Bowen Island Undercurrent June 22 2023

ALL

Muni considers extra conditions for CRC rezoning

FINALIZED LIST WILL BE PRESENTED NEXT MONTH

ALEX KURIAL Editor

The municipality is preparing a list of conditions it will be asking Metro Vancouver to satisfy as part of the organization’s rezoning application at Cape Roger Curtis.

Metro Vancouver finalized the purchase of 97-hectares of Cape land last month, completing an acquisition process that began last year. Their goal is to create a new regional park on the land, including offering overnight camping But since the land is not zoned for overnight stays, amendments to Bowen’s Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw would be required

These changes passed a first reading in April with a 5-2 vote from council A second reading is not expected until the fall as each local committee has the chance to discuss the topic, and Metro Vancouver provides more information on their park proposal

With most of the summer ahead, the municipality is now crafting an additional set of requests, referred to as conditions during a June 14 Committee of the Whole, that they’ll be delivering to Metro Vancouver The list generally consists of ‘off-site amenities’ directed at reducing the impact of the park on other parts of the island, from arrival at Snug Cove to Cape entry along Whitesails Drive

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GROWN UP: From making faces to going places (and possibly still making faces too), these former students of Mr Brown’s class at Bowen Island Community School have grown up all the way to become Grade 12 graduates. You’ll find many of them in our pullout Grad section starting on Page 11. And take a look for other photo memories dotted through this week’s issue as we celebrate all of Bowen’s academic achievers in our special Grad Issue! / Shayle Duffield photo

Events

AllCouncilmeetingsareopen tothepublictoattendin personorelectronically,unless notedotherwise

June 26, 2023

6:15 pm

RegularCouncilMeetingvia Zoom

July 1, 2023

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

CanadaDayReimagined @BICS

June 26, 2023 Regular Council Meeting

TheJune26RegularmeetingofCouncilwillbeheldelectronically withallmembersofCouncilparticipatingonZoom Membersofthe publicareencouragedtojointheZoommeetingtoparticipate In personattendanceisalsoanoptioninCouncilChambers,wherethe Clerkwillassistinpersonattendeestowatchorparticipateinthe proceedings

Seeking Public Comment

DVP20220226for834CaptainsWay

BIMhasreceivedanapplicationregarding834CaptainsWayto replaceportionsofanexistingdeck,removesomeportions,and createanewaccesspointtothelowerdeckonthepropertyby buildinganewdoorandstaircase

Thepropertyrequiresa75metresetbacktotherearproperty lineanda30metresetbacktothesidepropertyline Thereisalso ageneral30metresetbackrequiredtothesea Toallowforthe proposedchangestheapplicantisrequestingtherequiredvariance tobevariedto:240mtothesea;132mtothesidelotline;and49mto therearpropertyline

StaffwillintroducetheapplicationtoCouncilattheirJune26,2023 meeting AtthatmeetingCouncilwilleitherdecidetosetadateto considerissuingthepermitorchoosetonotproceedfurtherwiththe application StaffarerecommendingaconsiderationdateofJuly24, 2023

Seeking Public Comment

DVP20230082

BIRCHAffordableHousingProject 1033MillerRd

BIMhasreceivedanapplicationfromBowenIslandResilient CommunityHousing(BIRCH)foradevelopmentvariancepermitto toallowtheconstructionofa24-unitaffordablehousingprojectat 1033MillerRoad ThepropertyisownedbytheMunicipalitywhich hasenteredintoanAgreementtoLeasewithBIRCHtoprovidethe landforthisaffordablehousingproject Thevariancewouldincrease thepermittedheightofthebuildingfrom9.0metresto13.29metres andreducetherequiredparkingfrom24parkingspacesdownto10 spacesonsite.

StaffwillintroducetheapplicationtoCouncilattheirJune26,2023 meeting AtthatmeetingCouncilwilleitherdecidetosetadateto considerissuingthepermitorchoosetonotproceedfurtherwiththe application StaffarerecommendingaconsiderationdateofJuly24, 2023.

MOREINFORMATIONATMUNICIPALHALL:Theapplicationmaybe viewedatMunicipalHallduringofficehoursoronlineat: www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/planning/

YOURCOMMENTSAREWELCOME:

WrittensubmissionsmaybedeliveredtoMunicipalHallbefore4:00 pmonMonday,June26,2023byemailto mayorandcouncil@bimbcca,inperson,bymailorfax

VerbalsubmissionsmaybemadetoMayorandCouncilatthe meeting PleasenotethatMayorandCouncilwillbeattendingthe meetingonZoom

Questions?PleasecontactDanielMartin,ManagerofPlaningand Development,byphoneat604-947-4255ext 230orbyemailat dmartin@bimbcca

MOREINFORMATIONATMUNICIPALHALL:Theapplicationmaybe viewedatMunicipalHallduringofficehoursoronlineat:

wwwbowenislandmunicipalityca/planning/

YOURCOMMENTSAREWELCOME:

WrittensubmissionsmaybedeliveredtoMunicipalHallbefore4:00 pmonMonday,June26,2023byemailto

mayorandcouncil@bimbcca,inperson,bymailorfax

VerbalsubmissionsmaybemadetoMayorandCouncilatthe meeting PleasenotethatMayorandCouncilwillbeattendingthe meetingonZoom

Questions?PleasecontactDanielMartin,ManagerofPlaningand Development,byphoneat604-947-4255ext 230orbyemailat dmartin@bimbcca

ISLAND NEWS

Mayor looks for“next-generation park”

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The meeting began with a list of around half-a-dozen conditions crafted by staff, but was quickly expanded upon by council following a presentation by manager of planning and development Daniel Martin About 25 more conditions were added during discussion, with a curated list now expected to be presented back to council during their July 10 meeting

“My hope for this meeting is that we get clear all of the big asks we get this off and send it to them (Metro Vancouver) and say, we ’ re in the drivers seat and this is what needs to be addressed from a council perspective if there’s even to be a consideration of second reading at this point” said Mayor Andrew Leonard last Wednesday

While there were many specific points made, most of them revolved around the main themes discussed throughout the park debate, including ecology, transportation, and of course camping. Metro Vancouver has proposed up to 100 overnight campsites at the Cape, but this has received pushback from a large portion of the community and some councillors too Coun Tim Wake said it may be time to picture alternate use of the space entirely

“I think that we ’ re putting the cart before the horse a little bit It would really serve us well to put Metro on notice that we want to have a discussion on the possibility of a different overarching vision for the park,” said Wake

Council seemed to agree, particularly in the case of vehicle access sites, proposing that any vehicle travel into the park be provided by shuttles only, except in the case of accessibility needs It was noted the municipality and Metro Vancouver have differing definitions of accessibility, and consensus would need to be reached between them to

determine this condition

The no-vehicle condition evolved beyond visitor camping later in the meeting, with council expressing their desire to keep all vehicles out of the Cape, whether driven by residents or non-resident They also showed support for a reservation system for both day and overnight use, along with the creation of monitored gates at park entrances to enforce this.

Leonard also made clear he wants to see both a Visitor Use, and Adaptive Management Frameworks to guide both creation and phasing-in of the park. “One of the challenges that I see in the phasing summary is that the phasing is actually dictating the adaptive management, as opposed to the adaptive management driving the implementation development,” said the mayor

“All of the tools and strategy and documents are there for a next-generation park to be enacted But there hasn’t been one that’s been seen yet That type of forward-thinking park that takes people out of vehicles, that connects folks in climate and ecological responsible ways, that has a management plan that is highly sensitive to the relationship of human use and ecology, that has the opportunity to reclaim land that was cleared and developed and marked for development on those sites – this is the type of opportunity that exists,” said Leonard

Staff suggestions included funding of the remaining portions of the Multi-Use Path, a dedicated shuttle bus from Snug Cove to the park, and transfer to Metro Vancouver of certain municipal roads and trails within the proposed park lands

The list is expected to undergo revisions before returning to council next month. Once they approve a finalized list, it will sent to both Metro Vancouver and Bowen’s committees for further discussion.

2022 Annual Report

The2022DraftAnnualReportforBowen IslandMunicipalitywillbepresentedto CouncilatitsRegularmeetingonMonday, June26,2023.

WeinviteyoutoreviewthedraftAnnual Reportandtoprovideyourcomments andquestionsinwritingorinpersonatthe meeting

The2022AnnualReportisavailableonour website

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/reportspublicationsoratMunicipalHallduring regularbusinesshours

HowtocommentontheAnnualReport:

1.SpeakattheCouncilmeetingduringPublic Comments

2.SubmityourwrittencommenttoMayorandCouncilatmayorandcouncil@bimbc.ca Foryourwrittensubmissiontobeincludedintheagendapackage,pleasereviewthe publicsubmissiondeadlines:

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/council-meetings

Fire Danger Rating

TheFireDangerRatingiscurrentlyLOWThismeansthatcampfiresandbeachfiresare onceagainpermitted.Pleaseusecaution.Openburning,burnbarrelsandfireworksare NOTpermitteduntiltheendofOctober.SeetheBIMwebsiteforthelatestinformation.

wwwbowenislandmunicipality.ca/alerts/

Summer traditions back at Camp Bowen

ALEX KURIAL Editor

As summer camp season approaches, one organization on Bowen is working hard to continue its annual offerings which have benefitted people of all ages for decades

Camp Bowen, situated within the Bowen Island Lodge in a quiet part of Snug Cove overlooking Mannion Bay, has been a safe haven for the DeafBlind community for many years. Its origins trace back to the 1960s, and continue a tradition of blind groups on Bowen that stretches back over a century Today it’s a member of the Canadian Organization of the Blind and DeafBlind – headquartered here on the island – and offers a combination of year-long and summer sessions designed to both teach skills and provide a place of relaxation and entertainment for its visitors

The organization is currently winding down its Skills Immersion Training Program, which involves a 10-month stay at the lodge from September to June Participants learn a variety of life skills, ranging from cooking, to using adaptive technology such as computers or phones, or how to travel with canes both on Bowen and in the city Students come from all over Canada to take part, and become an involved part of the community during their time on Bowen

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Ifyouhaven’treceivedyourpropertytaxnotice,pleasecontactusbyemailat finance@bimbc.caorbyphone604-947-4255ext8.

ClaimyourHomeOwnerGrantonlineatgov.bc.ca/homeownergrantor call1-888-355-2700.

Deferyourtaxesatgov.bc.ca/propertytaxdefermentorcall1-888-355-2700.

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/property-taxes/

VIEWPOINTS

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Recipe of the Month - with Nancy Lee

I am always on the search for the perfect lemon dessert I am still on the search, but this one is pretty good

Coconut Graham Crust

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2 unsweetened desiccated coconut

3 tablespoons (42 grams) unsalted butter, softened

2 tablespoons brown sugar

Pinch of salt

Pre-heat oven 350* F In large bowl use fingertips, crumble graham cracker crumbs, coconut, butter, sugar and salt Press into parchment lined, bottom and sides, 9” spring form pan Bake until golden brown, 10 ~ 12 minutes Let cool completely

In large bowl, whisk together:

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, strained (about 3 lemons)

3 eggs

2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Bake I 350* oven until set, 20 25 minutes

Let cool completely

2 limes

1 package 250 g cream cheese, softened remaining sweetened condensed milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Zest 1 or 2 of the limes to make 1 tablespoon. Squeeze and strain the limes to make 1/3 cup juice. Mix all together until smooth. Pour over baked layer.

Refrigerate until set, about 8 hours.

Enjoy! - Nancy

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. Please limit to under 500 words HERE’S HOW: To submit a letter to the editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to #102, 495 Bowen Island Trunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 or email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

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

#102–495 BowenTrunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island BC,V0N 1G0

Phone: 604 947 2442 Fax: 604 947 0148 bowenislandundercurrent.com

DEADLINE for advertising Monday, 4 p m

EDITOR Alex Kurial editor@bowenisland undercurrent com

ADVERTISING Tracey Wait ads@bowenisland undercurrent com

CARTOONIST Ron Woodall

PUBLISHER Matt Blair publisher@bowenisland undercurrent 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 604-947-2442

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

Bowen kids take part in a past Panda Party. / Andrea Koehle Jones photo

The finished product, ready for consumption.

VIEWPOINTS

History on Display

To the Members of SKY and the Bowen Island Museum and Archives Staff I want to offer my heartfelt thanks for a very enjoyable meeting of neighbours from years ago. I came in from Maple Ridge for this event and enjoyed the food, drink and hospitality

TheUndercurrenthadalreadypublisheda picture of my old blue Volkswagen Crewcab decked out with flowers and children as my mother’s contribution for the Seniors to the 1982 Bowfest Parade, I being the driver Furthermore, I want to complement the

Museum Staff for their ingenious labeling of displayedartifacts:namelynumberingthem and hiding the description on the backside. A clever memory game!

I am particularly grateful for a transcript of an interview I gave in 2002 on the years 1972 to 1982

Both of you, SKY and the Museum, as custodians of Bowen’s Heritage are doing a job to be known (sic) and celebrated Thank You!

- Hans-Christian Behm

(Proposed) Park Monitoring

Dear Mr Bradley & Ms Saltman,

Since this August 10, 2022 Metro Vancouver media release (in addition to other widespread media promotion of a campground coming to Bowen Island), we have seen a drastic increase in people traveling to the island specifically to camp at Cape Roger Curtis Local residents have seen the recent set-up of tents in CRC, witnessed vehicles in the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal, bound for Bowen Island and loaded with camping gear and FIREWOOD, and one Tunstall Bay resident reported on June 8 having been approached by visitors (outfitted with all their camping gear) requesting directions to “the campground”

It should also be noted that the visitors became verbally abusive when informed that there currently is no camping permitted at Cape Roger Curtis; they then continued down the single residential road to CRC, “middle finger in the air as they rode away ” As you are aware, Metro Vancouver’s OCP amendment/re-zoning application has not been approved Until such time, your misleading promotion is putting the community at grave risk

Monitoring of the recently-purchased

land at Cape Roger Curtis by MV staff is minimal at best Neither is Metro providing adequate (any?) enforcement to protect against prohibited use/access As a Bowen Island resident, I am aware that the widespread promotion of MV’s proposal is just that: a proposal However, it is increasingly and alarmingly evident that the current status of the subject lands is not being made clear AT ALL to the public at large

In my opinion, Metro Vancouver has been quite deliberate in the spin of its public statements, promoting the idea of/extolling the virtues of a campground on Bowen to the entire region while purposefully minimizing the “proposed” part There has been extensive media coverage of this “proposed” campground in regional and nation-wide news This is one such example, but I am happy to provide more upon request I trust you will agree that such headlines are extraordinarily misleading, easily causing the public to assume the campground is real

As my earlier examples illustrate, that dangerous assumption is now happening in real time I can see no evidence that Metro Vancouver is making any effort to clarify the distorted reporting The dangerously dry conditions, limited water supply,

one-road access in/out, and failure to provide real-time emergency response capabilities BEFORE advertising your proposed campground to the public is putting the community at serious risk.

As of June 9, there were 83 fires burning across British Columbia, of which 34 are out of control. Officials from BC Wildfire Service estimate close to half of the fires are human-caused. Every effort must be made to ensure that Bowen Island is not added to that list It is sadly ironic that MV is well aware of the potential hazard, given its October 7, 2022 media release (and it’s obvious that the danger is exponentially worse in the summer months than during the month of October)

Since Cape Roger Curtis currently has no active oversight by MV staff, it is reasonable to surmise that Bowen Island is at an even higher risk for a catastrophic event caused by the influx of visitors being drawn as a direct result of MV’s media campaign I beg you to immediately issue widespread media releases that clearly inform

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the public that camping is prohibited at Cape Roger Curtis. Likewise, it is imperative that you take strong action to clearly and REPEATEDLY clarify with news organizations (CBC, CTV, Global, Vancouver Sun, Vancouver Province, Globe & Mail, National Post, North Shore News, Daily Hive, etc ) the true status of your recently purchased land

Given the evidence of campers already traveling to Cape Roger Curtis, your clarification should also include paper flyers that ticket-booth staff at BC Ferries (Horseshoe Bay) can distribute to island-bound travelers, in order to correct the misleading promotion to date To do any less is negligent on the part of Metro Vancouver

The horse is already out of the barn, as the old saying goes; please do your due diligence in helping to ensure the barn doesn’t burn to the ground

With thanks in advance for your prompt action,

- Lisa Wrinch

RHODES ON BOWEN going that extra mile www.rhodesonbowen.com

Tim Rhodes REALTOR®

tim@rhodesonbowen com 604.341.9488

Re: An alternative type of Park

Dear Editor,

I commend Councillor Judith Gedye, a former highly experienced Judge who topped the poll in the 2022 municipal elections, for advocating, at the June 12 Municipal Council meeting, that the council further look into the proposal put forward by Ellen Hayakawa, which provides an alternative to the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks proposal for 100 public campsites at Cape Roger Curtis Regional Park

Ms Hayakawa also provided an outline of her proposal in the June 15 issue of the Undercurrent Her proposal for the Nexwlélexwm Ecospiritual Regional Peace Park reflects my own strong conviction that the solution to the issue of camping at the CRC Regional Park is to arrive at a carefully evolved and formulated policy that only allows for monitored, educational group camping within a mandatory and detailed reservation system

In other words, it is a policy that also fully acknowledges and upholds the strong position among islanders, including myself, that no individual public campsites be allowed at the

CRC Regional Park - a position that was, and continues to be, the essential and fundamental impetus behind the current petition

If this issue is to be successfully resolved for the common good of islanders and the citizens of Metro Vancouver, I believe it is imperative that, in due course, our Municipal Council communicate to MVRP that any proposal for individual public campsites at the CRC park is off the table, and that the only alternative that is viable for the Bowen Island community with regard to camping is a proposal for monitored, educational group camping within a mandatory and detailed reservation system, as I outlined further in a previous letter (Undercurrent, June 8).

Ensuring that individual overnight public campsites are not allowed, as opposed to monitored, educational group camping, will accomplish the fundamental aim of the no to “all overnight camping” petition I believe that to be true as I would be surprised if even a handful of islanders who signed the petition, or those who initially composed it, had given any thought to a specific alternative that

NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY

only allows “monitored, educational group camping” , let alone within the context of a leading edge learning experience such as the one envisaged by Ms Hayakawa, a former professional wildlife biologist who is a best selling and award winning author

Given the substantial number of islanders who have signed the petition, I believe that the municipal council has been given a strong mandate that no individual overnight public campsites are to be allowed at Cape Roger Curtis.

Beyond serving that purpose, I encourage islanders to provide their fundamental support for the principles inherent in Ms. Hayakawa’s proposal that only allows for monitored group camping within a unique and much needed educational experience

I also beseech all of us to cool things down and to provide the needed flexibility, in due course, to allow the necessary process of collaborative negotiation towards a creative, innovative and ground breaking resolution within a vision that will create a lasting and vitally important legacy for our future generations

- John Sbragia

Like many people out and about enjoying the sun last week, the deer were no different, including this baby deer going for a stroll along Eaglecliff Road. While this youngling stuck responsibly to the side of the road, deer have a habit of crossing roadways at their leisure, so be mindful of our island neighbours while out driving around Bowen. / Alex

Kurial photo

Happy 101st Birthday Marion!

MORINGA POWDER: NATURE’S BOUNTY FROM AFRICA TO BOWEN ISLAND!

Join us at your favourite island store for a unique demonstration of Moringa Leaf Powder.

Ventree Life Organics invites you to the Ruddy Potato for a unique experience

Present this ad for a FREE SAMPLE of our Moringa Leaf Powder, grown, processed, and packaged on our Priceless Farm in Uganda. Explore the abundant health benefits of this Superfood and meet the farm owners

Date: June 24th.

Time: 11:30 to 1:30 and 2:30 to 4:30

Place: Ruddy Potato - 996 Dorman Road

Grown in the pollution-free soils of our Ugandan farm and packed with nutrients, this is a superfood you won’t want to miss VentreeLife.com

Don’t forget to snap or clip this ad for your FREE SAMPLE

Bowen resident Marion Moore turns 101 on Thursday Moore, who has been on the island for many of its impactful historical moments, participating in many of them herself, celebrated the special occasion with her friend Annie, among others. Happy Birthday Marion! / Annie O’Dea photo

Announcing the 2023 Write on Bowen Festival of Readers & Writers

September 16 & 17

Early Bird Registration & Ticket Sales Open June 22

Once again this year, we will be presenting eight workshops over two days, plus a Saturday Night Festival Gala, featuring Bowen’s own, Wade Davis Wade, renowned author, ethnographer, writer, photographer and filmmaker, will be delivering a provocative and energizing address titled The Middle Way: Rethinking the Culture of Climate Fear and Trepidation, excerpted from his forthcoming book, The Unravelling of America and Other Essays

The festival line-up includes an incredibly talented selection of authors and workshop facilitators representing a number of genres from screenwriting to travel writing Writers of all levels will be offered an opportunity to deepen their craft through a hands-on immersive approach

For full details & to register, visit: writeonbowen com

Sally Podmore: A Window to Our Sacred Wilderness Within

MATHILDE ROHR Cultural Connector / The Hearth Gallery

From June 21 to July 3, the Hearth presents the work of Sally Podmore, a self-taught painter who lives and works in her home studio-gallery in Cumberland, BC

While she has established herself on Vancouver Island, she calls Bowen “her home away from home” as her family has had a place on Eagle Cliff since the 1950s.

Her art career seems like an extension of her studies in Geography and in Intercultural Education, rooted in the understanding of landscape both as an encounter and as a source of personal and cultural significance. Today, the core of her work comes from a deep reverence to her natural surroundings and from an on-going conversation with it

Sally Podmore uses visual art as a tool to translate the woven narratives between these landscapes, identity, and memory Curious about how our bodies respond to places in our increasingly urbanized and digitized culture, as well as in a shifting climate, she examines the healing, resilient, and freeing powers of theEarth Throughherpaintings,sheexplores the tensions between the wilderness and constructed human-made environments of the West Coast

“My work is inspired by the special places that feed the soul. These are spaces where

the magic of the senses and deep connection take over My hope is that we may forge deeper relationships with the land and our fellow beings,” says Podmore

Sally works with acrylics on canvas and defines her style as abstract impressionistic Her painting process is a response to the movements, forms, textures, and energies of natural spaces that she experiences Her compositions are built with many layers of richly saturated colours and spontaneous mark-making which invite closer looking and suggest a sensory immersion into each piece

This exhibit immerses the viewer in typical West Coast landscapes and stories which shape identities through the senses and are part of life’s golden moments Each painting becomes its own slower and more complex narrative just as our recollections evolve in their retellings

Artist pARTy takes place June 24 from 6 to 8 pm with bar service, snacks, and DJ Yeshe

Hilltop Daycare is a licensed multi-age childcare facility for children 18 months 5 years old located at Bowen’s 1301 Scarborough Rd Our play/learning space and large fenced adventure yard is all at the dedicated ground floor of our home We spend lots of time outside exploring the yard playhouse, the sandbox, and the garden We have 3 spots still available for children 30 months to 5 years old, and have started our wait list for children under 30 months September is the perfect time to join us! Give us a call or email

Email: hilltopdaycare1301@gmail com

Phone: 778-239-5251

www.hilltopbowen.ca

Join our team! Hilltop is looking for a part-time ECEA or ECE teacher. Enjoy our relaxed home work environment and become a part of our daycare family! Give Lauren a call or email to inquire

Meet Lauren, the owner and primary care provider at Hilltop Daycare Lauren grew up on Bowen Island as a child and has returned to provide the same quality upbringing and community for her own family After completing the Early Childhood Education program at Capilano University and teaching for 4 years in North Vancouver, she moved to Munich, Germany to find new perspectives in child care and early education, and to enjoy travel The one-year plan turned into a new husband and family, and 9 years in Munich The work experiences in Germany included care-giver and supervisor in home-care, daycares, and kindergarten settings Last year, Lauren moved back to Bowen Island with husband Dominik and children Niklas and Ellie Hilltop Daycare brings Lauren full-circle, with 12 years of experience that will provide excellent lesson plans, care, and affection for all the children in this home community

Dusk at Camp Goodtimes / Sally Podmore

Here’s to 25 More Years

Arts Pacific Gallery marked their 25th Anniversary last weekend with a celebration at the Artisan Square gallery The space has been a home for Bowen artists since 1998, and its co-op approach has allowed more than 80 local talents to showcase their work to the community over the past two-and-a-half decades / Submitted photo

lifelong career in Real Estate has brought me so much joy assisting clients with Buying and Selling homes

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2023!

A massive congratulations to the 2023 graduates of Bowen Island! Like last year this is obviously an impressive bunch, and we are lucky to count you as part of our community. Your paths will be exciting to follow, wherever they lead in the world.

Many of you have been out there carving them already (the uni grads), and many more of you still have lots of time on Bowen left (BICS, IPS, etc.) And for the high school grads, while you ’ re about to splinter all over the planet, it’s quite clear from your family messages that you all have incredible supporters cheering you on wherever you go

For me personally it is very cool to see so many of you choosing to go to UVic over on

the (much bigger) island. I have very fond memories of starting my post-secondary schooling there, it’s a wonderful campus contained inside and outside the Ring, and Victoria is a wonderful college town where nothing is ever too far away. You’ll all have a great time! (As will the rest of you too of course!)

So congrats once again Grads, you ’ ve earned every bit of your accomplishments to reach this stage, so remember to take some time to think about all you have done Whether you are staying around town, taking off, or maybe doing a little bit of both, we’ll be watching your careers with great interest

- Alex Kurial, Editor

Maya Church University of Victoria

Miranda Forster McGill University

Bowen Island Community School Grade 7 Grads (right, Sarah Haxby photo), a throwback to a Bowen Island Montessori class (below, Andrea Koehle Jones photo), and this year’s graduates of Rockridge Secondary fittingly hopping on the ferry for their grad ceremony (Becca Behm photo)

CONGRATULATIONS

GRADE92023GRADUATES CONGRATULATIONS

GRADE92023GRADUATES

CELEBRATING OUR GRADE 9 GRADS AT ISLAND PACIFIC SCHOOL ON THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS

FROM THE STAFF & FRIENDS OF ISLAND PACIFIC SCHOOL

LEARNINGTOMAKEADIFFERENCE.INSPIREDTOMAKEWAVEs

ISLANDPACIFIC.ORG

Hayden Bekhuys Vera Estebecorena

Max Li

Eilidh McDonald-Hewlett

Finn Morissette

Noam Olsson Isaac Saruk Cole Scorer

Nicholas Strachan Matthias Thane

Ela Vaziri

Cole Winny

Jay Graham

Jay has had a successful 18 years on Bowen Island having attended Monika Senn’s preschool, BICS and IPS With the support of many amazing friends, teachers, neighbours, music instructors and family (near and far), Jay has thrived on this little island He has grown into an honour student, an accomplished musician and a confident kayaker Jay looks forward to attending UVic Science in September 2024 after a year filled with travelling the globe to visit many international friends and family. A special thanks goes out to “Uncle” Bob Doucet who has mentored Jay for years in banjo, mandolin and guitar. Thanks Bowen!

Mattias Behm

He did it! 13 years complete! Through hard work and perseverance, Mattias Behm is graduating from Rockridge Secondary and will be receiving honours with distinction Often found on the basketball court, baseball field, ski hill or hanging out with his people While on the senior boys basketball team, Mattias was honoured with an exemplary player award from the Quinn Keast Foundation He will be taking a gap year to work and possibly travel Congrats TT, we couldn’t be more proud of you! Love Mom, Dad, Rhory

Sophie Reynolds

Congratulation to Sophie from Mum, Dad, and Emma. You have overcome so much in the last few years Never giving up, even when life tried to bring you down You are an amazing daughter and sister; we are so proud of you The future is bright Walk forward with your head held high; you ’ ve got this! Rockridge High School Graduated with academic honours

Samuel Stringfellow

Sam’s academic journey began with BCC at the age of three and continued through to BICS and IPS, leading him to West Vancouver Secondary School where he achieved Honours with Distinction Graduating from Grade 12 in June, Sam is excited to pursue a degree in Visual Arts at Concordia University majoring in Photography Sam expresses heartfelt gratitude to his art teacher Ms Wong, his music teachers and others who provided unwavering dedication and support throughout his educational journey With ambition and dedication, Sam is ready to leave a lasting impact on the world of visual art.

Miranda Forster

Miranda Forster is graduating from Rockridge and looks forward to attending McGill University where she will begin her BSc degree in September 2023. Miranda is a proud alumna of BICS and (almost) a lifelong resident of Bowen, and she is profoundly grateful to this wonderful community of friends, parents, and teachers who have supported her on her journey

Rose Willis

After graduating from West Vancouver Secondary School, Rose plans to work and travel in the coming years and she’s excited to explore the world and meet new people She would like to thank the many teachers who’ve guided her through school; her family and friends for the support and patience; and her Toyota 4Runner for the endlessly empty tank

Joe Lalonde

It’s hard to believe it’s finally here! Joe graduated from Rockridge with Honours with Distinction and we could not be more proud! He was accepted to UBC in the fall but is still weighing the option of a gap year to get some work experience behind him He plans to play ball with the Cruisers and work all summer Congrats Joe and all the BICS cohort that have been so tight since preschool! You are an amazing group of young adults and will take the world by storm

Neela Todd

Neela Todd graduated from McGill University in June with a Masters of Science in Bioresource Engineering. She is working as a water policy analyst at the new Canada Water Agency within the federal department of Environment in Montreal. Neela would like to thank The Knick Knack Nook and The Bowen Foundation for their generous support that she received for both her undergraduate and graduate studies at McGill. A big thank you. It takes an island!

Avery Jones

Growing up on Bowen Island has been a remarkable adventure Avery attended Bowen Children’s Centre, Montessori, BICS, Rossland Summit School, Rockridge, plus grade 9 at The National Ski Academy training across Canada, in the US and Switzerland before the pandemic hit She loved teaching as a Whistler Kids Ski Instructor as well as taking vitals as the Site Coordinator for a seniors wellness program Avery will be studying life sciences at Queen’s University and she still plans to be a panda hugger too! She sends heartfelt thanks to her family, teachers and everyone who supported her Congratulations to the Class of 2023 and here’s to your next adventure!

Ailsa Ross

Congratulations Ailsa on your graduation from West Vancouver Secondary We are very proud of you and all that you have achieved Ailsa would like to thank the many teachers she has had growing up on Bowen From BIMS to full day K at BICS, IPS and WVSS and all of the music classes, Guitar, Flute and especially Singing and Piano have ignited your passion for storytelling in word and music Now you are off to UVic for a Linguistics Degree with a Music Minor.

Brooke Olsen

Graduate of Rockridge Secondary It has been a joy watching you grow up to the amazing, beautify, talented person you are today It is going to be so hard seeing you go off to University of Victoria in the Fall, but we know you are ready to shine your light into the next chapter of your life, and discover how to turn your passions into your future We will always be here cheering you on! We love you so much, our Sunshine Brooke XO Mom & Dad

Sofie Jarvis

I am very grateful that I was raised on Nexwlélexwm in the Salish Sea. Wherever I go, I will take the feeling of belonging and the lessons I have learned about living in community. In September, I will attend Huron University College, at the University of Western Ontario, where I will pursue a Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies. Thank you to my many teachers at BCC, BICS, Rockridge, music and dance, my friends, and the amazing ‘extra moms and dads’ who cheered me on and helped me grow.

Eden Currah

Eden Currah graduated Grade 7 from IDLC and is looking forward to joining the enriched Grade 8 math program at West Vancouver Secondary as well as continuing her love of dance at KK Studio in the fall She is also working towards to take her first RAD ballet exam She is incredibly kind, caring and puts her all into everything she does We are so proud of you Eden! With so much love and support from your entire family near and far

Emmett Enemark-Mullie

To you and your fellow graduates on Bowen, congratulations! Emmett, we are proud of your academic accomplishments at Brockton School Over the years, you have filled our house with music, and we have been amazed by your talent and leadership with the World Music Program. We admire that you have gone to school while working at the Bowen Island Recycle Depot since you were 14! We look forward to learning of your adventures during your gap year before starting university. Remember, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” Love, Mum, Dad, Mason…and Gizmo!

Jada Madeline

Jada has come a long way since her first day of “school” at BIMS in Artisan Square Since then, she has experienced homeschooling with IDLC, elementary school in Australia and West Van, middle school at IPS, and high school at Carson Graham and Neuchâtel Junior College This somewhat peripatetic educational journey has given Jada a thirst for knowledge, a keen interest in people and new experiences, and a curiosity and eagerness for all the future holds. She can’t wait to start her dietetics degree at the University of Hertfordshire in the UK. Big hugs and congratulations from a very proud RATS (Richard, Ann, Tilly, and Strach)!

Simeon Doytchinov

Super proud of our son, Simeon Doytchinov, Rockridge Secondary School graduate with Gold Cord Academic Honours with Distinction, Advanced Placement 2D Art, a semifinalist in the BC provincial YELL program (Entrepreneurship 12), 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Program, Youth in Trades (Carpentry), and Work Experience 12!!

Sophie Griffiths

While not the messiest teenager bedroom on Bowen, Sophie is definitely in the top 10. New life forms continue to evolve in old lunch containers, ignored as she re-watches Friends on Netflix. Looking forward to getting rid of her parents, she has no idea of the effort and cost required to feed, clothe and transport herself to classes. She’ll miss her cat and our car, but is happy to leave boring Bowen Island for Ottawa She hopes there’ll be more to do there than hiking up the side of a stupid mountain She won’t let the ferry hit her in the butt on her way to the University of Ottawa to do a double degree in political science and gender studies Sophie’s parents got to write this, as she owes them big time for something that can’t be disclosed here PS - We’re very proud of you!

Kamille Gruft

Congratulations to Kamille Gruft graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from U.B.C. Okanagan. Proud parents are Michael and Mia Gruft.

Tobin Sparling

Congratulations to Tobin Sparling, who graduated this spring from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of science (biology) with distinction Tobin is going to take the next year off to work and travel before diving into the next phase of his education, whatever that may be He has a special interest in microscopy and marine life, and loves sharing his passion for the natural world with all those around him Tobin hopes to take what he learns from studying nature and apply it to creatively solving some of the worlds big challenges We can’t wait to see what you do next!

Sadie Duffield

From one small island to a bigger one, Sadie is excited to be graduating from Rockridge and moving to England to attend London South Bank University to become a RN Thank you to everyone who has made this all possible Congratulations to all the grads of 2023! We made it!

Maesyn & Justin Hardwick

Grade 12 Rockridge Cannot believe these 2 have finished high school Seems like only 2 years ago they were playing in the front yard! What’s going to work - team work! Well done you guys! We wish you all the best of luck finding your passions and taking in the world! Love you Maesy! So proud of you! Lots of Love mum, dad, nana and Teagan!

Justin Hardwick

So proud of you Justin keep being awesome! Love Sasha

Maya Church

Maya is graduating from Rockridge Secondary, full of hope, optimism, and driven to make a difference! She has worked super hard throughout her entire school pathway, but has also been very mindful of keeping a good balance with her studies, her friends, her family, and her down time She has been passionate about music, sciences, good friendships, walks with her dog, and the environment, and will be attending UVic in the fall to pursue a Science Degree with a focus on something (maybe environment?)! Congratulations Maya! Your family is proud of you, and loves you a tonne!

Ainslie Tuer

Congratulations Bowen Class of 2023 Ainslie Tuer, congratulations on your graduation from WVSS! We are thrilled to celebrate your remarkable achievement and acknowledge your determination to academic excellence and your passion for Science As you prepare to embark on your journey at UVic for Engineering, we have no doubt that you will shine brightly and make a significant impact Your passion, perseverance, and hard work have brought you this far, and we can’t wait to witness the incredible accomplishments that lie ahead Love your big extended blended families

Livia Jones

Livia attended both BICS and Rockridge and would like to thank all of her teachers throughout the years Last summer she travelled to Europe to study English 12 and wants to continue exploring the world before heading off to university She will be travelling to Latin America for her gap year to learn about conservation and sustainability Following that, she plans to attend Concordia University She also thanks her family, friends and community for all of their support

Sam LaRoche

Sam LaRoche is thrilled to be graduating from Rockridge Secondary, as a result of having moved back to his beloved Bowen Island His family could not be more proud of his achievements With a long journey behind him, Sam is graduating with honours and a scholarship to boot Watch out for an amazing new Bowen Island artist on the horizon! Over the next years, Sam plans to develop his creative talents in the UVic Fine Arts program

Siena Cassady

We are proud that Siena Madelaine Cassady is graduating from Rockridge with honours Siena really hasn’t told us what she wants to do yet but it will probably involve taking apart a car and not really putting it back together again She has threatened to leave home however we are not sure when or how and we are just happy to have the house full of laughter We are pretty sure she will miss her cat, Bleu, more than us Whatever Siena does, we know she will do it with her twin sister Maya in spirit

CJ Scarff

Congratulations CJ! It has been a joy watching you discover your passions, find your place amongst friends and witness your talents and ability to make people laugh unfold! There have been bumps in the road, but CJ has maintained his calm, steady, positive nature, and his kind, kind heart His overwhelming talent has always been music, and that, along with some travel, will be his focus as he departs Rockridge We love you CJ and couldn’t be prouder!

Bowen Wright

Bowen completed her B A double-majoring in International Relations and Spanish this year at UBC While Bowen Island will always be her home, she was lucky to find more homes in Quito, Ecuador and Granada, Spain while studying abroad She is incredibly grateful for the love and support of her family: Bonnie, Curtis, Casey, Cooper, and Brinley, throughout her degree. Whenever her university friends visited her on the island, she was proud to welcome them to this beautiful community and was entertained by their surprise when she confirmed that she did, in fact, take the ferry everyday to get to high school.

Brinley Wright

Brinley Wright is thankful for having grown up on Bowen She will miss all of the time spent at The Cape with her friends She is heading off to the University of Calgary in the fall to study Kinesiology and play rugby

Amelia Barrera

Amelia came to Bowen Island when she was 6 years old and entered first grade at BICS She made great friends and was lucky to be part of Outside 45 She joined the Bowen Island soccer team in 2nd Grade and played up until Grade 12 with the WVSC She completed her high school degree at Rockridge Secondary She will be studying at McGill and is excited to be moving to Montreal

Amelia Sorrentino

Amelia Sorrentino has had the idealistic childhood growing up on Bowen Island

She spent her summers bare foot at the beach or in creaks with her best friends and her sister Amelia would like to thank her parents and extended family of Gabrielse, Sorrentinos, and Buchanan’s for helping shape her and giving her different opportunities Amelia will be attending UNBC in the fall to work on bachelor in Bio Medical studies

Éliane Lapointe

Éliane’s family would like to congratulate her on graduating High School! We are very proud of her We are also grateful to her teachers who have supported and guided her through the years Best of luck on your new adventure at UBC in the fall to study engineering Félicitations Éliane!

Bronwen Young

Congratulations to Bronwen Young for graduating from Rockridge Secondary School We’re so proud of you We would like to thank all the friends, family, and teachers who helped Bronwen along the way Good luck in the fall at Queen’s University!

G0 BOWEN GRADS GO!

Half decade in the books at Catching Stars Gallery

EMILIE KAPLUN & KATHLEEN

AINSCOUGH

Catching Stars Gallery

Catching Stars Gallery, a Co-Operative and collectively run gallery in the heart of the cove, will soon celebrate its fifth successful year of operations and we invite you to help us celebrate!

The Gallery has welcomed in many amazing artists during the last five years To date, there are 60 artists represented at Catching Stars Gallery, with more than half of those being from Bowen Island

We have recently welcomed new artists Nicole Green and Corina Hanson from the Lower Mainland, Trillium Soap and Candles from Nelson, BC, and Gregg Simpson of Bowen Island, who was our Featured Artist for the month of May.

Our current feature artist is Jenna Smillie, a freelance artist from the Vancouver area, who creates calming beauty in her abstract painting series “Ocean Dynamics” . Next month will feature new works by Mumtaz Bandali

Our current collection celebrates Summer! The Aquatica Collection features wonderful and whimsical works by Darren Thompson, Elaine Brewer-White, Nancy Dearborn, Elle Wild, Heather Doherty and

Ruggid Coast

We are thrilled to welcome Heather Doherty (That Lady Heather) into the Catching Stars fold as our newest Associate Come and check out her delightful creations available now in the gallery! Heather uses a variety of material in her pieces including resin, metal, wood, glass, sand, stone and preserved flowers As a selftaught artist she is constantly trying out new techniques as inspiration strikes Each piece is one-of-a-kind

Sadly, we will be saying Bon Voyage to Cynthia Albuquerque (Art by PIM) as she relocates to Europe and we wish her well in her new adventures This leaves us with openings for new Associate artists to join us. Associates receive a larger percentage of their art sales in exchange for volunteering shifts in the gallery and having a dedicated space to display their work.

This model allows the gallery to be open daily and gives locals and tourists alike the opportunity to meet the artists, purchase unique artworks and support the creative community Interested in finding out more? Please get in touch with usco-owners Emilie and Kathleen Our website has more information in the Submissions section

Join us in celebrating our Fifth

MarieNeys,KathleenAinscough,JanetEsseiva,AlysWilliams,DarrenThompson,Deb Stringfellow, and Emilie Kaplun at the Fourth Anniversary celebration for Catching Stars

Anniversary of Catching Stars Gallery on Saturday, June 24 from 2 to 4 pm for a patio party and sample our signature Blue Mermaid cocktail

Enter our contest on social media to win prizes donated by some of our amazing artists including limited edition prints, textiles, jewellery, resin art and more! Post

a photo of your favourite Catching Stars Gallery artwork that you have in your collection Tag @catchingstarsgallery and share on your feed and that will get you entered into the draw The winner of the draw will be selected at the party! See you there!

Gallery / Submitted photo

FASTPITCH

FINAL SCORES

Wednesday, June 14

Shakers (7) vs. Twins (2)

Thursday, June 15

Diggers (0) vs. Brewers (2)

Friday, June 16

Cruisers (10) vs Firemen (11)

Monday, June 19

Twins vs. Cruisers

- Rainout, makeup July 9

Wednesday, June 21

Shakers vs. Brewers

UPCOMING GAMES (All starttimes6:30pm)

Thursday, June 22

Firemen vs. Diggers

Friday, June 23

Brewers vs. Twins

Monday, June 26

Cruisers vs. Shakers

Wednesday, June 28

Brewers vs. Firemen

We’re into the business half of the season now as all teams have crossed the midway threshold in the push for playoffs Everybody makes it of course (it would be very sad if they had to spend the August weekend on the sidelines, although it would likely make the beer tent even more

popular), but these games still shape who and when the six squads will play when they enter the tournament, so every time they take the field there’s a lot on the line

So far it is still the Shakers in first place They got back on the winning track with a win against the Twins last

Wednesday, and on short rest too as that was their 3rd game in 6 days after completing a rainout game the weekend before Their next meeting is against the Brewers, who have also been doing well and are up into 3rd place with a .500 record. They’ve won 2 in a row, first with an offensive explosion 16-7 over the Cruisers, and then with a pitching masterclass in a 2-0 shutout win over the Diggers It should make for a great meeting (and will be completed by the time anyone reads this).

Speaking of the Diggers they need to muster up some runs, they’ve now been shutout 2 games in a row Players and fans hope the bats will come back sometime on Friday versus the Firemen. And as for that team, the Firemen played a wild game against the Cruisers last Friday. 10-10 heading into the bottom of the 7th, when Sam Franklin, who had also pitched the whole game, smashed a walk-off home run for a dramatic 11-10 Firemen win.

- Reporting from Kat, Cheri, George, & Alex

An Odd Assortment of Curiosities

YUSHAN CHOU

Bowen Island Museum & Archives

Next to Bowen Island Museum and Archives, a storage room stands guard over precious artifacts Some small, some large, these objects surround the careful curator, eager for their time in the limelight

Sometimes, discerning an artifact’s purpose is as easy as picking it up, turning it over in your hands A plate is often just a plate; a student’s writing slate is only a writing slate These artifacts, with their mostly-unquestionable purposes, allow histo-

rians and archaeologists to uncover lives and events otherwise buried in the rubble of time

However, matters are rarely so simple There are artifacts which, no matter which way you turn them, have no single obvious purpose Is this hole here a fad, or a part of the artifact’s function? Is this twisted mound of metal purely decorative, or does it have some everyday use? Nonetheless, they intrigue us, draw us in as curiosity blooms

Curiosity, according to Paul Silvia, serves as a counterpoint for anxiety, among other things It pushes humans to pursue new experiences rather than stag-

nate with the familiar. While experts have yet to iron out the why’s and how’s of curiosity, one thing is clear. Specific curiosity (seeking information to solve a particular problem) plays just as important a role in encouraging learning and developing creativity as diversive curiosity (seeking information on topics far and wide).

It allows us to innovate, expanding beyond the technology and wisdom passed down to us As such, a simple object, one barely larger than your thumb, could spark open a world of possibilities

This summer, Bowen Island Museum and Archives is proud to present Curiosities and Oddities, an exhibit containing only the most baffling artifacts in our collection The exhibit opens on June 24, 2023 Come on by, and let your imagination run wild!

Coho Bon Voyage!

Though Terminal Creek was at a much lower water level than last year, kids (and adults) still flocked to Crippen Park on Sunday to take part in the annual Coho Bon Voyage tradition. Hosted by the Bowen Island Fish &Wildlife Club, people took turns bringing Coho Fry raised at the Hatchery to be released steps away in the Creek, where they’ll begin their journey to the sea Metro Vancouver Parks also took part with an interactive display and games. Some of the eager carriers who helped the Coho’s cause were Sage Dierkes (above) and Wren Blomberg, who was aided by volunteer Anne Franc de Ferrière Chollat (below). / Alex Kurial photos

Summer Camps and Skills Program return to Camp Bowen this year

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

“Everybody comes to us with different things they’ve managed to piece together through their lifetime, and we really help them put that all together and make sure they have a solid foundation of independent living skills before they head home,” says Alex Jurgensen, Camp Bowen’s director of operations and community engagement He began participating in the group ’ s programming in 1999, and later began working with them in 2010

“What we ’ ve seen over time is that Bowen Island has overall a more accepting nature than most communities

Bowen Islanders treat blind people like human beings There’s that dignity that exists,” he says Jurgensen adds that two of the many interactions experienced in other places – either being treated like an oddity, or someone who cannot take care of themselves – are not situations encountered on the island

In addition to the people of the island, there are many geographical advantages which make Camp Bowen successful “Bowen is very quiet compared to most other places – especially when it’s not tourist season – but it’s right next door to the big city So that provides a couple of unique things you have the ability to work in a quiet environment Especially for somebody who has recently lost vision and is just heading out travelling for the first time using their cane, that’s not something that lends itself well to big cities with cars zooming around and things,” says Jurgensen

“Here a lot of people are aware of it because it’s a small community so people tend to know more that it’s here, and people are just slower drivers in general here, with a lot of quiet roads. So we take good advantage of that,” he adds. Jurgen also explains that even geographically within Bowen, being in the Cove allows invaluable walking access to the majority of the island’s amenities.

This year marked not only the return

of the training program to the island following the pandemic, but coming up in August the organization’s traditional summer camps too This year there’s three camps spanning all age groups – the Braille Literacy Camp (ages 8-12), Linda Evans Memorial Music Camp (ages 8-18), and the Adult Retreat, which has run since 1962 Together they’re expected to bring more than 250 campers to Bowen during their various sessions

The Braille camp has been around since the turn of the millennium, focusing on connecting kids with the world around them, and literacy. “A lot of them are not necessarily receiving Braille instruction in their home communities, so we ’ re trying to get them really excited about it,” says Jurgensen.

“Because if you can’t be literate it’s going to be really hard, and Braille does equal literacy for a blind person, ” he adds. Jurgensen says the course has undergone many adaptions over the years as technology advances, especially in the world of electronic Braille Themes change over the years too, this year for instance the choice is community exploration This means students will be going to various locations around Bowen and exploring how people spend their day-to-day lives

The music is returning to Camp Bowen this summer too, via the Linda Evans Memorial camp Students choose either new instruments, or ones they have experience with, and spend the week honing their skills before capping camp off with a community concert

“You get kids who never played an instrument before, and at the end of the week they’re in the concert,” says Jurgensen This year ’ s show will be extra special as it’s the 60th of the camp ’ s existence

In addition to the kids camps, there’s also the long-standing Adult Retreat Many of the participants in this excursion have been coming for decades, and have

built many friendships over the years

“Some people literally just socialize the entire time because that’s the one time they get to see their friends every year, ” says Jurgensen, adding that while there’s many activities scheduled during the retreat, they’re all optional “Rural areas are pretty isolating, and even downtown Vancouver can be pretty isolating too So it’s that opportunity for everybody to reconnect,” he says Camp Bowen offers another advantage in that it is one of the few, if not the only, organization of its kind in Canada where participants come live and learn for so long. While many cities have local programs, it can be difficult find a learning environment free of distractions, or with the time necessary to build skills quickly. Jurgensen says it would take years through day programs in a city to master the same skillsets.

And in more rural areas where that time and setting may be possible, spaces such as Camp Bowen are basically non-existent, even ones which did exist dying off over the years And even though

rent has risen over the years, a special zoning protection on the Bowen Lodge – a Section 219 Covenant (BC Land Title Act) classifies the land as Recreation Training and Meeting Centre for the Care and Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities – allows their unique service to continue to operate in such a prime space.

All these factors combine to attract students from far and wide to the lodge, which at its full capacity could hold dozens of people. There’s currently eight students, with a staff of nine on-site. While not a massive group, it’s up markedly from the days of the pandemic when in-person programming had to be suspended, and only around five staff members remained at the lodge The easing of Covid restrictions will hopefully create a resurgence among the skills program and summer camps, says Jurgensen

“By last summer we were getting the message loud and clear: we need to go back in-person It feels fantastic to be doing that, and we want to keep doing that for years to come, ” he says

Some of the activities members of Camp Bowen take part in / Submitted photos

Healing Family Systems this Father’s Day

MATTHEW RAMSAY

Contributor

Certain secular holidays in Canada are intended to celebrate family relationships: in the month of February, we have Family Day, in April we have Siblings Day, in May we have Mother’s Day, and in June we have Father’s Day. For many people, these are occasions of gratitude and joy as these relationships and roles are celebrated; however, for some people there may be more ambivalent feelings about any one of these occasions

For example, Father’s Day this month may have stirred feelings of sadness, frustration, or even anger for those whose fathers were not physically or emotionally present in their lives or that were emotionally or physically abusive Some people may be mourning the death of their father and for them the day serves as a reminder of this loss For some, they may be a father who is not living with their children or has little or no contact with them Some may have a desire to be a father, but due to some circumstances it just hasn’t happened for them yet

Others may have mixed feelings: appreciating some aspects of the relationship yet feeling unsettled about other aspects Regardless of any one person’s experience, what seems to hold true generally is that the quality of our closest family relationships is a major influence on our own wellbeing, for better or for worse

We each carry our own personal sense of these relationships within our respective families based on memories about what was said or done Our sense of these relationships can also be informed by events that happened in our lives prior to the age that we can consciously remember, but that still register within our developing nervous systems (called implicit memory). How our family members thought, spoke, and acted during our time with them was shaped by numerous conditions, many of which preceded our birth

Many approaches to resolving difficulties in people’s lives or among their family relationships focus mainly on the events that can be remembered and sometimes on portions of earlier events, depending on how much family history has been shared; however, there are often earlier events and

relationship dynamics that people may be unaware of The practice of Family Constellations is one way of accessing these earlier events and relationship dynamics that reside outside of our everyday awareness Family Constellations, whether facilitated as a group process or with an individual, accesses what’s been called, ‘representative consciousness, ’ and the ‘knowing field,’ to illuminate such events and dynamics

Through the practice of Family Constellations, certain patterns of relationships have been identified that tend to support greater strength, ease, clarity, and compassion within members of a given family system These relationship patterns have been called the “Orders of Love” Disruptions to the natural flow of love within a family system can often be traced to a lack of awareness, acknowledgement, or alignment with these Orders of Love The Orders of Love include the following:

Belonging: that all members of the family system inherently belong Issues can arise when one or more members have been excluded; restoration of order can be established when their place in the family system is affirmed.

Precedence: there is a natural order to who and/or what came first, which can apply to parent:child relationships, sibling birth order, or subsequent marriages, etc Sometimes, due to circumstances, this natural order can be disrupted and simply clarifying the natural order through a Family Constellation process can often restore harmony once again.

Giving & Receiving: within equal relationships there is a principle of reciprocity that suggests that there be a balance between giving and receiving This does not necessarily refer to a detailed accounting regarding specific aspects of the relationship but can refer to various ways that people may experience gain, loss, or mutuality as they choose togetherness The relationship between parent and child is a unique case since they are not inherently equal in terms of roles. In general, parents give, and children receive – starting with the gift of life at birth and the requirements for care when children are very young. Therefore, there are other ways to address this Order when it comes to parent:child relationships to support or restore harmony.

In all, understanding and applying the Orders of Love within a family system supports a sense of right relationship.

Applying the Family Constellations approach to assess and address these patterns within past and present generations can restore the flow of love within the family system and often resolves difficulties that individuals encounter in various areas of their lives including relationships, mental/emotional wellbeing, physical health, career-path, or an overall sense of meaning and purpose

Matthew Ramsay is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC) with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT); Certified NVC Trainer with the Center for Nonviolent Communication; and Systemic Constellations Facilitator living and practicing on Bowen Island. For more information about Family Constellations or to join Matthew for an upcoming day of Family Constellations on Saturday, June 24 in-person, on Bowen Island, contact him at: https://www.compassionateresolutions.ca/contact/

Thanks for the Memories!

Koehle Jones was kind enough to share a trove of pictures from over the years with us, featuring not just her Grad but also the adventures of many of this year’s graduating crew Memories include the kids’ last graduation in Grade 7, outdoor journeys in Scott Slater’s Outside 45 program at Bowen Island Community School,andevenatripbacktotheBowenIslandChildren’sCentre Seemuchmoreof everything these kids have accomplished in our Grad section in this paper!

Andrea

Your Community

MARKETPLACE

PARK WORKER (TEMPORARY)

Position Status: Full-Time Temporary (3-6 months)

Department: Parks & Environment

Employee Group: GVRDEU

Locations: Crippen Regional Park, Bowen Island, and Capilano River Regional Park, North Vancouver

Salary Range/ Wage Rate: $2,352.00 bi-weekly plus 6.25%

deferred compensation

Have a passion for nature and the outdoors? Enjoy connecting with the community? Experience variety and excitement in this healthy work environment. Learn new skills and earn competitive wages operating and maintaining a regional park. Help us to protect Metro Vancouver’s natural areas and connect people with them.

THIS ROLE:

• Performs a variety of routine maintenance duties such as: collecting garbage and litter; cleaning and sanitizing toilet facilities; grass cutting and trimming; maintaining trails, buildings, bridges, boardwalks, picnic and camp sites; repairing tools; and washing and staining tables.

• Patrols park areas as required to help ensure public safety

• Assists with construction improvements in parks such as bridges, trails, culverts, buildings, boardwalks, gates, fences, corrals, water lines and docking facilities.

• Operates and maintains equipment such as small tractors and attached mowers, trucks, push mowers, weed eaters, vacuums, and rock drills.

• Provides information, education and assistance to the public.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL, YOU

HAVE:

• Minimum Grade 10 or equivalent.

• Abi ity to deal with the publ c in a courteous and effect ve manner

• Demonstrated good judgment in interpreting park regulations.

• Proficient English language skills, both verbal and written.

• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License.

• Demonstrated ability to negotiate difficult terrain, walk long distances and carry out a variety of tasks that require considerable physical exertion.

• Available to work flexible days and hours, including weekends, evenings and holidays

POSSIBLE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES:

Wildfire Suppression (S‐100), Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), Occupational First Aid (Level 1), Equipment Operations (such as small tractor, ride‐mower, weed eater, chainsaw), Safe Boating Operations, Radio Communications, Bear Awareness, Park Officer, Incident Command System (ICS), Workplace Safety and more.

HOURS OF WORK:

40 hours per week.

Our Vision:

Metro Vancouver embraces collaboration and innovation in providing sustainable regional services that contribute to a livable and resilient region and a healthy natural environment for current and future generations.

We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and being representative of the region we serve. We invite all qualified candidates to apply including Indigenous People, visible minorities, immigrants, 2SLGBTQI+, all genders and persons with disabilities. Please follow this link http://www.metrovancouver.org/about/ careers/ to our Careers page where you can submit your application by July 7, 2023.

While we greatly appreciate all the replies we receive, regretfully only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Saturday, June 24

Strawberry Tea

Come to the Little Red Church for the annual fruit-based tea. Fancy hats welcome. 10 am to 3 pm.

Saturday, June 24

Benefit Party at the Legion

Save the date! Come dressed as your favourite Bowen celebrity. Games, prizes and an auction too All proceeds go toward helping our local Bowen family with fire recovery. Starts at 4:30 pm and runs to late at night Tickets $25 online at Eventbrite

Sunday, June 25

Solstice Market

Bowen Cider House celebrates its 1 year anniversary. 12 to 6 pm Food, drink, games, animals, tours, cake, and more 1125 Grafton Road at the Meadowbrook Corner

Sunday, June 25

National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration

Join us at the Cultural Corner stage outside the Hearth Gallery and the Bowen Library for a performance by the Eagle Song Dancers There will also be an unveiling and blessing of Simon Winadzi James’ artwork, “Eagle Descending,” which will grace the new outdoor stage Takes place from 2 to 4 pm

Monday, June 26

Rotary Speaker Series

Our guest speaker is Ross Beaty, Bowen Islander, mining entrepreneur, founder and president of the Sitka Foundation The Topic: Mining and The Environment -

They Don’t Need to be Enemies Ross plans to give a short talk about his life as a geologist and a mining entrepreneur, and his role as the founder and President of the Sitka Foundation one of Canada’s leading environmental organizations. After providing his perspective on both the

mining industry and his activities as an environmentalist, he will open the forum up for discussion. Doors open about 7 pm and the meeting starts at 7:30. We plan to conclude by 9 pm Artisan Eats Café & Fine Foods, 539 Artisan Lane The Bowen public is invited. There is no charge

Tuesday, June 27

Carmina Bowena in Concert

Our program of songs from the serene to the saucy is mainly drawn from the Renaissance period, with some modern pieces as well. 7:30pm Tickets can be purchased at Cates Pharmacy or at the door for $25.

Saturday, July 8

Author Talk: Ingrid Hauss

Local author, artist, and art educator Ingrid Hauss speaks on her new book, Toward Renewal and Belonging: Art, Movement, and Community, which invites readers to engage in a creative process of self-discovery 2 pm start

Saturday, July 8

Judith Gedye Open House

Collins Hall at 3 pm Please note the date, open house will be the second Saturday in July instead of the first due to the July 1 Canada Day holiday.

To August 31

Summer Reading Challenge at the Library

Bowen Library challenges you to a summer of great reading! Pick up your tracker at the Library and complete seven Reading Challenges and three Bonus Challenges Books can be hard copies, graphic novels, ebooks, audiobooks and braille On your tracker check off the challenges you complete, list the books you ’ ve read, and tell us which challenge was your favourite and why. Submit the finished tracker to us (at the front desk or through the book drop), or email it to info@ bowenlibrary.ca to enter the grand prize draw!

TUESDAYS

Babytime at the Library

A free, 1/2 hr drop-in program of songs, books, and rhymes for babies 0-18 months and their caregivers! 11:30 am Runs to June 27.

WEDNESDAYS

Bowen Bridge

We meet from 1:30 to 4:30 pm at Bowen Court on Wednesdays

Fee is $6 per person per session Your place at the table must be arranged - by email - no later than 6 pm on the Monday before To make your booking or to seek more information, please email bowcates04@gmail com We look forward to seeing you

THURSDAYS

SKY Writing Workshops on Zoom with Diana Jewel Attend as many as you wish but space is limited so RSVP to SKYonBowen@outlook.com Every Thursday from 1 to 2 pm, until June 8.

Thursday Art Group

The Thursday Art Group (TAG) meets every Thursday at Collins Hall from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm to create, paint, sketch and enjoy meeting like minded souls If you think this group might be for you, pop by and see what we are all about

WEEKENDS

Saturday Farmers Market at BICS

Annual market at Bowen Island Community School Browse food, crafts, snacks, and more! 10 am to Noon.

Yoga on the Pier

Saturday & Sunday from 10:15 to 11:15 am. Join the Nectar Yoga team for a relaxing yoga session at the Snug Cove North Dock (left of the ferry ramp). Bring a yoga mat, water, and sunscreen. Sessions are weather permitting. Pre-registration is recommended, but dropping in can be accomodated if space allows Find more details and sign up at nectaryoga ca

Bowen Island's Reconciliation, Celebration, & Community

CANADA DAY REIMAGINED

In2018,thecastandcrewoftheIndigenousfilmINDIANHORSE createdthe#Next150challenge Itasksnon-indigenouspeoplein CanadatodeepenourunderstandingofIndigenousculturesand strengthenourcommitmenttoreconciliationandjusticebyengaging withthechallengespostedontheirwebsite.Itisadirectcallto "reconcili-ACTION,"andCanadaDayReimaginedwasdevelopedby BowenIslandMunicipality'sRecreationandCommunityServices departmentinresponsetothiscall.Werelyontheresources, challenges,andcontentgenerouslyprovidedbythe#Next150 contributorstodeliverabalanced,engaging,self-reflective event.

#Next150Challenge next150.indianhorse.ca