Humanitarian Relief for Ukraine Fundraiser - May 25th @ Forbes Hall

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, May 1^st

$30

Contact Ellen Rush @ ellenrush@gmail.com or 250 416 0013

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Doors Open 6:00 pm

Dinner Buffet 6:30 pm

No Host Bar

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Donations accepted Saturday, May 11^th through Sunday, May 26^th

E-transfers to thompson.peggy80@gmail.com (auto-deposit) 

Cheques made out to, and mailed to: Ann Dickie (PO Box 36, Thetis Island)

Cash donations may be made at the event or in advance: please use an envelope and include your name and email. Contact dickie.ann@gmail.com to arrange for pick-up or delivery, if not attending the event.

There will also be opportunities at the event to donate.

Please use WRAP in the message or memo spaces for your e-transfers or cheques.

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No tax receipts will be issued for any donations in association with this event, all donations and net proceeds from the event will be given to Women Refugee Advocacy Group (WRAP) which is not a registered charity. This dinner and fundraising event will support the work being done by WRAP https://womenrefugeesadvocacyproject.ca/ (Vancouver), who will send all funds directly to front-line humanitarian relief. 

WRAP, their partner NGO in Halifax (https://nonstatetorture.org) and supporters have been holding fundraising events since the start of the Russian invasion to financially support those who provide food and supplies to displaced women and families in war-torn areas of Ukraine.

Click on poster to view full size.

Power Outage Confusion

If you think you’re confused about messages from BC Hydro about a planned power outage on May 5th, and the cancellation, and then another one saying it’s back on again and another it’s back off notice… so is BC Hydro! I telephoned to ask why some of us are receiving, on the same day, conflicting notices. The helpful technician found he also had conflicting information and couldn’t confirm the May 5th power outage one way or the other. He suggested calling BC Hydro back this Friday to see if he had any updates.

So as it stands now, it’s a mystery to Thetis islanders if we will be having a four-hour planned power outage on May 5th or not. Stay tuned.

Fire Chief J. Caldbeck
Thetis Island Vol. Fire Dept.

Cemetery Clean Up May 25th

On Saturday May 25th from 10-3, St. Margaret’s Cemetery Committee will be having its annual maintenance day. The cemetery is a vault of island history and is the permanent home for many of our forebears. From tidying up headstones, to general landscaping there will be a range of projects to suit everyone's interests and abilities.

Please plan to come by and join us, we encourage everyone to join. If possible, please bring small garden tools for general landscaping and/or scrub brushes and water pails to clean grave markers. We would encourage you to contribute to the picnic lunch, where we will remember and celebrate the lives that came before us.

Please contact me if you have any questions.
David Reay

Thetis Island Cemetery Committee
H: 250-246-1593
E: davidreay@telus.net

Volunteers Needed to help with Gardening at Forbes Hall Community Centre

TICA is looking for a group of volunteers to help with the gardens at the hall.

Usual tasks through the year:

· Trimming the decorative grasses in spring before the new growth.
· Cutting back the previous year’s growth on the perennial plants.
· Weeding the various garden areas, including the herb gardens at the back of the hall.
· Hand-watering as required. There is an irrigation system for most gardens.
· In the fall, some plants may need to be moved, divided or replaced.
· TICA is looking for another volunteer to help our new volunteer mow the grassy areas of the Hall grounds. This volunteer would need to have their own lawn mower or trimmer.

TICA hopes that there would be enough volunteers to share the work that needs to be done.

Working in pairs is always an enjoyable exercise.

The gardens are low-maintenance, but this doesn’t mean no-maintenance.

Looking forward to hearing from some happy gardeners to keep the Forbes Hall looking wonderful!

A special thank you to the individual who did some weeding around the maple tree. If you see something that needs attending to now, please go ahead and do it. It’s that time of year.

If you have a few hours per month and you enjoy gardening, please contact: 

Don Sinclair
sinry@telus.net

Propane Campfire Preparation

It is still April, yet we are already at the MODERATE Fire Hazard rating. It is time to think about getting your CSA approved propane campfire appliance ready for the summer marshmallow season when campfires will be prohibited.

· Check the burner: Remove the rocks and Inspect the burner for any signs of damage or corrosion. If there are any issues, contact a professional to repair or replace it.
· Clean the burner: Remove any debris or ashes that have accumulated on the burner. Use a soft-bristled brush or cloth to clean the burner, making sure to avoid any sharp or abrasive tools that could cause damage.
· Check the ignition system: Test the ignition system to make sure it's working properly. If there are any issues, contact a professional to repair or replace it.
· Clean the fire pit surface: Use a soft-bristled brush or cloth to clean the campfire appliance surface. If there are any stubborn stains, use a mild detergent and warm water to clean it off.
· Remove any obstructions: Check the air vents to ensure they are clear of any obstructions that could impede airflow. Make sure the gas hose is not bent or kinked and the connections are not cross-threaded. 
· Cover the fire pit: When not in use, cover the campfire appliance to protect it from the elements.

Propane campfires are permitted during complete solid fuel campfire prohibitions. That is because they produce no sparks or embers, no smoke, and can be turned off immediately unlike a wood or briquette campfire. CSA approved campfire appliances do not require a campfire permit on Thetis Island.

Fire Chief J. Caldbeck

Accepting Requests for Certified Organic Compost

Our pile is getting low and many of you have asked about getting more
loads of compost for your garden.

If you have already reached out, then we will send an email to follow
up. Please let us know if you are interested so it will give us a good
idea of how many loads to order.

Cost per yard is $122.
Delivery by Chad and his dumper trailer is available for an additional fee.

info@jollityfarm.ca or text 250.415.0101

Do you need Water Storage Tanks?

We have recently had some above ground, polyethylene, vertical water storage tanks delivered to the farm, and have two spare for sale.

The vertical tanks are free standing and should be placed on a level and firm surface.

The price covers the cost of the tank (inclusive of GST) and an equal share in the shipping expense.

2000 IMP Gal (2400 US Gal or 9092 Litres) - Diameter 84" - Height 106" - $4976.18
1000 IMP Gal (1200 Us Gal or 4546 Litres) - Diameter 68" - Height 82" - $1567.69

Delivery and placement can be arranged.

Please contact Elisabeth @ info@jollityfarm.ca

Website Launch: Forbes Hall

On Saturday, at TICA’s Annual General Meeting, the new forbeshall.ca website was launched.

Lots to look at, and easy to use. We hope it will help you find answers to questions you might have about the hall, its activities, how to book, how to donate, renew/join membership and buy subscriptions to the Quarterly.

Any questions, or you notice a typo? Contact info@forbeshall.ca

TICA Board

Fairyslipper Orchid Count

Thanks to all who came out to the Earth Week Fairyslipper Orchid (Calypso bulbosa) count along the trail at the nature reserve on Saturday. Eagle-eyed Nan Beals had the highest count at 97!

The orchids only flower for a short time each spring, dotting the forest with their beautiful pink blooms. 

The ThINC Board 

COVID Booster Vaccine Clinic May 21

There will be a COVID vaccine clinic Tuesday May 21 at Forbes Hall for those who qualify. You will receive an invitation to sign up.

A dose of the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for:

1. Adults 65 and older 

2. Indigenous adults 55 and older 

3. Adults in long-term care homes & assisted-living facilities (including people waiting placement) 

4. Individuals 6 months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised 

5. Anyone who did not receive an XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine from October 2023 to March 2024

If you feel you would benefit from an additional dose of vaccine, contact the call centre at 1-833- 838-2323 to book an appointment

For more information please visit COVID-19 immunization - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca).

Forbes Hall Health Services Group 

The People’s Apothecary Garden - Plant of the Week #4 - Dandelion

When people think of weeds, dandelions are often the first plant to pop into their imagination. But it turns out these spry little plants have many medicinal properties and can be healthy additions to your diet. The word dandelion is from French ‘dent de lion’, meaning lion’s tooth, due to the toothed outline of the leaves. Funnily enough, the French have a much more endearing name for dandelion, “pissenlit”, which means pee in bed!

To learn more about this common little plant, see the ThINC website for our plant card: https://www.thetisislandnatureconservancy.org/single-post/plant-of-the-week

Free Items at 276 Forbes road

Currently available: books (cooking, arts, crafts, kids, fiction, German), wooden puzzles, kids, scuba fins, skateboard pads?, life jackets, baskets, miscellaneous household items. 

More items added regularly. 

Thank you all who have frequented the free stuff tent at the bottom of our driveway, glad so many things found a new home!

Simone and Peter