For many world travelers, a trip to Africa would conjure up thoughts of safari and the exotic animals of that great continent. Not so, this time, for Jacquie Clayton, who is on her way to Uganda, to help people whose harsh conditions of life are far beyond what most of us can even imagine. But first to Jacquie's story.

Jacquie has lived in Lions Bay with husband Tony for almost twenty years. She is reluctant to talk about herself, preferring to discuss the work of humanitarian organizations that try to help the poorest of people on this earth. One such organization that is based in Lions Bay and that serves the very poor Mayan people of Guatemala is the very well organized NGO of HANDS, with which Jacquie worked for two sessions. It is interesting that on one mission, she and husband Tony and nine others from Lions Bay accompanied the Maryniaks to bring health care to those completely without such services. It is Jacqie's background career in public health with the Vancouver Regional Health Authority, and her work on the North Shore, that gave her the experience to contribute to this project. Although recently retired, she has continued her work in postnatal care and immunization here and in Vancouver.

This year for the first time, I had the pleasure of putting together the Children’s Halloween Party for the Events Committee, which took place on Friday, October 24th.  Mix together a little food, music, a pirate bouncy castle, spooky decorations with about 60 costumed children and you have yourself a party.  There were the usual monsters, pirates (all of whom left their swords at home – thank you parents), piglet ballerinas, ladybug princesses, cowboys, lions and of course, the occasional brave parent who chose to dress up as well (thank you once again Michelle Ganske!).

A big thank you to “Mr. Halloween” himself, Don Reid who generously loaned us some of the spookiest ghouls from his collection.  Another special mention to Ken Miskin who donated his beautifully illustrated cards to each child’s goodie bag.  That was very thoughtful of you Ken and we do appreciate all of your community support.   In addition we would like to thank our sponsors:  Kevin O’Toole Prudential Sussex Realty& ReMax Dale Falconer Realty and Howe Sound Marine Ltd.  Last but not least thank you to my super hard working event partner Stacey Butterworth and my friends Jo-Anne,Tanis and Nancy for helping with the set up and Kim, Shannon, Iva, Karina and everyone else who stayed late to help us clean up the millions of pieces of popcorn left on the hall floor!

Events like these are only possible with the efforts of a small group of people known as “The Events Committee”.  Many people are scared off by the word“committee” for some reason.  Who doesn’t like to sit around with their friends a few times a year in the evening, drink wine and plan parties? If this sounds like you, please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Many of us have been on the committee for 2 and some for 3 years, and it’s time we get some new blood in the group.  It’s a lot of fun and not as much of a time commitment as many people imagine.  It’s important to keep these events going, as it’s part of what makes Lions Bay our best-kept secret.   

In so many houses there lies a jar where people throw their small change at the end of the day.. Some people diligently roll up the coins every so often and take them to the bank while others just keep on filling the jar and then carry on to the next one.

In these days when you are bombarded with letters and phone calls from people wanting you to give them some of your "hard earned money"(a popular term during election campaigns), it's not surprising that donor fatigue is causing you to say  "Oh no not another one". I'm afraid I'm going to have to confess at this point and say," This is another one!"

Project H.A.N.D.S. does it's surgical trips to Guatemala and helps pay for them with money raised from donors. All the people who participate in these trips pay for their own airfares, hotels and food bills. The donated money is used for medicines, equipment and translators in Guatemala. Each surgical trip costs about $12,000. Every year  2 surgical trips and 2 triage trips are undertaken.

In April of this year (2008) 3 ladies from the village who had recently returned from a trip to Guatemala  with Project H.A.N.D.S.decided that it would be a good idea to go for a hike around Lions Bay every Monday morning.They suggested that if anyone else wanted to join them they were very welcome and so the Monday Hikers became a part of village life.

There are now 40 people on the email list who receive the weekly Friday bulletin telling where the hike is planned for the  following Monday.The hikes usually take anywhere between 2 and 4 hours and are a wonderful way to get to know other people in the village and to explore trails that you probably didn't even know existed.

On August 4th -B.C.Day, 26 people turned out,[the largest number to date], and even in pouring rain there are a few determined individuals who will always show up. One Monday lunchtime 6 of us stood on the summit of Mount Gardner on Bowen Island with the rain beating past us horizontally and the visibility reduced to about 25 yards  It was very bracing, but when we sprawled out dripping wet on the B.C. Ferry everyone agreed that it had been  a lot of fun.

If you would like to have your name added to the list of Monday hikers send me an email and we will send you the weekly bulletins. We plan to continue through the winter and snowshoe when the conditions are good enough.

I can be reached at:

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or 604 922 9842

John Dudley 

By now you will have all noticed that our happy old pumpkin man has wandered off.  I find it very hard to believe that he went of his own accord as he seemed so content the day before, as I planted 240 grape hyacinth bulbs at his side. The good news is I have managed to contact his younger brother who will fly in shortly. 

To all of the Mums and Dads Thank you for the bulb support! To the lady who gave the grape hyacinths by mistake, I joined you, and between us it will be a splendid show contrasting with the yellow daffodils.

Many many thanks. Ken Miskin

If you, like me are really concerned about the current state of the sea to sky highway in-between Horseshoe Bay and Ansell Place, please call Robert Hola (sp?) at Kiewit's on 604 775 1096 and share your thoughts.

I think it's utterly atrocious and can't see how this section with its sharp direction changes, no highway lighting and head-on truck headlights meets even the most basic of road safely standards, especially in the wet when the road markings pretty much disappear.

 I called last week and nothing has been done, can I get few more voices out there please...?

Bravo Ken Miskin!  You have absolutely outdone yourself this year with the Plant a Bulb day!  Being an enthused participant last year, I am absolutely bursting this year with anticipation.  The children are all talking about the pumpkin man and cars are slowing as they pass the witch.  There was literally a traffic jam there yesterday (I may have been to blame!) as my children were bouncing up and down with excitement.  When I asked you if it was possible to include the school in this community initiative, you embraced the idea with open arms and got to work immediately.  Thanks also to Head Teacher, Mr. Thorpe for climbing on board!  The children are exploring the box and reading your signs and the anticipation is building.  It will be a beautiful day when they dig into that rich dirt and plant their bulbs and it will be an exciting many days when they watch them burst through the earth on their way to school next spring!

It takes great courage and dedication (with many hours) to put yourself out there and create something new.  Thank you very much for you passion and whimsical delights you are an absolute gem of the village!