Death of a beloved local
Flowers are gathering at the Britannia Beach fire hall for Deputy Chief George McLaren. McLaren, 67, an eccentric and beloved figure in the Sea to Sky Corridor, died on Saturday, Aug. 19.
McLaren was recently acknowledged for his 40 years of volunteer fire service with Britannia Beach Fire Rescue, serving the communities of Britannia Beach, Furry Creek and Porteau Cove.
“He was larger than life and a great friend to us all,” said David Rittberg, fire chief at the Britannia Beach Volunteer Fire Department, in a Facebook post.
As news of his death spread, dozens of memories and comments about McLaren were posted online. Many recalled his hearty laugh, ease with a joke and his willingness to teach others what he knew. A funeral service is planned for Saturday, Sept. 2 at 12 p.m. at the Britannia Beach Community Centre.
Howe Sound rescue
A beautiful summer night on the water took an unexpected turn when an aluminum boat capsized in Howe Sound north of Anvil Island on Thursday night.
Squamish’s Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue members were called out at about 4:30 p.m. to a report of a capsized vessel with boaters in the water, according to Scott Shaw-MacLaren, deputy station leader of RCMSR Squamish.
Two paddle boarders helped the capsized group by pulling two of them onto their boards before rescuers arrived, Shaw-MacLaren said.
The men had apparently been in the water a few hours before they were rescued, according to a Global News report. One of the capsized boaters was able to swim ashore while RCMSR members rescued the other two, Shaw-MacLaren added.
The boaters were then transferred to a Canadian Coast Guard hovercraft, which brought them to paramedics and a doctor waiting on shore, according to Shaw-MacLaren. From CTV News video footage of the rescue, it does not appear the men were injured. RCMSAR Station West Vancouver, also on-scene, towed the capsized vessel back to shore.
SAR incidents
It is a case of little news is good news when it comes to emergency calls to Squamish Search and Rescue.
From Aug 7 to 13 Squamish Search and Rescue was only called out once, according to the provincial Emergency Management weekly incident report.
On Aug. 12, two Squamish SAR members responded to five lost heli-hikers on Serratus Glacier in Tantalus Provincial Park, according to the report. The rescue was called off when it was learned that the hikers successfully made their own way out.
WildSafe pledge
WildSafe has launched an initiative, WildSafe Business Pledge, for Squamish businesses along with new commercial bin stickers.
“The purpose of the commercial bin stickers is to assist businesses in being WildSafe by providing a visual reminder to their staff to keep garbage and organic containers closed at all times,” said WildSafe BC’s Vanessa Isnardy.
“While I was visiting businesses to inform them of the sticker installation, I also wanted to provide them with an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to being WildSafe”
The key components of the pledge are: keeping attractants secure at all times and becoming knowledgeable about how to handle wildlife encounters, as well as training staff and providing accurate advice to patrons by referring them to WildSafeBC.
Isnardy also provides the business with a notice for staff, outlining their commitment. She had three businesses sign up already.
Businesses keen to participate can reach Isnardy at [email protected].
Turtle Trail map
It has been a long time coming. Maps and brochures of the Squamish Laughing Turtle Trail will soon be available at bike shops including Corsa Cycles, Tantalus Bike Shop and Republic Bicycle.
Both the trail and the brochure are works in progress, said Meg Fellowes, who spearheaded the trail initiative.
“There are significant issues still to be worked through: property ownership, accessibility standards, development timelines, and associated costs,” Fellowes said in a news release.
Turtle Trail landmark attractions include the Squamish Adventure Centre, Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Company, the Sikh Temple, West Coast Railway Heritage Park and Brennan Park Recreation Centre, as well as the District of Squamish municipal hall, Squamish Public Library and Squamish Nation Totem Hall.
The Squamish Trails Society sponsors the Turtle Trail Map/Brochure. The Squamish Community Foundation provided funding. This fall, the map and brochure will be available on the Squamish Trails Society website, www.squamishtrails.ca.
Feedback is welcome either through the STS website or via email: [email protected]
If you have any questions please contact Meg Fellowes at 604-898-5093, [email protected] or Keely Kidner at 604-803-1607, [email protected].
Break-ins downtown
The Downtown Squamish Business Association and the Squamish RCMP are working together to reduce the number of break-and-enters to downtown businesses.
They are looking at how the “environmental design” outside buildings can be changed, the BIA said in a press release. For example, a business could trim their trees to create more visibility so it’s not as easy to break in.
Several break-ins occurred in downtown last weekend, and none of the businesses had alarms set, the BIA said. In one instance, no entry was gained because the business used a number of different locks on the door.
Airport Day
If you like planes, then you are going to love Squamish Community Airport Day and Fly-In this Sunday.
The Squamish Flying Club hosts the family-friendly event, which includes lots of aviation fun and exploration, at the Squamish Airport. Attendees can spend the day among local and visiting aircraft, a bouncy castle and other activities for kids, and airplane and helicopter rides, while learning more about flying adventures and opportunities from special guest speakers.
With aviators flying in from around the province, the Squamish Airport Day and Fly-In kicks off with a Lions Club pancake breakfast from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Airport Day activities run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information go to www.squamishflyingclub.com.
