Good Neighbours & Friends

On Friday I went to the hospital in Chemainus with severe tummy ache and backache again. I saw Dr. Madhas and must say he was exceptional. After two hours there, he sent me to Duncan hospital to have more tests done, suspecting a gallbladder problem.

Today I had my gallbladder removed and a hernia repair.

My first thought was "Oh my poor dogs"

I managed to get hold of Greg and Pat Gall who did not hesitate to care for them.

Mike and Cathy who text me often during my 3 day spell (as no visitors)

Martin and Anja who did the same.

Of course all my family who text me every 5 minutes.

The NURSES at the hospital were absolutely amazing, they are amazing !!!!! All nurses are amazing at this testing time, all over the world.

There is only one Thetis Island...Keep healthy everyone..follow guidelines...had my swab test at the hospital.

Finally, I should have listened to Martin Randle three weeks ago as he diagnosed me with a gallbladder problem.

Take Care

Chris Slater

The Milk Run

Thank you to everyone who has expressed interest in the Local Milk Run! We appreciate your patience as we've waited for Cowichan Dairy to have their amazing new system finally approved.

We know these hard working 2nd and 3rd generation farmers from our time at the Fairburn Buffalo Dairy, and have toured their immaculate dairy and milk processing set up. They take great care of their 50 girls who enjoy farm grown grasses and a hi-tech, spa-style barn!

Our delivery service is a brand new venture which we fast tracked in order to meet the current needs of the island. It is our hope, that by helping to bring good things to you, you can stay home and stay safe.

How this will work (for the immediate future):

Request a price list and order form by contacting Elisabeth at info@jollityfarm.ca, or click on the link at the bottom of this posting.

Delivery fees - If you are already receiving grocery or 'other' weekly deliveries, there is no extra fee to have your milk included. Your $10 delivery contribution will cover special items like this. If you want milk delivery only, there is a $2 surcharge. If you would like to pick up in the Jollity fridge, this can also be arranged. Pick up must be on Thursday evening or Friday and shop protocol will be shared with you prior.

As we get to enjoy wonderful reusable glass bottles, there is a $2/bottle deposit. You will be charged this per bottle fee for your first two deliveries. This will allow us to pick up your clean bottles for return on our second week.

On delivery day, please place your tote(s) and/or coolers at the end of your driveway. Place your clean and dry milk bottle inside. We will collect as we drop off your fresh delivery.

Invoices will be supplied bi-monthly or monthly and payable via etransfer or cheque (can be left in an envelope in tote or cooler)

Order cut off time **Tuesday at 4pm**. We must receive your order by this time each week, to allow the farmers adequate time to prepare our order.

Safety protocols:

There are only 2 people that may touch your bottle of milk during transit, and both are paying strict attention to mega hand washing, wearing gloves and a face mask (when required), using a locally made Gin & Orange sanitizer (ask us if you need some), and wiping down totes and all surfaces with a disinfectant.

Cowichan Milk's sanitary & milk safety practices are already exemplary, but of course, they have taken additional precautions handling everything.

If your immunity is comprised, it is especially important to treat every item that enters your home as if it could be contaminated. Search online to find some excellent videos that show you how to safely sanitize all items.

Other questions etc.?

Email Elisabeth at info@jollityfarm.ca

250.416.6736 or 250.415.0101

Online Order Form

COVID-19 PSA Cleaning of Groceries etc.

Back & Brown Dog Wandering: Please Keep Your Dog at Your Home

To the owner of the black/brown mixed, medium sized dog that wanders the island.  

Could you please keep your dog on your property instead of letting him aimlessly roam around the island?  

We have had to chase him out of our yard numerous times in the last couple weeks, and would prefer he stays out.  

We have a small, older dog who is very protective of his yard, and we do not want him to get hurt.

Anonymous, 

and others in the community that are tired of your dog's travels...

Extraordinary Virtual Executive Meeting held by TIRRA during COVID19

A motion by the President proposed to postpone the March AGM (as specified in our bylaws), until end of May reassessment of COVID-19 situation. Motion seconded by Vicki Walker. Unanimously approved by TIRRA Executive.

Thetis Island Residents' and Ratepayers' Association (TIRRA)

 TIRRA has researched BC Societies regulations (Section 71 of the Societies Act) and determined an AGM may be delayed to a later date within the year, as long as completed by December 31st. Although the website does not state a society can change a date of AGM that is specified in their bylaws (TIRRA's bylaws specifically state March of each year), the TIRRA board unanimously approved suspension of the AGM for this year due to extraordinary circumstances impacting our community. 

 We commit to holding a meeting that enables inclusivity, and ability for all members to have a voice. This is difficult at this time with social distancing legislation. We thereby inform our membership that we are delaying the meeting for review at end of May. 

 Members will be advised of any further updates via espokes and the ferry bulletin board.  

 In the interim, please visit thetisisland.net for Minutes of the TIRRA Executive Meeting

held in January, as well as individual committee reports. 

Be well, and Be Safe!

Wendy Hinsperger

President, TIRRA

Tablet Needed

Does anyone have a tablet they no longer use and are willing to sell? 

In the new age of online play-dates, I find myself needing a tablet for my daughter. 

She currently uses my phone, but since it is my only form of communication, it feels risky, as online play-dates can actually get quite rowdy when you are 4.

 The tablet would need to have a reasonable resolution since  she video chats with her friends. 

Happy to pay, and do a contact free pickup.

Thank you, and virtual hugs

Elite and Athenia

elite01@shaw.ca

or 778-557-6510

Smart Projects

Thinking of stay at home projects? 

Have you looked at the FIRE SMART website lately to check how you can prepare your property for wildfire season?  You can get some exercise while you move your woodpile.  

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/firesmart

Or how about checking your driveway to clear overhead and side encroaching branches?

Access requirements are a minimum of 12 feet wide and 15 feet vertical clearance from all obstacles.  Driveways must be capable of supporting a load of 5000Kg per axle in all weather.  

Your property MUST be posted with your correct lot number clearly visible from both directions of approach from the public road where your driveway intersects.  If you have two entrances, both must be posted.  Numbers must be 6” in height and visible day and night.  

If you are interested in purchasing a numbered sign post that meets the specifications, you can contact info@aggressivefiresafety.com, 

You will see many examples of this white sign post with reflective blue numbering on many driveways here on Thetis.

Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department

Another Way to Give Back to Our Community

I have been encouraged lately reading about the many kind and thoughtful offers given by islanders.  Another idea occurred to me that perhaps some of us may wish to consider.  

Our neighbours at Capernwray Harbour and Pioneer Pacific are hurting financially because of the pandemic.  Capernwray’s students were not able to return and all programs at both establishments have been cancelled until it is possible to have guests again.    No groups equals no income.  

Both places have men on our fire department; both have hosted our elementary student’s “Welcome Back Barbeques” in September. Our children and grandchildren have enjoyed going to Pioneer or Capernwray for their summer programs.  

Capernwray welcomes us to join them for meals and various functions throughout the year.  And how many of us have received cheerful, hard-working students from Capernwray on Community Help days for years and years?  Staff organized it all, the students willingly did whatever task was put before them and then at the end of the season, they invited us to a beautiful ‘high tea’ as a thank you!

Pioneer has hosted many community meetings and Christmas concerts. Without our community hall, it has also doubled as our church meeting place since last May.  Will summer programs be able to go ahead as planned?

No one knows what the future holds or how soon things will return to normal for any of us but I thought I’d put it out there and if this strikes a chord with you and you’d like to make a donation of whatever size, I’m sure it would be gratefully received by both establishments.  Thanks for your time to read this.

Lynn Hunter

lynnhunter@telus.net 

250-246-2176

Meditation with Dan Harris

Dan Harris wrote a book about meditation 10% Happier in 2014 that was excellent.

10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found a Self-Help that Actually Works--A True Story 

He had been a reporter/journalist and had seen some horrors in Afghanistan and started to self medicate and then had a melt down on National Television, an anxiety attack. Subsequently he went searching and found meditation and wrote the book to tell his story.

At this time of stress and change Harris has started a daily meditation practice with some meditation gurus and these are excellent, short and free. If you are interested here are the links to the practice. Videos are taken in his living room and they are homey and approachable.

Mary Osberg 

260 Forbes Rd.

https://www.tenpercent.com/coronavirussanityguide

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ten+percen+happier+Live

Thetis Island Voters Strongly Support TICA Motion to Sole Source General Contractor

There was a great turn out for the Drive-By vote Saturday.  

165 Members voted, 163 Yes and 2 No.  

The motion “Be it resolved that the Forbes Hall Expansion Project proceed with a single selection (sole source) process to engage a new general contractor” is carried.

A huge shout out to all the Members who stepped up to make this vote possible, in particular Michelle Black, Don Sinclair, and Tony Smith, who spent the afternoon working the poll, directing traffic, and later facilitating the Mobile Vote.

Ron Bannister

President, TICA

Voting Day on Thetis ~ Thetis Style!

courtesy of Jeannine Caldbeck

An Offer to Pick Up Prescriptions / Required Items from Victoria

Hello Islanders,
We are coming up from Victoria on Sat - able to pick up required prescriptions from Victoria if needed.  I am a Health Care Worker so have been following careful self-isolation techniques and will handle in safest way.
Please email directly or text only 250-661-1349
Tina and Malcolm  - 179 Pilkey Rd