REGATTA and BEYOND

May 12, 2018

And on May the 12th the Sun shone all day!  We had a wonderful get together at Laughing Pond and it truly lived up to its name!  There was enough laughter to fill the air with the sunny sound....

Early in the morning the crew was getting set up for our 1st Annual Regatta.  Courses were laid out and several tried out their new boats to see if they would work!

Others brought bunting, tables and a shade canopy and set up the table that would be home to the Prizes to be won.
Most who passed by or were witness from decks came out to help wherever they could and before long the Regatta flags whipped merrily in the breeze! 

Young and old joined forces as the afternoon came to the hour of REALIZATION.

All had worked tirelessly to bring their best to the First Regatta.  Each came to launch their boats in a fun filled atmosphere.

Many family came with Residents and enjoyed their time together.
The work that the Social Committee put in was unbelievable and everyone agreed this was a VERY pleasant way to join with neighbors and get to know each other.

Whether by wheelchair or walking stick, ski poles or just plain legs everyone in the Park that could make it did come.  We felt again the touch of Community and enjoyed it!

I found these photos interesting because there were at least 20 people enjoying the shade of a tree that began as a 5'6" sapling ( the monkey puzzle tree) 7 summers ago that has grown to be a source of relief from the burning sun...

      FLASHBACK TO 2013:

The Maple that regrew was another major source of shade.  It was cut down because it was leaning over our home when we first came, so down it came to a height that was preferred.  However it was a few years to make it look like a tree again, as it was cut to 5 or 6 long stumps that looked like a giants cigarette butts for a few years!


 For those of you who have recently acquired a home in Chemainus Gardens, take heart. Look at the plantings made in 2013 and compare with this May....plants grow fast! You don't need every plant you see...let others put them in and you can enjoy them without constant pruning and shaping. Unless you like doing these jobs of course!  I love it, but I still planted taking into consideration the space required for each plant at maturity.

2013

2018

Same area, same plantings

At start time the people organizing were hosting many newcomers to the park, while others were visiting with old friends. New or old, everyone felt welcome.

 

 Then the contestants lined up and at the whistle each tried to get across from one stake to the next.

  Each boat took a turn, though some went WAY too fast, others veered about or turned in circles and others puddled about in the weedy sandy bottom and were quite content to stay on the "near shore"!

Any size was acceptable and the tiny LITTLE sampan Miss Saigon was just as eligible as the larger boats entered. 





Fran entered a small boat that ran on candle power...remember those?  

Her grandkids proudly entered their creations also...

And there were prizes for all Categories, though I was not on time to catch them ( a guests child needed the washroom and I didn't want them walking all the way home, so showed them into my house!).  I did get that Fred,Gerry, Charlie, Trevor and Brian each won something from the table of prizes.  Special prizes were given to the children by a doting grandmother!

Trevor

Gerry

Fred

Brian

Charlie

I was so proud of our guys and gals that "dared" to be first in our first Regatta.  Next year will be even better!!




 Meanwhile the new dogs met the old dogs....

Lexy meets Dyson and  Linda stays in the shade with Lokey!










At the end of May the Garden Club met at the new compound. You must understand that this is not the first area that has been under cultivation. The same group formed in 2014 and had a cultivated gardening area for that year and the next.  By the Fall of 2016, however, it was torn down for the development of Phase 4 and lay dormant until this year. Many of the same members have put in many many hours of labor ( as we are getting older!) and have got things up and running.  A smaller group is actually using the space and once again all the startup work is on their shoulders.
Though we do not try to exclude, many who are interested need to know there has to be a charge for using this area. $20. for a full bed was agreed upon when we first started because it still costs to run!
 

First meeting in the enclosure...Agnes calls us to order to show what should be done over the next few weeks.

Our new mascot, Buddy, waited patiently at the gate, as our Skipper used to do...







Another item of interest.  I met Orville Pakosh at coffee a few weeks ago at the CHEMAINUS BAKERY.  Because it was crowded Charles and I shared a table.  The usual asking where people are from, what they do, etc came up and it turned out he was in Chemainus to collect items people wanted to sell.  He assesses what you have ( china you can't keep, dolls, pots...any treasure that an auctioneer would take), and give you a price on what he wants and takes it away.  He doesn't take everything, but he has done this for a long time and is known on the Island. He goes to the July street Fair usually also.
He gave me the name of his company ISLAND  TREASURES. His phone number, if anyone is interested in selling what they can't keep in these tiny homes, is:  1 250 217 1516. A time to view and pickup can be arranged between seller and himself.

Newcomers please introduce yourselves with the Duncan Farmers Market!  It is lively and a lot of fun on a Saturday...all year long ! Some photos of last week:

 This is where OLD farmers purchase fresh produce from NEW farmers in this area.
Everything is made by the vendor and many many more items are available.
Afterwards visit the OLD FARM STORE just up the road at the turnoff to Cowichan Bay off the highway.  That too is a treat! 
Music and dancing runs all day and many buskers are licensed to play.  One little girl was earning ticket for  a trip to England for her family with the blessing of her parents!

 So for June this will be the last Post.
I sincerely hope your summer is peaceful and pleasant...

Cheers!

Leslie