2016 Summer Soiree & Auction ~ a Sold Out evening!

A happy & spirited crowd gathered Saturday August 6^th for the 6^th Annual Summer Soiree & Auction. The tennis court looked particularly festive with colourful lanterns strung overhead, planters brimming with summer flowers and succulents potted in an astonishing array of recycled containers. There were babies, families, old friends and new friends all gathering to celebrate community, our community of Thetis Island.  

Carol Sowerby took individual and group portraits this year and some are featured in this article, thank you Carol!

Natasha & Brian

The Osbergs

Chad and Stephanie

“It was a wonderful evening, and it really demonstrated the strength of the community that is Thetis Island: a lot of good people, all working together towards a common goal...”

 “Our guests had never experienced such a sense of community; we talked about it all weekend long”

Robert Spencer, looking very dapper in his tux, was our MC for the evening. Thanks to Robert for keeping us on track, informed and entertained. 

Nicole Chaisson sourced many auction items for the soiree this year; both the display and the decorations featured creatively repurposed items from the recycling depot. Most notable was the large steamer trunk carefully lined with coffee sack burlap from Nan and filled with bottles of wine donated by so many different folks. 

Ann Dickie created a sumptuous summer menu and volunteers worked for days preparing the dinner by shopping, chopping, tossing, baking and finally cooking steaks on the BBQ 

Guitar and vocals were provided by Bob Pickell who entertained us with a wide repertoire of tunes. Bob also did an amazing job as auctioneer and even performed an a cappella version of All I Have To Do Is Dream to a very surprised Keith and Ellen Rush as an introduction to the auctioning of Ann Dickie’s Dinner for 12. 

The Soiree had a new format this year; the art auction, Art for All, was held two days prior to the Soiree dinner and for the first time, was open to the entire community. The art team led by the trio of Dee Smith, Donna Stadt and Celine Valestrand, catalogued, sorted, and created a Thetis Island Art Gallery in Forbes Hall. Many of the students from Thetis Island Elementary donated a carefully coloured picture of their little red school house, their way of contributing to the community – thank you! Also new, was a ‘take me home now price’ on the pieces of art which auction goers took full advantage of.  

A wine and cheese reception was held on opening day featuring wine selected by Keith Rush which of course included wine from Domaine Jasmine.

So many people helped to make the evening a success. Special thanks to the crew from Pioneer Pacific who once again came to the hall on their day off, served dinner, cleared the tables, scraped the dishes, took the dishes back to Pioneer for washing then returned them to the hall all on the same night – phew

Thanks to the generosity of many, the 2016 Summer Soiree & Auction raised $13,500. This money is shared between the Thetis Island Community Association and the Thetis Island Community Fund benefitting all islanders. 

The following is a list of sponsors who provided items for auction, our apologies if we have left anyone off this list!

Best Western Plus Chemanius Inn

Vancouver Delta Suites

Whistler Village Delta Suites

Trenholme & Company        

Audain Museum Gallery, Whistler

BC Ferries                               

Mt. Brenton Golf Course

Phil, Ken Hunter and Rhonda Andrews

Quist Meat Market

The Nanaimo Flying Club

Ian Shaw

Dave Knowles

Sandpiper Nursery

Bill & Ann Dickie

Don Sinclair

Peggy Thompson

The Dinner for 12 Team

Domaine Jasmine

The Vault Café, Nanaimo

Dinter’s Nursery

The Sharp Family

Char Aaberg

Ruth Goodbody

Petra Accipiter

Howling Wolf Farm

The Howard Family

Barton Lehr Gallery, Nanaimo

Chemainus Theatre

Sawmill Restaurant

Helen Bird

Gloria Taylor

Jollity Farm

Black Jack Chimney Sweep

Connie Schermerhorn

Nettie Hayter

Dawn Gordon

Mary & Peter Osberg

Ellen & Keith Rush

Tracy Higgins Interior Design

Sherwin Williams Paint, Nanaimo

Dean Mattson, New Image Interiors

City Tile, Nanaimo

Dragon Rock

Telegraph Marina

Thetis Island Marina

Nancy’s Fashion and Furnishings, Ladysmith

49^th Parallel Grocery, Chemainus

Doc the Barber

Chemainus Auto

Thetis Island Property Services

Thetis Island Recycling Yard

Wreckless Potworxx Bistro & Grill, Chemainus

Etc, Chemainus

Twisted Sisters

McBrides

CRV TEK, Chemainus

Chemainus Health Food Store

The Book Nook

A New Life for Camp Columbia

We would like to inform you that interests associated with the Porter Family have purchased the former Camp Columbia property. Broadly the family's intent is to conserve the critical natural habitats, and manage the property for environmental education and community participation around nature, sustainable living and conservation. Ultimately parts of the property will be open to the public and will support community events.

The family has reached out to ThINC and other organizations, such as BC Parks, Islands Trust Fund, and the Cowichan Land Trust to explore ideas for the property's future use. A steering committee has been put together, consisting of members of ThINC, the Porter Family and other interested persons in the community. The committee will be soliciting ideas from the community and like-minded organizations, and will look at projects that have worked in other communities. 

The steering committee will be coordinating an open house in late September to gather suggestions from the Thetis Island community at large. In addition to your creative ideas about how you'd like to see this amazing property used, we'd like to know about successful projects in other communities you may have experience with, and suggestions for potential partner organizations.

If you are unable to attend the open house, we invite you to send your ideas to ThINC@thetisisland.net 

In the meantime the property remains in private hands, and for liability reasons the family will need to restrict access. We would ask everyone to respect this. Watch espokes for future announcements regarding public access. 

The property also adjoins the proposed Fairyslipper Forest nature reserve. There is a strong desire for all on the committee to make the 2 projects work in harmony. We thank the community for its continuing support for ThINC's efforts to make the nature reserve a reality. 

Sincerely The Steering Committee

jollity FARM ~ Pickling Cukes

5 lb bags of Pickling Cucumbers $10 Organically grown on Thetis Island

Call 250.416.6736 or email info@jollityfarm.ca to order and arrange pick up.

*BONUS - Un-sprayed, organically grown grape leaves with your bag! **TIPS FOR CRISP PICKLES - Soak your cukes in ice cold water before pickling. Include a grape leaf for a crisp texture, extra flavour plus it looks nice too!

Soup's On ~ 2016/2017 Start Up Meeting

"Soup's On" start up meeting for the fall season will be Thursday, September 8th at 10 am in the library at Forbes Hall. We are always looking for new cooks and /or helpers so any one who would like to become part of this activity should plan to attend the above meeting to learn more about it.

We welcome new people and new ideas and for more information you can contact the committee members

Dee, Don or Shirley

Aggressive Dog ~ Pilkey Point Rd

At noon on Sunday, Aug 14, an aggressive large white dog ran on to our property. It charged me and barked repeatedly, and I feared it would jump up on me. I clapped my hands and shouted "get out of here", and it eventually retreated.

If you're walking your dog along the road, please keep it under control! I.e., if it's not well enough trained to avoid bothering people (especially on their own property), it should be kept on a leash. 

Thank you, -- Jonathan Thornburg & Virginia Vitzthum

Insulation Bales for Sale

For Sale - 11 bales Roxul comfort batt - R22 - 24" - $35 per bale.

Call Sven 250-710-9238

Paddle Board Wanted

We are visiting my parents on Thetis island (Forbes Rd) on the September long weekend and we are hoping to borrow or rent a paddle board for my 10 year old daughter.

Something she can play around with for a few days so not needing anything in great condition!

Email cmitchell@inventaworld.com or call 604 353-3806

Thanks! Carolyn

Shoreline Monitoring Workshop ~ Aug 17 ~ 1-3PM

Are you worried about your favourite beach? Are you a waterfront property owner who has noticed your shoreline is changing? Join the Thetis Island Nature Conservancy and our summer student Ricky Belanger for a training workshop from 1-3 pm on Wednesday August 17 on how to monitor your shoreline for the effects of sea level rise. No prior experience or equipment necessary.

Meet at Bella Vista beach. Use the public beach access point at the unpaved end of Foster Point Rd (near the Bird's driveway). Please park on the side of the paved road. For more information contact Ricky Belanger at RickyBelanger@live.com or phone 250-246-8176.

Truck Transport to Victoria Needed

Have an urgent buyer for Will's hospital bed... Anyone have a truck going to Victoria wanting to make $ for the trouble ....250 246 2276

Take care Mary Forbes

Babysitter Wanted ~

I am getting married at Overbury Resort on Saturday, September 10th and we are looking for a babysitter for the evening. There will be one and maybe two baby boys.The first is 11 months and the second is 15 months old. The mothers will be attending the wedding and would love help to put the babies to bed at one of the on-site cabins at around 6pm and then watch the babies until 12am. They will be on-site and available if you need anything.

Please let me know if you are available as soon as possible. You can reach me by email at ryleyhumphry@gmail.com or on my cell at 604-838-4523.

Thank you in advance! Kind regards, Ryley

Lawn Tractor Blade for Sale

I have a 46 inch John Deere Snow/dirt blade that I don't use and would like to get rid of.

If you would like to check it out hit me up at 250-246-4420 

Jake Howard

Anchor Line Wanted

Wanted--Approximately 100ft of 3/8" line appropriate for anchoring a 20' boat Phone 250-246-2184

Maureen Loiselle