West Vancouver Beacon | November/December 2019 | Edition 37

THE No. 37

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

November/December 2019

West Coast Modernism

D

5

Community personality

8-9

Acknowledge

11

Schools

15

PG

Cork and Canvas

PG

PG

Strength and grit

PG

IN THIS ISSUE 4

Photo provided

The Strait of Georgia from above Garrow Bay.

PG

owns House II is perched atop a cliff, 120 feet above Garrow Bay. The West Coast Modern home of architect Barry Downs has been designed to meld into its natural surroundings. Its views stretch across the Strait of Georgia.

The mid-20th century marked the emergence of Arthur Erickson, Fred Hollingsworth, Ron Thom, Barry Downs and others, influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright of a prior generation. Connected indoor-outdoor spaces, large expanses of glass and the use of natural materials are hallmarks of this style, in response to the distinctive terrain, light and resources of the Pacific Northwest.

“It’s all to do with emotion and you derive that from the building and its setting,” says Downs. “The focus for me has always been the landscape, the garden, the seasonal world.”

Order of Canada recipient, Barry Downs, is featured in this edition as our Community Personality on pages 8 and 9.

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I’m sadly not my father’s daughter

TEAM

Chris Stringer

Opinion

Publisher

chrisstringer @westvanbeacon.ca

Lindy Pfeil

Lindy Pfeil Editor

M

lindypfeil @westvanbeacon.ca

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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.

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November/December 2019

y father was an athlete. A rather good one. He played provincial rugby in South Africa and was a track and field superstar. During my growing-up years, he golfed every Saturday and played tennis every Sunday. I am, in almost every respect, my father’s daughter. I have his slightly-crooked nose, his muscular legs, his stubbornness (yes, I finally admitted it) and his love of a good argument. I have his olive skin, but not his black hair or brown eyes. Nor, sadly, did I inherit his athleticism.

My own memories of school sports are somewhat traumatic. I’m not sure if things are different now, but when I attended school in South Africa, it was compulsory to participate in track and field, netball, tennis and field hockey, whether you liked it or not. I did not, and I was terrible at all of them.

My best friend, Lee-Anne, and I were bookworms. We also didn’t much like sweating. But twice a week, after school, we changed into our PE shorts and T-shirts and ran around that blasted track. We were both rule-followers and more-than-slightly competitive, so we took it seriously. We ran as fast as our little legs could go. But it was never fast enough. One of us was always last to cross the finish line. The other would

be second-last. Sometimes, gloriously, we crossed together. Tied last.

When I graduated from high school I vowed to never put myself through that kind of hell again. And I didn’t. For the next 33 years I successfully avoided any kind of athletic activity. I shook my head in confusion at ‘people who ran.’ Or walked. Henry Ford’s invention had made getting from A to B faster, more comfortable and a lot less sweaty.

There was surely no longer any need to use our legs?

And then, a few things happened, as things are wont to do.

First, there was the pilgrimage thing, which I wrote about in previous issues of the Beacon.

To be clear, though, I committed to the Camino de Santiago before I really understood that a pilgrim is someone who walks – Very Long Distances. I thankfully did survive the trek across northern Spain and I even managed to get a memoir out of it, which made it somewhat worth the effort.

The next thing that happened, was that the people I know and love started getting sick, aging, dying. The list is long: depression, suicide, heart disease, ALS, MS and, of course, cancer. It suddenly hit me – my father died when he was exactly the age I

am now. My fanatically healthy, athletic father was diagnosed with cancer at age 55.

Months later he was dead, his stubbornness no match for the disease that had approached so stealthily and ferociously. This realisation, along with the failing health of so many humans I know, made me consider – forgive my doom and gloom here – my own impending mortality. I wondered whether there was anything I could do about it.

Slow it down, somehow.

And then, the third thing happened, just days ago. An innocuous little email appeared in my inbox. It told of free introductory training sessions for over 55s, being offered by the West Van Track and Field Club in November. Once I got over the shock of being over 55, I read the email more closely. Participants who completed all six 90-minute sessions, would get a souvenir from the club. I love souvenirs.

I first heard of the West Van Track and Field Club when the Beacon did a story about our own Masters athlete, Christa Bortignon. Christa started track and field ten years ago, at age 72 and has been blazing a trail of success at various Masters Athletics events worldwide since then. I bumped into Christa one day in the Caulfeild Village parking lot. She is a tiny package of energy and grit, and I have followed

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November/December 2019

PAGE 3

Brahms, Chopin, Liszt and… Villéger chestra and conductor Clyde Mitchell.

In 2018, Antoine’s piano composition, “The Story of a Theme,” reou might, while ceived first place at wandering the BC Registered the trails near Music Teachers’ AsLighthouse Park, hear sociation (BCRMTA) classical piano mumusic writing comsic emanating from a petition. He was sehome nearby. It would lected to compete at likely be thirteen-yearthe Canadian Federation old Antoine Villéger of Music Teachers’ Assopractising scales or comciations (CFMTA) compeposing music. tition, achieving second place A graduate in Performance in his age category. This year (Recital) of the London College Antoine Villéger. of Music, University of West his “Song without Words” for London (DipLCM) and of the Royal Con- piano and orchestra received first place at servatory of Music (ARCT), Antoine has both the BCRMTA and CFMTA competibeen playing piano almost since the time tions.

In May 2019 Antoine’s choral work, he started walking. He has been composing since the age of seven. His musical “The Butterfly and the Bee,” was premiered accomplishments continue to amaze the by the Vancouver Chamber Choir conductVancouver classical music community as ed by Jon Washburn at the 14th Biennial Young Composers’ Competition where it well as his fans across Canada.

He performed his own works, “The garnered two prizes: the First Place in ElBattle” in 2015 and “Song without Words” ementary Division and a Barbara Pentland in 2018, with the Lions Gate Sinfonia or- Award for Outstanding Composition.

BY

Chris Stringer

Y

Antoine performs with the Lions Gate Sinfonia orchestra and conductor Clyde Mitchell.

The very personable Antoine chats with ease about his passion for music and his love for tennis, a hobby that allows him to burn off physical energy after the daily hours of piano practice and composition.

Photo provided

And, of course, there is schoolwork too.

We will continue to follow the progress of our neighbourhood prodigy and are certain to be hearing more about Antoine Villéger as the years ensue.

Yoga for Strength, Flexibility, Balance, Agility, & Fun Continued from page 2

her achievements over the years with awe.

I’ve lost count of the medals she’s brought home for Canada. She looks twenty years younger than her chronological age. Is track and field responsible for her vigour?

By signing up for running sessions, could I be like Christa? Eternally youthful.

Healthy. Vital. I signed up. My father would be so proud of me! And then I read the

next sentence– right after the one promising a souvenir: “Participants must be able to jog one lap without difficulty.” Jog? A lap of what? And suddenly it all came rushing back – me and Lee-Anne panting, sweating, coming last. My promise to never again run a lap of anything. Ever. What was I thinking? This is, I suspect, going to be even more traumatic than the pilgrimage.

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November/December 2019

Speed and grit in a tiny package BY

Lindy Pfeil

I

f you have been following Christa Bortignon’s story in the Beacon, you’ll know that the West Vancouverite began competing in Masters Track and Field ten years ago, at the age of 72. “I am now in the third year of my age group,” she says. “And the competition is getting tougher with the younger ones just entering my age group.” One wouldn’t know it, though, judging by her results.

The North and Central America and Caribbean Region of World Masters Athletics Championships (NCCWMA) took place in Toronto in July, with over 4000 participants.

“It was very hot, 38 degrees, with thunder and lightning,” Christa explains. This didn’t, however, slow her down. She participated in four

events and won gold in the long and triple jumps, as well as meet records, and silver in the 100 and 200 metres.

Next up was the 55+ BC Games in Kelowna in September. Christa brought home seven medals (five gold and two silver) in the 50m, 100m, 200m, long jump, triple jump, shot put and a 4x100 relay. Then it was off to the Nevada Games in Las Vegas in October, where she

racked up gold in the 50m, 100m, long jump, triple jump and the standing long jump.

Christa has just returned from the Huntsman World Senior Games (held between October 7 and 19), in St. George, Utah, with another six gold medals - in the 50m, 100m, 200m, long jump, triple jump and the standing long jump.

You are an inspiration Christa. Congratulations! You do us proud.

Photo: courtesy of Rob Jerome Rose Green and Christa Bortignon having a great time in the 100 metres. In the indoor meet in Poland earlier this year, Christa won both events. This time, in Toronto, Rose won both.

Christa’s 50m finish at the 55+ BC Games in Kelowna in September.

Photo: courtesy of Attilio Bortignon

What to do about those unpleasant thoughts and bad feelings Psyched Out Ian Macpherson

“M

y mother was the super high anxiety type who never let me out of her sight when I was young. She obsessed over all kinds of dangers, real and imaginary. I guess you could say she was a helicopter parent,” Teri told me. She went on to say that it became a great source of annoyance to her that her mother also praised her for even the most

THE

JAZUZNGE ••

trivial achievements. This had the reverse effect of making Teri doubt that she could do anything difficult. Eventually, when confronted with new challenges, anxiety would overwhelm her.

Teri’s insecurity and anxiety has interfered immensely with her sense of self worth and belief in her lovability. She ruminates about her hopeless state and suffers from bouts of depression.

Antidepressant and anti-anxiety pills are among the most prescribed in our world and Teri has “taken them all.” They are bandaids for an increasing epidemic and not very good ones at that, largely because they stop us from feeling.

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cept and embrace it. Paradoxically, when we stop trying to avoid what is controlling us, it diminishes on its own.

Teri’s next step is to align with her values rather than her negativity as the main guide to her goals. It will take commitment on her part, and support, but she knows that inviting and confronting her ‘bad’ thoughts and feelings will lead to a more realistic and selfempowered life.

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

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Even the best psychological therapies have bought into the philosophy of emotional pain avoidance. Teri has tried all those therapies too. But we have learned from trauma study that those who are brought up to be more resilient in the face of adversity are less likely to develop a post-traumatic stress injury and may even achieve post traumatic growth. As one client said, “what doesn’t kill you can make you stronger.” Unpleasant - even horrific - experience is an inescapable part of life. When we try to run from our anxiety, it follows us.

Teri has now come to believe that the most important change she can make in her life is not to try to stop her anxiety but to ac-

November/December 2019

PAGE 5

Meet local artists at Cork and Canvas BY

Elaine Grotefeld

B

eautiful Eagle Harbour Yacht Club, tucked away at the end of Eagle Harbour Road off the 5600 block of Marine Drive, might not seem a likely venue for an art event full-house. But every November, the clubhouse is transformed into a colourful art gallery and wine bar for an informal drop-in Art Social to which all are welcome. Many in our community and surrounding neighbourhoods take advantage of this unique opportunity to meet up with friends in a spectacular ocean-front venue – designed by one of our members and a work of art in itself – right here in Beacon country.

Each year, eight to ten talented artists exhibit their work, ranging from modern

abstract to stunning seascapes. A highlight of last year’s event was Bob Heinrich’s charming painting of Eagle Harbour Beach, painted en plein air earlier that year; it sold within minutes and Bob could have sold it eight times over that night.

Most of the art is available for purchase, and the artists kindly donate 10% of their sales to the junior club. These funds help with specific equipment needs. Last summer, they helped to replace the coach dinghy that some ethically challenged persons removed from the breakwater. Included in the stellar line-up this year are Danyne Johnston, Maureen Coles, Beatrice Watson, Sylvia Bayley, Ann-Marie Calder, Pat McCue and yacht club member Roman Rozumnyi, who was featured in the Beacon this time last year. A few others are to be confirmed at time of going to print.

Eagle Harbour Yacht Club just before the opening of the 2018 Cork and Canvas.

The all-important Cork is available from the club bar (credit cards only, no cash), which is manned entirely by club volunteers. Entrance to the event is free, so dropin for a quick drink, or stay the whole evening (6.30 – 9pm). This delightful event has much to recommend it on a cold, dark November night - except food, so come before or after supper! What you will find is beautiful art, well-chosen wine (or beer) and a great crowd. There’s also a special mood of celebration in the air this year as the club commemorates 50 years in operation! If you have any questions, email ehyc@ehyc. org or just drop by on the night.

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Coastal Blessings by local artist Danyne Johnston.

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Cool Breeze by local artist Danyne Johnstone.

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November/December 2019

Corner store art gallery moves on Chris Stringer

dramatic changes of the sea and sky on his canvasses. His skill evolved into powerful s a young boy, renditions of natural landgrowing up in scapes, BC coastlines, lower CaulVancouver cityscapes and yachting related themes, feild, Craig Yeats for which he became recould be found climbing over the rocks by nowned. the ocean and sailing In 1990, Craig Yeats off Lighthouse Park. opened a small art gallery in West Bay, not far from where He attended Caulfeild Elhe grew up. His work became ementary School, which is Craig Yeats. well known to the community. where he discovered that he enjoyed painting and was Photo: courtesy of vanessa@ It was not only his gallery but fortunehillphotography.ca good at it. Good enough also his studio, so customers that Alderson’s Fine Arts, could watch him work, hang the local gallery, carried his small, realistic out with him and chat. The home-grown artist’s works found their way into homes in watercolour paintings.

He developed an eye for harnessing the the neighbouring area as a result of driving BY

A

by and dropping in.

There was no internet marketing and no shopping centre location to provide walkby traffic. Julia Curphey, an artist and interior designer from the UK, met Craig and in 2000 they hatched a plan for her to share the studio and help with the sales. To begin the new millennium, and for greater visibility, the Craig Yeats Gallery relocated to Dundarave.

Nine years and three leases later, the daily commitment of a retail environment was becoming too demanding. So, sadly, the gallery closed its doors on October 27.

After 30 years, we will no longer be able to purchase Craig Yeats paintings on the street corner.

However, after a much-needed break, Craig and Julia will continue to paint and from January 2020, their art (as well as that

of fellow artists) can be purchased from their new on-line store and a studio in Whistler.

For more information, visit yeatsgallery. ca or call 604-780-8844

Julia Curphey and Craig Yeats. Photo: James Slaney

The Golden Girls meet eHarmony BY

Joy Hayden

R

ebecca thought she was secure in her apartment. After all, she’d lived there for 20 years. Yes, the building is old, but the rent is reasonable, critical for a senior on a fixed pension. Then it happened.

She received a letter saying the building had been sold and slated for demolition.

“We’ll help you find a new home,” they said, but there was nothing she could afford.

Panicking at the thought of being homeless, she reached out to Hollyburn Family

Services Society’s Seniors at Housing Risk Program.

Faced with moving seniors far from their community in an effort to find affordable housing, Hollyburn thought, “what if we connect like-minded seniors, enabling them to live together?” With seniors becoming the fastest growing homeless demographic, Hollyburn created the concept of the Seniors Roommate Registry (SRMR).

A simple idea, popular in Europe and the states, the SRMR is best described as eHarmony meets the Golden Girls.

Thousands of North Shore seniors live

alone in single detached homes and hundreds of seniors, like Rebecca, rely on risky rental housing. So Hollyburn formulated a plan to connect seniors, based on interests and compatibility, to live together while providing long term support. The goal is to provide companionship, chore sharing and someone nearby in the event of an emergency, while reducing the costs of living alone.

After two years of discussions, with many seniors wanting to register, the program proved difficult to fund. However, after a concerted effort, funding has finally

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been secured and the Seniors Roommate Registry will launch soon.

With generous support from the Housing Hub through the Social Planning and Research Council of British Columbia (SPARC BC), the West Vancouver Foundation and the Legacy Fund through St. Francis-in-the-Wood, the SRMR will move from a great concept to an innovative program that will provide housing and companionship to North Shore seniors.

For more information, contact Joy Hayden at jhayden@hollyburnsociety.ca or at 604-512-2483.

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November/December 2019

PAGE 7

West Van churches enable family reunification BY

Ann Frost

“M

ommy, why doesn’t my daddy ever pick me up at playschool?” ZuZu asked. It was September 2016 and he and his little brother and mother, Nisreen, had been in Canada for four months. They were Syrian refugees. His father, Mustapha, had stayed behind, until the safe passage of his family was assured before he embarked on the more precarious process of his departure.

In 2014, members of the three Anglican churches in West Vancouver had collaborated with the Diocese to bring Nisreen, her older sister Ranim, and their four children to Canada. Both sisters had fled from Syria to Turkey. Nisreen’s second child was born in Istanbul. Before they arrived in Canada, furniture, cloth-

ing, household goods, towels and bedding started to pour into St. Stephen’s basement and members of each parish gladly took on the responsibility for ‘settlement’ which included everything from getting the older children into school to finding doctors, dentists and other health care providers. All of the committee members were available when needed by the families and they expressed their gratitude by providing us with some of the most delicious meals we had ever tasted, often cooking enough for us to take some home.

In the meantime, Mustapha fled to Turkey to escape the Syrian military who were invading homes, seizing the men and impressing them into military camps. He regularly spoke with ZuZu and the family in Canada. And once again, members of the three churches worked with the Diocese to file all the necessary papers and finally Mustapha was notified by the Canadian Immigration Officers in Turkey to be

at the airport on September 10 of this year. Refugees must be met by someone from one of the applying churches, so Patrick Duffy collected Mustapha at the airport, taking him home for a day to catch his breath.

And then the great day! Mustapha arrived just a few days after ZuZu’s birthday. The family delayed the celebration and one little boy was over the moon to see his dad again after so long.

Mustapha is enrolled in English classes and scored very well on the compul-

sory exams. He is a lawyer and hopes to continue in that profession when he is able but in the meantime, he is anticipating finding work as a legal assistant. All of us wish this family a very happy life in Canada.

ANNE BAIRD

ANNE’S CORNER

Living together is all about flexibility

P

utting two senior lives together demands more than just financial need or a search for temporary housing. If that’s all you bring to your quest for a roommate, you’ll be disappointed.

What does it take? The most important quality, my roommate, Janice, and I have found, is being open and ready to share your personal space and life with another human being. You’ll have to be flexible. To make ad-

justments. We’ll talk more about these adjustments in future postings.

If you have decided to look for a suitable roommate, where do you begin? In my case, I posted notes on my church bulletin board, and activated my network of friends connected with hospitals, the Community Center, and the library. I placed ads on Craig’s List, and Kijiji. And Hollyburn Family Services now has a Seniors Roommate Registry.

C U S TOM PLAN

Janice responded to my Kijiji ad and arrived with impeccable credentials, including police report, credit reports, and photos of her family. Lucky me!

Go for it! Take a chance. What have you got to lose but loneliness, the scarcity of good alternative housing, and financial challenge? It might just transform your life. It transformed ours.

In her ‘Friendship cemented by butter’ article in the July 2019 edition of The Beacon, Anne told about finding herself alone, looking for a roommate and learning to live together in retirement.

In Anne’s Corner, she shares what she learned.

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November/December 2019

COMMUNITY PERSONALITY

Architecture, respectful of its natural surroundi Chris Stringer

“B

arry Downs has created architectural spaces that enhance the livability and well-being of his community. An architect and early contributor to the West Coast Modernist style, he has incorporated elements of the natural landscape into the design of his buildings. His portfolio includes a wide array of projects including houses, in-

stitutions and innovative community master plans, as well as the award-winning Rayer Residence. He has also shared his time and knowledge as a long-standing member of the City of Vancouver’s heritage and civic design panel.” Order of Canada citation for Barry Downs For the past six decades, Vancouver-born Barry Downs has adopted the philosophy of creating spaces that meld buildings with their natural surroundings here in British Columbia.

Barry’s home in West Vancouver is an example of this, as Darrin Morrison, curator of the West Vancouver Museum, so aptly describes: “It clings dramatically to a rocky

The home of Art Phillips (former Vancouver mayor), designed by Barry Downs in 1957.

Photo provided

precipice overlooking the Strait of Georgia.

The modest-scale, timber-frame house clad in cedar shingles is barely visible from the street because it blends in with the surrounding trees. However, crossing an entrance bridge descending to various levels of the house leads to the living room or, as Downs describes it, the ‘main observation space’ where the house seems to be concerned primarily with the expansive ocean views.”

A seat in the intimate living room beside the floor-to-ceiling window provides a vantage point that overlooks a 100-foot drop to the ocean waters. Somehow, a mature Douglas fir has succeeded in growing within a foot of the glass. Its wide trunk is the feeding place for bushtits and woodpeckers digging for insects. The reflecting pool nestles in a corner between the glass walls of the living and dining rooms. Its reflection magnifies the Pacific sunset over Bowen Island.

Mary and Barry have lived here since 1979. The home is known as Downs House II. Downs House I, also designed by Barry, was built in 1958 on Dunbar Street in Vancouver. Recognized by the Vancouver Heritage Foundation as a Modernist masterpiece, it connected indoor-outdoor spaces with large expanses of glass and the use of natural materials responding to the distinctive terrain, light and resources of the region.

Barry Downs was raised in Vancouver.

He attended Lord Byng High School, the University of British Columbia and the University of Washington before beginning his architectural career in 1954 with Thompson, Berwick and Pratt. The firm was not only the leading proponent of modern architecture in

Vancouver at the time, but it spurred the collaboration of some of the brightest designers of the period such as Ron Thom, Blair McDonald, Paul Merrick, Richard Mann, Arthur Erickson, Richard Archambault and Barry Downs.

“It was at this time that I began to generate drawings for mid-century modern houses,” Barry explains. “My first commission as lead architect came in 1957 from my good friend, Art Phillips, a neighborhood pal. Art went on to become Vancouver’s mayor. I went on to design 40 more homes in the lower mainland.”

With Richard Archembault, Barry formed a partnership, Downs Archembault & Partners. The iconic structures that Downs/Archambault designed (sometimes in collaboration with others) over six decades are found throughout the city and province. They include: the Vancouver Convention Centre at Canada Place, the Yaletown Roundhouse Neighbourhood, Beatty Mews, Vancouver Library Square, North Vancouver and Parkgate Civic Centres, the Sedgewick Building at the University of Victoria and Pearson College of the Pacific.

Downs received the Massey Foundation Medal and City of Vancouver citations.

He served on the city’s first Heritage Advisory Committee and his interest in building preservation, socially relevant design and

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November/December 2019

PAGE 9

ings

nd Mary

community planning heightened during the TEAM era of the 1970s. Under Downs’ direction the 1903 Carnegie Library was retrofitted as a Downtown Eastside Community Centre.

Barry served on the city of Vancouver’s design panel and, like fellow West Van architect Woodruff Wood, and Arthur Erickson, he taught at UBC. Life for Barry Downs, unbelievably, has not been all work and no play.

The family, comprised of Mary, Bill and Elizabeth, spent many weekends and summer holidays at the cottage on Bowen Island known as the “Tree House.” Bowen Island is where Barry met Mary when they were 18.

The family joined the Vancouver Lawn Tennis Club when they lived on Dunbar and they maintained that membership after moving to West Vancouver. Barry played tennis until last year at age 88.

When not working and away from the family, Barry discovered the local mountains and later sought the ‘great peaks’ of the world.

At first, he wished to capture the essence of high places on paper – to complete watercolours and ink sketches on site. He still has his first hardcover watercolour diary of 1982-83.

“One weekend when I was climbing up Goat Mountain for the umpteenth time, I met a couple of hikers who had summited the Matterhorn in Switzerland,” Barry says. “That

meeting prompted a rash of travels, hikes and stable household with young children. When climbs over the ensuing years resulting in vis- the new business required a receptionist, its to some of the world’s most dramatic sites: secretary and comptroller it was Mary who Lake O’Hara in the Canadian Rockies, Denali stepped up to the day job before the night (Mount McKinley) in Alaska, and Yosemite in job followed at home. Mary was also responCalifornia, both with my son Bill. By 1989, I sible for securing house design commissions. had visited many Whistler, Mount Baker and When Barry planned sensitive private and public client projects or Mount Rainier hiking areas. Later, with was about to embark friends and our wives, on major hikes to far we clambered over the flung places Mary’s wise counsel and suprolling peaks of Cathedral Provincial Park, port was sought and near Keremeos.” heeded. In 2020 Mary A great 22-day and Barry Downs will trek in 1992, to Nepal, celebrate their 65th Katmandu, and Tengwedding anniversary. poche Monastery,17 The year 2019 - Barry Downs miles from Everest, was marks Barry’s 65th completed. By 2000, he year practising archihad travelled with artist Doug Biden to high tecture in Vancouver during an era when places in Colorado, Mesa Verde, Peru and competing colleagues, who excel in their locally, to Helm Lake, a volcanic area below profession, respect the work of the other.

Each would attribute an influence from the Black Tusk, Whistler.

“During all these hikes (and with a few originator of their inspiration, Frank Lloyd summits reached) I kept notebooks of daily Wright, who said “buildings should serve to experiences along with pen and ink sketches,” honour and enhance the natural beauty surBarry explains. “Sometimes I wrote to reveal rounding them. I would like to have a free arhistoric, geological and vegetation aspects, chitecture, architecture that belonged where even spiritual qualities and special features you see it standing — and is a grace to the which made a visit especially worthwhile. I landscape.” considered these trips Expeditions of DisDowns, on receiving his Order of Canada covery, and they always provided astonishing from Governor General David Johnston at personal rewards.”

Rideau Hall, was cited ‘for his contributions Barry pays tribute to Mary, his life partner, as an architect who creates spaces that meld as enabling what he has been able to accom- buildings with their natural surroundings.’ plish. During the early years, as his career demanded his time, Mary maintained the

I could use some help cleaning up around my home.

“

“...meeting prompted a rash of travels, hikes and climbs...”

On-site sketch by Barry of Mount Ama Dablan, Nepal, with its main peak of 22,349 ft (17 miles from Everest).

Photos provided Barry, en route to Mount Robson, circa 1990.

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November/December 2019

As we approach Christmas many of us wonder what life is all about. We may not believe in an old man in the sky with a long beard but we can feel an Energy in this world that is greater than ourselves. Come, join a group of people to explore what gives meaning to your life and what you are a part of through the sharing of stories, mindful meditation and presence skills.

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PAGE 11

Let us acknowledge their sacrifice BY

Guy Black Recipient, Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation and the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers

O

ur veterans of both the Second World War and the Korean War fought hard and made tremendous sacrifices, and they have won the greatest level of respect and thanks we can give them.

There are two longstanding awards programmes available for these veterans. These two very special medals are the National Order of the Legion of Honour from France and the Ambassador for Peace Medal from the Republic of Korea.

The Government of France awards their highest medal to all living Canadian veterans who directly helped to liberate their country between June 6 and August 30, 1944. This medal is seldom awarded and is ranked at the very top of all medals. Along with the medal, the recipient is granted the prestigious title of Knight.

The second medal is from the Republic of Korea and it is the Ambassador for Peace, given to all Canadian Veterans who participated in the Korean War and postwar peacekeeping operations in Korea. Living veterans, or the families of veterans who have passed away, may be eligible to receive this special medal from Korea.

If you are a veteran or know someone who is, and who might be eligible for one

of these important medals, please contact Mr. Guy Black C/O 515 - 95 Moody Street, Port Moody, BC V3H0H2 or email Korea19501953@yahoo.com and include the subject “Veterans Medals.”

Photo provided The Ambassador for Peace Medal - Republic of Korea.

BRIAN POMFRET

Photo provided National Order of the Legion of Honour - France.

JOE GARDENER

Create drama in your garden with lighting Tasks to consider during the rainy days of November: • Cut your remaining perennials down to the ground and compost them but leave the ferns till February. Do the same with ornamental grasses as some have great winter appeal.

• Dahlias should be dug up, sorted and stored in a cool dark place.

• Clean up beds and mulch shrubs with a good compost you have perhaps made over the summer months.

• This is a good time to take inventory of your garden tools and take care to sharpen them so that you are ready in spring.

• Give your roses a final deadheading and a light pruning. Maybe apply a bit of dolomite lime to the soil.

• It’s never too late to aerate your lawns and apply dolomite lime to help the lawn through the winter rains.

• Consider garden lighting! This is one of the best ways to cre-

ate drama in your garden during those long winter nights.

Uplight trees and flood shrubs and ground cover.

Tasks to consider during chilly December: • This is a great time (if the ground is not frozen) to divide and replant your perennials like hosta. Put them on a bench and very carefully, with your hands not a tool, separate the root matter.

• Check on your stored dahlia tubers etc. and discard any that look infected. Store in a cool dark place with a bit of dry soil or straw.

• What a great time to select and plant new trees and shrubs, especially evergreen for winter appeal, if the weather permits, as there is less stress to the plant, giving it time to adjust.

• Your hellebores are preparing to bloom! Trim back the leaves,

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actually cut them all, to show off the blossoms as they lie hidden.

• Rake up and destroy any fallen rose leaves to prevent onset of disease in spring.

• Spread some leaf mould to protect the crowns of some of the more tender plants.

• Don’t forget the birds! Maybe set out a bird bath and definitely visit specialty stores to learn the best food for your neighbourhood.

“At Amici restaurant we specialize in old world Italian cooking, where the food is plentiful and delicious! You want Italian?

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12

November/December 2019

Horseshoe Bay Ferry terminal redevelopment BY

Carrie McIntosh

T

he time has come to rethink the Horseshoe Bay Ferry terminal, from the services it provides to the functionality and aesthetic of its design.

Community input will be the cornerstone of the short- and long-term efforts on the site and will help to shape the future design and function of the terminal.

Efforts to engage the public are ongoing, to better understand the role the terminal plays in community life, commuting and travel experiences, and to gather input on the community’s vision for the Horseshoe Bay Ferry terminal of the future.

The fourth phase of engagement took place between September 16 and October

13. It provided various terminal concepts to customers and community members to gather their feedback on two phases of potential development: Phase 1: Efficiency upgrades to help people move more easily to and through the terminal. This includes the addition of a second exit road from the terminal along with marine infrastructure and road network changes to make marine and vehicle traffic flow more efficiently.

Implementation of this phase is expected to begin within the next five years.

Phase 2: Creating a community and transportation hub at the terminal. This includes redevelopment of the terminal building, with the introduction of public plaza space, integration with the waterfront park, connection with the Spirit

Depiction of Phase 1 of the Ferry terminal development.

Photo provided

Trail, and a focus on creating easier movement between the terminal and the Village. This phase will be implemented over time, with a 10+ year horizon.

Engagement activities included a community open house, onboard engagement activities, and two stakeholder workshops that brought diverse groups of people together for in-depth discussions about the draft terminal concepts. Workshops included residents and business owners from the Horseshoe Bay community, Sunshine Coast, Bowen Island, and the District of West Vancouver, representatives from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI), Lyft ride hailing, cycling advocates and many others.

The feedback gathered during the engagement process is presently being

Carrie McIntosh is Manager, Engagement with BC Ferries.

The potential appearance of the terminal during Phase 2 of the development.

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reviewed and analyzed and a report will be provided to communities later this month. This information will help to further refine the draft terminal concepts.

Next year, the approved preferred concepts will be shared and these will be included in the Terminal Development Plan for Horseshoe Bay, a 25-year vision for the terminal that guides its development over the long term.

BC Ferries is, as always, grateful for the community’s involvement in helping to shape the plans for the future of this important terminal. More information on the project can be found at www.bcferries.com/about/hsbterminal.

Photo provided

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November/December 2019

Pumpkin Scon es with Chai G laze

HOME & LIVING

Pumpkin scones for self-love Cooking with Chlo Chloé Noël

T

his is the season of change, and the transition from sunset dips in the ocean to evening walks wrapped in a knit blanket can be tough. For many people in my life, fall means back to the daily grind as it is the beginning of a new school year. This transition has been particularly difficult for me this year, being a first year teacher! After weeks of working eleven-hour days, planning on the weekend and having classroom stuff consistently occupying my thoughts, I completely burnt out. And I recognized how important it is to deliberately and consistently care for ourselves in order to maintain a demanding schedule.

I have been explicitly working out and doing things that I enjoy to ensure that I

PAGE 13

2 cups (250g) all-pur pose flour (spoon & leveled) 2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup (115g) unsa lted butter, frozen 1/3 cup + 2 Tablesp oons (105ml) heavy cream, divided 1 large egg

can be the best version of myself for my little monkeys. One of those acts of self-love was doing something I enjoy while creating something I was very excited to consume: pumpkin scones with a chai glaze. Despite being a basic fall dessert, the fluffy texture and the blend of the pumpkin spice and chai flavor profiles makes these scones an irresistibly heartwarming treat.

1/2 cup (115g) cann ed pumpkin puree 1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar 1 teaspoon pure va nilla extract optional: coarse suga r for sprinkling on to p before baking

CHAI GLAZE 1 cup confectioners’ sugar 4 Tablespoons of cre am 1 chai tea bag (not th e concentrate!)

Preheat oven to 400°F. Ad just baking rack to the mi parchment paper. Whisk ddle-low position. Line one the Grate the butter (this wo flour, baking powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie or two large baking sheets with spice, and salt together rks better if the butter is in frozen). Add the grated with a pastry cutter, a for butter to the flour mixtu a large bowl. k, or your fingers until the re and combine it 1/3 cup (75ml) heavy cre mixture comes together am in over the flour mixture an , the egg, pumpkin, brown sugar, and vanilla ext pea-sized crumbs. Set aside. Whisk d then mix it all together ract together in a small bowl. Drizzle it until everything appears dough into a ball as best you can and transfer on moistened. With floure d hands, work the to a floured work surfac very sharp knife, cut int e. Press into a neat 8-inch o 8 equal wedges. Place disc and, with a scone a pastry brush, brush sco nes with remaining heavy s at least 2 inches apart on the prepared bakin g sheet(s). Using cream and sprinkle with Bake the scones for 20-25 coarse sugar, if desired. minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from minutes as you prepare the oven and allow to coo the glaze. l for a few Make the glaze: In a sm all saucepan over low he at, colour, remove from he at and begin whisking in heat the cream with a chai tea bag. Once the cre am the icing sugar one tables Scones are best enjoyed poon at a time. Drizzle ove is a dark tan right away, though leftov r warm scones. er scones keep well at roo two extra days. m temperature or in the refrigerator for

Chloé is a part time vegetarian who tends to overshare and overeat.

Decadent pumpkin scones. Photo provided

EXPRESS THE VERY BEST OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN

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ISLAND PACIFIC SCHOOL

25

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CELEBRATING

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edited Independent Schools

islandpacific.org

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14

November/December 2019

SCHOOLS

The gift of honey bees BY

Julia McCaig Director of Development & Alumni Engagement, IPS

I

n June 2019 the grade 9 graduating class of Island Pacific School (IPS) created a legacy gift to promote the positive impact they will have in “paying it forward” to the IPS community. A Beewatch Interior honey bee hive was installed in the school and filled with a healthy colony of honey bees. This was the first class to intentionally leave IPS with a legacy gift. An innovative, extraordinary apiary.

This gift to the community is multidimensional. Not only do the grade 9 students benefit in feeling the spirit of such a gift, but future generations of students and community members of IPS will get to learn and experience the significance

of the honey bee right before their eyes.

The hive continues the honey bee lifecycle in perpetuity by sending half the colony and queen off to build a new hive annually.

The hive was installed, and will be maintained, by Magalee Chemali and Norm Schenck of Beewatch. Funding for the project was provided by two graduating IPS families. A grade 8 family has committed to champion the hive inspiring the same of each succeeding class.

Just like the honey bees, they are striving to sustain and perpetuate for future generations.

The hive, combined with the newlyinstalled pollinator garden, promotes sustainable strategies to help the bees and the environment. Watching the bees ultimately leads to watching out for the bees.

The interior honey bee hive installed at Island Pacific School.

WILD LIFE IN WEST VANCOUVER Through her illustrated artwork local writer Elspeth Bradbury gives voice to our animals stories and opinions.

Wednesday, November 20 | 1:00pm ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH 885 22nd Street, West Vancouver IPS students investigating the honey bee hive installed in the school. Photos: courtesy of Island Pacific School

All are welcome!

CELEBRATE THE HOLID Y SEASON HANDEL’S MESSIAH

NOV 29

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November/December 2019

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November/December 2019

Offered at $4,680,000 | 6 bed | 8 baths | 6,148 sqft | 22,651.20 sqft lot 6459 MADRONA CRES, HORSESHOE BAY

WEST VANCOUVER

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3 bedroom Children’s wing and media/play room. 2 levels with basement storage, includes family room, sauna, wine bar, and outdoor patio with soaring ceilings and built-in BBQ. Over 1/2 acre of land and all-day East to West light, easy care front gardens and flat driveway entry. Air conditioning, Heat-recovery system, and in-floor heating. Walk one block to Rockridge school bus, walking distance to award winning Gleneagles Elementary school, Gleneagles Community Centre, Golf Course and Horseshoe Bay. Enjoy this safe, friendly neighbourhood and all the local amenities it has to offer including superb local restaurants and the soon-to-be Horseshoe Bay revitalized streetscape and ocean-side Park. 10 minutes drive to Park Royal and Lions Gate Bridge. Close to Marina, 3 minute drive to Caulfeild shopping centre.

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