Hello! I just felt compelled to sit down and write you at TAKE 5. (I don’t normally do this.) I have just read with delight your February 2025 magazine from front to back and I LOVED it!
I had a few minutes after lunch, so I sat down with your magazine to read “just a page or two.” But I read the entire thing. It was so interesting, challenging and inspiring! I felt happiness, sadness, anger and informed, and that I should do or say something. It was an excellent read. Thank you for putting it all together so wonderfully. And the magazine summed up the community quite vividly.
I have lived here for 20 years and have seen many people come and go. I have worked as a nurse in Chemainus, in Duncan as a clinical care coordinator and in Nanaimo as a returnto-work specialist. All three locations have made improvements in their towns, and they look like they are prospering. Ladysmith, however, has raised property taxes year after year yet has not made significant, noticeable improvements to its city structure and framework. Where has all the money gone from all those government incentives and grants that the town received? I know that the previous mayor and town council took trips to other cities to “network and learn,” but did they bring back anything to benefit Ladysmith?
Apparently, the city hall had issues with rats and asbestos, and the Council decided to spend money on decorative reno vations, including new windows, heat pumps, interior and ex terior painting, carpentry work, etc., and now want to move or build a new facility because of the rats, asbestos, lack of storage space and ramp inaccessibility. You would think they would have dealt with the most pressing safety concern first (rats and asbestos), then do the cosmetic work later — nope.
I read Vera Robinson’s suggestion in TAKE 5 that they move into the closed Davies school; it seems to be a good option. All their concerns would be handled at no extreme cost to the taxpayer.
Seeing the picture in TAKE 5 of the Ladysmith Yacht Clubhouse being moved to Mill Bay was sad. It made me angry about how the Ladysmith Maritime Society was treated. That was all badly handled — not tactfully or diplomatically. I often walk around the Transfer Beach area and see the derelict shape of the shoreline. I see things getting worse rather than better. We once had a vibrant boat launch place where one could go down and have a coffee and mingle. The last time I walked along the beach, I had my granddaughter with me (she is 10 years old), and she said she was afraid walking there because of all the homeless people and all the garbage strewn around. She said she didn’t want to walk there anymore. Is this the true Ladysmith now?
I recently talked to a young man working at Save-On-Foods, who delivered groceries to my car. He was friendly and said that he had lived here for a few years but couldn’t afford to live here now due to the high cost of property taxes. He says he fears the town will be building a new city hall, which would increase his property taxes even more, and he just can’t handle the expense. He is moving back to Nanaimo, as there is more to offer there and fewer taxes — interesting coming from a young man. How is this little town to attract and maintain the younger generation if they don’t see any value in living here? Will it just be a town for seniors and retired movie stars? I don’t see that type riding around on electric bikes.
The town seems very strong with its volunteers — they do so much — but it is not sustainable. Volunteers are getting older and don’t have the time or patience to do it year after year. But with all their work, it sure seems the volunteers have a pulse on the town’s needs right now.
That brings us to the Health Care Centre in Ladysmith. That was such a great article written by Fran Pacchiano. It was poignant and blunt. The reality is that Vancouver Island Health Authority has many managers and directors in its hierarchy. More pressure is put on the frontline staff to do more with less. How can
a hospital in Nanaimo, Duncan, Ladysmith or Chemainus work efficiently when managed from Victoria? It is not about the lack of medical staff working, but about distortion in the management.
I have worked in BC, Alberta, Ontario and have seen many approaches to health-care delivery. There needs to be a coordinated effort to help the patient navigate the medical barrage. Someone needs to take the lead to coordinate the care, rather than aimlessly referring the patient from one health care facility to another because it’s “quitting time” at a particular facility. Health care does not have a quitting time.
As far as not having the supplies (wheelchairs or IV poles) needed for a hospital, that is simply poor management. And that brings us to the last article in the February issue of TAKE 5 … the naming of Ladysmith. That was such a good write-up by Rob Johnson.
Thank you for the lovely read — it was very good from front to back.
— Marla Barnes
End of An Era
I am writing in response to your article in the February edition called “The End of an Era,” about the Ladysmith Yacht Club. The article stated, “The Clubhouse no longer suited the needs of the LYC.” That statement is far from the truth. The clubhouse was an important part of the club, regularly utilized by its members. The Oak Bay Marine Group informed us that our lease would not be renewed after March 31, 2025. Unfortunately, an alternative location could not be secured, leading to the sale of the clubhouse. Many of our members are disappointed about losing the clubhouse. Despite this change, the Ladysmith Yacht Club remains an active club, with approximately 180 current members. Anyone interested in joining can find us at ladysmithyc.bc.ca.
— Paul Tellier, Commodore, Ladysmith Yacht Club
Letters to the editor are welcomed. This is an open community forum. Hate, libel and defamation will not be tolerated.. We may not agree with you, but we will protect your right to be heard. The letters published here do not necessarily represent the opinion of TAKE 5 or its affiliates. Write to editor@take5.ca
suspension of peaceful protestors from VIU
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO
On the sixth of February, Vancouver Island University suspended two students after months of peaceful protests on campus.
The students, Sara Kishawi and an unnamed, Student A, are Palestinian and have dedicatedly led the on-campus protests against the genocide in Gaza. Their efforts included weekly “Ask us about Palestine” booths, calls for open dialogue with the university on where it gets its funding, and, most notably, the encampment on the Nanaimo campus from May through August of 2024.
I spoke with Kishawi shortly after the start of the conflict in Gaza, in October 2023. She talked about seeing photos sent from family members who still lived there, of their homes destroyed, and reading the lists of the dead for people she knew. For Kishawi, the protests were a matter of life and death.
The signage at the protests, around the encampment, and in front of the on-campus Starbucks was blunt. There were calls for the immediate ceasefire in Palestine, death toll numbers of children in Gaza, and asking VIU to be transparent about its funding ties to Israel.
VIU wasn’t the only target for the protest’s concerns about connections to Israel, during the spring and summer of 2024, chalk messages were written on the pavement in front of Starbucks to encourage boycotts. The messages included, “For a $6 coffee, you too can kill a child.”
I found these messages particularly challenging to look at, even as a fellow protester and boycotter. It attacked a
-OPINION-
level of privilege that I had not realized I held. However, they were not, as the Palestine Solidarity Encampment (PSE) reiterated on their Instagram post about the signs being harmful, but rather “protesting Starbucks as a company, and aim to give consumers the right to informed choice”.
It’s these signs and messages which VIU ultimately cited in the suspension of Kishawi and Student A despite promises in the summer to the students involved in the PSE that they would not be punished.
Kishawi, in an email to fellow protesters and supporters, reported that “this decision was given to the students in October of 2024, following an investigation which found claims made by the university to be unsubstantiated.” An appeal was filed in November. However,
there were several delays on the part of VIU and the VIU Student’s Union, which pushed the hearing until February 2025.
Those unsubstantiated claims by VIU came in an Update to the Community blog post on June 19th, 2024, where the university stated that protestors entered the Provost’s office on June 11th, and took over the Campus Store during the final convocation ceremony on June 13th, “represent serious escalations that undermine the safety and well-being of our students and employees.”
The immediate consequences of the suspensions were that Kishawi, despite graduating from VIU in June of 2024, cannot access her transcripts for any graduate school applications for the next two years. Student A, was only suspended for a year, but the hearing delays postponed them from participating in the spring semester.
The long-term consequences, however, are more complex. This decision lets students know that their rights to free speech will not be respected. Any promises made by the university will not be upheld. And, perhaps most devastatingly, Vancouver Island University is not a safe space for the expression of thoughts, beliefs, and opinions in the pursuit of education.
Additionally, this decision has ramifications for Indigenous students and VIU’s commitment to honour truth and reconciliation. How can a university which publicly proclaims that “it is our obligation to decolonize our systems and ways of thinking” expect that we will ignore their suspension of two students who protested for that very thing?
Francesca Pacchiano. Photo submitted.
VIU's demolition crew dismantled the Palestine Solidarity Encampment in August 2024. Photo: Instagram pse_viu
The Pi Man’s Challenge
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO
Ladysmith's Eric Derkson is ranked first in North America and fifth in the world for reciting Pi to 805 decimal places while juggling. On March 14, he will be attempting to reach 1088 decimal places at Wolf Brewing’s Pi Day celebrations. The festivities include chicken pot pies and fruit pies, with music to cap out the night.
Eric has always been fond of math, even now practising university-level calculus for fun in his retirement. But it was after reading about the greater mapping and memory capacity of taxi drivers in London that got him thinking about his own memory capacity as a bus
driver. “I read this article at about the same time as a news story about some student at the Shawnigan Lake School that had successfully recited 400 digits and a teacher at the school that had recited over 1500.”
That was all the incentive Eric needed. “I thought, if they can do it, I can do it. … I was just tickled pink when I could recite my first hundred digits.”
As for memorization, Eric looks for patterns. “There’s one pattern where it goes 4-1-8-1-4, like a palindrome. And other times, it’s 7-3-7 — that’s an airplane. [The sequence] 1-2-9 — that’s that nice highway down in South Carolina.” He says it’s easier to remember the order of the groups rather than all of the numbers in sequence.
It was a challenge to learn, but he’s proud of his accomplishments thus far. “Learning the first twenty digits was hard. Then [the] next 50, hard. The next 100, hard. But you [aren’t] just good at something as soon as you try.”
The event on March 14 will not be his first Pi Day attempt. Several years ago, he organized a small gathering in
celebration of the day at Riot Brewing. “I didn’t know how to advertise it, so I went there in the afternoon, and I just did it. The other half dozen people that were in the bar more or less indulged me.”
The following year, he brought a group of friends and family to the Wheatsheaf Pub in Cedar as a private event.
Last year, he attempted to beat his record at Wolf Brewing but found the combination of stage fright and the atmosphere of the bar to be a difficult place to concentrate in. He wasn’t planning on trying publicly this year until he had a personal invitation from Wolf Brewing.
“This year the bar owners have asked me to participate, and they’ve taken it on themselves to be putting on a Pi Day event.”
Eric hopes this is an opportunity to redeem himself and reach a personal best. He invites you to join him at Wolf Brewing, where he will kick off his performance at 3:14 p.m. And if you can’t make it, he encourages you to “find a hobby that entertains you and pursue it.”
6th Annual Heritage Awards
An appreciative audience attended the 6th Annual Heritage Awards Celebration , on Feb 22, at the Ladysmith Eagles Hall.
The awards are presented by the Ladysmith & District Historical Society and supported by the Town of Ladysmith, to celebrate individuals, businesses, and community groups that promote or preserve local heritage
About 80 people came out to acknowledge this year’s award recipients.
“We have a rich and varied cultural heritage from our area’s history. While each of us reflects our heritage, our community character reflects not only the diversity of cultural heritage within it but also the degree of recognition, respect and understanding we afford this diversity,” said Quentin Goodbody, LDHS president and MC.
Also attending was Kirstin Klausen, the Executive Director of Heritage BC. Ladysmith Acting Mayor Trisha McKay, CVRD Area H Director Ben Maartman, CVRD Area G Director Jesse McClinton, and Ladysmith Town Councilor Duck Patterson.
Brenda Birch and Steven Methot presented ‘Letters from Ladysmith’ a work of fiction, preceding each award, inspired by the awardee's journey.
The first Heritage Award of the night went to Daniel Elliott “For creating a pathway toward Reconciliation through his art and mentorship, and promoting
understanding and respect between Indigenous and settler worlds.” Elliott is a Stz’uminus First Nations artist and filmmaker who created the Winds of Change project, an art exhibit, and the book Truth, Art & Reconciliation. He is also a mentor for Culturally Committed, a group that helps deepen their knowledge of cultural safety and humility.
The next award went to Shirley and Harry Blackstaff “for preserving the story of Vancouver Island's early schools through the recreation of the Koksilah one-room school within their 'Wheels of the Past' Heritage Park.”
Old Koksilah School House was Built in 1914 by Robert Mclay after a fire claimed the original 1911 schoolhouse.
The Blackstaffs built a replica, filling it with artifacts saved from the original school. Shirley is passionate about education.
The third award went to the Ladysmith Lions Club “for its continued service to the community, including its role in preserving the Agricultural Hall and provision of a sign for the building. Although Aggie is over 100 years old,
it has never had a sign on the building. Ladysmith Lions Club was founded in 1941 and played a pivotal role in saving the building. Also present was Kerrie Vockeroth, a member of the Ladysmith Lions, who was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her outstanding community service. Kerrie made history as the first female to join the Ladysmith Lions nearly 20 years ago and remains a dedicated member of the Ladysmith Eagles Ladies Auxiliary.
The final award went to Frank and Mike Crucil “for preserving the heritage of the site of their new apartment building by naming it 'Dalby's on Dogwood' and for commissioning streetside storyboards illustrating the area's history.”
Accepting on their behalf was Stefan Crucil and Alyssa Styan.
“These awards are a heartfelt expression of recognition and thanks to those members of our community who give of themselves to preserve and share our heritage, thus shaping our community for today and tomorrow. Congratulations to the recipients.
Special thanks to the Nanaimo Airport Commission and YCD for sponsoring this event and to the businesses and volunteers who supported it.
Cinnamon Bun Challenge
Here’s a tasty challenge. Old Town Bakery is putting Ladysmith’s appetite to the test at the inaugural Ladysmith Cinnamon Bun Challenge on March 23, 2025, at 2 pm at the Aggie Hall.
Each team will race to devour a monster eight-pound cinnamon bun as fast as they can.
Teams will be tasked with fundraising a minimum of $250 for the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association Food Bank before taking on the ultimate challenge: eating eight pounds of gooey cinnamon bun and vanilla cream cheese frosting faster than the competition. Come on out and cheer your friends.
Ladysmith Community Fund 2025 Call for Grant Proposals
The Ladysmith Community Fund Society (LCFS) is issuing its third annual call for grant proposals to qualified charities. The LCFS established a community endowment fund in 2021 and has issued grants to four charitable organizations: one in 2023 and three in 2024.
The LCFS continues to grow, and investment revenue has increased. The society uses only the revenue from the fund to award grants to one or more charities in the community.
“We’re excited to be giving back to the community — this is what we are set up to do,” said LCFS President Bruce Whittington. “And it’s very rewarding to see the good work we have helped fund in the community.”
The LCFS operates an endowment
fund similar to a community foundation, and now that it is established, it can offer grants every year. Those grants will increase as the fund continues to grow through donations and bequests.
The deadline for grant proposals is midnight on March 10, 2025, and a decision will be made by the Grants Committee later that month. Apply at www.. ladysmithcommunityfund.ca.
IEC Launches Campaign
The International Experience Canada (IEC) Program empowers young Canadians with opportunities abroad that will help shape their future.
IEC facilitates international experiences for young Canadians to gain invaluable skills, broaden their horizons and return home ready to thrive in today’s global job market.
Honourable Marc Miller, minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the launch of a marketing campaign designed to immerse young Canadians in the life-changing opportunities they could experience by working and travelling abroad with IEC.
IEC has reciprocal agreements with over 35 countries and foreign territories that allow Canadian youth (ages 18 to 35) to work and travel in partner countries and territories through overseas work permits, and allow international youth to do the same in Canada.
The new campaign blends in-person exhibits with interactive digital experience, providing a unique platform for youth to picture themselves in a new place and get a glimpse of the culture, work opportunities and lifestyle of some of IEC’s partner destinations.
The interactive digital experience gives visitors nationwide access to this
experience and matches users with at least three possible IEC partner destinations based on their preferences and interests.
“This campaign is about more than just promoting work and travel abroad — it is about unlocking possibilities for young Canadians so that they have the chance to gain the skills and experiences they need to be competitive in today’s job market,” said Miller .
VIJHL Awards, Playoffs Start
The Kerry Park Islanders received the Andy Hebenton Trophy for being the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League Regular Season Champions Feb 22, as the 2024-25 season came to a close and Award Winners for the 11- team league were announced.
Kerry Park had the best record in the league at 37-7-3-1 for 78 points to top the South Division, while Campbell River Storm (31-12-5) scored in overtime in their last game to push them to 67 points, one more than second place Port Alberni Bombers in the North Division.
Kerry Park forward Carson Brown earned the Doug Morton Trophy for Regular Season Scoring Champion, and he was also voted winner of the Jamie Benn Trophy for Most Valuable Player. Islanders rearguard Max Carlson was voted the recipient of the Clayton Stoner Trophy for Top Defenseman in the league.
Other awards go to: Best Goaltender (Bruce Naylor Trophy): Kaeden Serpa, Campbell River Storm, Top Forward (Brian Harrison Award): Cole Patterson, Victoria Cougars, Rookie of the Year (Larry Lamoureux Trophy): Sean Richards, Port Alberni Bombers, Player Best Combining Sportsmanship & Ability (Jamie Robertson Trophy): Kelton Shinde, Victoria Cougars, Unsung Hero (Mac MacWilliams Memorial Trophy): Luke Bennett, Lake Cowichan Kraken, Most Disciplined Team (Grant Peart Memorial Trophy): Comox Valley Glacier Kings, Coach of the Year (Eddie ‘The Storm’ Kingston Award): Tyler Stanton, Peninsula Panthers, Executive of the Year (Jim & Kathleen Williams Memorial Award): Stefanie Weber, Port Alberni Bombers, Broadcaster of the Year (Jeff King Award): Kyle Ireland, Oceanside Generals.
Yellow Point Drama Group Presents One-Actmanship
The Yellow Point Drama Group presents One-Actmanship, featuring two plays by beloved Canadian playwright Norm Foster, produced by Moira Fox and directed by Christian Ostaffy and Gordon McInnis.
Ostaffy makes his directorial debut with My Narrator, which follows Lacy and Miles through their rocky romance as they’re accompanied by voices in their heads, leading to hilarious results.
McInnis directs The Death of Me, where John, a “Mr. Nice Guy,” is given a second chance at life by the Angel of Death, but must complete a task that challenges his good-natured nature.
One-Actmanship runs from March 14 to 30, 2025, with seven performances at the Cedar Community Hall (2388 Cedar Rd., Nanaimo). For details, visit www. yellowpointdramagroup.org/.
Cast members of Yellow Point Drama Group in rehearsal for The Death of Me.
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy Take their Four on the Floor Tour to Duncan Celtic fiddlers Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, along with their two eldest children, bring the Four on the Floor Tour to Duncan on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre. This award-winning duo, known for their fiery fiddle-playing and Cape Breton folk music, will be joined by Mary Frances and Michael Leahy for an evening of magical music.
Natalie, a celebrated fiddler and step-dancer, has built a stellar career and earned an Order of Canada, while Donnell’s unique musical style blends traditional Celtic and folk influences. Tickets are $55, available online, by phone (250-7462722) www.cowichanpac.ca.
VIS Presents Favourite Composers: Episode 2
A celebration of timeless masterpieces, Favourite Composers: Episode 2 is led by Maestra Cosette Justo Valdés, with guest artist Mark D’Angelo, trumpet. The concert features Mozart’s Nozze di Figaro Overture, Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin, Vivian Fung’s Concerto for Trumpet (performed by Mark D’Angelo), and J. Haydn’s Symphony No. 88 in G Major.
Enjoy an evening blending classical brilliance and modern innovation. Don’t miss this evening of music and artistry, Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Port Theatre. There will be a preconcert chat 6:30 p.m., with the performance starting at 7:30 p.m. www.vancouverislandsymphony.com.
Chemainus Theatre Season
Chemainus Theatre 2025 Season starts by gathering around the wishing well inside an ice-fishing shanty, where some cheesy cheer exposes the hearts of two Guys on Ice hoping for the big one that won’t get away. We get to the bottom of a classic mystery with iconic characters like Sherlock and comedic sidekicks like Watson when The 39 Steps meets the Holmes legend in Baskerville.
This summer, rock ’n’ roll with the young rebels of a small town as they break free from judgement while a community works to embrace all and cut Footloose. Enjoy the warmth, charm and hope of Home to Roost, brought to us by the exciting Canadian playwright Kristen Da Silva, of Hurry Hard fame! And finally, revel in the joy and laughter of the holiday season with the homecoming of Buddy the Elf, spreading cheer for all to hear from the North Pole to New York City.
And there’s plenty more! Engage with the community through education programs like the Discover Theatre workshops, as well as Cabaret shows featuring fantastic musicians, tribute shows and retrospectives. Indulge in delicious pre- and post-show dining and hospitality,. The 2025 season promises to be a good one for Chemainus Theatre Festival!
Endless Possibilities in Constellations
Who hasn’t imagined a love story unfolding differently? Constellations by Nick Payne, staged by Duncan’s Mercury Players, explores this through the chance meeting of a beekeeper and a theoretical physicist. From that moment, countless possibilities emerge — their chance meeting might blossom into a meaningful relationship, a brief affair, or it might lead to nothing at all. Each step along those possible paths offers a new
series of potential outcomes: a marriage can exist alongside a breakup, and a tragic illness can exist parallel to a long life together.
Director Adrian Ingham has cast two pairs of actors in the roles: Jess Mattin and Sarah Kate Knight, and Rien Vesseur and Leslie Sanchez. “The subject matter lends itself to it,” he said. His goal? To make each vignette distinct and seamless, revealing layers of meaning as the story unfolds.
“I hope the audience sees how fleeting life is,” Ingham added, “and how one choice can change everything.”
Clever, eloquent and moving, Constellations captures the infinite possibilities of love and existence. The show is on stage from February 27 to March 9, at Duncan United Church (246 Ingram St., Duncan). www.mercuryplayers.org.
War, Madness and Recovery
Wartime trauma, mental illness and recovery will be explored in a compelling art installation. “My Name is Margaret: War, Madness and Recovery” charts the experiences of former Victoria resident Margaret Chaloner in Britain during and immediately after the Second World War. The exhibit is the work of Nanaimo writer and artist Debbie Marshall.
“The impact of war on women’s mental and emotional health is rarely explored in art,” said Marshall. “Margaret is a composite of many women’s experiences of trauma during violent conflict and its aftermath.”
The show runs at the Ladysmith Art Gallery, from March 21 to 30, with artist talks at noon and 2 p.m. on March 29. For more information, contact Debbie Marshall at 250-816-1293.
Savvy Savings
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO
If you’re making home improvements, rebates — ranging from water stewardship to green build incentives — are available to help with your project or even convince you that it’s time to make an energy-conscious change.
Ken Brownlow of Brownlow and Sons has been installing windows since 1978 and has first-hand experience helping people save on renovations. “It’s always worth looking at the energy efficiency programs. Whether you proceed with the work or not, at least you get some education on what’s available.”
As a registered contractor for the CleanBC program, he’s qualified to work on the Greener Homes proj-
ects. With the rebate programs and the Greener Homes loan becoming popular, he’s “never been busier.”
People are taking advantage of these programs, Ken said. But they aren’t learning about the programs through advertising. “They discover it through a friend who has it done.” Word of mouth is important, but it’s also valuable to research what is most applicable to your project.
There are a variety of rebates available at all levels of government. The RDN has rebate opportunities for electoral area residences, which are offered on a first-come-first-serve basis. Don’t wait and risk missing out.
The RDN’s Green Build program alone offers rebates and incentives for reducing wood-burning emissions, installing heat pumps, installing renewable energy systems and installing elec-
Taking advantage of rebates can save homeowners a lot of money.
Photo courtesy of Ken Brownlow.
tric vehicle charging stations, which total up to $8,500.
Provincial opportunities through the CleanBC program total up to $754,750.00 worth of funding, eligible for homeowners from Nanaimo to Duncan. Reducing wood smoke pollution is a priority for the various rebate programs, but there is also help for water pumps, electrical service upgrades and ventilation systems.
The CVRD has not updated their rebate program for 2025, but past years also focused on reducing wood smoke pollution. We could not reach them for comment on this year’s rebate opportunities by press time.
Regardless of your project and the place you call home, it’s worth taking a look.
Designing trends
BY AUDREY HASLAM
Well, 2025 is here, and with it, a whole host of predictions and design trends. I’ve read through some of the bigger lists to gather the best home and garden ideas for your spaces this year.
Design trends usually reflect what is in demand, and what seems to be in demand this year is comfort! If you’re looking to change up your living room, for example, take a look at vintage furniture. Not only will it lend a nostalgic feel to your space, but its craftsmanship will rarely disappoint. As far as paint colours go, warm, desaturated browns and deep plums
can also cozy up your space while providing an excellent backdrop for wall art. Pair these rich tones with stormy greys for a versatile palette that works in any room you want to revamp. If you want to freshen up your bathroom, consider a new light fixture. Light, when used correctly, can add a calming, meditative feel to your getting-ready space. Light bulbs that emit 2700 K to 3000 K of light work the best for this.
Gardeners have been facing many challenges lately, with droughts and high heat in the summer. A good way to combat these challenges is by using fire- and drought-resistant plants, especially native species or nativars — cultivated varieties of native plants designed to thrive in residential gardens.
Cottage-style gardens are also making a comeback. With their nostalgic feel and practical mix of ornamentals and food production, they’re both esthetically pleasing and satisfying for any level of gardener. If you’re a renter or don’t quite want to commit to a garden in the ground, consider container gardening. It’s an easy way to make your garden portable.
If there’s anything we can take away from this year’s predicted trends, it’s that nostalgia and freshening up a space go hand in hand.
From the furniture to the gardens of yesteryear, the appeal of these past trends keeps bringing them back into the limelight.
Tulips brighten a cottage garden. Photo: Metro Creative
Marine volunteers honoured
BY MARINA SACHT
There is a lot that can go wrong on the water. You could run out of gas. Your boat could catch fire. Someone could fall overboard. You could hit a rock, or a worn seacock could let go. And then there are all the medical emergencies –magnified by the fact that you may be miles away at sea.
The members of the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 29 in Ladysmith know all about that. They are the busiest station in the province.
This hard-working team has just been recognized with the prestigious national Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award ceremony, held on February 26 in Ottawa. Deputy Station Leader Ross Davis accepted the award for the 31 active volunteers who deliver emergency services 24 hours a day, year-round.
Station 29 is recognized for excelling in delivering marine emergency
response to federal and provincial taskings, providing marine safety support to the community, and making significant contributions to the RCMSAR regional organization and its stations throughout the province.
In 2024, the station was the busiest of all 30 RCMSAR rescue stations in British Columbia, with 50 rescue missions, a vigorous on-the-water and classroom training program for crew, and extensive community service.
Ladysmith SAR 29 Station responds to marine emergencies day and night in all conditions, including challenging ones.
Through the years, members have received several awards and commendations.
“I think it's great recognition for the station and for the members, because everybody's involved in what we do, from the basics of Kids Don't Float, meetings, vessel checks, training, maintenance and being available for calls,” said Ross Davis, Deputy Station Leader, RCMSAR 29.
Sue Wisely, Station Leader, RCMSAR Station 29, says she was surprised to learn that there would be so many applications and that they're choosing this station from this small community, from everyone across Canada.
“It's humbling too, because I feel that as much as our station deserves this award, and that's a great honour, it shines a light on the whole organization, for all the RCMSAR stations across BC.”
During 2024, responses included grounded and sinking vessels, persons in the water, medical emergencies requiring assistance, packaging and transport of ill or injured persons from vessels or shorelines, breakdowns and towing vessels to safety, support to ambulance service, fire/rescue, coroner, and recovery operations involving RCMP and Land Search and Rescue.
They recently concluded a very active training program in 2024, with nearly 100 training sessions on the water and just as many training sessions in the classroom with many volunteer hours committed. Training opportunities are often arranged with neighbouring RCMSAR stations and the Canadian Coast Guard crews so they can easily work together in emergency response situations.
The Station is part of the Town of La-
dysmith’s Protective Services, which involves agencies and groups such as BC Ambulance, RCMP, Fire/Rescue, Cowichan Valley Regional District, City Council, Ground SAR, and local First Nation representation.
Station 29 is very active in supporting marine safety and education. With the help of funding from the Western Group, it maintains six “Kids Don’t Float” children’s PFD loaner kiosks at local marinas. Members provide safety talks and demonstrations to the community. The Station offers pleasure craft safety checks. This is a voluntary inspection that provides feedback on safety equipment on board.
RCMSAR 29 recruits new crew members annually. You don't need a lot of marine experience to start, but progression to full crew status involves significant time and effort. Members may be called to respond at any time if they are available to do so and may encounter uncomfortable and sometimes challenging conditions.
Wisely has been on 103 missions since joining in September 2018 and has been a certified crew member since May 2019. A tragedy led her to volunteer with search and rescue: A close friend lost her son in a canoeing accident. They were not wearing life jackets.
“I also felt strongly that everyone should know how important it is to wear a life jacket on the water. And I was determined to do what I could to help other families avoid going through what my friend experienced.”
While not all missions are life-anddeath situations, every one involves someone who needs help while on the water.
Those situations required them to be there with expert training and knowledge, as well as operational and safety equipment, to help in whatever situation they were called into.
However, what the government assistance RCMSAR receives does not fully fund the cost of training and equipment. In fact, each local station and its group of volunteers are responsible for covering the costs of their rescue vessels, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars each, plus maintenance and repair. For example, the cost of fuel alone last year was $12,490.48!
Davis and Wisely are grateful to their supporters. They also count on support-
ers' generosity to help fund the additional on-the-water training their volunteers need for the wide range of equipment and services needed to keep their boats running and the crew safe.
This year is particularly costly as their vessel Community Spirit is currently in Sidney for its 10 + year refit. Estimates are around $50,000 but may be higher. In the meantime, Station 29 has the use of Station 35 – Victoria’s vessel, the Spirit of James Bay, under a loan payment agreement. Over the last
for crew or behind the scenes support such as boathouse/vessel maintenance, fund-raising, and publicity, and much more. To learn more, visit the Station website at rcmsar29.com or follow on Facebook @RCMSAR Station 29.
Davis sums it up. “This is a great opportunity to learn more about the water. When you get a call at two o'clock in the morning, it's not the same as the sunny afternoon in the middle of summer, but, you know, it all has its pluses, and it's been a great learning experience.”
RCMSAR 29-Ladysmith crew Gary Mitchell, Kevin Jamieson, Ross Davis, Sue Wisely, Ian Kelly. Photo: Bob Burgess. Above Left & Opposite Page; RCMSAR practice drills in squalls, Nanaimo. Photos: Bob Burgess.
Tarrifs spur local shopping, Canadian unity
BY KERITH WADDINGTON
Actions speak louder than words, and Island shoppers are letting their wallets do the talking.
With the recent fiscal uncertainty caused by our southern neighbour’s threats of tariffs on Canadian goods, Islanders are seeking out produce and products labelled “Grown in Canada,” “Made in Canada” or “Produced in Canada” more than ever before. And retailers are assisting consumers by identifying local and national products on their shelves with stickers and prominent displays, and by reducing or removing the number of American products.
COMPLEX CHALLENGES
But as Roberta Bowman, executive director of the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce (LCOC), points out, “It’s important to recognize the complex challenges local business owners face in an evolving economic landscape.”
She gives some examples. “A business may be part of a US franchise but still be locally owned, paying local taxes, employing local workers and sourcing products locally. Some businesses rely on US-sourced inventory that could expire or go to waste, creating financial strain. And others may be bound by distribution agreements with US suppliers that cannot be terminated quickly, limiting their ability to pivot in response to tariffs.”
Indeed, the free trade agreement brokered between our two countries in the mid-80s means that our economies have been intertwined for decades, thus making its separation challenging.
Towards this end, Ladsymith Chamber President Cheri Mactier, Ladysmith Downtown Business Association (LDBA) President Brianne Mactier and Bowman recently met with MP Lisa Marie Barron and MLA Stephanie Higginson to discuss strategies for improving communication with local businesses regarding the potential impact of tariffs.
Both MP Barron and MLA Higginson expressed strong concern and a commitment to working alongside the Chamber
and LDBA to advocate for our business community at both the provincial and federal levels. Furthermore, a collective agreement was made to launch a survey of LCOC and LDBA members. Responses will serve as a foundational step in understanding the concerns of local businesses and help guide future advocacy efforts for Ladysmith.
The survey asks businesses if they expect to be impacted by tariffs and, if so, how. Do they anticipate higher costs for supplies and materials or to potential supply chain disruptions? Are they worried about a loss of competitiveness as they increase prices to cover their own costs? Or, if they currently use US suppliers, are there Canadian alternatives to what they need and at a comparable price point and quality?
As Bowman goes on to state, “we must be mindful of these realities and work to support — rather than unintentionally harm — local businesses. A thriving local economy benefits us all, and we need to ensure our advocacy efforts protect and strengthen the business community in Ladysmith.”
CANADIAN-MADE
Some Ladysmith businesses, including Bosley’s and the Mid-Island Co-Op Liquor Store, are helping consumers shop with intention by using stickers or
displays to prominently identify Canadian products.
Dustan McKie, manager of Ladysmith Country Grocer, hopes the talk of tariffs are just empty threats. Either way, though, he asserts that “Canadianowned Country Grocer has a long history of promoting local products, and we will continue to do so.”
Two years ago, the store successfully launched the “Island Good” program, which focuses on identifying locally grown or produced items with special signage. But these are exceptional times. In response to the threat of tariffs, McKie is also using stickers and coloured stars to draw people’s attention to Canadian goods. But pivoting a store’s marketing strategy quickly is not easy.
“Unfortunately, most of our flyers are made months in advance, making it hard to respond to such a sudden change in our economy,, he said. “But we live on a beautiful island with tons of local produce and local companies. If all that comes from this is that people pay more attention to where their food comes from, that will be a good thing!”
POLITICS OF DISREGARD
Dr. Michael MacKenzie, professor of political studies and Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership at Vancouver Island University, says that what
Dustan McKie, manager of Ladysmith Country Grocer. Photo: Bob Burgess
we are seeing from our neighbour to the south is “the politics of disregard.”
“As we have all seen, the president has no regard for others in his personal life, his business dealings or in his politics,” said MacKenzie. “This is absolutely toxic. Most people simply want to live decent lives, support themselves and be free to choose what to do with their lives. Canada is rightly responding with opposition: we must unify and protect ourselves. The president is a threat to democracy in the US and elsewhere.”
MacKenzie believes tariffs would be devastating for the provincial and national economies.
“It’s the uncertainty that matters most,” he said. “Economies don’t thrive in uncertainty. Free trade deals have historically provided a measure of predictability, so companies felt comfortable investing in factories and other infrastructure. In this political climate, that will not happen.”
Re-thinking interprovincial trade barriers would be a good first step, says MacKenzie, who believes that at this moment, “Canada is feeling very alone in the world. We have always counted on our neighbour to the south to come
to our aid in times of need, as we have come to theirs. The world has changed, however, and our sovereignty is now threatened. We need to think about how to manage a very different neighbour to the south, whether that be Trump or someone else.”
Perhaps the one consolation in all of this is the fact that similar actions by the US in the past spurred Canada to greater unity than ever before.
MacKenzie provides this quote, from Canadian academic Ronald Watts: “Before Confederation, the Reciprocity Treaty of 1854 rapidly increased trade between the British North American colonies and the United States. Its cancellation in 1866 by the United States, because of the resulting unfavourable trade balance, was one of the many factors motivating Confederation in 1867.”
MacKenzie summarizes the end effect of that historic agreement.
“So, here we have a free trade agreement with the US, negotiated and then cancelled by the US because of a perceived trade imbalance, leading to Canadian unity and ultimately unification,” he said.
“We have been here before.”
Michael MacKenzie, Professor of Political Studies and Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership at Vancouver Island University. Photo: VIU
RDN Area A Cedar, South Wellington, Cassidy & Yellow Point
I had hoped to provide information about this year’s budget in this article, but the final numbers have not yet been settled. The Board is aware of financial concerns and is reviewing the budget to determine if projects or services can be reduced. This includes an upcoming motion that considers reducing the rate of taxation to fund hospital upgrades. These are not easy decisions. These discussions are ongoing, and our attempts to reduce the impact on taxpayers may not be realized until the next budget.
Some information for residents of Area A is known. Let’s start with the basics.
Area A is different than municipalities like Nanaimo and Parksville. Residents of municipalities and of Area B (Gabriola) pay separate, additional taxes for services provided by their municipal government or Islands Trust. For example, Nanaimo pays for its own parks and community planning through its municipal taxes, whereas we pay the RDN for these services. This is why municipalities pay fewer RDN taxes.
Most of us in Area A live in areas of Improvement Districts, and we pay for their services separately — including our fire departments. This is entirely separate from the RDN, and those taxes are determined by those boards.
You only pay for the services that you are eligible to receive. Money collected
for RDN services can only be used for those specific services — no transferring from one pot into another.
When we talk about Area A’s tax rate, it includes our portion of general RDN services (e.g., solid waste or bylaw services), our area’s unique combination of services (e.g., Area A Parks, Recreation and Culture) and the library tax (which is determined by the library board). This does not include other sources of taxation like schools, the police or the hospital.
If the budget remains the same, our top three sources of taxation are the Vancouver Island Regional Library, Southern Community Recreation (which pays for our access to Nanaimo’s sports fields, pools and community centres) and Electoral Area Community Planning. If the budget remains the same, Area A will have the second lowest taxation rate among the electoral areas. Our biggest increases come from community parks, recreation and culture, and administration. While our community parks show the biggest increase, we are still the third lowest in funding community parks despite being the third highest in population among the electoral areas.
I want to emphasize that the upcoming year will be unusually active for RDN projects in Area A, due to a few opportunities arising that will benefit our community. Good things happened quicker than I expected, but they are still pending approval from the Agricultural Land Commission. Most of the capital costs
will be covered through grants, donations or reserve funds, but the staffing costs to make it happen must be covered by taxation. It will be a busy year in Area A, but I did not want to say no to golden opportunities like potential donations. You will also see your tax dollars at work, as construction at the new community centre at the former South Wellington School finishes this year. I look forward to the programming and services offered at the community centre once it is open.
On another note, the first phase of Bylaw 2500 has been finalized, and the bylaw has been adopted. We now move on to the second phase of the bylaw review where we consider ways to address housing needs through bylaw change. For those of you waiting for the bylaw to be adopted, applications are now being processed under the new bylaw and moving through the system.
Please feel free to contact me about any community concerns. Email: jessicastanley@rdn.bc.ca Phone: 250-268-7359
CVRD Area H North Oyster/ Diamond
Due to winter weather, the Area H Director’s Town Hall is postponed until 6 p.m. at North Oyster Community Centre on March 7, 2025. CVRD staff will be there to answer questions about the three-stream curbside collection. There will also be an update of the 2025 Budget. I hope to see you there!
And please note the correction to my February article in TAKE 5. It should read: “Areas D, E, F, G, and I, already served by CVRD, will receive a full year of garbage collection, while Areas A, B, C, and H will only begin service in June 2025.” My error was that I missed the word “garbage.” Oops!
Winter Roads: Concerns and Chal -
lenges
This month’s topic focuses on roads and the concerns raised during the first week of the recent cold spell. Understandably, patience was abundant in the initial days of this winter’s first major snowfall. Friends and neighbours
stepped up, checking in on one another and lending a hand to clear driveways, anticipating that road crews would soon follow.
However, by the third day, texts, emails and calls began pouring in. It became clear — no pun intended — that many more minor roads hadn’t been plowed at all. Residents found themselves stuck, unable to get to appointments or anywhere else. Questions arose: What’s happening with snow clearing? When will it happen? Who do we contact?
In electoral areas like Area H (Diamond/North Oyster), roads fall under the jurisdiction of the Province, specifically the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MoTT). Following the last provincial election, the ministry was renamed but continues to oversee road policies and contract oversight. It’s my understanding that Mainroad — the contractor responsible for
Stranded van on Aho Road. Photo: Ben Maartman
Central Vancouver Island (from Chemainus to Bowser) — is in the final year of a seven-year contract.
Reporting Road Concerns
For most road-related issues — such as potholes, fallen trees, drainage problems or snow removal — the first step is to contact Mainroad’s hotline at 1-877-215-6006. Other concerns like road shoulders, line painting or construction in the right-ofway (e.g., work on Brenton Page Rd/Shell Beach Rd) should be directed to local MoTT staff at 250-751-3246.
Snow removal follows provincial policies designed for consistency. Roads are plowed on a priority basis: numbered highways first, then main connector roads, school bus routes, and, finally, residential streets. While this approach clears the most significant number of vehicles in the shortest time, more minor residential and non-thru roads often don’t see a plow until much later — or not at all, depending on snowfall accumulation thresholds.
When Policy Meets Reality
This system may make sense on paper, but in our experience, it falls short in practice in rural areas. Safety concerns should weigh more heavily. Take Aho Road, for example. This steep, winding road leads to a community atop Woodley Range. Despite multiple calls to Mainroad, it didn’t plow until late Friday, even though snow had begun falling the previous Sunday. Residents shared their frustrations and highlighted how treacherous the road became. Compact snow and ice turned the hill into a hazard. On Friday, I drove it myself in a four-by-four farm truck equipped with winter tires and extra weight, and even then, it was nerve-racking. Going up meant praying to keep traction; coming down meant hoping not to lose control or meet oncoming traffic. A stranded van was evidence of the risks.
At the summit, neighbours pitched in to clear snow and check on each other — as is customary in Area H — but the situation underscored deeper issues. One resident mentioned how dangerous it would have been for a wheelchair-bound individual. Emergency responders in a two-wheel-drive ambulance would’ve had to stop at the base of the hill to chain up, significantly delaying their response. These are real, legitimate safety concerns.
Looking Beyond BC’s Approach
Some residents have questioned BC’s philosophy on snow clearing, pointing out that other provinces adopt different strategies. Implementing change would require the Province to revisit its policies and adopt a new approach. This feedback has been shared with our MLA, Stephanie Higginson. However, meaningful change must happen at the provincial level to impact how contractors like Mainroad operate.
A Call for Vigilance
Realistically, attention to this issue may wane. When this is published, other challenges — like a looming economic crisis — may dominate government priorities. Still, safety issues are always worth raising, and in my mind, everyone’s concern. If you encounter an issue, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
In service, Ben Maartman 250-510-5930, ben.maartman@ cvrd.bc.ca
CVRD Area G Saltair/Gulf Islands
CVRD Area G Director Notes were not available at presstime. Please check next issue of TAKE 5.
Firefighter for 50 years
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO
Firefighters are our local superheroes, and Rob Sharp is no exception. Over the last fifty years, he has worked various jobs, from fire specialist and paramedic to training firefighters in Canada and the US.
Fires are becoming a growing and serious concern, not just in the summer months but year-round. “Prevention is the biggest thing,” Sharp said. “I worked with a company during the summertime doing structure protection. … We’d have sprinklers, and we’d put them on and around the structures to protect [them] from the fires.” He recommended the Canadian FireSmart program as a resource for learning how to protect your home.
His drive to become a firefighter was a childhood dream and a family connection.
“My dad was a firefighter before me,” Sharp said. Because of his father’s work, he spent much of his childhood in and around the fire hall. As for his career, “the rest is history.”
Born and raised in the Cowichan Valley, Sharp’s family moved to Chemainus when he was five. It was only natural that he would also begin his firefighting career there.
“I got to know a lot of firefighters throughout the province.” Sharp made a lot of friends throughout his career, including from other countries. He said that these friends made the difficult parts of his job more bearable.
“Over the years, I’ve dealt with accidents where I knew somebody in it, and it bothered me.” Post-traumatic stress dis-
order (PTSD) is one of the biggest struggles of emergency service workers. “Back when I started, it was, ‘Suck it up, buttercup — you’re a firefighter. Deal with it.’ But now, mental health is at the forefront.”
One of the ways Sharp coped with his PTSD was “being around the guys and talking about it.” The camaraderie from shared experiences is beneficial for getting through challenging experiences and continued well-being.
Sharp has been awarded several medals for exemplary service throughout his career. The medals symbolize pride for him personally and for seeing the difference his service to the community made. “It was nice to be recognized for what I did,” he said.
In his retirement, Sharp still tries to lean into that camaraderie. “I go down to the hall, and I see the members on the street.” It’s different, he says, but those connections last longer than a position at the hall. In his retirement from the North Cowichan Fire Department, Sharp is enjoying some well-earned relaxation.
Got news or an event happening in Chemainus? Drop us a line. editor@take5.ca or call 250-245-7015.
Retired firefighter Rob Sharp (left) retired from Chemainus Fire Department. Sharp spent fifty years in service.
Photo submitted.
Don’t Be Tarrified, Build Local Food Security
BY NIKKI TOXOPEUS
A friend recently coined the word “tarrified”: the experience of fear, loathing, dread and general angst linked to the prospect of a needless, pointless, no-win tariff war with our largest trading partner. This was a stark reminder that our food supply is at the mercy of all sorts of external forces — not only tariffs but also supply chains, shipping costs and adverse weather throughout the world. It is easy to feel powerless, but it is better to act and support local food security. We can learn what is needed from those working in this field. Yellow Point
Ecological Society will be hosting more food security talks by local growers.
You can also choose to get your hands dirty and volunteer at the Kiwi Cove Food Bank Garden for the 2025 growing season. Join our pre-season garden meeting at the Kiwi Cove Lodge on Tuesday, April 8, at 10 a.m., or just come down and help.
The Kiwi Cove Food Bank Garden produces roughly 4,500 pounds of fresh organic produce yearly for the Ladysmith Food Bank, and they support us with funding and grant applications. We focus on the basic needs of the food bank but also plant cover crops to improve the soil health and flowers to attract the pollinators. So, the garden is a beautiful space that thrives because of all that our amazing community provides.
The Kiwi Cove Lodge, on Brenton Page Road, allows us to use a fenced area on their property and provides water and other resources. Their neighbour also shares her land and water with us. We amend the soil with the manure donated by Silvermaple Holsteins and the compost that we make in the garden.
Our regular seed supplier, West Coast
Seeds, has donated over 200 varieties of seeds. This year, Holden Lake Farm and Garden is providing soil, water, and space in their heated greenhouses to grow our seedlings. We will start seedlings this month and start direct seeding and transplanting when the plots are prepared and warm enough. Our planting layout is pinned to the shed door for guidance, but a plan is just the starting point. When we get donations from Dinter Nursery, as we do every year, we make room for them in the garden and distribute the excess to food bank clients who have gardens.
We garden on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from around 9:30 a.m. until coffee break. We gather under the apple tree by our shed, enjoy the coffee and snacks, share news and try to solve the problems of the world (or the garden!). We then return to work and weigh and pack the fresh organic harvest for Sue Anderson to deliver to the food bank, or we continue with other gardening tasks. Everyone can find work that suits them — harvesting, bundling, watering, washing, composting, weeding, sowing, thinning, raking or maintenance projects.
Bill Tilland, our fearless coordinator, sends out regular emails on the plans for the week and any special events coming up. One event we are looking forward to this year is a visit from Jake Thornburn, from Earth Craft Farm in Yellow Point. He has offered a workshop at the garden to show us how to broadfork and seed our no-till beds.
All are welcome, and we are very thankful for the amazing support we get from the community.
To be added to the Kiwi Cove Garden email list, contact Bill Tilland at tillandb@gmail.com, or call 250-924-5269. To be added to the Yellow Point Ecological email list for upcoming talks, contact yellowpoint2020@gmail.com.
Volunteers at Kiwi Cove Food Bank Garden. Photo submitted.
Life in the Subnivean Space
BY ALEXANDER SMITH EIS NATURALIST
Walking through Wildwood Ecoforest after a fresh snowfall, the world feels eerily quiet. The usual rustling of leaves and scurrying of small creatures is absent, replaced by a soft hush that blankets the land. It seems lifeless, but I know better. Beneath my feet, an entire hidden world persists, where animals have adapted to survive the frigid months. How do these creatures, so small and fragile, endure the harshness of winter?
Much like us, with enough fat reserves built up over Christmas, animals like bears and the occasional naturalist can afford to keep snuggled up for another month or two. But smaller animals with
high metabolisms have no such luck. They must stay active, constantly foraging to fuel their tiny bodies through the coldest months.
When snow blankets Wildwood Eco-
Sapplings in the snow. Photo: Kali Brauckmann
forest, it transforms the landscape into a serene white expanse. But beneath the surface, an entire world continues to thrive. This hidden layer between the snowpack and the ground — known as the subnivean space — is a refuge for many small animals that rely on its insulation and protection to survive the winter.
Despite its relatively mild winters, the coastal Douglas fir ecosystem still experiences snowfall. This temporary cover creates a microhabitat beneath it, offering stable temperatures and protection from predators. As the snow settles, warmth from the ground melts the bottom layers, forming a network of tunnels and chambers where life persists unseen.
Among the primary inhabitants of the subnivean space are small mammals like deer mice, voles and shrews. These creatures take advantage of the insulated environment to forage for seeds, fungi and bark while remaining hidden from predators. Their tunnels connect feeding sites to sleeping chambers, reducing exposure to freezing temperatures above.
Despite its seeming safety, the subnivean world is not without its dangers. Weasels are particularly adept at navigating these hidden tunnels. Their slender bodies allow them to pursue rodents through their passageways, making them one of the most efficient hunters in the snow-covered forest.
Owls like the barred owl rely on keen hearing to detect movement beneath the snow. They can plunge through the soft surface to snatch an unsuspecting vole or mouse with precise strikes. Similarly, in Canada’s interior, coyotes and bobcats, though too large to enter the tunnels, listen intently and use their powerful paws to break through and catch prey.
Insects and other invertebrates also find refuge in the subnivean space. Springtails, tiny arthropods often called “snow fleas,” are active on warm winter days, feeding on organic matter. Some species of spiders and beetles continue their slow movements underground, surviving off detritus and other small prey.
The subnivean space is an essential winter habitat in Wildwood Ecoforest. Practices such as ecoforestry preserve the forest floor’s vital root systems and nurse stumps, which can form the subnivean space, ensuring that this microhabitat persists for future generations of wildlife.
Muffins and the BottomLine
Ahoy B.C. Ferries, Sometimes it takes an outsider to see things clearly. That’s why I am informing you that B.C. Ferries’ blueberry bran muffins are the best in the province. Much better than Tim Horton’s, far superior to Starbucks’.
This opinion is not that of a neophyte. Over the last quarter century, I have spent a lot of money on muffins, at least enough to put a wing on the doghouse, maybe a fake dormer or two. Believe me, when our youngest said he wasn’t going to college, I grabbed that education fund and headed right down to the muffin shop. I have eaten my fill of muffins.
Many people, eager to get to the game, the concert, the nearest traffic jam, or maybe just to fix their kid’s toilet on the other side of the Salish Sea complain about their trip on B.C. Ferries. Not me. I always look forward to my journey because, on each voyage - doesn’t matter which boat - I can enjoy one of your legendary blueberry bran muffins. We’ll get to the legendary part later.
I was on the 12:30 boat sailing out of Horseshoe Bay, comfortably perched on a stool between the newsstand and the coffee shop, when I observed something strange: there I was enjoying my ritual muffin, coffee and newspaper, when I noticed no one around me had a muffin. I quickly made an impromptu search of the passenger deck. Amazingly, I was the only one eating a muffin on the entire boat.
(If you want to conduct your own research to confirm my findings, a little caution is in order. When a woman asks, “Why are you staring at my lap?” the best response is not always “Looking for muffins.”)
At first, I was indignant. B.C. Ferries provides the best muffins in the province, yet they languish behind the Plexiglas door next to the egg salad sandwiches!
Another idea stuck me like a dive-bombing seagull. “Aha,” I thought. “Here lies a great opportunity for B.C. Ferries. If everyone could be convinced to purchase a muffin, a coffee and a paper, that would be $7.00 in additional sales for not much work. With the increased revenue, you could afford double-ply toilet paper in the passenger washrooms - always important with bran aboard.
You can’t afford to hide your muffins under a bushel! Consumers need some publicity to move them, even if we must make it up ourselves. How about a news release? “B.C. Ferries is proud to announce that the highly acclaimed, internationally recognized, universally adored - okay, don’t lay it on too thick – publication, Better Breads and Muffins, has awarded B.C. Ferries’ catering staff with their coveted ‘Muffin of the Year’ award, and with their grand ‘Muffin of the Decade’ trophy.” (Not to worry. I have an old hockey trophy we can modify. If anyone asks about the goalie pads on it, just tell them it’s not uncommon for a muffin to look like a goalie pad.)
Then we’d paint the boats. Turn them into floating billboards, with ten-foot-high letters proclaiming what people are saying about the now-legendary blueberry bran muffins. Here’s an example from the Muffin Spectator: “Perfect balance between blueberries and batter... a nose of Black Forest fruit, tempered by caramel and fresh-baked molasses. Best with coffee and newspaper.”
But we wouldn’t rely on passive sales techniques. We’d have attractive young people dressed up as muffins, working the aisles like hot dog vendors at the ballpark. Old-fashioned paperboys on bicycles would follow right behind, shouting, “Read all about it! Thanks to Muffin Mania, B.C. Ferries operates in black!”
Finally, mopping up the rear - whistle blowing, sirens blaring - comes the coffee wagon, looking suspiciously like the sea cadets’ May Day float, but decked out with she cadets in saucy little outfits.
True, these sales tactics are more high-pressure than the travelling public is accustomed to, but if fares are to be kept down, compromises must be embraced.
Oh-oh, there goes the announcement. Time to get down to the car deck. Well, take good care of that muffin recipe. Don’t go gluten-free on me. It’s been a long time since B.C. Ferries had a keelhauling, but that would justify one.
Just another satisfied customer,
Delbert
Wine Pick of the Month
BY ADRIANE POLO OF CAREFREE WINE TOURS
If you are looking for a wine that sings spring – we recommend Field Collection White 2023, an aromatic blend of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer & Bacchus grown in the Okanagan Valley.
This is a fruit-forward wine from Arrowleaf Cellars that will have you dreaming about gardening as you sip and watch the rain fall. And at $22.10 a bottle, let it rain.
Preserving a History
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO
Allen Work can trace his family back nearly two centuries to where they immigrated from Scotland to Canada. The Work family is one of the oldest settler families on the Island and worked for the Dunsmuirs on both the railway and in the mines.
Allen’s interest in his family history started about fifteen years ago. His uncle had placed their family records in a binder, which is kept in the Nanaimo Heritage Office, but when Allen read through it, he found quite a few holes. “I knew about this binder and there’s so much information missing. … That’s what got me going on it,” he said.
His project, like many modern and amateur genealogists, started on Ancestry.ca. “My cousin was on Ancestry [and that] got me interested.” Allen and his cousin (not a member of the Work family) decided to split the cost and share the account. “We did it all in one year.”
The collected documents included many old photos of Chemainus and of his family before World War II, which had been passed down to him, and copies of marriage certificates. One even dated back to 1848.
Allen’s research only began after he retired. “I [was] retired [with] nothing to do. … I’d heard some of the things, the past hand-me-downs, but I wanted to know a little bit more. And then I … ended up putting all this together.”
A story he found while researching was the unfortunate and adventurous life of a great-great uncle. John Pearson Work — the eldest child of John and Margaret, the original Works to immigrate to Vancouver Island — moved with his mother to Victoria when she remarried after his father’s death in 1857. His new stepfather, William Reid, didn’t want children, and John’s younger siblings were adopted. John, however, stayed with Margaret, and their living situation quickly turned abusive. Reid was a heavy drinker, and it was rumoured that he murdered Margaret after she disappeared at the age of 32. The then nine-year-old John ran away and joined a ship as a galley boy.
After several years at sea, John returned to Victoria and was not accepted “for religious differences.” The details are unclear, but he reportedly lived with the local First Nations for two or three years and learned their language. He went south to California before making his way across the US to Brooklyn at the age of seventeen. He stayed in New York State until his death at the age of sixty-seven.
Other stories that Allen uncovered were less adventurous but showed the hardships his family faced while living on the Island. James, the younger brother of John Person Work, spent most of his childhood in orphanages before apprenticing as a carpenter in Victoria at the age of seventeen. He was then employed by Dunsmuir’s mining company in Wellington. He met and married his wife, Dorothy, in 1876, and for twenty years, they had a good life together. In 1898, tragedy struck the family when James’s eldest son, Walter, was killed in a railway accident, and then, a month later, James himself was also killed in a separate accident.
It’s important to Allen to collect and ensure that his family’s history has been recorded because he believes that it will preserve the legacy and lives of those who came before him. He hasn’t officially archived the information he has collected yet, but he’s confident that he has filled out all the missing gaps in his uncle’s original binder.
His research has given him a greater appreciation for his heritage and who he is today. “I look back [and] I think, ‘Thank God, [for] what my great-great grandparents went through to get here.’ … I’ve got a good life, [but] I wouldn’t have this life if it weren’t for them.”
If you’re interested in researching your family history, local archives are a good place to start. Local archives, like the Chemainus Valley Historical Society, the Nanaimo Archives and the Ladysmith Archives, are volunteer-led organizations that focus on the preservation of and public access to historical documents of the area.
Allan Work researching family. Photo: Francesca Pacchiano
Snow Daze
“Snow and I have a complicated relationship.”— Anonymous
Well, I must be getting old. No denying it. You want proof?
How can something so exciting and wonderous — that could make my heart soar and my voice squeal with delight when I was a wee bairn (and even in my 20s, 30s and 40s) — now make me cringe and bring out the whine with my Camembert.
Yes, yes, the scene is beautiful, as a thick layer covers the cedars and Douglas firs of my second growth forest … stunning as I gaze from my warm house, that is. Of course, walking through that winter wooded wonderland is strictly verboten at that time.
Once again, I got lulled into a sense of false security when, in January, the winter jasmine started blooming, closely followed by the crocuses, hellebores, snow drops, primroses and daffodils, shooting up and winking their wee flowerheads to the blue sky. Spring? What was I thinking?! Then the weather reports called for some snow, and I knew I had to prepare the animals on this “retirement farm.”
In proper Boy Scout “Be Prepared” fashion, I went out and spared no expense on three top-of-the-line quilted winter coats, with neck attachments for my three steeds. April’s Tack Shop in Cedar had just what I was looking for, measuring their rain slickers just to be sure of the correct size. My two old mares just don’t have the insulating fat layer that this human has. Maggie, my Appaloosa, turns 33 this month (that’s like 93 for us), and Ally, my chestnut quarter horse, will be 28 in April (that’s like about 80). And, of course, I didn’t want younger male unicorn-lookalike Sisco to feel left out, so he got a coat too. As it turned out, my timing was excep -
Thistledown Farm in Cedar, Feb’25. Below: Newfoundland's big snowfall. Photos courtesy of Jackie Moad.
tional — the very next day, we got a real dump of the white stuff.
Then there’s the three sheep (yes, there are three now; another tale to be told, perhaps entitled The Circle of Life). They have their own wool coats, although the “ancient one” has a thinning fleece, so I decided to put down a fresh hay bed and start feeding her in the sheep house.
As for the Lassies: for some reason, even the 12-year-olds were okay sitting out there in the thick powder, “surveying the policies,” as it were. Actually, Koira, my big boy, likes to lay down and sleep in the drifts. But the new one, three-year-old Nova, fresh from frigid Alberta, went absolutely wild with the first wave of white and continues to tear around the farm like a crazy kid — sort of like how I used to be, which is where this whole tale started.
So, why did I like the snow so much in my youth? Two words: school’s cancelled! Time for fun outside. Aww, the memories. I remember living in Germany, and my dad made us a snow horse. We lived next to a big hill in Hemer, and that was where I first learned how to ski.
Do you remember when the brief fad was to have different coloured Christmas trees? That was when Dad was stationed in Calgary. After Christmas, he went around and picked up all the trees in the neighbourhood, then made a skating rink and decorated it with blue, pink, green, purple and silver trees. Mom made us turquois velvet figure skating dresses with fur collars and a matching fur muff. I felt like a princess.
But Corner Brook, Newfoundland, was definitely the best for snow days. I remember running down the stairs with my sisters and huddling around the radio to hear if our school was going to be closed … again. My dad once had to climb out the second-storey bedroom window to shovel out our front door. We’d play outside all day and only come in for Habitant pea soup.
I remember my teenage years in Lon-
don, Ontario, tobogganing on the golf course — but instead of a toboggan, it was a huge truck innertube. In my 20s, I watched Pierre Trudeau ski past me with his entourage of suited bodyguards in Whistler. Years later, I skated down the canal in Ottawa and, of course, picked up a warm beavertail to sweeten the experience. Those memories really warm the cockles of my heart.
If you are reading this, it’s March — the white stuff has finally disappeared for another year, and the waterline to the horse palace is no longer frozen. But as I write this, gazing out onto the snowcovered horizons, I hold onto those happy memories while loading the tractor with buckets of water for the horses.
Even though it doesn’t sound like it, Jackie Moad is oh so thankful to be living out here where the winter is short and mild compared to every other place in Canada, keeping warm with her memories whilst farming that 20-acre slice of paradise on earth.
