Prince George Citizen June 17, 2021

PRINCE GEORGE

BRINGING THE HAMMER DOWN Elena Thomas

ing while competing in the Spruce City Invitational track and field meet at Masich

NUISANCE BYLAW SUPPORTED

ARTHUR WILLIAMS

City council voted in favour of a proposed bylaw Monday that would impose fines for “nuisance” behaviour like panhandling, open drug use and camping in public areas.

While protesters advocating for the rights of the homeless camped on the lawn of city hall, a sometimes emotional

debate about the Safe Streets Bylaw was going on inside city council chambers on Monday night.

In a divided vote, city council approved the first three readings of the Safe Streets

Bylaw Mayor Lyn Hall and councillors Garth Frizzell, Terri McConnachie, Kyle Sampson and Brian Skakun voted in favour, while councillors Frank Everitt,

Murry Krause and Cori Ramsey were opposed. Susan Scott was absent.

Final reading of the bylaw is expected to come before city council on June 28 If passed, bylaw officers could issue $100 tickets, with a $75 penalty for late payment, for “nuisance” behaviours.

Healing ceremony set for Lejac

The Nations of Nadleh Whut’en and Stellat’en are hosting a three-day healing ceremony at the site of the former Lejac Indian Residential School, 160 kilometres west of Prince George.

The event called, ‘Wiping the Tears Healing Ceremony’ takes place between June 18 to 20 will be supported by Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS).

This ceremony is intended to allow people, Indigenous and all cultures, the opportunity to grieve and let go of the pain they may be experiencing as a result of the recent finding of 215 unmarked graves of Indigenous children at the Kamloops Residential School site.

CSFS said plans include a sacred fire ceremony to release the souls of the children to the Creator

The ceremony will include the presence of Fire Keepers for the duration of three days, as well as opportunities to seek support from traditional healers, mental health clinicians and support workers.

Cultural ceremonies and healing activities will occur throughout the three-day event, including drumming and singing, as well as smudging.

CSFS said COVID-19 precautions will be in place, and marshals will be present to ensure social distancing and that maximum numbers outlined by Provincial Health regulations are not exceeded at any one time.

See ‘UNITED on page 2

HANNA PETERSEN

CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE/LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

winds up to throw the hammer on Saturday morn-

Place Stadium.

‘Where are they supposed to go?’

Under the bylaw, it would be prohibited to panhandle within 10 metres of a bank or ATM, bus stop, daycare centre, liquor store, cannabis store, restaurant, coffee shop or convenience store.

The bylaw would also prohibit panhandling people in vehicles when they are parked, stopped at a traffic light or stop sign, filling up at a gas station, or in any way that obstructs traffic.

Panhandling would also be prohibited after sunset daily.

Bylaw officers could also ticket people for using prohibited drugs, or disposing of drug paraphernalia, on any street, open space area or park

Together We Stand held a protest outside city hall on Monday night in support of the city’s homeless population. from page 1

The proposed bylaw would also prohibit open burning on any street, open area or park, graffiti and sitting, lying down or physically approaching people in a way that causes an obstruction on a street or sidewalk.

Council voted to reject a proposed amendment to the Parks and Open Spaces

Bylaw to allow homeless people to temporarily camp in designated areas, when shelters in the city are full.

Roughly 60 people gathered outside city hall on Monday night to voice their opposition to the eviction of a homeless camp on George Street and proposed bylaw changes that would allow the city to ticket people

for panhandling, open drug use and camping in public areas.

Tents were set up on the lawn of city hall, and members of the Together We Stand group planned to camp out overnight to show their support for the homeless Group member Amelia Merrick said she’s concerned as a citizen of Prince George about how the city treats its most vulnerable citizens.

“I want to live in a society where we have respect for people regardless if they are homeless or precariously housed,” Merrick said. “These proposed bylaws just further criminalize the poor.”

PUBLIC NOTICE

CityofPrinceGeorge 2020Annual Report

Notice isherebygiven pursuant to Section99(3) of the Community Charter that Prince George City Council will consider the 2020AnnualReportatits June 28, 2021 regular meeting to be held at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamberslocated on the 2nd Floor, 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, B.C.

The AnnualReportwill be available for reviewbythe publicbeginning June 10, 2021, on the City’s website: princegeorge.ca/annualreport. Paper copies will be available for reviewMonday to Friday between the hoursof8:30a.m.and 5:00 p.m. at theService Centre (1st Floor,City Hall)and the Legislative Services Division (5th Floor,City Hall).

In accordance with the order of the Provincial HealthOfficer related to gatherings and events, in-person attendance at City Councilmeetings is not permitted. Council meetings are live streamed on the City’s website www.princegeorge.ca and the recordings are archived for viewing at anytime

Membersofthe publicwho wish to present submissions or ask questions with respect to the Annual Report at the regular council meeting on June 28th are invited to provide written submissions or register to speak to Council live via phone.

Formore information on telephone participation, please visit princegeorge.ca/annualreport.

Written submissions, regarding the2020 Annual Report, should be forwarded to the Corporate Officer by 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 22, 2021, to be included in Council’sagenda package. Submissions received after this time willbeprovided to Council on the dayofthe Council meeting for their consideration.

Written submissions maybesent by email to cityclerk@princegeorge.ca, faxed to (250)561-0183 or mailed to theaddressnoted below

Attention: CorporateOfficer

LegislativeServices Division City of Prince George 5th Floor,1100 Patricia Boulevard Prince George, BC V2L 3V9

Forfurther information, please contact theLegislative Services Division at (250) 561-7600or cityclerk@princegeorge.ca.

Tel. (250) 561-7600 •Fax (250) 612-5605

1100 Patricia Boulevard,PrinceGeorge,BCV2L 3V9 •311@princegeorge.ca

Visit princegeorge.cafor information about City services and operations. Youcan even subscribe to receiveinformation directly to your inbox. Visit news.princegeorge.ca/subscribe to select the categories thatmattertoyou.

Last Thursday, the city announced it intends to seek an injunction to evict campers on a vacant lot on George Street across from the court house.

“Where are they supposed to go? There has to be a plan in place,” Merrick said.

In a statement issued prior to Monday’s rally, Together We Stand called on city council to reject the proposed Safe Streets Bylaw and other bylaw amendments

“Proposed amendments to bylaws No. 7370, 2002 and No. 9211, 2021 increase chaos to homeless and precariously-housed persons and the social service agencies who support them,” the statement said.

“These amendments are harmful to people, unhelpful for Indigenous organizations, non-profits and social service agencies, damaging to businesses and expensive.”

The group called on the city to develop an emergency shelter plan that meets people’s needs and treats them with dignity. Until sufficient low-barrier shelters are built, the city should provide a secure place where people can camp, store their belongings and access basic washroom facilities.

“(Although) Northern Health has the highest overdose death rate in the province, there are no shelters appropriate for unhoused people with substance use disorder,” the statement said. “When drug users are forced or coerced into shelters without overdose prevention services they may hide drug use or go into withdrawal, increasing overdose death risk.”

The group called on the city have a housing-first plan in place by Jan. 2, 2022, when the Lheidli T’enneh flag is raised again. The city announced the flag would fly at half-mast for 215 days to honour the 215 children whose bodies were found in an unmarked grave near the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

“Homeless individuals are exhausted from being misplaced on a daily basis and inappropriate shelter puts people at higher risk of overdose death,” the statement said.

‘United in heart and spirit’

from page 1

“Many of our children were taken out of their communities and placed in a dormitory environment which had devastating effects on children and also communities alike. In some communities there were no children left, all the children were taken away from their homes, so of course, once that happened despair set in,” said Warner Adam, Carrier Sekani Family Services CEO.

The Lejac Residential school operated from 1922 to 1976 by the Roman Catholic Church, near Fraser Lake and 160 kilometers west of Prince George. The majority of children who attended were Carrier chil-

dren, although Sekani and Gitksan children attended as well.

The sacred fire ceremony will provide the space for residential school survivors the opportunity to let go of re-traumatization as impacted by the findings of the 215 little ones at the Kamloops Residential School site.

Wiping the Tears Healing Ceremony will take place June, 18, 19, 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. An opening ceremony will take place on June 18 at 10 a.m.

CSFS said all are welcome who wish to pay respects, grieve and seek solace, healing and reconciliation including non-Indigenous people.

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN Pursuant to section 26(3) of the Community Charter,the City of Prince George intends to lease to Kodiaks Football Club (Inc No. S0074593) land legally described as (that portion of PID 008-522600) Lot 1District Lot 4048

Ian Wells, Acting Deputy

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

LOCAL STUDENT OFF TO ELITE U.S. SCHOOL

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH

A local student is heading to Brown University, an elite Ivy League research university in Providence, Rhode Island.

Karim Zohdy came to Prince George six years ago with his family moved from Swansea, a city on the south coast of Wales.

Zohdy graduates from College Heights Secondary School this year and will attend Brown in the fall, taking advantage of the Open Curriculum that allows students to explore a variety of interests in their first year of university

“The open curriculum is one of the most unique things about Brown and I look forward to taking advantage of it and the opportunities it offers,” Zohdy said In high school, he did a lot of writing, including a Citizen article about how students were coping with the pandemic, as well as short stories and poems as he really enjoyed his English and history classes.

On the flipside he also enjoyed physics and biology so the open curriculum is a good fit for him, he added.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Karim Zohdy will be attending Brown University in the fall.

Zohdy also applied to another Ivy League school - Dartmouth College in Ha-

nover, New Hampshire - and was accepted there as well

When the decision between the two elite schools had to be made, Zohdy said he asked his family and teachers and counselors at College Heights secondary who supported him as he made the decision to attend Brown.

Zohdy enjoyed many aspects of school and said taking a creative writing course inspired him and his younger sister Noor to start a writing club at the school.

Zohdy also took a great interest in debate while attending high school.

“It’s one of my favourite things in high school,” he said.

In fact, very recently Zohdy participated in a virtual international debate tournament that he won. He was also awarded best speaker at the tournament

Growing up in Wales, Zohdy said the education system seemed a bit more formal as teachers and students interacted in a more traditional manner where here Zohdy feels a more personal connection to his teachers. The community he grew up in was a friendly place but he gets a stronger

sense of community here in Prince George, he added.

Included in his application to Brown University was the hundreds of community volunteer hours Zohdy has completed

“When I first moved to Prince George I was almost immediately aware of the culture of volunteering here and it’s brilliant,” Zohdy said. “I think it‘s one of my favourite things about Prince George because I haven’t seen that anywhere else. As soon as I came here I started to volunteer.”

He started fundraising for a cause then found his way to St. Vincent de Paul Society in the kitchen of the Drop-In Centre and thrift store. He’s also participated in the Run for the Cure for the Canadian Cancer Society and donated time at the Salvation Army

Zohdy has logged more than 400 volunteer hours throughout the community

“It’s always been such a rewarding experience,” Zohdy said. “When volunteering with St. Vincent de Paul you see the difference you’re making right in front of you and you’re seeing the people you’re helping every day.”

Youth poet captures Legion’s top prize

A local Grade 9 student took top prize for the poem she wrote for the Royal Canadian Legion national Youth Remembrance contest.

Antonia Tannert, a Westside Academy student, wrote A Poppy Whispers.

“Inspiration came from the Flanders Field Poem and from poppies, by what it means when we say Lest We Forget,” Antonia Tannert of Westside Academy said about her poem. “I wanted to express all the aspects and emotions that are brought up when we wear a poppy and remember those who fought for us.”

To get to the nationals Tannert entered the provincial contest which she also won. She received a plaque and a prize of $500.

Here is her poem:

A POPPY WHISPERS

In flanders fields the poppies grow

But in our hearts their true meaning shows

They remind us that peace comes at a price

They remind us of the immeasurable sacrifice

This is what a poppy whispers

A poppy whispers for us to feel

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Feel the trembling hands that fought for us

Feel the pounding hearts full of fear and sorrow

Feel the weight of each loss, luring you into an abyss

Feel the steady beating drums as the soldiers march

A poppy whispers for us to hear

Hear the whispered prayers from loved ones

Hear the screams of the dying and the silence of the dead

Hear the gunfire, the shooting and the chaos

Hear our anthem sung loud and proud

A poppy whispers for us to see

See the sacrifice it took to achieve peace

See the solemnity of a flag at half mast

See the devastation left behind on a battlefield

See the poppies planted in the fields and on our chests

A poppy whispers for us to remember

Remember the soldiers who gave their lives to fight

Remember the ones who died and the burdens the survivors carry

Remember the broken families and homes

Remember the sacrifices they made so you could be free today

In flanders fields the poppies grow

But in our hearts their true meaning shows

They remind us that peace comes at a price

They remind us of the immeasurable sacrifice

This is what a poppy whispers

Antonia Tannert is presented with her national award by teacher Nicole Abley

Local stage star turns movie star

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH

She’s stepping from stage to screen in one graceful leap.

Sandra Clermont takes on a role in The Way to the Heart, the romantic comedy currently being filmed in Prince George.

Clermont is a well-known stage performer in Judy Russell Presents productions including the starring role in Hello Dolly in 2006, Nunsense 1 & 2, Cabaret, Tommy, Guys & Dolls and Mary Poppins.

Now Clermont turns her goose-bump inspiring talent to the screen as she takes on the role of Bob Blumer’s love interest in The Way to the Heart, the second locally filmed Barker Street Cinema production

“I don’t have any background in film (but) I love films, I’m a movie junkie and it’s really amazing to see the process first hand,” Clermont said. “After doing everything on stage, it’s the same thing yet completely different. At the core it’s the same, you are bringing a character to life but how you bring that character to life couldn’t be more opposite.”

Moving from stage to screen poses a challenge for any actor having to go from playing bigger-than-life characters and using voice projection to reach the last row in a theatre to the subtle nuances needed for the detail-capturing camera that often gets very up close and personal to capture a moment.

The romantic comedy features Meghan Heffern and Jon Cor, Hallmark movie stars,

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Local performer Sandra Clermont moves from stage to screen as she takes on a role opposite Bob Blumer in the latest Barker Street Cinema production The Way to the Heart.

playing the main characters, while Bob Blumer, best known for his Food Network shows and many appearances in Prince George hosting the local Iron Chef competitions, makes his acting debut.

Clermont just finished her time on set last week.

“It was really exciting,” Clermont said. “It was just so lovely to have an opportunity to do something creative again. We’ve been so fortunate here, we were able to do a

play reading last fall and that was fantastic.”

During the pandemic, live entertainment was completely shut down, so those used to taking to any stage were left with no creative outlet.

“Everybody’s just been head down doing their job or trying to get by doing what they can and you kind of feel that something’s missing,” Clermont said. “For many of the people that I hang out with, what’s missing is being on stage and performing and being creative and learning about acting and being characters.”

So when she was able to get back to acting, it was definitely an ahhhhhh! moment, she described in a lilting singsong voice.

Clermont is a big fan of Blumer’s and watches his shows all the time on the Food Network.

“So when I met him I really felt like I already knew him in some sense,” Clermont laughed.

Her character Julia lives with Blumer’s character Bill in the movie and without giving too much away their part of the movie was filmed in a lovely home, she hinted.

“We did some outdoor dinner stuff and kitchen stuff, of course, with Bob’s background and there’s a whole cooking component to the movie,” she said.

The two main characters and Blumer were the only people with which she interacted during her time on set.

“That’s what’s different about doing a

movie,” Clermont said “Doing a play you may not have a scene with someone but they’re always around because a play is done in real time and has to be done in about two hours So you always see them around. In a movie if you’re not in a scene with someone you never cross paths.”

By contrast, the film actors are so close to the production team and that’s also a big difference from stage to screen.

“During the filming of a movie you’re surrounded by all these amazing people,” Clermont said. “And again polar opposite to when you’re on stage and you don’t see the crew at all.”

Clermont said she was sad when she was done and she’s hoping there’s more to come.

“I just want people to be proud,” she said. “Judy (Russell) elicits that from people. We want to do her justice and we want her to feel proud of us all. Wendy Ord the director inspires people with that same thing. She’s got this amazing warmth and kindness that I was just blown away by.”

For her personally, Clermont has definitely caught the movie bug after her experience on the Barker Street Cinema set.

“I would be interested in even helping behind-the-scenes,” she said. “Just to see how that process worked, I think I am pretty good with continuity - I think that I’d always be making sure that half glass of water was just right It was so great and if I’m blessed enough to do more I’d love it ”

Funds unveiled for area transportation

The provincial and federal governments announced $7.9 million in COVID-19 Safe Restart funding on Friday to support safe, reliable transportation services in northern B.C..

The Northern Development Initiative Trust will administer the funds, and will engage with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to develop a grant program to support the region’s transportation needs, according to a statement issued by the province

“Northern B.C. is a vast region with many unique communities, several of which are isolated. Safe, consistent and affordable

transportation is a necessity for many residents of the north, especially now as the province is reopening and travel will increase,” NDIT CEO Joel McKay said in a press release. “We applaud the province of B.C. and its recognition of the importance of northern transit service, now and into the future.”

In addition, the funding will provide sustainable funding for the BC Bus North service until March of 2025 The bus service, launched after Greyhound pulled out of northern B.C., connects Prince George to communities along Highway 16 and Highway 97.

Surgery more dangerous for Indigenous people, Prince George doctor says

MOIRA WYTON,

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Tyee

Indigenous patients in Canada are 30 per cent more likely to die after surgery than other patients, according to new research. And that’s not going to change without transformational change to address anti-Indigenous racism in health-care systems in B.C. and across Canada, according to the first First Nations woman surgeon in Canada.

A recent review of 28 studies co-authored by Prince George surgeon Dr Nadine Caron, who also teaches in the UNBC and UBC medical programs, found that after surgery, Indigenous people die at a rate 30-per-cent greater than other patients.

Indigenous patients also experienced higher rates of post-operative infections and complications than others, despite getting surgeries less often.

The data did not surprise Caron or her co-authors Dr. Jason McVicar and Dr. Alana Poon, but it raises essential questions about what’s causing the poorer outcomes Are patients waiting longer for surgery, or suffering from poor health that add

to their risks?

Caron said it’s important to move beyond those basic questions and look for the underlying causes.

“Is it because of delayed access? Then why is there delayed access? Is it because of the lack of utilization of the health-care services, or that they’re not there at all?” asked Caron, who is a member of the Sagamok Anishnawbek Nation in Ontario

All these problems are made worse by widespread anti-Indigenous racism in the health-care system, as documented in the

NOTICE OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION

TEMPORARY USEPERMITNo. 235

What: Consultation regarding Temporary Use Permit No. 235

Owner: Judy Sindia

Proposal: The purpose of Temporary Use Permit No. 235 is to permit Equipment Repair and Servicing use and Logging/Trucking Contractor use on part of the subject property for athree-year period. The subject property is That Part of the South East ¼ofDistrict Lot 3819 Cariboo District as Shown on Plan B7466 and is located at 24935 Hart Highway

How can Iprovide comment? Anyone who believes that their interest in land is affected by the proposed Permit shall be afforded areasonable opportunity to submit written comments prior to the Regional District Boardconsidering issuance of the Permit.

In Plain Sight report released in November.

Racism also puts Indigenous people at greater risk for chronic illnesses and early deaths from causes like toxic drugs.

Caron, who is co-director of UBC’s Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health, said the relationship between Indigenous people and the health-care system need careful examination.

“Is the problem not particularly the access, but the lack of access to culturally safe care, to a health-care system without racism embedded within the walls of the institutions Indigenous people have to walk into?” she asked.

Surgery is an essential part of health care, Caron said. But there is so much more to one’s health than how smoothly things go while under the knife.

Many Indigenous patients have their concerns dismissed, delaying things like cancer screening. Others avoid care altogether because of past experiences of racism. Both contribute to worsening health, increased chances they will need surgery, and delays in needed treatment

“Screening for breast cancer, or colon cancer or cervical cancer, can actually play a preventative role in actually ever needing surgery for those types of cancers,” said Caron.

Cultural safety and anti-racism work

are essential in all settings, not just the operating room, she said. Physiotherapy, massage and followup appointments with a surgeon and family physician can be essential to catching any complications in time to be treated and corrected.

And the underlying causes of poor outcomes, like poverty and lack of access to clean water, adequate housing, medications or medical equipment must be addressed, she added

For Caron, there is a difference between naturally-occurring obstacles like travel distances from remote communities and the barriers the health-care system has the power to change.

Prince George, where Caron practises, serves as a hub for patients from many northern and remote First Nations communities who fly or drive long distances for care. The city still has fewer specialized health-care services, like physiotherapy or surgical specialists, than Kamloops or Vancouver

The health-care system has “a moral responsibility to eliminate” barriers, she said. “The fact that you have to travel further when you live in a rural remote northern community is something that you can’t control,” she said. But the health-care system needs to recognize the challenge and identify solutions that ensure effective care.

Submit written comments: Written comments will be accepted by the Regional District until 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday,June 30, 2021 by:

Email: developmentservices@rdffg.bc.ca

Hand/Mail: 155 George Street, Prince George, BC V2L 1P8

Fax: 250-562-8676

Any material received will becomepublic information. Need moreinfo? Acopy of the proposed Permit and any relevant background materials areavailable for review by the public on the Regional District’swebsite: http://www.rdffg.bc.ca/services/development/ land-use-planning/current-applications/ or at the Regional District office, by appointment only,Monday through Friday,8:00 am to 4:30 pm, between June 14, 2021, and July 15, 2021. The Regional District office will be closed on Thursday,July 1, 2021. To make an appointment contact the Regional District at 250-960-4400 or developmentservices@rdffg.bc.ca

Decision by the Regional District Board: Following the public consultation, the Regional District Board will consider issuance of Temporary Use Permit No. 235 on Thursday,July 15, 2021 during the Regional District Boardmeeting which starts at 1:30 p.m. in the Regional District BoardRoom located at 155 George Street, Prince George, BC.

Who can Ispeak to? Heather Meier,Planning Leader, 250-960-4400

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Local surgeon Dr Nadine Caron.

LACROSSE BOX GETS FACELIFT

TED CLARKE

A small volunteer army descended on the concrete Carney Street lacrosse box Saturday morning.

They got their hands on paint rollers and brushes, swept up garbage and cleared weeds out of the cracks and somewhere up above, the man they called Moose was probably smiling

The future site of Glen ‘Moose’ Scott Memorial Arena is being spruced up with the fresh coat of paint and a new fence to try to restore the outdoor box to its former glory. Chris Scott, the son of the local lacrosse legend, predicts it won’t be long before the concrete structure at the corner of Carney Street and Massey Drive is being used again for lacrosse, roller skating roller/ball hockey and maybe even ice hockey

“It’s been dormant for a long time,” said Scott. “We haven’t used it in here for a good two or three years. But now with the painting and the fencing, and the work the city’s done on the benches to change all the hinges and locks, it will be like it was 20 years ago. We’re not charging fees to use it this year, we just want people to get back out and just get this facility used again.”

The project was made possible through donations from Victory Paint and Mercantile, which supplied the paint, and Bulldog Fencing, which is replacing the wire mesh fencing Staff from the City of Prince George have been closely with Scott to make it happen and some of the costs are being covered by the Prince George Senior Lacrosse Association.

“We’ve got a lot of volunteers from different teams and we have a couple guys here who don’t play lacrosse,” said Scott, now in his fourth year as PGSLA chair. “They saw the shout-out on Facebook and are just stepping up to help.”

Nearly 27 years have gone by since Glen Scott and the Prince George Masters Lacrosse Association unveiled their original

New crosswalk coming to Tyner

renovation project. The Carney Street facility was one of five lacrosse boxes the city had in the mid-1970s, when lacrosse was one of the more popular spring and summer sports. After decades of use for lacrosse and ball hockey and as an outdoor hockey rink, the splintered painted green boards had become a safety hazard in 1994 when the masters decided to revamp the rink. They raised nearly $100,000 to replace the floor, walls and players’ benches with concrete and put up a wire mesh fence around the rink with high netting behind each goal to keep wayward shots in the playing area.

A new, controlled crosswalk is being installed at the intersection of Tyner Boulevard, Baker Road and Gannet Road.

The crosswalk will include flashing lights which pedestrians can activate to alert drivers they are crossing the road, according to a statement issued by the city.

Teams in the Prince George Senior Lacrosse Association and Prince George Minor Lacrosse Association used the Carney Street box for practices and the odd pickup game and roller/ball hockey players played pickup games there but the rink was never flooded and for the past decade has only rarely been used

Moose always envisioned year-round use for the box and was trying to convince more sporting organizations to take advantage of it In an Oct 20, 2013 Citizen article, he longed for a return to its former glory. Moose suggested the rink should have a roof to make it more weather-proof but it

The project, which is expected to be completed in July, was identified as a high priority to upgrade in the city’s Pedestrian Crossing Strategy, which was adopted in 2020.

never happened and the Carney Street box became one of the city’s most underutilized sports facilities.

But that’s about to change. Chris Scott is now accepting requests from youth and adult sports organizations to book times to use it, and they won’t have to pay for that privilege. He knows minor lacrosse and senior lacrosse players are looking for a place to play after having had their seasons scuttled again by the pandemic

“If you have a lacrosse box open again they’re going to come – we should be back in here next weekend,” he said.

“It’s too late to save the senior lacrosse season in Kin 1 and the Coliseum (Rolling Mix Concrete Arena), where we usually play There won’t be any league-sanctioned games but I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re driving by the lacrosse box and see two teams going at it. Guys will throw their sticks in the middle to have a fun game now that we do that again.”

COVID restrictions have been lifted to allow as many as 50 players around the rink and the province is on track in July to allow spectators again in a limited capacity Scott is looking for a way to scuff up the smooth concrete floor slightly so it’s not so slippery for runners when they step on dusty areas. For the lacrosse box to be used for hockey and skating again Scott said it’s likely that boards would have to be built within the existing structure to keep the concrete from cracking. He knows it would get well-used.

“To flood this and have this as an ice surface would be insane,” said Scott. “The city could roll a Zamboni out through the doors. There’s a lot of plans moving forward and I’m definitely open to ideas.

“This is not just a lacrosse box, I want the whole community to be able to use it, whether they’re roller skating in it, skateboarding in it, hockey or lacrosse, whatever you want to do.”

The Tyner crossing was one of 17 new crosswalks needed in the city to meet national safety guidelines, the report identified.

In addition, 26 existing crosswalks were in need of safety upgrades at the time of the report.

The city has since installed and upgraded some of the identified intersections.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE/LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE.

Annie Scott applies a layer of paint to the Carney Street lacrosse box on Saturday morning during a work party on the outdoor facility

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Visits fuel Relay for Life walkers

TED CLARKE

After 11 hours on his feet, just shy of the halfway mark in the Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life, Cristian Silva was feeling the pain.

His feet and knees ached, his body was tired and his mental stamina was being tested as it was really sinking in how tough it was to walk all those laps around the empty CN Centre parking lot.

And then he met Lindy Steele, a retired Prince George teacher who just finished radiation treatments on Wednesday after developing breast cancer Steele has been a regular participant in the annual cancer walk fundraiser and she and her husband annually took the 4-5 a.m. shift in the team relay until 2019, when he died of cancer Steele showed up the first time at about 3:50 a.m. and walked that hour with Silva and Cariboo Prince George MP Todd Doherty, returning two more times to keep them company before their 24-hour relay ended at 5 p.m. Saturday. As she talked to Silva about what cancer has done to her with the loss of her husband and how it has returned to affect her own life, he was not expecting how deeply her story would impact his own emotions.

“She just finished her treatments Wednesday and was here last night, she was here this morning and she was here before the end of this, and if that’s not powerful….” said Silva.

“They come here to empower you and

it should be the other way around. It was quite emotional, the amount of people we met through the day and night, listening to their testimonials about losing family members or fighting cancer themselves It gives you a different perspective.”

Doherty completed the 24-relay on his own last year and one of the highlights of that walk for him was meeting Steele, who came out of the twilight fog and took him by surprise at 4 a.m. when he thought he was alone in the vast parking lot. Her story and the inspiration it provided later brought Doherty to tears and her return this year with the news of her ongoing battle against the disease was a reminder of what motivates him to participate in the walk every year.

“Lindy is a prime example of why we relay,” said Doherty “She just finished her treatment on Wednesday and she didn’t really have the strength to do much It’s kind of worn her out but she’s determined to keep fighting and create the memories her husband Larry would have wanted her to do

“Her attitude is so infectious.”

One out of every two Canadians has either had cancer or has had somebody close to them - a family member, close friend, neighbor or co-worker - touched by the disease. Before he started the walk, Silva thought he was in that luckier half of society until he realized he had worked with people who have had to deal with it.

“The hardest thing was not having a good understanding of what cancer does to you, to the families, to the neighbours to our community,” said Silva, a 53-year-old youth care worker for School District 57.

“I know what cancer is and what it does to your body – it’s an illness. But when you start looking at a human being behind that… it’s quite different when you’re walking and you have people come up to you

with a smile. You wonder who are these people, and then they start describing what they have gone through, losing a husband or a son, a nephew and themselves having to go through therapy - quite hard.

“The pain we’re feeling physically and in our knees and our toes – something is going on there and you don’t want to look because it’s going to be a blister or two – but this pain is nothing compared to what they go through. It’s just amazing to see them come to you with a smile. That’s something I’ll never be able to take out of my head. They still have the hope.”

Silva says the Relay for Life not only raises money for cancer research but also creates awareness of the need to find a cure, something he hopes to see in his lifetime. The two of them raised close to $5,400 for the cause. Both anticipate the relay will be back next year as a massive event involving hundreds of people from all over the region, as it was for years before the pandemic hit last year

Doherty traveled most of the day Friday from Ottawa and arrived at about 2:30 p.m. just before the walk, so he was awake for two solid days by the time his second-straight 24-hour marathon was over He hauled his trailer to the parking lot and they used that for bathroom breaks and to take five- or 10-minute rests every three or four hours. Doherty lost his father-in-law to cancer in February and has had several friends affected by the disease.

Sexual assault alleged

Happy Pride Month!

A 30-year-old Alberta man is suspected of sexually assaulting a seven-yearold Prince George girl.

Prince George RCMP said that the man was arrested on June 4, in response to a report received on June 3 that a stranger committed the act after coming across the girl near the corner of Norwood Street and Porter Avenue.

Police said Crown counsel approved charges of sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching and sexual assault against the man. He appeared in court on Wed., June 10 and was released on several conditions, including to remain

outside of Prince George except on days of court appearances, police said.

In addition to obtaining details from the child, police said they also collected video surveillance from the neighbourhood

“These types of incidents are particularly concerning to police and we dedicate considerable effort and resources to solving them,”

Prince George RCMP Supt. Shaun Wright said in a statement. “Fortunately, in this case we were able to quickly identify the unknown suspect and make an arrest.”

The suspect’s name was not released.

Prohibited driver nabbed

A prohibited driver attempted to evade police only to dig himself a bigger hole.

Prince George RCMP said it began just after midnight last Monday when a member attempted to pull over a vehicle near Northwood Pulpmill Road. The driver took off only to flee down a dead-end road. When police caught up to the man for a second time, he rammed through a set of metal gates and into a large field where the vehicle got stuck on a hill. Despite attempting to spray the members with bear spray, he was arrested, as was a passenger who had been tracked down with the help of a handler and dog.

The two were released with future court dates. Charges remain pending and their names were not provided.

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

Cristian Silva, left, and Todd Doherty chat during their 24-hour walk around the CN Centre parking lot.

HOP OFF THE

LINE

A racer launches off the starting line at NITRO Motorsports Park on Sunday during the second day of the Summit ET Bracket Racing event.

Huble Homestead welcomes sleuths

Every day this summer Huble Homestead Historic Site is open for self-led activities, guided tours and lunch.

Looking for that unique adventure to take Dad on for Father’s Day?

Huble Homestead’s got you covered with a free pancake breakfast to start the day off right.

Even if Dad wants to sleep in, he’ll get a sundae until 5 p.m. if he’d like that better

After that take the family on a treasure hunt or challenge each other to a game of horseshoes.

Later this month there is a Watson Weekend for those who want to stretch their sleuthing skills outside of looking for where you put your glasses this time.

June 25 to 27 bring a group along to take a shot at finding clues and solve puzzles and brain teasers to earn prizes.

The sleuthing adventures are suitable for all ages and activities are free with admission by donation.

For those more serious about their testing their investigative talents the target is Sherlock Saturday June 26 which is a timed activity in an exit room style game This sleuthing activity is recommended for those 12 years and up and tickets are $10 per person in advance and available through www.hublehomestead.ca.

As Canada Day approaches and people are looking for something a little different to do there is a week-long celebration planned for Dominion Day

from June 28 to July 3.

Visitors can enjoy self-guided activity and craft kits, have a complimentary butter tart or piece of cake, and learn more about Canada and our region through exhibits at the site.

To really get your hands on history, pre-book spaces for heritage skills demonstrations on July 1 or July 3.

The site is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each summer day Shop in the General Store for locally made items, old-fashioned candies, pie, ice cream treats, and lunch from the barbecue.

The park’s open green spaces are perfect for picnics and lawn games and everyone is welcome to enjoy some physically distanced fun.

Visit www.hublehomestead.ca, or call 250-564-7033.

CLASSIC CAR PARADE GOES SUNDAY

As it was last year the same goes this year as the Cruisin Classics Father’s Day Show n’ Shine will take to the road as a parade to adhere to current pandemic restrictions.

On June 20, starting at about 1:15 p.m., the parade route will cover more than 45 kilometres in a loop that heads up to the Hart on Foothills Boulevard then back down via the Hart Highway, into downtown through Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park, up to College Heights past UNBC and back to 15th and Foothills where the vehicles will disperse.

Telus set to broadcast local history doc

A local filmmaker will release a movie about the history of Prince George on June 29.

Ze Helios of Uniters Media created The Vintage Diary, Chapter 1 How Love Can Move Mountains, which is a Telus StoryHive production that is an adaptation from a diary about a young woman who came to Prince George for love.

The film talks about the struggles around pioneering in the north and includes some of the history of Prince George.

The process to create the film has been two years in the making, greatly affected by the pandemic. It started

with the Telus Storyhive web series edition grants that awarded 40 filmmakers in BC and Alberta $20,000 each to develop their production that would showcase their local communities. When complete, the filmmakers showcase their pilot to a panel of judges where an additional $60,000 in funding will be presented to each of the top pilots from BC and Alberta to bring their web series to life.

Viewers can get a glimpse of what’s to come by viewing the trailer on YouTube. The movie will be presented on TELUS OPTICK on demand.

Each of the vehicles participating will get a chance to make a donation that will go equally to the Prince George Hospice Society and the Alzheimer Society of BC.

Most people will remember the Show n’ Shine used to be on the streets of downtown Prince George, at the parking lot at Prince

George Secondary School and most recently at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park. All the vehicles were parked and visitors could look at their leisure, chatting with the proud owner about the details of their pride and joy.

This year, people can enjoy the view along the parade route and are encouraged to physically distance to keep everyone safe during the event.

Those spectators who wish to donate to the hospice and Alzheimer societies can e-transfer funds.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE/LOCAL

GLOSSING OVER THE PARKADE FIASCO

Rather than dwell on the cost of the downtown parkade, Mayor Lyn Hall and most of council would rather cheerfully look to a bright future, stressing the initiatives that they have enacted or are in the process of doing so to prevent such a fiasco from happening again.

More policy

More oversight.

Sounds great except that the external report clearly explains that the policies already in place were either partially or fully ignored, while the oversight was less than thorough All the policy and oversight procedures in the world make no difference without willing partners – bureaucrats operating by the book and elected officials diving into the details.

One of the policies city council vows to work on and adopt is a whistleblower policy. Presumably that means city staff could

go past their managers to complain directly to mayor and council about various city hall shenanigans.

Unfortunately, the history of whistleblowers is tragic. While the public might sing the praises of these brave acts, things rarely end well for the whisteblowers themselves. Whether it’s sexual misconduct in the RCMP or the Canadian military or doping scandals in sports, the people who step forward see their professional and even their personal lives destroyed more often than not

Applied here, a city staffer making an end run around the bosses to mayor and council would have a permanent target on their back within the bureaucracy With union protection, they might be able to weather the storm but without it, they’d be quietly managed out of a job and a whisper campaign blackballing that individual would hamper their efforts to land work in their field elsewhere.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Officers thanked

To the honourable members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, I often contemplate the nature of peace and its heavy cost This reflection inspired me to write you this letter

Peace comes with a cost to the individual, to society, and to the world at large. The cost is life and can it only be paid with the courage of self-sacrifice.

All those who enjoy the benefit of peace, unfortunately, do not demonstrate this courage.

Peace is not easily acquired, nor is it permanent; it demands constant sacrifice. As a parent, as a nurse, as a human being, I respect sacrifice and willingly sacrifice much for the benefit of others. Daily, our honourable members of the RCMP willingly sacrifice their time, minds, bodies, and souls.

This willingness to sacrifice is what keeps peace alive. Though everyone should responsibly share this burden, not all are willing to do so. I have not always been a good person; I have caused much suffering.

RCMP Member James Cutler intercepted me, and redirected me on the path I currently follow - the path to peace.

Honourable members, your courage, dedication, and suffering has not gone unnoticed.

As an emergency room nurse, I often bear witness to your courageous suffering. We pay you in dollars for exchange of your souls.

You sacrifice 24 hours a day, every day, to promote peace, prevent suffering, and intercept lost souls on their path to self-destruction.

Honourable members, your work is sacred, as are your minds, bodies, and souls. It is an honour to live and work alongside you, and I am grateful for the blessings you bestow. As a parent, as a nurse, as a human being living in a relative state of peace, with tremendous love in my heart, and light in my soul, I commend you. Peace exists in my life because of your willingness to sacrifice. I believe love is a willingness to sacrifice Thank you for loving peace.

Kristopher Shively Burns Lake

Drugs draw in kids

Things have to change in order to protect our children from dying of a drug overdose Since more people in BC have died from a drug overdose than COVID, that means the harm reduction strategy we have using for the last 20 years is a failure. Are you aware that anybody over 18 can go to the health unit and get needles or pipes or anything needed to do drugs that may kill them and instructions on how to

Organizations that have transparency and integrity built into the workplace culture have no need for whistleblower policies because secrets and silos are kept to a minimum and the doors to the bosses’ offices are always open.

At the city, a whistleblower policy would only be as good as the willingness of a mayor and council to listen, investigate and act. Considering Mayor Hall referred to the external review of the parkade as a fact-finding exercise, not a fault-finding one, it’d be smarter for city employees to lie low and keep their mouths shut instead of risking their jobs and their careers to call out wrongdoing that will either be ignored or glossed over.

The City of Prince George doesn’t need a whistleblower policy, it needs an overhaul of its workplace culture.

Once a new, permanent city manager is in place, “city hall needs to be turned upside down,” Coun. Brian Skakun said.

That’s a lot of responsibility to put on one person and it needs the unanimous, enthusiastic and sustained backing of city council.

At this point, Ian Wells, the current deputy city manager, was an active participant in the parkade project from the very beginning. As for Walter Babicz, the current acting city manager, his previous job was to review purchases, contracts and institutional risk.

The external report makes clear that the usual due diligence where Babicz would have been involved wasn’t followed. But that begs the question of whether Babicz ever sounded the alarm about why the paperwork about the project happening just outside the front steps of city hall hadn’t crossed his desk for review

Seen in that light, cultural change at city hall is a fantasy and business as usual will prevail.

- Editor-in-chief Neil Godbout

More letters on page 16

use them so they don’t hurt themselves? They will also give you a naloxone pen and instructions to shoot up with a buddy so he can save your life if you start to overdose Do you really really think we should be encouraging children into becoming junkies by making it so easy for them?

I was told that you do not help a drunk drink or a junkie do his drugs because you’re not helping them. I guess that’s not true anymore.

I wonder if the drugs that are killing people are legal or illegal? I know we spend hundreds of millions on police to get drugs and dealers off the street to keep the public safe. The biggest problem they seem to have is the courts. The police bust them and the courts give them a get out of jail free card so they sell more drugs. I know that may sound stupid but that’s the way it works and until that changes the opioid crisis will just get bigger and spread along with the gang violence. BC has become a drug dealers dream. Lots of customers, lots of money and no punishment

Something has to change because what we are doing is not working and we are going to lose thousands more young people and thousands more homeless and it will never stop It will just get worse

So what are you going do about it and help save lives? You have all the tools you need to cause change with email, phone and Facebook. You have to make how we

are handling the opioid crisis a hot topic to get change and that will take lots and lots and lots of people to stand up for themselves and demand change before we can help the homeless people.

One last question and I glad I don’t have young children. How are mom and dad supposed to protect their children from drugs when the deck is stacked against them?

Rick Berry Prince George

Lejac

survivor waiting

I went to Lejac Residential School. I have a claim and we waited over three years for an answer They tell us Lejac is not on the list. They don’t want to give our CEP (Common Experience Payment) money. Why did they deny us natives our school money?

And we didn’t get enough on our IAP (Independent Assessment Process) money, too.

The government is waiting for all of us to die before they give us our money We were all raped in Lejac. Why is the government dragging their ass on paying us out? We need something done on this issue ASAP.

Lots of people have got their school money. What about us?

Randolph John Fraser Lake

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Make everyone COVID safe

It is certainly a relief to see COVID-19 restrictions eased and to see life returning to normal as more and more Canadians get vaccinated. The vaccines we have will not provide 100 per cent immunity but should be sufficient to prevent further outbreaks. We are told that soon travel restrictions and social distancing will be a thing of the past. Or will they?

While countries like Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other wealthy nations have successfully vaccinated the majority of their citizens with at least one dose of the vaccine, countries with large numbers of people living as refugees, like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Yemen, have barely begun to vaccinate their populations

This is also the case throughout Africa and in much of the developing world

The truth is, no one is safe from COVID-19 until everyone, everywhere is safe.

This is not to say that scientists have not done an extraordinary job in developing effective vaccines in record time.

The problem is that viruses develop new variants and even new strains as they spread through populations. Thus far, we seem to have been lucky While no variants have developed which cannot be held in check by current vaccines, there is no guarantee

LESSONS IN LEARNING

GERRY CHIDIAC

that this trend will continue.

If COVID-19 takes hold among a vulnerable population, already weakened by famine and living in the tight and unhealthy confines of a refugee camp, we do not know what kinds of variants and strains will develop, and we do not know if our current vaccines will be effective.

Given the ease of global travel, we could well find ourselves where we were in March of 2020 once again.

This is nothing new. Human rights advocates have been warning us for decades that the movement of large numbers of displaced people is a potential health nightmare for the entire planet.

In fact, there have been several instances where the fast actions of groups like the World Health Organization may well have prevented global catastrophe

Many in the world do not seem to understand our interconnectedness. Diseases do not care about our nationality or our level of wealth.

Perhaps COVID-19 is making us aware that we need to make a paradigm shift

One message that I repeat over and over to my students is that each of them is a gift to the world

Our human civilization needs good

people doing amazing and creative things to make life better for everyone. Each of them is filled with unlimited potential.

I remind my students that this is true for each of their neighbours as well

What is true for people in a Canadian high school is true for every human being on the planet. If we continue to value Canadian lives more than we value Congolese or Yemini lives, we put our own well-being at risk.

To end the COVID-19 crisis, it is essential that we drastically increase access to and distribution of vaccines all over the world

We also need to improve the health conditions of our most at-risk populations, those living in refugee camps and other situations of dire poverty and starvation.

While we are at it, it would be helpful to declare a ceasefire in every armed conflict and put a moratorium on all international sales of military equipment.

We will likely never solve all the problems the world faces. If we can begin to show respect to our neighbours all around the world through equitable access to such simple things as healthcare, we certainly increase our chances

Maybe one day we will look back on the COVID-19 crisis as the time when a little virus taught us that a person’s nationality doesn’t matter. The coronavirus sees every person as equal and so should we.

Make sorry meaningful

The bodies of 215 children in unmarked graves has tarnished Canada’s reputation. It certainly does not fit our goal to be a country of “peace, order, and good government.”

Kamloops Residential School recorded only 51 student deaths. If the burial ground is where all the students that died there are buried, that means 164 children died without proper records being kept.

Chief Harvey Mcleod of the Upper Nicola Band who attended Kamloops Indian Residential School told CTV News that when schoolmates disappeared, they were simply never spoken of again.

“I just remember that they were here one day and they were gone the next,” he said.

Someone dug the graves. Someone put the bodies in the graves. But apparently no one bothered to record the deaths of these children. Recording deaths is a grim task, but it is essential, it is kindness, it is one of the most basic dignities we can

THINKING ALOUD TRUDY KLASSEN

give to a human being. Murderers are given reduced sentences if they reveal where they left the body In wartime, great efforts are made to identify and bury not only your own dead, but also the dead enemy.

These children, these families, didn’t get that

Unrecorded deaths of children in the care of a church means that people of faith (or those pretending to have faith) failed to follow even the most basic instructions found in the Christian Bible (Matthew 7:12 and 22:39,) of doing unto others, and loving others, as we love ourselves.

As Charles Adler said, the people who did this took Christ out of Christian.

The official apology for residential schools in 2008 was done on behalf of the government and was a huge step in the right direction.

I think this discovery of 215 unmarked graves has the potential for each of us, no matter the kind of Canadian we are, to realize more fully what was apologized for Maybe residential schools and the Indian Act are why Canadians are famous for saying “sorry.”

We just didn’t know what we were sorry for until now

If we walk with our Indigenous neighbours and communities that are grieving this discovery without judgment or defensiveness, if we are willing to address this and hold people accountable, Canada has an opportunity to mature as a country. Ignoring violence, disorder, and the damage that can occur from bad government is something to be sorry for It is time to make “sorry” meaningful by truthfully, accountably, and honestly coming to terms with our government’s dealings with Indigenous Canadians.

Peace, order and good government is a worthy mission statement for a country and we need to work toward that ideal.

TRACK LIFTS BASKETBALL PLAYER HIGHER

TED CLARKE

Bobby Kelly was kind of coerced into joining the Prince George Track and Field Club this year when his dad strongly suggested it would be good way for him to improve as a basketball player

That fatherly advice has certainly paid off and the 16-year-old College Heights

Secondary School student realizes it every time he steps out onto the court at the Roll-A-Dome to play for his Northern Bounce Academy team. He’s quicker, faster and more flexible. He’s able to jump 33.6 inches with both feet off the floor is some kind of vertical.

“My dad told me I was doing I like track a lot, it helps me with my other sports, learning the proper form and technique and stuff,” said Kelly, who says his running has improved after months of practice with PGTFC sprint coach Cathy Johnson

“She taught me to keep my legs up, proper form, you don’t have to be so aggressive, just stay relaxed when I run. I found, once I started, I wasn’t too quick, but now I’m getting up and down the court real quick. It keeps me in better shape.”

Kelly has found a friend in the track club and on the basketball court in Adam Sieben.

They train and compete against each together in both sports and are close in ability and that’s bringing out the best in them.

They had a chance to gauge their track and field progress during the two-day Spruce Capital meet that wrapped up Sunday at Masich Place Stadium

Now in his sixth season with the PGTFC, Sieben kicked in the afterburner to put some distance between himself and Kelly in the 100m race Saturday, clocking a per-

GOLF WITH GODBOUT

Bobby Kelly clears the high jump bar on Saturday morning while competing in the Spruce Ctiy Invitational track and field meet at Masich Place Stadium.

sonal-best 11.91 seconds, two-tenths faster than his previous best Kelly finished the sprint in 12.63. A couple of adults ran with the boys 100m race and 26-year-old Calum Westbrook was the fastest of the fast, finishing in 11.49, while 34-year-old Brody Yoxall crossed the finish in 12.60.

Caleb Emon ran a 12.45 100m, third-quickest in the meet.

Sieben, a Grade 9 student at Duchess Park, also won his 300m final in 38.21, a full second quicker than his previous best.

“I like the sprints, the 300 is maybe my favorite,” said Sieben.

Kelly added 10 centimetres to his best high jump on Saturday, clearing the bar at 1.70 metres.

“I like jumping; jumping is my thing,” said Kelly “I actually got a good sleep last night and I’ve been working on my form a lot.”

Emon, 16, won the high jump with a PB leap of 1.75 metres, proving he’s a national-level athlete in the event He would have qualified to represent Prince George in the 2021 Legion National Youth Track

The first swing is the hardest

Each week this summer, Citizen editor Neil Godbout will share his experience learning how to play golf at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club. Want to get in a free round with Neil? Just drop him a line at ngodbout@pgcitizen.ca

Part 1

There is a sound a well-struck golf ball makes as it comes off the face of a club. Similar to the pop of a baseball off a bat swung by a good hitter, there’s a melodic sweetness to the sound, as if the golf ball is offering a quick thanks as it springs into the air, gleefully launching itself towards the hole ahead.

I have no idea how to do that.

When I hit the ball, it sounds like a thud, a complaint from both the club and the ball, even when I manage to hit it cleanly enough that I don’t destroy the tee or dig a foxhole in the fairway

But that’s why I’m here.

I didn’t pick up a golf club until I was 24, three decades ago. I didn’t buy a set of clubs until I was 40. I have never had a lesson and I have never played a regulation

18-hole course. I haven’t played at all in the last five years, the clubs blanketed in dust in the back of the garage. Until now.

This is the time for this old mutt to learn a new trick.

This summer, I will work with Blair Scott, the club pro at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club with the goal to transform me into a reasonable facsimile of a golfer Along with a weekly lesson, I have committed to practising twice a week at the driving range and to play a full 18-hole round each week.

But first, we had to find out just how bad I am

So last Friday afternoon, I struck out with Blair, Citizen ad director Pierre Pelletier and Prince George Golf and Curling Club GM Don McDermid, hitting from the silver tees.

First thing I learned that no one had had the heart to tell me before – a swing and a miss still counts as a shot How hard can it be to make contact with a ball not moving? I did it on the second hole and I did it again

and Field Championships but the meet has been cancelled due to the pandemic.

“He gives me motivation, for sure,” said Kelly “He has a different approach, but I like seeing what he does, to try to improve.”

Like Sieben, Kelly is in his fourth year with Northern Bounce. They play two or three times every week with their academy team and that’s been their salvation the past two basketball seasons considering COVID has forced cancellation of the high school leagues. They’re just getting back to playing games again at the academy, now that the province has lifted heath restrictions which prevented that to try and limit the spread of the virus.

“They’re both excellent basketball players and they’re also really good track athletes,” said Johnson, a former national level sprinter from Calgary who ran track for Ohio State University from 1996-2000.

“Whether you’re in soccer, basketball or hockey, any sport that involves movement, track will add to your skillset and that’s what you want. Track will add value to the sport that you do and it has something for everybody We have walking events, throwing events , jumping events, distance events and sprinting events ”

Kinonae Roberts proved the Spruce Capital meet speed queen, running the 100 in 14.05. She went on to break the meet record in the 13-year-old girls 300m in 45.14 seconds. That shattered the old record of 46.36 set in 2014 by Brooklyn Stouffer, who is now coaching Roberts at the PGTFC. Roberts had some fast company in her 13-14-year-old girls division with Hannah Neukomm (14.45) and Jocelyn Murguly (14.50) both posting sub-15-second runs, as did Emma Ward (14.56), who won the 16-17-year-old division.

at least six or seven times over the next four hours walking the beautiful course.

I got off to a great start On the first hole (we started on the back nine so it was the par 3 #10), I carded a 4, just like the other three superior golfers.

And then my troubles began.

Over the next eight holes, I shot a 77 There were a few good shots along the way I cleared the water hazard on 14 but I went on to drown two golf balls later in the round.

At the turn, things got better. I relaxed. I stopped trying to play golf and just tried to make clean contact. I cut down on the number of whiffed balls and the errant hits, although I still managed to park one in the middle of an accompanying fairway

But I had far more straight shots that maybe didn’t always go more than 50 yards but weren’t complete disasters.

So after shooting an 81 on the first nine, I shot a 67 on the second nine

I am, indeed, a project, carding a 148 at my first ever round at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club.

Just like in real life, I was constantly in trouble in my first round

Blair smiled and told me he can’t wait to get to work.

I’m terrified

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE/LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

DAY JUNE 21

HANNA PETERSEN

An open drum circle will take place at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21.

‘This is an open circle and open gathering,” says Wesley Mitchell, of the UHNBC Drum Group organizing the event.

“We are looking for people to bring their art, bring their music, their culture maybe regalia and just honour to this day.”

The UHNBC Drum Group has performed every Monday night throughout the pandemic to lift the spirits of frontline healthcare workers at the hospital.

He says the June 21 drum circle will be similar to the Monday night hospital gatherings.

Mitchell says COVID-19 protocols will also be followed such as mask wearing, and social distancing.

Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dolleen Logan will open the event with a few words when the event gets underway at 11 a.m.

An Elder will speak every hour on

the hour until the event closes at 3 p.m

With the news of the 215 children found buried on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in May affecting Indigenous peoples across Canada, Mitchell says he recognizes the significance of people coming together to honour the day

“We are going to bring in as much of the past as possible for healing but we want to bring mostly positives and bring strong culture. Non-Indigenous peoples of all nations can also come and observe and listen to our leaders and hear the heartbeat of the drums.”

The drum circle will be open to everyone who wants to attend and observe the day

“This is how we are going to get through this. This is a day that is to listen and to learn if you are not Indigenous and for the indigenous to stand up and show and share,” adds Mitchell.

The drum circle will take place on June 21 at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Honouring National Indigenous Peoples Day

Acknowledging

Everyone welcome to join drum circle

a rattle with a young

Park during a gathering in remembrance of the 215 children whose

were found on the site of a former residential school in Kamloops.

We recognize, honour and celebrate the heritage, diversity, resilience, knowledge and achievements of Indigenous Peoples. We actively aim to learn about First Nations cultures and practices and strive to create a safe space for coming together in our communities. Knowing that there is much work ahead for all of us to do, we remain steadfast in our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, and Resurgence.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE/LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

Wesley Mitchell shakes

drummer at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial

remains

HANNA PETERSEN

Prince George Aboriginal Head Start

Programs are among 90 Indigenous early childhood development programs receiving up to $100,000 each to improve wellness through landbased cultural programing.

“The pandemic has made it clear how important getting outside is to our mental, physical and spiritual health,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care.

“This funding will help improve outdoor programming for Indigenous children and support the development of stronger connections to children’s cultural identity and traditions.”

Twelve Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities (AHSUNC) sites (off-reserve) sites and 78 Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve (AHSOR) sites are the first to receive funding to create safe, outdoor early learning and play spaces for children.

Aboriginal Head Start (AHS) programs offer high-quality, culturally based early learning and child care programs that are designed for and with Indigenous families and communities.

These programs aim to help keep

Indigenous learning program ore support

Ninety Indigenous early learning programs are receiving up to $100,000 each for land-based wellness programing.

Indigenous children connected to their culture and to support Indigenous families in becoming better connected to their community

AHS offers preventative supports like parent education, encourages family participation and provides referrals to early intervention services, such as counselling

and speech therapy.

The Prince George Head Start Program (PGAHS), which began in 1996, is hosted through the Prince George Native Friendship Centre

The local Head Start program offers a comprehensive program designed to meet the spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs of Aboriginal preschool children ages three to five living in the urban setting.

“The majority of a child’s brain development happens before the age of six, and that’s one of the reasons why it’s so important to give children access to quality, inclusive early learning experiences,” said Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development.

“This funding will support improvements to land-based programming at Aboriginal Head Start sites and help more Indigenous children build knowledge immersed in their culture and heritage, which includes developing a lifelong appreciation of nature and the outdoors.”

The organizations will receive this funding through a $10-million investment under the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP).

SUBMITTED PHOTO

FOUR RIVERS CO-OPERATIVE

We areproud to acknowledgethat we operate on thetraditional territories of many FirstNationscommunities throughout Central BritishColumbia. We respect thecultureand traditions of Indigenous peoplesand wisheveryone ahappy andsafe NationalIndigenousPeoples Day. We arevery saddened by the discovery of the remainsof215 childrenatthe Residential School in Kamloops andoffer our support to theIndigenouscommunity. We look forwardtoour continued partnerships andworking with FirstNations communities on raisingawarenessand breaking down barriers to ensurediverse andinclusive communities.

Now is the time to face race

Paradigm shifts in science happen all the time. It is part of the nature of what scientists do. We almost expect that our best work will one day be swallowed by some future theory or change in our understanding. We are very used to finding out our research has come to naught. And our experiments haven’t worked.

It isn’t easy to accept you have been wrong. Indeed, there have been some ugly incidences in the history of science where shifting the current understanding of knowledge has taken a tremendous toll both academically and personally.

There are also some more famous stories. Albert Einstein is probably the most

AS I SEE IT

TODD WHITCOMBE

famous physicist of all time and his work on relativity unlocked our understanding of time and space. He explained the cosmos on the grandest of scales but when it came to looking inside the atom where quantum mechanics reigns, he could not countenance what the theories had to say Quantum mechanics depends on probabilities and shifts the world from a deterministic one to a much more random structure. Einstein’s famous retort to the whole idea is captured in his utterance:

“The old one does not play dice with the universe.” And yet, that is the way the universe functions.

Einstein is reported to have come to terms with quantum mechanics eventually but right up to the end of his days he was reportedly trying to reconcile the world of the very tiny with the very large universe.

Why mention all of this? Because paradigm shifts happen. And I would respectfully suggest we are going through one.

Over the past year, there has been a major shift in societal understanding around the world on the effects of race and racial inequality

Race is a constructed concept as we are all human beings.

But it was a concept used in the “age of exploration” to distinguish between

Sewing camps bring kids together

TSAMANTHA PERRIN

here is something very special in passing on your knowledge to those who desire it.

When I was first offered to take over teaching Theatre NorthWest’s Summer Sewing Camps, I was excited I had long enjoyed helping new sewers pick out the supplies for their first sewing projects at the fabric store where I had been working up to this moment Their excitement was contagious and they were eager to absorb

every little tip and trick I was able to pass on. To be able to get hours with a group of students to inspire a love of sewing in them was a chance I couldn’t pass up. There are so many moments that make these camps so very rewarding to teach. Seeing the moment a child gets the hang of threading the sewing machine for the first time, or when they excitedly show me the perfectly straight seam they made for the first time. The moment they finish their first project and can’t wait to start another Even the moments where they forget to put the presser foot down and the thread tangles but they try to say otherwise are moments that make me smile. However, one of the things I always cherish is the pride in their eyes as they run out to show

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

O’Grady’s giving legacy

After bodies in unmarked graves were discovered at the Kamloops residential school, I was surprised at the reaction of some people against Bishop O’Grady who loved the Indigenous so much.

Up until he died in 1998, the Indigenous people seemed to love him as well. There were at least two busloads of Indigenous people from reserves across the diocese at his funeral which was held in the Prince George Civic Centre because of the great number of people who wanted to attend.

Bishop O’Grady told me that these people would call him at all hours to talk to him, even in the middle of the night and he would always listen to them. They loved to pay him impromptu visits.

The Indigenous gave Bishop O’Grady many gifts - lovely articles of clothing and symbolic artifacts, beautiful beading and other artwork.

You may have seen him in the beaded moose hide vestment that they made for him and that he cherished.

Bishop O’Grady knew all of the Indigenous students at Prince George College by name and, for years, would have his meals

with them in the school cafeteria every day In the evenings, he would visit their residences and spend time with them, listening to them.

Bishop O’Grady asked Elders to teach language and culture classes at the school.

Mabel George, who had been a student in Lejac residential school, loved to teach the students and shared with me some of her good memories of Lejac.

Bishop O’Grady’s goal in building Prince George College was to give his beloved Indigenous students the education they needed to obtain jobs. He also hoped some would continue on to university and included Grade 13 (first year university) in the school, which wasn’t needed when the college was built a few years later

At this point, we don’t know if any of the bodies buried on the Kamloops site were buried during Bishop O’Grady’s time as principal The school in Kamloops was there for 88 years (built in 1890 and closed in 1978) and markers for graves - wooden crosses with names carved on them as they would have used for most of those years - probably wouldn’t survive too long. Our garden gate is rotting out already!

their family what they made in class that day. Each project is as unique as the child who made it.

Theatre NorthWest’s Summer Sewing camps are more than just a place children come to learn a new skill. I get to watch as the uncertain, shy child comes out of their shell day by day as their confidence and comfort grows in the class, often becoming one of the chattiest of the bunch by the end of the week. I get to see the kids bond over all sorts of things and by the last day they are all friends that want to stay in contact even beyond the

people and place them into groups with no legitimate basis other than to make some people superior to others.

This spawned thousands of years of racial inequality When the world’s population was a fraction of today’s and we all lived in separate parts of the world far from each other, we could pretend people from elsewhere were somehow different.

But in today’s crowded world, where anyone can get almost anywhere in a matter of days, the notion that we are not all one race has seen its day We need a paradigm shift in our understanding of ourselves and our racial history. Some of the truths are going to be uncomfortable but they are true nonetheless It is time to face up to the truths of the past and shift the paradigm

There must have been many deaths over the years from the prevalent childhood diseases, including tuberculosis, cholera, scarlet fever, and typhoid (1893) etc. and during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic

I wonder how many graves from 75 or 100 or 130 years ago in towns and villages and reserves across Canada could be found without markers if dug up today Past epidemics were much more devastating that today’s pandemic!

I think it is very sad that children were taken from their parents to boarding schools, although boarding schools were very popular in England and some other countries at the time - and are still available in some areas. Parents have the God given right and responsibility to raise and educate their children.

The government built the residential schools, made the rules, and had the churches run them. In past, in public schools, the government had “truant officers” who would go to homes and see why the kids weren’t in school if they missed school. In some cases, they would call the police if they didn’t get a satisfactory reason for the absence. I don’t know

sewing camps.

The last day is always bittersweet. There is always a feeling the week ended too soon that sweeps through the class. I know I did my job well when I hear them wishing the class could be another week and being determined to return to learn more or even ask their parents for a sewing machine for their birthday. My main goal is to inspire a love of sewing and a desire to pursue costuming in the future generation and nothing makes me happier than to have a child tell me that one day they would like to have my job and ask how I came to work at Theatre NorthWest.

Samantha Perrin attened Kelly Road Secondary and is a graduate of Grant MacEwan University’s theatre production program.

when they quit doing that in Canada, but I remember as a child hearing about truant officers. Straps were commonly used as punishment for misdeeds of children in public schools I had an elementary public school teacher who gave the strap on the hand for each spelling mistake a child made!

As Jo-Anne Berezanski, an Elder with the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation stated in her recent PG Citizen article: “We can’t change the past but we can change what we do today and it is overdue for government to stop making First Nation responsible for the damage created by government.” And I would add, it is time to stop making the Catholic Church responsible as well.

As for Bishop O’Grady’s honorary degree from UBC, the fact that UBC is considering revoking it says more about UBC than about Bishop O’Grady!

It is hard to witness all the grief and sadness of Indigenous people, but it is also very sad to see a man who dearly loved those people being so severely criticized and blamed without reliable evidence.

Diane Fuller Prince George

“TheClubhouse”Restaurant at thePrinceGeorge Golf andCurlingCluboffersaninformaldining experience to thecommunity with afullylicensed lounge TheClubhouse features acasual menu whilecateringoptions provide afull range of delicious menu options forspecial events such as weddings, milestone celebrations,awardsbanquets andbusinessretreats.

Fullypublic, everyone is always welcome, andwith itsbeautiful viewsofthe first and18thholes, the newpatio at TheClubhouse at Prince George Golf andCurlingClubisthe perfect place to relaxafter agameofgolf.

It’s also ideal foranyonewho wantstosavourlunch or dinner in such apeaceful,naturalenvironment. Thestunning2,100 sq ft.patio is part of an extensive renovation projectthatcelebratesthe golf course’s 70thanniversary. Anicely designed wheelchair ramp with automateddoors makesit fullyaccessiblefromthe outside whileanindoorlift also provides easy accessto“TheClubhouse”and otherfacilities.

HORO SC OPES &P UZ ZLES

ACROSS

Naught

Plushy

Robbery

Bambi’s mom, e.g.

Perches

Misting device

Lap

Moreover

Snow vehicles

DOWN

Pout

Forest filler

Barbecue

27. Stash away

Skin opening

Kimono, e.g.

Kind of room

Bedroom

Fools

Lump 41. Snow White’s pal

Bossa

Plunge

See no

Edge line

Insect

____-man band

Aglow

Motel

Receives

PUZZLE NO.822

Fuss

TKO caller

Cream or baking

Dinosaur bone, e.g.

Pearl’s place

HOW TO PLAY:

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1through 9only once.

Each 3x3 box is outlined with adarker line. You already have afew numbers to getyou started. Remember: you must not repeat thenumbers 1through 9inthe same line, column or 3x3 box.

In Loving Memory of LeslieDawnNorbeck

Jan. 17, 1969 -June 22, 1986

We aremissing you Leslie, morethan words can ever sayThereisanempty space within our hearts and in our lives that nothing can ever fill...

Love always and forever, Mom and Dana

Learning to live life without you is not easy, but the precious memories help carry us through. We think of you and miss you every day

Gairett, we will love you forever

He will be missed by Pat, daughter Jacquie (Stephen) grandchildren Jordan, Sarah, Miles and Chase (dog), siblings Darlene, Sandra, Larry (Brenda), Gayleen (Brent), numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents James and Gladys, brother Rick, brother in-law Keith. Ray retired from Treasure Cove Bingo in 2014. He enjoyed bingo, casino, cards, watching sports and being “Papa’s Taxi Service” for 28 years. He was well known for his “smiling disposition” and quick-witted comments toeveryone. There will be no public service as per his request. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the HospitalFoundationorHospiceHouse. I’m not 74 years old I am 26………….…years from 100

It is with infinite sadness that the family of Irene “Rene” Dreher (née Humphreys) announce her passing at the age of 71 on May 28th, 2021. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Ervin, her two sons and their wives, Darin and Lisa, and Dale and Dawn, and her three grandchildren, Derik, Emma and Ryan. A dear friend to many, Irene is remembered for her beautiful smile and her love of life. Some may remember Irene from the Scotiabank in the Hart where she worked as a bank teller for nearly 30 years. At Irene’s request, no service will be held. In her memory, please consider donating to the BC Cancer Foundation.

Gairett

RICHARD WHELAN

2x39.3

PGC002206

WHELAN,DavidG. July28,1934-April08,2021

DadpassedawaypeacefullyinhissleeponApril82021. Hestillhadhismind,itwasthebodythatworeout. Predeceasedbyhis1stwifeDorothy,andsisterLorraine, andsurvivedbyhis2ndwifeGloria,his3sons, Peter,Rodger(Janet)&Richard(Reo),Stepchildren Lynn,Dara,David,Greg,Melvin,Dwight&Tammy& numerousGrandchildren&GreatGrandchildren. Hewaslovedbyallandwillbedearlymissed.

BIGGS, RONALD

GRAHAM passed away peacefully in Nanaimo on the morning of May 30th at the age of 72. Predeceased by his parents Harold and Jean (Smith) Biggs, he is survived by his wife Jan, son Ryan, granddaughters Caliey & Sara, brother Ray and family, and sister Karen Heathcote and family. A special thank you to the many nurses, doctors, homecare workers and woundcare nurses that provided Ron with such compassionate care. No service by request. In lieu of flowers, donations to Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation would be appreciated: nanaimohospitalfoundation.com

Condolences may be given at firstmemorialfuneral.com

FRANCES BURYN

1943-2021

BURYN/ELVERUM

It is with the deepest sadness we announce the passing of Frances Elverum Buryn. Born on August 5, 1943 in Grande Prairie, AB and lived her early years in La Glace, AB. Frances passed on June 6th, 2021 in Prince George, BC. She is survived by Walter, her husband of 56 years. Son, Darcy Buryn of Prince George, BC, wife, Jody and children: Jillane and Kael. Son Robin Buryn of Cochrane, AB, wife Susanne and children: Samantha and Ryan. Daughter Sylvie Buryn Jacobson of Prince George, BC, husband Trevor and children: Brenna, Owen, and Alexander. Her brother Glenn and wife Joanne Elverum, sister in-laws Alice and Lorene Elverum and Doris Buryn, and brother inlaws John and Nestor Buryn and Bob Johns, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is predeceased by her precious infant son Darren Buryn, parents Astrid and Olav Elverum, sister Audrey Johns, brothers Einar and Victor Elverum.

Frances was a long-standing member of The Sons of Norway and had a passion for Norwegian baking and rosemaling. Frances and Walter made Prince George their home for 44 years and together ran their own business, WF Crawler Wrecking Ltd, for 23 years. Fran’s biggest joy was being a proud Mama to her seven grandchildren. She loved them all dearly. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Prince George Hospice Society in Frances’ name.

AMANDA THOMPSON

2x126.8

PGC002205

THOMPSON,AudreyL.

February16,1936-June1,2021

Belovedmother,grandmother,greatgrandmother,sister, andfriend,passedawaypeacefullyonJune1,2021in PrinceGeorge,BCsurroundedbyherlovingfamily. AudreywaspredeceasedbyherolderbrotherTom Ebbett,firsthusbandRobertGalloway,andsecond husbandWayneThompson.Sheissurvivedbyher youngerbrotherDoug(Laurene)Ebbett,sonDavid(Myra) Galloway,daughterBrenda(Len)Dawson,sonStephen (Patricia)Scott,daughterCynthiaPotschka,anddaughter AmandaThompson.Manycalledher"Grandma",andshe willbemissedbySarah,Rebecca,Erin,Jeff,Leanne, Jennifer,Jessica,Desiree,William,Alex,andBrittany. AudreyhadthegoodfortunetobeaGreatGrandmother toZak,Dallas,Natalie,Liam,Sophie,Claire,Carys, Gabriel,Malcolm,Aaliyah,Mariah,Nila,andElijah. Audreyhadmanyniecesandnephews,whoshe treasured.ForAudreytherewasnothingmoreimportant intheworldthanherfamily.Shewasfilledwithprideand loveforeachandeveryone.Audreytrulylivedafulllife. Asayoungmothershecreatedablendedfamily, includingstepchildrenDale,Dean,Debbie,andDawn.Ata timewhentherewerefewmodelsofhowthisnewfamily shouldlook,shemadeitlooknaturalandseamless.She careddeeplyaboutsustainingimportantfamily relationships.Formanyyearsshewasanavidbowlerand golfer.Audreytookupmahjongandbridgewhenlife requiredaslowerpace.Shecherishedthemany friendshipsshemadethroughtheseactivities.Audreyhad theopportunitytotraveltheworld,includingatruly uniquetriptoMoscowforthefamous1972CanadaRussiahockeyseries,andaonceinalifetimetripto AfricawithAmanda.AnyonethatmetAudreywouldsoon knowthatshehadabigsmile,andanevenbiggerlaugh. Audreywasaverywarmpersonwhoshowedstrength, resilience,andclassthroughoutherlife.Shewasan amazingrolemodeltoherchildren.Someofthethings thatAudreyloved...Hermorningcoffeeandcrossword puzzle.Shopping:thisladylovedshoes,clothes,and jewels,andwasalwaysimpeccablydressed.Inlaterlife, shelovedanoutingcompletewithicecream.And speakingoficecream,whocouldforgetthefamousice creamfordinnerdisguisedas"fruitsalad"?Music, everythingfrombigbandtoGuns’n’Roses.Ourdeepest thankstothestaffatParkside,andDr.Zimbler,who providedthoughtfulandcompassionatecare.Their dedicationwasamazing,andwewillalwaysbegrateful forallthattheydidforher.Expressionsofthanksand appreciationcouldnotbecompletewithoutaspecial mentionofAmanda.Momneverlackedforanythingwith yourdedicatedcare,love,andattentiontohereveryneed. Havingatirelessadvocateforherbroughttremendous peacetousall,asweneverhadtoworrythatsomething wouldbemissedoroverlooked.Audreywasagraceful, charming,beautifulladywholovedherchildrenmore thananything.Ourheartsarefullofyourboundlesslove. Ourmindsarefullofbeautifulmemories.Noserviceby request.MemorialdonationstoAlzheimerSocietyofBC inAudrey’shonourarewelcome.

Barry Sakamoto

Barry Sakamoto shot an arrow on May 31st and is off on his Harley to see where it lands. The world lost a magical man but there’s bound to be one hell of a welcoming party in whatever dimension he’s landed. We will find a way to carry on without him; pay forward some unconditional acceptance, go fishing, have a puff, crack a joke, snuggle your animals or love the ones you love to honour his legacy.

Barry is survived by his wife and co-pilot of over 50 years, Hilary Sakamoto, his best friend and daughter Andrea (Ken Black) Sakamoto, his pride and joy in the form of grandsons, Nori and Sashi, his nephew-son Trevor Sakamoto, his brothers Art (Kathleen) and Terry (June) Sakamoto, his sisterin-law Linda Sakamoto, his guardian angel Marilyn Grey, his adopted children Kyle, Jessica and Nicole and too many cool nieces and nephews to list. Barry valued deeply the few friends that were ‘still looking at the daisies from the right side’.

Barry lived his life freely and passionately, with honour and under the radar - he had enough fight in him to last the next three lifetimes. We will miss him for the rest of our days, but they will be days shaped by the force of nature that he was –for that, we can only be grateful.

Donations can be made to the SPCA – he almost took the cat with him, as was planned, but damned George must have one life left..

Thank you for all of your support - our fridge, freezers and hearts are full of your love - Barry would’ve been so grateful for that.

Notices / Nominations

Enquiries Only

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

CAREEROPPORTUNITY

OnSideRestorationis currentlylookingtohirethe following: Drywaller/Painter/Laborer/ FinishCarpenter dlegare@onside.ca

Dollar Saver Lumber has openings for the following position:

• La bourers

• PL aNer FeeDer ( FT)

• Lu mber Gr aDers (FT or PT)

Please apply in person to:

Dollar Saver Lumber Attn: Ken 9359 Nor thern Cres Prince George, BC or email keyles@lumber.ca Fax: 250.561.2111

How to write a classified ad that works.

Writing an effective classified ad is easy when you use these time-tested principles.

Writing an effective classified ad is easy when you use these time-tested principles.

• Use a keyword. Start your ad with the item for sale, ser vice offered or the job title.

• Use a keyword. Start your ad with the item for sale, ser vice offered or the job title.

• Be descriptive. Give customers a reason to respond. Advertisers have found that the more information you provide, the better the response.

• Be descriptive. Give customers a reason to respond. Advertisers have found that the more information you provide, the better the response.

• Limit abbreviations

CL ASS 1 COMPANY DRIVER/ WAREHOUSE WORKER

BC-based LTL freight company transpor ting perishable/dr y freight. $23.53-$25.53/hour + Benefits

Must be legally able to work in Canada. Ref 2021-3

Email: jobs@clarkfreightways.com Fax: 604-472-2136

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Dollar Saver lumber operates a lumber remanufacturing operation in Prince George We currently have an opportunity in our management group for a Sales Production Coordinator.

This position is responsible to perform the following functions:

• Co-ordinate purchase of raw material to meet mill requirements

• Co-ordinate shipments of finished products to existing customers.

• Work with Mill Manager to ensure optimal inventories are maintained.

• Communicate with customers to ensure their needs are being met.

Preference will be given for persons:

• Who have an understanding of sawmill operations familiarity with lumber grades and sizes

• Good computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

Successful candidate will possess the following qualities:

We are hiring

The City of Prince Ruper t is accepting resume’s for

applicants

Joining the City of Prince Ruper t team is a great oppor tunity to begin your municipal career

AiMHi, Prince George Association for Community Living has an opening for a Chief Finance Officer AiMHi is a large, progressive community living agency that currently has approximately 480 employees spread over 50+ programs with a budget of close to $30 million annually. Additional information regarding our agency can be found on our website www.aimhi.ca

Reporting to the Executive Director, the CFO is accountable for managing the full spectrum of financial and accounting functions in addition to the oversight of their Finance Team We are looking for an individual who has Non Profit – Charitable Status accounting experience (including government contracts), a higher than normal attention to detail, strong communication skills, excellent people and team dynamic skills, enhanced computer skills, demonstrated management skills and someone who is comfortable working within, at times, a high pressure workload environment

• Limit abbreviations Use only standard abbreviations to avoid confusion and misinterpretations.

Use only standard abbreviations to avoid confusion and misinterpretations.

• Include price. Always include price of the item for sale.

• Include price. Always include price of the item for sale.

• How to respond. Always include a phone number (with area code) and/or street and email address.

• How to respond. Always include a phone number (with area code) and/or street and email address.

• The ability to deal with customer needs in a calm constructive manner

• The ability to adjust to rapidly changing conditions and developments

• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team

The position offers:

• A competitive salary and benefit package

• Opportunity to work in and exciting dynamic environment.

• Opportunity for advancement.

The successful applicant will have a recognized professional accounting designation (e.g CPA, CGA) and three years intermediate/senior accounting experience; Progressively more accountable accounting experience analyzing and preparing complex financial statements, notes or schedules; Policy/Procedure manual interpretation, development or update experience; Experience in financial report preparation - preferably with consolidation of multiple complex entities - routine and ad hoc; Experience providing direction and advice to our Finance Team and to our Management Team on a variety of financial and accounting management issues; Experience in the development of techniques and applications for recording and reporting financial information; an advanced ability to design and work with complex spreadsheet applications; Experience with Adagio accounting software is desirable.

We offer an excellent salary and comprehensive benefits along with an excellent team based working environment

If you are interested in this position, please forward, via email, your letter of application and a copy of your current resume to:

Email: aimhi@aimhi.ca

To advertise, call 250-562-6666 or email cls@pgcitizen.ca

To place your ad call: 604-630-3300

To place your ad call: 604-630-3300

Please submit your resume to Frank Skerlak, General Sales Manager at fskerlak@lumber.ca or Bev at: gobbi1@telus.net Only those persons chosen for an interview will be contacted.

Job Req ID: 6711

Louisiana-Pacific Corporation

Millwright Certified

Location: Fort St John, British Columbia, CA, V1J 4M6

Date: May 16, 2021

Description:

LP Building Products is a leading global manufacturer of engineered wood products. At LP, creating new solutions for building is who we are. Since we pioneered our first engineered wood product, we’ve been continually creating better products to fit the changing needs of the building industry

LP ’s values-driven, positive culture creates an environment where talented and hardworking people thrive in a safe, ethical, fun, challenging and rewarding place to work. For more than 40 years, we’ve developed careers and provided advancement opportunities in the building products industry

Job Purpose

Millwrights are part of the Maintenance team who maintain, repairs, installs, assembles and modifies equipment to maximize uptime, quality and production.

• Receive a $500 signing bonus plus a $2,000 retention bonus after 6 months for eligible new hires.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintains, repairs, installs, assembles and modifies equipment

• Lubrication of machinery, seal replacement, cleaning of parts during overhauls and preventative maintenance.

• Reads and creates blueprints and schematic drawings to determine work procedures.

• Enter work requests and order parts and materials with CMMS

• Troubleshoot, adjust, and repair equipment as required

• Complete, help develop, and improve PM’s in the area of responsibility

• Aligns machines and equipment

• Assembles machines

• Install, repair and maintain plumbing and piping.

• Install, repair and maintain airlines, pneumatic and hydraulic systems.

• Welding, cutting and fabricating.

• Maintain and monitor equipment using predictive and preventive techniques. (Vibration analysis, stethoscopes, strobe lights and thermal imaging.)

• Train and mentor apprentices

• Actively participate in EHS Programs

• Maintain housekeeping of the assigned areas

• Participating in improvement projects

• Perform other duties as required

Qualifications

• Knowledge of equipment maintenance.

• Ability to stand on feet for long periods of time, climb, bend, stoop, squat and lift.

• Ability to work in confined spaces and at substantial heights

• Ability to work in a team environment

• Time management, prioritization, and multi-tasking skills.

• Good communication, interpersonal skills and writing skills.

• Demonstrated coordination and mechanical ability

• Ability to read and understand safety rules and regulations.

• Good problem solving ability

• Intermediate computer skills

• Willing to take training courses for trade upgrading

EDUCATION:

• Red Seal Industrial Mechanic/Millwright

EXPERIENCE:

•Minimum of 3 Years’ of Industrial Experience

Work Environment

• Plant Environment

LP offers competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits and programs including health and welfare benefits, career mobility, tuition reimbursement, volunteer opportunities, profit sharing and more.

View online at

https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareer?jobId=6711&company=louisianap

Build Results

Job Req ID: 6934

Location: Fort St John, British Columbia, CA, V1J 4M6

Date: Jun 3, 2021

Description:

LP Building Products is a leading global manufacturer of engineered wood products. At LP, creating new solutions for building is who we are. Since we pioneered our first engineered wood product, we’ve been continually creating better products to fit the changing needs of the building industry LP ’s values-driven, positive culture creates an environment where talented and hardworking people thrive in a safe, ethical, fun, challenging and rewarding place to work. For more than 40 years, we’ve developed careers and provided advancement opportunities in the building products industry

Job Purpose

To oversee mechanical maintenance department, diagnose equipment failures and repair problems as they arise To supervise, coordinate and lead employees and activities within the Mechanical Maintenance Department in the areas of preventative and predictive maintenance.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure safety of all employees and contractors working in operating unit or department by driving continuous improvement towards a true safety culture. This includes supporting all corporate safety programs; developing SOP ’s, identifying and eliminating hazards, and enforcing all safety rules.

• Ensure compliance with all standards and programs (safety, environmental, quality, maintenance and manufacturing policies and procedures) within area of responsibility

• Drives continuous safety, quality and environmental improvement through active participation and leadership with employees.

• Supervise and develop mechanical maintenance department personnel, including training, performance management and scheduling activities.

• Assist with hiring and orienting new employees.

• Develop self and staff to ensure personal and professional growth.

• Schedule and assign preventative/predictive maintenance: including working with hydraulics, electrical, pneumatic, power-transmissions, welding, machining, maintenance of rolling stock, fabrication, vibration analysis, balancing, alignment, oil analysis and non destructive testing (NDT).

• Work with Supply Management to manage inventory of spares and critical spares according to site business plan and engage with key suppliers to optimize cost savings opportunities for the department.

• Prepare departmental reports for internal distribution.

• Supervise construction, installation, modification, troubleshooting and repair of equipment including EOM and Cap-X projects.

• Recommend and implement measures to improve production methods, equipment performance and quality of product.

• Work cooperatively with other departments, vendors and regulatory agencies to meet plant objectives, diagnose complex equipment problems, meet plant goals and manage department budget.

• Participate on multi-function site business team and establish and manage department budget.

• Maintain and manage equipment file system including: mechanical drawings, vendor manuals and information and change documents.

• Lead and participate in process improvement, cost reduction and continuous improvement projects.

• Maintain knowledge of industry-wide technological developments.

• Perform all duties in accordance with safety rules and regulations.

• Perform other duties as necessary

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Effective leadership, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

• Demonstrated knowledge of plant equipment, operations and predictive/preventative maintenance systems.

• Knowledge of continuous operation manufacturing process and improvement process.

• Knowledge of safety, health, and environmental rules, laws, requirements, and applicable LP Programs.

• Strong oral, written communication and math skills.

• Demonstrated ability to use computer and supporting software for communication and analytical functions.

• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills.

• Proven budgeting and financial analysis skills.

• Ability to read and interpret blueprints.

• Ability to implement change

• Thorough knowledge of current management and supervisory techniques.

Education

• Associate’s degree/Technical Diploma or vocational certificate preferred

• Interprovincial Red Seal in a related field preferred (Canada)

Experience:

• 5+ years’ predictive/preventative maintenance systems experience.

• Demonstrated supervisory or lead experience.

• Or any equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the key responsibilities of this position.

Work Environment

• Office and industrial environment.

• Exposure to machinery, electrical sources, dust, chemicals, & loud noise

LP offers competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits and programs including health and welfare benefits, career mobility, tuition reimbursement, volunteer opportunities, profit sharing and more. View online at https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareer?jobId=6934&company=louisianap

Job Req ID: 7002

Louisiana-Pacific Corporation

Supervisor II - Shift Supervisor (Team Lead)

Location: Fort St John, British Columbia, CA, V1J 4M6

Date: May 27, 2021

Description:

LP Building Products is a leading global manufacturer of engineered wood products. At LP, creating new solutions for building is who we are. Since we pioneered our first engineered wood product, we’ve been continually creating better products to fit the changing needs of the building industry LP ’s values-driven, positive culture creates an environment where talented and hardworking people thrive in a safe, ethical, fun, challenging and rewarding place to work. For more than 40 years, we’ve developed careers and provided advancement opportunities in the building products industry

Job Purpose

To supervise and manage all plant operations and activities related to the manufacturing processes during the designated operating shift or specific areas of the plant. To support corporate business objectives and ensure compliance with all safety, quality, and environmental standards, policies and regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure safety of all employees and contractors working in operating unit or department by driving continuous improvement towards a true safety culture. This includes supporting all corporate safety programs; developing SOP ’s, identifying and eliminating hazards, and enforcing all safety rules.

• Ensure compliance with all standards and programs (safety, environmental, quality, maintenance and manufacturing policies and procedures) during the designated operating shift.

• Follow and support manufacturing or departmental activities of the site business plan with minimal guidance, deploy and communicate goals, objectives and performance measures related to area of responsibility

• Supervise employees within a mill department or production team. Responsible for training, performance management preparation and communication of work schedules, and daily work assignments. Includes duties from staff and self-development, coaching, counseling on performance feedback, up to initiating and assisting with corrective action.

• Assist and participate with hiring, interviewing, selection and orientation process.

• Prepare detailed reports and maintain records and documentation according to guidelines in a timely and accurate manner

• May participate in cross-functional teams, such as production meetings, safety committee and site business teams.

• Drives specific process improvement, cost reduction and continuous improvement projects, as directed.

• To supervise and manage all aspects of plant operations and activities related to the manufacturing processes during the designated operating shift or specific areas of the plant.

• Report promptly to appropriate managers/departments when upset conditions occur on shift or within area of responsibility Take appropriate mitigating actions to ensure employee safety, plant and environmental protection, product quality, and shipping schedules. Investigate causes of upset conditions to prevent re-occurrence.

• Ability to manage and work with outside contractors.

• Attend all supervisory training.

• Perform all duties in accordance with safety rules and regulations, including maintaining a clean and safe work environment.

• Perform other duties as necessary

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, continuous improvement processes and their affect on cost of production.

• Knowledge of correct application of systems and processes that ensures continuous improvement (safety, maintenance, quality and manufacturing).

• Understanding of safety and environmental requirements.

• Ability to interpret and apply HR, Safety and Environmental policies and procedures.

• Demonstrated oral and written communication and analytical skills problem solving skills.

• Ability to effectively manage time and resources.

• Ability to effectively implement change

• Ability to develop effective partnerships within and outside of manufacturing.

• Ability to interpret and apply corporate policies and procedures.

• Ability to motivate, coach, lead and train direct reports through daily job assignments, team meetings, etc.

• Ability to operate computer and supporting software programs.

• Ability to effectively manage conflict

• Ability to work a rotating shift schedule

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• 2 years post high school education strongly preferred.

Experience:

• 2+ years in Production/Manufacturing environment.

• 2+ years supervisory/management experience.

• Or any equivalent combination of experience and training that demonstrates the ability to perform the key responsibilities of this position.

Work Environment

• Plant environment.

• Shift work

AVON COLLECTIBLES, Valued

asking $1500.

A LOT Of 45 & LPs. All kinds $5$40 each, 778-675-4716

COLLECTOR PURCHASING COINS & COIN COLLECTIONS! BUYING OLD COINS, ROLLS OF COINS, BANK BAGS OF COINS, RARE COINS, COLLECTOR COINS, OLYMPIC COINS, OLD PAPER MONEY, PRE 1968 COINS, ROYAL CANADIAN MINT COINS, US MINT, COLLECTIONS +. WANTED CANADA, USA & WORLD COLLECTIONS! Todd’s Coins 1-250-8643521

Bedroom/Bedding

Adjustable Hospital bed ETUDE-HC bed kit. Very lightly used. includes: Beech head and foot board, power operated head and foot deck sections, 4 function control pendant with function lock outs (mattress not included) $2000 250 964-9417 pics at http://invacare.ca/doc_files/Etu de_Booklet.pdf

Firewood

BIRCH Firewood in 20 foot lengths. Delivered by dumptruck load. $800. or bucked to length $950 per load delivered 250-614-6667

Mills/Equipment

1998 KENWORTH with mixer trailer, white. $120,000. 617-3373 SAWMILL, 48” head rig, hand set, completely rebuilt, $8000 obo plus parts. 250-441-3242

Sheds/Outbuildings

NEW 30’ x 50’ All Steel Commercial shop, never assembled, c/w complete set of drawings and engineer cert. Has straight outside walls, 1

Wanted

BUYING

To

Apartments / Condos-For

$380,000 2679 Queensway St. Will consider trade of a motor home, newer trailer or truck. 250-981-3583

Property For Sale

“DUNSTER

SALE”

Fraser

2294 Queensway St. Fully service, C6 zoning, will take partial trade of motorhome, trailer or pick-up. $149,500 (250) 981-3583

45.5 ACRES Corner of Upper Fraser Rd & Beaver Forest Rd. with good driveway & building pad. $155,000. 250-614-6667

Property

m building lot, #L72NCorintoPearleco-development

4. One of Santa’s reindeer

Before the present

Type of butter

Location of White House

Motion

Tree part

Regions around the North Pole 18. Fits on a boat’s gunwale

Discuss after it’s happened

Milk substitute for coffee 24. Describes one who believes in supreme being

1. Rays 2. Self-centered person 3. One you look after 4. Prosecutor 5. Portion 6. Speaks ill of 7. Formal system for computer programs

8. To make angry 9. Rural delivery

12. Group of languages 13. Large First Nations group

26. Equally 27. Famed director Forman 28. Popular apartment style 30. British School 31. Advanced degree 34. Order of architecture

36. Investment account (abbr.)

37. Snakelike fishes

39. Children’s tale bear

40. Norse personification of old age

41. Atomic #58

42. Moving your head

48. 1878 Kentucky Derby winner

17. Circulating life force in Chinese philosophy

19. Excludes

20. Body cavity of a metazoan

21. Swedish monetary unit

25. Works with

29. Partner to “to”

31. Rewards (archaic)

32. One of Caroline Islands

33. Type of alcohol

35. Eat a lot

38. Nuns

50. Frankfurter

51. Small, seedless raisin

52. Device in papermaking machine

53. Go

54. Open payment initiative (abbr.)

55. “Westworld” actor Harris

56. Saturated with salt

58. Marry

59. Report on

60. Midway between north and northeast

41. Dog

43. Become more serious

44. Choose

45. Newspapers use it

46. World’s longest river

47. Commanded to go faster

49. Cabs

56. Mr. T’s “A-Team” character

57. Document signed (abbr.)

PROPOSED WOODLOT LICENCE PLAN

Notice is hereby given that Big Bull Enterprises Ltd has prepared a Woodlot Licence Plan for Woodlot 1150 for the period of July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2031. Big Bull Enterprises outlines the proposed harvesting and road construction operations on the woodlot in the vicinity of Tachintelachick Creek.

This plan will be available for review and comment until July 17, 2021 at 4342 Chingee Crescent, Prince George, BC. If you wish to view the plan, please call 250-562-4427 to arrange a suitable viewing time.

Court File No.: 059095

Court Registry: Kamloops

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

Claimant: Dionne Carmen Manning

Respondent: Chris Manning

To: Chris Manning

TAKE NOTICE THAT on April 19, 2021, an order was made for service on you of a Notice of Family Claim issued from the Kamloops Registry of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in family law case number 059095 by way of this advertisement. In the family law case, the claimant claims the following relief against you: divorce. You must file a response to the family claim within 30 days after the date of the publication of this notice failing which further proceedings may be taken against you without notice to you. You may obtain a copy of the Notice of Family Claim and the order for service by advertisement from the Kamloops Registry, at 455 Columbia Street, Kamloops, BC, V2C 6K4.

TRU Community Legal Clinic 204-246 2nd Avenue Kamloops, BC Canada V2C 2C9 778-471-8490

HOMES

Buying an outdoor fireplace: factors to consider

Doyouwantafireplaceforyour backyard?Withsomanyoutdoormodels available,youshouldtake thetimeto findonethatsuits yourneeds.Here are a couple ofthingstothinkabout.

THE FUEL

One of the first decisions you’ll need to makeiswhetheryouwantafireplace thatuseswoodorgas.Whilewood-burningfireplacesareeasytoinstallandgive offapleasantaroma,theyrequireregular maintenance.You’llalsoneedsomewhere tostorethelogs,andsomemunicipalities haverestrictionsontheuseofwood firepits.

Contrarily,fireplacesthatrunonnatural gasor propane are easy to maintain.

Another advantage isthat youcanadjust theintensityoftheflameswiththepush ofabutton.However,youmustbeable

toconnectittoagaslineorwillingto periodicallyrefillthetank.

THE USE

Considerhowyouwanttouseyour outdoorfireplace.Ifyouwanttomakeit agatheringplaceforfriendsandfamily, optforaroundmodel.Tocreatea relaxingcornerwhereyou can curl up in privacy, a rectangular fireplacemaybe moresuitable.Ifyouplantocookover theembers,chooseamodelwithagrill.

Finally,keepinmindyourbudgetand spacelimitations when shopping for an outdoor fireplace.Consultthestaffat yourlocalhardwarestoreforadditional advice.

4 ways kids can help in the garden

Ifyou’reaparent,youmightfinditdifficulttotendtoyourgardenwhilealso keeping aclose eye on your kids. Fortunately, there areanumberofsimpletasksthat cankeepeventheyoungestgardenersoccupied.

1. WATERING

Fillupawateringcan makesureit’s nottoo heavy and let your little ones go abouthydratingyourplanterboxes andpottedplants.Whenitcomestimeto

waterthevegetablegardenorflower beds,offertoletyourkidsholdthehose.

2. WEEDING

Teach your children to recognize the most commonunwantedplantsthat sproutupinyourgarden.Askthemtogo onahuntforweedsand,withyoursupervision,letthemtrypullinguponeswith shallowroots.

3. MULCHING

Youcanaddmulchtoyourgardentohelp it retain moisture and limit the spread of weeds.Encourageyourkidstoget theirhandsdirty by carefully transferring mulch from thebag tothegardenandspreadingit evenlyoverthesoil.

4. TIDYING

How to make your yard safe for kids

Are you a parent or grandparent to young children?Ifso,it’simportantto think about risk prevention when you design your landscaping. This will ensure you can provide a safe space for your little ones to play Here are a few tipstogetyoustarted.

•Create a designated space to safely storetools,fertilizers,poolchemicals and other potentiallydangerousitems. Don’tkeeptoysinthesamearea.

•If you plan to build a multi-tiered garden, consider using ornamental gates and ramps to reduce the risk of falls.

•Make sure pools, ponds and other bodies of water are fenced off and only accessible through a gate that latches. Check if your municipality hasheightrequirements.

•If you use stakes to support climbing plants in your vegetable garden, covertheendstopreventinjuriesinthe eventthatsomeonetripsandfalls.

Finally, when it comes to populating your garden, choose non-toxic species without latex or thorns. Or better yet, optforedibleplants.

Frompickingupleavestoputtingtwigsinthe compost bin, there are plenty of easy ways yourkidscanhelpcleanthe yard.Remind them to keep an eye out for fallen petals, pinecones and acorns they can use for crafts.

In addition to giving you a hand, your little oneswillhave plentyofopportunitiestolearn abouthowplantsgrow It’sa win-winsituation.

4 essentials of opening your cabin

Once the weather gets warmer, you’ll likely be eager to take advantage of your summer cottage. However, it’s a good idea to inspect the property and complete any necessary upkeep before the start of the season. Here are four things you should do.

1. IDENTIFY AND FIX

PROBLEMS

During your first visit of the season, be on the lookout for unpleasant surprises. If there’s water damage, an infestation or a broken window, take note of the work that needs to be done. Avoid putting off repairs so your cottage will be ready to use as soon as possible. For major issues such as cracks in the foundation or a leaky roof, it’s best to hire a professional.

2.

INSPECT THE POWER SUPPLY

Whether your cottage runs on propane or electricity, you’ll need to make sure

the system’s various components are in good condition before you restore the power For example, there might be a gas leak, or mice could have chewed through wires over the winter If you detect any issues, be sure to contact an electrician.

3. TURN THE WATER BACK ON

If your cottage is equipped with a pump that draws water directly from a lake, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you have a regular plumbing system, start by opening a faucet followed by the main water shut-off valve. Let the water run for about five minutes. Wait until the hot water tank is full before you connect and inspect the heater

4. CHECK THE SEPTIC SYSTEM

Make sure there aren’t leaks in the pipes connected to your septic system and that they’re otherwise in good condition. Additionally, it’s important to empty and clean your septic tank every few years. This type of maintenance requires specialized equipment, so it’s best to hire a plumber to complete the job.

By taking care of your cottage now, you’ll be able to kick back and enjoy the rest of the season without worry.

GO FOR GOLD.

How to spruce up your front entrance

Your front entrance can have a significantimpactonthecurbappeal ofyourhome.Herearesometipsto enhance this part of your property and make it look moreinviting.

AN EMPHASIS ON GREENERY

Frame your front door by placing potted plants or flower arrangements on either side of the entrance. This will create symmetry and add a pop of colour Just be suretheplantsdon’tblockthedoors or stairs and that their size makes sense forthespace.

To create a cohesive look, make sure the plantsaroundyourfrontentrance complement the rest of the landscaping. Choose species that also grow in your front garden or line the walkway. Alternatively, opt for flowers that match your yard’scolourscheme.

In addition, consider the pots. You maywanttoselectonesthatresemble the shade or texture of your paving stones.

A WELCOMING WALKWAY

If you have a walkway, it’s a good ideatoembellishitwithabitofvegetation.Fora curved walkway, or one with a sharp turn, it’s a good ideatocreateafocalpointwhereit’s mostangled.Thismightconsistofa well-tended rosebush, a small weepingtree or a vibrant flowering perennial. Check to see how your choice of plant looks at various angles, including from the street, thedrivewayandthefrontdoor, beforeyoudigintotheground.

For more advice about how to enhance your front entrance, consult a landscaper or an expert at your local gardencentre.

If you want to cultivate a lush backyard, oneimportantfactortoconsiderisheight. Here are some tips to help you create a gardenreminiscentofatropicalparadise.

•Tall plants. Select exotic species with large leaves that grow upward and outward. Ficuses, monsteras, philodendrons and palm trees are all great picks, so long as they can be brought inside in thefallifneeded.

•Climbing plants. Guide vines up walls, along fences and around other structures to expand the reach of your garden. If you want to add a splash of colour, make sure to choose flowering species.

•Epiphytic plants. Commonly found perched on trees in rainforests, these plants can grow without soil. To re-

create this look,mountorchids,bromeliads and tillandsias to a pergola or trellis. Just make sure you’ll have time to careforthesedelicateplants.

•Potted plants. A simple way to add some height to your garden is to fill pots, baskets and hangers with greenery, and arrange them on shelves, ladders, fences, tables and other elevated hardscape.

Finally, if you have the room, consider plantingoneormoretrees.Astheygrow, they’re sure to take your yard to new heights!

1onmain, 1inbasement). Spacious entertainers kitchen with tile flooring and amazing Brazilian hardwood flooring throughout the home. Toomuch to mention visit DeanBirks.com

small yard

Ifyouhaveasmallyard,landscaping can be a challenge. Here are four tips to help you maximize your space and create an outdoor oasis.

1. FURNISH WISELY

Multifunctional pieces are ideal for small areas. For example, a sturdy deck box can be used as both storage and seating. Modular furniture is another option, as it can easily be rearranged and adapted tosuitawkwardspaces.

2. DESIGN VERTICALLY

Growingvinesupawall,fenceor trellisis a great way to add greenery to your yard without using up a lot of floor space. You can also hang planters, string fairy lights, install a tree swing and storegardentoolsonhooksalong thefence.

3. USE CORNERS

Nooks and crannies have a lot of potential, so use them wisely. In-

crease your seating with a wooden corner bench or take advantage of anunusualangletohighlightadecorative piece such as a sculpture, shruborfountain.

4. CREATE DEPTH

If you have a narrow yard, opt for long, thin pavers rather than square ones to draw your eye toward the back of the yard. Alternatively, create a winding path to make the space appear wider. Place plants with small, dark foliage at the rear of your garden, and choose red, orange and yellow flowers with big, bold leaves for thefront.

Findeverythingyouneedtomake the mostofasmallyardatyourlocal garden centre and hardware store.