TAKE 5 July 2019 by Take 5 Print & Digital Media

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MARCH 2019

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Letters Thanks for marine festivals The Ladysmith Maritime Society wishes to thank all the volunteers and sponsors for all their hard work and dedicated support. We also want to say how much we appreciate the community for coming out and enjoying our festivals. This year both the Heritage Boat Festival and the Kids Pirate Day were once again huge successes. Thanks again for everyone who attended and we are looking forward to the future and your continued support for all the great programs at your Ladysmith Community Marina. – Marnie Craig

Native Plants Your article in the June edition starting on page 26 was wonderful, but left those of us that want to start growing native plants in our gardens to wonder, “ how do we do start?” There was no info given on where to ﬁnd native plant transplants or seeds for sale, or if it’s ok to harvest them from wild plants. If you’re going to encourage people to do something then you should at least give them a starting point. We have a large garden area and would love to try some native plants. - Priscilla Brewer Carolyn Herriot responds: The best way to collect native plants is by supporting native plant nurseries in the area, which

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include: NALT’s Natural Abundance Nursery (3145 Frost Rd, south of Nanaimo); Streamside Native Plant Nursery, (7455 Island Highway, Bowser); and Fraser’s Thimble Farm (175 Arbutus Rd, Salt Spring Island). Also, many of the larger retail garden centres oﬀer a good selection of native plants. Encourage your favourite garden centre to carry more native plants which will help promote their use in our neighbourhoods.

Native Plants The Nanaimo & Area Land Trust Natural Abundance Native Plant Nursery oﬀfers for sale about 90 varieties of native plants and 35 varieties of native seeds. All plants and seeds are locally propagated or salvaged. Hours are 10 - 3 Wednesdays and 11 - 3 Saturdays. Further information can be found at www. nalt.bc.ca – Susan Fisher, NALT Native Plant Nursery Coordinator

Table Talk Thank you so much for the amazing article :) We have been oﬃcially Surfrider approved :)

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And WOW!!!! I didn’t expect to be on the cover .... that is so amazing!!!! Thank you so much for all you guys do!!! - Dina Stuehler, Ironworks Café & Creperie

Correction: In the May issue of TAKE 5 there was a mistake for Rita’s Apron story in Table Talk. It stated that they serve soup and sandwich; they serve soup and a bun. Letters to editor@take5.ca

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New Fire Hall opens The North Oyster Volunteer Fire Department opened the doors to their new firehall on June 22. Keir Gervais, manager of public safety for Cowichan region hosted the ribbon cutting. For Mary Marcotte, CVRD Area H Director, this was a long time coming. Marcotte has been championing the need for a new firehall for the NOVFD for two decades. The old firehall has been renovated and annexed to the new building. The department was established in 1957 but it wasn’t until 20 years later “through the tireless work of volunteers we found our first home, where we are standing today,” said Marcotte. The hall project took many years of effort and will now enable our department to better serve the community through the ever increasing demands that are put upon our firefighters, said Marcotte. The new firehall project broke ground on April 30, 2018 and cost just over $3 million. Fire Rescue Services Coordinator Jason de Jong praised Marcotte’s work on behalf of the NOVFD and thanked those that had served on a citizen’s committee during the referendum for the firehall.

Cutting the ribbon at the NOVFD new hall were Lance and Irene Hawthornthwaite, (who’s father/husband Tom was the first fire chief), Chris Taylor (who’s father Fred Cairns donated the land the hall sits on), long time resident Jim Williams, and CVRD Area H Director Mary Marcotte. Photo: Nick Longo

Amongst those he thanked were Greg Wyndlow, Gary Backland, Howie Davies, and Bill Derby. Kinetic Construction who worked on the project presented the NOVFD with a restored hose reel that went back to the early days of the department.

LMS flag pole dedication Friends and family of Paul Notte gathered together at Ladysmith Community Marina for the dedication of a new flagpole. Mounted at the end of Dock B the flag will wave a greeting, much like Notte did in his years at the Ladysmith Community Marina. Notte was a popu-

lar wharfinger and volunteer who was known for his outgoing, friendly nature and his collection of loud Hawaiian shirts. Notte passed away in 2016 from cancer. “This was a place that Paul loved,” said Dave Ehrismann former LMS executive director. Many people have found wonderful relationships here, it’s a place to be who you are and to fulfill your relationship with the water.” Shirley Tripp added “The flagpole is perfect because Paul would greet the boats as they came in, now the flag will be greeting them.”

Paul Notte’s dedication at LMS. Photo: Marina Sacht

Dogwood marks LDCU 75 years In celebration of 75 years serving Ladysmith and the surrounding community, the Ladysmith & District Credit Union (LDCU) has donated a dogwood tree to Ladysmith. The LDCU’s charter was established in 1944 and today the credit union serves upwards of 5,000 members. “A tree’s roots are deep, much like LDCU’s roots in the community; a tree is strong, as is our connection to the Town; and a tree has a long life, and for 75 years we have lived and breathed in the community of Ladysmith.” said LDCU CEO John de Leeuw. For a documentary on the history of LDCU, visit: https:// vimeo.com/336665774 or ldcu.ca LDCU CEO John de Leeuw, LDCU President Elaine Layman, Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone. Photo: Rob Jobnson

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Award for Sharp historian The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) announced Ladysmith & District Historical Society member Esther Sharp as the recipient of the 2018 Anne and Philip Yandle Best Article Award. Her winning article The Great War and the Home Front: Reportage from the Ladysmith Chronicle appeared in British Columbia History magazine volume 51 number 3, Fall 2018. The article was selected from the 25 articles published in the magazine last year by a panel of 10 judges from around the province. In her article, Sharp sifts through archival records and newspaper accounts to recreate life on the home front in Ladysmith during the Great War. She examines how the Great War profoundly altered life at home in the small, newimmigrant community, explaining how “citizens shaped many of their day-today decisions by considering how they would inﬂuence the war eﬀort”. Esther Sharp is a researcher and volunteer at the Ladysmith and District Historical Society archives.

Water Restrictions Stage 3 Water Restrictions went into effect on June 21 for residents of Ladysmith, the Diamond Improvement District and Stz’uminus First Nation. The Town of Ladysmith is taking this proactive step as a result of already extremely low water flows in local creeks as well as the warm temperatures expected over the coming months. Every drop counts, and this year more than ever, as we enter Stage 3 Water Restrictions almost two months earlier than in 2018. In an effort to reduce the Town’s own water use they are scaling back irrigation at many of the municipal parks and boulevards. The Transfer Beach Park spray pad will be left on to provide families with children relief from the warm weather. The water that is used for the spray pad system is recycled and in turn irrigates the surrounding park space. The Regional District of Nanaimo has also implemented Stage 3 Water Restrictions in some areas including North Cedar Improvement District. Drought conditions effect locations within the region differently, with small water sys-

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tems being the most vulnerable. A map of water service areas, including their current watering restrictions, can be viewed at www.rdn.bc.ca/watering-restriction-map. For tips on water conservation, visit www.teamwatersmart.ca.

Root Street Park refresh! In mid June the park got a makeover from the Ladysmith Lions Club members. The popular neighbourhood park featuring, a tot playground and sports court was originally set up by the Ladysmith Lions Club, and now years later, the club decided it was time for an update. Volunteers have painted the ﬁretruck, slide, swing sets, basketball hoops, benches and tables., Ladysmith Home Hardware provided the paint. “Now everything looks like it should,” says Ladysmith Lion Jim Masyk.

Root Street Park gets a refresh thanks to the Ladysmith Lions

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Holland Lake Reservoir starting to fill, 1980. (Photo courtesy of Bob Cloclough.)

Ladysmith’s water supply (Part 2) Increasing water storage at Holland Lake BY GREG ROBERTS This opinion piece raises questions that need to be addressed before spending large amounts of money on a project to increase storage in Holland Lake. Holland Lake was originally two separate wetlands. A small dam, commonly called the company dam, was constructed long ago to help increase supply. Presumably, this was built to stabilize year round flows in Holland Creek, both to support washing of coal, as well as community water supply. Historical information on this dam is hard to come by. In the late 1970s, after more than 15 years of community discussion, the current dams were built. They consist of the longest dam, at about 1 kilometre long, at the southeast end. At the northwest end, a dam of about 750 metres long was built. It is from here that water is discharged into the main tributary of the Holland Creek system. The lake now serves as a reservoir where water is released to the creek where it is taken out at “Chicken Ladder” dam and piped to the reservoir on Arbutus Hump. Holland Lake sits in a unique geographic saddle. It has downhill slopes at both ends. The slope at the southeast end is the location of Banon Creek, which drains the east slope of Hall Mountain and is part of the Chemainus River system. The Holland Lake reservoir has no significant inflowing streams. As a result of this unique geography, the recharge of the lake would normally depend on precipitation directly into the lake. (The lake may also be spring feed, but to my knowledge, that has not been researched.) Most importantly, the lake is recharged from a water licence that allows the Town to divert water from Banon Creek between November and March. Moving water from one watershed to another is generally not permitted within Canada, but this diversion licence was approved by the Province as an exception to this general rule when the dams were approved in the 1970s. Holland Creek and its tributaries do not have stream flow or water quality measurement systems (nor do Stocking, Bush or Rocky Creek systems, which are also important parts of our community.) Consequently, we do not have current or longterm data on the natural regime of flows in the watersheds. So, if the big picture review (addressed in TAKE 5/ June/2019) points to increasing storage on Holland Lake reservoir as the

best option, then what questions need to be addressed to assess the feasibility and cost of increasing storage in Holland Lake? I believe one of the first questions to be addressed by the Province, First Nations (particularly the Halat First Nations, who have a direct interest in the health of the Chemainus River) and the community should be an assessment of the impacts of water transfers from Banon Creek to Holland Lake. These water transfers occur during the high flow winter months. But have the impacts on the Chemainus River system and its fisheries ever been evaluated? Not that I can find. Are these flows important to the restoration of natural flows and salmon habitat in the Chemainus River system and estuary? Is there a relationship between the weak to non-existent salmon returns in the Chemainus River and these water transfers? What type of impacts might be expected from climate change and what are the implications of continuing, modifying or cancelling the diversion licence? Without this diversion what are the water recharge scenarios for Holland Lake? Because of the unique geography of Holland Lake reservoir a detailed engineering assessment of alternative dam designs is required to ensure earthquake resiliency and cost-effectiveness. If a rock and earthen fill dam is deemed appropriate, what amount of fill is required? (the volume required to create the amount of fill required will be very large.) Where will this material come from and what are the environmental consequences? A full economic and environmental assessment is required here. The community would also be wise to work with Regional District and Province to establish water quality and flow measurement systems on all (Stocking, Heart Creek, Rocky Creek Bush Creek and Holland Creek tributaries) watersheds that are part of the community. In earlier days, forest companies operated on the basis of long-term forest harvesting plans. Today, it appears that decisions to harvest have been streamlined to respond to shortterm market decision. The construction of roads, stream crossings and layout of cut blocks and the state of regeneration of the forest all have impacts on water quality and flows. A better process for communication and planning between the private forest companies, woodlot operators and watershed users and the community needs to be established. The relationship between increasing water storage and forest practices needs to be assessed. There has been some discussion of creating a pipeline directly from Holland Lake to Stocking Lake and thus avoid diverting water from the Chicken Ladder site. If this is to be considered a full range of economic and environmental issues associated with the pipeline, water diversion and storage will also need to be considered. Greg Roberts trained as a geographer, worked as planner and policy wonk. He retired to Ladysmith in 2001 with a variety of hobbies and interests.

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Welcoming Eagle On Thursday June 20, the community gathered in the Ladysmith Secondary School foyer to witness the unveiling of Stz’uminus First Nation carver John Marston‘s Welcoming Eagle. Carved from red cedar, the 20 foot tall carving is the centre piece of Nutumaat Syaays (working together as one) project. Long house poles and a loom are already showcased in the foyer. Elder Jerry Brown led prayer and blessing with cedar branches in a touchig ceremony. John Neil of Little Valley Restoration who was one of the many businesses that supported the $90,000 project said afterward that being a part of the experience was “life-changing”. The project started about 9 years ago. “All the work that we’ve done up to this point has been for our youth, for the growth of our community,” said Marston. He recalled how in the beginning when he ﬁrst came to the school there was no representation of Stz’uminus First nation in the form of artwork. Nutumaat Syaays is an important stepping stone for both of our nations. Marston thanked everybody that’s been involved since the beginning of

Unveiling of the Welcoming Eagle. Photo: Nick Longo

this work. “I think that shows the dedication of our community and what we are willing to do for youth and ourselves to make our place better to live in.” Stz’uminus First Nation Chief John Elliott thanked educators for making them feel welcome “Everyone needs to take a part in raising our children, to make sure that they are more successful than we were.” Part of the success of this community, it’s a place of belonging...It’s about walking together. Elliott admired the eagle likening its “boldness and the soaring nature” to the community of Ladysmith. Nanaimo-Cowichan MLA Doug Routley read a statement from BC Premiere John Horgan who called the Eagle an exceptional gift to the school of Ladysmith that not only will it serve to welcome students for years to come, it will also inspire students and communi-

ty members to learn more about cultural practises. Ladysmith Secondary School teacher Bill Taylor who has been a driving force behind the project presented Chief Elliot with a sister loom cut from the same tree as the Welcoming Eagle for Stz’uminus First Nation. Nuysumaat continues. “We are still working together,” says Taylor who thanks “all who worked nutsumaat.” A cedar weave will be created in the fall. Through this world-class cultural experience LSS has enriched our communities and empowered youth to embrace their separate cultures while walking together into a much brighter future for the whole community.

Chemainus Music – Summer It may be that Chemainus will be setting a world record for a community of its size this summer, with more than 40

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performances scheduled to take place July and August in Waterwheel Park. The 2019 Music in the Park concert series kicks off at 7 pm on July 2, with Kept Company, - folk, jazz, swing and pop music with a great deal of pizzazz. The Tuesday evening series continues for nine performances until August 27, including a visit from Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, July 23. The Chemainus weekend music festival starts with two days of the blues on July 6 and 7, at 2pm both days. The annual Blues Festival will feature eight bands, including David Gogo, Mark Crissinger and Auntie Kate & the Uncles of Funk on the Waterwheel Park stage. The ninth annual Chemainus Bluegrass Extravaganza takes place in the park Saturday, July 13. Five bluegrass bands including Scout Mountain, Genevieve and the Wild Sundays, and Bluegrass Fever will provide their sweet harmonies for a full afternoon of fiddles, banjos, guitars and mandolins. On July 27 is the Vancouver Island Rockabilly Bash, the oldtime, rock music of the fifties: Hank Angel and his Island Devils, Chevy Ray and the Fins, and Slim Sandy and the Hillbilly Boppers. On August 10 the Chemainus Accordion Festival returns for a full afternoon of accordion music from some outstanding performers. Admission to all shows in Waterwheel Park is by donation. The Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society, the organizer of all these events, recommends a donation of $20 dollars for the main weekend festivals, but it’s up to the audience members to decide what the various shows are worth.

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A Vision: Food Security Please tell me I am dreaming! A climate emergency is being declared around the world, and we have been presented with an 11-year countdown to irreversible climate catastrophe. Now the survivor in me is fully awake! What’s the plan? Who is taking charge? Should I be worrying about disruption to the food supply, considering that 95 per cent of our food is delivered by trucks on the ferry, only ﬁve per cent of B.C.’s land is ﬁt to farm and that sea level rise will wipe out a lot of this land, or just carry on enjoying life while I can? I have a suggestion to make that would solve lots of problems in one go. We demand that our taxpayer dollars are invested in farmers to feed us in the future and go back to producing 85 per cent of our food on Vancouver Island, as we did 80 years ago. What a great contribution we’d be making to saving both ourselves and the planet, while increasing food security, improving health, building community and putting a real infusion of money into the local economy. But the most important thing we’d be doing is preserving our connection to the land, our environment and the rhythms of Nature. I do believe that we would be happier.

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Imagine where we could be in five years if we had a plan today. Greengrocers would spring up all over the place, tempting people to fill their shopping bags with locally-grown fresh produce. Downtown Nanaimo would have a thriving year-round covered Farmers’ Market to showcase local artisanal foods and beverages, flowers and herbs. Restaurants would serve the best possible food by buying from local farmers, and young people would discover that there is a good income to be made from small-scale diversified farming. “Love your farmer” would be the most popular bumper sticker on electric cars! There would be abundant food gardens in schoolyards and education on nutrition and growing food in primary and secondary schools, enabling children to learn and remember the vital connection between their diet and their health. Imagine food and fruit trees growing on boulevards and in public gardens, and urban farms producing substantial amounts of organic fruits and vegetables. Think of the thousands of food miles we would save by growing our food close to home. Think of the health giving nutrients saved by virtue of food being fresh. Think of all the packaging and single-use plastics saved by not having to ship and store food. Think of eating in season and enjoying the fruits and veg-

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Kiwi Cove Community Garden. Photo: Marina Sacht

etables that are available locally year round (think long table dinners!). Think of all the carbon sequestered by building soil on small-scale diversiﬁed farms. Think of the kindness to animals being raised on pasture on organic farms that treat animals ethically. We could even protect the endangered bees and pollinators by declaring Vancouver Island a “Pesticide-Free” Island. Farmers and gardeners would save seeds for future harvests, and community seed banks would spring up to safeguard collective food security. Universities and community colleges would teach sustainable small-scale farming, and institutions and businesses would oﬀer loans and grants to help new farmers get started. A vision today is the best way to create reality in the future, and I know that I want that reality to include a new generation of farmers. The sky’s the limit with vision, and what better time to start acting than right now? Carolyn Herriot is author of The Zero Mile Diet, A Year Round Guide to Growing Organic Food and The Zero Mile Diet Cookbook, Seasonal Recipes for Delicious Homegrown Food (Harbour Publishing.), available at your local bookstore.

RDN Area A Cedar BY KEITH WILSON This part of the world is especially beautiful on sunny, summer days. Nothing in the rest of Canada compares to hiking through the cool air under tall cedar and fir trees towards a sandy beach and the ocean, spending the day in the sun and water, and then hiking back through the trees at the end of the day. The climate over the past several summers has given us many of these days. However, it comes at a cost. Currently, we’re in the throes of a dry spell that presents a number of problems. Mature trees are showing stress, younger trees are dying, the grass is already dormant and there appears to be no change in the forecast. This weather puts many people in our area on edge — many have only one road in and out of their neighbourhoods, which could be deadly in a wildfire. Many are on wells that are affected by the dry weather. And many are getting on in years, which means the effects of heat and stress will play a larger role in their wellbeing. I wrote about emergency planning several issues back. There are many resources available to assist homeowners

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with preparing an emergency plan for their property — and the effects of climate may create emergencies over this summer. Being prepared is a large part of being able to take care of yourself in any kind of emergency. To create a personal emergency plan for you and your family, you can contact the emergency services department at the regional district. They have a number of resources and can connect you with others who are also developing emergency plans. Once your emergency plan is figured out, it’s time to get back to enjoying the sunny days. After the grass is cut and the fences are mended, you can head out on that walk through the cedars and firs. Or you can enjoy a tall, cool beverage on your deck. Enjoy the summer, play safe and be nice to your neighbours.

CVRD Area G Area G Saltair Saltair Community Parks & Trails The Saltair Community Parks Advisory Commission has created a Saltair Outdoor Recreation Survey. Members will be knocking on doors to drop oﬀ survey forms and will return to pick them up. The data will provide advice

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about how and where residents want the CVRD to spend their Parks Budget funds. More details at saltairnews.com. At the June 3rd Saltair Community Parks meeting, there was a large turn out of tennis and pickleball players. The tennis players provided details about required repairs. They are willing to raise funds for the work. The pickleball players expressed interest in having a couple of courts in Saltair. The group will check the surface of one of the fenced areas, look at costs and report back. Harmonization of Electoral Area OCP’s - The CVRD staff have created a draft, overarching Official Community Plan (OCP) that would include all nine electoral areas under one harmonized OCP (the HOCP). The CVRD wants it to be an umbrella plan with local OCPs attached. Our Area G OCP is about 15 years old. OCPs should be created by a community with staff assistance using a ground-up approach. However, the HOCP is being developed using a top-down approach. The HOCP development process was started under the previous Area G director before I was elected. The Area G OCP states, “Any changes to this OCP will be subject to a thorough public review process.” The draft HOCP changes our OCP, and it is not the result of a thorough public review process. I would like to see a full review by the Saltair community and then decide whether Saltair is in favour of the HOCP. 2019–2024 Federal Gas Tax Community Works Funds (CWF): $10,064,743 The funds received by the CVRD is

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based on a per capita formula. There is a 2019/20 bonus payment of $1,632,472, a 2019/20 payment of $1,627,553, a 2020/21 payment of $1,627,553, a 2021/22 payment of $1,701,248, a 2022/23 payment of $1,701,248 and a 2023/24 payment of $1,774,669. The CVRD directors are currently working on how these funds will be allocated over the next five years. CVRD Strategic Plan - The CVRD board is revising the CVRD Strategic Plan. What will be the cost to the taxpayers? Will there be a carefully investigated cost associated with each item? Will there be a reporting mechanism in place whereby the board can track funds used and see a full cost breakdown? The CVRD collects about $1.7 million yearly for non-profit organizations. The funds are collected from our property taxes and distributed to specific non-profit organizations that have CVRD Service Bylaws. As directors, we are accountable to taxpayers for CVRD projects. Every penny counts. As directors, we need to make the decisions about how taxpayer funds are used. Saltair Family Fun Day at Centennial Park, August 18. Currently we are looking for volunteers to come out and enjoy a fun day with your neighbours. lynne.smith@cvrd.bc.ca. ___________________________

North Oyster Report BY MURRAY MCNAB Last week I saw the large water tank that was stored at Howie Davis’s yard was being moved to the new concrete pad at the North Oyster Fire Hall. This tank was donated to the North Oyster Fire Department

by the Crofton Pulp Mill over 10 years ago. A big thank you to Jason DeJong, who arranged for this donation. The community would also like to thank Howie Davis for storing this tank in his yard for over 10 years. I could not confirm the capacity of the tank, but know that it will provide much needed storage of water that will be used by the fire department. Saturday, June 22nd, the second day of summer, turned out to be a bummer for most members of the community who had no idea that the official ribbon cutting for the new North Oyster Fire Hall had been scheduled that afternoon. I received a call from a fellow who had spent more than a year on a special committee dedicated to arriving at a solution to the fire hall expansion, and he did not get an invite. I later visited an exdirector of Area H, now in his eighties, who was clearly upset about not being invited to the ribbon-cutting ceremony. He too had dedicated over a year on the same committee, trying to come to a compromise on the fire hall that had twice been rejected by the voters of Area H. His fault, if you could consider it one, was that he wanted a four-bay fire hall, which appears to be what was finally constructed. Adding to the more palatable package, the “new” fire hall was simply an addition to the old hall, which has been saved. Keeping the old fire hall prevented the erection of a $60,000 circus tent that was to house the equipment while the new hall was built. Great to see the fire hall officially opened, but for many, the lack of an invite to the ribbon cutting left a very bad taste in their mouths. I will have more about the parks in Area H in future articles, including the push to have everything standardized in all parks across the CVRD.

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Peter Limberis founder of Limberis Seafood Processing.

Oysters: a tasty history! Do you know that oysters are not only delicious but good for you? These tender mollusks pack a punch with nutrients which result in health beneﬁts including weight loss, boost metabolic activity, increase tissue repair, lower cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, and improve immune function. But wait there is more. Oysters have long been known as an aphrodisiac and who couldn’t use a little more love?

And did you know that Ladysmith area is considered the “cradle” of oysters? Our harbour is home to two seafood producers, Timothy Oysters and Limberis Seafood. Both have long and colourful roots in Ladysmith history. “The Cradle of the Oyster Industry in British Columbia” - this is the designation given to Ladysmith Harbour for it was here, that the immigrant Japanese oyster spawned and spread throughout the Strait of Georgia and the Gulf Islands. Historically, Ladysmith has always been an oyster growing area with records going back to 1884. The oyster growers of the day wondered if the Japanese oyster would grow in our waters and as a result the first Japanese oysters – renamed Pacific Oysters during WW II were planted on the flats at the head of the harbour. In 1926 the oysters were imported from Japan. Along with them came the Manila clam. Today, clams are a mainstay of Limberis Seafood along with the oysters. From nine oyster producers there are only two left -- Timothy Oysters and Limberis. Ladysmith, once known as Oyster Harbour can be proud of its bivalve history.

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So if you have a hankering for a tasty bite of local lore, here are a number of restaurants that serve up oysters. The Crow & Gate Pub serves locally harvested by Timothy’s Oyster Stew with a roll and my personal favourite Fresh Pan-Fried Oyster Pub Plate with roll, potato salad and green salad served with house tartar sauce. You will also find oysters at Chakalaka, pan-fried, served with homemade cocktail sauce. Oyster Bay Cafe, located inside the Welcome Centre at Ladysmith Community Marina, lives up to its name with Oyster Sliders, breaded with Phillips IPA beer batter, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and spicy remoulade on 3 grilled slider buns. You will also find oysters at Timberland Pub as an appie, or a full dinner. The Bold Knight is offering oysters fresh and raw at a special “buck a shuck.” And how does Leo Limberis, oyster producer, like his oysters? Here is his favourite way to serve them. Deb’s Delicious Baked North Cove Oysters Prepare a muffin tin with each cup containing a teaspoon of olive oil and one oyster. Cover the oysters with a spoonful of salsa and feta cheese, topping each with parmesan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook 20 minutes or until golden brown. “Once you have them like this,” he says, ‘you won’t want them any other way.” Whatever way you like them, check out your local restaurants or stop by and pick up a tub of oysters and get cooking! Source: Ladysmith 100 Years.

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The Gardener’s Helper There is grave injustice in our bucolic community of Yellow Point. A version of modern day slavery is being practised, and you people out there should be aware of it. The victims are the husbands of women who are avid gardeners. Make that overly avid gardeners, gardeners who are not satisﬁed, will not rest, until every square inch of their four-acre property is under control. The husbands of these women have slowly but surely been stripped of their human rights and privileges (primarily the right to goof oﬀ on a hot day) and have become indentured slaves to their wives’ passion for anything with roots. Like any form of human rights violation,

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it started innocently enough. In my case, it was the shovel incident. I had settled in for a productive day on my lawn chair, beer and peanuts at hand, and the latest car magazine for intellectual development, should any be needed. Then I spotted my wife with a long-handled shovel, one hand six inches up from the blade, the other six inches above that. There she was, bent over double like an ostrich, in complete deﬁance of the laws of mechanical advantage. I intervened, showed her how a real man holds a shovel (they’re for leaning on, right?) and gave her a brief lecture on physics. She pretended to listen, then coyly countered with, “I think there’s a rock down there. Would you mind getting it?” That was 20 years ago; I haven’t made it back to the house yet. This week’s assignments include grass planting, lattice construction and a lawn to mow that’s large enough for nine holes of golf. Last week I didn’t fare so well. “Down on your hands and knees,” I was told. “And rip out this ivy. All of it.” That the ivy had the tensile strength of stainless steel ﬁshing leader and a root system that started just north of Chile and

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cored through the Earth’s centre was of no consequence. Keep in mind, I am not used to this treatment. I did not come from a gardening family. In our family, goofing off was permitted, and the yard, a bloody mess, reflected it. In fact, the closest I’ve come to an interest in gardening was having to overnight in the Bowen Park tulip bed after an over application of rye and apple juice when I was a teenager. Like an invasive species, garden slavery is a serious issue that can affect all aspects of life. That zippy two-seater you wanted all your life? Well, you can forget about it because gardening requires frequent transportation of stinky material. Manure, fish guts, seaweed, decomposing starfish, anything that causes nausea when shovelling, stuff you wouldn’t put in a cute little Miata. No, what you need is a pickup truck, but not a nice one. Mention the word “garden” around a car dealership and you’ll be quickly shuffled away from the new trucks to the back lot where they’ve put your name on a much-abused 1984 Ford Ranger with a manure encrusted box. “Perfect for your needs, sir. Just don’t bring it here

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for a tune-up.” But gardening is much more than the transportation of stinky materials. It’s also about watering. Women who garden seldom appreciate towering Douglas firs or majestic maples, plants that can take care of themselves. No, they want stupid, helpless plants that need copious assistance just to stay alive. This necessitates lots of water, which requires much time being spent in the Home Depot plumbing department. Enough time that when the staff has trouble finding something, they phone me up. Yet despite a sprinkling system with more branch lines than the entire Southern Pacific Railroad, my wife prefers to water with a hose. This is known as getting hosed. People, normal people, ask, “Where are you going on your holidays?” Same answer every year: “The Nursery.” Holidays are only permitted if the kids can come, the kids being the plants. If you ever find yourself on a 747, mid-Atlantic, trying to make conversation with the large split leaf philodendron, perched majestically on the seat beside you, that’s how it got there. It should come as no surprise that we have a support group, the Downtrodden Sodbusters. As is the case in most tragedies (say, like a kid losing his ham sandwich), government counsellors are available to help with grief. (Let’s hope they bring a six-pack. I heal better with a beer in me.) At the meetings, in addition to basic assertiveness training, we learn how to fake a debilitating injury and how to withstand a withering, guilt-inducing glance. But more importantly, we are trained to take the message to the young men of the community. Never, and I mean never, cohabit with any female who shows an interest in gardening. One mention about “nice garden,” apply the brakes immediately and let her off. Leave with smoking tires, afterburners lit, the full Forrest Gump. It’s either that or kiss your summers good bye. Believe me, marriage to one of these gardening fiends is like paddling around the periphery of a whirlpool, one slip up and you’re sucked in, never to be seen by your friends again until you’re parked in the old folks home, next to the handicap washroom, which is the only kind they have. “Frank, where have you been the last 40 years? We haven’t seen you at the club.” Frank, by this time looking like he’s been dipped in egg wash

and rolled in garden debris, croaks, “6-8-6, 6-8-6,” that being the mantra his counsellor suggested for these occasions. Today looks good however. The head shovel is taking her mother to a composting class. Without adult supervision, I can slack oﬀ. I’ll just put down this latticework, pick up this trashy novel, open a ... Who’s coming down the driveway? Oh no, it’s her garden buddy sent to babysit. Fortunately I had a plan: a bottle of Villa Teresa pink Prosecco in the cooler. I had a glass in her hand before she knew what hit her. At $16 a bottle, a good way to spend quality time in the garden. Follow Delbert at Slightlycorkedandmore.wordpress.com or pick up his book Slightly Corked available at the Mahle House.

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JULY 2019

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JULY 1 –7

8– 14

1–Aug. 24, “Mamma Mia!,” 9737 Chemainus Rd., Chemainus, 1-800-565-7738

8–12, 9am–3pm, Adventure Zone Day Camp: Animal Planet, Transfer Beach, 250-245-6424

1, 11am–3pm, Canada Day Celebrations, Waterwheel Park, Chemainus

9, 7pm, Entangados – Music In The Park, Waterwheel Park, Chemainus cvcas.com

1, 1pm–5pm, Canada Day Celebrations, Transfer Beach, Ladysmith, 250-245-6424

10, 7pm–9pm, Nanaimo Horticultural Society Meeting, First Unitarian Fellowship Hall

2–5, 9am–3pm, Adventure Zone Day Camp: Adventurezone Artists, Transfer Beach, Ladysmith, 250-245-6424

13, 9am–3pm, Annual Multi Unit Garage Sale & Hot Dog Sale, Town & Country Mobile Home Park, 10980 Westdowne Rd., Ladysmith

2, 7pm, Kept Company – Music in the Park, Waterwheel Park, Chemainus cvcas.com

13, 2pm–8pm, Chemainus Blue Grass Extravaganza & Festival, Waterwheel Park, Chemainus cvcas.com

3, 4pm, Ideal Protein Seminar, Ladysmith Pharmasave, 441 1st Ave., 250-245-3113

21, 6pm–8pm, LRCA Concerts in the Park, Cheryl Bear, Ladysmith Amphitheatre-Transfer Beach

22 – 28 22–31, “I & You,” Chemainus Theatre Festival, 9737 Chemainus Rd., 1-800-565-7738 22–26, 9am–3pm, Adventure Zone Day Camp: Game Show Mania, Transfer Beach, 250-2456424 23, 7pm, The Naden Band– Music In The Park, Waterwheel Park, Chemainus cvcas.com 26–28, 35th Annual Islands Folk Festival, Providence Farm, 1843 Tzouhalem Rd., Duncan islandsfolkfestival.ca

3, 5:30pm–7pm, LaFF AGM, Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, 250-210-0870

13–Aug. 11, “Magician’s Nephew,” Chemainus Theatre Festival, 9737 Chemainus Rd., Chemainus, 1-800-565-7738

5–7, Save On Foods Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival, Maffeo Sutton Park, Nanaimo

14, 10am–3pm, Brits on the Beach 2019, Transfer Beach, Ladysmith

28, 6pm–8pm, LRCA Concerts in the Park, Glen Foster Group, Amphitheatre-Transfer Beach

5–19, 11am–4pm, “On the Waterfront” exhibit, Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, 250-245-1252

14, 6pm–8pm, LRCA Concerts in the Park, The Soul Shakers, Amphitheatre-Transfer Beach

29 – 31

5, 5pm–9pm, Dine on the Docks, Ladysmith Community Marina, 250-245-1146

14, 9pm, Antibody, The Sportsman Pub, 640 1st Ave., 250-245-8033,

6, 8am–3pm, Chemainus Giant Street Market, Willow St., Chemainus

15 – 21

29–31, 9am–3pm, Adventure Zone Day Camp: Sports Extravaganza, Transfer Beach, Ladysmith, 250-245-6424

6, 2pm, Chemainus Blues Festival, Waterwheel Park, Chemainus cvcas.com

15–19, 9am–3pm, Adventure Zone Day Camp: Mad Science, Transfer Beach, 250-245-6424

6, 7pm, Opening Reception for “On the Waterfront” exhibit, with guest speaker Trisha Oldfield, Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, 610 Oyster Bay Dr., Ladysmith, 250-245-1252

16, 7pm, The Ryder Bachman Band– Music In The Park, Waterwheel Park, Chemainus cvcas. com

6, 9pm, Sons of Guns, The Sportsman Pub, 640 1st Ave., 250-245-8033

19, 5pm–9pm, Dine on the Docks, Ladysmith Community Marina, 611 Oyster Bay Dr., Ladysmith, 250-245-1146

7, 6pm–8pm, LRCA Concerts in the Park, Nice Verdes & Terrazetto, Ladysmith AmphitheatreTransfer Beach

20–28, 11am–4pm, Art Show Journeys: Reality & Imagination, Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, 610 Oyster Bay Dr., Ladysmith, 250-245-1252

7, 8pm, Chemainus Blues Festival, Waterwheel Park, Chemainus cvcas.com

21, 12-3pm, Mahle House Garden Party, 2014 Hemer Rd., Cedar 250-722-3621

27, 2-8pm, Island Rockabilly Bash, Waterwheel Park, Chemainus cvcas.com

30, 7pm, Blue Moon Marquee– Music In The Park, Waterwheel Park, Chemainus cvcas.com

AUGUST 1 – 4 1–2, 9am–3pm, Adventure Zone Day Camp: Sports Extravaganza, Transfer Beach, Ladysmith, 250-245-6424 2–4, Ladysmith Days 2, 5pm–9pm, Dine on the Docks, Ladysmith Community Marina, 250-245-1146 3–23, 11am–4pm, “Local Landscapes” exhibit, Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, 250-245-1252 3, 7pm, Opening Reception for “Local Landscapes” Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery

5 – 11 6–9, 9am–3pm, Adventure Zone Day Camp: Outdoor Adventureland, Transfer Beach, Ladysmith, 250-245-6424 10, Chemainus Accordion Festival, Waterwheel Park, cvcas.com 11, 10am–2pm, Sea Life Celebrations, Transfer Beach, Ladysmith 11, 6pm–8pm, LRCA Concerts in the Park, Bluegrass Fever, Ladysmith Amphitheatre-Transfer Beach

12 – 18 12–16, 9am–3pm, Adventure Zone Day Camp: Fantastic Fantasy, Transfer Beach, Ladysmith, 250-245-6424 6-7, David Gogo, Chemainus Valley Blues Fest, Waterwheel Park Chemainus. Promo Photo: Scott Doubt Daily-July & August – LMS Harbour Tours, Ladysmith Community Marina 14, The Soul Shakers, Concerts in the Park Ladysmith Amphitheatre

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WANTED LOOKING FOR AN RCA or Community Health Worker for companionship for a senior lady. One hour per day for 4-5 days per week $ 20 per hour. Please call Bill 250-245-7390 HIRING – SALES/MARKETING POSITION. Experienced person with background in SALES & MARKETING. EDI knowledge preferable. Work from home via phone or emails. Salary & hours to be negotiated. Call 250-924-4708 DO YOU LIKE TO SING? Non-auditioned choir Yellow Point Singers seeks tenors and basses for its fall session. FMI: 250-753-9483 or daphnest@shaw.ca FOR SALE

editing and more. Fiction or nonfiction, web content and eBook prep. For more information, email editican@gmail.com.

QUALITY RENOVATIONS. Big or small. 25 yrs. exp/journeyman, affordable. For free estimate, call Lars 250-616-1800.

CONCRETE RESULTS. Contracting, full-service forming and finishing, walls, walks, patios, drives. 35 years experience. Call Gord 250-753-4024.

DARRELL ESSAR RENOVATIONS. Over 30 years’ experience, certified journeyman carpenter. No Job is too small, from fences, decks, tile work, hardwood flooring, painting, drywall etc. For free estimate, call Darrell 250-714-3823.

BEADS BEADS BEADS, ETC.! 9752 Willow St., Chemainus. Best prices on the Island. Follow Facebook@etcinchemainus or call 250-3242227. EXPERIENCED HOUSESITTER Now offering Senior Companionship and concierge services also! peaceofmindcare.wordpress.com. Kathleen 250-619-0786 kgrcoaching@gmail.com. BUSY BOOKKEEPING with Jenny Vallance. If you would like any help with your bookkeeping needs, please let me know. I am located at 3165 Ingram Rd., Nanaimo. I am an Institute of Professional Bookkeepers of Canada member. IPBC 250-739-1221

DANBY CHEST FREEZER 5.5 cubic feet. Excellent condition $125. 250-245-5775

HEALTH & BEAUT Y

Baldwin ‘80s Electric Organ “Fun Machine” Some wear and tear, Works! Loud and fun, comes with music books and bench, solid wood has a split keyboard and many cool instrument sounds. Must pick up …FREE 250-245-4073

TAI CHI for mental & physical health. Beginner classes start Sept. & Jan., Mondays, at Cedar Heritage Centre. On-going class Wednesdays at North Oyster Community Centre. Both classes 10am–noon, $60/3 mo., www.taichinanaimo.org. Call Sara 250-245-1466.

BUSINESS

VIDEO PRODUCTION services, ready to post. Editor@take5.ca.

OFFICEHELPER available – Mature enthusiastic worker for select assignments: vacation relief, data entry, telephone answering service. More information please contact 1officehelper@gmail. com Messages 250-924-4131 WE’RE HERE TO HELP with small jobs and clearing the clutter Call the Forever Team, Bill and Kathy Reilly. Handyman services and Trained Professional Organizer info@justsortit. ca 250-668-8908 I CAN EDIT. Copy editing, proofreading, structural

JULY 2019

HOME & YARD HEART LAKE ROOFING for all your roofing repairs 250-668-9195. INTERIOR PAINTING: Refresh your walls... and your spirits! Careful, respectful work. Help with colour choice. Small jobs welcome. De-cluttering support and “use what you have” redecorating also available. Kari: 250245-2751.

TAKE 5 ads work! 250-245-7015 ARE YOU BUYING OR SELLING A HOME? Curb appeal, re-design or new design, www. islandgardenscapes.ca or 250-802-0461. ISLAND PRUNING. Professional tree care from large scale orchards to budding new trees. I can meet any pruning need. Shrubs, vines and ornamental. Large and small clean ups. Call Darcy Belcourt 250-323-1260. KB HANDYMAN AND YARDWORKS SERVICES. Minor carpentry work, decks, fences, gutter cleaning, tree pruning, yard clean up, lawn fertilizing, mowing. Senior’s discount. Contact Karl kbhandymanandyardworks@gmail.com or 250-714-2738. GARDEN RENOVATION AND LANDSCAPING. Are you thinking of a garden renovation or landscaping project? Excellent quality and knowledge. We are happy to assist you with any landscaping or gardening work you need. Estimates are always free. Give Sandpiper a call! 250-246-2421. ALL ACRES TREE SERVICE providing all aspects of tree work. Pruning, falling, hedging, dangerous tree removal. Fully insured. Professional work at reasonable rates. Call 250-246-1265. INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL Blackberries, Ivy, Broom, etc. We get to the root of the problem. Thorough and reliable. Manual and machine removal. Free Quotes. Contact Alder Environmental info@alderenviro.com or 250-686-5090

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A1 HOME TURF Minor home repairs/ renovations, reduce weeds with mulch-several colours available, weekly/bi-weekly lawn maintenance & trimming. Call Mike 778-9710879 LANDSCAPING, EXCAVATING, TRUCKING, mini excavator (can narrow to 38” for tight spots), bobcat, dump truck, driveways, ditching, backfilling, drainage, ponds & fencing. Delivery of driveway chips, sand, bark mulch, etc. No job too small. Reasonable rates. Phone or text for free estimates, Mike Williams BMCnanimo@gmail.com or 250-6682873 PETS PROFESSIONAL PET CARE SERVICE. Leash ’em & walk ’em with Marlena. Insured and bonded. Animal First Aid and CPR. Service for all pets including dog walking, home care visits, overnight with pet in my home and much more. As my love is yours! Call 250-246-3394. DOG WALKING/Hiking OFF LEASH! 2-hour avg. walk, weekly walks year-round, pick up & drop off included, insured & licensed. Contact Paula Plecas for a complimentary meet & greet! See us Facebook and Instagram for fun in action! Tracks Outdoor Adventures INC at walken@shaw.ca or 250-754-TREC(8732). THE PET NANNY. Let us pamper and love your pets at your home or ours. References are available. Contact Shanon or Bill sburchard@hotmail.ca or 250-924-8809. SENIORS LYNN’S SENIORS CARE HOME. High quality personalized care. Warm caring environment. Great food and snacks. Family events. Couples and pets welcome. Ocean views, gardens. North of Ladysmith. www.lynnsseniorcare.com. Call 250-245-3391. LEAVE A LEGACY. Memoirs, family cookbooks, personal histories, we can help get your project ready to press. Available in print and eBook format. Professional publishing services for corporate or individuals. Editor@take5.ca or call 250-245-7015. GRANNYS ON THE GO COMPANION SERVICES. Are you looking for someone that can help you with an active senior family member? Well look no further than Janet Bowman at janetmb@shaw.ca or 250-9241515. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for a variety of positions at the Ladysmith & District Historical Society. Greeter at Ladysmith Museum, volunteer events co-odinator, researchers, and general helpers to assist with restoration projects. For more info call Ladysmith Archives, 250-245-0100 or info@ladysmithhistoricalsociety.ca or drop by the Archives or Museum.