Dec/Jan 2026 TAKE 5

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Letters Without a Home In response to your November article “Without a Home,” I wanted to share a personal success story. As someone who lost their housing almost three years ago and ended up at the Ladysmith shelter and stayed there for a little over a month, I have had nothing but success since. In your article by Francesca Pacchiano, Andrew Akron is quoted as saying, “We’re really there to stabilize and help them find resources.”

That is exactly what they did for me. Since being discharged from the hospital in September of 2023 and having nowhere to go (I was evicted from supportive housing in Parksville), I was lucky to secure a bed in the Ladysmith shelter. Since arriving with nothing but my jacket and a change of clothing, I have done everything in my power to achieve small goals, one after another.

First, I joined the Auxiliary to keep me busy during the hours the shelter had clients “outside for the day.” With fresh laundry and three meals a day from the shelter, I was able to feel good about myself when going out in public and felt more comfortable volunteering and meeting people. I used the resources available at the shelter and the LRCA, and within five weeks, Wendy at the LRCA found me an apartment I could afford.

Housed again – not much, but a bed, a fridge, and a bathroom of my own – I continued to volunteer and have found steady full-time employment, bought a car and upgraded my learning by taking a traffic control course – thanks to Work BC. I’ve joined the Eagles Club and regularly volunteer with them. I’ve also picked up a second job and am working over 70 hours a week now in hopes of buying a newer car.

None of this would be possible. None of this would have ever

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happened if it weren’t for Andrew and his staff at the LRCA. As he said, “We’re really there to stabilize them and help them find resources.” This is exactly what happened for me. I feel the public NEEDS to hear a success story. And the LRCA and their shelter deserve to be honoured for even just one successful client story! – Robyn J Woodward

Dead Eagle Mystery On a recent visit to Transfer Beach, I was disturbed to find the carcasses of two bald eagles that had been dumped beside the gravel parking lot. Growing up, I spent my summers working on my father‘s fish boat and got to watch Eagles in pristine habitat up and down the coast, and from that experience developed a life-long admiration for these majestic birds.

To know that these birds were killed solely for financial gain truly puts me at a loss for words. Poaching is not only illegal, but it’s also deplorable, and I hope that those responsible are prosecuted. – Mark Evans Editor’s Note: We asked a wildlife expert to study the photos of the Eagles, and they concluded that with tail feathers and beaks removed, it was likely they had been harvested. Whether they were poached or harvested legally, we do not know, though poaching is a problem.

The bald eagle and golden eagle are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act and the Wildlife Act. Only individuals with special permits issued by the provincial government can legally harvest eagles. These permits are typically granted for scientific research, conservation or educational purposes as well as for cultural use by Indigenous groups.

Why the carcasses were dumped at a public park is a mystery.

A Good Read Just finished reading the TAKE 5 magazine left at my door, and I must tell you I thoroughly enjoyed the read. New to Ladysmith, I was looking for a local rag for my area, and there it was. Great articles – I plan to contact a local handyman for renovations, there’s lots going on in the surrounding area, plus it’s a great read for the evening.

Please add me to your subscription list. – Michael McFadden Letters to the editor are welcome. This is an open forum for readers to express their opinions on community matters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of TAKE 5 or its affiliates. Email us at editor@take5.ca

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Ladysmith Intermediate School’s 70th Anniversary Celebration and Open House Ladysmith Intermediate School is celebrating its 70th Anniversary with a community open house on January 13, 2026, from 3 to 6 p.m.

Everyone is welcome for free pizza, popcorn, coffee, tea, juice and cake, hosted by the school’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC). Cake cutting will take place at 4 p.m.

The school officially opened on January 13, 1956, as Ladysmith Elementary School, and 70 years later, it is now Ladysmith Intermediate School, with 338 students in 13 classes in grades 4 to 7.

They invite former students, families,

Ladysmith Intermediate School, 1970. Photo: Ladysmith Archives

staff and community members to tour the building, reconnect with classmates and reminisce on the times spent at Ladysmith Elementary and Ladysmith Intermediate Schools.

The organizing committee is also seeking photos and stories for a commemorative slideshow. Photos can be dropped off at the school for scanning or sent digitally. Please submit photos, stories or questions to lispacevents@

gmail.com or reach out to the PAC on their Facebook page at Ladysmith Intermediate PAC.

Christmas on the Water Ladysmith & District Historical Society is pleased to present Magic of the Season: A Very Merry Nautical Christmas at the Ladysmith Museum. The featured exhibition shows a history of how local sailors celebrated Christmas and

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was curated by the Ladysmith Maritime Society. Sponsored by the Ladysmith & District Credit Union, the show is on now and will continue into the new year.

Shirley Blackstaff, director of the LMS, spearheaded this exhibit. “It takes a bit of research to get the story together … the nautical story of how sailors celebrated Christmas on board their boats and what kind of gifts they gave to each other.” The display includes historic photos of First Nations’ canoes, the development of radio communications and toys made by sailors.

“The Ladysmith Maritime Society is still working, and we’re hoping to have a place for our heritage boats someday.”

Until then, Shirley hopes this exhibit will inspire appreciation for heritage vessels and local history.

Admission to the museum is free. For hours visit their website at ladysmithhistoricalsociety.ca.

LaFF Executive Director Jacqueline Neligan Honoured Ladysmith Family and Friends (LaFF) is proud to announce that Executive Director Jacqueline Neligan has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal, recognizing her outstanding service to children, families and the wider Ladysmith community.

Neligan directs the LaFF program, which operates out of Ladysmith and serves the city itself as well as surrounding communities. Now running for over 30 years, the program provides interactive opportunities for children aged zero to six, their families and their caretakers. On Tuesday to Friday mornings, families can find a wealth of resources including hands-on learning activities, nutrition education, meals, a food bank, clothing exchange and parenting support.

Established by the Government of Canada to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, the Coronation Medal is administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall and recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities across Canada.

“Jacqueline truly believes in the idea that it takes a village to raise a child.

[She] provides a welcoming space for families who are [then] able to find meaningful connection at LaFF,” stated

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Elaine Wilkinson, LaFF’s board president.

LaFF will be having their annual fundraiser, a Winter Celebration, on December 6, 2025, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to noon at Aggie Hall. Proceeds from the event assist hundreds of families in the coming year. For information, visit familyandfriends.ca/laff-21st-winter-celebration.

Construction Starts on New BC Cancer Centre Shovels are going in the ground for a new BC Cancer centre that will deliver expanded cancer care and treatment for people in Nanaimo and nearby communities.

“The new BC Cancer centre in Nanaimo will transform cancer care for people across central Vancouver Island,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “This facility is a generational investment in health care for the Central Island. It will deliver better care for cancer patients for many years to come by providing vital services closer to home, so patients won’t have to travel long distances for treatment.”

Located on the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital site, the new BC Cancer centre is expected to open in 2028 and will offer cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, all in one location.

Drone Show Wows Festival Goers Thousands of visitors looked upwards in wonder, as 300 drones lit up the skies above Ladysmith, with a Christmas themed animated show that was the dramatic finale of Ladysmith Light Up, that kicks off the annual Festival of Lights.

The choreographed display, the first of its kind on Vancouver Island was sponsored by Ladysmith & District Credit Union.

The drones were a tremendous success.

Despite damp weather, the festival drew a large crowd of locals and tourists to downtown Ladysmith for the famous tradition that marks the start of the festive season.

Drones spell out Festival of Lights in the sky. Photo: Kim Windle

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New Release for Local Songwriter Ladysmith singer-songwriter Ryan McMahon unveils his powerful new single “There She Is,” produced by Steve Dawson and recorded at Bryan Adams’s Warehouse Studio in Vancouver. The track stands as one of McMahon’s most personal and moving compositions – a song about rediscovering beauty, forgiving oneself and finding sanctuary in the simplest moments of life.

With seven solo albums, two acclaimed records with his folk-rock trio Lion Bear Fox and nearly two decades of touring across Canada, the US and Europe, McMahon has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s most authentic musical voices. His work bridges folk, Americana and rock, rooted in sincerity and emotional storytelling.

Born in Ladysmith, McMahon’s rise

Ladysmith singer-songwriter Ryan McMahon. Photo submitted.

from small-club stages to national tours speaks to his craft, resilience and connection with audiences nationwide.

McMahon is a multiple Vancouver Island Music Award winner and SOCANaffiliated songwriter, and his songs have been featured in Californication, Chesapeake Shores and global campaigns. His latest chapter builds on the success of Live Now (2023), an album that show-

cased his ability to channel life’s challenges into raw, redemptive art.

Lyrically, “There She Is” captures a moment of rebirth. Lines like “A sun that rises up over my town / A promise I believe this time around” embody gratitude, serenity and rediscovery. The song moves from heartbreak towards clarity, embracing the idea that peace comes not from control, but from acceptance. Mc-

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Holiday Concert Winter Harp cast. Photo submitted.

Mahon paints vivid images of sunrise, ocean waves and forgiveness – symbols of beauty returning to a life once clouded by loss.

“It’s about recognizing beauty in all its forms,” McMahon explains. “A sunrise, a sunset, a slow smile of approval from someone you love. This life is beautiful, and I forgot that for a while. I wanted to write a song that people could exhale to – to find peace in what is.”

McMahon adds, “The inspiration came fast. The song wrote itself in under half an hour. It’s about forgiveness, letting go of what doesn’t serve us and holding tight to what does.” The result is a cathartic musical journey – one that invites listeners to feel both grounded and uplifted.

Produced by Steve Dawson – a multiple JUNO Awardwinning producer – “There She Is” features an ensemble of exceptional musicians. The track was engineered by Sheldon Zaharko, mixed by Jordan Pritchett and mastered by Railtown Mastering Co. in Vancouver.

The song’s sonic palette blends folk introspection with Americana grit and soulful optimism. It’s a sound that feels both timeless and unmistakably personal, embodying the best of Canada’s singer-songwriter tradition.

“There She Is” arrives as a statement of endurance and gratitude in an age that needs both. It’s a testament to McMahon’s gift for turning vulnerability into strength, and solitude into shared experience. For fans and newcomers alike, the single reaffirms why McMahon’s voice continues to resonate across the country’s stages and airwaves.

Stunning Holiday Concert Winter Harp Returns This December 2025, Winter Harp, with the addition of the revised Huron Carol, returns to the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre in Duncan and the Port Theatre in Nanaimo. Classical and Celtic harps combine with flutes, violins, fiddles, medieval instruments, percussion, poetry, and song to wrap you in the silken cloak of Christmas.

This acclaimed ensemble has become renowned over the decades for delivering beautiful, soul-stirring presentations. This year’s performance is notable as it will open with a winter salutation written by Stz’uminus elder and artist Daniel R. Elliott of Nanaimo.

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Daniel is a Sweat Lodge Keeper and a Healer known for his evocative paintings of his people. He’s currently working on documentaries that preserve the stories and wisdom of First Nation Elders.

Daniel is also a longtime friend of Winter Harp’s artistic director, Lori Pappajohn. Recently, Pappajohn added lyrics she’d written herself to the Huron Carol melody. The Huron Carol originated in the 1600s, when a Jesuit missionary in Eastern Canada incorporated Wendat language lyrics into a secular tune. Pappajohn spoke with Daniel, who is also a musician, about the modern presence of the Huron Carol and to hear his opinion about including this revised melody in the show.

“I have many times thought of those First Nations children singing the beautiful Huron (Wendat) Carol in extreme adverse, unspeakable conditions with their voices being carried into the winter sky. For me, this carol transcends language and time. It permeates in our very soul. I love the fact that music rises above all else. A black robe priest wrote this for his choir, and our ancestors sang it. It is our oldest carol and shouldn’t be lost. It reminds us of how things have changed. What you have done with the new lyrics is what I call reconciliation.”

Clad in colourful medieval attire, Winter Harpʼs outstanding ensemble performs a collection of music ranging from familiar tunes to medieval carols. The hauntingly beautiful music combines harps, drums, temple bells, flutes and violas with an assortment of rare medieval instruments. These include the bass psaltery, organistrum, hurdy-gurdy and nyckelharpa.

This year’s ensemble includes Lauri Lyster (percussion, vocals), Jeff Pelletier (flute, bass flute, hurdy-gurdy, concertina, vocals), Lani Krantz (classical harp, vocals), Hayley Farenholtz (Celtic harp, vocals), Bruce Henczel (nyckelharpa, viola, bass psaltery, percussion, vocals), Sabrielle McCurdy-Foreman (vocalist) and Adam Henderson (narrator, percussion, organistrum).

The 2025 Winter Harp tour is dedicated to the memory of Alan Woodland, the show’s original narrator and co-founder.

Shows will take place in Nanaimo on Saturday, December 13, 3:30 p.m., at the Port Theatre, and in Duncan on Sunday, December 14, at 2 p.m. For further show information, visit www.cowichanpac.ca or www.porttheatre.com/.

Winter Solstice Music 10th Anniversary Tour This year, the Winter Solstice Music Tour marks its 10th anniversary of bringing warmth, harmony and connection to Vancouver Island communities. Since 2010, vocalist and artistic director Cari Burdett has gathered musicians and audiences to celebrate the turning of the season.

This year’s milestone tour offers ten opportunities to experience the concert, including eight in-person shows across six Island locations and two online performances on December 21, the day of the solstice.

Featuring Adrian Dolan, Quin Etheridge Redden, Scott White, Adam Dobres, Cari Burdett and Maeve Iredale, the concerts blend voices, strings and storytelling into a moving evening of music that warms the spirit.

The tour visits Sooke (December 10), Salt Spring (December 11), Chemainus (December 12), Ladysmith (December 14), Duncan (December 20, matinee and evening) and Victoria (December 21, matinee and evening). Both Victoria shows will stream online.

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The Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular. Photo submitted.

Five per cent of proceeds will be donated to Mischa Lelum, the Cowichan Valley Youth Emergency Shelter, supporting local youth in crisis. Audience members may also add direct contributions when purchasing tickets.

Special thanks to our generous sponsors, whose support brings this celebration to life. For more information and tickets, visit www.cariburdett.com/winter-solstice-show.

Ladysmith Arts & Heritage Hub Set to Revitalize Waterfront Community The Arts Council of Ladysmith and District has unveiled its new campaign to return to the historic Machine Shop, with the goal of transforming it into the vibrant Arts and Heritage Hub. The Ladysmith Arts Council has formalized its partnership with the Town of Ladysmith through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and secured a five-year lease for key spaces within the facility. Collaborating with Brian Childs and Company and architect Angela YP Quek, the Arts Council is working to complete leasehold improvements for the designated areas.

To bring this vision to life, the organization requires an initial investment of $400,000. The Arts Council has actively applied for several grants and is launching a fundraising campaign over the next six months to secure the necessary funding and community support.

In addition, The Arts Council of Ladysmith will continue to operate their gallery on 32 High Street. This gallery hosts a new exhibition every month, a gift boutique and features a guest artist monthly.

The Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular Christmas wouldn’t be the same without the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular.

Now entering its 17th year, this is a must-see show that celebrates community, creativity and the allure of live performance. Under the artistic direction of Katy Bowen-Roberts, the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular has become one of those traditions that brings smiles to our faces – young and old.

Shows run in Nanaimo, Courtenay and Victoria from December 10 to 21, 2025. For tickets, visit www.yellowpointchristmasspectacular.ca.

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Leader Tammie Myles: Empowering People

BY GABRIELLE LEE Tammie Myles is a leader, Stz’uminus council member and the CEO of Mother Earth Whispers.

Since 1996, she’s been a consultant, focusing on trauma, abuse and addiction within Indigenous communities.

Her work consists of strategic planning, workshop facilitation and supporting groups and individuals in moving toward change.

“I do a lot of cultural competency training for Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations,” says Myles. “I try to empower people to look at past events. … [We ask questions like] what meaning have we given to those past events? How do we reframe our think-

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ing and experiences so that we’re not driven by those traumatic events?”

Myles’s work began in childhood.

“I grew up at the Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre,” Myles says.

“Being there, [I saw] how people were needing more training, needing social support.”

As she grew older, Myles began contributing to the Friendship Centre as an employee. “I worked there on and off for 35 years, so I have seen all parts of that organization. I had a lot of opportunities to grow and [to try] out innovative ideas.”

One of Myles’s jobs at the Friendship Centre was serving as the Substance Abuse Counsellor Training Coordinator. She began to put together programs and train others, and as her work progressed, she was invited to learn how to run workshops. She accepted, then started delivering workshops for residential school survivors across Canada.

It is this transformative initiative that has translated into her own business, Mother Earth Whispers.

Myles’s work proves to be equally impactful for both her and those who re-

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Tammie Myles. Photo: Bob Burgess

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ceive it. “I see young people, and [they go on to] start their own business, or get educated, or go get some awesome job,” Myles says. “Seeing people inspired really fills my cup.” She also notes that some of the training she’s delivered has been life-altering on a personal level. “It changed … a big weight or burden into something completely the opposite [and] that I could put it down. [I realized] it wasn’t mine to carry.”

She points to her identity as an Indigenous woman as a unique strength in owning a business. “People know that I have the same collective experience, so I

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can create that relationship quickly,” she explains. Though Myles notes that Indigenous women are often undermined and underutilized due to social biases, she recognizes both her and her peers’ capabilities. “I work in a lot of different circles, and there are some really highly educated, experienced, smart Indigenous women.”

Indeed, Myles has drawn on her lived experience, education and wealth of experience to uplift and bring light to her communities. Her work stands today as a much-needed example of modern-day healing and reconciliation.

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Andrea’s Legacy – A Christmas in Time

BY PAUL LEGACY Christmas has a way of wrapping itself around our hearts. It brings back memories of laughter, warmth and the wonderful smells that drift from a busy kitchen. For me, Christmas is where my love of food and cooking truly began – 70 years ago, when I was just six years old.

I can still picture myself standing on a stool beside my mother, helping her

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Above: Andrea Legacy.

Left: Yanky Buns Photos: Paul Legacy.

bake cookies, tourtière pie, and her special “yanky buns”. Our old wood stove filled the house with the sweetest smells.

I remember watching in wonder as Mom measured the ingredients, mixed them together and slipped the pans into the oven. Then came the magic – that moment when she opened the door, and the golden pastries emerged, warm and fragrant.

I grew up in northern New Brunswick, the eldest of nine children, in a small house that was always full of noise

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and love. We didn’t have much, but we had each other, and that was more than enough. Food was our way of celebrating life, especially during those long, cold winters. The table was where we gathered – where we laughed, shared stories and filled both our plates and our hearts.

Some of my childhood memories have faded with time, but cooking with my mother has stayed crystal clear. She taught me everything she knew: how to feel when the dough was just right, how to taste before seasoning, and how to cook with love above all else.

When I was fourteen, I asked if I could stay home from church one Sunday to make the family dinner. Mom smiled and said yes – I think she was a little proud and maybe a little relieved to have a helper that day. I roasted a chicken with stuffing, made potatoes, carrots, beans and turnips, and whisked up a gravy I was mighty proud of. Before she left, we made the yanky buns together. That was my first “official” Sunday dinner – and I didn’t miss the two-hour church service one bit.

Those days with Mom shaped who I

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became. Because of her, I became a chef and spent many happy years cooking professionally. Even now, I still love to fill my home with good smells, and my neighbours don’t seem to mind when a few plates find their way over to them.

Mom’s yanky buns were always my favourite. Tourtière came a close second, but those buns held a special place in my heart. Every time I came home for a visit, she’d have a fresh batch waiting for me, warm from the oven. Funny how just one bite can bring your whole childhood rushing back.

After Mom passed, every December brought that same longing for her yanky buns. For years, the recipe was lost – and Mom, in her later days, couldn’t quite recall it. But this year, I went searching and found it tucked inside a 1915 Five Rose Cookbook. When the old, worn book arrived, I felt like I’d been handed a piece of her again. The recipe was vague, as old ones often are, so I adapted it to match the way she and I made it all those years ago.

Mom’s Yanky Buns

Ingredients: 3 cups flour 2 tsp cream of tartar 1 tsp baking soda ¼ lb butter Enough milk to make a soft dough Filling and Topping: ½ cup soft butter ¾ cup brown sugar

1 cup brown sugar ¾ cup hot water

Instructions: 1. Combine flour, cream of tartar, and baking soda; sift into a large bowl.

2. Cut in the cooled butter using a pastry knife. Add milk a little at a time until a soft dough forms.

3. Roll the dough into a rectangle on a floured counter. Spread with the soft butter and sprinkle with brown sugar.

4. Roll it up and cut into ¾-inch rounds.

5. In a buttered 8-inch square pan, mix ¾ cup brown sugar with hot water. Place the rolls in the pan.

6. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes, then reduce to 350°F for about 10 more minutes or until golden.

Optional: Add peanut butter, cinnamon or chopped nuts. Best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Food at Christmas has a way of bringing us home again to those we’ve loved and lost, and to the warmth that never truly leaves. Every batch of yanky buns I bake fills my kitchen with those same sweet smells, and for a little while, it feels like Mom is right there beside me.

So this Christmas, share a recipe with someone you love.

Pass along the stories that live in your kitchen – the ones that start with love, laughter and a wooden spoon.

To all the staff, writers and readers of TAKE 5, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with warmth, good food and the company of those you hold dear.

You can follow Paul Legacy’s food blog: A Legacy in Thyme at https://www.facebook.com/share/1AvhVXYW3a/?mibextid= wwXIfr

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International Student Education Program Enriches Lives

BY KERITH WADDINGTON People can be worlds apart in many ways, yet still find common ground.

Ladysmith Secondary students Jannes Wolter and Lucas Romanini are living proof of that. Coming from Mulsum, a village of 1,200 in Germany, and a city of 11 million in Brazil, respectively, Jannes and Lucas have become like brothers since arriving in Canada in late August, as part of School District 68’s International Student Education (ISE) Program.

Beyond improving their English and making friends while attending a local school for five months, the boys are united by their sense of adventure, a love of athletics and an appreciation for homemade cinnamon buns, courtesy of their host mom.

They are also united by the fun – and the welcome challenge – of being older “siblings” to the three youngsters in their host family.

“After living surrounded by 11 million people, sometimes I like to just stop to enjoy the quiet and breathe,” says Lucas.

“But before long, I’ll almost always hear ‘Come play!’” He laughs. But Lucas doesn’t mind. In fact, both boys are thoroughly enjoying being part of a Canadian family; the younger ones with whom they are sharing a home during their stay often entice them to wrestle, play card games and kick around a soccer ball.

Host mom and Cedar resident Kess Heaton describes how

Ladysmith Secondary students Jannes Wolter, host mom Kess Heaton, and Lucas Romanini. Photo: Kerith Waddington

she came to open her home to Jannes and Lucas.

“We actually started by hosting two students from Japan for a short summer stay,” says Kess. “My three younger children are very social and love the feeling of a big family, and our home has lots of space. We loved it so much that we felt inspired to open our doors again, this time for a longer stay. When we met our two current students virtually before they arrived, it just felt like the stars aligned. Their personalities clicked with ours immediately, and I thought the two boys would get along well together.”

Kess believes the program’s purpose is multifaceted.

“It really gives young people the chance to grow, not just by

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improving their English or seeing Canada, but by experiencing how others live day to day,” she says. “They learn who they are outside of their familiar environment, build confidence and discover what they’re capable of.”

School District 68 currently has about 350 international students in Ladysmith and Nanaimo participating in the program, who come from many different countries. The visiting students are very well supported by the school district emotionally, socially and academically, says Kess.

“There are dedicated people and resources for any students experiencing homesickness, and they organize monthly or biweekly outings so students can connect.”

Kess is delighted to report that both of her exchange students are thriving.

“These two boys have truly become like big brothers and sons in our home!” she says. “They have complementary personalities [and] are outgoing, and we are always joking and chatting. We spend many evenings playing competitive games, eating together, talking, teasing or driving to and from sports, as Jannes plays for Nanaimo United and Lucas trains out of a Duncan facility!”

In terms of growth, Kess acknowledges that the exchange students have learned a lot about discipline, navigating new experiences, adapting to a different school system and discovering how families across the world are far more alike than different.

Jannes was inspired to partake in the program because he wanted to “see how people lived elsewhere” and says he plans to “travel the whole world.” He chose British Columbia because he was mesmerized by its natural beauty and wildlife, and he had heard that people here “are very nice.”

He says that has been borne out by experience. “In Germany, when you go out to a store, people are very businesslike, but here in Canada, people do everything with their whole heart!”

Lucas, on the other hand, became part of the program because his mom put him there. “She told me to get out!” he laughs, before adding that his mom is very well-travelled and wanted her son, one of three, to see some of the world too.

Whale watching, skiing in Whistler, seeing a Clippers hockey game, enjoying trips to Tofino and Victoria, taking in the Ladysmith Light-Up and flying by Harbour Air to Vancouver are just a few of the very Canadian experiences Jannes and Lucas have enjoyed or will be enjoying before heading home at the end of January. They expect memories of their trip to Canada will stay with them for the rest of their lives and are hopeful the friendships they have forged while here will too.

Both boys are looking forward to a Canadian Christmas with their host family and to sharing many of their own traditions during the holidays, such as spending time with family, having a nice dinner and exchanging presents. Lucas, in particular, is hoping for snow.

Kess sums up the experience of being a host family.

“It’s been incredible to watch these young people grow, laugh, adapt and thrive, and to see my own kids Maleka, Makeo and Ocea and their dad, Beau, benefit from the joy of a bigger, multicultural family,” she says. “My kids have been studying German, and Jannes has helped them learn even more words! Hosting has truly enriched our lives. But we’ll see how Jannes and Lucas feel about their stay once it snows, and we have about 200 metres of driveway to shovel!”

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Hungry for the Holidays

BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO The holidays are a time of great merriment and cheer for many, but can also be a time of hardship for others. Toy drives and Christmas food programs are working to make this gap smaller.

In Ladysmith, the ever-faithful LRCA is running two campaigns: the fourth annual Toy Drive and the Christmas Cheer program.

The Toy Drive works directly with its supported families to coordinate wish lists and community sponsorship. Lacey Redding is the program coordinator of Family and Youth Support Services and the creator of this initiative. “It’s very joyful. The goal is to get all of our caseloads sponsored, and the first three years have been actually incredible.”

Once gifts are purchased, sponsors can bring them unwrapped to the LRCA’s office building. “The week before Christmas, we do a Christmas wrapping

Ladysmith Resources Centre’s Lacey Redding and Megan Hunter. Photo submitted.

with our volunteers, and we wrap every single family’s presents and hand deliver them to their doorstep.”

While donations from the general public are often well-intended, Lacey mentioned that the LRCA requires sponsors to be registered with the organization.

“We have very limited space. When it’s Toy Drive season here, we’re lining our

offices, stacking toys in our personal offices, stacking our hallway, filling every nook and cranny with presents because we don’t have a hall.”

Any extras and clean, gently used donations are opened up to the community through a free store known as Santa’s Workshop. “They get 15 minutes to filter through. We send them on their way

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with wrapping paper. We were able to reach about 90 extra families last year.”

All gift donations must be delivered to the LRCA by December 5, and if you’re interested in volunteering for gift wrapping, there’s still time to apply.

The Christmas Cheer program is currently open for monetary donations from individuals and organizations in the Ladysmith community. In previous years, the program gave hampers to their supported families, but this year they’re giving grocery store gift cards so families can purchase what they need at their own discretion.

“This Christmas Cheer process allows us to serve the community in a way that allows each individual or family to choose what they may need at this special time of year. As we see a greater demand for food pantry services, we know that demand continues into the Christmas season. We aim to bring a little extra for the festive support.”

Last year, the program served over three hundred families and hopes to do the same again. Donations of food are welcome the rest of the year, but the LRCA asks that Christmas donations be made in cash, as this allows for greater support.

Registration for families accessing the support is open until December 11. The program is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The LRCA has a designated catchment and asks that families registered for the program bring proof of a current address within the V9G Postal code area.

In Duncan, the Cowichan Valley Basket Society (CVBS) is receiving donations for their on-site toy drive. They’re not do-

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ing a Christmas dinner this year, but will instead offer Christmas Hamper recipients the chance to choose a toy for their kids from December 2 to 24.

Henry Wikkerink, the manager of the CVBS, said the gifts include “experiences like hockey tickets, earbuds for teenagers and gifts for all ages.” The hamper program serves approximately 500 children and youth of all ages.

If you’re considering donating, Henry noted that donations for teenagers are always in short supply. He suggested a gift as simple as a “Walmart card valued at $20,” so a teen could buy themselves what they want. He also said that donations of unwrapped, new toys or items are welcome, and toques and gloves are always needed.

The CVBS primarily services Duncan, but they get people from as far as Cobble Hill and Lake Cowichan. “We just surpassed 750 hampers a month. We’re always looking for canned food of any kind.”

Donations will be accepted up until a couple of days before Christmas, and cash donations are always welcome online.

All extra gifts will be kept and offered by the CVBS to their hamper recipients as birthday gifts throughout the year. Henry stated his appreciation of the community, saying it wasn’t possible without their help.

The City of Duncan is also running their annual curbside Food and Toy Drive. The Public Works crew will be collecting donations of non-perishable food items and unwrapped toys that are set curbside from December 9 to 11. Residents can also drop off donations at Duncan City Hall or call Public Works to request a donation pickup as late as December 11.

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In Nanaimo, Loaves and Fishes has already started their busiest time of the year. The organization works as a distribution centre for food banks across the central island. Mellissa Lavoie, the director, said, “We try very hard; our warehouse operations team really keeps the food moving so that it’s not sitting in the warehouse.” They expect to receive five times the number of food pallets than in the preceding months.

Despite this quick turnover, the organization has run out of space. “We’ve outgrown our warehouse really quite significantly. The food is stacked right up to the rafters. We’ve got some trucks we use as storage.”

This is impacting their ability to support families for Christmas in addition to the usual monthly support.

“I’m really sorry to say that we are not able to produce a Christmas hamper of food. We just don’t have the operating funds available.” That amount of food can’t be put together in a few weeks. The team needs months to plan and prepare.

“We feed about 3,700 households in our Christmas hamper program.” This year, their solution is to provide gift cards to families who register on their website. “They will be eligible for a gift card that will depend on the size of the household.”

The increased demand and lower overall donation numbers have been a problem all year. While gift-giving is on our minds now because of the holiday season, hunger doesn’t end once the holidays are over. January and February are often the lowest months for donations. It doesn’t need to be expensive to make a difference.

A regular meal throughout the year could be the best gift you give this holiday season.

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In late November, the Town of Ladysmith posted a link on its Facebook page to the article “Heart of the Hub – Phase 2 (Machine Shop),” from the Let’s Talk Ladysmith website. In the article, the Town highlighted the value of the upgrades to the old Comox Machine Shop (the big blue building below the highway) and its role in revitalizing the Ladysmith Waterfront, stating the building is at the heart of the Arts and Heritage Hub. It reads, “The aim of the Heart of the Hub is to create conditions necessary for artists to create meaningful artistic work, experiences and relationships within the Ladysmith community.” The article also indicates that it will eventually include the completion of the Indigenous Artist Studio.

Will this Indigenous Artist Studio be the one for which the Town invested half a million dollars in a proposal that was shelved due to high costs? Should it be included in the plans for the Heritage Hub Building, or will it still be a standalone building?

Further on, the post states that the Town recognizes the value and importance of the arts in the title, but says little about the significance of heritage. This is disturbing, as the project is called the “Arts and Heritage Hub.” So, where is the heritage component?

The article fails to recognize the heritage efforts of the Ladysmith Maritime

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Society to restore the building. For years, the Ladysmith Maritime Society used the upstairs as an office and meeting room. LMS, under the leadership of Shirley Blackstaff, created an awardwinning Harbour Heritage Centre. For years, the museum, with its incredible dioramas and vast collection of artifacts, was an attraction and a crucial educational asset for teachers and families who wanted to teach local children about our harbour and industrial past.

Visiting boaters spoke about how much they enjoyed this opportunity to learn about the industries that thrived on the waterfront. Also, there is no indication in the article of the role the Ladysmith & District Historical Society’s Industrial Preservation Committee has played in saving priceless artifacts of our industry associated with the building.

The article lists the space allocation within the building upon completion. It says there will be two artist studios – a 460-sq.ft. one and the other a 699-sq. ft. one, plus a 600-sq.ft. artist teaching space. It doesn’t indicate whether these spaces will be made available to artists at fair-market value or whether they will receive any discounts in support of the arts. The article also states there will be 400-square feet of community meeting space. This leaves 4,600 square feet for community indoor space (uses unspecified). There is no direct mention of space being allocated for use by heritage and culture groups.

In fact, the Town’s article fails to explain what the Town considers “culture” or “heritage” to be in the context of participating in the Arts and Heritage Hub building.

Right now there is no commitment from the Town to allocate space within the building to share the Town’s rich history. As I see it, without this can we truly consider this site an Arts and Heritage Hub? To read the Town’s full article, go to https://letstalk.ladysmith.ca/machineshop.

Proposed Arts & Heritage Hub, former Comox & Logging Machine Shop.

Photo submittted

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HMS Plumper and the first chart of Ladysmith Harbour

BY QUENTIN GOODBODY The Oregon Treaty signed June 15, 1846, set the boundary between the United States and British North America in the Oregon Country – the land extending from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean – as the 49th Parallel. It was agreed that the border, upon reaching the coast, would swing south of Vancouver Island.

However, ownership of the islands between Vancouver Island and the Main-

Captain George Henry Richards (1819– 1896), who first charted Oyster (now Ladysmith) Harbour with HMS Plumper in 1859.

land remained unsettled. A Boundary Commission was established in 1856, with Captain James Prevost (after which Mount Prevost, north of Duncan, is

HMS Plumper in Esquimalt Harbour, late 1850s. Source: Wickimedia

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named) appointed British Commissioner in 1857. It became apparent that the existing marine surveys were not good enough to use as a basis for a boundary settlement in that area.

To deal with this issue, the British Admiralty in 1857 sent Captain George Henry Richards with the survey ship HMS Plumper to Vancouver Island with the following orders: “... you will lose no time in setting out an accurate nautical survey of such portions of the channels and islands which lie between Vancouver Island and the Continent of America ...”

His orders continued: “As soon as the work connected with the Boundary Commission shall be completed and Captain Prevost shall have no longer occasion for your services, you will proceed with the survey of the Gulf of Georgia and the harbours of Vancouver Island according to their importance. ... You will not fail to send tracings of all surveys and places and copies of all descriptions and Sailing Directions in order that when expedient they may immediately be communicated to Lloyds and made public for the benefit of sailors in general.”

Richards and HMS Plumper arrived in Esquimalt on November 10, 1857, and proceeded to chart the area of the San Juan Islands. Initial charting of the area was completed in June 1858, after which attention was turned to other places.

In 1859, a war nearly broke out between the US and Britain after an American settler shot a pig belonging to a British settler on San Juan Island. The conflict was largely averted thanks to the diplomacy of Captain Richards and Captain De Courcy of HMS Pylades. (The DeCourcy Group, DeCourcy Island and Pylades Island were later named after them.) The dispute was finally settled in 1872 by the Prussian Kaiser, who acted as an independent arbitrator and established the boundary through Haro Strait, where it remains today.

Having turned his attention away from the San Juan Islands, Richards charted the Ladysmith Harbour area in 1859. He named the harbour Oyster Harbour on account of the number of native oyster beds present. Later, it was renamed Ladysmith harbour.

Not only is the chart a work of art, but it is also remarkably accurate, attesting to the skill of the surveying crew, who worked from a fleet of up to seven small boats and used the anchored Plumper as their operational base. The chart predates the construction of the E&N Railway (1886) and the Town of Ladysmith (founded 1898–1900), so these features are absent.

This chart, a copy of which is available at the Ladysmith Museum to view, is one of many produced by Richards and his crew during his years on station here, 1857–1863.

Many of the coastal landmarks we know today were named by him, including features named after the ships company: Campbell River (after Dr. Samuel Campbell, ship’s surgeon), Pender Island (after Daniel Pender, master), Mayne Island (after Richard Mayne, second-lieutenant), Brockton Point (after Francis Brockton, ship’s engineer) and Mudge Island (after William Mudge, ship’s officer).

The Plumper was launched at Plymouth Dockyard on April 5, 1848. She was 484 tons (577 ton displacement), wooden hulled, 140 feet long, with a 27-foot-10-inch beam and a mean draught of 11 feet 4 inches. She carried a crew of about 100. Powered primarily by a two-cylinder vertical single-expansion steam

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engine (148 hp) driving a single screw, she was also barquerigged for sail. She was armed with two long 32-pounder cannon and ten short cannon. Her maximum speed was 7.5 knots.

Because the screw slowed the ship under sail, it could be removed and stored on deck.

Plumper was replaced for survey duties in these waters in December 1860 by the more powerful and larger HMS Hecate, because she lacked the steam power required to navigate the commonly eight-plus knot tidal currents around northern Vancouver Island. She returned to England under the captaincy of Commander Anthony Hoskins, who had brought the Hecate out from England to replace her, and was paid off in July 1861 and sold for breaking in June 1865.

Christmas in Chemainus

BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO Now is the time to get your holiday shopping wrapped up, and what better place to go than the Christmas store?

Cathy Yaeger has owned Christmas in Chemainus for 16 years, and she still enjoys the magic of the season. “I’m just happy helping people find that special ornament that reflects something significant in their lives.”

The store is open from April to noon on Christmas Eve and draws in locals and tourists alike. “More and more peo-

ple are selecting local ornaments,” she says. The push this year towards travelling inside Canada and shopping locally meant that many customers were looking for ornaments that reminded them of their trips. She sold out of her Indigenous hand-carved ornaments in June.

Part of what makes the store so special is that she hand-picks everything.

“Nothing is from a catalogue.” She specifically chooses “artists with great attention to detail.” One of Cathy’s favourite pieces is Mark Roberts’ Elves and Santa series, a limited-edition line that she has carried every year.

Beyond the ornaments, there are gingerbread houses, German Pyramids and other decor items to choose from. “Lots

of families come for years and do Secret Santa.” Cathy takes her role as guardian of the secrets seriously and even has a drawer for people to place their items so family members can’t see them until after they have been wrapped.

“Christmas is for the children.” She encourages everyone to enjoy the holiday and appreciate the season. “It’s a magical time of year.”

Another way to enjoy the magic of the season is by catching a performance of the Festive Brass at their Christmas in Canada concert on December 13, at 2:30 p.m., at the Chemainus United Church.

The ensemble includes some of Vancouver Island’s best brass musicians. “Performers [are] known for their artistry, wit and infectious holiday cheer.”

The show will blend timeless carols with new Canadian compositions such as “A Canadian Christmas Fanfare” and “Christmas in Canada.” It’s sure to delight and inspire connections this holiday season. For tickets and more information, visit their website: festivebrass. ca/holidaytour2025.

Books make great gifts, and it’s even more special when the authors are local. Steven Scanlan, who owns Magpies Gifts and British Foods with his wife, Cathy, has recently published How to Retire. This book is a straightforward guide to figuring out your retirement plan. “Whether you’re planning to travel the world, settle in a charming overseas village or simply enjoy slower mornings, How to Retire is your essential guide to building a fulfilling, financially secure life after work.”

This guide offers helpful advice on finances, travel plans and finding hobbies to fulfil your retirement years. It’s a great choice for anyone who is nervous or just curious about what the future holds. “Filled with real stories, expert advice and practical solutions, How

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Cathy Yaeger, owner of Christmas in Chemainus. Photo submitted.

to Retire will inspire and equip you to embrace this exciting stage with confidence,” said Scanlan. The book is available for purchase on Amazon.

The Cowichan Writer’s Group compiled an anthology of poetry, memoir and fiction titled 12 Tales of Christmas.

This book promises an eclectic mix of holiday cheer and will “entertain you with its thoughtful mélange of Yuletide themes.” Your purchase of this book supports nine local authors and is sure to bring a bit of light to your holiday reading.

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RDN Area A Cedar, South Wellington, Cassidy & Yellow Point It’s RDN budget time. Every year when I receive the financial plan, I open it with anxiety about the proposed tax increase and the resulting impact on our community. I have lost many nights’ sleep fretting about taxation and thinking of areas for potential reductions.

Prior to this year’s budget discussions, I had already delayed some Area A projects to reduce the financial impact, out of concern for the effect of the Hamilton Marsh purchase. Thankfully, the initial proposed increase for the general services taxation rate was significantly lower than previous years, at approximately five per cent. If approved, this will result in an increase of $39 for the average-priced home.

I’ll provide some general information about RDN taxes before discussing this year’s Area A taxation details.

Each community in the RDN has a unique selection of services based on community needs and wants. This makes it difficult to compare taxation levels across the region. Complicating matters further is the fact that the municipalities and Gabriola (Area B) also pay taxes for services received through their own organization or, in the case of Gabriola, through the Islands Trust.

For Area A, most of our local government services are provided by the RDN. Property tax bills also include other

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sources of taxation that are collected by the Province, like schools, police and administration costs for collecting taxation. Most parts of Area A also pay an Improvement District for fire protection and, for some, water services. Each property has a unique tax bill based on the services provided to the area and the property value.

The RDN groups services into two main categories: general services and specific services. General services are the services that are provided across the RDN that include shared services (e.g., Solid Waste, Regional Parks, Emergency Planning), subregional services (e.g., Southern Community Transit, Southern Community Recreation), and electoral areas services (e.g., Community Parks, Area A Recreation and Culture). I’ll report on general services in this article.

For Area A, as mentioned above, the current recommended rate for general services is $964 for the average value home. This is an average increase of $39 for our area. Compared to other electoral areas (excluding Gabriola due to their involvement in Island’s Trust), Area A is proposed to have the second lowest tax rate and the lowest increase in taxes.

Taxes for the RDN electoral areas vary from $897 to $1,286 for the average value home in that area. Average increases for the RDN electoral areas vary from $39 to $70. The largest sources of tax increase for Area A are Community Parks, Area A Recreation and Culture,

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Electoral Area (EA) Community Planning, Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) and Emergency Planning – in that order. The services that result in the greatest source of taxation include VIRL, Community Parks, Southern Community Recreation, EA Community Planning, Area A Recreation and Culture and Southern Community Transit – in that order. Notably, tax requisition levels for Regional Parks actually decreased 14 per cent this year.

Some general patterns can be seen in this year’s taxation. The biggest cost drivers, particularly for the municipalities, are sewage and water services. The infrastructure for these services requires major upgrades, repairs or maintenance. We avoid those costs because most of our area utilizes septic systems and wells. For Northern RDN, recreation amenities (i.e., Ravensong Pool and Oceanside Arena) are significant cost drivers due to upgrades and maintenance. Across the region, costs are increasing for solid waste management and emergency planning. Both services are predicted to continue to increase in costs due to increased consumption/ disposal of goods and climate change, respectively.

Two smaller areas of service within Area A will experience significant increases. Those who participate in the Cedar Sewer Service will have a significant increase due to cost increases that are spread over a relatively small num-

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ber of properties. As well, those in the Cassidy Waterloo Fire Protection area will also note a significant increase due to the need to replace the fire apparatus in the coming years.

Over the next two months, RDN board members will review, debate and potentially change the Financial Plan. Usually, this process results in a reduction of taxation levels, but additions can also be made. I intend to have a community town hall to receive community feedback on the financial plan – date TBD. I can also be reached at jessica.stanley@rdn.bc.ca or 250-268-7359 if you would like to share your thoughts.

CVRD Area H North Oyster/ Diamond

A Message from Your Area H Director As we wrap up 2025 and coast merrily (or briskly, depending on how many year-end deadlines you’re juggling) into 2026, I wanted to share a few updates from around Area H – along with a hearty dose of appreciation for the neighbours, volunteers and community champions who keep this place so special. Grab a cup of something warm and settle in!

Catching Up: Community Safety with the RCMP Last month, we welcomed Trevor Busch, Detachment Commander of the Ladysmith RCMP, to the Diamond for a frank and reassuring conversation about community safety. His message in a nutshell: Yes, there are concerns. No, we are not becoming the Wild West.

Out of the roughly 4,000 calls the detachment has handled this year, only about 40 came from the Diamond – and of those, very few resulted in charges. In the grand scheme of Vancouver Island crime stats, our little corner remains one of the safest. Still, if you see something that feels off, don’t hesitate to call. The RCMP would much rather hear from you than wonder later why no one did.

The non-emergency line is 250-2452215.

The Budget is Back – Specifically the Gas Tax After a couple of years of absence, the Community Works Fund – also known as the Gas Tax – is back in action. The amount each electoral area receives is

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based on population, and Area H will be receiving about $147,000 per year for the five years from 2024 to 2029.

Now, as with all government funds, there’s a rulebook. We have to balance the rules with community priorities, the benefit-to-most-people principle, CVRD’s strategic goals and project feasibility. After reviewing all of this, here are the proposed Gas Tax projects for the 2026 budget: • Blue Heron Park – Picnic Shelter Replacement: $50,000 • Elliot Beach – Ramp and Shoring: $25,000 • Feasibility Study – Satellite Firehall in Shell Beach: $50,000 • Water Study with Stz’uminus First Nation: $50,000 (Exploring shared opportunities with their newly developed water system.)

• North Oyster Community Centre – Roof Work: $25,000 These investments reflect conversations, community feedback and a whole lot of balancing acts. Thank you to everyone who weighed in along the way. I look forward to more conversations on how to spend future funds.

The Modernized OCP The public hearing for the draft Official Community Plan was held on October 20, and it was a big one – a packed room, engaged speakers, thoughtful comments and all directors in attendance (most in person). That hearing was the final opportunity for directors to receive public input before the OCP heads to the Board for third reading and adoption.

Now, during this “post-hearing pause,” no new information can be introduced, which means holding community meetings is tricky – and yes, it can temporarily slow certain in-progress applications as well. But the good news: the draft OCP is expected to return to the Board for decision on November 26, 2025.

Comprehensive Zoning Bylaws The next TAKE 5 is in February 2026, and this is a reminder that the draft zoning bylaws project is underway.

Please, stay informed and subscribe for announcements at www.planyourcowichan.ca/zoning-bylaw-project.

Upcoming Town Halls and Fun The Town Hall and Diamond Christmas Gathering will be held on December 8, at 7 p.m., at the Diamond Hall.

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Because our last town hall landed right in that no-new-information period, I wasn’t able to share much. But by December 8, we expect to have some news – and since many of you suggested it, we’re combining the town hall with the Diamond Christmas party!

Bring something to share, and we’ll talk community business in the first half and celebrate together in the second.

A town hall will be held on February 12, 2026, at North Oyster Community Centre. Mark your calendar – more details will appear in the February 2026 TAKE 5.

A Holiday Note As 2025 comes to a close, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your kindness, your curiosity, your advocacy for neighbours, nature and community and the humour you bring to even the spiciest civic topics. Serving as your director continues to be an honour. We live in the best community – EVER! Wishing you and your loved ones a warm, joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year filled with peace, renewal and maybe even a few completed to-do lists.

With appreciation, Ben Maartman ben.maartman@cvrd.bc.ca; 250-510-5930

CVRD Area G Saltair/Thetis

Saltair Road and Winter Maintenance Update As winter rolls in and the first flakes start teasing our hillsides, I want to bring Saltair residents up to speed on what to expect for road maintenance and snow clearing this season.

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Last year’s service left a lot of us frustrated – me included.

That’s why, earlier this fall, I reached out directly to both the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) and Mainroad Mid-Island to push for better service for Saltair. I’m happy to share that both have made adjustments to ensure our community gets the attention it deserves when winter weather hits. While no system is perfect, I’m optimistic these changes will make a noticeable difference.

How Snow Removal Works in Saltair Because Area G is unincorporated, all roads and ditches are owned and managed by MoTI, with snow removal contracted to Mainroad. Their province-wide priority system works as follows: 1. Highways 2. Primary routes (e.g. Old Chemainus Rd.) 3. School bus routes 4. Side roads (e.g. Greenhill Road, Victoria Road) Once snowfall stops, Mainroad has up to 48 hours to clear side roads – but remember, if it starts snowing again, that 48hour clock resets. Your reports throughout winter help crews understand where service is needed most.

To report road conditions contact Mainroad 24-Hour Hotline at 1-877-215-6006. All calls are logged and sent directly to crews. MoTI Vancouver Island District Office is 250-751-3246.

For emergencies, always call 9-1-1.

Davis Lagoon Bridge Paving – A Win for Saltair A bit of good news worth celebrating: the paving at the Davis Lagoon Bridge is complete – and Mainroad knocked it out of the park. It took less than 75 days from the time I first raised the issue in August to the final repaving on both approaches, north and south. A big thank-you to the crews for getting this done quickly and doing it well.

New 30 km/h Zone on South Oyster School Road Safety around our community centre and park has long been a concern. New 30 km/h speed zones are now being installed in this high-traffic area to make it safer for children, pedestrians and everyone accessing programs and events. This is a small change with a significant impact.

Garbage and Recycling Pick-Up During Snow If the CVRD can’t safely empty your bins due to road conditions, you can put out double the amount the following week.

No need to call – crews are tracking missed streets.

Saltair Road Safety Working Group I’m assembling a local working group to identify Saltair’s most pressing traffic and road safety issues – from speed concerns to intersections that need attention. The goal is simple: a clear list of priorities so we can advocate effectively and improve safety where it’s needed most.

Stay Safe and Look After Each Other Winter in Saltair has a way of bringing neighbours together.

Please drive carefully, give road crews the space they need and check in on friends and neighbours – especially those who may need a hand in bad weather.

If you see something that needs attention or have concerns, please reach out anytime.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Saltair!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 250-252-6525 or jesse.mcclinton@cvrd.bc.ca.

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The Giants of Wildwood: Revealing the Douglas-fir’s Real Identity

BY CATHERINE GAUTHIER Beautifully decorated with lights and ornaments, firs and their relatives are the stars of the Christmas season. Did you know that evergreen trees were chosen as decorations to celebrate the winter solstice over 2,000 years ago?

One of the most common species cultivated as Christmas trees nowadays is the balsam fir (Abies balsamea), thanks to its sweet and fruity aromatic smell.

Other popular varieties include the Fras-

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er fir (Abies fraseri), loved for its robust, upward-turning branches and its attractive blue-green color.

On Vancouver Island, local favorites include the grand fir (Abies grandis) and the Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), both species being native to the region. The grand fir has lush, glossy and highly fragrant needles. You can most easily differentiate it from the Douglas-fir by its needles, which lie in two distinct rows on the branch, giving it a flat appearance. In contrast, Douglas-fir needles radiate out and cover the branch all around.

While both species are vastly present, offering magnificent individuals to spot on a walk through the forest, our own star at Wildwood is most definitely the Douglas-fir. With some intact individuals being over 500 years old, they are a key element of an oldgrowth coastal Douglas-fir ecosystem.

However, did you know that despite its common name, the Douglas-fir is not a “true fir”? True firs belong to the Abies genus, while the Douglas-fir belongs to the genus Pseudotsuga, which literally means “false hemlock.” Its name in the

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A culturally modified Douglas fir at Wildwood. Photo: Catherine Gauthier

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Hul’q’umi’num Indigenous language is “ts’sey’.”

Local Indigenous people have diverse historical uses for the Douglas-fir. Some of them include using the wood as building material for canoes and tools, the pitch (“chumux”) as a fire starter, the bark as a very hot fuel and the needles in teas as a remedy and immunity booster. You can see numerous trees modified by Indigenous cultural practices, called culturally modified trees, at Wildwood.

Douglas-firs also have an important ecological role, being incredibly resistant to fire, with bark as thick as 30 centimetres on an old tree. This coarse-textured, deeply furrowed bark can serve as a food cache for animals like birds and squirrels, which like to hide seeds in its deep crevices. This can, in turn, help the forest regenerate after a wildfire.

On a typical walk through Wildwood, you’ll notice many older Douglas-firs with fire scars, symbols that fire is omnipresent and essential in this ecosystem for a healthy forest. Indeed, before fire suppression by humans, a coastal Douglas-fir forest would naturally experience a low-intensity surface wildfire every 100 to 300 years, clearing the understory vegetation. The older trees would survive and thrive in a structurally complex, patchy forest with a substantial range of tree sizes and ages, including large, widely spaced veterans – a pattern characteristic of healthy old-growth stands.

Next time you walk through Wildwood, take a moment to appreciate these ancient, fire-resistant giants. The Douglas-fir may not be a true fir, but it has a true and essential ecological and cultural role in local forests and homes.

For more information, visit https://www.ecoforestry.ca/.

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Oh The Fun of It: Purchasing a New Vehicle

BY JANE MOWBRAY It is predicted that, by the end of the year, one in four new cars purchased will be electric. Yet many people are still hesitant. I was, too, until I took the plunge and bought one myself. I understand the hesitancy. There are a lot of myths out there.

Here are some of them.

Myth 1: Gassing up is quick, but charging an EV (electric vehicle) takes hours.

OK, but this is misleading. With gas

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cars, you drive until you need gas, then detour to get it. My EV charges at home.

Charging doesn’t cut into my day. Byebye gas stations, fluctuating gas prices, fumes and spills.

Myth 2: Driving long distances is dicey and takes longer.

Well, there’s an app for that. Apps like Plug Share, Charge Point, and BC Hydro help you plan your trips, use charging stations, find locations and availability, and even monitor your charging status by showing charging speed, current charge level and estimated completion time. Most stations have a 1-800 number for help.

I recently visited relatives in Calgary and learned that DC Fast Charging stations are becoming common. But the real game changer is that I didn’t have to stay in my car while it was hooked up. I walked around the block to stretch my legs, got a coffee and a snack, or just relaxed. By the time I was ready to go, so was my car. Did the trip take longer?

No, not for me.

Myth 3: During blackouts, you won’t be able to

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Charging an electric vehicle is simpler these days. Photo: Jane Mowbray

use your EV. Hmmm. Electric car owners with home charging systems plug in their vehicles every evening, so they are usually fully charged if the electricity goes out. Besides, if you have no gas during a

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power outage, a gas station’s pumps and the payment systems need electricity to work, so you’re out of luck.

Myth 4: EVs produce more carbon than a gas car.

Untrue. Looking at the full life cycle of a vehicle – including extraction of resources, manufacturing, use and disposal – EVs are the clear winner. And after it’s been manufactured, it produces no emissions when you’re driving it. And things are getting better all the time.

There are now recycling plants coming online that can repurpose and recycle up to 95 per cent of the lithium, nickel, cobalt and other metals, meaning we will be able to recoup those valuable materials without having to dig for more.

Even when the electricity used to charge an EV is from natural gas or coal, it still produces fewer carbon emissions. Electricity that is made with hydroelectric, like in BC, makes the EV a terrific choice for clean air and lower CO2 emissions.

Myth 5: Lithium-ion batteries catch on fire and are dangerous.

Untrue. According to a recent Toronto Star article, it’s a myth that EVs catch fire frequently. It’s only because EVs are new and novel that the fires attract media attention. The data also shows that EVs are far less likely to catch fire than gas-powered vehicles. While internal combustion engines continuously create small, controlled fires to propel the car, EVs operate on electricity and don’t require a fire to move. Gasoline-powered cars also carry a large tank of highly flammable fuel, while EV batteries are less likely to explode due to their steel casing. The problem with an EV battery is that if it does catch fire, it is far harder to put out, and that is undeniable.

Clearly, the road on which electric vehicles travel is not without its bumps.

But as we speak, charging stations are coming together to streamline payment systems, firefighters are learning to extinguish hot flames, batteries are getting better with increasing range and the price of an electric car is going down globally. So, if you’re not ready to have your gas or diesel car crushed just yet, don’t worry.

The choice, like the air we breathe, will get clearer in time.

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The Giving Season “What if Christmas doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas ... perhaps ... means a little bit more!””

— The Grinch, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Dr. Seuss, 1957 December … synonymous with Christmas for me. So, a couple of weeks ago, I started asking some friends about their happiest recollections of this festive season, and every time someone would hark back to a special moment, it set off another lightbulb in the ol’ brainola. Gotta tell some tales. Sheesh, I could write a book!

Family was the common thread to my friends’ memories of Christmas. Me too. But more specifically, it centred around one of my favourite four-letter words (besides “free”): FOOD. Even to this day, when I smell turkey, I smell Christmas. That’s probably because the last thing my mom would do before going to bed on Christmas Eve (more like early morning) was to stuff the turkey and put it in the oven. When I awoke, the aroma hit me like a ton of bricks.

In any of the various homes we lived in, I don’t ever recall having a fireplace or mantle to hang our stockings on, so they were at the bottom of our beds. I think this was a devious plan hatched by my parents. That stocking kept us busy, giving them at least another hour of sleep time. An apple, a tangerine, some nuts, and some Christmas candy (usually candy “ribbon”). Then my sisters and I (and later my baby brother) would cajole my parents to wake up and get crackin’. I was the lucky one for about seven years. Being the youngest, I got to go down the stairs first and spy the lit tree simply buried in presents.

The tree. Although we never chopped down our own tree, Dad always brought home a magnificent specimen. Everyone I spoke with said the same thing: there was a ritual to preparing a Christmas tree. We got ours the second week in December. Dad would put it in a pot and

create a sturdy base, because that tree would have to survive through the season without needles flying off it. It was watered every morning. And the smell – the smell of a fir tree or a pine tree to this day takes me right back to the HoHo-Ho season.

When the tree was in place, the whole family got to decorating, but there was an organized system. First, the lights.

Dad would string them with Mom’s supervision, and the dead bulbs were replaced. Second came the décor. We’d spend hours before decorating making popcorn strings, paper chains and paper angel garlands. They went on first, then the glass balls. The best ones were from Germany – so ornate. And lastly, the tinsel. Every year, we’d ask if we could just throw a bunch on. We thought it would be fun. The answer was no – one strand at a time. My first Christmas away from home, though, I did throw the tinsel on with abandon. It looked horrible.

The presents. Well, because there were three of us girls so close in age, my parents would endeavour to give us similar toys, clothes and gifts in general. It almost never worked, except for the Easy-Bake Ovens and the three-foot Patti Playpal dolls – now they were a hit. About 65 years later, I spied a doll at the thrift store and snatched it up real quick. (Her name is Rickie and I’m often told how she really creeps people out!)

But my mom’s homemade presents were special. She had been a seamstress for a fur coat company (made her own coat out of small scraps of fur too). Mom would always make a snazzy outfit for each of us and hang it on the tree that magical morning. “But I wanted the blue one” – pout, pout. Today, we laugh about my mom’s classic response: “Next year, it will be different. You’ll all get an envelope pinned on the tree with a cheque inside, and you can get what you want.” Of course, that never happened.

There was one year that really stands out in my warm memory bank. It had nothing to do with me, me only me.

Mom had always wanted a chandelier, but moving from army posting to posting sort of put a damper on that dream of hers. When we moved to our final place in London, Ontario, my sweet dad surprised her one Christmas.

After they had stuffed the stockings, wrapped up all the presents and Mom had the turkey going, they went to bed.

When Dad knew that Mom was asleep, he got up, brought out the hidden gift

Jackie enjoying distant Christmas reminders. Photo submitted

and started painstakingly constructing the crystal chandelier. He replaced the simple switch on the wall with a dimmer switch, removed the old fixture and hung the chandelier. Just as he was about to finish, it became unhinged and fell with a crash onto the table. As it happened, I was the only one who heard the crash and momentarily thought, “Wow, Santa’s on the roof?” But I was a young teenager by then and figured it was just a dream! Amazingly, no crystals broke.

Dad finished the job and probably got at least two hours of sleep before the morning ritual.

Mom didn’t notice the chandelier until she tried to switch on the dining room light, and it was a dimmer switch instead. She instinctively looked up and started to cry. So did I. I think Sandy and Sharon did too. Years later, when selling the family home, I got that chandelier. It’s in my living room – a daily reminder of true love and happy family times. They say you can never go back … but it sure feels good to remember, especially at Christmas.

Jackie Moad’s season’s greetings to all the TAKE 5 readers – warmth, health and happiness throughout this season and all the very best for an excellent new year … from her 20-acre organic slice of Paradise in Cedar, where she continues to farm and create new memories.