Bowen Island Undercurrent August 17 2023

stats and photos from another great tourney weekend down at Snug Cove Field. / Valentyna Gabinyetova photo

Community grants recognize range of Island efforts

ALEX KURIAL Editor

Several community initiatives are receiving a boost thanks to a series of recent grants.

Council approved 11 projects for funding during their last meeting of the summer, nine through the Community Grants Advisory Committee and a pair from the Environment and Climate Action Committee (ECAAC). The grants cover a range of topics, from food to sports, and arts to healthcare

The Caring Circle Health and Wellness Society and Bowen Island Children’s Centre (BICC) were key recipients of the Community Grants, receiving $13,000 and $9,500 respectively The Caring Circle’s amount will go toward staff costs, while BICC’s portion will go toward staff working with the Family Place resource program

Baseball fans will be excited for a new addition to the Snug Cove Field, with $6,000 awarded to the Fastpitch League to purchase a new scoreboard. The board will be erected in the outfield and used for fastpitch, slow pitch, and little league games SwimBowen Society was another physical activity group which received a grant, with $1,200 allotted for communications equipment, lifeguards, and a water pump

It was a council meeting for the Bowen Island Community Resilient Housing project After receiving a pair of development variance permits earlier in the evening to assist with the future construction of the Miller Road apartment complex, they received $6,000 toward operational funding during grant allocations

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

RED HOT! The Firemen doused the competition during last weekend’s Fastpitch Tournament, finishing things off with a 12-8 win in Sunday’s final against the Diggers It’s the Firemen’s 2nd title in 3 years, and they did it behind some big bats and plenty of confidence over the four-month campaign. Check out Pages 8-9 for more on the team’s accomplishment, along with year-end

Events

AllCouncilmeetingsareopen tothepublictoattendin personorelectronically,unless notedotherwise

August 24, 2023

6:30pm - 8:00 pm

HotSummerNights@BICS parkinglot

September 11, 2023 1:00 pm

RegularCouncilMeeting

Yard Waste Changes Coming

StartingthefirstWednesdayinSeptember,2023,organicwastelimits arechangingasfollows:

KitchenWaste:Onecontainerperweek

YardWaste:Threecontainersorbagsperweek

• Pickupstartsat8:00amonWednesdays

• Allcontainersmusthavelids,bagsshouldnotbeoverfilled

• Nocontainer/bag/bundleshallweighmorethan40lbsor18kgsas perWCBregulations

• Norocks,sodorsoil

2023 Fire Smart program

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Rotary Run for Rwanda returns

FUNDRAISER CELEBRATES 13TH YEAR

HILARY BUTLER Bowen Island Rotary Club

Traditions, traditions, traditions! We Bowen Islanders love them, and perhaps the ongoing controversy about the Metro Parks’ acquisition of part of the Cape lands is a fear of losing our traditions that bind us as a community. Thankfully, our summer traditions are alive and well. Already this year we have enjoyed the Canada Day celebrations, the Round Bowen Yacht and Kayak Races, Snug Cove Music Fest and SwimBowen

Still to come are Dog Days, Bowfest and Handloggers Half Marathon

Wait, what about our oldest tradition, Bowfest?! August 26 will be a great day for everyone who loves traditions that include the parade, music, good food and games, and many of us have been enthusiastic participants for many decades That slug race is a favourite!

And then there is the Rotary Run for Rwanda that takes place earlier that morning What was a very competitive Run for the Ferry has morphed into a community fun run and walk that is now celebrating its 13th year.

Does this make another Bowen tradition?

The Rotary Club of Bowen Island and their associated charity, Komera Canada, certainly hope so as the run is the primary source of funds that go to Rwanda to support young women in graduating from high school and university. Many of the runners and walkers have joined this event faithfully every year, and love cheering for Colin Kerr, who needs a challenge in his record as winner of the 10K run every single year (even when wheeling baby Heidi in her stroller!)

The kids’ run for ages 9 and under starts at 8:30 am on the ferry dock An easy 1.5K loop up to Miller Road through Crippen Park brings you back to the library lawn for a medal, water and yummy snacks Mums with strollers and happy dogs on leashes also accepted! All for $10 per kid. 5K run-

Go Figure! Pair of Bowen painters display works

MATHILDE ROHR Cultural Connector / The Hearth Gallery

ners and 10K runners start at 9 am, with 5K walkers at the back of the pack The route through Crippen Park is to be found on the website rotaryrunforrwanda.com

10K runners do twice the 5K route, with marshals guiding runners and walkers all the way, and a water stand will be located on Magee Road (by Killarney Lake entrance) for thirsty participants. There is a $60 family rate for up to five family members, and single runners pay $30 each Check the website for some awesome t-shirts too!

There are exciting prizes for all age groups from lululemon, Forerunners, Cates Pharmacy, Phoenix on Bowen and Union Steamship Co Water and treats are from Ruddy Potato, Snug Cove General Store, Artisan Eats, the Snug and Savary Island Pie Co

Several financial sponsors support the event: Frits de Vries Architects, Cypress Engineered Housing, Bowen Island Properties, Dr Gloria Chao, Presman Wealth and Barbara Wahler Interior Design. These donors are instrumental in enabling Komera Canada to finance the young women we support in Rwanda

Let’s not forget that Bowen Island traditions have been created through the hard work of volunteers on projects that bring them joy and gratitude. Rotary is hoping that islanders will support them with continuing the RR4R tradition!

This is only one of the projects that Rotary currently supports The recently installed drinking water fountain at USSC, AEDs, Matthew Harrison’s Peka project, house numbers, the BICS outdoor campus, the Trails Guide and countless other initiatives have been launched in the past 10 years since a small but enthusiastic group of islanders, spearheaded by much loved Piers Hayes, chartered the Rotary Club of Bowen Island. This is the power of Rotary and its motto: Service Above Self Rotary enjoys helping people who have a worthy project and are prepared to work hard to achieve their goals.

Until September 4, the Hearth is showcases the art of two long-term Bowen residents and painters: Diane Buchanan and Bill Hoopes.

Diane and Bill have been painting for over 40 years, both interested in portraying human figures in relationship with their environment Today, their common interest for creating narratives with and around figures brings together their work for a joint show.

Diane Buchanan is a figurative painter and colourist Inspired by imagery, mystery, and storytelling, she paints alternate realities using vivid colors and illustrating the co-existence of humanity with the world around us On large canvases, she depicts the metamorphosis of the female body as it transitions from the natural world to the supernatural realm Her art is somehow autobiographical, informed by her experience with beauty, nature, Buddhism, quantum physics, and her belief in magic. Diane approaches painting from a color, shape, and movement point of view while intertwining the figure with nature.

“I am interested in the passage of life

through the liminal space that exists between the world of nature and the supernatural. The paintings paint themselves as I work with the colors and shapes The most important thing for me in my art is trying new things If I don’t do it now, it’s game over ” , she says

Bill Hoopes, inspired by the painters of the Renaissance and the work of the Surrealists, uses the figure metaphorically to reveal humanity’s contribution to current social, political, and environmental issues Through his moody palette and allegorical scenes, he depicts global events that reflect on the limits and precariousness of the human condition, and highlights the delicate balance that exists between us and the Earth.

“I’ve come to realize over my many years of painting just how slowly we learn from our mistakes” , he says.

Diane Buchanan and Bill Hoopes both use figurative painting to translate their respective experiences of the world Go Figure features their creation and offers a place for self-reflection and wonder

Go Figure, a painting exhibit by Diane Buchanan and Bill Hoopes, runs to September 4. The Artist pARTy is Saturday, August 19 from 6 to 8 pm with bar service, snacks, and DJ Yeshe

Paintings by Bowen residents Diane Buchanan (L) & Bill Hoopes (R).

What’s the score?

Another Fastpitch Tournament is in the books, and a massive congratulations to the Firemen for winning it all! The weekend was incredibly fun again,andinmyhumbleopinionthebestoneofthe year on Bowen The community atmosphere created is wonderful, and brings out all corners of the island (and beyond), whether baseball fan or not A special shoutout to the Digger Saloon, whose weekend of party hosting has raised the standard for tournament entertainment Cheers!

Much like the island itself, the league has undergone many changes during its nearly four-decade history One thing that has remained constant (as I’ve learned scorekeeping over the past two years) is that eternal question: What’s the score? This answer is most often sought by fans, but make no mistake a game doesn’t go by without a manager, player,orevenumpirecomingovertothebleachers tocheckforthemselves Thescorekeeperholdsgreat responsibility as the arbiter of this knowledge, and hopefully in between dishing out quarters and dodging foul balls they’ve been paying attention enough to answer

As you may have read earlier in this paper, a new scoreboard is in the works for our local field This is thanks to the hard work of many league members and kind contributors, and will hopefully be standing in the outfield come first pitch next season It’s a piece of technology I’m very excited to have the chance to help operate, and a massive step toward modernization It also turns a page of the league’s history, and (in all likelihood) will bring the Bowen tradition of that eternal question to an end With the answer emblazoned in big numbers 10 feet in the air, visits to the scorekeeper will become far less common A piece of me will miss answering that question, tricky as it could be sometimes while trying to write down everyone involved in an inning-ending double play. It was fun seeing kids react when they realized their favorite team was winning, or helping fans arriving mid-game to catch up on the action. It’s a chapter of the league I was happy to be a part of, if even for just a little bit.

A few weeks ago, one of this paper ’ s former editors (and current Cruisers member/league veteran) Marcus Hondro shared his thoughts with me on the question, which he elegantly wrote in his ‘Slow Lane Chronicles’ column back in 2005. You can find it on the next page, and will likely recognize many of the local characters involved. As you can see, until now not much has changed on the matter And though those days may be gone, if you ever want to wander over and ask the score, even if just for old times’ sake, I’ll still be happy to flip through my notes and tell you

- Alex Kurial, Editor

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

for Lahaina

Hi, my name is Katrina Rose My husband Kevin and I raised our three girls on Bowen and as many of you know my eldest daughter Gemma, her husband Raymond and their daughter Lyla now live on the Island of Maui in Lahaina On August 8th the unthinkable happened. A brush fire fueled by the winds of a category 4 hurricane Dora devastated the historic Lahaina town.

While Gemma, Ray and Lyla’s personal residence has been spared, many of

their dear friends lost their homes and livelihoods entirely We have also started a GoFundMe page https://www gofundme.com/f/lahaina-fire-relief-fundfriends-of-gemma-ray and are focusing our fund on these local families who have lost so much and need immediate relief. Additionally, we are hosting a fundraising dinner on Friday, August 25 at Bowen Cider House and hope that you can join us.

We invite you to practice true Aloha

spirit and help these families with the basics for surviving this sudden loss and getting through these next crucial months. The funds will be used to facilitate rebuilding lives: clothes, housing, food, transportation, medical, counseling, computers, phones, furniture, school and childcare.

Thank you for your consideration, your kindness and your generosity.

Mahalo Nui Loa

VIEWPOINTS

The Score

During the playing of a game in the Bowen Island Fastpitch League us players know lots of things, things like where the toilets are, when the ferry is pulling out and what time the General Store closes There is one thing however that we often do not know.

The score

We try to keep count only distractions like keeping half-an-eye on the kids, yakking with fans, kibitzing with teammates and choosing a batting helmet that fits our head inevitably cause us to miss a run or two

Or three or….

As a result, before you can say ‘who’s on first’ , we ’ ve lost track of the score. Now there is of course that nice scoreboard at Snug Cove Field but that is actually used for the Shaker Kids and other fans to sit upon, it’s not used for the score.

A few weeks ago us Celtics were playing the Cruisers and during a break – it was when Gypsy the Jack Russell terrier was recruited to chase the geese out of right field

I realized I did not know the score I was in the dugout with my teammates so all I had to do was ask, right?

“What’s the score?”

There was a silence A pretty long silence I saw more than a few brows wrinkle and heads shake I persisted, “Doesn’t anybody know the score?”

“Aahhh,” Brian Thompson said, “I think we got…maybe three?”

“Yeah, Terry hit a homerun,” Mike Lightbody said. “With two guys on base.”

“That’s right,” said John Bell. “So we must have three then.”

I remembered Terry Cotter hitting a homer all right. But I still didn’t know the score. I tried again. “I see, ” I said. “We got three, maybe. That’s great. But what about the other team? Isn’t that meaningful? Doesn’t anybody know how many runs the Cruisers have?”

“No idea,” Oscar Hoekstra said, trying on helmets “But I need a smaller head.”

“I think they got more than three,” Scott Miller said. “Only maybe not”

Killarney Lake Gathering

On Sunday, August 13, there was a gathering at the picnic tables by Killarney Lake hosted by Bowen Island United Church It was a peaceful, reflective time designed with contemplation and rest in mind.

As we feasted our eyes on the beauty of Gaia - Mother Earth - we also grieved many of the losses we have recently witnessed around the planet. Record heat; drought; forest fires around the world; the tragedy of the Lahaina fire in Maui, and more. Through music, silence, prayer and meditation we spent a moving hour together.

We will repeat this on Sunday, August 20 at 9:45 am at Killarney Lake. All are welcome

- including dogs on leashes Please bring a chair and a beverage if you feel so inclined. I hope to see many of you there - children; teens; young adults; elders, and everyone in between.

Together with many others around the world, we all deeply yearn for climate justice. Being in Community with our cares and concerns gives us a touch more hope, and perhaps some moments of transformation and healing.

In Hope,

- Rev Lorraine Ashdown

Other teams seem to have as much trouble with the score as we do During that game against the Cruisers I was hustling out to my position on the mini-slope in left when I asked their second-baseman, Greg Bosworth if he knew the score; Greg said he thought my team was leading

“Are you sure?” I asked “Because I thought you guys were winning.”

We started counting runs but it was hard work so we gave it up. But Greg kept saying the Celtics had more runs while I thought the Cruisers did. Each of us was arguing the other’s team was winning. Mercifully, our second baseman, Donnie Nicolson, waded in to settle things.

“I think it’s tied,” Donnie said.

I believe I’ve figured out when it becomes meaningful to know the score in our league: in the last inning with two out the catcher needs to gauge how loud to yell at his teammates to get the final out so naturally he has to learn the score He turns to the umpire – it’s rather pointless to ask teammates (see above) – and asks

The ump, who is after all just a player from another team, doesn’t have any idea what the score is so he walks to the backstop and calls to the scorekeeper up in the stands The scorekeeper, Chris or Mara or Mary or Jeff, stops yakking with friends and hunches

over the scorebook

“Hold on, ” he or she eventually calls out “I better count again.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it,” the umpire says. “Let’s just play ball.” And back we go to playing without knowing the score.

I have a theory about what is really to blame for all of this not-knowingthe-score and that theory is well illustrated in something my teammate Sean Delaney told me about the score during a recent game.

“Sometimes I’m on the field and I look up at the trees and the mountains and the sky,” Sean said. “I think about what a beautiful and peaceful place to play baseball Snug Cove Field is and I realize the score isn’t very important at all.”

And here’s this: at the end of the game each night the two teams shake hands, friendly banter is exchanged, tired and happy kids are rounded up and there is little or no talk about which team had the highest score

And all of us go home a winner

- Marcus Hondro

*This piece, from Marcus Hondro’s ‘Slow Lane Chronicles’ column, originally ran in the Undercurrent on July 8, 2005.

HaigFarriswasatitagainovertheweekend,capturingBowen’smajesticbirdsofprey

Make Polluters Pay

Dear Editor,

Record breaking extreme heat is hitting people worldwide It’s almost a given that 2023 will go down as the hottest year on record I’m scared to check the news to learn about the latest devastating disaster

We are in this crisis because of the fossil fuel industry For these companies have profited off climate destruction And even this year, as people suffered, Big Oil reported obscene profits.

It’s time to shut down the fossil fuel industry We have the solutions we need to build a just, liveable world for all Now, what’s needed is courage from our political leaders

Here’s how our politicians can act on climate:

1 Cut all public funding for fossil fuels

2 Kick Big Oil out from our halls of power

3. Make polluters pay for a just transition to a 100% clean energy future

- Gillian Darling

10th Handloggers Half sells out

PHIL OSBORNE Contributor

Ten years ago, a bit more than a year after Jane and I moved to Bowen Island, a small group of family and friends ran the route of the Handloggers Half Marathon and decided there and then that we had experienced something special.

The course, starting from the Government Dock, passing through Crippen Park around Killarney Lake, climbing Skid Trail to Handloggers Trail around the north and west side of Mount Gardner to the mid-Island Trail and back through Crippen Park to the Causeway Finish was a natural Half Marathon with plenty of mountain trail challenge and breath-taking scenery along the way. I was grateful to find a like-minded spirit in Alicia Hoppenrath to help set up an organized event in 2014. We both shared the idea for a low key, homegrown, and mostly family supported mountain trail run that could raise funds and increase awareness about trail stewardship on Bowen Island’s trail networks

We’ve been fortunate over the years to have had fantastic end of summer weather (for the most part!) and endless support from the Bowen Island Community as well as the mountain trail running community at large Every year since the beginning the event has gained recognition as a special event and grown in popularity, mostly by word of mouth and a bit of social media Handloggers 2023 will again set a record for

the number of participants The open race (the full 21 km) is already sold out and the three-person relay is selling out fast with just over two weeks to go before the axe falls on the starting block

Once again, we are expecting an international field of runners with registrations from across Canada, the USA, Europe and the United Kingdom for this year ’ s event

If you’re already registered - thank you from the Race organization and see you soon! The race will start at 9 am sharp and finish at approximately 1 pm on Saturday, September 2. Our event will be CUP FREE again this year Please remember to bring your own re-useable cup for use at aid stations and finish line.

We are still looking for volunteers to help with providing direction to runners on course and with various other day of race duties. Please email handloggershalf@gmail com if you would like to help out

Full details about the event are available on our website (handloggershalf com) or write the above email with any questions Our race is sanctioned by BC Athletics and we have a risk management plan in place to run a safe and happy race for everyone

Proceeds will continue to support Bowen Island Trail Society and other worthy causes benefitting the Bowen Island community We are very grateful to have a number of community sponsors and community-based volunteers supporting our race again this year

ECAAC grants address food security

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Another construction project was also included in the community grants, with $5,000 going toward Island Pacific School’s Colin Ruloff Community Field House

The structure is expected to ready for use this fall.

Arts and entertainment were included in the committee’s selections, including $2,000 for Bowfest The traditional August festival will put the money toward musicians, equipment, rides, and other attractions

The Hearth Gallery also received $2,500 to hold an Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility conference

A Community Grant was also awarded to the Seniors Keeping Young Society (SKY).

The $2,889 will be used for recreational games and instructors ECAAC distributes their grants through the Sustainable Community Grant Program

The program ’ s overarching theme is to address climate change, and this year the

committee selected food security as their main area of focus

One of these $2,000 grants went to local group THRIVE Bowen, who were a past recipient of the same grant for a study on food resiliency and greenhouses This time around THRIVE is planning to develop an app to track food supply and demand on the island Their ultimate goal is to help connect producers and consumers of local food

The other $2,000 grant will go to establishing an abattoir service on Bowen, allowing farmers to process meat on-island instead of having to go to the mainland. Local butcher Erik Miller is behind the initiative, and plans to do meat processing for several island farmers.

“We’re pretty excited about both of these projects,” said environment manager and ECAAC committee member Carla Skuce. “I think they have a really great potential to increase food security on the island.”

Saturday 26th August 2023

Rotary Run for Rwanda

Saturday, August 26, 2023

2:00 - 8:00 pm

Food, Glorious Food!

Enjoy tasty treats!

The Branch on Bowen - Tacos!

Meadowbrook Market - Pulled pork or jackfruit on a bun

The Ruddy - fresh fruit and snacks

Phoenix - candy

Rainbow Ice Cream treats

Rides and games for all!

Bounce, jump, and more on Par-T-Perfect inflatable fun

Try the Hamster ball race if you dare!

Annual Tug-of War challenge!

Live Music

All Day Long!

Don’t miss Queer as Funk - 6:30 - 8:00 pm!

Visit www.bowfest.org for more details!

Still time to enter the parade!

Volunteers still needed!

Ferry Dock, Bowen Island

Kids’ 1.5K run/walk starts at 8:30 am

10K run & 5K run/walk start at 9:00 am

Register online at www rotaryrunforrwanda com

Handloggers Half mass start at the Snug Cove ferry terminal. / Submitted photo

CALENDAR

Thursday, August 17

Letters for the Future and Crazy Creatures

1 to 2:30 pm at the Bowen Island Library. Ages 5 to 7. Create a crazy creature and write a letter to your future self at the library! Register: bipl link/future

Friday, August 18

Pea Pot Decorating

1 to 2:30 pm at the Bowen Island Library Ages 8 to 10

Have fun decorating a clay pot for your pea plant and designing a building for a model cityscape! Register: bipl link/pea-pot

Saturday, August 19

Year End Celebration

1 to 2:30 pm at the Bowen Island Library All ages

Celebrate the end of the summer reading club! If you ’ ve finished all 50 days of the challenge, come to claim your medal at the medal ceremony! This year we have special guest Mayor Andrew Leonard to hand our awards

If you haven’t finished, come for fun art activities! Register: bipl link/SRC-celebration

Sunday, August 20

Dog Days Resurgence

One of Bowen’s most popular festivals is returning thanks to the efforts of CAWES, USSC Marina, and Doc Morgan’s. Ms. Connie Smudge to MC. Dog of the Year is back!

Sunday, August 20

Turkish Meze Night

Farm to table dinner featuring vegeterian cold meze from the Turkish west coast Local produce and cider from Riley’s From Julika Volkmann. Endswell Farm, from 4 to 9 pm Tickets $75, contact julikasevents@ gmail.com

Thursday, August 24

Hot Summer Nights

Come meet the Bowen Island firefighters! Spray the big hose and take a tour of the fire truck 6:30 to 8 pm at BICS

Thursday, August 24

Sunset Summer Jazz

Music concert featuring the Tunstall Trio Open to the public at Tunstall Bay Clubhouse BYOBB Public tix $20 at Eventbrite, members by donation. 7 to 9 pm

Friday, August 25

Maui Relief Fundraiser

Dinner

Hawaiian themed Pork Feast, entertainment, silent auction. Tickets through Meadowbrook Market $60, call 778-200-0514. 6 to 10 pm. More info on Page 4.

Friday, August 25

Dirt Road Opera at Tirna-nOg

The ensemble band returns to Bowen for a show. Tickets $35 at eventbrite com

Saturday, August 26

Rotary Run for Rwanda

Annual benefit run, featuring 5K and 10K runs, 5K walk, and 1.5K kids run. Learn more at rotaryrunforrwanda.com, and on Page 3.

Saturday, August 26 Bowfest!

The annual summer festival gets going at 1:15 pm with the traditional parade, before transitioning over to the Bowfest Field for a full day of fun.

To August 26

Curiosities and Oddities at the Museum

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

TUESDAYS Chair Yoga

Starts Sept 5 at Collins Hall. Drop-in from 1 to 2:15 pm Classes are $20 or by donation Contact Jackie Minns for more info, 604220-9092, or jackie.minns@ gmail.com

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

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

FASTPITCH

A sizzling offensive effort by the Firemen in the game that mattered most has earned them the title of 2023 Bowen Island Fastpitch champions, their second championship in three years.

The offensive outburst in a 12-8 win over the Diggers in the final may not shock some, as the Firemen averaged over 10 runs per game during the season. But against the stingiest pitching and defensive team on the island in the reigning-champion Diggers, every one of the dozen-deciding runs was well earned.

“I would say that we were just feeling confident,” says Firemen manager Liam Zahara on the final game, where the team got out to an early lead and never gave it up

“Our lead-off batter Sam (Franklin) got a hit right away and we were just feeling it When you come in and you’re fired up and everyone ’ s playing confidently and seeing the ball and there’s no ego of ‘I have to do this’ It’s let’s do this for each other, let’s have fun, and let’s get out there and hit the ball”

Hitting the ball was something the Firemen did well all season, their 211 regular season runs scored second only to the Cruisers 216 Johnny Franklin had a particularly devastating bat, hitting a .525 average with 8 home runs and 26 RBI For his part, Zahara hit .492 while smashing 10 home runs and 27 RBI.

“When your team is flowing well together you kind of just roll and you feed off of each other’s energy. So when one guy or a few guys are hitting it really encourages the rest of the team to just to do their part and it helps out with the confidence level,” says Zahara.

Though the Firemen didn’t have the deepest substitute list for many of their games this season, they still managed a 2nd place finish with a 12-7-1 record. Zahara credits

every player doing their part to overcome the nights where the team’s dugout featured only a lonely player or two

“We have guys from age 19 to 70 And everyone is just there to support one another We had a few guys this year, it was just their second year, and that’s a huge part of continuing the Firemen family,” says Zahara

“Everyone figures out their role, and builds a new role as they get a little bit more comfortable on the team You have some guys who have played baseball since they were born And some guys who started playing baseball in their 20s or 30s And that’s what makes this league so special. You get a full range of abilities,” he adds

The Firemen opened the tournament against the Cruisers, and as expected it was a high-scoring affair It was a back-andforth game, starting 5-0 for the Firemen, moving to a 6-6 tie, an 11-8 Firemen lead, and finally a 12-12 final, a sacrifice fly by Keelan Hondro in the bottom of the 6th which brought home Cruisers teammate Spencer Grundy serving as the final run of the game

Despite giving up the lead late, Zahara says his team didn’t get dejected They instead looked for the positives, such as escaping a bases load, 0 out jam in that bottom of the 6th by only giving up one run. “I think that was just our mindset going into it. If you make an error or if you strike out, okay, figure out what you did wrong and what you can improve for next time and then just forget about it So we weren’t upset, sure we would have liked to have won, but we weren’t upset with how that game unfolded,” says the manager Team morale was clearly not shaken as the Firemen came out just two hours later and ran over the Twins 13-0. The team hit

4 home runs, 2 from Johnny Franklin and 1 each from Sam Franklin and Malcolm McEachern. Johnny also pitched 4 innings of shutout ball while giving up only 1 hit, and Corby Bernard took the mound to close out a scoreless 5th

The win clinched their spot in the semifinals, so a Sunday morning loss to the Brewers (who were still fighting for a spot in the next round) wasn’t concerning The focus was an afternoon rematch with the Cruisers This time the bats were swinging again, and the Firemen managed to limit the Cruisers offense a little bit more than Saturday morning The result was a 12-8 win for the Firemen, and with it a trip to the final

The Diggers prevailed over the Brewers in the other semifinal (a rematch of last year ’ s final, also won by the Diggers), setting the stage for a meeting between the 2021 and 2022 champions “Those guys obviously have a lot of experience They’re a really fun team to play against and we have really good games against them,” said Zahara of the reigning champions. “I think the two teams

2023 Champions

Sam Franklin

Malcolm McEachern

Johnny Franklin

Ewan McEachern

Liam Zahara

Adam Franklin

Corby Bernard

Dallen Jennings

Kurt Stuart

Burns Jennings

Kevin Harding

Aidan Holland

AJ Ballou

Escher Fisk

Rick Sinke

Mark Koonts

Laurin Macdonald

get along with one another and we’re able to joke around on the field but also have really good competition.”

Again the Firemen got on the board early, later opening up a 9-3 lead mid-game The Diggers never gave in though, cutting that lead to 9-6 and in the final inning reducing the Firemen’s 6-run lead to 12-8. “When they got two runs it’s like Diggers are doing Diggers things And you never know what could happen,” said Zahara

But Zahara credits a sprinting catch by left fielder Kevin Harding for calming the team down in the face of the Diggers rally. A strikeout after by Bernard really turned the tables back in the Firemen’s favour, and shortly after Corby worked a grounder back to him which he tossed to first to seal the trophy.

“We always have a lot of fun out on the ball field together. Sure we show up to win, but also to just have a good time. And I guess the wins kind of follow suit with that,” says Zahara.

- Reporting from Kat, Cheri, George, & Alex Have a great offseason, and see you next year!

League Leaders

Batting Average

1) Aaron Johnstone 561

2) Malcolm McEachern 556

3) Erik Hunter-James 547

4) Grady Huskisson 541

5) Robbie Watson 535

6) Johnny Franklin 525

7) Joe Lalonde 522

8) Justin Wheatley 516

9) Randy Poulin 500

10) Liam Zahara .492

Home Runs

1) Liam Zahara 10

2) Ewan McEachern 10

3) Doug Durrant 9

4) Johnny Franklin 8

5) Robbie Watson 7 Runs Batted In (RBI)

1) Doug Durrant 33

2) Ewan McEachern 30

3) Adam Franklin 29

4) Erik Hunter-James 28

5) Liam Zahara 27

Stolen Bases

1) Keelan Hondro 10

2) Riley Culver 10

3) Tyler Jacquet 9

Wins

1) Noah Pryce-Jones 9

2) Johnny Franklin 8

3) Adam Woodward 6

4) Dan Guillon 6

Strikeouts

1) Adam Woodward 60

2) Dan Guillon 49

3) Jamie Weismiller 40

4) Johnny Franklin 29

5) Pete Scott 28

Innings Pitched

1) Dan Guillon 80

2) Johnny Franklin 70

3) Jamie Weismiller 68

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MARKETPLACE

DUNLOP, David T D (Drew)

August, 1955 - January, 2023

It is with much shock and sorrow that we announce the passing of Drew Dunlop in January, 2023 Drew was taken to LGH with back pain and w thin on y a coup e of hours he had a fatal cardiac arrest Linda and Briana are grateful to have been with him

Drew grew up in New Westminster, rece ved h s Eng degree at UBC then began his long and dedicated career w th B C Hydro He worked on many ma or projects throughout B C and enjoyed l v ng n many of B C ’s rura towns He was in several management positions n Burnaby unt l retiring in 2020

In 1993 Drew and Linda were married Three years later Br ana entered the r l ves The fam ly ived in West Vancouver for twentyseven years and travel ed around the world, Drew sit ng h s daughter s education as the excuse!

This quiet, kind, oya and intel igent man found Bowen Is and to be a p ace of peace, tranqui ity, hopes and dreams He almost finished bui d ng a new fence for his puppy and had p ans to renovate the house and construct a much dreamed about workshop He cou d bu ld or fix ust about anything The future looked br ght indeed

L nda and Briana would ike to extend our profound gratitude to the emergency department doctors and nurses at LGH for taking such good care of this good man They were professiona , kind, considerate and very caring

Thank you to M ke for Drew’s first and last trip n the Water Taxi and to Rebecca for her cont nu ng support and fr endship

Thank you to so many of our friends and fami y who have reached out to L nda Briana and Lynne (Drew’s sister) dur ng th s t me of grief It is heartfelt to know how much he meant to so many

A Celebrat on of Life wil be held in West Vancouver n September Fee free to contact one of the fami y members for nformation

Maui MauiRelief Relief Fundraiser Fundraiser

FRIDAY AUGUST 25TH

6-10PM @ BOWEN CIDER HOUSE HAWAII THEMED PORK ROAST WITH LIVE MUSIC &SILENT AUCTION

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT BOWEN CIDER HOUSE OR BY CALLING 778-200-0514