Saturday's Community Fair ~ August 24th


Brilliance before dusk...
Keith Rush
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
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COMMUNITY APPRECIATION DAY AT CAPERNWRAY HARBOUR
July 12
11:00 - 3:30
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SOUP'S ON
On Hiatus until Fall 2025
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Venting Index
Thetis Island Community Association
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Welcome to thetisposts.ca
Feel free to send us bits & pieces of information and interest, photos to share and notices of upcoming events etc.
Use the contact page or e-mail us directly.
Hi there folks!
Hello,
This is Anais, I'm a guest at Jollity Farm. I was wondering whether I could hitch a ride with someone this coming Saturday, from Sidney (or Victoria) to Thetis?
Contact: anais.gerber@network.rca.ac.uk
Thanks in advance!
Anais
3 Documents:
Thetis Island discussion group meets each Monday night at 7 pm in the library at Forbes Hall.
This is an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous which lasts for 1 hour. Last week we had 3 men and 3 ladies from the Chemainus group attend our meeting along with our 4 regular members.
Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
from Ann Eriksson:
My two bits about mosquitoes. It is highly unlikely that the geese will eat Roughskin Newts as they are very toxic to any potential predators. So if the newts are declining on Thetis, which would require a long-term study to know for sure, it is likely from some other factor. One would think more ponds would mean more newts. I saw one on my property last summer. They congregate in large numbers after breeding, which occurs in ponds, so that was likely the source of the 'road kill' of the past. They ma now be breeding in other ponds not close to roads or some other factor that we are not aware of. Roughskin newts are a common amphibian on the BC coast, partly because of their toxic nature, and are not listed as a species at risk, but it is always good to keep tabs on things as the world changes.
As for the mosquitoes, they like moisture and a certain level of heat (too dry and they can't survive), so my guess is that the wet June followed by the immediate and unusual heat of July is the culprit. This is not just a Thetis problem, my family on Galiano has the same complaint. Scientists are concerned that the increase in global temperatures and corresponding increase in seasonal rains will increase the number and range of mosquitoes and mosquito-born illnesses.
Fish, newts, frogs, bats all eat mosquitoes in great numbers so the most natural way you can tackle the problem, is to make sure your ponds have fish and/or frogs and and encourage bats to live on your property by building bat houses. Anyone up for a bat house building workshop in the spring?
Ann
There's still space left in the Compassionate Communication workshop next Monday, August 26. This is to let folks know they can still register.
Thanks very much,
What a blast! Thanks to all who participated - this was an amazing success!
To view more photos, click here.
Photos courtesy of Kelly Bannister
Roy Pickford and Bob Davies used to spread a "friendly" bacteria in the slough to control the mosquito larvae.
The original flap on the culvert was made by Bob Davies, consisting of a piece of plywood wedged in place by a big rock. Ken Bolster improved on this by making a hinged metal flap which allowed the water to flow out of the slough but restricted the salt water flowing back in on high summer tides.
He replaced it at least twice but it's rusted out again. According to Ken the mosquitoes (larvae? eggs?) can live in the mud 7 or so years.
Comes a high tide over the mud and hey presto - salt marsh mosquitoes in abundance!
Pat English