ThINC - Extra Hands Needed at the People’s Apothecary Garden (PAG)

It might not look it with yesterday’s snow flurry, but spring has sprung and the plants are beginning to reawaken! Life at the PAG is beginning to buzz with life again and the plants all seem quite happy, albeit in need of some TLC (or at the very least, a freshening up!).

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the PAG, it is a community medicinal plant garden located on Carolyn Askew's (kindly loaned) plot of land at Lot 62 North Cove Road, and is a part of the Thetis Island Community Farm Co-operative. It was constructed by the ThINCpod in the summer-fall of 2020 with the help of several Thetis Island residents. In 2021, Aislinn Cottell maintained the space with the help of volunteers, coordinated various events and activities, and developed some handy resources that we are continuing to expand on. In 2022 we are planning several medicinal plant and gardening workshops for the Thetis Island community.

The garden currently has 45 unique medicinal plants (map and online plant library coming soon), including borage, comfrey, self-heal, mullein, wormwood, mints, lemon balm, evening primrose, sweet woodruff, yarrow, fennel, deadnettle, motherwort, lamb’s ear, and more! The kids at Thetis Island Elementary School have made numerous trips there over the last couple of years and we will continue to do so! They are getting better and better at identifying the myriad plants, and have helped with various maintenance activities - from mulching and composting to weeding and path maintenance.

Without further ado and turning this eSPOKES message into an essay, ThINC would greatly appreciate having extra hands in the garden throughout the growing season! Some of the activities will include: weeding, pruning, planting, application of compost / lasagna gardening, and path maintenance / wood chipping, and work parties will run every other week. To jumpstart the summer season, our first work party, weather dependent, will be on Sunday, April 24th from 10am - 12pm. From there, we can collectively decide on the best times to garden. If you would like to join, please email me at charlotte@thetisislandnatureconservancy.org

For more info on the PAG, please see: https://www.thetisislandnatureconservancy.org/people-s-apothecary-garden

Many thanks!
Charlotte

Education and Stewardship Coordinator at the Thetis Island Nature Conservancy

Scottish Country Dancing Thetis Island at Forbes Hall Community Centre

Join us Monday April 11 from 3 - 4:30

Not sure what Scottish Country Dancing is like?

Check out the website:

https://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/

Look forward to seeing you there.

Pottery Barn Fireplace Mantel/Shelf for Sale

Or shelf. 66 inches long, 9 inches wide at top, 16 inches tall
Hangs on a wood French cleat, very secure
$250
250-246-8239

Information Wanted

I can't verify this yet but has anyone heard of putting coffee grounds around their chicken pen to keep minks away? I friend just told me that's what her brother does & knock wood no losses the past year.  

rsmith1960@gmail.com

Weekly order reminders and the Jollity 'What's Fresh?' list

• Home Grocery Delivery from Superstore or the 49th - please confirm your order by Thursday afternoon
• Local milk & yogurt - any changes to your weekly order by Tuesday morning
• True Grain bread & organic baking - requests by Tuesday morning
• Bagels (and cream cheese) - requests by Tuesday
• Pastries - we will be baking lots of Croissants and Pain au chocolat for the Easter weekend (you may reserve ahead)
• Ice cream - we are getting stocked up with some new flavours and seasonal specialties for the long weekend
• Lots of flowers available for the long weekend
• Kombucha - new flavours on tap 

Locally made, Organic Maiiz tortillas and their new salsas - would you like to have these available again? If yes, then let us know and we'll put in an order

From the farm and coop: (you may reserve ahead as some supplies are limited)
Free range eggs
Salad mix
Kale bouquets
Brassica shoots
Potatoes
Baby cucumbers
Sunflower shoots
Sausage, ground pork and bacon
Preserves

With thanks, your Local Farmers
info@jollityfarm.ca / Text or call 250.415.0101

Forbes Hall Community Centre

Effective April 8, 2022
Proof of Vaccination and use of masks are no longer mandatory at Forbes Hall.

Due to the high vaccination rate provincially, the PHO has lifted the mandates of Proof of Vaccination and Use of Masks.  However, COVID still remains a key concern within the Health Care System, especially for those over 70 years and those who are immunocompromised.

Please respect that everyone has their own comfort level regarding COVID, and wearing of masks is still encouraged in close situations or when in a group one does not usually meet with.    

If you are feeling unwell, please do not attend activities or meetings at Forbes Hall.

Pop up - Fibre De-Stash Sale April 13th

at the Community Hall during Soup's On

11:00 to 2:00

A few tables still available for anyone who wants to sell their old stash of yarn, wool, fabric and related notions! 

Or - Come by to stock up your supply for summer or Christmas creations!  Great yarn and fabrics at great prices!

And - Meet your neighbours over a bowl of great soup, treats, coffee, tea!

Georgina

Email: sunandseacowichanbay@hotmail.com

Text: 250 710-1818

Knitters & Weavers & Fibre Artists

After having had a successful art/craft weaving business for many years it's now time to say goodbye to my remaining stock of yarns. All of it!

Come on out Wednesday April 13 at 11:00 am to Forbes Hall for a chance to buy some unbelievably fabulous yarns at incredibly low, amazingly low prices. Fantastic selection too! Unbelievable selection in fact. 

See you there!

Barbara Addison 

250-324-5451

Firewood Needed

We will be needing a couple of cords of firewood for next winter. In view of the recent windstorm, it seems like a good idea to put it out there now, in case there are those who anticipate having some to sell. 

If you have any or expect to have any in the next few months, please let us know. 

We'd like to buy it!

250-246-1509
graemeshelford@gmail.com or veronicashelford@gmail.com

Scottish Country Dancing - Monday 4pm

The Scottish Country Dancing Group is meeting on Monday April 11 from 3 - 4:30 at the Forbes Hall Community Centre.

We invite all vaccinated individuals who would be interested in joining the group and learning the various strathspeys, jigs and reels in the Scottish Country Dancing repertoire.

Looking forward to seeing new members joining our group.

Another form of fitness exercise.

https://www.rscdsadelaide.org.au/benefits-of-scottish-dancing-fitness-fun-friends

Pete Rees - Celebration of Life

Pete and Audree Rees have lived on Thetis Island for well over a half a century and we were saddened to be called out to Pete’s residence on Clam Bay Road on March 23rd where he passed away. 

He was in his 98th year and was still very active.  Pete started the Thetis Island Fire Department with Harry Armstrong 40 years ago and was our first Fire Chief.  Before permanently moving to Thetis he spent almost three decades in the Vancouver Fire Department, retiring as a Fire Captain.

On May 14th, at Forbes Hall, we will celebrate Pete’s life and honour his memory with a Fire Service memorial and a community gathering with his family, friends and neighbours. 

All are welcome.

TIVFD 

ThINC - Launching the Nature Stewards Program - Check your mailbox!

Hello Thetis Islanders,

In honour of Earth Month, we are launching our Nature Stewards Program! Over the last several months we have been working with members of the Penelakut First Nation, Elder Augie Silvester and Ken Thomas, and local Island Trustee, Doug Fenton to develop materials to encourage residents to play an active role in conserving, stewarding, and enhancing wildlife habitat on their property. Although many islanders already do this, the program would like to recognize their efforts while helping everyone do a bit more for our island’s sensitive ecology and boost biodiversity!
 

Check your mailbox for our introductory Nature Stewards pamphlet. Also online at thetisislandnatureconservancy.org. If you don't t have a mailbox and would like a printed copy, please get in touch with us at: info@thetisislandnatureconservancy.org

Happy Earth Month,
The ThINC Team

artwork by Marcie Welsh