I am writing with the intent to dispel the notion that permissive tax exemptions take away from those who pay taxes (illusion of a fixed pie).
Recently, we witnessed a flip-flop on Council’s decision to deny a permissive tax exemption to the Ladysmith Senior Citizens’ Housing Society, following staff recommendation. While I am a member and an elected Director to this Board, my comments are not necessarily representative of the Board’s position on this matter. They are mine and mine alone.
I challenge the notion of a “fixed pie” some Council members put forth, given that the Town operates on a budget derived from several sources, property tax being only one. Individual and corporate taxpayers pay taxes and realize, over time, benefits to property ownership, or in times of economic downturn, potential losses. Charities and non-profit organizations do not realize personal or corporate benefits, and their volunteers see no benefit beyond serving their community. If a charity is dissolved, its assets are distributed to other charities or non-profits. Meanwhile, owning the land where services are provided creates a community-wide opportunity to do amazing collective things to enhance the entire community, such as providing housing. Let’s allow ourselves to set an example of what a community can do! Our Board members are all volunteers.
Housing does not magically appear overnight. It may take years of planning and investment before it can be occupied. But in the meantime, permissive tax exemptions save the charity a few thousand dollars (less than three thousand in this case) each year, money that can be spent on development.
We have paid for a demolition permit to the Town, for example.
We will have to pay for a survey. We may consider re-zoning, another expense. We will have to pay an architect. We have paid taxes on that land since we acquired it, and now that the former residence has been demolished, we are simply asking the Town to get behind its own narrative and support the development of more affordable housing for seniors. Federal and Provincial governments must also walk the talk on housing.
Suppose we continue to charge tenants 30% of their annual income. In that case, this means that 70% of their incomes are paying for groceries, haircuts, bakery goods, restaurants, and other goods and services in support of local businesses. This is an INVESTMENT in our community in the long view. We are keeping people housed, enhancing their dignity, and out of institutional care for as long as possible, available to provide volunteer services in many of the other non-profits in Town. We have been doing this for 60 years already, and now we have an opportunity to provide even more units. I propose that anyone who sees this investment opportunity will encourage staff recommend our request for a tax exemption. Affordable housing is an asset for all of us. - Lia Versaevel VP LSCHS
Pond support
This is to support the letter of Mike Gogo in the September 2025 issue. I support the creation of ponds to store water for use in firefighting. If the BC government can support this, then so much the better. - David Haley, RPF
Letters to the editor do not necessarily represent the opinion of TAKE 5 or its affiliates. editor@take5.ca
Ladysmith’s Next Tourist Attraction?
BY RICK RAKE
A teacher and a machinist in the south Ladysmith woods are living a love story not only with each other but also with nature, classic four-wheeled beauties and a private nine-acre historic fantasyland – complete with a roundhouse, nature centre and authentic one-room schoolhouse.
“We moved here to nothing more than a half-finished house in 1971. Everything here is new to us,” says collector and co-owner Shirley Blackstaff.
“Harry, my husband has his old cars, steam engines and tools, and I have my schoolhouse, interpretive nature trails and my place for social gatherings with
the ice-cream parlour.”
The Blackstaffs, who have been collectors all their lives, greeted invited
friends and family for their annual open house and barbecue on October 19, 2025. More than 40 volunteers help the Nature House
at Wheels of the Past Fall Family Festival. Photo: Bob Burgess
couple maintain the site and its mechanical wonders.
They call their homestead “Blackstaffs’ Wheels of the Past Heritage Village and Eagles, Evergreens and Everyone Park,” and it potentially offers Ladysmith a special tourism opportunity.
“An investment in this ongoing project will support initiatives that will build a strong brand for Ladysmith’s tourism industry, extend the tourism season and encourage visitors to stay in the Ladysmith area longer,” says the site’s promotional material. “By enhancing visitor experiences linked to education, culture, heritage and the natural environment, we are providing opportunities for our region and promoting tourism which supports successful economic growth.”
What happens next for the childless couple’s historic collection of buildings and artifacts is a mystery. And it’s one which local historical societies are interested in.
Meanwhile, Shirley is planning schoolhouse programs in the future when wheelchair access is completed. She’s been an active member and curator for Ladysmith Maritime Society, is engaged with local retired teachers’ associations, and is pleased to work with Cowichan Valley Schools Heritage Society to help save textbooks and memorabilia.
“We can’t just let artifacts of any kind just sit in a shed. I’m also focused on the preservation of the environment,” she says.
Stories of how the vehicles, steam engines and other historic equipment made their way to the “village” are many, including the relocation of the old Crown Zellerbach (Comox Logging) building from Ladysmith.
Harry doesn’t waste a moment sharing information on his old cars and how he fixes them with parts he casts himself. He still has his first car – an all-original 1927 Nash sedan – and is proud to share the fact he has a 1901 steam car, the first registered in Victoria.
Carefully stored away is his restored Italian 1906 Zust, which, reportedly, finished third in the Great Race from New York to Paris in 1908 and is the subject of a movie and docudramas.
He’s been involved in relocating a
steam engine in Ladysmith, and Shirley led the Ladysmith Maritime Society’s building of the Harbour Heritage Centre, the Maritime Museum and the Sea Life Centre.
Together, the Blackstaffs’ life work is recognized for providing unique experiences for locals and visitors.
Will their “village” be Ladysmith’s next exciting tourist attraction? There’s hope.
Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular Shines Brighter Each Year
Every December, as forests glisten with rain and fairy lights begin to glow, a magical occurrence takes place on stages across Vancouver Island. The Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular bursts onto the scene – a glittering fusion of music, dance and sheer holiday joy that has quietly become one of BC’s most cherished seasonal traditions.
Now entering its 17th year, the show is a vibrant celebration of community, creativity and the enduring power of live performance. Under the artistic direction of Katy Bowen-Roberts, the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular captures everything that
makes the holidays special: nostalgia, laughter and the unmistakable sense of togetherness that comes only from sharing an experience with others in real time.
What sets the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular apart is its heart. The production features both professional performers and a network of local talent, volunteers and supporters who recognize the show as a shared gift to the Island community. Over the years, it has grown from a regional feature into a multicity tour, with sold-out performances at venues such as Nanaimo’s Port Theatre, Courtenay’s Sid Williams Theatre and Victoria’s McPherson Playhouse.
Generations of families have made the show a yearly ritual – grandparents bringing grandchildren, couples on annual date nights and entire office groups gathering together to mark the start of the holiday season. It’s the kind of tradition that fosters belonging in a world that too often feels hurried and disconnected.
As the final number fades and the cast takes its bow, audiences leave
with more than just a catchy tune in their heads. They leave with a rekindled sense of joy, ready to carry that light into the darker days of winter.
The Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular has earned its place as a cornerstone of Vancouver Island’s cultural calendar. Shows run from December 10 to 21, 2025. For tickets, visit www.yellowpointchristmasspectacular.ca.
Nov. 15 Marks National Philanthropy Day
National Philanthropy Day recognizes the spirit of giving, whether through volunteering or making a donation, that supports our charitable sector. This includes organizations that provide social services, education, arts, culture, and many more.
The Ladysmith Community Fund Society holds an endow-
ment fund with the Nanaimo Foundation. Donations to the fund are invested and help to increase the amount of grant funds that the Ladysmith Community Fund Society is able to disburse each year. Grants are made available annually to charitable organizations offering programs and services in the Ladysmith area. A single donation to the Ladysmith Community Fund will give back in perpetuity to our community.
As we get closer to the end of the year, it is a great time to think about making a donation. By donating to your favourite charity, you may receive 15-49% of the amount you donated back at tax time.
If you would like to learn more about the Ladysmith Community Fund, please visit their website at ladysmithcommunityfund.ca or Facebook.
New urgent and primary care centre opens
The Cowichan UPCC, which opened Oct. 20, 2025, will provide urgent care and, eventually primary-care attachment using a team-based model.
Access to the Cowichan UPCC is by appointment only and is based on need, with a nurse or clinician assessing patients over the phone to ensure they receive the right care at the right time.
“This new UPCC is great news for people living in and around Duncan,” said Debra Toporowski (Qwulti’stunaat), MLA for Cowichan Valley and parliamentary secretary for rural health. “It is especially significant for the Cowichan Tribes, Penelakut Tribe, Halalt, Lyackson, Stz’uminus, Malahat, Ts’uubaa-asatx and Ditidaht First Nations, who will have access to care that’s closer to their homes and communities.”
With more than 70 years of professional experience, local artist and educator Barry-Strasbourg-Thompson is a true veteran of the creative world.
“I come from seven generations of artists and began my art career at eight years old, painting for Crawley Films in Ottawa,” he recalls with a smile. “That job paid me $10, which was a lot of money in the ’50s.”
Barry holds an Honours BFA from the University of Ottawa, along with several diplomas and certificates from other institutions. “My degree was in art and healthcare,” he explains. “I’ve taught professionally in programs for children,
seniors and veterans, often integrating art as a tool for healing and personal growth.”
For Barry, art is more than a practice –it’s a philosophy. He sees it as a lifelong path towards wellness, self-awareness and authentic expression. “These three questions underpin my teaching and creative philosophy: Who am I? Why am I here? Who are these others?”
Barry believes true art isn’t about financial gain but about honest expression and conscious awareness – understanding oneself and one’s place in the world.
Currently, Barry is developing a new series titled Circling Home, a reflective series of work exploring the symbolism of the circle and the idea of wholeness.
“Each series is like a chapter in a book,” he notes. “A single painting can contain everything.”
When asked about his daily routine, Barry says, “I start my day early, focusing on quiet reflection and business tasks, and often take time to spend with my partner, Gail, before heading into my home studio. I also work out of my van, a kind of rolling classroom. I’ll drive someplace and produce some drawings.”
Barry Strasbourg-Thompson
Barry Strasbourg-Thompson.
Photo: Nadine Wong
Still active in teaching and mentoring, Barry continues to inspire others through his belief that art is not just a skill but a path to healing, authenticity and personal evolution.
Annual Artisan tour returns
The Cedar and Yellow Point Artisans Christmas Tour is definitely an annual mid-island favourite.
Over a period of 10 days from (Nov 20-23, Nov. 27-30, and Dec. 13-14) visitors have access to artists and crafters in a truly picturesque area just north of Ladysmith.
This year’s 37th Christmas tour boasts 17 terrific locations for visitors to enjoy-some studios offering live demonstrations. It’s an excellent opportunity to find those special hand-crafted gifts for friends and family or maybe just for you. With some very talented artists in this scenic community, you’ll find many of the studios and specialty farms add to its natural beauty. There are treasures to discover, with various woodworked items, from furniture to toys and charcuterie boards and more.
Take an advance peek at the website where you’ll find an online map (www.cyartisans.com) as well as a list of the participants with examples of their work.
All studios will be open from 10-5 pm on the tour dates. The tour is self-guided and an awesome way to spend time with
Cedar and Yellow Point Artisans Christmas Tour.
Photo: Bob Burgess
friends who are sure to enjoy the stunning functional and decorative pottery and blown glass, as well as a variety of jewellery, gorgeous gourd art and much more hand-made work, like quilts and runners. You’ll see paintings as beautiful and unique as the artists creating them. You can also find soft alpaca wool items or goat milk soaps—there is an almost endless variety to inspire and delight.
Visitors will also enjoy the many wonderful organic farm products ranging from sauces to jams and jellies and from wool to candles, botanicals and honey to toys for kids. More information about this area and this annual tour can be found on FB and Instagram… just look for the Cedar Christmas Tour or @cyartisans.
There’s a lot to see, a lot to sample, and lots of inspiration for finding those special gifts for family and friends.
The Star-Spangled Girl
Ladysmith Little Theatre’s second show of the 2025–2026 season, The Star-Spangled Girl, opens November 20, 2025. In 1960s San Francisco, two earnest young men with a new vision for a bright future struggle as they attempt to publish and distribute their political protest magazine. When an allAmerican beauty moves in next door, their world is turned upside down. Caught in a swirling triangle of politics, passions and young love, this fast-paced and hilarious comedy will sweep you off your feet and leave you laughing all the way home. The Star-Spangled Girl, written by Neil Simon, is directed by Charles Harman.
Shows take place at the Ladysmith Little Theatre and will run daily from November 20 to December 7, 2025. Due to the Ladysmith Light Up event, no performance will take place on November 27.
Some of the cast of Ladysmith Little Theatre’s Star-Spangled Girl. Photo submitted.
Winter Book Fest
Are you a writer with a book to share? Or a reader looking for your new favourite author? Then mark your calendars for the first annual Ladysmith Book Fest on 22nd November, at the Eagles Hall, 10am to 4pm.
This is an opportunity for authors to network and engage directly with book lovers and fans, and for readers to meet talented local authors and purchase signed copies and exclusive merchandise. The event is a celebration of our vibrant local literary community.
There are a limited amount of tables available, authors can register by emailing jackie@jackiesharpauthor.com
A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol
A remarkable reimagining of A Christmas Carol is headed for Vancouver Island stages this December. A Wonderheads Christmas Carol brings Ebenezer Scrooge’s magical Christmas journey to life with giant masks, whimsical puppets and inventive theatrical artistry.
Often described as “live-action Pixar,” the Wonderheads Theatre group have spent over a decade enchanting audiences with their imaginative productions. Their take on the Dickens classic has become a beloved holiday tradition for thousands of theatregoers each winter.
The production’s four performers share more than twenty roles between them, showcasing exceptional skill and precision.
“Our ensemble is breathing hard by the end of the 75-minute show,” said Director Andrew Phoenix. “In one moment, a performer is Bob Cratchit; in the next, they’re animating an enormous puppet or spinning set pieces through a cyclone of time travel.”
The show runs in Nanaimo (Port Theatre) from December 23 to 24, 2025. For tickets and show times, visit porttheatre. com or the Port Theatre Box Office.
A Canadian Christmas
Experience the magic of the season with Christmas in Canada – a traditional family Christmas concert presented by Festive Brass and featuring beloved choirs from across Vancouver Island.
This heartwarming performance celebrates the spirit of a true Canadian Christmas through music, storytelling and community connection. Audiences will be treated to a rich mix of timeless carols and festive favourites, along with new Canadian compositions, such as “A Canadian Christmas Fanfare” and “Christmas in Canada.”
Of course, no Festive Brass concert would be complete without their signature twist on the classics – a playful “Festive Brass spin” on carols such as “Good King Wenceslas” and “Silent Night.”
“There’s something special about performing this show on Vancouver Island,” said Stevan Paranosic, leader and trumpet player for Festive Brass. “It’s festive, funny and full of heart –you never know what might happen on stage!”
Audiences are encouraged to sing along with the choirs during select numbers, making each concert a shared celebration for all ages. Expect moments
of joy, nostalgia and community spirit – the perfect way to usher in the holiday season.
Festive Brass plays St. ANdrews United Church, in Nanaimo on December 6, 2025, at 7 p.m. Tickets can be found at www.festivebrass.ca/holidaytour2025.
Hometown Holiday Fun with Nico Rhodes and Patrick Courtin!
Nanaimo’s Nico Rhodes and Patrick Courtin are bringing the festivities home for the holidays with a brand-new show – Piano Heist: A Very Merry Heistmas! This musical extravaganza is a joyful romp through Christmas classics, brimming with dazzling piano duels, quick-witted comedy and a whole lot of holiday spirit. Featuring the nostalgia of A Charlie Brown Christmas, a rock ’n’ roll Nutcracker Suite, the Messiah on melodicas and a rollicking ragtime “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” every moment is bursting with musical mischief and cheer. Get ready for an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind holiday concert filled with laughter, surprises and audience sing-alongs.
In 2022, lifelong friends and accomplished pianists Nico Rhodes and Patrick Courtin launched Piano Heist, determined to bring piano music back into the spotlight. Inspired by three centuries of musical genius – from Bach to Billy Joel and Chopin to Queen – they created a show that fuses dazzling musicianship with humour, storytelling and audience participation.
A Very Merry Heistmas plays on December 10, 2025, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Port Theatre. Tickets can be found at www.porttheatre.com. For more information, visit www.pianoheist.com.
Wonderheads Christmas Carol puppets. Photo submitted.
Festival of LightsBuzzing with Holiday Spirit plus 300 drones
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO
Last year, the Festival of Lights ended without fireworks. This year, there’s a new show to cap off the night. The LDCU has sponsored and organized the first-ever public drone show on Vancouver Island as the send-off at the end of the night.
John de Leeuw, CEO for the Ladysmith & District Credit Union, was the brains behind the operation, taking it from an idea to fruition. “We’re very proud that the Credit Union has
found an alternative that we believe is magical and spectacular and will showcase not only the community of Ladysmith and Light Up night but [also] Vancouver Island when we take into account that it is the first-ever public drone show on Vancouver Island. We’re very proud to be able to sponsor and organize this. This isn’t us just cutting a check. This is us taking on this project from start to finish. And it’s just another example of how we know that it’s important and part of our responsibility to step up for our community.”
The drone show is a more environmentally friendly option than fireworks. While fireworks are beautiful and beloved by many, they can cause fires, can be dangerous if lit incorrectly, and are harmful to pets and other animals. Drones are much less noisy, with no loud explosions, and are programed to display images through choreographed lights. The drone show is expected to run the full fifteen minutes that the
Performers at Festival of Lights Parade at Light Up night, 2024. Photos: Linda McBride.
original firework display used to last.
Michael Robinson, the marketing director at the LDCU described it as storytelling in lights. “It’s quite different [from fireworks]. You’re working in multi-layers, in four-dimensional space. The drone shows work [by having] the drones in layers. They turn some lights on and turn some lights off to get everything to tie in together and create this animated story right in lights in the sky.”
Using 300 drones, the show will be themed to bring in the Christmas cheer. John wouldn’t share too much about the show, but he said to look out for a train and hinted that the LDCU’s mascot, Sunny, might make an appearance. “It is the kickoff of the Christmas season. It’s meant for families. It’s meant to bring the community together. It is a wonderful evening and a wonderful show.”
If you’re unfamiliar with Ladysmith’s favourite tradition, the Festival of Lights falls on the last Thursday of November, and it’s the town’s annual kickoff to the holiday season. The town is lit with thousands of sparkling Christmas lights, bringing
locals and tourists alike to bask in the magic of it.
The Artisan Craft Fair opens at 3 p.m., and it’s the perfect place to find unique gifts. Activities officially kick off at 4 p.m. and include the Doctors of Rock ’n’ Roll performing on the main stage, as well as roving performers, like NRZ LED robots, jugglers and fairies. Santa even makes a stop in from the North Pole and will be available for visits with children from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The Kinsman Parade starts just after 6:30 p.m. and showcases festive floats and community spirit from local businesses and organizations alike. If you want to participate, registration is open until November 16th.
Traditions like these can be expensive to run, and Sam Day, vice president of the Festival of Lights, noted that the monthly 50/50 raffle “has been a tremendous success in supporting our fundraising efforts this year. We encourage everyone to participate and help keep the lights shining bright!”
For more information and to enter the raffle, visit their website (www.ladysmithfol.com).
Breaking Bread
BY PAUL LEGACY
Bread baking dates back about 10,000 years, with sourdough bread emerging roughly 6,000 years ago. My history with bread dates back to when I was about six years old, helping my mom and grandmother make bread. The smell and taste of fresh bread just out of the oven, sliced and spread with peanut butter and jam – I long for those days!
I often hear people say bread has changed in the last 100 years, but I feel it has rather developed into great breads that we cook today.
Homemade bread allows us to control the ingredients so it can offer improved digestion, better blood sugar control and
a higher intake of vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins, iron and magnesium.
The smell and taste of homemade sliced bread with a fresh bowl of soup can certainly excite one’s palate.
Homemade Bread You will need:
Product 2 loaves 4 loaves
Flour 6+ cups 10+ cups
Salt 2 tsp 4 tsp
Sugar 3 tbsp ¼ cup + 2 tsp
Butter 3 tbsp ¼ cup
Water 2 cups 4 cups
Yeast 1 tbsp 2 tbsp
This is a simple bread recipe and so easy to make. Always use the appropriately sized bowl – stainless steel or glass if you have one large enough.
Add sugar, salt and butter. Then add the hot water (hot from the tap is good) and stir until the butter is melted. Add about ⅓ of the flour and sprinkle the yeast on top mix with a wooden spoon until mixed well. Continue to add flour until it’s too hard to mix with a wooden spoon. Sprinkle some of the flour on the countertop and remove the dough from the pan. Knead it until the flour is used up and the dough is no longer sticky – this could take up to 5 minutes.
Then place the dough in a nicely oiled bowl and cover with a cloth until it has doubled in size – about 1 hour to 1½ hours. Once the dough has risen, remove it from the bowl and divide it into loaves. Knead, shape and place the dough into greased loaf pans. Let these rise for another 1 hour to 1½ hours covered
and then bake at 400 F for 30 minutes. Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and the pans and cool. Slice and bag. It may be frozen for up to three months.
Notes: You can substitute butter for margarine. I use warm water from the tap, and it’s good enough. Different flour brands may require that you use more or less flour. Your kitchen should be warm to help with the rising of the bread. A cold kitchen will slow down the rising processes.
This bread makes excellent buns as well. I use a pie plate and cut one loaf into 12 pieces and follow the same process as bread.
Rustic
Bread You will need:
Flour 6½ cups
Water 3 cups
Salt 1 tbsp
Yeast 1 tbsp
This is bread is different in that you place all the dry ingredients in a large bowl, stir well and then add the water and stir with a wooden spoon. Put your hands under the water and slowly pull it all together – with no kneading.
Let the dough rise on the counter for a few hours covered in plastic wrap. Once it’s risen, you can put the dough in the fridge for up to two weeks, using as needed.
To bake a bread, simple rinse your hands under water and scoop up a piece and shape. Then put it on a cooking tray with lots of corn meal on the surface of the pan. Cook for 45 to 50 minutes at 425 F.
Put the remaining dough back in the fridge covered and save for another day.
Notes: This bread recipe will make four small round breads or shape to your needs. It will also make four thin crust pizzas. Divide it into four parts and use a floured surface to roll out.
You can also add spices, cheese or whatever you want. This bread is very crispy and amazing with soups and stews.
Photos: Paul Legacy
You can follow Paul Legacy’s food blog: A Legacy in Thyme at https:// www.facebook.com/ share/1AvhVXYW3a /?mibextid=wwXIfr
Room for All Creatures Great and Small
BY KERITH WADDINGTON
Carrie Daviduk’s bucket is always full.
Of chicken feed. Or goat greens. Or cat kibble. Or, simply, water.
But her bucket is always full figuratively too. Since 2006, and on her own dime, Daviduk – a Cedar resident on a four-acre property with a heart even bigger – has opened her home to 11 goats, 10 feral cats, five to six kittens (either kept or adopted out), three dogs, about 20 turkeys and hundreds of chickens in need of care.
She laughingly admits that while she’s “at maximum capacity” with her current roster of 33 chickens, two turkeys, eight goats, five cats and one dog, she spends much of her free time working with rescue organizations such as Cowichan Cat Rescue, CatNap, Foster Kritters and A Home for Hooves to help two- and four-legged friends in need.
She explains her motivation to help those who can’t help themselves.
“Although I was a city kid and grew up in North Nanaimo, I had my own horse whom I loved very much,” she says. “I really connect with animals on a deep level and enjoy their company. And I am lucky to have this much space, which enables me to help out. Feeding this motley crew feeds my spirit, so it’s a win-win all around.”
Whether blind or deaf, friendly or feisty, young or old, a variety of animals have been welcomed to Daviduk’s home over the years. She admits that, at the moment, only the chickens “pay for their keep” by laying eggs she can sell. “The rest are absolutely useless,” she laughs – except, of course, for the peace their happiness brings her. Daviduk supports her furry friends through her work as a farrier.
Daviduk graduated almost 20 years ago from the farrier program at Kwantlen College and has made her living trimming hooves and shoeing horses ever since. She likens the experience to people trimming their own nails, “just on a larger scale, and requiring lots of strength and patience.” Daviduk has a regular rotation of clients from Duncan to Coombs who keep her extremely busy.
She admits the work is hard on her body.
“My joints take a beating, so I incorporate as much physio and self-care into my weeks as possible,” she says. “But it’s work I love, probably because I had my own horse growing up. I like to think I am a bit of a horse-whisperer. It’s gratifying to be able to calm a nervous horse down [until] they let you work on their feet. It’s an honour, really.”
Back home, Daviduk enjoys listening to the young turkeys as they try to gobble but end up producing a garbled “honk” instead. Some chickens are loving, while others try to draw blood. And goats Dorothy, Blanche and Fernando think they own their pen, but Poppy, the smallest, will raise her hackles when needed and put everybody in their place with a good head butt. “These guys are endlessly entertaining,” admits Daviduk, who also provides a home for some freshwater fish and a couple of snails. “I can’t help myself,” she laughs. “When I hear of a critter needing help, I’m in!”
Daviduk is proof that out in the country, there is often a heartwarming story just next door.
Carrie Daviduk at her North Oyster farm. Photo: Kerith Waddington
Without a Home
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO
Homelessness is a national issue with complexities that cannot be properly explored in a single article. Yet the tension between those experiencing homelessness, the resources available to them, and the ways this “problem” is being dealt with, should not be ignored.
Ladysmith has a homeless population. There are encampments in the woods hidden away from the town; and people bundled in blankets asleep in the museum parking lot. Some people only see the negative sides of the issue: garbage and needles scattered on the ground, left for other people to clean up. Other people see a need: brothers and sisters who have fallen on hard times, struggling in a system that makes it nearly impossible to fix the issue alone.
The first place people struggle with is buying food. Rent and food can be unaffordable together; priorities need to be chosen. The 2023 Homeless Count in BC identified that the largest factor (37% of the 11,352 people counted) is not having enough money, often despite having one or more sources of income.
The Ladysmith Resource Centre Association supports the community with resources for low- and no-income households. Their resources include an affordable apartment building called Heart on the Hill, a food pantry, and a homeless shelter.
The homeless shelter is a big way the LRCA addresses the needs of the community. It’s a very small space. A common area with a few plastic tables, a small galley kitchen, a laundry area,
bathrooms and showers. The sleeping quarters are two separate rooms on opposite ends of the common area, six beds for the men, four for the women. Each bed was housed in a wrap-around stall to provide as much privacy as possible.
There are many reasons someone may seek out the shelter’s support. Andrew Akrod, the shelter manager, spoke about the experiences he had. “We see people who are experiencing homelessness from addiction, fleeing from abusive relationships. Financial losses; they’ve lost their jobs, or they’ve had some major unexpected expense. We’re getting them as they’re at their lowest. We’re really there to stabilize and help them find resources.”
Since he started with the shelter three years ago, Andrew has seen the need grow exponentially. “We would see maybe four or five people, and it started to accumulate more and more as winter came. Over the last few years, that has grown significantly. We now serve a minimum of twenty to thirty people a day.”
As the demographic of people accessing support grows, Andrew noted that their capacity to support is starting to fill the role of a referral service. “We’re seeing a massive increase in the elderly, especially with people who are starting to experience dementia and Alzheimer’s, who are having a difficult time finding housing that suits them…we do look to find a lot of resources for them.”
While the need is larger than the space accommodates, they only have permission to operate within their space. However, that doesn’t stop them from reaching as many as they can, even if it’s just to provide a drink and a bite to eat. In the summer, they run a cooling centre with cold meals and water to help prevent heatstroke and in the winter months, a warming station.
Unfortunately, shelter isn’t a home, and beds aren’t always guaranteed. Sidewalks and door stoops are used to find shelter from the elements. The mess left behind by those living on the street is a point of contention.
The Ladysmith Museum, across the street from the LRCA’s shelter, often has unhoused people sleeping in bushes, or sitting on the curb. Drug use and overdoses are common.
Kim Stordy, a volunteer at the mu-
seum, spoke about the ongoing issues. “They’d have their sleeping bags there and their crack pipes and sitting on the stairs and shooting up. And it’s gotten particularly bad since [the Town] put in the sharp’s container.”
The sharps’ container was installed by the Town last November, without communication with the museum. The sharps container, Kim noted, is attracting people struggling with addiction as a place that is safe for them to use and dispose of their needles. This usage is causing patrons of the museum to avoid it for both perceived and legitimate safety concerns.
“A lot of our volunteers are elderly people. People 60 and over. They feel threatened; they don’t want to come and
volunteer unless there’s a second person. They just feel intimidated.” Kim noted that volunteers haven’t been harmed, but they have experienced being yelled at.
Kathleen Oliver is an artist who tried to set up a studio in the basement of the museum. “There were two of us downstairs and we were trying to see if we could set up a studio. But honestly, coming here alone and then knowing what’s all around the building and right outside, it doesn’t feel safe.”
Both Kathleen and Kim have asked the Town and law enforcement for help. But the response isn’t what they wanted. Kim said the only advice they’ve re -
Sleeping rough behind the Ladysmith Museum. Photo: Marina Sacht
ceived from the bylaw officer was to keep the garden trimmed. “They think if you beautify the area, then you have more people coming to use it from the public and then the homeless people see that, and they won’t want to be around.” The question then becomes: where do they go?
Dave Judson from the Ladysmith Sportsman Club has organized environmental cleanups in the woods around Ladysmith for the last twelve years. He says that this year’s cleanup removed 30,000 lbs of trash, adding to the approximated 180,000 lb total.
“I contribute it to the homelessness. They’re up there in tough conditions, they’re hauling cars. Sadly, the Ministry of Environment shows no support.” Dave also said that the town of Ladysmith hasn’t offered support, despite the garbage being on the watershed.
The lack of support from governing bodies is frustrating.
After 12 years, Dave is ready to be done but if he doesn’t do it, the mess will just be left. “I really was gonna wash my hands of it this year, but…so many people that will enjoy going up in our backyard, they jumped on board and I had enough to do it.” Dave said that people don’t want to live in fear of the mess or the homeless, but it’s challenging to bridge that gap when the garbage is left in places it shouldn’t be.
The biggest areas of concern for Dave are the woods around Peerless Road, and Bannon Creek Forest Service Road. “There were over twenty-three homeless residents living up there.”
This year’s cleanup efforts removed 70 tires from an abandoned stash in the woods. “They were stealing the tires or taking the tires out of the recycle. And then they were using them to build a wall up the mountain. And then when they abandoned the project, they never picked up the tires. There’s quite an environmental mess there.”
One concern with people living in the woods and leaving garbage behind, is the higher chance of fires especially during the fire ban. The Ladysmith Fire Department and the RCMP did not respond before presstime regarding these issues.
We did speak to Justin Gueulette, Fire Chief for the North Cedar Fire Department. He said there were no current concerns regarding people living in the woods. “We’ve had the odd time with people camping in some of the local parks, but it was more their using cooking fires during inappropriate times, like during a campfire ban.”
The Town of Ladysmith was reached for a comment on these humanitarian and environmental issues but they did not respond before we went to press.
One of the camps behind Peerless. Photo: Dave Judson
Remembering World War I Doctors
BY SUSAN KNOSS, LADYSMITH ARCHIVES
I started researching doctors who served in the Ladysmith area a couple of years ago as a volunteer at the Ladysmith & District Historical Society. I was initially surprised at how many of the doctors who worked in Ladysmith were also involved in World War 1 as medical officers. But as I started digging into this a little more, I discovered that over half of the doctors in Canada served in the Great War.
Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC)
There were two main units that Vancouver Island men and women mustered in. These were the Canadian Army Medical Corps, which operated Canadian Salonika Hospital No. 5, near the Balkans Front in Greece, and the 13th Field Ambulance, which provided front line medical assistance at numerous battles in France.
Here’s a few of the doctors who had a Ladysmith connection.
Dr. A.C. Frost
Anson Carr Frost attended McGill Medical School and graduated in 1903. Following this, he travelled to Ladysmith, where he was hired as an assistant to Dr. Wasson as a doctor for Dunsmuir Collieries. In 1907, Frost married a local schoolteacher, Lila Coburn, and
the couple had four sons and a daughter. Following his training completion in 1915, Frost travelled to Salonika, Greece, as part of the Army Medical Corps. Here, he served as a medical officer for two years before returning to Ladysmith in November 1917.
After settling back into civilian life, Frost helped establish a local branch of the Great War Veterans’ Association, now known as the Legion. He served as Ladysmith’s first Legion president.
Dr. Frank Porter Patterson
Frank Porter Patterson was born on December 24, 1875. He worked as a mine doctor in Ladysmith in 1904–1905.
During World War 1, Patterson served in the Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC) from 1914–1918. He was a major at the Salonika Canadian Field Hospital No. 5, specializing in orthopedics – a rapidly developing field due to the need for artificial limbs and facial, hand and back reconstruction. Patterson became the first orthopedic surgeon in BC.
Dr. Darrell Hanington
Darrell Peters Hannington was born on July 10, 1884. After graduating from McGill’s medical school in 1906, Hannington worked on the east coast of Vancouver Island, then travelled to Edinburgh for further medical training. Following this, he settled in Windemere, BC, and established the town’s first hospital.
By September 10, 1915, Hanington joined CAMC and was on active duty at the Salonika Canadian Hospital No. 5. He returned to England in 1917, where
he was attached to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital.
The family moved to Ladysmith in 1928, where Hanington practised until the start of WW2.
CAMC in Salonika and Liverpool
Dr. Frost, Dr. Porter Patterson and Dr. Hanington mustered from Victoria and began their journey with their unit on May 30, 1915. After landing in England, they trained in Shorncliffe Army Camp for two months before heading to the Balkan theatre, where they set up a hospital for British soldiers in the Salonika area of Greece. The port is now known as Thessaloniki.
The medics at the Salonika hospitals faced extreme temperatures and poor supply lines, reportedly treating more soldiers for diseases than for battle wounds. Malaria and dysentery “thinned the ranks of enlisted and officers alike.” After two years at the hospital in Salonika, the unit returned to England, where they served soldiers returning to a Canadian Hospital in Liverpool.
Dr. John Montgomery
John Edward Montgomery enlisted with CAMC. He was attached to the 13th Field Ambulance and served at several active battle sites, including Ypres, where he supervised two dressing stations and the clearing of wounded from the front lines.
As a result of his frontline work, Montgomery suffered a hernia, which caused jaundice and hepatitis. After his recovery, he spent the remainder of his service in England, where he trained battlefield medics. He finished his active service at a convalescent hospital in New Westminster and was then sent to Ladysmith, where doctors were required due to the influenza outbreak.
In September 1919, Montgomery was appointed by the Department of Soldiers’ Re-Establishment to address the medical needs of returned men in the area.
In 1923, Montgomery became infected with diphtheria while treating sick children, dying as a result. His wife and three sons survived him. A daughter was born several months after his death.
Advertisement courtesy of Canadian War Museum
13th Canadian Field Ambulance
This unit mustered in Victoria following a couple of months of active recruitment. The original contingent that landed in England on July 9, 1916, included 10 officers and 80 enlisted men. Montgomery and several enlisted men from Ladysmith were included in this original group. Following some orientation and training in England, the 13th Field Ambulance arrived in France on August 13, 1916.
Newspapers in BC report this unit being active in the battles at Ypres, the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Lens, Beaumont-Hamel and Passchendaele. There were reports of casualties among stretcher bearers, the wounded and those suffering from being gassed or diseases.
After the War
According to the Canadian War Museum (www.warmuseum. ca), 21,453 men and women served with CAMC during WW1, and 1,325 members of this branch died in their service to Canada. Because of the damage done to the human body during war, medical and surgical advancements were encouraged and necessary.
Some of these great advancements from WW1 include triage systems to deal with the most urgent patients first; the creation of mobile field hospitals near front lines to provide immediate surgical care; plastic and reconstructive surgery for facial and burn damage; blood transfusions and preservation; antiseptics and equipment sterilization to prevent infections; and rehabilitation and prosthetics development to replace limbs and to assist in daily functioning.
In the aftermath of WW1, there was a need for treatment for returning veterans to address their medical and mental health issues. Many of the doctors who served in WW1 were also active in working with the veterans in the years that followed.
Remembrance Day - please join us at the Ladysmith Museum for light refreshments and videos 10am to 1pm.
1st World War Dominion Day Parade Red Cross Float. Circa 1917 Ladysmith Archives Knight Collection 2007 034 5023
Famous shipsthe USS Bear
BY QUENTIN GOODBODY
Built in Scotland in 1874 as a sealer, with modifications to withstand sea ice and dual sail and steam power, the ship was very advanced for its day, a forerunner of modern icebreakers. It was purchased by the US Navy in 1884 for use in rescuing what remained of the ill-fated Greely Arctic expedition. In 1885, she was transferred to the US Revenue Cutter Service (later the US Coast Guard) and, by 1929, had made 34 voyages to Alaskan and Arctic waters as a patrol ship, saving lives and dispensing justice in the remote and often challenging region. “During Bear’s 40-year career in Alaska, the cutter performed some of the most daring and successful Arctic rescues in history. And when malnourished Native Americans needed food, Bear brought it. When stranded whalers needed rescue, Bear saved them. One hundred years ago, when thousands of Alaskans contracted the Spanish flu during the pandemic, Bear brought doctors and medicine.” (quote from William Thiesen, the Coast Guard’s official historian for the Atlantic area).
Ladysmith on Monday, November 11th – the day World War 1 ended: “1.00 to 3.00, company of infantry participating in parade ashore through the city of Ladysmith helping local authorities to celebrate cessation of hostilities at their request.”
Sold by the US Coast Guard in 1929 to the City of Oakland for use as a museum, the ship starred in the 1930 film version of Jack London’s ‘The Sea Wolf’. Her subsequent services included supporting Admiral Richard E Byrd’s 1934 Second Expedition to Antarctica. She went to Antarctica twice between 1939 and 1941 to evacuate Americans at the beginning of World War II. She later served in patrol duty off the coast of Greenland before being decommissioned in November 1944.
After World War II, Bear was sold for
conversion back to a sealing vessel. Finally, in 1963, while being towed to a stationary assignment as a floating restaurant in Philadelphia, Bear foundered and sank during a gale in the North Atlantic Ocean about 100 miles (160 km) south of Sable Island, Nova Scotia.
She assisted with relief efforts after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
The Bear regularly coaled at Ladysmith on her way between Alaska and her home base in California. Her logbook, quoted here, shows she was in
On October 4th, 2021, the US Coast Guard and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that they had found the longlost remains of Bear using advanced remote vehicles equipped with video equipment.
The legend of the USS Bear is so ingrained in US Coast Guard lore that the sports teams at the Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut are named the Bears, partly in honour of the vessel.
USS Bear At The Big Wharf, Ladysmith Harbour during Remembrance Day. Photo: Ladysmith Archives
