In the Community

Thursday, Sept. 27 was marked as Orange Shirt Day, an event held across Canada to observe the history and effects of the Indian Residential School system and to promote reconciliation. Events were held throughout the Sunshine Coast.

The Sunshine Coast Community Foundation has established a new endowment in honour of the late Sue Milne. Sue and her husband John retired to the Sunshine Coast in 1999, where she became very active in the local choral scene.

With Oct. 17 and the legalization of pot approaching, we have much to celebrate and also much to ponder. Canada adopted the American criminalization of marijuana in the Reefer Madness days of the 20s and 30s because that is what we did.

Fifteen species of true raptorial birds have been recorded on the Sunshine Coast. Many of them are resident with us on a year-round basis, others are summer visitors and others are transients passing through during migration.

People often wonder how the name Elphinstone came about.

Thanks to the ongoing support of our community with quality donations and the tireless efforts of the large team of Bargain Barn volunteers, another cheque for $35,000 was given to the Pender Harbour Health Centre at the Sept. 23 AGM.

Sunshine Coast Natural History Society

I had a chance to chat recently with Rick Andrews who, along with his wife Terry, runs the Highland Centre for music. Residents of Elphinstone for many years, the Andrews began building and developing the property in 2010.

The Sunshine Coast Healthcare Auxiliary Thrift Store generates about $450,000 a year which is donated to support the Sechelt Hospital and other healthcare services on the Sunshine Coast.

The rain did not dampen the spirits of all those involved in the annual Food Drive to support food banks on the Sunshine Coast.