Aqua
COMFOR T FOOD Marcia
Jansen's popular column inside
Gulf Islands
Living
JULY/AUGUST 2017 Volume 12, Issue 4
What it Takes Saturna unites to preserve its maritime heritage
BEAUTIFUL BURLS The tale behind a transforming maple tree
crane + robin Seaside cuisine at Montague Harbour
Arts | food
| people
| history
| f e s t i v a l s | VE N T U RES
at
providence farm in Duncan A THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY
Page 2 – AQUA – July/August 2017
Happiness is... ...nurturing others and helping them to flourish.
Servicing Victoria, Oak Bay, the Saanich Peninsula and now the Gulf Islands.
Award-winning, consistent quality home support, customized for your lifestyle.
9752 Third Street, Sidney 250-656-7176 or 250-589-0010
info@SaltSpringIslandSeniorCare.com 250-538-7411 or 1-855-252-5641 (toll free)
Oak Bay Community 778-433-4784 or 250-589-0010 June/July 2016 – AQUA – Page 3
COVER STORY
From Fog Alarm Building to Saturna Heritage Centre, PAGE 8
contents 23
TANTALIZERS! PAGE 6
THE ARTS
Pender jeweller makes ears look beautiful around the world, PAGE 15 Bruce Edmundson has his eye on your spare burls, PAGE 39
RURAL LIFE
Salt Spring farriers host their blacksmithing peers, PAGE 23
ISLAND CUISINE • hastingshouse.com • 1-800-661-9255 • 250-537-2362
Crane and Robin cooks up a storm at Montague Harbour, PAGE 31
FESTIVALS
Galiano Wine & Beer Festival marks 25th year, PAGE 45
COMFORT FOOD
Biscuits and gravy from the kitchen of Zak Cutshall's grandmother, PAGE 36
Q&A
Salt Spring ceramic artist Pat Webber, PAGE 46
160 Upper Ganges Rd, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 2S2 Page 4 – AQUA – July/August 2017
46
39
JULY/ AUGUST 2017
Hard work is worth it
I
t was time for the behemoth of a fir tree at the edge of our deck to go. I no longer felt relaxed in the hot tub on windy nights watching the tree’s waving limbs threatening to fall and clonk me on the head. It took a while, but I finally convinced Michael we should pay some experts to bring it down. “Look,” I said, “firewood right outside our door. What could be better?” Michael wasn’t as excited as I thought he would be. “It still needs to be split,” he said. His grimace told me his shoulders were screaming at the mere thought of the hours of maul swinging required. Like every problem, a solution was close at hand. Like many solutions, it came in a crate from China. It’s a Champion hydraulic wood splitter and its 20 tonnes of force is our new best friend. With the Champion’s engine humming we attacked our first pile of rounds with the hi-ho enthusiasm of the Seven Dwarfs. We rolled the rounds over to the splitter, muscled them onto the stand, pulled the lever, marvelled
michael murray photo
Editor’s Message
at the blade almost gently splitting the wood apart, repositioned the remaining fractions and repeated the process before throwing the pieces into a quickly growing pile. It all seemed so effortless. Three cheers for mechanization! But trading a splitting maul for a machine did not eliminate the pain factor, unfortunately. When I woke up the next day I could not move my right arm more than six inches into the air without feeling like my shoulder had been struck by an axe, ironically. My wood-splitting experience makes me relate to all of the hard work with hands done by people featured in this issue of Aqua, from the restoration of the Fog Alarm Building on Saturna to the burl harvesting and sculpting activities of Bruce Edmundson to the tools made by farriers at a blacksmithing workshop on Salt Spring this year. Jewellers, cooks and potters all work hard with their hands as well. With my firewood split, stacked and drying, and a clear view above the hot tub, I’m ready for a relaxing summer. I hope you are too. — Gail Sjuberg
Aqua Gulf Islands
Living
This issue published July 5, 2017 Publisher: Amber Ogilvie Editor: Gail Sjuberg Art Director & Production: Lorraine Sullivan Advertising: Fiona Foster, Drew Underwood Aqua Writers: Cherie Thiessen, Roger Brunt, Pat Burkette, Marcia Jansen Aqua Photographers: Nancy Angermeyer, Pat Burkette, David Dossor, Bree Herbert, Marcia Jansen, Jen MacLellan, Cherie Thiessen Cover photo of the Fog Alarm Building restoration by Nancy Angermeyer Aqua is published by Driftwood Publishing Ltd., 328 Lower Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island, B.C. V8K 2V3 Phone: 250-537-9933 / Email: news@driftwoodgimedia.com Websites: www.driftwoodgimedia.com; www.gulfislandstourism.com; www.gulfislandsdriftwood.com Publications Mail Reg. #08149 Printed in Canada
ONCE PART OF THE ORIGINAL PRINGLE FARM AND LONG ADMIRED FOR ITS LUSH, LEVEL TOPOGRAPHY,THIS VERDANT LANDSCAPE PROVIDES A GROUNDING SETTING FOR AN ESTATE OF THIS MAGNITUDE. Carefully sited to take full advantage of its front row ocean vistas, the elegant, traditional home with its 10 acres is the ideal arrangement for connoisseurs of country living. Constructed in 2006, the residence greets with a stunning water feature and footbridge and introduces itself by inviting you to pass through its impressive entry doors. Here, the scale reveals itself in a plan that is both comfortable and grand. Classic wide verandahs and impressive white columns wrap the home in true signature style. Park-like swaths of lawn and colourful gardens unfold before a lake-sized pond and guest house, while mature trees and shrubs provide an ideal natural contrast to the order and symmetry of the home’s architectural origins. $1,998,500
Artfully uniting extraordinary properties with extraordinary lives
Chris & Darlene Hobbs 250.537.1778
thehobbs.ca | sothebysrealty.ca 120 Lower Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island, BC July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 5
JEN MACLELLAN PHOTO
from all musical styles will take the stage, from Juno Award winners like Pharis and Jason Romero, and Jim Byrnes, to classic big band sounds of The Commodores or Turning cream into butter Victoria’s Dixieland at last year's Heritage Day. Express. All shows start at 8 p.m. except on Saturday nights, when they begin at 7 p.m. and are followed by a fireworks show at 10 p.m. See the www.butchartgardens.com website for the complete schedule. • August is fall fair month on Mayne and Pender islands. Mayne’s famous fair celebrating all things agricultural is on Saturday, Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Agricultural Hall site. For people aiming to submit entries for the flowers, fruits and vegetable categories of the fair, a seminar has been set for Monday, July 31 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the hall. Julie Schueck will advise people on how to present their exhibits and what judges look for in an entry. The Pender Island Fall Fair is on Saturday, Aug. 26, with a theme of In Simpler Times. A special evening concert presented by Daniel Lapp and friends is part of this year’s fair. The entry catalogue is available on the Pender Islands Farmers’ Institute website.
We have all you need to take landscaping and gardening into your own hands.
Add
a Touch of Class to your backyard
MOUAT’S
• • • •
storage sheds and bins garden tools • mowers seeds and bedding plants blowers • trimmers
Lawn Furniture RS 2000 IMPORTE ED LIMIT
Located in Mouat’s Home Hardware building mon-sat 8:30-5:30 sun & holidays 10-5 • 250-537-5551 Page 6 – AQUA – July/August 2017
JEN MACLELLAN PHOTO
• The excitement is mounting for ArtSpring’s 17th annual Treasure Fair. The 2017 version offers more irresistible goods and experiences than ever before, with all money raised helping to support Salt Spring’s arts centre. ArtSpring will be filled with hundreds of silent auction items from Thursday through Saturday, July 13-15, from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The live auction is on Saturday night from 7 to 8 p.m., and a gala socializer begins at 5:30. The auction catalogue is available now on the www.artspring.ca website. The Daniel Lapp Trio will also perform in the theatre on Friday, July 14 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the event. • Also on Salt Spring in July is Heritage Day. It’s an acknowledgement of the island’s rural history with a focus on old-time skills. Kids can try things like churning butter, weaving baskets and hammering nails into logs, and the blacksmithing group is among those providing demonstrations. This year a tugof-war contest has also been organized. Heritage Day is on Sunday, July 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Salt Spring Farmers’ Institute grounds. • Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay is once again hosting nightly outdoor China set from a past Treasure Fair. concerts through the summer. Performers
COVERI NG THE ISLANDS
S EA F I R ST I N S U RA NC E B ROK E R S
The Cobbler 718 View Street, Victoria
Suite 1103 - 115 Fulford-Ganges Rd., SSI, BC V8K 2T9 Ph: 250-537-5527 • Fax: 250-537-9700 Website: seafirstinsurance.com
250-386-3741
HENRI PROC + ER personal real estate corporation
101-170 FuLFORD-GANGES ROAD, SALT SpRING ISLAND, bRITISH COLumbIA V8K 2T8 Ph 250.537.1201 • henriprocter@gmail.com • www.realtysaltspringisland.com
SpELLbINDING OCEANFRONT
$3,600,000
A 10.5 acre waterfront of compelling beauty, this unique property is exceptional by every measure. Carefully situated to benefit from the stunning views over the entrance to Ganges Harbour and nearby islands. With 679‘ of waterfront, deep water moorage, and an excellent dock, it’s a great spot for boats of all sizes. The land has a virgin quality that is rare in today’s world, great fun to explore the natural world. The house consists of over 3800 sq. ft. environmentally inspired and custom designed by architects Osburn/Clarke. Impeccable workmanship, impeccable home, the “wave house” inspires with an open plan and airy post & beam construction. Dual clerestory windows and banks of floor to ceiling windows allow natural light to accentuate the impeccable interior and highlights natures finest. Serene, secluded and fully fenced for maximum privacy and including a separate and charming 2 bedroom cottage comfortably hosting guests or caretakers. The out of doors enchants with scenic views, hot tub, woodland trails, and a great beach for beachcombing. An extremely rare and fine offering. AWARD OF EXCELLENCE 2016
GOLD 2016
July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 7
Island History
DAVID DOSSOR photo
The Fog Alarm Building: it’s FAB!
Many hands create Saturna Heritage centre and preserve island history By CHERIE THIESSEN Photos as credited
Page 8 – AQUA – July/August 2017
It’s hard to imagine a more halcyon setting than this humped
grassy headland with its sculptured sandstone foreshore and its views over Boundary Pass and Georgia Strait, a favoured feeding ground for killer whales and a magical place for humans. A whitewashed little building preens at its tip, unprepossessing and at home. The claim that this is one of the most photographed spots in the Gulf Islands does not seem too implausible as I take it all in. It’s one of those sparkling late September days with which the West Coast often gifts us and I’m soon met at the Saturna Heritage Centre’s door by retired architect Richard Blagborne. Immediately the tiny SHC wraps its walls around me while I settle across from its saviour and learn some of the history, trying not to be distracted by the views from the window out over churning East Point and the Strait of Georgia.
The simple structure, originally built in 1939 to house a Canadian invention, the diaphone fog alarm, was called the Fog Alarm Building (FAB). Forcing compressed air through a pipe, these two-tone alarms all had distinctive rhythms along the coast so ships’ captains would know where they were in reduced visibility. The wooden lighthouse built at the top of East Point’s hill in 1886 was one of the earliest coastal lighthouses, but it was not much use in the heavy banks of fog that frequently settled over Gulf Islands waters. East Point, with its treacherous rocks and swirling waters, was one of the last places captains would want to find themselves in foggy conditions, so a fog alarm was the answer. FAB’s saviour says he prefers the term “community organizer” because “the community wanted to save the building. I illustrated how it could be done and they responded to my suggestions and cajoling,” Blagborne is leaning back in a comfortable chair behind the well-used desk. Behind him a picturesque staircase twists up to the attic where the diaphone foghorns were housed. He’s giving me some of the venerable building’s history and his cogent and focused presentation is another gift. “In 2008 this building was going to be hauled away in the back of the truck before we convinced Parks Canada that we could make better use of it. Our original purpose was not to create an interpretation centre; it was to save the building. Once it became clear that we probably could make the best
T WO SPECIAL PROPERTIES ON A SPECIAL ISLAND!
Tidal oceanfront home, cook’s dream kitchen, dramatic living, feature fireplace, 3 en suite bedrooms, family room. Sep. guest cottage. Sunny 3+ acres. Warm ocean swimming in Southey Bay. A delight! MLS# R2158949 $1,570,000
Enjoy your Golden Years in this custom designed, well maintained 3 bed, 3 bath home. Beautiful ocean views of Ganges Harbour & beyond. Sunny, private, & easy care 1.36 acres. Close to town. Don’t overlook! MLS# R2163962 $659,000
See Li for Successful Solutions! Platinum Collection Visit Li Read at her office at #4 -105 Rainbow Rd. across from Ganges Marina Contact Li Read today at 250-537-7647 or LiRead33@Gmail.com Visit www.LiRead.ca for a showcase of fine properties for sale! MLS Medallion Award, 2016 and MLS President’s Award, 2016 July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 9
“I’m a believer that history can be a great activator, a doorway into lots of useful actions.”
DAVID DOSSOR photo
RICHARD BLAGBORNE
Page 10 – AQUA – July/August 2017
Adirondack chairs at the side of the Saturna Heritage Centre. Top right: Poster inside the centre. Page 8: Richard Blagborne and writer Cherie Thiessen explore the grounds of the centre at East Point.
case for saving it by illustrating it could serve as such a centre, we went for it.” Eventually, the deal was done and the Fog Alarm Building was saved, renovated and reborn as the Saturna Heritage Centre, with the help of a group of 40 volunteers, locally known as “The Fabulous Forty.” They scraped off old paint, replaced rotten wood, rebuilt old windows and re-roofed it before the winter rain and blasts set in. Blagborne says there were actually more than 80 who helped, even if it was only showing up with coffee and cookies for the crew, an impressive number for an island population of just over 300! “We have a very successful collaboration with Parks Canada. Their park interpreter uses this as a base when she’s here. And the [Saturna Island Marine Research and Education Society] uses the facility as well — installing and monitoring webcams. Fisheries is interested in having something set up on the tower too; all of these things are coming together. We now have our hydrophones being used by the Vancouver Aquarium and the University of Victoria, as well as by scientists.” It’s fun in here. Only 20’x25’ with around 450 square feet available to
NANCY ANGERMEYER photo
visitors, the miniscule SHC hums with history. A replica of the Spanish schooner after which the island was named, the Santa Saturnina, is encased nearby. Above it hangs a meticulous painting of the ship by Gordon Miller, a well-known marine artist and retired chief designer at the Vancouver Museum and Vancouver Maritime Museum. “What’s for lunch on a ship in 1790?” asks the adjacent sign, and then answers it. Hard to imagine 22 men eating lunch and living on a vessel just under 40 feet in length! Blagborne sees my eyes drifting out the window. “That window is there because I found the original drawings for this building on the walls in the Coast Guard archives back in Ottawa and that enabled me to prove to Parks Canada that there used to be a window here, so then we were able to reproduce it and put it back in.” The architect, who has lived on Saturna for 26 years and on Salt Spring for 17 years before that, received a special community service award from the Islands Trust for his work on SHC’s rehabilitation. There were other forces at work too, however. The lighthouse and former FAB was one of the first historic light stations to be protected under the federal government’s Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act. This was due to lobbying and dedication by past senator and Saturna Island resident, Pat Carney, and the resulting bill. Only six such lighthouses in Canada to have this designation. “Having Pat Carney on our side was a huge advantage, of course. She worked hard to convince Ottawa that lighthouse stations could be real assets to communities. And this small station was always very significant because when it was built the merchants wanted to get Nanaimo’s coal down to markets and [East Point] is the worst corner. There were no lights before then at all.”
From left, island historian Bakhshish Gill, Saanich-Gulf Islands MP Elizabeth May, Fog Alarm Building chair Richard Blagborne, retired senator Pat Carney, Tsawout First Nation rep Lorne Underwood, Parks Canada Gulf Islands superintendent Marcia Morash with a plaque designating the site a "heritage lighthouse" by the federal government.
Spectacular Summer Evenings
June 15th - September 15th
See The Gardens in a whole new light— a subtle play of light and shadow that is truly unique to The Butchart Gardens
Summer Nights with Entertainment beginning July 1st at 7:15pm
butchartgardens.com
250.652.5256
July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 11
From top: The view from East Point; model of the Santa Saturnina, the ship for which Saturna is named. Next page: The Sirens of Saturna dance to a setting sun and rising full moon at a special event.
Page 12 – AQUA – July/August 2017
It took two years to complete the renovating and renewal of what became the SHC because in winter nothing could be done except for the putting together and planning of archival presentations. “Getting power back down there was one of our biggest expenses,” Blagborne recalls. “It was around $10,000; we needed a trench dug and cable laid, and then because it was a park two archaeologists had to be in attendance. We managed to get done for Christmas of 2009 when the power was turned on and we put all the Christmas lights on.” The group obtained a $25,000 grant from the federal New Horizons for Seniors program and the Canadian Museums Association has been extremely helpful in finding summer students for SHC and in paying for 75 per cent of the wages of one or two students each summer. As Blagborne enthuses, lots of things happen here at the centre because it is such a wonderful place. He recalls a magical evening last summer when under a full moon a Montreal artist specializing in video setups projected images on the building to 150 entranced people sitting on the grass. “The centre just came to life.” While we are talking, it comes to life in another way. A group of island visitors have discovered the door open and have tentatively come in. Seeing as the “organizer” is about to show me the presentation of Moby Doll and how she changed the way people looked at orcas, the group is invited to join us on benches in the other room. Moby Doll is well documented, professional and well presented. There are other things to see in this room as well: the walls are full of history and a portable exhibit chronicles Saturna’s famous lamb barbecue. Although there is a lot of information everywhere I look, it doesn’t feel crammed in here. The visitors leave, enlightened and entertained, and as I prepare to leave too, a passionate Blagborne shares this: “History is anything but dead. I’m a believer that history can be a great activator, a doorway into lots of useful actions. Look at the Moby Doll story, for example. We resurrected that story and hosted a symposium, used it as a device to attract people to come to our island. We wanted to show how real evidence led to a change
For information regarding opening times, exhibits, etc. go to
www.saturnaheritage.ca.
For travel to Saturna visit
NANCY ANGERMEYER photo
www.bcferries.com.
in attitude. There used to be a lot of ignorance; people wanted to get rid of killer whales. Now 50 years later they’re iconic and people can’t get enough of them. It was Moby Doll who changed all that. We activated her story as a way of doing something good for our island and it worked. Now we have a large number of scientists who are honorary citizens to
Want to read about it? Mark Leiren-Young’s 2016 book The Killer Whale Who Changed the World was partially researched at FAB. (Greystone Books)
the island and who love to come here. The centre has provided the means for us to find a way to engage our community in a way that has been very fruitful. This island is full of stories and if we had the time we could write some more, host some more symposiums and bring in a whole other crop of new people to enrich our lives here on the island.”
Soapstone
Phone: (250)650-1213
e-mail: info@islandsoapstone.com
It’s like blue jeans for your countertops
www.IslandSoapstone.com
Vancouver Island’s only dedicated soapstone shop, located in beautiful Maple Bay, BC!
Now fabricating a line of Quartz starting at $85/sq.ft. July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 13
Coastal
Getaways
B DgiBeacon M Inn B
Find out what’s happening on the Gulf Islands
DriftwooD gulf islanDs MeDia
AT
SIDNEY
5 Star Luxury in the Heart of Sidney
publishes the Driftwood newspaper and several magazines both in Summer printRatesand online. starting at $159 DriftwooD Complimentary To subscribe call gulf • Gourmét breakfastsislanDs
LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND
Q premier cottage rentals close to town and amenities
DgiM
info@lakeshoreonsaltspring.com Lakeshoreonsaltspring.com • 1-888-537-4854
Come on over the fish are biting
CO & BO
www.gulfislandsdriftwood.com
• Parking & WiFi 250.537.9933 MeDia
9724 3rd St., Sidney BC | 1.877.420.5499 | www.thebeaconinn.com
www.paulzolob.com FIND:
Planning a 250.526.2626 Gulf Island paul@paulzolob.com Getaway ? places to stay ... places to play maps and markets dining and entertainment
getaway do
Everything you’ll need to know forSalt a fun filled vacation Serving Spring Island & the Southern Gulf Islands ON OUR ALL INCLUSIVE WEBSITE
Distinctive West Coast style gulfislandstourism.com In this 3 bedroom plus den home on 3 acres. Elaborate craftsmanship and elegant design incorporating natural light and property characteristics make this home unique and welcoming. Lower level has a separate entrance with access to bedroom, bath and family room. Enjoy relaxation or entertaining outdoors from either the covered or open deck with easterly ocean views to Active Pass. Fully enclosed garden areas provide opportunity for your inspiration. Garage has separate driveway and lots of storage. Local access to parks and trails. Fulfill your dream with this private and peaceful home! $895,000
AQUA GULF ISLANDS
Duncan Realty
Salt Spring Office
LIVING
Next Edition May 27 342 Lower Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island Ad Deadline April 22 INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Page 14 – AQUA – July/August 2017
Paul Zolob
Aqua is distributed throughout the Gulf Islands, Victoria, the Cowichan Valley and
BROKER/REALTOR®
DUNCAN PAGE FILLER & SIDNEY PAGE FILLER
dd 1
RUSS SEARLE photo
Jewelry
Taking it Road
21/06/2017 3:23:41 PM
Shirley Searle’s Ear Curls in high demand By CHERIE THIESSEN Photos by CHERIE THIESSEN, except as noted
❝T
he two crates are eight feet long, four feet wide and five feet tall, on six heavy-duty casters.” Pender Island jewelry entrepreneur Shirley Searle answers my question. I was wondering if she travelled light when attending her wholesale and retail shows. “They contain 23 sheets of gridwall, track lighting, two cabinets full of inventory with a tabletop that connects them, interlocking foam flooring, a digital frame running a video loop, a cash register, two Ikea chairs, two cases of brochures, desk lamps, ladder, draperies, banners and signs, tools, extra stock and a travelling jewelry workshop so I can make anything we run short of or do custom orders
July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 15
*MSRP of $27,670 package with an M Pattison Subaru V
When rains, youryour Subaru BOXER® engine roars. VisitVisit Jim Pattison Subaru Victoria today. When ititrains, your Subaru BOXER® engine roars. JimPattison Pattison Subaru Victoria today. When it rains, Subaru BOXER® engine roars. Visit Jim Subaru Victoria today. 2017 CROSSTREK TOURING
2017 CROSSTREK TOURING 2017 CROSSTREK TOURING bi-weekly payment 48 proud mos lease to at down payment Jim Pattison Subaru is WELL-EQUIPPED FROM
159 159
$ $ WELL-EQUIPPED FROM *
27,970 $
WELL-EQUIPPED* FROM
27,970 * 27,970
$
LE V $ 1 2 ,7 4 4 P LUS TAXE S
bi-weekly payment
0 0 0.9 0.9
48 mos lease at * provide Vancouver, $ down payment %* and the * plus tax $ $ %* Gulf Islands with the largest plus tax selection of new and pre-owned | STO CK # JP 7 3 9 4 | MO D E L # HX2 T P Subaru vehicles.
LEV $12,744 PLUS TAXES | STOCK # JP7394 | MODEL # HX2TP
*Pricing applies to a 2017 Crosstrek Touring with MSRP of $27,970 including Freight & PDI ($1,675). Documentation Fee ($395), Tire Levy ($25), Air Conditioning Fee ($100), taxes, license, registration, and insurance are extra. Leasing and financing programs available through Subaru Financial Services by TCCI on approved credit. Offers available until June 30, 2017. Offers are subject to change or cancellation at any time without notice. Vehicle shown solely for purpose of illustration and may not be equipped as shown. See Jim Pattison Subaru Victoria for complete program details. †Ratings are awarded by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Please visit www.iihs.org for testing methods. Dealer #40319.
*Pricing applies to a 2017 Crosstrek Touring with MSRP of $27,970 including Freight & PDI ($1,675). Documentation Fee ($395), Tire Levy ($25), Air Conditioning Fee ($100), taxes, license, registration, and insurance are extra. Leasing and financing programs available through Subaru Financial Services by TCCI on approved credit. Offers*Pricing available applies until Juneto 30,a2017. are subject to change cancellation at any including time withoutFreight notice. Vehicle solely for purpose of illustration and may be equipped shown. See JimFee Pattison Subaru Victoria for complete program and details. †Ratings are the Insurance 2017Offers Crosstrek Touring with or MSRP of $27,970 & PDIshown ($1,675). Documentation Fee ($395), Tirenot Levy ($25), AirasConditioning ($100), taxes, license, registration, insurance areawarded extra. by Leasing and Institute for
JPSubaruVictoria.com | 1784 Island Highway, Victoria, BC | 1-888-619-0809
Highway Safety (IIHS). Please visit www.iihs.org testing methods. #40319. financing programs availableforthrough SubaruDealer Financial Services by TCCI on approved credit. Offers are subject to change or cancellation at any time without notice. Vehicle shown solely for purpose of illustration and may not be equipped
as shown. See Jim Pattison Subaru Victoria for complete program details. †Ratings are awarded by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Please visit www.iihs.org for testing methods. Dealer #40319.
JPSubaruVictoria.com | 1784 Island Highway, Victoria, BC | 1-888-619-0809 Dealer #40319
JPSubaruVictoria.com | 1784 Island Highway, Victoria, BC | (250) 474-2211
“Mine are a continuous piece of wire with beads strung onto it, then bent into shape.” SHIRLEY SEARLE
With more before, it’s Forester t available i
while customers wait. The crates weigh about 1,600 lbs. each. We need two shipping crates complete with inventory because with shows every weekend in the fall, there are situations where delivery cannot be made in time if there is only one crate.” So no, she doesn’t travel light. When Shirley and her husband and partner, Russ, take Ear Curls on the road, they mean business. The company has grown way beyond craft fairs, farmers markets and fall fairs. Elevenhour days, the challenges of air travel and accommodations, the maintainingForester of inventory andBase keeping abreastMSRP of suppliers and trends, they’ve 0 on 2017 2.5i Model. includes Freight & PDI of $1,675. Taxes, license, registration and insurance are extra. Above and page 15: Shirley Searle works on a new pair of Ear Curls. all covered with an itinerary that exhaust most Dealers of us. If it’smay sell for less or may have to order or trade. Vehicle shown solely MSRPgot of it$41,170 including Freight & would PDI of $1,675. Below: Shirley, right, helps a customer make a purchasing decision that’ll be Toronto. If it’s March it’ll be Owner’s the Vancouver Gift Expo VictoriaJanuary, for complete program details. See Manual for complete details on system operation and limitations. Forester and S at her kiosk at the Swartz Bay ferry terminal. first and then the five-day One of a Kind show in Toronto. Moving right along they’ll be heading to Ottawa and then Vancouver for spring craft shows there, and then there’s Red Deer, Fort McMurray, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge and Calgary in Alberta, and Regina in Saskatchewan in the fall and then back to Toronto in the winter. Does she rest in summer? No way! That’s when you’ll see her tending her busy Marketplace booth at BC Ferries' Swartz Bay terminal. What’s so special about this jewellery that has spearheaded a thriving business? It’s so simple it’s obvious. Ear Curls are earrings of various lengths fitting into the curve of the ear. While they involve only one piercing, the effect is of multiple ones. Shirley explains: “The earrings go from size 1 to 5, based on the number of beads. Sometimes school groups will come to the trade shows and then we get really swamped because 13-to-15-year-old girls can’t resist them. The appeal is that they can look like their friends with lots of piercings. The parents love them because they’re safe. There’s virtually no chance of infection and only the one piercing. I use Canadian or American sterling silver because it’s purer and hypoallergenic. People can safely wear this silver.” Shirley, who attends both retail and wholesale trade shows with her partner Russ, says the bulk of her business comes from the former because, unlike most jewelry, hers benefits from being hands on. “These are not the kind of items you can hang on a rack and have someone buy them. There needs to be some interaction. When somebody buys a pair of these at the shows, especially the size-5 ones, I make sure the ear curl is the same shape as their ear. I contour and shape and tighten and bend it. And there first step with the wire, he puts the beads on, I bend them and snip the needs to be some education with each sale. I think that’s why a lot of wire and he grinds the ends and puts them on the cards and packages people who try to copy the concept don’t do extremely well.” them.” Shirley was educated in accounting and computer programming, and Previously they had run the historic (and now sadly demolished) Russ' work history included a stint as a sales representative at Xerox and Port Washington Store on Pender for 10 years, so they were well versed three terms as school trustee on Pender. Between them they have many in working as a team. Shirley also attributes some of her success to her of the elements needed to create a successful business. father’s background and the family store. “After Russ finished being school trustee he came on as full partner,” “My dad’s business was lapidary and that’s where I learned silversmithShirley says. “He designs the brochures, the banners and my cards. He ing and gemstone cutting, so a love of jewelry was instilled in me at an works all of our shows with me, including set-up and tear down and is a early age.” great salesman. We also work as a team in the creation process. I do the
JPSubaruVictoria.com | 1784 Island Highway, Victo
July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 17
But how did she ever come up with the design? “Actually, the concept was not my idea. I saw a picture of an earring developed in the States called an Ear Pin so that inspired me, but [the creator] was using precious stones and the price tag was $500. I loved the concept and the look but not the price, so I reinvented it in wire and beads. Ear pins have a wire going up the back of the ear, as mine do, but the part that sits on the front of the ear is a solid piece of gold (or silver), set with diamonds. Mine are a continuous piece of wire with beads strung onto it, then bent into shape.” She ran into a few bumps on her road to success, however, the most serious one caused by what she calls her arrogance. “Designing for my ear just seemed like a really good idea, but after several years I noticed that my ear was much wider in the lobe than most people's. I hadn’t realized that there were thousands of ear shapes. So at first, I could not understand why the ear curls weren’t working on everybody.”
Although she has always used sterling silver wire, the jeweller’s beads initially were glass and the little beads on the side were silver or gold plate. Now she uses Swarovski crystal in over 30 colours and selections and North American sterling silver. “And people like to wear gold, so I use a 14-karat gold-filled material called rolled gold in Europe.” The Searles came to Pender Island via Vancouver and Victoria in 1980, lured by a love of sailing, and Shirley took up beading and embroidery in her spare time in the early '90s, but it was the Pender Christmas Craft Fair 18 years ago that started it all. “I saw it was coming up and said to my young daughters, ‘Why don’t we make up some jewelry and sell it at the fair?’ I had a nice collection of beads that we turned into funky necklaces and I had 50 pairs of ear curls and they all went. That really got me going!” This is definitely a family business and neither of the partners is interested in it getting any larger. “All three girls, Katherine, Moe
Gulf Island
Country Lanes DgiM
New men’s wallets & messenger bags Tent outside on Saturdays
BOUTIQUE
publishes the Driftwood newspaper and several magazines both in print and online. To subscribeDriftwooD call gulf islanDs
Q
rhubarb designs #110 in Ganges Alley, Ganges, SSI OSISIBOUTIQUE.COM
DriftwooD gulf islanDs MeDia
THE SHOP
105.149 Fulford-Ganges Rd 250.537.8873 | www.lorrainehamilton.ca
DgiM
250.537.9933 MeDia
Planning a Gulf Island Getaway ?
pla
d
Eve
ON O
gulfislandstou
Page 18 – AQUA – July/August 2017
and Linda, (and Russ, of course) have been involved in both the manufacture and selling processes to different degrees at various times,” says Shirley. “Moe helped pay her way through university making the ear cuffs, which retail for $15 a pair. She took them to the Calgary Stampede one year and sold a thousand in a week. And we have, on several occasions, done the Filberg Festival in Comox with the entire family running the booth.” Now Shirley has to go. It’s time to get ready for the summer crowds at the Swartz Bay terminal. You ever notice how people seem to fall into their neatest jobs when they retire?
The best place to check out Ear Curls is at the Swartz Bay ferry terminal's Marketplace area. The booth is open 7 days a week, 9-5 Sunday through Friday; 9-2 on Saturday until Sept. 12. Although her ear curls are her biggest seller, along with her mini cuff that slips on the top of the ear, Shirley also markets drop earring styles, sterling silver martini spoons, wine curls (to mark your glass) and popular hair wraps. The website at www.earcurls.com gives a good idea of the range of products available.
Gulf Island
Country Lanes
Size Two with Drops.indd 1
Summer Fun on Salt Spring Island!
SIDNEY
EYELAND OPTICAL
Spring into
Summer 30-50% off all glasses
2451 Beacon Avenue, Sidney 250-656-3626 #3 - 316 Cook Street, Victoria 250-380-2735
Outsider Jewellery & Intelligent Clothing
GD
Giulietta Designs GALLERY & STUDIO
Register on line for our summer programs
Ganges Alley, 127-149 Fulford-Ganges Road 250.931.1290 info@giuliettadesigns.com www.giuliettadesign.com
rainwooddancestudio.com
ISLAND GIRLS B outique
Awaken your inner mermaid...clothing and jewellery by Charlene Pender Island, BC located at the Driftwood Centre
islandgirlstyles.com July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 19
world worldofofcoco
aa
• •Belly BellyDance DanceOutfits Outfits &&Accessories Accessories • •LPs LPs • •Books Books • •Comics Comics&&Magazines Magazines • •Crystal Crystal
Come visit
SEE WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER! a
world of collectibles
• Belly Dance Outfits & Accessories • LPs • Books • Comics & Magazines • Crystal
NO N
Vin V wit w LPs LPsa 242
• Brass • Toys • Sports Cards • Daguerrotype Photos • Knives & Swords • Antique & Collectible Smalls
a world of collectibles a world collectibles • Belly Danceof Outfits & • Crystal • Knives & Swords a world Accessories of collectibles • Brass • Antique & Collectible • Brass • Belly Dance Outfits • LPs • Toys & Accessories • Toys • Brass • Belly Dance Outfits • Books • Sports Cards •& LPs • Sports Accessories •250-597-7585 ToysCards • Daguerrotype • Comics & Magazines Books • Daguerrotype Photos •• LPs • Sports Cards • Comics & Magazines • Knives & Swords • Books • Daguerrotype Photos • Crystal & Collectible • Comics & Magazines • Antique • Knives & Swords Smalls
Soulful Memories • Crystal
• Antique & Collectible Smalls OPEN NOW
Vinyl Record store with thousands of LPsDuncan and DVD movies. 20 Station Street, Downtown 250.597.768 Vinyl Record store 24 Station Street, soulfulmemories.ca with thousands of Duncan. LPs andtoDVD 10AM 5PM movies. Wednesday to Sunday 24 Station Street, Duncan. 250-597-7585
NOW OPEN
10AM to 5PM Wednesday to Sunday 250-597-7585
crystals jewellery 20 Station Street, Downtown Duncan 250.597.7685 soulfulmemories.ca aromatherapy spiritual books 20 Station Street, Downtown Duncan 250.597.7685 soulfulmemories.ca relaxing music inspired gifts
Memories 125 Station Street Downtown Duncan 250 748 9411
Soulful Soulfu Memor Memor
Photos
NOW OPEN
2020 Station Station Street, Street, Downtown Downtown Duncan Duncan 252
Vinyl Record store with thousands of soulfulmemories.ca soulfulmemories.ca LPs and DVD movies. 24 Station Street, Duncan. 10AM to 5PM Wednesday to Sunday. 250-597-7585
Page 20 – AQUA – July/August 2017
Your Natural Sleep Shop 126 Station St, Duncan
resthouse.ca
Summer Pillow Promotion Starts June 30th for conscious living
1 Wed We 2
Smalls
embrace your spirit
Soulful Soulful Memories
• •Brass Bra • •Toys Toy • •Spor Spo • •Dagu Dag • •Knive Kni • •Antiq Ant Smal Sm
Buy 1 get 15% OFF • Buy 2 get 20% OFF • Buy 3 get 25% OFF Includes Body Pillows • 1-844-855-REST (7378)
Come visit SEE WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER!
The
BEST in the Business of
Style JEANS | SHIRTS | SOCKS PANTS | TIES | BELTS | SUITS SWEATERS | JACKETS | SHOES 250-597-2848 53 Station Street | Duncan | BC
outlooksformen.com
voted best sushi on vancouver island
“More Than Words”
jewellery Enjoy our exclusive martini bar!
D
sushi • Vietnamese special dishes • hot pots • tempura vegetarian options • wheat free sushi and dishes available Vietnamese Pho Soup is now available Lunches: Tues - Sat 11am - 2:30pm Dinners: Tues and Wed 5pm - 8:30pm | Thurs Fri and Sat 5pm - 11pm Closed Sun and Mon
250.746.8999 • 62 KENNETH STREET, DUNCAN (across from city hall)
250 748 7709 | 211 CRAIG STREET DOWNTOWN DUNCAN July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 21
Come visit SEE WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER!
Lieutenant Governor’s Award Winner for Excellence in BC Wines grown from your backyard...
Only 20 minutes drive from Victoria Tasting Room open 7 days a week. 10am to 5pm everyday WWW.ENRICOWINERY.COM 3280 Telegraph Road, Mill Bay 250 733 2356
• Pools • Hot Tubs • Free Water Testing • Pool & Spa Supplies • Service & Repairs • Parts & Equipment • Weekly Maintenance See us for all your pool and spa needs
250-748-2611 aquafunpools.ca 5265 Trans Canada, Duncan Page 22 – AQUA – July/August 2017
MARTIN’S C LOT H I N G & A C C E S S O R I E S 33 Station Street, Duncan M E N , L A D I E S , B OY S & G I R L S
Carrying a huge assortment of sport and dress wear for gentlemen, youth, boys, and girls. Products include suits, tux rentals, jeans, shirts, dresses and swimwear.
Traditional Skills
Salt Spring farriers host regional workshop By ROGER BRUNT Photos by Bree Herbert
There’s something primeval about blacksmithing — the iron from deep inside the earth; the roar of the flames in the forge; the whitehot metal glowing as if it has fallen from the sun. Add to this the cacophony of sound that arises as the nearmolten metal is shaped on an anvil by strong arms swinging a two-to-four-pound blacksmith’s hammer. Now multiply this by 15. That’s the number of participants who attended Thistle Rock Forge’s blacksmith tool-making clinic on Reynolds Road on Salt Spring Island on Feb. 3 and 4 of this year. The workshop was hosted by Alison and Jeri Sparshu, both certified journeymen farriers. The list of attendees consisted of blacksmiths and farriers from B.C., Alberta and Oregon. July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 23
The head clinician was Riley Kirkpatrick, who travelled from Salem, Ore. He owns RK Horseshoeing, studied at Heartland Horseshoeing, is a member of the American Farriers Association, Oregon Horseshoeing Association and American Blacksmithing Association. He designed a two-day tool-making lesson plan that enabled everyone to stay on track and work together to learn his precise method of tool-making gained from countless workshops and competitions all over North America. “The workshop was a huge success and next year’s clinic is sure to fill up soon,” Alison told me. “Everybody had a great time and learned a lot. Riley Kirkpatrick is a true master. He started off the weekend by congratulating all the attendees on ‘owning their trade,’ and that atmosphere permeated the whole weekend. All the participants stayed right on the farm because of blizzard conditions that dumped a foot of snow on Reynolds Road hill. Everyone bedded down in spare bedrooms, or found couches and floors to spread their sleeping bags. This just added to the kinship and pioneering spirit that goes hand in hand with blacksmithing and being a farrier.” The experience levels of the participants varied widely. As explained by Thistle Rock press material, “There were rookies starting out, and those who have
10,000 SQUARE FEET of planet-friendly shopping – with heart!
Organic and Non-GMO: produce, bulk food, dairy, cheese, meat, herbs, spices, oils, supplements, medicinals, superfoods, pet food and more! Lots of vegan and gluten-free options.
Serving the Cowichan Valley since 1993
Page 24 – AQUA – July/August 2017
There were rookies starting out, and those who have been shoeing for 40 years. been shoeing for 40 years. No one came away without learning a lot. There were bold, big steps for some, and the small subtle nuances of moving steel and hammer control for others. By the time the workshop was over, the group had gone through a pile of 4140 tool-making steel, 300 pounds of propane for the gas forges and a mound of coal for the more traditional forges. The results were some very fine hand-crafted blacksmithing tools. The first day, blacksmith hammers were made; the second day, blacksmith’s tongs were forged and fitted.” Seminar leader Kirkpatrick built and signed a hammer that was up for benevolent auction with a starting bid of $550. Locals attending the session were Jeri's son Owen, who built his first hammer with his dad at the clinic, and Thistle Rock Forge's new apprentice Josie Hunter. She made a hammer to have with her for her first day of farrier school. She starts the course at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Cloverdale in September.
Ask our residents:
Life is divine here.
Lois and Bente share their ‘me-time’ over a fine glass of wine.
Shot on location at Peninsula at Norgarden
Independent and assisted living choices for today’s senior
LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED by THE TIDMAN GROUP
2290 Henry Ave. Sidney l 250.656.8827 l www.welcometopeninsula.ca July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 25
Both Jeri and Alison are certified journeymen farriers. For seven years, Jeri was assistant instructor of advanced farrier science at Olds College in Alberta. Alison was farrier program assistant at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Cloverdale. These are the only two public post-secondary schools in Canada that teach top-level farrier sciences. To teach there you must be very well qualified, and very good. The Sparshus’ credentials don’t end there. Canada has its own national farrier team. Jeri has been on it and travelled to England and Scotland to compete in international team competition in the world’s top blacksmithing events against the very best in the world. Aside from the Sparshus’ credentials as top-level teachers, they have hosted workshops and demonstrations in the past. As well, Alison drove horse carriages in Stanley Park for three years and, while travelling in England, she concentrated on visiting as many farriers and horse farms as possible. Alison and Jeri married on Salt Spring Island several years ago. “Neither of us had ever seen Salt Spring before,” Alison said. “We fell in love with the island that weekend. My brother Graham, who is a pretty good judge of people’s character, said, ‘I don’t know why you don’t live here already!’” And the rest, as they say, is history. Being a self-employed farrier demands a real commitment. There are not enough horses on Salt Spring to keep all the local farriers busy, so both Alison and Jeri travel off-island, on a weekly basis, to maintain their business
Above: A pair of tongs is roughed out by workshop clinician Riley Kirkpatrick using only a hammer. Page 23, from top: Traditional coal-fuelled forge; a set of tongs starts to take shape after starting out as one-inch-round material. Page 24-25: Jess Fairbanks gets some advice from fellow blacksmith Ben Yager on the finer points of building tongs.
Our Park is your Park. Royal Oak Burial Park has served the needs of Gulf Island residents and their families since 1923. Our beautiful, not-for-profit burial park is here for you. Please contact us to discuss the end of life options we can provide, including green burial, traditional burial and cremation. We make arrangements as simple as possible. Make our Park yours. GREEN BURIAL
|
TRADITIONAL BURIAL
ROBP_9112_Aqua_Print_Ad.indd Page 26 – AQUA – July/August12017
|
CREMATION
|
MEMORIALIZATION
|
4673 FALAIsE DRIvE, vICTORIA, BC
|
250-658-5621
|
ROBP.CA
15-07-20 5:00 PM
that has built up client by client over many years. “There’s an upside in that for me,” said Alison. “Being relatively new here it gives me a chance to become involved in the community, both through my arts and craft work, and with working in the community. I do the window dressings at Mouat’s Clothing store and love the contact that brings me with all kinds of people.” Both Jeri and Alison spend their time on Salt Spring in their shop creating various artistic works and tending the animals on the farm. On the morning I was there, their flock of handsome Dutch Hookbill ducks were herding one of their three dogs from one snow-melt puddle to the next. The Thistle Rock Forge seminar was sponsored by the Western Canadian Farriers’ Association and Duncan’s Mighty Forge company. Proceeds from the clinic went to Ross Kettleson, a local farrier going through major health issues. This is a close-knit community of craftsman who look after their own. For more information about Thistle Rock Forge, email thistlerockforge@gmail.com.
Above: Alison and Jeri Sparshu on their Reynolds Road farm. Below: Working as a team, father and son Barton and Dan Lybbert from Glenwood, Alta. use a two-person forging style to get the heavy work done at a February workshop hosted by the Sparshus on Salt Spring Island.
July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 27
FINALLY YOUR
Rediscover Sidney!
MATTRESS
y OurLOCAL STORE & MORE le Beds! Want One?
You Need this!
yourself: use your iPad, Wales Treat Wales computer, readQueen or watch Set TV Queen Set in pure luxury. Remote control Only $1599! Platinum Platinum for easy position adjustment. Only $1599!
VISIT OUR fits Include: Sidney culation Showroom
____
MinutesBACK from the highway,SUPPORTER SERIES ack Pain just off McDonald Park Rd Canadian Made m Surgery Injury Treat yourself: use your Tempered iPad, computer, (exit byor information centre)
Pocket coils
read& or watch in pure luxury. Locally owned operated by TV the owners of Murphy Wall-Beds.
Remote controlAVENUE for easySIDNEY position 113 | #3-2062 Henry Ave W Sidney 3-2062 HENRY Hydra Performance Wicking adjustment. Great selection of
778-351-2113 Many comfort mattresses sidneymattress.com w w w . s i d n e y to m compliment a tchoices tress.com Firm to Plush CALL TODAY
Health Benefits Include:
Latex with advanced • Improved CirculationCooling Gel “Nice Rooms, COME TO THE • Decreased Back SHOWROOM Pain Great People” •AND Recovery or Injury TRY from OURSurgery SELECTION! Vic toria airport/Sidney
Locally owned and operated by the owners of Murphy Wall-Beds.
778-351-2113 • ComplimentaryCALL Shuttle TODAY to & from Airport & Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal TOLL FREE 1-800-670-5505 •3-2062 Kitchenette Rooms • Pet Friendly HENRY AVE., SIDNEY • Complimentary Continental Breakfast SIDNEYMATTRESS.COM
2280 Beacon ave., Sidney, B.c.
For reservations call toll free: 1-866 656-1176 or email: info@airporttravelodge.com . www.travelodgevictoriaairport.ca Page 28 – AQUA – July/August 2017
1
Sidney by the
Sea
Sidney, BC is the gateway to your Vancouver Island adventure. Below is a suggested itinerary for the perfect Spring or Summer day in this vibrant seaside town. To fully experience all that Sidney and the surrounding region has to offer you need to spend at least two days to soak it all in. Rich in history and surrounded in natural beauty, Sidney is the gateway to Vancouver Island. Complete with a vibrant boutique-shopping district (1) and many quaint dining options, you won’t know where to start. To complete the Sidney experience, Victoria Distillers (2), the only waterfront distillery on Vancouver Island offers daily tours and tastings. Complete with a cozy lounge and outdoor patio with sweeping views of Mount Baker and the Salish Sea, the distillery will impress even the most discerning libation connoisseur.
3
2
4
The waterfront in Sidney offers many experiences including the Town’s sculpture walk and historic walking tour. Be sure to visit with local fisherman as you stroll down the iconic Sidney fishing pier (3). You can also hop on a whale watching or guided kayak tour right from the waterfront. If you want to visit the nearby wine region, you can do so on your way to the world-famous Butchart Gardens, only a 15-minute drive from Sidney. Sidney is known as Canada’s only Booktown so be sure to peruse the 5 independent bookstores during your visit. If you are bringing little ones, the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea (4) the BC Aviation Museum and the Sidney Museum offer special hands-on experiences not to be missed!
PLAN YOUR TRIP Sidney Destination Information
distinctlysidney.ca
OUR PATIO IS
SUMMER IS HERE! OPEN
Managing the World’s Most Managing the World’s Most Important Investments … Important Investments … on Happy Hour Live Music
Yours! Yours!
Daily 4-6pm $7 cocktail menu
Saturdays from 5-8pm & Sundays from 2-5pm
Feeling alone, scared, or confused with Feeling alone, scared, 9891 Seaport Place, Sidney, BC • 250.544.8217 or confused with your investments? @vicdistillers www.victoriadistillers.com yourus investments? Call for coffee and a chat. Call us for coffee and a chat.
>idney ˙harmacy ¤td. Fast, friendly COMPLETE SERVICE or phone for refills and talk to a “real” person!
Managing the World’s Most Important Investments... Looking for a second opinion or have questions about Socially Responsible Investing? Call us for coffee and a chat.
Annette Quan
Viola Van de Ruyt Investment Advisor Viola Van de Ruyt Investment Advisor 250.657.2220 annette.quan@nbc.ca viola.vanderuyt@nbc.ca 250.657.2222 250.657.2220 www.annettequan.com www.violavanderuyt.ca annette.quan@nbc.ca viola.vanderuyt@nbc.ca 205-2537 Beacon Avenue Sidney, BC www.annettequan.com www.violavanderuyt.ca www.violavanderuyt.ca Investment Advisor Senior Investment Associate Annette Quan Investment Advisor 250.657.2222
Annette Annette Quan Quan
2425B BEVAN AVE., SIDNEY 250-656-0744 MONDAY - FRIDAY 09:00 AM - 05:30 PM
Yours!
ViolaViola Van Van de Ruyt de Ruyt
Investment Investment Advisor Advisor Investment Investment Advisor National Bank Financial is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of National BankAdvisor of Canada. The National Bank of Canada is a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (NA:TSX). National Bank Financial is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of National Bank of Canada. The National Bank of Canada is a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (NA:TSX).
250.657.2222 250.657.2222 250.657.2220 250.657.2220 annette.quan@nbc.ca annette.quan@nbc.caviola.vanderuyt@nbc.ca viola.vanderuyt@nbc.ca www.annettequan.com www.annettequan.comwww.violavanderuyt.ca www.violavanderuyt.ca July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 29
vacation ON THE GULF ISLANDS
Come and enjoy our island paradise! Salt Spring, Pender, Mayne, Gabriola, Galiano and Saturna are the most popular Gulf Islands and offer daily ferries from both Vancouver and Victoria. Offering a variety of activities and services to the visitor these islands are all well
known for their unique character, natural beauty and tranquility. Bring your friends and family to explore the rocky shores of these islands, kayaking the waters between them, or simply browsing through the local craft markets.
For details on accommodations, restaurants, things to do, attractions, events information and maps
gulfislandstourism.com
Q
Rediscover Sidney! DELIVERIES TO THE GULF ISLANDS
AQUA GULF ISLANDS
Save time and have us bring it to you. Three truck sizes available to meet any need. Topsoils · Composts · Sands Bark Mulches · Aggregates
Peninsula
LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES
Next Edition September 6 Ad Deadline August 9
2078 Henry Ave. Sidney, B.C. V8L 5Y1 250.656.6719
W W W. P E N I N S U L A L A N D S C A P E S U P P L I E S . C O M Page 30 – AQUA – July/August 2017
LIVING
Aqua is distributed throughout the Gulf Islands, Victoria, the Cowichan Valley and select retail locations on Vancouver Island. Contact: toll free 1-877-537-9934 On Salt Spring call 250-537-9933 RE A D A Q U A O N - LI N E G U LFISL A N DS A Q U A . C O M
Ventures
The Taco Trio
Galiano island's Crane and Robin Restaurant Story and photos by CHERIE THIESSEN Photos as credited
I
Above: Specials board at the Crane and Robin. At top, from left: Robin Paterson, Douglas Thistle-Walker and Jelena Crane.
t’s 5 p.m. and Jimmy Buffet’s famous hit, Margaritaville, erupts from the sound system, the prelude to a much-loved hour-long tradition at the Crane and Robin Restaurant, the $2-off margarita event. It’s worth cheering over. The Crane and Robin’s frozen margaritas are unsippable so the first is gone before it has even considered melting. We’re going to need another, but what the heck, it’s margarita hour. “We specialize in frozen cocktails,” says co-owner Robin Paterson. “We use fresh juices and always have a lime flavour and a rotating flavour. Some of last year’s biggest hits were mango, pineapple, blood orange and pink lemonade. It’s possible to get a slushy without alcohol or you can add whatever booze you like. Tequila’s the most popular. We get packed with locals at margarita hour.” Last summer, we paired our luscious libations with one of their signature dishes, the succulent fish tacos. It was the first season for the Montague Harbour restaurant, located at the marina where the Sea Blush Café once operated. Now on our second
July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 31
visit, as we guzzle creamy fish chowder on a cool May afternoon, we’re so glad to be back. The al fresco venue, open to the elements on three sides, has also expanded into a compact space inside so that guests can stay warmer when the weather is cooler. A polished wooden counter runs along the harbourfacing edge outside, flower baskets add a touch of summer, and comfy chairs and well-spaced tables offer options with equally awesome views. “Yes, we started early, on the Easter long weekend. The marina wasn’t even open yet but we get a lot of support from the locals, so it has worked out just fine because we don’t want to be just a tourist destination place,” Paterson tells us while co-owner Jelena Crane chats with diners on the deck and chef Douglas Thistle-Walker chops up veggies in the kitchen for his killer fish tacos, a signature dish that is definitely back
for an encore. “We’re not at all a typical marina restaurant,” Crane interjects en route to the kitchen. “In the busiest season a lot of people come in expecting hot dogs and hamburgers. It’s really fun introducing them to something new and totally unexpected.” Why call this hot new venue the Crane and Robin? You’ve figured this out already, right? You take Robin Paterson’s first name and combine it with Jelena Crane’s last name and look what you get! The perfect name for a venue hanging over the ocean, where robins and cranes are frequent visitors. The partners met while working on Galiano in 2015. “We just kind of tossed around the idea of how to earn a living,” says Crane, who has now joined us at the table. “We said it would be neat to have our own place here and then all of a sudden this kind of came up.”
Books Coastal
isis iffee plee impl ssim
Lli
e dd
eaat, E t, psl e rreeaa p, .. .
Salt Spring Books the centre oF SAlt SPrinG
Salt Spring Books
new and used books OPEN DAILY (we will be closed
BRINGING TOGETHER GREAT BOOKS AND GREAT PEOPLE 149 Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C. V9L 1N5 250-748-1533 volume1@islandnet.com • www.volumeone.ca
art gallery greeting cards toys journals art supplies great gifts special orders
open 7 days on Sundays from October through a week April)
250-629-6944 250-629-6944 4-4605 Bedwell 4-4605 Bedwell Harbour Road Harbour Rd,BC pender Island Pender V0nIsland 2M1 BC V0N 2M1
admin@talismanbooks.ca www.talismanbooks.ca
✓ Books for everybody ✓ 1000s of magazine titles ✓ Nautical charts & maps
✓ Puzzles, games & toys ✓ Art supplies & stationery ✓ Email, internet, fax service
104 McPhillips Avenue, Ganges, 250-537-2812 Fax: 250-537-1926 community-minded l globally connected
Celebrating 20 Years of bookselling on Galiano! www.galianoliteraryfestival.com
Discover a great selection of new and second-hand titles in our six unique bookshops, all within easy walking distance in beautiful Sidney BC.
sidneybooktown.ca
This with season online Open year-round overshop 50,000 titlesfrom the comf your authors, home. Visit our webs plus a great selection of Canadian books, gifts, gift certifica used books, art supplies & gifts.
much more! Shop online at www.galianoislandbooks.com
Happy H
76 Madrona Drive Galiano Island BC V0N 1P0 250 539 3340www.galianoislandboo leetrentadue@gmail.com 250 539 3340 info@galianoislandb 76 Madrona Drive Galiano Island BC
Page 32 – AQUA – July/August 2017
leetrentadue@gmail.com
“It was based on a two-minute conversation I had with the owners of Montague Marina, Dan and Mike Byzyna,” says Paterson. “When I served them at the inn a year earlier they had been discussing the building and I said something like ‘I’d love to get my hands on it.’ So when it was empty a year later, they asked if we were interested in taking it on.” “And all it took after that was another two-minute discussion between Robin and me,” smiles Crane.
“Douglas cares so much about food. He’s a magician.” JELENA CRANE Thistle-Walker, who was kitchen manager for seven years at Red Fish Blue Fish in Victoria, is the partner of one of their friends, Nyasha. “He was commuting from Galiano and working in Victoria and, like us, trying to find a way to stay on the island and not have to do four jobs,” says Paterson. “So basically we asked him if he wanted to come chef with us and right away he was saying ‘yes, yes, yes!’ It seems it was all meant to come together.”
Island Marketplace
Douglas Thistle-Walker in the kitchen.
The deadline for advertising in the next issue of Aqua is August 9, 2017. To advertise, call 250-537-9933
Groom That Dog
by
Janet Lynch
Call for an appointment Flexible with your ferry schedule High Bank Waterfront Access: Stairs and Landings Cedar and Stone for Gulf Island Properties
Karl: 250 629 3672 ksigurgeirson@gmail.com
Bernard LeBlanc FINE FURNITURE & MILLWORK
Now Featuring: Anesthetic-Free Teeth Cleaning for Dogs & Cats by Cheyanne Cave www.happytailsteethcleaning.com
778.977.3647 • groomthatdog@gmail.com 10109 MacDonald Park Road (near Slegg Lumber)
www.mblabs.com FULL SERVICE Accredited Est. 1983
Add a touch of class to your home • unique custom crafted furniture • creative cabinetry with storage solutions • luxurious & simplistic urns and accessories
bernardleblanc@me.com www.bernardleblanc.com
PROFESSIONAL LAB ANALYSIS • Drinking Water • Waste Water • Indoor Air Quality • Food • Soil PH/FAX: 778.353.1963 CELL: 250.538.7570
FX: 250.656.0433 PH: 250.656.1334 2062 Henry Ave., Sidney, BC V8L 5Y1
July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 33
Crane nods. “Douglas cares so much about food. He’s a magician. He makes everything taste so fresh and beautiful, drawing influences from his U.K. and Caribbean background to create his own totally unique style.” Paterson notices my partner, David, staring dreamily over the harbour. “This is one of the things that makes our place special too, being right over the water. Just to be able to sit and look at this is such a gift. It couldn’t be better.” There’s got to be a negative here somewhere, so I ask — surely they have challenges getting staff? It has got to be an issue with such a small population. Nope. “No problem at all,” laughs Crane. “We have friends.” “And they all come back,” adds Paterson. “Everyone gets along so well. On our busiest day last year we had four people in the front and three in the kitchen.” She talks about good kitchen vibes, but it’s clear the energy is all positive in this humming part of Galiano. While we pronounce the fish tacos and seafood chowder as excellent, the owners also enthuse over the latest addition, the marinated pulled pork. “Those tacos have been wildly popular,” confirms Crane. “Just a week ago we were nearly sold out. That pork is really delicious.” The restaurant, which features sustainable seafood, B.C. beers on tap and a small but discerning choice of local wines, also sources as much of its produce as possible from the island’s farms
and forests. “It’s one of my favourite parts of the job,” says Paterson. “Going to pick up from the various beautiful farms on the island. Often the produce can be out of the ground and onto the plate on the same day.” “And all our fish is from the Pacific Northwest and is caught with sustainability in mind,” agrees Crane. “[Galiano resident] Thomas Schnare — Capt. Tom — is our main ‘fish guy’ and our beef and pork we get from The Village Butcher in Victoria. All of their meat is raised locally without the use of growth-promotants or antibiotics and all animals are fed ‘biologically appropriate’ diets. Basically it’s the healthiest, happiest meat we could find.” And we feel diners here are probably the healthiest, happiest, people on the island, but we have a ferry to Pender to catch, alas. We’ll be back soon, though, in time for a repeat of Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. The Crane and Robin experience is worth catching a ferry for. Go to www.bcferries.com for fares and schedules and if staying overnight, be sure to check out the Galiano Inn package on the BC Ferries website. For all restaurant details, such as menus, opening hours and days, visit The Crane and Robin Restaurant on Facebook.
Island Marketplace
The deadline for advertising in the next issue of Aqua is August 9, 2017. To advertise, call 250-537-9933
D.H.MOORE / ARCHITECT 250-818-4614 www.dhmarchitect.ca
We feature locally produced foodstuffs + handcrafted creations.
DOCKSIDE
Coastal Goods & Rentals
We also offer scooter rentals, a fun way to explore our landscapes and coastlines.
Mon-Sun 9:30-5:30 161 Lower Ganges Rd 250 930 2628 docksidesaltspring@shaw.ca www.docksidesaltspring.ca Page 34 – AQUA – July/August 2017
From left: Jelena Crane takes an order in the seaside cafe at Montague Harbour; select dishes, including the famous fish tacos (below).
Island Marketplace
The deadline for advertising in the next issue of Aqua is August 9, 2017. To advertise, call 250-537-9933
AL’S ASIAN TREASURES & IMPORTS Aluminum Driveway Gates, Garden Gates, Marble and Garden Statues, Asian Furniture
Q
enjoy your HOT TUB & Pool
Servicing all the Gulf Islands since 1998
salt spring island
Contact us today
100 250-538-8244 STUDIOS 100 STUDIOS hhermann06@gmail.com UNDER 1 ROOF UNDERGulf1Islands ROOF Dealer for Zen Spas
JUNE to10 SEPTEMBER open 10 - 5 JUNE to SEPTEMBER open -5 SALT SPRING gulfi slandspas.com
3107 Henry Road • Chemainus, BC • 250 324 4444
Mahon Hall • 114Island, Rainbow Mahon Hall • 114 Rainbow Road • Salt Spring BC Road • Salt Spring Islan t. 250 537-0899 • parking available t. 250 537-0899 • parkingsalt spring island d navailable als i g n i r p s t l a s www.ssartscouncil.com/galleries/artcraft www.ssartscouncil.com/galleries/artcraft
100 S UNDE
SOIDUTS 001 FOOR 1 REDNU
AQUA
salt spring island
artcraft
JUNE to SEP
5 - 01 nepo REBMETPES ot ENUJ CB ,dnalsI gnirpS tlaS • daoR wobniaR 411 • llaH nohaM elbaliava gnikrap • 9980-735 052 .t tfarctra/seirellag/moc.licnuocstrass.www
100 STUDIOS UNDER 1 ROOF
GULF ISLANDS LIVING Next Edition Sept. 6 | Ad Deadline Aug. 9
Aqua is distributed throughout the Gulf Islands, Victoria, the Cowichan Valley and select retail locations on Vancouver Island. Contact: toll free 1-877-537-9934 On Salt Spring call 250-537-9933
RE A D A Q U A O N - LI N E : G U LFISL A N DSDRIFT W OOD . C O M
Galiano, Mayne and Saturna by appointment We can take care of your upgrades & maintenance
salt spring island
alsasiantreasures.com
Bi-Weekly scheduled visits to Pender Island.
2012_ad.indd 1
JUNE to SEPTEMBER open 10-5
2012_ad.indd 1
Mahon Hall • 114 t. 250 537-0899 • www.ssartscoun
12-10-31 12:16 PM
Mahon Hall, 114 Rainbow Road, Salt Spring Island, BC 250 537 0899 • www.ssartscouncil.com/galleries/artcraft parking available
MP 61:21 13-01-21
dni.da_2102– Page 35 July/August 2017 1– dAQUA
2012_ad.indd 1
12
Comfort Food
Cravings for Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast with Tennessee-born Zak Cutshall STORY & PHOTOS BY MARCIA JANSEN
You’d be surprised by how many different nationalities live on Salt Spring Island. And each one of them has their own comfort food.
W
Marcia Jansen is a Dutch journalist and writer who has lived on Salt Spring since 2012.
Page 36 – AQUA – July/August 2017
Zak Cutshall with daughter Wresten and son Aidan.
hen Zak Cutshall was a child, his dad never made dinner. But breakfast, that was his thing. Now that Zak has two kids himself — six-yearold daughter Wresten and five-yearold son Aidan — breakfast is his specialty too. The 45-year-old carpenter was born in Knoxville, Tenn., but moved to Atlanta when his father got a job there with Coca-Cola. “We were the first of our family to leave Tennessee in 250 years,” says Zak while his kids are riding their bikes in the yard. “My mom and dad divorced when I was 10, and my mother moved to Vancouver while my sister and I stayed with my father in Atlanta. He was a single dad raising two kids, so during the week we often had take-out for dinner or we ate in restaurants. But on the weekends, when he had more time, he always made us breakfast.” Zak learned to make a traditional southern breakfast at his grandmothers’ house in Knoxville. “My grandmother was the cook of the family, that was her identity. She showed me how to make biscuits with sausage gravy when I was about 10, but I was
so young, it didn’t stick at that time. When I was in my early 20s she showed me again, but I still didn’t really get it. Later on, when I moved to Vancouver, I started to make biscuits and gravy myself, because I couldn’t get it anywhere. Not in the stores nor in restaurants.” It took him a while before he captured the essence of the authentic recipe. “Just recently I got the feeling that I really pulled it off. My grandmother made it seem effortless, but I probably wasn’t patient enough when I was younger. I usually make biscuits once a week, on the weekends, just like my dad. My kids like to have them with jam, but I prefer gravy. They’re terribly fat, not what I actually need at this point of my life, but they remind me of home. Just like iced tea, which I used to make every two days. I don’t go anywhere without it.” Zak basically grew up in Atlanta, a four-hour drive from his grandparents’ house in Tennessee, and spent all his summers with his mom in Vancouver. After he graduated, Zak moved to Vancouver. “I liked the more laid-back lifestyle in Canada. There is less gun violence, the big cities are safer and I just loved
Tennessee Biscuits Ingredients 2 c. all-purpose flour 1 Tbsp. baking powder 1 Tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. baking soda 4 Tbsp. cold butter 1 1/2 c. buttermilk Combine the dry ingredients and cut the butter in small cubes into the flour mix. Work the dough with your hands into a ball (or use a food processor). Fold in the buttermilk. (Don’t over-stir it.) Drop the batter in a muffin tin or on a cookie sheet and bake at 475 degrees F. for 12 minutes.
Iced Tea Iced tea for a hot summer's day.
Vancouver. Compared to Atlanta there is so much more hustle and bustle there. You see people everywhere, walking on sidewalks, riding their bikes. In Atlanta everyone is in a car; driving to the city in the morning and back in the evening. It’s a different energy. In Vancouver, there are people from all over the world and the food is awesome.” His mother moved from Vancouver to Salt Spring Island in 1997 and when Zak was contemplating a different step in his career, he spent a few months with his mother on the island. “I never thought I could live here, but in the eight months I was on Salt Spring I met my wife Melissa and suddenly I was happy to stay. A daughter came along, and later our son Aidan, we bought a house and I started putting down roots. I love the relaxed nature of everything here. There are no traffic signals and when I drive somewhere I can estimate my arrival time by the minute. And I don’t even know where my house key is. Do we even have one? There’s an ease of living here that reminds me of Tennessee. The rural friendliness here, you can find it there too.” Ten years ago friends back in Atlanta thought he was crazy to move to Canada. “They thought I would drop right off the face of the earth,” he smiles. “But now they’re envious of me. Everyone loves this place, especially people with kids. The quality of the schools is great and we live here surrounded by nature. Every year we go back to visit my sister and my dad back in the States, but this is my home now. America is changing. I don’t care a lot about politics, but Donald Trump creates an ‘us against them mentality,’ which I don’t like. So for many reasons I am very happy to be here.”
Ingredients 8 bags of Orange Pekoe black tea 2 Tbsp. sugar Water Bring two litres of water to a boil in a big pot. Add 8 teabags and 2 Tbsp. sugar (or more if you desire) and remove from heat. Let the tea steep for an hour. Pour two more litres of water in and let it cool off. www.ssicomfortfood.com
July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 37
Page 38 – AQUA – June/July 2016
Artisans
Listening to the
Wood
Bruce Edmundson's burl-to-sculpture transformations By PAT BURKETTE Photos of work in progress by Pat Burkette Photos of finished pieces courtesy Bruce Edmundson
Bruce Edmundson’s elegant wood sculptures begin as bumps on
a log, aka burls, so when he learns I’ve got a felled, super bumpy big leaf maple tree at my place, he’s happy to take a look. He’s brought along his friend Kent Mjolsness, and they eagerly circle the massive, hollow trunk sections. There are plenty of visible burls, which are actually rounded growths formed when a tree is under stress from an injury, virus or fungus. I tell them I considered turning the maple into firewood. I detect some shudders.
July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 39
summertime
DINING
RESTAURANT AND DINING GUIDE
Discovering a great place to eat is one of the rewards of dining on the Gulf Islands. In house made dishes created with locally sourced food. An assortment of pizzas, tacos, dips and flatbreads. 2540 Sturdies Bay Rd. Galiano Island 250-539-2817
6 to 3 mon/thurs 6 to 5 friday 7 to 5 sat sun
artisan breads fresh baked goods island famous cinnamon buns espressos . smoothies minutes from the ferry terminal 44 MADRONA DRIVE 250-539-2004 wendycoburn@telus.net
GRAND CENTRAL Wednesday - Monday: 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM Watch our facebook page Hosting fantastic events weekly, stay tuned for details on live music on Friday + Saturday nights.
2470 Sturdies Bay Rd. Galiano Island
Here’s to a healthy heart this Valentine’s Day! located at the Marina in Montague Harbour amazing view fresh local menu open daily 12-9 during the summer 250-539-3334
Page 40 – AQUA – July/August 2017
50 bastion square, victoria | reservations 250 361 9223 mon to fri 11:30-9 | sat 9:30-9 | sun 9:30-8
Burl wood has unusual texture, colour and figure (or appearance). Birdseye, resembling tiny swirling bird’s eyes distributed through the grain, is a much prized figure of wood. Spalting, a dark line at the edge of any rot in the wood, lends definition and is also sought after. Turns out my old maple has all the right stuff. “It’s an abundance of wealth!” declares Edmundson. In fact, through his art, Edmundson will give the old maple a second life. I can almost hear it whispering “hallelujah” as Edmundson runs a gloved hand over the bark. He and Mjolsness get out the chainsaws and sawdust flies as they cut off burls and slabs. Edmundson chooses burls that are deep enough to accommodate sculpting. Edmundson, who lives in Victoria, and Mjolsness, a Salt Spring resident, are old friends. They met in the 1980s while tree planting in the Clearwater area of B.C., where Edmundson also did his first carvings. Mjolsness has continued to work in silviculture through his Caliburn Silviculture company. Prior to retirement, Edmundson worked in many B.C. government jobs — in the Ministry of Forests, the Office of the Ombudsperson and as chief liquor inspector responsible for public safety in all B.C. licensed premises. He also has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and has published a book of short stories
called Two Voices. Now, he’s creating fine art from wood. Finding and rescuing burls is only step one in the process. He transports the wood to his studio, where it has to dry. “I use a moisture meter to monitor the progress,” he explains. When it’s ready for carving, Edmundson secures the wood, usually with a carver’s vice with a mounting plate that can move on a multi-directional axis. Even if he can hold a smaller piece in his hand while using a rotary tool, he doesn’t. “A fingerless carver carves few sculptures,” he says. The technical side of wood carving involves cutting, shaping, and sanding with power tools. Wood carving videos abound on the internet, if you want to see the variety of tools and techniques employed by carvers. Edmundson initially cuts out his basic shape with a chainsaw or reciprocating saw. Then he removes bulk wood with carbide tungsten carving discs attached to an angle grinder. Further definition is accomplished with a mini grinder with smaller discs, and a die grinder with carbide shaping burrs. He sands the piece with a contour random orbital sander and various disc sander attachments. But how art emerges from wood is a little less straightforward.
Above: Piece made from an old burl by Bruce Edmundson called Flame. Top left: Bowl given to writer Pat Burkette in exchange for use of maple burls. Pages 39: Edmundson with part of Burkette's maple tree. Pages 42-43: Edmundson and Kent Mjolsness at work.
July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 41
“I sketch ideas on paper. I often start with iconic images, for example, a moon, a heart, a cross, a star,” says Edmundson. He keeps a notebook of ideas, and rips images out of magazines for inspiration. But when it’s time to carve, he lets things happen. The wood speaks, and he listens to the wood. “I usually draw on the wood with a chalk or crayon. At this stage I often abandon the icon that started things and draw onto the piece what the piece will allow.” “Burls,” he adds, “aren’t particularly conducive to having predetermined images imposed on them due to their particular shape, which is basically ovoid with one flat surface and numerous irregularities. I like the irregularities and want to incorporate their interesting colours, textures and shapes into the piece.” Throughout, Edmundson says, “What I am trying to do is to display a human-enhanced vision of the intrinsic beauty of the natural wood. Elegance is a word I often find myself coming back to when I am shaping curves and making decisions about what stays and what goes.”
VIC RD EAST URNSIDE
“A fingerless carver carves few sculptures.” BRUCE EDMUNDSON
Joni’s local Investment Advisory Service has an emphasis on the highest quality professional advice and service along with integrated wealth management.
C TORIA, B
M TOVE.CO S K L I .W WWW -382-5421 250
160 B
Protecting and growing your wealth.
Meet with Joni Ganderton
R. Joni Ganderton mba cfp
Investment Advisor and Financial Planner
WE SELL WOOD AND GAS! Page 42 – AQUA – July/August 2017
537-1654 Questions? e-mail Joni.Ganderton@nbpcd.com www.joniganderton.com ® “BMO (M-bar roundel symbol)” is a registered trade-mark of Bank of Montreal, used under licence. “Nesbitt Burns” and “BMO Nesbitt Burns Advance Program” are registered trade-marks of BMO Nesbitt Burns Corporation Limited, used under licence.
Keep Growing
His piece titled Heart, finished with tung oil and polished with beeswax, is an example of that elegance. But it had humble beginnings. A response to a burl-seeking ad he placed on Kijiji led him to a former turkey farm with rows of timber harvested by the landowner many years before. “The wood was small and there were no burls. He took me to another shed where he was refurbishing a beautiful old rowboat. He pulled a slab of something from the rafters, about three feet by three feet, three inches thick with a big scar in the middle. It was the right colour to be a maple burl slab. He sold it to me for $10.” A heart evolved as Edmundson tried to come up with something to avoid the scar in the middle. Another sculpture, titled Ponds, was originally a large, thin burl cut by someone else. At the time, Edmundson was experimenting with bowls. “I played with numerous circular shapes trying to fit them on in various sizes. The breakthrough was seeing that incomplete circles were what might make it more interesting. The next step was trusting that instinct and carving it out with that as part of the plan.” A piece called Flame is what he calls “a carving exercise.” “It came from an old burl, very dry with lots of spalting, which is those black lines delineating lines
Keep Growing Keep Growin
Keep Growing All-inclusive senior living community where growing doesn’t get old.
All-inclusive senior living community where growing doesn’t get old. get All-inclusive senior living community where growing doesn’t old. get o All-inclusive senior living community where growing doesn’t Experience the endless possibilities of social,
educational, recreational andand entertainment Experience the endless possibilities of social, educational, recreational and entertainment opportunties. Experience the endless possibilities of social, educational, recreational entertainment opportunties.opport Experience the endless possibilities of social, educational, recreational and entertainment opportunities. Come spend a day with us, you’ll love life at Shannon Oaks. Come spend a day with us, you’ll love life at Shannon Oaks. Come spend a day with us, you’ll love life at Shannon Oaks.
Vancouver 2526 Waverley Avenue 604-324-6257
Vancouver Victoria Vancouver 2526 Waverley Avenue
Come spend a day with us, you’ll love life at VictoriaShannon Oaks.
Victoria
Goldsmith Street Street 2526 Waverley Avenue 20002000 Goldsmith 2000 Goldsmith Street 604-324-6257 250-595-6257 604-324-6257 250-595-6257 Victoria Vancouver
250-595-6257 2000 Goldsmith Street n l iv i g a ss
ci
ation
bc seni
rs
o
o
250-595-6257
se
al
al
www.shannonoaks.com
of a ppr ov
2526 Waverley Avenue 604-324-6257
www.shannonoaks.com www.shannonoaks.com
Baptist Housing | Enhanced SeniorsSeniors Living | Living Since 1964 Baptist Housing | Enhanced | Since 1964
Baptist Housing | Enhanced Seniors Living | Since 1964
July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 43
From top: Heart, which is finished with tung oil and has a beeswax polish; an experimental piece called Ponds. At left: Burl slab cut from Pat Burkette's maple tree.
of mould in the wood. There is a fine line between being too rotten and having that lovely spalt, which adds so much to the piece. This piece was from a thin narrow burl and I challenged myself to create movement.” In return for my gift of wood, Edmundson presents me with a carving of an unusual maple bowl. It’s open to the world on one side, while the other side is laced with ovoid holes. The wood is silky smooth, figured with birdseye and spalting. I don’t ask him for the story of my bowl. I’ll let the wood speak, and I’ll listen.
You can see Bruce Edmundson’s burl sculptures at The Avenue Gallery, 2184 Oak Bay Ave., in Victoria. www.theaveuegallery.com/artists/sculptors/edmundson-bruce/ Page 44 – AQUA – July/August 2017
HELEN ELIZABETH SCHNARE photo
Supremely Aged Galiano’s summertime wine and beer fest marks 25 years
HELEN ELIZABETH SCHNARE photo
JEN MACLELLAN photo
I
At top and below: The scene at the 2005 version of the wine festival. Above: 2017 poster. At left: Local red and white wines.
t’s hard to believe that a quarter century has passed since glasses were raised at the first Galiano Wine Festival, but it’s true! Now called the Galiano Wine and Beer Tasting Festival, the event held on the second Saturday of August has continued to be a major fundraiser for the Galiano Health Care Centre. This year’s version is Aug. 12 at the Lions Field, which is located next to the health care centre on Burrill Road. The $45 admission gets people two souvenir glasses — one for wine and one for beer — plus unlimited tasting of products from some 20 wineries and breweries, finger-food and access to the rest of the day’s fun. “We will have some Galiano musicians playing to accompany our friendly conversation,” explain festival organizers. “There is plenty of room to move around and lots of cool places to relax. You’ll have plenty of time to talk with the wine and beer merchants and makers, and no long wait for wine and beer you wish to taste.” Galiano Island Books — which is marking its 20th anniversary this year — will have wine and food-related books to browse. A variety of local artists will show and sell their original artwork and Galiano Coffee will be there again with their fabulous locally roasted beans. A pop-up wine and beer store will also be on the site. A terrific raffle prize is up for grabs, with tickets already available. The Air Canada Foundation has donated two economy tickets to anywhere in North America, Hawaii, Mexico and other sun destinations. The winning ticket will be drawn at the festival. Lions Field is only a 20-minute walk from the ferry terminal at Sturdies Bay. For more details about the festival event and the raffle, visit www.galianowinefestival.ca.
July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 45
Q&A
Lifetime of Learning
jen maclellan photos
Pat Webber is an accomplished Salt Spring Island ceramic artist whose beautiful pieces often have animals such as frogs and birds incorporated into the designs.
Above: Pat Webber and her golden doodle Teddy. At left: One of Pat's critter-inspired vessels.
Q. Tell us about your path to becoming an accomplished ceramic artist. A. Like many children, I was a collector of small rocks, which I kept oiled or in water to see the beautiful colours and patterns and I would arrange them in colour groupings. Many years later I discovered that these were closely related to reduction fired pottery surfaces, and I was inspired to take lessons. My father also planted the seed by offering to make a potters wheel for me long before I knew what that was. I remembered this many years after becoming a potter. Q. How has your style evolved over the years? What has remained constant? A. At first I learned to make all sorts of functional forms, which took years of practise, and gradually I added animal imagery or whole animals to my work as my own voice emerged. Animals, birds and their relationships has become my vehicle for storytelling or for commenting on our inner life. Q. When and why did you move to Salt Spring? A. In 1996 my husband Joe and I moved to Salt Spring from Cordova Bay in Victoria because it was increasingly difficult to fire a large kiln or have sales in our small garden. On Salt Spring we found a beautiful property that provided the space and inspiration for a potter and we proceeded to create our studio, home and garden in the midst of the forest. The rocks, elevation changes and ponds are magnificent. Page 46 – AQUA – July/August 2017
Q. When you lead a workshop, what are two things you try to instill in your students? A. I am able to teach workshops in my flexible studio spaces and encourage my students to find their own voice and inspiration after they have mastered the basic skills. They learn from one another as well as from me, which is the magic of creating together. Standards, functioning forms and beauty are all important aspects of making pottery, and then there is the science and challenge of glaze chemistry and kiln firing. It takes a lifetime of learning. Q. Do you have a place you like to go to get further inspiration for your work? A. My inspirations are from nature and observation of animals and people. Then it all mixes together and I make forms that express unlikely friendships, or familiar attitudes. This can happen anywhere. Q. What is something about your craft that only other potters would understand? A. Other potters would understand that I still have so much to learn; that I make mistakes now that I remember making 25 years ago but forgot, and that this complex craft is so challenging. Things can go sideways at every stage. It is humbling. There are many small deaths. Q. How would you describe a perfect day on Salt Spring Island? A. A perfect day on Salt Spring might be cloudy and misty. A great day for firing!
July/August 2017 – AQUA – Page 47
THE ALL-NEW VOLVO S90 THEALL-NEW ALL-NEWVOLVO VOLVOS90 S90 THE LUXURY SEDAN REDEFINED THELUXURY LUXURYSEDAN SEDANREDEFINED REDEFINED Introducing thethe elegant and confident All-New Volvo S90. Combining exquisite natural Introducing Introducing the elegant and confident All-New Volvo S90. Combining exquisite natural elegant and confident All-New Volvo S90. Combining exquisite natural materials with sophisticated, intuitive technology, this is the next generation of Volvo Cars. materials with sophisticated, intuitive technology, thisthis is the next generation of Volvo Cars. materials with sophisticated, intuitive technology, is the next generation of Volvo Cars.
2017 VOLVO S90 2017 2017VOLVO VOLVOS90 S90 * * *Incl. freight & PDI Starting from $58,915 Starting Startingfrom from$58,915 $58,915
Incl. Incl. freight freight & PDI & PDI
1 5 PR PPRESID REESID S I DEN EEN NT’S TT’S ’ SAWARD AWA R DRECIPIEN RRECIPIEN ECIPIEN 22015 20015 AWARD T TT
Jim Pattison Volvo ofofVictoria Victoria JimPattison PattisonVolvo Volvoof Victoria
2735 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC 2735 2735 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC Douglas Street, Victoria, BC 250-382-6122 | www.jpvolvoofvictoria.com 250-382-6122 250-382-6122| www.jpvolvoofvictoria.com www.jpvolvoofvictoria.com
*MSRP ofaa2017 2017 Volvo S90S90 T6AWD AWD starts from $58,915 which includes $2,015 freight and PDI. Taxes, $100 conditioning (if(ifapplicable), documentation fee are Please see Jim Volvo of Victoria Victoria for complete complete details. *MSRP *MSRP of Volvo S90 T6 starts from $58,915 which includes $2,015 freight and PDI. Taxes, $100 air air conditioning levylevy (if applicable), andand $395 documentation fee are Please see Jim VolvoVolvo of Victoria for complete details. of a 2017 Volvo T6 AWD starts from $58,915 which includes $2,015 freight and PDI. Taxes, $100 air conditioning levy applicable), and$395 $395 documentation feeextra. areextra. extra. Please seePattison Jim Pattison Pattison of for details. Dealer #10900. Dealer #10900. Dealer #10900.