TAKE 5 December January 2017/2018

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Letters Ladysmith’s Water System and Dams Here is what I know, according to books written about Ladysmith, old loggers in the area, old Chronicle files from the Historical Society from the early 1900s and some of the staff who work at public works. The wooden dam on Holland Creek, known as the Colliery Dam, which is nearly gone now, was built by Dunsmuir’s engineers to supply water by wooden flume from Holland Creek to Slack Point for washing the coal slag of the coal that came down from the Extension Mine by rail cars around the time that Ladysmith was first settled about 1904. The coal was then sacked and loaded on the Colliery wharf at Transfer Beach into sailing ships that came into Ladysmith Harbour at that time. The Town of Ladysmith built a cement dam a half mile or so further up the creek and used that dam to supply drinking water to the town by a cast iron water pipeline that can still be seen in places along the Holland Creek Trail.

In the 1960s, the last dam was built at Chicken Ladder Falls to supply water to the chlorine plant behind Arbutus hump.

That waterline was then connected to the cement dam water-

Provost Lake. Photo: Barry McMahon

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line below the chlorine plant. Holland Lake was once called the “Company Dam” as Comox Logging used the swamp that was there at the time to fill their porta-tanks (portable water tanks) on logging trucks to fight forest fires in the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s. Holland Lake was dredged in the 1960s and a more permanent dam was built to supply Ladysmith with the water we have today. Above Holland Lake is a small lake called Provost.

The water from it feeds into Holland Lake. Ladysmith also draws water from Bannon Creek into Holland Lake between November and May to fill Holland Lake reservoir. Water from Holland Lake is released by the Town into Holland Creek. It is taken from the creek at Chicken Ladder Dam to fill the Arbutus reservoir, which supplies the town with its drinking water.

Ladysmith has a second drinking water source, Stocking

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Lake, from which the town draws water during the winter months, when the turbidity in Holland Creek is too high. This turbidity issue is to be addressed by the new water treatment plant that is currently in the design phase.

- Gord Barney

A Super Saltair Salute To all the volunteers, donors and sponsors who made the Saltair Halloween Celebration a resounding success! The bonfire, kids treats, hot dogs and hot chocolate were great; the fireworks outstanding, worthy of a much larger community. Altogether an outstanding event, showing how the whole community can come together to continue a Halloween tradition for over 30 years. On behalf of myself and the 100 plus spectators, I thank you and hope you continue this Halloween tradition in the future. - Greg Taylor Letters to the Editor are welcome but may be edited for space, clarity or legality. This is an open forum and opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent those of TAKE 5 or its affiliates. email: editor@take5.ca, PO Box 59, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A1, or fax: 250-245-7099 Facebook: Take5Publications

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Derelict and abandoned boats in our harbour Lot 651, the area of the Ladysmith Harbour known as the “Dogpatch” is littered with derelict and abandoned boats that aren’t only unsightly — they pose a threat to our environment and economy.

For years, the issue has continued to grow, despite repeated requests to the federal government, from the Town of Ladysmith, Stz’uminus First Nation,

Ladysmith Maritime Society, and others, to resolve this issue. While action is finally being taken, steps forward have been slow, and there is still much to be done to protect our waterways.

Earlier this year, Transport Canada announced its five-year, $6.85-million Abandoned Boats program, which provides grant and contribution funding to assist communities in the assessment, removal and disposal of existing highpriority abandoned and/or wrecked

small boats posing hazards in Canadian waters; educate owners about managing their deteriorating vessels; and support research on boat recycling.

Recently, the Town applied for funding through the Abandoned Boats program.

In conjunction with the funding proposal, the Town also issued a public notice to take possession and remove vessels under section 20 of the federal Navigation Protection Act. The public notice outlined the Town’s plans to remove nine

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abandoned and wrecked boats from Ladysmith-area waters, unless the owners move the vessels from their current locations to an authorized area. This program, while very positive, came too late for the mess created by the sinking of the Anapaya, a century-old wooden vessel that went down in Ladysmith Harbour, leaking fuel and creating environmental and navigational hazards and potentially impacting the Stz’uminus First Nation, who rely on a 150,000 lb annual oyster license in the area. On November 15, a second boat sank only metres away from where the Anapaya used to float.

Only days after the Anapaya sank, the federal government introduced legislation to deal with derelict and abandoned vessels. Bill C-64, the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act, now makes it illegal to abandon boats, while allowing the government to go after the owners of the hundreds of vessels polluting Canada’s waterways. This is an important development because it will entrench into law the Nairobi International Convention of the Removal of Wrecks, which strengthens ship owners’ liability for hazardous wrecks resulting from marine incidents.

The national strategy to address Canada’s wrecked and abandoned vessels is a positive step in the right direction; however, more needs to be done with regard to improvements to licensing.

While the new legislation, for example, imposes huge fines on owners of large boats, like the Viki Lyne, I am also concerned about the many smaller vessels that litter our harbour. One solution could be a fee applied whenever a boat is registered that would be added to a pool of money earmarked for clean-up costs. Also, the proposed Act doesn’t address what can be done to remove the countless boats that have already been abandoned.

If the owners are unknown, the cost burden for cleanup and removal falls on taxpayers.

Bill C-352, a private member’s bill, was introduced in the House of Commons by Sheila Malcolmson, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Ladysmith. It amends the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, to strengthen the requirements relating to derelict and abandoned boats, designates the Canadian Coast Guard as a receiver of wrecked vessels and requires receivers of wrecked boats to take the necessary steps to identify and locate the owner of the wreck. It also provides for the development and implementation of a national strategy to address the abandonment of vessels. Ms. Malcolmson is requesting the Town send a letter to Prime Minister Trudeau to insist that Bill C-352 continue to be debated in the House of Commons despite the introduction

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of Bill C-64. She has also posted a petition on her website. To add your voice, go to http://sheilamalcolmson.ndp.ca/join-ourcampaign-to-clean-up-abandoned-vessels.

Whether we own boats or not, derelict and abandoned vessels ultimately affect us all. Council is aware that some people live in the Dogpatch, and we would like to work with them to identify affordable, environmentally responsible options. I am very encouraged by the various announcements regarding the federal government’s commitment to this matter and look forward to working to ensure our voices are heard.

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Ladysmith’s Heritage Downtown

BY ROB JOHNSON By now you have likely heard that the Town of Ladysmith has been named Canada’s 2017 Great Street by the Canadian Institute of Planners in the 2017 Great Places in Canada Contest.

This is an honour that any community would welcome. Historic First Avenue has shaped the character of Ladysmith.

While we recognize the important role First Avenue plays, you may be unaware that it was part of the Island Highway up until the mid 1950s. Prior to 1902, the road between Nanaimo and Victoria was a wagon trail where Sixth Avenue is today.

The highway moved down to connect with First Avenue after James Dunsmuir’s plans for a new community included that it be located adjacent to his newly constructed coal shipping facility at Oyster Harbour. In 1900, Dunsmuir named his new town Ladysmith. Although his plans called for the commercial centre to be located in a town centre called the Market Square, it was First Avenue that would develop as the commercial core of the town. With the relining of the road between Nanaimo and Victoria along First Avenue, many building owners decided to relocate their businesses to capitalize on the traffic flow coming through town.

As the road improved, the public could more easily travel between Ladysmith and other locations on the Island without being restricted by the train sched-

Early photograph showing First Avenue in Ladysmith. Photo: Ladysmith Archives.

ule. Once the automobile became commonplace, the highway exploded with increased traffic running through Ladysmith. Soon there was a need to improve the dirt roads that ran through the Island. Ladysmith’s First Avenue was no exception. The road had to be leveled and spaces developed for parking cars, and the increased dirt and dust from traffic caused concern.

The City Council in 1925 were investigating the idea of paving or cementing traffic lanes along First Avenue, but nothing came of it. In 1927, the Town was arguing that 80 per cent of the traffic on First Avenue was not local traffic, but “island traffic,” and they wanted help to improve the street. In 1926, it was reported in the Chronicle that “it would be an amusing experiment to erect ‘toll’ gates — in the past, we (the City) have advocated that plowing up two blocks at each end of the Avenue to stop the Island

Highway traffic, but a toll gate would do as well.” It goes on to read “anything to create a howl which would be sufficiently loud enough to reach the inner chambers of a government which decrees that never a solitary cent shall be sent by that august body upon First Avenue. …

Furthermore, they decree the roads in the district shall not on any account be oiled, deviated or hard surfaced in any way.”

A paved First Avenue finally came into being in the early 1930s, and so did more traffic. It was easy to tell when the ferry came in at Nanaimo — about 30 minutes later you could see a sizable increase in the traffic on First Avenue, with the cars going down island. Although this large amount of traffic travelling along First Avenue was a benefit for many businesses, there were safety concerns for citizens of Ladysmith. The Provincial Government realized that

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they had to create a better Island Highway, to divert traffic from the downtown of many of the communities. In Ladysmith, that lead to moving the highway to its present site along the Esplanade in the mid 1950s. Once this was done, downtown was more of a people place even though it adversely affected many businesses.

Around 1965, after Kay Grouhel was elected Mayor, she and her Council started a public works project to beautify the downtown area. New sidewalks were installed, angle parking was laid and dogwood trees were planted along First Avenue and Dogwood Drive. Other Councils followed suit over the years. First Avenue started becoming the living room of the Community, with many street activities that could not have happened if it was still the Highway. In the 1970s, the economy of the town was depressed for a variety of reasons, one of them being a result of the relocation of the highway from First Avenue.

Then in the early 1980s, a group of businesses, and Council applied for grants to revitalize the downtown core. This lead to the revitalization of First Avenue in the downtown area. Building owners received grants that, along with their own money, improved the appearance of their buildings while agreeing to a special street improvement tax to help pay for the revitalization of the street. The Town spent money removing telephone and hydro poles and resurfaced and leveled the street. All this effort lead to the Town receiving the award for the Best Main Street for a community of under 10,000 in Canada in 1988.

Now that we had our street back and a downtown that had became truly the “living room“ of the community, the street became the centre of many activities, along with the start of “Festival of Lights” in 1987. Later, Mayor Rob Hutchins and his Council continued the revitalization process for the rest of First Avenue, from Buller Street north, when they secured grants to improve both the water and sewer lines in that area.

The street has continued on its path to what we have today, a more people friendly street. As the jury, who bestowed the honour of naming First Avenue the Greatest Street in Canada said, “streetscape enhancements, heritage preservation, the adaptive reuse of historic buildings and the many unique and publicly accessible festivals and events held throughout the year, are key ingredients to First Avenue’s success as a Great Street.”

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The Yellow Point Ecological Society

BY GUY DAUNCY The barred owls hoot to each other at night. The ravens chuckle and call across the forest canopy. The garter snakes and salamanders burrow down for winter.

The mushrooms are blossoming. Under the soil, a million wildflowers await the spring and their turn in the sun.

It’s December in the forest. The rain pours down and the forest absorbs it all, allowing it to drain deep into the aquifer. Without the cover of trees, the water would run off into the creeks and the aquifer that we all depend on would be depleted. The forest stands tall as guardian of it all — the wildlife, the watershed, the carbon, the ecosystem as a whole.

But is it safe? Of all B.C.’s ecosystem zones, the Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystem that we live within is the most at risk. It is home to the highest number of species at risk, and it has been the most altered by deforestation and development, with less than one per cent remaining as old growth forest and almost half having been lost to human activity.

In the Cedar–Yellow Point area, two areas of forest have recently been clearcut, one just west of Yellow Point Lodge, the other north of the Woodley Range Ecological Reserve. Other forested parcels may face the same fate.

Some of the members of Yellow Point Ecological Society (l-r) Diane Coussens, Erik Piikkila Priscilla Brewer, Guy Dauncey, Jeni Pinnington.

Photo Marina Sacht

So what can we do? This is the question that prompted a group of local residents to start meeting early in 2017, and in August, we formally established ourselves as the Yellow Point Ecological Society (Y.E.S.). Our stated purpose is “to understand, appreciate, protect and restore the ecosystems and watersheds in the Yellow Point area of Vancouver Island, and to inspire and support local residents to do the same.”

We want to become a voice for Nature, for the Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystem, and for the watershed. A voice for the myriad forms of wildlife that the forest supports, and all the tranquility and beauty they bring. Nature needs it, our children need it, we need it.

So what can we hope to achieve now that we are a formal society? Our hopes are as high as the sky, but are constrained by the time, the volunteers and the resources we can muster.

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We are busy at work on three fronts.

First, we are educating ourselves. We are learning about the Coastal Douglasfir ecosystem, the myriad species it contains, the threats it faces and the ways it can be protected. To this end, we are organizing a monthly hike, starting with a New Year’s outing in the Yellow Point Ecological Reserve on Monday, January 1, and a Speakers Series, starting with the esteemed Snuneymuxw First Nations elder Geraldine Manson, January 4.

Second, we are working to build relationships — with the Regional District of Nanaimo, with the Cowichan Valley Regional District, with the Snuneymuxw First Nation, with the Stz’uminus First Nation, and with other groups that are working to protect our forests and watersheds.

And third, we are learning about the legal and regulatory systems that protect — or fail to protect — the forest ecosystem, and we are exploring new ideas.

What would it take, for instance, for private landowners to be inspired to protect their forests by adopting the ecosystem-based system of sustainable timber harvesting that was used so successfully by Merv Wilkinson at Wildwood and for successive generations of landowners to restore their forests to an old-growth condition over the next two hundred years?

Might it be possible for a regional district to create a Coastal Douglas-fir Ecosystem Environmental Development Permit area, providing an added level of protection against clearcutting and excessive logging, combined with enforcement penalties that are meaningful and not just symbolic?

And might it be possible for a regional district to adjust the zoning bylaws so

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that a landowner with twenty acres, for instance, could still subdivide his or her land, but would do so not by dividing it into four five-acre lots, but by clustering four homes in one area, thereby preserving most of the forest?

Globally, Nature is everywhere under assault. If you want to say “yes” to Y.E.S., to join our hikes, to come to our Speaker’s Series, to come to our December Celebration, or to join our biweekly meetings, please get in touch through our new website, www.yellowpointecologicalsociety.ca.

Ladysmith Food Bank “There is a great need in Canada. The folks of Ladysmith are very good at filling that need, and for that we thank you and our clients in turn thank us.” says Diane Stokes, Ladysmith Food Bank manager. The Food Bank started in 1998 under a five-church ministerial when the churches agreed to pay the rent. In 2017, the Food Bank became a program of the Ladysmith Resource Centre. There are over 40 volunteers per month just operating the bagging on Monday and distribution on Tuesday. There are also

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Ladysmith Food Bank’s Gerry Hyndman, Diane Stokes, Ray Stokes

bread drivers, and the volunteers, who collect meat from the grocery stores every night of the week. This brings the total volunteers per month to 55.

The Food Bank is open on Tuesdays, for distribution from 9am to 11:45am.

In October they served over 1000 clients with 40 per cent of them children.

Ladysmith’s historic First Avenue wins great street title On November 8, 2017 Ladysmith’s First Avenue was selected by the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) as Canada’s 2017 Great Street. The award was decided by a jury of certified planning

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Eike Jordan owner and therapist at Naturally Healthy Clinic.

Photo: Nick Longo

professionals during the Great Places in Canada Contest. CIP’s review of 17 submissions from across Canada was based on a set of criteria of planning best practices that considered social, economic, accessibility and safety factors, as well as elements such as design, culture, history and landscape.

Naturally Healthy Clinic open house Naturally Healthy Clinic hosted an Open House on Nov. 20.

It was a well-attended event with the public coming out to meet the health professionals. Owner and therapist Eike Jordan has built an impressive team of practioners where the focus is on the client.

Services offered here are too extensive to list, with a dozen specialists offering their expertise. Jordan is proud of the clinic and the team of a dozen experts. Dr. Mariarosa Greco from Italy is in the process of moving here to join the team.

Jordan is passionate about health and has an extensive background in the industry. For her, it’s all about the clients needs.

“We have pledged to keep our costs low,” says Jordan. “There are many ways to do things without being invasive and hurting.”

Naturally Healthy Clinic’s extensive state of the art equipment and experienced practioners offers the best possible care by working in partnership with local physicians and therapists.

The clinic is located at 210 Milton Street in Nanaimo in a beautiful character house has been completely renovated to exacting hospital standards.

The clinic hosts regular speakers and seminars open to the public. Visit their website http://naturallyhealthyclinic.ca/ for more info or 250-755-4051

NDP Launches Historic Appeal NDP MP Sheila Malcolmson has launched a historic appeal on her abandoned vessels bill (C-352), which will lead to a secret ballot vote in the House of Commons, allowing individual

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MPs to decide if her bill should be votable. This appeal, a first in Canada’s history, comes after the Liberals used their majority at the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs to block C-352.

The current version of Bill C-352 was introduced in the House on April 13. On October 30, the Liberal government introduced Bill C-64. It is this bill, tabled by the government after C-352 was placed in the Order of Precedence, that caused this situation.“My bill fills all the gaps in the Trudeau government’s new bill, and addresses the concerns of coastal communities, so they should both be allowed to proceed,” said Malcolmson.

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Ladysmith Fraternal order of Eagles Ladies Auxiliary Madam President Sheila Williams and Madam Vice President Arlene Neale presented a cheque to Louise Baines for the Ladysmith Food bank in the amount of $4,037.25 together with 1,000 pounds of food.

Photo submitted.

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Celebrating Christmas!

Fill the bag for the Food bank Helping to stock the shelves of the Ladysmith Resource Centre Food Bank this year, Denise Tutte, Gerry Beltgens and the Van Isle Real Estate Team are sending a message in a bag! Denise and Gerry have purchased 2,000 reusable bags that over the next 15–20 weeks will be distributed around Ladysmith. They ask that you fill or partially fill your bag with non-perishable goods. Then you can either call a member of the Van Isle Real Estate team to pick up your bag, drop it off at their office at 516 1st Ave., or the Ladysmith Food Bank. The bags will be brought to the Food Bank and the bags will be distributed to needy families. For more information please call 250-924-4808.

Van Isle Real Estate Team showing bags.

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Old Time Christmas Get ready for the 6th Annual Old Time Christmas, a family-friendly event sponsored by the LDBA. Merchants will be open late December 8 from 5–8pm. Events include a candle lantern workshop at the Antique Addict, visit with Santa at the 49th Parallel, fire pit with “smores” at the Ladysmith & District Credit Union parking lot, horse and carriage rides at the Library, plus more. Always a favourite is Elf on a Shelf treasure hunt; visit retailers that display a sign “Find an Elf on a Shelf” find the elf and see what treasure is waiting for you! For more information, visit their Facebook page or their website.

Christmas Cheer Fund brings Santa to more homes

BY CATHLEEN MCMAHON Every year, the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association’s Christmas Cheer Fund delivers hundreds of hampers to families in need of a little helper to make

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their festive season shine. Donations of funds, food and toys are accepted from now until Dec. 14 to build the hampers that will be delivered to registered families just before Christmas.

All registrations and donations must be received by December 14. The LRCA volunteer elves will be busy sorting to be ready for hamper delivery on Dec. 23.

Coats for Folks is open now through January. Donations of new or good used clothing, hats, scarves, and other items are welcome in addition to coats. Please drop o at 710 First Avenue between 10am and 4pm Tuesday through Thursday.

The LRCA would like to thank everyone that has participated

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in the Adopt-A-Night campaign for the Extreme Weather Shelter. As the holiday season comes and goes, try turning your events into parties and dinners that have a purpose. Hosting a #dinnerpartywithapurpose is easy! Learn more at www.lrca. ca/programs/ews.

The shelter will remain open in extreme weather until March 31. Check our Facebook page for details..

Mark your calendar for the Coldest Night of the Year. This community walking event raises money to help hungry, homeless and hurting individuals and families across Canada. Visit the new website for registration to walk on February 24, 2018.

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New Season for Chemainus Theatre In 2018, Chemainus Theatre season celebrates unlikely lovers and dreamers.

It’s a celebration of hope and resilience — an immigrant’s heartfelt comedic story in “Kim’s Convenience,” a broken musician’s reignited passion in the Broadway smash “Once,” a pitchy, bombastic singer who gloriously delighted thousands, four sisters determined to shine in “Little Women,” quizzical charmers in “Outside Mullingar” and desperate teenagers longing for belonging in “Grease.”

New this year at the Playbill Dining Room is Friday Night Table d’Hôte, a multi-course dinner with your choice of four special entrees, with seasonal menus inspired by new Executive Chef Nick Caulford.

Stz’uminus Heritage Day was celebrated Nov. 8, 2017, at the Stz’uminus Community Centre, by sharing traditional foods, art and songs and unveiling the Canoe Canada 150 Project by Master Carver Manny Sampson. The canoe will be installed later at Transfer Beach Park to symbolize the friendship between the communities. Photo: Marina Sacht

Celebration of Light Celebration of Light Concert on December 15 at 6:30pm has changed the venue this year to In the Beantime, 18 High St. This event is a Christmas Fun-

draiser for the Ladysmith Soup Kitchen and Food Bank. Entertainment is provided by Skellig, with special guest Terry Boyle. Tickets for concert and dinner $25 or concert only $10. For details or to reserve your ticket, call 250-245-2305.

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Twenty years of Christmas harmonies December 3, 2017, is exactly 20 years to the day that Yellow Point Singers gave their first performance as a community choir at Four Seasons rest home. Their program consisted of five pieces and was supplemented by numerous Christmas carols for audience participation. Just two days later, the choir sang again for the Chemainus Rotary Club, with an audience of over 50 people — and the rest, as they say, is history!

Today, Yellow Point Singers, a mixed-voice community choir that has no auditions, boasts some 40 members under the direction of Doug Roszmann, with Ainslee Young and accompanied

by Sharyn Andruski-Collins.

This year’s concert includes a gospel-rock spiritual, Haydn’s Gloria and a seasonal arrangement of Chopin’s Prelude in C minor called December’s Keep. There will also a medley of Christmas Songs and carols for the audience to sing along.

Join them December 3, at 3pm, at Oceanview Community Church, 381 Davis Road, Ladysmith. Tickets are $10 each, children under 14 are free, and the performance will be followed by light refreshments and an opportunity to meet and chat with performers.

Yellow Point Singers is always welcoming new members.

Yellowpoint Christmas show The Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular is a celebration of all that is Christmas. This year marks its 11th year and it has become a family tradition for many here. This year’s extravaganza includes musical tributes to the Beatles, Nina Simone,

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Rod Stewart and Lady Gaga to mention a few. The cast is made up of 14 professional singers, dancers and musicians. The event comes to the Port Theatre in Nanaimo Dec. 12 to 17, 2017.

Shop the Gallery For the month of December, the Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery turns into a gift shop. Here’s your chance to pick up an original gift. 610 Oyster Bay Drive, Ladysmith, 250-245-1252, www.ladysmithwaterfrontgallery.com

Dance Showcase at LSS Ladysmith Secondary Dance Showcase will take place on Friday, January 26, 2018, at 7pm. Admission is by donation.

Come on out and cheer on this group of talented dancers and support the LSS dance program.

Puss in Boots for Christmas Nanaimo Theatre Group will present its annual “Christmas” pantomime, December 21–31, at the Bailey Studio, 2373 Rosstown Road, Nanaimo.

It has nothing to do with Christmas, except the dates, and also there is no “mime” in the rollicking and funny traditional British family musical show. This show features Queen Wendy the Wonderful played by well-known local actor Kelly Kijek — in drag, of course! Will the beautiful Princess Esmerelda find true love or be forced to marry the wicked ogre? Will Jack with the help of his cat Puss, and good fairy Priscilla, save the day or will bad fairy Pernicia intervene?

Tickets at nanaimotheatregroup.ca or 250-758-7224.

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In defence of the humble sun choke Rarely do you see sun chokes for sale at a supermarket, but once planted, they are available fresh dug from the garden fall, winter and spring. They are a much overlooked food source from edible perennial tubers of Helianthus tuberosus, related to sunflowers, hence their common name.

There’s a warning I give anyone considering planting sun chokes (also known as Jerusalem artichokes): “Once you plant them, you’ll always have them.” That’s because I have grown these knobby tubers in many differ-

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A bed of sun chokes. Photo submitted.

ent gardens over the years. In my last garden, I started a 4 x 6 foot patch of sun chokes from a dozen tubers of red sun chokes, and this patch went on to produce generously for 15 years even though I dug the bed out completely every winter. Regular harvesting provides more room to grow, which results in larger tubers and reinvigorates the patch. (Same thing happens with bluebells!)

Sun chokes are a low-calorie alternative to potatoes, with equal nutritional value. They can be French fried, steamed, boiled, mashed or roasted just like potatoes. Apart from being a versatile food, sun chokes are a natural source of inulin, which makes them good for diabetics. The taste is nutty, similar to water chestnuts, so they are also good raw or pickled and served with a veggie dip. I’ve heard the jokes about “fartichokes,” a possible side effect following consumption. But like beans, it’s recommended to introduce them gradually to your diet to avoid digestive turmoil.

During World War Two, people in the UK were grateful for this humble food plant, which provided a fast-growing source of carbohydrate when food was scarce. Sun chokes thrive in any garden soil, but the best tubers are grown in good soil in full sun. Tubers should be planted early in spring and are ready for harvest in fall, once the foliage has died and been cut down. The tubers are sweetest if left in the ground until after a few hard frosts.

Sun chokes are usually propagated from tubers dug up in early spring.

Plant tubers one foot apart in a corner of the garden where you will not mind them spreading. These fast-growing perennials grow six feet tall, so chose the

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site carefully, not to overshadow other plants. Sun chokes make good windbreaks and screen plants.

I grow two varieties, one with smaller prolific red tubers, but no flowers, and one with large knobby white tubers, which produce showy yellow sunflowers in October. TIP: Choose the least knobby tubers for replanting, as these are easier to clean.

In winter, I love veggie roasts because they are easy and fast to throw together and are so tasty. You can make use of whatever vegetables you have on hand at the time; parsnips, yams, carrots, celery or celeriac, potatoes, squash and sun chokes all make good roasting ingredients. You’ll be surprised how delicious this combination with quince (or apple) is.

QUINCE & SUN CHOKE ROAST Makes 4 servings Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C) 4 quince, quartered and cored (or sub apples) 1 1/2 lbs (700 gr) sun chokes, scrubbed clean 4 large potatoes, scrubbed clean, not peeled 2 tsp (10 ml) dried sage, crumbled 1 tsp (5 ml) sea salt 1 tsp (5 ml) ground black pepper 1/2 cup (125 ml) extra virgin olive oil Splash of balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup (60 ml) maple syrup Cut the vegetables into approximately the same-sized chunks and mix them together. Spread in a baking pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper and the crumbled herb leaves. Drizzle olive oil over the vegetables until well covered.

Roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, turning once at the 15 minute mark.

Drizzle with maple syrup when the platter first comes out of the oven and serve.

Carolyn Herriot is author of “The Zero Mile Diet, A Year Round Guide to Growing Organic Food” and “The Zero Mile Diet Cookbook, Seasonal Recipes for Delicious Homegrown Food” (Harbour Publishing). Available at bookstores.

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Dec 1-3, 4pm-8:30pm, Christmas Express – BC Forest Museum, 2892 Drinkwater Rd, Duncan 250-715-1113 Dec 1, 1pm-2:30pm, Nanaimo Museum presents Yesteryear Christmas Homeschool, (grades K-4), Journey back through time and experience Christmas 100 years ago. Contact Stephanie to register 250-753-1821.

Dec 2, 9am-12pm Christmas Pancake Breakfast with Santa, prepared by N.O.A.H.S, at the Cedar Community Hall, Kids $3 Adults $6, Door prizes, crafts and fun for all.

Dec 2, 10am-4pm Winter Craft Fair, Ladysmith Primary School, 510 6th Ave – kids fun craft table & basket raffles!

Hot chili & soup. With over 50+ tables to shop from.

Dec 2, 7:30pm, Vancouver Island Symphony presents Reindeer Games – Festive Brass at the Port Theatre, 125 Front St, Nanaimo 250-754-8850.

Dec 2, 7pm, “From Swing to the King” Christmas with Ben Klein in Concert at St. Andrews United Church, 311 Fitzwilliam Street, Nanaimo, 250-753-1924 Dec 3 6:30 – 8pm, Annual Festival of Choirs, St. Mary’s Church 1135 4th Ave. admission by donation with proceeds going to the Christmas Cheer Fund.

Dec 3, 3pm, Yellow Point Singers Christmas Concert at Oceanview Community Church, 381 Davis Rd., Ladysmith Dec 6, 5:45pm, Tree lighting in conjunction with Cowichan District Hospital & Cowichan Valley Hospice

Services. Info 250-701-4242 or (1-888701-4242 in Ladysmith) or www.cowichanvalley hospice.org Dec 7, 6pm, Family Christmas Dinner, Santa and his goody bag, carol singers & dancers, The Cotton Club,1975 Haslam Rd. Call 250-245-5157 to reserve Dec 8-10, 4pm-8:30pm, Christmas Express – BC Forest Museum, 2892 Drinkwater Rd, Duncan 250-715-1113 Dec 8, 3:30pm, Ladysmith Museum will be open for the 6th Annual Old Time Christmas, 721 First Ave. Dec 8, 5pm-8pm, LDBA’s 6th Annual Old Time Christmas Downtown Ladysmith, caroling treats and much more.

Dec 8-9, 5pm, Christmas Dinner at the Chemainus 55 + Drop In Centre, 9824 Willow St. For info call 250-246-2111 Dec 9, 8:30am- 10am, LaFF’s 13th Annual Breakfast with Santa, Aggie Hall, 1110 1st Ave, Ladysmith, 250-210-0870 Dec 9, 10am-3pm, St. Joseph’s School Christmas Bazaar, 9735 Elm St, Chemainus. 250-739-2810.

Dec 9, 6pm, Mt. Brenton Power & Sail Squadron Ladysmith Christmas Sail, past Transfer Beach, bonfire, refreshments 250-245-8339 Dec 10, 2pm, Malaspina Choir presents “Sing-Along Messiah” at St. Andrew’s United Church, 311 Fitzwilliam St., Nanaimo Dec 12–17, Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular, this year’s singing & dancing extravaganza, Port Theatre, 125 Front St., Nanaimo (varied show times; call 250-754-8550)

Dec 14, 6pm, Family Christmas Dinner, Santa and his goody bag, carol singers & dancers, The Cotton Club,1975 Haslam Rd. 250-245-5157 Dec 14, 7:30pm, “O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy,” at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre, 2687 James St., Duncan 250-748-7529 Dec 15–16, 4 to 8:30pm, Christmas Express, BC Forest Museum, 2892 Drinkwater Rd., Duncan 250-715-1113 Dec 15–16, 7:30, The Nutcracker, Cowichan Performing Arts Centre, 2687 James St., Duncan 250-748-7529 Dec 16, 9am, Ladysmith Little Market at the Diamond Hall, 4958 Christie Rd., vendors selling unique gifts Dec 17, 2-4pm, Saltair Holiday Event Community Carol Singing and Tree Trimming, fun for the entire family. Please bring an ornament to the Saltair Community Centre, 3850 South Oyster Rd. Dec 20, 1 to 2pm (dress rehearsal), 6:30 to 7:30pm, St. Joseph’s School Christmas Concert 9735 Elm St., Chemainus 250-246-3191 Dec 20–23, 4 to 8:30pm, Christmas Express, BC Forest Museum, 2892 Drinkwater Rd., Duncan 250-715-1113 Dec 21, 7:30pm, “O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy,” at the Port Theatre 125 Front St., Nanaimo 250-754-4555 Dec 31, 7pm, New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance, The Cotton Club, 1975 Haslam Rd. 250-245-5157 Dec 31, Wildwood New Year’s Eve. Tickets and info at ecoforestry.ca

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Dec 2, 7pm, “From Swing to the King,” $20, St. Andrews United Church, Nanaimo, 250-327-3086 Dec 3, 10:30am, White Gift Sunday all gifts distributed to the Christmas Cheer Fund, Ladysmith First United Church, 232 High St., 250-245-2183 Dec 9, 1pm, “An Encore! Christmas!” with Encore! Women's Choir, St. Edward’s Church, 250-715-1568 Dec 10, 3pm, Musical Concert, Ladysmith First United Church, 250-245-2183 Dec 17, 10am, Children’s Christmas Pageant, St. Philip Anglican Church, 1797 Cedar Rd. Dec 17, 10:30am, Poinsettia Sunday, Ladysmith First United Church, Dec 17, 3pm, Blue Christmas, Ladysmith First United Church, 250-245-2183 Dec 17, 3:30pm, Christmas with Messy Church, St. Philip Anglican Church, 1797 Cedar Rd., Cedar Dec 17, 7pm, Concert “Roses in Winter: A Garland of Carols,” $15, Cedar United Church, 1644 Cedar Rd. Dec 24, 9am, Paper Bag Christmas Pageant, Cedar United Church.

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Dec 24, 10am, Christmas Lessons and Carols, St. Philip’s Anglican Church, 1797 Cedar Rd., Cedar Dec 24, 10:30am, Sunday Service, Ladysmith First United Church, 232 High St., 250-245-2183 Dec 24, 10am, 4pm & 7pm, Community Services, ’Twas the Night Before the First Christmas, Oceanview Community Church, Ladysmith Dec 24, 6pm, Christmas Family Worship, St. Philip’s Anglican Church, 1797 Cedar Rd., Cedar Dec 24, 7pm, Christmas Eve Mass, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 9735 Elm St., Chemainus, 250-246-3260 Dec 24, 7pm, Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Ladysmith First United Church, 232 High St., 250-245-2183 Dec 24, 7pm, Christmas Eve family service, Bethel Pentecostal, Ladysmith Dec 24, 7pm, Christmas Eve family service, Cedar United Church Dec 24, 8:30pm, St. Mary’s choir, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 250-245-3414 Dec 24, 9pm, Mass, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1135 4th Ave., 250-245-3414

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Dec 24, 10:30pm, Christmas Candlelight Worship, St. Philip’s Anglican Church, 1797 Cedar Rd., Cedar Dec 25, 10am, Christmas Day Worship, St. Philip’s Anglican Church, 1797 Cedar Rd., Cedar Dec 25, 9am, Christmas Day Mass, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1135 4th Ave., 250-245-3414 Dec 25, 10:45am, Christmas Day Mass, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 9735 Elm St., Chemainus, 250-246-3260 Dec 31, 10am, Ringing in the New Year, St. Philip’s Anglican Church, 1797 Cedar Rd., Cedar Dec 31, 10:30am, Moravian Feast, Ladysmith First United Church, 232 High St., 250-245-2183 Dec 31, 10:30am, New Year’s Eve Celebration, Bethel Pentecostal, 1149 Fourth Ave., Ladysmith Jan 1, 9am, New Year’s Day Mass, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1135 4th Ave., 250-245-3414 Jan 1, 10:45am, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 9735 Elm St., Chemainus, 250246-3260 (NO New Year’s Eve Mass)

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9. Donate to a charity in someone’s name.

10. Shop all year long at the Thrift Shop and garage sales and flea markets for second hand gifts and put them in a gift stash. That way manufacturers do not receive the message, “Hey, they are buying this stuff, we better make more.”

11. Go to www.storyofstuff.org and watch their videos.

12. Use www.trashnothing.com to request or offer free stuff.

13. Buy locally produced foods and goods.

13 ways to “green” your holiday

BY DIANA HARDACKER 1. Bring a reusable bag when heading out to the store for some holiday shopping.

2. Make unique and recyclable gift tags by reusing the fronts of old holiday cards.

3. Wrap your gifts in recyclable materials such as magazine ads, old maps, newspaper, or in reusable items such as cloth bags, scarves or tablecloths.

4. Save used wrapping paper for next year or use it to store delicate holiday decorations.

5. Use a potted spruce or evergreen if a tree is a holiday tradition in your family; they can be planted in the garden later.

6. Decorate with everyday foods such as cranberries, popcorn, nuts and fruit, which can be fed to birds or composted after the holidays.

7. Make your own gifts: paintings, knitted or crocheted items, jams, preserves or baked goods. Your recipient will appreciate the time and effort put into their gift.

8. Give “experience gifts” like tickets to the local theatre, a concert or sports event, or gift certificates to local restaurants or spas, or services.

Diana Hardacker shows off her reusable gift bags, just one of the simple ways you can help mother earth this holiday season.

Photo submitted.

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RDN Area A (Cedar, Cassidy, S. Wellington) The State of the Regional District of Nanaimo’s Aquifers The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has developed, since 2009, a robust drinking water/watershed protection program. One of the aspects of that program is to monitor groundwater aquifers to determine their health over a period of time — that is, whether the water levels are decreasing, increasing or remaining stable from year to year. As the name “groundwater” suggests, it is underground and not readily visible, hence the need to monitor the groundwater levels through other technical means.

Throughout the RDN are situated a number of monitoring stations in the

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form of observation wells that provide data for analysis. Thirty-five observation wells within the RDN are operated by the Province of B.C. and another 28 have been developed through a partnership with volunteer well owners and the RDN. These private well owners have agreed to have a data logger placed in their well to assist in tracking the groundwater levels. In order to more accurately determine groundwater levels, data must be collected and analyzed over periods of time longer than ten years.

Why do we monitor the groundwater?

Groundwater is an important source of drinking water in our communities for all electoral areas and municipalities, except the City of Nanaimo which sources

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its drinking water from the surface water of the Nanaimo River. Groundwater also plays a key role in supporting aquatic habitat. The information collected will assist in managing and protecting the resource through zoning decisions and regulations — the tools available to local government. Managing the effects of extraction of groundwater from our aquifers is important so that we do not outstrip an aquifer’s capacity. Activities such as vegetation removal, paving and constructing buildings are examples that can impact infiltration of groundwater to replenish the aquifers. Our rainfall pattern has changed markedly in recent years, with extended periods of drought in the June through August period.

The composition of groundwater aquifers within the RDN varies widely from sand and gravel to bedrock aquifers, with the latter storing water within fractures in the bedrock. Bedrock aquifers are generally lower yielding than the sand and gravel aquifers, which are variable throughout the region. The Cedar/ Yellowpoint/Cassidy areas have both bedrock and sand and gravel (examples being Aquifer Nos. 160 and 161 in Cassidy).

The RDN recently published a “State of our Aquifers 2017, Groundwater Levels Edition” wherein those aquifers with observation wells are identified and their resilience to extraction is, where possible, graded by identified trends using data from the immediately prior five-year period and also those water level trends where data exists in the longer period. As one can anticipate, the trends in water levels vary from aquifer to aquifer. In some cases, groundwater levels are actually increasing in recent years despite the fact that historical data shows the levels stable or decreasing.

On the other hand, some of the other aquifers have seen the rate of decline accelerating over the past five years. The reasons for the decline may be attributable to more extraction activities or site-

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specific variations in precipitation levels being below historical averages.

Specific to the RDN’s Electoral Area “A” Water Region 6, the lower Cassidy Aquifer No. 160 continues to display stable minimum and maximum groundwater levels and not reacting to precipitation trends. The upper Cassidy Aquifer No. 161 also shows a stable trend, although there is a minor observed decline of 0.05 metres (1.97 inches) per year over the past fiveyear period. Outside EA “A,” the Little Qualicum River Valley, Water Region 2, Aquifer 664 has also displayed very stable groundwater levels even through years with below average precipitation. For those readers who are interested in reading the full report, it can be accessed at http://www.dwwp.ca and using the Site Search enter State of Our Aquifers 2017.

May you all enjoy the Christmas and New Year’s seasonal celebrations. A very Merry Christmas to All! alecmcpherson@shaw.ca

CVRD Area H (North Oyster) 2017 UBCM Convention Update UBCM was formed in 1905 in order to effectively represent local interests, Members of local and provincial governments gather together to work towards identifying and resolving issues in communities large and small. Here is a highlight of the issues.

Roadside Pathways (A Ministry Meeting Was Arranged Regarding This Issue) Many of the local roads are narrow without shoulders, and

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it’s clear that today’s traffic is very different than yesterday’s traffic. The existing roadside conditions are becoming unsafe for pedestrians, runners, cyclists, equestrians and school children.

Because the Province has the sole responsibility for roads in unincorporated areas, the CVRD was able to express the desire of the CVRD to work with MOTI to establish a network of road rights of ways, adjacent to the portion of the existing roadways, and develop design and construction guidelines for on-roadway and off-roadway paths.

Approving Officer Authority (A Ministry Meeting Was Arranged Regarding This Issue) During the past number of years, the CVRD has experienced a large increase in subdivision and development demands. The CVRD is currently considering making a formal request to the Province to assume this authority within the regional district.

The draft wording could request that the Minister support a request by the CVRD for delegation of Approving Officer Authority from the MOTI for subdivisions within the regional district.

Cowichan District Hospital Replacement (A Ministry Meeting Was Arranged Regarding This Issue) In anticipation of the need for a new hospital, the Cowichan Valley Hospital District Board secured the purchase of a 22acre property for the construction of a new hospital.

The Board also began increasing its contributions to reserves;

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as of 2016, the Hospital District has a total of $27 million in reserves dedicated to the new hospital. Approximately $7M will continue to be set aside for this important project.

Resolution Sessions During the course of the convention, approximately 140 resolutions on a wide range of topics were put on the oor for consideration of the delegates. You can get detailed information from the UBCM website (www.ubcm.ca).

CVRD Area G (Saltair) Halloween and Christmas Events Saltair residents once again came together to host the Halloween event at Centennial Park. The weather was on our side as 60 very well-costumed children paraded around the picnic shelter for just rewards, including the grand prize of ice cream for a year donated by 49th Parallel Grocery, well earned by a fire department-inspired family.

Approximately 150 residents gathered around the traditional bonfire, enjoying hotdogs, coffee, hot chocolate and juice. The evening was capped off with a spectacular fireworks display organized by local residents.

It takes a lot of people working together to make events like this successful. Many thanks to the Beadle, Irving, Fotheringham, Hockin, Wilson, Key, Rutti, Milne, Brocklebank, MacDowell, Evans, Dorey, Wright families and the CVRD. Also thanks to 49th Parallel Grocery, Great Canadian Dollar Store and Dairy Queen for being our sponsors again this year.

We hope you will join in on Dec 17, from 2-4pm for a Community Carol Singing and Tree Trimming event at the Saltair Community Center 3850 South Oyster Rd. This willbe fun for the entire family. Please bring an ornament.

Saltair Centre Saga And History Lemon: The Mt. Brenton School was sold by the School Board for $650,000 to a private person after it had been a public asset for 50 years. Lemonade: Ten years elapsed since the sale. The buyers knew the problems of P1 institutional zoned property. The property was put on sale as part of a quick estate sale for $495,000 and eventually bought by the CVRD for $300,000.

Lemon: Fear of buying an old building was induced after two attendees at the public meeting told horror stories about the Port Alberni Senior Secondary School and the Bank in Nanaimo. The possible millions to tear down asbestos-loaded buildings (which the school was not) caused angst. Lemonade: This triggered studies for asbestos, air quality and water quality, which was a good thing so that we can be aware of the building status.

Lemon: The residents did not know how to evaluate the numbers and interpret what the studies actually mean to the status of the building. Lemonade: Interpretation by CVRD staff of the reports concluded that simple remediation and precaution could eliminate the dangers.

Lemon: A dispute developed between initial Saltair Society board members on whether to form a commission under the CVRD, like the Parks Commission, or form a nonprofit society independent of the CVRD with less taxation.

Lemonade: The Society board was cut in half and became

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a cohesive and directed effort to move forward with a society and operate the building as a community centre.

Lemon: Gas tax money was controlled by CVRD staff for CVRD directed projects. Lemonade: A move was made to move the control of gas tax money to Electoral Areas, which allowed gas tax to be used on the Saltair Centre as $130,000 for upgrades and $256,000 for the water system.

Lemon: A protest in the community began that spending money on the Centre was wasted money. Lemonade: Efforts were made to make all residents aware that the Centre was now owned by the community through the CVRD. Lemon: An engineering report was done to see what would need to be done to bring the Centre up to standard.

Protestors created a petition and went door-to-door saying that it would cost $3 million to bring the Centre up to standard. Not so. Lemonade: The Society got their own estimates as to what would need to be spent to fix the building.

The cost of the roof, the furnaces and the gym renovations were seen to be much less than the engineering report, thus no rise in taxes necessary.

Lemon: Long delays and time was used up by bureaucracy and doing all the studies. Lemonade: It allowed time to pay off the cost of the building. Money was built up in reserves, and the Society savings allowed upgrades in the furnace were done. The Society built a strong foundation of users.

Lemon: A resident filed a complaint with WorkSafeBC about a leaking roof. Lemonade: This changed the status

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of the building from a planned renovation to an emergency.

This forced the Society to do the upgrades now.

Lemon: The CVRD was forced to honour their lease with the Society by keeping the building in safe condition. The Society was also forced to honour their agreement with the daycare. About 60 children and nine daycare workers depend on it. Arts groups have also made investments in the building as well. Lemonade: The CVRD needed to speed up the upgrades. The current budget, with no rise in taxation, will allow the upgrades to proceed because the building will be paid off. Time actually helped fix the money problem. The $130,000 gas tax along with $31,000 reserve and a small loan will allow this to happen now.

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Chemainus Classical Concerts Lineup Celebrate the joy of the Christmas season with Encore! Women’s Choir, singing a mixture of carols old and new, sacred and secular, familiar and not so familiar, Sunday, December 10, 2017, at 2pm at Chemainus United Church. This choir has won many awards, including, in 2015, Best Choral Performance of the Festival — the highest accolade a choir can receive at the GVPAF. Continuing at St. Michael’s Church in Chemainus is “The Guitar Around the World,” Sunday, January 7, 2018, at 7pm. Brilliant classical guitarist David Sossa takes a musical tour through the United States, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Germany and Japan. Featuring music by Narváez, Weiss, Paganini, Tárrega and Piazzola, this concert follows the development of the guitar and related instruments from the 1500s to the 20th century.

Then on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at 2pm, the award-winning Montreal pianist Antoine Joubert, whose playing is described as “(of the) highest order … incisive and compelling … intense and passionate,” performs Chopin’s Etudes.

Tickets are $20 at the door (adv. $17) and $5 for those under 18, and the season special is $36. They are available at Owl’s Nest Bistro (Chemainus), Ten Old Books (Duncan), Salamander Books (Ladysmith), and Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn. Call 250–748-8383 to reserve season passes and tickets in advance. Join us for tea at our “Meet the Artist Reception” after each concert. (www.ChemainusClassicalConcerts.ca)

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Let’s Roll Unless you’ve been locked in a bomb shelter since Janis Joplin walked the planet, you’ve probably noticed we’ve been inundated with technology. Technology that initially brought benefit but ... well, just read on.

Being of depressingly average IQ, I kept pace with this march of technology right up to the invention of the childproof cap. It’s been a losing battle ever since.

First, they sprung computers on us.

After that, stoves with electronic control panels that need more maintenance than your orthodontist’s Ferrari. Then television remotes incomprehensible to anyone over 50. And now their intentions

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are to ruin the automobile.

In last month’s Car and Driver magazine, a columnist complained bitterly about the computerized controls of a new Ford and was last seen shopping for a handgun to reason with the vehicle.

Here’s a guy who drives new cars for a living, and he’s having trouble. The rest of us are doomed.

Well, I say we can beat this thing. Options remain open, but we must act now.

As the young guys say, be proactive.

Go down to your local medical supply store and pick up an old style wheel chair while supplies last. Tell them you want the self-propelled Rick Hansen model — no motors, no video monitors, no GPS. Don’t get caught without this necessary piece of equipment, or in 20 years time ...

(The scene: Petite, attractive, oriental woman stands in front of 30 oldtimers, all seated in their fancy new wheelchairs, some of which have more electronics than the first space shuttle.

Bossy first-born daughters, none with a sense of humour, have forced attendance by all.)

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“Greetings class, my name is Rebecca, and I’m Your Wheelchair 100 instructor.

And what’s today’s lecture?” She holds up a 562-page wheelchair instruction manual and points to chapter one.

“Let’s get rolling,” they respond in weak geriatric chorus.

Not participating in the back row is Manfred Henshaw, who not only is a poster boy for attention deficit, but also wears an “Accidents Happen” t-shirt.

Strangely enough, he looks an awful lot like the author in 20 years.

“Now if everyone could just pay attention to their control panels, please notice how there are no buckles on your seat belts. That’s right, it’s all done electronically. Some of you have pointed out that Mrs. Baldwin — the sweet little lady with the blue, very blue face in the third row — her belt might be a little too tight.

“Let’s help her out, shall we? If you’ll look at the second video monitor — that’s the blue one, blue being your friend — you’ll notice a small clump of 22 buttons, which control the settings.

Now, Mrs. Baldwin ... oh, how unfortunate. Mrs. Baldwin seems to have ex-

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pired on us. Just be a good boy there and push her off to the side. We’ll deal with her later. Probably just a glitch in one of the settings. Nothing to worry about.

“You’ll notice on your LED display what looks like a mountain range. That indicates the belt tension is set for rough ground, which might have been a little tight for Mrs. Baldwin.

The display that looks like a rain shower, can anyone guess what that is?”

“Caution. Public urinal ahead?” says Henshaw, slapping his wheelchair in delight.

Rebecca, like everyone else for the last 80 years, ignores him. “Let’s look at your entertainment centre,” she continues.

“There you’ll find a 54-inch screen, an AM–FM radio, surround sound stereo, blue ray connectivity, a defibrillator, and a cell phone with your mortician on speed dial.”

“What’s that? No, I’m sorry, Mr. Henshaw. There’s a lock out for those channels. You’ll need the permission of your primary care provider. I’m sure if you spoke to your daughter...”

After a brief run through the entertainment options, Rebecca shows them how to activate their chairs. Fifteen minutes of bumper cars ensues; finally ending when a 78-year-old woman screams “pervert!” and rams a chuckling Henshaw.

Rebecca gets them separated, restores order and continues, “Your particular chairs are all equipped with the Health and Healing package. If you’ll punch your password into the main screen, you’ll see a list of options. All your chairs are fitted with the back massage feature, a blood pressure monitor, two IV drip lines and — what’s that, Mr. Henshaw? What’s that red button? NO! DON’T PUSH THAT!” Sound of very large toilet flushing, possibly a breaching of the Grand Coulee Dam. Rebecca turns her face away; regains composure. “Sorry about that class. Mr. Henshaw just pressed the Colonic Irrigation Activator switch. If someone could get some towels? Oh, and just push Henshaw over next to Mrs. Baldwin.”

(I’ve mentioned this wine before, but it’s worth repeating.

The 16 litre box of Wine O’clock Chardonnay certainly qualifies for best white wine value on the liquor store shelves. It works out to about $6 a bottle. If you don’t have an extra fridge, store the rather large box in a cool place and draw a bottle off at a time, keeping the smaller bottle in the fridge.)

Delbert Horrocks is a co-proprietor at Mahle House Restaurant Follow him at Slightlycorkedandmore.wordpress.com

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DEC 1 – 2 1, 1pm–2:30pm, Yesteryear Christmas — Homeschool, ages 5 to 9 (K-4), explore toys and games of yesteryear, Nanaimo Museum, 100 Museum Way, to register call 250-753-1821 1–2, 4pm–8:30pm, Christmas Express, BC Forest Museum, Duncan, 250-715-1113 1–2, 10am–5pm, Nanaimo Art Gallery presents “Spectral Tides,” 250-754-1750 1–31, 7:30pm, “Cornwalls’ All-Inclusive Cancun Christmas,” Chemainus Theatre, 9737 Chemainus Rd., 1-800-565-7738 2, 10am, Christmas Pancake Breakfast with Santa at the North Oyster & Area Historical Society, 13469 Cedar Rd. 2, 1pm, Royal Tea presented by the Order of the Eastern Star, Masonic Hall, Ladysmith 2, 7pm–9pm, “Swing to the King,” starring Ben

Klein, Christmas Gospel Concert, St. Andrews United Church, 311 Fitzwilliam St.,250-753-1924 2, 8pm, Belly-Burlesque Delight, the Sportsman Pub, 640 First Ave., Ladysmith, 250-245-8033 2 & 3, 10am–4pm, Nanaimo Art Walk, wwwnanaimoartwalk.com

3–9 3, 2pm, Richard Whitehouse Trio at Pat’s House of Jazz, tkts $15, Osborne Bay Pub, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton, 250-324-2245 3, 3pm, Yellow Point Singers Christmas Concert, tkts $10, children under 14 are free, Oceanview Community Church, 381 Davis Rd., Ladysmith 3–9, 10am–5pm, Nanaimo Art Gallery presents “Spectral Tides,” , 250-754-1750 3–9, 4pm–8:30pm, Christmas Express, BC Forest Museum, Duncan, 250-715-1113

3–9, 7:30pm, “Cornwalls’ All-Inclusive Cancun Christmas,” Chemainus Theatre, 9737 Chemainus Rd., 1-800-565-7738 4, 4:45pm, Bingo Mondays, start 6:40pm, Chemainus 55+ Activity Centre, 9824 Willow St. 6, 5:45pm, Tree lighting Ceremony in conjunction with Cowichan District Hospital & Cowichan Valley Hospice Services, info 250701-4242 (1-888-701-4242 in Ladysmith) or www.cowichanvalley hospice.org 7, 6pm, Family Christmas Dinner, Santa and his goodie bag, carol singers and dancers, the Cotton Club, 1975 Haslam Rd., 250-245-5157 to reserve your table 8, 5pm–8pm, Ladysmith’s Old Time Christmas presented by Ladysmith Downtown Business Assoc., caroling treats and more.

8 & 9, 5pm, Christmas Dinner members $15, guests $20, Centre Belles and the Gentleman’s Choir, Chemainus 55+ Activity Centre.

8 & 9, 6pm–8pm, 3rd Annual Magical Nights of Light, North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre presents a wildLIGHT, 9, 8am–10am & 12:30, 13th Annual Breakfast with Santa, featuring crafts, silent auction and music, photo with Santa and pancake breakfast 9, 1pm, “An Encore! Christmas!” with Encore!

Women’s Choir, St. Edward’s Church, Duncan, www.encorewomenschoir.com or 250-715-1568 9, 3:30pm & 7:30pm, “Winter Harp,” Port Theatre, 125 Front St., Nanaimo 9, 5pm, 6pm & 7pm, Christmas Potluck Dinner with Neighbour Cowichan Neighbourhood House Association 9806 Willow St., 250-246-3203 9, 6pm, Mt. Brenton Power & Sail Squadron Ladysmith Christmas Sail Past Transfer Beach, bonfire, refreshments, 250-245-8339

10 – 16 10, 2pm, Soul Source at Pat’s House of Jazz, tkts $15, Osborne Bay Pub, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton, 250-324-2245 10, 2pm, Chemainus Classical Concerts: Encore! Women’s Choir, tkts $20/$5, adv. $17, Chemainus United Church, 1948 Willow St., Chemainus 250-748-8383 10, 3pm–4:30pm, Christmas Concert, featuring jazz pianist James Darling, organist Freeman Dryden and pianist Linda Crane and friends,

First United Church, Ladysmith, 232 High St., admission by donation 10–16, 7:30pm, “Cornwalls’ All-Inclusive Cancun Christmas,” Chemainus Theatre, 9737 Chemainus Rd., 1-800-565-7738 11, 4:45pm, Bingo Mondays, start 6:40pm, Chemainus 55+ Activity Centre, 9824 Willow St. 12–17, Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular, this year’s singing & dancing extravaganza, Port Theatre, 125 Front St., Nanaimo, varied show times, call 250-754-8550 14, 10am–11:30am, Carol Singing, join us for a singalong, hot chocolate and goodies, Chemainus 55+ Activity Centre, 9824 Willow St. 14, 6pm, Family Christmas Dinner, Santa and his goodie bag, carol singers and dancers, the Cotton Club, 1975 Haslam Rd., 250-245-5157 to reserve your table 14, 7:30pm, “O Christmas Tea, A British Comedy,” Cowichan Performing Arts Centre, 2687 James St., Duncan, tkt. info 250-748-7529 15 & 16, 6pm–8pm, 3rd Annual Magical Nights of Light, North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre presents a wildLIGHT experience for the whole family, $5 suggested donation per adult 13+ 16, 10:30am–12:30pm, Round Table Discussion and Time Table, Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, 610 Oyster Bay Dr. 15, 6:30pm, Skellig’s “Celebration of Light” gig at the In the Beantime Café, 18 High St., Ladysmith

17– 23 17, 2–4pm, Community Carol Singing and Tree Trimming event, fun for the entire family, please bring an ornament to the Saltair Community Centre, 3850 South Oyster Rd. 17, 4pm, Ladysmith Fire/Rescue Santa Claus Parade, the parade makes it way from Brown

Drive to the old school grounds on Davis Rd. 17, 7pm, Concert “Roses in Winter: A Garland of Carols,” tkts $15, Cedar United Church, 1644 Cedar Rd. 17–23, 4pm–8:30pm, Christmas Express, BC Forest Museum, 2892 Drinkwater Rd., Duncan, 250-715-1113 17–23, 7:30pm, “Cornwalls’ All-Inclusive Cancun Christmas,” Chemainus Theatre, 9737 Chemainus Rd., 1-800-565-7738 18, 8pm, the Merkin Sisters, OFFstage Lobby Theatre Series, Port Theatre, 125 Front St., Nanaimo 18–23, 11am–4:30pm, Free Christmas Wrapping at the Masonic Hall, 26 Gatacre St., Ladysmith 20, 1pm–2pm (dress rehearsal), 6:30pm– 7:30pm, St. Joseph’s School Christmas Concert, 9735 Elm St., Chemainus, 250-246-3191 22 & 23, 6pm–8pm, 3rd Annual Magical Nights of Light, North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre presents a wildLIGHT experience for the whole family, $5 suggested donation per adult 13+

24 – 30 24, 9am, Paper Bag Christmas Pageant, Cedar United Church, 1644 Cedar Rd. 24, 6pm, Traditional Family Christmas Carol Service, Ladysmith Eagles Hall, 921 First Ave., donations for the Ladysmith Food Bank & Soup Kitchen accepted at the door 24–30, 7:30pm, “Cornwalls’ All-Inclusive Cancun Christmas,” Chemainus Theatre, 9737 Chemainus Rd., 1-800-565-7738

24 – 30 31, 7pm, New Year’s Dinner Dance, Champaign & Fireworks, the Cotton Club, 1975 Haslam Rd., call to reserve your table, 250-245-5157

31, 7:30pm, “Cornwalls’ All-Inclusive Cancun Christmas,” Chemainus Theatre, 9737 Chemainus Rd., 1-800-565-7738 31, 8pm, New Year’s Eve Dance, featuring Chevy Ray & the Fins, Aggie Hall, 1110 First Ave., Ladysmith, tkts $30 available at the Legion Lounge

JAN 2018 1, noon, Polar Bear Swim, Transfer Beach in Ladysmith 6 & 7, 9am–4pm, Christmas tree chipping, Ladysmith Fire Rescue, behind the Fire Hall on 6th Ave., Ladysmith Fire/Rescue Historical Society 6, 1pm–3pm, Introduction to Block Printing, St. Andrews United Church, 311 Fitzwilliam’s St., Nanaimo, pre-register parsenippress2@gmail. com 14, 2pm–4pm, TBA — Pat’s House of Jazz, tkts $15, Osborne Bay Hotel, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton, 250-324-2245 21, 2pm–4pm, TBA, Pat’s House of Jazz, tkts $15, Osborne Bay Hotel, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton, 250-324-2245 26, 6:30pm, Ladysmith Secondary Dance Showcase, 710 6th Ave., admission by donation, come support the LSS dance program!

26, 7:30pm, “International Guitar Night,” Port Theatre, 125 Front St., Nanaimo 28, 2pm–4pm, Sue Newman and Friends at Pat’s House of Jazz, tkts $15, Osborne Bay Hotel, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton, 250-324-2245

7&14 Family Christmas Dinner 17 Carol Singing & Tree Trimming Jan 6-7 Christmas Tree Chipping

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FOR SALE MARCY MWM 982 HOME GYM excellent condition $140 OBO, plus 211 lbs cast iron plates various weights $.75/lb, 80 lbs plastic weights $.45/lb, several 1” 5’ bars. Call 250-245-2546.

FOR RENT HORSE SPACE available with shady pasture, stream, stable, riding trails, self board, near Cassidy, $100 per month. Call 250-591-0733 Laurie/250-245-5039 Claus.

WANTED LOOKING FOR HELP & COMPANIONSHIP. Older, active gentleman on beautiful country acreage, south of airport, nice home with large productive vegetable garden, fruit trees, berries, wood fire place, 10 cords of dry firewood & warm and friendly black Lab. Small stipend or rent available. If you are a good hearted, honest capable person (female) who likes country life, call Cliff 250-716-0001.

USED SMALLER OF MEDIUM TRACK LOADER, or rubber tired back hoe, for farm mainly used in timber patch. Would be used for fun by older fellow. Call 250-716-001.

HEARTMATH. The fastest, easiest way to reduce stress! Contact me at www.janicematthews.ca. I would love to be of help.

CONCRETE RESULTS. Contracting, full-service forming and finishing, walls, walks, patios, drives.

35 years experience. Call Gord 250-753-4024.

BEADS BEADS BEADS ETC.! 9752 Willow St., Chemainus. Best prices on the Island. Follow Facebook@etcinchemainus or call 250-3242227.

EXPERIENCED HOUSE SITTER available for spring and summer 2018. References avail.

Prefer long stay. www.peaceofmindhousesitting. wordpress.com. Call Kathleen 250-619-0786.

ROMAX MASONRY. Chimney repairs and rebuilds. Stonework. Patios. Interlocking pavers.

Fireplaces. Slate installs. Minor excavating.

Romaxmasonry.com, romax-bc@shaw.ca or 250-516-7597.

NEED HELP WITH HOUSEWORK? Let Lean On Me Housecleaning take care of it for you! Reliable and friendly service with attention to detail. Your home will sparkle! Call 250-245-2478.

BUSINESS

HOUSESITTERS INC. Insurance & security checks of your home or vacant property. Pet care, senior check ins & concierge services. Details on website www.housesittersinc.com. Insured.

Retired RCMP owned. Call 250-713-5110.

MID-ISLAND HOME SUPPORT since 2009.

Personal assistance and house cleaning available. Bondable, licensed, certified and insured for your safety and ours. For the best rates around, please call 250-924-2273 (CARE).

JANICE’S HOME CARE SERVICES. All care inside and out of the home; home care, house work, yard work and transportation. Contact janjamieson101@gmail.com or call 250-7012909. Great Rates!

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

BARNACLE BILL’S CHARTERS. Fishing and sightseeing. Call 250-210-0787 or 250-2454185.

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EDUCATION COTTAGE PAINT 101. Transform old furniture into AWESOME! Learn the basics plus creative decorative techniques. All supplies included + 15% off Cottage Paint purchase at ANTIQUE ADDICT. Call now to book 250-245-6533 or email shop@antiqueaddict.ca.

HEALTH & BEAUT Y JACLYNN COTTRELL REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPY. $100 for one hour; $60 for 30 minutes. Available evenings. Located across from Friesen’s on York Rd. in Cedar. Call 778971-0444.

TAI CHI for mental & physical health. Beginner classes start Sept. & Jan., Mondays, at Cedar Heritage Centre. On-going class Wednesdays at North Oyster Community Centre. Both classes 10am to noon $25/mo. www.nanaimotaichi.org.

Call Sara 250-245-1466.

HOME & YARD QUALITY RENOVATIONS. Big or small. 25 yrs. exp/journeyman, affordable. For free estimate, call Lars 250-616-1800.

DARRELL ESSAR RENOVATIONS. Over 30 years’ experience, certified journeyman carpenter. No job is too small, from fences, decks, tile work, hardwood flooring, painting, drywall etc. For free estimate, call Darrell 250-714-3823.

KEEP IT CLEAN SOLUTIONS. Home & office cleaning. General, event, windows, we’ll even make your bed! Great for families, seniors, single parents, office cleaning, flexible service to fit your schedule.

Contact Alicia Johnson 250-709-1364 or aliciajohnson@telus.net.

ARE YOU BUYING OR SELLING A HOME? Curb appeal, re-design or new design, www. islandgardenscapes.ca. Ask for Kathleen 250-802-0461.

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

KB HANDYMAN AND YARDWORKS SERVICES. Minor carpentry work, decks, fences, gutter cleaning, tree pruning, yard clean up, lawn fertilizing, mowing. Senior’s discount. Call Karl 250-714-2738.

GARDEN RENOVATION AND LANDSCAPING. Are you thinking of a garden renovation or landscaping project? Excellent quality and knowledge. We are happy to assist you with any landscaping or gardening work you need. Estimates are always free.

Give Sandpiper a call! 250-246-2421.

THE HAPPY GARDENER. Weeding, digging, raking, cutting back, etc. I also do odd jobs.

Cheerful and conscientious. Call David 250618-9217.

SENIORS UPGRADES. Railings, grab bars, wheelchair ramps, interior re/finishing, carpentry, painting, custom shelving/ storage, decks, benches. Make the home you love more comfortable and functional.

Namaste Home Improvements 250-245-2751 (see display ad).

TAKE 5 CLASSFIED ADS WORK! GET THEM WORKING FOR YOU. 250-245-7015

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GARDENING, YARDWORK, BUILDING & PROPERTY REPAIR, we do it all! Free estimates, serving Cedar to Chemainus. Call Paul Dunn 250-714-3573; all calls promptly returned.

PETS PROFESSIONAL PET CARE SERVICE. Leash ’em & walk ’em with Marlena. Insured and bonded. Animal First Aid and CPR. Service for all pets including dog walking, home care visits, overnight with pet in my home and much more. As my love is yours! Call 250-246-3394.

TOO CRAZY BIRDY HOTEL. Now three locations: Victoria, Cedar and Comox Valley.

Travel with peace of mind, parrot boarding in loving settings. Budgies to macaws. $7, $14, $18 for sml, md, lrg. www.toocrazybirdyhotel.com.

Call Diana and Kip 250-722-2201.

THE PET NANNY. Let us pamper and love your pets at your home or ours. Experience and references are available. Call Shanon or Bill at 250-924-8809, Ladysmith.

ANIMAL COMMUNICATOR. I provide services to help with behaviour issues, lost animals, messages your animal wants you to hear and much more. Contact me at www.janicematthews. ca or 250-246-3394.

GOLDEN LEASH OBEDIENCE. Certified Balanced dog training specialist, covering Nanaimo to Duncan, puppy and adult classes private lessons, help with aggression and problem behaviours. Text or phone 250-667-3878.

SINGLE, INTELLIGENT 7-YEAR-OLD MALE Black Lab, papers, very friendly & well trained, looking to meet sweet, calm female Lab. Object – son to raise and play with. Call Brat 250-7160001.

SENIORS LYNN’S SENIORS CARE HOME. High quality personalized care. Warm caring environment.

Great food and snacks. Family events. Couples and pets welcome. Ocean views, gardens. North of Ladysmith. www.lynnsseniorcare.com. Call 250-245-3391.

CEDAR SENIORS DROP-IN held every Wednesday 1 to 3pm at the Cedar United Church Hall. Games, refreshments and an opportunity to meet your neighbours. Call Donna at 250-7223536 or Barb at 250-722-2346.

LEAVE A LEGACY. Memoirs, family cookbooks, personal histories, we can help get your project ready to press. Available in print and eBook format. Professional publishing services for corporate or individuals. Editor@take5.ca or phone 250-245-7015.

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Tireless warrior — Laurie William Gourlay “A kind soul, full of light and love. A brother to both man and the earth.”

— Sharon Brassard Our community and our world has lost a writer, farmer, activist and friend of the Earth. Laurie Gourlay passed away November 14, in his home at Thistledown Farm in Cedar, in the arms of his one true love Jackie Moad and surrounded by their six Lassie collies.

Gourlay was a popular columnist for TAKE 5, contributing his eloquent musings on farming life, the state of the planet, homemade pies and whatever caught the attention of his fertile mind.

His writing was whimsical and humourous, gently reminding, cajoling, inspiring us to be better citizens of our community and better stewards of the planet.

Born in Hamilton, Scotland, on October 20, 1953, Laurie is described by his friends and colleagues as “an amazing, energetic, dedicated, kind man, full of light, love and a ‘brother’ to many.” He was a life-long defender of the environment and a community activist.

Laurie was piped into his final resting place at Royal Oaks Burial Park in Victoria on November 20. In true Laurie fashion, he had requested a green burial.

“We are all going to miss our MidIsland environmental hero. He was our Cedar/Yellow Point environmental guardian, initiating projects with Jackie, over the years, to educate and inform community, promote environmental sustainability and always making himself available to advise his neighbours on their issues. This community has suffered a great loss.” — Pauline Hunt Laurie came to Cedar in 1978 and stayed until 1991. During that time, he began the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation.(SPEC).

Laurie William Gourlay, writer, activist for environment and community

With tape recorder, he and Jackie travelled the world, interviewing leading thinkers and activists along the way. While in Calcutta, India, they met Mother Theresa who declined his interview request but blessed them.

Laurie spent time in Ottawa working on the Hill with MPs Lynn Hunter, then Bob Skelly, and Pat Martin from 1991– 2004. While here, he pushed to start the NDP Environment Committee.

“He was so committed to the principles of social justice and worked hard to help move us all in that direction.

His hard work and deep caring will be missed by those of us whose lives he touched.” — Jean Crowder Laurie and Jackie took another spin around the planet, starting October 20, 1999, in Tahiti, where they celebrated his birthday, and then to Gisborne, New Zealand, the first town to celebrate New Year’s.

There on Midway Beach, they watched the sun rise on the new millennium.

Laurie returned to Cedar for good in 2004. They built their dream home and kept the memory of their friend, Lynn Wallace, the farm’s previous owner, alive, tending her garden of daffodils.

During this time Laurie was involved with forming Mid-Island Sustainability & Stewardship Initiative (MISSI), Vancouver Island & Coast Conservation Society (VICCS), Island Roundtable on

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Environment & Economy and the Salish Sea Trust. He presented at this year’s Creatively United for the Planet Earth Day festival. (https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=K24yAVGyaWo) Laurie was a member of many other groups including Georgia Strait Alliance and Nanaimo Area Land Trust.

Some of his projects and initiatives were each year having many cities across B.C. declare December 11th as “A Day for Our Common Future,” championing Vancouver Island with “Island Made,” putting out the idea of making Vancouver Island an 11th province of Canada, Closer to home were initiatives like beautifying Cedar, Heritage Lands, the inspiration for a Cedar history book currently being compiled, and bringing the Trans Canada trail through Cedar.

And in the midst of all this, and farming organically 20 acres, they opened a B & B. Lodgings were free to groups and individuals who volunteered and worked for social justice or environmental causes.

“Visiting you both on your farm ... was a wonderful treat. That place is a true expression of both your love for each other and your shared passion for a better world.” — Rob Altemeyer “Laurie was always the first person to offer help and support when someone was in need. He was my coworker at the Nanaimo–North Cowichan constituency offices for many years. Things just won’t be the same without him.”

— Patty McNamara He was a tireless advocate for the designation of the Salish Sea as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In his last column for TAKE 5, he encouraged the community to show support for the initiative by signing the House of Commons Petition E-1269. This was Laurie’s final push to see this World Heritage Site application recognized. (Follow the link at https:// petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/ Details?Petition=e-1269.)

“He was a kind and gentle man, but with tremendous strength of character that made him a tireless warrior for protecting mother earth.”— The Baileys Laurie spoke up for what was good and important in life. Because we knew Laurie, we will do better.

A Celebration of Life will be held sometime this spring when the daffodils bloom at Thistledown Farm.

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Thank You to these local businesses who sponsor TAKE 5 Newsmagazine 49th Parallel Grocery, 26, 42 A&B Alternators & Starters, ABC Water Systems Inc., 33 Adaptive Appliance, 49 Ahl Island Landscapes, 31 Antique Addict, 51 Art of Brewing, 9, 44 Back to Britain, 43 Baha'i, 21 Black Door DĂŠcor, 18 Bobby's Mini Hoe, 49 Brownlow & Sons, Campers Corner RV Park, 49 Carolyn Herriot's Books, 32 Cedar United Church, 37 Cedar Valley Dental, 30 Cedar Valley Memorial, 35,49 Celebrations, 43 CGC Window Cleaning, 49 Chakalaka, 15 Chemainus Chiropractor, 43 Chemainus Health Food Store, 43 Commerce Connection, 50 Cranberry Arms, 35,39 Doug Routley MLA, 37 Dovehill House, 42 Dr. Skin Laser, 54 Dr. Suzanne Otterson, 15 DS Home Improvement, 15, 51 E&S Heating & Air Conditioning, Friesen's Rental & Hardware,8, 49 Freeman Construction, 51 Forget Me Not, 24, 25 Fox and Hounds, 15, 36 Fur Sure Pet Grooming Salon, 51 Genny Damphousse, 49 GNB Builders, 16,34 Good News, 13 Great Life Counselling, 9, 49 Heart Lake Roofing, 31 Hillside Health, 53

Impulse Pizza, 43 Island Garden Scapes, 21,30 Island H20 Services, 31Jean Clark, 30 JEM Massage Therapy, 25 Jennifer Ostle Notary, 8, 49 John's Bedrooms, 33 JSB Mortgages, 49 Junction Bottle Depot, 7 Kevin Lamport, 47 Kinney Clothing, 29, 42 Kidz-R-Brite Family Childcare Ltd., 49 Kogi Naturals/The Soap Factory, 42 LCU Insurance Agencies, 35 LDBA, 28 Ladysmith & District Credit Union, 56 Ladysmith & District Historical Society,17 Ladysmith Fire & Rescue, 19 Ladysmith Fire & Rescue Historical Society,37 Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary, 49 Ladysmith Health Food Store, 33 Ladysmith Little Theatre, 27 Ladysmith Resources Center, 29 La Rosa Gardens, 9,15 Layman Financial Services, 23,49 Little Valley Restorations, 28,40 Magpies Antiques & Gifts, 42 Mahle House Restaurant, 45 Michael Dean, 14 Mike Gogo Cedar Products, 24 Mr. Popper's Sweet Shoppe, 15 Namaste Home Improvements, 14 Nanaimo Airport, 9 Naturally Healthy Clinic, 10,11 Nikki Designs, 30 Nova Integrated Pest Management Ltd., 51 Oceanview Community Church, 14 Order of the Eastern Star, 14 Palmer Leslie CPA., 40 Phantom Screens, 8 Pharmasave Ladysmith, 19, 27, 41 Phoenix Restaurant, 31

Purple Pigeon, 14 RE/MAX Carol Warkentin, 27 RE/MAX Maggie Densmore, 43 RE/MAX Nanaimo John Surtees, 33 Roberts Street Pizza, 51 Robson O'Connor, 7, 13 Royal LePage, 55 Royal LePage Greg Buchanan, 20, 41 Royal LePage Luke & Sue, 18, 53 Salamander Books, 24,25 Sandpiper Garden & Glass, 51 Sara's Bookkeeping, 42 Seaside Spa, 30 SLK Fitness Studio, 15 Slightly Corked, 45 St. Philip Anglican Church,36 Stocking Creek Farm, 51 Sudoff, 49 Sunshine Roofing, 21, 51 TAKE 5, 13, 45, 48, 49 Telford's, 44,51 The Cedars Escape & Spa, 42 The Jolda Gallery, 27 The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, 31 The Sportsman Pub, 12 Thread Setters, 43 TheatreOne, 46 Thai Pinto, 42 Town of Ladysmith, 12 Turner Land Surveying, 31 United Floors, 31 U-Cut Xmas Trees, 31 Ups & Downs Renovations, 43 Van Isle Real Estate, 2,35 Van Isle Style, 43 Versa Signs, 30 Waypoint Insurance, 38 Welcome Wagon, 51 Wheatsheaf Pub, 22 Wildwood, 3 Yellow Point Singers, 15 Xtend Rentals & Safety, 53,

Click on their web links in our online magazine at take5.ca

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