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Radon awareness and testing event scheduled for Nov. 18

Driftwood Staff
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Radon awareness and testing event scheduled for Nov. 18

“Prevention starts at home” is the message surrounding a radon gas awareness effort spearheaded by federal and provincial health agencies — in partnership locally with the Islands Trust. 

“After learning about this program, I thought it was a great opportunity to help families test their homes for radon,” said Rob Pingle, who is coordinating the program for the community on behalf of the Islands Trust. “We are all spending more time at home, so it’s an important step for families to take to reduce their radon levels.” 

According to the BC Lung Foundation, radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and can be found in elevated concentrations in homes across the country. While Canada has had a National Radon Plan for over a decade, many Canadians remain unaware of the deadly gas, according to Lynn Murad, a cancer prevention specialist with the Canadian Cancer Society. 

“On average, 58 Canadians will die from lung cancer every day, making it the leading cause of cancer death in Canada,” said Murad. “It’s important that Canadians know they can control their risk from radon by testing their homes and reducing their exposure.” 

To that end, islanders are invited to participate in the “100 Radon Test Kit Challenge,” kicking off at a free information session Friday, Nov. 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the new multi-space at SIMS. The session will explain the health effects of radon, why it’s a concern in our area, and the latest Health Canada recommendations. Free radon detection kits will be distributed at the event, and can also be picked up from the Islands Trust building on Lower Ganges Road from Nov. 21-25.  

“Testing for radon is simple to do,” said Pam Warkentin, executive director of the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists, “and there are effective solutions available to reduce radon levels in homes where radon levels are elevated.” 

Warkentin said the first step is to know your home’s radon level. 

“Every home needs to test for radon,” she said. “It’s that simple.”  

Funding for this project is provided by Health Canada and the Vancouver Foundation. Residents are encouraged to sign up for the program via the takeactiononradon.ca website.

Poppy tagging in 2022 with a theme of A Year to Remember

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Poppy tagging in 2022 with a theme of A Year to Remember

By KEN JACKSON

RCL92 Poppy Campaign Chair

Poppy “tagging” is the nickname for what Legion volunteers with trays of poppies are doing when you see us distributing poppies and collecting donations outside popular business locations on the island during this two-week period leading up to Remembrance Day on Nov. 11.

This is my eighth year tagging on the island; an experience that creates for me what feels like a constant roller coaster swing of emotions. Donations that humble me, stories I hear that leave an indelible impression, all mixed in with the frustrations of seeing a disappointing percentage of the island’s population wearing a poppy, unlike the timeframe when I grew up when it seemed mandatory.

I should make clear that the Legion, Canada’s official caretaker of the poppy symbol for the past 96 years, solicits donations for the Poppy Fund. We do not sell poppies, nor should we refuse to give a poppy to someone without a donation. Quite the opposite, especially so in this year that the Salt Spring Legion has designated as a Year to Remember. Please just stop by any tagger, coins in hand or not, and take a poppy.

Without question, the most rewarding aspect of tagging for me is being gifted with the stories that complete strangers share about why the poppy is important to them and how pleased they are to know volunteers like me are still out there helping to keep our promise “to remember them” alive. Some of those stories from our island’s aging population have impacted me so much that I now feel the onus is on me to continue telling their stories: as if I am the last person they may be sharing the story with.

The most memorable story I have ever heard tagging started during one of my outings last year. From the moment I made eye contact, I knew the woman approaching me with a determined pace had something important to say. The first words I remember hearing were “I was in a concentration camp with my mother during the Second World War,” meaning she was only a very young girl. That story sent my mind into a humbling tailspin of awe and sorrow, stunned that someone I’ve never met would share something so personal. That was surely a story not to be lost or forgotten, which I certainly never have by respectfully sharing it with others who would care to listen.

So it was an even greater surprise this year when, by chance, I wound up meeting the same person again. Neither of us recognized the other right away but after a few words and some bits of the same story described to me, I knew who I was talking to. In addition to understanding more details, what floored me most and actually turned my eyes watery was when she stated her embarrassment at being out in public with her poppy left at home on another garment. Embarrassed enough to ask for another.

I was again humbled and taken aback at her sincerity and genuine remorse for not displaying a poppy in appreciation for what she described as tribute to the many Canadian service members who fought to liberate her family and country. In contrast to the many walking by without poppies, it was deeply heartening for me that my efforts and those of the many other tagging volunteers had such deep and important meaning.

My advice to anyone seeing a Legion poppy tagger out on our island, just stop and stay hello for a moment to let them know their efforts are appreciated by the community.

For those wishing to do a bit more to remember the veterans in their lives or just the service of veterans in general, wreath sponsorship is still possible until Nov. 10 via the Legion’s revamped website: www.saltspringlegion.ca, or phone 250-221-9848.

Viewpoint: Give the residents of Fulford their village back

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Viewpoint: Give the residents of Fulford their village back

By DAVID COURTNEY

In response to the Oct. 26 “No time to let up” editorial, having our elected officials, Chamber of Commerce and community as a whole advocating and campaigning for improved infrastructure and ferry service is the perfect way forward.

We are now approaching 2,200 petitioners on change.org The Fix for Route Six petition. The Patrons of Route 6 group has campaigned persistently and effectively for the new ferry terminals at Vesuvius Bay and Crofton with the introduction of a two-ferry service using the new eco-Island Class ferries nine years ahead of schedule. Of course, those who failed to support advocating and petitioning are now sitting back as per usual and saying. “Good luck with that.”

For our small group of dedicated volunteers facilitating the express wishes of 2,200 patrons, negativity and failure is not an option. The improvements to Route 6 should have been addressed 10 years ago, now we are in crisis mode. The fall of 2026 is four short years away. It’s an ambitious schedule for BC Ferries management. How do we get from here to there? Dogged persistence and a lot more campaigning.

We’ve branched out to include a Facebook page – “SSI Ferry Patrons Routes 6,4,9”. Join us in the discussion about our service and infrastructure in and around our community. The latest hot topic of discussion is the new Salish Heron serving the Southern Gulf Islands and the current weight restrictions imposed concurrent with its introduction.

In the matter of traffic gridlock at Fulford Harbour, currently when the Skeena Queen is full the traffic is backed up to Beaver Point Road. Since being introduced in 1997 the Skeena has been a steadfast workhorse and served us well. The problem is that traffic has grown over the past 25 years and the parking containment area hasn’t. Hence the traffic nightmare that unfolds during peak demand periods throughout the year.

The next campaign for ferry patrons and fellow Salt Springers is titled “Give the Residents of Fulford Harbour Their Village Back.” It’s a two-part campaign, with the first part addressing the parking containment issue to get vehicles off the road in the name of public safety. This in turn restores and enhances the village for all to enjoy, but foremost for the residents and those who transit further south to their homes. Enter some of our elected and volunteer community leaders, arms firmly crossed suggesting anything that impacts our environment is not an option. The short answer is, anything we do at Fulford Harbour will impact the environment. How we mitigate that harm is the key.

We need to survey our community on what we want using the Islands Trust and transportation ministry roads agreement of 1992 and the official community plan (2008) as it pertains to the village of Fulford Harbour as the basis and backstop. We intend on conducting that survey and presenting results to our elected leaders and to Joy MacPhail, the new chair of the BC Ferries board of directors. The improvements forecasted for Route 4 Fulford – Swartz Bay are feeble at best and more importantly five years away in the recent submission to the BC Ferries Commissioner. Does anyone who uses Route 4 relish the idea of no improvements over the next five years? As we branch out from our efforts on Route 6 and address Route 4, please consider engaging in advocating and campaigning for improvements to Route 4.

The writer heads up the Patrons of Route 6 advocacy group.

Veterans, seniors offered complimentary ferry fares on Remembrance Day

Driftwood Staff
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Veterans, seniors offered complimentary ferry fares on Remembrance Day

In addition to flying vessel flags at half-mast — and observing two minutes of silence on ships and at terminals at 11:00 a.m — BC Ferries is offering complimentary passenger service on Remembrance Day to customers presenting official Canadian military identification or travelling in uniform. 

BC Ferries is also extending complimentary passenger travel to B.C. seniors; generally, seniors travel free Monday through Thursday, except on provincial holidays. In a statement, BC Ferries said it was including Remembrance Day “in recognition of B.C. seniors’ valuable contributions to the province.” 

Other transportation agencies offering free fares for veterans include BC Transit and TransLink; for BC Transit, all scheduled routes and handyDART services in the Victoria Regional Transit System will be free for all riders in uniform, active, retired and cadets, as well as those with Army, Navy or Air Force Association cards. TransLink is offering free transit on all services, including HandyDART, to veterans and members of the Canadian Armed Forces, police and fire departments, Canadian Coast Guard, and BC Ambulance Service. 

The three agencies said they hope this service provides those that served our country a transportation option to recognize Remembrance Day events in their region. For more information, visit bctransit.com/Victoria, bcferries.com or @BCFerries on Twitter or translink.ca/remembrance. 

DICKIE PELLET, Elizabeth (Bettie)

Driftwood Obituary
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DICKIE PELLET, Elizabeth (Bettie)

Jan. 20, 1922 ~ Oct. 6, 2022.

Bettie was famous on Saltspring as a founding (and ending) member of the Puppy Club that met almost every morning at TJ Beans and will also be remembered as a long serving member of the Garden Club executive as well as an early member of the board of ArtSpring. Her beautiful garden was featured in many garden tours.

She was born in Santa Maria, California and grew up in Long Beach and in 1942 married Bob Pellett. After WWII she obtained a Master’s Degree in American History and English from what became the Univ. of California and started her career in education. Teaching was her calling which you knew as she was constantly in coaching and cheerleading mode to almost everyone around her. Curriculum development and politics were of particular interest to her. Roosevelt was the first president she voted for and at her passing she was an active member of a Democratic Club in California. Becoming a Canadian citizen was a source of great pride to her. Learning, as well as teaching, motivated her to keep reading. She was an early iPad user and an enthusiastic buyer of books on many topics.

In 1989 she moved to the island to support her sister Dorothy who was ill, liked it and stayed.

Left to mourn are many cousins, nieces and nephews and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held in early December.

LACHMUND, Ingrid

Driftwood Obituary
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LACHMUND, Ingrid


August 29, 1927 – October 16, 2022.

Born Berlin, Germany. Lived in Germany, Denmark, Iceland, Namibia. Immigrated with husband Otto and twin sons, Joachim and Wolfgang to Canada in 1960. Operated Conti’s Deli in Victoria with husband Otto, then lived on Saltspring Island until her recent death. Predeceased by parents, Rudolf and Charlotte Haagen, sister Gisela and brother Klaus. Survived by sons Joachim and Wolfgang, grandson Mitchell Farley, great grandson Max, brother-in-law Rix in Germany and nieces and nephews in Europe and Africa.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Lady Minto Hospital, BCAS team, Dr. Ron Reznick. Special thank you to Barbara Legge, caregiver and friend.

Cremation has taken place. No service by request. Donations in Ingrid’s name may be made to Lady Minto Hospital, 134 Crofton Road, SaltSpring Island, BC.

Published by The Times Colonist from Oct. 29 to Oct. 31, 2022.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Pumpkins fly at Salt Spring Lions event

Robb Magley
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Pumpkins fly at Salt Spring Lions event

Here’s a video clip of one post-Halloween jack o’lantern taking a ride in the Salt Spring Lions trebuchet at Hart Bradley Memorial Hall on Sunday.

BURRIDGE, Elizabeth Ann (nee Jenkins)

Driftwood Obituary
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BURRIDGE, Elizabeth Ann (nee Jenkins)

July 20, 1928 ~ October 27, 2022.

Betty was a devoted wife to Tony for nearly seventy years; a mother to three children: Wendy, Katharine and David,grandmother of five, great-grandmother of nine, scattered across Alberta, Australia and Salt Spring Island.
Betty was born in Vancouver and spent many childhood summers on Galiano, Gossip and Salt Spring Islands,though her family moved to Ottawa during the 2nd World War. She met Tony, a childhood friend of her brother’s, when he visited Ottawa one university summer holidays. They married in 1951.

She was an elementary school teacher and never lost her love of children and learning, which continued on Salt Spring with her long commitment to the library and the Arts in Schools Program.. Tony’s career as an RCAF officer meant many moves across Canada, Colorado and France. Betty particularly loved their time in France as they travelled widely, became fluent in French and made life-long friends.

Her love of horses began when she was two, when they lived in Colorado, she was finally able to have a horse of her own.

While in Colorado, she and Tony began to build a ten-metre sloop which was finished in the backyard in Scarborough, launched at Trenton, and for her maiden voyage, sailed down the St Lawrence to Shediac NB – complete with three children, two dogs and two guinea pigs. (The horse, who had also travelled from Colorado to Toronto and then Nova Scotia,, was trailered separately.) For three years home was an Annapolis Valley farm, where another four horses, another dog and a cat were added to the family. On Tony’s transfer to Halifax, they, with son David, started building Takuli, a 13 m cutter, to fulfill a lifelong ambition of ocean sailing. In 1976 the three of them, with another crew member, two dogs and a cat, set sail for the Caribbean, then through the Panama Canal, to the Galapagos Islands and across the Pacific to Hawaii before eventually arriving in Salt Spring. While still living on the boat, they began building their house on Sunset Drive, where Betty established a wonderful garden. For her 80th birthday, they started rebuilding a Nordic Tug to continue exploring the Gulf Islands.

One great source of pride for Betty was her success in the Baking Category at the Fall Fair. She routinely took home trophies and ribbons in many of the categories, right up until the last Fall Fair before Covid shut down the Fair for a couple of years.

Betty was a committed dog lover and was rarely without a dog in her life – from her first childhood Scotty to her last little Missy, now settled happily with her daughter Katharine.

Betty maintained her sharp wit and enquiring mind until the end and died peacefully at home with her family and the assistance of MAiD and Dr Holly Slakov. She will be greatly missed.

Creative First Nations Tale Appeals to Young and Young at Heart

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Creative First Nations Tale Appeals to Young and Young at Heart

SUBMITTED BY ARTSPRING

“When you take something from the earth you must always give something back,” promises the moral of this award-winning, family-friendly First Nations production of Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast by Joseph Dandurand.

Being staged at ArtSpring on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 9, the young and young at heart are invited to visit the Kwantlen First Nation village of Squa’lets and its tale of Th’owxiya, an old and powerful spirit that inhabits a feast dish of tempting, beautiful foods from around the world. Even surrounded by this delicious food, however, Th’owxiya herself craves only the taste of children.

When she catches a hungry mouse named Kw’at’el stealing a piece of cheese from her dish, she threatens to devour Kw’at’el’s whole family, unless he can bring Th’owxiya two child spirits. Ignorant but desperate, Kw’at’el sets out on an epic journey to fulfill the spirit’s demands. With the help of Sqeweqs (Raven,) two Spa:th (Bears,) and Sasq’ets (Sasquatch,) Kw’at’el endeavours to find gifts that would appease Th’owxiya and save his family.

With reviewers comparing it to “Hansel and Gretel” and the northwest First Nations stories about the Wild Woman of the Woods, Th’owxiya — which integrates Coastal Salish masks, song and dance — is a tale of understanding boundaries, being responsible for one’s actions, forgiving mistakes, and finding the courage to stand up for what’s right.

The performance runs 45 minutes with no intermission. A post-show Q&A talkback is scheduled.

Joseph A. Dandurand is a member of Kwantlen First Nation located on the Fraser River east of Vancouver. Joseph is Director of the Kwantlen Cultural Centre and is currently the storyteller-in-residence of the Vancouver Public Library. He has published twelve books of poetry.

Established in 1976, Vancouver-based Axis Theatre engages audiences in interactive experiences that educate, inspire, and transform, combining traditional and cutting edge physical theatre.

Thank you to Country Grocer for sponsoring the Youth Ticket Program.

Pender organizers seek final $500k by the end of the year 

Driftwood Staff
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Pender organizers seek final $500k by the end of the year 

Raincoast Conservation Foundation and the Pender Islands Conservancy have raised 70 per cent of the $2.1 million required to complete the purchase of the 45-acre KELÁ_EKE Kingfisher Forest, according to organizers — who launched a matching campaign in hopes of reaching their goal before the end of the year. 

Every dollar donated between now and Dec. 31 will be matched to gain that last $500,000, according to organizers, in an effort to maintain and protect the threatened Coastal Douglas-fir forest. Pender Islands Conservancy ecology and conservation director Erin O’Brien said these sorts of healthy ecosystems are particularly important in the Southern Gulf Islands, where so much of the Coastal Douglas-fir forests have been fragmented, shorelines damaged, and wetlands lost due to development.  

“Land purchasing for permanent protection is an important means to ensure these ecosystems persist on the landscape,” said O’Brien, “and this approach provides local communities with the opportunity to be involved in tangible environmental protection efforts.” 

KELÁ_EKE Kingfisher Forest on S,DÁYES (Pender Island) links wetland headwaters to intertidal foreshore across globally rare Coastal Douglas-fir forests. It is home to maturing coastal Douglas-fir, western red cedar and arbutus trees, and connects to Plumper Sound, critical habitat for endangered southern resident killer whales. 

Before this land protection campaign was launched, organizers said the forest was slated for development; if those plans had proceeded, they said, it would have been transformed from a refugia to a residential suburb. 

“The protection of Kingfisher Forest will secure a diverse network of connected ecosystems that support biodiversity and buffer effects of climate change, in turn enhancing our local community resilience,” said O’Brien. 

Many habitats found across the Gulf Islands landscape are classified as critically imperilled due to land conversion and development; protected areas are generally small and isolated, which makes connectivity of habitats difficult to implement. KELÁ_EKE Kingfisher Forest is an essential piece of a nature corridor, and its securement will connect a network of protected places. In a region with less than one per cent of its historic extent of old growth remaining, organizers said it is essential to safeguard the maturing old growth forests of the future. 

For more information or to donate, visit the website: www.raincoast.org/forest/ 

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