Census Canada Hiring

Approximately 32,000 staff will be hired across Canada, and nearly 600 right here on Vancouver Island/surrounding islands. The rate of pay starts at $25 an hour, and most roles are between 20 and 40 hours of work a week, including a mix of days, evenings, and weekends, depending on the assignment. I have both paper and digital communication available, depending on what you think would be right for your area.

In terms of timing, a few waves of recruitment are anticipated based these start dates:

• Supervisory positions (most urgent): now until late February
• Non-supervisory positions: March to mid-April
• Spares/backup staff: May through July

The Census jobs website is the best source of detailed and up to date information: Census.gc.ca — Census jobs.

Tear-away posters will be located at the Post Office, the Ferry shelter, the Community Board at Forbes Hall and inside on the bulletin board at Forbes Hall later this week.

Statistics Canada / Government of Canada

Claire's Anniversary Dinner

Claire’s one year anniversary dinner at Telegraph Harbour.

We welcome you to join us for a wholesome dinner made by Claire to celebrate her one year on Thetis and working at Telegraph Harbour!

When: Sunday, February 1

Time: Doors 5:00 

Dinner 5:30

Dinner : Perogie dinner served with local farmers sausage and sauerkraut. Dessert: fruit sorbet

Enjoy family style seating and a good ol chin wag! We look forward to seeing you!

Please RSVP to Heather by Friday January 30 at cafe@telegraphharbour.ca

News Article - Lost 200-year-old Portrait of Robbie Burns Found

For the many Robbie Burns Fans on Thetis:

From the New York Times. Free link to full article below.

"The whereabouts of a painting of Robert Burns by Henry Raeburn was unknown for two centuries. Now, the work is on display in time for the annual Burns Night honoring the writer."

When the world-renowned Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns died at age 37 in 1796, there was only one significant portrait of him — a modest oval painting by the artist Alexander Nasmyth. But many scholars later speculated that Henry Raeburn, one of Scotland’s most revered artists, had also created a painting inspired by the original.

The 200-year quest for this missing treasure of Scottish history has been chronicled in numerous written accounts. Most notably, according to the Edinburgh-based scholar William Zachs, Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, reported in the International Psychic Gazette about 100 years ago on a séance that was held to try to find the painting.

“Burns fanatics were looking for it because it was described as a portrait of the greatest Scotsman painted by Scotland’s greatest artist,” Zachs said in a video interview.

Now, thanks to some sleuthing by Zachs and other experts, the painting has been recovered and is on display at the National Galleries of Scotland to coincide with Burns Night on Sunday, an annual holiday that honors the poet with traditional Scottish food, dance, readings and music."

(There are photos of the painting in the NYT article (byline: Precious Adesina" reporting from London)

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/arts/robert-burns-portrait-henry-raeburn.html?unlocked_article_code=1.HVA.oxUd.Xbwb619F4h9a&smid=url-share

Virginia V.

Soup’s On: Wednesday, January 28th 2026

Soup’s On: Wednesday, January 28^th 2026 

11:30 am until 1:00 pm

Gather at Forbes Hall for a very Thetis Island lunch...

Menu:

Mediterranean Meatball Orzo Soup with Feta Cheese Topping

Organic Vegetarian Mediterranean Soup

Warm Naan Bread

Assorted Cookies and Treats

Teas and Coffee

Suggested donation of $7 for soup, bread, treats and teas & coffee. 

Soup’s On is entirely carried out by volunteers and, as one of the tasks is the program’s accounting, please do not pay with coins smaller than Loonies and Toonies. As all change must be counted and rolled. 

For those who find large groups challenging, enjoy your lunch in this week’s designated quiet room, the Library.

Everyone is welcome to join us, seniors, seniors who don’t think they’re seniors, workers, families, and everyone who just wants a mid-day meal!

Menu remainders for take-out when available. Soup’s On also supports the Thetis Island Food Pantry.

Coupon Booklets of 10 for your convenience, $70.00

The Soup’s On Team

Rotary Auction

The Duncan Rotary Club supports many programs in this area. They are holding their online annual silent auction now, with lots of wonderful donations to bid on. 

Check it out at Rotary Heart of Gold Auction 2026

Help support our extended community.

Maureen

Antique Windows Wanted

Seeking two of the same antique pane windows 

Dimensions 16-28 x 30-32

Tracy Taporowski

867.333.0745

Kids in Action (KIA Klub)

Hello to all KIA kids and parents,

Just a reminder that Kids In Action begins January 27, 2026 for ages 6-12 year olds. KIA Klub will run from 2:45-4:15 every Tuesday! Kids should come with indoor running shoes and loose clothes to play lots of crazy fun games!

We ask that at least one parent be available on the first day in order to go over some important details and to ensure kids are properly signed up and feel comfortable :)

Capernwray will require each parent to sign their general waiver and a parental consent form. The parental consent form is new and in addition to the waiver.

Both these forms will be available at the door when you drop off your kids.

KIA Klub is a drop off program but please feel free to stay and watch all the action if you like. We are so thankful to Capernwray for hosting KIA! And we are so very excited to begin KIA Klub on Thetis!

Any questions feel free to contact

Karl Kruse (604)223-7727 (FYI: my number is not correct in the Thetis Directory) or Ana Kruse at (604)223-7379

Forbes Hall Compost Care Volunteers Needed

Did you know?

Forbes Hall has a small compost area that is used for composting kitchen scraps. It is turned about once a month, and the composted earth is then put onto the gardens around the hall.

Can you help?

TICA is looking for one or two people to take on “ownership” for the compost bins. We have someone to teach you how to turn the bins and answer any questions as they arise. The equipment is provided.

What would the volunteer role look like?

• Check on the bins regularly, following the instructions given on turning and moving the compost as it decomposes. 

• Stay in touch with the other volunteer and arrange your shared work schedule.

This job does not require much time but requires some physical labour and a passion for composting! The tending of the compost bins is necessary to ensure the appropriate reusing of the kitchen vegetable and fruit trimmings and other compostables as soil for the gardens.

Please contact:

Terry Hamilton terry.hamilton888@outlook.com or 

Ann Dickie info@forbeshall.ca

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Thanks

TICA Board

Sunday Church

The speaker this Sunday the 25th is Wayne Lee.

Job Story, Hebrews 11, Deut. 29:29, Dan 4:25-27.

10 AM at the Community Centre, all are welcome.

Further info---Ernie 250-252-0144.

Quarterly Deadline

The deadline for the Spring issue of the Quarterly is February 7th.

Please send articles, information and ad changes to: quarterly@forbeshall.ca 

Note that this has changed from quarterly@thetisisland.net

Carol Sowerby

Firewood

Firewood for sale (unsplit but bucked into lengths). 

$100 per standard pickup truckload. 

Estimate 2-3 truckloads available. 

Easily accessible off driveways. 

Arbutus and fir already separated. 

We will give sale proceeds to the Thetis Island Community Fund. 

Please text or call 204-620-7557.

Terry

First Aid Training on Thetis with St. John's Ambulance

Is anyone interested in First Aid Training?

Telegraph Harbour is currently speaking to St. John's Ambulance about having them come to Thetis to provide this training and we wanted to see if there is anyone who would like to join us. Times and dates are depending on interest and scheduling so more information to come. Looking at February sometime.

Please email Heather at: cafe@telegraphharbour.ca

THM Staff