There’s only one more day – Saturday, Oct. 31 – to check out the pumpkin patch at Shady Hazel Farm, 805 Payne Rd. The cuteness factor of their heritage Kunekune piglets is 10 out of 10! People are welcome to browse the large field to choose their own pumpkin and kids get to pet the adorable piglets (although I also saw an adult bonding with one piglet who was enjoying the belly rub). The owners, Ian and Sarah, have something special planned for the final day. I hope I’m not giving too much away by saying that a pumpkin launcher is involved. Masks are encouraged and they ask that you be aware of social distancing. The FB page is: https://www.facebook.com/shadyhazelfarm/
Alun Wooliams and Jody Schik were the guest speakers from Transportation Choices at the Elphinstone Community Association (ECA) October meeting. Part of their mission is to connect neighbourhoods on the Coast by bike paths, which ECA members expressed great interest in. They noted that there has been a lack of progress on the Coast for improving roads for walking and cycling compared to other communities in B.C. There is a strong feeling that MoTI has not advocated for our area. They mentioned possible funding sources: Bike BC, Canada Healthy Communities and Investing in Canada. As a result of surveying the community, they recommend the rapid commencement of bikeable shoulders on the highway and improvements at critical intersections.
In her report, director Donna McMahon mentioned the SCRD is drilling for water at the edge of Maryanne West Park as part of diversifying our water supply (smart!). Water was found at 440 feet and they’re testing it for flow and quality. She also said that Chaster Road will soon be dug up to improve aging water infrastructure and that Woodcreek Park will be getting a sewerage upgrade, possibly with the help of federal funding. Emergency services is looking for volunteers; if interested, contact Matt Treit, manager of protective services, at [email protected]. We learned about a new neighbourhood association in Elphinstone – OBENA – or Ocean Beach Esplanade Neighbourhood Association. Donna attended their inaugural Zoom meeting. Visit her website at everythingelphinstone.ca where you can also sign up for her newsletter. Loads of interesting articles this month including a link to answer residents’ questions about curbside organics pickup.
The Sun Coast Amateur Radio Club Society helped local Scouts with Jamboree on the Air on Saturday, Oct. 17. They set up in Maryanne West Park beside Cedar Grove School at around 10 a.m. where Scouts were offered their turn on the radio, one at a time to follow social-distancing protocols. Club member Robert Beaupre said the event offered Scouts the experience to get on air and talk to other Scouts. He says, “The Scouts made contacts on the 20m band and through a local repeater connected to other repeaters around the world via the Internet Radio Linking Project.” They were able to connect with people in New York, Nevada, California and more. One of the contacts was someone in Florida who was going to attend the SpaceX launch of Starlink satellites. Great to have such an active Radio Club!
Let me know of Elphinstone community news at: [email protected]
