WALKING IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS Powell River's Historic Patricia Theatre

WALKING IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS PATRICIA THEATRE FOREVER

NINA MUSSELLAM

In a newspaper published on November 8, 1928 a headline screams, "New Theatre Opened!" The story begins: "The beautiful new Patricia Theatre was opened in very appropriate style. The task of the official opening devolved on Mr. R. Bell-Irving who accomplished his task in a very pleasing manner.”

Now, after 93 years as Canada’s Longest Continuously operating movie theatre (pre-Covid-19), the Patricia Theatre’ s hand-stencilled velvet drapes are set to close over the giant movie screen forever—unless enough funds can be raised. The nonprofit Powell River Film Society is trying to purchase the property from the current owner, Ann Nelson, who is set to retire after a long career as operator extraordinaire/chief instigator.

In the early days, moving pictures were not the only choice of entertainment—live performances were common, with both local talent as well as vaudeville entertainers who arrived with the weekly steamship up the

coast. Fashion shows were popular as well, known as traveling ‘trunk shows’ with local models. Two dressing rooms sit above the exits on each side of the stage.

When McLeod Scanlon Amusements Ltd decided to build a new theatre in 1928, replacing an older, wooden structure located by the Rodmay Hotel, it happened fast. Construction started the second week of July, and was complete in 16 weeks, ready for a Grand Opening on Monday November 5, 1928.

By today's standards it is astounding that this large building, with all the up-to-date plumbing and electricity, the latest projection equipment as well as imported seating, draperies, carpets, etc. could be completed in the space of four months. What building of the same size is ready for occupancy in the same timeframe in this present day?

In 1913, there was a contest to name the original theatre at the Dwight Hall site, and that name migrated to the new building in 1928. Seems there was a lively competition, but some entries were tongue in cheek and not all family suitable.

A serious entry suggested naming the theatre after Princess Patricia, the Duke of Connaught’s daughter. The Duke was Prince Arthur, son of Queen Victoria. He was named Canada's Governor General in 1911 and served until 1916. He, his wife, and youngest daughter Princess Patricia came to Ottawa and immediately became darlings of the press. So when Mrs. A Oliver sent in the suggestion to name the theatre after Queen Victoria’s grand-daughter, there was surely no close competition. For her efforts, Mrs. Oliver won 100 theatre passes. The Patricia Theatre was named one of the top 10 Movie Theatres in Canada by Chatelaine Magazine.

You too can play a part in preserving this icon of the Historic Townsite. Visit www.prfilmfestival.ca /patricia-theatre-forever to make your contribution to saving this gorgeous piece of history.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH ROAD TRIP TO THE COVE

KEALY DONALDSON

I do many trips throughout the year from one

end of Vancouver Island to the other. Fortunately Campbell River is dead centre, geographically, and it’s 300 kilometres to the north tip and 300 kilometres to the south! I do enjoy my road time—especially when I get to head north and hit some favourite spots along the way.

It used to be when I left the River for my day trips, I would stop in at Roberts Lake Resort and grab a treat or two for the ride. Since Covid hit, some of my favourite stops have been closed, and I have re-routed and learned to enjoy new locations along the way. I do try to stop at Roberts Lake, in some form or another – whether it’s the roadside rest stop, the rustic resort property or the southern entrance park-like setting that was sponsored by Mowi (Marine Harvest) a few years back. I like to take a moment to enjoy this little beauty that is only 15 minutes out of town.

I always do a quick pull-in at Woss; we like the nickname Woss-Vegas because it is truly so small and quaint compared to the vastness of the big American Casino city. Typically a quick trip into the General Store to say hi and grab a drink and then a quick dash to the historic train site and the lovely pavilion recently built down by the tracks and Western Forest Products’ main hub. If you blink, you’ve missed this historic forestry town site.

By the time I hit my stride and am in full highway driving mode, my music is on and I'm looking forward to my favourite nature stop, Nimpkish Lake. Nimpkish is absolutely stunning but hard to see from the road line. It has a gorgeous recreational camping site, via BC Parks, and has some really fun activities like kite and wind surfing. If you are into adventure, then this is a great spot and if you just like to admire, you might get lucky and see the kites ripping around the lake on a windy day. Nimpkish Lake is the deepest body of fresh water on Vancouver Island, ranging to 1,000 feet deep, and is simply spectacular for a day trip or a few days of relaxing. I get 15 minutes of serenity and cherish every second.

You are probably thinking by now, sure these are great stops and beautiful lakes but didn’t you start off with something about a cove? I sure did! As my day progresses, I get past the great Nimpkish and closer to my destination, Telegraph Cove. It comes up pretty quickly, the Beaver Cove turn off; it’s approximately two hours north of Campbell River and there is more history along the way.

I have three main stops along this road – two coves and one bay – let’s start there, shall we?

It has been a few years now since Alder Bay Resort has had its new owners; this ever-popular spot is a great ocean-side camping destination, looking directly at Cormorant Island and Alert Bay. Fishing and fifth wheels are a huge anchor here, but you can tent camp as well as group camp. We love what’s known as the MECCA; if you are coming as a group and want to be together, this unique space is for memory making and bonding ties. Alder Bay is reasonably priced, nicely kept and an ocean view from pretty much every camp site. There are some food services on site during the summer season, and a boat launch. Coming soon is a Park Model, where you can lease-to-own your home close to Alder Bay. A great concept for those retiring or looking for that special getaway!

Back on the road and closer to my day’s destination, we pass by the dry land log sort known as Beaver Cove. Beaver Cove Log Sort pretty much sums up the history of the North Island in one glance. As you get closer to the site, you pass the Kwagis Power Generation site and can see where the deactivated train tracks were as you come around the tight S corner. Understanding the strong history of logging and forestry here is important, so make sure to stop at the lookout on the hilltop for some reflection and understanding of the economic backbone of the North Island. Wood chipping, grading and more all take place in this special hub.

It’s not far now to the cove and I’m always blown away by the back story of this tucked away village known as Telegraph Cove. We are headed right for our accommodation, the Boom Boat Suite at the Telegraph Cove Art Gallery. It’s pretty much the first building you come across once you are headed down the hill. Owned by Don Bastian and his wife Denise, the Boom Boat Suite is simply the most darling accommodation in the entire footprint of the cove. Completely redone by Bastian, and highlighting his master craft of woodworking, this off the beaten path suite is perfectly situated for a few days rest and relaxation in Telegraph Cove. Not only are you right by the Art Gallery–and surely will be taking home some of the beautiful hand-crafted items made on site–you are only a few footsteps away from the historic beauty of the cove itself. Telegraph Cove originates from 1912 when it became a telegraph hub from the Campbell River Telegraph line. It found its true identity as a sawmill, cutting wood to make boxes for the salted salmon used in the home market. The original sawmill was constructed in 1922. Soon after the outbreak of World War II, the mill was expropriated in the name of National Defence. Sixty five airmen arrived to staff and operate the mill. After the war, it returned to providing the custom lumber used for almost all the early boats, building and docks built on the North Island. Now, it’s a seasonal tourist destination filled with local adventure tourism, a whale museum and colourful cabins along an 800’ boardwalk with small cafes, historic plaques and little shops to pop in and out of.

The true beauty of the North Island shines in Telegraph Cove and all the stops along the way! This is the season to get out and connect with the rich history and natural beauty that surrounds us here on Vancouver Island!

For more details on the Boom Boat Suite and the Telegraph Cove Art Gallery, check out www.donbastian.com. Stay for the day, or make time to explore more!,

The Boom Boat Suite at the Telegraph Cove Art Gallery Photos © Kealy Donaldson

Underwater view of a Dall's porpoise © Josh McInnes

Flora + Fauna

OF THE NORTHWEST COAST

The Diversity of Wasps

LUNA LOISEAU-TREMBLAY

As our planet is struggling to maintain life in the

face of climate change, a common thread in conversations regarding the health of the environment is the concern for the wellbeing of our pollinators on a global and local scale. “Insect Apocalypse” or “The Sixth Extinction Event” are frequent headlines, and everywhere we look it seems like there are new campaigns, books, articles, educational programs and many other things to save the honey bees, thought of as our most important group of insect pollinators.

Although it is true that bees are our most important economic pollinators because of their relationship with agriculture, the significance of other pollinator groups is often overlooked, with much less coverage than the superstar honeybees. Many other insects pollinate the plants around us, including beetles, flies, ants, butterflies, mosquitos and wasps, to name a few.

As we pull out the camping gear and BBQs, hang up the hummingbird feeders or try to have a sandwich on a log at the beach, it becomes clear that wasps have adapted well to our habits. They join us on our seasonal adventures, often ending in painful stings or exasperated efforts to get rid of them. News headlines about the famous Asian Giant Hornet (AKA Murder hornets) have been in and out of the news this last year, which has concluded in many people killing insects that resemble but are not the Asian Giant Hornet, for fear that we’ll be inundated with a scourge of murderous wasps. These maligned insects belong to the order Hymenoptera, and with bees and ants make up the suborder Apocrita.

The wasps that we are most familiar with, hornets and yellowjackets, belong to the family Vespidae and are social insects, having a nest with a queen that lays the eggs and workers that do not reproduce, although a large amount of wasp species are solitary. Females usually have an ovipositor (tube-like organ) which is used to lay eggs on or near the preferred food source, but some wasp groups have an ovipositor modified into a stinger used for defence or killing prey.

Wasps can be distinguished from bees by their lack of hair and the presence of a tapered waist area. They are

Hoverfly (wasp mimic) Photo © Adobestock / asfloro

omnivores, feeding on fruit, visiting flowers for nectar, foraging on carrion or killing prey for food. This group of insects is incredibly diverse with over a hundred thousand described species of wasps in the world, with a wide variety of ecological roles and behaviors.

Many wasps exhibit a variety of warning colouration and because of this, are also the subjects of mimicry by other insects, such as some species of moths, hoverflies and beetles whose coloration mimics the wasps, allowing them to be protected from predation because of their appearance.

Wasps are important biological pest control, as many solitary wasps are parasites on an incredible array of insects, including pests that compromise agriculture with a wide variety of very interesting and intricate host/parasite dynamics. Parasitoid wasps are extremely diverse and exploit a huge number of niches. Many parasitize by depositing their eggs using their ovipositors, injecting venom beforehand to paralyze the host, which is then eaten by the larvae when it emerges. Host species can be diverse, anything from butterfly caterpillars to spiders and other Hymenopteran species (bees, wasps, ants). In this way, wasps are excellent biological pest control if it is a host species that is impacting human food production, such as aphids or pest caterpillars. Parasitoid wasps can also exhibit kleptoparasitism, which is a form of parasitism by stealing other species resources (food etc) or exploiting the care by other wasp species by depositing eggs into other nests to be taken care of.

In pollination, many species of wasps do not contribute because they lack the soft hairs and modified pollen carrying parts that non-parasitic bees have, however many species of wasps are still able to be effective pollinators regardless of this. The intricate pollination relationships between wasps, orchids and penstemons is well studied as is the mutualistic relationship between pollinating wasps and figs. Many species of wasp, such as the common ones we see around us, such as yellow jackets, are fiercely predatory but rely heavily on nectar as a food source.

Without a doubt, it feels like wasps are a nuisance compared to our perception of other common pollinators. However, it is good to remember that they contribute strongly to many ecological processes going on around us every day and are woven into our daily interactions with the natural environment.

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