.ca to learn how you can get involved.
Doors open at 6pm for cocktails and silent auction viewing and the dinner bell rings at 7pm. Join the fun, meet your neighbours and feel good knowing you're supporting your community!
Whether you are new to the area, going through a life transition, or unhappy with your current situation, you will find that Deborah takes a unique approach when working with her clients.
Whether you are new to the area, going through a life transition, or unhappy with your current situation, you will find that Deborah takes a unique approach when working with her clients.
Deborah’s 25 years of experience in the investment industry has resulted in her having a greater understanding of an investor’s needs and their tolerance to volatility, which allows her the ability to effectively guide investors through the ups and downs of today’s markets.
Her 25 years of experience in the investment industry is her guide when working with investors. Deborah realizes that building a strong client relationship is rooted in trust and transparency. The foundation for a strong relationship is ensuring compatibility and effective communication. Investors want to know that their financial advisor is committed to their success and willing to take the time to listen to what is important to help them determine their goals.
She has successfully guided investors through many market cycles by ensuring that her clients are invested in a balance of suitable products. Determining the appropriate blend of investments that focus on preserving capital, generating income, or providing growth is key to finding a client’s comfort level.
It may surprise many to learn that investing is often not about achieving the ‘highest rate of return’, but rather having confidence that their financial advisor understands their goals and will prepare an investment plan to achieve those goals. What one investor considers important, another may not, therefore, goals, plans, and solutions are as unique as the individual, so too should be the portfolio!
The greatest threat to long-term investing is selling growthoriented investments during turbulent markets. History has proven that selling an investment with the expectation of purchasing it later (market timing) is not a successful investment strategy. An experienced financial advisor will ensure that the investor does not sabotage their long-term goals, and this starts with having a thorough understanding of the investor, such as past experiences, current investment knowledge, family situation, health concerns, and financial goals, both short and long-term.
Experience matters when it comes to guiding investors through turbulent markets.
Although setting goals, determining the appropriate asset allocation, implementing a strategy, building a portfolio, and monitoring investments are essential to successful investing, the most important factor is the amount of time that the professional spends with the investor. The more investment knowledge and understanding of the markets that an investor has, the greater the chances are for success. When investors are prepared for volatility and understand the emotional roller coaster that can be experienced during market corrections, the less chance they have of making decisions based on emotion rather than discipline and logic.
Preparing an investor for volatility helps the investor ride out the emotional roller coaster that one can experience during a market correction. Effective communication with the investor is essential to ensure that investment decisions are based on logic rather than emotion.
A financial advisor who has experience guiding investors through these market corrections is an invaluable asset to achieving one’s financial goals.
A financial advisor who has experience guiding investors through these market corrections is an invaluable asset to achieving one’s financial goals.
Don’t take chances with your financial success because experience truly does matter!
Don’t take chances with your financial success because experience truly does matter!
www.raymondjames.ca/deborahreid
As conversations around death begin to open, so too does a new kind of support at the end of life.
At the edges of one of life’s deepest transitions, imagine a gentle companion. Not a clinician, not a counselor, not someone who takes the place of medical care – but a steadfast presence who helps illuminate what’s humanly precious in the dying process. This is the heart of a death doula.
Just as birth doulas support the arrival into life, death doulas – also known as end-of-life doulas, death midwives or transition guides – support the dying process with compassion, dignity and quiet presence.
A COMPANION THROUGH THE STAGES
A death doula’s role gently unfolds across three broad seasons of care:
Before death, they create space for honest conversations about fears, wishes and legacy. This may include advance care planning, reflecting on meaningful memories, or naming what matters most. At the bedside, they offer calm,
consistent support. This can look like sitting in silence, guiding breath, holding vigil or providing respite for caregivers. As a yoga therapist, I often weave in gentle breath-work and visualization practices along with bedside yoga. My role as a death doula is not there to fix or direct the experience, but to accompany it.
After death, some doulas continue to support loved ones through early grief – helping to shape rituals, honour memory and navigate the first steps of loss.
Unlike hospice or palliative care providers – essential forms of medical and comfort care –death doulas are non-medical companions. They do not diagnose or treat, but instead support the emotional, spiritual and relational aspects of dying. Doulas complete specialized training in areas such as grief and bereavement, advocacy, advance care planning (including MAID), and funeral options.
A GROWING, HEART-CENTRED MOVEMENT
With nearly one in five Canadians expected to be over the age of 65 by 2030, and many expressing a desire to die at home, there is increasing
What is a Death Doula?
awareness of the need for more personalized end-of-life care. Yet many still experience death within institutional settings, often without a clear plan in place.
Within this gap, death doulas are emerging as steady, human-centred guides. CTV reported that the number of registered death doulas in Canada has tripled in recent years, reflecting a growing desire for care that honours not only how we die, but how we are accompanied.
In the same way grief cafés have begun to open space for honest conversations about loss, death doulas are quietly taking root here on the Saanich Peninsula. As conversations around death continue to open – in living rooms, in community circles, in
places like grief cafés – death doulas offer a reminder that this final chapter need not be navigated in silence or fear.
WHAT TO ASK A DEATH DOULA?
What training or experience do you have in end-of-life care?
What services do you offer before, during and after death?
How do you support both the individual and their family?
Are you comfortable working alongside hospice or medical teams?
What is your approach to spiritual or cultural practices?
What are your fees, and do you offer flexible options?
Can we meet first to see if it feels like a good fit?
BRENTWOOD BAY VILLAGE EMPOURIUM
7103 W Saanich Rd, Brentwood Bay
Springtime on the Saanich Peninsula is a very special season: who doesn't love to see the wildflowers in bloom and baby lambs in the fields? And Spring at Brentwood Bay Village Empourium is just as bright and colourful, cheerful and fun.
Awarded the Times Colonist Readers' Choice Award for Best Coffee Shop 2023 and 2025
Empourium is a favourite with locals, and has become a sought-after destination as well: a welcoming café and retail store where excellent coffee, delicious food, live music, arts and retail co-exist. Empourium's food and beverage offerings feature a seasonally inspired menu of freshly baked treats, a delicious selection of hot and cold sandwiches and house-made soups and salads. Catering is available for special events, meetings and more.
This family-owned, independent shop is also filled with beautiful and unusual merchandise sourced from local, regional and global makers. Whether you are shopping for yourself or looking for a gift, you are sure to find something amazing from the eclectic retail area.
Empourium boasts a five star ranking on Trip Advisor and other review platforms. Come see for yourself what's happening in the heart of Brentwood Bay.
LOVE YOUR LOCAL
You are investing in your community by supporting its unique businesses. Appreciate what makes our neighbourhoods different.
Our one-of-a-kind 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.
Discover exceptional quality and value with our custom cabinets on the Saanich Peninsula!
As a full-service millwork and renovation company, we provide personalized design, manufacturing, and expert installation. We have expanded our in-house services and now manufacture solid surface countertops.
Lisa Edwards lisa@lisaedwards.ca
Lisa Edwards is a contemporary collage artist based in Victoria, whose work captures the feeling of place – layered, timeworn and quietly evocative.
Inspired by travel and the beauty of everyday details, she gathers fragments of pattern, paper, texture and found imagery, transforming them into one-of-a-kind pieces that feel both personal and timeless.
Her process begins with on-location observation, captured through sketchbooks and photography. In the studio, she builds each piece through collage and paint, creating soft layers and subtle patinas that invite a closer look.
Drawn to weathered surfaces, faded patterns and traces of history, Lisa’s work offers a gentle pause – a chance to reconnect with places we’ve been, or those we long to explore.
Her pieces continue to evolve through a practice that bridges studio work, surface design and storytelling. Experience her work in person at The Atelier: The Studio of a Woman , a collaborative exhibition with Michelle Ford, May 15 to 21, 2026, at ArtSea Gallery in Tulista Park (Sidney), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. www.artsea.ca
Black Dirt Farm: Goodness from the Ground Up
On Black Dirt Farm in Saanich, Denise McMorris has found a method of soil enhancement that works like a “char”-m.
The farm uses familiar sustainable practices, but one unique approach involves the application of burnt wood called biochar.
Biochar has been gaining attention in recent years. Basically, it’s a charcoal material that is rich in carbon and long lasting with benefits that include better water retention and nutrient conservation and enhanced plant resilience. Biochar is extremely porous, has a stable protective structure that allows a healthy microbial community sheltered from environmental stresses. Wood is burned to the point of charcoal but not ash.
“I came across this article in National Geographic one day about the richest farm soil on the planet. It goes back
thousands of years and is called Terra Preta which, in Portugese, means ‘black soil.’ The dark colour is due to the charcoal in the soil,” shares Denise. “My farm name is partly from this, but I changed it to Black Dirt. I mimic the old practices of adding charcoal to the soil.”
Biochar is commercially available, but some growers are making their own version. “We have been using the pit method. Wood is burned to the point of charcoal, not ash, in a covered pit,” relates Denise. “We then incorporate it into the soil.”
While Denise has tried the pit method, she continues to explore other approaches. One factor that is key to the process, however, is the wood itself. “We are considering building a barrel unit rather than using the pit
WORDS JO BARNES
PHOTOS SARAH HARTLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
method. The barrel we intend to use is a 55-gallon drum made of metal,” she comments. “We have accumulated an amount of branches and logs from winter tree damage and intend to use that when it is drier. Also, we know it’s important to be careful to use only untreated wood so that you avoid contaminants.”
A sustainable approach is foundational to this farm where recycling and regenerative practices are valued. For example, empty whiskey barrels are collected, cut and made into planters for sale. “We don’t till here, and we avoid sprays and chemicals,” she notes.
“We use the layered lasagna method in composting.
Leaf mulch, green waste, hay and the biochar is all part of the mix.”
care of them,” says Denise. “My son drives me to the markets and they both help with set up. My daughter Dana also creates product labels.”
A trained herbalist, Denise has recently retired and is now focusing her time and energy on maximizing income from the farm with plans underway to open up a new onsite storefront farm shop. As well, there will be a small consultation area for Denise’s medical herbal practice where she can provide natural health consultations with clients.
For Denise, farming is second nature as she grew up on a farm. “I love farming; it comes naturally. I was raised on a dairy farm in Aldergrove. There were cows, chickens, pigs and a large garden,” she relates. “I’m from a large family, and we all worked on the farm.”
Originally purchased in 2010, the 4.75-acre property is home to heritage chickens raised for egg production, an orchard and a vegetable and herb garden. The enriched soil allows the farm to boast a harvest that is marketed in whole form or made into jams, pickled items and herbal tinctures, oils and body products, all of which is sold at various local farmers’ markets.
However, even the best soil and abundant harvest need many hands to make it all happen.
“My youngest son Kevin and his partner Emmie now live on property, and they help out with the farming. They love the chickens and take wonderful
Farm produce, barrel products, and herbal apothecary information is outlined on her website. It all takes commitment and a healthy pragmatic perspective. “It’s a big leap of faith and there are no guarantees crop will succeed,” she comments. “It’s important to look after yourself. If you get hurt, there’s no one to step in. Also, you can’t get away very often.”
This enthusiastic farmer, however, wouldn’t want it any other way. She finds her farming lifestyle rewarding and satisfying. Moreover, she feels very privileged to do so. “I don’t feel like an owner but more like a guardian of this property. I am taking care of it while I am here,” Denise shares. “I do the best job I can to honour that responsibility and enrich the land as much as I can.”
Enrichment not only comes in the form of charcoalenhanced soil, but for this farming woman, it represents a broader connection with the land upon which she lives and the community in which she interacts. www.blackdirtfarm.ca
Fresh coffee, warm pastries, and sunny moments waiting for you on our Cafe patio
Structured Notes: an Alternative for Fixed Income Investors
As traditional fixed income investments like bonds and GICs offer historically low yields, many investors are seeking new ways to potentially enhance returns and diversify their portfolios.
Structured notes have emerged as an alternative, providing opportunities to tailor risk and return profiles to individual goals and market views.
WHAT ARE STRUCTURED NOTES?
Structured notes are financial instruments, typically issued by banks through financial advisors, that combine elements of debt securities with derivatives. They are designed to offer customized exposure to various equity markets while often providing some level of principal protection or
enhanced yield. The return on a structured note is linked to the performance of an underlying asset or index.
WHY CONSIDER STRUCTURED NOTES?
The appeal of structured notes lies in their versatility. Investors can select notes with features that align with their outlook and risk tolerance. For example, some notes offer the potential for higher returns if a specific index remains within a certain range and may provide partial or full principal protection if held to maturity.
ASSOCIATED RISKS AND CONSIDERATIONS?
While structured notes can offer attractive benefits, they also come with unique risks. The complexity of these instruments means investors must carefully understand the terms, including
how returns are calculated and what happens if the underlying asset performs poorly.
BOTTOM LINE
Structured notes represent a dynamic alternative for fixed income investors seeking to enhance returns. While they offer flexibility and potential upside, it is important to approach these products with a clear understanding of their structure, risks, and overall suitability when applied to a diversified portfolio, and an investor’s overall risk parameters.
FIELDS, FAMILIES & FRESH FINDS
The People Behind the Peninsula Country Market
Saturdays from June 6 to October 10 9 AM
A MARKET ROOTED IN HISTORY
By 8:45 on a Saturday morning, the Saanich Fairgrounds are already alive. Tent pegs are being hammered into grass still damp with dew, crates of strawberries are stacked beside hand-lettered signs, and the smell of fresh coffee cuts through the cool Peninsula air. The Peninsula Country Market doesn’t officially open until nine, but for the people who make it happen, the day started hours ago.
Now in its 35th season, the market has grown from a small circle of local growers into one of Vancouver Island’s most beloved Saturday rituals — more than 60 vendors strong, drawing visitors from Victoria and beyond
each week from June through October. But ask anyone who’s been coming for years what keeps them coming back, and the answer is rarely the produce or the pottery. It’s the people.
For many vendors, the market is the most direct line between their land and their neighbours’ tables. Peninsula farms bring whatever came in that week: sweet corn, heritage tomatoes, dahlias cut that morning and honey from hives on the farm’s edge. There are no middlemen, no warehouses, no weeks spent in cold storage. What you pick up at 10 AM was likely still growing at dawn.
That directness is the whole point. Shoppers who might otherwise reach for a supermarket bag of salad greens find themselves instead chatting with the person who grew them, learning which variety does well in Island soil, and going home with something they’d never have found otherwise. It’s an education as much as a transaction.
SATURDAYS WORTH SAVING
Beyond the vendors, the market has quietly become one of the Peninsula’s most reliable community spaces. Non-profit groups set up for free each week to promote their work. Live musicians perform from 10 AM to 1 PM — local acts, fresh air, no cover charge. The Peninsula Co-op Kid Zone brings hands-on activities that help children make the connection between soil and supper. And then there’s the less tangible thing: the feeling of unhurried Saturday time. Neighbours who see each other only here. Regulars who have watched vendors’ children grow up. The kind of easy, rooted morning that’s increasingly rare and worth protecting.
Every dollar spent at the Peninsula Country Market stays on the Peninsula, supporting a family farm, funding a small studio, keeping a dream afloat for one more season. That’s a return on investment no grocery store can match.
“The market is the highlight of our week. We love coming here to see our friends, buy fresh food, and enjoy the lively atmosphere.”
– Roni Anderson, long-time marketgoer
SEASIDE STORIES
Peninsula Voices
Finding Our Humanity Through Art
Kathleen Brophy is a young local artist – we chatted about vulnerability, healing, and what it means to be human.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Kathleen Brophy, and I am 18 years old and finishing my last year of high school at Brentwood College School in Mill Bay. I have received early acceptance to three universities: University of British Columbia Vancouver Campus, University of Toronto St. George Campus, and The University of Edinburgh. I currently live in Sidney, but I was born in California. My dad was in the military, and I moved many times in my childhood. I am a dual citizen of Canada and the United States, and I have lived in various places such as Kansas, Yellowknife, Toronto and Calgary.
How would you describe your creative process?
My creative process is rather spontaneous. I often go for a long period of time without having an art idea, and then all of a sudden, something will pop into my head. I also never pre-plan my works.
Some artists do many sketches before starting a piece, but I will get an idea and then simply begin – doing my rough draft(s) on the canvas/paper itself – and I discover things along the way as I go. I rarely do a mini sketch out of the blue for fun. I am inspired to create when there is something in my head trapped or swirling around in there that I simply have to get out, even if I do not know consciously what it really means. You called your work emotionally accurate but not realistic –can you explain?
When I say that, I am talking about my tendency to put more emphasis on the emotions and powerfulness of the art rather than the visual "realistic-ness." The skin tone may not be exact, the shading may not be like that of a photograph, and the hair – which I particularly struggle with – may not be perfectly realistic. But for me, it is more important to create a powerful and emotional image than a realistic one. What my work
WORDS JESSE HOLTH PHOTO SARAH HARTLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
lacks in realism, I hope it makes up for in the sadness in the eyes, the struggle in the position, the intensity of the image itself. That is what matters the most to me.
What are some of the challenges of working in different mediums?
Every medium definitely has some challenges. Even graphite pencil and coloured pencil, which are my two favourite mediums, have their struggles. Graphite pencil smudges very easily, and coloured pencil is a very light medium, making it harder to add intense colour. Paint is a struggle for me because pencil is such a fine-pointed tool to work with, whereas having a large brush-head has always been a bit more difficult for me. Oil pastel is a lovely medium, though it is more difficult to do detail with. I have found sculpture to be very challenging for me because I like to make elaborate expressions and gestures in my work, and in the past when I have tried to do that in a sculpture format, it often cannot hold up its own weight. There are also conceptual challenges, particularly the idea that pencil is a less finished medium, or a medium used as a precursor to a painting rather than the actual piece.
You’ve said vulnerability is strength. How does vulnerability help us grow?
By being vulnerable, you are stronger than you would be if you were trying to be tough – I say this because being vulnerable is scary. It is showing our more tender side to those around us and hoping it doesn’t get hurt. When you are trying to be tough and strong, you are hiding that tenderness. You are trying to cover it up, which in turn, bottles up your emotions. If you are vulnerable, you are being honest and open. Not only are you facing your fears, but it builds real armour instead of fake armour. It helps you to grow into a more resilient person because you were open and raw and real, and you are still here and okay.
Why is it important to share yourself through art? What do you hope to convey to the viewer?
The idea of vulnerability being strength is something I truly believe, and part of the reason why
I share my art is to help strengthen myself by being tender and raw and human, which in a world of technology, is so important. I want to share my art to heal myself, but also because I hope to inspire those around me to do the same. I hope that by making visually emotive and powerful images, I can force my viewer to stop and stare at my work, making them feel and think deeply ... which in itself is my goal. To think and feel is so important in a world of automation and people existing instead of living. I also hope that my vulnerability and honesty about who I am and what I am thinking and going through will encourage others to think about their own struggles – and how they can work through, process, and heal them by being vulnerable, or just thinking deeply about their truth rather than bottling it.
You said what artists do in the world is use their voice – to present an idea, to question things, to inspire people. What are you trying to achieve?
There is sometimes the idea that artists do not have real jobs, but that simply is not true. Artists have the most important jobs of all, because in a world that runs on deadlines and money and work and automation, artists of all kinds, from filmmakers to musicians to visual artists like me, are the voice that tells people to stop running and sit and think and experience the moment, and to remind them of what is going on both in themselves and in the world around them. My goal is to make people stop and consider themselves, what is in their hearts, what the root of their pain is, and who they are as a person. My goal is to inspire them to heal and work through themselves, and to remind them that they are human, and that humans make mistakes and deserve attention, love, and time to consider, think and feel. If we want to make real change around us, we have to start in the closest thing to us – our hearts, and mending the cracks there before we mend the cracks in the world.
Find Kathleen on Instagram @Katbro — art.
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Local Flavour: Feature
SEASIDE LIVING
Well Read
Anatomy of a Book Club
of each character and then discussed their post-disaster reactions, initial dislike of the characters softened as we connected them to types of people we know. A teenaged character, welltrained in earthquake protocol (prompting memories of school earthquake drills in B.C. in the 1970s) was one of those who reacted courageously and emerged stronger.
I have been a member of one or more book clubs for 27 years. They have differed in format and membership criteria, but what they had in common was that group discussion enhanced nuances of the book, highlighted what others had found interesting, and led to fascinating sidebar conversations.
In one of the book clubs that I currently belong to, books are suggested by members and chosen democratically. We deliberately create a diverse list that comprises all genres. Of course, the choices reflect member preferences, from pet topics to favourite authors.
One member has a penchant for books about disasters and plagues, so it was no surprise when The Broken Places by Vancouver author Frances Peck showed up on our list. Beginning on the day that a severe earthquake rocks Vancouver, a cast of not particularly likeable characters moves from going about their days to working to survive. The earthquake is a catalyst for exposing the broken places in people that may be revealed in desperate times. Occasionally, those broken places become stronger than they previously were.
As we reviewed the backstory
Frances Peck’s descriptions of the disaster felt realistic and led to interesting tangential conversations. Initial jokes about go-bags and how outdated our respective earthquake kits are morphed into members sharing their personal fears about being in a disaster – safety of pets, reconnecting with loved ones, ability to react appropriately –and one member recounted her own experience of a severe earthquake in the Pacific Northwest and how it shaped her preparedness and mindset for the future.
Each of the characters in The Broken Places harboured a secret – their broken place – that directed their response to the quake. As we discussed how their actions affected our admiration of them, we explored whether we, too, have things we should reconcile lest we find ourselves similarly tested. The book prompted reflection on a scenario that is a real possibility in B.C.
While I could list the other disaster and plague books read in my group’s 10-year history, I will, instead, offer titles that were catalysts for wide-ranging discussions:
1. All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley
2. The Black House by Peter May
3. The Claws of the Panda by Jonathan Manthorpe
The Novice of Holloway Hall
WORDS JACKIE LAPLANTE
SEASIDE STORIES
New & Noteworthy
TAKING THE STRESS OUT OF SCHOOL BREAKS
News, Changes, Updates, Launches
Have something for New & Noteworthy? Email noteworthy@ seasidemagazine.ca.
WORDS JUNE MURRAY DAGNALL
Two Saanich Peninsula dads are making school break planning easier for local families. After struggling to organize camps for their young sons, Craig Frew and Michael Doyle created CampMatch. This free, centralized platform helps parents search and compare youth camps and programs.
Launched after a holidayseason brainstorming session, the site already features over 6,000 listings in the Victoria and Vancouver areas, and has attracted thousands of users. New programs are being added regularly and the founders are currently focused on growing CampMatch before exploring monetization options. www.campmatch.ca
BRENTWOOD BAY RESORT NEWS
Celebration is in the air on the Saanich Peninsula as the Arbutus Room at Brentwood Bay Resort earned top honours at the Vancouver International Wine Festival 2026 Wine Program Excellence Awards. Taking home Bronze for Best BC Wine List and Silver for Best Value Wine Program, the dining room continues to showcase the depth and craftsmanship of British Columbia’s wine regions with sophistication. Relaxation is also reaching new heights at the Resort, where their new Nordicinspired thermal wellness experience is redefining the art of unwinding. Created in collaboration with Island Sauna, it features a rejuvenating sauna and
cold plunge circuit designed to restore balance, boost circulation and enhance overall well-being. Guests can enjoy bookable sessions or immersive treatments like contrast therapy massage, the perfect answer for those looking to unplug and recharge.
Adding to the buzz, formerly known as The Pub, this resort venue has officially taken on the name The Lodge Kitchen & Bar, which is a nod to what locals have actually called it all along. With a renewed focus on community, The Lodge continues to be a favourite spot for relaxed, elevated dining and connection.
THE MAKING OF AN OUTDOOR KITCHEN
Go behind the scenes with
We are a fun, outgoing and clean salon that proudly offers a safe, inclusive space for everyone –LGBTQ+ friendly and welcoming to every walk of life.
Our services include Manicures, Pedicures, Lash Extensions and Facial Waxing, all provided in a cozy, uplifting atmosphere.
Planning something special? We love celebrating with you! We host Wedding Parties and Birthday Parties.
Canada Outdoor Kitchens May 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. to discover what it takes to bring stunning outdoor living spaces to life on the Saanich Peninsula. Hear from the team about their process, challenges and passion from concept to completion, while enjoying fresh Napoli-style pizza straight from their outdoor oven.
This exclusive Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce (SPCC) member event is a great opportunity to connect, learn and be inspired. Contact the office to attend as a guest. Located at 9800 McDonald Park Road, Unit 200.
BBQ, COMMUNITY & CANADIAN SPIRIT
Join your community for a fun-filled afternoon at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 37 Community BBQ. Taking place on May 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., enjoy classic BBQ fare, connect with neighbours and support local veterans, seniors and families in the Sidney area. This free, family-friendly event takes place in the parking lot of North Saanich Canadian Tire located at 10300 McDonald Park Road. Come hungry and help make a difference, as all proceeds stay local in support of the Legion’s program.
PNW TEAM COMPETES ON WORLD STAGE
A Pacific Northwest women’s team will be competing on one of sailing’s most prestigious international sailing stages. Cascadia Sailing is set to compete in the inaugural New York Yacht Club International Women’s Championship, scheduled for September 2026 in Newport, Rhode Island.
A key factor in Cascadia Sailing’s success is the ability to fund a comprehensive campaign. The team welcomes
sponsorships and donations to support its Canadian athletes and the campaign. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support the campaign through Wind Athletes Canada and help bring this ambitious and inspiring project to life. www. cascadiasailing.org/donate Or come and join the “Sea to Tee” Golf Tournament on Sunday, May 31st at 2 p.m. at Ardmore Golf Course. This nine-hole shotgun scramble will have a silent auction and prizes. $125 includes a round of golf, burger and sides. Register at www.cascadiasailing.org/ golftournament.
CALLING ALL CREATIVES
The Sooke Fine Arts Show is now accepting submissions from both returning and new artists for their 40th anniversary show! This annual, community-driven exhibition celebrates the art and culture of Vancouver Island and B.C.'s coastal islands. Artists whose work is selected will have the opportunity to sell their unique creations in the show’s gallery gift shop and are encouraged to share their skills and techniques through talks, demonstrations or guided tours during the event. June 1 is the deadline for artists from B.C.’s coastal islands, including Haida Gwaii, who work in various mediums such as painting, sculpture, fibre arts and handcrafted jewelry.
The show will take place at Sooke's SEAPARC Leisure Complex from July 25 to August 3 with over 270 artists presenting their works. Mark your calendars!
www.sookefinearts.com
MEET YOUR STREET
The District of Central Saanich is bringing back its popular Meet Your Street program,
offering funding to help neighbours come together, strengthen connections and improve neighbourhood preparedness.
The annual grant program provides approximately $250 per event to support neighbourhood-focused activities that bring residents together while encouraging emergency preparedness and community resilience. Eligible events may include neighbourhood gatherings, presentations, live music or other community-building activities that help residents connect and get to know one another.
District staff are available to support participating neighbourhoods by helping develop emergency contact lists, sharing information on building emergency kits or hosting FireSmart and emergency preparedness presentations.
Residents can find full program details, eligibility requirements and application information at www.CSaanich.ca/ meetyourstreet
CALL TO ARTISTS
Royal & McPherson Theatres Society (RMTS) is accepting submissions for the 20262027 Exhibitions at the Mac program. Emerging and mid-career artists, both solo and groups, living and working in the Capital Regional District (CRD) are invited to apply for the opportunity to exhibit their work in the historic McPherson Playhouse lobby from September 2026 through June 2027.
Application deadline is May 10, 2026. Full program guidelines and the online submission form are available through the RMTS website at www.rmts. bc.ca/our-story/exhibitionsat-the-mac/
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I see you, Mama. You went to bed at a reasonable hour. You got your eight hours (or close to it) and yet you wake up tired, foggy and already behind. What gives?
In honour of Mother’s Day. Let’s look at some of the reasons why ... because wouldn’t finally feeling rested be the ultimate gift?
YOU’RE STILL “ON CALL”
Even in sleep, your nervous system may not fully switch off. You’re listening for the kids (even subconsciously) and waking at every small noise. This leads to light, fragmented sleep cycles where your body stays in a semi-alert state with limited deep restorative sleep.
The Solution: Try to take a few minutes to “wind down” before bed. Practise some deep breathing, gentle stretching and self-massage in low light to show your body that you are safe and preparing for rest.
THE MENTAL TO DO LIST NEVER ENDS
Motherhood comes with dozens of invisible “open tabs” in your mind. You lie awake mentally sorting through everything that needs to be done, and your sleep quality suffers. Even if you don’t feel stressed, your body does.
The Solution: Keep a notebook on your bedside table and do a five-minute “brain dump” before bed. Write it all down and get it all out of your head to deal with after you get your zzz’s.
BLOOD SUGAR SWINGS
It’s not uncommon for moms to skip meals, eat on the go, run on coffee alone or reach for those quick carb-heavy snacks when
a quiet moment presents itself. All of this can lead to nighttime blood sugar crashes, which trigger cortisol (stress hormone) spikes, which pull you out of deep sleep.
The Solution: Prioritize your protein at every meal and snack. This will help to keep your blood sugar more stable. Consider a balanced snack an hour or so before bed like greek yogurt and berries, or apple slices and peanut butter to help keep things steady through the night.
YOUR CIRCADIAN RHYTHM IS OFF
Chronic stress, even the “normal” kind, can dysregulate your body's natural wake/ sleep pattern. This could look like feeling wired at night, but exhausted in the morning, or waking up wide awake between 2 and 4 a.m. and crashing out at 3 p.m.
The Solution: Reset your rhythm. Follow a consistent bedtime and wake-up schedule, even on weekends. Get natural light in your eyes first thing in the morning, and limit blue light (screens) for at least an hour before bedtime.
YOU’RE NUTRIENT DEPLETED
Sleep might not even be the issue; it might be your body getting the right fuel to keep going! Motherhood is physically demanding, and we often see nutrients like magnesium, iron, B vitamins and omega 3’s getting depleted at higher rates. Even mild deficiencies can leave you waking up tired, no matter how long you slept.
The Solution: A high-quality multivitamin is your friend. Talk to your healthcare provider about what is right for you.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Benefits Include:
• Vital nutrients to your plants;
• Reducing the need to weed your flower beds;
• Significantly reducing the amount of water you need to apply to your flower beds (mulch retains moisture).
Spring Break: A Canadian Invasion?
Despite the early hour, the waiting area at YYJ was packed with some excited travellers ready to start their spring break in Mexico.
WORDS & PHOTOS
SUSAN BEIDERWIEDEN
Most, like us, had been up before dawn and were bleary eyed and silent. The departure gate was full of people of all ages, from retirees to families loaded down with toddler gear and parents herding their plugged-in teenagers. We dressed for the chilly March weather knowing we had time to change at the Cancun Airport. We were unable upon arrival to get to Merida, a UNESCO World Safe City and fastest growing city in Mexico, three hours to the northwest, that night. But the thought of stepping into 35°C weather appealed on that dark, chilly morning. Excited chatter escalated as we boarded the direct flight into Cancun, but it was only a fraction of the volume to greet us later at one
of the busiest international airport hubs in the world. A group of late-comers stuffed chips and junk food into their carry-ons, already in full party mode, brightly dressed and wearing flip flops.
Like many Canadians, spring break promised an escape from routine, much-needed rest and sunshine to recharge and rekindle family time.
Our entire family would join us in Akumal for a week, so I read stories and articles celebrating the art of family travel and shared them with family. We could daydream about the Yucatan Peninsula on dreary January days. When talking about our spring break plans it seemed like half of Victoria had similar trips scheduled to Mexico.
Well, not quite. According to journalist Micheal Pihach, at PAX News, a travel newsletter, Canadians, rather than Americans, are now the leading international visitors to Mexico. During 2025, visitors flocked to the top tourist regions along the Caribbean Coast with a total of 2.8 million Canadians visiting Mexico. The Mexico News Daily reported most tourists arrive by air, but there has been a surge in land border crossings (+15.6 %) and cruise passengers (6%) during the 2024-2025 season. The most sought-out areas are Cancun, the Riviera Maya and Los Cabos. The Cancun Sun reported that 1,280 flights landed the first week of Spring Break.
Some of the highlights of our trip include a deep-sea expedition that resulted in some fine fish tacos; a guided walking tour of Mayan ruins in Tulum; and up-close visits by local wildlife – agouties, coatis and iguanians; but I have a confession to make.
Akumal, a beautiful area that seems to exists to serve tourists, with palm trees dotting white sandy beaches, was not my first choice for this family holiday. As I no longer sunbathe or am into beach activities, I didn’t pack a swimsuit for the trip. So what was I doing, booking a vacation
rental that boasted a beautiful pool, numerous outdoor patios and private access to the Akumal Lagoon, famous for swimming and snorkelling in the clear water? According to the advertisement, swimming in a lagoon full of brightlycoloured fish was like being in an aquarium.
What would I do while there?
I love walking, exploring new places, cooking and learning about a different part of the world. Like many, I enjoy longerstay holidays that allow me to settle in the area. My preferred way of travelling is doing house exchanges, or other ways to colour outside the lines.
What exactly would a nonbeachy person do in Akumal?
Well, it’s a magical place to spend quality time with kids and grandkids, watch them deepen bonds with each other and create memories to share on some cold winter’s day. It was a chance to linger beneath rustling palm trees, drinking in the ambiance of a tropical paradise, to read, sip and talk with whoever wandered by. It was, in short, a privilege to learn about and experience a new environment and culture, a little bit of paradise.
WE ARE MOVING!
All of our other contact information will remain the same as it is currently, including our email addresses, telephone number (778.426.3330) and fax number (778.426.3332). We look forward to serving our clients from our new premises.
10900 Greenpark Drive, North Saanich
4 bed + den | 6 bath | 0.5 acres | 4,258 sq ft | $2.795M
Backing on to Horth Hill Regional Park, offering stunning views of marinas and nearby ocean, sits this gorgeous West Coast inspired 4 bed + den, 6 bath home. Offering over 4200 sq ft of indoor living space and over 1800 sq ft of outdoor living space, this home was made for entertaining. Thoughtfully designed by Step One Designs and built by the Vidalin Group, 10900 Greenpark Drive exudes luxurious quality and superior craftsmanship.
1870 A Doney SaanichtonRoad,
3 bed | 3 bath | 2,044 sq ft | $1.395M + GST Features a desirable primary bedroom on the main level plus an upstairs rec room. The open, airy layout showcases engineered hardwood flooring, custom cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, a gas fireplace and a heat pump for year-round comfort.
9601 Fifth Street, Sidney
DEVELOPMENT SITE | $1.1M
Rare DP-approved triplex DEVELOPMENT
SITE with plans by renowned designer Ryan Hoyt, in one of Sidney’s most coveted locations. Stunning ocean views and breathtaking sunrises, combining modern coastal living with unbeatable walkability.
The Cento, Saanichton
1 & 2 bed | $589,000 - $1.4M
Thoughtful design meets everyday comfort. A curated collection of quality-built condos in the heart of Saanichton. From designer kitchens to spacious balconies and energyefficient features, every detail is curated for modern living. Boutique luxury, built to last.
UROSPOT
4 Reasons to Address Urinary Challenges
This is part of a rotating series of articles about some of the Saanich Peninsula's unique shops and services.
Talking about leaks, dribbles and that sudden urge to go to the restroom can make anyone feel a bit awkward. But have you considered the potential benefits of addressing these challenges? And did you know that a solution exists, right here in your neighbourhood, providing a pain-free solution while allowing you to remain fully clothed?
Here are four reasons why treating urinary incontinence should be a priority.
1. Avoiding the “OOPS Moment”: Nobody wants the awkward OOPS moment when urine unexpectedly leaks out, catching you off guard, especially at the most inconvenient times. By addressing urinary challenges, you can avoid these uncomfortable incidents, reclaiming a carefree and confident lifestyle.
2. Regaining Control: Among the most common words we hear from our clients is the desire to regain control. They experience a sense of powerlessness, as though their bodies have let them down. However, with the right treatment, you can regain that control and feel empowered to continue your day-to-day activities without worry.
3. Freedom to do what you love: Challenges with urinary control can restrict your daily activities, causing you to avoid things you love. Maybe you’ve stopped playing your favourite sport because you’re worried about accidents. Addressing these challenges can give
you the freedom to do the things you love again, things that help your overall health and wellness.
4. Less Pees and Better Zzzzzzs: If you struggle with urinary challenges, you may find that it disrupts your sleep. Getting up multiple times during the night to go to the bathroom may cause you to feel tired and groggy. Addressing these challenges can improve the quality of your sleep.
UROSPOT is here to help, conveniently located in Saanich.
These urinary challenges are common, but they are not normal. UROSPOT offers an innovative solution to restore freedom and peace of mind for people living with incontinence. UROSPOT combines technology, education and health coaching to help women and men say goodbye to bladder leaks, urgency, frequency, night waking and other pelvic floor issues, simply by sitting on a chair. You remain fully clothed, and the treatment is 100% non-invasive. Nothing goes in your body, and no one touches you. The technology effectively delivers the equivalent of 11,000 pelvic contractions in just 28 minutes while it restores the neuromuscular connection between your brain, bladder and pelvic floor. It is pelvic health done differently, and you will leave feeling educated and empowered.
Book a complimentary consultation today. Partially covered by physiotherapy benefits.
Don't Let Spring Sideline You
The cherry blossoms along Beacon Avenue are starting to bloom, the soil in your raised beds is finally thawing, and that familiar pull toward the backyard, rake in hand, knees already questioning your life choices, is back. Spring on the Saanich Peninsula is one of life's great gifts. But for too many of us, the first enthusiastic weekend in the garden ends with a stiff back on Sunday night and a heating pad on Monday morning.
It doesn't have to be that way.
At Peninsula Physiotherapy & Massage, tucked right in the heart of Sidney at 9733 Fourth Street, the team has seen this seasonal story play out year after year. And they have a simple message for the community they've served for years: your body is ready for spring, it just needs a smart introduction.
THE "SEASONAL SURGE" YOUR BODY WASN'T EXPECTING
Think of it this way: all winter, your body has been in a lower gear – shorter walks, fewer bike rides, days spent more indoors than out. Then April arrives and suddenly you're hauling bags of
mulch, crouching between rows of seedlings for two hours, or launching back into cycling the Lochside Trail with the same intensity you had in October.
This rapid ramp-up is one of the most common causes of spring injuries: pulled muscles in the lower back from shovelling and digging, knee pain from cycling too far too soon, shoulder strain from raking, and hip tightness from hours of kneeling in uneven garden beds.
The pattern is a familiar one at the clinic: enthusiasm is wonderful, but the body needs time to rebuild the strength and flexibility it may have lost over the quieter winter months.
WHAT PENINSULA PHYSIOTHERAPY CAN DO FOR YOU
Peninsula Physiotherapy & Massage is Sidney's full-service multidisciplinary clinic, offering a remarkably wide range of care under one roof. Whether you're a lifelong gardener, a weekend cyclist, a walker who wants to add kilometres to their beach route, or someone managing a nagging injury from last autumn that never quite healed, there's a pathway for you here.
Their team of highly skilled practitioners includes
physiotherapists trained in manual and manipulative therapy, sports injury rehabilitation, chronic pain and biomechanics – the science of how your body moves. They also offer:
• Registered Massage Therapy to release the muscle tension that builds with repetitive physical tasks
• Osteopathy to treat the myofascial imbalances in the whole body with a gentle hands on approach
• Traditional Chinese Acupuncture to balance the nervous system and boost healing capacity
• Gunn-IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation) for stubborn muscular pain that won’t resolve on its own
• Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation, Vestibular Therapy and Chronic Pain support for those with more complex needs
This isn't a clinic that just treats injuries; the entire team lives the outdoor life of this community right alongside you.
A FEW SPRINGSMART TIPS FROM THE CLINIC
Before you grab that trowel, Peninsula Physiotherapy recommends a few simple habits to protect yourself this season:
Warm up before you dig in. Even 10 minutes of gentle walking, hip circles and shoulder rolls before gardening can dramatically reduce your injury risk. Cold muscles and stiff joints are far more vulnerable.
Mind your posture. Use a garden kneeler, alternate sides, and take
breaks every 20 to 30 minutes.
Build back gradually. If you're returning to cycling, running or hiking after a quieter winter, resist the urge to go full distance on day one. Increase duration and intensity by no more than 10% per week. You can do two shorter sessions each day as you build endurance.
Listen to pain – early. A little muscle soreness is normal. Sharp, persistent or worsening pain that lasts longer than two days is your body asking for help. The sooner you address it, the faster and more fully you'll recover. The team would like to see you early, less often, and get you back to your activities as soon as possible. Or better yet, see them preventatively to avoid injuries before they happen.
BOOK EARLY; SPRING FILLS UP FAST
Peninsula Physiotherapy & Massage welcomes all patients, including those covered by DVA, DND, WCB, ICBC and MSP and provides direct billing through many benefit plans. Online booking is available, and the clinic encourages the community to book early, especially when you're managing an injury, appointments fill quickly as the season picks up. An online waitlist is also always available.
This spring, don't just get outside, get outside well. Your garden will thank you. So will your back. www.peninsulaphysio.ca
Local Charity Hosts Community-Building Fundraiser
A weekend to get outside, give back and have fun
Power To Be is a registered charity that creates access to nature for youth, adults and families living with cognitive, physical, financial and social barriers. From May 29 to 31 Power To Be will host their biggest community event of the year – Power To Play: Summit & Race – combining two of their beloved fundraising events into one dynamic weekend of adventure, teamwork and purpose.
Power To Play launched in 2009 and became Power To Be’s signature event for over a decade. When the pandemic disrupted in-person gatherings, the organization responded with creativity and heart, launching Power To Summit in 2020. Since then, it has raised more than $1.8 million
for inclusive, nature-based programs.
Power To Summit is a three-day elevation challenge. Inspired by the legendary climb to Mount Everest, teams of four will work together to “reach the summit” through accumulated elevation, and can participate from anywhere in the world. Elevation can be gained anywhere: a hiking trail, an inclined street, a flight of stairs or a neighbourhood hill.
Power To Play is a high-energy, one-day adventure race taking place at Power To Be’s fully accessible Prospect Lake site on Sunday, May 31. Teams of four will make their way through an exhilarating course featuring 15 action-filled challenge stations requiring problem-solving,
teamwork and the willingness to have fun (and get a little dirty!).
Register a Team: Whether you sign up for Power To Summit or Power To Play, you’ll push your limits, connect with community and contribute to a bigger goal: supporting Power To Be’s inclusive programs that help people explore the outdoors and discover what’s possible.
Spread the Word. Reach out to your networks! Think about community members, local businesses, friends and family who might want to get involved. Volunteer. Help out with event logistics, get outside and connect with your community.
Donate. Love Power To Be’s mission, but can’t make the
SIDNEY HARBOUR DENTAL YOUR DENTIST IN SIDNEY
Exceptional Dental Care for the Whole Family
event? Support registered teams by contributing to their fundraising goals, become an event partner, or donate prizes.
“This event is an invitation – to build community, have fun and make a meaningful difference,” says Dana Hutchings, Co-CEO of Power To Be. “Whether you’re out on the trails hiking, supporting a team’s fundraising goals or pitching in behind the scenes, you’re helping to create inclusive outdoor experiences that change lives. That collective effort is what makes this weekend matter.”
To learn more and register your team of four today, visit www.powertoplay.ca or reach out to Maria Valderrama at mvalderrama@ powertobe.ca
We provide all the dental services you need to achieve and maintain a beautiful smile. We are committed to providing each and every patient with treatments tailored to their specific needs and goals. We provide all our patients with the highest level of care and treat them like our own family. We offer evening hours to ensure you can receive treatment without compromising your schedule. If you’re looking for a dental office near you, look no further.
• General, Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry
• Sedation Dentistry
• Invisalign, Dental Guards & Appliances
• Oral Surgery
• Emergency Dentistry
• The latest in Dental Technology
Visit Us at Our New Location for a Tour! 250-656-1841 | 9833 Third St, Sidney www.sidneydental.ca
Dr. Tracy Mitchell
Caramelo A Story of the Human Animal Bond
WORDS KELLY FINERTY
Comedy Drama, 1h 41m Netflix TV-14 (2025)
I often hear folks say pets have a keen sense of their chosen person. Tethered so deeply that they can sense their joy, fear and sometimes even an illness. What if your dog sensed there was something not quite right and tried to tell you, even before it was known you were sick? This is the story of Caramelo. Set in the warmth of Brazil, this gorgeous film explores the bond between a caramel-coloured pup named “Caramelo” and his chosen person, Chef Pedro. Abandoned as a puppy, Caramelo finds his footing for three years as a survivor on the unpredictable São Paulo streets. Searching for his next meal, Caramelo wiggles his way into a Michelin Star restaurant staffed by Sous Chef Pedro, and after quite the kerfuffle in the kitchen, Pedro and Caramelo begin their funny and often charmingly awkward learning curve getting to know one another. Their bond has a few stops and starts, but ultimately is expedited by Caramelo sensing something isn’t quite right with his new human, leading Pedro to discover his terminal cancer diagnosis.
Written and directed by Diego Freitas and starring Rafael Vitti as Pedro, this Brazilian film, dubbed in English, leans into beautiful cinematography using ARRI equipment, painting São Paulo’s natural beauty onto the screen in cinematic teal and orange
colouring alongside a familiar classical score. Crisp and dreamy, this film uses interesting framing with distinctive camera movement to depict the sensitive content of managing a terminal cancer diagnosis with the refreshing comedic timing of a grounding best friend close by. Even though the story should feel devastating, the filmmakers have brilliantly built levity into its plot lines with rich supporting characters: namely, co-chemo patient and brilliant artist “Leo” as a burst of sunshine personified, along with romantic interest, “Camila”, owner of a financially troubled dog shelter.
If you love uplifting, heartfelt stories featuring animal best friends and the resilience of the human spirit (swirled with a touch of romance), you will enjoy this engaging Brazilian film. It has just the right balance of whimsy, humour, heroes and touching moments to solidify the deep bond between animals and their humans. An easy watch, it may even convince your pet to add another human to the family?
If you liked Caramelo, you may also enjoy these films available on Netflix:
The Starling (2021), starring Melissa McCarthy Nonnas (2025), starring Vince Vaughn & Susan Sarandon
The Healing Powers of Dude (2020) Series, starring Larisa Oleynik
Beyond the Universe (2022), directed by Diego Freitas
Find the image of the box hidden somewhere in this issue. HOW TO PLAY?
by May 31st to let us know where you found it.
is
THANKS TO MARCH’S COMMUNITY PARTNERS:
• Brentwood Bay Village Empourium
• Burl & Blossom
• Country Bee Honey Farm
• Ecotopia Naturals
• McTavish Academy of Art
• muffet & louisa
• Provenance Fine Things
*one entry per person, per issue. Each entrant
eligible to win the Seaside box giveaway no more than once per calendar year.
Congratulations to March’s Winner, Lance A .
Anthea Helmsing
WATER: The House Guest that Never Leaves if You Let it In!
Most of us are diligent about regular car maintenance and dental appointments, recognizing the importance of prevention. Yet, when it comes to routine home care, we often resort to an “Avoidance and Hope” philosophy, especially if we’re on a tight budget.
WORDS JANICE HENSHAW
If we only look up at our roof once, when we purchase the house, we may not look up again for a long time. That would be a mistake. Metal roof maintenance prevents premature aging, rust and water leaks. As for northfacing asphalt shingles, we might be surprised by the growth of a puffy green moss. Will the sun burn it off? What damage can it really do? Perhaps the moss will provide an additional layer of “natural” roof protection, effectively creating an environmentally-friendly “living” roof? Unfortunately, no. Roof moss settles between the shingles, holds moisture and slowly damages the protective surface. Over time, that absorbent moss becomes a very effective tour guide for water. It shows each raindrop the quickest route under the shingles and into the structure below. Limestone filler in shingles is a tasty food source for moss or the blue-green algae that causes black streaks on roofs.
Climbing up to check on a slippery roof is risky – for even the fittest of homeowners –and explaining such a fall in the hospital emergency room is not a fun way to spend the day. Hoping that extra 1,000 pounds of moss won’t cause a leak on a dark and stormy night is an extreme version of the “Avoidance and Hope” program! However, there are ways to clear moss in the early days. Using a high-pressure washer may seem like an easy fix but according to a roofing expert, that will remove the granules from roof shingles, which will shorten their lifespan. A better option is to call a recommended professional roofer who can safely remove that “decorative moss” and provide an estimate of when the roof needs to be replaced. Now the homeowner has a clear plan and sufficient time to start putting money aside for a new roof when it comes due, which might be far down the road. They can rest easy knowing the structural integrity of the roof is sound.
Perimeter drainage is essential for healthy homes, especially when our water tables are high and an atmospheric river comes streaming along. Along with tree roots, dirt and debris can cause blockages in perimeter drainage, or the system can experience structural damage due to age or soil pressure. Downspout extensions and perimeter drains use sloped trenches, gravel and pipes, or simply gutter extenders, to divert heavy rain and groundwater away from foundations, preventing flooding, erosion and structural damage (every district has its own rules).
Here’s a great conversation opener – instead of discussing politics or the latest in decorating “ins and outs,” you can ask someone whether they have weeping tile drains, swales, or even French drains, and, if so, when was the last time they had them checked or cleaned? Hmm ... asking about their summer vacation plans might work better?
Let’s move inside to check out that extra-high-humidity room – the bathroom (in this case, we are lucky if we don’t have too many of them!). I used to own an older house, and one day I noticed that the ancient stains on the lower-level ceiling looked damp, as if they were new rather than something from the past. It turned out that the main toilet had a longstanding leak that, over the years, had partially rotted the wooden structure underneath. It was a miracle, all right, a miracle that the toilet and its occupant hadn’t fallen through to the floor below!
Have you seen that interesting stuff spreading on the shower walls and the caulking between the tiles and the shower base? Is it mildew or mould? Apparently, mildew is the lesser of two evils – they are both fungi, but mildew looks greyish white and may turn brown. A little bleach will clean that up. Mould can range from small black areas to red or green patches; all these areas need to be
cleaned, and the ventilation and humidity corrected.
To start with, how about that noisy bathroom fan? What is it for if it’s not doing its job? It sounds busy and useful, but is it vented outside, or did someone take a shortcut and duct it into the attic?
High humidity from multiple showers needs to find a path outside, not into the attic. But who wants to check ventilation in that dark space? I was always afraid that if I popped my head up there, I would see a pair of beady black or rubyred eyes glaring back at me!
Giving ourselves time to address repairs or renovations helps us find a real expert with references, experience and integrity. A second, or even a third, quote ensures we get high-quality work at a fair price. Governments and businesses award contracts after thoroughly vetting bids; we need to do the same.
EVERYONE
A STORY TO TELL
FAMILIES, GOLDEN AGE & PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
A final point is that lack of maintenance can also cause problems when selling a house. Owners are required to disclose known problems, such as ongoing leaks, chronic humidity or structural concerns, or they could be liable for repair costs later. Here’s an example of an inspection confession: During a walk-through, the seller is asked “Has the house ever had water in the basement?”
Answer: “Not since we put the boxes up on shelves.”
Well, that’s enough horror stories for now! The question is, how do we figure out what we don’t know about these issues. I spoke with Tye Startek, VP of Business Development at Flintstones Design & Build, a local awardwinning construction firm, to see if he could provide some answers. Tye says: “A healthy home requires regular checkups of key systems. This ensures consistent, proper
function and avoids larger repairs or replacements." A short list of considerations for older houses in coastal climates includes perimeter drains, roof condition, tree impacts, wiring, plumbing, bathroom ventilation, decks and foundations. By learning the age and condition of each system and seeking expert
advice when needed, we can address small issues early. Proactive attention keeps our homes strong and comfortable, gives us peace of mind, and frees up money for what we enjoy, rather than costly emergency fixes. That old proverb – A stitch in time saves nine – works for our home repairs too!
Stephen Postings
Inez Louden
Shirley Jones
Wendy Herrick
Patrick Achtzner
Mariann Abram Niels Baartman Ross Casey
Often referred to as “the garden that love built,” this one-acre heritage home and garden tells the story of Prince and Princess Abkhazi, whose vision and dedication transformed a rocky hillside into a living work of art.
May is one of the most magical times to visit. The garden comes alive with vibrant rhododendrons, some over a century old, creating a layered tapestry of colour beneath the trees. Meandering paths lead you through carefully curated viewpoints, where each turn feels intentional yet natural. It is not a large garden, but that is part of its charm. A slow wander of around 30 minutes allows you to fully appreciate the textures, blooms and peaceful atmosphere.
What elevates a visit here is pairing your garden stroll with tea at the Abkhazi Teahouse. Set just above the garden, the teahouse offers high tea, with views that extend over the gardens. Our favourite is the Elevenses service, a great selection of delicate tea sandwiches, a freshly baked scone and dessert, all served with your choice of local tea. It is an experience that naturally slows the pace, where conversation lingers as long as the tea.
Beyond the garden and tea, there is a small gift shop featuring local artisans, making it easy to linger a little longer. Whether you are celebrating a birthday, planning a Mother’s Day outing or looking for a place to visit with guests, this spot delivers something special.
Tea and Blooms at Abkhazi Garden
Tucked into a quiet residential neighbourhood in Victoria, Abkhazi Garden offers a spring escape that feels both intimate and steeped in history.
There is also a deeper story here. The garden was once at risk of development but was protected through the efforts of The Land Conservancy of British Columbia and a dedicated group of volunteers. Their work ensures that this space remains accessible for
THINGS TO NOTE
everyone to enjoy, preserving not just the landscape but the legacy behind it.
This is one of our go-to spots for Mother’s Day, birthdays or any excuse to slow down and spend time together. I hope that you enjoy it as much as we did.
• Free street parking is available nearby
• Reservations are recommended for tea service: www.abkhaziteahouse.com
• Garden entrance is by donation at the gate
• Plan for about 30 minutes to explore the garden, or a couple of hours if including tea
• Spring is peak season for rhododendrons, so expect the garden at its most colourful
• Open daily from April through September
WORDS & PHOTOS SHELLEY TICE
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!
BAZAN BAY WATERFRONT WITH UNBEATABLE VIEWS
$1,899,000
STEPHANIE PEAT
250.656.0131
stephaniepeat.ca
LANDS END
OCEANFRONT RETREAT
$2,449,000
ROBYN WILDMAN 250.818.8522
The Wildman Group wildmangroup@sothebysrealty.ca
8503 Lochside Dr. Experience sweeping ocean views from this 2-bedroom + den home featuring manicured gardens, sunlit patios, and direct waterfront access. Enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, and West Coast living with easy access to Sidney, the ferries, and downtown Victoria.
MLS #1027496
618 Lands End Rd, North Saanich. A rare waterfront original gem with updates. Set on 1.05 acres with serene woodland and Japanese-inspired landscaping. Mid-century design opens to a wraparound deck with panoramic ocean views. 3 BR 2 Bath. Adjacent is a bright open studio above a huge workshop. A private staircase to the waterfront. Minutes to Sidney, ferry, and airport. MLS# 1031067
ULTRA-PRIVATE OCEANFRONT FAMILY ESTATE
$4,999,999
RISA GAGNER*
250.899.7188
risa@risagagner.ca
(*personal real estate corp)
PRISTINE PRIVACY ON 2 ACRES WITH SUNSET VIEWS
$1,639,900
MARIANN ABRAM*
250.884.6796
mariann@mariannabram.com (*personal real estate corp)
EAGLE RIDGE ESTATES TOWNHOME
$1,100,000
MARIANN ABRAM*
250.884.6796
mariann@mariannabram.com (*personal real estate corp)
8401 Lochside Drive. Timeless coastal luxury awaits. Cedar shingles, shiplap ceilings, oak plank floors, rock fireplaces and panoramic ocean views. Main level primary opens to a heated, screened porch. Gourmet kitchen with top-end appliances. Two-bedroom carriage house, boat house and two 3-car garages.
MLS #1024308
754 Walfred Rd. Rare estate with sweeping mountain and lake views. Updated 3-bedroom, 3-bath mid-century rancher offers vaulted ceilings, open living, brand-new kitchen and ensuite, serene primary suite, plus a sun-filled family room ideal for a studio or future suite, gazebo, gardens, workshop, and office or gym space.
MLS#1024545
3BR/2.5BA townhome offering main-level living with vaulted ceilings, gas fireplace, large sunny deck and updated primary suite with walk-in closet and laundry. Two bedrooms and full bath up, workshop and storage down. Fresh paint, new carpet, custom blinds and a heat pump complete this move-in-ready home.
MLS#1031787
STUNNING SIDNEY RANCHER
$1,475,000
DEBRA BARTLETT
250.893.5098 debrabartlett.ca
BEAUTIFUL
TOWNHOUSE IN A PARKLIKE SETTING
$899,000
DEBRA BARTLETT
250.893.5098 debrabartlett.ca
LARGE PRISTINE ONE BEDROOM IN SIDNEY
$385,000
DEBRA BARTLETT
250.893.5098 debrabartlett.ca
2251 Frost Ave, Sidney. 3 beds and 2 baths just a block from the ocean and just a few minutes away from downtown Sidney.
Gorgeous high ceilings, quartz counters and large island. Double car garage. Shows like new.
MLS# 1026812
17-1255 Wain Rd, North Saanich. 2 bed 2 bath with a huge bonus room upstairs. Tucked at the end of a very quiet cul-de-sac on 75 acres with lovely walking trails throughout. Freshly painted up and down, move in ready! Pets allowed; no age restriction. Double car garage.
MLS# 1030830
206-2050 White Birch Rd, Sidney. 800 sq ft of bright living space. Freshly painted with new floors throughout, move in ready!
Just a block to the ocean and backs onto Lillian Hoffer Park. Many amenities in the building!
MLS# 1027335
FABULOUS WATERFRONT PARADISE
$2,795,000
DEBRA BARTLETT
250.893.5098 debrabartlett.ca
WONDERFUL DOWNTOWN CONDO WITH CITY VIEWS
$729,000
DEBRA BARTLETT
250.893.5098 debrabartlett.ca
TOWNHOUSE IN THE QUIET PART OF DOWNTOWN SIDNEY
$650,000
DEBRA BARTLETT
250.893.5098 debrabartlett.ca
976 Lands End Rd, North Saanich. 180-degree views! Very easy access to a private sandy beach. Over 1900 sq ft of decks so you can follow the sun or the shade.
Beautiful chef’s kitchen with crisp white shaker cabinets and ample counter space. Rare 1.25 acres.
MLS# 1029773
1106-777 Herald St, Victoria. The Hudson Place One is a desirable upscale building within steps of everything downtown. 2 beds, 2 baths, chef’s kitchen and oversized windows. Fantastic amenities such as gym sauna, billiards room, lounge, meeting space dog run and more.
MLS# 1027051
5-10008 Third St, Sidney. 2 bed 2 bath with an eat in kitchen, large living space and very bright unit. Easy walk across the street to the beach and into downtown Sidney.
MLS# 10323685
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
OCEAN AND MOUNTAIN VIEWS!
$839,000
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#1022890
A quality built 2007 boutique condo complex in the heart of charming BRENTWOOD BAY. 2 BD/2BA, 9ft ceilings, fantastic layout in over 940sf, large bright windows, great separation of bedrooms, loads of storage, insuite updated laundry, new hot water tank, & updated lighting & designer features make this condo move-in ready.
MLS# 1028688
ONE LEVEL LIVING AT SAYWARD HILL!
$2,250,000
INGRID JARISZ* 250.385.2033
Experience the epitome of luxury living in this exceptional Cordova Bay townhome boasting breathtaking views of the ocean and golf course. Meticulously updated with tasteful designer touches and high-end finishes, this one-level residence exudes elegance and sophistication and a prime location offering a coveted Westcoast lifestyle.
MLS# 1030473
Experience luxury living in this exquisite duplex nestled in the prestigious Sidney By the Sea community. 1470 sq. ft. of meticulously crafted living space, with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 9 ft. ceilings. With a double garage and impeccable attention to detail, this sophisticated home offers the ultimate in upscale coastal living.
MLS# 1031275
WELCOME TO ORCHARD PLACE
Steps from Beacon Ave in the heart of Sidney, lies a true gem of a condo. This fully remediated abode promises a lifestyle of utmost comfort and convenience featuring 2 beds/2 baths, and unrivaled S/W exposure that floods the 1,168sf space with an abundance of natural light. Don't miss this opportunity!
MLS# 1031818
$3,898,900
MARILYN BALL
250.818.6489
victoriawaterfronts.com
$998,900 KAREN
250.655.0608
karendinnie-smyth.com
Find Serenity on 4.6 Acres overlooking Saanich Inlet! World class Water Views mesmerize throughout this beautifully reimagined home featuring Designer J.C. Scott’s renowned aesthetic. Two homes in one coexist (Air B&B 30 day+) and a 968 sqft Carriage House is permitted on this gorgeously landscaped luxurious property. MLS# 1031077
Ideally located this lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home has been thoughtfully updated while maintaining the warmth and charm of the era. Modern comfort is ensured with energyefficient upgrades including a heat pump with air conditioning & newer windows. Fully fenced yard, greenhouse, hot tub and garage. A perfect place to call home. MLS# 1028528
Across from Beacon Hill Park in the heart of James Bay, offering an easy walkable lifestyle just 2 blocks from Dallas Road waterfront. This bright 2 bed/2 corner suite enjoys pleasant outlooks toward the park. Known for its strong sense of community, this is a building with many long-term owners. Secure underground parking, separate storage, and bike storage are all included. MLS# 1030919
“Every day, more people in need are living on the edge – without a doctor, without a safe place to heal. I see it firsthand,”
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.
Construction is almost complete, and the doors will open this spring — but only with your support.
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.
SAANICH PENINSULA LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER
Dr. C hris Fraser, Cool Aid Medical Director
From Sea to Tee!
9 HOLE SHOTGUN SCRAMBLE
Ardmore Golf Course • May 31 @ 2pm
Good people, friendly competition, on-course games, prizes and a silent auction supporting the women on the road to the New York Yacht Club Women’s International Championship this September.
Register at www.cascadiasailing.org/golftournament
Limited to 72 players.
Beat the Heat! Free May Lunch & Learn
Summer is around the corner. Before temperatures soar, remember that heat illness can catch us off guard. Know your risk level and prepare ahead!
Anyone can suffer from heat illness. Some people are at higher risk, including older adults, outdoor workers and people with certain health conditions. Extreme heat can be life -threatening; fortunately, heat illness is preventable.
This May, Central Saanich residents can get prepared with a free Extreme Heat & FireSmart lunch-and-learn led by Lisa Banfield, Emergency Program Manager, and Ryan Vantreight, Wildfire Mitigation Specialist for Central Saanich.
Lisa’s tips to beat the heat:
ASSESS YOUR HOME
Do you have ways to cool down your home, like shades, fans and air conditioning or a heat pump? If not, check out rebates (like at www.bchydro.com) to reduce costs.
IDENTIFY A COOL ZONE
Set up your coolest room as your main living and sleeping space. This might be a basement or a shaded room with a window air conditioner or heat pump.
STOCK KEY SUPPLIES
Helpful items include a digital thermometer, reusable water bottle, electrolyte powder and spray bottle for misting.
CREATE A BUDDY SYSTEM
Check in at least twice a day with neighbours, friends or family
who live alone or may be at higher risk.
This simple act can help catch warning signs early and prompt people to get life-saving help.
DURING HOT WEATHER
• Stay indoors as much as possible
• Wear light, loose, breathable clothing
• Sip water often, even if you are not thirsty
• Take cool showers or baths
• Limit cooking and exercise
• Use window coverings to block the sun.
• Move cooler air with fans
• Open windows at night if outdoor temperatures drop If indoor temperatures stay at or above 31°C, plan to stay with a friend or family member if possible. During the day, air-conditioned libraries, community centres, malls or movie theatres can be refuges from the heat. Visit a local cooling centre if they are activated.
Pets can overheat more quickly than people. Never leave pets in vehicles, avoid hot pavement and give them access to a cool, shaded indoor space with plenty of water.
With preparation, awareness and a little neighbourly care, we can all stay healthy during extreme heat.
Learn more at the free Extreme Heat & FireSmart lunch-andlearn on Wednesday, May 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Centre for Active Living 50+, 1229 Clarke Road, in Brentwood Bay.
To register, Central Saanich residents can call 250-544-4231 (M-F, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or visit www.CSaanich.ca/ GetPrepared
WORDS DISTRICT OF CENTRAL SAANICH
PHOTO ANDREW MADDING
Seaside Guide: What to See & Where to Be
MAY 2026
May Day Spring Fair
MAY 3RD 11AM-4PM
SEA CIDER FARM AND CIDERHOUSE 2487 MT. ST. MICHAEL ROAD, SAANICHTON
Come and enjoy the May Day Spring Fair at Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse! Enjoy the indoor/outdoor market, featuring 35 hand-picked vendors.
Feast on delicious food and drinks (coffee and cider) and enjoy an ice cream. There are festive activities for all ages. Enjoy live folk music and dancing. Children activities include face painting, maypole twirling, kids’ craft station and miniature goats.
Free Admission | Family Friendly | Dogs Welcome on Leash instagram.com/makesharevictoria
WORDS CLAUDETTE SELLS
MAY 1ST-NOVEMBER 15TH 10AM-4PM
Seat at The Table
SIDNEY MUSEUM 2423 BEACON AVENUE, SIDNEY
A feature exhibit of Chinese Immigration and British Columbia. Using food and restaurant culture as an entry point, the exhibit features stories that point to great diversity. Admission is by donation. 250-655-6355; www.sidneymuseum.ca
MAY 2ND 1-4PM
Truth and Reconciliation Gathering
SHOAL CENTRE 10030 RESTHAVEN AVENUE, SIDNEY
Join us every Saturday in exploring a range of topics through documentaries, storytelling, speakers and education, creating space for connections and deeper understanding in a safe environment for all. Admission is free. 250-656-5537; www.beaconcs.ca/shoal
MAY 5TH 1:30PM
Understanding Tech Lingo – Scam and Fraud Prevention
SHOAL CENTRE 10030 RESTHAVEN AVENUE, SIDNEY
Attend this important seminar by the Digital Bridge Society that breaks down everyday tech "lingo" into plain language to help you better understand how your devices work, from phones to computers – and recognize situations or requests that do not seem right. The more you know, the better you can protect yourself from exploitation. Free presentation. Call to register: 250-656-5537. www.beaconcs.ca/shoal
MAY 8TH 2PM Vintage Fashion Show and Tea
ST. ANDREW’S ANGLICAN CHURCH MARGARET VAUGHAN BIRCH HALL 9691 FOURTH STREET, SIDNEY
Have a delightful afternoon enjoying tea and treats while watching models in vintage and custom-made outfits, with commentary. Tickets $30; available only at the church office (Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) in advance. Limited seating. Info: 250-656-5322; admin@standrewssidney.ca
MAY 9TH 9AM-1:30PM
Craft Sale & Flea Market
ST. ELIZABETH'S CHURCH 10030 THIRD STREET, SIDNEY
Sell your homemade items and surplus stuff, or just come and shop. Rent a space for $30 (a limited number of tables are available to rent for $10). Everyone is welcome to attend, and admission is free! Food, refreshments, baked goods, plants and so much more! To rent a spot email StElizCraftSale@gmail.com.
MAY 12TH 9:30AM
Probus Presents: Speaker Series
MARY WINSPEAR CENTRE 2243 BEACON AVENUE, SIDNEY
Presentation: Meeting the Challenge – The Promise of Ecological and Socio-Economic Resiliency, with speaker Dr. Jonathon O'Riordan, former Deputy Minister of the B.C. Ministry of Sustainable Management. Fire is an essential ingredient for healthy forests. Human-induced fire suppression not only disrupts nature's ecology but promotes the potential for catastrophic fires. This presentation examines new ideas and approaches being actively explored by researchers, policy makers and firefighters. www.probussidneybc.org
MAY 15TH 2PM
CSSCA Speakers’ Series
THE CENTRE FOR ACTIVE LIVING 50+ 1229 CLARKE ROAD, BRENTWOOD BAY
“Petty Traitors and Domestic Tyrants: Spouse Murder in England, 1660-1800.” Speaker: Dr. Andrea McKenzie. Members $2; non-members $5; tea/coffee $1. Open to the public. 250-652-4611; www.cssca.ca
MAY 16TH 2-4PM Brian Tate Trio
ST. PAUL’S UNITED CHURCH 2410 MALAVIEW AVENUE, SIDNEY
Step into an afternoon of timeless sophistication and irresistible swing. Led by acclaimed Canadian jazz vocalist and arranger Brian Tate. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. $25 per person; available at Tanner’s Books or church office. www.stpaulsunitedbc.com
MAY 23RD 2:30PM
Brentwood Scottish Country Dance Group, Ceilidh Dance
CENTRE FOR ACTIVE LIVING 50+ 1229 CLARKE ROAD, BRENTWOOD BAY
EMAIL SEASIDEGUIDE@SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA
SUBMISSION DEADLINE 1ST OF THE PREVIOUS MONTH (E.G. MAY 1 FOR JUNE ISSUE EVENTS)
A fun Ceilidh Dance with easy dances. All ages welcome. $5 per person or $10 for a family. 250-652-4611; www.cssca.ca
MAY 23RD 1-4:30PM
Canadian Federation of University Women Annual Book Sale
MARY WINSPEAR CENTRE 2243 BEACON AVENUE, SIDNEY
Don’t miss the Peninsula's best book sale of the year! What's on hand? Hundreds of lightly-used books in hard cover or paperback, ranging from those by well-known authors, in fiction and non-fiction, children's books, popular cookbooks and titles focusing on gardening and travel destinations. www.cfuwsaanichpeninsula.org
MAY 23RD 8AM-5PM
Deathly Matters
MCTAVISH ACADEMY OF ART 1720 MCTAVISH ROAD, NORTH SAANICH
Deathly Matters is a one-day in-person community conference bringing together people and services to share resources and to learn and connect about death and dying. It highlights emerging voices and perspectives not readily found within the mainstream dialogue. site.pheedloop.com/event/deathlymatters/home
MAY 24TH 2PM
Sidney Celebri-Tea
MARY WINSPEAR CENTRE BODINE HALL 2243 BEACON AVENUE, SIDNEY
A benefit concert, tea and silent auction that will be an unforgettable afternoon featuring outstanding, much-loved performers and personalities. This will be a real celebration of the Saanich Peninsula community! Tickets $50 at Tanner’s Books or https://tinyurl.com/3nc8uf4e.
MAY 24TH 2PM
Broke and Blue Concert
CENTRAL SAANICH UNITED CHURCH 7180 EAST SAANICH ROAD, SAANICHTON
Broke and Blue is a local jazz cross-over ensemble. They will perform music of Claude Bolling and Uwe Korn jazz arrangements of classical music. Tickets are $20 (plus fees) and available on Eventbrite or at the door. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. 250-652-2713; https://tinyurl.com/mw98shcy
MAY 31ST 2PM
Sidney Concert Band, Top of the Pops
MARY WINSPEAR CENTRE CHARLIE WHITE THEATRE 2023 BEACON AVENUE, SIDNEY
Join us for an afternoon packed with energy, rhythm and your favourite hits from the pop charts. From timeless classics to modern favourites, this concert will have you tapping your toes and singing along. Tickets are $34.20 and can be purchased at www.marywinspear.ca or by calling the box office at 250-656-0275.
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
PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH MONDAY REHEARSALS | 7-9PM
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
These everyone welcome games take place in the lower hall, next to the Public library. Hot dogs are for sale at noon both Wednesdays.
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 STORIES
Last Word
Icome from a long line of animal lovers, and we had many pets growing up – from a variety of saltwater fish and a turtle named Rocky to many cats and dogs over the years.
A s soon as I moved out on my own, I adopted two feral barn kittens who promptly made themselves at home inside my box spring and only came out at night. Later, I decided to get an aquarium and came home from the pet store with a newt and two goldfish. Same tank would be fine, the employee assured me, not realizing the goldfish would, sadly, view the newt as a particularly tasty snack. More cats followed over the years until I got together with a highly allergic partner, so we are now cat-free but with two dogs.
Nothing makes me happier than being with animals, whether it's seeing a friendly feline while walking around the neighbourhood or visiting the menagerie at Country Bee Honey Farm. Every time I come home from Beacon Hill Children's Farm, it's with the firm conviction that a couple of goats would fit perfectly in our yard (a conviction quickly quashed yet again by my husband). One day ... .
A fter a brief period of being scared of dogs when she was a toddler, my daughter now loves animals just as much as I do, and it seems there's always something on her radar that she must convince us to adopt. First it was gerbil sisters (who, despite my best and most creative efforts and many different types of enclosures, chewed their way out of everything so were eventually rehomed), the addition of our second dog and, now on the near horizon, a jumping spider!
I'm not someone who is scared of spiders, or insects, really, but neither do I ... love them. Having one in our home as a pet has taken some convincing but she did her research, saved her money, and I think it may be happening.
Whether rodent, reptile or furbaby, pets are an essential part of so many local families that we think it only fitting to have an issue in which we celebrate them! We hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we did creating it.
Allison Smith, Editor-in-Chief
This puppy may have already found a family, but there are many animals waiting for their forever homes at www.victoriahumanesociety.com
PHOTO JANIS JEAN
AllisonSmith
Freedom Adventure Bus (FAB) Hits 3-Year Milestone with Rotary Support
As the Freedom Adventure Bus Society (FAB) approaches its third year on the Saanich Peninsula, its impact continues to grow far beyond transportation. What began as a simple idea – to help seniors get out and explore – has become a vital service addressing one of the region’s most pressing challenges: social isolation among older adults.
The Peninsula has a senior population about 25% higher than many other communities in B.C. While this reflects its appeal as a retirement destination, it also brings a quieter reality. Many older adults face barriers to staying connected due to reduced mobility, health concerns, or limited transportation. Over time, this isolation can significantly affect both
WORDS FREEDOM ADVENTURE BUS
physical and mental well-being. FAB is working to change that – one outing at a time.
At its core, FAB believes access to community is essential to quality of life. A ride is not just about getting from point A to point B: it’s about restoring a sense of belonging. Each trip helps participants reconnect with familiar places, share experiences, and rediscover the joy of being out in the world.
The FAB bus reflects this inclusive mission, accommodating 16 to 18 passengers, including two wheelchair spaces, and features a specialized lift to ensure safe, dignified access. For many riders, this opens doors that once felt closed. Over the past year, FAB has taken seniors to beloved local
destinations, including the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, the Sidney Museum, Butterfly Gardens, BC Air Museum, Heritage Acres and the Butchart Gardens. These outings are more than recreational – they foster connection, spark conversation and encourage meaningful engagement. The impact is best expressed by those who experience it.
Debra Sheets, Founder of Memory Connections, shared: “Freedom Adventure Bus has made outings possible that would otherwise not happen due to transportation barriers. Their accessible and affordable service allows older adults–including those with dementia – to experience nature, connection and community in ways that truly enhance quality of life.”
A recent trip with Memory Connections illustrates this well: a lively outing to the Sidney bowling alley filled with laughter, friendly competition and a welcome sense of normalcy. This year also marked a milestone in community support. The Rotary Club of Sidney by the Sea awarded FAB a $5,000 grant, helping expand access for seniors on low or fixed incomes. With this support, cost will no longer be a barrier for many.
As FAB enters its third year, its mission remains clear: to provide accessible, inclusive, and enriching experiences. If your organization or community group is looking for a reliable, accessible transportation partner, FAB would be delighted to help plan your next adventure. www. freedomadventurebus.com
Art, Connection, Community
Art, Connection, Community A life
A life of creativity continues at Sidney All Care Residence
of creativity
continues at Sidney All Care Residence
CARE FOR YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE
Marjolyn has spent a lifetime of capturing beauty through watercolour, soft coastal scenes, gardens and moments of quiet reflection during a holiday with the love of her life, Wim.
Marjolyn has spent a lifetime of capturing beauty through watercolour, soft coastal scenes, gardens and moments of quiet reflection during a holiday with the love of her life, Wim.
Marjolyn found her passion for art in her early life and followed that calling with determination and heart. She studied fine arts and found passion in teaching.
Marjolyn found her passion for art in her early life and followed that calling with determination and heart. She studied fine arts and found passion in teaching.
*Minimum stay of two weeks
Today at Sidney All Care Residence, Marjolyn continues to share her gift. Through art, conversation and creativity, she brings warmth and inspiration to those around her, helping fellow residents connect with their own creativity during arts and crafts and continuing to be the art teacher.
Today at Sidney All Care Residence, she continues to share her gift. Through art, conversation and creativity, she brings warmth and inspiration to those around her. Helping fellow residents connect with their own creativity during art classes - continuing to be the art teacher.
Call today to book your tour and discover what sets us apart.
Call Today to book your tour and discover what sets us apart
