Gambier Island Community Association Newsletter Fall 2012

The Islander

GICA President's have not done so... it is Report 2012 only $25.00 per family! (See page 12)

You will read elsewhere of As I enter into my the various local activities second year of presidency Inside this issue: such as the fishing derby, for the Gambier Island A New Parking Area 2 garbage collection, Community Association exchange sales, chimney Garbage Day and (GICA) I am coming to Chimney Sweeping 3 and septic cleaning and appreciate the effective role OnC other sponsored events Gambier Conservancy 4 that this organization has in that GICA organizes. Future of representing the issues and Society 5 events that affect us as Of course the most visible residents on Gambier Fishing Derby and accomplishment is the Flea Market 6 Island. We have a broad creation of the increased base membership with ANAVETS Report 7 parking in the New support from all areas of the Brighton area and that is Dock Updates and island and are working hard Stewardship Award 8 detailed in another article. to find ways to ensure your GCCS Report 9 voices are heard. We have The executive this year is been able to liaise with CItizen of the Year 10 comprised of President- other layers of government Danny Tryon, Treasurer- Gambier Vignettes 11 including the SCRD and Lynn Bell, VP Brian Thorpe In Memory and on your behalf and Directors: Louise GICA Membership 12 as well as apply for funding Potter, Kathy McTaggart and grants. As well we have and Marilyn Pomfret. listened to individual Published by the Gambier Island concerns. Community We welcome your emails, Association comments and It is important that we Contact: Danny Tryon, suggestions. President continue to increase our Ph: 604 886 4686 membership and allow GICA Email: [email protected] Danny Tryon to be a force to be reckoned President, Gambier Island Edited by with when negotiating with Camilla Berry Community Association other groups. Please send in your membership if you The Islander Page 1 Gambier Island Community Association Newsletter Fall 2012

New Parking Area

"Parking on the island 'highway’s land' is a privilege, and there will likely be some increased regulations required. There will also be signage defining parking areas and length of stay. The feeling at present is that no one should leave their vehicles unattended for periods longer than 6 weeks. On the lower level, we will increase the parking availability for short term day trips and also for people who are handicapped or have health or mobility problems."

A New Parking Area... Kate Stamford, did an outstanding likely be some increased regulations job representing our needs. required. There will also be signage After a long and involved process, defining parking areas and length of with many committees and studies Also Jim Green, who is a developer stay. The feeling at present is that no over the past several years, we have a on the island, deserves a lot of credit one should leave their vehicles successful outcome in the long for setting up an initial walk about unattended for periods longer than 6 standing issue of insufficient parking meeting with elected representatives weeks. On the lower level, we will in the New Brighton area. The and then outlining possibilities. He increase the parking availability for project, termed the Andy’s Bay insisted that he remain at arm’s short term day trips and also for people Parking initiative, will provide angle length and that all work be tendered who are handicapped or have health or parking up the hill opposite the store. so we hired an engineer to oversee the mobility problems. process and to consult on the The Gambier Island Community specifications of the project. Although We would like to avoid involving SCRD Association has been committed to there were several close bids, it was by-law enforcement, but if abuses are ensuring this successful outcome. Past felt that one was better and the noted then that option is a possibility. p r e s i d e n t , B o b b i K e n n e d y contract was awarded to Pete We may need a parking decal to help spearheaded talks with the Ministry Husband of Husband Contracting. identify all users of the parking areas of Highways and let them know we as they do in “resident only “parking were serious about this problem. The project literally hit a major designations in metro ... Much resistance was encountered obstacle, that being a large rock including lack of money. outcropping under the soil. To avoid One of the new areas will be designated costly blasting Pete donated his time for bicycle, golf carts and motorcycles This year we applied for Grant and skill to place a culvert alongside a s w e e n c o u r a g e a l t e r n a t i v e money from SCRD which was in the road and Jim Green donated the transportation... excess of the normal amounts barging and trucking for the pipe and a w a r d e d a n d o u r e l e c t e d rock. The Gambier Island Community representative Lee Turnbull deserves Association welcomes your continued a large amount of credit for finding There are still some small areas to be support and input as we try to make creative ways to lobby and get the developed for additional parking Gambier Island the best it can be... funding we needed. She was once the summer crowds have gone... supported by Joyce Clegg her Danny Tryon alternate... we thank them both...and Parking on the island “highway’s President, Gambier Island Community also our Island Trust representative, land” is a privilege, and there will Association

The Islander Page 2 Gambier Island Community Association Newsletter Fall 2012

Garbage Day in New Brighton On a wonderful sunny Saturday August 18 the Gambier New Brighton Garbage Day went off without a hitch. We had an army of volunteers including:

Paco Cauley, Jeff Grant, Steve Armitage, Kathy McTaggart and Morgan Campbell, Ron Dies, Boris Gorgitza, Norbert Jakubke, Sean Wynia, Martin Hendriks, Joe Wright, Stu Watson, Rick Morrison, Elaine Davies, Kate-Louise Stamford, David Ascher, Bunker Killam, Richard Potter, Leagh Gabriel, Graham Wickham, John Bolton and Malcolm Smith. Eman and his helper collected garbage for people who could not do so themselves.

There were others that assisted Dan Crosby as well and we thank everyone who made this event successful!

We understand there may have been a few issues on some other island stops and the GICA board would like to hear of your concerns. Our goal next year is to find a way to remove some so called Hazardous materials that have been collecting.

Stay tuned...

Danny Tryon

cases it involved will be attempting to several chimneys on coordinate septic Chimney one property), cleaning. Sweep, Sweeps inspection reports and consultation Brian Thorpe Island regarding safety Vice President, concerns related to Gambier Island stoves, fireplaces and Community On three days in chimneys.!In several Association late July the Gambier cases, access tested Island Community the ingenuity of Paul Association, under the and Sean as they "Let everyone direction of Brian moved ladders and Thorpe, coordinated maneuvered across sweep in front of the annual visit of steep roofs. his own door, and Paul's Chimney Service to the island. This annual blitz the whole world serves as helpful will be clean" Over the course reminder to all of three days twenty- islanders of the one homes on the importance of regular -Johann Wolfgang island were visited to chimney provide chimney maintenance. von Goethe cleaning (in some This will happen next year and also we

The Islander Page 3 Gambier Island Community Association Newsletter Fall 2012

Gambier Island Conservancy Summer 2012 Update

Nature Reserves: At a special Conservancy, it was agreed to use local was general agreement at the AGM that Director's meeting on 8 January, a resources to construct a shelter to house the Conservancy does not want to be a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) a trail map of Gambier Island and erect “lead-organization” on an initiative of this was signed between the Gambier Island it in a prominent outdoor location. The size rather it would prefer to be part of a Conservancy and the Sunshine Coast results of the election were as follows: Howe-Sound-wide general discussion on Conservation Association (SCCA) Peter Scholefield, President; Boris the topic. which forms a protocol on how the two Gorgitza, Treasurer; Kathy McTaggart, organizations will co-operate in being Secretary; and directors-at-large, Maria Burnco Aggregate Mine Project co-covenant holders on the protective Van Dyk and Mike Stamford. in McNab Valley: BURNCO Rock covenants on the three Islands Trust Products Ltd. has proposed to develop the Fund Nature Reserves in the vicinity of Lois Kennedy bequest: The BURNCO Mine Project, formerly the Brigade Bay. On 11 February, John Islands Trust Fund is still considering McNab Valley Aggregate Project, a sand G i b b s f r o m t h e S C C A , B o r i s our suggestion to utilize the Sponsored and gravel mine located on the northwest G o rg i t z a , Te s s J o h n s t o n , P e t e r Crown Grant process to acquire land on shore of Howe Sound, approximately 22 Scholefield, Mike Stamford and Maria Gambier Island and to use the bequest km southwest of Squamish. On 23 May Van Dyck from the Conservancy from the estate of Lois to cover the cost 2012, an informational meeting was held accompanied Jeff Ralph from the of a land survey and the preparation of a at the Gleneagles Community Centre on Islands Trust Fund office on a visit to management plan that would be the Burnco McNab Creek Mine Proposal the nature reserves to examine required to establish a new nature which was hosted by our two trustees for possibilities for restoration work on the reserve on Gambier Island. It has been the Gambier Local Trust Area. It was an reserves. The annual monitoring visit to learned that Trust Fund staff are now overcrowded meeting with a number the three nature reserves was conducted examining the possibility of giving a attendees from outside of the Trust Area. on 21 April by Islands Trust Fund higher priority to pursuing a sponsored There were expressions of concern from a consultants Doug Hopwood and Chris crown grant on Gambier. In the number of property owners on Gambier Ferris who were accompanied by meantime, the funds from Lois' bequest Island, including those from Brigade Bay, C o n s e r v a n c y m e m b e r s , P e t e r have been securely invested with the Douglas Bay, Ekins Point and the Burrard Scholefield and Tess Johnston. Doug Municipal Finance Authority. and Thunderbird Yacht Clubs. On 2 came back to the nature reserves the August, the Conservancy sent a letter to next day and on the following weekend Feasibility of a National Park MP John Weston voicing our concern to collect information for his Reserve on Gambier Island: At its 8 about the possible impact of Bill C-38 on preparation of a baseline study of the January meeting, the directors agreed to the environmental assessment and review nature reserves, which is a prerequisite invite Nerys Poole, former Bowen process for the proposed mine project. A for the covenants. councillor and park advocate, to speak response letter from John Weston was with the Conservancy directors on the dated 26 September. AGM: One proposal at the subject and also to invite Mel Turner of AGM, in the community hall on 17 Bowen who was involved with the Membership: Membership in the June, was to participate in a Howe consultations on the proposed feasibility Gambier Island Conservancy supports its Sound Forum to discuss the future study for a National Park mission to preserve and restore Gambier's development of Howe Sound, including Preserve. Both Nerys and Mel came to biological diversity and enhancing and the proposed Burnco Aggregate Mine the director's meeting on 19 February sharing knowledge of its ecosystems. Project in McNab Valley and the and discussed their experience on Membership also supports the ongoing possibility of a National Park Preserve Bowen Island and gave us their reasons maintenance of the trail systems. For on Gambier Island. To help with the why they thought the referendum to more information on membership and Forum, the Conservancy recently proceed with the Feasibility Study was volunteer opportunities contact agreed to join a coalition of non-profit defeated. They suggested that detailed [email protected] or go to the following societies concerned about Howe Sound preparation work be done before website: http://www.gambierc.ca. to be led by the Future of Howe Sound seeking input from the community on a Society. To commemorate Wolf proposed feasibility study for a National Peter Scholefield Wiedemann's contribution to the Park Preserve on Gambier Island. There

The Islander Page 4 Gambier Island Community Association Newsletter Fall 2012 Speak Out for the Recovery of Howe Sound

"Anywhere else in the world, Howe Sound would be a great national park."

-Dr. Murray Newman, Former Executive Director, Vancouver Aquarium

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The Islander Page 5 Gambier Island Community Association Newsletter Fall 2012

Annual Fishing Derby

If you had arrived at New Brighton between 10:30-11:30 am. on August 12th, you would have found a host of small children crouched on the dock with their jiggers, attempting to catch shiners. Forty children were in attendance with their families enjoying the hot, breezy morning. After all the shiners were released and little hands were sanitized, everyone gathered on the top dock where the Potters served up hotdogs, watermelon and drinks to the hungry hordes. Thanks to Eliza Killam and her helpers, Tory and Emily, for managing the Derby and distributing a wonderful cartload of prizes. See you at Gambier Harbour next Summer!

Flea Market on July 21st

After a drizzly, cloudy morning, the sun came out just in time for GICA's 2nd Flea Market at the Centre. The nine participants set up outside on the grass, selling everything from gigsaw puzzles to food processors. Sales were brisk as a good crowd arrived to browse in the sun. Enough money was raised from the table fees and donations to purchase a much needed folding table for the Community Centre. Thanks to the ANAVETS for opening.

Louise Potter, Director Gambier Island Community Association

The Islander Page 6 Gambier Island Community Association Newsletter Fall 2012

ANAVETS PCMR 276 2012 Report PCMR refers to the PACIFIC COAST MILITIA RANGERS from the WWII practice of Island loggers carrying rifles to work with them in case of an invasion. This was a practice all over BC. Each location had a militia unit for the rural work force. The Militia unit on Gambier became the ANAVETS Unit and we are now the only unit with a PCMR designation left.

Annual ANAVETS Report by Don Carol Whitaker we have a room with expenses and another upon Bell. designed to have a British pub like successful completion of thier program. feel. Our membership has grown to I would like to begin by reflecting over 100. (Thanks Bob Ostiguy!) We On the third goal, we participate in briefly on our past 5 years. When we have recieved and award every year fund raising events with profits to the first started we had 25 members and from the Dominon Presiden for our organizers, such as the cancer a determination to get the Unit off the continued growth and we ahve awareness event last summer, but most ground, but that was all we had. A received and American Legion Medal of all, we open a regular and reliable small core of committed workers for our activities. place for people to meet, socialize, have showed up in the evenings and dinner, a drink or play a game of pool. weekends doing the ugly work of We follow 3 programme goals: Much thanks to Bob M. and Phil for getting the mildew and glue off the 1. Remembrance and educating our hosting so many of the openings. concrete floor. Shawn Frisee, Allison community on contemporary veteran M a x w e l l a n d M i k e P a t t e n needs. 2012 ANAVETS PCMR 276 Executive volunteered professional work. Bob 2. Supporting Island youth with Board: Meredith drove us to complete the l i t e r a c y p ro m o t i o n a n d p o s t Don Bell, President project with an unwillingness to secondary scholarships. Lynn Bell, Treasurer. comprimise on anything! 3. Providing a contribuiton to Island Phil Richardson, Vice President and Chef de Maison. LIfe by participating in fund raising Bob Meredith, Program Director. Kevin Wing and Jim Honeywell and program development. Bob Ostiguy, Membership Secretary. arranged for us to have the Camilla Berry, Director of Special wonderful bar. It orginally came from On on first goal, we have secured Programs and Celebrations and Recording a tavern in Montana and ended up in funding from the Sunshine Coast Secretary. Prince George before coming here. Regional distric to create a memorial Steve Richardson, Member at Large. garden and wall in the ANAVETS Jack Pomfret, Veteran’s Representative. Once we had enough money cobbled park, the site of the old clubhouse. Mike Stamford, Sergeant at Arms. together we built the Patio. This year The wall will have commerative Brain Thorpe, Padre. with thanks to Nancy Ashton we got a plaques for veterans from the island. great price on boxwood and a free Information about ANAVETS is on our delievery from the Mercury. Thanks O n o n s e c e o n d g o a l e a c h website: www.anavets276.com to Phil Richardson for soil and for all Remembrance Day we give every those who came out to plant. members children a book store gift Our address is: card in order to encourage reading. ANAVETS THe PCMR 276 has a great club Every youth entering college or #101 721 Andy's Bay Road room. Thanks to Morely Baker and university gets a small stipend to help Gambier Island, BC, V0N 1V0

The Islander Page 7 Gambier Island Community Association Newsletter Fall 2012 Stuart Watson Recipient of Island Trust's 2012 Stewardship Award

Above: Thanks to the Langdale Access Working Group the new small boat float allowing for continued access to the Landgale dock by Islanders was opened this year on February 29, 2012. Special thanks to Stu Watson and Joe Wright for spearheading the initiative.

Below: A new longer dock was installed at New Brigton on May 13, 2012. New decking and other maintenance work was done this spring. The New Brighton Dock is annually inspected and plans for further maintenance and On September 20th, 2012, capital inprovements for 2013 are being made. Thanks to Stuart Watson was Joyce Clegg, Joe Wright and Danny Tryon for co- awarded the Island's Trust ordinating with the Alternate Area F Director. Stewardship award. He has a history of extraordinary volunteerism and in particular a dedication to fire prevention and maintaining public dock access, for both Gambier and Keats residents. Stu has been a large part of the Gambier Fire Equipment Group (GFEG) started in 1980 and the Keats Fire Equipment Group (KFEG) started in 2009.

Thanks Stu!

The Islander Page 8 Gambier Island Community Association Newsletter Fall 2012

financial and time donations) have paid for the following projects:

-resurfacing of entrance driveway, -preparation and painting of the lobby, hallway and lounge, installation of coat rack, -replacing the roof and skylights over the lounge, -refinishing the hardwood floors, and -relocating the “art shed” to the community centre grounds.

Some of the events hosted at the community centre this past year included Valentine’s Evening, the Spring Dance, the annual Family & Craft Fair, Salute to Summer, Christmas Caroling as well as yoga. Throughout the year, the building also provides a gathering place for smaller events such as dinners, lectures and done at the community centre, I workshops. realize the expression is true. Without hundreds of hours donated The centre is there for everyone. If by volunteer islanders, the centre you have a community event you’d would not be open to host the like to organize (cultural, gatherings that keep us connected educational, or just for fun, etc…) or (not too much, just enough) and if you’d like to help out with the help make our community vibrant. board of directors, please follow the contact link at The centre is not managed by www.gambierisland.org/centre.htm. municipal staff, tax allocations or The Good Life government subsidies like most The centre is equipped to host community centres in urban centres. corporate and private group events— I’ve just finished struggling with a The centre is the way community every dollar of rental revenue from 25-litre Jerri can to put fuel in the centres should be: self-sufficient these events goes towards the costs of truck, chopping wood for two hours and funded by the grassroots that operations and maintenance of the and filling a few buckets of water in want it. Funding is generated building. If you or anyone you know preparation for a potential power through a non-profit structure that is interested in learning more outage (after six years on the operates as a registered Canadian about this, please follow the “rental” island, I’m convinced I can feel the charity. As such, it is governed by a link on the webpage above. windstorms coming). These are board of directors. Every year, this times when I think life in the city group of islanders volunteer to take Like so many people on the island, can be so much easier than life on on the responsibility to: my Gambier “to do” list is always Gambier Island. growing but that just seems to be -keep a watchful eye on the bank part-and-parcel of living here. I’ve In the Lower Mainland, for a few account to pay the bills for the learned that, to the extent that I can, tax dollars or small fee, I’m centre (power, water system, etc…), contributing to making things connected to infrastructure and -coordinate maintenance for the happen to create community is also service systems that pickup my building and surrounding grounds, part of living here. So yes, life on garbage and recyclables, provide -organize the Fall and Spring Gambier Island isn’t the easy life, safe drinking water, give easy cleanup events, and but it sure is the good life. access to heat and gasoline…well, -support members of the community you know where I’m going with who want to host community or this. private events at the centre (events Nancy Grenier, Director are not always organized by the Gambier Island Community Centre On Gambier, making things happen committee). Society requires a bit of an effort, and a lot more than money. I’ve learned Along with on-going grounds and from people around here—island building maintenance, proceeds The GCCS logo is designed and life gets better when I roll up my from the 2012 events and donated by Norbert Jakubke, The Idea sleeves. When I see all that gets membership dollars (topped up with Partner.

The Islander Page 9 Gambier Island Community Association Newsletter Fall 2012

Citizen of the Year

This year the Gambier Island Community Association decided to annually recognize an individual who has made and continues to make a difference to our Gambier Island lifestyle. This year we have recognized Gord Steele. The wording on the award reads `` IN RECOGNITION OF HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RESIDENTS OF GAMBIER ISLAND AND HIS EFFORTS TO COLLECT AND REMOVE DERELICT VEHICLES.`` Since coming to Gambier Island as a young boy, his mom recalls the island men lining the dock awaiting his arrival so he could fix their engines or cars... He has used those skills and hard work to run a successful barging operation, as well as an New Citizen of the Year excavating company on the It is with much joy and pride that we introduce to you: island. Many people on the Island have used his expertise Heath David at some time or other and he Born July 17th, 4:05 pm, Sechelt BC rarely turns down a request for help. 10 lb. 1 oz. 22 inches Although Gord is the first to admit he is motivated by Steve and Haley Armitage money, we are all grateful that he used his ingenuity and resourcefulness to rid the island of abandoned vehicles and scrap metal. So for these efforts and the many times he has offered his services to island residents, the GICA executive voted unanimously to salute Gord Steele as `Citizen of the Year 2012.`

Danny Tryon

The Islander Page 10 Gambier Island Community Association Newsletter Fall 2012 "This old gang of summertime friends are still coming to Gambier Harbour. We are not only parents but also grandparents; we all share a history of family friendships that now go back 5 and 6 generations."

holidays spent at Gambier Harbour challenging when clambering around GAMBIER during the late ’40’s & ’50’s, leave on the rafters either under the wharf an indelible memory in my mind. or in the rafters of the shed. VIGNETTES The moment we arrived by ‘Lil Pete’ water taxi from Horseshoe Bay we There were also the bon-fires. kicked our shoes off & they weren’t Massive blazes on the end of the rock Gambier Island is my favourite put on again until Labour Day when at The Hollies & seen from the ferry. place on earth. It wraps a sense of we returned to the city. There were With hot dogs marshmallows & hot peace and place around me as soon no thongs or flip flops in those days chocolate all provided by my Mom, as I set foot on its rocky shores. It is & with a wooden wharf there were Mary, we would sit around singing not an island of sparkling white many nasty slivers to be removed campfire songs. But the really daring sands & beaches that curve off into until our feet were toughened up thing for the girls was for us to go the horizon but one of rugged cliffs, enough to withstand the abuse. skinny dipping! This had to be done mountains, deep fjords and an without the boys knowing. occasional notch in the southerly My sisters, Barbie, Dulcie & I, (It mostly worked!) shoreline; one of which was named together with the Larsen, Crompton, Harbour Grace in 1911 after his Forbes, Houston & Killam kids, Rainy days were spent playing Jacks Newfoundland birthplace by Hugh managed to wile away each day as we sat by the hour on the crooked Archibald Youdall. He was a BC with just our row boats and our old wooden floor of ‘The Barn’ and Land Surveyor who surveyed the imaginations. The boys tinkered when we tired of that it was card first subdivision in Grace Harbour. with their hand-me-down Johnson 3 games at the kitchen table while Mom It was to this lovely spot that my hp engines which sputtered & kept the old wood fire going with Great Grandfather, CHARLES smoked their way around the bay plenty of homemade goodies as well ARTHUR LETT, came in 1912 with making the most terrible noise; the as keeping us warm & cosy. That his wife Mary Stewart MacHaffie. girls threw sticks of wood into the included blackberry pies, made with Seeking a quiet place to establish a water which had crayoned faces on the small bramble variety, not the small hobby farm they purchased one side & the name & age on the Himalayas so prolific to-day. the 13 acres at the top of the present other. This game was called ‘Boys’ government dock as well as much of & we spent hours throwing these This old gang of summertime friends the waterfront. The task of clearing ‘Boys’ into the water for their swims are still coming to Gambier Harbour. the forest must have been daunting. & fed them berries from lids placed We are not only parents but also They lived in tents and with help & along the logs at the top of the grandparents; we all share a history the use of work horses, axes and beach where the ‘Boys’ were also of family friendships that now go crosscut saws they managed to laid out to dry. back 5 and 6 generations. carve out approximately 3 acres and build their substantial 3-storey Every afternoon there were feats of This summer our extended family will home. Over the next 11 years they scary proportions, now that I reflect be commemorating 100 years on developed a pretty flower garden; on it. Each one of us trying to outdo Gambier Island and we will be climbing roses, rhododendrons, iris the other as we hurtled into the reflecting on how blessed we are to & lilies. Clumps of daffodils bloom water from the top of the dock, have had the benefit of this amazing each Spring to this day Recently completely disregarding the tide community of friendly, caring people, Christopher Cleator, (a Great-great which was sometimes dangerously thanks to the vision of our ancestor, Grandson of Charles Arthur) has low. And how could I forget walking Charles Arthur Lett. almost single-handedly cleared the along the top of the railing from the original field of invasive plants. end of the dock, at LOW TIDE! Gambier is paradise. After dinners we would gather again The idyllic 2 months of summer to play kick-the-can. This could be Leiani Anthony, June 2012

The Islander Page 11 Gambier Island Community Association Newsletter Fall 2012

In Memory

Lorne Bowering of New Brighton April 17 1934 - July 24 2012

Betty Errington of Long Bay August 4 1932 - July 30 2012

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP TO GAMBIER ISLAND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION IS $25.00

NAME:

ADDRESS:

CITY: POSTAL CODE:

PHONE NUMBER:

EMAIL:

PLEASE INCLUDE MY NAME AND ADDRESS IN GAMBIER PHONE DIRECTORY:

SEND TO:

GAMBIER ISLAND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION #201 721 ANDY'S BAY ROAD GAMBIER ISLAND, BC V0N 1V0

The Islander Page 12