WEST COAST WRESTLING
‘BEAR THE WAIT’ IN TOFINO
Two early tourneys launch new season
Man carries stone to shed light on important issue
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Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017
Westerly News
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Highway 4 set to close every night
Work on $27 million upgrade begins in April
ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
The only road that connects the West Coast to Port Alberni and beyond looks like it will be shut down in both directions every night for three months this summer. Canada’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Communities and B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure are splitting the cost of a roughly $27 million project that will upgrade a 1.5 kilometre stretch of Hwy. 4 roughly 14 kilometres east of the West Coast junction. The project is expected to get underway in April and take about two years to complete. Ucluelet mayor Dianne St. Jacques told the Westerly News that Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure representatives presented to the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District board last week and outlined their plan to close Highway 4 in both directions every night from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. from June 15 to September 15. During each nightly closure, the highway would open for two one-hour periods: from midnight to 1 a.m. and again from 4 a.m. to 5 a.m., according to St. Jacques. She said the road is expected to remain open between 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., though commuters could face 30-minute delays with single-lane traffic. Continued on A12 See TURN page 0
NORA O’MALLEY PHOTO
Mathea Olin, 14, stands at Cox Bay beach with the medals she won at the Pan American Games in Peru at the beginning of December. Olin won a bronze in the women’s shortboard and gold in the longboard. Her medals are the first surf medals for Canada in international competition.
Historic win for young Tofino surfer NORA O’MALLEY nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca
Tofino surfer Mathea Olin looks strong as she paddles out at her home break at the north end of Cox Bay on a drizzly Saturday in December. The 14-year-old Tokyo 2020 Olympic hopeful effortlessly punches through walls of whitewater, navigating herself into position to catch a head high green wave out back. In minutes, she catches the first clean wave that rolls towards her and beautifully executes a powerful snap manoeuvre on its open face. Like a snowboarder carving powder, a flash of spray projects above her head.
“My main focus is definitely shortboard. I love longboards and literally will only longboard like 10-times a year, so I kind of just hop on a longboard a couple times before a comp,” said Olin. Most recently, her free and organic approach to longboard competition earned the young athlete a gold medal at the Pan American Surfing Games in Peru at the beginning of month. “I was up against a three-time world champion. I was like, I’m probably not going to win so I’m just gonna go out there and have fun longboarding and try new stuff,” she recalls. Then on a longboard she borrowed from a teammate, Olin cruised her way to a perfect 10 wave score. “I was so lucky to have it. I was stoked before I even finished the wave.” Continued on A3
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The USS Warriors took ninth place at the Single-A Provincial Championships in Kamloops.
KEN LUDLOW PHOTO
USS volleyball wraps up USS bests Duncan Christian in provincials
ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
From all of us at the Ucluelet Co-op, we wish you a SAFE and HAPPY HOLIDAY Season! FOOD STORE Holiday Closures: Dec. 24 - Closing at 4pm Dec. 25 - CLOSED • Dec. 26 - CLOSED Jan. 1 - CLOSED
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The West Coast’s high school volleyball season finished strong, but with four key players headed towards graduation, reinforcements are needed to keep the spike alive. Ucluelet Secondary School’s senior boys volleyball team headed to the Single-A Provincial Championships for just the second time in school history last month and batted their way to a solid ninth place finish, scoring some sweet revenge against rival Duncan Christian along the way. Head coach Bryan Grigg attributed the successful season and provincial run to his team’s hard work and dedication. “These boys are committed and dedicated. They would show up,” he said. “Because of that, we were able to get to where we were this year. We earned our way into ninth place and, a couple of bounces different ways, we could have been a lot higher too.” The provincials were hosted in Kamloops and kicked off with teams split into two round-robin pools and USS found themselves in a group that ultimately boasted the tournament’s top three teams. They finished fifth in their pool, which forced them into a consolation bracket to battle for ninth to 12th place and they fought their way to one final showdown against rivals Duncan Christian in the bracket’s finale. “The boys played fantastic. They played within the system, they didn’t get tight, they didn’t get nervous. They just continued to do what they needed to do and the points just kept tallying up,” Grigg said. “We had a couple guys really step up and all eight guys on the team contributed.” He said the final matchup against Duncan Christian was hard fought, with USS winning the last game 32-30. Volleyball games are set up as a race to 25 points, with the first team to reach that threshold being declared the winner. Play continues though until one team wins by two points, which led to USS and Duncan Christian’s high scoring affair. “It was an absolute marathon game,” Grigg said adding roughly 300 people were in the stands to watch the two Vancouver Island teams.
“I’m extremely proud of the way the boys played.” – Bryan Grigg
“Duncan Christian played fantastic. We played fantastic. It was a really nice showcase of what Island volleyball is.” He said USS benefitted from clutch personal performances, including Jared Lucas, who stepped in and “did a fabulous job,” when star player Will Fortune went down with a rolled ankle partway through the match. “Our setter Diego Corlazzoli really turned into a workhorse. Our power hitter Matteo Ludlow just went into beast mode. He just continually played above his game and really earned a lot of points for us. Offensively, he killed. He really kept the Duncan Christian team defence on their heels.” He added that while the boys didn’t get into the championship round, they were thrilled to score some sweet revenge against the Duncan Christian team that bested them in the Island Championships. “We went out of that tournament on a high. I’m extremely proud of the way the boys played. They really showed that they were meant to be there,” he said. “In the end, we took a little bit of revenge on Duncan Christian. They’re a very classy team. They are friends of ours, but they beat us and relegated us to second on the Island. In the provincials, we took ninth place and they finished 10th.” The team will look for new faces next season as four of its eight players are set to graduate. Grigg said he’s confident success will continue with four strong players returning, including Fortune, Corlazzoli and Rowan Mayes, who scored the teams final two points in the pressure-filled final match. “The future is bright, but we need to get more boys out. Volleyball is a real team sport, so it depends on how the whole team gets along and how we work together as a team, as a unit,” he said. “We have a couple of really bright talents coming through, but there needs to be a supporting cast. It’s a whole team effort to get us to where we want to be, like the provincials.”
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Wednesday, December 20, 2017 A3
Wrestling season underway
mid island realty
USS Warriors hit two tourneys
Ucluelet / Tofino midislandrealty.com
ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
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DEC 20 • TOFINO RECYCLES Local wrestlers have shaken their offseason rust off in rapid fashion as the Ucluelet Secondary School Warriors hit the mats at two consecutive weekend tournaments to start the season this month. The Warriors first crack at this year’s competition came on Dec. 9 in Chemainus. “The kids all wrestled really well and it was a good early season test for them all,” said coach Mike Rhodes. “Overall, I was really happy with the effort of all our kids and I’m looking forward to the weeks ahead as our kids work hard and continue to progress and battle like warriors.” He said Owen Rhodes and Evan Johansen both earned gold medals in their weight-classes. Lukas Bewick earned a silver medal and Ottis Crabbe and Abigail Titian each fought to fourth place finishes. “Abby had a really nice pin in her second match but, unfortunately, injured her shoulder in her next match or she may have even finished higher in her weight class,” Rhodes said. “Owen and Evan looked really strong in their matches. They had really solid finishes, wrestled smart and listened well to the coaching from the corner.” The Warriors then traveled to Burnaby for a Dec. 15-16 War on the Floor
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TIDES & WEATHER
THURSDAY DEC. 21, 2017 TIDE
02:31 07:50 13:45 20:31
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3 1.7 3.3 0.7
9.8 5.6 10.8 2.3
5°/2° Partly sunny
FRIDAY DEC. 22, 2017 TIDE
03:08 08:30 14:22 21:07
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2.9 1.8 3.2 0.8
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SATURDAY DEC. 23, 2017 TIDE
USS PHOTO
Ucluelet Secondary School Warrior Ottis Crabbe pins his opponent at the War on the Floor tournament. tournament, giving them a broader taste of this year’s province-wide competition. Owen Rhodes, Evan Johansson and Lukas Bewick each came third in their weight classes and Otis Crabbe finished sixth. “They all did really well,” Rhodes said. “I was super impressed with all of them.” He said this year’s squad features five core members showing up consistently, down from the double-digit
rosters of the past few seasons. “It’s a bit of a rebuild year, but I know there’s a lot of keen kids at the elementary schools in both Tofino and Ucluelet so, hopefully, we’re going to get some of those kids coming out with us in the next couple of years,” he said. There’s still time more members to sign up and anyone interested in competing is encouraged to visit coach
Rhodes and get started. “We’ve got a pretty open door policy. Because it’s not a team sport, we can always add kids and move them around. There’s always opportunities to come out,” he said. “If you want to test yourself and you want to challenge yourself i don’t think there’s any better way to do it….We’ll get you into the wrestling room and get you on the mats and go from there.”
Bronzed and Golden Olin
03:48 09:15 15:03 21:45
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2.9 1.8 3 0.9
9.5 5.9 9.8 3.0
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SUNDAY DEC. 24, 2017 TIDE
04:31 10:07 15:50 22:28
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2.9 1.8 2.9 1
9.5 5.9 9.5 3.3
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MONDAY DEC. 25, 2017 TIDE
05:17 11:10 16:49 23:16
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2.9 1.7 2.7 1.1
9.5 5.6 8.9 3.6
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TUESDAY DEC. 26, 2017 TIDE
06:08 12:22 18:03
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WEDNESDAY DEC. 27, 2017
From A1
Surf Canada president Dom Domic was in Peru for the event. “She had all the competitors area standing on their feet and cheering and chanting 10!10!10! Canada, Canada… over and over. It was such a pure moment of sporting magic,” said Domic. A couple days prior to winning the longboard title, Olin picked up a bronze medal in the women’s open shortboard division. “Mathea winning the bronze was the first surf medal for Canada in international competition,” Domic told the Westerly. Olin’s support system runs deep. Her main surf coach is Christian Moutinho from Victoria and when she’s in Kauai, Russell Lewis pro-
Metres
TIDE
00:12 07:01 13:33 19:27
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1.3 3.1 1.4 2.6
4.3 10.2 4.6 8.5
8°/2° Cloudy
Sandy Rantz NORA O’MALLEY PHOTO
Tofino mayor and council honoured members of the Canadian Surf Team at a Dec. 14 council meeting. this time, but the IOC will vides coaching. Randy Ce- division in Peru. Canada ranked fourth out have it by March 2018,” said lebrini is her personal trainer and physiotherapist in To- of 15 nations that competed Domic. in the Pan American Games. Olin is currently preparing fino. “Pete Devries has been Argentina placed third, Bra- for a number of different Inmentoring me quite a bit zil second, and Peru ranked ternational Surfing Associafirst. tion competitions and World too,” Olin said. According to Domic, Surf League junior qualifyThere’s also her training partner and younger sister, Mathea’s win gives her mo- ing series. “I hope this medal is the Sanoa, nipping at her heels. mentum going into next Sanoa, who made history in year’s ‘do or die’ PanAm first of many,” she said. “I May by being the youngest 2019 qualifier at the same wanna say thanks to my family, all my sponsors, and the competitor to win the Rip locale. “The Olympic pathway whole entire community here Curl Pro title, placed 10th in the women’s shortboard has not be determined at for supporting me.”
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OPINION
A4 Wednesday, December 20, 2017
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Behest of the West
Hark, the clutches of Santa’s claws are harrowing Santa has never been more terrifying. Throughout my life, three specific and inexplicable fears have triggered my amygdala’s flight-mode: clowns, the number nine and broken glass. The reasons for that particular trifecta of terror are far too personal and nonsensical to be noteworthy. What is important, is that a fourth member is creeping towards the list that I’m starting to think will dwarf them all. To quote Jack Skeleton, “They call him Sandy Claws.” I carted my kids to Santa’s lap twice this month. The holiday spirit is a tornado I enjoy being swept into. Crimson and Clover are too adorable to see beyond the pageantry of it all. Their twoyear-old eyes saw pancakes put, and cut, in front of them, which stirred up more than
enough delight, especially when chased by quest was soundly delivered and the hope the bask of infinitely swooning and gleefully on his face was palpable. shrieking adults taking photos of them on I’m not saying Santa won’t come through, Santa’s lap. but if you read this column regularly you Junior though, is four and, know I have a complicated relawhen it comes to Santa Claus, tionship with that so-called elf that age-group is a whole new due to a Nintendo that never came. ballgame. He loves pancakes I’m all too familiar with the as much as his sisters, but he’s connected dots they haven’t tears my mom lived through figured out yet. This Santa cat each year that one thing I’d grants wishes. asked Santa for didn’t appear under the tree. I believe I may He met Santa politely and soon be painted the colour of smiled for the camera each Andrew Bailey comeuppance. time, but neither Tofino or I’ll either have a heroic song Ucluelet’s visit was a social one. His sisters soaked up the pleasure. He of victory or sorrowful sob-story of defeat was there on business. An assignment was to share with you soon. tasked. Clear direction was given. His reYou won’t hear it next week though. This
is your last Westerly News of 2017. We’ll be nestled far too deep in good tidings to submit any pages for your perusal on Dec. 27. News has knack for never stopping however, so holiday elves tip-toeing into our office to throw an update or two onto our website or Facebook page now and then is a sound investment for your bottom dollar. Thank you for reading and thank you more for making it so fantastically easy for your local news crew to find fascinating stories to share. Interesting people living in interesting communities during interesting times had us working in an open-bar of inspiring delight in 2017. We’re blessed you invited us to it. Merry Christmas West Coast. See you next year.
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SURFING WITH A SEA LION: Photographer Jill Beale captured this stunning image at Sombrio Beach on Oct. 28 and hopes to share it with the man behind the wetsuit. Do you know who this surfer is? If you do, please get in touch with us and we’ll pass on the information. Do you have a photo you’d like to share? Send it to us at Office@WesterlyNews.ca and you might see it in this space.
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TOFINO SUPPORTS PRVC
A HOLIDAY POEM
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Tourism Tofino, I am writing to clarify Tourism Tofino’s position with regard to the Pacific Rim Visitors Center (PRVC) as reported in the Westerly News, December 6, 2017. As readers may know, Tourism Tofino has supported the PRVC since its inception as a key information hub for travellers to our region. In keeping with a regional approach to visitor education, Tourism Tofino also focuses a portion of its marketing efforts on initiatives that include neighboring communities. Our recent and successful “Real West Coast” campaign, that included Ucluelet, the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and Port Alberni, is a wonderful example of this approach to regional, collaborative marketing. In addition to allocating a portion of our budget to regional marketing initiatives, Tourism Tofino adheres to Destination British Columbia’s visitor-centric approach toward visitor services. Readers may not know that most of the visitor centres in our region (including the PRVC) are members of the official British Columbia Network of Visitor Centres and, as such, receive funding from Destination British Columbia. The operation of most of these centres is the responsibility of the community where each is located (and by a designated organization within that community). Each member of the Network is obligated to stay well-informed about neighbouring communities to ensure that each visitor receives the most well-rounded experience possible. 100 BC Visitor Centres belong to this network and their staff members receive a certification that ensures strong knowledge of the whole province so as to effectively service all visitor inquiries. As Destination BC says, “Today’s visitor services are about ensuring exemplary visitor information is available when and where visitors need it.” In short, it is the responsibility of each visitor centre to give the traveller exactly what they ask for. Tourism Tofino will be following this approach to regional visitor services at the Tofino Visitor’s Center. We encourage Tourism Ucluelet to do the same at the PRVC which receives significantly more traffic and, therefore, provides many more opportunities to encourage travelers to explore all aspects of the region. We will continue to collaborate with Tourism Ucluelet and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve to provide the best possible experience for visitors as dictated by this approach.
Dear Santa The Christmas festive season is upon us, it’s finally here Our thoughts swirl in excitement, for friends and family near and dear We express peace and goodwill to all mankind And keep kindness and love to plants and creatures in mind Sparkling lights and decorations brighten our mornings and nights And excited children are eager to embrace all the delights I look out my window at the dawn of every day Giving thanks for my chance at life, in such a beautiful way Eagles soar overhead and sea lions bark from the docks Blue ocean waves crashing, wearing smooth the exposed rocks The forests stand tall, glistening with dew And I am ever so grateful to be here with all of you This place I call home, surrounding areas on the coast Have offered many things in life I cherish the most Small communities filled with people showing amazing compassion Fun towns to live in, where baggy raingear is in fashion Folks I know, those I don’t, offer greetings, wave and smile With hearts of gold I’m sure, would go the extra mile To all, my wish, for happiness, good health, love Replace Black Press logo and laughter with local logo And much goodnewspaper fortune in the New Year to follow after
J.J. Belanger Tourism Tofino Chair
YOUR VIEWS
www.facebook.com/UWNews Letters to the editor must be signed and include your full name, home town and contact number. Those without these requirements will not be published. Letters must be 300 words or less and are subject to editing. Deadline for letters is Sunday at 2 p.m. The Westerly news retains the right not to publish submissions. The Westerly News is a member of the national newsmedia council which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact: editor@ westerlynews.ca or 250-726-7029. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at mediacouncil. ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.
Wednesday, December 20, 2017 A5
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RECORD TURNOUT AT FEAST This past Sunday night, Dec 10th, saw a record number of people attending the annual Fish and Loaves Christmas Feast. This year the food was mainly provided by many of the restaurants in town, with a lot of vegetarian and vegan fare. Two rows of serving tables were set up and had 4 lines of people come thru, serving over 200 in 20 minutes. Tables were beautifully decorated and set for 212, but the count for dishes served ended up at over 270. Thanks to all the groups, providers, and especially volunteers who did so much work! Thanks to Smashing Glasses who gave us a discount on rented crockery and helped us keep to more reuseable items and less disposables. Thanks also to the Legion for all the extra tables and banquet tools, and to Park and Rec Tofino for their support. Thanks especially to restaurants who donated valuable time, food and work to make this happen. Red Can donated its facilities while Shelter and Jamies cooked up turkeys and stuffing. Vegan and vegetarian food was provided by Common Loaf, Sobo, Earth Mama, Long Beach Lodge, and The Pointe as well as others. Middle Beach Lodge did up 100 pounds of mashed potatoes, Tony’s and Basic Goodness delivered pizzas, Wildside delivered salmon, 1909, Kumas, Darwin’s Café, Tinwis (Beachfront Bistro) Tofino Coffee and Chocolate Tofino all contributed as well. Beaches Grocery gave a generous donation and the Coop also gave a great discount on all items. Thanks to Rene Gibson and her crew for running the kitchen, Eric Lund and his food distribution and Charmaine Enns for the great decorations and table set up. Also Melanie and Pauline and Shandell for providing the music, and many unnamed helpers. Thanks to the support and donations from Tofino Bible Fellowship, St Columba, and St Francis churches. God bless you, every one! John Enns Fish and Loaves
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IN FOCUS
A6 Wednesday, December 20, 2017
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Jennifer Price-Francis holds her adorably delighted five-month-old son Elliot who was waiting in line to visit Santa Claus for the first time at a pancake breakfast in Tofino’s Community Hall on Saturday.
Santa Claus visits Tofino
Jolly Old St. Nicholas steered his sleigh into Tofino on Saturday to share a pancake breakfast with locals and bring his wish-lists up to date. The delicious family-friendly festivities included a craft table and presentations from urban planning consultant Jennifer Fix about Tofino’s future plans for the community hall site. For more photos of local events, check out our Facebook page at www.WesterlyNews.ca.
ANDREW BAILEY PHOTOS
Shane and Fred Scollon got creative at the craft table.
Lisa Evans and Lilli Witthoeft shared excited smiles with Santa.
Gisele and Blake Bruhwiler shared scrumptious pancakes.
Helpful volunteers Emily Grubb, Omar Soliman and Jesse Scollon kept the delicious pancakes flowing from the kitchen.
Kimberlee Araya met with urban planning consultant Jennifer Fix to learn about Tofino’s future plans for its community hall land.
Tofino locals Jeremy Steen and Leah Ungstad brought thrilled daughter Annika to the charmingly festive holiday event.
PROFILE
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Wednesday, December 20, 2017 A7
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Bryce and Terah Stetchman are raising awareness for those waiting for medical treatment and/or suffering from an undiagnosed disease. Terah has been struggling with a mysterious ailment for three years.
Unique campaign sheds light on wait times Bryce Stetchman plans to walk every Tofino street while carrying a 142-pound stone NORA O’MALLEY nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca
Dressed in a scene-stealing orange camouflage kilt and custom-made purple T-shirt, Bryce Stetchman hoists a 142pound stone over his shoulder and takes a step forward. Slowly, he takes another step. And another. And another. By the end of 2017, Dec. 31, Bryce will have walked every street in the village of Tofino while carrying this special stone that weighs the same as his wife, Terah, did when she was at her ‘healthy weight’. For the last three years, Terah has been silently suffering from an immune related disease, which started with a rash around
her eye area that quickly spread to her whole body. Now, it’s gotten so bad that there are days when she can’t even walk because her legs feel numb and heavy. And even after over 30 clinic appointments, including seeing a handful of specialists, Terah doesn’t know what’s wrong with her. “I don’t have a definitive diagnosis yet and it’s taken three years for them to come up with one idea,” she said. Out of sheer frustration and hopelessness, her husband of 20 years launched ‘Bear the Weight,’ a unique campaign to raise awareness for those suffering from an undiagnosed disease and waiting for medical treatment. “I didn’t know what else to do. I’ve gone with her to every appointment that I can.
I’ve helped her with the research. We’ve been through everything together and we’re not getting anywhere,” said Bryce. “As a provider, as a husband and father, as a man, I don’t feel adequate enough. I don’t feel like I’m doing it. When I carry that rock around town, and I share our story, and we get support for Terah, it feels like I’m finally doing something,” he said. Terah was touched by his creative efforts. “It felt finally like I could breath and not hide anymore,” she said. “That was the whole point of this too, it’s not just me, there are a lot of families out there that are like us.” Bryce and Terah hope their campaign will bring together more people that are waiting in frustration for answers to their health problems.
Season’s Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year Scott Fraser, MLA Mid Island-Pacific Rim 3945B Johnston Rd., Port Alberni V9Y 5N4
1-866-870-4190
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“I didn’t know what else to do.” – Bryce Stetchman
Anyone interested in learning more can visit the Facebook Page ‘Bear the Weight.’ “We’re waiting to find out where to start,” said Bryce. “That’s why I started this different kind of campaign. It’s the wait time. The wait doesn’t go away.” On New Year’s Day at 3p.m., Bryce will be at Tonquin Beach lifting heavy rocks from 110-pounds to 260-pounds for the Battle of the Se7en Stones. The Highland Games inspired event is a fundraiser for Terah’s medical expenses.
A8 Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News
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Nancy Woods, left, dances with Sophie L’Homme during the Dec. 17 concert at Ucluelet Community Centre. Furniture, Appliances & Electronics LTD. www.theplacefurniture.ca
Concerts with a local twist Tofino and Ucluelet December choir review ERIN LINN MCMULLAN Special to the Westerly
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The warm blue lights illuminate the Tofino and Ucluelet choirs, still in their casual clothes, as conductor Sophie L’Homme runs them through one last pre-show rehearsal and a medley of classics inspired by her grandmother’s Christmas mix-tape. Her treasured grandmother’s gold bracelet dances as L’Homme’s hands clap time and she sways from side to side in the unique choreography that is her special signature when conducting. Christmas lights strung across the stage at the Ucluelet Community Centre and a pair of poinsettias matching the lonely red bass waiting on its stand help keep the black winter west coast night at bay. The December concerts, performed in both Tofino and Ucluelet on Dec. 16 and Dec. 17, put a unique west coast twist on the season and showcase the reasons the choirs have quickly become the heartbeat of the community. The program unfolds like an end-of the-road anthem from L’Homme’s haunting duet with Filimoni Saininaivalu of gospel song, “Can’t Give Up Now”, to the adapted “A Nightingale Sang in Barclay Sound”, to the calypso beat infusing “Bring Me a Higher Love” that has the audience dancing in their seats. Both the complex “Nightingale” and “Bridge O’er Troubled Waters” are performed by the alumni of the choir retreat held this fall at Cedar Cove Field Station or what L’Homme calls “camp for grownups”. L’Homme delights in discovering and featuring her chorists’ special talents from Saininaivalu’s “fantastic” vocal register to instrumental flourishes like Donald Cornwell’s solo sax and Therese Bouchard’s lively turn on the djembe. “I love my choir family,” says L’Homme, who,
describes how it has become “an organic part of this community with deep roots” and formed connections between people from all different generations and backgrounds. It has also provided L’Homme with a sense of belonging she has not experienced anywhere else, despite strong ties to her family in Montreal. She was also very moved to learn how choir had changed people’s lives during that first dinner at their retreat. “I feel so blessed to be close to community,” she adds, explaining that to connect that way is like winning. It’s a confirmation of her instinct to call this coast home, even as she reflects in concert on how “life here is pretty but not easy” as she discovered that first summer in 2008 when she drove across Canada in her Toyota Corolla. Like her talented choir, L’Homme has evolved over the past two years from a novice to a professionally trained conductor, augmenting her foundation in jazz and arranging from the University of Montreal. Arranging all but two of the program’s numbers, the alchemy of her hundreds of hours at the computer turning pop tunes into choral music transforms the already-rich “In Dreams” from The Breaking of the Fellowship. Its spirit of resilience as the lyrics describe winter’s cold and the “bitter rain” highlighted in the song’s introduction by Dr. Pam Frazee echoes the soft drizzle outside the auditorium and the experience of the audience who sit warm and enthralled. It seems apropos as we are embraced by L’Homme’s fully realized dream: a choir to lift a community’s spirits. Coming full circle, L’Homme is expanding that dream by composing, a new piece exploring our relationship with the ocean. She created it in collaboration with author Joanna Streetly and hopes to have the choir ready to perform for Pacific Rim Whale Fest. Choir begins in the new year in Tofino on January 25 and Ucluelet on January 30.
Wishing a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all of the West Coast communities.
From all of us at The Ucluelet Rent It Center! Holiday Closures: We will be closed December 23-26th. Open December 27-29th from 9am - 3pm. Closed December 30th - January 1st — Emergency calls for vacuum trucks will be available. REOPENING TUESDAY, JAN. 2, 2018
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Wednesday, December 20, 2017 A9
On the Edge decorates best
BLACK ROCK OCEANFRONT RESORT www.blackrockresort.com Tel: (250) 726-4800
Local business wins top festive prize
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ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
Ucluelet’s Mills family had reason to beam as brightly as their immaculately decorated home on Saturday night as their family business On the Edge Roofing was announced the winner of the local chamber of commerce’s holiday decor contest. “We heard that there was a competition and, as soon as there is a competition, we go overboard as much as we can,” Shaun Mills told the Westerly News. “I’m hoping the competition and the lights inspire other people around town, and the district, to decorate our streets, get more lights and get more people behind it…I’d like to see the whole town put this stuff up.” He added making the town look festive is an important tradition to keep, especially for local youth. “It’s just Christmas. A lot of our culture is kind of disappearing on us and it’s just important to make sure that it sticks around for the next generation for kids,” he said. The Mills bought their Bay Street home eight years ago after moving to Ucluelet from Edmonton and were reminded why after a thoughtless theft led to a heartwarming end last week when roughly 30 lights were stolen off the Mills’ holiday display. Shaun posted what happened on social media and, along with receiving a heartwarming response from community members, he was awed to discover the lost lights replaced overnight. “Someone had come by and put a whole bunch of lights back in and left a little bucket of lights sitting by the garage door,” he said. “It’s a great community we live in…You, kind of, get bummed out when you go through the work and someone comes and takes [the lights] away and then, when all of a sudden they just reappear, it’s an amazing feeling. It’s Christmas.”
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The Mills family, Shaun, Kellie, Katie and Bentley, shine outside their award winning home. Mills said he has been in the roofing business for over 15 years and recently rebranded to On the Edge Roofing after seeing significant expansion in his local business. “I was just using it as a job more than anything and, in the last couple years, it’s getting more known and it’s getting busier and busier,” he said. “Last year, I made a decision to take it from a job to a career and hopefully expand here and make a go at it.” That decision has paid dividends as, he said, On the Edge Roofing now employs four full-time employees during the winter months and expands to about eight during the summer.
Canada’s first
Mills said he has been a member of the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce for three years and has been delighted to see the changes brought in by the chamber’s recently hired administrator Lara Kemps. “She has just been amazing,” he said noting the chamber played a key role in the Harbour Lights Sail Past and Breakfast with Santa events along with the holiday decorating contest. “They are just going full bore with it. It’s important that the community gets behind it…It’s only going to encourage people to shop local and spend local. The chamber being behind this is just amazing. It’s a great feeling and a great job they are doing right now and for the future.”
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A10 Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Wishing all my friends on the West Coast a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year! Sincerely, Elling Reite & Family
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WWII medals discovered Tourists find mysterious items in tidal pool “It was very very odd that they were all in one spot.”
ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
A group of tourists from Sechelt made a mysterious discovery walking along Chesterman Beach and they’re hoping a local can help them sort it out. Lynn Duncan and her husband are frequent visitors to Tofino and were vacationing with friends when they discovered two WWII medals, a WWII service pin and a man’s wedding ring inside a small tidal pool near Frank Island. “They were actually in one of the tidal pools, a very small little tidal pool and they were all in this little, tiny tidal pool. That’s what seemed so unusual about it, almost like perhaps they’d been in something that had just broken up,” she said. “It was very very odd that they were all in one spot. It seems very tidal right there in that area and there’s quite a lot of wave action.” She said the group dug around and retrieved the items and delivered them to nearby Pacific Rim National Park staff. “It was quite confusing. We kind of almost wondered about a burial at sea maybe. There
– Lynn Duncan was so many questions going on in our heads, we just didn’t know,” she said. “Maybe somebody put them in the sea for a reason. So we had that kind of mixed feeling about the whole situation.” She said she called Veterans Affairs Canada and, through the service pin, the items’ original owner was identified as J. W. P. P Whalen. She said she hopes to find a relation of Mr. Whalen’s who could provide direction on what to do. “The number one goal would be to see if we could find out who this person was and connect them with a family member,” she said. “If we do trace a connection, we’d just like to respect the wishes of what they would like to see happen to the medals.” A Parks Canada spokesperson said the National Park Reserve planned to forward the items to another organization in the hopes of getting them to their rightful home.
Small diesel spill in Ukee Harbour Manager estimates roughly 10 litres ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
Locals living around Ucluelet’s inner boat basin woke to a strong smell of diesel fuel and rainbow patterns around shorelines Monday morning. Ucluelet’s harbour manager Kevin Cortes was cleaning up spilled diesel fuel pooling in a corner of the dock around noon on Monday and estimated that roughly 10 litres of fuel had spilled into the ocean. “It’s not big recovery, but anything I can pick out is one less drop of oil in the water, so I’ll just keep working as much as I can to get it collected,” Cortes told the Westerly News adding a source of the fuel was not known. He said he smelled the spill when he showed up for work in the morning and went down to check the vessels, but did not hear any bilge pumping. “If a vessel has fuel oil in the bilge, there’s a bilge pump and it would pump out. The most common spills are bilge pump spills. The bilge pumps, of course, are set up so the vessel doesn’t sink, but if it gets any contaminant in with it, it gets pumped into the water,” he said. “I have no evidence of that, so anything I would say on
that is speculation.” He said he went to his office to grab his spill-response pads and began cleaning up as much fuel out as he could. “I started deploying them in the corner of the dock where the diesel spill was pooling and I’ve been cleaning it up ever since,” he said. “Because it’s diesel, I had to wait for it to pool to collect it, because it’s such a light oil. So, I waited for a tide change and the tide change brought all the fuel to the corner…Otherwise it’s just a rainbow and you can’t collect rainbow sheen in pads; it’s just too light.” He said he has spoken with the Coast Guard’s Environmental Response team and is keeping them updated on the situation. “I wouldn’t consider this even close to a major spill. It’s fresh diesel, so it’s definitely got a stronger odour than regular spills,” he said. “It rainbows out and, if you’re working on any of the resorts around us, you’ll definitely see the rainbow and, I think, that’s what people would have seen.” He said this is roughly the second time a small spill has occurred at the inner boat basin this year. “It’s not often,” he said. “It’s a rare occurrence to happen.”
On behalf of the CBT Board of Directors, We wish you and your family a peaceful and happy holiday season! We look forward to seeing you in 2018
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Wednesday, December 20, 2017 A11
Family gives thanks to local community
Husband and father died at Wick Beach KARI MASON Special to the Westerly
A Christmas Letter – sort of: To the First Responders, Ukee Surfing Community, Bystanders and Visitors (who did not just stand by) and the Community of Ucluelet: On November 11, 2017 while enjoying some family surf fun with my husband and young son at Wickanninish Beach, tragedy struck my family… swiftly and unexpectedly… changing our lives forever. One moment we were laughing and watching our son surfing… playing in the water. And the next, we were caught in the middle of a horrible nightmare; one that we cannot ever wake up from. John and I were to celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary on November 12th… for some reason we had exchanged cards and said words of love that morning. I’m so grateful that we did. Here is our story: Moments before I had caught a wave and rode it in to the shore … “So AWESOME!” I yelled to the guy getting ready to kite surf. I turned around and it was then that I noticed something was wrong as my husband lay on his board… drifting further and further away from me. I paddled out with some urgency and when I called to him, his answer was weak. “Come in!” I waved. “I’m trying…” It was then I knew something was terribly wrong. I paddled out to him and made a playful remark… which typically would have been met with one in return. Nothing. It was then that I saw the fear in his eyes; and this is when time began to stand still. “I can’t breathe”… he rasped… and I could see the panic in his eyes. I knew I had to get him into the shore. “Hold on, baby, I’ll get you in – it’s going to be okay.” But it would never be okay again. I frantically paddled towards the shore, but I could feel him slipping away from me. I reached to keep his arms on the board and head above the water and paddled in as hard as I could. We were approaching the breakwater and I knew I needed help for I could never keep him on the board through the crashing waves. I heard my voice calling to a few surfers nearby, “we need help!” I waved my arm… “Help!” These two amazing guys responded immediately and came to our assistance, helping to get John to the shore as quickly and safely as possible. We hollered for someone to call ‘911’… more and more surfers joined us in our efforts…, I remember hearing a female voice yell, “All hands are good hands!” More and more people came. We worked to save my Johnnie… I remember holding his hand, screaming at him to fight while whispering over and over, “this isn’t happening, this can’t be happening”, I just kept saying it as if that would make things change somehow. During this time I felt hands on my shoulder. We worked at CPR, taking turns, switching out… strangers all working together to try to keep this life. The love of my life…I specifically remember a man saying, “Stay with us John, you have all the energy of the universe and Ukee love surrounding you right now!” It was true… and I will be forever grateful for the kindness and courage of complete strangers.
KARI MASON - PHOTO
John Mason’s son Shawn makes a heart with his hands at a memorial he and his mother Kari made on Wick Beach one week after John died. The ‘Love you Forever’ memorial was made near Parking Lot E, where John was brought out of the water.
“I frantically paddled towards the shore, but I could feel him slipping away from me.” – Kari Mason
Despite all of the incredible efforts of everyone around, he left us that day. Love wasn’t enough; for if it had been, he would surely be sitting beside me today. Our lives have changed forever in ways we are just beginning to experience and realize. No history of illness, no warning signs… just gone. Very sad and tragic. As I type this, I ask myself… why am I writing this? Why tell the story? Why relive it as I have every day and night since that fateful day? I have many reasons, I suppose. Firstly, because I would like to thank all of the people who selflessly jumped into a situation to help save a total stranger and to offer support to his family in the worst of moments. Then there are the first responders… what an incredible group of dedicated professionals – paramedics, R.C.M.P. officers who attended and specifically the officer and paramedic who sat with me in the ambulance. Caring, patient, kind and empathetic… your support in those moments helped me gather strength in delivering the most unthinkable news to our young son; that his Dad was gone from our lives forever.
I would also like to thank the kind folks from Victoria who took care of our son during the ordeal and helped preserve his memory of his Dad by keeping him away from an ugly scene when I requested them to. A vision that would likely have stayed with him forever, had they not intervened so quickly. They drove us home in our rental car and even offered to stay with us. Thank you to the people who returned our surfboards and Relic Surf Shop for their compassion. The beauty of this small town can never be fully understood until it is experienced. The coroner and officer paid a ‘house call’ to take our statement, saving us the ordeal of going to the station and also answering my questions in the days to follow. Thank you to the Victim Services group who called and checked in regularly to ensure that we were coping as best we could and offering assistance. I am sorry that I don’t remember all of your names but I can tell you I will never forget you. Thank you to the people in the community in the days after, offering their home to extend our time there as we waited to bring John home… delivering soup and creature comforts. You are all true heroes! It was so very humbling to be the recipients of such generosity, love and warmth. Despite the horrible memories of that day and the days following, Ucluelet will forever be in our memory because of its amazing people, the ones that live there and those drawn to its magical beauty. We will return there again as it has always had a special place in our hearts…
and now I feel compelled to stay connected to this community in some small way. The world has continued on and in many ways, I feel like I am still on that beach… the place where I left my heart. I would give anything to have one more moment with John – he was my husband, best friend, soulmate and the father to my son… we laughed every day and enjoyed life. There are always small regrets and things taken for granted in the business of life but I am grateful to have had the time that we did. Many people have asked what we need… and no one on this earth can give us that. If you are reading this and hopefully you are one of the people that helped us on that day… here is what we need: This Christmas season, (and every day), please slow down, look around you… enjoy the moments with people that matter most to you as you never know when they may be your last. When you ask how someone is doing, take the time to really listen to their answer as you may not know what they are going through and that one moment of caring may be needed… and may make a real difference to them. Know that any act of kindness and love, no matter how small, are never wasted… thank you to all of the kindness and love shown to us in Ukee… With gratitude and love we send you this Christmas wish: Live, Love. Laugh… and enjoy the moment. …Kari & Shawn
A12 Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News
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GAMES & PUZZLES WEEKLY CROSSWORD
PUZZLE #17C410
Nightly Hwy. 4 closures From A1
CLUES DOWN 1. Jewish festival 2. Anoint 3. More pleasant
PUZZLE #17C410
“We want to make sure that this doesn’t have a negative impact on our economy.” – Dianne St. Jacques
to ensure businesses are informed. “We want to make sure that this doesn’t have a negative impact on our economy,” she said. She said that, along with local commuters, the closures could have a big impact on delivery trucks and tourists arriving late at night and added that she hopes the ministry will listen to local concerns. “It’s a tough job that they’ve got and I respect that. We’ve got to get this project done efficiently, on budget and safely so we just need to all work together on this and support each other,” she said.
HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 You may be operating on some false information, Aries. It’s better to get the facts before going forward in the coming days. You may end up changing directions midweek. TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, if you are feeling upset because someone is getting more attention than you, you may need to focus your thoughts elsewhere. Think of what makes you special. GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Your emotions may be all over the map in the coming days, Gemini. The secret is to surround yourself with people who will guide you in the right direction. CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, there is a time for joking around and a time for being serious. This week you may have to lean toward the latter. Others may not share your joviality right now. LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Running yourself ragged, especially early in the week, will cause all of your energy stores to fizzle out, Leo. You need to learn to pace yourself better for the long haul. VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 You are always one to lend a helping hand, Virgo. But now you may need to call in some favors of your own. Don’t be afraid to ask for help this week.
SUDOKU
4. Type pf painting 5. Witness 6. Harm 7. Builder of Arantea (Greek myth.) 8. City in India 9. Used to unlock cans 10. Induces sleep 11. More bouncy 12. A branch of Islam 13. White (French) 18. Legal term 24. Covered with frost 26. Hengyang Nanyue Airport 28. Wash 29. Disorder of the scalp 30. North American tree 31. Helps cars run 32. Mandela’s party 33. Aromatic plant of the daisy family 36. Negative 37. College student educator (abbr.) 39. Most rare 40. Harm with a knife 43. Folk singer DiFranco 45. Return to 47. One who repairs 48. Eastern England river 49. Hockey players need two 50. Dismay 52. Rebuke 53. Plant of the arum family 54. Fish genus 57. Plant of the mallow family 58. Amounts of time 59. 11th letter of the Hebrew alpha bet 63. One of Napoleon’s generals
THIS WEEKS ANSWER
CLUES ACROSS 1. Sharp pain 5. Military hats 11. Software app on a net work (abbr.) 14. Genus of freshwater mussels 15. Continent 16. Afghani monetary unit 17. Recovered 19. Ribonucleic acid 20. Refers to end of small intestine 21. Ethiopia’s largest lake 22. Hostelry 23. Defunct American auto maker 25. Denotes origin by birth or descent 27. Part of a watch 31. Stare with mouth open wide 34. Found in granite 35. Competing 38. Stone film “__ Given Sunday” 39. Junction between two nerve cells 41. Greek goddess of the dawn 42. Fight 44. Thin, narrow piece of wood or metal 45. Ribosomal ribonucleic acid 46. Type of kitchenware 49. Specialty of The Onion 51. Major Mexican river 55. Kilometers per hour 56. Species of mackerel 60. Bones 61. Interest rate 62. New York Mets legend 64. 19th letter of Greek alphabet 65. Shawl 66. Gracefully thin 67. Type of deciduous tree 68. Not classy 69. Taro corm or plant
“It’s not in stone at this point, but this is what they’re looking at,” St. Jacques said. “There’s so much to consider: the fire department, B.C. Ambulance, RCMP, so they’re still working through it. But, the project is slated to start in April, so we need to stay ahead of it as much as we can and inform our community as much as we can.” She said Ucluelet’s council has urged the ministry to presDianne St. Jacques ent its plan to West Coasters next month. “I’m anxious to get them out here, having some public meetings and talking to people,” she said. “They are going to come out and we look forward to helping them organize meetings… Christmas is slowing it down a little as far as the communications bit, but they will be here, hopefully, by mid-January.” She added she also hopes the ministry will meet with the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce
LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, think financial decisions through before acting. Patience is a friend when making important financial decisions, and it’s time to take such matters more seriously. SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, try something outside of your wheelhouse in the coming days. You have a knack for teaching yourself new skills, and you are a fast learner. SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, you might be seeking answers in the wrong places. Refine your parameters and look in a new direction, especially if a resolution is taking awhile. CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, if family life is taking over and tiring you out, shift your gears in another direction. You need to recharge and let your other interests take over for awhile. AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, words shared at work may have you worried you’ve burned some bridges. It’s not the case. Others still look to you for help and guidance and value your input. PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 It’s common to make life assessments throughout the year, Pisces. Jot down some easy changes you can make for the future.
PUZZLE #17C130
THIS WEEKS SUDOKU ANSWER
Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!
Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!
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Mum’s deteriorating memory made living alone a challenge and her family would like to thank her friends and the merchants of Tofino who so kindly kept an eye on her, especially granddaughter Kelsey with her pots of homemade soup. Mum’s last 2 years were spent at the Cairnsmore Senior’s Residence in Duncan where she was treated like family. We can’t thank the staff enough for the care and kindness Mum received, she always told anyone who asked, “It’s like I’m on a holiday”. A celebration of life will follow in the spring at St. Columba church in Tofino.
The Rose Beyond The Wall A rose once grew where all could see, sheltered beside a garden wall, And as the days passed swiftly by, it spread its branches, straight and tall... One day, a beam of light shone through a crevice that had opened wide The rose bent gently toward its warmth then passed beyond to the other side Now, you who deeply feel its loss, be comforted - the rose blooms thereits beauty even greater now, nurtured by God's own loving care.
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October 1, 1930 - November 15, 2017 It is with sadness but love and admiration for our beautiful mother Beverly that we announce her passing at the age of 87. Mum was born in Victoria BC and is predeceased by her parents Bjarne and Bonnie Arnet and her brother Edgar. She leaves behind 3 children Karen (Craig) Russ, Rod(Jill)Cook, Nadine(Richard) Butler, 8 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Plus, her Tofino daughter Debbie McCartney her 4 boys and their children. After studying ballet and tap in Victoria mum opened the Sooke School of Dance and taught until marriage took her to a logging camp on Quadra Is. A later move to Campbell River gave her the opportunity to join the community clubs that she would enjoy for the remainder of her days. Mum was a member of the Native Daughters of BC and rose to the rank of Grand Chief Factor, a position she was very proud of. She also volunteered at the Campbell River museum and was the secretary/treasurer of the Campbell River Judo Club where her husband and children trained. Mum preferred to curl which she did for all the years she was in Campbell River. After moving to Tofino mum took up line dancing with the Tuff City line dancers. Still wanting to be involved in her community mum became a 4-term director of the Tofino Co-op, was on the hospital board, senior housing committee, a member of the Tofino Legion Ladies Auxiliary, a volunteer at Maquinna Elementary and an active member in her church St. Columba where she arranged the flowers every week. Mum loved to travel and spent many winters in Hawaii with her cousin Lorraine. Summers would be spent in her lovely garden and visitors would always be welcomed in for a cup of tea and a lemon cookie.
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Beverly Cook
Wed, Dec 20, 2017Wednesday, Ucluelet Western December News 20, 2017 A13 A13
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Find out how you can save a life. Every day, people are losing their lives to overdoses in BC. These deaths are preventable. Many illegal drugs, including party drugs, have been found to contain deadly fentanyl. And even more toxic carfentanil is now being detected in BC. Not using drugs is the best defence — using alone is the greatest risk. If you use drugs or know someone who does, help is available. Learn about treatment, and where to find naloxone and overdose prevention sites in your area by calling 8-1-1 or visiting www.gov.bc.ca/overdose. Your knowledge, compassion and action can save a life.
Sports / News Reporter (Vancouver Island): The Vancouver Island Free Daily has an opening for a part-time, permanent evening Reporter/Editor. Reporting to the Editor, the successful candidate will be largely be responsible for page layout, content and sending pages to press. Production Worker (Ladysmith): Ladysmith Press is hiring Production Workers for their continually expanding collating department. This is a general labour position that requires frequent lifting up to 10 kg and involves the handling of newspapers and advertising supplements. For more information on these vacancies and other regions throughout B.C. visit:
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Learn more at gov.bc.ca/overdose
Carry a Naloxone Kit
Call 9-1-1
#stopoverdose
A14 Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Letters to Santa
Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News
www.westerlynews.ca
Fire takes Quadra house despite efforts of residents ISLAND IN BRIEF
Residents of the Bold Point neighbourhood of Quadra Island had to battle a house fire themselves by pumping water from a nearby creek on Thursday night, but soon retreated to watch the blaze take the home – all but the chimney – to the ground. The home was outside the fire protection area on Quadra Island, according to Strathcona Regional District (SRD) director for Discovery Island and Mainland Inlets Jim Abram, so there was little that could be done. The residents and their neighbours did their best, “but it only takes, what, 15 minutes for a fire to take down a house?” Abrams says. So why couldn’t the Quadra Fire Department respond and help them out? “It’s not that the fire department doesn’t want to go out there,” Abrams says. “Of course they do. It’s that they‘re not allowed to. It’s very, very sad that what happened, happened, especially just coming up on Christmas time and with everyone getting ready for the holidays to have a tragedy like this is devastating for our island and the people of our island. But the fix – and there are a lot of people working on one – well, we just can’t find one.” While the fire protection services on Quadra are not under the mandate of the SRD, Abrams says, The SRD is expecting a report in January that would outline how more fire protection could be provided to Quadra residents that are outside the current protection zone. – www.campbellrivermirror.com
in the Alberni Valley—including WFP’s tree farm licence, Somass Mill and Alberni Pacific Division (APD) Sawmill. The Sangheras spoke of their commitment to bring forestry jobs back to the Alberni Valley during a luncheon last Wednesday at their mill on the Alberni Inlet. That would mean keeping raw logs in Port Alberni mills, and not shipping them overseas, as has been the practice for a number of years now. The Sangheras purchased Coulson Mill from Wayne Coulson last spring and have been investing in it. They added a second shift in June, and installed a new moulding line in the summer. San Group spent five years working with Coulson Mill when it was under Coulson family ownership. “That’s how we ended up buying it, because we depend on Coulson,” Sanghera said. Sanghera announced that the San Mill will be adding a second shift to its remanufacturing plant and bringing back the weekend shift in January 2018. “Hopefully at the end of January we will have three shifts on,” he said. – www.comoxvalleyrecord.com
Concerns over elevated lead levels force district to install new fountains
Nanaimo students kept indoors after cougar sightings near their schools
The Greater Victoria School District is combatting concerns about elevated levels of lead in its drinking water by announcing it will install 350 new water fountains in local schools. Last year they invested $200,000 in water filtration systems for sinks and fountains after recent findings from lead analysis tests prompted action to improve the water quality. Results from this year’s inspection show there has been an improvement in reducing the lead content in the water, but there are still some instances of elevated traces, specifically when stagnant water has been sitting in the pipes for an extended period of time. The samples were collected from 21 school across the district, with staff intentionally selecting sites that produced higher lead concentrations during last year’s test in an effort to analyze the effectiveness of the new filter system. “When we saw the latest water quality test results, the Board of Education was quick to provide the necessary financial support required for new fountains,” noted Board Chair Edith Loring-Kuhanga. “We are committed to eliminating lead in our schools’ water and will be working with the Ministry to seek financial support for this retrofit.” SD 61 will begin its water fountain replacement in 2018 at a preliminary cost estimate of $350,000.s. — www.vicnews.com
Students at École Hammond Bay and Frank J. Ney elementary schools in Nanaimo were kept indoors after cougar sightings Monday morning. Nanaimo school district spokesman Dale Burgos said there have been cougar sightings near Frank J. Ney Elementary and École Hammond Bay, which were put under shelter-in-place procedures where classes happen as usual but doors remain closed and no one goes outside during recess or lunch. The district usually lifts the procedure after sightings are investigated by B.C. conservation officers. At about 11:30 a.m. the school district tweeted that the two schools were given the all clear. – www.nanaimobulletin.com
San Group wants to expand forest holdings in the Alberni Valley San Group Mill owners Kamal and Suki Sanghera have thrown down the gauntlet versus competitor Western Forest Products and say they want to purchase all of WFP’s assets
Black Press C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
M E D I A
Pair of .22-calibre bullets found at Duncan school deemed not to be a threat A letter was sent home with parents of students from École Mount Prevost on Tuesday, Dec. 12 detailing an investigation into two .22-calibre rounds found inside the school. “After a full review, it was deemed that there was no risk to the students or staff at the school,” wrote principal Ian Zibin in the letter. Two students found the ammunition before lunch in an upstairs hallway. They gave the bullets to their teacher, who then informed the principal. Zibin said once the bullets were discovered they “immediately implemented standard protocol involving our RCMP to support us in investigating the potential risk.” Students were kept in their classrooms for a short period of time in what is known as a “hold and secure”, out of an abundance of caution. – www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com
Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News
www.westerlynews.ca
C O M M U N I T Y
events
CALENDAR
WINTERLIGHTS FESTIVAL, Nightly until Dec. 31 @ the Tofino Botanical Gardens.Come with your family, friends, children and be enchanted by the magical art created by tens of thousands of lights in one of the world’s great gardens. Visit www. tofinowinterlights.com for special events. COMMUNITY POTLUCK Sunday, Dec. 24. 5-11pm @ HI Whalers on the Point Guesthouse. Bring a share plate and sign up at the Front Desk. Turkey, Mash and gravy provided. Come and talk to people from around the world, and eat eat eat! Free. HOWLER’S XMAS EVE DINNER, Sunday, Dec. 24. 6-8pm @ Howler’s Family Restaurant. Doors open at 5pm for early Bevies and Mingles. Food Bank donations Accepted in exchange for good times, dinner and drinks! CONCERTS @ THE HATCH: GARVIES, Thursday, Dec. 28. 10pm till close @ Tofino Resort + Marina. Reggae, rock and world music at the end of the year at the end of the road.. NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS, Sunday, Dec. 31. 8pm @ Cox Bay. 9:30pm @ Mackenzie Beach.Please use public beach access and public parking at Cox Bay North, Tofino Visitor Centre and Maltby Rd. Don’t forget your flashlights and headlamps! BATTLE OF THE SE7EN STONES, Monday, Jan. 1. 3pm @ Tonquin Beach. Competitors will race through the forest, run across the beach and lift heavy stones.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS WEST COAST & WE’LL SEE YOU ALL IN THE NEW YEAR! Please note that our office will be closed from Friday, Dec. 22 to Friday, Dec. 29. We will not be publishing a newspaper on Wednesday, December 27, but stay tuned to our website www.westerlynews.ca for news updates and holiday futures throughout the season. Our first edition of 2018 will land on Wednesday, January 3rd. Be sure to grab a copy as it will feature the Ucluelet Winter Rec Guide and the Tofino Recreation Program.
ongoing
Westerly News
UCLUELET ALANON GROUP Wednesdays, 7:30pm, Catholic Church (use side entrance below), 1663 Peninsula Rd.
TOFINO-UCLUELET
POLAR BEAR SWIM 2018
WOMEN’S WALKING Wednesdays, 11am12:30pm. Meet at WCRS Hub in Ucluelet. Easy walking group followed by tea
North Chesterman Beach
LIVE MUSIC Wednesdays, 3-6pm The Great Room at Long Beach Lodge. PICKLEBALL Mon., Wed., Sat., 8am-12pm, Tofino Community Hall. Free. CHI GONG Wednesdays, 10:3011:30am, UCC Main Hall. $2 drop SOUP LUNCH Thursdays, Noon1:30pm. the Hub, UCC. All welcome! Free. BINGO Wednesdays, 7-9pm, Tofino Legion. DANCE FIT 55+ Thursdays 9-10am, UCC Fitness Studio. $6 drop-in. TUFF WOMEN DO BRUNCH Fridays, 10-11am. WCRS Tofino space
Call 250-726-7029 to book your unique ad. Or email nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca
#102-1801 Bay St., Ucluelet, B.C. 250.726.7029 office@westerlynews.ca
TOFINO
PILATES Wednesdays, 6-7pm. Tofino Community Hall. $10 drop-in.
Advertising ADVERTISING that stands out. THAT STANDS OUT
Call 250.726.7029
The Westerly News is so very grateful to all our readers, advertisers and vendors who made 2017 a truly terrific year for our newspaper. Thank you for supporting your local paper and helping it grow and thrive.
FEATURED EVENT OF THE WEEK
Join Surfrider Pacific Rim for the annual Polar Bear Swim at North Chesterman Beach! There will be warm drinks, festive snacks, and a cozy beach fire if the weather permits. Bring your own mug and if you have to drive, carpool with friends and family. 11:30am - Beach Clean up // 12:50pm - Warm up 1pm Sharp - Polar Bear Swim!
ongoing
service
directly behind Tofino Pharmacy.Share food & conversation!
ST. COLUMBA CHURCH Sundays, 10:30am. 110 2nd St.
BADMINTON Sundays, 7-9pm. USS Gym. $2 drop-in
HOLY FAMILY CHURCH Sundays, 10am. 1163 Peninsula Road
DARTS Mondays, 7pm. Tofino Legion
ST. LAWRENCE CHURCH Sundays, 11am. Ahousaht
OUTDOOR SOCCER Mondays, 7-9PM. USS Field/Gym. $2 drop-in.
service ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH Saturday, 5pm. 441 Main St., Tofino
CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH Sundays, 10:30am. 1419 Peninsula GRACE BIBLE CHURCH Sundays, 10:30am. UCC ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH Tuesdays, 5pm. 441 Main St. Tofino
TOFINO BIBLE FELLOWSHIP Sundays, 10:30am. Tofino Legion.
To submit your activities, e-mail: office@westerlynews.ca, fax: 250-726-4248 or drop by: #102-1801 Bay St, Ucluelet. We accept your Arts & Entertainment, Service Group, Non-Profit Organization, Church, Library, Fundraiser, Open to the Public Notices on a first come, first served basis.
or email office@westerlynews.ca to book your unique ad.
Wednesday, December 20, 2017 A15
s r u o H y a Holid 0 AM D STOeaRrlyE) .... Dec. 9, 2017 ................. 8:3 FOOrty 0 AM 8:3 ... .... (closed .... ....
– 6:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2017 Staff Pa ............... Dec. 24, OSED Christmas Eve ........ ............... Dec. 25, 2017 ............... CL 0:00 AM – 5:00 PM .... .... ...1 y .... Da .... as .... tm 17 ris 20 , Ch 0 AM – 7:00 PM ................ Dec. 26 Boxing Day .............................. Dec. 31, 2017 ............... 8:3OSED CL .... .. e .... Ev .... ’s .... ar 18 .... New Ye ................. Jan. 1, 20 New Year’s Day .... 0 AM – 5:30 PM GASrtyB....A....R...................... Dec. 9, 2017 ................................ 8:3 0 AM – 6:00 PM 6:0 Staff Pa ... Dec. 24, 2017 ........... CLOSED .... .... .... .... .... e Ev 2017 .... Christmas 0 AM – 6:00 PM ............... Dec. 25, Christmas Day........................ Dec. 26, 2017 ............... 9:3 0 AM – 9:00 PM Boxing Day .............................. Dec. 31, 2017 ............... 6:0 0 AM – 6:00 PM New Year’s Eve .... ................. Jan. 1, 2018................... 9:3 New Year’s Day ....
ARE ... CLOSED HARasDEvW c. 24, 2017 ............ ... CLOSED e ....................... De ............
2017 Christm ............... Dec. 25, OSED Christmas Day........................ Dec. 26, 2017 ............... CL OSED CL .... ... .... .... .... y .... , 2017 .... Boxing Da OSED .................. Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve .... ................. Jan. 1, 2018................... CL .... y Da ’s ar Ye w Ne G CLOSED LOTH20IN O LIF....E....C ........... .... 17 , TOFIN 24 c. ... De .... OSED Christmas Eve ........ ............... Dec. 25, 2017 ............... CL OSED .... CL .... ... y .... Da .... as .... tm 17 ris 20 , Ch OSED ................ Dec. 26 Boxing Day .............................. Dec. 31, 2017 ............... CL OSED CL .... .. e .... Ev .... ’s .... ar 18 .... New Ye ................. Jan. 1, 20 New Year’s Day ....
A16 Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News
www.westerlynews.ca
Co-op fuels Ukee Fire Brigade with support Gas Bar donation drives net $2,000 ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
Ucluelet’s Volunteer Fire Department has $2,000 to spend on upgrading its lifesaving capabilities thanks to the generosity of local Co-op members. “We would like to thank our members in the community for supporting us for such an important fundraising event because we could not have done it without them,” Co-op General Manager Laurie Gehrke told the Westerly News. Gehrke recently presented the brigade with the impressive donation, which stemmed from Co-op members donating the 3-cent-per-litre coupons they receive at the local Gas Bar as well as a Fuel Good event in September where five cents from every litre sold was donated, along with matching funds from Federated Cooperative Limited. Fuel Good events were held at roughly 250 Co-ops across Western Canada, with each one choosing a local organization to send the donations to and Gehrke said Ucluelet’s Co-op saw their community’s firefighters as a great beneficiary.
ANDREW BAILEY PHOTO
Ucluelet Fire Chief Ted Eeftink, centre, smiles over a handshake with Co-op General Manager Laurie Gehrke, far right, surrounded by delighted local Co-op staffers and firefighters as Gehrke presents the brigade with a $2,000 donation raised by Co-op members. “They need to constantly and continu- specific, but added it would likely go to- we’re ecstatic about that…It’s unbelievable ously upgrade their equipment and update wards safety equipment upgrades. what they do for us.” He added the community’s support is their equipment,” she said. “Those guys “Our hats are off to those guys and a work hard to provide services to keep us big Thank you’ to them,” Eeftink said of a constant source of motivation for his dedicated fire crew. safe…It’s a vital part of our community.” the Co-op’s donation. Fire Chief Ted Eeftink said the donation “The support we get from the communi“They’re showing us that they appreciate has not yet been earmarked for anything ty and the district is just never ending and what the guys are doing out there,” he said.
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