Reflecting on D-Day 75th anniversary
On June 6, 1944, I arrived by boat on Juno Beach in Normandy, France, with the Canadian Scottish Regiment. My role was in the mortar platoon. On June 17, I was based in a barn, anticipating an attack that never came. I went into a nearby shed to disarm the grenades when one exploded, resulting in the loss of my right arm.
When I returned to Canada, I became a member of The War Amps, which was started by amputee veterans returning from the First World War to help each other adapt to their new reality as amputees. Through the years, we have made it a goal to remember and commemorate our fallen comrades, and to educate youth about the horrors of war.
In Normandy, many Canadians died or suffered wounds that they had to carry for the rest of their lives. As we mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, it's important that we never forget.
Allan Bacon, 99 // Toronto
Sport fishers not the problem
I don't like how (Bruce Kay, "Letters to the Editor," Pique, May 16) can trivialize the impact of (the government's Chinook regulation plan) on people's lives, especially when Fisheries and Oceans Canada's own science says sport fishermen take well under one per cent of the species at risk.
There are businesses hurting badly, and people's lives affected negatively for less than one per cent and you seem to take glee in it?
I look at catch and release like getting in your car, driving 100 kilometres to go to a restaurant just to take a picture of your meal and drive back.
It would be different if we were shut out of fishing because we were really making a difference to the (fish) population, because all the fishermen I know are really conservationists who get involved in protecting fishing for future generations.
You talk with your mouth too full of farmed salmon.
Dean Terry // Squamish
Raising a glass for Julie
On behalf of our volunteer fundraising team for the Cassettari family at the "Raise a Glass for Julie" event on May 6, 2019 at Alta Bistro, we would like to thank our community for its generous support and kindness to Nick, Julie and Cicely Cassettari.
First, we must thank all of the staff at Alta Bistro who donated their skills, hours and gratuities, with an extra special thank you to Eric Griffith who started the massive roaster at 7 a.m. and was there until the very end.
Another special thank you is extended to the Gibbons Whistler team for providing additional staffing, and "tossing in" two kegs of Après Lager with the keg from Good Company Lager. Local DJ Olly Watt provided his services free of charge with more than four hours of classic and modern jams, as the room (and Main Street) filled with mouth-watering smells from the donated meats of Two Rivers Meats and Albion Fisheries.
The Mexican-themed dinner filled the room full of colour and flavour, as many more local wineries, breweries and distillers donated their premium products.
Throughout the evening, more than 150 people dropped in to bid on silent auction prizes, buy 50/50 tickets, connect with old and new friends and raise a glass to Julie.
A quick look around the room showcased the diverse industries and individuals that contributed to this event. With much appreciation and admiration, we would like to thank the 60-plus donors who contributed to the event, and the long-form of this thank you letter can be found in the Facebook event "Raise a Glass for Julie."
In four whirlwind hours, our community raised more than $18,000. These funds have been awarded directly to the Cassetari family to support Julie's ongoing fight against cancer and support their day-to-day needs as they care for their two-year-old Cicely. No cup, nor eye, was dry and these moments showcased how Whistler is truly one of the best communities, from the inside out.
Lastly, we want to thank BC Hospitality Foundation for matching the donations to $5,000, and Samatha Rahn for presenting the cheque as well as donating her namesake wine to the event.
Our event volunteer fundraising team started as a random group of people who cared for this family, and now we have become lifelong friends. We are proud of what a small group of people can accomplish when everyone is willing to donate a little of their time or a little of their possessions.
We have been reminded that living in this exciting world of flavour, fun, and friends is nothing without life's greatest asset: time. So thanks for the time, Whistler. You really are inspiring, awakening and beautiful.
If you were unable to make it to the event, and would like to learn more or how to contribute to this lovely family, you are welcome to visit: www.gofundme.com/help-julie-a-new-mom-fight-breast-cancer.
Nikki Best and Terry Clark // Whistler
Mature Action Community AGM and Spring Fling
The Mature Action Community (MAC) had its AGM in April with board members Stacey Murl, Bob Calladine, and Rosemary Cook ending their six years on the board.
John McGregor, Charalyn Kriz, Jody Wilson and Arlene Egido all stepped up to become new board members with Kathy White at the helm.
We are sure this will be the beginning of a new day for MAC as MAC also secured a Community Enrichment Grant from the RMOW for 2019 and will be working towards an "Age Friendly Community" with a new strategic plan going forward.MAC started the new year with a Spring Fling Dinner at the Alpine Cafe with great giant-flower decorations provided by one of our ex-board members, Janice Lloyd. Everyone enjoyed the great dinner put on by Martini for a very reasonable price. We'll be back again soon!
Stacey Murl, past chair, MAC // Whistler
Book sale success
The Friends of the Whistler Public Library would like to thank the Whistler community for its generous support for our Used Book Sale on May 18.
We raised $4,017 to fund our programs for children and adults.
Special thanks to our enthusiastic volunteers who donated, collected, sorted, transported and sold books, and to Kima and Tony Grieve for providing our worksite.
Our appreciation to IGA Marketplace for hosting the sale, to Nesters Market, Creekside Market, TD Canada Trust and the Whistler Public Library for being donation sites, to the library staff for their assistance and Pique Newsmagazine for its advertising.Please visit the Friends Plant Sale on Saturday, June 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Library's plaza. Herb pots, lettuce pots, perennials, bulbs and annuals will be available.Happy summer reading and gardening!
Susan Annand // Whistler Friends of the Library
Supporting those fighting cancer
On behalf of Families Fighting Cancer In The Sea To Sky (FFCSS), I would like to thank all of the enthusiastic supporters who came out to Buck Cancer 2019 at Dusty's on April 27.
It was a sold-out event raising more than $13,000 that will help assist families in need living through cancer in the Sea to Sky corridor.
This year's event added axe throwing and a firefighter challenge to the fun and the ever-popular mechanical bull! The silent auction was a huge success thanks to the generous donations from many Sea to Sky businesses and individuals who are far too many to mention here.
Please go to FFCSS's website www.familiesfightingcancer.ca under events to see a complete list of supporters, or visit our Facebook page and then give us a "like."
There are a few special thank yous that FFCSS would like to make to Forged Axe Throwing, Walsh Restoration, Dusty's Bar and Barbecue, SAXX, Ryan Donohue, Tina Symko and Dean Albrecht. It is through your generous sponsorship and assistance that we were able to create such a fun and profitable event!
FFCSS will gratefully look forward to continuing to provide financial assistance and other support where we can thanks to the Sea to Sky corridor communities' generosity.
See y'all next year at Buck Cancer 2020!
Lisa Geddes // Co-founder FFCSS
