Quatsino Monthly Newsletter
December 1st 2024
* created by Gwen Hansen
Meetings, Gatherings & Events:
* Dec. 4th & Dec. 18th – Emmett will be bringing over his big Black Water barge and still has
room for a few smaller items. You can contact him at 250-949-0220.
* Sat. Dec. 15th – The Quatsino Archives Association (QAA) will be holding its 33rd AGM at
10:00AM in the Museum. To participate on Messenger contact Gwen to sign-up.
Quatsino.museum@gmail.com. Everyone welcome!
* Sat. Dec. 21st – Christmas seafood and turkey buffet at the Kagoagh Lodge! Dress to impress
or not - Contact gina@kagoah.com to book. $35/plate.
* Sat. Dec. 28th – The QRO will host a meeting to discuss plans to re-establish the Fire Hall and
the community’s general fire protection capabilities and goals. Everyone is welcome.
Community News:
- Beginning Sunday, December 1st the Transfer Station’s garbage bin will be back to 1-hour
openings - from 10:00 – 11:00 - until further notice. If assistance is needed in the off hours,
please don’t hesitate to reach out to Sarah @ 209-3323. SP
- The ‘Fire Hall’ sea-can should arrive
around Dec. 18th and will be moved to the
Fire Hall site. Thank you again Nate and
Chelsea!
Once set in place it will be restocked with the
community’s fire fighting gear and will have
solar lighting installed.
- Based on Quatsino’s current population demographics the RDMW’s Quatsino Advisory
Commission membership will remain at three non-resident members and two resident
members: Ron Sadesky, John Tyler, Florian Tovstigo, Peter Solga, and Gwen Hansen. QAC
- A small limb took out St. Olaf’s Church power - again. BC Hydro has been notified and will
reconnect it the next time they are over. Thank you, Andrew, for repairing and reattaching the
power mast - again! QAA
- The Quatsino Telephone Directory and the Quatsino Homes & Properties for Sale list are
being updated for 2025. If you have anything to change or update, please contact
Quatsino.residents.organization@gmail.com asap. QRO
- Christmas trees on the Transfer Station berm are available for decorating or for harvesting.
$5.00 per tree can be dropped off in St. Olaf’s donation drop box. GH
- There will be a garbage bin haul-out on Dec. 4th at a cost to the community of around $3,000.
Our previous two haul-outs were on Nov. 1, 2023 & July 17, 2024.
Everyone is reminded that recycling haul-outs happen at no cost to the community. Please
keep recyclables out of the garbage bin!
- Join us in the Library and Kelp Café throughout the holidays and enjoy lovely seasonal
decorating by Kim J. Art on the ‘art wall’ has been donated to the QLLR and can be purchased
by donation for unique one-of-a-kind gifts for friends and family. A yard sale table also has
goodies available for donation. We open at 10AM Sundays.
Donations of DVDs are welcome since so many neighbours are borrowing them to enjoy at
home. QLLR - Susan Mohler
- December Full moon: Sunday, Dec. 15th [i.e.- highest / lowest tides]
Average temperature: high 5° / low 2°
Average precipitation: rain (21 days) 275mm / snow 5cm
Reminders:
- QFN Fueling Station in Coal Harbour current hours: 7:00AM to 3:00PM - Monday to Friday.
Call Kelly at 250-920-9156 to confirm and with questions.
- The Quatsino Life Facebook Page has 321 members. All are welcome to post positive and
community friendly photos, notices, questions, information, etc.
Administrators: Sue Mohler and Dianne Moores.
- The Quatsino Museum & Archives is now closed for the winter. If you would like to arrange a
private opening just contact Gwen @ 230-1544 or Di @ 209-8827.
- The Historical Quatsino Facebook Page has 342 members with family connections to
Quatsino. Members share old photos, stories, and memories.
Administrators: Alana Harley, Robin Mearns, Debbie Ewing and Dorothy Bakken.
Looking for Work / Looking to Hire:
- Prevent unnecessary pain and suffering!
Call ‘Old Quatsino Falling inc.’ for all your falling needs. Fully certified, insured, local company.
Free estimates and friendly service ...
Call Josh Solga 250-902-8098
Email solgajosh@gmail.com
Old Quatsino Falling inc.
Roses & Raspberries:
ROSES to the volunteers who helped with the Museum’s bottles & cans haul-out: Emmett, J.P.,
Leon, Kiki, Di, Donnie, Andrew, Stevie & Gwen. QAA
A ROSE to Donnie Botel for going out at dusk to rescue Kim J. and tow her home after her boat
broke down. GH
A RASPBERRY to the bear who kept scooping garbage out from the hole in the lid of the
Transfer Station’s garbage bin. And a ROSE to Ron & Dianne for tidying up after him.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
History: Canada Post delivery system to Quatsino early 1900’s.
The Cape Scott was a 38-foot gas-and-sailing
schooner built and launched in 1901 from Cape
Scott to carry mail, freight and passengers
between Fisherman’s Cove and Quatsino.
Its captain, Henry Petersen, was away visiting
relatives in Denmark when his schooner was
lost at sea January 1st, 1910, with two on board.
The grief-stricken father of skipper, Lars
Jensen and his young, adopted son, Eric
Miller, is said to have walked the entire
coastline between San Josef and Kains Island
looking for them. Their remains were found
years later huddled in a small cave along this
same shoreline.
Eric Lake, near San Josef was later named
after the young boy.
Lars Jensen
The Cape Scott #2 was built in Vancouver the next year to take over the run and was in
service until 1920. The Maritime Heritage Centre in Campbell River has its mast pole on display.
Walter Peterson (20 years old), the skipper of the Cape Scott #2, drowned Dec. 18th, 1913,
when he fell overboard while the schooner was moored for the night in Quatsino. He was
buried on Kains Island where a white picket fence and stone headstone mark his grave.
Quatsino Museum & Archives
...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................
* This Newsletter is compiled, circulated by email to Quatsino’s residents & property owners, posted on
local bulletin boards, and printed for pick-up at the Quatsino Post Office by the Quatsino Residents’
ARCHIVE - December 2023
Mark Your Calendar!
On Sunday, November 5th Daylight Saving Time ends. Remember to turn your clocks back 1 hour when you
go to bed on Saturday.
- The Quatsino Residents’ Organization (QRO) will be holding its 49th AGM in the School on Sunday,
November 12th at 2:15pm. Everyone is welcome to attend! Coffee & goodies will be served.
- The Quatsino Museum & Archives will be closed Dec. 1st until the Easter long weekend - March 30th.
- Mainroad North Island Contracting is planning to send over a bridge repair crew on Monday, December 4th to re-deck the Colony Creek Bridge. We should expect a few days of traffic delays.
- The Quatsino Archives Association (QAA) will be holding their 32nd AGM on Saturday, Dec. 9th at 1:00pn in the Museum. Everyone is welcome to attend! Goodies will be served.
- Watch the Quatsinolife facebook page for dates and details on Community Dinners at the Kagoagh Lodge. Contact Gina to book a reservation at gina@kagoagh.com or 250-902-0434.
Community News:
- The RD brought over an Alert Bay based marine engineer, with Tuff Marine Products Ltd., on October 12th and is waiting for a proposal for needed repairs, general maintenance, and future upgrades to the Bergh Cove Public Wharf.
“He did go over what many of the repairs would entail so overall I feel we are much better equipped to handle future maintenance with his observations”. Cody Pawluk
- The big green garbage dumpster plus six ‘Hazardous Household Waste’ (HHW) fish totes were hauled out on Oct. 16th. The community’s barging cost will be lower this time since this was a shared barge run.
‘Soon’ the HHW totes, used oil barrels, and vehicle battery pallets will be moved onto the concrete area beside the Recycling Depot to make them easier to care for and access.
We are back to two bear proof, double bin composters at the Transfer Station. These bins will help keep the bear/rat/mouse attracting food waste out of home garbage cans.
Note: Meat scraps should not be composted. Please bag, freeze, then toss in garbage bin on Sundays or toss your meat scraps into deep water to feed the crabs.
- The RDMW is considering decreasing the Transfer Station dumpster’s Sunday opening hours from 2 hours down to 1 hour during the slow usage period - between the beginning of fall until the beginning of summer. If you have any concerns or comments, please email info@rdmw.bc.ca or call 250-956-3301.
- The Trading Post now has solar-powered motion detector lights installed - thanks to all who played the Paddle Wheel fundraiser during the Quatsino Days BBQ - to help with shopping & drop-offs of lightly used goods. Note: Please do not drop-off any fabric items in the Trading Post until Spring. All fabric goods have been removed to make the building less appealing to mice looking for a site for their winter nests.
- Neil Dirom, an old Island logger, is working on a project to document all the old and new sawmills on Northern Vancouver Island for the Shawnigan Lake Museum & the BC Forestry Museum. The museum will be sending him what information and photos we have collected on local old sawmills, but we have little info on the 10 or so small mills in the community right now. If you would like to add your mill to his data base, he would like photos, mill locations, and information on the mill operators sent to njnadirom@gmail.com. QAA
- The QRO’s Quatsino Telephone Directory is being updated for 2024. If you have any updates or corrections, please let me know before Dec. 7th. Gwen @ Quatsino.residents.organization@gmail.com
- The QRO’s Quatsino Homes & Properties for Sale list will be updated for its Winter edition. If you are planning on selling, or renting your property, please let me know before Dec. 7th. Gwen
- November’s forecasted highest tide: - November’s forecasted lowest tide: Nov.27th at11:57am@4m(13.1ft) Nov.27th at6:56pm@0.3m(1.0ft.)
Reminders:
- The QFN Marina’s fueling station is open 7:00am – 1:00pm & is closed weekends during the winter months. If you have any questions, contact Dan McKay @ 250-949-0665.
- Air Cab vehicle parking in Coal Harbour @ $40.00/month. Boat moorage @ $2.40/ft/day. Pay at the Hanger Office. - Bergh Cove Public Wharf boat moorage @ $1.00/ft/day, annual fee @ $10.00/ft./year. Pay at wharf shed drop-
box.
- The Quatsino Museum & Archives will be open Saturday & Sunday from 1:00pm – 2:00pm during November.
- The Quatsino Library & Living Room is enjoying a gorgeous fall season with visitors and guests socializing, making use of the library, and going home with goodies and treasures from the Free table and the Yard Sale table, baked goods and coffee were also enjoyed by all. Everyone is Welcome ... from 10 am to the last drop...
MAHJONGG play and lessons are available in the QLLR around noon each Sunday, (bring your lunch)
The FREE TABLE is overflowing with treasures looking for a new home, help yourself, boxes and bags are available. anyone can bring items to donate to this table as well.
The ART WALL has art donations available for all to enjoy and even purchase by donation, with proceeds going in support of the KELP CAFE & QLLR.
The YARD SALE table is loaded with quality items available by donation or best offer with proceeds going in support of the QLLR.
QLLR reporting by quarters is available for all to review in the library binder.
- The QUATSINO LIFE facebook page serves our community by providing positive and promotional posts for all to enjoy. Public service announcements are also posted here, everyone is welcome to post items here.
- The Transfer Station’s recycling drop off areas are open 24/7: Recycling Depot (for glass jars, cans, Styrofoam packaging, plastic bags, waxed cardboard containers, plastic containers, plastic wrap, cardboard, paper, foil, kitchen spray cans), food composter, household battery/lightbulb/paint cans/spray paint /pesticide/oil drop off bins, vehicle battery pallets, fridges/freezers area, fiberglass pile and metal pile.
If you have any questions or suggestions about our recycling program, please don’t hesitate to reach out through email at cpawluk@rdmw.bc.ca or on the phone at 250-956-3301.
- The big green garbage dumpster at the Transfer Station is open from 9:00am – 11:00am every Sunday. *The community will be notified when/if the hours are reduced to 10:00 – 11:00 openings.
- Keep fire safety in mind 24/7 - regularly check your smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and chimneys.
Looking for Work? / Looking to Hire?- The RDMW is working with their union workers to establish a Bergh Cove Public Wharfinger/Transfer Station Attendant position @ $35/hr. for 6hr/week or 4hr/week. Interested applicants are asked to contact Patrick Donaghy at: info@rdmw.bc.ca, CC: pdonaghy@rdmw.bc.ca.
Buy? / Sell? / Free? / Trade? / Rent?
- For Sale: large IKEA Dining room table, beautiful aged solid pine, previously loved, about 3’ X 5’ or more, seats 6, used for an office and computer desk, has one cable hole drilled in the top
... free to a good home .. contact mohlerquatsino@gmail.com
- For Sale: John Deere e120 Lawn Tractor ride on mower, 18 original hours, 42" cutting deck. Asking $2,500.00 OBO. Mark @ 250-202-5253.
- For Sale: 14-foot Misty River aluminum boat with 9.9hp Mercury outboard. (no trailer) Asking $1,500.00. Mark @ 250 202 5253.
- For Sale: BCOS garden fundraiser:
5 pounds of organic onions @ $2.00/pd.
3 pounds of organic garlic @ $5.00/pd.
8 pumpkins @ $1.00 each. Contact Gwen at 250-230-1544.
- For Sale: The steel cross-over toolbox attached to the back of the 1991 GMC Sierra 3500 4X4 Crew Cab truck, currently sitting inside the Fire Hall, needs to find a new home. We are asking $1,000 obo for the box (with the truck attached). The funds raised will go towards fire protection equipment & supplies in our community. Contact - Quatsino.residents.organization@gmail.com.
Roses & Raspberries:
Roses to Quatsino volunteers and thank you so much for helping us keep the Transfer Station open over the past two months. As you know, staffing the Transfer Station attendant and Wharfinger positions has been a challenge and you’ve helped us tremendously with keeping things running and implementing some great improvements. We have also received a lot of local support with maintenance on the Bergh Cove Public Wharf, which really makes a big difference. We sincerely appreciate your dedication to these community services! RDMW
History: 87 years ago, in 1936...
The Anyox, a tug commanded by Captain F. H. Couple and his 15 crewmen, was returning to the Port Alice pulpmill in November with an empty barge, the Dunsyre, manned by Captain W. Billington and a two-man crew, when it was caught in a west coast gale that broke the tow line. After drifting for many hours, the men on the Dunsyre took to the lifeboat and rowed through the storm for 3 hours to the Kains Island lighthouse. Three hours later the barge hit Kains Island and within 1⁄2 hour nothing remained to identify the wreck. The Quatsino Chronicle 1894 - 2005
Clarence Carver was the principal lightkeeper, fog alarm operator, and radio beacon operator on Kains Island where he lived with his wife and two young children, Roy and Joan, from 1933 to 1944. ...........................................................................................................................................................................
This Community Newsletter is compiled and circulated by the Quatsino Residents’ Organization.