Denman's Village Voice

The

November 2017 Flagstone Volume 22 Issue 11 $2.00 Denman’s Village Voice Some of the DCLTA Silent Auction Items available on November 18th -Kenneth Callahan's "Mexican Dogs", Bentley Le Baron's Stoneware Sun, Barbara

Kane's Specialty Cake.

Photo by Noni Fenwick- Wilson

DCLTA Silent Auction “Everything for the Home” submitted by Roberta Pagdin

Well, Denman Islanders - coming up soon is an all-day event well worth getting up for. The Denman Community Land Trust Association will be holding a Silent Auction on Saturday, November 18th. All proceeds will go to the Acquisition Fund to purchase two acres for DCLTA’s proposed Seniors’ Affordable Housing project. Most of us will, or have already, become seniors. And for many people, it becomes a challenge to find appropriate, affordable housing. In a fortuitous sequence of events, we have a wonderful opportunity here on Denman to make seniors’ affordable housing a reality. Bev Severn, who owns and lives on a semi-secluded acreage close to “downtown” Denman, generously offered to sell two acres to the DCLTA at a below-market price. DCLTA accepted Bev’s offer and in 2013 began work on this project, which is now well along in the process. They have achieved exclusion of the land from the Agricultural Land Reserve, obtained the design for a sewage disposal system, drilled an 80 ft. well and applied for the necessary rezoning. But there is still much to be done before the vision becomes a reality - and your help is needed! The venue for this event will be the Denman Activity Centre. In the lounge, you will find Goods and Services being auctioned off. Here is your opportunity to get a deal on fir firewood, tickets to the next Readers and Writers Festival, boxes of heritage apples, a private dinner party served by Ivanna, paddle board lessons, landscaping, a case of wine. These are just a few teasers - there are approximately fifty items in all!

[Type1 text]Roberta Pagdin Silent Auction for DCLTA The Flagstone 2 Index Address: Box 10, Denman Island, BC, V0R 1T0 3 Auction Continued email:[email protected] Slug Blume Reconciliation Circle Advertising call Danni Crenna 4 Laura Busheikin Islands Trust Notebook

5 Sara French Jazz Trio in Back Hall Volunteer Staff 6 Cindy Critchley Health Center Update Production - Danni Crenna (250)335-0198 Ron Sakolsky Welcome Willie Accounting - Helen Mason (250)335-1603 7 Laura Busheikin Xmas Craft Fair The Collating Team - Louise Bell, Graham 8 Various Writers Letters Brazier, Mikell Callahan, Jean Cockburn, Danni Margie Gang Trails Committee Crenna, Cindy & David Critchley, Noni Fenwick- 9 Kate Janeway DICES AGM Wilson, Sterling Fraser, Jane Guest, Harlene Veronica Timmons GPA Apple Fest Update Holm, Helen Mason, Jack Mounce, J Thornton 10 Jenny Balke Bats 11 Andrew Fyson Baroque Festival The Flagstone is a non-profit newsletter put 12 Sponsor Don Luckett Arts Denman Page together entirely by volunteers. Our revenues 13 UB Credit Union The Difference is Community do not cover our costs. Please consider making Bill Engleson 200 Words or Less a donation - drop in the Flagstone box at 14 Ron Sakolsky Welcome Willie Continued Abraxas or mail to the address above. A 15 Laura Busheikin Craft Fair Continued donation of $12 is only $1 per issue - a bargain! Karl Goodwin Cartoon 16 Robert Newton Concerts Denman OUR DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS is the Friday 17 Max Rogers Agriculture Matters before we go to print; generally the 3rd Friday 18 Continued of each month. Check this page or the back Garden Club News page or the Grapevine calendar for that date 19 DD Fuchs This Place - Denman Seniors' each month. The Flagstone is printed monthly 20 Sponsor ReMax Kids Page by the Denman Island Print Shop at a reduced 21 Lori Nawrot HDCHCS News rate, for which we are very grateful. 22 S Dunnet/ R Menard IAM Workshop Taina Uitto Systema Workshops Off - Island Subscriptions: Flagstone issues 23 Dr Ron Wilson Shoot to the Moon mailed monthly for one year - 24 Union Bay Credit Community Announcements $30.00 Within Canada Union Sponsor $40 to US Addresses OR 25 you can now get on-line subscriptions ( a pdf 26 mailed to your email address) for free 27 Donations Welcome 28 Deadline for December's 29 Flagstone is Friday 30 November 17th 31 32 33 34 35

Silent Auction from Page 1 Paul Bailey's Yamaki Acoustic Guitar In the main hall (gym), you will find significant donations from John Graham’s estate, many art contributions from Denman artists and sundry items. Are you in the market for carpets or furniture? Take a look at

some beautiful oriental carpets, a bamboo side table and a locally crafted china/ book case. Some other items from

the Graham estate include sets of crystal, collectable Christmas ornaments and a “like new” Kuwahara bicycle. Have you been yearning for something special created by one of our local artists? Consider a large, colourful platter for table or wall, a beautifully woven gathering basket, a pair of decorative felted pillows, perhaps a painting or photograph for the focal point in your home. And the list goes on…. There are over seventy items to peruse in the hall. Please note that there will not be a “Buy It Now” option, as happened in an earlier silent auction. So mark your calendars! Then corner your cousin in Window Courtenay and call your friends on Hornby. Let’s have a washing great turn-out for a worthwhile event. Saturday by November 18th, from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. in the Denman Activity Centre. Light refreshments will be Herman served between 5 and 8. de Vries Successful bidders may pick up their items soon after bidding closes at 8 p.m. Please plan to make your payment with cash or cheque. The Silent Auction Catalogue can be viewed at: denmanaffordablehousing.org

Reconciliation Group hosts Listening Circle Submitted by Slug Blume

Thursday November 2nd, 6:15-8:30pm [Circle starts 6:30sharp] at the Community School, ‘Denman’ Island A Listening Circle “What does reconciliation mean to you?” We invite community members to gather to share their own and listen to each others experiences, feelings, concepts, concerns, hopes and questions around reconciliation and current day colonialism.

We bring this first gathering to you with the intention “Soften our hearts and soften our ears”, a time where we encourage each other to speak, to listen, to learn something about ourselves and each other. The Listening Circle will be gently facilitated to help us all remember that we gather that day to listen to each other, not to debate. There are 20 speaking spaces available inside the ‘core circle’ and we welcome and encourage others to join the ‘outer circle’ to listen to and (to witness) this sharing and process, all will have a chance to add ideas to a Brainstorm Board. All points of view are welcome, including those of concern, doubt or confusion about reconciliation. Our hope is that this gathering will inspire the community to explore further conversations with each other as well as to help us see what next steps might be taken by a local Reconciliation Group to benefit all in our furthering education and exposure on these matters. [As our second gathering we will be screening a documentary on Nov 26th. Keep eyes n ears peeled for location and time] Brought to you by: Riane Dasilva, Maxine Malipti, Laura Busheikin, Ron Wilson, Mike Nestor and Slug Blume. [email [email protected] or call 335-1414 to sign up for a (4 minute) speakers spot, or with any questions] [all ages are welcome, kidcare is a group responsibility] 3 “RECONCILIATION IS NOT ABOUT ‘FEELING GUILTY’. IT IS ABOUT KNOWLEDGE, ACTION AND JUSTICE” 3 33 3 3 3 3

Trustee Notebook By Laura Busheikin [Type text] Protect Your Property…And Save Money

I’ve found that in cities, people who meet for the first NAPTEP is designed to protect key natural features time ask each other, “What do you do?” On Denman Island, such as relatively undisturbed woodlands, watercourses, we tend to ask each other, “Where do you live?” We know wetlands, meadows, coastal bluffs, mature forests, habitat each other by how we connect to the land. for rare native plants, habitat critical and to native animal’s breeding, rearing and feeding, and special And we love the land we live on. For good reason. We geologic features. love the lush evergreen forests, the soaring eagles, the song of the tree frogs, the wetlands teeming with life, the sensual A NAPTEP covenant restricts buildings, new roads, golden curves of arbutus trees, the rocky bluffs, and the removal of native plants, use of herbicides and pesticides, magnificent living ocean. changes to streams and wetlands, and soil modification.

With love of the land, and appreciation for its richness How does NAPTEP work? and value, comes a desire to see it protected, forever. To know that ecosytems won’t be carved up by roads or To set up a NAPTEP covenant, you would work with bulldozed for development, to know that bats, butterflies, staff from the Islands Trust Fund, the Islands Trust herons and other species at risk will always have a home. conservation organization. They would visit your property and walk the land with you, and help you with your Much of Denman Island is protected – 24%, one of the application. The process includes the creation of a baseline highest ratios in the Islands Trust Area – thanks mainly to report describing the ecological features of the land. regional and provincial parks, and the work of the Denman Conservancy Association. There is a $175 application fee, and additional costs for surveying, creating the baseline report, covenant Individual landowners can also create protected areas. registration, and independent legal and tax advice. These This is not just a nice thing to do – it’s essential, because costs would eventually be offset by the tax savings. Once approximately 80% of land in the islands Trust Area is in the covenant is registered, the Islands Trust fund will visit private ownership. This gives private landowners the annually to ensure the conditions are being followed. balance of power in creating a critical mass of protected There is no charge for this. areas, and in conserving special places that otherwise would be entirely vulnerable to human interference. There are approximately 25 NAPTEPs registered in the Islands Trust area, for a total of 77.5 hectares of protected Luckily, there is a way for landowners to formally protect land. Saving money every year is a great bonus for these their land without spending a lot of money or losing basic environmentally-minded land-owners, but the main property rights, and save tax money at the same time. motivation is the heart-felt desire to know that a cherished forest, meadow or marsh will be left intact, in perpetuity. What is NAPTEP? Learn More The Natural Area Protection Tax Exemption Program (NAPTEP) is an innovative incentive program designed by the If you are interested in learning more about NAPTEP, Islands Trust Council 15 years ago. NAPTEP provides contact the Islands Trust Fund at [email protected] landowners with an annual cut in property taxes of up to or 250-405-5186, or visit the “Protecting Private Land” 65% when they permanently protect the natural features of section on the Islands Trust Fund website their land. (www.islandstrustfund.bc.ca/initiatives/privateconservatio n.aspx) You qualify for NAPTEP by protecting habitat with a This area of the website also offers other tools for conservation covenant. This legal tool is registered on title conserving your land, from making an outright donation to and binds future owners to the same promises you made. It organizing your daily activities with care. can apply to all or a portion of your property. You still own your land, can live on the property, and can sell it at full market4 value whenever you want.

Jazz Trio in the Back Hall by Sara French The Trevor Giancola Trio from Toronto will perform Don Johnson 250-338-8822 in our back hall on November 21st. Giancola has been www.ableandreadyseptic.ca [email protected] playing the guitar since an early age and has been immersed in the Toronto jazz scene for the past ten years. He has performed with many artists including

Mike Murley, Kelly Jefferson, Pat Labarbera, Phil Dwyer and many others. He is a faculty member at Humber

College. Bassist Jon Meyer has performed with many artists – Peter Appleyard, Ned Goold, Lee Wallace, Perry White and Jake Wilkinson to name just a few. He has played on numerous film and television soundtracks and has toured extensively in North America and Europe. Drummer Adam Arruda grew up in a musical family. Now residing in Brooklyn, New York he is among the most sought after drummers in the music world. He has worked with many artists including Kevin Eubanks, Phil Woods, James Moody, Jeremy Platt and many others. “A wonderfully swinging set…Giancola has a rich and warm tone and shows he knows how to bop with the best”. George Harris, Jazz Weekly. Door is at 7pm with a $15 cover charge. Performance at 7:30 pm.

Another sneak preview of the silent Auction - a

woven scarf by Bruce Jolliffe Marilyn Jensen Director Baynes Sound – Denman/Hornby Islands (Area ‘A’) [email protected] Tel: 250-335-1275

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Your[Type Communitytext] Health Centre News By Cindy Critchley for the Denman Health Centre Society Dr. Wilson and Dr. Malthouse continue to explore options for acquiring a part-time female physician or nurse practitioner to attend to women’s health issues at the clinic. The Denman Health Centre Society, along with the physicians,Karaoke are Fundraiser also exploring July the 23rd. possibility of a physiotherapist providing part-time service at the health centre facility.This year's Kosmic Karaoke at Bruce and Lee Andra's will take place the evening of July 23rd at 8pm after Thethe Denmanpotluck. HealthRobin Centreand Step Soci willety beis grateful again o for the $1500 in donations received during September. Your To get to this great event you take Nth. Central Rd. that's opposite the graveyard, drive to the end and generous donations help to pay for the ongoing costs of necessary upgrades and maintenance on our very importantfollow little the signs.island healthSee you centre. there! One recent project involved re-installing insulation under the floor and installing wire to keep it in place. You will notice that the lights are brighter in the clinic waiting room as well. th The Denman Health Centre Society AGM will take place at the clinic facility on January 15 , 2018 at 7:15 p.m. If you are interested in joining the board of directors of the Society or would like further information please contact Jenny Villard at [email protected] or 250 -335-2120. We hope to see you there!

raise $2000. WELCOMETo get to this WILLIE! great event you take Nth. Central Rd. that's opposite the graveyard, drive to the end and (Willie follow Thrasher, the signs. Guest See House you Bistro,there! Friday November 10, 7PM) Submitted by Ron Sakolsky

If timing is everything, then Willie Thrasher is having his moment in the spotlight once again at age 69. Willie is an Inuk singer-songwriter who is originally from Aklavik, Northwest Territories, which is about 200 Ks north of the Arctic Circle in the land of the Midnight Sun. Currently, he lives in Nanaimo, with his partner in music and life, Linda Saddleback. These days we are fortunate that he’s close enough to Sla-Dai-Aich to easily come up and play a gig for us here on the rock. Not only will Willie and Linda be performing at the Guest House Bistro on Friday November 10 at 7 pm, but they are slated to do a

special concert at the Denman Community School which will allow our kids to experience a bit of indigenous culture on that same afternoon. after 35 years in the vaults. For a long time, Willie was a forgotten legend in Light in the Attic is the same record label that indigenous music. However, his obscurity ended in 2014, had previously re-issued two long out-of-print albums by when an historic two- volume set of recordings, entitled Sixto Rodriguez, the musician made famous in the Native North America, was released by Light in the Attic critically acclaimed and highly popular indie film, Records. With the new exposure provided by that Searching for Sugarman. Sixto is the once little known compilation in which his early recordings are but since rediscovered artist to whom Willie has often prominently featured, Willie was given a new lease on been compared. At first skeptical about the comparison, his musical life. That anthology of indigenous folk, rock Willie has more recently reconsidered: “A lot of people

and country, ranging from 1966-1985, was put together said that I had the same story he had. I said, ‘No, no!’ So,

by Vancouverite Kevin “Sipriano” Howes to especially I watched the movie. And that’s the kind of life I had! I showcase the first wave of modern indigenous music to thought, I’m the Inuit Sugarman.” Like Rodriguez, Willie’s break upon Canadian shores. Riding on the accolades long-lost days of glory have now resurfaced with the earned by that recording, which Rolling Stone magazine recordings on that anthology along with his vivid called “stunning Americana from the original memories of the past. As Willie recalls, “I had long hair in Americans”; Willie’s star is once again on the rise. As a those days. We were young and wild under the Great direct result of such uniformly enthusiastic reviews, Northern Lights, you know? And it brought back a lot of Willie’s own debut album from 1981, Spirit Child (a the memories of how we traveled: We did pow wows at couple of tunes of which had been included in the Light universities and colleges, from one town to another with in the Attic compilation) was finally re-released last year 6 (Continued on Page 14) 6

By Laura Busheikin Craft Fair Dec 2 & 3

“EditorialLook deep Policy into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”Views expressed -- Albert Einsteinin the Flagstone do not necessarily represent those of the editors. Letters and all other material submitted for publication may be edited for length, style, obvious factual errors and bad taste. Please write with respect for“Those your who fellow contemplate citizens. We the reserve beauty the of theright earth to refuse find reserves to publish of potentially libelous material. Each writer is requested strengthto edit his/her that will own endure work as for long brevity, as life so lasts.” that we -- canRachel include Carson as many submissions as possible. Please include your full name and phone number (phone number will not be printed unless requested). “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” – William Shakespeare The connection between contemplating nature and doing your shopping at the Denman Island Christmas Craft Fair may not be immediately obvious, but let me make a case for it: the Fair is, in its own way, an enchantingly beautiful invocation of the natural Teapot by Ember photo by Fireweed

elements. Earth is predominant. A crystalline-glazed vase, a two-foot in diameter wine-red platter, a leaf-patterned tea mug – all tell a story of mud, transformed through human hands and imagination into art. And the earth element shines, literally, in the metals and stones used by the fair's many jewelers. Water shows up in artisanal teas from wildcrafted plants, and wine from local vineyards. Also, scented soaps, lotions, and cosmetic oils invoke the warm soothing waters of a bath where we can pamper ourselves with products made from natural, locally-sourced ingredients. Fire collaborates with earth in the ceramic arts, and also provides the transformative power found in glass arts and metalwork. The fire of the

Letters

Fireweed Jar of Rose Petals( & Photo)

sun is also captured in dried flowers arranged as ornaments or made into teas. And air? You can't make crafts out of air, but you can smell it in the many luscious scents of the fair: rose and sandalwood,

espresso and hot apple cider, beeswax and fir sap. You can see its movement in the fluttering of a hand-dipped candle flame, and

hear its vibrations as you listen to local children playing mandolin

outside the Community Hall Nature is everywhere: the forest manifests in exquisite wooden bowls, boxes and baskets. The animals that graze Denman's fields contribute, whether via a pair of woollen socks, hand-knitted by the farmer who raised the sheep, or an irresistibly

Beehives, various sizes Photo by Fireweed

(Continued on Page 15) 7

Editorial Policy Views[Type expressed text] in the Flagstone do not necessarily represent those of the editors. Letters and all other material submitted for publication may be edited for length, style, obvious factual errors and bad taste. Please write with respect for your fellow citizens. We reserve the right to refuse to publish potentially libelous material. Each writer is

requested to edit his/her own work for brevity, so that we can include as many submissions as possible. Please include your full name and phone number (phone number will not be printed unless requested).

BOOKS . TO GHANA UPDATE. many things there. their job? If they did, problem solved!

First of all, I want to thank the Once again a big heartfelt thank Yes, they made an effort on the

many people, (too many to name), you for all your support. I will be Vancouver Island side and hauled it to

who donated items, money and in giving updates when they happen. the landfill- at taxpayers expense, but Jude thanking them is inappropriate. one instance a venue for one of the fundraisers for my project of setting Handing all the found equipment back up a school library in Ghana. I also Insanity to the growers is also inappropriate want to thank those people who Is defined as "doing the same and we are actually enabling them to came out to the fundraisers, I hope thing over and over again, but continue. This year's tonnage was you all had as much fun as me. I feel expecting different results”. This record breaking and I'm sure we're all very blessed to receive so much would be indicative of Denman's getting more than a little fed up. support. annual beach cleanup for well over a DFO's excuse is not enough So here is the update on the decade now. resources assigned because shellfish books. I came home from Ghana last Hooray for ADIMS and the army of growing is a "low risk" activity so spring believing I had all the volunteers who every year give their inspections are now done by the information I needed to send the time and energy to make our island grower. My suggestion to DFO is get a drone or hire an operator and use the books so that they would be exempt beaches and the marine environment from duty. Letters had been written a better place. But is it fair to expect photographic evidence to fine those in and all was well. this herculean effort year after year noncompliance. If they don't pay the In late August one of my b&b when the parties responsible don't fine immediately, they lose their license guests put me in touch with a care? Why are we thanking the BC when it comes up for renewal. So far, woman who works for a Christian Shellfish Growers Assoc. who did not DFO isn't interested in solutions except group that sends containers of even bother to put the beach cleanup to help with the clean up. What is the medical equipment and other things info. on their website. Why are we answer, what do we do next year, to the various countries in need. thanking DFO who are responsible for something has to change, we can't Thank goodness! From her I learnt enforcing the Shellfish Conditions of keep participating in this INSANITY or that I need a letter, (or copy) from License (that states all equipment we'll all go crazy?!

the Minister of Education in Ghana must be secured and not allowed to Edi Johnston before the books are shipped. escape) when they are not doing Previously I was told that I needed this letter once the books had Do you love Denman trails and trail walks? arrived. However the shipping company won't even accept them The small but dedicated group of trail-maintaining volunteers needs your help! here without that letter. Fortunately it saved me from a useless trip to Denman has a great and expanding network of trails for resident pedestrians, Vancouver. Calls to Ghana didn't equestrians, cyclists, dog walkers, families, kids, and visitors. This network is a result in getting the letter in time so Denman treasure, but it does take work to keep it accessible. the books are now boxed, counted, (1077), and stored in my studio. The Denman Trails Committee meets once a month, and usually plans a work They will be sent next year. bee and a recreational hike (on or off island) for each month. So by the time you read this I will hopefully be navigating the If you can help us, might want to help, please come to a Trails meeting and Ghanaian bureaucracy which no meet us. We meet at the Denman Firehall at 7:30 PM on the last Tuesday doubt moves like molasses as does evening of each month. 8 8 10 For more information, phone Allan: 250-335-1838, Graeme: 335-2689, Tim: 335-1413, Ralph: 335-2194, Anne: [email protected].

th Denman Island Community Education Society AGM November 7

Submitted by Kate Janeway

The Denman Island Community Education Society (DICES) will be holding their annual general meeting this year on

Tuesday November 7th. Please join us in the Library at 7:00pm for the meeting, to be followed by refreshments and tea.

DICES is the advisory council that oversees the programming which makes our school a hub for community connections and partnerships on Denman Island. The council meets about 9 or 10 times per year to hear the reports of the school and community programs staff, and continue the stewardship of the community school. There are also opportunities for folks with specific experience to join subcommittees such as the personnel, finance and outreach committees. The council is currently seeking new council members, and specifically a new secretary, who would like to become active partners in our community school. If you like the idea of our community school as a centre for life-long learning, knowledge sharing, and recreational and cultural opportunities on our island please step forward, your participation will be appreciated. Our current council members are George McRae, Mike Nestor, Shaun White, Katarina Meglic, Keith Porteous, Lanna Kroening, Tomas Hajek and Colby O’Neill. They would be happy to give you more information on joining our council.

DI Growers & Producers Alliance (GPA) Applefest-Farm Crawl a Success! By Veronica Timmons This year's annual Applefest on October 7th was different from previous years. One difference was the it didn't rain on the main event. The events-committee decided this year to hold the event at the Farmers Market and to add on a Farm Crawl to showcase our island agriculture and to educate folks about what we grow and to meet the wonderful people who grow our food. The vendors at the Farmers Market and the apple-pie sales table (a fundraiser for the DIGPA) benefited from the increase in traffic. The huge display of local apples was appreciated by many, lots of people brought questions about apples, and children had their faces painted by Erika Bland. There was even a seniors tour group from Duncan who had a wonderful visit and will come back next year! Over 60 people bought tickets and took the tour which included three farms where the farm owner gave a presentations and a guided tour: East Cider Orchard and Juice Press, Ruby Slipper Ranch, Tree Eater Farm/Nursery, Orkney Farm/Heritage Orchard and four venues where visitors could just drop in: Lone Pine Farm, The General Store, Piercy Farm and Corlan Vineyard. Several off-island visitors said they were surprised and amazed at the variety of farms and orchards and impressed by what was Haircuts By Riane happening here. Thanks go to the organizing committee: Kate Janeway (Coordinator), Naomi Elliott, Erika Bland, and $25 in your home Doug Wright. Thanks too to all the people who made pies, apple cakes, apple crisps and dried apples for the Seniors' Discount fundraiser. 250-650-6079

[Type“BC text] BATs” a Project at Work By Jenny Balke

On a chilly October weekend at a Boy Scout camp pesticides are an important threat to the bats’ food supply. near Summerland, 24 biologists and the Provincial Also, climate change has implications for all species wildlife vet met to talk “BATS”. An amazing level of interactions as well as their overall survival. energy and care is being directed at these often- A bat-related “Happy Cat Brochure” can be seen under the maligned animals by a group of mostly young Denman Nature bat topic of DCA web site or at committed biologists! These folks are the program http://stewardshipcentrebc.ca/PDF_docs/CatsBirds/HappyC coordinators and bat researchers of “BC Bats”, which atBrochure2017.pdf or http://stewardshipcentrebc.ca/cats- includes the Denman-Hornby Bat Project. The “BC Bats” and-birds/ program has reached out to cavers, mining and forestry The need to count our bats was emphasized at the recent interests, government regulators, builders, roofers, meeting. Tracking bat numbers is the only way to tell if bat realtors, conservation groups and the public to try to population trends are up or down. Trends may then be save bats in general and particularly the bat species linked to specific causes and positive actions can be taken. decimated by White nose disease. Lots of the bat talk Denman now has three bat count sites and hopefully we’ll was technical, regulatory and organizational, and these add more counts from both Denman and Hornby in the folks really worked. future. A variety of province-wide “Sentinel sites” will be Of key interest was the topic of White nose disease selected for both long-term monitoring, as well as other (WND), not yet discovered in BC. The sample of dead possible bat research projects. bats tested in 2017 was small, but all were negative. Assessing the occupancy success of our bat houses next For the 2018 WND surveillance, people are being asked summer will be important, as well as determining what to collect bat guano when the bats first return next species are using the houses. Best bat house location and spring. This bat guano will be tested for the White nose design will be continually reviewed and the overall results fungus to see if any bats within 500km of Washington will be evident after a few years. The Habitat Acquisition state are returning to summer roosts infected with the Trust in Victoria is having reasonable success with their bat disease. During the winter from Nov to May, any live houses at sites where bats are currently being excluded. bats found can be sampled by swabbing the wing and all Folks selling houses or folks working on roofs or buildings, dead bats can be sent in for testing. In terms of possible that currently house bats, can find specific information in treatments of the disease, a “Prophylaxis Project” for brochures available under the “Denman Nature bat topic” of White nose has begun using a bat summer roost site on DCA web site. All these existing maternal bat roosts are Deas Island, near Vancouver. A link to the on-line video important to the future bat population, so, if necessary, that describes this project can be seen under the relocating these newly excluded bats is important. Denman Nature bat topic on the Denman Community Meanwhile enhancing natural habitats to make Denman and

Association (DCA) web site or at: Hornby “Bat Friendly Communities” will be key to bat (http://www.metrovancouver.org/media-room/video- survival. gallery/regional-parks/231004536).

Other White nose disease concerns are that the possible use of bat guano to fertilize the new pot- growing industry will lead to the importation of this deadly disease. Also, any translocation of bats in logging trucks, ships, trailers, equipment, or even stored Christmas trees may introduce the disease. Lastly, decontamination programs for folks entering bat caves, mines or other hibernacula access are available. Currently lots of other threats exist for BC bat populations. Most notable is the loss of forests that are critical for the forest-dependent bats such as the Hoary and Silver-haired bats. In addition, wind farms continue to cause bat losses and the cumulative effects over years are unknown. Domestic cats are a major cause of direct bat mortality around residential areas, and Photo by Dennis Forsyth

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They’re Coming Back! Baroque Music Workshop & Festival May 6-13, 2018

Submitted by Andrew Fyson for the Denman Early Music committee of Arts Denman

Put the dates in your calendar. Our first event last May

was a great success and afterwards our distinguished musical directorids ppage Marco Vitale said “I have had a life changing experience. Can we come again next year?” Oh no, we weren’t planning to. All that work, all over again! What a time we all had at our first festival. Everyone, or nearly everyone, came away with a smile on their face. The Hall was packed for the Community Concert and the final concert with the dancing and opera. Everything went well. We nearly broke even financially. Many from our fine community volunteered their time and space. Thank you!! Colby O’Neill (Lotus Eaters Films) produced a fine, short video of the event which is now on You Tube (search on the site for Denman Baroque). So, preparations are already underway for 2018. Neither our wonderful organizing stalwarts Louise Bell & Sussan Thompson nor our brilliant costume creator Kerri Davis will be available to help out through the coming months. We have fine replacements in Roxanna Mandryk, Pelka Wiltshire and Paddy O’Connell who will join Robert Newton and I in organizing next year’s event. We have a hard act to follow. Robert is already moaning that every dinner time is a committee meeting. For the Workshop, Marco suggested that we work on Monteverdi’s opera L’Orfeo. Quite a challenge!

Two hours of music, sung in Italian and with a massive lead role for Orfeo. This is the earliest opera (1607) which is regularly performed today; an early baroque masterpiece. There will be more on this music and on Monteverdi in a future article. I am currently madly chasing around for workshop participants, and particularly, solo singers. Thankfully, many of this year’s participants wish to return. The workshop will run through the week, and culminate in a performance of the opera or selections therefrom. In addition to the workshop, we are planning for a baroque community concert with locals performing in choirs, reading poetry, singing, dancing and whatever else with a baroque flavour. Workshop participants will also be preparing chamber works and solos for this concert. In addition, our 3, brilliantly talented workshop instructors, Marco Vitale (harpsichord), Enrique Gomez-Cabrero Fernandez (baroque violin) and Romeo Ciuffa (baroque flute and recorder) will be giving a chamber concert and will present a lecture. There will no doubt be much else going on too. Consider joining in!

The event is a long way off, but please put the dates in your calendar and consider participating, volunteering in some way for this special event or donating a few dollars. Our budget is very tight. We are grateful to Denman Works for providing some money for sets and costumes and to workshop participants for paying their fees. However, this year, more than half our income was from donations from the community. We depend on you to keep this event going and help it blossom in the future. Please make cheques out to Arts Denman with a note Baroque Festival and place under B in the freepost or mail to Baroque Festival, Arts Denman PO Box 23, Denman Island BC V0R 1T0. If you would like to volunteer, to help with events or in providing billets or transport for workshop participants, let one of the committee members know. Give me a call at 250-335-9047 if you would like more information on the events. Brochures are available in the General Store and Abraxas Books. Our website www.denmanbaroque.com is being frequently updated.

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11-5

In 200 words or less By Bill Engleson www.engleson.ca

“If you're not in the parade, you watch the parade. That's life.” Mike Ditka

th On November 11 , 1963, I marched in my first parade. A Remembrance Day parade In Nanaimo. In a kilt. It would be fifty -four years before I marched in my second. This past September 3rd’s Blackberry Faire parade. I had a pickle painted on my face. I was holding a stick with twenty clothes pegs clipped on (sort of a Pickle ball abacas), a racket, and a Pickle ball. There were goats. There were children. There was surfer Bob…in a fine woolly wig. One of our inspired number brought a jar of pickles. I love pickles a lot but failed to snag one. Over the years, I’ve watched a few Blackberry Faire parades. Generally, they end before a completely realized blink. Short though they are, they are, apparently, enjoyable. I enjoyed my first. It ended at the Nanaimo Cenotaph. There were speeches, a moment of silence, the Last Post. JFK was assassinated two weeks later. I also enjoyed this one, managing to not step in a few horse, sheep, or goat pies (I don’t know my pies, clearly) deposited just short of the Community Hall. Always an accomplishment on Denman. They were still there the next day, squashed but still memorable.

WELCOM[Type text] E WILLIE FROM PAGE 6 a guitar on our back, getting ready for the next big festival. It his persistent memories of past residential school abuses was one hell of an experience in our lifetime”. in alcohol and then battling the bottle for his very life. However, before he left school to become a touring With the hungry ghosts of these dislocating residential musician, Willie’s painful early history was not too different school experiences still haunting his steps, Willie found from that of many indigenous kids of his generation. At age himself down and out on the mean streets of Vancouver, five, he was taken from his family and sent to residential Edmonton and Calgary with his creative energy sapped. schoolSubmitted where he by was Sara forbidden French to practice his traditional Things got so bad that he would often have to hock his Inuvialuit culture. In remembering his childhood guitar at the pawn shop just to feed his addictions. As experiences, Willie has said: “I was close to my mom and Willie explains how he overcame that tormented period: dad; we were close to the wilderness, we would always take “Torn away from the life that the Great Spirit has given our boat out on the Mackenzie River and we would set up a you, it’s a real spiritual battle to get it back because you fish camp. My mother always talked Inuktitut to me. And have been thinking the other way. You constantly fight then the day after residential school started, that was the who you are, where you came from, who your parents biggest turning point in my life. The teachers were taught to were. But eventually when you write a song and talk to brainwash us away from our culture, our life, our singing, the elderly, and pray to the spirit world and to your drumming, dancing. My hair was cut so short that my head higher power you will become strong inside.” Willie has was bleeding. I was crying. I couldn’t speak English at the been sober now for 16 years due in no small part to the time and every time that I spoke in my native language, I was support of his partner, Linda Saddleback, who first met strapped. And anytime that we would try to think in our him when he was busking in the streets of Nanaimo. traditional ways, our people would get punished. Get As Willie reflects on the present, “It gives me a lot strapped or have soap put in our mouth. Telling us that we of energy to perform again. I’m glad of who I am, where I were pagans, we were demons... But I had a little light came from, and the experiences I went through. That I inside.” could fight for what I really believe in, like my life, my Once Willie left the residential school that light spirit, my culture. These days, Willie opens for the likes of began to shine outwards from the Sixties through the Inuk experimental vocalist and indigenous activist Tanya Eighties. First, he became the drummer for the indigenous Tagaq in Victoria and plays at hipster venues like La Sala rock cover band, the Cordells, in the northern town of Inuvik. Rosa in Montreal or is a featured artist at Austin’s During those days, Willie remembers a chance meeting with Levitation Psych Fest, but in summertime he still can an elderly stranger who came up and introduced himself to sometimes be found busking on the Nanaimo waterfront him after a Cordells gig as being another turning point in his in between cross-country tours. Apart from his romantic life. At that old man’s suggestion, Willie began to write past as a trailblazing indigenous troubadour or the original music about his own cultural heritage. It was not resilience demonstrated in his triumphant return to the long afterward that he was playing rock guitar for the more stage of late, Willie comes across in conversation as a politically-oriented Vancouver band, Red Cedar, in refreshingly down-to-earth guy who has lived a partnership with Cree singer, Morley Loon. From there, he hardscrabble life and has been able to come out on the would eventually join other indigenous artists like Buffy other side through the healing powers of love, indigenous Sainte-Marie (Cree) and Willie Dunn (Métis) in speaking out culture and the convergence of the two in his music. As on political issues affecting his people. As Willie explains, he describes his current days in Nanaimo: “It’s my daily “Progress is too much in people’s minds, they don’t think of life now as a musician: getting up, having coffee, the damage that’s happening.” And that damage is not just strumming a guitar, writing a song, walking by the ocean to people’s lives but to the land itself because the two are and hoping something new comes up”. intertwined. One of his songs, “Odiac,” which appears on his much neglected 2009 comeback recording, Asumatak (The Great Land), was written in relation to the James Bay Project, a massive hydroelectric development in the Seventies that flooded indigenous land just as the Site C Dam threatens to do in BC today. In spite of such early accomplishments, the lean musical years of the Nineties often found Willie submerging

CRAFT FAIR FROM PAGE 7

Agriculture Matters By Max Rogers cute little needle-felted mouse. Denman's gardens provide big firm garlic heads for braids; fruit for jams; and hot

peppers for salsas and relishes.

By gathering together so many beautiful objects that come directly from the earth, craft fairs reconfigure our

relationship with shopping, with the objects we use for play, utility and pleasure. The fair offers a welcome counterpoint to the disconnect created by global mass-production, and it brings our relationship with stuff a few satisfying steps closer to sustainable.

In a world where “nature deficit disorder” is a recognized syndrome associated with a host of physical, mental and social problems, taking part in a craft fair, as a vendor or shopper, feels ever more meaningful.

The 36th annual Denman Island Craft Fair takes place Dec 2nd and 3rd. It's free, and there's a shuttle from the Denman West ferry terminal, so invite your off-island friends and remind them they can walk on to the ferry. As usual, a variety of delicious lunches and snacks will be available, created by local cooks and farmers.

1515 Cartoon By Karl Goodwin

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Agriculture Matters By Max Rogers possible to plant right on The Great Potato Trial of 2017 top of grass or weeds but I

always used lots of This was all Dr. David Scruton’s idea. He thought the moisture- retentive Garden Club should do vegetable trials to see which compost and seaweed. varieties did best on Denman and to create community The benefit of this spirit. He wanted to start with potatoes. I agreed it was a method is that it kills the weeds, enriches the soil and gives good idea and bit by bit, the Trial came together. you a nice clean bed to plant in the next season. The Some kind people put me onto Across The Creek potatoes are easy to harvest as they are not in the ground Organics in Pemberton B.C. They have grown organically and can be very clean depending on what you cover them produced seed potatoes there for thirty years. I was with. Peter said his potatoes were very clean but suffered aghast to find organic-seed potatoes cost between 6 and from the unusually dry summer. Three of his potato plants 8 dollars a pound in Courtenay. Across the Creek was were so stressed, they didn’t produce any potatoes at all. able to sell us high-quality seed potatoes for $4 a pound Peter says his potatoes were very tasty. delivered to Courtenay. Cynthia Rome planted her 2lbs. of Yukon Golds in a So, we put out a sign-up sheet and tried to give new garden bed of mostly sand and some amendments. everyone who wanted some 2 pounds of free organic This was her first-time growing potatoes and she had a seed potatoes so we could test which ones did best on marvelous success growing 31 and a half lbs. of very large Denman. We had Red Chieftains, yellow Sieglinde potatoes. She said they were delicious and her favorite way fingerling potatoes, Russian Blues, Yukon Golds and of preparing them was the Garlic Smash. white Warbas. We had early, main crop and late This involves boiling the potatoes until tender, draining varieties so we really had our bases covered. them and mashing them one by one on an oiled baking As this was David’s idea, I will let him tell his story sheet. Top each potato with olive oil, garlic and thyme. first. “I had 2 lbs. of Sieglinde potato seed. I chitted Bake at 450 for 18 to 20 minutes until golden-brown and them, (exposing them to light until they sprout) for 3 crisp. weeks and then planted them out in mid-April into quite Andrew Pringle was another gardener with a sand loamy soil, (originally poor rather clay soil. It has had 15 garden and planted 2 lbs. of the Russian Blues on April 26 years of compost amendments.) The harvest in and harvested 16 lbs. on September 15. Not bad because September was of 32 lbs. of potatoes. I would happily sand is very nutrient poor. grow Sieglinde again, but would be pleased to try I planted 2lbs. of Russian Blues from the Garden Club at another variety. I have quite a lot of smaller Sieglinde some point in the spring in the haze of confusion in which I potatoes for seed for next year if anyone is interested.” live. I also had pink Ama Rosa fingerling potatoes that I Here is a selection of other gardeners’ findings: bought at Beulah Creek Nursery on a trip to Hornby. I Jackie Hipwell, “We planted and harvested as follows: planted our main crop of Yukon Golds from seed I had 1) Warba (white early) 2lbs. planted in raised beds April saved from the previous crop. 21st . Harvested July 3, approximately 16 lbs. We might I was out digging furiously in the potato beds the day have produced more – the raised beds were a little dry before the Blackberry Fair to get some nice spuds for the and we may have harvested a little early. 2) Yukon Gold produce competition. I dug up 26lbs. of the Russian Blues (yellow mid-season) 2lbs. Planted in regular garden May but could not find 3 nice looking potatoes to enter out of 30th . Harvested September 10 approximately 24 lbs. All the whole bunch. They were covered in scab. were delicious! No scab or other problems.” I had grown all the potatoes in watered raised beds Suzette Cullen, “I planted Russian Blues and planted filled with sheep-manure compost and sand for the most them April 20th and grew them in donkey compost and part with a bit of the native clay soil of my garden for luck. straw in old tyres. I used 4 tires and harvested 10 lbs. on None of the other pink or yellow potatoes had a bit of scab August 22. I made garlic-mashed potatoes with yogurt and the Russians were covered in it. I won a first prize at and they were very creamy.” the fair for my pink fingerling potatoes but later, was Peter and Anna Lin Thomsen planted 2lbs of Yukon disappointed by them and the blues. They disintegrated Golds and harvested 12 lbs of potatoes. Peter chitted while cooking into a sludge of mush. the potatoes but only for 5 hours and planted them on a Bryanna Clark, who is from Peru and knows her bed that he fertilized with some goat manure. Then, he potatoes, told me the coloured potatoes have to be covered them with fluffed dry hay and watered all well. I have used this method myself to great effect. It is 1717

(Continued on Page 18)

[TypeAG MATTERS text] FROM PAGE 17 The Garden Club is offering a Wreath-Making steamed not boiled and she makes beautiful terrains of Workshop Wednesday November 15 at 2 pm at different colours of lemon and olive oil-mashed potatoes with a savory layer between them. I gave her a bag of my the United Church hall. Cost $10 to non- Russian Blues and Ama Rosas to cook as my husband members and this includes a yearly membership hated them. He refused to eat the blues and couldn’t to the Club. Free for members. even look at them when they were cooked. We both thought the blue and pink potatoes were tasteless. We Bring secateurs, a bag of cedar greens, pine fed most of them to the hens or gave them away to friend cones, rose hips and such for decoration. We who, inexplicably, liked them. will provide the grapevines and teach you how

The Yukon Golds are a firm favorite with us and our to make the wreath base and will provide voles. The voles had started on the Yukons and left the inferior potatoes for us. Tells you something! additional greens and holly and twine plus artistic direction.

Free coffee, tea and treats. Garden-centric raffle. Tickets $2 for one or $5 for 3. Great prizes and people who can answer any

gardening question.

The Denman Store

(your community store for over 100 years)

Remembrance Day Holiday Hours (Sat. Nov. 11)

Store open: Noon - 6 pm Post Office is closed

We will be having an interesting rotation of single large bottle beers this winter. Please check them out.

Mike Lindsay Denman Art Wall Artist of the Month: Mikel Planomania

If you would like to display your art on the Mike Lindsay Art Wall please contact Grumpy.

A staff that are a treat to deal with. Grumpy boss who since he quit lacrosse seems to have lost his goal in life. 18

Origins of the Denman Island Museum sick or in distress. by DD Fuchs A fund-raising campaign led by the new society’s

Doris and Jim Kirk, who began operating the Denman president Dr. Trueman, established a goal of $300,000.

Island Post Office and General Store in 1950 were the original By 1982 the Society completed the first phase of its owners of what is now the Denman Island Museum plan, the building of a Seniors Lounge containing display cabinets for the museum collection. A Museum collection. Theirs was a private collection of rocks, fossils and sea shells which they displayed in the General Store. Over Committee was formed that began cataloguing the time, they moved the collection to their home, building an existing collection and accepting new items from the extension in 1967 to house the collection. The collection was community. The Museum Committee consisted of five open to the public at no charge, and was gradually added to executive members supported by twelve volunteer by other members of the community. workers. In 1979 the Kirk family moved their home away from the Throughout the 1980’s the museum in the lounge was open to the public, free of charge, every afternoon during center of the island and put the collection in storage. At that time, Doris Kirk contacted the Provincial Museum Advisor in July and August. 480 visitors were recorded during 1987 Victoria, John Adams, and requested guidance in establishing and 766 in 1989 and in these same two years, donations a museum on Denman Island. Mr. Adams suggested that she and sales of craft items grew from $220 to $335. In 1988, turn over her private collection “to a non-profit society, either Charlotte Molnar, the chair of the Museum Committee, a newly formed one for this specific purpose or possibly to an wrote in the annual Report of the Museum Committee: already established one such as the Ratepayers and Senior “The success of the museum is of course very much dependent on the active and moral support of the Citizen Organization. “ The Senior’s Club was the only community group on (Denman Seniors and Museum) Society as a whole, and for

Denman Island that expressed interest in the collection, but at that unstinting support this committee is truly grateful.” In 1992, a $7500 bequest to the museum from the that time they did not have a building for their own activities much less one with room for a small museum. A grand plan estate of Eileen May McGee was the inspiration for the next phase of the Denman Seniors and Museum Society ‘s was hatched. According to a letter written by Dr. Tess Trueman, (May 12, 1981) “the Senior’s Club agreed to accept grand plan. At that time, the museum’s collection was still housed in the lounge of the Activity Centre, so the (the Kirk collection) and to care for it …. (and) decided to make it the nucleus of a new Museum and Seniors’ Activity Center.” following year a fundraising campaign was begun to raise Land was donated, as were the services of an architect, but it $40,000 to build the 820-square foot building where the took this group “two years to achieve the necessary zoning for museum now lives. The project was supported by a grant the property, to become incorporated and to become from the New Horizons Agency, raffles, bake sales and registered as a charitable society for tax purposes” (Trueman, volunteer labour from the community. The new museum 1981). was formally opened on June 18, 1995. In October 1980, the Denman Seniors and Museum Society was incorporated. The purposes of the society as stated in the constitution were:

1. The construction of a building to be known as the DSMC Center to house a museum and other

facilities;

2. The maintenance of the completed center and care of the contents of the museum; 3. To promote and maintain harmony and goodwill among the people, irrespective of race, colour and creed; 4. To provide facilities for adult social events; 5. To give aid to the needy and less fortunate, and its members shall comfort and help those who are 19 19

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News from the Hornby and Denman Community Health Care Society Submitted by Lori Nawrot

Advance Care Planning Workshop Central and Northern Vancouver Island region by helping to launch the call and text features of the new help line 2-1-1. What if you were critically injured in an accident that left you unable to communicate your wishes regarding BC211 offers a confidential telephone, texting and online your health care? What if you or your elderly parent were referral service connecting individuals to hundreds of community, social and government services. Trained and hospitalized in critical condition and unable to verbalize wishes? certified information and referral specialists link services One of the most important conversations you can have such as mental health supports, shelter and housing, legal with those close to you is about what kind of care you aid, addictions treatment, newcomer services, or food would want if you should become very ill and unable banks to people seeking assistance. Its operates 24 hours a speak for yourself. These conversations relieve your loved day, seven days a week, 365 days a year in over 160 ones of the burden of making health care decisions on languages. your behalf without knowing your wishes. The following service providers will be on Denman in This interactive Advance Care Planning workshop, November - please call to arrange an appointment: facilitated by the Comox Valley Hospice Society, is for all Adult mental health clinician – (250) 331-8524 adults and will: Comox Valley Transition Society counsellor – (250) • describe Advance Care Planning using a variety of print 897-0511 and video resources Foot care nurse – Sheila Cameron (250) 897-2153 • provide a framework for choosing who you would like to Contact information for HDCHCS have speak on your behalf and review the British Columbia For general inquiries (250) 335-2885 requirements for creating a Representation Agreement Home Support, Home Assist Services or the Equipment • explain the process of documenting your goals, values Loan Cupboard (250) 792-5889 and beliefs Children, Youth & Family Services (250) 898-0247 Youth • provide an opportunity to ask questions of skilled Outreach (250) 218-6521 Advance Care Planning facilitators

Participants will be provided with an Advance Care Planning workbook – a $5 donation towards the cost of the booklet is appreciated. 9 – 11am on Nov 8th and Dec 13th at the Activity Centre.

Please RSVP to (250) 335-2885 or on our website at hornbydenmanhealth.com under Events. AGM

Thanks to those that joined us on September 20th for our AGM. Staff shared information about the Society’s varied programs and services and new board member Holly Morgan was voted in. Rick MacDonald from Pender Harbour Health Centre provided an interesting presentation on ‘the little health centre that could’ and how a community health centre model can benefit rural communities. Appreciation was shared for departing board member Joy Jeffries and for two special community volunteers: Rachelle Chinnery and Carole Vosburgh. We are so fortunate to have the support of dedicated community members such as these, thank you! Flu Clinic 11am to 2pm on Tuesday, November 14th at the Activity Centre. Bring your Care Card.

211 service now available

United Way is answering the call for support in the 2121

IAM Meditation Course on Denman Island! This meditation practice – IAM-20 – is created by Amma, Submitted [Type bytext] Shari Dunnet & Richard Menard an internationally recognized humanitarian and spiritual

teacher. As Amma says, “My religion is LOVE”. This We are once again offering an opportunity to learn this meditation technique is open to everyone inclusive of any wonderful mediation this November. There will also be a and all spiritual and/or religious affiliations. refresher class offered for all those who took the class The IAM – Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique – is a previously and would like to tune up their technique. powerful tool for our personal and spiritual growth. Amma As the Flagstone goes to press, we are finalizing the has said that this meditation acts on a very subtle level – dates and location. There is no charge for the class – a small eradicating all our negative tendencies, slowly but surely, donation will be requested to cover cost of space, etc. and gives obvious practical results very fast. She assures us What we particularly love about the IAM practice is that if we practice IAM regularly we will see all aspects of our that it includes movement – gentle exercises – which make lives improve. it more accessible to people who may find it hard to “just “Meditation increases your vitality and strengthens your sit”. It is beautifully crafted practice that is easy to do and intelligence; your beauty is enhanced; your mental health very effective. and clarity improve. You acquire the patience and fortitude

Meditation and yoga have been found to be effective to face any problem in life. So, meditate! Only through tools for re-establishing inner balance, clarity and peace of meditation will you find the treasure you are seeking.” - mind. The 20 minute version – IAM-20 – is streamlined to Amma meet the demands of busy lives. It offers an integration of The IAM-20 is a one day course (approx. 3 hours). The gentle relaxation exercises with an effective and easy-to- course will be taught by Ranjan and Amulya, long-time practice meditation technique that can be comfortably done practitioners and teachers from Victoria. Please call or email by anyone in just 20 minutes. It can also be modified to suit us if you are interested in participating in the IAM-20 course. people with limited mobility. Benefits include reduced stress If you’d like more info please get in touch with us. You can and anxiety, increased energy, creativity, productivity and reach us (Shari & Richard) at 250-335-1877 or more. [email protected] For more information on Amma, visit: www.amma.org

Submitted by Taina Uitto Systema Training ConcertYou’ve seen Ad the sign. You’ve thought about it. Maybe it’s time you should. Please do join us. We are very fortunate to have Emmanuel Manolokakis from Fight Club Toronto joining us as our guest instructor. His strong coaching, motivating and teaching track record dates back to 1988. Emmanuel has earned several coaching certificates, letters of appreciation and awards for his proven leadership and martial arts skills. “Life changing”, “incomparable”, “effective”, “amazing”, “powerful”, and

“real world practical” are just a few praises for his work based on a quick search. One person simply put, “I loved every minute of it”. Pretty hard to pass that up.

You don’t need previous Systema experience to join this class. Beyond the martial, we will be covering the topics of:  Creativity and confidence in life & training.  The human potential & true power.  Taking decisive action under duress.  Overcoming fear and trauma in the body as a whole.  Recognizing and processing stress.  Re-creation.  Resilience & anti-fragility.  Sensitivity and intuition. Sign up soon. Space is limited. RootsDojo.com Please get in touch also about ongoing training and other classes at Roots. Systema is a complete set of concepts

and training components that enhance one’s life. In this case, acquiring the martial art skill is a way to improve the function of all seven physiological systems of the body and all three levels of human abilities the physical, the psychological and the spiritual.

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HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM! Submitted by Dr Ron Wilson As most of you have heard, we (all Denmanites) are collectively trying to reach the moon by accumulating all our steps or Kilometres (kms) each month and recording them on the Activity Challenge on the Denman Activity Centre Web page. By my calcu lations we would need about 300 people on Denman working together and we will make it to the moon in one year which is 384,000 kms. I encourage people to keep track of all the steps they take every day (a pedometer is useful to figure this out or for those with a smart phone, there is usually an app with a heart on it that keeps track of your steps automatically). Most people doing this will find they in fact do cover a minimum of 3 kms per day. Now the second thing then is to record them on our distance tracking sheet on the web site. So here is our problem(s). Number one is that we don't have 300 people signed up. We have about 90. Secondly, not everyone who has signed up is putting in their distances on a monthly basis. Now my belief is that we can actually accomplish this feat in one year. So going forward, I would like to do a reset at the beginning of 2018, starting over, getting more people involved, and most importantly get people to record their distances. All activity counts whether it is walking, cycling, working out at the gym or just daily activities at home. I pointed out last month that we reap the same health benefits whether it is through being active in our leisure time or just doing physical activity around the house. Remember, doing activity that makes you breathe a little harder and perspire a little but still be able to carry on a conversation is what we call moderate activity. Why should we do this you might ask. Because, being physically active is good for our physical and mental well being. Also, a challenge is fun and this challenge to reach the moon is one we can reach.

Now I need your help is deciding whether to do a reset or just keep on going. I estimate that we will reach about 120,000 kms by year end which is close to 1/3 of the way there. So by getting our numbers up and counting all our steps and distances I believe we could make it all the way from earth to moon in one year. So would you please let me know your thoughts by emailing me at [email protected] or leaving me a message at the medical clinic. Keep on trucking.

Submitted, Dr. Ron

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