Chelsea Strang, Margaret Gray & Alex Kurial have been busy planning their holiday schedules by reading the weekly Undercurrent newspaper and the accompanying Holiday Makers guide They don’t want to miss a bit of news or exciting events taking place on the island. The information inside already has them well prepared for the Light Up Bowen Festival, taking place this Saturday night. See you there! / Tracey Wait photo
Today – and every Friday – we do something very special; we deliver copies of the Bowen Island Undercurrent to every neighbourhood on the island.
We tell the stories of Islanders, whether that’s a controversial decision at city hall or a community-wide effort to make the island a better place to call home. Readers turn to the Undercurrent for information on everything from community festivals to theatre productions to what’s happening in area schools or with local sports teams We keep you in touch with your surroundings which in turn allows you to stay engaged with your community.
We do this by employing trained and reputable journalists, like Alex, to do the work. They attend council meetings, public hearings, school board meetings and countless events We hold public officials and institutions to account. We organize photographers and contributors to capture important moments for individual families and greater milestones in our island’s history
Many local communities across Canada no longer have a local newspaper or journalists to take on these tasks, and public discourse has eroded We
TUMBLE CLAUS COMES TO TOWN PAGE 21
are fortunate to have an award-winning team at the Undercurrent. Ultimately, it is my role as Publisher to make the business decisions to keep these folks employed and in service to our community.
In an effort to keep the Bowen Island Undercurrent sustainable, and providing local printed news for years to come, we have adopted a subscription model. For a fee of $62.50/year, we will continue to deliver a copy of the Bowen Island Undercurrent to your mailbox each Friday Please call Denise at 604-947-2426 or email subscribe@bowenislandundercurrent. com to update your billing details. For those who want even more Bowen Island Undercurrent, we invite you to join the 700+ Undercurrent readers who already subscribe to our free email newsletter: www.bowenislandundercurrent.com/ account/mailinglist
We are committed to delivering your local news, however it serves you best, and we are working towards a sustainable future for one of BC’s top-ranked community newspapers; the Bowen Island Undercurrent.
- Alex, Tracey, & Matt Your Bowen Island Undercurrent
Warm Hearts, Full Plates: Supporting the Bowen Island Food Bank
FOOD BANK FUNDRAISER AT RUDDY ON DECEMBER 7
MARGARET GRAY & CHELSEA STRANG
Bowen Island Food Bank
Bowen Islanders have a beautiful tradition of coming together to support one another, and the food bank is a wonderful example of this spirit. Entirely run by donations and volunteers, the food bank provides healthy and nutritious meals to Bowen families year-round, with a commitment to dignity, accessibility, and care
New to the island and unsure how to access the food bank? It’s self-serve, accessible 24/7, and located in the entryway at the Bowen Island United Church (aka the Little Red Church) at 1122 Miller Road.
We keep it stocked daily with fresh and frozen foods as well as high-quality dry goods. It’s completely anonymous and there for anyone who needs it, no questions asked.
This holiday season, there’s a wonderful way to show your support. On December 7 from 10 am to 3 pm The Ruddy is hosting a fabulous fundraiser for the food bank. It promises to be a cozy day filled with warm drinks, raffles, and holiday activities for kids. Bring the family, share in the joy, and help support this essential community service.
For those who can’t attend the event, there’s still an easy way to help. Donations can be made directly via e-transfer to
biucfoodbank@gmail.com, and tax receipts for donations over $25 will be emailed.
As we all know, rising food costs have hit everyone hard. This means we have more people using the food bank and we’re spending more to keep it stocked. So your donation will be really impactful!
Just $1 provides breakfast or a light lunch to someone in need, $20 ensures a week’s supply of fresh fruits and vegetables for a family, and $100 can stock the shelves for an entire day.
While financial donations are most useful as they allow us to buy in bulk strategically, we also welcome food donations. Items can be dropped off at any time, as long as they are unopened and not past their best-before date. We’re committed to providing safe, tasty, and nutritious food for everyone who uses the food bank.
As fascinating as it was last Christmas to find a donated spice packet that expired in 1993, dealing with used, expired items takes up a lot of our volunteers’ time.
Speaking of volunteers, allow us to give a HUGE thank you to our wonderful network of reliable volunteers who shop for food, pick up orders, stock daily, and work tirelessly all year to make sure every home on Bowen has access to good food.
A special shoutout to the indomitable Sue Clarke, who is still a driving force in our dayto-day operations after running the food
The Bowen Island Food Bank is open 24/7 at the Bowen Island United Church at 1122 Miller Road. / Margaret Gray photo
bank for over 20 years. And to the United Church, Reverend Lorraine Ashdown, and the church board members: thank you for everything.
As we enter the season of giving, we’re so grateful for the incredible generosity of Bowen Islanders. Your kindness keeps the food bank thriving, and together, we’re making a real difference in people’s lives. Thank you for keeping us in your hearts, and we look forward to seeing you at The Ruddy on December 7!
VIEWPOINTS
EDITORIAL
Let’sGet Lit
Heyfolks! As youmay have guessedfrom Ron’sclue to the right, it’s LightUpweekend here on Bowen! That means it’s time to celebratewith Santaand many other festivecharactersinthe Cove this Saturdaynight.For anyone newtothe island or not familiarwith the eventthis is afun and colourful eveningyou won’t want to missout on, and includes singing,treats, activities,and of course an appearance and parade with Santahimself.Once Jolly OldSaintNickarrivesonthe island,the Christmasseasonisofficiallyunderway
Butlongbeforehis convertible sleighhitsthe USSC Boardwalk,thereislotsofplanningand preparation to be done.The LightUpBowen Team hasdone an absolutelyincredible job this year of making Snug Cove allfestivefor the season, all the wayfromIntegratedHealth and VillageSquareright down to theMarinaand Santa’sWorkshop.Thereare many newdedicated volunteersthis year who have worked very hard to make LightUphappen, andof course Basia Lieske who continues to help make sure the entirenight goesoff withouta hitch.Ahugecongratstoeachand everyvolunteerwho hashunglightsand decorations, helped organizedcostumes,stepforward to be in the parade,and pitch in with thecountless other roles this night(and all the work in the weeksbeforeand after it) entails.
PersonallyIwould like to givean extrabig thankstoChelsea Strang andMargaretGray whokindlyhelped bringthe Christmasflare to this week’s frontpage, andtoLiz Nankin for stylingusall so wonderfully. And to Basiaand ourown Traceytoo of course forhelping us to capturethe joyous LightUpmood. Can’twait to seeyou for the bigshowthisSaturdaynight!
-AlexKurial, Editor
THE WRITE STUFF. TheUndercurrent encourages reader participation in your communitynewspaper.You mustinclude your fullname and adaytime phonenumber (for verification only). The editor reservesthe righttoeditfor clarity,legality,brevity and taste.Please limit to under 500 words. HERE’S HOW:Tosubmit aletter to the editor,fax 604-947-0148 or mailittoPOBox 130,Bowen Island,BC, V0N 1G0 or email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com
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Phone: 604.947.2442 Fax: 604.947.0148
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TheUndercurrent is amember of the National NewsMedia Council of Canada, which is an independentorganization established to deal withacceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour.Ifyou have concerns about editorial content, please emaileditor@ bowenislandundercurrent.com or call 604-947-2442. If youare not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the websiteatmediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 foradditional information
CARTOONIST
VIEWPOINTS
CBCRadio as Social Glue
GAIL LOTENBERG Letter Writer
After watching the last cycle of American politics play out in the most divisive manner yet, Iwant to remind Canadians to seize all vestiges of shared culture we have left toprevent the tattering of the fabricofour nation, too.
TheCanadian Broadcasting Corporation, and specifically CBC Radio, offers this country an antidote to afractioningsociety. An unpopular declaration? Well,nonetheless, Ipropose to all Canadians that listening to CBC Radio offers an act of cooperation to our shared project of democracy. It is acultural obligation because it keepsusliving experiences that overlap, keepsour conversationsrelevant and referringtoa common anchor,and could aid in shoring up our defences against social unravelling.
Why would Isay this? Because we have begun to live in aworld curatedby algorithms, where we do not hear the perspectives of people with adissimilar life experience. We rarely hear perceptionsshaped by alternativeoutlooks. We receive news that only supports our perceptions, and therefore we are unprepared to understanddiffering cultural values and solutions to the myriad, complex problems of contemporary society
CBC Radio offers Canadians ashared cultural matrix. By listening to CBC Radio afew times aweek or tuning in to the on-demand CBC Listen App, Canadians haveanopportunitytoheara common, national source of programming and viewpoints. This doesn’t mean we will agree but we will have the same starting pointfor engagement, both to argue and to learn. Engagementisthe essence of civic life and a resilient democracy.
Iamaproponent of CBC Radioasanantidote to polarization because it allowsmeto hear thesame information as my neighbour
and fellow citizens. This shared starting point allowsustohaveadiscussion based on mutual or shared content. Also, havinga shared source of rigorous journalism could assist withcombatting the threatofdisinformation, whichisbecominganincreasing problem with the spread of AI.
But it doesn’t have to be onlypolitical discourse that benefitsus. Ashared resource for knowledge acquisitionand entertainment gives us things to connect about even with people whosepolitics differ from ourown. An exampleisthe remarkable quality of comedy thatone finds on CBC Radio through programmes such as the Debaters orBecauseNews. They are hilarious and tosimplyenjoy laughing with someone who votes differently from you, can be the great equalizer and keep civic lifeinterconnected.Once we dissolve into silos in all aspectsofour lives,we cannotbegin to findcommon groundfor shared governance.
Alsoweare living through therighteous path of Reconciliation. Programmes such as Unreserved with host Rosanna Deerchild allows non-Indigenous Canadianstoopen ourminds to the community with whom we are reconciling. Through aseries of “vibrant conversations” Deerchild lets us in where “Together, we learn and unlearn, laugh and become gentler in all our relations.” Listening to “everyone’s favourite cousin” allows me to hear, on aregularbasis,Indigenous outlooks, humour and ways they arecontributing to Canadian culture.
CBC Radio expands our minds, expands ourrange of experiences, expands our sense of who we areasmembers of anation. This breedingground for interconnectedness is critical to the success of ourlarge nation, while reinforcingour value of havingasofter footprintonthe world. Throughlistening to CBC Radio, each of us participates and invests in Canada’s future by knowing our neighbours, virtuallyand otherwise
NERP Tip- Family EmergencyPlan
It will take you about 20 minutes to make afamily emergency plan. You will need to think about:
•Safe exits from home and neighbourhood
•Meeting places to reunitewith family or roommates
•Designated person to pick up chil-
drenshould you be unavailable
•Contact personsclose-byand outof-town
•Health and insurance information
•Places for yourpet to stay
•Risks in yourregion
•Location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical panel, gas valveand floor drain
R. GORDONGANONG
Gordon Ganongpassed away on November 19, 2024atthe age of 77. With equanimity and courage,he accepted hisdiagnosis of dementiain2022, ofAlzheimer’s in 2023, and livedeachremaining daytothe fullest possiblefor him
Forhis wifeJoyce of 37 years,hewas agentle, generous and caring life-mate, happily accepting new opportunities as they arose andloving the yearstheyspent together
Forhis step-daughters MichelleMackay and Susan Mackay he wassteady as arock from the momenthe joined their young adolescent lives. He wassoproud of theminevery way.
Grandchildren Ella andFinnGriffiths were the first newborns he hadeverheldand he wasoverwhelmed with the immediate love he hadfor them, thenastounded by their abounding energy and creativity as they grew
Hisolder brother David, nieceBryana (Gord), nephewsAaron and Nick (Jen)and their childrenDavan, Addison, Will,Ava andReid -provided continuity of the Ganong family’s deepNew Brunswick roots that he cherished.His younger brothersDavey (nephew Adam and nieceMadison) and Peterentered his life in hisearly teens adding to the family
Hiscaninecompanions over hislifetime delightedhim -Teku, Brunswick,Molly,Gibsonand most recently Ruby whoofferedhoursoffurrysnugglesonhis lap as hisworld shrank
Athigh school he enjoyedplaying basketball and wasaccomplished at skipping class to playpool
He hithis academic stride at UNB Fredericton achieving the Dean’s List whileearning hisBachelor of Business Administration.
Born in theborder town of St.Stephen, New Brunswick,heoften spokeofthe “casual intimacy” that he experiencedlivinginasmall community.Hecarried hisslightly untucked, smalltownpersona and hisheartylaugh withhim everywhere,making himapproachable even when he wasdiscomfortingly observant of what needed to improve. He wasconsistentinhis questions: What?When? How(much)? Why (not)? Thesetraitsplushis unrelenting determinationcontributed to hissuccesses
His career took him across Canada from east to west,beginning in sales&marketing with the family business Ganong Bros Limited,then CIBC and Peak Frean’sinToronto andontoIsland FarmsDairy in Victoria. From there he stepped into more senior management: GeneralManager of Island FarmsDairy, Vice PresidentCorporateDevelopmentatPaylessGas,co-ownerWestCoast Candles in New Westminster, andVicePresident, Dairyworld Foodswhere hisroles changed as it grew to become a national company
He offered hisleadership to industryand communityboardsalike:B.C. DairyFoundation,Dairy Councils of B.C. andAlberta,EconomicDevelopmentCommission of GreaterVictoria, RedDeerCollege(nowRed Deer Polytech), Alberta Cancer Board, BowenIsland MunicipalityAdvisoryCommittees -Planning,and, Economic Development.
He engaged in our democratic process.Wherever he livedheparticipatedinhis preferredcandidate’s election campaign andadvised electedofficials on what washappening in hisbusinessworld
He had afew quirks, anotableone recording in his DayTimer everycalorieheconsumed andevery penny he spent.Early on Michelleand Susan inspired by “The Muppet Show” dubbed him“CountGordon”.
He wascurious about hissurroundings -where he lived, he learned aboutits geography; wherehe traveled,hewalked thestreets absorbing life being lived, preferring to take the road lesstraveled. When he retired, he took acollege geographycourse aboutclimate,another aboutastronomy,alsophysicsbecause he figured he wouldneedit to understand astronomy.
He canoed thelakes and rivers of New Brunswick,Ontario,Alberta and the mightyNahanni in the Yukon. Hewas Canadian through andthrough.
Deep appreciation to so manycompassionateprofessionals fortheirincredible support: BowenIsland HealthCentreCaringCircle; Alzheimer’sSocietyofB.C.; Vancouver CoastalHealth-Geriatric Assessment Clinic, Community&HomeSupportand the MAiD program. They made this difficult journey more possible
Deeply humblethanks to familyand friends,nearand far, fortheirloveand constantsupport, accepting Gordon as he changed andcontinuing to value him. He felt that. It turns out thatthe worldisa smallcaring communityfilled withthe “casual intimacy” Gordon valued
“Gordon,your family, friends andcasual acquaintancesare allsogratefulthatyou shared your life with us.”
Inhis memory,continuing afine St.Stephen tradition, please take amomenttotella “Gordon story”tobe repeatedwordfor word, over and again; asmall town miracle,and away of holding Gordon in our hearts
Undercurrent Community Newspaper Box Expansion
NEWSPAPER BOXES ARE NOW AT 16 LOCATIONS ACROSS THE ISLAND
ALEX KURIAL Editor
Thank you very much to all of our readers, and especially our subscribers, for your understanding as we rolled out our Community Newspaper Boxes around Bowen last week. We undertook the move as a way to continue to distribute the Undercurrent in light of recent changes to our usual delivery method While we wait for that situation to
be resolved, going forward we are expanding the number of black boxes around the island, moving up from our initial 5 to a new total of 16.
As it happens this week is also an Island-Wide paper, so we encourage everybody to grab a complimentary copy from one of these community boxes! We’ve attempted to cover as much of Bowen as possible by placing them strategically around town, and we think there is a good chance you will see at least one on your day-to-day travels But just to make sure you don’t miss out, here is a list of each
box’s location. You’ll find them near or around the already existing mailbox locations here on the island.
• Miller Road at Melmore Road (in front of the Catholic Church)
• Miller Road at Scarborough Road
• Eagle Cliff Road at Bannister Road
• Village Drive just up from Dorman Road
• Dorman Road across from Metro Vancouver parking lot entrance
• Mount Gardner Road at Hikers Trail Road
• Grafton Road at Connolly Road
• 1280 Adams Road near Buchanan Road
• 1478 Tunstall Boulevard at Whitesails Drive
• 1727 Bowen Bay Road near Bowen Bay Beach
• 1118 Cowan Point Road near Salal Road
These 11 new locations are joined by our existing 5 locations: outside of our office at Village Square (under the pharmacy); at Artisan Square (in the middle section with the picnic tables); at the Library (outside at the newsletter board facing the parking lot); at Bowen Island Community School (at the entrance to the parking lot); and at the Ruddy Kitchen off Sunset Road. Please help yourself to a copy from whichever location is most convenient for you!
The Undercurrent will also remain for sale at our 4 vendors: The General Store, Cates Pharmasave, the Ruddy Potato, and the Bowen Beer and Wine Store.
Thanks so much again to everyone for your support as we keep navigating the current series of events. We will keep doing our best to make sure nobody misses out on the news, especially during this very busy holiday season! Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions about how we can help further with any delivery needs.
And of course, hope you enjoy this week’s paper!
You’ll find these Undercurrent Community Newspaper boxes at 16 different locations around Bowen Island
New milestone for Snug Cove House
GRAHAM RITCHIE
Snug Cove House Society
The following is the report of the Chair of Snug Cove House Society to the society’s membership at its Annual General Meeting earlier this month.
After 30 years of striving, Snug Cove House Society is now one step away from beginning construction of Snug Cove House, the 24-apartment residence that will allow Bowen seniors to stay on the island if they wish, rather than leaving to find suitable supportive accommodation elsewhere. In a few minutes from now, the society’s membership will decide whether to take that last step with a vote on a resolution to accept BC Housing’s offer of a construction loan.
The last mile in the long road from the society’s founding in 1995 began in May of last year, when North Shore contractor Peter Foreman read our Undercurrent letter announcing the end of the dream of Snug Cove House because of sharply increased costs.
He thought he could build it for dramatically less than our previous contractor’s offer, and the past 18 months of intensive work have proven him right, with the extraordinary result of a manageable budget to build a residence that in many ways is better than before.
Included in that 18 months has been preparation of our Miller Road site with five months of below-budget work by Bowen’s Macdonald Excavating and Metro Blasting,
bringing the project to hammer and nail readiness. And, again, many apologies to our neighbours, especially the residents of Bowen Court, who’ve been putting up with the noise with more grace than should be possible under the circumstances.
If the plan holds true, the fading echoes of construction noise will fall silent in the late Spring/early Summer of 2026, and Snug Cove House will open its doors to its first residents.
Since our last AGM, the society’s board of very hands-on and very hard-working directors have been navigating the vast acreage of small-print details involved in project planning, financing, and operations. The work hasn’t finished yet - all going well today, the board will switch almost all of its attention to operations and fundraising.
Thanks to the board, and to two directors who left us earlier this fiscal year, Lori Canning and the Rev. Lorraine Ashdown. Thanks also to individual Islanders who’ve been supporting us with donations, and to Bowen’s Community Foundation, Garden Club and Knick Knack Nook.
Thanks for his patience and diligence to the municipality’s Manager of Planning and Development, Daniel Martin. Thanks to Sue Ritchie, assisted by Hilary and Robin Butler, for carrying on our 30-year service of organizing and home-delivering Better Meals pre-prepared meals.
See you all at the Society’s 26th annual dramatic reading of A Christmas Carol here in Collins Hall on December 8.
Later in the meeting, the membership voted unanimously to proceed with construction of Snug Cove House
www.tippys.ca
The board of Snug Cove House Society at its Miller Road construction site: (L-R) Ian Mackintosh, Graham Ritchie, Sheilagh Sparks, Holly Mackintosh, Andy Powell-Williams & Pernille Nielsen. / Bruce Steele photo
More BuildPackagesavailable at www.bowenislandproperties.ca
Friends of the TrailBest Boy Barclay
BOWEN ISLAND TRAIL SOCIETY
Last week we lost an incredibly important member of the Bowen Island Trail Society team - bestest boy Barclay.
A true friend of the trails, Barclay was an ongoing part of all things Trail Society - from run groups to regular trail maintenance to getting sign posts to the summit of Mount Gardner - he was an incredibly meaningful part of the team.
A sweet boy with a wild and joyful sense of adventure, Barclay was the stuff legends are made of We are so grateful for his service.
Our deepest condolences to his human family who loved him endlessly.
With predicted high inventorytocontinue in 2025 you’ll need your listing to stand out above therest, and also be priced appropriately for themarket.
Year-to-date sales up,average sold price flat
INSURED MORTGAGECAP INCREASE
TIM RHODES Contributor
TheMLS® Home Price Index or benchmarkprice wasdown -0.6 percent over the Last Twelve Months (LTM) for Bowen Island,the weakest performance compared to MetroVancouver municipalities.All other municipalities showed increases ranging from +1.9per cent forAnmore to +6.7per cent for Burnaby.
Once among the strongestperformers during COVID,Bowen has experiencedprice corrections over the last twoyears with the
LTMaverage sold pricefor October2023down -16.3 percent from theApril2022recordhigh andthe LTMbenchmarkprice down-9.3 per centfromthe September2022high. Prices were more stable over thelast12months,as reflectedin only modestchangesinaverage sold price and benchmarkprice at +1.0 and -0.6 percent respectively
Incontrasttothe flatperformance of average and median sold price and thebenchmark price,both the numberand dollar volume of sales increased. Number of saleswas up +37.1 per cent LTMand +26.5 percentyeartodate
(YtD)and thedollarvolumeofclosedsales was up +37.8per cent LTMand +24.5 percentYtD Despitethe encouraging growth in the number of sales, thenumberofnew listingsalso increased27.8per cent over thesameperiod, keeping inventoryatveryhigh levels. As Sellers andREALTORS® worktoreducethe stubbornly high inventory, 35ofthe 54 current listings (64.8per cent) have been pricereducedan averageof$170,000*per listingfromthe original list.
Even with this rightsizing,only12ofthe active listingsare at or belowthe Bowen Island average
sold price LTMwhile 14 are listedover $2.0 million and 7ofthese arelistedover $3.0 million. The reduction in the Bank of Canadaratein Octoberand speculationofanother cutin December willhelp encouragebuyersand with new listings LTMthe highestinovera decade,the current buyers’ market on Bowen Island likelywill continue over thewinter. *Averageexcludes outlierpricereduction of $1,500,000 forone current listing
MLS® HPIvsClosed/Pending Average &Median Sale LTM-LastTwelveMonths
SATURDAY NOV. 30TH 5:30
SANTAPARADE
It allstarts on the USSC BOARDWALK
Carol singing with Cates Hill Chapel,FamilyPlaces’ FESTIVAL of TREES followedbySANTA &his North Pole friends.. . JOIN US! at
THE HEARTH
HOLIDAY PARTY
Visit with Santa. Enjoywarm beverages & treats. JoinBOWEN REC ~decorate a holidaycookie &write aletter to Santa!
Documentary crew sparks new search on Bowen for evidence in Jodi Henrickson case
JODI HENRICKSON OF SQUAMISH WENT MISSING ON THE ISLAND 15 YEARS AGO
ALEX KURIAL Editor
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) recently performed a search on Bowen Island related to the case of Jodi Henrickson, a Squamish girl who went missing on the island in 2009.
The search was sparked after IHIT was contacted by a documentary crew working on a film called Finding Jodi, which focuses on Henrickson and her disappearance.
The crew, led by filmmaker Jenni Baynham, had been on Bowen performing their own search for evidence related to the case, and reached out when they believed they’d found potential evidence.
IHIT investigators came to Bowen over the weekend and conducted a search
of the area that had been flagged by the crew.
“Since IHIT took conduct of this investigation in 2010, we have been working diligently to pursue every investigational avenue available,” said IHIT media relations officer Cpl. Sukhi Dhesi in a response to Undercurrent questions about the search.
“IHIT remains committed to finding out what happened to Jodi and we urge anyone with information about her disappearance to please contact the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca,” added Dhesi.
Foul play has been suspected in the June 2009 disappearance of Henrickson, who was 17 at the time. She attended a house party on Bowen the night of June 19 after arriving from Squamish, and was last seen in the early morning hours of June 20.
We want to hear from you: Take the ResidentSurveyaboutTourism
SURVEY AVAILABLE UNTIL MID-DECEMBER
TOURISM BOWEN ISLAND ASSOCIATION
How do we create athriving sustainable community? Aplace where residents flourish, businesses prosper, ecosystems arepreserved forfuture generations, and visitorsare welcomed ascontributors to the island’s balanced, resilient andvalued wayoflife?
GivingTuesday is aglobal day ofunity and generosity. It is foundedonthe belief that everyone hassomething to give and every actofgenerositycounts. Whether it’s helpinganeighbourorstranger,volunteeringfor your favourite organization, or supporting causesthrough donations
At theBowen Island Community Foundation, we are grateful forevery donationreceived. Gifts largeand smallhelpbuild our endowments, sowecan grantmorebacktothe community,making a stronger, more vibrantBowen Island,through grants for community initiatives, scholarshipsfor students,and bursaries forthoseinneed.
Will youjoinus on this dayofgenerosity?
Increase your annual or monthlycontributionormake your first gift today Visitbowenfoundation.com/give to make agiftonline.
Cheques made outtothe BowenIslandCommunity Foundation canbedroppedoffatFirst Credit Union, 996 DormanRoad. Please include amemointhe envelope withyour contactinformation and how youwishthe donationtobedirected. Consultthe Giving page of our websitefor more informationabout our funds.
Tourism Strategy: This past spring, Tourism Bowen Island released a10-year tourism strategy -ACommunity-based Responsible Visitation Plan for Bowen Island. Have youread it yet? If not, we encourage youtodoso. The strategy is available on Tourism Bowen Island’s website under theResident section. You canread the planonline or downloada PDF copy.
The overarchinggoal of the strategy is to balance the values andwellbeingofresidents, environment, economy, andvisitors.This 10-year strategy is aliving document and the first steptowards developing aregenerative tourism ecosystemon Bowen Island.
You’ll find over 55initiativespresented –someare quick wins and others are complex and long-termobjectives. These initiatives areorganized under four strategic goals: 1) Visitor Management; 2) Community Engagementand Regional Collaboration; 3) Infrastructure and Investment; 4) EnvironmentalProtection and Regenerative Tourism. Thesuccess of this planisdependent on community support, collaborations, and cross-sectoral partnerships.
Resident Survey: One of ourcommunity engagement goals is toconduct an annual resident survey. Our last resident survey was conducted in February2023 with more than250 residentsresponding. The survey feedback and comments wereinvaluable, informing ourresearch and the plan’sinitiatives. When you read theplan, you’ll find adiversity of survey respondents’ comments included.
We want to hear from youagain! We’ve launched anew resident survey that’s live now and closes Sunday,December 15. The surveytakes 5-10 minutes to complete. Your feedback is vitally important, providing acurrent snapshot of issues/ considerations and helping to set priorities and future actions. The survey is anonymous and asks questions specific to Bowen Island, aswell as more general tourism-related questions.
Community Engagement: Another opportunity to share feedback is an open house in early 2025. Our fall engagementsession was delayed and given the holidays are upon us, we’ll be hostingaresidentopen house in February. The good news: you’ll have time to read the tourism strategy and prepare your questions/comments. Moredetailswillbeannouncedin January, once the dates and venue are confirmed.
Good to know:
•You’llfind the resident surveyand A Community-basedResponsibleVisitation Plan forBowen Island on the Resident webpage, TourismBowen Island’swebsite.The surveyclosesDecember 15.
•Tourism Bowen Island Association (TBI) is asmall member-based non-profit organization managed by avolunteer board of directors. Since 2015, TBIisthe central body for local tourism,providing destination management,visitorservices and community economicdevelopment.TBI operates theVisitor Information Centreonbehalf of the Municipality, but TBIisnot part of the municipality.
Youcan find us onlineatwww.tourismbowenisland.com,and by email at info@tourismbowenisland.com. Please emailusanytimewithyour questions or comments.
Thetourismstrategy is available on TourismBowen Island’s website, in the ‘Resident’section.
Where the Wild Neighbours Live
A NEW NATURE MAP OF BOWEN ISLAND
BOB TURNER
Contributor
Have you ever wondered where the closest major wetland is to you? Or where to go to experience the island’s oldest forests - remnants of the ancient forests that once clothed Bowen Island?
Now we all have access to a new nature map of Bowen Island, published by the Bowen Island Conservancy, which will help to answer these questions, and many more.
The “Homes for Nature” map is a colourful illustrated guide to our diverse natural habitats, from wetlands and streams, to mossy bluffs and mature forests, and intertidal shores and eelgrass beds. These are the wild neighbourhoods of our island.
Each different habitat type is unique, made up of specific plants, animals and fungi, providing the diversity of life that we enjoy on the island The map shows where these neighbourhoods
are, and is an important and useful resource that will help all of us learn more about habitat diversity, and Bowen’s overall biodiversity.
Bowen has never had a map like “Homes for Nature” before Now we can all have this resource in our own homes. The Conservancy is distributing the map to all Island schools to engage students with Bowen’s natural world.
As well, it’s available as both a large wall map, and a smaller laminated placemat sized map, and both will be available at the Bowen Island Community School Craft Fair on December 1. Contact the Conservancy if you are interested in larger formats (info@bowenislandconservancy.org)
The “Homes for Nature” map was produced by Islander and Conservancy member Will Husby, with technical assistance from the Conservancy’s Caring for Nature Initiative team. Funding was provided by a generous grant from the Knick Nack Nook through the Bowen Island Community Foundation.
TheBowen Island CommunityHealth Centre:
CELEBRATING 6MONTHS SINCE OURNEW BUILDINGOPENED. Thankyou,Bowen Island!
In April, we openedthe doorsofthe BowenIsland CommunityHealth Centre.We want to extend ourdeepestthanksfor your support of ourbold vision: to providequality healthcare close to home.
In theshort timesince opening the Health Centre,wehave:
• Attracted adedicated team of skilledand experienced family practitioners, registered nurses, medical office assistantsand community health careworkers
•Matched nearly 2,000 communityresidentswitha familydoctor or nursepractitioner
•Served some 2,400 patients—about half theIsland’spopulation
•Supported 4,300 patient visits
Andthe list goes on... Read moreat bit.ly/BIHCF-News
We need your ongoing supportaswegrow. Together,we’re building ahealthierfuture.
Grow with us
DONATE NOW! bit.ly/BIHCF-Donate
in supportof
WEEKENDS ARE FOR CRAFTING
Craft Fair Season started with a bang last weekend at the Legion Christmas Craft Fair. In addition to the many tables of locally produced wares, visitors to Sunday’s fair enjoyed hot chocolate, brownies, vegan soup, and many other drinks and snacks both hot and cold Be sure to mark your calendars for further Craft Fairs this weekend, with the Little Red Church Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday followed by the CSA Christmas Craft Fair on Sunday. / Heather Doherty photos
THE BOWEN ISLAND THE BOWEN ISLAND GUIDE TO GUIDE TO THE HOLIDAYS THE HOLIDAYS
available at theRuddy, General Store and businesses alloverthe island
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15
AT 2:30 AND 7:00 PM
CATES HILL CHAPEL
TICKETS $25
SENIORS $15
YOUTH(under 12)$15 BOWENISLAND COMMUNITY CHOIR
Ticketsavailableat CatesPharmacyorat thedoor
NewBowen NatureBook:Discovering Kwíl’akm
DISCOVERING KWÍL’AKM AUTHORS
Mannion Bay, also knownasDeepBay, is thebest known, most ecologically excitingand popularshoreline on BowenIsland.
For thousands of years,the Squamish peoples sought refugeinits protected waters and harvestedits shellfish.They knew the bayasKwíl’akm (pronounced QUAIL-la-cum)or “CalmBay.” The Bowen Island Conservancy is celebrating Kwíl’akm –both itshuman history andits natural history –with the publication of Discovering Kwíl’akm, anew book from the team behind Bowen bestseller ExploringBowen’s MarineWorld.
We’ve dug deep into the human andnatural historyof Bowen’s favourite shore.For example, did you know that inthe 19th century, two majorquarry operations mined the steep clay banksnear what is now the Lagoon to manufacturethe redbrick that clad Vancouver’s finest buildings? We have stories about thoseclay bedsand thebrickyards; the resort era when the Lagoon wascreated by damming KillarneyCreek’s outlet;and the Terminal Creek fishhatchery’srole in rebuilding salmon stocks.
And Kwíl’akmisa superb place to experience thenatural world. The Bay and Lagoon are often the best placeon Bowen for birders to observe goldeneye ducks, herons, and gulls. We’vefeatured the life stories of thebay’s many creatures, from seals and sea lions,tooyster bedsand octopus, andsea stars to surf scoters
As rising greenhouse gasemissions bring change to Bowen’s climate and water, we needtocarefor ourlocal marine world to the bestofour abilities.This challenging
realitymotives this book —we allneedtodowhat we can. TheBowenIsland Conservancyiscommitted to protectingand preservingthe natural wondersofNexwlélexwm/ Bowen Island and enhancing the qualityoflifefor current and future generations ofresidentsand visitors.
Discovering Kwíl’akmmakesa uniquely Bowenholiday gift. You can purchase copies at Phoenix Books or the HearthGallery.The BowenIsland Conservancy willhave a table at the Christmas Craft Fair (Saturday,December1, 10 am until 3pmat the BowenIsland CommunitySchool Gym)where you can meet the team behindthe book and buyyour copy.
Youcan also borrow Discovering Kwíl’akmfrom the Bowen Island Public Library.All proceeds from sale of thisbook willbeusedtopromote local conservation and education.
Theauthors of Discovering Kwíl’akm:(L-R) Will Husby, Susan Munro, BobTurner,&Len Gilday./ Cathy Robertson photo
Eat. Drink. Shop.Local.
Meet theveryhandsome Ben! Benny loves to spendtime with hisfamily, especially when he gets to snugglewithhis Lucy and Stanley!Heloves walks with Gordespecially when he can sneak in aswimon theiradventures. Ben is always excited and eager to meet newpeopleand get treatssocoming to Bowen VeterinaryServices Clinic is always agoodtime!
FerryAdvisoryCommittees being axed as B.C. Ferries designs new engagement system
CARLA WILSON Times Colonist
B.C. Ferries advisory committee chairswere stunnedto learnMonday that all 13 committees are being shutdown at theend of April,tobereplaced by anew engagementsystem that has not yet been designed.
As of January, B.C. Ferries willbeworking to design a “new engagement model that better addressesthe evolving needsofgrowing coastal communities,reflectingthe importance of more effectively incorporatingdigitalengagement,” itsaid in astatement on Monday.
“I’m boggled,” said Diana Mumford,the chair of all the committee chairs, who also heads up theSouthern Sunshine Coastferry advisory committee.
B.C. Ferries officials informedadvisory committee members in aconference call on Monday of its decisionto dismantle committees. “We are really upset,” Mumford said. “People were shocked.”
B.C. Ferries has not asked committees to help develop a better engagement process anddid notask forsuggestions, Mumford said. “They put us on the back burner and they have been doingthat for the last, Iwould say,year-and-ahalf to twoyears.”
Future engagement could include communityforums, terminal and on-board pop-up feedback opportunities, interest-holder meetings and B.C. Ferries officials attending localevents, the company said.
Feedback from local governments andresidents indi-
cated they wanted amore transparent,more collaborative approach with electedofficials andtohearfrommore under-represented voices, said B.C. Ferries.
It says it willcollaborate withferry advisorycommittees, residents, customers, localgovernments and MLAs, First Nations, and other groups to designits new engagement model, which will replace the advisorycommittees and be in place in May 2025.
Volunteer committee members serve two-yearterms that wereset to expire atthe end of this year. Those terms have nowbeenextended to theend of April
Mumfordsaid theadvisorycommittees, whichhavebeen representing coastalcommunitiesfor 31 years, havea“fair amount of credibility,” and raiseissues withB.C. Ferries including scheduling, traffic management, accessibility and on-time performance. “I’m not sure they can replicate that by starting over.”
In terms of representation, applications to join thecommitteesare examined by committee chairs before being forwarded withrecommendationstoB.C.Ferries, whichmakes thefinal appointments, said Mumford, adding names are provided that are representative of acommunity.
IanCameron, chair of theMill Bayferry advisorycommittee,said committee memberstold B.C. Ferries in the meeting: “There’s all this experience and there are allthesepeople who sit on theFACs and they know an awfullot about thecommunityand they know an awfullot aboutthe ferry and what areyou going to do instead?
“Ferries didn’t really havemuchofananswer.”
Evan Putterill, chair of theNorth and CentralCoast ferry
Places of Worship WelcomeYou
BOWEN ISLANDUNITEDCHURCH
advisory committee, said dismantling the committees is disappointing but not surprising.“B.C. Ferrieshas basically beennot reallyengaginginthe FACprocessinameaningful way for the last two-and-a-half years.”
Instead,B.C.Ferrieshas been focusedoncodes of conduct and terms of reference for committees, he said.
“We’ve been working on anything except for operational issuesand getting down to what matters in communities,” hesaid. “The FACs have been asking time and time again toget down to thatand it’s just been stalling and stalling and stalling.”
In September 2023, B.C. Ferriesmoved itsadvisory committeemeetingsonlineand postponeddrop-in sessions aftera threat of violence at aSunshine Coastferry advisory committee meeting
Jeff Groot,B.C.Ferriesspokesperson, said the goal is to come up with amodelthatwilllead to broader,representativefeedback and include not justin-person meetingsbut more onlineoptions.
Expectationsofcommunitieshave evolved in the past30 years, Groot said. Currently electedrepresentatives,such asmayorsand heads of First Nations, are not built into the engagement process, which is something the company wouldliketosee,hesaid.
B.C. Ferriesisalso lookingathaving clear processesfor feedback so it can incorporate it intodecisionsand show residentsthey are getting aresponse,hesaid.
There is nothing precluding current ferry committee members from beinginvolvedinthe future engagement system, Groot said.
Sunday Mass at 9.30 Contact Angela Powell 604-947-2515 SHIRATHAYAM (Song ofthe Sea)
DEPART BOWENISLAND 5:20 am -exceptSundays 6:20 am 7:30 am 8:35 am 9:40 am 10:50am 12:00pm 1:10 pm 2:55 pm 4:00 pm -exceptWednesdays 5:10 pm 6:15 pm 7:25 pm -exceptSaturdays 8:30 pm 9:30 pm 10:30pm DEPARTHORSESHOE BAY 5:50 am 6:50 am 8:00 am 9:05 am -exceptWednesdays. 10:15am 11:25am 12:35pm 2:20 pm 3:30 pm 4:35 pm 5:45 pm 6:50 pm 8:00 pm -except Saturdays 9:00 pm 10:00pm
SANTA TUMBLED INTO TOWN!
Bowen Island Gymnastics and Bowen Community Recreation partnered up to kick off the holiday season with gymnastics, games, letters to Santa, cookies, and a visit from Jolly Santa himself! Special thank you to the Bowen Building Centre for the blow up Santa and Snowman decoration donations. Happy Holidays from Bowen Island Gymnastics! / Lisa Brougham photos
CALENDAR
Friday, November 29
Ladies Madrigal Singers Concert
Ring in the season with the Ladies Madrigal Singers at their ‘Sounds of Christmas’ concert. Takes place 7 pm at Cates Hill Chapel. Tickets available at Cates Pharmasave
Friday, November 29
Music of Three Nations
Come listen to the music of Bach, Telemann, Leclair, Abel and others. Performed by Marc Destrubé on violin & Natalie Mackie on viola da gamba. Email destrube@telus.net to purchase tickets, starts 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 30
Little Red Church Christmas Craft Fair
Annual Christmas Craft Fair at the Little Red Church featuring local artisans and festive treats. At Bowen Island United Church from 10 am to 2 pm
Saturday, November 30
Wild Coast Nature Refuge Visit
Join Will Husby and Mark Edmonds, for a walk along the refuge’s trails and viewpoints From 1 to 2:30 pm, register by Friday, Nov. 29 at bowennatureclub@gmail.com
Saturday, November 30
Light Up Bowen
The fun starts at 6 pm at the USSC Marina boardwalk with a Santa parade, Carol singing. Festival of Trees, Cove light up, and party with Santa at the Hearth!
Sunday, December 1
CSA Christmas Craft Fair
An Island Tradition since 1984! At Bowen Island Community School from 10 am to 3 pm, with the Youth Craft Fair upstairs from 10 am to Noon Presented by the
Community School Association.
Sunday, December 1
Rivendell Lodge Open House
Come drop by Rivendell from 2 to 5 pm, with a gathering around the tree at 4. All are welcome! 600 Rivendell Road
Monday, December 2 to Friday, December 6
Food Bank Drive
Come to Bowen Building Centre to support a Food Bank Drive. Bring a donation for the Bowen Food Bank and receive 5% off your Building Centre purchase.
Tuesdays, December 3, 10, & 17
Makers and Bakers
Takes place Tuesdays from 3 to 4 pm. Register to show and share your baking on bowenrecreation.com
Wednesday, December 4
SKY Christmas Lunch
Join Seniors Keeping Young for a Christmas lunch at Doc Morgan’s, downstairs at Noon. info@skyonbowenisland.ca
Thursday, December 5
Skincare Social
Back by popular demand! The perfect time of year to change your skincare routine with the cooler weather. Join Angie Vyner for a fun and informative evening of how to best care for your skin. You can register for the event at https://sweatthetechniquestudio.com
Friday, December 6 to Saturday, December 28
December Art Market at the Hearth
The 5th annual December Art Market at the Hearth gallery. Featuring gift items from local artists and artisans More info can be found at thehearthartsonbowen.ca
Fridays, December 6, 13, & 20
Skal Cocktail Hour
Come by Bowen Cider House on Friday nights for these festive winter events. Located at 1125 Grafton Road, more info at www.bowenciderhouse.ca
Saturday, December 7
Food Bank Fundraiser
Come by the Ruddy between 10 am and 3 pm to support a fundraiser for our local Food Bank Full details on Page 3.
Saturday, December 7
Men’s Shed Gathering
Bowen Island Men’s Shed is meeting at the Blue Cottage on Cardena Drive (behind Tourism Bowen). Drop in for a coffee & snacks between 10 to 11:30 am Guys of all ages welcome Write bowenislandmensshed@yahoo.com for info.
Saturday, December 7
Daddy and Me
We’re excited to announce the relaunch of Daddy and Me from 10 am to 12 pm at Bowen Island Children’s Centre (downstairs). This event is for dads, uncles & grandads and their 1-6 year olds We’ll have coffee and treats on hand, free
Sunday, December 8
A Christmas Carol Reading
The 26th annual dramatic reading of Charles Dickens ‘Christmas Carol’ Takes place 7:30 pm at Collins Hall.
Sunday, December 8
Hygge Dinner
Enjoy a festive Scandinavian Hygge Dinner at Bowen Cider House. Visit www.bowenciderhouse.ca to learn more.
Monday, December 9 to Sunday, December 15
Shop Bowen Island
A week of festive cheer and support for our local businesses Win week-long giveaways! See all the details online at shopbowenisland.com
THURSDAYS
Thursday Art Group
Join the Thursday Art Group (TAG) at Collins Hall to see what’s new. Meetings from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. For further information please contact shannonrondeau@shaw.ca
