Letters
What Ladysmith Means to Me
Every year, when the town bathes itself in Christmas lights and holiday cheer, I am reminded of just how powerful Ladysmith can be. For one winter night, thousands of people from all over the Island flood into our little town to witness the beauty of Light Up. And on that night, nothing makes me prouder than looking around at the community that makes Ladysmith shine so bright. Sure, the roads may be bumpy, and the sidewalks may be cracked, but there’s something about little old Ladysmith that I haven’t found anywhere else.
Ladysmith has taught me that it’s not just about knowing your neighbours, it’s about making them family. When I pass someone on a walk, they don’t just smile and wave, they ask me how I’m doing and they mean it. After a walk through downtown Vancouver, anyone in their right mind would miss the kindness of our small town. And yes, sometimes it can be a bit of a pain having everyone know your business … but I’d take the oversharing of a small town over the isolation of a big city any day.
As summer turns to fall, my thoughts turn to my fellow grad uates. It’s hard to believe we might never be in the same place again. Some of us are moving across the country, across the province or just down the road. But if you think that being a part of Ladysmith means only living here, you’d be mistaken. We’ve each left our mark on our town, and it has left its mark on us. Now it’s our time to show the world what it means to come from Ladysmith.
This town has already made us proud, now it’s our turn to return the favour. Ladysmith has prepared us for whatever our
future holds, just remember to trust your gut and know that I believe wholeheartedly that you will all go on to do great things. Try your best, get better each day, do the right thing –it’s the 49er way.
— Emma Allain, LSS Class of 2025 Pond credits
My name is Mike Gogo, and I am the owner of Woodlot 0024 on Vancouver Island. About five years ago, I excavated a fouracre pond on my Christmas Tree Farm here, located 10 miles from Nanaimo. The family farm was started in 1897, and we have sold Christmas trees from here since 1929. The reason I excavated the pond was to provide a spot for a helicopter to access water in this area in case of fires. Since then, I have used it to irrigate my Christmas trees via a large truck with a spray unit.
My suggestion is this, the BC Government should encourage private landowners to do the same thing on their acreage in exchange for a tax credit for the bare cost of the excavation. Time is everything when it comes to fighting fires. I would appreciate input from our community.
—
Mike Gogo
Letters to the editor are welcomed. This is an open community forum. Hate, libel, defamation will not be tolerated. The letters published here do not necessarily represent the opinion of TAKE 5 or its affiliates. editor@take5.ca
LSS Class of 1965, 60th Graduation Reunion
BY SHIRLEY HEIDELBACH
On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, the 1965 graduation class of Ladysmith Secondary School met for their fifth reunion. We have celebrated 20, 30, 40 and 50 year reunions.
The gathering was held at the Kin Hut, at the Transfer Beach, and the weather was great. Fourteen original grads came and were joined by spouses and friends from our Ladysmith school classes as well. Several jokingly had “this cannot be” moments, refusing to admit that 60 years had passed since we were all 17and 18-year-old teens!
Sadly, our numbers have declined over the decades – a fact of life. We miss our friends greatly, and so many were mentioned in our “remember when” recollections, including our long-passed valedictorian, Eric Warda.
Sharing our memories evoked much joy and laughter. In fact, about twenty years ago, we realized that we enjoyed getting together so much that Elva (Ware) and Shirley (Lavendusky) created an email and phone list and have been organizing lunch gatherings since then. About five or six times a year, we continue meeting together at luncheons with our grads, previous classmates and friends.
Above: Class of 1965 reunion at Transfer Beach Park. (left to right) Elva (Ware) Wheelhouse, Liisa (Rullo) Gillrie, Kathryn (Carey) Brown, Shirley (Lavandusky) Heidelbach, Nick Schulson, Bruce Mason, Karen (Armstrong) Marsden, Wanda (Krygier) Knudsen, Robin Nordma, Martha (MacNaughton) Cosco (holding banner), beside her in pink jacket is grad Janet (Davis) Ferns, (behind her in white pants) Judy (Sanders) Mandin, (then second to last in black pants) Linda Perry not a grad, and farthest right was grad Lynn Baker. Photo: Elva (Ware) Wheelhouse.
Below: Wow! What an Awesome August! Ladysmith Days celebration, and Show n’ Shine. Photos: Bob Burgess
Attending this 60th graduation celebration were Shirley (Lavandusky) Heidelbach, Elva (Ware) Wheelhouse, Bruce Mason, Janet (Davis) Ferns, Judy (Sanders) Mandin, Martha (MacNaughton) Cosco, Liisa (Rullo) Gillrie, Karen (Armstrong) Marsden, Kathryn (Carey) Brown, Lynn Baker, Nick Schulson, Robin Nordman, Wanda (Krygier) Knudsen and Greg Edwards.
We all join in urging other graduated classes to hold reunions, to reunite and share wonderful memories over the years. The love, laughter and joy shared is beyond compare.
Ringing in the return of the Anglican Church Bell
In partnership with the Ladysmith and District Historical Society, the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association (LRCA) will be celebrating the return of the St. John the Evangelist Church bell to 314 Buller Street.
What started as an Anglican schoolhouse in 1901 eventually transformed into a church by 1955, with the building surviving location changes, expansions and significant renovations. Mr. H. Marshall donated a bell in 1904 – a vital addition which was used to ring in church services and commemorate births,
deaths and significant events. St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church served as an important hub for religious and community events, contributing to the community of Ladysmith for 115 years.
Due to maintenance difficulties, St. John was closed in 2016. The following year, it was sold to the LRCA with the understanding that they would use the property to provide affordable housing to Ladysmith seniors, individuals with developmental disabilities and families. In 2019, the church was demolished, with the bell being salvaged prior to takedown to be stored by the Ladysmith and District Historical Society. Construction of the Heart on the Hill affordable-housing project began on the site of the former church in 2020.
Now that the Heart on the Hill is complete and tenanted, the bell will be returned to its original site in a permanent installation at 314 Buller Street. The bell will stand on the site of the LRCA housing development as a permanent commemoration of the church, its legacy and its final gift to the community – muchneeded affordable housing.
Join us for the celebration on September 12, 2025, at 3 p.m., at 314 Buller Street, and bring your own bell (BYOB).
RDN Announces New Pump Track in Cedar
The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is pleased to announce that the Cedar Community will be getting a new pump track through a generous donation from the Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation. “This new facility will provide riders of all skill levels with a space to develop their abilities and have fun in their own community,” says Jessica Stanley, Electoral Area A director of the RDN.
The foundation will fund the design and installation of the pump track, which will be located beside the Cedar Skate Park on the land of the Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools District. A preliminary concept plan has been created to display the integration of the pump track with the School District’s property, which will also include a children’s playground. A final design will be established in coming months.
“[The project] is next to Cedar High School, where Stevie himself graduated. [It] is built to honour the memory of Mike Davidson, whom we lost suddenly
just over a year ago,” said Michelle Corfield, founder, and Randy Little, director, of the Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation, in a joint statement. “The entire foundation is extremely excited to get shovels in the ground.”
Construction of the pump track is anticipated to start in 2026. The RDN will manage and maintain the track after it has been constructed, with costs to be funded through the Electoral Area A Community Parks and Halls operating budget.
For more information on the pump track project, as well as the overall park expansion project, visit getinvolved.rdn. ca/cedar-community-park-expansion. To learn about the Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation, visit steviesmithlegacy. com.
Ladysmith Good Food Box Depot
BY DAVE EHRISMANN
Bethel Church in Ladysmith is now a pickup depot for Nanaimo Foodshare’s popular Good Food Box program. A community depot increases Nanaimo Foodshare’s capacity to provide a great-
er number of Good Food Boxes to the community, thanks to Pastor Joe Bott, Bethel staff and volunteers for making it possible. Pickups will be held weekly on Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Good Food Box program is open to people of all income levels, offering a weekly reduced bag of fresh fruit and vegetables. The box costs $15 and contains $25 to $30 of produce at retail prices. It includes seven to nine different kinds of fruit and vegetables. All boxes are the same; each week is a little different than the week before and is a unique surprise. Contents include a few staples, such as potatoes, carrots, apples, oranges and bananas, along with seasonal and local choices.
Buying together helps us “stretch our dollar” and increases our access to real food. This is a great way to save money, improve your access to fresh fruits and vegetables and support fellow community members by combining our dollars. We reduce the cost of healthy food by buying direct from farms and wholesalers, with the help of a fantastic team of over 50 volunteers who pack and distribute hundreds of Good Food Boxes each
week! Drivers for the new Ladysmith route are needed if you can help.
Good Food Box recipients often join the Facebook Group “Nanaimo’s Good Food Box and More” community, where they share ideas and recipes for each week’s produce.
Nanaimo Foodshare’s Good Food Box Program started over 25 years ago. It has grown from a small handful of customers purchasing a $10 Good Food Box once a month at the turn of the millennium, and now, 25 years later, 500 to 750 Good Food Boxes are produced and distributed every Thursday, year-round, to Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Gabriola, Nanoose Bay, and Parksville.
To order the Good Food Box as a weekly subscription or onetime only, visit the website and place your order online: https:// nanaimogoodfoodbox.com/order. Your order will be delivered to Bethel Church in Ladysmith or to one of seven other depots for pickup.
High Acuity Unit Opens at Nanaimo Hospital
Patients with complex care needs will receive more focused care and close monitoring at the new High Acuity Unit (HAU), opening at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
“Investing in modern, purpose-built hospital infrastructure like this means patients with complex care needs receive integrated, high-quality care in a purpose-built area,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure.
The new HAU opened August 28, 2025. It is designed to help patients who require more support than can be provided in a regular hospital ward, but that do not require an intensive care unit (ICU).
The new HAU at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital includes:
• 12 patient beds in private rooms;
• dialysis capability, monitoring equipment, private bathrooms and ceiling lifts in each room;
• a nurses’ station, medication room, utility rooms, linen alcove, nourishment centre, physician area, family consult room and staff washroom.
Located south of the emergency department and attached to the ICU, the HAU’s location allows shorter travel times for patients and staff, which is critical for patients with complex care needs. The new HAU replaces the eight-bed temporary unit set up at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The HAU adds four new high acuity beds to the hospital, bringing the total number of high acuity and intensive care beds at the hospital to 24.
The completion of the HAU marks the final phase of a $60.1-million initiative to expand and enhance critical care at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. “The completion of the Windsor Plywood Foundation Critical Care Building represents a huge milestone in our Foundation’s history, as it was the largest single donation in our 48-year history,” said Tony Harris, chair of the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation.
Launched in 2021, the initiative also included the construction of a new 12-bed ICU, which opened in June 2023. Funding for the project was provided by the provincial government, the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District and the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation.
Un-Rehearsed Murder world premiere at Ladysmth Theatre
Ladysmith Little Theatre’s first show of the 2025-2026 season, Un-Rehearsed Murder, opens September 18.
On at Ladysmith Little Theatre is UnRehearsed Murder. As a small town community theatre group continues with the production and rehearsals for their show, What You Wish, several clashes of personality rise to the surface. Whilst some of these disagreements are sparked by recent events, others are deep-seated and have been left to fester year after year. As the cast and crew attempt to fix their finances, quell tempers, and manage their show, it becomes clear that one of them has reached the end of their tether—a murder at the theatre has taken place.
Un-Rehearsed Murder is a lighthearted murder mystery written by Ladysmith’s own Elaine MacDonald and directed by Lyndon B. A longtime storyteller inspired by her wealth of experience with a multitude of different community groups, MacDonald began crafting her play in 2017. “Volunteer groups share many characteristics…I’ve never met [one] that didn’t include some
personality conflict.…In this case, the characteristics…[lead] to murder.”
MacDonald is more than excited to bring her work to life. “I cannot find the words to describe how exciting, thrilling it is to watch the actors breathing life into these words,” she says. “My script has become something much more than I could possibly have imagined.”
Un-Rehearsed Murder is about 90 minutes. It will run from September 18 to October 5, 2025, and includes both weekend and weekday shows. Weekend shows sell out quickly, so early purchasing is recommended.
For tickets and further information, visit www.ladysmiththeatre.com
Showing at the Gallery
Ladysmith Gallery Presents “Wild” and “Graff Not Art” in September.
From September 3 to 17, Ladysmith Gallery presents “Wild,” a member show that explores the untamed and natural. Visitors are invited to explore the concept of the wild through over 50 unique pieces of artwork, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, and more.
Joe Lyons and Denny Provost’s “Graff Not Art” will be featured in the month’s later half. A dynamic fusion of contemporary ceramics, painting, and cultural commentary, this exhibit will be displayed from September 19 to 28.
Both “Wild” and “Graff Not Art” can be viewed at Unit 7-32 High Street. Open daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Month-Long Event Marks International Jazz Festival
Celebrated as BC’s Best Live Event in 2023, Nanaimo’s 9th Annual International Jazz Festival will take place over four weekends, turning September 2025 into a month-long live musical feast for locals and visitors.
Holly Cole headlines, with regional and touring acts performing in pubs, clubs, dining rooms, churches and at free open-air concerts in Maffeo Sutton Park. The annual Jazz Parade will also perform along the Waterfront Walkway, replicating New Orleans’ Mardi Gras spirit.
Seventeen performances in September will honour jazz’s broadest genre. Festivalgoers can expect hip-hop styling and syncopated rhythms from Vancou-
Playwright Elaine MacDonald.
Photo: Mike Dietrich
ver’s The New Groovement, vast stylistic contrast from Indigenous artist Keanu Ienco’s quartet, modern jazz sounds from the well-known Marc Atkinson Trio, and high-powered R&B
Joe Lyons (above) along with Denny Provost’s art will be featured at Ladysmith Art Gallery. Photo submitted.
leanings from Mambo Mardi Gras. Nine acts will grace the free open-air concert stage at Maffeo Sutton Park on September 13 to 14.
Ticketed shows include ‘Stealing Dan,’ an applauded crossover act, and ‘Drag Jazz Cabaret,’ starring Josh Holloway in a first for the Festival Society. Additional performances include ‘Jazz Jam,’ a late show that’s now a tradition on its own.
Three dinner shows are on the menu this year, highlighting The Lighthouse
on Nanaimo’s waterfront and North Nanaimo’s Simonholt Restaurant. The Festival winds up with Arrowsmith Big Band in an epic closing to 2025’s Festival.
Concerts at Maffeo Sutton Park will be accompanied by food trucks and vendors. On September 14, the Jazz Festival shares the park with the 2nd Family Fun Fest, which will offer free activities, games, attractions, and community kiosks for families.
Find performance schedules, further details, and ticket purchasing information at nanaimojazzfest.ca.
Nanaimo Film Screening Society Launches its 2nd Season
Nanaimo International Film Screening Society opens its second season on September 7 at the Shaw Auditorium, 80 Commercial Street. Quebec’s Blue Sky Jo will show as the regular feature at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM. An additional film, Italy’s There’s Still Tomorrow will be screened as a matinee, at 4:00 PM.
Blue Sky Jo tells of a 10 year old girl who wants to be like her favourite cartoon hero, Josephine.
There’s Still Tomorrow, an Italian box office phenomenon and winner of six Italian Academy Awards, is set in postwar Rome and shot in black and white.
$120 season passes are valid for the 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM feature film showings and are now available. Admission to the matinee requires an additional ticket.
Under 25 year olds can purchase any ticket for $10, whereas individual tickets are $15. Tickets available at nifss.ca.
Calling all Poetry Writers
The Ladysmith Museum is pleased to host a Poetry Writing Workshop with renowned poet John Edwards. The Workshop will take place on September 20 and 27 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
The workshop will focus on three themes; where I live, the requirements of rhyme, and how to know when a poem is finished.
There is no age requirement and no writing experience is needed; just a love of language.
The workshop is free, but donations are appreciated.
The workshop is part of a Vanishing Skills series generously sponsored by the Ladysmith Rotary.
Pre-register by emailing info@ladysmithhistoricalsociety.ca
Poet John Edwards. Photo: Gillian Edwards
Holly Cole will be performing at the Nanaimo Jazz Festival.
Land and Language Program
flourishing
BY GABRIELLE LEE
For over 10 years now, a unique, noteworthy program has been operating out of Ladysmith Secondary. What started decades ago as a simple effort to include Coast Salish culture in the school foyer has flourished into a full course, offered to students in grades 10 to 12 in the second semester of each school year.
The Land and Language Based Learning Program was co-founded by yutustana:t, a Coast Salish Elder who also goes by the name of Mandy Jones, and William Taylor, a long-time secondary school teacher.
Twenty-five years ago, staff recognized the need to incorporate Coast Salish elements in the school building to honour the land and allow all members of the community to feel welcome and acknowledged. This effort sparked discussion with administration, the securing of funding and, eventually, the establishment of an Indigenous learning program delivered within the BC curriculum. Nowadays, it’s staffed by Taylor, Tanya Heidelbach, Brenda Kohlruss, Elder yutustana:t, and Gena Seward-Wilson who’s also known as yutustana:t, and shares this name with her aunt. From yutustana:t’s teachings, heritage and culture, the course was born.
The objective of the program is as simple as it is powerful. “The main goal … is to create understanding between In-
Ladysmith Secondary School foyer.
courtesy of William Taylor.
digenous and non-Indigenous people … it’s to honour local Indigenous culture and practice … [and] to help share traditional teachings,” Taylor states. “One of our Elders, Jerry Brown … says that the best way to move forward is to respect one another, and to [do that], we need to listen to each other. … One of our core goals is to create that understanding between people.”
In many ways, the program diverges from Western education practices that are familiar to many and, instead, makes room for another method of learning. “As closely as possible, [the program] follow[s] Indigenous ways of teaching and understanding,” Taylor expresses. “Hul’qum’i’num’, the language of the land, is an integral part of our work … [as is] Coast Salish protocols. … In day-to-day practice, that looks like no desks, no books in our room … [the] follow[ing] of oral teachings … handson teachings ... [and] storytelling.”
Students participate in hands-on work such as drumming and singing, weaving and listening to stories of the land. They’ve taken part in mapping projects, creating audio recordings of yutustana:t speaking Hul’q’umi’num’ to be featured in Google Earth’s “Celebrating Indigenous Languages” Voyager collection. Voyager combines Google Earth’s visual features with stories and audio to highlight Indigenous languages and cul-
Photo
tures from around the world. Even more, with the assistance of Dr. Brian Thom, students are currently assembling a place names map, one embedded with stories and pictures so as to incorporate Coast Salish oral culture. Thom, an anthropologist from the University of Victoria, is coordinating with the Google Indigenous Mapping team to bring the project to life.
In line with the Coast Salish belief that wealth is stored in blankets, participants also construct the coverings from start to finish, beginning with fibres from sheep and then cleaning, carding, teasing, dyeing and spinning them into usable cloth. Moreover, they’re hardly contained to the indoors; Taylor explains how previous lessons have included students taking part in Indigenous community events or exploring the land to harvest Coast Salish plants. Vitally, as students take part in this hands-on work, they hear the stories behind and significance of the practices.
The implementation of formal lesson plans, grading and assessments are incongruent with the Indigenous ways of teaching or understanding and, therefore, remain absent. Instead, educators use the two blocks available to them in a flexible manner based on the Elder’s words and pull from four core learning principles to provide feedback to students. Participants are evaluated by the pillars of presence and preparedness, listening, telling the story back, and sharing their personal gifts with the class.
Students are exposed to a new way of thinking and explore ideas such as relational accountability – a concept that is perhaps best explained by a simple statement: speak to be revealed and listen to be changed. Taylor elaborates on this concept,
saying, “In our colonial world, we talk about resources like, ‘Oh, there’s a tree, it’s a resource, we can cut it down.’ ... It has monetary value. We can make it into these things. In the Coast Salish world, that tree is alive, and it’s … there to help you … you can use it … you can be in relationship with it.” The work done in the Land and Language Course challenges students to evaluate their ideas of values, work and learning. “By offering another way of looking at the world [and] ... encouraging people to see that there is more than one way to base your ontological understanding of how you live … that brings some understanding,” Taylor expresses.
Taylor offers all his credit to the Coast Salish Elders for sharing their culture, history and stories; without their leadership and knowledge, he stresses, the program would have never come to fruition. Indeed, as the education curriculum in BC continues to evolve, innovative courses like the Land and Language Based Learning Program are indicative of the progress that is likely to come. The program is in talks to expand and create a culturally appropriate building, and Taylor has noticed “the way that the teachings have kind of percolated out into the school,” leaving a mark on many. The incorporation of Indigenous learning has “filtered into other classrooms … [and introduced] this notion that there are different ways to think about a thing.”
Despite their importance, these very lessons have long been excluded from provincial curricula, left untouched by the majority of students. After years of collaboration, contribution and understanding, at Ladysmith Secondary, they finally have the space to be shared.
When Ya Gotta Go, Ya Gotta Go
BY KERITH WADDINGTON
At the 2019 Agility Association of Canada Nationals in Ontario, Harley – a local agility dog – proved, in unforgettable fashion, that when ya gotta go, ya gotta go. After five near-perfect runs, she was just one jump away from a national title when after one too many weave poles, she stopped to relieve herself just steps from the finish line.
Not being cursed with self-awareness, Harley remains blissfully unaware of the glory that was snatched from her doggie paws that day. But in every sense that counts, Harley was and is already a winner: she is a beloved family member whose days are filled with frolics through the forest, delicious treats and mental enrichment and whose nights are filled with snuggles and safety. At that rate, who actually needs a ribbon?
Harley, a pointer mix, was Katherine Mitton’s first dog and the one who introduced her to the sport. She is also the inspiration behind Extension Dog Sports, the South Wellington club Mitton launched in 2022. Harley is the silhouette featured on their logo, captured mid-leap in full extension. Together, the two have travelled from puppy classes to being named as alternates for Team Canada at the 2023 World Agility Open – a recognition of just how far they’ve come.
“She used to bark at me or nip if I gave her a late cue,” Mitton recalls with a laugh. “Thanks to her ‘feedback,’ I got better quickly. Our dogs are always our best teachers.”
Mitton’s journey into agility began long before she had a dog of her own. “Years before Harley came along, I was
watching YouTube videos, learning as much as possible about dog training,” she says.
When Harley arrived, Mitton signed up for puppy classes and quickly crossed paths with local trainer Tressia Toole of Rave Dog Sports.
“Tressia’s passion was contagious,” she remembers. “I went to watch her compete one weekend, and that was it. I was hooked.”
Within six months, Mitton was volunteering to help with classes in exchange for her own training. “I learned so much in such a short time,” she says. When Toole later moved away, Mitton naturally stepped into a teaching role of her own. Before long, she was thriving both as a competitor and as a coach.
Opening Extension Dog Sports in 2022 felt like the natural next step in that journey. Today, the club welcomes over 100 members, with approximately
50 dogs training weekly at its outdoor arena in South Wellington. “The agility community here is incredibly active,” Mitton says. “I’ve heard that, per capita, Vancouver Island has one of the highest numbers of agility handlers in the country.”
Now, in a full-circle moment, she invites Toole back each year from Prince Edward Island to teach seminars at her club – a way of honouring the coach and now close friend who first inspired her.
In summer, classes run outdoors; when winter arrives, they move to an indoor arena in Nanoose, ensuring yearround training.
From the beginning, Mitton wanted more than a program – she wanted a community. “When I first started, I was lucky to have a supportive group cheering me on,” she says. “I wanted to recreate that environment so newcomers feel like they belong right away. Over time, it’s grown into a space where both competitive teams and people who just want to have fun can thrive.”
To the uninitiated, agility might look like a fast-moving puzzle. Courses combine jumps, tunnels, weave poles and climbing obstacles, such as the dog walk, A-frame and teeter. Handlers guide their dogs through in numerical order, aiming for speed and accuracy.
Agility traces its roots back to the late 1970s in England, where it was first staged as halftime entertainment at horse shows. Today, it is a worldwide sport with both recreational and competitive branches.
“It’s not just about teaching the dog the obstacles,” Mitton explains. “It’s about building communication, teamwork and problem-solving while having fun together. Every course is different, which means every run is a chance to learn.”
Staying current in a fast-evolving sport is one of Mitton’s most significant
Katherine Mitton with Harley.
Photo: Kerith Waddington
responsibilities. She not only teaches but also judges, competes and studies international trends.
“Course design for agility has changed so much,” she says. “We’re seeing more emphasis on flow, safety and challenges that allow dogs to move more naturally. It’s exciting, but it means you need to keep learning.”
Her philosophy blends science and empathy. “Running agility classes safely and effectively requires a great deal of training – both in understanding dog behaviour and in communicating clearly with people so they can bring out the best in their dogs,” she explains. “Every dog is motivated by different reinforcers, and every team has unique hurdles. Recognizing both is crucial to creating effective, tailored training plans.”
For Mitton, the true reward is not in podium placements
Harley showing her moves. Agility programs are enjoyed by many different breeds. Photo: Kerith Waddington.
but in the bond that grows between people and their dogs.
“Whether new students come to me with a competitive drive or simply for fun, the best part of this sport is how it strengthens that relationship,” she says. “Watching my students achieve their goals – whether it’s a ribbon or simply finding the courage to step onto the start line – is the best feeling.”
Student Janelle Wilson, who trains with her dog Brew, agrees. “The learning never stops, and the focus is always on having fun with your dog,” she says. “It was humbling to discover that anytime there is a communication breakdown, the problem is always the person – never the dog!” she laughs. “Since joining Extension Dog Sports, I have made friends and become a member of an incredible community of like-minded people. It’s been nothing but positive!”
Mitton agrees that agility isn’t always smooth sailing. “The frustrations are just as important as the wins,” she says. “They build the resilience and teamwork it takes to succeed. As a coach, one of the biggest challenges I see is the imbalance in expectations – placing high demands on the dog to perform, while not holding themselves, the handler, equally accountable for supporting their dog. It’s about learning to pivot your training plan to meet your dog’s needs in the moment. That takes time, practice, patience and a good amount of self-forgiveness. But when it all comes together, it feels like magic.”
Agility isn’t just for young border collies with boundless energy.
“Older dogs can absolutely benefit,” Mitton says. “With lower jumps or modified courses, they can still enjoy the game safely while getting all the mental stimulation and joy it brings.
I especially love watching senior dogs play – it gives them life. And at that age, there are no rules. They get as many treats as they want for doing whatever they want.”
While genetics can influence success in the sport, Mitton stresses that all dogs can enjoy it. “It’s time together with their human, they’ll always be grateful for – whether you’re at home practising or out at a competition. None of that matters to them except the time you’ve dedicated to them.”
Running a dog-sport business on Vancouver Island comes with unique obstacles. Chief among them is finding facilities. Mitton says, “Once I find a location willing to give us a chance, it becomes my responsibility to ensure students are managing their dogs well, respecting our landlords and neighbours, and protecting the privilege of having a place to play. We are very thankful to have two awesome locations.”
For Mitton, agility has been life-changing. “It’s my whole life – both my job and my passion,” she says. “I’ve built lifelong friendships, travelled across North America and grown so much as a person. But most of all, I’m thankful for Harley. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her, and without the trainers who were patient enough to guide us along the way.”
She pauses, then adds with a grin: “Somewhere along the line, you end up with more dogs than you ever planned for and pockets that smell more like treats than money.”
The ribbons may come and go – sometimes just one jump away – but the joy, the community and the lessons from dogs like Harley last a lifetime.
For more information about the club, visit extensiondogsports.com.
Stay Local, Build Community
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO
At the Cedar Farmers’ Market, shopping is simple: it’s fresh produce and artisanal crafts directly from the farmers and artists to you. With the national efforts to shop Canadian, more people are turning to their local markets, and the Cedar Farmers’ Market is the best on the Island.
Kate Poirier, the manager for the market, says that it’s been a record-breaking summer since the opening market on Mother’s Day. “We have had recordsetting attendance this whole year, and it has been a trend across farmers’ markets on Vancouver Island. … I think it’s a mixture of shop local and buying Canadian [that] is [at the] forefront for people.”
The market has become a prominent hub for the community. As Poirier explains, “It’s almost a social network. It’s a third space that we don’t have a lot of in our community anymore.”
Visiting the market isn’t just about shopping, it’s a destination and an experience. “We really invested in getting seating and shelters and organizing our music schedule so there’s free, live entertainment,” she says. “It’s not all about money. Get out of your house, go be among other people, build your own community and let us help you do that.”
Vendors come from Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands to participate in this market. With the consistent repeat traffic and the increase in new attendance, they are able to grow their customer
base. “You see this sort of spiderweb effect of these small businesses growing their network of customers across all of Vancouver Island,” says Poirier.
Since the beginning of the year, the average attendance has been 2,600 people per week. New business participation is also up with 38 new vendors this year. She adds, “I expect that we will have hosted close to 200 different businesses and organizations by the time the season wraps up, plus 13 different solo musicians and bands.”
The secret to this market’s success, Kate says, is the staff. “I have never had so many in-person comments and emails about a great team in my life like I have this year. They are welcoming and friendly at the main entrance, they genuinely love the market and they work their butts off in the heat waves and rainstorms.” The open environment that Kate creates with her staff trickles into every part of the market experience. It’s easy to see why people keep coming back.
The market happens at the Woodbank School in Cedar every Sunday until Hallowe’en. The Christmas Market will be held outside, rain or shine, on November 9, 2025.
Kate is already looking ahead to next year, which marks the 30th anniversary of the market. “We’re looking forward to putting on a big event for the community, for the public, that’s all free.”
The details are still to be determined, but anyone interested in participating as a volunteer can reach out to Kate at the manager@cedarfarmersmarket.org.
If your Sundays are particularly busy, there are other local markets from Nanaimo to Duncan which run throughout the week. They’re the perfect place to find a fresh baked good, or pick up a basket of vegetables. The Island Roots Market in Nanaimo runs every Wednesday from 3pm-6pm in Beban Park. It’s outdoors for the summer but will return into the Centennial Building in October. The Ladysmith Farmers Market is wrapping up their season on September 23rd, so be sure to catch them on Tuesdays from 3pm-7pm at the Eagles Hall before it’s over. The Duncan Farmer’s Market is every Saturday from 9am2pm, under the historic clock tower in the town square.
Cedar Farmers’ Market.
Photo: Siska Gremmelprez
Taking Care of the Heritage Boat Fleet
BY FRANESCA PACCHIANO
Volunteers with the Ladysmith Maritime Society are hard at work repairing skiffs in the Car Shop. Weather damage and their funding being cut isn’t stopping the LMS on their mission to protect and promote heritage vessels in Ladysmith.
Since their expulsion from the Ladysmith Community Marina in early 2024, the Joan and the Rendell skiffs both sustained severe weather damage. Robert Lawson says that restoration is the current project.
“We brought them into the shop and they’re getting repaired and repainted and made water tight and ready to put in the water. When we’re done they will be taken to Thetis Island and will be available for people to row them.”
The preservation of history through accuracy is important to the society, but Robert says that using modern materials is also important for the safety of those who will use the boats. “We reinforced the bottom planking with fiberglass, tape, and epoxy, so the boats can be taken out of the water and they won’t shrink badly, and when you put them back in, they won’t leak…it makes them more useable.”
The boats, including the society’s big boats, the Saravan and the Kirkegaard, are operating out of Thetis Island in partnership with the Telegraph Harbour Marina. “It’s actually very kind and generous (of the owners) to allow us a small space to do what we’re doing. We’re quite lucky because it’s a crowded wharf.”
Finding a space to store boats and artifacts has been difficult for the society. Earlier this year they were forced to dismantle a skiff named the Songbird after they could no longer afford the moorage. “We saved the nice bronze fittings from the old Easthope engine and those will be cleaned up over the winter and
put up for sale to help us raise money for keeping our doors open.”
Other assets, like the Rainbow Skiff, were donated to the Maritime Museum of British Columbia. “It now belongs to them and the Car Shop volunteers are working with me do the restoration on this beautiful, extremely unique and rare skiff. We’ve had some private donations to cover the cost of teak and bronze castings, and we’ve arranged some donations to buy a trailer for it. It will be a display that the Maritime Museum will have and will be able to take to shows.”
open five days a week, all day long. And people could come from Ladysmith, people could come from elsewhere, take courses, build a small dinghy, build a bigger boat…but it requires funding.”
Love of Wooden Boats
The Car Shop, Robert says, is bustling with activity. “The guys are in three mornings a week…there’s always something to do.” But with limited resources, the society doesn’t have the capacity to take on more volunteers or activities. The dream is to get more young people interested in these boats but without funding, it will be a while before that dream becomes a reality. “We don’t have the money to offer professional programs…If we had the money to do that, we could. Then the Car Shop would be
The problem, Robert says, is that people don’t have the same connection to boats that used to be available.
“I’ve loved wooden boats since I was a small child. I learned to row in a row boat. It was a lovely, little, Ontariobuilt skiff in Eastern Canada. I lived on wooden boats and maintained wooden boats for a living…I was in charge of the Dorothy Project for three years and with the LMS volunteers brought that to a state of completion that was far beyond
(above) Ladysmith Maritime Society volunteers repairing skiffs. Photo: Marina Sacht (right) Sea Life Festival was a big hit this year at Transfer Beach Park. Photo: Bob Burgess
the expectations of the Maritime Museum of BC. It resulted in winning a 2024 Classic Boat Award for Best Restored Vessel Under 40 ft, administered by the yachting world’s most prestigious magazine, UK’s Classic Boat magazine. Not many things happen in Ladysmith that result in worldwide recognition.
But where Robert had access to boats as a child, that’s not always possible today.
“It’s very frustrating for young people today because their world is virtual. So much of their world is to do with electronic mediums. Actually hanging out around the water and doing this is much harder. It’s much harder to own a boat. It’s become extremely expensive to tie up a boat. Now at Ladysmith we have multimillion dollar boats being tied up that have nothing to do with our community at all…there’s no room in this world for young kids to be interested in the water.”
Without a proper place to call home, the LMS can’t receive steady funding. Right now they’re asking for donations to support their projects and that people see the boats where they can.
The Dorothy has been on display all summer in Victoria but is making the journey home to Ladysmith after the September long weekend. Dorothy will spend the winter in Ladysmith but it will not be available for public viewing. “In the winter it’s under a fitted cover so it doesn’t even show off what a beautiful boat it is.”
The Saravan was recently shown off at the Richmond Maritime Festival in Steveston as well as the Victoria Classic Boat Festival. And, both the Saravan and Kirkegaard are available for public viewing on Thetis Island.
Of course the heritage boats are not the only thing the Ladysmith Maritime Society is involved with. They recently held a very successful Sea Life Festival in August, and operated the Harbour Boat Tours this summer.
Online Auction
The LMS will be hosting an online auction from September 14th - 18th to raise funds for their projects and community events. You can pick up some great items while helping out the society continue their work. Shop at www.auctria.events/ladysmithmaritimesociety.
The Salish Sea: A Coastal Treasure under Pressure
BY NADINE WONG
Stretching across the Pacific Northwest, the Salish Sea is one of the most ecologically and culturally rich marine ecosystems in North America. It encompasses the Strait of Georgia, Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, linking the waters of southern British Columbia and northern Washington State. Here, orcas breach, salmon run and First Nations maintain deep ancestral ties. Yet, like so many natural wonders, the Salish Sea is under mounting pressure.
“In my lifetime, the reefs have deteriorated, though they are still relatively healthy. The challenge is shifting baselines. Years ago, I’d see far more fish and invertebrates, but new divers only know what they see today and think it’s great,” observes marine naturalist and educator Andy Lamb. “Everyone’s baseline is different, which makes research difficult. There isn’t necessarily less variety, but populations have certainly shifted.”
Key threats include:
Pollution: Urban runoff, wastewater and plastic debris contaminate the water, harming fish, orcas and other marine life.
Boat traffic and noise: Busy ports and heavy recreational boating create a noisy underwater world, disrupting whales that rely on echolocation.
Climate change: Warming waters, ocean acidification and rising sea levels are reshaping habitats and food webs.
Marine naturalist and educator Andy Lamb. Photo submitted.
Habitat loss: Coastal development, logging and shoreline modification have damaged critical ecosystems such as eelgrass meadows and estuaries.
Declining keystone species: Salmon populations, already stressed by habitat loss and overfishing, continue to fall –threatening the orcas that depend on them.
“The Salish Sea is unique,” says Lamb. “It’s a cold marine basin shaped by freshwater tributaries, mainly the Fraser River,
and its position between two countries creates political and management challenges. More than 3,000 marine species inhabit these waters, from tiny plankton to killer whales. The sea supports kelp, eelgrass, mudflats and marshes, all of which nurture sea life and keep our coastal waters clean.”
Beyond its ecological wealth, the Salish Sea is a cultural keystone. Indigenous peoples, including the Stz’uminus, Penelakut, Halalt, Lyackson, and Cowichan, have lived along its shores for millennia, drawing on its abundance for food, trade and ceremony. Today, it also serves as a playground for kayakers, sailors, fishers and nature lovers.
A retired Vancouver Aquarium educator, former Fisheries and Oceans Canada fish culturalist, avid diver and co-author of three books on Pacific Northwest marine life, Lamb now calls Thetis Island home.
“One of the most urgent threats today is human impact,” he says. “Despite the economy, boat traffic isn’t declining. With population growth, pressure on the shoreline keeps increasing. The Islands Trust and other groups are trying to mitigate this, but there are ongoing concerns about docks, anchorages and other developments.”
The Salish Sea is more than just a waterway; it’s a living, breathing ecosystem, a cultural lifeline and a source of inspiration. Whether you’re navigating its coves by sailboat or watching eagles soar from a rocky shore, every visitor has a role to play in its stewardship. By recreating and boating mindfully and advocating for healthy marine practices, we can help ensure that this unique and irreplaceable region remains vibrant for generations to come.
More than skin deep
It’s a journey we are all on. And if we are one of the fortunate ones, we’ll be on that path for a long time. How we age depends on many factors, including genetics, environment and social influences. But there are things you can do to minimize the negative and emphasis the positive elements of aging.
Erin Marie, a master aesthetician and aesthetic dermatology technician, is behind the Ladysmith Skin Specialist office on Roberts Street. She has been practising for 20 years, starting in Manitoba before transitioning here.
Aging starts earlier than you might think. “People start to age from 25 on. And typically, most women will start their perimenopause journey in their early to mid 40s,” she says.
As we age, elastin and collagen production drops, leading to sagging skin. The good news is that there are a variety of treatments that will help.
Laser skin tightening with radio frequency (RF) is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure designed to firm and tighten loose or sagging skin. It combines laser energy and RF waves to stimulate collagen and elastin production, resulting in smoother, tighter and more youthfullooking skin over time.
The laser energy targets the outer layers of the skin, gently heating the tissue to trigger a healing response. RF pen-
etrates deeper into the skin layers, delivering heat to the dermis and subdermal layers without damaging the surface. The combined heat from laser and RF stimulates the fibroblasts to produce more collagen and elastin. Over several weeks, the new collagen firms the skin, improving elasticity and reducing wrinkles. Once your treatment cycle is complete, you will need a periodic touch up. So when should you start taking care of your skin? Marie suggests as soon as you see signs of aging – and don’t forget the sunblock. That way you will be well equipped to handle the challenges in the future.
Erin Marie offers a variety of skin treatments, including removing benign skin lesions. “I am very happy to be in the Ladysmith community, and I look forward to helping people feel better outside as well as inside.”
Erin Marie, Ladysmith Skin Specialist
Salish Sea offers diverse diving opportunities. Photo: Marina Sacht
RDN Area A Cedar, South Wellington, Cassidy & Yellow Point
Let’s talk governance.
While my intro sentence may have turned away all but the most hardened politicos, you may be more interested in this topic than you expect. Governance is related to many of the concerns I hear from community members. Recently, a community member organized a meeting to discuss governance options (thanks Chris!), and I thought it was important to share the discussion here. At the core, this discussion focuses on the impacts and considerations of our communities’ incorporation (i.e., becoming a municipality). Please know that I am simplifying the information here for brevity. The full, more complicated version would not fit within the space of this article.
First, let’s review our current governance situation. Electoral Area A is a collection of communities that are unincorporated (not municipalities) and that are in the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN). Local government services are provided by the RDN, which is governed by a board of 19 members who represent the region’s unincorporated areas and municipalities.
Area A has one board member to represent the area’s interests – me. Decisions about local government services, whether they affect all areas or just some, are made by the board as a whole.
Each voting member has a vote that is weighted to reflect the population of the community they represent. For example, Area A has a vote worth four votes, whereas each Nanaimo member (of which there are eight) has a vote worth eight votes. To compare, Lantzville and Gabriola (Area B) have two votes each.
Local government provides various services using tax dollars to fund those services. Local governments exist through provincial legislation, which also determines the areas of responsibility – and thereby also determines the areas that are outside the jurisdiction of local government. Municipalities and electoral areas have differences in their areas of responsibility.
The most obvious example of an area of responsibility is roads. As many of you know, the province has jurisdiction over roads in electoral areas. This means that the Province, through the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, makes all the decisions about roads including speed limits, sidewalks, lights, crosswalks, parking, signage, ditches, drainage, etc. The RDN has no jurisdiction (decision-making power) over roads except in the situation where we apply for a licence of occupation and take responsibility for an area (e.g., the crosswalk on Woobank that is part of the Morden Colliery Regional trail).
In contrast, municipalities have control over the roads in their communities (except numbered highways). That also
means that people living in municipalities pay for all the maintenance, management and creation of roads in their community. Roads are the most common reason for communities incorporating, and they are also one of the most expensive responsibilities.
There are several other core implications of incorporation. First, the governance of the municipality largely becomes the responsibility of that community within the realm of local government. This involves having a mayor and council to make the decisions for the area and all the staff to put those decisions into action. Municipalities have more control over their communities, but that also means they cover all the costs of that work. The administration of a municipality requires a building (city hall), staff (e.g., management, HR, clerical, all the staff for all the services provided), record-keeping, legal analysis and the council. Currently, we share these costs with other RDN members. Notably, municipalities within the RDN still participate in and pay for some RDN services (e.g., solid waste management). This is why municipalities pay two sets of local government taxes: regional and municipal.
Second, depending on population size, municipalities are responsible for paying for police services, including the detachment building and staff. If the population exceeds 5,000, the municipality pays for at least 70 per cent of policing
costs, which can add more than $1 million to municipal budgets.
Third, municipalities are responsible for the process and costs of collecting taxes. Electoral areas pay the Province to provide these services.
Density and property type are other core considerations in the incorporation discussion. All the additional costs discussed above are taxpayer funded. Having few people in your community means fewer people are paying more money. A greater population spreads out those costs among more people. In addition, different property types pay different levels of taxes. Although this varies across municipalities, usually industrial and commercial properties pay a higher rate of taxes, and farm properties pay a lower rate. Having industrial and commercial properties support the costs of providing local government services. Also, increased density of people/properties means fewer roads to pay for and a smaller geographic area in which to provide services.
Let’s compare this with our rural community that has larger properties, fewer people, long roads and a signifi-
cant proportion of farmland. Although South Wellington has an industrial area and Cedar has a small commercial area, most of Area A is spread out, rural and residential or agricultural. And, most people out here like it that way. An incorporation process would propose municipal borders that would maximize density and minimize road costs to make the business of operating a municipality financially viable.
Currently, a portion of Area F (Coombs and Errington) are moving through the incorporation process. This will be decided through a referendum. Area F is like Area A in population size and in rural character. Their director intends to maintain the rural character of the area, despite becoming a municipality. This process will stir discussion in all the areas of the RDN, and it will be informative over time to see the changes brought to the community because of incorporation.
I think it important that Area A community members be informed as much as possible about the implications and impacts of this type of decision, which is my intent for this article. I have no
opinion about this type of decision for our area. Besides, this would not be my decision, but rather a community decision. I’ll note that protecting rural integrity is an aspect of our Official Community Plan and is something that many of our community members value. For now, I plan to learn from Area F as they go through this process and enjoy the beautiful community in which we live. I’ll end these Director’s Notes by sharing the wise words of a friend who lives in Cedar, “I live where the world wants to be.”
Please contact me at 250-268-7359 or via email at jessica.stanley@rdn.bc.ca to discuss any and all things Area A.
CVRD Area H North Oyster/ Diamond
Diamond Local Area Plan – Community Update and Town Hall Invitation
As mentioned in my Director’s Report in the August issue of TAKE 5, I invite you to attend a Director’s Town Hall on Friday, September 12, 2025, at Diamond Hall. The August report provides background for this event, and I encourage
you to review it as context for our upcoming discussions.
The Town Hall will begin with a dropin information session from 5 to 7 p.m., where you can view maps, ask questions, and speak directly with CVRD staff and myself. This will be followed by the Town Hall discussion, from 7 to 8 p.m., to share feedback and join the conversation about the future of the Diamond.
When I first started listening to the old-timers around here, I heard some stories that stayed with me. One in particular was about building a drainage ditch the “old-fashioned” way. The trick, they said, was to set sticks of dynamite just far enough apart so the blast from the first one set off the next one, and so on down the line. One instant ditch.
It’s a great story – and a reminder of the kind of practical ingenuity this community has always had. It also reminds me why zoning rules exist today. As colourful as those stories are, none of us really want explosives stored next door or inappropriate activity over our aquifer.
That’s why the draft Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw (CZB) includes a short list of uses prohibited in all zones (www. planyourcowichan.ca). Some are common sense: they are like a fence at the edge of the cliff, protecting us from hazards without interfering in our day-today lives. However, some are less common sense for a rural area. Take a look on page 45 of the draft CZB.
Farmland and Subdivision
Another big piece of this update deals with farmland. Many of you have told me how much you value agriculture –not only for the food it produces, but for the open landscapes and rural way of life it preserves. Once farmland is carved up
into small lots, we don’t get it back.
That’s why the draft bylaw discourages subdivision in agricultural areas, aligning with provincial ALR rules. The intent is to keep farmland viable for the next generation. Still, I understand the frustration. Land is personal, and when you’ve worked it your whole life, you want the freedom to make decisions about it. My job as your director is to make sure we find the balance: protecting farmland for the future while keeping rules as practical and flexible as possible for landowners today.
Why This Matters for Area H
Zoning may sound technical, but it shapes the everyday life of our community – where we can build, what kinds of businesses we can support and how we balance growth with the rural independence that defines Area H.
And here’s the thing: I know most of you don’t want more rules. Neither do I. What we do want are fewer, clearer and smarter rules – rules that protect us from real risks while letting neighbours manage their land without unnecessary red tape.
Let’s Talk About It
This bylaw update is a once-in-a-generation chance to get things right, and I want to hear from you. Please join me at the upcoming Director’s Town Hall at North Oyster Community Centre, Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Come with your stories, your concerns and your ideas. These conversations matter because the choices we make today will shape the character of our community for decades.
I look forward to seeing you there –and maybe hearing a few more “instant ditch” stories along the way.
ben.maartman@cvrd.bc.ca 250-5105930
CVRD Area G Saltair/Thetis
Community Q&A Session
On July 26, 2025, the Saltair and District Ratepayers Association hosted an impromptu Q & A at the Saltair Community Centre, where residents asked me questions in an open, informal setting over coffee and tea. Topics included the 2026 budget, Official Community Plan (OCP) updates, water filtration, public transit, the E&N Rail Corridor, snow removal, regional recreation and slope stability. I am grateful to all who participated and contributed to a constructive dialogue.
2026 Budget
In preparation for the upcoming 2026 Budget, I put forward a resolution asking staff to prepare a budget with a maximum four per cent increase, with an option for a 2.5 per cent increase. The Board supported it. With Regional Recreation fully phased in, my goal is to strike a balance between fiscal responsibility, transparency and making smart investments for the long-term needs of our community.
Saltair Community Centre Upgrades
As of August 11, 2025, the Saltair Community Centre has been fully outfitted with air-conditioning. This longawaited upgrade ensures a more comfortable environment for everyone using the facility, whether for classes, daycare or community programs. It’s a meaningful step in making the centre a welcoming space year-round.
Three-Stream Garbage Collection
Residents will have noticed the rollout of the three-stream collection system; organics, recycling and garbage. Increased costs are always unwanted, but this brings significant benefits:
• Protecting the environment: Organics are now composted instead of producing harmful methane in landfills.
• Saving money: Diverting compost and recyclables reduces shipping costs as we send all of our garbage to Washington State.
• Meeting provincial mandates: We now comply with BC’s mandated recycling and waste-reduction targets.
AreaG@jessemcclinton.com 250.208.9919
Hoppy, Happy Festivalgoers in Chemainus
BY RICK RAKE
Music, beer and food – what better triggers a good time?
Beers, ciders, sliders, tacos, alcoholfree and gluten-free options and the lively tunes of headliner Chase the Bear were just part of the entertainment at the annual Cowichan Craft Beer and Food Festival on August 16th.
Krystal Adams, executive director of the Chemainus Business Improvement Association, which organizes the event, will tell you the festival is Vancouver Island’s largest craft beer festival and showcases breweries from throughout BC.
Tasty lagers, IPAs, stouts and sours were among the 100 different craft beers from 32 breweries at the Doc Lewis Park venue.
A first-time Travel Bar after-party highlighted four bands: Dirty Harriet, Wedding Crashers, Lost Octove and again Chase the Bear.
In partnership with the Canucks Autism Network, $1 from every festival VIP ticket sold went to Island programs.
Got news, a story idea, or cool photos? editor@take5.ca
Josh Christensen, Victoria rep for Mount Arrowsmith Brewing. Photo: Rick Rake
Headliner Chase the Bear at Cowichan Craft Beer and Food Festival. Photo: Rick Rake
Back to Basics
BY PAMELA WALKER
School is about learning new things and building on things we already know. We know that reducing, reusing, and recycling are the ways to help our planet, but have we thought about what we do to get our kids ready to go back to school? A new outfit, a new backpack, a whole bunch of new school supplies, and the planet and your wallet will weep. What about a thrift shop purchase instead of the new outfit? How about throwing last year’s backpack in the wash and using it for another year? And why not search the junk drawers in the house for those already purchased pens,
pencils, and pencil crayons ? If you have to buy new crayons, natural beeswax crayons are better for everyone, including the bees. No dunce cap required in this household!
And now let’s go on to the everyday requirements such as transportation, lunches, snacks and drinks. Choices made regarding these items can be harmful or beneficial to the environment. Here’s a list of possibilities to make you top of the class when it comes to helping Mother Nature:
• If your child is lucky enough to take the school bus, make sure they thank the driver. It’s saving you time and reducing fossil fuel consumption. Alternatively, your child can walk or ride their bicycle or scooter to school. The exercise will work wonders, and the learned behaviour may last a lifetime. Otherwise, is carpooling an option?
• Some prepackaged lunch snacks have more packaging than food. Consider making your own snacks, such as granola bars and yogurt tubes, made with reusable silicone moulds. Get your child involved and make it into a food science project. Other snacks, such as
nuts, can be put in reusable cloth bags. Some snacks, such as bananas, apples, kiwis, and oranges, don’t require a bag when you buy them! Place them on the checkout conveyor belt, and they can be weighed, paid for and brought home to be placed in a bowl on the counter without ever touching plastic!
• Some snacks end up in the garbage, as kids don’t want them and don’t want to bring them home. Can a Snack Dona-
Reusable cloth napkins at Times Infinity Refill Bar & Eco Shop, Ladysmith. Photo: Nikki Toxopeus
tion Bin be created at school so kids without snacks can enjoy them? Does the school have a compost bucket for their school vegetable garden?
• We all know about the horrors of plastic water bottles in our oceans. Buy a reusable stainless-steel water container, and your child can practice memory skills by keeping track of it throughout the year.
• Stainless steel bento lunch boxes with their little divided sections are fun to fill and easy to wash, and they can last until your little tike hits post-secondary education or the workforce.
• Cloth napkins save trees and can be brought home each day for washing.
• Why not discuss at a PAC meeting about how to make this school year the most environmentally friendly one yet? Fundraising for projects by selling TrueEarth dishwashing tablets and laundry soap is a win-win-win for PAC, the purchaser and our landfill.
• Laundry, dish and hand soaps can be purchased using refillable bottles right here in Ladysmith, Nanaimo and the Cowichan Valley. Go check them out for a wide variety for ecofriendly products that won’t fill up the recycle bin.
There are many more ideas that your children may know about. We need to learn from them. After all, we have gotten them into this plastic mess, and it’s up to us to help them out of it.
School kids learning about native plants. Photo: Nikki Toxopeus
School Daze
School Days, school days, dear old golden rule days.”
— Gus Edwards and Will Cobb, 1907
“When I think of September now, my mind is filled with end-of-summer stuff, like harvest, canning and all things farm-like. That is, until I see the school buses and kids on their way to what many would term as their own private slice of Hell. That wasn’t the case for me when Dad made his last army transfer to London, Ontario, and the wonderful public secondary school of Sir Adam Beck. Before that, it was Catholic elementary in Cornerbrook, Newfound-
land, and my first (and last) introduction to schooling with nuns.
I have a clear memory of registration day. My sisters and I were almost at the fenced-in playground in the schoolyard when the morning bell rang out. All the uniformed students filed neatly up the stairs and disappeared behind the huge, ominous wooden doors. One nun stood outside the entrance portal. We walked swiftly towards our destiny, looking oh-so prim in our crisp new identical attire (long-sleeved white blouse under a navy-blue jumper, loosely sinched at the waist with a matching buttoned belt – I remember this well, for a reason which will become apparent shortly).
And then it happened. A young lad ran by us and stopped dead at the bottom of the steps. The nun walked down to greet him, gathered her “habit” belt (made of large wooden beads resembling a rosary, complete with a cross dangling at the end) and swung it at the young boy as he scampered up the stairs and made his escape through those heavy wooden doors. Lesson #1: NEVER be late for school.
And my second lesson soon followed. After being introduced to my new class and classmates, I was asked to sign my name on the board. I picked up the chalk with my left hand … wrong. I was asked to go out into the hallway, the nun following close behind me. What had I done wrong?
I was asked to raise my right arm and leave my left one by my side. The nun then undid my belt and retied it so my left arm was pinned down, forcing me to start to use my right hand for everything, absolutely everything. This happened every day thereafter for me and other lefty classmates. Now, I was never clear on this one because even back then, I knew that lefties were not evil. After all, my one sister and my dad were lefthanded. Possibly it was because when you write on a chalkboard with your left hand, if you try to brace your hand with your pinky pad, you end up rubbing out everything you write.
The nuns never realized just how useful it was that they tried to change my dominant hand. I am now quite ambidextrous. I can actually write with both hands at the same time; of course, I have to write the same thing. This really came in handy when I was in detention (often) and had to write my “lines” be-
fore I could be excused. By writing with both hands, it took me half as long to write “I must not talk in school. I must not talk in school.”
For the first time in my young life, I was totally happy that my dad’s transfers were every three years. Don’t get me wrong; I loved Cornerbrook – my friends, neighbours, nature’s beauty. But although I did meet some wonderful, loving nuns there, overall that 1907 School Days ditty rings true: “Reading, ’riting and ’rithmatic, taught to the tune of the hickory stick!”
Things really changed when I hit high school, though. London seemed decades away from Cornerbrook. As always, the transition year was hard for me – shedding the Newfie wardrobe, the accent, upgrading topics like math and French –but it was the addition of extra-curricular activities that made school a wonderful memory. I became a cheerleader. So much fun, and I got to go to all the games – basketball, football. They let us out early on game days so we could get ready, and for pep rallies too. And we had the first male cheerleaders in the city. High school zipped by in a happy instant. I still laugh when I see back-to-school commercials. My favourite used to be the one with the Christmas song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” playing while a smiling parent goes up and down the aisles of a store, picking out paper, pens and all manner of supplies. But by far, the best one – possibly because it’s in my particular era – is Alice Cooper in the back-to-school Staples commercial. Google it. Still a classic after 20 years. A classic forever.
Starting Tuesday, September 2, when you slow down in a school zone, look at those kids and take a wee trip down memory lane. I do – and while I loved high school, I’m grateful to be a farmer now, thinking about harvesting peaches, apples and blackberries for the Cedar Women’s Institute’s Blackberry Tea on Sept. 6th. Hint, hint, nudge, nudge, wink, wink!
Jackie Moad is often reminded in September of her interesting school days (daze) in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Germany, Newfoundland, and finally Ontario, reminiscing away as she continues to farm that 20-acre organic slice of Paradise in Cedar.
