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Elphinstone: ’Tis the season for fresh farm produce

The Elphinstone Community Association held its last meeting before summer via Zoom on June 10.
elphinstone
One of the longest-running farm gate producers in Elphinstone – Henry Reed Farm.

The Elphinstone Community Association held its last meeting before summer via Zoom on June 10. Won’t it be nice if we are able to meet back in the Frank West Hall again in September? The wall screen purchased by the ECA for the hall has been installed and will be a pleasure to use compared to the bulky, hard-to-set-up standing screen that meeting organizers have struggled with for years. The association is hoping to have an outdoor summer potluck in August at Chaster House if it is open or possibly in a board member’s yard if not. Stay tuned! 

SCRD director Donna McMahon gave her usual thorough report; she’s been on many SCRD Zoom meetings lately. Here’s a list of businesses that are open: www.gibsonschamber.com/info-links/covid-19/, just one of the many nuggets to be found in Donna’s latest newsletter. They’re all on her everythingelphinstone.ca website. She’s even included a link for a virtual tour of the Museum: www.sunshinecoast
museum.ca/museum-at-home.html. A great idea for at-home kids. 

There are three produce stands as you drive along Henry Road; now is truly the time to be buying fresh from our local farmers. Last column I wrote about the Gibsons Farm Collective originally operating from Brookbank Farm, now moved across the street to the Giesbrecht’s Suncreek Farm, after Dawn and Paul Myers sold it. The new owners have renamed it Gibsons Heritage Farm and they have fresh produce and some plants on offer. There are even plans for an educational centre, the owners being teachers. So wonderful that the property, originally owned by the Holland family, stays true to its history and rural roots.

Further along Henry is one of the longest-running farm gate producers – Henry Reed Farm at 802 Henry Rd. They sell fresh organic produce and eggs. At 785 Henry is Green Growers Farm. Up at 970 Cemetery Rd., RR#7 Farmstead sells produce and sometimes baked goods. 

With solstice almost upon us, I recall Judith Hammill telling me that the Myers had turned Brookbank into “a perfect fairyland of a farm with weeping willow bowers and exotic geese … and a greenhouse made out of recycled windows.”

She said they used to host a June solstice party with vendors, farm animals, music and appreciative customers, all having a wonderful time, with a “vibe that was magical.”

When Dawn sent out her weekly list of items from the latest harvest to choose from, Paul, a retired minister, wrote insightful thoughts about life on the farm, complete with gorgeous photos, that he eventually turned into a book, The Ground of Our Being. I’ve contacted the Myers, and learned that Paul’s book is available from him directly at pmyers01@gmail.com or through Lulu Publishing, www.lulu.com/shop/paul-a-myers/the-ground-of-our-being/paperback/product-23974979.html

Wishing a lovely and healthy summer solstice to all of you. 

Please note the email to contact me at has changed: author.ggneilson@gmail.com

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