Take 5 July

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LettersBed And Breakfasts Host Open HouseBed and Breakfasts members of the LAAA hosted “Open

Houses” on Sunday June 5 in conjunction with the “Home-Town Tourist Weekend” promotion. Eight out of the 12 mem-bers participated. We had many people from the community out to our homes. In keeping with the B&B hospitality, mem-bers offered refreshments, snacks and beverages. This was a chance for people to see what accommodations are available in and around Ladysmith, as well as an opportunity for members to share what we offer as hosts. Tour participants’ comments were positive about the variety and quality of accommodations. Many people were unaware of the wonderful accommodations offered in Ladysmith. A few of the visitors’ comments were: “we have seen so many great views from the B & B’s”. “We never knew about all these places to stay in our Ladysmith area”. A highlight of the tour was a draw for a “free night stay” at the Bed & Breakfast of the winner’s choice. Overall this event was well attended, brochures were passed out, rack cards and accommodation guides were shared. LAAA members be-long to the local Chamber of Commerce.

Congratulation to Carol Whittaker, winner of the free night stay draw.

Further information is available at the Visitor Info Centre as well as the LAAA website. www.ladysmith-bc-accommoda-tions.com - Hillcrest Ave. B & B

Highland GamesThank you Ladysmith, for your community spirit and sup-

port! On behalf of the Ladysmith Legion Branch 171 and the Highland Gathering Committee I would like to thank the citi-zens, merchants, sponsors and volunteers for helping us host a very successful Highland Gathering on June 18. It was a won-derful day that I’m sure the Provincial Legion Pipe Bands & Colour Parties that participated and citizens that attended will fondly remember.

The generous donations of the sponsors made it possible for us all to enjoy the event. Our heart felt thank you to our volun-teers who worked diligently from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon, bravo for a job well done and thank you for doing it so cheerfully. A special thank you to Roberts Street Pizza and McDonalds for providing our volunteers’ lunch

- Darrel Byron Chairman, Highland Gathering Committee

6 take5.ca JULY 2011

Canucks game ends in riotsI was visiting in Vancouver and was

invited to a game seven party in a fabu-lous apartment in the West End. Great people, great party, a little subdued at the end of the game. We walked home amid loud, nasty young men kicking over pa-per boxes while we received images on i phones of burning cars and rioting fur-ther up town. Later, lying in bed listen-ing to helicopters, fi re trucks and people running down the alley, I wondered how Vancouverites would react, who think of their city as sophisticated and grown up, still basking in the Olympic warm and fuzzy feelings.

Very few people will meet your eye in Vancouver. After this disgrace, every-one wanted to talk. Anger, sadness and disgust. Individuals and families went to the damaged areas to help clean up. The media analyzed it from every conceiv-able angle. An upside to social media is that rioters and looters were identifi ed on TV and in newspapers and were turned in to police by parents, villifi ed by their friends on Facebook and fi red from jobs. I left Vancouver to its embarassment and returned to my nice little town.

But should we feel smug and isolated from this behaviour? Did we not have a group of young males, fueled by alcohol and drugs, beat up some tourists outside the Sportsman? Not the fi rst time this has happened, I am told. Blame who you want; parents, video games, UFC, criminal code shortcomings. I’m sure these all have some bearing on the situ-ation. I liked Vancouver’s outrage and I wonder where is ours? There are a lot of people who know who these Ladysmith thugs are and a code of silence exists. They feel empowered by this silence and have gained street creds among their peer group. Should they not be identifi ed to the community via social media and face the shame and embarrasment? We have Pink Shirt day to combat bullying in the schools but we allow these losers to bully the town. - Rob Pinketon

Rotary Garden TourIn this the 14th year of the Rotary

Garden Tour, the sun shone brightly. Roads in town, and north and south of Ladysmith, were busy with garden pil-grims, maps in hand. Nine owners dis-played spectacular gardens. Many local businesses presented in the Aggie and

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provided prize draws. Master Gardener Peter Dunn answered questions during continental breakfast. Ladysmith Ro-tary thanks all involved. The past year our club supported LIS students (to at-tend Vancouver Island Symphony), La-dysmith Little Theatre, Ladysmith Re-sources Centre, Christmas Hamper fund, food bank, Festival of Lights, Ladysmith Celebrations, Ladysmith Seniors Centre, Haven House, Mother Goose program, Cedar Theatre Group, Community Po-licing, Diabetes Summer Camp, Arts on the Avenue, Ladysmith Baseball, Rotary World Community Service, KIVA mi-crocredit, Disaster Aid Canada. Finally a big ‘thank you’ to TAKE 5 for the pub-licity. - John Mulrooney, Rotary Club of Ladysmith

Memorial GardensOn behalf of the volunteer workers at

the Doris Gallagher Memorial Gardens I would like to thank you for mentioning the gardens and including some pictures in the May TAKE 5. We are working hard and hoping for nice weather and a good turn out for the Rotary garden tour at the end of the month. Thanks again for your publicity. - Pam Fraser

Czar of Canada – not funnyI and others consider the “poem” by

Gord Barney in your June publication is in unnecessarily poor taste. Does this now represent the slant of your maga-zine? If so, shame on you. Mr. Harper is our Prime Minister, for goodness sakes, and regardless of your politics, he is not deserving of pouting jibes just because he won and someone else lost.

- Ron Kinney

Ed Note: We received several phone calls and letters protesting the Czar of Canada. We apologize if we have of-fended any readers, however, Letters is a open forum. Opinions expressed in TAKE 5 do not necessarily represent those of the publishers or staff. You can read all the letters at www.take5.ca

Sex on the Other Side I was reading the most recent Take 5

and got to the Other Side column by Jeff Virtanen and just about bust a gut gig-gling. I started reading it to my husband when he cast worried glances my way (thinking I was going mad in my mid-dle age) and we both laughed our way through the rest of the write -up. Thanks to Jeff for the SEX! LOL

- D. McConnell

New home for Cancer SocietyThe Ladysmith Canadian Cancer So-

ciety offi ce has been moved with the Ladysmith Resource Centre. Our street address is 630- 2nd Avenue, Room 116. Our phone number has remained the same 250 245 0671, also our address has remained the same. We are taking orders for Daffodil Bulbs until August. Bulbs will be delivered to our offi ce.

- Janice L Grinnell, Unit President

Re: Log BargesIn response to Peggy Kolosoff’s story

and photo on log dumping barges. Ed Gendron of Duke Point Sawmill contact-ed our offi ce by phone to let our readers know that no logs had been run at Duke Point Sawmill in 2 years.

Letters to the Editor are wel-come but subject to space and editing. Please note that letters published do not necessarily re-fl ect the opinion of TAKE 5.

Write PO Box 59, Ladysmith, BC, V9G 1A1, [email protected], or post your comments directly at www.take5.ca

A name change for Ladysmith..We can call our town “Potholes”and have tours available on the Trolley.....then all the tourists will know where to fi nd us.- Gord Barney


Anniversary AdventureThe fi rst few paddles were surreal.

Kayaking calm waters with blue skies and scenic landscapes reminded me just how special the Gulf Islands are. Joel and I were celebrating our 10 year wed-ding anniversary with a two day kayak trip, solo this time, leaving Thing One and Thing Two behind. We paddled out of Blue Heron Park in Yellow Point and headed towards Blackberry Point on Valdes Island. I knew our trip was going to be full of new adventures and exciting discoveries but never expected to feel so comfortable on the water. We easily settled into a synchronized paddle

on the tandem kayak. Few words were exchanged but there really was nothing to say. Our surroundings said it all until someone’s tummy began to rumble. It was unanimously agreed that an islet in the Ruxton Passage would make a per-fect lunch spot.

Tummies full of smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel sandwiches; we de-parted Ruxton Island satisfi ed and eager to paddle across Pylades Channel. Ahead of us was Valdes Island and some of the most spectacular sandstone formations in the region. The intricate designs and caves carved into the sandstone, created thousands of years ago by winter storms are impressive. We drifted for some time, admiring the exposed green anemones while passing underneath cliffs hang-ing over us. Magical is the only way to describe it. Seeing Blackberry Point far

off in the distance, we put the paddles back to work leaving nature’s art display behind.

Setting up camp was unbelievably fast. Just one tent required versus the usual two, plus no little ones distracting us. This free time should not be wasted, so off we went to explore Valdes Island and hopefully discover the caves we had

Above: Approaching the sandstone formations at Valdez IslandRight: Camping at Blackberry PointBelow: View of Pylades Island. Photos: Jill Collins

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read about prior to our trip. We passed by some fellow campers and struck up a conversation. Joel asked if they had been to the caves yet. As luck would have it, they had. Turns out our fel-low camper Peter is an outdoor education teacher who guides his students to Valdes Island on kayak trips regularly. He is not to be confused with Crazy Pete, who is the resident caretaker of some property on the south part of the island. Initially Peter was not forthcoming with directions, nor did he recommend us explore the caves on our own. Instead he gave us the once over, looked us up and down, and offered to take us there after supper with some other campers. Peter was right. The caves were not easy to fi nd and there is no way Joel and I would have explored even 1/3 of what Peter showed us. Getting to the caves involved hiking to the top of Mexicana Hill although I would not call it a hike exactly. More like a crawl up and climb over boulders four times our size. It was one of the funnest hikes I have been on in a long time. At the top we took in a breathtaking (or catch our breath) view of Ruxton, Pylades, and Vancouver Island. It was here Peter instructed us to drop our camera, packs, and anything else that may restrict us, put on the headlamps and “Follow me” he said.

Follow me? Where the heck was he going? No sooner did I think this, than he crouched down, lowered his body between two rocks and disappeared from sight. I had no time to be scared or back out now. Peter assessed my physical condition earlier and I was not going to disappoint so in I went. For the next hour Peter took us through two caves. I squeezed myself through small confi ning spaces and climbed up steep sections I never thought I could. By the end of it all, I found myself slid-ing alongside the cool granite rock and manoeuvring around tight obstacles with ease. It was scary and fun all at the same time. After the hike back down, where butt scooting was the preferred method of travel, we thanked Peter for his generous time and went our separate ways. The day was topped off with a sunset descending against a BC coastline.

The next morning’s agenda was pretty simple. Eat, drink cof-fee and stare at the scenic landscape. Again few words were exchanged because we each knew what awaited us. Take down camp and paddle back home to reunite with Thing One and Thing Two. Halfway home, we experienced a bit of excite-ment. We were approaching an exposed reef where dozens of Harbour Seals were sunning themselves. I was admiring them and started to notice several seals slip into the water. Minutes later heads were popping up around us. I was convinced they were executing some sort of tactical plan, ready to attack at a moments notice. Of course there was nothing to fear but I will admit to paddling a little faster after that. If I was kayaking with anyone other then Joel, I would expect a sarcastic “What’s the rush?” comment. Or be teased about my silly fears of seals in-vading the kayak. After 10 years of marriage I knew he would keep those comments to himself and opt to smack his paddle on the water and splash me. After 10 years of marriage, he knew I would fl inch and scream.

Follow the adventures of Jill Collins and her family in their year long challenge to fi nd fi ve living things on every adven-ture. Check out the living things they found kayaking by visiting www.wix.com/onthebeatenpath/on-the-beaten-path or face-book.com/Onthebeatenpath


Ladysmith Spirit Square’s grand openingBY CINDY DAMPHOUSSE

After years of planning and months of construction work, on June 24 the La-dysmith Spirit Square was born. On the corner of High Street and Second Av-enue the bright red buildings provide new homes for the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association, the Seniors Centre and the Boys and Girls Club. The entire complex came about as a result of a new partnership between those organizations and the Town of Ladysmith, and sur-rounds a public gathering space known as Spirit Square. Once the playground for the Convent school, this corner was later home to the public health centre, two tennis courts and the OAP Centre. The Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan contributed $2.75 million through the Community Adjustment Fund towards the renovation of an exist-ing building on the site and the construc-tion of a new building. The Ministry of Children and Family Development pro-vided a total of $750,000 from the BC Child Care Major Capital Grant Program. The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development had already pro-

vided a $500,000 grant to the Town for the development of a Spirit Square in the Town. Each of the partners also contrib-uted their own funds – and the land, in the Town’s case - to ensure the success of the $5 million project. “This commu-nity gathering place will enhance our citizens’ sense of place and pride in our community, and be a welcome - and wel-coming - feature of our town, providing much-needed programs and services as well as a public space for all citizens to enjoy,” said Mayor Hutchins. Congratu-lations to all the parties involved, to the

vision of many and the hard work that in the end is a space that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

Natural Gas Storage Facility construction completed

After three years of construction, For-tisBC’s Mt. Hayes Natural Gas Storage Facility is now completed and the facil-ity will come into service by late 2011. “The storage facility represents an im-portant part of the province’s energy in-frastructure and will help FortisBC meet current and future gas demands on Van-

Ribbon cutting at Ladysmith’s Community Services buildings and Spirit Square. Photo: Cindy Damphousse

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couver Island and the mainland,” said John Walker, president and CEO, FortisBC.

“We have only to look to this project as a reminder of what can be accomplished through collaboration. The benefi ts of the facility will extend beyond the immediate area to the province as a whole,” said Mary Marcotte, director, Area H, Cowichan Valley Regional District. “Stz’uminus First Nation under-stands that building relationships and partnerships is critical to creating economic sustainability in our territory,” said Chief John Elliott, Stz’uminus First Nation. “The FortisBC project is just one of many business opportunities we will be involved with in our territory that will help create economic certainty for our Nations future. We are focused on building a self suffi cient Nation.”

The 12-hectare facility site is contained within the 84-hect-are project site, known as Mt. Hayes, located approximately six kilometres northwest of Ladysmith. The storage tank holds 1.5 billion cubic feet of liquefi ed natural gas and the project cost is approximately $200 million. www.fortisbc.com

Mid Island Conservation Plan Proposed Letters to the federal and BC Ministers of the Environ-

ment, from Mid Island Sustainability & Stewardship Initiative (MISSI), have requested complementary coastal designations for both marine and land conservation measures. With fast-tracking of a National Marine Conservation Area for the Gulf Islands presently underway, MISSI has written to Canada’s En-vironment Minister, Peter Kent, and his provincial counterpart

BC Environment Minister Terry Lake, requesting protection of land-based areas essential to healthy marine ecosystems. MISSI would like to see suffi cient land and marine conservation areas designated so that essential habitat and ecosystem protection is assured for long-term sustainability and prosperity in the mid Vancouver Island region.

“The mid island has been under increasing pressure as the population grows,” MISSI president Laurie Gourlay notes. “Demands on water and lands along the coast have led to vul-nerability of some ecosystems, and resource depletion.”

MISSI has also invited the federal and provincial Ministers to present their mid island proposal before a public meeting in September, in Nanaimo. “We’re certain that the public will be interested in supporting both marine and land-based conserva-tion initiatives,” said Gourlay “And so we’ll be reaching out to all levels of government as the summer begins - inviting them to support the NMCA and our Biosphere Reserve proposal.” The letter to the Ministers, MISSI’s Biosphere Reserve propos-al, and a briefi ng backgrounder are all available on the MISSI website, or by contacting the organization directly.

Seventh Annual Purple Martin Open HouseWear something purple on July 24 and join the BC Purple

Martin Stewardship and Recovery Program at its seventh annu-al open house at the Ladysmith Maritime Society marina from 1pm until 4pm to celebrate the return of Western Purple Mar-tins, a Species At Risk in BC. Program Biologist Bruce Cous-ens says “The martin colony at the LMS marina is the largest


P

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on Vancouver Island and there may be 70-80 pairs here this year.”

Visitors will be able to watch adults feeding nestlings, learn more about the conservation of Purple Martins and hear stories about Purple Martins activities around the Strait of Georgia and other parts of Canada. Martin nestlings will be banded between 2pm and 3pm during the open house. Light refreshments and their famous purple (blueberry) milk-shakes will be served while quantities last. When you get to Ladysmith, follow the yellow signs to the marina.

Visitor from Ghana works with Ladysmith Credit Union staff

Mavis Nketia from Ghana, living and working in Ladysmith from June 17 to 27 is a participant in the Canadian Co-operative Association’s Women’s Men-toring Program. She will be joining Tara Hawes and staff at the Ladysmith and

District Credit Union as they share their knowledge and expertise with each oth-er. Laurie Tennian, program leader, says that “every year since 2002, the Cana-dian Co-operative Association has orga-nized a Women’s Mentorship Program for women credit union managers from developing countries where CCA cur-rently works in partnership with credit union movements. Mavis has been the manager of Nsoatre Community Co-op. Credit union (NCCCU). This is the 11th year for the Women’s Mentoring Pro-gram, which includes a two-week train-ing program in Ottawa, before the wom-en are placed in credit unions across the country. Then they return to Ottawa for a week of review and refl ection.

For more info [email protected] laurie or [email protected]

Ladysmith Eagles honouredThis year, at the Fraternal Order of Ea-

gles joint convention held in Penticton BC, Shirley Hunt was named the Anne Ferstay Woman of the Year. She earned this award by chairing Mother’s Day Tea 9 years, being organizer and President

of the Disaster Trailer committee; sit-ting on Board of Directors of Eagles’ Home Society; serving as Captain of Drill Team 6 years, and as a volunteer for the local Comunity Health Service Thrift Shop - to name a few.

Shirley and her husband Lloyd were also awarded Mr. and Mrs Eagle for this year. They are tireless in their commit-ment and dedication to the Eagles ide-als. They are also dual members of the Chemainus/Crofton Eagles #4400.

Mavis Nketia and Tara Hawes, mentoring at LDCU. Photo: Rob Johnson

Purple Martins in nest at LMS

Eagles Shirley and Lloyd Hunt honoured at provincial convention


Music in the Park returns Ladysmith Resources Centre is pleased to

present its 2011 “Music in the Park” series.The concerts are Sundays from 6pm to

8pm at the Ladysmith Amphitheatre in Transfer Beach Park , weather permit-ting. Admission is by donation with pro-ceeds going to LRCA programming.

Started in 2000, the concerts appeal to a broad base of the population and this year’s concert line up is no exception, featuring rock music to big band and ev-erything in between. For details and line up see pages 20-21 in this issue.

Experience Vancouver Island MusicFest this summer!

Each summer for three days in July, over 8500 die hard music lovers immerse themselves in an roots and world music

experience at Vancouver Island Mu-sicFest. This year’s festival takes place July 7-10 and features David Crosby, Randy Newman, Arrested Development, Holly Cole, Rodney Crowell, John Jor-genson and Albert Lee, Jon Anderson (the voice of YES) and Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Doug-las! They’re joined by over 200 other musicians for an incredible weekend of music. On-site camping, kids activi-ties, workshops, food and crafts and six stages of music await you. Tickets are on sale for the festival and a special July 7 concert with Alison Krauss and Union Station. www.islandmusicfest.com

Chemainus weekly music Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts So-

ciety presents their Music in the Park series running every Tuesday evening, 7pm in Waterwheel Park, Chemainus, rain or shine.

July 5 – Devon Bailey Big Band, July 12 - Hope King, July 16 - Chemainus Bluegrass Festival - 9:30 am to 8:30 pm, featuring John Reischman & the Jaybirds plus Bluegrass Fever, Corner Grass,

Flash in the Pan, Island Blue Rose, Sk-agway. www.chemainusbluegrass.com,

July 19 – Puzzleroot, July 26 – Bo-poma Marimba. For more info [email protected]

Outdoor TheatreLadysmith Maritime Society will be

hosting an outdoor play by The Seeds and Salt Theatre group. Bedtime Sto-ries, a play suitable for all ages, will run July 15, 2pm at the Expo Legacy Build-ing outdoor amphitheatre. Admission is free.

Bluegrass FestivalJohn Reischman and the Jaybirds, one

of the most respected bands in the blue-grass world, completes the lineup of six bands coming to Chemainus on July 16 at Waterwheel Park. Five other great bands will also be performing throughout the day. Organizer Bob Johns says that he’s pleased to be surrounded by such talent. Admission by suggested donation of $10. Volunteers are still needed. www.chemainusbluegrass.com, or call Bob at 250-246-1389.

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Cooking contestantA Ladysmith resident is among 16 fi nalists who have been

hand-picked in a program led by Food Network Chef Anna Ol-sen. Ladysmith’s Lyndsay Wells will cook-off on July 4 in the cooking competition-The Real Women of Philadelphia - cream cheese, that is! After eight fi erce weeks of online competition that saw over 1,000 entries pour in from across Canada, Wells will travel to Toronto to vie for the chance to become one of four winners who will take over Anna Olson’s role as host of the vibrant Real Women of Philadelphia online community. Winners will get a chance to star in their own online cooking videos, contribute recipes to an online cookbook and take home a cash prize of $20,000!

Wells, who lives in Cassidy and works at the Central Van-couver Island Crisis Society, says her love affair with food began many years ago. “Food has become my main area of in-terest,” Her winning entrée recipe was pork tenderloin stuffed with couscous, dried cranberries, pistachio, mango chutney and Philadelphia Cream Cheese in a Philly Cream Cheese sauce.

There are four categories, appies, sides, entrees and desserts. Wells is competing against three other fi nalists in the entrée divi-sion and is looking forward to the live cook-off and the chance to meet the other contestants who have become like a family she says. “It’s exciting for a small town girl. It’s been a really positive

Contestant Lyndsay Wells heading to cooking competition


experience and everyone has been very supportive.”

The experience has changed her. “It’s opened the doors to new possibilities.”

To view the fi nalists’ recipes, visit www.realwomenofphiladelphia.ca.

Fiddler on the RoofA grand tradition of song, dance, and

musical splendor is coming to Chemai-nus this summer. Fiddler on the Roof has been praised by critics for its univer-sal story of hope and acceptance. Mark DuMez, Artistic Director says “we are pleased to have the largest professional cast ever on the Chemainus Theatre stage, bringing with them their creative spark.” The Tony Award winning musi-cal runs until September 3. www.che-mainustheatre.ca

Denman Island Studio TourThe Denman Island Art Studio Tour

on August 13-14 is your chance to peek into 25 unique studios. From sculpture, painting, photography, and ceramics, to collage, shrine-making, mixed media, and felting, there is something to please every taste and persuasion. Visit the Arts Centre in Denman Village for tour info and an exhibit based on The Sketchbook

Project, a community initiative showcas-ing the talents of 40+ Denman residents. The Denman Island Quilters Guild will be hosting an exhibit and quilting demo at the Senior’s Hall, and The Denman Craft Shop has special tour-related dem-os and activities lined up for visitors as well. www.artsdenman.com

Islands Folk FestivalAll the magic that is the Islands Folk

Festival returns July 22, 23 and 24 at Providence Farm near Duncan. From meager beginnings the Islands Folk Fes-tival is now considered a world class event, and is the largest summer event within the Cowichan Region.

Don’t let the ‘F’ word scare you. The festival features all styles of music and fantastic Canadian and international mu-sicians. Celebrating its 27th year, this family oriented festival boasts six stages and 150 performers over 3 amazing days of entertainment, music workshops, kids’ activities, vendors of food and merchan-dise, beer garden and much more.

Advance tickets are an incredibly priced $75 for a full weekend pass but only until July 15th. Need more incen-tive? Kids under 12 are free! www.folk-fest.bc.ca or call 250-748-3975

Art on Display Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery hosts

multimedia show Heroic Materials, a celebration of artists’ creation from July 8-29. Opens Saturday July 9 at 7pm. Open Tuesday-Sunday noon-4pm, 610 Oyster Bay Drive, Ladysmith. 250-245-1252, www.ladysmithwaterfrontgallery.com

Duncan Cowichan FestivalDuncan Cowichan Festival Society

2011 Summer Festival offers free enter-tainment for the month of July. Perfor-mances are in Charles Hoey Park noon till 8pm daily and 10am-2pm Saturdays. City

Islands Folk Festival

TAKE 5 take5.ca 19

Square will have main stage acts on Friday evenings each week and Farmer’s Market on Saturdays, as well as themed events on Sundays in Charles Hoey Park. www.cowichanfestival .com

Cedar has talentCedar Talent and Community Night Do you juggle? Do com-

edy? Sing? Dance? Play the spoons? Write poetry? Here’s your chance to show off your talent at Cedar’s Talent and Commu-nity Night. Show up, meet people in the community and have some fun. Contact Suzanne Deveau at 250-245-8407. [email protected]

Five Turn 80 Birthday Party Geordie MacQuarrie, Gordon Price, Irene Trudell, and Greg

and Keith Wyndlow all have something in common: they’re turning 80 this year.

The neighbours are having a large birthday party for them on Saturday July 9, at Steldt Farms owned by Erica and Shane De Frane, corner of Michael Road and Yellow Point Road, with a pig roast and a potluck dinner at 5pm. Bring a potluck dish, eating utensils, and a lawn chair.

In 1973 Irene and Norm Trudell planted blueberries on the Trudell Farm, in 1975 they started a U-pick that Irene contin-ued until 2008 when the farm was sold. Irene has always been an active and energetic volunteer with NOAH and numerous other groups. Today she volunteers at the Palliative Care Unit at NRGH.

Gordon Price is a retired master mariner and marine me-chanic. Along with his wife Pauline, they managed marinas on Gabriola Island, in Maple Bay and Ladysmith. Gordon makes beautiful items in his wood turning shop and was Santa Claus for a many years at NOAH’s Christmas pancake breakfast.

Geordie MacQuarrie, a retired veterinarian who spent a num-ber of years working in Japan, acquired his father’s acreage on Yellow Point Road.

Greg and Keith Wyndlow moved to their farm on Doole Road in 1945 with their parents and 3 siblings. As young men they both earned their pilot’s licence through the Air Cadets. Greg was president of NOAH for 16 years and Keith was a volun-teer fi reman for 17 years and active in the Nanaimo and Cedar Farmers’ Institute. Along with their wives Mary and Irene they continue to work the farm.

For further information about the party, contact Lois Perkins at 250-245-0297.


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In Carpenter Lake, north of Lillooet, osprey nest on platforms on very tall poles stuck into the lake, put there so the birds will not nest on power poles in this remote area. The lake is low in the spring and if you approach the nest site the osprey will cir-cle, screaming and try to defecate on you. The two osprey nests that I know of in Ladysmith are both on sawmill sites. These birds are oblivious to the people, machines and noise that sur-round them. One of the mills has a very tall pole with a nesting platform that has been used successfully for years by a pair. The story that I was told was that the mill was having some dredg-ing done. The mill went out on strike and the dredge was left idle. When operations resumed, it was found that ospreys had built a nest on top of the dredge’s boom. The wildlife people would not allow the dredge to be used until the babies had left the nest. The mill put up the platform to prevent a reoccurrence. Or maybe the employees just liked having the birds around. The nests are huge bowls made of sticks and twigs that are added to and reinforced each year.

These hawks feed entirely on fi sh. They cruise above the wa-ter and when a fi sh is spotted they hover then dive, entering the water feet fi rst. Grabbing the fi sh in their talons, they rise up and fl ip it in the air so that so that it rides fore and aft. The pads of their feet have a hard scale that assists the bird holding on to a slippery fi sh. I have seen them cruising the harbour but the lakes are much more productive; stocked by Fisheries with fat rainbows and cutthroat. If I am on the lake and hook a trout, an osprey may circle and watch the performance but will not try and grab it, unlike some nasty, lazy bald eagles I have known. Eagles have been seen chasing an osprey until it drops its catch. The fi sh is taken to the nest where the female carves it up and feeds it to the 2 to 4 young who patiently wait their turn. When

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the chicks are old enough to rip up the fi sh themselves, they take turns and do not compete aggressively for food. This seems unusual in the bird world. One of the parents stays with the nest at all times to guard against eagles, ravens and crows that are ever on the lookout for a meal of baby bird.

Osprey, white below dark brown above with dark barred wing are about the size of a large seagull and are therefore eas-ily overlooked. The head is white with a brown stripe running through the eye.

In fl ight, the wings are long and angled back like a gull but with the open feath-ers at the tips like fi ngers. These birds are found on every continent and win-ter in the southern ones. They were on the critical list for a while as pesticides and DDT were affecting their health and breeding but seem to be making a come-back. Osprey are elegant and beautiful birds and I am always partial to a fellow fi sherman.

Osprey Photo: Rob Pinkerton


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RDN - Area ABY JOE BURNETT

Moorecroft Regional Park on the Nanoose Peninsula was offi cially opened on June 18. The park was acquired by the RDN in March 2011 in partnership with Nature Trust of Brit-ish Columbia. This 35 hectare ocean front property has almost 1 km of shore front, beach and protected cove with spectacu-lar view across the Georgia Strait. The park features coastal Douglas Fir and a Gary Oak meadow woodland. Also includes a large wetland, two seasonal creeks and two eagle nest trees. The park is well served by a network of forest and waterfront trails along with a large grass meadow, tot playground and pic-nic area. The RDN is ecstatic about the new regional park and that we were able to protect the area for all to enjoy.

Regional Growth Strategy SurveyA great big thank you to those who took the time to provide

feedback on the April draft Regional Growth Strategy (RGS). A total of 629 people answered the survey that gathered feedback on key aspects of the new RGS including several new goals. The majority support the continued direction to contain growth and to create compact communities using Growth Containment Boundaries to manage growth by separating areas intended for future urban growth from other areas intended to remain avail-able for natural areas, farming, forestry and other rural uses. There was overall support for new policies to evaluate Rural Village Centres and to allow alternative forms of subdivision on rural lands. The results confi rmed a high level of support for food security and affordable housing. On June 28 the RDN

Board gave fi rst and second reading to the RGS bylaw. The next step is to proceed to public hearing. Thanks to all that par-ticipated.

Agriculture Advisory CommitteeThe Agriculture Advisory Committee (AAC) recommended

to the RDN Board that the Regional District proceed with the development of an agriculture plan for the region. The RDN Board has approved the recommendation and directed staff to proceed with the development of an agriculture plan. An ag-riculture plan would establish an inventory of agriculture and farming activities, issues that need to be addressed in order to achieve a vibrant industry and strategies/actions to ensure agriculture planning goals are met. The agriculture industry in this region does face challenges, some of which are general to farming and others which are specifi c to Vancouver Island. The goal of such a plan will be to identify the issues and barriers that must be addressed in order to support agriculture as a sus-tainable and viable industry within our District. Following the Board direction staff made application to the Investment Agri-culture Foundation for a grant to fund 50 per cent of the cost of completing an AG Plan. Staff received confi rmation of the funding therefore the board approved the overall budget. The RDN Board appointed the Agriculture Advisory Committee as the Steering Committee for the planning process. RDN staff issued a request for proposal to agriculture planning consul-tants to develop an agriculture plan. Six consultants submitted proposals. The AAC met on June 24. to review these propos-als with the view of selecting a project consultant. I am very pleased that the RDN Board sanctioned the development of a


regional agriculture plan for the area and approved the funding and the process is proceeding.

Stay safe and have a great summer.Joe Burnett, 250-722-2656; email: [email protected].

CVRD - Area HBY MARY MARCOTTE

Heart Lake Developments:You may recall that one year ago, on June 21 a Public Hear-

ing for proposed Offi cial Community Plan and Zoning Amend-ments Bylaws to permit development of 147 manufactured home strata lots and seven agricultural lots was held at the North Oyster Community Centre. Also included in the proposal was a substantial donation of parkland along the Bush Creek corridor and other community amenities. The application dealt with property located in the Diamond and is accessed from Oyster-Sto-Lo Road.

This application was considered at the August 11, 2010 Re-gional Board meeting, and after amending some of the require-ments in the Bylaw, the Bylaws were given third reading and approved by the Province, and at the June 8, 2011 Board meet-ing the Bylaws were considered and adopted. The project can now move forward.

Rezoning and/or Offi cial Community Plan Amendment Application – Wiggens:

Previously, an application was received to rezone and subdi-vide property located on Shell Beach Road/Fearn Road. This application went through an extensive process and proceeded to a public hearing in October, 2009. Subsequent to the public hearing, although there were no objections to proposal from the public, the applicant reconsidered and submitted a written re-quest to withdraw his application.

The property owner has now submitted an entirely new ap-plication to rezone and subdivide the subject property. Similar to the previous application, this proposal involves creating four strata waterfront lots and one non waterfront strata lot. An ad-ditional one acre lot for a possible fi re hall is also part of the application.

CVRD staff are now in the process of reviewing the applica-tion and preparing reports for the various committees and com-missions. Once these have been prepared and referred to the appropriate groups, this application will follow the same pro-cess as the previous application. After the preliminary referrals have been received back, if the applicant wishes to proceed, the process will include a public hearing.

CVRD - Area GBY MEL DOREY

Exceptional volunteers from time to time need to be recognized. Ron Madden, a long time resident of Saltair, is one of those that have gone above beyond normal involvement. Ron has lived in Saltair all his life and his mother was also a Saltair volunteer.

Ron’s latest project is the Cowichan Valley Trail access located near his home on Finch Place up at the end of Gait Road

TAKE 5 take5.ca 27

in Saltair. The trail was going past his house and the contractor was actively working away with his heavy equipment putting some huge boulders in place to separate the trail from the cul-de-sac. Ron decided to get involved and clean up the edge of the trail near the boulders and plant a lawn to beautify the area. The Saltair Parks Commission agreed with Ron’s plan and ordered some topsoil for him and he was soon hard at work spreading topsoil and planting the lawn. Then he thought it would be nice to have to have a few cherry trees growing there so that trail users could snack when they stopped to rest. He remembered as a kid how delicious those were when his family had a cherry tree in the back yard. The Commission bought those trees and will later put in a two function drinking fountain for people and their dogs when they travel the trail. A park bench will put in as well where tired travellers can rest and look out at Coffi n Point and the Ladysmith Harbour. What a spectacular view! So when foreign travellers pass through Saltair they will remember the place with the view, where they could snack on healthy cherries and give their dog a drink. That’s a little touch of Saltair on the Cowichan Valley Trail. Where the trail goes through Saltair it is both the Trans Canada Trail and the Cowichan Valley trail. The trail has been mainly funded by grants from senior governments and other foundations. Some of them are the Island Corridor Foundation, Trails BC, the Trans Canada Trail Foundation, Island Coastal Economic Trust, and the Western Economic Diversifi cation Fund. Local monies as well from the regional district were added to the development of the trail. Of the 120 kms through the Cowichan Region between Victoria and Nanaimo only 30 kms remains to be completed. Another section from Chemainus to Stocking Creek Park in Saltair is proposed to be completed next summer. It has two very expensive creek crossings in this section. The Trans Canada Trail actually goes completely across the country but still has many sections that are not complete. The goal is to complete the entire trail by 2017. Just recently the newly completed 27 km section on the old E&N spur line from North Cowichan to Lake Cowichan was offi cially opened. It is part of the dual trail system as well. Biking and hiking groups will be using this trail for many years to come and be a part of the new clean economy.

Baseball caps & brain damage

On any given day in North America, there are 70 million women complaining to 70 million other women about their husbands, none of who, among other things, can get it into their heads that Tuesday is garbage day.

“How can he be so stupid?” these wom-en ask. “He never used to be this dumb.”

The answer is perched jauntily on the men’s heads. It’s called a ball cap, and although so far unrecognized, it repre-sents the biggest mental health hazard men face.

This startling discovery came out in a recent survey (okay, I was talking to two of my brain damaged friends) which revealed, when it comes to procuring a concussion, nothing beats wearing a ball cap, hockey isn’t even close. You can take a rocket scientist, put a cap on him, and by summer’s end he’s a monosyl-labic responder. “Yo! Bubba.”

The problem is visibility, or lack there-of. The ball cap was designed to block out the brightest object known to man, the sun. By doing so it blocks out every-thing else above the fi ve-foot level, espe-cially if worn low over the eyes.

Those who wear baseball caps will know immediately what I’m speaking about. Those of you who haven’t, don’t be a prude, borrow one from a neighbour

and go for a walk in a park with low hang-ing branches, or better still a construction site laced with overhead hazards.

Bring plenty of Band-Aids and wear a blood red shirt because odds are, you’ll return bleeding and possibly with a lilac branch sticking out of your forehead iden-tical to the one sticking out of mine, a re-sult from mowing the lawn earlier today.

If you do not take off the bloodied hat immediately and place it in a safe place, say your toilet, repeated concussions can be expected. For some unknown reason, the brain becomes accustomed to repeat-ed abuse and begins to crave it. Pretty much what happens in a marriage.

It’s not dissimilar to those old boxing movies where the much-pummeled hero keeps urging his adversaries on. “Hit me, hit me!” From here on down, the spiral is quick. Even if you were a brain sur-geon when you fi rst started wearing the hat, pretty soon you’ll be working in a garage with an overhead hoist, the edges of which are slowly being ground off by baseball-capped foreheads.

This begs today’s second question. Why do people wear ball caps back-wards? These are the fortunate ones who realized in time what was happening to them and spun the bill around back be-fore too much brain damage occurred. Nevertheless, by this point some dam-age has already been done, that’s why a hat on backwards is the universal signal to “Stand Well Clear. I am Moderately Brain Damaged.”

If they were undamaged, they would not wear a hat at all, but rather toss it in the toilet alongside mine.

People who wear their hat with the bill on the side, should be given an excep-tionally wide berth as the damage has reached catastrophic proportion. This is especially so when the crotch of their pants is at knee level indicating a fully loaded diaper or a brain with similar content.

This assessment may seem harsh until you realize wearing pants that low se-verely compromises man’s most impor-tant tool of survival, his ability to take fl ight, to affect a quick exit, especially when his wife comes stalking toward him with that expression that says, “al-right, what happened to the lilac tree?”

An even more serious form of brain damage can be found in country music stars who wear a hat with a brim the size

of Stanley Park so ridiculously low you might just as well be wearing a garbage can as far as visibility is concerned.

If you encounter one of these individu-als, common decency suggests taking him gently but fi rmly by the hand over to the closest hat removal station. Leav-ing him unattended is like leaving a man who’s forgotten garbage day staked out on the lawn with absolutely no chance of escaping his wife’s pummeling when she returns home from work.

The repeated pounding these individu-als take by limiting their fi eld of vision so drastically explains why they often talk with an affected, totally superfi cial, western whine, a sure sign of multiple concussions.

For those of you still in need of out-landish headgear, look to the British for design. Some of their efforts, especially around a Royal wedding, can feature large fruit baskets, small fur bearing animals, and can reach up to four stories high. Please note however, ever since what happened to Prince Charles, their designs are vertical, not horizontal. As to what happened to Prince Charles, no one’s saying.

Now if you’ll excuse me, the arborist is here to see about removing this lilac branch from my forehead and grafting it back on the tree.

If you’re looking for a delightful sum-mer sipping white to ease the pain of your forehead, try the Italian Orvieto by Antinori, about 13 bucks.

Delbert Horrocks is co-proprietor at the Mahle House Restaurant in Cedar.For more silly stories, try Delbert’s blog, Slightlycorkedandmore

Wine tasting garden partyOn Sunday, July 17, from noon un-

til three, put down that shovel, park that lawnmower and forget about those weeds, they’ll be there when you get back. Come visit us in our garden in-stead. It’s the annual Mahle House Wine Tasting Garden Party, the wine tasting event of the year. Enjoy a delicious al-fresco lunch, try all the latest wines, and treat yourself to a carefree day in the sun. $65 per person, all inclusive. Space is limited, so reserve early if you can. 250-722-3621.


TAKE 5 take5.ca 29


Becoming a kayak guideLocal teacher and author Paul Grey shares his experience on

becoming a kayak guide. Our area is a Mecca for kayakers as well as home of kayak manufacturers, rentals and tours.

BY PAUL GREY

I’ve wet exited dozens of times from my kayak. But on this day my wet exit lasted a little longer than it was supposed to. It was my fi rst day training to be a Day Guide with the Sea Kayak Guide Alliance of BC (SKGABC). It had rained all morning while I was in class and now as I zipped up my dry suit on the beach the sun peeked through the March clouds in Ucluelet. We were already supposed to be reasonable kayakers and now we were to show a high level of competency with self-rescues and assisted rescues.

The water felt about 8° C as I tested the inlet water with my hand. I steadied myself, leaned forward with my knees up and double-checked that my loop was showing and not tucked un-der the spray skirt. Then I rolled over.

Sometimes I keep my eyes open underwater, sometimes I don’t. Blindly, I reached forward for the loop and couldn’t fi nd it. I ran my hand along the combing and skirt, but still didn’t fi nd it so I thrust my knees upwards. The spray skirt stayed in place. Again, I shoved my knees up hard and again the skirt stayed on. I didn’t panic, but little bubbles were now fl oating up from my nose. Thirty seconds had passed. Finally, I pushed myself out hard and came to the surface and completed a self-rescue. In the boat I soon discovered the problem: the skirt was split right up the middle. I guess I shoved my knees right through the old material, taking all the tension out of it.

I vowed to keep all my equipment, especially my neoprene skirt, in either prime condition or new, afterward. Fortunately, there were at least four or fi ve highly trained people nearby or I could have rolled or been rolled back over. Time clicks by slowly underwater.

Over the course of the next two days we studied weather conditions, learning how to interpret marine reports, calculate tides and pack our boats with helpful equipment. We had also

TAKE 5 take5.ca 31

read two manuals, learning about navi-gation and marine boating. On the water we practiced various paddling strokes, rolling and other techniques. The most popular and well-known stroke is the touring stroke. It’s important to learn a good clean stroke and learn how to use body torque for power. My best stroke was the ‘sexy’ stroke. Whether this is a legitimate term I don’t know. You kay-ak madly, gaining speed and then place the back face of the paddle on the water similar to a low brace. At the same time, you pin the paddle shaft to the combing on the high side and spin around on the blade. If you spin smoothly you’re sexy-looking apparently, and if you dump into the water, well, you won’t be on the front cover of Take 5.

On the fi nal day we were given a sur-prise group scenario. I was asked to pad-dle away for a few minutes while the ex-aminer, a level 3 kayak guide, gave the other guides-in-training roles to play. In my scenario I had two hyperactive kay-akers, who kept moving their blades at very high rates. Another paddler in my group drifted away seemingly unaware she was supposed to stay with the group. Suddenly, one kayak purposively tipped over and scared a hyper paddler, who took off at light speed toward shore. I called him back, whistled for him, but he was long gone. I stuck with my main group, rescued the overturned client, and brought my group near to shore, and re-covered my last client. We spent four or fi ve hours on the water going through various role-plays that day.

I passed the written test. On the water test I did very well but was told to take more risks dumping out of my kayak. Go fi gure? SKGABC is a very professional organization. Kayakers come from all over the world to train in BC with them; and the guides work all over the world because of the highly maintained stan-dards. If you decide to go on a trip with

an outfi tter ask if their guides are certi-fi ed with SKGABC. You’ll be in great hands and very safe! And, make sure you pick a new neoprene spray skirt with lots of elasticity!

Kayakers in Ladysmith Harbour. Photo: Paul Grey


JulyJul 1, 7-8:30pm, EVAN MILLER & his band (Canada Day), the 49 th cafeJul 1-3, 10-5pm, “From the Inside Out” art show, Nanaimo Art Gallery, 250-754-1750Jul 2, 9am-1pm, Crofton Market, beside BC Ferry Terminal, 250-246-9871Jul 2, 8pm, Tequila Mocking Bird Orchestra, the Dancing Bean Café, www.dancingbean.caJul 2-3, 10am, ROOKIE ROLLER DERBY TOURNAMENT, Nanaimo Ice Centre, 250-754-8550Jul 3, 6pm, Ryan McMahon – Americana, Amphitheatre, Transfer BeachJul 1-4, Visions Art Studio Tour, Cowichan Valley, 250-743-3862Jul 4, 4:45pm, BINGO, Chemainus Senior Drop-In Centre, 250-210-2344Jul 1-5, 10-5pm, ‘Best Street of Canada Celebration’ art show, Nanaimo Art Gallery, 250-754-1750Jul 1-Aug 20, Art Show - Body of Evidence-Charles Breth, 900 5th St, Entrance 5D, 250-740-6350Jul-Aug, Saturdays, LMS/ Page Point Bistro Harbour Lunch Tours, 250-245-2312Jul 1-Aug 26, Students Helping Seniors is back! 250-245-7134Jul 1-Sept 24, 10am, Saturday Harbour Tours and Lunch, LMS Marina, 250-245-0109Jul 1- Sep 3, Fiddler on the Roof, Chemainus Theatre Festival, 250-246-9820Jul-Sept, Cowichan Valley Artisans year-round Studio Tour, www.cowichanvalleyartisans.comJuly 5, 8, 12,15, 19, 22, Free Junior Golf Program, six sessions from 2-4pm, courtesy of Ladysmith Golf Club, 250-245-7313.Jul 5, 7pm, The Nanaimo Glad and Dahlia Society

meeting, Paine Horticulture Center on E. Wellington Rd., 250-245-4231Jul 5, 7pm, The Devan Bailey Big Band, Chemainus Waterwheel Park, by donation, www.cvcas.com Jul 5,18, Aug 22, Sept 2, Ladysmith Yacht Club Junior 2 week programs, FJCC 250-245-6424 Jul 7-10, Vancouver Island MusicFest, www.islandmusicfest.comJul 9, 8am, Chemainus Giant Market Day, Chemainus Senior Drop-In Centre, 250-210-2344Jul 9, 7pm, DANCE “The Esquires” Chemainus Senior Drop-In Centre, 250-210-2344Jul 9, 9am-1pm, Crofton Market, beside BC Ferry Terminal, 250-246-9871Jul 9, Aunty Kate and the Uncles of Funk, Powder Blues Band, The Saltair Pub, www.dancingbean.caJul 10, 6pm, Nanaimo Concert Band, Big Band, Amphitheatre, Transfer BeachJul 11, 4:45pm, BINGO, Chemainus Senior Drop-In Centre, 250-210-2344Jul 11-15, 9am-3pm, All day Summer Art Camp Nanaimo Art Gallery, 250-740-6350Jul 12, 7pm, Hope King, Chemainus Waterwheel Park, by donation, www.cvcas.com Jul 12- 24, GOOD TIMBER “a Rollicking Musical Revue!, VI Conference Centre, 250-754-8550Jul 13-Aug 20, Snow White, Chemainus Theatre Festival 250-246-9820Jul 15, Aug 12, Ladysmith Yacht Club Adult 18 hr course, FJCC 250-245-6424 Jul 15, 7-8:30pm, LENA BIRTWISTLE, the 49th cafeJul 16, 9:30am-8:30pm, The Chemainus Bluegrass Festival, Waterwheel Park, www.chemainusbluegrass.comJul 16, 9am-1pm, Crofton Market, beside BC Ferry Terminal, 250-246-9871Jul 17, 6pm, Cynthia Davis, Amphitheatre, Transfer BeachJul 17, 11am- 3pm, Brits on the Beach car show, Transfer Beach, 250-468-5828Jul 18, 4:45pm, BINGO, Chemainus Senior Drop-In Centre, 250-210-2344Jul 18-22, 12-3pm, Dance and Drama Summer camp, Nanaimo Art Gallery, 250-740-6350

Jul 18-22, 12-3pm, Drawing, Painting and Printmaking for Teens Summer camp, Nanaimo Art Gallery, 250-740-6350Jul 18-22, 9am-11.30am, ArtRageous art camp for little artists, Nanaimo Art Gallery, 250-740-6350Jul 18-22, 9am-12pm, Raindrops to Rainbows, St. Philip’s Anglican Church, 250-722-3467Jul 19, 7pm, PUZZLEROOT, Chemainus Waterwheel Park, by donation, www.cvcas.comJul 20, 9:30am, Probus Club of Ladysmith, St John’s Anglican Church Hall, 314 Buller St. 250-245-5965Jul 21, 7:30pm, CELTFEST 2011, Port Theatre, 250-754-8550Jul 22-24, Island Folk Fest, Providence Farm Duncan, 250-748-3975Jul 23, Leslie Alexander and Jenny Allen, Fred Eaglesmith Band, The Saltair Pub, www.dancingbean.caJul 23, 7pm, DANCE “Happy Hans”, Chemainus Senior Drop-In Centre, 250-210-2344 Jul 23, 9am-1pm, Crofton Market, beside BC Ferry Terminal, 250-246-9871Jul 24, 1- 4 pm, Purple Martin Open House at the Ladysmith Maritime Society, 250-758-2922Jul 24, 6pm, Trinitude, Acoustic folk music, Amphitheatre, Transfer BeachJul 25, 4:45pm, BINGO, Chemainus Senior Drop-In Centre, 250-210-2344Jul 26, 7pm, BOPOMA Marimba, Chemainus Waterwheel Park, by donation, www.cvcas.com Jul 26, 7pm, Ladysmith Camera Club meeting, Hardwick Hall, Ladysmith www.LadysmithCameraClub.comJul 27, 7-9pm, Cedar Talent / Community Night – NOAH Building 13467 Cedar Rd., 250-245-8407Jul 30, 9am-1pm. Crofton Market, beside BC Ferry Terminal, 250-246-9871Jul 30, 10am, Art in the Park, Chemainus Waterwheel Park, 250-246-3944Jul 31, 6pm, Sid & Lena - roots rock, Amphitheatre, Transfer Beach

To submit or view the complete events calendar visit www.take5.ca/events

CLASSIFIED ADSPAINT & SAVE OPTION: Do it your-

self, with a little help from a pro together we can make your job more affordable and accomplish a great look. Making the world a brighter place over 25 years. Call Harvey 250-245-2174

DRIVING LESSONS: Approach-ing Road Test time? Need an evaluation of your driving skills? Also available: Col-lision Avoidance Training. Great prices on Road Test Packages. 49th Parallel Driving School 250-416-1606 or 250-619-2713

AJ’S PLUMBING AND GAS Li-censed - Bonded – Insured. Journeyman with over ten years experience. New and renovation construction, repairs and in-stalls. For quality work at a reasonable rate. Call Aeron Jensen 250-802-7123

LIGHTWORKS WINDOW Washing and gutter cleaning. Careful & consider-ate. Call David 250-722-3599

BOWEN TECHNIQUE is a gentle soft tissue remedial therapy that resets the body to heal itself. Useful for joint, back and neck pain, frozen shoulder, asthma, chronic fatigue and many other problems. For information and appoint-ments call 250-245-7738. Lilja Hardy FMBAC in practice since 1994. www.bowtech.com

GOT GRANITE? Have your Granite and Marble Countertops professionally sealed and buffed. Kitchens starting at $75. We do tile as well! SealTech Spe-cialties. Call Stuart at 250-734-2681 www.sealtechspecialties.com

PROFESSIONAL PET CARE SER-VICE Leash ‘em & walk ‘em with Marle-na. Insured and bonded. Animal First Aid and CPR. Service for all pets including dog walking, home care visits, overnight with pet in your home and much more. As my love is yours! 250-246-3394.

HOME BUDDIES PET & HOUSE CARE since 1994. Licensed, Bonded, Insured. Professional, kindhearted, ex-perienced and reliable care for all pets. Pet First Aid and CPR Certifi ed. Certi-fi ed Security Professional through West-guard Security. When loving care and security are essential, Peggy Wildsmith 250-245-0151

HOW IS YOUR DRIVEWAY? Have those concrete and asphalt areas patched. Seal your driveway professionally to prepare for the summer heat! Enhance your home’s “Curb Appeal” SealTech Specialties. Call Stuart 250-734-2681.

BOBBY’S MINIHOE & CLEANUP Landscaping, lot clearing, debris re-moval, excavating, small deliveries with dump trailer, mulch, lawn soil, garden soil, driveway chip, serving Nanaimo, Cedar, Ladysmith & area. Call Bobby 250-713-4970

THE HAPPY GARDENER Weeding, digging, raking, etc. Cheerful and con-scientious. Call David 250-722-3599

THINKING OF SELLING YOUR HOME? Perhaps ready for a fresher look in your existing home? The affordable design services provided by Rooms n Blooms can help. Call Shar at 250-245-0548 or email [email protected]

ISLAND PRUNING Pruning, tree

care, fruit trees, vines, ornamental trees, shrubs and hedges. Chainsaw work and small and large clean-up. Darcy 250-245-1260

DO YOU HAVE MOLD? Algae? Moss? Seicoat has products that will re-move and prevent. Ten year warranties offered on select products. Technology is what we do.www.seicoat.com Call 250-816-5002

ISAGENIX DISTRIBUTOR - Get Lean and Healthy Fast - Less than $5/ meal. Our protein shakes are amazing! - No Gluten, Wheat, Barley or Trans Fat. Suzanne Deveau 250-245-8407

SEMI RETIRED MASSAGE THER-APIST working in Cedar By The Sea. $60 an hour session. 250-722-2669

QUALITY RENOVATIONS, big or small. 25 yrs exp/journeyman, afford-able. Free estimate, Lars 250-616-1800

TAKE 5 take5.ca 33

ARE YOU CONCERNED? Hot fl ashes, sweats. arthritis, colitis, bursi-tis, migraines, constipation, blood pres-sure, shingles, gout and tumors? Over 90% of diseases originate in our colons. Call Mavis for information re: Canaid & Yuccan 250-245-3054 [email protected]

OVERCOAT PAINTING Profession-al - Reliable - Reasonable. Operating 6 years in Ladysmith. No job too small. Will do minor painting repairs. Special senior’s rates. Call Heather McIntosh for a free estimate. 250-245-5557

SUMMER MOWING & TRIMMING Any size yard, 36” commercial walk behind mower available. Vacation lawn care. We trim hedges and remove yard waste. Fully Insured. Dunn Lawn & Gar-den. Call 250-618-6660

AGILE HOME REPAIR & IM-PROVEMENT For all your carpentry and home repair needs. From repair-ing/replacing siding, decks, fences to interior finishing including home ventilation. Fully insured. Call IAN 250-714-8800.

HANDCRAFTED GEMSTONE NECKLACES. Jade, garnet, lapis, aven-turine and more! $20 each. See jewellery table at Campers Corner Saturday fl ea market, 8am-3pm 250-245-3829

SEPTIC SERVICE by ReQuest Hold-ings Ltd. A local family owned business. Waste bins-commercial and residential. Emergency callouts welcomed. Mention this ad for a 10% discount. 250-740-7742 [email protected]

FOR RENT IN LADYSMITH 4-plex 2 bdrm apartment, senior 55+, well maintained 1000 sq.ft. oceanview, drapes, carpeted. W/D-F/S-N/S-N/P’s. No elevator. $750. To view contact 250-245-4646 or 250-758-5816

CERTIFIED RCA with 20 years ex-perience. Available for personal, respite and palliative care, housekeeping, trans-portation and errands. Personalized care that fi ts your schedule.Trusted, reliable and affordable. Call Sheila 250-668-4294


TAKE 5 take5.ca 37

RENTAL AVAILABLE FOR AU-GUST 1st. 2 Bedroom F/S, W/D, Yel-lowpoint. $900 Hydro extra. Carol 250-245-8630

SALE- NEAR NEW men’s size 9 Gor-

tex motorcycle boots. Paid $350 sacrifi ce $150 Carol 250-245-8630

SALE NEAR NEW men’s Marin

mountain bike. Many extras. Paid over $2000 sacrifi ce $1200. Carol 250-245-8630

ROTO-TILLER-MAN Mobile lawn-mower repairs/ 3 month guarantee, roto-tilling gardens, rubbish cleanup/remov-als and lawn leveling. Let’s Make Your Garden Grow. 30 years experience. Call Barry at 250-816-1952

KAREN’S INDUSTRIAL SEWING Alterations and repairs, from Grad and Wedding to heavy work clothes and ac-cessories. Can also do Manufacturing and Prototypes. Second Avenue, Lady-smith. For appointment call Karen 250-245-7945

M MCNEIL CONTRACTING Doing it Right the fi rst time and on Budget! Excavating/ Demolition /Lot Levelling. Hitachi 135, Linkbelt 75, Bobcat, Dump truck, Hoe Pack and Breaker. Call or email Mike today for a free quote! 250-714-9125 [email protected]

FLIGHT CENTRE ASSOCIATE and TRAVEL EXPERT Need help planning your next holiday? Book a 7 nights pack-age or more and get $25 off per person. Offer expires July 31/12. 250-619-8428 jodi.scott@fl ightcentreassociates.com

FOR SALE – ’91 Crown Vic, silver, 307471 km, runs well, new front brakes, new ignition, good battery, Sony CD/MP3 player w/removable face plate. $1000 obo. 250-245-5794

LYNN’S SENIORS CARE HOME: High Quality Personalized Care. Warm caring environment, great food and snacks, family events, couples andpets welcomed, ocean views, gardens. North of Ladysmith. 250-245-3391 www.lynnsseniorcare.com

CLASSIFIED ADS sell!

A town called Ladysmith BY STEVE AND CATHY ARNETT

They say it takes a village to raise a child but we know it’s a town. A town called La-dysmith. A town where former teacher and long time Mayor Rob beckons you and friend Ryan into the Old Towne Bakery while pass-ing by for a free cinnamon bun, Anderson of the mountain bike tricks lived four doors over, and Dustin of the Quists played unlim-ited golf with you at our local course all sum-mer long as the sun shone bright.

They say it takes a village to raise a child but we know it’s a town. A town where an-nual Light Up and Ladysmith Days parades organized by the Duck and his Kin easily out-shine anything the Mardi Gras or Stampede put on

They say it takes a village to raise a child but we know it’s a town where baseball ge-nius Ted Pushka originally taught your big brother and later Sir Guy ‘of the jokes’ Du-pont taught you the essence of their game, While Britton-Foster bandaged many a boys of summer skinned knee and then told them to get back up there and bunt on his signal, Afterwards you devoured a Little League park hot dog followed by a self induced brain freeze on a foot long icicle,

They say it takes a village to raise a child but we know it’s a town where friendships with Cody D., the Tylers Reid and Rochon, cemented in place during baseball All Stars in soggy Prince George remain to this day. Your fond remembrances a living testament to the Field of Baseball Dreams created by the likes of the Irvines, Armstrong and Mah.

They say it takes a village to raise a child but we know it’s a town where your passion for The Beautiful Game was born and nur-tured in Pony to Y league with Megan and Jennifer, A town where many of the very best people of Mid Isle volunteered for our

soccer club, the Merriman’s, Jim Brown, the Geary’s, Nelda Bonsor, Judy Baker, Gord Horth and many more

They say it takes a village to raise a child but we know it’s a town where members of the local RCMP police detachment are better known as Andre rather than Constable, dad to friend Allison who will referee the big game today then line tomorrow with son Neil. A town where warm memories of the ever pop-ular Sheddon who coached your fi rst Farm team at the age of fi ve will never fade, and each Nov 11 you witnessed the Red Serge uniform in honor of Legion 171 Veterans at the Cenotaph

They say it takes a village to raise a child but we know it’s a town where Friday home movie nights alternated between welcome safe refuges provided by Kelsey at the Den Toons, the Hanson’s family abode, and our place too. A town where afterwards you asked for a ride over to Smythies for an out-door fi re and hot tub with Spence, staying up late playing video games, only to get up early next day and troop over to the Royal Dar be-fore it opens convincing Kam to make you a curry treat.

They say it takes a village to raise a child but we know it’s a town where Bourie, Bor-gie, Fish and you, lifted weights in Frank Jameson gym on the generations old quest to become incredibly teenage buff, And then after oblivious to the irony, wandered down to sevey for a big bag of candy to recover fol-lowed by a Big Gulp.

They say it takes a village to raise a child but we know it’s a town where your fond-est High School days will always include the year Soccer Coach Boyle ‘took the little team that did to provincials’ And dear friend Robbie Cochrane demonstrated early why he would go on to become a nationally recog-nized goalie, A town where throughout your time at LSS, O’Toole continuously encour-aged, Street was an inspiration, Milne mod-eled the spirit of giving expressed in the pow-er of volunteerism and athletic role models

Steel’s and Hees religiously promoted the joy of a active healthy lifestyle.

They say it takes a village to raise a child but we know it’s a town where the staff who work here are also friend to us its citizens A town where the Battie clan remains fi rst amongst neighbors and every summer the four brothers come back together to play boc-ce ball late into the night under the backyard lights. A town where immeasurable contribu-tions of the Crams and Forrests of our com-munity are deservedly recognized with the naming of streets and playing fi elds. And the Community Marina is infi ltrated by a band of once a year pirates with fearsome names like Cliff, Gord, Jim, Harold, Tim, Barrie, John-son, the Blackstaffs, the Nottes, the Bells, Betty, Marnie, and Pat!

They say it takes a village to raise a child but we know it’s a town where the Rich-mond’s hired fi rst big brother and now you to a job in their store and treated you so right. Where they and all the other good merchants invest so much in everyone here but espe-cially the young

They say it takes a village to raise a child but we know it’s a town where lots of lazy summer days were spent at beautiful Transfer Beach. And fi reworks over the bay are for-ever burnt into childhood memory

They say it takes a village to raise a child but we know it’s a town of unbounded gen-erosity, caring and fun A town where those who contributed so much but were not named will easily forgive

They say it takes a village to raise a child but we know it’s a town. A town called Lady-smith. A town that fi rst helped us to raise our eldest and now our youngest son to become fi ne young men we all can be proud of.

Christopher turned 21 on June 20thThank you, Ladysmith we could not have

done it without you all. We are deeply grateful to each of you

for the blessing and privilege of living in this incomparable Town of Ladysmith – our home.


Take 5 July

Documents

great people

laaa members

ladysmith area

ladysmith legion branch

highland gathering committee

breakfasts members

great party

free night stay