TAKE 5 September 2017

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Letters Locked out!

I am, for lack of a better term, an outdoor enthusiast. I have been a lifelong resident of the Ladysmith area. Every year, I dutifully buy my hunting, fishing and prospector licenses. I am beginning to wonder why!

It seems that here, on Southern Vancouver Island, if I venture off the pavement, I am threatened with trespassing charges. I am painfully aware that the access is a privilege not a right, but surely some sort of compromise can be found.

I know that the forest companies’ claim of private land can be traced back to the Dunsmuir agreement.

When I was growing up the largest two employers in the area were MacMillan Bloedel and Crown Zellerbach. These companies at least had a social conscience. They not only allowed access, but actually encouraged it with the building of campsites.

Back in March of 2008, the current companies sent a letter to the Fresh Water Fisheries, telling them to not stock the many lakes as they were no longer allowing public access. The number at the time was over 80 lakes. That number has grown since then. Many of these lakes had been stocked and monitored for years.

I fully understand the need for restrictions during these times of extreme fire hazards and in areas of active logging.

Whenever I approach management about access, I am met with claims of vandalism and garbage dumping. It seems a shame that a couple of bad apples can ruin it for everyone. I believe that by allowing people like myself and other like-minded people access, would cut down on these crimes.

Almost everyone has a cell phone camera these days. This eliminates the need for confrontation. Just snap a picture and try to include the license plate. I can’t help but wonder if the forest companies don’t want the public to see what is going on up there? The government has turned over the enforcement of the forests practices rules to the forest companies themselves.

The fox is now running the hen house!

I really hope some kind of compromise can be found so that families and especially children can easily enjoy the wonders of beautiful B.C. as I once did.

- Bob Jamison

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Bullfrog ballad I always enjoy reading Carolyn Herriot’s informative and entertaining articles. I was glad to see that last month Carolyn wrote about the problem of the very invasive bullfrog. I too have had frogs in my fridge and I’ve done my best to spread the word about the importance of eradicating this species of frog that damages our ecosystems.

I have attached a photo of a bullfrog that I noticed sitting on the road in June 2013, near Carolyn’s home. I placed my size 7 gumboot beside it to show how enormous it was! By the way, I have seen a Great Blue Heron swallowing a bullfrog, so I’m happy to see that they are helping with this problem.

- Dianne Andrews

Sea Life Celebration Festival Thank you everyone who participated in making the Sea Life Celebration Festival a great day. We were very fortunate to have so many knowledgeable and enthusiastic people willing to volunteer to help make this a true community event for our young people.

Each one of you were so competent, helpful and friendly.

Thank you for giving your time, your donations of materials, your expertise and your kindness towards the many kids who participated in our different events. We are grateful for the positive support received from LMS Executive Director Rod Smith and staff. Thank you volunteers and staff.

I hope with the many hands-on experiences, displays and the tour boat rides, the kids and their parents who enjoyed this Sea

Life Celebration will become more interested in learning about our local marine life.

This was the first festival of this nature at the Ladysmith Community Marina. We did not know how many people to expect, and we were surprised to see such a good turnout.

Thanks again to all of our awesome volunteers (50), guests (5) and LMS staff.

- Shirley Blackstaff, Volunteer Museum/Heritage Coordinator and Emery Urquhart, Museum Summer Assistant OOPS... In the August issue of TAKE 5 we posted an event in our Events Calendar stating that the Deaf Aids were the featured artist for the on August 7 Concerts in the Park series. We sincerely apologize to the members of the group, the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association and the public who had shown up at the Amphitheatre.

-Editor Letters to the Editor are welcome but may be edited for space, clarity or legality. This is an open forum and opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent those of TAKE 5 or its affiliates. email: editor@take5.ca, PO Box 59, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A1, or fax: 250-245-7099 Facebook: Take5Publications

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Getting ready for fall It’s hard to believe, but the lazy days of summer are nearly over. Instead of enjoying ice cream at the park, parents will hurriedly grab steaming coffees to sip on as swimming lessons and early morning hockey practices resume. Soon, the spray park at Transfer Beach will clear out as crowds of children head back to school.

Parents will make last minute dashes to the store for school supplies and provisions to assemble the ever-dreaded school lunches. Teachers will stock their classrooms and check over their lesson plans. Back to school outfits will be laid out, new shoes will be bought and alarm

Parade kicked off Ladysmith Days. Photo: Nick Longo

clocks will be set. Moms and dads and caregivers will approach one of the busiest times of the year with trepidation, excitement and, in some cases, relief (depending on how busy or bored their kids were during the summer vacation).

While back to school ads are filled with images of new backpacks, clothing and school supplies, many families cannot afford such luxuries. You could also ask

your local schools if they require gently used backpacks and other supplies, such as children’s books and music.

Each fall presents similar challenges and opportunities, and as September approaches, many of us still marvel at how quickly the summer months seem to fly by. Wasn’t it only yesterday that the Town installed a colourful rainbow crosswalk to reflect Ladysmith’s com-

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mitment to diversity and inclusiveness?

I could swear that our amazing Canada Day celebrations, where we honoured our community’s friendship with the Stz’uminus First Nation, took place days ago instead of months. Surely the amazing turnout of interested residents at the Waterfront Area Plan open house took place last week instead of in mid-July.

And I’m certain that Ladysmith Days was last weekend instead of last month!

It’s true that time truly does seem to pass by much more quickly when people are happy, positive and engaged. It’s just one of the many things that I love and appreciate about our community.

Now that we are returning to many of the tasks and responsibilities we were able to set aside during the summer months, let’s try to remember some important points. Back to school means that there will be more cars and pedestrians on the road. Be mindful of speeds and road conditions, and pay special at-

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tention to children and others crossing streets and roadways. With that, parents please remind your kids and teens to put down their devices and remain aware of their surroundings at all times.

The air temperature may be cooler, but this is still a critical time for water conservation. Do your part to conserve water, not just because it’s good for the environment, but because it’s also the right thing to do. A recent report released by the CVRD shows that summer temperatures will rise considerably in coming years. Making small changes now, such as allowing lawns to become brown in the summer, placing sprinklers on timers set for wee hours of the morning, and turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can go a long way toward conserving our most precious resource and protecting our future.

Fall is also a great time to protect your home. Change your smoke detector batteries. Have your furnace serviced. And

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ensure your chimney is properly swept before the cold months creep up on us.

Remember, there is an open fire ban so please don’t burn your leaves or lawn clippings. Rather, you can transport them to the Peerless Road Recycling Centre for free disposal.

While many of our fellow British Columbians have had an incredibly challenging summer, Ladysmith residents have been much more fortunate. I know that our community’s thoughts are with those people who have endured forest fire season with courage and grace, and my thanks go out to the brave men and women who have selflessly battled forest fires throughout the province and worked tirelessly to protect people, livestock, homes and businesses. Hopefully, the new beginnings that often accompany the fall months will also bring rain and cooler weather to the forest fire-affected communities in our province. mayor@ladysmith.ca

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Canada 150: What is it all about and how can we celebrate it?

At the Canada’s 150 Celebration on July 1, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s said, “Today, we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation. We come together as Canadians to celebrate the achievements of our great country, reflect on our past and present, and look boldly toward our future.” He also said, in part of this speech, “At the heart of Canada’s story are millions of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. They exemplify what it means to be Canadian:

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ambitious aspirations, leadership driven by compassion and the courage to dream boldly. Whether we were born here or have chosen Canada as our home, this is who we are.”

This is one reason that so many communities and organizations have taken on the task of recording the stories of the people of Canada. One such project is Canada 150: Canada’s Untold Stories. It is a national, not-for-profit collaborative campaign to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday by encouraging Canadians to record their stories — stories about their life, family and community histories.

Here in Ladysmith, we have a rich and diverse collection of personal histories.

These stories are from First Nations, immigrates from other countries (Belgians, Croatians, Brits, Italians and others) and provinces, and those that were born here in Ladysmith and area. These are the people that have made the Ladysmith of today, and their stories, along with the First Nations, should be told and recorded.

In the past 118 years, Ladysmith has been home to tens of thousands of people. After a quick glance through photos and stories in the book “Ladysmith’s Colorful History” by Viola Cull, you can see the diversity of the peoples that made (and make) up our community.

The founder of our town, James Dunsmuir, was born on the six-month trip from Scotland to the wilds of Vancouver Island.

One of the first families to come and start their new lives in Ladysmith was my own grandfather Dave Johnson. He, like so many other, heard of the opportunities out West, so he loaded up his 20-year-old wife and travelled by wagon from Sackville, New Brunswick, for the trek across Canada. He gained employment as a carpenter, helping to build the Dunsmuir coal wharf. He and his young wife lived in a tent next to the construction of the wharf. Shortly after his arrival in 1899, Julia, his wife, gave birth to Ernie, the first boy born in the emerging community that was to become Ladysmith. On completion of the wharf’s construction, he then worked building homes for the miners and shopkeepers that were arriving daily to the new community of Ladysmith, as it was now named.

After saving his money, he started his

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Ladysmith pioneers Dave and Julia Johnson. Photo courtesy of Rob Johnson

own business, a livery and stable business, located on the present site of the Old Town Bakery. Eventually, he and his young family moved out along what was then the Old Victoria Road, leading to Victoria, and there he built a gas station and general store and his home.

Both he and Julia became well-known members of the community. Julia gave birth to six more children, who were educated here. Some of them took up residency in the community and in turn raised their children here.

When the highway moved from Old Victoria Road (now Dogwood Drive), Dave and his sons managed to move a large house from Old Victoria down a steep embankment to Bayview Avenue, which had become the new highway through Ladysmith. The old house became Johnson Gas Station. This store became a landmark for those travelling between Nanaimo and Victoria. Dave died some 45 years after his arrival here.

Julia lived in Ladysmith for a total of 58 years before her death. In total, the Johnson family has resided in the Ladysmith area for 118 years and have operated a business in one form or another for over 100 years.

This is only one of many stories of our community and its peoples. Hopefully, our local Canada 150 committee will see the value of collecting and preserving stories about our people and our community.

As our part of Canada’s 150th, let’s celebrate our history and our culture in partnership with our neighbours the Stz’uminus First Nations as they celebrate their 5,000 plus years.

At least that’s as I see it.

Comments? editor@take5.ca

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Monument to Island Coal Miners Unveiled at Morden

BY ERIC W. RICKER On a recent sunny Saturday afternoon members of the Friends of the Morden Mine Society gathered at Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park for the official unveiling of a monument dedicated to the memory of those who worked in the old coal mines of Vancouver Island.

Approximately one thousand miners lost their lives in these mines and countless others succumbed to workplace injuries and mining-related diseases. Morden is the appropriate location for such a memorial because it contains the last remaining sizable structures of the old Vancouver Island coal mining industry and it is a provincial historic park, the only such park dedicated to our mining heritage.

The monument itself consists of a large slab of metamorphic slate (mined near Port Renfrew by local company K2 Stone) and sits on a pedestal constructed

by Nanaimo Precast. It was installed by contractor Sheldon Scheller near the Morden Tipple in a natural garden setting designed by local landscape architect Jessica Gemella and the students of her VIU horticulture class.

Text for a plaque commemorating the miners, which is affixed to the stone slab, was prepared by Tom Paterson, the well-known heritage journalist and for-

Coal miners monument unveiled at Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park. Friends of Morden Mine member Eric Ricker, right. Photo submitted.

mer FOMM vice-president. Our society is grateful to all who supplied services and/ or materials, either voluntarily or at substantial discounts, including the above mentioned, as well as B.C. Parks, West Coast Monuments, NALT, MacNutt Enterprises and several longstanding members of FOMM. One of the interesting facts about the monument is that it cost about $10,000 to construct, which is almost exactly the same amount that it cost to build the still impressive 75-foot high head frame at Morden a little over a century ago. Coincidentally, $10,000 is the amount the Province paid the Mayo Lumber Company back in the early 1970s to acquire the Morden site and most of the railway grade (now RDN regional trail) extending four miles to tidewater at Boat Harbour.

Over the years nearly $100,000 has been committed to a number of engineering and other studies at Morden, including a site plan for the park developed by Jessica Ge-

mella in 2010. In 2014, the cost to repair Morden was estimated at $2.8 million by national engineering company Read Jones Christoffersen. That’s expensive, but less than half the cost of the greatly successful Kinsol Trestle heritage restoration project completed a few years ago in the Cowichan Valley.

Hopefully, the new memorial at Morden will send a signal to the new provincial government that honouring our mining tradition is important and that restoring and further developing Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park should be made a priority. After all, the significant heritage structures at Morden are the very raison d’être for the park’s existence.

As well as the monument site that it now is, Morden should become a prominent heritage site and even recreational site as the future anchor of an important regional trail that, in accordance with RDN plans, will soon extend from Morden through to Hemer Provincial Park and perhaps, eventually, to tidewater.

Let the restoration order for Morden be given! It’s long past due.

Eric Ricker is a retired Dalhousie University professor, a Nanaimo resident and a past co-president of the Friends of the Morden Mine society.

Logger sports show Logger sports is back in Ladysmith!

The ever popular show will be held on Sunday Sept. 3 at the Amphitheatre in Transfer Beach Park.

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The show is by donation with all proceeds going to local Cops for Cancer Rider Lindy Skutnik for the Tour de Rock. Also at the show will be chain saw carvers and the first public opportunity to view the Canada 150 Legacy canoe.

A legacy project created by Ladysmith Stz’uminus he area’s Canada 150 Community , the canoe is being carved by Stz’uminus master carvers Manny and Elmer Sampson from a red cedar log.

The base of the canoe is being created by chainsaw carver Dan Richey.

When completed, the canoe will be installed at Transfer Beach Park with its bow pointing toward Shell Beach to symbolize the friendship between the two communities.

Cedar Fun Day! Bigger and better than ever it is Cedar Fun Day September 9th 11am to 3pm.

Bring the entire family to Cedar Village Square for the 20th Anniversary of this event. Something for everyone Kid’s games, face painting, bouncy castle, anniversary cake, music by Fred Izon & Friends. Hot dogs, drinks and you

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scream we all scream for ice cream!

This year the 49th Parallel celebrates their 40th anniversary with 6 unbelievable prizes still to be won. Stop by and meet the R.D.N. Directors. Rain or shine it’s always a great time!

New paddling centre Opening later this fall, the Ladysmith Maritime Society’s new Paddling Centre will be “a resource for the entire community,” says Rod Smith, Executive Director.

On the main floor, there will be secure storage available for any community members who would like to keep their vessel (kayak, canoe or paddleboard) near the water. Storage space is limited, but plans are underway for expansion should there be a need within the community. Also on the main floor will be lockers where paddlers can store their street clothes while they go off on a tour.

Vessel launching will be from low freeboard docks, along the side or end of the building. “I like the fact that there will be an indoor staging area where paddlers can get ready, protected from

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the elements, before they launch,” Smith said. “Of course, there will be a rinse off area, and we will be installing a water bottle refill station. One of my favourite features is the upstairs classroom or chartroom. This will be an area where you can plan your trip with your paddling companions using charts or online resources.”

“We will be encouraging community members and visitors to send us photos of their travels, so we can put them up on the walls for others to see. I have already been approached about displaying underwater photos, so we will all get a better sense of the spectacular beauty that lies in the waters around Ladysmith.”

“Next summer, we hope to have two or three camping pods on the water. These will be 20 feet by 20 feet floating structures for visiting paddlers to pull out onto, set up a tent, and enjoy the unique experience of camping on the water. The naturally calm waters of the harbour make it a perfect place for experienced or beginning paddlers to get out and enjoy the Salish Sea — one of the best paddling areas in the world. I would love

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to develop a relationship with the high school or a paddling group to encourage our young people to take up one of the fastest growing recreational activities in North America — an activity they can enjoy their entire life.” lmsmarina.ca.

LSAR Open House Ladysmith Search and Rescue is inviting the public to attend their Open House on Sept. 13 at 7pm . LSAR us a registered non-profit, volunteer organization that is registered with the British Columbia Provincial Emergency Program.

At the request of PEP, the RCMP or another authorized party, they respond to provide assistance with Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) operations and are strong supporters of “mutual aid” and frequently assist (and request assistance from) other search and rescue groups within our region.

If you would like more information on becoming a member or a supporting member, you will find it at their Open House.

LSAR has been a part of the community for over 50 years. Members are trained for basic ground search and rescue, first aid, rope rescue, Swiftwater rescue, team leaders, search and rescue management, and more.

Training for GSAR consists of 80 hours of instruction, split between classroom work and practical exercises.

The open house will be held in our compound on Malone Road just behind the Ladysmith Fire Dept. on 340 6th Avenue. If you have any question please call Allen at 250-734-1897.

Wilkinson Home The Ecoforestry Institute Society is well into their restoration of Merv’s house, now known as the Wilkinson Heritage Homestead. They’ve taken the home right back to the walls to find a solid log and stone structure. Underway now is the installation of the insulation, new flooring and drywalls, bathroom and kitchen renos, as well as the homestead refurbishment. The project team, trades people and volunteers have been dedicated to this huge undertaking. The Timber Framers are generously restoring the exterior logs, and Cheryl Bancroft has volunteered her considerable talents to help design and build a rustic chic decor.

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The homestead will serve as an educational centre and an ecotourist accommodation, tentatively to be open for business in October, 2017.

How would you like to sponsor the claw-foot tub, the lily pad lamp, the insulation or one of the bedroom dressers? To make a lasting contribution to the Wilkinson Heritage Homestead just visit http://ecoforestry.ca/homestead/ and select an item that appeals to you. Items can only be sponsored once, so ďŹ rst come, ďŹ rst served! All sponsors will be provided a tax receipt and have their names inscribed on a permanent work of art to be installed at the homestead.

For more information, please contact Kathy Code, EIS Vice Chair at info@ecoforestry.ca.

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Ladysmith Show & Shine. Photo: Cindy Damphousse

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The Inventors

BY MARINA SACHT From the outside it looks like any other garage you would find in a nice quiet neighbourhood but inside is a thriving international business marketing products worldwide.

Leisure Products Canada is owned by husband and wife partners Richard and Joan Gordon. At a time when most people would be thinking of retirement, they are busy coming up with ideas for products that make our lives a little easier.

The Gordon’s find inspiration everywhere – from a real need or when they run across an inferior product. They ask themselves “how can we make this better?”

Their formula for success has paid off.

Today Leisure Products Canada manufactures and distributes unique specialty products world-wide from their base in Ladysmith.

It all started back in 1993 when Richard developed a 3 in 1 beverage opener. It was a hit with breweries, the NHL, Major League Baseball and so on. -- with over 30 million units shipped.

Richard met Joan in1992. She’d been working for an online booking service for pet friendly hotels and while she enjoyed her work (they have two friendly rescue dogs) in 2011 she was “burnt-out” with sales and decided to work with Richard. “I do the paperwork, shipping, billing, he does the sales.”

Joan also helps come up with ideas for products. After buying a package of garden tie wire that sunlight disintegrated, she

Inventors Joan and Richard Gordon with some of the products thet have designed, manufactured and distributed. The deck rails behind them in the photo is their newest product.

Photo: Marina Sacht

thought we can make this product and UV protect it.

Their Soft Twist Tie Garden Wire UV stabilized wire won’t break down. It’s such a popular product that it comes in 55’, 250 and 500’ rolls for commercial users. “It’s the only product on the market, that won’t disintegrate. Locally its available at Buckerfields , nurseries and throughout the island.

Convenience and quality play a key in all their designs. Take their stainless steel magnetic latches ranging from 10 to 40 lb strength. You’ll find them used by RV manufacturers in motor homes and leisure vans. The idea was born after Richard struggled with a door and thought there must be a better method.

You’ll find those in Home Hardware stores across Canada.

Despite the occasional 60 foot truck trailer that stops at their garage/warehouse, Joan says we are just a small home based business.

“When clients call, I say he is in the “warehouse” , she laughs.

Having the business run from their home saves them expensive warehouse costs, plus allows them to simplify and flow through products in large volume.

New products on the market include a Gate Kit that allows consumers to make their own custom gates (their partner in China designed it, and they are the distributors) and a cell phone mounting kit that is hands free and swivels while having a low profile. There are other cell mounting kits but theirs is a superior product at half the price, says Joan.

Their most recent product is a Do-It Yourself Aluminum Deck Railing System that can snap together in a few hours and comes with built in lighting option.

So waht do all these products have in common?

They are useful and of high quality.

“We will go through the market place and see something and think, wow that’s a great idea but i don’t like the way it is packaged or it’s poor quality. We almost never have returns and if we did it would be a full refund. But we never have anyone return anything.”

If you have a great idea and don’t know what to do or where to go, contact them. “We can manufacture anything anyone wants.” And the rest is up to you.

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It’s Only a Play at Ladysmith Little Theatre Ladysmith Little Theatre presents “It’s Only a Play,” written by Terrence McNally and directed by Mort Paul.

After the opening night of “The Golden Egg” on Broadway, the play’s excitable playwright, unstable director and pill-popping leading lady, along with the playwright’s best friend, who passed up this production for a television series, and a drama critic, who’s panned the playwright in the past, eagerly await reviews. It’s a prime recipe for narcissism, ambition, childishness and just plain irrationality — and for comedy.

The play runs from Thursday, September 21, to Sunday, October 8, and includes very course language. For reservations and information, visit www. ladysmiththeatre.com or the Little Theatre’s box office, open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

(250-924-0658).

Jeeves Takes A Bow at Chemainus Theatre Festival

Angela Hewitt in Solo Piano Recital Photo: Bernd Eberle

Angela Hewitt in Piano Recital The Nanaimo Conservatory of Music presents world-renowned pianist Angela Hewitt performing at the Port Theatre, Oct 8, at 3pm., in her only West Coast concert in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday. Canadian-born Angela Hewitt has performed with major orchestras in Europe, Asia and North America. For her Nanaimo performance, Ms. Hewitt will lend her remarkable colour, distinctive voice and sparkling clarity to works

by Bach, Beethoven (Moonlight Sonata), Scarlatti, Ravel and Chabrier.

As well as her concert at the Port Theatre, Ms. Hewitt will be giving a master class on, Oct 7, at VIU to several advanced piano students. Observers can purchase tickets to the master class through the NCM. For concert tickets, call the Port Theatre at 250-754-855 or purchase online at www.porttheatre. com. For master class tickets or information, please call the NCM at 250-7544611. www.ncmusic.ca.

P.G. Wodehouse’s beloved comic characters will take the stage for the third time in “Jeeves Takes a Bow.” The British comedy, adapted by playwright Margaret Raether, includes so many bizarre calamities you’ll wonder until the last moment just how our faithful hero-butler will save the day.

The play runs from September 8 to 30 at the Chemainus Theatre Festival. For more information, visit chemainustheatrefestival.ca.

Author Robyn Gerland Robyn Gerland is the author of “All These Long Years Later,” a book of short stories that may be found in both the Vancouver Island and Vancouver library

A Book of short stories by author Robyn Gerland

systems, and “Hand-Me-Downs,” which will soon be available, through Library Bound, in libraries across Canada. She is the past editor of the Kitchener/Waterloo glossy Hysteria, a frequent contributor to “Chicken Soup for the Soul” and has been a columnist for several magazines and newspapers. She has been published in Arctic Expressions and her short story “An Education on the Side Facing Seat” was featured by The British Columbia Federation of Writers in WordWorks.

She is a past instructor of creative writing courses at Vancouver Island University.

“All These Long Years Later” follows Marcia Wyllie’s coming of age as she wends her way through Vancouver during the 1950s. The manners, mores, expectations and hypocrisies of the time are depicted through a diversity of char-

It was another fabulous Arts on the Avenue. The annual street art festival drew an appreciative audience on August 27 as they admired the works of artists and artisans.

Photo: Rob Johnson

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acters: Marcia’s family, friends, neighbours and teachers.

In “Hand-Me-Downs,” these words, spoken by Maggie Fiddler, the main character in the story, express the hypothesis on which the novel is based: “Perpetuity has a way of building bridges across generations. Who am I? And why am I? There is some present belief that our DNA, our deoxyribonucleic acid, is also a custodian of joys and celebrations and of sadness and despair.”

Lion Bear Fox New Album Vancouver Island’s Lion Bear Fox trio shared their self-titled debut full-length album, released on February 17, at the Tønder Festival in Denmark where they recently toured.

Tonder Festival is in its 43rd year and has invited Lion Bear Fox, along with other Canadian acts, to represent the best in Canadian folk music for their audience of over 20,000 music fans.

Listen to the new single “Going, Going, Gone” on www.youtube.com/thelionthebearthefox.

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Growing great garlic Garlic is a sustainable crop that is easy and rewarding to grow. You begin with one bulb that splits into cloves, each one when planted maturing into a new bulb — you see what I mean by sustainable! Select the largest cloves for replanting because these grow into the largest bulbs. Planting in late September–October is best for hardnecked and most softnecked garlic varieties, about six weeks before the first hard frost, as garlic needs a month of near-freezing temperatures and at least one hundred days to mature.

Choose a sunny site with rich, welldrained sandy loam — not too rich or the tops will overdevelop. Spread a layer of well-rotted compost or aged manure over the site, as garlic does not thrive in soils lacking organic matter. Sprinkling a mix of 50 per cent wood ash (uncontaminated) and 50 per cent rock dust aids in bulb formation and re-mineralizes the

soil. This is when a dibber comes in handy. Moisten the site before poking three-inch deep holes, six inches apart, in rows six inches apart. Drop the cloves in, pointy end up, about three inches below the soil surface. If garlic is spaced too close, it results in the development of smaller bulbs.

Softneck garlic, Allium sativum, generally has smaller cloves with no central flower stalk, as it does not flower, which makes softnecks suitable for braiding. It stores for a year and the flavour is generally spicier than hardnecked garlic.

Hardneck garlic, Allium ophioscorodon, is also known as Rocambole garlic. It generally has larger easier-to-peel cloves, but the bulbs only store for up to eight months. Rocambole garlic is not suited to braiding, as it develops a central flower stalk, a scape, which carries a seed head, about a month before harvest.

Elephant garlic, Allium ampeloprasum, is not true garlic, but a perennial leek with much milder flavour. Its cloves split up when it dries, which means it does not store for long.

Most garlic from the supermarket has been fumigated with methyl bromide, an anti-sprouting chemical, so it’s best to start with bulbs of organic seed garlic from a reputable garlic grower. Make sure the garlic is free from white rot, a fungal disease that wipes out garlic harvests for years to come. Check that the grower has not encountered bloat nematodes, a new problem that infects garlic bulbs and wipes out garlic crops.

Signs of life often appear in January

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when green shoots appear above the mulch. Mulching the garlic patch with spoiled hay, straw or shredded leaves in spring prevents competition from weeds during the growing season, which results in smaller bulbs. It also allows you to harvest the garlic up by hand pulling rather than forking, which can injure the bulb. Cut scapes off when they appear, as the energy used to go to seed takes away from bulb development so that the bulbs are smaller. I enjoy the boost in flavour scapes provide summer meals, especially salads and salad dressings.

Garlic is usually ready for harvest between late June to mid-July, or when two-thirds of the leaves have turned yellow. Stop watering three weeks before harvest to allow the garlic bulbs to cure.

Don’t wait until all the leaves have yellowed, as the cloves separate in overmatured bulbs and the garlic does not store well.

Remove surface soil from bulbs, preserving the protective skin layer around them. Hang to dry in bunches of no more than eight in a warm airy place. It takes about six weeks to thoroughly dry and cure them. For the final cleaning, cut the stalk two inches above the neck of the bulb, and cut the roots to release any last soil traces. A cool, dark place with ventilation provides the longest storage life.

Slow Baked Garlic 6 bulbs garlic 2/3 cup olive oil Salt & pepper Sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary

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Preheat oven to 275 F. Chop half of an inch off the top of the bulbs to expose the tips of the individual cloves. Place the bulbs on a baking dish. Pour or brush the olive oil over the bulbs. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and bake with sprigs of thyme (or rosemary) for 25 to 30 minutes, baste and cook another 15 minutes or until soft.

Slow baking makes garlic sweet and nutty and takes the bite out of it. Squeeze the paste from the cloves onto a warm baguette.

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

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North Oyster Volunteer Fire Department celebrates 60 Years of Service On Sept. 9, the North Oyster Volunteer Fire Department is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a public open house.

Drop into the North Oyster station on Yellow Point Road from 11 am to 3 pm.

This fun family event features historical displays, fire hose, rescue and extraction demos, a silent auction, door prizes, and burgers and hot dogs. There will also be a free child car seat safety check on site, says Chief Jason Layman.

Starting at 12:30pm there will be speakers and service awards with two members receiving their 30 year service awards.

Sixty years of serving the community is a milestone worth celebrating. Chief Layman who has been a member for over 25 years says he has seen many changes. Today’s volunteer fire fighters are held to the same high standards as professional fulltime firefighters.

Volunteer fire fighters save municipalities and regional districts millions of dollars. While NOVFD is not lacking for operational funds, they have out-grown their hall, and are storing some equipment off-site.

The ongoing challenge they face is recruitment. “We are always looking for new members as some retire or move away,” says Layman.

The NOVFD currently has 18 mem-

Members of the North Oyster Volunteer Fire Department Photo: Marina Sacht.

(Below) Early days for the NOVFD. Photo submitted.

bers but would like to increase their roster to 30. The commitment is once a week practice, with a six month training period to get certification. A large percentage of the annual budget is allocated exclusively to training.

They are also roles that don’t require the fitness to be able to charge into burning buildings, says Layman. People of all ages and fitness levels are needed to assist with running the trucks, managing the hall, communications, etc. “Work is

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underway to develop an auxiliary program that could manage some of these tasks, leaving fire-fighters to focus on call-outs and not “burning them out” with other tasks.”

“It feels great to do good for your community.”

Looking back The North Oyster Volunteer Fire Department was incorporated on September 18, 1957, after five months of discussion by the North Oyster Rate payers Association.

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A 1936 International fire truck was purchased for $500. The first fire truck was housed in a garage on Jack Cairns property until the fire hall was completed in 1967. During this time, Mr. Cairns’ own vehicles were exposed to the elements. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Cairns donated the land on which the fire hall was built.

They also provided water from their well for use in the hall. Sandy Trudell donated the cost of having the original lot cleared.

The first officers were: Honorary Chief, A.B. (Barney) Wilson; Fire Chief

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Tom Hawthornthwaite (who served a total of 13 years); Deputy Chief Jack Cairns; Fire Captain Harold Adshead (who also designed the fire hall and ultimately officially opened the building on December 9, 1967); First Lieutenant Norman Trudell; Second Lieutenant Fred Bell; Third Lieutenant Don Wilson; Alternatives Cliff Williams and Dave Fisher; and Secretary Alex Smith (who served as Secretary-Treasurer for nine years). Jack Cairns and Jim Morgan served as Chief for two years each, and Doug Lambert for four.

A Ladies Auxiliary was formed September18, 1958 with Irene Hawthornthwaite as president; Vice-president Jackie Dick; secretary-treasurer Charlotte Williams; and Dorothy Scofield. The sale of 200 cookbooks compiled by the Auxiliary members was a source of revenue along with cabaret dances at the Cedar Community Hall.

From 1959, funds were raised for the materials for the hall, and volunteer work parties were organized under the Building Committee. The committee consisted of Harold Adshead, Jack Bell and Bill Doskotch. The hall was completed in 1967 as North Oyster’s centennial project, at a cost of $9,800. The area serviced included Takala Road to the Nanaimo River at Cassidy, over to the Dogwood Store in Cedar, and across to Yellow Point. In 1959 there were 214 parcels of property in the fire district, not including Waterloo.

In March1967, North Oyster Volunteer Fire Department came under the jurisdiction of the regional District of Cowichan Valley. It was the first fire department to be organized by a Regional District. The first Board of Directors selected were: Tom Hawthornthwaite, Bob Scofield, Herb Randall, Jim Williams, Max deJong, and Alex Smith as secretary-

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treasurer.

A 1969 Ford 750, 625gpm triple combination pumper truck was officially received September 6, 1969 and designated Engine 2.

In 1972, a used 1960 Ford 750 cab and chassis was purchased for $1,577. Using the facilities of Howie Davis and later Alex Wickham, work-parties were organized under Keith Wyndlow to enlarge the tank formerly used on the original truck and install an extra large valve to ensure a quick “turn-around time” when hauling and dropping water . The truck was put into service in 1973. An adjacent piece of property, 100’X100’ was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Fred Cairns in 1972, for a low price of $500, creating a parking area and space for expansion at a future date if necessary.

A referendum for $60,000 was passed November 17, 1979 for a new cab-over tanker of 1,000 gallons and equipment, including a power take-off mounted pump. An addition was put on the fire hall, partly by volunteers under the direction of Barry Patterson. Over the following years they acquired and replaced trucks and apparatus.

The members of the North Oyster Volunteer Fire Department are dedicated to serving our community. Willing to respond to any kind of emergency at any time of day or night. They put their own lives on hold to assist anyone, from neighbour to complete stranger.

NOVFD your community thanks you!

If you are interested in serving your community, please contact them for an application and more information. They are recruiting now. Visit www novfd.ca

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RDN Area A (Cedar, Cassidy, S. Wellington) A Short Tutorial on Asset Management Plans — a Current Buzzword in Local Government Municipalities, regional districts and other local governments have control over a wide range of assets used to provide an array of services to residents. In the case of the Regional District of Nanaimo, for example, there are 40 services provided, including water, sewer, waste water, solid waste, fire, transit and street lighting, all essential to the health and safety of many residents.

In many communities, the assets supporting these services are becoming increasingly stressed from normal ageing, operating within an environment of limited resources. Public sector managers must strive to be able to continuously deliver the service levels that regulatory agencies require and customers expect.

How best can the total cost of acquiring, operating, maintaining and renewing the assets be minimized, particularly when it is becoming clear that what has been done in the past may not be adequate to address the increasingly complex challenges being experienced?

My past experience in the marine industry — where large vessels operated under the requirements of various classification societies, such as the American

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Bureau of Shipping, Lloyd’s Underwriters and Det Norske Veritas DNV, to name a few — is that some industries have developed practical, advanced techniques for managing their physical assets over a number of decades. Surely, such a tool can be utilized within the public sector to the benefit of taxpayers.

Over the past two years, the term “asset management plan” has invaded the lexicon of local government. In the RDN’s 2015 strategic plan, a priority is “to fund infrastructure in support of our core services employing an asset management focus.” Steps are currently being taken to develop an asset management plan (AMP). A properly developed and utilized AMP will provide a roadmap for achieving maximum value from physical assets while increasing the ability to sustain service levels over the longer term.

An important first step in getting underway involves determining the approach to data collection and analysis. For 2017, staff have been completing asset registries for each department, including asset age profiles, current asset replacement costs, and initial lifecycle cost analysis, that will provide a snapshot of each asset and highlight information gaps that will need to be bridged.

Hoped benefits for the taxpayer include: greater predictability in year-toyear taxes; fairness between present and future taxpayers; improvements in meet-

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ing acceptable levels of service; and reduced reliance on borrowing for replacement of these assets. While in the early “baby steps” of developing the AMP, it is welcome news that this has become a priority for the public sector. Development of the AMP is a continuous process.

As more and better information becomes known, the more effective the AMP can be in guiding the purchase, use, maintenance and disposal of every asset needed to conduct business. The development of an AMP is not a destination but a journey of continuous improvement.

- alecmcpherson@shaw.ca

CVRD Area H (North Oyster) North Oyster Fire Department Celebrates In 1957, North Oyster community members began to explore the need for a local fire department. After approximately five months of investigating the costs and feasibility of owning and operating a local fire department and engaging in public consultation, it was determined that there was indeed a need for a local department. The North Oyster Volunteer Fire Department was incorporated as a “not for profit society” under the Society’s Act on September 18, 1957. The community then focused on obtaining the appropriate equipment and constructing a hall on land donated

by Fred Cairns.

Recruitment and training of volunteers was also a crucial component of establishing a fully functional fire department. The community acknowledged the importance of having an efficiently operating fire department from the start and were prepared to do whatever it took to have a functioning fire department. In the early days, the training for the department was mostly done in-house. In today’s world, there are different options for training the volunteers.

A lot has changed in the last 60 years.

Current firefighters provide a number of different services to this community and

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are trained to a much higher standard than in the early 1960s. The volunteer members dedicate many hours and risk their lives to keep the community safe.

On Saturday, September 9, you are invited to join the North Oyster Fire Department in celebrating this significant milestone. The Department will be holding an open house at the North Oyster Fire Hall, which is located at 4821 Yellow Point Road. The open house will start at 11:00 a.m. and go to 3:00 p.m.

At 12:30 p.m., Service Awards will be presented by the Fire Chief.

There will also be a silent auction and door prizes, and fire department equipment will be demonstrated. Certified child car seat installers will be available to provide information on ensuring that the seats have been properly installed.

I’d like to give a brief update on the status of our new hall. Although it feels like the Regional District is moving very slowly — and we are moving slowly to ensure that we get the details right — I can tell you that we are making progress in this endeavour.

I encourage you and your families to come out and meet the volunteers that have, over the years, so well served this community. Whether you are older, younger or still in diapers, everyone is welcome to join the fun.

CVRD Area G (Saltair) Assessment of Community Centre A building condition assessment of the Saltair Community Centre was completed by an engineering firm from Vancouver. The focus of the report was to look at all building components and possible upgrades or maintenance requirements.

At an earlier public meeting in Saltair,

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the CVRD promised the community that they would do this assessment before expending major dollars on the centre.

Currently, the non profit Saltair Community Society leases the building from the CVRD and is in charge of all the rentals and operation of the building. The daycare has been operating in the building for about six years and pays $1500 month in rent. They also pay all the utilities like heat and light.

The engineering firm said, “Overall the centre is in fair condition for a building of this age. The building’s equipment and grounds have been maintained at standards that would be considered average for a building of this type. This maintenance has allowed most components to remain serviceable throughout their expected life.”

After having said that, the roof is a major concern in extending the life of the building. The bill for the roofs could be $700,000, after all the many separate roofs are redone. This would probably be done over several years’ budgets and using several government grants, like gas tax. The most urgent roof is the low centre one, which would cost $200,000 to repair. There was a long list of things that could be done to bring the building up to a higher standard, but decisions will have to made on whether to do these less urgent items. The society is willing to put some sweat equity into the project as well, like the people at the Hub, down at Cowichan Station, south of Duncan, did to their old school.

The Ratepayers Association had this to say about the building: “We don’t need the building to look pretty. We don’t need the stucco redone or the lino redone or the blackboards removed or walls changed. What we do want is an old

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building proudly wearing the signs, its signs, of age that are useable; [a building] that has heat, toilets and running water, and that keeps out the elements.

Costs can be reduced by repairing the old school in stages, taking a gradual as needed approach.”

The assessment report was discussed at a recent Electoral Services Committee at the CVRD. The following motion was made: “It was moved and seconded that staff complete a report outlining all the options for upgrading the community centre before holding a public meeting in Saltair, hosted by the CVRD.” Boundary Adjustment The Town of Ladysmith will be asking the provincial government to adjust their boundary into Saltair by two properties.

This is sometimes called a boundary expansion. Saltair has no power to stop this from happening, only Ladysmith residents, the council and the provincial government have a say. The two properties are across the Trans Canada Highway, near Farrell and Westdown Roads.

The two property owners have asked to join Ladysmith and are surrounded by Ladysmith properties. This means that Saltair will lose $2493.10 per year in CVRD taxes that is associated with these two properties.

This is very unlike the deal in about 2003 when Ladysmith took all Saltair’s industrial properties on the west side of the TCH, all the way from Ladysmith to North Cowichan. The former director, Rene Beaudin, agreed with the move.

Saltair lost a lot of tax money to Ladysmith. When Saltair loses tax money, it means that the rest of the residents have to carry the burden. Luckily, we have had a building boom going on lately to help in this area, adding to our tax base.

Grow Op in Saltair The federal government is giving out grow op licences without checking the size and location of the property that the operation will be happening on. The CVRD building inspector wasn’t even aware that a grow op was going to be in the new building on a small lot, near Mountain View Drive and Chemainus Road, in Saltair. He thought it was just a shop. These grow ops are under federal jurisdiction. Needless to say the residents in this area are very upset. Odour is the problem.

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St. Joesph’s principal moves to Q of A After over 20 years of serving St. Joesph’s Catholic School in Chemainus, Bern Muller is moving to Queen of Angles in Duncan in his new role as Vice-Prinicpal.

Muller has been principal and a popular teacher at St. Joseph’s working with students in the intermediate grades as well as teaching the music program to kindergarten to grade 7 students.

“Over these 21 years we’ve had a lot of fun,” says Muller.

“It was always really exciting for me when the kids got involved in a project whether it was a student newspaper or a musical, it could look scary but then it would all come together. There’s a real synergy. The exciting part for me

was seeing the children really feel that achievement.”

The most rewarding for him as a teacher was to see children as a group working together, cooperating with each other and then reaching that finish line. “They are like ‘Wow, we didn’t know that we could do that.’”

Looking back Muller has seen a lot of changes in education particularly technology. “When I started here I was very much at the cutting edge of technology. I

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had eight cobble together donated computers I brought into the school.” Technology moved slowly then and was very expensive and limited.

Today, the children are all confident and computer literate. The school is all wireless and each classroom has a data projector. The technology has worked well with St. Joseph’s scholarly approach - do your research prepare and analyze your data and put out a formal report, says Muller. Students can present wirelessly from their desks a power point presentation or an iMovie they made.

“You don’t hear anymore the question ‘When will we use this?’ because they are using it today.”

“I am very grateful to the community, the children and the families of St. Joesph’s. Children spend a lot of time at school and teachers spend a lot of time with the children so it’s quite an honour when people entrust their children to you as a school.” (left): Bern Muller Photo: Marina Sacht Early days teaching at St. Joseph’s School.

Photo submitted.

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Welcome to the 2017 Face of Business !

Meet some of your local business community. These shops and services are owned and operated by your neighbours and friends. This year in celebration of Canada 150 we asked our business community “what is your “Canada” story?

Dan Zacharias owner of Zack’s Lounge. Fine cocktails, wine, beers, specialty coffee & tea, light lunches & dinners, intimate setting for small gatherings. Hours: Sun – Thurs 10 am – 10pm, Fri -Sat 10am – 11pm, Phone: 250-245-2749 My Canada 150 story: “After purchasing the building at 530 1st Ave in Ladysmith I was surprised to find that the building circa 1904 never had plumbing.

The building has been operational all these years never having its own water hook up.”

Dan Patterson owner of Affordable Vacuum & Mobility Scooters Sales, repairs & accessories -batteries ect. for vacuums & scooters. We do service calls for your vacuums & scooters.

Hours: 10am -5pm Tues – Fri, 10am2pm Sat Phone: 250-245-0591 My Canada 150 story: “My family has been in Canada since the early 1800’s, my Grandfather Abe Patterson was a

Dan Zacharias owner of Zack’s Lounge.

Photo: Rob Johnson.

world famous wood carver. He started his carving interest as a young boy, then while working in the logging industry he was able to sharpen his skills. He was famous for his moose carvings and later became interested in First Nations art, and began carving larger works that included a 36’ 4” totem pole for Garfield Weston, a prominent Canadian businessman. He achieved an international reputation in the 1930’s which continued into the 1960’s; sending carvings around North America and Europe. He carved ‘in the round’ and often in a single piece of wood from trees that he harvested.

Nikki MacCallum, owner of NikkiDesigns. Custom blinds, draperies, roman shades, slipcovers, bedding, cushions and pillows. We also carry wool duvets and mattress pads and many gift

Dan Patterson owner of Affordable Vacuum & Mobility Scooters.

Photo: Rob Johnson

items. For local clients we offer in-home consultations, plus we ship our custom and ready-made products all over the world. We specialize in using organic and natural fabrics for our custom and ready-made soft furnishings.

Hours:Mon - Fri 8:30-4:30 Phone: 250 924 5679 Website: www.nikkidesigns.ca My Canada 150 Story: “My parents both immigrated to Canada from Holland. I was born and raised in BC. My husband and I moved from Vancouver to Ladysmith in 1993 to raise our daughters and work in a quieter, more tranquil setting. We love Vancouver Island and I am so proud to be Canadian.”

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NEW FACES! Mike Sumpter new owner of Den’s Ladysmith Collision Hours: M-F 8am -5pm, Phone: 250245-2295 ICBC Collision repair. Quick friendly service, from people that live and work right here in our area Den’s Ladysmith Collision started repairing local vehicles over 40 years

ago, was recently purchased by Mike Sumpter who is continuing in the same tradition of high standards. Continuing to serve the Ladysmith and surrounding area for all their vehicle repair needs.

Clinton Hubenig new owner Benjamin Moore – Chroma Paint & Design Ladysmith Hours: 8 -5 M-F, 9-5 Sat and closed Sunday Phone: 250-533-9028 Complete paint, flooring, carpet and blinds specialist in Ladysmith. We offer professional services to help you create the personal look to your home or office.

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Totebagaphobia Okay, I’ll admit it. I’m extremely uncomfortable going into my wife’s purse.

It’s like invading her personal space, like rifling through her underwear drawer.

And believe me, I only did that once.

That was the time Dave and I, over too much gin, not enough tonic, thought it would be a hoot to hijack our arena’s Zamboni between periods of the hockey game and (this shows you how much gin and how little tonic) as a disguise, wouldn’t it be fun to wear women’s underwear on our heads? Boy, did we have some explaining to do.

So if you’re planning to steal a Zamboni, leave me out of it, but every once and a while, a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. Take last month, for instance, when I was asked to organize a search party to retrieve my wife’s car keys, which had gone missing in the northeast quadrant of her purse. It was like scuba diving in the hull of that sunken Italian cruise ship. It took all afternoon, but thanks to proper search and rescue techniques, we came through.

A woman’s relationship to her purse is different than a man’s relationship to his wallet. For one thing, a woman knows where all ten of her purses are. A man, on the other hand, is lucky to know where his one wallet is. That’s why,

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come judgement day, when the Lord asks, “How did you spend your time on earth?” most men answer, “Looking for my wallet.”

Notice to loved ones: Wallets make lousy gifts. Do not under any circumstance give a man a wallet for Christmas. It’ll just end up in the back of the drawer with the argyle socks. If you really want to give me a gift I’ll use, take me down to the Porsche dealer and treat me to anything with the numbers 911 on the hood.

Changing wallets is a big deal for a man and happens about as frequently as a total eclipse of the sun. Many men try to get one wallet to last a lifetime. Judicious use of duct tape helps. And also not pulling their wallet out when it’s their turn to buy a round.

Few purses are noticed by men. You’ll never hear a guy say, “Check out the purse on that one.”

If we do notice, it’s usually because of the size. “What is she carrying? A dog house?”

The current fashion leans toward increasingly large purses, purses so large that the SUV was invented to accommodate them. These jumbo bags used to be called “totes,” but have been upgraded to “caravans” because some are large and heavy enough to require wheels.

They need to be that big to carry cell phones, the smaller the better, and are usually seen in the clutches of tiny blonde women. Like creeping obesity, these bags can cause problems which call for a new set of solutions. On Italian cruise ships, they make you book two lifeboat seats — one for the passenger, one for the purse — either of which the captain might preempt in the event of calamity.

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I’m not sure what’s in my wife’s purse; that’s between her and the chiropractor who repairs her shoulder. I know there’s a cell phone because we hear it ringing, not that she can get to it in time. There’s enough makeup to do a Broadway show.

Our passports are in there somewhere in case she takes a wrong turn on the way home and ends up in Seattle. And there’s enough spare change to fend off a squadron of street people or provide ballast for a 12-metre yacht.

If she leaves the property, the purse goes with her, even if it’s only across the road to the neighbour’s. Yeah, the neighbour has a slight British accent, but why rub it in and bring a passport? The ten pounds of makeup? One never knows when a water main might burst necessitating a complete face rebuild.

These purses are so large that they trip up waiters who must navigate behind tables in darkened restaurants. There, along known waiter pathways, the purses are deployed like leg-hold traps. This explains why purse kicking is always the most popular event at the Waiter’s Olympics.

Men’s wallets are an entirely different phenomenon. Men, without trying, collect credit cards like baseball cards. If you want a pristine card from Eaton’s department store, which went broke 13 years ago, or a Sears’ card, ten years expired, I’m your man.

We also collect useless receipts that come in handy should someone inquire about the going rate for 20 year old newspapers.

By the time a man is 35, he has acquired enough credit cards and receipts to prevent his wallet from folding past the ninety-degree mark, which precludes

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using the back pocket for storage.

Where, then, do we keep our wallets, guys? There’s always the fanny pack solution, but who wants to look like a visitor from Planet Arkansas? Instead, I keep mine in my hand, under the driver’s seat of my car, in a coat pocket or any room I’ve visited in the last week. That’s why, around this stage of life, a smart man turns to his wife and says, “Mind keeping this in your purse?” I might as well lose it there as anywhere else.

For the record, I have never lost my wallet. It has, however, been misplaced for the last half century. Frequently, my wallet goes on extended holidays, only to show up reliably with a good tan after a week or ten days. This leaves me driving without a driver’s license, which is against the law. “What if a

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policeman stops you?” my wife asks.

Just tell him the truth. Say your wallet, for safe keeping purposes, is in your wife’s purse. If he wants to look for it, feel free.

But I’m not going in there.

Just as long as he’s not the guy who busted me for the Zamboni incident, it’ll be fine.

Here’s something worthwhile to pack in a tote: Murray Banks Cabernet Sauvignon, from Australia, drinks like a $16 dollar wine, cost $11.

Watch for Delbert’s book announcement in Oct.’s TAKE 5. Delbert Horrocks is a co-proprietor at Mahle House Restaurant and a soon to be author! Follow him at Slightlycorkedandmore.wordpress.com

SEPT 1 – 2

Services meeting, Council Chambers, City Hall, 410 Esplanade Ave.

1–2, 10am to 11pm, Gabriola Island Music Festival, Twin Beach Mall, Gabriola

11, 7 to 9pm, Cedar School and Community Enhancement Society meeting, Cedar Heritage Centre, 1644 MacMillan Rd.

3–9 3, 2pm, Logger Sports, by donation, the Ladysmith Amphitheatre, Transfer Beach 6, 6:30 to 8.30pm, the Camerata Singers fall season starts at St. Andrew’s United Church, 311 Fitzwilliam St., Nanaimo 8, 9am to 6pm, Mobile mammography coach is providing breast screening at Ladysmith Community Health Care, 1111 4th Ave. Please book appointments toll free through the B.C. Cancer Agency at 1-800-663-9203.

8, 5 to 8pm, Dine on the Dock, Ladysmith Community Marina, Oyster Bay Dr. 8–9, “Jeeves Takes a Bow,” Chemainus Festival Theatre, 9737 Chemainus Rd. 9, 11am to 3pm, North Oyster Fire Department Public Open House, North Oyster Fire Hall, 4821 Yellow Point Road. At 12:30 pm Service Awards will be presented by the Fire Chief. Displays, demos, auction, prizes, food.

10 – 16 10, 9am to 3pm, Giant Garage Sale, hot dogs & refreshments, North Oyster Historical Society, 13467 Cedar Rd., for donations call 250-2453358 10, 1 to 2:30pm, 3rd Jazz Vesper, starring Marty Steele and Larry Miller on the sax, great Jazz music, donation only, St. Andrew’s United Church, 311 Fitzwilliam St., Nanaimo 10, 2 to 5pm, Pat’s House of Jazz, featuring The Connor Stewart Ensemble, Crofton Hotel Pub, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton 10, 4 to 7pm, Boogie Woogie Art Party, a fundraiser to support the Creative Space Initiative at the Nanaimo Golf Club 10–16, “Jeeves Takes a Bow,” Chemainus Festival Theatre, 9737 Chemainus Rd. 11, 9am to 6pm, Mobile mammography coach is providing breast screening at Ladysmith Community Health Care, 1111 4th Ave. Please book appointments toll free through the B.C. Cancer Agency at 1-800-663-9203.

11, 6:30pm, Town of Ladysmith Municipal

13, 7pm, special general meeting of the Cranberry Fire Protection District, Cranberry Community Hall, 1555 Morden Rd., Nanaimo 13, 7pm, Ladysmith Ground Search and Rescue Open House for new recruits. At the compound on Malone Road behind the Ladysmith Fire Department. 250-734-1897.

Theatre, 125 Front St., Nanaimo 21, 10 to 11:30am, general meeting for the Chemainus Seniors Drop-In Centre 21, 8pm, “It’s Only a Play,” Ladysmith Little Theatre, 4985 Christie Rd., 250-924-0658 23, 7:30pm, Ballet BC — 16+ a room, Solo Echo, Bill — Port Theatre, 125 Front St., Nanaimo 23, 8 to 10pm, the Grinning Barretts at the Riot Brewing Co., 101A, 3055 Oak St., Chemainus

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15, 7:30pm, Louisiana Hayride Show at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre, 2687 James St., Duncan

24, 2 to 6pm, Pat’s House of Jazz, Celebrate Ella’s 100th Birthday, Crofton Hotel Pub, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton

16, 10am, Jonanco Open House Demo Day & Craft Sale, demos and a Tailgater BBQ, 2745 White Rapids Rd. at Nanaimo River Rd.

24, 6:30pm, Ladysmith Newcomers, general meeting, socializing, guest speaker, new residents of Ladysmith area are welcome, upstairs of Legion Hall, 621 1st Ave, Ladysmith (call Shanon at 250-924-8809)

16, 2 to 7pm, Pat’s House of Jazz, fundraiser Salmon BBQ with Bannock and entertainment, Crofton Hotel, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton 16, 1 to 4pm, Cedar Women’s Institute Blackberry Tea, Cedar United Church, 1644 Cedar Rd. 16, 5 to 8pm, Birthday Party pot luck dinner, bar and entertainment at the Chemainus Seniors Drop-In Centre, 9824 Willow St.

17– 23 17, 10am to 1pm, The Ladysmith Annual Terry Fox Run, Frank Jameson Centre, 6th St., 17, 1:30pm, Opus of Hope, an afternoon of musical entertainment and refreshments, St. Andrew’s United Church, 311 Fitzwilliam St., Nanaimo 17, 2 to 5pm, Pat’s House of Jazz, featuring Mike Clement Trio plays Pat Martino with Mike Clement, Hans Verhoeven and Tony Gagne, Crofton Hotel Pub, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton

24–30, “Jeeves Takes a Bow,” Chemainus Festival Theatre, 9737 Chemainus Rd. 24–30, 8pm, “It’s Only a Play,” Ladysmith Little Theatre, 4985 Christie Rd, Ladysmith, 250-9240658 26, 7pm, Ladysmith Camera Club presents “PhotoImpressionism,” with Bob Belhouse of Yellow Point, in Hardwick Hall, High St. at 3rd Ave., Ladysmith;.LadysmithCameraClub.com 29, 1 to 3pm, Fall Fashion Show, high tea and silent auction, tickets available at St. Andrews United Church office, 311 Fitzwilliam St., Nanaimo 30, 7pm, D.O.A. Canadian Punk Legends in concert at the Riot Brewing Co., 101A, 3055 Oak St., Chemainus 30, 10am-2pm, NanGo Grannies Giant Fabric Sale, Nanaimo Curling Club 106 Wall Street

October

17–23, “Jeeves Takes a Bow,” Chemainus Festival Theatre, 9737 Chemainus Rd.

1–8, 8pm, “It’s Only a Play,” Ladysmith Little Theatre, 4985 Christie Rd., 250-924-0658

18, 7pm, Town of Ladysmith Council meeting, Council Chambers, City Hall, 410 Esplanade Ave.

8,3pm, Angela Hewitt in Solo Piano Recital at the Port Theatre,

18, 7 to 9pm, Island Stitchery Group at Christ Community Church, 221 Bowen Rd., Nanaimo

12, 5:30pm, Oktoberfest Burger and Beverage Nanaimo Community Kitchen at Queens, Nanaimo, www.nanaimocommunitykitchens.org

20, 9:30 to 11am, Blood Pressure Clinic, Chemainus Seniors Drop-In Centre 20, 7:30pm, Louisiana Hayride at the Port

19, 10am, Biz Buzz Luncheon, sponsored at the Eagles Hall, call 250-245-2112

TAKE 5

MONDAYS 10am to noon, Seniors Drop In, Ladysmith Resource Centre, 630 2nd Ave. (250-245-3079) 10:30am to 2pm, daily harbour tours, Ladysmith Community Marina. (250-245-1146) 4:45pm, Bingo Mondays Chemainus Seniors Drop-In Centre, 9824 Willow St. 7pm, Bridge, Mount Benson Legion Branch 256, 1630 East Wellington, Nanaimo (250-754-8128) 7pm, Cribbage Night, Ladysmith RC Legion Branch 171, 621 First Ave. Mixed Slow Pitch, Night-Time Play at the Wheatsheaf Sports Complex, 1866 Cedar Rd.,

TUESDAYS 10:30am to 2pm, daily harbour tours, Ladysmith Maritime Society, 610 Oyster Bay Dr. (250-2451146) 7pm, Euchre, Mount Benson Legion Branch 256, 1630 East Wellington, Nanaimo (250-754-8128) 7:30 to 9pm, Ladysmith Toastmasters meeting, all summer, upper level at the Ladysmith Resource Centre, 630 2nd Ave. 7:30 to 10pm, Music on the Docks, Ladysmith Maritime Society, 610 Oyster Bay Dr. Mixed Ortho, Night-Time Play at the Wheatsheaf Sports Complex, 1866 Cedar Rd., Cedar

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10:15am to 2:15pm, Born Healthy, Ladysmith Resource Centre, 630 2nd Avenue, Ladysmith (250-245-3079) 10:30am to 2pm, daily harbour tours, Ladysmith Maritime Society, 610 Oyster Bay Dr. (250-2451146) 5 to 9pm, Bingo at St. Mary’s Church Hall, 1135 Fourth Ave., Ladysmith 7pm, Bridge, Mount Benson Legion Branch 256, 1630 East Wellington, Nanaimo (250-754-8128)

9:30 to 11am, Muffin mornings, Chemainus Seniors Drop-In Centre, 9824 Willow St. 10 to 3pm, Chemainus Famers’ Market, Waterwheel Park

Dr. (250-245-1146) Noon, Hot Rod Golden Oldies Car Club, Wheatsheaf Pub, 1866 Cedar Rd., Cedar 1pm, Euchre, Mount Benson Legion Branch 256, 1630 East Wellington, Nanaimo (250-754-8128) 4 to 6pm, Meat Draws, Ladysmith RC Legion Branch 171, 621 First Ave. Mixed Ortho, Night Time Play at the Wheatsheaf Sports Complex, 1866 Cedar Rd., Cedar

7 to 9pm, Darts, Ladysmith RC Legion Branch 171, 621 First Ave.

SATURDAYS

7 to 10pm, Music Trivia and Karaoke at the Cranberry Arms, 1604 Cedar Rd.

9am, Honeymoon Bay Market, every Saturday until October 7, 2017

Mixed Slow Pitch, Night-Time Play at the Wheatsheaf Sports Complex, 1866 Cedar Rd.,

10:15 to 12:15pm, Dad’s Drop In, Ladysmith Resource Centre, 630 2nd Ave. (250-245-3079)

THURSDAYS

10:30am to 2pm, daily harbour tours, Ladysmith Maritime Society, 610 Oyster Bay Dr. (250-2451146)

10:30am to 2pm, daily harbour tours, Ladysmith Maritime Society, 610 Oyster Bay Dr. (250-2451146) 11:30am to 1:30pm, 2nd & 4th Thursdays, Soup and Sandwich Ladysmith RC Legion Branch 171, 621 First Ave. 1 to 4pm, Bridge, Mount Benson Legion Branch 256, 1630 East Wellington, (250-754-8128)

FRIDAYS WEDNESDAYS

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9:30 to 11am, Muffin mornings, Chemainus Seniors Drop-In Centre, 9824 Willow St. 10am to noon, Seniors Drop In, Ladysmith Resource Centre, 630 2nd Ave. (250-245-3079) 10:30am to 2pm, daily harbour tours, Ladysmith Maritime Society, 610 Oyster Bay

3 to 5pm, Meat Draws, Ladysmith RC Legion Branch 171, 621 First Ave.

SUNDAYS 10am, Cedar Farmers’ Market, 2313 Yellowpoint Rd., every Sunday until the end of October 10:30am to 2pm, daily harbour tours, Ladysmith Maritime Society, 610 Oyster Bay Dr. (250-2451146)

Clockwise: Sept 8 Dine on the Dock Sept 16 Blackberry Tea Sept 23 Grinning Barretts

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take5.ca

FOR SALE BAYVIEW FRAMING & ART. A profitable picture framing business in its 17th year, with continued strong growth. Purchase price includes training.

Contact Wanda or Bruce at 250-245-0011.

GYM EQUIPMENT. Marcy power cage $350; Marcy home gym $150; one Marcy workout bench $30; 1” iron weights 260lbs $180 & plastic weights 433lbs $200. Call 250-245-2546.

33 FOOT RANGER SLOOP, in top shape, ready to go, exc. single-hander, moored Ladysmith Community Marina, 250-245-7804 rlpink@telus.net WANTED

EXPERIENCED HOUSE SITTER available for summer/fall 2017. References avail. Prefer long stay. www.peaceofmindhousesitting.wordpress. com. Call Kathleen at 250-619-0786.

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

Fireplaces. Slate installs. Minor excavating.

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

HOUSE CLEANER. Attention to detail. Reliable & trustworthy! References available. Call 250-7342714.

WANTED LIVE-IN HOUSEKEEPER for elderly gentleman on rural acreage close to Ladysmith.

Call Laura 250-591-0733.

HOUSESITTERS INC. now accepting home and cat-sitting jobs for spring and summer. Fully insured security & insurance house checks by retired RCMP personnel. Call 250-713-5110.

BUSINESS

DELICIOUS HOME-COOKED MEALS delivered.

Daily or weekly options. References. Food Safe certification. Also offering help at home for seniors. South Nanaimo to Chemainus. Homecooked meals by Char. Call 250-245-2478.

MID-ISLAND HOME SUPPORT since 2009.

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

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

BARNACLE BILL’S CHARTERS. Fishing and sightseeing. Call 250-210-0787 or 250-245-4185.

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

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

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

TAKE 5 ads work! 250-245-7015

EDUCATION MUSIC LESSONS in Ladysmith. Woodwind or brass instruments. Any style. Flexible schedule.

Call 250-924-3350 or 1-403-471-1304.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

SEPT 2017

YELLOWPOINT BODY WORKS. Book four consecutive Relaxation Massages for $60 ea. (reg. $75 ea.). Other treatments, Chakra Balancing, Exfoliating Rubs and Hot Wax treatments. Call for appointment and brochure 250-618-8218.

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

DARRELL ESSAR RENOVATIONS. Over 30 years’ experience, certified journeyman carpenter.

No job is too small, from fences, decks, tile work, hardwood flooring, painting, drywall, etc. For free estimate, call Darrell at 250-714-3823.

KEEP IT CLEAN SOLUTIONS. Home & Office Cleaning. General, event, windows, we’ll even make your bed! Great for families, seniors, single parents, office cleaning, flexible service to fit your schedule. Contact: Colleen Hennessy Manager at colleenhennessy01@gmail.com or 250-8029770.

HOME SWEET HOME CARE SERVICES. All care inside and out of the home; home care, house work, yard work and transportation.

Contact janjamieson101@gmail.com or call 250701-2909.

TAKE 5 ads work! 250-245-7015 ARE YOU BUYING OR SELLING A HOME? Curb appeal, re-design or new design ISLANDGARDENSCAPES.CA. Ask for Kathleen at 250-802-0461.

JACLYNN COTTRELL REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPY. $100 for one hour; $60 for 30 minutes.

Available evenings. Located across from Friesen’s on York Rd in Cedar. Call 778-971-0444.

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

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

Call Sara at 250-245-1466.

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

EASY DOES IT FITNESS.CA for Beginners and Beyond. Hundreds of exercises to perfect your workout. Arthritis friendly; specializing in knee, shoulder, neck, hand and back exercises. Call 250-591-7665.

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

TAKE 5 offers VIDEO PRODUCTION services, from script to screen, edited and ready to post on YouTube, Facebook or your website. Free estimates. You can afford to do this! Editor@ take5.ca.

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

Estimates are always free. Give Sandpiper a call at 250-246-2421.

MAKE IT NICE qualified, experienced gardener available for private, residential gardens. Please call 250-754-9346.

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

Cheerful and conscientious. Call David at 250618-9217.

SEPT 2017

PETS PROFESSIONAL PET CARE SERVICE. Leash ’em & walk ’em with Marlena. Insured and bonded.

Animal First Aid and CPR. Service for all pets including dog walking, home care visits, overnight with pet in my home and much more. As my love is yours! Call 250-246-3394.

TOO CRAZY BIRDY HOTEL. Now three locations: Victoria, Cedar, and Comox Valley. Travel with peace of mind, parrot boarding in loving settings.

Budgies to macaws. $7, $14, $18 for sml, md, lrg. www.toocrazybirdyhotel.com. Call Diana and Kip at 250-722-2201.

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

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

ORANGE RESCUE CAT MAX (2 years) needs inside/outside country home. Also needed FOSTER HOMES FOR RESCUE CATS prior to adoption. Call 778-441-3320.

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

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

RED ROSE CARE SERVICES experienced registered care worker; home care, housework & transportation to appointments. For more information, email jcconscious77@gmail.com or call 250-924-0844.

TAKE 5

“If I’ve heard this saying once, I’ve heard it a thousand times — everything happens for a reason. And it possibly does. I just haven’t found the reason that this all happened yet.” — Jerry Lawlor

Wrestle Rematch!

Last millennium, I allowed the youngster nephew — mid-20s, body builder type, oft’ seen working out at the fitness and training club — to throw and pin me to the front lawn of their suburban homestead, in front of his lovely wife, children and mother.

As if he could. As if I’d really tried. I figured his taut, muscular, Matt Damonlike image needed a boost, so he’d feel good about himself, and his family would imagine that he was someone they could respect and love, even if he had an engineering degree, had just been hired for a top job at a noted hospital in the region and had all the money he’d ever want.

You know, he needed a boost. So, I let him wrestle me and win. No big deal for me, really. Like, my ego was satisfied as soon as I bought my first rusty, rattling derelict of a used car — a trend I have continued to this day just to show what a real guy I am.

But comeuppance is an interesting thing, and o’er the last month, the nephew has been sending rather superior emails, as if when he and family arrive for a visit, he expects to win the Wrestle Rematch of the Millennium! The modest title for our contretemps.

Unfortunate that said rematch may undermine his rep in front of his now adoring family and mum. His smooth ascendancy to the heavens of success, professional acclaim and good looks will, however, do him no good when soon we meet on the field of battle, in the mud of the pond, actually, since I, as home battler, get to call location. And as we all know location, location, location is the name of the game, and soon my claim to fame!

take5.ca

By the time you read this, I expect to be crowned the undisputable wrestle maniac of Thistledown Farm, and all I can see from the bottom of our quickly depleting pond ... the summer’s drought having taken its toll with our riparian ways.

The resulting weeds, mud and slime will, however, provide an added charm to said wrestle maniac showdown. And maybe splashdown if I can manoeuvre nephew into the deeps.

I plan to go easy on him at first, though.

You know, let him save his honour in some small way, so he doesn’t look so bad in front of the kids. I’m a robust, rural farmer archetype, and his kind, sweet, young, city kid image needs soothing.

It’ll be over before he knows it, though, and the kids won’t think less of him for being thrown mercilessly, helplessly around, like a rag doll. They’ll probably even forget his look of dismay and angst when flung to the murky muck. Just one more wrestle maniac wannabe.

But we’ll then distract them with an afternoon’s rugged and manly bare-handed thistle pull (morning glory pull for the wee bairns), or perhaps a bit of horse gravel

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shovelling, cedar chip pitching, or post and beam hurling. Something to assuage muscle man’s bruised ego, y’know?

Sorry nephew, but sometimes life’s lessons gotta be learned, and who better to do that than yer dear, wee ol’ Uncle Laurie, howling like a mad banshee in valour n’ victory, towering o’er the landscape, a handsome brute of a man. Och aye!

Like I said, though, I’ll go easy on him.

But for now, gotta go lift some bales, tote those barges, mebbe do a couple hundred push-ups to tone the biceps and tweak the six-pack, y’know. Sorry, Chris, old bean. It’s too late for ya. Your fate is cast, as you will soon be.

You, me, mano a mano, in all our glory, sweat and the stench of righteous fury, on the field of battle! Never surrender!

Laurie Gourlay and Jackie Moad are usually very nice, hospitable folk, ’cept when it comes to aspiring family who think they know better than their elders, who imagine they might someday be stronger, or smarter. Then watch out! They farm 20 organic acres peacefully with good nature, seeking local solutions to global challenges.