West Vancouver Beacon | September/October 2019 | Edition 36

THE No. 36

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

September/October 2019

Caulfeild is 120 years old

I

n 1899 Caulfeild founder, Francis William Caulfeild, purchased the land that later took his name. He donated the waterfront parkland, from Caulfeild Cove to Tiddly Cove, where this memorial is erected.

Read about Caulfeild’s origins on pages six and seven.

7

Community personality

8-9

Home & Living

13

Under Paris Skies

14

September 26th 7:30 PM

Award winning chanteuse Edie Daponte brings Edith Piaf to life for an unforgettable evening of music and entertainment inspired by Paris!

Centennial Theatre 2300 Lonsdale Ave. North Vancouver

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“A true talent!” - Robyn Burns, CBC Radio

A culinary competition

PG

Travel

PG

PG

Miss BC Pageant

PG

IN THIS ISSUE 5

Photos provided

Caulfeild monument and memorial inscription (inset), August 2019.

PG

Laying of the memorial circa 1934, with Reeve Joe Leyland, William Dickenson and James Duncan.

Photo: courtesy of Joseph B. Leyland Fonds and WV archives 174 wva.ley

www.nvrc.ca Edie.ca

604-984-4484

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TEAM

Chris Stringer

On finding Home in the library Opinion

Publisher

chrisstringer @westvanbeacon.ca

Lindy Pfeil

Lindy Pfeil Editor

lindypfeil @westvanbeacon.ca

Penny Mitchell Advertising

pennymitchell @westvanbeacon.ca

Melissa Baker Creative Director

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

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

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

For advertising queries, please e-mail the Director of Marketing: pennymitchell@westvanbeacon.ca For all other queries, please e-mail the Publisher: chrisstringer@westvanbeacon.ca

September/October 2019

I

became a mother with very little forethought. And while I loved my children, I didn’t really know what to do with them. My own mother’s advice was not terribly useful. “They’ll be living with you for at least 18 years,” she said. “You might as well make it as pleasant as possible. Train them to enjoy what you enjoy.”

So, we read. Every day, for as long as I can remember. With a child in each armpit, I read Dr Seuss, Richard Scarry, Enid Blyton, the Brothers Grimm. Every now and then I snuck in a big-person book. Sometimes one of the children would fall asleep, head heavy on my chest. Sometimes both. I carried on reading.

When our children were three and five years old, we immigrated, bringing only our suitcases with us to Canada. The first thing we did was join the library. This is not an exaggeration. We had library cards before we had beds. We visited the library at least two or three times a week. And over the years, we discovered the other secrets it holds.

Story time. Technology. Readings. Conversations. Community.

More recently, twenty-one years after leaving South Africa, I participated in a tea circle at the West Vancouver Memorial Library. In the room were newcomers to Canada, as well as those who had been born and

All editions of The Beacon (beginning in September 2013), can also be read online at: www.westvanbeacon.ca.

raised here. I left that circle wishing that everyone in our community could share their stories of home and belonging.

And now we can.

West Vancouver Memorial Library is inviting us all to participate in One Book, One Community, an inaugural district-wide reading and discussion program that encourages West Vancouverites to come together and explore ideas by reading Homes: A Refugee Story by Abu Bakr al Rabeeah and Winnie Yeung. It is the true story of how a young Syrian boy, Abu Bakr al Rabeeah, emerged from a war zone and found safety in Canada. It was born out of an unlikely connection between Rabeeah and his English teacher, Winnie Yeung, who turned Rabeeah’s story into a book.

“We chose this hopeful title for the launch of One Book, One Community because it really captures the spirit and purpose of the program: to explore our commonalities, discuss our differences and inspire openness, respect and curiosity,” says Tara Matsuzaki, Acting Head of Community and Customer Experience.

Everyone in West Vancouver is invited to participate by reading independently, attending a Library Book Chat or discussing Homes with their own book club this year.

Copies of the book and a supporting guide are available at the library’s Information Desk. Book chats, led by library facilitators, provide the opportunity to talk about the compelling themes in Homes, make new connections, share stories and learn about the cultural diversity of West Vancouver.

They take place in the Welsh Hall on Sat-

urday, September 21, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Thursday, October 10, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. and Wednesday, October 23, 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Homes was a finalist for both the 2018 Governor General’s Literary Award for Non-fiction and Canada Reads 2019. I downloaded the e-book from the library and read it in one afternoon, realising, again, how lucky I am to call this community ‘home.’

One Book, One Community is a key component of the Library’s Shared Journeys initiative, a new program that embraces West Vancouver’s rich cultural diversity, bringing people together through stories, conversation and activities. Its goal is to engage people in conversation, create new connections and build a strong, united community.

For more information, or to register for a Library Book Chat, please visit wvml.ca/ sharedjourneys.

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

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An inspirational life is inspired by youth BY

Chris Stringer

P

eter Chisholm has worked with the Youth Outreach program and his team of youth workers in West Vancouver for 21 years.

A passionate outdoorsman, Peter graduated from the University of Calgary in 1988 with a BA in Physical Education and wound up in his dream job in West Vancouver ten years later. He says, “I strongly believed that my skill set, which includes working with emotionally troubled youth and connecting through positive recreational activities like mountain biking, camping, canoeing and skiing would be my calling.”

From 1992 to 1998 Peter prepared for his role here by working at the Maples Adolescent Treatment Centre as a child care counsellor. This program served youth who were experiencing significant mental

health challenges, substance misuse and emotional trauma.

“I discovered working with adolescentaged children, while exhausting and difficult at times, provides many moments of immense satisfaction. Watching a young person resiliently develop the capacity to address the issues in their lives is an honour,” Peter says.

Most young people, Peter soon realized, benefit from having a significant adult outside of the family unit that they can trust.

Someone who notices them in community and is available to listen to what they have to say.

Peter believes that, through his work, he has developed insight into himself that has enabled him to grow as a person.

In 2009 Peter suffered a spinal cord injury while whitewater kayaking in the canyon section of the Seymour river. He was paralyzed from the chest down and diagnosed as a C7 quadriplegic. “Surviving the incident was due to the heroic efforts of my

“

friends and paddling mates, Ian Collings, Kyle Dunn, James Mole and the North Vancouver Fire Service’s Lynn Valley station,” Peter acknowledges. “The selfless acts of these men is why I survived.”

The rehabilitation process took five grueling months of physical and emotional work. But he was back working with the DWV youth services team within the year. “The journey continues,” Peter says.

“I learned that fear, resentment and anger are not emotions you experience when you take the time to be grateful for what’s positive in your life.”

He regularly goes riding on his hand cycle, and occasionally swims and skis. He recently purchased a device that allows him to explore trails in his wheelchair.

Peter participated in this year’s Rotary Ride for Rescue up Cypress Mountain.

Because he uses his arms to peddle, Peter started his ride at the Vancouver Lookout at the first switchback, approximately nine kilometres into the race. He has participat-

ed in every Ride for the past six years with his youth team.

Nineteen years ago, James Healy joined Peter’s youth outreach programs at the age of 13. He attributes his passion for the outdoors to Peter, with whom he once shared a canoe for eight days. “I consider Peter, together with my dad, to be one of the real influential men in my life,” says James. “Peter invested hours of selfless time just listening and being there for us.”

Jan Riddell, who has worked with Peter in the youth program for 20 years, echoes James’ sentiments. “Peter has been a powerful role model for youth in West Vancouver for many years,” she says. “He works tirelessly to foster support for LGBTQ2s youth in our community. He engages clients in meaningful community projects.

He supports many youth clients whose life circumstances are very challenging. Those youth are inspired by Peter. Then again, who wouldn’t be?”

“...fear, resentment and anger are not emotions you experience when you take the time to be grateful for what’s positive in your life”.

- Peter Chisholm

Board games at the West Van Community Centre Youth Room with Mehrshad Mottahed and Nick Rouben.

Peter on his bicycle at the Ride for Rescue.

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September/October 2019

IPS teacher receives Prime Minister’s award BY

Scott Herrington

Head of Island Pacific School

I

PS assistant head, teacher Jennifer Henrichsen, has been awarded The Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Since 1993, this award has recognized exceptional elementary and secondary school teachers in all disciplines with over 1,500 teachers honoured to date. Jennifer is one of 25 award winners across Canada and was recognized for her leadership and exemplary teaching practices including Digital and Creative Literacy in the Classroom, Innovative and Exemplary Teaching Practices, Support Student Success and Skills Develop-

ment, Global Citizenship and Community Involvement, and Commitment and Leadership.

On a daily basis, Jennifer finds ways to channel her passion for teaching into rich and meaningful learning experiences that inspire students to express the very best of what it means to be human. She is a consummate professional whose work embodies IPS’s strong foundation of wisdom, courage and integrity.

Jen is a superb role model for the students in her charge, the staff and teachers she leads, as well as the parents she engages with on a daily basis. Congratulations Jen! Photo provided Pamela Goldsmith-Jones presents IPS Assistant Head of School, Jennifer Henrichsen, with the award.

Keep your eye on the road ahead Psyched Out Ian Macpherson

T

here once was a woman named Edith who sang that she had no regrets.

Many of us appreciate the sentiment: not much pleasure in agonizing over our failures. But if we really don’t care about our missteps, can we learn anything from them? A negative experience can help us change direction, particularly when we’re younger. But in later years, when we realize that the time for making changes is running out, with regret taking over, another attitude is useful.

It is usually not the things we have done

that bother us as much as the things we have not done - the opportunities that we have missed. Middle-aged Eric believes that happiness has eluded him because he settled down with his high school sweetheart, Susan, instead of exploring other possibilities, particularly the vivacious Sophie who seems to loom larger in his mind these days, exacerbating his discontent and negative comparisons with his chosen life partner.

Then there is ‘empty nest’ Amanda. If only she had continued her studies instead of moving with her mate to the other side of the country to support his career. She always put him first but now she believes she knows what should have happened to prevent the resentful state in which she finds herself.

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external cause (or person) did not conspire to rob us of our true path to happiness. But while we are feeling martyred and licking our wounds, we would do better to recognize that our memories of the crossroads of our past are notoriously unreliable.

Our memories are not in some neurological filing cabinet but are in fact dynamic and changeable. Memories can be confabulated or distorted as a result of intense emotions.

We are even susceptible to ‘false memory syndrome,’ believing that something occurred to us when it actually did not. These distortions are not intentional - not lies.

We can better evaluate our historical choices when our perspective does not exclude the important emotional conditions that existed at that time. The more attuned we are to our emotional needs, especially those

related to our vulnerabilities, the less we are likely to continue to be victims of regret.

People make choices that make the most sense to them from all that is emotionally impacting them at the time. Eric and Amanda are creating a ‘should have been’ past based partly on present dissatisfactions. However, this is not how they felt when they made their fateful decisions. Our regretful friends simply would not have taken a different path because they could not have.

The real challenge is to confront our dissatisfactions in the present. It is always healthier and more productive to keep your eye on the road ahead than to drive staring at the rearview mirror.

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

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My experience participating in Miss BC BY

Rose Lepin

Miss Teen Greater Vancouver

M

iss BC is not your average beauty pageant. It has a strong emphasis on charity, diversity and community. I love everything it stands for, and after reading through their website, I applied.

Going into the interview I knew very little, and was nervous at the thought that it could be toxic. However, the minute I sat down for the interview I could feel the love that I would later learn Miss BC greatly possessed. Miss BC gave me the opportunity to shatter the norms and let my message of positive body image and self-love be heard.

The interview questions had nothing to do with modelling or pageant background; they wanted to know why we had decided to participate and what we could bring to

the table. I was able to express that, as early as we can understand, society creates a negative body image that is thrust onto us from all angles: offensive comedy, lack of representation and being presented with an image of what we ‘should’ look like and how to achieve that.

Within five minutes of the thirty minute interview, I was informed that I had been accepted, and was obviously ecstatic!

Pageant weekend (Canada Day Weekend) was full of long days, packed with learning and bonding. There were inspiring panels and courses teaching us various life skills such as interviewing, public speaking, and my personal favourite, self-defence. In addition, we had a private interview with the judges. The weekend ended in a recorded show, including a brief introduction of yourself, your sponsor and city, a creative presentation of a sport that interests you and a walk in your gown to

Rose being crowned Miss Teen Greater Vancouver at Langley Fine Arts School on Canada Day.

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Then they announced the top 16. I was the fifteenth name called. All 16 of us backstage were definitely nervous. We were about to get asked our self-written onstage interview questions and have the opportunity to speak openly about our platforms.

After each of us had had our turn, there was a brief intermission for the judges to

deliberate. Then came the crowning. West Vancouver was definitely represented as I won Miss Teen Greater Vancouver and Aria, a fellow West Vancouver resident, was crowned Miss Teen BC. Miss BC was a phenomenal experience that I would highly encourage anyone interested in improving their public speaking and confidence to enter!

Rose Lepin, Miss Teen Greater Vancouver.

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September/October 2019

THE BEACON IS 6 YEARS OLD THIS MONTH! Our first edition, as displayed in this original front page, described how we came to be Caulfeild with the “e” before the “i.” It told how the founder, Francis Caulfeild, modelled Caulfeild village after his own English village of Clovelly, complete with the village church.

An introduction to Clovelly, its long history and what it is like today, follows on the next page.

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TRAVEL

Clovelly, an English village BY

Chris Stringer

W

hile the village of Caulfeild boasts over 100 years of history, Clovelly’s Norman origins make it almost 1000. Located in North Devon, where it is perched perilously on the edge of a cliff with its cobbled lanes and meandering paths, Clovelly overlooks the Celtic Sea. The original fishing village of Clovelly is entered through the doors of a tourist centre where, upon paying a fee, a walkway descends into trees and shrubs. Occasional openings in the trees overlook beautiful vistas of the sea and an unspoiled coastline hundreds of feet below. There is no choice but to follow the path as it winds its way down to the cobblestoned main street that is, in fact, the only street. It drops straight down between quaint fishermen’s cottages and tiny dwellings before a series of hairpin bends takes it to its waterfront destination, after 400 precipitous feet. It is here where fishermen, over the centuries, set sail on their daily missions.

No wheeled transportation could possibly manoeuvre its way here, so it is limited to pedestrians and donkeys. These beasts of burden carried the initial building materials for the village in the middle ages and later transported goods and supplies in, and rubbish out. Today donkeys are the trademark Clovelly tourist attraction, taking children for joy rides. Residents, merchants and guests carry their groceries, supplies and luggage up and down the cobblestones on sledges.

A village steeped in history, one story ily members that were the original Lords relates that it was owned by the wife of Wil- of the Manor for over 600 years. All Saints liam the Conqueror and it is listed in the Church, dating back to late Norman times, displays clear signs of a supportive paDomesday Book. Since the 13th cenrishioner base from Clovelly and tury the village has been in the hands of just three families, nearby villages.

This peaceful haven reone of which, the Hamlyns, sembles more closely the have owned it since 1738. lower Caulfeild village A descendent, Hon. that Francis Caulfeild John Rous, runs the entire village operations. patterned. We should be thankful for his seRous lives in Clolection of the kinder, velly Court, a manor gentler Skunk (Tiddly) house and estate that is Cove for our own seaside secluded from the busy neighbourhood. Our parkfishing village below. Its land areas and trails, with several acres of beautiful easy access to undulating English gardens with wisTrademark Clovelly donkey. rocks, harmonizing with the teria arches, assorted roses accessible sea, are in direct and multitudes of perennials are the trademark of successive gar- contrast to the challenges of ‘mountaineerdeners’ traditional care. The gardens flow ing’ down and then up a cascading cobbleinto the well-maintained church cemetery stone street encased in the clutter of little containing several monuments of the fam- buildings that is spectacular Clovelly.

Windowed vistas of the shoreline while descending to Clovelly village.

All Saints, Clovelly dates back to the 1200s.

Ascending Main Street.

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September/October 2019

COMMUNITY PERSONALITY

Geoff Jopson, a passion for community Chris Stringer

G

eoff Jopson grew up in West Vancouver in the 1950s and 60s. He attended Pauline Johnson, Inglewood Junior Secondary and West Van High before earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a teaching certificate at UBC. He taught in East Vancouver schools, progressing later to counselling. “I very much enjoyed working in support of youth who were struggling in school and in their community, and as a result enrolled in a new program at the University of London, designed for educators seeking innovative

strategies to deal with inner city issues.”

Geoff completed his Master of Arts in 1979 and on his return was asked to take a district administrative position in Student Services at the Vancouver School Board, where he worked for the next eighteen years.

In 1997, Geoff was pleased to accept a position as Director of Instruction with the West Vancouver School District, his home community. In 2002 he was appointed District Superintendent until his retirement in 2011. His successor is present Superintendent/CEO, Chris Kennedy.

These were Chris’s comments when he assumed his new position: “I am really lucky.

I have had the chance to spend the last 14 months apprenticing for my new role as Superintendent with one of the finest and most thoughtful educational leaders in our province.

Geoff with his two sons, Brent (left) who lives in Milan and Marc, now living in Berlin.

Photo provided

From early days as a high school teacher in Vancouver to returning to the community of his youth, West Vancouver, where he has spent the last eight years as Superintendent of Schools, establishing a level of excellence that is the envy of district leaders across the country, Geoff has built an amazing reputation.

While many have benefitted from Geoff ’s wisdom, probably none more than I, having spent the last three years working beside, and with, an exceptional mentor.

Geoff has led by example. He realized his role was to lead learning, and to do that he surrounded himself with the brightest people he could find. While others might be intimidated by a strong supporting cast, he saw it as a sign of strength. Geoff always focused on making decisions that were not in his best interest, but in the district’s interest. He also realized, while we work for individual Boards, we have a responsibility to the larger collective in this province and, to this end, Geoff included a stint as British Columbia School Superintendent Association President.

For Geoff, it has been 38 years of commitment to public education. He leaves the West Vancouver School District as the highest-performing school district in BC. Thank you, Geoff – you have been a good mentor and a better friend. The students, staff and community in West Vancouver, have been lucky as well.”

Geoff continued his involvement in public education for an additional five years, serving as mentor to newly appointed superintendents across the province on a contract with the BC School Superintendents’ Association.

Since retirement, life for Geoff Jopson has been busy. He has been actively involved on the board of the West Vancouver Foundation since 2011, serving as chair of the board from 2014–2016. In January, Geoff concluded eight years of service to the West Vancouver Memorial Library, both as a trustee on the Library Board and, for three years, as a Director of the Memorial Library Foundation. Geoff began playing golf at Gleneagles as a teenager, and today is an active member of the Gleneagles

Some of the members of the Gleneagles Men’s Golf Club following a tournament.

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At Ambleside Beach with two of his three grandchildren, Ben (left) and Nick.

Men’s Club, where he has enjoyed his role Vancouver. But I personally think one of as club captain for the past two seasons. the most amazing of these is Geoff Jopson.

He served as strategic advisor to Mary- I don’t know of too many people who have Ann Booth in all three of her recent elec- led organizations as successfully as he, tion campaigns, and with modesty but continues to be a determination and driving force behind grit. He is the kind the efforts of a small of man that makes volunteer comthings happen. mittee determined Who else could to build the West have got the Gover- Nancy Farran Vancouver Place for nor General to the Sport (www.wvpfs.

Kay Meek theatre org). A long-time Gleneagles resident, to celebrate the establishment of the FounGeoff today serves on both the Gleneagles dation’s Smart & Caring Fund?

Community Centre Advisory Committee Geoff has been an amazing mentor to and the Horseshoe Bay Local Area Advi- me. He knows how to support without taksory Roundtable. ing over, giving his mentees space to grow.

Mary-Ann Booth tells of her associa- He is the voice that synthesizes information with Geoff: “I first met Geoff over tion and creates a cogent comment at just 15 years ago when he was Superinten- the right moment and in just the right way. dent of Schools and I was PAC Chair at Geoff is principled, kind, generous, Ecole Pauline Johnson. Since then he thoughtful, and warm. He loves his wife has become a good friend and mentor, and family and is there for them. The world and someone whom I admire greatly. He needs more Geoffs!” brought an entrepreneurial spirit to our Geoff met his late wife, Dorothy, in high school system: increasing enrollment, school, and together they raised two sons: improving finances and elevating student Brent presently lives in Milan and Marc in achievement, all to the highest levels. He Berlin. Ten years ago Geoff married Alison understands and cares deeply about this and became step-father to her three adult community. I have learned so much from children: Clare and James live in VancouGeoff - his values and wisdom have in- ver and Julius lives in Hong Kong with their spired me to be my best.” three grandchildren. As you can imagine, The current board chair of the West Geoff and Alison travel extensively to stay Vancouver Foundation, Nancy Farran, in touch with family.

Alison has been involved in local theatre says: “We have an amazing array of talented, smart, thoughtful, switched on people and film for many years and is now presiwe call friends and neighbours in West dent of Theatre West Van. Geoff laughs as

“

“The world needs more Geoffs!”

he says, “she persuaded me to try acting once. I was a dismal failure and was never invited again. I prefer to remain behind the scenes, I guess.”

For Geoff, “a perfect summer day is 9 holes of golf at Gleneagles and an afternoon in the garden.” Home is a nine iron away from the golf course, where consecutive inscriptions on a handsome silver cup in the Clubhouse lobby are evidence of his two club championship wins.

With Gleneagles Ch’axay Elementary School immediately adjacent to the golf course, Geoff initiated a program to introduce the game to all students in grades 4 – 7. Volunteers from the Men’s and Women’s Club work alongside the club professional

t o teach the basics of the game, hoping that the students will take it up. “I think it is a wonderful game for young people. It’s social, it’s safe and it values honesty and has a long tradition of etiquette.”

When asked about his passion, after a fraction of hesitation, Geoff responds, “building community is my passion.”

Photo provided Four friends from West Van High’s class of 1966 hiking around Malta. From left/ Mike Walden, Gerry Humphries, Geoff and Duncan Kippan.

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September/October 2019

FROM THE INKWELL

The End David Roberts

T

hey made an odd couple. She was tall, raw-boned and energetic and had run a successful antique business in Vancouver. A woman of deeply held conservative opinions, she had been known to send packing, and in tears, any charity canvasser who knocked on her front door. Except that she was tall, rather than stout, she bore some resemblance to Gertrude Stein. Authoritative, with an artistic flair, she had filled their house with exquisite furniture and paintings that any gallery would envy. She was kind, despite her reactionary views—frequently expressed

the penny mitchell group

and strongly reminiscent of the more reactionary of Charles Dickens’ villains.

She had never learned to drive. At the height of her business career, and tired of riding buses and paying taxi fares, she had advertised for a chauffeur. Stewart Gordon responded to the ad. She hired him and he faithfully drove her around, ran errands for her, and delivered and picked up antiques traded in the course of her business. Stewart was some years younger than Olive, though when we came to know them it was difficult to guess their ages. Either could have been any age between fifty and seventy. Stewart was American and had served a term (apparently as a cook) in the US Navy. This was surprising, as he was well read, had evidently benefited from a good education, and had a sensitive appreciation of the arts. He did not exhibit the normal attributes one would expect in an American ex-serviceman. Shorter than Olive, he was mildly overweight and prone to limp-wristed gestures, with a voice to match.

After several years of an employer/employee relationship, they married and moved into the little house, tucked in between the beach and the road, at the head of Caulfeild Cove. Local speculation had them either sleeping in separate rooms, or in the same room in separate beds (or in an emperorsized double bed); nobody knew for sure.

They certainly seemed to live together in contented retirement, though their relationship, as viewed by the Caulfeild villagers, appeared more akin to that of brother and sister than a married couple.

For years, they would throw a grand

Photo provided

The little house at the head of the cove.

Christmas party, their dining table groaning with a sumptuous feast of Christmas fare.

Stewart would never admit to cooking any of it. He served drinks in liberal proportions, and we all ate and drank and shouted at each other, as one does at parties held in a confined space. There was always a lively log fire—the logs garnered off the beach and dried over the summer. Stewart’s loud and slightly effeminate voice could be readily heard above the hubbub, chatting up the local ladies and plying his guests with drinks.

Stewart collected ducks. Every morning, at exactly eight o’clock, he would stride out onto his deck, and quacking loudly, would fling handfuls of birdseed out onto the beach, attracting flocks of merganser, goldeneye, bufflehead and scoters, which would come winging in for breakfast—summoned by the sound of Stewart’s voice. The downside of this avian charity was that the exercise also attracted an unwelcome population of rats.

This did not go down well with the neighbourhood, and the local Home Hardware store experienced a sharp increase in the sale of rat-traps and poison. Stewart waged an incessant and unsuccessful war against the rats, but he refused, against all the frequently expressed entreaties to desist, to give up his morning ritual of breakfast with the birds.

The Gordons lived their peaceful and un-

eventful lives for upwards of forty years at the head of Caulfeild Cove. We all grew fond of them. They never crossed the threshold of the little Anglican church, only a stone’s throw across the green from their house, though they always invited the vicar to their parties.

They both grew old and frail, and the east wind got into their bones. Stewart developed diabetes and was eventually forced to take to a wheel- chair. One by one, they found themselves relinquishing the little pleasures in life, each insignificant in itself, that made for a contented retirement. Olive grew increasingly fragile, and they were finally driven to give up their Christmas parties.

After a lingering illness, Olive died. The funeral, attended by most of the neighbourhood, was a graveside service in the West Vancouver Cemetery, conducted by the Anglican vicar. We all crowded around for this rite of passage of our old friend. Stewart, silent in his wheelchair, was clutching a longstemmed red rose. The service wound to an end with the traditional casting of earth onto the coffin. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. There was a moment’s silence. Stewart wheeled his chair up to the side of the grave. He shouted at the top of his voice, “Goodbye my Darling!

God bless you!” Then he flung the rose into the grave. We all wept.

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September/October 2019

PAGE 11

BRIAN POMFRET

JOE GARDENER

Time to deadhead, dig up and divide September is often the loveliest month of the year, unusually warm in the daytime with the tinge of dampness at night signaling the end of summer. Late-blooming perennials are showing off including Japanese anemone, dahlias, chrysanthemums and sedums.

Tasks to consider: • Give hedges a final light trim so that new growth can harden off in time before frost.

• Aerate lawns and apply a turf mix top dressing and overseed as the cooler weather is better for seed germination.

• Divide irises by digging up and carefully separating the rhizomes from the centre section and plant them with the top of the rhizome just showing.

• I f you have summer blooming heather this is a good time to give a light trimming.

• Visit nurseries to check out the early arrival of spring bulbs that can be planted from mid-September through to late November.

Follow the package depth directions of the bulb and try planting, as I like to, in groups of 15 to 25 with the bulbs close together. This method makes a great showing when they are randomly planted. Generally, new bulbs are packed with natural energy and do not need the addition of bone meal at this time.

•K eep deadheading annuals and perennials.

You might want to save the seed pods to plant later.

October is the month of spectacular colours for trees, shrubs and vines. Vine maples and

Japanese maples lead the way along with brilliant shrubs like burning bush (Euonymus alatus) and the Boston ivy vine.

Tasks to consider: • Dig up dahlias and gladioli and store them in a cool dry place.

• This is a good time to be planting peonies.

• As perennials lose their lustre, lift them to relocate or divide them.

• Select and plant new shrubs and trees when conditions are cool and there is low risk of shock to the plant when it is installed. Some of my favourite trees: Styrax japonica, Stewartia pseudocamellia and Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Frisia.’

• Continue to prune spent rose blossoms.

Collect all the dropped leaves and destroy;

do not compost.

• If you have a pond, now is the time to lower the pots of lilies to the bottom.

• It is important to keep your lawn free of leaves and you could give a final light winter fertilize.

• Go get those spring bulbs! Try solid yellow and white combination for a great effect!

iStock.com/ Linda Raymond

Back to school organization BY

Randeep St. Jacques

A

s a parent, September means back to school, extra-curricular activities, homework and the dreaded lunch making! Here are some tips to get organized this fall.

• Create routines. Have your children help you draw up a checklist of everything they need to get done before school. This gives them autonomy to add the things they want to get done in the morning. Photocopy and laminate a copy of the checklist for each of you, leaving extra space to add

new action items later with a permanent marker.

• Organize calendars. Whether you use an electronic system or a paper calendar, choose a colour for each family member.

Consider who is driving for each activity, and look for ways to carpool. On days where there is no time for cooking, plan a pre-cooked crockpot meal.

• Get homework done. Even if your child is just starting kindergarten, reading and other basics are important. Use car time and breaks between activities to tackle homework and review concepts. The West Vancouver Memorial Library has amazing

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kids’ audiobooks that come with a hard copy for kids to follow along.

• Pack lunches. While you cook dinner have your kids start packing lunch. Create a checklist of what they’ll need for a balanced box – fruit, vegetable, protein, starch etc.

To make it easier, store all lunch-making kits in a low cupboard or drawer. You may still need to do the slicing, but they can start creating lunches they want!

September can be very stressful. So take your most dreaded task and organize it to make a smoother transition from summer to fall.

Randeep St. Jacques is a professional organizer and KonMari expert who lives

Back to school

Photo: iStock.com/djedzura

and works in West Vancouver. Visit ClutterLessLiving.com to learn more about her services.

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September/October 2019

Local Voices BY

Laura Anderson

S

tories are the heartbeat of Local Voices, our community’s conversation series hosted by the West Vancouver Historical Society and the West Vancouver Memorial Library. The format is simple: three people talk about their connection to West Vancouver according to the evening’s theme. Their stories spark memories and shared experiences. Conversation ensues.

In June, three voyagers took us offshore with ‘On the Water.’

Local waters are the source of the words and music Bowen Island resident Pauline Le Bel dedicates to their protection. Pauline sang about her beloved Howe Sound and read from her book, Whale in the Door, a kind of biography of this iconic stretch of water.

The second voyager was Norah Corbett, who launched her sabot sailing dinghy from Hollyburn Sailing Club in 1993. She built the sabot over the course of a year, a daunting prospect at the outset, Norah admits, “until I

figured out that building a boat was like making a cake, or a dress. You begin with a recipe or a pattern, in this case a jig, and off you go.”

In 1978, Geordie Tocher launched a Haida-style dugout canoe from Fisherman’s Cove and sailed to Hawai’i. Daughter Cathy, and nephew Bob Aylesworth told the story of building the Orenda, an indigenous word meaning ‘at harmony with the world around you,’ and of Tocher’s epic voyage across the Pacific.

Inspired by the Kon-Tiki expedition and Thor Heyerdahl’s theory of indigenous contact across the Pacific, Tocher believed the Haida and the Hawaiians visited and traded.

He decided to prove his theory. When he found a massive red cedar in the forest behind the Squamish Chief, in 1969, his dream began to take shape. Two years later, in 1971, after removing “everything that didn’t look like a canoe,” Tocher and crewman, David Moon, retired Royal Navy officer and owner of The Bookstall in Ambleside, set a course for Hawai’i. Wind and waves wrecked the Orenda on the coast of California, dashing

Geordie’s hopes but not destroying them.

The Orenda II was carved from a Douglas fir that had fallen a decade earlier. For another two years, at the Panorama Studios lot on Cypress Mountain, Geordie carved the canoe. She weighed three tons and measured 40 feet long with The Orenda. a six foot beam, wider than the original canoe and almost twice as heavy.

In 1978, the Orenda II was trucked down to Fisherman’s Cove where she was lashed together with another dugout canoe, as a secondary hull. Once more Geordie set sail for Hawai’i. With him on the voyage were Richard Tomkies, who helmed the vessel at night, and Gerhard Kiessel, the navigator who plotted a practically perfect course to Hawai’i.

This time, they reached their destination.

The Orenda II rests on the Sunshine Coast today, on her slow return journey to Mother Earth. A plaque at Dundarave Pier commemorates her voyage.

Photo: courtesy of Cathy Tocher

The stories of On the Water, with photos and videos, can be found on the historical society website (wvhs.ca), along with previous editions of Local Voices.

Local Voices returns this fall, with ‘Learning Curves,’ an exploration of ways we learn in West Vancouver. Join Chepximiya Siyam (Chief Janice George), a Salish weaver who learned from her elders; Geoff Jopson, a West Van boy who grew up to be Superintendent of Schools; and a third as-yet-unnamed speaker.

‘Learning Curves’ takes place on Wednesday, October 2, at West Vancouver Memorial Library’s Welsh Hall at 7 p.m.

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September/October 2019

HOME & LIVING

The snap pea solution Cooking with Chlo

to consume the many snap peas my parents gave me as a housewarming gift, I created this nutritious and flavourful Mango Lime Quinoa Salad with Spicy Garlic Shrimp.

Chloé Noël

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

M

y parents, like many other Caulfeild residents, live in a home resting on a large rock. For that reason, they had to put aside their passion for gardening until they were able to backfill the yard. Now that it’s been done, the possibilities are endless, for my dad who grew up on a farm and my mom who is a passionate gardener. The result of this new development is a luscious garden with incredible bounty! We’re talking ginormous zucchinis, peaches, green beans, melons, tomatoes and many types of apples. The fastest growing of them all are the snap peas. In an effort

Photo provided

PAGE 13

Mango Li me Quino a Salad with Spic y Garlic S hrimp

SALAD: 1½ cups of raw Juice from ½ a quinoa cooked lime 1 cup of cube ½ tsp salt d cucumbers (approximatel 1/3 of a cucum y 2 tbsp honey ber) 1 cup of sliced 1 clove of garli snap peas c finely mince ½ large mango d , cubed SHRIMP: ¼ of a red onio n, finely diced ½ lb of defros ¼ cup of sliver ted peeled an ed almonds, lig d deveined sh rimp htly toasted 5 dates, pitted and diced Juice from 1 lim e DRESSING: 2 tsp of crushe d red pepper 2 tbsp olive oi ½ tsp of salt l 2 tbsp of olive Cook the quinoa oil according to pack age instructions mango, red onio .

While it cooks, pr ns and dates. Toas epare the cucum t th – watch them ca ber, refully! Prepare th e slivered almonds in a pan on medium heat un snap peas, e salad dressing minced garlic. Fo til slightly brown by mixing the ol r the shrimp, mix ive oil, honey, lim all the ingredient 30 minutes. Grill e juice s in on for 2 minutes on skewers or pan fry on medium-h a Tupperware or plastic bag and , salt and each side. Toss th igh heat in a larg marinate for 15e salad ingredient e fry This salad can be s with the dressin ing pan with 1 tbsp of butter altered as much g and top with th as yo spicy shrimp paire e zesty shrimp. d with the mango u like. Don’t like dates? Use raisi ns! No matter wha will be delightfu l. Enjoy! t you do, the

Helpful tips for landlords and tenants BY

Matt Gul

L

andlords and tenants need to be aware of the rights and responsibilities of each party before embarking on a relationship. Here are some things to consider: Landlords and tenants share the responsibility for maintaining the rental property.

Landlords must provide rental units that meet all health and safety standards re-

quired by law, and have all of the services and facilities outlined in the tenancy agreement.

Tenants are responsible for repairing damage caused by anyone living in or visiting the unit - including pets.

At the start of a tenancy, the landlord and tenant must inspect the rental unit together and complete a Condition Inspection Report. All issues should be included in the report. This report serves as evidence

LUXURY RENTALS & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

if there is a dispute regarding the rental unit’s condition.

The tenant must move out by 1 p.m. on the last day of the tenancy. However, the tenant and landlord can mutually agree on another time or date in writing and signed by both parties. The tenant must also ensure that the unit is cleaned before leaving.

The carpets, appliances, windows and baseboard heaters should be cleaned. All light bulbs and fuses should be working.

The tenant should also be prepared for the final condition inspection, at which time all belongings must be removed from the unit, the unit should be clean and any damage must be repaired. The landlord is entitled to keep some or all of the deposit to cover cleaning or repair costs.

If you have additional questions, or need further information, contact Matt Gul at info@rentyvr.ca.

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14

September/October 2019

PARC Retirement Living wins third annual culinary competition “Pairing food and wine flavour profiles is where my passion for cooking really comes alive. At PARC, I am challenged every week to deliver creative dishes for he culinary team at PARC Retire- residents that I’m grateful to have gotten ment Living is officially to know over the years,” says Hsu. the best in the west.

“As a foodie myself, I alThe retirement residence ways look forward to comoperator just took top peting in the Harmony honours in the annual Arts Best of the West Best of the West cucompetition,” he adds. linary competition – “With this year’s dish, for the third time – at my goal was to pair the West Vancouver the smoky light notes of the Chardonnay Harmony Arts Festival with summery seapresented by Odlum Brown in August. food flavours to bring Led by Westerleigh guests’ imaginations right PARC’s Executive Chef Alto an ocean beach patio.”

The winning gastronomic len Hsu, the team wowed This creativity stretches delights. judges with alder-smoked throughout PARC as each sablefish, accompanied by residence has its own chef yuzu-marinated king oyster mushrooms and culinary team who create original and black truffle caviar, and paired with a dishes for their community. That means fruity Chardonnay 2017 from the Okana- no two menus are alike. gan’s Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars.

With innovation, nutrition is a conBY

Raquel Damecour

T

stant as well. “Our menus are designed around whole grains, healthy protein and fresh produce, some of which we grow in

our own gardens,” says Hsu. For a complimentary lunch and tour of a PARC residence, visit parcliving.ca.

Photos provided Allen Hsu – Executive Chef, Westerleigh PARC, Tommy Eum – Chef de Partie, Westerleigh PARC, Robert Fortin – Executive Chef, Summerhill PARC, Josef Schefer – Executive Chef, Cedar Springs PARC.

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September/October 2019

PAGE 15

And then the Frosts were still in Europe Ann Frost

Reflections from a diary

A

fter traveling through Holland, France and Italy, I asked the children what their favourite memories were to-date. Michael piped up immediately reminding me of the cafeteria in Paris that was so crowded, that he and his sister had to sit at a different table, apart from the rest of us. He called to me from across the room, holding his little bottle of ‘milk’ upside down, saying “It’s sour!” The French gentleman next to me said, sotto voce, “Madam, it is yoghurt!”

Wendy’s favorite memory was getting her hair “knippen” in Holland. And then there was the launderette episode where I added a blue ski jacket to the white load and a wom-

Photo: courtesy of Ray Frost Michael propping up the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

an pointed out that my laundry was “bleu.”

Onward and upward. The girls were on my passport and Michael was on my husband, Ray’s, in case we ended up in a hostel and had to separate. At the Italian border, Ray handed the passports to a somewhat fearsome looking border guard who looked at the top passport (mine), then into the van and said, very seriously “Who is the boy?” He thought we were smuggling Michael into the country.

Our first stop was Pisa and the Leaning Tower. Ray took the classical picture - Michael far away enough from the tower to look like his finger was holding it up. But no one got to see it until we got home. Photography’s come a long way since the sixties!

Then it was onto the beauties of Florence, the David, the Medici Chapel, the Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery and a kind-hearted museum guard who heeded my request for a “gabinetto” for my “bambina.” He obliged by opening what appeared to be an ordinary wall, escorting us to a “gabinetto” deep in the interior of the museum and indicating with sign language that he would wait for us. He did, and returned us to our starting point, giving Janie a gentle pat on the head.

One of the most wonderful things about Italy was how kind everyone was to the children. People regularly commented that Americans didn’t usually bring their children along and we were happy to explain that we were Canadians. But I regularly got quizzed as to why I only had four children. At a gas station in Naples a woman patted my stomach and said “Cinque?”

We found amazing, reasonably-priced leather goods at the Straw Market, including

a wonderful selection of handmade leather gloves before making our way to Rome: the Etruscan Museum, the Pantheon, and of course the Vatican with the Sistine Chapel where Janie and I gift-shopped, while Ray and the others headed for the top of the dome.

South to Sorrento we went for a beach break with a side trip to Pompeii. Wendy play acted on one of the small stages while Janie hopped over the spaces between the flat stones in the streets. Next stop was Venice and our Venetian trauma: camping on the sandy Cavallino Lido during high tide and a torrential rainstorm. Ray went outside to deepen the trenches around the tent and came back saying, “They’re under water!” A British couple took the older children to stay in their single motel room with their son, and Ray and I slept in the van with the two little ones. The next morning, the American military couple camping next to us woke to find their luggage bobbing in the water.

A memorable vacation indeed.

Annual

BY

Photo: courtesy of Ray Frost Wendy, Michael and Susan tossing coins in the Trevi Fountain.

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September/October 2019