The following letter to the Squamish mayor and council was copied to the Chief for publication
Dear Mayor Ian Sutherland and Council,
Re: Proposal to put Brackendale on District of Squamish signage
Brackendale Farmers Institute is dedicated to the betterment and to the unique identity of the community of Brackendale and, as such, requests that the community of Brackendale be represented on signage recently erected by the District of Squamish.
Brackendale Farmers Institute is in support of the log-framed signs with the green directional signage that has been recently place throughout the district, including within the community of Brackendale. While the community of Brackendale is politically part of the District of Squamish, we believe that Brackendale's history should be reflected in this signage.
Brackendale became known as a farming community in the 1890's, most famously for its hops. The Farmers Institute had its beginning here, back in 1915. The majority of the Squamish River valley's early non-native settlers lived in Brackendale. A post office was established in Brackendale in 1912 and, to this day, Brackendale is shown on Province of B.C. road maps and in atlases, including the most recent National Geographic Atlas of the World, as a distinct community just north of Squamish. By 1915, Brackendale had its own train station on the P.G.E. line. More recently, Brackendale has become known as the Winter Home of the Bald Eagle and holds the world record bald eagle count. Brackendale Eagle's Provincial Park is located within and adjacent to the community of Brackendale.
Brackendale Farmers Institute, at its own expense, has had two signs made by the same sign company that made the green directional signs for the District of Squamish, which read "Brackendale, B.C." The dimensions of the signs, as well as the type size and style, are identical to the signs made for the District of Squamish. Given the history of Brackendale and its importance as a unique community in the Squamish valley, we request that you, as a council, make a motion to install these signs on the log-framed signs located at Garibaldi Way and Government Road (this sign would have an arrow pointing north towards Brackendale) and at Depot Road and Government Road. Should you approve such a motion, we will provide these signs to you at no cost.
We look forward to your response regarding this proposal.
Thor Froslev
President, Brackendale
Farmers Institute
Event organizer gives thanks
Editor,
Anyone who saw the Adventure Centre site on the morning of June 10 would agree it was a disaster zone. It looked like giant moles had struck - huge piles of dirt lined the entrance and Logger's Lane was cut open like a wound.
But by 4 p.m., when the Tulip Friendship Bus rolled in for the 60th Anniversary Celebration and Jazz Concert, the area was clean and safe. The site crew worked extremely hard all day to ensure our event could go ahead.
Even the rain stopped in time for the Colour Parade from Rose Park, which included the Black Tusk Caledonia Pipe Band, Veterans, and the Air and Army Cadets of Squamish.
Howe Sound Performing Arts Association could not have hosted the Celebration without the partnership and support of The District of Squamish and the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 277. A bouquet of tulips to District staff, Sandi Patterson of the Legion, and Catharine Adams of HSPAA. Also to George Chang of Pause Cafe who went to great lengths to supply beverage and food service in improvised conditions.
The Westcoast Railway Heritage Park, the B.C. Museum of Mining, Pepe and Gringos, Pause Cafe, and Eagles' Coffee Grounds contributed generously to the Entertainment Package. Thanks also, to the Mini Flea Market and Carney's Waste Systems.
Our media sponsors - The Chief, Mountain FM, and My Squamish - gave extensive coverage for this special Celebration. Finally, thank you to Luluk Purwanto and the Helsdingen Trio from Holland for their music, their spirit of friendship and for their gift of 600 tulips to Squamish.
Joanna Schwarz
Event Co-ordinator
Dog owners thankful
Editor,
While out on a weekend camping trip, our dog vanished overnight with no sign of her anywhere. We searched and searched for almost nine hours before the wind and rain finally made us stop searching. "Roxi" (our rottweiller) has been with us for over nine years and is 60 per cent blind. Because of her temperament and demeanor, she quickly has anyone who meets her, fall in love with her. She was one of our children. We went back out to Mile 36 (where we were camping) in the Upper Squamish Valley on Monday to search again but to no avail. We posted numerous signs up in the hopes that someone would spot her, but we heard nothing back until Wednesday afternoon. A fellow out in the Squamish Valley was out in the area when what he thought was a bear turned out to be our dog. He quickly notified the spca after seeing our signs. He spotted her on the far side of the raging river perched on a rock.
The spca then contacted me, and told me they had spotted our dog. My wife and I were on a business matter in Surrey and were unable to leave until late Wednesday night. I called on my friends and within four hours of that first call from the spca our dog was returned to us safe and sound.
I would like to give an overflowing dog house full of daffodils to all our amazing friends; Ray and Tracy Hicks, Richard, Ken and Laurie Kilby, Nat and Andrew Pereman, and Bohumir Ceper, the fellow that spotted her and also the spca We feel extremely blessed to have these kinds of friends, and would like to thank them with all our hearts for returning our precious dog. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Wayne, Julie and Kelsey Quirion
