Thetis Island Improvement District Elections - Michelle Sutter is running for a Trustee Position

Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department and First Responders are an essential part of our community. They provide excellent service and deserve the best support we can offer. With my past experiences I believe I would be an asset to the District and the committee and for this reason I am putting my name forward in the coming Improvement District Election.

We have owned property on Thetis since 2011 and have lived here full time for the past 4 years. Since then, I have become involved in several aspects of the community including co-leading the Strength and Fitness program at the Hall as well as chairing the Forbes Hall Health Services Group and volunteering at Soup’s On.

Board positions I have held in the past include:

Executive and President, Prince George Medical Staff

Executive and President, Society of Specialists of BC

Executive and Chair, Northern Supportive Recovery Center for Women

Board Member, Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation

Board Member, Promotion of wellness in Northern BC Association

Please show your support for the Volunteer Fire Department and First Responders by voting in the upcoming election.

Michelle Sutter

The People’s Apothecary Garden - Plant of the Week #1 - Osoberry

Hello Thetis Islanders! 

Spring is upon us, and the plants are beginning to reawaken after a long winter! Going into our 5th season of the PAG, we will be showcasing one medicinal plant per week to take us through the growing season for a total of 27 plants. The plants that are shared are ones that are currently in bloom and/or harvestable at the PAG (note: some plants we have in abundance, and others in short supply). We have a small collection of native plants at the PAG, but many are from other parts of the world, and yes, some are even considered ‘invasive’. However, it’s good to note that if you see some of the invasive plants sprouting up hither thither, it’s all the more reason to harvest them! Just think of it as another form of invasive species management.

Please note! This activity serves purely as an introduction to some of the medicinal plants of the People's Apothecary Garden and should be used in parallel with other resources and expert advice. Never eat anything unless you are absolutely sure of its identification.

And our first plant on the podium is: Osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis)
What to look for: Osoberry, aka June plum and Indian plum, is one of the first native shrubs to bloom in the spring. It is a part of the rose family (Rosaceae), and grows 6-16 feet tall. Old branches are grey, but young ones are dark red-brown in colour. Bright green, oblong leaves unfold as early as February, and when crushed, they give off a cucumber scent. Clusters of flowers bloom as the first leaves appear, and small plum-like fruits are produced, ripening in June. The shrub is dioecious and can only produce fruit if both male and female plants are in close proximity to each other.

Medicinal and culinary uses: The fruit is edible but is often bitter, even when fully ripe. First Nations people around the southern Strait of Georgia ate the fruits fresh, dried, and/or cooked. First Nations of the Saanich Pe­ninsula still boil the bark and drink the li­quid for diarrhea.

Precautions: Leaves, seed, and fruits contain hydrogen cyanide. Consume only in very small quantities. Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding.

Fun fact: Strips of bark were used to bind harpoon tips.

Link to website for photos: https://www.thetisislandnatureconservancy.org/single-post/plant-of-the-week-osoberry-april-1-2024

Free Items at 276 Forbes Road

Updated daily, check back often!

Currently available: canning jars, marine parts, wine making equipment,
projector screen, Cd's, books, hotplate, misc. household items and more.

Simone and Peter

Vitals Monitoring Clinic – Wednesday, April 3rd

Every second Wednesday, Community Paramedic, Vinh Pham, holds a Vitals Monitoring Clinic at Forbes Hall in the Care Station, coinciding with Soup’s On.

Stop by the Care Station this Wednesday to have your vital signs checked or to speak with Vinh.

This service is provided by BC Emergency Health Services through their Community Paramedicine program to all islanders, at no cost. 

Forbes Hall Health Services Group

Soup’s On: Wednesday, April 3rd at Forbes Hall

11:30 am until 1:00 pm (earlier if we run out!)
Gather at Forbes Hall for a very Thetis Island lunch!

Menu:
Greek-style Red Lentil Soup (Veg. DF, GF)
Feta garnish (optional)
Focaccia
Treats
Teas and Coffee

Suggested donation of $7 for soup, bread, treats and teas & coffee.

Everyone is welcome to join us, seniors, seniors who don’t think they’re seniors, workers, families, and everyone who just wants a mid-day meal!

Menu remainders for take-out when available.

The Soup’s On Team

Tracing our Footprints and more: Tuesday 2 April @ the Hall

Community Climate Resilience (CCR)'s monthly get together is coming up:
Tuesday April 2nd @ 5pm @ the Hall.

• How can our community organizations help us reduce our carbon footprint?

• How can we reduce our own?

If you are interested in those things, we'll be discussing them.
Can't make it? Here's a footprint calculator you can try at home: https://www.footprintnetwork.org/

• 1st Annual Repair Fair is on for 1 June. Bring your ideas!
ccr@thetisisland.net 

Update on Easter fun at Telegraph Harbour Marina

Just a little update for this Saturday the 30th.

1:30 start time with crafts, snacks and games.

3:00 (ish) start time for the egg hunt!

If you have some old pillowcases bring them along for a gunny-sack race!

All are welcome!

If you want to get involved come on down!

Call or text 250-784-1624 for info

Telegraph Harbour Marina

From the Library...

The TICA library will be open Saturday 10-1. 

I will be there. Maybe you need some help with the online catalogue? There are a few glitches I am finding. Maybe you can help?

Sunday 1-4, possibly treats. Monday 10-1.
Maybe see you there.

Enjoy your special weekend,
Celine

Improvement District Elections: Fred Adair

Fred's Retirement Plan

Greetings fellow Thetis Islanders,

When I first arrived on the island I was asked, because of my background to become involved with the fire department. I had so much work to do on the house and other things to get done that I had to decline. The house is now finished and as a number of you know I will be leaving the post office at the end of the year. I want to stay involved in the community and a position on the Thetis Island Improvement District (TIID) looks to be a good fit. I have put my name forward and will be standing for election. Below is a thumbnail sketch of my CV:
- former volunteer fire fighter
- former ambulance attendant
- extensive experience fighting forest fires from on the line to fire boss
- taught all levels of forest fire fighting (S1200 and S200)
- taught all levels of emergency first aid
- dive rescue specialist and swift water instructor and incident commander
- taught health and safety in the college system for 12 years
- 20 years as an oil and gas consultant (OGC)
- developed training programs and management systems related to the above since 1978
- incorporated OGC running my own business at a high level
All of this experience will enable me to be of assistance to the TIID committee at any level they may require. I strongly support the Volunteer Fire Department (have used their services twice) and would like the opportunity to return the favour to them.

You have heard of the term body politic. Well like anybody it needs exercise so do get out and vote (for whomever) just vote. Exercise your right and your privilege. If you got this far thanks for reading

Take Care,
Fred Adair

Ten Patio Dining Chairs for Sale

Resin Windsor-style patio chairs for sale:

Set of 10 outdoor red resin, dining chairs. Great shape except have some sun fading. $120 for all. Posted on Thetis Island Swap & Shop.
I can text or email photos if needed.

Thanks, Tracy
Text or call 250-714-9876
Higginsgroup@shaw.ca

Sunday Church

The Capernwray Choir will be attending for Easter Sunday.
Dawson Burdick will be speaking on John ch 20.

10 AM at the Community Centre, all are welcome.
Refreshments will be served.

Further info---Ernie 250-252-0144

Post Office Holiday Hours and Other Errata

Forgot about the holiday weekend. Post Office will not be open on Friday the 29th or Monday April 1st (seriously no April fools). Post Office will be open Saturday March 30 1000 to 1700 regular hours.

We have post office boxes but there is a significant hang-up in the bureaucracy. Should have definitive news in two weeks.

We now have a payment system set up so if you need your Lock changed (modules 1 to 12) we can do that for 50 dollars plus tax. If you want a new key cut it is 25 dollars plus tax.

Have a great and safe holiday weekend,

Fred