West Vancouver Beacon | May/June 2017 | Edition 22

THE No. 22

BEACON Shedding light on the communities from Lions Bay to West Bay

May 2017

Springtime in Gleneagles

Photo: Glenn Owen

Behind the tee box on Hole 6, “Apple Valley”, of Gleneagles Golf Course on St George’s Avenue.

8-9

Trainwaving

13

Mountains to Sea

14

PG

4

Community Personality

PG

Sunday Funday

PG

PG

Outside Insights

PG

In This Issue 3

Landscape Design

Your Garden ...Our Pleasure

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PAGE

2

TEAM

Thank goodness for Brett

Chris Stringer Publisher

chrisstringer @westvanbeacon.ca

Lindy Pfeil Editor

lindypfeil @westvanbeacon.ca

Penny Mitchell Advertising

pennymitchell @westvanbeacon.ca

Melissa Baker Creative Director

melissabaker @westvanbeacon.ca

May 2017

Lindy Pfeil

I

n September 2000 my daughter, Kate, started Grade 1. This was also the year she decided to play hockey. I suspected that the hockey thing would be short-lived, and indeed, after two practices she announced she didn’t like it. “Too late,” I said.

I was team manager, and if I was going to have to endure hockey for the season, so was she.

Thank goodness for a little boy called Brett. He was in her class at West Bay, and on her hockey team. Kate was the only girl on the team, and chatting to Brett on the bench was the only thing that got her

through the season. He was the only boy she invited to her seventh birthday party at the old Park Royal bowling alley.

They went to different high schools, so I didn’t see Brett again until I bumped into him at Starbucks recently. Of course, he’s not little anymore, but he still has that same gentle nature that was so endearing then. And his innate curiosity made for a fascinating conversation, once I’d twisted his arm to let me interview him.

He describes his time at high school as uncomfortable; in a world that seemed rigidly divided into squares, he felt like a circle that didn’t fit. It’s not an uncommon experience, but it takes an unusual honesty to say it out loud. Brett, I discovered, is unusual, in the best possible ways. He talks candidly about his risky behaviour at high school, his concussions, and his subsequent emotional and physical breakdown,

Please note that all contributing writers for The Beacon retain full rights and that the full or partial reproduction of feature articles is unauthorized without the consent of the author.

Personal opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed are solely those of the respective contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Beacon, the publisher or the editorial and creative staff.

Submissions for The Beacon

The Beacon is delivered bi-monthly to 5000+ households between Lions Bay and West Bay. For submission guidelines and queries, please e-mail the Editor: lindypfeil@westvanbeacon.ca Please note that all submissions are subject to space constraints and editing.

For advertising queries, please e-mail the Director of Marketing: pennymitchell@westvanbeacon.ca For all other queries, please e-mail the Publisher: chrisstringer@westvanbeacon.ca All editions of The Beacon (beginning in September 2013), can also be read online at: www.westvanbeacon.ca.

Photos provided

Brett Hohenwarter, then and now.

which he calls his turning point.

After a complete shift in lifestyle and philosophy, he spent a month in England in 2015, and bought a guitar in Eric Clapton’s hometown. Having been musically inclined since childhood, it took a change like this for him to fully immerse himself in what always came most naturally. We talked about the difficulties in pursuing one’s passions when others often view those passions as hobbies, not legitimate work. His inspirational elementary school music teacher, Mrs Oancea, taught him that talent is no substitute for practice, a valuable life lesson.

Brett loves the diversity of people’s stories in this community, and that underneath our differences, we are all human beings with shared values. He speaks highly of Caulfeild Village Starbucks, where he is a barista, as well as his fellow employees.

“Social media and cyber connectedness has increased our awareness of conditions outside this translucent bubble. My generation knows what a privilege it is to live here,” he says.

With a quiet wisdom beyond his years, Brett’s interests include world religions and physics, which he’s hoping to study in the new year. When I ask him whether there is a quote that encapsulates his life belief, he responds with John Lennon: There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done.

Nothing you can sing that can’t be sung.

All you need is love.

Love is all you need.

Pop in to Starbucks to say hi to Brett, and watch this space for more information about his first album, Shapes and Places, which will be coming out sometime soon.

He’s also writing a science fiction novel.

Titled 2582, that’s all he would tell me. If his work is anything like the inside of his head, I’m a fan.

If you are not receiving home delivery of The Beacon please let us know at chrisstringer@westvanbeacon.ca

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PAGE 3

The only thing missing was rhinestones Outside Insights Kim Clarke

I

t all started with a hydro pole. A hydro pole that had been languishing on the sidewalk for months. Its repose was not a hindrance, but a thing of wonder. I wondered when it was going to its new hole and home. And then it snowed. Relentlessly. Securing the pole to the sidewalk, seemingly forever. I stopped wondering, until the sun came out and dried it for a couple of days. Then the revelation.

It was a dog walk like any other. Nine in the morning. Refreshing for both of us and unsurprising. Until I rounded the corner.

There, on the end of the recumbent pole, was a star branded into its end. I was gobsmacked. I stopped dead on the sidewalk, frozen in wonderment. It was beautiful with wonder-filled questions. Why is there a star on this pole? Who put it there? Is this a job? Is there a person branding stars on things in surprising, unexpected places that we are not supposed to see? Is this the work of elven magic?

This would usually be the point where the journalist calls the hydro company to find out if this is common: are hydro poles branded with symbols and if so, for what

purpose? But no, not me. I immediately go to the beauty of the moment, the affect. I don’t care why the star is there. I am just really glad that it is. That I got to see that it exists. Happy that someone took the time to brand it on the end of the pole and that when the pole finally goes to its permanent hole that the star is on the high end.

Closer to “from whence it fell”. It may be earthbound now, but at least it can see the night sky, wink at its sparkling friends and bring a piece of heaven to earth, magically secure.

Kim is a writer and teacher who is delighted by the inexplicable details of every day, and wants to share sparkle, in all its forms, with the world.

The unexpected hydro pole star.

Photo: K. Clarke

April showers go on and on and on….

and

Rotary Humanitarian Projects

Y C LU B OF

Benefitting North Shore Rescue

A

V

CYPRESS MOUNTAIN HILL CLIMB

EVENT DATE: JUNE 10, 2017

R TA

WEST

Tim Jones Memorial

Photo: Adobe Stock images

Easter Egg Hunt.

RISE

F

landers and Swann were a British comedy duo who toured Britain, and overseas, in the ‘50s and ‘60s. If you weren’t around at that time, you can find recordings of two of their long-running revues, At the Drop of a Hat and At the Drop of Another Hat, on YouTube. They sang, “April brings the sweet spring showers, on and on for hours and hours.” Sounds like they were writing about Vancouver.

Last April, we were basking in sunshine, dipping our toes in the ocean, enjoying all sorts of wonderful blooms in our gardens, but this year everything is way behind! And, looking back, ‘twas ever thus. But there was more to April than weather. In those days, Easter Break started on Maundy Thursday.

And it occurred at different times each year, depending on the Gregorian calendar, so one year it was still time for spring skiing, and

another year it would be early beach picnics.

The variety seemed to please everyone.

Most of us wore hats to church back then, and Easter was time for new hats, even for little girls. Those were also the early days of TV – black and white, of course – and we watched, in awe, the Easter Parade in New York City. Floats and marching bands have long formed part of the parade, and many children get together to create their own bonnets, which seem to get more extravagant each year.

But, closer to home, do you remember the Easter egg hunts in John Lawson Park? Sponsored by the municipality, they drew children from all over the North Shore. And if your children weren’t quite old enough, you could have your own egg hunt at home in your backyard, cautioning the older children to let the little ones find the treats, hidden moreor-less in plain view by an indulgent Easter bunny. One who didn’t mind the rain.

NC

UN

Ann Frost

RO

by

OUVER

S

REGISTER NOW www.rotaryrideforrescue.org

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4

May 2017

Eagle Harbour Sunday Funday: celebrating our local community – day and night! by

laire Snyman C and Jon Borrill

I Sunday 18 June 2017 join us for the morning run / walk and come back again for a festive evening bbq & live music!

Registration opens May 2017

t’s time for Eagle Harbour’s Sunday Funday! What better way to kick off summer than by attending this popular annual family event? Great for getting fit, meeting loads of lovely people and having lots of fresh air fun.

Started in 2007 by a group of residents, the event takes place on Sunday June 18, 2017 at Thunderbird Marina in picturesque Eagle Harbour, West Vancouver.

Join us for the 5km Run/Walk on the Seaview Trail, suitable for both adept athletes and young families. Run timing equipment will track competitive runners

by age group, or if you prefer, simply use the recorded time to compare yourself to previous years. Afterwards, relax with friends, food, fun and entertainment, prizes and a fun zone to entertain the kids. Or chill out in our beer garden. Our evening live music festival with bar and BBQ under the stars is a great way to round off the weekend!

We do Sunday Funday for three reasons. First, to foster a strong sense of community, welcoming newcomers and neighbouring North Shore villagers into beautiful Eagle Harbour. Second, to encourage an active lifestyle, whilst enjoying our spectacular environment. And third, to raise funds for local humanitarian, community and environmental needs. In 2016

over $10,000 was donated to local charities. In 2017, the following charities will be benefiting from funds raised: North Shore Rescue, Eagle Harbour Service Association and West Vancouver Place for Sport.

Oh, and don’t forget we also do it because it’s a fun day for everyone involved!

The event is kindly supported by many local businesses who share our core values, including Grosvenor, Thunderbird Marina, the Washington Family, Penny Mitchell, Sagers law firm, Kit and Coop, Matkaluk Construction and Michelle De Fehr to name a few.

Visit our website today to learn more because there is no way you want to miss out on this unforgettable day. Registration opens early May 2017. See you there!

www.eagleharbour.org facebook.com/eagleharboursundayfunday

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May 2017

PAGE 5

Home & Living

Trevor Bird vies for title of Top Chef Canada A Culinary View Maureen Goulet

I

f you love cooking shows you will love this.

Trevor Bird is the chef owner of Fable Restaurant and Fable Diner and is a Top Chef Canada season two runner-up.

He is passionate, dedicated and entertain-

ing, and has devoted his career to preparing ciously agreed to share with the Beacon food that expresses the beauty and flavor of readers.

Canadian ingredients, perfecting farm to Recipes and photos courtesy of Trevor table cuisine prepared for the modern diner. Bird & www.goodfood.com Trevor is competing in this season’s Top Chef Canada: All-Stars, for the title he narrowly Maureen Goulet is the owner of Ambromissed in 2012. Rivalry between the star sia Cooking School where great Chefs chefs from past seasons is intense. Tune in come to share their culinary secrets, visit www.ambrosiaadventures.com and cheer him on! Here are the simple, Orange Hollandaise Sauce healthy recipes 1 tbsp white wine vinegar Trevor gra250g olive oil, warmed 1/4 tsp white pepper

3 egg yolks 1 tbsp warm water

sea salt

slightly

dash of cayenne pepper 1 tbsp orange juice

Combine vinegar and pepper in a small saucepan and reduce by twothirds. Add yolks, reduced vinegar mixture and 1 tbsp of warm wate r in a heat-proof bowl. Place bowl over a saucepan of very hot water, but not boiling. Whisk until creamy and light in colour. Remove from heat and slowly whisk in warm olive oil in a steady stream continuing to whis k until your sauce is thick and crea my. Whisk in salt, cayenne and oran ge juice.

Shaved zucchini ribbons.

Photo provided

To Serve: Place a generous amount of the salad on the plate, place the fish on top and cover with hollandaise.

West Vancouver Community Foundation appointment Incoming CEO, Adine Mees, grew up in West Vancouver, and she and her husband, David Van Seters, raised their family of three children here too.

After working with Vancity, in various management and executive positions for fifteen years, Adine joined the Canadian Business for Social Responsibility as the CEO. Immediately before joining the Foundation she was CEO of the Minerva Foundation.

An avid outdoors person, she hikes the local mountains and sails the local waters.

Adine’s passion is to collaborate and create momentum around community building and engagement.

Photo: courtesy of Monashee Photography Adine Mees, West Vancouver Community Foundation CEO.

Slow Co oked Ha libut Ove

1 halibut

n temp 20

0

loin

Salt, large pinch 2 tbsp oli ve oil Season th e halibut heavily w olive oil. P ith salt. R lace the h ub in alibut in th 20-30 min e oven for utes until opaque a nd soft.

Zucchini Salad 1 lb zucchini, yellow and green 2tbsp lemon juice salt, large pinch 6 tbsp olive oil 10 leaves each, basil and mint, thinly sliced salt and pepper pine nuts Whisk together the lemons, salt, olive oil, basil and mint in a bowl. Shave the zucchini lengthwise with a vegetable peeler into long thin ribbons. Discard the center seed section. Add the zucchini ribbons to the above marinade and let sit 10 minutes, drain. Top with pine nuts.

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6

May 2017

St. Francis-in-the-wood

Services Sundays 8am &10am

Godly play spoken here by

Children’s Ministry, St. Francis-in-the-Wood

(with Sunday School)

Wednesdays 10am 4772 Piccadilly Road South 604.922.3531 | stfrancisinthewood.ca Join us for fun on the fourth (4th) Saturday each month.

• c rafts • g a m e s • fo o d • songs s e i r o t s • e We heopyou e s to ere! th

ST. FRANCIS-IN-THE-WOOD CHURCH A place for families celebrating community

Fiona Galvani

I

t has been an exciting year for St. Francis-in-the-Wood as we introduce Godly Play into our children’s ministry. Godly Play is a curriculum of “spiritual practice that explores the mystery of God’s presence in our lives and engages what is most exciting about religious education: God inviting us into, and pursuing us, in the midst of Scripture and spiritual experience,” says founder and author, Dr. Jerome W. Berryman.

Godly Play is based on Montessori principles and supports a child’s sense of exploration and independence in an environment constructed specifically for them. Everything about a Godly Play room says, “all of this is for you!” Children already have an innate spiritual language and the beautiful, child-centred environ-

ment that Godly Play provides, encourages them to speak that language with confidence and explore without fear.

It has taken us a year to implement Godly Play, in part because of the training that is involved. It is certainly a commitment, but we all came away with a renewed passion for our children and their place within our faith community.

Our church is blessed with a diverse and enthusiastic group of children and their presence always enriches our worship.

Our goal is to be a place where children, and parents, can come and freely wonder.

With the generous contributions of our parishioners, we have an incredibly well stocked classroom that will serve our children for many years. Pop in after church and take a look at what we have done and where we are going. If you aren’t generally at St. Francis on a Sunday morning, please don’t hesitate to call me at 604-202-8523 or email fgalvani@mac. com. I would be happy to give you a tour of our beautiful new space.

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May 2017

PAGE 7

Can you keep calm and carry on?

Psyched Out Ian Macpherson

I

just got back from the U.S.A. where one psychologist was reporting a massive increase in anxiety and depressive symptoms in the population related to perceived helplessness and uncertainty about the future since the White House has changed hands. A current survey conducted by the American Psychological Association indicates that more than half of Americans are now affected by political angst - young people more so than their elders. And it has been said that when the U.S. sneezes, Canada gets a cold; so, you have probably noticed some anxious preoccupation among your fellows.

What to do? Some hope the problem could just be taken away. So far, over 41,000 mental health professionals have signed a petition declaring the president to be so mentally disordered that he is unfit for the office.

But how might an individual get some relief? For one thing, we can take control of what we feed our brain from the over-hyped media. Ration your input, especially at bedtime. Ever present breaking news is to your mind what cholesterol is to your arteries. We simply do not need to ingest as much, or as often, for the sake of news teams’ ratings. If you are ambitious, you could also take a course or read a book

“

on critical thinking (fun and calming).

Secondly, nowadays, even western psychologists might ask, “What would Buddha do?” The ancient orient has given us one of the best tools for coping with even the worst of emotional stresses.

Meditation that teaches us to be more ‘mindful and kindful’ and serene is readily available to us, without the need for the years of training required of a monk - although like any psychological intervention that works, a degree of commitment and discipline is necessary. If full-blown meditation training sounds too daunting, learning breathing or muscle exercises tai-

“...more than half of Americans are now affected by political angst ... ”

lored for calmness can be very useful.

Lest you think I am only counselling turning inward and ignoring the elephant in the room, likely the most important strategy of all in overcoming political helplessness and depression is to become socially involved. Reach out to others and to your community, acting on your nurturant and inclusive instincts. Your individual caring toward others has a positive snowballing effect. The impact of our individual actions is a powerful antidote even in a world where the pathologically narcissistic leader of the world’s most powerful nation acts as if he is hosting a reality TV show.

Ian Macpherson is a psychologist who lives and practices in West Vancouver. More at www.westvancouvertherapist.com

Congratulations to the winners of our Haiku contest, Lisa Brasso and Ludwina Schneider Ocean, mountains, trees,

Why flying fish fly?

fill me up so I can breathe.

They do not want to end up

Spirit: stay alive.

as Friday fish fry

Lisa Brasso

Ludwina Schneider

Your health matters.

Make it a top priority.

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Contact us today Terri Thompson at tthompson@copemanhealthcare.com or 604-707-2273 www.copemanhealthcare.com West Vancouver, 200-545 Clyde Ave Vancouver, 400-1128 Hornby Street

PAGE

8

May 2017

community personality

A passion for building, the Gil Bradner story over to get working. This is the story of one of those young men.

Chris Stringer

W

hen the war ended in 1945, Canadians began re-building their lives. For those who had left careers and families it meant a return to creating normality again. For the youth, whose lives had started amid the chaos, it meant seizing new opportunities. And the opportunities in British Columbia were endless with our abundance of natural resources. The North Shore, with its new bridge, reasonably priced land and undeveloped potential, represented fresh beginnings. Young architects, developers and builders in Vancouver looked up at the expansive forested land and moved

Gil Bradner was born near Bradner, BC in 1923, on land that had been homesteaded by his grandfather, Thomas Bradner, in the late 1800s after emigrating from Ireland. Gil’s parents moved to Vancouver when he was nine years old and he grew up in Kerrisdale, attending Point Grey and Lord Byng schools.

In 1942, after a year at UBC, he joined the RCAF, and was commissioned after receiving his pilot’s wings in Saskatoon. When the war ended, he returned to UBC to complete a Bachelor of Commerce degree.

“Work was scarce at the time,” says Gil, “So, as a fresh graduate, I found work with a small Vancouver construction company mixing cement and working in the office.” Being a quick learner he progressed to assisting the construction supervisors. He saw the building potential in North Vancouver and joined

Gil receiving award from Governor General at Rideau Hall.

Photo provided

a company owned by Eric Allen, overseeing the construction of single family homes designed by Fred Hollingsworth. These were the initial years of the development of Capilano Highlands.

Soon he started his own construction company, Gilbert Bradner Ltd, and continued to build in Capilano Highlands where he bought a lot for $800 and built his own house that he and his wife, Shirley, moved into during their third year of marriage.

In the 1950s Gil developed a vision for an innovative concept in multi-unit residential living. A breakthrough for its time, it integrated landscape gardens with the units. He won the bid for the purchase of land in Delbrook from the District of North Vancouver and built Delbrook Gardens. This project earned him a national design award that he received from Governor General Georges Vanier at Rideau Hall.

With a significant outside investment, Gilbert Bradner Ltd purchased 67 acres in Bayridge that, at the time, was entirely forested. Over the following eight years the

Gil, grandson Colin, son Stephen.

PETTIT

company carved out and developed 120 lots where building continued into the 1960s.

To the average young entrepreneur this torrid pace would have been exhausting.

But Gil was just hitting his stride when he formed International Land Corporation Ltd in the early 1960s with a group of partners.

ILC’s primary activity was the acquisition and development of uniquely situated real estate properties for management within the company’s own portfolio. Secondary activities included the development of condominium and apartment homes and of industrial, commercial and residential properties for sale. Through subsidiaries, ILC was active in contracting, in building materials wholesaling and retailing, and in hotel and restaurant management.

Among the company’s early projects in West Vancouver were development of the Dundarave Seastrand building and Spuraway Gardens off Taylor Way. ILC retained ownership in the properties before eventually converting them to stratas and selling the individual units. ILC became a public company ten years later with Gil Bradner as President and Managing Partner.

Condominium residential and commercial properties were developed and/or managed throughout the city of Vancouver, Washington, Oregon and Colorado. Gil expresses particular excitement over his involvement with developments in Texas, first in Dallas and later in Austin where a significant historical building beside the state capital was re-developed Photo provided for residential and com-

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May 2017

mercial use. For his exceptional work, he was made an Honorary Citizen of Texas.

International Land Corporation played a significant part in the initial phases of the development of Whistler beginning with the building of Whiskey Jack followed by Northern Lights, Snowridge and single family home sub-divisions.

The lands to the west of the British Properties were undeveloped in the early 1970s.

ILC had an idea to develop the first multiunit development above the Upper Levels Highway that led to Gil meeting with Lord Folkstone from England to purchase several acres subject to the city’s approval which did not come easily. The Panorama Village construction began in 1973. And below it the commercial building complex that houses the Salmon House on the Hill, was built. The restaurant operations began in 1976 under the ownership of ILC and the management of restauranteur Helmut Petrak. ILC’s headquarters moved into the commercial buildings beside the restaurant.

The Bradner building legacy continues in Vancouver with Bradner Homes Ltd, founded and managed by Gil’s son, Stephen, whose own son, Colin, is his partner. Gil is quick to point out: “I had nothing to do with Stephen’s business. He came into the industry on his own and he built his own company.”

Amazingly, Gil found time for recreation and family. “I enjoyed golf and the opportunities it provided for my business, so I joined Capilano Golf and Country Club in 1955,” he explains. “Within ten years, however, I wanted to enjoy my growing family on weekends so I dropped back to a social membership and did not return to full golf membership until the late 80s.” Paula, Gil’s daughter, recounts the many hours spent in cars taking family tours of British Columbia. “My two brothers, Stephen and Patrick, and I are avid skiers only because our winter weekends were spent at Whistler. Many of the early summers were spent at my grandparents’ cottage on Loon Lake. Dad taught us to fish and Mom took care of sailing in the

PAGE 9

“

“The North Shore, with its new bridge, reasonably priced land and undeveloped potential, represented fresh beginnings. ”

turquoise blue Davison Dinghy sailboat.” Later, Gil bought property and built a cottage on Nelson Island, so boating played a big part in family life as they explored the BC coastline and the Gulf Islands. “Our time at the cottage on Nelson has been significant for our family,” Paula recollects.

As a boy, Gil would hunt pheasant with his father around the Vernon area and this became a life-long sport for him. Fishing with friends and business associates also played a large part in his recreational life.

After retirement, in the early 1980s, he golfed three times a week with a group of friends, a tradition he continued until recently. For twenty years, Gil and Shirley travelled extensively around the globe. When at home, they spent the winters in Whistler downhill and cross-country skiing which Gil continued until he turned 85. Winter holidays were usually spent in Puerto Vallarta where Gil had developed two small multi-unit properties. Sadly, Shirley passed away seven years ago.

Almost all the phases of Gil’s life that are reported in this article are a result of his memory and sharp mind over three meetings. He scrutinized and corrected each draft until the final copy was complete. On May 13, Gill will be 94 and he will drive to his exercise classes at the Seniors’ Centre as usual.

Bob DeWolfe, the first employee at International Land, worked for Gil for 31 years.

He reflects: “Gil Bradner is a very astute man who was loyal and fair to his staff. Most of us were long-term employees. He was wellliked and respected by his peers and the community.”

Gil in front of Seastrand.

Photo: Glenn Owen

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PAGE

10

May 2017

Commodore Roger and the prison hulks by

I

David Roberts

n the early 1960s, B.C. Corrections hit upon the idea of creating a type of Outward Bound school for the youth in its care. Lighthouse Park, with its huts, seemed to be the ideal location for the correction and training of its juvenile wards.

This plan was set in motion, with true bureaucratic insensitivity. The neighbourhood found out about the project by accident and the news spread through Caulfeild like a brushfire across dry savannah.

Strident representations were made and incensed letters were fired off to the local newspaper. Hysteria reigned. Local dudgeon was high.

Then the blessed Corrections department realized it had forgotten the diplomatically necessary step of consulting the neighbourhood. It proposed a meeting at St. Francis-in-the-Wood. There and then, the department would explain the project to the parishioners, inspire support and subdue the growing opposition.

Both the vicar and the department had misread local feeling. There was fear that the park would become unsafe for women and children. The thought of male youths, convicted of unpleasantly violent crimes, stalking the park, was not welcome.

The church hall was overflowing. The meeting opened with Reverend Mundy’s eloquent speech in support of what he viewed as a worthy and truly Christian approach to juvenile delinquency. His plea was received in stony silence. Then the Director of Corrections rose to explain the project. Selwyn Roxborough-Smith, dressed in a three-piece, Harris tweed suit, addressed the assembled crowd with his thumbs inserted in the armholes of his waistcoat. With the lofty superiority fostered in the English public school system, he embarked on an explanation of the project designed to suppress the op-

position that had been brewing. He was very soon overwhelmed with questions and assailed by arguments against his chosen location. As the evening wore on, he grew visibly more harassed as he realized that his project was doomed. His thumbs vacated their resting place in his waistcoat armholes and he began to use them in gestures of supplication. The vast bulk of his constituency was invincibly opposed. His embassy was a failure.

Then Commodore Roger rose. He was an ex-Royal Navy officer, a Scot, who had served as a midshipman in the battle of Jutland. He was a short bulky individual with an expression that had certain martinet qualities about it. He and Mrs. Baker lived next door to us. His little speech disclosed that he had no understanding of the problems of juvenile delinquency and he had clearly not listened to the explanation of the philosophy of the Outward Bound movement. He was against crime. He was for punishment as punishment and he would have no truck with these newfangled, fancy ways of dealing with prisoners.

“When I was a boy in Edinburgh, and first went to sea,” he said, in a voice that was clearly more accustomed to the quarter-deck than a church hall, “We used to deal with prisoners very effectively. We had a number of old ships’ hulks that we moored in the Firth of Froth. Prison hulks.

Two or three were enough. They were impossible to escape from. Prisoners couldn’t jump overboard. The North Sea was too cold. We had no trouble with prisoners once they got aboard the hulks. I don’t see why you can’t find somewhere around here to moor some hulks. You should be able to buy some old hulks cheaply enough.

That would solve your problem. Just take my advice. Mark my words, you’ll have no more trouble with these young knaves.” He resumed his seat, satisfied that this gift of wisdom bestowed upon the neighbours and the department, had solved the problem; there was nothing more to be said.

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His dissertation was received in complete silence. Roxborough-Smith stared at the Commodore in bewildered disbelief. His eyes flickered around the room, looking for the culprit who had put the Commodore up to this joke. There was a momentary, edgy shuffling of feet, a few whispers and then the meeting wound up and we all went home.

The department did not buy any hulks.

It abandoned Lighthouse Park as a loca-

tion for Outward Bound and moved it to Porteau Cove. The Commodore and Mrs. Baker returned to their home to resume their troglodyte existence and their daily intake of rum. It had been their first, last and only involvement in local affairs.

David Roberts is a retired lawyer, a Caulfeild resident of 52 years, and the author of Letters to his Children from an Uncommon Attorney – A Memoir.

Sisters share bronze medal

Photo: courtesy of Peta Wales Sisters, Sophie and Nicola Wales, from Gleneagles Ch’axáý Elementary, at the Sea to Sky International Cheerleading Championship on April 10, 2017. Their team, from Absolute Cheer and Tumbling, won bronze (3rd place) and was the top team in B.C. for their Junior Level 1 division.

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May 2017

PAGE 11

ADRIAN UPWARD

OUT AND ABOUT

Ten tips to hiking St. Mark’s Summit: early to get a good spot for lunch.

• Start at Cypress Mountain’s ski area parking lot.

•B ring a jacket as it can get chilly at the top.

• It has an intermediate difficulty rating, so it’s advisable to be somewhat fit and not wear jeans.

• Th e views are spectacular and you can see the Lions, Howe Sound, Burrard Inlet and the Georgia Straight.

• The friendly raven at the top will want to share your lunch.

• The trail is well marked, so you shouldn’t get lost.

•Y ou can carry on walking to the Lions but that would make the day very long – in excess of 12 hours.

• A great local hike on a nice day, you can do it in winter with snowshoes.

• I t gets very busy during peak summer season so go

Photos: Adrian Upward

• Some areas are very steep so hiking boots are a good idea.

The view of Howe Sound from St. Mark’s summit.

The friendly raven at St. Mark’s.

The view of the Lions from the trail to St. Mark’s summit.

To Mona, life is one big party – from enjoying afternoon cocktails in the Westerleigh’s front garden to taking ukulele lessons, because “why not?”, Mona is thoroughly enjoying herself.

Mona, full of fun PARC resident

“I love spending time in the garden, life at the Westerleigh is delightful” That’s how it is at Westerleigh PARC: it’s easy to enjoy the amenities and just have fun. And with PARC Retirement Living’s focus on maintaining a healthy body and mind through our Independent Living+ program, it’s easy to see how life’s just better here.

Call Gail at 604.922.9888 to reserve your tour and complimentary lunch.

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12

Gleneagles golf pro

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e welcome Alex Doucette to the community. Alex is the new professional and Golf Operations Manager of the Gleneagles course. His duties will include managing the Bowen Island golf course and the Ambleside Par 3 course.

Alex was introduced Alex Doucette. to golf by his father at age Photo provided 11. He grew up playing every sport he had time for, including soccer, 2011 - 2016 hockey, baseball, basketball, volleyball and 2005 - 2011 rowing. Alex rowed at both the high school 1990 - 2005 and collegiate levels as part of their national 1960 - 1990 championship crews. After studying Hu1957 - 1960 man Kinetics at Langara College and UBC, 1955 - 1957 he re-discovered his passion for the game of 1954 - 1955 golf. His golf career started with picking up 1953 balls at Musqueam Golf and Learning Acad1935 - 1953 emy just to earn golfing privileges and work 1928 - 1935 on his game. His game improved enough to 1927 - 1928 earn him the professional’s job at Langara golf course before coming to Gleneagles.

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Alex follows a distinguished line-up of golf professionals that have spanned 90 years.

The longest-serving were Tryg Wenn, for 15 years and, prior to that, Ron Fitch, who served for 30 years. Both are life members of the PGA of Canada and both served as President of the PGA of BC. Ron served as President of the PGA of Canada.

Golf Professionals that have served at Gleneagles golf course since 1927: James Presnall Gord Bell Tryg Wenn Ron Fitch Vic Smith Mel White Al Nelson Miles Hayworth Dave Dixon Rory Goodchild Jock Glen

Rafe Mair

I

grew up and spent my childhood on the coast. In later life, I savoured some wonderful lakes, especially around Kamloops, where I lived for several years, and wonderful rivers like the Dean, the Stikine and closer to home, the Skagit.

But, like single malt whiskey, beaches are different. I have a very good memory of my youngest days and they all seem to have a beach involved. On my part of the coast there was no shortage of those great natural playgrounds.

I was a loner, and I’m kind of glad because it allowed me to exercise my imagination. Clam shells - butter clams and bigger horse clams - became soldiers on one side, mussel shells (they came in several sizes) on the other. Driftwood and wet sand made impenetrable castles with stringy green seaweed for thatched roofs. Ok, so your castles weren’t thatch-roofed - I betcha didn’t even have a roof, let alone long kelp whips with

which to protect your damsels! Or sand dollars for sturdy doors to keep the varlets out.

I was never quite sure what a varlet was, but my cousin Hugh alleged he did because, you see, he read the comic strip Prince Valiant and was an expert on such matters.

On certain beaches, such as White Rock or Qualicum, the outgoing tide left pools in which small flatfish scurried about, hiding quickly when they perceived danger. Any self-respecting castle owner had a lake full of flatfish out front.

It took planning: too far from the low water mark, and the sand was too dry for a stout castle, but the closer you got to wet sand, the closer you were to the ravages of the incoming tides, which all too soon created the panicked construction of dykes which, alas, never held.

The tide was not the only hazard to be feared. Prowling “big kids” lurked about, just waiting for a good castle to be erected so that they could kick it down. I’ve noticed that most of these kids grew up to be jerks.

But there we have it - the sand castle on the glorious coast of British Columbia. It had everything a little kid could ever want.

Except, like life itself, permanence.

May 2017

PAGE 13

Trainwaving comes to an end by

Gill Carder

W

e live across the road from the train tracks and for many years the Whistler Mountaineer ran a day return to Whistler from North Vancouver during the summer. My husband, Ralph, would rush onto our balcony to wave as it left at 8:30 am, and at 6:30 pm on its return.

He would give a royal-type wave, not unlike the Queen at Buckingham Palace, to a responding train crew. Every first run of the season, Ralph held up a huge sign saying “Welcome back” and for the last run, “Au revoir, see you next year.”

One day, to our amazement, the train stopped opposite us, and one of the crew jumped down and pointed to Ralph to retrieve an envelope that he left beside the

track. It contained a message, signed by the crew, that said “Thanks for the waves.”

When one of our daughters gave us the gift of riding on the train, we were warmly greeted by everyone as we boarded. On the return trip, the manager, Chris, took up the mic in our coach and said, “We are approaching the balcony where Mr. Carder usually waves but he can’t today because he is here in seat number ten.” Everyone in the coach applauded and Chris made a gift presentation to Ralph.

This was not the last of the surprises.

At Christmas time, we received a bottle of wine with a card signed by the crew. At least twice more over the years, the train, blowing its whistle to announce its arrival, stopped opposite us and a crew member hurled a package onto our balcony.

The pièce de résistance was in a very

Ralph and Gill Carder being treated like royalty on the Rocky Mountaineer.

special envelope left for us beside the track: an invitation to be their guests on the train to Whistler. Upon boarding we discovered that the coach was filled with trainwavers and when we arrived in Whistler we were all bussed to the Chateau Whistler and greeted with a glass of champagne (at 9:30 am yet!) and a buffet brunch. Speeches were made and the crew, whom we now knew so well, treated us like royalty. On the return trip, snacks continued and drinks flowed freely, and we all received a beautiful gift bag with a coffee table book about the Rocky Mountaineer that included illustrated wave techniques!

We are very sad that our train saga has come to an end. The run no longer exists, but on the last run all the crew stood on the footplate with a banner saying, “Thank you Mr. Carder.”

Rocky Mountaineer.

The Waver, Ralph Carder.

Photo: Glenn Owen

Photos: courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer

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14

May 2017

mountains to sea

Nelson creek hatchery Elspeth Bradbury

I

t was in 1996 that West Vancouver’s creeks got lucky: Streamkeepers took over the operations of the hatchery on the edge of Nelson Creek Canyon, and by a fortunate coincidence, Elizabeth Hardy moved to Eagle Harbour. Elizabeth was a geologist by training and had worked in the north but was, at the time, caring for her family at home. She became intrigued when her children took great delight in watching the trout in Wood Creek in Park Verdun.

When she saw a flyer for Streamkeepers, she contacted them–and that was the start of a relationship that has lasted for 20 years.

She began by monitoring her local creeks and soon she was also managing the volunteer operation at the hatchery. The cycle of salmon reproduction fascinated her from the start and has held her interest ever since.

Her salmon year begins in late October when volunteers are invited to take part in ‘egg takes’ at the Tenderfoot Hatchery in Squamish or at the Alouette River Hatchery in Maple Ridge. Some of the fish returning to the rivers to spawn are trapped.

As Elizabeth explains, spawning is the last event of a salmon’s life. Eggs from the females and milt from the males are stirred gently together and then rinsed thoroughly.

The fertilized eggs are kept in running water until eyes become visible, at which point the egg ‘shells’ are tough enough to travel safely. The Community Advisor for the Federal Department of Fisheries allocates and delivers the eggs to small local hatcheries.

Nelson Creek hatchery usually receives 100,000 chum eggs in December and up to 40,000 coho eggs in January. These are distributed into trays where they stay in running water for about a month. During this time, Elizabeth and her team of seven volunteers pick over the trays to remove any eggs that have died.

It is always a delight when the tiny fish begin to hatch. The alevin are still attached to their yolk sacs and need no extra food, but

Photo: courtesy of Marshall Bauman Elizabeth Hardy with volunteer trainee, Jan Moger, attend to the salmon fry at the hatchery.

once the yolk sac is fully absorbed, the fry are transferred to large troughs where they swim freely and are fed every day. The flow of water through the troughs must be gentle at first but more vigorous over the next weeks as the fry become stronger swimmers.

West Vancouver District maintains the infrastructure on Nelson Creek that supplies this vital water from a municipal intake that was decommissioned in the 1980s.

By June the fish are finally ready for release. This is the highlight of the hatchery year. It can be slippery work to lower heavy buckets down the steep banks of West Vancouver’s many creeks – adult work – but volunteers are always eager to take part.

Streamkeepers also hold three release events for children: one in Memorial Park and smaller ones in Park Verdun and at the Capilano Golf Course. The released chum

salmon soon swim out to sea. The coho, however, stay in the creeks for another year.

Elizabeth emphasizes that this is where they need help, not just from Streamkeepers but from everyone in the district. “Our storm drains run directly into creeks. Imagine a small fish swimming through cleaning fluids from car washing or through left-over paint poured from construction sites!”

The work of Elizabeth’s team at the hatchery goes hand in hand with Streamkeepers’ other efforts: to restore fish access farther and farther up all of West Vancouver’s viable creeks, and eventually to rebuild the historic stocks. With a smile, she explains that the ultimate goal of the hatchery is to do itself out of business. One day, she hopes, the salmon themselves will take over her job.

May 2017

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