News Release - Help Save Fairyslipper Forest on Thetis Island

Click here to view the news release regarding a campaign underway to create the first nature reserve on Thetis Island – Fairyslipper Forest Nature Reserve on Burchell Hill. 

Media Contacts:

Jennifer Eliason, Manager 
Islands Trust Fund    
250-405-5191
email 

Ann Eriksson

Thetis Island Nature Conservancy 

250-246-8176 email

 

BBQ's for Sale

1. 2 year old Charbroil Gourmet Tru Infrared BBQ with 3 elements and a side burner. It requires a new starter. No cover. $60 or best offer.

2. 6 year old Fiesta Dynasty BBQ in good working order. Some rust on racks. Comes with a BBQ cover. $25

Don
250-246-4291

Some views of yesteryears...

This is the beach in front of Capernwray prior to “the great storm” in the early 1970’s. The storm removed almost all of the fence, reshaped the waterfront, and washed away the bottom of the old access road to the beach, which is in the foreground of the photo. The remains of the road form the footpath by the BC Ferries crew parking. For many years, the Department of Highways (as it was then called) used this road to haul gravel and shell from the midden to surface the roads on Thetis. Prior to paving in the 1960’s, the roads were a pale off-white because of all the shells.

This old house was on the north side of Clam Bay Road, in the early 1960’s, now Swain’s property. This was a house that was converted to be the main lodge for Hutch's Cove Resort that included the present Swain, McDaniel, Lamb, Rees, and Smirl properties. The resort had this lodge and two duplex cabins, plus a wagon shed, on the north side of the road, and an owner’s home, a British American Oil fuel dealership, and a general store on the south side of the road on the McDaniel property. There was a large dock in front of the store.

This was the view from what is now Gerry Taft’s Lot 48 on Harbour Road, looking toward the present site of Telegraph Harbour Marina. The photo was taken between when Al Higgins’ sawmill left the site, and when the Hunter family built the marina in the 50's. The large power boat looks to be the Lazy Gal, which belonged to the Dueck family of Vancouver. Two things to note are that this was taken mid-summer and there are no boats that belong to Thetis, and only two pleasure boats in the harbour. Also how clear some of the Penelakut shore is, as there was a house and yard there not many years before the photo was taken.

A postcard from the 60's ~ oriented a little farther north ~ a big change in not many years.

"Wonderful pictures! Would love to see more." ~ Pat English

"I agree with Pat English, would love to see more. How about a book, Ann??" ~ Gloria Taylor

Ride to Nanaimo?

My name is Emma, and I just arrived yesterday to Thetis Island. I am WOOFFing at Jollity farm with Elisabeth and Noah, and was wondering if anyone is heading to Nanaimo by ferry/car next Saturday (the 13th) or Sunday (June 14) ? I am going to visit a friend on Bowen Island and know that it is difficult to get from Chemainus to Nanaimo without a car and would be willing to split the ferry cost with someone who has one.

If so, please email me silverthornee@gmail.com or call Jollity Farm, or my cell 905 379 7129.

Thank you very much! Emma

Thoughtless Fools ~

On Saturday, June 6th, a small fire was burned on the top of Burchell Hill.  It is hard to believe at a time when we are being reminded and cautioned about wildfire, that people thought that it would be OK to have a little fire.  There were several beer cans scattered about (not Lucky), so perhaps they put the fire out with beer. 

This little fire did not create a wildfire, however, it shows us just how vigilant we need to be on our small 2,500 acre island.  If you see smoke, call it in, before it becomes something unmanageable.   

TIVFD made a trip up the hill on Sunday to view the site, and to post a sign.  

2015 Summer Soiree & Art Auction – A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Saturday, August 8th ~ Forbes Hall and Grounds

Tickets, $30 for Adults, $8 for Kids

To buy a ticket or reserve a table for 8, contact Ellen Rush or Carolyn Askew,

ellenrush@gmail.com or 250-416-0013, 12askew@gmail.com

You can also purchase your ticket on line using paypal @ www.thetislandcommunityfund.org

The Summer Soiree & Art Auction is THE community event of the summer. Co- hosted by TICA and the Thetis Island Community Fund, the 2015 Soiree includes a sit down dinner served to 130 guests in our tennis court-transformed-into-fine-dining-area. A fabulous collection of donated art is set up gallery style inside Forbes Hall. This year the display will include art on canvas created and generously donated by the students of the Thetis Island Elementary School. A highlight of the evening is the goods and services auction, where items are auctioned both silent and live. We are thrilled that there will also be a performance by our local Gypsy Dancers of the Salish Sea. 

All proceeds from the Summer Soiree support Forbes Hall, our bustling community center, as well as contribute to the Community Fund’s ongoing support of Thetis Islanders.

How can you get involved?

·  Donate art: paintings, prints, drawings, sketches, fibre, woodworking, sculptures and other fine art. Original art is welcomed!  Contact Ellen Rush or Dee Smith, donella123@aol.com

·  Donate a service: Previous donations have included services such as firewood, ferry passes, garden services, soil delivery, cookies & pies, dinners and brunches, aesthetic services, yoga classes, massages and wine. The possibilities are endless. Put on your creative caps!  To contribute a service or product, please contact Gloria Taylor, 250-246-3091, quackf@telus.net  or Anne-Marie Koeppen, 250-246-1991

·  Loan us an easel for art display

·  Volunteer to make this event spectacular, contact Ellen Rush

And of course – BUY TICKETS, reserve a table for 8 and invite friends to join you!

Refreshments chosen by Keith Rush

Coastal Fire Centre ~ June 5th Wildfire News

Click on image to view newsletter.

TIRRA General Meeting ~ June 18th

TIRRA General Meeting, Thursday, June 18, 2015 , 7 pm at Forbes Hall

Please note that the date for this meeting is indeed June 18.

There will be reports on Mosquito progress, Fire Smart, and further options for mosquito control.

TIRRA Executive

Unauthorized Deer Fence Signs on Thetis

The TIRRA Executive was asked to look into the issue of these signs being posted in various locations and properties on Thetis Island.

I have contacted the owner of the (unnamed) deer fencing company and requested that he please remove his signs.

I also advised him that if he wants to place signs on various properties, be they private or public, he first needs permission to do so.

The owner of the company has assured he will be removing the signs. 

OBO, TIRRA Executive

Steve Frankel

Domain Jasmin ~ Vineyard & Winery

Tasting room is open Saturday and Sunday from 12-4 p.m.

Come by and check out the vines and the new wines.

"When in doubt add more wine."

Denis & Coleen

High Hazard Rating

We have moved into the HIGH hazard category for wildfires.  Small, supervised campfires are still being allowed with permits but that may change at the beginning of the week as we head into a very hot and dry period.  Environment Canada has already issued a heat warning for the lower half of the Province. 

Please report any smoke columns to 911. Be aware that cigarette butts smolder and can ignite coarse woody debris hours after being tossed.

Thank you for your vigilance in keeping our island safe from wildfire.

If you are mowing or chain-sawing in the bush, try to get everything done before 11 in the morning when we have a bit higher humidity and lower temperatures.

TIVFD

Reminder of Local Islands Trust Committee Meeting

Friday June 12, 2015 ~  9:30AM ~  Forbes Hall 

Mike Richards

Grants Program Manager

www.islandstrust.bc.ca 

Preserving Island communities, culture and environment