THURSDAY AUGUST 2, 2018 VOL. 44, NO. 29
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SHOU SUGI BAN
Trail society is using the Japanese wood preservation technique for a new bridge
BE FIRE AWARE
Local experts tell us what would happen in the case of a forest fire on Bowen
THANKS FROM SHELAGH
Shelagh MacKinnon pens a letter to Bowen as she departs for Vancouver Island
Water watch
As the province warns of low water levels, Bowen is ok -for right now BRONWYN BEAIRSTO EDITOR
As the latest summer heatwave breaks and Environment Canada forecasts rain, a parched forest may get some relief. But this doesn’t mean the water taps should flow freely. Bowen remains in stage one water restrictions under Metro Vancouver guidelines. This means watering your lawn a maximum of three times a week and using only a spring-loaded shut-off nozel while washing your car and boat. “We don’t go out and police it,” says Bowen Island Municipality’s manager of public works Bob Robinson. There’s not even a Bowen bylaw that governs water conservation. However, Robinson notes, oldtime Islanders have faced shortages in the past and errant water users may face a neighbour’s ire. “Somebody will yell at you,” says Robinson. Bowen goes into water conservation mode every May as a preventative measure as renewable water resources are limited. “We’re on an island,” says Robinson. “The wells dry up and that’s it.” Continued on page 5
One of the Bowen Logging Sports show organizers and founders Gary Anderson watches as the show’s co-announcer Ben Lefler encourages his daughter Alix Lefler in children’s axe throw Saturday. Photo: Bronwyn Beairsto
Splitting fun at the fourth annual loggers show BRONWYN BEAIRSTO EDITOR
With a soundtrack of revving chainsaws and cheering crowds, dozens of competitors participated in the fourth annual Bowen Logging Sports Show last weekend
in Veterans Park. Sawing and splitting enough logs to make any woodstove owner salivate, nearly 70 local-amateur and off-island athletes competed in sweltering conditions, with temperatures hitting the high twenties. “The heat definitely made it a lit-
tle more difficult,” said Kelly Miller, the show’s organizer, who also competed in several events, “but I couldn’t see it having gone any better.”
“It went so well and we had such a blast,” she said. It was the show’s first time spanning two days, and events included:
pole climbing (not the adult entertainment variety), axe throwing (a more extreme version of darts), bucking (log cutting) and choker racing (securing a cable around a log), among others. Many events had a children’s version. Continued on page 13
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Meeting Calendar
Public Notice
Fire Ban in effect
PROCEDURE BYLAW AMENDMENT
Aug 14 2018 7:00 pm FireSmart Workshop Fire Hall #2, 1421 Adams Rd
Sep 4 2018 7:15 pm Regular Council Meeting All meetings are held in Council Chambers unless otherwise noted.
On Monday, July 23, 2018 Bowen Island Municipal Council gave first reading to “Bowen Island Municipal Council Procedure Bylaw, Amendment Bylaw No. 464, 2018” a new bylaw to reflect the change in date for the Inaugural Council meeting. The inaugural Council meeting date requires updating as a result of the legislation to change the term of office for local elections from November to October. In keeping with the Community Charter’s principles of openness and accountability, Council must not amend, repeal or replace its procedure bylaw without first giving public notice. A copy of the “Bowen Island Municipal Council Procedure Bylaw, Amendment Bylaw No. 464, 2018” is available at Municipal Hall and on the municipal website at www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca
www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/fire-danger
Please direct any comments regarding this proposed bylaw in writing via mail, e-mail or fax by Monday, August 6, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. to: Hope Dallas, Chief Election Officer Bowen Island Municipality 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2 FAX: 604-947-0193 e-mail: Election2018@bimbc.ca
Council has adopted Bowen Island’s first Transportation Plan! The Plan identifies and coordinates transportation priorities over the next 20 years to help realize the community vision of:
Water Conservation Guidelines In 2016, Council endorsed Metro Vancouver Regional District’s Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP) in order to promote awareness about the importance of water conservation. The plan defines guidelines for four levels of water conservation for users of municipal drinking water systems, aiming to manage demand for drinking water during the summer months, and if necessary during times of emergencies. Please note that on Bowen, the plan is intended to provide guidelines for water usage, not restrictions. Throughout the summer, water conservation stages will be posted and updated regularly on the Municipality’s Alerts and Advisories webpage. For more information, please go to:
“Simple, seamless, sustainable transportation options for every Bowen Islander.” The Plan focuses on connections, choices and health. Implementation actions include increasing transportation funding for road maintenance and developing pedestrian and cycling networks. Getting on and off the island will be more convenient and affordable with better regional partnerships and coordination. Health of people and environment will be improved with more access to active transportation and less greenhouse gas emissions. Implementation of the Plan is already underway and you should start seeing projects pop-up throughout the year! Go to www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/reports-publications for more details!
Free FireSmart Workshop Tuesday, August 14th, 7pm Fire Halll #2, 1421 Adams Rd Everyone welcome FireSmart@bimbc.ca www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/fire-smart
General Enquiries
Contact Us
Phone: Fax: Email:
Bowen Island Municipal Hall 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2
604-947-4255 604-947-0193 bim@bimbc.ca
Dogs on main beaches Dogs are not permitted on Bowen Bay Beach, Tunstall Bay Beach and Sandy Beach during the months of July and August. Dogs are welcome on all other beaches. Please ensure that everyone can enjoy the beach. Keep your dog under control and within 3 metres of you at all times. Do your doo diligence and clean up after your dog.
Find us on Facebook Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday, excluding statutory holidays Aug 2, 2018
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THURSDAY AUGUST 2 2018 • 3
You asked: What happens if there’s a forest fire on Bowen? As national and international headlines blaze with news of devastating forest fires, islanders have been asking what measures are in place for emergency situations on Bowen. The following is a question and answer with Bowen Island Municipality’s emergency program coordinator Jennifer McGowan and fire chief Ian Thompson.
Award winner Sacha Tamblyn with his parents Ben Tamblyn and Jamie Woodall and grandparents Ron and Heather Woodall. Submitted: Jamie Woodall
Fire safety awareness pays off for local boy JAMIE WOODALL CONTRIBUTOR
Most of us on Bowen Island are well aware of the dangers of fire. We tend our wood-burning stoves through the winter and pay close attention to fire bans in the summer. Many of us have supported other community members who have suffered great loss as a result of fire. At Bowen Island Community School, students are given the Fire Safety Guide (a booklet and DVD) created by Community Safety Net. Teachers help the kids to engage with the material in different ways. Its design is fun, interactive and age-appropriate and covers fire prevention, emergency preparedness and responses. Kids get the chance to design their own fire escape plans; the guide now promotes an online interactive tool for doing this. As a parent, I noticed how this online tool (which allows kids to map out the floor plan and escape routes for their own home) makes it much more personalized and real. I was initially concerned that discussing the reality of not being able to access the adults in the house might be frightening for my son Sacha, then 10. The actual result was an increased confidence about his options in the case of an emergency. Sacha was drawn in by online tool’s colourful visuals, live footage, interactive quizzes and games. The last page noted a contest to win an iPad tablet by submitting a letter describing what he had learned in the guide and how he might use this information to keep himself and others safe. Parents were also encouraged to write in expressing our perspectives. As I could see that Sacha had truly taken away a few new golden nuggets of wisdom, we decided to try our luck and complete our evening by entering the contest. Imagine our surprise to get a call six months later informing us that among thousands of entries across Canada, Sacha had won the contest! On July 23 at municipal hall, local safety advisor for Community Safety Net Chuck Venhuizen, along with Bowen Island fire chief Ian Thompson, presented Sacha with a “We Care” safety kit, a certificate and a much-anticipated iPad with Sacha’s name inscribed on it. Sacha hopes that his win will inspire other kids to look more closely at the guide “to learn more about what they can do in emergencies.” A big thank you to Sacha’s Grade 5 teachers, Ms. Layzell and Ms. Daniels, for bringing this into the curriculum, and for the school’s commitment to fire safety. And, to the entire Bowen Island Fire Department and associated Emergency Response teams, gratitude for all you do for this community.
1. How big a threat are forest fires on Bowen?
3. Is there/what is the evacuation plan if a fire breaks out?
McGowan: We face similar risks to other communities within the Fraser Fire Zone. According to the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, Bowen overall “is classified as having a moderate to high fire risk profile.” Bowen residents seem aware of the threat, particularly with interface fires in Greece, California, Ontario and B.C. in the news right now, and this awareness is encouraging in terms of fire prevention and reporting. Ian Thompson: The fire department hasn’t received a call for an unattended campfire in about three weeks, after previously receiving calls for approximately three campfires over the long weekend, which is encouraging. For the most part, the public is aware of the threat and diligent about calling fires into 911. If individuals are responsible, the threat is reduced: smokers throwing cigarette butts out their windows continues to be an issue and those who see this are encouraged to record the licence plate information and report incidents to the local RCMP non-emergency line.
2. How well prepared is Bowen for a forest fire?
never considered the risk. Thompson: Bowen Island Fire Department is prepared for a forest fire. The department engages in wildfire equipment training and practices, and has a wildfire trailer equipped with portable pumps, hose, water backpacks, foam, etc. It’s worth noting that fire suppression assistance would come from the B.C. Wildfire Service for any fire on Crown land.
McGowan: While no formal evacuation plan for Bowen currently exists, preliminary work has been done regarding evacuation planning; creating an evacuation plan is a priority for the emergency program. BIM is applying for grant funding (available through the province) to draft an evacuation plan: the hope is that this work can commence in early 2019. It may be worth noting that an island-wide evacuation (where every single home on the island is under evacuation order) is extremely unlikely and that no Gulf Island has ever been fully evacuated.
4. In the event of such an emergency, how will islanders be notified?
McGowan: Individually, there seems to be a range of preparedness, from those who have their own roof-top wildfire sprinkler protection systems to those who have
McGowan: The primary source of relevant information will be BowENS, the public notification system launched in 2017. Islanders are encouraged to check the municipal website (major alerts appear on the front page of the site) and watch, access and listen to local news media during any emergency. In B.C. there are different types of evacuations used in different circumstances: tactical, voluntary and mandatory. An evacuation alert signals to residents that they need to be ready to leave their homes at a moment’s
notice. Those who leave during this stage do so voluntarily. An evacuation order means that people must leave the area immediately, and this will be enforced by police and officials. Residents are strongly encouraged to register at a reception centre to let officials know they are safe and connect them with services (such as food and lodging) if needed. In the event of an evacuation order, impacted residents will be notified by RCMP and first responders knocking on their door, and may or may not receive advance notice prior to that. While we hope to be able to give notice prior to an evacuation, this is not always possible depending on the nature of the event. In the event of a tactical evacuation, no prior notice will be given, and residents will have only moments to leave their homes. Hopefully this reality highlights for residents the need to be prepared in advance.
5. Is there somewhere people can go to educate themselves more?
McGowan: Come to a FireSmart workshop presented by provincial wildfire expert Bruce Blackwell and learn more about steps you can take to protect your homes from interface fires. Workshops are on: Tuesday, August 14 at 7 p.m., or Thursday, September 27 at 7 p.m. Both workshops will be held at Fire Hall #2, (1421 Adams Rd) https://www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/fire-smart Wildfire-specific information: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/ content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention https://www.firesmartcanada.ca/ General preparedness information: gov.bc.ca/PreparedBC https://www.getprepared.gc.ca
Bowfest tickets on sale now
With just weeks to go before Bowen’s summer-capping festival, Bowfest details are trickling in. Bowfest tickets went on sale August 1 at Phoenix in Village
Square. The advance tickets are $5, and youth 18 and under are free. Day-of tickets will be $10. The Citizen of the Year committee is busy finalizing profiles for a
collection of local honourees who will be featured in an upcoming Undercurrent. For more information visit bowfest.org
Interested in a career in childcare?
Light of Compassion Counselling Services www.lightofcompassion.ca
Denise Richard 1-604-322-3922
IS HIRING! Send your resume to: Executive Director Bowen Children’s Centre 650 Carter Road, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2 or email: info@bowenchildrenscentre.ca
APPLICATION DEADLINE: AUGUST 15, 2018
Check us out at www.bowenchildrenscentre.ca The start of something wonderful…
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The Write Stuff. The Undercurrent encourages reader participation in your community newspaper. You must include your full name and a daytime phone number (for verification only). The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity, legality, brevity and taste. Here’s how. To submit a letter to the editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to #102, 495 Government Rd., PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 or email editor@ bowenislandundercurrent.com. National NewsMedia Council. The Undercurrent is a member of the National NewsMedia Council of Canada, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please email editor@ bowenislandundercurrent.com or call 604-9472442. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the website at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.
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From Shelagh MacKinnon: Thank you, Bowen Island Dear Bowen Island, Thank you, thank you, thank you! In the past several months, we have been remembering our time together in a thousand ways. It has been a rich experience for me and I am grateful for those conversations. There have been dinners and special gatherings, texts and surprise notes left at my door! The article in Undercurrent, complete with photographs and letters to me was bittersweet for me to read. Jane Miller, my copy had your fingerprints all over it! What a cherished treasure!. I first experienced the beauty of this place and the hospitality, and spirituality of Bowenians, in the middle 90s when my sister Carol and I came over Sunday mornings when I was working in Vancouver. Once I began to work here, I was blessed when my Carol and my parents, Gillean and Eleanor (“Judy”), all decided to permanently re-locate here. I will always be grateful for the many kindnesses shown to my ancient parents in the beautiful decade we shared. Many people
kindly remembered our dear Dad in the Cove, especially on his beloved scooter. Working with the compassionate and dedicated team at Orchard Recovery Centre is a rich blessing. Lorinda, thank you for the opportunity to work with people making changes in their lives. On Sunday night, Little Red Church hosted a potluck dinner at the Royal Canadian Legion. My deep appreciation goes to those who did a whale of a job of delivering a very fun evening in that heat, and to all who spoke, both publically and privately. Lynn Williams, you are one in a million. What an honour to work with you for a decade!! Lynn, Sylvia, Sheila, and Caroline: as a party planning team, you guys rock!! My heart is filled as I pack to move to Victoria. I am grateful to God that our paths crossed, and that our life stories are permanently woven together. I will miss you, my Bowen Island friends. Signed with love, Shelagh
Knick Knack Nook is funding a bursary for a sustainable future CATHERINE BAYLY KNICK KNACK NOOK
The Knick, Knack, Nook offers bursaries for individuals of any age who are pursing alternative paths of learning in environmental sustainability. Don’t let the description of the bursary dissuade you! It is a wonderful opportunity for someone who is not enrolled in a conventional university or college to apply for funding for environmental sustainability courses. All Advertising and news copy content are copyright of the Undercurrent Newspaper. All editorial content submitted to the Undercurrent becomes the property of the publication. The undercurrent is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, art work and photographs. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
#102–495 Bowen Trunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island BC, V0N 1G0 Phone: 604.947.2442 Fax: 604.947.0148 Deadline for all advertising and editorial: Monday, 4:00 p.m. www.bowenislandundercurrent.com
Perhaps you wish to further your education about strawbale home construction, permaculture, beekeeping or drought-resistant gardening. The awards committee is looking for individuals who are willing to give back to the community once they’ve completed their studies through mentoring, workshops, demonstration gardens etc. Please go to knickknacknook.org website to find the details for application. Bursary funding available in this category is up to $5,000.
Despite the heat, logging show impresses
Four of us arrived at the 4th annual Bowen Logging Show on Sunday morning. We had missed the pancake breakfast and were intending to leave at noon for lunch in Snug Cove. It was going to be a hot day and two of us are very sensitive to the sun. We settled in relative comfort under an open tent at one of the many ‘ring-side’ tables, and by noon were so thoroughly engaged by the power and skill demonstrated by locals and competitors from across Canada, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand, and so entertained by the knowledge imparted with wit and humour by the emcees, that no one wanted to leave. Lunch was a delicious hamburger and cold libation served by cheerful volunteers at the show. It was a family event. Not only were there child competitors, kids could pan for gold, cool in a pool, and meet Elsa (from Frozen) or Batman (who must have been very warm in his outfit). There was a show and demonstration of chainsaw carving—and free ice cream for kids and adults! We didn’t leave until the show ended at about 3 p.m. The only downside to the afternoon was our combined lack of success in the draw for the great big barbecue or the kid-size Chevy Silverado Thank you to Gary Anderson of Metro Blasting, his sponsors, and his volunteers, for the huge effort it took to mount this event. Tim Rhodes
Subscriptions Thank you to those who have subscribed so far - every person counts and helps us! With an island subscription to the Undercurrent, you’ll get your paper the day of publication. We accept credit card or cheque! Call 604-947-2442.
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THURSDAY AUGUST 2 2018 • 5
WANTED
Volunteer Board Members
Have you ever wanted to dig into heritage issues?
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE!
Burning bridges in a good way BRONWYN BEAIRSTO EDITOR
Before the new bridge is installed across the Handloggers trail on Mt. Gardner, it’s being burnt – on purpose. Members of the Bowen Trail Riders Association, one of three organizations in the Bowen Trails Coalition dedicated to improving local trails, are busy constructing the badly needed bridge. Since the bridge crosses a creek, BTRA wasn’t allowed to use pressurized wood, which could leech chemicals in to the stream. Instead the province (the bridge is on Crown land) asked the bridge builders to use cedar wood, which could stand up to water and rot. But BTRA decided to do them one better. BTRA researched a Japanese wood preservation technique called shou sugi ban (also known as yakisugi which translates roughly to ‘‘burned cedar board.’’) It involves charring the wood, brushing it off, washing it and then sealing it with oil (in the case of these bridge slats – linseed oil). The process of burning the cedar surface seals its susceptible core in a weather-proof, fire-proof, bug-resistant, non-toxic charcoal-coloured carbonized veneer. Shou sugi ban has risen in popularity in North America as an alternative finish for house siding and fences (the New York Times wrote about the trend in 2017) and has been
similarly used in Japan since at least the 1700s. In those cases, if done properly, the treatment can make the wood last for more than 80 years, though that’s likely not the case for a trail bridge which has all manner of motorized and non-motorized users. In July, BTRA president and Handloggers Trail bridge project manager Kevan Bernards, with some help, used the shou sugi ban technique on the stringers, decking and lumber for the new bridge. “We ran it through the province and they approved it,” says Bernards. “It creates a beautiful finish and (in my opinion) is preferable to aluminum or other alternatives to pressure treated which might look out of place on Bowen’s trails,” says Bernards. The bridge project has been a summer-long endeavour. BTRA, its partner, Bowen Island Trail Society, and other locals have put more than 70 volunteer hours into the bridge and Bernards says they’re nearly halfway done. “The next big step is to co-ordinate the machine work, getting the material to the site, placing the stringers and decking,” says Bernards. The group is hoping to get the project done in time for the Handloggers Marathon over the Labour Day weekend. To follow bridge progress or to find out how to get involved with BTRA, they’re on Facebook @BowenTrailRidersAssociation.
While Bowen’s water is ok, the province says much of coastal B.C. is in level 3 hydrological drought conditions Continued from page 1 Bowen follows Metro Vancouver’s water conservation guidelines. The province announced level 3 hydrological drought conditions for much of coastal B.C. There are four levels of drought classifications before loss of water supply. “Level 3 drought conditions call for voluntary water-use reductions from all surface-water and groundwater users, including municipal, agricultural and industrial user,” reads the government press release. Despite the provincial concern, Bowen’s water supply is still in good shape, says Robinson. “We’re plugging along not too bad,” he tells the Undercurrent, “We’re not into drought conditions.”
Robinson notes that the water in Grafton Lake, which supplies the public water for Snug Cove, Deep Bay, Miller’s Landing, Scarborough, Cates Hill, Valhalla and Queen Charlotte Heights, isn’t yet below the dam, though it usually is by the end of August. Residents in Bluewater Park and King Edward Bay got a taste of further restrictions last week. BIM alerted water users to reduce water consumption immediately to prevent loss of their supply as groundwater wells were working at maximum capacity. Robinson says that they found the source of these overages -a couple of hoses left running and a leak or two -and the issue was solved. Robinson urges people on private wells not managed by BIM to also conserve water and local hydrological resources.
BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH Shelagh Mackinnon Rev.Rev. Shelagh MacKinnon
FOOD BANK
Service and Sunday School: 10:30 a.m. Service and Sunday School 10:30 am Collins Hall Bookings: Helen Wallwork MinisterCollins of Music: Williams HallLynn Bookings:
FOOD DROP-OFF BANK DROP-OFF
Helan Wallwork Helen Minister of Music: Lynn Williams
BOWEN ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH Pastor Clinton Neal ST. GERARD’S ROMAN 1070 Miller Road 604-947-0384 Service 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. CATHOLIC CHURCH
Sunday Mass: 10:30 a.m.
ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Administration Office: 604-682-6774 Mass: 10:30 a.m. Priest: Father James Comey
604-988-6304
CATES HILL CHAPEL
www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260 CATES HILL CHAPEL www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260 (661 Carter Rd.)
10:00 a.m. W 10:00 a.m. Worship
(661 Carter Rd.)
10:00 a.m. Worship • Sunday School: Tots to Teens Sunday School: Tots to Teens
Pastor: Dr. James B. Krohn
Pastor: Phil Adkins
BC Ferries REGULAR SCHEDULE May 17, 2018 to October 8, 2018
▼
BOWEN ISLAND Snug Cove
5:20 am^ 6:20 am 7:30 am# 8:35 am 9:40 am 10:50 am 12:00 pm 1:10 pm 3:10 pm 4:15 pm† 5:20 pm * 6:30 pm 7:45 pm* 8:50 pm# 9:50 pm 10:50 pm
VANCOUVER Horseshoe Bay 5:50 am 6:50 am# 8:00 am 9:05 am† 10:15 am 11:25 am 12:35 pm 2:35 pm 3:45 pm 4:50 pm 5:55 pm* 7:10 pm 8:20 pm* 9:20 pm# 10:20 pm
Distance: 3 NAUTICAL MILES Crossing Time: 20 MINUTES
Leave Horseshoe Bay
Coastal water warning
Places of Worship Welcome You
Leave Snug Cove
Doug Harding from BTRA burns the exterior of the bridge deck slats. He’s using Japanese wood preservation technique called shou sugi ban. Photo: Kevan Bernards
Charity status in good standing, all accounts are up to date and in order, lots of support for popular events, history of successful grant writing and summer student experiences. And an opportunity to negotiate with Metro Vancouver Parks. Apply today to bowenheritage@gmail.com
* DAILY EXCEPT SATURDAYS # DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS ^ DAILY EXCEPT SAT, SUN AND MAY 21, JUL 1, AUG 6, SEP 3 & OCT 8 † DC WEDNESDAY SAILINGS WILL BE REPLACED BY DANGEROUS CARGO SAILINGS. NO OTHER PASSENGERS PERMITTED.
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BOWENBEAT
On one of their many field trips around the Lower Mainland and Bowen, the Community Recreation camp children found an unexpected friend earlier this month. Submitted: Sheana Stevenson
Participants in Race Day Ready trails clinic catch their breaths and strike a pose. L-R Ted Benson, Bernice Joyce, Maureen Mackey, Niall Sheridan, Joseph Cooke, Jo Quarry and Tina Overbury. Kneeling: Judith Mclaren. Submitted: Phil Osborne
July 21 and 22, islanders and visitors alike participated in the 21st biennial People Plants and Places tour, featuring some of the spectacular gardens and homes of Bowen. Right: Kellie Burnett and Paul Stratford were hosts at their adobe/straw house. Middle: John and Josephine Riley at their orchard. Right: Mike Arthur and a volunteer at an ocean-view home. Photos: Tracey Wait
The weekend’s logger sports tested not only individual abilities, but also team work. Among the challenges were relay races, which got rollicking receptions from an appreciative crowd. Photos: Bronwyn Beairsto
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BOWENBEAT Fourth annual Loggers show In the blistering late July heat, nearly 70 competitors tried their hand at logger sports July 28 and 29. Newbies and old pros mingled in a weekend of friendly competition. Top left: Kelly Miller crosses the finish line, winning her heat of the choker races. Top right: A competitor waits to compete in the choker races - he did the entire challenge without dropping the cigarette. Middle right: Leah Mackey in the chainsaw competition. Bottom right: A women’s pole climb competitor tackles the towering challenge Saturday. Bottom left: Leah Mackey concentrates as she makes her way through the choker races. Middle left: A first-timer takes on one of the sawing challenges. Photos: Bronwyn Beairsto
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BOWEN’S SUPER SUMMER Thursday, August 2 •
Duplicate Bridge Bowen Court 6:45-10 p.m. For info call Irene 604-9472955
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Friday, August 3 •
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Friday Night Live at the Pub Bowen Island Pub 7-10 p.m. A jazz Night with Prime Rib Doc’s Live Music Doc Morgan’s Pub & Restaurant 7-10 pm Enjoy Bowen singer/songwriter Yvonne McSkimming on the patio
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Pickleball BICS 10:30-11:30 a.m. Drop in Seniors: $4.50; adults:$5.60 Bowen Island Farmers Market BICS Every Saturday 10-12 p.m. For things made, grown and baked on Bowen; BowenIslandFarmersMarkets on Facebook Bowen Island Mixed Slo Pitch League Snug Cove Field; Game times 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Youth Drama Workshop Bowen Island Library 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. With Jared Brown. Free workshop for our youth ages 10+. Everyone
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welcome! Random Acts of Comedy Tir-na-nOg; 7 p.m. Tix $20 at Cates Pharmacy; A hilarious series of skits, based on the popular British comedy show “Smack the Pony”. directed by Robin de Zwart. The 27th annual Dock Dance! Brought to you every year by Bowen’s amazing crew of volunteer firefighters. Featuring The Sly Virus, the Dustin Bentall Band and The Hip Show.
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Yoga on the Pier Beside the ferry dock 9 - 10 a.m.; Drop in $10 Line Up for Fun – learn to Slackline “Slacklining requires a zen-like quality of clearing your mind and tuning into your body…What you will remember is how much fun you had.” Info at bowenislandadventures.com Random Acts of Comedy Tir-na-nOg 7 p.m.; Tix $20 at Cates Pharmacy. A hilarious series of skits, based on the popular British comedy show “Smack the Pony”. directed by Robin de Zwart.
Coding Workshop Bowen Island Library 3-5 p.m. Learn from the expert, Leo Peterson, on how to code your own computer programs. No experience required and the event is free! Kids & Teens Bowen Island Mixed Slo Pitch League; Snug Cove Field. Game times 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Bowen Island AA Collins Hall 7:15 p.m. Two for one Tuesdays Bowen Island Sea Kayaking Paddleboard, Kayak (grab a friend!); 604-947-9266
Bowen Island Pub 9 pm-1 am The Snug Cove Blues Band kicks off Bowen’s Baseball weekend and three nights of live music at the pub
Duplicate Bridge; Bowen Court 6:45-10 p.m. For info call Irene 604-947-2955
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Friday August 10 •
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The 32nd annual Bowen Island Men’s Fastpitch Tournament.; Snug Cove Field. All weekend Meet at the ballpark for a burger and cheer on Bowen’s very own league of ballers -many are second and third generations of the players that went before them. Friday Night Live
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Pickleball BICS; 10:30-11:30 a.m. Drop in Seniors: $4.50; adults: $5.60 Bowen Island Farmers Market BICS; Every Saturday 10-12 pm; For things made, grown and baked on Bowen BowenIslandFarmersMarkets on Facebook Intro to Outdoor Climbing Propel yourself out of your comfort zone! Info at bowenislandadventures.com Youth Drama with Jared Brown Bowen Youth Centre 3:30-5 pm; Ages 12-16(ish) $5.00; Register at bowencommunityrecreation. com The 32nd annual Bowen Island Men’s Fastpitch Tournament. Snug Cove Field. All weekend Don’t miss the highlight of a Bowen summer! Pernell Reichert Band Bowen Island Pub. 9 pm - 1 pm. A country - cow punk footstomping dance band
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fSunday August 12 Yoga on the Pier Beside the ferry dock; 9 - 10 a.m. Drop in $10 The 32nd annual Bowen Island Men’s Fastpitch Tournament. Snug Cove Field. All weekend. Today is championship day! Basics of Feminine Health Grafton Community Garden 7 p.m. Free talk with Denise Richard; Bring your chair, sit back and be inspired; fiveblossomgatherings.com Whiskey Dix; Bowen Island Pub 9 pm- 1 am. These celtic gypsy party rockers are guaranteed to put the liveliest nightcap on this year’s ball tournament.
Tuesday August 14 •
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Bowen Island Mixed Slo Pitch Snug Cove Field; 6:30 p.m. Root for the home team - wait, they’re both home teams. Bowen Island AA: Collins Hall 7:15 p.m. Two for one Tuesdays; Bowen Island Sea Kayaking Paddleboard, Kayak (grab a friend!); 604-947-9266
Thursday August 16 •
Duplicate Bridge; Bowen Court 6:45-10 p.m. For info
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THURSDAY AUGUST 2 2018 • 9
COMMUNITY CALENDAR call Irene 604-947-2955
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Friday August 17 •
Friday Night Live; Bowen Island Pub 7-10 p.m. TBA
Saturday August 18 •
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Bowen Island Farmers Market BICS; Every Saturday 10-12 p.m. For things made, grown and baked on Bowen bowenIslandFarmersMarkets on Facebook “Beyond Dreams” Artist Reception; The Gallery at Cove Commons, 6 – 8 p.m. Bill Hoopes & Andrea Klann; Exhibit runs Aug 15 –Sept 17
Saturday August 25 •
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Sunday August 19 •
Yoga on the Pier; Beside the ferry dock 9 - 10 a.m. Drop in $10
Tuesday August 21 • • •
Bowen Island Mixed Slo Pitch League Snug Cove Field 6:30 p.m. Bowen Island AA; Collins Hall 7:15 p.m. Two for one Tuesdays; Bowen Island Sea Kayaking Paddleboard, Kayak (grab a friend!); 604-947-9266
Friday August 24
The Marwills album Release Tour Bowen Island Pub, 7-10 p.m. Enjoy your Bowfest eve with “a thick, juicy cut of Rock stuffed with the Blues and covered in Grade A Canadian dirt.”
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Bowen Island Farmers Market , BICS Every Saturday 10-12 p.m. For things made, grown and baked on Bowen @ bowenIslandFarmersMarkets on Facebook Rotary Run for Rwanda 2018 Beginning at Snug Cove the race course winds through Crippen Park trails 8:30 am: Kids’ 1.5K run; 9:00 am: 10K and 5K run/walk. Register online at raceroster. com or pick up reg. form at First Credit Union or Phoenix. All funds from this annual run go directly to support girls education in Rwanda. Bowfest Parade; Parade route from school to ferry If there’s one event that makes us collectively gush about our island’s community spirit (yes, we know there’s more than one event) this is it - don’t miss it! Bowfest 2018 All day Mark the date, invite
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the mainlanders, ready your parade float -this year’s theme for our 42nd annual Bowfest is Carnival. All the faves are back -dunk tank, slug races, country fair, rides, beer garden, live bands, and the lip sync contest! More info at www.bowfest.org Ginger 66; Bowen Island Pub 9- 1 a.m. Bowfest after party with Bowen’s own jungle beat country band!
newcomers tonight. Call for details 778 926 4286
Sunday August 26 •
Yoga on the Pier, beside the ferry dock 9 - 10 a.m. Drop in $10
Saturday, September 1 •
5th annual Handloggers Half Marathon and Relay, 21 km counter clockwise loop around Mt Gardener; Register by Aug 31 at raceroster.com A fundraiser for the Bowen Island Trail Society. A volunteer group dedicated to building a safe network of trails on Bowen.
Monday September 3 •
Men On the Rock BBQ 7:30 p.m.Calling all MEN! Bowen’s all male choir needs you. No auditions required. Rehearsals are on Monday nights. Start up for
Are you ready for Bowfest? The annual festival is coming up August 25. To learn more about the schedule, performers, how to volunteer, how to enter contests and more, visit Bowfest.org.
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Feel the need for speed? Take it to the track BRONWYN BEAIRSTO EDITOR
On an island with winding roads and speed limits of 30 km/hr, opportunities for car chases or highspeed driving practice are few and far between. But that’s not an issue for islander Jiri Tichopad. On summer weekends you’ll often find the Air Canada pilot at the Mission Raceway, circuiting the nearly 2 km track in his 1987 BMW. Raised in Vancouver, although he spent much of the last decade in Toronto, Tichopad’s lived on island full-time for the past year with his family. “I’ve been around race cars a long time,” says Tichopad, but it wasn’t until last year that the father of two bought a car of his own. Tichopad races in the Pro3 class, which is a B.C. and U.S. Pacific Northwest racing group restricted to BMW E30 series cars built between 1987 and 1991. The Pro3 website says that the class is designed to make the cars as similar as possible so that winning comes down to driving skill. “The spirit of the formula will not allow any modifications that would increase the cost of competition, nor lend to an unfair performance advantage,” says the website. The body of 007 (Tichopad’s car number) is original, but everything else has been stripped down and rejigged. There’s a roll cage, six-
Jiri Tichopad competes in a recent race in his Pro3 1987 BMW at Mission Raceway. Photo: Brent Martin point driver harness and an open exhaust. “The engine is not overwhelmingly powerful, but the car is about half the weight [it would normally be],” says Tichopad. His car will usually go a maximum of 175 km/hr
on Mission’s tight, nine-turn track (though cars in other classes will go well above 200 km/hr.) The Pro3 racers compete on a track with other classes, but driving skill is still paramount. “[The other week] I got beat by
a 72-year-old grandma in a Honda Civic,” laughs Tichopad, who says he usually places in the top two or three cars. But winning can come down to tenths and hundredths of seconds. “We’ll race door handle to door
handle for 20 minutes,” he says. “You’re not supposed to tap the other guys but you do.” Tichopad compares the track to gentleman’s boxing. “You’re taking little jabs at each other all the time, but no one takes it personally.” As an amateur racer, Tichopad pays for most of the fees and upkeep out of his own pocket. “Air Canada pays the bills,” he chuckles. A weekend of racing costs usually about $1,000, but Tichopad’s also supported by his three team mates (one of them is even an auto shop owner) and the team’s sponsor LiquiMoly. Many of the racers will also have their families in the racing pit, though Tichopad’s children aged three and five, aren’t quite ready to be that involved. But with them in mind, Tichopad is well aware of the potential dangers of racing. “Every weekend someone will crash a car,” he says. “But it’s very, very, very rare that someone gets hurt.” Besides the roll cage and six-point harness, there’s a head restraint and the seats are moulded to the shape of a body. “It’s a little bit like being in a straitjacket for 20 minutes and driving at the same time,” he says. But not just anyone can get behind the wheel; racing requires special training and licence from the Sports Car Club of B.C.
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THURSDAY AUGUST 2 2018 • 11 THURSDAY AUGUST 2 2018 • 11
Historical figures who made a difference This is continued from a column we ran last week under the title “Historical (wishful) selections for Bowen citizen of the year.” There was a little resistance to using the citizen of the year title, which archivist Cathy Bayly explains below. Did you know what happens when you work in an archive… you make friends with the past! Sometimes we develop relationships with people we have only met in photographs, journals, oral histories or letters. Mckenna, the Bowen Island archival assistant has spent the sum-
mer processing archival items and has come to respect some of the people she has “met” along the way – living or not. Although they do not meet the criteria for a “2018 Citizen of the Year” nomination, Mckenna wants to recognize their contributions. Her selection is based on the people she has met in archival documents – perhaps they should be called “people who made a difference.” It is always interesting to discover the individuals who are hidden away in the archival boxes waiting to be discovered. Catherine Bayly, Archivist, BI Museum & Archives
Lynda and Lawrie Lock: Who remembers the
The Rusty Duck antique and collectable shop? It was a small store that opened in 1981 under the ownership of Lynda Lock, nee Ross. Lynda spent more than a year collecting and purchasing peoples’ antiques and collectables, from brass towel hangers to commemorative t-shirts to a really creepy doll. Her shop, which her husband Lawrie Lock helped run, was filled with small treasures from the community. Though it was a business, Lynda’s shop looked like a small museum. Her unique archival
collection gives an interesting perspective into the lives of Bowen Islanders during the Union Steamships era. Along with being a successful business woman, Lynda was also the first and only female firefighter on Bowen Island. After the shop was sold in 1983, Lynda and Lawrie focused their efforts on the new Crippen Regional Park. Countless documents create a story about the fight between Bowen Islanders and the (then) Greater Vancouver Regional District about creating parkland on Bowen Island, and the Locks were prominent figures in the clean-up, rebuilding, and preservation of the park. They
rounded up volunteers from around the island to help make the park beautiful again. Lawrie in particular educated groups of volunteers on how to rebuild and refurbish various crumbling structures, such as bridges, walls, and paths. Within a few short months, Lynda and Lawrie had led a small group of volunteers to successfully revitalize Crippen Regional Park and made it the parkland Bowen Island deserved after such a long political battle. Without their leadership and Lawrie’s technical skills, Crippen Park may not be the beautiful parkland we know and love today. Mckenna Richardson
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The Bowen Festival 1977 As we gear up for Bowfest, we’re reprinting an article that appeared in the Undercurrent back in 1977. Thank you to Bowen Island Museum and Archives for digging it up for us!
Daffodils making the ferry wait a little happier. Photo: John Hazell
Decorating Bowen with daffodils
JOYCE GANONG B . I , G A R D E N C L U B B U L B C O O R D I N AT O R
You know the cheerful yellow daffodils all over the island that greet us in February/March? They’re on the slope by the ferry line-up, along the walkway by the school, in the library and golf course gardens, along roadsides, and in gardens all over Bowen. They magically lift our spirits, heralding spring, and are the result of Sheila Webster’s inspiration. In 2005, just two years after moving from South Africa to Bowen, Sheila had an idea. “Bowen had the potential of becoming a destination for people needing cheering up at the end of a long winter - if we planted daffodils. Lots of them,” she says. Sheila jumped into action, ordering thousands of daffodils and selling them at cost. At first this was her own initiative, but eventually the Bowen Island Garden Club took on the project. It involves ordering, counting and packaging, selling, and planting in public areas.
“Conservatively, I’d say we’ve sold at least 180,000 bulbs,” says Sheila, “and there’s still room for more.” This year, the Garden Club is offering five varieties of bulbs that naturalize and are “deer resistant,” as well as Bobbex - the deer repellent that works in most situations. You don’t need to be a Garden Club member (though we would welcome you if you wanted to join). The prices are set to cover only the costs of the project. There is no profit margin. The daffodil/narcissus bulbs are: King Alfred (tall, yellow), Tahiti (yellow with orange centre), Tete-a-tete (dwarf, yellow). White Snowdrops and Pale Blue Dwarf Irises are also available. You can see them and the prices at bowenislandgardenclub.com. Place your order before September 12 by emailing bowenislandgardenclub@gmail.com. Payment for bulbs is at pick-up time Friday, October 12 and Saturday, October 13 - just in time for you to plant in your own garden and in your neighbourhood areas - for all of us to enjoy!
BOWEN VETERINARY SERVICES IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED While the staff prepare for the opening of Mountainside Animal hospital, a state of the art 24 hour emergency and critical care hospital in North Vancouver. Our goal is to open Mountainside by the end of August, at which time we look forward to caring for your pets there. We will re-open Bowen Veterinary Services as soon as possible. In the mean time we will be checking the voicemail and emails daily in order to provide access to your medical records as needed. In case of emergency, please use the following resources for the closest emergency hospitals and modes of transportation. Canada West Animal Hospital (604) 473-4882
Cormorant Marine Water Taxi (604) 250-2630
Burrard Animal Hospital (604) 738-5683
North Shore Land Taxi (pet friendly) (604) 922-2222
The members of the festival committee would like to take this ·opportunity to thank all those who worked so hard towards the success of this year’s festival. Without all the support of both volunteers and participants, and the addition of good weather, we couldn’t have made it happen. Traditionally the Bowen festival is a great mixture of fun and a gathering meant :to draw community spirit and cooperation. The Bowen Island Community School Association ·and the Bowen Island Recreation Commission have agreed to commit all the profits, aside from operating costs for the coming year, towards furnishings for the community addition to the school expansion. To all those who donated their time, a precious commodity, we wish to emphasize your contribution as being the most valuable. It has been a rewarding, enriching and worthwhile experience to have taken a part in such a community endeavor. Thank you all again for everything. J. Gilchrist, co-ordinator
Bowfest 1977 results:
The Grand Winner of the Pie Eating contest was Dan Hannon, who almost managed to down two 9 inch lemon cream pies. He would have finished his second in well under eight minutes had he not received a pie in the face from his frustrated opponent. It was a classic ending! A special note of praise goes to Michael Lees for being the only youngster to finish a pie in less than five minutes. Slug Race: In the first heat, the winners were as follows: 1. Philip Wood with “Killer King” (15 min. 55 sec.) 2. Julie Bradshaw with “Bowen Queen” 3. Rob and Lee Claremont with “Lisa Sloo” In the second heat the winners were: 1. Karen Rich with “Slug of War”, who became the slug champ of the day by completing the course in 15 minutes and three seconds, 52 seconds faster than “Killer King.” 2. Bob Rich with “Slugeteriat” 3. Gerry Kierans with “Slug Dancer” Both children and adults participated in the following races: three legged, wheel barrows, egg and spoon, sack and two messy but hilarious egg-throwing contests.
The Great Rowboat Race
For the second year as part of the festival, an exciting and hilarious rowboat race was held in Deep Bay. There were 30 entries divided into class I, with three-man crews and a total of four boats competing for the Cowan Cup and cash first and second prizes, and class II with two crews and a total of nine boats competing for cash prizes for first, second and third. Winners in the class I event were the Cowans Point entry of Phil Beety, Bob Steeves and Hamish Cummings. Second place went to the Blue Water team of Brian and Patricia Shirley and Tom Jones. Tops in Class II were Mike Shivers and Fred Brown, Kathy and Graham Thom were second while Paul Davis and Paul Maxwell were third. Special mention (and a special cash prize) went to the “Three slugs” who in their “Slug” costumes put up a very sluggish but funny performance for the crowd watching from the shore. Our special thanks to the team of Clarke, McCulloch and Ketcheson.
We appreciate your understanding during this time.
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THURSDAY AUGUST AUGUST 2 2 2018 2018 •• 13 13 THURSDAY
This Cowan Point garden was one of the stops on the Museum and Archives biennial People Plants and Places tour. Submitted: Bowen Island Museum and Archives
People Plants and Places tour a blooming success
or
EMMA LIVINGSTONE BOWEN ISLAND MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES
If you checked out the Bowen events calendar the weekend of July 21 and 22 you would have seen no shortage of events to attend. From Norma Dallas’ going away party to the Bowen Island Classic Motor Show and the Swim Bowen fundraiser, the island has become quite an exciting place in the summer. The Bowen Island Museum and Archives also held its People, Plants and Places tour the third weekend in July – a tradition going back more than 20 years. This event, which is the museum’s biggest fundraiser, has gone through many changes over the years. For one thing, we changed from an annual tour to a biennial. But, what has not changed is the excitement and support we get from visitors, both on and off island, who come every year to “take a peek” at island life. This year we had seven spectacular houses, gardens and art exhibits on the tour stretching across the island from Cates Hill to Bluewater. The hosts diligently worked to prepare their homes for welcoming visitors and we thank them so much for their dedication. Highlights included the Stratford/Burnett adobe/straw house with solar panels. Di Izdebski had her artist studio open (you might’ve seen her work at Cove Commons if you’ve stopped by in the past few weeks), along with an aquaponic greenhouse. The Rileys’ apple orchard was open for those Malus pumila fans out there. The Ritchies’ impressive art collection was another tour highlight. We’re already in the process of looking for sites for the next tour. If you want to be on the tour in 2020 it’s never too early to let us know. A big thank you also goes out to our volunteers and museof um staff. None of this would have been possible without your help. We’re looking forward to 2020 and hope to see you all again then.
Miller and Clayton top loggers Continued from page 1 Though the Bowen logging show isn’t part of the national Canadian Logger Sports Association (better known as Canlog) circuit, Miller says that they are hoping to join it in the future. Canlog formed in the late 1960s and established rules for logging sports, many of which originate from the logging camps of the 1800s. Canlog-sanctioned (along with unsanctioned) logger shows happen in communities across Western Canada throughout the summer months. Though perhaps not as recognised as soccer, synchronized swimming, or even bronc riding, logging sports do have devoted athletes. There are world championships coming up in October in Liverpool, with participants from more than 20 nations travelling to buck, climb, and saw their ways to the top. But that’s a long way from Bowen’s little show, where some participants’ first time trying an event was in competition last weekend. This being said, there were some stellar local efforts. Robert Clayton won logger of the year with 27 points (from placing in or winning competitions) and organizer Kelly Miller won female logger of the year with 25 points. As Bowen Island Logger Sports is not-for-profit organization, many of the proceeds from the weekend, which drew about 800 spectators, will go to local charities.
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Julie Hughes, RPC
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Psychologist Dr. Carolyn Nesbitt PhD, R.Psych #1484
604-376-9801 www.CarolynNesbitt.com
Lifelabs Dr. Zandy’s Office Tues. - 6:45 - 8:45 a.m. Thurs. - 6:45 - 8:45 a.m. For routine lab tests. Specialized tests & children may be referred to the mainland.
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THURSDAY AUGUST 2 2018 • 15 THURSDAY AUGUST 2 2018 • 15
Heat-exhausted hikers drive up rescue calls MARIA SPITALE-LEISK NORTH SHORE NEWS
If you can’t handle the heat, stay out of the mountains. That’s the message from North Shore Rescue members, who had their hands full last weekend while the mercury pushed past 30 ° and some hikers found themselves in peril. “It was a bit of a frenzy,” said North Shore Rescue search manager Jeff Yarnold, who estimated half the calls were directly related to the hot temperatures. The busy rescue weekend kicked off Friday night with a “significant call” to save a hiker who got stuck on a steep cliff while descending the west Lion. “It’s vertical terrain there, so when you’re off-route it gets serious pretty quickly,” described Yarnold.
“Luckily he dropped his backpack and watched his backpack fall about 300 or 400 feet. And that was enough for him to decide that he should stay put where he was.” NSR came in to assist Lions Bay Search and Rescue and long-lined the hiker to solid ground just before dark on Friday. The next day a cluster of calls came in for NSR around mid-afternoon, starting with a distress signal from a beacon at the back of Hanes Valley. With no details of the emergency, other than GPS co-ordinates, North Shore Rescue volunteers set out for the backcountry. Two members were dropped from the Talon helicopter in a remote area of the Hanes Valley to try and locate the subject. In the end, the hiker had made his way back to the Lynn Headwaters trailhead. Simultaneous to the Hanes Valley
call, NSR received word of a hiker near the summit of Dog Mountain in medical distress. “She was vomiting and dizzy and unable to walk,” said Yarnold. Two rescue teams were deployed to reach the woman on Mount Seymour who was suffering from suspected heat exhaustion and dehydration. The helicopter was called in for a long-line mission that saw the ailing hiker flown to NSR’s Bone Creek station and handed off to waiting paramedics. The Talon then flew back to Hanes Valley to airlift a hiker immobilized by a knee injury down the mountain as darkness fell on Saturday. Sunday’s rescue lineup started mid-afternoon with a call from a pair of hikers stranded on Crown Mountain, just below the summit. At first, NSR hesitated to send a
helicopter. “We try and give some tough love here too, right?” said Yarnold. “We don’t like people just calling saying: ‘Hey, we’re tired, we need to get a pickup.’” One of the two hikers, described as two muscular men in their late 20s, was exhibiting hallmark signs of heat exhaustion and dehydration: nausea, dizziness and leg cramps. “You could tell he wasn’t in good shape. He was shaking. He was so weak he couldn’t stand up,” said Yarnold. The call was made to extricate the heat-exhausted hikers from the mountain. “This is when I learned they had actually come up the Grind earlier,” said Yarnold. “They did bite off more than they could chew.” At the same time on Sunday, NSR was called out to Mount Seymour,
near Elsay Lake, where a group of hikers were stuck with a 100-pound dog that was struggling in the heat. “That’s a real tough one for us,” explained Yarnold. “We are only tasked by the province to help if the hikers need help.” While the group managed to get Fido down the mountain on their own, one of the female hikers may have injured her back trying to lift the dog to carry it, according to Yarnold. Looking back on the weekend as a whole, Yarnold said the message for hikers is to be prepared for the elements and pack extra water and electrolytes. “You can’t just go and pick off one of these big hikes when it’s 30 degrees out, when you’ve been on the couch,” said Yarnold. “You just have to have a realistic objective for your fitness level.”
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16 2018 16 •• THURSDAY THURSDAY AUGUST AUGUST 2 2 2018
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Pilot remembers plane crash more than 60 years later JENNIFER THUNCHER SQUAMISH CHIEF
For retired pilot Bernie McCormack, the story of the airplane crash on Sunday, Jan. 13, 1957 in the dense brush at the northern end of Paradise Valley begins the day before the crash. On Saturday, Jan. 12, 1957, Capt. Jim Burrows and McCormack were departing Vancouver Airport in a Trans-Canada Air Lines DC-3 for Victoria and were to turn around for a flight back home to Vancouver. “We were in the mid-evening darkness of winter, and I commented on the radiation fog that was forming at ground level in the grass and across the taxiway. I could see that by the time we returned it would probably be deep enough to prevent us from returning when we were scheduled back. I told Jim that I had planned to attend the wedding reception that evening of a very sweet and pretty stewardess friend, Betty Gibson, and that I had an accordion and some beer in the trunk of my car to accompany me,” McCormack, now in his 80s’ recently recalled to The Squamish Chief. “Maybe we could fake a problem for a half hour or so and then wouldn’t be able to depart. Jim laughed ‘yeah, sure’ and then we departed. As we forecasted, our return flight was cancelled and we spent the night at the hotel in Sydney.” The next morning, Vancouver was still fogged in so the men took
Former flight officer Ray Martin and Bernie McCormack, pilot of the T-33 training jet that crashed in 1957, pose together decades after the fateful flight in the Squamish area. the scheduled flight out of Victoria to Seattle before heading back to Vancouver, which was by then enjoying a beautiful sunny day. “I drove over to the Air Force (North) side of the airport after deplaning and, in the pilot’s ready room, Flight Officer Ray Martin told me that all of the aircraft were booked but if I was interested, I could fly in the backseat of his T-33 to fly in formation with another T-33.” McCormack agreed and quickly changed into his winter gear, including boots, rather than remaining in
his commercial airline uniform. “That probably saved me from severe burns and possible death an hour or so later,” McCormack recalled. “The heavy insulation protected my arms and legs from the flames and also gave me some warmth while I was overnight in the snow.” Once suited up, the pair took off and were soon in two aircraft formation with the other T-33. “Ray directed, ‘OK chaps, line astern,’” McCormack said. That meant a tail chase or practice dogfight would ensue.
Shortly thereafter, flying above Squamish, the two T-33s collided and crashed. The bodies of the navigator and pilot from the other plane — Burton Patkau, 27, and Roderick Atkins,19 — were later recovered. McCormack and Martin bailed out of their plane. But the newspaper stories at the time got his escape wrong, McCormack said. He did not eject. His ejection seat did not fire, so he hit the seat harness release and then pushed or kicked himself out. This worked because his plane was inverted at the time the two planes collided, according to McCormack. He was burned more severely than Martin because the fire was greater in the back seat, and also because he didn’t have his flying gloves on. Recently, Squamish locals uncovered what they believe is the wing of the T-33 McCormack was in when it crashed that cold January day. The wing was found in a ditch near the railway tracks on Government Road last month, buried deep in the mud. Speculation is that the wing either dropped off a train that was transporting it from the crash site to the city or that a local resident recovered the wing in the valley, hauled it out and discarded it at some point. Regardless of how it ended up there, what happened to the plane’s parts was the least of McCormack’s worries when he landed in the for-
est that afternoon more than 70 years ago. “I was in the bush on the side of Brandywine mountain with severe burns to my hands, wrapped in my parachute. I fired off flares — had to use my teeth,” he recalled. It was extremely cold at times overnight, but as he waited to be spotted by search crews, he finally slept until he was awakened mid-morning by a whistle from a para-rescue fellow some distance away. “I whistled back and was then helped, about 20 minutes later, to a small frozen lake, scrambled into a search and rescue helicopter, flown to Shaughnessy Hospital and then endured six months of skin grafting and repairs,” he said. There was no real trauma therapy in those days, but McCormack said he didn’t suffer psychologically and was back flying shortly after leaving the hospital. Currently in his early 80s and living in Coquitlam, McCormack remains in good health. “I exercise and jog at a high school track three or four times a week,” he noted, adding he doesn’t need to take any medication Asked what else he would like people to know about his experience, McCormack had a message for his military brothers and sisters as well as for civilians. “We were trained for combat and the flying required to hone the skills required for the possibility of another war was inherently dangerous as demonstrated by our experience.”
UNION STEAMSHIP COMPANY STORE Welcomes Bowen Islanders!
Come see what’s new in the store this summer. Locals will receive 15% off their purchases from August 1st to 15th. (with proof of residency)
We hope to see you soon and often! 604-947-0707 www.ussc.ca