The AGMs which were held in February have elected a number of Tlellians to various positions. Peter Vogen is now the secretary of the Port/Tlell Seniors. Ralph Leach has traded his presidency of the Graham Island East Coast farmers Institute for the vice presidency, Marylynn Hunt is treasurer, while Tammy Abbot, Dan Abbot, Veronika Higlister, Stevie-Lyn DeGroot and I volunteered as directors. Adolf Bitterlich was acclaimed as an auditor and the other auditor is Dominic Legault from Masset. The new president is Doug Louis from Queen Charlotte, while his wife Linda continues as secretary. The AGM considered a name change for the institute and formed a committee to bring forth recommendations for a new one. If you have any ideas, let me know as I’m on the committee.
One of the major events sponsored by the Farmers institute is Sara’s Seedy Saturday, which was held in the Port Clements hall on March 12. It was the best yet with produce, crafts, baking, seeds, bedding plants and garden supplies (there were even containers of earthworms) for sale from all over the islands. The vendors tell me that they did well and there was a steady stream of happy customers. A full table of free seeds and plants for exchanging took up the center of the hall and there were more than ever before. Ten new members signed up to join the Institute. Everyone there enjoyed the lunch provided by the Port Clements grade 7 class to raise money for their grad trip.
This was a wonderful start to what should prove to be a very productive year for local food. The Mennonite families’ displays were an inspirational example of what can be grown here. They even had frozen strawberries and blueberries from their last summer’s crops.
Jason Shafto’s mother, Margaret has moved away to take care of her own mother. She will be missed. Jason himself was away for a vacation trip in the States but has returned. Dutes has also come back from his trip there with new treasures for the Crystal Cabin. The Crows Nest has reopened since Jason Fox, Anne Barnes and their family have all returned from Mexico. The store has been reconfigured and the coffee, sweets and savories are still available for snacks. The brunch crowd has followed Andre to TheYakoun in Port along with the open Mic’s and dinners. I was there last Sunday for brunch with Mike and Kim and joined the birthday breakfast for Manzanita. Different ambience, same delicious fare.
Scout is back from the Yukon. She visited Riverworks where she worked last summer. There was a joyful reunion with Percy the farm dog but she is moving to Queen Charlotte and looking for a puppy of her own. Miranda has taken over the farming for this season. Wendy has returned to a renovated house and will resume instructing Tai Chi at the regular time.
March Madness is progressing with the annual cutting one end off the day and attaching it to the other end to make it longer, aka Daylight Savings. The school district budget meetings were held in all communities this past week encompassing Pi Day, the Ides of March and ending on St Patricks Day, when Spring Break started. Easter falls during the break so back to school on the day after Easter Monday. If you think there was a short spring break this year, contact the school board to have some input on next year’s calendar.
The March lion and lamb continue to battle it out with ferry-stopping windstorms and beautiful sunny days bringing the earliest spring ever. My lawn needs mowing, in March! By the time you read this I hope to have kid goats to join all the Tlellian lambs and calves already here. That would be March happiness.