Galiano Club Blog

11 05, 2020

The Hall Sign

By |2023-09-13T12:41:42-07:00May 11th, 2020|Categories: History|0 Comments

by Allan Forget

The founding (1925) Constitution of the Galiano Club contained the objective, “to build a public hall”. Such a bldg began to be constructed that same year, was mostly complete & being occupied by 1927, had an ‘official’ opening in May,1929 during a visit by BC’s Lieutenant Governor. The Club, islanders, referred to the bldg as the ‘Galiano Hall’ for decades to come. In such a small-numbered community no external markings identifying it as the island’s public hall was ever deemed necessary. In the mid-1970s The Galiano Club’s Board of Trustees (now termed the Board of Directors) unofficially started calling the organization the ‘Galiano Community Club’. This lasted for just a few years. During that period a former Trustee, Betty Fairbank, offered to create a name board for the hall that read ‘Galiano Community Hall’. The offer was accepted, the board produced —- on a yellow cedar plank —- & was duly erected in October, 1976. This same board remains over the main entrance door to the Hall. It was removed once in the 1990s for a refinishing by Jordan Hartman. In 2018 the letters were highlighted with black paint by Heather Cruickshank.

At the same time Betty created a wood Bulletin Board which was also attached to the front of the Hall bldg. This lasted in place until a repainting of the Hall’s exterior in the late 1990s when it was removed. About 10 yrs later, then Club President, Don Anderson, built two new Bulletin Boards & these were attached to the Hall bldg where they exist to this day (April, 2020).

Betty Fairbank, a US citizen by birth, came to live on Galiano in the mid- 1970s. An artist in many mediums but specializing in photography, Betty opened a small ‘art & gift shop’ @ Sturdies Bay which happily operated for several years. Among other community involvements Betty served as a Trustee with the Galiano Club for many years. Betty had been involved with the feminist movement in Vancouver prior to her island residency. Her success on Galiano encouraged other Vancouver-based women to make the move. Two of those who did were the writer Jane Rule & her partner, the educator, Helen Sonthoff. Betty Fairbank died in May, 2016 , at the age of 93 yrs.

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11 05, 2020

The Enke Monument (the Bluffs)

By |2023-09-13T12:41:51-07:00May 11th, 2020|Categories: Club Parks, History|0 Comments

by Allan Forget

 In the early autumn of 1972 the Galiano Club sponsored a public  ceremony at the Bluffs viewpoint to dedicate a commemorative stone  monument to Max & Marion Enke, former island residents whose land  donation, in 1948, started the creation of what is now known as ‘the  Bluffs’. The inscription on the attached bronze plaque reads: 

‘Erected September 1st, 1972, by the residents of Galiano Island  in grateful memory of MAX ENKE and MARION ENKE  1884 -1971 1879 -1961 whose generosity made possible the establishment of Bluffs Park, thereby  preserving in its natural beauty the land they loved, for all people, for all  time.’

The monument project was spearheaded by Jean Lockwood, long-serving  Galiano Club Secretary & President, assisted by Club Trustees, Roy  Harding, Harold Dyer. Fred Robson & Pat Weaver had helped with the  installation. The granite stone had been quarried locally, the bronze  plaque created by the Ornamental Bronze Co. (Vancouver) at a cost of  $163.46. Jean Lockwood had composed the inscription in consultation  with the surviving Enke children, Dr. Stephen Enke (Washington, DC) &  Mrs. Ruth Enke Chambers (Victoria, BC). Both Enke children, with other  family members, attended the dedication ceremony. 

Galiano Club President, Corinne Snell, led the ceremony. The Enke family  members were introduced by Donald New who then gave a brief history of  the property and “the efforts on the part of old time residents to make it  into parkland”. 

A refreshments table had been set-up nearby serving coffee, tea &  desserts. 

Mr. Max Enke arrived on Galiano Is. in 1907 a 23 yr old from Manchester, England not wanting to part of the family’s rabbit fur treatment business  (located in Belguim), wishing instead to be a colonial farmer. His ship landed at the old Georgeson Bay wharf so Mr. Enke’s first view of Galiano would have been the open area between Mt Galiano and the Bluffs, the  area now known as ‘the Valley’. Eventually Mr. Enke bought several large  properties there, farmland & forest stretching from the Valley to the high  Bluffs overlooking Active Pass. With the help of labourers brought over from Belgium, a successful animal farming operation was soon running  well. Mr. Enke later married Marion Lejeune, another Manchester native, in a ceremony held in Quebec City with the couple eventually having two children, Ruth & Stephen. In addition to the Galiano farm, the family had a residence in Victoria, BC. Mr. Enke returned to Europe in 1929 to help with  the family business in Belgium leaving his Galiano farm lands in the hands of a manager. 

Before his departure however Mr. Enke had been approached by Mr. Donald New & other islanders with the idea of purchasing his acreage  immediately above the Bluffs for the future use as a community park. This  area had long been a popular hiking/picnicing destination for islanders &  the idea of it becoming a park had long been discussed. Mr. Enke agreed  to the idea and set a $1000 price on the 94 acres. The tough job of  fundraising began by a sizeable group of islanders under the auspices of  the Galiano Island Development Association (GIDA) soon began. One of the more popular fundraisers was a weekly gramophone concert held in the home of one of the Galiano Club founders, Mr. Paul Scoones.

Meanwhile, in Belguim, Mr. Enke had been arrested as an “enemy alien”  by the invading German Army and placed in a Prisoner of War Camp  where he would stay for the full duration of WW2. Not until 1947, after his  return to Canada & to Galiano, would Mr. Enke & the fundraisers be able to once again connect. The $1000 had been successfully raised —- with the  help of a good number of individual financial donations (known as the  Original Donors) —- but the cost of the required land survey still needed  to be tackled. Mr.Enke generously agreed to cover this new cost and also  to donate an additional section of land which brought the total acreage  being given to 139 hectares (342 acres). By this time the GIDA  membership was no longer interested in becoming parkland owners so the  title of what has come to be known as The Bluffs was offered to &  accepted by, in 1948, the Galiano Club. A Deed of Trust was created in 1951 and the Club has owned and managed the parkland ever since. Mr. & Mrs. Enke eventually left the island deciding to reside full-time in Victoria. It was in that city that both died & are buried.  

(More information about the acquisition & about the management of the  The Bluffs can be found in the 2020 Management Plan displayed on the  Galiano Club’s website.)

 

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12 04, 2020

COVID-19 Update

By |2022-03-20T21:09:11-07:00April 12th, 2020|Categories: Club News, Club Parks, Club Programs, Food Bank, Food Program, Frozen Meals|0 Comments

In response to the pandemic, the Food Program has adapted our regular programs. It’s clear that when it comes to food security, some people are more affected by the pandemic than others.

We are partnering with St. Margaret’s of Scotland church to run the Galiano Food Bank, which re-opened in February. There are a number of people on the island who rely on the Food Bank and the demand has increased during the pandemic as many community members are facing financial insecurity. We are very grateful for the swell of donations we’ve received from the community, including the CRD, and from the volunteers who have been doing grocery runs to make sure we have enough – thank you very much for your support. And a big thanks also to Daystar, the Corner Store and Galiano Trading for your support making sure we can bring in groceries.

To meet the needs of people who are self-isolating or in quarantine, and who are struggling to afford groceries, we have begun a new service in partnership with the Better at Home program, delivering over a dozen hampers of food each week. This program relies on over a dozen superstar volunteers who have stepped up to help out, cooking, driving, and doing outreach – thank you all!

As a result of both of these programs, we’re facing a pretty steep grocery bill each week, and we’ve lost the revenue of our Soup & Bread lunches, so again, we’re very grateful for the generous wave of donations from the community, as well as from the United Way.

We are exploring other avenues for financial support including announcements from the Federal Government about support for organizations and Food Banks.

If you’re able to contribute, we need your support to keep our programs going and feed vulnerable islanders.

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12 04, 2020

Galiano Club’s lands in the time of COVID-19 – Parks Notice – April 2020

By |2020-05-11T23:32:39-07:00April 12th, 2020|Categories: Club News, Club Parks|0 Comments

From the Galiano Club during the coronavirus pandemic:

The parklands we manage — the Bluffs, Mt Galiano, the Community Forest — remain open. Fresh air and exercise are essential elements in maintaining good physical and mental health; this is most especially vital just now. So, we want our hiking trails, our parks, to be kept available for our neighbours to use. But, while using the trails and the vehicle parking areas it is most important to remember the current pandemic situation, the precautions outlined by our local health experts — most especially the social distancing. And, to wash your hands well before & after each hike/walk.

The staff at the Galiano Health Care Centre and those with the Galiano Emergency Program all agree with this decision by the Galiano Club Board. But, they caution that the board may need to revisit this decision as needed.

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12 04, 2020

Foraging

By |2020-07-01T18:54:51-07:00April 12th, 2020|Categories: Food Program, Nettlefest|0 Comments

by Alison Colwell

Right now, getting outside could offer some fresh air and needed distraction. Just remember your social distancing!

Foraging wild food is one of our most primal activities, up there with discovering who left those tracks in the sand and learning how to build a fire. And if you can tell the difference between kale and lettuce, you will be able to identify plants and mushrooms in the wild. Foraging can be as simple as picking blackberries at the edge of the road or hiking through Bluffs Park looking for mushrooms. The more we use wild spaces to explore and forage in, the more connections we develop to our foods and the place we call home.

Come spring, stinging nettles are among the first edible plants to burst from the ground in the Galiano, then miner’s lettuce, blackberries in the late summer and chanterelle mushrooms in the fall, foraging oysters from Retreat Cove in the winter. Food surrounds us on our small island, if we know where to look. Once I learned to tap maple trees, boiling down the sap, making enough syrup for one Sunday breakfast.

Not only are foraged plants tasty, free, fresh and a good way to connect you to the place we live, they can also be good for you. Stinging nettles are high in vitamin C and calcium. Food is a necessity and also the glue that binds our community together, one neighbour to the next. So get a good book, or better, go out with an experienced friend. We all need to learn, and in learning we can save both the food and the environment it lives in, and preserve the knowledge that teaches us what to eat: grand fir tea, sword fern roots, thistle stems, nori, salmonberry, Oregon grape, to start.

Picking plants should be done in moderation. It is good to leave a bit behind for birds, deer, and slugs to feed on. Sustainable harvesting is important to remember to prevent inadvertent over-picking. There may be a lot of a plant growing in one area, but this doesn’t mean that it is abundant everywhere. Compensate for what you harvest by giving back to the land, by spreading seeds, removing invasive species and reintroducing natives, all while minimizing your footprint to maintain the health of the ecosystem. And never ever take more than you can use.

(At time of printing, we’re expecting to postpone the potluck and cooking class portions of Nettlefest for this year. Stay tuned to our newsletter for more information.)

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20 02, 2020

Galiano Food Bank: Our Most Needed Items

By |2022-03-20T21:08:12-07:00February 20th, 2020|Categories: Food Bank, Food Program|0 Comments

  1. Canned Protein (Salmon, Tuna, Fish and Meat)
  2. Canned Fruit/Applesauce
  3. Canned Soup, Beans, Stew and Chili
  4. Cooking Oils (Olive and Canola)
  5. Pasta & Pasta Sauces
  6. Peanut Butter (or other nut butters)
  7. Rice (Brown and White)
  8. Breakfast Cereals & Oats
  9. Healthy Snacks – Granola Bars/Crackers/Nuts
  10. Tea and coffee & Skim Milk Powder
  11. Feminine hygiene products, Toothpaste, Soap

(Please no dented cans or expired food.)

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20 02, 2020

Galiano Food Bank

By |2022-03-20T21:08:31-07:00February 20th, 2020|Categories: Food Bank, Food Program|0 Comments

Did you know that 1 in 3 food bank users in B.C. is a child, and 1 in 8 is a senior? That food banks help reduce hunger with dignity, and help reduce food waste too?

Last year after 20 years of service to the community, Ralph and Hans retired from their work running Galiano’s Food Bank. We met with St. Margaret of Scotland Church to see if there might be a way that the Galiano Community Food Program could support getting the Food Bank up and running again.

We are excited to announce that, as of February, the Galiano Food Bank is open again as a partnership between these two organizations. We are learning a lot as we go, and are keen to figure out what model will work best for the community, but for now, the Food Bank is open every 1st and 3rd Friday of each month from 11am to 1pm in the meeting room of the Church, on Burrill Road. We aim to reduce hunger in an atmosphere of respect and discretion. If you need help meeting your food needs, please come check it out— anyone in need is welcome. There is no fee to use the Food Bank. There will be coffee, tea and treats, and a welcoming face. If there’s something you would like to see on the shelves that isn’t there, please let us know. Come on by!

We are asking the community for donations of food items (no out-of-date food items please)— see the sidebar for a list of what we need most. You can drop off your contributions at Daystar, the Garage, the Corner Store, Soup and Bread at the South Hall, and at the Church on Sundays. Thanks very much to our community partners, including the Galiano Coffee Roasting Company and Galiano Trading, for their support of this project.

You can also help us reduce hunger on our island by donating one of a few ways:

  • By cheque to the Galiano Club (please specify ‘food bank’)
  • Online via Canada Helps at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the- galiano-club/ (please select the Food Bank in the list of funds)
  • By e-transfer to galianoclub@gmail.com with a note that says ‘food bank’
  • By cheque to St. Margaret of Scotland Church, (please specify ‘food bank’)
  • Cash donations can be left in our donation collection cans at businesses around the islandWe are also looking for volunteers to help with collecting, sorting, and repackaging food. If you’d like to get involved, please email us and we’ll let you know more about what kinds of help we need.
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15 01, 2020

LOCAL FLAVOUR: How choosing food plays into the climate change war

By |2020-04-14T17:18:57-07:00January 15th, 2020|Categories: Food Program|0 Comments

Photo: Chris Heffley

Linda Geggie is the executive director of the Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiatives Roundtable. Below is an excerpt from an article she wrote for the Saanich News, published in October.

Young spokespeople like Greta Thunberg and other young leaders across the globe have inspired people to bring more visibility to the growing concerns being raised by climate science. Often overlooked in climate conversations is the role that our food plays. Growing and distributing food globally is estimated to contribute to over one third of human greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The United Nations International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) points to agriculture as being responsible for 40 per cent of the Methane released into the atmosphere. This is important because as far as GHG’s go, Methane is a major bad ass gas, being 21 times more impactful than Co2 in its action to absorb energy in the atmosphere and cause temperature rise. We are learning the impacts of the global food system on our resources are vast.

The UN IPCC’s report published in August of this year digs deep into the science of what is happening and provides some important strategies that could be put in place immediately to work to turn things around. The report also determines that “People currently use one quarter to one third of land’s potential net primary production for food, feed, fiber, timber and energy.” That is all for us. It does not include meeting the needs of the other 8 million species on the planet.

As a citizen, the choices we make about what we eat are complex. Choices are associated with our income, culture, mobility, health, our food skills and other factors. Climate Connection in Manitoba provides some helpful guidelines they call the Rule of Five Ns. While it is not available to everyone, every time, it is a great guide for working towards a climate-friendly diet:

  • Nearby – Buy food produced by farmers that live close by, to greatly reduce the pollution created from transporting food all around the world.
  • Naked – Choose food that doesn’t have a lot of packaging.
  • Nutritious – Buy food that is high in nutrients and low in preservatives and other chemical additions.
  • New Now – Eat Canadian fruits and veggies at the time of year they grow, or grow your own in your garden.
  • Natural – Choose organic, for food that is produced through holistic means, with no chemical inputs.

The Food Program supports local meat choices, in part because they provide an opportunity to reduce our reliance on industrial meat products, and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with their production and transport.

Under that umbrella, the Food Program partnered with the Galiano Conservancy Association, The Access to Media Education Society, the Community Resource Centre, and members of the Penelakut Island community to present the Feeding the People Butchering and Sausage Making workshop in December. Approximately 20 participants from Galiano and Mayne came together to learn how to skin, debone, cube, grind and bag venison. We worked together as a group: in Hul’qumi’num, nuts’a’maat – working together with one heart and one mind. Each participant took meat home for their freezer, and a very generous portion was also donated to the Food Program for distribution to families in need.

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24 10, 2019

Community Forest Work Party

By |2019-10-24T13:45:55-07:00October 24th, 2019|Categories: Club Programs|0 Comments

Volunteers Needed!!! There will be a work party on Saturday, October 26 to relocate the Shorepine trail in the Community Forest.  We will also be doing some trail maintenance on that trail.  Please join us if you can.

Meet at  10am on the 26th, on Georgia View extension where the trail meets the end of Sticks Allison road. Bring hand tools and gloves.

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