Halloween is in the air!

Everybody enjoys the Halloween holiday whether they are young children looking forward to dressing up as their favourite characters and heading out trick or treating, or as adults getting ready for the big night of festivities. On Gabriola being a smaller community have an amazing Halloween line up for kids of all ages…

FIREWORKS
You may have seen the Gabriola Fire Departments rubber boots on display at various businesses as they collect monies to put on the fireworks display on October 31st 7:30 pm at Twin Beaches. Reminiscing on some of my favourite childhood memories on the island this has to be one of the most spectacular evenings, who can resist – goodies, hot chocolate, fireworks & hot dogs…


Gabriola’s SLEEPY HOLLOW
Halloween night could not be complete without a slow drive down the North Road area referred to islanders as the “tunnel” that comes lit up by the amazing display of carved pumpkins. With the homes on Gabriola being further apart, it’s a great way to display your pumpkin by dropping it off in the tunnel – the spectacular display usually is lit up for a couple of evenings post Halloween.


Trick or Treating
Well, the kids tend to have to put in a little extra effort in trick or treating on the island, with the long driveways and the homes having some distance between them, that said there are some popular areas of the island that kids & parents tend to find a little easier; the Strand, Malaspina Galleries, the Village core, are among some of the popular ghouling areas.



For the ADULTS
The Skol & Silva Bay both have events planned for the Halloween weekend. In addition if you haven’t taken in one of the radio after dark Halloween shows, they are not to be missed and usually tend to sell out quickly!



RADIO AFTER DARK
The Radio After Dark Troupe recreate the classic radio shows of the 1930s and 1940s, capturing the essence of those timeless gems with live sound effects, period costumes, passionate performances and the occasional hilarious blooper

Wednesday & Thursday, October 26 & 27 – Silva Bay Restaurant & Pub, Gabriola 7:30pm
Tix $15- , Gabriola tix available at Artworks,

Radio after Dark's Halloween Show catapults the audience back in time to the golden age of radio, bringing those gripping tales of suspense to bone chilling life. Don't miss this amazing experience!

Happy Haunting!

Peter and the Wolf on Gabriola

We are so pleased to have Mara Brenner on Gabriola, she's a fantastic dance teacher and great Pilate's instructor. Currently she's lining up all the dancers (I think about 45 of them) for an upcoming performance of Peter and the Wolf.

She's been busy with the costumes, props, set and teaching them all the steps. We are lucky enough that she is willing to put on two performances this Saturday, May 21 at the Pheonix Auditorium at the Haven, one at 1pm and the other at 5pm.

All the kids are so proud to try on their outfits and are anticipating their moment to shine on stage. The performance is 40 minutes long, the perfect length for those with even the shortest attention span. Entrance is by donation to the PHC.

Easter on Gabriola Island

The Easter Bunny has already been around and made his deliveries on Gabriola, the kids have found all the packages of seeds he hid for them and we've just finished dying a batch of hard boiled eggs. Now we have just enough time to visit a friend for lunch before we go to the Commons for the free community Easter egg hunt that starts at 1. Hundreds of kids will come with baskets in hand and will carefully search the grounds for thousands of pieces of candies. The Easter Egg hunt is sponsored by the Gabriola Rod, Gun & Conservation Club.

Teaching Kids the art of giving…

There are so many great life lessons that can be shared with kids over the holiday season, to help them understand the value of giving.

Kids of all ages can sort through their toys and select a few to donate – GIRO is a great place to bring items where they are quickly re-cycled into someone else’s treasure.

Volunteering is a great way for kids to see first-hand how their good deeds can affect others. On the island there are many amazing organizations that are always looking for a helpful hand, and then there is always those special random acts of kindness we can all bestow on our neighbors whether it be helping to stack firewood, running errands, or bringing a plate of freshly baked cookies over.

It’s a great time to clean out the pantry and have the kids help to box up those goods we’ve collected throughout the year and bring them to the Emergency Food Depot, who is very grateful for these donations.

There’s also an allowance, where kids can raise money to give, and it’s always a nice treat to have some extra hands to help with the day to day household chores. Letting them pick the organization they wish to donate makes them very proud of this special gift they choose to give…

Village Foods - shopping made easier

There's been a great new addition to our local grocery store, mini shopping carts!

They're new, shiny and today at lunch there were a number of them being maneuvered around the isles of Village Foods by Gabriola's youth. It's a fun way to get the kids interested in shopping. Let them cut out photos from a flyer, or write down three items on their "list" and let them do the shopping, it's a great way to include them in some of the family chores.

At the end, while you pay the bill (which may include a few items you didn't see on either list), the kids can head over to the cookie jar- where they can exchange a smile for a cookie. Life is sweet.

Hot Meals!

Gabriola Elementary School has been lucky to have Carmen Mattes preparing hot lunches for students twice a week over the past years, and she’s back at it again. The suggested price is $2.50 per meal, and the aromas of home cooking linger around the school hallways on the days she’s cooking. If you have any produce from your garden that you can’t use, they are always looking for donations and the full tummies in the school are always thankful for it!

Trip to OZ

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The Big TENT !

There will be a lot of entertainment this weekend, August 21, 22 & 23 - presented by the Gabriola Theater Festival, with productions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

There are 8 productions offered in a variety of locations on the Island. Single show tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door, except for the Itchy Fish production of “A midsummer night in Oz” which will only cost you $5 at the door. To find out show times and places to get your tickets visit : www.gabriolatheatrefestival.ca .

There are a lot of other events as well, Zigster the trickster will perform some magic in the Village between 10-1 on Saturday, and you can stroll down Lochinvar between 10-4 on Saturday,the street will be closed to traffic for 50 local artists that will have booths set up to share their creativity.

A trip to Oz…

Well firstly, I have to start off by stating that this is all about being an Auntie, which gives me HUGE bragging rights, which will be apparent in this blog…

Last weekend, at the home Tina & I grew up in on Gabriola, we celebrated by neice Bianca, and nephew MicGill’s birthday party and WOW, what a spectacular celebration. Our friends & families came to take a walk on the yellow brick road where they met Oz, the wicked witch of the East (aka Tina my sister), the good witch, Tin Man, and hosts Dorothy (B) and Lion (M). Along the journey their were games to keep the munckins busy and it truly felt like we had left Kansas and ended up in the magical world of Oz (Gabriola).

Guy stole the show, as the Tin Man who kept telling everyone he only wanted a heart, but he couldn’t resist blurting out to our local Dr. that he also wanted his spleen back!

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate, and to our hostess Dorothy(Bianca), and Lion (MicGill) – I am SO proud to be your Auntie, you guys are both amazing kids!

Happy Birthday!

XOXXO Your Auntie, Jen

Ever thought of Joining the Circus???

Well today on Gabriola the New Old Time Chautauqua came to the island with its crew of 61 performers to give Gabriola Islanders a full day of circus events…

The musical vaudeville circus in its 28th annual summer time tour, came through the Village in full costume and musical instruments, and I mean through the Village leading the parade… Everyone was welcome and there were many familiar faces in the crowd, mostly behind big red noses… No sooner did they enter the parking lot at the Folklife then the parade carried on through Village Food Market, gaining yet more unsuspecting shoppers who soon became lured by shiny instruments, and the vibrant costumes. In front of Artworks they did a teaser of what’s in store for their big performance at 7:00 tonight at the Commons, and tickets are available right at the Entrance to the Commons.

But before the show these merrymakers led the parade, first through the office & out the back window, back to the Commons. All those who had ever thought about joining the circus were welcome by the performers both adults & kids had the opportunity to learn a variety of skills including juggling, acrobatics, mask making, clowning, etc.

For those that can’t get enough tonights “Big Show” is going to inspire – bring a blanket or a chair, the performance take place on the lawn...

The New Old Time Chautauqua is a non profit organization, whose mission is to nurture and build community through laughter, entertainment and education. They present family-oriented events in diverse communities, especially to rural and under-served populations. The traveling troupe partners with local organizations and service groups, with the intention of inspiring creativity and supporting community.

This summer Aqua Chautauqua will travel by boat and bus to maritime communities in Canada and Washington State. The merry band of performers and educators will create community events with colorful
Parades, creative and informative workshops and vaudeville shows with all the bells and whistles.

This show will benefit the fund raising efforts of the Commons to reduce carrying charges for the mortgage and enable renovation projects to get underway sooner. Thus the motto at "The Commons... a Place For Everyone" can be truly implemented!

Helping Hands

Gabriola Fellowship Church is hosting a summer camp for kids from 3 years old to Grade 7 this week, from July 6-10. This year’s theme is “ First Response-Help At Hand”, inside the church you can certainly see the organizers have been busy using their hands to create the setting with the handmade props and artwork. My kids (age 4 & 6) love going into this inviting atmosphere and learn a lot through the songs, games, sharing, crafts and activities. Submitted by: Tina LYNCH

Gabriola Elementary Schools Year End Assembly

Once again the Gabriola Elementary School gym was full as the community was invited to celebrate the Year End Assembly.

We sat excitedly, watching the kindergarten class decked out in their graduating caps, carefully created by Mrs. Ellis, Kindergarden teacher extrodinaire, as they received their certificates. They were escorted into the assembly with their Grade 7 buddies, who have served as role models throughout the year and have definitely set them down the right path.

It was a very supportive environment with many feelings flowing throughout, lots of joy, some tears, a lot of recognition for teachers, students, the PAC and our retiring principal. For both Tina & I, having gone through the school system on the island, it sure brought a lot of fond memories back...

Congrats to all the students, and the beautiful "Blues" send off to Principal Rooney, who is retiring...

A nice beginning for summer and a tribute to those leaving the school.

The Empty Bowl Project Part Two

On May 30th, we took the opportunity to drop into Sunstone pottery, on Gabriola to create our bowls for Hunger in support of People for a Healthy Community's Emergency Food Depot.

On walking into the pottery studio, we felt fortunate to have the talent if many exceptionally tallented local potters who came out to lend their support and guide us in molding, creating & glazing our bowls for hunger. We spent time sculpting, creating & re-creating the bowls - trying to get them just right, only to look at Emma & Jane (4 years old) and realize who had created the master pieces!

The bowls are now finished, thanks to Potter Graham Sheehan and his colleagues, and will be on display at Artworks from 18 June to 24 June, 2009. The bowls are up for silent auction, so you can bid on your favorite bowl (or for those who just want to donate bid on bowls 37 to 40 - they may not be beautiful but they were created with joy!)

All proceeds from this event go to Gabriola's Emergency Food Depot - so it's a great cause, & helps our community locally.

Gabriola's First Theatre Festival - August 21 - 23rd, 2009

What a weekend it's going to be... 7 main stage productions, the launching of a young peoples theatre company & so much, much more! With so much local talent on display, you'll want to get your tickets early so as not to be disappointed - ticket information as well as information on the festival and the 7 main stage shows can be found by visiting: www.gabriolatheatrefestival.ca .

Alongside the productions to be found on the main stage, the weekend will be jam packed with additional activites in the Village area including;

Razberry's Jazz Cafe - in between theatre shows look for the open stage between Rasberry's & Artworks where you'll find a variety of local musicians and entertainers.

The Gabriola Lions - legendary pancake breakfast will be served on Saturday the 22nd between 9:00 - 11:00 am.

Street Art - come by and be enthralled and inspired by the work of more than 50 local island artisans who will be displaying their work.

Take home a piece of Gabriola History!

As a movement to protect the many petroglyphs on the Island, the Gabriola Museum decided to make reproductions of the petroghlyphs. They encourage rubbings and photographs of the reproductions, and if you go during museum hours you can buy a rubbing kit which includes the cloth and special wax crayon. There are over 30 reproductions to take a look at here, and you can choose from a variety of animal and human shapes.

This is a great outdoor activity for those that want to learn a bit and take home something unique, I took my 5 year old daughter and she loved the process, learning about the petroglyphs, looking at each one and doing the rubbing.

May - June 21: Sat to Sun: 10 am to 4 PM

June 25- Sept 7: Thur to Mon: 10 am to 4 PM

September 12 : Sat to Sun: 10 am to 4 PM

Admission
Adults: $2.00
Children (under 12): Free

For more information on the Gabriola Museum visit their website at : http://www.gabriolamuseum.org/ Submitted by: Tina LYNCH

A Little Change....

We went for a little day trip yesterday to celebrate Mother’s Day, we decided to leave the Island for the morning and visit the garden stores near Coombs.

After the excursion to a couple of lovely nurseries, to pick up a beautiful hanging basket, we made an excursion to Qualicum. My Mother-in-law, who lives in the area, had told us about the change machine... It’s great - the kids poured the change they had saved onto a tray on the machine and watched through a little glass slot as it got sorted. It prints you out a receipt and you visit the teller to collect your bills.

The kids loved it and so did I, they had enough money to take me for a special DQ treat and buy a few more seeds for the garden, a nice change of scenery for the day.

Qualicum Beach is about a 40 minute drive from the Gabriola Ferry, if you'd like to visit the Quality Foods and cash in your change it's located at 705 Memorial Avenue. Submitted by: Tina LYNCH

Roots Show

Be prepared to be dazzled as you enter the ROOTS show, hosted at Artworks in the Village, there are still three days left to treat your eyes to this community art event.

This years theme really challenged the artists... We were very impressed with the creativity that was invoked by this show and the ages and diversity of the participants.

If you have a chance to go, have a look at Melinda Wilde's painting as it tells a very interesting story about family in a beautiful way. Another piece that I found intriguing is Donna Zakreski's quilt, she has a very artistic approach to quilting. Of course, I need to mention the family members who also have their pieces in the show, Randi's "14 carrots" incorporates her love of quilting into an amazing fiber art piece, and Bianca, my 6 year old niece for her brilliant painting entitled Hungry, after her neighborhood rabbit - who gave grief to her garden! (Congratulations B. on the sale of your very first piece- with her family roots I'm sure it's the first of many more to come...)

There is also a silent auction which has numerous items; from the beautiful driftwood coffee table, to tempting jewellery, island services & so much more, it's a great place to stock up on gifts for friends and family, while supporting the Gabriola Arts Council.

MS Walk Nanaimo 2009

On Sunday, we loaded up the family & friends and sailed across from Gabriola on BC Ferries, to meet our team for the annual MS Walk. The weather was absolutely stunning, which was complimented by the gorgeous walk along down town Nanaimo’s sea wall.

We were walking in support of our good friend Jodi, who was diagnosed with MS when she was only 31, she is an amazingly vibrant person who has not let it affect her day to day living, or her attitude on life. She is a hard individual to keep up with as she is very athletic & outgoing and has so many friends…

So, this year was the first year we put together a team, in full costumes modeled after MS. Canada we entered in the MS. Cured team, with over 20 of participating. The boys looked especially good in the evening gowns, and while none of them shaved their legs, we did help raise some money & awareness (the photo in the paper caught some attention) and to also for the opportunity to spend a couple of hours with good friends!

MS affects so many, friends, co-workers, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons & daughters out there, as was evident in nearly 335 participants coming out for the 2009 Nanaimo MS Walk, nearly $75,0000 was raised.

To all those affected, we want to let you know, we care and we are with you every step of the way!

Mmmmm.... I smell chocolate!

Coast Realty's Community Easter Egg Hunt, Food & the KERPLUNKS !

Open to all ages, at the Commons on Saturday, April 11th, the day starts at 12 noon with our very own, Juno award nominees, the “Kerplunks”. Dance and sing along, there will also be a concession with hot dogs and drinks by donation to our 4H Club. Then, the really big event of Easter Weekend, and starting at 1pm ‘sharp’, is the Easter Egg Hunt, itself. This is a sight to behold if you’ve never been and the Easter Bunny makes a surprise appearance especially for picture taking, young and old.

So, you ask, “How many eggs are hidden amongst the trees, and meadows?” We asked the Easter Bunny, and with a wiggle of his nose, he whispered “way, way over 10,000”!

So, come one, come all and don’t be late, race time is 1:00 (and it starts on time)... It’s bound to be a fun day.

We’re so proud!

“The Kerplunks” are a fantastic 4 piece band that have been recognized for their amazing talent and ability to engage kids getting them singing along and joining in on all the action…

This Gabriola based band has been nominated for children’s album of the year, the Juno awards will take place this weekend (March 29) in Vancouver. Gabriola will be on pins and needles awaiting the results.

Clearly the Kerplunks are already winners in our hearts and we hope they win the hearts & ears of the rest of Canada as well.

Coast Realty (Gabriola Village) Ltd. is delighted to have the Kerplunks playing at our annual Free Community Easter Egg Hunt at noon on Sat, April 11th, where there set to get the kids moving before the great hunt!