Village Vibe
news and views from the heart of Fernwood
www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca
april 2006
Faces of Fernwood Seniors by Susan Salvati
It's a windy, cold night and Jane Sumner is at a meeting of the Fernwood Community Centre - no matter that she has to use her walker and take her third taxi of the day to get there. Just as she has been for over 35 years, Jane is interested in what goes on in this neighbourhood. Her long residence and involvement in Fernwood make her a treasure; she has lived through interesting times in the 'hood. Eighty-seven years old, Jane was born in the wintertime in her grandmother's house in Eastleigh, Saskatchewan. In 1925, her family moved to Lake Cowichan. Her father had a dream. With a boxcar full of registered Holsteins, the large family would prosper. Sadly, one by one, the animals died. As a young woman, Jane pursued her childhood goal of becoming a nurse. She began her training at the Royal Jubilee Hospital when after only three weeks she was dismissed; a spot was found on her lung. To make her way in the world, Jane began working as a live-in nanny in 1938 for ten to fifteen dollars per month. She also worked at the old Duncan Hospital, doing housekeeping and cooking. She recalls how since it was wartime and well before the arrival of unions, "you stayed 'til the work was done." In 1941, Jane married Lyle Sumner.
Finally, in 1969 Jane made her way to where she belongs. That year she and Lyle came to Victoria to help their daughter with her young family. The two families lived in a duplex at 2135 Ridge/1272 Centre. To her shock, Lyle died in 1971 and Jane was left to manage her property alone, which she did until 1997. It was after Lyle's death that Jane became increasingly involved in neighbourhood politics. She recalls the Neighbourhood Improvement Program (NIP) that was established by three tiers of government. Jane remembers that her advocacy involved many long meetings, seeing decisions that brought about the creation of the Community Centre. She recounts how the "guys would come down to get me so they could have quorum. Often, I'd vote against them, but they could
get things done. Then they would walk me home." Jane began advocating for seniors, work that she continues to this day. She is animated as she recalls the activities of the Autumn Glow Society, an organization of Fernwoodian seniors. At its peak, the group numbered over 35 members. They enjoyed presentations by guest speakers, potlucks, and excursions. They would go to the P.N.E. and in 1986 they went to the Exhibition every Thursday. "They were long days. We always went on Thursdays because the seniors didn't have to pay on the ferry." Eventually, due in part to dwindling numbers, the Fernwood Autumn Glow Society disbanded, turning their assets over to the Fernwood Community Centre Society. Jane has seen the opportunities for recreation for seniors in Fernwood decrease. Due to lack of space at the Centre, she says, there is little to offer neighborhood seniors. She is a proponent of the plan developed by architect Shiv Gariyali that would see a renovated Community Centre. We can rest easy – Jane has ensured the plan has "a good area for seniors." Hopefully Jane will see this plan come to fruition and with it, a renewal of the community of seniors in Fernwood. continued on page 2
Village Vibe
Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group (FernwoodNRG) Declaration of Principles and Values 1. WE are committed to creating a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable neighbourhood; 2. WE are committed to ensuring neighbourhood control or ownership of neighbourhood institutions and assets; 3. WE are committed to using our resources prudently and to selfbecoming financially reliant; 4. WE are committed to the creation and support of neighbourhood employment; 5. WE are committed to engaging the dreams, resources, and talents of our neighbours and to fostering new links between them; 6. WE are committed to taking action in response to neighbourhood issues, ideas, and initiatives; 7. WE are committed to governing our organization and serving our neighbourhood democratically with a maximum of openness, inclusivity, and kindness; 8. WE are committed to developing the skills, capacity, selfworth, and excellence of our neighbours and ourselves; 9. WE are committed to focusing on the future while preserving our neighbourhood's heritage and diversity; 10. WE are committed to creating neighbourhood places that are vibrant, beautiful, healthy, and alive; 11. AND, most of all, WE are committed to having fun!
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G e t
by Tania Wegwitz
S e e d y !
Want to try your hand at growing veggies but not sure where to start? Or are you a gardener with some experience willing to share your knowledge with another? Fernwood NRG is interested in improving our neighbourhood's access to homegrown and local food. One idea we're exploring is linking new gardeners with experienced gardeners in an informal mentoring
program. Whether it's for a few pots on a balcony or an old veggie bed that's lost its luster, no patch of dirt too big or too small. If you think you might like to participate in a garden mentoring program – or want to hear about or contribute to other upcoming food security related projects – drop us a line at foodnotlawns@fernwoodneighbourhood.ca or call 3811552, extension 22.
Seniors, perhaps more than any other demographic, need a place to gather as well as the human connections such a place provides to keep isolation at bay. Having always had an interest in community development, Jane will surely sit
through further long meetings to represent her peers and help make things better for them: "My vote has always been important to me." We are fortunate in Fernwood to have such a strong advocate.
You’ll see from a quick glance through this issue that many of the stories we received this month are about people! Jane Sumner smiling at us on the front page. Janine Roy and the kids at George Jay beaming on page three, and many other peopled stories that I couldn’t manage to squish into a mere four pages (Keep your eyes peeled in the upcoming months for bios of the Fernwood Community Centre Childcare staff and a profile of a Grant St. beekeeper!) It occurred to me while putting this issue together that I should not be surprised to find so many people-focussed stories in my inbox.
Afterall, it is people that make Fernwood. People out for a family stroll up Vining St, people gathered in groups at the bus stop after a long day of school, people kicking around the soccer ball on the lawn of Vic High on Sunday afternoons, people spending a dusty Saturday at the Cornerstone,people bent over, shovel in hand preparing the soil for the summer. Thanks for all your stories and for the people that have inspired them. Keep your eyes on the Vibe. May’s Vibe is a special sustainability issue to coincide with David Suzuki’s visit to the ‘hood on May 16. (Tickets available at the Centre.)
Seniors (cont.)
Editorial of Sorts
Village Vibe
George Jay Principal Wins National Award
by Danielle Edwards I asked Roy how she saw her The Canadian Learning Partnership, a national non-profit team’s contributions at George Jay organization committed to promot- impacting the Fernwood communiing public education, recently pre- ty. Social responsibility is a key sented George Jay Elementary goal that her school models. This School principal Janine Roy with includes taking care of the environan Outstanding Principal 2006 ment, animals, and people and award. I immediately felt at home in Roy’s office, full of students’ colorful artwork and inspirational posters about the value of lifelong learning and respecting all people. I asked Roy what she liked best about her position at George Jay. The rewards she receives from her job are multifaceted, she said. The most important of which is building strong ties with children, their Roy with Kim Pangamban, Brianna families, and with community Sheppard and Zoey Shore. groups in coalition with staff and teachers at George Jay. Roy explained that she and her giving children, teenagers, and team, “want to build hope and parents the language for respectful more possibilities” in the communi- conflict resolution. George Jay ty through George Jay’s many ini- also participates in community tiatives, such as the preschool pro- events such as the Jump-rope for grams, hot breakfasts, the Health, Tsunami Relief fund, and Aboriginal Kindergarten Program, the Terry Fox Run and has volunthe Parent Resource Room, and teers from the Kiwanis, Rotary, the English as a Second Language and Boys and Girls clubs that help with maintaining certain programs Kindergarten Program. within the school. These events and group participation, she said, fosters a sense of collectivity in the George Jay community. Leaving Roy's office, we headed to the Canadian Heritage Fair in the school library. On display were student projects on themes such as the history of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, First Nations Heritage Fair judges with difficult choices peoples on the BC coast, to make. and the CNN tower con-
news and views from the heart of Fernwood
struction. The children had put numerous hours into their projects (that looked better than most displays at UVic!) and were eager to tell Principal Roy about how they constructed their displays with research information and reports attached. At the fair, I met the VicePrincipal of George Jay, Bob Warren. “When Mrs. Roy became the principal of George Jay," he said, "the school's Foundation Skills Assessment [the provincial assessment of reading, writing and numeracy at the grade 4 level] was well below the district and provincial average. Mrs. Roy worked diligently with her staff analyzing data, researching best practices, and developing plans to improve these foundations." As a result of the work of her and her staff, in 2004, scores went up to 74%, and in 2005, they surpassed the provincial average at 81%. Commenting on the results, Warren said, "Mrs. Roy's understanding of teaching, learning and school improvement is evident in all she does. She is truly an outstanding principal.” After seeing the proud smiles on the students’ faces at the Heritage Fair and the enthusiasm to learn exuding from Roy and the other teachers present at the fair, I have no doubt that George Jay Elementary School will continue to provide excellent education for Fernwood children and thus make Fernwood communities and families stronger while building proactive, socially responsible citizens. Congratulations on your award Janine Roy and best of luck for the many years to come as Principal of George Jay Elementary School!
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Fernwood What’s On: April 2006
A monthly roundup of neighbourhood shindigs. Head to www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/events for more listings or to submit your event. Make Yer Neighbourho od Nicer
Total Plastics Recycling Day: Sat, Apr. 8th, Back of FCC 10am - Noon. (Every 2nd Sat of Month) Recycle plastics of all kinds (Styrofoam packing, soft plastics and bags, and ALL hard/rigid plastics) plus old electronics. By donation to cover transportatio n. Cornerstone Work Parties: Held on select Saturdays. Lunch provided, sense of accomplishment free. Sign up to be notified of dates/times at www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/cornerstone.html or call 381-1552. Spring Ridge Commons Work Party: Dig in the dirt and help maintain this valuable neighbourhood spa ce. If you have th em, bring a small shovel, gloves, and clippers. Sat, Apr. 29, 1:00pm – 5:00pm. Sign up to b ecome a Friend of the Commons at www.fernwoodneighbourhood.ca/commons.html
Special Events
Fernwood Swap n’ Shop: Sat, Apr 1st , FCC Gym, 7:30am – 3:00pm (Vendors se t up at 7:00am). Free to browse! Vendors: $5 for space, $10/1 table, $15/2 tables, no reservations r equired. [Now hel d st regularly on every 1 Sat of Month] Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program Workshops: Fire Extinguishment, Learn how to put out a fire , Sun, Apr. 9, behind Yates St. Fire Hal l, 9:30 – 11:00am, Free! Good Friday (Apr. 14 ) and Easter Monday (Apr. 17): FCC Closed.
Green Thumbs
Composting Basics Workshop: Sat, Apr. 1, Compost Ed. Centre, 11:00am – 1:00pm, Free! Compost Club Lecture: Rainwater Harves ting, Sat , Apr. 8, Compost Ed. Centre, 2:00pm – 4:00pm, members free, non-members $15. Introduction to Permaculture: Two day workshop with Geoff Johnson. Compost Ed. Centre, Sat -Sun Apr. 22-23 from 10:00am to 5:00pm on both days. $90 members/$100 non-members. Call 386WORM to re gister by Apr. 14.
Aleks Dykes displays his model of the Bluenose at George Jay Heritage Fair.
Village Vibe
The Fernwood Community Centre is located at 1240 Gladstone Ave. Office hours and public space open: 9am - 9pm Monday to Friday. Kids & Families
Parent & Tot Playgroup: Ongoing Tuesdays & Thursdays. FCC Gym, 9:30am - 11:30am, $1 per family, snacks provided. Mot her Goose Circle Time: Songs, rhymes & stories; Select Saturdays (Call 381-1552 to register and for info) FCC Infant & Toddler Centre, 11:30am 12:30pm, Free! ($2 for songbook) Community Day Parent-Run Family Group: Family directed and facilitated program! Ongoing Mondays, 9:30 – 11:30am, FCC Gym, Free! Drop-in Youth Basketball: Co-ed Ages 13-18, Ongoing Sundays, FCC Gym, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Drop-in Free!
Adults & Seniors
Free Internet and Computer Access: Complete your one-time registration and then get online through the Community Access Program. FCC Community Room, 9:15am to 8:30pm, Monday to Friday, except for 11:00am to 3:00pm on Wednesdays. Free! Drop-in Floorhockey: Co-ed Adult (18+), all equipment provided. Ongoing Tuesdays and Thursdays, FCC Gym, 6:30pm – 9:30pm, $4, or get a punchcard: $20/6 sessions, $40/11 sessions. Holistic Health & Healing: Qi Gong exercises and meditation; Ongoing Mondays, FCC, 10:00–11:30 am, Free! Falun Gong: Peaceful meditation practice. Ongoing Wednesday s, FCC, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, everyone wel come, Free! Fernwood Autumn Glow (55+): Gentle e xercise, lunch & activities; Ongoing Fridays, FCC, 11:00am, $5 .50 for lunch.
Music, Art, Theatre, and Entertainment
Vic High Vocal Community: A new non- auditione d community choir supporting music prog rams at Victoria High School. Former students, faculty/staff, family, f riends, and neighbours of Vic High, with a love for world music and roots-gospel singing, are invi ted to join. No experience necessary. Drop-ins wel come. Ongoing Mondays, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Vic High Auditorium, Free! More info at 382-7048 “A Number” at the Belfry Theatre: A father meets his three “estranged” sons over five visits that cha llenge the conceptions of nature vs. nurture. Apr. 11 to May 7, for tickets call 385-6815 or head to www.belfry.bc.ca. Victoria Bluegrass Assoc. Jam: Ongo ing Tue sdays Orange Hall, 7:30 – 10:30pm, $2 to play, free to listen. (Last Tuesday of month is open stage/feature night; cost varies). Live Music a t Logan’s: For listings, www.loganspub.com.
news and views from the heart of Fernwood