THE No. 7
BEACON
Shedding light on the communities from Horseshoe Bay to West Bay
November 2014
Horseshoe Bay
100 years of history
T
he West Vancouver Historical Society, creators of the very popular Cottages to Community is now releasing this, its newest publication. Written by Francis Mansbridge, curated by John Moir, and designed by Colleen Wood, this is a fascinating, beautifully illustrated book about the 100 year history of the boats, taxis, and ferries of Horseshoe Bay and the colourful people who operated them. Photo: Glenn Owen Writer Francis Mansbridge was kept busy most of the night, signing copies of Arrivals and Departures, which narrates the development of marine service from Horseshoe Bay, from the early days when water taxis ferried people around Howe Sound, to the present super ferries that transport large numbers of people and their vehicles with cool efficiency. Spearheaded by Jim Carter, the book is a combination of history, personal anecdotes, and photos selected by curator, John Moir. See page 3 for more on the launch of Arrivals and Departures.
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A Night to Remember
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Healthy Snacking
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Our HIstory
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Trip to Morocco
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Golf Shoot-Out
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In This Issue 5
Photo: Courtesy of West Vancouver Historical Society
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November 2014
Rumi, Charlie Chaplin and kindness…all in a day’s work Opinion Lindy Pfeil
I
consider myself, above all, incredibly fortunate. I spend a large part of my days sitting in circle with students between the ages of 5 and 18. We talk about ‘stuff
TEAM
Chris Stringer Publisher
chrisstringer@westvanbeacon.ca
that matters’. Because I work for the North tionable existence of the polarities of rightShore Restorative Justice Society, this ‘stuff’ ness and wrongness were deeply ingrained includes things like anger, conflict and vio- into my psyche during my years at Catholence. Identity, community and belonging. lic school. Good and evil. Saint and sinner. Fears and dreams. Even, occasionally, love. The stories shared astound me. I am humbled…every day…by children’s honesty, their resilience, and their ability to forgive. To be kind. I first stumbled across Sufi mystic, Rumi, as a teenager, many, many years ago. His poetry appealed to my tormented - Charlie Chaplin adolescent soul, particularly this verse: “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right-doing, there is a field. Black and white. How could there possibly I’ll meet you there.” Of course I never really be a field of judgement-free shades of grey? believed such a field existed. The unques- Where rightness and wrongness didn’t ex-
“
“We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity.”.
Lindy Pfeil Editor
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pennymitchell@westvanbeacon.ca
Melissa Baker Creative Director
melissabaker@westvanbeacon.ca
See NOVEMBER — page 12
Do you believe in magic? Psyched Out
lindypfeil@westvanbeacon.ca
ist. Where we each could be exactly who we were meant to be, loved unconditionally, where shame would disappear in the face of acceptance. Rumi was obviously delusional. Mysticism will do that to you. But that was before Circles. In circle, when we listen with our hearts and speak with clarity, astounding things occur. It doesn’t happen overnight. It takes patience, and courage, and commitment to one another. Trust. But when we no longer focus on who or what is right or wrong, we make room for kindness and transformation. Charlie Chaplin once said, “We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness.” I wish Charlie could sit in circle with us. There
Ian Macpherson
I
f I think that I am completely rational, with not a mystical or superstitious bone in my body, I might be proven wrong. Notice how difficult it is to suppress surprise and wonder, even when we know the stage illusionist is simply using “smoke and mirrors”. We are constructed to see patterns and infer cause and effect even when no such relationships exist. We cannot help seeing rabbits and alligators in a puffy-clouded sky. Some of us try to control our luck by tossing spilt salt over our shoulder. Many of us continue to subscribe to quite complex but completely imaginary processes such as astrology, homeopathy and feng shui.
A number of years ago, the great stage magician and skeptic, James Randi, demonstrated to millions of viewers the tricks behind the most famous acts of two of television’s popular performers - the one, a conjurer who claimed to bend spoons with his mind and the other, an evangelist who claimed to read minds and perform miracles. The acts were marketed, of course, not as clever illusions but as legitimate supernatural phenomena. You would suppose that once these hoaxes were exposed their followers would lose faith. Instead these fakes, along with many others, continue to gain popularity. How come? Well, as P.T. Barnum of circus side-show fame once said, “There is one born every minute!”. Though he might not have been too respectful of his customers, we are all susceptible to such sleight of hand. And once we commit to believing, we really do not want to be confused by facts! We usually trust our experience. Seeing is believing, the saying goes. But perception and
thinking are subject to a variety of hidden errors resulting too often in the reverse situation - believing is seeing! Perhaps we could avoid the pitfalls associated with our easily deceived minds by beefing up education in scientific and critical thinking. Although there is a correlation between level of education and freedom from false and superstitious ideas, it is likely not that simple. On Hallowe’en we might laugh at the spooky fun of our young magic-minded trick-ortreaters, but in the mind’s deep recesses even the most reasonable adults frequently harbour a kind of “woo-woo” tendency themselves. For example, suppose you have the opportunity to pick up, hold and use the writing pen that belonged to Gandhi or Shakespeare or …Elvis? How would you feel? After all, it’s just a pen. Isn’t it? Ian Macpherson is a psychologist who lives and practices in Caulfeild. More info at www.westvancouvertherapist.com
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November 2014
3
A book on the ferries has docked Our History Francis Mansbridge
A
bout a year ago, when Jim Carter was looking for someone to give a talk on the local Horseshoe Bay ferries, he could find no one. So in the wake of the success of West Vancouver’s centennial publication Cottages to Community, the idea of doing a short book on this important aspect of West Vancouver history was born. Arrivals and Departures: The Ferries and the People of Horseshoe Bay follows the pattern of Cottages, combining serious history with the personal and anecdotal, along with a good selection of intriguing photographs. Jim Carter is once again at the helm, with Francis Mansbridge writing the text, John Moir curating the photographs, and Colleen Wood the designer. The book is printed locally. For many years Horseshoe Bay was accessible only by ferry, and when rail and
road reached here, much of Howe Sound could still be reached only by boats, most of which left from Horseshoe Bay. The Bay became a recreational center for many from the Lower Mainland. The Salmon Derby was one of the events that made this community a center of activity. Celebrities, including Bing Crosby, Roy Rogers, Gordie Howe and John Diefenbaker, came here for the unparalleled fishing and related recreation. The early days of small boats and local entrepreneurs began to change when Captain Peabody and his Black Ball ferries arrived in 1951. His company led directly to BC Ferries which now have plied the coastal routes for over half a century. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, nobody is indifferent to these boats, which nearly everyone who ventures beyond the Lower Mainland must take. Research in local archives, and interviews with many of those who made this history, make this a fascinating account. Do you know how the Sannie ferries got their name? Or when service started to Langdale, and on what ship? Or what happened to the Cy Peck? Or where the Coastal Renaissance was built? Read this book to find out.
388 Courtesy of: the West Vancouver Memorial Library Horseshoe Bay in 1918.
MICHAEL ALEXANDER
604-961-6457
michael.alexander@dominionlending.ca
Photo: Glenn Owen Designer, Colleen Wood and Dave Barker.
Proceeds from the book go to the West Vancouver Historical Society fund for projects that support the retention of West Vancouver’s history, the West Vancouver Archives and to the West Vancouver Memorial Library Archives. The book is available for purchase at the Spirit Gallery, Trolls Horseshoe Bay, the Gleneagles Community Centre, Pharmasave Caulfeild, Red Horse Gallery in Dundarave, the Avant Gardner and the Ferry Building in Ambleside and the West Vancouver Museum.
Photo: Glenn Owen The downpour on Monday evening, November 5, did not deter the hardy residents of West Vancouver from making their way to Larsen Station for the launch of Arrivals and Departures: The Ferries of Horseshoe Bay.
4355 Courtesy of: West Vancouver Memorial Library Horseshoe Bay in 1953 showing the Black Ball Ferry.
A MORTGAGE TO GET EXCITED ABOUT!
Independently owned and operated
Located in Park Royal Village beside Cafè Artigiano
4
November 2014
Lighthouse Park - taking good care of her and invasive plants were taking over. She began to attend work parties with the newly formed Lighthouse Park Preservation Society and, when the society expanded its restoration efforts to include five nearby Elspeth Bradbury parks, she continued to pull ivy, dig blackberries and yank broom in Klootchman and Caulfeild, Trails and North Piccadilly. The nn Crosby seemed destined to find last member of the Six-Park Network, howherself one day hauling ivy out of ever, remained untouched. And this was the The Dale Park in Lower Caulfeild. one - The Dale Park - that lay right on Ann’s As a child in Ontario, she helped to clear doorstep, directly across the road from invasive plants from the pasture on her their home. grandfather’s farm and she often accompaIf anyone were to have nied her father, a Deputy Conservation doubts about the gameOfficer, on his rounds. She went on to changing impact that study plant biology at the Univerinvasive plants can have sity of Western Ontario. When on native plant communishe and her husband Gary ties they would only have to moved to BC in 1990, she visit The Dale Park. This small soon found herself tackpatch of forest runs a few ling masses of invasive hundred metres south plants spawned by the ilfrom Marine Drive, and legal dumping of garden from the roadside could waste in their neighbe mistaken for a strip bouring Coquitlam Rivof rough green verge. er Park. But The Dale Park holds a Coquitlam, however, secret. Almost invisible in was not the couple’s first a steep sided gully, Caulchoice for a home. Ever feild Creek flows through since Ann had visited its entire length, Lighthouse Park on plunges under the Credit: Elspeth Bradbury a school exchange to foot of Water Lane English ivy spreads rapidly, rooting as it goes and West Vancouver she clambering over everything in its path. When and emerges in a had dreamed of living it reaches sufficient sunlight, the leaf shape separate section of in the Caulfeild area. changes and it produces abundant seed that is the park before it “Nature is so accessi- spread by birds. spills into Caulfeild ble here,” she explains. Cove. Trout likely “Walk round the corinhabit the stream ner or hop on a bus and there’s a forest park and Coho salmon spawn at the mouth. But right there.” In 2000 her dream came true. the park also contains almost every invasive She and Gary moved to a house on The plant known to West Vancouver. Few naDale, little more than a stone’s throw from tive plants have been able to withstand an Lighthouse Park itself. onslaught that includes Himalayan blackMuch as they loved the location, Ann berry, English ivy, Japanese knotweed, lauwas “kind of shocked by the state of the rel, bamboo, holly, periwinkle, lamium and park”. Trail sides were becoming trampled balsam. Without its native plants, the de-
Mountains to Sea
A
pendent community of insects, animals and birds is inevitably affected. “The park is a restoration nightmare,” Ann explains. “That’s why the Society gave priority to easier pickings. With those efforts now well underway, we can finally turn our attention to The Dale. It’ll be a huge, long-term project. In places the ground is so steep we need professional help, and we’ve already had donations as well as a grant to cover some of that cost. The Parks department is working with us, of course, and approves all our plans. We started removing ivy and laurel last year and we scheduled five events this fall with November 15 and 29 dedicated to replanting trees and shrubs. Everyone is welcome to lend a hand, whatever their age or skills.” Ann loves the work parties. “I can’t think of anything else that brings together such a diverse group of people all with the same
Photo: Lyda Salatian Ann Crosby, volunteer events co-ordinator for the Lighthouse Park Preservation Society, removing ivy from The Dale Park in Lower Caulfeild.
Photo: Alexandra Mancini Trees and stumps on the corner of Water Lane and The Dale have been overwhelmed by mature ivy and create a constant source of contamination for the surrounding area including Lighthouse Park.
goal. It’s so satisfying to see how much we can achieve. It’s a big responsibility,” she muses “to live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.” One very young volun-
teer, a recent immigrant, summed it up for her when he confided “We chose Canada and we’re very lucky to be here and we have to take good care of her.”
November 2014
5
Golf shoot-out at Gleneagles Chris Stringer
O
n Saturday, September 27, in glorious sunshine, an elite group of BC golfers entertained a crowd of some 250 people who had come to Gleneagles Golf Course for the 3rd Vancouver Golf Tour and West Vancouver Shoot-out. This format allows for 13 golfers, ten professionals and three top amateurs, to compete for nine holes of elimination golf until one man is left standing as the winner. Most notable among a star-studded group of winning local golfers were Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor who will be joining the PGA tour next year. Hadwin was this year’s top money winner on the Web.com Tour, which is one level below the PGA. And Nick Taylor finished the
Photo: Glenn Owen James Presnall, Head Professional, Gleneagles Golf Course tees off.
season with three top 10 places. The event opened with the group demonstrating their skills in a clinic that ranged from how to navigate a golf shot around an obstacle to warming up exercises, the latter being provided by Adam Hadwin who had been caught on camera at a tournament this year doing an intriguing hip-flexing routine. The aptly named event began with the platoon of golfers teeing off on the first hole, 13 of them in succession. Openmouthed spectators, many regular golfers at the home course, were amazed that golf balls could be hit so far and so straight with such ease on this first hole. Two players were eliminated on the first through the third holes with four more eliminated on holes four through eight, leaving two to go head-to-head on the ninth. Hadwin encountered trouble with the trees overhanging Cardiac Hill, the third hole, and dropped from contention. Taylor was eliminated on the tricky fifth, Oh
Gully! It was here that Gleneagles head professional, James Presnall, delighted the home crowd by coming close to a hole-in-one. He would go on to meet his match on the next hole, Apple Valley, on the severely sloped, undulating green that has taken many a golfing life over the past 87 years. The two golfers left to walk down the ninth hole were North Vancouver teaching pro, Oliver Tubb, and Ryan Williams, the hottest golfer on the Vancouver Golf Tour, who won it all with his 20-foot birdie putt. This was Williams’ seventh title on the VGT this season and he recently won the PGA Tour Canada Championship in London, Ontario. Thank-you to everyone who hosted this terrific event in our community, the amazing ground-keepers at Gleneagles who kept the course in incredible condition, and the District of West Vancouver for continuing to operate and maintain
Adam Hadwin tees off at Gleneagles for the VGT annual shoot-out.
✘
Photo: West Vancouver District
ELECT MICHAEL
the beautiful Gleneagles Golf Course. It is truly a West Vancouver jewel.
Photo: West Vancouver District Ryan Williams (centre) outlasts newest PGA members, Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor to win shoot-out.
Photo: Glenn Owen Commissioner Fraser Mulholland presents a plaque to Hadwin for being the first golfer to have successfully reached the PGA ranks from the Vancouver Golf Tour.
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November 2014
Schools
The fourth ‘R’: self-regulation Lindy Pfeil
T
he West Vancouver School District and the Canadian Self-Regulation Initiative started the school year with an exciting conference at the Kay Meek Centre, on August 26, The Fourth ‘R’. The R refers to Self-Regulation, and research shows this to be as critical to students’ success as the other Rs – reading, writing, and arithmetic. Dr. Stuart Shanker, an advisor on early child development to education systems, early childhood care providers and government organizations
around the world, gave a fascinating keynote speech on the science and application of Self-Regulation in education. An impressive line-up of experts followed up with workshops on Self-Regulation strategies to increase resilience, build organizational skills, and reduce mental health risks. Among these was Maria LeRose, Program Manager for the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education, and Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC. Her inspirational session focused on the Dalai Lama Center’s Heart-Mind Index Project, its five HeartMind Well-Being domains, and the critical connection between Heart-Mind Well-Being and Self-Regulation. She stressed that children need to be alert and engaged to manage their thoughts and emotions, and to demonstrate self-control.
Maria LeRose from the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education.
Photo: Rob Newell
Sandra-Lynn Shortall, District Principal for Early Learning for the West Vancouver School District, co-presented with Moray Mclean, an Occupational Therapist in the district for 15 years. Ms Mclean is also an employee of the BC Centre for Ability, and a consultant with The Social Emotional Enhancement Development (SEED) pilot project for children and youth with special needs across the province. Our children are in expert hands. The conference was attended by hundreds of North Shore educators. Our students are fortunate to be part of a district where social-emotional learning is viewed as integral, and where education of the whole child is deemed crucial for success. Photo: Rob Newell Sandra-Lynn Shortall, District Principal for Early Learning, welcoming participants to the conference.
Photo: Rob Newell West Vancouver School District Superintendent, Chris Kennedy interviewing Dr Stuart Shanker at The Fourth ‘R’ conference.
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November 2014
7
Schools
A Montessori moment by
Emily Lapkin
O
ur West Vancouver kids are a hardy bunch, but they’re driven indoors by drizzle eventually. Before you let them grab that remote, consider that you might have all the makings of a fun and skill-building lesson at your fingertips. At Eagle Harbor Montessori School, a West Vancouver public elementary school that also adheres to the Montessori teaching philosophy, students edu-
cate themselves with a teacher’s guidance, sometimes using household objects in interesting ways. Next time it’s cold and wet out, gather the kids or grandkids and have a Montessori moment with these handson educational activities: Ages 3-6 Tong Transfer: Grab some small soft objects (for example, cut up a kitchen sponge into smaller cubes), two bowls, and some small metal or plastic tongs. Fill one bowl with the small objects. Let your child pick up the objects with the tongs and transfer them to the other bowl. You could make this activity more challeng-
ing by using soft objects with different colours, and have your child sort them as well. (This activity builds fine motor skills.) Ages 6-9 Dissecting Fruit or Flowers: Select a fruit or flower and take it apart with your child, carefully separating and labeling the parts. If you’re not remembering plant terminology, you can do internet research with your child or check an encyclopedia together. (This activity teaches botany and biology and builds researching skills.) Ages 9-12 Family Timeline: Create a visual fam-
Glenn’s Gallery - Our Community Through Glenn’s Lens
ily history by attaching photos or handdrawn pictures to a timeline made from butcher paper. This could cover many generations of one family -- or focus on the child’s own life story. Show family milestones and historical touchstones along the way. (This activity develops storytelling ability, critical thinking, and teaches history and current events.) Eagle Harbour Montessori welcomes students from across the North Shore and is registering students for 2015-2016 now. For more information visit http://go45. sd45.bc.ca/schools/eagleharbour or call (604) 981-1380.
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November 2014
A Trip to the Souks of Tangier in Morocco How I shopped until I almost dropped Travel Notes Marie-Claude Arnott
T
angier is a two-hour ferry crossing from southern Spain, a long day-trip that blows the mind and the senses. Located on the Straight of Gibraltar, Tangier retains much of its Moorish lifestyle. Its skilled artisans make it an interesting place to shop. And food is always freshest at the covered market and street stalls; no merchant would want the wrath of a Moroccan housewife. My first trip there was with an organized tour. It was trouble-free, but I felt continually rushed through the maze of the souks (flea markets). So when I went back I hired “freelance Mustafa”. He took me wherever I wanted, and waited patiently, so that I could experience the leisurely pulse of Tangier on my second visit. Colourful items hanging around the door of Tindouf Bazaar, across the street from the Minzeh Hotel, had caught my eye. In the floor-to-ceiling packed store,
I squeezed my way between masses of kilims (rugs), mounds of deflated leather “poufs,” stacks of brass trays, and lines of vintage djellabas (Moroccan robes). I tried to avoid crashing into the overloaded shelves of boxes embedded with camel bones, the furniture topped with mirrors and other breakables, and the pottery. In the back of the shop, colorful lead-glass lanterns dangled by an opaque window, and I encountered an old man welding a lamp in an “Ali-Baba” cavern. This encouraged me to descend a decrepit staircase to stockpiles of kilims and ginger jars with intricate designs. I tiptoed further down between precariously piled ceramic plates and bowls, aware that one missed step would result in disaster. Everything took my breath away, until an acrid smell brought me back to reality. I was two floors below street level, in a building that had apparently not been retrofitted since… ever. For a brief moment, I envisioned a future archeologist finding my remains and deeming me an important figure judging by all the treasures buried with me. I quickly resurfaced to collect my thoughts and my treasures. Mustafa took a load of two patio sconces, half a dozen bowls in vibrant earthy tones and tin cuttings, and one leather camel
Photo Rights: Marie-Claude Arnott
Among vintage treasures at Boutique Majid.
for my (now defunct) collection. If you prefer (real) antiques, or to experience some “pleasure for your eyes,” as local merchants say, visit Boutique Majid. His private collection of tribal jewellery made me wonder about the women who received them as gifts. Sizeable rounded pieces of amber, amazonite, carnelian, coral and ebony beads strung as necklaces are reminiscent of Indian jewellery because Berbers are of Indo-European descent. Pricey vintage boiled wool jackets, sumptuous jellabas for women, and precious fabrics dazzled me with their rich colours and textures. Affordable mementos are silver talismans such as the protective hand of Fatima, or the Southern Cross that guided caravans at night (to avoid the blazing sun). Never end a day in Tangier without shopping at the food market. Begin at the meat stalls and try to identify some mysterious animal parts! The fish is always fresh since Tangier stands at the confluence of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Let aromatic herbs tempt you with even just one bunch of lemon verbena to freshen your hotel room. Sample some of the dozens of varieties of olives. Sniff smen (clarified butter) kept in earthenware jars. Buy some feta
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Photo: Marie-Claude Arnott Moroccan crafts at Bazaar Tindouf.
Photo: Marie-Claude Arnott
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w h at w i l l yo u s e e n e x t ? Holiday Pick
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ANNIVERSARY
November 2014
9
Home is where the Spirit has always been by
Erin Sam
S
pirit Gallery in Horseshoe Bay has been providing tourists and the local community access to West Coast Native Art and gifts since 1991. The face of Spirit Gallery and its heart and soul is long-time local resident Erin McNeill Sam. Raised between West Bay and Lions Bay, Erin has been involved in the Horseshoe Bay community in a number of dif-
ferent ways, from Trolls, to scooping ice cream, to finally finding her special place at Spirit Gallery. School, travel and work have, over the years, taken her to other places, but her heart always remained at Spirit Gallery. “I’ve spent time away but have always been drawn back. As I pull into Horseshoe Bay each day I am overwhelmed by the natural beauty and am thankful.” When the opportunity to manage the store arose, she jumped at the chance. That position led to her purchasing the
Sleep apnea …do you have it? a medical professional if you experience, or if your partner notices, the following: Respiratory Therapist • Snoring loud enough to disturb the sleep of others or yourself. • Shortness of breath that awakens you re you fatigued through the day and accept it as a normal consequence of from sleep. • Intermittent pauses aging? in your breathing durDo you snore louding sleep. ly? Do you experience • Excessive daytime restless limb movedrowsiness, which ments when you sleep? may cause you to These are signs of fall asleep while you sleep apnea. In fact reare working, watchcent studies reveal that ing television or even 10 to 15% of us suffer from it and most of us driving. have no understanding Many people don’t of it. think of snoring as a According to Wikisign of something po- Ernest Hemingway pedia, sleep apnea is tentially serious, and a type of sleep disornot everyone who has der characterized by pauses in breathing or sleep apnea snores. But be sure to talk to your instances of shallow or infrequent breathing doctor if you experience loud snoring, especially during sleep. Each pause in breathing, called snoring that’s punctuated by periods of silence. an apnea, can last for several seconds to sevConsiderable progress has been made in eral minutes, and may occur 5 to 30 times or the treatment of sleep apnea and improving more in an hour. the length and quality of sleep patterns that, The Mayo Clinic suggests that you consult in turn, improves quality of life. by
Steve Archer
A
“
“I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I’m awake”.
Ann Broomfield, David Oldfield and Erin McNeill Sam
gallery more than 10 years ago. And it was here that she met her husband, master carver Klatle-bhi. Erin now balances life around her family of six and Spirit Gallery. Her support of the Horseshoe Bay Business Association’s initiatives reflects her passion for the community and its future. She loves the relationships she has with local residents, tourists and loyal customers from near and far, as well as individual artists. She shares her passion for West Coast Native Art and the stories it tells through the gallery. “Right from the
Photo: Courtesy of Spirit Gallery
beginning, I was drawn to native art not only for the aesthetics, but for the stories and symbolism found in every image,” says Erin. The long-term dedicated staff at Spirit Gallery make for a family atmosphere. Their knowledge and friendliness encourage customers to explore and learn. Most of the art is acquired directly from the artists. Erin believes that people connect in different ways with West Coast Native Art, and tries to ensure that Spirit Gallery offers something for everyone.
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November 2014
November 2014
11
West Vancouver during
1942 Tom Taylor
“The Paperboy”
“W
e grew up in innocence - too young to fight, as were most of our parents, too old - perhaps the luckiest generation ever.” Tom Taylor. Tom lost his father to kidney illness at a young age so Betty, his mother, raised her two boys near her family home in Caulfeild. Her father, Magistrate MacKenzie Matheson, lived in the house that is now the rec-
In Tom’s words:
“T
Excerpts from Glimpses: tory for St Francis-in-the-Wood church. Growing up in West Vancouver during the war for Tom involved delivering newspapers and attending Pauline Johnson, Hollyburn and West Van High schools. His first love has always been music, as it is today, so he joined the West Vancouver Boys’ Band at a young age. Betty re-married Fred Pepper who drove for Pacific Stage Lines and later became a councillor in West Vancouver. He was a
his is a World War II West Van scrapbook, which includes childhood reminiscences. The scraps, presented chronologically, come mainly from the Vancouver Daily Province, the West Van News, and the West Vancouver Council meetings. The recollections are partly mine: of the war, school, family, community. Others are those of people whose families were affected by the war. Inserted at intervals in the text are some of the major events of the war. These, like the announcements of casualties, are threaded unbuffered into the peaceful flow of community events of the day - one moment, something horrifying, another, something
“
World War I veteran and Betty founded the Red Cross Treasure House, which raised funds for the war effort. So Tom could relate to the events that were being written in the newspapers he delivered. When he graduated from high school Tom went on to UBC where he met and fell in love with Margaret MacLane whom he married at St Francis-in-the-Wood church in 1955. He went on to a career as a teacher in West Vancouver until he retired in 1988.
mundane or entertaining. Such was the temper of the times. For most of us the war brought discomfort and inconvenience: we were often cold and we had to “do without”: gas, butter, sugar and meat were all rationed. For others it delivered unimaginable loss. Close to seventy boys died while serving in the armed forces. Among them was a boy who wanted to become an electrical engineer, another a photographer, another an - Tom Taylor archaeologist. Typically, they showed great promise at school. Theirs, and the promise of others who died, was the price many communities had to pay. West Vancouver paid dearly.”
“...communities had to pay. West Vancouver paid dearly.”
Meet Tom at his
Book Signing of Glimpses
on Saturday, November 15 at 3pm at the Gleneagles Community Centre, 6262 Marine Drive, West Vancouver
Remembrance Day is on Tuesday, November 11th so, as part of the commemoration, Tom will be signing copies of his book the following Saturday. The book will be available for purchase and Tom is extending an invitation to join him. Are you mentioned in the book? Do you have a relative who is mentioned in the book? You may know someone who is. Join us and share your story. This may be the beginning of a sequel! The proceeds from sales of the book go to Glimpses Scholarship Fund at West Vancouver Secondary School.
Never being one to stay idle, Tom joined the West Vancouver Historical Society and served on the board of the West Vancouver Museum & Archives. It was during this time that the vision to compile and write a book about his experience while living in West Vancouver during World War II became a reality. Glimpses was published in 2004.
Nov 4, 1943 Last Rites for Charles Dansey Funeral services for LAC Charles Dansey, RCAF, who was killed in an aircraft accident on 30th ultimo, in his 28th year, was held at 3 p.m. yesterday from the Hollyburn Funeral Home of Harron Brothers Ltd., Rev. E.W.P. Carter officiating, followed by interment in Capilano View Cemetery. The RCAF were in charge at the graveside.
Charles Dansey, Courtesy Thomas Redden.
The deceased airman is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.C. Dansey of Caulfeild; two sisters, Monica, at home, and Mrs. D. Avent, Yarmouth, N.S., and one brother, Claude E., lieutenant in the Camerons Battalion at Ottawa. (WVN) Nov 18, 1943 Remembrance Day Service Bright sunshine and the war resulted in there being a very good attendance of organizers and residents at the annual Remembrance Day Service arranged by the Duncan Lawson Chapter of the IODE and Branch 60 of the Canadian Legion at the Memorial Arch. Rev. Francis H. Stevens was in charge of the service and the West Vancouver Boys’ Band played the Legion parade up from Ambleside Park and supplied the music at the Arch. The guard and sentries were provided by the 21st A.A. Battery, 28th A.A. Regiment, RCACA, A. Cue being in charge of the flag, and Alex Swanson, Jr., acting as trumpeter. (WVN)
Alex Swanson Sr. had served with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles (a.k.a. “The Little Black Devils”) during the Great War. This unit saw service at Ypres, Paschendaele, Amiens, the Somme, and Vimy Ridge, and Alex Swanson Jr. Courtesy had five WWI Alex Swanson Jr. Victoria Cross winners, three of them awarded posthumously. One of his contributions to the West Vancouver Canadian Legion was his lettering of the names of West Van vets in the Legion Hall on 18th Street. November 22, 1943 Council Matters: West Vancouver Firearms MOVED by Councillor Ray, seconded by Councillor Richardson, THAT the Chief Constable be requested to give sufficient publicity to the public regarding the necessity of obtaining a permit to carry or use any firearm whatever in the Municipality. CARRIED. (WVN) The wedding took place last Nov 25, 1943 Friday in Christ Church Cathedral of FO William James Dickinson, son of Councillor and Mrs. William Dickinson, to Katherine Wells Teed, daughter of Mrs. Ethel Teed, 2345 West 13th Avenue, Vancouver. Very Rev. Cecil Swanson, DD, officiated. (WVN)
Nov 25, 1943 LAC Brock Os- William James Dickinson Jr. & Katherine Dickinson. trom, RCAF, son
2014 Tom Taylor
Reminiscing...
of Mr. and Mrs. H. Ostrom, leaves tomorrow for his service flying training at Macleod, Alberta. He has just completed his elementary flying at Abbotsford. (WVN)
utilities commission, Councillor Ed Paulson said West Vancouver wishes to protect the bay as a “haven for fishermen” and not let it become commercialized by the erection of a landing. (VDP)
Nov 25, 1943 John Lawson, 17th and Esquimalt, is making satisfactory progress from an attack of pneumonia. Miss G. Lawson, who has also been ill, is recovering rapidly. (WVN)
The son of John Eymundson Jan 29, 1945 and Joan Beatrice Emerson, Flight Sergeant John Alexander Eymundson, 30, today gave his life serving in the RCAF. (WVN)
Nov 25, 1943 The son of Joseph and Grace G. Mair, Flying Officer Charles Maxwell Mair, 23, was today killed while serving with the Nav. 142 (RAF) Sqdn., RCAF. (WVN)
Jan 23, 1945 City Airman Helps Punish The Luftwaffe
Nov 28, 1943 Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin Meet At Teheran May 27, 1943 To Purchase Horseshoe Bay Waterfront The Council on Tuesday night passed a by-law calling for the submission to taxpayers on June 12th of a money by-law for $43,500 for the purchase of the Rodgers’ property of about 1000 feet of waterfront at Horseshoe Bay. It is proposed to issue 10-year serial bonds at 4% for this amount, which will be accepted by the vendors at par as payment. The by-law was proposed by Councillor Harvey-Smith, and seconded by Councillor Richardson. The Reeve stated that the price was much below present value, and that from a transportation viewpoint it would be invaluable regardless of whether West Vancouver controlled its transportation or the latter was in private hands. The purchase was also endorsed by the Deputy Minister of Municipalities. He did not advocate any major expense on the property until after the war.
RCAF squadrons based in Belgium and Holland shot down six German aircraft yesterday without loss to themselves as the Canadians flew more than 250 sorties, mainly in close support of forward troops. Five Spitfire pilots from the Red Indian squadron destroyed five of the six enemy planes and damaged another near the city of Rheine, 65 miles north of Dortmund. Enemy supply dumps, barracks and strong points from Aachen to Gelsenkirchen, which lies between Essen and Dortmund, were destroyed by fighter-bombers and for the second successive day the village of Montfort, Holland, 10 miles southwest of Utrecht, received a heavy load of bombs and was left aflame. German rail and road transport “suffered heavily.” The Red Indian squadron’s five victims—all FockeWulf 190s, fell to Canadians. A German plane was damaged by Squadron-Leader Art Sager of Vancouver. Squadron-Leader Sager is the son of Dr. and Mrs. William Sager, 4107 Albert. (VDP)
Jan 26, 1945 Ferry Landing Site Opposed West Vancouver Council is not opposed to a ferry running from Horseshoe Bay, but does not want a government ferry wharf to be built on West Vancouver property at the foot of Royal Avenue. West Vancouver spent $43,500 on the property last year. Defending the council’s stand on the problem, which is now under study by a public
Sq.-Leader Art Sager in a Spitfire 5A, Fairwood Common, 1942. Courtesy Art Sager.
12
November 2014
A true hero by
Susanna Bell-Irving Gray
R
emembrance Day was always somewhat sacred in my youth. My father was a career RCAF officer and a pilot, and on Remembrance Day he always attended the Dawn Patrol. A celebration of the lives of lost pilots, it involves traditions like reading the poem “High Flight”, an open bar, burlesque entertainment and breakfast. My father would arrive home in the late morning, a little uncharacteristically tipsy and head for a nap. As a teenager I rebelled at listening to accounts of war by arguing with my father about peace! Many dinners were ruined by my naive rants against war.
Photo courtesy of: Guy Corbett Thompson A photo of Scrimger’s portrait
On November 11th, 2013 a distant cousin called to tell me that someone in France was trying to reach my mother. I telephoned the contact number, reaching a man called John Fox. He was the partner to a relative of someone called Frances Scrimger, a name I did not recognise. “Well then,” he said, “you might find this interesting - Frances Scrimger saved your maternal grandfather’s life and was awarded the first Canadian Victory Cross.” And so I heard a new story. During the battle of Ypres, in April of 1915, Dr. Scrimger was working at Mouse Trap Farm, an ammunition depot surrounded by a deep moat. Shelling was intense and Dr. Scrimger went days without food and sleep, in a futile attempt to keep up with the number of wounded. During a lull in the shelling, many evacuated, but one battalion stayed. Scrimger offered to stay with them. When the shelling increased, Scrimger had all ambulatory patients moved out of the dressing station. Fifteen to twenty men who were unable to walk were gathered into the stable. However, one officer, Captain Harold McDonald (my grandfather) was seriously wounded in the neck and shoulders and was dragged into the farmhouse where Dr. Scrimger attended to him. When shells hit the farmhouse, setting the munitions on fire, Scrimger carried my grandfather to the moat, curling his body around his head and shoulders. He stayed with him, half smothered in mud, until the shelling slackened and my grandfather could be evacuated. Scrimger then organized the evacuation of the remaining wounded in the stable. He was awarded the Victoria Cross on June 25th, 1915 to hearty cheers from the troops. One of the medical officers celebrating Scrimger was John McCrae, author of the famous poem, “In Flanders Fields”. Scrimger is credited with fishing “In Flanders Fields” from a wastebasket and insisting the discouraged poet
pursue a publisher for the iconic poem. Dr. Scrimger returned to Montreal after the war and ended his medical ca-
“
I lived over sixty years without knowing my mother’s life was made possible by the bravery of an extraordinary man, Dr. Frances Scrimger. And of course, he also made possible her future generations: three children (including me), six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, with more to come. The Scrimger and McDonald families have since connected and can now honour their relatives’ bravery together. Many families probably unknowingly have similar connections. I am very grateful to John Fox for telling me the story of a True Hero.
“Frances Scrimger saved your maternal grandfather’s life and was awarded the first Canadian Victory Cross”.
reer as head of surgery at the Royal Victoria Hospital. My grandfather had his wounded arm amputated and went on to become the youngest general in the Canadian army.
November 13 is World Kindness Day Continued from page 2
are no lectures. No curricula. No rules. We face one another, look into each other’s eyes and we learn to once again decipher body language and facial expressions. We are all, adult and child, equal. We have each other’s backs. We find out, sometimes as if for the first time, who we are. We honour our differences - the unique strengths we each contribute to our community. And we see how each new voice makes our tribe stronger. We celebrate our common humanity as we discover that we all want the same things. To be heard. Respected. Loved. To belong. It’s really very simple. And when we share our stories with truth and empathy, that’s when the magic happens. Listening with curiosity, judgement is suspended. The two simply cannot co-exist. It’s impossible. And with each tale, our web
of connection is spun a little tighter. Our circle of belonging strengthened. Our compassion for each other…for ourselves…deepened. And such kindness! An uncomplicated kindness reminiscent of a different, slower time. November 13 is World Kindness Day. And this is my challenge to you: find a space…any space. Invite friends, family, strangers to sit in circle with you. And share your stories. Sweet stories. Sad stories. Silly stories. Any stories. Listen with an empty mind and a full heart. With kindness. And we will prove Rumi right. But the field, as you will see, if you, like me, are lucky, is not grey after all. It is instead filled with the most fantastic colours. Perhaps I’ll meet you there.
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November 2014
13
Remembrance and gratitude Parenting Louise Clarke
M
any of us have relatives who lost their lives in wars and it is important that our children remember these lost heroes and all they sacrificed for their country. I believe we also need to teach our children to recognize and show gratitude to the people in their lives today, be it family, friends, teachers, doctors, firefighters, or
neighbours, and to remember those who are no longer here but whose sacrifices allow us to enjoy the lives we have. Despite good intentions we often don’t tell people just how precious they are to us and how grateful we are to have them in our lives. What better time to start this than on Remembrance Day. •Y esterday is history and history allows us to reflect, bringing with it memories and lessons. •T omorrow is a mystery and we never know just what it will bring. •T oday is a gift we call the present and I think that it is vitally important to teach our children to live for the day yet practice gratitude. To appreciate in particular the
people (past and present), the planet and all the richness brought to our lives, each and every moment. Here are a few ideas to cultivate an attitude of gratitude in your home: • Create a “Gratitude Jar” and fill it with notes of gratitude that you can empty and read when full. • Show your gratitude to nature and perhaps feed the birds in the winter or dedicate a morning to picking up litter in your local park or beach. • Send a note or card to someone letting them know just how much they mean to you. • Bake some cookies for your local firefighters or your Doctor’s office.
Ask Domenica
What is sensory processing disorder? Parenting Domenica Mastromatteo Domenica Mastromatteo, the newest member of our Beacon team, will be answering your questions about raising ‘special’ children. Email her directly with your question and the response will be in the next Beacon. Welcome Domenica!
I
’m a mom to four awesome children, in a blended family (his, mine, ours). My journey into parenting and special needs began after my first child was born. My son has sensory processing disorder (SPD). SPD is a neurological disorder of the brain that af-
fects the way sensations are experienced and organized. It is like a virtual traffic jam in the brain; information from all the senses is misinterpreted. Children with SPD display atypical reactions to sensory input. Sadly, they struggle and suffer a loss of quality in their social, personal, emotional and academic life. Did you know that all children are born with immature sensory processing systems? They can all benefit from appropriate sensory experiences. My son is at the end of that spectrum. All children sit somewhere on that line. An understanding of the sensory processes has helped me accommodate all of my four children’s needs and support their healthy development. How many of you have children that can’t sit still at the dinner table? My oldest daughter has this “problem”. We want her to participate in our mealtime discussions; she just wants to bolt! Research has shown that kids listen bet-
ter when they’re moving; which is why telling her to sit still doesn’t help. A regular, daily dose of physical activity helps meet her sensory needs so she can focus on participating in our family meals. If she still has “ants in her pants” during dinner, she’s encouraged to do chair push-ups and play with (some) fidget toys. There are many ways to solve a problem. Send me your parenting questions at dmastromatteo@sensationalchildren.ca. Together, we can lead our children into becoming caring, compassionate, respectful adults who are happy, healthy, and fully themselves. My hope is to inspire families to build a solid foundation for creating the life they envision for their children and family. Visit me at sensationalchildren.ca Domenica Mastromatteo, CPDPE, MSc Certified Positive Discipline Parenting Educator (CPDPE)
Photo: Louise Clarke
Involve your children as much as you can while creating this practice within your family. For more information and parenting advice, please visit: www.yourparentingpartner.com
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November 2014
St. Francis-In-The-Wood
Christmas in Caulfeild Cove by
A place for families celebrating community
• foodcrafts • songsstories • games • •
Deborah Rollins
M
y mind wanders back to a Christmas past. In the dark of the night I drive down to the water and slowly skirt the Cove. The tide is at its annual highest now, but in the darkness I only sense the fullness of its presence. Rocks and weed, higher on the beach, are only just now remembering the feel of a salty wash. What a powerful, silent and enduring force the tide remains, lifting drift logs and anchored craft as volumes of this salt sea fill the cove. I look ahead and on the rise above the water see my destination ~ the church of St. Francisin-the Wood. Small lights brighten a path to the door and a warm glow spills out through the stained glass windows of the church. “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:5). Whatever winter storms descend with rain or wind or with a blanket of heavy snow to slow down the world, this place remains ~ calm, bright, and waiting for the footsteps
Join us for fun on the fourth (4th) Saturday each month.
that will carry you along your journey toward Christmas. You could begin in Advent, the church’s traditional season of preparation. This is not the western world’s idea of getting ready for the holidays, with a surfeit of shopping, gift buying, party planning and stress. Instead, it is a time of waiting and longing and anticipation. It is a time to consider four themes ~ hope, peace, love and joy ~ and explore ancient symbols and metaphors for darkness, with faith in a returning Light. Each year there is a beautiful candlelight service, a rollicking children’s pageant, and delicious hospitality (the English offering of mulled wine and mince tarts!). There is especially, a growing anticipation of the greatest gift ~ Son of the Divine, child of Mary ~ and of the ways the Holy One intersects and inhabits our time. God dwells here and within, beyond our understanding but within our grasp. Complete your Christmas. Among family and friends and soon-to-be friends, find your place at one of the Christmas services. You will find light and peace and a warm welcome here.
Join Us! November 30, 5:00 pm
Advent Carols followed by Mince Pies & Mulled Wine December 21, 5:00 pm
Service of Nine Lessons & Carols December 24, 4:00 pm
Family Communion around the Crib December 24, 8:00 pm
Community Carols December 24, 11:00 pm
Midnight Mass
ST. FRANCIS-IN-THE-WOOD CHURCH 4772 Piccadilly Road South
(no December Messy Church)
Sundays
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November 2014
15
Caulfeild Cove Hall
Shari Ulrich: A Night to Remember by
Darlene Howard
C
aulfeild Cove Hall, with its warm wood floors, white curtained walls, and twinkling chandeliers is unimposing, unassuming, and inviting - a perfect venue for an intimate concert, reception, or community gathering. And on Saturday, September 13, it created such a warm, inclusive space for Shari Ulrich, that her entire audience was completely ‘in the moment’ with her from the instant she began. Petite, blonde, and natural, she stood on the stage: alone and vulnerable, yet
easily self-possessed. Open face, bright eyes and infectious smile, her songs, stories, and conversational style - sometimes funny, sometimes poignant - made her just one of us. But five minutes into the evening we all knew: she wasn’t quite ‘just one of us’. She sang with a clarity of voice as well as a clarity of mes-
“
She sang her own compositions and a few renditions of others’ work. I remember Shari Ulrich from thirty-someodd years ago. Looking around the audience that Saturday night, I would say not many others did. Yet we all knew her music, and she made us feel as though we had all been good
friends forever. I imagine she creates this atmosphere wherever she goes because of how comfortable she is in her own skin. But Caulfeild Cove Hall, with its grace, its simplicity, its warmth, and its open arms to its community simply enhanced her own magic. Yes, it was a night to remember!
“She made us feel as though we had all been good friends forever.”
sage; she played guitar effortlessly; she played harmonica - in every key; she played keyboard with soul; she even played fiddle!
Photos: Angus Stuart
Photo: Glenn Owen
Shari charming the crowd at Caulfeild Cove Hall.
A Rollicking night with Wednesday @ Ernie’s by
Jean Lawrence
A
sell-out crowd, with no concern for the miserable weather on Saturday, October 25, danced their feet off to the fabulous music of Wednesday @ Ernie’s at Caulfeild Cove Hall. The high energy, 11-piece group, with a full horn section and four leading vocalists, were barely into their first number when the dance floor filled. Post boomers gave the boomers stiff com-
petition as they competed for most continuous dances in a single night – a testimony to the fitness levels of the residents in the community! Timeless musical numbers that originated in the ‘60s and ‘70s dominated the evening and were woven by this versatile group into the popular rock dance music of recent years. We thought we had hit the highlight of the night as Devil in a Blue Dress blasted on and on leaving this writer totally exhausted but exhilarated. Thank goodness for the timely intermission! Then there was more: Eurythmics, Blues Brothers, Martha Reeves
& the Vandellas, Huey Lewis, Jackie Wilson, Kiki Dee, U2 and even Michael Buble. Wednesday @ Ernie’s was formed when a small group of parents with children in the West Vancouver Youth Band decided to play a few tunes at the annual fundraiser. They enjoyed themselves so much that they began weekly rehearsals and expanded to a 12-piece rhythm and blues band. Ernie is the band’s trombone player, in whose basement they rehearse.
“We do this for fun and we are all about community, most of us having raised our families here,” says band organizer, Grant Cowan. “And yes, we are in discussion to return to Caulfeild Cove Hall for their year-end event in May 2015.” Thank you Caulfeild Cove Hall. This truly is the “community place for fun and entertainment”.
16
FOOD
November 2014 Smoked Bacon Corn Chowder Makes 6 litres
Hearty winter soups A Culinary View Maureen Goulet
W
hen the rainy season starts nothing is more comforting than a bowl of steaming soup. Last year I held a fundraiser for Soup Sisters and Broth Brothers which is a non profit organization that was started by Calgarian Sharon Hapton in 2009. She had a simple belief in the power of soup as a nurturing and nourishing gesture that could make a tangible difference. Hapton believed that two of society’s most prevalent issues, domestic abuse and youth homelessness would benefit from the care and warmth that comes in a bowl of soup. A powerful
message that says ‘we care’ is now being delivered to over 25 residential shelters across the country through homemade delicious soup made with the finest ingredients. Daniel Wagner from Rain City Soups, was on hand (even though his kitchen had just burned to the ground the previous night) to teach a group of eager participants! Here a few of the recipes he taught:
5 strips double smok ed bacon 1 tbsp oil 1 pound chicken thigh s 2 onions, 2 carrots 2 celery stalks 2 cloves garlic
1 tbsp cajun spice 4 liters of chicken sto ck 500 g frozen corn 500 ml whipping cre am salt and pepper 1 cup cornstarch slu rry Cube the bacon. Sa uté the bacon in oil un til chicken thighs. Dice the onions, carrots an crispy. Roast the d and above vegetable s to pan and sauté for celery. Add garlic 5 minutes until soft. Add Cajun spice and stock. Dice the cook ed chicken and add to soup with the fro zen corn and cream . Simmer 40 minutes Taste and adjust seas . onings. Thicken with corn starch slurry.
Thai Carrot Soup w ith Prawns Makes 6 litres
Photo: Rain City Soups Daniel Wagner Rain City Soups. www.raincitysoups.com
Maureen Goulet is the owner of Ambrosia Cooking School. To share great Chefs’ culinary secrets, visit www.ambrosiaadventures.com
8 carrots 2 onions 2 celery stalks 3 cloves garlic 1 tbsp oil 2 tbsp green curry pa ste
1 can coconut milk 6 liters chicken stock salt and pepper prawns for garnish 3 tbsp ginger 2 stalks lemon grass Chop carrots, onion s and celery. Sauté with garlic in oil. Add curry paste. Sa uté salt and pepper. Sim 5 minutes. Add stock, coconut milk, mer 45 minutes. Ad just seasoning and puree. Strain. Poac h prawns in lemon grass and ginger water. Chill. Use to garnish the soup.
Be healthy! It’s easier than you think Home & Living Tisha Bryant
M
any of us are busy but this doesn’t mean you can’t still be healthy. Eating well also doesn’t have to be expensive. A little time spent planning ahead will save you both time and money. Being organized means less trips to the store and being less likely to fall back on unhealthy quick food fixes i.e. pizza or take-
away and it will make you feel better that you have been able to prepare healthy food. • Pull out some cookery books for inspiration and create a weekly menu plan and write out a shopping list based on this. I have a free printable menu planner on my web-site under ‘recipes’. • When making your menu plan think about making extra as this will do for lunch the following day. • Double up on recipes that are good to freeze so you will have a healthy meal on evenings when you are pressed for time. You will be less likely to fall back on a take-out.
• Think about what’s in season and buy local wherever possible. • Set some time aside on Sunday evening to prepare for the week ahead. I like to make soup or a big quinoa salad with lots of added veggies that will provide a few days worth of lunches. Make some energy balls to store in the freezer as quick, healthy grab ‘n go snacks. • Keep it simple. • Get the kids involved. • Use your crockpot! It is so important to take time to sit down when you eat. Lay the table. Light a candle... and breathe.
Photo: Tisha Bryant Energy balls ready for the freezer.
For the energy balls recipe and other healthy ideas, visit www.inourishandnurture.com
Safeway is proud to support local farmers and producers. See our wide range of local products throughout the store.
November 2014
17
All-candidates meeting by
Dave Patrick
O
n October 23rd the Western Residents Association and the Horseshoe Bay Business Association cohosted an All-Candidates meeting at the Gleneagles Community Centre. A crowd of approximately 200 attended what turned out to be a lively and informative meeting. Moderator John Moonen was ably assisted by perennial
time-keeper Louis Sopena, owner of the Caulfeild Gallery. Each candidate gave a four minute introductory presentation after which questions were invited from the audience. For the next hour or so the questions came fast and furious. Some questions were directed at specific candidates, but the moderator made sure that everyone got an opportunity to speak. It is fair to say that some of the questions were, shall we say, sensitive . But then that is what these meetings are all about. People have problems
that haven’t yet been solved and they want to know what wannabe councillor Bloggs is going to do about it. The candidates for School Board Trustee also attended the meeting but due to time constraints were not able to address the audience. However, they were able to “meet and greet” the public before the meeting and pass out their brochures.
Our appreciation and thanks to all of the candidates for their enthusiasm and willingness to serve the residents of West Vancouver. We are very fortunate to have such dedicated people in our midst. The evening ended with the candidates mingling over coffee and hot chocolate. Democracy in action indeed!
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The Beacon is being read everywhere! Avis Robinson, Kelly Kennedy, Mike and Jan Volker are absorbed in the newspaper at Caulfeild Cove Hall’s Rock Dance.
Congratulations Penny from your Beacon team.
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November 2014
Around The Village
John Leith … a good story Community Personality Chris Stringer
S
ince the first issue of The Beacon, when we started our chats with the ‘Village people’ we have been asked,
Photo: Piper Studio Muriel & John, August 29th, 1959.
with regularity, when we would be featuring John the Butcher. Well, here he is everyone. John describes his entry into the world, at Grace Hospital in Toronto 85 years ago “to the beat of the Salvation Army big drum and my mother shouting Hallelujah”. He grew up in Toronto’s East York where, at age 11, he delivered meat for the local butcher. Before long he had quit school and at 15 his career as a butcher began. But this only lasted four years because his parents, devout Christians, prevailed upon him to go to a Christian boarding school in Saskatchewan to finish high school and get started with some college courses. “I completed Grades 9 to 12 in one year and graduated with honours”. John returned to Toronto, pleasing his parents by putting his education to use in the auditing and assessment departments of the City of Toronto. While attending St John’s Evangelical church John met and married Muriel, his life’s sweetheart. Not ready to settle in to Toronto, the newlyweds decided to go west to Edmonton where John joined Safeway as a butcher and Muriel was hired by City Hall as the secretary to the infamous Mayor Horlick. The following years were a blur for the couple as John enrolled in programs at Simon Fraser University followed by a stint in pre-med courses with the University of Portland that resulted in his being accepted into medical school. In 1973 John finally realized that his real love was serving and interacting with people and he could do this as a butcher. So when Safeway opened on Granville and 70th everyone’s friend became a full-time butcher. That same year John and Muriel’s love affair with Horseshoe Bay began when they moved into 6376 Argyle Avenue, the location of the original Horseshoe Bay legion. The Leiths purchased cottages in the Bay and rented them out. At the end of ev-
ery month John would drop in to collect the rent. Several hours later he would return home with half the rent cheques and Muriel would say, “John, you would make a better missionary than a businessman”.
“
“Never worry about the future, just be there.” - John Leith, October 11, 2014
John headed the Horseshoe Bay Community Association for three terms, and has served his beloved customers at Caulfeild Safeway for 20 years, “in training for the next 20” he says.
Photo: Glenn Owen
When asked about his hobbies his response is “socializing and listening to people”. Then after a moment, “Oh yes, and talking too. Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.”
Success!
W
e are delighted to report that Scott’s October 10 brain surgery was successful! Gone are the seizures and extensive speech issues that he was increasingly experiencing . The tumour was not malignant. He visited his co-workers at Windsor Meats last week and informed them that he plans to be back before Christmas “to work with these turkeys around here.” Thank-you everyone for your positive thoughts and prayers.
Pre
0 spending with coupon $50.00 off over $300.0 Expires Dec 31, 2014
Photo: Chris Stringer
From all your friends and customers in and around Caulfeild, CONGRATULATIONS SCOTT!
Custom Picture Framing Photo Digital Restorations Digital Giclee Printing Art Restorations Art Evaluations 604 926-1886
www.caulfeildgallery.com
November 2014
19
Around The Village
THE INNOCENCE OF THE ROSE
Swedish caregiver to Canadian barista by
James Slaney
W
e caught up with Carina Eriksson, Store Manager at our local Caulfeild Starbucks during an unusual lull in her day. Carina grew up in Sweden and at
Carina Erikson
Photo: Glenn Owen
By Frank Jarman
the age of 19 she boldly ventured out to “My passion is travel and this year I Canada on the live-in caregiver program visited Ireland with a friend. My favouthat took her to Leamington, Ontario. rite memories are the incredibly beautiful Six months later she was country scenes on a train to Vancouver, and, of course, BC, where a Swedish single the Irish hosmother was looking for a pitality in the pubs”. Last year live-in-caregiver for her four year old son. “The first she went back to time I saw the mountains Sweden to surand the water in the heart prise her dad for of Deep Cove, I knew I was his 75th birthday by showing up home,” she says. unannounced. Carina joined the Metro Women’s soccer league Carina has and quickly distinguished been at Caulfeild herself as a striker. This Starbucks since - Carina Erikson distinction continues to2008. She startday with the North Shore ed as Assistant Manager to the Wickham Rebels, an over popular Trevor Fitzgerald. When he took 30s team. It was through a soccer contact that she on a temporary role as district manager, joined Starbucks where she moved up the she took over and has been the easy goranks, working in various positions and ing, smiling, efficient store manager ever stores across the North Shore. You may since. Perhaps it’s her Swedish roots that have seen her over the years in Deep Cove, allow her to remain unflappable, regardPark and Tilford, Esplanade or Edgemont. less of how the busy the store is.
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“The first time I saw the mountains... I knew I was home”
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A rose has simple beginnings Akin to a child at life’s door Immaculate ultimate splendour Infinity caught in the palm of your hand. Its advent is casual yet pure Symbolic of nature and love Fragile perfection and glory Eternity held in the palm of your hand. Take time to examine the scent of a rose The splendour revealed in unopened buds Tarry awhile to breathe in the beauty Share that enchantment with someone you love. Do not forget all you have is your friends Even as treasures are laid up today Savour the promise a rosebud provides Share that allurement with someone you love.
Caulfeild Village,West Vancouver 604 922 3320 Edgemont Village, North Vancouver 604 987 0104 Bring this Coupon and get 15% off on regular items and with min of $50 purchase plus a free Infrared Sauna Not valid with any other promotions, redeemable at both stores, expires Dec 31, 2014
Great atmosphere and fantastic food to entertain your co-workers, family or friends this holiday season
Book your Christmas party now! pastameli.com Reserve now 604-922-9333 as space is limited
We can provide live music and tapas for a casual get together, or a sit down dinner for a more formal party with a set menu. Or let us cater your event at your location. Please call 604-922-9333 to book now and for all inquiries.
Christmas party 2014
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November 2014