Paddlers create map to help multi-day trippers find accessibility and comfort
After extensive research and firsthand experience, a group of avid kayakers from Victoria have created an online resource to help paddlers plan expeditions. Planning includes finding a place to stay that has some creature comforts, such as a roof, kitchen and bed, after a long day of paddling.
Longtime kayakers Debbi Leach, Beth Haysom, Norm Smyth, Jim Lamb and map guru Tony Playfair created a website and digital map called Kayak Friendly Lodging (KFL), which provides information about accommodation that’s accessible to those who prefer not to camp, or who want a mix of camping and lodging while on multiday trips.
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“Often a keen kayaker has a spouse who is not as fond of camping and prefers day trips in fair weather,” said Leach. “KFL lodgings work well since the spouse can come on the trip but choose to paddle or not, explore by foot or relax with a book.”
The group identified around 100 lodgings and various cabins, houses and bed and breakfast locations throughout southern coastal BC, including some on the northern Sunshine Coast.
The plethora of marine parks on BC’s coast are set up for kayakers with tent pads, picnic benches and places to secure a kayak overnight. However, many of the islands are made of craggy, steep rock, and may not be suitable for those who have physical ailments or are new to multi-day kayak trips. Not every cabin or lodging is suitable for everyone though, because of the need to secure the kayaks and have them be accessible for launch.
Feedback helps fellow paddlers
Leach said she found out that April Point Lodge on Quadra Island has put in a new kayak launch on the property, and SunLund RV Parks and Cabins on the northern Sunshine Coast, has made an easier access for kayakers to launch from their beach.
“There’s a group of us who kayak together, and it was basically Beth’s idea [to build the website],” said Leach. “We started building [KFL] around the Gulf Islands, and then we thought we should include Vancouver Island and the Salish Sea, which are popular places to do multi-day trips.”
Desolation Sound Marine Park, Savary Island, Discovery Islands and the Copeland Islands are accessible from Lund and Okeover Inlet, and have hundreds of kayakers visit every year.
“We asked [accommodation hosts] questions like: is it possible to paddle in and paddle out, or store your kayak overnight?” said Leach. “Some people
like to go, for example, to Savary Island for a couple nights, then pack up and head somewhere else; some people just want to stay at one place and do day trips.”
Leach said they found a range of accommodations, from a basic bunkhouse to kayak glamping and lodges, all the way to a bit more high end, such as Kingfisher Pacific Resort and Spa on Vancouver Island.
“The website is available for people who want to [plan a trip] on their own,” said Leach. “Then, we linked up with the BC Marine Trails map, because their trails are all about camping.”
“Sometimes people want to camp for a few nights, then stay in a place that has a shower before heading back home,” said Leach. “It’s nice to have options.”
The group encourages travellers to leave feedback and information on the KFL website in order for others to have an idea about lodging and/or trip ideas. Many kayakers depend on word of mouth, guide books and tips from fellow paddlers, when it comes to planning a trip.
Some of the information out there about lodging is not up to date, so KFL is trying to fill a much-needed, real-time information gap.
Leach wrote a report on
Sometimes people want to camp for a few nights, then stay in a place that has a shower before heading back home.
DEBBI LEACH
Leach said it’s good to have a choice of places to stay on a trip: some camping and some with a roof, kitchen and bed.
the KFL website about her trip to the Sutil Channel and kayak glamping on Hill Island, launching from Heriot Bay, Quadra Island,
on a water taxi:
“You can have a whole island to yourself for a week to explore the 122 acres as well as Sutil Channel,” stated Leach. “The cabin is up a long dock which is quite a struggle to hump gear at low tide. There are two bedrooms each with double beds and the third with bunks and a single bed. The kitchen has a propane stove and fridge with on demand hot water. Both solar and electric lights were working. Out back are the shower and sink as well as two outhouses.”
The Sutil Channel is located between Read, Quadra and Cortes islands.
Leach said the group was able to paddle across to Read Island exploring Evans and Burdwood bays, circumnavigate the Penn Islands, paddle across to Cortes to go up Von Donop Inlet, Carrington Bay, Whaletown Bay and to Shark Spit on Marina Island.
“I’ve taken advantage of a lot of [lodgings], but I do tend to still want to go camping,” said Leach. “I’ve been paddling, doing
Real estate market reveals jump in sales
January
was
busier
than same month last year, according to real estate board president
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
This year is off to a strong start in terms of real estate sales, according to Powell River Sunshine Coast Real Estate Board president Curtis Yungen.
Yungen said January 2025 had 24 total residential sales compared to January 2024, which had 19 total sales.
“Single-family homes saw an increase of 35.71 per cent in the same period in units sold, from 14
in January 2024 to 19 in January 2025,” said Yungen.
“New listings and median price for single-family homes were almost the same in January 2025 as January last year. We had 36 new listings this January and 35 last January. Median price for singlefamily homes was $692,000 this January, and was $690,000 last January, for only a 0.3 per cent change.”
In the single-family homes category, there were 19 sales in January 2025, valued at $13,648,900, compared to 14 sales in January 2024, valued at $9,287,050. There was one sale of $169,900 in the mobiles and manufactured homes category in January 2025, compared to no sales in January 2024.
Condos, apartments and duplexes had four sales in January 2025,
valued at $1,876,400, compared to two sales in January 2024, valued at $845,000.
Total for the residential category for January 2025 was 24 sales, valued at $15,695,200, compared to 16 sales in January 2024, valued at $10,132,050.
On the nonresidential side, there was one parcel of vacant land sold in January 2025, valued at $321,000, compared to three sales in January 2024, valued at $540,000.
Grand totals for all sales indicate 25 sales in January 2025, valued at $16,016,200, compared to 19 sales in January 2024, valued at $10,672,050.
Average selling price for a singlefamily dwelling in January 2025 was $718,363, with an average of 106 days on the market. Average
longer trips for the last 30 years.”
The group has some tips on how to best use the website and map:
“Find an area to explore then click on the kayak friendly places to stay that we’ve flagged. The link will take you to an information page designed for paddlers. From there you can contact the lodging directly to make your booking. Some people may choose a route going from one lodging to another. Others may prefer to base at one place for day paddles.”
STRONG SALES: Real estate sales in January 2025 were up over the January 2024 sales, starting the year off in a good way, according to local real estate board president Curtis Yungen. STOCKBYTE, GETTY IMAGES
selling price in January 2024 was $663,361, with an average of 58 days on the market.
There were 53 new residential listings in January 2025 and nine
nonresidential, for a total of 62. In terms of active listings at the end of the month, there were 151 residential and 55 nonresidential, for a total of 206 active listings.
AVID KAYAKERS: Kayak Friendly Lodging helps paddlers find places to stay while on multiday trips. The photo above was taken at Taku Lodge on Quadra Island. JITKA KOTLER PHOTO
Hydro lines require replacement
Transmission routes across Jervis Inlet and Agamemnon Channel to receive new installations
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
BC Hydro will be replacing the high-voltage power lines over Jervis Inlet and Agamemnon Channel.
Stephen Watson, senior stakeholder engagement advisor with BC Hydro, appeared as a delegation at the City of Powell River committee of the whole meeting on February 18, outlining the project, which will affect ferry and marine traffic during the construction phase.
Watson said it is a challenging project in terms of the power lines that come across the two bodies of water.
He said there are two transmission lines, with one 138-kilovolt line that was put into service in 1956, and the 230-kilovolt line, which went into service in 1970. He said these go to the Saltery Bay substation.
“When the lines were put in place across Jervis Inlet, a 3.5-kilometre span, it was one of the largest power line spans over a marine
environment in North America at the time,” said Watson. “There is also a 2.1 marine crossing over Agamemnon Channel.
“At Jervis Inlet, the towers on the side of the hill are located about 2.5 kilometres from Saltery Bay, going across to Nelson Island, and at Agamemnon Channel they are about 1.5 kilometres southwest of Earls Cove.”
Watson said BC Hydro is always looking at its facilities and reviewed these two transmission lines crossing over the marine areas. He said the electric utility found that both were at end of life in terms of the power lines and marker balls for aircraft. He said the deterioration is due to age and ocean spray and corrosion.
“We found the power lines and aviation balls for the 138 kV line were at high risk of failure,” said Watson. “We initiated an emergency-driven project last spring to replace those lines as soon as possible. We have been working on design and will be removing the lines and replacing them with new lines, along with some land-based work.
“The project is about ensuring public safety underneath the power lines along the main crossings, as well as maintaining electricity reliability.”
Watson said plans are to replace the 230 kV lines along the main crossings in a few years’ time. He said BC Hydro had been undertak-
ing tree removal and working on access roads, and that will continue in 2025. He added that power line tower work will be done at the marine crossings as well.
“We’ll be removing the 138 kV lines and aviation marker balls sometime between mid-September and October of this year,” said Watson. “We will restring the lines the following year, in 2026. While we do that work, the 230 kV line will continue to provide power to the Powell River region.”
At Agamemnon Channel, the new lines will be installed in spring of 2026, with the 230 kV line providing power to that region.
Watson said when BC Hydro does the power line removal and restringing work, there cannot be any marine traffic below it.
“The marine area will be closed while we do that work,” said Watson. “There will always be one channel or inlet open, so when Jervis Inlet is closed, Agamemnon Channel will be open, and vice-versa.
“Jervis Inlet is obviously the BC Ferries route. I have been working with them since spring of last year regarding the project, trying to refine the schedule and activities. For BC Ferries, we want to make sure the communities remain connected for this essential service. We’re working on developing an alternate service, which includes an alternate schedule and alternate
route options, which includes going around Nelson Island during the Jervis Inlet closure.”
Watson said once BC Hydro solidifies its schedule, BC Ferries will post its revised schedules. He said the first marine closures in Jervis Inlet will be between midSeptember and October 31 this year for about six to nine days, 10 hours per day, to be confirmed by April. The second marine closure to string the new line will be in the fall of 2026, up to nine days, 10 hours per day.
Watson said BC Hydro has also been working with the Sunshine Coast Trail board of directors, be-
Pump out policy requested for harbour
City staff directed to develop regulations regarding moorage
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
City of Powell River staff will create a policy regarding the pump-out station in the south boat harbour.
At council meeting earlier this month, council-
lor Cindy Elliott asked if the pump-out station was existing infrastructure or something that needed to be installed. Director of infrastructure Tor Birtig said it is an existing pump out station. He said currently, it is used for moorage, at times, but that has led to issues where a boat is moored in that location when somebody wants to pump out their vessel.
“We’re moving toward having it reserved solely for pump out purposes,” said Birtig. “I guess the drawback is that we will lose out on 40
cause parts of the trail go through the BC Hydro project area. He said there have been some closures of the trail already and BC Hydro will be working with the trail board for future upgrades along the trail. There will also be power disruption to the qathet region.
“We do require a planned outage to the community,” said Watson. “The timing for that is Sunday, September 14, from 7 am to 7 pm. This is strictly a power supply issue. We need to take the lines out of service, do the maintenance work and do the tie-in of the bypass route. There will be no impact to the marine area.”
feet of available moorage, but it does provide security for having that pump out available. We’ve heard stories where somebody has come to pump out and there has been a boat on that dock overnight.”
Councillor George Doubt moved that the motion be deferred so staff could provide a report for council to give full consideration to all the details.
“We should have a report and maybe get a drawing of the harbour so everyone knows where dock 11 is and where that 40 feet is, and
how exactly that fits into the dynamics of the harbour,” said Doubt. “We may want to consider other ideas, because I know that Lund harbour uses their pumpout station for emergency tie-ups.”
The motion to defer, however, was defeated.
Council carried the motion that council direct staff to create a policy regarding the pump-out station, stating 40 lineal feet at the end of dock 11 is reserved for the station and ensuring it be used and marketed to its fullest extent.
CHALLENGING PROJECT: Stephen Watson, senior stakeholder engagement advisor with BC Hydro, appeared before City of Powell River’s committee of the whole to outline the power company’s intention to replace power lines spanning two local bodies of water. PAUL GALINSKI PHOTO
REVIEWING USE: City of Powell River council has directed staff to draft a policy regarding use of the pump-out station in the south harbour. Currently, vessels have been allowed to tie up adjacent to the facility, making it difficult at times for other vessels to use the station. PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO
PRISMA director seeks support
Arthur
Arnold asks city for continued financial and in-kind contributions
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
Pacific Region International Summer Music Association (PRISMA) is seeking long-term support from City of Powell River to replace the former agreement that has expired.
At a recent committee of the whole meeting, PRISMA artistic director Arthur Arnold appeared as a delegation and thanked the city for the 12 years of support since PRISMA’s inception.
“Every year, you have supported us, both financial and in-kind, which is very important,” said Arnold. “Granting agencies, when we apply for grants, look at whether we get local support, and yes, all three local governments support PRISMA.”
Arnold said PRISMA is a classical music festival, where 80 students of very high level come from all over the world. Last year, they
came from 18 countries and came together to play in the PRISMA festival orchestra, where there are performances of the most exciting and difficult repertoire, said Arnold. There are also 25 guest artists from leading orchestras who teach the students, and play chamber music.
Arnold said during the two weeks of the festival each year, there are about 50 musical events.
“It’s really good for this community,” said Arnold. “It builds connection, it builds community, it involves young people. We go into the community, playing in schools, playing concerts.
“We are rich in our community to have these events. It adds to the well-being of our region.”
Arnold said PRISMA also has a free concert at Willingdon Beach each year, which is always a success and a lot of fun. During the afternoons of PRISMA, people can sit in on master classes and limelight concerts, where students or guest artists perform.
“You actually see the students improving in front of your eyes,” said Arnold.
PRISMA facilitates cross-cultural connections, not only with the students and teachers from around the world, but also including
Tla’amin Nation, said Arnold. “Every year we sing together on the beach, combining western and traditional music,” said Arnold. “Last year, 10 of our Tla’amin singers went to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO). I conducted the VSO, the 10 Tla’amin singers were right in front of the stage, and we did three of their songs. There were 14 PRISMA students in the VSO. It was the highlight of the evening.”
Performing arts are an economic driver, and according to Stats Canada, has a multiplier of 2.05.
“Every dollar that PRISMA spends returns 2.05 times,” said Arnold.
He said PRISMA has roughly an $800,000 budget and it is probably going to increase over the years, so with the multiplier effect, the financial consequences to qathet region are significant.
“It’s a great return if you think about the contribution we get from the city,” said Arnold.
His request was for the in-kind contributions from the city to continue, for such uses as Powell River Recreation Complex. He said PRISMA would also like to receive
Councillors support nutrition program
Farmers’ market association wants city to write a letter for funding coupons
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
City of Powell River staff members have been directed to write a letter of support to BC’s minister of health in support of funding for BC Association of Farmers’ Markets’ nutrition coupon program in 2025 and beyond.
At the February 18 committee of the whole meeting, councillors reviewed correspondence from the association, which asked for support to secure ongoing funding from the program.
According to the correspondence, in 2024, lower income qathet region res-
idents redeemed $31,341 with vendors at Powell River Farmers’ Market through the program. Eighty-four lower income households benefitted from better access to local, fresh foods, the correspondence stated.
City councillor Cindy Elliott said the farmers’ market association was asking the city to write a letter of support to minister of health Josie Osborne.
“The farmers’ market is incredibly popular here in our community and it’s had funding from the ministry in the past,” said Elliott. “It would be incumbent upon the council to ask the mayor to sign a letter of support for the BC farmers’ market program.”
Councillor Earl Almeida suggested the statistics shared in the letter be shared in the correspondence to the minister.
Councillor George Doubt said he fully supported writing a letter to the minister, and that people should be thinking about ways to build and
$20,000 per year from the city, which is a little more than the contributions for the first 12 years.
“I would also like to talk about a multi-year agreement again,” said Arnold. “It ran out this year. It would be good for planning purposes.”
The committee unanimously passed a motion to direct staff to work with PRISMA to renew the expired agreement and negotiate new terms.
Arnold then played a selection on his cello for those in attendance at council chambers.
strengthen the program.
“We are going to be seeing awfully expensive cucumbers from California and oranges from Florida if we don’t do something to get alternate supplies,” said Doubt. “I’m in favour of this but I think we need to do more.”
Councillor Trina Isakson said the motion hits on two points. One is the support for people in vulnerable situations to have some food choices, and to get fresh, local, healthy food is fantastic. She said it also supports local farmers, who are also often not raking in the dough.
Councillor and committee chair Rob Southcott said this is not a new program and it has been supported for many years.
“It’s an amazing program,” said Southcott. “It supports people who are not going to get great food and it also supports local farmers. I absolutely support this motion.”
The motion passed unanimously.
MAKING MUSIC: PRISMA artistic director Arthur Arnold provided City of Powell River’s committee of the whole an impromptu performance with his cello after seeking continued support for the summer symphonic academy from the city. PAUL GALINSKI PHOTO
qRD directors delay budget adoption
Final reading of financial plan will take place in March
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
While qathet Regional District (qRD) directors were scheduled to adopt the 2025 to 2029 fiveyear financial plan in February, the adoption will be held off until March so directors can review more information.
At the February 12 finance committee meeting, general manager of financial administration Linda Greenan provided an overview of draft three of the 2025 to 2029 five-year financial plan, outlining taxation for taxpayers in City of Powell River, the five electoral areas, and on Savary Island.
In the city, in draft three of the budget, the proposed tax increase for 2025 is 10.73 per cent, in Electoral Area A, 16.20 per cent, on Savary Island, 16.72 per cent, Electoral Area B, 24.42 per cent, Electoral Area C, 23.50 per cent, Electoral Area D (Texada Island), 14.67 per cent, and Electoral Area E (Lasqueti Island), 14.44 per cent.
Cost of qRD taxation per average home, in the city, is $543.58, in Area A, $1,727.53, on Savary Island, 999.82, Area B, $1,467.01, Area C, $1,629.18, Area D, $932.50, and in Area E, $1,793.
Tax rates between draft three and draft two have decreased.
According to Greenan, the de-
crease in the city tax rate is because staff made some reductions to regional services budgets, and because in draft three the regional district is calculating the tax rates using the 2025 BC Assessment completed roll values, which are greater than those of 2024. In the electoral areas, the decrease in tax rate is also due to the increase in BC Assessment roll values in 2025 over 2024.
Electoral Area D director Sandy McCormick said her understanding was that the qRD operating budget for 2025 is $17.1 million and the capital budget is $6.9 million. Greenan said the operating budget is $17.1 million and the capital budget is $6.8 million.
Community works funds were discussed. Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne mentioned the proposed use of community works funds being used for payment of the remaining debt on the resource recovery centre, split with the city. The city recently passed a motion not to allocate its community works funds to complete the project. Gisborne said community works funds could then be used for fire department apparatus and fire halls.
“It may not be the right time but we should take the community works funds that have been allocated to the resource recovery centre and bring that back into the community works fund reserve, take full borrowing for the $2.5 million that is required to complete the resource recovery centre project, and then we will have the
community works funds available for things like fire halls and fire department apparatus,” said Gisborne. “It would decrease the amount of pressure needed to fill the fire hall reserves.”
Gisborne then mentioned the regional planning service. He said there was a 35 per cent increase in requisition, and he wondered why there was such a large increase in the planning service. He also pointed out there was a 28 per cent increase for salary and wages.
“I’ve been really struggling with the exponential growth of requisition we have been seeing in a number of services,” said Gisborne.
“I’m wondering about the longterm sustainability of our community. General administration, 10 years ago, was under $500,000 and now we’re at $2.5 million, I think. Our general administration has surpassed the Sunshine Coast Regional District’s.
“I’m seeing a lot of for sale signs in my area and a lot of folks can’t afford to live in the community anymore. I’m wondering if this is the norm, and how can we, as a board, change direction?”
Electoral Area C director and acting committee chair Clay Brander said it was a big question and not one that could be resolved at this finance committee meeting.
“The cost of operating local government has just gone up,” said Brander. “Expenditures and budgets come through this board, so it’s a matter of cutting services, and I don’t know who is going to put forward those cuts, but it can
always be proposed. I have full confidence that our staff is managing the money efficiently and responsibly. It’s a matter of what the community needs and what is being downloaded on us from the province. These are, unfortunately, the costs of doing business.”
Gisborne said the regional district didn’t have to have the budget submitted until the end of March. It was on the regional district calendar to pass the budget by the end of February, however.
“I would be very keen to ask for one more draft for March to go through all the items that are wants and the items that are needs,” said Gisborne. “There’s a number of things here we can cut back. The staff have been doing what they have been directed to do and my request is for the board to
say, can we keep doing this?”
Electoral Area A director Jason Lennox said as budgets unfold every year, he is not prepared to endorse a 16.2 increase and 35 per cent administration increases every year.
“It’s totally unsustainable,” said Lennox. “It’s not our staff’s fault. It’s the work that we have to do and the work that we want to do. Next year, there are going to be some tough decisions because we can’t keep doing this.”
Gisborne proposed a motion that the financial plan be sent to the March finance committee, rather than being adopted at the February 26 board meeting. Gisborne said he wanted to see a final draft of the budget at the March finance committee meeting.
The motion carried unanimously.
Fire hall contribution increase recommended
Regional district finance committee wants allocation to reserves to be $100,000 per year
PAUL GALINSKI
reporter@prpeak.com
qathet Regional District’s finance committee has recommended a significant increase in contribution to reserves for the re-
placement of the Malaspina Volunteer Fire Department fire hall.
At the February 11 committee meeting, a reconsideration motion was brought forward, indicating the committee recommends that the regional board direct staff to increase the Malaspina fire protection service annual contribution to the statutory reserve fund from $29,412 to $200,000 per year. Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne indicated that he wanted the $200,000 annual contribution to reserves reduced to $50,000 per year.
“One of the reasons is our fire apparatus
is covered by community works funds and fire apparatus is one of the things that needs to be replaced after a 20- to 25-year period,” said Gisborne. “This motion is specific to fire halls. Reserve funds are quite healthy right now. We are going through a service review, but I understand that there isn’t a plan on the books for replacing the fire hall. We all recognize the hall is old and that we need to find a new location and get a hall built, but at the same time, any operating costs that are saved and realized from the service do go into reserves already.”
Gisborne said there is $386,000 in the fire hall reserve and $560,000 for apparatus. Electoral Area C director and board chair Clay Brander said he had come to the meeting with the intention of reducing the reserve contribution as well, but he was not comfortable going down to $50,000 per year. His recommendation was to go down to $100,000 per year.
The committee unanimously voted to recommend that the regional board direct staff to increase the annual contribution to reserve to $100,000 per year.
FURTHER CONSIDERATION: While the qathet Regional District five-year financial plan was scheduled to be adopted in February, Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne proposed a motion to delay adoption until March so there could be further review of the document. The motion carried unanimously. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
VIEWPOINT
How Canadian politicians and citizens can respond to Trump
Is there an achievable, imaginative and tactful way to deal with United States animosity?
I think there is, and I’m certain there are many individuals and groups who are right now thinking through this very question and coming up with good ideas about what it will take to move forward without resorting to aggression or violence.
But before this can happen we need to prepare the ground. Standing up to the US bully means ending our love affair with neoliberalism and the fossil fuel economy. It means saying no to Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland when they propose increasing military spending to two per cent of
Opinions have been heard
GDP, as demanded by the US and NATO.
Spending more on the military will in no way put Canada in a position to counter the United States in a head-to-head confrontation. Moreover, capitulating to US demands to spend more on the military makes Canada look like a weak supplicant and only invites further extortive demands by US president Donald Trump.
The second order of business is for Canada to get the hell out of NATO; the latter is not a peace-oriented organization. It is a bellicose association controlled through US imperialism.
From an economic perspective, it is past the time that Canada looks
Having read in the Peak about various Westview Ratepayers Society activities over the past several years [“Ratepayers group continues advocating,” February 6], I decided to attend a general meeting held at Powell River Recreation Complex on February 10. About 45 people attended the nearly two hour meeting. Rarely have I been in a room with such a collection of disgruntled, angry and unhappy people. Most of the animus in the room was directed at four city councillors, with Lift Community Services a close second. The personal animosity held toward these two groups surprised and disturbed me. Our elected officials deserve to be respected for the job they do, whether one disagrees with them or not. They work hard to act on our behalf for not a lot of compensation.
It is okay to hold opposing views on an issue, but I do not discount the humanity of the person I disagree with. I do not plan on bringing 100 people to a council meeting in order to shout down anyone who disagrees with what I am saying.
It was striking to me that the general sentiment in the room was that viewpoints of the society have been ignored
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seriously at developing good relations with other trading partners. Moreover, Canadians should be encouraged to buy Canadian, and divest from and boycott American products.
In a strangely ironic way, Trump’s announcement that Canada should become the 51st American state has encouraged Canadians to reflect on who we have become as a result of being so closely tied to the American economy and culture. Sadly, there are some deluded people here who think being the 51st state would be good for Canada. They have forgotten that once upon a time the Canadian ideal was of a diverse, peaceful, multicultural nation that welcomed the stranger,
honoured human rights and international law, and protected the most vulnerable at home and away.
Well, we never quite got there, did we? At least part of the reason for that is because we tied ourselves so closely to a greedy, warmongering, union-hating, gunloving, racist, dystopic America.
This is not about countering US hegemony with a virulent form of Canadian nationalism. It is about coming together as a diverse cooperative and building a society of caring people who wish to preserve the natural beauty of Canada; a society that relates to its Indigenous peoples with respect and love; a society that empowers working people and protects the nation from
By Fred Guerin
greedy corporate oligarchs who care only about themselves; a society that invests in public health and well-being through well-funded social programs; a society that makes corporate polluters and fossil-fuel companies pay for the damage they have done. In short, a society that does everything that Trump and Elon Musk pride themselves on not doing.
I suspect that over time, if we ever came close to achieving the above, the dilapidated “city on the hill” would begin to look at Canada with something approaching longing.
Fred Guerin is a retired philosophy professor living in the qathet region.
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Earthquake hits close to home
Shaker near Sechelt sends shockwaves
across BC's southwest coast
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
Did you feel it? At 1:26 pm on February 21, Earthquakes Canada detected a 5.1 magnitude earthquake northeast of Sechelt, triggering an emergency alert to be sent out for the public to drop, cover and hold on.
“I swore that a semi-truck ran into the building up on Marine Avenue or something; this building was swaying,” said Peak publisher Kelly Keil, who was in her office near Westview Terminal at the time. “I was on the phone with an IT guy in Vancouver and he said ‘that was an earthquake, I’ll call you back,’ then I ran outside.”
On its website, qathet School District stated that confirmations had been received from every principal in the district that everyone was safe, and no damage had been done.
The Peak also received a report that the quake was felt on Savary Island. Emergency Info BC stated that there was no tsunami threat after the quake shook the province's southwest. qathet Regional District general manager of emergency services Ryan Thoms said the earthquake is a good opportunity to become acquainted with emergency procedures. He said the quake hit the regional district office noticeably and was over and done with quickly. He added that the regional district is going to do a safety follow-up to remind everyone about emergency plans.
“For the public, we are always promoting Shakeout BC [shakeoutbc.ca] and Earthquakes Canada [earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca],” said Thoms. “It
6«
by Lift and council. I disagree; their opinions have been heard loud and clear. Many of the people I know just do not agree with their views. There was also not one specific proposal made to deal with our homeless situ-
is no surprise that the earthquake was located not too far away. It was pretty shallow, so that’s why it felt like a good hit. It was the kind of earthquake that we know historically happens here.”
Thoms said the last big earthquake in 1946 is a reminder that a significant earthquake can happen here.
“We’ve been in a really quiet period for the last few decades,” said Thoms.
“It’s easy to be lulled by the quiet and to think earthquakes only happen elsewhere. There is nowhere around the Pacific Rim that doesn’t experience earthquakes.”
Thoms said the most important thing, since earthquakes can’t be prevented, is to think about how best to prepare for them in homes and workplaces, and to know what to do. He said this earthquake happened so fast that at his workplace, by the time people realized it was occurring, getting under the desk was almost too late.
Thoms said in a longer duration earthquake, knowing the steps to take, and having the understanding, can be lifesaving.
“It’s why we have the shakeout every year,” said Thoms. “It reminds people of the right things to do. I encourage people to go to those two websites and
ation. I do not know what the WRS stands for, but I have a good idea of what they are against. WRS is a special interest group that represents some homeowners only. I would like for them to consider a name change that more accurately reflects their perspective. I live in Westview
learn the simple things that will help in an earthquake.”
Thoms said it is also an important time to think about assembling a gokit for emergencies, which could be helpful if substantial damage is done to homes. He said it is also important for families to have discussions about what to do if an earthquake hits.
“Earthquakes come unannounced, and if you haven’t thought about it ahead of time, there is a tendency to not react and to not keep yourself safe,” said Thoms. “It’s useful to seek good information and education. Hopefully, we don’t have to think about it again for a while, but it is definitely a reality here.”
Thoms said the regional emergency service is always happy to hear from people who are seeking information. Emails can be sent to emergency@qathet.ca.
The quake was detected in an area 24 kilometres north/northeast of Sechelt, 35 kilometres west of Squamish and 60 kilometres northwest of Vancouver, according to Earthquakes Canada. The department added that the shaker was one kilometre in depth and was "lightly felt" in the southwestern part of the province.
and I am not the only homeowner who does not like this group apparently speaking on my behalf.
The plan by at least some members of WRS to merge with Townsite and Cranberry groups is not surprising. Nor is the plan to run a complete slate of candidates in the 2026 mu-
CROSSWORD
nicipal election. I respect each person who took the time to attend this meeting. I believe community activism is a good thing but not at the expense of drowning out other voices. Therefore, I will not be joining WRS.
Richard Armstrong Powell River
EARTH MOVES: A 5.1 magnitude earthquake detected on Friday, February 21, was felt in the qathet region. PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO
Black History Month
With a theme of “honouring the past, inspiring the future,” a celebration of African/AfroCaribbean food, fashion, music and traditions was held at Dwight Hall in Townsite on February 15. The afternoon event promoted understanding and inclusivity of Black culture in qathet and recognized achievements within the Black community.
ANDREW BRADLEY PHOTOS
Library continues to expand accessibility
Silent study pod, books on wheels and language resources available to the public
TANYA HILL
thill@prpeak.com
Libraries across Canada continue to be on the forefront of expanding the definition of what it means to be a public lending resource.
For a while now, libraries have been evolving from being strictly silent spaces and acting as gatekeepers of knowledge, into welcoming community hubs for people who still want to learn and check-out materials, but also meet with others, or even play a game of Mahjong.
Now, Powell River Public Library (PRPL) is moving full speed ahead, improving its accessibility resources and spaces for those who are differently abled, as part of
the BC government's 2021 Accessible British Columbia Act. The act requires publicserving organizations to remove barriers for people living with physical disabilities, and those who are living with an invisible disability, such as autism or dyslexia.
The library's new accessibility coordinator, Karen Wootten, said the National Network for Equitable Library Service, also known as NNELS, has been providing resources for people living with impairment of sight for many years now. Wootten said a student from Brooks Secondary School recently gave a braille demonstration at the library. The library offers physical resources such as large print books, non-English language publications, audio books and quiet spaces for meetings and/or tutoring services, and also plenty of digital services such as the Libby app and PressReader, which offers free access to ebooks and magazines.
"We have different language resources, including easy-readers for those who are learning English as a second language," said Wootten. "We do have an agreement with tutors and/ or organizations to use our room free of charge."
The library facility is called a universal design, meaning it has: wheelchair and stroller-accessible with entry ramp and automatic-open front entry; wheelchair and stroller-accessible genderneutral washroom; designated accessible parking; bus stop located on Alberni Street at Joyce Avenue; dedicated children and teen areas, and a newly acquired sound-reducing study pod that reduces sound by up to 75 per cent.
"We [PRPL] had Heather McCain from an organization called LETS [Live Educate Transform Society], which is run by people who have lived experience with disabilities," said Wootten. "They did a tour of the library, and did some staff training."
Wootten said all the feedback on the tour was positive.
"Although Heather [the tour leader] used the library space as an example of what to look for when creating an accessible space, the information she provided could be easily extrapolated to fit other spaces," added Wootten.
The library also provides plenty of space to move, and tables for those who use a wheelchair.
"All of our staff here are super helpful and learning to talk to people about what their needs are, or they'll just transfer them to me," said Wootten, adding that she is reaching out to the community and qathet's senior population in order to find out what they need in terms of accessibility and resources. Currently, the accessibility coordinator is creating a book for those living with dementia.
"Mark Merlino, our adult services coordinator, runs a lot of our tech workshops
and he coordinates a service called Books on Wheels," said Wootten. "Volunteers deliver books to private homes, Willingdon Creek Village, Evergreen [Extended Care] and Kiwanis residences."
Libraries are free publicly available spaces where no purchases are necessary.
"We really want this to be a place where people feel comfortable coming, and feel safe and accepted and welcome," said Wootten. "The Mahjong group meets here and other groups use it as a
Museum exhibit highlights creativity
Participants get hands-on experience in curation
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
Over 13 weeks last December, Ben Rapp, Cooper Bakker, Peter Cameron and Rowan Durnin had a taste of what it's like to be museum curator.
"Four local youth attended the mini-curators program and produced a fabulous exhibit called Texada: Copper Currents, about copper mining and the sinking of the Cheslakee on Texada," said qathet Museum and Archives (qMA) manager Ava Hansen. "The partici-
pants got to select artifacts, write labels and organize a display that shares the story they wanted to tell."
The Cheslakee steamship started to sink while leaving Van Anda on January 7, 1913.
The display at qMA highlights the youth curators' enthusiasm to learn about qathet history, and their ability to create an exciting visual and tactile picture using archival photographs, stories and artifacts. Participants also experienced what it's like to do analogue research by digging through old newspapers, reading books and archival materials. They also had a chance to build a model mine-shaft with the help of museum staff.
The curators also found an inter-
view from a former miner named Lorrie Pirart, who spoke with the Peak in 2017. The mines could be "at first a bit scary and claustrophobic, but you get over it quick when you start doing work and then you actually start to like it," recalled Pirart at the time.
Recently, Mel Edgar, teen services coordinator at Powell River Public Library, reached out to qMA with the idea to highlight the exhibit for BC Heritage Week (third week of February).
“The library is here to create opportunities that expand perspectives," said Edgar. “We were delighted to partner with the museum to showcase a project created as part of their mini-curators’ program, celebrate some young people
central meeting spot."
PRPL chief librarian Rebecca Burbank shared how the silent study pod came to be.
“The library gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the province of British Columbia through the ministry of municipal affairs that enabled the purchase," said Burbank. A list of accessible resources can be found at prpl.ca/our-services/outreach-services or by calling 604.485.4796.
in our community who have been diligently learning about local his-
tory and are excited about sharing their knowledge.”
MINING HISTORY: [From left] Ben Rapp, Cooper Bakker, Peter Cameron and Rowan Durnin took part in qathet Museum and Archives’ mini-curators program in December. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
SILENT POD: Powell River Public Library chief librarian Rebecca Burbank [left] and accessibility coordinator Karen Wootten sit in a recently acquired silent study/meeting pod. The sound-reducing pod is one part of the library’s ongoing accessibility improvements. TANYA HILL PHOTO
Organizer calls pulling ivy satisfying
Group meets once a month at trails and parks around town
TANYA HILL
thill@prpeak.com
Piles of English ivy can be seen on the sides of park trails in qathet. It has been diligently pulled out by volunteers in order to keep the rapidly growing plant at bay.
Kate Sutherland has been organizing a monthly ivy pull event since January 2022, and had 16 volunteers come out last month.
"Each pull is 90 minutes long," said Sutherland. "Long enough to make a difference, and not so long that it is hard to fit in with everything else [people do in a day]."
According to the Invasive
Saturday , march 1 doors 6 pm bell 7 pm dwight hall
Species Council of BC, English ivy was intention ally introduced from its native range of Europe. It has since spread through out rainforest understo ries, where it can grow as a dense mat that suppresses native plants or climbs up trees, reducing their lifespan and leaving them more susceptible to wind damage.
"The English ivy on Valentine Mountain is not as pervasive as, for ex ample, the forest next to the Wildwood hill," said Sutherland. "Pulling each month, we’ve been able to keep some areas clear of visible ivy; the inspiration has been, in part, to nip the spread of ivy, to not let it be come pervasive."
River’s rock and roll band
Sutherland said the group endeavours to pull without damaging native plants, such as Oregon grape.
"It is surprisingly sat-
"Another impact has been know when future pulls are happening can request to be on the list by emailing Sutherland at Kate@ emergecollab.com.
$40 front row $30 general $15 youth 12 and under
INVASIVE PULL: Every month since January 2022, volunteers have been pulling invasive ivy from places such as Valentine Mountain and the Willingdon Beach Trail.
CULTURE »
Concert band tunes up
Eclectic group of musicians practice together on weekly basis
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
qathet Concert Band (qCB) gets together every Thursday night in the Brooks Secondary School band room to practice tunes ranging from pop, rock and choral, to Harry Potterthemed arrangements for fun and for performance.
The group always welcomes those who may be newbies, lapsed former band students, or seasoned players, to join them on their journey of playing music together.
The band is currently practicing for an upcoming performance called Brass, Winds and the Legends of Rock and Pop.
"We are going to play pop and rock and roll music; a couple of young rock and roll groups will also join us," said trombone player Shelley Thomson. "I think there's close to 25 [players] right now, and we are always hoping to recruit more, because it's really nice to have a 30plus [number of people] band."
Thomson said she's played with qCB for close to 20 years, and that the group is comprised of a wide variety of skilled players and those who may be picking up an instrument after a long break.
Brooks music teacher Steven Cramaro is the conductor. He said the band has been practicing a medley of music by The Beatles, The Doors and Led Zeppelin, which will be heard at a free public performance on Sunday, March 9.
"This will be my second full year with [qCB]," said
Cramaro. "I actually started playing with them in high school, so most of [the players] are still in the band now."
After high school, Cramaro went to study at University of Victoria.
"We always tend to do one concert that's a little bit more challenging than our previous concert, and then
sometimes one that's a little more fun," said Cramaro.
He added that the upcoming performance will be their pops concert of the year. Earlier in the season, Cramaro said qCB worked hard at putting together a diverse concert that was performed successfully.
"We've had kids as young as in high school and I be-
lieve our tuba player, Dirk, is the oldest," said Cramaro.
"We have a wide range of abilities and ages; everyone is in different parts of their lives and careers."
The band has a few flutists, clarinetists, trombone players and tuba players, and also a bassist and drummer.
“It's fun," said Thomson.
"My favourite, actually, is
Virtual reality film makes its way home
Co-director of Texada grew up on northern Gulf Island
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
Texada, an immersive virtual-reality (VR) documentary by filmmakers Claire Sanford and Josephine Anderson, had its world premiere at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) DocLab in 2023.
The 17-minute impressionistic project, produced by the National Film Board of Canada, will be coming to qathet Art Centre (qAC), Texada Island Museum and qathet International Film Festival this March.
"We hope that viewers will have an experience that shows a side of Texada that they may not have experienced before," said Sanford. "Despite being so close, many
people haven't had the chance to explore this magnificent island, and in the project we take you into places you would otherwise not have a chance to visit, namely Texada's limestone quarries."
During the first stop, co-directors Anderson and Sanford will discuss Texada at Powell River Public Library on Tuesday, March 4, at 7 pm. Next, the documentary will make its way to Texada Island Museum and be co-presented by Texada Heritage Society, on March 5 and March 6.
"It's amazing to be able to bring the project back to the community where it was created, and to the place where Claire grew up," said Anderson. "In creating the work, the residents of the island have been so generous in their participation, granting access to filming spaces and giving of time. They have embraced this technology, which may to some feel high-tech and alien, and have purchased two VR headsets to keep the
work as a part of their permanent collection."
Anderson and Sanford will give a VR workshop during the film festival on March 10 at the Patricia Theatre. Texada will be screened throughout the festival and ocular headsets will be available to be reserved. The last stop will be at qathet Art Centre on March 24, which will continue until April 3.
There will be five headsets available during the exhibition in order for people to experience 360-degree live-action footage, captured across the island, with 3D animation, through the ocular headset.
"We are thrilled to be able to introduce this technology and new form of storytelling to this rural community [Texada and qathet], and experience the joy of being with many people who will be experiencing VR for the first time," said Sanford. "This work is not a typical documentary, and not a typical VR piece, so viewers have been both surprised and impressed by the
the rehearsals, because we're working together on a common thing."
Brass, Winds and the Legends of Rock and Pop will be performed at Westview Elementary School, located at 3900 Selkirk Avenue. Admission is by donation at the door. For more information, email qathetconcertband@gmailcom.
use of the medium to tell a story in this immersive way. I think people have been surprised by how universal the project feels, despite being about this specific rock found on this specific island in this spe-
cific part of the world."
To watch the movie trailer, go to vimeo.com/910808984. To find out more about the Texada VR experience, go to qathetart.ca/ texada-vr.
HERITAGE SOCIETY: An impressionistic virtual reality documentary called Texada has finally made its way back home, and will exhibit at the Texada Island Museum, co-presented by Texada Heritage Society, on March 5 and March 6. TANYA HILL PHOTO
ROCK AND POP: qathet Concert Band practices every Thursday evening at Brooks Secondary School band room. Brooks music teacher Steven Cramaro [far right] is the conductor for the group. TANYA HILL PHOTO
Kings come up empty on road trip
BCHL club falls to Clippers, Grizzlies and Bulldogs
SHANE CARLSON editor@prpeak.com
Nanaimo Clippers broke a 0-0 deadlock after one period with a power play goal early in the middle frame en route to a 3-0 win over Powell River Kings on February 14.
Clippers added an insurance marker at even strength 15:37 into the third period and sealed the win with an empty-net goal three minutes later.
Goaltender Ryan Tamelin made 46 saves for the Kings, who were outshot 49 to 19. Tamelin was named the game’s second star behind his counterpart in the Clippers’ net, Vladimir Nikitin, and ahead of Cole Lonsdale, who scored once and set up a goal for the home team.
GRIZZLIES 7 - KINGS 3
Kings held a lead through 20 minutes of play in Victoria the next night, but the host Grizzlies stormed back with five unanswered goals in the second period to take control of the game.
Brendan Giles scored 52 seconds after the opening faceoff and Landon Marleau doubled the Kings’ lead 10 minutes later with his first goal of the season. Giles, who reached double digits in goals with 10, also assisted on Marleau’s goal.
After the Grizzlies added another pair of goals in the third period, Max Jelavic rounded out the scoring, his sixth of the season for the Kings, to make the final 7-3.
Victoria converted on two of four power play opportunities. Powell River was unsuccessful on three chances with the extra skater.
Tamelin stopped 19 of the 24 shots he faced through two periods and was replaced by Cooper Flemming, who made saves on sev-
Villa faces must win matches
Games in hand important to VISL club's quest to avoid relegation
SHANE CARLSON editor@prpeak.com
Powell River Villa picked up one of a possible three points in Vancouver Island Soccer League action by drawing Comox Valley United 1-1 on January 25. Jamie Perez scored for the visiting Powell River club.
"We put in a good team effort and were well organized defensively," said Villa manager Chris McDonough. "We also created some decent chances with our counterattacking."
With the single point,
Villa moved to within six points of Sooke Celtic and Nanaimo United, both of which lost games the day before. Nanaimo and Sooke have each played two more games than Powell River and were tied for eighth place in VISL Division 1 standings at the time.
"Powell River is in tough and will need a couple favourable results in order to get out of the cellar and avoid relegation to Division 2," stated VISL executive director Vince Greco, in his weekly update.
Regular season games were put on hold as VISL Division 1 and 2 teams were scheduled to open Jackson Cup play, which is VISL’s version of the FA Cup in England. Games were then delayed multiple weeks due to weather conditions (snow) on
en of the nine Grizzlies’ attempts in the third period. Overall shots were 33-29 in favour of the home team.
Eli Friedman (two), Cruz Scanzano, Dante Ersoni and Niccolo Mansueto were credited with assists on Powell River goals.
BULLDOGS 7 - KINGS 4
Kings travelled to Port Alberni on February 22 to wrap up a stint of three straight games away from home.
Power play goals from Eliot Compton and Giles kept the Kings even through 20 minutes.
Eli Friedman, Jelavic and Sam Grabner helped set up the goals, which came 29 seconds apart about two minutes after the Bulldogs had opened the scoring.
Alberni made it 2-2 before the end of the first period, then outscored Powell River 3-0 in the middle frame to take a commanding 5-2 lead prior to the second intermission.
Vancouver Island soccer fields.
Villa finally faced Vic West’s VISL Division 2 squad on February 15 in Victoria and were eliminated from the competition. The Division 2 squad posted an upset with a 3-1 win.
Jerod Timothy scored the only goal for Powell River in the 15th minute to tie the game 1-1. Vic West scored twice more before halftime to advance to the next round.
VISL Division 1 regular season play resumed last weekend with Bays United hosting Villa on February 22, with the home team posting a 3-0 win. One day earlier, Nanaimo picked up three points in a 5-1 win over Sooke.
Villa continues a string of away games on March 1 in Victoria versus Vic West 1.
NET-FRONT PRESENCE: Nanaimo Clippers’ forward Dylan Kinch (15) screens Powell River Kings’ goaltender Ryan Tamelin while Kings’ defender Jace Harder anticipates an incoming shot during a BC Hockey League game at Frank Crane Arena on Friday, February 14. ISLAND
Compton, with his fourth of the season, and Jelavic, with his seventh, both scored again in the third period, but the Bulldogs matched that output with a pair of goals of their own to make the final 7-4.
With the win, Alberni moved into sixth place in BCHL Coastal Conference standings, one point behind Coquitlam and one ahead
of Nanaimo. Powell River remains last in the 10-team conference. Attendance at Alberni Valley Multiplex was 1,378.
Kings have a home-and-home series with the Grizzlies this weekend. The teams meet at Hap Parker Arena on Friday, February 28, and travel to Victoria for a rematch at the Q Centre the next night.
TO BOOK YOUR AD »
Assunta Prencipe
September 17, 1945 - January 30, 2025
With aching hearts, we share the passing of our beloved Mom, Nonna and Biznonna.
God chose another angel on January 30, 2025.
Assunta was a devoted and treasured wife, and we will remember her as a heartwarming, courageous, beautiful woman whom we had the honor to call our Mom.
Assunta was born in Troia, Italy and came to Canada in 1965 at the youthful age of 20, to join her new husband, Fedele Prencipe, and begin their life together. Assunta was the embodiment of love. Her children remember her comforting them when they were unwell, and her capable hands always hard at work ensuring that a warm meal was always on the table—no sacrifice was too great for her family.
She spent her career as an exceptional cook and devoted her time at home to cooking all her family’s favorites: cannoli, peaches, rum cake, gnocchi, lasagna, and her infamous tomato sauce. Her family will forever miss her teachings and wisdom, as well as the love they felt when she gifted them their favorite dishes and treats.
While her family no longer sees her bright, contagious smile, they will always have beautiful memories that they will hold close to their hearts; from traditional Italian Sunday night dinners, to Christmas Eve dinners, to spending time at her and Nonno’s summer trailer at Kent’s beach, where she loved being with her family and friends.
From the minute her first grandchild was born; everyone knew her as Nonna. Nonna’s love for her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren was one of a kind. They filled her heart with so much love. Her family was her biggest pride in her life. Her memory will also live on through her family in Italy who she had daily facetime calls with.
She was predeceased by her husband Fedele, her parents, Leonardo and Antonietta, and her sister, Cristina. Assunta is survived by her siblings, Giuseppe (Lucia), MariaGrazia, her son Giovanni (Shelley), her daughter Antonietta (Glenn), her grandchildren Alysha, Erica, Tara (Braedon), Cory (McKenna), Johnny and her treasured great-grandchildren Romeo, Sorrel, and Boston.
Deborah J. Haggman
December 15, 1951 - February 2, 2025
Deborah Jean Haggman (nee Southcott) passed away peacefully at Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham on Sunday, February 2, 2025.
Debbie was born on Saturday, December 15, 1951 in Powell River, BC, Canada. After graduating from Max Cameron High School, she worked for MacMillan Bloedel Limited, the world’s largest papermaker at the time, in various departments.
She met her husband, Kurt, in her hometown when he was also working at the papermill in the summer of 1970 and they were married on Christmas Eve. Debbie also spent time in Port Alberni, Saint John NB, Kamloops BC, and Renton WA, before retiring in Blaine WA in 2012. After moving to the United States in 2000, she became a naturalized citizen in 2007. She was a proud Canadian and always referred to herself a dual citizen.
Debbie was a gifted watercolor artist. Through participation in art shows, she received the distinguished honor of Signature Member in the Northwest Watercolor Society. She had a successful art business which included teaching art classes in Renton, and Lynden at the Jensen Art Center. Her final art show is hanging in the Great Blue Heron Grill at Semiahmoo in Blaine WA until the end of February 2025.
Outside of her creative pursuits, Debbie loved staying active. She was an enthusiastic golfer, pickleball player and line dancer. With a wide circle of friends from the golf course, the art world, and her neighbors at Semiahmoo she enjoyed life to the fullest. Even though she lived with lymphoma for 20 years, and glioblastoma slowly took its toll, Debbie’s positive outlook and ability to adapt never wavered.
The joy of Debbie’s life was her three children and four grandchildren. Christmas was always celebrated with the whole family with a special tradition on Christmas Eve. She was a caring mother and proud grandmother. She shared her love of art with her eldest grandchild and encouraged the others to follow their own passions. Family activities were central to her enjoyment of life.
Debbie always planned ahead and enjoyed organizing travel vacations and family gatherings. Because of her Scottish heritage, her favorite vacation was the trip to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to see and hear the best bagpipers in the world.
Community Club from 1 to 3 pm.
Her family would like to thank Dr. Bahadori, Dr. Musini, the ambulance attendants, qathet General Hospital staff (nurses, ER doctors, lab technicians, medical imaging, ICU staff) and to our Mom’s Willingdon Creek family, our heartfelt gratitude to House 5 care aides and nurses. Thank you for loving Nonna and for putting a smile on her face and being gentle and kind. A celebration of life for Assunta Prencipe will be on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at the
Debbie was predeceased by her father, Sidney Southcott, her mother, Mary Southcott, and her oldest sister, Wendy Mobley. She is survived by her husband, Kurt, her son, Eric, her daughters, Angela Hot (Damir) and Lindsay Reed (Scott), her older sister, Sydney Hope, her nephews, Christopher (Sally) and Michael (Marsha) Hope, her niece, Erin Corry, and four granddaughters, Isla, Dani, Lexi and Riley.
Special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Whatcom Hospice House for making her last days as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
As per Debbie’s wishes, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Northwest Watercolor Society Foundation, 13530 SE 268th St, Kent WA 98042 USA.
Classified advertising is accepted on a prepaid basis only. VISA and MasterCard welcome. Peak Publishing reserves the right to classify ads under appropriate headings, set rates therefore and determine page location. Full, complete and sole copyright in any advertising produced by Peak Publishing is vested in and belongs to Peak Publishing. No copyright material may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of Peak Publishing. Any errors in advertisements must be brought to the attention of the publisher within 30 days of the first publication. It is agreed by any display or classified advertiser that the liability of the newspaper in the event of failure to publish an advertisement or in the event that errors occur in the publishing of any advertisement shall be limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for that portion of the advertising space occupied by the incorrect item only and that there shall be no liability in any event beyond the amount paid for such advertisement. Peak Publishing cannot be responsible for errors after the first day of publication of any advertisement. Notice of errors in the first week should immediately be called to the attention of the advertising department to be corrected for the following edition. All advertising is subject to the approval of the publisher.
Powell River Community Forest Forest Stewardship Plan
PUBLIC VIEWING
Notice is hereby given that Powell River Community Forest will hold public viewing(s) and invites written comments on the proposed Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) replacement for Community Forest Agreement K3G located within the qathet Regional District and lands of the Tla’amin Nation.
The geographic area covered by the FSP includes the Haslam FDU located within the Haslam Landscape Unit. The plan is available for review and comment for a period of 60 days starting on the date this advertisement is first published. Following the 60-day review and comment period, the plan will be submitted to the Ministry of Forests for approval. All comments received will be included in the final submission.
The FSP will be made available upon request or can be viewed on the Powell River Community Forest website at: https://prcommunityforest.ca/documents/.
Written comments can be submitted via email to chrislaing@shaw.ca or by mail to:
Subject: PRCF - Forest Stewardship Plan
Attention: Chris Laing, R.P.F. 4760 Joyce Ave. Powell River, B.C. V8A
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