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Letters Sailpast big hit Thank you for participating in our Ladysmith Yacht Club Sailpast event on Saturday, May 7, 2022. It was a pleasure to meet your team and to speak with our members and our guests who all have a common interest and passion for the Ladysmith waterfront and pleasure boating in the surrounding waters.

This was the largest turnout of vessels and participants since our inception in 1985 and we are very impressed with the number of excellent pictures taken by TAKE 5 at the clubhouse and at Transfer Beach Park, which is the newest component of our

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Piper at Transfer Beach Park provided music as the SailPast paraded past Transfer Beach Park. Photo: Nick Longo

sailpast this year. Thanks again for your coverage and for being a part of our annual sailpast event.

- Shirley Tripp, Commodore, LYC Letters to the editor on community topics and concerns are welcome. Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of TAKE 5 or its agents. Letters may be edited for length and legality. Send letters to editor@take5.ca.

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Cedar Hall celebrates 100

BY KERITH WADDINGTON Birthdays have long been thought of as milestones worth marking, and usually include both an acknowledgement of the past and a beneficent wish for the future.

Both elements will be part of the Cedar Community Hall Centennial Celebrations on June 25, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2388 Cedar Road. The event will feature live music, refreshments, a petting farm, historical bus tours, antique displays, hands-on crafts and so much more.

“The story of Cedar Hall is ongoing, and area residents are invited to come be part of the tale,” says event organizer and volunteer Kate Girard.

With a focus on heritage and community, the day will not only look back at the way things were, but kickstart the next 100 years of coming together to celebrate, sing and mark special occasions. “We will know the day has been a success if people come, stay a while and connect,” Girard says.

Because of outstanding support from local organizations and businesses, all activities of the day will be free of charge, although donations would be welcome.

“There will be plenty of covered outdoor spaces and displays for people to enjoy during the day,” says Girard. Those venturing inside will be astounded by the beautiful heritage building so lovingly restored by the present hall Board, and can enjoy the storyboard of hall history at the front entrance, which was the Board’s centennial project.

Also, inside the hall, area resident Adrian Robertshaw will do printing demonstrations using his small table top press that dates to the late 1800s. He will help people make their own souvenir bookmarks. Limited-edition posters commemorating the centennial will be available for purchase.

Local resident and avid historian Roger Prior has organized the historical bus tours, and will stop at places of significance around town. Prior will act as tour guide to bring history back to life. Brochures of the bus tour will also be available.

Prior acknowledges that while the pioneer history of the area is colourful and important, it is, of course, very recent, and he would not presume to address the history of the First Nations that were here long before.

Arlene Galloway Ford has copied the 1980 update of her mom’s 1958 pioneer history of the area for the centennial.

The document covers prominent pioneer families of the area, as well as the establishment of the first churches, post offices, schools and more.

Perhaps most interesting, the document contains anecdotes of whom Hazel Galloway called “personalities.” For instance, one grizzled old pioneer is known to have visited neighbours by lamplight almost every evening, and “had a noted reluctance to terminate these visits.”

Galloway Ford believes her mom would be proud to know her research is being enjoyed by a new generation and that the stories contained within it live on.

Rounding out the local literature, Farms and Folks will also be available for purchase at the hall on June 25.

With so many activities planned for the day, Girard’s overriding wish is simple: “Come celebrate community by building community!”

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Town Receives Funding to Resur face Transfer Beach Spray Park

Kids’ Pirate Day and Heritage Boat Festival return

BY ELLY SMITH Ladysmith Maritime Society’s annual marine festivals have a new date this year. They will both be held on the HomeTown Tourist weekend, on June 18 and 19 at the Ladysmith Community Marina.

The festivities ramp up on Saturday June 18th with Kids’ Pirate Day, Celebrating People of Sea from 10am to 3pm. Join in this fun-filled day with pirates, crafts, face painting, music, food and much more. The Maritimer Harbour Tours will also be out and about on the water both Saturday and Sunday. For tickets go to - tours.lmsmarina.ca. On Sunday the day begins with the Heritage Boat Festival Parade passing by Transfer Beach at 10am and once the boats are all settled in at the marina, locals and visitors are invited to tour the docks showcasing the LMS Heritage Fleet from 12noon to 4pm. Check the website for updates – www.lmsmarina.ca or call the marina office 250-245-1146.

Other activities are also resuming at the Ladysmith Community Marina for the 2022 season. Music on the Dock series starts Thursday, June 16, featuring Ken Oakes and “Joyful Jazz” beginning

Harbour boat tours at the Ladysmith Maritime Society Kids’ Pirate Day and Heritage Boat Festival. Photo: TAKE 5

at 7pm. Dine on the Dock returns after a long break on Friday, June 17th with live music and dinner on the social dock. For booking go to - tickets.lmsmarina.ca.

RDN Community Survey Kicks Off Local Government Awareness Week The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is kicking off Local Government Awareness Week with a community survey. RDN residents are invited to share their feedback in several areas including regional priorities and quality of life. The information collected will help guide future planning. Residents can complete the online survey until Friday, June 17, 2022.

Anyone who completes the survey has a chance to win one of the following prizes: an RDN Recreation and Parks $100 gift certificate; two one-month passes for RDN Transit; a $100 credit on their next RDN utility bill; or a $100 gift certificate. For more information about the community survey and the RDN, visit getinvolved.rdn.ca/who-we-are.

The Town of Ladysmith received a $20,700 grant through the Tire Stewardship BC (TSBC) Community Grant Program to resurface the Transfer Beach Spray Park, allowing for the continued enjoyment of this popular waterfront amenity during the summer season.

In keeping with the Town’s ongoing commit ment to sustainability, this improvement project used recycled tire rubber sourced from a local supplier. In addition to its environ mental benefits, recycled rubber is a durable product requiring little maintenance, and it will be aesthetically pleasing for park users.

The replacement material also features a non-slip surface, helping to reduce the potential for falls. The existing surface area was removed before the over 6,000 pounds of rubber was poured in its place.

The spray park will be open during the season from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Council previously directed that $50,000 be budgeted from reserves for the spray park project and that the Town submit the grant application to the TSBC. As a result of this grant, funds can now be redirected towards other projects in Ladysmith.

Additionally, the contractor for the Transfer Beach Park Improvement Project continues to make steady progress.

The work is being completed through a Provincial grant and includes an extensive renovation to the public washroom, upgrades to the Kinsmen and Sportsmen shelters, a protective shelter for the Salish Wind canoe and an accessible walkway.

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Ladysmith Librarian Ginger Warden. Photo: Elly Smith

Library Improvements New Democrat MLA Doug Routley says that people will see improvements at their local public libraries, including expanded digital collections and Internet access, upgraded spaces and programming, and improved air circulation thanks to new COVID-19 relief and recovery funding for libraries.

Vancouver Island Regional Library is receiving $180,195.79 in funding.

“Libraries are pillars of our communities — they provide vital services, including information, educational programs, and a place for people to connect,” says Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo–North Cowichan. “Our government is helping libraries recover from the costs of the pandemic and adapt future efforts to people’s needs.”

A total of $8 million in COVID-19 relief and recovery funding is being distributed between 71 public libraries, six library federations and three library service partners in BC. Libraries can use this new funding to enhance services for people and fill gaps created by the pandemic. This may include adapting their physical spaces, delivering computer and virtual technology training, and developing programs that help people build deeper social and community connections.

This investment builds on a one-time $3-million investment in public libraries in 2020, to expand digital services and computer access during the pandemic. The government also provides $14 million in annual funding toward operating costs at BC’s public libraries.

Committee of the Whole Notes The Committee of the Whole met on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, with drought resistant plants on First Avenue, a new crosswalk for Malone Road and the Grants-in-Aid (GIA) policy among the discussion highlights.

The Committee discussed the current GIA policy and process. The Committee requested the follow-up conversation after its March 8, 2022, meeting when 2022 GIA applications were reviewed. The current GIA policy was last updated in 2019. In 2022, over $60,000 is being distributed through this policy to 14 local groups, including funds for late applications and waiving of fees.

Next, the Committee directed staff to prepare a report for consideration at a future Committee of the Whole meeting on the current policy, including research from similar municipali-

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ties, and on outlining the options and budget to replace flowers in planter boxes on First Avenue with drought resistant plants and/or vegetables. These changes could be implemented as early as 2023.

The Committee of the Whole recommended that Council authorize staff to install a crosswalk on Malone Road at a safe location, as identified by staff.

The Committee then discussed how recreational vehicles could be used as temporary housing. There was no motion arising from the discussion.

Share Day Set St. Philip’s Anglican Church Cedar Community Share Day is a go this year. The community is invited to drop off donations Friday, June 3, from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Then on Saturday, June 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the public is invited to help themselves to things they need for free. Any leftover items will be donated to a local charity.

The Community Share Day was missed the past two years due to the pandemic, so there are donations of two years accumulated items. Safety protocols in place. Coffee and cookies available, and also free!

Community Service Award From time to time, the Saltair District Ratepayers Association (SDRA) recognizes individuals living in Saltair who have and continue to make outstanding contributions to Saltair. The SDRA held its AGM April 28 and, at this meeting, presented the Saltair Community Service Award to two recipients: Tim

Tim Godau, president of the Saltair Community Society, receiving the Community Service Awards from Jane Cole Walton, president of the SDRA. Photo submitted.

Godau (president of the Saltair Community Society) and Jackie Rieck, as representatives of the many local volunteers who have worked with the Saltair Community Society updating and improving the old school building into the attractive community centre it is today.

The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) purchased this building, the former Mount Brenton Elementary School and surrounding land in 2014. The intent of the purchase was to put the property to use for the benefit of Saltair residents, and in 2015, the Saltair Community Society was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation to lease the former school from the CVRD and operate the facility.

Since 2016, major repairs and improvements have been made to the building and equipment. Saltair tax dollars and gas tax funds have replaced the roof, replaced the gym ceiling and gym windows with thermal windows, replaced four oil furnaces with efficient gas furnaces, installed a new water main and remediated/renovated Room 5.

Revenue from rental space at the centre has enabled the Saltair Community Society to contribute $73,000 towards improvements, and to date, volunteers have donated in excess of 13,540 hours of their time. At a minimum wage of $15.50, this amounts to $209,870!

Construction of Holland Creek Crossing to Resume The construction of the Holland Creek Crossing at Colonia Drive started up again on Monday, May 16, 2022. Lamont Land owns property within the Holland Creek Local Area Plan and is accessing a Town easement to complete the crossing.

The construction time-line provided to the Town estimates that completion of this project will take eight months.

As a result of this work, a portion of the Holland Creek Trail will be closed until further notice. Public access on the closed portion of trail is strictly forbidden during this active construction phase.

The Town intends to work with the contractor and property owner to open trail access as early as possible towards the end of the project schedule.

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All questions regarding the Holland Creek Crossing can be directed to Lamont Land by emailing bv@lamontland.com or calling 250-713-9395.

Shipwrecks Next Up in Popular Speaker Series On June 16, 2022, the Ladysmith & District Historical Society is pleased to present the next talk in its popular Historically Speaking series: The Robert Kerr: From Global Trader to Coastal Collier, presented by David Hill-Turner.

Since 1911, the remains of the Robert Kerr have rested on a reef just north of Thetis Island’s Pilkey Point. Launched at Quebec City in 1866, she roamed the world’s oceans for 20 years as a British merchant ship before her fateful voyage to British Columbia. Damaged while being towed to Burrard Inlet, she achieved fame as “the ship that saved Vancouver” during the 1886 fi re that destroyed much of the new city. Her story continues as the once proud sailing ship was converted to a collier, hauling fuel for the steamships that were replacing the fleets of sail. This is a story of a ship associated with people and events that helped shape Canada in the 19th century.

While David now calls Vancouver Island home, he grew up in small communities on the northern shore of Canada’s Hudson’s Bay and in the Northwest Territories. His interest in the history of the Pacific Northwest was sparked when he moved to the coast to ski and scuba dive.

Through diving and sailing, he has explored miles of the BC coast.

“There really isn’t any other place I’ve visited that has such a rich and diverse natural and cultural history,” he says.

“Nothing can be taken for granted, as the landscape is always changing.”

David has worked with museums, marine industry, government and universities preparing and presenting a variety of interpretative programs about maritime history. For many years, he worked in national parks and historic sites, and he recently retired as the Nanaimo Museum’s curator. He is a past president of the Underwater Archaeological Society of BC and the current president of the Nanaimo Historical Society.

To register for the free talk via Zoom, please email museum@ladysmithhistoricaslsociety.ca for a link.

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Kinsmen boost mental health The Ladysmith Kinsmen Club recently presented Mitch Buxton with a cheque for $2,000 for the BC/Canadian Mental Health Association.

Mitch, a local 25-year-old, had set a goal for himself that he would bike (pedal bike) from here to Toronto to raise funds for Mental Health research and patient aids. His goal is to raise $10,000 towards this cause.

When Mitch graduated from Ladysmith Secondary, he tried various occupations, but then discovered nursing and health care. After two years of schooling, he decided to get into the mental health field of nursing, which he has found to be rewarding.

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Even though Mitch is leaving at the beginning of June, donations to the Canadian Mental Health Association can still be made. To help Mitch achieve his goal, just make sure on your donation it also reads “Mindful Miles” project.

Thank You Barry Frech!

Mayor Aaron Stone and Council were pleased to recognize long-time community volunteer Barry Frech during May 3, 2022 Regular Meeting of Council.

After 35-plus years, Frech is retiring as volunteer with the Ladysmith Celebrations Society — organizer of Ladysmith Days.

Mayor Stone presented Frech with a framed print of Roberts Street by local artist Michael Dean and expressed the Town’s deep gratitude from his contributions to our community.

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Ladysmith councillor Jeff Virtanen, Barry Frech and Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone honour Barry’s volunteer work with Ladysmith Celebrations. Photo submitted.

Ladysmith Council Adopts 2022 Budget and Property Tax Rates Ladysmith Council adopted the 2022 Budget and corresponding property tax rates at its meeting prioritizing capital projects that renew aging infrastructure, upgrade public facilities as well as improve the high level of service delivery. This year, Ladysmith’s municipal taxes are increasing 3.8 per cent for a single-family dwelling with a year-over-year increased property assessment value of 34.3 per cent — the average for residential properties in town as determined by BC Assessment.

Both the Water Parcel and Sewer Parcel Taxes are unchanged for 2022. Parcel taxes help to ensure that the Town’s infrastructure is property maintained.

Each year, property taxes collected by the municipality help to cover the ongoing costs of roadwork, water and sewer projects, other infrastructure improvements, maintaining parks and keeping our community safe.

The capital projects to be completed this year align with Council’s Strategic Priorities for infrastructure, community, waterfront and economy.

Walkers and their furry friends came together for a Walk for Service Dogs on May 25. The walk was sponsored by the Order of Eastern Star, Free Masons, and Job’s Daughters. Photo: Elly Smith

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New book on residential schools released

BY WARREN GOULDING For more than six decades, Raymond Tony Charlie has struggled to cope with a range of emotions as a direct result of the abuse he endured at two residential schools in British Columbia.

Through counselling, family support and personal commitment, Charlie attempted to put his life on track, but it was difficult. The 71-year-old Penelakut Tribe member released his book, In the Shadow of the Red Brick Building, an account of the physical, emotional and sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of priests and others at Kuper Island Residential School and a residential school

Raymond Tony Charlie with wife Lorraine with a copy of his new book In the Shadow of the Red Brick Building.

Photo: Warren Golding

in Mission, BC. Charlie says the damage done by the residential schools carried through several generations and continues to affect families to this day, even though the last school closed more than 25 years ago.

“Many issues we have as a people today have been brought onto us directly as a result of the residential schools we attended across Canada,” he says. “I lost our beautiful language because my late

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mother chose not to teach [it to] us because her generation was punished for speaking it at the residential school.”

Now, a respected Penelakut Elder who speaks to schools, men’s groups and organizations about his residential school experiences and his healing journey, Charlie has seen first-hand the lack of family structure, loss of language and culture, alcohol and drug abuse, sexual abuse and other impacts the schools caused over more than a century.

Charlie was one of the 28,000 victims of residential school abuse who received a cash settlement from the Government of Canada.

But not only was the settlement meagre in his case, the process and the criminal cases involving one of his abusers failed to bring closure.

“I will point my finger directly to the Government of Canada for this huge loss, as well as the Catholic Church, who stood idly by doing nothing to assist survivors. They had enforced the harsh policy of Canada. The richest church in the world has made no efforts to assist healing to survivors for all the sex and physical abuses they inflicted to children at residential schools they operated.”

“Even though I had a hard time most of my life as a survivor, I want to love and cherish what time I have left on this earth. I don’t want to be a bitter and angry old man; it’s not my thing. Life is too short for this kind of situation to hold me in its grip,” Charlie says. “I will no longer lower my gaze. I will keep my head up as a proud First Nations man. I have no more guilt or shame.”

In the Shadow of the Red Brick Building is available from the publisher, Askew Creek Publishing of Chemainus, by contacting publisher@askewcreek. com. Copies are also available at bookstores including Volume One in Duncan and Books, Miniatures & More in Chemainus and other bookstores on Vancouver Island.

Gathering the Threads Conference and Current Threads 2022 Exhibition A Surface Design Association Regional event, registration is open to the public for workshops and lectures by acclaimed experts on a variety of design, colour and embellishment techniques. If

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you like to work with paper, there is room in Wendy Duffield’s Homage Collage workshop and Catherine Nicholls’ Notan workshop. Catherine’s second workshop, Textile Illustration, and Ede Russett’s Quick and Easy Silk Screen Printing workshop are where you can learn simple methods for putting an image onto fabric.

Evening lectures on wild silk production, a textile residency and artist development are part of an exciting lineup of opportunities to meet and share with other artists and textile enthusiasts. A walking tour of totems, sprinkled through the downtown core, and hosted by Cowichan Elders will be an especially important event.

The Gathering of Thread Conference will be held June 15 to 18, 2022, and the Current Threads 2022 Exhibition will be June 2 to 30, 2022, with the Artist Reception on June 15, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Cowichan Community Centre, Duncan, BC. To learn more and register, visit gatheringthethreads.ecwid. com.

Nanaimo Museum Hosts Exhibit About TsleilWaututh Chief Dan George Explore the life and legacy of Chief Dan George — leader, writer, performer and advocate for First Nations people. Chief Dan George: Actor and Activist is a travelling exhibit from the Museum of North Vancouver about Tsleil-Waututh Chief Dan George (1899–1981), including his influence as a First Nations rights advocate and his career as an actor. The exhibit is hosted by the Nanaimo Museum from Friday, June 10, to Monday, September 5, 2022.

Longshoreman, actor, musician, lecturer, poet, activist, environmentalist and First Nations leader, Dan George (born

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Geswanouth Slahoot) is well remembered. Raised on the Burrard Indian Reserve No. 3, the son of hereditary chief George Sla-holt, he spent much of his life working as a longshoreman and logger. He began his acting career later in life during the 1960s and 1970s. Dan George appeared in many television, movie and stage productions in which he worked to promote a better understanding of First Nations people.

The exhibit on the life and legacy of Chief Dan George was developed in close collaboration with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and the George Family. Although focused on Chief Dan George, the exhibition also delves into significant figures, events and milestones in the First Nations rights movement in BC and Canada, and the wider history and portrayal of Indigenous people in film and television. Paintings, photographs and memorabilia from the Museum of North Vancouver’s archival and artifact collection are featured in the exhibit.

Chief Dan George’s activism impacted communities across Canada, includ-

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Chief Dan George legacy on exhibit at Nanaimo Museum. Photo submitted.

ing Nanaimo. “Dan George was a significant Coast Salish leader,” says William A. White, Snuneymuxw Titumels/ Teacher at the Nanaimo Museum.

“His landmark 1974 book, My Heart

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Soars, provided specific examples of classic teachings called Snawayalth/ Sinyews. In the 1970s, to help counter negative self and cultural concepts, we had Grade 7 students at John Barsby and Ladysmith Secondary Schools, in the first Native Studies courses in the province, use Dan George’s book My Heart Soars. He talked about our significant strengths and wrote like our grandparents talked.”

A local section will be added to the exhibit. According to William A. White, “We will provide local reflections from Snuneymuxw leaders of events from their own experience to go along with the exhibit and of course to highlight Snuneymuxw voices.”

The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until June 30, and Tuesday to Sunday, starting on July 1.

Admission is by donation. The Nanaimo Museum is located in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre, beside Serious Coffee. For more information, please visit www.nanaimomuseum.ca or call 250-753-1821.

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TAKE 5 celebrates 25 years In June 1997 a free monthly community publication serving Ladysmith, and the surrounding area was first printed. It was a modest affair, an 8-page newsletter. The next issue doubled in size – and what followed was a flurry of activity with many talented writers and photographers contributing, despite the fact that at most they would get a stipend, but often just a thank you.

There was no money.

“I wouldn’t take any payments from advertisers until after we went to press,” said editor/publisher Marina Sacht who started the TAKE 5 as a home-based business. “I didn’t know if I could raise enough money to publish the first issue and I did not want to be stuck returning cheques to people.”

The first issue broke even, and slowly TAKE 5 expanded in pages, and added spot colour eventually going full colour.

“We were the new kid on the block. Up against the very wellestablished Chronicle then owned by Island Publishers with Bobbie Jean Cloke as publisher.”

But the rivalry was always friendly.“We made a point of running more feature/lifestyle magazine editorial so we could complement the readers’ experience rather than compete. Plus we were just a little independent magazine operating out of my family room.”

Back then as today, TAKE 5 was getting printed in Ladysmith

by Island Publishers, now Black Press. “They were very kind and patient as we figured out the production end of things. One day Ollie, the camera guy called to say we had an ad upside down and did we want him to fix it?

Those were the days of paste-up, when you would use a glue stick to paste pages on flats. Nowadays the files are all sent electronically,” Sacht explains. Paste-up was always a fun affair that would usually last until about 3 am and sometimes go until the morning. Sacht would be frantically making corrections, while her father Stane Polovic would be doing paste-up, assisted by Susan Jones. “It could get rowdy some nights as there usually was a drink or two involved, she laughs.

There were too many people involved in the story of TAKE 5 to name them all, says Sacht, but some like Jean Compton, Kit Willmot, Wendy Bouma, Jerri Briggs, Vera Soroka, Loyola Buck, Cindy Damphousse, Allen McDermid, and Kim Black played a major role. And some are still involved such as Rob Johnson, Helen Defago, Tricia Pinkerton, Angie Haslam and

TAKE 5 at Ladysmith Days Parade, 2011 Back row l-r: Loyola Van Rooyen Buck, Vera Soroka, Cindy Damphousse, Kit Willmot, Marina Sacht, Tricia Pinkerton and in front Angie Haslam with daughter Audrey. Photo: Rob Johnson.

now Elly Smith who recently joined the team.

TAKE 5 has been fortunate to have businesses that support an independent local voice for the community. The Junction Bottle Depot, then operated by Dave and Debbie Walker and now operated by Sang and Mary Kim has been in every issue since the first edition. Others such as Little Valley Restoration, Royal Le Page, Fur Sure Pet Grooming, Brownlow & Sons, and the Ladysmith Credit Union are just a few of the long-term advertisers who have been a strong foundation through the years.

When the first issue came out, Wayne Richmond called to say “I am going to support you because I believe in you” and the 49th Parallel Grocery Store was the back cover for many years – and are still advertising today.

Sacht says one of the best things about working at TAKE 5 has been the people she has met and the stories they have covered. “Our advertisers, contributors and readers have become my friends.”

Come help celebrate their 25th Anniversary at the Ladysmith Museum, on Tuesday, June 28 from 4-7 pm for refreshments, music and a stroll down memory lane.

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It’s time to lace up your runners, grab your camera or cell phone and get ready for the annual “HomeTown Tourist Weekend”. The popular campaign returns this Father’s Day weekend, June 18 & 19, 2022.

HomeTown Tourist Weekend is a time to discover and rediscover places, things, and activities happening here in your backyard. To help you do that, TAKE 5, and community partners and participants, have put together some extra special activities and are offering discounts to entice you to come out and play HomeTown Tourist and discover your communities’ treasures.

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Family fun at Yellow Point Farm.

Photo submitted

Here are just some of the highlights: The annual festivals at the Ladysmith Maritime Society Marina have been moved to HomeTown Tourist Weekend.

Kids’ Pirate Day, is on June 18, 10am– 3pm and the Heritage Boat Festival Day, June 19; Parade, Transfer Beach, 10am; Maritimer Harbour Tours and Boat Display, noon–4pm.

Visit Yellow Point Farm for a host of activities including live music with the Woodley Range Band; coffee and tea samples from Whistling Whale; frozen yogurt made with Yellow Point Farm’s fruit and the petting farm will be open

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with new baby goats.

Camera Walk with Bob Burgess is back. He has agreed to lead it at 1pm, free, at the Nanaimo Fish Hatchery.

Citrus Cycles is offering a free ebike test ride and Ladysmith Golf Club is offering golf all day for $17.

Sealegs Kayaking has Rent 1 kayak or SUP for 1 hour and get a 2nd kayak or SUP rental of the same value for the same hour free, and Ladysmith Parks & Recreation, June 18 and 19 — 2 for 1 admission.

You’ll also get a chance to see behind the scenes Open Houses at Ladysmith Little Theatre, JoVic Pottery, and Art of Brewing.

Don’t forget to watch the Ladysmith Resources Centre’s Hill Dash at 11 am, followed by the Running of the Balls at 12:30 pm. The Kids Zone & Bouncy Castle, hosted by John Surtees eXp Realty, starts at 11 am.

Feeling hungry? Ironworks Café and Creperie, has a 2 for 1 special cinnamon bun crepe, and Fox & Hounds British Pub/Restaurant is serving local draft beer pint for only $6! Roberts Street Pizza is opening early, at noon. The Wheaty Pub has drink, and food specials and you can’t beat the view when you dine at the Transfer Beach Food Trucks concession.

Watch for pop up sales and specials including Purple Pigeon Treasures, Ladysmith Health Food Store, The Top Drawer Boutique, and more.

We live in a community renowned for its natural beauty, waterfront, friendly people, arts, history and festivals! We invite you to discover the heart of the island not just this weekend but through out the year. For updates visit take5.ca/ hometowntourist

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Bee Smart — Be a Pollinator Partner

BY JOANNE BARWISE, MASTER GARDENER Pollinator Week, June 20-26, 2022, is a special week to bring attention to the small things that make our world go round. When you think of pollinators, what comes to mind first? Honey bees, bumblebees or butterflies? Very few know that wild or native bees are the hidden gems in our gardens and ecosystems.

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Test your pollinator knowledge with these five questions below: 1. Besides bees, what other creatures are pollinators? a) Beetles b) Birds c) Butterflies and moths d) Flies 2. True or False: Honey bees are the best pollinators.

3. Why are pollinator populations in decline? a) Habitat loss b) Pesticides c) Disease d) Climate change 4. True or False: There are about 450 species of native bees on Vancouver Island.

5. True or False: Native bees feed on both nectar and pollen.

ANSWERS 1. They all are, including small mammals. Actually, anything that visits a flower is a potential pollinator.

After bees, flies are number two as effective pollinators.

2. False. Mason bees might be the best pollinators of all bees. Instead of wetting pollen and putting it in pollen sacs like honeybees, mason bees are covered in hair that collects pollen as they move around, searching for nectar. They can carry a lot of pollen and are significant pollinators for apple, cherry and plum trees.

3. All of them unfortunately. Loss of plant diversity is the primary cause of native bee decline, and 30–50 per cent of all native bees are highly specialized.

4. False. Vancouver Island has 150 species of bees, our province has a total of 483 species.

5. True. Bees feed on both nectar and

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The native sweat bee is collecting pollen on her hairy back legs. (Male bees do not collect pollen.)

Source: wildernesscommittee.org.

pollen — the nectar is for energy, and the pollen provides protein and other nutrients for brood. Butterflies only feed on nectar.

Pollination occurs when pollen grains are moved between two flowers of the same species or within a single flower, resulting in healthy fruit and fertile seeds. Honey bees were introduced to North America by European colonists in the 1620s. Honey bees are known for their production of honey and beeswax, as well as the large role they play in the pollination of plants, flowers and play a significant role in agricultural systems.

Native bees are vital in the pollination of native plant species and ecosystems and common food crops like blueberries, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes and apples.

You can create pollinator-friendly habitat with native flowering plants that supply pollinators with food (nectar, pollen) and habitat. If you want to attract pollinators, avoid planting modern hybrid flowers and stick with native plants that bees have co-evolved with.

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Welcome to Dudink’s Garden

A bee with pollen grains on its head. Photo: Sam Droege, USGS.

• Native plants are sustainable, adapted to thrive in our region’s soils and weather conditions.

• Landscaping with native plants restores a healthy, natural environment and creates wildlife habitat.

• Many natives are deep-rooted, slowing down storm water and improving water quality as well as reducing erosion, carbon and excess nutrients.

• Natives need no fertilizer or extra watering once established.

• They act as natural pest controls and reduce the need for pesticides; many are deer-resistant.

• Native plants are the foundation of life and provide quality food for wildlife like caterpillars as well as shelter for birds and other wildlife.

Think in threes: Start with three different flower species so there is some biodiversity. Plant about three flowers of the same species in a large patch for easy navigation and for three seasons so the bees have food throughout their life cycle (an early bloomer for the spring bumblebees, good nectar and pollen plants for their growing brood and, most importantly, have available food for the fall to help native bees feed before overwintering).

Some native plants for pollinators: • Spring (March–April): Farewell to spring (Clarkia amoena), spring gold (Lomatium utriculatum), tall Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium), monk orange (Philadelphus lewisii), sea blush (Plectritis congesta), red flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) • Summer (June–August): Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)*, Douglas aster (Aster subspicatus), red columbine (Aquilegia formosa), pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)*, nodding onion (Allium cernuum), oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor) • Fall (September–November): Yellow monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus), mountain sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale), Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) * deer-resistant True or False: I cannot make a difference.

False — of course you can make a difference starting now.

In the long term, we can all reduce our impact by reducing or eliminating pesticide use. In the short term, we can plant for pollinators and make corridors for them to travel through.

Celebrate the small things that make the world go round, and plant something for pollinators this year.

Certified Vancouver Island master gardeners are volunteers who provide education to the home gardener using current, science-based horticultural knowledge that exemplifies environmentally responsible practices and stewardship.

Located at 2219 Gomerich Road in South Wellington, just south of Nanaimo, is where Nick Dudink, a long-time farmer, has been growing fruits and vegetables since 1966. Educated in conventional farming in his home country of the Netherlands, he transitoned to organic practices and considers himself an old-fashioned farmer. His continually replenished soils with elements of clay, inherent with minerals, provides his produce with healthy and delicious flavours.

People from many different ethnic backgrounds are grateful to find gooseberries and red-and-black currants, along with strawberries, raspberries and blueberries on his farm. While strawberries can start from early June, depending on weather conditions, the other berries begin in July. In the fall, he has heritage apples and plums for sale. Vegetables, in varying quantities and times, include his famous delicious carrots and beets, European potatoes, cabbage for coleslaw and sauerkraut and the European favoured Savoy, cauliflower, parsnips, spinach, lettuce, radishes, beans and peas.

During the summer, there are on-farm sales as well as at farmers’ markets, which continue throughout the fall, winter and spring. Nick loves farming and has dedicated his life to provide local food.

Dudink’s Garden needs extra pickers during peak berry season, mid-June until mid-August, for part-time work. Interested persons can phone 250-740-0302 for more information.

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RDN Area A Cedar As I write this, the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Board of Directors is being asked to endorse Community Wildfire Resiliency Plans for the electoral areas at its meeting on May 24.

My expectation is that the plans will be endorsed. The Area A plan, covering the communities of Cassidy, South Wellington, Yellow Point and Cedar, examines wildfire risks in the wild-land/ urban interfaces in Area A and makes recommendations to help our communities become more FireSmart.

The types of development in Area A, along with an abundance of forested areas, contribute to the vulnerability of the region to unplanned fires. As well, several areas, especially near the coastline have single roads in and out,

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making community-wide evacuation an unlikely event. It is important that these areas understand that they will be largely looking after themselves in the event of a wildfire.

Many proactive measures can be taken by residents to reduce the risk of wildfire on their properties. Education, public awareness and FireSmart programming can help residents deal with the risks on their individual properties.

Working with neighbours on resource identification, managing fuel loads on the land and keeping trees away from buildings are all things that will benefit the community.

Risk has likely increased with climate change, and the report mentions that community wildfire planning will be cyclical due to the changes in climate

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and weather. Focusing on emergency preparedness, wildfire response, vegetation management, community planning and personal readiness will help lessen the effects on Area A if a wildfire event should break out. The report points out that wildfire resiliency is not a single destination on the path to being FireSmart, but the recommendations in the plan can improve the community’s outcomes if they are implemented.

The plan was the result of a partnership between provincial and local governments — the province provided funding and local governments, like the RDN, developed the plans utilizing experienced consultants who apply their knowledge and experience to each specific region.

Recommendations follow the seven

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disciplines of FireSmart, the national program for community wildfire preparedness. The plan is shaped by community input from first responders, residents and RDN or other local government staff. Read the plan to understand wildfire risk in our community, and what actions the RDN and you can take to support wildfire preparedness and prevention.

The plan is available electronically on the RDN website.

You can search for it there or go to the agenda package for the Board’s May 24 meeting. It is included as an attachment to that agenda.

CVRD Area H North Oyster/Diamond Finally, for the first time since being elected in December of 2020, I was able to host an in-person Town Hall! The local networks got the message out, and the room was full at the North Oyster Community Centre on May 12, 2022. It was a first chance in a long time for many to gather and exchange ideas, thoughts and concerns directly. And upon reflection, the agenda was much too big to cover in a couple of hours. I know now to keep it to just a couple of items.

For the purpose of this article, I need to keep it brief and to the key points.

Budget 2022 There are two things coming up that will have significant impact to property tax: curbside collection and regional recreation.

The CVRD is just starting a community engagement for curbside collection of garbage, compost and recycling. They want your input as to what you want and eventually pay for (see www.cvrd.ca for details).

The Board has approved that a Usage Model (each electoral area is to pay for a regional facility based on the percentage of use by that area) will go to a CVRD wide referendum in the fall. The referendum question is to be determined soon and the CVRD will be providing information on the topic.

FireSmart The CVRD has a FireSmart kick-start project. The goal is to promote wildfire awareness, complete risk-reducing wildfire mitigation activities and conduct FireSmart assessments to households and farms that are in a high wildfire interface area.

In addition, North Oyster Fire Department Officer Bruce McKenzie announced the BC Forest Service Structural Protection Unit will be at the NOFD from 7 to 9 p.m. on June 16 to talk about steps residents can take to better protect their homes as well as the role of the Structural Protection Unit and local fire department in a woodland/urban interface fire. Please mark your calendar and come to this event.

Modernized Official Community Plan (MOCP) This was on the agenda to make sure everyone was aware the community circles were ending at the end of May and encouraged to get involved and have a say.

Nanaimo Airport Dave Devana, president and CEO of the Airport Commission, was a guest speaker and provided the history of the Cassidy Airport, the impact of the pandemic and the future as air travel once again becomes popular. There were lots of questions, and in particular, concerns were raised about noise, greenhouse gas emissions and the aquifer. My hope is we can work together to address these common concerns. I will share any information

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the airport is able to provide.

Cassidy Aquifer This was without a doubt the most important agenda item. It started with a poem The Voice of a Creek by John Edwards (poet laurate for Ladysmith). His message is captured in the last verse: “You say your money always counts for more than me But unless you learn my true worth to see I tell you one day soon neither of us will be Neither of us will any longer be” The aquifer is clearly a precious resource, and there is a huge community demand to protect it (and its watershed) from contamination and future development. It was clear from the questions that the focal point of this concern is Schnitzer’s. Schnitzer’s had applied for a zoning amendment prior to my becoming director. The application is at the stage where the next step is a public information meeting. This is in the hands of the professional staff at the CVRD, and I hope it will happen soon.

Meanwhile, I will look into inviting an expert in aquifers (hydrologist) to present to our community.

My Reflections of the Meeting: There was a great turnout and lots of questions, which advised me where there are gaps in knowledge and where more information is needed. However, it is more than just sharing factual information. It is clear that who provides the information needs to be credible. I know this might be hard for some to believe, but in my experience, some of the most outstanding experts work for government. What makes them outstanding, besides their knowledge of course, is their dedication to both public service

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and a high professional standard.

The next Town Hall is scheduled for September. However, if I can make it work, I will try for something before then. Lastly, thanks to NODRA for doing the setup and takedown. Most appreciated.

Ben.maartman@cvrd.bc.ca 250-5105930

CVRD Area G Saltair/Gulf Islands Centennial Park The new flexible-height, basketball hoop has been installed. It is already getting lots of use and enjoyment. It is easy to crank up and down. Will Saltair produce a pro-basketball player?

The 2022 Saltair Centennial Park Revitalization Plan was published on the May 4 Electoral Area Service Committee Agenda. Due to CVRD Parks and Trails staff shortages, ten months elapsed between the 2021 survey and the staff-revised plan being published.

Where do we go from here? The Saltair Community Parks Advisory Commission will review the plan and make recommendations. There will also be an open house for the community in the fall.

The Forested Loop Trail costs are covered by the 2022 Saltair Community Parks Budget. We will use Gas Tax Grant and reserve funds.

The 2022 plan is a recommended, tenyear progression of improvement projects. Would it be more efficient to consolidate some of the projects and have them done at the same time (e.g., court resurfacing and construction, playground updates and nature playground, etc.) to realize economies of scale and sooner improvements, and to avoid in-

New basketball hoop at Centennial Park.

Photo: Lynne Smith

flated costs using a loan for five years or longer?

Saltair News and Views has published links to the relevant documents (see “2022 Saltair Centennial Park Plan”).

Saltair Water System The CVRD has issued an RFP for watermain replacements on Bazan Road, Gardner Road West, and Southin Road.

The bids close on May 19. I will let you know when the work is expected to start.

The old Saltair Water property on Chemainus Road has been listed for sale. It will likely be sold by the time this article is published. Having these funds available for our water system will either assist with the distribution system upgrades or the mandated filtration system.

Filtration system update: AWC Water Solutions of Langley has been awarded the contract. Work started on May 12, with completion date July 31, 2023. The contract includes allowance for upgrading the hydro service to the site, as the existing service is undersized for the power requirement of the new plant.

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CVRD Water Restriction Stage 4 This year, the CVRD has added Stage 4 as a new water restriction (see cvrdnewnormalcowichan.ca/water-use-restrictions/).

Placemaking In early April, I took a tour in Victoria about “Placemaking.” I was able to explore Placemaking locations that worked for the city and others that did not. The 11 Principles of Placemaking are inspiring, democratic and instructive. However, there were troubling questions about costs, insurance and lifespan. You can explore Placemaking at www.pps.org.

Modernized Official Community Plan (MOCP) How have you been participating?

Have you accessed the CVRD website to work through the seven Policy Workbooks and Local Area Plan (LAP) Workbook? Have you watched the videos and attended the CVRD community circles regarding policy goals and specifically the CVRD community circle about the Area G LAP? CVRD staff are working toward in-person community circles for LAPs that will take place in the fall.

The Saltair Coastal Stability Assessment result has generated Development Permit Area 7 — Landslide Hazard requirements. How will we as a community work together to ensure the flow of storm water runoff from uphill areas does not adversely impact our fragile coastal areas?

Regional Recreation The CVRD Board has authorized “… a new service establishment bylaw that will encompass facility, maintenance and condition-based renewal costs based on usage of nine regionally significant recreation facilities as part of the Regional Recreation initiative.”

Regional communications will include facility usage statistics, financial impacts and referendum information.

The campaign will span the summer and early fall of 2022. My motions to add the Saltair Community Centre to the list of “regionally significant recreation facilities” and to exclude funding by Gulf Island taxpayers were defeated.

Town Hall meeting – working towards June 16, 7 p.m. at the Saltair Community Centre.

You can contact me at lynne.smith@ cvrd.bc.ca or phone 250-701-1407.

Please visit SaltairNews.ca for more stories and information.

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JUNE 2022

The Pathway of Rain

BY ALEXANDER SMITH, EIS NATURALIST After a morning of hiking and exploring the trails at Wildwood, by lunch time, I was feeling rather parched. As I sat in the top meadow, taking a long swig from my water bottle, a few late spring rain drops started to fall, which made me think of water — the life-giving element. When the clouds break and it falls on old growth trees like at Wildwood, what happens to it and where does it all go?

When the rain drops fall from the sky, they are held temporarily in the upper canopy. This is vital for the old growth

ecosystem for many reasons. Firstly, it slows heavy rainfall, allowing water to percolate through the canopy layers without directly landing on the forest floor. This re-direction and staggering of rainfall prevents the rapid accumulation of water on the ground, reducing flooding and soil erosion. As the rain drops are intercepted, they also gather and transport pollen particles and seeds from a variety of tree species in the forest, which in turn helps in pollination and nutrient transfer.

(l-r) Water droplet.

Fungi moisture. Photos: K. Brauckmann

Once the raindrops reach the forest floor, they filter through the layers of moss, dead organic matter and soil. As the water moves downhill through the forest, across the watershed towards a body of water, harmful chemicals that the water may have picked up in the atmosphere or from neighbouring farmland are filtered out, vastly improving the quality of water.

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During this process, nutrients and an array of mineral-rich ions are added to the moving body of water, thus spreading to other parts of the forest as the rain drops funnel downwards. Rain on the Island falls into a variety of watersheds in which the water then moves across the land on its way to a river, stream or lake.

Wildwood is situated in such a watershed, in which rain collects temporarily in our alder wetlands and finally flows into Quennell Lake. This temporary suspension of the now-enriched water feeds the forest ecosystem before it slowly flows into the lake. Through water filtration and mineral enrichment, old growth forests provide a vital ecosystem function.

When forest systems like these are removed, water that moves through the system is no longer filtered, causing harmful chemicals to leach into our water systems and even our drinking water. When the environment becomes enriched with nutrients from chemicals and fertilizers increasing the amount of plant and algae growth, it can lead to harmful algal blooms and fish die-off in lakes and estuaries.

Ultimately, every distinct layer of old growth forest is intrinsically designed to help clean, enrich and direct freshly charged water into the surrounding ecosystems, from the very upper canopy to the layers of moss and lichen on the forest floor. This is why forests such as Wildwood are essential in maintaining the health of lakes and rivers that characterize our beautiful BC wilderness.

For more information on Wildwood, please visit ecoforestry.ca

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JUNE 2022

So Long and Thanks for All the Fish

BY NIKKI TOXOPEUS AND GUY DAUNCEY “So long and thanks for all the fish” — that’s what the dolphins said as they left the world in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and that’s what came to mind as we wrapped up the 2022 BioBlitz. A BioBlitz is a short event where participants record as many species as possible and upload them to iNaturalist for identification and verification.

The records are then available to all and used for conservation and restoration projects.

This year, we had 47 observers, recording over 550 species in the Yellow Point, Cedar and Ladysmith area, between April 30 and May 2. Our event coincided with the Canada-wide City Nature Challenge, and the Nanaimo Nature Challenge community really helped us. Over 180 people helped us to identify the amazing plants, frogs, birds, insects and molluscs, and we learned so much.

The clear winner, again, was the young naturalist Liam Steele (Pacificwhitesideddolphin), who continues to impress and help us. This year, he recorded 148 species and identified over 200 species. Second placed, Krista Morris and her daughter loved this BioBlitz as a homeschool project and said if they had to pick a favourite, it would be “all the slimy creatures,” like salamanders, frogs, newts, and snakes, and taking the time to really pay attention and notice many plants and tiny living things that are normally overlooked. The runnersup were Genevieve LeDuc and Annette le Faive. Annette usually participates in the Calgary Nature Challenge and reDiscovering the tiny sometimes overlooked plants was one of the joys of the BioBlitz. Photo: Annette Le Faive

Great Blue Heron Photo: Diana Lynn Thompson

ally enjoyed discovering the West Coast plants along Holland Creek.

The most common species was the great blue heron, which is a vulnerable, declining species in BC. Other outstanding species include a rare sighting of the Gray’s anemone by Jain Alcock White, an amazing selection of marine wildlife

by Rick Harbo and a close-up shot of a river otter by Carrie-Lyn Robinson after it responded to being called.

There were over 100 introduced and invasive species observed. These thrive in disturbed residential areas and spread into the parks. The most common was the red dead-nettle, which is particularly plentiful this year and can be a nuisance.

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The five sightings of the bur chervil are of concern, as this a BC provincial noxious weed. The information on invasives will be shared with the Invasive Species Council of BC. Leaving the names and numbers behind, here is the real magic of the BioBlitz.

Many of us experienced a real and lasting shift in focus doing the BioBlitz. It changes the way we walk in the forest or by the sea. We forget the outside world and the passing time and focus on where we are and what we see and hear. We listen to bird songs, get right down to get a good close-up photo, and occasionally think, “I wonder if I should get home before dark.”

When we get home and upload the photos, we enjoy seeing how other people helped verify our suggestions in the iNaturalist app. That small rising squeaky bird call is a spotted towhee. That confident musical chirrup is the American robin.

That big grey circular lichen has a name? It’s called Cumberland rock shield.

That big colourful clump on the trunk of a tree is a tinder conk or hoof fungus. Follow the link in iNaturalist, and learn that its inner spongy layer, known as amadou, was traditionally used as tinder to start a fire, or to make a hat or other clothing by soaking and pounding it, or used for medicinal purposes. When the body of the 5,000-year-old Ötzi the Iceman was found in the Alps between Austria and Switzerland, he was carrying four pieces of it in his neolithic pack.

What about that tiny pink flower, growing so close to the ground? It’s called Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill. It’s not native, but it’s not invasive either, so we can live with it. In 1652, the naturalist Nicholas Culpeper suggested that the bruised leaf could help external injuries to heal and that a decoction in wine could relieve gout and other joint pains.

Or how about the native plant with the big green leaves in Yellow Point Park — vanilla leaf? It’s also known as “sweet after death” because its strong vanilla fragrance makes for a good air freshener and it could be dried and hung in bunches in the doorway to ward off flies and mosquitoes.

Once you walk through the door of the BioBlitz, there’s so much to learn! It may be tough learning how to use iNaturalist, but it is a wonderful, free resource that opens the world of fascinating information. So, keep practising for next year and feel free to contact YESBioBlitz@gmail.com for help, or to browse the results use this link www.inaturalist.org/projects/ yesbioblitz2022.

If we learn to recognize the wonders around us, we will be able to save more and the dolphins won’t have to leave.

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The Nose Knows I dropped into a wine tasting the other day, minding my own business, thoroughly enjoying myself, sipping on a few eccentric whites: a snappy little Godello, a rare Gavi and, by far my favourite, a Vermentino, which would be a great name for a grandson, but not mine.

With the odd ducks out of the way, it was on to the Proseccos, several of which were being poured. I found one I liked, and picked up the promotional literature looking for the price. There I was told, by what’s known as a “cork dork” (heavy emphasis on the second word), that I could expect a generous nose of nougat, lime leaf, caraway, and - get this - watermelon seeds.

On my way home, I couldn’t help myself: I bought a watermelon. At home, I took the seeds out and arranged them on a plate to dry. The next morning, I rolled out of bed and limbered up my nose with a few basic smelling exercises. Coffee: Check. Toast: Check. Jam: Check. Last night’s socks: YUCK!!! Okay, the nose

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was operational.

I put the little plate of watermelon seeds on the butcher block, licked my finger, and checked for wind direction before approaching from the North quadrant.

Using the time-honoured, plug-onenostril, smell-with-the-other technique, as made famous on Miami Vice, I bent over the seeds and inhaled sharply, one, two, three times. This technique managed to lodge a watermelon seed up my nose, but produced no sensation of smell. I repeated the experiment three times. Absolutely nothing. My conclusion? Watermelon seeds have no discernible smell. Watermelon Boy, on the other hand, had a discernable smell - that of BS. Not that I should talk. I, too, have played the wine game - when Dungeons and Dragons isn’t dorky enough and jumped overboard in search of descriptors. I’ll confess to taking a glass of Chianti out to the garage, alternately sniffing it and the Subaru’s new Pirellis. Or worse, taking a glass of Sauvignon Blanc over to the cat’s litter box, as I once did, getting down on all fours, pushing the cat out of the way, then alternately smelling the wine and the litter box before announcing to all those who would listen - and that didn’t include the cat - that Sauvignon Blanc does smell like cat pee.

Even as recently as last night, I stuck my nose in a Riesling Gewürztraminer blend and exclaimed, “Butterscotch!”

(In my defense, I’d been drinking, and I did tell myself to shut up.)

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But some tasters - and you know who you are - carry this game (and that’s all it is) too far, discrediting both themselves and the wine industry. They can claim the wine smells like watermelon seeds, nougat, and lime leaf all they want, but that doesn’t make it so. I know of what I speak: I’ve been calling my 13-yearold Honda Civic an Audi for six months now, but every time I turn the key, it’s still a Honda Civic.

Their game is nothing but a remake of The Emperor’s New Clothes, where two devious tailors convinced everyone that if they couldn’t see the Emperor’s new clothes, they were unfit for their station and incredibly stupid. With the wine game, unless you can smell the watermelon seed, you are incredibly stupid and have no palate. Finally, in the Emperor’s case, a small child blurted out, “The King is naked!” and the jig was up. That’s why I urge all of you to take a small child to your next tasting.

Not that we should get carried away bad-mouthing Watermelon Boy. He just wants to be noticed and make a name for himself. But if you happen to find him perched over a litter box inhaling sharply, a little push of the head from behind would be appropriate. If he’s holding forth at a tasting - caraway seed this, cat pee that - tell him it’s not the wine he’s smelling but the kitty litter in his moustache. Anything. Just to shut him up.

In his defense, assigning descriptors to wine isn’t easy. Frequently, all you get to play with is a vague wine-like aroma.

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Rarely do you experience a full-blown Sauvignon Blanc/cat pee moment inciting a victory dance around the litter box.

A wine’s nose can be like a hallucination. It goes in and out of focus. At best, you’ll just get a hint of it - “Hey isn’t that…?”

- before it runs off and hides, just beyond reach, in the back corner of your brain.

At my age, however, noses have other functions besides smelling things. Not only do they keep your bifocals from crashing into your moustache should you encounter a bump in the road, but they help us identify each other. You’ll be at a party, look across the room, nudge your wife and say, “Isn’t that old What’s-his-Nose?”

At my age, I’m lucky if I can smell my own body odour after a cycling workout… Well, maybe not that lucky, but at least I know I’m still breathing.

Wine pick of the month Here’s something that you can experiment sniffing and still enjoy the taste. L’ostal Rose 2020, a French semi-dry summer sipper that goes great with an appy. Pick it up for around $16.

Pick up a copy of Delbert’s Slightly Corked for some great reading. $20 at the Mahle House, and the TAKE 5 office. What a deal! Slightlycorkedandmore.wordpress.com

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BY ELLY SMITH

Cowichan Oyster Festival Sip, Swirl and Get Shucked: Cowichan Valley Oyster Festival Guests did all that and more at the inaugural Cowichan Valley Oyster Festival, where wine terroir meets oyster merroir from, April 27 to May 1.

We got to meet local oyster farmers and enjoy freshly shucked oysters, along with wine pairings from Blue Grouse Winery, Enrico Winery and Zanatta Winery, and spirit tastings from Stillhead Distillery — all in the pastoral surroundings of Enrico Winery.

The event was sold out, but watch for tickets next year. Claire Sear, Hospitality Manager at Zanatta Winery and one of the organizers, said they could have sold hundreds of tickets but decided to keep things smaller for the event’s first year. If this year was any indicator, this festival is sure to grow.

Winery opens for season Now open for the season, Zanatta Winery, located at 5039 Marshall Road, Duncan, is offering charcuterie and vegetarian boards, wines by the glass or bottle, along with wine tastings. Sip and savour the ambiance on their beautiful verandah and patio. www.zanatta.ca

Waterfront dining The Oyster Bay Café, located in the Welcome Centre at the Ladysmith Maritime Society Community Marina, is now open, serving freshly made culinary delights for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Friday, Saturday; and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday.

To learn more visit www.facebook.com/ Oysterbaycafe/

Sawmill Bay Shellfish at Cowichan Valley Oyster Festival. Photo: Marina Sacht

Birthday Crepe Ironworks Café & Creperie, at 422 Esplanade Ave., Ladysmith, is offering complementary birthday crepes for anyone celebrating their special day. Don’t miss out on the Great Crepe Escape starting in June! Participants pick up a card from the Ladysmith location and travel to all four Ironworks Café locations during the month of June to enjoy a crepe. Each location has a specific sticker, and once the card is filled, enter the raffle to win an espresso machine, coffee beans, merchandise and gift certificates.

Enjoy the pet-friendly patio at the Ladysmith location.

Got news? info@take5.ca

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Safe Boating Awareness Did you know that there are over over 16 million people who recreate on Canadian waters? That’s a lot of people and boats out there.

As boating season comes into full speed, this is a good time to review some safe boating tips.

The CSBC Safe Boating Awareness Week messages this season are: 1. Wear Your Lifejacket - Over 80% of Canadians who drown while boating were not wearing their lifejacket or not wearing it properly. There are so many choices for lifejackets / personal floatation devices on the market now, it is easy to pick one that suits your ‘boating style’ and is one that you are comfortable wearing all the time you are on the water.

2. Boat Sober - Whether it’s prescription drugs, alcohol or cannabis, the use of intoxicants is both irresponsible and illegal. In some provinces, being convicted of impaired operation will also affect your automobile license.

3. Take a Boating Course – If you are operating a powered recreational vessel, you should have your Pleasure Craft Operator Card or some other proof of competency. But that is just as start, so consider taking some advanced courses.

If your boating preference tends towards paddle, this is the perfect time to enroll in some on-water training. Or if you are just starting out, log onto and start your boating in a paddle craft responsibly. There are plenty of online that are a great first step in education about paddle craft, but they are not a substitute for on water training.

4. Be Prepared, You and Your Vessel- Make sure you and your boat are up to your planned on-water activities.

That means you are knowledgeable about your upcoming trip, your boat

Ladysmith Harbour is a popular boating destination. Photo: Ken Healey

is properly equipped with the required and good to have safety equipment, the weather is suitable for the voyage, you have sufficient fuel and you have filed a trip plan. Plus, this is not all about you… it is important to keep in mind that by staying out of trouble you will not be putting pressure on rescue resources.

5. Be Cold Water Safe - Cold water can severely impact your ability to swim or even just stay afloat. Even the best swimmers will feel the effects of a sud-

den cold-water immersion. No matter your swimming ability, best chance of surviving an accidental cold-water immersion is to wear your lifejacket!

Boating is a favourite pastime for many Canadians. It can reduce the stress of social isolation and it’s a great family activity. By its very nature, boating provides the ideal way to get out and enjoy the outdoors while still maintaining social distancing practices.

Enjoy your boat this summer!

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MAKE IT NICE qualified, experienced, gardening and fruit tree pruning. Available for private, residential gardens. Please call 250-754-9346

WHAT’S HAPPENING June 10 Cowichan Aging Well Seniors Expo.

Cowichan Community Centre 10am 250-7482133 June 10 Angus Magico Magic Show, 7pm, Aggie Hall Ladysmith; 250-505-2693 June 11 from 7-9pm @ Aggie Hall: Clanna Morna In Concert June 12 Chemainus Classical Concert, 2pm; tickets 250-748-8383 June 16 Music on the Dock, 7pm, Ladysmith Community Marina; 250-245-1146 June 17 Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce Memorial Golf Classic, noon, Cottonwood Golf Club June 19 Michael Dean, Artist on the Dock, noon, Ladysmith Community Marina June 21 National Indigenous Day June 25 Cedar Hall 100 Celebration, 11am June 28 TAKE 5 Magazine’s 25th Anniversary Celebration; community is welcome for refreshments and cake, 4pm, Ladysmith Museum 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! Call Jim at oceandancer.wallace@ gmail.com or 250-245-5957/250-739-1123.

CAL 25’ SAILBOAT w/sails and Honda 9.9. $2,000. The boat needs TLC. call 250-756-8892.

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

JUNE 2022

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.

WORKSHOPS THAT HEAL. Anyone Can Massage * The Sanctuary – 1 day Retreat * Fun With Essential Oils * Art Heals and more! Info at www.wildflowernaturalhealth.ca. Call Marilyn.

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

ISLAND PRUNING. Professional tree care from large scale orchards to budding new trees. I can meet any pruning need. Shrubs, vines and ornamental. Large & small clean ups. Call Darcy Belcourt 250-323-1260 ART & MUSIC

HOME & YARD PAINTER. Certified Journeyman. Clean, efficient, respectful, punctual, responsible.

20+ 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 clean up, lawn fertilizing, mowing. Seniors discount.

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

QUALITY RENOVATIONS. Big or small. 25 years’ exp/journeyman, affordable. For free estimate, call Lars 250-616-1800.

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.

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

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

LOCAL ARTIST MICHAEL DEAN captures the spirit of Vancouver Island at Imagine That!

Artisan Co-op Duncan, June 1–30, 2022, and Art on the Dock, Sunday, June 19, from noon to 3pm, Ladysmith Maritime Marina, Heritage Boat Festival. Visit www.michaeldeanart.com.

EXPERT FINE ART CLASSES. “My fine art practice makes me fully alive and gives my life meaning and purpose” Is this what you want?

If so, visit www.strasbourgthomsponstudio. ca or call Barry at 250 210 2237.

IRISH CONCERTINA CLUB FOR BEGINNERS at 2pm at Cedar Heritage Hall 1644 MacMillan Road, on June 5 & 19; ages 12–90 years; learn scales and simple toetappin’ Irish Dance tunes; $5 at the door.

Please pre-register and to borrow a beginner concertina, contact Morgan greengarden@ shaw.ca or 250-245-5778.

JOYFUL JAZZ. Sax, piano, drums and bass; jazz favourites and a few gospel songs with a touch of jazz. Jazz on the Dock — Ladysmith Maritime Community Marina, June 16 & July 29, at 7pm. Jazz at the Shack — 10862 Chemainus Rd., Saltair, June 10 & July 15, at 1pm. For more info, contact Ken Oakes kenoakes@gmail.com or 250-245-9310.

PETS PROFESSIONAL PET CARE SERVICE “leash ’em & walk ’em” with Marlena. I have Animal First Aid, CPR and criminal record check. My service for all pet includes dog walking, home care visits, overnight in your home and much more. As my love is yours! Call 250-246-3394.

THE PET NANNY is back. I have cared for animals for the last 7 years. I offer overnight care at your home or daily home visits for pets or home security.

Email sburchard@hotmail.ca or call 250-924-8809.

TAKE 5 ADS WORK 250-245-7015

TAKE 5

Changing times need your voice to be heard Like most of you, I love the mid Vancouver Island area with its small town charm that we feel connected to; this is one of the reasons we have chosen to live here.

As a person born in Ladysmith, I have witnessed many changes. The most obvious is the change in population. Not that long ago, we were struggling to keep our population under 5,000 so that we didn’t have to pay policing costs.

Now, according to the latest census figures, our population is 8,990.

It is safe to say that today’s population is now over 9,000, and it is estimated that by 2050, we will have reached a population of over 12,700 — an increase of 3,700.

Over these next 25+ years, the makeup of our population will drastically change. One report that I read showed that by 2040, the number of young people (15 and under) will only increase by 235. While, during that same time frame, the number of seniors (65+) will double from 1,801 to 3,650 — a 100 per cent increase. This means that in 2040, the under-15 age group will make only 12.1 per cent of the town’s population,

take5.ca

while the percentage of seniors will make up 32.2 per cent of the total population of Ladysmith. Think about it: if you are over 35 now, you will be one of those seniors in 25 years.

What does this mean to you and me, and especially the Town?

Presently, our community is experiencing a shortage of doctors and medical services. How will we cope with the medical needs of 3,700 more citizens, especially when it appears that 1,800 more of them will be seniors. Seniors require more than the average amount of medical attention. In addition, this increase in population, especially in the number of seniors, will be looking for more and more services, such as transportation and recreation. How do we go about meeting these needs?

These are some of the reasons that you and I have to take an active interest in the Official Community Plans (OCPs) the Town of Ladysmith is presently developing. To develop a good plan, the public has to be part of it. We have to let the Town know what kind of a town we want to create over the next 25 years.

So, ask yourself: What facilities and services do you think the Town should be aiming for? Where do you think new housing should go? Do we have a downtown core that meets our needs, or will it be too small? What about parking downtown? What about parks and green belts? Do you agree with the proposals to sell off lands adjacent to the north end of Transfer Beach Park? Will you and I be able shop here or will we be driving to Duncan or Nanaimo to meet all our wants and needs? How will land use affect your neighborhood?

Start by looking at the plans for your neighborhood, then look to the sur-

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rounding area and then the whole town.

Is it what you want?

There are so many questions we should be asking: Are there enough parks in the south end of Ladysmith for children to play in or to walk the dog? With all the schools on Fourth Ave. and Sixth Ave. and with limited transportation for children to get to school from the south end, will there continue to be traffic problems dropping off and picking up the kids at the schools?

Our OCPs should be more than general platitudes saying we need more affordable housing and things like a more walk-able community. Don’t agree with ideas that we all would say we would like. Ask yourself questions specific to you, such as if we add more bicycle paths or more connecting trails between areas, would you use them? Or are you just agreeing with something we know we should be saying but, in reality, will not likely use? Sure, we all know we have to reduce greenhouse gases to preserve green spaces, but do we have to set this as a goal? Who is opposed to reducing greenhouse gases and urban sprawl?

No one I know and likely neither do you.

So, let’s get to the specific thing that we want to see. I, for one, want details not generalities. You can have input by going to the Town’s website and taking part in the online survey. Be sure to add your comments and not just click on the motherhood questions.

Early this summer the OCP will be presented to Council and to YOU for review and comments, before it is sent to Council for adoption. Once adopted, it will be the blueprint for the future development of our community.

Let your voices be heard.

At least, that’s as I see it.