CoMoX
|
C o u R T E n Ay
|
CuMBERLAnD
in good sPirits is the ComoX air ForCe museum haunted By ghosts?
booM-and-bust onCe BustLing Bevan now a ghost town
sharing our history ComoX vaLLey FiLmmaKer wants to sPread the word aBout ginger goodwin
FALL 2015
comoxvalleyrecord.com
extraordinary begins at a step above
Emma Bridgewater
and much more... we specialize in the best home kitchen and bath products from around the world and here at home.
Comox
2275 Guthrie Road Comox, BC 250-890-1005
Qualicum Foods 705 Memorial Ave. Qualicum Beach, BC 250-752-9281
Upstairs at
Powell River
1002 - 2751 Cliff Ave. Courtenay, BC 604-485-5481
Courtenay
1002 - 2751 Cliff Ave. Courtenay, BC 250.331.9328
NEW
PowerView Motorization.
Offer runs from September 1st to December 18th, 2015.
™
Intelligent shades that simplify your life.
FREE TABLET with selected window shadings. †
FREE
TOP DOWN/BOTTOM UP upgrade on DUETTE HONEYCOMB SHADES Expires November 30th, 2015
221C Church Street, Comox BC
250-941-7824
† Purchase a minimum of 4 Silhouette®, Pirouette®, Luminette®, Vignette® or Duette® Window Shadings with PowerView™ Motorization and receive a tablet. Valid at participating retailers only. For full details, visit hunterdouglas.ca.
www.blindsandbubbles.com
◗ Noteworthy
H
alloween is just around the corner and everyone loves a good ghost story. Here’s mine. Growing up, we had an old mantle-style clock that would chime on the hour. It was one of those antique versions, that needed to be wound by a key. My father was the only one who knew the exact procedure, and he would never let anyone else do it. It was his father’s clock, and he cherished it. When my father died, the clock stopped running. Nothing mysterious about that – no one knew where dad kept the cranking key, so, perhaps not coincidentally, on the day of his funeral, the clock ran out of juice. We never removed it from the mantle. It was like a memorial piece. Here’s the weird thing. A week later, at midnight, the clock chimed 12 times. A month later, it did it again. To this day, every once in a while, for no reason, but always at midnight, my grandfather’s clock chimes 12 times. And the weirdest part of all ... the hands of the clock are not even at 12 o’clock. It stopped running at 3:30 p.m., on the day of my father’s funeral. My father’s funeral was at 2 p.m. His burial was precisely at 3:30 p.m. For more great ghost stories, turn the page.
Publisher
Editor
Writers/Photographers
Creative
Sales Manager
Advertising
Creative ServiCes Manager
Advertising Design
Chrissie Bowker Terry Farrell Renee Andor Earle Couper Erin Haluschak Scott Stanfield Leslie Cox John Cox Jacoba Primrose Liz Royer Peter Diespecker Donna Lafontaine Tracey Lawrence Kim Cook Susan Granberg Debbie Salmon Leslie Eaton Lenore Lowe
Trio is the Comox Valley’s quarterly lifestyle magazine dedicated to unearthing the hidden gems and seasonal stories in our community. To be a part of our Quarterly edition, contact Liz Royer, Sales Manager at 778-225-0028 or sales@comoxvalleyrecord.com
Mailing Address:
765 McPhee Ave, Courtenay, B.C. V9N 2Z7 1-250-338-5811
Trio is produced by:
a division of
Available online: comoxvalleyrecord.com/eeditions/
Terry Farrell, Editor Comox Valley Record
editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com
4
Tr i o magaz in e | fall 2 015
Trio magazine is published quarterly by Black Press. The points of view or opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necesssarily reflect the views of the publisher of Trio. The contents of Trio magazine are protected by copyright, including the designed advertising. Reproduction is prohibited without written consent of the publisher.
Make Your Holiday Party F e at u r e s
FALL 2015 | volume 2 issue 4
inside Celebrating a Special Event? We have a large selection of sharable and delectable dishes; pass the pita!
Yum! Our traditional Greek cuisine is second to NONE! Everyone will LOVE it!
We can seat larger groups of people, so why not bring the whole staff, family or all your friends for your seasonal celebration AND make it original, fun and of course, delicious? Just call soon to let us know, and we’ll get things ready for you.
We are licensed and stock a variety of imported beverages from around the world!
07 Cover Story Ginger Goodwin is a local legend in the Comox Valley. Local filmmaker Neil Vokey is hoping his film about the labour activist will spread the word across Canada.
10
Comox Valley ghost town
16
Welcome to the 'boo-seum'
22
A bright idea for Halloween
24
Splendour in the grass
28
A cabin in Cumberland
A vibrant community when coal was king, Bevan became a typical boomand-bust town and now is little more than moss-covered ruins.
10
Paranormal investigators have been checking out the ghostly goings-on reported at the Comox Air Force Museum.
Mackenzie Gartside is selling glow bracelets that help trick-or-treaters be seen and raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Miscanthus is truly an ornamental grass of note. An outstanding addition to every landscape, it is a plant genus arguably unsurpassed for its structural beauty in the garden.
275-8th St., Courtenay 250.871.8552 yiamastaverna.ca
28
Hor Sue Mah - better known as Jumbo - walked tall among the workers on the Wellington Colliery Railway.
16
reviving the story of
ginger goodWin bC labour hero
A
young Comox Valley filmmaker hopes his film Goodwin’s Way will make the story of Ginger Goodwin better known by Canadians.
ALL ALonG, i REALLy WAnTED To JuST SHARE THiS HiSToRy AnD THiS CoMMuniTy (oF CuMBERLAnD) AnD HAvE iT BECoME MoRE MAinSTREAM in CAnADiAn HiSToRy,
~ Neil Vokey
neil voKey an emerging FiLmmaKer Photo By KLint Burton
“The story about Ginger Goodwin and the kind of controversy he stirs up really reminded me of a Louis Riel-type of character, and I think a lot of work has been done to bring Louis Riel's story and that history of Manitoba to the mainstream ... it would be really cool if this film could be part of the revitalization of this (Ginger Goodwin) history, and looking at it in a different way.” Vokey, 24, graduated from Mark Isfeld Secondary School in 2009, then attended Capilano University in Vancouver for studies in documentary and motion picture production. He always had a keen interest in history and was first intrigued in high school by local history and the story of Ginger Goodwin — a rebellious labour activist in Cumberland’s coal mining days, who was killed by police under mysterious circumstances. According to the film’s website www. goodwinsway.com, Albert ‘Ginger’ Goodwin came to Cumberland in 1910 as a coal miner and found some of the most dangerous mines in the world. He became a leader in B.C.’s early labour movement, and led 1,000 workers in an eight-hour strike in Trail, B.C. After returning to Cumberland to avoid conscription, he was shot in 1918. His death sparked a oneday general strike of about 5,500 workers across the province. Vokey made a 10-minute documentary about Goodwin in 2011 as his final project in the documentary program at Capilano, fall 2015 | TR i o MAGA Z in E
7
NEWS FIRST!
best
the of sports, entertainment, local and community
news
Tuesday and Thursday every
250-338-5811 @CVRecord Comox Valley Record Newsroom
comoxvalleyrecord.com 765 McPhee Avenue, Courtenay, BC
but he felt there was much more to the story than 10 minutes would allow. So, after graduating, Vokey decided to create the 60-minute film, Goodwin’s Way. Vokey notes the documentary is complex because it highlights a number of ideas; it’s not simply a biography of Goodwin. “It's the biography of Ginger Goodwin, but his story parallels the main story, which is, I think, the story of how the past is potentially repeating itself,” says Vokey. “It's the story of Cumberland fighting for its sense of autonomy, and I think that's a thing that a lot of communities face, especially in the context of single industry towns and fighting for a sustainable future. “We want to have lifestyles where we can raise families and live harmoniously, but there are also these forces that can work against that. So,
Cumberland stood out for me because they're really connected with that history and they're really connected with that continuum of struggles for those ideas.
PRO LINE
®
SERIES
THE MORE
“The politics that Goodwin represents and the people who helped preserve his memory, they're activists and they're still fighting for more or less the same things, the same kind of worker's rights, dignity and community.” Goodwin’s Way is in the editing stage and, thanks to a successful Indiegogo campaign to help cover the material costs of editing, Vokey expects it to be finished by December or January. “With the crowdfunding campaign we've been able to reach out to so
many people who are interested in it, so on a grassroots level I think there's been a really good response,” adds Vokey. “There are people who want to screen it in the Comox Valley and Victoria and Vancouver. But, I would also love to enter it into the bigger film festivals, like perhaps DOXA (Documentary Film Festival) here in Vancouver ... There's also interest from the folks who run the Canadian Labour International Film Festival and that does have venues that screen right across Canada.”
YOU USE IT THE BETTER IT LOOKS
For truly exceptional kitchens...
COURTENAY APPLIANCES
For more information about Goodwin’s Way, visit www.goodwinsway.com. by Renée Andor | Special to the Comox Valley Record
250-334-3666 416A Puntledge Road www.courtenayappliances.ca
CuRREnT PHoToS By DAWn CoPEMAn
BEVAN a ComoX vaLLey ghost town
terly view looking in a north wes C020-012- Bevan: general shed ide the wood and/or coal direction. Smaller shed bes ie. Date: 12/07/21 was the backhouse or priv
10
TR io M AG A Z in E | fall 2 015
W
hile walking through the moss-covered ruins of Bevan, it can be hard to imagine this old townsite once held about 150 houses and a hotel, school, post office and store. Located northeast of Comox Lake, at the top of Lake Trail Road, the remains of No. 7 Mine and some cement foundations are all that’s left of Bevan, which was booming about a century ago. “It was a typical boom-andbust town,” says Dawn Copeman, a volunteer with Cumberland Museum and Archives. “It was constructed really quickly, they extracted the coal... they downsized, and they closed.” Work on the Bevan townsite started in 1911, according to Copeman, and it was built to house workers for No. 7 Mine and nearby No. 8 Mine. No. 7 Mine opened in 1902 and workers were brought in from Cumberland by rail until Bevan was built. No. 7 Mine closed in 1922, which Copeman notes is a typical length of operation. No. 8 Mine was in operation from 1912 to 1914; it re-opened in 1936
Coal car an C020-011- Bevan PhotograPhy By ? (no. d rear view of 2 mules 7 mine) from top of pulling ca rt. Date: 12 slope. /02/27
We’ve Cultivated Some Great Fall Offers!
Sept. 15th to Nov 15th
buy a qualifying heat pump or furnace system:
HiSToRiCAL PHoToS CouRTESy oF CuMBERLAnD MuSEuM & ARCHivES
and remained open for nearly 20 years, but it was not in operation when No. 7 Mine closed in 1922. Because the houses were only 10 years old at this time, most of them were saved, and some are still lived in today, in Cumberland and Courtenay. “They put those houses on the rails and brought them into town; that’s how they moved them, with the rails,” says Copeman, noting the railway went right to Bevan as that’s how the coal was transported. “People here have always been incredibly resourceful and it wasn’t the throw-away society that we have now. Everything was reused,” continues Copeman, noting Canadian Collieries, which owned the mines at that time, also would have owned the houses. “So, a lot of times, if it was companybuilt housing, the mine actually owned the houses, and they were just being frugal about reusing the facilities that
they’d already put into those houses and moving them to different locations, and that was really common of mining companies at the time, too.” When No. 8 Mine re-opened in 1937, the hotel and store were re-occupied, and the school and post office remained open until 1957, four years after the No. 8 Mine closed permanently. Although Bevan was accessible from Cumberland, the community would have been quite isolated, says Copeman. “It would be like the equivalent now of going in a camp for logging or something,” she says. “People from Bevan ... just always had that sense of community. Because it was so isolated, you’ve just got that instant connection with people, and even though it was a disparate group of people, it was a real family and a real community environment for as long as it was there, and it had that kind of charm of once-upon-a-time.”
by Renée Andor | Special to the Comox Valley Record C020-032- Bevan. Children and a lady in front of doctors office at no. 7 mine. Granny Aitken was midwife at end of WWI. 2nd from the left is Blodwyn Williams. Children were probably taken there for inoculation.
WiLL BE AT
the inaugural Merville
HERITAGE Fall Fair
the big yelloW Merville hall on sun., oCt. 4.
oRGAniZED By THE MERviLLE CoMMuniTy ASSoCiATion (MCA)
OFFERING: Implant Supported Dentures • Immediate Dentures • Full & Partial Dentures • Sports Guards • Same day repairs and relines • Service 6 days a week (Saturdays by appointment only)
• 17 years experience
Jason Kirouac Registered Denturist BPS Masters Certified Member of Denturist Association of BC
519B 5th Street, Courtenay
info@islanddentures.com
250-897-1884 islanddentures.com
12
TR io M AG A Z in E | fa ll 2 015
FoR THE FiRST TiME EvER, MERviLLE iS HAvinG A
Fall Fair
S
tarting at noon, there will be farmers selling produce at the fair, both inside and outside the main hall. “During the day there will be activities for children and adults, including a big Tug ‘o’ War between Mervillians and Black Creekians, hopefully officiated over by the ‘mayors’ of both communities,” said MCA member Craig Freeman. “The late afternoon and evening will be taken over by a rural Merville/Black Creek variety show that will feature local acts of music, poetry, dance and anything else. Gumboot entertainment. There will be auctions and draws for church prints and paintings. Local wineries are invited and the Gladstone Brewery will supply beer on tap. The MCA is aiming for a festive, daylong event that should go well into the evening with a lot of music and dancing.” While the one-day event is a promotion in itself, there's a bigger "end game” to the Heritage Fall Fair. The Merville Community Association is beginning to focus its attention on marketing the community as an agricultural tourist hub for the North Island, and the fair will be the kick-off to the ongoing campaign. “The MCA is promoting the idea of Area C and B becoming the ‘Provence/
Farmers, moss and arZeena, From merviLLe organiCs.
Tuscany’ of the North Island with the Merville Hall being the hub as it is centrally located right on the old Island Highway, between Campbell River and Courtenay,” said Freeman. “This agritourism promotion could be a real tourism boost for all of our areas.” “When you take a look at the region, there are a lot of growers and operators working to make this a culinary destination,” said MCA tourism organizer Dawn Ringrose. “From turf to table, there are a lot of assets - a lot of strengths - that this region has. We really have a lot to offer and when I take a look at the top agri-tourism destinations in the world, I don’t see why the Comox Valley can’t be on that list.” The Harvest Fair will also be the beginnings of raising financing from the federal/provincial governments, and/or
You’ve worked hard. You’ve earned your place. Welcome to Private Client. Get personal, one-on-one wealth management advice specially
Pay less tax on retirement income
tailored to your specific investment needs. Looking for cashflow, deferral opportunities and Specializing in regular Client Asset Transfers tax for new families to the Comox Valley reduced clawbacks on income-tested government benefits? Call to find out more about alternatives that can help put more moneyLet’s in yourtalk pockets. today. Daryl J. Thompson , Consultant Investors Group Financial Services Inc. Tel: (250) 338-7811 | Daryl.Thompson@investorsgroup.com Daryl Thompson Consultant
22 - 1599 Cliffe Ave., Courtenay, BC V9N 2K6 Ph. (250) 338-7811 Daryl.Thompson@investorsgroup.com
Insurance products and services distributed through I.G. Insurance Services Inc. Insurance license sponsored by The Great-West Life Assurance Company. Trademarks, including Investors Group, are owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations. MP1628 (02/2014)
Wine, Wind, and Sea 2014 ZIGGY
An inaugural release destined to reach icon status. 2014 WHITECAPS
A delicate yet complex wine style only found on Vancouver Island.
interested investors, for the renovations of the two on-site heritage buildings – the Stolen Church and Manse. (Both buildings will be open for inspection and will be used for activities during the fair.)“These renovated buildings, with the hall, would be a natural tourist stop for travellers along the highway,” said Freeman. “The plan for the next few years is to create a heritage site on the three acres of hall grounds with demonstration gardens and buildings (cob, earth), alternative power sources, antique machinery, historic displays, and a small retail space where samples of the wares from all of the agricultural businesses in the Valley could be displayed. Rooms in the buildings could be used for educational classes and ongoing community activities.”
There is a planning event scheduled for November 8, to discuss the next steps in the long-term action plan towards bringing the MCA vision to fruition. “There are so many great things going on in the Valley in this regard, and this is really just adding to the mix,” said Ringrose. “We could make this as big as we want and the beauty about the tourism sector is that the dollars really end up in everyone's pockets at the end of the day.” “So come on out to the Big Yellow Merville Hall, Sunday, Oct. 4, and see how the Comox Valley can really benefit from this agri-tourism adventure,” said Freeman. “We have to start somewhere and the upcoming Heritage Fall Fair is it.”
Vendor tables for the fair are only $10 apiece. To register for the Harvest Fall Event as a vendor or volunteer, follow the link www.surveymonkey.com/r/MERVILLE The same link offers an opportunity for those interested in being a part of the planning committee for the action plan. by Terry Farrell | Editor, Comox Valley Record editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com
CTLY
DISTIN
aLElY LCOoMOc X VA L
VANCOUVER ISLAND, BC 40KnotsWinery | @40KnotsWinery 2400 Anderton Road www.40knotswinery.com
COMOX Your captivating seaside town, EVERYTHING within walking distance. Be the change.
Your Health. Our Priority. 1782B Comox Ave., Comox | 2 5 0 . 3 3 9 . 5 0 5 0
was created to be a force for positive change. We want safe, effective products to be available for everybody, at an affordable cost. All Chorus products contain only 100% natural source ingredients. EXCLUSIVE TO THE
MEDICINE SHOPPE
Committed to your health. Dedicated to your needs.
get more getyou more than paythan for you pay for this fall. this fall.
$44.96 $44.96 VAlUe, plUS VAlUe, plUS eXTeNDeD eXTeNDeD wARRANTY w wARRANTY
get more than you pay
get more than you pay for with husqvarna for with husqvarna chainsaws & blowers. chainsaws blowers. purchase any & Husqvarna chainsaw or a qualifying *
or 500 series blower* or andareceive an additional purchase any300 Husqvarna chainsaw qualifying 2 yearsblower warrantyand forreceive a total ofan4 years, a Husqvarna 300 or 500 series additional limited edition Hat and 3 cans of Husqvarna Xp® 2 years warranty for a total of 4 years, a Husqvarna pre-Mixed Fuel. limited edition Hat and 3 cans of Husqvarna Xp® For more information visit your local Husqvarna pre-Mixed Fuel. dealer or husqvarna.ca
For more information visittoyour localchainsaws. Husqvarna *Not applicable 240 Series Promotion valid until Dec. 31, 2015. dealer or husqvarna.ca
FIND YOUR HUSQVARNA AT *Not applicable to 240 Series chainsaws. Promotion valid until Dec. 31, 2015.
FIND YOUR HUSQVARNA AT
PILON TOOL RENTALS 2015 Husqvarna AB. All rights reserved. Foot of Mission©Hill • 123 N. Island Hwy., Courtenay V9N 3N9
250-338-5361
© 2015 Husqvarna AB. All rights reserved.
Jon aMbler
C
ould the Comox Air Force Museum be haunted? Some certainly think so. Colonel (Ret) Jon Ambler OMM CD, program manager and volunteer coordinator at the museum, is a self-proclaimed skeptic when it comes to the paranormal, but he’s also “curious” and says others at the museum aren’t skeptical at all. “Do some of our people in here think there’s a ghost? I’d say, absolutely, some people do,” says Ambler. “This has been going 28, 29 years now — there’s always been rumours of ghosts in here. “Sometimes things aren’t where you left them ... things have moved around that you wouldn’t have thought would have moved around, (there are) sounds, and you get people
Welcome to COMOX!
The Town of Comox, in partnership with the Comox BIA, welcomes both residents and visitors alike to our beautiful revitalized downtown.
Come browse in the many shops in the downtown core, participate in the mix of special events in and around the marina, and experience the uniqueness that is Comox by the Sea.
This gallery has featured exhibitions and sales by established & emerging local artists since 1977. It is a registered non-profit Society composed and operated entirely by volunteers. Tuesday - Saturday 10am-4pm, Sundays 1-4pm, and closed Mondays. Free Admission. New members are always welcome. 1729 Comox Ave., Comox
Town of Comox 16
TR io M AG A Z in E | fall 2 015
250-339-2822
Sep 22, 2015 - Oct 18, 2015 Pearl Ellis Gallery “Members’ Anniversary Show” Oct 20, 2015 - Nov 08, 2015 Comox Valley Photographic Society “Showcase 2015” Nov 10, 2015 - Nov 29, 2015 Brushworks “Group Show” Dec 01, 2015 - Dec 19, 2015 “Painting Pals” Sharon Lennox & Bev Johnston
www.pearlellisgallery.com
SPOOKY
OCCURRENCES at CoMoX air forCe MuseuM
that are in here on their own — they will often get spooked.” Ambler notes examples of possible ghostly occurrences could be explained away, but there have been quite a few over the years. One such example centres around a display case featuring medals awarded to Pilot Officer James Bitcon, who was killed in action in 1941 and has no known grave. The medals, which are inside of the fully enclosed display case, sometimes fall off of their stand. But, Ambler notes the display case is located next to an inner wall which could vibrate when people walk by, knocking the medals down. Some people also experience strange sensations when standing in this part of the museum, Ambler adds. Members of North Island Paranormal Association decided there were enough anomalies to warrant an investigation of the museum, and the team conducted one during a night in the summer. Six members of the association set up cameras, audio recording equipment and EMF (Electromotive Force) meters around the museum. They also conducted EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) sessions, in which the investigator attempts to catch a disembodied voice or sound on a recording. Experiences ranged from feeling a sad presence, to a very cold feeling on one arm, to the feeling of a ponytail being tugged, to a red light flashlight turning off for no apparent reason. “All in all, this was a very intriguing investigation,” says investigator Lisa Christensen. “We can never expect to get many occurrences on a short visit; it is not often that anomalies on the DVR or voice recordings show up. However, the personal experiences piqued my interest and I think if the opportunity were to arise to have another go with the equipment in the future, the museum is definitely a place of interest for further investigation.” For more on North Island Paranormal Association’s findings, visit the group’s Facebook page. Ambler, who was present during the investigation, was impressed with the association’s efforts to discover if the museum really is haunted or whether the anomalies can be debunked. Building 11, which has been home to the Comox Air Force Museum since 1982, was built in 1942, and has previously housed a movie theatre, the base newspaper and post office, among other uses. by Renée Andor | Special to the Comox Valley Record
Home Alone? Nothing is more important than home, but when it becomes a place where you feel lonely or overwhelmed, it's time to visit Berwick. We can help you create ‘home’ right here with us. A place where you can experience being part of a community again. We build beautiful buildings but it's people, just like you, who make it a place to call ‘home’. Let's start a conversation today.
Find our more about The Berwick Way™— Ask one of our Senior Living Experts Today! Visit BerwickRetirement.com
1700 COMOX AVENUE, COMOX | 250.339.1690 Proud to be BC owned and operated
bring the Kids for gaMes, fun, arts & Crafts
halloWe’en faMilyfest at the CoMoX Centre Mall
oCtober 30th & 31st • 3PM to 6PM both days!
triCK or treat treasure hunt THRouGH THE SHoPPinG STREETS oF CoMoX!
sPeCial guest
• AT THE CoMoX MALL • PuMPKin boWling PuMPKin bean bag toss nerf basKetball floor hoCKey shoot outs! art Creation (with the 4Cats Arts Studio) halloWeen Crafts (with the Boys & Girls Clubs) & PuMPKin Carving!!
friday,
oCtober 30th satur Photo day to capt booth ure a spooky ll your fun!
vinnie the vampire Show at 5:00pm sPeCial guests
saturday,
oCtober 31st The Glacier Kings!
October-November 10
7 DAYS A WEEK
FALL HOURS 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
STOCK UP on all your
WINTER VEGETABLES Call 250-339-2988 for
POTATOES ALL WINTER 18
TR io M AG A Z in E | fall 2 015
720 KNIGHT RD., COMOX (1km past the Airport)
250-339-2988
Dr. Leo Johnson DDS, Dr. Frank Lo BDS, and staff Welcome You with New Hours Mon-Thurs 7:30-430 We are accepting new patients! A full service Family Dental Practice.
• Digital X-rays • Oral & Nitrous Sedation • Direct Insurance Billing • Custom Night Guards, Sports Guards & Whitening
Dr. Leo C. Johnson Inc. FAM ILY DEN TISTRY
250.339.4525 | 1842 A Comox Avenue, Comox
Courtenay a vibrant arts CoMMunity Photo By dereK vaLLintine
“Dorking” Spanish shoe maker celebrating 25 anniversary producing fashion and comfort. “Searle’s for that hard to fit foot” “Serving the Comox Valley for over 80 Years”
250 Fifth St.,Courtenay
250-334-3178 www.searlesshoes.com
Open Monday to Saturday 9:30 - 5:30 pm Fridays till 9:00 pm
Early Bird Café Come see what’s cooking!
Specializing in FRESH Breakfast, Lunch & Sunday Brunch
GluteEn FRE T TOAAvaSilable Now
HOMEMADE
307 - 4th Street • Downtown Courtenay • 250-897-7025
conscious • creative • canadian
Clothing Jewellery Accessories Gifts
Independent Canadian, BC & Local Designers
214 5th Street | Downtown Courtenay | www.beclothing.ca
Time is on your
side with
Wall, Mantle, Musical or Cuckoo Clocks 320 - 5th Street, Downtown Courtenay
250-334-2611 20
TR io M AG A Z in E | fa ll 2 015
PrePare to be
sCared at the linC
T
he Ghoul Schoolers will have plenty of resources on hand this year to help them create one of the scariest haunted houses in the Comox Valley. The LINC Youth Centre’s annual haunted house has long been known as one of the spookiest in town, according to the LINC youth services coordinator Alexis Forbes. But, thanks to the Webber family’s huge donation of Halloween materials last year, the youth volunteers, (Ghoul Schoolers), who organize the haunted house this year will have even more freedom to devise a dramatic display of creepiness. “It was a lot,” says Forbes of the Webber family donation. “It would probably account for about a third of what we have (in stock) now, so it was wonderful.” The Webber family’s public haunted house in their front yard was well-known for its spookiness for about a decade. After years spent crafting decorations and collecting donations of materials, the family donated everything to the LINC last fall. Forbes notes the increased supply of materials the Ghoul Schoolers can draw on means savings for the LINC’s limited budget, and savings in time spent prepping decorations. As well, because there are so many materials in stock when the Ghoul Schoolers develop this year’s theme, it gives them more freedom for creativity. “They’ve provided stuff that we can try to use to come up with a theme for different rooms based on what is available, so we don’t have to recreate supplies or ideas,” she says. Youth aged nine to 18 are invited to volunteer as Ghoul Schoolers, and can come by the LINC Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. if they’d like to take part. The group started meeting mid-September so there’s still time for interested youth to get involved in the project. Forbes can also be contacted at 250-334-8138 ext. 223 for more information.
THE
ART YOU OF
photos submitted.
“It’s an opportunity, especially if there’s some older youth, to take on a leadership role,” says Forbes, noting last year a few older youth took part and were able to guide the younger volunteers in the project, including planning, design and implementation of the haunted house. The Ghoul Schoolers are in charge of deciding what this year’s theme will be, but Forbes notes it should turn out to be one of the scariest in Valley as in past years. The LINC haunted house, (300B Old Island Highway, Courtenay), will be open from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 27 to 30 and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 31. Admission is $2
per person or $5 per family. Forbes suggests arriving early as the haunted house is popular so there can be long wait times, and people have had to be turned away in past years.
by Renee Andor | Special to the Comox Valley Record
TION GREAT SELLEifCestyle
Dressing in shades of blush is one of the season’s dominant trends. Flattering and feminine, blush is a sophisticated way of incorporating pretty pastel hues to your look.
of Quality r, Fashion • Paddle Sports • Skis Sports Wea Fashions ar and Footwe ON Sports and fashions for any SEAS
Island style sports and fashions Courtenay, BC
Courtenay, BC
Fashion • Footwear • Paddle Sports • Skis
Courtenay, BC
333 Fifth St., Courtenay Mon. to Sat. 9:30-5:30
Courtenay, BC
Courtenay, BC Fashi ons • Paddle Sports • Skis
250-338-8844 skiandsurf.ca
J•E•W•E•L•L•E•R•S
261 FIFTH STREET,DOWNTOWN COURTENAY
250-334-4523
A FAMILY TRADITION FOR 45 YEARS.
GARTSIDE GLOWSTICK FUNDRAISER for the Juvenile diabetes research foundation.
F
or the past six years Courtenay resident Mackenzie Gartside became involved in Halloween on a whole new level; by using the festive night as a fundraising tool for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Gartside is selling glow bracelets for Halloween, at a wholesale price of $10 for 100 glow bracelets. The fundraiser averages approximately $1,500 a year for JDRF - the leading
Cozy
global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. The foundation hits close to home for Mackenzie. Her daughter, Payton, has Type 1 diabetes. Mackenzie said tying in a fundraiser around Halloween was perfect, considering Payton’s age. And Mackenzie assured that Payton will never grow out of the Halloween spirit, so to speak. “She's not allowed to,” said Mackenzie, laughing. “We have a house that we decorate from top to bottom very year. So she has no say in the matter.” Mackenzie said that while her promotion surrounds Halloween, the bracelets are fun to have at any time of year. “They are definitely good for Halloween, for the safety reasons. But whether it's camping, festivals, or just being outside, they are just a lot of fun. It's very inexpensive form of entertainment for the children.” The glow bracelets last about eight hours, once they are activated. Bracelets are available now. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, called beta cells.
Slippers, Luxurious Scents
Friendly Service
Winds of Change Uplifting people, products and the planet
www.windsofchangegifts.com 357B 5th Street, Courtenay | 250-338-5095 |
It comes on suddenly, causes dependence on injected or pumped insulin for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Living with T1D is a constant challenge. People with the disease must carefully balance insulin doses (either by injections multiple times a day or continuous infusion through a pump) with eating and daily activities throughout the day and night. They must also test their blood sugar by pricking their fingers for blood six or more times a day. Despite this constant attention, people with T1D still run the risk of dangerous high or low blood sugar levels, both of which can be life-threatening. Insulin is not a cure. Some of the serious effects of the disease include kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, amputations, heart attack, stroke, and pregnancy complications. For more information on the bracelets, check the website at www.cvjdrf.knmgsolutions.com or call the organizer, Mackenzie Gartside at 250-792-1618. –with files from JDRF.ca by Terry Farrell Editor, Comox Valley Record editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com
Hallowee n Parade
Saturday Oc
4:00 pm: C o
tober 31
& Party
stume Par Join us for ade d the Hallow een Flash MO own (meet on D B! uncan Ave)
5th St.
4:45 pm: P a
rty at t (Carnival g ames, treats he Lewis Centr e , prizes and keep every one entert more will ained!) For childre n 12 years & under - Fr ee event super her oes, witc hes, princ esses & g Come to t hosts. h Hallo
e annual
ween Par Meet on D ade & par uncan Ave ty and join u Mob, then s for the H head down alloween F 5th Street All this ac lash tivity starts fo at 4:00 p.m r the costume parad down to Le e. . After aw wis Centre ar and join u Carnival gam ds head o n s for a Hal es, treats, low prizes and entertained more will ke een Party. . Join up for the bes ep everyon This is a free t Hallowee e event. n Party ev er!!! Hal
loween f Calling all G lash Mob hostbuster s fans! Fro heart. Surp m the youn rise the 5th g to the yo Street trick annual flas ung at or treaters hm with our se the street in ob. Learn the dance cond m costume an oves, so yo d break out u can take for the aud to in a choreo ience. This graphed dan year ’s them and times ce of Flash m e is Ghostb o b practices usters! Dat Recreation es are TBA. P for more in hone Court formation. enay
Natural Pastures Verdelait cheese, made right here in beautiful Courtenay, you’ll love the flavour this locally made cheese adds to these tasty Herb Biscuits. Be sure to pick some up on your next visit!
Doug Smith Natural Pastur es
PARTNER SINCE
2003
Natural Pastures Courtenay, BC
Courtenay 660 England Ave. 250.338.1383
Crown Isle 444 Lerwick Rd. 250.331.5101
Visit thriftyfoods.com/recipes for this great recipe and more. fall 2015 | Tri o magazi n e
23
Miscanthus Duchess of Dirt by LESLIE COX
W
{ An Ornamental Grass of Note }
ith the garden winding down towards autumn, the remaining rays of light from a summer’s day dance around one of our ornamental grasses. It is alive in a gentle evening breeze; the coppery-red of its feathery inflorescences reflecting the waning heat of what has been one of the hottest summers on record. Miscanthus is truly an ornamental grass of note. It is a plant genus arguably unsurpassed for its structural beauty in the garden. The diversity amongst its numerous species in foliage, flowers, and autumn colours enhances many landscape designs in even the tiniest of gardens. More importantly, the stellar winter presence miscanthus exhibits throughout a particularly barren time of year is irrefutable. Native to eastern and southeastern Asia, miscanthus has many uses outside the garden, not the least of which is for roof thatching of homes and temples of worship. It is also used for animal
24
TR io M AG A Z in E | fa ll 2 015
bedding, garden mulch, and as wildlife habitat. The high absorbency of miscanthus stems due to their sponge-like inner core increases its value as a superior hygienic bedding material. As a garden mulch, miscanthus leaves are stable against water and wind erosion. A generous application will provide excellent water retention, reducing evaporation in hot weather. And being naturally biodegradable, it returns many necessary mineral nutrients to the soil. More recently, miscanthus has found its way into the green building trade as an ingredient in insulation board, in bio-plastic, a product that uses a high content of miscanthus fibre mixed with recycled plastic to make plant pots and storage bins (so far), and in bioconcrete…a living concrete that uses bacteria to “heal” itself when cracks appear. Amazing! Much study has been done, and is ongoing, using one particular species, Miscanthus x giganteus, to produce biofuel in the form of heat and electricity.
Some homes and greenhouses in Europe and Asia are now being heated efficiently by this grass by-product. Science aside, this genus of ornamental grasses is still an outstanding addition to every landscape. Of the species we have in our garden: Miscanthus x giganteus (giant miscanthus) stands an impressive ten feet (3 m) tall when in bloom. The one inch (25 mm) wide, deep green leaves are typically pendant which gives the upright clumping-form a somewhat waterfall effect. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ (maiden grass) is a personal favourite. The fine-textured foliage is a perfect foil for the coppery-red flowers. Its graceful, slightly rounded form is especially pleasing to the eye. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ is very similar to ‘Gracillimus’, if perhaps even more elegant with its leaf margins uniformly marked in white. This one grows well in containers for small gardens. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gold Bar’ is
SO MUCH
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’
MORE THAN JUST A GARDEN CENTRE!
ALL NEW F LS ARRIMVoi,ANeon
’est e, from C Charlie Paig , a h re o m Budd y an and m m ENZI, fro Purses uenhide. and Lo d Scar ves , an Jewelr y
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gold Bar’ PhotograPhy By John CoX
another one for small gardens with its compact, clumping form. Horizontal yellow bands regularly spaced along green leaves are a stunning feature. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’ is a taller, upright columnar form of ‘Gold Bar’ with the same yellow banding. And last, but not least, Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus ‘Cosmopolitan’. Another personal favourite for its fabulous variegation, leaf margins streaked creamy-white against a deep green background. All miscanthus turn remarkable shades of burgundy, amber and yellow come fall. And as mentioned, their robust form provides a pleasing outlook throughout the winter.
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’
NOWLOR T N A L O P ING C
TUNN FOR S from our extenbsuivlbes
Shop pring t on of S impac selecti ake big e. m s lb Bu ap Spring your landsc on
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Cosmopolitan’
Leslie Cox co-owns Growing Concern Cottage Garden in Black Creek. Her website is at www.duchessofdirt.ca and her column appears every second Thursday in the Record.
250.334.3024
2855 Wentworth Road On the Old Island Highway at the Top of Mission Hill
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
SUPERIOR CLEANING GERMAN ENGINEERING • VACUUMS • ACCESSORIES • WARRANTY REPAIRS
SKYLINE S5 • 170 Built-In Stitches • 6 Ultra-Bright Led Lights • Advanced Start/Stop Button • Locking Stitches Button • 91 Needle Positions • Auto Tension System
MIELE COMPLETE C3
MSRP $169999
Our Price $ Exclusively at...
1199 99 9 9 Exclusively at...
Affordable Sewing & Vacuum Centre A F T E R T H E S A L E , I T ' S T H E S E RV I C E T H AT C O U N T S ! COURTENAY | 2885 CLIFFE AVENUE
NEXT TO MADMAN MCKAY
| 250-897-0950
CuMberland
the village has never been better.
SINCE
THE WAVERLEY HOTEL In the
Heart of Cumberland
The Valley’s
Best Live Music Venue
DOWNTOWN CUMBERLAND | 250-336-8322 |
1907
Great Food & 16 Beers On Tap
www.facebook.com/waverleyhotel
JUMBO'S CABIN hor sue Mah
T Cumberland Museum and Archives photos: Hor Sue Mah, also known as Jumbo, is pictured meeting former Governor General of Canada Roland Michener.
TELETHON Celebrating
40
Years!
28
TR io M AG A Z in E | fall 2 015
he cabin was inhabited by a man named Hor Sue Mah — also known as Jumbo — who worked on the Wellington Colliery Railway. "He's one of those guys who went to work with a tin bucket with his rice in there, and pump those rail cars from one end to the other to fix the ties and the rails. That was his job," said Norm Leung, a Courtenay resident whose parents and grandparents used to live in Cumberland Chinatown.
Leung — who had run a Courtenay branch of Leung's Grocery that his father had started in Cumberland — recalls Jumbo "lived to a good, ripe age." "He lived in Vancouver for quite a few years before he passed away," said May Gee, Leung's sister. Regarding the origins of Jumbo's nickname, Gee recalls the man "wasn't really that big" in stature. "But he was bigger compared to the other Chinese," she said.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2015 12 NOON until 8 PM SID WILLIAMS THEATRE 442 Cliffe Ave., Courtenay www.cvcda.ca
R CIE KI
S NG
GLA
Get into the Action
Comox Valley
GLACIER KINGS HOME GAME SCHEDULE photo by erin Haluschak
Jumbo's cabin is the last remaining structure from a once-thriving Chinese community in Cumberland.
"Jumbo according to us," Norm added with a laugh. The Depression marked the end of mining jobs for Chinese workers. The population of Cumberland Chinatown continued to decline into the 1960s. By 1968 most of the buildings had been levelled. The exception was Jumbo's cabin, which was moved up the hill to Comox Lake Road where it continues to stand next to an information board, overlooking Coal Creek Historic Park. The park is filled with photo easels, created by John Leung, that display various Chinatown buildings, including Jumbo's cabin at its original location next to the railway. by Scott Stanfield | The Comox Valley Record reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
SAT SAT THU WED FRI SAT
OCT OCT OCT OCT OCT NOV
3 10 15 21 30 7
vs Nanaimo vs Oceanside vs Nanaimo vs Westshore vs Saanich vs Nanaimo
SAT SAT SAT SAT SAT
NOV NOV DEC DEC DEC
21 28 5 12 19
vs Peninsula vs Victoria vs Kerry Park vs Nanaimo vs Campbell River
glacierkings.vijhl.com
EVERYTHING YOU NEED
to renovate & update your kitchen, suite or bathroom! DROP
I N T O O U R S H O W R O O M T O D AY !
• CABINETS Ready to Assemble and Custom
• COUNTERTOPS • WINDOW COVERINGS CBM and Brite Blinds
re LiquorPSubto &
We INCLUDE the tax
12 BOTTLES
25
$
95 PLUS PLUS DEPOSIT
DEPOSIT
While supplies last
1003 Ryan Road • 250-703-9571 • MexPub.ca
• TILE • FLOORING • PLUMBING FIXTURES Kitchen & Window Blinds Design Centre Vancouver Island’s Most Complete Building Supply Company Call Carolyn & Tanya 250.336.8710 3217 Small Road • Cumberland
Just 2 minutes off the Inland Island Highway at the Cumberland Exit!
fall 2015 | Tri o magazi n e
29
PARTinG
SHoT
ernst vegt P H o T o G R A P H E R
T
he trails along the Puntledge River in Puntledge Park in Courtenay are some of our favourites for a short stroll, especially in autumn. It is then that the air feels crisp and invigorating, the maples are
turning, and the salmon are running up the Puntledge River and its’ tributary, Morrison Creek. It makes us realize how blessed we are to live in this wonderful place but also of the need to be vigilant to not spoil what we have.
COME IN AND SEE OUR SELECTION OF
Natural Gas fireplaces, stoves and inserts.
CRIMSO N & G OLD FALL GALA Native Sons Hall
Saturday, October 17, 2015 Dance Music By: The Fabulous Mutts Cocktails: 6:00 pm | Dinner 7:00 pm Dance 9:00 pm
See your local dealer for more information.
Semiformal: Black Tie Optional
Join us: 20th Annual Gala PURCHASE TICKETS TODAY! $100/person or $1,000/table of 10 Energy Efficient Natural Gas
ENRICHING LIFE IN THE COMOX VALLEY is the purpose and passion of the Comox Valley Community Foundation Event Sponsor
Visit www.pacificenergy.net
“Your Indoor Comfort Specialist since 1961” Since - 4:30pm Mon. - Fri. 9am
Exclusive ve Media Sponsor v
1961
SHEET METAL & HEATING LTD.
www.cvcfoundation.org 30
TR io M AG A Z in E | fa ll 2 015
www.bennettsheetmetal.com
741 McPhee, Courtenay
250-334-3621
LIFETIME GUARANTEE
COURTENAY 250-334-9995 (Next to Canadian Tire)
PARKSVILLE 250-248-9999 (253 Finholm Street)
simplyamish.com
Halloween FamilyFest Friday and Saturday, October 30th and 31st 3-6pm “Children of all ages welcome!”
Stroll Comox Avenue for fall sales and get your Christmas shopping done early! Woofy’s Pet Foods
Simon’s Cycle
My Tech Guys
Connect with us! comoxbythesea.com /comoxbythesea @comoxbythesea Coast Surf Shop
Sushi Kobo