In 2005, the RDN asked the community of South Forks/Nanaimo River Road to approve a tax levy to pay for a loan to build and equip a fire hall for our community. In 2005, Bylaw 1440 was passed to establish a fire service for our area to accommodate this.
A few years later, nothing had been done and the RDN indicated that, due to changes in the requirements, the fire hall had become unaffordable. The taxes, however, continued, and in 2010, the money collected was moved to a newly set up fund called Nanaimo River Fire Reserve Fund.
Time passed, and people lost track of what they were paying for or were new to the community and weren’t told what the extra fire tax was for.
In 2020, the community started to notice the extra tax and starting asking what was happening to the money. Instead of an answer, they got a study, and it was confirmed that our community of 69 properties could not afford to build a $3 million fire hall, and there were no other options available, so we asked for our money back.
Fast forward from 2020 to 2024, after many delays and promises our area director arranged to have the community vote on what to do with the funds. During the 2024 summer recess, the RDN staff secretly tied this to another fire service capital project, delaying any decision for up to another five years. This other fire service has made no contribution to the fund nor has it any claim to the funds.
We still haven’t received any answers regarding what will happen to the tax dollars we paid for a fire hall that can never be built. So, we are asking the RDN Board once again, “Will you build the fire hall that we have paid for, or will you return our money?”
We have asked the BC Ombudsman to look into this and are interested in what they find.
- John Campbell Chair, South Forks Nanaimo River Community Association
Letter to Editor on the mark
I wish to commend Michael Smith, who wrote the article “BC Election” in November’s edition. He is absolutely right on the money.
I was closely involved with the “legislative theft” of the Ladysmith Maritime Society Marina (LMS) by the NDP government, with the Ladysmith council being wholeheartedly complicit. There was a multi-year water lot lease that was due to expire in 2029! This was simply ignored by the NDP government. They summarily decided to revoke the lease with little notice and no prior discussion nor any reaching out to LMS, which is a non-profit entity. It was done largely in secret and, more importantly, without any public mandate.
This was an exercise in complete dictatorial action while entirely ignoring any input from the community of Ladysmith that supported that marina in excess of thirty years. LMS was an amazing success story for any not-for-profit organization, as it was extremely well run, had numerous volunteers, and enjoyed full community support, providing services to the town and visitors to Ladysmith unparalleled and fundamentally non-existent today. This was done all because of an ideological fervor for reconciliation, again without any public mandate.
The community lost a vibrant, friendly, very active marina, which now has no visitor tour boat, no restaurant facilities or amenities of any sort, other than the washroom, no Heritage Museum, no classic boats, and no communal tent and picnic bench area with a free barbecue — not to mention no annual festivals, like Pirates Day and Maritime Heritage Day, among
others.
Visiting boaters are now perplexed and dissatisfied, as this is a complete 180 to the marina that they enjoyed in the past and was rated the top marina to visit in the Pacific Northwest.
Now there are no services, one staff person, virtually no normal upkeep and nothing to offer the community.
The government acted in this patently anti-democratic, dictatorial fashion in secret, violating their own long-standing agreement on a water lot lease, all without explanation or consultation for the wishes of the community nor compensation.
The NDP were hostile to the best interests of the citizens of Ladysmith and the boating public in general. Any government, regardless of political stripe, that acts in such a blatantly highhanded way should never be allowed in power. They do not deserve to be in the privileged position of being entrusted with representing all citizens in a reasonable, fair and collaborative fashion. They cannot and have not attempted to explain their actions other than blind adherence to the ideological pursuit of reconciliation — again, I reiterate — without any public man date.
The very essence of our democracy is on full display here by example of how to violate those coveted basic and essential principles. — Jim Wright
Letters to the editor are welcomed. This is an open communi ty forum. Hate, libel and defamation will not be tolerated, nor will our readers right to voice their opinions. The letters published here do not necessarily represent the opinion of TAKE 5 or its affiliates. Write to editor@take5.ca
Old Time Christmas
From the last Thursday in November (28th) until the second Sunday in January, Ladysmith is ignited with life of thousands of twinkling Christmas lights. Along with the Festival of Lights, some great events are planned by the Ladysmith Downtown Business Association.
Old Time Christmas, fondly known as Light Up for Locals, is just around the corner. It will be held on Friday, December 6, from 5 to 8 p.m.
This year, they are closing a small block on First Avenue from Gatacre to Roberts and setting up live music and a beer garden.
Watch for participating shops and businesses offering activities and specials. Also, watch for the annual Jingle Bell shop — the shop's local campaign where you can enter a draw for five lucky winners to win $200 in LDBA bucks to spend downtown. The campaign runs until mid-December.
For more information, visit their website: ladysmithdowntown.com.
Ratepayers return
The Ladysmith Ratepayers Association was initiated in 2018 and was quite active. It even held an “All Candidates” meeting that was very well attended.
Then came COVID-19, and the momentum stopped and has been idling until recently.
Over this past summer, several interested Ladysmith citizens started discussing the resurrection of the Ladysmith Ratepayers Association (LRA). This was spirited by the Ladysmith Maritime Society marina transfer, the proposed new city hall and the associated AAP process that failed. We felt that we would benefit from more citizen input on both issues, wrote John Craig.
The LRA is a non-profit, non-partisan society devoted to promoting interests and studying the concerns of its members. Information is the key. Their objective is to be a body of citizens that works with the Ladysmith Council and senior administration to ensure that the perspective of Ladysmith’s citizens is always a significant consideration.
The LRA will monitor and communicate issues related to safety, recreation opportunities, taxes, and environmental and economic sustainability. Ultimately, the LRA is a quality-of-life association deeply interested in ensuring that taxes remain affordable and that maximum benefit is derived from each tax dollar spent.
The resurrected LRA has had several open meetings this fall and has elected a board of directors. They are attending all public council meetings dealing with the 2025 budget.
The plan is to hold quarterly member meetings featuring a guest speaker and reviewing members’ issues and concerns. Ultimately, the objective is productive communication with the Ladysmith Town Council.
For more information or to join the association, call 250-802-0128.
Ladysmith Festival of Lights makes a perfect background to the Old Time Christmas event downtown. Photo: Bob Burgess
Funding the future
The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has received up to $310,750 of funding towards the region’s coastal climate change adaptation strategy. The funds, supplied from the Government of Canada through Natural Resource Canada (NRCan), will be used to assess the impacts of climate change on the coast. This includes the collection of data, such as storm surges, flooding and erosion; co-development of climate actions with regional partners; and sharing the outcomes with property owners and residents.
The coastal adaptation strategy will build on the RDN’s previous coastal adaptation work, including the current Coastal Risk Assessment project, which helps identify areas of higher risk.
The project will provide local governments, First Nations, residents, and others with a collaborative way to address and prepare for climate change.
The project is underway and will be completed by the end of 2027.
North Cowichan Community Meetings
The Municipality of North Cowichan invites residents, businesses and community groups to share their thoughts on the 2025 Municipal Budget. Three community meetings are scheduled to discuss property taxes, user fees and other revenue-funded services and capital projects.
The meetings will start with an open house at 4:30 p.m., followed by a Special Committee of the Whole presentation at 6 p.m. The presentation will highlight department business plans, upcoming projects and budget requests for the coming year. The next meeting will be
held at the Chemainus Fire Hall, on Tuesday, December 10.
The same presentation will be shared at all three events, and the feedback gathered will help guide the Council’s budget de cisions in January.
Call for Heritage Awards Nominations
The Ladysmith & District Historical Society is calling for nominations from the community for the annual Ladysmith Heritage Awards. The awards recognize the individuals, busi nesses and societies that have played a vital role in this past year through their actions or initiatives toward preserving or promoting local heritage.
There are two award categories: (i) Restoration of a heritage building, place or artifact; (ii) Commitment displayed by an individual, organization or business to preserving and promot ing local heritage.
Anyone can nominate, including nominating themselves, their business or their society. Nominations can be sent to info@ladysmithhistoricalsociety.com. Please answer the fol lowing questions in your nomination:• What is the name of the person/organization being nominated?
• How did this individual or organization help to preserve and/or promote local heritage in Ladysmith and the district?
The application deadline is December 30. Award recipients will be announced during February’s BC Heritage Week.
State-of-the-Art Medical Imaging Equipment
The Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation (NDHF) is raising funds for a new SPECT/CT machine at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH). This campaign would add a second SPECT/CT machine to the hospital and would increase the capacity by at least 40 per cent with up to 8,000 nuclear medicine scans annually. The Imaging Seeing Beyond to Save Lives campaign, projects the cost to be $2.9 million.
“Imaging equipment is one of the most powerful resources
President of Ladysmith & District Historical Society Quentin Goodbody with Ladysmith & District Credit Union marketing manager Michael Robinson. The LDCU has been a sponsor for years. Photo: Marina Sacht
for our doctors and staff. It decreases uncertainty and stress and leads to early diagnosis of many critical diseases, primarily cardiology and cancer diagnosis. This campaign will ensure more people living on Central and North Vancouver Island have access to our region’s imaging equipment,” shared Barney-Ellis Perry, chief executive officer of the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation.
Ensuring clinicians have reliable, state-of-the-art technology brings clarity as they plan their patient’s course of care. Contributions to Imaging Seeing Beyond to Save Lives can be made at www.nanaimohospitalfoundation.com/imaging, by calling 250-755-7690, by visiting the Foundation office at the Dufferin entrance at NRGH during office hours or by mailing a cheque to 1200 Dufferin Crescent, Nanaimo, BC, V9S 2B7. All donations make an impact.
Fee for Information
On October 16, the Town of Ladysmith has implemented a $10 application fee for all Freedom of Information (FOI) requests submitted to the municipality. There is no application fee for requests for access to personal information.
“Freedom of Information requests are vital to open and transparent government but require significant staff time. Implementing a $10 application fee is not intended to limit public access, but rather to balance the time spent providing other community services. This measure will ensure the quality and timeliness of responses while upholding the principles of transparency and accountability,” said Acting Ladysmith Mayor Tricia McKay.
Art of Brewing retiring
BY MARINA SACHT
Art of Brewing, a wine and beer shop established in 2005, will close unless a suitable buyer is found.
Owner Art Lindala is set to retire at the end of December to find time to travel and pursue his musical interests. “I will do a little travelling in Canada and see some family friends I haven’t seen in years,” he said.
Art has won numerous awards in wine-growing regions all over North America, earning at total of 28 medals. He recalls his first competition, where he entered six categories and won six medals.
Over the years, he has seen many changes, including government regulations, particularly affecting small winer-
ies. But some things, like enjoying good wine, have not changed.
Now 78, Art still enjoys his wines, particularly a French blend of Cab-Merlot and Italian Amarone.
Art Lindada is looking for someowne with a passion for winemaking.
Bob Burgess
The business, which Art describes as both lucrative and fun, is for sale, with or without the building, Art said. “It would be perfect for someone who has a passion for wine.”
Photo:
Glorious! A Winter Concert with the Yellow Point Singers
Are you looking to get into the seasonal spirit?
You’ll get a chance at Glorious! A Winter Concert with the Yellow Point Singers on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the Cedar Community Hall (2388 Cedar Rd., Nanaimo) for our annual winter concert. Music from Joni Mitchell to Ravel will be part of our programme, along with a special guest, Genevieve Roszmann.
Doors open at 1:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 2 p.m. A 50/50 raffle will be held in support of Loaves and Fishes Food Bank, with tickets sold on site (1/$2, 3/$5, 7/$10).
Contact a choir member or email fishlockedie@gmail for event tickets ($20 for adults/$5 for 12 and under). We have sold out all last year’s concerts, but if available, there will also be tickets at the door.
Mega-Rock Musical Continues
We Will Rock You, by Ben Elton, with music by Queen, continues to rock the Ladysmith Little Theatre until December 15.
The musical tells the story of a renegade group known as the Bohemians, who struggle to restore the free exchange of thought and culture in a vaguely Orwellian society.
A large and talented cast is accompanied by a live band, performing a large selection of songs by Queen woven into a compelling story, said Christine Kemppi, the marketing director for Ladysmith Little Theatre.
Photos: Mike Dietrich
New Children’s Book
Donna Soules is excited to announce her publication of her children’s book called The Stray and the New Girl.
Combine nasty schoolgirls, a challenging cat and a big move — what do you get? A heart-felt story about a challenging journey to understand how un-
Donna Soules with her new book. Photo submitted.
predictable changes plunge cat and girl into conflict. The story follows a friendship of a homeless, dumpster-diving cat named Ralph and an 11-year-old girl attending a new school with unwelcoming girls. Her name is Sadie. Her sweet and caring nature and love of schools crumbles. She is lonely.
Looking for food and a home, Ralph nuzzles himself into Sadie’s family. He’s a cat with an attitude, and somehow the other family cats let him join the family. When Sadie moves to her new home and school, she struggles with the loss of her old friends, leaving her with the sad emotions of not fitting in. She finds comfort in this new furry friend, who provides mischief and mayhem for all. Sadie’s curiosity brings honesty and bravery in her search to recapture her self-esteem. Together, Sadie and Ralph find new ways to solve the tricky difficulties they face and learn special lessons from each other.
The book focuses on the themes of kindness, friendship and the power of human-animal bonds. In the end, Ralph and Sadie create a comfortable new place to belong. Most of the events in the story really happened.
Donna was inspired to write her children’s book following many experiences she discovered from teaching conflict-resolution classes in the school system. She heard many sad and complicated stories from the young people in her classes, and she worked as a counsellor in an alternate school. She went on to start a mediation practice in Ladysmith.
Illustrator Sally Mann’s vivid images brought the story to life.
The Art Gallery and Salamander Books in Ladysmith have copies, or you can order The Stray and the New Girl on Ama-
zon.ca. Donna hopes Ralph and Sadie will delight many young readers with their heart-warming story.
Nature’s Testament
Ladysmith author Diane Hobelaid has released her new book, Nature’s Testament, featuring her poetry.
Nature’s Testament grew out of the author’s experience of nature, friendships and life through the eyes of wonder and thankfulness.
Hobelaid has been an artist in dance, word, music and art all her life. An occupational therapist and dance/movement therapist, she received the 2012 Arts Therapy Award from the Wesley Institute, Sydney, Australia. In the associated thesis, she addressed the signs and symbols of the Gospel in Australian flora, fauna and Aboriginal culture and incorporated photography, poetry and prose. Nature’s Testament grew out of the author’s experience of nature, friendships and life, and through belief in a present and alive God to all who seek to know Him/ Her. A contributor to Imagination & Interpretation: Christian Perspectives (2005), Nature’s Testament is her first published poetry collection.
“I began journalling way back in my early 20s. Often, as I wrote, a poem would emerge from the writing. The poems in this book span about 30 years of writing. I never wrote with the intention of publishing — just as part of the journalling of my life, trying to grow through the happenings of my life,” she said.
Hobelaid writes that life is messy, filled with struggle and joy and that God’s presence is woven in and through the questions
Author Diane Hobelaid. Photo:submitted.
we all live with and in the moments in nature that take our breath away. The poems in Nature’s Testament celebrate this presence in everything from kayak trips to soul-searching enquiries into Biblical stories to the challenges and sometimes sheer silliness of daily 21st-century life. Illustrated throughout with full-colour photographs, it is a tribute to the sacred, to both serious and light-hearted searches for meaning and life in all its messy, difficult splendour. Available through FriesenPress, Ama-
zon, Indigo, Amazonkindle, Kobo and Salamander Books.
Winter Solstice
Lila Music Centre invites you to the ninth annual Winter Solstice Concert on December 21 and 22. This familyoriented musical tradition weaves vocal and acoustic music that ranges from jazz to folk, including premiers of original song compositions created especially for this event. This concert provides warmth and peace in the spirit of beauty, bringing people together with a focus this year on Celtic music traditions.
This year’s ensemble includes Anne Schaefer, Quin Etheridge-Pedden, Adrian Dolan, Scott White, Kim June Johnson and Cari Burdett (vocals). Opal and Cassia Hollett, who are youth voices, also join in.
Songs to look forward to include the acapella Christmas classics: “Lo How a Rose,” “Carol of the Bells,” “In the Bleak Midwinter” and “Gloria in Excelsis.” Upbeat numbers include a full group rendition of “Soul Cake” and some joyful fiddle tunes. Other audience favourites that will be sure to please:
“Calling All Angels” and “The Lost Word Blessings.”
Unique to this concert, musicians will collect holiday wishes from the audience and create one-of-a-kind pieces of music to honour this very special time of year. “Every year, we offer an array of songs connecting us to the winter season and solstice and 2024 will not disappoint,” explained Burdett.
Anne Schaefer will be sharing an original piece called “Constellation,” in which she elaborates, “appeared as a song to celebrate our beauty and how the sum of our collective parts make spectacular configurations, just as with constellations in the night sky … and how we need a truly dark night to see the beauty of even the stars.”
Kim June Johnson’s “I Wish I Had Woken with the Dawn” is about waking up to light but also to life itself, rather than succumbing to the numbness and distraction that the over-culture perpetuates.
There will be three shows: two on De cember 21, a matinee and evening show in Duncan, and one on December 22, a matinee show in Victoria.
New Studio opens in Ladysmith
Congratulations to former Mary Fox Pottery apprentice Sarah Wilson, who has opened a new Ladysmith gallery and studio, Wilson & Co.
Sarah completed the two-year apprenticeship program in 2023. She graduated to selling her ceramics through her own studio and at artisan shows.
With support from the Mary Fox Legacy Project, Sarah signed a lease and began renovating the former women’s clothing boutique.
In addition to her wheel-thrown pots, the gallery presents the work of Victoria artists David Ellingsen (photographer), April Ponsford (abstract painter), Roberta Pyx Sutherland (mixed media) and Caitlyn Chapman (silversmith); Ladysmith artists Mary Fox (potter) and Danielle Roberts (woodworker); Vancouver artist Danica Charles (beaded jewellery); and Nanaimo artist Sandy Harquail (potter).
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley
Playing at the Chemainus Theatre until December 22, 2024 is Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon.
A sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice set at Christmas two years after the novel ends, Miss Bennet continues the story, only this time with bookish middle-sister Mary as its unlikely heroine. When the family gathers for Christmas at Pemberley, an unexpected guest sparks Mary’s hopes for independence, an intellectual match and possibly even love.
Magic Man
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO
Dressed in a sharp black suit and with a twinkle in his eye, Joseph Sisson has an undeniable air of magic around him. Known around Ladysmith as Joseph the Jester and for his close-up-magic, Joseph has set his sights on bringing magic to a wider audience.
Now at the end of his career as a carpenter, Joseph plans on turning his passion for magic into a fulltime job. “And I started late in the game. About fifteen years ago, I came across a little trick on YouTube and it interested me, and I thought, ‘That’s cool, I want to learn that.’”
He showed the piece to me and deftly shuffled the three cards around as I tried to track where he put the original. I couldn’t find it, and in the end, he turned up a card that hadn’t been there at the start. Logically, I know it’s sleight of hand, but I’m convinced it’s more than that.
“Three cards, this, that and the other. This little trick gets a variation of a three
card Monte, a very classic effect in magic. And there are many, many versions of it. And I saw this version and … that’s what got me started in magic.”
Joseph learns magic effects from other magicians. “If a magician comes up with an effect, they’ll sell it to other magicians.” When he started, he used to buy the effects from brick-and-mortar magic stores, but now most effects are sold online.
“When I lived in Victoria, I was involved with the Victoria Magic Circle.” The club is a localized branch of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. “They meet once a month [and] there’s a period where people who are working on stuff can show what they’re working on. They can get other magicians’ advice as to maybe you [want to] do this or that.”
After COVID-19, Joseph moved to Ladysmith. Now he’s often found walking around at local events and performing pieces of magic for the event attendees. “I’m very happy to do that because I love to perform, but it is time consuming and I’m volunteering. So, at some
point, I want to be able to charge for my services.”
The process of being a magician is one of constant learning and performing. “As an amateur, when you’re performing for friends and family or acquaintances, you have to be coming up with new material to keep their interest. I’m always working on new stuff, and when I’ve practised something to the point where I think it’s presentable, I need an audience.”
One strategy for gaining an audience is by going and seeking them out. “I wander around town. I’ll go into a business. A lot of them know me now because I’ve been doing it for the last three or four months. And I know which businesses are magic friendly and which aren’t.”
Joseph hopes to get into the restaurant business and perform close-up pieces while people wait for their food. “Magicians for many decades have performed in restaurants all over the world. You go into your restaurant, take your order and while you’re waiting for your meal to be prepared, a magician comes up to your table and entertains you.” The restau-
rants in Ladysmith don’t currently offer a side of magic with your order, but with any luck, that’s about to change. Regardless of the setting of his performances, Joseph has one goal: “To create wonderment and to create a sense of awe. The best thing is the reactions the children [have] when I do my illusions, [which] really make it all worthwhile.”
Joseph Sisson better known as Joseph the Jester.
Photo: Marina Sacht
The Best Gift Will Always Be Time
BY KERITH WADDINGTON
As the holidays approach and the pressure to purchase “just the right gift” builds, it’s helpful to reflect upon the history of gift-giving, why we do it and how it makes us feel.
First, what exactly is it?
A gift is an item or act of service given voluntarily from one person to another with no expectation of payment or anything in return.
Gifts are given to honour an occasion, to show favour to someone or to help someone out. They are remarkable in their ability to strengthen or establish our connection with others and are a reflection of both the giver and the receiver and the relationship they share.
A good gift makes the recipient feel cared for, loved or appre -
ciated and has nothing to do with cost. Indeed, we are all aware that the quality of a present is measured by the emotional state it evokes.
The history of gift-giving is as old as humanity itself and has been intertwined with social customs, religious beliefs and economic systems throughout history. Early humans exchanged gifts like tools, rare rocks and food. Ancient Greeks would gift visitors to their homes in case they were gods in disguise. And the ancient Romans gifted wax candles, clay or edible dolls, fresh cheeses, preserved fruits, oranges and lemons to one another during festivals in December and January. Sharing has always been an important mode of human expression.
Even though Christmas traditions have evolved over the thousands of years that Christmas has been celebrated, the exchange of gifts is one element of the holiday that has remained constant. We are all aware, however, that the commercialisation of the festive season can detract from its enjoyment, which makes it the perfect time to reflect upon a quote by Joel Osteen: “The greatest gift you can give someone is your time, your attention, your love, your concern.”
Indeed, you can always make more money, but you can’t make more time. Each of our lives is finite, so how and with whom we choose to spend it matters. As such, more and more people are opting out of gifting items during the holiday season and instead are gifting time. Sharing activities like baking cookies, decorating the tree, playing board games or going for a walk together creates warmer memories than receiving the latest tech under your tree. So, too, does sitting down to a tea and a chat or shovelling out the drive for an elderly neighbour
Photo Above:
Ladysmith & District Credit Union encourages staff to volunteer. Linda King, John de Leeuw, CEO, and Carrie Alexander. Photo submitted.
who’s stuck at home.
An added perk? Sharing time enriches the gifter’s life as well as the recipient’s.
There is an organization in Ladysmith that is the embodiment of this spirit. The Ladysmith and District Credit Union (LDCU) has a volunteer policy designed to both encourage and reward staff for their personal commitment to community service.
Under this policy, employees who volunteer their time to support local initiatives or charitable causes will receive two hours of time off for every hour of personal volunteer work they contribute. This approach not only recognizes the valuable impact of their efforts but also supports a healthy work-life balance.
“We believe in fostering a culture of giving back and are proud to offer this incentive as a way to celebrate and encourage our staff’s dedication to making a positive difference in the community,” said Michael Robinson, marketing manager for the LDCU.
Volunteers from LDCU have helped with Ladysmith Days, the Festival of Lights (and the parade), Old Time Christmas for Kids, the Rotary golf tournament and the ever-popular Show ’n’ Shine.
Quieter initiatives include Christmas for Families, where staff donate and volunteer to help raise funds to support some families in need during the holiday season, and the Fraud Awareness Seminar, which was “strictly for the benefit of the community,” said Robinson.
There is a lovely saying that “happiness is not about getting all you want; it’s about enjoying all you have.” And a sense of community is perhaps one of the greatest things to have.
Robinson had this to add: “Volunteering matters because it allows us to make a difference in ways that go beyond ourselves. … It reminds me that even small actions can have a meaningful impact, and it helps me stay balanced when everything else feels uncertain. Volunteering gives me purpose and a sense of connection in a time when both are needed most. I truly enjoy working at LDCU. It’s a joy to work with people that care and are invested in our community.”
In these times, when everyone is stretched thin trying to make ends meet, reflecting on what really matters and choosing connection over consumerism can help us find real joy during the holidays and throughout the year.
Volunteers with Ladysmith & District Credit Union's float at Ladysmith Festival of Lights parade. Photo: Marina Sacht
Welcome Arch
BY MARINA SACHT
There’s a new way to welcome people to Chemainus. You may have already noticed that this summer, the new mural was designed around the existing “Welcome to Chemainus” sign. Artist Trish Oldfield revamped the “Welcome” sign into a stunning mural, seeing an opportunity to beautify the space. Oldfield is Chemainus's mural restoration artist.
And now, the Chemainus Coast Salish Welcome Arch is soon to be unveiled this winter.
Funds for the Arch project came from various donors, including Island Coastal Economic Trust, said Shannon Bellamy, vice president of the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society. This new installation will bring the count of murals and sculptures to 62 art installations in the town.
Artist Maynard Johnny Jr. said the Coast Salish Welcome Arch will be mounted at Waterwheel Park, the original site of Penelakut.
Coast Salish and Kwakwaka’wakw artist Maynard was born in Campbell River in 1973. he is an accomplished artist inspired by Northwest Coast artistic traditions. Maynard said the stories from his Elders played a key role in inspiring the design of teh Welcoem Arch.
On one side, a heron pays tribute to the numerous herons that the area attracts. On the other side, two salmon heads, one male and one female, signify balance. Between them is an egg — its sex is undetermined. On the top of the arch are a pair of eagles.
Balance is a critical element of this piece. “We’ve lost the balance of society in modern culture,” he said, pointing to failures in the government and healthcare systems, as well as the disproportionate number of Indigenous People who are incarcerated, in foster care, or have succumbed to suicide.
“Our central system was balanced once; now it’s not ... We didn’t kill 20,000 deer, only what we needed.”
Maynard, who produces art and inspires thoughtful conver sations, believes that two different cultures can work together.
A message of balance is welcome indeed.
Artist Maynard Johnny Jr.
Photo submitted.
RDN Area A Cedar, South Wellington, Cassidy & Yellow Point
I struggled to choose a topic for this Director’s Notes because there are so many issues that deserve discussion. Firstly, I received a request to inform our community about the proposed developments surrounding the Cable Bay Trail. Secondly, RDN staff have submitted a grant request to support the design and costing of a multipurpose trail between Cedar Elementary and Cedar Secondary that is intended to partially address road safety concerns. Thirdly, the RDN Board received a staff presentation about the provincial Emergency Management and Disaster Act, which was notable in the amount of ongoing work that it will require from RDN staff. This is just a small selection of issues that may influence the work of the RDN.
Underlying all these issues are potential budgetary impacts. It is never an easy process to balance demands for improved services and increased amenities with the community’s collective ability to pay for those government offerings. However, this year feels particularly daunting. There are simultaneous demands for more and for less of government. I hear concerns about tax
increases while people are struggling to manage other inflationary costs. I have also received many emails asking that various lands, including Cable Bay, be acquired as a park or community spaces. As well, solutions to road safety concerns that would allow our children to travel to school in a safe and active way would require significant investment. Added to these demands are new and increasing provincial regulations that require local governments to increase their workloads (e.g., recent housing and emergency management bills). I will use this Director’s Notes to briefly explain these issues while also sharing some of my thinking in the decision-making process of this year’s budget.
Currently, the City of Nanaimo is considering two separate development proposals on either side of the Cable Bay Trail. These developments, which are in the City of Nanaimo boundaries and thus their sole jurisdiction, would have significant impact on the neighbouring areas of Cedar and those that use this very popular recreational amenity.
To the west of the trail, a rezoning proposal requests that 950 and 1260 Phoenix Way be rezoned from Rural Resource to Industrial (I4). The I4 zone is defined by the City of Nanaimo as “heavy industrial development that is
not compatible with residential uses” and requires a setback from residential property lines in neighbouring Area A of 7.5 metres. There is a buffer zone between the proposed heavy industrial development and the Cable Bay trail of 100 metres on average that varies significantly less in some areas and significantly more in others.
To the east of the trail, at 960, 1170, 1260 and 1270 Phoenix Way, is a proposed development of 34 rural residential lots. This plan includes two road access point through Cedar by the Sea at Ivor Road and at Nicola Road. I encourage you to learn more about these developments at www.nanaimo.ca/ whatsbuilding. If you would like to understand some of the concerns about these developments, savecablebay.org provides a detailed perspective on both proposed developments. I know of no corresponding supportive website on these proposals. Given that these proposed developments are on the boundary between Area A and City of Nanaimo, I encourage residents to get informed about these proposals and, if desired, communicate their opinion to the City of Nanaimo on these projects.
I have received more emails asking for the Cable Bay lands to be protected than any other issue over the past year. The
Cable Bay lands offer significant ecological, recreational and social value and would make an amazing park. However, there are many other important lands in the region and not enough tax dollars to acquire all these lands. It’s difficult knowing the importance of these lands to our community and also knowing the economic burden it would place on residents if local government purchased these lands. I dearly hope that the Province and the federal government include areas of the RDN to fulfill their promise of protecting ecologically important lands.
Another issue of significant community concern is road safety. These concerns are widespread throughout Area A but are particularly strong near our schools. I have had many discussions with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) to explain these concerns and seek solutions. Conversations continue about the need for MoTI to provide Cedar Road crosswalk improvements particularly at Gould Road and Furn Road. The only solution within the jurisdiction of the RDN is to create a separated roadside path that would al-
low kids to walk or ride to school safely. In pursuit of this solution, RDN staff have submitted a grant application to MoTI to support the design and cost estimation of creating a path between Cedar Elementary and Cedar Secondary. The proposed path would travel along Cedar Road and utilize the Morden Colliery Regional Trail to connect to Walsh Road. Once this phase is completed, we can bring the information to the community for feedback before a final decision is made. Again, the costs of creating and maintaining this infrastructure weigh heavy. Ultimately, it will need to be perceived as bringing considerable community benefit to justify the cost. This decision will not be made before
this year’s budget is finalized.
Finally, it is important to know that several recent provincial government directives require local government implementation. This work attempts to address housing issues and improve emergency management and disaster response — all important work. However, it also means more RDN staff time and therefore greater cost to local government. This is not a decision made by local government but rather an obligation of local government that impacts taxation levels.
As budget season begins, I know the Board will face challenging decisions that try to meet the demands for increased services and amenities and the needs of our community while tempering the associated costs with the financial reality of taxpayers. The region requires significant infrastructure investment, most notably hospital upgrades. As a reminder, the RDN is required to pay 40 per cent of major capital costs for the hospital and other healthcare services. These capital projects need to be timed to not create too much of a financial burden while attempting to avoid additional costs of potential infrastructure failure and debt. Added to this are the increasing costs resulting from more extreme weather. All factors to be considered in the budget process.
I will hold budget consultation sessions again this budget season. If interested, please keep an eye out on local social media pages for announcements. If social media is not your thing, you can email me for the location and time of these events. As always, I want to your thoughts on the budget and all things Area A.
Join me for a Director’s Town Hall meeting on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the North Oyster Community Centre. We’ll discuss updates on Budget 2025 and welcome any topics or questions you’d like to bring forward.
Trillium Park Community Cleanup
On October 21, under the guidance of CVRD Parks staff, approximately 60 high school students, teachers and local residents gathered for a three-hour effort to remove invasive plants from Trillium Park in the Diamond area. The result was a large bin full of ivy! The transformation is visible — trees are no longer choked, and the forest floor is much clearer. Take a walk through the park, located at the corner of Christie and Gouhel Roads, to see the positive impact firsthand. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to help!
Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw (CZB) Update
On November 5, 2025, the CVRD hosted two well-attended meetings/workshops to discuss the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaws (CZB). Over 360 participants came to the sessions, with the afternoon session at Cobble Hill Hall specifically focusing on farmers. The hall was packed, and the process was wellorganized. Participants, seated in groups of eight, discussed key topics, including the following:
• Home Plates: The designated area for residential buildings and accessory structures; provincial guidelines suggest a home plate footprint of around 0.5 acres.
• House Sizes: Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) regula-
tions permit houses up to approximately 5,300 square feet on agricultural land.
• Agri-tourism: Activities and services that enhance farming, such as farm tours, tractor rides, corn mazes and dog trials.
• Farmworker Housing: Housing for temporary workers that must comply with federal and provincial regulations.
• Permitted Uses: Activities allowed based on zoning; the ALC currently permits primary uses like agriculture and single-family dwellings, with accessory uses ranging from abattoirs to veterinary services.
One significant question raised during the workshop was: What should be the permitted uses for agricultural land outside of the ALR?
Each group shared summaries of their discussions, with a recurring sentiment that the existing ALR regulations are sufficient and that additional local zoning bylaws may impose unnecessary obstacles for farmers. Feedback was collected in workbooks, and the next steps include compiling a report from the workshops and survey responses. This report will be presented to the Electoral Area Services Committee (EASC) in December.
As the next issue of TAKE 5 will be in February 2025, I’d like to take this moment to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and a very Happy New Year!
In service, ben.maartman@cvrd.bc.ca 250-510-5930
CVRD Area G Saltair/Gulf Islands
Commonly Sensible
John Horgan’s leadership has been a testament to the power of common sense in a world that often feels driven by extremes. Throughout his tenure as our Premier, he demonstrated that thoughtful, practical solutions rooted in the everyday realities of people’s lives are the foundation of effective leadership. Whether grappling with complex political challenges or navigating moments of crisis, Horgan consistently led with a calm, clear-headed approach that prioritized what was best for the majority while also understanding the nuanced needs of diverse communities.
He brought a steady hand to a rapidly changing world, valuing dialogue and collaboration over division. Under his guidance, government decisions were often marked by a rare blend of pragmatism and empathy—a commitment to balancing bold aspirations with the wisdom of lived experience. Horgan’s common-sense approach never shied away from tough decisions but always sought to do what was right rather than the easiest or most expedient.
John from Langford's leadership stood out because he stayed grounded in fairness, reason, and respect for all voices. His leadership embodied the belief that sound judgment, tempered by compassion and respect for all viewpoints, leads to lasting solutions. In a time of polarization and noise, John Horgan’s legacy will be remembered for his ability to listen first, act with integrity, and, above all, apply common sense to the pressing issues of our time.
ramp and visual and hearing aids, hoping that enough will be raised to enable the Town to proceed.
Therefore, on July 24, 2023, when the Town announced it would create an Accessibility Advisory (AAC) Committee, I was delighted.
Ensuring accessibility for every body
As an abled body person, I take many things for granted. I recently observed a woman in a wheelchair struggling to open a door to the Public Washroom on First Avenue in Ladysmith. This was not the first time I have observed people having difficulties here. Others include people with electric scooters and parents with strollers.
I have long been frustrated by the accessibility problems in this town, dating back to when I was first on Council in the 1980s. That was when I noticed people in wheelchairs had to go to the back door of City Hall and ring a buzzer for service. I raised the issue then, and although it was 1981 and the Year of the Disabled, nothing was done then and still today, people with mobility limitations are still required to use the backdoor. To me, this is unacceptable.
City Hall is not the only Town-owned building that is difficult for some to utilize. The Town-owned museum building is no longer wheelchair accessible, as the town dismantled the ramp donated by the Ladysmith Kinsmen Club 10 years ago because of some rot. The museum is launching an Accessibility Fund Drive to support the cost of a new
According to Chair Diane Hobelaid the AAC is charged with putting together guidelines for the city council to consider when creating public spaces to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to those facilities along with peers. “While we have looked at some of the projects needed and helped the city prioritize their spending of what monies they have for projects, the role of the committee is primarily to make it possible for the city to do long-term and short-term planning with their eyes open to the needs of those members of the community who have disabilities so that they can participate fully in the life of the town.”
At the September meeting, Councillor Jacobson presented information about an accessibility grant opportunity from Sparc BC. This grant would provide funding for accessibility projects. The committee discussed many suggestions for potential projects. Suggestions included improving sidewalk entry points, adding automatic door openers to the downtown washrooms, creating a pathway to the Kinsmen Shelter at the Transfer Beach, improving the lower parking lot at FJCC to increase accessibility, adding more braille and tactile signage to key areas in the Town and adding grab bars and folding down chairs in the changerooms at FJCC.
Some of these items focused on the FJCC, have been completed, including the use of moveable handicapped park-
The sign on the Ladysmith Public Washroom reads "Everyone Welcome" but without power-assist doors some people with mobility limitations are finding accessing the washrooms a challange.
Photo: Rob Johnson
ing signs that allow for peak use at the community centre’s parking lot.
But there is much more work to be done.
Hobelaid, an occupational therapist, knows challenges firsthand -- an accident left her husband in a wheelchair permanently. Her husband has been unable to visit the museum or go with her and their dog for a stroll at Slack Point. Because of the erosion, he can’t get past the gate safely anymore.
One of the projects Hobelaid would like to see is improving accessibility to the ocean at Transfer Beach Park by offering special wheelchairs that can go in the water. She saw this firsthand when vacationing in New Zealand. It was the first time in 17 years that her husband went into the ocean. The cost is approximately $5000 for a unit.
Hobeland wants to hear ideas and suggestions from the community. You can contact her and the AAC through city hall.
Having a historic downtown is picturesque, but it can be a mobility challenge. Some store entrances require a step up, the lack of power assist doors, and while renovations are expensive, there are some grant options for businesses available.
Some of the sites to explore are:
* Workplace Accessibility Grants through Small Business, BC—for businesses that need to remove barriers to benefit staff with disabilities but which could also assist the public in access.
* Accessibility Project Grants through the Disability Alliance, BC.
* About Enabling Accessibility Fund through the federal government
For individuals wanting to age in place yet needing adaptations to their homes to make that possible, there is the BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (RAHA) for lowerincome households, through BC Housing.
“It would be more profitable for the businesses and the business community if there wasn't a deterrent to go shopping there,” says Hobelaid.
Grants are excellent; they can provide money needed for special projects. It's too bad we didn’t use part of the $400,000 grant the Town received for improving our downtown to install pressure-activated openers in the Public Restroom.
Grants or no grants, let's do what is right and address these problems now, not later. At least, that's as I see it.
Come Join Us in YES — We Need More Volunteers!
BY NIKKI TOXOPEUS AND GUY DAUNCEY
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference. “To change the things I can” — and this is where we come in! The Yellow Point Ecological Society is super busy with many projects, and we’d love to have more volunteers.
If you come to our Yellow Point Ecological Society public meeting on Thurs-
day, January 9, at 7 p.m., in North Oyster Hall on Cedar Road, you can learn what we’re up to while you enjoy a glass of hot apple cider and meet our board. We’ll also hold our AGM and invite new people to join us.
There is so much more we’d like to do, but for that, we need your help. Saving a forest is better than restoring it once it’s been cut, but it takes persistence and commitment. What can we do to protect more forests without impinging on the right of landowners to cut their trees? And what can we do to reduce the loss of soil and biodiversity in Private Managed Lands forests, within the E&N Land Grant?
The campaign to save the forest around the Cable Bay Trail has taken much effort by a few dedicated individuals, and we are determined that we will succeed and that it will become a park rather than a real estate development. But we need more helpers! See www.savecablebay.org.
Our appeal to BC Parks to prioritize the acquisition of the land surrounding Hemer Park failed due to a lack of
budget, and we saw the trees go down. We were also saddened to see the oldgrowth trees being felled at the Nanaimo Hatchery. We saved a patch of wild ginger from destruction, but we would rather have saved the forest.
Our annual Bioblitz went really well, thanks to the efforts of local iNaturalist aficionados. This year, we added a guided walk in the Cable Bay area with a team of bryologists who documented all the different mosses and lichens. We also hosted a tailgate BBQ, which raised $450 for the Save Cable Bay Area campaign. Next year, we’d love to include schools in the Bioblitz. Could you help us with that?
Our volunteers also worked to remove invasive plants in local parks, collaborating with parks staff and other volunteer organizations. Hemer Park, Yellow Point Park, Holland Creek Park, Transfer Beach Park, Trillium Park and Nanaimo River Canyon Park are all better protected because of their work. Would you like to help us? Hopefully, in 2025, we can tackle the invasive Himalayan blackberry and American bullfrogs and
remove invasive plants from the buffer zones around the parks. We also supported restoration with the new native plant borders in Transfer Beach Park and Nanaimo River Canyon Park. We would love to do more things like this.
This year, we held public meetings at North Oyster Hall on Local Food and Farming Solutions, making our homes FireSmart and Cedar and Yellow Point water solutions. In 2025, we plan to launch a Local Green Champions award, in partnership with TAKE 5 Magazine. Do you know someone you’d like to nominate? Let us know at yellowpoint2020@ gmail.com. We’re also working to create an off-road trail along Yellow Point Road to keep children, humans, dogs and horses safe from speeding cars.
If any of this interests you, or if you have other projects you’d like to develop to protect the beauty of nature that surrounds us, come to our public meeting and AGM on January 9, 2025. We look forward to seeing you there! You can also sign up for our newsletter at www.yellowpointecologicalsociety.ca. And to everyone who has been helping and supporting us through the year—happy holidays!
Ross Shepherd with bat boxes for sale as a fundraiser for YES.
Photo submitted.
Softened Edges
BY ALEXANDER SMITH
EIS NATURALIST
As naturalists, much of our summer is spent guiding eager groups of nature enthusiasts through Wildwood. Constant communication is essential, as we reference locations like the top field, lakeside or cedar grove to coordinate tours and ensure no one gets overly excited and strays into the wilderness. These distinctions help us stay organized, yet they reflect a broader habit — our tendency to segment the world into neat compartments.
In life, we label spaces as home, school, shop or park, categorizing en-
vironments into distinct parts. But as I sit here in a rare patch of sunshine, looking closer, I can see that nature isn’t fragmented at all. At Wildwood, boundaries dissolve. There are no true edges, no clear divisions. The habitats flow seamlessly into one another — field into forest, creek into grove — forming an undulating, continuous tapestry of life. The landscape exists in a state of perpetual transition, pulsating with interconnected energy and consciousness.
This interconnectivity is especially vivid in the fall. Deciduous trees like bigleaf maples shed their leaves, creating a rich blanket of organic material on the forest floor. This layer sets in motion a journey of transformation. Fungi and invertebrates decompose the litter, converting it into nutrients that feed the soil and nourish trees and plants. This process links every layer of the forest, from the floor to the towering canopy, creating a seamless cycle of renewal. Natural succession further illustrates this blending of habitats. Over time, disturbances like windstorms or fires create openings that pioneer species,
like alder and willow, quickly colonize. These species pave the way for longerlived trees like Douglas-fir, forming a natural gradient of habitats. As the forest matures, species composition shifts and habitats blend. Field becomes shru-
Birds are part of the tapestry of life.
Photo: Alexander Smith
bland, shrubland becomes forest and edges soften into transitional spaces where species from both environments coexist. This natural blending highlights the forest’s dynamism and adaptability.
Animals, too, play a critical role in maintaining these connections. Bears fattening up for hibernation spread seeds through their foraging, while squirrels bury acorns, unknowingly planting future trees. Migrating birds scatter seeds across vast distances, linking far-flung habitats. Even frogs burrowing into leaf litter to overwinter contribute, recycling nutrients and supporting the food web.
Beneath the surface, mycelial networks weave through the soil, connecting the roots of trees and plants. This “wood wide web” facilitates nutrient sharing, water transfer and chemical signalling, ensuring even young saplings benefit from the forest’s collective resources.
At the smallest scale, detritivores, like earthworms and millipedes, break down leaves into simpler compounds, allowing bacteria and fungi to complete decomposition. These microscopic organisms release essential nutrients back into the soil, feeding the very trees that began the cycle.
Ecoforestry and selective harvesting at Wildwood respect and maintain these intricate connections. By prioritizing the health of the ecosystem, trees are harvested individually in ways that preserve the forest’s structure and function, ensuring that the dynamic interplay of species and habitats moves uninterrupted throughout.
In Wildwood, every element — tree, animal or microorganism — plays a role in this interconnected web of life. The forest moves as a unified, conscious body, much like our own.
Dogs In Winter
BY KATHY REILLY
Though we are fortunate to live in Canada’s Banana Belt, we do sometimes get sub-zero weather and snow.
Most dogs absolutely love the snow and go crazy playing in it. But do they need extra protection from the cold? It depends on the breed, the activity level, the temperature (rule of thumb anything four degrees Celsius or lower) and the health of the individual pet.
paws to avoid the cold, burrowing under a blanket and cold ears or body. And don’t forget the paws. When we travelled to Montreal in December with our dog, we made sure he also wore boots to protect his feet from the cold and salt. Condition your dog to wear boots before you need them. Put one on and give them a treat, then take it off before he starts trying to do it himself. Repeat until he is comfortable, then try putting boots on two feet and continue with brief conditioning sessions until he is comfortable walking in the house with all four feet in boots. The same conditioning may be needed for wearing a coat.
While coats can be expensive, if you are talented or know someone, a knitted sweater will help. Also check out the charity shops and the SPCA website shop.
Have fun with your dog!
Photo submitted.
Yes, some dogs need coats in the winter, especially the following types:
• Small or short-haired: Chihuahuas, toy poodles, Italian greyhounds (and whippets), Yorkshire terriers, Chinese cresteds and Havanese, to name a few. These dogs are more likely to get cold and need winter gear.
• Puppies or senior dogs: May need a coat when the temperature drops.
• Prone to snowballs: Long-haired dogs may need a coat if snowballs form on their underside and armpits.
Winter Bird Walk & Count
Celebrate the season with a festive winter bird walk on December 15, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. This is part of the Ladysmith Christmas Bird Count. Immerse yourself in the magical oldgrowth forest of Wildwood, where ancient trees and tranquil lakes provide a sanctuary for diverse bird species. For Information and to reguister visit at ecoforestry.ca/events-tours
TIP: For removing snowballs from the underbelly or armpits, soak the pup in warm water when they come indoors. This provides relief faster than a blow dryer, and most dogs will then do zoomies to dry off, which increases their body temperature.
• Skinny or low-bodied: These dogs may need a coat because they don’t have much natural padding, such as dachshunds, bassets, French bulldogs, corgis, and Pekingese, to name a few.
• Dogs with certain illnesses: Dogs with conditions like hypothyroidism or diabetes may need a coat.
Some signs that your dog might be cold include shivering, lifting their
Weed Control
Here we are in Victoria, the Garden Capital of Canada, the place to go whenever you’re interested in state-of-the-art solutions to your garden’s needs. And this time of year, with plenty of rainfall to spur growth, what bigger need than weed control?
You can always bend over and pull the damn things out, but how state-ofthe-art is that? Hand weeding is ancient technology! We’re here to study two radically different approaches on how to gain control of your garden, how to show those pesky dandelions and prickly thistles who’s boss.
For the first approach, we go to the
Organic Café, a well-known restaurant noted for eco-friendly cuisine. The Café pioneered serving wheatgrass shots: $2.75 for a single, $5.00 for a double. Wheatgrass is said to be an exceptional source of chlorophyll, which apparently is important to men sporting ponytails.
For $7.50, you can get a power tonic. The Rejuvenator is a blend of apple juice, stinging nettle, cress, lemon, strawberry and electrolytes, important if you work part-time as a battery. It acts as a stress buster and metabolic enhancer. As 69-year-old Alastair Craighead of Hornby Island (frequently spelled without the “b”) says, “When I’m metabolically enhanced, who needs Viagra?”
Better yet, and catering more to my circle of red-necked friends, you can get Hangover Tonic, a certified organic tincture of artichoke, comfrey root, dandelion root and milk thistle. If that doesn’t straighten you out, the next stop is colonic irrigation. Puts an end to binge drinking, pronto.
I don’t know about the weeds in your garden, but the foregoing list of healthgiving ingredients pretty much covers my crop. So, there we have weed solution
number one: gather up all your weeds, throw them in a blender, add a couple of shots of alcohol and whirl away. Fortunately, the definition of tincture calls for alcohol. I wouldn’t recommend drinking a weed puree without it.
For non-drinkers, you might want to try mixing the green stuff with pine nuts, garlic and olive oil and pawn it off on unsuspecting guests as stress-busting pesto.
Though these options may seem unpalatable to those of us not sporting ponytails, they are preferable to the next option the Weed Wand, a miniflamethrower. This device is a thin piece of pipe with a small propane canister on one end.
Weed Wands are particularly appealing to anyone with a bad back because no bending is required. And let’s face it, flamethrowers are fun. The top model Weed Wands come with a Vietnam-era soundtrack, handy when defoliating large areas. How cool is that?
Not everyone is a fan of these devices, however. The People for Ethical Treat ment of Plants (PETP) is aggressively petitioning the U.N. to have this device
banned. “One minute I hear Doors music wafting toward me. The next thing I know, my whole crop is torched,” one dandelion cultivator said when asked about the wand.
Also protesting the wand’s use is one Jason Reed of Victoria whose wife accidently torched their house when taking out a few weeds nestled in their paving stones. “Definitely an unsafe product,” Reed insisted. It is not yet known if Reed’s model had been souped-up with any aftermarket options like the “Nostrils from Hell” nozzle.
Reed, now living in a tent, was last seen brandishing a charred Weed Wand, chasing his wife through world-famous Beacon Hill Park. He was later spotted at the Organic Café pounding back stress-busting tonics at an awesome rate. Bystanders freely volunteered that Reed was demonstrating undeniable symptoms of metabolic over-enhancement before leaving to track down his wife.
There is, of course, a third way to deal with weeds name change. To enjoy your afternoon, pour yourself a double shot of wheat grass, lie back in that easy chair, and change the name of that dandelion to Irish Daffodil.
Wine pick of the month
BY ADRIAN POLO, CAREFREE WINE TOURS
It’s the season for feasting. Whether you are entertaining three generations or just a dinner for two, Quail’s Gate’s Gewurztraminer is a smooth, easy drink that pairs perfectly with any cheese or charcuterie board—rich tropical notes with a long lasting finish. Originally from Germany, Gewurztraminer is a white grape. It is very floral and aromatic and at $27.99 for the 2021, you can afford to serve the whole gang. happy sipping!
A Christmas Carol
What better way to usher in the holiday season than with Ladysmith Little Theatre’s presentation of A Chrismas Carol? Join storyteller Steven Méthot and local musicians for this dramatic recreation of a Charles Dickens’s soiree and hear the tale as Dickens himself told it. Come share in the magic and mystery of this timeless story.
A Christmas Carol runs for three performances only: December 18, 20, and 22, 2024. The show is a fundraiser for the LLT, which is a registered charitable organization.
Méthot and his wife, Natalie Manzer, moved to Ladysmith in 2021.
“We want to do something to give a little back to the community that has already given so much to us. A Christmas Carol is our opportunity to bring a bit of creative seasonal cheer to the stage and to the broader community.”
But this isn’t their first performance of this classic story.
For a number of years, their quartet hosted an annual benefit for the Calgary Food Bank, and Méthot served as MC. “I would write a story each year and weave it between the acts. It became a bit of a tradition — Steven and his Christmas stories — one that I was a bit ambivalent about because coming up with original ideas year after year was a bit of a challenge.”
In the winter of 2013, he found himself temporarily out of work and also out of any ideas for writing, Christmas stories or otherwise. One of his sons mentioned how he’d seen someone performing A
Christmas Carol from a book. “I knew that from time to time, CBC hosts would do something similar for charity, and while the idea intrigued me, I wasn’t sold on actually reading from the book; that seemed a bit too mechanical for our intimate show.”
He played with the idea of telling bits and pieces of the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and having that serve as his story for the Christmas show. But he couldn’t get the edits right; there were either too many sections or they were too short or too long. Frustrated, he sat down and carved out an abridged version of the story that would hang together. All of the ghosts were there, Tiny Tim too, and it flowed well, but he just
could not create an abridgement short enough for snipping into vignettes. His initial struggles paid off, and he included Natalie’s suggestion of incorporating music into the story. A Christmas Carol became a successful series of shows for charity.
The musical arrangements grew from a simple harp to full-blown orchestrations for multiple instruments. “We had bookings across Southern Alberta and as far away as Hornby Island; we’d
Natalie Manzer on harp, Barbra King on fiddle. Photo submitted.
Steven Méthot as Charles Dickens. Photo: Bob Burgess
also found our ‘home’ at Calgary’s Lougheed House. All these shows were not-for-profit, and we sought out charities to donate our proceeds, much as Dickens did with every reading of A Christmas Carol.”
The show this year at Ladysmith Little Theatre features new arrangements by Manzer for a group of local musicians: Kenna Botterell on cello, Emma Alsop on flute and Barbra King on fiddle, with Manzer on harp.
The producer of the show, Brenda Birch, says A Christmas Carol was by far Charles Dickens’s favourite to read at soirees. She’s pleased that Steven has resurrected the program that he and Natalie performed so often. Steven, a regular volunteer at the Ladysmith Little Theatre, has performed in many shows there. She describes him as an excellent actor with a fabulous voice.
Méthot who has read, rehearsed, recited and dissected the text over 1500 times says, “Each and every time I do, I hear something different, and I am moved by one aspect of the story or another. Scrooge, while a nasty piece of work, is a bit more complex a character than just a wretched miser. I think, in some respects, he’d be diagnosed today as depressed, and as his former fiancée says in the story, he ‘fears the world too much.’
There may be a bit of Scrooge in all of us, and his change, healing, and redemption are things that we too can relate to or embrace for ourselves — and we don’t need a set of ghosts traipsing through our bedroom to convince us!”
All of the proceeds from ticket sales from the door will go directly back into the Ladysmith Little Theatre, says Birch, and that was Steven’s hope and goal from the beginning. Birch encourages the audience to get into the spirit and dress Dickens-style if they wish. Contact the box office for tickets.
Magic of the Season Returns
The Magic of the Season exhibit opened at the Ladysmith Museum on November 28, coinciding with Ladysmith’s Light Up. The seasonal exhibit was hugely successful, with approximately 300 visitors, including many children and youth.
It was great fun, said one of the volunteers who worked on the exhibit.
“Uplifting and positive commentary from so many as to the restoration of the museum and the future direction we are heading,” reported Kim Stordy.
“The Craft Workshop was amazing. The Coal Shaft and Miner was an awesome photo op, as were the ‘Naughty or Nice’ coal packs for donations. There are many other Christmas exhibits, including the train, dollhouse, dioramas, Santa signature board, letters to Santa, fireplace on the monitor, Christmas artifacts, music and a Charlie Brown tree photo op.”
Along with the exhibit, there are regular displays and a fully stocked gift shop by local craftspeople and authors. Proceeds from sales go towards funding the museum and its activities. Stordy thanks the volunteers, especially lead Carol Tysdal, and the exhibit sponsor, Ladysmith & District Credit Union. Also, thanks to Canvas Plus, Home Hardware, McDonald’s and Save On Foods for their assistance.
The museum is updating its exhibits. Donations of money or time are gratefully accepted, and tax receipts are available. Admission is free. On Saturdays from 1 to 3 p.m., there is a crafts table for the young and young at heart. For more information on hours, call 250-245-0423 or follow on Facebook.
