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Letters Letters to the editor do not necessarily represent the opinions or views of TAKE 5's contributors or its affiliates. editor@take5.ca

Cassidy Road Conditions When I read the TAKE 5 report from my Area A representative, Ms. Stanley, asking for input regarding the Cassidy Road conditions, I sent her an email and photos of the potholes on Hallberg Road. I never heard back from her nor any of her staff at the Nanaimo Regional District. Then I read in TAKE 5’s September issue that Graham and Carden roads would be attended to before Hallberg Road. How was this determined?

There are at least 1,000 people living in Cassidy. Hallberg Road is the main and busiest thoroughfare. Three mobile home parks, a subdivision and properties with acreages line this busy road. Graham and Carden roads have very few homes.

Heavy-duty vehicles like semi's, gravel trucks and commercial vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, dirt bikes and, primarily, many cars travel up and down Hallberg Road daily. A Nanaimo Transit bus runs from Monday to Friday about six times a day on Hallberg Road. I think Hallberg Road should be the top priority for pothole repairs.

The road repairs have been appalling and no one in the MoT seems to check on the quality of repairs. Drivers often swerve to avoid the shoddy, uneven patchwork of repairs on Hallberg Road. I appreciate Ms. Stanley informing me to contact Mainroad Contracting regarding repairs for my road, but if this is the company that has repaired Hallberg Road up to now, I don’t have much faith in this referral. Every spring, our road is a mess. As well, on the main road, Hallberg, we have not had our lines painted for years; the same goes for Vowels and Timber-

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land roads. As the dark, wet nights of fall and winter approach, our visibility while driving will be seriously reduced.

— Dorina Medland, Cassidy, BC

Cedar Heritage Lost Charles York from York, England, and James Gordon from Lanarkshire, Scotland, came from California to the gold rush in Barkerville in 1859. They returned to Nanaimo in 1862 and settled in Cedar. The two families lived together as the York house was constructed and then occupied in 1864. Later, the house was taxed by the government in 1901. This house on York Road was recently demolished.

The Gordon family moved into their house shortly after the York home was occupied. This house, across from the current Frieson Rentals, was also recently demolished.

In talking with Jessica Stanley, the current RDN director, I discovered there is no heritage group who could create a survey of the precious heritage homes and plants in Cedar. We are losing our history, our background, our past, our legacy. If you have a place or a tree or historical home that you wish to preserve, please contact Jessica.stanley@rdn.bc.ca about forming a heritage Recently demolished house.

Photo submitted. committee in Cedar.

— Laurie Shaw

South Coast Ship Watch Alliance Ironically, I’m writing to express my opinion regarding Opinion Pieces and Letters to the Editor. I understand that the policy is “everyone is entitled to their opinion.” However, it is very concerning to read the misinformation expressed in people’s “opinions” regarding the freighter anchorages around the Southern Gulf Islands.

Therefore, I am respectfully providing some facts about the issue. These facts are 100 per cent accurate and sourced and can be found on our website: https://nofreighteranchorages.ca/.

We are a team of volunteers that make up the South Coast Ship Watch Alliance (Alliance). We are trying desperately to get the facts out to the general public. But fighting Transport Canada and the Port of Vancouver’s huge PR budgets is a challenge.

Transport Canada is attempting to turn the Southern Gulf Island (SGI) Region into a permanent Industrial Parking Lot for (mostly) coal freighters. Transport Canada is seeking authority (Bill C33) to allow the Port of Vancouver to permanently use the 33 SGI historical anchorages, without any responsibility, rules or regulations. Freighters would only have to abide by what they call a “Voluntary Code of Conduct,” which is unenforceable.

Of specific note: The United States has banned the shipping of their coal from their ports, due to health and environment issues. So, instead, we allow them to rail their thermal coal up to Vancouver and ship it from there to China for burning. The US San Juan Islands have also banned these freighters from

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parking around their fragile Islands — but we allow it.

The coal industry has figured out a loophole here. Their freighters can arrive early, weeks, sometimes months, in advance of their scheduled pickups when they have no other contracts. They sit idling and doing maintenance without paying anchorage fees or being monitored for dumping of sewage and other toxins into our waters. While there are rules and regulations in ports regarding dumping of toxins, etcetera, there are no rules here and they can discharge whatever they wish. If you want to become extremely depressed, Google “scrubbers,” the toxic waste chemicals they discharge into the water that create dead zones.

The environmental risk is extreme.

Since Transport Canada started allowing these anchorages to be used five years ago, over 100 freighters have dragged anchor in storms and many have come very close to running aground. Two did on Pender Island and were only saved by King tides. Two freighters have also collided in Plumper Sound at Pender Island.

We now have invasive species (crabs and clams) on Penelakut Island and in Ladysmith Harbour. Each ship generates 10 tonnes of greenhouse gas per day. Their anchor chains scour the ocean floor bare of all life. All of this where the Orcas are trying to survive.

There are no jobs created by allowing the freighters to park here. None. In fact, with the continued destruction of our sea beds, fishing/prawning/crabbing industry, eco-tourism economy and food security, we are bound to lose jobs. All of this devastation so that the coal industry can make higher profits.

There has been no consultation with Indigenous Nations in the region, nor

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Freighter in harbour. Photo: Mary Desperez

any communities. The only “consultations” were community centre open houses hosted by Port of Vancouver that showed pretty posters. They then claimed everyone had been consulted.

Please take a moment to look at the website — in particular the Fact Sheet.

The data collected is how we know that the anchorages are not needed. It is simply corporate greed that is motivating this process.

There is also information about how to contact the minister of Transport. The vast majority of countries around the world do not allow this fouling of their waters, and restrict freighters to ports and international waters only. Please raise your voice in defence of our beautiful and fragile coast and marine life.

- Mary Desprez

We Can Change History is imploding. Voices silenced for centuries are being heard. From #MeToo, Black Lives Matter and Landback to the Divine Feminine, other truths are being told.

The Christian Crusades and Inquisitions, or the Burning Times, can be seen as 300 years of the violent suppression of Indigenous/non-Christian spiritual beliefs and enforced a profound silencing of the feminine that went DNA deep.

With Christianity, goodness was no longer immanent in all but removed

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from individual access to a Father God in the Heavens. God made in man’s image a power structure that created great wealth for the Church and is the root of patriarchy. Sexism, racism and the degradation of nature grew out of that world view. Colonialism spread destruction and the seeds of white supremacy.

Those seeds blossomed in a power structure based on hierarchy, slavery and the ravage and pillage, bigger-isbetter industrial economic model. Socially, White rules. Even Jesus became a blonde in the West. Most religions around the world espouse similar values of harmony and care for the community, but the rules and customs made by man to define those values has made for inequality, exploitation, exclusion and death. We see in today’s multiple social, environmental and justice crises the fruit of our Father’s plantings.

Perhaps we’ve reached a point in evolution to realize we are all in the same boat. It’s a small planet; we all breathe the same air; we’re connected like mycelium. What we do to nature in one part of the world with our clear-cut, monocrop, polluting production for a voracious consumer market has consequences globally. This climate crisis we are experiencing is not a natural phenomenon, just another Ice Age; it is the result of how we humans extract resources, produce goods and live on the Earth. Behaviours, habits and technology can change.

Like back in the days of Copernicus, when people learned the sun did not revolve around the Earth as thought but vice versa, we’ll wake up tomorrow to know that god/dess is alive and here on Earth, the stuff that we are made of.

— B. S. Anderson

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36th Annual Festival of Lights to Illuminate Downtown Ladysmith The 36th Annual Festival of Lights returns with Light Up on November 30, 2023, and continuing to January 14, 2024.

This dazzling event brightens the season for thousands of spectators who line the streets of downtown Ladysmith on Light Up Night and, for many, signals the start of the holiday season.

“It’s heartwarming to see the community come together each November and share in this wonderful event,” says Festival of Lights President Alex Cook.

“Our hope is that families will come from across the region to enjoy everything downtown Ladysmith has to offer, including Light Up Night and the parade on November 30 and the six week light display that follows.”

Light Up Night on November 30 offers a street-party atmosphere with entertainment, food vendors, a parade and the artisan craft fair at Aggie Hall.

Santa will be stopping by to assist with the official switching on of the lights at approximately 6:30 p.m., which will ignite First Avenue in a dazzling light display from Roberts Street to the TransCanada Highway. Next comes the night parade, followed by Ladysmith District Credit Union fireworks above the Chuck Perrin Tree.

First Avenue will be closed on Thursday, November 30, between 3 p.m. and approximately 10 p.m. Spectators are urged to carpool and plan ahead to get to their designated meeting spots.

Since it first lit up the town in 1987, the Festival of Lights has grown into a beloved event far exceeding the original vision and magnitude. Over the years, the event has evolved to include tens of thousands of light bulbs, thousands of volunteer hours and thousands of spectators to take in Light Up Night and the six weeks following. All this is possible

This year's Ladysmith's Festival of Lights is Nov 30, 2023. Photo submitted.

thanks to a small group of dedicated volunteers who meet all year to plan, design and implement the luminous displays and the sponsorship and support from local businesses, including the Ladysmith District Credit Union, Tourism Cowichan, the Province of BC, the Town of Ladysmith, Ladysmith Fire Department, BC Hydro and many more.

“We are ready and excited to showcase our community and hope these efforts bring you opportunities to embrace the season, find joy in the moment and take pride in our community, says Cook.

More volunteers are always needed.

For more information or to get involved, check out the Festival of Light's website at www.ladysmithfol.com or email info@ladysmithfol.com.

Ladysmith Community Marina's future discussed at LMS Open House It was a packed audience at the Ladysmith Maritime Society’s (LMS) Open House on Oct 25 at the Ladysmith Eagles Hall. Community members came with the hopes of understanding the future of the Ladysmith Community Marina.

Presenters Marnie Craig, Alan Newell, Jeff Reichert and Richard Weifelspuett of LMS and Dave Grimstead representing the Facebook Group, Friends of Ladysmith Community Marina, outlined some of the complex issues surrounding the future of the marina. The audience was respectful as they realized that the future of the Marina was yet to be de-

Over 3000 signatures on petition unrolled at Ladysmith Maritime Society's Open House Oct. 25, 2023 at Ladysmith Eagles Hall. Photo: Marina Sacht

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termined.

As part of the meeting, the group said they hoped to set the record straight regarding the “misinterpretation of the agreement offered by the Coast Salish Development Corporation (CSDC) to the LMS by the Town of Ladysmith (ToL), the CSDC, Stz’uminus First Nation (SFN) and the Province”.

Prior to the meeting, Mike Bernier, BC United MLA from Peace River South presented the 3000 signatured petition in the legislature on October 18, 2023.

A scroll containing the 3000 signatures was unrolled at the Open House.

A question period followed with many expressing shock and surprise at the continuing refusal of ToL, CSDC, SFN, and the Province to engage in talks with the LMS who have developed and managed the Ladysmith Community Marina since 1985.

Marnie Craig, Vice President of LMS, said the society would like to “continue participating in the operation of the community marina to benefit the Ladysmith area. This includes preservation of maritime and natural history, promotion of marine tourism, provision of access to the waterfront, support of notfor-profit organizations operating at the marina, expert restoration, maintenance and construction of heritage boats, providing educational programs and interactive displays and materials at our floating Museum, Sea Life Centre, and Heritage Boat Shed for the public and provision of moorage and services for local, visiting moorers and paddlers”, she said.

“We would like to negotiate a solution with all parties concerned. However, as much as our strenuous attempts at communication and negotiation have fallen on deaf ears and have not been responded to, we have had to involve lawyers,” said Craig. She further commented, “We have engaged an expert legal team reviewing various legal actions involving the appropriate opposing entities.

We are left little option but to pursue the legal path.”

The LMS estimates its physical assets at $5 million. Due to the breakdown in communication, the LMS has had to return two significant grants that would have replaced B dock, expanded the museum and heritage displays and commissioned First Nations art. Those

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returned grants represented an economic loss for Ladysmith of $685,000.

The Society promotes tourism provincewide and is an economic driver for the area.

Talks stalled when LMS could not accept the original agreement that included missing appendixes and conditions that LMS could not agree to within the constraints of a non-profit society. Since then, there has been no further progress despite numerous attempts by the LMS. The ToL has issued an eviction notice to the LMS as of the end of December 2023 to vacate the marina. Regardless of the past, the goal is still the same. “LMS wants an opportunity to show the community of SFN what we can do and accomplish as partners on the waterfront”.

To help with legal costs, LMS has launched a Crowdfunding Campaign at Charity Village. https://give.charityvillage.com/find and search LMS.

Railway Station Update

BY J. PERSSON Work is progressing on the Ladysmith Railway Station. The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce (LCC) has an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Island Rail Corridor to breathe life into the vacant building.

Millie Sterling, LCC director, has been working with President Cheri Mactier.

Tammy Lesley has been busy applying for grant money to finish renovating the old train station, a project begun by the Ladysmith and District Historical Society.

At the time of writing, the building is to be tested for asbestos and the ground surveyed before a proper quote on how much it will take to get the building functional again. “I expect we might see some fundraising and different opportunities in the next while. We don’t have any numbers for any contracting,” says Sterling.

“We’re working closely with the Island Corridor Foundation. Right now, we are just in the process of looking for funding.

We are fortunate to have Tammy on our team, and she is an excellent grant writer.

So, we have her working on our first application for funding, and once we have funding, it’ll be full steam ahead. We already have an architect and a plan in place.”

The renovation plans include the following: a new parking lot, a patio with outside seating, a deck, a handicap accessibility ramp, and a proper connection to the road.

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These renovations will not only help the train station become an attraction to draw people into Ladysmith, but also help restore the historic building to its former glory.

Update on Waterfront Artist Studio Project The Town of Ladysmith is cancelling the tender to build a new waterfront artist studio due to the respective bids exceeding the proposed project budget and exploring next steps with granting agencies for the use of the funds.

In August 2023, interested parties were invited to review the tender documents for the studio project and submit a competitive bid based on the scope of the work.

The Town received six compliant bids for the studio construction, and the average cost exceeded the Town’s budget by over 200 per cent.

More recently, local governments have faced significant inflationary cost increases for similar projects of this scale. The Town retained a consultant in December 2022 to prepare a cost estimate for the studio before tendering the project.

Under the direction of Council, staff continue to explore grant funding opportunities where possible for capital projects to offset the financial burden on taxpayers.

The Town previously received a $3,307,500 federal grant to fund the construction of the studio and other components of the Arts and Heritage Hub as outlined in the Waterfront Area Plan.

Additional funding totaling $299,200 was successfully received last year through the Island Coastal Economic Trust’s Capital and Innovation Program.

Despite the bids exceeding the Town’s budget, Council is proud of the design and value in the work done to date, such as the collaboration among project steering committee members and as well as with Stz'uminus Elders.

Moving forward, Ladysmith Council has directed that staff discuss next steps with the funders.

Early Cedar Community Talk The Ladysmith Museum is hosting a talk on an early Cedar community called Stovely.

Local historian and author Roger Prior

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will be presenting “Stovely — Gone but Not Forgotten: The Story of North Cedar Settler Community Origins 1862 to 1990.”

Prior has a keen interest in Cedar area history and has written a history of the Fiddick family farm and the early days of Cedar-by-the-Sea. He also was one of the organizers of the Heritage Bus Tour commemorating the centennial of the Cedar Community Hall last year.

The talk is on November 19 at 1 p.m., in the meeting room at the Ladysmith Museum. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed. The museum is operated by the Ladysmith & District Historical Society. Donations and volunteers are always welcomed.

Volunteers Needed for Advisory Committees Both the RDN and CVRD are seeking knowledgeable volunteers to sit on a number of advisory committees.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is seeking volunteers to sit on several RDN advisory committees, with most terms ranging from two to three years. Members of the public who have experience or interest in the areas of parks, recreation, culture, agriculture, waste management, planning, climate or drinking water and watershed protection are encouraged to apply by November 13, 2023.

This year, the RDN is accepting applications for the Board of Variance as well For more information and the application form, visit rdn.bc.ca/board-appointments.

The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is looking for volunteers to serve on the CVRD Regional Parks and Trails

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Master Plan Advisory Group. The advisory group will provide input and feedback to the CVRD Board, staff and consultants, contributing throughout the planning process to update the CVRD Regional Parks and Trails Master Plan, beginning in early 2024.

“As we begin the process of updating this regional master plan, we’re excited to work with interested residents who can contribute their knowledge and share values for parks and open spaces within the CVRD as we plan for the future,” says Aaron Stone, CVRD Board chair.

Paper copies of the Expression of Interest form can be picked up at the CVRD main reception at 175 Ingram Street, Duncan. Completed forms must be submitted to the CVRD

by November 17, 2023.

Watering Restrictions Ease In most Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) water service areas, all watering restrictions are lifted as of November 1, 2023.

The rain over the past few weeks has helped relieve drought conditions and reduced the seasonal water demand. Stage 1 allows for sprinkling any day between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. and all forms of outdoor washing, hot tub/pond filling, vehicle washing and other activities.

The provincial drought rating for eastern Vancouver Island has now eased, and stream flows are returning to normal levels for this time of year. Conserving water, however, is an important, year-round habit, as drought conditions are coming earlier and lasting longer than in the past.

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key dinner. Check out the Yellow Point Farm Store for their selection of gifts, blueberry leaf teas, elderberry syrup, dried garlic and much more!

Enjoy special late-night shopping on Saturday, December 16, from noon to 8 p.m. Look for the owl logo on the brochure for participating artisans. Download the map from www.cyartisans.com.

CYA Christmas Tour 2023 The popular self-guided Cedar & Yellow Point Artisans Country Christmas Tour is back for eight fun days this year.

This is the 35th year for the tour that features prominent local artisans with 19 locations open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on November 16 to 19 and November 23 to 26.

Visit artists, crafters, studios and farms by taking friends and family on a relaxing self-guided Country Christmas Tour. You’re just as likely to find the perfect piece of repurposed furniture or handmade quilt as you are the best stocking stuffers. Or, pick up some alpaca wool to take up a new hobby. Learn about cranberries at Yellow Point Cranberries and get fresh sauce for your tur-

O Christmas Tea! Fans of Monty Python, Mr. Bean and Dr. Seuss … Grab your teacups!

Reminiscent of classic British pantos and blending physical comedy, quickwitted wordplay and cleverly crafted interactive elements, O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy returns to bring to life a holiday production that ignites the imagination and uplifts audiences.

For over a decade British Comedy legends James and Jamesy (aka Aaron Malkin and Alastair Knowles) have been flooding auditoriums with joy and laughter in their multi-award-winning, tea-themed comedies. Renowned for their impeccable timing, flawless physical comedy and movement skills, the endearing duo delivers a night of un-

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bridled hilarity.

The duo will return to the Port Theatre on November 18, 2023, at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. With other shows across the island including Duncan on November 16, and Courtenay on November 17.

“Theatre is in its essence an exercise in imagination, a suspension of disbelief,” says Alastair Knowles, who plays the eccentric Jamesy character. “O Christmas Tea focuses on, and plays with, this distinction.”

To James, on-stage events are makebelieve and the audience is of the real world. To Jamesy, on-stage events are real and the audience doesn’t exist. This vast difference in perspectives dissolves as the play progresses, and audiences find themselves compelled to join the performers in the world of imagination and in the delight of “play.”

“We are thrilled to bring friends and family together. Particularly at this time of year, we are reminded to dream big, embrace imagination and celebrate a childlike excitement for merriment,” says Aaron Malkin. “And for audiences that have already made O Christmas Tea part of their traditions, there will be

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some surprises we look forward to sharing!”

“Each year the tours expand and the show develops, which keeps the whole experience fresh and thrilling for audiences and ourselves,” says Malkin.

Dorothy Gets Scrooged at Ladysmith Little Theatre Imagine a time when Dorothy wasn’t as sweet as she once was. Many years after she returned from the Land of Oz, Dorothy became a successful business woman by befriending and becoming business partners with the suspiciously familiar woman Elvira Havisham.

Unfortunately, Dorothy has also become quite nasty and miserly, just like Scrooge.

This irreverent and hilarious musical

by Bill Johnston tells of Dorothy’s journey as she is visited by three (also familiar) ghosts. They try to show her the errors of her ways by presenting the past, present and a not-so-glorious future.

Evening shows run November 23, 24, and 25, and December 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9 at 7:30 p.m. Matinees run November 26 and December 3 and 10 at 1:30 p.m. For reservations and more information, visit www.ladysmiththeatre.com.

Yellow Point Singers Community Choir Yellow Point Singers is presenting “Portrait of December” holiday concert, December 3, at 2 p.m at Cedar Hall.

Much has changed since the 1920s, but this heritage hall is still home to fabulous talent and community concerts still drawing friends and family together.

The choir has been working hard all season to prepare for this annual event.

The audience will enjoy works from Canadian artists such as Gordon Lightfoot, Rita McNeil and Erin Propp as well as international works from Tanzania and Spain.

Traditional seasonal music will mix with wonderful modern works to celebrate this time of year. Special guests include the award-winning Fiddelium youth fiddle group.

Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank drive.

Tickets are $15 from choir members or at the door. Children under 12 are free.

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Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular returns Back in 2006, Katy Bowen-Roberts, who grew up in the show’s namesake community of Yellow Point, found herself sitting in an old country pub in England, dreaming. She decided it was time to look behind the scenes with numerous years of experience performing as a singer on stages in Canada and Europe.

Katy moved back to Vancouver Island in 2007, ready to begin a show for her home community. It started at the Cedar Community Hall, and now, 17 years later, the show can be found in three cities across Vancouver Island.

Katy has been working to create this year’s show since February. “It’s a yearlong passion project for me, and I love every minute of it,” says Katy. “There is always so much music to choose from and never enough time in the show!” The show is always entertaining and touching, and the costumes are dazzling.

This year’s singing and dancing extravaganza includes musical medleys of songs by the Rolling Stones, Cat Stevens, George Gershwin and the Beach

Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular returns.

Photo submitted.

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Boys, songs from the musical Chicago, a collection of Sea Shanty songs, Hot Chocolate from the Polar Express and Bing Crosby’s classic “White Christmas” as well as many more classical hits and Christmas favourites.

Tickets are selling fast. Visit www. yellowpointchristmasspectacular.ca to book yours today! The show will finish with eight shows in Nanaimo from December 12 to 17 at the Port Theatre.

Follow on Facebook or Instagram @yellowpoint_xmas_spectacular to meet the 2023 cast and crew for updates the show.

Winter Harp On Sunday, December 10, at 2 p.m., the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre is presenting Winter Harp. Featuring elegant velvet gowns, golden instruments, candles, backdrops of cathedrals and snow, the performance is reminiscent of Christmases of long ago. Classical and Celtic harps combine with flutes, violin/fiddle, medieval instruments, percussion, poetry and song to wrap you snugly in the silken cloak of Christmas. www.cowichanpac.ca.

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Ladysmith Little Theatre celebrating 20 years

BY KERITH WADDINGTON If the value of an endeavour were to be judged by the joy it creates, then Ladysmith Little Theatre (LLT) would be priceless.

Celebrating its 20th season and upwards of 100 productions this year, “the little theatre that could” continues to lift spirits, bring people together, inspire, challenge, create social dialogue and hold up a mirror to that most fascinating and perplexing of species: ourselves.

Ladysmith resident, longtime thespian and LLT Board member Bruce Mason started the theatre decades ago alongside like-minded residents Terry and Judy Whittaker. He acknowledges that while keeping the doors to their beautifully renovated old schoolhouse theatre hasn’t always been easy, “the impor-

LLT members Susan Carthy, Ted Brooks, Bruce Mason, Anne Dougherty, Charles Harman, Mike Dietrich in front of the Ladysmith Little Theatre. Photo: Marina Sacht

tance of community theatre was always too great to lose.”

“I have seen lives completely changed

by involvement in the theatre,” says Mason. “It’s especially important for kids.

Those who perhaps haven’t fit in so

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easily often ‘find’ themselves here. Whether they’re onstage, working the lights or painting a set, being involved with a production elevates their status and their confidence. Community theatre is very important.”

Mason was a member of the Yellow Point Drama Group for years before helping launch LLT. He says that at that time, Ladysmith was a bit of a wasteland in terms of its engagement with the arts. He has since seen that change dramatically, and he considers LLT “a great example of an arts organization that isn’t dependent of government money.” Absolutely everyone involved with LLT is a volunteer: monies from ticket sales go back into building upgrades and paying the mortgage to the school district.

So, what has kept Mason involved after all these years?

“I discovered really early that when you’re in production, the people you work with become a family, and they remain that way always,” he says. “I can run into someone I did a play with 40 years ago, and we’ll smile and say, ‘Do you remember when?’ And every play is a different family.” He muses quietly for a moment before laughing. “I know a lot of people!”

Ladysmith Little Theatre has regaled audiences with comedies, murder-mysteries, improvs, dramas, radio plays, Christmas shows and musicals over the years.

There are typically four productions a season, which runs from September to May. This anniversary year kicks off with Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun by prolific Canadian playwright Norm Foster.

Described as “a perfect blend of drama and comedy,” the production is a universal story about relationships born of hard-

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ship. It is expected that audiences will connect with characters who are surprised to find they have the inner strength and nerve to persevere despite real obstacles.

Mason laughs when he says it’s “not an accident that there are tissue boxes on each table.”

Taking audiences into the holiday season this year is the musical Dorothy Gets Scrooged, a hilarious mash-up of holiday favourites The Wizard of Oz and A Christmas Carol.

The new year brings a visit to the golden era of radio with Radio Plays in February and the moving drama/comedy Visiting Mr. Green in April.

While renovations to date have transformed the solid old schoolhouse into an impressive community theatre, Mason says there’s plenty more to be done.

“A big project we’re working on is getting rid of the tables and putting in really comfortable theatre seating,” he says.

“We’d also like to expand the foyer so there’s more room for people to gather before shows and during intermission.”

In the meantime, Mason invites the community, family and friends to come have some laughs with their terrific little theatre. And enjoy the personal reflection that can come from looking into the mirror of the human experience that live theatre holds up.

After all, although it was Shakespeare who wrote, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players,” it was Irish playwright Sean O’Casey who added, “And most of us are desperately unrehearsed.”

Show, theatre and ticket information can be found on the website ladysmiththeatre.com.

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Walking Wounded — Legacies of War

BY ESTHER SHARP We honour and revere the (mainly) young and naive men who in all innocence went off to fight in a war to end all wars. We put up monuments to those who didn’t return, but what of the ones that came back and died of injuries both physical and mental, with images burned in their mind that haunted them day and night? Back in the second decade of the last century, there was no concept of post-traumatic stress disorder, no helping hand or programs.

“Real men” were expected to suck it up. Many of the eager recruits from Ladysmith could shoot a gun for hunting but had not killed another human, let alone seeing the man beside them blown apart or the rotting bodies as they marched along the roads, diving for cover as artillery shells suddenly came at them. The trauma and the feeling of being hungry, wet, cold and bone-weary for long stretches was hard to erase from their minds after they returned home.

There were those who returned safe to their loved ones, only to die from war-related complications. Those like Walford Torkko, who was gassed with mustard gas, developed empyema, tuberculosis and finally bronchopneumonia. With none of our wonder drugs, he perished in 1919. Annie Steven’s son, Billy Millar, died of larynx cancer in 1920, caused by the aftereffects of mustard gas. Robert Paton, who was in the sanatorium in Sydney, went out in a rowboat in 1917 with other WW1 survivors T. T. Leach, John Holland and H. Duffy. When Paton stood up to change seats, the boat tipped over and capsized. Paton had lost his arm during the war and could not swim, leaving only H. Duffy, who managed to swim to shore, alive. Many soldiers died before even getting to the battlefields: training exercises, Spanish Flu or even common measles took several lives.

They are buried in Ross Bay in Victoria or Mountain View in Vancouver or cemeteries scattered over Britain.

The death records of over 400 men who left the Ladysmith and area were

Many of the soilders returned with PTSD and lived in shacks on the beach. Photo 1920's showing men camping. Photo: Ladysmith Archives

checked, and it was noted the last-known residence was Essondale (a mental hospital in Vancouver) and similar hospitals for many. Then there were the many who lived their lives in shacks on the beach or islands, unable to hold a normal job or mix with regular joes. Some also stuck to their farms, away from people and sudden noises, or became fishermen, away from others. They, too, were heroes but unrecognized. Prepared to give their lives, they were dismissed

as cannon fodder. Not dying in a glorious battle for a few feet of dirt, but an "also ran". They were unable to appear at remembrance ceremonies for survivors, as the memories were too painful.

Pitied by their ex-comrades, who knew their continued battle, who were barely holding in their own ghosts. To these veterans, too, we give our thanks.

Unfortunately, we never learned from their destruction, and two decades later, we repeated it all.

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Growing up during the War Years

BY MARINA SACHT A new book, The Magic Alley, written

by Ladysmith resident Ron Delcourt, will be coming out in time for Christmas. And before its release, it is already causing a stir with book editor Ed Nicholson, who compares Delcourt’s stories to the timeless universal appeal of Canadian author W. O. Mitchell.

The Magic Alley is a delightful collection of stories based on Delcourt’s childhood in Ladysmith during the war years.

The book will be published by the Ladysmith & District Historical Society, with proceeds going to the non-profit society that operates the Ladysmith Archives, the Museum and Industrial Artifact Heritage Site.

“I think the book is really important because we have very little information in the Ladysmith Archives about life in Ladysmith during WW2 or the Depression,” says Nicholson. “Ron’s narrative makes our town come alive in the reader’s imagination during that time.”

Although written as a collection of childhood memories, it is really a book on local history for that period. The stories Delcourt has collected contain both humour and sadness, but never resentment, as we rediscover Ladysmith through the eyes of one our more colourful citizens.

“Those that feel they know Ron Delcourt very well may be surprised by the depth and sensitivity found in these stories,” says Nicholson. “These are not tales told by a hard-living, tough-talking logger, but memories of a man who was

Author of The Magic Alley, Ron Delcourt.

Photo submitted.

also a sensitive child very much in touch with the small-town world around him.”

Sitting in the sunroom and having tea, Delcourt, who will be turning 92 in a few months, shared his thoughts on writing this book so late in life. It’s called The Magic Alley after a laneway that figured prominently in Delcourt’s childhood.

“We could turn that alley into anything we wanted, with a child’s imagination,” says Delcourt. In the book, the alley becomes Yankee Stadium, the Maple Leaf Gardens and scenes of battles, all in their imagination.

Delcourt wrote the book in reaction to all the negative news about the Depression and the war, and how it affected Ladysmith. “Everything you read was doom and gloom. Ladysmith, which relied on the Extension Mines economically, was hit hard when the mines closed.”

People were leaving by the hundreds.

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Ladysmith dropped from a peak of 5000 people to about 1200. People were going anywhere looking for jobs. The “instant town” was becoming a ghost town.

He saw houses that were falling apart, empty homes with broken windows, and saw the devastation of what the Depression had done. By the time Delcourt was four or five, he thought this was normal.

And when World War II started, so did another set of problems that were entirely different. The economy picked up and there was a big shortage of jobs, but there was a lot of worry and stress.

But as a young child, Delcourt saw it differently, and the stories he writes are through the lens of a child filled with whimsy and humour. The collection of stories is set in Ladysmith during WW2 and feature many local characters and landmarks.

Delcourt was encouraged by his family and friends to write down the stories but had no intention of ever being a writer. “I waited for someone else to write about it, and they didn’t. And I thought, well, they’re all dying out. So, I’m the only one left.”

Delcourt started writing the book about eight years ago. But in recent years, the writing became a struggle as he faced health challenges when fatigue would overtake him, and he started to go blind. Nevertheless, he persevered, recognizing the importance of sharing these stories.

“I know a lot of books have been written about the Depression, but they are more like a documentary. These are stories of real people that people can read about maybe five generations from now and say, ‘Oh, that’s my greatgreat-grandfather, and he was a marble champ,’” said Delcourt.

“I started to write about the grown-

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ups and how they lived and the stories became about people.

And when you read my stories, you’re not thinking about the Depression anymore. You’re not thinking about the hardships or the war. You are reading a story that is going to entertain you about the Enchanted Forest, the shenanigans at the Cassidy Airport and characters like Bullshit Louie or Johnny the Jazz.

“You’re being entertained, even though it’s part of our community’s history, set against the backdrop of the Depression and the War.” Recently, Delcourt visited what remains of the alley that runs uphill beside the Ladysmith library. While it has changed a great deal from its early days, it still figures prominently in conversations with his friends.

“When I get a phone call from a friend I haven’t seen for years, the first thing they say is ‘Hey, Ron, remember the alley?

Wasn’t that fun?’ I’ll never forget the alley. I have a cousin who lives in the interior. First thing she says: ‘Boy, wasn’t that alley the place to go to? We were so lucky.’ I hear it over and over again. This is why the book is called The Magic Alley.”

The book is illustrated with over 30 photos from the Ladysmith Archives and Delcourt’s private collection. Ladysmith based artist Carol Tysdal is creating the artwork for the cover.

Plans are for the book to be out in time for the Christmas gift-giving. The book will sell for $29.95 and is available by pre-orders by emailing the Ladysmith Archives at info@ladysmithhistoricalsociety.ca or calling 250-245-0100.

The Magic Alley is a universal story. It’s set in Ladysmith, but everybody can relate to it. “After all, we all had our magic alleys. We all had our enchanted forests,” says Delcourt.

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RDN Area A Cedar, South Wellington, Cassidy & Yellow Point Roads - It’s funny that something outside of local government jurisdiction is one of the issues on which I spend much of my time. My hope is that advocacy and communication will lead to road safety improvements in our community.

At the Union of BC Municipalities conference in September, I met with senior Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) staff to request that they change their approach to rural roads, particularly in rural communities near urban centres and in rural communities with larger populations, such as ours. Instead of blanketing all rural communities as the same, I suggested that the classification of rural roads could be improved by either adding a third category of rural-urban interface

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or by basing speed limits and other regulations on community population or density. I explained that the combination of higher speed limits and community members walking alongside the roads is particularly problematic in rural areas with commuter traffic and higher populations. In acknowledging that I was suggesting significant policy change, I noted that broadening school zones and treating rural village centres as urban traffic environments may also lessen risk levels. I will continue to advocate to senior MoTI staff on this issue.

On another note of advocacy, I explained to local MoTI staff that I could not think of a reasonable justification for road maintenance activities (brushing or mowing) to leave debris in the roads and on active transportation ways for days, thereby creating a safety hazard. I further stated that “it seems to me that a procedural requirement should be

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to clean up the brushing, mowing, cutting, etcetera as it occurs and that safety hazards should not be created on our roads.” I appreciate that many fellow community members called Mainroad and MoTI to express their dissatisfaction with the recent sightline clearing that occurred in Cassidy, Yellow Point and South Wellington. I was pleased to learn that MoTI plans to discuss possible solutions for faster clearing of the cuttings with Mainroad and will get back to me about their response. Fingers crossed for improvements.

Budget - Although budgetary decisions are well within the jurisdiction of regional directors, I am concerned that external forces may have significant impact on the upcoming RDN budget. As we’ve all experienced, it seems that the cost for everything has gone up. I am aware that there will be increases in the hospital budget to pay for the increased

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level of services and facilities needed to meet health care needs.

The RDN board begins the budget process in November and I expect there will be some difficult choices. There are some areas where people have clearly expressed that they want improved service by the RDN, but more or new services must be paid for through taxation. It’s a fine balance, and it feels that we are all precariously teetering. It is important that my decisions reflect community priorities. I look forward to feedback at a director’s Town Hall meeting that is planned for November (date TBD). As well, I welcome all calls and emails on all things community related: 250-268-7359 or jessica.stanley@ rdn.bc.ca.

CVRD Area H North Oyster/Diamond One of the best parts of being a director is the day-to-day learning about our community, the people that live here, the people that used to live here, and thinking about those that, one day, will live here. We are all connected.

Another critical part of the learning is where to go for information about the CVRD. This need comes up weekly as residents look for answers to a variety of questions. It certainly was a question at the recent Town Hall.

In general, there are two websites that can provide information. The main website www.cvrd.ca is for all the services, departments, meetings and general information. It can be difficult to find something specific, and that is frustrating. However, front-desk staff can help with that and can be reached at 250-246-2500 or 1-800-665-3955, to avoid long-distance charges. Staying with the main website, there are a number of drop-down menus off the navigation bar along the top of the website. Choosing the “I want to …” tab takes you to a number of options from “Appear as a Delegation” to “Contact a Bylaws Officer” to “Contact Someone About Road Maintenance” to “View burning regulations.” If you hover the mouse over the “I want to …” tab, it also gives the option to “Notify Me — Subscribe to CVRD notifications.” Choosing this option allows you to customize what you want to be notified about. It covers items such as agendas to public safety notifications and so on.

The second website, www.planyourcowichan.ca, is the CVRD’s engagement platform for many initiatives and projects. Currently, its “Featured Project” is the Local Area Plans — and there is a survey on this topic that is open until November 15, 2023. Next are the “Live Projects”; topics include the future of the world’s largest hockey stick, three-stream curbside collection, new zoning bylaws project, regional recreation,

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First Nations engagement, Workforce Housing Strategy, Lower Chemainus Watershed Flood Management Plan, and Cowichan Internet and Cellular Connectivity Strategy. This last one has an interactive map that allows you to drop a pin on a location with poor cellular service.

Continue to scroll down on the “PlanYourCowichan” webpage, and it comes to OCP Stats Updates that include a housing needs assessment and affordability and population projections for the CVRD. Lastly, and certainly not least, at the bottom of the webpage is the “Development Applications” tab. This is the place for major development applications or rezoning applications. You can click on 13271 Simpson Road (Schnitzer Steel) to view all the application materials and recorded public comments (and answers) from the public information meeting in June 2023.

As I write this in mid-October, the Schnitzer application has not made it onto the Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC) agenda. So, watch for the EASC meetings in November, which are held on the first and fifteenth of that month. Agendas and meeting materials are made public the Friday before the meeting.

And, please mark “Area H — Local Area Plan” on your calendar. Workshops for the Area H local area plan will be held at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at the North Oyster Community Centre. This is the chance to have input into the community’s vision for these plans. I look forward to seeing you there and continuing to learn more.

You can reach me at 250-510-5930; ben.maartman@cvrd.bc.ca

CVRD Area G Saltair/Thetis Island Time Flies A little over a year ago, you took a chance on me and elected me as your director; thank you for putting your faith in me. While the role is challenging and probably a little more than anticipated, it’s incredibly gratifying. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to serve our community. I still have a lot to learn, and we definitely have some significant infrastructure challenges, but we are

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progressing well.

A few days ago, someone thanked me for “bringing down the temperature” in our community. I decided to run to help as many people as possible enjoy living here. Hopefully, you agree that we’re moving in that direction.

Parks Advisory Commission On November 2, the Parks Advisory Commission will meet to elect a chair and review the proposed Area G Parks Budget. In addition, I’ve asked for information to be presented regarding possible trail improvement for Princess Diana Park.

CVRD is seeking volunteers to contribute to future regional park and trail plans. If you are interested, please review the Terms of Reference and submit an expression of interest here: https:// www.cvrd.ca/301/Regional-Parks-andTrails-MasterPlan.

If you want to keep your volunteer efforts closer to home, please let me know, as we have an active parks volunteer group. On October 23, they planted native plants on Thicke Road to enhance biodiversity.

Future Visioning Ideas Fair At last February’s Ideas Fair, despite being a smaller community, we had an excellent turnout, one of the largest in the CVRD. Staff correlated the suggestions into a draft Local Area Plan (you can find a copy on my website), which will be workshopped on November 4, at 11 a.m., at the Saltair Community Centre. This is an affirmation process and step one of a three-step process. Please turn out and make your voice heard.

The greater the turnout, the more legitimate the plan becomes. Some discussion points include an expanded Growth Containment Boundary, minimum oneacre subdividable lot sizes and detached accessory dwellings (carriage homes).

There is also an online Local Area Plan Survey if you are unable to attend in person — please go to planyourcowichan.ca.

Community Conversation - In September, we had our first Community Conversation. Thank you to Mayor Rob Douglas from the Municipality of North Cowichan for being our first guest speaker. My intention for an ongoing Community Conversation is to bring awareness to the goings-on in other areas and how Area G fits into the giant

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puzzle of the Cowichan Valley Regional District. Every part of the CVRD faces unique challenges, and it is essential that we collectively understand those challenges and work to find ways to support each other and collaborate.

I want to answer your questions while striving for accountability; face-to-face is an excellent way to do that.

At our next Community Conversation on November 12, at 2 p.m., at the Saltair Community Centre, I will be joined

by Director Ben Maartman from Area H (Cedar). As proximity goes, they are our closest electoral neighbour. Ben is a farmer by trade and brings a unique perspective to the Board, which I often find myself agreeing with. Also, because of the intricate questions posed at the last Community Conversation regarding the dam, water filtration, and pipe replacement, I’ve asked Todd Etherington, CVRD Water manager, to participate, and he’s graciously accepted.

Support for Our Volunteers On October 1, an event was hosted by a Women’s Rights group. They rented the Saltair Community Centre for a private by-invitation ticketed meeting. The

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Saltair Community Society (SCS) did not host the event and has no affiliation with the group. In addition, as complaints about the group came in, the SCS contacted the RCMP and asked them to vet the group. With the RCMP’s stamp of approval, they allowed the event to proceed.

The event brought many protesters to our quiet neighbourhood while stirring strong emotions. Unfortunately, our volunteers were mischaracterized and caught in the middle of a lose-lose situation.

Saltair is tremendously lucky to have a group of hardworking volunteers who don’t ask for anything in return. I want to publicly thank them again for their hard work. I will always be on the side of Saltair and our community. We all have unique backgrounds and differing opinions, and I would encourage patience, gratitude and empathy while we discuss our differing opinions.

Family News - On October 12, my wife, Hayley, and I welcomed our son Abel McClinton. Everyone is doing great, happy and healthy.

As always, if you have any questions, please call me at 250-252-6525.

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Ladysmith Pharmasave's Sneh Parikh, Steve Wilkinson and Yagnefh Trivedi. Photo: Marina Sacht

Brianne Mactier, president of the Ladysmith Downtown Business Association. Photo: Marina Sacht

Back to Business Supporting Local Businesses Ladysmith Downtown Business Association’s vision is to “cultivate the heart of the community for a vibrant downtown where businesses work together to support each other and the community.”

Some ways the LDBA supports local businesses is through various “shop local” campaign promotions and events in the community to encourage people to come downtown. Some of these initiatives in December include Old Time Christmas on December 8, with rides, late-night opening, candle making, photos with Gingy, and other fun events, and Jingle Bell Shop in December.

Although there is far less turnover for new businesses in town, which shows how much the town has grown and the many more businesses to support as a town, Brianne Mactier, president of the LDBA, says that shopping locally is important.

“This has been a hard year on everyone economically, with the hike of interest rates and inflation. People’s budgets have shrunk, and so have their spending.”

Helping local business is in the family for Mactier, whose mother heads up the Ladysmith & District Chamber of Commerce as its president.

“We communicate and work together well. It’s super fun being so involved in the community together, and we both have a common goal of serving this town well.”

Pharmasave Ladysmith’s Pharmasave has deep roots in this community. It was initially opened in 1981 by Chuck Perrin, a beloved community leader. Steve Wilkinson says that it is one of the oldest

Pharmasaves and one of the founding stores. Today, there are over 850 stores nationwide.

The Ladysmith Pharmasave is a partnership between Wilkinson and pharmacists Sneh Parikh and Yagnefh Trivedi.

Wilkinson took over the Ladysmith Pharmasave from Diana Childs in 2009. Before that, he worked as the front store manager.

“Although part of a franchise, the stores are independently and locally owned, meaning profits stay here in the community,” he explains.

Along with prescriptions, they offer a full-service cosmetics department, health and beauty products and services, vaccines, giftware, clothing and even a post office. Their recently launched e-commerce provides convenient online ordering.

And if you can’t get out, there’s free local prescription delivery.

Wilkinson, who grew up on the Island, says he is proud of the Ladysmith Pharmasave’s lengthy track record in serving the community.

“I love it here,” he says with a smile.

Pacific Pearl Hygiene Clinic

BY ELLY SMITH Just in behind the Ladysmith Library are a team of dynamo ladies making the smiles of Ladysmith even brighter. They have “that vibe” going on at the Pacific Pearl Dental Hygiene Clinic. When you meet Ricki Weissbach, you soon know that she is a people person who enjoys building friendly relationships with just about everyone … especially her patients!

Ricki is a born-and-raised Okanagan gal and has been a registered dental hygienist since 2012. She honed her skills during the seven years she worked in a private dental practice in Fort St. John. Tapping into her acute sense of intuition and business savvy, she moved to Ladysmith and opened her clinic on First Avenue four years ago.

Ricki is an independent hygiene practitioner and sets her own bar high in providing superior dental hygienist services to patients. Not only is the clinic beautifully furnished with a warm, inviting feel to it, but Ricki’s knowledge, explanations, suggestions and quality of care is appreciated by her clients, as proven by their comments on the clinic’s website. There are almost 100 five star google reviews to peruse if you are in doubt!

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This past year has been a really exciting one for Pacific Pearl. In September 2022, Ricki met her now business partner, Natalie Cuthbert. Natalie grew up in Ladysmith and permanently moved back to the Island last year, after expanding her dental hygiene knowledge in Saskatoon over the past seven years.

Pacific Pearl provides access to dental hygiene care without long appointment wait times. The Ladysmith clinic offers flexible appointment times on weekends and evenings as well as offers seniors and university students a 15-per cent discount and direct billing for patients.

They feel clients appreciate the continuity of care, so they see the same hygienist at each visit and develop a feeling of personalized service and trust.

The complete Ladysmith team includes Ricki and Natalie and the fabulous hygienist Denise and Office Manager Carmen. Their mission is to bring high quality dental hygiene therapy treatment to all our patients in a professional, safe, compassionate and accessible way.

Coming up next — Ricki and Natalie are opening a second Pacific Pearl Hygiene Clinic in the Nanaimo area.

The clinic will be able to accommodate four hygienists, and charts can easily be transferred, making it seamless for clients to book at either location. They plan on opening in January and booking patients starting February 1, 2024. Ricki tells me, “Our Nanaimo patients are thrilled to have us opening in Nanaimo, a much shorter commute for them!”

Ricki adds, “I love my job. It’s not a job — it’s my passion. I am always happy to be here. We have a flexible work environment and a very happy vibe in the office.” And there’s that vibe! Visit their website pacificpearl.ca. or call 250-802-2812.

Roberts Street Pizza Effective August 1, Little Town Pizza Chemainus and Lake Cowichan are under the same ownership as Roberts Street Pizza, says Sean Fisher, owner of Ladysmith's Roberts Street Pizza.

The two Little Town locations have yet to be rebranded to Roberts Street Pizza, but they will be getting an all-new pizza menu in the next month or so.

Got business news? info@take5.ca or call 250-245-7015.

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It Starts with the Soil “While the farmer holds the title to the land, actually it belongs to all the people because civilization itself rests upon the soil.” — Thomas Jefferson

BY PAMELA WALKER AND NIKKI TOXOPEUS Inspiring words from a farmer who, back in the 1800s, could see that soil was deteriorating and crop yields were falling. He was using cover crops and crop rotation and invented a better plow to stimulate the fertility of his fields. He meant well, but it was the plow that went on to decimate the soils of America and Canada and cause the 1930s dust bowl.

The plow may cause a burst of fertility

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and break through the soil compaction, but persistent plowing severely disturbs the soil microbiome and soil structure.

Already, a century ago, the pioneers of the organic farming movement realised that the soil health decline was seriously impacting public health. Although they may not have understood what was happening below the ground, they could see the impacts on public health. Since then, the “post war” use of chemicals for fertilisers and pest control has destroyed the life in the soil, and the health crisis has worsened. The United States now spends more on health care than food.

Today, we understand much more about the soil food web, the microbes and fungi below our feet and the relationship between the plants we eat and these microbes. We need to restore the soil microbes in the soil and leave the microbes to form the soil they need to thrive. These microbes help plants access nutrients and micronutrients they need (and we need), and they are, in turn, fed by the plants. It is these vital micronutrients that are so lacking in the chemical agricultural crops.

So, how do we get the microbes back

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into the soil? One way is to add active compost, or the components for compost, where it is most needed. This can be in with the seeds or at the root zone, or as a thick layer on the bed in the first year (also helps with weed suppression).

Then, ensure that there are always plants in the soil to feed the microbes and keep them alive. Perhaps put up a “do not disturb — microbes at work sign”! And top up the compost layer once a year.

Closer to home, Kiwi Cove Food Bank garden is going no-till. Jake from Earth Craft Farm in Yellow Point is helping us move away from our tiller to broad forks. We are making compost, adding manure and keeping roots in the ground all year with winter and cover crops. We rotate most crops, but some crops prefer to stay in the soil they have created.

I have looked at our compost under my microscope, and it is teeming with a diversity of beneficial bacteria, fungi and other bugs (their predators). Our soil has not recovered, but it is getting better, and we have healthier food, more earthworms and fewer pests.

These three regenerative practices of no-till (or minimal disturbance), cover

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Kiwi Cove Food Bank Garden with its winter crops and cover crops. Photo submitted.

crops and diverse crop rotations will save our soils and improve our health. The tide is turning, and globally, about 10 per cent of the world’s crop land is using conservation agriculture (using all three regenerative practices). Rebuilding soil health is practical and can happen quickly, using minimal to no chemical inputs.

You can try it too. If you’re not sure how to do it all, volunteer at the Kiwi Cove Food Bank Garden. We’ll teach you what we know. You can even use my microscope. Amy at Spring Hill Soil Laboratory in Duncan can evaluate your soil biology, provide compost inoculants and offers soil courses. There is a growing network of soil food-web professionals on the Island and many great online resources.

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An Unending Reverence for Mosses

BY KALI BRAUCKMANN, NATURALIST ECOFORESTRY INSTITUTE SOCIETY, The forest beckons as a wondrous realm in which to lose oneself, rediscovering the tranquility of nature and that dormant, serene side hidden within.

This peace, experienced upon entering the woods, springs from the thousands of textures and hues of the flora, the intimate proximity of trees, the gentle fragrant breeze and, most poignantly, the enchanting allure of mosses. To amble through areas swathed in moss, cushioning rocks and boulders, encircling tree trunks or draping from branches,

Magnificent leafy moss (Plagiomnium venustum) Photo: Kali Brauckmann

is to step into a realm both ancient and magical. Even a solitary patch of moss nestled between trees evokes this otherworldly sentiment.

Such a sense of ageless wonder is indeed rooted in mosses’ primeval origins.

Small white mushrooms nestled in juniper, broom and electrified cat-tail mosses.

Photo: Kali Brauckmann

Bryophytes, encompassing mosses, liverworts and hornworts, are believed to have been the initial plant species to transition from green algae, forging their path from ocean to land. With an

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A miniature world inhabitant, tardigrade. Photo: Rebekah Smith

evolutionary journey spanning nearly 400 million years, it’s astounding to recognize that these beings — despite their absence of roots or vascular tissues — are the second most populous plant group.

Far from being insignificant ornaments, mosses are nature’s delicate architects. Their exquisite leaf-like configurations not only enhance the beauty of their surroundings, but also offer irreplaceable functions. Blanketing flora, stones and earth, mosses offer a vital layer of padding to the forest floor. This plush carpet serves to capture rain, curtailing erosion; aids in water retention within the soil; strengthens the health of neighbouring plants; and elevates humidity.

Yet, there exists an unseen realm within the mosses, a miniature forest teeming with the most curious of inhabitants. Take, for instance, the tardigrade. Known colloquially as the water bear or moss piglet, this creature resembles a six-legged, eyeless, tube-mouthed creature that bears a certain bizarre and endearing charm. These minute omnivores traverse the mossy landscape in search of delectable tidbits — be it algae, microorganisms or even fellow tardigrades!

The next time you find yourself gazing upon the mosses that surround you, recognize the vast tapestry of life and history contained within this minuscule world.

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One Annoying Cat Dear Abby, My wife and I are having discipline problems with Minks, our 20-year-old cat. It is affecting our relationship, and our neighbours have been reduced to drive-by tomato hurling. Our Minks is preoccupied with food and she meows constantly.

And what meows they are! She used to have a nice voice: a soft, polite, diminutive meow. But about a year ago all that changed. Now she sounds like a 240-pound chain-smoking bullfrog. If you’ve ever had an AK-47 discharged next to your ear, or use breaking glass as an alarm clock, you’ll understand.

She deploys this voice when she wants to be fed, pretty much whenever she isn’t sleeping. We can’t figure out if she’s hungry, or if she forgets she’s just eaten, which sometimes happens to me. We do know, despite the constant eating, she’s getting lighter every year, something not happening to me.

Time has reduced her to a five-pound, pot-bellied, needle-boned fog horn with big fur. The fur is a miracle: she’s always snacking on it while waiting for bowl refills and then regurgitating it on the carpet. If we ever have a dog, it won’t go hungry.

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Our usual mornings begin at ten after five when Minks strolls into the bedroom, mounts herself on the night table, leans in toward my unsuspecting ear and fires off a “CROAK!” loud enough to levitate the dead.

Knowing my mandate is to protect my wife’s sleep at all costs, I chase after Minks who dashes to her food bowl.

The object is to catch her and throw her out. Not an easy task when I’m still technically asleep and without the benefit of eye glasses. Once I grabbed a chicken defrosting on the counter by mistake and hurled it across the yard.

With the cat outside, I’m back to bed where I dream about owning a dog who’s lost his tongue in a sword fight. Improbable, but that’s why they call them dreams. I’m jolted awake by what sounds as if our bedroom wall is being assaulted by misguided American marines looking for Afghanistan.

Instead, a determined Minks scrambles up the wall, through the window, and on to the computer desk where she knocks over last night’s coffee cup, spilling the dregs onto my keyboard.

A battle erupts as I attempt to wrestle her out the window before the croaking starts. She’s tough, but I apply the double step-over toehold recommended by my high school gym teacher, and triumph.

Minks then circles the house, frantically searching for ingress, croaking the whole time.

This awakens the neighbourhood; the phone calls start along with the first delivery of tomatoes. Their message, expletives deleted, is always the same: “Feed your … cat!!!!”

Fully awake by now, we let the cat in and feed her. During a brief period of silence, Minks stares longingly at her empty bowl and tries to broker a deal with her higher power: “Please, Holy Bastet, just one more serving, and I promise: no more accidents on the living room rug.”

On a good day, she falls asleep in this position giving my wife and me time to argue whether it’s time to visit the taxidermist.

Between the arguments - the continual croaking, the logistics of cat food and kitty litter - my wife and I are pooped. We’ve tried to discipline her, but it doesn’t stick. Our bookcase is overflowing with feline obedience books, from The Omnipotent Feline to

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Good Cat, Bad Cat. Initially, we thought it was a selfesteem problem with food being a replacement for love and positive selfregard. That’s why we always make it clear that it’s not her we dislike, it’s her behaviour. At every opportunity, we reassure her that she is an attractive, productive member of the adult feline community. All a lie of course, but that’s the whole point of cat psychology, right?

Next, we tried a reward-based program but this only reinforces her belief that her croaking tactics are working so she croaks even more.

Finally, we tried punishment as a deterrent. But don’t tell the animal activist crowd or they’ll take their clothes off again.

The consequence-based programs were all a variant of “If you persist in meowing, no TV between 7 and 7:30.” (The Food Channel, always the Food Channel.)

Along the way we worked with isolation, putting her in an empty room for a four-minute timeout. Initially this worked, but she’s back meowing again.

Our cat psychologist tells us to persist: breaking these habits takes time, and consistency is the only currency that will buy us out of this mess. But I’m not sure.

Billy Stalker, the biker next door, a self-proclaimed “animal control specialist” says, “Give me that cat for the afternoon, and I’ll have it cured.” We hope he doesn’t mean cured like sausage or smoked salmon. In fact, his fear-based approach involves a burlap sack, a tenpound weight, and Bruce Springsteen moaning plaintively about what can happen to a cat that goes “down to the river, and into the river we go.”

Call us over-sensitive, Abby, but we’d rather not use Billy’s services. That’s why there’s a papyrus basket at your front door. Contents: one orange fluff ball, answers to the name of Minks. Accompanying her is a pallet of Tasty Treats Tuna Pâté which, at her present rate of consumption should last nearly two weeks. You’ll also find a pair of industrial-strength ear protectors in the basket.

Colour? Bright orange to match the cat.

They’ll look good on you, Abby.

Wine Pick As the weather cools the wines get deeper. Try Oliver, BC’s Black Sage Vineyard’s Cabernet Sauvignon and forget the sweater. About $30.

TAKE 5

Clubhouse on the Move

BY MARINA SACHT In the 1980s, in Ladysmith Harbour, there was a colourful collection of pleasure craft and commercial mariners.

Boats were moored at Manana Lodge (now Raven Point Marina), at Ivy Green Marina (now the Oak Bay Ladysmith Marina), at CZ Log Dump (now the location of Ladysmith Maritime Society’s Ladysmith Community Marina), and a few at the Government Dock or on private moorings.

In 1983, a number of sailors formed a loose group called the Ladysmith Sailing Association. Many of the power boaters belonged to the Mount Brenton Power Squadron. However, to take advantage of officially sanctioned sailing races and reciprocal moorage opportunities, a formally recognized yacht club membership and reciprocal docks were required.

From these roots, the Ladysmith Yacht Club was born in 1985, with 15 charter members.

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(l-r) Ladysmith Yacht Club Clubhouse.

Photo submitted.

Clean up at Slack Point, Ladysmith.

Photo: Rob Johnson

As membership grew, George Creek and other volunteers built the floating clubhouse that you see today at the Ladysmith Marina.

The LYC Clubhouse was officially opened in 1998 and serves as “the heart and soul of the club,” says LYC Planning Director Anton Donkers. “It plays an important role for members and the community during events, such as the annual Sail Past in May.” The club received notice in March 2023 that they would have to relocate the clubhouse as the space it occupies is needed by the Oak Bay Marine Group (OBMG) for boat houses. OBMG operates the marina.

The club has been working with the marina on finding a suitable interim location. OBMG recognizes the importance of the club being able to continue offering reciprocal moorage, and a site they are considering would bring the clubhouse closer to the main entrance.

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“We won’t be moving anytime soon,” says Donkers, but a move is imminent.

In addition to the events, the clubhouse has seating for about 80 people and hosts membership educational nights and monthly social gatherings.

Harbour Cleanup

BY ROB JOHNSON If you are one of the many who walked your dog down at Slack Point or just went to enjoy views from Slack beach last month, you may have noticed a company dragging sunken boats out of the water and crushing them. This work was being done by the Coast Restoration Society (CRS).

CRS is based out of Port Alberni and was established in 2017. In the beginning, they only had five members; today, they are actively working to clean up our oceans on not only the BC coastline, but also now in Halifax. They employ 300 people in their cleanup operations. The society works directly with many First Nations on our coast and is supported by both the federal and provincial government in the stewardship of our oceans.

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FOR SALE FISH FISH FISH. Buy direct from the guy who caught it! High-quality salmon, lingcod, rockfish. All fish blast frozen at sea. Satisfaction guaranteed! Contact Jim at oceandancer. wallace@gmail.com or 250-245-5957/250-7391123.

ZODIAC INFLATABLE. 13.9 ft. Classic Mark II Inflatable, 25 HP Yamaha, EZ-Loader Trailer, accessories $3,995. Contact John at 250-6615815.

TWO OCEAN KAYAKS. Excellent condition: 1 Kelvar Diamonte model, 1 Fibreglass Icelandictype; all accessories; Yakima roof rack. $2,995.

Contact John at 250-661-5815.

SCRAPBOOK ENTHUSIASTS. Creative Memories. Great deals on new and like-new albums, pages, page protectors, papers, decorative papers, tools, storage organizers, totes, pens, stickers. For details and prices, call Nadine 604-885-8379.

PUPPIES. Beautiful purebred English Labrador Retriever puppies. Black/First litter/9; born Sept.

28. Ready to go end of November to approved caring homes. Vet checked, vaccines, etc. $1800.

Contact 250-722-2520.

OCEAN MALIBU 2 TANDEM KAYAK, 2 person sit-on-top with small middle seat. Great family kayak, stable and unsinkable. 2 adjustable, removable seats with back support and 2 paddles. Well used. $300 obo. 778-674-6444.

MEN’S CURLING SHOES: Men’s Balance Plus curling shoes size 12, right-handed curler, left foot slider, and gripper. $50. Goldline brush, all used for 1 season, like new. $45. 778-674-6444 WOMEN’S CURLING SHOES: Women’s Asham curling shoes size 7.5, left-handed curler, right foot slider, and gripper. $50. Goldline brush, all used for 1 season, like new. $45. 778-674-6444.

TAKE 5 ads work. Get them working for you. Next edition is Double month Dec-Jan. info@take5.ca

NOV 2023

DARRELL ESSAR RENOVATIONS. Over 35 years’ experience, certified journeyman carpenter; renovations. For free estimate, call Darrell 250-714-3823.

HEALTH & WELLNESS TAI CHI for mental & physical health. Beginner class Monday mornings. Ongoing class every Wednesday morning. For class time and location and more information, visit www.taichinanaimo. org or call Sara 250-245-1466.

FARM FRESH EMPRESS ACRES LITTLE FARM STORE. Pasture-raised turkeys, pork & eggs; certified organic produce; open 7 days/wk; 2974 Haslam Rd.; see Fresh Sheet on website: www.empressacres.ca; for pork & turkeys email Marlene at marlene@empressacres. ca or call/text 250-889-1343.

CR AFT FAIRS CRAFT FAIR. Every Sunday Carol’s Artisans: wood turned pens, quilting, woodworking, amazing sewing and knitting, interchangeable jewelry, hats, pottery, preserves, jams and MORE; 13467 Cedar Road, 10am–3pm. New vendors welcome.

Contact petespensandmore@shaw.ca.

TWO BAZAARS in Ladysmith from 11am– 2pm: Nov. 4 at St. Mary’s hall (1135 Fourth Ave.); Nov. 18 at First United (232 High St.).

Enjoy lunch, surprises, sewing, baking, and more!

PAINTER. Certified Journeyman. Clean, efficient, respectful, punctual. 25+ years’ experience. WCB coverage. Enhance your enjoyment of the home you love. Call Howard 250-245-2751.

KB HANDYMAN AND YARD WORKS. Minor carpentry work, decks, fences, power washing, tree pruning, yard cleanup, lawn fertilizing, mowing. Seniors discount.

Contact Karl kbhandymanandyardworks@ gmail.com or 250-714-2738.

HEART LAKE ROOFING for all your roofing repairs 250-668-9195.

ALL ACRES providing all aspects of tree work. Pruning, falling, hedging, dangerous tree removal. Fully insured. Professional work at reasonable rates. Call 250-246-1265.

CONCRETE RESULTS. Foundations, retaining walls, patios, driveways, walks and stairs. Full forming and finishing. 40 years’ experience. Email Gord at concreteresults@ live.com.

BUSINESS I CAN EDIT. Copy editing, proofreading, structural editing and more. Fiction or non fiction, web content and eBook prep. For more information, editican@gmail.com..

WHAT'S HAPPENING

HOME & GARDEN RED ROSE CLEANING AND CARE. Expert house & office cleaner. Neet extra help with a senior? Registered Care Aid (30 years).

Contact Jan at jancook433@gmail.com or 236-628-2126.

Mondays & Wednesdays 10am, TAI CHI Beginners and Ongoing. Visit taichinanaimo. org Saturdays & Sundays, 11am – 5pm Ladybug’s Mew in Yellow Point. Fresh produce, jams, salsas, handcrafted soaps, quilts and holiday gifts Nov 3, 10am & Nov 4, 2pm Abstract Poppies with Josee Duffhues at the Saltair Community Centre - Tickets are $40 Nov 5 Chemainus Classical Concerts: 2pm Duncan United Church. $30/$10. Reserved $23/$25. Phone 250-748-8383 Nov 5, 12, & 19 1pm - 4pm Christmas Wreath Workshop at Nanaimo Curling Club, 106 Wall Street Nanaimo – Contact https://www. facebook.com/nanaimocurling.centre/ Nov 26, 2:30pm The Island Consort at St. Andrew’s United Church, Nanaimo. Contact - info@islandconsort.ca

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NOV 2023

Summer Is Over?

“Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.” — Mark Twain (maybe) No, no, no! I’m just not ready for the end of summer, no matter how droughty it was.

But the telltale signs are all around me, bombarding my senses, constantly nudging me, needling me, nagging me, that summer is indeed over. All you have to do is look at your to-do list, Jackie: • Press all those apples before the bears smell a good chow-down opportunity — check.

• Strip the grape vines and get them in the dehydrator just before the extended family of racoons plots their invasion — check.

• Do a final winter pear pick and jamathon — check.

I’m drawn to, but try to ignore, the cover of October’s TAKE 5, with those two happy relaxed faces sitting under a quince tree, with that word “Harvest” in whimsical print beside them, staring out at me. I’ve had to keep my head down as I stroll the collies by the pond where my three heavily (heavenly?) laden quince trees await their turn to have their load lightened for the season. But I don’t have to even look at them. Oh no, their intoxicating aroma veritably assaults my olfactory sense. No wonder they are thought to be the real Garden of Eden apple, forever linked to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Yup, that’s the nextto-last thing on the list. Thankfully, my friend Jen has just been here for a megaglean — check.

Now it’s just the garlic planting, and I usually do that around the full moon in November … say, isn’t that considered winter? What happen to Autumn? You know, the season that comes after summer? Rats! I can deny it no longer. Sum-

TAKE 5

mer is over; Autumn is upon us. Sheesh!

Autumn is almost over too!

This denying of change has just got to stop. I guess Joni Mitchell was right when she sang, “We’re captive on the carousel of time.” (I secretly never liked that song.)

Perhaps I could just ignore “seasons” altogether and get a jump on preparing for the Women’s Institute booth at the Cedar Christmas Market on the 12th, and our table at the Cedar Heritage Centre for the Country Christmas Tour on the 17th and 18th. And there’s my Christmas card list and family presents to mail to Ontario.

Soon enough, it will be a new year, a special year — a leap year.

Funny. All of a sudden, this summer seems pretty far away already.

Jackie Moad is already on to a new season’s to-do list, mixing indoor tasks like baking shortbread, och aye apple pies and mincemeat tartlets with outdoor animalcompanion care of her four horses, two sheep, three collies, and a cat that rules them all, as she continues to farm that 20acre organic slice of Paradise in Cedar.