Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society provides grassroots leadership and an inclusive process, with a voice for all community members, to ensure that our community grows and develops in a way that incorporates an environmental ethic, offers a range of housing and transportation choices, encourages a vibrant and cultural life and supports sustainable, meaningful employment and business opportunities.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Harper's Rule Breaking Rush to Crush Unions, Bill Tieleman

Harper's Rule Breaking Rush to Crush Unions

'Suicidal excess': A Tory says his party will pay for ramming anti-labour Act through Senate.
By Bill Tieleman, Today, TheTyee.ca 

"There's nothing democratic about what's going on here. It's like watching the Roman Empire collapse." -- BC Liberal Senator Larry Campbell on Conservative senators imposing Bill C-377
Is there anything more undemocratic than Canada's most tainted organization -- the Conservative-controlled Senate -- breaking its rules and then overturning its own Conservative Speaker's ruling, all to hurriedly impose anti-union legislation before the federal election?

That's what happened last week with Bill C-377, an odious private members' bill shepherded from beginning to end by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's own office, passed by Parliament's Conservative majority and sent to the Senate for approval.

When Liberal, independent and even Conservative senators tried to delay passage of the legislation through extended debate, the Conservative Senate majority moved a motion to end debate.
And after Senate Speaker Leo Housakos -- a Conservative appointed by Harper only last month -- said their motion was "inconsistent with the basic principles of our rules and practices," they simply challenged Housakos' ruling and voted it down.

The rules of the Senate don't apply if inconvenient to Harper's political goals. ...............

So why are the Harper Conservatives so fixated on C-377?
And why do seven provinces, every union and labour organization in Canada, the National Hockey League Players' Association, the Canadian Bar Association, police associations and many others all strongly object to the legislation?
Bill C-377 is clearly intended to tie unions up with costly bureaucratic administrative costs, though Conservatives say it is about "transparency."
Every union expenditure over $5,000 must be publicly reported and posted online -- something no other group faces -- not organizations for lawyers, doctors, architects, engineers or indeed any professional association.

Read the entire article at:

Monday, June 29, 2015

Summer Art Camps


Get Outdoors - Camps for Kids

Education in the Wild from Wildsight on Vimeo.

EcoGarden Kids Camp, Fernie

Kids + Dirt = Fun. Open the gate, step through the willow fence and gather at the Big Mama tree. Allow your imagination run free. Get ready for an action-packed, outdoor, fun-filled program with days filled with gardening, science, art, music, games and a whole lot of fun. Each day we have special guests join us to build exciting projects or go on amazing adventures. Join us for this week-long day camp for 5 to 10 year-olds. Register now to reserve your spot.More information here.

GET WILD! Summer Fun Day Camp, Golden

All 6-12 year old Golden kids are welcome to join the energetic highly experienced team-oriented duo, Carmen and Jayden, for inclusive outdoor activities. From gardening to hiking to community art, there isn’t a more gleeful place to drop your kids off for the day. This camp prides itself in its inquiry-based environmental education and creative active play. Every child is made to feel part of the camp gang! More info here

Youth Backpacking Trip into the Purcells Wilderness Conservancy

This August 15-20, a group of Kootenay youth will head out to explore the wilds of the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy (PWC). Southern Canada's largest protected wilderness area, the PWC recently celebrated its 40th birthday and we want to celebrate. We are taking a trip of youth on a backpack trip to experience the region's breathtaking wilderness landscape and develop their outdoor leadership skills. More information here


The Cranbrooks' Markets

Across the pond in Cranbrook, Devon....

click to enlarge



Sunday, June 28, 2015

The Grand Grad Promenade 2015

Congratulations Grads on completing your High School Education!




Bird Paradise

Visit Elizabeth Lake before 9:00am and you will be sure to be immersed in the song and sights of many feathered friends - Catbirds, waxwings and warblers are just a few.

photos, Stewart Wilson, Jenny Humphrey






Truth –Telling: Painful and Essential Work

Truth -Telling: Painful and Essential Work

 by Rev. Yme Woensdregt

In 1879, the Government of Canada recommended that Residential Schools be established as a cost effective way of assimilating First Nations children. Canada’s first Prime Minister, John A MacDonald, wrote, “When the school is on the reserve, the child lives with its parents, who are savages, and though he may learn to read and write, his habits and training mode of thought are Indian. He is simply a savage who can read and write. It has been strongly impressed upon myself, as head of the Department, that Indian children should be withdrawn as much as possible from the parental influence, and the only way to do that would be to put them in central training industrial schools where they will acquire the habits and modes of thought of white men.”

Thus began a shameful episode in our history. The first school opened four years later in Saskatchewan, with others following quickly.

Jump ahead 130 years. In 2007, Parliament passed the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement, providing compensation for former students of the schools and their families, and establishing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) with a mandate to “inform all Canadians of what happened in Indian Residential Schools” and to “guide and inspire Aboriginal peoples and Canadians in a process of reconciliation and renewed relationships that are based on mutual understanding and respect.”

On June 2, 2015 the TRC presented its final report after six years of work. They listened to the hard and painful stories of survivors of the Indian Residential Schools, which spoke of physical, sexual, emotional, cultural and psychological abuse.

Children at age five were taken from their homes, moved to a school far away and forbidden to speak their language or practice their culture. Whenever they spoke their language, students had their mouths washed out with soap. They were told that they were inferior, that they were no good, that they were an affront to the Creator. The purpose of the schools was, in the words of one survivor’s story, “to beat the Indian out of us and make us good little white people.”

One woman tells the story of arriving at the school and having her long beautiful braids, which represented her spirituality and her essence, cut off and thrown into the garbage. Another says that his relationship with his mother was forever damaged because she couldn’t tell him why she allowed him to be taken to the school.

There are stories about students who became alcoholics and other who committed suicide because they could no longer deal with the abuse they suffered at the schools.

Some of these stories can be found www.22days.ca. They break my heart. We see the residue of the agony of these survivors in their faces; we hear the pain in their voices. They are telling the truth: the truth about our society, our prejudices, our shameful behavior towards those who are different than us.

The opening sentences of the Final Report of the TRC set the stage for the damning report. “For over a century, the central goals of Canada’s Aboriginal policy were to eliminate Aboriginal governments; ignore Aboriginal rights; terminate the Treaties; and, through a process of assimilation, cause Aboriginal peoples to cease to exist as distinct legal, social, cultural, religious, and racial entities in Canada. The establishment and operation of residential schools were a central element of this policy, which can best be described as ‘cultural genocide."

Many people believe that “I didn’t do anything; it’s not my fault! It was way before my time!” I have heard that sentiment too many times.

Trouble is, it’s not the truth. Our society did this. The TRC Report reminds us that this is not an aboriginal problem; it’s a Canadian problem. Those of us who are not aboriginal have all benefitted from the shameful treatment of First Nations people.

If we are to move forward, we must take responsibility for our past. The TRC Report gives us all a chance to do the right thing—to reach out to one another, apologize for our shameful past, and move into a new future marked by reconciliation and hope.

This moment in our history is a gift. We are being invited to invest ourselves in a new future marked by reconciliation and compassion, by an acceptance of the fact that our differences are not something to be wiped out, but to be celebrated and embraced.


Thursday, June 25, 2015

Winner of the Portrait of a Cranbrook Historic Character Contest

This contest, sponsored by Cranbrook and District Arts Council and the Sam Steele Days Society was won by Glenda Winters with her painting of Doris Kershaw Ryckman, the first woman reported to climb Fisher Peak in 1918.

Sioban Staplin presents  Glenda Winters with a cheque. Below: Doris Kershaw Ryckman on top of Fisher Peak painted by Glenda Winters.



What's Happening.....

Saturday June 27th

Farmer's Market
Moves to Tenth Avenue South for regular summer hours
9:00am - 1:00pm
every Saturday

It’s Summer and it’s Market Season!

With growing season hitting its stride, both the Kimberley and  Cranbrook Farmer’s Markets kick off their market seasons this week.  Shoppers looking for  a taste of ‘locally made, baked and grown’ have the choice of attending the Thursday evening markets in Kimberley from 5-7:30 pm on Howard Street, operated by Wildsight Kimberley/Cranbrook, and the Cranbrook markets on Saturday mornings from 9 am – 1pm on 10th avenue S. , run by the Cranbrook Farmer’s Market Society.  More information about our local area markets is available at www.kimberleyfarmersmarket.ca and www.cranbrookfarmersmarket.com

Outdoor Club Hike
Kiako Mountain
phone Lorne 250-426-8864

Shuffleboard
Cranbrook Curling Rink
10;00am

Ongoing
Cranbrook Public Library Display
paintings of Bob Wardle

Wednesday July 1st
CANADA DAY

Market in Rotary Park
11:00am - 3:00pm
Vendors contact Beverlee Bullough
250- 426-6595

Moir Park
The line-up of incredible entertainment for this year's Canada Day Celebrations is confirmed.  It's not just the fireworks who will be stealing the show during July 1st at Moir Park.  Connect Cranbrook is bringing in a wide variety of highly talented acts from across Canada and right here at home.
Throw on something red or white as we want everyone to be part of a photo to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our Canadian Flag.  It will be the shape and colour of our flag, but made up of all the amazing people in Cranbrook.  The photo will be at 7:30 p.m.  but come out to Moir Park at 5 p.m. to start taking in the fun.  Firework are set to go off about 11pm.
The headliner for the evening is Shred Kelly.  They will be rocking the park with their signature version of "Stoke-folk" music.  This band has been selling out shows across the country, performing at some of the nation's premier festivals and are receiving a growing list of awards.
Cranbrook's own, The Testers, will get the party started with their good time classic rock.  Also, back by popular demand, after high energy performances last year are the Good Ol Goats and the Connect Band.
Country singer/songwriter Dani Strong, will also be making an appearance.  She has an impressive array of accomplishments including making it to the top 50 for the hit series Nashville Star, and winning an episode of the Florida based TV show, Do I Have A Hit Song.
These entertainers are just part of the fun.  There will also be Glow Zumba, PT the Clown, Retro Aerobics, buskers, games, vendors, clowns, bouncy castles...Check out www.ourcanadaday.com for all the fabulous details.

Fort Steele
now in full summer operation
Dominion Day Celebration
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Live theatre show - 1  pm:
"Pirate Queen of the Kootenays"
Birthday cake
Live music
Barbeque
Family games
Summer season in full swing . . . Open Daily !    10 am –5 pm
Horse Drawn Wagon Rides ~  Steam Train Rides ~  Riverside Photography Studio
Wildhorse Theatre Show - 1pm Daily
Live Street Theatre ~ Mrs. Mather’s Ice Cream Parlour ~ Heritage Trade Demonstrations






Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Elizabeth Lake takes another hit

At times, one must wonder how the powers work in the running of our fair city and where knowledge of the concept known as, 'cause and effect', might lay. 

Six months after one council is tossed out and blamed for poor decision making another debacle is in the making at Elizabeth Lake.

To add insult to injury, one year after Elizabeth Lake and the surrounding park and properties were flooded for an entire summer, after volunteers have repaired the paths and after the creek channel has been cleared of debris to enable it to flow freely once more, a decision is made to test city wells in the area and pump them of their water for several days allowing the water to flow unchecked down the paths of least resistance.

No matter that this could be a year in which we are short of water, no matter that the paths of least resistance just happen to be the same park’s newly volunteer repaired trails, no matter that there is no warning for tourists coming in from the visitor information booth or elsewhere, no matter that the newly cleared creek channel is now filled with milky white water and considerable sediment from the washed-out gullies, no matter that a home or business owner would need a special permit and mitigation for sediment catchment, the process went ahead anyway. 

Let’s hope those responsible for the lack of foresight set these things as right as they can and that this situation will not be reliant yet again on volunteers, or taxpayers to pay the cost and do the work.








Further, June 26, 2015
The pump out of well no 4 has ceased, the reason given is 'mechanical failure'.  It is not known if pumping would have continued had the new pump not failed. It is not known why the pump was not turned off as soon damage to land and creek became noticeable.  Apparently new pumps were installed and needed to be tested.  It is not understood why mitigation was not put in place before the process started because capacity of the pumps must have been known and it is reasonable to expect that the deep well would have sufficient water to test the pump.  It is not known when the new pumps were installed and whether they could have been tested before this time.  It is not known if other city wells are being tested in the same way.  The city has repaired the trails at Elizabeth Lake and filled the gullies caused by the water which flowed for several days.  A pipe has now been installed and a sediment catchment trap but is not known if the testing will resume.

Cranbrook Erosion and Sediment Control Bylaw 3692
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/1388/3692,%202010%20Erosion%20and%20Sediment%20Control%20Bylaw.pdf?handle=F061BDAE8FF24130AB35C80883BB9D6C

mitigation now installed, visible sediment deposit bar in creek caused by several days of continuous flow

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

BC Public Service Day in the Community Forest

 We Thank You

Last Tuesday June 16 was a busy day for volunteers working on improvements to our
Community Forest, which was this year’s recipient of the annual local Community Project
Initiative sponsored by the various Provincial ministries located in the East Kootenay.

The Forest has become a major destination for recreational enjoyment in our East Kootenay area.


Working in partnership with the Cranbrook Community Forest, 3 projects were planned, designated and completed.

Two of the Cranbrook Community Forest Society directors joined three volunteers , Chris from Highways, Lori from Mines and Pierre from Water Branch for a weed pull in the 4 Lakes area, which resulted in 45 kilograms of invasive weeds (mainly Dalmation Toadflax) being collected for disposal, setting back the spread of the weeds, and helping to provide more space for native species to thrive.

Tara Szkorupa let a trail signage group who installed ten new cedar trail signs within the southern part of forest.  These new signs replace some of the original signs which are fading with age.

The two major parking lots on Baker Street South received a top grading of new gravel, filling in potholes and levelling the areas.  Trails leading from the parking lots were also improved by sheer manual labour of many wheelbarrow loads spread by hand!  At the end of the day a small tractor was utilized to help spread the last of the significant loads of gravel for a very successful end result!

A special thanks to Darin Welch with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, who initiated and coordinated this project.  Our appreciation also goes to Jack, Brent, Erin, Susie, and Jeff and everyone else who participated and gave of their time and efforts!

From the Cranbrook Community Forest Society

Darin Welch spreads the gravel in the gas line parking area ...by hand too!


Monday, June 22, 2015

Council Meetings Monday June 22nd, Council Chambers

AGM and Annual Report 3:00- 4:00pm

The complete agenda for the general Council meeting of June 22nd 2015, 6:00pm can be read at:

The public hearing scheduled to discuss the rezoning of Swanson property on 1st St appears to have been removed.

Of interest is the resolution put forward by Councillor Hockley :
Therefore be it resolved that Council direct Administration to defer and carry forward the
2015 gravel resurface project for 27A and 29th Avenue and ask Administration to bring
forth in 2016 for Council consideration of paving 27A and 29th Avenue as part of the
2016 road program.
Submitted by Councillor Isaac Hockley
Regular Council
June 22, 2015


Sunday, June 21, 2015

Busy Sam Steele Days


 As usual, the Sam Steele Society put on a grand celebration involving many different organisations and volunteers.  On Saturday June 20th Cranbrook and District Arts Council provided
t shirt painting with the help of the Sam Steele Society and Walmart. 90 t shirts were hand painted by children of all ages.




Tanaya and Curtis wear their great creations.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Buttercups and Bullrushes

at Jim Smith lake

Red Wing Blackbird


What's Happening....

This is Sam Steele Days weekend and all events are listed at:

Area Talent Showcased at Sam Steele Days

submitted
Sam Steele Days Central Fairgrounds will proudly feature local artists on both Saturday June 20th and Sunday June 21st. The beautiful outdoor venue in Rotary Park Downtown Cranbrook will vibrate with the enchanting melodies and gyrations of musicians, singers and dancers plus a musical story-teller and the silly antics of Ronald Mc Donald.

Popular favourites returning to perform for the thousands of attendees will be; The Kimberley Pipe Band joined by Liela Cooper’s Highland Dancers, Trena Spears, Stages School of Dance, The Pickups (Golden BC) and The Royal Stewart Highland Dancers.

Newcomers who will experience Cranbrook’s exceptional hospitality are: The Kootenay Dance Academy as well as young singers Cassandra Bell and Amanda Spears. Although Dean Smith has contributed in previous years as the Music Director/Instructor with the Kootenay Christian Academy Jazz Band, this year he performs original compositions as a Story-Teller with guitar accompaniment.

On Saturday June 20th, live entertainment of the Community Talent Showcase will begin on Rotary Stage at 11:45am hosted for the first time by Emily Balfour. Sam Steele Showcase sponsor, Martech Electrical Systems Ltd. represented by Ilana Pretoruis says, "We’ve always maintained that what’s good for Cranbrook, is good for us. Sam Steele Days gives energy to the beginning of summer, and as sponsors, we look forward to the vibrancy the Community Talent Showcase will bring to the place we all live, work and do business in."

Performers will deliver an amazing variety show on Sunday June 21st beginning at 9AM until 3:30PM with host Matt Van Boeyen, (The Drive FM 99.1/102.9 radio). Nikki Gipman joined the Sam Steele Society in 2014 and is proud to be the Director of Sunday in the Park. “I’m excited to be expanding the Sunday festivities and stage show to include an array of local musicians, dancers and performers.” Nikki earned her Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Management and strongly believes in supporting local artists. “Salvador Ready Mix Concrete is a proud sponsor of the Sam Steele Days festival.  Please join us at our 2nd Annual Salvador Sunday in the Park Show – it’s a great event for the whole family”, invites General Manager, Lorne Isberg.

Exciting improvisational theatre welcomes the public on June 20th at the Studio/Stage Door between 1-4PM with entertainers all in character circa 1890 – 1910. “Miss Melodie’s School for Fine Young Ladies” will have some of the past Sam Steele Sweetheart candidates posing as graduates, ushering you in and serving home-made pie and sweet tea while you enjoy the performers of this all acoustic show.

Add that to AM Music’s Open Mic/Jam session across the street from the Studio/Stage Door on 11th Avenue and it can clearly be proclaimed that there has never before been a greater opportunity to enjoy local talent.

More information is available on the Sam Steele Days website www.samsteeledays.org


- 30 –

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

From the Tyee: How Harper Put Canada Massively in the Red

How Harper Put Canada Massively in the Red
He ate up a huge federal surplus, piled up six deficits. This PM wants to run on fiscal smarts? Last in series.
By Mel Hurtig, 12 Jun 2015, TheTyee.ca
 [Editor's note: This is the last of five excerpts this week from The Arrogant Autocrat: Stephen Harper's Takeover of Canada by noted Canadian nationalist Mel Hurtig. For an interview with Hurtig about his just published book, click here. To find the whole series click here.]
In the run up to the 2015 federal election, the Harper government will try to convince Canadians that the prime minister and his crew have been excellent managers of the Canadian economy and that only they are capable of delivering the same stellar results in the future. Heading into this election, they had intended to present a balanced federal budget as proof of their sound stewardship. But as I write this in spring 2015, the latest projections are that the Harper government will have difficulty delivering the long-promised surplus this year. Thanks to the precipitous fall in oil prices and revenues, the government's budgetary watchdog, Mostafa Askari, estimated a deficit as high as $1.2 billion for this year, and as much as $400 million the year following.


To read the entire article go to the link above.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

In your face...

Robin assessing visitors in the Community Forest

Scented 'Blush Hip' rose, in bloom now.

Peony
It is rose and peony time and they are all blooming approximately three weeks earlier than normal.

'Face Off' Mt. Baker Exhibit continues

The reception for Mount Baker art classes exhibit, 'Face Off' was held on the evening of Monday June 15th, in the 'The Vaults' Gallery.  The exhibit continues through Sam Steele days and can be found in the basement of Cranbrook Photo on Baker St.  Much of the exhibit presented on Monday evening was interactive and involved minimal participation of visitors.  Preconceived opinions and the reaction to road rage were two exhibits set up to challenge our thought processes. The remaining static displays are well worth a visit.

click to enlarge images









Public Produce Garden Newsletter

Click to enlarge

Monday, June 15, 2015

Almost ready


The selling of Canadian owned companies

An Opinion column from the Tyee:

Harper Shrugs as Foreigners Snap up Canadian-Owned Companies

PM waves goodbye to home-grown successes that should anchor economy. Second in a series.
By Mel Hurtig, 9 Jun 2015, TheTyee.ca 

[Editor's note: This is the second of five excerpts this week from The Arrogant Autocrat: Stephen Harper's Takeover of Canada, by noted Canadian nationalist Mel Hurtig. For an interview with Hurtig about his just published book, click here. To find the whole series, click here.]

While many Canadians are distressed by the loss of iconic Canadian companies like the Hudson's Bay Company and Tim Hortons, the same can't be said of our governments. They have mechanisms at their disposal to stop the wholesale sell-off of our nation, but they fail to act. Under Stephen Harper, we have continued to bid goodbye to far too many of our home-grown success stories. How will we ever recover these assets when they are gone?

Here is a partial list of Canadian companies sold to foreigners during a single month in 2014:
an integrated petroleum company
a major software design company
a manufacturer of office and school supplies
a marine construction services company
a company that bottles alcoholic beverages
a company that licenses, markets and distributes alcoholic beverages
a firm that provides translation services
a manufacturer and distributor of piano parts, tools and supplies
a second translation services company
a company that provides software and information technology
a company that designs, develops and sells video game engines
a company that provides solid waste collection, removal and transportation
a company that explores for and develops mineral resources
a company that provides wireless cost control management

There is no sign that the Harper government intends to do anything about this sell-off. It will continue, every day of every week of every month.

Shipping Container Home

Go to the link above to read the whole article and watch the video.

CTVNews.ca Staff
Published Sunday, June 14, 2015 10:11PM EDT
It takes a lot of thinking outside the box to build a house for just $30,000. So instead Ottawa native Joseph Dupuis simply turned a box into a home.
The former engineering student has constructed a 355-square-foot secluded cabin outside the city out of three shipping containers.
The home is winterized, powered by solar energy and can be picked up and moved on a few days' notice.
"It is definitely unique and different, but it has all of the amenities of a house," Dupuis told CTV Ottawa.
Once the thick metal doors of the containers have been opened, they reveal a bachelor pad with numerous windows and plenty of natural light, as well as a fireplace and a full kitchen.
Dupuis said the project, which he began in 2012, was a "big science experiment" that allowed him to save money and simplify his life.
"Removing myself off the grid and living a more practical, holistic life solved a lot of my financial struggles," said Dupuis.

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Beautiful Babies

Here are the Hummingbird twin babies as of Saturday June 12th.  Thank you Stewart for documenting their progress. (see previous posts for their life history)


Out and About with Stewart


IdleWild,  Blue Heron

Idlewild, Kingbird

Idlewild, Sandpiper

 and the Hummingbird babies are almost fledglings

Friday, June 12, 2015

What's Happening.....

Saturday June 13th

Cranbrook Public Library,
Garage Sale
9:00am to 5:00pm
Manual Training Building

Cranbrook Farmer's Market
10:00am - 1:00pm
Ktunaxa Building

Dora the Explorer
1:00pm
Key City Theatre
Tickets $29

East Kootenay Outdoor Club
Hike in the Hills near Lakit
phone Lorne
250-426-8864

Sunday June 14th
Auditions for:
"Crimes of the Heart"
to be directed by Paul Kershaw
Key City Theatre
2:00pm


We Love Rhubarb Kitchen Workshop

We Love Rhubarb Kitchen Workshop – Kitchen and Garden Workshop Series #2

Rhubarb is one of the first garden crops ready for harvest. Wildsight Kimberley Cranbrook and the Cranbrook Food Action Committee are once again partnering to offer the “Kitchen and Garden Workshop series” and rhubarb is the topic of the upcoming workshop.

The "We Love Rhubarb Kitchen Workshop” will be offered in Kimberley on June 16 at McKim Middle School and in Cranbrook on June 18 at the new Community Connections Kitchen. Sessions run from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and cost $20 for Wildsight members and $25 for non-members. If cost is a barrier, some volunteer bursaries are available.

Participants can expect the workshops to be fun, tasty and informative sessions. In addition to discovering more about rhubarb, you will explore some new recipes and meet your fellow community members.  Sophie of the Cranbrook Food Action Committee challenges people to “move out of the rhubarb crisp comfort zone” and try something different like a rhubarb soda!  Participants will make up to five rhubarb dishes, some savory and some sweet. There will be lots of sampling and participants will take home a little something for later.

Rhubarb is a delicious and healthy vegetable. It is rich in vitamin C, dietary fiber and calcium; it is also a source of potassium. This workshop will ensure you take full advantage of the hardy, abundant bounty of the rhubarb plant if you love rhubarb, grow it or want to expand your cooking repertoire. Register soon to avoid disappointment.
To register or find out more about the workshops visit www.wildsight.ca/kimcran or 250-427-9325 x 221


Place a  pot with a hole in the bottom over the rhubarb clump when it first appears in the spring.  This will draw the stems towards the light for the most tender stems of the season.  Remove once the leaves reach the top!

Editor's favourite recipe:


Rhubarb – Raisin Squares

St. John’s Anglican, Manitou, Manitoba from Best Recipes This Side of Heaven published by Holy Trinity Anglican, Yorkton, Sask


Base:
½ cup butter
1 cup all purpose flour
1tbsp granulated sugar

Blend (I use the processor) and press into an 8”inch square pan.  Bake at 350F for 10 mins.

Filling
2 cups chopped rhubarb
¾ cup granulated sugar
½ cup raisins
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp orange rind
3 egg yolks
½ cup milk
In medium bowl stir together and pour over hot base and bake at 350F for 45mins –‘til set

Meringue
3 egg whites
¼ cup icing sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
¼ cup flaked coconut

In mixing bowl beat egg whites ‘til foamy.  Add icing sugar and vanilla and beat until stiff and glossy. Spread over filling and sprinkle with coconut.  Bake for ten more minutes until browned..  Cool and cut into squares.

Doubles well!!  Good thing!