FEBRUARY... MONTH OF HOPE

So for the past month we've had lots of RAIN.  Dripping, dropping, pouring....it's all been included.  Sometimes with wind, sometimes without!
 As I walk around I really admire what is happening here.  People are friendly and dogs well mannered.

 The other day I was talking to a possible  new resident who was thrilled to find a place where her dogs were treated well and it seemed everyone lived "by the rules".  She liked the fact that there was a Residents Association and that management was listening to our voice here.

 The Dog Park is well used now  and the toys there are adequate for most the bigger dogs, but since small ones use much smaller things to play with, owners usually bring theirs in pockets to throw while the dogs run to fetch happily.







Taking a walk on the upper level of the park we find Linda hard at work doing what she does best:  rediscovering the beauty of the original layout!  It is indeed a very well thought out design and the cutback to the original rockery and "river" will be very nice to stroll by when it's done.  This is the PERFECT time, by the way,  to rearrange your own garden!

Garden Club  News

Speaking of Gardens, the Garden Club is getting excited!  We had our first meeting in January to organize a bit and set out basic courtesy measures for all who wanted to participate in this years Garden Club. Everyone who had signed up came and we had a good conversation on how we wanted to proceed.

 Last year was the first year the Club got together. This year many of the residents wanted to have a little bit of space (behind fences) to put in some crops of their choice.  We met a second time in February and had another great meeting with anyone who wanted to speak to whatever question came up. We all got a chance to contribute and then we all left with a place marker for our personal 'site'!

Various members presented thoughts on garden design.  Here Laurie shows us her former gardens on rocky soil.  They sure look like they produced well!

 I think it won't be long before you'll see gardeners from all over the Park trudging up the hill to do the magic that Gardeners have a knack for!  Keep an eye out for further news in this department.  Though things are pretty well divvied up, please let me ( Leslie) know if you'd like a spot for next year.  We'll be adding beds as they become necessary.  I was personally grateful for the assistance that Management gave in encouraging us to apply for needed supplies for the garden structure as they become necessary.






 


In town it is sad to see CHEMAINUS  FOODS close permanently. I really miss walking down River Rd. and over to the store and downtown area.  It seems really empty now and actually sad.  It's pretty on Main St., but there isn't the same atmosphere without the food store.  Yes, Rexalls has some things on hand for emergencies,  but not having that bustle in the middle of the town is kind of a let down when you go.  When I'm in the church garden there is much less bustle and the stores are mostly specialty meant for tourists now.
An old time resident told me to cheer up, as there have always been "cycles" in Chemainus and we just got in on a downswing!


 On the other hand it is nice at 49th Parallel  for coffee and shopping, but it is a much longer walk and carrying home the groceries is doable for now, but I will miss the closer store in another 7 or 8 years!
 As was noted in the Residents Association newsletter, 49th Parallel delivers groceries Tuesdays and Thursdays for free in town.  The phone number is noted in the letter, which is emailed and posted in the Bistro as well as by the mailbox and at the laundry house..

Yesterday at the church I noticed a new sign that said a transportation bus will pick up and take Seniors to shop there for free, with a return trip with groceries.  I'll get particulars for anyone interested.

Of course everyone has noticed the huge structural differences being made on Phase#3.  I was taken aback by all the old trees coming down, but then that had to happen in Phase# 2 also.  I'm sure everyone will be pleased when it's all up and running ( though I warn you, it takes awhile!)

So for now, enjoy the rain of the "Wet Coast" and know it will help revive our lovely flora and fauna.

Cheers,

Leslie

A MONTH TO CELEBRATE TOGETHER

Sorry this has taken so LONG to come out!  I had more stuff to do than I remembered and now it's all caught up it's almost the end of January.  Time to put the photos out along with the good memories!

 We had a wonderful get together in December and it was such good fun.  New neighbors, old friends and lots of great food!  It never fails to amaze me how generous the folks here are with bringing great eats to our gatherings!  Koleen, Karen and I set up the tables and put the tablecloths on.

 Karen and I had the fun of decorating the tables.  Though it was a little misty and drizzling , I was able to  gather  from bushes and shrubs in the Gardens , while Karen put together and set up the centerpieces.  

It was cozy and warm looking when everyone started arriving with food in hand.

I can honestly say everyone had a wonderful time together and Mary won the 50/50 draw, which must have been a nice surprise Christmas gift!

 A little later Len opened the Taphouse at the new shopping center at the 49th Parallell.  Everyone from the Gardens were invited to join in the celebration.  It was really neat to see the groups of people who came.  Some sat couple and couple, others with large tables and some alone who joined a "set" they met there.  I think I saw nearly everyone there enjoying good food and company.

We were met at the door or the counter by really nice staff who proceeded to explain how the food worked!  We got to pick from a basket for our appetizer and from another for our entree.  Charles and I got a nacho appy and then he got seafood and I got a pizza.  Wow.  I took home some for later! The   whole experience was very "UpTown" and a welcome new place to have locally.

 Since then we've been enjoying the rain!  And it is soooo pretty when it rains and all the trees sparkle when the sun hits them.

 I have a creative writing piece that our grand daughter wrote that I'd like to share, just for fun.

                                           DOGGIE  BAGS

A businessman is walking down the street.  In front of him is a little old lady walking her small Schnauzer dog.  This man is walking as fast as he can, because he's going to be late for his most important business meeting of the year.  As he walks he suddenly smells something everyone dreads to smell just before a meeting!  DOG
 POOH.
 So this man arrives at his meeting ( that he's already late for) and is walking in at the same time as trying to clean his shoe.  He smells gross and his meeting goes down the drain.

  How would you like to be that man?  I'm sure we've all stepped in some unwanted gooiness before!

PEOPLE! pick up after your dogs, it's not that difficult! even if it's a small one! I know that one day these could be way better smelling streets.  I know some of you people don't care, but this stuff is hard to get off the shoes!! Think about it...you may think, "oh, he's just a small dog. I don't need to be his personal cleaner", but  YES YOU DO!  Some people don't have time to go all the way back home and wash off their shoes.  Sometimes people who have lots of money like to buy overly expensive shoes.  Respect the Street!
 Another reason you should pick up after your dog is that other dogs will come along and see the other dogs waste and decide to see if it tastes good.  Before you know you have a pooch addicted to doggie droppings!  That's the way dogs get worms. 

 Well, at least the Vets will be getting better pay...

   So this is why you should pick up after your dogs.  I've got two words for you people:  DOGGIE BAGS!

 Though we are doing pretty well with this issue, a reminder is always in order!  

 Have a great day!

STRIDING FORWARD!

Since my last post several exciting things have happened that I need to pass on immediately.

First off we had the Jazz night, which was a tremendous success!
You can read more on the Facebook page for Chemainus Gardens, but these photos given by Karen Kimmerly get the feel of it a little.
Karen took a course to be able to serve drinks, the setup was nice for seeing the band and, from what I understand, only the lighting was a bit of a problem.  I'm sure a fix will be forthcoming for the next event, as the overhead fluorescent lights were the problem, the regular lights were fine, but too dim for the musicians to see by!  Seems a few "booklights" would be the solution or something like that.

 


After that total success ( more will be planned I bet) we had a small but great showing of jewelry that Judy Smith brought to Karen Kimmerly's home on a Sunday afternoon. The featured jewelry was designed by Krista Smith! Karen, always noted for great food, had a nice little spread for those attending and I understand the party was also a good success!

 
 



 Judy shows all the pretty things she brought...the girls love them!

















A meeting with Management at the Bistro with 2 reps from the new Residents Association brought a new and more open dialogue between those in the Park and those owning or Managing the Park.  Everyone was pleased with the outcome and old attitudes can be put to rest.  We are looking forward to good or even great results from this new relationship.
A new bulletin board for notices from the Residents Association and Suggestion box in the Bistro is now a reality.It will be checked weekly and anything to the Management should be clearly marked, as we won't open it then.

Mostly everyone is aware that on Tuesdays, at the Bistro, we have a coffee hour.  It is so much fun and anyone is welcome!

 This is a time to meet your neighbors and friends for a friendly chat once a week.  Sometimes it really makes my week!
The    VICTORIA TIMES COLONIST   is always available, as well as a puzzle table set up for everyone.  Books on the shelf are loaners and if you're looking for a coffee or tea or hot cocoa, it's all there for much less than downtown at $1.00 a cup!

Come up anytime to enjoy a time alone or with a friend.








On Thursday evening the new  Emergency and Disaster Committee met at the Pavilion with 22 people joining for the first open meeting to discuss Emergency Preparedness with representative Sybille Sanderson.

Booklets were given out to test us "first" instead of last.  This being to show us how little we are really prepared for an earthquake, fire or flood PERSONALLY.
I could tick off about 4 things I'd done in this regard, but nowhere near what I should have. Great suggestions were given by Sybille for water, food and a "grab and go" bag.  Because we live in an Earthquake zone we had a lot of discussion about what to do... some of the things you learned as a kid aren't always right anymore! I was surprised to learn to stay inside, not run outside!

Sybille

many more surprises for me, too, in the area of home fires. Do you close your bedroom door at night?  You should!  It can mean precious extra minutes of oxygen for your lungs to enable you to get that bedroom window out and yourself too!
 I encourage EVERY member of the Community at Chemainus Gardens to come to the next seminar.  We are encouraged to act as a Community during disaster.  The Army won't be there, but your neighbor will be.  If you do your part, it makes it easier to come together for times you need each other.

And a happy-for-her-sad-for us farewell to Pamela Kimmerly. She has moved on, but is only a short distance away, so we'll see her again. Best wishes for a happy home to her! In her beautiful home we have Al and Laurie Foster now....so Welcome to them and their dogs, Willie and Waylon....

Cheers!

HOORAY, WE DID IT!!

I am just so excited to now be part of an Association for the benefit of the Residents of Chemainus Garden! 

 Some of us "old timers" worked together to propose to the Residents an Association that would be the first to represent the concerns of Residents to the Management and at least try to work as a unit on concerns that affect us all.

Earlier in the month, Barry and Karen Kimmerly, Brian Aaberg, Rick Lenihan , myself and Bruce McRae got together to hammer out a Mission Statement and Agenda for a first meeting to be held on November the 7th. We were a self appointed group that felt that the time had come to have one group represent us to Management. We first needed to know if a majority of people were interested or not. Barry and Karen did a LOT of work to get out ballots and get at least a good majority of Residents polled to see their reaction to the proposal. The return told us there were enough interested people to go ahead and set a date for our first Annual Meeting. The poll told us that there were many and diverse things that people wanted answers to, so Karen summed it up to present to the meeting.  An agenda was drawn up and distributed.
 At 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 7th, people started to arrive and talk with their neighbors.  At 1:30 we rolled through the Agenda, deciding how things would unfold and who had the last word so everyone could speak that wanted to.

A vote for 5 persons to be the first Executive was counted and the results were read out:
Barry and Karen Kimmerly, Brian Aaberg, Rick Lenihan and Alayne Anstis were duly elected. Myself and Mary Squire were Alternates ( no voting rights, but available to fill in and attend Executive Meetings).

L to R: Barry, Karen, Alayne, Rick with Brian behind

Today, November 9 the first Executive Meeting took place. Barry had made a list of things to tackle with the first item being " Elect chairperson to run meetings".  Since he was so very organized, he was duly elected with lots of laughter.  So Barry is your first Chairperson on your first Executive. A Secretary was soon found in the person of the very able Karen Kimmerly, who didn't mind being put to work immediately.  Other things that were necessary to do before the meeting could work were decided upon, including having the Alternates attend the Executive Meetings in order to smooth any transition at any time in the year that a vacancy fell open.
 Discussion about Committees for a variety of interests that people in the Gardens have tried to put together now have an umbrella under which to operate.  These include: Social Committee, Emergency Committee, Garden Committee and Communications.

 An email will be sent out as soon as possible from the Executive. 

My job is to give a "human touch" and dialogue. 

I am very optimistic about this and am looking forward to having our voice heard by Management by people who represent many. 

Please feel free to contact and deal with the Park Management about any issues, just as you did before. The Association would like to know about the issues as well so that they can help with them.  The preferred way of hearing about issues is by email 
( chemainusgardenresidents@gmail.com)  
  The Association will make efforts to aid and help with issues that affect the residents. 


Cheers for now!

NOVEMBER COMING DOWN

                             The Rain is raining all around,
                             It falls on field and tree.
                             It rains on the umbrellas here, 
                             And on the ships at Sea

                                        Robert Louis Stevenson

This is one of my favorite poems, made up by a very small boy who had to stay inside most of his life.  I used to say it to myself while looking at the California rain and the sodden gray skies and see the "ships at sea" in my imagination.
 I truly rejoice to see rain.  Not just to have grey, leaden skies above me, but to know the Earth needs it so badly and we've had so little in the past 4 winters.  And, since those California days, I've had my fill of snow and am now thankful for puddles and drips and umbrellas to hide under as the rain thunders off the top!
Sunday I was strolling around in the rain and chanced upon the Bistro Rain Spout, taking a photo of the splashing water gushing from the roof.

There are 2 important get-togethers  that I'd like to promote.

Number one, coming this Saturday, the 7th of November at 1:30 p.m., is the Chemainus Garden Residents Association's first meeting.  It will be at the Pavilion. Please come ready to vote in a group of people to represent you. There is a full slate of people willing to stand for election.  There are posters on the Mailbox bulletin board and in the Washhouse.

Number 2 is the upcoming Jazz Night. If you are at the meeting for the Residents and would like to purchase tickets, come ready to get those.  Jazz night is on November the 13, doors open at 6:30.  Tickets are $25.00 and on sale at the office or Kolleen can help you.  Sounds like a lot of fun for those who love a good band of Jazz players.

Now another thing that I've mentioned to several people that they did not know about is the Christmas Craft Fair at Providence Farm.  It is the best of the best in this area and has lots to do for a family or a couple. I've put the poster in here for information.  2 of our own artists are going to be there: Lyn Rose and Charles Van Gorkom.  Lyn will be offering hand painted wooden eggs, an assortment of Christmas ornaments and dog sweaters....probably lots more, but that'll give a clue.

Charles is offering his coin purses in differing colors. Both have been busy making their wares and they can be seen there. From 9-3 it is open and it is a wonderful event. Everything is handmade and not just the tired old stuff.  Some real works of art there and made on the Island. If you've never been...try it. You won't be disappointed! If you need directions go online or call them.Hay rides, tree sales and food are all part of the offerings.

Providence Farm itself without the magic of Christmas all around, is a beautiful old place with lots of local History. I could suggest a few people go together and have a day of it.

I wanted to recognize Larry Duckworth for doing a really Community Friendly thing:  making the dog water bowls in the Dog Park and also a place for the dog bags to go. He did this at his own cost, so a big thank you is in order. Thanks, Larry!

Remember to please pick up after your Dog!

Cheers for now...