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Our Community: Quilts offer a window to the past

Admire quilts, some more than 100 years old, as well as 30 vintage outfits, at Canada’s History in Quilts and Fashion, Tuesday at the Salvation Army Citadel.
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Cathy Miller with vintage Canadian quilts to be featured at Canada's History in Quilts and Fashion at the Salvation Army Citadel on Tuesday.

Admire quilts, some more than 100 years old, as well as 30 vintage outfits, at Canada’s History in Quilts and Fashion, Tuesday at the Salvation Army Citadel.

The program, hosted by the Victoria Quilters’ Guild, attempts to trace the country’s changes over the years through textiles.

The collection of 25 quilts on display include:

• a quilt from the time of the Boer War;

• a map of the world, with the British Empire appliquéd in red fabric, that was used to teach children about geography;

• crazy quilts — one in wool and one that was used as a coffin quilt in 1895;

• a fundraising quilt with the names written in India ink from 1870;

• a Sunbonnet Sue quilt (original blocks from the late 1920s);

• a quilt made using feedsacks from the Dirty ’30s.

There will also be a collection of vintage outfits from each era between the 1920s and today.

The event will include a performance by Cathy Miller, known as the Singing Quilter.

Admission is $3 for guests. The event runs 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Salvation Army Citadel, 4030 Douglas St. For information, go to victoriaquiltersguild.org.

 

Town hall to address seniors’ issues

If you are a senior, or will soon be, you might be interested in attending Celebrating Seniors — A Look at Changing Demographics, a town hall event at the Cedar Hill Golf Course on Tuesday.

The two-hour, non-partisan event is being organized with the support of the Senior Liberals’ Commission of Canada in B.C.

“This is the first event of its kind our seniors’ commission has held, and we’re excited to present such highly regarded speakers in a free public forum,” said Carole Williams, event organizer. “Our goal is to bring together senior citizens and community leaders to share information on serving the physical, emotional and social needs of seniors within this changing demographic.”

Speakers include Ken Hardie, member of Parliament for Fleetwood-Port Kells, B.C., Isobel Mackenzie, B.C. seniors’ advocate, and Lori McLeod, executive director of the Victoria Eldercare Foundation.

Topics include the question of what services and amenities seniors want to see in Victoria.

“There will be a question and answer session and the event will include several information tables staffed by various community organizations that serve local seniors,” said Williams. “And of course, tea, coffee and goodies will be provided.”

The event runs 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Cedar Hill Golf Course, 1400 Derby Rd. For more information, go to bc.liberal.ca/seniors-liberal-commission-bc.

 

Tools for youth to meet the future

Youth will receive tools they need to cope with a fast-changing, uncertain future at Summit at the Bay, Nov. 18 and 19 at Royal Bay Secondary in Colwood.

As many as 500 young people are expected to attend the two-day event guided by master of ceremonies Warren Hooley of the Syilx/Okanagan First Nation and facilitated by Jeff Hopkins, principal of the Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry.

At the event, young people will dive into their personal interests and collaborate with a diverse mix of attendees.

Facilitators include policy makers, business owners, educators, lawyers and health-care professionals. Individuals representing Aboriginal and LGBTQ issues will also be on hand, along with community builders in the social-services sector.

Summit at the Bay is partnered with School District 62, Coast Capital Savings, the Royal B.C. Museum, the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business and others.

For more information, go to rethinkthinking.ca.

 

SheBiz aimed at female high school students

Female high school students in Grades 10 and 11 are exposed to the possibilities of careers in business and technology at SheBiz, Friday at St. Margaret’s School.

Although women make up the majority of university graduates, men still dominate the science, tech, engineering and math fields (STEM).

According to Statistics Canada’s National Household Survey, even when women had higher marks in STEM programs during high school, they were still less likely to enrol in a university program in those fields than their male counterparts with lower marks.

This is the sixth year of the event, but the first time it has been held in Victoria. It is being hosted by St. Margaret’s School and presented by Women in Capital Markets.

It hopes to introduce more than 200 students from at least 10 high schools to career opportunities that otherwise might not have been on their radar.

The event is free to attend. It runs 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday at St. Margaret’s School, 1080 Lucas Ave. For more information, go to wcm.ca.

 

Soup Sisters need a place to cook

Do you have a facility where a community program can make soup for people escaping family violence?

The Victoria chapter of Soup Sisters is searching for a new venue. The volunteer-driven group supports women and their children who are victims of domestic violence at Victoria Women’s Transition House.

At soup-making events, the group create an opportunity to interact with people to raise awareness about family violence.

They only have one more event at London Chef in March and, for now, will make soup in their homes to ensure there is enough soup for Transition House.

Please contact Ginny at 250-508-8868 or victoria@soupsisters.org if you have a suitable location for this worthy non-profit charity.

For more information, go to soupsisters.org.

 

Literacy Connection receives $23,600

Perseverance has paid off for the Victoria Literacy Connection, as it was chosen to receive a donation from 100 Women Who Care Victoria.

The community service group meets for one hour, four times a year. At every meeting, every woman writes a $100 cheque. Members then suggest a local charity or not-for-profit organization the collected funds should go to.

The finalists get up to champion their cause, with the assembled women voting for the charity to receive the collected funds.

Barbara Newton, Victoria Literacy Connection board member, has also been a member of 100 Women for three years. Each year, Newton had entered the group’s name, without success.

At the group’s latest meeting, she finally succeeded, telling members of 100 Women Who Care Victoria of the literacy needs in the community.

Through her efforts, the Victoria Literacy Connection will receive $23,600 to support children, youth and adults with literacy issues in Greater Victoria.

For more information, go to 100womenvictoria.com or victorialiteracyconnection.ca.

 

Christmas market helps seniors 

Get your Christmas shopping done and help residents at Mount St. Mary Hospital at the same time at their annual Christmas Market on Saturday.

The festive community event will feature 18 local vendors and artisans selling unique gifts, including woodworking, jewelry, knitting, Christmas wreaths, art, cards, jams, preserves and more.

There will also be white-elephant, bake and attic-treasures sales, including a jewelry table and a silent auction.

The Canadian College of Performing Arts will perform a capella in the Blessed Marie Anne Blondin Chapel between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Snacks and a hot turkey lunch are available for a charge.

All funds raised at the market will go toward specialized equipment and programs for residents.

The event is free to attend. It runs 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Village Square of Mount St. Mary Hospital, 861 Fairfield Rd.

Founded by the Sisters of St. Ann, Mount St. Mary Hospital is a caring community for 250 to 275 frail, elderly, and vulnerable individuals. For more information, go to mountstmary.ca.

 

Helping hand for riding association 

The Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association has been selected to receive a grant from the Canadian Tire Parasport Jumpstart Fund and Canadian Paralympic Committee.

The Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association is a Duncan-based charity that provides therapeutic riding and adapted equestrian programs for people with special needs, the majority of whom are children.

They offer a range of activities for youth and provides important opportunities for para-sport, recreation and play for children who might otherwise be inactive due to disability or other barriers.

The association will receive almost $27,700 from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

The funds will help expand and enhance services and specialized coaches — creating more opportunities for children with special needs in the Cowichan Valley.

“This contribution makes a tremendous impact,” said Jennifer Barnes van Elk, development officer. “We are a small charity with limited resources, but our kids have big dreams. The support of funders like Canadian Tire and the Canadian Paralympic Committee help make these dreams a reality.”

For more information, go to ctra.ca.

 

Rotary offers a tasty fundraiser 

The Harbourside Rotary Club’s Christmas Fruitcakes is one fundraiser you can really sink your teeth into.

Local Rotarians are once again getting into the spirit of the season with fruitcakes that taste good and do good.

The cakes are lovingly made in the kitchens of Camosun College by Harbourside Rotarians, friends and family using a recipe handed down through the generations of the family of the club president, Ann Moskow. The brandy probably helps.

This year, they have made 700 cakes and expect to sell out by mid-December.

Last year, Harbourside Rotary funded almost $165,000 in programs locally and internationally, some of which was raised through the fruitcake fundraiser.

The medium cake costs $27, with the large selling for $49. This year, the popular truffles are also back, with a box of eight costing $15. Pickup and delivery are possible (see the website’s Frequently Asked Questions for more details). For more information, or to order, go to harboursidestore.ca.

 

SS Beaver awards honour marine sector 

Four British Columbians and the Sail and Life Training Society were honoured for outstanding achievements in B.C.’s marine sector at the Maritime Museum’s annual SS Beaver awards, last Thursday.

The awards were presented by Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon at a ceremony at Government House. She presented the medals in her capacity as honorary patron of the museum.

“The SS Beaver awards are intended to recognize extraordinary contributions by British Columbians in many marine-related fields,” said Barry Rolston of the medal committee. “The 2017 recipients, nominated by the public, represent the range of achievements that the award aims to acknowledge.”

Winners included:

• Campbell Black, an entrepreneur who established the Quadrant Marine Institute, an apprenticeship training facility in Sidney to teach marine-service technicians.

• Barrie Farrell, innovative fish-boat builder who developed an innovative fibreglass hull form in the 1960s.

• Capt. Keith McLaren, a retired deep sea and coastal mariner, author of award-winning books on seafaring.

• A special award recognized the Sail Life and Training Society for its youth sail training and motivational programs. SALTS programs reach 1,700 young people, age 13 to 25, each year. It has mentored between 50,000 and 60,000 youth since 1974.

• Roland Webb of White Rock, a certified marine engineer and senior executive in the ship-repair and shipbuilding sector.

Nominations for the award are submitted by the public. Nominees are then evaluated through a screening process. The award medal is cast from materials salvaged front the wreck of the pioneering SS Beaver. It was the first steam-powered ship on the west coast of North America and operated for 52 years along B.C.’s coast.